>>2638980
FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION

>>2638980
For house and Dominion! Get rich or die sharking edition!

>>2638980
For House and Dominion Empire Neeran Super to Salvage!

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Construction business is booming, Rioja continues to see expansion and you're making progress rebuilding ties with the Run Alliance. A new RSS Heavy salvage ship built by House Ceres has been completed and is currently in the J-D homeworlds while the crew conducts training. It won't be long until they're needed in the Run to help with new salvage sites.

RSS has also established a modular station above Karakum which you and HTF have bought the land rights to. Salvage teams have begun their first forays to the surface of the pollution and radiation devastated world. As anticipated they're reporting that more automated systems will be needed along with specialised vehicles.

Some of the crews think they could make do with equipment used by salvage teams in space with enough modification. Salvage hardsuits, modded LST's and HLV's. Others are adamant that tougher craft are needed. Repair Scarabs custom modified equipped for salvage work, and transports with dedicated repulsor systems for long duration atmosphere deployments.

Modifying existing company equipment would be far cheaper and require the least delay but could put workers in ranger. Going for tougher craft will be expensive and take longer to source, but will ensure the crews will be safe.

A middle of the road approach would be to acquire existing vehicles that are close enough. The Lancaster Skycrane wont have the same capacity as the dedicated transports but should work and would be faster to acquire. Older model Scarabs available in South Reach could likewise be refit, though they won't be quite as good as the newer models.

[ ] Modify existing company equipment (Cheap) 5-10m
[ ] Scarabs & Lancasters (Middle road) 20-30m
[ ] R. Scarabs & dedicated transports (Expensive) 40-80m

>>2639089
>[ ] Scarabs & Lancasters (Middle road) 20-30m

>>2639089
[ ] R. Scarabs & dedicated transports (Expensive) 40-80m

>>2639089
>[x] R. Scarabs & dedicated transports (Expensive) 40-80m

>>2639089
>[ ] R. Scarabs & dedicated transports (Expensive) 40-80m
Only the best for RSS. I mean we will be on the planet for a long while salvaging so may as well get the best for it. The salvage on it will more than enough make up for it and once we're done we will have some nice new equipment for them.

Rolled 15 (1d40)

Well then, guess there's no need to wait.

Let's see if the company is able to get a good deal on the parts and equipment needed. Lower is better.

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Thanks to some quick calls and acquisition of a few damaged ships that already need to be rebuilt, the company is able to acquire everything they'll need for 55 million. The dedicated transports will be modified at the company's refit yards at Surakeh, and extensively tested before deployment. Repair scarabs prove to be the more expensive part but London does eventually manage to find someone who will part with enough of them. These are already halfway to the role RSS needs them for since they need to make clean cuts before repairing starship armor.

Everything should be up and running in a couple of months.

-55m Salvage gear for Karakum Death World


Back on Rioja you and the Governor have made agreements with a Terran construction company who wants to build an entire city from scratch. Spiral City is a proposed construction project that would build an entire city from scratch. Space for habitation, industry, business, all of it would be preplanned. It would be much like a larger arcology in a way, though more spread out and open. As its name implies a central spire would be the tallest point in the city with progressively smaller buildings spiraling outward.

After initial issues involving city immigration and control issues were worked out it now is just a question of where it will go. It's going to be built in the northern hemisphere, now it's just to figure out where.

The areas that are already seeing the most development are boxed in red. Aside from the large island near Rioja city most of the lands in the northern hemisphere is Sonia's. What area did you have in mind for placement of the new city?

A1 - West, near intersection of major rivers
A2 - West, plains
A3 - West, coastline north of West Cities
B1 - Coastline north west of capital
B2 - East, plains
B3 - East, near intersection of major rivers
Other

>>2639195
B3 - East, near intersection of major rivers

>>2639195
B3

>>2639195
Still all for B3 for that scenic river view.

>>2639195
>B3 - East, near intersection of major rivers

Into the east! Spiral city will be the first of the new colonization wave to settle the watershed connecting to the smaller seas. With this in mind efforts will be taken to ensure that agriculture and more natural vegetation is expanded in those areas to replace terraforming grasses.

>>2634859
>training/skill-implanting headsets
I think you're getting memory imprinting and sleep headsets mixed up.

>>2634891
>I have to wonder just how much higher Rioja's sea will rise before the Terraforming is complete?
They won't. The Southern Wastes were once an ocean. The first time Rioja was terraformed the main ocean was artificially raised to improve the planet's overall habatability. This involved constructing the (3) Southern Walls and emptying the southern polar ocean. It also had the added benefit of making it easier to mine the local mineral deposits.

Just realised the Badlands probably shouldn't be located where they are.

>non of our major population centers are in danger of being under literal water in the future, right?
No. Not unless someone drops another moon onto the planet and it hits ocean.

>>2639333
>Just realised the Badlands probably shouldn't be located where they are.
Hidden broken terraforming equipment beneath the surface keeping it a hellish desert?

As with last year London and the Governor would like to see continued investment in RSS/RLS and Rioja. The following are the same as previous requests though if you want you can increase or decrease numbers. You currently have 6.8 Billion S available in funds.

Requests
-1.5 Billion, RSS/RLS growth
-250m Rioja Industry
-175m Rioja Urban Development
-250m Rioja Agriculture

While you're already paid through this year with the Run Alliance for the fleet base expansions you do have the option to get an early start since the next one is for House Binil. They're still not entirely happy with how things went with Nirium and your continued
-500m Run Alliance Fleet base expansions

Approve or adjust?

>>2639455
>Requests
All approved

>Run Alliance expansion
Okay, lets see what Binil needs help with.

>>2639455
>Requests
Rioja Urban Development up to 200M

>They're still not entirely happy with how things went with Nirium and your continued
something missing there?

>>2639455
Approve all.

>>2639455
Investment approved for Rioja

Investment of fleetbase approved.

Still trying to figure out what else to get but I am currently drawing blank

>>2639494
>something missing there?
Don't know how that got deleted.

They're still not entirely happy with how things went with Nirium and your continued support would help to reassure them.

>>2639479
>Okay, lets see what Binil needs help with.
Just an early start. It's meant to be reassuring. You could also make use of Rioja's tax money for it.

>>2639455
>>2639563
in this case, approve fleet base expansion

>>2639563
Ah okay, also how much do we need to help Trinqua get that system?

>>2639600
1 billion, it was already subtracted.

RLS is looking at acquiring another Medium Cruiser. (Don't worry, it's included in their budget.) There is something of a debate going on about possibly going for a transport craft that could better service more remote colonies in South Reach that lack their own infrastructure.

The SRL has recently unveiled a new Medium Transport descended from their older cargo frame ships, the Bear Class. These are much more capable, their engineers having learned a great deal from the Sledge. They have hardpoints to carry containers, either the larger Kavarian ones or slightly smaller Dominion cargo blocks. They also have dedicated docking sections for HLV's and light transports. These would allow the smaller craft to load cargo from other parts of the ship in orbit and ferry it down to planets. Handy for worlds lacking stations or much in the way of spaceports.

The other option would be to pick up another Kilo. They're quite useful and can be upgraded for combat if necessary. While they can be rigged for carrying HLV's and smaller craft it wouldn't be as good at cargo transfer without considerable work.

The Bear would be better if you want RLS to expand operations into markets in less developed areas.
The Kilo would be better if you wanted to focus more on station construction and larger scale work.

>>2639701
>The Bear

>>2639701
>[x] The Kilo would be better if you wanted to focus more on station construction and larger scale work.

Company development vs expansion, I guess.
Gonna go with the Kilo since scaling up is where the greater profit can be made.

>>2639701

Lets go with a Kilo, we can start building stations however small around those worlds without stations. They'll be useful in the long run and people will want to make use of those later to build up infrastructure.

As the shipyards in the Avoubic system still produce some Kilos RSS intends to buy the next one to be completed. That should help make it easier to transport more station modules. Hopefully that will mean more business.

That's it for immediate issues on the economic front for the moment but there is sure to be more. There were a number of items that were more situational. One of which involved phase weapon R&D with House Veritas. This was going to be brought up should a planned trip to South Reach take place.

Unfortunately not all the news is good in the universe which has delayed your departure. Issues with the larger battles against the Neeran being fought out in the Crystal Sea meant organizing fleets to be sent, reinforcements and so on.

With combat data coming in from some Alliance units it's showing just how capable elite units can be. To further increase the level of training among your crews a additional Top Gun training program as been instituted to push the limits of what even your veteran units are capable of.

According to intel some of the elite squadrons from Terran space may have had a bit more of an edge. Enhancements like those you had done to improve your reflexes and reaction speed are being made more widely available now. Terran colonies are desperate but they're not forcing these on people, many are volunteering. Such individuals are being formed into similarly equipped units.

Reaction enhancements are expensive and at the moment House J-D only uses them in quantity in their special forces Commando units.
Did you want to make these enhancements available to some of your pilots?

>>2639986
I'd like to offer it, but caution the side-effects. We don't want a good pilot wasted because of a poor reaction.
Has the development of the serum progressed any further?

>>2639986
>Did you want to make these enhancements available to some of your pilots?
yes for the new Top Gun pilots and existing elite units

>>2640030
Supporting this stance.

>>2640030
The Terrans and a few of the larger Houses may have a slightly improved version now, though not by much. Species specific equivalents are now available for Dro'all and are probably being worked on for other Faction species. House Kharbos was working on version for both humans and Dro'all long before the war so they're the only ones seeing real production as yet.

It seems there is always a chance of problems with uptake regardless of improvements. J-D has improved treatment procedures to the point where they're ready for just about anything. The procedure just takes a bit longer when parts of it doesn't work. Risk of complete rejection is always picked up by early screening beforehand.
For those anticipating ground or hand to hand combat they still recommend skeletal reinforcement.

Elite pilots will be given the option of reaction enhancement. You make sure that the medical staff will give them plenty of warning about what could go wrong. No point in them thinking this is just an easy risk free upgrade. Given the man hour costs involved the doctors are only too happy to try and scare off some of them.

Secure medical facilities will be set up at Mons Abyla base and in the capital. Cost is the main issue. facing them, though it probably won't be a big deal for your wallet.
100m a year total for both facilities to operate.

Take it from Rioja's tax money or Sonia's bank account?

Knight Commander Nel'odym has been leading the J-D fleet from your relay. With the assistance of mercenary Bernard Foss and his Super Heavy Cruiser they were able to cripple a Neeran Executioner class super. The SHC Sam Bellamy has itself taken a few hits and is currently undergoing repairs.

When you last spoke the Knight Commander had been considering deployment without heavier backup. This time when you're contacted on a secure channel you expect he's come to a decision.

"I may be violating operational security, but something has happened. The Alliance is losing ships again."

"What now." you mutter.

"Two brand new ACS were reportedly destroyed by a superweapon of some kind. It caused them to collide at great speed. Elsewhere another ACS was half destroyed by a Krath Veckron weapon strike."

"What the hell?"
The first is worrying enough, but if the enemy got hold of veckron weapon tech things could be even worse.
"Was there a friendly fire incident with the other?" you ask.

"It doesn't sound like it. The torpedo supposedly came from near an enemy formation, though that formation exploded shortly after. They only barely managed to set off the torpedo early thanks to new countermeasures and it still removed more than a third of the ship."

>What say?
[ ] "Sounds like you want to go help them."
[ ] "Sounds like you want to stay the hell out of that."

>>2640490
>Secure Medical Facilities
Sonia's bank account. I prefer if they are on our payroll to minimize any risks or changes we would like to make in the future.

>[ ] "Sounds like you want to stay the hell out of that."

>>2640490
>[ ] "Sounds like you want to stay the hell out of that."
Let's get the Terrans to do the heavy lifting for once.

>>2640490

>possible neeran super weapons

Well shit. That does not bode well. I am pretty sure we cannot really tell him what to do. Just that we hired him to support our fleet. Nel'odym while he may be thinking to head out to that front. Maybe we should have them both on the phone to discuss the possabilities of new Neeran super weapons and the best means to respond to them. The Neeran have had access to Factions bases for years now maybe they figured out how to fire vekrons, maybe not build or make them but fire from the supply they do have. Like wise it would not be to far fetched to think they have one crazed admiral who would use their new grav trch like a weapon.

