Yet still, still it moves. Though the detonation has caused a centrifugal spin on the partially molten mass it moves, though now throwing off a shower of debris in every direction from the rapid spin.

No more detonations follow and soon the burn is cut. Damage to the reactor is, as predicted, quite heavy... yet still enough power flows to relink the cryopods.

A mere three weeks time and they will be yours.

####################

Sliding through the corridors on electric rails of circuitry and wire, your erstwhile ears single out the humming of a lone soul. Silent corridors broken by the smooth song of an office’s occupant, the previous owner yet plying the void away from Orrin. Adjustment of optics to reveal the one you seek, the one you hear, Kara Dimas, gentle guardian of the crew’s minds and hearts. Five-four and plump, olive skin, dark hair, thin glasses framing gentle green eyes. The woman lays reading, stretched upon a long couch to read a psych reference book. You chime softly through the speakers around the room, blending slightly with the humming woman as she raises her eyes in surprise.

“Hello? Yes?” she speaks, a tinge of curiosity in her voice and you respond softly.

“Hello, doctor Dimas. This is the captain. Do you have a moment to speak?”

She nods, closing the book and laying it aside even as she stands. “Of course, captain. I’ve been wondering when you would come speak with me. What can I do for you?”

“Well, before anything I’d like to know how you’ve been. Stress presses on everyone, as I’m sure you know only too well.”

She sighs, sitting behind a desk covered in reports and psych evaluations, “Ah, my. I’m doing well enough captain. Acceptance of the situation, will to change what I can. Sisters and brothers left behind in the past and though it hurts it’s far less than most of the others have lost.” She shifts, stretching in her chair before leaning back and crossing her hands in her lap, “As far as the present, sad. So much lost to the crew it seems, it almost feels like it will suck me in at times.”

Then a smile, oddly enough, “Still, it is not so bad. Talking with them all helps all of us, I think. It helps sort feelings. I guess you’ll want to know how they’re doing overall?”

“I would appreciate it, yes. Not only the crew either, but Parson and any of the command staff who have chosen to come to speak with you.”

She nods, “Of course. Well, the crew... I think they’ve begun to get over the initial shock. How busy they’ve been has helped draw it out into manageable doses, I think. A lot of them lost family, all of them at least friends. A lot of them took it very hard, but the work has given them something to do and focus on. Helped them cope, I think. I know it has for me at least.”

She swivels in the chair, reaching down and pulling out a container of water and sipping at it before continuing, “Of course, not all of them took it equally well. There are a few who seem liberated... when I spoke with them for the most part they were freed of debts, or obligations they disliked back home. Then there were others who lost wives, children, loved ones. Other types of obligations too, like the Empire being gone when they wanted to fight for it. Obligations they wanted and feel like they failed at. Those are the ones that I have to truly work with. Regardless of how well they take it, though, the past few weeks orbiting destroyed Imperial worlds and ships has darkened the overall mood.”

She sighs, and looks up, “Still, they’re a good bunch of men and women. I think that this has brought everyone on board closer, and they believe in you. The speech gave and objectives you’ve announced are things that they want to believe in, during a time when they need to believe in something. That’s fragile, and dangerous.”

“Dangerous? How?”

“Well, sir... it’s something they would follow on their own given the chance, given to them by the one who kept them alive and they’ve sworn to follow as captain with their military oaths. That’s powerful. I know first hand that there are men among them who would fly a shuttle into the sun if you asked them to, saluting all the way.” She looks up, her eyes lidded and heavy, “That’s a vast responsibility in any circumstances, captain. Even more now, when we might be all that’s left. As a ship physician, I just ask you bear it in mind.”

You are both silent for a minute, digesting the information, before she speaks again, “And Parson.” She sighs, “Parson is among the most delicate of all, I think. He’s spoken to me a bit about some of the problems he’s been having. His fiancee and future son gone, parents, house and status. He feels like he’s lost everything. That’s hard, but...” a brief hesitation before she continues, “I don’t know, captain. There seems like something more. Something that’s tearing at him from the inside that he won’t talk to me about. Something he blames himself for, I think. I’ve, well, I’ve made sure that there was nothing in the cells that he could use to harm himself the past few times I was there.”

“Suicidal?” you intone, surprised. The woman nods.

“Yes, I think so, and I might have accidentally caused it. I don’t think he’s dangerous to anyone else, though. Just himself. Whatever it is he won’t forgive himself, maybe can’t. I think that’s why he was in denial, and then tried to displace onto you. When I removed those crutches, trying to help him face reality, it might have backfired.” She shakes her head, “I just don’t know, sir. Unless he opens up I can’t help him, maybe couldn’t anyway. Whatever it is I’m fairly sure he would have to forgive himself first and foremost.”

You vocalize a sigh to convey your feelings before responding, “Thank you, doctor. Have any of the command staff visited?”

She shifts uncomfortably before responding, “Well, sir, I guess patient-client privelige isn’t really in force anymore with the empire gone and such. Yes, there has been one. Lieutenant Tynes came for counseling. He lost his wife and children and that has been hurting him, though he’s been trying not to show it in front of others. He hails from Korthos, and they have complex views on death and loss... that was actually what I was reading about before you came. I’m far from an expert, but from what I read and he said I think he is already coping in his own way.”

“Will it hurt his performance? Do you advise I give him leave for a time to grieve?”

She shakes her head, “No, I don’t think so. His work helps him, won’t be hindered, and he enjoys it. I think he will do well on his own and, hopefully, will come to speak with me more on the matter.”

You speak with the physician for several more minutes making small-talk before departing, off to spend time working what repairs you still can on the ship and searching the fields of debris.

####################

A returning shuttle, a glass case. Your second-in-command meeting it once more, transporting it. The smooth opening of enormous shielded unisteel doors. Your XO’s tap-tap-tapping stride as she enters the vault once more. In her hands a case, vacuum containment for a solidified once-molten shard of Halbios. Ivanova opens the vault door you gave her access to once more, placing the second container next to the first obsidian stone before closing it once again.

The Lieutenant looks up and nods, “Handled, sir. Second of our collection. Hopefully we won’t gather any more, but from what we have seen here...”

She trails off and you speak, “I would like that to be true too, Lieutenant, but I’m even less hopeful. I gained some information from the EI shard aboard the Asura that leads me to believe otherwise, and I would like your opinion.”

