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Ad Astra ex Lutum

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Vote called for:

[X]Plan Juliet's Jagdpanzer
-[X]Department 4
--[X]Operation Royal Romeo
--[X]Operation Magenta Manual
--[X]Operation Shallow Silk
-[X]Department 6
--[X]Operation Natural Stone
--[X]Operation Understood Crack
--[X]Operation Magenta Order
-[X]Procurement
--[X]Military Software Updates
--[X]Support Tank-Destroyer
-[X]Politics
--[X]Planetary Defensive Modernization
--[X]Request Funding
--[X]Retire

Rolling 15 dice given the previous procurement commitments~ for glory~
Blackstar threw 12 100-faced dice. Reason: Dice Total: 642
5 5 42 42 70 70 19 19 58 58 76 76 96 96 40 40 89 89 48 48 9 9 90 90
Blackstar threw 3 100-faced dice. Reason: Dice Total: 141
98 98 12 12 31 31
Blackstar threw 8 100-faced dice. Reason: Internal Dice Total: 425
35 35 83 83 28 28 47 47 86 86 76 76 23 23 47 47
Blackstar threw 3 100-faced dice. Reason: Events Dice Total: 143
89 89 46 46 8 8
Blackstar threw 1 100-faced dice. Reason: Leaks Total: 95
95 95
 
[]Department 4
-[]Operation Royal Romeo 5
-[]Operation Magenta Manual 42
-[]Operation Shallow Silk 70
[]Department 6
-[]Operation Natural Stone 19
-[]Operation Understood Crack 58
-[]Operation Magenta Order 76
[]Procurement
-[]Prioritize Automation 96+15=111
-[]Resonant MTF Injectors 40+15+15=70
-[]Dual Mode Particle Beam 89+15=104
-[]Minimum Technologies Drive 48+15=63
-[]Military Software Updates 9+10=19
-[]Support Tank-Destroyer 90+10=100
[]Politics
-[]Planetary Defensive Modernization 98+10=108
-[]Request Funding 12+10=22
-[]Retire 31+10=41
 
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The XS looking at what was supposed to be a charitably 13th gen shitbox frigate completed half a decade late with a 200% budget overrun by their estimation and seeing a frigate which is on average like 16th gen in quality, completed on time and close to the expected budget and flipping out will be fun.
 
Anyway, Tech Rolls~

DC 65
Alien education 8 dice
Baslu aid 2 dice

DC 70
Cruiser 2
Rest of Fleet 4

DC 80
8 Bunker
5 Chirpy(the bunker bot)

Triplets
-2 Education
-1 Baslu Aid
-1 Cruiser

-1 Cruiser
-1 Fleet
-1 Bunker
Blackstar threw 10 100-faced dice. Reason: DC 65 Total: 492
99 99 57 57 8 8 95 95 30 30 54 54 32 32 14 14 89 89 14 14
Blackstar threw 6 100-faced dice. Reason: DC 70 Total: 364
70 70 80 80 65 65 8 8 65 65 76 76
Blackstar threw 12 100-faced dice. Reason: Tech Rolls DC 80 Total: 442
42 42 2 2 43 43 17 17 68 68 95 95 7 7 17 17 36 36 76 76 26 26 13 13
Blackstar threw 1 100-faced dice. Reason: Tech Rolls DC 80 Total: 52
52 52
Blackstar threw 12 100-faced dice. Reason: Tech Triplets 1 Total: 474
14 14 80 80 29 29 7 7 90 90 7 7 28 28 100 100 87 87 8 8 14 14 10 10
Blackstar threw 9 100-faced dice. Reason: Tech Triplets 2 Total: 508
48 48 93 93 27 27 86 86 83 83 31 31 46 46 64 64 30 30
 
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Turn 19.5 Passing the Torch New
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    • Turn 19.5 Passing the Torch


    With the fleet leaving in short order after the rear line interception of supply shipping by Xolotlan forces the situation is about as optimal as possible for a transition of military power. The Ministry has been held under one head for too long and the biases of the position are clear given the necessity of a new generation of thinking as previous standards of warfare have fallen away. The Military needs to be reformed and prepared to accept the massive influx of new technologies in total instead of the current policy of partial acceptance. Current policies have focused on the development of conventional applications instead of radical changes to structures due to the issues involved but war is likely on the horizon. Developing the naval forces to the point that some power projection is available will be a major endeavor with the construction of the orbital fleet practically taking precedence over anything else.

    The intensive debates in the government have also made it generally want to accede to military policies providing a degree of latitude in recommendations. The approval of additional budgets was somewhat held up by the WP and PPM coalition as both wanted to transfer the funds toward further economic projects. PPP and BFP representatives strongly instead advocated for increases with the presence of foreign warships with the debate going in the favor of the opposition after a few weeks of intensive debate. Aiming to not further weaken their positions the current coalition is almost certain to pass whoever the military recommends into a staff role without much interference. This is likely to produce a clean recommendation and provide enough time for the position to stabilize before anyone gets excessively bright ideas.

