Chapter 130

　　Merrick Tan walked through the streets of Cosa. A cooling breeze blew over the bay and through the coastal town, bringing the smell of the ocean and driving away some of the humidity.

　　He hadn`t been back here since he had quit the Imperial Bank and came to work for Kal. His life had been different then, filled with hollow relationships and backstabbing for an elevated position in the company. He was much happier now, which showed in his health and habits.

　　Most of those changes could be attributed to him finding something to believe in. His life had a purpose now, and his actions had value. It was amazing how a single meeting with a man he once despised had changed everything.

　　His thoughts of Kalen Caledon had wholly shifted over the years. The Baron had a way of bringing out the best in people. Whether through his charisma or his belief that you could be better. Merrick Tan wholeheartedly followed him and didn`t regret it for a minute.

　　But it was days like this that he found it extra satisfying.

　　Tan walked through the wide glass doors of the Bank headquarters in Cosa. They slid open silently, and he was greeted with a pair of business people wearing matching Banker`s uniforms. A man and a woman, they bowed as they acknowledged him.

　　"Minister Tan. Thank you for gracing our establishment today. We hope you have a very productive meeting." The man said, while the woman straightened and gestured to an elevator behind them.

　　"We have everything ready. Your guests will be arriving within the hour." She added, leading the way.

　　The elevator rose to the top of the building, where Tan could see the landscape for miles in each direction. It was like something out of an artist`s masterwork. The Bank had secured most of the land within sight while Kal was in Stasis. And although the Baron hadn`t taken any back, he did charge them taxes and require them to be much more open about who could visit or live in Cosa.

　　As a result, the town returned to being a travel destination. Already, resorts and hotels were springing upwards along the coast, people fleeing the large metropolises for weekends and vacations in Cosa.

　　Tan was used to this view, although it had been different when he had an office here. He hadn`t immensely enjoyed it like he did now, didn`t appreciate its beauty or how much it meant to the locals.

　　Looking away from the windows, he focused on the moment. Today was a culmination of years of hard work and planning, one of the first tasks the Baron had given him when Kal had awoken on Terra and could re-established communication with him.

　　Since the Emperor`s passing, the Imperial Bank has refused to take a stance on the Succession War. They have stuck to true neutrality, a delicate balance that required them to act according to the Nobility of each branch.

　　On Caledon, Merrick Tan had never known the Bank to be so considerate and respectful. Clearly, they were relying on Kal to protect their interests in this sector while also hoping that their compliance would prevent the Baron from leaning too heavily on them in this time of trouble.

　　Entering a large boardroom, Tan ignored everything as he sat at the end of the table. Unbuttoning his jacket, he laid his datapad on the table.

　　"I want everything you have on Baron Caledon`s current investments and all projections for the quarter." Tan ordered, and the pair bowed again as they left. In moments, graphs and charts hovered in the air in front of him.

　　Tan was impressed at what he was seeing. Although the war was ravaging the galaxy, his investments were growing wildly. Kal had been on Terra during the attack, and his return to Caledon had meant that Tan was amongst the first people in the galaxy to know of the Emperor`s death.

　　For the first time, Tan had felt what it was like to know the future. He could chart the path of the next few years. The developing war between the Princes meant certain commodities were in short supply while others would be in abundance. While everyone was mourning, he had been busy plotting.

　　War could be good for business, provided you were in the right kind of business. Tan had shifted everything to the companies aligned with the warfare and waited for his opportunity.The author`s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

　　"They`re here, Minister Tan." Another bank employee knocked on the door and entered, giving a bow before informing him of his guest`s arrival.

　　"Send them in." Tan replied, straightening his clothing unnecessarily. He found he was very excited about the coming meeting, something that hadn`t happened in a long time.

　　A trio of people walked into the meeting room, two middle-aged women and an older man. Wearing business attire, the only physical thing connecting them to their organization was a small pin on each of their lapels. Yggdrasil, the world tree glittered silver.

　　Standing, Tan gestured to open seats around the table.

　　"Thank you for coming. Please." Tab offered. They sat on his right side, facial expressions showing disdain and impatience. Tan had dealings with corporations his entire life, from all over the galaxy, but he hadn`t met with this group before.

　　"Well, we`re here. What does your Baron want of Aesir Corporations?" The older man stared, all but tapping his finger on the wooden tabletop.

