ROTK - War of the Gods
Chapter 12
Zhuge Liang presented his proposal for an alliance in this way : "Sun Jian, you are known throughout the universe as the embodiment of brilliance and compassion, but even more than that, you are revered for your courage. Cao Cao now stands poised to eliminate Liu Bei first and you second. He has populated Mars with a host of fake humans so that his power now rivals even yours. He breathes life into the sand with no thought of the welfare of those he creates. His evil deeds are known throughout the universe, and yet somehow you remain oblivious to them all."
Sun Jian was shocked at the news that Cao Cao was breathing life into the sands of Mars. The other God's sinful nature knew no bounds, but Sun Jian tried to remain unmoved by the prospect of Cao Cao's sinister intentions. He had an obligation to his people to shield them from war.
Zhuge Liang continued : "Your ignorance of Cao Cao's actions is justifiable, and your lack of compassion for Liu Bei is even more so. I come to you now proposing a joint attack on Cao Cao's forces so as to eliminate his threat. I understand that this alliance will be no romance of kingdoms and that each of us is out to satisfy our own ends."
Sun Jian studied the Angel carefully. He had put forth a good argument and all of Sun Jian's better senses told him it was the right thing to do. "And you have a plan for defeating Cao Cao?"
"I do," Zhuge Liang replied.
Sun Jian was again quiet for a time and then finally said to the Angel. "My servant will take you to a waiting room. There you are to remain until called for. I will present my answer at that time." Zhuge Liang bowed to the God and then followed a young servant out of the room.
Immediately, Sun Jian summoned his own Angel, Zhou Yu and told him everything that Zhuge Liang had said. Zhou Yu thought about the proposal carefully. "This Zhuge Liang is a wise Angel indeed. He saw through Cao Cao's scheme at Hu Lao Gate and I have no doubt that he has a plan that would devastate Cao Cao's zombie army of humans."
"Do you believe his intentions to be true?"
"Only because he has nothing to gain except the assurance of a continued existence," Zhou Yu said back. "No, I'm sure he cares only about the elimination of Cao Cao, but it would be best to put me in charge of any attack he proposes. In that way, I will be able to keep my eye on him to make sure he develops no ideas of double crossing us."
Sun Jian agreed and called for his servant to bring Zhuge Liang back into the room. Zhou Yu suddenly said, "I have another idea. Let us hear the Angel's plan. If it is good, we will use it ourselves without involving Liu Bei. Then, we will owe him nothing. In fact, he will owe us for saving his life. I suspect the handover of the Earth's moon would be adequate collateral for our help."
Sun Jian smiled at his Angel. "Though Liu Bei has Zhuge Liang," he said, "I have Zhou Yu."
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In the small waiting room, Zhuge Liang waited patiently in physical form for the human who escorted him to return. He could easily go and eavesdrop on Sun Jian, but there was a chance that he would be detected by the God's own Angel.
The door to the room opened and Zhuge Liang stood up, expecting the visitor to be the same human servant who had taken him to the room. He was shocked to see that it was Sun Shang Xiang, the beautiful Goddess of War. "My lady," Zhuge Liang said, lowering his head respectfully. "What an honor this is to be visited by you. I hope you have been well since we last met."
"Zhuge Liang," she said hesitantly as she walked into the room. She was fidgeting with her hands nervously and the Angel realized that she probably should not be there. "I come to you at great risk," she said.
"My lady?"
She went up to the Angel and put her arms around him, hugging him tightly, afraid to let go. "Oh Liang," she said, tears coming to her eyes. "I fear I've made the most terrible mistake. My heart aches for Liu Bei, but I know I cannot go back to him. I am married to Sun Jian now and have even given him two sons. My honor has been marred and I fear there is no way to correct this fortune I have created."
Zhuge Liang did not know what to say to the Goddess. Her heart was broken and no words of his would diminish her pain. Instead, he simply held her, tears coming to his own eyes. Even if he could tell his Lord what she had said, it would only cause everyone more heartache.
Suddenly, the door to the room opened, but the Goddess vanished into thin air, leaving Zhuge Liang standing in the middle of the room alone. The servant came in and saw him standing there with tears in his eyes. "My master is ready," the young boy said. Zhuge Liang followed him back into Sun Jian's throne room, trying hard to forget what Shang Xiang had said to him.
Standing on the God's right side was a young man dressed in a beautiful red gown. He had long brown hair and a soft complexion. This was, Zhuge Liang knew, no ordinary man. Sun Jian stood from his chair and said to the approaching Angel : "You have spoken well Angel, and you will be rewarded for your abilities. I consent to a joint attack on Cao Cao, but only if the plan you suggest is worthy of our involvement."
Zhuge Liang walked up the platform upon which Sun Jian's throne rested and stopped. Surely the only reason they wished to know the plan now was so they could take it for themselves and use it. The Angel watched the strange man beside Sun Jian carefully, expecting that it was he who had thought of the scheme.
"The plan is quite simple," Zhuge Liang said, "but it will require many small preparations that may easily be foiled. If any one thing goes wrong, it could spell disaster for the entire operation. The man you send must be of the highest intelligence and possess the most ruthless cunning. Do you have anyone who fits this description."
"He stands before you," Zhou Yu said, coming forward. He had been concealing his identity until that very moment, but Zhuge Liang suddenly realized that the man was actually Sun Jian's Angel, Zhou Yu. So, Zhuge Liang thought. Two Angels against the fiercesome might of Cao Cao's army. "Tell us what you propose Zhuge Liang, for it is only with prior knowledge that my Lord will consent."
Zhuge Liang knew that if he did not make himself indispensable, Sun Jian and Zhou Yu would steal his plan and use it without his help. The Angel quickly altered his plan and laid it out like this : "I have detected a black hole called Chi Bi below this solar system. It has gone undetected until this moment because no light is reflected by the massive dead star. My plan is to construct a fleet similar to the one Cao Cao constructed for the attack at Hu Lao Gate and place it there above Chi Bi's event horizon.
"Cao Cao, fearful of a military buildup there, will surely bring his own fleet, one much larger than our own. I propose a fire attack on his fleet so that he and his fleet may be sucked below the black hole's event horizon and swallowed alive."
"Impossible," Zhou Yu said. "A fire attack in space? Do you not remember what happened to Red Hare at Hu Lao Gate? The creature could not produce fire in the oxygen-less atmosphere. Even if you could set one of his ships on fire, what will cause the flame to spread? Each ship, having it's own energy shield, will cut off the destruction of one from the destruction of another."
Sun Jian was about to say something too, but Zhuge Liang cut him off, saying "As I said before, many preparations are necessary. I have only outlined my plan. There are many more specific details that can only be addressed later. This is all I can say now of my plan. Will you help us or not?"
Sun Jian and Zhou Yu stared at the Angel bitterly. He had successfully defended his plan by only revealing enough to win support. They alone could not go through with the attack, for they would need Zhuge Liang's wisdom right up until that fateful moment when the fire attack had begun. Zhou Yu promised himself then and there that he would kill the Angel Zhuge Liang at Chi Bi.
Sun Jian said, "You have presented your plan well Angel and now I will consent to it. I will order the construction of five hundred vessels to be enchanted and taken to Chi Bi. Zhou Yu will lead the attack and you will accompany him. Is this sufficient?"
"Your generosity is more than sufficient," Zhuge Liang said, bowing to Sun Jian, but never taking his eyes off of Zhou Yu. "I look forward to working closely with your Angel." The hatred in Zhou Yu's eyes was unmistakable, but Zhuge Liang feared nothing. Sun Jian's Angel was but a boy, he thought. The only thing that did worry him though, was the fact that he had no idea how he would make a successful fire attack. He had made up the entire plan right on the spot without any consideration for making it work.
The die had been cast though, and the success or failure of the Battle of Chi Bi rested squarely on his shoulders.
To be continued...
