>>3739999
The festival in New Salem was a great success, getting scores of people arround the re-furbished railway station. Thanks to the contribution of the Cascadia Farm Co-Operative, everyone could drink and eat their fill. You can still feel the lavish meal you ate yesterday. But today it's time to work. As you approach the stairs leading to the offices on the garret of the former bus station building, an armed guard suddenly stops you.
- Hey there! Stop or I'll shoot!
He already has his pistol unholstered and aimed at you. Let's just hope he doesn't have twitchy fingers.
- This is a restricted area! Only for the Cascadia Railroads employees!
Well, you surely DO work here. How this man didn't manage to recognise you is beyond you, but there is a certain feeling of satisfaction he takes his work so serious. What spoils that satisfaction is the barrel of his gun pointed at you.
- I work here, you can check on the list. My name is...
>Anderson
>Collins
>Miller
>Nguyen
>Rodriguez
>Thomas
>(write in)

>>3740001
>Nguyen

>>3740001
>Rodriguez

>>3740001
>>Anderson

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>>3740148
>>3740311
>>3740433
I'm now just calmly awaiting for a 4th call-in, with a write-in name in it.

>>3740473
Robert for a name

I hope when I will check this in the morning, the name-picking will be done already. At least I could write next step in advance, so update is guaranteed, as long as you make up your minds

>>3740688
Or just roll a die

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>3740706
Huh... thanks, I guess?

- Collins.
- We'll see about it...
The guard seems to be experienced with this. Probably was part of some of the caravans. Or a bouncer. Either way, he survived long enough doing similar kind of job to have graying hair and first deep wrinkles on his face. He takes few steps backs to his booth, but keeps aiming at you.
- Now move slowly and do as I say. Sit down and cross your legs together. Slowly... - He waits for you do do just that. - Now put both of your hands flat under your ass and sit on them. Don't move, or I will - He puts really strong emphasis on the word "will" - shoot you.
As you are humiliated, sitting on the cracked pavement, the guard finally feels confident enough to check the list. The gun still stays pointed in your direction. He goes through the paper. Eventually he stops and takes a look at you.
- You don't look like a cleaner to me... Apologies, director. Please wear your name tag when entering the premise. It's required by regulations.
His tone of voice remains stern, but it's clear he recognised his own blunder. Maybe even recognised your face finally. But what to expect from an ex-military. Who else would bother with regulations this much? You make a mock salute to him, as you finally climb the stairs to the offices.
The space sure looks more cramped than it did yesteday, when the Council was here for historical opening. But yesterday the big table was still in the carpenter's workshop and the old, yellowing map of the Oregon state was still in the deposit of the library. The toy-like wooden model of a steam engine looks almost comical over the surface, but the most impressive is the huge, single piece of glass covering the entire map.
- Ah, Collins, you're finally here.
The other directors are present. The very first board meeting is to be held.
The Cascadia Railroads company was organised as joint-venture between Republic's government, other important institutions and companies and private investors. As for now, the Republic of Cascadia controls 50% of all shares and is the only shareholder allowed to maintain that much. From the other 50%, no other entity can held more than 10% and only a stake of at least 2% guarantees a seat in the board. You know this, because you represent...

>>3740740
>The Republic of Cascadia, as a government-appointed bureaucrat to supervise the operations of the vital company
>If you want to have direct government backing, this is your choice; as the republic gets stronger, the better support it will be able to provide

>The MIC, or Military-Industrial Complex, the semi-private company controlling all the heavy industry within the Valley
>If you plan to get or do military favours or be in good relationship with people making rails, this is your choice

>Cascadia Farm Co-Operative, which organises together all the farmers and food producers of the Republic, with really strong sway in political matters
>If you plan to have friends that have friends everywhere, this is your best choice; they can also secure some nifty deals in this breadbasket region

>The Confederation of native people of Oregon, who managed to both secure, maintain and expand their rights, both in and outside the reservations
>If you plan to have easy time doing business with various native communities and call back-up in time of crisis

>The various workers and engineers responsible for keeping the railroads and engines running
>If you want to have easier time with maintaining your infrastructure and getting better output of railroad's workshop

>Your own interest
>If you want to make a killing profit on your own and maybe also allow the Republic to benefit on it in the process

>Other (write in)

Definitely calling it a night now

>>3740746
>>The MIC, or Military-Industrial Complex, the semi-private company controlling all the heavy industry within the Valley
>>If you plan to get or do military favours or be in good relationship with people making rails, this is your choice

Seeing as most of those organizations are traditionally tied to certain ideologies I'd suppose this is going to be the faction we support? and the railways would be vital logistics in any war?

>>3740746
>Cascadia Farm Co-Operative, which organises together all the farmers and food producers of the Republic, with really strong sway in political matters

>>3740746
I'm under the impression of a post-post-apocalyptic setting in the style of Fallout's NCR, except more civilised elsewhere and with trains. Also, where can I find this map? Google largely draws a blank.
>Cascadia Farm Co-Operative, which organises together all the farmers and food producers of the Republic, with really strong sway in political matters
Connections, cash and critical industry. What more could you want?

>>3740746
>The MIC, or Military-Industrial Complex, the semi-private company controlling all the heavy industry within the Valley
>If you plan to get or do military favours or be in good relationship with people making rails, this is your choice

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>>3740884
Capitalists only invest on the rails because it's good money, so if it stops bringing a profit they'd drop it.
(You depend on profit/reputation)
The others do it because of political reasons ie{trains are the fastest way for information to travel} so they would replace us as director if we disagreed with their ideology unless we had an insane skill for administration and the whole network depended on us.
(You depend on personal politics/essentiality)
The military is the most stable choice because it only depends on your remaining impartial to internal cliques and loyalty to the regime.
(You depend on your reliability/loyalty)

So, two votes for MIC and two votes for the Farm Co-Op
Since this choice is crucial for most (if not the whole) of the game, I will wait for more players to chose.

>>3740788
>>3741297
They are more about your backer and group of interest you personally represent rather than ideology. In practical terms it means being on a better footing with a specific group and having additional interactions with them and options thanks to them. This also means all your options bar the final two are political in nature, rather than financial. And both MIC and Farm Co-Op are first and foremost companies making money, then political entities. They just happen to be the ones that can benefit the most from having the railroad company in the first place thanks to the nature of their products.
Also, remember this is a post-apo setting, so the stakes are slightly different than usually when managing a rail company.

>>3740884
>except more civilised elsewhere and with trains
More or less.
As for the map, does google really draws a blank for the Willamette Valley?
There will be a proper map for the game itself in just two updates, don't worry, but for now, the real world map of the region is more than enough.

>>3741605
Is the Cascadia Farm Co-Operative a purely private company or is it only semi-private like the MIC?

>>3741622
MIC controls business that's too important for the Republic (including an ammo factory and a gun factory) and that happens to be unique to be fully private. Government has a lot of say in their operations, while they can easily ask for government grant on things.
Meanwhile Farm Co-Op is a private initiative, organising various farmers, ranchers and people related with food processing, so the prices are favourable. They have a big say in politics, because on one hand, they organise big chunk of electorate and on the other, they are just a co-op, so the Republic can't exactly stop funding or things like that to put pressure.

Some harmless flavour, as it goes without your allegiance
=====

After you take a seat next to a plaque with your name, old man in a fatigued suit looks around the table, then on the clock. He stands up and takes voice
- Gentlemen... M'am. As we speak, the mechanics in the shed are making the final checks to the engine. In about hour, we will have people gathering on the station and in... - He takes a long look on a clock hung on the wall - two hours and thirteen minutes the first train in the last 82 years will leave Salem. This will be a historical moment. The tickets were already sold off a week in advance. But this won't last forever. The novelity factor will quickly fade out, just like it did with running water. Anyone still remember how big it was when James Ruth finished his pressure tower? Same will happen with our railway. We need more than tourists and people who want to see their far-away relatives. We need cargo freight and we need regular scheludes. But the line only goes from here - He leans over the table, pointing out Salem, the Old Salem on the ancient map. Then he keeps going south - through Lebanon, Halsey and ends in Eugene. That's it. That's all we've got. And the stations in Lebanon and Halsey aren't even anything more than plans on different map, with construction not even started yet. We need to expand if this company has to survive... - And after a pause, he adds - if the Republic itself is to survive. You can't even imagine how much it took to make this construction finished. I managed to get notes about our current status...
He points on a grey, faded notebook. He opens it at marked pages and continues his talk.
- As of now, two engines are considered workable. Additional ones need testing, tuning and all the works. We don't even need more with existing rails. Speaking of rails... - He checks the numbers - We've got approximately 25 miles of rails still in storage. That won't take us far. And as we all know, the Republic is capable of providing us with only about 7-8 miles of tracks, mostly salvaged, by the start of each new fiscal year. That also won't send us any further. However, there is an exemption from this. The government agrees to provide us with plentiful, additional rails... - He takes a short pause - ... if we get quantitive production of steel going.
Some people in the room laugh. Other sneer and shake their heads. This couldn't be more ridiculous offer. There is but a one known steel mill in the entire Valley - in Corvallis, build by the egg-heads from the university decades ago, while owned and run by MIC. Far, far away from the current range of the railroad. And not counting scrap metal, there is no other source of iron imput. Not to mention how far away nearest coal pit is...

>>3740746
>>Cascadia Farm Co-Operative, which organises together all the farmers and food producers of the Republic, with really strong sway in political matters
>>If you plan to have friends that have friends everywhere, this is your best choice; they can also secure some nifty deals in this breadbasket region

>>3741635
Okay, then I'll vote for the Farm Co-Op.

Also, the first bit was kinda hard to understand. Are you saying that the MIC essentially owns the commanding heights of the economy (i.e. heavy industry and defense) and that's the sort of thing you don't see being controlled privately?

>>3741651
Yes.

>>3740837
>>3740884
>>3741645
>>3741651
So 4 votes for Farm Co-Op. Will update before heading to work, just give me a moment

Rolled 40, 77, 99 = 216 (3d100)

>>3741709
>Speed up construction of stations in Lebanon and Halsey instead, where agriculture and food industry operations exists, right next to the railway trunk

>Expand to Albany, where military base is located, along with set of local farms, processing plant for milk and a distillery famous for its liquor. This will get the railroad closer to Corvallis.

>Expand to Woodburn, where meat curing and packing plant is, along with cattle and sheep ranches and cottage industry producing woolen cloth. Right next to Salem [Roll 1d100 when picking this option]

>Expand to Cottage Grove, where lumber mill and small paper-making plant are located, along with a nearby coal pit and logging camp, but requiring separate depo [Roll 1d100 when picking this option]

>What about building a rural depo between Halsey and Eugene, where you know there are plentiful dairy ranches and farms, right next to the existing tracks [Granted by being a Farm Co-Op delegate; This option can be combined with other choice, roll 1d100 if adding it to your bid]

>>3741711
>>Expand to Albany, where military base is located, along with set of local farms, processing plant for milk and a distillery famous for its liquor. This will get the railroad closer to Corvallis.

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I'm going to be late for work because of my own retardation

>>3741639
- Is this some kind of joke? - A sweaty, bald man gets aggitated - Don't they understand our range limitations?
- I think they do - A woman that looks like a clerk or a typist joins - That's why we are offered a bonus for getting it all done. And once it's done, we will get enough rails to go even as far as Canada.
- Yeah, well now we can barely reach Woodburn
You are among the two people that laughed. You've heard already about that deal. The other person laughing is Mr. Miller. Normally, with majority stake behind him, he would be the CEO. But he's just the Republic's supervisor here, keeping people in reins, rather than the mogul he could be in the distant past.
He gives you a nod when you look at each other. You stand up. It's time.
- Gentlemen. M'am. It is my pleasure as representative of the Cascadia Farm Co-Operative to inform you there is another way. A way that will both benefit everyone in this room, the Cascadia Railroads, the Republic and of course the common people.
You take a deep breath for the dramatic pause, but your cheap tricks don't seem to work here. This is not a meeting with local farmers trying to sell them a pitch, but with some of the most business-inclined minds of Cascadia. But at least no other director cuts you off.
- The Co-Operative managed to secure a special clause for the rail shipments. All we need to do is meet transportation quotas. Quotas for specific cargo, like grain, cattle, milk. Things like fresh fruits and wool. Fertilizer, if we manage to get any. And based on our performance in the support of farming communities of the Republic, along with supplying New Salem granary, the government agrees to provide us rail. This is the reality of this company: cargo freight. And this is what we can freight right now.
- Produce? - A man that looks barely old enough to sit in this room looks at you confused - You want us to carry produce for profit?
- If profits are concerned, then milk would be our top priority. The chief of the Gleaners Guild supposedely loves cheese. An extra incentive for him and his people to search and salvage more tracks for us... Anyway, I just want for everyone in this room to keep this in mind. We already have a target and products to haul, even if they don't look that interesting. That's all I've got right now

