The council chamber of Velmora had not convened under a Baron's authority in over five years.
In that time, it had functioned efficiently, carefully under delegated administrators from House Voss under the guidance of the Prime Minister. Neilson had not met them in a long time, not that he needed to. Trade quotas were met, security remained stable and production stayed within acceptable projections for the House to function.
There was an aura of predictability but today felt different.
The circular hall rose three stories high, its walls lined with vertical bands of translucent displays of planetary data streams. From population growth, trade vectors, atmosphere stability, and military capabilities.
At the centre stood a long crescent table of dark alloy, polished to state of a mirror. Seated around it were twelve individuals. Six wore silver threaded black robes of House Voss planetary administrators including Prime Minister and influential members responsible for treasury and outer sectors.
The other six represented Velmora's planetary governance, these were people who governed over certain sections of Velmora such as distinct land mass. All these held considerable power in all of Voss's domain.
Aside from them were smaller admins, responsible for districts, mayors of cities and governors who reported to the admins. They all flanked the room similar to how the gathering was, only this time they were less grand and fewer in number.
The chamber was bustling with chatter when the doors suddenly opened and silence followed.
Wein entered alone. He wore formal attire, dark charcoal coat, silver leaf insignia stitched across the collar. Underneath a neat black and white suit. His stride was measured, steps even and his hand resting on Vaelstine.
The ache in his chest pulsed faintly but his breathing remained steady. Every gaze turned toward him, he could feel their assessment immediately as everyone instinctively rose from their seats.
He reached the head of the crescent table and took the central seat, lowering himself with more care than he wanted anyone to notice. No one spoke until he did. He folded his hands lightly before him, letting the ache settle before he let it show on his face.
"Let us begin."
In front him sat a microphone that projected his words through the room. Everyone sat down and remained silent.
"Allow me to introduce myself again" Wein began. "My name is Wein Voss and from now on I am the lord of House Voss."
A subtle shift passed through the chamber with those words.
"Now then," he continued. "If you recalled, there was a purge done months ago on some of your coworkers, people you knew. That was because of me. For years Velmora as a whole has functioned without direct oversight and crime was allowed to fester"
A faint tightening passed through the room, some of the people stiffened. Wein did not raise his voice as his eyes went over like a wave.
"Smuggling rings embedded thieves in our trade ports. Black market tech passed through our industrial district, our officials bribed and reports falsified. External Houses have established influence on our economic arteries."
Almost accusatory, Wein's voice rose higher.
"This did not happen overnight. It happened gradually and quietly when House Voss went complacent."
The words were not shouted but there was confrontation in them.
"You were aware Lord Neilson withdrew from direct governance," Wein continued. " You remained in your own places as long as it was stable, production quotas were met and profited."
Silence followed.
"I will not condemn you for preserving function in a time of uncertainty but preservation without vigilance invites erosion."
Wein leaned back slightly.
"I began the purge to stop the spread of rot and now that I am lord, we will tackle our issues head on."
He pulled a few documents that were laying near him and began reading.
"Beginning immediately, treasury oversight will be consolidated and redundant committees will be dissolved. Every sector under this council will submit a full operational transparency report within two weeks.
He rested one hand lightly against the table and allowed a brief pause before continuing.
"Our industrial output will decrease by five percent and Outer colonies will receive infrastructure reinforcement. And finally, I call for military readiness."
After a silence when Wein began speaking, a governor spoke first.
"My lord… decreasing industrial output will impact quarterly returns."
Wein's eyes moved to him, seated at the far back.
"Yes. This decision was made with the intention to import from outside."
Prime Minister Vern finally spoke up.
"Under the orders of Lord Wein my office has been in contact with House Kell along with House Untra and have secured a cooperation deal."
The room sharpened. Formal cooperation, that meant a trade alliance was being formed.
"As Minister Vern said, House Voss will now delve into working with other Houses, expect an increased visitation of Velmora. Any more questions?"
A larger man, very wealthy, raised his hands.
"My lord is this necessary?" he asked. "House Voss has remained self-sufficient for decades and not aligned with any house."
Wein's expression did not change.
"Do not look through your usual lens," he said calmly. "House Voss has already changed drastically, if we do not adapt, it may fall. During the time, it has been isolated external houses built alliances, growing their influence."
A low murmur spread across the chamber.
"My lord," a thin-faced governor spoke, rising halfway from his seat, "Opening our borders undoes everything Lord Neilson spent decades protecting. We have never needed outside houses to survive and we won't start now."
Wein looked at him. An older man, seasoned and sure of himself, but his attention shifted to another voice.
"If I may, my lord" another governor said, folding his hands with practiced care. "For the longest time, House Voss has endured every major crisis of the past decades without needing outside help. Perhaps there is wisdom in not fixing what already works?"