Chapter 12
Zhuge Liang presented his proposal for an alliance in this way : "Sun Jian, you are known throughout the universe as the embodiment of brilliance and compassion, but even more than that, you are revered for your courage. Cao Cao now stands poised to eliminate Liu Bei first and you second. He has populated Mars with a host of fake humans so that his power now rivals even yours. He breathes life into the sand with no thought of the welfare of those he creates. His evil deeds are known throughout the universe, and yet somehow you remain oblivious to them all."
Sun Jian was shocked at the news that Cao Cao was breathing life into the sands of Mars. The other God's sinful nature knew no bounds, but Sun Jian tried to remain unmoved by the prospect of Cao Cao's sinister intentions. He had an obligation to his people to shield them from war.
Zhuge Liang continued : "Your ignorance of Cao Cao's actions is justifiable, and your lack of compassion for Liu Bei is even more so. I come to you now proposing a joint attack on Cao Cao's forces so as to eliminate his threat. I understand that this alliance will be no romance of kingdoms and that each of us is out to satisfy our own ends."
Sun Jian studied the Angel carefully. He had put forth a good argument and all of Sun Jian's better senses told him it was the right thing to do. "And you have a plan for defeating Cao Cao?"
"I do," Zhuge Liang replied.
Sun Jian was again quiet for a time and then finally said to the Angel. "My servant will take you to a waiting room. There you are to remain until called for. I will present my answer at that time." Zhuge Liang bowed to the God and then followed a young servant out of the room.
Immediately, Sun Jian summoned his own Angel, Zhou Yu and told him everything that Zhuge Liang had said. Zhou Yu thought about the proposal carefully. "This Zhuge Liang is a wise Angel indeed. He saw through Cao Cao's scheme at Hu Lao Gate and I have no doubt that he has a plan that would devastate Cao Cao's zombie army of humans."
"Do you believe his intentions to be true?"
"Only because he has nothing to gain except the assurance of a continued existence," Zhou Yu said back. "No, I'm sure he cares only about the elimination of Cao Cao, but it would be best to put me in charge of any attack he proposes. In that way, I will be able to keep my eye on him to make sure he develops no ideas of double crossing us."
Sun Jian agreed and called for his servant to bring Zhuge Liang back into the room. Zhou Yu suddenly said, "I have another idea. Let us hear the Angel's plan. If it is good, we will use it ourselves without involving Liu Bei. Then, we will owe him nothing. In fact, he will owe us for saving his life. I suspect the handover of the Earth's moon would be adequate collateral for our help."
Sun Jian smiled at his Angel. "Though Liu Bei has Zhuge Liang," he said, "I have Zhou Yu."
--------------------------------------------------
In the small waiting room, Zhuge Liang waited patiently in physical form for the human who escorted him to return. He could easily go and eavesdrop on Sun Jian, but there was a chance that he would be detected by the God's own Angel.
The door to the room opened and Zhuge Liang stood up, expecting the visitor to be the same human servant who had taken him to the room. He was shocked to see that it was Sun Shang Xiang, the beautiful Goddess of War. "My lady," Zhuge Liang said, lowering his head respectfully. "What an honor this is to be visited by you. I hope you have been well since we last met."
"Zhuge Liang," she said hesitantly as she walked into the room. She was fidgeting with her hands nervously and the Angel realized that she probably should not be there. "I come to you at great risk," she said.
"My lady?"
She went up to the Angel and put her arms around him, hugging him tightly, afraid to let go. "Oh Liang," she said, tears coming to her eyes. "I fear I've made the most terrible mistake. My heart aches for Liu Bei, but I know I cannot go back to him. I am married to Sun Jian now and have even given him two sons. My honor has been marred and I fear there is no way to correct this fortune I have created."
Zhuge Liang did not know what to say to the Goddess. Her heart was broken and no words of his would diminish her pain. Instead, he simply held her, tears coming to his own eyes. Even if he could tell his Lord what she had said, it would only cause everyone more heartache.
