Chapter 6 (1/2)
第三章「赤い幻影を追って」2
CHAPTER.03 – IN PURSUIT OF A RED PHANTOM (2)
Some time earlier at the residence of the Federation Prime Minister on Earth.
A limousine departed silently, and in the back sat a stern-faced, middle-aged man surrounded by smoke. The vehicle glided down a gentle slope and onto a main road, lined with lush trees. As the car switched into cruise mode, the man pulled a bottle of mineral water from a cooler and drank it dry.
“…”
He took a deep breath, and the man to his side, who appeared to be a secretary, quietly began to speak.
“How did it go, Engeist?”
Engeist Ronah, the oldest son of the Ronah family, gave a short reply.
“It’s done.”
“Meaning?”
“I’ll report to father. After that, Meitzer and father will probably take care of the rest.”
“Understood.”
Staring out at the view beyond the window, Engeist sunk into his seat and muttered to himself.
“Looks like it’s time for Birnam Wood to make a move…”
× × ×
Despite the grandeur of the Ronah main residence, it sat in complete silence. The Ronahs were a well-known n.o.ble family that had once flourished in Europe, but the current family head, Scharnhorst Ronah, did not carry the Ronah blood. His career began in a small junkyard. Showing a rare talent for business from a young age, he developed the company to become the Buch Concern, an enterprise that is active in places across the Earth Sphere in just one generation. He had bought the name “Ronah,” as a t.i.tle befitting his status. In a back room, used primarily for personal business, Scharnhorst Ronah was listening to his son’s report.
“We just finished our private meeting. It’s been settled.”
Engeist’s deep voice rang through the room. The thick, soundproof walls made sure there was no chance of being overheard, even by their servants.
“A psycho frame recovery mission is being conducted for certain. There’s a high possibility that there are still research materials in the facility.”
“I see. Well done.”
Sinking into the sofa, Scharnhorst no longer showed the generosity of the man who had once been known as a monster of the financial world. But set deeply under his wrinkled brow were eyes that shone with the same sharpness and insight.
“After the First Neo Zeon War, the Federation confiscated Axis from Haman Karn and quickly handed it over to Char. There’s no way they could’ve examined that entire fortress in such a short time. A mistake on their part…”
“Yes.”
Engeist consented to the raspy but heavy voice of his father.
“The recovery mission is proof of their insecurity. The goverment, the military. They’re all scared witless. Scared that there’s something unknown out there…”
“Indeed. And thanks to them, we can make our move.”
Scharnhorst raised one eyebrow and let out a cunning laugh.
“We know what to do now. I’ll take care of the rest. You stay out of it from here on.”
“Understood.”
“We need you alive, in case something happens to Meitzer and I. If you can remain ignorant, you won’t likely be prosecuted. As long as the Ronah bloodline continues, there will always be more opportunities.”
“Understood, father.”
As his son bowed deeply, Scharnhorst softened his voice.
“By the way, how’s the construction of the new Side coming?”
“A name was decided on two days ago.”
“Hmph. Even after all this time, we’ve only got a name. So, what is it?”
“The Frontier Side.”
“Oh… Frontier, huh?”
Scharnhorst smiled cynically. Not fully understanding the meaning behind that smile, Engeist continued.
“However, it will still take some time before we can begin the actual construction.”
“I imagine it will. The Federation has grown too large. Everything takes too long, creating more problems.”
“Yes, Father…”
“A model example of letting the foolish ma.s.ses rule…”