The Grand Solar Rush - Asteroid colony management quest
- Thread starter Karf
- Start date
- Original Sci-Fi
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Closing votes post, chapter to follow soon.
I did sort of promise a reward, but I don't really have a nice way to let you choose when to apply it. So how about this: the next time a roll would fail by ten or less, it'll succeed instead.
The chapter should answer that, but just in case I'll clarify: no, not all actions. Yes, you will have new ones. Currently I don't think there's anything that would fall off, but that's not out of the question either.
Holy crap, thanks.
I did sort of promise a reward, but I don't really have a nice way to let you choose when to apply it. So how about this: the next time a roll would fail by ten or less, it'll succeed instead.
Turn 15.2 - 2184 - The Triumph of the pen
Winner said:
After a quick breakfast of protein paste and subpar – to your standards, at least – greens, you move to your embassy, the people there clearing out an office for the first meeting on your agenda.
You've decided to see lieutenant commander Susan Angelo, the woman who will be in charge of the armed US contingent on Eureka Station. Some part of you is wary at your relative power dynamic: nominally, you're in charge, but she doesn't answer to you and you've no way to leverage yourself over her. A working relationship is therefore essential in your mind.
First impressions are important, even if you've technically met before, so when you receive a ping alerting you to her arrival, you stand up from the chair and square your shoulders, clasping your hands behind your back. You'll greet her at parade rest and let her lead your discussion at first to put her at ease. At least, that's the plan.
The young woman who enters is just a touch shorter than you, her bald head reaching your forehead, her brown skin a contrast to your own pale visage. She's dressed in a sensible business suit and carrying a simple tablet in the crook of her arm. Somehow, you were expecting a military representative to wear grey camo and barge in like a wrecking ball, which is decidedly at odds with her demeanor.
She nearly stumbles when she sees you, switching from normal walking to marching mid step and nearly dropping the data pad to snap a salute.
"Sir."
As you hold no rank, you instead smile and extend your hand, "I'm sorry, is it always lieutenant commander, or will commander suffice?"
"Yes," she hesitates for a moment before shaking your hand, "sir, commander is fine in informal speech."
"I hope a one-on-one meeting qualifies, commander Angelo. I've found that the most productive discussions take place when people are sitting down. Shall we?" you indicate the couches placed in an L shape around a low table, and she nods.
"What did you wish to discuss with me?" you ask once you've both taken seats.
"I'd like your input on our SOP. I have been passed some requirements and I've gone over the manuals, but civilian space station security is not something I've had to consider before," she shuffles for a moment before pulling up an honest to god audio recorder on her tablet. "You're the most experienced person in that regard that I have any access to, so I was hoping to hear your opinion on the matter."
"Uh, if you want an official statement, I'll need some time to prepare one and to confer with my own security staff, which will take some more time," you hedge, trying to figure out which gear to switch to.
Her earnest expression, however, puts you at ease, as does her fumbling with the tablet to turn off the recorder and switch to a text app.
"Sorry, sir. I merely wanted a reference for later. This isn't a mandated visit; I promise to keep whatever you say strictly confidential. One moment."
When you recognize the encryption protocols she's loading up, you can't help but laugh.
"I doubt my insight is revolutionary enough to be classified as a state secret. As long as I'm not expected to make some binding statement, it's all fine."
"Right," she takes a deep breath, "What role would you see my team fulfilling, sir?"
The question is something you hadn't truly considered. You were expecting to work around the military, not with them in any meaningful capacity.
"Why don't we start by discussing what you've been ordered to do?"
"Maintain a presence on the station at all times, respond to outside threats, regularly inspect equipment and communications, report back on schedule," she rattles off.
"And how many people do you have to fulfill those objectives?"
"The agreement is a single platoon from us and one from them. I've drafted documents for a combat squad, two pilot crews, and two specialist units, one cyber and one intel."
That's not a lot of people for a round-the-clock operation, but you don't want to discourage her or worse, have her start pushing for more forces.
"Just so we're speaking on the same terms, are you from Earth and have you ever worked on a station?"
"I am, and do ships count?"
You wiggle your hand, "It helps. I presume the ships were parked in low orbit?"
"Geosync, unless we were running maneuvers."
