Collection 52

Collection

Chapter 52

-VB-

Baroness Anna deSalvatore

Victoria Fortress Station, Arlaoskas System

3005 June 15

She knew that something was up. 

Just what she could observe using the station’s “public” telescopes told her that much when she saw the giant ring being constructed in orbit of Victoria II. 

But for the life of her, she couldn’t tell what it was. It was too small to be some kind of a station. While the overall circumference of the structure was big, it was also smaller than the fortress she was on. There were no superstructures that they used as foundation for the, well, structure. 

They just brought out a piece, lined it up with the other pieces, and left.

But whatever it was, it took Arlaoskas a lot of time and effort to produce one piece, and the entire ring probably took at least fifty pieces to make.  She also received intelligence from MIIO that there were more such rings being built essentially anywhere Arlaoskas had some kind of presence, including Coromodir, though it was clear to MIIO and her that Coromodir’s construction began after some kind of negotiations as it was behind all other rings being constructed within the Arlaoskas Union. 

Well, she had a meeting to get to. 

Perhaps she’ll just ask the Fleetmaster about them? 

There was no way that he was going to just tell her right? 

… Actually, he might. The rings were pretty obvious and big construction projects, so sooner or later, it would be complete and their purpose would be known sooner or later. 

---

“Ah, those?” the Fleetmaster smiled coyly. 

Instead of meeting in his throne room like she expected, she found herself in what could only be called a working dinner; they had met in her office with food that left her feeling awed and nostalgic. 

“Yes. They are awfully big and you are building them basically everywhere.”

“I am,” he nodded. “Because they will be the new highway through which almost all commerce will be done within the Arlaoskas Union,” he hummed. 

… He just told her that. Just like that. 

But he hadn’t told her what it was. 

“How will it improve commerce?” she asked as she took a bite of the cheese-covered asparagus. It went well together.

“It’s a jumpgate.”

She blinked, her fork pausing in the air along with her hand. 

“Excuse me?” 

She was supposed to say “pardon me” because “excuse me” was a less formal interruption, and she had to be as formal as possible in her position as an ambassador of the Federated Suns. 

But the shock of what he just said and implied was …

“Once the ring is completed, it will be able to generate temporary event horizons that can be used as a one-way jump gate,” he hummed as if he hadn’t said something in a B-rated science fiction movie. 

But then again, wasn’t this space station also a thing of science fiction? Bigger than any space station ever built by the Star League, it was a fortress that dominated the system it was in like a watchful giant. Bristling with weapons that could potentially one-shot dropships, it was something that even the Star League would have had trouble bringing down, even if they dumped nukes on it. 

This fortress station, despite being a fortress, also produced warships and jumpships, though less than its sister shipyard station in the same system did. 

There were also humanoid artificial intelligence as well who could pass themselves as human if they so desired. 

So …

So why not a “jump event horizon” gate? Or jumpgate?

Whatever? 

She set her fork down and stared at Fleetmaster… no, Edward Arlaoskas. 

“... Just what are you?” she asked as bluntly as possible. 

He met her eyes and smirked. “Would you care to find out for yourself?” he asked with a coy grin. 

She sniffed. “Are you inviting me to leave my nation behind?” she countered. 

“What? No no no,” he quickly backpedaled. “Nothing like that! Just …” he paused while one of his hands spun in place at the wrist while he tried to come up with something to say. 

She dabbed her lips with the napkin. “I must tell you that I am a patriot of the Federated Suns, yes? Otherwise, I would not have become an ambassador.”

“Of course,” he replied. “They wouldn’t have let you even come close to being a diplomat if they thought you weren’t loyal.”

“And you just asked me to ‘find out’ for myself?” she raised an eyebrow.

He chuckled. “How long have you been here for?” he asked instead. 

“... It’s been five months.”

“And how many times have we met?”

“At least a hundred times,” she replied. 

The station was simply not populated enough for them to not run into each other. There were only a few restaurants, only a few shops, and even fewer places to visit. And because of her position as an ambassador, she needed to occupy the embassy that was on this station, not gallivant off to poke and prod at the local populace on what they thought about their new ruler. 

That was the MIIO and DMI’s job. And Hanse Davion’s as well in secret, but the man had already done his duty and left a long time ago. 

“Isn’t that enough time for us to know a few things about each other?” 

“... It is,” she conceded. 

Because over the last five months, she really did learn more about Edward, much more than she would have liked but also in line with her duty to the Federated Suns. 

It was clear to her that Edward Arlaoskas would not invade the Federated Suns with his superior technology and warship fleet unless provoked into doing so. With the machine intelligences at his side, most plots and schemes would be uncovered in weeks, if not days, so there was little chance of the Union getting false flag’ed, either. 

On a personal level, she found the man to be … amicable. She found out rather quickly that he was both an ambitious and unambitious man. A contradicting duality but only because his goals didn’t align with that of the Inner Sphere’s rulers. 

He didn’t want to conquer the Inner Sphere. 

He just wanted to make cool things and show them off to people who’ll appreciate it. 

And this mindset, appearance, and public image had already drawn in many people from the rimward periphery, the Free Worlds League, and even her Federated Suns. 

There was now a very high chance that the Victoria system might become the new mecca for technological advancements, especially since ComStar was “enjoying” their lowest approval rate since … ever.

On a physical level, she found him to be … eyecatching. The constant work he put into his machines on top of his martial training had given him a physique rivaling that of the best mechwarriors out there, but he was also a monstrous combatant on top of that. 

She’d seen images of him sparring with bipedal drones and humans alike, usually outnumbered, and yet, his superior power, speed, and feints often led him to victory. 

There was something satisfying about watching a man dominate other men.

“... One date,” she conceded. 

“Great!” he smiled. 

-VB-

A/N: here we see Edward’s rather awkward attempt to ask out the ambassador, politics be damned. And surprise, it worked.