17

The exploring team missed the two years return mark. I knew that we couldn't communicate with each other because of the secrecy needed around the mission. The only option was to wait and hope for the best. While there could be a margin of error, after three months of delay I really started to worry.

Meanwhile, the business was doing good. V4RU was only growing a little but at least it was in comfortable economic conditions while VMI had considerable success in the civilian market. They were selling all the 'Mechs they were able to produce on that specific market. Already some new lines were in different phases of construction.

Because of that, my proposal to add lines to produce all types of exoskeletons was well accepted by the board of directors. While the civilian applications and market were for now the objective, I had the idea that as soon as the program went in smooth progress I could start the development of Battle Armor. The pure research part had already started in V4RU.

The part of the Revenants that stayed back was also doing ok. We had used these two years to train together, and we were now a well cohesive group. Since we had about two dozen 'Mech simulators for only a company of 'Mechs on our side, we had the luxury to be able to train others with us or against us. The specifications of the advanced 'Mechs had also been introduced in the simulators, which proved a difficult job for my programmers, but had already been done by early 3021. One thing that I had trained myself to now was leading a 'Mech company, putting to good use the amazing capabilities of my 'Mech in that area. I had also improved significantly my marksmanship. Thanks to the help of and training with Georgina Martins, the Merlin Mechwarrior and former test pilot at Mountain Wolf, I had learned a lot about how to pilot a 'Mech. This woman was a mobile encyclopedia on 'Mechs and knew a lot about how you could execute several combinations of movements that I had never dreamed about.

After ensuring that all the lines producing industrial 'Mechs and exoskeletons were in full activity, I started to look to the Vandenberg Shipyards ruins in orbit around Lompoc (New Vandenberg IX). The opinion of the techs that made the survey (lead by Dr. Murad herself) was that while right after its destruction, many came here to extract salvage, the core of the shipyards was not in such a bad shape and could be repaired. However, it was going to cost a lot and take at least a decade. The principal problem was obtaining the funds since the technology and trained technicians already existed in the Concordat. I started trying to create a consortium of companies to take on the job, but without the support from the government, very few were interested and my contacts ended in nothing.

Finally, two and a half years after their departure, the team returned to New Vandenberg with no loot but very happy.

While reading Vasseur's report, I discovered that the mission had gone even better than my wildest projections.

Not only had they found the hidden dockyard but also a Congress class Frigate inside almost ready to be launched, with an advanced but empty Lee DropShip attached to it. Apparently, the K-Boom had fused. On the ground, while much of the base was empty, they had found enough spare parts to repair everything. The highlight of the operation was the discovery of an operational HPG. A lot of human remains told the story of a fight between several elements and the holes in the walls meant it had been severe, perhaps explaining why the WarShip was never repaired.

The repairs and learning how to do them were the reason for the 6 months delay. But after doing that, they managed to load everything (and by everything I meant every single piece of equipment of the dockyard) they could in the massive cargo bay of the SLS Admiral Perry(the given name of the Frigate) and loading to the max all the DropShips they returned home.

As usual, I had to go to Taurus for the negotiations regarding our part of the share. This time Christine Marais, our liaison, came with me.

'So mister Bassot, you deliver again.' where Marshall Tharn's welcome words. 

'Well, Marshall, I like to satisfy my customers and partners. I understand that we might have some problems with my part of the share ?' I said, knowing full well that that there was no possible way the Concordat could provide me with any of the recovered items.

'I'm afraid so,' said the Marshall 'by the Lord Protector orders, the Congress, the dockyard the Lee DropShips and the HPG are considered strategic items for the Concordat, and their existence also falls under the Protect Secrets Act.'

'Oh, rest assured I don't want to contest that' I said with a calm face, to the surprise of the other party 'I just want to negotiate the way the Concordat fulfill its side of the contract. I don't want nothing of these 'hot' items, I don't have a desire to paint such a big target in my back. But, the value must be in the billions, even for my small part. I have thought about the problem during my trip to here and I might have a solution. You could provide me with this from the Navy Reserve, let's say one Invader and three DropShips. Since many of the ships in the reserve are only destined to move the Guards in case of open war, right now, they are collecting dust. I can even agree to let them return to the Navy if and only if a state of open war with the Fed Rats occurs. As the operation in Artru showed us, I need transportation for my forces.'

At first the Marshall was in shock, but after a few moments collected herself.

'That kind of decision can only be taken by the Lord Protector Mister Bassot. But with this clause, I think it could be possible.'

'Great. Next, I want the Exchequer to provide me and my associates with fiscal incentives while we try to rebuild the Vandenberg Shipyards. With that, the Concordat will not only get a shipyard since you should easily be able to convert that dockyard in a fully functional shipyard but also a second one , in New Vandenberg. Our nation needs it. Oh, and by the way, Lady Sartre, some money from your side could also be of some help. I also want one of these nice Nirasaki mainframes since my people are doing some research that could benefit a lot of more computer power.'

Lady Sartre got an interesting red color, but before she could open her mouth, a voice came from the Marshall's communicator on the desk.

'You think big, boy. But I agree. Make it so.'

The way both Tharn and Sartre reacted I was more than ready to bet good money that it was Thomas Calderon, the Lord Protector himself.

Nice, I think while trying to contain a smile, apparently Calderon likes me. Good to know.

'And what is your next adventure, Mister Bassot ? Another forgotten treasure ?' asked Sartre with a smirk.

'Marshall, Lady Sartre, I think that is time for you to provide my people with a contract to clean the Pirates' Haven Cluster. That area is old Concordat territory and I am sure that the Navy still has detailed cartographic charts of the area. On top of that, the pirates that we captured in the Althea's contract were from there, so you or TMI got an updated chart for sure.'

'And why would you want to go there ?' asked Tharn with an interested look on her face. I also noted that miss Marais was also paying more attention.

'To be frank, for two reasons – first I despise pirates. And second, my people need a combat contract, they are getting rusty with only long range exploration and security missions.'

'I think we can do that. For the rest, well, you heard lord Calderon agree, so we just have to wait for the legal departments to finish the details.'

'Oh Marshall? If I were you, I would take good care of these toys. Don't let an incident like the one of the Tripitz ruin your day.'

'Any particular reason for that advice, Mister Bassot ?'

'Well I like to study history, and one of the interesting things I noticed is that every time a discovery of a big relic of the past, some unknown forces raid and destroy everything, only never to be seen again. The logic behind these different raids is that someone with unlimited access to intelligence and resources must be playing some kind of game. I don't see many powers in the Inner Sphere or the Periphery that would be able to do that.'

'Are you accusing Comstar of that ? They are a civilian neutral company for God's sake.'

'Neutral… remember they read all the communications in all human space. That provides then with a lot of power and temptation..'

'Interesting idea. But without any proof...'

'Oh, for sure. But someone very well-equipped has done it. Someone never seen again. Just take that in consideration and adapt your security measures. I don't think that Comstar will be pleased to know that the Concordat has a functional SLDF class A HPG to play. Don't let them know about it.'

In the end, I received 'my' Ships, which thanks to the combo of one Invader, one Union, one Triumph and one Leopard, increased our mobility. The only drawbacks were that they were all staffed with Concordat Navy crews, call this an insurance measure, and can only use then in TDF / TMI approved missions. I also got the mainframe and the Exchequer even provided me with bonus of 25 million C-Bill (again in Bulls, but that was okay for me).

By mid 3022 I was starting the planning to go against the Pirates' Haven right after receiving the ships.