Chapter 246: Explaining The Power Structure To The Elders 3
Rhoswen surprisingly contributed more than once during the discussion. Both times, she spoke about enemy response speed and how the Kharov garrisons had reacted during the raid.
Her answers were simple and direct, but they were extremely useful.
By the time everyone finished talking, the map above the table was crowded with colored routes, notes, warning markers, and projected expansion paths.
Cassian stood with both hands resting lightly on the edge of the table while he studied everything in silence.
"This region can support a staged expansion," he said at last. "Not a rush, instead a gradual buildup."
Several elders nodded immediately.
"The first step is Larkspur Haven," said the logistics elder. "Keep the footprint small at the start. Mostly engineers, technical personnel, and enough supplies that they don’t need to depend on local stockpiles."
"The second step is Helion Bastion Twelve," another elder added. "Archive teams, machine-culture specialists, containment engineers, and people who actually understand old systems. Nobody cares."
"The third step is Mournveil," said the exploration elder. "We need better maps, but survey vessels should operate under Crownward March supervision until the route is fully understood."
"And military support?" asked the fleet commander.
Cassian glanced toward Aurelian before answering.
"Reserve only, for now. Sending a visible Arcturus battle group beyond Mournveil would change the situation too quickly."
Aurelian agreed.
"The March needs strength, but it also needs room to move quietly. If too many people notice us too early, we’ll create problems we don’t need."
The fleet commander accepted that without argument.
"Then we prepare forces on our side of the route and move only what becomes necessary."
Aurelian looked at the map and felt the plan becoming something real.
Until now, it had mostly been him and his fleet solving one problem after another. Every gain had brought two new issues, and every victory had created more work.
But now there would be engineers, administrators, specialists, and support systems behind him.
There would be people building foundations while his shipgirls focused on what they were best at.
The feeling was a relief.
It was also a responsibility.
More support meant more expectations.
Cassian seemed to notice the shift in his expression.
"Aurelian is still in command of the March," he said.
Cassian continued.
"The family is supporting him. We are not replacing him. This territory was discovered by him, secured by him, and held by his fleet. That doesn’t change because the family now understands its value."
Something inside Aurelian settled at those words.
"I understand."
"Good," Cassian said. "But support also means oversight where it’s needed. If you overextend yourself, I will tell you. If you hide problems that affect the family, I won’t be pleased."
"That sounds fair."
Cassian’s expression barely changed.
The discussion continued for a while longer as they worked through practical details.
The Arcturus family would rent unused sections of Larkspur Haven’s starport through private support agreements.
The first engineering teams would arrive in small groups, hidden inside routine technical transfers rather than large, obvious movements.
Eirenne would prepare secure access layers before they arrived.
Astercourt would be informed once the paperwork had been cleaned up enough that she wouldn’t immediately accuse everyone involved of creating administrative disasters.
Aurelian suspected she would accuse them anyway.
The family would also purchase ship components, ammunition, repair capacity, and certain production outputs directly from the March whenever it made sense.
In return, Aurelian would receive family merit rather than credits.
Family merit could later be exchanged for specialists, rare materials, restricted equipment, and items that weren’t easily bought through normal channels.
Cassian also accepted Aurelian’s recommendation regarding logistics.
Moving massive amounts of cargo through Mournveil too early would only attract attention.
For now, it was smarter to use the existing infrastructure and strengthen it gradually until it could safely support larger movements.
Nobody argued with that logic.
The route was valuable because it was hidden.
There was no reason to throw that advantage away.
Eventually, the meeting began winding down.
The elders left in smaller groups, already discussing staff lists, survey plans, logistics schedules, settlement candidates, and which people could be trusted with information this sensitive.
Several conversations continued as they walked out.
Others had already started sending messages before they reached the doors.
The family machine was moving.
Cassian remained behind for a moment with Aurelian.
Astra and Rhoswen waited near the entrance, close enough to intervene if needed but far enough away not to intrude.
For a while, both father and son looked at the star map hanging above the table.
"You don’t need to think that this is because I used my power as the family head," Cassian finally said.
Aurelian glanced toward him.
Cassian continued.
"This is something that the elders agreed to on their own."
Aurelian stayed quiet for a few seconds before answering.
"It still feels like both."
That earned a soft laugh.
Cassian turned toward him.
"Rest when you can. Once the first support teams arrive, things will start moving much faster."
"I know."
"And Aurelian?"
"Yes?"
Cassian studied him for a moment.
"Don’t try to carry the whole March by yourself just because you started it by yourself."
Aurelian held his father’s gaze before giving a small nod.
"I’ll remember."
Cassian seemed satisfied with that answer.
Not long afterward, he left as well.
The room finally grew quiet.
Aurelian remained standing beneath the fading projection while Astra and Rhoswen waited behind him.
Rhoswen finished the last of her breakfast and tossed the empty container into a nearby recycling bin.
"So," she asked, "what happens next?"
Aurelian watched the map for another moment before answering.
"Now we build faster."
Astra stepped closer, her voice calm and steady.
"And prepare for the moment someone notices."
Aurelian nodded.
Because that was the truth.
The Crownward March had gained powerful support, but it had also become far too valuable to remain hidden forever.
Somewhere out there, the Kharov would eventually start asking better questions. Other Alliance families would notice unusual movements.
People would follow supply chains, investigate rumors, and connect pieces together.
Mournveil would not stay secret forever if enough people kept brushing against its edges.
But for now, they still had time.
Not a huge amount.
But enough.
Enough to strengthen Haven.
Enough to secure the bastion.
Enough to prepare for whatever came next.
Aurelian reached up and closed the projection.
The star map vanished.
The room dimmed around them.
Then he turned toward the door.
"Let’s get to work."