Ivanova nods before raising an eyebrow, “Of course, Kapitan.” She starts toward the vault door but halts. A quick shrug and she turns back, “Since you are not speaking to the rest of the staff I assume this is sensitive information. Shall we discuss it here, sir?” At your agreement she nods, removing her uniform’s jacket and folding it several times, laying it upon the floor before sitting with one leg folded and leaning back against the wall. After she situates herself you begin playback of the conversation, narrating in any important events such as the transfer of transcripts to the EI-shard as they occur.

“Your opinion, Lieutenant?” you inquire after the resolution.

Your second leans her head back against the wall and closers her eyes before responding. “Kateryna. And this...” she sighs and shakes her head without lifting her head from the wall. “I would guess infighting. The factions in the Council are, or were, always at each other’s throats. Assassinations, cover ups, jockeying for power. Still,” she frowns, finally opening her eyes, “it never got to the point of civil war. I’m not certain how the loss of one ship could force that, either.”

“The rest?”

“Vague. Three major factions fighting for control, I would guess, but then they were ‘joined by the one of many and many of one.’, whatever that means.” Her sharp features twist in thought, “Other factions, perhaps? Or allies? Neutral parties? I’m not sure.”

“Perhaps political affiliations the factions gravitated to?” You suggest, and she shrugs.

“That could be so, but I have my doubts. All the factions I knew fought for rule of what existed, not any sort of revolution.” but she pauses, shrugging again, “Then again, something obviously happened. It could be anything, we just don’t know enough. The people on the Asura might be able to tell us more.”

“Speaking of, do you have any idea who they are?”

She hesitates before responding, “I am... less than sure, but whoever they are they are important. A singularity bomb is not something used lightly. Council members, Intelligence agents, high ranking commanders, leading scientists, or maybe something even more exotic. Whatever they are, sir, I would advise having armed soldiers present when they are thawed.”

“That’s rather odd, why would you suggest that?” you question, and she responds with a dark smile.

“There are all sorts of things in the shadows of the Empire, sir. At least there were. Some of them can be less than friendly and, on occasion, capable of shredding unisteel with their bare hands. Better safe than dead.”

==Map Legend==
Green Dotted Arrow: Last Jump
Yellow Dotted Arrow: Last-1 Jump
Red Dotted Arrow: Last-2 jump.
Green dot: Current position. (Currently Waran)
Yellow dot: Glassed planet and wrecked shipyard
Red dot: Orrin
Yellow Square: Your awakening position
Teal dotted zone: Hundred Systems Territory (Hundred Worlds Rebellion)

==Command Staff==
Lieutenant Kateryna Ivanova - Executive Officer
>Second Lieutenant Dray Parson - Intelligence Officer (Incapacitated)
Second Lieutenant Robert Tynes - Steward
Chun-Fan Dai - Chief Engineer
Third Lieutenant Mardigan “Guns” Rinn - Weapons Officer
Dr. Christof Burr - Physician

==Junior Officers==
Ensign Fie - Communictions Officer
Ensign DuBois - Staff officer
Ensign Tremko - Staff officer
Ensign Rao - Staff officer

Previous Threads:

1: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/15474877/
2: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/15527576/
3: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/15547424/
4: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/15558914/
5: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/15581324/
6: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/15603188/
7: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/15626860/
8: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/15671288/
9: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/15681393/

What do you expect?

We continue repairs, wait the weeks till we can get the cryopods and bomb off the asura safely (it should be free of its debrisfield, probably making use of simply flying them over via shuttle the more practical solution)

We defrost the first and trick him:

Tell him that the battle is just over, we had problems but have returned.

Ask him WTF is going on, suggesting almost no time has passed.

Follow ivanovas advice re: armed personell on scene during defrost


You can just keep writing, there's not much to decide for now, until we talk to the first survivor.

>>15702248
seconded

I suggest opening one of the pods. Pick the one with the least scary looking occupant, whether elderly or female. Have Ivanova standing by in power armor. Once they're thawed, ask them about the occupants in the other pods, why they were in the pods, and what happened while we were gone. Also, interrogate the prisoners some more. Ask them about the inheritors.

So glad I arrived just in time to see you beginning, Vedibere.

It seems to me that one of our first priorities should be figuring out where we should go next. What exactly were those ship/station/planet names that the EI shard mentioned, and where might they have last been?

>>15702274
Thirded with caveat:
Upon initial investigation it could erode trust if we mislead the defrostee. Ask him rank and mission, ask him wtf is going on.

Then tell him everything that has gone down as far as we know.

Remind him of his duties, appeal to his sense if nationalisn etc, win him for us.

>>15702248
>What do you expect?
Some sort of direction for either the conversation or the next three weeks. Unless you literally just want to sit there doing nothing for three weeks.

>>15702248
>>15702274
>>15702281
>>15702292

Fived, or what?

I agree with the generak direction of this.

Disregard Orion going off on a tangent, question them first.


Hey look at us - NOT ARGUING :D

We might actually get shit done this thread :D. :D

>>15702248
I would advise against lying to them, it might only make matters worse. Say that, hypothetically, one of them is from an anti-military faction, and we tell them that the Armada's biggest, baddest ship has returned. Do you really think they'll be willing to assist us? When the time comes, wake only one up, ask them who they are, inform them of what has occurred, and find out from them what happened to the Empire after we vanished.

>>15702312
There seems to be a consens already.

Like me, the others seem tired of arguing. Just think of what little we got done the last two threads. Almost nill.


I suggest you do NOT wait for all the arguments but rather look for a consensus or majority reached within 30min or so, then get to writing - Though i do not want to tell you how to do this quest.

Nice writefagottry tgough, Kudos!

>>15702321
No tangent, good Anon, simply a suggestion for the interim until we can meet up with the Asura in three weeks time.

>>15702248
>>15702274
>>15702281
>>15702292
>>15702321
>>15702325

Consensus on general course of action:
Reached

>>15702321
>We might actually get shit done this thread

I SUGGEST WE RAM THE STAR

>>15702349
Fair enough, if any info is available in our databanks we should easily be able to access it during the wait.

Make it so.
And please... Nobody here suggest ramming the Asura again...

>>15702389
LoL @
>>15702368

Vedi might want us to finish the talk with Ivanova?

We've lost a bunch of shuttles. Finding more should be a priority.

In the interim, perhaps we can jury-rig some replacements by attaching containers to drones. It wouldn't be anywhere near as good, but it would at least allow for the movement of people and items from the ship to other objects in space.

That is, only if replacements are deemed necessary at this time.

>>15702389
Thank you, it's great that we're actually achieving a quick consensus this time around. Also, I'd like to put forward that we look into Parson's depression; let's look into his files, if we can, see if we can't find something that might be the root of this problem. And if we do or don't, we really should go talk to him. It's been weeks since we did, and it might help.

