The Grand Solar Rush - Asteroid colony management quest
- Thread starter Karf
- Start date
- Original Sci-Fi
The Sandman
So Zetta Slowpoke
- Location
- Wherever I am, which isn't where I'm not
So what items are we currently dependent on Earth for that we can't start producing once the superpowers are too busy fighting each other to enforce IP law against us?
The only thing we regularly import is water (and technically new colonists, but that influx won't go down so much as transform into refugees if war between superpowers breaks out). Knock on stuff is just access to the largest markets around and the biggest pools of IP for neat toys.
Specifically the Hydrogen is whats needed, its just much easier to ship in water form.
And its also something we can probably make arrangements to get from New Ireland for the next few years during this summit. Hopefully by the time that dries up we can get the magnetic hydrogen collectors set up.
Turn 10.1 - 2179 - The summit at New Ireland
Winner said:
It's a curious feeling, looking down on your world as it shrinks away on the cameras; you haven't been off Little Klondike in nearly nine years. The thrust pushing you into the seat has become unpleasant, the rattling of Excelsior and her engines strange and unusual, even though you know there's nothing actually wrong. You've gone over the various manuals and ran enough simulations to pilot the ship eyes closed, in addition to the pilot, a Kareem Saqqat, part of Hailey's staff, who could probably do the same. The two of you, you filling the role of the captain for the trip, are on the bridge, Amanda and her squad are spread out amongst the cabins and Ragnar and Hailey are sharing the loft. It's about a week and a half to your destination and you'll arrive three days before the summit is set to start.
Once the thrust cuts off to a more manageable level, you call together your reduced council to go over the details once again, primarily to fill the time. There's really nothing sensitive to be discussed at the moment, so you've simply gathered around a table in the mess.
"Let's start with what we've got on NI," you direct the spotlight to Hailey.
"Ice chunk, home to about seven thousand people. The station's specs they've kept under wraps, so expect to be dazzled as they reveal its magnificence to us, but it's probably got room for at least twice as many people," she pulls up a bio sheet next, "Led by a Heather Choi, businesswoman turned politician."
The image on screen is an average looking Asian woman with a round face, tanned skin and straight black hair; Hailey continues, "Originally a corporate outpost, it was left in limbo when the business went bankrupt. New Ireland was one of the first colonies established, and the laws weren't clear yet about what would happen to extraterrestrial holdings with people on them. My guess is that the locals either bought out or got the asteroid as compensation and Choi has since bought up the majority."
"Anything else?"
"Nothing we haven't gone over a thousand times already."
"Moving on, do we know who else is attending?"
"Deckard Station is sending someone for sure," Erikson takes over, "Same with the rest of the outposts we know about, except the resort. Can't be sure about them. There's probably going to be some from the other side of their sphere as well, expect anywhere from six to ten groups present."
"Alright. Carpenter, what's our escort detail like?"
"A pair for each of us, two on duty by the ship and rooms, if they're close enough together. The VIP detail won't carry rifles, just Tasers, but the armor fits well enough beneath jumpsuits and we can punch hard enough to crack a skull."
"Leave the armor visible," Hailey interjects, "looks much more professional than baggy overalls." Amanda nods in acknowledgement.
Your diplomat continues, "I hope you've packed your good suits, gentlemen. And it's dresses for you and me, sheriff."
The trip passes calmly, with little to do but kill time amongst yourselves. Hailey continues to dominate any game where bluffing is involved, to the point of poker being banned from the table after day three. Amanda does in fact trounce all of you in chess, but you at least give her more than three minutes of playtime. Erikson is in the gym more often than not, and you have time to catch up on some light reading. Before long as you're set to start the breaking burn, your radio pings to life, connecting to the New Ireland traffic tower.
"Greetings, Excelsior, this is New Ireland, sending you the approach vector."
The station is still hours away as you send the confirmation ping and settle in to watch the exterior monitors for any sign of the structure. As you near it, a tiny speck of light grows to a cylindrical shape about a kilometer wide and nearly ten times as long, its interior hollow except for a central shaft and five pairs of spokes attached to the lazily spinning outer shell. Your course takes you inside, beneath a pillar of steel and carbon at least twice the size of your ship, and you feel a final jostle as the magnetic clamps bring you to a relative stop on the central pillar. You counted another four ships already docked, and one of them seemed strangely similar. As you're waiting for the airlock to engage, you side up to Erikson.
