Chapter 268: Contribution, Rewards, And Development Structure 3
Elowen nodded in agreement.
Cassian seemed satisfied with the arrangement. "The family will purchase the Tier III ecological support blueprint package under a restricted agreement."
Aurelian blinked. "That quickly?"
"The family has been trying to improve its ecological ship program for many years," Cassian explained. "The systems you recovered may not match our standards directly, but even an incomplete parallel design can save years of research and development."
One of the family engineers nodded before adding, "If the design language is based on old Vhaloric systems rather than Alliance standards, integration will take time. Three to six months before we can safely produce anything, and likely even longer before large-scale output becomes practical."
Meridian gave a small nod. "That estimate sounds realistic. Rush the process, and you will end up producing expensive coffins with gardening equipment attached."
The engineer stared at her in silence.
Aurelian closed his eyes for a brief moment.
Astercourt looked unexpectedly approving.
Cassian, to his credit, managed not to laugh.
The discussion soon expanded beyond ecological ships and into production as a whole.
March could provide certain Tier IV hulls, munitions, repair components, and limited Tier V parts to the family expedition through market rates or family merit exchanges.
In return, the Arcturus family would send rare alloys, advanced fabrication equipment, shielding systems, and experienced personnel to help stabilize and improve the starport’s growing production network.
Eirenne also explained that her automation systems had already increased construction speed by a meaningful margin.
However, despite her abilities, there were limits to what she could handle at once. Managing security, logistics, electronic warfare monitoring, and local administration already consumed a large portion of her processing capacity.
"I am powerful," she said calmly, "not infinite."
Astercourt immediately looked toward Aurelian. "Please remember that."
"I do."
"You say that every time, and then approve three impossible projects."
Aurelian tilted his head slightly. "I approve two impossible projects and one difficult one."
"That is not better."
Orvain leaned back in his seat, looking quietly amused as he watched Aurelian’s staff repeatedly drag their commander back to reality whenever his ambitions began getting ahead of themselves.
The meeting continued for several more hours, but unlike many earlier political discussions, this one felt productive from beginning to end. By the time it finally wrapped up, several major agreements had been reached.
The Crownward March would retain central control over most future holdings.
Branches would receive shares, rights, and opportunities, but not independent territories that could eventually operate outside March’s authority.
Aurelian would receive a personal discovery share from the first phase, whether he wanted it or not.
Ecological restoration would become one of the March long-term priorities.
Production of Tier IV ecological support ships would be expanded carefully and gradually.
The Arcturus family would receive restricted access to blueprints while providing specialists and technical assistance in return.
Eirenne’s training simulation system would also undergo testing as an official fleet and officer training platform, initially using volunteer shipgirls and selected commanders before any wider implementation.
Most importantly, every future development plan would be measured against what Larkspur Haven and Helion Bastion Twelve could realistically support.
That last point mattered more to Aurelian than any of the others.
Ambition was valuable, but only when there was something solid underneath it.
When the meeting finally ended, people gradually began leaving the room. Engineers collected their data slates, branch representatives exchanged a few final words, and support staff quietly departed one after another.
Yet Cassian remained seated for a moment longer, and Aurelian stayed as well. Experience told him his father still had something left to say.
Cassian waited until the door closed behind the final engineer before speaking.
"You understand why I insisted on the personal share."
"Yes," Aurelian replied. "Reward structure."
"Partly. But independence matters too."
Aurelian looked at him more carefully.
Cassian’s expression remained calm and unreadable. "If every resource you use comes through the family, then every project you build becomes something the family can influence or pressure. Personal income gives you room to act quickly and make decisions without waiting for approval."
That changed how the five percent felt.
Less like a reward.
More like armor.
Aurelian slowly nodded. "I understand."
"Good. Spend it wisely."
Aurelian exhaled softly. "I suspect Neris and Astercourt will spend it before I ever see it."
"They are good at their jobs."
"That is one way to describe being robbed by your own logistics staff."
Cassian allowed himself a faint smile. "Better them than your enemies."
That, too, was difficult to argue with.
After Cassian left, Aurelian remained inside the briefing room with Astra, Eirenne, and Astercourt.
The projection still displayed Larkspur Haven, its orbital lanes crowded with new traffic markers, planned construction zones, and expanding routes that had not existed only months earlier.
The planet below was not rich yet.
It was not stable yet.
It was not safe yet.
But now it had weight.
People had arrived.
Agreements had been signed.
Production lines were expanding.
Ecological restoration finally had a roadmap.
A command school was no longer just an idea living inside his head.
And somewhere farther ahead, Virell’s Reach waited as the next step.
Astercourt stared at the projection for several moments before sighing.
"This is going to be a nightmare."
Aurelian glanced at her. "You say that often."
"It is often true."
Eirenne smiled gently. "It is also workable."
"That is not nearly as comforting as you think it is," Astercourt replied.
Astra stood quietly beside Aurelian, her voice calm and steady as always.
"The March is stronger than it was yesterday."
Aurelian looked at the planet for a long moment.
"Yes," he said. "And tomorrow it will need to become stronger again."
Outside the Black Crown, traffic continued moving across the skies above Larkspur Haven.
Transports waited for clearance. Shuttles descended toward the surface. Construction lights blinked across the unfinished arms of the growing starport.
The Crownward March had gained its first true foundation.
Now came the harder part.
Turning that foundation into something that could last.
