>>40425342
for house and dominion

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Rovinar transports should be arriving soon with emergency supplies. They'll probably be carrying refugees on the return leg.

You've been considering looking for way RSS could contribute here. Plenty of reconstruction will be necessary provided people don't choose just to leave.

"What will it take to get colonies like this one back on their feet?"

Fox takes a moment to consider your question. "Perhaps a few atmospheric processors to take over while plant life recovers. That's minor, may not even be needed. The real problem is the dust kicked up by the bombardment. I've heard that modified shields can knock it out of the air or maybe reduce the spread of the fallout."

"So bring in more planetary shields and use them to help when reconstruction efforts don't need them out of the way." For the shields it's more a question of funding, you can buy them almost anywhere. DHI might be too busy with House related projects to sell or build any extra Atmospheric processors.

"Anything else?"

"I've heard the Warlords have had some success with mobile construction vehicles for rebuilding infrastructure. Most Houses don't use them, we tend to prefer stable job sources and construction sites like shipyards while HLV's drop the finished buildings where they're needed. That isn't really an option here.
I believe Exodus has bought MCV designs and may be selling finished ones, but they're expensive. Approximately 70 million each."

>What investments did you want to make in the reconstruction efforts if any?
Or would you prefer to invest in the Dominion colonies in NAV DRH 4 Relay that were attacked?

>>40425547
I'd prefer to invest in dominion colonies. Especially those of our allies/anyone but house Uranium

>>40425342
FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION
If this was what it was like when we were piloting our ships at the start I much prefer a command position: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vziIgAtD66s

>>40425547
Dominion Colonies, definitely. Didn't Alex own a company that built those massive habitats?

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>>40425547
I think this is a unique chance to start a business in the region, and will definitely earn us some goodwill from the Terrans as well.

While I can see the benefit of investing in the DRH 4 colonies, I doubt we'll get another chance to enter the Terran market this easily in the future.

Would mining and refinery ships be needed? It would be the kind of equipment our company already works with, and I'd guess the area will need more resources than can be mined directly on-planet.

>mcv
I'm kinda tempted.

>>40425565
>house Uranium
Urtanim. God I'm never going to hear the end of that one.

>>40425621
>Didn't Alex own a company that built those massive habitats?
He owns some shares in one. He mostly just bought the Arcology itself.

>>40425788
>Would mining and refinery ships be needed?
Possibly. While any mobile assets would have been able to avoid the worst of the fighting in the region they're now important to the military. The ones that are here might be needed too badly for rebuilding defenses.

>MCV
Think more like those construction vehicles on Coruscant in the X-wing novels.

>>40425891
>God I'm never going to hear the end of that one.
Of course not

>>40425547
>provided people don't choose just to leave
Can we buy their land if they leave?

>>40425891
>God I'm never going to hear the end of that one.
That's gonna be marked in my player notes right next to victory torpedo.

>>40426088
You'll have to deal with the red tape of Terran bureaucracy but it's possible.

Clouds of monoatomic dust scatter from the drill site as the E-beam digs through rubble then the foundations of a building the local shelter was built under. It seems to have saved it from most of the damage. The beam cuts out once it reaches starship grade armor and vehicles pull the equipment out of the way so that rescue teams can descend through the tunnel.

A few minutes later rescue personnel report that survivors are on their way up. Soon shuttles are setting down nearby ready to evacuate people into orbit. Medics begin handing out masks as the first group emerges to protect against the dust.

Anything you want to say to the survivors, possibly as a PR opportunity, while you're here on the surface?

>>40426261
Some sort of speech about unity and how the dominion is here to help and all that jazz.

>>40426261
>>40426380
To be clear this is a
>What say?

>>40426380
>>40426261
don't forget to actually get down there and dig people out. We do not want a soundbite that can be turned against us

>>40426261
>You'll have to deal with the red tape of Terran bureaucracy but it's possible.

Might be a good idea to start with that while their bureaucrats are too busy to slam that door shoot before we can get a foot in.

>Anything you want to say to the survivors

I can't really think of anything that we could say that count as PR and wouldn't be extremely inappropriate and tasteless in the current situation.

Getting out of your probably overcrowded bunker for the first time in weeks, some military bigwig from the Dominion spouting propaganda is probably the last thing you want to see.

Just do what successful helpers tend to do. Hand out food, water, and medicine to people, and make sure everything has a Dominion/House J-D emblem on it if possible.

Oh, and sweets for children if we have on our ships or can get them shipped in.

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>>40426457
>Just do what successful helpers tend to do. Hand out food, water, and medicine to people, and make sure everything has a Dominion/House J-D emblem on it if possible.
>Oh, and sweets for children if we have on our ships or can get them shipped in.
Unless more peoples decide otherwise you'll at least be doing this.

Remaining relatively quiet you help survivors as they load onto the shuttles. The shelters are hardly small, a dozen shuttles are needed to evacuate just this one.

With the work at this particular site finished you head into orbit to help oversee the situation. The city you visited was more than a thousand km away from the nearest impact site yet the overpressure and ground quakes had still done incredible damage. After the impact the local shield generators should have reduced their coverage to protect the cities from the blast wave.
Maybe they didn't react quick enough or the quakes caused enough damage to disable them?

It's a few more days of recovery operations before enough support has arrived for you to move on. It still takes time to collect your fleet. Everyone has been busy with rescue operations and convoy escort, to hunting down stragglers still in the cluster. Admiral Chen still wants you to help investigate the destroyed Terran fleet base closer to Shallan space and the Alliance needs more corvette units in the same region to help with remaining enemy fleet elements.

Majestic arrives near the nav station and you slowly begin to assemble everyone nearby.

Super heavies, both faction built and Neeran that were disabled within range of the Nav station have been towed to within a few thousand km. Within the ring of crippled ships are parked the remains of smaller vessels. Salvage teams jumping in from around the cluster are dropping more while others are checking to see if they can be repaired or stripped for parts.

>>40427103
>can be repaired or stripped for parts
I managed to miss most of last thread's savlage discussion but would it be possible to get at least one unit of scrap ships of every type we plan to repair again?

Having aditional ships to work on would probably help our engineers to better understand the ships we actually try to get spaceworthy again and provide spare parts.

>>40427180
Possible for the smaller ships, not for the Heavies.

>>40427103
Few Neeran ships are repaired and returned to service because of technology limitations but it is becoming more common. The problem with doing so is that while Neeran fleets continue to upgrade their ships your only real options to do so require stripping the native equipment and weaponry, replacing it with Faction tech.
The more recent advent of detachable turrets has made repairing newer captured warships easier. It's just a matter of getting hold of newer Neeran corvettes with their better weaponry and swapping them in. Maybe you should have requested a few as part of the salvage negotiations? It doesn't matter, you can always get more later.

Getting your House Salvage home could be a trial of its own. Half of your salvage teams working together with the help of both Kilo class mediums could haul your salvage back. You're looking at a month minimum split between the flight and prep time.
This would be faster if Majestic and the other half of your salvage ships helped out. It would also deprive your fleet of valuable support elements if you were headed to the next assignment closer to Shallan Space straight away.

Another option might be to simply contract another salvage company or the Alliance to move salvage back to the Centri cluster as time allows. This will take much longer and might cost some money but will allow your entire fleet to more quickly move on.

[ ] Send 50% of salvage teams + Kilos
[ ] Send all House Salvage assets + Majestic
[ ] Contract Salvage
[ ] Other

>>40427327
>[ ] Send 50% of salvage teams + Kilos

>>40427327
>[X] Contract Salvage
>Contract another salvage company or the Alliance to move salvage back to the Centri cluster

>>40427327
[X] Contract Salvage
We have the personal funds to be able to do this without suffering all that much for it. I also believe that it is sort of expected for Knight Commanders and Barons to spend their own money to make things more successful on their campaigns. We will also most likely make back this money, after this campaign, many times over.

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>>40427180
Confirming salvage selection from last thread.

From the upper section did you guys want the Heavy Cruiser or Heavy Carrier? There were some votes for either last thread but I'm not completely certain about interest in them.

>>40427492
Carrier I think.

>>40427492
>40427180 here
I'd like to get the 60% scrap medium and light cruiser units, and 1 scrap transport unit from the 30% choices.

>Heavy Cruiser or Heavy Carrier
Definitely the heavy carrier. The Terrans commented on how few dedicated support ships our fleet has for the number of wings we field, and I think they're right.

>>40427327
>the next assignment
How much of our tour of duty do we have left? We were recalled to the front earlier than expected because of the Neeran incursion, right?

>>40427492
I think I was the only one that wanted the Heavy Cruiser but I am willing to settle for the Carrier since it is a excellent support ship.

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Heavy Carrier it is.

>>40427556
>I'd like to get the 60% scrap medium and light cruiser units
What did you want to trade away to get these? Some of the scrap CX Transports in the 60%?

>and 1 scrap transport unit from the 30% choices.
This will take away from a bit of your profits.

Objections to either of the above?

>>40427556
>How much of our tour of duty do we have left?
Your tours of duty will even out with time spent at training bases. You've been out with the fleet maybe 2 months if that.
>We were recalled to the front earlier than expected because of the Neeran incursion, right?
Yes, but there are still enemies present in Faction space, some threatening the main trade lanes.

Admiral Chen would like you to take your fleet to the TAC 13 Relay to personally look into salvaging Veckron and plasma weaponry from the destroyed fleet base there. Your corvettes will be needed in the surrounding sectors to combat lingering enemy forces.

A team is being assembled to investigate the base, including some people from RSS that you'd sent for. Specialists from the Navigator's guild are also being brought in. You have experience with risky salvage ops and have sufficient Alliance clearance to access classified equipment in the base so Chen is willing to let you take a crack at it first.

[ ] Accept the assignment
[ ] Request a different assignment

>>40427878
>[ ] Accept the assignment

>>40427878
>Objections to either of the above?
Ehh... I don't really want to trade away Cash/Tech profit for scraps when we got the time to repair those ships with proper parts. Scrap ships are sub par ships after all. I'll have to say I am against it.

>[ ] Accept the assignment
Aint no way we are not attempting to take on this assingment and the potential immense profit. Imagine our own Heavy Plasma cannon with the Laser Cooling tech.

>>40427878
>[ ] Accept the assignment
Have we got any feedback from the house on our work so far?

>>40427878
This is the base where Vista was meant to be stationed, yes?

[x] Accept the assignment

>>40428379
>Have we got any feedback from the house on our work so far?

A message from the Earl states the the people of House Jerik-Dremine are following the progress of your fleet and its successes. While some are concerned at the level of vehicle losses some units have sustained they have little to complain about when it comes to casualties. With most crews able to get out of the newer corvettes thanks to emergency teleporters and overall small crew sizes on the direct combat ships it's expected there will be far fewer military funerals needed this time.

It's a good thing you're bringing back plenty of cash because those vehicle losses to your corvette forces have been rather heavy. 40% of the corvettes you left with have been destroyed or scrapped to help repair others. Most have been replaced with ones supplied by the Alliance, a mix of other Dominion and Gamma class that will have to be returned after the campaign. They may be relatively easy to fix in the field but they're still expensive ships.
At the moment you have no reserves.

Thanks to the successful deployment of the new gravity well generators by House Ber'helum there has been a tremendous increase in interest in the ships. Plenty of Houses would like to buy them but for the moment only a small few (including your own) are able to do so. The Duke is blocking sales to the other major Houses citing the current instability within the Dominion.

They're more than willing to sell directly to the Alliance however. Given how effective they were in ambushing a major fleet at the edges of the Centri Cluster they've placed an order for 40 of them. The Navigator's Guild has also placed an order for 5 for research purposes.

Thanks to good relations between you, Jerik-Dremine and Ber'helum your House not only can buy them but receive a cut of the sales for R&D assistance. This will likely continue as long as your relations are not harmed.
>Msg from House: Don't harm relations.

>>40428771
>Msg from House: Don't harm relations.
I am sure we all have learned from the Helios fiasco and wont do the same like we did that time. Besides the Ber'helum duke is based as fuck.

