Chapter 147

　　Kal nervously entered the cockpit of Atlas. Despite his experience and determination not to let the Titan control him, he still couldn`t squash the uneasiness he felt as he sat in the cushioned seat of the Mobile Suit.

　　The control panel in front of him glowed in the dim light, the systems coming online. He steeled himself for the Neural Connection before pressing a few switches to activate the reactor. After the dreams he had been having for nearly a year, Kal expected the worst.

　　He was right in his assumptions.

　　"Activating Neural Link."

　　An onslaught of foreign thoughts and emotions pushed against his consciousness. It was worse than it had ever been before. Kal had thought that as he grew stronger from Piloting a Heavy Class, he would be better prepared for Atlas, but he had been wrong.

　　The Titan seemed to have grown stronger with him. If the Link had been this bad when he faced the Corsairs, he doubted he would have survived for a single moment, let alone ten entire seconds.

　　Atlas clawed and scratched at his mind, struggling for dominance against Kal. It wanted to be free, unleashed upon the universe, and never be shackled again. He could feel its bloodlust, hatred, and desire to control and destroy.

　　He could see green eyes glowing in the shadows of the dim cockpit, staring into his very soul.

　　Kal screamed as he leaned forward and gripped the control panel as tightly as he could. The waves of external desires crashed against him, tossing his consciousness around like a ship caught in heavy seas.

　　And through it all, Kal could detect another presence, faint and watchful. It was observing his struggle, not helping either side but waiting for a winner to be declared in this life-and-death contest of wills.

　　Focusing his mind, Kal threw himself into the battle against Atlas, hurling his own willpower and resolve against the Titan. To an outsider, it seemed like the Duke was sitting silently in the sealed cockpit, gripping the Mobile Suits controls and shaking slightly from the strength he was exerting through his hands.

　　Internally, Kal and Atlas were raging against each other. Green eyes stared into blue, and Kal pictured the pair grappling, their arms locked into a deadly embrace, each trying to force the other to submit.

　　Unlike Kal, Atlas still had a final trick up its sleeve. While they stood equal, their wills focused on each other, the Titan drew from the genetic memory in Kal`s bloodline. The very thing that was supposed to make piloting Atlas easier would be the weapon it would use against its Pilot.

　　"You`re a failure." A voice whispered in Kal`s ear.

　　"If I had a choice, you would never inherit Caledon. If I didn`t hold your birth records in my hands, I would scarcely believe you were my child!" Emeritus Caledon exclaimed. The voice of Kal`s grandfather grew louder, and Kal unconsciously turned his head toward it.

　　In the darkness, he was greeted with a sight, a memory provided by Atlas through his bloodline memories. Kal immediately recognized the effort for what it was, an attempt to disrupt his concentration.

　　"You`ll have to do better than that." Kal whispered, trying to ignore the memory playing out in the corner of his eye.

　　Kal`s grandfather, Emeritus, stood on the dais that held his ducal throne. Wearing a black and red Caledonian House uniform similar to Kal`s own, he appeared much younger than Kal remembered. Only in his middle years of life, his hair was black and full, lacking the grey and thinness that would mark his later life.

　　"But I will inherit, Father. And when I do, Caledon will return to its former glory. No more licking the boots of the Emperor, begging for scraps while they feast!" Emerick shouted.

　　Kal`s father looked to be the same age as Kal himself, a young man whose handsomeness and charm hadn`t been diminished by indulgence and sin.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

　　The scene shifted as Emerick stalked from the room. Kal had heard about this argument from his grandmother. Emerick had left Caledon for centuries, travelling through the galaxy and forming alliances with other houses.

　　He had met Kal`s mother during that time. She wasn`t a noble but the only daughter of a wealthy industrialist who would later provide significant funding for the Rebellion.

　　Kal was curious at the memory, despite the danger involved in splitting his concentration. He could feel Atlas push harder, struggling for control as it provided a new memory dredged from Kal`s genetic memories.

　　Emerick was older in this vision but still younger than he had been during Kal`s lifetime. He was walking through the hallways of the Imperial palace, wearing a formal Noble`s suit heavily embroidered in gold and gemstones.

　　Ostentatious and bold, Kal`s father sneered at everyone he encountered. It was an expression Kal was very familiar with.

