[ ] Glacial Hydro Plant (Repeatable) (C)
Some of Noveria's glaciers, particularly those used as thermal shields for Hassan's nuclear reactors, generate significant water runoff during Noveria's warmer seasons. Currently, this water runs down into the valleys and is eventually evaporated or absorbed by the ground - Kibess Power Systems engineers believe they may be able to construct facilities to intercept that runoff and turn it into a new source of power, one more efficient and reliable than the wind turbines.
(Progress: 351/350 - 20 Resources per die) (+14 Power)
(Kibess Power Systems: +1P)
Work on the secondary hydroelectric plant in the Northern Wastes goes a little more predictably than work on the first one did, and thanks to Dal Fon's lack of involvement, you can even be reasonably sure that most of the money assigned to the project actually made it to the project.
Progress is smooth - aside from a few brief issues in the beginning revolving around securing the path to the work site after a few months of inactivity, work proceeds almost entirely according to schedule, and the turbines are installed, trialled, and certified as ready to go exactly as planned.
[ ] Peak 108 Arms Factory (C)
Weapons are one of the primary commodities of the Terminus Systems, used almost as often for barter as they are for violence. Whilst some gangs prefer high tech Citadel models, rugged and reliable krogan designs, or the widely available batarian systems, others prefer homegrown weapons designed from the ground up to be produced and used in the Terminus. Often, these weapons take liberties with Citadel conventions of weapon design and are thus illegal in Citadel space, but few in the Terminus consider this a problem - and some consider it a selling point. Sharrik Munitions produces many models, only some of which are banned in the Citadel, and they're hoping that a site on Noveria would allow them to export to both Citadel and Terminus buyers.
(Progress: 464/400 - 20 Resources per die) (-1 Cargo, -2 Power)
(Sharrik Munitions: +1P, +1F)
Compared to the sophisticated and cutting edge technology put to work at Peak 99, Sharrik's weapons facility is a lot more mundane, and certainly more conventional. Like most munitions companies, the weapons Sharrik produces are made of two broad sets of components - sophisticated electronics packages and individually high-quality components, such as accelerator rails and ammunition modification packages, paired with large chunks of cheap omniplas to hold the gun together and provide the bulk of the structure.
Their factory reflects this - with large sections given way to the specialised production of those core components, each needing their own finely-tuned production lines and dedicated equipment, and the space remaining simply jammed full of omni-fabricators churning out shotgun stocks and rifle casings endlessly.
Sharrik set up production of several weapons at Peak 108 - from the cheap but reliable Razor pistol to the Cleaver shotgun, a heavy shotgun popular in the Terminus for its capacity to reliably down krogan - and illegal in Citadel space for the means by which it does so.
[ ] Peak 108 Armour Plant (C)
Modern combat hard-suits have a "triple canopy" of protection: shields, armour, and self-repair. Throughout galactic history, many different ratios of protection have been tried and found effective in various scenarios, from krogan heavy warplate to salarian multi-weave recon armour. In the Terminus Systems, the preference leans towards shields, as they tend to be the most versatile and reliable form of protection against the wide range of threats faced. Sharrik Munitions in particular tend to produce models with dramatically enhanced shield strength, with weight saved on armour making room for ammunition pouches, kinetic amplifiers, or omni-tool augments. Because of the reliability, high quality, and expense, their iconic Terminus Assault Armour is popular amongst elite mercenary groups such as those employed by the T'Loak Syndicate.
(Progress: 95/400 - 20 Resources per die) (-1 Cargo, -2 Power)
(Sharrik Munitions: +1P, +1F)
Unfortunately, whilst the dedication of effort on Sharrik's munitions plant does help ensure that that factory is operational and ready to begin production runs by the month's end, it also means there is little manpower and effort to be spared working on the other half of the facilities at Peak 108. Work is done to prepare the foundations, establish power and infrastructure links, and begin construction of the walls, roof, and thermal sheath, but the site is a long way from being finished.
