The dance music was slow and melodious, and the nobles in evening gowns were immersed in the gentle dance steps and rotating skirts. It was already late at night, but the sky was colorful, and the bright lights of Tarsonis stayed on all night long.
There will be a beautiful meteor shower in the sky every few minutes, which is the scene when the merchant ships and engineering ships returning to Tarsonis from the interstellar space pass through the atmosphere.
Augustus was in good physical condition and danced with almost all the women who invited him. Annabella, the mistress of the Terra family, also invited him to spend the night in the Terra Sky Tower.
Women don't care whether he is a descendant of the Mengsk family, they just like young and handsome officers, and no one cares about people like Edmund Duke.
The heroine of the banquet, Andrea Tagore, didn't seem to pay much attention to the military representatives she invited, but focused on the perfectly smoked Antiga beef in front of her. Her hard ceramic dentures and auxiliary chewing devices could help her clean it.
Chew tough meat.
When Augustus finally had time to stop and sit back next to Renault, who was already full, the men from the various founding families began to come together again.
The family representatives of the Creation Family have long known Augustus's identity. Even if they don't have time to understand his background in detail, there will be group spokesmen and assistants who will explain it to them. Most of them are familiar with Augustus.
The Mengsk family behind him avoided him or treated him with indifference.
The first person is Cornelius Brubaker of the Brubaker family, which is a prestigious arms dealer family-mainly known to officers and soldiers in the army during the Battle of Kailian. Marine Corps
The electromagnetic rifle used was designed and produced by a subsidiary of the Brubaker Group. They are also designing rail guns of different calibers and ship-to-ship weapon upgrade technology.
The war destroyed many colonies and killed millions of people. However, the wealth of arms dealers like the Brubaker family expanded rapidly in a very short period of time, and with it, their status and reputation increased.
However, human desire will never be satisfied. The war between the Kemorian Federation and the Tyranid Federation is coming to an end, but the arms dealers' factories are still operating at full capacity.
Shrewd arms dealers keenly caught the signals that the next war is coming, just like the sharks following the blood trail smelling the smell of blood.
Cornelius, who had a small beard, was very friendly and behaved amiably: "Young Augustus, I am Cornelius Brubaker, the patriarch of the Brubaker family. More than ten years ago,
I also met your father Angus, he was a brave and upright man."
"Some people insist that Angus should be responsible for the riots in Korhal 4, but I don't think so. Korhal people have their own ideas and the right to pursue a better life and freedom. Every federal citizen should be treated in accordance with human rights.
Treat it." Cornelius said.
"Do you really think so, Mr. Brubaker?" Augustus seemed surprised: "To be honest, under the influence of my stupid, hopeless father who has been confused by mental illness, Ke
Ha 4 is already in chaos, and people have nothing to do all day long except partying, marching, smashing shops, and snatching goods that do not belong to them.”
“The order in Korhal is becoming increasingly chaotic, the economy is on the verge of collapse, and a wave of unemployment has arrived.”
"Oh... this is too bad." Cornelius took out a silk handkerchief and wiped away the tears that did not exist, and said sympathetically: "The Federal Congress should give the unemployed Korhal people the necessary unemployment.
Subsidy, this is so sad, I really don’t know how many people are going to starve to death!”
“May God bless Korhal.” As he said this, Mr. Cornelius made a praying gesture.
"Do you think so too? Then I hope you can give some support to my people. They lack food and clothing and are hungry. Our industries have stopped due to worker strikes and attacks by federal rebels, and local companies have suffered due to sharp declines in profits.
Large-scale layoffs and overcapacity in food have been exposed, and one-third of the city's population is starving to death in slums."
"Really? The Federal Parliament has not done a good enough job. Those members who are dawdling should apologize for this matter. No, they should resign immediately." Although Cornelius said this, his face said "I read the newspaper less than you."
Don't lie to my expression.
“I really don’t know what the people there will do after the war breaks out between Korhal and the Federation.” He sighed and said.
"Why is there a war?" Augustus was shocked. He seemed to be frightened by Cornelius's words: "Sir, do you want my hometown to become a river of blood? God, that is really an evil idea."
"Of course, the Brubaker family has always opposed meaningless wars and advocated peaceful coexistence between different nationalities and different political systems." Cornelius waved his hand: "I'm just talking about one possibility, war. No one wants it.
There will be a war."
"The Brubaker family supports the Korhal people's desire for further autonomy and for Korhal to become a neutral trading planet. If you need me to prove it, the Brubaker Mining Group will hold a press conference today to support Korhal.
The people’s legitimate pursuit of rights and freedoms.”
"Then you should go find my father. He has not been very busy recently. I have already prepared to send him to a mental hospital." Augustus sighed and said: "The people of Keha don't believe that the man who talked on the podium
And the senator you’re talking about is a lunatic.”
"I think his mental state is still very good..." Cornelius frowned, and then he seemed to have lost interest in continuing to talk to Augustus: "Sorry, Augustus
Young men of the Stu family, I have to leave for a while."
“I hope we can meet again in the future.” Augustus no longer complained about his “stupid” father.
"There will be a chance." Cornelius put on his bowler hat and left in a hurry.
After Cornelius left, a member of the Tagore family walked towards Augustus. When looking in that direction, Augustus happened to see Nova Terra who was in a state of dead fish eyes and her smile.
Shy sister.
"Augustus Mengsk, Madam hopes to take a photo with you." Unexpectedly, this member of the Tagore family did not say anything more to Augustus, nor did he expect any temptation or coercion.
At this time, Andrea Tagore was taking photos with many military officers, including the Duke family, and inviting Augustus seemed to be just a normal procedure.
Augustus walked to the reserved shooting location and stood with the eldest and most powerful old lady of the Tagore family among flowers. They stood very close. It seemed that Andrea was not afraid of this famous nationalist.
