“We know one exists, but all we can do is kick the Ogres out of the Dragon Treaty.”
“I fear they will take the Goblins and Orcs with them.”
“They are facing growing unrest with the Giants, Titans, Dwarves, Orcs and other minorities living within the Republic.”
“An internal issue, we cannot intervene.”
“What do you call selling them arms via Freeport-based smugglers?”
“You know I cannot confirm or deny the activities of our security agencies.”
Clíodhna nodded and said, “I assume that to mean yes.”
“We could have met in my office in the Palace or my private office at the top of the tower.”
“I understand you have security leaks and so far, none from inside this room.”
“Every organisation has leaks, the bigger the organisation, the more likely that someone will go around gossiping.”
“I understand both sides have technology superior to the Empire, and I notice that the Empire’s technology is improving after thousands of years of stagnation.”
“Inspiration.”
“Nothing to do with rumours of a black ship you recently captured?”
“A black ship? I don’t remember any black ships.”
“A Space-Born Ogre ship?”
“Any pictures to show me?”
“No.”
“Many ships look alike.”
“They do.”
“The Navy had captured a few pirate vessels. It appears the Ogres have gotten hold of some of our most secret technology, such as hyperspace engines.”
“I am concerned the Dökkálfar will lose without help from us soon.”
“I am concerned about the war. It will be terrible if the Dökkálfar lose. I know everyone is trying to find a way of asking us if we will intervene. But it is a hard sell, many do not trust the Dökkálfar, and fear they will one day attack us. But if the Ogres win, it could unite the Orcs, and Goblins against us.”
“It appears you will one day get involved.”
“Not by choice, and I do not doubt that Caesar Pilu is preparing to attack us, with the help of the Nāga.”
“Yes. But you have a clear advantage.”
“Yes, we have large nuclear missiles hidden inside the hulls of robotic warships. But if the Nāga have a large enough fleet, they might be able to sustain losses. Even if we win, they could inflict damage that our economy or people will never recover from.”
“I have many questions.”
“Please, do ask.”
“I fear you have no desire to answer.”
“You have my full cooperation,” Takahiro said with a smile.
“We need everything you have on the Dökkálfar, the various pirates, and deep cover agents,” Clíodhna said.
“That will take time,” Takahiro stated.
“Send Toshiko the information.”
“What are you planning?”
“We deliver a crushing blow to the Ogres using some of our superweapons. But we need to do so without dragging the Nāga into the conflict. We want the Dökkálfar to win, but without improving their technology while advancing our own with the captured technology.”
“That would be desirable.”
“How much do you love Hiro?”
“Despite our differences, he is my son, and I will do anything for him.”
“We think Pilu is plotting to kill Hiro, but they could be preparing to kill Kaede.”
“Why?” an angry Takahiro growled.
“They know a major incident would force Patya to hold a public inquiry.”
“Any delay could cripple us.”
“The only way forward is to spring the trap.”
“You want to use Hiro as bait?”
“Yes, limit and control who comes near him and when. Put agents in place ahead of him, and should anything go wrong, you must throw yourself on the sword to bring any inquiry to a swift end.”
“I see,” Takahiro remarked.
“You do?”
“Yes. I transfer as much as I can to Kaede, keep the least profitable companies, and prepare for a swift transfer of power.”
“Yes, if Pilu is planning a strike, he will exploit every enemy you have, but they will be prepared to be caught and use a public inquiry to do as much damage to you as possible.”
“I expect a pardon.”
“Deliver, and I will make sure that you are set for life.”
As Clíodhna left, Toshiko came and said, “I think Patya suspects us.”
“Use it to lead Patya to some of Takahiro’s enemies who do not support Kaede.”
“But those clans will just replace whoever Patya takes down with someone just as repugnant.”
“Not if it is part of a reduction of government.”
“Good.”
✽✽✽
Kaede landed the jet, and taxied off the runway, he turned to Rudolf and said, “I am going to miss lessons with you.”
“We can still go flying. Just not regularly, I have some other students.”
“Mako and Miko told me. I am not against them learning, but I fear you’ll need a three-seater.”
Rudolf laughed and said, “So do I.”
“What will you do?”
“Teach them one at a time in a simulator and have them take lessons in turns.”
“I know you are having trouble with your V/STOL project. Would you like some help?”
“How?”
“Hashimoto Corporation is a shareholder in Reinhart Industries, and my company is a major shareholder in my grandfather’s company.”
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed you are spying on me.”
“I am not my grandfather. I know that he likes to meddle and spy on everyone and have a finger in everything. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had spies watching us now.”
“I am sure he does too. As for my plane, it is a matter of weight to thrust ratio.”
“While it is true, the airframe is heavy, most of that is due to Patya’s nose cannon, your engines are too heavy, and you need to distribute thrust over a greater area with as little variance as possible in force.”
“You are well informed.”
“I have always wanted a V/STOL. I want to work with you. I propose a partnership with Kaede Aerospace. We develop a V/STOL program together. I have the tools, all the materials, engines, systems and weapons, you have the assembly factories and proving grounds.”
