Chapter 122

　　"Any word from Mare?" Kal asked, taking off the helmet of Pilot`s bodysuit and placing it on the top of his desk. He was in his quarters on his Starship, having just returned from seizing another planet.

　　This one had been in the grip of a criminal organization, the government so corrupt that Kal wondered how they had functioned for as long as they did. It would take years to undo the damage to its people.

　　"Nothing since her last transmission." Samuel replied.

　　Mare had gone to Havencroft to visit her family in secret, not announcing her travel plans to anyone outside of Kal`s close circle of friends and advisors. She had even taken steps to use public transport through a commercial Starship under an alias, something he had adamantly opposed.

　　She had made several trips over the year she had spent with him on his campaign to unite the former Caledonian sector of space, but this one had felt off to him. He had a feeling in the pit of his stomach that something was going to happen, and he couldn`t shake it.

　　"What is the latest?"

　　"Aside from us being stretched thin? Nothing. We need at least another two years to pause, reorganize, restructure your government, and implement better administration. A year is too short a time to forge a Duchy, Kal. Take some time and stabilize before you overreach." Samuel advised.

　　The former Imperial Herald had been against this initially, but he had come around after seeing the dreadful state of some of the planets Kal had been helping. Dozens had joined Caledon willingly, their governments poor and ill-equipped to operate alone.

　　But many more had to be forced to cooperate, and none had been due to how well their people were doing independently. It was inevitably caused by corporate greed or exploitation of their people that had driven their societies into decline.

　　"You`re right. Once Mare is back, we`ll return to Caledon and consolidate." Kal agreed. They began to discuss their plans when Talha came into the room, her expression severe.

　　"What is it?" Kal asked with concern. The operation to control the planet below them had gone well, and the people he had in place could stabilize it with the Guard he was going to leave as a garrison.

　　"We`ve received a communication from Mare. She couldn`t go into details, but she wants you to meet her on Havencroft." Talha said.

　　"And she wouldn`t even say why?" Kal replied.

　　"All she could say was that you needed to come immediately and that her uncle would explain when you arrived. I got the impression that she was worried her message would be intercepted."

　　Kal looked to Samuel, who shook his head. The former Herald had no idea what was going on either.

　　"Set a course for Havencroft. Inform Tamara and the others that we will be delayed returning to Caledon." Kal ordered.

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　　Havencroft reminded Kal of how Caledon had been at its peak under his grandfather`s rule. Hundreds of Starships and thousands of spacecraft orbited the planet. Multiple starports and space stations ringed the world, a stopping point for millions of people being ferried to and from the surface.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

　　The world itself was a pristine environmental wonder. The perfect combination of balance with nature and a bustling metropolis. The white and silver cities perfectly matched the green of the land and the blue of the oceans.

　　Kal had heard rumours that there were species native to Havencroft that had survived since its founding. Like most human worlds, it was terraformed to perfectly suit human life, with species introduced from Terra.

　　Their Starship emerged from the Jump at a safe distance from the planet. Kal waited patiently in the shuttle for clearance to enter the atmosphere. Talha was piloting the transport while he was travelling unaccompanied to the ducal palace.

　　"Caledonian shuttle, you are cleared for launch." Kal heard the voice from the cockpit.

　　"Roger that." Talha replied. The shuttle lifted with the familiar push against Kal`s seat. Once they were free of the hold, gravity shifted into weightlessness, and they were off. Descending through the atmosphere, the shuttle rocked slightly as it passed through a layer of white, puffy clouds.

　　The Duke of Havencroft`s palace was a tall tower with large windows and a silver frame. It had graceful and beautiful architecture, with a large spire on the top. Looking at it from the shuttle window, he could spot a couple of Heavy Class Mechs stationed on the ground while several more flying Mobile Suits wheeled and drifted far above.

　　The shuttle landed in a designated pad ringed by large, leafy green trees. Descending the ramp, Kal was struck by the sun`s warmth and the air`s cleanliness. He had been on many planets over the past year that had been neglected or ravaged by pollution. Kal had nearly forgotten what a true paradise a well-tended world could be.

　　A Duke Havencroft staff member waited at the beginning of a small path, the walkway a series of intricately connected stones that formed designs across the ground. The young woman was wearing the Uniform of Havencroft, Dark blue with yellow trappings. She bowed slightly as he approached her.

　　"Baron Caledon. The Duke and Princess are expecting you. Please follow me." She said, not waiting for a reply as she turned and began to walk down the path. Ignoring the slight snub, he followed along, looking at the city around him as he did so.

　　Hovercars and ships flew overhead, orderly, as they stuck to their designated paths. As one of the most powerful Ducal Houses that stayed loyal to the Emperor during the Rebellion, Havencroft had never been touched by war.

　　Its military facilities were off-world, and only corporate headquarters were allowed on the surface. Their manufacturing plants and refineries were either in the asteroid belts ringing the system or on other planets.

　　Walking through the tall, glass doors of the palace tower, Kal appreciated the cool, conditioned air that greeted him. They passed through a large foyer, where people waited for appointments with senior bureaucrats or members of the Ducal family.

　　Many people turned and looked at him as he passed, his height and Noble appearance drawing attention. He caught his name whispered by a few of them, but he was unsure if it was in a positive or negative context.

　　To his knowledge, his actions in his Sector of space had not been largely reported on the Imperial Net. The news of the fighting between the Princes dominated the Net, burying any reports of Kal beneath them.

　　They arrived at an elevator where the staff member pressed the button for the top floor. With a ding, the doors opened once again after a moment.

　　"This is the Duke`s study. Please follow me." She said, leading Kal through a large room packed with bookcases and computer terminals. The walls held works of art, and several sculptures were placed carefully at the end of the hallways.

　　Ignoring them, Kal was ushered into another large room with a massive wooden table. Large windows gave a breathtaking view of the city around them. Only a handful of people were waiting for him in the room, but his eyes locked onto a familiar figure.

　　Mare looked up as he entered, and he could tell she was about to stand and rush over to him but held back. She quickly glanced at the others in the room and settled back into her chair.

　　There was a heavy atmosphere in the room, subduing those within. Kal`s guide gave a deep bow before leaving and closing the door behind her.

　　"Baron Caledon, we are pleased that you have come." An older man said, and Kal recognized the ancient appearance of Duke Mason Havencroft. Next to him was Prince Magnus and another person Kal didn`t know but shared similarities with the Duke. It was likely his son, and heir, Markus.

　　"I was concerned when Mare contacted me without providing details. What is this about?" Kal asked, walking to the table and sitting next to Mare. She gently touched his hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.

　　"It`s my mother. She`s alive." Mare whispered.