After the meeting, the news did not spread loudly, despite all eyes being on House Voss. It did spread slowly and efficiently. Within hours of the meeting, trade analysts across the sector had already begun to recalculate Voss import projections.
The three parties took images together after signing the deal. Wein standing centred, Vl'jii Kell at his right, Uthman Untra at his left. They were all smiles, though far more had been discussed in that meeting than the photo let on.
Most would be published to news outlets but some was confidential, only meant for their ears. The two houses did not return to their homes yet and would be housed by Voss for the time being.
After the meeting, as Prime Minister, he reported the results of the meeting and alerted the news organisations about the deal the three houses had formed. Before long, the image of the three heads had circulated across commercial networks and political feeds on both Voss soil and the other houses.
For both House Kell and Untra this partnership was welcome news. The houses were suffering, poor, their citizens bearing the brunt of it most but aligning with House Voss was a powerful thing.
Just being friends with such a house, even one as small as theirs meant something. House Voss held the kind of authority that could move the empire. Even though the news of the partnership was not spread loudly, given Voss's involvement, it would without a doubt reach the entire empire. That was the power the name of Voss held.
***
Inside the Voss administrative wing, projection floated across a dimmed chamber. Vern sat diagonal to Wein as he was reviewing figures predicting the coming change.
"Voss has been self-sufficient for years," he began. "This deal with Untra will open up an entire market."
"Your team and your assessment were spot on" Wein replied. "Untra sits in the perfect position relative to Salven. From then, we can open markets to many more markets that would be eager to do business with us. Once the trade network is secured, we will begin exporting."
"I have worries, my lord. A key aspect of Velmora is its rich history and traditions. Based on your plans, you seem to be planning to import foreign customs. Former lord Neilson and the entire Voss family have resisted modernizations for generations."
Wein was silent while watching the documents.
"Do not worry yourself Vern. I am well aware of the traditions Voss has kept and I won't do drastic things."
He finally replied, but Vern was still not satisfied.
Wein was well aware of the traditions. Unlike most imperial worlds that evolved into towering metallic megacities of glass and neon, Velmora remained deliberately restrained.
They had evolved technology, but Velmora was not a technologically forward world. There were benefits because of this, one being few worlds remained like it. This meant that tourism for the ultra-wealthy was rampant.
There were many unique architecture designs that made it a go to place but that also meant that there were lands not fully utilised. He knew Voss needed a technologically advanced world of its own, both to strengthened itself and grow its population without touching Velmora.
There was Dwaro and the stations but they were not ideal for that, he needed another place. The best place, which was a thorn to him was House Ulix, the house he was currently viewing on his pad.
"I will not industrialize Velmora," Wein said finally. "Its identity is an invaluable asset."
Vern exhaled slightly, but he still watched carefully.
"We need to advance technologically," Wein continued. "There are other ways to expand without changing who we are. On that note, inform the Circle to prepare themselves for a possible clash with Ulix."
Vern inclined himself.
"Are you finally going to respond?"
Wein's gaze remained fixed on the pad and the data pouring from it.
"A war is inevitable, even the empire is watching. Its best to get Ulix in control before he gains backers to suppress me."
"I will prepare the people, my lord" Vern spoke.
***
That evening, the capital hosted a formal dinner within the Grand Hall of Eclipseon. Invited were the administrative members currently at the city and the two heads of Houses and their aides.
The event was not overly extravagant, but it was the talk of the Barony. Chandeliers casting warm golden light over the polished stones, classical string ensembles performed softly from the balcony tiers.
The tradition of Velmora was in full display, the attire and feast best fitting. All this was in front of cameras taking images of the elegant men and women.
Vl'jii and Uthman stood among Voss administrators and senior officers, sipping on wine and deep in conversations. To observers, it appeared purely ceremonial, a celebration of partnership.
Wein stood deep inside the hall away from the commotion, beside him was Vern and a few high ranking military personnel. The atmosphere among them was serious and definitely confidential, reaffirmed by the tightened security around them.
"I want the leaders taken alive" Wein said to a small projection of an officer displayed by a pad from one of the officers.
"Yes, my lord" replied the officer through the projection.
"What did Velis say?" Wein asked, facing Vern.
"They are ready to position the fleet towards Ulix, my lord" he replied instantly.
