Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Parsely]

PTW

[Knave]

Commandant,

Apologies in the delay since my last correspondence. Admittedly I was unable to solve the complex math equation you posed by myself. Numbers were never my strong suit; after spending several hours wrestling with formulas I sent the problem along to my colleague, Under Secretary Bolichev of the Committee of Advanced Mathematics. It took some time for his department to solve the question posed, but is reasonably certain that something along the these lines should produce the trucks needed:

This is assuming that all crews are equally productive, as all the proletariat of the SRK should be.
If 20 workers produce a truck in 4 days
Then 80 workers would produce 4 trucks in 4 days
And 320 workers would produce 16 trucks in 4 days (Which Under Secretary Bolichev assure me is quite similar to 4 trucks a day.)

The potato shortage poses another problem as that would be a x16 fold increase in the potato shipments! I can't even imagine what a mountain of potatoes that high might look like. Perhaps adding cabbages or beets might help make up for the short fall? But I must admit this whole thought exercise is somewhat outside my committee's scope unfortunately. Perhaps someone from the ministry of potatoes agriculture could assist in rousing a large batch of tubers?

Best,
V. Knavikov,
Committee for Industrial Efficiency, and Waste Reduction

[Mullet Master]

16 Nov 1959

Spoiler: Dearest papa-commandant, (click to show/hide)

I am loving it at Stalag 10! I've never seen a place with such high walls. I especially love [CENSORED BY THE MINISTRYh OF MORALE DUE TO SEDITIOUS CONTENT] but the [CENSORED BY THE MINISTRY OF MORALITY DUE TO EXTREME CONTENT] is extremely distracting.

Wilhelm Laster is such a gentleman. He loves my coffee and my typing skills. I do wonder why he's always dragging people into rooms and walking out alone covered in ketchup. I suppose he has lots of dinners with people who like wearing black bags on their eads, eating messily, and screaming "I don't know anything, I have children, please"?

Anyway, I was considering something I saw in the paper. Some workers in the Vekka district were arrested during an inspection.  They claimed they were making over a hundred thousand liters of cooking oil a day when in fact they had only ever manufactured one vat of the stuff - they simply filled whatever vat the inspector was inspecting and drained it when he moved onto another vat.

What utter traitors to the nation! Coming up with such a brilliant deception that didn't really harm anyone. Surely you'd never do something like that by, say, going over the Arstotskan border, stealing trucks, replacing the license plates, and pretending they've been manufactured at the plant! I mean, you could, since I have a valid passport and lots of spare time. And it would save you lots of hassle and give you some breathing room if you could get the inspectors off your case so you can focus on making trucks instead of battling with bureaucracy. But you wouldn't do that. Definitely not.

Speaking of, it's been a while since I've had a vacation. Thinking about it, I'd love to go to Arstotska - I hear Paradizna is lovely this time of year.

And has lots of unguarded trucks.
Love,
Anya xxxxxxx

P.S. The coffee machine is fine and definitely not to be investigated as it isn't an evil altar to a dark god. I'm okay and not having another nervous breakdown.

Dearest Anya,

I am glad you have found fulfillment in service of our republic. It appears our benevolent [CENSORED BY THE MINISTRY] of the Republic has left such an impression on you. I was told as a precondition of employment that you would only be around clerical [CENSORED] and possibly [CENSORED] rather than witness to the [CENSORED].

Of course I have heard about the Vekka district. No doubt some of those responsible for such a shame on the industrialization initiatives may find themselves on the lowest of civil duty now, regardless of their original stature. We shall not replicate such a feat at our factory.

By the way, did you hear? The Vekka district has ordered 100 trucks to be painted in orange. Can you believe that? What absurd purpose do they have for orange trucks? Anyway, send greetings to Wilhelm for me.

Commandant

Spoiler: OOC (click to show/hide)

I'm supposing it's okay to talk to other players in-character?

This is really neat, by the way.

You may communicate with other players as much as you want. Please respect if others don't want to freeform RP, and try to keep to the same general format (letters). If you need another thread for IC conversations let me know and I'll make one. Think of this game as how a historian would research historic events - they'd read a bunch of correspondence, not all are going to be 100% relevant to their central topic.