>>15702442
Nope. We lost one. We did loose mulitiple drones though.

rolled 30 = 30

>>15702312

We should take this time to try and reactivate our body.

I bet actually having a physical form will do wonders when we try to wake up our mystery crewmen.

I agree that we thaw out one person at a time, but I'm against outright lying to them.
Just tell them that we rescued them from the remains of the Asura, and that we need to know what happened after we were knocked out by the twin nova's.

In the interim 3 weeks, re-integrate our meat body so we can take advantage of its cybernetics, and then speak with Parson. See if he respond better to our physical body.

rolled 96 = 96

>>15702312

Parsons clearly is partially responsible for what happened to us, or perhaps the Empire.

Considering his placement on the ship at such a young age, has anyone considered that maybe he was a plant for his Great House?

Perhaps we should approach him once we have our physical form, and see what he knew before he joined the crew of the ship.

>>15702615
>Parsons clearly is partially responsible for what happened to us, or perhaps the Empire.

When in doubt, blame Parson.

>>15702615
Hmm....I doubt he had anything to do with the Hundred Worlds' Rebellion; it doesn't seem like it would have benefited him, his house, or his family. Still, it is logical that the guilt he's feeling might be because of something he did that might have been disloyal, or even treasonous. Let's just not push him yet, we don't want him back in the bell jar.

“Noted, I’ll make sure of it. Quite the intimidating monster you have in mind, too. I’d prefer not to meet one.”

The woman laughs, “Oh my, is the planet-destroying warship afraid of a humanoid cyborg? For shame, Kapitan.”

“I’m simply concerned for the rest of the crew, you see. If the games you’ve secretly been holding with Tynes and Rinn are any indication they desperately need to work on their marksmanship. What are you, now? Twelve victories and one loss?”

“Pssh!” she scoffs, “They’re skilled enough, especially Rinn. Losing is their fault. Still, I hear the junior officers might have managed to find out about it. I can’t /imagine/ how, with Rinn and Tynes holding secret meetings in other bays and modifying four more rifles.”

“Look at as a challenge, Kateryna. Besides, maybe this way they will finally stop trying to eliminate you before turning on each other?”

“I doubt that.” she grumbles, standing, “If that is all, sir?”

“One last thing, I’m sending you four ship names on your personal console and some data links. Alpha Centauri, Dreadnought, Hydra, Maestro. Anything you might know would help.”

“Hmmm...” Ivanova mumbles as she dons her jacket once more, “Dreadnought was one of the mobile battlestations, I think?”

“Right.”

She nods, running her hands down her sleeves and pressing out wrinkles as she continues, “The other three were cruisers, if I recall. Alpha Centauri was a Hydra-class line cruiser, Maestro was a fast-attack cruiser, I think.” She looks up and frowns at one of your viewers, “You should know far more than me about the Hydra.”

“Read my profile, have you?”

She quirks a smile, “Of course, I read a lot of profiles. I wouldn’t have signed on without reading yours. Sir.”

“Of course. That’s all for now, Kateryna. Go easy on the juniors.”

###############

Repairs proceed apace, though it is a very slow one. Most of what is easily fixable has been repaired and that which remains often requires tools and calibration equipment you don’t have. Still, you have the engineers do what they can, additionally tasking some of them to sorting the gathered materials and freeing up space by discarding the useless parts.

The laser warfare in the cargo holds grows, expanding to all the junior officers just as predicted. While still utterly ruthless regarding the other senior officers, your second seems to take your advice and the juniors take to the game extremely well. You soon find them organizing a tournament for the enlisted as well. Ah, progress.

And so the weeks pass. Eventually you retrieve the pods and Charon, storing the former in your own medbay and the latter in the vault itself. Dr. Burr makes preparations and, eventually, all is ready. Guards stand by as the first of the eleven are defrosted; an aged rail-thin man with pinched features, white hair, and moderate cyberization.

The defrost goes as planned, the bleary-eyed man lifted from his cold prison and given vital post-cryo stims and nutrients as Dr. Burr checks him over.

Blinking twice, he stands, “Where are my clothes? And my instruments? I specifically asked to have them ready for inspection when we were defrosted.”

“Sir, please sit. I’m afraid I have some questions for you.” The thin man looks around and scowls, planting his hands on his hips. Still in the post-cryo bathrobe, the pose looks almost comical.

“EI? We’re still on a ship? What is the meaning of this?” His scowl deepens, “Where are we?”

“I’m afraid I have to ask you about the battle. Do you remember anything?”

He snorts, “Battle? What battle?”

>>15702859
>“Battle? What battle?”
"So you were already in cryo when the Asura was holed? This will make things more difficult.
"In what Imperial year were you placed in cryo suspension?"

We need to figure out when he was placed in cryo, so we can estimate at how much he might know.

>>15702859

We should debrief him. What is his name and rank? What is the last thing he remembers? How did he end up in cryo? What year was he frozen?

>>15702901
>>15702926
Seconded.
"Though you don't know it yet, the situation we are in is... quite unique. I'm afraid I must ask you a few questions first. Then I will explain."

>>15702615
>>15702632
>>15702688
>Still, it is logical that the guilt he's feeling might be because of something he did that might have been disloyal, or even treasonous. Let's just not push him yet, we don't want him back in the bell jar.

Parson was the one responsible for us jumping directly to the system where the suns were driven nova. We would have arrived late if he hadnt and then still been present for the civil war. He may be feeling survivors guilt because he was supposed to die.

Just one possible explanation. It's just as likely that it's a coincidence. Still we should talk to him every now and then, see how he's doing ourselves.

>>15702901
>>15702926
>>15703020
These all sound like good resonable questions.

>>15703020

Yeah, let's have it out of this guy before we tell him anything. Last thing we need is him clamming up when he hears Harbinger.

>>15703083
>>15703115
I agree with these opinions. Ask him who he is, what date he was frozen, where he was supposed to be on, etc. Do not inform him of the situation or press him on the status of the Empire at the time of his freezing until finished.

>>15702615

Partially nothing. I direct you to the first thread.

"Dray Parson, Intelligence Officer and ranked 2nd Lt. ... Also responsible for suggesting a direct jump to Iridus."

The bastard set us up. Probably on orders from his House. Quite possibly without knowing exactly what he was setting us up FOR, but still, he led us into that death trap. And now everything's gone, and he knows it's his fault. After we deal with the sleepers we're going to have a very frank conversation with him. "Hello, Mr Parson. I hear you're feeling guilty about something. I suspect I may know what. Shall we talk about the jump to Iridus, Mr Parson?"