“Sounds interesting. Is this why you asked me to teach you to fly?”
“I deserve that. I know it is something my grandfather would do. But it wasn’t my intent; I only considered a partnership now because you’re an honourable man.”
“It was his idea that I teach you because of security concerns.”
“I wanted you to teach me because there is no better instructor than you.”
“That is true.”
“If you’re uncomfortable with my offer, I apologise and withdraw it.”
Rudolf went to open the cockpit. He turned to Kaede and pointed his thumb at himself and said, “We use my factories, and only I sell military variants.”
“We will work out the details, but from frame to final product, everything should be one complex.”
“You don’t sound like your grandfather. He would focus on obtaining the lion’s share of the deal.”
“I will not deny that. My grandfather wanted me to develop the new gunship in secret.”
“Like he did with the stealth fighter?”
“If he had his way, he would use my wealth to dominate every market.”
“It is our concern.”
“Would you like my lawyer, Lady Yuki, to sit down with your lawyer, to work out a licensing deal, very simple, very fair and a long-term deal that keeps us both in business?”
Curious, Rudolf asked, “What do you propose?”
“You build all military aircraft, including stealth models, but we make and sell you all raw materials, the stealt
h coat, jammers, scanners, engines, computers, and other components.”
Surprised, Rudolf said, “Sounds reasonable.”
“We will need our plant managers, engineers and accountants to work together. To provide you with parts efficiently, I would prefer to upgrade all your facilities rather than build new factories.”
“To do that we need to merge.”
“Only our aircraft division. We form a joint company with Abelle.”
“How much of the new company will you purchase?”
“We will work on the details, but I see no reason why you should not be the majority shareholder; I prefer we expand your company with my aircraft division and for me be a shareholder.”
Rudolf smiled and nodded as he pushed open the cockpit. He asked, “Do you still plan on flying your balloon during Yule?”
“Yes. Izanami and I will race each other around the globe to raise awareness about the high pollution and demonstrate how we can cut it further without compromising our current lifestyle.”
“If we are to proceed, I want you to provide me with a 3D printer to test and a full breakdown of the costs to run and operate it. If the deal is feasible and fair, I will accept it.”
“It is nothing personal, but they took an army of engineers to build. I have to recover costs and protect my investment. I will allow your teams to test everything, but on my existing site.”
“I understand.”
“You should know, I have a team working on a flying car. It is currently in the design phase. I trust you to tell no one, but Abelle and I are developing an A.I. pilot with a scanner to give it terrain following capabilities.”
“Careful with flying cars, Dain tried, and it was a mess. So many ran out of power and didn’t land smooth. On days when the wind was strong, pilots found it hard to stay on course.”
“Yes,” Kaede said, looking over at Yuki waiting by the Helicopter. “That is why we still use helicopters.”
“Then why are you trying?”
“We have an anti-gravity unit, and gravity thrusters small enough to fit in a car, and enough battery power. All we need is a computer to give it a stable flight, and we can build a prototype.”
“I can help you with the flying car if we can use some of that research to improve terrain following and collision avoidance in the V/STOL gunship.”
“Yes, I believe we can work together,” Kaede said with a grin.
Chapter 24
After piano lessons with Katerina, Kaede was putting the sheet music back on the shelf when Patya came in and pointed to Kaede and said, “You! I want words with you in your office now.”
“That is no way to talk to a púca,” Katerina said.
“He has the mind of an adult, the little freak can take it,” Patya said.
Behind Katerina’s back, Kaede made a fist, red-faced he glared at Patya.
“That’s uncalled for,” Katerina said, “The Prince is different, but that is no reason to insult him. Besides, given half a chance, you would have augmentations done to you.”
“Honey, this is between him and me,” Patya said.
Kaede calmed down and said, “My dear Czarina, this is likely a misunderstanding. I will listen to Patya and give him my honest answer.”
“Czar Petrov to you,” Patya said as he pointed at Kaede.
“Oh, really?” Katerina asked as she placed her hands on her hips. “I think I better come with you.”
“This is between him and me,” Patya growled.
“Must I remind you that I am your wife?” Katerina asked.
“He cost me billions in a deal with Reinhart Industries. He is going to buy his weapons from Kaede,” Patya shouted.
Katrine rolled her eyes, and said, “That is business, that is no reason to get upset, take it like a grown-up.”
Behind Katerina’s back, Kaede poked his tongue out at Patya.
“Weapons are our main business. What if Kaede starts building missiles for Rudolf or Viktor? The houses have a pact, and he has broken it,” Patya shot back in a raised voice.
“Don’t you take that tone with me, I get that you’re upset, but control your emotions, you’re not a púca, right now the only man in the room is Prince Kaede,” Katerina said to Patya. As she scolded Patya, she pointed at his face. At the end of her speech, she poked his chest. She turned to Kaede and asked in a sweet voice, “Kaede, are you trying to put us out of business?”
“No, the pact is specific on what is and is not up for grabs, and small arms, even portable missiles and large guns, are up for competition between us,” Kaede said in a soft voice.
