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For House & Dominion: Aftermath / Epilogue

http://houseanddominion.wikia.com/wiki/House_%26_Dominion_Complete_Archive
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Dominion+quest

https://twitter.com/ThatSlowTypingG

You are Sonia Reynard, Viscount of the world and system known as Rioja. One system among many belonging to House Jerik-Dremine. Some two decades ago your House was barely a footnote, one of hundreds making up the larger Dominion of Royal Houses. Now it is one few can choose to ignore. Though still weak numerically it makes up for this with advanced technology, an elite military and strong allies.

You have had a hand in many of the Jerik-Dremine's conquests. While still in training you were thrust into combat, commanding a small corvette. Fighting the Pirate Warlords of the South Reach region you made a name for yourself and your initial fortune. Capturing starships and carrying out special assignments catapulted you into the nobility, becoming a Knight of the House.

In the wars against the pirates and then the Neeran Empire you continued to serve with distinction. You made friends and enemies, all the while building up your fortune with industry and salvage companies. In a time of war among the stars there has rarely been a lack of vessels in need of recovery after battle.

At the time of the Dominion's civil war in the 4030's you became a Baron. When given the opportunity to choose a world to base yourself upon in the name of the House you chose Rioja. This challenge would have broken many. Choked by clouds of dust, carbon dioxide, sulfur and other pollutants, it was still more than ten years from completion of its terraforming.

Establishing a fleet and military from such a world required a good portion of your personal fortune. Were it not for the unseen assistance of Count Jerik covering the planet's taxes and military upkeep things might have gone differently. Today Rioja's skies are clear, the lands are recovering and the system is an important trade hub.

Promotion to Viscount and action in some of the most brutal fighting of the Civil War didn't dull your interest in special operations. Even with these responsibilities you carried out missions to the Dyson Sphere in efforts to keep the Neeran Empire from gaining control of its systems. Though successful, hastily made decisions cost more than three years due to the effects of time dilation.
>>
I really hope this isn't the last time I ever say this.

FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION.
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>>4044506
Same here!!
>>
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Returning home it became abundantly clear that your position wouldn't survive the years ahead politically without help. Surprisingly that came in the form of a political marriage to Troy Harmen, son of the Governor of Loran. Though coming as something of a shock, there were definite advantages; namely you already being a shareholder in HTF, the family owned terraforming company, and your substantial cash reserves.
You and Troy now have two children, Leon Hildebrand Reynard-Harmen and Eleanor Franceska Reynard-Harmen. The fraternal twins are now heirs to the largest fortune in House space.

In the last days of the war you and Troy both returned to the front to help in the overthrow of the Neeran Empire. Liberating most of a dwarf galaxy helped paved the way for your real objective, the acquisition of an ancient builder ship. This didn't go without incident. Interference by the Neeran largely ensured the destruction of the shipyard the vessel came from.

Your last mission of the war helped secure a capital ship grade stargate. Though there were difficulties getting it operational once it was online Alliance reinforcements were able to reach the enemy capital in days instead of weeks. Holding it also cut off the escape of large enemy fleets.

Contrary to expectations you managed to negotiate the surrender of one group, and safe passage of another following complete disarmament. Without the loss of a single soldier or a fired shot, more than 20 Executioner class super heavy cruisers and a Apex Command ship were put out of action.

It is 4045 and the great conflict of your generation is seemingly drawing to a close. The war to topple the Neeran Empire is over now, but the universe remains a dangerous place.
>>
H&D I couldn't decide on a new OP Edition.
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>>4044509
>largely ensured the destruction of the shipyard the vessel came from
It's just a little hot. It's still good, it's still good!
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Man, this is nostalgic.
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>>4044501
FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION

>>4044509
>Interference by the Neeran largely ensured the destruction of the shipyard the vessel came from.

Trying not to cry edition
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I don't know about you boys but I'm pouring out the good stuff tonight to mark eight years of playing this.
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I read a good chunk of this years ago, but never caught up to live. Still, dropping into here to offer congratulations TSTG. It must have been a hell of a ride.
>>
Days after the departure of the Neeran fleet through the stargate you've still picking up the mess locally. The problem isn't a lack of salvage ships, RSS and any other company that could get clearance rushed ships through the gate as soon as they could. Your people got here early by joining a Dominion reinforcement group and masquerading as a Cage Class Heavy Carrier. Right now things are becoming political.

Negotiating salvage rights to the mess of Neeran warships is an argument and a half. Few of the Factions want other Factions having control of ACS or Executioner class warships, let alone the Apex. For good or ill the big command ship is almost immediately removed from the table. Baldr and his faction have requested it for use as a POW transport ship.

"Are there that many POW's that you need a vessel the size of a small moon to transport them?"

It's at this point you're informed that there are entire ground campaigns being fought on some worlds where most of the combatants are crews that teleported off ships. Receiver ships were overwhelmed in many engagements so thousands if not millions of survivors have been dumped on the closest habitable planets.

The main guns of the Apex will be removed to ensure it's far less of a threat if recaptured by a prisoner revolt. They'll be replaced with stasis holding units for a few million POWs. Those that are more cooperative will be able to make use of the existing habitation units which will be placed under guard. Or that's the plan.

In theory your House has a claim on a full Executioner plus a few cubic kilometers of scrap weapons and equipment. There had been a lot of other fleets present, and you didn't have any Supers of your own, just the defenses you'd constructed. Really it'll be a wonder if you get away with that much.

All of the Admirals present on site are happy with the distribution of claims. Now it's just a matter of shutting up the governments back home. The downside of being so close to the gate is that you're effectively sitting back in the Centri Cluster, an area rife with bureaucrats with too much time on their hands.

>cont.
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"Are you sure your House doesn't have too much salvage to deal with?" asks Versa.

"No such thing," is your instinctive response.
The Super Carrier your people made off with might cause a bit of a backlog if an Executioner were added to the lineup at Loran. There are benefits to this though.
"Job security for the refit yards."

