Chapter 1424: Using Hostages to Threaten Me, Do You Think I Would Be Afraid?

In the Capital Planet Orbit of the Zelar Commercial Alliance, the Blood Angels Fleet has arrived at the designated position.

Kas stands before the window of the Command Center on the Capital Star, feeling nervous inside.

Forty million Human slaves are his final bargaining chip.

He transported these Humans from various planets and locked them in camps temporarily built on the Capital Star, all for this very moment.

"Archon, the fleet of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance has arrived. The flagship of Sanguinius, the 'Angel', requests to establish communication."

The Adjutant reports.

Kas turns around and walks to the Communication Device.

"Put it through."

The holographic screen lights up, and the face of Sanguinius appears on the display.

His long golden hair glows slightly under the lights, his face is handsome yet cold, and his wings are folded behind his back.

"Kas."

Sanguinius speaks, his voice calm.

Kas makes his tone humble.

"Lord Sanguinius, the Zelar Commercial Alliance admits its mistake. We should not have sent people to hijack the son of the Emperor. But those sinners have already been executed; now, the Zelar Commercial Alliance is willing to accept all conditions of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, only asking that you spare our planet."

Seeing that Sanguinius does not speak, Kas continues.

"On this planet, there are over forty million Human slaves, Lord Sanguinius. If you order an orbital bombardment, these Humans will also die. They are your kin; you would not take action against your own kin, would you?"

The corners of Sanguinius's mouth lift slightly.

"Do you think that with this, I will spare you?"

Kas's hands clench.

"Lord Sanguinius, we only want to survive; the Zelar Commercial Alliance is willing to pay any price."

Sanguinius shakes his head slightly and refuses.

"The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance will not compromise, nor will it abandon its kin. You use hostages to threaten me; do you think I will be afraid? Do you think I will hesitate? You are wrong, dead wrong."

Kas says.

"But, those forty million Humans..."

"Those people, I will save, but you must die. Hijacking the son of the Emperor and using hostages to threaten the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance—either one of these two crimes is enough to make you disappear."

Kas's lips are trembling.

"Lord Sanguinius, we can talk..."

Sanguinius says.

"There is no room for talk. Why do you think you can negotiate? You thought that by capturing Human kin, I would be afraid to act. You do not understand the Emperor, you do not understand the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, and you do not understand Humans.

My father once said that Humans do not enslave Humans, nor do they allow Aliens to enslave Humans. You have enslaved Humans for decades, and now you want to use Humans as a shield. Kas, you will regret this."

"Lord Sanguinius..."

The communication is cut off, and the holographic screen goes dark.

Kas stands where he is, his hands still shaking.

He looks at the now-dim screen, stunned.

"He... he actually doesn't buy this? He doesn't feel any pressure at all?"

The Adjutant walks over.

"Archon, Sanguinius has rejected our conditions. What do we do now?"

"Prepare for defense. All ground forces enter their positions. Scatter all Human slaves throughout the city... they won't dare to bomb the city, they won't dare to kill their kin."

The Adjutant nods and turns to pass on the orders.

Kas's mind goes blank.

He thought forty million Human slaves were an Amulet; he thought Sanguinius would hesitate; he thought the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance would care about the hostages, but he was wrong.

Kas's hand mechanically presses the Communication Device.

"All units, enter combat status. The Blood Angels Fleet may attack at any time."

Replies from various units come through the Communication Device.

But Kas knows those replies are meaningless; the Blood Angels Fleet only needs to keep up the orbital bombardment, and his planet will turn into fragments. He is merely stalling for time.

In orbit, on the Bridge of the 'Angel', Sanguinius stands before the viewing window, looking at the deep blue planet below.

"Father, the reconnaissance report confirms that there are at least forty-three million Human slaves on the Capital Star, scattered everywhere. Many slaves are detained in temporary camps, but some have been moved to the city center."

Sanguinius nods and asks.

"How is the ground defense situation?"

The Adjutant says.

"The ground defense forces are mainly light weapons and Anti-Air Cannon; their fleet has already been crushed by us, and the remaining ships are fleeing."

Sanguinius begins to formulate the combat plan.

"First, locate the detention sites of the Human slaves.

Second, airborne assault teams to rescue the hostages.

Third, ground forces to mop up Alien resistance forces.

Fourth, after controlling the Capital Star, issue a surrender ultimatum to other planets."

Sanguinius turns to face the Communication Device.

"Blood Angels, all companies, prepare for airborne drop. Target: Zelar Commercial Alliance Capital Star. Task: Rescue Human kin, eliminate all Alien resistance forces."

"First Company received."

"Second Company received."

"Third Company received."

Sanguinius spoke.

"Brothers, there are forty million of our kin waiting for us below. There are also twelve billion Aliens. The Aliens must die, and our kin must be saved. After landing, first locate the hostages and establish a defensive perimeter. Then, purge the Aliens; leave no survivors."

The replies of the various Company Commanders rang out in the communication channel.

"We shall not fail the blood of Sanguinius!"

The drop pods began to detach from the ship and plummeted toward the planet's surface; rows of drop pods were ejected, resembling a meteor shower.

In the Command Center of Kas, the screens displayed dense clusters of light points; those drop pods were falling.

"Archon, they have deployed via drop pods!"

The officer shouted.

Kas stood up.

"Drop pods? Are they not afraid of causing collateral damage to the hostages?"

The officer said.

"Their drop pods have avoided the areas where hostages are concentrated; the landing points are all on the outskirts of the city and near military facilities."

Kas's legs went weak, and he sat back down in his chair.

"It is over; they really intend to fight a ground war."

The military Commander said.

"Archon, our ground forces have the advantage, and their Airborne Troops only number a few thousand; we can try!"

Kas shook his head helplessly.

"That is the only way; we have no other choice."