The last few weeks had been exhausting for Emmerich. Constant back to back meetings, briefings and appointments. Launching the Emissary had been a nice break in the pace of things. But then it was right back to work.
He was truly looking forward to this trip. Even if he would be using the secure connection aboard to do some work remotely. It would be another break he could use. Running a state, even one the size of a city, was not a pleasant job.
Sure he'd delegated much of the work to the Ministers. But there were things they couldn't be involved in, yet. Things that the First Minister needed to have a hand in. As much as he wanted to explain to Evangelina they were still unsure who they could trust.
Trust. Such a small word in many ways but heavy with meaning. He'd never had to work like this. Locking people out of his circle of trust whilst building closer ties with others. Running a district had been so much simpler, honest even.
Now he was checking his appearance in the mirror before they headed to the Airfield at the Old Camp. The suit was comfortable, more so even then his old one, but at Myers insistence it was not just fabric.
Emmerich recalled the small booklet that had accompanied it. Ballistic and stab resistant layers. Liquid armor segments. Built in life signs monitoring, emergency beacon and a Stim injector. This suit had all the features of a full set of combat armor, except the cost in making it was about 15 times as much.
'What was the grade again?' Emmerich mumbled.
'Grade six. That suit will take 50. caliber high velocity and most you'll get is a bruise,' Figueroa reported.
'Unless its high explosive in which case you're screwed' Hickman said leaning against the wall.
Figueroa's head snapped around to look at Hickman. Even under the helmet Emmerich could tell she was glaring.
'Corporal,' She said with an edge.
'Right right, sorry, Sarge,' Hickman replied.
Figueroa kept her gaze on him until he stopped leaning against the wall.
'Good to see the new promotions are working out,' Emmerich said, smoothing down his front.
'Of course, Sir,' Figueroa said, returning to attention.
'He means you can lose the stick up you-' Hickman started
Figueroa silenced him with a slight twitch of her head. The message was subtly conveyed but simple in nature. Shut up.
Emmerich sighed. Learning to read people's expressions even when their face was covered was an art. One he was learning out of necessity. The Onyx and Gears he was constantly around rarely took off their helmets.
He on the other hand had to wear a mask. One of calm reassurance. The First Minister was the face of the COG. If he looked worried then people would be scared. After all, what could worry the First Minister?
Taking one final look he nodded to his reflection. He was as ready as he would ever be. Bar one thing. Emmerich reached into a pocket and drew out a small ear bud before pushing it into his ear. There was a moment of mixed buzzing, whining and crackle as it started up.
Then the bud linked to the Onyx Tac-Com network. A mix of voices, some familiar, others new, filled his ear. He adjusted the bud till it was limited to the channel of the team he would be traveling with.
'Lets go,' Emmerich said. Turning and walking towards the door.
Figueroa opened it and stepped ahead of him. Hickman fell in behind.
The walk out of his apartment was quick. Being set inside the main administrative building. With several reinforced walls separating the two sections. The place was cozy but bordered on cramped. They entered a lift that took them up to the landing pad on the roof.
KR-1 was on the pad. The MK2 King Raven gleaming in its fresh black paint. The rotors were spinning already. They ducked as they strode though the rotor wash. The hatch was open and the steps unfolded. Unlike a combat variant both were narrower so they boarded single file.
Inside the Raven had been modified for its new function as a First Minister's transport. Gone were the blunt utilitarian combat seats. In their place were synth-leather chairs. Arranged one set along the near side and two facing each other on the far side. The section for the door guns had been removed to add extra space to the passenger bay.
Emmerich took one of the seats and watched the Onyx drop into their own seats. So far only a few people outside of himself and the Onyx had even been aboard the craft. It was a luxury in many ways but also a symbol. that The COG could afford to provide a designated, purpose built craft for its leader.
He heard Khan confirm their take-off clearance, not that there was much air traffic. Then the craft began to lift. Once it was airborne another two Ravens in identical black paint work came alongside. The three craft would perform a random position change throughout the flight.
It seemed excessive to Emmerich. After all, who was going to try and kill him right over the capital? Myers had agreed when he'd raised the concern. But pointed out that it was still protocol and something he would need to get used to.
Sighing he looked out of the several inch thick window watching the city pass under them. A little over a year ago this was a valley with only a few small buildings built decades ago. Now it was a thriving urban center.
Smooth straight streets ran outwards from the hub. With concentric ring shaped avenues spaced out forming a large spoke design. People were on each street walking to and fro. Carts and trams traveled along tracks carrying goods and people to their destinations.
