>>38445286
Hooray, it's time for H&D "I feel really bad for screwing up last thread" edition

>>38445286
hello

>>38445286

First thing is first.

We need to capture or at least prevent the flight of all the Governor's 1st, 2nd and 3rd tier underlings. One of them will have the info we need for the guys that killed militia and tried to false flag RTS.

The folks that were under the Governor's protection and 'had evidence' against the other land owners need to be secured, as well.

We also need to immediately have the charges of treason against the land owners dropped or changed to some status where it isn't a formal charge but investigation to be cleared, so their holdings aren't seized.

and then we need to address the public immediately. The Governor has been removed, we have evidence that an unknown group has murdered members of the planetary militia and is attempting to cause chaos, and we need the population to help us. Employ every friend we have to call for riots to end. As soon as the riots stop, we can have the option of lifting martial law.

And I for one advocate contacting the Veritas guy from last thread and requesting that he issue an order for us to broadcast. something like 'Any cell claiming to be FPL is not and any former members of FPL that have disturbed the peace of Surekah are to turn themselves in for the good of their fellow civilians.'

The sooner we can have any 'activated' FPL groups disowned, the faster we can turn the entire population into our auxiliaries by making troublemakers into mutual enemies of the guys we want to catch.

With the Governor refusing to allow you access to witnesses, evidence or those who had been arrested you began your own investigation. Eventually evidence was found that the Governor was using the opportunity to remove any political rivals on planet that could cause problems should elections later be forced through. Additionally the lands of those same rivals would have been appropriated and handed off to other groups within the House.

Preparations were made for a planetary assault to remove the Governor from power before rioters or the militia could take things into their own hands.

Using the rights of Nobles to legal representation you attempted to force a team through to speak to the political prisoners. Unfortunately insurgents attacked the prison using local riots for cover and assassinated most of the prisoners before they could be rescued. At present Lady Ainsley is the only survivor.

In the aftermath of the prison assault the remainder of your marines landed and you took the Governor into "protective custody." Given the swiftness of your response to the attack on the prison most of the PDF were reluctant to cause problems for you and your Marines. For the moment they're obeying orders to stand down and you control the capital.

For the moment you have access to the Governor's private terminal.

The only calls with the Earl are monthly. Likely a regular check in on status of the planet. They require top level authorization from the House to access. The Techs might be able to break the encryption but if they used House systems to do it then intel would be able to trace it back to you.

Did you want to copy the files to break later or ask House Intel for the decryption keys as part of your investigation?
[ ] Crack files later
[ ] Ask Intel

>>38445808
>[ ] Ask Intel

>>38445808
Stash a copy of the files in our vault, then call house intel for help.

>Also
Increase security for our family and company assets in J-D territory.

Inform our friends, allies, and business partners of our current situation, and advise them to keep an eye open and increase security, just in case somebody feels like causing damage to Sonia for this.

>At present Lady Ainsley is the only survivor.
I was thinking about this, would it be possible to keep the other dead land owners in stasis as well?

If they had recent memory scans done we can find, would we be able to reconstruct their brains without anybody knowing about it?

>>38445808
[x] Duplicate files for safekeeping
[x] Ask Intel

When we ask Intel, we have to remember that those false-flag attacks could in fact be Intel agents loyal to the Governor.

We should inform whomever we contact in Intel that we may have rogue agents posing as insurgents/saboteurs and need a way to take a head count.

I completely forgot this was today! Anyways let's get this show on the road!

>>38445808
Both? Get ourselves a copy of and handle it to Intel as well. Never hurts to have any juicey info that the Governor might have to use at a later date.

>>38445286
FOR! HOUSE! AND! DOMINION!

>>38445286
Good to see this. Now lets not try to fuck it up again with political bullshit and maneuvering

>>38445808
>[ x] Crack files later

After the files have been copied you send off a request to intel for decryption along with your information on potential agents from rival Houses.

>>38445970
>would it be possible to keep the other dead land owners in stasis as well?
Yes, they'll be moved unless there are any objections.
>If they had recent memory scans done we can find, would we be able to reconstruct their brains without anybody knowing about it?
They've either been dead for too long or the damage is too extensive. You'd just be cloning them at that point.

>>38445741
>The folks that were under the Governor's protection and 'had evidence' against the other land owners need to be secured, as well.
>We also need to immediately have the charges of treason against the land owners dropped or changed to some status where it isn't a formal charge but investigation to be cleared, so their holdings aren't seized.
Before long you've found that most of the evidence in their database against those arrested relies largely upon the testimony of a select few nobles like the one you kidnapped. The Governor's office and secretaries have no hard evidence.

>We need to capture or at least prevent the flight of all the Governor's 1st, 2nd and 3rd tier underlings. One of them will have the info we need for the guys that killed militia and tried to false flag RTS.
This will be relatively easy considering the partial blockade in place. Do you want to pull more MP's from the station(s) to help with this or pull some of them away from riot suppression?

[ ] MP's from the station
[ ] MP's already on the surface
[ ] Both

Also, those guys that murdered the Nobles and attacked RTS people...

We can use DNA to prove if they're from a J-D world or not, correct? That is how the FA determined that the assassin was from that House, since he couldn't really be interrogated?

And potentially get their ID if they're on file as Governor's men or a member of House military/Intel?

>>38446477
Cursory searches show that they're not in the database of House citizens. A few of the officers are inclined to believe they're deserters from House Veritas or the SRL.

>and then we need to address the public immediately.
Indeed. The media is clamoring for a statement of some kind.
>The Governor has been removed, we have evidence that an unknown group has murdered members of the planetary militia and is attempting to cause chaos, and we need the population to help us. Employ every friend we have to call for riots to end. As soon as the riots stop, we can have the option of lifting martial law.

Would anyone like to make a speech or official statement to this effect? Questions about elections are also a major concern among the populace.

>>38446454
>MPs

I'd like to deploy the local police that weren't trusted with stopping the riots, under leadership of smaller groups of Station MP's.

And I'd also like to turn the blockade from partial to a full one until we've secured any Governor's men on them. (like station commanders?)

>>38446454
>Yes, they'll be moved unless there are any objections.
Could we extend that to the death squad our marines gunned down in the prison as well?

>You'd just be cloning them at that point.
Well, that's unfortunate. Are there any exceptions in Dominion law regarding the legal status of clones?

>Cursory searches show that they're not in the database of House citizens.
We should probably inform important militia leaders about the habit of these people to disguise themselves as their troops. They should increase security measures around important infrastructure and people. The troublemakers might be using holographic camouflage, so visual identification shouldn't be enough to allow troops access to vital things or persons.

>Before long you've found that most of the evidence in their database against those arrested relies largely upon the testimony of a select few nobles like the one you kidnapped.

We might want to get these people to safety before they can fall down a flight of stairs, drown in their bathtubs, or have similar unfortunate accidents in case somebody decides hiding their tracks is a priority.

>>38446583
>Cursory searches show that they're not in the database of House citizens.
See if the information broker on Tourta can ID them.

>Would anyone like to make a speech or official statement to this effect? Questions about elections are also a major concern among the populace.
Hmmm, let me think a moment about that.

>>38446454
[ ] MP's already on the surface
They are closer and I'd hate for shit to go down on our station.

>>38446583
>Elections

"Once the riots have ceased and protests are no longer fueled by anger at the [Gov's Name] for delaying elections, I will speak to protest leadership about elections. Until then, I ask Surekah to help me help Surekah. We must bring murderers and those that wished to gain by provoking deadly force against the people of Surekah to justice. I can not do this without the help of the population in identifying what may potentially be SRL or FPL defectors, or worse."

>>38446935
>Could we extend that to the death squad our marines gunned down in the prison as well?
Yes.

>Are there any exceptions in Dominion law regarding the legal status of clones?
Not at present. Though if you took over the House I suppose you could make your own laws.
While they couldn't own land they could certainly help family members with managing it.

1 for MP's from station, 1 from those on the surface.

>Also
We should inform local police forces about the bomb the snipers detonated. If they have something that can detect that kind of explosive, it would probably a good idea to scan areas with many protestors.

Is the sniper we managed to capture alive ready to be interrogated?

>>38446935
>Hmmm, let me think a moment about that.
"Citizens of Surakeh, we are currently being attacked by a group of highly trained, and well equipped combatants. This group has so far attacked and killed civilians, members of the police and various law enforcement agencies, as well as members of the House military, including several persons serving with in the Surakeh militia.

Evidence of this has been provided to news agencies across the planet.

Right now, personnel from the Baron's forces are pursuing several leads, and are working together with the militia, and local police forces to catch whoever is responsible for this.

As this group has shown to be able to access even highly secure locations like the holding facility for important suspects, it was decided to place the governor into protective custody until the current crises can be resolved."

>Questions about elections are also a major concern among the populace.
Should we hold a press conference or maybe a televised conference call with some of the civil leaders?

>MP
How much of our current security relies on those guys?

>While they couldn't own land they could certainly help family members with managing it.
Are those guys safe?

"Bring in a few extra MP's from the station and try to find some that are available ground side. They'll be working with any police volunteers that aren't taking part in crowd control efforts to round up the Governor's underlings."


>>38447656
>How much of our current security relies on those guys?
The MP's are the only marines left on the station though there are some regular security personnel up there to police it.

>Is the sniper we managed to capture alive ready to be interrogated?
Patched up well enough. They're being uncooperative at the moment. It will take time.

>Are those guys safe?
They should be. Most of the landowners relatives are off planet. Do you want RSS personnel assigned to guard those who are?

>>38447656
>Should we hold a press conference or maybe a televised conference call with some of the civil leaders?
If more people ask for it you can do so. At the moment the Speech is going to be more of Sonia's statement to the press.

>>38445741
>And I for one advocate contacting the Veritas guy from last thread and requesting that he issue an order for us to broadcast. something like 'Any cell claiming to be FPL is not and any former members of FPL that have disturbed the peace of Surekah are to turn themselves in for the good of their fellow civilians.'
>The sooner we can have any 'activated' FPL groups disowned, the faster we can turn the entire population into our auxiliaries by making troublemakers into mutual enemies of the guys we want to catch.

Currently typing. Will this be included in the speech Yes or No? It is now too late to add anything else to the speech.

>Y/N?

>>38447842
>Do you want RSS personnel assigned to guard those who are?
I think we should offer them the option, yes.

>The MP's are the only marines left on the station though there are some regular security personnel up there to police it.
In that case, it might be prudent to put the orbital facilities on alert to make up for the reduced number of security available.

>Will this be included in the speech Yes or No?
I don't think it would be a good idea to expressively mention the FPL in this.

"Citizens of Surakeh, over the past few days we have been attacked and are currently being attacked by a group of highly trained, and well equipped combatants. This group has so far attacked and killed civilians, members of the police and various law enforcement agencies, as well as members of the House military, including several persons serving with in the Surakeh militia.

Evidence of this has been provided to news agencies across the planet.

Right now, personnel from the Baron's forces are pursuing several leads, and are working together with the militia, and local police forces to catch whoever is responsible for this.

As this group has shown to be able to access even highly secure locations like the holding facility for important suspects, it was decided to place the governor into protective custody until the current crises can be resolved.

Once the riots have ceased and protests are no longer fueled by anger at Governor Nyxemi Rna's recent actions, I will speak to protest leadership about scheduling elections. Until then, I ask Surekah to help me help Surekah. We must bring murderers and those that wished to gain by provoking deadly force against the people of Surekah to justice. I can not do this without the help of the population in identifying what may potentially be SRL or FPL defectors, or worse."

As with any statement the questions from the media only increase once you're done. Some are accusing you of being heavy-handed while others want more solid information on election dates despite you having just said it will be discussed with protest leaders.

Idiots.

The slightly more sensible ones want to know how long the blockade will remain in place.

>What say?
[ ] "Until those responsible are caught."
[ ] "My employees can't do their job with the blockade in place, so as soon as possible."

>>38448449
[X] "Until those responsible are caught."

Can't risk people getting away from this. quoting a certain game, got to catch em all.

>>38448449
[x] Other: "Until it is judged that the blockade can be lifted without enabling the escape of those responsible for the murders. Riots and protests in anger only hurt our efforts to seek justice for your fellows that have been murdered."

>>38448449
>>What say?
"Although I would like to maintain the blockade until whoever is responsible is caught, economic realities will have to be taken into account as well.

Essential shipments will be resumed as soon as possible, albeit at a slower place so that thorough inspections can be performed.

I do not want to add unnecessary economic troubles to the list hardships the population already has to endure."

>>38445286
FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION

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You make it clear that the security and safety of the populace is your primary concern. As such the blockade will remain in place until it is judged that the blockade can be lifted without enabling the escape of those responsible for the murders. Once increased inspection protocols have been put into place essential shipments will be allowed through but not until then.

People are understandably concerned about this and the long term effects it could have on the economy. Your assurances should be enough to get things back to a semblance of normalacy in the short term.

It takes time to get all of the riots under control. Leaders of the peaceful protest groups meet with you and help where they can. Ideally the elections could be held within a month but there are now few landowners left alive that would make for good candidates outside of House's established nobility. These people may be community leaders but they wouldn't be eligable.

The last of the riots die down three and a half days later. They were hardly riots at that point, mostly looters and vandals but the events were spread out enough to keep everyone busy. The warnings about explosives are heeded by all emergency services and additional checks are put in place in cities where there was unrest.

All of the Governor's underlings were far easier to track down than the insurgents. By the end of the fourth day your marine strike teams have rounded up close to a dozen people that have been working alongside the snipers you encountered. A warehouse raid manages to find a small fabricator that has been producing splinter ammo for them.

"It looks like a smuggler broke down this small fabrication system into separate pieces to get it to the surface. It's mostly wore out from the heavy use they've been putting it through but intel find a use for it."

"Who built it?"
"No idea sir. It was almost certainly an intel operation by another House, though it's not impossible a merc outfit was responsible."

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"They don't know anything." Alex concludes after looking through the interrogation reports of the captured snipers.

"Nothing at all?"

"They're all suffering from partial memory erasure like those pirates we've picked up. They recieved orders via lightly encrypted text mesages. It could have been from a controller from another House or it could have been from the Governor."

"What about the Governor's files?" you ask.

"Nothing concrete that would connect him to these people but there are call to public terminals, most of which don't have surviellance for one reason or another. Surakeh isn't the most modern in that respect, the locals aren't big on having the government watch their every move."

Hopefully once intel sends the decryption keys for the remaining files you'll get some answers.