    Current issues are going to focus mostly on the Navy but there are some arguments for developing the other branches as programs have less lead time and can provide significant capability gains. There is only so much that can be done when it comes to developing naval technologies in the next decade as a new generation of frigates is midway through development and construction unlikely to start at scale until the next budget. An argument to focus on all other branches exists to implement more generalized technologies and techniques, using the time provided to the fleet for the development of personnel and application of technologies. This leaves a wide variety of viable candidates especially as there are good arguments for alternative development paths.


    Character Creation

    (Points are arbitrary, more of a representation of difficulty presented by the trait, the current character is -2 for example)

    []Name: (Gaelic/Irish Scheme, subject to veto)

    Service Before Promotion:


    []Captained the SAS Investigator: After the tragic identity death of the previous commander of the Investigator on her first few jumps, going into the role was a major challenge alongside maintaining a vessel that did not want to exist, much less function. The crew available was the best and brightest with a career in the pre-exchange fleet easily transitioning towards further service in orbit. Inherently traditional and not the most innovative due to the requirements placed on ensuring the vessel worked alongside a primary command service leaves the pick more of a combat one rather than a politically optimal one. Still, a background in every form of space combat is a solid foundation for modernization and the escalation of the current war.
    -More Conservative
    -Older than Most (Approx 90)
    -Politically Popular
    -Very Experienced
    -Little Procurement Experience

    []Commander of Orbital Defensive Forces: Shaping up the disorganized orbital defense force as the only senior officer that could be a major pre-war initiative with the results themselves arguably inadequate. Intensive training, continuous drills, and the development of new systems brought the orbital defenses into a state that could resist the CLP despite the vast technological disparities. The retreat from orbit was committed as a measure of force preservation for all it did with later combat involving increasingly desperate actions to reduce the corridors for landing operations in the month it took to initial operations on Curach. The massive defeats suffered and the arguable squandering of the orbital force is a permanent black mark but that ignores the sheer effort and initiative it took to even make orbital defenses viable.
    -Politically Aggressive
    -Technically Aggressive
    -Non-Traditional
    -Extensive System Design Experience
    -Significant Black Mark

    []Commander of Ground to Orbit Fire: Commanding the few assets left of the air force to defend Dannan during the invasion was something of a career move. The batteries themselves were installed at the highest pace possible which in themself involved major technical and political efforts to manage. Modernizing the batteries under severe time pressure and with inadequate resources was the closest to a claim to fame as was available as the resources of the Authority were brought to bear. For said massive bureaucratic effort a post-war command position was only logical even if the work involved was more bureaucratic than command.
    -Organizer
    -Bureaucratically Connected
    -From the Airforce
    -Untested Commander
    -Speed Focused Procurement

    []Commodore of the 2nd Defensive Flotilla: A submariner who was technically first in the water from a pre-war 2IC post that was in effect rapidly promoted. The first submarines were not ready in any remote sense when they went into the water with work on them involving more trialing systems than practical combat. Still, none of the boats have so far been lost to technical error despite six close calls with the class and more to come. Commanding the flotilla that would be responsible for operations off Curach and then the Curach-Dulliech naval gap was not the best posting, but a safe one. For consistency, good exercise performance, a reputation as a war hero, and wartime experience there is a good background though with a weaker basis in procurement.
    -Limited Procurement Experience
    -Submarine Command
    -From the Navy
    -Non-Traditional
    -Politically Popular

    []Commander the 58th Armored Corps: Leading forces during the two most successful engagements against the CLP in a unit that was practically pasted together from reserve formations at the start of the war establishes a degree of influence. Combat operations conducted with the Type 36 and Type 45 savaged the invasion forces more than anything else did alongside pioneering new tactics. Rapidly shifted into the position from a post-war educational standard the position was untested but as one of a new generation of officers a promotion would be logical. A mere six years in rank is going to be limiting, but excellent command performance alongside a far better baseline education has some value. Further, being drawn in on army modernization programs has provided some experience on the procurement end, helping to provide a well-rounded basis for promotion.
    -Young
    -Direct Procurement Experience
    -Non-Traditional
    -Rapidly Promoted
    -Capable Combat Commander

