**London, July 1815**
Edward Langley, reincarnated as Crown Prince Edward, raced through the fog-draped outskirts of London, the *Empire Building System* blaring in his mind: *Sabotage Escalation! Coal Train Derailed. Robert Stephenson's Status: Unknown. Railway Progress: Halted. Assassination Risk: 30%! Objective: Resolve Train Crisis. Reward: +10% Global Influence, +5 Legacy Points.* The *Strategic Nexus* mapped the derailment site: *Location: 5 Miles North, Greenwich Line. Saboteurs: French-Affiliated, 3–5 Operatives. Marines: 20 En Route, ETA 10 Minutes.* Edward's 34 Legacy Points (with a 14-point debt due in 23 days) were his lifeline, but the crisis threatened his steamship *Ascendancy of the Seas* and Princess Isabella's trust.
Admiral George Cockburn, his firebrand presence unwavering, rode beside Edward, leading a squad of marines. The system's *Crisis Forge* pulsed: *"Resolve Derailment Decisively. Reward: +10% Economic Stability, +3 Legacy Points. Risk: -15% Railway Progress if Unresolved."* The *Ascendancy*'s unveiling was 12 days away, its prototype at 80% completion. Isabella's trust (82%) and Don Alvarez's doubts (40%) hung on Edward's success. The French, led by Comte de Rochefort and funded by Lord Ashford, aimed to cripple his infrastructure.
The system's *Tactical Simulation* ran: *"Engagement Success: 82% with Marine Support. Saboteur Capture Chance: 70%."* Edward gripped his sword, the *Tactical Overdrive* tempting at 2 Legacy Points, but he held off, saving for a critical moment. "Cockburn," he said, "fan out—trap the saboteurs. Protect Stephenson at all costs."
Cockburn nodded, his voice a growl. "We'll crush them, Your Highness."
They reached the derailment—a coal train sprawled like a wounded beast, its cars twisted off the tracks, coal scattered across the grass. Smoke curled from a burning carriage, and Robert Stephenson, the young engineer, lay slumped against a wheel, blood staining his coat. The system flagged: *"Stephenson's Status: Injured, Stable. Trait: Innovator Intact."* Two French saboteurs, cloaked and armed, fled toward a nearby wood, while a third planted another explosive.
Edward activated *Shadow Protocol* (2 Legacy Points), its stealth mode cloaking his movements. *Legacy Points: 32. Debt: 16.* He sprinted toward the explosive, the system's *Chrono-Tech Codex* analyzing: *"Explosive Type: Gunpowder-Based. Disarm Chance: 88%."* Guided by his mechanical studies, Edward snipped the fuse, the device hissing silent. *"Explosive Neutralized. Detonation Risk: 0%."*
Cockburn's marines engaged the fleeing saboteurs, musket fire cracking the night. The system's *Eavesdrop Mode* caught a saboteur's shout: "Rochefort's orders—stop the rails!" Edward tackled the third saboteur, disarming him with a wrench from the train. The system updated: *"Saboteurs Neutralized: 2 Captured, 1 Escaped. Railway Damage: 10%. Reward: +10% Global Influence, +5 Legacy Points. Total: 37 Points. Crisis Forge: +10% Economic Stability. Total: 94%. +3 Legacy Points. Total: 40."*
Edward knelt beside Stephenson, whose eyes fluttered open. "Your Highness… the tracks… can be fixed. Don't let them stop you."
The system's *Resource Nexus* calculated: *"Railway Repair: 50 Tons Iron, 20 Workers, 5 Days."* Edward gripped Stephenson's hand. "You'll rebuild, Robert. Rest now." He ordered marines to escort Stephenson to a surgeon, the system noting: *"Stephenson Recovery: 80% Chance in 7 Days."*
Cockburn approached, dragging a captured saboteur. "This one's singing, Your Highness. Rochefort's planning a final strike at the unveiling—snipers, bombs, a full assault. Ashford's estate sent gold."
The system's *Legacy Matrix* flared: *"Rochefort's Attack Plan: 75% Likelihood. French Interference: 60%. Ashford Threat: Escalating."* Edward's blood chilled. "Interrogate him, Admiral. I want Rochefort's location."
---
The next morning, Edward briefed the Privy Council in Buckingham House, leveraging his 95% *Court Influence*. Lord Castlereagh, his loyalty wavering at 60%, raised a brow. "Your Highness, the derailment fuels doubts. Spain's envoy wavers, and France grows bold. Can your steamship deliver?"
The system's *Rally Cry* beckoned (2 Legacy Points), but Edward relied on proof. "The *Ascendancy* will sail, and Spain will join us. The French attacks prove their desperation. I've ordered marines to secure the shipyard and railways. Castlereagh, draft a warning to France—expose their spies."