Looking at it objectively the AI might have a point. With the war effectively over salvage prices could very well collapse between an over availability and lessened demand for materials. Even at its cheapest prices salvaged remains could be broken down for scrap to be recycled for starship production.

The Factions have had to work hard the last two years to keep prices from inflating, now they could be face the opposite problem. It's doubtful the shipyards will just halt construction tomorrow but even still industry is going to be impacted.
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>>4044580
>In theory your House has a claim on a full Executioner
Can we have two or three normal supers instead? The Executioner has a mission profile that's not really useful for J.D.
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>>4044583
Well there where already plans to sell the Forbearance. So that would effectively leave us with two Supers if we got the Carrier and Executioner both. Which would be a real nice combo for the House to have.
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>>4044583
What about the Wraith

CLOAKED SUPER
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>>4044594
>Can we have two or three normal supers instead?
It would be 1:1 as far as Supers go. So there is a bit of a question as to what kind you would be willing to trade for.

Super Carrier
"Scorcher"
"Gun Cruiser" (Built out of crippled super carrier)
"Arbalest" Scrap cannon / Repulsor mass driver
"Cinquedea" Fast Super Heavy Gunship
"Executioner"

>>4044625
>What about the Wraith
I forgot about this. You and the Ruling House do have a claim on that Wraith you guys crippled. Your House is also the best equipped among the Dominion to make use of its cloaking technology. I doubt it would be hard to get the Ruling House onboard with this.
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>>4044642
> I doubt it would be hard to get the Ruling House onboard with this.
Then I'd say sell the claim on the Executioner to the RH for fat stacks of cash instead. We got our Wraith baby.
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>>4044642
>It would be 1:1 as far as Supers go.
Shouldn't an Executioner be way more expensive with those super heavy guns?

If we get a carrier, we'd have one we could use as a flagship for the House fleet in each galaxy. Which seems way more useful than having one gunship. If J-D ends up in any conflict where it's more useful than a carrier, we've probably already lost.
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>>4044656
>Shouldn't an Executioner be way more expensive with those super heavy guns?
It should yes, but it's not.
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>>4044662
I bet the Terrans did that.
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>>4044642
>I forgot about this. You and the Ruling House do have a claim on that Wraith you guys crippled. Your House is also the best equipped among the Dominion to make use of its cloaking technology. I doubt it would be hard to get the Ruling House onboard with this.
I feel like it would synergise with the Nocturne fleet really well. Do we have any technical data on it yet? If it's as powerful as Forbearance but with the additional cloaking capacity, then I'd say 100% go for it.
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>>4044501

For House and Dominion! Salvage for the Salvage Shark!
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>>4044642

I think we should work with the RH and give them the Executioner we have so we can get sole claim to the Wraith. We already have an arrangement with them for the Super Carrier from earlier. So we could maybe expand and tack this on to that? Maybe even studying the Wraiths cloak with an RH team to help sweeten the deal?

That or we get our house some expand capacity to maintaining a growing fleet that is going to count whatever ship replaces the Foreberance and the Wraith we get.
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>>4044666
The Wraith is unable to mount siege weaponry due to its structural profile and cloaking fields. At least for now. It can mount plenty of smaller weapons or docking points for supporting craft. So torpedo batteries are certainly an option. Combined with stealth coated torpedoes this thing could make for a bad day.

It can't quite outrun a fast super like the Sovereign. Their engines are set up for stealth over speed, but despite this are still quite quick.
Shield strength is roughly analogous to that on smaller modern Supers. It doesn't generally use the shields found on other Neeran capital ships because it would disrupt the cloak.
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>>4044700
Interesting trade off of raw combat and strategic capacity for tactical use and utility then I guess.

I genuinely think the wraith makes the most sense going forward for a few reasons. With the war over, we're not going to see massive scale combat for a while (hopefully), and I genuinely think it will fit the House's 'scalpel' approach to conflicts the best. If we can drop a wing of fire drakes on an enemy fleet with no warning, that would be pretty devastating.

As an aside, if we were to take the Wraith and try to automate as many systems as possible to lessen the crew requirements, how far off would the House be from being able to effectively crew a Sovereign or even Executioner? It worries me that bigger houses would bully JD thinking they're lacking quantity of units and raw combat power. Although I suppose we could always request support from the RH and operate the Wraith in conjunction.
>>
Just so we can get a clear vote, what Super heavy do you want to take as the House's claim? The Executioner, which is a warship on par with an Alliance Capital Ship. A Super Carrier which was pointed out would be useful for supporting larger House fleets. Or the Wraith, a smaller and lighter super with cloaking fields?

[ ] Executioner
[ ] Super Carrier
[ ] Wraith
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>>4044750
I thought the Wraith is a separate claim?
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>>4044749
>how far off would the House be from being able to effectively crew a Sovereign or even Executioner?
Sovereign would have similar or slightly more manpower requirements. Executioner would probably need 1.5 to 2x the manpower of a Sovereign?

>>4044765
J-D only has part of a claim on it. The Ruling House has part of a claim on it, as does the Alliance. You'd need to trade the claim on the Executioner to ensure you got the full claim on the wraith as well as convincing the Ruling House to annoy the Alliance and make it happen.
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>>4044750
>[ ] Wraith
I mean, how often do you get a chance at a STEALTHED Super?
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>>4044781
Ah, okay.

>>4044750
>[ ] Wraith
I don't think we'll get another chance to salvage one of these again.
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>>4044750

First Choice
>[ ] Wraith

Second Choice
>[ ] Super Carrier

Not Considering
>[ ] Executioner

Thinking on it this way. Long term, is anyone but us going to find the benefit of the Wraith? The house is going to replace the Forbearance soon with another Super, likely with a Sovereign class Super. Meaning any of these three would work well with it. The Executioner providing additional fire power. The Super Carrier providing greater logistics and capability to repair and rebuild out in the field far better then a Heavy Cruiser. And the Wraith being able to scout ahead with stealth parties.