So really it is up to then to decide together how they want to work together on this possible threat. Also any bounty on those ships/ weapons systems aught to be sky high to the point it would be possible to buy a factions super! Or not, just thinking of upper limits for enemy super weapons captured in tact.

>>2640721
Talk to Foss / This is your call?

>>2640614
>>2640701
Looks like going with this though.

"Sounds like you want to stay the hell out of that." are the first words out of your mouth.

"Sir?"
"There are times when discretion is the better part of valor. Wait to see how the situation unfolds and talk to the Alliance. If they really need you they'll ask. For now it's enough that you're holding the forward bases and colonies."

"Understood. I'll have a report on our salvage operations within a few days. If we did secure one of the big guns from aboard the Super we disabled do you believe your resources would be able to transport it back to House space? I'm sure we could get it part way there."

"Absolutely." you reply. The new Heavy has more than enough capacity and the addition of the asteroid tug grade FTL system means it can move just about anything if given enough time.

"Good to hear sir. I don't think our House could make the most use of it, but if restored to operational levels I'm certain the Ruling House or the Seven might be interested in acquiring it."

Plenty of options. Hopefully they're able to get it that far without difficulty from the Alliance or the Terrans whose space they'll need to pass through.

"Do you know which ships our reserve crews from Forbearance were assigned to?" Nel'odym asks.

You're not 100% certain but from what was left in that particular reserve Vanderwal thinks they were assigned to ACS Arcturus and Broadside.

"Why do you ask?"
"There was talk that Alliance Supers being brought up from the reserves could be sent against that Superweapon whatever it is."

[ ] "Even if they are being sent we can't afford losing them and your fleet."
[ ] If they are being sent, back them up with a few fast ships
[ ] This changes everything, get out there

>>2641027
We cannot afford to lose Nel'odym or Foss at this point. But they are the commanders out there I want them to be safe. But if they feel they need to send ships to back them up. That is their perogative. As for deploying the entire fleet there... I dont want to lose either of them.

But at the same time I am growing suspicious of the Alliances capability to properly command fleet units. Sure they cannot always properly respond to superweapons, but they are losing a lot of resources. And I am questioning their capabilities.

>>2641027
>[x] "Even if they are being sent we can't afford losing them and your fleet."
Losing a Super is bad, losing a fleet is disastrous.

>>2641027
> [ ] "Even if they are being sent we can't afford losing them and your fleet."

> I'm sure the Alliance isn't going to just sit back and take this, but maybe there's something we can do to help.

Reconsider loaning the Grav Well Generator?

>>2641027
>[ ] "Even if they are being sent we can't afford losing them and your fleet."

I want to plow all of Sonia's money into a Dominion Singularity Beam Superweapon

>>2641123
>>2641123
> https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2pqKiOZdI40

It sounds like the Neeran might already have one, and be able to create a black hole or DiGraW of some sort.

Solar Lasers though.

>>2641160
Just gonna point out that we already pretty much have the technology to turn suns into lasers, if we have the will to do so. Colonies will probably be protected by magnetic fields.

Probably.

"Even if they are being sent we can't afford losing them and your fleet. If you decide to send a few ships to help them out, that's your perogative. Keep an eye on things. I don't know what the Alliance is playing at but we can't keep taking losses like this."
"Aye sir."

Signing off you look after some of the day to day trying to distract yourself from just how badly things seem to be going out on the front lines. Discussing matters with Vanderwal you ask about the Veckron weapon countermeasures.

"Interceptor missile systems, similar to what Aries developed. I'm guessing they're using something a good deal stronger. Maybe that new stronger structural material that Iratar produces now? It's a little concerning if they managed to set it off early and still managed to lose a good chunk of the ship."

"That reminds me, where's Eldal? I mean Jan! Dammit I keep doing that."

The old spook checks his watch.
"He should be back from his whatever routine in another hour or so."
Vanderwal rolls his eyes.

"What?" you ask.
"He's a Krath infiltrator for crying out loud. They don't need acting and therapy classes for a midlife crisis. Kid should be hardening himself against the cruelties of life, and then killing those cruelties. Maybe burying them out in the desert somewhere."

>What say?

>>2641295
"Whilst I'd agree with any other trooper, aren't they made hard? From what I've learnt they come out of the box mean and nasty and don't need too much training."

>>2641310
>>2641295
This. We assume there was a young Vanderwal once, who was innocent and had yet to discover lifes cruelty, and over time learned to accept becoming part of it.

Jan on the other hand now needs to learn why we must sometimes be cruel. What it protects.

"From what I've learned they come out of the box mean and nasty and don't need too much training. He needs to learn everything besides that, and what his occasionally being a killing machine protects."

Vanderwal shrugs. "Alright, fair enough. I still say he's being underutilized."

"Send him a few offers, just make sure to CC me."

"That's partly why I don't send him many job offers."

Parting ways for the moment you don't run into the spymaster again until later that day at a briefing.

With the fighting at the front it was only a matter of time until a new wave of refugees began to arrive in the region. The worlds of the Run already have enough difficulty just with the regular flow of refugees and asylum seekers. The economy is handling itself but it could be pushed under again by having to deal with too many more.

The Governor and much of the military want to simply turn away any increased numbers of ships. Odds are much of the Run Alliance feels the same way. Fadila however has an idea.

"We charge the Terran government a flat rate for handling more of their citizens. A housing fee."

"Tell me that wasn't intended as a pun?" asks Balle. "I can't tell anymore."

Accepting more refugees would require founding additional cities. Big ones, possibly on the scale of Spiral city, or with larger arcologies. That's going to cost a lot of money, with or without Terran funding. Additional spaceports would also be needed.

>Your thoughts on Fadila's suggestion?

Did not realise how late it was.

Provided there are no changes will be running in the evenings the next few days, then through the day possibly Thursday and Friday. Hours are getting cut back a bit so that means more H&D in the future.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GInbdM29BAI
Oh look, Arin and Dan are playing a game with a nice friendly shark. And hey the shark is trying to salvage their raft.

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>>2641546

>>2641502
Let's see this as a possibility rather than as something negative. This will allow us to heavily increase the manpower and working population of Rioja fairly quickly. More so if we manage to squeeze money from the Terrans for dealing with the refugees. In the long run I see us gaining more from this than we would lose in the short run.

>>2641791
I completely disagree - the percentage of Terrans on our world is already quite high.

While the short term influx of cash and manpower would be good, the long-run would probably involve demonstrations by Terrans for more political rights - or social segregation.

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>>2641502
Why don't we simply build space stations for them, either in existing or even previously unused systems? They're not protected by the factions treaty but as long as the conflict with the neeran is going on, nobody who cares about the treaty is going to target them. If people are really worried about protection, have the various factions sign an addendum to the factions treaty that includes these stations in it for the duration of the neeran war.

If we make sure to emphasize modular construction, then once the alliance is making progress into empire territory and people can return to places they previously fled from, we could pack up the stations and use them as pow processing centers, strong points, and additional support infrastructure in captured territory.

This would also make kicking the terran refugees settled on these stations out of Dominion space once the war is over much easier.

>>2641928
We could even just sell the stations back to the Terrans and they could move them out.

>>2641928
>>2642027

I mean if you are okay with being viewed as building space camps for Terrans. Which will not be an okay publicity move that a lot of Terrans on our world viewing it as discrimination and cause an uproar louder than if we had taken them in in the first place.

>>2641502
I like her idea in the short term it works. But we simply cannot afford to have to many more Terrans on Rioja without them tipping the balance more towards a Terran population. Why the hell aren't other factions taking in Terran refugees? It seems as if the Dominion is taking most of their refugees.

Maybe we should work something with their embassy so that we can start considering their people as Dominion citizens?

What if that Dominion Emperor had the right idea all along for the Terrans to become part of the Dominion and that factions war simply delayed the inevitable? Maybe it might be worth digging up that old idea again?

>>2642053
They're space camps, so why build them deep in the dominion? Build them in Terran space, or near to it, claiming it's for their protection.

Do that while also offering to allow Terran Citizens to settle on planets instead if they are willing to become Dominion Citizens - naturally with the requirement of joining the military.

If they claim discrimination, counter-claim that it's because they don't respect the Dominions culture and that it's offensive that they demand our Land, which has a deep and significant social meaning as well as being a part of our traditional Government system that even the average Dominion citizen can't just purchase.

They want us to treat them like nobility, as if they're better than our citizens? How arrogant, since they haven't put any work into acquiring the land nor do they accept the responsibility to protect ut as a Dominion Noble with their lives and fortunes on the line.

They want to take food not just from Dominion hands but right out of our very mouths, and have the audacity to claim to be refugees still at that point?

Whereas we're being more than fair, even allowing them the chance to serve in the Military and possibly become Nobles themselves even, based on their own merits.

Then for the final twist of the knife, we can point out that's exactly what we did to get to our position, that we started out just as unable to pyrchase land as we pleased and *earned* that right.

Since it's against the Terrans too, we could probably get some serious groundswelling of support from other nobles having refugee troubles. If Terra is so much better, they can go beg them for land to settle on, instead of contributing to future Terran space infrastructure whe we would sell rhem the Habitat Stations. Goddamn parasites through and through, they won't be toleratwd in the Dominion as "Enemies from Within", don't they know that there is a war on and our resources are limited as is?

>>2642132
It is because there is a war going on that they want to escape Terran space. To worlds far from the front, which happens to be Dominion worlds. I would rather not take in anymore than we need to without having to risk a Terran heavy population. God forbid we get so many that we get Terran politicians coming to Rioja during their election seasons!

Building habitat zones in terran space is a solution. But likely not one the terran government would likely be happy to agree to. Having shanty stations in their own yard, but neither should we settle for building shanty stations.

We need a better solution then building station shanties. And taking more refugees is going to be an issue in the long run. Especially when the Terran government starts claiming new worlds and 'promises' to bring back its refugee population, but foists that responsibility upon everyone else and makes it look to be their fault for not returning Terrans home.

Sorry ranting about possabilities that might not even happen.

>>2641502
Given the problems we're already having with Terran refugees I'm less inclined to take them in for this round of Neeran attacks.

>>2642168

>>2642168
Well what problems are we currently facing with our Terran population? This more for TSTG as the only thing I can imagine we have issue with, so far is thst want Rioja, to be more Terran like in its ways.

Though I think we can all agree the last thing we need is a surplus of Terrans.

Only barely related to the discussion. If we did not know that there was a war going on. That there were worlds being dedtroyed or rendered uninhabitable as we spoke. I would suspect this to be an invasion from the Terrans to turn Dominion worlds to Terran worlds by over saturation/ population?

We should just do a five or ten year plan where we encourage all Dro'all of Rioja to get down and busy. Making more Dominion citizens. Sort of a joke suggestion.

>>2642154
> We need a better solution then building station shanties.

Actually we don't. They don't have to be "shanties" either, I don't know why you think they would be. Make them modular, basic shelters and then have a charity drive to upgrade them. Make them able to be mobile semi-industrial platforms that can travel to worlds being terraformed and house the workers during that time.

But they're literally beggars, not choosers.

They'll take what we fucking give them.

>>2642378
Putting them on a station would be incredibly more expensive than planetside

>>2642378

They'll take any space that isnt near the front sure. But those stations will become a disaster zone for all involved. Sure the responsability for their up keep will fall upon the Terrans. But you know they wont bother, not with a war going on. And once the war is over everyone who was responsible with building and maintaining those things are going to have their names dragged through the mud. Sure we could say it is not our responsability to maintain them, that it was all up to the Terrans. But the Terrans are not approaching us with this idea, because they know it'll be a PR nightmare that will ensure anyone involved in anyway loses their job and any support.

The only reason the pirates could get away with turning old supers into hab stations is because they were escaping faction laws and were not to picky on where they went.

