**London, July 1815**
Edward Langley, reincarnated as Crown Prince Edward, sprinted across the Southwark shipyard, the *Empire Building System* screaming in his mind: *Sabotage Initiated! Explosives Planted on Ascendancy of the Seas. Detonation Risk: 60%! Objective: Neutralize Explosives. Reward: +15% Court Influence, +5 Legacy Points.* The *Strategic Nexus* mapped the chaos: *Steamship Prototype: 75% Complete. Guards: 15 On-Site. Saboteur: Unknown, French-Affiliated. Assassination Risk: 25%.* The stabbed worker's blood stained the ground, a French-coded note clutched in his hand, pointing to Comte de Rochefort's plot. Edward's 24 Legacy Points (with a 12-point debt due in 24 days) were his edge, but the ticking explosives demanded precision.
Admiral George Cockburn, his firebrand presence a beacon, rallied guards beside the steamship's iron hull, its scorched frame glowing under torchlight. The system's *Crisis Forge* pulsed: *"Resolve Sabotage Decisively. Reward: +10% Economic Stability, +3 Legacy Points. Risk: -20% Prototype Progress if Explosives Detonate."* Edward's heart pounded—failure would ruin the unveiling, lose Princess Isabella's trust, and embolden Lord Ashford's French allies.
"Cockburn!" Edward shouted, dodging workers hauling water. "Search the engine compartment—bombs are likely there! I'll check the hull!"
Cockburn nodded, barking orders. The system's *Tactical Simulation* ran: *"Neutralization Success: 80% with Team Coordination."* Edward activated *Tactical Overdrive* (2 Legacy Points), his senses sharpening as time slowed, revealing a faint ticking from the hull's base. *Legacy Points: 22. Debt: 14.* He scrambled beneath the ship, the system's *Shadow Protocol* tempting but on cooldown. A small, black device—brass gears and gunpowder—ticked ominously, wired to the iron plating.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel, his face smudged, joined him. "Your Highness, that's a timed explosive—French design. We've got minutes, maybe less."
The system's *Chrono-Tech Codex* analyzed: *"Explosive Type: Gunpowder-Based. Disarm Chance: 85% with Engineering Knowledge."* Edward, his nights studying mechanics paying off, traced the wires. "Brunel, hold the casing. I'll cut the trigger."
As Brunel steadied the device, Margaret Hetherington arrived, her voice sharp. "Another bomb's in the engine room—Watt's working on it!" The system updated: *"Second Explosive Detected. Detonation Risk: 65%."* Edward's hands moved, guided by *Tactical Overdrive*, snipping a wire. The ticking stopped. *"Hull Bomb Neutralized. Detonation Risk: 40%."*
Cockburn's shout echoed: "Engine bomb found! Watt's got it!" James Watt, the grizzled engineer, disarmed the second device with steady hands, his expertise shining. The system pinged: *"Sabotage Thwarted. Prototype Progress: 78%. Reward: +15% Court Influence, +5 Legacy Points. Total: 27 Points. Crisis Forge: +10% Economic Stability. Total: 84%. +3 Legacy Points. Total: 30."*
Edward exhaled, sweat beading his brow. The *Ascendancy* was safe, but the system's *Legacy Matrix* warned: *"French Interference: 55%. Rochefort's Network: Active. Assassination Risk: 20%."* The stabbed worker, now bandaged, whispered, "The note… Rochefort's orders… more men coming."
Edward seized the note, the system's *Eavesdrop Mode* decoding: *"Rochefort's Plan: Disrupt Unveiling with Coordinated Attack. Ashford's Funding Confirmed."* He turned to Cockburn. "Admiral, lock down the shipyard. No one in or out without my approval. Find Rochefort—he's in London."
Cockburn saluted. "I'll tear the city apart, Your Highness."
---
The next morning, Edward prepared for a private meeting with Princess Isabella, the system's *Dynasty Forge* urging: *"Deepen Legacy Bonding. Action: Share Strategic Vision. Reward: +10% Isabella's Trust, +3 Legacy Points."* Her trust was at 70%, compatibility at 87%, but Don Alvarez's doubts (25%) threatened the alliance. The unveiling, now two weeks away, was Edward's chance to prove Britain's strength. The *Strategic Nexus* showed: *Court Influence: 95%, Global Influence: 26%, Spanish Alliance Chance: 75%.*
In the palace's map room, Edward greeted Isabella, her emerald gown catching the light. He spread a chart of the Atlantic, marked with steamship routes linking Spain's colonies to Britain. "Princess," he said, his voice warm, "this is our future—your ports, our ships, binding the world. The *Ascendancy* will sail, and you'll see it."
