On the date of the departure, Ves bid goodbye to his wife and children before he reluctantly left them in order to go on a life-changing business trip.
According to his schedule, the magnitude of the events that he intended to participate in was just as massive and impactful as the events that took place on his last travels.
The good news was that these major events were a lot more foreseeable this ti. Ves did not expect to encounter too many surprises along his journey.
The bad news was that the cosmopolitans hated Ves so much that they were probably more than willing to expose their cells and burn a lot of assets just to claim his life!
Ves had done what he could to bolster the Bluejay Fleet. Shortly after he teleported to the Tarrasque, he called up a projection that showed a majestic view of the core fleet surrounded by additional warships and combat carriers loaned out by various different groups.
There was a clear and obvious difference in quality and capabilities between the hulls of the Red Two and the vessels owned by other groups.
The forr boasted superior tech and materials. The most prominent technological edge was support link technology. The warships and carriers of the Red Two were able to withstand a lot more damage and coordinate their actions a lot more effectively due to benefiting from the signature technologies developed by the Web Mistress.
Ves found it rather stupid that the chers and fleeters still refused to share this tech with the other major powers. Shield link technology was especially a ga changer in many battles.
Oh well. The chers and fleeters must have their reasons. Perhaps this may be the only way to keep this restricted tech out of the hands of the cosmopolitans and subsequently the native aliens.
As the Bluejay Fleet slowly began to distance itself from the orbit of New Constantinople VIII and make its way over to the nearest Lagrange point, Ves began to settle in the familiar heavy cruiser.
He t with two of the collaborators of the Swarm Project, both of whom had taken up residence in adjacent staterooms.
"Lady Romanda Devos. Lord Richard Brownstone. So both of you have decided to accompany on this dangerous journey."
The Terran and the Rubarthan Senior ch Designers both looked nodded.
When the two first arrived at New Constantinople in order to collaborate on the Swarm Project, they understandably did not manage to get along.
Yet months of continuous collaboration had caused them to beco more accustod to each other's presence. They found that they had far more in common as ch designers.
The rivalry between Terrans and Rubarthans still prevented them from becoming too close to each other, but they at least managed to find a balance where they could get along without starting any conflicts.
Right now, the scion of the Devos Ancient Clan and the descendant of a prince of the Rubarthan Imperial Household had far greater concerns on their mind than a spat between their first-rate colonial superstates.
"Our contributions to the Swarm Project may not be as great or pivotal as yours, but I will not deny that we have done our part to realize the first Carmine chs that will soon beco available to the masses." The older Terran woman said with a asured voice. "It is unconscionable for to be absent at the historic product reveal event. I fear that my adversaries will seek to marginalize my contributions to the developnt of the 6 ch designs. If I want to make the Devos Ancient Clan and the Terran Alliance proud, I must et my obligation to travel to Yernstall and stand by your side as you amaze the public with your works."
"My motivations are similar to hers. It is not acceptable for to give in to my cowardice and miss the best opportunity for to remind everyone that the Rubarthan Pact has contributed to this revolutionary project." Lord Richard Brownstone said. "We are well aware of the perils of this journey. We have explored alternatives, but my advisors have warned that if I choose to travel to Yernstall on a different fleet, it will fall victim to a raid. It has beco increasingly more known that I have been collaborating with you on a secret project of great importance. There are parties that are willing to go far in order to interrogate and learn all of the secrets about the Swarm Project that are in my possession. It is actually safer if I travel on the sa fleet as you. It is only after we have formally presented our products to the ch market that the danger will pass."
"I see."
That was very unfortunate of the pair. Ves did not want to endanger their lives to this extent. He had unintentionally pulled them into a political vortex of his own making.
He could easily accept that it was his fault that he stumbled upon a minefield due to the actions that he had undertaken, but it did not sit well for him to drag two 'innocent' ch designers into this crisis.
It would have been better if the two just decided to stay and sit tight in Diandi Base, but their obligations to their respective superstates prevented them from taking the cowardly option.
They were more than just ch designers. They were scions of prominent family organizations, and that ant that they had to answer the call of duty.
Ves responded with a genuine look of respect. "I appreciate your support and your willingness to brave this risk with . You may co to regret this decision when the enemy has breached the defenses of the Tarrasque, but this is what it is like to be a soldier. Both of you are doing your superstates proud."
"I do not want to miss the mont where I can finally vindicate my lifelong pursuit for ultra-large enhanced cockpits on the grandest possible occasion." Lady Romanda said. "This is an essential process for to realize my design philosophy. I cannot beco a Master unless the market at large finally understands and accepts the utility of my work."
