Soon after, Su Mo returned to Dock 4 and boarded the Level 3 light ship, Swift Wind.
As soon as he stepped on board, Su Mo saw Gris, and this ti, Gris hadn’t run away. Although Su Mo had expected it, he was still very happy to see him.
He promptly issued the command.
"Set sail!"
...
Two days later, the Star Destroyer Grey Fin was undergoing superluminal travel, heading towards the outer part of Ceres, to the Revalclus Base.
Gris stood alone on the observation deck, staring at the distorted space outside, lost in thought and looking sowhat lancholy.
At that mont, Su Mo passed by, pondered for a while, and then walked up.
"Gris."
"Commander Su Mo."
Gris snapped out of his thoughts and quickly replied when he saw it was Su Mo.
"No need to call Commander, just Su Mo is fine. We still have quite a distance from the front line. Since we’re idle anyway, how about having a drink and playing a few rounds?"
Su Mo thought for a mont and suggested to prevent Gris from feeling bored.
Although Gris had stood him up before, he was very grateful that Gris ultimately decided to help him. After all, the mission was long and filled with danger.
Gris hesitated for a mont but eventually agreed, since there wasn’t much to do on the journey.
The two then headed to a small dining area.
Su Mo instructed the staff to prepare so good food and drink, and also fetched a set of dice.
He opened a bottle of strong liquor and poured a glass for Gris and himself.
The two raised their glasses, clinked them slightly, and took a sip.
Su Mo picked up the dice and said to Gris, "This ti I won’t trick you; let’s play fair. Win or lose, I accept it."
"I knew it, the ones I lost must’ve been rigged. Co on, whoever loses drinks a shot."
Gris imdiately got interested and picked up the dice, starting to shake them.
"Alright, I’ll bet high."
Su Mo replied with a smile.
"Then I’ll bet low."
Gris opened the dice cup; the numbers were 2, 3, and 2, which made it low!
"Lucky roll! My turn!"
Su Mo chuckled in response.
The two continued drinking and shaking dice. After three rounds, Su Mo lost every ti.
"Not bad, let’s keep going."
Su Mo was genuinely surprised; Gris’s gambling skills were quite impressive. Whether it was Su Mo rolling or Gris rolling, Gris could accurately guess the outco.
Just as Su Mo started to really get into the groove, Gris waved his hand in refusal and said, "I’m done, a couple of gas is enough."
Saying this, Gris lifted his glass and drank.
"What’s up?"
Su Mo looked at Gris, puzzled, as Gris typically loved these gas.
"I’ve had enough for now; in truth, I’ve never been that fond of this type of ga."
Gris sighed, his tone sowhat sentintal as he spoke to Su Mo.
Su Mo observed Gris’s pensive expression and realized he probably had a lot on his mind, stories kept within him, so he asked.
"Want to talk about it?"
Gris sighed and said, "There’s nothing I can’t talk about, just old, rotten issues, really. Do you want to hear?"
"I do."
Su Mo nodded in agreent.
"Alright, I’ll tell you. When I was young, I was incredibly bold. I joined Star Ring City early, climbed up the ranks fast, and reached the position of Colonel at an age just a bit older than you, commanding several Level 5 ships."
Gris spoke with great emotion.
"And then?"
"Then in my youthful arrogance, I didn’t know my limits! I dared to lead a fleet to pursue the enemy into the dark side of Ceres’ starry sky. As you can imagine, the fleet eventually got lost and suffered imnse danger, resulting in total destruction. A few surviving crew mbers and I managed to escape in a small rescue vessel, barely holding onto our lives, as we desperately searched for a way back."
Although Gris ntioned it lightly, his hands trembled uncontrollably.
From this, Su Mo could imagine the terrifying dangers Gris had encountered.
"In truth, entering was easy, but escaping was hard, especially in a small rescue ship. Equipnt was useless there, and we relied on our eyes to navigate. Natural barriers existed too, and my surviving companions and I wandered in that starry sky for four years, six months, and twelve days. Food ran out, and my companions, my beloved, were on the brink of starvation. Even so, they spared the last bit of food for us, then took their own lives. Their final wish was for my beloved and I to live on with their hopes, and instructed us to seal their bodies in the freezer as food."
Gris said, his eyes red.
Su Mo grew increasingly silent, swallowing glass after glass.
After a long ti, Su Mo asked, "And then?"
"Eventually, it was just who survived, perhaps due to their blessings. I finally found the Third Legion’s ship. They hadn’t given up on over the years, and had been continuously searching the outer space for ."
Gris spoke deeply.
"For so many years, the Third Legion didn’t abandon you; that’s loyalty!"
Su Mo nodded in agreent.
"The reason I live is largely in honor of the Legion Leader. But while the Legion Leader remained loyal, I let down my fellow comrades. Every ti I close my eyes, I have nightmares. I can only numb myself with other activities—smoking, drinking, gambling..."
Gris rasped.
"People should always look forward; your companions would want you to live well."
Su Mo poured a glass for Gris as he spoke.
"Do you know why I wanted to help you?"
Gris lifted his head, directing his gaze at Su Mo.
"If I’m not mistaken, because it’s also for rescuing comrades."
"That’s right. Back then, I couldn’t bring my comrades out, so this ti, I’m willing to do everything to help you."
Gris downed the drink in his glass.
"Thank you."
Su Mo expressed his heartfelt gratitude.
After saying all this, Gris seed to feel much relieved, so he waved to Su Mo and said, "Enough talking about the past, let’s discuss sothing else."
"Alright."
Su Mo nodded in agreent.
Gris now smiled at Su Mo, saying, "Do you know why, when you handed the transfer order, I ran off imdiately?"
"Yes! That was indeed a bit strange; I initially thought it was because you were unwilling to heed Third Army Commander Ezaloga’s orders. But from what you’ve just said, that doesn’t seem to be the reason."
Su Mo expressed his curiosity.
"Hehe, the issue lies in the commander’s signature."
"Oh, what’s wrong with the signature?"
"Just by the signature, I could tell it was a regular transfer order, not a mandatory one. I could choose to accept or decline."
"Ah, I see."
Su Mo’s mouth twitched a bit.
User Comments
0 comments from readers