Hooray for semi-regular H&D threads!

I missed the vote at the end of the last thread but wouldn't a point buy system make sense for many of these decisions? I'd guess redesigning the Nocturn will take more resources than less extensive upgrades.

Can we throw Sonia's own money at some of the choice to lower the impact on the House's budget?

Thank you for everyone who donated on patreon! Holy shit I was not expecting that for a Christmas present.

And as was pointed out on the wiki this quest has been running for 7!? many more years than I planned to run it for.
Current plan is to finish up stuff for the current arc with this thread. Next thread will be launching Sonia's campaign into neeran space to look for another Sphere builder facility.

For House And Dominion!

>>3176310
>point buy
Might make more sense.
>I'd guess redesigning the Nocturn will take more resources than less extensive upgrades.
Yes. More importantly the redesign wouldn't do a lot for the existing ships.

>Can we throw Sonia's own money at some of the choice to lower the impact on the House's budget?
You can fund some of them privately or with the assistance of other Barons or corporations. House R&D assets and specialists are limited.

>>3176314
You deserve it man, 7 years and a thread every month takes dedication and hard work

>>3176314

For [spoiler}seven years holy shit![/spoiler] House and Dominion! Time to wrap up things at home and get us out there getting salvage!

>>3176281
FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION

>>3176314
It's been seven really good years though. I've always appreciated how nothing felt too rushed in the quest.

Knight Dayton was still listed as MIA though presumed killed until collection of debris and flight recorders yesterday. Now it has been confirmed. The crew of his Squire got out with emergency teleporters when it was destroyed but he wasn't onboard. It looks like he commandeered an older training ship and kept fighting, pulling more than a dozen rebel ships away from other targets. His armor lost suit integrity while abandoning ship. He died of vacuum exposure.

Intelligence has produced a report on medical inconsistencies with Count Jerik's death. They believe he was not wearing power armor at the time he was struck by fusion pistol fire. It was certainly the cause of his death but the angle is off slightly compared to the "viral video."

The hall where the video shows he was killed did have signs of weapons fire. It wasn't the only place. Several sites where fusion guns were used have been located.

"Maybe they had more trouble with the Palace guard than they let on?" Ruiz suggests, sounding hopeful that it might be that simple.

Vanderwal has been looking into the investigation so far.
"Records of just who logged out each suit of power armor were wiped."

"What happened when the Count was killed? Who was in charge of the Emergency Council troops that captured the palace?"

"From the debriefings it looks like there was a separate group outside the reformers that helped them."

The spymaster shows a video capture of one reformer officer being interviewed. From what you've heard most of those who helped invade the palace have been killed or disappeared since. This seems to be one of the few who are left.
"Where did you find them?" you ask.
"I had to look up old contacts of mine and Baron Saputo. Old enemies of the state here in the capital that decided to get out of the game but still kept an eye on things. We had to promise a few conditional pardons. Minor things."

He starts playing the video of the officer.
"We asked them to help capture the Count, not kill him! They had people already positioned in the palace and just needed better weapons."

"You're aware that if you gave them the weapons then you're party to his murder?" asks the interrogator.
"The understanding was to get through power armor and blast doors. Not kill him. They opened the way for our people to get inside."

"What happened to them?"

"One of them ambushed and shot the Count as soon as they saw him. Our medics placed the Count and his wife in medical stasis as soon as they could, but it was too late. Everyone with the reformers tried to capture the assassins but they drew us into a firefight with loyalists still in the Palace."

"They escaped?"
"Yes. We found the bodies of a few on the grounds near the hangars. I knew the other reformers would blame me for the Counts death, for my failure, or use me as a scapegoat so I went into hiding."

Vanderwal pauses the playback. "I have your company's private investigators looking for the shuttle. It didn't leave the planet."

>>3176527
>His armor lost suit integrity while abandoning ship. He died of vacuum exposure.
If he's been effectively vacuum packed upon death, could he be fixed by the regen tech on the sphere?

>>3176549
Unknown if they could or would repair damage to the brain caused by oxygen deprivation, or oxygen trying to boil out within those organs.

>>3176602
I would at least like to ask them. Maybe ask about the count as well, if he has been kept in stasis.

>>3176629
>Maybe ask about the count as well, if he has been kept in stasis.
He was while they tried to get him medical attention. He did not survive and a state funeral was recently held.

As the situation planet side continues to improve industry is beginning to restart. While the situation with exiles from the House is being looked into there is an issue with those who fled during the uprising. Many influential members of society went to nearby Houses to avoid any unpleasantness before things got really bad.

Alex is wondering if now might be a good time to try and convince these people to return, as nobles with valuable administrative skills are going to be in high demand.

Did you have any suggestions?
[ ] They'll return on their own
[ ] Statements by the Count welcoming these people back
[ ] Economic incentives

>>3176527
I advocate that we pursue these two paths (reformist officer and assasins) privately with considerable resources - before more people ‘dissapear’

>>3176706

>[ ] Statements by the Count welcoming these people back

They are citizens of Dremine, they should be welcomed back home.

>>3176527
>Assassins
I hope Venderwall is using resources to track down these assassins. If he needs more we can give him more.

>>3176527
>"I have your company's private investigators looking for the shuttle. It didn't leave the planet."
Perhaps they were hoping to hitch a ride on a cloaked vessel that was parked in orbit?

>>3176706
>[x] Statements by the Count welcoming these people back
We can't really afford paying people for running away when things became turbulent in our House.

>Did you have any suggestions?
Maybe ask the neighboring Houses to help us reach these people because we didn't take advantage of their troubles when we had the chance during this coup?

Things I'd like to do while we're Sonia's still here:
-Figure out a reward for Duncan. He did way more than can be expected of sombody in his position.
-Help Windsor get the recognition he wanted. Maybe have him and his family invited for dinner with the new count and offer a standing invitiation to counts yearly garden party or something like that.
-Get the Dro'all who lead the unit Sonia's dad served in the treatment in that super medical unit he needs.

>>3176527
>It didn't leave the planet.
Is it time for the killing

>>3176706
>[ ] Statements by the Count welcoming these people back

It's suggested that the Count should make a statement welcoming these people back. Directed reassurances that their holdings haven't been taken away from them by lower class, that they're not in danger will do a lot.

What the Count doesn't tell them, but informs the Barons is that he intendeds to have inteligence take a quick look at those returning. It's entirely possible that powerful EC supporters fled early fearing government reprisals if their allies failed.

Daska warns that he should have statements prepared to help cover if people find out about this.

"It's a temporary security precaution, which is the truth. They dont need to know the details. Hopefully any lingering issues with EC aligned nobles will be dealt with in the coming weeks. With the additional checks we may find more that would otherwise be missed."

You have to wonder if it might be a good idea to put similar checks in place on Rioja and the other more distant J-D worlds. People who quietly supported the rebels may try to move far from bureaucracy trying to identify their political leanings. That's a matter to consider when you return home though.

Matyáš Fox and the Medium Cruiser Comet have reappeared. The ship is in rough shape but they've dragged back a number of smaller salvaged starships. Fox claims that he tracked one of them trying to flee House space with a stockpile of stolen SP torpedoes. It turns out there were only 40 onboard, but that would be a substantial dent in the House numbers at present.

"Why did it take him so long to get back in contact?" you ask Maybourne.
"SP Torpedo hit disabled their FTL. It took them a few days to put it back together again. They didn't want to risk a distress signal since they weren't sure what was happening with the fleets."

It isn't long before the Knight is called to speak to the Count about his son's involvement in the uprising.

Do you intend to be there?
And if so did you have any questions for him?

>>3177036

>Do you intend to be there?
No

>And if so did you have any questions for him?
What he thinks about his son leading a coup that ended up in the death of our Count. And how he feels about his son likely wanting him dead. Nothing seriously important. I'm sure we have other more important things to deal with, like making sure our soldiers don't commit war crimes on citizen population. And check in with Windsor's folks to see if they're alright. Gotta at least do that much.

>>3177036
I don't think Sonia should get involved in that matter. Even when Fox and his allies tried to frame Sonia, they alwys stayed clear of her family. We should offer the same courtesy.
Or if Sonia ends up being there, show that we appreciate what he did for the House and don't hold his son's actions against him.

>>3177036
Meet him before, or after, and thank him for his service to the house. Or just send a letter. I still hate him but his actions are commendable considering that he fought against his own son. I can respect that

>>3177161
>>3177060
Supporting these.

He’s an ass, but he’s utterly loyal to the House and treats politics with some honour - at least as much is realistic within the Dominion

>>3177054
>like making sure our soldiers don't commit war crimes on citizen population.
Front line inspection?

>And check in with Windsor's folks to see if they're alright. Gotta at least do that much.
Windsor is doing well. Slightly disappointed that he didn't get to show that he can still fight, but he's okay with that considering it would have cost the House more lives and ships.

He's gone down with ground teams patrolling the various military academies to see the situation down there. You haven't heard any reports of fighting there but whatever he saw seems to have brought about a change in him.
"I'm older than Dayton was when we were in his training unit. I'm getting too old for this petty selfish shit. I need to do more."

His sudden attitude adjustment has caught you by surprise. Probably for the best if he's going to put in the effort to become a Knight.

>>3177161
Do this?

>>3177199

>Fox
I can support sending Fox a letter thanking him for his service to the house in the latest scuffle.

>Windsor
That's surprising, maybe he will have a use after all.

>Front line inspection
Sure, if RNA and advisors feel it wont stress/ stretch the soldiers out more than they have been already.

>>3177036

Politely inform the new Count that Fox once framed us for Treason, and we'll be avoiding anything to do with him.

Should we request that the restrictions placed upon us over that be lifted?

>>3177161
>he fought against his own son

More like he fought back against a son that took after him far too much for Fox's own good, and the son betrayed him to advance himself.

Plus, they never directly came into conflict AFAIK, so we can't rule out that father and son were both working together on this. (father in space, son on ground)

I'm still for putting a plasma pistol shot into Fox's head from behind.

>>3177222
>I'm still for putting a plasma pistol shot into Fox's head from behind.

Sure, but we can still be polite about it.

>>3177243

So long as we're not taking actions to be rude, we're technically being polite.

I see very little reason to praise Fox Sr in any manner after he screwed Sonia and Valeri during the whole treason bit, and less so any reason to give him any sort of ammunition by giving him praise after his own son allegedly accused him of corruption/bad shit. Even if I suspect both Fox Sr & Jr are in cahoots during this.

A letter praising someone the EC tried to arrest during their coup could later be used to associate us with the corruption in the future, like say when we try to deal with Filipi's moderates in our own fleet.

>>3177199
>sudden attitude adjustment has caught you by surprise
Windsor redemption arc? Have him tag along on our invasion of the Builder facility?

>>3177310
Well if he wants to go big...

You politely decline on the opportunity to sit in on the discussions with Fox. Though if Caius could pass on a simple thanks for his service that would be okay. Since he passed on a message to you via an intermediary it's only right that you do the same.

While that's underway you visit a few areas where General Rna says the army is stretched a bit thin. A combination of front line inspection and using your marines to help give them a rest break. There are a few complaints from the marines getting stuck with ground pounder duty but they're quickly silenced by their superiors.

Some of the soldiers on the ground are anxious about the potential for threats posed by the civilians. They're keeping vehicles and specialists with scanning gear out to watch for terrorists, bombers and criminals. In the few places you visit most things are okay, though Valeri mentions there is a bit of an undercurrent among the personnel originally from Erid space.

"They don't trust the people on Dreminth. These are people that conquered their former House, or their parents House, and on top of that decided to reject Dominion tradition by supporting a democracy movement."

If that's true it could have further contributed to the mall shooting incident.

Did you want to ask the General to see about unit transfers? Try to more evenly distribute potentially troublesome soldiers with similar backgrounds?

>>3177379

>Did you want to ask the General to see about unit transfers? Try to more evenly distribute potentially troublesome soldiers with similar backgrounds?

Move them to units where they wont feel like outsiders, but also to where their fellow soldiers will be there to help keep an eye and keep a lid on any such tendencies. Though maybe not all at once and only when reorganizing troops wont impact the armies efficiency.

>>3177379
Rotate those with the potential for the worst back to Rioja in preparation for the big Neeran invasion.

>>3177405
This would have the least impact on operations.

>>3177415
They can try but that would mean more extensive background searches and is likely to impact morale if many are sent home. It could also leave the army a bit short handed in places. Despite this it might be the safest option.

One solution might be to speed up vetting of PDF members returning to duty.

1A) Tell the officers to keep a closer on on their people
1B) Transfers between units
1C) Rotate troublemakers back to Rioja


On your return to the ship Vanderwal has news.

"We've made progress. Your investigators managed to find a chop shop that usually specialises in black market sales. Stolen vehicles and the like. Someone there would like to talk to you."

You're put on a call with a tough looking but well dressed businessman who's sporting more than a few old scars and injuries.
"Viscount Reynard, pleased to meet you. You can call me Raoul. I think a few friends of mine have done business with you in the past, and a few others got locked up because of you."

"No hard feelings I hope?"
"Eh, business is business. It happens." he shrugs.
"Speaking of business a few people in your employ let me know who to call about a particular piece of work that was given to me."

The image shifts to show a shuttle in a mechanics hangar sporting J-D Palace makings.
"An individual who declined to give us ID dropped this off. He paid me to make it disappear, which I've done. It's completely gone from the city he left it in. He didn't pay me to keep quiet about it though. This call and information? That's cost your hired help a mere 300S."

"Where is he now?" is your first question.
"Don't know. Guy walked out and vanished. Sent a guy to tail him and they lost him within a block."
"Do you always follow your customers?"
"If they drop a palace shuttle? Hell yeah, I ain't completely stupid. My boys expect a rescue commission for returning this shuttle intact by the way. No fuel used in relocating it, didn't touch the computers, though I can tell they've already been wiped.
It may interest you to know my boys offer a very reasonable rate for block box retrieval. Useful since it would have a copy of the missing nav data in its memory."

2A) Pay it
2B) Have your own specialists look

>>3177518

2A) Pay it

Ensure that they quietly get a reward payment in the event that they recover data that leads to arrests or confirmed kills.

Tax deductible expenditures, ho!

>>3177518
>1A) Tell the officers to keep a closer on on their people

>2A) Pay it

>>3177551
Supporting

>>3177518

>1A) Tell the officers to keep a closer on on their people
>1B) Transfers between units

I don't think it would hurt to have our officers keep an eye on their people for the duration of this deployment to the homeworld.

>2A) Pay it
>2B) Have your own specialists look

We've got money, and two eyes are better then one. Have them do their own search, but also have our guys track them down as well.

>>3177559
>We've got money, and two eyes are better then one
Agreeing with this addition.

>>3177518
>>3177538

Missing the 1st vote item is almost as embarrassing as that one time I thought Sulos had a base at the end of the Run.

1B) Transfers between units

With Valeri's clearer warnings the officer corps are told to keep an eye out for any signs their men might harbour a particular grudge against the populace. Any that have a history like the platoon responsible for the shooting will be transferred between units. Hopefully that will cut down on the impact of another incident or prevent a panic from spreading.

Payment is sent to have the shop techs retrieve data from the shuttle black box, though you intend to have your own people look it over in detail after. Between the data and fuel left in the tanks intel is able to retrace its flight path. It leads back to what must have been a safe house near the edges of the northern desert. Archival images of the building indicate there was little to differentiate itself from other houses in the area.

Now of course it's a bomb crater. EOD techs check over the site and determine a plasma explosive, probably an artillery shell, was detonated in the basement. What remains that can be found seem to match up with the assassins that fled the palace.

Vanderwal sighs wearily. "This is how you stop things from linking back to you. Kill the assassins."

After you've had time to curse about it you ask the inevitable question. "Now what?"

"Now we look for the weapons that didn't turn up at the site, anyone connected to the property and who would have benefited the most from the Count's death. Also lengthy research."

There was already a good sized list of suspects with things to gain from the Counts death. Many of those have been discounted for one reason or another, usually because they'd be worse off without him.

"Anyone that stands out I should know about?" you ask.

The old spy hesitates before bringing up one possibility.
"You're aware your new boss is still on the list of suspects?"

>What say?

>>3177746
>"You're aware your new boss is still on the list of suspects?"
This is something I had actually thought about. If Caius had planned the revolution to get rid of both his father and subversive elements of JD.

Maybe it's time to open the Count's old 'don't open' data package?

>What say?
"Although I'd like to discount such a possibility, until we see clear evidence nothing's off the table."

>>3177746
>I know, that’s why we need to watch him closely over the next year as we put together the pieces.

We should probably share our concerns with Alex and Daska - just so there isn’t one failure point in this investigation

>>3177746

>Caius as a suspect

Yeah, as is the counts wife. And a dozen other forces internal and external. Just because he's our boss doesn't mean he is off the hook. Until we find the person(s) responsible or find evidence clearing a person of any possibility of being associated. I assume everyone played a part in it somehow.

If it does turn out Caius did plan to have his father killed. We have the single biggest piece of evidence against him to force him to stand down and have someone else instated. Or we can black mail him into oblivion and we can act as the shadow ruler of J-D.

>>3177746

"If he wasn't, I'd be worried that you were slipping."

This is why I voted for temporary Count Reynard rather than the go-to choice that plotters would clearly have expected

"If he wasn't, I'd be worried that you were slipping."
You reply.
"I'd like to discount such a possibility, but until we see clear evidence nothing's off the table. The Count, his step mother and a dozen other forces internal and external could have been in on it. I want you to reach out to Alex and Daska's people. Make sure they're on the same page."

"I'll take care of it."

Ever with everything else going on you're not neglecting family members. Mom and your brother are back home. Ethan is trying to resume late career planning with one of the engineering corps or perhaps terraforming. Maybe a combination, you're not entirely clear on what he's up to.

You've been trying to find out more about mom's aversion to space flight. With things getting back to normal its not possible to schedule an appointment to see her doctor, though it's questionable how much they'd be able to share with you.

Did you want to talk to them anyways?

>>3177746
"Yeah, I know. Still my mind wanders to Terrans on this one."

>>3178043

Worth a try, though how much would it cost to convince the doctors to talk to us and have them not tell mom we questioned them about why she is so averse to space flight? I mean, unless she is some sort of former pirate who if next time she goes into space she will have her former pirate gang hunting her down. Or something over the top. Like a locator placed near her heart so that if she leaves the planet it stops her heart. Or other Hollywood stupid ideas to keep a person on a planet.

>>3178043
>Did you want to talk to them anyways?
It does worry me, what would have happened if we hadn't been able to get forces to them in time? If she'd had the choice of escape via shuttle, or staying on planet for certain death, which one would she take?

Resuming tomorrow after I get back from physio.

>>3178043
>though it's questionable how much they'd be able to share with you.
Let them have doctor-patient confidentiality. If our mother wants to tell us, fine, but if she finds out we snooped on private therapy then it's not just going to fuck up our relationship but it's going to fuck up her ability to trust anyone else she ever meets.

How you would you all like to spend your lives wondering whether everyone you meet was paid by a relative to spy on you?

>>3178043
>Did you want to talk to them anyways?
I'd rather talk to her directly instead of going behind her back.

>>3178043
>Did you want to talk to them anyways?
No, I think we shouldn't go behind Mom's back on this issue.

>>3177379
>are a few complaints from the marines getting stuck with ground pounder duty but they're quickly silenced by their superiors.
We should include a few sims of large scale ground deployments against Neeran forces to hammer home how much shit the regular army has to put up with. That kind of attitude will just lead to elitism and the usual problems connected with it down the line. Rufaro didn't manage to make the cut for service with the marines and she still became one of our most valuable allies and confidants.

>>3176314
>Current plan is to finish up stuff for the current arc with this thread.
One of the things mentioned in the previous thread or the one before it was that the population of the orbital infrastructure on Loran, I think, helped to keep the current system in place because the governor made certain concessions regarding their special situation. Given how the part of the population living off planet in our House will only grow in the future, maybe now would be the right time to account for that?
They're not as well protected by the factions treaty as civilians on the surface of a planet, and I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't several industries that will increasingly rely on zero G manufacturing in the future.
Would it make sense to implement an official position that is supposed to represent the interest of the off-world population to the governor and baron? To show we realize we need to account for this development to avoid trouble with them in the future.

We also need to start at least one more factory for the large scale production of stun grenades, if the supply situation of our forces is anything to go by.

>>3178043
Honestly, without definite proof that the new Count did it, it's best to move on at that point even if we suspect him.

It sucks, but that's family.

The fact that the Terrans were able to capitalize so quickly on the chaos and raid not just any of our safe houses, but the one with the Diamond Mine information, makes me suspicious.

Have we informed the RH about the Terran raid on us? Because if so, then the other people we don't remember meeting with might be at similar risk of destabilization and attack.

As much as you'd like to see what's keeping mom on this planet you remain reluctant to go behind her back about. Still tempting but it's not going to happen.

Meanwhile the investigation into the assassination will just have to plug along for now. No easy solutions for this one.

Knight Devante Cu'paher has been convincing more of the militia to return home. He himself has left the park and according to his staff will be confined to his medical system for several days. He's a tough old bastard. His people confirm that your invitation to the health spa was received. Perhaps it will do a better job of extending his life span than his current hardware.

A message from Duncan arrives informing you that "All's right with the world" so the data must be secure once more. The maid Hiromi is now employed as part of intel, though what that entails you're not told. The good news is that you didn't need to shoot her.

The two of them managed to keep the SP torpedo data out of Terran hands and with it proof that they might have used to destroy the House. Did you have any ideas for a reward for Duncan?

>>3179027
>Did you have any ideas for a reward for Duncan?
How about the same deal Arron got a while back?
>>1401828
>"You're quite right that putting someone like him in the position of a Knight could lead to many complications. At the same time he's proven himself to you and House intelligence with his mastery of our new ships.
>While you're on the right track there are other reasons why he shouldn't be Knighted Reynard. It will make him an easier target for enemy intelligence. People in other Houses want those ships and will go to any length to get them. Knights stand out, even from much of the nobility. For those reasons alone he should be kept far from the public eye."

>"There must be something we can do for him." you argue.

>"I'll promote him to a higher officer rank, still low enough to not stand out, and award him a suitable amount of money for his contributions. Quietly.
>He would also be permitted to purchase land, from you if you prefer, but it would be off the record. He would in effect be made a noble but could not be acknowledged as such. Not until his retirement from commanding cloaked ships, or death at which time the beneficiary of his will would receive his holdings. It may not be ideal but it would offer protection."

>>3179027

New camo system?
High-end sensor tech to play around with?
A shuttle full of crazy computer tech?
Some sort of pistol capable of coring a Terran Recon Armor that wouldn't require insane maintenance? Or that we could conceal the maintenance of, like say by having a Sonia Armory & Tech that he could sneak into?

>>3179055
iirc, we did the same thing for Duncan (at the same time? or previously?) and Linda.
They all quietly took some land on Rioja, with only Linda taking it directly?

>>3179027
>Did you have any ideas for a reward for Duncan?
Maybe a cut of whatever rewards we're going to get when the SP project finishes?

>>3179073
>New camo system?
>High-end sensor tech to play around with?
He has you beat on that front. His camo and portable scanners are better than yours. Though not better than your arm.

>A shuttle full of crazy computer tech?
He certainly wouldn't turn down a private shuttle with its own hidden bay somewhere that he could summon for emergency extractions. Maybe with a revamped drone core to pilot it separate from the city computers.

>Some sort of pistol capable of coring a Terran Recon Armor that wouldn't require insane maintenance?
A number of Shallan fusion pistols have been recovered from the EC forces. They're being checked to see if one might have been used to kill the Count but forensics are still developing methods telling damage from two such weapons apart. Enough of them went unused that it should be easy to get hold of one.

They're cheap, reliable and deadly at close range, while lacking much of the scatter of the old fusion guns.

>>3179095
This would also make sense.

>>3179027

Get him a plasma pistol? In addition to maybe new camo/ invisibility gear? Also maybe a safe house he can use/ run to should this happen again. Where Terrans start poking around when they shouldn't.

-Fusion pistol
-shuttle
-safe house
-cut of the SP profits
All of these?

>>3179118

all the above sound like a good thank you gift

>>3179118
All of these. Aside from that, we should also get in touch with his boss and see if intel would be interested in one of these modified frigates Rioja's special planetary defense unit uses as a base of operations.

>>3179118
I support the first 3.