    []Commanded the 29th Guards Corps: Fighting the CLP invasion from the front lines from the first day has been an exercise in attempting to wield an incapable bludgeon outside the very last months of the war. Initial contact with alien forces has been instrumental in writing the doctrine on how to engage CLP adjacent forces alongside several new publications on improving exercise performance. A current position is more so one of writing the books and technical manuals more than direct procurement but the former heavily informs the latter anyway. Pre-war and pre-exchange service has been good, performing well even in some of the last post-exchange offensives.
    -Older
    -Wealth of Combat Experience
    -Wrote the Guidelines
    -Traditional
    -Capable Combat Commander


    Political Persuasion:


    []Left Wing: The workers' struggle is going to in part be key for securing the rest of the hostile cluster and establishing influence against otherwise capitalist powers. Even if to many senior officials it is sold as a tool to undermine the enemy there is considerable validity to the approach. As can be seen by the Baslu and the struggles with automation the only way forward is going to be an increase in worker shares and the construction of a new equitable society that eliminates old forms of monetary relations. (+1 Pts)

    []Accelerationist: Technological singularity is right at the door with new developments in Machine learning, production, and further gains in economic productivity. The current government has achieved massive industrial growth already and the economy of the future can be built today. Scarcity as a concept is an imposition by a universe that does not care, and one that can be wrestled down into the earth. Unfettering production and going faster will cause some disruptions but the costs are irrelevant compared to the bright future ahead. (+0 Pts)

    []Conventional Military: A career in the BFP is almost perfunctory to any significant climb into the staff ranks and most have at least some experience. The new and reformed military party is not the most agreeable to all but it does represent something of a political center that is somewhat not controversial. Commitment to the traditions while modernizing the economy is a logical way forward and there is no good reason to deviate from the path towards self-sufficiency, self-strengthening, and national defense. (-2 Pts)

    []Progressive: Ros was both the best and worst thing to happen to the party but there is nothing fundamentally wrong with embracing the political center. Current work towards improving the domestic situation has been built based on well-meaning regulations that have been run away with by the PPM. Continuing to uphold the line requiring measured modernization and a tested and trialed implementation of the ideas of youth will ensure stability. The party is currently at its lowest point but it will recover and is almost certain to form an effective conservative opposition. (-1 Pts)

    []Apolitical: The ideas of the old world need not entirely be discarded in favor of a clean modernism that suppresses the spirit and all around it. Instead of returning to some vague idea of misguided tradition, new beliefs can be used to fill the inherent spiritual gap left behind by a world that has gone mad. Saying anything about said beliefs would see one labeled as either a reactionary or someone so out of that a political promotion would be impossible. Still, there is a place for the oldest traditions in the army and their revival will be key for national revival. (+1 Pts)


    Genetic Engineering(Select One):


    []Baseline: An ostensibly not modified Seelie that is nearly genetically identical to all others, with no specific advantages but no tradeoffs. (+0 Pts)

    []2nd Generation Design Child: Iterating on previous projects the second generation of standardized genetic modifications combined several important lessons learned from the first. Tuning of the general signaling system was still performed but instead focused on maximum response cutoffs for a far healthier degree of processing and capability. This effectively minimized the maximum response to any stimuli and massively improved productivity both in stressful and normal situations. Reduced responsiveness past a certain point significantly improved coping skills, even if many of the personalities produced were far more prone to risk-taking than expected. Modern medications can somewhat manage the risk-taking behavior at the cost of sedation, leaving the downsides somewhat manageable. (+0 Pts) (Incompatible with Young)

    []3rd Generation Design Child: Final refinements to pre-war engineering practices resulted in a series of children with few of the issues of the previous engineered generations. A greatly increased capacity for numbers along with a favorable stress response and several general improvements in attentiveness have been produced at an acceptable degree of drawbacks. The effective engineering package offers a total overhaul of the genome with neurochemistry tweaked such that long sessions of intensive activity have few downsides. Chemically assisted sleep is required along with some limitations in diet along with minor psychological side effects. Stress peaks can be managed with medication, but its impact is limited, and on-the-job performance practically demands avoiding its use. (-1 Pts) (Incompatible with Young)

    []6th Generation Neural Modifications: Accepting the loss of a significant portion of memories and personality is a major step but one that offers vast advantages. Improving one's performance in most fields at the cost of increased calories alongside a muted stress response with active and passive modes is a gain in post-military quality of life. Several aspects of post-combat issues can be solved through the application of neural mods alongside the advantages of improved capabilities. A sharper memory, near photographic memorization, and at-will hyperfocus on technical matters is a massive advantage. Rest modes are somewhat secondary, enabling easy decompression to a low-stress rest state in conditions of low stress. (-2 Pts) (Increases in Strength over 10 Years)


    Personal Background(Chose One):


    []Well Adjusted: Coming from a family that was functional, conversational, and complied with some modern standards of childcare instead of older traditions. The war and exchange spared them, avoiding orphaning and a generally more positive attitude toward life compared to others in the same generation. A balanced lifestyle between family and work is good in an abstract sense but given the history of the defense ministry may not be optimal for the current demands placed on the ministry. (+0 Pts) (2 Bureau Actions, Softer Overwork Mechanic)

