Comstar HPG Compound, Corealdas Port, Northern Continent

Novo Franklin, Periphery Space

January 15th, 2981 AD

I sat down across from Precentor Nyung in a room that was about as opulent as the office I had my own meeting in when he first came to Subnautica. It lacked a great deal of the technological aspects mine did, but given mine was in an underwater palace, unlike the surface where real air and sun coming through a window.

"Drink." He offered, mirroring my own start when we first met. The grin on his face told me he was aware of that, and grinned back, and played the game.

"Water please."

He chuckled as he poured a glass for me, and I took the drink and placed it on a coaster.

As Precentor Nyung sat down, I checked over my arm vambrace to take a look at the list of scans my ships did as they floated outside of the compound. So, I now had the HPG, the Warhammer and Lostech it apparently had, and pretty much every variety of equipment and structure as I flew here. I nodded, looked at the update alert showing the tools had been retrieved, and closed it down.

"Well, your technicians are probably having a ball right about now. The Repair Tools were retrieved by your adept."

Hyung nodded. "That's good to hear. Thank you for that."

"Its fine. It will help in the future when projects are being worked on by your people."

He gave me a raised eyebrow for a moment before moving on. "Which brings us to the reason I asked you for this meeting actually."

I shifted to become more comfortable. "The future?"

"Just so. As a member of Comstar, it is my business, and by extension, Comstar's business to be aware of the various factions and nation states across the Inner Sphere. It allows us to not only extend our services to them, but also to provide a means for many groups to engage in diplomacy and works of charity, among many other works that are beneficial to the whole Sphere. Once I became aware of your nation's existence, and confirmed its status as an advanced nation, I was obligated to make my superiors aware as well."

I nodded. I knew it was going to happen. The question is how they would play it. The fact he was speaking to me about it, instead of an army rushing in, told me they were either not in a position to commit to any campaign, or they would try subterfuge first.

"I take it they were surprised."

"To put it mildly. It's common to rediscover a lost world or colon of a lesser level of development. It's rare to find one that is on par with the current state of the Inner Sphere. It is a miracle to find one that is higher. Your society has raised the bar, to say the least."

His face gave me a grim expression.

"And that makes things very dangerous for everyone."

I was already expecting this when I first appeared in this world. It was why I was willing to just sail away in my magic submarine and become a pirate of the fun variety. To be honest, there were times I wished I didn't decide to go "Empire Builder" and just keep developing as I went, having adventures with increasingly mind boggling technology.

Shifts-with-Breeze, Emma, and now Ariel, are all bad influences on me.

Breeze wants to fix and repair everything which now includes maybe the state of the world, Emma wants to help me achieve everything while keeping me safe and survive as best as she can, and Ariel has more or less considered me a saint of the Omnissiah for what I have accomplished thus far and wants me to take this world and create an Imperium of my own.

My own biosynths, who are also people now, also have been speaking their minds and want to unite the surface world under my banner. By word, or by force. It was getting harder to resist the pressure now.

It's only because of my new perk of Hive Engineer, that I was able to multi-task everything and not go nuts. Especially since with the other new perk, Capsule Calamity, now allowed me to store entire fleets of vehicles, equipment, resources, and supplies inside capsules from DragonBall. Massive fleets of ships to transport goods were no longer required, unless the cargo is people.

Transporting resources is now insanely easy with the Quantum Storage system, as you no longer needed to insert the materials into the device, just put them into a cargo bed, shrink the bed down into a capsule, and put that into the Quantum Storage. The habitats that had been started and expected to be complete by the end of the month were done now. Newly made Biosynths for those places were being created as Precentor Nyung and I were speaking.

Breeze had been working on the Architect ships at that landing port, but they were almost as advanced as Forerunner technology. Given that Breeze was capable of working on devices more advanced is the only reason they made headway at all. In fact, they were considering creating a new huragok to help speed things along. I told Breeze not to unless they want to have a family. Don't make something just to make work easier.