"The good news is that we can still prove the Governor imprisoned those Nobles with little to no evidence so we still have just cause for toppling him."

"The weapons and splinter ammo?"

"Still no closer to tracking down an origin point. There may be upwards of five thousand rounds of splinter ammo on the local black market now from that fabricator. Fortunately all of it is intended for old style cased munition carbines and rifles."

It seems like you've arrested everyone who needs to be thrown in jail at the moment. Will you lift the blockade? Keep it in place an extra day? Or will you be keeping heightened security checks in place for some time?

>>38450263
Lift the blockade but keep security extra high for the time being. If we are lucky we might catch something if we let the need hang a bit more free and the population will be more happy with goods returning to the planet once more.

>>38450263
>Or will you be keeping heightened security checks in place for some time?

Lift the blockaed over the course of several days, starting with essential shipments, and then moving to the least important stuff at the end of the week.

Keep the hightened security checks in place, though.

>>38450263
I would say lift the blockade, but keep things in heightened security mode for the time being to make sure we catch anyone trying to get off planet at the first chance they can get.

Also it's a bit late but, FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION!

>>38450263
Where are these memory wiped folks from to begin with? If any of them are from another House, isn't that grounds for at the very least some sort of complaint for murder?

Keep heightened security checks in place for some time. There may be a handler attempting to get off-world.

Also, can we investigate surviving prison guards and records at the facility for orders to execute the prisoners?

>>38450263
>They're all suffering from partial memory erasure like those pirates we've picked up.

Does the FA have access to anything that can undo a memory wipe?

>>38450547
>Where are these memory wiped folks from to begin with?
They're a mix of Mercs from both the SRL and the Pandora cluster. Some of them are SRL deserters. 1/3 of them were born in Dominion space and joined mercenary corps when they were old enough.

"We'll be lifting the blockade." You announce during the morning briefing. "But I want to make sure we have heightened security checks in place. If we're lucky we might catch something or someone trying to get off planet. Does anyone know if memory wipes can be undone? Maybe by the Alliance? No? Keep looking into it. I want to know who hired these guys."

"I leave the system for a few days and this is what happens." Winifred's voice draws the attention of everyone present.

"Can just anyone walk in here without warning?" you mutter before greeting the Baron and vacating her seat.

"I see the Governor decided to make things interesting for you while I was gone."
"You could say that again sir." Replies one of the Marine officers.
"The project?" you ask.
"Is secure. I was forced to take alternate means back to Surakeh. My ships will arrive in two or three days time."

You get the Baron caught up on events and make sure to recount your conversation with the council.

"Are you saying that I won't be subject to political fallout if I remove the Governor from office?" You'd asked.
"Heavens child, no one can do that." scoffed one of the councilors.
"But it will be taken into consideration." added another.

The older woman laughs at this. "If I had done it I'm sure every Planetary Governor in the House would be baying for my blood at this moment."

"This is all going to bite me in the ass some day isn't it?" you ask.
"I suspect so, but not today. As usual I will try to clean up this mess."

>>38451105
oh god damn it Winifred planned this and set up those fucking mercs, didn't she.

>>38451174
Doubt it. She knows us to well to rely on us following a script

>>38451286
wouldn't the script be 'let the governor deal with it and help him' for most Knights?

Winifred seems more than capable of throwing a situation at us that she has rigged to benefit her goals.

She is playing the space game of thrones.

>>38451105
Can we ask her if she has an idea why we got a message that told us not to knight any more people without asking first?

It's not like we did it often or arbitrarily.

>>38451866
"Political meddling by the sounds of it. Likely the Ruling House trying to appeal to the more conservative elements to get more supporters. There's been something of a backlash of late with all of the military reforms. People are worried societal reforms must be close on their heels and are trying to entrench their positions."

"Why would that effect our House?"

"Because we have relied upon the good will of the Ruling House to survive for longer than a century. It's necessary for us to follow their lead at times."

Winifred pages through a few more reports then looks over to you.
"I hate it say this but perhaps things worked out for the best."

"Beg your pardon sir?"

"If you'd moved on the Governor as your initial plan had called for there was a good chance that fighting might have erupted around the capital. Should the militia have been thrown into that situation hundreds perhaps thousands might have been killed. They're good fighters but poorly disciplined overall. It's almost inevitable that a major street battle would have erupted, if not from them then the PDF refusing to give ground to them.
The way things worked out your people saved a large number of PDF soldiers from the prison garrison that might have otherwise been killed or wounded. The rest were less likely to see your people as a threat as a result.
Overall it's a job well done despite being a bit messy in places."

It sure didn't feel like it.

Before long an aid approaches with a report from Intel. They've denied you decryption keys to the files you requested after consulting the Earl.
"Permission is denied at this time. The files are not considered to contain information useful to the current investigation."
There is a notation at the bottom reminding you that unauthorized tampering with state secure files without permission of the Earl or the Council carries the charge of Treason.

>>38451105
>"I suspect so, but not today. As usual I will try to clean up this mess."
I can't help but think Winifred is a bit of a bitch right about there. I mean we don't cause messes all that often do we? Not bad ones anyways! Right?

>>38452120
That settles it, we HAVE to find what's in these files.

>>38452120
>It sure didn't feel like it.
I've been thinking about this, and the whole prison situation could have probably been avoided if we had had a Krath to keep an eye on the landowners.

So, can we hire the reasonable Krath from Watcher space as a bodyguard / infiltration specialist, or would the local Krath be upset about him hanging around in FA space?

>>38452338
>That settles it, we HAVE to find what's in these files.
15 spacabyte of awkward confessions of love between Governor Rna and the Earl, including lots of really bad poetry

Anyway, how much land in the new territories did the House give us for making the House Fle'rov land grab possible?

>>38452338
Seriously?

I mean it was not obvious that t was a choice between do you want to see the fiels or do you want atention and to not see those files?

>>38452120

>denied access to files

Resend the request. Nobles were executed while in the custody of the House, while being falsely charged with treason. The very idea that communications between the Earl and the Governor responsible were not at least subjected to examination even under classified status is potentially damaging by leaving the possibility that the Earl has something to hide relating to this investigation.

Such a possibility can not be allowed to exist if there is any hope of repairing the damage done by this event.

>>38452542
The Earl said no, so let's just lock the files away for now.

Seriously, I think we've annoyed enough important people for this year with the stunt we just pulled.

>Next survey will include vote on hacking those files or not.

For the next week after the lifting of the blockade the marines and other security personnel are run ragged. RTS and other mercenary or private security companies help fill the gaps but as usual there are complaints. Passengers, cargo companies, factories and everything in between want their goods moved several days ago.

Too bad for them.

Lady Ainsley will survive, though it has taken serious reconstructive surgery and she'll be in a coma for at least another week, possibly two. After that she'll need therapy and rehabilitation, something that takes time even with modern medicine. It's clear she will not have recovered in time for any election.

With the charges of treason dropped the wills of several who had been killed as the prison are being read and carried out. At the requests of the families two of those killed will be cloned and will help the beneficiary in managing their assets. One of the younger family members who will arrive on planet within the month could be prompted into running in the upcoming election but is still quite young.

There is one piece of unexpected news. Mr Ruben London is now a Noble, one of the members of the Surakeh Landowners Comitte having designated him the primary beneficiary of their will. He could run in the Election.

Did you want to try and talk him into it? It would mean he would need to hand off much of the operation of RSS to someone else or perhaps a team in order to have enough time.

>>38452923
>Did you want to try and talk him into it?
Nah. Inform him he's a potential candidate but leave it at that.

>There is one piece of unexpected news.
Huh, how did that happen?

>>38452923
what >>38452998 said

>>38452998
In addition to that:
>For the next week after the lifting of the blockade the marines and other security personnel are run ragged.
Add a bonus to their pay? Or maybe additional leave?

>That marine we sacrificed to save Lady Ainsley
We should personally see to that his family is taken care of.

>That whole prison fight
Would it be possible to review it to find out what went wrong and if there's anything we can do to fix it? Do we need more specialized equipment we didn't have enough of available? Why did our marines did rather poorly? How did the death squad gain access to a VIP holding facility so easily? Yes,we rolled lots of 1s but there has to be something we can learn from this in-character.

Is special training for this kind of situation needed? Maybe even a separate unit?

>>38452923
Nah, I like London running our company as is. But if he wants to do it he has our support.

>>38452998
>Huh, how did that happen?
One of the local landowners didn't have a legal heir, or not one they wanted property left to. Since London had been representing your interests at the at the landowners committee they figured it would be better to leave the land to him than selling it to one of the nobles from the House Homeworlds.

>>38453424
Additional pay approved if you're paying for it.

>That marine we sacrificed to save Lady Ainsley
>We should personally see to that his family is taken care of.
Done. Did you want to visit their family the next time you're in the Homeworlds?

>Prison battle.
Your people were outfit adequately to escort the lawyers in and get them out. Their conventional body armor wasn't good enough against splinter ammo. The PDF certainly wouldn't have had any so they weren't as prepared as they could have been. Even the repulsor pistols some of the guards had wouldn't have done nearly as much damage.
The team also seems to have made a conscious decision to prioritise speed over safety to reach the prisoners and buy them time.

>>38452998
>>38453320
>>38453443
You make sure to contact him and let him know. The news is something of a shock to him. Part of it is still over the people he knew being dead.
"I'm a businessman, I don't know anything about being a noble."

"We'll you know how to look after your holdings so that's better than most I've Knighted." you point out.

>But if he wants to do it he has our support.
Noted unless there are any objections?

>>38453784
I'don't honestly rather he do it. From what I understand he'did basically end up leading the political party most likely to win the election due to a lack of expirienced native opposition. That would give us substantial influence into the world'series government

>>38453784
>Since London had been representing your interests at the at the landowners committee they figured it would be better to leave the land to him than selling it to one of the nobles from the House Homeworlds.
Oh god, this just keeps hitting me right in the feels for some reason.

>Additional pay approved if you're paying for it.
As long as it's not a unreasonably large sum. Maybe add some popular local goods or other stuff to help the local economy to get over the damage done by the blockade faster? I'm sure we could work out a deal with local breweries etc to help them get rid of the products that have accumulated over the past days/weeks.

>Did you want to visit their family the next time you're in the Homeworlds?
Yeah, it's going to suck but I think it's necessary we do it.

>>38453784
So, has the governor been sued by the surviving families yet, and the turncoats for libel? Because it would be utterly hilarious if his attempt to crush the Landowners committee only made it more powerful once the dust settled.

>>38453784
>Noted unless there are any objections?
Well, it's not really something that needs to be taken care of immediately. Maybe just add it to the next survey?

Which officials will be elected anyway, and for how long?

>>38453784
>>38452923

What sort of elections are expected?

And what sort of charges have we brought against the deposed Governor and those involved in falsified evidence? Depriving Nobles of their Rights?

is RSS/London in a legal position to bring charges against the Governor for threatening to arrest London with them? File a complaint?

Have any locals thought to demand an elected body that would have to approve Governor/Baron appointments? Because that would be hilarious.

>>38454165
>So, has the governor been sued by the surviving families yet, and the turncoats for libel?

Winifred will be making an apology on behalf of the government. What precisely the governor could be charged with will require some legal wrangling. Given the power necessary to be appointed to this position in the first place anything done will likely be a slap on the wrists by comparison.
Nothing that will result in land being transferred to the wronged parties by any means, probably just financial compensation.

As you took the Governor into protective custody it will be your duty to get him off world and protect him if the planetary government decides to do something crazy like call for his head after the elections.

>>38454549
>Which officials will be elected anyway, and for how long?

Things like judges, city and regional councils. The Governor or a planetary council which would restrict the actions of a House appointed Governor. At the moment the election will be for a single planetary governor and if the locals win they will then likely implement controls on the position.

At the moment they're looking at 4 year terms though there could be a referendum on the length.

>>38454700
>falsified evidence?
This one could be skirted as they were relying on the good word of other nobles.
There was no direct threat made against London, only implied.

A pressing security concern has begun to manifest in recent days as the protesters have gone home. Since the riots there have been increasing reports of violence against immigrants, especially those from the House Homeworlds. The few Shallans are largely being ignored as they're not a pressing concern like they are on Tourta or Plateau.

At the moment your Marines and security personnel are too overworked with cargo security to increase their presence everywhere else. Did you have any suggestions?

>>38454805
>Did you have any suggestions?
Move some of Winifreds militia to cargo security to take over so that our Marines and Security personal can move around more freely and keep overwatch over areas that are affected by this. Crack down hard on criminal acts to discourage them to do so.

>>38454805
>Nothing that will result in land being transferred to the wronged parties by any means, probably just financial compensation.
Rather surprised by that actually. I expected the governor's local buisness associates to get hung out to dry. They were quite clearly knowingly falsely accusing nobles of a captial crime. Sure, they can claim that the governor requested them to say that, but they have no actual evidence of that, and their liquid reserves probably aren't THAT good.

>>38454805
Do we have access to polling to tell us how a good a chance London, or what's his face, the one landowner who wasn't arrested, has of winning the election?

>>38454805
>As you took the Governor into protective custody
Shouldn't he be Winifred's problem now? We were only her vacation replacement.

>Did you have any suggestions?
Deploy PDF and militia troops with a good service record to augment the local police force in the area? If possible, equip them with non-lethal weaponry.

>Bullying Shallans
What kind of horrible person would do that?

>Elections
What about the guy we got off planet early on? Would he qualify?

Would it also be possible to attach a piece of land to certain elected positions, so people would gain the legal protection the status of a noble provides for the duration of their term?

>>38454805
>we're letting them vote for Governor
This sounds like something that will bite us in the ass. Or is this Winifred's doing?

>skirt charges
if we can't touch the Governor for falsified evidence, could the ones that lied potentially be forced to surrender compensation instead? At the very least, there should be a charge for giving false testimony or offering false evidence knowingly.

>violence against immigrants from House Homeworlds

are these pro-governor folks, or are they after everyone including RSS employees?

So we either abandon the security measures or find a way to turn their anger toward... other Houses? SRL mercs responsible for murdering those militia?

>>38455015
>and their liquid reserves probably aren't THAT good.
True, they may end up selling their land to the House to pay for the reparations.

>>38455097
Ainsley was one of the front runners. She'll probably run in future elections once she recovers.
There is little data on anyone else at the moment and the recent upheaval mean that only immigrants will vote for members of the established nobility ad even they might not. Should be interesting.