“Though you don't know it yet, the situation we are in is quite unique. I'm afraid I must ask you a few questions before explaining. First, I would like your name, rank, and assignment.”

His eyes widen briefly before his hawkish face flushes red and dons a furious scowl, “What? Who are you?!” he raises his hand and shakes his finger at the ceiling, ignoring the now-raised weapons of the power armored guards, “I’ll have you know that I’m on a first names basis with all five High Admirals themselves! Listen here, you get on your little transmitter and find your superior officer! You tell him that you have Doctor Ketro and his team on board and that he is /very/ unhappy!”

“Calm. Down. Circumstances have changed. Why were you in cryo? When were you frozen? What is the last thing you remember?”

The man’s face changes from red to purple and he stomps one of his skinny legs on the floor three times, “Always! Always with these idiots! Do you know how important my work is? How important I am?! I’ll have this scrapheap put on picket duty near House lines!”

>>15702859

"Sir, we need to do this by the numbers. Please start with your name, rank, and the last thing you remember. We'll try and sort out your confusion as soon as possible."

>>15703227
>Ketro
I thought that name was familiar. He's the man who spearheaded the Gate Project.
A contemporary of Dai.

"Dr. Ketro. I am aware of who you are. However, I must still know: WHEN. WERE. YOU. FROZEN?"

I think a very blunt "If you can't be civil and answer the questions, be prepared to become familiar with the brig." Is in order.

Not posting a serious idea here but...does anyone else think we should have Iva slug him real good? I know hostility isn't usually a *good* thing, but..I honestly see no other way to calm him down....or to get him to shut up and *listen*.

>>15703298
Well, if we're talking about doing things that might tip our hand, why don't we just have Dai come down.
I'm sure that seeing the legendary engineer who supposedly disappeared along with the Harbinger will get the doctor to shut up.

>>15703273
>A contemporary of Dai

As I recall, Dai did not have many kind things to say about his work.

They must meet. Now.

And our face shall be...

>>15703227

Tell Dai to get to the medbay then this
>>15703273

>>15703227

Heh heh. Page Dai to report here at once. I think he'll be useful here. In the meantime...

"Welcome, Doctor Ketro. I'm not personally familiar with who you are, but I believe Chief Dai has mentioned you in passing. You are currently on board the OIS Harbinger and you have been in cryo for a rather now time. I'm afraid there is no one else I can contact at the moment. If you calm yourself we'll attempt to explain matters for you."

>>15703227
He's obviously not aware of what happened, so let's try and calm him down a bit. Something like this:
"Dr. Ketro, please calm down. Getting purple-faced and angrily stomping aren't going to help either of us. And as for your threats...well, I'm afraid to say, no one can talk to the High Admirals now."
>>15703273
Is he now? I'd forgotten his name. This could be both very good or not so good for us, or maybe even both.

>>15703273
>spearheaded the Gate Project

Oh brother, here we go.

But let's taunt him with Dai later. For now, one more shot at getting info out of him, and if that doesn't work let's just hit him with the truth.

>>15703319
>>15703334
>>15703337
>>15703338
>Get Dai mind

Threatening him with the brig could work, instead of bodily harm.

>>15703395
Let's put him next to Parson.

if possible try and get him to tell us the rank/position of the people in cryo cause then we can dethaw a lower rank guy who isnt so full of himself

>>15703416

But then they'll start plotting our downfall together.

>>15703435
Good thing there are cameras and microphones in the brig.

Awake potentially useful character.
>Advice Harbinger
Make him speak with parson!

Ketro, is it? Well then, you feel sure he and Dai should meet, as soon as possible. Briefly flicking down to the reactor, you summon your Chief Engineer to the cryobay ASAP before returning to the scene with the livid defrosted man.

"Dr. Ketro. I am aware of who you are. However, I must still know: WHEN. WERE. YOU. FROZEN?" As you say this you tune into the suit comms of the two ensigns present, ordering them to charge their weapons intimidatingly -- with safeties on, of course.

The sharp clicks and building whine of charging supercapacitors finally gets the furious man’s attention, stopping his physical antics as he levels quite the blackest scowl you have ever seen at you all. “You will all be court marshaled for this, mark my words. Fine. I was frozen in OY-19477. Location classified, called DS-R-3381. No idea where it was. We were being moved to another research facility. /Happy now/?” he finishes sarcastically.

"Almost." you reply, "What is your rank and assignment?

“I don’t have a rank, I’m a scientist not a jarheaded buffoon like some people. My assignment is research, specifics are well above your clearance I’m sure.”

You are about to respond when you detect an approaching presence, deciding to simply wait with an incorporeal grin. Thirty seconds later the doors to the cryo bay slide open and your Dai clomps into the room, “What did you need me for so quickly, capt--” he cuts off, spotting the thin man.

On the other end of the bay Ketro’s eyes are round as saucers. His right arm shoots up, pointing an accusing finger at Dai, “You! You’re DEAD!”

“Ketro.” Dai sneers, scorn heavy in his voice, “I thought I smelled a foul stench when your pod was brought on board.”

“W-w-what is going on here? Is this some sort of prank?!” Ketro yells, head quickly swiveling between the various people in the room.

>advice Harbinger template

>>15703613

Normally I'd say "press for answers," but for now I'm content to watch this happen.

Dai may proceed.

>>15703613
I laughed out loud at what you did there, Vedibere. Bravo, good sir, bravo.

>>15703613
Gods, I'm so tempted to play a prank on him and make him think he's in Hell.

"Oh, no, Dr. Ketro. This is no prank. And as you no doubt surmise, that if Chun-Fan Dai is here before you, then you are aboard the OIS Harbinger.
"Now, Doctor, we require information. What happened after the collapse of the Hundred Systems Alliance and their rebellion?"

Inform him what happened. Make sure to start with informing him that his friends in high places are probably all dead.

Thatll probably pull his smug grin off.

>>15703613

>>15703665
agreed

>>15703665
>>15704023
I'm also content with this.

>>15703665
>>15703715
>>15703731

Some combination of this.

For the record, this is not going to be a "wait and see" quest.

>>15704181
Very well, Void Master. How about something like this:
"As you can see, Ketro, the situation is, as I said, unique. You are currently aboard the OIS Harbinger, which I assume had been considered destroyed in the Hundred Worlds' Rebellion by the time of your freezing. But that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, here. You see, you've been in cryo for approximately sixty-four thousand years. I know it's hard to believe, but what reason would I have to lie to you? And Dai can certainly convince you with the computer records, I'm sure."

>>15704181
Well if nobody's saying much at all for most of an hour it's probably because we think you're working on something.