I am going to go ahead and discount the Executioner. Because we’re going to enter a state where hopefully there will be minimal disturbance beyond the usual inter-house bicker and posturing. Also logistics and fuel management is a thing which this thing will eat through as quickly as the Sovereign, which our house is trying last I remember to catch up with and maintain a steady level for eventually supporting two Supers. So this disqualifies the Executioner in my books with its strain on logistics.

The Super Carrier is a really good deal. If we are planning ahead. Where we, Sonia, aren’t conducting anymore fleet deployments. And which everyone in our house currently and in the future should be able to know the value of. Also its boost to logistics capacity is staggering. Though it could also pose a major drag on logistics capacity if not handled carefully. Though I feel the benefits out weigh the costs with this. Especially since it could possibly out perform a Heavy Carrier. Really this is the best choice for long term in my opinion.

The Wraith is a good choice for us personally. Since we live off of stealth and secret operations behind enemy lines. And since it doesn’t use such heavy weapons or shielding as the other ships or even what the Sovereign uses. It could potentially be a good pocket Super which we can bring in for stealthy operations. It main be a drain on fuel, but that’s why we convince the RH to work with us in buffing out fuel economy by working in conjunction with them to study its working cloaking field. This also means they will always have at least one person on a stealth Super that a medium sized house has and could use to potentially devastating affect in inter-house feuds. Plus it’s a stealth Super it is practically screaming Sonia’s new flag ship. Good short/ medium term choice but likely not many outside ourselves and likely House Intelligence would get the most out of it.
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>>4044750
>[ ] Wraith
Even if circumstances mean we use it for a couple years and sell it to the Alliance.
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>>4044750
>[ ] Wraith
>>
What's the name of the other planet being terraformed in the Rioja system? I forgot to add it to the wiki.
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Is Sonia finally going to get wizard powers now the war is over?
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>>4044946
Any support for this? The builder ship is going to be departing soon and who knows when you'll get around to visiting again.
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>>4044945
I think "Kavos"?
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>>4044948
Also keeping in mind the drawbacks. Forgot to add that.
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>>4044948
Nah, I'm not in a hurry to get these.
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>>4044948
Yes. The only reason we did not get any of the upgrades was for fear of the Neeran mystery box. Now that we are sure things are okay we can get the full package. Super soldier mind Wizard Sonia is a go. I'd rather get it while we still actually can.
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>>4044501
AAAAAAAAAA FINALLY NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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>>4044948
Hmmmm. No yet.
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>>4044948
Let's fuckin do it. After all this time, so we can zap people with the lightning gun better.
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>>4044948

>>4044961 Anon has a point and was a reason I was against getting them originally.

But now that we are at the end of the war, is it possible someone could possibly claim we were replaced by a Neeran? You know sorta like Species 8742 from Star Trek who are able to take the form of other species. Not that the Neeran have ever had such an ability, but not like the common man knows.

Yes I am dragging my feet on the issue. It would be good to have them, but I am hesitant to get them.
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>>4044957
>>4044968
If not now then when? Cause the likelihood of being able to get the upgrades sinks the longer time goes on since who knows how long we will be able to hold onto this ship, and tech for? And I don't know about you but I've wanted wizard powers since we found out about the Neeran Bio reactors. I don't really want to wait anymore when the reason we did not get it last was because the Empire had the fuck you Psykers boxes. Which is now no longer a real concern for us.
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>>4045000
Once we've had a couple of years to see how this modifications work out for humans. The ship's upgraded medical systems upgrade can also be applied to every existing caretaker medical suite, so we can have the Rekesh build a couple for us to take back to J-D territory. If you're worried about losing access.
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>>4045017
Pretty sure we looked into replicating the medical systems and the answer was "not for a while."

Hence the whole point of getting juiced up now - we're putting it in our Commando team leads and, as much as I trust them, what happens if one day they decide to start altering memories of people? At least that would insulate Sonia somewhat.
>>
While everyone quibbles over the Executioners you decide to depart the entire argument completely. By trading in your claim for something better. Well better might be a bit subjective but certainly more useful in something approaching peace time by Dominion standards. The other technology you've recovered plus the cloaking systems on the Wraith could let your House maintain its edge for years, maybe decades.

The response from the Ruling House is lukewarm for a few days until Emperor Ber'helum finds out about it. Rather predictably he likes the idea and is excited by the possibilities. Undoubtedly some ideas have just been formed for possible missions your House could be called upon to conduct in secret.

Even if that doesn't happen just having the ship is going to draw attention from many sources. Attention that might have otherwise been focused on other secret operations.

Alex contacts you to talk it over the next day.
"You did discuss this plan with the Count right? He's been trying to even out the House economy and reduce the R&D budget."

"Everybody is always complaining about the R&D budget," you reply. "How much of that budget is paid by my taxes or project investments?"
"Probably a lot more once Rioja actually starts paying the rest of its taxes." Alex mutters in response.

"Was that a shot? Bodyguards, I've been wounded by an interloper masquerading as an ally!"

Once you finish with your bout of theatrics Alex resumes.
"I've been paying full taxes since day one. Not everybody is entirely happy Rioja is still getting tax breaks from the Count this long after the terraforming ended."

"Alright, message received," you raise your hands in surrender. If the other Barons are getting annoyed it's probably a good idea to get working on your planet's finance situation. "I would have had to fix the tax situation on Rioja anyways before heavy terraforming on planet Kavos begins."

Katherine Drake may have beat you to having 2 habitable worlds in 1 system but you're not cheating and making use of a binary system to do it.
"Wait, what were we talking about? I got distracted."
"Research budgets." Alex reminds you.
"Oh right. I'll figure it out. It's not like there wont be time once we're out of targets to salvage right?"
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>>4045034

>R&D budget draw down issues.
>RH wanting to get their hands on Neeran tech we recover.
>RH were willing to work with us in getting the Super Carrier with all the tech inside it.