Saloud Koris wasn't really interested in politics before, being concerned information might come out that he blew up his own factory. If he had support from London and your personal (non corporate)financial backing he could certainly make for a strong candidate. One that could be an annoyance to the House since he's Kavarian.
>What about the guy we got off planet early on? Would he qualify?
Yes, Koris technically qualifies. Keeping in mind that some people in the House will not be pleased.

>We were only her vacation replacement.
Yes but you effectively gave your word to protect them. Don't worry though, Winifred isn't likely to screw you over after everything you've done for her. Probably.

>Would it also be possible to attach a piece of land to certain elected positions, so people would gain the legal protection the status of a noble provides for the duration of their term?
It's a good idea. One that would require a few changes to local laws. Could be set up eventually.

>>38455358
>pro-governor folks, or are they after everyone including RSS employees?
Everyone. And especially companies that only hire workers that have recently arrived from back home and thus have a slightly higher security rating.

RSS gets off well enough since you do hire a good number of locals but it is known that was easier for those who have been J-D citizens longer to climb the ranks of security more quickly in their first few months. It's less of an issue these days but something that is complained about every so often.

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>>38455358
>This sounds like something that will bite us in the ass. Or is this Winifred's doing?
It was an agreement Winifred set up when she was still a Knight Commander to help reduce the chances of major uprisings in the long term. She knew it might cause problems eventually but only if the House did something to screw it up.

>>38454996
Offers are put out to Militia members who want to gain experience in the area of planetary security. Those who volunteer will be be able to apply for training for similar jobs in the future at a discount.

>>38455219
>Deploy PDF and militia troops with a good service record to augment the local police force in the area? If possible, equip them with non-lethal weaponry.
Yeah, none of your Marines are willing to trust the militia with anything but weapons on stun. Especially when it comes to dealing with irate civilians.

All of those involved soon find out too late that they really wish they weren't on those particular shifts.

Lets see how well your Marines keep them on task.

Roll 2d100

>>38455572
>Keeping in mind that some people in the House will not be pleased.

Would people still be displeased if we helped him campaign for one of the lower offices? One of the city or regional councils good be a good way to start a career in that field. That way he could gain expertise without gaining such an exposed position that people back home would bother noticing. I don't think supporting somebody without prior experience for such an important office is a good ideal.


>One that could be an annoyance to the House since he's Kavarian.
Why would this annoy people? I can understand why they weren't that happy about the Kavarian knight but it shouldn't really make a difference because for the people back home probably everybody from this planet is a potential terrorist.

Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>38455811
>Roll 2d100
1

Rolled 5, 18 = 23 (2d100)

>>38455811
If need be, we can draw people from Tortua. Incidentally, we should be polite and send a report to that governor at some point, to at least formally inform him that the chances of us having any spare ground forces in the next month are basically nonexistant.
>>38455851
>I don't think supporting somebody without prior experience for such an important office is a good ideal.
There's basically no way anyone with prior experience is going to win though. All the big names are discredited, dead, in a coma, or are Koris and London

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>38455884
2

>>38455572
>Reynard responsible for protecting the governor

Didn't the old dro'all have heart problems or something?

His reaction was quite odd when we arrested him.

Wait, did we ever learn whom he was speaking to when we barged in to arrest him?

Rolled 21, 35 = 56 (2d100)

>>38455811
here comes the critical fail train

Rolled 92, 4 = 96 (2d100)

>21, 35
Seems like the dice really dislike House and Dominion lately.

Rolled 73, 94 = 167 (2d100)

>>38455811

>>38455572
I for one would not mind backing/helping Saloud Koris if he is up for it.

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>Those rolls

Things do not go smoothly. The upside is that nobody was killed and things improve somewhat but having PDF and Militia personnel in the same groups just is not going to work. The amount of time and manpower the medics spend patching people up from the fist fights far outweighs what it took to clean up the survivors of the prison attack.

About half of the marines you were able to call away from security duties are pulled back within the day. The remainder do what they can to help crack down on any violence targeting particular elements of the population.

A pair of HAG's assist, using their targeting systems to help with surveillance duties. It takes time but the blitz begins to cut down on the number of incidents until a neighborhood watch program can be implemented at Winifred's order.

The situation improves as more troops and ships return from House Fle'rov territory. A long term occupation force will be arriving there in another month which will improve the situation in the region.
The House gained a system with a habitable world in addition to numerous surrounding systems. A world that won't require terraforming work is a blessing at this point with all of the resources being invested in the Run or South Reach.

>>38455851
>Why would this annoy people?
Racist/ Speciesist / established nobles that don't want to change things. Used to be that Kavarians couldn't be trusted with positions of power in the Dominion for one reason or another. Or just wouldn't take them on principle.
Since the Faction Wars no House has allowed it and with the Kavarian population as a whole recovering at the time there were plenty of openings for them in Iratar's new government.

Some Houses have been talking about allowing more species to gain positions of nobility but less than 50 have actually done so. Plenty more Houses have gained non Dro'all or Human land owners in the conquest of South Reach but only those ~50 have Knighted any since.

Things were looking fairly positive until the recent backslide with the Ruling House trying to court the traditionalists.

But you're right. At this point you helping a Kavarian Governor get elected on Surakeh would only be a small blip.

>>38455931
>Wait, did we ever learn whom he was speaking to when we barged in to arrest him?
No. It was to a public terminal, there were no security sensors in the area.

>>38457035
>But you're right. At this point you helping a Kavarian Governor get elected on Surakeh would only be a small blip.
Plus, most of the other candidates will have no experience, and will have lost family to a House JD governor. Not exactly ideal.

>>38455899
>people from Tortua.
That's another source for mercs for security work.
>Incidentally, we should be polite and send a report to that governor at some point, to at least formally inform him that the chances of us having any spare ground forces in the next month are basically nonexistant.
You pass this information along.


The Heavy transport that was making use of your shipyard in orbit for repairs has finished and is preparing to get underway. The work was enough to pay for the basic operations budget of the yard for a year.

While it took awhile security did discover that there was a smuggling compartment aboard. A tiny one compared to the bulk of the vessel. It looks like they were planning to swing by the Indus colony to drop off cargo next which would have included several vehicles in the compartment. These were likely bound for the rebels that continue to resist the local government

House Sirco would likely be very grateful for this information, or the vehicles themselves. You could just confiscate them.

Alternatively, the freighter crew offer to provide you with additional contacts among the rebels that could someday be used against House Sirco if you ignore what they're doing. They're prepared to offer a bribe instead if that might interest you.

Included among the smuggled vehicles is a rare 90 ton Walker. A fully outfitted MacLeod, complete with jump jets.

>Your orders?

>>38457184
this actually makes a lot of sense. I like it.


>>38457035
>no security sensors in the area

What if we put the word out that we're looking for information about who may have been at these various public terminals at certain times?

And there is a reward for information leading to the capture of the Governor's minions at these terminals.

There may be no security cameras, but someone somewhere likely saw something and might be able to lead to a capture. Just let the public know that it may be a way to find someone connected to the deaths of locals.

more than likely, we'll be looking for someone trying to get off world FAST.

>>38457301
Take the information from them this time but tell them we better not catch them again or we will bust them. Can't let a trail lead back to us no matter how small it is.

>>38457301
>battletech Highlander
nifty

>SRL jackasses

Who are these guys loyal to, again? And how did they come by the damage we repaired?

Because I'm tempted to assume these guys are part of a concerted effort to fuck over the Houses in the region.

>>38457301
House Sulos lost quite abit in the Smuggler's Ring campaign and we have damaged relations due the knight we saved leaking info to us. I doubt they would be of any real use.

So I would support letting the rebels go for information as >>38457444 said.

>>38457741
FYI

'Sulos' is not the same as 'Sirco'

Sirco is the House we helped recover a stolen HAG, and the world in question is the one we rescued our pilot from after that Rovinar mission to track the V-torps on stolen super heavies.

Why we'd want contacts with their rebel factions is beyond me, though. That planet is a bunch of xenophobic assholes, iirc.

>>38457792
>
Should hostilities rise between them and our house then we can funnel weapons and supplies to those rebels to fuck them up. Incidentally should our relations increase with them instead we could just give them our contacts for them to take out. Or not do anything about them at all. In any case, it's always good to have information.

>>38457792
Thanks for that.

Still House Sirco lead an alliance of 3 houses in the SR campaign and their holdings are split apart from ours by other misc houses. I doubt they would help J-D much as they seem comfortable with their position, taking less risky operations. But if their planets start falling under rebel control we may be able to capitalize on that fact.

>>38457851
it is also dangerous to allow people from SRL to actively support destabilization of any Houses in the region.

If they're doing it to one House, they'll eventually do it to both friendly Houses and our House.

>>38457490
>Who are these guys loyal to, again?
They're a civilian ship registered out of SRL space. They were caught in the cross fire when a pair of Warlord fleets were shooting at each other.

Going to be putting up a survey in a bit so see you guys in the morning.

>>38457899
Fair enough I suppose. We may aswell bust them then and get bonus points with Sirco. Don't suppose we could confiscate the Heavy Transport?

>>38457301
I would say take the information/contacts and let them pass. Though if they can help it try not to do "too" much smuggling in our area....also where they hell did they get a Walker?

I swear i'm not asking because I want to say we own one. (Though I have no idea what we would us it for)

>>38457792
Really the whole situation on the planet seems like the Rebellion isn't going away any time soon. It also may or may not present a opportunity to help lessen the situation at some point in the future.

Just asking but is House Sirco supporting the Ruling House and the Neeren War?

>>38457876
We discovered the existence of a massive super-submarine used as a deep ocean base by the rebels when we recovered the HAG with Sirco.

Unless they're offering contacts across multiple worlds, they're just offering contacts on a world already rebelling and that we shouldn't want to touch with anything short of a KKD.

Unless they've got major holdings that we can somehow seize, I don't see any advantage to allowing a group of smugglers to supply a rebel faction that will just give hope to other rebels/FPL remnants.

And letting them do this sort of goes against the whole reason I suggested we attempt to get Houses working together to combat piracy a few threads back.

Allowing Dominion holdings in South Reach to be weakened just invites more problems.

SURVEY is on the wiki front page.

I've failed the spam filter twice now and am reluctant to get auto banned on the 3rd strike. Or did they get rid of that?

NTV35HF

>>38458095
I'm going to agree.

We should take the rare walker as a 'bribe' from the smugglers (which we then give to the Earl), and then we pass information along to House Sirco, thereby backing up our anti-piracy operation.

Everyone wins...except for the rebels I guess.

>>38456853
>but having PDF and Militia personnel in the same groups just is not going to work
Maybe we could start small by having week long training courses for officers to get at least them working together? It might be necessary for them to work together if the world ever comes under attack.

Perhaps offer more interesting training course to these groups than those that are normally available to either organization? Zero-G training, boarding courses, power cell armour proficiency, courses for newly developed weapon systems, etc.

>>38458027
>It's a good idea. One that would require a few changes to local laws. Could be set up eventually.

We should at least suggest it to Winifred, and whoever becomes governor.

>>38459591
The more we get involved in these damned messes, the more I hate every ranking Dominion person just due to the refusal to adapt on a tactical level.

Old Guard suck, it would seem.

If anyone that skipped question 2 would like to re-enter the survey I've changed the settings to allow it. Survey will remain open awhile longer.

For now you'll be hanging onto those encryped files. Maybe they'll be of use some day, or maybe not. You'll be prepared either way.

House Sirco is pleased that you've given them information on the smugglers. They should be able to use the data to hurt the rebels. It would be better for them if you left the shipment intact so they could add tracers but understand if you want to take some of them as compensation.

>Do we know anyone that likes collecting walkers?
Not yet but it wouldn't be hard to find out who does. Most would be collectors simply havent had the opportunity to get hold of one.

The Baron's people will talk to your people about finding a suitable recipient.

>>38463846
>Question 2
Would it possible to get into contact with Sarnai Mann regardless of the survey results? If she's going to be an imporant person on this planet, we should at least set her up with competent help. It's in our own interest to stabilize the planet's economy.

I voted for Mar Ha'Farum seeing as I feel we really should not alienate the rest of the nobility at this very moment due to resent actions. If supporting him instead strengthens our standing with the rest of the nobles we stand to gain more progress on the road to the title of Baron. Most of our actions revolve around that at the moment so we may as well max it out for the greatest amount of progress.

As for why I do not think we should have London try take the position. He would do a good job and would probably act a bit like our puppet when it comes down it. On the other hand, he runs our company and has done it well so far but most importantly is that we can trust him and I'd rather not replace that with several other individuals who are less efficient and less trustworthy.

>>38464021
I'm more concerned that Terran Intel will make use of her or have influence over her.

They're complete dicks and they certainly think J-D has gone after their weapons tech and such.

>>38464151
the biggest problem I see with supporting the new House guy is that any victory by him is almost guaranteed to end in claims of rigged votes or worse.

And supporting him is likely to damage our company's standing with Surekah's population, unless he has some radical concessions to make.

We'd be better off just staying out of it entirely

>>38464021
>Would it possible to get into contact with Sarnai Mann regardless of the survey results? If she's going to be an imporant person on this planet, we should at least set her up with competent help. It's in our own interest to stabilize the planet's economy.
Yes its certainly possible. She'll also have some help from family members including the one that's being cloned.

>>38464175
There is no evidence she's been approached by Terran intel, but then again if they were doing their job right there wouldn't be.

While you may be undecided when it comes to who to support London throws his public support behind the Kavarian.

Sarnai Mann and her supporters do what they can to rally sections of the populace. They lack the financial resources of Ha'farum but are able to rely upon locals and the public infonet spreading word about their position on various issues.

The election race comes to a head when one of Ha'farum's party members refers to Koris as a terrorist. The statement is retracted within a few hours but it has only served to highlight the local tensions.

Your people are kept busy responding to more reports of violence. It's becoming somewhat easier with ships and troops returning from occupied territory.

All of the candidates are asked to make statements condemning the violence and asking for an end to the attacks which does help mitigate things to some extent. Arrests get things under control and while a few vigilantes do start to make appearances and need to be stunned as well Surakeh is mostly under control in time for the first round elections.

One third of the lower level government officials are able to retain their posts, the quickly assembled parties more loosely aligned with Mann's group getting the majority.

Saloud Koris wins the election for Governor with 41% of the vote and Mann with 30%. Ha'farum was able to get less than a quarter. Before then end of the day Koris and Mann's groups agree to work together while political reforms take place. His position isn't strong enough to govern by himself and he plans to implement a council system before the end of the year.

It takes a few days but the Earl eventually releases a statement welcoming Koris as the interim Governor of Surakeh while the populace sorts out future means of governance.