    []Old Nobility: Growing up before the war as a scion of a noble family was trying and challenging work with intensive education, immense pressures, and several limits in what could be done. It was expected that for forty years nothing would be done but intensive study and training to avoid becoming a shame on the dynasty. Then the Exchange came, and then Galcobar came leaving only a pile of corpses left of an otherwise respected family. Being spared a role in the military has been a blessing and a curse as many of the old connections are still available but there is a significant degree of animosity. (+0 Pts) (3 Bureau Actions) (Mild Conservative Political Benefits) (Can take 2nd or 3rd Gen Design Child)

    []Ex-Business: Developed as an heir to a massive series of enterprises and carefully educated to ensure a balanced yet capable successor and branch manager. Capable economically with a comprehensive excellent education at the top universities with a doctorate in a scientific field obtained for no significant cost. The war itself was a degree of protection against the consolidation and purges that followed with letters stopping only a few years in. The exchange and Galchobar buried them all leaving little involved outside the knowledge learned early on and some experience with the corporate end of procurement. (+0 Pts) (3 Bureau Actions) (Mild Conservative Political Benefits) (Can take 2nd or 3rd Gen Design Child)

    []War Orphan: One of the many and arguably the average for the generation that went through the exchange, the family did not survive industrial work and the food shortages in the late period of the war alongside the following exchange. The typical background for the vast majority of the population with significant disruptions is common. A military background protected you from the worst of the famines and labor allotments, only watching as the generation around you was scythed through to a fifth of what remained. Education was somewhat unambitious with few challenges alongside debts that were cleared away in the revolution. Climbing the ranks was the hardest thing, but even without connections merit and massive casualties cleared the way. (+1 Pts) (Disadvantage with Conservatives) (3 Bureau Actions, Expanded Over-Work Mechanics)

    []Child of the State: Abandoned and given up to the state to be raised due to being too expensive average quality schools and a discrete path of advancement was made available. For all the faults of the old regime those it believed it could best mold were given a path up beyond those born from nothing without assets or anything else. The closest thing to an available family was a creche followed by an intensive boarding school education for years. University education followed at cost to the state with a degree provided. When the war came though, mobilization orders were pre-emptively assumed and signed leading to a rapid mobilization to fill empty billets in the first phase of the war. (+0 Pts) (Mild Disadvantage with Conservatives) (3 Bureau Actions)

    []Emergency Conscript: Mobilized directly out of the education system to fill in gaps left by the second wave and surviving the war provided something of a combined educational and experience background. Limited initial education but a heroic war service opened the path to the few limited university slots available pushing forward in the ranks despite being an uneducated imbecile before the exchange. Post war symbolically promoted and driven through university enabled further military service and a rise through the ranks on nearly pure merit. There is little left at home, only a career in the military and further service. (+1 Pts) (Significant Disadvantage with Conservatives) (Somewhat Under-Educated) (4 Bureau Actions)


    Personal Accolades:

    Positive:

    []Technical Education:     An engineering degree was a logical step to getting an officer's position before the war, and the tradition has only continued. Instead of applying directly for military schooling, taking on some debt and going the long way brought connections and a far better understanding of technical matters. Having one further provided an instant qualification for several far better-paying posts, allowing one to volunteer easily out of debt with two decades of service. (-1 Pts) (Select Engineering Discipline)

    []Politically Promoted: Moving up the ranks is somewhat of an exercise in knowing the essential personnel and having a good knowledge of those above you has been essential. Soft skills and an ability to do politics an essential traits in a staff officer and ensuring that no one gets any ideas in management is equally essential. No post is fundamentally apolitical and ensuring that politics stays compliant is essential, especially in procurement. (-1 Pts) (Political Benefits, Small Combat Malus)

    []Attentive: Being able to keep two dozen liaisons in one's head and know how to talk with them is a skill that takes years to develop, but one that has been developed. Dealing with the various state enterprises and development concerns will come easily with personalized approaches to each of them along with several good organizational practices that can compensate for some issues in lobbying. The representatives will of course lie, but knowing them can keep a few more honest. (-1 Pts)

    []Front Line Officer: Serving with distinction and courage requires an officer to be with their men instead of cowering behind the lines. Being embedded with a divisional or even brigade headquarters enables an accurate picture of the front and a better information stream. Further, commanding at the front is inherently more courageous and optimal for a direct view of the battle. This is formally discouraged but is institutionally preferred to prevent any officer of the Authority from showing cowardice in front of their soldiers. (-1 Pts)