I still think we could work with RH on studying the Wraiths cloak. When it isn't busy being sent out on missions or even while it is being sent out on missions. Some might complain we are getting to cozy to RH, but we should remind them some J-D nobles are worried RH might claim our goodies at a future date. This might be another good way to get those people to stop worrying. Though they would have a point as other Houses might very well if they are not already, view us as a puppet House of B'H. But that is just everyday Dominion inter house BS.

And if the Count is really against us having the Wraith. He can transfer it to the RH and we can keep the Super Carrier that we captured. Really we kinda covered our bases here from what I’m seeing.
>>
>>4045034
>>4045071
Just wait until the House starts to receive the benefits of the Dominion SP program.
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>>4045021
I briefly skimmed the archives and didn't find anything supporting either of us. I'll happily dump the burden on tstg.

>>4045071
First thing we need to do once we're back is to talk to the Knight who found out what actually happened to the old count. And then hold council with the otherbarons to see what we do about it.
>>
>>4045071
Or put the R&D labs on the Wraith when they're not doing missions? It is a big ship.

>>4045093
>I'll happily dump the burden on tstg.
>>4045021
>"not for a while."
This sounds accurate. There's a lot of tech to be looked into.
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>>4045093
>First thing we need to do once we're back is to talk to the Knight who found out what actually happened to the old count. And then hold council with the otherbarons to see what we do about it.
Big support of this.

>Dominion SP program
Where is that at?
>>
As a pre-emptive suggestion for the Wraith, it might be better to take the time to do a larger overhaul of the ship's systems and convert them to faction equivalents where possible to reduce logistics strain. For example, if we were to cut up some Talos/Sovereign Engine blocks and fit them into housings then we could keep up with Dominion engine technology. The Neeran sure won't be developing upgrade packages for any supers any time soon.
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>>4045104
Thanks. Still not keen on getting the modification done.
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>>4044972
>Yes I am dragging my feet on the issue. It would be good to have them, but I am hesitant to get them.
You're also the deciding vote it would seem.

2 for, 2 against and 1 sort of against for now. Added to Sonia's list of things to get around to.
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>>4044948
Voting against, not yet anyway
>>
Can we coordinate or combine our remaining (minor) salvage claims with the otherJ-D fleet?
>>

>Last thread
>People still don't want psykerSonia
I guess we're never going to see it, just like we're never going to see the Veritas/Helios superweapon annihilate some poor Neeran supercapital.
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>>4045223
I'd be a bit disappointed and pretty shocked if the epilogue gets only one thread.
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>>4045199
>Can we coordinate or combine our remaining (minor) salvage claims with the other J-D fleet?
That should be possible. Some may have bits they could trade, or trade for to get equipment they want for their own fleets. There are bound to be minor Houses who want particular ship types more than others.

Roll 4d100
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Rolled 27, 56, 87, 73 = 243 (4d100)

>>4045186

I'll think on it but really I'm okay with either option.

>>4045293

More Salvage for the Salvage throne!
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Rolled 30, 65, 88, 72 = 255 (4d100)

>>4045293
We also have several poorfag barons who'd probably appreciate the chance to pick something useful for their fleets.
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Rolled 71, 9, 27, 90 = 197 (4d100)

>>4045293
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>>4044700
We have stealth mines, yes? Have it lay out a stealth minefield to run away through. Higher speeds = bigger turning radius so a minefield would really mess them up if they dove into it on an intercept course.
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>>4045186
I'm gonna vote yes.

Gimme that shark style electrosense.
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>>4045344
Also a good point.

Talking over the idea with the other Barons the four of you get to work to see what can be optimised, both for your own fleets and for some of the Barons back home. You and Saputo have the most success, likely thanks to experience in the field or with diplomatic efforts respectfully. Avun doesn't do quite as well having a bit more difficulty, and Tenni has the hardest time.

Despite the minor setbacks you've been able to secure salvage that's a bit more immediately useful to the House as a whole. Attack ships, escort craft, transports, all of it gets to where it's needed.

Over the next week while ships and equipment are transferred you watch the unfolding situation throughout the former Empire. The Ulgean have pushed as close to the capital regions as they intend to and are now looking to other avenues of advancement. There isn't a shortage of opportunities. The Empire's successor states are beginning to come into conflict with each other. Some are remnants of the Empire itself while others are states that have risen in revolt.

The Kythera have expanded from their hiding places and secured regions they once controlled. As previously agreed upon they are not pressing farther, aside from launching raids. There are already negotiations underway to allow refugees who wish to leave their territory to enter the Alliance occupation zone.

Unfortunately it's not just those in distant regions that are making grabs for territory. Some that the Factions have liberated are starting to cause trouble. Relations in the Yang galaxy which you helped secure are stable by comparison.

Alliance occupation units, formed for this exact reason, have already swung into action. The Sector patrol craft and Squire class ships are for the most part proving adequate. When that's not enough the reserve Assault corvette units, medium escorts or even older super heavies are called in. Fortunately there have only been one or two incidents that have required intervention by capital ships.

Talks are already beginning in full among the Factions discussing future fleet drawdown. Meanwhile the Alliance Admiralty are considering requirements for long term peace keeping commitments. Even at this early stage conflicting interests are beginning to form.
>>
It's only been a few days since hearing about the increased Ulgean activity when reports begin to come in. Alliance reserve fleets and a few hunter killer groups pursuing escaping Neeran have largely checked the Ulgean advance. They've even withdrawn from a few minor areas of space that had requested Alliance intervention.

Two Ulgean fleets have vanished under mysterious circumstances. It is widely believed Faction fleets wiped them out, either intentionally or in ambushes intended for the Neeran. Neither side are willing to confirm this at the moment, likely because neither are interested in openly going to war at this stage. Your side has made it clear that if it does come to it you'll make them regret it.

Despite all of this instability your fleet has been given clearance to return home a mere two weeks later. The other J-D fleets have only been in theater a few months so they can afford to wait a bit longer. Their ground forces are still engaged with mopping up actions and securing POWs.