>>3741724
All the other directors are already checking their notes. Good. Even if they didn't bought your pitch, they've at least get activated by it to overthink their proposals. Of course you didn't spill the bins about the exact amount of rail guaranteed by the government to the company, but you are here to make the agriculture sector prosper, not damper things with small number of rails attributed for doing so.
- Ok, you've heard Collins on this matter. With the data in mind, I say we should focus on Halsey and Lebanon. They both have processing plants along with local farms in Halsey.
- Agreed. Those things are already within plans, they just don't have funding yet. We can take this as a risk, additional stops for passengers won't hurt either, especially now - The "secretary woman" really had to work in some sort of office, since as she speaks, she writes something down without even looking at the paper
- We've got to the Republic. To its defense - A man with MIC pin in his shirt speaks up - and to put ahead something that can be managed by just stopping the train, when Albany and military barracks there aren't even connected yet by the rail... No, we need Albany first. Especially since this will put us closer to Corvallis. The rail stock won't last that far, but it sure as hell should reach Albany.
- What about Woodburn? It's right next to Salem, we could both extend our reach there and finally get their mills running with excess produce and grain. Their mayor even offered a prize for the connection.
- It is so close, giving it a priority is pointless. Albany is my vote.
- Woodburn. The prize is one thing, but the goodwill is even more important here.
- Albany. Military base and "defense matters" aside, they've got a milk processing plant there. And since we are about to be the milkman now...
- Hasley and Lebanon here. We can concentrate on things we already have, rather than waiting months for new rails to be build
- Neither. Anything that either Albany or Woodburn can provide to us or use from other places in the valley is already covered. But do I need to remind you all how badly we need timber? Who cares if Eugene has logging operation, if we don't have industrial-grade lumber mill. And one is in Cottage Grove, right next to Eugene. Do I also need to remind you all about that coal pit next to Cottage Grove and logging camp close-by?
- I will stick to Albany, it sounds like the best of two worlds to me.
It doesn't take a Math degree to realise there are only two options taken seriously now: either starting railway trunk expansion toward Albany or speed-up station construction in Lebanon and Halsey. And it's your voice to make this happen. The other options aren't bad either, but it will take some extra convincing to get people behind them.
You thus decide support the expansion toward:
>>3741711

Keeping the original post with choices solely because I made a roll with it and I dislike the concept of re-rolling

>>3741726
>Speed up construction of stations in Lebanon and Halsey instead, where agriculture and food industry operations exists, right next to the railway trunk

>>3741726
How many miles is it to Albany, Cottage Grove and Corvallis, for reference?
>Speed up construction of stations in Lebanon and Halsey instead

>>3741861
>Albany
8 miles from existing tracks if connected from New Salem direction, and the most optimal connection will require a bridge. The sub-optimal connection will be also 8 miles long, but will skip construction of a bridge.
If connected from Eugene side (or rather - midpoint between Halsey and Lebanon) is made, it will be only 6 miles long and will not require any bridge
>Cottage Grove
17 miles away from the existing rails and will require a bridge, too. However, the depo that could serve the coal pit and logging camp is just 8 miles away and doesn't require a bridge
>Corvallis
11 miles away from Albany, BUT it will take two bridges to build. If just one bridge is set up, then it will baloon to 15 miles, with the railway taking constant turns, rather than going relatively straight.

While connecting Corvallis with existing stock of rails is possible, you won't have enough to get to the coal pit. Same if you connect Cottage Grove first - you won't have rails to go to Corvallis and even Albany will be tricky

>>3742302
And yes, you can theoretically connect coal pit with Corvallis, with literally every single piece of rail counting. But that only solves half of your problems with feed for the steel mill and the connection will not be exactly efficient, unless you plan to haul the steel to Eugene. Where it's not exactly needed or demanded and would have to be hauled then to New Salem.
Did I mention you currently only have two engines running and the length of rail is for single-line, rather than two-line railway?

>>3742302
>>3742318
Map will come with the update, as it will mark both existing trunkline and the planned construction(s)

>>3741711
>>Expand to Albany, where military base is located, along with set of local farms, processing plant for milk and a distillery famous for its liquor. This will get the railroad closer to Corvallis.

>Corvallis
11 miles away from Albany, BUT it will take two bridges to build. If just one bridge is set up, then it will baloon to 15 miles, with the railway taking constant turns, rather than going relatively straight.

This is a start at least

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Soooo
>2 votes for Albany
>2 votes for speedy construction in Lebanon and Halsey

And since it will be easier this way, a map. I decided against going for fancy stuff, since the ad-hoc nature of it, with crayons and all fits more within the mood.

>>3742482
Ok, let's give it half hour. If nobody sways the vote, then I will roll for it. Even will get it to Albany, odd construct in Lebanon and Halsey.
It's funny how your moves end up mimicking the stalemate from the plot

>>3741711
>>Expand to Albany, where military base is located, along with set of local farms, processing plant for milk and a distillery famous for its liquor. This will get the railroad closer to Corvallis.

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>>3742522
I suppose we're either dumb or the characters are smart

>>3742482
Albany

>>3742523
>32 seconds
Well, that was quick

>>3742525
>That map
Someone is clearly thinking waaaay out of the current league of the company or even the republic. Not to mention a large part of that stuff is underwater in-universe.
New Salem is a port, after all

>>3742530
How far did the water shift?

>>3742532
Check my map. The blue stuff is water.

>>3742550
I thought that was just the river looking disproportionately large like it can happen on some maps

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>>3742556
anyways how about this for a flag?

>>3742532
Since Salem is about 45m ASL, it appears sea levels are 40-45m higher in-U than current, wherever that water magically came from. That, or the US's western coast has sunk.

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>>3742579
>sea levels are 40-45m higher
So roughly like this

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>>3742579
>whatever that water magically came from
Pic related

>>3741713
>>3742399
>>3742523
>>3742529
>Expand to Albany, where military base is located, along with set of local farms, processing plant for milk and a distillery famous for its liquor. This will get the railroad closer to Corvallis.

You asses the board of directors longer than the actual choice in front of you. You already know the MIC man and you also know what Mr. Miller silently wants. Those will be the people you will have to work for a long time, as neither the Republic nor MIC will want to relenquish their control from Cascadia Railroads. Placating their representatives early can benefit everyone in the long run.
So even if it's against the short-term interest of the Farm Co-Op, you eventually make your vote.
- Albany. I want to sleep safely, knowing that at least the local garrison is supplied. I also like the taste of the Ridgerman's.
The last notion makes the atmosphere less tense. A dairy processor, a distillery and token sheep ranch along with meager grain farms aren't much on their own. Albany clearly has very little to offer without proper imputs, but the sooner the construction of rails starts, the sooner those imputs can arrive.
- So I guess it's settled? Rails to Albany?
One of the supporters of Halsey and Lebanon project speaks up. He looks defeated, almost resigned, but mostly - simply tired. He takes a pen from the can sitting on the side of the table, a compass, square and a ruler. When he's calibrating the compass, you take a good look at his hands. Hands of a working man, still with stains from grease and dirt. So this is the "head" machinist, the person the engineers appointed as their voice in the board.
As he starts measuring distance, you see indecisivness in his moves. He puts the compass aside
- I guess we still didn't decide which way we want to connect to Albany. It's all flatlands, so here goes my expertise. No difference from engineering point of view. If you want, we should have enough rails for connecting it from both sides.
He clearly resents those decisions. And it's no wonder, given how the reconstruction of the main trunk between Eugene and New Salem took almost four years to finish and now decisions of expanding the line are made as if it was a matter of seconds to just lay down tracks.
- Do we really need to vote things like this? - The youngest man asks impatiently. He clearly came here for making big money fast and apparently didn't really though out how railroad company can said money

Rolled 43, 17, 8 = 68 (3d100)

>>3742640
- Yes, we do - The "secretary" sneers - With such limited amount of tracks, every single piece matters. That's why I would go for easiest, most efficient access from Salem. We can add tracks from other side when we have surplus. Even if that means building a bridge.
Her finger points out at the Santiam River, which already took two bridges to cross on the way to Lebanon.
- Fine, then I'm backing Salem-to-Albany bridge...
- Same. Salem-to-Albany
- Albany-to-Halsey. No bridge. Laying tracks is nothing when compared with bridge making
- Albany-to-Halsey, for the exact same reason
- Salem-to-Albany, without a bridge.
- Salem-to-Albany, with a bridge
- Two way connections, no bridges. If we are going to get to Corvallis eventually, then we need access from both sides
- Albany-to-Halsey
- Salem-to-Albany, no bridge
They look for your vote. They aren't decided how to exactly connect New Salem to Albany, but the other options could be still argued for - who knows, people tend to change mind when given reason

>Salem-to-Albany, with a bridge. Will take longer to build, but will provide top efficiency once finished

>Salem-to-Albany, without a bridge. Will take weeks faster to finish, but won't be nearly as good as the bridged connection.

>Albany-to-Halsey, which will allow easiest transportation of farm products to the town and also allow faster connection with Eugene. Also, no bridge and least rails, but a detour to get to New Salem. [Roll 1d100 when picking this option]

>Salem-to-Albany-to-Halsey. The top most efficient connection, but obviously will consume almost entire stock of rails and take most time [Roll 1d100 when picking this option]

>>3742644
>Albany-to-Halsey, which will allow easiest transportation of farm products to the town and also allow faster connection with Eugene. Also, no bridge and least rails, but a detour to get to New Salem.

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>3742644
>>Albany-to-Halsey, which will allow easiest transportation of farm products to the town and also allow faster connection with Eugene. Also, no bridge and least rails, but a detour to get to New Salem. [Roll 1d100 when picking this option]

>>3742644
>Salem-to-Albany, with a bridge
We'l have to go around the estuary eventually, and a good connection from Salem to the western side will be essential later and a worthy early investment to avoid having to rebuild it all later.

Also important note:
Yes, this quest will pick up pace pretty soon

>>3742644
>Salem-to-Albany-to-Halsey

>>3742678
>>3742681
2 Albany-to-Halsey
1 Salem-to-Albany, with a bridge
1 Salem-to-Albany-to-Halsey

Please someone roll 1d100, as the current winner is Albany-to-Halsey, one way or another

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>3742788
I've been cursed with low rolls elsewhere, but here goes

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>3742788

>>3742810
well seeing as this one was first I'd say it's fair to take the 91 as the definitive answer

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>3742788
Better?

>>3742822
stahhhp rollan, you might distract QM from the good number

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>>3742678
>>3742681
>>3742759
>>3742810
The arguments start ringing in your head even before rest of the board finished their voting. This should be easy.
- We must conserve rail - You start, innocently and with concern that's very easy to sympathise with - Every. Single. Piece. Of. It. - You punctuate - Which means we can't afford outlandish projects like connecting Albany from both sides... and we also can't spend another year or two on building the connection there. We must be done as quickly as possible, when everyone is on the side of this company and everyone wants to get rails in their backyard. Which means we can't afford waiting for a bridge to be finished... but it would be wasteful to just lay tracks around the Santiam's bends. But we already have a rail... and we do have a bridge. Right here!
You lean over the table and point on the map beneth the glass panel the bridge over Calapooia River, right in the middle of road from Halsey to Lebanon. You move your finger to Albany and tap it few times.
- Connecting Albany toward Halsey will be the best thing to do right now. Least tracks used, no bridges needed and we can pour all the grain, milk and produce from the whole Valley using that link. Products which Albany desperately need and can use for its own industries. And obviously will need later to freight out of the town...
- To Halsey or Eugene... - Suddenly, Mr. Miller speaks up. You know where this is going. Everyone knows where this is going
- It's still the benefit of the Republic, Mr. Miller - You retort, but don't expect the old man to bend to your will. He's here to represent Republic and for him, that means New Salem specifically.
- It's a benefit to everyone - At least the bald man picks up your pitch - Mister, what did you said about those agriculture deals? With Halsey shipping to Albany, we could get the quota for additional rails. I change my vote for Albany-to-Halsey.
- To hell with the two-way connection. - A Latino hits his tights with open-flat palms - If nobody sees the benefit of it, then I switch, too. Albany-to-Halsey sounds still better than any other option, as it provides us with actual markets, rather than political goals.
You smile faintly. You weren't exactly expecting this to be bought by anyone, but it worked better than expected.
- Albany-to-Halsey it is, then...
The engineer picks back his drawing tools and with few swift moves adds new, proposed connection.
- Approximately 6 miles of rails and not even the tiniest bridge needed. Should take... - He takes a deep breath, then mumbles for a while - Four weeks, assuming there won't be a problem with quality sleepers nor private land ownership. - He puts the drawing tools away - And I think this will be it for today. The first train will be departing soon, we all should be there, present.
Nobody protests. There isn't much to talk today anyway about the business, especially as the very first train didn't depart yet.

>>3742891
As you all leave the office room, you can already see the crowd gathering around the station. The fence and gates with guards prevent them from simply pouring in, but the interest greatly exceeds the expectations. There are few formal things still to attend: official visiation of the workshop, acceptance of the train and its engine, cutting the ribbon with mayor of New Salem... But there are also other things to do along the way and during the inauguration

>Try to talk with any of the other board members in private or maybe even offer a private meeting when things are done [Up to two, write-in]

>Get to know the mechanics from the workshop. Without those people, the company won't last a minute

>Focus on the mayor. He is one of the top people in the city and a lot depends on him

>Try to find the delegation from the Cascadia Farm Co-Operative and inform them about the first board meeting

>Look out for other important people in the crowd - this event will surely get here everyone important

>Just enjoy the show and go with the flow.

>Check on the guard giving you shit in the morning

>Other [Write-in]

>>3742893
I see we can speak to up to two board members, but how many of the other options can we take?

>>3742893
get to know the mechanics from the workshop.

>>3742945
One. It's pretty much your "focus of the day" or at least the large chunk of the day
Of course unless you have some really creative write-in to combine things around, but the more you will try to pull, the least efficient it's going to be, until it will be just blurr

>>3742893
>Get to know the mechanics from the workshop.
This is the equivalent of currying favour with the office IT guy, since you always want to be on the good side of the people who really run the company.

The construction rate of the Albany branch is about half a km a day, I assume this will be standard from here on. We can update the CFCO by telegram or passenger pigeon or whatever else passes for email in this place later. Also, we have the board of directors, but is there a nominal head of the railway company?

