...
Meanwhile, Gray patrolled the first floor in his powered armor, ensuring he would be ready to spring into battle the moment the rebels launched their attack. As he approached the largest room on the first floor, he was suddenly called to a halt. Turning around, he saw it was Lawren.
Lawren stood at the doorway, a smile playing on his lips as he scrutinized Gray. "Do you have time for a chat?"
Gray frowned, a wave of distaste washing over him. Yet, for reasons unknown, he suddenly nodded. "Sure."
Thus, Lawren ushered Gray into his room, closed the door, and walked over to the table to pour a drink for Gray.
"What is this?" Gray inquired suspiciously, his gaze fixed on the glass.
"Wine," Lawren replied, smiling as he lifted the glass, offering it to Gray with both hands.
"I've seen black wine and orange wine, but I've never encountered transparent wine. Don't try to deceive me; my education is limited," Gray said, accepting the glass with skepticism.
Lawren merely smiled in silence, watching as Gray brought the glass to his helmet to inhale the aroma.
Though Lawren couldn't see the expression on Gray's face beneath the visor, he was certain it revealed a sense of rapture.
Then, Gray removed his helmet and downed the drink in one go. "By the Emperor... what is this... Emperor..."
The exquisite flavor of the wine left Gray astounded and bewildered, leaving him timidly savoring the pleasure, afraid to fully indulge in it.
"Poor fellow," Lawren chuckled, shaking his head. "It's merely a fruit-based wine, a trivial luxury. Yet, for someone like you, living in the depths, it's a taste you would hardly dare to dream of."
With that, Lawren shocked Gray by offering him the remaining half bottle of fruit wine.
"Thank you, Commander," Gray said, taking the wine with both hands and carefully stowing it in his jetpack.
At this moment, their relationship had warmed somewhat, and Gray no longer regarded Lawren with the same animosity as before.
Lawren observed Gray's demeanor, contemplating his next move, and decided to press further. "You know, the governor's cousin is my sister's husband, and I..."
"How could someone like you end up sold?" Gray interrupted, questioning him.
"It's all the Marshal's fault; he was overly complacent and reckless. This has nothing to do with the governor." Lawren answered Gray's question before continuing with his own thoughts. "If we make it out of here, I would nominate you as a general of the planetary defense forces."
Upon hearing this, Gray lifted his head to meet Lawren's gaze, his visor glinting with desire.
Becoming a general was an unimaginable dream for a soldier from the depths. Gray understood that this meant he could ascend to the status of a noble, leaving behind the filth of the underbelly with his family and friends, becoming part of a respectable household in the clean and orderly upper district.
"But you understand," Lawren continued, aware that Gray was swayed, "this is a transaction of interests. You must also provide something in return—something that, in my view, is trivial, yet at this moment, it is of paramount importance."
"What is it?" Gray asked.
"Loyalty," Lawren replied.
"..." Gray did not respond further, lowering his head in contemplation.
Noticing Gray's hesitation, Lawren remained calm. As a noble skilled in intrigue, he had a hundred ways to subtly probe Gray's thoughts.
In Lawren's view, Gray was merely constrained by his lack of useful connections, incapable of making rational judgments and decisions regarding his future. A little probing was all that was needed.
"You needn't rush to respond," Lawren said, shaking his head with a smile. "I have to inspect other positions. I will inform the soldiers at those positions that a true leader capable of commanding the entire defense line has emerged—that's me. I want them to understand this clearly."
Gray listened quietly.
"If you are willing, you can don your powered armor, gather fellow warriors like yourself, and accompany me," Lawren continued.
After making his request, Lawren awaited Gray's response in silence.
If Gray nodded in agreement, it would signify his yearning for power and status. Although he might still be unable to break free from useless connections and couldn't yet resolve to betray Qin Mo, it was only a matter of time before they stood united.
Underneath the visor of his powered armor, Gray's expression was complex. After much contemplation, he stood up and walked to the door.
Lawren, disappointed, assumed Gray was about to reject him, but Gray immediately pushed the door open and gestured invitingly. "I will naturally obey your orders, Commander."
"Excellent, soldier!" Lawren responded with satisfaction, stepping out of the room with a smile.
In the corridor, Lawren strode forward with his hands clasped behind his back, his aura becoming commanding with Gray following closely behind.
Lawren felt elated, oblivious to the ferocity of Gray's expression concealed beneath the visor.
...
Next door, Riley had her own room—one that had existed before the expansion of the fortress, complete with a bedroom and bathroom, well-equipped.
Currently, the fortress maintained a water supply, allowing water suitable for bathing to flow from the taps. Although it reeked of a strong filtering agent, what more could one expect in the depths?
Riley locked the door, took a shower, and lay on her mat, reflecting on the day's events.
Suddenly, she recalled the moment Qin Mo had returned her, when he removed his helmet to reveal his true self.
This man evoked a peculiar sensation within her—not infatuation, admiration, or gratitude, but rather a sense of familiarity, as if she had encountered him before.
Out of habit as a legal department intelligence officer, Riley retrieved her personal information terminal and searched for the name Qin Mo in the legal department's database.
This peculiar name appeared only once in the hive city, and the individual bearing it was indeed listed in the legal department's records.
**[Name: Qin Mo]**
**[Prisoner Number: 444]**
**[Reason for Arrest: Uncertified psyker, attempting to use psychic powers to murder others.]**
Beneath this string of information was a photo of Qin Mo, looking rather disheveled when captured and photographed by the legal department.
"Number 444!" Riley gasped, quickly shutting the information terminal, trembling all over.
She suddenly remembered where she had seen Qin Mo before.
During his capture!
It was precisely because she had participated in the dangerous operation to apprehend Qin Mo that she had earned her promotion to intelligence officer. She had witnessed his capture but only caught a fleeting glance.
"By the Emperor!" Riley hastily dressed, pushed open her door, and hurried toward Lawren's room. She needed to report Qin Mo's status as a prisoner to Lawren.
However, when she reached the door to Lawren's room and pushed it open, she found no one inside.
"Lawren took Gray out," Grot, who had replaced Gray on the first floor patrol, approached, towering over Riley in his powered armor.
"Good evening, sir. Could you take me to find the Commander?" Riley respectfully requested.
"If you have something to report, please go directly to Qin Mo," Grot replied.
"I'm sorry, but this is truly a matter of great importance."
"Do you know where the rebel leaders are? Otherwise, don't waste my time; you legal department folks have enough on your plate."
"Please... sir..."
"…"
"Why don't I take you to find Lawren?"
A voice, chilling to Riley, echoed from behind her.
Trembling, Riley turned to see Qin Mo.
With a gentlemanly smile, he extended his hand, appearing almost benevolent. "Come, my lady, I shall take you to find Lawren."
"I won't seek out the Commander," Riley insisted, shaking her head vigorously, attempting to act as though nothing had occurred and retreating to her room.
Yet Qin Mo blocked her path, commanding in an unyielding tone, "You may choose not to seek Lawren, but you must come with me."