[ ] Peak 41 Metal Foundry (C)
Korten Machines is looking to experiment with newly devised metal alloys for use in a variety of specialised components within their vehicles. Unfortunately, these alloys are not supported by omnifabrication technology, and so must be manufactured through more conventional means. Korten has requested the construction of a small metal foundry on site to facilitate this new avenue of production.
(Progress: 200/200 - 20 Resources per die) (-2 Power)
(Korten Machines: +1P, +1F)
Dal Fon and his crew continue their work in constructing a new metal foundry for Clan Korten. The array of surprisingly sophisticated fabrication systems needed to produce the novel materials Clan Korten seeks proves quite a technical challenge for Dal Fon and his teams, but he equally proves up to the task, successfully bringing the plant fully online just as the month is ending.
Clan Korten have wasted no time in putting the new facilities to use, and have already begun designing and marketing upgrade kits for their Type-14 Tomkahs.
[ ] Jaeto Investigations Data Analytics Hub
The most valuable commodity in advanced society is information. Ultimately, the value of knowing when, where, and for how much to sell a good or service outweighs the value of the thing itself. With the development of exchanges that pass information instantaneously through quantum entanglement, the myth of 'perfect knowledge' is becoming increasingly close to reality, and Jaeto Investigations are looking to take advantage of that by integrating a great many quantum entanglement communicators into their new data analytics hub.
(Progress: 443/400 - 10 Resources per die) (-2 Power, -1 Network)
(Jaeto Investigations: +3P)
It is through gritted teeth that you ultimately approve Jaeto's proposal for an overhaul of their data analytics hub. You're keenly and unfortunately aware that it's not going to do much to make them like you, and they seem equally keenly aware that you know that - when you message them to inform them that their request has been approved, they respond with the snarkiest, most passive-aggressive message you've ever received. You're half-tempted to cancel the approval there and then.
It's probably a good thing you don't. Your work crews set about the task with gusto, shipping in several dozen QEC modules and obtaining several dozen more computation cores from the Kaskadan Syndicate. Neither tearing up the old facility nor laying down the new one proves too difficult, and by the month's end, despite your misgivings, the new Jaeto Data Analytics Hub is fully operational.
[ ] Solemni & Olde Data Analytics Hub (Priority)
The most valuable commodity in advanced society is information. Ultimately, the value of knowing when, where, and for how much to sell a good or service outweighs the value of the thing itself. With the development of exchanges that pass information instantaneously through quantum entanglement, the myth of 'perfect knowledge' is becoming increasingly close to reality, and Solemni & Olde are looking to take advantage of that by integrating a great many quantum entanglement communicators into their new data analytics hub.
(Progress: 369/400 - 10 Resources per die) (-2 Power, -1 Network)
(Solemni & Olde: +1P)
Disappointingly, despite the best efforts of both Matron Atai and of your dedicated workforce, work on the Solemni & Olde Data Analytics Hub does not go so smoothly - in fact, it's so persistently troubled by little minor tiny things, long strings of almost inconsequential mistakes chaining together into noteworthy speedbumps, that you suspect it's a case of outright sabotage from Jaeto long before those suspicions are confirmed.
Though the work remains unfinished as the work comes to a close, Director Yuran is greatly appreciative of the effort the teams put in, and though Kioka expressed to you his greatest thanks for the swift acceptance of his proposal.
[ ] Distributed Windworks (Repeatable) (C)
The new infrastructure highway leading down to the Southern Steppes has opened the possibility of further wind turbine developments. Cheap, dependable, and clean, they're an ideal source of power, and continuing to expand generation will both expand power supplies and harden the grid to failure, particularly for the Southern Steppes facilities. Some people think that the wind farms are blights upon the landscape, but seeing as how there's a dozen luxury resorts on Noveria and Port Hanshan isn't one of them, you find it kind of hard to care.
(Progress: 300/200 - 15 Resources per die) (+6 Power)
Infrastructure works in the Chalson Valley continue with the rollout of another wave of distributed wind turbines, adding further flexibility and redundancy to Noveria's power grid.