>>3742974
>I assume this will be standard from here on
It can change. But for now, it is a standard for flatland construction. As you can see on the map, the Valley is surrounded by hills and on the east even mountains. Things will get plenty more complicated if trying to build there
>but is there a nominal head of the railway company?
Mr. Miller is quite literally a figurehead for this.

>>3742893
>>Get to know the mechanics from the workshop. Without those people, the company won't last a minute
The more they like us, the sooner we will have more than 2 engines working. Maybe.

>>3742893
Get to know the mechanics. If anyone is going to know about potential pitfalls and things to be on the lookout for when building, it's these guys.

>>3742946
>>3742974
>>3743002
>>3743069
When your group start to head toward the depo, lead by the only engineer in the board, you lose up your collar a bit and finally pin the plaque with your name. When you are given the tour through the workshop, you stay silent, looking mostly at the people working there. You don't know that much about machines anyway to remember all the ins and outs of this place.
But the mechanics are your main focus. You look for their habits. You look for their workplace. You look for their attitude toward that workplace. And work. And people like you and the rest of the board.
The train inspection goes uneventful. The cars show signs of being hand-made, with not exactly uniform interiors. The engine is supposed to haul six carts upon first journey: two first class and four second class. The locomotive itself is constantly hissing and throwing up excess steam in patterns that makes you nervous, but it passed all tests and should reach Eugene without any problems.
You spend the rest of the official part of the grand opening without paying much attention to anything in particular. The mayor's speech is boring. The Council of the Republic was present yesterday, so no need to show up today. You clap your hands when the mayor cuts the ribbon and then quickly find an excuse to leave the crowd. There is business to be made elsewhere.
Using your employee pass, you get few packs of smokes and two crates of bottled beer from the store at the station. The attendant is confused, clearly recognising your face, but serves you anyway. He even allows you to take the dolly to make the delivery smoother.
When you arrive to the depo, the mechanics are busy rivetting some pipe. As you enter, some of them stop their work and look at you.

>>3743080
- Are you lost? - Eventually one of them asks
- No, quite the contrary. It's the right place to be. I don't think anyone really told you how grateful everyone is... - No, this is going wrong. You already hear a groan from the background. You pause - Nah, screw it. The mayor almost bored me to death with his preaching, let's save you that crap. The beer is waiting outside. Unless this is something super-important, I suggest you all take a five and have a cold one until it's cold.
- This - The man points at the pipe they've been working on - will be a superheater. Very fucking important... but not as much as beer.
He whistles and everyone starts putting down their tools. The five turns into over an hour, but it's time well spend. For one, you've managed to get the list of complains about both working conditions and shortages the mechanics have to deal with. That second list is way too long for anyone to be comfortable about the state of the workshops. More, with your background in farming, those people at least have some respect to fellow manual worker. You met all the foremen and carefully memorise their names: Ellis Young, Ian Martin and Julio Sanchez. They also inform you their man in the board is named Tom Wilson and would rather stick to rail-laying than company-managing.
Eventually they slowly start getting back to work on their own, but as you are about to leave, Ian stops you.
- Listen, make sure those idiots get a depo build in Eugene. And preferably in any station that isn't Bumfuck, Nowhere. Maintaining those things - he nods toward half-finished loco - is hell lot easier than making one from a scratch. We don't even know how long one can run yet or if the gauges are properly calibrated. Get shop set at least in Eugene. We should be doing a full check after each cruise, not when they finally return to Salem. Understood?
He shakes your hand for the final time, as you bid farewell.

===
>Gained:
List of issues from New Salem's railroad workshop
>Acquaintance with:
Railway engineers (+)
===

The day is still young. You can still try other things. Obviously, the mayor already left and probably so did most if not everyone else from the board. The crowd is also non-existing now.
>Try to locate any of the other board members and try talking in private [Write-in who]
>Visit the station itself to see how things went after the first train departure
>Get the message to the Cascadia Farm Co-Operative and inform them about the first board meeting and everything that followed
>Check on the guard giving you shit in the morning
>Other [Write-in]

Night, everyone

>>3743085
>Get the message to the Cascadia Farm Co-Operative and inform them about the first board meeting and everything that followed

>>3743085
>Visit the station itself to see how things went after the first train departure
Stay on top of operations
>Get the message to the Cascadia Farm Co-Operative and inform them about the first board meeting and everything that followed
In the evening. I doubt it will take long to write up a message and send it to the telegraphist.

>>3743139
This

>>3743150
+1

They say internet has everything, but it clearly doesn't have building plans for the Salem railway station. Oh well...

>>3743139
>>3743150
>>3743286
>>3744083
You take a stroll to the station first. After all, you have the dolly to give back. The store itself is half-empty now, with some of the shelves sweeped clean. The tiny dinner set up next to the hallway provides clattering of plates during wash and you can see one of the workers sweeping floor clear. You don't even need to ask in the ticket office, since they've sold all spots long time ago.
For now, this is all information you really need; the visual confirmation of high traffic. You nod your head to the cleaner as you leave the building.
Then you walk your way to the New Salem's branch office of the Cascadia Farm Co-Operative. It's after attendance hours, but you aren't a farmer looking for help. As you enter the building, the receptionist burst out of her room to the small hallway, but recognising your face, she stops her moves.
- He's still in his office.
You get to the doors at the end of the corridor and knock playfully a short tune on the doors before entering.
- Oh look who's here!
A bear of a man hugs you tight after you cross the threshold. Joval smile, deep tan and rough hands giving a firm handshake surely give the right impression to everyone entering this office. Jim Baker isn't your speculating trader or tight-assed paper pusher. He's your man, always pleased to help you out with your farm.
- So, The Director - He starts jokingly, as he finally release his hug and points your way to the table - Was it dreadfully boring or just regular, bureaucratic boredom?
- The regular one. As a matter of fact...
>Focus on the expansion toward Albany and especially the direction of it
>Play up your importance during the board meeting - you DID have a swaying vote after all
>Workshop meeting was probably the most important event of the day, giving real insider knowledge
>Talk about the members of the board, even if you only have the first impression to go with
>Make a short summary of everything, not getting into details too much
>Other [Write-in]

>>3744152
>>Workshop meeting was probably the most important event of the day, giving real insider knowledge

>>3744152
>Focus on the expansion toward Albany and especially the direction of it

>>3744152
>Focus on the expansion toward Albany and especially the direction of it

>>3744152
>>Workshop meeting was probably the most important event of the day, giving real insider knowledge

>>3744152
>>Workshop meeting was probably the most important event of the day, giving real insider knowledge

God its weird when you find something based on your hometown, if you need a reference on something about the place nowadays I might be able to help.

>>3744547
>your hometown
Which one is it?

>>3744162
>>3744247
>>3744253
>>3744340
>>3744547
>Focus on the expansion toward Albany and especially the direction of it
>Workshop meeting was probably the most important event of the day, giving real insider knowledge


- The regular one. As a matter of fact...
- ... I've got two news. Good one is that we'll have Albany connected by next month, tops. From Halsey.
Baker almost chokes on his drink due to this bomb. He rubs the alcohol out of his chin.
- Ok, so what's the bad one, if you are so eager to bring good news?
- The bad one is that the whole company is barely holding together. We've got shortages so big, I can't even imagine any sort of expansion when we run out of rails. Just check this... - You break out the list of grievances from the machinists and start reading aloud - Shortage of steel plates for engines, almost no spare parts of any kind, no ball-bearings, no precision tools, then a long list which tool and machine is misbehaving and why... - You skip over non-essentials, but the list is not getting much shorter - Then there is the whole issue about the quality of sleepers and the salvaged rail. Even if we technically do have tracks to lay down, they might as well be made out of wet paper. Shit's fucked and we didn't even started yet. Unless you can shit me out few tonnes of quality steel plates, we won't be even able to launch fourth engine. And from what I've learned, the two running ones are just piles of scrap holding together on good will and more rivets than actual steel - You fold down the list back into the pocket, but continue without it - One of the head honchos flat-out demanded a repair shop in Eugene regardless of everything else that's plaguing the depo right now. So either you have some brilliant fix, or we can even haul Halsey itself to Albany and it won't solve a thing.
Jim pours himself another. After a moment of hesitation, he doubles the amount of alcohol. Then he pushes a glass toward your direction. He's silent for uncomfortably long time, but eventually smacks his lips together and starts
- Remember the wool deal? You know, the whole "deliveries for rails" bullshit under the Agriculture Support Clause? Well, it's a bogus.

>>3744633
- Fuck... Don't tell me the Council backed out?
- Worse. The deal holds, that's not the problem. I've did some math about the amount of shipments we need and started looking for any place that would need even third of that. Any local business will be choked with just a single railcar of wool, if the dimension sticks. And we need to deliver - He checks a notebook on his desk - 25 to qualify for a single mile of rails. Ever been in Medford?
- No, why?
- Because that's the closest place where they can accept that much. I've checked on old maps. That's 170 miles south from Eugene
- Jesus...
- It gets better. The alternative is the mill in Wickiup...
- But that's the other side of the Cascades!
- You tell me. Unless someone gets a bright idea to set up a shop anywhere within the Valley, you can forget about sheep ranchers. Now drink up.
You take a large gulp from the glass. As a non-perishable, wool was given a second-tier status in the Agriculture Support Clause. Each 25 car-fulls for a mile of rails. This was supposed to be THE main source of rail, given how everyone and their dog is keeping sheeps on the hillsides those days.
- What else? Milk? Grain? Cattle? Produce... what else was there?
- Fertilizer. Everything else is fine. In fact, with Halsey having connection to Albany, we should get some nice deliveries. Of course when the season comes.
- And when the rail is set up. So far it's just a line on a map. Look...

>Try to use Co-Op's connections for the benefit of the Cascadia Railroads - they must know someone somewhere that can provide badly needed essentials
>Start to plan ahead alternatives for wool deliveries - rails unfortunately don't grow on trees, but other things do
>Call it a day, since you must think this over on your own first - so far the railroad is but a single line
>Ask about that bald man and Latino in the board - good to know who supported your plan for the connection
>Other [Write-in]

>>3744635
>plan alternatives for wool deliveries its clearly bullshit we need rail somehow.

>>3744547
Same. Another Salemite, I presume?

>>3744670
Would be really glad for even most basic plan of the insides of the railway station. It's a fancy building, I've already did some approximated measurements and saw photos of the inside, but something resembling a building plan would be really nice

>>3744681
The Salem railway station? I can sketch it up from memory at least, though I'm living out of town right now.

>>3744635
>>Start to plan ahead alternatives for wool deliveries - rails unfortunately don't grow on trees, but other things do

>>3744635
>>Try to use Co-Op's connections for the benefit of the Cascadia Railroads - they must know someone somewhere that can provide badly needed essentials

>>3739999

nice quads, also, here is a thing that you may have a use for. http://emlia.org/pmwiki/pub/web/IronLegion.IronLegion.html

>>3744784
... nope?
I'm perfectly fine with a setting I have, along with plans I've got and game I've got set.

File: salem station.jpg (80 KB, 1000x750)

80 KB JPG

>>3744705
This is the best I can do, with some references. Unfortunately, I don't believe the far wings of the building are open to the public. Additionally, although the central chamber has a high ceiling, it's possible that there's are second floor areas flanking that chamber (over the restrooms), since I think the ceilings there are lower. If there are second-floor areas, they're not public either.

Recently there were also renovations to the bus depot building directly adjacent to the station. I've only been in there once and don't recall much of it, but anyone operating out of the station would definitely put it to use, assuming it survived.

Willamette University's campus is right across the street from the station, and Tokyo International University's campus is across the tracks from it in the other direction. Both could also be useful if you wanted to incorporate them.

>>3744808
Many, many thanks. And nice knowing I guessed right about the arrangement

So many people in and active, yet so little votes

>>3744635
By my measurements, assuming "Wickiup" refers to that place near La Pine; while the presence of the line through Oakridge proves it can be done, it's 160km through arduous terrain and totally out of the question for a very long time (if it's even possible at all with that RT2 map).

>Start to plan ahead alternatives for wool deliveries
99% sure QM wouldn't stiff us like this, there has to be something else we can get a good supply of rails with

>>3744855
It's the distance that is the biggest issue right now. Terrain from Oakridge (which would have to be connected first) isn't THAT bad, both IRL and in-universe.
And thanks for the 3rd vote on any of the options, now at least I'm not anxious I'd be following a vocal minority

>>3744866
If I count correctly, I'm the fourth vote this round

>>3744635
>Ask about that bald man and Latino in the board - good to know who supported your plan for the connection

>>3744640
>>3744710
>>3744777
>>3744855
>Start to plan ahead alternatives for wool deliveries - rails unfortunately don't grow on trees, but other things do

- Look... don't you know anyone that could provi...
Baker already shakes his head in a negative.
- The best I can do is send you to Gleaners Guild, but you know how they charge for rare stuff. And that would still be salvage, which I doubt is what your engineers need. Any chances you get to Corvallis?
Now it's your turn of shaking head
- Too far. And even if, we would be on mercy of both the Gleaners and MIC, which is the very last thing I want to happen. Or what the company needs. We've got... Do you have any map?
After a bit of rummaging through his desk, Jim provides a simplified, almost entirely faded map of the Willamette Valley, from Before. You use fingers to approximate distance from current trunk and Albany.
- So we've got, given or taken half a mile, about 19 miles of rail tracks left for other stuff. But with given manpower, don't expect anything else done before the current line is finished. And I doubt the guys in depo even know already they will be laying down new tracks... you're listening?
- Sure... - It's a good think Jim reacts so fast, since he's too busy taking notes and checking his older chicken scratches to look like someone really paying attention - Go on.
- So the speed-up in Halsey and Lebanon was over-ruled. That means all the manpower we can spare will be laying down tracks. About... a week? Maybe two for getting everything ready in both towns to even have a proper station there. No hurry with that, since it's barely planting season anyway. Next is the issue of...
You spend good few hours checking maps, data and confirming them with Baker's notes and the bills passed by Republic's Council. Along the way, the receptionist bids you farewell, the sun sets and the bottle of brandy gets empty.
- So with 50 gallons a week, times 72... - The beads of the abacus keep moving - Minus what they retain for local production...
You write the number down. This is something an accountant should be doing, not the board member. You keep looking at the paper.
- The target was what? 10 tankers?
- 12 - Baker points on an improvised board with quotas for various cargos required for rail stipend
- Then I think we can make it, as long as we get that second depo. Ok, let's review. Between Eugene and Halsey there are three large dairy farms and plentiful farmland. If we get a station with proper facilities there, we can send all that milk to Halsey on regular basis... That's already giving us between five to six tankers a month, regardless of season.
- This way the Halsey's local dairy is out-competed - Baker taps his finger on pricelist and circled numbers - So they need to send their milk further, to Albany. That's at best two tankers a month, but it's still milk we move from point A to B, so qualified for the grant.