Did you want to return Dreminth as soon as possible or delay for any particular reason?
>>
My notes are a bit of a mess for the next bit. I'm going to resume tommorow after a run to the grocery store.
I had a week long cold beginning the day after boxing day and have had a dry cough every since. I'm being told by other people who had the same thing the cough lasted 5 weeks.
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>>4045614
> Did you want to return Dreminth as soon as possible or delay for any particular reason?

Wanna go see our kids! We've been gone too long. We should pick up some exclusice tech too to give to them to show off to their friends.

Do they have modified miniature warrel bodyguard dogs? About the size of a terrier? Terrorier?
>>
>>4045614
I don't see a reason for us to be delayed any longer so let's go back.
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>>4045614
How much longer would the other fleets be waiting before they could leave?

Maybe it's worth meeting with the Emperor for a debrief and timing it so that all JD fleets arrive back home at once. The PR would probably be good, "The Viscount and her Forces return safely."

Because we need to start playing the long political game now. If anything were to ever happen and we were forced into conflict with the House leadership...
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>>4045498
>Even at this early stage conflicting interests are beginning to form

>>4045614
>Two Ulgean Fleets disappear for no reason.
Nope not touching that or this. Those are all someone else's problem now.

>Cleared to go home.
Let us go home. We’ve done our bid for House and Emperor. Now let us enjoy some well-deserved time off and see what kind of shit show we are greeted to by the House and the Count.


>Caretaker Upgrades
After thinking on it some. There are good points to getting the Sphere Caretaker/ Neeran upgrades. Such as being able to better use the Builder Artifacts to much greater effect. Keep our rivals on their toes and make them wonder if we are aware of their thoughts or not. Just a few to name.

But there are down sides as well. The anti-psyker box is an issue we are not going to have to worry about unless we have enemies on par to one of the seven. So I am not going to bother considering it anymore.

What does worry me is that we are already pushing the boundaries of acceptable upgrades for a human. Doubtlessly people are going to wonder if we are still the Original Sonia. Or an imposter. And going with the Caretaker/ Neeran upgrades will add fuel to those claims and those who would work against us in the future. And just because we can get those upgrades does not mean we should. As once it becomes knowledge that it is possible to give people Caretaker/ Neeran upgrades. Albeit far into the future, there may be new laws put into place dissuading nobles or knights or even barons from getting those upgrades. When the commoners begin to fear they are being mind controlled by the nobility. And let us not forget, the Neeran Empire did use their powers over their subjects. A Dominion knight never mind a Baron having an upgrade could set a dangerous precedent. As I would not put it past other Houses, especially the Houses that still practice slavery to use these powers to further the use of slavery. Only without the need for explosive collars since they can just use a knight or a proxy to dominate their slave’s minds and force them to work. To abuse these Caretaker/ Neeran upgrades in a way reminiscent of the Neeran Empire.

Really, just worried about:

A: People thinking us a Neeran Infiltrator that replaced Sonia.
Although, this could be a good movie premise. If we use a made up House. Heck we could have a Dominion Vampire Noble from the other movie we are going to make to screw with the one Terran FA Admiral. Face off against the Neeran Infiltrator Noble.
B: Anti-Psyker bias being formed due to understandable fears.
C: Being barred from talking to the Emperor or the Count. On Fears we are controlling their minds.
>>
>>4045733
> All these worries

We're rich and have our own army. People can STFU.
>>
>>4045186
also going to support gettign these upgrades
>>4046158
yeah this wouldn't be the craziest thing sonja has ever done, most people already believewe got a screw lose anyway
>>
>>4045614
I'd prefer to make a stop in the home territories on the way back to Sonia's planet.
>>
What are we gonna be naming the Wraith?
>>
>>4046158
>We're rich and have our own army.
So does many other people.
>>
I've always thought the Neeran would make that "wortwortwort" sound the elites made in halo 1.
>>
>>4046415
I was thinking more the Yahg from Mass Effect due to their similar bulk.

>>4046276
>I'd prefer to make a stop in the home territories on the way back to Sonia's planet.
Well yes there would be a parade through the capital of course.

>>4045688
>How much longer would the other fleets be waiting before they could leave?
Until they can get the ground situation and POWs under control and shipped out in their assigned systems. That could take awhile.

If your engineers could help with getting the big guns removed from the Apex and then provide some LSTs and ground support for your fellow Barons it could be cut down substantially. Versa estimates the best case would be 4-6 weeks.

[ ] Return home immediately
[ ] Delay and help the other J-D fleets
>>
>>4046801
>[ ] Return home immediately
>>
>>4046801

Ask Rna and Tama what moral is like in the fleet and army. If moral is low and people want to go home. We go home. If it is at a sufficient level to stand being here a bit longer. Then we stay a little bit.
>>
>>4046801
>[ ] Delay and help the other J-D fleets
Voting so we can all go home together.
>>
>>4046801
>[ ] Return home immediately
We've earned our return home at this point.
>>
>>4046801
>[ ] Delay and help the other J-D fleets
>>
>>4046818
The fleet is certainly weary, as are the army units that took part in boarding the super carrier. Half the army is still in good shape though and are prepared for a few more weeks of action if necessary.
>>
>>4046801
>>4046854

Lets head home.
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>>4046854
Offer volunteers the option to get sent to the main J-D fleet to support the House ground troops still involved in combat. Aside from that, let's head home.
>>
>>4046392
Not if they start shit with Sonia.
>>
>>4046801
> [ ] Return home immediately
>>
>>4046801
>Return home immediately
>>
The Rioja and Alaior fleets return through the gate and set course for the J-D homeworlds. Once back in House space your units split off. Alex and his fleet didn't participate in combat and he doesn't wish to draw attention away from your exploits.

Arriving in orbit above Dreminth you have the fleet make the usual flypast and orbit of the plant before coming in to dock. Despite the manner in which you left the planet the last time you were here there are no shortages of crowds along the parade route to the capital. All signs of damage from the riots have been cleaned up. Aside from a few buildings looking newer than the others you wouldn't have known there had been an uprising a year or two ago.

