Chapter 46

　　Two months before Kal`s self-imposed deadline, he travelled to Luna City with Sylla to check in on the reconstruction efforts.

　　He had been clear at the outset that he didn`t want them to bury the history of the disaster. He wanted the crater to stand as a testament to the loss experienced there, so they planned a new city on the outskirts.

　　As the transport ship glided slowly across the white surface of the moon, Kal was greeted with a welcoming sight. Hundreds of structures had been built around the rim of the crater, ringing the former location of Luna City.

　　Tall buildings made from the white regolith rose hundreds of feet into the air, the reduced gravity allowing the engineers to reach heights that would be impossible on Caledon. Their ivory surfaces were enhanced by glass windows reflecting the light.

　　Thousands of construction drones, Mechs and transports flitted around the site, with a staggering number of workers brought from Caledon to support the rebuilding.

　　Kal had opened his grandmother`s vaults for this undertaking. He saw it as an investment, Luna City would be the first step of reopening Caledon to the galaxy, a launching point for their economic exploits and military expansion. It was amazing what could be accomplished in a short amount of time when you ignored the costs.

　　Their transport landed in a large, open area. Kal and Sylla disembarked, their enclosed bodysuits providing the necessary oxygen and protection from the void of space.

　　Above the site, the shimmering blue energy shield protected them from errant debris and radiation. Kal hoped that once the main buildings were complete, they would enclose the entire city in a transparent dome, beginning basic terraforming of the town to make it as comfortable as possible for their work force.

　　Eventually, Spaceports would ring the moon as more Starships and Mechs were serviced here. But for now, Luna City was to be the focus.

　　"Impressed?" Sylla asked as they walked slowly across the walkway leading to the central administration complex. Her gait was awkward as she tried to adjust to the lower gravity, giving her an odd bounce to her step. Next to her, Kal had already altered his way of walking, gently gliding forward.

　　"Very. Everything seems on schedule. You`ve done a fantastic job." Kal replied as they entered an airway, the doors closing behind them as the hiss of atmosphere filled the room. Their helmets retracted automatically once their suits detected adequate oxygen.

　　"I wish I could take the credit," Sylla replied.

　　The door to the interior opened, revealing a bustling office area. Staff walked with datapads, coordinating the construction efforts and holos, showing timelines, video feeds of the various regions and budget projections indicated on the walls.

　　"One of the most needed qualities in a leader is their ability to recognize their flaws. You would be surprised how many people lack that insight. But you have it and know enough to reach out to those around you for help. You should be proud of your accomplishments, Sylla." Kal replied as they entered the room.

　　Standing in the center of the entrance hall to greet them was David Rowe, his blond hair perfectly coiffed, matching his impeccable suit. Eclipse Dynamics had been brought on board to lead this project, with David Rowe personally overseeing its management.

　　Sylla had been wary of the former leader of Trier, but over the past few months, she saw that he was an intelligent, hardworking individual who had made strides to adapt to the Baron`s requirements for his workers.

　　It also helped that part of his renewed commitment to the Barony came with a hefty discount for his services. Rowe had said it was a well-deserved penance, and Sylla couldn`t disagree.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

　　"Milord, Governor." Rowe greeted them with an elegant bow. Sylla stepped forward, offering her hand for a shake rather than the formal greeting which Kal matched.

　　"I`m very pleased to see you both again. I hope your view of our progress was to your liking?" Rowe asked, gesturing for the pair to follow him to his office. On the way, Kal was greeted with more sights of the construction, the drones and Mechs quickly lifting large, premade sections of buildings into place.

　　"I am. How is the schedule progressing?" Kal asked as they waited for an elevator to carry them to the top floor of the administration complex.

　　"We`re within our margins. It will be tight to complete everything by year-end, but I`m confident the primary facilities will be complete. We will be able to dock and resupply your Starships and have adequate repair facilities for your Mechs by the Deadline." Rowe replied, pressing the button on the holo screen for the top floor.

　　The Elevator began to climb smoothly in the lower gravity. Luna reduced the weight of the occupants to a fifth, making it the ideal location for repairing heavy Mechs safely and quickly. As they waited, Rowe pointed out areas of interest through the elevator`s glass walls.

　　"The defensive shields and weapon systems will be online, but I`m afraid the terraforming project inside will need to wait until well into the new year. Over there are the habitation units for the workforce. Construction should be complete on them within the next few months."

　　"How are the unions reacting to the project? Are they satisfied with the work environment?" Kal asked.

　　"Very. With your generosity, we`ve offered higher than normal wages, and for such a long-term contract, they are willing to bring their families here to Luna. I suspect Luna City will be a thriving metropolis within the next few years." Rowe replied.

　　"I can only hope," Kal stated, looking at the crater in the center of the burgeoning city.

　　The rest of the day was spent in discussions and tours of the area. Kal lost track of how many people he met, the workforce enthusiastic about meeting the Baron that had brought such change to their lives.

　　By the end of the day, Sylla was exhausted.

　　She was impressed by how Kal always seemed to have time to shake the hand of a grateful person or provide a kind word to everyone he met. When they finally returned to their transport to fly back to Caledon, her eyes could barely stay open, while Kal seemed to be still as fresh as they started.

　　With the hum of the thrusters lulling her to sleep, Kal spent the flight reviewing his plans. He had a little under two months to prepare.

　　Tamara had a plan for confronting the Pirates, a relatively simple idea of leaking to the Imperial Net that a Starship would transfer some high-value commodities from Caledon. Once the Pirates hijacked the shipment, Kal and his forces would engage them.

　　After capturing a few of their members, Tamara hoped they could force a location out of them. Kal had thought the plan too straightforward and plain to be effective, but she assured him that the most uncomplicated methods were best in combat.

　　Looking out the window at the fading Luna City, Kal allowed himself to relax for a moment. He would re-enter the game tomorrow, pushing his limits to become a better Pilot. He only hoped he would be helpful when the time came.

　　� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

　　Lying Jack leaned back in his chair, his feet on his solid gold desk while slowly peeling an apple with a knife. In the background, the latest pop song by an Idol was playing. An interest in mainstream music was something only those closest to him knew about. It contrasted oddly with his Pirate Leader` persona.

　　Jack had received regular fruit shipments from Terra, a link he would never sever to his presumed homeland. Even Jack didn`t know if he was actually from Terra, he had long since forgotten the difference between truth and lies. It didn`t matter to him, the truth was what he believed it to be.

　　He hummed along with the music as he sliced the Terran Apple, popping a piece into his mouth and savouring it. He could imagine his bloodline singing inside his body at the connection to his ancestral homeland.

　　His Holo beeped as it connected, an image flaring to life above his desk. Gareth Quade, the erstwhile pirate and current Pilot on Caledon, stared at his leader, who promptly ignored him as he finished his treat. Cleaning his hands on a napkin, Jack finally turned his attention to the young man.

　　"You have news?" Jack asked.

　　"Caledon is preparing to attack you in the New Year. I`ve sent you a file of their proposed tactics. Do you want me to do the same for Aesir?" Gareth asked. Jack waved the suggestion away flippantly.

　　"Whatever. That woman`s plans are her own. I`m much more interested in something else." Lying Jack said, and his tone changed. Placing his boots on his carpeted floor, he turned to the holo and leaned forward intently.

　　On the other end, Gareth waited for his father to speak with an anxious feeling. When Jack became interested in something, entire worlds burned.

　　"Tell me about the vault where Kalen Caledon retrieved the Lunite Crown. What other treasures does it hold?" Jack asked attentively.