　　"Where is he? I expected to meet with Kalen Caledon today, not his flunky." Another said, her eyes staring daggers at Tan.

　　"The Baron is indisposed today. I will be presenting our proposal to Aesir on his behalf." Tan replied, only to be cut off by the other party.

　　"There`s no need. Aesir Corporation and Baron Caledon have had their&disagreements in the past, but we have accepted the ruling of the Emperor and have paid our due. There is nothing more to be said about it. We have no business with Caledon." The third woman said, trying to put an end to the discussion.

　　"We only took this meeting out of respect for the Imperial Bank. It was they that conveyed your desire for an agreement." The older man said.

　　"And I appreciate their involvement. In fact, the agreement you`ve come to hear is largely due to their help." Tan turned to the open door and spoke.

　　"You may enter now." He said, and the pair of Bank employees who had met him downstairs entered the room and sat on his left. Tan cleared his throat, running his hand along the side of his datapad while he thought through what he was about to say.

　　"The Agreement is simple. Aesir will move all their operations, including all equipment and employees, to Caledonian space. You may occupy a headquarters in the City of Caledonia and develop manufacturing and repair facilities in Luna City.

　　"Baron Caledon is willing to provide substantial investments to expand across our sector, but trade will be strictly limited. All selling of weapons and equipment will require his personal approval. Aesir will become a Caledonian Corporation." Tan spoke. He tapped on his datapad and the terms projected above the table.

　　"This is preposterous. Aesir is a publicly traded company under the oversight of the Imperial Trade Commission. Even the nobility cannot simply take` what they want!" The older man shouted, slamming his hand on the tabletop loudly.

　　"Do not think that the rule of law no longer applies just because the Emperor is dead? The Succession may be undetermined, but the Empire endures." Another added.

　　"I couldn`t agree more. The rule of law applies, and the Imperial Bureaucracy ticks along regardless of the empty throne. Baron Caledon will be glad to hear that you accept the law. We expect your Corporation to relocate immediately."

　　"Expect? Your Baron can expect nothing. Aesir Corporation stretches across the galaxy. We have more soldiers and Mechs than this backwater. Our assets make your Baron appear a pauper in our eyes. Our employees number in the billions."

　　"That would be true before you came into conflict with the Baron. It`s a pity that you chose to strike at him. Your stock price was doing so well before you were caught trying to murder a member of the nobility. Fines, the loss of lucrative Imperial contracts, irreparable damage to your reputation." Tan turned to the bankers beside him.

　　"How much did their stock suffer from that misstep?" Tan asked.

　　"Significantly, Minister Tan. Even with the Succession War driving up their stock due to demand for Mobile Suits, they are well behind their competitors now." The woman banker answered.

　　"Significantly." Tan repeated with a smile.

　　"We don`t have to listen to this drivel." The male Aesir executive snarled, standing from the table.

　　"You will if you don`t want the Imperial Bank to close all your accounts." Tan replied, and the bankers next to him nodded at his comment. It was enough to halt the executive. Tan leaned back in his chair.

　　"After we learned that Aesir would only be fined and lose a few contracts for attempting to kill our Baron, I had a thought. Instead of trying to destroy Aesir by force, wouldn`t it be easier to destroy it from the inside? Your stock plummeted after the fines were announced, and the Baron has significant capital at his disposal. Quite a steal, actually."

　　"You bought our stock?" One of the executives asked, shocked.

　　After the announcement of the Emperor`s voiding of many of their contracts, they were in serious danger of losing everything. They had only been saved by heavy, outside investments. Someone had snapped up large amounts of shares, keeping Aesir afloat until they could recover.

　　With so many people willing to sell, it hadn`t been difficult for Tan to purchase them.

　　"Indeed. And now we own&What was it?" Tan asked the bankers again.

　　"Sixty-two percent, spread across various companies under Baron Caledon`s portfolio." The banker replied.

　　"A majority. I must say, I didn`t expect things to pan out this well. It was an amazing return on investment. So, we expect Aesir to comply with our agreement, or the Imperial Bank will close your accounts. Excuse me, our accounts." Tan stated with a feral grin.

　　Aesir corporations had moved to Caledon in a few short months, occupying a large section of Luna City. Their Mechs would be the foundation of Caledon`s military going forward.

　　In a few short years, Aesir Corporation would become synonymous with Caledon, their board and executives purged of all rotten elements.