What Is a Rogue Trader? The Most Selfish, Utterly Self-Serving Person!
Our situation isn't too bad.
"A few aggressive creatures were found inside the wreckage of the crashed Mechanicus Ark, but they have all been cleared out."
"Most of the warship's functions have been damaged, including its life support and energy systems. We have already established a landing zone."
The external Stormfront has also subsided, which can provide landing guidance for the fleet.
It carefully controlled "Topa," trying to make the area appear as safe as possible.
In the past century, it has learned to be cunning.
Just like now, it knows very well how tempting the mineral veins on this planet are to these humans. All it needs to do is act as if it poses no threat, and these foolish creatures will eagerly walk into its trap!
This is what the mechanical fleet looked like when it arrived here a hundred years ago; it will remain the same a hundred years from now!
Greed is the greatest weakness of these creatures.
Moreover, it holds an absolute advantage. To this day, humanity is still unaware that the ocean covering planet CV-7721 is essentially a "creature" with a collective symbiotic consciousness!
And that is its greatest advantage.
In the memories of these humans, the Cocoon of Myriad Machines saw the massive fleet and the vast territory of the Imperium of Man. It was confident that as long as it could escape and leave this damned planet, it could infiltrate human society and gradually devour this civilization!
There was a long silence on the communication channel.
But it didn't care at all; it was very patient. In the process of billions of years of evolution, it didn't care about this little bit of time. It learned patience from Julius, the genius Grand Sage who created it!
A moment later, a steady voice came through the communication channel. "Understood, Delta Squad. Please send your coordinates and wait patiently to provide guidance for the fleet's landing."
Great, you've been tricked!
The Cocoon of Myriad Machines was delighted. The pink ocean covering the entire planet, and the countless symbiotic clusters of consciousness, seemed to sense its emotions, stirring up waves.
"Delta Squad---Received."
"We will send coordinates to provide safe guidance for the fleet's landing."
It skillfully manipulated the stiff "Topa" and operated the buttons on the instrument panel to send out the coordinates.
He was only one step away from escaping this planet, devouring more humans, and evolving into a higher level of existence!
After those foolish humans landed their fleet, it repeated its old trick, carefully infiltrating in once more.
Once we have control of the ship, we can enter a much larger universe.
In Topa's bloodshot eyes, a flicker of excitement and agitation flashed, his stiffness and bulging veins contrasting with the twitching smile on his ashen face.
"None of you will escape!"
Meanwhile, a quarrel broke out aboard the forward research vessel hovering in space orbit.
"Are you... are you insane?!"
Iggs, the Tech-Priest, stared at Alfonso in shock, utterly horrified by the order Alfonso had just given, and protested, "Do you even know what you're doing?!"
"I know exactly what I'm doing." Alfonso his arms, tilted his head, and lowered his gaze slightly.
The voice landed on Iggs, and the priest said calmly, "Father Iggs, this is an order I gave as the supreme commander of the forward research vessel. You have no right to interfere."
No, no!
Iggs glared, his Cybernetic eye blazing with fury, his voice rising several octaves. "In the name of the Tech-Priest, the Martian Mechanicus, Valshius Family, I order you to cease this damned recklessness! Do you know what's on this planet? It's Adamantium mine! What if your Macrocannon strike destroys the Adamantium mine? Do you know the extent of the damage that would do to Valshius?!"
The reason they started arguing was very simple.
Just moments ago, Alfonso had barely finished asking for the landing coordinates when he turned around and instructed the Star Whisperer to transmit the coordinates back to the "Sword of Redemption," demanding that the mothership target that location and unleash a Macrocannon of devastating attacks!
Yes, you heard right!
Alfonso requested that the mothership launch a massive Macrocannon against the coordinates provided by Delta Squad!
Iggs's protest was actually quite easy to understand. While the cruiser's Macrocannon weren't as powerful as the Light Lance, they were still far beyond what the Adamantium vein could withstand. What if this attack destroyed the entire Adamantium vein?
Moreover, he simply couldn't understand Alfonso's logic. Delta's team had already proven their identities, so why was they still going to launch Macrocannon attack?
"Your Excellency Brother Alfonso, I demand a reasonable explanation." Iggs said in a deep voice, "The value of this Adamantium vein is enough to grant the Valshius Family a prestigious position and unimaginable wealth within the Imperium. I will not allow you to destroy it based on the slightest, baseless suspicion!"
He was Carroll's protégé, and although he did not wield power, his position did allow him to question Alfonso.
Faced with Iggs's question, Alfonso calmly looked at him and said, "Iggs, I understand your emphasis on this mine, but—that's the fundamental difference between us."
"What's the meaning?"
Iggs paused for a few seconds.
"All you care about is profit, but I care more about safety," Alfonso continued calmly. "In your understanding, the Delta team has already passed identity verification, which is enough to prove their credibility, but I don't think so."
"Their communications were interrupted for a long time," Alfonso said calmly. "Of course, this is due to the ionizing Stormfront, but the problem is... none of us can be sure whether the Delta team we were communicating with was still 'human' after the ionizing Stormfront ended."
"That's the first point." He paused, then continued, "The second point is that the real-time imaging equipment was damaged beyond repair, and there are no replacement parts available. This is very unusual, and the probability is extremely low."
"But that's not even possible."
Iggs still believes he made a mountain out of a molehill.
"You're right, that's certainly possible."
Alfonso nodded in agreement, then added, "Next, the third point: they're in too much of a rush. From the second communication established, they've been guiding us to land, constantly emphasizing the safety of this place, which is unreasonable."
Iggs was pleased.
Thinking about it carefully, something does seem a bit off!
"But we have no evidence to prove they're guilty, do we?" Iggs gritted his teeth, still insisting on his point of view. "It's all just your speculation!"
"You're right, it's all just my speculation." Alfonso admitted without hesitation, his tone icy under Iggs' gaze, as if carrying a chilling murderous intent. "But we don't need evidence, Father Iggs!"
"We are an exploration fleet."
"We are the pioneers of humankind!"
"In your opinion, what kind of person can become a pioneer? Rogue Trader?"
Iggs was once again bewildered.
Then, Alfonso calmly said, "It's selfish people. Only those who are extremely self-centered, driven by profit, and willing to pay any price or consider the consequences to achieve their goals, are true Rogue Trader!"
"Only such people could navigate the darkness of the universe, in this unknown place, far removed from the light of the Astronomican."
To pave the way for mankind!
"His Highness Alvin is that kind of person."
As they spoke, Alfonso handed a Data Slate to the still bewildered Iggs: "This is His Highness Alvin's order. He has been monitoring the developments here, including our conversation just now, as well as the Delta Squad's conversation. This is also his authorization."
On the Data Slate was a cold, impersonal command.
"Delta Squad's coordinates confirmed. Three Macrocannon ready to fire and inflict devastating damage on the target— Alvin Valshius."
Iggs was bewildered.
Was he really wrong?
Carroll looked at Alvin on the command bridge, his figure seemingly overlapping with Horn's, which brought him a sense of comfort, "How did you know there was something wrong with Delta Squad?"
"I can't be really sure if they have a problem," Alvin said calmly, his gaze fixed on the pink planet. "But just as easily, I can't be sure they really don't have a problem."
"The universe is dark, cold, and selfish."
"To survive in this starry sky, one must possess an absolutely cold, pragmatic heart, driven purely by selfishness, ego, and self-interest."
"I treated them very well, all for this moment."
This is the true face of the Rogue Trader!
Extremely selfish, cold-blooded, and ruthless, a machine driven by profit, they are the pioneers of humanity, but also the most extreme egoists!