The short-statured marshal had expected his visit to begin with a show of hostility. Perhaps a squad of Xike City warriors would be waiting at the entrance to hurl abuse at him—or even start a fight.
But that didn't happen.
When he stepped onto the deck of Murphy's Hammer, the only person waiting for him was a female Transian intelligence officer. There was no grand display, no angry victim. It seemed Governor Murphy had no intention of making a big public spectacle of Transia's enemy arriving.
Or perhaps this was meant to be a private conversation.
The attitude put Marshal Loren at ease, as it did General Soros, who had come with him. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Adele, they followed her inside the airship.
But when they realized they were headed toward the medical bay, the short-statured marshal grew suspicious again.
Were they going to beat him up in the medical bay and then give him emergency treatment on the spot?
The Transians might be uncivilized, but surely they wouldn't do something like that during a diplomatic meeting?
Those thoughts followed him until they entered the medical bay. General Soros, who had accompanied the marshal, immediately spotted his own rebellious son standing outside the glass walls of the treatment room, watching what was happening inside with a tense, worried look.
Colonel Ron had rushed over as soon as the battlefield matters were taken care of, eager to see his good friend.
He hadn't even changed his protective gear or washed up. He was still wearing battered armor stained with blood, with a loaded Iron Hammer Guard lying at his feet. Most striking of all was his left leg.
The trouser leg had been burned by flames and was full of holes, as if he were wearing some particularly