Chapter 126

　　"As you can see behind me, Vadera has become a wasteland. Once a thriving trade port between the Naice and Lockmere galactic sectors, the Succession War has made it a vital launching point for incursions. Duchess Naice has assured us that the border is secure, but we have evidence of the contrary."

　　On the holo screen, a news reporter stood in front of a muddy field. Large, smoking craters could be seen behind her, with the charred remains of Mechs and aircraft lying discarded around them.

　　The News stations provided constant coverage of the increasing devastation caused by the Succession Wars, with various networks taking sides.

　　The image shifted to field troops running across a barren landscape, the bluish-white of Lasgun fire filling the scene as both sides fought and died to secure more territory. Overhead, a flight of assault carriers launched missiles and PPC energy at the ground, wiping out vast tracks of land and the people occupying it.

　　Blessedly, the screen changed once again to show a panel of military experts theorizing what would happen next in the conflict. As more and more of the nobility chose a side, the war was growing to engulf the entire galaxy.

　　"In other news, Prince Magnus has announced the betrothal of his daughter, Princess Marella, to Baron Kalen of Caledon. The wedding is expected to-" Kal finally turned off the screen, having enough of the news for one day. He leaned back in the chair of his temporary office on Luna City, placing his hands over his face.

　　"I was going to offer my congratulations, but perhaps I should change it to condolences?" David Rowe said, walking into the office with a jaunty step that Kal had grown accustomed to during his time in the lunar settlement. The gravity gave everyone a slight bounce to their gait, comically so to newcomers.

　　David had split his duties between Luna City and interim governor of Caledon. He was incredibly busy with a growing list of demands on his time and a staff numbering in the thousands. His outfit still consisted of a business suit, black with a white shirt and a black and red tie that matched the Caledonian colours.

　　"It`s still congratulations, at least until we get closer to the wedding date." Kal replied dryly. Laughing, Rowe sat in the chair across from him, setting his datapad on the table.

　　"Cold feet?"

　　"No, I just hate spectacles. Because it was Mare`s celebration that was the cause of everyone travelling to Terra, she`s in the public zeitgeist. I`ve already been warned that it will be broadcast across the Imperial Net."

　　"It makes sense. You`re among the few people to make it off Terra that day. The dashing Baron saves the Princess from a deadly assault, brings her to Caledon, and marries her. It`s a fairy tale." Rowe joked.

　　Kal snorted at the comment, shaking his head.

　　"The reality is far from it. What can I do for you?" Kal asked.

　　"I`ve received word from Elric while you were away. I thought you would want to know that it`s ready. Would you like to see it now or wait for Mare to return?" Rowe inquired. Kal stood up from his chair immediately, already walking toward the door.

　　"Now, we can grab Mare on the way," Kal ordered.

　　They walked through the busy corridors of the Luna City administration complex, a massive grey stone building constructed from the moon`s regolith and connected to the dome that surrounded the city. It was the first building constructed and was the heart of Luna`s government. Not just the city itself but the entire moon relied on the people here to keep it functioning.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

　　Luna City houses nearly a million people, with more arriving daily. In other domes and structures outside the city, factories and repair centers for Kal`s fleet of Starships and Mobile Suits had been built. Third-party corporations and business servicing outsiders also travelled to their growing system for trade and commerce.

　　Caledon was on the rise. The difference between how they had been before Kal`s return and their current prosperity was stark. Although Kal still considered his home to be a shadow of itself at its peak, he could see that it would someday return to its former glory.

　　Coming to an out of the way wing of the complex that held his personal quarters, he heard Mare speaking as soon as the door opened.

　　"- have to be simple. I can`t have white and gold, Mother. I`m marrying into Caledon, not vice-versa. Be reasonable." Mare stated, pacing in front of a holo that showed her mother.

　　Amara was looking better in the weeks since she had returned to Havencroft, looking less stressed and worried. She still had more creases around her eyes and looked more gaunt than Kal remembered, but she was improving.

　　"I am reasonable. You may be marrying beneath your station, but that doesn`t mean you must demean yourself, my darling. I`m sure Baron Caledon would agree to-" Amara replied as Kal came around the corner of the room and into view.

　　"She`s right. I would agree to anything just to get it over with. Are you positive we can`t just have a small ceremony here on Caledon?" Kal asked, nodding in greeting to Mare`s mother.

　　"You`re both insufferable. I will call you later, Mother." Mare replied, stepping forward and turning off the holocall.

　　"Ouch, I`m offended." Kal stated, holding his hand over his heart dramatically.

　　"Liar. Why are you back so early? I thought you wanted to run away from all the planning?" Mare asked.

　　"I did, but this is about something different. I want to show you something." Kal said, holding out his arm for Mare to take. The tall, black-haired princess studied him carefully for a moment, not moving to take it.

　　"I`m wary of surprises, Kal." Mare said with hesitation.

　　"You`ll like this one, I promise."

　　 Page Break

　　They travelled by shuttle to one of the Mobile Suit repair facilities outside the city. In its own self-contained bubble, the atmosphere was clean and fresh despite the industrial feel of the complex. Walking through the large storehouses, various Mechs in different sizes and states of repair greeted their eyes.

　　Mare could already guess what the surprise was. There was little reason for Kal to bring her here except for something pertaining to the Ouroboros.

　　He had asked Elric to investigate repairing the Titan when they first returned from Terra, and the project had consumed the man. He had spent most of his free time here, reviewing the scans of its frame and determining if it was even possible to recreate the parts necessary after they had been removed and placed in the twelve Ducal House Titans.

　　"Has Elric made a breakthrough?" Mare asked, unable to contain herself anymore as they passed by one service bay after another. Everywhere they went, the workforce greeted the pair with nods or waves, even a few bows.

　　Kal smiled at the comment, looking at her from the corner of his eye.

　　"Why would I ruin the surprise? I wouldn`t want to rob him of it." Kal commented.

　　In only a few minutes, they were standing in front of the closed door of a massive service bay. Elric was waiting for them, wearing a pair of dirty coveralls. He seemed eager to see them. The large man was practically bouncing with excitement.

　　"Finally! I thought I would have to track you both down and drag you here if you took any longer." Elric shouted as he caught sight of them.

　　"Apologies, we came as soon as we got word. In recompense, I haven`t told her a thing." Kal replied. Elric rubbed his hands together, a large smile on his face.

　　"Excellent! You`re going to love this, Princess Marella." Elric exclaimed.

　　"You`ve found a way to repair the Ouroboros?" Mare asked with curiosity, and Elric nodded.

　　"We have, but it`s going to require your help. We believe the schematics necessary to make the connections to its parts are in its system, locked away without its Pilot present." Elric explained, and Kal interjected.

　　"They can repair it, but they need to interface with it. Once you do, you can request a copy from the Titan to be sent to Elric`s terminal." Kal clarified.

　　"It will be easy with the schematics. We already have a set from Atlas and some newly manufactured spare parts. We can`t replicate some things, like the Titans` power source. It`s some kind of variant Engine that we`ve never seen before. But the rest can be reproduced. You get us those schematics, and we`ll have it repaired in no time."