Caius Jerik looks a bit older and wiser than he did at your last meeting. He hasn't been able to match his father's skill at public speaking for events such as these but he'd been doing a good job with the day to day. He's better at talking to the people than making a spectacle. As a few of your friends and acquaintances tell you he's getting better at it all.

As much as you'd like to rush home after the parades awards and ceremonies, there is important work to be done. Namely talks with the other Barons to discuss how things are going with Caius at the helm. It would be best to wait until the other 3 Barons return home but they're going to be awhile.

Archivald, Dremine and Xisoth have been keeping a close eye on things. The political factions are in constant debate, looking for an edge that will let them push their agenda with the Council and the Count. Caius also has his own goals, though he has been careful not to pursue them with anything beyond his personal property. The once blurry line between resources belonging to the House and to the Count are being made much more clear for the sake of securing support from the Reformers and Egalitarian parties.

"Things were so much easier when it was just the old guard and new nobility," you complain.

This get a laugh from Archivald.
"It was never that simple, it merely looked that way."

Dremine agrees. "There were so many minor political factions just on Dreminth itself I could never keep track of all of them. Even with the splinter factions the rebellion actually simplified things immensely from my perspective."

Xisoth hasn't really noticed the change as much in the former Erid territories. Most of those that rose up against the J-D forces there were separatists and some die hard Erid nationalists. Now all that's left are nobles who think they should be running their respective planets instead of the current Governors.

Caius is quietly working on projects in the former outer colonies with his own resources. Given time one or two of them might be suitable for a Barony. He also has made it clear where the posts for the next Baron would be located and none of them are to be found there.
>>
>>4045093
>First thing we need to do once we're back is to talk to the Knight who found out what actually happened to the old count. And then hold council with the other barons to see what we do about it.

Felix Ekwueme has remained in the homeworlds since the rebellion and uprising. Officially he's taken over duties at one of the training bases to help make up for the loss of Knight Dayton and others who were killed or stripped of their command. Unofficially the Barons believe he has become much more involved in House black ops and internal intrigue.

Did you want to talk to him yourself or request a meeting between him and the Barons?
>>
>>4047331

Lets talk with him one on one for now. If it was one of the current Barons that played a hand we want to know before inviting them. And if it was member from one of the factions we dont want to invite a baron from that group Tenni. But if it was some one from outside the house then we definitly want all barons on board. Especialy if it was the Terrans Rovinar or Krath.
>>
>>4047331
I think a private talk first is a better idea. Who knows who was actually involved in that nightmare.
>>
>>4047331
One on one now. Then we can see later if we need to share.
>>
It takes some work but you manage to make an appointment to see Felix when he's not busy or in meetings. Away from the capital at the main training base seems like the safest place.

Before that though you have to say goodbye to Versa. She'll be departing the command ship in the next day or so and heading back to Terran space. Of course you offer to let her stay if she wants. Regardless of the consequences the AI could request political asylum. Versa politely declines.

"For lack of a better word I grew up in Terran space. Ultimately that is home to me, not here."

You're rather surprised the Terrans didn't order her immediately handed over once you came back through the gate to the Centri Cluster. Even if they were confident Versa would refuse such an offer.

"I believe they intended for me to hack the planetary information networks of your capital. Most likely to look for data they missed during the allegedoperation during the civilian uprising. Of course that would be a treaty violation so I ignored their... suggestions."

You heave a sigh of relief. You never would have heard the end of it if you'd screwed over the House networks by bringing a Terran AI near them.
"Thank you. Dont forget to write, and let me know if you ever need anything!"

Once back aboard the Outer Heaven you set course for the training facility. It isn't long before you're looking over the familiar features of the Majestic. The old Senate class heavy carrier saw a lot of action for the House and its hull is at the end of its life expectancy. Considering a lot of that hull was rebuilt from scattered bits of scrap it was something of a miracle its short second career lasted as long as it did. Now it acts as an enclosed ship dock for the training base.

You've arrived just after lessons are done for the day. Judging by what felt like a hull impact after you came onboard some of the trainees need a bit of work. As the Knight explains there has been a gradual decline in quality of the recruits. Fortunately there are ways of ensuring the less skilled pilots end up in command of expensive high performance ships. Shuttle crews are always in need for instance.

"Oof, I remember my first time flying a shuttle while still in the corvette training units. I couldn't control the thrust vectoring system properly and ran into a building."

This gets a chuckle from Felix. "That sounds like some of our more troubled pilots. What can I do for you Viscount? Quite a few people seem to be coming to me with their problems lately, as though I could just magically make them go away."

>What say?
>>
>>4047528
>What say?
"The last time we spoke you indicated it might prove prudent to have a longer chat at some point in the future. If possible, I'd like to take care of any potential business in DRH1 before I return to Rioja."
>>
>>4047528

What >>4047536 anon suggests.
>>
>>4047536
Supporting this.

Maybe move the conversation to a secure location which our bodyguards have swept for listening devices
>>
>>4047536
Support
>>
>>4047536
>I'd like to take care of any potential business in DRH1 before I return to Rioja.
Do you maybe mean the homeworlds instead of DRH1? If not please specify for my sake.
>>
>>4047591
Just say "any potential business here".
>>
>>4047591
Yes, the homeworlds. For some reason I thought DRG1 is the main factions galaxy while writing that. Sorry.
>>
>>4047596
Centri Cluster you're thinking of.
>>
>>4044501
FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION!

>>4047597
Where is Sonia's sister right now? Will it be possible to meet soon?
>>
>>4047759
>Where is Sonia's sister right now?
In South Reach probably, or on her way to the homeworlds on vacation. One of those.
>>
"The last time we spoke you indicated it might prove prudent to have a longer chat at some point in the future. If possible, I'd like to take care of any potential business here in the Centri Cluster before I return to Rioja. Do you have a place that's secure we can talk?"