Commandant,

Apologies in the delay since my last correspondence. Admittedly I was unable to solve the complex math equation you posed by myself. Numbers were never my strong suit; after spending several hours wrestling with formulas I sent the problem along to my colleague, Under Secretary Bolichev of the Committee of Advanced Mathematics. It took some time for his department to solve the question posed, but is reasonably certain that something along the these lines should produce the trucks needed:

This is assuming that all crews are equally productive, as all the proletariat of the SRK should be.
If 20 workers produce a truck in 4 days
Then 80 workers would produce 4 trucks in 4 days
And 320 workers would produce 16 trucks in 4 days (Which Under Secretary Bolichev assure me is quite similar to 4 trucks a day.)

The potato shortage poses another problem as that would be a x16 fold increase in the potato shipments! I can't even imagine what a mountain of potatoes that high might look like. Perhaps adding cabbages or beets might help make up for the short fall? But I must admit this whole thought exercise is somewhat outside my committee's scope unfortunately. Perhaps someone from the ministry of potatoes agriculture could assist in rousing a large batch of tubers?

Best,
V. Knavikov,
Committee for Industrial Efficiency, and Waste Reduction

Prof. Knavikov

Thank you for your esteemed contribution to our industrialization efforts. I have notified the local labor board and as of now, the requested number of men and corresponding machines are being requisitioned. I expect the new production lines to be fully staffed and operational by 16 Dec. As of now supplies are being brought out of the old state war factories for our new progress.

I will contact the Bureau of Agricultural Product Distribution and see if we can address the food problems before arrival of the men. We don't want another [CENSORED] happening this winter too.

Commandant

Commandant

Excellent news; I await your report on the performance of the new system with high hopes.
I would, however, provide a word of caution against various peoples' advice to switch the projects of your engineering teams - partly due to the inherent wasted potential of having experienced vehicle designers working on manufacturing equipment (and vice-versa), and partly as I fear a change of personnel mid-project may result in lost time. Perhaps discussions with chief engineer Milomir would be illuminating on whether such a change is advisable?

Yours,
T. Oppat,
Production Advisor to the Commandant

P.S. Please ignore the blotted sections of this letter. I am afraid that by the time I finished writing much of the advice contained within was no longer relevent.

Messr. Oppat.

Your fears were not unfounded. The vehicle design engineers only seem to excel at designing individual parts, without a thought as to how they should fit together. I express my frustration but I have to let them reorganize into a better logical unit. I have positive news today, we are going to increase our capacity to 16 frames being built simultaneously to meet our production goals. 320 workmen! Can you imagine the parade we will have this year? I will give a report out at month-end, as customary.

I will pass to you a note I am sending to the Bureau of Agricultural Product Distribution. Perhaps you can read over it too.

Commandant




17 Nov 1959

To the Bureau of Agricultural Product Distribution

I am the commandant of the K-101 Truck facility in Kodastochey.
We have a large expansion of labor coming up in the next month, so we must requisition shipments of :
1800 kg potatoes, white, packaged in crates.
200 kg buckwheat, in burlap sacks
10 kg salt

Please confirm what you are to provide by 1 Dec.

Commandant

[piratejoe]

Commandant,

I have received information that you're daughter has made multiple letters that are most unsatisfactory and imply possible treason,if this continues she will be investigated and sent for re education and you being her father will be investigated as well. Make sure this doesn't happen again as i am sure you are a loyal citizen of the Socialist Republic of Kodaslozhia and hate traitors as much as everyone else.

Sincerely,
V. Marynovka,
Ministry of Loyalty

[Kashyyk]

Commandant

Long time no speak comrade. I am glad to hear that you have made such an improvement to production in so short a time. It may yet be necessary to expand your staff further,  in the support division. Cooks, cleaners, clerks and the like. This will allow you to more easily manage the installation without being bogged down in minutae.

Regards
K. Ashyyk
Board of Industry

---

Commandant

Greetings comrade. As you well know, distribution of foodstuffs is highly regulated by board. As such you will be assigned the following:
1000kg Potatoes, white. Crates
400kg Cabbage. Burlap sacks
400kg Turnips. Burlap sacks
200kg buckwheat. Burlap sacks
10kg salt. Tin box

I trust this will meet requirements.