As a result of the election protests crop up on other House worlds over the next few weeks but are quickly or quietly disbanded.

>>38465937
>While you may be undecided when it comes to who to support London throws his public support behind the Kavarian.

Did each option manage to get exactly the same amount of votes in classic H&D fashion?

>>38466097
Yes.
Oh wait there was one more vote to tip it but it was a bit too late.

>>38465937
The media are more strictly controlled elsewhere in the House and little official news is allowed to get out about the precise extent of the other protest movements. Immigration to Surakeh may increase in the future as a result of the new government.


Once the occupation forces have arrived in the cluster and defenses are properly established the House main fleet returns to Surakeh. The reappearance of the rebuilt Heavy Carrier that had spent years in orbit is hard to miss.
There will likely be awards bestowed upon the crews on behalf of the Earl the next time they're rotated home. The Baron and her staff will be handling some of them in the next few days and there is expected to be a ball held in honor of the returning Knights and officers.

What Winifred is uncertain of is should any sort of public victory celebration or parade be held? Surakeh hasn't really had one before. Daska may have been the commander of the fleet but she's also a relative of the former Governor. Elements of the populace may react badly if things focused too heavily on her.

Your opinion?

>>38466311
Have Saloud Koris host the victory parade and party. Don't focus it excessively on Daskha, but don't minimize her accomplishments. Also make sure that there is a photo op of her shaking hands with Saloud Koris, Sarnai Mann, and us in a "bury the hatchet" sort of thing.

>>38466311
>What Winifred is uncertain of is should any sort of public victory celebration or parade be held?

Maybe have the ships orbit biggest station in parade formation, let everybody get drunk off planet, and use the money that would normally be spent on a planetary parade for local celebrations in the various cities instead? It doesn't have to be anything big, just some free food, drink, and music in select public places.

I'm not really sure if we should hold a parade at the moment. Security would be a nightmare.

>>38466671
These ideas are good as well.

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>>38466919
>>38466671

The Governor will still be hosting a ball with help from the Baron's people and there will be a party on the surface but the parade elements will be toned down.

A few smaller parties will be set up in the larger cities with broadcasts of the Governor welcoming the returning officers.

Koris agrees, stating that the populace might see the parade as disruptive or a waste of resources.

The higher ranked Knights and the Baron kick in some money for the party being held space side. Most of the crews will not be allowed to the surface until they've finished detox afterwards.

You're there at the ball when Daska, the Admirals and Generals arrive. It doesn't take long for everyone to get their publicity photos taken. Daska is a little annoyed she's largely being lumped in with the Admirals but she wouldn't be herself without that same old hint of annoyance present.

The Governor makes a short speech to those gathered at the ball, the other locations or those watching over the networks.
"We've faced hard times this year but they could have been much worse. We all know just had bad things can get on this planet but because we've refused to be quiet about it they're now improving. I hope that those of us working to get the planet running smoothly can count on everyone's support in that regard in the future.
But today we're celebrating! Not just that we've been allowed to keep our election win but also that the House we're part of is a successful one. We may not be implementing a draft for the House any time soon but those from Surakeh who have joined the military have returned victorious. We're all hoping that continues to remain the case.

A toast, to a victory for the House and continued prosperity for our world!"

With that out of the way the remainder of the awards are handed out and the ball commences.

An unexpected guest arrives in a mobility chair. Lady Ainsley is as impeccably dressed as she usually was at the meetings you attended. She's using a voice synthesizer at the moment but assures anyone talking to her that she'll be able to speak on her own in a few months.

"I should even be walking by then. I can walk a bit now but it's much too exhausting for an event like this. I'm glad Mister Koris was able to sort things out with the election."

"Do you remember much from the prison?" You ask her.

"Leading up to the attack yes. I professed by innocence to the charges when the police came for me, I even offered to take a lie detector test. I don't know how well those things can be fooled these days but I shouldn't have had any reason to fear that.
They didn't treat us badly at the prison, though it was hardly a five star resort like those ones on Tourta. Have you been to one of those yet? I absolutely have to recommend it. The prison less so."

>Anything you want to ask her?
Or barring that
>What do?

>>38467752
I kind of feel like we owe her an apology for what she went through.


... damn, I just had a thought. Stasis fields basically lop off anything caught on both sides of them, right? Would those portable devices potentially be able to act as a breaching tool?

>>38467752
Probably apologize for what she went through. Also need to swing by and congratulate Daskha

>>38467912
I’m sure there are easier ways to breach something. Though perhaps not as silent ones.

>>38467752
Apologize for allowing this situation to happen. Ask her if she plans to go back to the political scene as soon as she is healthy enough.

Ask her if there is any specific resort she can recommend of if they are all great. I don’t think Sonia has ever just fully relaxed for a while and now might be a good time.

>>38467752
>Anything you want to ask her?
Ask her if she's planning to run for some kind of public office once she has recovered.

Does she suspect any local nobles or wealthy persons we didn't catch to have aided Governor Rna?

>What do?
Congratulate the Governor on his victory.
If Ms Mann is around, chat with her for a bit. See if we can make Daska a little bit less grumpy.
Didn't Mike come back with the fleet as well?
Try to talk at least a few minutes with every important officer present.
Was anybody knighted in the field?

>>38467912
>Stasis fields basically lop off anything caught on both sides of them, right? Would those portable devices potentially be able to act as a breaching tool?
Handwavium.jpg Possibly but not the heavy blast doors you see on the outer hull of a starship or protecting the bridge of a warship. Not yet. There are a few advances that can make it possible but it won't be a small unit like you'd see in medkits.
They might be able to get it down to the size of some police battering rams.

You apologize for what she went through and allowing the situation to happen. If you'd moved faster to get them out of there...
"Stop blaming yourself, what's done it done. I know you tried several times to get us lawyers through. I certainly wouldn't expect it of anyone to stage an actual prison break for me. Not that I wouldn't have minded."

"Do you have any plans to go back to the political scene when you're healthy enough?"
"Certainly. Not this year though. Once I've recovered I'll do what I can to help the Governor and get an idea of how things are shaping up. If I'm feeling up to it in time for the next election than I may run for Governor, or perhaps I'll just end up trying for one of the council positions."

>Ask her if there is any specific resort she can recommend of if they are all great. I don’t think Sonia has ever just fully relaxed for a while and now might be a good time.
"I'd heard that one you own is quite popular among the up and up, but hard to get to. Very exclusive due to security restrictions.
The best ones are generally on the main northern island. There was one there, it started with an H, that I quite liked. Beautiful beaches and you could see the mountains quite clearly."

>Does she suspect any local nobles or wealthy persons we didn't catch to have aided Governor Rna?
"I had my suspicions about one fellow but I'm afraid he was reported killed at the prison. I don't know the other House Nobles that weren't arrested well enough."

Somehow this whole affair smells wrong. Its like someone wanted us to get to deal with this shit knowing that we are either going to fail or stumble somehow to arrest our influence or gain something great if we do not do anything.

And we did not get to be Knight Commander. Daska finally surpassed us. That is somehow just wrong.

>>38468939
She isn't a knight commander though.

>>38468939
Don't be so glum. Winifred and our fearsome foursome is probably going in house history as engines of its restoration.

Its just that you are sad that we are not unequivocally leading the Fearsome Foursome.

>Congratulate the Governor on his victory.
You make sure to head over to do that the moment you see an opening.
"Thank you. We could have used your help with funding for the campaign Captain but I'm sure you had your reasons. I'm glad you didn't need to help the other guy."

>If Ms Mann is around, chat with her for a bit.
"There are so many people here, all or most of them nobles. I'm not really used to it all. My parents and grandparents used to talk about what things were like in the Dominion when I was a child. Then it was just a far away place. After my parents died I didn't want to get involved in the politics of it, now here I am anyways."
"So why come back?"
"I wanted to help my Uncle and after seeing how close things came to being a disaster now if feels like it's my duty to stay on."

>See if we can make Daska a little bit less grumpy.
"How was your first real fleet command without the Baron or myself around to look over your shoulder?"
"I did command the fleet that one time when you were unconscious from poison for a week."
"Uhh... true. You still didn't answer my question."
"It felt... right. I think I did well. In the first few days I nearly went on a power trip and had to hold myself back. It's different without the threat of a superior being nearby to rein you in."

"So are you glad for the experience?"

"Absolutely, and thank you. I heard from one of the Admirals Winifred put the choice to you for who should command the fleet this time."

You suggest that Alex could perhaps take the next similar scale operation. You want a big one. A full expeditionary force.

Daska shakes her head. "Well I suppose I could let you have the next one sir."

>>38468572
>"I'd heard that one you own is quite popular among the up and up, but hard to get to. Very exclusive due to security restrictions.
Speaking of that resort, I think we should ingrate it more heavily into our broader socio-political strategy.

Maybe we could start offering an annual membership at X price, which includes a discount for individual stays, and comes with a free annual security and background check.

Also, we should offer this membership to the Knights in our Social Club, at a discount of course though.

>>38469268
Tell Daska that we honestly think she did an excellent job.

>Was anybody knighted in the field?
Several have been nominated but none were Knighted. You ask Daska about this.

"From what I've been lead to understand our military has been getting a bit top heavy. We have too many Knights coming back from the war thanks to our elite units. The rest of the fleet needs to bulk up a bit first. The new holdings should help to some extent."

You tell her one last thing before parting ways. "I want you to know I honestly think you did an excellent job."
"Thank you sir."

>Didn't Mike come back with the fleet as well?
No he's in the Homeworlds still. A recent report from DHI says that they're working on a newer afterburner system which means Mike's squadron will probably be the first to get them.

>Try to talk at least a few minutes with every important officer present.
This alone take up much of your time at the party until you run into Winifred.

"The lack of data from this entire affair with the Governor's land grab attempt is still worrying."
"No kidding." You reply then add at the last moment, "Sir."

"You're going to find Reynard that at times you need to act without having all of the data. We don't always have all the pieces readily laid out. Or the time it takes to find them all will mean that an opportunity will have been missed.
As irrational as it may sound there are times were you need to follow your instincts and intuition. That may not always make for terribly good orders. That doesn't mean you should change who you are."

>>38469268
>Captain but I'm sure you had your reasons
"I've upset a lot of important people over the past weeks. It was probably best for me to step out of the limelight for a bit. And it's likely an advantage to your position to have won the election without the money from somebody who was directly involved in that unfortunate affair."

>Daska as commander
In retrospect, it was probably for the best. Having Daska around while we dealt with the Governor would have probably caused problems for her, while Alex proved invaluable with his insights into the minefield that is upper class politics.

> I'm not really used to it all.
Share some stories from when Sonia first stumbled into this whole thing.

>>38469617
Agreed.

>>38469802
Seconding the entire post. Especially the first part.

>>38469757
"Well, I feel that it could have gone far worse. So there’s that at least, I suppose."

>>38469802
The governor is fairly understanding of your reasons. Why wouldn't he be? You've been rather understanding in your business dealings and getting him back on his feet.

>Share some stories from when Sonia first stumbled into this whole thing.
You make sure to find some time to do so. Some of the good and the bad.
"It's a horrible thing to say but I'm glad I became a noble by inheritance rather than the way you did. I don't know if I could stomach fighting. Not the best mindset to have in the middle of a war I guess."

Well she is a civilian.


The day after the party you get word from RSS. A competitor has begun producing a repulsor based mass driver rifle that has more than a passing resemblance to your own weapon. Stripped down to it's most basic form, even the rear of the weapon where heavier rounds would be stored has been removed. It is still possible to breech load single 20mm rounds. The rest of the weapon is identical to the Reynard repulsor rifle.

Truth be told your weapon is mechanically not far removed from the original repulsor rifles built by the South Reach League.

The company making the knockoff is not licensed to produce splinter ammo so the sales of your own 20mm specialist munitions have increased as a result.

[ ] Don't press legal claims (Increased ammo sales)
[ ] Sue for compensation / force them to buy licenses
[ ] Put them out of business
[ ] Try to acquire their company

>>38470470
>[ ] Try to acquire their company
would we be able to modify their factory to produce the RR

>>38470470
>[X] Try to acquire their company
Have people look at how well their stuff works and if there’s a market for their design too.

Have someone approach them (or do so ourselves) and suggest we find an amicable solution.
Make them a solid offer if they have a solid product. Otherwise push for making them buy licenses. Use the subtle threat of legal action, but try to stay civil.

>>38470470
>[ ] Try to acquire their company
A basic version for mass production could prove profitable.

Have our people look into this to see if they're worth acquiring.

>>38470470
>[X] Try to acquire their company

>would we be able to modify their factory to produce the RR
You could.

>Have our people look into this to see if they're worth acquiring.
>Have people look at how well their stuff works and if there’s a market for their design too.
Their weapon is cheaper, slightly easier to maintain and is selling. It's functionally the same weapon as your rifle though several parts are of lower quality. It doesn't quite have the same muzzle velocity though the original may be overkill in that department.

Your 20mm specialist rounds still cause just as much damage at the reduced velocity. A couple of them may actually be more effective at lower speeds. Many specialists issued your weapons will dial down the velocity for some rounds. The other company may have noticed these reports.

>>38470597
>>38470623
>>38470653
>>38470828
The owner's are reluctant to sell but the thought of lawyers are less appealing to them. They're willing to part with their factory and any potential rights to design modifications for 25 million.

>What say?

>>38471095
Well… Is their design actually good or just a cheap gimmiky knock-off? And what do you market-analysts say about the worth of their company from the limited data we have?

I say, if their company is estimated at at least 20m then I am willing to give them the 25m for it.

(I’d also settle for being majority shareholder, if they prefer. Don’t really have a preference there.)

>>38471095
>Owner
Well, it's obvious they're good at what they're doing and it's not really in our interest to interfere with what's obviously a successful company.

Would they be willing to sell us a majority of stocks in the company, and otherwise keep doing their thing?

>Well… Is their design actually good or just a cheap gimmiky knock-off?
Some have implied that your rifle is the gimmiky knockoff of the older Warlord weapon.
Their weapon isn't exceptional, merely adequate. The cheaper parts will wear out and need replacement long before yours would but as a result they can produce their rifles much more quickly.

>And what do you market-analysts say about the worth of their company from the limited data we have?
At that cost the factory would pay for itself in less than a decade if the numbers they're looking at are accurate.
The facility, production lines and design rights come to between 18 and 22 million.

>>38471271
>Would they be willing to sell us a majority of stocks in the company, and otherwise keep doing their thing?
If that gave them the production rights to go forward they're willing to entertain it. There is some discussion over which of the owners would sell you their shares and retire in that case.

