Chapter 26

　　Miranda Atkinson walked down a wide corridor of the administration complex with a datapad clutched tightly in her arms. The beautiful young woman`s mind wandered as she travelled, replaying her earlier conversation with her father.

　　The Atkinson clan was impressed with her work leading them through the crisis of the Baron`s return. Their profits may have suffered temporarily, but they survived and would eventually recover.

　　They had tried to get her to stay on as CEO, but she felt that her path was leading her somewhere else. After meeting the Baron and being exposed to his convictions and dedication to improving the lives of the people of Caledon, she couldn`t help but feel hollow inside at her absent accomplishments.

　　There was more to life than profits, of taking from others and never giving back. Perhaps as part of Kalen Caledon`s inner circle, Miranda could find what was missing.

　　Her thoughts were interrupted by Merrick Tan as he appeared out of a side passage. Not slowing down, he matched her steps, waiting until the corridor cleared of other people before speaking.

　　They had interacted with each other only a few times before coming to Caledon`s Palace. Her impression of Tan was less than favourable, although since he had joined Kal`s faction, he had become significantly more pleasant to be around.

　　"It`s strange, isn`t it?" The short man said. Tan was looking healthier, his skin drastically less waxy and sickly. His time in Caledonia has kept him on the wagon,` curbing his vices by giving him purpose and strict adherence to the Baron`s laws.

　　"What is?" Miranda asked, confused. Sometimes it seemed that Tan started a conversation mid-sentence, expecting others to catch up and understand what he was referring to without prompting.

　　Sylla and Kal were the only people she had ever seen who had the talent to speak to Tan and understand his way of thinking. Miranda had to focus her attention entirely on the Banker. Otherwise, she felt that she was missing vital information during their conversations.

　　"Do I have to spell it out!? All those destitute and indigent people are coming out of the woodwork and looking for a handout! A dozen worlds, all former members of the Caledon Duchy and all asking Kal for help. It`s unnatural and reeks of opportunists." Tan muttered.

　　"Jealous? Not enough room for another opportunist with you already at the Baron`s table?" Miranda quipped.

　　"Ha Ha," Tan responded sarcastically. "Think about it. One or two, I could believe, but a dozen? And with more rumoured to be clamouring for a chance to petition the Baron? Something is going on, Miranda. I don`t like it." The Banker was serious, his face a frowning mask.

　　"So what is the problem with them asking for help? Maybe they`ve seen how Kal has turned Caledon around and want him to do the same for their worlds. He`s brought peace and stability to our planet and can do it to others too." Miranda stated, waving away the Banker`s concerns.

　　"That would be believable if I didn`t know that those worlds are controlled by corporations and organizations not interested in stability.` Mark my words, someone is pushing for this wave of petitioners, and we need to find out why. I`ve hitched my wagon to Kalen Caledon. Someone else`s machinations won`t drag me down with him."

　　"For what purpose? Even if Kal does agree to annex or assist those worlds, who would he come into conflict with? He won`t move without the Emperor`s approval. He`s made that clear." Miranda asked, stopping and turning to Tan.

　　"I`m not entirely sure. Old grievances from before the Baron was imprisoned? Who knows. Kal doesn`t have anything anyone would want. Caledon is still a dump compared to its former glory. It could be anyone. He has been lacking friends in the Empire since the Rebellion." Tan said with a shrug.

　　"I can reach out to my contacts off-world to find out if anyone has an unhealthy interest in Kal. Have you let the Baron know of your concerns?" Miranda asked, curious.This narrative has been purloined without the author`s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

　　"Of course. Why do you think I`m speaking with you? He wants us to work together to investigate. His exact words were, I trust you both explicitly.`" Tan replied, shaking his head in wonder at the faith Kal placed in him.

　　"Then we can`t let him down. I will inform you of anything I discover."

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　　Erika Pearson of Aesir Corporation had been busy over the past month.

　　It had been simple to incite the planets surrounding Caledon to petition Kalen Caledon for assistance in their plight. They had been oppressed for centuries, ruled over by Nobles only interested in seeing them suffer for supporting a Rebellion that had killed billions.

　　Once the war was over, and Kalen Caledon was stripped of his Ducal title, those planets went to the victors to do with as they saw fit.