>>3744948
- Along the way we take the grain from local farmers and all the fruits from Halsey's orchards, but that's only within season. This still means yearly a load of about... - You look at the "board". Grain is the least valuabe of all things on it, at 36 railcar loads for mile of rails - 120 cars, given or taken ten. Let's make it 108 for easier accounting. Cattle from the ranchers in Halsey can go to Lebanon, at the steady rate of 4-5 cars a month, so we can have...
- Something around 55 cars full of cattle by the end of the year. At 36 cars for mile, that's not much, but still puts as ahead. And let's hope they do deal in half-miles, or we're screwed with this.
- They have to deal with half-miles. Those quotas are impossible to reach full. - You have no idea how the bill is really supposed to work. But you truly want to believe it will give you all the rails you will can squeeze out of it - So in total, we should be able to get...
- 90-100 tankers of milk, giving us 4 miles... 110 cars full of grain for 3 miles... And with cattle...
- About 1.5 mile of rails. - You take a pause, then realise something - Produce! With... How many?
- About 25 cars?
- Then it's another mile. We've got... - You collect it all into a single column - 9.5 miles of rails from the Agriculture Support Clause. That's more than double the rate we are getting for just sitting on existing infrastructure and running passengers to Eugene.
- And all of this for the benefit of hard-working farmers and land owners, along with providing quality food and pro-teins to the citizens of the Republic!
Baker finishes, trying to squeeze the glass bottle of the last few drops of brandy.
- Of course this assumes the rest of the board buys it. And we get funding for the depo in the middle of farmland. And set up refridgerators for all that milk... Still, thanks, Jim. Much appriciated.
- My pleasure. This is what co-operation is all about. Bottom line - everyone makes money on it. Need anything more, Mr. Milkman?

>No, thanks, that's more than enough, I need to finally get some rest
>Don't you have another bottle in that cupboard?
>Try to dig me something on the board members
>Other [Write-in]

>>3744953
>No, thanks, that's more than enough, I need to finally get some rest

>>3744975
>>No, thanks, that's more than enough, I need to finally get some rest

>>3744975
>Try to dig me something on the board members
We need to figure out their agendas so we can best sell this plan to them. But that can wait until tomorrow, since it's late.

>>3744975
>Try to dig me something on the board members

>>3745027
(tomorrow in-universe and not IRL, for clarity)

>>3744633
>>3744670
>>3744975
>Try to dig me something on the board members
Eugene actually, so the other side.

Sorry for lack of update and delays, low level drama was going in the background. Next post will be around 6 PM CET

>>3744975
>>Try to dig me something on the board members

>>3744975
>>Try to dig me something on the board members
Nice to have a quest with a non-standard plot, fellow white European.

>>3745027
>>3745043
>>3745148
>>3746899
>>3746951
>Try to dig me something on the board members

- Yup. A small, personal favour, Jim.
He apparently wasn't serious with his offer, as your notion makes him suddenly uncomfortable
- Oh... How personal?
- I want you to get me anything on the rest of the board
- You want to dig dirt on them already?!
- I want to know with whom am I going to work. Names and stuff, but most importantly, who they represent, if they represent someone. I've already got a MIC man, Miller and - You focus for a while, then snap your fingers when it clicks in your memory - Tom Wilson from the machinist workshop. Rest of the board - I've got nothing. And you know how shy I am with stranger - You wink, but Baker is still uneasy about this - Look, I don't need any dirt of them. If you find something, then I will take it, but I just need to know who they are. Deal?
- Deal
You exchange another firm handshake.
- Let's call it a night, before we both end up sleeping in my office.
- Oh come on Jim, don't tell me you are afraid of harmless gossip.
- It's not harmless and it's definitely not funny when you are dealing with farmers on daily basis. Now scoot, before I change my mind and chain you to the desk.
You make a motion of a striking whip, while mocking the sound of it, as you leave the office. Then you start heading home. It's been a fruitful evening and you need to rest.

===
>Gained:
Preliminary calculations on cargo-freight-to-rail-stipend
>Acquaintance with:
Jim Baker (+++++++++)
===

As always, you wake up way too early. You no longer have cows to personally milk, but old habits die hard. After you are done with all your needs and morning rituals, it's still too early to go for today's first, official meeting of the board. You decide to spend the spare time on
>Prep time before the meeting - having a pitch is one thing, making a speech is another
>Visiting Gleaners Guild - getting things for the workshop, even from salvage, can smooth things up
>Checking in the rail workshop - surely there will be heartly comments from the mechanics about the yesterday's maiden voyage and return
>Paying visit to Accounting of Cascadia Railroads - you need someone professional to check and fix your calculations and maybe learn something about daily revenue
>Other [Write-in]

>>3747386
>Prep time before the meeting - having a pitch is one thing, making a speech is another
The others can be done later. With all the competing agendas this might be a tough sell, so we'll need all the advantages we can get.

>>3747420
+1

>>3747386
>>Prep time before the meeting - having a pitch is one thing, making a speech is another

>>3747386
>>Prep time before the meeting - having a pitch is one thing, making a speech is another

>>3747420
>>3747463
>>3747483
>>3747486
>Prep time before the meeting - having a pitch is one thing, making a speech is another

You don't know your co-directors yet. Aside having a hunch about some of them, you also don't exactly know what kind of arguments will work with each respective member of the board.
That's why you spend rest of the morning preparing different variants of your grand idea of making money and rail tracks. While you don't have time to prepare a proper script, you still get a workable lines and direction.
As you eventually head for the board meeting, you pass the people gathered around the station. This kind of crowd only shows up during fairs and large events, but this time it's just a scheluded train to Eugene. Hopefully, this will last as long as possible. Passenger traffic, along with simple interest in the concept of fast, long-distance travel was the original goal for the whole endevour - to "bridge the nation", as some more pompous politician tried to sound smart.
On your way up-stairs, you meet the young man from the board. He's smoking, clearly nervous.
- Hello
You start, but it only seems to startle him more. He quickly puts down his cigarette and overtakes you on the way to the board room, without exchanging a single word or even reacting to your greetings.
- Rude...
You mutter under your nose, but don't really care. You don't expect him to still be in the board by the end of the month, when he will most likely liquidate his assets. As you enter the room, the smell of herbal tea is already in the air. A large pot and handful of cups is sitting on a side table. Nice. You nod to nobody in particular, as you take your seat.
Soon after everyone is in place. Mr. Miller stands and picks a small piece of paper from the table.

>>3747692

- Welcome to the first official meeting of the board of this company. Today's order of affairs include confirmation of yesterday's decision about building new rail connection, summary of the opening day and a general discussion about the company. Let's start with confirmation. Voting number one is about proposed connection to Albany and construction of a railway station there, as presented on the maps given to everyone.
You check on a simplified plan laying in front of you. Everything is as agreed yesterday. The blue marker, put by Mr. WIlson on the glass panel covering the desktop is already cleaned off.
- Members of the board voting for the project now rise their hand... - The old man doesn't even have to count the unanimous vote - No votes against. Motion number one passed. Now, the matters of opening day...
You didn't really expect this to be so boring. Most of the board also zones out as the careful ticket sales are presented and all the profits and expenses listed, including even the supply of grease to the engine. You can only hope this is a matter of early days of the company and Accounting will take this over, giving only summary to the board. The only person still paying attention is the "secretary", taking constant notes with lighting speed.
Eventually, a break is ordered after Mr. Miller finishes the whole report.
- Single day of operation and he acts as if we were doing a yearly summary - You overhear the Latino man as he stands from his seat

>Talk with him about the meeting and his expectations
>Try to communicate with someone else [Write-in who]
>Ignore other members of the board for now and review your own notes
>Get outside to catch fresh air
>Other [write-in]

>>3747695
>>Talk with him about the meeting and his expectations
Latino guy seemed like one of the more level-headed people in yesterday's discussion

By process of elimination and some educated guesswork, I've tried to match up some names with who they are to keep track of them
Republic: Miller (Neutral)
MIC: ? (has an agenda)
CFCO: Collins (Us!)
Confederation: Latino Guy?? (potential board ally)
Engineering: T. Wilson (concerned with ops, not admin)
Self: ? (about them $$$, inexpert)
?: Bald Guy, seemingly not MIC (?)
[?: Secretary (?)]

>>3747695
>Talk with him about the meeting and his expectations
If my intuition and assumptions are correct, we could have some goals in common with this guy, and should work on getting him over to our side where possible.

>>3747818
They will be all eventually properly introduced, no sweat. Their lack of listed names and general undescriptiveness are intentional
And yes, the "MIC Man" and the "bald guy" are most definitely two different people. Sorry if that was too vague so far.

>>3747695
>Talk with him about the meeting and his expectations

>>3747806
>>3747818
>>3747843
>Talk with him about the meeting and his expectations

- Give him a break - You say with a friendly smile - He used to be the Chairman of the Committee for Grain and Grain By-products.
- The Republic has a committee for something like that?
- Used to. Proven to be completely useless - You chuckle as the man laughs. Then you lower your voice, since other board members pass both of you - You can't even imagine how much crap he used to give us at CFC. A man born in the wrong century with that penchant for paperwork.
- Had a supplier like that. Always asking for requisitions and signatures for every single container. And God forbid when things were unsorted or unpacked.
- Working in the shipping previously?
As you continue talking, you already left the board room and are on your way down the stairs. The Latino shakes his head on your question.
- Not exactly - He extends his hand - Rodriguez. Diego Rodriguez. Used to work for the Blue Hounds.
- C-Collins...
He takes you completely by surprise. He sure doesn't look like a mercenary type. Apparently anticipating such reaction, Diego smiles.
- For the most part, I've been doing logistics for them. This is the line of work when you eventually start to value the time spend behind the desk, far away from situations that can kill you. Retired two years ago, right before Coguar Dam happend... You smoke?
You shake your head, when he extends a pack of smokes toward your direction
- You mind?
- Not at all...
- Trying to quit, but you know how it goes...
- Sooo... logistics?
- Yeah. Got some experience with shipping and transportation, saved a pretty penny during my time in Hounds. And guess what? The Republic is suddenly selling stocks for a railroad company. Normally I would assume it's a con, but with the Council officially signing all the papers... Bough in when shares were still dirty cheap. Half a year of speculations and splits later, turns out I'm in a board now with my package. You?
- Nothing impressive. One day I'm organising farmer's market in Molalla on behalf of CFC, the next I'm their representative to the railway committee, then made into a director. Never really expected getting this far.
- You tell me - He takes a deep drag - I wasn't even expecting I will live to my thirties.
- I guess the two of us are the least competent people to run this kind of business.
- Us? Tell that to the old fart. I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to use his position as a springboard for elections. Or getting cushy jobs for his political friends. And let's not forget that kid that probably doesn't even shave yet.
- Yeah, the business hot-shot. I bet a fiver he will sell his shares if they maintain their current price.
- That shouldn't be a problem, if nothing really bad happens. But we sure damn need good connections and securing more tracks. The whole southern part of Oregon is a mess and you could make a killing with good transportation there.

You hesitate for a moment. Then you decide to
>Spill the beans about your plan for getting rails via government stipend
>Give only the gist of the plan, since you will present it to entire board once the break is over
>Share your knowledge about the state of workshop and the demand for tools and materials
>Change the subject toward other board members
>Other [Write-in]

>>3748175
>Give only the gist of the plan, since you will present it to entire board once the break is over
Since this guy appears to be a private owner, he has a vested interest in seeing our failway grow and would likely be receptive to a plan to that extent. He also seems to know his stuff, so he would probably be able to give some feedback on the plan overview. But we should save the minutiae for when we actually present it.

>>3748167
>Share your knowledge about the state of workshop and the demand for tools and material

>>3748175
>Share your knowledge about the state of workshop and the demand for tools and materials

Not exactly comfortable with going after just 2 votes, but I'll be leaving soon for a cycling trip, soo...

