Hoffman"Very well. I understand, and though I wish to do the job myself, and order is and order. Now, if youāll excuse me Lord Jyotika, I have a few arrangements to make about getting the rest of my men and equipment here to be readied at your disposal."
Jyotika nodded and motioned to the office door.
Jyotika"Contact my shipping officer in the hanger, he will make preparations and help with the arrangements. Once they are made, feel free to make yourselves at home, for now, this is your home."
Edward Hoffman saluted to Lord Jyotika and turned on his heel to leave the office as John bowed to Jyotika.
Jyotika"Wait a second John. Iād like to have a word with you if you donāt mind."
John"As you wish my lord."
Hoffman glared over his shoulder at Johnās back. He didnāt like the idea of John answering to anyone besides him, but that was a sacrifice heād have to make to get his revenge on Val. And despite what he let Jyotika believe, Hoffman had already began to plan on how he was going to kill Val himself.
John"What do you wish of me my lord?"
Jyotika"You can stop with the false modesty, I can see directly through your scheme. Tell me the truth."
John"I, donāt understand my lord."
Jyotika leaned forward in his chair and looked into Johnās eyes. There was a silence for a few seconds.
Jyotika"I see, you really donāt know what Edward is up to do you?"
John"Up to, my lord? You believe he plans to cross you like Mr. Thrall did?"
Jyotika"No, over the last few years Iāve learned to tell when people are sincere, and though Val was he turned on me after sacrificing one of my own for being weak."
John"Youāre referring to Miss Takimi, arenāt you my lord?"
Normally Jyotika would have cut down that kind of out burst, but there was something different. John knew about the death of Takimi, but Edward didnāt. John was clearly more on top of things than he let anyone believe.
Jyotika"Yes, I am talking about Miss Takimi. Now, let me pose a few questions to you John. First, how did you know about Takimi, and second, what else do you know that Hoffman doesnāt?"
John"Well, my position under Mr. Hoffman is to keep him informed of everything that he needs to know about to keep him safe and out of harms way. I do my job thorough, I make sure I know absolutely everything about everyone that I can know before Mr. Hoffman even makes a move. I tell him what he needs to know to make a decision on a certain matter."
Jyotika"You mean you tell him what he needs to know to make the move you want him to make."
John"Was that a statement or a question my lord?"
Jyotika"A little bit of both. Youāre the son of Blace Lowe arenāt you? Hoffman is the figurehead that you chose to take the fall is anything happens. And while he gets blamed, you slip off and try and find another group to manipulate into doing your dirty work."
John"Please my lord you must understand. Though I may be the child of Blace Lowe, I had nothing to do with his intrusion into your territory."
Jyotika"Donāt worry my friend, I also do my homework, and I know that you were in the Americas during that time, studying as to become a military officer, a strategist I believe."
John"Thatās correct my lord. I was to serve under my father, but Kaden took my father away from me. Though we were never that close, it is my duty to honor my father and avenge his death, but since the ma responsible, Kaden, is dead, I shifted my view to another man, Kiyoshi. But now, he too is dead. So Iāve turned my eye on the entire Trinity Alliance."
Jyotika"Well, I may have a fairly large force at my disposal, but I have no means to form a well versed strategy. What do you say? Together you and I can bring an end to the troublesome Trinity Alliance. Leave Hoffman behind and step into a new position, second only to my command in this army."
John"Two things, if I may. One, Iām not a fighter, at all, whether it be with guns, weapons or Mobile Suits. Second, what is it that you know about Mr. Hoffman that I donāt?"
Jyotika smiled slyly and folded his hands together, leaning back into his high back chair.
Jyotika"I take it that you have accepted my offer, General Lowe?"
John smiled then saluted Jyotika.
Jyotika"Very well then, what I know is that Hoffman means to betray me, not by turning against me as Val did. Mr. Hoffman wishes to see them all dead as much as any of us and would not do something that stupid, but he does mean to kill Val himself, and that, which you know, I cannot and will not allow. So, your top priority, as of right now, is to make sure, no matter what, that Mr. Hoffman does not follow though with whatever clever plan he comes up with. You are dismissed."
John saluted, turned on his heal and headed for the door. Jyotika smiled, things were looking to work out better than he had ever hoped they could. Jyotika spoke just as John reached for the door.
Jyotika"And General, I know of absolutely everything that goes on in my base. Donāt do something that you will end up regretting. Because Iād hate to lose you, youāll end up being a major factor in my coming plans."
John"You have nothing to worry about sir. When I pledge my allegiance, thatās where it stays, until either myself or the one I swore to is dead. Until that times comes, Iām yours."
With those words John opened to the door and left the office. Once John was out of the outer office Liao, Quan and Lady Rong entered Jyotikaās office.
Liao"You were correct from what I can see my lord."
Jyotika"Was there ever a doubt?"
Liao"Not on your part, it just seemed that everything was too convenient, but from the look on your face, this is working to our advantage?"
Jyotika"Indeed. Mr. Hoffman is a pawn."
Quan"You mean to just throw him away my lord?"
Jyotika"No Quan, not my pawn, Johnās. John is the real man running the show of the Blace Faction. In fact, he is none other than the child of Blace himself."
The three pilots were all stunned at this news. They had suspected from their lords actions that John had been in some way connected to Blace Lowe, but then would have never guessed that the two were related.
Lady Rong"My Lord, are you sure it is wise to get him involved? I mean, he is the son of the man that tried to take Asia away from you."
Jyotika"Iām sure. Blace Lowe wanted Asia. John Lowe wants revenge against the Trinity Alliance. And youāre the last person that should question family matter my dear Lady Rong."
Lady Rong bit her lip and lowered her head. It was true, the only reason she was here is because Jyotika informed her of how Val had murdered her cousin, Takimi when Jyotika had sent her over as a show of good faith. Jyotika smiled again, she would never find out that is was actually his fault, and not Valās that Takimi was dead, Jyotika had ordered that Ka kill Takimi and make it look like Valās fault. Takimi had gotten a taste of how women on the outside world were treated and had become a risk and a liability, so she had to be disposed of, simple as that.
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