    []Incorruptible: A reputation for incorruptibility along with some of the genuine practice is the expected standard for an officer and one that is upheld. Ensuring that subordinates are not seduced by various temptations and running a tight, neatly organized system can minimize some of the issues in procurement and command. Every subordinate must feel comfortable and safe to report problems and if nothing else know that the highest levels of command are willing to hold anyone involved to account. (-2 Pts)

    []Genuine War Hero: Undertaking front-line tasks in the operations involved has been somewhat disincentivized but that does not mean there are not significant political benefits. A meritorious award when going through the lower ranks is a massive improvement in promotability and is appreciated by nearly all involved. Being willing to go under the heaviest fire to evacuate personnel alongside a willingness to stay with the men during offensives as an officer is practically an accolade for courage and one that is hard to replicate. (-2 Pts)

    []Tir na Nog Military Academy Graduate: In the renovations brought in by Galchobar the academy is nowhere near its old glory with competent instructors but nothing inherently exceptional. Going to it still produces some connections amongst the older and more conservative elements but the educational advantages have at this point been somewhat negated compared to other schools. Maintaining connections is expected to be key to politics and can somewhat improve the view of the conservative establishment as one of the few merit-based avenues to social mobility before the war. (-2 Pts) (Political Benefits and Mild Conservative Political Benefits)

    [] Well-Known Military Scientist: Being involved in the production of guidelines and standards before the war and continuing a series of publications for military sciences is going to be key for future research. Sleepless nights working on understanding the tactics of the enemy produced the weapons in current use and continuing to do so will be key to producing the next generation of weapon systems. Having something of a reading is going to provide a basis for defining the direction the military will go in the future, ensuring that it can implement essential developments. (-3 Pts)

    []Exceptional Commander: Most politically and at least somewhat capable commanders with ambition tend to become staff officers but talent in the role is comparatively rarer. Exceptional command performance in a short time frame has been achieved through the leadership of units that were in effect obsolescent against an overwhelming enemy. Staff work is just another part of the job and maneuvering the military structure to ensure that underlings are well managed and given the right amount of initiative comes naturally and without much issue. (-3 Pts)


    Negative:

    []Bunker Officer:     Despite it technically being the doctrinally correct and encouraged form of command, commanding from a rear echelon bunker is somewhat discouraged as cowardly. Embedding command posts with a divisional command is generally seen as the preferred form of command for most officers who do not want to be seen as cowardly. Increased death rates from the practice notwithstanding many have chosen to follow doctrine no matter the reputation of cowardice it carries. (+1 Pts)

    []Past Scandals: Like most of those who survived the early political and wartime era some skeletons exist in their closet. Everything from controversial political statements, participation in state crackdowns, or following orders to an excessive extent can be considered. Information about them is not known outside of some records but someone digging deeply enough may find out and cause a scandal. (+1-+3 Pts)

    []Educationally Incompetent: Nearly failing several classes does not prevent one from becoming an officer, especially with the vast openings left through the exchange and preceding conflict. Passing by on minimal grades has not been relevant since being promoted to a remote staff rank and having weak fundamentals does not notably reduce one's capability to listen to advisors that much. Having some educational gaps does somewhat look bad but no one cares for a record that's more than 30 years old. (+1 Pts)

    []Sickly: Between the bioweapons, inadequate nutrition for a prolonged period, and the general severe exposure to persistent radiation in the aftermath something broke. Weakness and issues conversing are persistent symptoms of overexposure as even robust error correction systems can be worn down with time. Constant disease vulnerability and a lithe demeanor even for a Seelie have left little to be left in the aftermath of the war, but with a cane, all that's left of a great military career is confinement to a desk. (+2 Pts)

    []Politically Committed: Maintaining a committed stance to one's political alignment isn't inherently bad but the model of relative military neutrality has some traditions behind it. Being openly political is not bad for a party perceived as neutral but existing on either of the extreme ends can paint a significant negative picture for one's military career. This significantly helps when a friendly party is in power but a hostile one would rapidly come about towards replacing the minister. (+2 to +4 Pts)

    []Mildly Incompetent: Being a not-great commander holds little relevance in a desk post and that is even more true in the current period of peace. Promotions have come as a part of general operations enabling competent underlings to be utilized, but that can only go so far in the senior staff role. Being unable to directly intervene and too controlling for the men under command has significant implications for the wars to come and would be a major disadvantage for organizing resistance to foreign aggression. (+3 Pts)

    []Sugestable: Sometimes there are good suggestions from the lower ranks and various politicians and sometimes there are bad ones. By ensuring that the right opinions from the right lobbyists are heard several problems can easily be made to go away with few further challenges. Some may criticize such approaches as too permissive and too expensive but given the state budget, it's almost always easier to grease some palms rather than fight to the bitter end. (+3 Pts)