U. Astov
Board of Agriculture

[TopHat]

Spoiler: to the Commandant (click to show/hide)

Commandant

I am writing with a few words of caution and advice regarding the impending expansion of production capacity.
Firstly, are the incoming workers trained in the production techniques they will be applying here? If not, it may be advantageous to expand the workforce piecemeal, to prevent the possibility of workers doing nothing but consume valuable potatoes in their initial days or weeks here.
In any case, it is advisable that you split up the current workers so each work team contains one, that they may help supervise the new arrivals.
My second comment is with the incoming machinery. Mere duplication of existing machinery is inadvisable, as some pieces may not currently be working at full capacity (such as the stamping press), so additional units may not be required.
You may also wish to examine the schedule of operations - it may be possible to enable increased output by running a second shift at night when the machinery would otherwise be standing idle, thus freeing up more machinery for other patriotic works within the SRK. The workers assigned to the night shift may grumble about the antisocial hours but like the true patriots I am sure they are, they should soldier on regardless.

Regards,
T.Oppat,
Production Advisor to the Commandant

Spoiler: to Anya (click to show/hide)

Miss Anya,

I must admit to being concerned by your description of events within the factory. However, acting as I am in a purely advisory role I lack the authority to carry out any investigation myself or, indeed, give any talks to the workforce as you suggest.
If you have any serious concerns, I must strongly urge that you forward them to your father, the Commandant, Senior Workman Brumayev, or the Ministry of Loyalty that they may take any necessary action.

Regards,
T. Oppat,
Production Advisor to the Commandant,
Kodastochey Truck Factory.

[TheBiggerFish]

Commandant

This is a courtesy letter to inform you that I have been assigned to monitor your work.

I hope we may bring glory to Kodaslozhia together.

T. B. F.

Peoples' Board of Monitoring

P.S.
Disregard letters from a V. Marynovka of the Ministry of Loyalty.  They have been sent to re-education for forging letterhead and doubting the loyalty of one of our fine officers and their poor child.  They may prove better suited to their new position as a beet-peeler, but a decent secretary to the Ministry of Intelligence they are not.  It seems that they made... Unfortunate errors in processing your daughter's employment as well.  We sincerely apologize for our lack of oversight.

~~~~

Anya, care of William Laster

Miss Anya,

Having received word of your troubles from a concerned friend, the Peoples' Board of Monitoring wishes to inquire further to your suspicions.  Your description of the coffee machine as 'an evil altar to a dark god' is most troubling.  We would request some more information upon the practices of the workmen regarding the coffee machine, should it be available.

Regards,

T. B. F.
Peoples' Monitoring Board

~~~~

William Laster,

It has come to our attention that there has been a slight error in your secretarial assignment.  While Anya is to continue in her duties, she is to be minimized the exposure to these 'dinners', as she calls them, as much as possible.  A secretary made a...Mistake, and subsequently had the gall to threaten our mutual friends about it.

Needless to say, they may make an appearance at your place of work for 'dinner' soon.

Further, there are disturbing rumors regarding your coffee machine.  Most likely groundless, but nevertheless, please look into them.  The relevant snippets have been attached.

T. B. F.
Peoples' Monitoring Board

[Fniff]

Spoiler: Dearest papa-commandant (click to show/hide)

My trip to Arstotska was wonderful! Most relaxing for my mind. Though intrigue runs through that nation like a proverb through a stick of Kodaslozhian candy. Did you hear about the Truck Heist? 40 trucks were stolen overnight by criminals. Arstotskan authorities say that the trucks may have been smuggled over to the SRK right under the noses of the border guards!

What daring rogues, I almost wish they had stolen a hundred which I assume was what they were aiming but they must have run into some unexpected troubles involving suspicious constables. Anyway, I myself ran into a bit of trouble at the border. But the local guide I hired proved herself by just making the trouble disappear. She is the finest Arstotskan I have ever met!

By the way, her name is Katya and when I told her about the factory she was extremely interested in joining. She has all the right papers and she was applying for a work permit in our glorious nation anyway. She was wondering if Arstotska is capable of extraditing from the SRK. I told her they can't, but I'm not convinced that's true. Anyway, would you mind taking her on? She's a very capable worker and possesses that classic Arstotskan trait of base cunning in spades. Plus, we do owe her a great deal for her assistance she gave on my holiday.

With love,
Anya xxxxxxx
P.S. If 40 trucks with missing license plates and scratched-off serial numbers appear on your doorstep, which is an absurd scenario and unlikely to happen, we must remember not to look gift horses in the mouth.
P.P.S. Notice the lack of censorship? Katya promised to hand-deliver this letter to you! She even has a license to deliver correspondence that I'm fairly certain is legitimate. Isn't she wonderful?