Suddenly, the door to the room opened, but the Goddess vanished into thin air, leaving Zhuge Liang standing in the middle of the room alone. The servant came in and saw him standing there with tears in his eyes. "My master is ready," the young boy said. Zhuge Liang followed him back into Sun Jian's throne room, trying hard to forget what Shang Xiang had said to him.
Standing on the God's right side was a young man dressed in a beautiful red gown. He had long brown hair and a soft complexion. This was, Zhuge Liang knew, no ordinary man. Sun Jian stood from his chair and said to the approaching Angel : "You have spoken well Angel, and you will be rewarded for your abilities. I consent to a joint attack on Cao Cao, but only if the plan you suggest is worthy of our involvement."
Zhuge Liang walked up the platform upon which Sun Jian's throne rested and stopped. Surely the only reason they wished to know the plan now was so they could take it for themselves and use it. The Angel watched the strange man beside Sun Jian carefully, expecting that it was he who had thought of the scheme.
"The plan is quite simple," Zhuge Liang said, "but it will require many small preparations that may easily be foiled. If any one thing goes wrong, it could spell disaster for the entire operation. The man you send must be of the highest intelligence and possess the most ruthless cunning. Do you have anyone who fits this description."
"He stands before you," Zhou Yu said, coming forward. He had been concealing his identity until that very moment, but Zhuge Liang suddenly realized that the man was actually Sun Jian's Angel, Zhou Yu. So, Zhuge Liang thought. Two Angels against the fiercesome might of Cao Cao's army. "Tell us what you propose Zhuge Liang, for it is only with prior knowledge that my Lord will consent."
Zhuge Liang knew that if he did not make himself indispensable, Sun Jian and Zhou Yu would steal his plan and use it without his help. The Angel quickly altered his plan and laid it out like this : "I have detected a black hole called Chi Bi below this solar system. It has gone undetected until this moment because no light is reflected by the massive dead star. My plan is to construct a fleet similar to the one Cao Cao constructed for the attack at Hu Lao Gate and place it there above Chi Bi's event horizon.
"Cao Cao, fearful of a military buildup there, will surely bring his own fleet, one much larger than our own. I propose a fire attack on his fleet so that he and his fleet may be sucked below the black hole's event horizon and swallowed alive."
"Impossible," Zhou Yu said. "A fire attack in space? Do you not remember what happened to Red Hare at Hu Lao Gate? The creature could not produce fire in the oxygen-less atmosphere. Even if you could set one of his ships on fire, what will cause the flame to spread? Each ship, having it's own energy shield, will cut off the destruction of one from the destruction of another."
Sun Jian was about to say something too, but Zhuge Liang cut him off, saying "As I said before, many preparations are necessary. I have only outlined my plan. There are many more specific details that can only be addressed later. This is all I can say now of my plan. Will you help us or not?"
Sun Jian and Zhou Yu stared at the Angel bitterly. He had successfully defended his plan by only revealing enough to win support. They alone could not go through with the attack, for they would need Zhuge Liang's wisdom right up until that fateful moment when the fire attack had begun. Zhou Yu promised himself then and there that he would kill the Angel Zhuge Liang at Chi Bi.
Sun Jian said, "You have presented your plan well Angel and now I will consent to it. I will order the construction of five hundred vessels to be enchanted and taken to Chi Bi. Zhou Yu will lead the attack and you will accompany him. Is this sufficient?"
"Your generosity is more than sufficient," Zhuge Liang said, bowing to Sun Jian, but never taking his eyes off of Zhou Yu. "I look forward to working closely with your Angel." The hatred in Zhou Yu's eyes was unmistakable, but Zhuge Liang feared nothing. Sun Jian's Angel was but a boy, he thought. The only thing that did worry him though, was the fact that he had no idea how he would make a successful fire attack. He had made up the entire plan right on the spot without any consideration for making it work.
The die had been cast though, and the success or failure of the Battle of Chi Bi rested squarely on his shoulders.
To be continued...