    []Officially Diagnosed: Having a trauma disorder on the record is one of the worst black marks that can be placed for the sake of getting promoted further. It's on every report and being fundamentally broken is known to practically every higher up. The civilians are not entirely briefed on it, but any respect from fellow officers is going to be hard to come by with such a blatant sign of weakness. Even those sympathetic somewhat view it as a case of excessive gullibility to reach out instead of dealing with things due to the stigma it carries. (+5 Pts)


    24 Hour Moratorium(Vote by Plan)
     
  • New
  • Threadmarks
    • Blackstar said:
    []Apolitical: The ideas of the old world need not entirely be discarded in favor of a clean modernism that suppresses the spirit and all around it. Instead of returning to some vague idea of misguided tradition, new beliefs can be used to fill the inherent spiritual gap left behind by a world that has gone mad. Saying anything about said beliefs would see one labeled as either a reactionary or someone so out of that a political promotion would be impossible. Still, there is a place for the oldest traditions in the army and their revival will be key for national revival. (+1 Pts)
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Ah yes, I've been acquainted with this form of "apolitical".
     
    []Plan Fool me once can't get fooled again
    -[]name: Eibhlin Sailcirc
    -[]Commander of Orbital Defense force
    -[]Conventional Military (-2)
    -[]Baseline(0)
    -[]Well Adjusted (0)
    -[]Attentive (-1)
    -[]Genuine War Hero (-2)
    -[]Bunker Officer (1)
    -[]Politically Committed (+2 to +4 Pts)

    Made conventional military orbital lady who got fucked over because orbital but had a solid background in the BFP to fall back into she is very well adjusted which i hope can help when we begin entering intergalactic politics. the vibe is very traditional military politican which i just like.
     
    [] Plan: Futurist Family Man Brainrot
    -[] Sétanta Ua Art
    -[] Commander the 58th Armored Corps
    -[] Accelerationist (0 Pts)
    -[] 6th Generation Neural Modifications (-2 Pts) (Increases in Strength over 10 Years)
    -[] Well Adjusted (0 Pts)
    -[] Well Known Military Scientist (-3 Pts)
    -[] Incorruptible (-2 Pts)
    -[] Politically Committed (+2 to +4 Pts)
    -[] Past Scandals (+1-3 Pts)

    The goal here is to approximately keep the difficulty the same as under Ricky.

    Setanta Ua Art was passable in his role as an actual commander of tanks, but he's always been much more engaged with the technical side of the matter. A family man of normal means who shares his die-hard support of techno-utopian accelerationism with his wife and adult children and committed to 6th Gen Neural Modifications alongside them, he's absolutely committed to bringing technological modernization and excellency to the military and its procurement pipeline and collaborating with the civilian government to create synergies between martial and peaceful developments. With a big, paid off degree and a spotless record of resisting illegitimate influences on his command, he is the man the Authority needs to continue the strong modernization momentum the government seeks - the acceleration of military modernization Ricky has called for in this very update.

    Of course, as a long-time man of the PPM, there are certain old rallies he prefers people not to ask his alibi about, certain social media posts that some may consider problematic, things he's trying very hard to keep buried but could bubble over. But really, they're trivial little things, and who doesn't have a few skeletons in the closet?

    The previous commander in chief has called for increased military modernization, and who better to uptech the army than a ride or die technocrat?
     
    Last edited:
    [] Plan: The Machine
    -[]Name: Morgan Lùtair
    -[]Commander the 58th Armored Corps
    -[]Accelerationist:     (+0 Pts)
    -[]6th Generation Neural Modifications: (-2 Pts) (Increases in Strength over 10 Years)
    -[]Child of the State: (+0 Pts) (Mild Disadvantage with Conservatives) (3 Bureau Actions)
    -[]Technical Education:(-1 Pts) (Chemical Engineering)
    -[]Attentive: (-1 Pts)
    -[]Front Line Officer: (-1 Pts)
    -[]Genuine War Hero: (-2 Pts)
    -[]Incorruptible: (-2 Pts)
    -[]Politically Committed: (+2 to +4 Pts)
    -[]Officially Diagnosed: (+5 Pts)

    Controversial. Stigmatized. Hated. Hard as fucking nails, hard as you like. Hero-killer. Obnoxious, mad-elf, lever of the future.
     
    Last edited:
    Blackstar said:
    []Technical Education: An engineering degree was a logical step to getting an officer's position before the war, and the tradition has only continued. Instead of applying directly for military schooling, taking on some debt and going the long way brought connections and a far better understanding of technical matters. Having one further provided an instant qualification for several far better-paying posts, allowing one to volunteer easily out of debt with two decades of service. (-1 Pts) (Select Engineering Discipline)
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    How broad would this discipline be?
     