“He has a point,” Katerina said to Patya.
“This is not another handgun, but a cannon and cannons are my domain,” Patya yelled.
“What’s going on?” Katerina asked Kaede.
“Patya and Rudolf pushed to have all fighters and interceptors upgraded with new materials, engines, and weapons, I placed bids on various systems and offered a new type of gun, one more powerful than a rail gun,” Kaede replied.
“Why?” Katerina asked Patya.
“A show of force, if our enemies see we have teeth, they will leave us alone,” Patya replied.
“Kaede, is this your V/STOL?” Katerina asked.
“Rudolf is trying to develop a V/STOL,” Kaede replied. “But he has not had success. It has a nice design, but the frame is too heavy. I offered to help him, and we are discussing a joint project.”
“See, he is why Rudolf is cancelling contracts with us,” Patya complained.
Kaede said in a soft voice, “Rudolf saw that my gravity cannon was lighter, turret-mounted, and did more damage than Patya’s railgun.”
“What is a gravity cannon?” Katerina asked.
“A gun that uses gravity pulses to fire projectiles further, harder and more accurate than a railgun. Unlike Patya’s railguns, mine is mounted on a gyro-stabilised turret,” Kaede replied.
“Stabilized?” Katerina asked.
“No one has a stabilised turret,” Patya remarked.
“I even offered a joint project, but he turned me down,” Kaede said.
“Really?” Katerina asked Patya, she walked over to Patya and looked him in the eye.
Patya open palm pointed at Kaede and growled, in a shrill voice he stated, “He told me it was made from plastic. I thought it was one of his toys.”
“Plastic?” Katrine asked looking at Kaede.
“Superplastic,” Kaede said, feeling confident. His ears wiggled, and he stepped closer to Katerina.
“Forgive me, but a plastic gun does sound like a toy,” Katerina said. Patya snorted but stopped when Katerina held up her hand.
“Superplastic is an aluminium alloy with a high concentration of zirconium that is stronger and lighter than steel. I offered to rent Patya the 3D printers and sell him the raw material so that he can make cheaper and lighter guns and armour. My printers work with a variety of materials. I supply Dain Automotive and Hashimoto Automotive with printers that do plastic, metals, and paint. I have developed and tested a range of personal body armour and plates that are superior to existing armour for my Knights. I made Patya many offers, including to buy some of his company at a price above market price and to transform the company. New technology will help us maximise production and give workers a 30-hour week with six weeks of paid holidays. Together we can complete many overdue projects.”
“Some!” Patya exclaimed. “He wants a third, that will drop us in house rankings.”
Katerina turned to Kaede and frowned. “Do you want us off the Senate?” she asked.
Kaede shook his head and replied “No!”, he took a deep breath and said, “As I tried to explain to Patya, he sells me the shares over time, using each sale to build new productive assets on the new worlds and new space stations,” Kaede said.
Katerina nodded and asked Patya “What’s wrong with his plan?”
“He is over the wealth cap, and he plans to have forty per cent of all companies in
the hands of outsiders,” Patya growled.
“Is that so?” Katerina asked Kaede.
“The wealth cap needs to separate high and low nobles and give more to the people. The wealth cap was meant to protect the people from forced assets sales, and my reforms will do that, and stop proxy sales between upper and lower nobles,” Kaede replied.
“Please leave us, Kaede. I will sort my husband out, but for now, accept my apologies Prince Kaede for his rude behaviour,” Katerina said.
Patya open palm pointed at Kaede, and asked, “What about my contract with Rudolf?” Patya asked.
“Kaede, we will make a deal with you. Let me work out the details with my husband,” Katerina said.
“I am not selling him any of my shares,” Patya said as he folded his arms.
“You are going to licence this plastic and do so before Petrov Arms is making paper clips,” Katerina said as she poked Patya in the chest.
As Kaede went to leave, Patya said, “Wait.”
“Yes, Czar Petrov?” Kaede asked.
Patya looked at Katerina and asked, “What about the wealth cap?”
“We all need to restructure. However, if the Lords refuse to accept, they too must be part of the wealth cap, we need more than a majority, but the Senate to stand firm as one and appeal to the people. Thus, we must offer the people more,” Kaede said.
“I agree, the only way it will pass is if the people get forty per cent and pressure the lords, which will deny them any hope of challenging the changes to the law,” Katerina said.
Kaede bowed to Katerina and said, “It is in all our interests to expand the economy, instead of worrying about the wealth cap and how much I am over, we should be worried about those Lords who hold the economy back by protecting inefficient manufacturing practices and refusing to grow the economy to stay within the cap.”
Patya growled and took a step forward. Katerina put her hand on his chest. “Patya, agree to make a deal and walk away. Let the accountants, lawyers and bankers work out the details,” Katerina said, she stepped close to Patya and poked his chest and asked, “We are all friends with no hard feelings?”
Patya looked down, Katerina held the tripled bangles on her arm. Is she threatening to divorce me? He looked into her eyes and saw contempt. He nodded and extended his hand towards Kaede.
Power Games Page 21
