Here are some plans designed to avoid going into debt and having to do the Surplus Sale.
[] Plan War for Profit
-[] Military Response
-[] Ministry Reorganization
-[] Taking Stock
-[] Domestic Affairs
-[] To Boldly Go
-[] Personal Attention - Martial
As mentioned before, this plan is designed to save money to buy us time. Chances of success are 93% (Martial), 100% (Diplomacy), 80% (Stewardship), 82% (Intrigue) and 90% (Learning).
Economy: 81,000 (Initial) - 10,000 (Stewardship) - 10,000 (Intrigue) + 11,000 (Income) = 72,000
[X] Plan Save Money
-[X] Emergency Refits
-[X] Ministry Reorganization
-[X] Taking Stock
-[X] Domestic Affairs
-[X] Digging for Clues
-[X] Personal Attention - Learning
This plan is safer and sets us up to learn more about the mystery ships without going in guns blazing, but it does have its own risks because the rolls are less reliable. Chances of success are 81% (Martial), 100% (Diplomacy), 80% (Stewardship), 82% (Intrigue) and 77% (Learning).
Economy: 81,000 (Initial) - 5,000 (Martial) - 10,000 (Stewardship) - 10,000 (Intrigue) + 11,000 (Income) = 67,000