    Messing around with the tech categories seemed too fiddly, particularly since making our blorbo 'an engineer of social sciences' wouldn't make a lot of sense, so I just went for the funny military science background when designing Setanta and his impressive brainworms credentials as a great military modernizer and social visionary.

    Dr. Warcrimes is dead, but Dr. Technocracy is exactly the man the armed forces need to close the procurement gap.
     
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    Cannon Omake: Minister Perspectives and Personalities New
  • Sidestory
    • []Plan Abnormally Normal Man
    -[]Name: Searthra Airgead
    -[]Commander of the 58th Armored Corps
    -[]Left Wing (+1)
    -[]Baseline (+0)
    -[]Well Adjusted (+0)
    -[]Technical Education (Material Engineering) (-1)
    -[]Exceptional Commander (-3)
    -[]Educationally Incompetent (+1)

    []Plan (Not) A Failgirl
    -[]Name: Sadhbh Rath na Neamh
    -[]Commander of Orbital Defense Forces
    -[]Accelerationist (+0)
    -[]Baseline (+0)
    -[]War Orphan (+1)
    -[]Technical Education (Process Engineering) (-1)
    -[]Well Known Military Scientist (-3)
    -[]Bunker Officer (+1)

    []Plan Paperwork Supreme
    -[]Name: Suarach Brúitíngharrán
    -[]Commander of Ground to Orbit Fire
    -[]Conventional Military (-2)
    -[]Baseline (+0)
    -[]Ex-Business (+0)
    -[]Politically Promoted (-1)
    -[]Incorruptible (-2)
    -[]Politically Committed (+2)
    -[]Bunker Officer (+1)


    Searthra Airgead:

    "Come in, come in! Dinner is almost ready, you came just in time."

    "Big brother! Big brother, carry me!"

    Searthra couldn't help himself and laughed heartily as he fended off his little sister with one hand, attempting to discard the heavy raincoat which had defended him from the vicious rains outside.

    "In a moment, little one."

    "I'm not little!" she harrumphed, turning away as she did.

    "We'll see about that," Searthra declared as he picked up his little sister by the armpits and foisted her on his shoulders, to heer shrieking delight.

    "Oomph, maybe you aren't so little after all! Soon enough you'll be too heavy to carry. What are you again, six?"

    "Four! Four!", she laughed.

    "Come now, while the food is still hot," his mother intervened, cruelly cutting playtime short even as she watched them with kind eyes.

    "Aye aye, Ma'am." "Yes mama!"

    No attempts were made to resist the matriarch of the house, and soon enough all three of them were digging into their meal. Real fish even, to Searthra's amazement, as when he'd been young such things had been a luxury to be saved for important occasions.

    Unfortunately, this distraction left him open to what should've been an obvious ambush.

    "...so, when are you going to start dating again?"

    Searthra placed his cutlery on the table with a sigh.

    "Mother, please-"

    "My son, it's been over five years since She dumped you, I think it's about time you-"

    "She didn't dump me, mother, we agreed to break up given the circumstances-"

    "I'd say this is what you get for not marrying her when you had the chance, but if she was going to be that weak-hearted-"

    "Mother."

    An indignant sniff, and the matter was thankfully dropped. Searthra eyed his little sister, and to his chagrin he noticed how she was now poking listlessly at her food.

    "I've been focusing on my career," he offered an olive branch, hoping to dispel the mood that had fallen over the table.

    "Speaking of your career," his mother jumped on the topic with more vigor than he'd expected. "Is it true that He is retiring?"

    "Mother, you know I can't say much-"

    "Oh please, it's all over the news. Give me something to work with, you know I'm not going to spread it around."

    Searthra let out a sigh, tapping his fingers on the table, trying to pick his words with care.

    "I've been talking to Ríchathaoir, a little."

    His mother's eyes lit up with pride and interest.

    "And…?"

    "And my credentials are good, but I'm still young and inexperienced."

    Searthra shrugged, hoping to deflate his mother's hopes just a little.

    "I see, however-"

    "I'm not hungry anymore!"

    Searthra flinched a little as his mother's eyes went flinty.

    "You WILL eat up, young lady, or I swear to the spirits-"

    "Mother, please," Searthra hastily got up, striding towards her with long, measured steps. Her eyes locked on to him, so horribly cold, and she sat silently as he closed the distance. He wasted no time throwing his arms around her in a fierce hug, and after a moment he felt the tension in her seep out, like poison from a wound, and she returned it.

    "You know- you know how important it is-"

    "I know, but this isn't how you should do it. We've talked about this."

    "But-"

    "Shhh, it's alright."

    They hugged for a couple seconds more in silence, before he let go and turned towards the other person who needed his help right now. His sister was looking at him with a blank face, which made Searthra's heart hurt.

