Shepard Quest Mk V, Base of Operations (ME/MCU)

I do not like the idea of giving that much power to the council to wield against humanity voluntarily, i rather humanity has a trump card so that if the worse does happen, we're prepared for it and thus are able to react instead of falling to pieces because we believed that it could never happen to us.

Humanity has a couple trump cards waiting. Right now we can start producing Mark II suits with Ultra-Compact FTL Drives in three quarters. Once the Lab III comes online in two quarters we'll be able to do it in two.

Even assuming the Mark II is ten times the complexity of the Mark I and the FTL Drive takes 100 production, for a total of 115 production, we could personally make 289 a quarter, CHA can pull a minimum 1,521 and HK can do at least 260. That's an absolute minimum 2,070 basically unstoppable death machines that will slaughter their way through Citadel forces.

That's not mentioning the other crazy stuff we can pull out rapidly. Yes the Gen I Arc Reactor is a big deal but it's done it's most important job, get Paragon Industries off the ground and give the Alliance an impressive head start that we simply need to maintain.
 
How many security teams do our security people recommend for full coverage once the new facilities are online?
I'm gonna pull the number 10 out of my security-recommendation-hat.

Following the patent law discussion, I think the ruling will be that
1) You have to be seen to make a serious effort to meet Citadel Space's demands for your tech. I stand by my previous ruling of at least 50% of your production capabilities. Production capabilities you should be expanding with the profits you get from that.
1b) The price can be higher than what you're charging your current clients, but not massively so. A factor of 2 higher is going to cause grumbling, but no sanctions.
2) The documentation released is not enough to reverse engineer your product on its own, but it will help anyone trying to do so.
3) The Citadel Races have better researchers than Obadiah Stane, but not much better.
 
I'm gonna pull the number 10 out of my security-recommendation-hat.

Following the patent law discussion, I think the ruling will be that
1) You have to be seen to make a serious effort to meet Citadel Space's demands for your tech. I stand by my previous ruling of at least 50% of your production capabilities. Production capabilities you should be expanding with the profits you get from that.
1b) The price can be higher than what you're charging your current clients, but not massively so. A factor of 2 higher is going to cause grumbling, but no sanctions.
2) The documentation released is not enough to reverse engineer your product on its own, but it will help anyone trying to do so.
3) The Citadel Races have better researchers than Obadiah Stane, but not much better.

Question. Are we able to vet our buyers ?

Part of my dislike for patenting it is that once we sell it, we lose all control on where it will end up. If we can have a contract that states we sell the Arc Reactor only to the legitimate governments then i will be more at ease because this way we still get some assurance that the Arc Techs is going to a Official and that Arc Tech is unlikely to be spread beyond our control.

Something like, we can decide on who to sell the tech too. With only the legitimate governments being able to demand XX amount of Arc Reactors from us, they're are not to sell the Arc Reactor to third parties etc.

Other companies or minor powers can only obtain Arc tech from negotiating with us.
 
Are we selling at a loss? remember selling cheaper in proportion to power generated than the other guys makes our market share grow faster.

We're not selling at a technical loss but an economic loss.

Arc Reactors generate 250,000 credits per unit of production spent on them. That same unit of production would earn us 255,000 credits if we just gave it to Lindsey. The end result is we miss out on what's effectively a free 5k. Over the full 25,530 production we will have spare when the Factory III kicks in that's 127m per quarter.

Which admittedly in the grand scheme of the 6,382m we'd be making is pretty insignificant at only a 2% difference but it does irritate me. Especially since the Arc Reactor is so amazing yet does so poorly profit wise.

Doubling the price won't effect sales since we're pretty much assured to be limited by supply rather then demand.

Question. Are we able to vet our buyers ?

While we, almost certainly, won't be able to prevent our clients from reselling there is no reason we shouldn't be able to pick our clients so long as we are hitting that 50% threshold.
 
We're not selling at a technical loss but an economic loss.

Arc Reactors generate 250,000 credits per unit of production spent on them. That same unit of production would earn us 255,000 credits if we just gave it to Lindsey. The end result is we miss out on what's effectively a free 5k. Over the full 25,530 production we will have spare when the Factory III kicks in that's 127m per quarter.

Which admittedly in the grand scheme of the 6,382m we'd be making is pretty insignificant at only a 2% difference but it does irritate me. Especially since the Arc Reactor is so amazing yet does so poorly profit wise.

Doubling the price won't effect sales since we're pretty much assured to be limited by supply rather then demand.
We could leave it as a Loss leader to Help increase our market share, brand recognition, and goodwill.
 
Speaking of, I promised more ideas.

