Follow Me

Meanwhile.

Grey patrolled the first floor in his Power Armor, ensuring he could throw himself into battle the moment the Rebels launched their attack.

As he walked into the largest room on the first floor, Grey was suddenly called to a halt. Turning to see who had summoned him, he found Laun.

Laun stood at the doorway, sizing Grey up with a smile. "Got a moment to talk?"

Grey frowned, deep disgust churning inside him, but something crossed his mind, and he nodded. "Fine."

Laun ushered Grey into his room, closed the door, and walked to the table to pour him a glass of wine himself.

"What's this?" Grey stared at the glass, wary.

"Wine." Laun smiled, lifting the glass and handing it to Grey with both hands.

"I've seen black wine and orange wine, but never clear wine. I didn't get much schooling—don't try to fool me." Grey took the cup with skepticism.

Laun smiled without a word, watching quietly as Grey raised the glass to his faceplate and sniffed it.

Though he couldn't see Grey's expression beneath the armor, Laun was sure he was utterly entranced.

Then Grey opened his faceplate and downed the wine in one gulp. "By the Emperor... what is this... Emperor above..."

The taste stunned and bewildered Grey; he savored the joy timidly, afraid to indulge.

"Poor soul." Laun shook his head with a laugh. "Just a fruit wine, a trivial luxury. To someone like you from the Underhive, it's a flavor you wouldn't even dare dream of."

With that, Laun did something that shocked Grey—he gave him the remaining half-bottle of fruit wine.

"Thank you, sir." Grey took the wine with both hands and carefully stowed it in his Jump Pack.

The tension between them eased, and Grey no longer regarded Laun with the same hostility.

Laun studied Grey's demeanor, weighing his options before deciding to push further. "You know, the Governor's cousin's wife is my sister. I..."

"Why was a noble like you sold off too?" Grey cut him off, asking bluntly.

"Everything is the Marshal's fault—he was too reckless and overconfident. It has nothing to do with the Governor." Laun answered the question first, then continued with what he wanted to say. "If we get out of here, I'll recommend you as a general in the Planetary Defense Force."

At those words, Grey lifted his head to meet Laun's gaze, longing burning in his eyes behind the faceplate.

Becoming a general—something a soldier from the Underhive couldn't even imagine.

Grey knew it meant he could become a noble, bring his family and friends out of the cesspit of the Underhive, and settle into a clean, orderly home in the Upper Hive.

"But you understand." Laun knew he had Grey hooked. "This is a trade of interests. You'll have to offer something too—something trivial to me, yet crucial at this moment."

"What is it?" Grey asked.

"Loyalty," Laun replied.

"..." Grey didn't answer, lowering his head in thought.

Seeing his hesitation, Laun wasn't worried. As a noble well-versed in intrigue, he had a hundred ways to subtly probe Grey's mind.

In Laun's view, Grey was merely trapped by useless connections, unable to make rational decisions about his future.

Just a little nudge.

"You don't have to answer me right away." Laun shook his head with a smile. "I'm heading to other positions to inspect next—to tell the soldiers there that someone truly capable of taking command of the entire line has arrived. That someone is me. I want them to know it clearly."

Grey listened in silence.

"If you're willing, bring your Power Armor and any other soldiers like you, and come with me," Laun continued.

Having made his offer, Laun waited quietly for Grey's reply.

If Grey agreed, it meant he craved power and status—still unable to break free from useless ties or decide to betray Qin Mo outright, but he'd eventually side with Laun.

Beneath his Power Armor's faceplate, Grey's expression was complicated. After a long deliberation, he stood and walked to the door.

Laun thought Grey was about to refuse, disappointed—but Grey pushed the door open and made a gesture of invitation. "I naturally obey your orders, sir."

"Excellent, soldier!" Laun was very pleased, smiling as he strode out of the room.

In the corridor, Laun marched with his hands behind his back, his presence swelling with arrogance now that Grey followed him.

Laun was delighted, but he didn't—couldn't—notice how fierce Grey's expression was beneath the faceplate.

Next door.

Lyle had a room of her own, one that existed before the building was expanded into a Fortress. It had a bedroom and a bathroom, fully equipped.

The Fortress still had running water—just turn the tap and water came out for washing. It reeked of filter chemicals, but what more could you ask for in the Underhive?

Lyle locked the door, took a shower, and lay down on a mat, replaying everything that had happened that day.

Then she thought back to when Qin Mo had brought her back earlier, how he'd taken off his faceplate and revealed his true face.

That man gave her a strange feeling.

Not a flutter of romance, nor reverence or gratitude—just a sense of familiarity, like she'd seen him somewhere before.

Out of habit as an Intelligence Agent for the Adeptus Arbites, Lyle pulled out her personal data terminal and searched the Arbites database for the name Qin Mo.

This strange name was unique in the Hive City, and the person who bore it was in the Adeptus Arbites' database.

Name: Qin Mo Prisoner Number: 444 Reason for Arrest: Unauthorized Psyker, attempted to use psychic powers to commit murder.

Below this string of information was Qin Mo's photo. He looked utterly dejected when the Adeptus Arbites caught and photographed him.

"444!" Lyle gasped, slamming the data terminal shut, her whole body trembling.

She remembered where she had seen Qin Mo before.

During the arrest of Qin Mo!

It was precisely because she had participated in the dangerous operation to capture Qin Mo that Lyle had earned the qualification to become an Intelligence Agent. When Qin Mo was taken down, she had been watching from the sidelines—but only caught a single glimpse.

"By the Emperor!" Lyle quickly pulled on her clothes, pushed open the door, and headed for Laun's room. She had to report to Laun that Qin Mo was a prisoner.

But when she reached Laun's door and pushed it open, there was no one inside.

"Laun took Grey out," Grot said, walking over from his patrol of the first floor, looking down at Lyle from within his Power Armor.

"Good evening, sir. Could you take me to the Legion Commander?" Lyle asked, her tone deeply respectful.

"If you have something to say, report it directly to Qin Mo," Grot replied.

"Sorry, but I really have something very important."

"Do you know where the Rebels' leader is or something? If not, stop wasting my time. You Arbites types sure have a lot of fuss."

"Please... sir..."

"...Why not let me take you to Laun?"

A voice that sounded utterly terrifying to Lyle spoke up from behind her.

Lyle turned around trembling and saw Qin Mo.

Qin Mo smiled with perfect politeness, extending his hand like a saint: "Come, miss, I'll take you to Laun."

"I don't need to see the Legion Commander anymore." Lyle shook her head vigorously, trying to act as if nothing had happened and walk back to her room.

But Qin Mo blocked her path, his tone leaving no room for defiance: "You don't have to see Laun, but you will come with me."