"Say, what was the name of the colony ship we sent back to Earth?"
"EUS Elizabeth. I saw it too, guess we'll meet some old friends."
"Lovely," the lights turn green and the door opens to a brightly lit room with two men standing in the center to greet you.
"Mr. O'Rielly, Little Klondike delegation, allow me to be the first to personally welcome you to New Ireland. My name is Miguel Ruiz, this is my assistant, Mr. Greene. If you would be so kind as to follow us."
If he's at all bothered by the eight people in power armor, light though it may be, he doesn't show it. You've naturally let the hosts know how many people you're expecting housing for, but the dark plates and covered faces must be at least a little intimidating. He leads you through the room and into what looks like a train cabin.
"The transport between the stationary shaft and rotating living areas is state of the art and free to use whenever you need to return to your ship," your guide tells you, "The rail hook leads almost exactly to your hotel, where local transport can take you anywhere on the station. It's also quite the scenic route."
The cabin starts a steady, rising acceleration to bring you in line with the spin rate as the sky slows down above you and you start to ascend while apparent gravity asserts itself and flips you around. Through the windows, you see the structure looming below you as you descend through one of the spokes of the station.
"In addition to the hotel, you can see the government headquarters in the white building to the left. A shopping district and some light entertainment surround the central hub. The other tall tower is the center of the cultural plaza, a catholic evangelical mission and church. There's also a park and schools nearby," he indicates the green patch you can see some ways off.
The top of the wide streets is covered in see-through glass, eliminating the usual claustrophobic feel of satellite corridors while the buildings break through, creating a landscape of peaks and valleys as you rush down towards it. Brightly lit channels of roads give the illusion of a river flowing through dark rocks, streams merging and splitting all around you, "Scenic indeed."
"We take pride in our commitment to being an open, multicultural station for all. The solar and hydroponics gardens are on the outside of the drum for the twenty thousand residents of the station."
"Twenty thousand?" Amanda asks and the man turns to her.
"Well, right now we're still in the process of moving over. Currently the population is just over two thousand and this is the only fully operational residential sector, the fuel depot is on the other side of the ring. We predict about sixteen thousand permanent residents in the future, leaving room for tourists and passing business."
You're getting close to the ground now and the view cuts to black as you enter the end of the pillar, feet firmly planted on the ground and any spin unnoticeable. The cab opens to a wide circular plaza, a water feature set in its center, with what you can only assume is the hotel you'll be staying at opposite you.
"The second wing of the third floor is reserved for your delegation, Mr. O'Rielly. If you wish to transport any baggage from your ship, feel free to contact the receptionist. Lunch will be served in two hours. I'll be on hand personally as well should you have any questions or if you wish to visit something specific. My contact info has likewise been forwarded to your inbox."
The rooms are about as luxurious as you'd expect from the presentation so far. Offensively inoffensive beige and white dominate the color scheme, wide windows overlook the streets, the bed alone is the size of your ship's sleeping quarters, and the bathroom has an actual bath installed. But you didn't come here for a vacation, so as soon as you've dropped off the suitcase and showered, you're out of the suite and into the common dining area.
There's three other groups down already. One is composed of similarly dressed businessmen that you don't recognize, one is a pair of what look like monks, dressed in orange robes with the Children of Dreamers logo on their shoulder. The last is a single woman you recognize: Captain Lisette Rousseau catches your eye and tilts her head in acknowledgement. You give a curt nod back as a waiter seats you and the two guards with you and presents you with the menu.
As you silently eat the baked potatoes and facsimile of canned beef, you make plans for the first of the three evenings ahead of you.
Choose what you do for the first day of your stay in New Ireland, the summit is happening on day 4.
[ ] Seek an audience with Heather Choi, the nominal leader of New Ireland.
You mostly know what the agenda for the summit is, but you'd like to hear it from her directly, plus any specifics you can garner. She's sure to be busy leading up to the conference, but you can get probably still get an audience.
[ ] You know the Children of Dreamers are present, talk to them.
