Chapter 29

　　The rewards for Kal`s participation in the world event were significant. Even with his death and respawn penalty, the credits he earned from single-handedly eliminating a Mech put him well on his way to his first goal: purchasing an Exosuit.

　　Kal and Talha were discussing the world event in the basement holding the VR Terminal when he asked her about the strange feeling of time slowing down for him.

　　The fiery young woman had warmed to him during their time together, becoming more friendly and patient with Kal. In some ways, it was easier to discuss things with her than with Tamara.

　　"You felt that already? That`s pretty impressive. It`s a sign that your connection with the Neural Link is deepening. Exosuits, Mechs, and even certain weapons and equipment rely on the Link to operate. Your mind and body are adapting to the stress. If you can handle it, you`re ready for the next step.

　　"A sign that you`ve adjusted to your equipment is when the Lag` you experience is eliminated, that brief delay from thought to action. It worsens as you progress, a Light Class Mech is worlds apart from an Exosuit. That feeling of time slowing down is when you`re perfectly in sync with the Link, your thoughts matching the machine you connected with. It`s required for complete mastery of a Mech." Talha explained.

　　"Have you experienced it before?" Kal asked, curious.

　　"Several times. In moments of extreme danger, the Link can intensify. Training is all well and good, but Grandmother says that true combat is the only way to excel as a Pilot." Talha responded.

　　"It`s like I knew what to do, the pieces all fit together perfectly, and I could see what had to happen to reach my objective. I`ve never felt anything like that before. It was quite a rush." Kal admitted.

　　"Don`t get too comfortable with it. You were reckless, diving out of a window to fire on a Mech. It`s all well and good when you`re in a game, but do that in real life, and you won`t live long enough to see the inside of a Mech." Talha chided him.

　　Their conversation was interrupted by the storage room door opening. Miranda walked in, wearing a professional business suit and clutching her Datapad. She appeared nervous and unsure, her pretty face twisted with a frown.

　　"We have a problem." Miranda stated, not bothering with a greeting as she reached Kal`s side and handed him the Datapad. On the screen, figures were projected. The number was astronomical in scale, causing Kal to raise his eyebrow questioningly.

　　"What am I looking at?" He asked, handing her back the Datapad.

　　His studies under Sylla were progressing nicely, but he still preferred to rely on the opinions of the experts around him for explanations. Sylla warned him that it might come back to bite him in the future, but for now, he placed his faith and trust in those closest to him.

　　"It`s a copy of our expected Tithe to the Emperor. The Imperial Tax Agency just forwarded us the records." Miranda explained. Nobles were required to give a percentage of revenue earned in their fiefdom to the Emperor as a Tithe.

　　Kal winced at the number. He knew they owed quite a bit to the Emperor, but this was far outside his expectation.

　　"How much can we pay off with our existing assets?" Kal asked.

　　"I`d have to confirm with Tan, but I would estimate a quarter, possibly less. And that would leave you destitute again. I could contact the Agency, and perhaps we can negotiate a payment plan." Miranda suggested.

　　Seeing that the pair were engrossed in a discussion about finances and finding it incredibly dull, Talha took the opportunity of their distraction to leave the storage room stealthily.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

　　Kal shook his head at the suggestion.

　　"I dislike being beholden to an outside force once more. I will find a solution." Kal assured her. Miranda hesitated, tapping her finger against the Datapad before she gathered her courage to speak.

　　"There`s more. The Agency will withhold your petition to the Emperor until you are in proper financial standing." Miranda said tentatively, expecting him to explode with anger. Surprised, Kal raised his eyebrows, his calm composure cracking slightly.

　　"What?" Kal asked, astonished at their actions. He hadn`t heard of a Noble being cut off from communicating with the Emperor for financial reasons. However, his family had never had that status in the Empire previously.

　　"Their exact words were, If the Baron cannot manage his own fiefdom, how can he be expected to help others? He should focus on Caledon`s affairs until his own House is in order." Miranda replied.