The rest of the gathered officials nodded, as if in agreement with the assessment.
"Lord Neilson was prioritising stability at the time," he finally responded. "What we need now is strength."
The governor opened his mouth to answer but found no words and sat back down. The other governor who seemed younger was even more confident and carried himself with a polish Wein inwardly envied. Better at this particular game than Wein was, at least for now.
"And what of the consequences?" A single voice, calm and unhurried, cut cleanly through the murmur. "Is Voss ready for that? Military engagements and foreign houses' interference. Has either been weighed, my lord?"
All the eyes went to him. Wein's did too, trailing to his posture as he spoke, eloquently drawing the room in. He was a cautious man, a fact Wein could immediately note.
He placed him, recognized his face among the members of the wealthiest and strongest region in Velmora, Issac Eddenco.
Recalling the brief skim he had gone through during his preparation, he knew the Eddenco family controlled a stable region in all of Velmora even in the height of corruption.
"House Voss is in a precarious situation," Issac continued. "and the new developments only complicate things…" He paused.
All eyes were on Wein who had raised his hand to cut him short. A spike ran through his chest, sharp, sudden and gone as quickly as it came. He kept his hand raised a half second longer than needed, using the chance to breathe through the pain.
"I am aware of your caution," he began, his voice steadier than he felt. "But we can't live in fear for too long. As you said, the current circumstances have positioned House Voss in a difficult position. Conflict is inevitable, so we prepare for it while making ourselves stronger."
"But my lord…" A few tried to interject, but Wein's raised hand stopped them.
No one spoke after that.
"Now to the topic of trade" spoke Vern.
The discussion that followed came in smaller waves, from trade forecast, vulnerability reports and the impact of purge that had been going on. Projections were put on the table shining for all the officials to view and voice opinions.
Wein let most of it pass over him, speaking only when a decision that Vern couldn't sign off on came. And when he did, no one asked twice despite the look on their faces which betrayed their resolve.
By the time the doors opened again, hours had passed, and the room had learned something about him. Something that introduced them to their next lord.
***
Hours later, the chamber doors opened once more.
Administrators exited in uncontrolled clusters, their expressions guarded. Some were whispering discussions with each other, others already issuing quiet instructions through handheld interfaces.
Meeting them were groups of flashbulbs and reporters to receive the details discussed in the meeting. Obviously none spoke to them and went on their ways.
At the far end of the corridor, Wein walked the other direction. The ache in his chest returned faintly but he ignored it. From the viewport he could see the city skyline shimmering under the dimming sun. cargo lanes glowed faintly in the upper atmosphere.
Leaning on his staff he pushed forward, behind him two men in full black on either side.
The corridor lights dimmed slightly as evening drew nearer. Behind him, he could hear someone catching up to him. He slowed to a stop.
"Prime Minister," he said without turning.
Vern, who was just as important as him, had his transport waiting on the roof. He approached quietly.
"Yes, my lord."
"What do you think? How was my first time?"
Vern joined him as they went up to an elevator.
Vern smirked. "It was great, my lord. I applaud you, you have settled well in your post."
"That is good to hear" Wein said. "I have started accretion and am as ready as I'll ever be to meet other nobles. You can begin the next phase."
Vern nodded.
"The fleet has already been placed on standby rotation," he said quietly as the elevator doors sealed shut. "At your command, we can deploy at once."
"Good" Wein replied.
The elevator ascended smoothly toward the upper floors.
"And the rigs? Any suspicious movements?" he asked.
"Still occupied but we were able to trace one of their communications, we believe them to be connected with affiliates linked to Ulix."
Wein's grip tightened slightly around Vaelstine.
"The whole empire is watching me, to see how I respond to this. After the mourning period ended, my last political shield ended. I need to be distinctive with them. We will attack after formalising the agreement with House Kell and Untra."
The elevator doors opened.
Night had begun to settle over the city's skyline. A helicopter vehicle waited at the far end of the roof, engines humming at low power.
"I'll prepare on my end, my lord."
Vern and his aide remained behind as Wein walked to the craft waiting for his own to pick him up.
The doors closed behind Wein as the craft lifted up into the air and rose above the city skyline. Below, the building remained, escort vehicles leading limos out, one after another.
Wein watched the city lights fall away beneath the craft and let himself feel something close to satisfaction. His first meeting as lord went far better than anticipated. He had presented a form of himself that he did not feel lacked anything, rather he gained an idea of what he had gotten himself into.
He already knew the basis of being a leader. With the information from Astra and the inquisitors there was nothing in Voss's domain that would surprise him. Not the people, and not the leaders.
Sure some administrators were greedy. A few quietly brave. But most of those that remained from the purge were loyal to House Voss. And loyalty was worth more to him than competency at least from those in power.