Buy the company, or majority shareholder?

>>38471095
15m, they retain a 20% share hold of their specific facilities, and remind them that its not uncommon for less scrupulous factions, such as those terrans or kavarians to sabotage competitive research and production in other factions. It would be much better for the company to join and be more secure in a larger dominion company. After all if their production were ever to produce their products close to someone else's the security you provide would be very beneficial to ward against angry motherfucking black ops sorts wanting to decorate the mantle place with their intestines for being a [rest of message consists entirely of profanity and discussing several novel methods of torture].

Ok so maybe don't send the very last part but I feel this would be an advantageous offer.
>>38471775

>>38471775
I‘m down with whatever. Whichever one least interferes with the operation of the facility. so propably:
>majority shareholder

>>38471775

>>38471271 here
>majority shareholder
Sounds like a decent deal to me.

>>38471775
Buy the company

>>38471852
Owning it doesn't mean we have to screw around with the facility overmuch. oh yeah and my suggestion hear was for ownership of the company and facility with only their share being in the facility>>38471849

>>38471775
Hostile takeover time. No one steals our design and calls it their own and can expect to get away with it. What if they started selling them to hostile Houses? Or even worse! What if they sold some to the Terrans?

Sue them and put them out of business I say.

>>38471849
>>38471902
>oh yeah and my suggestion hear was for ownership of the company and facility with only their share being in the facility
In this case the remaining owner would want their remaining share of the company to still be of the company, not just the factory.

You want to buy the factory itself and then have a separate lawsuit against them to secure the production rights?

We're 2 for takeover, 2 for majority and 1 for specialised majority.

>>38472420
>You want to buy the factory itself and then have a separate lawsuit against them to secure the production rights?

Not him, and I voted to procure a majority of the shares but that plan sounds really needlessly complicated to me.

>>38472420
I’m the other shareholder. I change my vote to just taking it over. That should hopefully resolve this tie.

>>38472420
Takeover.

Perhaps a legal case being rumored or processed for infringement would prompt them to drop their price? London may have an idea on that.

You decide to buy them out but push to reduce the sale price of the company to the 22 million estimate your people gave you. It's also made clear that if they simply start up another company elsewhere with the same design you'll sue their asses off.

There are some concers about the long term maintinence of the factory. Some of the equipment was repurposed from older factories that had gone out of business years ago during the Warlord raids. Sections will need replacement eventually. It's also on a Terran world with lower safety standards so it may need improvments in that area in the future.


London draws your attention to another issue.
"While we're looking at weapons we were sent a request for a new design. The Alliance and a number of the power armor developers in the Dominion want a dedicated 20mm repulsor rifle for use in an upcoming heavy power armor. It has to be capable of variable rate of fire and loading from an external ammo drum or belt."

"Sounds more like a vehicle grade weapon. Why contact us?"
"Our larger and earlier model rifles have the minimum barrel length they're looking for. Everyone who produces similar weapons have been contacted so they must want spares or different options."

[ ] Let's stick with the small arms business we have
[ ] Design specialist ammo for when the weapons enter use
[ ] Get a team together, produce a weapon for the desired specs

>>38473188
London knows more about the company than we do. Does he think developing any of this would be feasible?

>>38473188
[X] Get a team together, produce a weapon for the desired specs

Just take the rifle and scale everything up by like 50%?

>>38472420
Takeover gets my vote.

>>38473188
>it is on a Terran world

all of my 'oh fuck's

>Weapon stuff

Our company is sort of crippled by feed systems, right?

What if we looked into partnering with a more established company? We have a gun design that works. They likely have better experience with feed systems required and likely some damned good gunsmiths that can modify our design.

Potentially, we could arrange that we have license to use any weapon improvements that come about to our rifle, and share in profits of the new version that comes about.

>>38473320
>Does he think developing any of this would be feasible?
"It should be. It's not like we would be developing it from scratch this time. Just take your existing 20mm capable weapon, armor it and change the feeding system?
How hard could that be?"

>Our company is sort of crippled by feed systems, right?
The two of you stand in silence for a moment until this comes to mind.
"Right, the HAG ammo loader problems."

"I guess we could contact some people. Specialists to consult."

>What if we looked into partnering with a more established company? We have a gun design that works. They likely have better experience with feed systems required and likely some damned good gunsmiths that can modify our design.
Would this be okay?

please post

>>38473695
>Would this be okay?
I'm not opposed to the idea but I think it really depends on the companies available for that cooperation.

>>38473188
>[ ] Get a team together, produce a weapon for the desired specs
guess its time to take it to eleven

>>38473766
>I'm not opposed to the idea but I think it really depends on the companies available for that cooperation.

Most arms companies focus on energy weapons but there are a few in friendly territory.

There is a small producer on Surakeh that builds and refurbishes rotary cannons that could be a good match for the loader.

The various artillery system producers on Kaartinen could certainly help with this project.

Back in the Homeworlds are multiple small arms companies you could get in contact with but distance could be a factor there.

You could also look to other nearby Houses or even in SRL space. There are similar weapons produced by the Warlords but that use chemically propelled munitions.

Thoughts?

>>38473407
>>38473810
For the moment I'm going with get a team together. That will take some time to go through so Its going to be added to our next survey.

There is still an invitation to visit the the Nai lab you helped fund.
Did you want to visit?
Was there anything else you'd like to do while you're still in South Reach?

>>38474834
>Did you want to visit?
Yes, let's visit them. I am interested to see how their research is going and how we can benefit from it. I don't even remember what they are researching truth be told, or if they even told us.

>Was there anything else you'd like to do while you're still in South Reach?
Buy more shipyards?

>>38474834
Might as well visit them.

Ask Winifred to increase patrols due to increasing covert actions by rival Houses?

>>38474834
How did the Warlords that turned to Houses go, and didn't we plan to invest into some of them?

I forget if we've met with the Knight turned Baron we dueled for that planet this deployment. We've got a Type... 6? attack bomber factory on his world. It would be prudent to at least visit him for an hour or two.

What is... Ber-something? I can't recall his exact name. FA SRL guy we betrayed, up to?

And finally... do we have enough funds to swoop in and buy land from the nobles that lied before the House even gets an offer in, once charges are filed? Possibly with a slightly better offer than the House or leveraging the loads of land on Roija we have available? (The House likely won't offer -any- land in exchange, so a small parcel could be damned good leverage to pay equal or less than the House)

You make sure to give plenty of warning before arriving at the lab facility. It's a bit difficult to find being located in one of the many uninhabited systems in the space surrounding Surakeh. Perfectly average there is little reason for anyone to come looking for anything here other than the usual com and sensor relays.

You enter orbit of a low gravity world devoid of atmosphere and tidal locked to its star. Survey reports show its metal contents are very low. The lab is located on the dark side, 100km from the terminator near the north pole. A planetary shield protects against meteor strikes. You don't see any other defenses on your flight in but there are bound to be some.

A Shallan who introduces herself as Barbera greets you and offers to show you around the facility.

"How tall is everyone in your party? Not all of the corridors are faction standard." After finding out she confirms that everyone will probably be okay.

"I hope you'll forgive the condition of this facility. It's privately built using what the Nai government in exile could get their hands on. They provide most of the funding for these sites. Because of the work done here the living spaces and transportation passages are partially segregated. We're a bit small and some Nai are really big. It's more for our protection."

"So what sort of lab did I help fund? I don't even remember all of the specifics to be honest."

"It's easier to show you, but first the safety procedures." She points to well marked a case and several alarm panels next to it. Bio hazard markings cover all but one alarm which is for fire suppression.
"Emergency HAZMAT stations are found at regular intervals. Blast doors are well marked so don't loiter underneath them. If an alarm goes off make sure the blast doors in your section close properly then put on the emergency gear. Teams will be along to check your section within 20 minutes. Got that part?"

Oh great. "Yes." you reply.

"If there is a medical containment breach the entire site will remain quarantined and you will not be permitted to leave the surface until it has been lifted. Shuttles leaving the surface without authorization will be shot down first and asked about later. Okay?"
Barbera claps her hands. "Now that the scary bit is over on with the tour!"

You're shown into an observation gallery overlooking a lab. Most of it is filled with medical analysis equipment and a number of holographic displays showing data on an unfamiliar genome. A few Shallan and human lab workers are assisting a trio of the serpentine Nai, all of which are sporting cybernetic prosthetics to allow them full use of the research equipment and systems.

"I'm sure this all looks really boring but it's very important. This is just one of the lab areas at this facility. Nai are a bit big so they need plenty of space to work."

"So again what are you working on?"
"It's a genetic engineering project. Nai can't effectively make use of Faction infrastructure and technology without help or cybernetics. Their size and and almost armor like hide means it can be dangerous for them to be around other species. If they bump into someone at the wrong place and time people could get seriously hurt.

It's been causing problems on a few worlds where refugees have settled. It wasn't a pressing issue on their own worlds. They used plenty of automated industries the Shallan government helped them set up, or combinations of voice and neural input.
Here they need cybernetics which are in high demand because of the war."

She presses a button on her communicator. "Doctor J, Knight Reynard is here for the tour."
"Yes, apologizes, I wanted to help finish off a few things before the visit but it seems I've fallen behind." Replies one of the Nai down in the lab. He closes down a terminal and heads out of the room.

A short lift ride later you meet the Nai Doctor as he leaves decontamination. He gestures to another door down the hall with a cybernetic limb.
"Please follow me. There is a tram to another lab though there."

A short ride later you arrive in another observation area in a different part of the station.

"Don't tap on the glass the doctors get really upset even though it's sound proofed." The Shallan whispers.

This lab has many more holographics and seems to be something of a control hub for work being done in the other areas.

"As you can see in some of the displays to the right we've been working to repurpose where possible. Our plan is for first generation engineered Nai to gain the use of limbs that can operate Faction equipment and to reduce overall body mass. We are from a lower gravity world.
Most of the tests we've been conducting are at the level of single cells.
A few project teams at the various bases are interested in vectors to introduce the modifications to current Nai so as a result we keep heightened quarantine measures at all the labs in case anyone becomes reckless and decides to act without permission."

"So are they supposed to look like the God Emperor of Dune when they're done?" Asks Valeri.

Barbera's voice catches in her threat for a moment until she finally remembers to breathe.
"DO NOT. EVER. SAY THAT!" belts out the diminutive woman in a voice that would put most drill sergeants to shame.

"Barbera calm down." urges the doctor before replying to your bodyguard. "I'm not familiar with that reference but this is only preliminary. Only a small number of our people would make use of this form. They'll be tasked with working more closely with the Faction species while we decide upon long term action. Unless there is a sudden reversal in the Neeran situation we could be here for some time. The Nai have long lives and we must prepare now for long term eventualities."

>What say?

>>38477428
"That sounds like a very difficult project. Are you worried about the potential societal effects of having such a clear divide?"

>>38477428
The Free Nai genepool is dangerously limited, correct?

What sort of precautions are being taken to ensure that they aren't threatened with a Kavarian situation (due to Faction Wars Cloning they've got genepool issues, iirc?) or possible extinction?

>>38477428
"That sounds interesting on one hand and somewhat horrible on the other. Cybernetics I could understand but changing a person one the genetic level seems... Odd to me. Are you sure the civilian population will react favorably to this and not see it as some bizarre act against nature? Also how do you ensure that this does not disturb the Nai gene pool or cause excessive genetic damage on a pandemic level should more than a few decide to get these enchantments?"

"That sounds interesting on one hand and somewhat horrible on the other. Cybernetics I could understand but changing a person one the genetic level seems... Odd to me. Are you sure the civilian population will react favorably to this and not see it as some bizarre act against nature?"
"Our people are fairly progressive, we have to be to advance when the opportunity is available. Some elements have suggested that with cybernetics technology it might be better to simply upload one's consciousness into machines. There are still too many risks there though, especially if the Terrans release an AI plague upon Faction space like a few of our analysts believe will happen in the next century."
"What?"

"You didn't hear that from me. Barbera she didn't hear that from me."

The Shallan pulls out a notepad and begins muttering "IQ two hundred something my ass."

"Right. Also how do you ensure that this does not disturb the Nai gene pool or cause excessive genetic damage on a pandemic level should more than a few decide to get these enchantments?"

"We intend to maintain a large population of unmodified individuals. If necessary they'll be placed in stasis. We also have samples from nearly every Nai that has left our homeworld since the invasion. Every facility has enough gene data or samples to restart our species in the event of an emergency. Not that it wouldn't take careful planning.

As an additional precaution the first generation of modified Nai will require assistance to reproduce."

"That sounds like a very difficult project. Are you worried about the potential societal effects of having such a clear divide?"

"Truthfully I try not to think about it. Others allow that question to preoccupy far too much time."
He presses a button opening a com link to one of the other researchers and passes on your question.

>cont.

>>38478538

What you take to be a Nai Female by the name of San does her best to answer you. "It is a question that is troubling us. We should be using all of our resources to secure a new planet instead. He's more worried about genetic diversity among the new population."

"That's part of my job San." The Doctor replies.

"Still I believe our society will be able to cope with the changes some of the populace will be faced with. We've conducted a number of psych studies which have been very informative. At worst more of our populace will return to older traditions that more heavily favoured a solitary lifestyle.
First contact with the Shallans forced us to become much more social than we had before."

>>38478538
>AI plague

[Sonia creepy head turn]

and then Versa killed everyone.

>secure a new planet instead

Interesting... would they be directly competing with other Factions species, or would they be able to utilize a world that other Factions would deem unsuitable for terraforming/habitation?

>would they be directly competing with other Factions species, or would they be able to utilize a world that other Factions would deem unsuitable for terraforming/habitation?
They tend to prefer low gravity worlds within Faction habitable ranges, so worlds Dro'all tend to like.

With no other questions you're given a few more rundowns on the state of things here and your contributions. A few of the lab modules were repurposed from equipment removed from the Terran Science ship you upgraded for the Navigators.

As always they're thankful for everything you've done to help rescue people from Shallan space and transport refugees to South Reach. It may not be ideal but it's not an active war zone. Or not all the time.


>Knight turned Baron we dueled for that planet this deployment.
Baron Idoh [Dro'all] (House Aeon)
>It would be prudent to at least visit him for an hour or two.
You make sure to drop by. He makes it clear that he knows you're selling some of your starfighters to a particular mercenary company in House Ceres space. A company working almost exclusively with House Veritas.
If Aeon should go to war with Veritas he would have to close off any potential means for the enemy to take supplies produced on their worlds. Just so you're aware.

