"What do you mean, you found room? Room for what?" Your question was loud as you stood in what would soon be the Corvette main engine room. Behind you, the Genosian workers were working on finishing the installation of the Mk.1 Corvette Engines your team had come up with. Shen shrugged in answer and pointed to the datapad in his hand that you quickly grabbed when the Duros offered it to you.
"Well, I don't know, boss. We could use the extra space for anything really, the fact remains that we seem to have a calculation error somewhere. That is in our favor as we have additional room in the Corvette that can be used for more modules or something else. At the moment, it mostly means that the work on the ship is done quicker. The workers at least aren't complaining as they don't have to squeeze through too many tight spaces."
You listened at the same time as you took a look at the datapad. Shen told you the truth as far as you could tell by the quick look you took. The Duros highlighted several places to make the parts easier to find where the calculation error had occurred. It occurred to you that this was far greater than it first sounded. Not so much that you'd have large, empty rooms in the Corvette but close enough to that.
"Is the team making changes according to the updated plans?"
"Yeah, adjustments were quickly put into place where we still could. Mostly we concentrated on making maintenance tunnels a bit wider and such things, nothing that impacts the interior too much, so we can still work with what we have. But if we need to, we can make the tunnels smaller and so on. I think you get the picture."
"I do." You paused for a moment when you passed by a window and looked over to the other Corvette that was a bit behind in the production schedule than the one you were currently on board of. The other ship was not pressurised yet, and you pointed over to her. "What about the other ships in production?"
"We're making the same changes on them as well. I also have ordered my team to redo the plans for future ships so the extra space is applied accordingly and the numbers are correct again."
"Good, any other effects this had on the ships?"
Shen gave you a grin when you asked that question. He seemed rather pleased with himself and grabbed the datapad out of your hands. With a few presses of his fingers, the reports opened on the last page as he gave the pad back. "Actually, yes. This failure has also led to a reduction in the overall production cost. If going by failures, this one is quite good for us if you ask me."
You returned the grin and suddenly felt much lighter.
"You're right, Shen, you're right."
Suddenly, you heard a commotion behind the two of you. It didn't take long to spot the source of it as you saw an erratically flying Pinagg heading towards your general direction. Genosian workers jumped out of the way or got pushed aside as the engineer didn't seem to care for anything other than reaching you. His landing was as inelegant and atypical as his flying was. Tired eyes looked up at you as a datapad was thrust forward. You took it from him and tried to understand his clicking and chirping sounds, but that was a hopeless endeavor without his protocol-droid to translate.
Said droid was following his master as fast as it could, meaning it was a hectic shuffle as it tried to dodge upset Genosian workers that still were recovering from Pinagg's sudden arrival in their midst.
"Calm down, Pinagg, and wait for the droid. We can't understand what you want to say," Shen said and pointed behind the other engineer. Angrily, the older engineer turned around and made an angry sound towards the machine. The droid said something that sounded apologetic towards Pinagg and threw its arms up when it came to a stop next to its master.
"Now, try again," you told the Genosian and gave him a critical look. In your eyes, he didn't look right. You weren't a doctor or medical-droid, but you're sure that the skin color was off and his eyes looked tired to you. Combined with the way he behaved and was flying made you even more confident that he was tired. More tired than you've ever seen the Genosian nobleman be, but he also seemed to be extremely pleased with himself. That became apparent when he gave the droid one last, evil glare, then stroked his face and began to talk again.
>>My apologies for my behavior, but I hadn't the sleep I need,<< he began and bowed lightly with his head. Then he pointed to the pad you had barely caught. >>A small price for the bounty I present. Dear colleagues, I've managed the impossible! My task is done, and you may now marvel at my genius.<<
"Okay." You took a look at the pad and what it contained. It took a moment for you to truly understand what you had in your hands. Suddenly, you felt how your eyes grew wide, and you stared at the numbers and plans on the device. That mad bastard! You looked up and gave Shen a wide grin when you saw his puzzled face. Quickly, you gave him the pad without any words and watched how his face rushed through several different emotions. Confusion was followed by wonder and then delight. The Duros looked up, and now he was also grinning. Both of you turned to the still tired Pinagg.