These are law abiding citizens, and despite how shitty they can be. Putting them in a station and saying they are someone elses problem to deal with is going to ruin us.

We may as well tell them to go to the SRL and find better worlds to call home. That would be less of a PR nightmare then those stations.

>>2642420
>>2642405
> Not wanting to get paid for them

I mean, just stick them on stations we we can sell later.

>>2642420
Also you sure do seem certain about the future of those stations.

I can't imagine it would be a worse response than "fuck off, we're full".

>>2642444

I am guessing, but I am leaning towards the worst case scenario here.

>shove of we are full option

Short term, Terrans currently on Rioja will be upset but we can handle them. Long term, whatever happens to them will not be our problem and we can spin their rioting as an example of how obnoxious or bad Terrans can be.

>hab station
Terran refugees have a place to run to and call home. Everyone is happy because safe place. Long term, there will be MILLIONS of people tightly packed into hab stations meant for at most a few thousand at most. There will be public out cry from Terran and Dominion citizens over what will be one of the worst disasters ever.

>third option
We take a limited number of people. Maybe enough to fill that companies quota for people in Spiral City. Or have a process where any refugee who settles on Rioja becomes a permanent Dominion citizen. Or something, anything.

Anything else but packing them away in a hab station. Terrans are just as human as any Dominion born human. The station plan will turn into a mess and ruin us.

>>2642444
If you want a real world example of why I am against these hab stations. Look no further then the refugee camps in Europe. Those places are a mess and so much bad happens there that if the politicians in charge of the eurozone were not so deeply entrenched in their polling places they would be ousted from office.

Now apply that here. Where millions, not thousands of refugees will be packed into one place meant for thousands. No ship will want to dock there for fear of getting unwanted passengers. And all sorts of laws and human rights violations happening regularly.

Its just bad and we would do well to avoid this.

This day has been far longer than I had planned. Give me a bit to get food then I'll get caught up.

>Re: Terran Refugee Crisis

Can we just skip the refugee camps/space ghettos and just move on to Plan E? Get the Terran government to to pay us for doing a few orbital corrections any territories they gap have far from the front and then shift refugees their to help with the terraforming efforts and infrastructure construction. Also, ship any serious Terran troublemakers off our worlds to help with the terraforming work.

>>2642344

Autocorrect...

*territories they have

*shift refugees their

Screw it. We got enough refugees at the moment. Deal with what we got before taking on more.

>>2641928
>Why don't we simply build space stations for them, either in existing or even previously unused systems?
The Terrans are already doing this in their space. These projects are competing for resources and industrial capacity that are needed for the war so they're limited in what can be built.

>>2642053
>space camps for Terrans
Always wanted to go to space camp. Oh, it's not that sort of space camp.

>we simply cannot afford to have to many more Terrans on Rioja without them tipping the balance more towards a Terran population.
True, you'd need to increase the rate of immigration from the J-D homeworlds. Would probably need more dedicated passenger liners for that.

>Why the hell aren't other factions taking in Terran refugees?
The Republic, South Reach League, Dominion and Rovinar Federation are the main factions that have large amounts of territories that are not as directly threatened.

Rovinar worlds are not exactly ideal for Humans, Shallans and Dro'all. Their atmosphere has a few things that aren't great for people over an extended period of time. Kavarians are hardy enough to take it so as a result they're emigrating to those worlds.
South Reach saw lots of refugees from Shallan and PCCG space early on and their less developed infrastructure means they're less capable of taking on more.

That leaves the Republic and Dominion. Many Hune are xenophobic which creates complications. Despite this they are allowing larger numbers of Terrans in, though other species have a bit more difficulty.

You're not alone, there are other options for people. If you want to tell the new wave you're full that's your choice.

>>2642523
> Look no further then the refugee camps in Europe.

/pol/ go home.

>>2643155
>You're not alone, there are other options for people. If you want to tell the new wave you're full that's your choice.
Not that we’re full, just that we cannot accomodate another wave of refugees at this current point in time.

>>2642132
I will probably have to make use of this later.

>>2642221
>We should just do a five or ten year plan where we encourage all Dro'all of Rioja to get down and busy. Making more Dominion citizens. Sort of a joke suggestion.
That's not a thing to joke about with the Dominion's population control measures. Maybe the Sofa Kings could joke about it but even they'd get an earful.
Houses, which include your own, do often help to encourage immigration by allowing looser population controls on new colony worlds.

>>2642844
>move on to Plan E? Get the Terran government to to pay us for doing a few orbital corrections
Now there's an idea. It will have to be at a premium of course due to operating expenses, deployment away from your usual bases and other legit sounding excuses. Some customers in the Dominion might not be happy they've been bumped in priority but the PR and marketing teams would be able to find a way to spin it.

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On the topic of the suggested orbital stations the Dominion does have a good deal of experience with asteroid use. Using smaller resource poor asteroids rejected for use in fortress construction you could core out cheap gravity blocks, or spin up the entire asteroid.

There are risks of some of the problems suggested without tight control of immigration and screening. Fortunately most of that screening is already in place.

A) Don't allow an increase in refugee immigration (by itself or in combo with D or E)
B) Fadila's Plan. Charge the Terrans, use the money to mitigate damage
C) Asteroid habitats in Dominion space
D) Help build stations in Terran Space
E) Get paid for Terran orbital corrections

>>2643328
>A) Don't allow an increase in refugee immigration (by itself or in combo with D or E)

>>2643328
>A) Don't allow an increase in refugee immigration (by itself or in combo with D or E)

Still taking votes and have added the question to the next survey just in case.

The Ruling House has officially announced efforts to lower fuel prices in the DRH 1 relay to support economic development in South Reach. Funding is now being provided to Houses in the region selling fuel allowing them to match House Nirium's cut rates. Unsurprisingly they've congratulated the Ruling House on supporting their initiative.

Ber'helum intel promises to keep a close eye on Nirium's efforts to control major trade lanes. A difficult task given their reach as the previous Ruling House.

With ever increasing trade passing through the Run some parties are beginning to feel it may need to be renamed in light of it's current lack of smugglers. Supposed lack that is. Ferigold and his organisation runs a great deal of cargo through the area. Cargo that you are inclined not to look at too closely given arrangements with the merchant.

Regardless many legitimate businesses feel it would improve the area's image if it were renamed. One consortium has suggested calling it the Rioja Bypass, though they've hardly consulted the other Houses in the region about how they'd feel with such a name.

>Thoughts on renaming the Run?

>>2643541
>Merchants Run

>>2643541
I feel like we'd be doing it a disservice renaming it.
Rioja Bypass? Nice fame but I don't think the Run Alliance would appreciate it. Still an incredibly clinical name though, it's like its had it's character taken away.

Even just "The Run" would be a better name.

>>2643328

>A) Don't allow an increase in refugee immigration
>E) Get paid for Terran orbital corrections

>>2643541

>BH's announcement
Well then, that just puts more of a negative light on our spat with Nirrium. I can only imagine how well this news is being received by others back in the homeworlds.

>Renaming the Run

I think it should just be 'The Run', but >>2643546 is also a good suggestion. What are the opinions of the members of the Run Alliance? This aught to be good.

>>2643575
>Rioja Bypass
That’s actually not bad, but we’d never get it approved.

‘The Run’ is a good alternative

Sticking with just The Run it looks like.

>>2643577
>What are the opinions of the members of the Run Alliance? This aught to be good.
Avun thinks it should be left alone. It's been the Smuggler's Run for centuries longer than it's been a clear and safe trade lane.

Baron Kadnil really likes the Rioja bypass idea, though would be open to others.

Baron Kelly doesn't think it should be named after Rioja whatever is gone with. He's leaning towards something a bit more extravagant. The Gale force corridor or Run or anything that might better reflect how quick ships can get through it.

Binil has decided to be the stick in the mud and suggests a simplified route numerology based off of existing navigation markers.

Question for the day, start planning the trip to South Reach or wait a bit longer for the situation at the front to stabilize?

Have been awake long enough now that I'm definitely out of it. See you guys tomorrow evening.

>>2643774
>Question for the day, start planning the trip to South Reach or wait a bit longer for the situation at the front to stabilize?

Plan the trip.

>>2643774
>The Gale force corridor
!!!
I unironically love it.
Turbo Ship Movement Zone Deluxe Edition would be good too.

Plan the trip now, we're going to have to do it at some point.

>>2643328
> A) Don't allow an increase in refugee immigration (by itself or in combo with D or E)
> E) Get paid for Terran orbital corrections

Also gives us an excuse for not sending our Grav Generators to the front lines.

>>2643774
> Gale Force Corrider

Kelly, you madman I love it.

>>2643328
>E) Get paid for Terran orbital corrections

>>2643328
A) Don't allow an increase in refugee immigration (by itself or in combo with D or E)

>>2643541
I like both "The Run" and "The Merchants Run"

>>2643328
>A) Don't allow an increase in refugee immigration (by itself or in combo with D or E)
Take a small number of charity cases so people can't complain about not helping at all in rough times. Orphans who can still be salvaged before they become Terrans, people who need treatment that prevents them making it elsewhere as regular immigrants etc. Maybe we'll get another genius?

>D) Help build stations in Terran Space
>E) Get paid for Terran orbital corrections

>>2643541
>The region formally known as Smuggler's Run
>>2643774
The Run seems okay. Fortune's Run?

>>2643774
>Question for the day, start planning the trip to South Reach or wait a bit longer for the situation at the front to stabilize?
If the Neeran have a new weapon that can be used against super heavies and possible v-torps, wouldn't it make sense to send smaller ships as reinforcements? A wing of attack cruisers or something like that? But yeah, I'd wait with the visit unless our House is planning to deploy anybody we want to visit in the near future.

>>2644204
Cheap corvettes with clone pilots rise again! FORWARD, COMRADE!

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>>2644228
Take the dominion scarab, ask the Rovinar for a minimum range mass produced quantum entanglement connection to prevent EW shenanigans, and modify them to be controlled en masse by Terran AIs. Presto, a nightmare for absolutely everybody involved in this.

>>2644204
>renaming the Run

The Mercants' Shortcut

>Terran Refugees

Probably raise our quota for accepting skilled migrants (doctors, pilots, teachers, construction workers, specialists etc.) and setup/enlarge a testing facility for those interested in applying for special visas (obviously they could bring the rest of their nuclear family and would eventually be able to sponsor other relatives after attaining dominion citizenship). Otherwise, go with what >>2644204 said about need based acceptance of refugees.

Since we seem to be a central collection point for refugees, can we act as a matchmaker for the rest of J-D? "Colony X needs Y kind of worker, send 20K that way" kind of a deal? It'd give us an excuse to build more report with the rest of the J-D barons and planetary governors, which probably isn't a bad thing.

For the rest of the refugees, humanitarian aid in the meantime, station construction fot the near term, orbital corrections for the long run. Make sure we appropriately (heavy premium) bill the Terran government for housing refugees on stations we operate, any stations we build for them and obviously any orbital corrections and terraforming work.

>>2644265

Follow up. I suppose we could also offer to have the Terrans trade something for us taking in more refugees. Do we want anything specifically from them in terms of technology, production licenses, ships, star systems, resources, whatnot?

>>2643774
>A) Don't allow an increase in refugee immigration (by itself or in combo with D or E)
Take a small number of charity cases so people can't complain about not helping at all in rough times. Orphans who can still be salvaged before they become Terrans, people who need treatment that prevents them making it elsewhere as regular immigrants etc. Maybe we'll get another genius?

>D) Help build stations in Terran Space
>E) Get paid for Terran orbital corrections

These things please.

>>2643328
>A) Don't allow an increase in refugee immigration
Fuck off we’re full

This is an important decision and not one you take lightly.
"We can not afford to allow an increase in refugee immigration. Our processing centers can barely handle the regular traffic and letting more in would make it even harder for us to balance the population with House guidelines."

Fadila shrugs. "Well I tried. I owed them that much at least."

"I do have another plan." you announce.

Troy is immediately concerned. "Is it one that's going to cost us all a lot of money?"

