The Mech Touch

re Senior or Master from a very advanced state.

Even if Ves once managed to become apprenticed to Master Olson, his background heavily limited his future accomplishments.
Without the expensive genetic treatments and augmentations that many second-class mech designers enjoyed, those who emerged from poorer states would always be a step behind.

What Ves promised was different.
Though he hadn ’t been explicit in his offer, he intimated that Gloriana and him would do more to nurture any potential Tovar mech designers under their care.

Not even a man as powerful as Senator Tovar could get a Master from the Coalition or Hegemony to accept one of his descendants as a disciple.

Ves was different.
One of his greatest shortcomings was his lack of subordinate mech designers.
He welcomed any competent mech designers that wanted to work under him at the LMC.

”You think very highly of yourself. ”

”I think we have the capital to do so if the Desolate Soldier is a sign. ” Ves easily responded.

He would never dare to act so confidently in front of Senator Tovar if he hadn ’t already proven himself.

To a mech designer, designing a successful mech was the most direct way of demonstrating their value.

The senator slowly tapped the surface of his wooden armrest.
The man had to make a lot of considerations.
No matter what decision he made, the repercussions would be great.

Ves had steered Senator Tovar into making his own gamble.
Was the old man confident enough in Ves and Gloriana ’s future prospects to entrust some of his Tovar descendants in their care?

At this time, his finger stopped tapping.
”Very well.
You ’ve convinced me to give you a chance.
I will allocate five mech designers of my family to your company.
Treat them well, and I shall do the same to you.
Is that understood? ”

”I ’ll do my best to mentor them, but I ’m no miracle worker. ” Ves cautiously raised his palm.
”We can ’t provide much guidance to mech designers that are too old and set in their ways.
We also can ’t do much if your mech designers turn out to be spoiled brats. ”

”Beggars can ’t be choosers, young man.
It is very problematic to gather these mech designers from their existing positions. ”

Ves frowned.
It sounded as if Senator Tovar expected trouble.

”I ’ll smack anyone around if they cause any problems in my company.
Regardless of status or background, only competence matters to me.
Will that be a problem? ”

Tovar shook his head in dismissal.
”Do what you will.
As long as you act within your limits, I will only pay attention to the result. ”

That was such a Flashlight thing to say.
Ves shouldn ’t be surprised that Tovar expressed such a sentiment.
He knew that the old man possessed a great amount of influence in the military intelligence agency.

For that reason, Ves actually felt that the gap between him and Senator Tovar had shrunk a little.

Though they were still very different people, Ves succeeded in transforming his relationship with the Tovars, and by extension the government.

Before, the Tovars only looked out for Ves because he was a useful asset in their eyes.

Now that Ves convinced the Tovars to place some of their mech designers under his wing, it was not proper anymore for them to treat him as a disposable pawn!

No further words needed to be shared.
A basic verbal contract with many implied terms had formed between them.
Both of them nodded to each other, as if confirming their agreement.

”My assistant will be in touch. ” Senator Tovar spoke with a noticeably lighter tone than before.
”Due to the current circumstances, the mech designers I intend to place under your care might take a few weeks to arrive.
Be sure to receive them properly once they arrive at your planet. ”

”I will do my best to welcome your men. ” Ves smiled.

After sharing a few more platitudes, the call finally came to an end.

As soon as the projection disappeared, Ves sunk back in his couch as if he lost all strength.

”That was nerve-wracking! ”

Gloriana instantly dropped her formal posture and went back to acting like an adoring lover.
She turned towards him and caressed his smooth cheek.
”You did really well, Ves.
From what I can tell, you managed to convince the senator in betting on our ascension.
Now that he has agreed to place some of his descendants under our care, he ’ll do everything he can to cover for you in the Bright Republic. ”

This was what Ves wanted to accomplish!

Though he initially wanted to get Senator Tovar to treat him differently, he realized that he wouldn ’t be able to gain respect if he didn ’t give the old man any concrete benefits.

By making this promise, Ves automatically tied their interests together.

If Ves encountered any setbacks, the Tovars would also suffer.

If Ves achieved success, then the Tovars would also make some gains!

This was the best way to achieve a stable relationship!

From now on, his relationship with the Tovars no longer centered around his past services and associations with Flashlight and the senator.

”Our new deal is a much stronger basis for an alliance! ” Ves happily spoke.

He didn ’t necessarily make this deal for himself.
If the Bright Republic became hospitable to him, then he did not object to moving to another state.

What he truly wanted was to avoid any repercussions to the Larkinson Family.
If Ves fell out of favor for whatever reason, he did not wish his family to suffer in his stead.

To put it bluntly, the Larkinson Family was the strongest shackle that tied him to the Bright Republic.

The Tovars would definitely watch out for the Larkinsons from now on! Even if his family hadn ’t been explicitly included in the deal, there was no way they would neglected!

So long as the Larkinson Family was able to shelter under the umbrella of the Tovar Family, Ves would have no more worries when it was time for him to embark on his grand expedition!

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