　　With selective advertising on the Net, focusing on Kalen as the saviour of planet Caledon` and his humanitarian actions there, Erika had subtly encouraged the people of the Former Duchy to want the same for their worlds.

　　Suppressing dissenting views and promoting the narrative that aligned with her interests, Erika had easily guided over a dozen worlds to beg the Baron for help. All for Aesir Corporation`s purpose.

　　Thanks to her spy amongst Kalen`s ranks, she knew the Baron wouldn`t act without the Emperor`s approval, which was doubtful to be granted. The Emperor was more interested in galactic stability over the squabbles amongst minor planets.

　　She needed to pressure Kalen, to drive him into a corner where he would be forced to reveal his secrets to survive. This driving need led Erika to visit the City-Planet of Praxis.

　　Home of over fifty billion humans under the rule of Earl Praxis, the entire planet was a massive metropolis. Erika had arrived by starship to present an offer to him.

　　Arriving at the Earl`s palace, a massive structure gated and heavily guarded by Mechs and soldiers in Exosuits, Erika was led past his defences by a squad of his House Guards. Unlike Kalen Caledon`s simple estate, with green grass and gardens of flowers, Earl Praxis preferred heavy stone with thick shields, an impenetrable fortress.

　　During the Rebellion, the Earl had been one of the leading opponents of the Caledons. They had a bitter rivalry that lasted millennia, culminating in the death of the Earl`s son during an assault on planet Praxis.

　　The Earl had sought revenge against the Duke, only to be robbed of it at the last moment by the Duke`s cowardly act of taking his own life.

　　There was no better place for Erika to visit to enact her plan.

　　"What brings you to Praxis, Ms. Pearson?" The Earl asked. Greying, handsome and tall, the Earl was wearing a uniform in navy blue and gold, his House colours. Displayed behind him was a banner with his symbol, a Golden Ram, on a field of blue.

　　"Aesir Corporation has an offer for you, Milord. As you are undoubtedly aware, there have been concerning reports of instability in the planets surrounding Caledon. We want to offer you our assistance." Erika replied with a bow.

　　"Those planets are fractured under a dozen different noble`s purview, not only mine. Why would you come to see me about this matter?" The Earl asked, quirking an eyebrow as he walked away from the well-dressed woman before him.

　　He stood by a window, stifling the anger he felt at the mention of his hated enemy.

　　"We both know that you are the reason that region of space has never united under a single house since Caledon`s fall, Milord." Erika responded.

　　Whether it was a precaution to prevent another rebellion or the Earl`s hatred of Caledon, there had been active manipulation to keep the planets in the former Duchy poor and disorganized. They had been split between the Nobility, but Erika knew they were all loyal to the man standing before her.

　　"What does Aesir want?" The Earl asked, turning away from the window.

　　"We have a mutual interest in the region. Aesir has certain factions that we can bring into play to prevent Kalen Caledon from seizing those planets once more." Erika explained.

　　"The Emperor will not allow the boy to have them. His petition will be denied." The Earl responded, confident that the son of a traitor would not be allowed to grow stronger. He would not allow them to rebuild. That region of space had been stripped of everything of value as a safeguard against another Rebellion.

　　"Still, if it is approved and he is given leave to expand his influence, we can deny him that opportunity."

　　"And in return?" The Earl asked, his interest peaked. He wouldn`t stand in the way if Aesir were willing to do the dirty work. But corporations were rarely charitable.

　　"Caledon has access to a piece of technology we want to study." Erika stated. The Earl recognized what she was after immediately. He would have to be a fool not to understand what force drove her to act against the Caledons.

　　"Absolutely not! If Caledon does have that Mech, it will be turned over to the Emperor!" The Earl`s voice thundered, reverberating off the walls. It was too powerful to be ignored. He would never allow it to fall into anyone`s hands other than someone he trusted explicitly.

　　"Or yourself, Milord? After a brief study by Aesir, of course?" Erika tempted. Even the Earl didn`t possess a Mech as powerful as the one they sought on Caledon.

　　The Earl was lost in thought, thinking of the possibilities such a Mech could bring his house. If Aesir did retrieve the Mech, the Emperor would stifle their studies, leaving him with the machine.

　　"Very well."