"Even better. It's going to cost the Terrans a lot of money. We convince them to hire us for priority orbital correction work at emergency rates. This will give them more colonies to terraform and thus keep more Terrans out of our space."

Quite a few present seem to think this is a good idea, though Troy and Fadila still have concerns.
"This could annoy the customers in Dominion space that are lining up to have work done."

Fadila frowns in thought.
"I agree, though I believe I know of a way to mitigate that."

The gravity well company has charged 400 million for each maneuver that required an average investment of time. As the company gains experience it should be possible to lower price over time. With that in mind you could knock 50 million off the prices of those Dominion Houses that were inconvenienced while still making a profit.

Then again considering how valuable your services are an apology citing the circumstances could be enough.

[ ] An apology is enough
[ ] Deduct -50m from inconvenienced House costs

>>2645091
>[x] Deduct -50m from inconvenienced House costs

>>2645091
>Deduct -25m from inconvenienced House costs
We are at war after all - this shifting of priorities is for the war effort.

>>2645091
>Deduct -50m from inconvenienced House costs

Time to put in an order for another gravity well generator? Or at least put our name on the list? These things are proving to be frighteningly useful.

>>2645091

Just noticed on the wiki that RSS has Terran subsidiaries. Anyway we can set those companies up for further business and expansion as a result of the orbital corrections proposal?

>>2645091
>Deduct -25m from inconvenienced House costs

OR

> Offer -50 million on their next purchase of war materiel from one of our production lines.

>>2645117
>>2645158
>>2645196
Deducting a few million should be enough to placate the Houses. The Harmen family won't be entirely pleased either but this project should raise more than enough publicity to offset that.

The second gravity well generator, the far more advanced Mark 3, should be ready and operational in a month or two. With both of them working it should be possible to very quickly kick start matters in Terran space.

Immigration issues are discussed with the other members of the Run Alliance of course. This is one matter they're in total agreement with you upon. They might have been able to handle more refugees if you'd managed to shoulder the balance of them on Rioja, but if you're not going to they certainly won't.

With this in mind you contact the Terran Ambassador and inform them of your decision. The Run won't allow an increase in immigration rates. You are prepared to very publicly make available the use of the orbital correction terraforming company. They will of course need to pay extra because of the need to bump Dominion customers in priority.

"That shouldn't be a problem though. You do care for the wellbeing of your citizens don't you? That's what all of this is about. I would hate to have to announce to all those millions of Terran refugees that their government doesn't care enough about them to front a few million here or there."

This is quite literally an offer they can't refuse.

"Even if we do agree to this, you know that those worlds will take years to become habitable. Even with this new wonder system you've magicked up out of thin air. Those people are going to need housing, sealed habitats."

You try not to grin maniacally.
"I'm sure there are plenty of infrastructure companies that would jump at the chance to get a near monopoly on a new world. Or even just a regional one. You just need to encourage them. I have one myself."

You could continue to make suggestions to the ambassador.
>What say?

[ ] Tax breaks work well
[ ] Dominion nobles would trade Arcologies for land
[ ] Other?

>>2645326
>[ ] Tax breaks work well

Small question, the Nanite control devices we encountered before the sphere expedition, did they ever prove useful for anything? Could the system be used to control man-sized drone troops?

>>2645355
There were the anchors that were just used to sort of mark friendlies and providing a charging station to the personal nanite cloud. They'd intercept incoming fire and to a lesser extent eat some of the surroundings.
Large scale control of the nanites were by the AI and the local commanders the "Nightmares."

>Could the system be used to control man-sized drone troops?
I suppose it's plausible, though by its very definition it would be susceptible to hijacking by an AI since they're meant to be controlled by one.

Having one squad member act as a drone control hub could absolutely be done without using Kythera tech. Aries combat support drones did work, and surprisingly were mostly free of Kythera tech. If they weren't operating on a base set of orders -like hover here dont let anyone past- then Soldiers could control them using a data pad or arm mounted set of controls. Otherwise they'd be operated from an APC.

You could outfit a suit of power armor with control systems allowing someone to direct them with their HUD or whatever. House Aries does have some suits like these but they've been reluctant to do much with them. Supposedly they're waiting until better fortified networks are available.

>>2645326
>offer tax breaks

Remind the terrains that if they need to raise capital, most dominion nobles would be more than happy to buy land at pre-terraformed prices. Throwing a rider to that effect into an infrastucture contract might end with them getting paid to have archologies installed on these worlds.

You suggest the ambassador stick with tax breaks or other incentives. It's worked to get Rioja up and running initially. If that still doesn't work most dominion nobles would be more than happy to buy land at pre-terraformed prices. It might not give the nobles any sort of military control but the financial benefits should be more than enough.

Replying that they'll need to talk to their government the Ambassador departs. It's only 2 days before you get a response. The PR department is well underway preparing two different announcements and presentations by that time. Fortunately it seems the Terrans have agreed.

A message of goodwill and hope for new Terran worlds is sent to the media. It's largely met with a positive response. More than a few commentators see through it, noting this will mean less Terran refugees entering the Dominion.

RTS begins planning the deployment of escorts to ensure the protection of both gravity well generators. There's no telling how many people might want to steal the two ships while they're away from your holdings. Especially now that people know that they work.

Planning has started for the trip to South Reach. It unlikely to kick off until you're certain things are going fine with the war. Arrangements are made to ensure there will be a representative of House Helios available for the port of the trip into House Veritas space. It seems they haven't opened full relations with them yet. Veritas is being seen by many as something of a vassal of the new Ruling House. Neither party seems to mind this appearance much as long as it accomplishes their goals.

It sounds like Winifred is happy you'll be visiting. Daska remains a bit standoffish about the entire thing as it has been awhile since you've seen each other. Not since the early days of the Civil War. You also remind yourself to annoy Bekka while you're there. Maybe force her to be an escort.

Linda arrives back in the region while passing through on the way to another race. She's trying to be difficult for the Guild to locate and is staying as far away from the mess at the front lines as possible.

"Don't they route most of the communications and transport through the Nav Relays? How do you avoid that?"
"By traveling on ships that don't belong to you as an unregistered passenger."
"What about your ship?" you ask.

"It's having engine trouble so it's being hauled back to the Centri Cluster aboard a bigger freighter along with a few of the sponsored teams. It was good timing."

Almost too good. Given her history with ships you're not certain if Linda could ever bring herself to actually sabotage one. Especially one as dangerous as a racing yacht.

While she's on Rioja you make sure she has a chance to see the kids. After listening to your complaints through pregnancy and now dealing with two babies, even with help, she's not entirely certain she wasn't kids herself.

"I'm not mature enough to deal with this yet."

The next day you go out for drinks, giving you a chance to go out in casual clothes, comparatively incognito.
Not certain if she can deal with the crowds present in some areas Ruiz switches her holocamo system to a disguise. The new bodyguard is good but still gaining in experience in some areas. It could make things entertaining at least.

[ ] She's in disguise, tell her to act like she's part of your group
[ ] Ask her to hang back a bit more
[ ] Tell her to stay in full camo, dodge crowds if she must

>>2645716
>Linda
What if RSS 'hired' her as a consultant? Would that help deflect some of the demand for her talents?
>[x] Ask her to hang back a bit more

>>2645716
>Daska remains a bit standoffish about the entire thing

Did we pick middle names for our kids? Could we retroactively give our daughter the middle name Daska?

>>2645716
> [ ] Ask her to hang back a bit more

We ARE pretty goddamn deadly ourselves, and Bekka even more so.

>>2645724
Probably not?

Well maybe, there are the big salvage operations coming up when the guild give the OK to salvage sites nearer to the old nav hazards. As long as she was only consulting though the guild or the Alliance might try to buy out her consultancy contract or something. Maybe if she was the head of navigation for the company, teaching how to more safely operate near hazard zones. They'd be happier about that.

>>2645800
>Did we pick middle names for our kids?
Not for the girl I think?

>Could we retroactively give our daughter the middle name Daska?
Don't see why not as long as others are ok with it.

Stopping here for tonight.

>>2645814
It would be a nice indirect nod to Winifred, as well as Daska, while also always giving us a Daska to have under our benevolent guidance and overwhelming success.

>>2645716
>[ ] She's in disguise, tell her to act like she's part of your group

>2645814
>Not for the girl I think?

Huh, for some reason I'd thought it was Eleanor Abigail Reynard-Harmen. Well, politics should probably be considered, but since Daska seems distant/standoffish because we've been out of contact for so long, we should probably start making time to check in with her once or twice a year and maybe propose working on a joint venture with her if only to take her temperature.

Also, Fox did extend an olive branch (admittedly through intermediaries) during our wedding and it's probably time to start following up on that. I'd rather negotiate a peace deal through the Harmens to see if we can make an ally of him since I'm fairly certain we proved to be a completely different creature than he had expected, but if the rest of us still hold a grudge we could always look into a hostile take over of his family's business interests, territory, etc. Hopefully we can avoid attracting too many new enemies regardless of which path we take.

>>2645716

What did we do when Rufaro was a green recruit? If that's not applicable, go with what >>2645974 said.

>>2646195
I say we just snub Fox unless we need him or he brings us a VERY good opportunity.

Loyalty, genuine loyalty not just noblesse oblige, has always been a big partkof who we are. We go out of our way nit to just protect and provide for our people but to actively help them grow and be able to stand on their own. We get them the best gear, take care if their families, and provide ongoing care and rehabilitation for anyone wounded in body or spirit in the line of duty whether they're civilian or military. We make sure to spread not just our wealth but also our success around.

Fuck Fox. Honestly he's simply not worth our time, but his betrayal means I personally will never trust him again. Wouldn't be surprised if he worked for the Terrans.


Not killing him or not actively working to destroy him is more than enough of a reconciliation on our part.

KILL FOX
Think how easy it would be.

>>2645627
>>2645716

Daska being stand offish. She isn't under the impression we're a clone is she? Or is she worried that were coming to gloat? I thought we already had a talk with her a long time ago. It's not like we suddenly want to gloat over our successes to her and make her accomplishments seem less, right? Well I guess we can always find out what is going on with her and if she would like our assistance in anyway when we get to her.

>[ ] She's in disguise, tell her to act like she's part of your group

>>2645814

>Renaming daughter
I'll pass on that suggestion. A year after the fact doesn't seem like a right time to do so.

>Talk of Fox

I think ignoring the bastard is as good a means to dealing with him as any. He did send a messenger as a means to try and broker peace. I don't think we should forgive him, but giving more thought to him beyond actively ignoring him, except when his activities impact our holdings and allies. Is more work than he is worth now.

Peace was offered at the wedding, we accepted it, any action afterwards is being petty and uncalled for. Unless he does something to garner our attention or he approaches us.

Don't forget or forgive what he did. But don't act unless provoked, we have enough strength now to crush him. Should he try anything. That's enough to make him keep his distance from us for good, unless he sends messengers.

>>2646352
>He did send a messenger as a means to try and broker peace
More like he -had- to, given who we were marrying. Reminder that the Count was defending us, politically, for years.

These people wouldn't have stopped until we were dead or we'd killed them.

>>2646195
Fox can go suck a big fat dick for pocket change after we've ruined him and everything he has tried to achieve. Fox is never getting back in our good graces. He made sure to burn that bridge completely and entirely.

If I didn't currently favor House unity over burning him to the ground I would advocate for just that.

>>2646368

I believe you are right, that he -had- send someone. If he hadn't learned just who we were marrying he would most likely not have sent anyone. And if we had not had the Count watching our stuff for three years our rivals would have done their best to either burn to the ground or severely cripple our holdings.

I'm with you in not trusting our enemies and rivals within the house. But we did accept his request for peace. Acting any further without provocation could reflect negatively.

>>2646393
Peace doesn't mean we can't prepare for when they inevitably try and start shit and we erase them and all memory of them from existence.