Ask for the names of his teamembers

tell him the situation see if that makes him more rational (hopefully), then pump info from him, see if he'll reveal any top secret research and what happened, learn more about people still in cryo

>>15703613
"Don't you have an internal chronometer installed, Dr. Ketro? I must say, Dai caught on much more quickly to the realities of this situation."

>>15704181
For the record, I'm still with >>15703715

We are going to have to tell him sometime, sooner or later.
We should probably break it to him as easily as possible ash he seems very high strung.

>my morris code idea gets you 1 pompous scientist
Damn, I love this quest.

We could just show him the wreckage of the ships in the system. I would assume he knew he was traveling on th Ashura.

"Asura has entrusted you to the Harbringer, doctor, and we seem to have missed the party in our 64 thousand years of slumber. We require information."


Also, Vedibere, the first thread mentioned:
>Testing.... databanks estimated 85 % functionality
>Testing.... reference banks estimated 45% functionality

I can't find any reference to those being repaired or if it is hardware/connection damage, but might it be possible to bring those functions to 100% using parts from Asura's wiped EI core?

>>15703613

"No, this is not a trick. The Harbinger survived, though it's taken us a very long time to recover and return to known space. Something on the order of sixty thousand years. You have just been recovered from the wreckage of the Asura, where you have been asleep for what is effectively just as long as we have. Our knowledge of what happened between our departure and your last reference point is sketchy, as is what happened from that point to now. I was hoping you might illuminate some things for us."

“As you can see doctor Ketro, circumstances have changed. You are onboard the OIS Harbinger and the year is OY-83500. As far as I know the Empire is gone and I have no superior to report to. Likewise all the people in power you know are likely dead. If you had an internal chronometer like doctor Dai you might catch on faster. Now, I’m going to ask you some questions.”

The thin man sits down, hard, and looks up frowning, “Maybe. I’ll see for myself, for now I’ll answer with non-classified information only. Harbinger, eh? Your ship, eh Dai? Didn’t hold up so well did it?” Your chief engineer merely crosses arms and glares in reply.

You decide not to make an issue of it for now, “What happened after the Hundred Worlds Rebellion?”

“The what?” He hasks, brows furrowing.

“The mission that I was supposedly destroyed in.”

“Oh. That.” He waves a hand airily, “Politics. War. Obviously.”

“Yes,” you reply, exasperated, “but what was the war ABOUT, and who was fighting it? I believe there were three factions.”

He rolls his eyes, “Tch, over who gets to decide policy or something. Power, control, what these things are usually about. And it was the Armada, Imperialists, and Houses I guess if you named the big ones.”

“What started it, and what side were you on?”

He shrugs, “Never paid much attention, politics wasn’t really my thing.”

“Lying. The weasel could smell opportunity across the galaxy.” Dai comments, and Ketro shoots him a venomous look.

“Not my fault all you were good for was building overcomplex budget-eaters. Real geniuses know how to get what they need to succeed.”

“Enough.” you state, flatly. “Answer my question, doctor Ketro.”

“Fine. The council started dictating new ship designs and classes. Dipping hands into the Armada’s territory, lot of new ships crafted and people assigned. Armada didn’t like it, told the Council to space itself over something to do with the Houses, refused to intervene. Things happened, not sure what, forces were sent in outside the Armada chain of command. Houses were angry, most of the fleet was angry, council was angry. Somewhere along the line someone started shooting. And here we are.”

“And your side? What about your team?” you inquire.

“Armada. Was at a military research station when it all went down, didn’t feel like being executed as a traitor. My team was with me, various researchers. Mostly weapons and reactor experts who I work with.”

“More like who you steal the ideas of to pass off as your own.” Dai growls.

Ketro gives him a mocking grin, “Still bitter I developed that relay system first, Dai? Really, you should just get over it. It’s hardly my fault you decided to redesign the entire thing over again while I was patenting the first version.”

>>15704497
It was mostly connection damage and power shortage. They are almost entirely repaired.

rolled 46 = 46

>>15704741

Well, Dr. Ketro, feel free to peruse our logs and confirm our story.

If and when you feel ready to assist in the reconstruction of the ship, the human race, and the Ophidian Empire, please notify me.

Oh, and Dr. Ketro, could you please provide a list of your associates still preserved within the cryo tubes. We'd like to avoid this misunderstanding in the future.

Also, for the love of God, can we boot up our human form? Do it immediately.

>>15704741
The gate system, how many years before the war was it put into place? Was it supposed to allow the Imperialists to build cheaper ships outside the Armada's control?

RE-INTERGRATION!!!!!

>>15704741
"Focus, Dr. Ketro. We have a lot of work to do, and not enough hands to do them with.
"You were the leader in the creation of the Gate Network, I presume? I suspect that it was meant to allow the mass production of cheaper ships that could be used to fight against Armada line ships. Is there a way to receive status updates from an entire subnet of nodes, preferably everything below a secondary node.
"And is it your team that is in the remaining cryotubes? I'd like to avoid any misunderstandings like we just had."

Not trying to start anything, but why do we seem to want our body back so badly?

Unless there is some advantage to having our human body back, isn't it just another mouth to feed? Why not leave it as a "once my job here is done" goal?

>>15704741
"Ketro, there will be plenty of time for discussion of past disagreements later. I require a full debrief of the events following our disappearance from you, in detail, and identification of the other individuals still in cryo and what you know of them. Evidence will be provided to prove the timeframe we have claimed, following which, as the highest Imperial military authority I am aware exists, you will provide all information you possess on Imperial technological development and deployment following our disappearance."

rolled 20 = 20

>>15704971

It may have information we need, it's much more effective than Dai at interfacing with computer systems, and on a personal level, it'd just be nice to have.

>>15704971
Mentioned by Vedibere in the last thread that the advanced cybernetics suite of our body would allow for increased efficiency.
There's also the benefit for the crew of having a flesh-and-blood captain again.

"Dr. Ketro, we've been through several systems, and have found no signs of active human governments. We have found alien scavengers, rag pickers, slowly taking apart whatever high-tech remnants of our civilization they can approach.

"All evidence we've found places the complete collapse of the empire at about 50 years after you were put into cryo. You're welcome to look at the communication logs we found on a damaged FTL communications relay.

"We found the ship you were aboard in a dangerously low orbit around the local sun. It cost us three shuttles, a third of our remaining complement, to safely retrieve you. Be thankful to the captain of the Asura. His mind was damaged in whatever fight his ship was crippled in, but he remained true to his mission. He kept you safe in an impossibly difficult situation.