[ ] Southern Hanshan Arcology Complex (Repeatable) (C)
Taking lessons from centuries of urban planning and orbital habitat design across the galaxy, arcology spires serve to provide not just housing and the requisite utilities, but rental spaces that can be dedicated to shops, restaurants, schools, gyms, and other facilities, providing all the average resident needs within a single complex. A small number of these spires could be constructed in Southern Hanshan
(Progress: 314/300 - 10 Resources per die) (+8 Housing)
With the weather calming down, your construction crews are free to return to the arcology spires in Southern Hanshan, quickly wrapping up the construction of the last towers with the installation of the thermal sheathes necessary to keep out Noveria's bitter cold.
[ ] Southern Hanshan Residential District (Repeatable) (C)
Naturally, Southern Hanshan has a great deal of space which can be turned into a great many apartments. Though these would be smaller, lower-quality apartments than those found in arcology complexes, they would provide reasonably priced housing for the labourers or hired contractors with lower incomes - a demographic likely to be prevalent in Southern Hanshan.
(Progress: 673/300 - 15 Resources per die) (+16 Housing)
After the surge in progress last month left several dozen residential construction sites only partially finished, Nomi and Felix put their heads together and put a concentrated effort into finishing up those sites this month. Construction teams and labour mechs swarmed the entire district, with newly completed buildings springing up in their wake throughout the month.
(Two stages complete)
[ ] Communication Booster Relays (Repeatable) (C)
With ongoing difficulties in siting new Ground-Orbit Uplink sites calling into question the viability of that strategy moving forward, the NDC Communications Infrastructure Team has forwarded a new proposal for the establishment of multiple booster relays around the Greater Hanshan region. Whilst not as efficient or as potent a tool as dedicated uplink spires, they would help redistribute network load and increase total network capacity, and are much more accommodating in terms of viable locations.
(Progress: 276/150 - 15 Resources per die) (+6 Network, -1 Power)
The second round of booster relays come online with, if anything, even less fanfare than the first set did. With the network already stable and well below capacity, the extra bandwidth goes largely unused, but it does provide some slight benefits for the more distant offsite labs and facilities, and you're inclined to believe the redundancy will no doubt be helpful in the long run.
[ ] Mandatory Audit (Target: Jaeto Investigations) (Rolled: 46)
In addition to the physical security staff provided by ERCS, the NDC has access to a suite of in-house corporate assessors, auditors, and investigators, trained to dig out corruption, noncompliance, and assorted chicanery wherever it takes root. Sending them after a company ensures that the appropriate rental fees and taxes are being paid, promptly and without any shenanigans.
(Breakpoints: ??? - 5 Resources per die) (For six turns, negative corporate favour does not reduce income.) (Reduces risk of Corruption / Shenanigans)
(Target: -1F)
When you'd first met Chonto Ru, he'd seemed quite an agreeable fellow. He'd been apologetic about the actions of his predecessor and the necessity of Dalatrass Aera taking a break from her duties on the Executive Board to babysit Jaeto's operations on Noveria in the wake of most of their upper management being permanently reassigned to dead-end postings for costing the company several million credits in potential income.
In the time since then, he'd become increasingly aggressive to NDC rule, even directly ignoring calls from the Executive Board to simmer down with the smear campaigning and generally being a nuisance.
You simply can't fathom a reason they'd be taking such pains to mess with you, if they're not sitting on some secret or another that they'd rather you know learn about. If they'd wanted you removed, there were easier ways than to attempt to slowly rile up the general populace - they weren't the largest of the Founders, but they did have significant sway in the direction of NDC operations, and for all that she seemed loyal to the NDC over her former employers, Dalatrass Aera had a pragmatic streak even larger than most salarians - given a good enough reason, she could easily have been convinced to push a motion to remove you.
That Jaeto didn't bother with that implies, to you, that they know something relative to the situation that you don't. So you call in an ERCS security team and some of the NDC's auditors, point them in Jaeto's general direction, and wait.
