Chapter 120

　　"-together, we will persevere. Thank you." Kal ended his speech, descending the dais and leaving the bright lights and reporters behind.

　　He had left Luna City that morning, finally well enough to stand on his own again. With the turmoil across the Empire only worsening as time passed, he needed to reassure his people that they were safe and protected.

　　More importantly, it was time for them to mourn. Governor Sylla had been his friend, a trusted advisor and a respected figure on Caledon. Everyone grieved for her passing. Regardless of what happened in the future, they needed a moment to express it.

　　Kal walked through the door behind the podium in blessed silence once again. He smiled when he saw Mare waiting for him. Wrapping his arms around her, he breathed in the vanilla scent of her hair.

　　"I`m glad you decided to stay." Kal whispered.

　　"My father isn`t. But he couldn`t argue with Uncle Mason. Havencroft isn`t the safest place right now. Better for me to stay here until things settle." Mare said, resting her head on his shoulder momentarily before stepping back. Taking his hand, she slowly led him through the estate halls.

　　It was good to be home again, even though he wished the circumstances were better. The loss of Sylla had been devastating, and he missed Amelia terribly. The Emperor`s death was abstract, almost unbelievable, while Sylla and the Empress`s death was more immediate and profound on him.

　　Letting out a sigh, Kal forced his thoughts away from misery and onto something different.

　　"What do you think of my plan?" Kal asked, looking to her for advice. Mare was intelligent and clever; unlike him, she had been born in this century. She was more aware of the undercurrents of the Empire than he was.

　　"It`s bold. If it were last week, I would say you were insane. But now its as if the galaxy is crazy, and we appear to be the only sane ones left." Mare remarked.

　　"I wonder if, throughout history, others have said the same of themselves before they embarked on a foolhardy endeavour. I`m convinced that this is the only path forward. Caledon needs more power in order to secure our future. I won`t have an opportunist exploiting our people or coming to take Atlas and Ouroboros because we are too weak to defend ourselves." Kal explained, following Mare`s guidance through the halls.

　　"I agree, but I`m not the only one you have to convince." Mare stated.

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　　"I can`t agree to this course of action, Kal. No matter how sound you think your logic is, it goes against the Emperor`s command." Samuel stated, shaking his head from where he sat at the long conference table.

　　Kal and his closest advisors met in a newly renovated conference room above the throne hall. Large windows brightened the space, and the bare walls were covered in works of art purchased from local Caledonian painters and sculptors.

　　Samuel still wore his House Caledon uniform, matching Miranda`s black dress sitting next to him. Kal nodded at the words.

　　"I understand. And I appreciate everything you have done for us during my absence." Kal stated before continuing. "But the Emperor is dead and has left the Empire without an Heir. Just look at the Imperial Net. The war is fast approaching. The Ducal Houses are divided between the Princes, and those who try to remain neutral will be forced to choose a side." Argyle had already threatened as much.

　　"I agree, but-" Kal interrupted him again.

　　"We`ve experienced this before, Samuel. Both of us were here during the rebellion. You know that there is no neutrality when war erupts. Do you recall what happened to those who attempted to escape it?" Kal asked, and Samuel sighed at the question.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

　　"They were drawn into the conflict. Your father was fond of saying that you were with or against him."

　　"Not just my father. Neither Argyle nor Augustus will let the Ducal Houses that support their enemy survive. Not this time. They have declared each other traitors of the Empire, and anyone who supports them will be labelled the same."

　　The Imperial Net had statements from both Princes about the conflict, posting their accusations against the other and the evidence. It was clear there would be no peaceful settlement. Havencroft agreed, their attempts to delay their support wouldn`t last much longer.

　　Worse, the Guard was divided. They had originally not wanted to support either, but Argyle was convincing, and many had flocked to his banner, although not all of them. The evidence against him was damning, but large groups of the Guard joined Augustus as well.

　　"You`re proposing that Caledon subjugates its former territories. I thought you were better than this, Kal. This is something your father would have done." Samuel said gravely, and everyone at the table shifted comfortably or looked at Kal worriedly.