To you, anything not halfway to the moon is low orbit, and you're starting to wonder if Burke didn't just want to get rid of her for someone more experienced, "Your choice of personnel sounds good, commander. We'll be running on three shifts, but nightshift can be covered by a skeleton crew. That said, scientists aren't soldiers and they'll probably work at odd hours whenever inspiration strikes or they just lose track of time. From personal experience, I've found that a friendly attitude gets you much more cooperation at night, so shuffling people around doesn't really serve a purpose. Maybe once a quarter, just to get people used to different roles, but no more."
You pause to let her catch up on her note taking, considering what other pearls of wisdom to share, "I recommend you personally go on double shifts if you're serious about the assignment. Run zero-g movement drills, there's a lot that can become reflexive when floating, but that only happens through repetition. Leaping without slamming into things – or worse, people – and the like."
You laugh when she frowns, "Welcome to space, commander. We'll make you renounce the worst fundamental force yet."
"What about rules of engagement?"
Now it's your turn to frown, "Don't? You're not going into a warzone. I understand that you'll need to be ready, but the moment a bullet goes flying in that place, the whole project is over. Not to mention that the station is going to be full of civilians, most of them mine. From service personnel to construction and maintenance to medical staff to the actual researchers. The whole construct is a rush job, so walls are going to be thin; a ricochet will hit someone. If I had things my way, you'd have power armor and tasers, not something explosive."
You end up leaning forward to impress the importance of what you're saying, until you're hovering over her tablet and she's staring down into your eyes, her pen forgotten.
"Yes, sir! I'll make sure to secure nonlethal options."
Satisfied, you pull back with a nod.
"Thank you, commander. For what it's worth, I believe you'll do a splendid job here. The final thing I can recommend is that you set up a meeting with your counterpart too. Take it from me, excessive ego doesn't help anyone."
If Hailey or Amanda heard you of all people say that, you'd earn a smack, but this doesn't need to get back to them.
There're a few more little things you end up going over, with her dutifully jotting down your answers, but soon enough the meeting draws to a close, and you're left with a measure of the person you'll be working with – not around – in the near future.
-.-
The European embassy used to be located on the second floor of an office block. While not exactly out of the way, it wasn't some grandiose and busy central hub. Now though, the waiting room is on the first floor and has at least fifty people sitting in queues. From the harried look of the clerks, this isn't the usual amount, but thankfully they're not all here to see the ambassador herself, and you're beckoned forward into an elevator which takes you to a penthouse, where another receptionist waves you through.
Lisette Rousseau is sitting behind a humongous desk, placing unfortunate emphasis on her small stature. Privately you think it makes her look like a child playing at being an adult. She looks up at you from a screen and nods.
"Mr. O'Rielly."
"Lizzie!" you spread your arms, "It's been so long. Not even a hug?"
She lets you stew for a long moment, but just before you crack and start worrying you've actually insulted her, she speaks.
"How foolish of me to entrust preventing a world war to you, Billy. I'm not sure if you failed in the most spectacular manner possible or succeeded in the most pyrrhic sense of the word."
"Hey."
"Defuse the situation, get the warships away from here, tie them with bureaucratic red tape. When I asked you to defuse a powder keg, I didn't mean that you should use nitroglycerine to do it. How is it that you manage to completely blow any diplomatic dialogue out of the water but nothing ever sticks to you afterwards."
"Still overworked, then?" you sink into the chair without prompting and she throws up her arms with a groan.
"Different kind of work. Instead of getting the shakes every time a warship fires up its engine, I've been crawling through engineering and construction contractors, logistics companies and IT firms. I've approved three new local colonies out of," she glances at her screen, "about twenty-eight hundred."
You let out a low whistle, "You should get people for that."
"I've got people for that."
"I'd say I'm sorry, but…"
"You're incapable of that, I know," she finally smirks. "Enough chitchat. Let's talk summit business, that's what you came here for, yes?"
"Well, in addition to checking in with you. Any interesting details about upcoming EU policies?"
"There was this report by an admiral Cavendish about how the sector is underutilized and lacks proper infrastructure to support a high volume of traffic. Incidentally, you wouldn't have anything to do with that, would you?"
"I may have emphasized the off-hands nature of our little backyard of space."
