Chapter 178 - Epilogue: Part 2

　　"Piloting a Titan at the age of nineteen? An impressive accomplishment. The Empire owes you a debt of gratitude, Florine Caledon, for bringing this criminal to justice. We have reviewed the evidence and are prepared to render a verdict." Augustus announced, and one of the Imperial Servants stepped forward.

　　Clutching a long staff topped by a statue of a golden eagle, he used the iron bottom to strike the ground with a loud, ringing sound. The murmurs from the crowd ceased immediately.

　　"Johnathan, Baron of Granville. You are hereby stripped of all titles and assets. Granville will be given to House Caledon for oversight until Duke Caledon can assign the fief to another. You and your Corsairs will be conferred to Prince Argyle for punishment." Augustus ordered.

　　"You&what?" Jack was stunned. He expected that they would seize his titles and that he could possibly serve time in stasis for what he had done. But what did it mean to be given to the Emperor`s brother? Argyle had largely been out of the public eye for decades since returning from the operation against the Vore.

　　"Argyle, step forward. It is time for the announcement." Augustus said, turning to a shadowed alcove behind his throne.

　　Prince Argyle strode forward. Wearing an Imperial Guard Exosuit, he looked younger and healthier than he had during the fighting against the Vore. Rejuvenation procedures, harsh training and preparation for this day had worked wonders for his health. Not to mention being free of the stress of rulership. He preferred a simple and straightforward goal over politics.

　　Standing next to the Emperor, Argyle was a paragon of marshal prowess. He exuded competence, and it was easy for Flo to see why the Imperial Guard admired him.

　　Augustus stood from his throne. Looking around at the assembled crowd, he made a long-anticipated proclamation.

　　"As all of you are aware, the Vore escaped our grasp when we fought them aboard the A.I. Collective`s Dyson Sphere. They are currently racing toward the Andromeda galaxy, and no Starship or means of transport we possessed at the time could match them." Augustus said gravely.

　　"But that time has changed. Using the knowledge collected from the Dyson Sphere, the Empire has constructed the greatest fleet in the history of mankind. One hundred thousand Starships, all capable of a new form of Jump that can bridge the divide between galaxies. And at the center, a Dyson Sphere fashioned from the technology that allowed us to strike a crippling blow to our enemies."

　　"Argyle, my brother and the man who led the first campaign against the Vore, will once again be called upon to defend humanity." Augustus finished. Gripping his brother`s shoulder firmly, he whispered something before sitting back on the throne.

　　"This campaign will lead us to a new galaxy against a foe which many of you cannot conceive of their violence and fury. Tens of millions of troops from every corner of the Empire will be giving up everything they have known on our journey. Selected from amongst the very best of humanity, it is on them that we will pin all of our hopes."

　　"Furthermore, this will not just be a war. We will be forging a new beachhead for humanity`s expansion. New colonies will be created, and additional Noble Houses formed. We will be exploring a new galaxy, one of which we know nothing about."

　　"I ask those with the courage and fortitude to enter the unknown, to face the Vore and put an end to their threat to join me!" Argyle shouted, and the crowd erupted at the words. Augustus waited for a lull to speak once more.

　　"Jack, you and your corsairs will be joining Argyle on his crusade against the Vore. You owe a debt to the Empire, and your service with the Andromeda Fleet will see it paid." Augustus added, looking at the Corsair as he stood stunned at the revelation.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

　　Flo could hardly believe what they were saying. A fleet journeying to an entirely new galaxy to face an evil that could threaten the Milky Way. And they would be settling on new planets, creating new Noble Houses. The things she could see and experience there were mind-boggling!

　　Stepping forward, she knelt in front of the Imperial Throne.

　　"Milord Emperor. I seek a boon. I wish to join the Fleet, along with my Titan!"

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　　"Absolutely not! I won`t have my granddaughter traipsing across the void to another galaxy. Especially not with the Vore, and who knows what else is waiting for them. I don`t know what Augustus said to convince Argyle to take on this mad endeavour, but you are not going." Amara said crossly.

　　They were in the Princess`s quarters in the Imperial Palace. She officially resided on Havencroft, but maintained rooms on Terra in case she or her family wished to visit. From behind them, Amelia sat on a couch with her legs crossed.

　　Frail and ancient, the former Empress was feeling the effects of her age. She had removed herself from the public eye, preferring to divide her time between Havencroft and Caledon. Flo was currently staying with her grandmother while on Terra, and Amelia couldn`t help but compare the young woman to her parents.

　　Flo was as stubborn as Marella while retaining the steadiness and perseverance of Kalen. It made her unstoppable when she put her mind to something. However, Flo had an itch for exploration and adventure, unlike her twin brother. Emeritus was more than happy to stay on Caledon, absorbed in his studies or other pursuits.

　　"You can`t stop me, Grandmother. The Emperor has already agreed to my request. What would it say about House Caledon if I am removed from the fleet? Who would be willing to send their sons and daughters to Andromeda if I back out now? Besides, this is what I`ve been dreaming about my entire life! A real adventure, like what Mom and Dad experienced!" Flo exclaimed, throwing up her hands and going to her great-grandmother.

　　Flopping down onto the couch, she crossed her arms grumpily.

　　"Those adventures` nearly killed them. Your father fought the Vore, along with five other Titans. You know how that turned out. He barely returned and now owes a life debt to Praxis of all people." Amara replied.

　　"I know all that. Cousin Katherine explained the risks to me. How father brought her home and even helped Havencroft re-create Hyperion. Katherine has already announced her intentions to join the Andromeda Expedition." Flo responded.

　　"Wait until Mason hears of that. I doubt she will be setting foot anywhere near that fleet." Amara stated.

　　"I would be surprised. This is important for everyone, Amara. It`s not just a matter of finally destroying the remaining Vore, but also for humanity to set foot in another galaxy. This is everything that Aurelius worked toward." Amelia added.

　　"There are going to be hundreds of Titans onboard, and it`s not like we are going to get there in a day. Uncle Argyle said it would take years for us to reach Andromeda. We`ll be living and training on the Dyson Sphere during the trip. We might even make it there faster than the Vore." Flo explained.

　　The advanced technologies of the A.I. Collective, combined with their own, had led to inconceivable advances. Unless their estimates were incorrect, they could reach Andromeda in a decade, maybe less, while the Vore would still be making the crossing.

　　By the time the Vore arrived, humanity would have fortified and prepared.

　　"It doesn`t matter, you won`t convince me otherwise. And when your mother finds out, there is no way in this galaxy or another that she is going to let you leave. Accompanied by a Titan or not." Amara finished.

　　"Father will. He understands the importance of service to the Empire and that we must all do our duty." Flo retorted.

　　"And what of your duty to Caledon?"

　　"Father, Mother and Emeritus can look after Caledon. Besides, mother and father are only in their early forties! Most of the Nobles I studied with on Terra were twice their age! I can go all the way to Andromeda and return, and they will still be younger than any other Duke or Duchess!" Flo explained.

　　Her logic was sound. Kalen and Marella Caledon were young compared to the other Ducal Houses. The only house with a younger leader was Naice, and that was due to the loss of their duchess to the Vore.

　　It was true that Caledon was also experiencing an unprecedented period of peace and expansion. They were soon going to take their place amongst the strongest of the Ducal Houses, both militarily and economically. A large amount of their Mechs, developed by Aesir, were going to be going to Andromeda as well.

　　"Fine. I look forward to hearing your arguments to your father. He`s the only one that could possibly allow this to happen." Amara added doubtfully. She knew how protective Kalen Caledon was of his family.