I'm just now getting the opportunity to sit down and read this, I love the distinction of Vrtra making himself useful and his skinsuit being a grown ass man this time. Also the insistence upon maintaining monarchy or imperial claim of certain lands instead of yet another United States of Alphinaud and the empire being completely destabilized at risk of throwing its annexed territories into economic uncertainty. While I don't find myself thinking this is exactly what I would like to see, it's interesting nonetheless.