It took them off guard, as repairing things was in their nature to do as making a nice, safe place to live was in a human's nature. The choice to make a new huragok was based on that natural inclination and I had essentially denied it based on human sentiment. After a bit of discussion, we put it on pause and decided we would give it a full talk at a later time. It wasn't a race.

Breeze reluctantly agreed, and I felt bad for denying him the desire to create another. I just didn't want him making one for the sake of work…but then maybe I was wrong because he didn't see it as work, but as fulfilling his natural instinct.

I was pulled my thoughts when I felt a star fall. I felt panic when the forge grabbed it.

Chromosome Analysis Specialist (Biomega) (100CP)

Well, the job description said training would be provided - and sure enough, they provided you with all of the reading material you needed to figure out what you were actually supposed to do now that you're here. The researchers at the Data Recovery Foundation have been put to task into deciphering the secret behind the immortal cells, that mysterious 24th chromosome. From all of the information that has been compiled, you've acquired a better picture of what the DRF is planning - but as well, your ability to break down genetic information and just large chunks of information in general have improved. Heck, reading that 42 volume tome had to be worth something right?

The knowledge comes to me without pain and I felt relief it wasn't anything tangible. That will make mastering FEV and anything biological easier to do, but for now, I move away from that and back to the present moment.

I had a feeling I knew what speech he was about to give, so I will just show I am on the same wavelength.

"I agree. While I do not possess a full, up-to-date picture of the situation across the Inner Sphere, I am aware enough to know what will come of the greater part of humanity knowing of our existence. Specifically, our technology. Given what the House Lords of the Inner Sphere were willing to do during the first and second succession wars for a throne, I can easily imagine what they would do for technology that would hand it all to them with a push of the button."

I can sense relief in the Precentor as he nodded.

"That was what the First Circuit was so concerned about. They have a great responsibility to oversee the communications between the houses, and all planetary governments across the Inner Sphere. I will fully admit we do our best to pressure them to keep the peace as best as we are able, and to keep the status quo, lest the Inner Sphere once more falls prey to the destruction wrought by the first two Succession Wars."

"And given my nations technology, the means to fabricate mechs, entire vessels, provided one has the materials and designs in the database, we would see military buildups surpassing anything seen before, more than even the SLDF had ever achieved. And this is but one facet my nations Fabrication technology would enable the Houses to achieve."

Precentor Nyung smacked the arm of his chair with an open hand.

"Thank Blake! You have no idea how good it is to hear someone of your station realize the consequences." He said with sincerity. Given the fiefdoms he had been dealing with, I am not surprised people are so short sighted. That's the ecosystem of this world…then again, that can be said for the entire Inner Sphere.

I nodded. "I had given it a lot of thought. Not just for this world, but for the Inner Sphere at large. It would be easy to be nice and just share the technology I possess. Selling it to those who want it. Only for it to be used to repair Battlemechs, and Aerospace fighters, and Dropships….hell, I wouldn't be surprised if the House Lords have a Warship or two lying around just waiting for an army of techs with repair tools to go over them. Or worse, a ship yard that had been out of commission for who knows how long. Age of War, act two."

My words made the Precentor go pale at the thought, his mind going through the same images my own had. The idea of warships being repaired within a week, and then used. It would be a nightmare for the worlds who couldn't defend themselves. How many worlds would burn like Helm had because one guy with command got pissy at the resistance of his invasion?

I saw Nyung's troubled thoughts like they were visible to the naked eye, and I decided to calm him.

"It is fortunate that will never happen."

He paused and looked at me. "What do you mean?"

"If you recall what I said down in the garage to your technicians when they asked how the tool functioned, I had said, the nanomachines can only repair what they are programed to know."

I shook my head. "I have no plans to put warship data inside those tools. The only such tools with such data, are the ones for my military to repair my submarines, and those are not the same as the civilian ones. The one you had before, plus the new ones, are the military models, which only occurred since you have Battlemechs and because I know you wouldn't use those war machines as the other lords would."

That last part is bullshit, given all of their actions to keep things in the Sphere as they are, but he didn't need to know that.

Nyung smiled and nodded. "I and by extension the First Circuit are grateful to hear that."

I coked my head with a grin. "…You hadn't considered warships until I said it, did you?"

