Ves briefly toured the new fleet carrier. The vessel that he and Ketis managed to win by reaching first place in the Wild Brawl Bowl was better than he could imagine.
Sure, the Wild Fighter Association stripped out a decent amount of proprietary systems from its forr possession, but that still left enough of a capital ship to satisfy the Larkinsons!
"We don't need a superfab anyway." Ves muttered underneath his breath. "We have an entire ship that can provide spare parts and replacents. The advanced sensor and stealth detection systems are also dispensable. Our Blinding Banshee already has that role covered."
While it would be nice to have an extra capital ship that could fulfill all of these useful functions, the Larkinson Clan could manage without them because its core fleet was so big and varied.
Besides, the Larkinsons could bring the fleet carrier back to her forr glory after investing in expensive ship parts.
After getting a good understanding of what the new vessel was capable of, Ves proceeded with the christening ceremony.
A large group of Larkinsons ca together in order to witness this important occasion.
As Ves smashed a bottle against the hull of the massive fleet carrier, a large patch of hull surface soon morphed in order to display the new na of the vessel!
"The Wild Torch is our first major addition to our fleet since we have arrived in the Red Ocean." Ves said during his speech to his clan. "A new galaxy represents a new beginning, and acquiring a large and modern fleet carrier is a great way for us to start our grand expedition. As you all know, danger and opportunity coexist alongside each other in the new frontier. Does that an that we should cower from the threats lurking within this dwarf galaxy?"
NO!"
Ves grinned. "That's right! We are Larkinsons! We are better than that! So what if there is danger surrounding every opportunity? We can minimize the forr and grasp the latter as long as we carry a bigger fist! I don't know about you, but the Wild Torch looks like it can pack a an punch!"
The new fleet carrier made a lot of Larkinsons more confident about their upcoming journey. Before, the Larkinson fleet consisted of 9 capital ships, of which only a single one functioned as a fleet carrier.
Though the addition of one more fleet carrier did not sound like much, the Larkinsons also managed to get their hands on 36 combat carriers!
That led to an operational ch capacity of at least 3800 chs if Ves added in the bunker chs and other machines that could still be placed inside the hangar bays of non-combat vessels.
Was this enough to defend the Larkinsons? No, but at least they made progress.
Besides, their allies had also done a lot of work.
Ves already learned that the Cross Clan added 70 combat carriers to its fleet, though Professor Benedict was still having trouble filling them up with sufficient chs.
The Glory Seekers also got busy during this ti. Though the won hadn't participated in any tournants during their stay in Vulit, they managed to expand their fleet in another way.
Calabast discovered that they had apparently gotten into contact with the greater Hexer diaspora that had already arrived in the Red Ocean.
Whatever they discussed, one of the results was that the Glory Seekers eventually received a modest supplent that consisted of 20 combat carriers and 8 logistical ships!
Regardless of what Ves thought about this arrangent, he was happy that the combined fleet expanded its ch capacity to such an enormous extent!
Ves grinned as he moved on to his second announcent.
"As you may have heard, our clan has grown by another asure as well. Let introduce to you the latest additions to our core design team!"
The four new Journeyn of the Larkinson Clan all appeared on stage. Every clansn, particularly the ch pilots, knew that they would all have to rely on the work of these prominent new mbers in the future.
For that reason, the clansn directed an intense amount of scrutiny towards the three won and the single man who presented themselves today!
Each of them wore their new formal Larkinson uniforms in order to announce their new identities. They not only looked dashing in their new outfits, but also evoked many similarities to people like Ves and Gloriana.
However, the real test was just about to co.
The clansn who had gathered in the large hangar bay of the Wild Torch all tuned their hearts to the four new Journeyn.
They felt warm and reassured when they looked at them. This was enough for them to accept and trust the new arrivals!
Ves smiled. He would not have presented the new ch designers to the clan if they hadn't received approval from the Golden Cat!
The fresh new Journeyn still looked dazed and distracted as they just began to learn what it was like to beco a mber of the Larkinson Clan.
"From today onwards, Janassa Pellier-Larkinson, Tifi Coslone-Larkinson, Sara Voiken-Larkinson and Dulo Voiken-Larkinson will each contribute their considerable design abilities as our latest lead designers. Each of them will beco fine additions to our Design Departnt where they will handle many new ch design projects. You can expect us to introduce a lot more ch designs within a year!"
That was what the Larkinsons truly wanted to hear!
"Hooray!"
"The more ch designers, the better!"
"For the clan!"
As the introduction ca to an end, Ves and the four new Journeyn retreated to a private compartnt.
"When you told us that you Larkinsons are different, I never knew to what extent." Sara Voiken said as she looked a bit overwheld by how much her life had changed all of a sudden."