Wein gave a faint nod and returned his gaze to the projection.
"Secure the leaders and hand them over for intelligence extraction."
"Yes, my lord"
The projection faded.
Wein adjusted his cuffs, composure returning seamlessly. Without another word, he began walking toward the central floor of the hall. The music rose high and higher as he got closer. In front, he could see the joyous celebrations of the people gathered, mostly Untra and Kell's people, caught up in the moment.
When he took centre stage, the music softened, conversations quieted and cameras shifted focus. A glass was brought to him by an attendant, he accepted and slowly turned towards the guests.
"Friends of House Voss," he began, his voice calm yet carrying effortlessly through the hall. Glasses stilled.
"For generations, House Voss has remained with dignity and was able to build a lasting legacy. Through the tenacity of the leadership it has survived through many dangers and has done so relying on itself."
A murmur of agreement moved through the guests, he lifted his glass slightly.
"That is no longer going to be our stance. We will bridge out to the empire and export our cultures to the outside and enjoy pleasures that come with partnership. This partnership with our new friends is only the starting point, we will expand our hand into the empire to those willing to help build with us but make no mistake those who wish us ill we will strike them. This is the beginning of an era. To prosperity, to unity and to the Barony of Voss."
The hall thundered.
"To Voss!"
Glasses clashed. Laughter returned and music swelled louder. Applause echoed, bathing the arches as cameras captured smiling faces, raised cups and guests lost in the moment. Wein regrouped with the heads of Kell and Untra for more socialising.
There was celebration in Velmora.
Elsewhere though, in the cold vacuum of space beyond Velmora airspace, silent engines ignited.
Voss patrol ships shifted formation along the outer corridor. What had once been routine trade route security now moved with deliberate precision. Frigates peeled away from standard escorts patterns aligned towards the contested rig sectors and approached.
All at once, the atmosphere changed. Normal civilian and trade transports were forced aside. The massive Frigates alerted everyone as they moved past the lane.
The curious pilots watched as more and more ships were stationed unable to continue. For now it was just the massive carrier ships but even the untrained eye could tell this was a military operation.
Aboard a Voss command cruiser stood Velis, around her operators and officer monitored readings of the sector on their interfaces. She never raised her voice to give an order, she merely spoke and the room quieted to hear her. On the huge display were images of the rigs that had fallen into the intruders' hands.
Velis stood with her hands folded behind her back, watching the feeds in silence.
"Launch," she said.
Explosions boomed across three of the rigs at once, precision charges, not carpet fire. Numerous fighter ships poured out of the Voss carriers to swarm the enemy before the debris had even cleared.
On the display, one enemy interceptor broke formation a half second too late, it went up in a bright, silent flash before it could bank away.
"Attack already thinning," an operator reported. "Enemy's losing cohesion."
It was over in under five minutes. Voss fighters didn't so much win the exchange as erase it.
Before they could relax images of infiltration came on the feeds, where Voss Troopers were seen breaching the rig's central dock in tight formation. They moved through the corridors like they had walked them a hundred times before.
A few troopers took a glancing hit to the shoulder plating but did not break stride. They were fast and efficient, by the time the second wave of defenders rounded the corner, the corridor behind them was already clear.
"Rig secured," a voice reported. Filling the entire command room. "Minimal resistance."
Outside, the enemy's answer arrived late. A second wave of squadrons, larger hulls behind them, clearly meant to turn the tide before it fully turned.
"Enemy approaching" said an officer. "Ma'am, what are our orders?"
Velis watched the new formation on the display without changing expression.
"Let them come," she said. "Flank the heavy ships first. The rest will scatter on their own."
They did. Voss cruisers folded around the newcomers in a wide pincer, and within minutes half the enemy formation broke and ran rather than be boxed in.
Aboard the command ship, a transmission came.
"Team Alpha, success" spoke a voice.
"Is the target alive?" Velis asked.
"Affirmative."
"Transfer to holding and begin data sweep of facility." She ordered. "Begin pressing past Mining Rig Theta-7".
The order was received by the operators who began relaying to the fleet.
Soon after more transmissions arrived.
"Team Gamma, success."
"Team Zeta, failure. Target dead."
…
The fleet formed up and began moving toward Ulix.