"So, you did it."
>>Nothing will stop us now! Let's take on Kuat next! For the Vulkan hive!<<
New Trait!
Small Weapon reactors: -50% Compartment Space for Weapons
When the new year came around, you had more to celebrate than just the new year. The Outer Rim Security Force's corvette order was finally finished, and Pinagg had made a great invention. Things looked good, not only for your team but also for your family's yard. Orders for your team's first design, the freighter, were still coming in large, especially after the last update to the plan. The previous two years had been good, and hopefully, the new year would follow that trend.
Your father seemed to be very pleased. He greeted you with a wide grin when you came into his office. With more elan than you had seen in years, he stood up and came around the table to pull you into a tight hug – also something he hadn't done in a long time. Then, he suddenly lifted you up and twirled you around, and you couldn't help but laugh about his silliness.
"Frox, my wonderful, brilliant boy! Do you know what today is? Do you?" He looked expectantly at you when he set you back down on the ground.
"No, but it seems I should. So, what is it?"
"Today, my dear boy, is a fantastic day. Not only is it the first day of the new year but so much more. Come, let me fix you a drink." You followed him to the small bar and watched as he prepared glasses of Corellian Whisky. With a thankful nod, you took yours as he extended his hand with one drink in it. "Today is special because the company could finally repay one of the larger creditors we had. We aren't debt-free, not in the long run, but it is the first step in the right direction. It also gives us more time to repay the rest of the debt."
"That is good news! So, we're going up again?"
"Yes, and it's all thanks to your team and yourself for coming up with the idea, my boy. If this continues as it currently does, we might even start to expand. The demand for the freighter is still not slowing down but increasing. All over the sector, to be exact. Even if it is a bit more expensive than the market standard, the fact that we brought out an upgraded vision so fast makes the customers happy," your father continued with his praise. As he spoke, he moved towards the small sitting group, and you followed him. "And then the military contract was also good for us. Suddenly we're in the spheres of the big companies like KDY or CEC, all thanks to Colonel Tarkin. As far as I hear, the corvettes are a welcome addition to the arsenal of the ORSF."
"I heard similar things, father. Colonel Tarkin seems to be happy with them. But he is holding back his complete assessment of them until after he has tested them a bit more. He told me he has a small operation planned in the next months against some of the more daring pirate groups. According to the colonel, they even have some heavier equipment. It will be interesting to learn how our ships hold themselves up against that."
"Yes, it will be interesting. Now tell me, son, what is your next project?"
"Well, …"
[ ] "we still need to finish the corvettes for Naboo. Admiral Nym is quite insistent."
[ ] "we've finally received the procurement from Temaris for that shuttle the PDF wants."
[ ] "we think the time has come for a new version of the freighter."
[ ] "we don't have any plans. Any ideas?"
-[ ] Write-in
Choose 2!
[ ] Personal Stat +1
-[ ] Frame
-[ ] Engine
-[ ] Cockpit
-[ ] Weapons
-[ ] Special Compartment
[ ] Hire an Expert
-[ ] Gaath Kootto, a Mon Calamari who has excellent expertise in constructing ship frames.
-[ ] Dhin Nerroma, a Bothan female who has a thing for engines.
-[ ] Pika Bheilwod, a Dug engineer who makes the best cockpits you've ever seen.
-[ ] Ellim, a female Wookiee who likes guns, rockets, and weapons in general.
-[ ] Thor D'non, a Jawa who can basically construct everything – good enough to ignore the smell.
[ ] Chase Antilles, a human from Corellia who is a known test pilot
[ ] Enhance your Department
-[ ] Basic QA Team (Flaws reduced by -1d6 for overall Ship Design)
-[ ] A small group of droids for…
--[ ] Research (+1 State for each rolled 6 on own Parts)
--[ ] Overall assistance (+1 Stress limit)