　　"How unpleasant. I see they are just as polite and respectful as ever." Kal muttered. Imperial Bureaucrats were selected among the best of humankind. With centuries of experience and education, it was natural that arrogance was bred into them.

　　Although, the Nobility wasn`t any better. At least Bureaucrats had to earn their station.

　　"I thought you would be more upset." Miranda asked, surprised by how well the Baron reacted to the slight. Although he was relaxed about decorum and etiquette, he couldn`t completely ignore it.

　　"We`ll prove them wrong through our actions, Miranda. Arguing with them will just put their backs up, and I need their cooperation. Please have Merrick Tan and Tamara Sun meet me in my quarters in an hour." Kal asked, walking out of the storage room, the beautiful woman trailing.

　　After spending time in the VR terminal, he desperately needed a shower and a change of clothes.

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　　"You`re aware of the situation?" Kal asked Merrick Tan.

　　They were gathered in the sitting area of Kal`s private quarters. The old and ragged furniture had been replaced with new comfortable chairs and couches. The room was expanded, and the cracks in the walls were repaired. The space reflected his status, although simple and plain as he preferred.

　　Local tailors had increased Kal`s wardrobe. He favoured Caledon House colours of black and red for his formal uniform but was currently wearing a pair of simple black trousers and a long-sleeved white shirt while relaxing in his rooms and out of the public eye.

　　"Regrettably so. I`ve gone over the numbers. With your current assets, you can only pay less than 18% of what you owe to the Emperor. That is if you wish to bankrupt yourself, which I strongly suggest you avoid." Tan replied.

　　"I don`t understand. If Caledon did so poorly until recently, how does it owe the Emperor so much?" Talha asked. She had joined her Grandparents once she heard Kal had joined the meeting. Although she was disinterested in economics and politics, the decision here could affect the Marauders.

　　"The government was poor, but the Planet was still profitable. A portion of its tax revenues should have gone to the Imperial Tithe. Unfortunately, we had other debts that took precedence." Sylla replied, glaring at Tan and Miranda.

　　The deliberate tax avoidance of the corporations of Caledon, combined with the gouging by Tan`s Imperial Bank, had led to this problem. Miranda had the grace to look embarrassed while Merrick Tan ignored the comment.

　　"Over 500 years, it adds up." Tamara finished.

　　"Do we have any options?" Kal asked, looking at Tan and Miranda for a solution.

　　"You could ask the Imperial Bank for a loan, but this amount is well outside my ability to grant. It would need to go directly to the Board of Directors, and I don`t think the Emperor would appreciate you taking a loan from his bank to pay a Tithe to him." Tan said.

　　"I agree. That isn`t an option. Besides, I do not want to be indebted to the Bank again. Miranda?" Kal asked, turning away from the Banker and looking at the beautiful businesswoman.

　　"You could directly seize all available assets on the planet." She said, not expecting the Baron to entertain the notion. She was right. Kal snorted in derision at the suggestion.

　　"No, I won`t cripple Caledon for the Tithe." Kal said.

　　"It wouldn`t matter anyway. You owe more than the combined assets of Caledon plus its generated revenue for the next few decades. I`m sorry, Baron, I wish I could help, but I don`t see a way out of this without a miracle." Tan said, shaking his head as he admitted his failure.

　　"At least the Emperor isn`t pushing for full, immediate repayment of the Tithe." Sylla added.

　　"No, but without the ability to petition him, it won`t be long before other nobles begin to take advantage of us. They`ll leverage my inability to seek redress in their negotiations. Trade concessions, business transactions, and even territory disputes. We need the Emperor`s backing, now more than ever, for Caledon to thrive." Kal said, pausing and thinking for a moment before standing.

　　"Come with me." Kal ordered the group.

　　"Where are we going?" Tan asked, confused.

　　"You said we needed a miracle? I know where to find one."