>>40428771
>Jerik-Dremine and Ber'helum your House not only can buy them but receive a cut of the sales for R&D assistance
Does Sonia get some shekels herself as well?

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>>40428628
Versa, yes.

>>40429470
>Does Sonia get some shekels herself as well?
Yes Sonia gets some money, though most of it will be going to pay back the House R&D budget.

The weeks in flight are certainly going to be needed. Contracting to have the salvage moved back to House space will take time and money. Getting the captured transports with the SP Torpedoes back home by the same method isn't really an option. For now they're tagged as House Moli's and if there are any questions they've been fitted with salvaged nacelles from Dominion fast battleships. You wonder if the old fat merchant has ships like that actually.

To match their speed and provide escort your Excalibur class and Clarent class ships will be going back home with them. Once their cargo is safely hidden the escorts will try their best to get to you destination at the same time as you.

While all of that is going on you're working on things like making sure everyone will get paid after this. Fleet base pay, Danger pay, Combat pay, the costs associated with rapidly assembling the fleet in a matter of days rather than weeks. Logistics.
There is little extra room aboard the Devourer at the moment, extra people were assigned to help with planning out and solving all of those little problems. It's a good thing you picked up one of those Neeran medium cruisers with plans to possible make it into a command ship. The extra room would certainly be handy and make managing the fleet easier.

If you guys take a Neeran Fast medium AKA "Scarecrow" as your command ship what kind of upgrades and modifications would you like? Also it looks like Daska has the same idea and plans to buy one from the House. She did personally disable one of them.

Will get the Autocad version up at some point I swear.
It can dock 16 Neeran corvettes allowing them to act as turrets. These can be fitted with faction weaponry if you want or left empty. The support equipment arms a easy to modify.

>>40429803
>what kind of upgrades and modifications would you like

EW systems, torpedo and missile launchers, PD systems.

As much as I'd like for Sonia to get into the fight to put her skills to good use, we can't really afford to have her shot down in the middle of a battle.

Can we get an Odyssey Class medium cruiser? It seemed closer to a light cruiser or BC/BB with the way it hopped around the map.

>>40429981
>Can we get an Odyssey Class medium cruiser?
No.
>It seemed closer to a light cruiser or BC/BB with the way it hopped around the map.
Odyssey itself has afterburners so it is now faster than the fastest battlecruisers.
You could see about having your ship custom fitted with afterburner systems. It would be expensive but then you do have plenty of cash.

>EW systems, torpedo and missile launchers, PD systems.
Easily done.

>>40430318
Could the Terrans please hurry up and lose the Odyssey already?

>>40428771
>only a small few (including your own) are able to do so
>your House not only can buy them but receive a cut of the sales for R&D assistance

How many brownie points did Sonia get within her House for that?

>>40430388
>How many brownie points did Sonia get within her House for that?
Mostly a lot of cautious optimism and waiting for the other shoe to drop.
J-D is trying to stay aligned to Ruling House while there are signs Ber'helum is preparing for their own leadership bid. The Duke won't do anything for the moment with the war on but it wouldn't take much in the Dominion's current state.

>>40430388
>How many brownie points did Sonia get within her House for that?
I would imagine quite a bit, shit's going to be crazy valuable.

>If you guys take a Neeran Fast medium AKA "Scarecrow" as your command ship what kind of upgrades and modifications would you like?

Shit man, I don't think we know the specs of that, could we get a brief rundown? If we know what it is capable of, we could customize it better.

Maybe some dedicated launchers for Victory Torpedoes so the house has the capability of doing so. Do it secretly though, don't want anyone to know right?

>>40430540
Oh, I thought Ber'helum supports the current Ruling House.

>preparing for their own leadership bid
Does this always end in war, or have people accepted that they're not in the position to lead any more without violence in the past?

How did the escort carriers we sent to combat that diversionary attack fare?

>>40428771
>40% of the corvettes you left with have been destroyed
What tends to destroy our corvettes?

>>40429803
>what kind of upgrades and modifications would you like?
Two to four Medium Plasma cannons, spinal mounted ofcourse.

Torpedo launchers, probably 4-6 but could probably go with more.

ECM capabilities to a certain degree.

Some sort of proper fleet command module for it so we can properly manage a fleet within the ship.

Missile battery so we can spam missiles for cover.

Extra Shields.

>>40430604
>Shit man, I don't think we know the specs of that, could we get a brief rundown?
It's a fairly light weight Medium Cruiser that uses the hull of a Neeran Battleship for it's bow section. It still masses more than the basic Lance Class.

The high output sublight drives make it the fastest Medium cruiser in the Neeran inventory. It can outrun most Faction mediums. Reports indicate that the engine output on some can be boosted for short periods of time to temporarily outrun most faction ships not equipped with afterburners. (This feature is not yet available, it may cause engine damage if implemented.)

Support equipment arms are intended to carry mission specific equipment. This can be supplies and fuel tanks, pocking points for additional corvettes and HLV's. Spinal mount weaponry or repair equipment.

Primary armament consists of 4 plasma cannon turrets in the forward hull along with secondary phase cannon turrets. Fairly weak on its own for its size.
12 additional corvettes can be docked on the drive section to act as turrets, greatly boosting the ships firepower. With Elite corvettes acting as turrets these ships can pose a serious threat to Faction Mediums or understrength Battlecruiser units barring the use of SP's.

>>40430680
>How did the escort carriers we sent to combat that diversionary attack fare?
I was under the impression most wanted to avoid sending anything on the grounds that it was a diversion but I'll go back and check.

>What tends to destroy our corvettes?
Either accumulated damage or Elite corvettes and battleships when equipped with the same corvettes as turrets. Battleships require focused fire from most of a full squadron to kill, or SP Torpedoes. SP's are not always available and it can be difficult for several ships to focus on a single target in the middle of a melee.

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Hey TSTG, how's our shipyard been doing?

Also, would something like pic related be possible? It's a recessed, heavily armored turret housing, with a lot of the firing equipment meant to be in the depths of the ship. The housing containing the upper parts would be the only moving part, and it'd give it a nice wide angle of firing too.

Has the FA had any success reproducing the jell-o shields the Neeran use on their super heavy ships?

>>40431046
>Hey TSTG, how's our shipyard been doing?
The shipyards are relatively unchanged since the last time it was asked... I think?. The BC and Assault corvette lines are still doing their thing, though the former is now producing ships much more quickly. With the higher production rates the overall profits are more noticeable, though it will still be some time until the BC line has fully paid for itself. I think the Assault corvette line has paid for itself now. Not absolutely certain, my excel is getting a little rusty.

The Heavy Cruiser problems have been worked out and construction is going full speed ahead. Delays and design flaws have pushed it over budget, but the second ship should benefit from it.


>would something like pic related be possible?
A phase cannon with a redirector?
Similar to phase cannon turrets where most of the bits are inside the hull and only part of the equipment is inside the ball turret. I suppose it could make for a more powerful carrier beam but I'm not sure what real advantages it would have over a heavier phase weapon that used similar abounds of internal space.
I suppose it would be easier to fix depending on where the carrier beam passes through the array.

This will have to be discussed at length later or we'll be here all weekend.

>>40431059
They've developed theories on how it probably works and are testing them.
Another team is working on development of an analogous system. So far the only one that's shown signs of success involve Liquid Armor suspended between containment forcefields. It's similar to older fluid layer body armor.

Four weeks and a mountain of paperwork later the fleet arrives in the distant terran relay. Checking your bank accounts you're a few million richer just from sales of two gravity well generators to the Alliance. It certainly took awhile for that plan to pay off but it did in the end.

Maybe you should have the RSS R&D team work on those FTL Interceptor warheads or cruise missile next?

Jumping to the location of the local fleet's new rally point you're a little surprised to see one of the Dominion's mobile asteroid forts present. You cant tell if most of its battle damage is recent or left over from their first use in the Pandora Cluster. While a few Helios Mediums are still acting as turrets most have been removed in favour of docking arms that look to have been bult out of the remains of destroyed Warlord Supers.

Repair equipment is extended from each of the arms, helping to fix a number of badly damaged EX Mega's. Off to the side in a repair queue is the Loreto which is missing the aft 1/3 of the ship. You get a message from Versa that the ship had only recently been towed back to this area by a pair of ACC's. The ship had lost most of its engines the day after covering the evacuation from the fleet base.
The ship itself may be scrapped and the AI is scheduled to be transferred to and R&D station.
"There is a project I have asked to work on. If you visit in a few months I'll be able to tell you more about it."

>>40432675
>the AI is scheduled to be transferred to and R&D station

If they are going to install her on station, maybe they'll be able to provide Versa with an emergency teleporter this time?

>>40432675
>Vista is safe

Thank god.

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Over the past few weeks refugees have been flooding into the Centri cluster and the surrounding relays as civilians abandon destroyed colonies. Others are trying to leave what is now perceived as the new front lines. The economic impact of the attacks still haven't fully been felt yet.
Most of the Dominion homeworlds have largely closed their borders to refugee ships but the Smuggler's Run and its relay are being looked to by many. The populations there never really recovered from the Warlord raids.

While Rioja is still years away from it's terraforming becoming self sustaining it is improving. Infrastructure is being set up by the relatively small population currently living there in preparation for the rush of colonists once the air clears.

Do you want to allow refugees onto Rioja? You do own quite a bit of land there.

Also as a remind for me, if/when you become a Baron what planet were you hoping to ask for or be given by the House? One or the younger colonies in the homeworlds, Tourta, Rioja or another? Which ever one it is you may want to start setting things in place sooner to support your fleet.

>>40433217
>Do you want to allow refugees onto Rioja?

I'd say yes but that feels like something we need to coordinate with the locals. It will be much easier work things out with their support than against them.

>Also as a remind for me, if/when you become a Baron what planet were you hoping to ask for or be given by the House?

That's a good question, which planets are available?

>Tourta
I think that world would serve our House best if we kept it a free port.

>Rioja
Would people consider it problematic that the Baron owns roughly half the planet?

>>40433217
I'd say the Smugglers run should be our barony. We got 3 colonies there and plenty of allies for support and we are sitting on a trade line.

It would also mean we can distance ourselves from Winifred a bit so we can be perceived as our own faction within the house rather than as her loyal lapdog.

Ofcourse with a bit of money we can really build up the area. Add a station or two around Rioja and slap up a another Attack Corvette, Attack Cruiser and Battlecruiser line around the planet and we got a heavy industry growing right there that will be able to supply the area with a strong defensive fleet.

Also we should probably look at saving up some of the new Mark 5 Attack Corvettes from our yard. Like a wing or two for our own usage as our personal fleet along with RSS.

Also see no problem with refuges on Rioja. Someone has to settle the planet and better people who come willingly, somewhat, than forced relocation from the homeworlds. Ofcourse we will have to speed up the process of modernizing the planet but it will probably be worth it. Especially if we can get the refuges settled quickly so they can start working and paying taxes.

>>36708920
>"Stellar matter harvester. We studied the concept in engineering class but have never had any need for them."

Would it be possible to use these to solve the problems with the nebulas making so many systems in J-D space effectively uninhabitable?

>>40433217
I don't think it is wise to take in Terran or members from the houses in that region. They may very well become a troublesome majority if we let them come to roija

>>40433217
>Do you want to allow refugees onto Rioja? You do own quite a bit of land there.
Skilled refugees, yes. Ones that will help the colony sustain itself eventually.

So technically skilled, agriculturally capable, engineering disciplined, medically inclined. These types.

>What planet
I was going to go full mystery box and let the head of the house pick but I'll defer to other Anon's choices.

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>>40433362
>That's a good question, which planets are available?
2 in the Smuggler's Run. (This is a 3rd but it's being held for someone else.)
1 is Rioja, and I'll have to look up the other one. I believe it was the one orbiting a red dwarf where you first tested out your recon armor and beat up a Frigate load of pirate recruits.

