"Veteran's Grill"
Cain found a quiet seat in the back. The tranquility here was a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere when he and Divas had arrived earlier, but he was secretly grateful for the current silence, which suited him perfectly.
On his way to the bar, Cain noticed the street was unusually quiet. A few hurried civilians, seeing his uniform, quickly avoided him. Those loyal to the Imperium, however, surrounded Cain and placed garlands around his neck.
The power displayed by the Imperium here had crushed any seeds of rebellion. Those "fence-sitters" and "traitors" no longer harbored hatred for the Imperium, but deep fear.
No matter how good the greater good's philosophy was, it was useless when an entire fleet was annihilated with almost zero casualties in the time it takes to sing a song. Without power, there was nothing.
After dropping off Amberly and her group at the rear, Cain passed by the "POW camp" Li Feng had established for the surrendered Tau. The so-called POW camp was actually a series of experimental grounds set up by Li Feng and the Tech-Priest named Ma Yinglong, which included "bio-batteries."
The Tau were stripped naked, placed into containers, and inserted into giant power poles, where they began generating bio-electricity. Cain initially thought this was part of the execution, but Li Feng told him that the people inside could still survive if released, though they would be much weaker.
Li Feng used this tactic to force the Tau Empire to surrender quickly, otherwise, these batteries could completely drain the life out of the Tau confined within the battery compartments at any moment.
As for the question of "can Tau be eaten," Li Feng ultimately rejected it. Was it that Tau couldn't be eaten? No, Li Feng told Cain, "We're about to establish diplomatic relations; it would be impolite to eat Tau now..." However, at least as Li Feng's good friend, he could freely explore the governor's wine cellar. Cain absconded with a bottle of cognac from the deepest part of the governor's liquor cabinet and then came to this bar.
The war was nearing its end, and the Tau Empire's delegation was on its way. Now, the Titan Legion stood as mascots in the city. Li Feng even had the Adeptus Mechanicus lead children on tours inside the Titans.
As the cognac took effect, Cain fell into deep thought, recalling his perilous escape experiences. He began to examine why he had chosen such a life-threatening profession.
The answer was, of course, obvious: he had no choice... The Schola Progenium evaluators determined he was suitable to be a Political Commissar, and thus pushed him onto this path.
As Cain was immersed in gloom and disappointment, a figure appeared at his table and asked in a voice as sweet as honey, "Do you mind if I sit here?"
Normally, Cain would never refuse a female companion. If one had read enough of Cain's memoirs, this would be obvious, and it was one of the reasons he and Li Feng became friends; both of them usually "wouldn't refuse" in this regard.
However, the current Cain only wanted to wallow in self-pity in the haze of alcohol, contemplating the various injustices of the universe. He was in an emo state.
However, showing any disrespect to an Inquisitor was never wise. So he feigned surprise, pointed to the chair opposite his table, and invited her to sit.
Cain noticed that she had also found time to bathe and change, now wearing a light grey Inquisitor jacket suit, with long boots and trousers elegantly accentuating her figure.
"A fruit platter, and a glass for this lady."
Cain gestured to the waitress, who showed a hint of ambiguous disappointment as she took their order, not expecting the Political Commissar to already have a female companion... and an Inquisitor at that!
Cain gentlemanly poured wine into Amberly's glass, while Amberly propped her chin on her hand, observing Cain's every move.
"Thank you."
Amberly elegantly sipped the cognac, nodded slightly, her expression conveying her assessment of the wine's quality, then placed the glass back on the table, looking at Cain with a somewhat mocking gaze.
Cain tried to avert his gaze from her deep blue eyes, despite his reluctance.
Amberly said, "You are an extraordinary man, Political Commissar."
"So they tell me, though I don't realize it myself."
Cain waited for his heart to steady before replying. Amberly's lips curved upward slightly, as if truly amused.
"Oh, yes, the humble hero routine. You're quite skilled at it."
She chuckled, drained her glass, and then poured herself another, completely ignoring Cain's stunned reaction.
Her smile grew brighter: "Are you going to say something like, 'I'm just a common Soldier,' or 'Believe me, I am the Emperor's servant'?"
"I don't know what you're implying..." Cain protested, but his words were cut off by her laughter.
"Oh, righteous indignation. Haven't seen that in a while."
She began to eat an unknown local fruit from the fruit platter on the table, then flashed a mischievous smile.
"Relax, Political Commissar. I'm just joking."
Cain responded in his mind, "Yes, and while you're at it, let me know that you can see through all my carefully constructed facades."
Such a thought seemed to show on his face, as her gaze softened.
"You know, you could try being your true self."
The thought terrified Cain. He had been behind the mask for so long that he was almost unsure if there was a true Caiaphas left inside, or just a selfish, fragile core.
Even more frightening, Cain felt that this Amberly seemed able to read his thoughts! All the deceitful things Cain desperately hid, she seemed to see through easily, which would undoubtedly invite an Inquisition... "Relax, I'm not a Psyker. I'm just good at reading people."
Watching Cain visibly relax and lean back in his chair, Amberly's eyes still held a faint amusement: "Those things you're afraid I'll discover are still safe for now. And they will remain so, unless you give me a reason to investigate."
"I'll try not to give you one," Cain promised, gently swirling his drink.
"I'm glad to hear that." Her smile grew softer, "Because I hope you can do me a favor."
He had a premonition that he wouldn't like the answer to this question, so Cain asked, "Do you need help with what?"
Just then, the bar door was pushed open, and a beautiful black-haired woman rushed in. A few Soldiers immediately wanted to approach her, but the Inquisitorial Rosette shining between her breasts made the Soldiers immediately pretend not to see her and walk past her.
"Xiao An! You're here! I was so worried!"
This female Inquisitor immediately rushed over, sat down next to Amberly, and held Amberly's hand. The next second, the woman looked at Cain, then showed a look of disdain, as if she had met the most unpleasant person at the most unpleasant time.
"Caiaphas... Commissar Cain."
Cain put down his glass, picked up a slice of watermelon from the fruit platter, bit into it, and said with a wry smile, "Yes, Caiaphas Cain, at your service, madam."
Amberly immediately said with a smile, hoping to lighten the mood: "Katarina, Commissar Cain rescued me; don't worry."
Upon hearing this, Katarina pouted, crossed her arms, and sat next to Amberly. Cain also grabbed a new glass, poured a drink, and pushed it towards Katarina.
"I wonder why this lady holds such great hostility towards me..."
Katarina picked up the glass, drained it, then leaned into Amberly's ear, pouting and muttering. Cain saw Amberly listening to Katarina's whispers, her eyes occasionally glancing in Cain's direction... then she smiled... "It couldn't be about me, could it? This is my first time meeting Miss Katarina..."
Soon the whispers ended, and Amberly smiled, saying, "Caiaphas, don't worry... it's not about you... it's about your friend..."
"Divas?"
Upon hearing that name, Amberly smiled even more broadly. She didn't speak, but simply wrote two letters on the table with her finger... "L F"
Cain's brow furrowed instantly. That's not right... Li Feng's way with women was even better than his... He shouldn't have angered such a beautiful woman.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"