Find out what your closest neighbors are hoping to achieve here and perhaps sway them over to your side.
[ ] Find out why Captain Lisette Rousseau of the EU is once more in your patch of space.
Seriously, why is she here? You can get the contact info from Ruiz and request a meeting. She's always struck you as professional, so surely there's no hard feelings.
[ ] Tour the industrial side of the station with Miguel Ruiz, the guide.
This place is famous for her refineries and the whole station could be seen as an elaborate dock. The engineer in you is itching to get a closer look at their facilities and the businessman wants to know what they lack and what they need.
[ ] Join Lieutenant Carpenter on a tour of the local security systems.
No, you're not just scouting for weak points, you're looking for business opportunities to see where you could offer your help with possible issues. Oh, and scouting for strengths and weaknesses of course.
[ ] Hailey has expressed an interest in visiting the cultural district.
If there's one thing to complain about back home, it's that life can get pretty dull. A single nightclub slash bar gets annoying after a while. This place is clearly set up to be a tourist trap, and that means it's designed to bring in money, find out what they have to repurpose and appropriate for yourself.
[ ] You and Erikson have been cooped up for far too long, hit the bars.
It's been a long, long time since you've had a day off. Even more so for getting to cut loose, especially in a place where you aren't the leader of the town. So get out there, gather intel on people, learn the lay of the land firsthand, actually flirt for the first time in ten years and just have some fun.
[ ] Leave your evening blank, just let them come to you.
Just as you're itching to meet with your rivals, so too must they be interested in meeting with you, and they can't do that if you're permanently busy yourself. See who comes and what they offer.
[ ] Write-in.
Actually, you've got something else in mind.
So it begins. If you don't want to lobby for a write-in, but still feel like there's something else you'd like to do that I haven't thought of, feel free to tell me about it in general and I'll throw it up for the following days.
Some options might potentially be time-limited, and as you spend more time here, others will become available.
[X] Find out why Captain Lisette Rousseau of the EU is once more in your patch of space.
We've kind of ignored the EU after sending the colonists away. Let's try talking to the captain and see why the EU sent the ship in the first place. Also to make sure there's not an EU-Ireland alliance going on. That would be worst case scenario.
We've kind of ignored the EU after sending the colonists away. Let's try talking to the captain and see why the EU sent the ship in the first place. Also to make sure there's not an EU-Ireland alliance going on. That would be worst case scenario.
- Location
- Fort Worth, TX
[X] Tour the industrial side of the station with Miguel Ruiz, the guide.
technotemplar
(Sleeping Bear)
- Location
- Texas
[X] Find out why Captain Lisette Rousseau of the EU is once more in your patch of space.
Kinda curious about the EU to be honest
Kinda curious about the EU to be honest
- Location
- St. Petersburg
That 33 in the corner is interesting. I wonder what is was for.
Not sure what our stance on NI and their powerplay is. If we are going to buy into it, it might be best to look into their industry to present ourselves as a trade partner and improve our negotiating position. Some of our projects could be of interest to them and we could use their backing to take off faster, even if we had to split the profit.
On the other hand, I am curious about Captain Rousseau's presence. They don't seem to have abandoned the idea after the first disastrous attempt, so I have to wonder about the reasons for their insistence. Talking to her might be worth it to ensure no one sabotages us at the meeting.
[x] Find out why Captain Lisette Rousseau of the EU is once more in your patch of space.
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[x] Find out why Captain Lisette Rousseau of the EU is once more in your patch of space.
If there's any hard feelings we kinda need to know, because the EU is clearly aiming to stick around and nobody else (except the mystery black site) has a serious sponsor to call on.
Also, I find the station description pretty interesting - the current residential sector is on the opposite side from the fuel depot/refinery, and they point out schools/cultural sectors/shopping sectors/government but no manufacturing/industry. They also mention on planning for up to 25% of the local population in tourist/business travelers - that's well into most of their economy being based on tourism and travel.
I quite honestly expect that New Ireland will very much be wanting to make nice with (and between) us, Deckard Station, and the EU colony - they're staking their future livelihood on at least two of us sticking around because the private resort, research firm, and thecultists religious commune are definitely not going to be growing, producing, and consuming enough to drive the economy of a tourism/trade focused settlement like theirs will be.