The son of a demagogue.
"You have a good father, son." Andrea said to Augustus before filming started: "He taught you the loyalty and bravery of the Mengsk family. You are worthy of the name you have, unn's Anderson
All human praise is appropriate to praise you."
“As a Union soldier, you deserve every praise.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Tagore.” Augustus said.
"You are excellent, Augustus. I heard people say that Angus Mengsk is old and dim, and Korhal is in chaos under his governance." Andrea sighed: "The Creation Family has always chosen talents based on their abilities.
His master, except for Tarsonis, there are too many planets that have forgotten their traditions."
“You’re right, that’s exactly what I thought.”
“Well, what do you want me to do?” Augustus asked.
“Inherit him…” Andrea said.
“Inherit…your father.”
The banquet ended before the stroke of midnight, and the Tagore family's servants had to wait until all the guests had left before they could come over to clean up, replace the carpets with new ones, and clean the silverware that had been wiped repeatedly...
This means they have to work late.
“What did the old witch say to you just now?” When Augustus returned to Renault, the other party whispered to him.
The guests began to leave one after another. The leader of the founding family left directly on a private yacht, while other nobles had to travel in luxury cars.
“She asked me to inherit my father’s Senate seat and other properties of the Mengsk family early, and then declared Angus a madman and shot himself in an unknown alley.” Augustus said.
“Things became more normal after that. She asked me to clear out the revolutionary party in the Senate, and then declare martial law on Korhal. The Federation would mobilize marines to replace Korhal’s Planetary Defense Force and take over the entire planet.”
"What will happen next is also predictable. Korhal 4 will be completely controlled by the federation, and the many policies aimed at protecting local businesses that Angus has forced the Senate to pass through his political skills and influence over the years will become a piece of paper.
.... Politicians have the means to cut off the backbone that supports a colonial industry and economy."
"I have never heard that the Senate is inheritable, and does she think you are a fool? As long as the Marines are stationed in Korhal, you will become their puppet." Raynor said: "They will send agents to monitor you, Korhal.
There will never be a day of recovery."
“How did you answer?”
"That's what I said, I will sacrifice my father's head before next May." Augustus spread his hands and said: "As long as I can lead my people out of trouble and avoid a war, for the sake of justice,
Even if it means sacrificing my father..."
“I must say decisively and resolutely, without hesitation.”
“That’s what I like about you.” Renault confirmed again: “You’re not really going to do this, are you?”
"Even if I do that, as long as the Federation can produce evidence of my patricide, my reputation in Korhal will be ruined, and the reputation of the Mengsk family will plummet. I don't want to leave the choice of fate to others.
People, more often than not, I like to take the initiative." Augustus said to Renault.
At this time Annabella Terra walked towards Augustus with her two daughters: "Nova, this is Uncle Augustus."
"Hello, Uncle Augustus." Nova Terra's voice was soft and soft, and she looked cute and well-behaved. She was a cute little girl. She inherited her father's golden hair, beautiful light green eyes and the beautiful facial features of the Terra family.
, and the characteristics of his dead fish eyes that appear when he is extremely stunned or deep in thought are exactly the same as his father.
“This is your youngest daughter?” Augustus briefly imagined a cold female ghost agent of the Empire in his mind, but he found it difficult to connect that image with the little girl in front of him.
“Her name is November, we all call her Nova,” said Annabelle.
“November, and my name is August.” Augustus leaned down and said to Nova.
“Oh...” Nova looked at him with wide eyes.
"Okay, we should go back almost." Renault looked at his watch and said, "It's almost early morning now."
"Mrs. Terra, see you tomorrow." After Augustus said this, he wanted to touch little Nova's forehead, but was quickly dodged.
“Goodbye, uncle,” Nova said.
"Dear, Augustus, you can come to see me at the Terra Sky Tower tomorrow." Clara hugged one of Augustus's arms: "You know? You are different from any noble in Tarsonis.
.”
Nova's little hand suddenly slapped her forehead. This was the most stimulating day in her life. Affected by her strong psychic talent, Nova could actually hear the voices of everyone in Tagore's Sky Tower, including
Servants are busy dozens of floors below. This telepathic ability is still beyond Nova's control now. She can only passively accept these spiritual voices and cannot refuse.
The helpless Augustus had no choice but to agree to Clara's request before he could escape. When he boarded the elevator and went downstairs, he said to Renault: "We still have to find a place to spend the night, and then install Umo Yang's psychic power in our residence."
Shielding device, but I believe that the Federation is not looking for someone to assassinate a fighting hero who is in the limelight just yet."
“I thought you would leave us and follow them home.” Renault said, waving to Clara Terra, who was waving to Augustus, and Nova, who was waving her hands mechanically.
"If necessary." Augustus waved his hand to Annabelle: "But I must stay by your side to prevent scumbags like Tychus and Harnak from causing any trouble."
“I think you are scared.” Renault looked very proud in some inexplicable way.
“I admit this.” Augustus’ words left Reno speechless: “This kind of overt enthusiasm scares me.”
“I’m just a kid after all,” he said.
“I have asked Lundstein to take the others to a hotel controlled by the Mengsk family to stay temporarily. We will go there to find them.”
After half an hour's ride, Augustus found Lisa and others who had been waiting for a long time at the agreed-upon Travelers Hotel in the central city of Tarsonis. Everyone was sitting on the sofa in the front lobby of the hotel waiting.
The return of their commanders—except Tychus Finley.
"Where is he? Rondstein, I leave this class to you."
"The tracker I put on Tychus showed that he was somewhere in the ghetto," Lundstein said. "He forced his way out and got into a fight with Hanak.
"
“Don’t worry about Tychus, he will come back by himself after a while.” Augustus said after a moment of silence.