"My work office."

Felix's office doesn't look like much, with obvious signs of structural repairs and modifications by engineering crews at one point or another in the past. Once both of you are inside he pops open a breaker box with markings from the Surakeh refit yards. A flipped switch later the younger Knight declares the room safe from listening devices. Provided you dont have any hardwired to your nervous system that is.

"A crude but effective disguise for a jamming system. It was a... I guess you could call it a suggestion in my Uncle's journal."

"Can you tell me what happened? I'd heard you killed the Count's assassin, or the one who set it up at least, and you certainly didn't come back with your Uncle like you'd planned. I was kicking myself for asking intel to help instead of private investigators. My people were worried it would turn into a lose 1d3 investigators per round kind of mission."

Felix sits down, all the while shaking his head.
"No, you did the right thing. My uncle was the only one we caught up with. He killed the Count, or at least made sure it would happen. Despite all of that he wasn't going to start killing people from House intelligence, not if he could help it. Not when a better option was available. "

Silence hangs in the room until you finally ask the all important question: "Why?"

"My Uncle was an operative with House intelligence when Gernot Sigurd Jerik came to power. Enough Barons and Governors were quick to support his selection by the Council that it avoided a serious battle over the succession. Some still resisted it, and those who did so too forcefully were made to disappear. Jerik didn't want House intelligence as a whole to be too heavily involved in this. There would have been leaks eventually, and Tatiana Bogdanić would have had too much material to hold over the Earl.

My Uncle became the knife in the dark that held the House together at a vital moment. He solved problems off the grid. He also documented everything as leverage should someone try to come after him once he retired. Secrets that could cripple the House. Contacts, leverage, weapons, money.
He knew he couldn't go back once I caught up with him so he gave it all to me."
Felix gazes off into the distance.
"He forced me to kill him. He said that it was the only way."

"But why kill the Count if he had all that leverage?"
>>
>>4047802
"Jerik had made some idealistic promises early on in his career. Ones it turned out he couldn't keep. He tried to fight back against corruption but soon enough he was too busy keeping the House nobles from infighting to really bother. All of the Barons, the Council and the new Count have seen it. Even with a booming economy the House was being weighed down by graft and concessions made to keep powerful nobles in line and cooperative. A good portion of that is gone now."

"Was killing him really worth all that?" you ask.
"I wasn't saying I agreed, but the House is saving enough money to buy and support a new heavy carrier every year now. That's just from what was being paid in bribes.
I'm hoping I can use some of what my Uncle left me to do some good for the House."
>>
>Other questions?
>>
>>4047806
All of that bloodshed and havoc, just to save some money - sad state of affairs.

>What is his take on the current Count, Council and crop of Barons?
>Is there anything we should personally be worried about?
>What is his plan moving forward?
>>
>>4047807
Are the two actually dead or will they get to enjoy a proper retirement a galaxy or two away, a couple of centuries in the future?

>"I wasn't saying I agreed, but the House is saving enough money to buy and support a new heavy carrier every year now. That's just from what was being paid in bribes.
Why is Count Jr. trying to squeeze more money out of Rioja if that is the case?

Is Vanderwal secretly doing anything Sonia wouldn't approve of?
>>
>>4047806
Oh jeez. That's a fair amount in bribes.
Who were the biggest offenders?
And why of all people is he telling us? Support for eventual Count Reynard?
His opinion on the new Count?

Supporting all of >>4047818
>>
>>4047807
So, his Uncle was the equivalent to the Shadow Broker from Mass Effect? Sorry if this is a poor similarity to make.

Also god damn that is a lot of money that was freed up if that much was tied down in bribes and shit.

>Other questions?

Does he want a favor in return for this information? Also, would he be willing to talk to the other Barons about it? Or at least if he would rather not talk to them, and has not already, anonymously pass around to the other Barons that the murderer of the Count is dead? Or would that raise to much suspicion?

Does he want an extra pair of eyes to help watch his back? Or would that just draw to much attention?

What’s his take on the ‘Young Upstarts’ faction? Or any of the other factions? Should we be warry of them anymore than we should of the other groups?

How badly have we messed things up for the House in not bringing the Young Upstarts to the field of battle?

Any chance he can give us names of nobles that should disappear that were giving the previous and current Count trouble?

>>4047845
It’s not just the Count. Remember what Alex said, other Barons are upset we are still getting tax discount. This was an eventuality. And we did tell the Count before we returned to Rioja after his crowning. That we would look at and start making changes in our taxes in preparation for the normal tax level to hit Rioja.
>>
>>4047845
>Is Vanderwal secretly doing anything Sonia wouldn't approve of?

That’s a good one to ask too.
>>
>>4047818
>All of that bloodshed and havoc, just to save some money - sad state of affairs.
"It wasn't just about the money. Uncle really hoped the old Count would pull through, hold to his ideals. Reality is often disappointing."

>What is his take on the current Count, Council and crop of Barons?
"The council is a mess but maybe they can make it work. Now that more of the House finances are in the open, at least to the council, it's more obvious when people are cheating the system. Archivald, Dremine and Saputo helped them kick out some of the trouble makers trying to sneak in. As long as the Barons are actually working to help instead of hinder I think things will be alright."

>What is his plan moving forward?
"My career goals didn't involve becoming an avenging angel but some times things need to be surgically removed for the good of the House. My uncle used to farm out work at different drop points for awhile. A plastic redwood tree with a clock built into at a shopping mall it was one, a phone booth out in the desert was another.
I haven't decided yet if I'll do anything like that but if I do I certainly wont be telling you about it."

>Is there anything we should personally be worried about?
"Rioja is a new world, your spymaster would have a better idea. I could look into some people that have relocated from Dreminth to there if you're willing to trade favours. Some of your intel for some of mine."

>Ask your spymaster to arrange a trade? Y/N?
>>
>>4047895
>Ask your spymaster to arrange a trade? Y/N?
Let our spymaster decide. He's the expert and it's his work that will be impacted by this.