3 in South Reach. Tourta, Plateau and Frostback. Plateau is known for its Shallan refugee camp(s), a thick atmosphere and limited development. Frostback has limited population and development.

4-5 worlds in the Homeworlds. (Unnamed) You've visited one of them when Rufaro's family was finishing up terraforming work there. All young colonies that have been terraformed by the House over the past +60 years. They're more developed than some on South Reach but the populations and heavy industry are still rather underdeveloped. They're also under threat from terrorist attacks the past couple years. Extremist elements within House Erid have begun demanding their return.

>>40433820
>This is a 3rd but it's being held for someone else
Can we find out for whom it is intended?

>Smuggler's Run Nav Hazards
What are these?

>Frostback
Wouldn't Alex be an ideal candidate for the position of governor/baron there?

>>40433820
I am curious about the remaining 3 Posat planets in the run. What is happening to them and how can we get them for the House?

>>40433820
I am very pleased to see House Jerik-Dremine is the most purple of all Houses present in that region.

>>40433472
I'm agreeing with Madman here. Smugglers run, now that the pirates/warlords are (sort of) out of the picture, is ripe for investment and industrialization. All that's needed is capital and skilled personnel, both of which we have access to in large amounts.

If we get a nice prosperous planet and it continues to be a nice prosperous planet, nobody is going to be impressed. If we get a relatively unknown planet (that we had a hand in conquering, no less) and develop it into an economic/industrial powerhouse, one of the few our house has in this region of space, we can make ourselves a pretty major player in the house.

Also, TSTG, exactly how many barons are there in our house? I think we've heard about 2 or 3, but J/D has many more planets.

>>40430629
An interesting question.

TSTG could you clarify this?

>>40433472
I'll support this line of thinking. Aiming for a barony in the Run is probably a good long-term plan.

In regards to the refugees, the other anons have a good point. We should perform background checks on them to weed out undesirables before allowing them to colonise.

>>40433929
>Smuggler's Run Nav Hazards
>What are these?
Are you new? They're navigation hazards formed by the detonations of hundreds of Veckron weapons in the area back in the Faction Wars. Heavy FTL traffic through the region worsened damage to subspace. Ships traveling through the now hazardous regions resulted in the increased likelihood of forming a subspace rift.

These hazard zones are now quarantined by the navigator's guild while space recovers. The Smuggler's Run was formed as a result of the remaining clear FTL lanes through the Relay's galaxy remnant. There are wider and arguably safer FTL lanes through the relay but they pass near more heavily populated and defended worlds. Worlds that might impose trade tariffs.
With a fast ship and a good navigator it is possible to make better time through the Run while avoiding security patrols from larger Houses.

>>40433986
They've either been annexed by the Ruling House or sold off to its vassal states by now.

>>40434300
No, just really tired.

>>40425547
We have the money and we are on the ground floor. If the war continue a dedicated reconstruction business might be in need, in reconquered or raided places or occupied lands if we manage to push them back.

So lets get some Shields and Atomspheric processors and some MCVs as a full kit to start it up right. If its still possible.

>>40430629
>Oh, I thought Ber'helum supports the current Ruling House.
They support the Alliance's war effort and by extension the efforts of the Ruling House towards that goal. They're also well aware that the instability within the Dominion is largely because of how weak the RH is. If nothing happens they'll wait until the war is over trying to strengthen their position.

>>preparing for their own leadership bid
>Does this always end in war, or have people accepted that they're not in the position to lead any more without violence in the past?
Yes, though usually it was after losing a good deal of their territory, strength or political backing elsewhere. Maybe an economic collapse or other Houses blocking expansion?
I've intentionally left a section of Dominion history blank so it can be filled in later. Say, by a 4X game.

Presently? Anyone that wants to rule the Dominion will have to take the capital. To take it without a shot would require a tremendous show of force and probably some tense negotiations.

>>40434705
Ok, if we go for Smugglers Run our main goal will be to make it JD Purple or at least get a JD Purple Line along the entire run so a trade ship that gets into JD space can do a Smugglers Run without having to go through other houses and pay other tariffs.

That should be our goal for local politics, imho.

Getting this would ensure we control something akin to say straits of Gibraltar or straits of Malacca.

>>40434705
>instability within the Dominion is largely because of how weak the RH is

What happened to cause that? Did they manage to alienate some of their allies, or did other Houses manage to gain more from the recent campaign against the Pirate Warlords?

>>40434840
It would be extremely economically useful to control the length of the smugglers run, but I'm not sure it's feasible. At present it looks like only about a third of the little blue line goes through JD territory (if I'm reading the map right). I can't imagine we would be able to get much more of the important territory easily or at all, because the other players in the Run will also know the extreme value or that territory.

Maybe a better goal might be trying to come to an agreement with elements of the other houses that control parts of the trade route. We could maybe make a deal that allows ships affiliated with JD, Kadnil, Kuadnos, and Pantaq to travel the route for free (or for a massively reduced rate).

If we could get that deal or one like it put into effect, we would secure a passage through the run for our house, probably make lots of money on non-trade group traffic, and make friends with a few other houses. That's assuming they don't already hate us for some reason.

If it all works out, one of our first diplomatic acts as Baron could significantly improve JDs economic position in the Smugglers Run.

>>40434840
The 6 Houses that largely control the run are J-D and its allies. They have fairly unified trade goals and treaties. Taking territory away from your allies won't exactly help your relations with them unless they want to get rid of it.

>>40435046
They have taken some losses in the war. And some of their rivals have managed to gain resources through the shifting situations in South Reach.

WIKI update
http://houseanddominion.wikia.com/wiki/House_Jerik-Dremine#Key_House_Personnel

TSTG, which of the planets and moons in our solar system could be made habitable with Dominion tech?

>>40435532
>http://houseanddominion.wikia.com/wiki/House_Jerik-Dremine#Key_House_Personnel
Are Barons and Governors specifically selected to not get along well with each other?

>>40435844
>TSTG, which of the planets and moons in our solar system could be made habitable with Dominion tech?
Mars, although it's not ideal. You'd need a planetary shield if only a weak one to make up for the lack of a magnetosphere.
Venus theoretically, it would take forever and require every terraforming trick in existence.
A small section of Titan's surface was made habitable with a couple of those special Kavarian shields.

>>40435935
They're meant to help restrict the power of their counterpart. Plenty of Governors and Barons get along fine. Governor's control planetary defense assets while a Baron controls mobile assets that can be moved off world to attack other planets.

In Winifred's case an extreme hardliner was selected for governor in an effort to curb the Baron's potential ambitions.

>>40436124
>Terraforming
Would they be able to move smaller moons and planets to a different orbit?

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>>40435312
>>40435532
>They have fairly unified trade goals and treaties.
>tfw your great idea has already been implemented behind the screens because it was pretty common sense

>>40435312
>>40436226
Sorry.
Who's to say you can't push for modifications with the other Houses once you've expanded Rioja's stations?
RSS is building a larger station at Surakeh, others could be built elsewhere like Rioja.

Oh yeah speaking of which the station construction is underway. While the Tower is going to be making up the main portion of the station that hasn't stopped design teams from looking over the other additions. Using old data from battle stations like those seen in the former Lat'tham territories some of your people have been working with Exodus to develop new modular station sections that could combine the best of both.
Obviously these could be tremendously useful for setting up more heavily defended forward bases. Because of this Exodus has been footing a substantial portion of development. London has been contributing some of his own money and Reynard logistics discretionary funds.
The more heavily protected industrial areas of the station may be completed before the tower section is at this rate.

>>40436613
Have any of the asteroid forts in the run fallen on hard times? Because if it were practical to purchase and move one to our planet we could have a fairly formidable fortification.

Man, could you guys imagine what would happen if Sylvan was made a Knight Commander and given a fleet?

>>40436754
He'd ram the house's Superheavy into a command ship, mark my words.

SURVEY ! <<<<<<

surveymonkey com /r/ MSXCPKL

Refugees. After taking some time to talk to House personnel in the Smuggler's Run you're able to find out that yes, Rioja could handle refugees. They're actually having trouble trying to get skilled trades people to immigrate.
"After we heard you were headed into Urtanim space a few of the nobles in the House were joking you might return with an army of freed slaves to help build up your holdings."

>>40435312
>>40436226
Sorry.
Who's to say you can't push for modifications with the other Houses once you've expanded Rioja's stations?
RSS is building a larger station at Surakeh, others could be built elsewhere like Rioja.

Sorry for the delay, wanted to put up a survey for those that aren't here right now since these are potentially long term issues.

>>40436841
Only the one ship?

I'd be shocked if he didn't order the entire fleet to try to do one of those kestrel runs on the command ship.


>>40437282
I smell Terran refugees and problems

>>40437282
While the situation of the Terran refugees is bad... I don't want us to create a huge potential problem for our future Barony. So unfortunately they lose out.

Dominion refugees only

Part of that got pasted again I guess.

>Select your 2 favouriteRioja
Slight error there. This has been corrected.


>>40436194
>Would they be able to move smaller moons and planets to a different orbit?
Depends on the size. Anything that could be mistaken for a planet, probably not. Mars' moons? Certainly.
Phobos with that big crater would be perfect to use a nuclear pulse drive.


With the Fleet taking up it's station near the rest of the Alliance forces you're soon sent requests for your attack wings. Other units need support to risk advancing into some regions while others are actively under attack. Raiders are present and its time for everyone to get to work.

Once things are underway you contact those in charge of the salvage efforts for the fleet base. Or more accurately you get hold of the RSS people present and they in turn direct you to an incredibly bored looking Norune working for the Navigator's Guild. Wait, how can it look bored if their face is almost a solid mask? Must be the eyes you conclude.

"We've been preparing for your arrival. Most of our ships aren't suitable for this work but with some modification we believe one of your Kavarian Attack Cruisers will be sufficient."

Of course it has to be one of your newest EC-K's. Authorising the transfer they get to work on the drive system, increasing fine control and managing to stuff in an extra row of drive plates. After that another few extra are added to secondary sublight drives.

"What, do they need the ship to break the FTL jump speed record?"
"Maybe it's because more plates at lower power levels aren't supposed to cause as much damage to subspace?" Suggests Maybourne, looking up from a datapad.
"I've been reading some of your older mission reports."

>>40438933
This looks interesting.

File: Triton Class Fleet Base T(...).gif (17 KB, 1114x1084)

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If its a simple case of subspace being damaged by the fleet using too many Veckron weapons you're not sure what the fuss is about. If it was that simple they wouldn't have asked for you. Checking the reports from the station you're a bit less certain about the whole assignment. Probes and ships investigating the site after the Neeran fleet moved on indicate elevated radiation levels in the surrounding space but that's not unusual.
One ship reported a possible power drain before it pulled back while another struck a mine before it could take any conclusive readings.

FTL sensors and coms shows signs of jamming but there is no corresponding real space or sublight jamming going on.

It isn't until the modifications to the ship are completed that your presence is request at a briefing.

Walking through the door you're more than a little surprised to see the familiar face of a rather nervous looking navigator officer sitting half way down the table.

"Linda?"
"Oh hey!" the other woman immediately responds, seeming genuinely surprise to see you here.

[ ] Hug!
[ ] No hugs, you're both professionals.
[ ] Other

>>40439695
>[ ] Hug!

>>40439695
>[ ] Hug!

>>40439695
>[ ] Hug!
Could you answer this: >>40436724

>>40436724
>Have any of the asteroid forts in the run fallen on hard times? Because if it were practical to purchase and move one to our planet we could have a fairly formidable fortification.
Not as far as Sonia is aware of. A limited embargo was put in place as a result of the anti-piracy blitz you went on.
There has been some diplomatic posturing and Forbearance making a few passes through the system as part of their training tours. Majestic was supposed to take part in exercises both with and then against Forbearance some of which would have been staged nearby.

They remain too heavily fortified to attack directly without risking unacceptable losses. Even if you did manage to acquire them most in that system are too large to move easily.

"Linda!" You consider tearing around the side of the table at full speed but that wouldn't be proper. Still once you walk over you make sure to give the other woman a hug.