    "Hey, if you eat up we can go down to the store and buy some ice-cream, deal?"

    A wide grin split her face without a moment of hesitation, and suddenly all was right with the world again.

    "Deal!"

    …


    Sadhbh Rath na Neamh:

    A splash of cold water chased away the fatigue, and fierce, angry eyes greeted Sadhbh in the mirror. Good, she'd need that fierceness, every day but especially today. For today she'd seize the initiative once again, damn the odds, for she could see the opportunity for what it was.

    The old man was retiring.

    It was surprising that so many had been surprised by this. Sure, from an outsider's perspective it might've looked like Ríchathaoir would rule the ministry of defense forever. A political monolith, a constant of the system. Unassailable.

    They'd missed the forest for the trees. There was one simple fact that so many had seemed to miss; Ríchathaoir did not want the position. As far as she could tell he'd never desired it. It was a small miracle he'd kept at it for so long. The idea of leaving a job, any job for that matter unfinished must have been antithetical to that old workhorse.

    But the time had finally come where he's feeling comfortable enough to step down, and Sadhbh was not letting the opportunity go to waste.

    After all, he owed her.

    Given scraps and far too little time to prepare, she'd managed to whip the orbital defense forces into something approaching decent shape. Facing insurmountable odds, her forces had fought an effective delaying action all the way to the shores of Curach. Given the slimmest of openings, she'd almost managed to end the war in one fell swoop. All four frigates, tagged with about ten bomb pumped lasers each, all within effective range. They'd had to flee with their tails between their slimy legs, never fully recovering from the damage she'd inflicted upon them.

    And what had she gained in return?

    Whispers behind her back, accusations of cowardice, declarations that she was a failure. All because she'd lacked the good graces to die with her troops. The fact that she'd managed to match the enemy blow for blow, in a battlespace they dominated completely? Irrelevant.

    It was all so infuriating. It would have been demoralizing too, if she'd let them gaslight her into believing she was a failure. That she somehow could have done more. That she deserved to die, like so many others had.

    But she knew better, and so did Ríchathaoir. She was a good fit for the position, she had the diversity of experience, the accolades, the whole package. And with her connections to the current coalition, she would have enough time to find her footing and secure her position. All she needed to do was to convince the old man of these truths.

    He owed her, and she was going to remind him of that fact.

    …

    Suarach Brúitíngharrán:

    Suarach ran a tight ship. It was a well known fact; her command post was best described by the words 'organized chaos', in a good way. Phones were ringing, reports were being written, paperwork was being filed. An orchestra of effective staffwork, with the conductor sitting in the middle, ensuring that the song went on without nary a misstep.

    "Ma'am, it's Liam, from the BFP! He's claiming he needs to speak to you about the funding situation!"

    How interesting, it seems that the WP and PPM are digging their heels in over the extra funding requested by Ríchathaoir. Surely a mistake, given the current situation. The BFP claimed they would ensure the funding would pass parliament, seeking to assure that the whole opposition was behind the Ministry of Defense on the matter. Suarach promised to inform Ríchathaoir of this; it was no imposition after all. Rather a boon, if she was honest to herself.

    Another mark in her favor, as the Minister of Defense was seeking a successor.

    She had the credentials, and she knew it. The job was procurement first, politics second, and wartime command third. Sure, maybe her direct combat command was limited; it was still decorated, with a CLP troop transporter sunk and over a hundred VTOLs downed. Her work on modernizing the anti-orbital laser defenses? That had been a war-winning stunt, and everyone knows it. No single event could have been said to shape the war as much as the anti-orbital lasers did.

    And, even more importantly perhaps, she knew how wars were won:

    By the correct equipment being available in large enough numbers within a reasonable timeframe.

    The Seelie Democratic Authority did not have the correct equipment available in any real numbers, and this would need to be fixed within a reasonable timeframe.

    Suarach knows she could do this; the extra funding would resolve any budgetary issues and allow for more aggressive procurement, and despite the bellyaching from the current government they would inevitably have to cave. The only thing that would be left is the organizational work to ensure the rapid and efficient conversion from funding into a viable product.

    "Ma'am, it's the Minister! He's asking for a status report on the Planetary Defense Modernization program!"

    Ah, excellent timing. Especially since she only had good news on that front. And while she was at it, she could also deliver the message from the BFP. And start floating the idea of her as his replacement.

    She was the best fit for the job, after all.
     
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    • i like how the latter two are openly gunning for the spot and seeing an opening for themselves, while normal man is like "i think richy's stepping down and i might get the job, mom. he's doing interviews!"

    i will be voting for normal man and nothing but an even more well-adjusted man may sway me!
     
    Setanta is the best adjusted man there ever was. None has clearer vision and more normal priorities than he.
     
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