Chapter 1423: We Must Hold Hostages in Our Hands

Capital Star of the Zelar Commercial Alliance, Commercial Council Hall.

Kas sat at the head of the long table, silent.

The Capital Star of the Sargon Free Territory was reduced to fragments in an explosion.

The Capital Star of the Viridian United Kingdom was also reduced to fragments in an explosion.

Two Capital Stars, both gone.

And the fleet of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is closing in on the Zelar Commercial Alliance.

Sanguinius's Blood Angels Fleet, but to Kas, they are the Grim Reaper.

"Is the news confirmed?"

Kas asked.

The Minister of Intelligence nodded.

"Confirmed. The Capital Stars of the Sargon Free Territory and the Viridian United Kingdom have both been destroyed. Horus and Corax acted simultaneously; no negotiations, no ultimatums, just orbital bombardment immediately upon the fleet's arrival."

Kas frowned and asked.

"What about our fleet?"

The military Commander said.

"The fleet has finished assembling, but facing the Blood Angels Fleet... it simply cannot stop them."

Kas stood up and said in a serious tone.

"We cannot sit and wait for death; we must hold hostages in our hands to make the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance willing to talk to us."

The Minister of Finance asked.

"Hostages? What hostages? The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance won't care about our people."

Kas smiled and said.

"They care about Humans. There are Human slaves within the Zelar Commercial Alliance, and in significant numbers. Transfer those Human slaves to the Capital Star, the more the better.

Sanguinius is the Primarch of the Blood Angels; his fleet is here to annihilate us, but he will not take action against fellow Humans. With hostages in hand, he will not dare to conduct direct orbital bombardment."

The military Commander frowned.

"Archon, transfer Human slaves to the Capital Star? That requires a massive number of transport ships and time. If the number of hostages is small, will Sanguinius ignore the lives of those Human slaves and bomb us anyway?"

Kas shook his head and said.

"Then hurry. All transport ships, deploy them all. Transport as many as you can to maximize our bargaining chips.

If Sanguinius kills thousands upon thousands of fellow Humans, the Emperor will not let him off, and the people of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance will not let him off either. This is our chance to survive!"

Kas issued the order immediately.

"Notify all planets to immediately transfer the Human slaves within their borders to the Capital Star. Move fast!"

Once the order was issued, the various planets of the Zelar Commercial Alliance began to act.

Valun Star, mining colony.

In the mines, Human slaves were hauling ore.

Here, they are "contract workers"; the contract term is ninety-nine years, the wage is zero, and escape is a capital offense.

The mine supervisor is a Zelar; after receiving the order, he immediately summoned all overseers.

"Gather all Humans, load them onto ships, and transport them to the Capital Star."

An overseer asked.

"Supervisor, how many?"

"All of them, leave not a single one behind."

The Human slaves in the mine were driven out of their dormitories—men, women, old, and young, dressed in rags—and forced onto transport ships.

A young slave asked the old man beside him.

"Where are we going?"

"I don't know, but wherever it is, it's better than here."

The transport ships lifted off and flew toward the Capital Star.

Elan Star, agricultural colony.

On the farms, Human slaves were working in the fields.

They were likewise forced onto transport ships and sent to the Capital Star.

Colin Star, industrial colony.

In the factories, Human slaves were assembling parts on assembly lines; they were also forced onto transport ships.

The transport ships shuttled through the starfield, converging on the Capital Star.

When Sanguinius's Blood Angels Fleet was about to arrive at the Capital Star of the Zelar Commercial Alliance.

On the *Angel*, Sanguinius stood before the observation window, looking at the Holographic Star Map.

In the star sector of the Zelar Commercial Alliance, the light point representing the Capital Star was flickering.

A massive number of transport ships were converging on the Capital Star from all around.

"Father, reconnaissance report."

The Adjutant walked over, saluted, and reported.

"The Zelar Commercial Alliance is transporting Human slaves to the Capital Star on a massive scale. According to intelligence, at least tens of millions of Human slaves have already been transferred to the Capital Star, and more are on the way."

Sanguinius's brow furrowed.

"They are using hostages as leverage."