"It's good to see you." you tell her.
"Yeah. I was going to say, it's quite the coincidence seeing you here but now that I think about it it seems less like one..." she trails off.

"You didn't request me did you?"

"The Guild requested you Ms Travers." States the senior navigator as (he? she? it?) enters the room. The same Norune you were talking to before heads to the opposite end of the table from you.
Linda shivers slightly then mutters quietly. "I hate it when they use my last name."

Without further preamble the guild officer activates the table displays which begin projecting images of the local fleet base.
"This is one of the largest space stations the Terrans have ever built. Its docking space and resource stockpiles could keep multiple full sized fleet operational for an extended period even if cut off from outside help. It seems that the Neeran were aware of this and went to lengths to neutralise the station as soon as possible when they attacked.

"From what the few recon ships have determined when scouting it they may have mined the area or otherwise sabotaged the station to prevent it from being easily reclaimed. Strong enough subspace irregularities were detected that the Alliance has decided to include the guild in the investigation."

And why are the navigators in charge of this operation now?

The officer gestures to a human sitting near his end of the table.

"This is Ilia Ahmad a subspace field specialist."

The man who might look to be in his 30's if not for premature greying introduces himself. "I don't believe we had the opportunity to meet. I was aboard the Vieona."

You shake hands wondering what the hell you're getting into.

"Some of the sensor readings taken of the station and the surrounding area are similar to work I've been doing on subspace technology. We've been trying to expand the applications of the system Vieona and the Factions Alliance Sleeper ships used to descend into subspace. If the enemy is working on the same thing it would be a good idea to find out what exactly they've been up to."

The engineer sends you a dissected view of some of the readings. One shows what seems like a pocket of distorted subspace in the area near the station and its possible the surrounding space may be full of them.

The guild officer resumes. "We don't know enough about what is happening in there. The Navigators and Mr Ahmad want data. The Alliance wants to salvage its valuable weapons. Even if you fail to collect the warheads we can still glean valuable insight into what is happening here."

"Why not send more navigator teams in to take readings?"
"We don't know if FTL will damage subspace." points out Ahmad. "Recovering Vieona nearly had serious repercussions for the surrounding space. With one ship we minimise the drive field impact."

>What say?

See you guys in the morning.

You'll be allowed to equip your ship before going in and so will be getting the chance to request nearly anything in the Alliance arsenal. Plenty of toys to choose from. If you're having trouble remembering any from past threads by all means ask.
May also want to give thought to how many troops you plan to squeeze aboard. Named characters you want to bring along.

You can still back out of the mission if you want. Linda can't, she's under contract.

>>40441375
Is there any negative side effects being close to a ship returning from subspace?

If we are unable to collect the warheads do we have permission to destroy them?

Can we request for a Krath infiltrator to help on this operation?

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>>40441963
>Is there any negative side effects being close to a ship returning from subspace?
For someone in another ship or someone in a space suit?
If the former not much, if the latter then exposure to broad spectrum radiation that your suit will probably not be able to block enough of.

>If we are unable to collect the warheads do we have permission to destroy them?
Only to prevent capture. The Alliance would prefer to quarantine the site and recover them at a later time.
"If you have time but cant collect the warheads for some reason you could pull their cores."
"What does the core look like?"
"Like a small aquamarine coloured marble. Don't let anything conduct electricity through it."
You suspect you know the answer by ask anyways. "...why?"
"It would be bad."

>>40441963
>Can we request for a Krath infiltrator to help on this operation?
Also yes.

>>40441909
Lots of remotely controlled or semi-autonomous drones seem like something that could be helpful.

If there's a species that's more resistant to subspace radiation than the faction baseline, it would be useful to bring some of them.

If the Neeran decided to leave some engineers behind, the codes to override the station's automated defences could prove useful.

Do they think everybody on that should get that anti Veckron injection?

>>40437282
>"After we heard you were headed into Urtanim space a few of the nobles in the House were joking you might return with an army of freed slaves to help build up your holdings."

I think the response would have been a serious:
Well I considered freeing any slaves I can get away with but for some reason I think that would have been very bad what with the Ruling House decreeing a blanket ceasefire as long as the war is on.

After it is done, who knows...


And yeah, I am actually a bit sad we did not profiteer from house Urtanim and fucked them over with the slaves letting the Neeran Exploit them for creating chaos and then leaving them to their fates.

>>40443463
If we do get anti-veckron injections it should be only considered for the boarding crew due to the extreme side effects. Then there is the hassle of taking samples of their sperm/eggs if they want to have children in the future.

>>40444157
>>And yeah, I am actually a bit sad we did not profiteer from house Urtanim and fucked them over with the slaves letting the Neeran Exploit them for creating chaos and then leaving them to their fates.
>Let's not risk upsetting one of the least popular Houses in the Dominion
>Transporting a hyper loyal labour force off planet would be too expensive

I'm sorry anon but you don't get to complain, this is the future you chose.

>>40444157
>>40445902

For the record, we weren't in a very good position to take on those slaves or get them out of the area safely.

And screw anyone from Factions space that sides with the Neeran.

>>40441909
>Named characters

Could Berwari's affinity for chaos theory help Linda navigate through whatever the Neeran did to the subspace in this area?

Would Versa be able to help? It's not like she is going anywhere considering the current state of the Loreto.

>>40439695
>One ship reported a possible power drain before it pulled back while another struck a mine before it could take any conclusive readings

Did that happen while they were at FTL, or in real space?

>FTL sensors and coms shows signs of jamming but there is no corresponding real space or sublight jamming going on.

Oooh, that's interesting. Maybe they dropped their jammers in subspace?

If the Neerans did indeed drop stuff in subspace, could we use one of the new gravity well generators to slow creep up on the station, drop out of FTL as soon as trouble starts, and use the ship to pull jammers back into real space?

>>40441909
Do they have an upgraded sleeper ship or possibly the subspace system from one?

Wait, can we access files on encountered power drain incidents? Is there a fall-off as distance increases from the source? Has Neeran equipment been noted to be resistant?

Can we secure at least 1 wise 'light Neeran' to accompany us?

And how do we know those 'distortions' aren't a Neeran Command ship and accompanying supers?

>>40442227
We should melt one of those marbles and use it in plasma cannon ammo, just to see what would happen.

>>40442227
If there's even a hint of power draining going on we should request a few scientists who were studying that Dyson sphere>>40442238

>>40446291
To add on to that if we did free the slaves other houses could use that as a claim due to attack our house. It could be interpreted as publically undermining another house which we had no legitimate reason. Even if House Urtanim is the most hated houses, lots of houses would jump at the opportunity to denounce our house and escalate the situation even with the Ruling Houses current decree/proclamation.

>>40447443
And we did secure one of the Neeran slave chip breaker things. Could be an interesting little toy in the future

Not seeing any signs of having seconds thoughts on the assignment.

>>40443463
>Lots of remotely controlled or semi-autonomous drones seem like something that could be helpful.
Available are Aries Starfighter and Infantry Drones.
Rovinar stealth drones and their smaller seeker drones.

Mark 39 Torpedoes are being modified to act as hardened probes. This will disable their warhead. These do not have the same level of fine control as other drone as they're meant to go fast and home in on a target, not slow and steady.

>If there's a species that's more resistant to subspace radiation than the faction baseline, it would be useful to bring some of them.
There aren't any, at least not to their knowledge. Ahmad having served aboard Vieona is still immune.

>If the Neeran decided to leave some engineers behind, the codes to override the station's automated defenses could prove useful.
Sonia has the highest level codes for the station, including those to access to torpedo magazines. Some of the teams will also be given high level clearance.

>Do they think everybody on that should get that anti Veckron injection?
You look to the specialist.
"I'm not sure. It turned out it was never an issue for the sleeper ships. It should really only be needed if a Veckron weapon is charged."

"What if we're exposed to a subspace tear, or a ship's drives going active while we're outside the hull?"
"Direct Beta, Gamma and X-ray exposure would be your main worry at that point not indirect subspace radiation."

Rolled 66, 47, 67 = 180 (3d100)

>>40446437
>Named characters
I meant more people with your fleet, but others may be nearby depending on events.

>Could Berwari's affinity for chaos theory help Linda navigate through whatever the Neeran did to the subspace in this area?
Let's see if he's close enough to be recruited. Rolling.

>Would Versa be able to help? It's not like she is going anywhere considering the current state of the Loreto.
Versa's hardware would be difficult to install on the ship and limited bandwidth might reduce effectiveness if assisting remotely. Might still be worth having the AI monitor the mission... oh right, the subspace jamming.
So that's a no unfortunately.

>>40446844
>Do they have an upgraded sleeper ship or possibly the subspace system from one?
Your ship will be fitted with the same system.

>Wait, can we access files on encountered power drain incidents?
There wasn't time to take many readings of it near the station. Power seemed to be drained from any and all active systems.

Those reported aboard Neeran ships by marines and corvettes that have made it inside the hull seem to be consistent with it. All active power systems and power reserves will suffer a drain in those situations. Power cells used by weapons are generally depleted within 24 hours if unused. The same goes for power cell armor if unused, much faster if in active use.

>Is there a fall-off as distance increases from the source?
Yes. It has been calculated to be a maximum distance is 10 AU but this may be higher.
>Has Neeran equipment been noted to be resistant?
When fighting aboard ships with the power drain present teams have noted captured weapons also suffer the same effects.

>Can we secure at least 1 wise 'light Neeran' to accompany us?
Chances are high, roll 3d100

>And how do we know those 'distortions' aren't a Neeran Command ship and accompanying supers?
You don't.

>>40446928
>If there's even a hint of power draining going on we should request a few scientists
Done.

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>40448534
>roll 3d100
1

Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>40448562
2

>>40448534
>Rolled 66
Berwari can be here within 54 hours. Are you okay with waiting until he arrives?

Rolled 77, 51, 72 = 200 (3d100)

>>40448534

Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>40448585
3

>>40448592


Yeah, we're nit in a hurry no?

Rolled 14, 5, 73 = 92 (3d100)

>>40448534

Two Neeran are available to assist, though only one will be going with you. Select which type of specialist you want.

1)
[ ] Combat & Detection
[ ] Detection & Engineering


>>40448774
Berwari is on his way. There is something he would like if possible as payment for the mission. His old ship. It was supposed to be a Vengeance type but he had it customized before the wings were attached, expanding it into more of a Battlecruiser. It was captured during his failed coup attempt and one of the Warlords now have it.
2)
[ ] We'll see how dangerous this mission is
[ ] Maybe he'll be paid enough to get another
[ ] Try to get it for him
[ ] Offer to buy/build a replacement

>>40449037
>[x] Detection & Engineering

[x] Maybe we can build him a surprise from our shipyard

>>40433929
>This is a 3rd but it's being held for someone else
>Can we find out for whom it is intended?
Saputo since he took the planet.


>>40449037
Should have added these.

EC-K NG+
Kavarian K-type hull modified to J-D standard. FTL modifications by Navigator's Guild. Alliance power & weapon system upgrades.
ECM has been replaced with expanded sensor suite.

3)Afterburners options:
(A) Generator Type (Requires partial weapon power be diverted to engines)
(B) Bottle Type (Ejectable, non-renewable antimatter stores)
You can also choose not to take afterburners to free up space and weight

4)Point defense: Particle beams
>Upgrade with mass driver PD Y/N?

>>40449037
>[x] Detection & Engineering

>Berwari
>[X] We'll see how dangerous this mission is
>[X] Try to get it for him

>>Upgrade with mass driver PD Y/N?
Y

>>40449097
>afterburner
generator type.
>mass drivers
Y

Is there any other upgrades we could buy ourselves?

>>40449420
>Is there any other upgrades we could buy ourselves?

So what are we customizing?

>>40449420
>Is there any other upgrades we could buy ourselves?
Lots. I'm having trouble thinking of them all.

I'm assuming you'll want SP Torpedoes?
There are those Iratar shield analyzer harpoons that need to be tipped with SP Torps. Yes teams have used them against Neeran Super cap shields to take readings.