>FA SRL guy we betrayed, up to?
Berwari was pissed that his forces were wrecked. He's taken on an extended contract with the Alliance and transferred to the Pandora Cluster. He may be headed elsewhere after that, you're not sure.

>>38478538
>especially if the Terrans release an AI plague upon Faction space like a few of our analysts believe will happen in the next century."

Oh god TSTG... Why do you do this to me?! My paranoia is running sky high now! More reasons for the war with the Terrans to come soon! I tell you as soon as the civil war is over and the Neerans are done in we're wreaking the Terrans!

File: 1329484782190.jpg (72 KB, 798x380)

72 KB JPG

>How did the Warlords that turned to Houses go, and didn't we plan to invest into some of them?
Yes and it looks like you ended up investing in them and one of the Warlords allied with the Dominion.

The economic recovery of the new Houses is a dramatic one now that they're getting economic aid. It's enough that a few Houses cut off funding early for fear the new Houses would become too powerful in the future.
One piece of news that has disturbed more than a few Houses is that the 3rd Warlord to join the Dominion is allied with House Kharbos and has already sold them a super heavy cruiser. 2 of the former Warlords are more or less allied with the Ruling House at the moment so it's not cause for all out panic.

With the South Reach economy starting to get up to speed the flow of refugees out of Warlord space has finally reached equilibrium with new arrivals.

>And finally... do we have enough funds to swoop in and buy land from the nobles that lied before the House even gets an offer in, once charges are filed?
Maybe.

>Possibly with a slightly better offer than the House or leveraging the loads of land on Roija we have available? (The House likely won't offer -any- land in exchange, so a small parcel could be damned good leverage to pay equal or less than the House)
Make them an offer they can't refuse? You realise that if it worked it would mean you could end up with these same people on Rioja some day once it's Terraformed?

Is anyone else in favour of this plan?

>>38480254
Nah, I'll pass on it. I like the fact that we own like half a planet.

>>38475062
>Ask Winifred to increase patrols due to increasing covert actions by rival Houses?
It's a work in progress but she plans to keep up the anti-piracy efforts.

>>38474880
>Buy more shipyards?
You're effectively maxed out for capacity at Surakeh though i suppose the last remaining station could be expanded.

You could also look at construction of permanent stations to replace the modular ones since you have the licenses from the Exodus yards.

>>38480949
Permanent stations at Frostback and Tourta is something we could look into. I don't remember Tourta having one and it could certainly boost the trade in the area where as Frostback is not very important but a station could probably boost the growth of the planets economy and infrastructure. Also if we replace the modular stations entirely then we could relocate those to the Run where they could be of use to help out our holdings there.

Discuss what sort of things you guys would like to do in terms of stations as we'll be time skipping through another section at the alliance training base.

Plenty of investments are in place and South Reach seem to be approaching something close to stability when you ship out.

You spend a few days back home on the way to your Alliance posting. Time is also set aside to visit family members of soldiers you lost at the prison.

The day that you arrive at the Training base a message from Duke Ber'helum is waiting for you.
"We've done it."

See you in the morning.

>>38481375
>"We've done it."
Can't tell if ominous or not...

>>38481375
>"We've done it."

Ooh.. what could it be?

>>38484851
>Duke Aros Ber'helum
>Head of House Ber'helum and an imposing figure at six foot three, likely one of the tallest Dro'all Knight Sonia Reynard has encountered. Agreed to Sonia's FTL Interdiction research proposal.

I don't have the slighest idea.

>>38479668
>They tend to prefer low gravity worlds within Faction habitable ranges, so worlds Dro'all tend to like.
Have they considered to start looking for real eastate in Watcher space? It seems the two species would get along well, and the Nai wouldn't have to compete with any species we know of for low gravity planets.

>Other stuff
How is House Posat doing?
Can we visit the region Daska managed to secure for the House?

>>38480254
>same people on Rioja
I was thinking that we'd be able to offer a fairly small as hell parcel just so they would 'own land' and keep some status.

I imagine that there is a very good chance these folks could end up in a sort of financial death spiral if hit by damages and the offer of even a tiny bit of land on Rioja could secure a hold on Surekah for us. Most may end up selling the land to the House anyway, which I expect we'll be forced to do with at least part of our holdings there.

>>38480751
>I like the fact that we own like half a planet

Trading away a few comparatively small bits of that for holdings on Surekah could be a damned good trade. We've basically maxed out our capacity to expand on Surekah, and this could bring in some fairly easy land for expansion.


>>38481375
>permanent stations

Wasn't there an issue of 'bank breaking' levels of funding for that?

But then there are government contracts to build stations... Surekah, Tourta, Baron Idoh's world, and I believe J-D or Allied Houses may have South Reach sites or Smuggler's Run sites that they might consider permanent stations for.

>>38479668
>Idoh knows

Well, that factory is getting either seized or shut down in the future.

>>38485759
>Well, that factory is getting either seized or shut down in the future.

Or we'll be under more scrutiny when it comes to exporting the bombers we build there and have to stop delivering them to Veritas. I'm sure nobody is going to complain if we sell them directly to the FA or the Republic.

>>38485791
My concern is more that someone will pressure Idoh to shut down the facility or temporarily seize it for Aeon's use/requisition, citing our past sales to make us an arms dealer to Veritas and thus supplying their enemy.

This would be in the event of war with Veritas, but we've played a dangerous game by supplying that damned House with the bombers.

Hell, that facility could even be sabotaged or attacked if a war breaks out and people want to seek revenge on the facility/company that supplied the bombers that helped kill relatives.

>>38485759
>Well, that factory is getting either seized or shut down in the future.
Suggestion, let's put 50 million into another Starfighter factory then on Frostback that's five times as large as our current one on at Idoh's world. That would boost the value of Frostback and get more workers to arrive there to settle which in turn should start to bring in revenue from our holdings there. I mean it's not that much money and with the amount of Starfighters a 50 million factory could produce we should be covered for RSS current needs, the Republic contract and leave several for the House/others to buy. Plus it would leave Frostback secured for the moment if we add a station to the planet that could serve as the base for several Fighter squadrons and Torpedo rings.

Remind of the Republic Starfighter contract is that we have to sell at lest half of the Fighters we produce using their license back to them.

>>38481224
Tourta makes use of the launch repulsors at the major ports so they just need to maintain their planetary shields. There has been interest in getting a small modular station though.

Frostback lacks the means of investing in a permanent station.

>Also if we replace the modular stations entirely then we could relocate those to the Run where they could be of use to help out our holdings there.
This is true.

>>38485350
>Have they considered to start looking for real eastate in Watcher space
No, because it wasn't really open for trade until the recent treaty and the jump distances involved. The suggestion has been sent.

Speaking of Watcher space, the holobooth company you bought has finished prototypes for use in alternative atmospheric conditions. They're being sent for more rigorous testing.

>How is House Posat doing?
They've now officially a vassal and are going through legal proceedings for annexation by the Ruling House. It's all taking a bit longer than expected.

>>38485759
>I was thinking that we'd be able to offer a fairly small as hell parcel just so they would 'own land' and keep some status.
That was what I got out of it.

>We've basically maxed out our capacity to expand on Surekah, and this could bring in some fairly easy land for expansion.
It has also been suggested that you could sell (or give) that extra land to the heirs of the landowners killed at the prison.

>>38485759
>permanent stations
>Wasn't there an issue of 'bank breaking' levels of funding for that?
Yes, though your income is very much improved now thanks to the armor company.
>But then there are government contracts to build stations
Also this.

Surakeh would be a prime candidate because it is a major military and trade hub for the House.
Rioja because of its location on a trade lane.
Numerous projects in the House Homeworlds

>and I believe J-D or Allied Houses may have South Reach sites or Smuggler's Run sites that they might consider permanent stations for.
Also true.

>>38487340
Isn't Frostback also kind of vulnerable to the pirate raids plaguing the area?

I really don't like the idea of building a giant 'RAID ME FOR PHAT LOOT' sign on a world without defensive capacity.

>>38485759
>Well, that factory is getting either seized or shut down in the future.
>>38485791
>Or we'll be under more scrutiny when it comes to exporting the bombers we build there and have to stop delivering them to Veritas. I'm sure nobody is going to complain if we sell them directly to the FA or the Republic.
>>38487196
>My concern is more that someone will pressure Idoh to shut down the facility or temporarily seize it for Aeon's use/requisition, citing our past sales to make us an arms dealer to Veritas and thus supplying their enemy.

>>38487340
Would you plan to shut down the factory in House Aeon space as soon as the larger one were built? Or would it only be shut down if it looked like the two Houses were to go to war?

>>38487521
Parts of Frostback are protected by planetary shields. Sonia's facilities are covered by the shield from Alex's Arcology despite their distance.

As with any shield that does not encompass the entire planet it is possible for starfighters to get below it closer to ground level.

>>38487666
>factory in House Aeon
I don't mind supporting their economy as long as we can safely do so.

>>38487521
Which is why I wanted to get a station into orbit around it. Build it right over Alex place and stock it with a few squadrons and the planet is no longer easy game but can actually dish out a fair amount of damage in return. Then we could slap down a missile base on the planet itself for even more dakka.

>>38487666
>Would you plan to shut down the factory in House Aeon space as soon as the larger one were built?
I was thinking more in general expansion and in case that one factory was actually shut down.

SURVEY

surveymonkey 2QLX335

This will cover most of the industrial aspects being discussed. Really hope I don't get banned here.

The winning name for your Norune Medium Cruiser was Shark Tooth.

>>38487797
I like the idea of Frostback being fortified a bit, but I don't think there is investment return to really gain.

For an investment like a permanent station, we should be looking to either free up our modular stations for relocation or to establish a new trade/salvage foothold

The pandora DHI facility could be looking for a permanent station, as well

File: 1383088192437.jpg (237 KB, 1128x610)

237 KB JPG

>>38488778
>The pandora DHI facility could be looking for a permanent station, as well
Thank you for that, knew I was forgetting an important location. Added to the survey.

Link on the wiki has also been updated.

>Recall the lance if assigned to front?
If there are no objections.


>"Give to heirs of killed land owners / Survivors" not opposed to keeping land with interesting stuff on it to ourselves, though.
Noted. We'll see how thinbgs turn out with the vote before getting into any real discussion on that though.

>Depending on how much we get: Exapnd the company a bit, give the rest to the heirs/survivors. (I did not select any option with this write-in)

>If some of the land holds sentimental value to the land ownders/ survivors maybe sell that portion.
Unlikely barring the fact that it's part of their homeworld.


It looks like people would like to invest in a permanant station somewhere.

>>38483901
>>38484851
>>38484952
You are able to confirm within a few weeks of your arrival at the training base that House Ber'helum has a working gravity well generator.
They're currently testing the FTL effects on unmanned ships, mostly older corvettes or Frigates that have been decommissioned for one reason or another.
They're also working to make it mobile. It may not be an immoveable rod but it's difficult if not impossible to relocate while the singularity is active. Attempts to expand an FTL field to fully encompass the gravity well when active have so far failed. It needs to be turned off to jump.

>>38488701
Can't seem to find it anymore.

>>38490869
The active surveys link is still working.

RSS Has finished setting up a deal with a client to begin construction of an experimental Heavy Cruiser design. With the yard vacated and all of the equipment necessary requisitioned construction has begun. As a new design the structural skeleton will undergo testing once completed before the rest of the project continues. If it fails at that stage it should still be possible to repurpose everything for other projects.

Training the new recruits is becoming easier in some ways with experience and harder in others. There has been an overall quality drop in applicants. That's partially to do with where they're being recruited and the available schooling. In the Dominion people try to make it into the command crews because they're more likely to be Knighted and its less dangerous than other options. Starfighter pilots are considered to be more expendable and thus tend to be from the lower classes, but are increasingly what are needed for the newer corvettes.
Would-be nobles aren't necessarily getting the schooling needed for this new era, especially the way most Dominion crews traditionally pass through the corvette corps.

Some people will be better off aboard slower vessels like battlecruisers while others need experience for the far more mobile craft.
Reorganising House fleet training courses into two command paths could be disruptive in the short term and would face resistance among the established institutions.

Do you want to send a recommendation back to your own House that training command crews should be altered?

>>38489992
>You are able to confirm within a few weeks of your arrival at the training base that House Ber'helum has a working gravity well generator
This seems good. We did have a stake in it yes?

>>38490979
>Do you want to send a recommendation back to your own House that training command crews should be altered?
Yes, with good, clear argumentation that drive the benefit through.

>>38490979
>would face resistance among the established institutions

With the, most likely unprecedented, increase in knights from mid and low class families, and current ceasefire within the Dominion, this is probably the best time to modernise the House military for decades or maybe even centuries to come.

>>38491118
Agreed.

>>38491066
>We did have a stake in it yes?
Yes, it was one of the first R&D projects you kicked off.

>>38491118
>>38491289
You send off your recommendation along with a clear argument for implementation.

Did you also want it forwarded to a few of your Knights to look over? They may have similar ideas.

>>38491593
>Did you also want it forwarded to a few of your Knights to look over?
Sure. If possible, try to include people from other wings as well.

>>38491593
forwarding it to some of our knights is a good idea, as they'll be able to draw their own conclusions and peer review it as FA trainers.

>>38491672
>>38491769

As expected there is some opposition back home to your report and initially it seems to fall on deaf ears. Some of your friends and contacts pass along word that many of the politicians who have relations with Nyxemi Rna have pushed to have the suggestions thrown out. This is harder to do with the likes of Alex and Daska backing up sections of it with their own experience.

One of the Barons normally allied with the former Governor that could have helped block changes instead abstains from voting on it. It seems that it was a good thing you sent that gift along, though having a walker in your rare vehicles collection would have been nice.

Changes to the military and training will take place but it could still take some time. Better that it's been started now.

As holiday season approaches Intel reports begin to come in that the Neeran are already preparing for another offensive. The previous one was fairly limited so it may have only been intended as a series of probing attacks. It's unclear if they'll try for another run at the Pandora cluster. Defenses there have strengthened considerably and shipyards are coming online to better maintain the fleets and supply lines even if they come under siege.

Several of the larger Houses in opposition to to War have stated that they will deploy assets if it looks like the Pandora cluster is threatened but not before.

File: 1374732549541.jpg (237 KB, 805x1200)

237 KB JPG

Training is broken up by your seemingly ever increasing practice regimen. Keeping in shape and getting used to the newer suit of power armor take up several hours each week when you can spare the time. As does testing out different equipment combinations.

