Chapter 121

　　The skies above Planet Exeter were choked with smog from the large factories and manufacturing buildings. The surface was pockmarked with enormous holes, some more than a mile deep into the ground, with floating drones bringing ore to the surface.

　　In a time when space travel was relatively inexpensive, most companies chose to mine for precious metals and ores in asteroid belts. The smaller celestial objects were easy to break apart and transport to refineries. It also had the benefit of not harming a habitable planet`s environment.

　　But the cheapest option had always been to mine a planet dry, enslaving the population to force them to work in a company`s excavations and refineries. In the former Ducal Sector of Caledon, labour was cheap, and there was little to no Imperial oversight. It made it perfect for the less honourable corporations to turn a massive profit.

　　Exeter had been exploited for five hundred years, and its people suffered under the rule of a rotating group of despots. Varies companies and organizations have come and gone, and the planet deteriorated.

　　"Are they all going to be like this?" Kal asked quietly, his voice heard throughout the Command Centre of his Starship. Next to him, Tamara studied the planet carefully, looking for possible points of concern before replying.

　　"This Sector has been neglected for too long. Of course, the vultures would swoop in and feed on its corpse." Tamara remarked.

　　"I don`t understand why the Emperor would allow this to happen. Is it a punishment for the Rebellion? These people were just doing as they were told, following their Duke. Why should they have to suffer for my Father`s actions? Most of those who inhabit our Sector weren`t even alive during the Rebellion." Kal muttered.

　　"We must trust that Grandfather&.The Emperor had his reasons. He was a complicated man but not cruel. He wouldn`t have left these people to their fate unless there was a purpose." Mare said, but it almost seemed as if she didn`t truly believe it. The evidence to the contrary was staring her in the face.

　　"I`m sorry, Mare. But I find it hard to place my trust in someone who could do this. I won`t allow this to continue anymore. These are my people, and I will help them." Kal turned away, calling out to Talha.

　　"Any word?" He asked. The redheaded woman, wearing a Caledonian House Guard uniform, shook her head.

　　"Nothing. They got your message, all bands and channels. They just aren`t responding. But we are picking up something interesting." Talha explained, pressing a few buttons on the console. The viewscreen in front of them switched to show a few ships, assault craft only capable of space travel in system.

　　The image zoomed in further to show a red wolf on the side.

　　"Red Wolves. Mercenary company with a large presence in this Sector and a medium-sized clan in the VR world. I would estimate they have a few thousand troops on the surface and a couple of hundred light-class mechs for quick response." Tamara explained.

　　"Response to invasion?" Kal asked.

　　"Worker revolts and insurgency more likely. The corporations here have authority in a multitude of planets. A larger reaction to invasion or piracy would come from off-world." Tamara finished.

　　"Good. Launch our assault craft and carriers. I want control of the surface before the day is out. No one gets off the planet. I want whoever is in charge here in chains before I meet with them. Seize everything of value from the corporations." Kal ordered, turning away from the viewscreen and marching toward the storage hold.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

　　"You`re going down?" Talha called out, confused. Kal ignored her as Mare walked swiftly behind him.

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　　Kal trained the Heavy Lasgun of his Medium Class Mech Vanguard` on the Red Wolf squad as they threw down their weapons. They had a collection of Light Class Mech, Scouts and a few older Mobile Suits that pre-dated the Rebellion. They hadn`t stood a chance against Kal`s forces.

　　The Vanguard was an updated variant of the Scout with similar functionality. Highly mobile, lightly armoured but with a glowing blue shield surrounding it. Humanoid, it could be customized in a variety of ways. Kal`s had a large jetpack on the back, giving it more speed and the ability to leap high into the air.

　　"We`ve secured the planet, and all Red Wolf troops are surrendering. Good work, Kal." Talha said over the comm.

　　"Take their Mechs. I want them checked and repurposed. I will meet with any government or worker unions and have all corporate executives brought to a central location."

　　"Tan is already reviewing all the facilities. He should have a recommendation regarding our next steps. Some of the refineries will continue to operate, but I get the impression he wants to move most of it off-world." Talha replied.

　　"I`m not surprised. There are a lot of things we can use here, but I don`t want to ruin any more planets. Ensure Tan knows it will need to be asteroid exploration and mining, not on the surface." Kal ordered before shutting off the comm.

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　　A collection of nervous corporate executives knelt on the floor of their office tower.

　　Unlike the bleak atmosphere and landscape that the rest of Exeter had, the city they had placed their headquarters in was quite beautiful, with gardens and large atmospheric filters that removed the smell of pollution and chemicals from the air.

　　They whispered quietly amongst each other, the noise joining the slight rattling of iron chains on their wrists. They had protested the archaic treatment, only to be told that it was Baron Caledon`s orders. In the front of the group was a collection of men and women in expensive suits, clearly unused to rough treatment.

　　Their appearance spoke of wealth and costly rejuvenation procedures. While the others muttered and conversed, they knelt in rigid silence, waiting for the Baron to arrive.

　　Caledonian House Guards ringed the group, their black and red Exosuits as intimidating as the Lasrifles they held pointed at the prisoners. They snapped to attention as a figure appeared in the doorway.

　　Baron Caledon was tall and handsome, wearing a Pilot bodysuit without a helmet. He looked at the group carefully for a moment, assessing them, before sitting in a chair his people had placed at the front of the room, the only furniture in the wide-open space.

　　He waited for a moment before another person joined him. An equally tall, outstandingly beautiful woman in a matching black and red Pilot bodysuit stood beside him, silently watching the crowd.

　　"I am Baron Kalen Caledon. Exeter is a part of my fiefdom, and for defying my order to lay down your arms and swear allegiance to me, your assets here are forfeit." Kal stated. His words sent a stir through the crowd before an older man stood on his feet, his face flushed red with anger.

　　"This is outrageous! You`re nothing but a bandit, wrapping your actions in Noble trappings! This will not stand, Baron!" The man shouted, and the other executives kneeling beside him nodded their agreement, adding their voices to his own.

　　"Silence!" One of his House Guards shouted, and the room was silent once more. Kal could see the fear in their eyes as they snuck glances at his armed guards.

　　"You`re right. And you are free to lodge a complaint with the Imperial Bureaucracy. Once an Emperor is chosen, I`m sure he will listen to your petition. In the meantime, your assets here will be taken to help rebuild this planet. As for you all, in consideration of your arguments, your corporations may pay a ransom to release you. My minister of finance will have the details." Kal said, standing and beginning to leave.

　　"You will pay for this, Baron!" The man shouted, cursing at Kal. He slowed his steps, stopping at the door and turning slowly.

　　"I`ve no doubt I will. But, for now, it is time you all learned that this sector is under the protection of House Caledon. You are either with me or against me." Kal warned, staring at the man before turning and leaving.

　　In three days, whatever equipment wasn`t essential was removed from the planet, and a new, temporary government was in place. The population was free from corporate control, and Kal promised to help them rebuild in exchange for their loyalty to his House.

　　Over the following year, more than a hundred planets were brought into the Barony of Caledon.