656 Mother Supreme (2/2)
”We need to celebrate after Wang Tong wakes up.” Li Hong said with a broad smile. Wang Tong had proven his ability and earned his rightful place in the Armada, and Li Hong would think twice before he challenged Wang Tong's position again. A soldier's instinct told Li Hong that the fleet would be under Wang Tong's command once he woke up, since the latter was the only person who could lead the humans to victory.
When Wang Tong finally woke up a week later, the humans had restored order and peace on Mars. Only a very few Zergs still hid in the wilderness, and it would take a while for the humans to weed them out.
Meanwhile, Martians' first new fleet had marched into space and joined the Confederation armada. Soldiers from both sides and put away their differences and decided to work toward the same goal: restoration of the confederation space force.
During this time of turmoil, it was essential for the humans to have a strong leader and no one fit the definition better than Wang Tong. Only he could have turned the tables around on Mars by defeating the dark lord and completely annihilating the Zerg armada. Someone might have claimed that they could lead humanity in their darkest hour, but without backing the bold claim with facts—which no one could—the imposture of the true savior would be hard pressed to gain any support.
The soldiers followed Wang Tong not because of his might, but because they admired and revered him.
While Wang Tong was asleep, everyone, including the leaders of Mars, was deeply concerned about his life. Without him, the human resistance would soon crumble into dust, and signs of disrepair had already started to surface among the distraught soldiers while Wang Tong was absent.
Wang Tong was not only the de facto leader of the human coalition, but also the spiritual leader of millions of confederation soldiers. His existence lit up a beacon of hope during this hardest time of the human world.
Even after he had wakened up, he remained relatively elusive to the public, and only a very few soldiers had personal access to him. Samantha had shielded Wang Tong away from the insistent queries of the press and other faction leaders.
By then the human fleet had reached over than a thousand sails strong, many of which were of Zeus class battlecruisers. Most of the sailors on those ships were freshmen, and nothing would make a finer soldier than a difficult voyage and even more difficult battles.
”Wang Tong, what is our next move?”
”What are the immortals up to lately?” Wang Tong yawned and asked. The last battle had completely exhausted his energy, and therefore, it had taken him so long to recover.
”The immortals' fleets are mobilizing, but not toward Mars. We are not sure what they are planning.” Samantha said, then shot Wang Tong a caring glance and asked, ”Are you sure you will be fine?”
Samantha had been looking after Wang Tong by herself ever since he fell unconscious, as she found it difficult to trust anyone else with the task.
”No problem at all! I have learned a lot too.” Wang Tong said with a satisfied smile.
”Did you really create that asteroid storm on Saturn? It was amazing! Even Michaux confessed that he had no clue what was going on.” Samantha's eyes lit up with curiosity.
”Haha! Since when did you start paying attention to mastery?”
”Being curious is women's second nature.” Samantha piped up. She didn't talk down to Wang Tong as principal would to her student; instead she spoke in a soft womanly voice that begged the attention of her first love.
”Hehe, mastery is the future. Although it is much more powerful than METAL combat, it could cause harm to the human society if not used properly. I have to be more responsible with its power next time.”
Wang Tong shrugged, but his gloomy face had betrayed his concern. With great power came great responsibilities. When Li Feng revealed the GN force to the world, he could have also introduced mastery, but he feared the irresponsible use of such a tremendous power. Without a positive moral bearing, a powerful mastery caster could be much deadlier than nuclear bombs.
Learning to wield the power of the mastery began with exposure to the soul energy and GN force, and learning how to use these powers responsibly. These newly enlightened humans had lifted their minds from their primitive and savage past, and it was then, and only then, that the secrets of the mastery started to surface for the enlightened individuals.
”It was a truly terrible sight to see…It's not natural.” Samantha heaved a sigh and then lamented, ”This changed so many things on so many different levels.”
”Unnatural? Haha…Are you suggesting that I am a god? I am not a god… Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to stand here and talk to you like this.”
”You mean gods do exist?” Samantha asked in surprise.
Wang Tong moved his fingers through Samantha's silken hair. ”Yes, and their realm is cold and indifferent. On another note, we have much graver issues to worry about than the gods. We need to find a way to strike back at the Immortals.”
”Why? Things are looking up, aren't they? In your absence, Mars was finally liberated. And with the new GN crystal technology, we should be able to build a fleet large enough to face the immortals in space.”
”Hehe, you have underestimated Patroclus.”
”Why do you say that?”
”Don't you find it strange that the immortals had done nothing despite our victory on Mars?” Wang Tong asked abruptly.
”Because Patroclus didn't want to help his rival, the dark ones…” Samantha said with a smug smirk; Wang Tong was not always right. Knowledge about the rivalry between the dark ones and the immortals in earning the queen's favor wasn't a secret among the highest ranks of the confederation officials.