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>>2646195
>at. I'd rather negotiate a peace deal through the Harmens to see if we can make an ally of him since I'm fairly certain we proved to be a completely different creature than he had expected
From what little we've seen of that guy, he's an incredibly talented officer/commander but unfortunately holds some shitty views aside from that. I'm perfectly fine with having what's effectively an armistice. He keeps away from Sonia, she keeps away from him and everybody's happy. The house gets to keep a talented commander, and that's what matters in my opinion. At least as long as he doesn't try something stupid again.

>>2645326
What if we park one of these floating arcologies per planet over one of the local oceans, and sell property on it to rich terrans? The whole thing counts as extraterritorial jurisdiction of the terran alliance with certain limits placed on it regarding military forces etc, and once the war is over it gets packed up and move to one of their colonies. We'd also charge for keeping the arcology on our planet.

That way we can make some money now, the terrans get to jump start some planets economy once the war is over, and we get an increase of refugees taken in on paper.

Dunno if people are interested but I had the idea earlier today wanted put it up for discussion.

>>2646779
Eh. I doubt they would be interested in a shitty delayed colony ship. They'd probably prefer to have the refugees living on the stations get shipped away to colonies ASAP.

>>2646195
>Huh, for some reason I'd thought it was Eleanor Abigail Reynard-Harmen.
To be fair it was late and I didn't both to check the previous thread.

They do have middle names. This is why I try to update the wiki when I think of things.
>Eleanor Franceska Reynard-Harmen [Human female] (Red hair, hazel eyes)
>Leon Hildebrand Reynard-Harmen [Human male] (Blonde hair, blue eyes)

>Daska [...] and maybe propose working on a joint venture with her if only to take her temperature.
Well you paid the production license for the gatling light siege cannon while she provided actual manufacturing facilities in her territory.

>>2646201
>What did we do when Rufaro was a green recruit?
Have her nearby in her duty uniform since you weren't as high profile of a target back then.

>>2646779
>What if we park one of these floating arcologies per planet over one of the local oceans, and sell property on it to rich terrans?
I suppose it could be done.
The Alliance produces ones that stay aloft in the atmosphere on repulsors for some high security or planetary defense installations. It would be much easier to relocate one of these to another planet.

As for having it count as territory of the Terran Alliance while still on Rioja, that potentially opens up a whole bunch of legal problems. It would be far less complicated to create some gated communities. Which is a thing many nobles already do.

With Ruiz in disguise you tell her to act like she's part of your group. Less likely to attract attention that way. She does as you ask and the three of you fail to attract more than casual glances, blending in with other patrons. The only time she needs to do much is helping to convince a drunken man that none of you are interested in his attentions.

Glad to be away from your job or the kids for a few hours you and Linda talk and catch up a bit more. She's gotten quite good at being a race navigator. It has some key differences from navigating a combat ship but the crew tends to get tossed around just as much as one. So that experience helps.

"I see you haven't charged back up to the front lines at the first opportunity. That's good." she points out.

"I have responsibilities here and the new Knight Commanders need experience leading the big fleets."

"Well it looks like you're whipping yourself back into shape to be ready for it again. How did you lose all the baby weight?"
"Hard work and determination." you tell her not entirely sure she'll buy it.
"You really didn't have any help?"
"No of course not, I'm- everything's back to normal."

"Are you lying?" she asks, not convinced, then points at you. "Ha, you cheated!"
"What? No! That's ridiculous."
"Now you're just making it worse."
"Don't tell my mom."

Got thunder and lightning so I'm shutting the computer down. Going to run a couple errands instead.

Will be running tomorrow through the afternoon until 4:30PM EST, then through the day Friday.

"Leon looks a lot like your dad." Linda decides. "Eleanor I'm not shure who she looks more like."

"They're still babies, how can you even tell?" you ask.
"There are similarities."
"I can't tell with the baby fat. Maybe if my father were overweight it might be easier to notice."
It will probably be easier when they get a bit older.

Linda turns to you. "So how old are you going to let them be before you do the thing?"
"What thing?"
"You know, you wanted to send one of them away to be raised somewhere else that might be safer. Just in case someone tried to kill them. So at least one of them would survive?"

[ ] Wait until they're old enough to recognise you
[ ] I can't do it now

>>2648279
[ ] Wait until they're old enough to recognise you

Not like we gonna let anyone kill them.

>>2648279
>[ ] Wait until they're old enough to recognise you

>>2648279
>[ ] I can't do it now

>>2648279
>[x] I can't do it now
If someone kills our family, I feel like something has gone wrong way down the line.

"I'm going to wait until they're old enough to at least recognise me."

"So you're still going through with it?" Linda seems surprised.

"I guess? I don't know, there's still plenty of time to decide either way."

After spending time in the city you head up north to the Manor to show Linda around. The Manor House itself is still being worked on, mostly just finishing the exterior. Crews are beginning to move in furniture. Most of the construction work is done except for part of the escape tunnel.

On the other side of the low mountains the black projects crew are still working on finishing out the docking bay for the escape craft.

Heading for the house you spot Troy heading your way riding a horse. Slowing as he approaches he dismounts a few meters away.
"I thought you were working on the house?" you ask.

"I was, I'm taking a break. Everything should be finished in a few more days. If we give the staff time to learn the layout we could move in a week or two from now. I've made sure the nursery is large enough to give the kids plenty of room."

"Are the two of you planning on having more or something?" Linda asks jokingly.

[ ] I've made it perfectly clear I'm not doing that again.
[ ] You never know.
[ ] They're bound to be rambunctious, they'll need the room.

>>2648372
>[ ] They're bound to be rambunctious, they'll need the room.

And if we somehow do manage to have more kids. More room definitely wont hurt.

>>2648372
>[ ] They're bound to be rambunctious, they'll need the room.

>>2648372
>[ ] You never know.
>[ ] They're bound to be rambunctious, they'll need the room.

One of them was conceived accidentally. I'm always one festival away from having another one.

"They're bound to be rambunctious, they'll need the room."

Troy sees the two of you to the House then heads off to stable his horse. Looking around, the place is certainly bigger than it looked on the plans. The entrance hall leads to a grand staircase which still has a few mechanics working on the safety systems. Can't have anyone falling down the stairs and breaking their neck.

Showing Linda around you manage to locate one of the drinking rooms. It's not fully stocked yet, though Troy has clearly gotten a head start on it.
"I need to send some of my collection from The Great Devourer down here. Not all of it, just anything I have duplicates of."

"I think he misplaced one of these." Linda informs you, pulling a bottle of something called White Spirit out of a lower cupboard.

"Check the label. Maybe its down there for a reason." you suggest
"I can't read this."
Taking a look at it most of the script is in Kavarian. Probably not a good idea to drink that.

After touring most of the above ground interior you head out back. From here you get a clear view of the lake and up stream you can just make out the waterfall.
"Nice. What are you planning to do once trees start to grow in? Keep a clear view to the waterfall?"

[ ] Unobstructed waterfall view
[ ] Let the trees grow in
[ ] Other?

>>2648372
"They're probably going to want child-sized power armor eventually."

>>2648414
>[ ] Unobstructed waterfall view

>>2648414
[ ] Other?
Let the trees and plants grow in, but do some landscaping, so we can have a picturesque view of the waterfall.

>>2648430
So make sure to have some shorter growing plants along that sight line?

>>2648414
[ ] Unobstructed waterfall view
Trees should frame the waterfalls view for the best impact.

>>2648414
>[ ] Unobstructed waterfall view

>>2648433
pretty much, yeah

>>2648433
Voting for this

"Maybe we'll do some landscaping, but I don't want it to obstruct that waterfall view. A few low hedges, that sort of thing."

Heading down towards the lake to get a better view you and Linda continue small talk in between admiring the view. Despite wanting to maintain good sight lines overall things are a bit too open for your tastes. It will certainly be better overall once some trees are planted here and there.

Linda admits that she's not crazy about the giant trees on your property back on Dremine.
"I'm always worried one of them are going to be knocked over by a storm or strong winds. That happens."
"You're too used to living in cities." you point out.
"Yes I am. It's nice to get out here like this occasionally but I don't know if I'd want to live here. Suburbs are about my limit for daily wilderness living."
"It's a good thing your castle is in an upper class suburb then." you point out.
"I like my castle now. It looks much better after the remodeling."
"All you need now are small sentry turrets along the walls for defense and realism."
"Sonia no."

By the time you reach the lake conversation drifts to Linda's plans to stay away from guild work. She does not want to get sent to the front lines again. With that in mind you offer her the position of head navigator for the company. She'd need to train people to work near nav hazards with Heavy Carriers and salvage ships.

Though reluctant she may not have a choice but to accept soon.
"I'm headed for the homeworlds anyways, tell your people there to give me a trour of the new ship and I'll think about it."

"You'll only accept if the new ship is good?"
"Sonia the Francis Alfonso is a flying wreck. I don't care how many refits you do, it was destroyed and then put back together again by people that didn't really know what they were doing at the time. I don't feel safe on it."

"Why didn't you say anything?"
"Because your people have to work on it every day. If I said anything they'd be too scared to stay aboard."

Good and bad you guess. "Is it really that unsafe?"
"I don't know? It's been awhile. The Majestic was almost as bad but at least it was rebuilt in a shipyard, not out in space."

The Company hasn't said anything bad about the ship. Perhaps in the future the Anchorage should be retired and be used as a station. It's certainly seeing plenty of use as a mobile station construction platform.

>Long term plans for the Anchorage class Francis Alfonso?

>>2648512

Have the experts take a look at the Francis. Get an estimate on its life time expectancy and make plans to replace it with another ship and turn it into a station.

RSS engineers have been keeping a detailed log of the ship's structural state and levels of repairs. It's a surprisingly tough ship for everything it's been through. It does face elevated structural stresses during jumps that the engineers think could compromise the rebuilt hull sections eventually.

Hull life of the Francis Alfonso is estimated at 10-30 years without an extensive refit and reconstruction period. The main factor is how much time is spent jumping between systems. If it's making regular jumps to assist with deep space salvage operations then it will probably only last another 10 years. If restricted to station construction work with little in the way of relocation it should last 30 years.

>>2648555

I would like to keep it going with its station construction duties, slowly phasing it into a mobile station. But maybe replace it eventually with another ship to take care of its salvage duties.

>>2648512
>>Long term plans for the Anchorage class Francis Alfonso?
keep it in service for a few years, then turn it into a station

>>2648555
Well with a new dedicated ship for salvage work I display not see any problem with phasing the Anchorage to station building duty until we have thworked time for a proper refit. What we refit for at that point remains to be seen but I am leaning towards station construction

>>2648566
>But maybe replace it eventually with another ship to take care of its salvage duties.
>>2648601
>Well with a new dedicated ship for salvage work I display not see any problem with phasing the Anchorage to station building duty

As pointed out, with the other Heavy now in service it should be able to to cover the more active job of salvage operations leaving the Alfonso to construction duties. Retirement or refit will be decided later on it looks like.

You promise to call ahead to ensure Linda can get a tour of the new ship.

After Linda departs Fadila contacts you informing you that some concerned Knights and nobles wish to discuss a political matter with you. They'd prefer that one of their representatives meet with you privately. Apparently they dont want Fadila listening in.

Agree or insist that Fadila or other advisers be present?

>>2648657
>Agree

>>2648657
I can understand the need for discretion. We have requested it often enough. If nothing else we can always request she join in after the discussion has begun or fill her in after.

>>2648657
>Agree or insist that Fadila or other advisers be present?

Lets talk with them. See what they are on about. We can just bring Fadila up to speed later. Also we have our spy master to back up or disapprove of any claims they make. So sure, if they are so afraid of Fadila, lets talk to them alone.

You agree that some things really do need to be discussed privately. It's not like you haven't asked the same of others. Having the representative shown in you sit down to talk things over in one of the secure rooms. There are enough jamming systems in here that any recording or listening device would be useless.

A younger Knight by the name of Shanta Filippi is who you're meeting with. You haven't met them personally before. They're of the younger generation that, while recruited and trained during the Civil War, didn't actually get to fight in it. Asking their history she replies that most of her success has been in deployments to Shallan Space.