Isabella's eyes, sharp yet softening, traced the chart. "You defy assassins and bombs, Edward. But my envoy, Alvarez, fears your ambition. He met with a French diplomat—Rochefort, I believe. Why should I trust you over them?"
The system's *Legacy Matrix* flared: *"Alvarez's French Collusion: 35%."* Edward's modern heart urged honesty. "Because France wants Spain weak, a pawn in their game. I want you as a partner, Isabella. Your voice will shape this empire. Stand with me at the unveiling, and we'll prove them wrong."
Her fan paused, a smile breaking through. "You're reckless, but… compelling. I'll be there, but Alvarez needs convincing. Show him your ship, and Spain may follow."
The system pinged: *"Isabella's Trust: 80%. Alliance Chance: +10%. Legacy Points: +3. Total: 33."* Edward's pulse quickened, her trust a spark beyond duty. He offered his arm. "Walk with me tomorrow—see the shipyard. Let Alvarez witness our strength."
She accepted, her touch light but electric. *"Compatibility: 88%."*
---
At the shipyard, Edward met James Watt, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and Margaret Hetherington, the *Ascendancy*'s engine purring. The system's *Chrono-Tech Codex* reported: *Steam Engine Unlock: 90%. Prototype Progress: 80%. Test Sail: Viable in 10 Days.* Watt, his knighthood fueling his drive, said, "The engine's ready, Your Highness. She'll outrun any ship in the navy."
Brunel, sketching, added, "The hull's reinforced. We'll need a public test to silence doubters."
Margaret nodded. "Coal's secure, thanks to Stephenson's logistics. He's a godsend."
Robert Stephenson, the young engineer, arrived, his eyes alight. The system flagged: *"Trait: Innovator. Role: Railway Lead. Railway Blueprint: 25% Unlocked."* Stephenson reported, "Coal trains are running, Your Highness. I can link London to Portsmouth in months, speeding your navy's supplies."
Edward clapped his shoulder. "Build it, Robert. You'll bind our empire." The system updated: *"Railway Progress: +10%. Legacy Points: +2. Total: 35."*
Cockburn joined, his face grim. "Rochefort's gone to ground, but we found his safehouse. Papers show a plan to attack the unveiling—explosives, snipers, chaos. Ashford's estate sent funds."
The system's *Legacy Matrix* warned: *"Rochefort's Attack Plan: 70% Likelihood. Assassination Risk: 25%."* The *Tactical Simulation* offered: *"Preemptive Strike on Rochefort: Success Chance 75%. Risk: -10% Global Influence."* Edward shook his head. "We fortify the unveiling. Cockburn, deploy marines. Stephenson, secure the coal trains. Brunel, Watt, Margaret—get *Ascendancy* seaworthy."
The system's *Crisis Forge* pinged: *"Public Unveiling: Success Reward: +15% Global Influence, +5 Legacy Points. Failure Risk: -20% Spanish Trust."*
---
The next day, Edward escorted Isabella and Don Alvarez to the shipyard, the system's *Strategic Nexus* tracking: *Alvarez's Trust: 30%. Spanish Alliance Chance: 80%.* The *Ascendancy* gleamed, its iron hull a marvel. Isabella's eyes widened, but Alvarez's remained cold. "Impressive, Your Highness," he said, "but fires and assassins suggest weakness. France offers stability."
Edward activated *Influence Pulse* (1 Legacy Point), his voice resonating. "France offers chains, Don Alvarez. This ship will sail to Cádiz, securing your colonies. Stand with us, and Spain shares the glory." The system updated: *"Alvarez's Trust: 40%. Legacy Points: 34."*
Isabella whispered, "He's wavering, Edward. Show him the ship's power." The system's *Legacy Bonding* ticked: *"Isabella's Trust: 82%."*
As they toured, a worker rushed up, panicked. "Your Highness, a coal train's been derailed—French saboteurs! Stephenson's hurt!"
The system screamed: *"New Threat: Sabotage Escalation. Stephenson's Status: Unknown. Railway Progress: Halted. Assassination Risk: 30%!"* Edward's blood ran cold. Rochefort was striking early, targeting his infrastructure. He turned to Cockburn. "Send marines to the derailment. Protect Stephenson!"
The system's *Crisis Forge* flared: *"Resolve Train Crisis. Reward: +10% Global Influence, +5 Legacy Points. Risk: -15% Economic Stability."* Edward gripped his sword, Isabella's gaze steady on him. The *Strategic Nexus* roared: *"Legacy Points: 34. Debt: 14. The Eternal Crown Faces Ruin!"*
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