But quite honestly I don't believe that Sonia should do anything more than briefly think about the 4th one. The Terrans will be back, and even a verbal mention to Duncan that we intend to give him a cut of anything is dangerous.

iirc, all he knows is that we copied and handed off the data to someone in the Ruling House. Beyond that, he should know nothing and should Sonia be killed, her idea that he receive a cut should die with her in order to protect the project as a whole.

Heck, we should probably should be shadowrunning harder with the data in question.

>>3179137
Since your capture of one back in the dominion's civil war they've been able to make use of stealth/cloaked assault transports.

>>3179199
>and even a verbal mention to Duncan that we intend to give him a cut of anything is dangerous.
You could always promise to yourself to do it later and not tell him?

>and should Sonia be killed, her idea that he receive a cut should die with her in order to protect the project as a whole.
Probably for the best.

As a relative calm begins to return to the streets the government is closely looking over the charges against nobles arrested by the Emergency Council. A number of more blatantly false accusations have been thrown out. Others including a former Dremine Council member are still being looked at more seriously, though even they have been upgraded to house arrest. The corruption charges against are looking like they'll hold up to scrutiny.

Unsurprisingly many of them are rich and potentially influential, with networks of contacts both in and out of the House. Caius has asked for the Barons opinions or at least public support for when it comes time to deal with them.

"A few of these would leech the House of funds that it needs right now and weigh us down. Those I'm planning to press ahead with trials for. Others could be convinced to pay compensation to the House and potential victims of their crimes. Or their relatives might be willing to owe us favours.
I'm eager to hear if you think we should agree to these settlement options or let the law take its course?"

[ ] Agree to settlement options
[ ] Case settlement with select few
[ ] All tried by the law
[ ] A few need to be made an example of

>>3179266
>[ ] Case settlement with select few

>>3179266
>[ ] All tried by the law

>>3179266

[x] All tried by the law

With Dalton and the Count dead, we may as well ensure their deaths result in some good and clean out corruption within the House where possible.

Maybe Rna's murder of those nobles on Surekah will come to light and we can watch them hang...

Access to the Rna's files and ability to pursue Surekah Incident truth when, New Count McBoy?

>>3179284
>Dalton
Dayton.

That bastard deserves a statue. Or at least a combat sim where the players try to be his badass self during that stand.

Herp derp me

>>3179118
I wish we could take him with us to the next sphere.

>123
Maybe give him shares in some of our companies so he has a steady retirement income if he ever wants to quit.

Can he quit? Do intel do memory wipes on people who want out?

>>3179266
>[ ] A few need to be made an example of

Corruption is the bread and butter of House governance, we're certainly no saints ourselves. Some of these are probably real shitheels that do more harm than good, and they can go.

We're all playing the Game, but if you suck at it you'll be thrown under the bus

>>3179266
>I'm eager to hear if you think we should agree to these settlement options or let the law take its course?
I'd be okay with settlements for people in certain cases if the charges aren't too severe. It saved Sonia some headaches when the Count offered to make the charges against her go away for a relatively small payment.
>[x] Case settlement with select few

>Dremine Council member
I'm surprised these guys don't receive immunity from most crimes for the duration of their stay on the council.

>>3179342
>I'm surprised these guys don't receive immunity from most crimes for the duration of their stay on the council.
Normally people dont go publicly broadcasting things they've done.

Looks like a tie between "Case settlement with select few" and "All tried by the law."


You suggest making case settlements with a VERY select few. Or arrange for lesser sentences if necessary with a few of those willing to cooperate. Say a year or two of house arrest. That would be better than no punishment at all.

"They'd better make it worth while though, or we'll be dealing with angry civilians for nothing."

Daska backs you on this but surprisingly Alex does not, pushing for a clean sweep.
"This is a chance to clean up the House and keep it that way. Even if only for a few years. That should buy us time to finish dealing with the growing pains of our expansion this past decade."

Tenni unsurprisingly sides with him. Saputo seems reluctant to comment at first. Eventually he admits that he'd been leaning towards more settlement options if only to strengthen nobles aligned against the reformers.
"Now I'm not certain that's a good idea. "

Caius claps his hands. "Well, I'll try to interfere with the legal decisions as little as possible then. Only if it's necessary to safeguard the security of the House and state secrets. I hope that will be adequate for now. On to other business.

Viscount Reynard, Rioja was due to lose its additional economic growth incentives but my father chose to extend them after talks with the Governor. There were also notes made about potentially placing the burden of maintenance costs on Rioja as well, though I doubt you'd like to take both of those hits at once. Economy, station and fleet support is a hefty number given the size of your military and Rioja's growth."

"It's a strategically valuable position." you point out.

"Which is why you were given free reign to max out your fleet capacity. I'd like as much of your infrastructure to be self sustaining as soon as possible, be it through taxes or your own personal funds if you feel it necessary. There are priority initiatives that the house could use those funds for. New colonies, improving worlds to support additional Barons, that sort of thing. You are planning to terraform a second world in your system aren't you? That would be eligible for support."

[ ] They can stop economic support
[ ] House can cease Rioja fleet support
[ ] Cease station and facility support
[ ] All of the above
[ ] Give me a year to better prepare
[ ] I'll get back to you

>>3179464
>[ ] They can stop economic support
>[ ] House can cease Rioja fleet support
>[ ] Cease station and facility support
Can we get an estimate how much each of these costs per year?

>>3179464

>[ ] Give me a year to better prepare

Give us a year to work with Lord Dlam'ard and get our finances in order. We will both submit a report of what Rioja can settle on handling on its own. We need the time to work with Dlam’ard, Admiral Tama, General RNA and London and get an appropriate accounting. To see what we can properly afford to fund ourselves. Sure we wont get any large tax income from now on. But I’ve always been saying we should invest whatever income we get from Rioja, back into Rioja. So that that money is already spent and going back into making sure Rioja continues to run smoothly. So if we need to start footing the bill for other goods. We are already used to a lesser amount of available money.

So yes, give us a year. We will submit a report with Dlam’ard of what we and Rioja can foot ourselves. After we work with all our advisors.

>>3179464
[x] Give me a year to better prepare
[x] I'll get back to you

If we can ease a burden from the House for good reason, sure.

If he is just trying to posture and/or try to get favors over on Sonia/Rioja... well that is different.

I thought there being a specific reason other than 'strategic location' for the extension, though.

>>3179475
>Can we get an estimate how much each of these costs per year?
Economic support will put Rioja's economy back into the red but not by a huge margin. The money you loan to the Governor each year should just cover it, though it wouldn't leave much of a margin.

Full Fleet support and maintenance works out to at minimum 3.5 billion a year, but that's using old numbers I had on the size of your fleet. Some mediums have been added since then.
Going in your favour is that Forbearance is a House asset not belonging to any particular Baron (or Viscount) so you dont have to worry about it.

Other infrastructure is going to add up just because of the quantity. Difficult to estimate at this time. Assume starting at 800 million would be a good idea. There are other things like the orbital defenses and a bit to do with the stations but fortunately they can be pushed off onto the Governor without issue.

>>3179513

And how much would it cost us to get Rioja Beta colonized? Once we return from the front lines with loot and praise?

I'd like to get all our finances figured out before making any immediate decisions that will affect us and Rioja's income without consulting all our advisors and Dlam'ard.

>>3179464
>[ ] Give me a year to better prepare

>>3179513
Thanks. I'd be willing to cover station and facility support this year if it allows to support the weaker barons better.

>>3179464
>[ ] House can cease Rioja fleet support
>[ ] Give me a year to better prepare

How can we start actually making shitloads of money from Rioja?

>>3179517
>And how much would it cost us to get Rioja Beta colonized?
I dont know, probably a lot? HTF is currently stretched beyond its limits and are still adapting to changes brought about by the new technologies. The first thing you'll probably need to do is build manufacturing facilities for more terraforming equipment to supply what will be needed on the planet.

>>3179574
Reduce the amount of money that's being poured into expansion of cities and do the same for the influx of immigrants. Development is taking up a sizeable chunk of resources.

Allowing large scale strip mining to resume in the southern wastes would also bring in a lot of money and provide a materials boost to the economy. Obviously that's not going to happen unless it's decided to reverse the previous decision to limit and contain environmental damage.

>>3179464
> [ ] Give me a year to better prepare

We save his House and his position in it, and first thing he does is ask for money? I like him less now.

Anyone else incredibly happy with Vanderwal yet again? One of my favourite characters, I feel like he gets a life-extension injection out of most of our entourage.

>>3179781
Completely agree! Bringing him onboard was one of our best decisions.

>>3179464
>[ ] They can stop economic support
>[ ] Cease station and facility support

These are two smaller blows which signal our willingness to help the House financially, and also don’t bankrupt us.

We will likely have to put the secondary planet idea on hold until we return from the frontlines with loot though.

"Give me a year to better prepare. That will give my people time to calculate what's needed and I can be ready to fill in the gaps."

"Wonderful, thank you Viscount. If you need to keep anything funded beyond that by the central government please have your people let me know. My father and the House invested a great deal into Rioja and wanted it to succeed. I'd like to keep it that way.

In going through existing planning I've found that there were preparations being made to eventually add five more baronies to the House. Two of these were to include worlds in the DRH 2 relay currently held for us by the Ruling House. There was to be one more in the new territories, another in the oldest Erid founding territories and finally Robrinaan was being closely looked at due to its position."

It was certainly useful as a staging base on the return to the homeworlds.

"Is another barony in Erid space a good idea?" asks Alex, glancing your way. "We've seen a few... issues with the troops from those areas with the occupation here. It could result in an over representation of personnel from Erid worlds in our military."

"Recruiting the Barons core military from the homeworlds could work as has been the case for our South Reach worlds." suggests Saputo.
Rioja's fleet and army started out the same way.

Xisoth warns that doing so now could result in a potential influx of democracy supporters via the core military.

What is your position on this issue?
[ ] Core military from homeworlds as standard
[ ] Form new Erid barony last
[ ] Use forces that were away during the uprising
[ ] Other suggestions?

>>3179838

Ask Xisoth if he is ready to work with another Baron in his area. We work well with Avun and Nel'odym and having another Baron in his region could help him with areas he might be stretched thin on or need assistance on cracking down on.

As for troops/ military, use combo of Erid troops and troops that were recently deployed to the front. Since any new Baron working in Erid territory likely will not be deployed immediately. This will give the new baron and their troops time to work together and to find a roll within J-D and time for them and Xisioth to work together.

Of course I feel any new Baron to be added in the Erid territories should wait until Xisioth returns from his deployment. So that the two Barons can work together rather then the senior one dumping a work load on the other when they are just starting. Thus making it easier for the two to get along and the new Baron to learn they are not going to be alone in the region that they have a fellow Baron, Xisioth, whom they can rely on.

Also if I am misplacing who the current Baron is in Erid territories that will need to be corrected.

>>3179847
Supporting this.

I just don’t trust the population in the Homeworlds at the moment.

Our military needs to be a bastion of tradition and conservatism.

>>3179838

I guess the question is also "Do we want democracy in J-D."?

If we want to contain and potentially roll back the democracy stuff, we can't let their influence spread across new fleets.

Or, worse, their support for democracy could cause unrest and Erid vs J-D issues.

That said, was there any real former Erid contingent to the EC? They're arguably more reliable and trustworthy than anyone from the Homeworlds at the moment. Unless you were secretly part of the rebels. Tenni.

>>3179849
>Our military needs to be a bastion of tradition and conservatism.

I could have sworn that Sonia usually had the complete opposite view, but I guess the timeskips have made her the new old guard?

>>3179858

Sonia was and is for change, just not drastic at the point of a gun, revolution, kill the count, you know the guy who made us a baron, second in responsibility to Sonia's political climb next to Winifred who knighted her, who if she had stayed behind, Sonia could have likely ignored the EC and Tenni and blown them all to hell for their traitorous actions, and made Winifred the Countess, instead of Caius, change.

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>>3179847
>Also if I am misplacing who the current Baron is in Erid territories that will need to be corrected.
That happens.

The system/planet being looked at is closer to Alex's world. It was where House Erid was founded after being split off from another House. After they managed to conquer much of House Dremine with the help of allies they moved their capital to Edanis. Baron Ukalah unofficially moved the capital to Alaior though it wasn't fully recognized.

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>>3179858
>I could have sworn that Sonia usually had the complete opposite view, but I guess the timeskips have made her the new old guard?

>>3179874

Then the question should be posed to both Alex and Xisioth. I'd add in Kharbos, but he is deployed. They will be the ones working with the new Baron and Alex being the closest might would be in ideal position to assist the new Baron.