It's difficult to get to know all of the trainees passing through. There are enough trainers that everyone is getting the time to learn the skills that they need but that's about it.

These days the station is at full use and there are nearly a wing worth of corvette available for live flights. They're all normally either in use or undergoing maintenance. A number of companies have opened up shop on the station, selling competing brands of g-suits and other paraphernalia which may or may not help pilots in actual combat. Unsurprisingly the rich kids often have custom pilot suits made up to try and stand out.

[ ] Allow them to keep up the customisation
[ ] Custom gear has to be hidden by alliance uniforms
[ ] Only allow custom gear for the top 5%
[ ] Don't allow custom equipment while they're training at your base
[ ] Other

>>38493265
>[x] Custom gear has to be hidden by alliance uniforms
Or at least the uniform has to go over whatever gear they have. If their collar looks out of the uniform or something that is fine.


>Training is broken up by your seemingly ever increasing practice regimen. Keeping in shape and getting used to the newer suit of power armor take up several hours each week when you can spare the time. As does testing out different equipment combinations.
I hope Sonia has some practice partners and tries to get as many practice matches in as she can. Maybe some of the younger generation are also interested in holobooth training of non-essential skills?

>>38493265
Does we only train people from the Dominion, or other Factions as well?

>>38493265
[x] Other: Custom gear must meet or surpass standard-issue rating tests if replacing standard gear and conform to FA rank/uniform standard/markings.
[x]Other: all companies selling this equipment will be registered to the station (no fly-by-night merchants directly selling) and document chain of possession for any equipment that could result in a fatality if defective.
[x] Other: All companies selling customized gear on our stations must have documented quality control systems (space ISO-9001?) and have any required local certifications/licenses required.
[x]Other: Any gear found to be faulty or that fails to live up to given guarantees will be either refunded in full or replaced at no additional cost

[x] Only allow custom gear for the top 5%

Possibly set up a little pool to gift any poorer guys equipment if they make the top 5%?

>>38493701
>Possibly set up a little pool to gift any poorer guys equipment if they make the top 5%?
I could, maybe, see us giving the top 1% of graduates special equipment as a prize. Top 5% would be too much imho.

>[x] Other: Custom gear must meet or surpass standard-issue rating tests if replacing standard gear and conform to FA rank/uniform standard/markings.
I agree, but they are already said to be *better* than the standard gear.
>[x]Other: all companies selling this equipment will be registered to the station (no fly-by-night merchants directly selling) and document chain of possession for any equipment that could result in a fatality if defective.
Agreed.
>[x] Other: All companies selling customized gear on our stations must have documented quality control systems (space ISO-9001?) and have any required local certifications/licenses required.
I think I would reword this as "All equipment has to be legal." And I would expect this to already apply.
>[x]Other: Any gear found to be faulty or that fails to live up to given guarantees will be either refunded in full or replaced at no additional cost
Absolutely do not agree. Refunds and guarantees are company policy, Sonia has absolutely no claim to authority here, nor any reason to do this. If the rich peeps decide to buy equipment without a guarantee, then that is their problem, nNot Sonia’s.

>>38493502
>Does we only train people from the Dominion, or other Factions as well?
Largely the Dominion though you do get some people from other Factions. Sometimes from Terran and Rovinar space. They're a minority though.


>>38493357
>I hope Sonia has some practice partners
Yes, mostly the other trainers since they tend to be Knights or officers.
>and tries to get as many practice matches in as she can.
Yes still getting in fencing practice as well.
>Maybe some of the younger generation are also interested in holobooth training of non-essential skills?
You don't have a ton of time off duty but you could make the time.


>>38493925
>>38493701
>Custom gear must meet or surpass standard-issue rating tests if replacing standard gear
The standard issue equipment is largely made up of surplus starfighter pilot suits. It's not difficult to do better than them but new gear will be given additional safety checks.

>and conform to FA rank/uniform standard/markings.
So they'd need to be covered or additionally modified. As long as they could still fit a uniform over it or it could pass for a black jumpsuit/ Tactleneck they'll be fine.


>All companies selling customized gear on our stations must have documented quality control systems (space ISO-9001?) and have any required local certifications/licenses required.
>Any gear found to be faulty or that fails to live up to given guarantees will be either refunded in full or replaced at no additional cost
With the amount the really custom gear is selling for and the fact they're selling it to nobles means they'd better have their asses covered with things like that or someone could end up with their head on a pike.

>Refunds and guarantees are company policy, Sonia has absolutely no claim to authority here
A good point.

>set up pool to gift any poorer guys equipment [...]top 5%?
>I could, maybe, see us giving the top 1%
Top 2% or in that range then, fine.

>>38493925
I included the refund/guarantee bit as an attempt to reduce the impact of some company causing distractions for both pilots having to fight with companies over defective stuff and the station commander from dealing with related complaints.

Make it clear that if they make false claims or sell defective stuff they're on our shit list and will be dealt with harshly.

These kids depend upon the training we're supposed to give them to get them through a war alive. Letting them be exploited because 'free market!' is unacceptable. If the companies don't like it, they can donate their inventory to the FA and get the fuck off this station.

>>38494143
Last bit comes off as oddly combative and not as it sounded in my head.

Apologies for that.

>>38494136
Top 2% sounds great.

>>38494136
>Largely the Dominion though you do get some people from other Factions

Ah okay. Anyway, I'll go with
>[X] Custom gear has to be hidden by alliance uniforms
in combination with
>>38494136
>Top 2% or in that range then, fine.
Those guys can carry it openly.

>>38494143
>Letting them be exploited because 'free market!' is unacceptable
Where do you get that from? All the pilots already get good equipment FOR FREE. This extra stuff is for the super-rich who want to get an edge by buying, from their own riches, additional extra equipment that is totally unneccesary (but nice to have and a status symbol).

No one is getting exploited.

>>38494136
2% is fine.

So am I correct in assuming that the majority also support Only allowing custom gear for that same top 2% ?

>>38494404
I think only one person actually wanted that, but I would have to carefully reread posts.

I for one want everyone who wants to be allowed to buy something, as long as it’s up to snuff and won’t be a distractions etc. I suggested the top 1% (later amended to top 2%) to get better equipment as a prize at some point. So that the very best get the best equipment even if they are poor.

>>38494294
Unfortunately, work experience has taught me that is all horribly, horribly optimistic about just about anything.

and see >>38494136
for what 'standard issue' is.
>The standard issue equipment is largely made up of surplus starfighter pilot suits. It's not difficult to do better than them

and >>38493265
with
>other paraphernalia which may or may not help pilots in actual combat


I am very much worried they are or will be exploited, and I wish I could say TSTG's comments put that worry to rest.

>>38494512
>I wish I could say TSTG's comments put that worry to rest.
Then let me do that to move things along. You're not voting on the miscellaneous paraphernalia that could cause problems, you're voting on the g-suits suits.

>>38494493


Confirmed votes:
[1 ] Allow them to keep up the customisation
[1 ] Custom gear has to be hidden by alliance uniforms
[1 ] Only allow custom gear for the top 5%
[ ] Don't allow custom equipment while they're training at your base

>>38494607
>[1 ] Only allow custom gear for the top 5%
We rise through the ranks via merit, not wealth, so this seems fitting. It's also a good incentive for students to do well.

>>38494512
I remain unconvinced.

Yes, the free equipment is not great. So what? It’s what we have. This has been an issue since the beginning of the quest. Unless you want to overhaul the entire military you won’t get to change that for now. Things already slowly improve on that front, from what I understand.

Regardless of what the baseline is, all extra equipment is not necessary. It is a luxury that a select few rich people buy as a status symbol. Any guarantees on these extra items are not military policy, because they are not military equipment.

What you are saying is the equivalent of modern militaries saying "Mister, you have sold super-duper sweat-absorbant energetic undershirts to some soldiers. You are now required to add a warranty on your undershirts!"

>>38494790
no, I'm saying 'If your super-duper sweat-absorbant energetic undershit does not do what you say it does due to a defect or saying it was also plasma-proof, you will replace or refund it.'

I'm not demanding a warranty. I'm demanding that potentially critical equipment not be defective or falsely advertised to exploit some kids because the vendor thinks they'll be dead before they can sue them.

A customized g-suit that has been rendered defective or sold as 'rated for x Gs' when it is only rated for x-2 Gs could potentially incapacitate a pilot and get an entire crew killed in training or in combat.

Absolute worst case, it could even take another ship and crew with it.

Ideally, we never have to enforce the demand because the fact that it simply exists means the companies are afraid of it being beaten over their bank accounts.

Was hoping to get some sort of resolution to that but oh well.

At the very least you've implemented a policy of awarding new pilots suits to the top 2% of trainees if they can't afford them.

You also start up an after class group for what are considered non-essential skills once a week. Holobooth time is still at a premium so some of them are done using holo blades and the like.

Towards the end of the training semester you're called to a meeting with the station commander and the other training leads.

Newport fleet systems is offering a new training craft for use by facilities such as this one. It's a heavily modified light attack ship that mirror's the flight profile of newer assault corvettes. They're far less maintenance and materials intensive than full sized ships but can still be equipped with some live weaponry like missiles instead of torpedoes.

Optional Holographics can make them look like a full sized corvettes.

Do you want to put some of these craft into use with your training squadrons? It may be too late for the current class but future ones may benefit from them.

>>38495834
The ships sound like a good deal... any idea how the Terrans want to fuck us over with these?

>>38495834
this guy here >>38493701
changing vote to
'Custom gear has to be hidden by alliance uniforms'

>Newport training craft

I'd be up for picking up a squadron or two of them, at least. Would this be a personal fund/RSS procurement or will the FA be part of it?

>>38495834
And I return from work to play my favorite quest once more today!

And yeah those crafts seems like a good idea for training purposes so that if some newbie crashes one of them it wont be that annoying to replace if it had been a proper Assault Corvette.

As for the previous vote.
>[X] Custom gear has to be hidden by alliance uniforms
It's an Alliance base and they are training for the Alliance so they are damn well going to look like Alliance personal. Also uniformity brings a better sense of unity.

>>38495932
>any idea how the Terrans want to fuck us over with these?
By selling them to the Alliance? It doesn't look like anyone outside the FA or the Terran Government can buy them.

>>38496058
FA procurement.

>>38496229
>By selling them to the Alliance?
Oh, okay. I though they started selling them on the open market.

If they prove to be good, and the Terrans don't want to share them we could steal the idea.

>>38495834
I dunno, I'm not really convinced on these craft. Can we just buy one or two and see how they work out? Can we test fly one?

>>38496368
>Can we just buy one or two and see how they work out? Can we test fly one?
They have a pair of them available for trial flights which will later be taken to the next base. They can be requisitioned in squadrons.

Did you have anything in mind to put them through their paces?

>>38496479
Kestrel Run?

Duel between the two best instructors/pilots?

In general, attempt to break the craft by putting them through paces.

Then compare them directly to the assault corvettes in a dogfight.

>>38496479
Stress test them I'd say to see how they hold up if we now are going to test them. See how they handle being badly handled by someone who is entirely used to flying them, like a person who may mess up the gears in a care when they are still learning and the like.

>>38496479
>Did you have anything in mind to put them through their paces?
The old faithful 'fly them through an asteroid field' test.

Also >>38496648 any of those are fine.

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>Duel between the two best instructors/pilots?
This immediately causes an argument over which of the instructors are the best pilots. On paper that's not entirely clear.

>In general, attempt to break the craft by putting them through paces.
>Stress test them
At the very least all of the available instructors plan to do just that, though the station commander asks that everyone keeps a safe distance from the docking arms.

>The old faithful 'fly them through an asteroid field' test.
This would be preferable.

>Then compare them directly to the assault corvettes in a dogfight.
The NPFS representative present is more than a little worried about this.
"It's a training craft. A full sized assault corvette has three times the firepower, and shields that are far more powerful. Not to mention armor. These are meant to simulate performance."

Well, good thing it's a simulation then.

To avoid a fight the top ten instructors draw straws to see who will get the first crack at them and soon the pair of test vehicles are streaking away from the station towards some of the nearby asteroids.

>>38497268
>NPFS rep concerns

"Then we'll have pilots focused upon locating every gram of that simulated performance."

"Ha! Oh wait..." Yours was the worst not the best draw.

Watching from the office you observe Andrina Ixeini and a Knight from another House reach the test area and begin to trade fire. They're equipped with light pulse cannons at the moment to simulate spinal mount heavy pulse cannons on the larger ships.

From the way the two are doing their best to dodge and evade fire it seems like the performance is similar.

"How is it going out there you two?"

"We'll have to tune these missiles, they're not quite the same as Torpedoes."
"Maybe buy some decoys from the Aries outlet?" suggests the Shallan.
"Those are expensive, just buy a no-name brand."

"I meant the ships."

"They seem alright."
"They may be a little too quick still. Some of the Gamma's I've flown recently lag a bit more."

"Keep an eye on it then."

The rest of the pilots take their turns then you head out in one of the newest DHI ships on base. It might be a little unfair since yours is equipped with multiple turreted light pulse cannons.

Roll 2d20

Rolled 12, 3 = 15 (2d20)

>>38497678

Rolled 19, 17 = 36 (2d20)

>>38497678
rolling bones

Rolled 13, 6 = 19 (2d20)

>>38497678

The other pilots are somewhat surprised that you've sortied in a full sized ship. More so when you perform a sneak attack while they're trading fire.

You're able to use the larger ship's superior fire arc to good advantage. Despite attempts to dodge you're able to keep half your pulse weapons on a target at any time. It isnt long before simulated damage downs the first instructor at which point you close the distance to ranges where collisions and thruster wash can become a serious concern. It takes another minute to get a confirmed kill.

There was some slighter overheating of the thrusters when second craft was in close combat with you, apparently the shields were having some trouble with the close passes from your ship.

Maintenance techs confirm that the training craft are easier to conduct repairs on and should spend less hours in the shop compared to time in the field.
"They'll take damage from accidents and collisions more quickly though because the armor isn't that heavy. Certainly not the best choice if you were expecting to do any training near the front lines."

You make sure to ask the NPFS rep if they have emergency teleporters.

"No, but it's an option. An expensive option. Those resources are in extremely high demand among combat units. These will be equipped with an escape capsule by default."

Do you plan to pick up any for use by the base?

>>38498458
Two squadrons of these things should be enough for initial trials at the moment. Should they prove to be good part of the training experience then we can request more.

>>38498458
One or two squadrons sound fine. Because they're weak maybe they should only be used be trainees who already have some experience.