"Thank you for seeing me Viscount. I represent a growing number of Knights and nobles that are displeased with some of the actions of the old guard within the House. We're trying to build up a support base of like mined individuals. People who would prefer more transparency in certain aspects of the House government to prevent incidents like what happened on Surakeh from reoccurring."

They may have some genuine grievances there considering how many people died.

"We've largely focused our efforts on the homeworlds. Due to your position in the House militarily and politically your support would be extremely helpful. Of course we're aware that being seen to be involved with a group like ours could be dangerous given your new familial ties. If you don't want to risk supporting us we would greatly appreciate you even ignoring our efforts."

>What say?

>>2648857

What are their grievances? We have our own beef with members of the old guard. But I'd like to hear more about what they have against them. What happened at Surakeh was messy and easily avoidable if the governor there hadn't done what he did. But do they have other claims against them besides that incident?

As far as I'm aware the old guard who meant ill for the house have been dealt with when they tried that coupe that failed. Though like with those Erid nobles, I guess a few might have managed to skirt by just barely. But they are in the minority.

>>2648857
What is the problem more exactly and what do they intend to do with it? Lobbying for x or y I have no problem with. Anything that threatens the integrity of the House itself however is not okay.

Also it is true that the Old Guard has been difficult in the past but a lot of them where removed after the stunt that got us arrested and they've been keeping mostly calm since then. More so since the Young Guard have all begun to take up positions of power.

>>2648875
"Some of our contacts are aware that people involved in the incident at Surakeh are still in power. Obviously I don't mean you. Your actions clearly prevented the deaths of many more.

You've said yourself that the Dominion is a meritocracy. That's not always the case in the homeworlds where some families have held their positions for generations. Not just out of skill or land holdings, but familial preference. Lord Teth'au Veos has held the position of Governor of Dreminth for nearly 60 years despite many more capable alternatives that have come along.

We're trying to support reforms that would give capable people a chance again in the homeworlds."

>>2648959
Oh. I see where they are going with this. It's not super bad but it's still a dangerous path to go down if these people start to think that their position is in danger. Because I have no doubt that they will fight tooth and nail to prevent that. I mean, we would.

I can however see us supporting a thing like this. It would very likely be good for the House to trim out some of the less useful members of the Old Guard. Which incidentally probably includes several of our enemies.

However if we are to do this we need to thread very careful so as to avoid hostile conflict with in the House. Anything that involve inter house fighting would be the WORST possible outcome possible. No, this need diplomacy and patience. And our support alone would not be enough. We would need the support of the other Barons of DRH 1 and the South Reach. Sapputo, Alex, Winifred, Daska and Avun would all probably need to be on our side for it. Archivald may be convinced if we can manage to manipulate his emotions what with the loses he suffered during the civil war and us speaking up for him.

None the less. This is dangerous if treated poorly.

>>2648959

I feel >>2648999 said it best with their post.

Did not notice the time, have to head out. See you tomorrow!

>>2648945
>Lobbying for x or y I have no problem with. Anything that threatens the integrity of the House itself however is not okay.

>>2648999
>not super bad but it's still a dangerous path to go down
>Anything that involve inter house fighting would be the WORST possible outcome possible.
>We would need the support of the other Barons (All the Barons)
>Archivald may be convinced

[ ] This is dangerous but could be worthwhile
[ ] This is dangerous, wait until after the war
[ ] I can't help you, but I won't hinder you
[ ] Direct them to Archivald
[ ] Depending who you remove from power this could be treason

Any other potential responses?

>>2648999
Well said. Sonia isn't a hotshot young pilot now, it's time to make like Winifred and start playing the longer game. Our clique of nobles promoted from the Warlords campaign paved the way for JD to become the House it is today. Giving middle and lower class recruits the chance to prove themselves and advance strengthens the house. Nepotism, corruption, and incompetence will destroy the house as surely as an enemy fleet. There are nobles from old families in the house like Alex and Troy, who are good at what they do and willing to get their hands dirty, and then there are nobles like the old governor of Surakeh or the bastards who are always trying to obstruct us. To hold on to what JD has taken over the past two decades, we're going to need to trim the fat eventually.

I don't know what they mean by transparency, so support for them on that topic will have to be judged case-by-case, but when it comes to removing incompetent nobles from positions they're mismanaging I'm right behind them.

We'll have to talk with Troy about it to see how much we can get with. Obviously we can't support any attacks on the Harmens or their allies, but hopefully Sonia, the Harmens, and these new radicals will have some mutual enemies.

Another important factor we should bring up is timing. We shouldn't engage in any big political conflicts until the present Neeran offensive has been blunted, for two reasons. First, if Nemodyns fleet is annihilated Sonia will be badly weakened, and second if the Neeran break through Alliance lines and start threatening the Dominion directly we're going to want the house to be unified.

Also relevant is the fact that, with the worlds held in trust, there's relative peace in the house while everyone scrambles to secure planets for themselves and their allies. A rising tide lifts all boats in this case. Political struggle, I predict, will only start to flare up once the expansion slows and nobles need to fight over more limited resources. Sonia has been, and should continue to be, securing Baronies for her allies and strengthening the new guard. The more Barons we have in our pocket, the stronger we'll be once it's time to put the old guard in the ground.

>>2650217
Sorry for double post but I didn't see you post until now. I think that we don't necessarily want to associate too closely with these folks, but if we can use them as attack dogs against our enemies it'll be worth cultivating a relationship.

>>2650217
> [ ] This is dangerous, wait until after the war
> Investigate them for Terran funding. If they plan on doing this they must be above reproach. Don't want a House Aries repeat.

>>2650266
>Sonia has been, and should continue to be, securing Baronies for her allies and strengthening the new guard. The more Barons we have in our pocket, the stronger we'll be once it's time to put the old guard in the ground.
Completely agree - and to that extend we should ensure things are good between us and Daska.

>>2650426
Seconding this - or at least until the current offensive is defeated.

While philosophically we agree with their aims, we should wait for the reasons anon has already mentioned.

>>2650217

>[ ] This is dangerous, wait until after the war

Woo! Parinoia time!

>People we need to talk to

*Talk to Vanderwall, have him start looking into groups who may be in contact with these new knights and nobles. See if any of those contacts are somehow linked to groups with ulterior motives. Who might want to destabilize J-D, by having a conflict between the Old Guad and the newer knights and nobles.

*Talk to Fadila, have her start getting some info on the current inner house politics. See what is going on currently. Are there any groups/ parties, acting with an interest to destabilize JD and get the newer knights and nobles to but heads with the Old Guard.

>People who it would be nice to talk to

*Talk to Troy, ask him if he or any of his buddies have heard any rumors of things going on within the house. Maybe, if other anons are okay with it, share our concern that someone or some group might be trying to destabilize JD from within by making the new knights/ nobles but heads with the old guard.

>People who we should not talk to, but should at least tell to keep aware while we are in SRL

*Avun, tell her to stay sharp and keep an eye on our new knights. Least someone lead them astray.

>People we should not talk to, but make an inquiry to

*The knights club. Ask if anyone strange has been hanging around. Or making a fuss lately.

>>2650217
[ ] This is dangerous but could be worthwhile
[ ] This is dangerous, wait until after the war

"What you're proposing is dangerous. Philosophically I agree with a number of your aims, but I feel it would be best to wait until after the war. The House is still expanding, that gives people like you the chance to establish yourselves and allies in the new territories. Make inroads with the newer Barons, you'll need their support in the long run.
For now though we need the House to remain united especially while the Neeran are stepping up offensives. Now is not the time to fall into infighting."

"So you might support us in the future? I believe the others could live with that. Be aware that for many of us this war seems to be infinite. Not all of our supporters are infinitely patient."

You suggest they be careful not to let a few hotheads ruin things for them.
"You can't become leaders without learning patience. It was a lot of years before I became a Baron. Until then I had to deal with a lot of my enemies dicking around."

"I understand sir." Knight Filippi pauses considering her next words.
"One of our supporters has access to decrypted correspondence between the Count and certain Governors. Should I see if they can make them available to you?"

[ ] No, reading them before they're declassified is treason
[ ] Yes, but only if they can't be traced to me
[ ] Other

>>2651139
>[ ] No, reading them before they're declassified is treason

>>2651139
>[ ] No, reading them before they're declassified is treason
The Count has always been very fair with Sonia, I don't see why we'd need to break his trust.

>>2651139
>[ ] No, reading them before they're declassified is treason
As we learned the hard way

>>2651139
I find that kind of suspicious. She could be genuine and trying to impress us, or this could be a sting operation. Either way, we can't say anything that would incriminate us. Sonia's a Baron, she can't accept any information acquired illegally. She has people for that.

Decline without accusing her of treason. Get Vanderwhal in here immediately after the meeting, have him start investigating her, and have him send someone we can comfortably disavow to meet up with her later and try to get copies of the correspondence.

I want to have our cake and eat it too. We don't trust her, but I'd really like to see what the Count is saying behind closed doors.

We also need to think about who we'll trust with the information. I trust Vanderwhal for the time being because he's probably got plenty of dirt on us already and he hasn't betrayed us yet, and I don't think he'll be able to jump ship because I can't imagine the old guard will ever accept a former Erid Noble. I don't know about Fadila, though, I don't remember where we got her from. I don't think we should consult any other advisers for the time being.

I think establishing a secret line between us and her faction will be useful. They can pass stuff to us that we wouldn't want known about, we can secretly get them funding or supplies or whatever they need, though obviously all that will have to wait until we've vetted them thoroughly.

"No, reading them before they're declassified is treason." you firmly reply.

"My apologies Viscount. Maybe it would be best if I left before making a bigger fool of myself? Thank you for your time."

The both of you exchange salutes. Before she reaches the door you call out to her causing the other woman to freeze.
"Knight Filippi!"
"Sir?"
"Don't get killed out there. We need reformers alive to help the House. Change doesn't happen overnight but it does happen, and those who are willing to put in the effort over the long term are the ones who make it happen."

"Yes sir. Thank you sir."
"Dismissed."

With that out of the way you consider your next steps.

>>2650727
>*Talk to Vanderwall,
>*Talk to Fadila
>*Talk to Troy
Do this?

>>2651254
>Do this?
Yeah. Time to call a meeting

>>2651254
Declining the information was probably the right call, we have too much to lose. Also it means we can definitely meet With Fadila, Troy, and Vanderwall, since we haven't done anything they can't know about.

Imagine if all this time the Count was the one organising our political enemies against us and TSTG kept dangling the plot thread in front of us, only for us to ignore it every time. Count Reynard never.

>>2651298

[spoilers]Or taking your idea. He is trying to shapebus to be the next Count? Should something happen to him. Sure we're not likely his first or only choice. But one of his better options for a successor. Of course my idea falls out the window the moment he names someone like Fox our successor. [/spoiler]

>>2651254
>*Talk to Vanderwall,
>*Talk to Fadila
>*Talk to Troy

Yes

>>2651330
That actually raises a pretty important question. How is the next Count chosen for House Jerik-Dremaine? is it the current Count's heir? Chosen by the council?

Making sure to leave out the Governor you call Fadila, Vanderwal and Troy to discuss the meeting with Knight Filippi.

"How secure is this room against listening devices?"
"Moderately secure." replies Vanderwal. He then searches a few pockets before pulling out what looks like a remote detonator, hitting the recessed button on top.
"Now it's very secure."

You give the three of them an abbreviated version of the meeting and how some of the younger Knights and nobles want to push for reforms.

Vanderwal you ask to begin looking into groups they may be affiliated with. Specifically you want to know if they're being used as pawns by anyone wanting to destabilize the House. J-D may have recovered from the losses in the Civil War but it wouldn't take much infighting to potentially undo all of that. With the Ruling House's protection J-D's enemies can't make any overt attacks on it, but they could foment dissent and have it destroy or weaken itself.

Fadila is asked to do much the same, looking at groups from the political side of things.
"Just get a general idea of the main political parties and so on."

With Troy you ask if he or any of his friends or contacts have heard rumors of this new group.

"Not specifically, but it's possible some of them may be in on it. I'll have to ask around."
"Do that."

Fadila is quick to get back to you with information. The group that Knight Filippi and the others are in is being referred to as the "young upstarts" by other political groups. They're considered to be relatively minor though they do have a few vocal members that espouse ideas of reform. These are mostly lawyers who are careful with what they say and how they say it.

"Main groups largely consider them irrelevant at the moment. If they're approaching you that may be a sign they're either growing more powerful than is widely recognized, or they're desperate."

Vanderwal's investigation could take weeks or months. Progress is expected to be slow.
Troy needs more time to work through intermediaries or may need to visit Loran to acquire more information.

[ ] Send Troy to Loran
[ ] Tell him to take his time

>>2651346
>How is the next Count chosen for House Jerik-Dremaine? is it the current Count's heir? Chosen by the council?
Chosen by the council. That's one of their primary duties. Most leaders of House J-D since the two Houses merged have been from the Jerik family, though not all.

>>2651351
>[ ] Send Troy to Loran
I am sure there is a viable excuse for him to go there to politic.

>>2651351

We give Vanderwall time to gather his stuff. And unless something happens during the time we are gone on our trip. I doubt it'll happen when we come back from it, unless this is a very super secretive sect that is far more widespread than imagined.

>Tell him to take his time

but maybe suggest he look in to things on Loran, if he has not already.

>>2651351
>[ ] Tell him to take his time

>>2651375
>but maybe suggest he look in to things on Loran, if he has not already.
He can look into it remotely which he's doing but will take time. Or he can go there in person and do it more quickly.

It's then a question of who's going along on the trip to South Reach?

>>2651445

Ah, well then does he want to come with us? Or would he rather be off doing this research?

>Who to take
The usual suspects along with the kids and Troy.

The crews you sent have started to reach the front lines. Reports indicate that the Neeran fleet are taking heavy losses. Though disproportionate the Alliance is still losing ships and crews, this despite heavy use of Veckron weapons. Older vessels especially are continuing to fare poorly.

As you continue preparations for the South Reach trip you get word from Nel'odym that the Alliance has driven off the Neeran Super Weapon. They saturated its defenses with fire from smaller units, including Veckron torpedo cruisers, then dropped ACS Standards at range to bombard it.

Though damage done to it is believed to be superficial that fact that it was unable to both attack and defend while warding off heavy incoming fire means it can be countered. It also did not make use of typical Neeran super heavy shielding making SP weapons more of a threat to it. Deep space sensor arrays have tracked it heading back to the Neeran Empire.
Crews are rumored to have described the vessel as looking like a pair of taloned hands.

>>2651491
>vessel as looking like a pair of taloned hands.
Immediate desire to board and capture.

>>2651468
>Ah, well then does he want to come with us? Or would he rather be off doing this research?
He'd rather be wherever the kids are.

South Reach Trip

1) Who all is going?
1A) Sonia
1B) Sonia & Family
1C) Sonia & Fadila
1D) Sonia & Family + Fadila

2) Ship of choice
2A) Take the Devourer again
2B) Take the Outer Heaven
2C) Other ship

>>2651539
>1C) Sonia & Fadila
>2B) Take the Outer Heaven

>>2651539

South Reach Trip
>1D) Sonia & Family + Fadila
>2B) Take the Outer Heaven

>>2651539
>1B) Sonia & Family
>2B) Take the Outer Heaven

>>2651539
1D) Sonia & Family + Fadila
2B) Take the Outer Heaven

>>2651539
>1B) Sonia & Family
>2B) Take the Outer Heaven

The Outer Heaven is prepped for departure. Quarters need a few upgrades to allow for having the family along for the trip. It's a good thing prep work started some time before your departure. All of the accomodations have seen a considrable improvement over your usual rather spartan fare.

Your personal guard load up plenty of LST's and an assortment of ground and support vehicles for the trip. Armored aerocars, shuttles, a few jetbikes.
"Just being prepared." Rufaro tells you.

"I don't recognise that model of power armor." you tell her, pointing out a suit two techs are hauling past.
Glancing over her shoulder she then tries to block it from your view. "No no no you weren't supposed to see that!"
"Is that a new suit?" you ask.
"Yes, it's mine. I spent a lot of money on it."
"What, can't I see it?"
"It's supposed to be a surprise. You can see it the next time you're in mortal peril."
"But that could be ages from now!" You protest. "Don't make me go looking for trouble."

"I'll show you on the way to South Reach."
"Fine. I suppose we'll be late for departure otherwise."

While Venderwal remains on Rioja to continue investigations Fadila will be coming along. You'll need diplomatic assistance if you intend to work out a deal with House Veritas. She heads aboard along with a representative of House Helios. Apparently the local embassy is not terribly impressed with the idea of extending relations to Veritas but they owe you for previous assistance.

Are you stopping to see Baron Dante along the way?
>Y/N?

If yes, anything you wanted to discuss?

>>2651681
>>Y
any new and interesting ideas regarding walkers

>>2651681
>Are you stopping to see Baron Dante along the way?
Y

Mostly just a social visit

>>2651681
>Are you stopping to see Baron Dante along the way?

Yes, socialize and see what mad plans they have going on that we could looking into with them.

>>2651681
I'd love to, Donte is great and I'd like to show him the Convertor and Sphere armor in a safer fashion.

>>2651681
>Are you stopping to see Baron Dante along the way?
>>Y/N?
Y/Y!

>If yes, anything you wanted to discuss?
See if he let's us take a peek at some of his prototypes? Maybe make some preparations to be good neighbors once Sonia's House takes owner ship of their planets in DRH2?

>>2651681
> Y

Is this our mecha bro? We shpuld find our mecha bro and show him Nxesi's suit.

"We're going to make a quick stop in the Yineput system to see Baron Dante. We shouldn't be more than a day."

Troy doesn't seem terribly enthusiastic about this.
"Yineput. I haven't been back there since the coup attempt."

"Quite a bit has changed." You point out. "Instead of being controlled by a clone puppet leader it's run by a giant robot crazed mad scientist."

"That doesn't instill as much confidence as I think you meant it to."

A few days later the Outer Heaven and its escort arrive in orbit above Yineput. After making contact with the surface you're permitted to bring two of your gunships down from orbit directly to the Baron's residence. Troy and Fadila eventually follow in an LST.

After setting down it doesn't take long for the eccentric Baron himself to make an appearance.
"You're still using that old thing?" he asks, pointing at your Dante gunships.

"I hope you'll forgive me being a few years behind. I'm still catching up on some developments. It's partly why I was so impressed with your suit. I'm sorry I couldn't be there in person to see it being tested."

"Yes, yes, you said you have your own suits to show off once they arrive by shuttle. Before that let me show you the upgrades I've made to the Gunships. I haven't been able to maintain my interest in them as much of late. Technology is advancing rapidly."

Heading inside you're shown into the main hall which has been repurposed into a gallery. A circular table with a large holographic projector dominates the area near the rear doors. The Baron soon calls up displays showing added equipment. More missile racks, options for torpedo racks on top, or folded in the weapon arms.

He shows you that yes he did produce a few prototypes of the personnel delivery system arms you'd suggested, though very few were built.
"Soldiers are nervous enough about riding shuttles into a combat zone. Reassurances that they're protected by shields only do so much when they need to ride inside of a very compact delivery vehicle."

More impressive are the continued miniaturisation of shield generators and stasis fields. Stronger, smaller fields have been added allowing more uniform coverage of the gunship without the dramatic drop in aerodynamics seen when one of the older ones were activated.

"The arms can now be equipped with holographics assisted plasma weapons. This also means you can switch from guns to projecting a plasma blade along the outer edge. Much more efficient than the HF-Blade field modifications. Which themselves worked surprisingly well."

"Sounds impressive. Does it work?"

"Yes but I feel it's rather lackluster. I copied the plasma blades from the Malyutin Class walkers captured in the capital during the Kythera disaster. I feel like I haven't contributed anything new to it. All of it's just derivative of what came before. I haven't made anything new, just better."

>What say?

>>2651858
Reassurances that they're protected by shields only do so much when they need to ride inside of a very compact delivery vehicle."


Have they considered removing the vehicle partand just having soldiers in shields?

Has anyone "surfed" a stasis field down from orbit yet?

>>2651858
Can we show him the Nxesi PA suit?

See what he can do with it if it was scaled up to mecha size?

Can we tell him our idea for causimg Coronal Ejection Spray from the sun and then lensing as a beam at enemies?

>>2651858

Sometimes improving something beyond its original design is its own reward. We didn't invent the idea of weather control technology. Just created a new and far more improved version of what was already in place. Of course we kinda got ours from the sphere but hey.

If he really wants to get going with an idea. Why not have tanks that transform into walkers or even into LSTs?

>>2651858
"The Walker is great, and I love it, it's saved me many, many times, but I understand what you're saying. Why don't you find something that hasn't been done yet? What about a giant mech, one to combat Neeran Super Heavy Tanks?"

"In any case, I'm putting together a weapons program with Helios and Veritas, if you're interested?"

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>>2651858
>What say?
> I haven't made anything new, just better.
"From what I've seen on my deployments, people tend to fall into that pattern if they're left without new perspectives for too long. Have you considered travelling outside the Dominion or even the established factions? The alliance has gained at least three new fairly reclusive neighbors with the Watchers, Kythera, and Gelsan over the past two decades, with each of them seeming to handle things very differently from us. They might be able to provide the inspiration for something truly groundbreaking.

Or a collaboration with the Nai, Kavarians, and Krath might produce what's effectively a biological robot with a regular pilot to fight in environments affected by Neeran power drain technology."

>>2651858
Additionally, if he pioneered the Robot Walker craze, why not a smaller ground version, or anti-power-armor version?

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>>2651865
>Have they considered removing the vehicle part and just having soldiers in shields?
Those don't steer very well.
>Has anyone "surfed" a stasis field down from orbit yet?
Not surfed but they're testing a ballute system that could be used for orbital drop troops. Not that many people use those.

>>2651871
>Can we show him the Nxesi PA suit?
That's what you're there for. It's in the Shuttle.

>Coronal Ejection Spray from the sun and then lensing as a beam at enemies?
"Isn't that what the Norune Superweapon does? I mean as a side effect to mostly killing the star."
"What? How can a weapon mostly kill a star?"

The Baron shrugs.
"I've only heard rumors about it."

>>2651874
>tanks that transform into walkers
"That's just silly, nobody would ever do that."
Dante thinks it over for a few seconds more.
"Although, I could see them putting treads in the feet to improve their mobility on even surfaces. Though at that point you'd be further ahead to simply use a repulsor skate and hoverjet system. "

>>2651890
"In any case, I'm putting together a weapons program with Helios and Veritas, if you're interested?" you ask him.

"What sort of weapons program?"
"Phase weaponry. Veritas have based almost their entire arms industry around them. It stands to reason they must have a lot of experience with them."
"Or perhaps they copied factories that could build them despite not knowing how they worked?"
"Oh..."
That wasn't a possibility that had occurred to you before.
"Wish me luck!"

"Good luck."

>What about a giant mech, one to combat Neeran Super Heavy Tanks?"
The Baron has personally killed Neeran super heavy tanks with his original unshielded model of the Dante Gunship. Say this anyways?

>>2651976
>The Baron has personally killed Neeran super heavy tanks with his original unshielded model of the Dante Gunship. Say this anyways?
Super Heavy Mech?
The Baron can do it since he's an expert at piloting these things I bet, but what about the average alliance or Dominion pilot? What about something that could really stand toe-to-toe tonnage wise, or just rip it to pieces whilst tanking its entire output.

>>2651976
Did you steal my idea? Or do you mean the Stellar Harvester?

This would be like, less likely to kill a star though. So more useful?

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>>2652045
It has been mentioned at different times that ~4000 year ago the Norune used a weapon against the Hune homeworld's star. In some retellings this wiped all life from the planet or according to others destroyed the star itself along with the rest of the system.
The Norune claim to have rebuilt a similar weapon system, the particulars of which they have shared only with the Alliance.