>>3748416
>>3748448
>Share your knowledge about the state of workshop and the demand for tools and materials

- I don't want to put a damper on things, but south's not gonna work.
Now you see that Blue Hound past, as Diego has that glint of alertness in his eyes, but maintains the appearance of being calm and collected. You give him a faint smile
- I've talked with the guys from our workshop shed yesterday. The existing engines will barely climb hills. And that assumes they don't drag more than two cars. And the weather is good. So as for now, Cottage Grove is our final destination. I mean we can lay down tracks further south, but unless...
- ... unless we get a new loco, we aren't driving.
- Exactly.
- Shit... I was hoping we could reach at least Drain, maybe even Yoncalla with the engines they've build. I've checked maps myself, but if the engineers say it's a no-go, then who am I to question them? So how they plan to work this out?
- They... don't. They don't even have a single complete set of tools in a single box in that depo, not to mention parts and materials. At best, we've got four engines to work with and that assumes they will get boiler plates somehow.
Rodriguez takes a deep drag. Then another and puts out the remains of the ciggarette with his foot.
- So for now, only Valley? Bad. Very bad. I was planning to propose pushing for Cottage Grove as soon as we've got Albany connected, but now that's pointless if it would be the terminus... Time's up
He nods toward the clock on the station's building. As you climb back the stairs, you take a look on other board members. The MIC man is walking with someone who didn't take much part of previous meeting. All the people you've memorised so far are on their own. And two other directros are talking with each other.
When everyone takes the seat, Mr. Wilson stands up, as he still glances on a clipboard in his hands. The makes a dry smile and starts talking
- Third engine should be ready today - Most of the board is clapping their hands, but neither are you or the Latino. You already know where this is going - As for the fourth, I'm affraid we will have to wait longer - The engineer gives the bad information with surprising tact - A messenger was already send to Gleaners Guild, asking for all needed parts and elements. This will obviously delay the construction and drive up the expenses. The loading of rails and sleepers already begun. A surveying team will take tomorrow's train and start taking measurements on-site for new line to Albany. That's about it.

>>3749402
As he sits down, you take a look at his clipboard. While you can't make it from this far, you wonder what all those tables and numbers are for, because they definitely don't represent things you all have been just told.
Other members of the board are now either checking their notes or making new ones.

>Take voice yourself, giving solution to shortage of railway tracks with agriculture freight
>Make a nod to Diego, so he can talk befor you, if he has something left for presentation
>Let someone else take a voice - know thine enemies and friends first, then react
>Praise Wilson and his guys for all the effort they put into making things running
>Propose presence of summaries from Accounting from now on on each board meeting to save time
>Other [Write-in]

>>3749406
>Let someone else take a voice - know thine enemies and friends first, then react

>>3749440
Seconding.
>Propose presence of summaries from Accounting
this might not go over well with miller, probably wouldn't suggest

>>3749406
>Praise Wilson and his guys for all the effort they put into making things running

>>3749440
Backing

>>3749406
>>Let someone else take a voice - know thine enemies and friends first, then react

>>3749440
>>3749508
>>3749589
>>3749659
>Let someone else take a voice - know thine enemies and friends first, then react

As everyone is busy with their notes, a man you can't even recall voicing up anything before stands up.
- For the past two hours we've heard Mr. Miller talking about profits and expenses from yesterday. We've heard how much what costs, who got paid what and how much profit to various subsidiaries it all generated. We heard about money.
- Hell yeah!
The young hot-shot joins with a cheer, but the cold stare rest of the room gives him makes him quickly realise this is not a speech about the benefits of greed. He digs himself back in a set of notes, trying to disappear.
The speaker picks where he left.
- And this is now why we - He doesn't specify who "we" is, but he clearly doesn't mean the board - entered this company. It was to provide service and profits to communities. Not in cash, but in access to food, rare goods and simple human interaction. Stop the isolation, the Council said. And we did. Everyone banded together on this great project, providing help, resources and manpower. Providing money on stock... but it turns out it was always about money. Because if that's all what a government representative cares, then I'm afraid to even ask rest of you what drives you into this endevour.
Miller is visibly uncomfortable in his seat.
- I didn't want to make it even sound like that...
- But you did, Mister Chairman. The Confederation helped with making this railway happen, but not for benefit of its administration, but to help the people. And not just our people...
- Look, man, this ain't a charity - the hot-shot tries to stand up, but ultimately remains in his seat - Nobody sane is going to ignore profits to be made. Deep down, not even you. Besides, what's the point, really? We don't have additional connections and we don't have rails to make them. If you want to get Grand Ronde connected, then find us tracks for that... Chief.
- Now that's enough! - Miller hits the desk - This is not a place for exchanges like that. And I think Mr. Jones is right. We do have obligations to people of the Republic and we must always keep that in mind.
- We also need to get rails and sleepers for them, Mr. Miller - The "secretary" adds - Badly. Otherwise, for profit or pro bono, we won't fulfill any obligations at all.
The landscape of the board starts talking a shape. It should be enough to make your presentation. Thankfully, you prepared yourself for this, but you also know you can't placate everyone with a fit-all speech. There are clearly three groups of interests here

>Make a fiery defense of the all noble reasons why to maintain and expand the rail
>Focus on profits and how money can solve most, if not all problems facing the company
>Remind everyone about the government stipend of rail and it can be more than doubled with proper shipments
>Let them argue and bicker some more, then try to calm down the moods
>Other [Write-in]

>>3749964
>>Remind everyone about the government stipend of rail and it can be more than doubled with proper shipments

>>3749964
>Let them argue and bicker some more, then try to calm down the moods
The more frustrating of an impasse they find themselves in, the more likely they will go along with any kind of plan to break it, even if it doesn't align fully with their agendas. After they've stewed some more:
>Remind everyone about the government stipend of rail and it can be more than doubled with proper shipments
We will have to pick a camp eventually, but we can't pigeonhole ourselves this early.

>>3749964
>Remind everyone about the government stipend of rail and it can be more than doubled with proper shipments

>>3749992
This seems the most prudent, supporting.

I guess I will just roll a die then, given the stalemate. Unless someone does come up with a swaying vote in next 20 minutes

>>3749964
>Remind everyone about the government stipend of rail and it can be more than doubled with proper shipments

Go to the post office, she said. It will be just few minutes, she said... God, I hate queques

>Remind everyone about the government stipend of rail and how it can be more than doubled with proper shipments

>Remind everyone about the government stipend of rail and how it can be more than doubled with proper shipments

Before things escalate any further, you unfold your own notes to have them all flat on the table. Then you clear your throat to get attention.
- The arguments and fights won't solve any of our problems, both current ones or the one the company can face in the future. But this can - You lift the page containing the final freight data you've created with Jim Baker - It's a summary of all possible goods we can transport within existing railroad, along with incoming Albany connection
- How's that different from just about any plan any of us probably came up on their own? - Another man you previously never heard talking much gives you an uninterested and unconvinced stare
- Because it's quite literally milking the Agriculture Support Clause of the Republic of Cascadia. Of course some elements are only approximated, but toward the worst possible outcomes and harvests. Please, can this be passed around?
You only managed to make three copies of the final summary, so two notes are passed around the table. Some of the directors don't even look at them, others instantly write down the numbers.
- Ok, from the very top of my head I can see one big problem with this - The MIC man points on the weaver he was given - We don't have a "Halsey South Depot" station.
- We don't have it *yet*. And if you please focus on the amount of top value cars it could fill, you will know why it's of utmost importance to start the construction even as of today.
The less interested members of the board are starting to clance over the sheet passed to them. Good.
- This is all very, very impressive - The "secretary" says with a smile - even if we take into account the costs of additional stations and refidgerated warehouse...
- A WHAT?! - The malcontent is now clearly furious - When exactly did this company became part of CFC?
The "secretary" shakes her head in disbelief
- How else do you plan to transport milk? Each day taking few cans of it? But back to my issue with it - it's mid-April. Which means...
Before she finishes, it hits you like a brick. In all your enthusiasm neither you nor Baker took into account the fact the whole plan won't start being operational before May.

>>3751974
- ... not a single shipment accounted on that list between first of January and early May. - You finish her off, before this issue puts a dent in interest among board members - I know about that. - You lie quickly - This summary presents regular operations for long-time projections. I would be glad if we managed to get half of what's listed in it this year. I implore you all to think about this as a goal for many, many years, rather than a stop-gap measure for now. This will allow us to expand the rail system and thus gain more markets and more cargo to freight, snowballing further. For now the numbers are just moderate projections within the rail system we've got.
You make a short pause, allowing everyone to familiarise themselves with your notes. At this point the only man in the room not doing so is the angered malcontent.
- So let me get this straight - The bald guy rubs his forehead with a tissue - we just carry around a bunch of farm products on a tight schelude, pocket all the money from freight fee and then also get an extra rail shipment as a reward for... doing good business?
- I think the term used in the bill of Clause calls it "pro-entreprenorship incentive" - You reply with a sly smile.
- I'm in. Unless someone has a better plan to get rails, I'm supporting this with both of my hands.
- The increased farm output and food shipments are one of the top reasons for Republic's decision to even make this railroad. Any opportunity to help with those should be taken.
- In, too
To your surprise, the MIC man joins your cause. But it doesn't take a genius to realise he probably just wants the rail for comfortable connection of Cottage Grove and Corvallis.
- Also in - The "secretary" adds - I'd like for Accounting to check the numbers just for sure, but this looks promising even with half the rates given.
- In - Jones joins - At least this looks like a good way to help a whole lot of people, rather than just sell them tickets for a ride.
At this point, even if the motion is presented for actual voting, it gained already enough supporters to be pushed.
- I suppose we need another break now, as this indeed requires a check from Accounting - Mr. Miller takes one of the lists and pins it to his clipboard - Let's say... in two hours? A lunch break to think this through and get correct data.
This would be a good time to have a private meeting with any of the board members. You decide to ask

>Diego Rodriguez, the former merc
>Tom Wilson, from engineering
>Mr. Miller, the governmental representative
>Mr. Jones, who apparently is here on the behalf of the Confederation of Native People
>The MIC man
>The bald guy
>The "secretary"
>Young hot-shot
>The pissed off man
>The other guy who seems just drifting with the rest of the board
>Any of the two people [Write-in who]
>Nobody - you go to the workshop to learn more about their request send to Gleaners Guild
>Just go to the station's restaurant and have a bite
>Do something else [Write-in]

>>3751982
Also, important note. The "passive" actions aren't just "wait out this turn doing nothing". They do carry on their own effects, just less obvious than the "active" moves.

>>3751978
>The "secretary"

>>3751982
>>The "secretary"

>>3751982
>The pissed off man

>>3751982
>Young hot-shot
With a promise of profits and a display of respect, we might be able to manipulate him into supporting our goals.

>>3751982
>>The "secretary"

>>3751982
For the record, is the "secretary" a board member, or just an employee? Also, when things are said, could you mention who is speaking?
>The "secretary"
We need to be around to modify our plan in case anything needs to be
>>3752038
I like your thinking, but we should do that later.

>>3752062
It's a nick-name, based on her looks and behaviour. Sorry if not clear enough.
And will note who's saying what in future updates to keep track. In the last update I've missed (accidently) mentioning that it's of course Mr. Miller talking about the increased farm output. Line above that is from the bald guy.

>>3751988
>>3752012
>>3752055
>>3752060
>The "secretary"

You've got your target, now it's time to move. However, since she's first at doors, you end up stuck on the stairs among less hasty board members.
- Good one - You are suddenly patted on your arm. The bald guy is giving you a friendly smile while pointing a finger at you - Really good one. I hope you've got more of those ideas...
Since it's hard not to notice your nervous strutting on the stairs, he reaches toward his pocket and pulls out a small notebook. He quickly writes something down, rips page out and pass you the note.
- If you will have time, visit my shop in the dock area. And keep them up!
He makes the final nod toward you, as you pass the corner of the building. There! Trying not to run, you catch-up with the fast walking female.
- I want to thank for the correction. I forget about the minor invoncinience of approaching May. You've saved the whole project. Can I...
- I'm not going for a lunch - She cuts you - So you can't buy it... How did you get the numbers for this?
She stops suddenly and waves a hand-note scribbed from your weaver. Either she's writing in some foreign script, or has truly horrible handwriting from all that fast-paced noting.
- This? I've just checked pricelists and how much was brought to farmer's market for past few years. The rest was obvious.
- So you are the CFC - She smiles drily, as if trying to insult you
- I'm on behalf of CFC. - You correct her. Why do people keep doing this? - That doesn't mean I've got a corporate schelude or orders to follow. I'm just doing what's best for farmers. And in this case, that's also what's best for Cascadia Railroads.
- A humble sevant of the people - She keeps mocking you

>Ask if this is supposed to be a test, because it's tiresome
>Get rilled by her behaviour and jabs, because it's tiresome
>Don't bother, just catch up with the bald guy instead
>Catch with other board member, they should be still around
>Other [Write-in]

>>3752803
Also
===
>Gained:
A hand-written note [Unread]
===

>>3752803
>Ask who does she represent

>>3752803
>Mock her back. Playfully.

>>3753296
gonna second this
we don't have to be a dick, but a little light-natured ribbing is cool

>>3753296
Supporting

Sorry for lack of "morning" update, ETA of post 50 minutes

Estimated. Gotta love that part

>>3753296
>>3754368
>>3754415
>Other [Mock her back. Playfully.]