>>3179870

I agree that the EC screwed the pooch by getting change with a coup.

Just pointing out that we're officially the new old guard with that line of thinking. Soon some upstart will start a club to protect new knights from us!

>>3179876
And I was just trying to google that.

>>3179838
[x] Other: Form new Erid barony first

If we want a military that is a bastion of tradition and conservatism as a counter-balance to homeworld personnel that we can't trust, well... the 'issues' Alex brings up are more like perks.

>>3179884

I am half afraid to make any new knights, without extensive vetting. Being a top pilot and having leadership qualities isn't enough. And it seems being loyal to the house is no longer enough. Now we gotta screen for possibility of someone going rouge and turning into one of these reformist who believe change happens at the point of a gun.

Time to reinstate the commissars.

>>3179889
During our little treason arc, I think some very important things were said by others regarding this.

Not sure if Daska or the Jerik Guard Captain said this, "...Houses that operate as democracies exist but ones that have a mix of policies usually have to pick one side or the other eventually."

Then Earl Jerik - "Reynard's loyalty to the House may be more questionable than some, but not most. Her profiles show that she would go after anyone that would harm the populace. That's not necessarily a bad thing, and can be used to good effect politically with the proper direction.
Would she knowingly break open files and commit treason in the process of what she may or may not see as a quest for justice or vengeance? I don't know. ..."

Loyalty to the House may very well have played a major part in the coup, with Fox's son abusing the loyalty of others just as his father did in order to falsely charge us with treason. Considering the demagoguery, I suspect Fox Jr is one of the few bad apples.

But yes, that paranoia is likely healthy. Especially until we work things out further with the Filipi Faction in our own fleet. Need to get her a pardon/immunity, as well.

That said, I just had a thought. Does Count Jerik's death mean that our agreement with him to not look into Rna & Surekah more is void? The request wasn't really an official agreement, more a term along with his shake down. I'm still wondering if the Count himself was having Rna purge the local nobles.

>>3179838

>[X] Core military from homeworlds as standard

>>3179847
>Of course I feel any new Baron to be added in the Erid territories should wait until Xisioth returns from his deployment.
Xisoth wont deploy until the 2nd or 3rd stage of the invasion. Once he goes he probably wont be back until the Neeran central command has been taken out. That might take awhile.

As Caius points out he's not certain the House will even be able to form the new baronies before the war ends if the invasion goes well. If it drags on they could be needed, and if peace comes resources will quickly become available to form them.

>>3179858
>I guess the question is also "Do we want democracy in J-D."?
That was already a resounding no in that the terms insisted on by Sonia were that the Count continues to select Governors of all other worlds. (with exceptions)

>Or, worse, their support for democracy could cause unrest and Erid vs J-D issues.
That is one of the concerns.

>was there any real former Erid contingent to the EC?
There were a few reformers but they did not back the uprising. Or if they did were put down hard by Xisoth.

>Then the question should be posed to both Alex and Xisioth.
"Are you ready to work with a new baron in your area?"

Alex shrugs. "The Rookie seemed to handle his world well enough. I think we could help out a new Baron."

Xisoth believes he could send some supporters and contacts that could be of use to a new Baron.
"They'll want a chance to revitalize the old planet. Something the older generations failed to do. I'm still a bit worried Erid nationalists might flock there. It's why the Count and I had been discussing the placement of a Baron there over the past few years. With a Baron loyal to the House there he hoped it would prevent an uprising, or at least contain it."

Clearly he was growing less concerned that it might happen at home.

You look to the others. "What if we put a Baron there first. Before any of the other sites?"

Caius speaks up. "It will take at least a year to ensure the planets economy can support a Baron if we rush. I was hoping to give it twice that long to develop and allow things to settle into a stable state."

>>3179958
>he's not certain the House will even be able to form the new baronies before the war ends if the invasion goes well. If it drags on they could be needed, and if peace comes resources will quickly become available to form them.
>if the invasion goes well
>Invasion of the Neeran Empire
>Going well

I mean, I appreciate the positive attitude it takes to even consider that possibility... He should be more concerned with his own kids getting killed in the closing years of this Neeran War, at the rate we're going.And then Sonia was her mother. The circle is complete.

>Resounding no in terms with EC
Oh boy, so we're going to have to roll back those gains or face further unrest as other worlds go "hey us too", eventually.

>Alex still calling Kharbos 'the rookie'
... poor Kharbos.

>>3179958
Where does the Count think the first new Barony should be then?

Our main concern is the loyalty of soldiers from the homeworlds.

>>3179858
>I could have sworn that Sonia usually had the complete opposite view, but I guess the timeskips have made her the new old guard?
That’s honestly a very interesting point.

I guess we’ve just experienced first hand how successful outsiders become defenders of the establishment and entrenched interests.

My thoughts on the matter is that Sonia is pro-benevolent autocracy and merit-based aristocracy. This is due to her cultural upbringing in the Doninion and experience as a soldier - but it’s also derived from her likely thoughts that the populace is best served through leadership which is morally rather than politically accountable.

Nobles should do the right thing by the people and the House because it is the right thing, not because it is popular.

>>3179979
>Where does the Count think the first new Barony should be then?
Robrinaan seems like the more important link in the chain. That or the new territories to help Drake and Tenni. Or to help Drake with Tenni.


>My thoughts on the matter is that Sonia is pro-benevolent autocracy and merit-based aristocracy.
Regardless of the reasons why Sonia was more or less fixed going down that road as a result of decisions made on Rioja. Not making it a democracy except for a few minor local positions.

Shit I have work in the morning, I have to be up in 7 hours.

>>3179986
Have a good night

>>3179876
We were never in favour of pure democracy, merely in making the meritocracy actually accessible to all classes.

We're anti-corruption, pro-results.

At the same time, if other houses want to manage their biz in a silly fashion, that's on them.

I think we're mostly just pissed at and scared pissless of Terran refugees and Terra respectively.

>>3179916
> Does Count Jerik's death mean that our agreement with him to not look into Rna & Surekah more is void?

Was it in writing?

>>3179984
>Regardless of the reasons why Sonia was more or less fixed going down that road as a result of decisions made on Rioja. Not making it a democracy except for a few minor local positions.
I can honestly see more democratic changes showing on Rioja up as Sonia comes closer and closer to the end of her reign as Baron. In my opinion, Sonia is not generally opposed to doings things that that, she just doesn't see much use for it if the regular Dominion style system is run by the right people. Her current system is working very well as long as you have somebody like Sonia running it but once you cannot guarantee somebody like her being in charge, some reduction to overall efficiency might be an acceptable trade-off for limiting the damage her successor can do to the planet and the population. And even well meaning people can cause damage by picking the wrong methods for decent ideas, like the EC has just demonstrated.

>>3180131
I'd agree with your summary, based upon older threads Still trying to wrap my head around the more recent stuff

The only disagreement I can really find is being scared of the Terran refugees. Black Ops? Sure. Refugees? Great Caution.

>>3180134
>was it in writing?
The request was in writing, as part of that secret letter he gave us demanding 100 mil to protect from any results of the treason investigation. Come to think of it, I don't even remember if the results of the investigation were explicitly given? The whole Erid thing just blew up and our promotion could very well have been the result of that bribe/extortion.

>>3180516

Can't really disagree, though we kind of need to actually get the steps moving. Unless we're fine with knowingly letting Rioja potentially go to hell in the event of her death, which doesn't seem very Sonia. Well, a paralyzing fear of politics may actually be very Sonia. And very Mom.

I doubt our husband's family will appreciate such moves, though. Awkward situation, ho!

>>3180516
You know, with the political backing Sonia has combined with her inter house importance, money, military might, industrial importance and Harmen connections she should be able to quite neatly ensure that who ever picks up, as Baron after she retires to go eternally space adventuring with clone tech, is someone of her choosing. Like one of her kids.

>>3180594
Paralyzing fear is an interesting way to phrase "gunboat diplomacy".

If Sonia ever got seriously involved in Politics I feel like she'd just start killing her enemies.

>>3180708
Gunboat diplomacy is certainly a rather simple form of politics, but I was speaking in a broader sense than just this one incident.

The only two instances that I can think of where Sonia wasn't forcefully dragged into a political situation were the House Veritas formation mission and supporting B'H. Except for a few things that were less political and more 'I can watch them shoot you or we can shoot them together', like during the various invasions of DRH1.


Almost everything else has been a case of someone else dragging us into a political situation, often with hilarious results. Looking at you, Helios

>>3180740
People have resisted killing Fox Sr for a long time, even after framing us for Treason.

Heck, we even overcame murderous thoughts toward Valeri, and got our choice of Governor on Rioja without killing anyone.

We're capable, but lost at times.

Also, if the Planetary Occupation Kilo guy is out there, I'm sorry for resisting the idea for so long. You did good, buddy.

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>>3180704
Sonia won't always be around to micromanage every decision, and there needs to be a reliable way to stop idiots without setting the entire planet on fire during silly and preventable infighting.

>>3180751
>People have resisted killing Fox Sr for a long time, even after framing us for Treason.
What saved him is how fucking good he is with that obsolete riced out Lance class cruiser the House must have found on some Terran trash heap. I'd love to see what he's capable of in modern hardware or even one of those Terran testbed cruisers. Too bad he's a dick aside from that, he'd make a great commander for a dedicated medium cruiser squadron.

>>3180594
There's only one thing Sonia's afraid of.

>>3179916
>Especially until we work things out further with the Filipi Faction in our own fleet. Need to get her a pardon/immunity, as well.
I think we need to talk more to the various factions and younger knights in our fleet in general. Maybe hold a council once a year or something similar, so that less well connected knights have a chance to voice their ideas and complaints to Sonia.

Should we mention that even forces that were away before the uprising may have EC members/spies/moderates?

On a slightly more planning-aligned question, is Jerik-Dremine really still just J-D at this point?

I know there was a ton of terraforming going on early in the quest, but weren't we just 3 major planets (the ones that just rebelled, too)? And Erid was equal to or greater than J-D in size/planets before the terraforming was complete?

What about a sort of 'New Deal' reorganization that effectively creates Jerik-Dremine-Erid? It could allow us to effectively use what must be a sizable Erid population to effectively renegotiate some aspects of the democracy stuff, in the name of ensuring uniform rule of law through the House.

It could also pacify the Erid nationalists via enhanced council representation and possibly council veto powers? Similar to how the J-D agreement created the Dro'all/Dremine council?

Outlying territories could then have their own local councils, that could then effectively nominate its own representative to the main homeworlds council?

It is without a doubt on the crazy side, but we've refined crazy into workable before.

>>3180914
Absolutely beautiful art, Anon.

>>3180914

>how good he was with that obsolete lance class cruiser

IIRC, it was an Endeavour-Class/LR Medium? Unless he upgraded to something else.

>House must have found on some Terran trash heap

Don't you talk trash about Sonia's salvage.

>>3180914
>Maybe hold a council once a year or something similar
Isn’t that basically what the balls are for? A function which sees all of the nobility gather to discuss the issues of the day.

>>3180945
It's unfortunately only a slight Dro'all edit, some actually talented anon made the original image.

>>3180960
>IIRC, it was an Endeavour-Class/LR Medium?
The Endeavour is basically a lance class hull with a lot of stuff added to it. It even tends to snap in half like the original design, unless I remember things wrong.

>>3180972
No, not really. They're still social gatherings. I'd like to institute something more focused. Regardless, Sonia needs to interact more with her troops. Winifred took note of Sonia while we were still in a corvette/mixed squad.

>>3180914
>Sonia won't always be around to micromanage every decision, and there needs to be a reliable way to stop idiots without setting the entire planet on fire during silly and preventable infighting.

Why would she be around for that forever? I mean in my world she leaves the Rioja system with two colonized planets for her twins. After having had them groomed for taking over the rulership of the planet as joint Governor and Baron. After they are secure she can then proceed to explore the rest of the universe with her own Explorers Guild for all eternity as a clone. Having formally given all her land to her children for the them to inherit.

Regardless of what plans we put in motion. What laws we pass. Bribes we pay. Intelligence network we build. In the the end it can all be undone by a single idiot. There is nothing we can do to change that other than hope our children turn out to be not retarded and spoiled. Instilling values of Valor, Skill and Duty to the Dominion, the House and the people in them along the way.