His smile became a little brittle, but he sighed and nodded. "Not until you said it. No."

"Well, rest assured, if Subnautica becomes a greater part of the universe, we have no intention of letting the Houses get their hands on our technology. Even if it would be a good thing to ease the needs of the people across the sphere with what we can accomplish, not doing that is ultimately the safer thing to do. In fact, and I know I keep saying it, but it is for The Greater Good to prevent this from occurring, lest mankind begins setting the flames of extinction up once more."

The words had the effect as Nyung sighed in deep relief.

"I am so glad you understand what it was I was asked to convey. It appears you already understood before we even had to ask."

I nodded. Of course Comstar doesn't want my technology to get out there. I agree with them on this, ironically, as we agree on many things in regards to the consequences. It's the other things they are doing I am opposed to.

That all said, I know what their game is now. They want me to keep it under wraps, but not going out into the Inner Sphere. I agree with this, save I will not be staying on this world indefinitely. I just have no intention of going into the Sphere. Not when there's so much free real estate into the periphery.

I sighed and put on my grim face. It wasn't hard to do when I felt another star fall. The forge reached out, and missed. I kept my expression the same despite the relief I actually felt.

"There is the issue of the Houses learning about it anyways."

Nyung had nodded, and appeared unconcerned. So, I was right. They were planning on keeping me under wraps and in their court until they could handle me somehow.

"Something the First Circuit was gravely concerned about. We foresee the most likely source of discovery from merchants in the Federated Suns. We can prevent your existence from getting off world via HPG, however…"

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

I shook my head. "They of course would hear about the Kingdom of Subnautica by word of mouth. You do realize that hiding us from sight is nearly impossible though?"

His face took on a different expression. He looked pained, but I can see frustration in his eyes. Like I was hitting something he knew would not go his way. Sorry my friend, but going back down into the water is no longer an option.

I took on a contemplative look.

"I do have a few ideas on how to handle that actually, plus one other thing."

Nyung sighed, before leaning back in his chair. "What did you have in mind?"

I held out m hand, with the index finger extended.

"The first is we just build a damn wall around the territory I claimed as my own. Perhaps the same for the Emeri Empire and the Fields Fiefdom."

Nyung blinked. "Fields Fiefdom?"

I looked at him. "Perhaps you are not aware. Carson emery, and Devlin Fields are childhood friends. So, Carson made him aware of our alliance, and wanted in on it. I met with the man to judge him, and found him to be sincere. So, our alliance is now us three."

Though he didn't really show it, this new came as an unpleasant surprise for the good Precentor.

"If I may ask, what is he receiving from this alliance? Or you for that matter?"

"For him, an upgrade, and uplift to his society. Schools, hospitals, roads, power, better housing, the works. No new military technology except a Subnautican mech exclusively for him, and repairing his military equipment."

He grimaced slightly, unable to keep it in.

"For me, I get access to his food exports, land for which my people can wander and live if they wish, and he is forced to obey my military doctrine."

Nyung blinked at that.

"Your doctrine?"

"To put it simply, we don't start fights, but we finish them. Otherwise, you do you, and I do me. Do not make me come over to you. We are not expansionist by military means, but I am open to allowing others to join the alliance, provided, and pardon my language, that you aren't a complete asshole."

Nyung nodded, as it was very basic, but spelled out how we operate.

"Getting back to the idea, we basically put a giant wall around our territories and only allow certain people in in certain areas for trade and the like. It's isolationist in my opinion, but it would keep out the people we don't want."

Nyung nodded. "There is merit to the idea."

I held out two fingers.

"Second, we, and I mean we as in my alliance members, myself, and you, expand the Alliance until the entire world is under it. This is done by pulling an Ian Cameron when he first made the Star League."

Nyung's eyes widened in shock at my audacity.

"That is very bold of you."

"The part where I have to play a typical Lord to keep the rest of the Inner Sphere safe, or the fact I am trying to convince you to join in on the conspiracy to make it happen?" I ask with a dry tone.

"Both, but mostly the second."

