Title: Revising Provision
Fandom: Magic Knight Rayearth
Rating: PG
Length: 1,100 words
Content notes: None
Author notes: Never-Ending Giant Robot Shenanigans~ With Eagle, randomly. Hi, Eagle, wasn't expecting you in this?
Summary: Clef was keeping quiet – and keeping his eyes on the men opposite, and away from Emeraude.

He knew better than to think he could keep his face clear of his worry if he looked at her now. It was… essential, for her plans, that those parts be made.


oOo

There was a rush on, now, to get the final real issues fixed and get solutions ready and working on the Mark Nines so they would be ready at the same time as the girls finished their training, so they could get onto active trials – so they could finish this. But that meant Clef had already been in three heated meetings this fortnight over the possibilities of reducing testing times. Currently, all mechanical and computing developments were put together, tested, and then put into place on Griffin and live-tested as a part of a working whole before they were accepted: at that point, they were re-manufactured again at the Mark Nine Scale, and set through another set of tests, before a final version was produced for each of the prototypes.

The argument was that time and resources could be saved by cutting out that re-manufacturing stage in the middle, and going straight from the testing with Griffin to testing on the prototypes. The Admiralty was pushing for speed, reluctant to hand over money, and there were those on the base who fully agreed with that plan. Who were starting to ask why, at this stage, they needed a full rebuild of each component after testing with Griffin.

Those arguments had been won, by Presea and her team of engineers, but the current meeting was different – because this was no internal meeting. Clef sat quietly next to Emeraude, watching the two men the Admiralty had sent to talk over the next year’s budgeting arrangements.

“There is a significant difference in scale.” Presea was saying, nearly hitting the table in her earnestness. Clef was keeping quiet – and keeping his eyes on the men opposite, and away from Emeraude.

He knew better than to think he could keep his face clear of his worry if he looked at her now. It was… essential, for her plans, that those parts be made.

The quieter, smaller of the two men spoke up, when Presea was done. “And do you agree with this, Director-General?” He asked her, directly.

They had heard about Eagle Vision’s rise through the Admiralty even here, from the distance of the Research Base which had set its own course after Eleru and ignored most of the rest of the world ever since.

Emeraude smiled, a polite match to the one on Vision’s face. “These are my people. My experts. If I did not trust them, and their analysis of our needs, this meeting would never have happened. I support them absolutely in this. Nor do I understand why our budget is being reassessed right now – there is no overall review being carried out, no audit. None of my colleagues at other bases have come under this scrutiny… and it comes just as we are moving into the final stage of our project. This meeting is using our time, and yours, slowing down our progress and threatening to cut our resources.”

Eagle raised an eyebrow at her, sitting back – his companion, Geo Metro, spluttered, eyes wide. Emeraude just kept on talking.

“Unless and until the Admiralty compensates any lack of funds by, for example, manufacturing and supplying us with at the very least all the standard parts we require instead of demanding complete manufacturing on-site, we will not be changing our processes. We require that funding. If it is cut… well, we shall have to reassess our timescales for this project, and I have no doubts that they will be significantly delayed. Which means the Admiralty’s current plans to refurbish several of the northern pacific bases when we move into active testing and can take part in defence of this region will also have to be delayed.”

“You can’t-“ Metro started, visibly flustered and checking himself with a glance at Vision. “Those timescales were agreed with the Admiralty, Director, and it is this base’s responsibility to-“

“Ensure that we meet them, yes. And it is the responsibility of the Admiralty to provide the resources those timescales and that plan were based on. If those resources are withdrawn, then obviously the whole must be reassessed.”

“Well-“

“If that is the case, and the Admiralty takes that decision, then of course I and my officers will clear our schedules to be available to meet and develop a new joint plan.”

Metro blinked, wordless, and looked at Vision… whose smile had not wavered. “I see, Director Emeraude. I am certain that the Admiralty will understand your point, as you have put it so… clearly.”

“Are we finished here, then? Or was there anything else you needed to discuss?” Clef asked, trying not to look too relieved, gathering up the datapad and the print-outs he’d brought with him.

“No, I believe our business is concluded.” Vision stood, nodding to them both. “Though, if I might ask a favour, I would very much like to see the prototypes before we leave?”

Clef looked to Emeraude. There was still no warmth in her smile. It was a reasonable enough request – in fact, to come all the way here and not see the Mark Nines would be decidedly strange. But at the same time…

“I am afraid I have a training session with our pilot candidates scheduled, but if Clef is free to take you down to the hangers, I’m sure a quick tour is not out of the question.”

“Presea and I have a meeting to get to myself, I’m afraid, but I should be able to hand you over to Ferio, one of our chief mechanics, and I’m sure he’ll take you around.” Clef said, a little too quickly. He couldn’t help not trusting Vision. And he didn’t trust himself not to give something away, by accident. This man was too sharp.

He took them down to the hanger by the shortest route he knew, keeping to the polite small talk, but hesitated with his hand on the final door. “Before – I hand you over. May I ask you one thing?”

“Ask away.” Vision said, with that fraction-too-bright smile.

Clef noted the lack of a promise to answer. He asked anyway. “…Lantis. Is he well?”

The smile faded. “He is. With a few bruises from his last fight, but he always tells me it’s a Pilot’s natural state to be bruised.”

“I’m glad. We’re glad. If you would – tell him that, from us. And tell him good luck.”

“A Pilot needs luck as much as they do a Mech.” Vision murmured, and nodded. “I’ll tell him.”

“Thank you. Now – here. Let me take you through to see what we need all those resources to work on.” Clef said, and pushed the button to open the hanger door.

"Now that is a sight." Metro said, low, as the Mark Nines were revealed.

Clef waved Ferio over, and slipped out again.

oOo