Trying to force Democracy will only serve to weaken us and the legacy of our children.

>>3180989
>Winifred took note of Sonia while we were still in a corvette/mixed squad.

To be fair, Sonia hasn't had any corvette units pop up with a base rank pilot in an attack cruiser.

>institute something more focused

So like the council that Daska has set up on her world, but for all of our knights, rather than land-owners to keep them invested in the world?

I like the idea.

>>3181008
House leadership would have to have a collective stroke to allow Sonia to groom her kids to take over as both Governor -and- Baron of Rioja.

The two are essentially checks on each other to ensure that a world has a difficult time rebelling or otherwise betraying the House, iirc.

I get the sentiment, but we'd probably have to murder a lot of people to pull that off.

>>3181022

"Nothing worth having or doing, comes easy."

If it comes down to it. If the house is really close to being shit tier when Sonia is close to retiring. We just have Vanderwall conduct all the most brutal unseen war upon the house to ensure her kids retain control of Rioja. And not some push over yes man who doesn't know shit from fuck. Heck, make it a program we can set up with Nelodym and Avun to make our own house and tell whatever party controls J-D at that point to piss off.

>>3181008
>After having had them groomed for taking over the rulership of the planet as joint Governor and Baron.
IIRC, a few threads back we chose to let them study what they wish instead of forcing them into the government or military. So, you might end up with them becoming horticulturists or something.

>>3181008
I agree with this sentiment as well.

>>3181053
Well, as land-owning members of the Dominion Nobility, they will have to engage with government and the military to some degree - even if their chosen profession is niche

1) Which world should the House focus on making ready to support a new Baron first? On one hand it might be better to build up a force on a world known to be loyal. On the other hand having a Baron keeping watch could rein in the populace of a more troubled world.

1A)Robrinaan (In dwarf galaxy) (Secure, low risk)
1B)Aldis (Old Erid territory) (Erid nationalist hotspot)
1C)Tuszyn (New territories) (Disloyal populace, longer travel time from homeworlds)

2) Focus on developing 1 new Barony more quickly, take longer to let it develop more naturally, or split between 2?
2A) 1 more quickly
2B) 1 more slowly
2C) Split between 2


3) Will the new Baron build their forces using a core of military from the J-D homeworlds? Or a combination or troops that were recently deployed and some from Erid space?
3A) Core military from homeworlds as standard
3B) Combo. Erid troops and those from recent deployment the front

>>3181332

>1A)Robrinaan (In dwarf galaxy) (Secure, low risk)

>2C) Split between 2

>3B) Combo. Erid troops and those from recent deployment the front

>>3181332
>1A) Robrinaan (In dwarf galaxy) (Secure, low risk)
>2B) 1 more slowly
>3B) Combo. Erid troops and those from recent deployment the front

Maybe I should just put this in a survey?

>>3181332
>1A)Robrinaan (In dwarf galaxy) (Secure, low risk)
>2B) 1 more slowly
>3B) Combo. Erid troops and those from recent deployment the front

The last of the minefields are clear. Transports carrying AM Mines have left under escort. The additional warships are there not to protect the cargo vessels, but to warn away others from coming within the blast zone. Nobody wants to be nearby when several gigatons of ordinance goes off.

They'll deposit their cargo at an AM handling facility used for Sovereign class engine shakedowns. That should save the Dominion some resources. Maybe even provide enough fuel to get a Super or two to the front lines.

With news the trade lanes are open once more a surge of civilian traffic hits J-D space. Patrols are redeployed to help spot any attempts at piracy.
Nobles who have made deals involving exile are now beginning to leave. Their lands have been acquired by the state or transferred to more loyal and conservative leaning family members.

A day later ships are being readied to begin moving the first wave of EC enlisted personnel to Shallan space. Troop transports from the various fleets will get them there and then will take on soldiers returning to the homeworlds.

With its completed modernization EBON could be a handy addition to the fleet being assembled there. A medium carrier is always nice to have around during planetary assaults. At the same time keeping it for defense of the capital until the other Barons return might be good idea as well.
While you don't really trust many of the EC officers with it you know at least one who was dragged into this mess who might. Admiral Graham is experienced enough and isn't a hardliner.

[ ] Capital defense
[ ] Send to the front
[ ] Send only if Admiral Graham is given command

>>3181504
[x] Capital defense

Can't say that I like the idea of EC officers flying anything but fire ships, myself.

>>3181504
>[ ] Send to the front

Survey is ready but posting this first in case there are other ideas.

EBON's latest upgrade further improved the bulky ship's thrust to weight ratio, armor and weaponry. 4 twin LD plasma cannon turrets were mounted on the aft sections where the ship had once sported fairly useless medium plasma cannons. Thanks to power from the drives the weapon fuel stores can be recharged much more efficiently.

There are plans to either sell the updated schematics to the Republic or to offer refits at House owned shipyards.

[ ] Sell the data
[ ] Offer refits

>>3181622

>[ ] Offer refits

profits for the house

>>3181504
>[ ] Send only if Admiral Graham is given command

>>3181622
[x] Offer refits

Is the Pandora Cluster base capable of refitting Mediums?

>>3181622
>[ ] Offer refits
House premium engineering.

Can we personally invest in more Plasma Weapon research? Or is that covered by the Plasma Corvette option?

>>3181648
>Is the Pandora Cluster base capable of refitting Mediums?
Partially. It wouldn't take much to further upgrade.

>>3181687
>Can we personally invest in more Plasma Weapon research?
A bit, though it'd mostly be dumping money into joint Dominion or Alliance projects.

>Or is that covered by the Plasma Corvette option?
That's the House R&D investment of personnel and resources.

SURVEY!

surveymonkey com/r/ CKYM2F9

>>3181735
Wait, shit, nobody vote for 5 minutes I'm missing an entire post.

>>3181701
>That's the House R&D investment of personnel and resources.
Sorry, wasn't clear enough. I meant it more in the sense that if we invest, are we going to see a development or does the money being put into the Corvette program bring plasma tech, even unrelated, to the limit of what our own personal investment can achieve?

Typed this post earlier but I buried it. Those of you who already voted, please check the survey again. Response editing is on. Let me know if that doesn't work.

Demonstrators and militia in the capital park have now dwindled to a few hundred. Small businesses overlooking the park now wish for an end to the blockade so that they can reopen. Of course there are concerns that will just allow more uppity civilians to simply reinforce them.

General Rna would really like them out of there without resorting to violence the media will simply feed off of.

"Ideas?" you ask.

Fadla considers the numbers still present. "In theory democracies need public places to protest and blow off steam. A forum, of the literal physical variety. Maybe we can repurpose a damaged building nearby?"
"Or just designate a section of the park for it." adds Valeri.

Vanderwal suggests tightening the cordon so that it's entirely within the park, rather than on the surrounding streets. That will allow the businesses to reopen.

Police are now available. There should be enough that they could drive the remaining people from the area using shields and shock batons. Then again waiting them out is producing results. Maybe that plus the public broadcasts are having an effect?

[ ] End blockade
[ ] Continue to wait
[ ] Designated demonstration area
[ ] Tighten cordon
[ ] Drive them out

>>3181753
Your own investments are separate, as are additional plasma tech R&D.

The corvette thing is a combo of specialized vehicle and weapon design rolled into one project. Plasma tech can benefit from it overall but it's still a side thing.

>>3181758
>designate a section of the park for it.
Ah, the Singapore solution. Don't forget to make them extensively register on a government website and then request the appropriate permits.

>[ ] Designated demonstration area

>>3181758
>[X] Designated demonstration area

Have some of the more diplomatic local business owners lead negotiations with the militia.

And then drop a bit of credits into the local businesses by having them provide some meals/drinks over the next few days as a sort of 'thank you' for cooperation and to try and offset their losses over the whole situation?

You're dragged out of the day to day issues on the planet by a message from your mother telling you to drop by.

"Sonia I've been thinking about what you, what both of us said."
She gives you a hard look.
"I have a neurological disorder. I cant leave the planet or it will kill me. It's a rare result of being born in artificial gravity. I should have died when I was a baby."

"There isn't a cure?"

"No. Or if there is it would mean cutting every corner of my brain open with a few million nanites. I'm not doing that."

Your next though goes to the rest of the family. "It can't be inherited can it?"
"You were born on a planet Sonia, the conditions weren't the same."

So where Eleanor and Leon. Probably no threat there but worth looking into.

"Why didn't you just say that's why you wont leave?"
"Because I knew you'd try to fix it, or find someone who could. There are more important things to waste time and money on than me. I'm not getting my skull cracked open and I'm sure as hell not getting metal goo stabbed into it."

You try to prevent yourself from remembering too much of the battle for the imperial city.
"If you were in stasis you'd be safe for the transit." you point out.

"I decided a long time ago that I'm staying on this ball of rock."

>>3181819

... I mean, the obvious solution seems to be brain scan and then cloning her into a planet-grown clone, preventing the neurological disorder from being able to form/occur.


So instead of treating Sonia like an adult, mom thought it best to risk that Sonia might have her evacuated and unwittingly kill her in the process? Or worse, Bekka or Ethan?

Shit, Bekka the wild child might pull a Lorraine Day and have an unplanned kid on deployment that could run into this?

Holy shit.

>>3181819
Ah, shit.
How would Sonia respond to this, just a simple curt "Okay"?

>>3181819

"Thank you mom. I understand it mustn't have been easy to decide to tell me that. While I won't make it a priority. There are a lot of things I have to take care of now. But I'll still look for a cure. I want to be able to have you come to Rioja and see the house Troy and I have built in person. Instead of in pictures."

>>3181504
Tell me we made the explosion in the shape of a shark.

>>3181819
Well, guess we're going to have to go to frankly ridiculous lengths to fortify this planet then

>>3181853
> ... I mean, the obvious solution seems to be brain scan and then cloning her into a planet-grown clone, preventing the neurological disorder from being able to form/occur.

So we would have a clone of our mom, she's still stuck there.

Hey, don't we have an entire bio-research organization filled with aliens who specialize in said bio-research?

>>3181819
>You know that means you could have made me kill you if it became truly necessary to evacuate the family? You idiot

>>3181819
>I have a neurological disorder.
>I should have died when I was a baby.
Didn't see end up on this planet when she was already a couple of years old? She said something about remembering how she landed on Petras.
Anyway, we should still look for a cure. Check with the Terrans, and ask Svidur if he could help. Neeran seem to know things about physically non-invasive brain stuff.

>>3181701
>That's the House R&D investment of personnel and resources.
Is that going to be a survey?

>>3182228
>Svidur
Wasn't one of our artifacts a regeneration deal? I wonder if one of those 'brain trauma contingency' brain scans could be used in conjunction with it.

>>3182410
We were warned against using it extensively because it can heal things improperly apparently.

>>3182410
Wouldn't regeneration be relatively useless by definition if it's a birth defect?

>>3182432
>>3182445

The 'improper healing' is partially why I believe it may work, if you can purposely control the improper healing of the birth defect to correct the defect.

>>3182116

Definitely don't say this...

>>3182432
>>3182470
You really dont want it healing parts of the brain wrong. This unfortunately has been tested.

>>3182445
Also this. Probably wouldn't work as it wouldn't be perceived as an injury.

Can any of the first 4 people who voted in the survey tell me if they were able to re-enter it and add a vote for the last question? I need to know if this is possible to do.
If it's not I'll just recreate the survey and restart it the next time it happens. That should cut down on duplicate responses throwing things off.

>>3182103
>Hey, don't we have an entire bio-research organization filled with aliens who specialize in said bio-research?
You dont but you have a history of supporting that group. They are rather busy right now but this could be a side job for them. Maybe one to tackle post war?

They have given the Alliance a bio weapon to help reduce the effectiveness of Warrels. Presumably they'll still need to do a bit more refinement work on it based on results.

>>3183196
>Can any of the first 4 people who voted in the survey tell me if they were able to re-enter it and add a vote for the last question?
I'm relatively sure I wasn't one of the first 4 people who voted but when I opened the survey again it hadn't saved my previous choices. I complained about the write-in field for the question about the medium carrier modification, was that one counted? Surveymonkey usually saves my choices if the survey allows later edits.

>>3183196
>first 4 people

I can confirm that I am able to re-access the vote and the new question is there. I used the other field on the refit question to ID the new submission.

Did one of the first 4 get overwritten or create a duplicate?