I shrugged. "Lord Ian Cameron convinced Captain-General Albert Marik to unify the Inner Sphere despite being in opposition to one another by sharing in the hobby of miniatures. I don't see why we cannot do so by our shared belief in the Greater Good of keeping humanity safe from itself."

He looked conflicted, until I said the thing, now he appears to be contemplating the idea more realistically.

I waved it off. "That is just my second idea. My third idea is…in my opinion, bolder but in a different way."

He shook himself out of his thoughts of a united Novo Franklin and looked to me. "How so?"

"We have advanced technology, yes…but you must remember we had to work to get to this point. Everything we had ever developed is still in our database. So, the Inner Sphere hears about some kingdom with advanced technology. When they come to check, they find a kingdom willing to sell things…that are only marginally better than what they already have. Maybe near equal to the Star League. The Magistracy of Canopus is considered the location to go for medical tourism. Why not this place for…tech tourism?

Nyung didn't like the idea, but at the same time, he was nodding.

"That could work, and if combined with the wall idea, you would have a measure of protection. Not to mention where your kingdom's true location is, but that would open the door for people to come invading as well."

I nodded. "That is the issue with it. Just as wars would erupt from the more hostile kingdoms with the second idea, and isolation would come from the first."

I shrugged. "I'm sorry friend, but we cannot just disappear beneath the waves again. It was going to happen sooner or later, might as well deal with it now."

Nyung rubbed his forehead in frustration, but he also nodded after a moment.

"There are times I wished you never appeared, but that bridge is gone now." He admitted, before realizing what he had said.

I smiled. "I knew it!" I point at him. He looked panicked until I laughed, and then he looked irritated before he started laughing a bit too. After it died off, I continued, showing four fingers.

I felt another star fall, and paused for a moment as if in deep thought, but actually in dread.

-Blessing of Dundr (The Banner Saga) (400CP)

You received the blessing of Dundr as he left the world, and received the boon of the god of smithing and knowledge. You gain godly talent in learning how to smith and can weave stories that capture and entertain people on equal footing of the greatest bards.

I blinked, and grinned a bit, before continuing.

"Lastly, we do all three ideas. We close off areas into zones, for protection and control. We bring the nations and concerns of this world under the umbrella of an alliance, which becomes the primary nation of this world, and when people come calling, they get only the stuff we give them and we keep all the cool toys for ourselves."

Nyung gives me a lidded look, and crosses his arms.

"This is getting above my paygrade now."

I could tell I was pushing it now, so I pulled my hand back and nodded.

"I understand. This is my most extreme of ideas. Though…I have a story to tell you if you would indulge me. It will illustrate my reasoning."

He raised an eyebrow and gestured for me to proceed.

Using all that I had, I began to weave a tale for him about an Earth leader of the past.

"In the heart of 19th-century Europe, Germany lay fragmented—a patchwork of kingdoms, duchies, and principalities, each with its own ruler, its own laws, and its own interests. Among them was Prussia, a kingdom determined to rise as the leading power, yet surrounded by the chaos of division. The man at the helm of this ambition was Otto von Bismarck, a man known for his sharp intellect and unwavering resolve."

"One crisp autumn day, Bismarck convened a secret meeting in his office, the air thick with tension. His closest advisors sat before him, their faces a mix of skepticism and curiosity. "Gentlemen," he began, "Germany stands at a precipice. Our disunity weakens us against external threats and internal strife. We must unite, not just for power, but for the very survival of our people."

"But the challenges were immense. The southern states were resistant, wary of Prussian dominance. The Austrians loomed nearby, eager to maintain their influence. Yet, Bismarck believed that with the right strategy, he could forge an empire out of the fractured lands."

"With a plan in mind, he initiated his first move by engineering a conflict with Austria. The Austrians had long been the dominant force in German affairs, and Bismarck recognized that they had to be sidelined. He whispered to the winds of war, fueling tensions over the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. As skirmishes erupted, he rallied the northern German states under the banner of Prussia, promising them strength and security."