If there's any hard feelings we kinda need to know, because the EU is clearly aiming to stick around and nobody else (except the mystery black site) has a serious sponsor to call on.
Also, I find the station description pretty interesting - the current residential sector is on the opposite side from the fuel depot/refinery, and they point out schools/cultural sectors/shopping sectors/government but no manufacturing/industry. They also mention on planning for up to 25% of the local population in tourist/business travelers - that's well into most of their economy being based on tourism and travel.
I quite honestly expect that New Ireland will very much be wanting to make nice with (and between) us, Deckard Station, and the EU colony - they're staking their future livelihood on at least two of us sticking around because the private resort, research firm, and the
- Location
- va
[X] Leave your evening blank, just let them come to you.
let someone else play their hand first
let someone else play their hand first
- Location
- Canada
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Leave your evening blank, just let them come to you.
ThIs will tell us a lot about everyone 's priorities.
ThIs will tell us a lot about everyone 's priorities.
- Location
- Computer Desk
[X] Find out why Captain Lisette Rousseau of the EU is once more in your patch of space.
[X] Find out why Captain Lisette Rousseau of the EU is once more in your patch of space.
[x] Find out why Captain Lisette Rousseau of the EU is once more in your patch of space.
- Location
- yorkshire
[X] Find out why Captain Lisette Rousseau of the EU is once more in your patch of space.
Turn 10.2 - 2179 - The summit at New Ireland
Winner said:
Ruiz gives you the contact info readily enough, and you receive a reply to your meeting request within minutes. However, instead of being directed to some hotel room or even a pier for her ship, you're given an address close to your lodging. Intrigued, you and your two bodyguards make your way around the block, still very much within the station's high class visitor district and come upon a nondescript office building, an electronic reception desk awaiting you in the lobby. Verifying your identity, you're directed to an elevator which takes you to the second floor, where a soft voice accompanies the opening of the door.
"Welcome to the European embassy on New Ireland."
You enter another lobby, filled with couches and low tables, walls plastered with info screens displaying tickers and newsfeeds duplicated in English, French, German, Spanish and Russian. On the far end, a young woman stands behind a counter.
"Greetings, Mr. O'Rielly. Ambassador Rousseau will see you shortly. Your escort can remain behind while you're in the offices proper."
A few minutes pass in silence as you examine the room before a soft beep plays on the woman's computer, "Ambassador Rousseau will see you now."
You nod to the two guards to stay put and enter the office.
The room is quite similar to your own back on Little Klondike – a long couch and a coffee table are near the door, a conference table covers one half of the room with a wall-sized display on the wall behind it and the main desk with two chairs for visitors sits on the far side of the room, framed by a large window opposite the door. Behind said desk sits Lisette Rousseau, apparent ambassador to New Ireland.
"Mr. O'Rielly, we meet again," she stands and offers you a hand as you walk over.
"Ms. Rousseau, I'm glad it's under better circumstance," you shake her hand.
"How may I be of service?" she smiles at you as she gives your offered limb a short, hard squeeze, then lets go and indicates a seat as she sits herself.
"Truthfully, I was curious as to the EU's purpose and goals here," you decide on a direct approach, "I suppose an embassy gives me the general idea, but I'd like to hear some details."
She tuts as if explaining something to a child, "This sector of the New Belt has been mandated to the EU by international agreements in the UN. Evidently your asteroid has been excluded from this, to a point."
You give a noncommittal grunt as she continues, "The whole belt is sectioned up between world powers. We can grant development rights to corporations or establish our own colonies. My job is to facilitate the process locally, and New Ireland has graciously offered us a central location on their entirely legitimate station."
"I resent that remark, but it is good to see that at least you're being more careful by having a local office before rushing into unknown situations."
She takes a deep breath, "My apologies. The last year has been… vexing for me. I promise I'll not let our mutual past interfere with official business."
You decide to take the olive branch on offer, "For what it's worth, I'm sorry things had to go as they did. I hold no ill will towards you either."
She rises from her desk and walks over to the couch, "Coffee?"
"Thank you," you join her in the less formal setting, "Perhaps you could elaborate a bit on this sectioning of the belt. I've been out of the Earth infosphere for nearly a decade by now, but when I started my venture, there definitely was no such initiative."