"At least you just made me a hundred euro, I knew that was a sucker's bet. Anyway, people are keen to change that, so we're especially interested in port facilities and shipping infrastructure. Also, there's going to be a prototype run of a new coffin ship – sorry, interasteroid transport class vessel that's being developed and deployed here. It'll mean that the newcomers can handle their own local shipping, or at least piggyback off our system. Supposedly it's to help colonies specialize. It'll also mean that at least your hospital is getting indirect kickbacks, provided you're willing to accept some medical tourists for checkups."
"That was the plan all along," you nod.
"Good," she continues, "which grants are you going for?"
"My internal security could use a new standard, now that I'll be handling state military secrets on a regular basis."
"Probably a good idea," she pauses for a moment before raising a finger, "Just so we're clear, I'm not actually cleared about why a research station is being rushed out into the middle of nowhere, so don't tell me."
"Really? They still haven't told you?"
"Need to know. You'll probably need to convince at least one other party of your IA stuff though. I'm pretty sure both Azure Star and Choi want to go with the shipping upgrades and infrastructure grants while the COD wants research."
"Speaking of," you look over her shoulder and out the window, where a ship is pulling onto the central dock in the faux sky. The Children of Dreamers logo on the vessel has enough contrast to make out despite the distance, "Do you know anything about the ultimate fate of their ship? It might be important for Eureka Station."
"I don't. They did their own rescuing, and other than returning the remains of the locals they've kept uncharacteristically tightlipped on what actually happened. You might really want to ask them about that, seeing as it's your neck on the line next."
"Thanks, ambassador, any other pearls of wisdom to share?"
"No. And I've got another meeting scheduled ten minutes from now, so unless there was something else?"
You shake your head at the dismissal, stand up and turn to leave. Just before the door slides shut behind you however, she speaks up.
"Oh, and I seem to recall promising you a coffee; give me a call if you're interested."
The door closes before you can turn around to catch her expression, but while she started out the sentence with her usual prickly calmness, the end of it was marginally higher pitched and rushed. Or perhaps you just imagined it. Whatever the case, you leave the embassy with a small smirk.
-.-
Most of New Ireland is strange to you, built in a style of Earthen influence. Streets, houses and a facsimile of a sky, instead of corridors, units and electric lights. It's novel, but after spending a day here, you can honestly say that you prefer your own approach. It is thus a small relief to follow Ruiz down into the bowels of a service station, where steel walkways, pipes and wires dominate. The tunnels are just as labyrinthine as you'd expect, but with a clear sense of down, you can at least tell that you're headed for the outside of the station proper. The shafts are well lit and occasionally you pass a maintenance technician with a tablet and hardhat who pay you no mind, further laying to rest any concerns you might have about dark alleyways.
"As you can see, we concentrate the storage and heavier elements of production on the outside. It helps with the weight distribution, keeps the streets clean and provides a buffer in case there's some accident," Ruiz keeps up a running commentary for small talk over the fifteen-minute journey while you nod and make appreciative sounds.
Eventually, you arrive at an open space, dotted by occasional storage units and massive pillars that must be the spokes of the station.
"We've taken the scenic route, I presume?" you ask, and your escort nods.
"Indeed, sir. We could have taken the cargo elevators down, but there is a significant amount of work that goes on between the two layers of the station. We're especially proud of the heat distribution measures. Did you notice how the tunnels were kept at a comfortable temperature?"
"I was wondering about that."
"We purchase water ice from various sources, most prominently the Ping-Lin Group, and use it as a heatsink until it melts, at which point we can start to process it down to fuel. One of the copper pipes you saw on the way is a continuous piece that circles the station hundreds of times. We use that to generate liquid oxygen, with siphons in strategic locations to supply fresh oxygen topside."
"Still sticking to your roots then."
"We are, sir. No sense in disregarding years of expertise. The LOX we sell on nearly at cost, but a fraction we use to drive our solid oxygen research and development. We've made great strides in reducing fuel tank volume by stabilizing LH2 with gamma-phase oxygen blocks. The eventual goal is a superdense fuel cell that could be used in single-person craft."
He keeps the actual specifics light, but you can recognize a salesman when you hear one. The pitch keeps going as he takes you into a larger unit and shows you the compressors installed within.