>>3183196

>Survey

I checked the survey to see if I did the last question. Thought I did guess I didn't, updated my votes.

>>3183244
Not 100% certain. Just people seem to go back and vote from another device if a new question gets added. Or that's been my experience. Wanted to know if people simply couldn't. Glad I was wrong about that.

>>3183205
There are 2 write-ins for the carrier.

>Offer refits only if we send EBON to the front. Performance data will be a great marketing tool if we decide to go this route. If Capital Defense wins, then sell the data.

>Offering refits seems like a great idea but we could go the route we went with the Lance class refits during the civil war in addition to that. Buy mothballed ships, refit them, and then sell them. The Republic probably has thousands of these ships and they're most likely not going to have them all undergo refits. If they sell us older ships, they would make additional money, reduce how much they have to spend on keeping these old ships safe, while we would make additional money and get additional jobs for our population. Everybody's happy. It would also help maintain trade relations with the Republic. Just make sure Sonia actually profits from this instead of all of it going to the House. [And please make these write-in things expandable boxes instead of one long line. It's really hard to keep track of what you write when it's like this.]

Jesus christ, how did this get past the 240 character limit I put on the text fields?

>expandable boxes instead of one long line
Normally I set them for 3 lines at 80 characters each since that's more than enough to get a basic idea across. This time I set a couple of them for 1 line.
More oddly I'd set the medium carrier one at 3 lines, 50 characters each. Dunno why I did that.
Clearly surveymonkey is ignoring this limit. I've already had to send a bunch of complaints about other problems with their latest site update.

Onward to responses!

>Buy mothballed ships, refit them, and then sell them. The Republic probably has thousands of these ships
Only a small number of the EBON type carriers were built in the Faction Wars and a few of those were destroyed in the war. Maybe 40 were originally built iirc?
After EBON's original J-D overhaul removing the plasma cannons, the Republic performed a similar refit on the dozen or so of them they had left. They've since put them back into limited production building more than 200 of them. I think they may have sold single run production licenses to a few people also.

>>3183311
>There are 2 write-ins for the carrier.
Mine's there, so it probably counted the rest as well.

> I've already had to send a bunch of complaints about other problems with their latest site update.
I'm always surprised it's supposed to be a professional site and that actual companies us it. Most of the time surveymonkey seems like a janky FOSS alternative you'd find on fdroid or shipped with obscure linux distributions.

>I think they may have sold single run production licenses to a few people also.
Isn't the Dominion still missing a medium carrier design? With the invasion of Neeran space, there's probably more demand for them even if they're usually not a part of Dominion doctrine.

>>3183322
>Isn't the Dominion still missing a medium carrier design?
It is, though the Dominion is one of the few Factions that have actual Fleet carriers. So they're not nearly as hard pressed for that lack.

The Republic has their cheap as hell Ballista Class Carriers. The Terrans have some Light carriers but mostly rely on medium carriers.

There are Kavarian carriers based on the Y-Type transport frame. Made of explodium. They used to be reliant on Kilo class ships modified as carriers as a tougher alternative. They now produce a medium carrier design for the Alliance and whichever faction wants to buy them.
Rovinar used to rely on their Battleships and Heavy Cruisers to carry fighters. They do produce some Battleships refit as carriers much like the Shallans do.

"Okay..." you pause trying to think of something to say then decide to just go over and give her a hug.

"Thank you mom. It couldn't have been easy to tell me that."
"Damn right it wasn't. Now don't bug me about it for awhile."

You promise not to. There's enough on your plate right now that it can't or shouldn't be a priority.
"Eventually though I'll get around to looking for a cure. I'd like you to see the the house Troy and I have built on Rioja yourself instead of just through pictures."

"I wont tell you to give up, but don't count on it."

A few minutes later your thoughts switch to your brother and sister.
"I don't know about Ethan but Bekka is crazy enough that she might end up with an unplanned kid. What if that happens while in space aboard ship?"

Mom immediately dismisses this.
"Do you think I'm going to leave that to chance with someone like your sister? The military issues sterility meds that are good for a few years at a time."

You recall that the first 4 years are mandatory, requiring a subdermal implant that will slowly dissolve. As you find out Mom has an agreement with Bekka and Baron Winifred's medical personnel. Insurance against her acting irresponsibly.

"I thought you wanted grand kids though? I'm amazed you were able to keep that plan in place while I was gone for 3 years."
"I may have wanted grand kids but I wasn't that desperate for grand kids."

>>3183196
>Can any of the first 4 people who voted in the survey tell me if they were able to re-enter it and add a vote for the last question? I need to know if this is possible to do.
Ye worked perfect

>>3183614
>>3183244
>>3183295
Thanks guys. Glad to know it does work. One less thing to worry about.

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>>3183613
>I wasn't that desperate for grand kids.

>>3183613
Is she okay with wormholes? If we built a big, beautiful bridge to Rioja, would it be safe to use?

You return to discussions with the Count regarding development of a new Barony. In your opinion the last thing the House needs right now is a Baron sitting on a potentially disloyal world that could influence them. Instead you push for the next Baron of the House to be placed on Robrinaan.

It was an Erid colony world that's been under at least partial J-D administration since the start of the war. Other than the former outer colonies it's probably the best choice for a new "loyal" world.

"I hope nobody takes this the wrong way but what happened with Diroath and the outer colonies?"
"All but one remained loyal, or mostly so." replies Caius. "Even that one managed to maintain control despite their communications with the rest of the House being cut off. The Governor constructed additional PDF fortifications back when there were Erid and Aries backed uprisings."

Well that's good.

Despite the temptation to do so more quickly, the House will build up the new Barony a bit more slowly. It needs to be in better shape to stand the test of time, especially in light of its terraforming systems. Necessary defenses, orbital industry and platforms for use as a secondary trade hub will need to be built up. Though the new Baron could take on a good chunk of that themselves if they happen to make a fortune in the deployment earning their position.

Whoever that is they'll be making use of troops from the from recent deployment to the front along with those recruited from the former Erid territories including Robrinaan itself. There should be more than enough time to screen everyone for the new post.

As for EBON it will remain on station above Dreminth assigned to capital defense. That doesn't rule out using it for some demonstrations once the other fleets return. Marketing will be working hard to try and sell refit appointments to the Republic or other customers who have similar ships. Crews will get to work preparing the yard in PCCG space to be able to perform the upgrades there as needed.

That just leaves the matter of the remaining demonstrators in the park. The blockade forces are redeployed, tightening the cordon so that the surrounding streets and some of the park itself is returned to public use. They're not terribly happy about this but other than the reduction in area they're being left alone.

>>3183613
>I wasn't that desperate for grand kids
Lucky mom. You'll have another one when we can get another long leave.

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>>3183196
Also we need to get our kids Warrel/Corgi crosses. Wargies.

>>3184240
Does make me wonder what kind of dogs survived to the future.

>>3185571
My guess is most breeds you have to today are probably parked in a DNA database and if you're willing to pay enough you can order a batch.

>>3186272
Using the power of future Tech and money we will create a Corgi that is genetically engineerd to be maximum floff and maximum cute. For the Dominion.

>>3186757
Trained hybrid dire wolves/warrels/mutts is the superior choice.

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>>3186757
I'd rather get a dog that's not a complete joke.

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>>3186841
> literally the most noble of dogs

Git gud peasant.

Industry is ramping back up to full, though there have been some disturbances. Work stoppages and the like are becoming frequent if minor. After a few days of this Caius and the now reassembled J-D Council make a public statement that certain industries essential to the war effort will not tolerate intentional delays. Slowdowns by groups trying to form new unions will be considered a threat to the House. Charges of treason or mutiny could result if they impact weapons, fusion reactors and shipyard support production.

"Our distant friends and family are still fighting for their lives against a merciless foe. An evil that must be defeated. They need the equipment being produced by our factories to continue the fight and to survive it."

The situation improves but labour shortages continue to persist in some areas. Because of this the Count is considering quietly bringing in small numbers of workers from off world. Mike contacts you after hearing of this.

"Even with the war on there are plenty of potential workers among the lower class populations on Dreminth. Most of them just lack the education to compete with those in the middle class. We could do something about that. Set up training centers, or maybe even offer memory imprinting to those who test highly enough."

Memory imprinting might be excessive. Usually it's reserved for teaching skills important to the military in a controlled environment. There are already conspiracy theories out there that imprinting is used to indoctrinate people to loyally serve their House. Though if that were true this entire blowup might never have happened.

[ ] Let the Count deal with it
[ ] Help establish more work training schools
[ ] Temporarily offer memory imprinting

Sorry for the lack of posts yesterday. Was tried + drawing a blank most of the day.

>>3187667
>[ ] Help establish more work training schools

>>3187667
>[ ] Help establish more work training schools

To make up for the debacle of soldiers killing civilians. Establish trade schools to fill the missing jobs with lower class workers. This aught to go over well with the masses. People don't want to lose those jobs? They shouldn't have been slacking off protesting or making a coup. Now someone else who really wants that job has it and that person is extremely grateful.

Time to make the job market competitive. I'm sure the companies would just LOVE to be able to lower wages to compensate for lower class labor needing to be trained to fill roles that someone from middle class could fill and require more pay.

>>3187667
>[ ] Help establish more work training schools

>>3187667
>[ ] Temporarily offer memory imprinting

>>3187667

>[X] Help establish more work training schools

Let's make sure we contribute a monetary amount that looks huge to the average citizen but won't really hurt our pockets too much. Have Fadila play up our involvement.

>>3187667
[x] Help establish more work training schools
[x] Other: Make funding available for Mike to offer memory implanting

Mike is in a much better position to offer memory implanting as both a full-time local and a knight from the lower class, imo. But we're likely in a better position to fund and/or approve implanting, at least for the local crisis.

>>3187667
>[x] Help establish more work training schools
We should also offer university level correspondence courses or weekend schooling for everybody who's interested in furthering their education. It doesn't have to be limited to the lower classes. The middle class would likely see it as a threat if we don't offer the same thing to them.

>memory imprinting
I'd prefer to limit that to life or death professions like soldiers, policemen, firefighters or reactor technicians.

"Mike, I think that's a great idea. Let's get some funding to set up trade schools right away. Tell your people to contact anyone they know to try and find people to staff them. I'll do the same."

As is your habit you throw yourself into this project, contacting a number of Knights and commanders in your fleet. It doesn't take long to find a few that like Mike originate from the homeworlds lower class. They're able to spread word through relatives to the populace, letting them know of the demand for workers. Others with connections recruit potential teachers and find places to establish the schools.

While you donate some money yourself a surprising amount comes in from community leaders hoping to support this initiative. All of this isn't going to solve the shortage overnight but it will ensure the planet is better equipped in the future. It will also mean workers brought in from off world will only be a temporary measure. Perhaps they can be reassigned to the new Barony being built up?

At the insistence of a few Knights certain additional training courses will be made available to the middle class as well. Higher education to give them a chance to further their careers a bit more. Better that they dont feel excluded.
Especially since the number of applications for firearms permits has increased by ten thousand percent. Surprisingly most are from Nobles more concerned about increasing threats to their property.

One of Dayton's students, or perhaps more accurately subordinates, has been Knighted for their role in aiding the evacuation of the main training base.

"How is it she was Knighted before me?" asks Windsor when you run into him at the expeditionary fleet social club.

"She was already in training, has good leadership skills and demonstrated non-suicidal bravery in the face of overwhelming odds." you inform him.
"Oh is that all."

Despite Windsor's complaints he's been keeping on with his training.
"I've heard they may be looking to put a Baron at Robrinaan. Maybe I should apply once I get my Knighthood."

You shake your head at the comment. It seems the more things change the more they stay the same.
"Try applying yourself to the current challenge first mister Windsor."

With the situation remaining calm now for several days you and Troy get a chance to set up communication with Rioja using a holoprojector to talk and interact with the kids. They're happy to see both of you and predictably dont want you to go when its time for the call to end.

It's expected you'll still need to remain at the capital until all of the mutinous members of the military are moved to the front. Possibly up to 10 weeks as transports are still departing.

What are you plans for the stay in the homeworlds? Will either Sonia or Troy return to Rioja early?

>>3187945
We should get in touch with Duncan's boss or whoever is in charge of intel. There's also the thing with the terran special ops who might still be stranded on the planet after their cloaked ship ran off.
I see little reason for either of them to return home early.

