Chapter 960 — Deepening the Conversation

He let out a long breath and regarded Gaoyang with a solemn gaze. "Very well. I admit it is a good card. But are you truly certain you could issue the abandonment protocol in time? Perhaps... I could destroy you before you react, leaving you no chance to give the order. Or I could interfere with your mind, so that you could not issue the command accurately—my speed can be very great, so great that the nerve reflexes of that mortal body of yours could never keep pace. Have you considered that possibility?"

Gaoyang raised an eyebrow.

He set down the oak cup in his hand (which did take a measure of willpower), then drew a mechanical watch from his breast and glanced at the time.

"You have misunderstood one thing," he said. "I do not need to issue the abandonment protocol—I have already issued it.

"After crossing the Eternal Storm and before setting foot on the continent of Tarrande, I ordered the abandonment process initiated for every space installation on the list. The twelve satellites and three large space stations began executing the operation long ago—except that I left them a twelve-hour countdown for final confirmation.

"And what I have been doing these past days is postponing them, once every twelve hours."

(End of Chapter)