　　Kal himself was composed, nodding his head at the Herald`s words.

　　"I suppose it could be seen that way. The difference is the reason I am doing this. I`m not entering into this for personal power. Or because I want to prove myself to others. During the Rebellion, Caledon or the Imperials didn`t commit the worst atrocities. Those outside of the two powers did it, opportunists seeking to use the turmoil for personal gain.

　　"The only thing that kept our sector of space relatively safe after the war was the Emperor`s peace. The fear that straying too far from the path he had set would result in retribution. Without him and the Imperial Guard, it would have been chaos. What happens when he`s gone, and there is nothing to keep the wolves from our door?"

　　"Caledon can protect itself. If you want peace, join House Havencroft, declare your loyalty to them." Samuel advised.

　　"And fight for them when they inevitably join one side? Have my people fight and die for a cause they care nothing about? And what about the others? There are trillions of people in the former Caledonian Ducal Sector. Would you leave them to survive or die on their own? Better to consolidate our sector, harden our borders and protect our people."

　　"I agree with Kal. You didn`t see what happened to Terra, Samuel. They were willing to destroy our home and kill innocent people. I knew Uncle Argyle could be cold, but this is beyond cruel. And Augustus won`t stop when he thinks he is right." Mare said.

　　"I cannot go along with this, Princess Marella." Samuel said.

　　"You don`t have to. You are no longer Regent. But I would ask that you stay and protect Mare. You don`t have to be a part of this conflict, but I trust you to keep her safe." Kal asked, and the older man nodded at the words.

　　"Thank you, Samuel. Now, Tamara, if you would?" Kal asked, gesturing to the woman. She stood, walking to the end of the table and tapping a datapad to bring up a Holoscreen.

　　An image of the former territory of the Caledonian Ducal House appeared above the table. Comprising tens of thousands of inhabited worlds, it was one of the largest sectors of the galaxy. At its peak, Caledon was equal to Havencroft, their military and economic power far ahead of most other ducal territories.

　　"After your battle against the Corsairs, we have brought over ten planets under your banner. What started as a defensive alliance to protect their trade routes from raids has blossomed into a full-on partnership, with their governments providing taxes to Caledon in exchange for our military assistance." Tamara explained.

　　"They are also interested in the loans and investment opportunities we provide, Milord." Miranda added.

　　Tamara, Miranda and Tan proceeded to break down the number of people in the Barony, their economic prospects and the state of his regional government. Kal easily followed along, studying the map carefully.

　　"The problem we will be facing in expansion comes from several collectives of independent planets that developed over the past few centuries. You will find they are in a similar state to how Caledon was prior to your return. Exploited by corporations and governed by organizations little better than glorified gangs." Tamara said, and the map highlighted several nearby systems.

　　"As you also know, this sector isn`t without its own minor Nobility." David Rowe spoke up for the first time in the meeting. He had temporarily been brought to Caledon as interim governor to replace Sylla.

　　"Indeed, they used to owe fealty to my Father before the Rebellion. We should make contact with them, and sound out how they feel after what happened to Terra. Perhaps they will be amenable to joining us." Kal remarked.

　　"I`m not too sure, Milord. There have been rumours of certain&excesses amongst the remnant Nobility. They act like Kings and Queens in your family`s former territory. They might not wish to become less than that." David Rowe remarked.

　　"I don`t understand why the Emperor left them alone. Was he deliberately trying to let the sector rot?" Talha asked. She had grown more cynical of the Empire after the attack on Terra. Samuel winced at the comment, about to reply before catching himself.

　　It was Mare who answered.

　　"Not many people knew this, but Grandfather was often&distracted. He frequently ignored the small` details in favour of larger events. It`s possible he knew what was happening here but felt it wasn`t worth involving himself in." Mare explained.

　　"Those small` details are affecting billions of lives. Regardless of his reasoning, it is up to us to set things right." Kal promised.