>>3187945

Speak with Troy, does he want to be here close to his parents and his friends/ contacts? Or would he rather be back on Rioja with the kids?

We're stuck here because we've gotta ensure that the house wont suddenly turn into a Democracy any more then it has. Also I wanna find out what Archivald thinks of all that has happened once the LRBS II with the communications thing reaches the front. And someone has to find the Counts killers and murder them, their families and everyone associated to them bring them to justice.

>>3187945
If Troy's affairs are in order then maybe let him return early? If we're searching for things to do maybe we can help with any matters he needs taken care of?

>>3187945

Would you be willing to provide a concise list of investment opportunities? If not I guess try to take advantage of the fact that the House's nobility and industry are focused here.

We should speak with some heads of industry about how our money can be used now to benefit the war effort and beyond.

Maybe attend a ball? Seems like now would either be a terrible or great time for one of those.

>>3187999
>Would you be willing to provide a concise list of investment opportunities
Short: No
Long: I'll try to figure one out at work tomorrow when I'm more awake. Will post on Sunday.

>Maybe attend a ball? Seems like now would either be a terrible or great time for one of those.
Then it's definitely time to hold one.

>>3187962
>>3187965
>>3187968
Will keep these in mind.
Rather busy trying not to be sick so I'm stopping until Sunday.

>>3187945

Unless Troy feels he can or needs to return to Rioja rather than deal with the fallout of things here, I think the kids will have to wait.

Or, you know, if Rioja starts rioting. We uh, have an extraction team & resources to get the kids out, right?

>Plans for the stay in the homeworlds:

Secure blanket immunity for Filipi moderates in the Rioja fleet from the Count. They're part of our fleet, stayed loyal, and immunity might lead to them providing information like how (or whom within) the Young Upstarts accessed classified Governor-Count communications and decrypted them without getting caught.

Check on RSS/RTS assets in the region of the coup. See if we can secure some sort of official recognition/bonus from J-D (above company-level) for those that lost their lives defending that one ship as it escaped?

Try to link up and gain local support/intel from some of Dad's old war buddies? Back channels for information are always important, if they are or were involved in recent events.

See if we can snag some traitor property for cheap by out-bidding the House? Blood on the Streets and all.

Check on that neighboring House that had a 'completely unrelated' uprising? Invest in them like Posat?

Implicate the EC as Terran Blackops stooges?

Actually act somehow on the Terran Blackops stuff? Formal complaint?

Fill in the Emperor on results of this crazy?

>>3187945
We probably can't make it back to Rioja soon so maybe buy them a pet for when we return?

>>3188073
Seconding a Ball! An get to know you fundraiser ball though, with invitations for the nobles, and purchasable tickets for the middle class (to ensure people don't just drop in) with the proceeds being donated to funding a festival for the lower and middle classes.

The nobility, however, will be partaking in a charity auction at the end of the night with the proceeds going towards paying for reconstruction and revitalization of Dreminth.

That way the middle class and nobility get to interact in a less formal setting and get to know each other and their struggles/concerns, while the lower class and less wealthy middle classes get a distraction without feeling left out, while still subtly reinforcing the reason for class differences by having the middle class cash tickets represent taxes, the charity auction representing noblesse oblige since it's going to be donated items from the nobility.

While I wouldn't say we should officially exclude middle class people from the auction, it'll clearly be outside their price range and there should be a surcharge to attend as well with a separate dinner. That way it'll also showcase the meritocracy aspect, so if the middle class want to observe they can pay the much higher ticket price. Same with the tickets to the ball, they should simply be priced higher than what the lower classes should be able to afford, but if they have the cash then they can attend.

That way we can also make it clear that the privileges of the different classes are linked to their responsibilities, but if people work hard the opportunities are still open to them.

We can have Mike Serth, who is a noble now, be the co-speaker along with the Count as host. After all, he represents that the opportunity in J-D is equal and limitless for those with talent and work ethic.

>>3188963

Wouldn't it be a bad idea to offer an olive branch (invitations to Middle Class) coated in itching powder (fees & auction to reinforce their lack of power)?

It just seems like bad taste and further bad blood after what was effectively a peasant/tradesman revolt against the nobility, even if elements of the nobility usurped it. Then effectively stabbed the lower classes in the back to protect their own gains?

Being inclusive and then slapping the included folks with things that exclude them seems counter-productive. More so when negative things tend to gain more attention and magnification.

Plus, the middle class leaders may look at the trade schools we just supported as an attack on their position at this time, rather than as a means for the middle class to expand by gaining more members/weight.

>>3189348
I mean, previously they weren't invited *at all*, and besides it's for Charity.

So it's more of a "we're all doing our part" bit. Besides, there's no real discrimination on people paying the fees, just that they're going to be inconveniently priced for lower classes.

Can't get more Democratic than that. More so even, because the Nobles will ne paying even higher fees. But anyone willing to pony up gets in.

Besides, everyone gets something out of this appropriate to what they put in. If a noble would rather just go to the festival, if a lower class person somehow scrapes up the cash for a ticket, fine.

More importantly is that we can tout this as an informal way for the different classes to mix, ensuring that they understand one another.

Hopefully preventing another kerfuffle later down the road.

>>3189348
And if some people do get in a tizzy, we can smear them as being against charity and impeding the rebuilding.

Think about it, the lower classes will be happy to have a festival, just give out free drinks. The middle classes will enjoy the festival because they'll sell a bunch of stuff as well, but also jump at the chance to make connections among nobility. Send their sons and daughters to maybe catch someone's eye, romantically or to even protege under and maybe become a Knight.

And the Nobles will get to hear from wealthy and therefore influential middle class representatives what their complaints and needs are, which will be less fun for them which is why we hold the charity auction.

We could probably donate some interesting things that are hard to get or rare, just expensive isn't enough unless we go REALLY expensive.

Although we have the money for that too if needed.

Of course, other Nobles will be donating things like that too to buy prestige. So think about what we might get?

It's not been mentioned yet and it's been bugging me, but have Fusion pistols really become a dangerous threat against Power Armor? Plasma Pistols yes but I thought we were safe from Fusion weapons until the introduction of Neeran blaster versions, but they're more like rifles.

>>3189491
>>3189497

>Can't get more Democratic than that
I'm not certain that 'democratic' is the right word. Capitalist seems more accurate, due to money being the deciding factor.

>smear them as being against charity and impeding the rebuilding
I'd love to see the results of a rich person accusing a poorer person of being against charity. Especially after charging them to attend an event and then ensuring that they're priced out of participating in the main charity portion.

If the goal of the ball is to mend ties, we should either go full inclusive with the middle class and not have exclusive elements against them, or just focus on being inclusive with purely nobility and mending the peace within the noble ranks.

We've vouched for including a pirate at a ball, and I don't remember slapping him with anything further excluding him. It just seems wrong to treat members of our own House with less respect than that pirate. He is an awesome dude, though.

tl;dr
Don't set up a plan with self-defeating elements.

>>3189558
> then ensuring that they're priced out of participating in the main charity portion.

The auction would be an after party.

Just being allowed to mingle socially with Nobility is huge, keep in mind they don't have the same entitlement as you.

Also, what are they gonna do, bid on a Starship? They can still be present, but come on. I assume one or two Ferigold type characters might come, but anyone with that kind of money probably bought a title already so they probably came up from the lower class to middle class.

If they have the cash they can attend, but as much as this is to build bridges socially it's also a reminder that J-D is not equal outcomes, and that Nobles count for more because they contribute more.

Remember, the benefits of the auction go towards rebuilding the damage done in the uprising - directly affecting the middle class.

We have to rebuild their businesses for them and such, so we can use the funds to loan out to or invest in businesses.

We can even make that the point of the mixed ball, a chance for leading figures of the middle class to make their case for investments.

The festival for the lower classes would be just to distract them. We could have the Government cover the initial costs and the money raised cover the booze.

What, you want nobles and random commoners to go down to the pub and have a pint? That's not going to cut it here.

Honestly I suspect you might be a Terran sent to stir up trouble.

>>3189558
That pirate was a leader and important political figure who we had personal ties with. You want to vouch people we know personally in the middle class in, but them a ticket.

>>3189751
>>3189753

>I suspect you might be a Terran sent to stir up trouble
I am technically a Terran

I'm all for a charity ball with middle class invites/tickets, just trying to point out that I see possible flaws we can avoid, like throwing a charity ball with an auction but treating them as separate events. If it is really a charity event, you simply offer lower ticket items that the middle class folks can afford and the stupid rich won't quite be interested in.

Nobles/Middle Class get to hobknob at the ball and talk business, then those interested get to flaunt their various levels of wealth. No one goes away being told they can't attend part of the event because they aren't a noble (damaging the meritocracy aspect), and hopefully everyone goes home viewing the event positively.

If you want to exclude lower class folks, just do it the traditional way and say it is a class-restricted event. Even if a lower class manages to have the merit to scrape together a ticket buy, most of the nobles would likely undo any pro-meritocracy gains over the course of the event. Remember that Sonia actually had to be taught all the fun etiquette for these balls? Like you said, they can have a festival.

You and I simply seem to disagree on the weight of the positive & negative values of breaking down and then reinforcing social barriers.

And no, I don't see nobles and random commoners down in a pub and having a pint as a problem. I'm sure Mike and several other Knights from the lower class that we've promoted do that from time to time.

>anyone we know personally in the middle class

I can't really think of anyone in the middle class we know in the homeworlds besides the Parents Reynard.

Not really interested in eating up more posts on this.

>>3189913
> No one goes away being told they can't attend part of the event because they aren't a noble (damaging the meritocracy aspect), and hopefully everyone goes home viewing the event positively.

> While I wouldn't say we should officially exclude middle class people from the auction, it'll clearly be outside their price range and there should be a surcharge to attend as well with a separate dinner. That way it'll also showcase the meritocracy aspect, so if the middle class want to observe they can pay the much higher ticket price.

Note that I specified that some middle class people might be rich enough to do so, like Ferigold the Fat isn't a noble I believe, and there are probably middle class merchants who are still stuck with the "only one rank up per generation".

But the thing is, the middle class gets the benefits of the proceedings in terms of investment. They aren't dumb, they'll know they aren't contributing much.

Meanwhile for everyone who can't afford to attend either event, the benefit will be clear cut. And the ones that do attend will mostly have enough savvy to realize that this is already a big step, and to be more focused on benefiting from it than ruining it.

After all, you expect nobles to be able to bid against the middle class? They could buy out the entire auction, if they even wanted anything out up there. They already have all the stuff they want.

Just do a door prize for the middle class to get something out of it. Have THAT only be for the middle class, and it could be also donated, justifying the price of the ticket.

Cars, vacations, etc. Stuff the Nobles take for granted but would still appreciate, but that the middle class would normally be unable to get without serious effort or financial management.

Get them by the greed, and they'll be too happy to give a fuck about the discrepancy.

Bread and Circuses, it works.

The important part is the informal mingling, and that's just not something you can do without some discretion.

Okay, it's cold out. Especially compared to the usual January thaw we get at this time of the season.

>>3190658
Send some of it my way
40c days are getting too much

>>3190035

It sounds dangerously close to 'bribe them to overlook the flaws', which gives everyone and their grandpa reason to laugh at the host's hosting merits.

And we might be giving ammunition to people we want to marginalize in order to quiet the coup's aftershocks. It was at least partially over corruption to begin with.

I love ball threads and want one. Maybe just a normal one to solidify the Count's right to rule would be better?

>>3190658
Someone sabotaged the terraforming equipment!

>>3190731
Actually this is how a lot of events work IRL. Tons of conventions and fundraisers have add on events that you have to purchase tickets for separately.

Like. I have to go to those IRL. I was just trying to apply it to this situation.

But if nobody else wants to have middle class people attend, I'm fine with that too. After all, we are nobility.

>>3191943

Yes, a lot of events work like this IRL. Often to offset costs for maximum charity gain, in my experience. or to line someone's pockets, because there is always that guy/gal

It sounds like you and I are on hilariously different ends of the charity event attendance spectrum, though. Or looking at it through different regional variations.

>>3192779
Yeah, I mostly only go when I have to because family is organizing it. They are mostly political fundraising charities, so that might be a factor. The publicity and engaging with the constituency is just as much the goal as the charity.

Usually they have a speaker or two with ticketed attendance, and some refreshments as the main event, but there's also a dinner and an auction, or a private soft Q&A with the speaker, couple of times we had a dance club reservation afterwards. The price difference wasn't that high for dinner tickets but the bidding got pretty high at the auctions. I figured the Dominion would go whole hog and just cranked that up a couple of notches.