　　Coming into a waiting room, he waved away the servants inside as he sat on a couch. Reaching for a pitcher of fine, Terran wine that had been waiting on the coffee table for him, he drank deeply as he leaned back in his seat and waited.

　　What was Father doing on Terra?` Kal wondered, and for a moment, his concentration slipped. Atlas capitalized on the mistake, pushing harder in an instant. Bringing his mind back to the battle of wills between them, Kal tried to ignore what the Titan was showing him.

　　It became more difficult when the Emperor entered the vision. Significantly younger than Kal remembered, even from his trial five centuries before, it made him think this took place only a few decades after Emerick left Caledon.

　　"Protocol dictates that you should stand when I enter a room." Aurelius pointed out dryly, frowning at Emerick`s attitude. Emerick`s smirk deepened in response to the admonishment. He merely crossed his legs comfortably, showing no sign of standing.

　　"It also states that you should be communicating with me through my father, so perhaps we both need a refresher. What is it that you wish to speak about?" Emerick asked. The Emperor brushed away his annoyance, taking a seat across from the Ducal Heir.

　　"I`ve come to make you an offer. I understand that you wish to marry and that Emeritus is rather reluctant to give his approval." Aurelius explained. Emerick snorted at the statement.

　　"He`s not reluctant at all. He flat-out refused. As long as I am Heir to a Ducal House, he has the final say in who I can marry. He thinks he can somehow control me by lording that fact over my head." Emerick replied, draining his glass of wine and pouring another.

　　Kal shook his head at the vision, wondering why Atlas showed him this. While he somewhat appreciated the insight into his family that he hadn`t been aware of before, nothing shocking could ruin his concentration.

　　He began to push back against the Titan, gaining lost ground. Soon, he had the momentum, and he could feel Atlas failing. Kal`s time in Stasis had given him a resolve few could match, especially if he had a goal. And right now, protecting Caledon and Mare was his top priority.

　　"Perhaps I can be of assistance. I could speak with Emeritus on your behalf as long as certain provisions were made." Aurelius stated, and Kal grew alarmed at what was happening. He knew the Emperor enough to recognize signs of his manipulations and meddling, and his instincts were screaming that something wasn`t right with this conversation.

　　"As you know, the Caledonian Bloodline is&finicky when it comes to pregnancy and birth. To keep the bloodlines unmuddied, the Houses have long since made all their scions functionally sterile to prevent unwanted complications. I remember that before you were born, there were worries that none of the samples would be viable, that more drastic measures may need to be taken in order for Emeritus and Auroura to conceive." Aurelius continued.

　　"I`m aware. It`s why I`m an only child. Caledon`s shining star." Emerick responded, raising his glass to the Emperor.

　　"Indeed." Aurelius replied dryly.

　　"I grow tired of your ramblings, Aurelius. Speak plainly so that I may leave." Emerick stated rudely. He wanted to finish this conversation quickly to return to more pressing matters. Even knowing his father as he did, Kal was shocked that he would speak to the Emperor so boldly and that Aurelius showed no sign of anger at his attitude.

　　"Very well. In exchange for my permission to marry, you and your bride will provide samples to the Imperial Geneticists immediately. I will ensure that a viable child is born from your union." Aurelius offered, and even Emerick frowned at the implication.

　　Why would the Emperor care if they had a child?` Kal wondered, his instincts screaming that there was something happening, something fundamental to his future. And Atlas knew it.

　　"Why?" Emrick asked, and Kal found himself straining to hear the response. His attention to the battle with Atlas was nearly forgotten.

　　To Kal`s surprise, the Emperor gave a simple answer.

　　"The current Ducal Bloodlines are inadequate for humanity`s future. We&they need to be better. I will be making some slight alterations to their genetics to enhance their abilities. Your child will be perfectly healthy, I assure you. All of our previous tests have been positive." Aurelius clarified.

　　The answer made Emerick laugh, a great guffaw that shook the man`s body.

　　"And you believe you can engineer humanity`s future!? I knew you were arrogant, but I thought you were at least sane. You`re playing with fire, Aurelius. Fine, do as you will. Tinker away while the rest of us accomplish our goals. But I`ll warn you, if the child is flawed, I`ll dispose of it like trash. I will not be humiliated by a defect.