"We found no personal belongings, but we'll bring clothes for you."

>>15705021

We really didn't find his stuff, right?

>>15704945
>>15704972
>>15705021
A nice combination of these three, I think.

A) Are the others in the cryo-pods your team?
B) Could you help us gain more access to the Gate System?
C) Will you join our crew, and be of assistance, or do we have to throw you in the brig?

>>15705152

Hard enough getting his popsicle bed out of there, he can make do.

“Enough, doctor Ketro. I can provide you with logs to establish the timeframe if you wish, but for now we can’t establish too much because the empire seems to have been wiped out. First, though, I’m going to need some information from you.”

He cocks his head to one side and stretches, “I’ll do my own determining, thanks. These things can be faked, as I’m sure you know. If I find the situation to be what you say then we can talk.”

“Maybe, but I need some information now. Specifically, the gate network. When was it put it place and why was it made? Was it so the council could have a fleet of its own without jump drives?”

He gives a smug smile and nods, “Yes, I designed it you know. It was put in place over the course of twenty years, starting a few years after you went missing. The greatest revolution since the invention of the Jump-Drive!” Dai snorts at that, but Ketro continues undaunted, “It was made to have trade flow without those enormous, expensive military-controlled Jump-barges that went from system to system carrying commercial ships. And all military vessels had jump-drives, don’t be foolish.”

“Well, is there some way to increase access to it? Or maybe to track all the active, working nodes?”

At this he frowns, “No, they are designed to go where they go. And they were designed to transmit a FTL data squirt to Sol if they went down, and they kept an active map of the network in the gate control center on Earth. Other than that there’s no other way to know.”

You sigh, “Fine. Well then, two more questions. One, is that your team in the cryopods?”

He looks back at them and then scowls even more, “Are you daft? Of course they are. And why did you sigh out loud? You don’t even have lungs.”

“Exasperation. Final question, for now at least. Will you serve under my authority?”

At this he shifts a small grin growing on his face, “Hmm. Well of course. Honestly, I think I misjudged you and I apologize for that. If you could just revive my team, get me my equipment, and give me databank access then I would be glad to help.”

“Never. Captain, I don’t want this snake touching any of the computer systems, can’t be trusted.” Dai says venomously, only for Ketro to draw back in shock.

“Doctor Dai, I don’t think you should presume to tell the Captain what to do. He’s the one in charge here. If the human race has been so diminished then I need to do all I can to help. Surely you feel the same?”

>>15705387
"Do not test me, Doctor. I know quite well what a highly skilled and trained team could do to me should they gain access to the databanks. And keep in mind the myriad of contingency plans in place to prevent such tampering.
"I will give you access to the ship's logs while we thaw out your team."

Thaw out the rest of Ketro's team, see what they're specialists in.

>>15705387
Though I don't trust him, I believe that he could be helpful. Perhaps we should give him partial access, nothing that can link to the ship's control systems or our own personal systems. Also, wake up his team one at a time to gauge their reactions, psychological status following that, and their loyalties. And for our own good, keep an eye on Ketro at all times, and let Dai have access to it.

take precautions making sure ketro doesnt mess with us, but seeing how he is a smart person once he fully realizes what situation he is in i dont see why he wouldnt work for us, give him acess to info but keep and eye on him

>>15705488
Ketro also has a big ego and a very low opinion of military personnel, as well as the intelligence and skills to hack our data core.
That actually makes it MORE likely that he will attempt a mutiny and take control of our data core.

He's from post-division Empire and we can't be assured of his loyalty. That said, he doesn't really have anywhere else to go, and he and his team will undoubtedly be useful. Ketro gets limited access with all activities logged, and we will be checking those logs regularly. Dai will also have authority to check those logs, and is still Chief Engineer with Ketro to report to him. His team will be detached and now answer to Dai. Their assignment to Ketro's projects will be at Dai's discretion.

With those limits in place, let's give Ketro access to the data he wants to establish that this isn't some complex game to trick him into disclosing classified information.

After we're done with Ketro, I think our next order of business is that discussion with Parson about betrayal, treason, and the people who set him up to die along with all of us. The topic after that should be deciding what our next destination is. We've already spent over a month here.

>>15705387
"Well we seem to be at a bit of an impass. On one hand Dr Ketro and his team could prove to be invaluable in rebuilding some of what has been lost to us. On the other I trust Dr Dai implicitly.
I'm open to suggestions gentlemen. This being a warship and not a dedicated research station I'd be inclined towards establishing a new facility at some point in the hopefully not too distant future."

To Dr Dai, another option might be to make use of the databanks from one of the scrapped ships in system to create a seperate database. Is it doable and would it deal with some of your objections?

>>15705534
>That said, he doesn't really have anywhere else to go

Yeah, but does he know that?

Imagine Parson, but competent.

>>15705383
>He cocks his head to one side and stretches, “I’ll do my own determining, thanks. These things can be faked, as I’m sure you know. If I find the situation to be what you say then we can talk.”
All right, no. Fuck this guy. We are the Captain. We are in charge. He accepts the evidence we offer, he tells us whatever we ask, or we throw him in the brig for a couple months until his body can survive being shoved back in cryo, tell his team that he didn't survive, and call the ten highly skilled specialized who are less likely to be scheming douchenozzles a good haul for the Asura op. If we let him interact with them he'll try to remain their leader and thereby disrupt our authority anyway.

I say give him minimal access so he can do his calculations and if he still wants to be a smarmy cunt, well then what this guy said
>>15705567

>>15705567
i agree with this guy 100% we cant have this guy not listening to the captain of a war ship, that will hurt crew relations

Seems pretty split between partial access and no access and/or brigging him. What is the choice, fellows?

>>15705688
Partial access, logs only. No access to critical systems, or maintenance subroutines.

We are a military ship, not a cruise-liner. No access until he accepts both the situation and our authority.

>>15705534
Is pretty much on the spot for everything else. We need to split up the rest of 'his team' and see which are willing to serve us freely and loyally? Even if they all do, they have to be under Dai's authority, our military rank structures are in place for a reason and we shouldn't mess them up.

>>15705748
the info about where we've been is common knowledge among the crew. he'll find out if he isn't a retard. so give him access to that and other data, but not to ship's systems. that would seem to be best.

also placing him under dai.

>>15705688
I dunno.

>tell his team that he didn't survive, and call the ten highly skilled specialized who are less likely to be scheming douchenozzles a good haul for the Asura op. If we let him interact with them he'll try to remain their leader and thereby disrupt our authority anyway.
This does sound interesting but of course would mean we'd never get anything useful out of Ketro ever again. Let's talk to Dai via his implants if possible or talk to him in another room about this. His opinion on how useful the rest of Ketro's team would be without the old wind bag in the way.
We'll need a way to keep him busy or seperate a section of the computers from our key functions if we let him in.