- I think you are confusing me with Mr. Jones. I'm just doing my job.
- True. But you forgot your uniform. What kind of farmer doesn't walk around in overalls? - That's the stab you can use
- Oh, you sure do know a lot about uniforms. Like that old-school blouse and pencil skirt. If I wasn't told, I would assume you're just someone's assistant, hon. Wouldn't be surpised if our brilliant kid would ask you for a cup of tea.
- Are you trying to offend me in turn? - She chuckles, clearly amused by your not-so-brilliant attempt
- Am I? Dunno, better review notes of that - You push it a bit further this time - Oh, wait, I forgot. Those glyphs can't be read by any human being. For someone being paid for taking notes, you seem to write worse than a decapicated chicken.
- Oh, I bet farmer's best friend knows a lot about decapitated chickens... - She stops suddenly, throwing you off-balance, as you have to literally step around her out of the sudden - You're planning to do this back-and-forth all the way until The Grand? Could use some entertainment.
- Isn't Grand a bit out of reach, even with our salaries?
- With yours, probably. Don't you know being good with numbers pays better than taking care of cows? Which means you still pay for the lunch and I can see your sweating when paying the bill.
This woman does have a strange sense of humour. Assuming it's a sense of humour and not just her regular self. You hesitate. This is an expensive way of getting information, especially since you weren't exactly paid your director's salary yet.
- Ok, just one question. Why The Grand? There are places with better food out there.
- Because that's where I've got my suite
An outsider. Great.
- Deal

>Talk with her about freight plans during lunch
>Get as much information about her as possible during the lunch
>Keep hassling her during the lunch - she seems to be into this
>Work out what's her angle in this company, regardless of who she might represent
>Other [Write-in]

>>3755958
>>Talk with her about freight plans during lunch

>>3755958
>Work out what's her angle in this company, regardless of who she might represent

>>3755958
>>Work out what's her angle in this company, regardless of who she might represent

>>3755958
Work out what's her angle in this company, regardless of who she might represent

>>3756279
>>3756310
>>3756557
>Work out what's her angle in this company, regardless of who she might represent

The Grand sure survived a lot. And sure bragged even more about it as their main gimmick. Way to go to justify prices that made it impossible to stay-in for pretty much anyone. The last time you've been there, it's been 25th anniversary of the Cascadia Farm Co-Operative and it took the whole surplus budget of the co-op to make just a small celebration for most important members and contributors.
So when the woman walks in as if entering a coach inn, it sure gives an impression.
- Shouldn't you be here talking with Vice Junior?
You finally manage to speak as you cross the lobby. It's in a need for some paint and maybe a little do-over, but that velvet sure does look nice, from whenever they've scrambled it.
- Should I? I've got a busy schelude, no spare slots for baby-sitting.
The snow-white napkins, genuine porcelain and cutlery, all from single set, give the place surreal felling. Like watching photos of the old. Waiter even helps her with a chair, then leaves you with two beautifully caligraphed menus.
- Water for me... - You say without even checking the list, but try to play this cool
- Oh, don't be shy. You should at least try their trout.
You eye-ball the pricetag and almost choke. You eat for that much for two weeks and that's when you feel extravagant.
- So you've married into money or just your dear uncle, thrice removed, left you a small cattle empire in his will?
- Don't you know people no longer measure the wealth in the size of their cattle herd? - She slowly checks the list, eventually putting it aside - Or do they once more?
- Depends on the people. Depends on the region - you shrug.
- Right, let's hear the farming expert on this.
- Speaking of experts, I still don't know what's your field outside horrible writing and watching money burn.
- And since when you need to have a field to be a co-owner of a business? - She replies with a smirk - All it takes is money. Just ask the Kid.
- You seem oddly fixated on him... should I start thinking I'm too old to be even a conversation partner for you?
- Let's say I just dislike... certain type of ignorance? - She lifts her hand and out of nowhere the waiter is already next to your table, making you more unseasy than the prices - For me, a crayfish soup, roasted lamb chops with vegetables and for dessert... what's today's special?
- Cheesecake.
- Excellent! - She smiles and gives you a curious look - You really want to stick to water?
- On... Two glasses of water
You put your order. The waiter takes it without a hinch, but does give you a displeasing look, as if looking down on a vermin. As you are left alone at the table, you decide to keep pulling the thread.

>>3756857
- Good with numbers, professional, prim and proper... exactly what are you doing in New Salem?
- Making sure trains run on time. And that they make a lot of money.
- That would explain the fixation on Junior, then - You both chuckle on the remark - No, but seriously. If you were for profit in it, then you would instantly notice the whole plan isn't going to make much money, especially if we include coolers, refridging equipment and all that. For making money there are tickets and passengers.
- Then maybe I want to see people happy...
- I'm sorry, let me go for Mr. Jones then
You try to turn it into a joke and even try to stand out from your seat, but she's not laughing. She leans over the table with a very serious face.
- You know how many days it took me to get here? Six days. I've spend almost a week, using two different coaches to get to New Salem. And yesterday, yesterday I was the only member of the board that took the first train to Eugene. Bought my ticket a month in advance. And you know what? I've been there in three hours. And I came back the same day, also in three hours. Hours. This is the thing we were going for and this is the thing the very survival depends on

>Six days in what direction?
>Who is "we"?
>Survival?
>Don't interrupt at all, let her just talk when she finally stopped joking around
>Other [Write-in]

On the plus side, I might - I repeat, MIGHT - be able to make an update in about 3-3.5 hours, out of my regular schelude. But that assumes there would be at least 3 votes in by then on any of the options. Otherwise I will just wait-out until my morning and make update then.

>>3756863
>Don't interrupt at all, let her just talk when she finally stopped joking around

>>3756863
>Don't interrupt at all, let her just talk when she finally stopped joking around

>>3756863
>>Don't interrupt at all, let her just talk when she finally stopped joking around

>>3757086
>>3757253
>>3758169
>Don't interrupt at all, let her just talk when she finally stopped joking around

- And then of course the sad reality comes to play. Eugene is the sothern terminus. And I can't do anything about it, because there is not enough rail to push beyond Cottage Grove. And that's assuming anyone is interested. - She makes a dry smile - Nobody is. I've tried to work this out for the entire night, getting only a vague concept and assuming maybe a mile or two more per year, counting how many years it would take in such pace... Or maybe day-dreaming about operational steel mill in Corvallis and how much easier it would be with all the rails it could provide, all in the zone of fantasies. Until of course you casually put down a plan that just this year should still give around extra 7 miles of rail stipend. Suddenly Corvallis isn't a dream and with that, anything is possible. Maybe even getting to Roseburg before the access deal is settled.
You try to maintain your composure when that final bit hits you. So that's what's this about. That's why she wants all this rail, preferably for yesterday. But before she can continue, the waiter shows up with a plate of soup and two glasses of water. She starts eating, while you are busy estimating the distance. What could it be? Eighty miles? Ninety?
There is just no way you can squeeze that much of rail even within next five years, no matter what. At least you can't now come up with anything that could make it possible, without spending another fifty on expanding the current trunk to various directions.
- How long until the access deal is settled? - You ask eventually.
- Excuse me? - She looks at you, pretending to be confused.
You take a deep breath, then exhale. Slowly. This is out of your league. Way, way out of your league.
- Let's cut the bullshit - You continue when there is no more air in your lungs to keep this going - Is Roseburg's access to the Republic tied with reaching there with rails?
She stops the spoon half way to her mouth. Then puts it back into the plate.
- I'm not authorised to give such informations.
- But you are authorised to make sure the railroad extends there, as soon as only humanly possible, right?
- Correct.
It's a good thing you are sitting, or your legs would be shaking under you right now.
- Hello, I'm here on the behalf of Cascadia Farm Co-Operative. Name's Collins.
You say in the most formal way possible, while extend your hand. She puts the spoon away and makes a small shake with you. Skin of her hands is soft, but her shake isn't.
- Wright. Representing the City Council of Roseburg.
- You know, I was rather expecting private sector than politics. That's just not my game. I... I'm... Excuse me...
You say, as you reach for one of the glasses of water. You take few gulps. Then you go back to the conversation

>>3758904

>Keep playing with open cards, asking more about Roseburg joining the Republic of Cascadia
>Switch back to talking about railroad comapny, because high-level politics are just plain scary
>Focus specifically on rail stipend, since this is obviously a shared goal for both of you
>Get into private stuff, to distance yourself with the politics and business, since you desperately need a break right now from all of that
>Ask the waiter to bring you something else than water
>Other [Write-in]

>>3758904
>Keep playing with open cards, asking more about Roseburg joining the Republic of Cascadia

>>3758910
>>Keep playing with open cards, asking more about Roseburg joining the Republic of Cascadia

>>3758910
>Keep playing with open cards, asking more about Roseburg joining the Republic of Cascadia

>>3758921
support

>>3758904
>Keep playing with open cards, asking more about Roseburg joining the Republic of Cascadia
This showcases the enormous power we collectively wield as the only reliable method of regional transport and the best hope for recovery, and we need to embrace the implications of this.

Also, I did the mapping. From Eugene station to the centre of Roseburg, following the old route, is 120km of winding tracks through valleys, largely economically worthless terrain aside from the timber industry (though I doubt IRL industries correspond to that ingame) and requiring six minor bridges, seven medium ones and three major river crossings. It'll be a project requiring huge political will, because Wright's Folly is going to be our own Lunatic Line.

Update ETA 40 minutes. Nice to see such plentiful and unanimous vote

>>3759313
It's not THAT bad.
But it's still awfully tough to reach in current position.

>>3758921
>>3758930
>>3758934
>>3759003
>>3759313
>Keep playing with open cards, asking more about Roseburg joining the Republic of Cascadia

Before you can quench your non-existing thirst, she picks up
- You suddenly seem pale. Everything is alright?
You hesitate a bit longer. No, no point pretending.
- Not really... I never before operated on level this high. In fact, I've actively avoided going for politics of such scale. And I don't want to sound negative, but the possibility I can personally botch one of the most important deals that was since the establishment of the Republic scares the hell out of me.
She looks at you confused, then... simply laughs.
- What's so funny? - You ask, with a bit of angry tone
- Oh, no, nothing. Let me simply laid it down - She puts aside her half eaten soup and puts her hands on the empty spot - The negotiations for access are going for past five years. The prospect of railroad didn't even existed back then. And it wasn't part of the talks for first two years of the project going. And when it finally was talked about, it was just a throw-away joke. There is just no physical way the link can be finished before the final papers will be signed. Let's even assume the worst possible pace of the negotiations. Do you seriously expect we will cover the 72 miles long stretch within next... two and a half... nah, let's even make it three years. At best we will have rail laid to the midpoint by then. And if things go smooth, Roseburg will join the Republic next spring. With or without the railway connection to it by that moment. And for me personally, it will be more than fantastic if we have Cottage Grove connected by said spring. So instead of panic, I propose being realistic.
You sit silently for a while, playing with the glass. Be realistic. Being realistic would be to admit there are just too many "ifs" and "buts" in making Cascadia Railroad working. And that without having the vision of reaching far away Roseburg looming over it all. But eventually you pick back the conversation.
- And I assume being realistic is also expecting nothing else from you but pushing for highest possible rail stipend, running costs and general overhead be damned - You inhale through your teeth - Along with spending all that hard-earned rail on southern trunk, despite it won't be profitable until Roseburg is reached.
- That would be more of "unreasonable" than "realistic" on my side. Remember that, among many things, the city is earning the dividend from the stock it owns. Nobody wins on the company being unprofitable. And getting more rails next year is better than getting some rails this year. Going for other directions than south will obviously be needed. So like I've said, be realistic.
Realistic... Good one. You feel more like ordering a bottle of brandy and gulping it all down at once.

>>3759758
>Flat-out ask if there is anyting important you should also know about
>Focus on milking that stipend and reviewing the numers together
>Learn if she has any plans already about the remaining stock of tracks and sleepers
>Order that bottle of brandy and try to drink with Wright
>Excuse yourself and run to CFC office on the devil to pass all you've learned
>Other [Write-in]

>>3759758
To make it clear:
Wright is not authorised to tell if the EXISTENCE of the connection is part of the negotiations for Roseburg joining the Republic. But she is obviously able to talk how unreasonable it is to expect the rail will be laid down before the access itself happens.
Those two concepts aren't the same. It can be both part of the deal to have the rail build or it might be outside of the negotiations entirely. If it's part of the deal, then Cascadia Railroad will obviously be hard pressed to make that happen. If it's not, then it will sure piss off a lot of people if no connection ever materialised, but no actual repercussions (aside pissing hell lot of people and burning through company's goodwill, that is) will be taken against the company itself.
Thing is - you don't know how it is right now.

>>3759767
>Focus on milking that stipend and reviewing the numers together

>>3759892
seconded. having more rails is better for all parties

>>3759767
>Focus on milking that stipend and reviewing the numers together

>>3759767
>Excuse yourself and run to CFC office on the devil to pass all you've learned

>>3759892
>>3759938
>>3760088
>Focus on milking that stipend and reviewing the numers together

Ultimately you only finish your fist glass of water.
- Ok, water under the bridge. No point dwelling over it all right now. Waiter! - The man quickly approaches your table - I've been told you've got a fantastic trout here. I'll bite.
Wright chuckles as you make your order.
- Where were we? Oh, right - You reach to your pocked, digging out all the notes - You've managed to find holes in this at first glance, so I assume we could review it further. I've got the farming data here and here - You point both your notebook and head - The hard part is about making it all add up for rail stipend.
- Fine, we can do that - She gets out her notes - At least before the main course arrives. Then we will see about the rest.
You've definitely eaten better trout in your life. What you never did before was seeing anyone writing this fast. Of course only Wright can read her own notes, but it's still impressive as she writes down things verbatim. Review of notes brings up few additional issues and mix-ups. But ultimately, you calculate together a moderate grant of 7 extra miles of rail if things work out and up to 9 if harvest is going to be bountiful
- It's a shame there is nowhere to send all that wool - Wright sights, as she's half-way through her piece of cheesecake - Ten miles has a particularly nice ring into it and that would be our only way of getting to that threshold.
- Everything considered, we are more likely to find someone to make nitrate fertilizer within the Valley than get to Medford. And that's still out of question with current supply of rails.
- Well, can't the chemical shop just make it on their own?
You nod your head
- Believe me, CFC pushed and pushed hard to try get fertilizer production going in New Salem. One explosion later and it's officially banned here. You want to get it done, you load nitrogen on barges and send them to Fern Corner. Of course that doesn't give us anything and we would spend more rail than its worth in current situation.
- So Corvallis first? - She asks the rhetorical one, clearly displeased
- Sorry, there is just no way around it. And MIC is already rolling on mere gossip we'll get the city connected this summer. Either way, from Corvallis, it's not that far away, making it feasible. Fertilizer and milk have the highest priority in the whole stipend deal
The Co-Op made sure those were prime products for the rail shipments. After all, what else farmers could need more if not getting rid of perishable fast and gaining a boost to their productivity

>>3760462
- But I can't imagine out-competeing barges over Willamette Reach. It's what? Six miles? Seven? And we would have to roll all the way past Lebanon, to Albany, Corvallis and then to Fern Corner, spending entire day on that. Sure, we can take fertilizer out, to deliver it far away, but deliveries to their plant aren't gonna happen. Another expense on our side without much gain, sans the rail for freighting out.
- We'll worry about that later - She takes the final piece of the cake and clears her lips with a napkin - I'm done. You're paying. And we need to get back to the board room.