As I have mentioned before, while establishing that yes, there's pretty much no setting I can't blow up if given sufficient time and motivation, it was mathematically proven that no black holes of any shapes other than spherical and toroidal are unstable. It's currently unknown if toroidal black holes can exist, but apparently ring singularities (singularities shaped like rings) might be possible for rotating black holes and might work as wormholes, perhaps event traversable ones. So... Let's make some an study them. The technology would be relatively simple. Make a ring out of eezo and suspend it in vacuum (do it in orbit / deep space for simplicity - mass effect spacetravel is cheap). Position several ion and electron guns tangentially to the ring, so the beams, when hitting it, will spin it (also add several on top and on bottom for stabilization and possibly making it rotate around the axis lying in the ring's plane). First accelerate it as much as possible with electron guns (lowering its mass so it gets accelerated easier), then switch to ions (positive charge) so it gets heavier, until it gets heavy enough (we'll need lots of ion guns with high fluxes - yay for Arc reactors) that an event horizon around the ring forms. Then keep feeding the event horizon itself particles so it gets stable-ish. Study the results.

Aside from possibly traversable wormholes and pure science, it might be useful as shielding technology. A ring of sufficient size would have its focus (center) relatively free of tidal forces. Thus, placing something in the center, then making a spinning (around the axis lying in the ring's plane) toroidal blackhole as a shield would provide an essentially impervious shield. Also some very screwy space metrics.

That's not mentioning the other crazy stuff we can pull out rapidly.
Let's develop the Hawking bomb. It's a perfect MAD device.
 
hmm a thought just occurred to me,
@Esbilon does our lab have non-FRM versions of our tech?
Yes. At least of the designs that are in progress.

Question. Are we able to vet our buyers ?
Yes, but you won't be able to vet their buyers. There is a beautiful quote about this in the an episode of Yes, Minister (The Whisky Priest, series 3, episode 6), but it sadly does not seem to have made its way to the Internets.
 
We could leave it as a Loss leader to Help increase our market share, brand recognition, and goodwill.

Market share doesn't matter since we will almost certainly have more customers then we can supply for quite a while.

Brand Recognition - Literally no one else can provide the equivalent of a nuclear (fission) power plant in the size of something that you can put in your pocket.

Goodwill - it's not like we're ripping people off. At 250k it's almost certainly cheaper then the equivalent fusion reactor capital wise and absolutely has a lower operating cost since it takes practically zero fuel.
 
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Okay.

[X] Building Better Babies. Distribute your new procedures as widely as you can, making Humanity stronger, faster, smarter and prettier. Also pissing off the companies that are making a killing doing this for the rich and powerful.
-[X] Provide free treatment to cure genetic disease in children.
--[X] Work with those of alliance governments who have free medical care and mandatory inoculations to spread your advancements as far as possible (and for political capital)
---[X] See if you can involve Sirta Foundation. This sort of thing is their specialty and it would be nice to have a working relationship.
[X] Build Basic Research Lab II and III
-[X] Hire Research Teams at our usual salary

[X] File. Let them see what we can do, and let them then shut up and give us their money.
-[X] But have your people go over any changes in Citadel patent law first. Hire a specialist if needs be.

[X] Hire on five new security teams.
- [X]Prioritize Marines but if we have to take on more LEOs or mercs to have them on time then so be it.

Research
[X] Advanced Fire Control VI (400)
60d10 + 120 = 98.85% chance of completion
[X] Advanced Black boxing/FRM (439/800)
60d10 + 70 = 96.21 % chance of completion
[X] Peak Human (400)
20D10+20+Overflow

Spare time
[X] Have your own advanced implant (Magi) installed.
-[X] Ask if Rahna would be willing to be hired as your tutor for you
[X] Spend time with family and Brian.
-[X] Hellish as it was fighting to beat Mum's challenges with Brian was fun, maybe you can do some more of that
--[X] Bring some of what you've learned to the Security Teams training


I think that's everything.
 
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Once our Lab III in two quarters comes online we'll have the following:

Dice
Revy

10d10 + 10 (VI) - 10 (Conrad)
10d10 + 10 (VI) - 10 (Conrad)
10d10 + 10 (VI) - 10 (Conrad)
10d10 + 10 (VI) - 10 (Conrad)

Research Teams
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary) + 10 (research lab)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary) + 10 (research team)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary) + 10 (research team)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)


Labs 0+I+II+III
10d10 + 10 (VI)
10d10 + 10 (VI)
10d10 + 10 (VI)
10d10 + 10 (VI)

Conrad
10d10 + 10 (VI)
So if we arrange them as follows:

Group One
10d10 + 10 (VI) - 10 (Conrad)
10d10 + 10 (VI) - 10 (Conrad)
10d10 + 10 (VI) - 10 (Conrad)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary) + 10 (research lab)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary) + 10 (research team)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary) + 10 (research team)
10d10 + 10 (VI)
Total = 70d10+85 = 99.84% of 400 = Average of 470

Group Two
10d10 + 10 (VI) - 10 (Conrad)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)
10d10 + 10 (VI)
Total = 70d10+85 = 99.84% of 400 = Average of 470

Group Three
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)
10d10 + 10 (VI) + 5 (salary)
10d10 + 10 (VI)
10d10 + 10 (VI)
10d10 + 10 (VI)
Total = 70d10+90 = 99.92% of 400 = Average of 475

So if we allocate Group Three to Flawless Blackboxing / FRM we're looking at an average of 7 quarters and an absolute maximum of 8. Of course we could always go all out and get it in three turns, two if we're lucky, but a steady increase is probably for the best. Especially since a lot of the tech we really don't want getting out, like Go Away Beams/Dreadnaughts/Planetary Siege Weapons are about that far away (at minimum) anyway.

I really doubt well get Flawless in 10 turns since there will be other things we'll want to spent that research on here and there but it's something we should slowly work towards while as much of our scary tech is still locked away.
 
[X] Building Better Babies. Distribute your new procedures as widely as you can, making Humanity stronger, faster, smarter and prettier. Also pissing off the companies that are making a killing doing this for the rich and powerful.
-[X] Provide free treatment to cure genetic disease in children.
--[X] Work with those of alliance governments who have free medical care and mandatory inoculations to spread your advancements as far as possible (and for political capital)
---[X] See if you can involve Sirta Foundation. This sort of thing is their specialty and it would be nice to have a working relationship.

[X] File. Let them see what we can do, and let them then shut up and give us their money.
-[X] But have your people go over any changes in Citadel patent law first. Hire a specialist if needs be.

[X] Hire on five new security teams.
- [X]Prioritize Marines but if we have to take on more LEOs or mercs to have them on time then so be it.

Research
[X] Advanced Fire Control VI (400)
60d10 + 120 = 98.85% chance of completion
[X] Advanced Black boxing/FRM (439/800)
60d10 + 70 = 96.21 % chance of completion
[X] Peak Human (400)
20D10+20+Overflow

Spare time
[X] Have your own advanced implant (Magi) installed.
-[X] Ask if Rahna would be willing to be hired as your tutor for you.
-[X] Offer at cost replacements for all L2 Biotics. Have Rahna as a spokes person if she agrees.
[X] Spend time with family and Brian.
-[X] Hellish as it was fighting to beat Mum's challenges with Brian was fun, maybe you can do some more of that.
--[X] Bring some of what you've learned to the Security Teams training.

Miniaturized lasers are nice, but spreading Supersoldier-tech around ASAP should have much better long-term benefits.
 
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Business
[X] Building Better Babies. Distribute your new procedures as widely as you can, making Humanity stronger, faster, smarter and prettier. Also pissing off the companies that are making a killing doing this for the rich and powerful.
-[X] Provide free treatment to cure genetic disease in children.
--[X] Work with those of alliance governments who have free medical care and mandatory inoculations to spread your advancements as far as possible (and for political capital)
---[X] See if you can involve Sirta Foundation. This sort of thing is their specialty and it would be nice to have a working relationship.
[X] File. Let them see what we can do, and let them then shut up and give us their money.
-[X] But have your people go over any changes in Citadel patent law first. Hire a specialist if needs be.
[X] Hire on five new security teams.
- [X]Prioritize Marines but if we have to take on more LEOs or mercs to have them on time then so be it.
[X] Build Basic Research Lab II and III
-[X] Hire Research Teams at our usual salary

Research
[X] Advanced Fire Control VI (0/400)
60d10 + 120 = 98.85% chance of completion
[X] Advanced Black boxing/FRM (439/800)
60d10 + 70 = 96.21 % chance of completion
[X] Peak Human (0/400)
20D10+70+Overflow

Spare time
[X] Have your own advanced implant (Magi) installed.
-[X] Ask if Rahna would be willing to be hired as your tutor for you
-[X] Offer at cost replacements for all L2 Biotics. Have Rahna as our spokes person if she agrees.
[X] Spend time with family and Brian.
-[X] Hellish as it was fighting to beat Mum's challenges with Brian was fun, maybe you can do some more of that
--[X] Bring some of what you've learned to the Security Teams training
 
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[X] Building Better Babies. Distribute your new procedures as widely as you can, making Humanity stronger, faster, smarter and prettier. Also pissing off the companies that are making a killing doing this for the rich and powerful.
-[X] Provide free treatment to cure genetic disease in children.
--[X] Work with those of alliance governments who have free medical care and mandatory inoculations to spread your advancements as far as possible (and for political capital)
---[X] See if you can involve Sirta Foundation. This sort of thing is their specialty and it would be nice to have a working relationship.