"The mark nines?" you recognize the machine, "I heard that they've had issues with the injection speed?"
"We've modified them slightly, sir. I've been told we needed the robustness and steady flow to prevent metallic fusing on the inside of the drums."
These aren't numbers you – or anyone else for that matter – could run in their head, but you catch the gist of it. Solid oxygen fusing into the steel walls of a compressor certainly sounds exotic enough to require custom solutions.
"So, these solo-ship cells. How long is their burn time?"
"We're still in the development phase, but the end product would be producing anywhere between point five to two g of thrust for three straight days on an ultralight class."
You let out a whistle. For regular people, it's not that useful, at least for now, but it would be of interest in more densely packed areas. Or to the military. In fact, you could use something like that to reach Eureka Station from your colony in about a third of the time it currently takes you. Provided you could refuel there, that is. The ever-present issue of new propulsion solutions: not enough service stations.
Next up on the tour is a window to the actual outside. You knew that the station was solar powered, but the sheer scale is still striking. Perhaps its your lizard brain that associates the curvature of the station with size, but the field of panels going literally as far as the eye can see is impressive.
"We're using entirely solar power, although there are backup generators that could use rocket fuel in the case of a particularly bad solar flare. Still, we have a comfortable energy surplus and since we're not foreseeing a large spike in demand, it works for us. I believe you yourself recently completed a nuclear reactor?"
"We did. Metals processing has higher consumption and our panels don't rotate nearly as fast as yours do."
"Indeed sir, maintenance on the dark side is pit-stop quick, but our engineers are up to the task."
There is one feature that stands out in the matte sea.
"And that tower over there?"
"One of the railgun installments. Purely to deal with leftover debris from the impact event. The firing arcs cover the entire outside of the station, although the capacitors take nearly a day to reload."
So clearly with no military application, you think to yourself. But then again, they're not meant to have any.
Ruiz also takes you to a few storage facilities, but there's little of note there. Likewise for the anemic forges which produce a trickle of consumer goods from recycled material. The final branch of industry would be food production, but it's getting late, and Ken would actually get upset with you if you went there without him. You did invite him along, but he had already set up a visit to the local seed bank, and you agreed that there would always be next time. And if there isn't, you can tell at any meal that your own produce is clearly superior.
As the proverbial night falls, you step out of the elevator linking to a cargo terminal on the living layer and make your way back to the hotel, receiving a brief document from Hailey about new requests and arrivals to consider before bed.
-.-
Day 2 out of 3; summit on day 4. Choose one from each:
[ ][Morning] Ironbond
Oliver Jarnstad is in town and wants to meet you. True to what you remember of his character, the message is brief to the point of absurdity, not even indicating any topic.
[ ][Morning] SDM Company
The freighter firm you have a contract with has a representative in New Ireland, and they've expressed an interest in expanding their dealings with you.
[ ][Morning] Jonathan Ghorst
The Prismdust representative arrived with you, but he's kept a tight lid on his plans for the summit. Apparently, that's about to change now that he's had some time to talk to the various factions on the station. See what he intends.
[ ][Morning] Hubei
While you'd much rather deal with the more grounded monk from the COD, you've been pinged by the lunatic. You're pretty confident that he has little interest in discussing the summit, and every reason to take whatever he says about Eureka with a grain of salt, but he should know things you want to know too.
[ ][Afternoon] The Chois
Heather Choi wanted to meet you, her reasons pretty obvious: from discussing the future of the sector to your respective colonies' relationship to the summit itself, and you've decided to indulge her.
[ ][Afternoon] The US embassy
The newcomers to your neck of the woods. Go meet them, make a positive impression and find out what their role in the summit is.
[ ][Afternoon] Azure Star
You know they're on the station, and you found them reasonable enough partners the last time you met. Go and see them to find out what their goals are and start swaying them to your own thinking. That you've had little interaction so far is only more reason to change that.
[ ][Afternoon] Your own embassy
Hailey has indicated that she has plans to shake up the dealings of the diplomatic mission you've sent to New Ireland. While you've been content to let them serve as an organizational link between you and New Ireland, your diplomat expects more of them. Really, it'll be more her show, you're just along to rubberstamp the orders.