The Outsider district was nearly all COG citizens now. Many had moved out to the wilds beyond or to the other continents. Those that remained were likely preparing to follow their fellows.
There were still quite a few UIR citizens here though. Governor Široký had assured him that they were working on finding a place for the new union capital. The last report from Clarke said UIR craft were surveying the southern part of Sanus.
That was good and bad. Good in the sense that the UIR would soon be out of their house so to speak. Bad for the same reason. Keep your enemies close was good advice. Keeping your enemies dependent on your hospitality was better.
Still getting them outside of the COG added some security. Not to the COG but against it. The UIR knew how a number of their tricks worked. If someone were to replace him and start the COG on the path to war again. Emmerich doubted Široký would be happy to sit by and watch.
Thus far their interactions had been an alliance of convenience. Hopefully that would continue. If not though, well. Then the added distance should give them time to respond. The UIR might have been good at unorthodox warfare in the past. But that was on Sera and this was a whole new world for them both.
Rising from those dark thoughts he saw they were passing over the current outer wall. The new construction works outside byond now streched out below. The place was awash with DeeBees and Mechs all at work. The new expansion was going well. The new curtain wall was coming together on schedule. Work had already begun on the buildings for the new area.
Then they passed the partial section of the wall. The only constant sign below civilization was the raised train line and its service road. There were the occasional branches in the tracks and outlying support sites. But otherwise the valley floor had been left alone.
That was good. Far too much of Sera had been destroyed both during and outside of conflict. Whilst Emmerich wasn't going to join the Outsider movement. The idea of only building what you needed and reusing what you could was something he agreed with.
Speaking of reusing they had reached the Old Camp. Old was a strange term for a place built a little over a year ago but it had always been intended to be temporary. Work had been done to make the place more accommodating. But it would need to be totally redone to match the city in terms of quality. Something to speak to Ramos about perhaps.
They were slowing now and Khan's voice came over the radio reporting they were on approach. The bow of Emissary was visible now, as was the crowd around the landing area. A picture perfect set of Onyx Guard in formation followed by a similar group of Air Fleet troops. Further back from them, behind a line of DeeBees, was the Press area. Cameras were already tracking them and no doubt a few reporters were rattling off about his arrival.
As the Raven settled onto the pad and the door opened they disembarked in the reverse order. Emmerich reached the bottom of the steps and looked out across the expanse of the Airfield. Rows of hangers and marked out areas crowded the space around the runways.
A few Ravens were sitting undergoing maintenance or on standby. He hadn't expected to see many given how few were available they were under constant use. The absence of any Kestrel's spoke to the demand for the gunships as well.
But the center of attention was Emissary. The craft was sitting on its landing gear looking like some model ship scaled to real life. The rows of troops presented arms as he reached the path between them and saluted. Emmerich returned the salute. Which was becoming far too much of a habit for his liking. And strode towards the waiting ramp of the airship.
At the foot of the ramp was the commander of the ship flanked by two Air Fleet troopers. Emmerich had met her briefly before during his commissioning. Prior to joining the the largest craft Commander Raine had commanded had been a cargo ship for a Mistral shipping line. Still, even that level of experience was important.
'Good Afternoon First Minister Emmerich. We're honored that you've chosen to join us on our maiden voyage,' Raine said standing at attention.
The fact that the COG lacked any other means of reaching Mistral didn't need to be said. Even a Raven with extended range fuel tanks would struggle to make it half way before it ran out of fuel.
'Thank you Commander. Permission to come aboard?' Emmerich asked.
'Granted please this way,' Raine said, stepping aside to let him pass up the ramp before following. Figueroa and Hickman lead their squads after them.
An announcement played out as they stepped onto the deck proper. First as Emmerich did they announced.
'First Minister Emmerich, arriving.'
And as Raine followed.
'Emissary, arriving.'
'You're addressed by the name of your ship?' Emmerich asked intrigued.
'Yes, sir. Its tradition in the Mistral Air Fleet and from what I understand the COG Navy. Since it's a common rule we thought best to keep it,' Raine explained.
The interior of Emissary was quite spartan and more like a traditional ship. Unlike the Atlesian craft he'd been on for the trip to Atlas. Bulkheads with hatches divided the craft into compartments. Many of which had steps leading up and or down into other decks.