Ostensibly, their job is to ensure that Jaeto is paying its taxes and not misrepresenting itself in the way it conducts operations on Noveria, but behind the scenes, everyone knows the score. The auditors go through every record with a fine tooth comb, picking at every inconsistency, every mistake, every suspect transaction or suspicious business deal. At the cost of causing a fairly significant interruption to their business, on top of the interruptions caused by them having half their computers ripped up and replaced, you inflict upon them a heaping pile of documents to correct, a fine for improperly filed taxes, and a clear reminder to behave.
It isn't going to make them like you any, but the message, you hope, is clear.
(Jaeto Investigations: -2F)
[ ] Corporate Security Review (Target: Jiem Asset Management) (Rolled: 119)
Whilst Port Hanshan can submit to standard security standards with minimal risk, the corporate facilities around Port Hanshan have far more specific risk vectors that must be addressed directly. ERCS professionals should be sent to perform detailed reviews and generate new security plans specific to the corporate client in question.
(Breakpoints: ??? - 10 Resources per die) (May unlock Security Revision actions)
(Target: +1F)
The Jiem Asset Management office is one of the newer offices in Southern Hanshan, and accordingly modernised with a great many security features as standard that would generally be seen as expensive and unnecessary upgrades in Citadel space. Nonetheless, ERCS turn their keen eyes to the complex and do come up with a smattering of minor suggestions for enhancing the site's security. None of those suggestions are of a scale that particularly matters to you, and Jiem are happy to come to their own arrangement with ERCS to ensure that the suggestions are implemented in the most beneficial way, especially once you promise to rubber stamp and pay for the improvements on their behalf.
[ ] NSID Investigation (Target: Cord-Hislop Aerospace) (Rolled: 256)
Whilst the NDC already has the legitimate means to perform an in-house audit and corruption sweep on any of their clients, the naturally very public nature of these investigations means that particularly smart saboteurs, spies, and other corrupt elements can obscure their activities and avoid the proper punishments for their actions. With the foundation of the NSID, a new avenue exists to perform more subtle investigations of corporate activities, although the hidden nature of these anti-corruption operations precludes their use for general financial auditing.
(May use Security or Administration die)
(Breakpoints: ??? - 10 Resources per die) (Removes corruption, counters dangerous events, other consequences unclear)
Initially, the Cord-Hislop investigation is pretty routine. A few pointed inquiries and examination of various documents reveals that the weapons being smuggled in were, in fact, not being shipped in under any official capacity, and were, seemingly, being appended to requisition forms and shipping manifests after they had already been approved by the relevant authorities.
Kodak's team set to work attempting to trace down the responsible parties, and swiftly discovered they weren't the only ones - Cord-Hislop Director Tobias Valentine, apparently, was also doing some digging into the more illegitimate operations of his staff. Though Valentine had no better luck tracking them digitally than Kodak's analysts did, he did eventually give you one exceptionally good lead.
By dying.
He was shot dead by his Head of Personnel Management, Jake Balmore, in his office at Peak 66 following a heated exchange between the pair revolving around the nature of the investigation Valentine was running and Valentine's concerns about the company's future. Balmore made use of a Talon sidearm in the killings - the same model Cord-Hislop was smuggling into Noveria in various guises.
Having caught the entire exchange through a digitally-infiltrated communicator in Valentine's office, the NSID wasted no time calling in ERCS and together the two agencies swept the entire Cord-Hislop facility top to bottom. Several dozen smuggled firearms were obtained and seized, from hidden places in common areas and in various personal offices, and the staff involved brought to an ERCS holding facility for interrogation.
Though several were at least competent enough to keep their mouths shut, most of the workers involved proved to have less steel in their spine, and in bits and pieces Kodak and Matsuo's various interrogators eventually pulled out something of an explanation. Apparently Cerberus - a longstanding thorn in your side, apparently, were able to infiltrate Cord-Hislop, evidently to quite a high level, and were planning on using that infiltration to both smuggle weapons around the galaxy and to supply their own forces with aerospace tech that would be difficult to otherwise obtain.