"The war was swift, and within weeks, the Austrian forces were routed. The victory sent shockwaves through the German states, and in its wake, Bismarck established the North German Confederation. For the first time, many of these states were united under a single constitution, albeit with Prussia at the helm."

"Yet Bismarck knew that this was only the beginning. The southern states remained hesitant to join the Confederation. To sway them, he needed a common enemy—something to ignite their nationalism. He found it in France."

"The tension with France escalated, and Bismarck artfully crafted a diplomatic incident, provoking the French into declaring war. He positioned Prussia as the protector of the German people, calling upon the southern states to join the fight against a common foe. "This is our moment!" he proclaimed. "Stand with Prussia, and together we shall forge a new Germany!"

"As the war raged, the southern states rallied to the cause. The German people, who had long been divided, found common ground in their struggle against France. The heroic tales of battles fought and victories won echoed across the lands, binding the hearts of the people together."

"When the dust settled, the Franco-Prussian War ended in a decisive victory for the united German forces. The southern states, now fully invested in the unity forged through conflict, agreed to join the North German Confederation. On January 18, 1871, in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, Bismarck proclaimed the establishment of the German Empire, with the King of Prussia as its Emperor."

"However, the consequences of his actions were not lost on him. The new empire was born not just from unity, but from bloodshed and manipulation. The rivalries that had simmered for centuries would not simply vanish. France, humiliated, would seek vengeance. Internal dissent simmered among those who felt overshadowed by Prussia's dominance. Bismarck understood that while he had united Germany, he had also sown the seeds of future conflict."

"Reflecting on his journey, Bismarck sat alone in his study one evening, contemplating the path he had forged. He had achieved what many deemed impossible, yet the weight of his choices pressed heavily upon him. He had united a nation, yes, but at what cost? The greater good of a strong Germany came with the burden of leadership and the inevitable conflicts that would arise from the unification."

"In his heart, he knew that unity was essential, but it must be tempered with wisdom and diplomacy. As the Iron Chancellor, he resolved to navigate the turbulent waters of his newly formed empire, striving to maintain peace while preparing for the storms that lay ahead."

I finished my short story, and the Precentor listened intently.

I leaned forward as I finished, and presented my point.

"Just as Bismarck recognized the dangers of division in his time," I began, "I see the looming shadow of the Inner Sphere. While it isn't the solution we want to face, the forces of the Inner sphere are great enough to turn this world to fire, and take Subnautica's technology for its own. A united front would prevent this."

The Precentor's brow furrowed, skepticism clear in his eyes. "And why should Comstar support your vision? Our aim is to see peace maintained. Your idea here would bring war sooner than later."

I nodded, anticipating his reluctance. "I understand your concerns. But think of this: Bismarck united the German states to stand against Austria and France as they would make war sooner or later regardless. Similarly, unless Subnautica disappears entirely, the Inner sphere will come sooner or later regardless. We must come together to face the Inner Sphere. Alone, we will fall; together, we can leverage our unity against theirs."

I felt a star fall once more, only for it to miss.

"Consider this unity as a means to strengthen Comstar's position. If we create a formidable alliance, we can dictate the terms of our existence rather than being at the mercy of the Inner Sphere's ambitions."

I spoke, intentionally placing a sense of urgency in my voice. "Bismarck acted swiftly when the opportunity arose, and I must do the same. We cannot wait for the Inner Sphere to make their move. The longer we delay unification, the more vulnerable we become. This is not merely about my ambition; it's about ensuring that Comstar remains a key player in a changing landscape."

I paused, gauging Nyung's reaction. He had hesitancy in his eyes, but at the same time I could see the gears turning.

"In Bismarck's time, division led to weakness, and I fear the same fate if we remain complacent. The Inner Sphere is not a distant threat; it is a reality we must prepare for. But if we work together, Comstar can position itself as a leading voice in the alliance, rather than just another outsider faction vying for power."

That caught Nyungs attention. Yes, take the bait I set. It will give you access to the Alliance, and in turn, to us. Comstar would have something no other house would have, and I would have a path to turning your organization. I just needed to push it a bit more.