[ ][Evening] The local hospital
Alright, so you're not relaxing in the evening. Lena has her notes and slides ready and she's not afraid to use them on unsuspecting doctors in order to talk up your own hospital as a viable New Belt destination.
[ ][Evening] The entertainment district
Take Ken and do your best to convince Lena to join the two of you on a bar crawl. That is to say, to sample locally available alcoholic beverages in order to gather information about the competition to your own brands.
[ ][Evening] The cultural sights
Hailey intends to resume her exploration of the New Irish arts and music scene, plus the schools and churches might be interesting to look at.
[ ][Evening] Call Lisette Rousseau
She did, in fact, promise you a coffee if you prevented world war. Lesser men might consider that a poor compensation, but you've often prayed to the nectar of the gods. And of course, there's the company; few people are willing to stand up to you these days, and the other ones that do, do so with the backing of a nation, not on a personal level.
-.-
Phew, that industrial bit did not want to be written whatsoever. I'm surprisingly happy with the end result, but it's still got glaring holes (why didn't I write Ken along? Rhetorical question; because I'm silly).
Also, as is usually the case, if there's something you want to see as an option, describe it in as general or as specific terms as you'd like and I'll throw it in with the other options.
Glad you liked it.
As for choices we should talk to the US, we are in the middle of two superpowers with trigger fingers. No need to be seen favoring one right of the bat by only visiting one embassy.
Other than that I am most interested in Primdust so we stay on the same page or another colony for trying to shift someone to supporting internal affairs grants.
In the evening I still want to see the cultural sites. They are NI specialty so they would be good things to crib notes from. especially with us planning on expanding our own school.
- Location
- UK
I think Ironbond, US and entertainment.
It seems Bond really wants to meet us so can't delay this too long without feeling like a snub, the US because we can't show favouritism and we really need to get Ken to open up away from his wife.
It seems Bond really wants to meet us so can't delay this too long without feeling like a snub, the US because we can't show favouritism and we really need to get Ken to open up away from his wife.
- Location
- UK
[X][Morning] Ironbond
[X][Afternoon] The US embassy
[X][Evening] The entertainment district
[X][Afternoon] The US embassy
[X][Evening] The entertainment district
- Location
- United States
[X][Evening] Call Lisette Rousseau
[X][Afternoon] The Chois
[X][Morning] Ironbond
[X][Afternoon] The Chois
[X][Morning] Ironbond
If the EU wants better shipping in the sector, speaking with the SDM Company should help.
It sounds like the LOX(liquid oxygen), or SOX(?), fuel cells were developed for the prototype transport vessel.
Though it seems like less of a manoeuvrable transport, and more a fire-and-forget projectile.
Point at destination, ignite thrusters... and hope you don't miss.
It'd neatly explain the "Coffin" moniker.
---
Why so many entertainment votes?
Don't forget, there's a party after the summit:
Work first, play later.
---
I'd vote for SDM, Azure Star, and Local Hospital.
But with a limit of 2 actions in each time slot, over 2 days, it seems ideal to use approval voting.
[X][Morning] SDM Company
[X][Morning] Jonathan Ghorst
[X][Afternoon] The US embassy
[X][Afternoon] Azure Star
[X][Evening] The local hospital
Those are the most important imo, though I'm still undecided on the second Evening action.
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- Location
- USA
[X][Morning] Jonathan Ghorst
[X][Afternoon] The Chois
[X][Evening] Call Lisette Rousseau
[X][Afternoon] The Chois
[X][Evening] Call Lisette Rousseau
Because we get to spend time with Ken away from his wife.
Ken's wife won't be at the summit after-party and concert.
Regardless of what we vote for, we'll spend time with Ken without his wife.
But this will a more private/informal setting. We would be going as friends to bars, not as boss and subordinate in a corporate party.
- Location
- Fort Worth, TX
[X][Morning] SMD Company
[X][Afternoon] The US embassy
[X][Evening] The entertainment district
[X][Afternoon] The US embassy
[X][Evening] The entertainment district
- Location
- Nova Scotia, Canada
[X][Morning] SDM Company
[X][Afternoon] The US embassy
[X][Evening] The local hospital
The SDM company to get ahead of local shipping and transport issues, the US Embassy so there's no possible accusations of bias on our part and finally the hospital to help us push forward our medical abilities and reputation. Being the go-to place for all kinds of significant medical care is not only good for us financially but will give us a lot of soft power in local politics.