Presumably, Valentine himself was close to figuring that out, hence the need to murder him - although Kodak raises a salient argument in that such actions could only possibly invite exactly the kind of scrutiny Cord-Hislop were under, even if the NSID hadn't already been interested in their activities. Matsuo remarks that Balmore may simply have been too afraid of being found out to really think through the consequences, and several other theories are floated, but ultimately Kodak concludes he can't really be sure why Balmore would think such a blatant act of murder was a good idea.
Nonetheless, the Cerberus connection explains a lot, and whilst the NSID does some further digging to track down any other Cerberus agents who might be identifiable thanks to Cord-Hislop records, and the Executive Board gets in touch with Cord-Hislop's central management, Kodak takes the time to compile his notes about the Cerberus infiltration and pass them on to some of his vaguely defined contacts in the intelligence community.
When attempting to contact Valentine's next-of-kin regarding his murder, the NSID ran into a further issue - Taylor Valentine could not be reached in Dessura, and was in fact reported missing by friends the day before her father's murder. NSID Dessura have already committed to a full investigation.
In the meantime, absent their director and with a large chunk of their staff under arrest, the Cord-Hislop facilities on Noveria have shut down pending the arrival of new staff. Kodak has promised to ensure that any new staff brought in are appropriately background checked on arrival.
(Cord-Hislop Aerospace has temporarily closed)
[ ] Carrot and Stick (Targets 1 Corporation)
Sometimes, the easiest way to get someone to like you is to pay them a good sum of money, and then threaten to stab them in the guts if they step out of line. This advice, given to you by Sannat Vakk, seems somewhat contrary to common sense, but he swears by it - apparently he's only ever had to actually shank two of the victims of this ploy, and it's otherwise served him perfectly well. Ultimately, he says, law only keeps people in line because they're afraid of consequences - if you make them afraid of you specifically, you can get the same effect without needing the constraints of the law to support you.
(Breakpoints: 50 - 5 Resources per die) (Consequences unclear)
(Target: +1F)
(Target: Jiem Asset Management) (Rolled: 154)
Your approach to handling Jiem is to wait for ERCS to come back with their fairly reasonably priced suggestions on security enhancements and generously offer to pay for the various upgrades freely, whilst simultaneously making a lot of vaguely disparaging comments about how unfortunate it was that you had to kick Binary Helix out for refusing to stay in line, and that you might have to do the same to Jaeto if they continue screwing around.
(Target: Baria Frontiers) (Rolled: 107)
Perhaps unsurprisingly given his age, work experience, and general level of extreme competence, Taylon Cuu sees through your attempts to bribe him in seconds, and though you can't see his face, you swear the look he gives you reeks of pity.
"You don't need to worry about us, Administrator. We're-"ghsk "-more than willing to keep our heads down."
(Target: Epherea Biomedical) (Rolled: 114)
Director Valaua is once again more than willing to oblige your polite request to not engage with Jaeto's shenanigans and generally just behave. This is most assuredly out of his good heart, and not at all because you provided a generous donation to his temple of choice on his behalf.
[ ] Beckmann Financial Bribe (Priority)
Loathsome as it is, Alan Beckmann has made his stance clear - he can't get the Beckmann Executives to back off without something to assuage them recent changes won't meaningfully impact their work on Noveria, and the only language that message will get across in, is credits. It's a particularly blunt excuse for bribery, but it's honestly not that large a sum, compared to what you're currently sitting on - it could very well be worth the trade of getting Beckmann Financial to stop screwing around and get back to business. So long as you make it clear that this is a one-time deal - can't have Beckmann, the man or the company, getting any funny ideas about using the NDC as a slush fund.
(Progress: 88/1 - 200 Resources per die)
It almost pains you to sign off on such a significant expense with no real benefit, but you do nonetheless sign off on Beckmann's ridiculous bribe. It's hard to tell whether it really helps or even makes much difference at all in the stupid ongoing feud between Beckmann Financial's various internal factions, but Alan Beckmann assures you this has insulated the Noveria branch from any further meddling on their part.
It's been two weeks but it feels like it was a lot longer. Hm. Sorry about that.
As per usual, the status post is not yet updated, but I'll get on that soon, I promise.