It was a quick walk to the bridge where Emmerich took an observer's seat as Raine ordered the ship to lift off. This was it. A day if that to Mistral and then he just had to make it through an international event without incident. How hard could that be? Surly he wouldn't be caught up in another assassination attempt?
After a brief tour of the ship, he'd seen much of it under construction already. Emmerich retreated to his stateroom. Partly for some privacy but also to stop the crew from wearing their arms out saluting.
This was not a large ship by any measure. Only a dozen meters over a hundred if his memory was right. Much of that space was taken up by the engines, hanger and other ship systems. Leaving little space for the crew before he'd come aboard with two squads of Onyx.
Speaking of the crew he was still surprised at how young many of them were. Then again O'Connor's report had listed many were young airship crew from Remnant that had got the post for experience. There were also Seran technicians who were needed for the specialist systems. With the final portion those who had been assigned by automated systems to the posts.
The ship had spent its time between now and the launching on shake down runs about the area. Though this trip was important diplomatically. It was also to get them experience working away from the COG's borders. So far nothing had come up beyond the usual gremlins that plagued hnew ships
He opened his terminal and started to sort out his work for the flight over. Hopefully he was just being paranoid about all of this.
The flight was quiet for the journey out and away. They passed over the strait to Anima proper and made good time with little issue from weather. Commander Raine's experience with the air streams proved helpful in avoiding a few patches of bad weather.
The only real highlights of the trip were when they passed over villages, outposts or hamlets. Crowds of people would stop what they were doing and point up at the ship. Some would wave and much to their delight the crew would let off a blast of the ship's horn.
Finally they were approaching their destination. Ahead the roofs of buildings poked over the mountain range. Down at the base a mixture of walls and guard posts closed off the passes. Weapon emplacements sprung out of the rock at regular intervals. Most of them were covered, hiding their weapons from view. Those that were uncovered were being serviced or just on standby.
'Is that normal?' Emmerich asked Raine as he looked at the defenses.
'Hmm. Keeping the guns covered? Oh yes. After all, if you have them all at the ready people get worried,' Raine replied.
'I take it there's no risk with getting them prepared when they need them?'
'No. After all. The spotters and radar will catch sight of anything well in advance. Should the need arise for them.'
'I see,' Emmerich said with a nod.
He sat back into his seat as the city came into view. It was still surprising even with the briefing he'd received. Images didn't quite do it justice.
The sides of the mountain had been built on. Buildings clustered onto plateaus linked to each other by bridges, steps and lifts. Many of the higher structures were tall and slim to make the most use of the space.
Mid way down the structures began to become smaller and less ornate. Here there were not just buildings but farms and industrial areas. But that was where his view ended. The lowest levels were hidden under a cloud of mist or smog. There were signs of buildings, lights and outlines in the cloud but nothing solid.
Emissary was heading for the upper levels. Ahead was the highest peak at its top was Haven Academy. Two towers reached above the whole city. And behind there was their destination. The Amity Colosseum.
It hovered over the city like some vast spinning top cast by a giant. The largest crystal Emmerich had ever seen made up the base. Above it were two levels of landing areas followed by the main arena itself.
It was one of the advantages of the Emissary's size that they would be able to dock directly with the Colosseum. Even then they were landing at a docking pier that poked out from the main ring. Emmerich was ready at the hatch as they came in. The slight adjustments of the ship getting it lined up neatly with the pier.
The hatch opened and much to his surprise there was no gust of wind. At this altitude he'd been expecting a breeze at least. The ramp was already extended and a group of figures was waiting for them at the pier.
As Emmerich and the Onyx stepped off another announcement played over the ship.
'First Minister Emmerich, Departing.'
Reaching the group at the base of the ramp Emmerich was introduced to his hosts. A few Councilors, the Chief of police and Headmaster Lionheart. Hands were shaken and greetings said all quite normal.
With that part of the formalities done they moved back along the pier. There was a crowd gathered to watch his arrival. A ring of Mistral Police were keeping them back and holding a corridor open for their party.
A blast of air announced the Emissary had started to pull away. The forward facing engines pushed the ship back as the ones on its side turned it away.
'That is quite the ship,' One of the Councillors said watching the craft depart.
'Thank you. It's a modest ship but quite capable in its own right,' Emmerich said with a polite nod.
'And only a year after your people arrived here. Quite the accomplishment I must say,' Another added. His tone seemed haughty for some reason.
'We're quite industrious. And as you've seen quick learners,' Emmerich replied, keeping his emotion in check.