People have asked for drones but you only have room for a dozen or so starfighter drones and they would reduce space for shuttles.

An LST isn't out of the question. You could even store some of those drones aboard.

>>40449613
>So what are we customizing?
Your ship, crew, and the team you'll be taking aboard the station.

>>40449420
>Is there any other upgrades we could buy ourselves?
Any particularly reason why you feel like using our money instead of the FA's?

>>40449097
>Saputo since he took the planet.
Based Saputo as our Baron in arms in the Run? I could think of worse potential Barons to share the Run with.

>>40449037
[X] Detection & Engineering

>>40449706
I don't think I've seen what we are facing on this mission besides possible radiation and power drainage.

>>40449846
>I don't think I've seen what we are facing on this mission besides possible radiation and power drainage.
That's due to a lack of information about the site. Information you are expected to gather while in there. Plan for the unexpected.

Your ships current weapon compliment.
4x spinal mount phase cannon
3x phase cannon turret

40x SP Torpedoes (Mk 43) (10 volleys)
160x Conventional torps (GP)
40x Torpedo Probe

Mass Driver point defense
No afterburners (Not voting counts as not needing them)

>>40449745
I figured there might be a few things the FA weren't willing to pay for, small things mostly.

>>40450039
There are few things they wont pay for to help this mission along.

"No afterburners. They'll just be another potential power drain or a liability." The last thing you want to be doing is carrying dead equipment, or having to dump enough antimatter to light off a small star.

Linda will be acting as navigator having been briefed on everything and being the most experienced with plotting courses around strange shit.

You could helm the ship yourself, or let another of your pilots take over.

There is also the position of sensors officer. Berwari could probably take on that role as he'll need to look at the readings anyways to help with analysis.
Arron is available, and is familiar with the ship class if you needed him to take over helm.
Alex has kept up his hobby of trying to use sensors to their fullest and would be useful for any number of other jobs including the boarding team.

Who will be your sensors officer?

>>40450254
>Arron is available, and is familiar with the ship class if you needed him to take over helm.

>>40450254
Arron for sure.

>>40450254
>Arron
Arron seems like a good choice.

What are some things we don't usually take with us on boarding ops that we could have used on previous ops? Our early career suffered from a lack of firepower/armour/stealth, which we now have in spades. So try to think of minor things we could add to our toolkit.

One thing I can think of is having some kind of ultra-dense data storage device. We sure could have used them back during those shipyard ops in the Maelstrom campaign.

>>40451118
Loads of medical stasis devices.

>RE: Neeran infiltrators
Has the FA been able to come up with a device that reliably detects them?

>>40451423
Yeah those super-psy undetectable commando neerans would be the worst case opponent here. Hopefully our neeran sidekick can counter that.

Are we expecting any friendlies to be on the station, or did they all evacuate? They may be some in stasis if they didn't manage to teleport out. If not then we can go weapons free and leave the stunners at home, this is hardly the best time to be taking prisoners.

>>40451118
>One thing I can think of is having some kind of ultra-dense data storage device.
A number of such devices will be made available. Most the size of thumb drives, a few the size of a small briefcase should you need to move a ton of data.

Techs are setting up a pair of the Aries drones with hacking modules.

>>40451423
>Has the FA been able to come up with a device that reliably detects them?
It depends on their level of skill. Lower level ones yes. Higher level ones no.

You ask the Neeran team members if there are any other ways to detect them.
"With training we are capable of detecting any of them. It requires training most of us are versed in. There are devices that would allow most Faction species to detect them but they are rare and vary in their operation."
"A device with absorber properties would work." points out the engineer.
"We don't have the technology for those, that's is part of our problem. You'd need an artifact weapon or object."

>>40451744
do we still have the Neeran corpses with us from when we were boarded?

Could the Neeran coming with us pull any of those power cores from the corpses to upgrade themself? Or make use of the captured engineer's turret-making device?

Have the next post ready but this could delay things with arguments, we'll see.

>>40452160
>do we still have the Neeran corpses with us from when we were boarded?
Some, most were sent to the Alliance.
>Could the Neeran coming with us pull any of those power cores from the corpses to upgrade themself? Or make use of the captured engineer's turret-making device?
Not in the time available as this engineer would need to learn an entirely new system.
The isolationists consider taking organs from the dead to be bad form. It's still done but more rarely in their society.

>>40451744
Sorry for the delay, had to search the archives and appropriate surveys. Then re-search the archives to be certain.

You did send a number of items from Svidur's box of gifts off to the Alliance to help R&D, but not all of them. There was quite a bit of disagreement over which ones to send.

Two artifacts that were not sent were Energy Conversion and Remote Energy Assimilator Tech.

Did you want to talk to the Neeran in private about these in case one of them can be used to help detect infiltrators?

>>40452501
May as well, I do not like to go into situations unprepared and lacking knowledge.

>>40452501
I'd be fine with consulting the Neeran in private.

Any chance either of these guys knew Svidur?

>>40451744
fucking space wizards man

>>40452501
>Did you want to talk to the Neeran in private about these in case one of them can be used to help detect infiltrators?
Yeah.

We should just develop all the tech.

You sigh then inform the Neeran you need to speak to them privately.

"About what? We all have clearance." says Ahmad as you stand and head for the door.

The pair of Neeran who have been going by the placeholder names Dave and Sam follow, though it's clear they're not certain what it is you're up to. Your translator picks up a few exchanged words.
"I don't get these people some times."
"Well they are very small."

Finding a room you consider to be secure enough while large enough for your guests takes some work but soon you're hauling out a carrying case from the Devourer. Inside are a number of items normally hidden in a sensor shielded compartment. Only a few people on the ship know about it and they all have orders to make sure it's pulled if it looks like you're about to abandon ship.

You pull out the pair of objects and then more hesitantly the matching instruction plates that go with them.

Dave, the engineer, reacts with genuine surprise, or you think that's what it is. "Is that a converter?!"
He gently picks up one of the objects examining it before looking to the others.
"And this is builder script. Where did you get these?"

"Any chance either you knew Svidur?"

The two glance at either other before Sam speaks up. "We were only recruited after Svidur was declared missing. We know stories and have met various acquaintances or apprentices."
"He gave this to you?"

Well, gave on the intention you putting them to good use or at least keeping them safe. Which you've done for the most part.

"I can use either of these to allow the user to ignore or see through Neeran illusions."
"What about holograms?" You ask, but the other holds up a hand to momentarily forestall any other questions.

"I think the converter will work better for what you want, though I could combine them! It might let you counter the effects of infiltrators or perhaps even nullify Remote Energy Assimilator fields within the area of effect." The engineer quietly whispers; "That would be amazing." Though this is mostly to himself.

"Uh, I'm not an engineer but wouldn't the influx fry her nervous system?" points out Sam.

"Oh right! Sorry, you'd need... no that wouldn't work."

"What would you need?" you ask.

"A weapon." both state.

"Like Svidur's staff?"

"No." "No, a Human wouldn't be able to use that." "Maybe?" "No." "No, you're probably right."
"Sorry. But we should talk about these artifacts once the mission is over."

Once that matter is cleared up it's on to the matter of using at least one of them.

"The Converter is your best bet. The output is still a problem but you should be okay. At worst you'll feel tingly. We could probably set up another team member with the Energy Assimilator though it may not work 100% as we intend for it to do."

You're instructed to pick up the converter in your natural hand.

"So is this the part where you touch my head and unlock my potential?" you ask.

"The fu- no. No it's not." Sam quickly responds. "That is not a thing we can do."
"Really?"
"Yes, really."

Dave speaks up once the other Neeran has settled.
"I can do the equivalent of temporary memory imprinting. It will only last a few minutes so this may take multiple attempts while you figure out how to attune the converter. Sam, can you-"
"I'm not an infiltrator."
"Just do a thing."

[ ] Roll 1d100 for shenanigans, lowest of 3.
[ ] Strongly object to "Just do a thing."

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>40454437
2spooky
TOO SPOKY

>>40454437
Yeah... no. We like our brains unscrambled, thank you.

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>40454437
THERE IS NO PLACE TO GO BUT FORWARD!

>>40454437
>[x] Strongly object to "Just do a thing."
Maybe A Thing after the mission.

>>40454940
>>40454657
>Yeah... no. We like our brains unscrambled, thank you.
Did you guys want to allow another team member to carry the converter? You could then ask for a volunteer willing to have memory imprinting done.

>>40455042
Do we need to get the imprint in order to use it?

>>40455073
Yes.

Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>40454437
>>40454284
It would be so funny if Sonia is a latent psionic who just needs a bit of push to awaken and be able to use Staffs like Sivdur....

>>40455042
Can we ask them what badthings could happen if whatever magic they're trying to perform goes wrong?

>>40455120
I have waited for this moment since the Neeran Commander mission when we captured some of their bio reactors! Lightning from our hands emperor style! Mind reading! All the good stuff! I CAN NOT CONTAIN MY HYPE!

>>40455189
I'm totally okay with ending this quest as AI Neeran cyborg Sonia.

I think our ultimate goal was always to live forever.

>>40455123
Yes but it would ruin the moment, which I'm thinking we're well past.

Objections are being lodged.

Do you still want to get the memory imprint to use the device, let a team member get it or refuse the option entirely.

>>40455319
>>40455449
Undying Sonia with Neeran mind powers is the only way to go.

>>40455468
I stand my by choice no matter that the roll is 28

>>40455468
If it were avg of the three rolls maybe. Do we get any bonubs since we're familiar with memory imprinting?

>>40455528
>>40455632
The roll is now irrelevant.

EDI: Shepard, you are now possibly the only living organic who has experienced the Geth Consensus. Do you feel different?
Shepard: It was fascinating, mind-blowing... And I'm also a bit thirsty.
EDI: And just like that, the magic is gone.

You drop the artifact. "Woah, hold on a second, what are you going to do?"

"Memory imprinting while-"
"I'm not going to do anything." States Sam. "It would have been reckless if I'd listened and just done something without your permission."

"Yes you're right." The engineer agrees before appologizing to you for being a bit too hasty.

"We can still do the memory imprinting either for you, or another."

[ ] Yes if it's done carefully
[ ] Another team member
[ ] Perhaps not, you two seem inexperienced

>>40455902
[ ] Yes if it's done carefully
No breaks on the psycho train.

>>40455902

[ ] Yes if it's done carefully

>>40455902
>[x] Yes if it's done carefully
Let's get a chair, and maybe a medical team.

Before we start, can we ask them what they're arifacts OF?

>>40455902
>[ ] Yes if it's done carefully

Could we also get it for a second person, in case Sonia gets incapacitated, or something.

>>40455902
I think you didn't make it obvious enough that 'shenanigans' doesn't translate to 'makes your brain explode on a low roll'.

We can be pretty slow at times, sorry.

>>40457042
I have PTSD from other quests, man. The horror when you thought it was a joke option and it wasn't.

>>40456374
>Could we also get it for a second person, in case Sonia gets incapacitated, or something.
Sure.

>>40456158
>can we ask them what they're artifacts OF?
"Supposedly they're from our ancestors pre-spacefaring civilization. Which not all of us believe but that's another story. In more recent times they're only brought back from pilgrimage to the Dyson Sphere.
Some of our people went there long before the schism that drove our people to seek refuge in what is now the Republic. They've been there a long time and used to be considered neutral in our disagreement. Those who have visited often claim they have technology superior to our own, some of which may have been first discovered then lost by our ancestors."

"Interesting."

It takes the better part of two hours testing out the device before you really catch on. Even with the aid of the memory imprints it's sort of weird but you think you have it.
"So does this mean I can do telepathy now?"

"No, it means you can use that particular object. There is no telepathy involved. Almost anyone can do this."

Good to know.

One of your backup team members will also undergo training.
Did you have any other questions for your Neeran allies? Some might be answered.

>>40457081
I want to know what's the deal with their bio reactor is. Where they born with it? Did they make it? When do we get one inside of us?

Also advanced technology from an ancient civilization? Do share.