Not only did she leave the Voiken Family and beca a formal mber of the Larkinson Clan, she also beca introduced to a substantially different culture and environnt.
Though she and her fellow newcors already anticipated these changes, they did not expect the additional 'surprises' that were unique to the Larkinson Clan!
Compared to living chs and different religions within the clan, the biggest change in their lives was the induction into the Larkinson Clan's strange taphysical network!
Ves only provided them with a brief and vague explanation of the network that allowed every clansn to be able to recognize each other as kin.
From the mont the four Journeyn reluctantly agreed to connect their minds to this odd and maybe alien-derived network, they soon realized its great value and utility.
"No wonder you Larkinsons aren't afraid of traitors!" Dulo Voiken said. "I can just feel without a doubt that every clansman can be trusted even if they originally ca from many different states."
The new Journeyn had all done their research on the Larkinson Clan. They learned that its mbers were famously close and unified despite their great diversity.
This was absolutely not normal for a young and relatively small organization like the Larkinson Clan!
They all learned the truth by now. They felt pretty mixed about becoming a part of this 'network'.
Each of them were Journeyn who prized the sanctity of their own minds. They all possessed the ntal strength required to block or close this new ntal connection if they wished.
Ves understood their concerns. He would feel unsettled as well if he was in their shoes.
"There's no need for you to feel concerned." He told them in a reassuring tone. "Our solution is ant to bring us closer together. The last thing we want to do is create division and generate mistrust. I think it would be best if you acclimatize to our clan by visiting our various ships and see what our clansn are truly like. Look them. Speak to them. Work with them. You'll soon find out that they are just normal people who share the sa aspirations as you. No matter how different they are from you, focus on your similarities. You'll find a lot of kindred brothers and sisters among our clan."
It was impossible for the four new Journeyn to drop into a design lab and start designing chs right away. They didn't even possess a clear understanding of the Larkinson Clan at the mont!
This was why Ves was willing to grant them enough ti to truly connect with the Larkinson Clan. No spiritual network could accomplish what human contact could do. Once the new Journeyn forged personal ties with real individual clansn, they would truly feel motivated to design chs for the clan!
"How long should we do this?" Tifi Coslone asked. "From what I've heard, the ch pilots here are eager to obtain new chs. The sooner we give them what they want, the better."
"That's true, but we shouldn't rush this process. I will not give any of you permission to work on any design projects until you fully understand our history, culture and people. It's for your own good and everyone else's good as well."
Ves was willing to give them a couple of weeks before he checked in on them. If they hadn't integrated into the clan by then, then he was willing to give it an extra month.
The unspoken ssage here was that the four Journeyn could get to work a lot sooner if they made an earnest effort to integrate into the clan!
"Do you have any questions?"
Janassa Pellier raised her hand. "What is our rank in the clan? Do we have the right to issue orders to other Larkinsons?"
That was a surprisingly good question. Ves never really thought about this issue.
In practice, this matter never really ca up because there was no need to clarify it up until this mont…
Ves was the patriarch and relied on that identity to take charge. Gloriana persuaded others to follow her instructions because she was his wife. Ketis and Juliet already enjoyed a substantial amount of influence in the Swordmaidens and Penitent Sisters respectively.
None of them needed any more official authority. Gloriana was probably the only exception, but Ves had never conceded to her requests.
Compared to the original four Journeyn in the clan, the new arrivals were completely on their own. They had no existing ties or friendships with any of the Larkinsons that could serve as their informal powerbase.
In certain situations, this might an that they might grow unhappy!
Ves rubbed his smooth-shaven chin. "Here in the Larkinson Clan, we believe that the right people must assu the right responsibilities. We recruited each of you for your ch design capabilities. There is no reason for you to take charge of our ch units or involve yourself in policy making. There are many other clansn that are already doing a good job in their positions. We're not a military organization, so I won't give you an official rank or anything. However, in most cases your status as a leader designer should be sufficient for you to command everyone's respect. Once you have completed a few solid ch designs, every clansn will sincerely accommodate your requests as long as they are reasonable. Does that answer your question?"
His answer wasn't as satisfying as they hoped. The Larkinson Clan placed a greater emphasis on ch designers than many other organizations, so they thought they might obtain greater power and respect.
Not so. Ves was wary of handing out power that people didn't need. Now that the Design Departnt had expanded further, he thought it was clearly ti to set additional rules.
In his opinion, it was enough for the ch designers to serve as pure support personnel. They really didn't have any business ddling with the other parts of the clan.
That right was reserved to Ves. He was the patriarch after all.
Once he cleared up this matter, Janassa, Tifi, Sara and Dulo all left in order to start their much-anticipated tours.
"I hope you'll be able to fit in…" Ves said.
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