Ketro is obviously arrogant, manipulative, and of uncertain loyalty. We should dismiss him to quarters with an escort, and give him copies of whatever is recorded of our 64 thousand year automatic repair process; along with whatever else seem pertinent to establish our legitimacy. Then we could give him a tour of the worst of the damage to Harbinger. At no point should we give him run of our computers.

We should talk with Dai about what reasons Dai has for disliking the man intensely, and ask what he would do with Ketro. Also find out if he knows anyone on Ketro's team and if so, which ones would be useful.

If we are going to defrost the others, make sure that Ketro is not present and make sure they have no contact.

As for what to do with Ketro if we do decide to use him, I suggest that we not put him under Dai. Given their animosity, it is likely to make Dai unhappy and make Ketro even more prone to try something.

>>15705795
but people might find out about our... allocation of space. and think we're getting abit like parsons. better to let him on bit watch him real close like. like having him report to dai. and instructing dai to give him enough work to drown a space elephant. his team should report to dai and will be integrated into the engineering staff.

My vote goes to un-compromising access, nothing that will allow potential for sabotage, and awaken his team one at a time in order to perform similar wake-up procedures: name, rank, what year frozen, what they were doing, and inform them of what has happened. Gauge reaction, psychological status, and try to discern their loyalties.
>>15705534
As per this suggestion, Ketro will serve under Dai, as will all of Ketro's former team, and Dai will have complete oversight of all of their work, data access, etc.

>>15705823

I disagree in part. We can't shut Ketro out entirely, he's too valuable. We need him, and we need his team. So let's give him the records he needs to be convinced and then have him there when we thaw people out.

These are not the enemy. They're humans, and they work for us now. So we treat them right and try to reduce the shock to a minimum. Didn't we just have a long conversation about preventing our crew from breaking under the stress?

>>15705861

And if Ketro steps so much as one micrometer out of line, he's refrozen and kept for biological samples. I'd almost suggest 24-hour loyal armed guard with contingency kill orders if it wouldn't be a waste of manpower.

>>15705939

But he's also too dangerous. If there's one person that had the ability to take the entire operation off the rails and has the naked ambition and hubris to try it, it's him. He should be handled like a live viper: rarely, briefly, and in the safest manner possible.

I'm also partial to "drown him in work". Congratulations, Doctor, for your surviving and being a genius in your own mind, you are hereby awarded the task of rebuilding necessary infrastructure from nothing, better utilizing those gates, and otherwise fixing this clusterfuck. If you run out of things to do, just ask; I'm certain we can generate a few hundred more tasks at-will.

>>15705939

>Not the enemy, Humans.

Bro i'm going to stop you right there, the Empire fell apart because HUMANS split into three factions to attempt to gain total control, HUMANS and ENEMIES are one and the same when your an important person. We are human, Parsons was human, yet right now we believe he jumped us into TWO SUPERNOVAS AT THE SAME TIME on purpose. We cannot afford to trust people, but at the same time we can't afford to -not- trust people. Humans will fuck up everything in a bid for power, what makes you think a SCIENTIST with A BAD ATTITUDE AND THREATENED US who is in charge of a group of PROFESSIONALS is worthy of our trust? That's similar to trusting your best general, a man who you suspect is going to assassinate you to protect your lands from ravaging invaders, he'll do it, but he'll fuck you over in the process. I HONESTLY believe that he and parsons will spread dissent among the crew about our abilities, about where we stand, whether or not we have lied to them. We cannot afford risks this early bro.

>>15705943
this sounds like a job for our intelligence offi.... wait.

let's get Ivanova on this. she and dai could keep an eye on him.

How long do you guys really think "limited access to non-critical systems" will last when given to a top class engineer? (or even a slightly-less-than-top-class engineer?)

He gets nothing until he pledges service and loyalty.

We are all that is left of humanity. We are the leader of the ship. We are the leader of humanity.

Unless he agrees to follow us, he gets nothing but a shuttle down to the nearest habitable planet.

>>15706000

Ketro is a craven opportunist who turns with whatever way the wind is blowing. Right now we are the only wind around, so he's going to play nice and be helpful. Let's make use of that help. If given the chance, yes, he might pull a dirty like trying to take control of the ship or selling out to an alien power. We simply make sure he doesn't get that chance. Limited access, logged activities, Dai's supervision. Until then, I see no reason to go full paranoid and throw the most valuable assent we have yet to acquire (and I am counted the clustereater) in the brig.

As for Parson, I've already suggested we make him our next order of business. And depending on how that goes we either get a renewed pledge of loyalty out of him, or we try him for treason and execute him. Either way he won't continue to be a problem.

>>15705939
Our ability to get good use out of Ketro involves us making sure that he knows that helping us helps him. While it would be cool if humans all stuck together all the time, I don't think we will get that from Ketro without making him well and truly convinced that the situation is as we describe it. Until he is convinced, I don't want him doing anything sensitive.

We need to break down the loyalties of his former team and make them more inclined to follow us and our mission than him, I think we can only do that if we make a first impression that Ketro has no part in.

Definitely agree on getting Ivanova in on whatever system we use for handling Ketro.

>>15706116
>execute him.

I don't know if that would be an option. There simply isn't enough human genetic stock around. Yeah, it's a strong gesture, but it's also one less human, period. Imposed cryofreeze, perhaps.

>>15706116
Parsons is insane. he clearly regrets his actions. we get him to join us after a one-on-one, possibly in our new body. we give him a hug and tell him we forgive him, but we need him. we also offer him a way out. he can kill himself or join us in making things better.

either way, if we treat him well and do our best to help him, we win loyalty points from the crew and officers. which would help prevent Ketro from using humans to backstab us. we should also try to treat his team well. get them to integrate into egineering staff. that way they will have more loyalty to us and the crew, and less to to him.

>>15706167
I'm sure we have some recombination technology that would prevent the harmful effects of inbreeding.

Grab a few genes and swap them out, that sort of thing.

>>15706212
do you have any idea what kind of facilities we would need for that? we're equiped for trauma and battlefield injuries and MAYBE simple ilnesses. like a cold.we don't have the stuff for genetics. because we're a WARSHIP

Another vote for no access. It's obvious this guy's a schemer and we know too little yet.

Thaw the rest one by one and make sure they check out. Who knows maybe one of them doesn't fit.