>>40457081
>Did you have any other questions for your Neeran allies?
Can I get telepathy later?

>>40457081
So, the Dyson Sphere.

What would it mean if someone had a map of it?

>>40457081
Show them the other fat loot that we have no idea beyond the name of it. Then we can REALLY go crazy over them.

>>40457081
How do they feel about the current conflict?

>>40457159
>I want to know what's the deal with their bio reactor is. Where they born with it?
Yes.
>Did they make it?
No.
>When do we get one inside of us?
Never.
>Also advanced technology from an ancient civilization? Do share.
The Isolationists don't have access to it all.

>>40457174
>Can I get telepathy later?
No.
"Why do humans always ask that?"

>>40457211
It would be kind of a big deal to a few people. Especially the enemy since its in their territory.

>>40457269
>Show them the other fat loot that we have no idea beyond the name of it.
"I know you somehow got it from Svidur but how is it you have all of this?"
"Are you a wizard?"

>>40457300
That it's pretty shitty for everyone involved.

>>40457608
>No.
>No.

Are they always this rude? Don't they like Sonia enough to try?

>"Are you a wizard?"
You already dared to enter my magical ship.

>>40457608
>"I know you somehow got it from Svidur but how is it you have all of this?"
>"Are you a wizard?"
Do they know what most of them are and what they do? Will they tell us?
I remember there was around 6 or 7 items.

>>40457751
>>40457756
More on those in a bit. I need to step out to grab some food. Posting this so you can think over the coming operation.


The Alliance and the Guild begrudgingly gives Şivan Berwari an upgraded security clearance when he arrives. Your reminder that RSS personnel were merely subjected to an NDA seems to press home the point that the former pirate is hardly the biggest threat they face.

He's soon looking over as much of the data with Linda as possible while they try to find the best route to approach the station. The readings they have to work with are limited. Eventually it's brought up at the next staff meeting.

"Some of the subspace pockets are, or were, intersecting the station itself and the surrounding debris," sates Berwari. "We believe the smaller ones to be mines, and they certainly have the spread pattern and coverage of a minefield. Larger ones we can't be as certain of."

"Could they be ships?"
"There is one way to find out. Use the sleeper fleet systems and approach the site in subspace." Suggests Ahmad.

There are several ways to approach the station;
Real space coming in through the minefield.
Real space coming in near the larger objects.
Via subspace near one of the above.
Insane FTL insertion plan.

You're not sure who proposed the last one but it involves dropping out of FTL within the structure of the station, or at least in zone potentially safe from the mines.

>>40457862
Oh fuckkk, I totally forgot to ask to bring Nikolov. This would have been good experience for her!

>>40457751
>More on those in a bit
The first one wasn't meant to be serious, just in case it wasn't entirely clear.

>>40457862
>Via subspace near one of the above.
Well, we have the best navigator in the FA, and had all those stuff installed. Might as well use it.

TSTG, this is slightly off topic, but could you please provide us with an update on Sonia's skillset along the lines of what is currently on her wiki page?

>>40457862
>Via subspace near one of the above.
This would be easier if we had a disguised Neeren ship.

>>40457862
[x] Insane FTL plan

Hey, who's mines are these anyway? Do we have any info on them? Never seen anything like this before.

File: NOPE NOPE NOPENOPENOPE.gif (4.99 MB, 480x360)

4.99 MB GIF

>Insane FTL Insertion
mfw

No need to set ourselves on fire before jumping into the volcano.

>"I think the converter will work better for what you want, though I could combine them! It might let you counter the effects of infiltrators or perhaps even nullify Remote Energy Assimilator fields within the area of effect." The engineer quietly whispers; "That would be amazing." Though this is mostly to himself.
>nullify Remote Energy Assimilator fields
Lets follow up on this later.

>Some of our people went there long before the schism that drove our people to seek refuge in what is now the Republic. They've been there a long time and used to be considered neutral in our disagreement. Those who have visited often claim they have technology superior to our own, some of which may have been first discovered then lost by our ancestors."
Used to be neutral? So are they considered hostile now or do they just don't know? It sounds like the people who live in the sphere are DOUBLE isolationists.

There used to be a research station there before the war, but they obviously had trouble getting in and/or finding their way around. So it sounds like whoever lives there hides themselves behind an energy draining labyrinth that would put an MC Escer fever dream to shame. Clearly Svidur left us the artifacts so that we could defeat the energy drain and use his map to get in.

If the FA has some neeran engineers on staff hopefully they can make some headway on those other artifacts. We're going to need every advantage we can get against those empire cunts.

>>40459191
Maybe Svidur gave us those artifacts so we could become space batman?

I think the thing we need to take into account is how do we not fry our nervous system when using them?

>>40459259
We managed to link up with Versa that one time, and we also got into the computer network on the neeran ship that other time. So it can't be impossible, even if requires us to make the 6 TRILLION CREDIT SONIA. Better, Stronger, Faster, Crazier. Not the Sonia anyone wanted but THE ONE THEY DESERVED.

>>40459509
Maybe the Krath can give us telepathy? Or maybe the watchers? I can't imagine the universe would want to keep Sonia from prying salvage locations directly from people's brains.

>>40457608
>No.
>"Why do humans always ask that?"
Are they working on coming up with a way to give humans telepathy? It must be obvious there's enough demand for it.

>>40459569
>>40459605
I think the collective anus clenching/panty twisting of the other factions could be used to counter the heat death of the universe if Sonia managed to corner the market on human telepathy.

So clearly this must be done.

>>40459605
>>40459569
I think it's been pretty clear from the multiple times TSTG has said it.

n o t e l e p a t h y e v e r

To be honest I prefer no telepathy as well, psi powers and all that shit are always TRASH TIER, pure technology is where it's at,

>>40457908
I'm sure she'd be fine with avoiding an assignment like this.

>>40457756
>Do they know what most of them are and what they do? Will they tell us?
>I remember there was around 6 or 7 items.

Well the map is a map. You only sent half of the collection away to the Alliance or Rovinar. Remainder are:
>Cooling laser
Atomic and molecular samples are cooled down to near absolute zero by this beam. Can result in snap freezing damage to objects or rendering them brittle. Potentially useful for advanced weapon cooling systems. Deadly enough on it's own when used as a weapon against unarmored targets.

A sustained hit to the backpack of suit of light power armor might be enough to disable the micro fusion reactors, or render them vulnerable to follow up attacks.

People have argued back and forth about working on this with the Republic.

>Man portable PPCDG/ lighting gun
Phased plasma channel discharge gun. A plasma taser on steroids that uses phase weapon technology. The Republic developed a starship grade version (with the help of the Rovinar) that unfortunately wears out quickly.
The one in your possession would also a user to throw out lighting from it. You can't use it but Neeran can.

>Energy conversion system
Converts one type of input energy into another. Thermal, kinetic, electrical, potentially even light created by holographics. Usable by nearly anyone with training, including humans. It's not the most effective in its current state. Weapons created by the ancient Neeran to house artifacts such as this would increase its potential. Few of those weapons would be useful to humans.

>Remote Energy Assimilator
Drains electrical energy from distant targets. Increased effectiveness against conduits or power systems channeling more energy.
Limited usefulness to humans in its current form. Only a Neeran would be able to survive using it directly. More useful to vehicles or facilities.

>>40459904
Well you know what they say about tech and magic being indistinguishable after a certain point. Gotta get cracking on those neeran artifact secrets.

>>40460227
>>Cooling laser
What happens when you shoot it at a plasma ball?

>>40460301
Well it's a laser so probably not a lot, it would be like firing a water gun into a cloud of smoke. There isn't anything to conduct the cold unless you fire it at a solid object.

It would be awesome and hilarious if we could miniaturize them and give Sonia ice beam eyes.

>>40460227
>Cooling laser
Still think we should sell it, if only with an extremely long contract on it. Such as.
*Expensive license for using and producing it.
*Forbidden to spread the tech.
*Any tech advancements derived from the Cooling Laser tech is counted as property of Sonia.
*If the tech get's stolen or lost from the Republic they are to use any and all means at their disposal to get it back/dispose of it.

That would keep the tech from spreading beond the Republic. Give is plenty of money from licencing. Gives us free tech if they discover something they can make with the Cooling Laser from studying it or the like.

>>40460227
I could swear there was blueprints for a reactor included at one point as well.

Also,
>he gives us a bunch of cool shit, but we can't even use them
fucking svidur, man. I do appreciate the gesture though, it's clearly all the coolest shit he's collected, and thought it would be cool for us to hang onto it for him, but god damn. fucking wizards.

>>40460227
>Energy conversion system
Could this be used to create a absorbing type shield. That is to say a shield that gets hit by a energy wepon, such as plasma, or a kinetic weapon, such as a mass driver and converts the power that strikes the shield into more power for the shield. Thus creating a shield that grows stronger as it is hit up until the point where it is overwhelmed.

TSTG, are people in the factions starting to get upset with our Neeran?

We have already had billions of people die for them because they can't get along with their distant relatives, and all they're doing to support a war that could have been ended by handing them over is to send a ship or two to help every now and then.

Is this some kind of practical joke to them?

>>40460715
>TSTG, are people in the factions starting to get upset with our Neeran?
Yes, they have been since the Pandora Cluster was invaded the first time. Before that there was plenty of support when it was in Shallan space and they wanted it to stay there.

Now with the attacks on two relays and attempts to break into the Centri cluster civilian morale is not going to be in a good place. Not helped by the Houses opposed the war. A number of them are talking openly about sending their own envoy to contact the Neeran.

File: logh95a Julien facepalm.png (272 KB, 584x446)

272 KB PNG

And the other half of that post.

>>40460483
>ice beam eyes.

>>40460301
I imagine it would be like using a fire extinguisher against a flamethrower? Messy.
In all seriousness both people would probably be killed by their opponent.

Actually wait, starship grade plasma ball, they would start to cool down much more rapidly than they normally would.

>>40460595
>I could swear there was blueprints for a reactor included at one point as well.
I think the Alliance has those?

>>40460602
Not a starship shield. Maybe a physical one.

>>40461162
Has the FA had any success infiltrating Neeran space? Do we know anything about the industrial capacity, territory etc?

>>40461162

This sound like a Neeran version of the Tet Offensive. Military unsuccessful but very damaging to Dominion and Terran morale.

What if we used the laser to supercool ship shields. That way you'd have Supercooled Shields, might be more effective at mitigating the heat effects of plasma and fusion weapons.

>>40458284
>TSTG, this is slightly off topic, but could you please provide us with an update on Sonia's skillset along the lines of what is currently on her wiki page?
Updated.

>>40461296
Yes but Sonia doesn't have the information, nor is she cleared for it. There is a mission coming up she may be offered with her background in attacking enemy rear positions.

>>40459191
>Used to be neutral? So are they considered hostile now or do they just don't know?
It's occupied territory so they don't know or it could be hostile now.

>>40457862
>>40457862
>>40457862
>>40457862

We currently have 3 votes on your course of action. Anyone else?

>>40461195
>I think the Alliance has those?
Any progress on it?

>>40461449
>Anyone else?
Survey?

>>40461449
[x] Approach in subspace, sleeper style

>>40458661
>Hey, who's mines are these anyway?
Not the Alliance's which leaves few other culprits.
>Do we have any info on them? Never seen anything like this before.
Just what were in the reports you read.

>>40461528
Due to the current security level of the project they're unable to transmit data on it. Thanks to your agreement you're allowed to visit the R&D base where work is happening to find out more. The project clearance rating is classed in the same range as Veckron tech. They don't want info to leak.

>>40461716
>Survey?
Well, 3/4 votes are for approaching in subspace.

The ship will drop out of FTL a couple AU out then use the special drives system to approach within subspace.

Will that approach have you passing closer to the mines or the larger objects?

>>40462069
>The project clearance rating is classed in the same range as Veckron tech. They don't want info to leak.

Oh boy, the Reynard-Victory-Generator will be so huge, when this war is over we'll be able to simply buy the Shallan government and then we can start our own faction. With salvage, and blue space elves.