[X] File. Let them see what we can do, and let them then shut up and give us their money.
-[X] But have your people go over any changes in Citadel patent law first. Hire a specialist if needs be.

[X] Hire on five new security teams.
- [X]Prioritize Marines but if we have to take on more LEOs or mercs to have them on time then so be it.

Research
[X] Advanced Fire Control VI (400)
60d10 + 120 = 98.85% chance of completion
[X] Advanced Black boxing/FRM (439/800)
60d10 + 70 = 96.21 % chance of completion
[X] Peak Human (400)
20D10+20+Overflow

Spare time
[X] Have your own advanced implant (Magi) installed.
-[X] Ask if Rahna would be willing to be hired as your tutor for you
[X] Spend time with family and Brian.
-[X] Hellish as it was fighting to beat Mum's challenges with Brian was fun, maybe you can do some more of that
--[X] Bring some of what you've learned to the Security Teams training
 
@Esbilon
Bonus point references: Tabletop game is from the anime Angelic Layer. Not sure about the Dystopian SciFi Tabletop RPG, but maybe either Shadowrun or Paranoia?
 
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The fact that the tech can leak to somewhere else means that it is unlikely to be as general as you think it is, not to mention that by patenting it we will be at the mercy of everyone.

That's why we just patent a single critical component, since we're not selling to anyone just now there is no prior price for that set component so we can charge anything for it massively reducing our demand and or massively boosting our income.

1) You have to be seen to make a serious effort to meet Citadel Space's demands for your tech. I stand by my previous ruling of at least 50% of your production capabilities. Production capabilities you should be expanding with the profits you get from that.

I assume that only applies to meeting existing demand; No demand, no production.

Revised And Updated

[X] Plan Seeding Greatness

Genetic Enhancement
[X] We need to make some recoup on our investment but we should distribute our advances (Patented of course) so that no parent has to suffer a child born crippled by something we can cure
-[X] Provide free treatment to cure genetic disease in children
-[X] Undercut the market but not severely on other applications
--[X] Work with any interested and above board charities and government (SA wide and planetary) health initiatives to speed the process

To File or not to File
[X] File. Let them see what we can do, and let them then shut up and give us their money.
-[X] But have your people go over any changes in Citadel patent law first. Hire a specialist if needs be.

Business
[X] Set up an arena in Landing where everyone can play your new game safely
-[X] Incorporate a broadcast energy field and activation key in the arena so people can't be hurt by using there figures (Which we need a good name for) in public.
-[X] Set up training arenas with different terrain from boxing rings to mountains
--[X] It can be called Paragon Layer
--[X] We're doing a lot with Mum but perhaps Dad would like to be involved with this? He did play 40k games with us before and we seem to have drifted apart
[X] Have our lawyers look into the requirements and permits required to form a PMC using our Alliance Contacts if they'd be advantageous.
[X] Build Research II
-[X] Hire Full Complement of Research Teams for Research II at usual salary
[X] Hire 5 new Security Teams now to protect the building site from unwanted 'additions' as well as getting them trained up in preparation for the sights going online.
--[X] See if we can hire any of the Biotics upgrading from the L2 for our security teams

Research
[X] Advanced Fire Control VI (400) - 60d10 + 75
[X] Advanced Black boxing/FRM (439/800) - 70d10 + 70
[X] Peak Human (400) - 10D10+65+Overflow

Spare time (pick two)
[X] Have your own advanced implant installed (Name by popular vote).
-[X] Ask if Rahna would be willing to be hired as your tutor for you.
-[X] Offer at cost replacements for all L2 Biotics. Have Rahna as a spokes person if she agrees.
[X] Spend time with family and Brian.
-[X] Hellish as it was fighting to beat Mum's challenges with Brian was fun, maybe you can do some more of that
--[X] Bring some of what you've learned to the Security Teams training.
 
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@Esbilon
Bonus point references: Tabletop game is from the anime Angelic Layer. Not sure about the Dystopian SciFi Tabletop RPG, but maybe either Shadowrun or Paranoia?
Sadly, I have never heard of Angelic Layer before. The rpg in question is neither Shadowrun, nor Paranoia. I should also point out that there is only one reference to an rpg, the other out-standing reference (which was not as easy as I thought and I therefore up to the usual +50) is to a web comic.
 
That's why we don't patent the reactor only a single critical component which since we've never sold that component as a component gets us round the costing issue too leaving us free to set any price.

I really doubt the Citadel government would leave such a massive loophole and I doubt Esbilon will let you use such an obvious loophole.
 
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