===
>Gained:
Fixed cargo-freight-to-rail-stipend for the on-going year
>Acquaintance with:
Wright of Roseburg (+)
===

>Pay up and have a chat about situation in Roseburg with Wright on your way back
>Visit workshop, alone, once you are to the station
>Visit workshop, with Wright, once you are to the station
>When paying bill, get the waiter to pass the message about Roseburg's involvement to Jim Baker
>Other [Write-in]

>>3760468
>Pay up and have a chat about situation in Roseburg with Wright on your way back
It would be nice to actually have an idea of the sort of opportunities there are for the railway in Roseburg, when it finally gets connected in the far future. We can chatter with Jim about it later.

A stupid question - should I've been posting images?

>>3760701
Images are always nice, but don't feel obliged to if the effort of finding/editing the images will be to the detriment of running the quest/game.

>>3760489
+1

>>3760468
>Visit workshop, with Wright, once you are to the station

>>3760489
Supporting

>>3760468
So she left us with the enormous check to a business lunch she dragged us to, when she's the rich one?
What a scummy person. It seems her riches are based on grifting. Don't trust her anons.

>Pay up and have a chat about situation in Roseburg with Wright on your way back

>>3761357
>Visit workshop, with Wright, once you are to the station

Lesson for today: Americans call railway sleepers ties instead.
But at least I did remember about the lumber/timber difference

>>3760489
>>3760982
>>3761379
>Pay up and have a chat about situation in Roseburg with Wright on your way back

Maybe it's a good thing they are handling here old-school bills. This way you didn't ask an instinctive "What?!" upon learning the price of the lunch. But you still end up with just pocket change in your wallet as you are leaving the Grand.
- Can you explain me something? How exactly do you manage paying your bills for staying in here? Don't tell me city council back in Roseburg covers from the budget for this extravaganza.
- No, they don't. But your's does.
- W-what?! - Now you can't contain that reaction.
- Your government wants to make sure everyone and everything in Roseburg is made happy or at least placated. So for time being, any member of the board from there is given a suite in the Grand.
- Oh, so THAT is where my taxes are doing - You say with fake discontent, while grinning - I was sure it's just all pocketed by the Council of the Republic. Good to know they can also play good hosts.
- To be honest, the suite is in better shape than my own home
- I think those rooms are in better shape than most of Oregon... So how is it in Roseburg, anyway? Any overpriced hotels?
- Just bunch of coach inns, moderately expensive.
- I haven't been there in... - You take a pause - I think it's been at least seven years. Maybe eight. Anything that might have changed since then?
- The paper mill is up and running again, if that's what you are asking. Handful of new workshops and the last census showed 17% increase of population. Now much job for someone with your skillset, if you plan on moving.
- And what skillset that might be?
- Cow milking, grain harvesting, fruit picking... you know, the farmer stuff
She's back to heckling you. You exchange few more jokes on the way back to the station. With not much time left from the break, you head toward the board room. Most of the directors are already inside, chatting or doing reviews of their notes.
Eventually, when time comes, Mr. Miller orders silence and starts the session.
- Ok, so here is the data from Accounting - He starts passing typed out tables - With minor corrections, they've estimated eight miles of rail from the government grant if maximum effort is put into it.
- So that gives us what? Fifteen miles by the end of the year? - Diego asks
- At the very least. It's agriculture. So things might get even better for us, depending on harvest. However, the expenses on this are substantial. We are talking about building a depo with complex facilities, along with doing similar thing in Halsey. In the end, that means about 70% of our total assets as of now
Obviously, not everyone in the room is ok with spending so much money.

>>3762176

>Compare Accounting's and your own, corrected data, then start further convincing toward the expenditures
>Go directly to selling the pitch - expenses simply have to be made if real profits are going to be made
>Wait to see reactions of different board members as they are done reading the data from Accounting
>Drop the bomb about Roseburg's access and participation in the rail system on the rest of the board
>Other [Write-in]

>>3762109
Funny that you've mentioned it, since this is part of the update

>>3762180
>>Compare Accounting's and your own, corrected data, then start further convincing toward the expenditures

>>3762176
*Not much job

>>3762186
supporting this

>>3762180
>>Go directly to selling the pitch - expenses simply have to be made if real profits are going to be made

>>3762180
So she's not rich. Still scummy though.

>Compare Accounting's and your own, corrected data, then start further convincing toward the expenditures

>>3762180
>Go directly to selling the pitch - expenses simply have to be made if real profits are going to be made

Whoever decided that from all possible boards, /qst/ should be among those with 7-day autosage, you sir are a fucking moron. Especially when /wsg/ has a Christmas thread still going steady

>>3762186
>>3762250
>>3762367
>Compare Accounting's and your own, corrected data, then start further convincing toward the expenditures

You barely even look at first two pages of the Accounting's set of data. The tables are nice, clean and very readable, but you already know the numbers in them, even in much more realistic variation of farm output.
It's the third page where you focus. It contains the list of expenditures for the whole endevour, from setting up new depo, through connecting Albany, to monthly running costs of a large refridgerator.
And the bottom line is in minus. So deep in negative, the final value is close to half of positive money reserve of the whole company. In fact, even as you mentally start dropping off non-essential infrastructure, running costs and elements that could be ignored for even few months, you still can't find a way to get this into at least zero.
- Fuck...
You mutter under your nose, then take a look at the board. They are still either finishing page one or starting page two. Aside Wright. She gives you a look and nods toward the paper a long face, but then quickly returns to neutral, before anyone else notices. And some of them start turning to page three.
Fuck.
How the hell you are supposed to sell that now?!

>Try to smooth-talk everyone with profits from passenger tickets and the fact those costs will be spread over time, rather than instant expenditure
>Try to focus on the rail stock and how gaining more of it is more important than anything else, including temporarily going into red
>Try to reassure everyone the Cascadia Farming Co-Operative is going to help with this, even if you have no idea if they will
>Try to find a plan B, because there is just no way the board is going to agree on this endevour
>Other [Write-in]

>>3762878
I'm in a rush to make it to the kino, so just some numbers, as I didn't have time of weaving it into the post in sensible manner. So:
Cascadia Railroads has 750 k of Cascadian dollars. That's literally all the money it has.
Projected monthly profit (after all running costs are removed) from the passenger train between Salem and Eugene is at 75 k.
The total cost of everything required for the plan to work is at 1 150 k, aka 1.15 kk.
If only bare essentials are provided, it's still 830 k.

>>3762878
>Other [Write-in]
Counter-propose scaling back the operation a little. We pull a Beeching and lop off inefficient branches that don't currently justify their costs with results, and focus on the operations with the best profits and rail to capital expenditure ratio. We can phase in the rest of the operations over time as the company receives the money for it. I say we should keep a capital buffer of at least ~100kC$

>>3762878
7-day autosage means nothing if the board is slow. This thread still has a lot of life left in it.


>Seconding >>3762940
>Also maybe try and invent a way to make do without a refrifgerator. The farmers are somehow living without one, after all. Maybe we can schedule trains to take the milk directly to the consumer without intermediate storage.

File: The Plan.png (2.21 MB, 936x1472)

2.21 MB PNG

>Rush through the entire day
>Get to cinema right on time
>All tickets sold out
>Next screening in 3 hours

>>3763001
Slow board or not, it's page 5 already. Thread going steady? Sure. New players even noticing it? Unlikely.

>>3762940
This is not gonna work, simply because there is nothing to scale down onto. Pic related for explaination.
Things that exists already and don't cost more: most of the rail (sans link to Albany, which is still only a line on a map), construction of Halsey's station
Things that have to be build to make this work: depo in rural nowhere, refridgerator facility there and in Halsey, station in Albany, link to Albany (which the board already voted for, without any opposition). Plus all the most barebones maintenance facilities for steam engines, like water tower or timber storage. All in all, between 0.83 kk to 1.15 kk

>>3763001
And as for no fridging - if you plan to make the cheese already in place, then sure, no need to cool it down.
Like I've said, this is an exercise in logistics.

>>3763065
Everyone worth their salt has the catalog on Last Reply

>>3763065
Would renting a refrigeration facility be possible compared to building one ourselves? E,g could we part-finance such a thing between us (as the railroad) and the CFC to offload some of the costs?

>>3763104
To be fair, although I've been lurking since the start, I use a different system: sort by date it was created; close the tab if the last reply by OP was >3 days ago. 99% of quests don't come back after 3 days so it's not a problem. Sometimes I might do a run through with last reply if I am bored however or if I'm running low on shit to read.

>>3763128
>rental
Probably. But that's not guaranteed CFC will go for such deal and even if, what will be the split. They aren't charity, after all. It's still listed as one of possible options to pick, so go figure

>>3763065
We're planning to transport a number of cargoes. The proposal was to put some of them on hold to not have to construct the facilities for them right now e.g. the refrigerated warehouse for milk will be a huge expenditure, so we could leave off transporting milk for the time being.

Also, we have an estimated income in terms of rail, but how much is the estimated income in terms of cash, if we built the full monty?

>>3763144
Halsey South Depot-Halsey-Albany-Halsey-Halsey South Depot line can possibly generate 45 k a month, but that assumes squeezing EVERYTHING out of it, including even partial passenger haul on the line and freight of food and alcohol made by industries in Halsey and Albany.
Halsey South Depot-Halsey-Lebanon-Halsey-Halsey South Depot should be capable of generating on average 50k a month, by combining grain, cattle and occasional food and passenger freight between the stations.
Both lines going can also make between 6 to 9 miles of rail via the stipend, depending on quite literal farm growth, with the line to Albany being twice as good as the one to Lebanon.


The best part is, you were supposed to get all this data, with a nice scan of a type-in, but then plan to visit cinema happend and things went on a spin really fast.

>>3763217
The sweetener is that if thing will be running at full capacity, it should - SHOULD - generate about 200k a month. As long as nothing breaks down and all four engines are operational, of course. Because you do remember you only have four engines (and now only 3 operational) and single-track lines, right?
Anyway, Trip to Cinema 2: Electric Boogaloo. This time with ticket already bought.

>>3763217
Right, so we could get up to 170k/mo after this, but I'll lower the estimate to 150k/mo so we don't get ahead of ourselves and to allow for flex (lopping off 20% from the agri-income). This means we'll double our income and our total expenditure on the setup would, after everything is running, pay for itself in under 8mo. That's an incredible investment return for any business venture, and well worth issuing some bonds to make it happen.

>>3762878
>Try to smooth-talk everyone with profits from passenger tickets and the fact those costs will be spread over time, rather than instant expenditure

>>3763273
Oh, and I think we should be upfront with the costs of the scheme and the potential need to go into debt for it, but directly counter ourselves with the numbers on the huge monetary returns it will generate and how quickly it will pay itself off and leave us with very large amounts of cash and rail to spend on our other schemes. Several members of the board have enough business sense to realise that debt and spending is a normal part in the functioning of any business, and that sometimes significant expenditure like this is needed to secure the future of the company.

So let me sum this up, since basically everyone voted differently:
1) Scale down and wait for passenger profits first to roll in, then do the whole shebang
vs.
2) Try to get CFC into it, so they do the facilities on their own and railroad just transports goods
vs.
3) Go all in, indebt the company in the process and roll in them Franklins few months later

Did I miss some other option?

>>3763577
Backing. Mostly because of the
>costs will be spread over time
line which means the fiscal impact shouldn't be so bad if things go to plan

>>3764124
I originally proposed 1 but on hearing the numbers I wrote up 3.

>>3764211
Since I'm now outnumbered I'll support that but still think we should also make it very clear how much money there is to be made from this and points made in previous post.

>>3764268
If you stay to passenger traffic, you are at 75k a month, it was already stated. This also means you will have even less shipments of various goods to make during the year, so smaller stipend of rail.