Spoiler: Transcription tape found buried at the bottom of a waste paper basket (click to show/hide)

This Report Was Recorded at the Arstotskan-Kodaslozhian Border, 1959/11/17 By the Ministry of Technology's Automated Transcription Service.
Glory to Arstotska.
Unidentified Border Guard: Papers please.
Unidentified Female #1 (Kodaslozhian Accent): Hi there! How is things?
Unidentified Border Guard: Can we please keep this moving, the checkpoint closes in two minutes.
Unidentified Female #2 (Arstotskan Accent): Here you go, [audio distortion, possibly intentional].
*sound identified as papers shuffling*
Unidentified Border Guard: Why do you have forty trucks?
Unidentified Female #1: Because we couldn't get a hundred.
Unidentified Female #2: You know I'm in the import-export business, [audio distortion].
Unidentified Border Guard: What are you transporting?
Unidentified #2: Sand.
Unidentified Border Guard: Why are you moving sand?
Unidentified #1: To make a beach.
Unidentified Border Guard: Kerbal, check the trucks.
Unidentified #1: You won't find anything weird, I promise!
Unidentified Border Guard: Silence. We have full rights to detain you.
Kerbal Gagarin, Border Guard: It's just sand, Comrade [audio distortion].
Unidentified Border Guard: ... I see.
Unidentified Female #1: Come on, we have places to be!
Unidentified Border Guard: Wait. I know you.
Unidentified Female #1: ... No you don't.
Unidentified Border Guard: You're that kid. You said you were here on holiday. You said your name was Anya but your papers claim that you're T. Oppat.
Unidentified Female #1: The papers are correct, you're mistaken!
Unidentified Border Guard: I'm afraid I--
Unidentified Female #2: How's little Sasha, [audio distortion]?
Unidentified Border Guard: What?
Unidentified Female #2: Your son. How is he? Are you still living in that Class-8 apartment on Gorsky Street?
[Unidentified Border Guard: That has no relevance.
Unidentified Female #2: I might drop in sometime. Maybe while you're at work. Say hi to your misses. And adorable little Sasha.
*pause for five seconds*
*sounds identified as passports being stamped*
[audio distortion], Border Guard: Get out of my checkpoint, Katya.
Unidentified Female #2 [Katya?]: Glory to Arstotska, [audio distortion].
*sound identified as approximately forty large vehicles driving past*

Spoiler: T. Oppat (click to show/hide)

Well, thanks for replying, I suppose.
Anya

Spoiler: Dear T.B.F. (click to show/hide)

It is troubling indeed. I have not had a chance to investigate recently due to personal business but the events occurring at Kodastochey Truck Factory deeply disturb me. I fear it may be unraveling my sanity. If you could investigate and find out what is going on there, I would be most grateful.
- Anya
P.S. I had to field some awkward questions from Wilhelm after his last [CENSORED], which he said was done on your recommendation. I think you made an error - the coffee machine at Stalag 10 is wonderful but whatever the hell that thing at Kodastochey Truck Factory is, that's the problem here.
P.P.S. Thank you for all you've done for our family.

[Mullet Master]

23 Nov 1959
Journal Entry
I have woke today and went into the factory. As I approached my desk, I noticed it  overloaded with mail. I shall not visit the men at the assembly line today,I think. As I eat a bowl of cabbage for lunch, I pondered buying a new typewriter , or at least requisitioning a secretary. Anyway, perhaps the latest truck will become a mail delivery one.

Spoiler: V. Marynovka,/piratejoe (click to show/hide)

Comrade
Your concern has been noted but she is but a child. She does not have mastery of her words yet and has spent too little time reading the socialist classic literature. I will monitor as well as possible from my current station.
Commandant

Spoiler:  K. Ashyyk/Kashyyk (click to show/hide)

Messr. Ashyyk
Thank you for your suggestion. I will requisition an additional 10 men to serve as a cooking staff and 3 men to serve as clerks to ensure the correct rationing of food.
As always, I am appreciative that you give these suggestions. This is much different than military life, because

[LARGE BLOCK OF CENSORED]

men remain on the battle field rather than continue to serve the country through peacetime.
Commandant

Spoiler: U. Astov/Kashyyk (click to show/hide)

 
Messr. Astovk
I am pleased at your prompt response to my inquiry. I believe these rations will be sufficient for now, provided we receive a steady supply of potatoes. Please keep in correspondence throughout the winter and notify me of any short shipments ahead of time, so that I may shut off rations to get us through the coldest day.