Castlereagh nodded, but the system warned: *"Leak Risk: 25%."* Edward tasked Thomas Harrow, his loyal aide, to shadow him. The council dispersed, the system rewarding: *"+5% Global Influence. Total: 31%."*
---
That afternoon, Edward met Princess Isabella in the palace's conservatory, glass walls framing exotic plants. The system's *Dynasty Forge* urged: *"Deepen Legacy Bonding. Action: Share Personal Challenge. Reward: +10% Isabella's Trust, +3 Legacy Points."* Her trust was at 82%, compatibility at 88%. Don Alvarez's trust lingered at 40%, swayed by French whispers. Edward needed Isabella's unwavering support.
Isabella, in a sapphire gown, her dark hair braided, studied him. "Edward, your shipyard burns, your trains derail. Yet you stand unshaken. What drives you?"
The system's *Legacy Bonding* guided his vulnerability. "I'm not just a prince, Isabella. I'm a man who sees a world divided and wants to unite it. But every step—fires, assassins—tests me. I need you, not just for Spain, but to believe in this dream."
Her eyes softened, her hand brushing his. "You bare your soul, risking rejection. My father would never. I'll stand by you at the unveiling, Edward, but Alvarez fears France. Convince him, or he'll sway Spain against you."
The system pinged: *"Isabella's Trust: 92%. Alliance Chance: +10%. Legacy Points: +3. Total: 43."* Edward's heart surged, her touch lingering. "I'll show him the *Ascendancy*'s power. Will you join me at the shipyard tomorrow? Let him see our future."
She smiled, radiant. "I will. Don't fail me, Edward."
---
At the shipyard, Edward met James Watt, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and Margaret Hetherington, the *Ascendancy*'s engine roaring. The system's *Chrono-Tech Codex* reported: *Steam Engine Unlock: 95%. Prototype Progress: 85%. Test Sail: Ready in 8 Days.* Watt, his knighthood fueling pride, said, "The engine's perfect, Your Highness. She'll make 18 knots."
Brunel, sketching, added, "The hull's ready for sea. We need a public test to silence Alvarez."
Margaret, her face grim, reported, "Coal's secure, but Rochefort's spies are circling. I caught one near the docks."
The system's *Resource Nexus* confirmed: *"Coal: 100%. Security: 90%."* Edward ordered, "Triple the guards. Brunel, Watt, prepare for a test sail. Margaret, oversee supplies."
A courier brought news: Stephenson's crew had repaired the railway tracks, but his recovery lagged. *"Stephenson's Status: 60% Recovery. Railway Progress: Restored, 30% Complete."* Edward sent funds, the system noting: *"Railway Blueprint: +10%. Total: 35%."*
Cockburn arrived, his face taut. "The saboteur named Rochefort's hideout—an embassy annex. We can raid it, but it risks war with France."
The system's *Tactical Simulation* offered: *"Raid Success: 70%. Risk: -15% Global Influence, War Escalation."* Edward chose caution. "Watch the annex, Admiral. We'll trap Rochefort at the unveiling."
---
The next day, Edward escorted Isabella and Don Alvarez to the shipyard, the *Ascendancy* a marvel of iron and steam. The system's *Strategic Nexus* tracked: *Alvarez's Trust: 40%. Spanish Alliance Chance: 85%.* Isabella, awed, whispered, "It's a wonder, Edward." Alvarez, skeptical, said, "Impressive, but France claims your empire frays. Prove this ship's might."
Edward activated *Influence Pulse* (1 Legacy Point), his voice booming. "This ship will sail to Cádiz, securing your colonies. Join us, Alvarez, or watch Spain fade." The system updated: *"Alvarez's Trust: 50%. Legacy Points: 42."*
As they inspected the engine, a young girl—12, with piercing eyes—slipped through the crowd, escorted by a governess. The system flagged: *"Princess Alexandrina Victoria, Heir Presumptive. Trait: Resolute (+10% Court Stability in Future)."* Young Queen Victoria, not yet crowned, curtsied. "Cousin Edward, your ship is splendid. May I see it sail?"
Edward smiled, the system noting: *"Victoria's Trust: 70%. Future Ally Potential: High."* "You will, Princess. Join us at the unveiling." The system pinged: *"Court Influence: +5%. Total: 100%."*
As Victoria left, a marine rushed up, panting. "Your Highness, Rochefort's men attacked the coal depot! Explosives ignited—half our stock's gone!"
The system screamed: *"New Threat: Coal Crisis! Prototype Progress: Halted at 85%. Unveiling Risk: 40%! Assassination Risk: 35%!"* Edward gripped his sword, Isabella's gaze steady, Alvarez's wavering. The *Crisis Forge* roared: *"Resolve Coal Crisis. Reward: +15% Global Influence, +5 Legacy Points. Risk: -20% Spanish Trust."*
Edward turned to Cockburn. "Secure the depot! Find Rochefort!" The system blared: *"Legacy Points: 42. Debt: 16. The Eternal Crown Burns!