>that approach have you passing closer to the mines or the larger objects?
I'd be interested in finding out what these objects are.

>>40462069
>The project clearance rating is classed in the same range as Veckron tech.
TOO SPOOKY

>>40462069
>Will that approach have you passing closer to the mines or the larger objects?

Can we use probes in subspace?

>>40462199
1 for near the closer objects.

>>40462362
>Can we use probes in subspace?
No, they won't be able to go beyond the extent of your subspace field. Even if they could they would be very short range because of the jamming.

>>40462199
[x] As far away from the mines and the objects as possible.

>>40462069
>Objects
I don't fully trust our subspace capabilities to cross near the mines.

>>40462945
>>40462851
>>40462618
Roll 1d100 to assist Linda's jump calculation.

She'll try to find the closest possible approach using an algorithm Berwari helped program.

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>40463013

Rolled 4 (1d100)

>>40463013

Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>40463013
BASED LINDA

Well... its a good thing you called in the former pirate.

Heading up your team you board the heavily modded ship and head out.

Since the fleet's arrival and with the delays setting up for this expedition your Excalibur class ships have returned. They're being fitted with a few modifications themselves in case a rescue ship is needed to pick you up. Most people know how long an Excalibur will survive an energy drain from that one old story. Really its about the same as any other but a boost to the morale of rescue crews never hurts.

The first jump out seems surprisingly loud. "Is that normal with Guild mods?"
"No. It may be the core." Answers Linda. "I haven't flown with one of these newer modded drive cores. I didn't really help with the Vieona and I think it had a different system."

Linda and Ahmad argue over field dynamics for a half hour until they get the problem straightened out. The next few jumps are smoother and the internal noise is back to the normal ship's background hum.

"Sonia, be aware that the modifications the guild did to the secondary sublight engines mean we cant use the high maneuver drives. They're locked out unless you override it which will mean detonating explosive bolts and trashing a dozen drive plates."

You promise not to do so unless its absolutely necessary. Maybe even paying for damages depending on the situation.
Nah, you set up a message to Nikolov to ask for spare salvaged drive plates if you need them.

>>40460227
>Cooling laser
Just catching up with the thread but why the hell haven't we exploited this ourself? This is a REALLY great item, not just for weaponry but industrial application as well.

We need to have our company R&D look into it immediately. Imagine combining it with Antimatter storage, holy shit, that's perfect storage combined with stasis tech.

Then there's the fact we could apply it to ship reactors directly, strip out all the big bulky coolant systems. Run the reactors hotter for more power, and more power means more cooling potential.

DEVELOP THIS

File: Destroyed station sketch OLD.gif (54 KB, 260x436)

54 KB GIF

>>40464421
>We need to have our company R&D look into it immediately. Imagine combining it with Antimatter storage, holy shit, that's perfect storage combined with stasis tech.
Please elaborate as my brain is not computing so well atm.

A few jumps later you drop out of FTL in the target system. Sensor readings show no jamming of real space com channels as reported bur radiation levels are elevated beyond those from the system star and background. Your position is a bit farther out than you would have liked but you're set to approach where you need to.

"We're suffering the expected power drain for our distance. A little stronger than hoped for but still within the predicted range."

Your people begin plotting the subspace readings they can detect while engineering flips whichever parts the drives needed for your approach. The power drain shouldnt be an issue for the few minutes you'll be exposed.

"You might want to look at the station." Suggest Arron.

Zooming in you check for its status, expecting battle damage but not the gaping holes that pass completely through it.
"What the hell did this, a Scorcher?"
"Couple of them is my guess, among other things. Maybe some of those Arbalest helped?"

A few other people on the bridge are hardly quiet when they look away from their work and glance at the battle damage.

"Part of our job may be easier now. No need to worry about forcing open the cargo bay doors."

>Will resume in morning and try to run most of the day tomorrow. I'll have to stop for a bit around 1PM - 2:30PM EST because of an appointment.

>>40464706
>Please elaborate as my brain is not computing so well atm.
>near absoloute zero
>aka near zero kinetic energy
the antimatter would be frozen, or near to it, and have no kinetic energy as long as the containment lasers were online. no leakage or anything. sure it wouldn't protect it against an SP torp hit but it's a big improvement.

bump

Bump.

Bump

If this were the Devourer you might get up to see how everyone was doing at their respective stations, but you're the only helmsman here until or unless you call in your relief pilot. It's like the old days, you cant risk leaving your station while in hostile territory. You settle for glancing over your shoulder occasionally.

"The Torpedo magazines, were they hit?"
"Hard to say. The Station core looks intact but its heavily damaged. From the surviving ship gates it looks like the remaining sections might have a couple of them."

"What about the heavy plasma cannons?"

Arron shakes his head. "Most of the mounting points are completely gone. I'm not finding any that are intact. Not from our current position at any rate. Some of this damage..."

"What?"

"Its not consistent with plasma weapon hits. I think maybe they also hit it with repulsor weapons."
"Like an Arbalest?"
"No that's kinetic. I mean direct repulsor and tractor beams."

You order him to flag it for the science teams.

Lind and Ahmad accidentally interrupt each other trying to tell you something before your navigator waves for the specialist to speak.
"The drives are ready."

"Then get us in there."

As the system powers up you get warnings about the power drain beginning to increase.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtSOtcawcfM

It takes a good portion of the power reserves for the drive system to push the ship into subspace.

"We're successfully entered the planned subspace layer. We should be able to maintain our position with minimal power. Moving will require careful use of our drive plates and will be at speeds much lower than conventional FTL."

You remember from Vieona that they were more like sublight speeds.

Linda reports no signs of damage to subspace in the region aside from early effects of Veckron weapons used in the recent battle. It should still be a decade or two before its an issue. The layer you're in right now is unaffected.

"Linda, take us in."

Pushing the throttle forward the drive plates come to life and the ship begins to move. Sensors are nearly useless here from the jamming. Wherever you are it penetrates to this level.

You back away from the controls knowing you don't have any input for the moment. "Where are the larger contacts?"

Arron shrugs then Ahmad speaks up.
"I think they're in yet another subspace layer. One separate from ours and conventional FTL."
"How many subspace layers are there?"
"We don't know. They could be infinite, or it more like the EM spectrum. Perhaps allowing things to travel at different speeds depending on the "depth" or wavelength of the level the drive takes them to."
"That's all speculative." Comments Linda, not taking her eyes away from the screens for a moment. She's nervous but ocusing hard on her task.

"Large contact ten degrees to port."

[ ] Bring us in closer to get better readings
[ ] Keep our distance
[ ] Fly casual

>>40472157
No heavy plasma? I is sad

>>40472575
[x] Fly casual

>>40472575
Can we match the layer the objects are in at all? A rough outline of their shape? If they're spherical I'm betting Neeran.

[x] Keep our distance

>>40472575
>[X] Bring us in closer to get better readings

>>40472643
"Is there any chance we could match the layer the objects are in?"

The Terran seems to consider it. "I suppose it is theoretically possible. It would require some experimentation. That wasn't really part of our mission objectives though."

Well the Guild did want data from this flight.

>A rough outline of their shape? If they're spherical I'm betting Neeran.
Arron shakes his head at the poor readings then works at trying to make some estimates.
"The contact, what I can make of it, seems to be ovoid but so are most drive fields. Ours is too, it's just a bit flatter because we have less ship "

"Try and match known ship profiles for its size."

Arron doesn't even look back at his screens. "The closest one is consistent with the size of a Neeran Super Carrier or an equivalent sized object. From the readings we took in real space, part of this one's field is intersecting the outer areas of the station."

Linda speaks up. "I'm seeing signs of drift. These objects are not anchored. Some of them could pass right through the station."

>Does this change anything for you?

>>40472922
What's the timeframe until one of the objects intersects?

I'm willing to bet that these things are the cause of the power drain, and the closer they get the more power we lose. We should try and avoid them.

>>40472922
>What's the timeframe until one of the objects intersects?

>part of this one's field is [already] intersecting the outer areas of the station."

Some of them are. You cant get good readings right now because of the jamming. You're playing with Fog of War turned on.

>>40473055
>Some of them are.
I meant fully. We should avoid the areas where they're already in position.

How many teams have been sent in before us?

>>40473081
>I meant fully. We should avoid the areas where they're already in position.
It's impossible to tell at this time if any of the larger objects will fully pass through the station. Your people say that is probably unlikely to happen but not impossible.
As the station has a volume several times larger than most supers the smaller objects, such as mines, would be more likely to pass completely through it. If there are any currently inside the station you dont' know about it, and will not be able to know about it until you enter sensor range.

>How many teams have been sent in before us?
Just the ones you read about in your reports.

2 manned starships have entered this system previously and withdrew.
One in response to the energy drain, the other due to striking a mine.

No one has been sent into the station. That task has been reserved for your team.

You lack additional information because Intelligence gathering for the Navigator's Guild is part of your mission objectives.

>>40472575
>[X] Bring us in closer to get better readings

Will be back, hopefully by 2:30 EST.

>>40472575
>[X] Bring us in closer to get better readings

Plan idea: we avoid the objects for now, dock with the station, let the engineers do their business to match the subspace level whilst we grab the SP torps. On the way out we go subspace and get detailed readings

So I've been thinking what with the Neeran artifacts coming up once again. Once we get back from this campaign I'd say we should request the artifacts we lent to the FA back and begin building of our own lab back on Rioja where we can study all of them. It could work in with out plan to give the planet an economic boom when we start large scale building there of industry, infrastructure and the influx of refuges that can work.

>>40474846
Weren't most of those things basically 'in a century or two we might understand what we are actually looking at', assuming we gave it to the Factions Alliance and used their collective best and brightest (and near unlimited funding)?

>>40474913
I think that was the real advanced stuff like the reactor, energy converter, and the energy assimilator. The freezeray and the lightning gun were not too difficult, and the map was pretty self explanatory.

>>40474846
>>40475077
I definitely think we should start working on the cooler-beam. It's too useful, way, way too useful.

In the immediate sense we could try and get it developed and reverse engineered and begin working with DHI, because if I remember correctly they build ship reactors. We could work with them to develop overhaul packs for ships that let them strip out all the large cooling systems and replace it with the lasers. It'd save a lot of space and be applicable to every ship ever made - a potentially massive market for both companies to harvest. This really is a true megacorp making item.

"Linda, bring us in closer to get better readings."

She gives you the same look she used to have back in the old days. The terrified Linda look.

"Just keep it slow and steady." You tell her, then add. "Break off if you need to." in an attempt to be reassuring.

Everyone does their best to try and get readings as the ship's course curves closer to the contact.

"We should be within close proximity of the station." announces Ahmad.

"Reducing speed." is Linda's immediate response.

A minute later Arron begins calling out distance. "One hundred kilometers to nearest object."

You're not entirely certain you knew you'd be getting so close. But then again if part of it is passing through the station structure it would make sense given the size of Neeran ships.

"Forty kilometers."

Linda curses about drift calculations and adjusts course to compensate.
"I could use some help looking for a good approach into the station interior."

You and Arron quickly plot a couple options. The easiest and most direct route will have you passing through a still solid section of the station that exists in real space. In theory you should be able to pass right through it in subspace.

The other will bring you through one of the gaps in the station hull but requires more course corrections to avoid the contacts you're now close to.

[ ] Straight in
[ ] Course changes
Roll 1d100

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>40475737
>[ ] Course changes
I am not sure I trust something "In theory" when comes to passing straight through a solid object. Also I do not want Linda to have a heart attack. Just move slow and steady.

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>40475737
[x] Straight in

Rolled 11 (1d100)

>>40475737
>[X] Course changes
In "theory".

Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>40475792
>>40475813

... ok, I've got to laugh at that.

>>40475737
Are we still experiencing power drain while in subspace?

Gonna have to go with
>[x] Course Changes

For all we know, these possible Neeran supers could be stuck in the station while in subspace.

