The Mech Touch novel Chapter 2487

Chapter 2487: Dreaming About Ships

The vigorous preparations for the grand wedding continued apace. With the final days counting down, the last guests authorized to attend the wedding had just arrived in time.

Those who arrived after the deadline had passed were not allowed to go any further. There was too little time for them to reach the inner system and undergo a thorough background and security check.

While hardly anyone believed that someone would disrupt such an important wedding, it was better to be safe than sorry.

As more and more visitors converged from as far away as the Winged Serenade Star Sector, a lot of noteworthy people came as well.

Mech designers, exobiologists, weapon developers, shipwrights, infantry commanders and other distinguished professionals arrived to attend the highly-anticipated social event.

Even if the wedding hadn't already started, it was already worth it for them to travel to the Cinach System.

Aside from admiring the brutal majesty of the Gravada Knarlax, the guests also socialized with each other. The wedding attracted such a wide and diverse crowd that the visitors eagerly took the opportunity to expand their networks.

In the meantime, the Larkinson Clan quietly approached some of the professionals it most desired. Lately, Ves decreed that they should increase their focus towards recruiting shipwrights.

Of course, he didn't want any casual ship designers. He needed qualified, senior professionals who possessed an abundant amount of experience in designing and building capital ships!

The Larkinson Clan didn't have much luck in attracting them. Shipwrights at this level were usually attached to their companies or states for life. It was extremely rare for any of them to get fired or voluntarily retire from their positions.

Even if it became untenable for them to remain with their established employer, they often received immediate offers from organizations they were already familiar with. There was no need for any of them to jump ship to a volatile clan that might very well crash and burn in a couple of years.

There were always exceptions, though. The Larkinson Clan persisted in its efforts. Finally, the recruiters managed to gain the interest of someone who did not immediately respond with a polite rejection.

The only snag was that the senior shipwright in question wanted to speak to the clan patriarch in person. He would not settle for anything less until he could talk to Ves in person.

So Ves took some time off his busy schedule to meet with the foreigner.

A man who appeared to be middle-aged entered Ves' office. The man did not step on the floor but hovered over it like many other elitist second-raters tended to do. This was a powerful man.

"Mr. Erander Tsai." Ves began as he shook the senior shipwright's hand. "My people tell me you requested a meeting with me. Are you interested in joining the Larkinson Clan or do you wish to make other arrangements?"

"I am here for the latter."

Ves couldn't help but feel disappointed. Tsai had been a bit ambiguous about his needs, probably so that he could meet with Ves. Now that he was here, he no longer needed to play coy.

"I see."

Mr. Tsai lowered himself to his seat and smiled gently. "You misunderstand my intentions. It has never been my purpose to lead you on. I am aware that your Larkinson Clan seeks a shipwright who is experienced in capital ship design and ship construction. I can already tell you that no one else than I will respond to your requests, at least from the local star sectors. Our circle is very tight and I know that everyone at my level is content with their current lot. None of us old bones have any desire to throw away everything we worked for to go on a dangerous adventure."

"If you are not considering our job offer, then what am I mistaken about?"

"I traveled here with my protégé, my daughter Vivian. I have taught and guided her ever since she earned her degree in naval engineering. While she does not have my experience presiding over the design and construction of over fifty unique capital ships like myself, I have imparted the nucleus of my wisdom to her. She may lack the necessary experience, but she is still capable of designing a capital ship from the ground up, provided she has both time and a complete team of assistants. Unlike mech design, capital ships cannot be developed by a single designer."

"As a fellow engineer, I understand." Ves respectfully replied. Deceiving bastard as he was, Erander Tsai was still an incredibly accomplished shipwright. "Tell me more about your daughter, then. Is this your idea or hers? Why haven't you brought her here if you intend to push her forward?"

Mr Tsai's demeanor dampened a bit. "To be honest, it is not her idea to apply to your clan. I am exploring options on her behalf."

"How old is she?"

"Thirty-five."

Ves frowned. "She's old enough to make her own decisions. We don't engage in slavery here. If you are trying to press her into employment with us, we can't accept her in good conscience."

"I am sure I can persuade her that joining you is the right choice." The older man confidently stated.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify