I really hope this isn't the last time I ever say this.

FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION.

>>4044506
Same here!!

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Returning home it became abundantly clear that your position wouldn't survive the years ahead politically without help. Surprisingly that came in the form of a political marriage to Troy Harmen, son of the Governor of Loran. Though coming as something of a shock, there were definite advantages; namely you already being a shareholder in HTF, the family owned terraforming company, and your substantial cash reserves.
You and Troy now have two children, Leon Hildebrand Reynard-Harmen and Eleanor Franceska Reynard-Harmen. The fraternal twins are now heirs to the largest fortune in House space.

In the last days of the war you and Troy both returned to the front to help in the overthrow of the Neeran Empire. Liberating most of a dwarf galaxy helped paved the way for your real objective, the acquisition of an ancient builder ship. This didn't go without incident. Interference by the Neeran largely ensured the destruction of the shipyard the vessel came from.

Your last mission of the war helped secure a capital ship grade stargate. Though there were difficulties getting it operational once it was online Alliance reinforcements were able to reach the enemy capital in days instead of weeks. Holding it also cut off the escape of large enemy fleets.

Contrary to expectations you managed to negotiate the surrender of one group, and safe passage of another following complete disarmament. Without the loss of a single soldier or a fired shot, more than 20 Executioner class super heavy cruisers and a Apex Command ship were put out of action.

It is 4045 and the great conflict of your generation is seemingly drawing to a close. The war to topple the Neeran Empire is over now, but the universe remains a dangerous place.

H&D I couldn't decide on a new OP Edition.

>>4044509
>largely ensured the destruction of the shipyard the vessel came from
It's just a little hot. It's still good, it's still good!

Man, this is nostalgic.

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>>4044501
FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION

>>4044509
>Interference by the Neeran largely ensured the destruction of the shipyard the vessel came from.

Trying not to cry edition

I don't know about you boys but I'm pouring out the good stuff tonight to mark eight years of playing this.

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I read a good chunk of this years ago, but never caught up to live. Still, dropping into here to offer congratulations TSTG. It must have been a hell of a ride.

Days after the departure of the Neeran fleet through the stargate you've still picking up the mess locally. The problem isn't a lack of salvage ships, RSS and any other company that could get clearance rushed ships through the gate as soon as they could. Your people got here early by joining a Dominion reinforcement group and masquerading as a Cage Class Heavy Carrier. Right now things are becoming political.

Negotiating salvage rights to the mess of Neeran warships is an argument and a half. Few of the Factions want other Factions having control of ACS or Executioner class warships, let alone the Apex. For good or ill the big command ship is almost immediately removed from the table. Baldr and his faction have requested it for use as a POW transport ship.

"Are there that many POW's that you need a vessel the size of a small moon to transport them?"

It's at this point you're informed that there are entire ground campaigns being fought on some worlds where most of the combatants are crews that teleported off ships. Receiver ships were overwhelmed in many engagements so thousands if not millions of survivors have been dumped on the closest habitable planets.

The main guns of the Apex will be removed to ensure it's far less of a threat if recaptured by a prisoner revolt. They'll be replaced with stasis holding units for a few million POWs. Those that are more cooperative will be able to make use of the existing habitation units which will be placed under guard. Or that's the plan.

In theory your House has a claim on a full Executioner plus a few cubic kilometers of scrap weapons and equipment. There had been a lot of other fleets present, and you didn't have any Supers of your own, just the defenses you'd constructed. Really it'll be a wonder if you get away with that much.

All of the Admirals present on site are happy with the distribution of claims. Now it's just a matter of shutting up the governments back home. The downside of being so close to the gate is that you're effectively sitting back in the Centri Cluster, an area rife with bureaucrats with too much time on their hands.

>cont.

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"Are you sure your House doesn't have too much salvage to deal with?" asks Versa.

"No such thing," is your instinctive response.
The Super Carrier your people made off with might cause a bit of a backlog if an Executioner were added to the lineup at Loran. There are benefits to this though.
"Job security for the refit yards."

Looking at it objectively the AI might have a point. With the war effectively over salvage prices could very well collapse between an over availability and lessened demand for materials. Even at its cheapest prices salvaged remains could be broken down for scrap to be recycled for starship production.

The Factions have had to work hard the last two years to keep prices from inflating, now they could be face the opposite problem. It's doubtful the shipyards will just halt construction tomorrow but even still industry is going to be impacted.

>>4044580
>In theory your House has a claim on a full Executioner
Can we have two or three normal supers instead? The Executioner has a mission profile that's not really useful for J.D.

>>4044583
Well there where already plans to sell the Forbearance. So that would effectively leave us with two Supers if we got the Carrier and Executioner both. Which would be a real nice combo for the House to have.

>>4044583
What about the Wraith

CLOAKED SUPER

>>4044594
>Can we have two or three normal supers instead?
It would be 1:1 as far as Supers go. So there is a bit of a question as to what kind you would be willing to trade for.

Super Carrier
"Scorcher"
"Gun Cruiser" (Built out of crippled super carrier)
"Arbalest" Scrap cannon / Repulsor mass driver
"Cinquedea" Fast Super Heavy Gunship
"Executioner"

>>4044625
>What about the Wraith
I forgot about this. You and the Ruling House do have a claim on that Wraith you guys crippled. Your House is also the best equipped among the Dominion to make use of its cloaking technology. I doubt it would be hard to get the Ruling House onboard with this.

>>4044642
> I doubt it would be hard to get the Ruling House onboard with this.
Then I'd say sell the claim on the Executioner to the RH for fat stacks of cash instead. We got our Wraith baby.

>>4044642
>It would be 1:1 as far as Supers go.
Shouldn't an Executioner be way more expensive with those super heavy guns?

If we get a carrier, we'd have one we could use as a flagship for the House fleet in each galaxy. Which seems way more useful than having one gunship. If J-D ends up in any conflict where it's more useful than a carrier, we've probably already lost.

>>4044656
>Shouldn't an Executioner be way more expensive with those super heavy guns?
It should yes, but it's not.

>>4044662
I bet the Terrans did that.

>>4044642
>I forgot about this. You and the Ruling House do have a claim on that Wraith you guys crippled. Your House is also the best equipped among the Dominion to make use of its cloaking technology. I doubt it would be hard to get the Ruling House onboard with this.
I feel like it would synergise with the Nocturne fleet really well. Do we have any technical data on it yet? If it's as powerful as Forbearance but with the additional cloaking capacity, then I'd say 100% go for it.

>>4044501

For House and Dominion! Salvage for the Salvage Shark!

>>4044642

I think we should work with the RH and give them the Executioner we have so we can get sole claim to the Wraith. We already have an arrangement with them for the Super Carrier from earlier. So we could maybe expand and tack this on to that? Maybe even studying the Wraiths cloak with an RH team to help sweeten the deal?

That or we get our house some expand capacity to maintaining a growing fleet that is going to count whatever ship replaces the Foreberance and the Wraith we get.

>>4044666
The Wraith is unable to mount siege weaponry due to its structural profile and cloaking fields. At least for now. It can mount plenty of smaller weapons or docking points for supporting craft. So torpedo batteries are certainly an option. Combined with stealth coated torpedoes this thing could make for a bad day.

It can't quite outrun a fast super like the Sovereign. Their engines are set up for stealth over speed, but despite this are still quite quick.
Shield strength is roughly analogous to that on smaller modern Supers. It doesn't generally use the shields found on other Neeran capital ships because it would disrupt the cloak.

>>4044700
Interesting trade off of raw combat and strategic capacity for tactical use and utility then I guess.

I genuinely think the wraith makes the most sense going forward for a few reasons. With the war over, we're not going to see massive scale combat for a while (hopefully), and I genuinely think it will fit the House's 'scalpel' approach to conflicts the best. If we can drop a wing of fire drakes on an enemy fleet with no warning, that would be pretty devastating.

As an aside, if we were to take the Wraith and try to automate as many systems as possible to lessen the crew requirements, how far off would the House be from being able to effectively crew a Sovereign or even Executioner? It worries me that bigger houses would bully JD thinking they're lacking quantity of units and raw combat power. Although I suppose we could always request support from the RH and operate the Wraith in conjunction.

Just so we can get a clear vote, what Super heavy do you want to take as the House's claim? The Executioner, which is a warship on par with an Alliance Capital Ship. A Super Carrier which was pointed out would be useful for supporting larger House fleets. Or the Wraith, a smaller and lighter super with cloaking fields?

[ ] Executioner
[ ] Super Carrier
[ ] Wraith

>>4044750
I thought the Wraith is a separate claim?

>>4044749
>how far off would the House be from being able to effectively crew a Sovereign or even Executioner?
Sovereign would have similar or slightly more manpower requirements. Executioner would probably need 1.5 to 2x the manpower of a Sovereign?

>>4044765
J-D only has part of a claim on it. The Ruling House has part of a claim on it, as does the Alliance. You'd need to trade the claim on the Executioner to ensure you got the full claim on the wraith as well as convincing the Ruling House to annoy the Alliance and make it happen.

>>4044750
>[ ] Wraith
I mean, how often do you get a chance at a STEALTHED Super?

>>4044781
Ah, okay.

>>4044750
>[ ] Wraith
I don't think we'll get another chance to salvage one of these again.

>>4044750

First Choice
>[ ] Wraith

Second Choice
>[ ] Super Carrier

Not Considering
>[ ] Executioner

Thinking on it this way. Long term, is anyone but us going to find the benefit of the Wraith? The house is going to replace the Forbearance soon with another Super, likely with a Sovereign class Super. Meaning any of these three would work well with it. The Executioner providing additional fire power. The Super Carrier providing greater logistics and capability to repair and rebuild out in the field far better then a Heavy Cruiser. And the Wraith being able to scout ahead with stealth parties.

I am going to go ahead and discount the Executioner. Because we’re going to enter a state where hopefully there will be minimal disturbance beyond the usual inter-house bicker and posturing. Also logistics and fuel management is a thing which this thing will eat through as quickly as the Sovereign, which our house is trying last I remember to catch up with and maintain a steady level for eventually supporting two Supers. So this disqualifies the Executioner in my books with its strain on logistics.

The Super Carrier is a really good deal. If we are planning ahead. Where we, Sonia, aren’t conducting anymore fleet deployments. And which everyone in our house currently and in the future should be able to know the value of. Also its boost to logistics capacity is staggering. Though it could also pose a major drag on logistics capacity if not handled carefully. Though I feel the benefits out weigh the costs with this. Especially since it could possibly out perform a Heavy Carrier. Really this is the best choice for long term in my opinion.

The Wraith is a good choice for us personally. Since we live off of stealth and secret operations behind enemy lines. And since it doesn’t use such heavy weapons or shielding as the other ships or even what the Sovereign uses. It could potentially be a good pocket Super which we can bring in for stealthy operations. It main be a drain on fuel, but that’s why we convince the RH to work with us in buffing out fuel economy by working in conjunction with them to study its working cloaking field. This also means they will always have at least one person on a stealth Super that a medium sized house has and could use to potentially devastating affect in inter-house feuds. Plus it’s a stealth Super it is practically screaming Sonia’s new flag ship. Good short/ medium term choice but likely not many outside ourselves and likely House Intelligence would get the most out of it.

>>4044750
>[ ] Wraith
Even if circumstances mean we use it for a couple years and sell it to the Alliance.

>>4044750
>[ ] Wraith

What's the name of the other planet being terraformed in the Rioja system? I forgot to add it to the wiki.

Is Sonia finally going to get wizard powers now the war is over?

>>4044946
Any support for this? The builder ship is going to be departing soon and who knows when you'll get around to visiting again.

>>4044945
I think "Kavos"?

>>4044948
Also keeping in mind the drawbacks. Forgot to add that.

>>4044948
Nah, I'm not in a hurry to get these.

>>4044948
Yes. The only reason we did not get any of the upgrades was for fear of the Neeran mystery box. Now that we are sure things are okay we can get the full package. Super soldier mind Wizard Sonia is a go. I'd rather get it while we still actually can.

>>4044501
AAAAAAAAAA FINALLY NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

>>4044948
Hmmmm. No yet.

>>4044948
Let's fuckin do it. After all this time, so we can zap people with the lightning gun better.

>>4044948

>>4044961 Anon has a point and was a reason I was against getting them originally.

But now that we are at the end of the war, is it possible someone could possibly claim we were replaced by a Neeran? You know sorta like Species 8742 from Star Trek who are able to take the form of other species. Not that the Neeran have ever had such an ability, but not like the common man knows.

Yes I am dragging my feet on the issue. It would be good to have them, but I am hesitant to get them.

>>4044957
>>4044968
If not now then when? Cause the likelihood of being able to get the upgrades sinks the longer time goes on since who knows how long we will be able to hold onto this ship, and tech for? And I don't know about you but I've wanted wizard powers since we found out about the Neeran Bio reactors. I don't really want to wait anymore when the reason we did not get it last was because the Empire had the fuck you Psykers boxes. Which is now no longer a real concern for us.

>>4045000
Once we've had a couple of years to see how this modifications work out for humans. The ship's upgraded medical systems upgrade can also be applied to every existing caretaker medical suite, so we can have the Rekesh build a couple for us to take back to J-D territory. If you're worried about losing access.

>>4045017
Pretty sure we looked into replicating the medical systems and the answer was "not for a while."

Hence the whole point of getting juiced up now - we're putting it in our Commando team leads and, as much as I trust them, what happens if one day they decide to start altering memories of people? At least that would insulate Sonia somewhat.

While everyone quibbles over the Executioners you decide to depart the entire argument completely. By trading in your claim for something better. Well better might be a bit subjective but certainly more useful in something approaching peace time by Dominion standards. The other technology you've recovered plus the cloaking systems on the Wraith could let your House maintain its edge for years, maybe decades.

The response from the Ruling House is lukewarm for a few days until Emperor Ber'helum finds out about it. Rather predictably he likes the idea and is excited by the possibilities. Undoubtedly some ideas have just been formed for possible missions your House could be called upon to conduct in secret.

Even if that doesn't happen just having the ship is going to draw attention from many sources. Attention that might have otherwise been focused on other secret operations.

Alex contacts you to talk it over the next day.
"You did discuss this plan with the Count right? He's been trying to even out the House economy and reduce the R&D budget."

"Everybody is always complaining about the R&D budget," you reply. "How much of that budget is paid by my taxes or project investments?"
"Probably a lot more once Rioja actually starts paying the rest of its taxes." Alex mutters in response.

"Was that a shot? Bodyguards, I've been wounded by an interloper masquerading as an ally!"

Once you finish with your bout of theatrics Alex resumes.
"I've been paying full taxes since day one. Not everybody is entirely happy Rioja is still getting tax breaks from the Count this long after the terraforming ended."

"Alright, message received," you raise your hands in surrender. If the other Barons are getting annoyed it's probably a good idea to get working on your planet's finance situation. "I would have had to fix the tax situation on Rioja anyways before heavy terraforming on planet Kavos begins."

Katherine Drake may have beat you to having 2 habitable worlds in 1 system but you're not cheating and making use of a binary system to do it.
"Wait, what were we talking about? I got distracted."
"Research budgets." Alex reminds you.
"Oh right. I'll figure it out. It's not like there wont be time once we're out of targets to salvage right?"

>>4045034

>R&D budget draw down issues.
>RH wanting to get their hands on Neeran tech we recover.
>RH were willing to work with us in getting the Super Carrier with all the tech inside it.

I still think we could work with RH on studying the Wraiths cloak. When it isn't busy being sent out on missions or even while it is being sent out on missions. Some might complain we are getting to cozy to RH, but we should remind them some J-D nobles are worried RH might claim our goodies at a future date. This might be another good way to get those people to stop worrying. Though they would have a point as other Houses might very well if they are not already, view us as a puppet House of B'H. But that is just everyday Dominion inter house BS.

And if the Count is really against us having the Wraith. He can transfer it to the RH and we can keep the Super Carrier that we captured. Really we kinda covered our bases here from what I’m seeing.

>>4045034
>>4045071
Just wait until the House starts to receive the benefits of the Dominion SP program.

>>4045021
I briefly skimmed the archives and didn't find anything supporting either of us. I'll happily dump the burden on tstg.

>>4045071
First thing we need to do once we're back is to talk to the Knight who found out what actually happened to the old count. And then hold council with the otherbarons to see what we do about it.

>>4045071
Or put the R&D labs on the Wraith when they're not doing missions? It is a big ship.

>>4045093
>I'll happily dump the burden on tstg.
>>4045021
>"not for a while."
This sounds accurate. There's a lot of tech to be looked into.

>>4045093
>First thing we need to do once we're back is to talk to the Knight who found out what actually happened to the old count. And then hold council with the otherbarons to see what we do about it.
Big support of this.

>Dominion SP program
Where is that at?

As a pre-emptive suggestion for the Wraith, it might be better to take the time to do a larger overhaul of the ship's systems and convert them to faction equivalents where possible to reduce logistics strain. For example, if we were to cut up some Talos/Sovereign Engine blocks and fit them into housings then we could keep up with Dominion engine technology. The Neeran sure won't be developing upgrade packages for any supers any time soon.

>>4045104
Thanks. Still not keen on getting the modification done.

>>4044972
>Yes I am dragging my feet on the issue. It would be good to have them, but I am hesitant to get them.
You're also the deciding vote it would seem.

2 for, 2 against and 1 sort of against for now. Added to Sonia's list of things to get around to.

>>4044948
Voting against, not yet anyway

Can we coordinate or combine our remaining (minor) salvage claims with the otherJ-D fleet?

>Last thread
>People still don't want psykerSonia
I guess we're never going to see it, just like we're never going to see the Veritas/Helios superweapon annihilate some poor Neeran supercapital.

>>4045223
I'd be a bit disappointed and pretty shocked if the epilogue gets only one thread.

>>4045199
>Can we coordinate or combine our remaining (minor) salvage claims with the other J-D fleet?
That should be possible. Some may have bits they could trade, or trade for to get equipment they want for their own fleets. There are bound to be minor Houses who want particular ship types more than others.

Roll 4d100

Rolled 27, 56, 87, 73 = 243 (4d100)

>>4045186

I'll think on it but really I'm okay with either option.

>>4045293

More Salvage for the Salvage throne!

Rolled 30, 65, 88, 72 = 255 (4d100)

>>4045293
We also have several poorfag barons who'd probably appreciate the chance to pick something useful for their fleets.

Rolled 71, 9, 27, 90 = 197 (4d100)

>>4045293

>>4044700
We have stealth mines, yes? Have it lay out a stealth minefield to run away through. Higher speeds = bigger turning radius so a minefield would really mess them up if they dove into it on an intercept course.

>>4045186
I'm gonna vote yes.

Gimme that shark style electrosense.

>>4045344
Also a good point.

Talking over the idea with the other Barons the four of you get to work to see what can be optimised, both for your own fleets and for some of the Barons back home. You and Saputo have the most success, likely thanks to experience in the field or with diplomatic efforts respectfully. Avun doesn't do quite as well having a bit more difficulty, and Tenni has the hardest time.

Despite the minor setbacks you've been able to secure salvage that's a bit more immediately useful to the House as a whole. Attack ships, escort craft, transports, all of it gets to where it's needed.

Over the next week while ships and equipment are transferred you watch the unfolding situation throughout the former Empire. The Ulgean have pushed as close to the capital regions as they intend to and are now looking to other avenues of advancement. There isn't a shortage of opportunities. The Empire's successor states are beginning to come into conflict with each other. Some are remnants of the Empire itself while others are states that have risen in revolt.

The Kythera have expanded from their hiding places and secured regions they once controlled. As previously agreed upon they are not pressing farther, aside from launching raids. There are already negotiations underway to allow refugees who wish to leave their territory to enter the Alliance occupation zone.

Unfortunately it's not just those in distant regions that are making grabs for territory. Some that the Factions have liberated are starting to cause trouble. Relations in the Yang galaxy which you helped secure are stable by comparison.

Alliance occupation units, formed for this exact reason, have already swung into action. The Sector patrol craft and Squire class ships are for the most part proving adequate. When that's not enough the reserve Assault corvette units, medium escorts or even older super heavies are called in. Fortunately there have only been one or two incidents that have required intervention by capital ships.

Talks are already beginning in full among the Factions discussing future fleet drawdown. Meanwhile the Alliance Admiralty are considering requirements for long term peace keeping commitments. Even at this early stage conflicting interests are beginning to form.

It's only been a few days since hearing about the increased Ulgean activity when reports begin to come in. Alliance reserve fleets and a few hunter killer groups pursuing escaping Neeran have largely checked the Ulgean advance. They've even withdrawn from a few minor areas of space that had requested Alliance intervention.

Two Ulgean fleets have vanished under mysterious circumstances. It is widely believed Faction fleets wiped them out, either intentionally or in ambushes intended for the Neeran. Neither side are willing to confirm this at the moment, likely because neither are interested in openly going to war at this stage. Your side has made it clear that if it does come to it you'll make them regret it.

Despite all of this instability your fleet has been given clearance to return home a mere two weeks later. The other J-D fleets have only been in theater a few months so they can afford to wait a bit longer. Their ground forces are still engaged with mopping up actions and securing POWs.

Did you want to return Dreminth as soon as possible or delay for any particular reason?

My notes are a bit of a mess for the next bit. I'm going to resume tommorow after a run to the grocery store.
I had a week long cold beginning the day after boxing day and have had a dry cough every since. I'm being told by other people who had the same thing the cough lasted 5 weeks.

>>4045614
> Did you want to return Dreminth as soon as possible or delay for any particular reason?

Wanna go see our kids! We've been gone too long. We should pick up some exclusice tech too to give to them to show off to their friends.

Do they have modified miniature warrel bodyguard dogs? About the size of a terrier? Terrorier?

>>4045614
I don't see a reason for us to be delayed any longer so let's go back.

>>4045614
How much longer would the other fleets be waiting before they could leave?

Maybe it's worth meeting with the Emperor for a debrief and timing it so that all JD fleets arrive back home at once. The PR would probably be good, "The Viscount and her Forces return safely."

Because we need to start playing the long political game now. If anything were to ever happen and we were forced into conflict with the House leadership...

>>4045498
>Even at this early stage conflicting interests are beginning to form

>>4045614
>Two Ulgean Fleets disappear for no reason.
Nope not touching that or this. Those are all someone else's problem now.

>Cleared to go home.
Let us go home. We’ve done our bid for House and Emperor. Now let us enjoy some well-deserved time off and see what kind of shit show we are greeted to by the House and the Count.


>Caretaker Upgrades
After thinking on it some. There are good points to getting the Sphere Caretaker/ Neeran upgrades. Such as being able to better use the Builder Artifacts to much greater effect. Keep our rivals on their toes and make them wonder if we are aware of their thoughts or not. Just a few to name.

But there are down sides as well. The anti-psyker box is an issue we are not going to have to worry about unless we have enemies on par to one of the seven. So I am not going to bother considering it anymore.

What does worry me is that we are already pushing the boundaries of acceptable upgrades for a human. Doubtlessly people are going to wonder if we are still the Original Sonia. Or an imposter. And going with the Caretaker/ Neeran upgrades will add fuel to those claims and those who would work against us in the future. And just because we can get those upgrades does not mean we should. As once it becomes knowledge that it is possible to give people Caretaker/ Neeran upgrades. Albeit far into the future, there may be new laws put into place dissuading nobles or knights or even barons from getting those upgrades. When the commoners begin to fear they are being mind controlled by the nobility. And let us not forget, the Neeran Empire did use their powers over their subjects. A Dominion knight never mind a Baron having an upgrade could set a dangerous precedent. As I would not put it past other Houses, especially the Houses that still practice slavery to use these powers to further the use of slavery. Only without the need for explosive collars since they can just use a knight or a proxy to dominate their slave’s minds and force them to work. To abuse these Caretaker/ Neeran upgrades in a way reminiscent of the Neeran Empire.

Really, just worried about:

A: People thinking us a Neeran Infiltrator that replaced Sonia.
Although, this could be a good movie premise. If we use a made up House. Heck we could have a Dominion Vampire Noble from the other movie we are going to make to screw with the one Terran FA Admiral. Face off against the Neeran Infiltrator Noble.
B: Anti-Psyker bias being formed due to understandable fears.
C: Being barred from talking to the Emperor or the Count. On Fears we are controlling their minds.

>>4045733
> All these worries

We're rich and have our own army. People can STFU.

>>4045186
also going to support gettign these upgrades
>>4046158
yeah this wouldn't be the craziest thing sonja has ever done, most people already believewe got a screw lose anyway

>>4045614
I'd prefer to make a stop in the home territories on the way back to Sonia's planet.

What are we gonna be naming the Wraith?

>>4046158
>We're rich and have our own army.
So does many other people.

I've always thought the Neeran would make that "wortwortwort" sound the elites made in halo 1.

>>4046415
I was thinking more the Yahg from Mass Effect due to their similar bulk.

>>4046276
>I'd prefer to make a stop in the home territories on the way back to Sonia's planet.
Well yes there would be a parade through the capital of course.

>>4045688
>How much longer would the other fleets be waiting before they could leave?
Until they can get the ground situation and POWs under control and shipped out in their assigned systems. That could take awhile.

If your engineers could help with getting the big guns removed from the Apex and then provide some LSTs and ground support for your fellow Barons it could be cut down substantially. Versa estimates the best case would be 4-6 weeks.

[ ] Return home immediately
[ ] Delay and help the other J-D fleets

>>4046801
>[ ] Return home immediately

>>4046801

Ask Rna and Tama what moral is like in the fleet and army. If moral is low and people want to go home. We go home. If it is at a sufficient level to stand being here a bit longer. Then we stay a little bit.

>>4046801
>[ ] Delay and help the other J-D fleets
Voting so we can all go home together.

>>4046801
>[ ] Return home immediately
We've earned our return home at this point.

>>4046801
>[ ] Delay and help the other J-D fleets

>>4046818
The fleet is certainly weary, as are the army units that took part in boarding the super carrier. Half the army is still in good shape though and are prepared for a few more weeks of action if necessary.

>>4046801
>>4046854

Lets head home.

>>4046854
Offer volunteers the option to get sent to the main J-D fleet to support the House ground troops still involved in combat. Aside from that, let's head home.

>>4046392
Not if they start shit with Sonia.

>>4046801
> [ ] Return home immediately

>>4046801
>Return home immediately

The Rioja and Alaior fleets return through the gate and set course for the J-D homeworlds. Once back in House space your units split off. Alex and his fleet didn't participate in combat and he doesn't wish to draw attention away from your exploits.

Arriving in orbit above Dreminth you have the fleet make the usual flypast and orbit of the plant before coming in to dock. Despite the manner in which you left the planet the last time you were here there are no shortages of crowds along the parade route to the capital. All signs of damage from the riots have been cleaned up. Aside from a few buildings looking newer than the others you wouldn't have known there had been an uprising a year or two ago.

Caius Jerik looks a bit older and wiser than he did at your last meeting. He hasn't been able to match his father's skill at public speaking for events such as these but he'd been doing a good job with the day to day. He's better at talking to the people than making a spectacle. As a few of your friends and acquaintances tell you he's getting better at it all.

As much as you'd like to rush home after the parades awards and ceremonies, there is important work to be done. Namely talks with the other Barons to discuss how things are going with Caius at the helm. It would be best to wait until the other 3 Barons return home but they're going to be awhile.

Archivald, Dremine and Xisoth have been keeping a close eye on things. The political factions are in constant debate, looking for an edge that will let them push their agenda with the Council and the Count. Caius also has his own goals, though he has been careful not to pursue them with anything beyond his personal property. The once blurry line between resources belonging to the House and to the Count are being made much more clear for the sake of securing support from the Reformers and Egalitarian parties.

"Things were so much easier when it was just the old guard and new nobility," you complain.

This get a laugh from Archivald.
"It was never that simple, it merely looked that way."

Dremine agrees. "There were so many minor political factions just on Dreminth itself I could never keep track of all of them. Even with the splinter factions the rebellion actually simplified things immensely from my perspective."

Xisoth hasn't really noticed the change as much in the former Erid territories. Most of those that rose up against the J-D forces there were separatists and some die hard Erid nationalists. Now all that's left are nobles who think they should be running their respective planets instead of the current Governors.

Caius is quietly working on projects in the former outer colonies with his own resources. Given time one or two of them might be suitable for a Barony. He also has made it clear where the posts for the next Baron would be located and none of them are to be found there.

>>4045093
>First thing we need to do once we're back is to talk to the Knight who found out what actually happened to the old count. And then hold council with the other barons to see what we do about it.

Felix Ekwueme has remained in the homeworlds since the rebellion and uprising. Officially he's taken over duties at one of the training bases to help make up for the loss of Knight Dayton and others who were killed or stripped of their command. Unofficially the Barons believe he has become much more involved in House black ops and internal intrigue.

Did you want to talk to him yourself or request a meeting between him and the Barons?

>>4047331

Lets talk with him one on one for now. If it was one of the current Barons that played a hand we want to know before inviting them. And if it was member from one of the factions we dont want to invite a baron from that group Tenni. But if it was some one from outside the house then we definitly want all barons on board. Especialy if it was the Terrans Rovinar or Krath.

>>4047331
I think a private talk first is a better idea. Who knows who was actually involved in that nightmare.

>>4047331
One on one now. Then we can see later if we need to share.

It takes some work but you manage to make an appointment to see Felix when he's not busy or in meetings. Away from the capital at the main training base seems like the safest place.

Before that though you have to say goodbye to Versa. She'll be departing the command ship in the next day or so and heading back to Terran space. Of course you offer to let her stay if she wants. Regardless of the consequences the AI could request political asylum. Versa politely declines.

"For lack of a better word I grew up in Terran space. Ultimately that is home to me, not here."

You're rather surprised the Terrans didn't order her immediately handed over once you came back through the gate to the Centri Cluster. Even if they were confident Versa would refuse such an offer.

"I believe they intended for me to hack the planetary information networks of your capital. Most likely to look for data they missed during the allegedoperation during the civilian uprising. Of course that would be a treaty violation so I ignored their... suggestions."

You heave a sigh of relief. You never would have heard the end of it if you'd screwed over the House networks by bringing a Terran AI near them.
"Thank you. Dont forget to write, and let me know if you ever need anything!"

Once back aboard the Outer Heaven you set course for the training facility. It isn't long before you're looking over the familiar features of the Majestic. The old Senate class heavy carrier saw a lot of action for the House and its hull is at the end of its life expectancy. Considering a lot of that hull was rebuilt from scattered bits of scrap it was something of a miracle its short second career lasted as long as it did. Now it acts as an enclosed ship dock for the training base.

You've arrived just after lessons are done for the day. Judging by what felt like a hull impact after you came onboard some of the trainees need a bit of work. As the Knight explains there has been a gradual decline in quality of the recruits. Fortunately there are ways of ensuring the less skilled pilots end up in command of expensive high performance ships. Shuttle crews are always in need for instance.

"Oof, I remember my first time flying a shuttle while still in the corvette training units. I couldn't control the thrust vectoring system properly and ran into a building."

This gets a chuckle from Felix. "That sounds like some of our more troubled pilots. What can I do for you Viscount? Quite a few people seem to be coming to me with their problems lately, as though I could just magically make them go away."

>What say?

>>4047528
>What say?
"The last time we spoke you indicated it might prove prudent to have a longer chat at some point in the future. If possible, I'd like to take care of any potential business in DRH1 before I return to Rioja."

>>4047528

What >>4047536 anon suggests.

>>4047536
Supporting this.

Maybe move the conversation to a secure location which our bodyguards have swept for listening devices

>>4047536
Support

>>4047536
>I'd like to take care of any potential business in DRH1 before I return to Rioja.
Do you maybe mean the homeworlds instead of DRH1? If not please specify for my sake.

>>4047591
Just say "any potential business here".

>>4047591
Yes, the homeworlds. For some reason I thought DRG1 is the main factions galaxy while writing that. Sorry.

>>4047596
Centri Cluster you're thinking of.

>>4044501
FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION!

>>4047597
Where is Sonia's sister right now? Will it be possible to meet soon?

>>4047759
>Where is Sonia's sister right now?
In South Reach probably, or on her way to the homeworlds on vacation. One of those.

"The last time we spoke you indicated it might prove prudent to have a longer chat at some point in the future. If possible, I'd like to take care of any potential business here in the Centri Cluster before I return to Rioja. Do you have a place that's secure we can talk?"

"My work office."

Felix's office doesn't look like much, with obvious signs of structural repairs and modifications by engineering crews at one point or another in the past. Once both of you are inside he pops open a breaker box with markings from the Surakeh refit yards. A flipped switch later the younger Knight declares the room safe from listening devices. Provided you dont have any hardwired to your nervous system that is.

"A crude but effective disguise for a jamming system. It was a... I guess you could call it a suggestion in my Uncle's journal."

"Can you tell me what happened? I'd heard you killed the Count's assassin, or the one who set it up at least, and you certainly didn't come back with your Uncle like you'd planned. I was kicking myself for asking intel to help instead of private investigators. My people were worried it would turn into a lose 1d3 investigators per round kind of mission."

Felix sits down, all the while shaking his head.
"No, you did the right thing. My uncle was the only one we caught up with. He killed the Count, or at least made sure it would happen. Despite all of that he wasn't going to start killing people from House intelligence, not if he could help it. Not when a better option was available. "

Silence hangs in the room until you finally ask the all important question: "Why?"

"My Uncle was an operative with House intelligence when Gernot Sigurd Jerik came to power. Enough Barons and Governors were quick to support his selection by the Council that it avoided a serious battle over the succession. Some still resisted it, and those who did so too forcefully were made to disappear. Jerik didn't want House intelligence as a whole to be too heavily involved in this. There would have been leaks eventually, and Tatiana Bogdanić would have had too much material to hold over the Earl.

My Uncle became the knife in the dark that held the House together at a vital moment. He solved problems off the grid. He also documented everything as leverage should someone try to come after him once he retired. Secrets that could cripple the House. Contacts, leverage, weapons, money.
He knew he couldn't go back once I caught up with him so he gave it all to me."
Felix gazes off into the distance.
"He forced me to kill him. He said that it was the only way."

"But why kill the Count if he had all that leverage?"

>>4047802
"Jerik had made some idealistic promises early on in his career. Ones it turned out he couldn't keep. He tried to fight back against corruption but soon enough he was too busy keeping the House nobles from infighting to really bother. All of the Barons, the Council and the new Count have seen it. Even with a booming economy the House was being weighed down by graft and concessions made to keep powerful nobles in line and cooperative. A good portion of that is gone now."

"Was killing him really worth all that?" you ask.
"I wasn't saying I agreed, but the House is saving enough money to buy and support a new heavy carrier every year now. That's just from what was being paid in bribes.
I'm hoping I can use some of what my Uncle left me to do some good for the House."

>Other questions?

>>4047806
All of that bloodshed and havoc, just to save some money - sad state of affairs.

>What is his take on the current Count, Council and crop of Barons?
>Is there anything we should personally be worried about?
>What is his plan moving forward?

>>4047807
Are the two actually dead or will they get to enjoy a proper retirement a galaxy or two away, a couple of centuries in the future?

>"I wasn't saying I agreed, but the House is saving enough money to buy and support a new heavy carrier every year now. That's just from what was being paid in bribes.
Why is Count Jr. trying to squeeze more money out of Rioja if that is the case?

Is Vanderwal secretly doing anything Sonia wouldn't approve of?

>>4047806
Oh jeez. That's a fair amount in bribes.
Who were the biggest offenders?
And why of all people is he telling us? Support for eventual Count Reynard?
His opinion on the new Count?

Supporting all of >>4047818

>>4047807
So, his Uncle was the equivalent to the Shadow Broker from Mass Effect? Sorry if this is a poor similarity to make.

Also god damn that is a lot of money that was freed up if that much was tied down in bribes and shit.

>Other questions?

Does he want a favor in return for this information? Also, would he be willing to talk to the other Barons about it? Or at least if he would rather not talk to them, and has not already, anonymously pass around to the other Barons that the murderer of the Count is dead? Or would that raise to much suspicion?

Does he want an extra pair of eyes to help watch his back? Or would that just draw to much attention?

What’s his take on the ‘Young Upstarts’ faction? Or any of the other factions? Should we be warry of them anymore than we should of the other groups?

How badly have we messed things up for the House in not bringing the Young Upstarts to the field of battle?

Any chance he can give us names of nobles that should disappear that were giving the previous and current Count trouble?

>>4047845
It’s not just the Count. Remember what Alex said, other Barons are upset we are still getting tax discount. This was an eventuality. And we did tell the Count before we returned to Rioja after his crowning. That we would look at and start making changes in our taxes in preparation for the normal tax level to hit Rioja.

>>4047845
>Is Vanderwal secretly doing anything Sonia wouldn't approve of?

That’s a good one to ask too.

>>4047818
>All of that bloodshed and havoc, just to save some money - sad state of affairs.
"It wasn't just about the money. Uncle really hoped the old Count would pull through, hold to his ideals. Reality is often disappointing."

>What is his take on the current Count, Council and crop of Barons?
"The council is a mess but maybe they can make it work. Now that more of the House finances are in the open, at least to the council, it's more obvious when people are cheating the system. Archivald, Dremine and Saputo helped them kick out some of the trouble makers trying to sneak in. As long as the Barons are actually working to help instead of hinder I think things will be alright."

>What is his plan moving forward?
"My career goals didn't involve becoming an avenging angel but some times things need to be surgically removed for the good of the House. My uncle used to farm out work at different drop points for awhile. A plastic redwood tree with a clock built into at a shopping mall it was one, a phone booth out in the desert was another.
I haven't decided yet if I'll do anything like that but if I do I certainly wont be telling you about it."

>Is there anything we should personally be worried about?
"Rioja is a new world, your spymaster would have a better idea. I could look into some people that have relocated from Dreminth to there if you're willing to trade favours. Some of your intel for some of mine."

>Ask your spymaster to arrange a trade? Y/N?

>>4047895
>Ask your spymaster to arrange a trade? Y/N?
Let our spymaster decide. He's the expert and it's his work that will be impacted by this.

>I haven't decided yet if I'll do anything like that but if I do I certainly wont be telling you about it."
"Why not? Technically, I'm in my early 20s again.

>>4047895

>>Ask your spymaster to arrange a trade? Y/N?

Let Vanderwall make that decision.

>>4047895
> A plastic redwood tree with a clock built into at a shopping mall it was one, a phone booth out in the desert was another.

Huh. That phone booth sounds familiar.

Should we offer to help with wetwork? We kinda specialize in it.


>Ask your spymaster to arrange a trade? Y/N?

Y

>>4047845
>Are the two actually dead or will they get to enjoy a proper retirement a galaxy or two away, a couple of centuries in the future?
If you mean the Count and Felix's uncle then barring cloning shenanigans they are dead and gone.

>"I wasn't saying I agreed, but the House is saving enough money to buy and support a new heavy carrier every year now. That's just from what was being paid in bribes.
>Why is Count Jr. trying to squeeze more money out of Rioja if that is the case?
Because your tax breaks are several years past due.

Be glad Barons and Governors dont have to deal with an actual tax agency when things go wrong, they just have to call up the guy in charge for help with their macro transactions. In real life some of us have to deal with shit like compound MONTHLY interest when there's an error. Shit sucks.

>Is Vanderwal secretly doing anything Sonia wouldn't approve of?
I dunno, probably if you left him unattended? It's why he has to run stuff past your other advisors before he can act on it most of the time. Partly why Verilis Rah'ne is there keeping an eye on the House garrison fleet.

>>4047854
>Who were the biggest offenders?
"People that the Count and Council have dealt with in an appropriate manner."

>And why of all people is he telling us? Support for eventual Count Reynard?
Because you dont want the job of Count. Everybody knows this. He'd be grateful If you didnt tell everyone what you've just been talking about though.

More seriously you have history with intel and black ops and know how to make use of it. It would be good for one or more of the Barons to know that his services are available for the good of the House if need be.

>His opinion on the new Count?
He seems to want to do the right thing for the House. At the same time he still has ambitions and should be watched.

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>>4047961
>Huh. That phone booth sounds familiar.
It should be for people with long memories or that have read H&D in it's entirety recently.

>>4047992
Never forget jumping from a speeding aerocar using the grapple to slow down. I bet Sonia could perform that maneuver even better now.

>>4047984
Does he have any info on Fox?

>>4047992

Wasn't there for that bit, but that was an interesting section to read, surprised we were acting so close to someone with so much intel.

>>4047984
>you mean the Count and Felix's uncle then barring cloning shenanigans they are dead and gone.
Ouch. He is working on a better retirement plan, right?

>>4047895
>Rioja is a new world
True, but most of our political enemies have traditionally been in the House core worlds...

Does he think we should do anything specifically to help the House (beyond the tax breaks)? Or just keep truckin along?

>>4047861
>So, his Uncle was the equivalent to the Shadow Broker from Mass Effect? Sorry if this is a poor similarity to make.
It's not a terrible one but nowhere near that powerful.

>Does he want a favor in return for this information?
At this stage he's more interested in information for information.

>Does he want an extra pair of eyes to help watch his back?
No he has it covered.

>What’s his take on the ‘Young Upstarts’ faction? Or any of the other factions? Should we be wary of them anymore than we should of the other groups?
The upstarts broke up into the Egalitarian Coalition and Social Union, with many more moderate members eventually joining the Progressive Reformers.
Felix personally thinks the YU were a bunch of idiots for letting the radicals get out of hand and start running things.

>How badly have we messed things up for the House in not bringing the Young Upstarts to the field of battle?
It could have been a bloodbath for the House depending on when it broke out. Maybe if you won a few dramatic victories it might have broken their morale and allowed a quick end to it all? Hard to say.

>Any chance he can give us names of nobles that should disappear that were giving the previous and current Count trouble?
He's going to hold off on that for now.

>Also, would he be willing to talk to the other Barons about it? Or at least if he would rather not talk to them, and has not already, anonymously pass around to the other Barons that the murderer of the Count is dead? Or would that raise to much suspicion?
If you wanted to pass out a business card maybe?

How much info did you want to give the other Barons?
A) Sonia acts as a go between to the Barons (keep him anon)
B) Enough to contact him anonymously for assistance
C) Confirm that Felix has intel contacts/assets available
D) C + tell them the Uncle killed the Count

>>4048071
>A)
If he did not want to stay anonymous, he would have already contacted them. Although I would be okay with offering option B) to him in case he's ever interested.

>>4048071
> A) Sonia acts as a go between to the Barons (keep him anon)

Never give out your hookup.

>>4048071

>A) Sonia acts as a go between to the Barons (keep him anon)

We will just have to be careful about contacting him in the future if we need or wanting anything from him. And he needing or wanting anything from us.

>>4048071
>B) Enough to contact him anonymously for assistance

>>4048071
>A) Sonia acts as a go between to the Barons (keep him anon)

Control of information is key

"I'm not planning on outing you to the Barons so dont worry about that. If you want I'd be willing to act as a go between."

Felix answers that he may take you up on that. As for your concerns about enemies in the homeworlds that have it out for you that seems to be a less common thing these days. Proximity does a lot and you're just far enough away to be inconvenient to bother with. Unlike Winifred who has often been seen as so far away that she wouldn't be able to retaliate against enemies in the homeworlds.

Having the leading members of the Harmen family on side is an added bonus. Because of this you have strong ties to the Conservator and Progressive Reformers. Your political rivals in the old guard cant afford to have you as an adversary any longer when they need support against the Egalitarian Coalition. Following your wedding Matyáš Fox had even sent a representative asking for something of a cease fire.

Promising to talk to your spymaster about the offer of information exchange you wish Felix well and return to the Outer Heaven.

Any topics you wanted to discuss with the Barons in light of the new information?
Things to take care of in the homeworlds? (Besides seeing your parents.)

Resuming tomorrow.

>>4048381
>Any topics you wanted to discuss with the Barons in light of the new information?
Plans for their respective planets and the house moving into a new era? Maybe one of them needs something the other has etc.

>>4048381
>Things to take care of in the homeworlds? (Besides seeing your parents.)
Visit the Kavos memorial, because the war is finally over.
Look into getting a puppy we promised the kids? I bet all the dogs on Rioja are subversive Terran breeds.

>>4048381
>Following your wedding Matyáš Fox had even sent a representative asking for something of a cease fire.
Awww, how nice of him. No. Fox can go fuck himself with a chainsaw.

>Any topics you wanted to discuss with the Barons in light of the new information?
>Things to take care of in the homeworlds? (Besides seeing your parents.)

Can't think of anything at this moment in time.

>>4048381
>Things to take care of in the homeworlds? (Besides seeing your parents.)
Say hello to Troy's parents?
Visit the lodge and relax for a day or two.
Spend a day at the fleet club.
Pay our respects to the count and the council. We can't really show up on the homeworlds in an official capacity without checking in on either.

Package the following people for shipment to the builder vessel for repairs and rejuvination:
-Sonia's parents
-Duncan
-Old man Petras
-Knight Devante Cu'paher
-Anyone in the fleet club who's suffering from a debilitating disease or decided to go into stasis for medical reasons. Or just growing too old in general - Sylvan should be in his 70s at this point, I think.
Open a Vampires' club for people who got the treatment, meet each year a week before Halloween.

>>4049110
Sylvan juiced himself up with Vekcron energy didn't he? Or I might be thinking of someone else.

>>4049130
That's Saputo, I think.

>>4049135
Yeah that seems more correct now that I think about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W167C2shx1U

By the time the Outer Heaven returns to Dreminth your gravity well generator has finally caught up with the fleet. It had taken a few days but they were able to make a series of jumps to rescue one of the long range battleships that had been forced to drop out of FTL in a bad location. As for the other one that simply vanished there was no way to get close enough to search for them. The region was too thick with gravitational anomalies and distortions. They're declared missing, presumed killed in action.

Before the next round of meetings with the Barons you attend funerals for those lost on campaign. Those that hadn't wanted to be memorialized on Rioja that is. Towards the end of the first day you stop by Kavos grave marker.

"It's over, this pointless war. It's been going on so long that it might be more accurate to say that the peace is just beginning. I don't know if it's going to be something that lasts or just a speed bump on the way to something worse.
I'm going to keep looking out for your family. Not too much, just making sure they stay out of trouble. They'll have a chance to settle on that planet I'm naming after you if they want. That whole project should keep me going for awhile. Keep me from doing anything crazy like running off on another adventure. Maybe. Not entirely ruling it out.

I still miss you. Maybourne has been keeping on eye on things for me like you wanted so in a way it's like you've still got my back. Thanks.
I may not be able to visit for awhile. Family, the job, you know how it is. That doesn't mean I've forgotten. I may be as old physically as when we met now but I haven't forgotten. I'm not going to."

With that you decide to leave before you say anything really stupid. Or before the media figures out where you are and interrupts.

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>>4049468
And I forgot to add the picture.

>>4049468
Kavos missed immortality by what? 5 years? 7? How upset do the factions get about time travel, BTW?

>>4049522
He probably wouldn't have taken it having no interest in outliving their children or grandchildren.

>>4049468
Kind words for one of the best. I miss this nigga and his words of wisdom all the time.

>media
I'm looking forward to messing with the Terran press on Rioja at some point again.

>>4049529
>I'm looking forward to messing with the Terran press on Rioja at some point again.
Holding a press conference saying we're going to make a important announcement, only to end up showing them pictures our kids drew?

>>4049525
We are probably able to convert existing Dro'all into whatever model the immortal's body is without killing them first, now that we have the builder ship. That would theoretically allow to even turn his whole family immortal as they'd only need one treatment and wouldn't require continued use like Humans do at the moment.

>>4049538
Only take questions from Terran Infowars reporters.

>>4049548
I mean sure, maybe if you knew about that.

>>4049556
Sonia will inquire about Dro'all upgrades sooner or later, it makes sense to ask about existing procedures to have something to work with, and we're besties with the Emperor. Even if he doesn't mention the Immortal. We couldn't really ask the Terrans about previous attempts for obvious reason but it shouldn't be a problem for data on Dro'all.

>>4049548
That sounds like a political nightmare worse than "Versa AI refugee cyber-knight."

>>4049563
Sonia hasn't gotten where she is now by neing completely rational.

Like.

We JUST offered Versa asylum.

Anyways our next step should be sending her a flesh and blood body she can use as a peripheral. Dominion cloning tech is the best after all.

We can talk to the Kythera about how to go about it as well.

>>4049563
I still stand by that being a good idea. Terrans be damned. They can go fuck themselves. Knight-Commander Versa Cerrowon (01) ahoy!

Meeting with the Barons again the group discusses more practical concerns. Funding will need to shift a peace time footing soon and that may not leave everyone in the best position. Your industry and shipyards have plenty of civilian options and will either change over to those or simply slow production to more sustainable levels. Even with the anticipated drop in income you're in a better position to help than some others.

Mothballing fleets in secure locations isn't new to your House. Entire wings of standard corvettes were once parked at holding and logistics facilities. Partly how you were able to field so many refit Attack Corvette II's.
A return of piracy is a concern now more than ever. If people hit holding facilities belonging to your House they'd be able to make off with some very dangerous ships and equipment. The Rioja fleet is well prepared for this. Mons Abyla base can store plenty of mothballed corvettes. They'll be safe and out of the way there.

The Alliance asteroid FOB builder you acquired and brought along with your fleet could be useful to the other Barons. Hollowing out an asteroid would certainly be cheaper than constructing a new space dock to park unused ships in.

Shuffling of other assets are discussed as well. Few things are set in stone as a result, but everyone agrees to hold regular meetings to help keep things stable over the next few years. A united front to make sure the House will be ready if anyone else tries to test you.

What to do about the Super Carrier is an issue that wont be solved quickly. It's going to need extensive refits, similar to what was done with the Qlippoth, to allow it to better maintain Faction ships and tech. Some of the onboard manufacturing will be removed to keep producing top level Neeran tech.

The Ruling House and members of the Seven are already starting to ask about allowing scientists access to captured R&D data. Even before the ship arrived in House space the Count requested protection from the Ruling House to ensure the tech data wasn't destroyed by the Terrans or someone else.
Examples of Veckron and shield piercing weapon data has already been flow off to remote locations so that it's not all in one place. To say that the Terran and Rovinar ambassadors are displeased would be something of an understatement.

Did you want to personally review any of the tech data?

>>4049662

>Did you want to personally review any of the tech data?

Yes, but I can already guess the Count and the rest of the House do not want us to lay claim to most of it. Since they want to get the R&D budget under control. Still would be nice to know what exactly we got out of capturing it. And we can just sell it to one of the seven or a larger allied house after it is fixed.

>>4049662
Does the ship have manufacturing data for Neeran Jello shields?

>>4049662
>Did you want to personally review any of the tech data?
Do we want to go over a bit of our delicious salvage? I don't know, do we? Ofcourse we do!

>Mothballing fleets
Perhaps we should hold off on that for a while considering the nature of the tech captured in the ship... And uh... a certain other secret project related to it that we've yet to hear about. The time is nigh for the Dominion SP project.

>>4049662
Yes. Maybe we split pieces of the data between each Baron so that we're all in agreement if we ever want to develop/trade with it?

>>4049662
Why mothball fleets when we can rent them out to the warring states in the collapsing Neeran Empire?

>>4049758
>>4049662
We could explicitly rent them out only for defense, allowing said states to put more ships of their own into their attempts at conquest.

That way we could rent fleets out to both sides.

>>4049758
I think it's probably also a good time to review which ship types are worth keeping around, and what should be sold off.

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>>4049759
>We could explicitly rent them out only for defense
What could possibly go wrong with this?
>allowing said states to put more ships of their own into their attempts at conquest.
And it had been answered for me.

Just to be sure there hasn't been a mistake on my part: you want to actively sell weapons to warring parties the Factions and the Alliance are actively try to stop from fighting with their peacekeeping efforts?

>>4049784

>H&D Gun Running Edition

Pass.

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>>4049784
I don't see the problem. I mean, they got to get their weapons from somewhere or they might try killing each other with inferior weapons! Besides, it's legal and we make a profit. Absolutely nothing can go wrong with this.

>>4049784
Sell em baby

>>4049784
I'm definitely not in favor of doing anything that can keep the conflict going.

>>4049790
>>4049795
>>4049805
>>4049808
>Tie vote
>H&D
Who would have guessed?

At any rate there was an agreement not to sell or provide modern ships to the Empire's successor states made just before the invasion. No assault corvettes, fast battleships, or your high end attack cruisers. Just older vessels that might have once been suitable for use in the mixed wings.
Things that most mercenary groups would likewise want to get their hands on.

>>4049784
No, I want us to participate in peacekeeping efforts by renting out ships, not selling them, thereby protecting civilians and infrastructure as well as trade with the Dominion while the nationa exercise their rights of liberty and self determination.

If that includes destroying each others armed forces, well, that's up to them.

Of course nations that refuse our peacekeeping efforts will be at a disadvantage, but we can hardly force them to purchase our peacekeeping services.

It'd be a real shame if any nations exhausted themselves so much on a war that they became dependent on our forces, though.

>>4049838
We aren't providing them with ships.

Our ships just happen to be in the area, and will only intervene to prevent civilian deaths or non-military infrastructure.

We can just have really heavily armed, really slow, trade conveys.

>>4049838
I'm gonna vote no until the situation stabilises at least. We wouldn't want to sell to a state that would turn around and start provoking allied forces and borders.
Maybe the Rekesh though.

>>4049872
The term you're looking for is "protection racket."
Using deniable assets like mercenaries would be better than directly tying yourself to such activity.

>>4049838

>Things that most mercenary groups would likewise want to get their hands on.

The most I'd be willing to bend on this, is selling to either Mercs we know/ trust that operate out there. Or to SRL groups that are on good terms with us or our House. Since we most likely would be selling such equipment to the SRL and mercs anyways.

What Mercs or SRL does out there with those ships/ equipment is their business and most people can do is discourage us from selling to said mercs or the SRL. Not hitting us with sanctions and shit. Where as selling directly to the warring groups out there will just invite trouble and actual legal action and sanctions.

Would still rather not go gun running.

Wanting to get a look at some of the tech that's been captured you head to Loran. Security is tight around the tech vaults and bays with experimental ships. Powerful active scanners prevent anyone in recon armor from getting inside the storage areas while invisible. Both your bodyguards deactivate their camo while aboard.

Mike already evaulated a few of the warships while the Carrier was stuck at the gate. Odd corvettes that could be produced more cheaply and easily with a lower tech base, captured Faction ships, even a Neeran designed assault corvette. The last has is believed to have mounting points to quickly change out weapon types for ease of upgrade. For things like the Veckron corvette there's nothing left but data.

As the engineers who have stayed onboard the entire time tell you, the Neeran Assault Corvette was probably intended to be a big deal. There is data on development of SP beam weapons it could be equipped with eventually. The guns weren't finished, being too large to use on such a craft.

You recall intelligence reports about attack cruiser or battleship sized vessels with shield piercing particle beams. One of the Ruling House special forces officers confirms that they were encountered by other Dominion forces. Data on them is also aboard. Each full sized beam weapon used a Veckron core that was used to irradiate the outgoing particle stream.

Fortunately for the Alliance, combat experience showed that the particle beams couldnt reliably deal enough damage to kill anything larger than an attack cruiser. At the same time the size of the guns made it difficult for them to hit fast moving corvettes. If anything the subspace radiation being emitted was more dangerous than the particle stream.

When it comes to the V-torp corvette data things look fairly straight forward. A good portion of the hull was supposed to be reinforced with the same sort of phasing lattice found on many torpedoes. Material stockpiles onboard would indicate there had been a change, tweaking the material properties slightly. The techs indicate it's much closer to that used on SP torpedoes, minus the embedded particle flux that seem to give the weapons their unique properties.

Even without Versa's input from the battle it's clear enough that this isn't a coincidence. The amplified subspace fields from the veckron core should interact with the modified lattice in some manner.

"The longer the weapon is turned on the stronger the torpedo casing gets," you mutter.

>>4049889
No, it's peacekeeping!

Hey, doesn't that Medel kid gave a merc group?

>>4049980
Now that's some spicy data cores.
Did we end up keeping that High Guard class the Neeran had modified? We had the choice of either keeping it or giving it to the RH.

>>4049980
So does it have a point of diminishing returns? Can the energy in the strengthened casing be shielded from?

>>4049691
>Does the ship have manufacturing data for Neeran Jello shields?
Sort of. You'd still need one of your people with the caretaker enhancement to make use of it in its current state. The Neeran designed the control systems this way for them intentionally to prevent rebels from making use of them.

The Alliance has been working to reverse engineer them. Presumably they have working prototypes by now, but since the Neeran hadn't been rolling out mass produced SP weapons yet it wasn't worth the added cost and complexity of introducing them.

>>4050027
>Did we end up keeping that High Guard class the Neeran had modified?
I believe you kept it.

>>4050076
>So does it have a point of diminishing returns?
It does, though the strengthened cases should be fully capable of shield penetration at only a fraction off that strength. Provided a current is run through it like normal SP torpedoes that is.

>Can the energy in the strengthened casing be shielded from?
Whatever trace elements the cases pick up is permanently embedded within their structure. Faction shields can't stop it, only slow it down, or that's what the Neeran were finding. The Terrans would know better than anyone about how to develop a shield that could stop SP weapons and subspace radiation.

>>4050092
Maybe as an act of goodwill we could throw the Terrans a bone? Some small inconsequential piece of data if they already know what we're poking around at with these discoveries. Presumably they would have guessed or made a deduction based on the Count arranging protection.

>>4050126
>Maybe as an act of goodwill we could throw the Terrans a bone?
Before engaging in diplomacy with potentially hostile foreign powers we should speak with Fadila.

>>4050092
I just mean, if the material can be strengthened enough would it make sense to make a ship out of it if we could shield the internals from radiation?

>>4050134
Completely agree, maybe discuss with RH as well.

>>4050142
Or we could use actual subspace to harden the exterior hull made from this material before assembling the actual starship.

>>4050134
Yeah, maybe we can use this to flush out terran spies somehow.

Give them slightly incorrect data, then let the correct data slip to suspicious people and see if it gets through.

>>4050142
Note: Physically strengthening the material wont block subspace radiation that's bleeding into real space. I have stated this a few times before though I dont know how long it's been.

>>4050134
>speak with Fadila.
>>4050148
>maybe discuss with RH as well.
>>4050164
>Yeah, maybe we can use this to flush out terran spies somehow.
Worth a shot. I'm sure your spymaster would be up for the challenge.

>>4050217

>Note: Physically strengthening the material wont block subspace radiation that's bleeding into real space. I have stated this a few times before though I dont know how long it's been.

It might not stop subspace radiation. But would it be on par or closer to Builder material then current materials allow?

>>4050311
>>4050217
Yeah, this is what I was getting at.

Building stronger ships, but without the whole "killing the crew with radiation" part.

>>4050311
Theoretically it could surpass that of the newer Kavarian developed structural materials. No telling if it could get up to that of builder stuff.

Searching through some of the more obscure databases and equipment stockpiles you find drive plates. A lot of drive plates, but they're not to any standard configuration.
"All of these are decayed." Ruiz points out. "Why would they have so many decayed drive plates?"

Comparing them to Neeran records show that all of these are badly wore down. Way more than even over use on a ship would cause.

"The Navigators Guild reprocesses drive plates for the Factions," you point out, looking through the collection of related equipment. "They even pay people a trade-in incentive. Supposedly to make sure there are less ships on the trade lanes that need rescuing due to parts failure."

Valeri speaks up. "I'm no engineer but these look way past failure point. No ship could jump using these."

"Look for reprocessing equipment," you order.

It takes an hour but with the help of a few engineers you find what you're looking for. You've never actually seen a drive plate reprocessing operation before but this doesn't seem right.
"Get some FTL tech specialists in here who know what the hell we're looking at."

Some of the engineers brought in have seen just about everything. A couple of them had even been put aboard the builder ship to try and help figure out its systems. It's safe to say these are some of the best engineers you've got and they confirm that this isn't any kind of reprocessing operation to make new drive plates.

"It reminds me more of a weapons grade uranium enrichment plant sir. They're distilling, or condensing the worn down plates into an even more compact form. The end result must be unstable as hell. I recommend we lock down this section immediately. We dont want any stray electrical issues causing problems."

>Do as he says?
>Other input?

>>4050382
>Do as he says?
Yes.
>Other input?
With the scans she had the builder system take of SP torp casings and various info she managed to pick up in alliance service, Sonia should know this is in some way related to either veckron or shield piercing weaponry.
Which means we have to either call in the RH or watch our House implode within a few months.

>>4050382
>What do?

Lock it down of course. Then have all the engineers and anyone who came in here sign the necessary NDA’s. And that the only approved thing they can say at that. Is that they saw faulty equipment and even that may be giving to much.

Once we secure it we either:

A: Tell the Count that he needs to quickly and quietly contact the Emperor. To have a RH team recover this equipment before more attention is drawn to it.

B: Keep the Count out of this. And contact the Emperor ourselves and tell him he needs to send an RH team to recover it asap.

C: Disappear everyone who has had access to this room. And disappear this equipment to some forgotten moon or asteroid. And give a message to the RH to recover some ‘lost tech’. (this is a joke or is it?)

>>4050319

>Theoretically it could surpass that of the newer Kavarian developed structural materials.

Mother... WELP! Time to pass this idea on to someone else. Maybe Helios? Along with the corvettes and armor materials? Since we don't have the R&D capacity to research it ourselves.

>>4050443
>Along with the corvettes and armor materials?
Kharbos seems to have the most sensible corvette designers/engineers in the Dominion.

>>4050429
>B: Keep the Count out of this. And contact the Emperor ourselves and tell him he needs to send an RH team to recover it asap.

I’m all for this, the Count doesn’t need to know - not should be honestly.

While we know what this facility would probably be used for, our engineers wouldn’t. This basically saves their lives.

>>4050447

I picked out Helios because they are likely the closest to replicating Kavarian Armor or Builder Material.

That said, Kharbos would be the one most likely willing to go about using more morally grey practices to figuring out solutions to such vexing problems. So giving them the corvettes and armor would also work.

Or we could approach one of the other seven greater houses, like Nirium or Ceres. Really approaching any of The Seven that we are friendly with with this would be a good idea. Just a matter of who would be able to make the most of it quick enough to get it into production for their allies which would include our house.

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>>4050473
>Kharbos
I was mostly thinking about handing over the various corvettes to them.
Ceres might be a good pick for armor or material tech but to be honest, before we think too much about that we need to make sure our House still exists in 6 months. Which means calling the Emperor. Can we have a red quantum entanglement communicator to contact the Emperor directly and securely?

>>4050443
>>4050447
Just keep in mind that producing the stuff would be abhorrently expensive and dangerous. It would require removing the cores from Veckron weapons to irradiate mass quantities of material. Most people get nervous when it comes to fucking around with Veckron weaponry for what should be obvious reasons.

>>4050473
>I picked out Helios because they are likely the closest to replicating Kavarian Armor or Builder Material.
They're better focused on weapons tech usually, especially siege weaponry. Though they do have good R&D overall. I cant recall who was better at materials engineering.

>>4050473
Kharbos is better at ship development, though their R&D is still recovering from the civil war. Ceres is better at industrial engineering.
>Nirium
They did absorb House Posat and take their best techs. Those that didn't jump ship to your House that is.

>>4050500
For House & Dominion: Research Facility Inspection - A 20 thread sidestory

The safety lockdown is put in place as recommended. Once that's taken care of you clear out the engineers and go talk to the ranking officers aboard.

In a secure room with heads of the J-D intel and the Ruling House special detachment, you inform them that you've found a new problem. Or a new opportunity, honestly you could go either way on that one.

"What exactly did you find?" the House intel rep asks.
"More experimental gear. Probably related to SP or Veckron weapon manufacture. I dont really want to know myself at this point."

The RH officer sighs. "I'll see about getting more security and scanning gear to protect the area from infiltrators."

Before that you have an important question.
"Do you have an entanglement communicator you can use to update the Emperor on everything we have aboard?"
"Not yet. The Emperor is still aboard the flagship. They'll be returning through Shallan space soon. We do have communications but we can't guarantee how secure it is until they're back."

Well that's good to know. Hopefully once Emperor Ber'helum is back in the Centri cluster the whole situation can be sorted. Preferably in a way that doesn't end with the Terrans or Rovinar starting a war.

>>4050452
Seconding

>>4050538

>"Not yet. The Emperor is still aboard the flagship. They'll be returning through Shallan space soon. We do have communications but we can't guarantee how secure it is until they're back."

The Emperor is traveling through Shallan space? Call me paranoid, but, if the Terrans want to off him and his closest allies in his fleet to cripple BH. This is the chance and they can just play it off as the Shallan Military Government declaring war on the Dominion. No chance of us crewing up the Wraith and getting it out there to cover him, just in case?

>>4050552
If there's actually any chance of staging a successful attack on the Emperor in his big ass mobile asteroid caste with a huge escort fleet around, one more super won't do shit about.

>>4050552
>No chance of us crewing up the Wraith and getting it out there to cover him, just in case?
Not the Wraith. You couldn't even get ships from the J-D shipyard in the Pandora cluster there before they finish passing through.

>>4050382
Give it a scan with the builder arm and back it up onto a disc somewhere until we can meet the Emperor.

>>4050591
>Give it a scan with the builder arm
This is a good idea. The information should be safe enough stored in the indestructible sensor buffer of the arm.

With you and Alex busy with your own R&D projects Baron Jor'ron takes on the issue of dealing with the upgraded High Guard. That's one problem dealt with allowing some equipment and salvage to be shipped off the carrier.

Any remaining captured SP warheads are shipped to the capital to help replenish the still largely exhausted House stockpile. It's being built back up bit by bit using salvaged torpedoes recovered by each of the fleets on their deployment. There's a tax break available for anyone willing to sell or donate more to the House.

How long you'll have to sit on the SP weapon data is anyone's guess. Political wrangling upstairs apparently hasn't stopped since word came through that your House was getting the carrier while the Alliance got the gate. Ruling House personnel providing extra security think that for the moment the ship will be safe as it's far too public right now. Of course that can always change.

For now if the Terrans dare to act it would have to be against any attempts to take the data into hiding. The moment it's out of view of the public the knives will come out. Valeri expresses concern that they might try to go after the Wraith. It's a valid one. It would make a great place to work on weapons development in secret, at least in theory. After what you've seen of the captured tech keeping the two supers as far apart from one another as possible seems wise.

A message is sent suggesting that a detour or rendezvous be arranged with the Emperor's flagship on the way back to the capital. That could be the safest way to get data out of here. The Count will have to know about this at some point. You'll let the local Barons decide on that.

Wishing the guard force luck you depart with another arsenal of secrets.

>>4050700
Can you imagine all of this stuff on the Wraith? Absolutely crazy, I can see why they're scared.

Any word on the cloaking tech in the Wraith? I remember the stuff the Neeran used was distinctly different from anything the Factions had. What was it, the Cloaking Field vs the Cloaking Shield?

>>4050732
Imagine the Wraith with a complete Nocturne manufacturing setup.

>>4050732
>Any word on the cloaking tech in the Wraith?
It's still on its way back to the Centri Cluster. It will be handed over at an Alliance base. J-D personnel are still being gathered to man the ship and an escort is being assembled.

>>4049110
>Package the following people for shipment to the builder vessel for repairs and rejuvination
This action will need a strong majority.

Somewhat related, how much do you think Sonia's Mom would sue for in the inevitable kidnapping lawsuit?

>>4050808

Not if we wipe her memories and put her back in a cryo-kit and say she was there the whole time.

>>4050808

I believe she would disinherit us instead of suing us. Also that Builder ships medical facility would definitly cure her. But our Neeran budies would be against this to the extreme.

>>4050808
Make the offer available? I feel like giving it to everyone would be something that would make a lot of enemies both in the Dominion and the Factions.
What kind of agreement do we have with regards to access to the ship and medical system? Unlimited use since we were head of the discovery team?

>>4050808
There will be blood

>>4050817
I mean

We're the ones with the Noble title. Can she even disinherit us?

If so then we'll use our power to adopt her.

Resuming Tuesday

>>4050808
>This action will need a strong majority.
I would assume most of them will come voluntarily. We should also add Linda to the list if she's in the region, she's also getting old.

Anyway, it should be okay to try to convince Sonia's mom first. It's not like she can do anything about it if she knows and doesn't want to go. In addition to that, even if she ends up being upset about the whole thing, she'll take at worst a couple of centuries to calm down. That's a pretty short time frame if you take an indefinite lifespan into consideration.
Maybe be smart about this and get the rest of the family to gang up on her. Maybe even use the twins to bully her into it with their cuteness.

>how much do you think Sonia's Mom would sue for in the inevitable kidnapping lawsuit?
She'd probably have to sue Sonia in Terran space because House intel alone will censor so much of the case file that there will be nothing to work with. If any lawyer is willing to take the case, which I'd doubt.

>>4050808
I actually forgot to mention it a while back but it might be worth having Eleanor and Leon scanned in the medical suite, just to make sure our initial reaction speed boost augment didn't mess up our genetics too much. It would suck if they started having seizures or brain problems as they got older.

I wonder how much we can charge the alliance and helios for the builder material upgrades to their ships and stations.

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>>4044501

With everything going on you've only had a few hours to see your parents but now that things are calming down a bit you take two days to visit them and invite everyone out to the lodge. You of course make full use of the very expensive holographics system to talk to your kids back on Rioja. They're glad you'll be back soon.

Your brother's unit was not deployed to any combat zone in the last year of the war. The Engineering corps unit he was part of was needed elsewhere in House space to improve underground facilities. He did get to leave the galaxy but only made it as far as Robrinaan. There have been considerable upgrades put in to prepare the planet for assignment of a Baron.

Your father fills you in on the prep work going on for the Barony in DRH2. Contracts are supposed to go up for bidding for construction of a new station there.
"You're going to have your work cut out for you."
"Why do you say that?"
"One of the competing station manufacturing companies in the House are trying to get the contract. They've already made a solid case that your companies are getting too much of the market share."

Maybe you should ask RLS to work out some agreements for future operations to ensure every major House station manufacturer gets a share of large contracts. It might cost some money on some jobs but will make sure you're not locked out of the market in a worst case scenario.

Your mother is relieved the fighting is finally over and that she doesn't have to worry about her kids being killed fighting in some far off conflict.
"Now all you have to worry about is us being killed by assassins." you mutter.

"I heard that!" mom says, pointing at you. "If they're stupid enough to set foot on this planet it means I have a chance to see them caught and executed."

Dad leans in and whispers to you. "Since your brother moved out she's been spending a fair amount of time at your company's investigations office."

Huh, interesting. Clearly mom got tired of waiting for trouble to come to her.

>>4052802
Ryan I'm not going to your 6AM bible studies. I have enough trouble getting up for a shift that early when I'm being paid for it.

You bring up the topic of improved medical systems you've come across during your deployment, leaving out the particulars. Ones that could certainly cure your mother's condition and knock some years off her age if she really wanted.

"Bring one here to this planet and I'll consider it. I've lived long enough on one planet that I'm more than willing to stay here."
"Mom, you'd be fine."
"I'm not doing it Sonia, I've told you this before enough times already."
"Bu-
Your father interrupts. "Sonia you have to respect your mother's decision and that's final. I dont want you pestering her about this again. When you have a health clinic or whatever it is set up on Dreminth I'm sure we'd be more than happy to stop by and have a look at what they can do."

You sigh in annoyance, rolling your eyes. "Yes Dad."

"And dont think just because you got a nice facelift you can act like you're 20 again." Mom adds.

>>4053892
I wonder if this is what it's like for normal people to interact with Sonia.

>>4053892
Aaaa but Sonia IS 20 again.

>>4053892
"Facelift, right. We'll call it that and not the classified thing it was"

"Facelift, right. We'll call it that and not the classified thing it was."

You enjoy the time out at the Lodge, both with family and running around the property. Through the centuries old trees and up the mountain.
Bekka is still more than a week out from the homeworlds so it looks like you wont be able to see her before you depart for Rioja.

Another day is spent at the fleet club, catching up with old and new members. Duncan is there, apparently as part of his new cover. The two of you exchange information on paper about tech on the carrier then burn the evidence.

Plenty of Knights both new and old are discussing the political situation within the House. There are debates out the direction the House is going with the new leadership, along with how things might be if not for the assassination. Some arguments that spiral out of control have to be broken up, but thankfully these are few in number.

The last day is spent making a quick stop to check in with the Count and Council then heading to Loran to meet with the Harmen family. They're relieved that both of you made it through the campaign unscathed.
"We were worried when the fleet didn't return after the initial campaign." Troy's mother explains.
"There was talk some fleets have been asked to act as a reserve. Even though it was only a few extra months there were rumors about how fierce the fighting around the Neeran capital was becoming."

"Don't worry, I wasn't about to let our kids become orphans," you reply.

Troy jokingly adds, "Though it was starting to look like you might have to come home without your command ship at one point."
This results in you covertly giving him a well deserved elbow.

Before leaving the area you give thought to arranging medical treatment for some in the House that are in dire need of it. The systems on the Builder ship could save many lives, and extend those of many more. Unfortunately the ship has been returned to Threochts planet. That complicates things due to the long term presence of Krath that are being evacuated.

Signing NDA's shouldn't be a big deal but nobody is going to want any more traffic than is absolutely necessary entering the planet's interior. The Krath certainly wont. If more information about the medical systems aboard gets out there's going to be thousands if not millions of people lining up. It might be best to keep quiet about it and wait for some of the tech to be reverse engineered. Data modules on practically everything were brought back to the Dominion, it's just going to take time to go through it all.

[ ] Keep it secret, wait for tech
[ ] Covert smuggling of patients

>>4054047
>[ ] Keep it secret, wait for tech

>>4054047
[ ] Keep it secret, wait for tech
This our little secret.

>>4054047
>[ ] Keep it secret, wait for tech
No one's gonna die soon although I'd want to take the kids there for check up.

>>4054047
> [ ] Keep it secret, wait for tech

>>4054047
>[ ] Keep it secret, wait for tech

>>4054047
>[x] Covert smuggling of patients
As it seems like the other choice will we, I'd like to request we arrange for stasis storage of people with terminal illnesses or who are recently deceased.

For now you'll work to keep the ship and its medical tech a secret. The reverse engineered tech should become available in a few years hopefully. What's already available to the Factions is rather impressive. Stasis tech had advanced by leaps and bounds since the start of the war allowing life saving medical procedures that might have been next to impossible at the time.

Troy picks up a puppy for the kids before leaving. You're not sure how they'll respond to it but hopefully it will be positive.

Before you can set out for Rioja there are already new problems. House Logistics want to make use of some of your transports and thus delay their return home.

Do you allow it? Tell them they can wait 2 weeks? Or request that they provide replacement crews?

I'm not feeling great, haven't been since I woke up. I'll try to resume later on if I'm doing better. Sorry guys.

>>4054093
The transport guys have been on the front for months like everyone else. It's high time they got home for some rest. Either they wait or they can replace the crew so our boys and girls can come home with us.

>>4054095
Good luck, hope you feel better soon.

>>4054093
Why do they need them, what’s so pressing?

>>4054020
>Bekka is still more than a week out from the homeworlds so it looks like you wont be able to see her before you depart for Rioja.
I’m honestly happy for us to just wait here to see her. It’s been a long time and it’s not like we’re urgently needed on Rioja.

>>4054095
All good mate, feel better

>>4054093
>replacement crews

>>4054093
How much are they willing to pay us?

What do they need them for so urgently?

Feel better soon man.

>>4054104
Or if they want they can offer to pay the troops to convince them to stay.

>>4054093

If they need the ships. They can provide the crew. Our own crews need the time off.

Big Dominion Ball when?

>>4054123
>>4054162

>Why do they need them, what’s so pressing?
>What do they need them for so urgently?
Run of the mill cargo transport that needs doing since many house transports are occupied with the expeditionary fleets still in the Neeran occupation zone.

>How much are they willing to pay us?
You? Nothing because the logistics craft in question are owned by the House.


>>4055480
>Big Dominion Ball when?
I knew I forgot something.

Still feel like I'm going to throw up at a moment's notice.

With the medical suite you could prank Troy real good and turn him into a cute girl

>>4054093
Replace the crew, if they can't or won't tell them to fuck off

If they need the logistics ships they can provide the crews is your answer. They're more than happy to do so. Transport crews from Rioja hitch a ride on your other ships. There is still plenty of room, despite the loss of 3 medium cruisers in the attack on the gate you did pick up several others. Another week at FTL isn't going to kill them.

The fleet reaches Rioja, plotting a course around the heaviest traffic with it's loop around the planet. Even without your fleet the number of ships in orbit is rather impressive, much more than that around Dreminth. Despite having more than enough warning the station crews are having trouble finding berths for everyone. Much of the fleet is sent to the moon base, smaller ships docking within, while the heavier starships take up parking orbits at various altitudes.

The Outer Heaven, along with those ships belonging to the higher ranked unit commanders, take up a lower orbit. They'll reach the surface first and take stock of the situation for the arrival of their people. This turns out to be a good thing. Even with all of the pre-planning there aren't enough vehicles to take all of the officers in one go. It doesn't take long to figure out a workaround and soon you're headed for the planetary capital.

Even in your absence the planet has continued to prosper. From orbit you could see wider stretches of green from the expanded agricultural regions. New buildings have been added to the city surrounding the capital making for quite a sight on the approach. People line the streets cheering for your return and -presumably- their loved ones.

Some of the army is still on Threochts planet helping to protect its secrets. Most of those are now clone troops but they'll need to be rotated eventually. That can be figured out after everyone has had a couple months of shore leave. Also after the inevitable round of resignations that are likely to hit.

>Cont.

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Once at the steps of the capital arcology you're greeted by the Governor and it isn't long before you launch into a prepared speech welcoming the various units home. Awards, promotions, and titles are handed out. Facing a protracted war the previous Count had wanted to cut down on the number of people Knighted each year. The House couldn't have supported a massive expansion of the nobility with each deployment. Now that the war is over there might not be a beter time.

Any potential Knights that the House didn't want to provide land for you do so yourself. This isn't the first time and you have plenty more where that came from. A parcel of land on Rioja now is worth far more than when it was a wasteland. You could probably chip away at the edges of your holdings for a century like this and still have plenty to spare.

Hera, Phas, Lyas then the Admirals and Generals with their people rotate through, one group after another until the sun is setting. Fortunately you're eventualy able to conclude events before it gets dark out.

"People of Rioja, the war against the Neeran is over! Tomorrow we may face new challenges but today we celebrate!"

>>4057626
All drinks are on the house?

>>4057626
>You could probably chip away at the edges of your holdings for a century like this and still have plenty to spare.
And even then you remember that we still got a ENTIRE planets worth of land in this system which is undergoing terraforming. We aint running out of land anytime soon! That's for sure!

>Now that the war is over there might not be a beter time.
Did someone say FACTION WARS, Terrans are mad edition?

>>4057633
>All drinks are on the house?
Maybe the first round? The MP's need time off too.

>>4057655
Sounds like a good compromise.

>>4057622
>despite the loss of 3 medium cruisers in the attack on the gate
What did we lose aside from the Eclipse that got v-torped? I skimmed over that thread and didn't notice any other medium cruisers we lost.

>>4057738
Looks like a Shukhant and a Monitor.

Your promise to cover the first round of drinks is met with the expected enthusiasm. As much as you'd like to get a few drinks yourself there are other things needing your attention. Firstly your kids. Rufaro managed to keep them from running out to greet you while the parade awards and speeches were going on. Troy has soon hoisted Leon onto his shoulders while you give Eleanor a piggy back ride, chasing them inside.

Family or no you're still expected to be present a few hours later at a ball held for the returning nobles. While not everyone is there it's surprising just how many of the local Lords have decided to show up. The kids are allowed to hang around, watching from one of the balconies reserved for the family.

Everyone wants to know what the future holds in store, not just for Rioja or its soon to be twin world, but you as well. Many anticipate you'll be focusing on some outlandish project or another even while the terraforming of Kavos is underway.

>Any plans you're willing to make public?

>>4057762
>Any plans you're willing to make public?

Well not anything we've talked about a lot but I want to get the planet moving business started in the Run big time. Increase the amount of Dominion worlds in the area that can be terraformed. Especially JD worlds.

If it's not official we could reveal the plan to make this a two colony system with the terraforming of Kavos?

The SP project is still secret until the Emperor unveils it to everyone so that's a no go.

Builder stuff is super classified so we can't share that. Nor do I want to.

>>4057782
>If it's not official we could reveal the plan to make this a two colony system with the terraforming of Kavos?
The planet is already in its new orbit. The cat's out of the bag on that one.

>>4057762
Intent to establish a gate somewhere in the Run to link with Rekesh space.
Deeper trade links with the Rekesh.
Did the Antimatter station ever get completed? Maybe something to do with that.
Expanding the planet-building business and building up the civilian economy with massive terraforming projects. The shipyards are going to need work now that they're not pumping out warships.
Maybe we can make some vague hints at the potential technology that's coming? Increase the quality of life of every inhabitant.

>>4057762

>Plans?

What are some of our plans for the future?

I assume making Rioja and Kavos the best worlds in the House is a given. Keeping the civillian sector growing and focusing more towards post war-time production growth. So as to keep Rioja competative in the coming years and decades of Dominion peace. Nothing to specific, just saying that now that the war with the Neeran is over we are going to focus on making Rioja noteable for not just being a colony that rapidly grew in but two decades to a flourshing colony that supported war production. But also a key stone colony that is key to the longevity of the house. Can also probably tell them that with the defeat of the Neeran Empire that it could be safe to expect many changes and upgrades in technologies that could very well spell a period of growth and prosperty for not only the Dominion as a whole but also for Rioja and her people. So long as that isn't giving away to much of what is in store.

And while there may be smaller conflicts of posturing and word flinging, that will hopefully be resolved by cooler heads before actual fighting need occur.

We will always stand by Rioja and soon Kavod and our House.

>>4057762
>Any plans you're willing to make public?
That's a good question... Don't mention the Rekesh, the last thing we need is to have even more attention on that area.
Maybe announce an interest in supporting the watcher government's exploration efforts in coordination with the navigator guild? The last few centuries have shown that remaining within the existing borders only leads to stagnation and strife. I hope this sounds at least a bit extravagant and most importantly it will far enough away from the Dominion that people shouldn't be able to poke around too easily.

>>4057622
>From orbit you could see wider stretches of green from the expanded agricultural regions
I have to say, that's probably the most beautiful part about this. All these years real years waiting for this moment, and we're finally here.
It's been good.

>>4057762
>>4057826
Actually maybe we could build Rioja up to being the expert Terraforming planet? We have the Singularity systems to move the planets, the weather control system to stabilise them, and the arcology production to inhabit them.
It worked for the Harmen family, so why not just repeat it on a much grander scale? We could even use Troy's family links to get a head start on the business and build it up to megacorp level.

Then once we've colonised every possible planet, we can build our own dyson sphere.

File: AM manufacturing station.jpg (66 KB, 828x632)

66 KB JPG

>>4057798
>Did the Antimatter station ever get completed?
The Station should be complete by now, or at least enough to begin operations. It's going to take a number of years to make back its money. It was supposed to look something like this right?

I can't seem to find anything on it in the Holdings and Finances page even though I'm certain a majority agreed to have it worked on. I don't remember that much else aside from some Houses like the RH being able to station their own tanker craft to help with in flight refueling.

>>4057936
>I can't seem to find anything on it in the Holdings and Finances page even though I'm certain a majority agreed to have it worked on.
I haven't been able to find a price on it, maybe you included a price in the survey where we voted on the shape of the station? We got the antimatter plant for free and visited the construction site before leaving:
>SURVEY! NW-95
>surveymonkey com /r/JMDGPT3

>>3308500
>The week before your departure you perform an inspection of the antimatter production facility. Things are looking a bit haphazard with the various station components being prepared for assembly into a spherical construct. Antimatter production itself is still being carried out by the ancillary platforms. They're a safe distance away from the construction site and wont be fully integrated until the sphere is completed.
>One of the Ruling House Supers departing the cluster has taken part in trials for in flight AM refueling when passing through the system. Despite trepidation a number of fuel tanks were loaded and the engines fired using what was supplied by the station.
>A Kavarian antimatter tech that was hired from the ship the generator was taken from seems to be enjoying himself. Specifically he's spending a lot of time laughing at Dominion personnel and the amount of caution they're taking with the volatile fuel stores.
>"These systems will only fail if the Terrans point their fancy weapons at it, not before. You've taken our already sufficient redundancy to a whole new level."
>That's a fine theory but you'd rather not test it.

>>4057979
Thanks anon.