File: UNEASE.jpg (98 KB, 499x480)

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>>40475903
>Are we still experiencing power drain while in subspace?
You are not. You did experienced an increased drain when the drives were powering up.

>Rolled 2
>Rolled 2

...

>>40476029
that raises an interesting question.

Is it possible for the ship to recharge capacitors while in subspace? Or some of them, at least?

It would be interesting if the ship could use subspace to compensate for the power drain, even if we lost access to the ship for periods of time while it did so. Fuel and perhaps staying too long in realspace would be our only limiting factors. (barring combat)

>>40475792
>>40475813
>>40475871
Well it was a nice run guys. A shame Sonia dies here.

>>40476164
Good thing one of those 2s was for an option that didn't win. I think we rolled 60, so it's no big deal.

>>40476164
>>40476227

I doubt the 2 will kill us. Probably just hard mode.

... Oh, I hope we get a chance to fight that damned Commando again.

>>40476262
>... Oh, I hope we get a chance to fight that damned Commando again.
I really fucking hope NOT since we have NO PLASMA PISTOL.

>>40476366
Well, we did specifically design our RSS rifle after the encounter, iirc.

With the various tricks they've thrown at us since, I believe we can take him down with the help of our two other recon allies. He can't use that damned staff in every direction at once, and I for one await the chance to pry it from his cold, dead hands.

>>40475871
If someone had deleted that 11, I likely wouldn't have noticed it.

"I'm disinclined to trust theory when it comes to passing through solid objects like this. Linda bring us towards one of the gaps if you can."
You send over the course data and tell Linda to just take her time when she grimaces at the work involved.

Turning to port she heads closer to the large contact then slowly brings the ship around it. Debris in real space results in a few twists and turns as precautionary avoidance.
"Oh no, some of it is drifting."
"The subspace contacts?"
"No the debris. Actually some of them too. All of my course data is obsolete." Linda is on the verge of panicking but still seems to have things more or less under control, shifting the flight path to avoid the ghostly outlines of real space objects on sensors.

It looks like you'll be able to get through this way.

"Contact Starboard!" Calls out Arron.

Linda kills your velocity but before it can drop to zero the ship is struck on its starboard side. Anyone not seated or belted in are thrown from their places, ending up sprawled on the floor or against the emergency padding on the walls.

Checking your systems there are system damage reports along the starboard side including the landing bay. The drive and power systems are also spiking and feeding back.

Ahmad pulls himself to his feet next to Linda, probably feeling like an idiot for not being strapped in.
"What did we hit?" You ask.
"One of the mines that are in subspace." Answers Linda.

That felt pretty big for a mine. "What's our status?"

Ahmad looks over the drive readings. "Our subspace drives are overloading. We're going to be stuck here if we don't return to real space."

"We're drifting towards more mines." Arron warns.
Linda does what she can to stabilize your movement without causing more trouble for the damaged systems.

"Don't maneuver, return us to real space or we're not going to have a drive core!" The Terran stresses trying to drive home the point.

Linda reverses a few settings then does as Ahmad asks. You can tell its working when the power drain shows up. The drive field shuts down with a sharp pop, rattling everyone aboard.

"And we're back!" Announces Arron somewhat unnecessarily.

You immediately demand all the contact and warning data your people can give you. You'll have to do this the hard way now.
Taking the controls and thrusting forward slowly you try to do much what Linda had been doing; Steering clear of hazardous objects while aiming for the gap in the station hull.

"Radiation levels are climbing."

[ ] Raise shields
[ ] Let your armor handle it

>>40476865
>[x] Raise shields

>>40476865
[x] Raise shields

Evac all sections near any damaged armor and secure what bulkheads there are to prevent radiation leaking in. Radiation badges for everyone!

>>40476926
err, that should be
[X] Let your armor handle it

Went full retard there. If we raise shields, we'll just burn through our power faster.

>>40476865
>[ ] Let your armor handle it

>>40476865
>[X] Let your armor handle it

"Begin radiation protocols. Evacuate the outer sections. Put up any additional radiation shielding around the crew sections we have."

As things of that nature get underway you notice that your sensor resolution is dropping.
"Are the sensors taking damage?"

"Sorry. I'm putting them into protected mode." explains Arron. "These new sensors are super sensitive. I really like them, you could detect a person's bio electric field from high orbit but this radiation will burn them out with the shields down."

The sensor readings don't get too much worse and with some careful work you're able to thread the modded EC-K through the hazards close to the station. It's slow work though.

"On alert everyone, we're entering the station."

Once passing through a gap formed by the outer hull and several mangled docking arms radiation levels begin to drop off. The power drain remains a constant much to your annoyance. It seems relatively safe inside, or would if not for the occasional alert for mines passing through.

With a measure of relative safety gained you contact engineering.
"Status of FTL?"

"That feedback caused a lot of damage. We'll need to pull the entire thing apart and degauss the focusing systems before we're even sure they'll work properly. I expect there'll be hidden system faults that might take a few tests to locate."

"How long?"
"At least a day, even with our spare parts stores."

You turn your attention to the Terran. "Why didn't you tell me their mines could overload our drives like that?"
"I didn't know. We're still learning a great deal about this."

Power and fuel reserves should be able to last most of the week if you're careful with them. Enough to get the FTL repaired and get out.

Bringing the ship in near the cargo access points for the magazines you see that they've been sealed shut. Additional armored bulkheads have been hastily grafted over the larger doors or parts of the structure collapsed in by weapons fire. This is not going to be easy.

>>40477707
Maybe we should search for survivors first? Are there any stasis vaults on this station? Or maybe the mebays would allow survivors to suspend themselves?

"We'll need to take boarding teams into the station, find and confirm the torpedo magazines are still intact and if they are pull out the weapons."

"That part should be a piece of care right?" Arron asks. "I mean, we do that stuff all the time."

If that was the only thing going on here it might be. You'll have to worry about radiation, though it should be at background levels inside, in addition to the power drain.

Power cell armor is estimated to be good for less than 12 hours due to the power drain and even unfired small arms will have empty power cells within a day or so.

Full on power armor like your recon suits or the medium jump jet have micro fusion reactors to recharge their reserves but with the extra draw they'll have fuel limitations.

Fortunately there is plenty of Marine armor, some of it upgraded with a strengthened breastplate borrowed from the power cell armor program. It's heavy but doesn't require power other than for life support.

Berwari enters the bridge. "General Reynard, your ops officer contacted me and had me checking for things."
"What sort of things?" You ask while glancing over at Maybourne.

"Best locations for those remote energy assimilators."

He hands you a datapad marking a few locations in the station ruins that would be good places to hide them.
"I think most of them are in the debris surrounding the station but we won't be able to reach them. There are three or more good locations to place them in the central parts of the station.

"They would be difficult to get to. Which means taking teams in and disabling them, or using the weapons on the ship."

You suspect charging weapons might trigger a more serious power drain.

>Maybe we should search for survivors first? Are there any stasis vaults on this station? Or maybe the mebays would allow survivors to suspend themselves?

Those are also things to consider searching for.
>cont

Available forces

Sonia Reynard + 4 Bodyguards
Şivan Berwari (Pilot, Boarding team leader)
150 Marines

Equipment
4 Medium jump jet armor
3 Recon armor (Can only be used by Sonia, Rufaro and Valeri)
150 Power cell armor
5 Power cell jump jet

50 Upgraded Marine armor *
∞ Basic Marine armor *


2 Shuttles
8 starfighter drones
40 Torpedo probes
40 Aries infantry drones
12 Rovinar stealth drones
50 Rovinar Seeker drones

How do you plan to split up your forces? Would you rather focus on one part of the station at a time? The Marines are plenty experienced on their own and do not require team leaders, but leaders like Sonia can offer a bonus.

So far it looks like the things you're after are:

-Veckron Torpedo magazines [ALLIANCE PRIMARY OBJ]
-Medbays /stasis vaults with survivors
-SP Torpedo stores
-Remote Energy Assimilators
-Others

>>40478502
Please don't tell me we asked if we can get a Krath and then didn't order one...

>>40478502
>-Veckron Torpedo magazines [ALLIANCE PRIMARY OBJ]
First.

>>40478502
Will we have to work in shifts to keep radiation exposure under control?

>>40478638
Awesome!

>>40478502
Priority list is
-Veckron Torpedo magazines [ALLIANCE PRIMARY OBJ]
-Remote Energy Assimilators
-SP Torpedo stores
-Medbays /stasis vaults with survivors

We push out 100 Marines in groups of 20, leaving 50 in the ship at all times to act as reserves and in case something/someone tries to board the ship.

Each group of 20 will in addition have
-10 Seeker Drones.
-2 Stealth Drones.
-8 Infantry Drones.

The groups will first move towards the Victory Torpedo magazines and locate which one can still be salvaged. Grabbing secondary objectives like SP stores, potential survivors and assimilator locations on the way. They will not go out of their way to find and check these however.

Once we've verified the integrity of the Victory Torpedoes we can decide our next move.

>>40478502
Can we send out the drones for now?

Rovinar stealth drones scout the locations of the Remote Energy Assimilators.

There's got to be an internal sensor post, so I think we should get our Krath infiltrator over there so we can tell what's happening.

50 Marines lead by us go to the Veckron Magazines (accompanied by the Aries drones), 25 head to the Stasis Vaults. If they encounter any hostilities, then head back.

>>40478502
In addition:
Goering ( Krath infiltrator, human appearance )
Dave (Neeran, Detection & Engineering)

>>40478670
>Will we have to work in shifts to keep radiation exposure under control?
In the station central core no. That will apply mainly to the search for VTorps, medbays, stasis vaults, etc.

Even when going after sites with more radiation exposure like the REA's teams can stay out for 6 hours.

>>40478502

Didn't one of the Neeran also come with us?

We'll need to put those drones to use quickly before they are drained of power.

The question seems to be if we want to obviously be detected by any Neeran with those assimilators before we have the primary objective and or if we want to risk losing our ability to use armor/drones in going for those items.

>>40478502
How many access doors are there to the V-torp magazines?

>>40478793
The drones have a limited life span due to their power cells. Most can get through closed doors but you only have a couple fitted with hacking modules to get through hardened lock outs.

>There's got to be an internal sensor post, so I think we should get our Krath infiltrator over there so we can tell what's happening.
It should be accessible from the main station control center.

>>40478897
There are a number of backup cargo doors showing in the station schematics you've been given by the Terrans. They're split between different levels. Cargo Floor, mid level maintenance and the top level where the cargo cranes are located. You have the codes to get through the doors and disable automated defenses, provided they're still powered.


Is everyone okay with sending some of the Rovinar drones to scout the REA's? Say half?

>>40479132
>Is everyone okay with sending some of the Rovinar drones to scout the REA's? Say half?
Wouldn't drones be relatively impractical as they'd just have their batteries drained before making it close?

>>40479307
It depends what you're sending them to do. If you moved the ship close to those parts of the station and dropped them off they could scout the area.

Rovinar drones wont exactly be planting explosives or anything.

>>40479307
That is a valid concern. Maybe the stealth drones would be better off searching the outer-most areas the rest of our teams are searching? Acting as skirmishers, as it were.

>>40478802
>Goering ( Krath infiltrator, human appearance )
Does this guy prefer to go alone, or would some recon armor support be appreciated?

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>>40479729
>Does this guy prefer to go alone, or would some recon armor support be appreciated?
It depends what he's doing.

If he's just scouting then your Recon people might be better at it than him.

The Krath explains he would be of the best use when you know there are enemies present, otherwise he's no different from something with holographic camouflage, a marine intrusion expert or an engineer. Engineers could actually carry gear with them.

On the internal sensors, you could send the Krath and an engineering team to the stations main control center and try to get the sensor arrays up.
Or you could try to tap the internal sensors for a small section. (Which is probably what >>40478793
meant) The question then would be what section?

>>40479935
So send 3 teams out? One group of Marines and one of the Neerans go to the right to the first potential REA location.

One group with the Krath goes to the Station Controlls and see what they can do from there.

And the last group moves to the first weapons storage.