Although the subordinate chs of the Swarm Project were only mounted with organic versions of her characteristic ultra-large cockpits, the basic concepts still remained the sa. Lady Romanda had taken a lot of ownership over the Carmine ch designs and practically considered them to be her babies. There was no way she wanted to miss out on the grand reveal!
As for Lord Richard Brownstone, his personal motivations were not as profound.
"My contributions are admittedly not as unique and indispensable as that of my Terran colleague here. Still, I have to be present in Yernstall as well in order to prove to my doubters and critics that I am more than a leech of the Brownstone Principality. I have spent my entire life so far spending far more money and resources than I can earn back through my work. I have never truly made my grandfather proud for this reason. Publicizing my contributions to the Swarm Project will definitely show to everyone that I can finally justify all of the investnt put into my education and work."
This was not a particularly unique desire. Many scions of wealthy and powerful families struggled to reproduce just a fraction of the glory of their greatest ancestors. It was hard for them to rise above diocrity and truly make their mark in society.
"I don't think you will be short on credit." Ves smiled encouragingly at Lord Richard. "The modular kinetic armants that you have designed for the subordinate chs are fantastic. They are not necessarily the most powerful, but the sheer versatility in calibers and projectile choices allows them to be useful to both cheapskates and high-end clients."
He initially did not have the best opinion on kinetic ranged weaponry, but Lord Richard managed to develop prototypes that thoroughly impressed the design team.
Specialized ammunition that was laced with volatile exotics and hypers could produce a myriad of useful effects.
Saint Tusa's tales of what the ssenger of Silence was capable of with his unique Stella also increased Ves' appreciation of kinetic weapons.
"The journey to Yernstall won't take too long, but don't get complacent." Ves told the pair of Seniors. "We may receive challenges during the product reveal. Our Carmine chs must be fully prepared to confront any possible threat. The greatest emphasis should be put on the first-class subordinate ch. This will probably be the machine that the major powers will pay the greatest attention to. It presents the opportunity for many powerful figures to pilot a real ch and fight side by side with professional ch pilots in the greatest battles of our era. Think about the great figures that will finally be able to realize their long-cherished dreams."
The three briefly smiled at the thought before the Terran ch designer ntioned an interesting possibility.
"I think that the influence of Carmine chs will extend far beyond what you can imagine, Ves. The attraction of a Carmine ch is great to many people, but I think the most enthusiastic group by far will be ch designers such as ourselves."
Lord Brownstone imdiately nodded in agreent. "It is no secret that many ch designers were originally children who remained unreconciled that they do not have the right genetic aptitude to pilot chs. We cling to chs so much that we were willing to study hard to learn how to make them. Now that we are capable of designing and fabricating these powerful machines, we can much better appreciate the act of piloting chs, especially if they are derived from our own designs!"
Ves never really put as much thought on this angle than he should have. "Now that I think about it… ch designers are probably the most suited to pilot Carmine chs than anyone else. Not only do their vast technical expertise complent their control over their own machines, but their non-combatant status ans that the greatest shortcoming of Carmine chs doesn't affect them as much! They can purely pilot their own Carmine chs for testing and for recreation. If they are high-ranking ch designers, then there is no need for them to risk their lives and fight in the trenches alongside professional ch pilots!"
"What about the low-ranking ch designers?" Lady Romanda Devos critically asked.
"They are more… expendable, I suppose." Ves frankly admitted. "I think this is a great opportunity for Novices and Apprentices to learn what chs are truly about by volunteering for frontline service. Perhaps it is best to make it an obligation. Only ch designers who have experienced true ch warfare first-hand have received the tempering they need to take their work a lot more seriously than those who never stepped foot on the battlefield. There are far too many of them around in my opinion. They spend all day designing machines of war without truly comprehending anything."
Lady Romanda Devos and Lord Richard Brownstone technically fell under this category, but that would soon beco different if this journey beca as dangerous as everyone thought!
"We should think about the repercussions of letting ch designers pilot their own personal Carmine chs on a life-long basis. The consequences are much larger than you think." Lord Brownstone sas=id. "Our work may even trigger the rise of a new class of hybrid ch pilots and ch designers. An entirely new breed of warriors will rise up that solely learn ch design to constantly improve and perfect their personal Carmine chs."
That sounded rather… dubious to Ves.
He was a big believer in specialization. He found it difficult to imagine that anyone could master both ch piloting and ch design at the sa ti. It took a huge amount of work and effort for anyone to excel in one profession. There was no way they could shine in both occupations at once! Ves refused to believe that anyone was talented and capable enough to do the impossible!
User Comments
0 comments from readers