>>2651986
>>2651890
"Have you ever thought of making an even bigger mech? One similar in tonnage to Neeran Super Heavy tanks? Or even bigger?"

Dante shakes his head. "Increasing it in to the size of their tanks would only slow it down. By that stage you're further ahead just building a type of Scarab attack ship. Like the repair scarabs that have arms and legs for attaching to the hull while they work.
But bigger..."
The Baron holds up a hand to forestall any comment then rushes over to a nearby console. Rapidly searching through a database he calls up a number of starships before settling on one much much larger than you might have ever considered.
"What if were to make a transforming version of the LRBS II? It's too expensive to attempt right now, but perhaps over a decade or two."

[ ] Yes
[ ] No

>>2652109
>>2652115
[X]Yes
Ive been following for years just so i could vote at times like this

>>2652115
>[ ] Yes

>>2652115
>[ ] Yes

"Yes." is your one word response.

"Really?" The Baron still isn't that used to getting many positive responses to his crazier ideas.

"I'll throw money and or ships at you to build it with if you like. I'll have to figure out how much I can spare but I want one. Or I at least want to see it built."

"I think it might be possible."

Not too much later Troy and Fadila arrive along with a crew carrying crates with the power armor.

The Baron makes sure to greet each of them. He stops in the middle of shaking hands with Troy.
"I know you!"
"You do? Oh, from the power armor ball, yes."
"No! No no, here." He points at the ground. "From right here, the Yineput ball. You're one of the heroes of that fateful night!"
Dante makes a grand sweeping gesture to the former ballroom.
"You should have told me you were coming. I'd have prepared a gift for you. I gave the lovely Viscount the gift of the Skull walker she piloted that very night. It's stored on site here still as there are not many places that can maintain them so well as this."
Dante turns to you.
"That reminds me a number of movie studios wish to rent your walker. I've of course told them that they would need to speak to its owner, but I don't divulge the identities of those who make use of my facility. Some of them hate each other a great deal and I would prefer to avoid incidents. I'll have the offers passed along to you.
But you!"
He turns back to Troy.
"Something will need to be done about you. I know the names of everyone who participated in a meaningful manner. Or people who did the opposite of contribute. Like that fat bastard of a merchant."

You try not to laugh at the reminder of Ferigold's unfortunate mishap.

The Baron does eventually track down some of the ground vehicles used that night and promises to have what should be the same scout bike sent to Troy if he'd like it. Of course Troy's proper upbringing means he won't turn down a gift, that would be impolite.

>>2652321
Donte is the best.

Heading into the power armor focused areas of the building's subteranian levels Dante shows you a few of the suits he's been collecting. You recognise many of them. Anti-Kythera designed pieces, jump jet, and finally the modified recon suit he was wearing at the ball.

"I can't claim to have done much on these myself but I am part of a much wider network of well connected people who keep up to date on such things. Very easy to get in when you're suddenly sitting atop a surplus of high density armor materials. I have to thank you for that by the way. It came at the perfect time.
I'm not terribly proud to say this but I was able to buy and sell from both sides of the Civil War. In retrospect I wish I had done more to contribute. In my defense Bonrah did seem to be doing rather well for a bit."

Dante shows off the suit that you missed the opportunity to see in action and it certainly seems to perform well.
"As with anything it has a weakness. The holographics powered plasma weapons and jets will only function within an atmosphere. Likewise it's possible to overwhelm them, such as with a Shallan Fusion gun in a corridor. The force fields that assist Holographic containment can also act as a shield, but it works very poorly against phased energy weapons. You'd be further ahead with the forearm mounted stasis shields."

One of the Baron's Knight using a suit of heavy power armor demonstrates a prototype for a man portable stasis shield. In a testing chamber the Knight activates the shield mounted in one of the suit's forearms. A shimmering oval shaped shield about 7 feet on its long axis appears providing protection to most of the suit, shrugging off weapons fire from a sentry turret. The moment the shield fails the weapon ceases fire.

"That's as small as we can make them. Too big for most ground troops, and still requiring micro fusion reactors for power. But they're small enough now that some starfighters can begin mounting them. The Republic's new Praetorian is the only one with the spare power output to actually use them as defensive options.
I don't expect many people will buy the Praetorian though, everyone is focusing on ground attack or missile trucks for torpedoes these days."

>>2652436

>Praetorian
Didn't we order a limited run of these? To either test out/ sell to our pilots/ friends?

>>2652486
Yes. Some for testing, others for precision manufacture for gifts. I think one of the good ones was being sent to Archivald.

>>2652436
Eventually you do show off the Nxesi Pattern Relic Armor. Dante seems impressed even before you fill him in on the particulars.

"I remember it from the ball, but didn't have an opportunity to look at it very closely at the time. Have you tested it extensively?"
"I'm a bit worried since it's so unique. Mister Nxesi really didn't want me to reverse engineer it as he wasn't sure he could ever rebuild it again."
"That would make it challenging."

With your permission he conducts a few low power tests with lasers across the spectrum. As advertised the suit is able to absorb them.

"Of course that suit won't be at it's full potential without one of these." you hold up one of the artifacts.

Deciding to be a bit of a show off you suit up in the sphere armor and lock a pair of artifacts into the hand slots. The lightning and plasma ones you'd used before. Dante sets holographic targets which you proceed to knock down, one at a time with the plasma artifact, then all at once with the lightning gauntlet.

"Set up some of your sentry turrets on stun. It's been awhile since I've gone all out."

Dante exhanges glances with Troy who nods an affirmative, and Fadila who merely sighs in annoyance.
Activating a turret you proceed to doge the increasingly rapid and accurate fire. The suit plus your enhanced reflexes allow you to nearly dance around some of the fire. When it starts getting too close you decide to shoot back. From the scorch marks on the walls this place has done its fair share of life fire tests.

"Lighting them up!"
You knock out two of the turrets with three shots. One miss isn't bad.

[ ] Let's end this and get on with things
[ ] Absorber & amplifer then return fire

>>2652559

[ ] Absorber & amplifer then return fire

Lets show off before heading out

>>2652559
>[x] Absorber & amplifer then return fire
Need to know what it's capable of, fully.

>>2652572
>>2652627
Er, converter and amplifier sorry.

Switching artifacts you load up the converter and amplifier and get ready to switch the plasma artifact back into place. Standing up you catch multiple shots using the converter, directing the incoming energy into the suit's power systems. You could probably use it to move much more quickly now.

"Why are you just letting it shoot you?" Asks Dante.
Troy answers his question with another question.
"How heavily armored is that glass?"

Fadila ducks behind the console for cover.

Activating the amplifier you feel power surge through the suit many times greater than before. It feels like you could probably fly with this damn thing. You catch a faint glow from the center of the amplifier artifact but it remains only a tiny point of light. Probably not dangerous. Ducking into cover again you swap out artifacts and put all power to the plasma weapon as you rise.

Sensing this is going to be a big one you brace. This proves to have been a good idea as the force of the shot pushes you back more than four meters even as your boots dig into the surface. To say that the plasma shot overpenetrated the target would be putting it lightly. The armored wall behind it explodes when the beam cuts deep enough to reach a reactive armor layer.

When the dust settles you see that you were able to get through the test chambers passive defenses. A stasis shield has been activated on the outside where it managed to get through. Once it deactivates you confirm that there was some damage beyond the test chamber before the shield kicked in. Oops.

"Please don't do that anymore." Dante requests rather loudly over the intercom.
"I'm going to pay for that. No one was hurt right?"
"No one was injured. I will take you up on the offer of payment though."

Fadila stands up and is about to launch into an angry tirade when Dante cuts the intercom.

>>2652749

>Results

Wow, we need to send Nxesi a thank you note. That looks like it'll rip through unprotected Neeran armor easily.

>>2652765
That was your sphere armor, though theoretically Nxesi's suit could probably match that output.

While here the Baron was able to take quite a few detailed scans of the two suits. Given time he hopes something will be learned from them. Though he'll be careful not to name names unless you request it. He wouldn't want anyone coming after you to steal your power armor.

Arrangements are made to pay for the property damage. Upgrade packages for your Gunships are also made available.

Did you want to purchase an LRBS II to be given to the Baron for his special project? It probably won't make progress quickly, but having a ship already here to experiment on could be helpful. Then again those ships could be of use to the war effort.

1) Upgrade Gunships
>Y/N?

2) LRBS II assistance
2A) Buy and donate
2B) Donate so the Baron can buy one when ready
2C) Don't fund at this time / leave IOU?

>>2652883

1) Upgrade Gunships
Yes

2) LRBS II assistance
2A) Buy and donate

>>2652883
[x] Yes

[x] Donate so the Baron can buy one when ready.

Your gunships begin their upgrade. The tech get to work, and thanks to the modular design they're ready before it's time to leave orbit. As for the starship sized walker R&D program, you promise to provide either a ship or the money to buy one. You'll have to see which options can be worked out more easily once back from your trip.

The Baron for his part promises to have a more formidable testing station ready the next time you pass through. If you manage to break the next one he'll pay for it.

Straight to Surakeh when you get to South Reach or head to Daska's planet first?

Resuming at some point tomorrow and then Monday.

>>2651858
I know it's a late reply and I'm sure Dante appreciated our idea, but I feel like this was a missed opportunity.

If he wants to make something new, why not go back to his original inspiration for the Dante walker? I doubt he just woke up one morning and said 'I want to build the best Walker ever', there had to have been a story behind it. Maybe he could go and return to his origin if he's looking for inspiration?
We could also point him towards the Knight planet and Illya if he's looking for external source of inspiration. I bet they've got a few artifacts stashed there that absolutely no one has seen, like the hole-making gun.

If all else fails he could try to make an entirely holographic armor? No high-density plating, just the reactors, projector, and safety equipment.

>>2653160
>Daska's planet first

>>2653160
>Straight to Surakeh when you get to South Reach or head to Daska's planet first?
If Daska's planet is along the route to Surakeh, yes.

>>2653160
I think Dask will like it if we visit her first. But we should ask if she's okay with it. If she's preparing something for Sonia's visit and she needs more time, we can show up after the other stops. I'd hate to cause her unnecessary stress.

>>2653160
I actually meant "what if he scaled up the Nxesi suit to Walker size", if that might make it easier to replicate the energy absorbing qualities.

>>2653238
Ooh, low key holo-armor would be like expensive armored clothing.

Or maybe have it set up with an advanced artificial intelligence that could throw up a stronger directional field when it detects an attack.

>>2653160
May as well go visit Daska as well

Sorry for appearing rather late.

>>2653238
>why not go back to his original inspiration for the Dante walker?
>I doubt he just woke up one morning and said 'I want to build the best Walker ever'
Time for the History of Baron Dante.

He has been an enthusiast since a young age and inherited a walker -the fairly common Mountain Lion- from an equally eccentric uncle in his early teens. He made good use of it in his early military career, upgrading it with jump jets and using it in ambushes. By age 25 he was rated among the top 150 light walker pilots in the Dominion.

Even before the Neeran invasion he was working on an upgraded version of Mountain Lion that would have capabilities similar to a starfighter. Unfortunately there were serious power issues. It couldnt develop enough thrust or power for the weapons and engines at the same time.

Once he heard about the Neeran super heavy tanks he went back to an old scaled up design he'd initially rejected and reworked it using engines and weapons stripped from smaller LST's. This became the early Dante Gunship prototype.
He considered revisiting scaled down models but when shield generators small enough to fit on the Dante class became available he decided against this and kept the current size. Instead he's continued to improve the existing version.

>>2653902
>If Daska's planet is along the route to Surakeh, yes.
It is not. Once you arrive at the nav station you have to go in nearly opposite directions.

>>2654787
>what if he scaled up the Nxesi suit to Walker size
Should be possible though complicated. Potential rare starship upgrades soon.

>>2654797
Safe holographic projector implants not soon unfortunately.

>>2655761
"Safe", is that the problem?

What happened to those Warrels we were back-breeding? What if we implanted them into the Warrels?