Calling a night

>>3762878
>>Try to smooth-talk everyone with profits from passenger tickets and the fact those costs will be spread over time, rather than instant expenditure

>>3764289
Never said we should do that

>Try to smooth-talk everyone

- Well, this been all load of crap - Jones is the first to reach the end of report
- One million one hundred fifty thousands? And that's without the running costs, that will probably make the route unprofitable. Did you even bothered to do an expenditure calculations when making this big farming dreams of yours?
You feel an extra sting of shame when the young hot shot not only is the one pointing out the flaws, but also being right about them. You take a deep breath. Then another.
- This can still be salvaged.
- Ha! - The malcontent can't even contain his laugh
- We're listening - Jones speaks up again, when your next pause drags for a bit too long
- Ok, so total expenses are way over the million and even further away from our budget... Even at the very minimum, we still don't have that amount of money. But we've already agreed on the construction of the link to Albany, didn't we? That's - You check the report - one hundred thousands that is both in this price list and... - You drawl that "and" - ... our other plans and projects.
- That doesn't mean it will magically stop being an expense for the company, even if we move it to different page of the ledger - It's surprising how suddenly competent the Kid appears to be
- Yes, of course. However, this is the expense that's already agreed to. And an expense that will eventually provide new source of revenue, since I assume we will be running trains to Albany, with or without rest of this - You lift the report - And right now, if you all please turn to page two, that's what we are making monthly.
Everyone takes a glance, but suddenly out of all people, Diego speaks up
- I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but that's what Accounting assumes we will make - He pauses - And only this month, since we can't really know how it's going to be later.
- Even if we make half of that, we can still start construction of all important facilities. For time being, we can skip Halsey South Depot entirely. We just saved... - You check again the third page - ... almost four hundred thousands.
- Wasn't the entire point to build it in the first place?
- Yes... but as we are all painfully aware, we can't afford it right now. What we can afford is connecting Albany and making sure Halsey proper has the right facilities. We should close somewhere around seven hundreds. So within our budget. With Salem-Eugene passenger line, additional trunk to Albany and everything prepared in Halsey, we will still increase our income. Increase it enough to get enough to establish Halsey South Depot, probably while being officially in red, but in reality making enough money to still provide for everything. In other words, we go with business as if nothing happend, because the revenue will easily cover for costs of expanding the infrastructure. This way, we'll at worst have a month or so of delays, but still finish well before the harvest this year and make the real money on hauling that out of both Halseys.

>>3765172
- I agree - Wright is first to provide support. Something tells you this is neither the effect of your oratory skills nor short familiarity with each other - I've already did on my own some further counting. This data doesn't take into account Halsey-Lebanon profits, since they aren't even generated yet, but as we speak, the infrastructure is being build and already paid for, so we can assume around thirty thousands of further profits on monthly basis. At least thirty.
- That gives you a hundred. See? We now "have" - You make quotation marks with your fingers - Eight hundred fifty versus the basic pricelist of eight hundred thirty
Mr. Miller looks displeased. Apparently he had really high hopes the entire project will go much smoother. The bald guy is running second page of column on his own, whispering under his nose as he adds and substracts. Vice Junior checks the expense sheet once more.
- Ok, let's say I can take this risk.
- This company is not about risk - Mr. Miller finally speaks up.
- Mister Chairman, I don't want this to sound bad, I'm afraid you lack certain... business accumen. - The kid could be grandson of Miller, but it's him lecturing - Even the surest of deals can blow up. This one at least has a visible pitfals that can be worked around.
- Let's say I'm with this whole thing - The MIC man finally decides his mind - Mostly because either way, Albany will be connected and making sure it's well supplied is even better.
- In - The bald guy finally finished his calculations - But if anything blows, we will run into a spiral of debt in no time.
- If this was a government operation, I would be all for it, since it will benefit the people of various places - Miller starts
- Thankfully, it's at least partially private, mister - One of the unknown men cuts in
- And that's why I can't support this, no matter what. We barely had a single day of operation and already talking about going into debts. No, just no.
- Oh, but with tax payers it would be all dandy to spend even twice as much, right? - The guy keeps sneering, but ends at this, not pushing the issue further.

>Ask if a voting can be taken about this already
>Give everyone time to think more about it, postponing the vote
>Tell everyone a story of how CFC started out, to give comparison
>Withdraw the whole project as for now and rework it slowly - maybe you will find a way to make this cheaper
>Other [Write-in]

>>3765173
>Tell everyone a story of how CFC started out, to give comparison

>>3765173
>Give everyone time to think more about it, postponing the vote

>>3765173
>Tell everyone a story of how CFC started out, to give comparison

>>3765173
>>Tell everyone a story of how CFC started out, to give comparison

>>3765197
>>3765309
>>3765561
>Tell everyone a story of how CFC started out, to give comparison

You ponder for few moments, then eventually speak up to progressively more aggravated board.
- I think everyone heard this one, but let's try anyway. Low Pass had a chronic shortages of everything, being just another small farming hamlet. Traders started to avoid that place, because they knew they will be unable to sell or even barter there. But soil was good, so there was no point abandoning the place. They just didn't have anything but grain. So they've decided to get everything of any value, including even some of their tools, send a party to Veneta and barter for tobacco seeds. This could fail on many different ways, including having bogus seeds or few days of bad weather in the wrong moment. But it also could provide a lot of money. They've planeted, take care, harvested, dried, cured and transported the shag back to Veneta. Made a pretty penny, shared half of the profits among everyone working and spend the other half for new tools, which were to be used by entire community, regardless if they participated or not. Two years later, they've already organised shared planting with nearby hamlets. That's how Cascadia Farm Co-Operation started out.
- That's all very touching story - The most confrontational man in the room sneers at you - But what's even supposed to be the aesop here? What next? Story about straws bonded together?
- Not really. The point I'm trying to make is that sometimes it's worth to put everything into the jackpot and take the risk, so the profits, both short and long term, will greatly exceed the initial risk and expenses. Can anyone in this room imagine this region with CFC at this point? Some of you are old enough to remember times where people would murder their neighbour for a hoe. And all it took was bunch of people taking a shared risk to overcome that sad past. Of course it didn't change overnight. And neither this project will doom nor boost our Railroad within a week. But if we won't take the risk, a risk that isn't even that big, we will never be able to make this company prosper. Or help anyone in the Valley. Or simply make money. We will be just selling tickets to passengers, like Mr. Jones already put it. And there isn't a lot of money on that with our current line. So if you don't want to take the risk, I understand that fully. But it's the risk that simply has to be taken. This time and many times in the future. Because let's be frank about it - it's just the first such situation we are facing, not the last one.
After you finish, the bald man is first to speak.
- I feel like listening to a preacher, but I'll admit, the data behind this sap is convincing enough to vote for it. So vote for it, people. We will never go to places if we chicken out from few red lines.
- Five minutes break - Mr. Miller informs without waiting for anyone's further reaction - I need to think about this. We all need to think about it.

>>3765854
Most of the board leaves the room. Tom Wilson gives you a nod to come closer, while the bald man is again at you, patting your arm.

>Focus on the bald man, you've already send him away once today
>Shrug him once more and get to Wilson, he clearly wants secrecy
>Get to Wilson with the bald man, why have secrets from other board members
>Ignore both of them and go outside to consult with Wright if she has any bright ideas how to help with the problem of expenditures
>No point talking with Wilson, head directly to workshop for first-hand data, even if you will be late for board meeting
>Other [Write-in]

===
Wilson is the guy from engineering

>>3765860
>>Focus on the bald man, you've already send him away once today
Tell Wilson we'll find him later

>>3765860

>Focus on the bald man, you've already send him away once today

>>3765875
supporting

Sorry for delay

>>3765875
>>3766191
>>3766262
>Focus on the bald man, you've already send him away once today

You give Wilson a tiny head-shake and cut off hand gesture. Subtle enough to remain unnoticed, but still communicative with the engineer. Later. You can talk with him any time and if it was really urgent, he would came forward anyway.
So instead, you focus your attention on the bald guy.
- Not in any rush this time around? - He asks, playfully
- Not at all. Aside, of course, just having five minutes of break.
- Should be more than enough for the two of us. May I? - He points an empty chair next to yours
- I think you should rather ask the owner, but who am I to deny such request?
He predictably laughs at your cheap joke and sits down. You don't even know yet who this man is, but already figured long time ago a good way of approaching him.
- Tell me something - He leans closer toward you - How did you even figured out all those routes? Screw the costs, but just making the connections. Took you long or was it spontaneous?
While he's so close, you can notice he is not really bald, but rather keeps his balding head shaved clean. Good thing he's not combing few strands of hair over entire head, but even the shaved dome still gives him a smarmy look of a spiv.

>Tell the truth about Baker and Weaver helping you out
>Take the whole credit yourself
>Paint it as an effort of CFC
>Change the subject, playfully mentioning trade secret
>Change the subject, seriously mentioning trade secret
>Other [Write-in]

>>3766616
>Paint it as an effort of CFC
>Tell the truth about Baker and Weaver helping you out
If there's any organisation that knows and sees everything that goes on in this valley, it's the CFC. We may not be glamorous, but a large majority of the production and industry that goes on in this valley reports to us one way or another - even more so than the MIC - so we are effectively the de facto economists of Republic. I sat down with a friend from the CFC and we went through this huge library of data we have access to item-by-item to search for opportunities for us, and after Weaver over there sanded down the edges of the maths, this plan is the result.

>>3766616
>Change the subject, playfully mentioning trade secret

>>3766738
the points hit here are good

>>3766738
Supporting

>>3766616
This >>3766738

I will take the liberty to directly quote the bit posted by 4IrfIgNP

>>3766738
>>3766996
>>3767060
>>3767418
>Other [CFC, Baker & Weaver - the collective effort]

- If there's any organisation that knows and sees everything that goes on in this Valley, it's the CFC. We may not be glamorous, but a large majority of the production and industry that goes on in this valley reports to us one way or another - even more so than the MIC - so we are effectively the de facto economists of Republic. I sat down with a friend from the CFC and we went through this huge library of data we have access to item-by-item to search for opportunities for us, and after Weaver over there - You point toward her, just as she's leaving the room - sanded down the edges of the maths, this plan is the result.
- Isn't it then just a lot of inside trading then? - The man suddenly asks and you can't tell if he's serious or still joking around.
- All the informations are public access. Anyone with time on their hands could get those via any CFC office
He puts a hand on your shoulder and shakes it lightly, laughing
- I'm just messing with you. No point being scared - He leans closer to you, whispering - And no point avoiding the shady deals, as long as they are profitable.
He leans back and winks at you. It's still hard to decide if he's just acting the part or you're dealing with someone seriously this awful at corny jokes and profiteering. You try to recall any bigger shop or company from the docks that could afford getting into the board room with 2% of shares, but nothing comes to mind and checking now his note would be really awkward.
- But I have to ask you something. The idea behind your planned routes isn't about just agriculture, right? Weaver - She points toward the doors - is from Roseburg. Her goal is pretty straighforward. Yours?

>Anything good for farmers is good for the Valley and Republic, as they make the majority of the population and provide sense of security with food surplus
>Any way of getting more rails from the Republic is good, so why not use law designed for exactly that
>First and foremost, CFC has a mission to farmers in the co-operative and to encourage more people to participate
>It's a long term profit that matters the most - the wealthier the farmers, the more they will spend on consumption, which will keep everything running
>Other [Write-in]

>>3767454
*He points

>>3767454
>Any way of getting more rails from the Republic is good, so why not use law designed for exactly that

>>3767454
>>Any way of getting more rails from the Republic is good, so why not use law designed for exactly that

>>3767454
>Anything good for farmers is good for the Valley and Republic, as they make the majority of the population and provide sense of security with food surplus

>>3767454
>It's a long term profit that matters the most - the wealthier the farmers, the more they will spend on consumption, which will keep everything running

>>3767454
>Anything good for farmers is good for the Valley and Republic, as they make the majority of the population and provide sense of security with food surplus
>Any way of getting more rails from the Republic is good, so why not use law designed for exactly that
Way I see it, the future of the Republic depends on the CFC, and the CFC's future in turn is tied to the railroad. Agriculture is the foundation of any society, and once we get that nailed down, we can all grow and diversify without having to worry about whether we'll have enough food for next year - things that the Old World took for granted, and we can't truly prosper until that's the case once more. Anything that we do for the railroad will come straight back around to us - not just the CFC, but everyone - so we need to do as much as we can for the railroad to build that future. And for that, we need as much cash and rails as we can possibly get our hands on. As for Walker, all the politics aside, Roseburg also has huge market potential for us, so I'm willing to support that in the long term as well.

>>3767845
>Walker
?

>>3767849
Fuck me, I mean Weaver.

>>3767865
I thought so, but had to be sure

>>3767471
>>3767472
>>3767845
>Any way of getting more rails from the Republic is good, so why not use law designed for exactly that

- I think you are either greatly overestimating or greatly underestimating the goals of what woman, mister...? - You finish in asking tone, making a pause
- Oh, where are my manners! Jack. Jack Carter
Thankfully, his hand isn't as moisty as his shining dome. But it feels like shaking a dead fish, rather than someone's hand. This man starts to give more and more unpleasant, outright slimy vibe by each passing second.
- So you know Weaver? - He implores further
- Not really, quite literally met her today. Just like you, Mr. Carter.
- Just call me Jack. And let's for a moment ignore our Roseburg belle. I've been asking what's your goal here, in this company. Would be nice to know what you're trying to achieve, maybe we would be able to help each other. Just like your co-operative is helping others.
Another pat on the arm.
- Right now? Making sure my entire plan doesn't crumble. If it will survive, then I guess the goal would be keep up the pace of gaining more rail via the stipend. You know, if the government wants to give us rails, who am I to question that? And considering their requirement for that rail means profit for us on freight fees anyway, then even better.
Something tells you moralism or talking about big ideas is not going to impress this man or even keep him interested in your words.
- And what would be your interest, Jack?
- I think you and I have a lot in common
Being alive and in the board of the same company is where the list of "common" things ends for you. You're not even sure if you can add to the list being both human when looking at this slimeball. But you still force yourself to smile.
- But personally, I would like to see as much freight moved between places as possible. Regardless if they are agriculture products or not. And getting few places connected, that, too.

>Why the fixation on freight? Passengers aren't good enough?
>Any cargo in particular?
>What places? Obviosly, some must be more important than others
>Excuse yourself from this conversation, Wilson is obviously more important now
>Excuse yourself from this conversation, this man is just nothing good
>Other [Write-in]