"Yes, Kas knows we will not take action against our own kind. He wants to use Human slaves as bargaining chips to negotiate with us."

Sanguinius pressed his Communication Device.

"All fleets, decelerate. Issue a broadcast, covering all planets of the Zelar Commercial Alliance."

The Adjutant brings up a holographic screen.

Sanguinius's image appears on every communication channel of the Zelar Commercial Alliance.

"Citizens of the Zelar Commercial Alliance, I am Sanguinius, Primarch of the Blood Angels. Your Archon Kas has sent people to kidnap the Emperor's son, violating the bottom line of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance. Your Capital Star will be destroyed, but you still have a chance.

Any planet that has transported Human slaves to the Capital Star will also face my reckoning afterward. Those Human slaves are compatriots of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, not your bargaining chips. Stop the transport immediately and return the slaves already sent; otherwise, your planets will be destroyed along with the Capital Star."

The image ends.

The various planets of the Zelar Commercial Alliance explode into chaos.

On Valun Star, the mining supervisor is drinking tea after receiving the order.

Hearing Sanguinius's broadcast, the teacup in his hand drops to the ground.

"What? Reckoning? Our planet will also be bombed?"

His subordinate says hurriedly.

"Supervisor, Sanguinius said that he will reckon with any planet that has transported Human slaves to the Capital Star."

The supervisor stands up.

"Then what are you waiting for? Transport those slaves back! Quickly!"

"It is already too late; the transport ships have already arrived at the Capital Star."

The supervisor collapses into his chair.

"It's over... it's all over..."

On Elan Star, the farm supervisor also hears the broadcast.

He immediately gives the order to keep the slaves who have not yet departed.

For those who have already departed, he tries to contact the Capital Star, demanding the slaves be sent back.

The communication connects, but the official on the Capital Star side refuses.

"The Archon has ordered that no Human slaves sent to the Capital Star shall be returned. This is the Archon's order."

The farm supervisor says.

"But Sanguinius said that if our slaves are not returned, our planet will also be reckoned with."

"That is your business; the Archon's order cannot be violated."

"I f*** your m***"

The farm supervisor hangs up the communication in anger.

Kas stands in the Command Center of the Capital Star, looking at the holographic screen.

Sanguinius's fleet has already entered the star sector of the Zelar Commercial Alliance and is advancing toward the Capital Star.

Their speed is not fast; they seem to be waiting for something.

"Archon, many planets are demanding to send the slaves back. Sanguinius's broadcast has made them afraid."

"They cannot be sent back. If we send them back, we will have no bargaining chips."

The Adjutant says.

"But those planets are unwilling to bear the risk of being reckoned with. Some planets have already begun to refuse to transport slaves, and others are demanding that we return the slaves that have already arrived."

"Return them? Impossible! Tell them this is the Archon's order and must be obeyed. Those who resist will be treated as traitors."

"Yes."

On the various planets of the Zelar Commercial Alliance, the Archons fall into a dilemma.

If they continue to transport slaves, they will be reckoned with by Sanguinius.

If they do not transport them, they will be executed by Kas.

They are caught in the middle, trapped in a difficult position.

The mining supervisor of Valun Star sits in his office, looking worried.

He has already sent the slaves to the Capital Star and now wants to transport them back, but the Capital Star will not release them. What should he do?

"Supervisor, Sanguinius's fleet is advancing toward the Capital Star."

"I know. Once they reach the Capital Star, we are next."

"Then what should we do?"

The supervisor stands up.

"What should we do? Run. While there is still time, run."

He begins to pack his things.

On the *Angel*, Sanguinius looks at the Holographic Star Map.

In the star sector of the Zelar Commercial Alliance, the transport fleets are no longer continuing to send slaves to the Capital Star.

"Father, the interior of the Zelar Commercial Alliance is already in chaos. Many planets refuse to transport any more slaves, and those that have already arrived want to be sent back, but the Capital Star will not release them."

The Adjutant reports.

Sanguinius says.

"This Kas is betting that I dare not take action against my compatriots."

"Father, what shall we do?"

Sanguinius nods.

"Have the warriors prepare. Prepare for a landing operation. I will make these Aliens regret that they chose this way to end their lives!"

"Yes."