The Mech Touch

signer working as a liaison for the Mech Corps already held one of the least demanding positions imaginable.

For some reason, he thought this might have something to do with Senator Tovar.

Mr.
Cordwraith smiled and put down his tea cup on the saucer.
”Colonel Xelven exaggerates somewhat.
Let me start at the beginning.
Do you recall the outcome of your last mission? The help you have given us has significantly strengthened Senator Camden Tovar ’s stature within the diplomatic community of the Komodo Star Sector.
So much so that Tovar has hatched an ambitious plan that will change the very fate of the Bright Republic! ”

This sounded rather preposterous to Ves.
Senator Tovar hadn ’t even enjoyed his new lease of life for long and already he was throwing around his weight like he was a four-hundred year old relic?

Then again, what did Ves knew of high society.

”The Bureau of Sector Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has worked closely with Senator Tovar to see if his plan is feasible. ” Cordwraith continued.
”Surprisingly, some of our foreign counterparts are quite receptive to the possibilities, so we have agreed to meet and hold clandestine talks at a neutral state.
Ah, that is all I can reveal to you at this time.
You will have to sign some non-disclosure agreements before we can discuss any further. ”

Ves looked confused.
”Could you please enlighten me why I am involved? I do not have a background in diplomacy so I fail to see why I ’m being told of such a development. ”

”Senator Tovar personally asked for you to be part of his diplomatic mission for the upcoming talks. ” Xelven said plainly.
”While Senator Tovar is appointed by the Republic to represent the interests of our state, it would be rather undignified to send him out alone.
He will need secretaries and aides to take care of the details and provide expert opinion.
As a distinguished mech designer with several notable accomplishments under your belt, you are uniquely suited to represent the interests of the Mech Corps and the Republic as one of our technical attachés. ”

This sounded rather fishy.
Ves frowned deeply.
”To be frank, sir, I am not entirely certain that my presence will benefit the diplomatic mission.
I do not have the knowledge or experience required to be of any use for high-level diplomatic talks. ”

”Your presence alone is enough of a boon. ” Cordwraith said.
”Another Senior Mech Designer has already agreed to be the principal technical attaché of the delegation, so you are not expected to shoulder any onerous duties. ”

Cordwraith and Xelven left most unmentioned, but Ves could read a bit between the lines.
Hearing that another Senior Mech Designer would already be present to do the actual work, Ves figured his presence served a completely different role.

Likely, Senator Tovar caught mention of Ves in the news in recent times and figured that he ’d be a great addition to the mission.

His goal in the delegation wasn ’t to extend his technical expertise.
Instead, they wanted Ves to show up in full dress and wear his eye-catching medals to impress the other party!

It galled Ves a bit when he figured this out.
Senator Tovar was far too meddlesome for his own good.
Who wanted to be used as a parade horse?

However, Ves had to admit he also grew a bit curious at what the reinvigorated senator planned to accomplish with these secret talks.
He felt as if this invitation was an opportunity to witness something that could result in a drastic change of the war situation!

From the looks of it, Mr.
Cordwraith and Colonel Xelven did not expect no for an answer.
When someone as important as Senator Tovar called, nobody in their right mind would slight him and refuse.

While Ves did not want to be involved with the Tovar Family at all, this mission sounded as if it involved the entire Republic instead of just a single founding family.

Although the risks did not sound very small, the curiosity and the desire to experience something new and exciting pushed him to accept his new mission.

Ves closed his eyes for a moment.
”I accept.
What do I have to sign? ”

”Great! ” Colonel Xelven dug out a data pad and placed it on the coffee table.
”Please sign the documents on the pad. ”

As Ves picked up the pad, he skimmed over the documents before signing each of them.
All of them contained the usual thick legalese that spoke of dire punishment should Ves ever spill out secrets and so on.
Everything looked standard and nothing gave out any details on his next assignment.

Once Ves finished signing the paperwork, Colonel Xelven took the data pad back and handed over a small box.

”This is for you. ”

Ves opened the box to see that it held two brand new medals.

”For your meritorious service on Bentheim, the Mech Corps has seen fit to bestow you with the Mech Corps Distinguished Service Medal.
In addition, for the injuries you ’ve suffered while in the line of duty, you are also awarded with the Vermillion Heart. ”

While Colonel Xelven made it sound as if the Mech Corps already intended to bestow the medals to him, Ves couldn ’t help but be suspicious at the timing.
Did he only receive these rewards after agreeing to get on board the mission because they wanted to pad him up with extra awards?

He refrained from shrugging.
Whatever.
He wouldn ’t say no to more medals even if it played into Senator Tovar ’s political interests.

”Am I finally allowed to know what this diplomatic mission is all about, colonel? ” He asked.

Colonel Xelven adopted a severe tone.
”What I ’m about to tell you is highly classified.
The documents you ’ve just signed aren ’t just a courtesy.
They are vitally necessary to maintain the confidentiality of Senator Tovar ’s aim.
The controversy alone if word of his plan leaks out might be enough to topple the current administration! ”

This sounded incredibly serious! Ves gulped.
”Who are we negotiating with? ”

”We intend to hold peace talks with a royal delegation from the Vesia Kingdom.
We want to bring the war to an early end! ”

The news utterly stunned Ves.
Tovar wanted to negotiate an end to the war two years early from the end of the previous wars! This was a huge bombshell that came with huge implications to both sides!