"It's more recent than that, yes. To put it bluntly, the big three have carved and cut the belt into degrees of influence designed to be equal in proportion and to promote cooperation and trade. Other nations have their own sectors too, of course, but it's all a matter of power in the end, so they get relative scraps. The edge of this EU sector runs about between you and Prismdust, they're technically Chinese for now, but we're negotiating a trade as the CCP shifts focus to the Outer Belt, so they're invited here."
"I was under the impression New Ireland wanted to angle for the local leader role, how are they feeling about European encroachment?"
She gives you a smile that doesn't reach her eyes, "After the Rousseau Incident – no, I'm not happy they call it that – we've decided to take a more hands off approach here. We're handing out grants and promises of supply to EU based private ventures for now, and NI is happy for the traffic. So far, at least; I suppose we'll get a more concrete image at the summit."
"You don't know what it's about either?"
She shrugs, "I've been here for just a bit over a week now, I assume it's development goals, trade agreements and back-patting. You know, the truly riveting stuff."
"And what do you want from the summit?"
She tilts her head to look at you, "I might do my best to leave the past behind us in official relationships, but that doesn't mean I'll tell you my life story. What is Little Klondike interested in?"
You just give her a grin, "Her own best interests, as always. That said, is there anything you'd like from us?"
"I understand you have a relatively well developed hospital," she stands and you follow her, "Maintaining a full medical staff is expensive, both in money and human resources. If Little Klondike was willing to shoulder that burden, then I'm sure some form of compensation could be made."
The streetlights outside start to dim, forming the illusion of evening time as she leads you to the door, "Have a pleasant evening, Mr. O'Rielly."
"Ambassador."
One of your guards, you think his name was Karl, is leaning against the receptionist desk, chatting to the woman behind it in German. He scrambles to pull his helmet back on as you pass him by with a gravelly face, only breaking a light smile when you're past him.
You exit to the street again, looking up at the domed sky. A ship is coming into port, a lightweight passenger craft, while another one is already present. It seems two new factions have arrived on the station. Still, it's getting late and they probably want to unpack and clean up before they're ready for a meet and greet, so you just make your way back to your hotel.
Choose what you do for the second day of your stay in New Ireland, the summit is happening on day four.
[ ] Seek an audience with Heather Choi, the nominal leader of New Ireland.
You mostly know what the agenda for the summit is, but you'd like to hear it from her directly, plus any specifics you can garner. She's sure to be busy leading up to the conference, but you can get probably still get an audience.
[ ] You know the Children of Dreamers are present, talk to them.
Find out what your closest neighbors are hoping to achieve here and perhaps sway them over to your side.
[ ] Try to catch the newcomers and find out who they are on your own.
Maybe you can find out who arrived at breakfast, set up a meeting and introduce yourself on your own terms.
[ ] Tour the industrial side of the station with Miguel Ruiz, the guide.
This place is famous for her refineries and the whole station could be seen as an elaborate dock. The engineer in you is itching to get a closer look at their facilities and the businessman wants to know what they lack and what they need.
[ ] Join Lieutenant Carpenter on a tour of the local security systems.
No, you're not just scouting for weak points, you're looking for business opportunities to see where you could offer your help with possible issues. Oh, and scouting for strengths and weaknesses of course.
[ ] Hailey has expressed an interest in visiting the cultural district.
If there's one thing to complain about back home, it's that life can get pretty dull. A single nightclub slash bar gets annoying after a while. This place is clearly set up to be a tourist trap, and that means it's designed to bring in money, find out what they have to repurpose and appropriate for yourself.
[ ] You and Erikson have been cooped up for far too long, hit the bars.
It's been a long, long time since you've had a day off. Even more so for getting to cut loose, especially in a place where you aren't the leader of the town. So get out there, gather intel on people, learn the lay of the land firsthand, actually flirt for the first time in ten years and just have some fun.
[ ] Leave your evening blank, just let them come to you.
Just as you're itching to meet with your rivals, so too must they be interested in meeting with you, and they can't do that if you're permanently busy yourself. See who comes and what they offer.
[ ] Write-in.
Actually, you've got something else in mind.