(response to removed post removed)
The high payout of the Erythia job is enticing, but you decide to go for the Thraneia request task first, both for the sophonitarian work and to allow yourself a chance to get back into the swing of things.
"Thank you Commander. Your input has been helpful."
She saluted again, and you end the connection. You pull up Hallnik's ident and dictate a quick message, before withdrawing from the terminal, straightening out your clothes and heading to the bridge.
---
Half a cycle later, you find yourself fidgeting in a cradle in the briefing room with Hallnik and Andess, allowing you to finally have a look at how they work together. In addition there is Senior Relations Officer Branir, the head of your two-person Xeno-Relations team.
Your Ops Officer waves a paw and the lights dim. A heartbeat or so later the main wall starts to glow, and an off-white sphere appears in the middle of the room. Small icons flicker around it, mostly clustered around a belt of colour that confirms the obvious.
"Welcome to Thraneia Delta," starts Hallnik. "First surveyed in 34290, the combination of the high chlorine atmosphere, indigenous pre-stellar life and a lack of strategic value saw it quickly classified as off-limits and prompty ignored bar the occasional Cultural Research mission. They are currently midway through their equivalent of an industrial revolution, with steel weaponry on its way out in favour of crude kinetic penetrators.
The natives are facultative bipeds organised in dynastic kingdoms that claim various regions of the temperate belt," Hallnik waves a paw before bringing two claws together, the planet spinning before zooming in on a collection of symbols, "and the
Ibex had the misfortune of crash landing just north of a technological backwater between two rival polities.
When we first got contacted for this job, expeditions from both sides were making their way to the site, but they'll no doubt have reached the ship by the time we arrive. According to the manifest, there were 22 crew and passengers on board at the time. We need to confirm that number and recover them all, regardless of their condition. We also need to remove the
Ibex itself, including any samples taken by the Thraneians.
Whilst our contract allows us to breach Star Common law regarding interaction with pre-stellar civilisations, Legal will have a hard time defending us if glass half the planet to ensure no post-stellar tech is left to reverse engineer."
This is where Branir chimes in, "We have the notes from when the Common Star reps tried to talk their way out of this. The Thraneians reacted badly to 'extraterrestrial' life. It appears they were also using an incorrect dialect, as communication was difficult, although they're pretty sure the natives started calling them 'Sky Demons'. However, we will need to talk with them somehow to find out what they've done with the survivors and any tech they've found."
"And for that we need a presence on the planet," you say. "I don't recall seeing anything for that in the manifest..."
Andess speaks up now. "Yes Sir, we travel light, but with the Foundry and schematics library we can manufacture the right tools for each job. All but the most basic blueprints have some sort of license fee, but its much better than having to shoehorn in something that just doesn't fit.
Speaking of, sir, I took the liberty to pick out a few of blueprints I think will get the job done". She taps her PDA and a pair of models flicker into existence next to the map.
***
Getco Corporation 'Valkyrie' ShuttleTech Level: 12
Fee: 2.2 MegaCred
Materials: 60 Common, 20 Rares, 10 Exotic
A Getco favourite, the Valkyrie is the only real choice for orbital insertion and atmospheric travel. Capable of reaching stable orbit in an hour
1, it is atmospherically sealed and rated against CBRN threats and optionally includes anti-personnel weapon mounts.
1. Based on common Terrestrial Grade planets
ScoCorp Multistellar X-B02 Light Infantry UnitTech Level: 12
Fee: 1.5 MegaCred
Materials: 40 Common, 10 Rare
Do you need a highly mobile, rapid response force? Do you have to contend with difficult terrain? Do you need to keep eyes on elusive targets? The X-B02 is the answer to your prayers! Built to last in harsh environments, each unit has inbuilt broad spectrum sensors that outstrip all competitors, despite the low-energy demand that allows it to operate for almost a supercycle
1 before needing refuelling.
1. In laboratory conditions
***
"I recommend we pay for two of each sir. We'll be able to produce a unit of each by the time we hit realspace, and the
Trade Surplus should be able to source any extra resources we need easily."
"These fees are per Supercycle, right? We'd have to get this all done before the second license fee is due if we want to make any sort of profit. "
"It'll be tight sir, but I can get it done."
Pausing as if in thought, a few eye movements has your ocular lens transmit a message to your aide.
Hallnik shifts slightly in his seat, and a few moments later your PDA vibrates in your pocket. One more eye gesture, and a message appears in your view.
Andess deserves every merit she has received, sir, but she has a penchant for high tech toys when something cheaper would suffice.Now is the time to decide. The ship manifest reports we have 100 Common Materials, 50 Rare Materials and 50 Exotics, so Andess is right that we'd have to source more, but we can harvest some asteroids easily enough.
You can query the library for alternative schematics if you wish, using whatever criteria you have in mind. It's not unlimited, but you should be able to find something that fits.
>
This is kind of like an AR design phase, except you're actually shopping through other people's products. Looking at them costs nothing, so I will respond to whatever requests you make as and when. Just don't be silly about it.
Hallnik - Operations Officer
Keelim - Regional Acquisitions Lead
Mortill - Principal Asset Developer
Andess - Ground Operations Commander
Branir - Senior Relations Officer
Command Cruiser Unsound Logic
Support Frigate Trade Surplus
Gunboat Frigate Small but Mighty
Author
Topic: (SG) Invasion Inc. (Read 1596 times)