>>15706253
>>15706126
>>15706116

I bet the Empire had protocols for hiring civilian contractors.

Well, right now, Dr. Ketro is in the position of being one. We can't just have him be a guest on the ship, and we're still following military protocol. So, we're going to treat him like a civcon, and give him access according to those protocols.

It's fair, it's sensible, and it protects our ass from him (since civcons are going to have limited access to anything important).

They'll be reporting to Dai, but we're going to be doing what we can to help these two men reconcile their differences for the good of everyone.

Perhaps we're going about this all wrong.

First, we need to show Ketro our video logs of the glassed planets. Of the planet we're currently orbiting, the shattered hulks of some of the Armada's most powerful warships - including the one he was riding in.

Then we're going to show him our chronometer logs, etc.

And then we are going to explain that there is absolutely nobody in the known universe with the power to hold us - the most powerful warship ever constructed - to account.

Then we suggest that we are not in the mood to take anybody's shit right now.

Not in the least.

>>15706312
Sounds like the kind of thing that would make him into Parson 2.0. Also, he will realize what a ridiculous bluff that is if he ever gets a look at the damage we have sustained and the current efficiency of our critical systems.

>>15706376
>what a ridiculous bluff that is if he ever gets a look at the damage we have sustained

-which was far more then enough to plow through anything and everything any alien civilization within twenty-thousand lightyears can muster against us. "Great Federation Battle-Fleet" my fucking ass.

After seeing our visual logs of the defense stations and their peashooters, he'll understand this.

Sorry guys, I just fell asleep. Also, uh, what exactly do you do?

>Be back Wednesday at 18:00
>Someone archive please

Is vedibere gone?
Or writing a last update?

Beeb runing fot some 8hrs now *gasp*

But after the initial quick consense, back to arguing and following tangents etc... Really sad.

>>15706618
>what do

I mean, for the record, what is your next overall step. Go somewhere, do X/Y/Z, things like that. For the near future you defrost people, get your body, things like that. Just wondering the next general area to focus.

Defrost scientist, ask for name and other standard details
> WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!

Ask scientist for loyalty
> Sure, if you give me what I want.

Sudden reversal much? This guy is a cunt. Lock him up. Read-only access to selected archives only. Trust Dai, this guy is a snake.

I'm not even sure giving him the chance to prove his loyalty would be worth the risk of having him around.

>>15706645

Let's work our way to Sol, using the gates and jumps where we have to.

If there's anything left of humanity, it will be in Sol.

>>15706645

Consult the crew (and Ivanova in private) on where we might be able to go and get the crew something that isn't bean paste?

surely there must be a world nearby that has edible lifeforms and perhaps a not-so-public military base for us to stumble upon...

how awesome will it be for the crew to be able to eat some real food?

Hey when we talk to Kateryna in private let's use her first name, da?

learn more about the Aliens, ask our prisoners just who exactly these "inheritors" are, what they look like, and why they are called "inheritors".

i have a feeling that we will be running into this "Federation" alot more...

Yeah, I don't really trust Ketro, and I don't see what he really has to offer us. Throw him in the brig. If hasn't offered something useful to us in a month put him back on ice.
Second, find out from the aliens about the Inheritors, where they are, and head towards there.

>>15706645
>general area to focus

We have some housekeeping to make work of. Supplies/raw materiel has been gathered, now we must decide on more extended salvage operations.

ACTION: Ask Dai (and Ketro, if possible) about salvaging point-defense lasers/components from the hulks; commence the task if feasible. I understand they're:

-- simple
-- rugged
-- small

-which is why so many of our own survived the long sleep; so there should be a good number of usable components and they should be comparatively EASY to salvage.

ACTION: Convene crew; contemplate next target. There are a few other bases to investigate; one of which was just as small as Orrin. If it was on a non-oxygen atmo planet, we might find the energy gun components we're so sorely lacking; and more shield generator parts anyways.

ACTION: Ask crew for opinions on how to deal with the local "Federation" civilization that runs the show around here. Establish a dialogue (after smacking down any ill-fated aggression from them) or just blow them away?

>>15706732

Why do we want those little lasers though? We have plenty of our own. Trade goods?

Also what about the big guns on the hulks? Some of the railguns survived.

>>15706848
I see no point in leaving anything behind, especially if we have empty mounts on our hull that could fit more.

I'll have to scan the older threads to see if he ever listed just how many salvageable components there are.

>>15706645

To Do List:

Send the record straight with Ketro (ie he's part of the crew now, don't dick with us) and get him and his team up and running.

Confront Parson about our deepening suspicions that he set us at Iridus, although he may not have known what he was setting us up for.

Decide what our next destination is. Probably a good time for a command staff meeting, plus Ketro. Yes, he sucks, but his info is slightly more up to date than ours and he knows the Gates. I think it's time we stopped skulking in the shadows and started reclaiming territory. So it's time to do any final work to get the ship combat ready and plan our first attack.

>Why do we want those little lasers though?

POINT-DEFENSE lasers. Only 44% of our point-defense lasers are operational. We only have 44% coverage.

>railguns survived

I don't remember Ved saying anything about those. Those ships would've had very few of those, anyways. We ourselves had hundreds of energy cannons (two, three to a turret) but only eight railguns - and that's because they were essentially backup weapons of limited potential in a huge fight; thus any more then a tiny number would be wasted mass.

Also, just like the energy cannons it'd take us months to cut apart those old ships and salvage that shit. We'd be better off coming back when we've got a dedicated salvage yard ship - IF we ever get one.

The point-defense, though? It's easy, it's quick, and there's probably a lot more working ones of those then anything else.

There's a difference between "sensible and feasible" and "Gee that's nice, but it's just not cost-effective."

>>15706940

Oh sheesh, leave Parson alone in there. We don't need a new batch of crazy in there.

>>15706730

Ketro's an opportunist, but he's also a brilliant engineer. That's what he has to offer right now. He's also the man who built the fucking gate network. The FTL data squirt thing? We didn't know that before. Now we do. If there are backdoors in the gates, ways to shut them off remotely, anything like that, he'll know about them.

We'll treat him with respect, give him some measure of authority as a civilian contractor, and keep an eye on him. We're going to need this gate expert eventually, and we're going to want to keep him friendly.

Someone achive this

also, don't give the access to databanks.

>finally thought I caught Void quest why it was going. Turns out Vedi already left ;_;

>>15706312
Actually, I like this.

We could add that we favor stability and loyalty at this moment than the chaos hi antics could cause. He better swallow his pride and follow our orders or we will airlock him into the space and tell the rest of his team that he didn't survive.