@Miyamoto, private comms: "This guy is asking for a lot. Not that that is unreasonable of him. But it might be a good idea to ensure they will provide what Hephaestus requires. Which means we should also ask them what they can provide. Because the more qualified workers and specialised equipment they can provide, the faster we can can build what they need. Because I think Steve had Hephaestus running on a skeleton crew when we left it."
Ask Steve: "Do you think there's any chance the UWM will try to build another 'Steve'? And if yes, how bad would that be?"
((Will edit quote of you giving me the map and phrasebook later.))
>Everyone who was around when I was made is either dead or part of me. They may try, but I've been careful to make such efforts more difficult if they do. We'll have to see, but if they do make a copy of me, we'll have to destroy it immediately. One of me is already one too many, wouldn't you say?Keep watching until Jim has a reason not to, i.e. he sees something unusual or something in the room requires his immediate attention.
You keep glancing around but for the moment everything seems fine.
Lars nodded. "I can understand that. In terms of ground forces, we have 1,379 robotic Sod troopers available, and we could send every one of them this way as soon as an agreement is reached. More are in production as well. In terms of static defenses and fleet coverage, what exactly are you looking for? We can accommodate your needs if those needs are made clear to us."
Lars also sends a message to Hephaestus. ((That's going in the Heph thread.))
More bold text.
The center man looks over towards the man on his left, the first man you spoke to.
"We have ground forces enough to drive them from the planet now, and we would instate a draft or some similar measure should we need to. Ground forces should be accounted for, though your assistance is appreciated, of course. Our true fear is of their ships. We are not a waring society by nature, our armada is limited to a handful of peace keeping ships. Planetary purges..." He stops and then, after a moment, starts again, "We are not so arrogant as to believe ourselves invaluable or irreplaceable. We fear not for the sake of ourselves or our government, truly if we did we would have never spoken to you, but we cannot allow a holocaust to be visited upon our citizens. We need some way to defend against their ships."