For the SRK
Commandant

Spoiler: T.Oppat/ Tophat (click to show/hide)

Messr. T'Oppat

Thank you for your considerate reply. As you know, our country prides itself on great mobilization in times of need. As such, when I requisition labor, one of labor bureaus rounds up all able bodied men in some rural [CENSORED-NOT STATE APPROVED NOUN] and places them upon a traincar to be delivered to the battle industrialization effort as quickly as possible. I believe we are scheduled the delivery for next week.

I will have these men first build a dining hall  much like their [CENSORED-NOT STATE APPROVED NOUN] barns back in the lower regions of the SRK. Afterwards, I will dispatch one of our head workmen to begin training groups of 40 men in their tasks.

As to your inquiry of work during the night, this is possible only should we get an additional electricity allotment from the Department of Northern SRK Power Distribution. We have sent six letters now, but apparently the capacity is not high enough in the coal plants at the current time. 

Commandant

Spoiler: Anya (click to show/hide)

Anya,
Our enterprise has room for additional workers. I understand you described her origin incorrectly, and that she is actually from un-annexed SRK principalities that were only temporarily ceded to Arstotska. Should she be of the enterprising sort and have knowledge of exporting goods,  I have arranged for an office to be set up in a warehouse on Lesolinkta street.  She will work under a trusted comrade, M. K. to help distribution of new trucks to ensure the correct orders are routed appropriately. Any large export order shall be marshaled there, as the train spur is connected to a nearby platform. I will send a messenger with instruction on the 5th of January.

Please continue to support the SRK in objectives.
Commandant

Spoiler: TBF (click to show/hide)

Vizor T.B.F.
As is natural for any enterprise of the state, you shall serve as the eyes of the great leader to make sure no capitalistic activities are occurring. I am in understanding.
I extend to you an invite to our factory grounds on January 10th, 1960 for a meal and tour. Afterwards we shall drink vodka.

Commandant

[TheBiggerFish]

Dear Anya,

My sincerest apologies for the mishap.  I shall take a moment to look into it myself then, or at the least advise the Commandant.

Best wishes.

T. B. F.
Peoples' Monitoring Board

P. S. I commend your fine industry, but advise more caution in your future endeavors.  There are concerns surrounding the Truck Heist.  Do be more careful as regards volumes.

~~~~

Commandant,

I greatly appreciate your invitation, and your choice of drink.  There appear to be disturbing rumors about your coffee machine, which may or may not even exist.  The records appear to be contradictory and many words are to be said to the persons who let this unsatisfactory state of affairs become a, how to say, thing.  But I digress.

As a purely precautionary matter, and to settle the mind of both your humble correspondent and their correspondent, of whom you know well, perhaps you could look into them?  In an anonymous fashion, so as not to startle the workers.  I am available to so inspect as well.

Perhaps a suggestions or complaints box, seeming anonymized, would be advisable on general principles, though surveillance standards should not be compromised.

It may prove useful to your work as well.

Many thanks.

T. B. F.
Peoples' Monitoring Board

P. S. It is noted that you are receiving a large volume of mail.  I have, as a courtesy, enclosed the proper business materials requisition form so that you may requisition a typewriter for your office.

P. P. S. Industry in materials procurement is highly favored.  It is certain that managing to achieve ones' quota by arrangement with others would not be a detriment.  Of course, the materials must balance.  Do be assured that we do not condone things like the Truck Heist, but should you happen to come across the materials, it would prove a great boon to the State should you be able to utilize them.

~~~~

To Whom It May Concern, Ministry of Intelligence

Have we identified any of these persons in Object Of Record 007-4136121025 amongst our records?

It is highly cautioned to not proceed precipitously.  The parties may be helpful to the State's cause.

T. B. F.
Peoples' Monitoring Board

[TopHat]

Commandant

The use of idle new workers to construct facilities is an excellent idea; I would suggest however that the first group be detached from the work to begin learning their new roles immediately - the construction may be slowed but the sooner the truck-making workforce is increased the larger the margin by which we will exceed our production targets (which I have no doubt we will manage to do!)

It is a shame about the lack of electricity available (I had hoped that they would have less demand at night, but I am no expert I guess) - will enough be provided to power the machinery our expanded workforce will need, at least? With luck the construction of new power stations will lead to our allocation increasing in due course.

Regards,
T. Oppat
Production Advisor to the Commandant

Spoiler: to Anya (click to show/hide)

Miss Anya,

You're welcome. I regret that I was unable to assist you further.

Regards,
T. Oppat
Production Advisor to the Commandant
Kodastochey Truck Factory.

[10ebbor10]

Poke