With conviction in my tone, I continued, "Bismarck envisioned a strong Germany not just for himself, but for future generations. I seek the same—an alliance that can stand against the forces of the Inner Sphere, ensuring not only our survival but also to show the power a people can have if they put aside the drive for power and seek unity for The Greater Good. Just as the Star League had."

That clinched it. Something in the Precentor shifted, and it was as if he saw another world. He was lost in it. It took a solid minute for the man to come out of it, staring me in the eyes.

"…This is crazy…but it just might work." Precentor Nyung stated.

I leaned back in the chair, clasping my hands on my chest.

"All things like this are, until they happen. Those who come after then decide whether it was or not."

Nyung rubbed his face.

"Alright. Maybe this is the only way, as much as I want to not believe it. This goes against everything I believe in. What Comstar stands for."

I pursed my lips. "Well, you can tell the First circuit of this idea, and see what they think about it. Depending on their answer, I might actually agree with them, like I did about keeping my technology out of the hands of the Great Houses."

Nyung thought about it before nodding. "That would be the best thing to do." He said with a small amount of relief in his tone.

I nodded back. "We'll see what happens." I said as I looked at the time.

"It appears I must get going. Think on what I have said."

With that, we exchanged goodbyes and I left for Subnautica.

I leaned back in my seat. I mor or less showed my current set of cards to Comstar now…but I think they will be receptive to it. The benefits of having access to the advanced technology would be enough to move them into action. Whether that works to my advantage or not…That's future me's problem.

===

Capital Habitat, Deep Kingdom of Subnautica, Leviathan's Trench

Novo Franklin, Periphery Space

January 15th, 2981 AD

I walked back into the Lab tiredly, but happy to be home. I paused as a Servo-bot appeared. It looked like a flying head, save that it had a featureless faceplate with multiple optics. The Servo-Bot was the new devices Ariel made once she realized flying skulls made people nervous.

"Welcome back!" Ariel's voice sounded from above me.

Glancing up, I saw the woman hanging from the ceiling by her mechadendrites, wearing Subnautican styled attire. It was an Admech styled robe, but all white and gold, and unlike before where she wore nothing underneath, she wore a diving suit suited for her. It really hid nothing, and more than a few male Biosynths stared at her form when she wasn't looking.

"Got new stuff."

In a flash she was down to the ground and in front of me.

"New abilities!? Share!" she squealed.

"I got another from Biomega where I can now decipher genetic work, and know about the immortality they had now. Plus…storytelling and godly smithing skills."

"ooooh"

I glanced over to Emma who was working on something, and our eyes mt. She smiled until she saw how close Ariel was to me, and jealousy took smile away.

"Well, let's have a small meeting. I need to tell you how it went at the HPG."

With them both there, I explained all the things I scanned. Emma was pleased and Ariel did a happy dance at having a new toy to play with. HPGs interested her greatly she wanted to crack that egg right open. Then I filled them in on Comstar's request, and my own thoughts, and my choice.

Emma wasn't too happy at being controlled in any manner, but agreed with Ariel when she pointed out that my agreeableness would buy time to work against them. Which was my plan in a nutshell.

Then I filled them in on my idea about uniting the world under Subnautica like the Star League of old, and how I used a story to convince the Precentor to at least consider it.

"Well, it's a start. I would prefer you just do like the Emperor and do things by force."

I shrugged. "It may very well come to that depending on how hostile some of the kingdoms are. If we get Comstar to back us, then our actions would have an air of legitimacy. Nothing gets people to think like realizing that the big shots think this guy is worth backing over you."

Looking at Ariel. "Besides, the Emperor didn't always do things by force. Mars exists afterall."

She snorted. "That was different. He needed us, and couldn't take us without destroying everything in the process. These people have nothing to offer you besides land."

I nodded. "Which is the start we need. While I have laid claim to the other continents already, they aren't aware of it, and I will use our technology, which allows them to live in these places, as a carrot to entice them. The stick comes from the dumbasses who fight me regardless."

From there, we began to plan out who we would approach based on the reports from the Abyssal's I had sent into the nations. Time is on our side, and we don't need Comstar, but if I want to win, I have to play the game.