Chapter 135

　　Kal met with Prince Argyle in the space beyond Luna.

　　With Mare at his side, he stood in the command center of one of his Starships, waiting for Argyle to Jump into the system. Wearing his finest Caledonian House uniform in black and red, he had added a pin to his lapel with the red stag of Caledon.

　　Mare matched his outfit, choosing to wear a uniform of Caledon as well, with the exception of a golden eagle pin instead of the red stag.

　　She had been busy planning the wedding and training in a Medium Class Mech that Tamara had secured for her from the House Guard over the last few months. When Kal had informed her of the upcoming meeting, she had dropped everything to attend.

　　They both knew what Argyle wanted. The only question was what he was prepared to offer in return.

　　"Incoming Starships, multiple Jump signatures." One of the crew members informed them, and the viewscreen showed the telltale distortion of the Jump in front of them.

　　Five Starships emerged into Caledonian Space, each unique despite the similar design of their exteriors.

　　The lead vessel bore the Golden Eagle of the Royal family, surrounded by twelve stars. Each of the other ships also had the symbol of one of the Ducal Houses supporting Argyle.

　　Tish with their leaping fish in blue. Their world was primarily ocean, with large archipelagos and islands holding their cities. The depths of their world`s seas held riches that were sought across the galaxy. Amongst the weakest of the Ducal Houses, they had been the first House to declare for Argyle.

　　Grandster and their sceptre and sword. Over the millennia, numerous members of the Royal Family had married into their Ducal House, forging a strong bond between them and the Empire that was depicted in the coat of arms. Argyle himself had married a member of their family, and she would become Empress once he secured the throne, strengthening their relationship further.

　　Lockmere`s Starship had a large tree on the side, its green limbs stretching toward three stars in the sky to represent the three suns of their homeworld. Perpetually lit at all times, their planet was a lush jungle filled with native plants that never saw the night sky.

　　Havencroft was familiar to the couple. Mare`s house had a white boar on a field of yellow. With their recent inclusion in Argyle`s court, they had taken the most prominent role in the Succession War.

　　Finally, House Owaine was the most unknown to Kal. Located on the far side of the Galaxy from Caledon, he had never interacted with their Duke and Duchess. He knew little about their homeworld, just that it was incredibly remote, with restricted access by Starship. Their symbol was a crescent moon.

　　Kal and Mare boarded a shuttle, with Kal Piloting it to the central vessel bearing the Royal coat of arms.

　　Duke Havencroft met them in the storage hold, surrounded by several retainers. He stepped forward as soon as the pair set foot on the metallic floor.

　　"Kalen, Marella. It is good to see you both again. You have some knowledge of why you are both here?" Mason asked, shaking Kal`s hand before giving his niece a brief hug. It had been several months since they had last seen each other.

　　The Duke wore a uniform in his house colours, a dark blue that was nearly black, with yellow trim. He had a half cape slung over one shoulder and a sword strapped to his waist.

　　The archaic weapon symbolized that the Ducal House was at war. Its curved blade rested in a sheath that bore the emblem of his house. Kal doubted the ceremonial weapon could be used in combat, but it was tradition for the Havencrofts.

　　"The Titans." Kal replied.

　　"Ouroboros." Mare said at the same time. Mason nodded his head in agreement. He gestured for them to follow as he strolled toward the front of the vessel.

　　"With Carmichael`s entrance into the war, things have become untenable. It doesn`t matter how many Mobile Suits we have. Nothing can stop a Titan except another Titan. Six on five means we are at a disadvantage."

　　"Will it really come to that? I thought the use of Titans was forbidden in war without Imperial approval, or the most dire of cases." Mare replied.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

　　"While that is true, nothing can stop them from being unleashed. The Emperor was the only one with the ability to control them, and he did not pass that knowledge on to his sons." Mason explained.

　　"Titans are the deciding factor in this conflict. There is a reason that the Ducal Houses are all considered equals, even when our militaries are vastly different. Statistically, Havencroft outnumbers Naice and Sairon combined, but we would never attack them for fear their two Titans would eliminate ours. The loss of a single Titan would mean the end of a House." Mason finished.

　　"Is that why they weren`t used in the Rebellion? For fear that my Father or his allies would destroy one?" Kal asked curiously. Titans had not made their debut at all in the Rebellion, leaving it fought with conventional forces.

　　"Yes. The Emperor could disable the Rebel Titans, but who would risk using theirs in the small chance that a means to destroy them could be found." Mason confirmed.