Oh, that's not a bad idea. Does the Dominion have Celebrities we could get for entertainment, then sell advance show tickets to? A preview of their unreleased work? Straight up backstage passes?

>>3192789
>political fundraisers
Oh god, we just introduced campaign finance issues on the J-D homeworlds. And the House can probably hobble the fledgling democracy with such laws. Not sure if that is good or bad for peace.

>Celebrities
There have to be non-Knight celebrities out there, somewhere.

Date with Windsor could be an interesting raffle item, though. Pity the fool that wins it

Our museum ships are still kicking around, right? We could offer a chance to pilot the antique vessels, shoot an asteroid or two with them, or take a flight in one of the dual-seat antique fighters we've collected?

If we were still single, we could have raffled off Sonia dates for laughs and maybe non-political marriage love.

>>3192822
Did I hear raffle off a date with Bekka? An EXTREME SPORTS date?

>>3192822
>spoiler
We could still do that if Troy is fine with it and with the prize being a simple dinner only, nothing romantic.

>>3192822
> Convince Linda to raffle off a date, outbid everyone by a mile to win it.

Could have been.

But we and Troy could do it for each other. Would be a nice bit of theater.

>>3190727
I did have this idea for a global superconductor grid once that could be used as a type of heat pump.

>>3192822
>Celebrities
>There have to be non-Knight celebrities out there, somewhere
Yes, and plenty that aren't Lords or their descendants either.

House intel believes that any Terran operatives still on planet have abandoned their mission to search for SP torpedo data to recover. Using sensors aboard the orbital platforms and the fleet they detected the detonation of a micro fusion plant of the type used in Recon Suits. Debris since recovered at the site confirms this.

If the operative is still on planet they've abandoned and destroyed their suit to prevent it being captured. While the cloaked ship in orbit can be conclusively linked to the Terrans, evidence that Duncan was attacked by Terran black ops is circumstantial. Ballistics taken from the lab show that whatever weapons they were using were of Dominion manufacture. Probably procured on site.

The Emperor has been keeping the Terran Ambassador to the Dominion on constant standby, waiting to see them once your House has compiled more evidence. They've also been waiting for J-D to reach a more stable state politically. He'd rather not act on behalf of a house that doesn't have its shit together at the moment.
Now that Caius has had a chance to talk to intelligence and the House ambassador, the Emperor should be giving the Terrans a shake down any day now.

>>3193181
> I did have this idea for a global superconductor grid once that could be used as a type of heat pump.

Oh like the puppeteers in the Niven-verse before the moved their sun!

File: House & Dominion-Ballroom.jpg (173 KB, 821x796)

173 KB JPG

As the situation continues to improve you receive an invitation for the first ball to be held on Dreminth since all of this started. The Count has arranged for the largest hall on the planet to be used. Ambitious, but if certain people refuse to attend there are always others that could be invited. Troy doesn't think he can leave Loran unattended long enough to return to Rioja but he can certainly attend the ball with you.

You request invitations for a few people you feel should be present. The Commander of the RTS squadron who bought time for the nearly completed Qlippoth heavy carrier to escape Loran. A representative of the local RSS/RTS branch. There are even a few suggestions that community leaders involved in the new jobs programs could be invited.

An invitation was sent to Lord Devante Cu'paher but the old soldier declines to attend citing medical reasons. Maybe you could send him a repulsor chair with built in medical systems?

When you and Troy arrive at the ball the Count is already present surrounded by nobles from the homeworlds and Erid territories. He's also flanked by two councilors one of which is the luck member of the Emergency Council.

"The Count seems to be getting along with the Erid people well enough." you comment.
"I did some checking." Troy tells you. "He's spent several years on Edanis helping to oversee integration since the civil war."
Well you did know he had the diplomatic skills. You're almost surprised there aren't more Erid people here but he may be trying to avoid overrepresentation.

Even this early there are plenty of nobles present and a few of the more wealthy middle class business owners. Maybe you'll be able to invest some money in a few things?

You're barely in the door before your communicator goes off.
"I swear if I get called away because of an emergency..."

Fortunately it's just Alex saying that he wont be able to attend and asking if you could pass on any good investments you spot.
Anyone you want to see first?

>>3193789
>Anyone you want to see first?
I'd say Windsor, just to get him out of the way. Maybe we'll get to meet his relatives he was worried about.

>>3193789

>Anyone you want to see first?

Local business owners. Up and coming businesses and people with crazy yet sensible ideas. People with ideas we can put funding into and get rewards later on.

Also maybe talk with any of the other Barons if they are present. See if they've spotted some good opportunities or if they've got their own plans they might want us to help with.

Maybe a dance or two with Troy. And talk to any of his friends here who have been of help to us and the house. Giving them our thanks for their assistance.

>>3193789
The Count and his hanger ons for now. Need to show everyone in the room who is second top dog, below the Count.

>>3193789
>Someone who loves our movies
I don't care who it is but there's got to be someone, somewhere who does!

The two of you grab drinks and wait a few minutes until Windsor arrives. It's still early but the Knight in training makes an appearance in short order.

"Windsor, how at things?"
"A number of my relatives and siblings have been disinherited over the uprisings. Half the competition for my parents land are out of the running. The change of direction with my career has also gone over well with them. I think it probably would have been better to have a flashier entrance, blazing our way through rebel ships, but that would have been a problem."

Undoubtedly.

"If things remain on track I may not even need a knighthood."
"But you're going to keep training for it anyways right?" you ask.

"Of course. Not just because it's giving the impression that I'm being responsible."

"I think it'll help more when you actually are responsible." Troy helpfully points out.

Windsor looks like he's about to give an offhand remark but stops himself before saying anything disrespectful.
"...yeah you might be right. Some of the social functions are much harder when you can't just cover up an insult by challenging them to a duel."

"Well, try hard." you suggest. "It should pay off in time."

Before you part ways you ask what the dueling scene here is like since the EC surrender.

"It's terrible. A lot of kids have been trying to arrange for enhancements. Most duels are being refused if its suspected either party might be enhanced biologically or with cybernetics. I've talked to a few official judges and they're calling it the death of dueling."

>>3194202
>the death of dueling
Well that’s unfortunate. Is there anything we can do to assist the scene?

Could the state employ official dueling judges who are have the knowledge of enhancements amongst the nobility, or aho are empowered to find out...?

Such a list would be voluntary, but mandatory amongst those who wish to duel.

Honestly want to see what Windsor is capable of in a Plasma Corvette. Are the specs available in the simulators yet?

Having a lot of trouble focusing today for some reason.

>>3194411
Dueling licenses perhaps?

>>3194464
There are some DHI people at the ball.

Next up you and Troy head over to see the Count. He's being careful to show that relations established by the treaty are being maintained. New council members, reforms and the like. There is discussion taking place trying to determine who will be added to the council to represent the South Reach territories. Their distance makes the posting an important one.

At the same time he wants the nobles of the homeworlds and Erid territories to know that they aren't being brushed aside.
Questions abound on everything from the current state of the media to death of the late Count. Many are unsatisfied that the investigation is still ongoing, with little apparent progress. There are already rumors starting to circulate that the Count was assassinated, not killed by security forces defending themselves as was previous public knowledge.

Caius is considering making an anncouncement confirming this so that it doesn't look like his government is covering it up. He was planning to wait until more guests were in attendance.
Support this?

>>3194484
Supporting announcement.

Anyone that believed the EC announcement is a fool

>>3194484

Yeah let's support our Count.

>>3194484

Sure, but you know someone some where is going to want proof that the search is still on going.

>>3194484
Now would be the perfect time for Vanderwal to hand us proof Caius organised the whole thing.

>>3194855
Which is exactly why we need some of ‘our peopleTM’ in his new personal guard...

>>3194202
> Windsor looks like he's about to give an offhand remark but stops himself before saying anything disrespectful.
"...yeah you might be right. Some of the social functions are much harder when you can't just cover up an insult by challenging them to a duel."

Wait. Self reflection? Caution? Can we check it this Windsor is a Krath? Just kidding, it's good to see him grow as a person.

>>3194484
Absolutely support this announcement.

Also supporting >>3193944 and

> Local business owners. Up and coming businesses and people with crazy yet sensible ideas. People with ideas we can put funding into and get rewards later on.

Speaking of movies, did we ever release that director's cut with battle cam footage? Thinking of the Vieona macguyver shit we pulled that the couch potatoes said was impossible.

They also said our FTL interception was pure science fiction. We sure showed the whole galaxy wrong on that one

>>3195469
>Speaking of movies, did we ever release that director's cut with battle cam footage
Only a few things, most still needs to remain classified. Hence why the movie was shot aboard an older Endeavour class.

>They also said our FTL interception was pure science fiction.
Naval intelligence would prefer to keep the civilians thinking this.

You definitely support announcing this sooner rather than later. The only down side of note is that it might get some of the Emergency Council supporters off the hook for the Counts death. Though everyone involved in providing the weapons for the assassins are likely screwed.

"Has there been any news on the weapons?" you ask. "None were found at the destroyed safe house."

Caius sighs. "It's believed they were disposed of in an industrial plasma incinerator normally used for refuse along their flight path. It's not possible to match the weapons against those missing from the EC inventory. There's little left to work with."

That's not ideal but you doubt intel could have learned much from the weapons anyways. The search for whichever noble controlled the assassins and ordered their death is still underway. Which is sure to result in many wanting more explanation.

"It can't be helped." Caius admits. "Hopefully we can convince someone who knows more to come forward."

[ ] Ask if he did it
[ ] Offer to post a reward for info

>>3196301
>[x] Offer to post a reward for info
I'm sure Vanderwal has already used this... "opportunity" to bug the comms and bribe everyone he can on this homeworld. If the new count is responsible, we'll find out eventually.

>>3196301
>[ ] Offer to post a reward for info

>>3196301

[x] Offer to post a reward for info

Sounds like the same game plan from Surekah, really. Perhaps we could get approved access to those files we were charged with treason over, to see if we can connect any dots?

Huh, maybe we could reach out to those guys that kidnapped Bekka? They might be able to at least round up some names of the assassins that got ghosted, if they used disposable assets rather than disposing of more elite ones.

Or we could see if they can hunt down that Terran agent.

>>3196301
>[ ] Offer to post a reward for info
Maybe we should try to pull a sting? Make up some kind of lead like "oh I used my weird Dyson Sphere artifact to track down a potential perpetrator", tell the Count we're pursuing it, and see how he reacts and if it leads to any clandestine activity?

>>3196330
>Huh, maybe we could reach out to those guys that kidnapped Bekka?
That's a good idea if Vanderwal hasn't already done so.

>>3196340
> "oh I used my weird Dyson Sphere artifact to track down a potential perpetrator"
We could ask if they would be willing to lend us one of their more experienced caretakers. They seem pretty capable when it comes to investigations and an outsiders perspective of the whole situation might come in handy.

>>3196330
You want to talk to their rep in person or just send someone? I'm fine with either.

>>3196340
Classic. There is no reason not to do this, we should pursue everything we can. I'm up for it.

>>3196294
At least tell me that crazy move where we blew up the hangar while invisible and rode the explosion on a stolen bike wasn't censored.

>>3196346
I doubt that they would leave the sphere for this or be able to do much but aside from looking stupid for asking if they say no we have nothing to lose by asking

You tell the Count that you'll donate funds towards a reward for information. Given the size of donations you generally make available its very likely people will begin looking very hard.

"Maybe offer to throw in a battleship too." jokes one noble.

You give the impression that you're seriously considering it allowing Troy the opportunity to politely point out that might be excessive.

"I do have a few other ideas in mind that could help the investigation." you tell Caius. "I'll need to speak to a few others that are present tonight to help set them in motion."

"I wish you luck then Viscount."

You quickly text Vanderwal to get here ASAP if he isn't already. You haven't yet escaped from the ring of nobles nearby though. A few ask your opinion on the media. Those on Dreminth and Torun aren't exactly state controlled any more and the Count has been reluctant to make any serious moves against them to prevent another uproar.

"Information has always been hard to control. It's difficult to know if the media branches on planet now will respect the need for secrecy on some matters."

One asks if you think steps should be taken to rein in the media, or if the House should focus on building up competing media stations and brands that are more cooperative.