Edited to correct SDM name in vote.
[X][Afternoon] The US embassy
[X][Evening] The local hospital
The SDM company to get ahead of local shipping and transport issues, the US Embassy so there's no possible accusations of bias on our part and finally the hospital to help us push forward our medical abilities and reputation. Being the go-to place for all kinds of significant medical care is not only good for us financially but will give us a lot of soft power in local politics.
Edited to correct SDM name in vote.
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[X][Morning] Ironbond
[X][Afternoon] The US embassy
[X][Evening] Call Lisette Rousseau
[X][Afternoon] The US embassy
[X][Evening] Call Lisette Rousseau
TimEd
Meteor maker
Hahaha.
Dang, this is hair-pulling levels that is literally out of the world.
- Location
- St. Petersburg
[x][Morning] Ironbond
[x][Afternoon] Azure Star
[x][Evening] Call Lisette Rousseau
Ironbond, because I wanted to do it on 1st day.
Lisette, because it's good to have personal connections.
Not set on the Afternoon choice. The Chois, the US embassy and Azure Star all have their merits.
[x][Afternoon] Azure Star
[x][Evening] Call Lisette Rousseau
Ironbond, because I wanted to do it on 1st day.
Lisette, because it's good to have personal connections.
Not set on the Afternoon choice. The Chois, the US embassy and Azure Star all have their merits.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Meetings with Rosseau continue to be a joy, I see. From the offer of coffee, it seems we're a highlight for her too.
Susan Angelo seems a bit out of her depth. Is it an act? Doesn't seem so. Interesting...
I don't think we can avoid going to the US embassy, having been to the EU one, so that's locked in. Azure Star next though, for sure.
Still some tough decisions morning and evening. If it weren't Huibei we'd be speaking to, I'd be very keen to speak with the COD to avoid whatever happened to the station, but frankly, I'm afraid he'll spout some cryptic nonsense that will only make sense in retrospect. hopefully the combined scientific input of the US, EA and us should avoid whatever problem occurred there.
That leaves Ghorst, Ironbond and SMD. SMD is the likely the best economic choice out of these. Ghorst...I don't have a good read on. it would be good to keep a closer eye on him. Ironbond...well, they have a tie to our IA guy, and they seem to be making a play for local power. As I said earlier, I seriously suspect they were behind the recent industrial accidents of Deckard Station. But does that mean we should talk to them? I'm not sure it does, but we DO need someone to support our IA grant. That's what sways me toward Ironbond.
As for the evening, I'm voting to go to the local hospital this time, as we may need negotiating chips. A meeting with Lisette can wait a bit...don't want to seem too eager...
I'm still torn on morning and evening so I might shift depending on people's arguments.
[X][Morning] Ironbond
[X][Afternoon] The US embassy
[X][Evening] The local hospital
Susan Angelo seems a bit out of her depth. Is it an act? Doesn't seem so. Interesting...
I don't think we can avoid going to the US embassy, having been to the EU one, so that's locked in. Azure Star next though, for sure.
Still some tough decisions morning and evening. If it weren't Huibei we'd be speaking to, I'd be very keen to speak with the COD to avoid whatever happened to the station, but frankly, I'm afraid he'll spout some cryptic nonsense that will only make sense in retrospect. hopefully the combined scientific input of the US, EA and us should avoid whatever problem occurred there.
That leaves Ghorst, Ironbond and SMD. SMD is the likely the best economic choice out of these. Ghorst...I don't have a good read on. it would be good to keep a closer eye on him. Ironbond...well, they have a tie to our IA guy, and they seem to be making a play for local power. As I said earlier, I seriously suspect they were behind the recent industrial accidents of Deckard Station. But does that mean we should talk to them? I'm not sure it does, but we DO need someone to support our IA grant. That's what sways me toward Ironbond.
As for the evening, I'm voting to go to the local hospital this time, as we may need negotiating chips. A meeting with Lisette can wait a bit...don't want to seem too eager...
I'm still torn on morning and evening so I might shift depending on people's arguments.
[X][Morning] Ironbond
[X][Afternoon] The US embassy
[X][Evening] The local hospital