Three days later.
In the depths of Talon-1, the Hiveworld, a grand meeting was underway. The venue was the command building in New Kato, within its vast conference hall. Present were the commanders of the First Army, officers of the Imperial Guard and Fleet, nobles from Talon-2, high-ranking leaders of the Resistance, and representatives of the Ecclesiarchy.
All knew the war was nearing its end.
In a single night, every enemy on Talon-3 had vanished without explanation. The few remaining enemies on Talon-2 were disorganized and leaderless, more like remnants than an actual force. The end of the war seemed inevitable.
Yet, despite this knowledge, confusion filled the room. Everyone had prepared for a prolonged campaign on Talon-3. Even the Ecclesiarchy, though initially uninvolved, had rallied nearly a million militia from the civilians under the Resistance's protection, ready to march into battle. And now, to hear that there was no need for war on Talon-3 was bewildering.
"What is the situation on Talon-3?" a priest from the Ecclesiarchy stood and questioned Qin Mo. "I've heard reports that the bulk of Arkhan's forces were stationed there, not here on Talon-2."
Qin Mo interrupted calmly, "If they were on Talon-3, they are no more. Talon-3 is now a world cleansed of all enemies."
"How? How is that possible?" the priest, incredulous, pressed further. It was not a question of distrust in Qin Mo's abilities—many within the Ecclesiarchy believed he was the Emperor's chosen emissary. But the thought of an entire world's enemies disappearing seemed impossible to grasp.
"They were erased, utterly, by a weapon," Qin Mo replied, his gaze shifting to Adam.
Adam rose, walking to a corner of the room where a device for controlling holographic projections stood. He inserted a data card, and a projection of Talon-3 appeared before the assembly. The planet had transformed. What was once a war-torn land was now a serene ocean world, at least on the surface.
"Our scans confirm," Adam explained, "there is no life left on the planet."
The priest nodded, still dazed, and sat down, whispering to his peers. They began muttering amongst themselves, trying to rationalize the sudden change using Ecclesiarchical doctrine.
"You would do well," Qin Mo advised the Ecclesiarchy, "to craft a narrative—perhaps one of divine intervention—and announce it to the people swiftly."
Qin Mo did not wish to claim the glory for himself but needed the Ecclesiarchy to provide an explanation that the masses could accept.
"We will," the priest nodded hurriedly.
Qin Mo moved on to more pressing matters. "What of the former governor of Talon-2?"
Donna, who hailed from a knightly house, answered promptly, "There is no governor. Talon-2 was once an agricultural world before heretics transformed it into an industrial hub. The position of governor has been vacant for some time, long before the civil war between the loyalists and the heretics."
"But the last governor's bloodline still exists," a noble interjected, rising from his seat. "And a member of that bloodline is now a marshal within the Resistance."
All eyes turned to the section where the Resistance officers sat. The eldest among them, adorned with the highest rank, gave a slight nod, confirming the noble's statement.
Now, every representative from Talon-2 watched Qin Mo, waiting for his reaction. The Resistance, the symbol of the loyalists, and the nobility both hoped for a favorable outcome. They desired a governor for Talon-2, someone who was not merely Qin Mo's puppet.
But they also understood that this was merely wishful thinking.
"You are the savior of Talon-2," the noble continued. "Once order is restored to our world and a new governor takes office, we would enter into an agreement with you. You would have command over our forces and resources, and our people would stand ready to serve should your Hiveworld fall into rebellion."
The moment the noble finished, Grey stood abruptly, his voice filled with anger. "What nonsense are you spouting? Do you speak for yourself or for all the people of your world? If we hadn't arrived in time, your Resistance would have been slaughtered long ago!"
No one dared to refute Grey's words, not even the Resistance officers, as they knew he spoke the truth. Before Qin Mo's intervention, the Resistance fought simply to survive, not out of any belief in a favorable outcome. It was only a matter of time before Arkhan's forces would have crushed them.
"Sit down," Qin Mo gestured for Grey to calm down. Then, he turned back to the noble, asking, "So, what you are suggesting is that all the people of Talon-2 would be my vassals, not my... subordinates?"
The noble nodded silently but added, "In name, yes. But you are our savior. We would never defy you."
"Then I have a simpler, more direct solution," Qin Mo stated, his tone unwavering. "I will appoint individuals to govern your world directly."
Though the nobles had anticipated Qin Mo's firm stance, his bluntness still took them by surprise.
"I will take direct control of your world. I will conscript your people, command your resources, just as I do in the Hiveworld," Qin Mo continued, his gaze sweeping across the room. "I waged a war to unify this star system. Talon-2 is one of my spoils of war. Why should I not claim it as my own?"
Silence followed his words. No one dared to object. They were either too stunned by his forthrightness or too uncertain of how to counter his logic.
Before coming to this meeting, the nobles of Talon-2 had privately discussed their worst-case scenario—indirect rule by Qin Mo. None of them had anticipated he would be so blatant about his intent to fully control the planet.
"Those who sit before me are loyal and capable individuals. Your contributions in the fight against the heretics will not go unnoticed," Qin Mo reassured them. He did not intend to strip them of their status or wealth.
In his eyes, these nobles had proven themselves brave and resolute. Despite seventy percent of their world succumbing to heresy, they had chosen to resist with everything they had. Without their sacrifices, the Resistance would have starved long ago.