'Now now please. I'm sure the First Minister has had a long flight. Let's retire to the viewing area and give him a chance to unwind before we start negotiations shall we?' Lionheart said diplomatically.
The Councillors agreed and they boarded a lift up to the VIP lounge. The place was more like a high class restaurant than a sports area. There were a few bars and tables inside screens around the space showed the arena. Along the far wall doors leading out to balcony seats allowed a direct view of the fights.
The Onyx spread out into the space posting themselves about for maximum coverage. A pair stayed with Emmerich as close guard. He walked over and ordered water from the server at the bar. Who pulled a bottle out from under the counter stiffly. Likely unused to chaperones like Emmerich's watching every move.
With drink in hand, after a sample probe had been discretely dipped into it, he took a seat to watch the fights. They were on team matches at the moment. Groups of four facing off against each other. Whilst it was quite the display he couldn't help but feel it was a bit off.
This was fighting but not the sort he knew. This was fast, melee focused with little use of cover. But fast they were. At points some of the fighters seemed to teleport from one place to the other. Though the abilities were the highlight of the battles.
He watched one reach into a fire and pull it over their body like a cloak. Another phased out becoming translucent. Before running though their opponent and becoming solid to strike. Each moment the scales could tip anyway.
'Enjoying the show?' A familiar voice asked.
Turning back he found Fisher walking out to join him.
'Somewhat,' Emmerich said, returning his gaze to the battle below.
'Only somewhat? If you need I can ask them to make it flashier'
'No no. I just can't quite get into it,' Emmerich admitted.
Fisher shrugged.
'I know what you mean. We've seen combat. I mean real combat. This,' Fisher said with a wave of his wrist, 'Feels like play fighting. Oh sure they're fighting down there. But not for real. Not with risk.'
Emmerich nodded at his words as he spoke, 'Its sport. And between schools. They'll likely become more practical once they graduate.'
'Let's hope so those are the guardians of the future down there after all.'
They watched the next few bouts making the occasional comment but otherwise in silence.
'I'm going to get another drink, want one?' Fisher asked as he turned to leave.
'I'll be fine thank you,' Emmerich replied, holding up his half full bottle of water.
Fisher nodded then walked away.
A few moments later a set of footsteps came closer. But they weren't Fisher's. They were the sharp clack of heels meeting the floor of the booth. The radio in his ear crackled with Hickman's voice.
'3-4 lead confirms. One drifter approaching Bauxite. She's cleared but intervene if needed.'
Emmerich turned to see a young woman had walked into the booth. She had red hair and bright green eyes. Her red dress was stylish but plain with only a few small bits of jewelry complementing her outfit.
'I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were using this booth,' The woman said. Noticing the Onyx standing either side of the balcony.
Emmerich waved a hand dismissively, 'No problem. Feel free to join if you like.'
She smiled and nodded politely.
'Thank you. I don't think we've been introduced. I'm Pyrrha Nikos,' She said, holding out a hand.
Emmerich took it and shook it, 'First Minister Emmerich. Pleased to make your acquaintance Miss Nikos.'
She seemed confused for a moment but gave a practiced smile as she stepped back. Before turning to look down at the match. Something about how her eyes tracked the battle reminded him of Myers when he had reviewed battle footage.
'If it's not rude of me to ask what is it you do for a living?' Emmerich asked with a nod.
'Oh. Sorry I'm so used to people knowing me before I meet them. I'm a professional duellist,' Pyrrha said.
'A duellist? Are you going to take part in the battles here?' Emmerich asked.
'Oh no. I was a student but only at Sanctum Academy. It's the Argus combat school. The Vytal Festival is between the students of Beacon, Haven, Shade and Atlas.'
Emmerich nodded, 'I see. Will you be joining the next one then? I understand once you leave combat school its normal to attend one of the academies.'
'I'm considering it.' Pyrrha said nodding, 'Though I'm still deciding which one to attend. Still I've got two years to pick so there's no lack of time.'
'True. There's no need to rush things.'
After a few minutes Pyrrha's scroll rang and she apologised before leaving quickly. Fisher returned a few moments later.
'So how was speaking with the "Pride of Mistral?" in person,' Fisher asked.
'She didn't mention a title,' Emmerich said cocking an eyebrow.
'Hmm more humble then you'd think. She's some kind of champion around here. I'm guessing someone steered her your way to wow you.'
'Can't say it worked,' Emmerich remarked turning back to the arena, 'I've never seen nor heard of her before. Quite a polite young lady though.'