　　"Set a trap with multiple Starships and detonate their Engines. Or overwhelm their Pilot with enough forces in successive waves to draw out a battle, resulting in the Neural Burden incapacitating them." Kal mused, and Mason cocked an eyebrow at the comment.

　　"Thought about it, have you?" Mason asked wryly, and Kal nodded.

　　"Some. After using Atlas, the flaws were revealed. They are powerful, but they are still machines. The Pilot is its weakest point." Kal commented. He and Mare had long discussions on Mars about the Titans and how they operated.

　　"I agree. But unlike you, Kalen, the other Titan Pilots have had centuries of experience. A fight against them would be devastating, which is why you are here." Mason replied as they stepped over the boundary from the storage hold to the long hallway leading to the Command Center.

　　"Uncle wishes it to be seven against six instead? He is aware that neither Kal nor I are experienced with operating the Titans. I don`t know how much help we would be." Mare commented.

　　"It won`t come to that. Listen to Prince Argyle`s offer and decide for yourselves." Mason finished as they entered a large room just before the command center.

　　The place where they were meeting the Prince was a converted storage room. Its high ceilings and distant walls were covered in luxurious cloth and tapestry to hide the dull metal beneath. Rugs drove away the cold beneath their feet as their shoes sank into the soft material.

　　High-quality wooden furniture was placed throughout the area, but none of the people gathered were sitting. Entering, Duke Mason took his place to the side while Kal and Mare assessed those present.

　　Prince Argyle stood in the very center of the room. Wearing a Noble`s uniform in black and gold, he looked to have aged a century since Kal had seen him last. His hair was white and thinning, his shoulders sagged, and his back stooped. But his blue eyes still held a piercing, commanding gaze as they stared at the young couple who entered the room.

　　To his right was an older woman, Argyle`s wife Patricia Grandster, sister of the Duke of Grandster. She wore a black dress, and her brown hair was held up with an elaborate gold headdress. She looked to be in her middle years, the rejuvenation had driven away most of the wrinkles, but Kal`s eyes could spot a few signs of her true age in her face and hands.

　　Kal`s eyes roved the room. Another older couple that he recognized as the Duke and Duchess of Grandster. The Duchess of Tish, in a blue dress, accompanied by a few servants in uniforms stood behind her. A young man who Kal knew was the Heir of Lockmere, wearing an Exosuit without the helmet, looked like he was about to leave this meeting for a battle.

　　Finally, a young couple was wearing Uniforms with the symbol of Owaine on the front. The man was tall, with green hair so bright that Kal showed his surprise at the colour. The woman beside him was beautiful and black-haired, but their facial similarities spoke of siblings rather than a married couple.

　　"Baron Caledon." Argyle spoke, and Kal`s eyes locked onto his. Despite his appearance, Argyle had a commanding presence in the room, drawing everyone`s attention.

　　"Prince Argyle." Kal replied, giving a small but elegant bow. Next to him, Mare gave a curtsey, inclining her head.

　　"Uncle." Argyle nodded to his niece, acknowledging her.

　　"We`ll get right to business. Mason has told you of our needs. I want Caledon`s Titan and the Ouroboros to join me. With the support of everyone here, we`ll have the leverage to enforce a negotiation for peace. None of the Houses want to risk losing their Titans in this conflict. Augustus will have no choice but to concede." Argyle explained, and there was a murmur of agreement from the other nobles in the room.

　　"While I agree, Caledon cannot afford to enter into another war. Mare and I have strict limitations on the use of our Titans, which I`m sure you are aware of. I do not think it is appropriate for us to swear allegiance to you at this time." Kal responded, and Mare nodded next to him.

　　They had discussed this at length since he was informed of Argyle`s pending arrival. They were in complete agreement.

　　Argyle sighed, running a hand through his thinning hair before barking a laugh. His actions took Kal by surprise. He hadn`t heard Argyle laugh before. Even Mare was taken aback by her Uncles behaviour.

　　"Cut the nonsense, Caledon. We both know what you really mean. What`s in it for me? It`s always the same. Every House, every noble that I ask to support me. What will I get in return? Why should we risk our lives for you?" Argyle let out another breath.

　　"What is in it for us?" Kal asked, dropping the formality.

　　"Swear allegiance to me, and Caledon with be made a Duchy again. You were stripped of your title but not your Titan. I know you think titles are meaningless, but a part of you longs for it returned. I knew your grandfather well, Kalen. He had high hopes for you. Do him proud, bend the knee, and reclaim what was taken from you."

　　Kal looked at Mare, a silent question in his eyes. She gave a slight nod and a smile in response.

　　That day, in the space above Caledon, a Baron became a Duke once more.