"How is the Baron?" Eric asked, standing outside the medical bay aboard the Command ship. Nielson had been rushed there as soon as the convoy was done with its dealings with the Emperor.
Inside, were medics and machinery busy running scans on the frail body belonging to the Baron who was knocked out. The urgency and tension in that room could be felt by Eric outside.
"His body is failing but he will be fine" replied Astra.
"How long does he have?"
"A few weeks."
Eric clenched his fists at Astra's blunt response. A few weeks.
The words echoed in his mind, a grim countdown for the man who had carried the weight of House Voss on his shoulders for nearly two centuries. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain composed, he knew it was nearly over for the Baron. The best he could do as a loyal soldier was ensuing his final wishes were accomplished to the best of his abilities.
"His lordship did not want the others to be aware of his failing health. It is best to return home as soon as possible."
"Understood."
****
The convoy's journey back to Velmora was uneventful but sombre. The fleet sailed through hyperspace like a silent funeral procession carrying the backbone of House Voss.
As if everyone was aware of the current situation there was a tense air among all the ships though most did not know exactly why.
Inside the Command ship, where there were better facilities, the Baron remained unconscious, his condition stable but fragile. Eric had spent most of the journey finalising all Nielson had planned for Wein.
Being a trusted assistant to Nielson for years, he had become a trusted member of his inner circle one that could be trusted with the secrets of the Barony. His loyalty to Nielson ensured that he would perform his final tasks for the Baron as he wanted.
…
The convoy emerged from hyperspace, and the familiar sight of Velmora filled the viewscreen. The planet's lush forest and sparse waters were a stark contrast to the metallic spires of Aurion.
Velmora as viewed from space was a green and blue planet, reminiscent of Earth. Most of its surface was covered by water and the other half by connected continents of land. Unlike Aurion, which was a metallic futuristic planet, Velmora though having advanced technology was still a low tier planet.
Besides Velmora, there were other artificial objects orbiting in space, three of which were on different corners of Velmora. These were space stations defending the planet from invasions or external threats by covering different strategic fields of protection named, Velda 1,2 and 3.
These stations were huge structures but in comparison to Velmora, their sizes were not even a twentieth. They were triangular shaped, with flat surfaces and were locked onto the planet, moving as it did.
There were also two moons orbiting Velmora, one bigger than the other on opposite sides of the planet. These natural satellites orbited out of range from the Velda's protective field with the smaller one being the one to on occasion enter the field.
The larger moon was named Titan, it was more like a second home for the Velmora inhabitants. There were many habitable structures that were constructed on it all being interconnected.
The smaller one was called Pea, and unlike the Titan, it did not have any visible habitable constructs.
This was the position of Velmora in the system, ahead was a huge empty space, and further ahead was two uninhabitable planets closer to the sun. The sun itself was the biggest structure in the whole system with no planet close enough to that size.
There Velmora was the third planet after that star named VJX-33, its position was ideal for its location and security in the whole system.
Behind Velmora was another semi-inhabitable, mining planet which was also under House Voss called, Dwaro. A planet with a mixture of red, black, yellow, and other observable mineral colours from space and one of the primary sources of income for House Voss.
In comparison to Velmora, Dwaro was only slightly smaller, but the two planets were the biggest in the entire system. Besides the two planets near the star which were burning with gases and heat, these were the main planets of the system.
However not so far away was another planet near Dwaro which was under a different House, called Ulix and it unlike Velmora was more futuristic and about half the size. It was far from Velmora, but the metallic spires and bright lights were visible even from the distance.
This system, the Salven system had a total of five planets. Two of which were inhabitable no matter what technologies were used, and one was semi-inhabitable.
The structures of the Salven system were not limited to that, out of orbit from the sun were multiple sectors with artificially built stations and sectors lay. Some were big enough to be dwarf planets and some industrial sectors where people lived and worked.
Besides that, there were many asteroid fields scattered throughout the system, where mining was the norm, because of that there were many facilities. These territories were under the rule of House Voss along with a few other noble houses.
….
The Voltron separated from the rest of the fleet and slowly descended toward Velmora. Its sleek build slowly sliced through the planet's surface and was accompanied by dozens of fighter jets. There was no obstruction to its descend despite the traffic of ships at that time. It's direction, toward the Voss estate.
The landing was smooth as was the take-off. The soft hum of the engine pushed back the water droplets of the drizzle that had befallen the region. The area was covered in a thick fog, only the metallic platform was visible to the ship.
The escort fighter ships having done their jobs returned back to the Command ship and only the Voltron and the wind remained.
Outside were Troopers awaiting orders and standing in the slight rain, wetting their uniform watched as the Voltron landed.
After landing the metal ramp rolled out and Nielson was escorted covertly out under the leadership of Eric, hidden from view.
He was sent to the estate and his personal rehabilitation capsule as quickly as possible since they did not want it to be known that he was sick.
The attendants without question sprang into action and carefully received the Baron and began personal care.
…
That night unbeknownst to the people was the beginning of a new era for the citizens of House Voss.
"Where is Wein right now?" asked Eric.
He was standing watch behind a glass as Nielson was floating in his rehabilitation capsule, still unconscious. His uniform was still partially wet from the rain but would soon dry.
"He is at his estate" replied Astra as a projection materialised beside him. "He has spent the past few days familiarizing himself with the it. He has not left since."
"Good, we don't have much time. As his lordship has instructed, summon the Circle. I'll have Wein brought to the mansion myself."
"Understood."
Astra disappeared.
Eric remained with a solemn look, his lord was close to death's door. With a heavy heart, he turned away. He had a job to do.
…
"You have a visitor" Astra's voice chimed, waking Wein up from his light nap. He had fallen asleep while watching TV.
He had spent the past few days at his mansion couped up, partially because he did not have any close friends and because he did not want to go out yet.
His activities were his fitness training in the morning and the use of the facilities in the estate like the pool. Then he would have all the best feasts Astra was capable of making, after he would do some minor research for what his new life would be. So far, he had nothing.
The other activity was catching up on the news about the Barony, the Empire along with the galaxy. Not long ago he had seen a familiar face, Sienna Aldar on the news. He had become a popular model and businessman who was able to establish a branch in the Capital.
Sienna was from a very affluent and wealthy family most of his family were also Shock Troopers and were well-connected people in the Barony. After his service and adding to the honour of the family, he started a model company. With the help of some friends and family it was able to grow into a successful business across the Barony.
Wein even guessed that Sienna was probably a Tier 4 or at the cusp of Tier 5 in wealth based on the popularity of his company and himself. He made a note to reach out, he was after all one of his only friends in the army.
Those were the activities that Wein indulged in living as a man who had just retired. Currently he was in a short, dishevelled in bed and in no position to receive anyone.
The message from Astra jolted him up, he didn't have anyone who could be a visitor, so the alert was surprising.
"A visitor? Who?"
Astra projected a live feed of Eric and two men in suits disembarking from a ship all wearing sunglasses in the windy rain. They weren't fast but Wein could see they were in a hurry.
"Eric Merlin. He is the assistant to the Baron" Astra's response was blunt and simple which only confused Wein further.