Also, can we get the tech data for the singularity device sent over?

>>38498458
Two squadrons.

Two squadrons it is.

They'll initially be made available when the full sized corvettes are unavailable for training.

The Commander hopes that if they work out over the next few months the newer craft will be slowly be phased in with the larger ones eventually only being available for certain parts of training. That could cut down on costs considerably.

More late arriving equipment and technical breakthroughs. An upgrade has been made available for the newest Terran and Dominion Assault Corvettes. A non-invasive neural interface based on those used in power armor, some walkers and certain captured Neeran ships is now available it should improve performance and reaction times.

Some minor re-training may be required to use the system but it's not expected to take longer than 6-12 hours for pilots to get used to it. Because of how new it is there is no memory imprinting available for the system.

Future models of assault corvettes and starfighters are expected to have the system included by default.

>>38499043
>neural interface
My dick. Will this become available for Frigates and Cruisers as well? Perhaps even for BCs? Feel like it would hardly matter for Battleships and up.

Speaking of research, if we are getting this larger Starfighter factory who would be against the idea of building a Drone and Stealth fighter research lab there as well? I still have a bit of a crush on the concept of stealth drones and stealth Fighers overall

>>38499043
>neural interface

Can we talk with the relevant people about hooking pilots into those sleep headsets and using them to control the fighter drones that are taking off? Like Vista did when we had to fight off the AIs with her.

>>38499606
That's... That's actually a really cool idea. Biological neural computer link with a drone fighter. I wonder what that would do the mind of the "pilot" in the event that someone tries to hack the radio wave link between the drone and the pilot? Would it fry their brains or would it leave the Drone invulnerable to hacking attempts due to he amazing hardware and software of the brain? Would the destruction of the ship cause the person in question to go into shock? We MUST look into this idea. It makes me all giddy on the inside!

>>38499748
You should hear some of my other ideas.

Training for the new system isn't mandatory yet nor are they available in the sort of numbers needed to give all of the trainees on base experience with them before graduation. There aren't even training sims for use in holobooths yet.
One of the instructors does find out that a few can be bought off the black market at ridiculous prices. When they become standard on the next model corvettes into production it should be easier to get hold of them then.

When the class graduates you're good to your word and buy some new pilots suits for the top students. It's certainly a gesture most of the class appreciates.
"Now don't be an ass and brag about it." You warn the last one.


>>38499510
>Frigates and Cruisers as well?
It's mainly intended for ships that need to pull crazy maneuvers so some Frigates and attack cruisers could get them but battlecruisers are nearly out of the question for the time being.

>>38499606
You were using the neural interface in your Recon power armor to do that. These new devices could potentially act in that manner, though they would still be susceptible to jamming. It's not a psycommu that somehow ignores com jamming.

In close fleet defense it could be handy though.

>>38499748
>Would it fry their brains
What, no you'd probably just lose connection with the drone. And if the drone designers did their job right the autonomous systems would kick in.
Aries has finished their drone security upgrades btw and have begun selling the fighters again.

>Would the destruction of the ship cause the person in question to go into shock?
Sorry but no. You haven't had a massive feedback surge any of the times your Recon suit got banged up. Or arms chopped off.
Any particular reason a drone system would?

>>38499510
My problem with the stealth stuff is that it is primarily Ares that makes them, iirc.

The huge premium for anything Ares just doesn't seem practical for J-D, RSS or RTS, which makes me wonder who we'd actually be supplying.

And iirc there was a potential issue with Ares hiring locals (or not doing so) with the Tourta factory we arranged for.

>>38500082
>You were using the neural interface in your Recon power armor to do that. These new devices could potentially act in that manner, though they would still be susceptible to jamming.

Can we have RSS look into it then? Combining the neural interface + sleep headset would interest the Nai too, I bet.

>>38500082
>Any particular reason a drone system would?
Well when I think neural uplink/computer
/interface I think powerjack in the back of the head with which one directly connects to a computer or the like with a cable or whatnot. And when I think in those paths I wander into the area where people control suits of robots by just thinking of it like they would their own body. But yeah, that's just me.

>>38500301
>Can we have RSS look into it then?
Okay. For anything in articular?

>would interest the Nai too
They know about them. Some were used on the Nai Homeworlds, a few are in use by refugees. Others use a cybernetic interface if they're already going to be using artificial limbs.

And you don't necessarily need to combine a sleep headset with it. If the interface in a suit helmet is set up for it you can use them instead, it's just that sleep headsets are specialised and are much cheaper than the helmet from a suit of power armor.

>>38500659
>Okay. For anything in articular?
Definitely the drone piloting. The speed and maneuvering capability of a drone with the skill of a pilot could be a deadly combo, especially if one pilot could control multiple swarms of drones. Maybe even scale it up for corvettes and ships, so much so that the pilot is fully immersed in controlling the ship.

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>>38500628
>powerjack in the back of the head with which one directly connects to a computer or the like with a cable or whatnot.

Here you go.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain%E2%80%93computer_interface#Non-invasive_BCIs

I generally refer to the type you're talking about as an implant or cybernetics, though not always so apologies if I screw anyone up.

At any rate RSS will look into it.

When you return home following your time at training you're contact by Mike. Apparently his unit has been testing prototypes including ones with the new interface.

"That isn't the best part though."
"It isn't?"
"The new afterburners are modules that can be fitted to the newer corvettes or ships that have undergone modification. That means we can swap them out in under an hour if they're damaged or needed on another ship. Maybe even 20 minutes, I don't want to test that just yet."

"Too expensive?"

"The prototypes are. It's a joint project so it's not like we're the only ones getting them. There are two types available, first is the heavier one with an antimatter generator and external fuel tanks to power it. That still kills your weapon power levels like before.
The other one is a stasis based fuel cell carrying a fixed amount of antimatter."

>What say?

>>38501288
"That's going to be fun to use in combat. Want to make a bet on what one sells better?"

Speaking of antimatter, I had a novel idea today. What if you took a magnetised buckminsterfullerene and put a few atoms of antimatter in it? It'd be a lot more stable, have no need for large magnetic containment units, and possibly be either like a liquid or powder.

Something for RSS to look into!

>>38501288
That sounds useful, potentially dangerous, but useful

>>38501288
The heavier one should be used for scouting/raiding missions while the other for normal combat. We should at least have both in stock just in case for both situations.

>>38501288
"Do they have any calculated safe distances for the latter operating near potential Vekron torp launches? Or a way to get the storage tanks off of your ship?"

>>38501288
>Here you go.
Thanks. It's mostly me not entirely understanding I'd say. English is not my first language and it was a fair amount of time since I last studied it to any greater degree.

>What say?
"Is it really safe to use antimatter like that? I can imagine they would make quite the boom if they got hit by any sort of weapons."

Antimatter does not really seem like a safe component in warships if what TSTG has told is anything to go by. Then again if it gives them the extra "umpfh" that they need then I am all for it. Those ships aren't meant to be hit in any case. Just run and gun.

>>38501401
I understand nothing about that.

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>>38501630
>I understand nothing about that.
Put the antimatters in lots of smaller containers (pic related) instead of storing it in a blob.

>>38501401
>>38501727
Because of the way antimatter responds to magnetic fields (or so I've read) I'm not entirely certain how well that would work. It's well beyond my field of expertise. Certainly a good idea if it could work.

>>38501401
"That's going to be fun to use in combat. Want to make a bet on what one sells better?"
"Not really, but both have their uses."

>>38501508
"Do they have any calculated safe distances for the latter operating near potential Vekron torp launches? Or a way to get the storage tanks off of your ship?"
"Oh yeah definitely, and you can jettison the tanks. It's like having a nitro in a ground car, just lose the tank before the police catch you."

Right, okay Mike.

"They're putting in a lot of work to make sure the ship charging the tanks won't have any sort of accidents in the field. Or to make sure they're minimised."

"Is it really safe to use antimatter like that? I can imagine they would make quite the boom if they got hit by any sort of weapons."
"I'm not entirely clear on the precise yield. I think they were worried none of us would fly the ships if they told us. It should be safe enough though. The newer stasis tech is allowing for tougher fields that can take minor weapon hits, like those used by starfighter pilots.

Maybe add a training section dealing with ejecting the containment bottles. See how quickly people can hit the button?"

>>38501954
>bottle training
Pretty good idea Mike. Would DHI be willing to lend us mockup containers we could attach to our training ships to simulate it?

>Certainly a good idea if it could work.
Could we just roll to see how well it would work? I have no idea about nano engineering either, it was just a cool idea I had.

>>38501954
I would say just add it in as a basic course to qualify for use of afterburner equipped ships.

>>38502036
>Could we just roll to see how well it would work?
_NO_


>Would DHI be willing to lend us mockup containers we could attach to our training ships to simulate it?
A few engineers and mechanics with spare time could likely do it. So yes.
Or you could just turn it into one of those reaction speed games.
>Canister Punch!

>>38502081
K

The family is happy to see you back. If she wasn't before Bekka is now taller than you. No she's not planning to sneak off to going the PCCG or the Alliance before completing school.

While you stopped in on the way to the training base your little brother doesn't really recognise you all that well. A snow ball fight at a holoplex fixes that and he seems to slowly clue in.

Your father is able to spend some time at home this rotation so that's good. Security is on alert in case someone should try to take a shot at all of you.

"I have some good news." Announces Dad when you're over to visit. "I should be able to get a transfer to another posting in year or so. Maybe back to the Homeworlds or South Reach."
"That's good news."

"Sonia, heard anything ominous that could effect where I should try to be assigned?" Dad asks.

>What say? / where would you prefer him to take an assignment?

>>38502707
"Mmm, nothing too bad Dad, although I can't imagine the house has made too many friends with some of the recent takeovers, so there's always the possibility of a civil war, and the south reach has had a few hiccups of rebels recently..."

>>38502707
I would prefer for him to try to get assigned in SR even with the rebels. We don't really have much resources and clout in the Homeworlds compared to SR. The Earl must be considered as well, If he was silently supporting the PG we deposed he may hold a slight grudge.

>>38502707
"Well as far as I know the Neerans are gearing up for another offensive sometime this year probably, maybe next so the front is going to become more dangerous. South Reach may have seen some troubles lately but is growing more stable and safe by the day so it should be fairly safe. Heck if you take a position there I might get to see you more while I am not busy training raw recruit and running to many companies at once. What should my next one be? I got mining, factorys, Rey-yards hehe... Rey-yards. Right, question. I think South Reach would be the better choice if it's between that and the homeworlds. That is if you wouldn't get the chance to spend some quality time with mom whenever you have the chance."

>>38502707
We should at least try to keep him out of reach of Governor Rna's cronies.

>>38502804
>>38502914
>>38503054
"So what you're saying is South Reach -maybe- or stick with my current posting for now?
Well I have another year to figure it out."

"I think South Reach would be the better choice if it's between that and the homeworlds."
"I'll remember that at least. As for your next company, are you sure you're not expanding too fast?
Look at your shipyards, you have that big ship they just started construction on, are you sure you'll be alright if it turns into a money sink?"

>>38503326
wait, we're not getting paid to let others use our facility/work crews for that experimental ship?

[PANIC]

>>38503326
"Why the sudden interest? Do you perhaps want to manage the logistics of my shipyard?"

How'd he hear about it anyway?

>>38503326
"Well they don't call me the richest Knight of my generation for nothing. I have enough revenue from stations, land, heavy industry and salvage to expand my companies by 50% each year if I did not spend it one other things such as land and research and Shark Tooth. I am of the firm belief that you have to spend money to make money. Buuuuuuut if you are worried I might be overreaching myself then I suppose you will have to join up with Psyco Sonia and help me manage my yards now wont you?"

>>38503326
Ask him for advice on what he would do?

>>38503571
Its a pretty big project for J-D and its not like we were keeping it a secret due to the sheer amount of resources needed and asking people to train people for manning such a ship.

>>38503326
>>38502707
Regarding our Companies.

There was talks about getting our Armour Company linked up with other similar concerns of other friendly and allied houses and attempt to bring Dominion in parity with Terrans on armor.


I am really sad i was not present when we did that armor vote thing...

>singularity interdictor can't enter subspace or jump when active.
That's cool as hell. It would mean we have to commit to a lot of battles. If we used it for power as well you'd really have to hope you won that fight.

Do you play eve, tstg? almost exactly like bastion mode and bubbles

>>38503654
Are any of those things actually true?

>>38503919
As much as I wanted to support that motion, I couldn't wrap my head around the huge clusterfuck that would have certainly become. Personally, I've half expected the Dominion to sink the Factions vs the Neeran by now.

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>>38503539
>wait, we're not getting paid to let others use our facility/work crews for that experimental ship?
No, though some outside contractors will be assisting. Your company has just never built a heavy cruiser from scratch before. The Heavy Carrier which was rebuilt was a design that's been around for awhile.

>>38503571
"Why the sudden interest? Do you perhaps want to manage the logistics of my shipyard?"
Dad stares off into space for a moment in thought then replies with a solid "No. Or not yet. Contrary to what some nobles believe I'm of the opinion that family and business don't necessarily mix."

"And how'd you hear about it anyway?"
"That shipyard is one of the largest if not THE largest object in the sky of Surakeh. Especially when the Carrier isn't there. People talk, word gets around."

"Well they don't call me the richest Knight of my generation for nothing. I have enough revenue from stations, land, heavy industry and salvage to expand my companies by 50% each year if I didn't spend it on other things such as land and research and Shark Tooth-"
"And that station project your mother told me about? Also I think you might be a little off if you think 50% growth per year is infinitely sustainable."

Dammit Mom.
"I am of the firm belief that you have to spend money to make money. Buuuuuuut if you are worried I might be overreaching myself then I suppose you will have to join up with Psyco Sonia and help me manage my yards now wont you?"

"I'm good with coordinating the military supply lines Sonia, not a shipyard. Civilian customers and their demands are actually worse than superior officers in some cases."

>>38504025
No you can't use the artificial singularity for power yet.
It has been mentioned many times that I used to play EVE. Eventually I couldn't get enough time to play it to justify the amount of money it would have cost to continue.
I never really did much in terms of POS sieges and the like, mostly just carebear'd around.

>>38504058
We have been called a "ludicrously rich Knight" even by people outside our House. The armor company brought us like 150 million like a few months on it's own and I don't have to remind you of the hundred of millions that RSS brings us and the Assault Corvette line basically prints us money. But yeah, probably a 50% company increase yearly is probably a bit much at this stage since we're already a fairly large local company. We're allowed to boast a bit at lest over the success of our company.