>I haven't decided yet if I'll do anything like that but if I do I certainly wont be telling you about it."
"Why not? Technically, I'm in my early 20s again.
>>
>>4047895

>>Ask your spymaster to arrange a trade? Y/N?

Let Vanderwall make that decision.
>>
>>4047895
> A plastic redwood tree with a clock built into at a shopping mall it was one, a phone booth out in the desert was another.

Huh. That phone booth sounds familiar.

Should we offer to help with wetwork? We kinda specialize in it.


>Ask your spymaster to arrange a trade? Y/N?

Y
>>
>>4047845
>Are the two actually dead or will they get to enjoy a proper retirement a galaxy or two away, a couple of centuries in the future?
If you mean the Count and Felix's uncle then barring cloning shenanigans they are dead and gone.

>"I wasn't saying I agreed, but the House is saving enough money to buy and support a new heavy carrier every year now. That's just from what was being paid in bribes.
>Why is Count Jr. trying to squeeze more money out of Rioja if that is the case?
Because your tax breaks are several years past due.

Be glad Barons and Governors dont have to deal with an actual tax agency when things go wrong, they just have to call up the guy in charge for help with their macro transactions. In real life some of us have to deal with shit like compound MONTHLY interest when there's an error. Shit sucks.

>Is Vanderwal secretly doing anything Sonia wouldn't approve of?
I dunno, probably if you left him unattended? It's why he has to run stuff past your other advisors before he can act on it most of the time. Partly why Verilis Rah'ne is there keeping an eye on the House garrison fleet.

>>4047854
>Who were the biggest offenders?
"People that the Count and Council have dealt with in an appropriate manner."

>And why of all people is he telling us? Support for eventual Count Reynard?
Because you dont want the job of Count. Everybody knows this. He'd be grateful If you didnt tell everyone what you've just been talking about though.

More seriously you have history with intel and black ops and know how to make use of it. It would be good for one or more of the Barons to know that his services are available for the good of the House if need be.

>His opinion on the new Count?
He seems to want to do the right thing for the House. At the same time he still has ambitions and should be watched.
>>
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>>4047961
>Huh. That phone booth sounds familiar.
It should be for people with long memories or that have read H&D in it's entirety recently.
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>>4047992
Never forget jumping from a speeding aerocar using the grapple to slow down. I bet Sonia could perform that maneuver even better now.

>>4047984
Does he have any info on Fox?
>>
>>4047992

Wasn't there for that bit, but that was an interesting section to read, surprised we were acting so close to someone with so much intel.
>>
>>4047984
>you mean the Count and Felix's uncle then barring cloning shenanigans they are dead and gone.
Ouch. He is working on a better retirement plan, right?
>>
>>4047895
>Rioja is a new world
True, but most of our political enemies have traditionally been in the House core worlds...

Does he think we should do anything specifically to help the House (beyond the tax breaks)? Or just keep truckin along?
>>
>>4047861
>So, his Uncle was the equivalent to the Shadow Broker from Mass Effect? Sorry if this is a poor similarity to make.
It's not a terrible one but nowhere near that powerful.

>Does he want a favor in return for this information?
At this stage he's more interested in information for information.

>Does he want an extra pair of eyes to help watch his back?
No he has it covered.

>What’s his take on the ‘Young Upstarts’ faction? Or any of the other factions? Should we be wary of them anymore than we should of the other groups?
The upstarts broke up into the Egalitarian Coalition and Social Union, with many more moderate members eventually joining the Progressive Reformers.
Felix personally thinks the YU were a bunch of idiots for letting the radicals get out of hand and start running things.

>How badly have we messed things up for the House in not bringing the Young Upstarts to the field of battle?
It could have been a bloodbath for the House depending on when it broke out. Maybe if you won a few dramatic victories it might have broken their morale and allowed a quick end to it all? Hard to say.

>Any chance he can give us names of nobles that should disappear that were giving the previous and current Count trouble?
He's going to hold off on that for now.

>Also, would he be willing to talk to the other Barons about it? Or at least if he would rather not talk to them, and has not already, anonymously pass around to the other Barons that the murderer of the Count is dead? Or would that raise to much suspicion?
If you wanted to pass out a business card maybe?

How much info did you want to give the other Barons?
A) Sonia acts as a go between to the Barons (keep him anon)
B) Enough to contact him anonymously for assistance
C) Confirm that Felix has intel contacts/assets available
D) C + tell them the Uncle killed the Count
>>
>>4048071
>A)
If he did not want to stay anonymous, he would have already contacted them. Although I would be okay with offering option B) to him in case he's ever interested.
>>
>>4048071
> A) Sonia acts as a go between to the Barons (keep him anon)

Never give out your hookup.
>>
>>4048071

>A) Sonia acts as a go between to the Barons (keep him anon)

We will just have to be careful about contacting him in the future if we need or wanting anything from him. And he needing or wanting anything from us.
>>
>>4048071
>B) Enough to contact him anonymously for assistance
>>
>>4048071
>A) Sonia acts as a go between to the Barons (keep him anon)

Control of information is key
>>
"I'm not planning on outing you to the Barons so dont worry about that. If you want I'd be willing to act as a go between."

Felix answers that he may take you up on that. As for your concerns about enemies in the homeworlds that have it out for you that seems to be a less common thing these days. Proximity does a lot and you're just far enough away to be inconvenient to bother with. Unlike Winifred who has often been seen as so far away that she wouldn't be able to retaliate against enemies in the homeworlds.

Having the leading members of the Harmen family on side is an added bonus. Because of this you have strong ties to the Conservator and Progressive Reformers. Your political rivals in the old guard cant afford to have you as an adversary any longer when they need support against the Egalitarian Coalition. Following your wedding Matyáš Fox had even sent a representative asking for something of a cease fire.

Promising to talk to your spymaster about the offer of information exchange you wish Felix well and return to the Outer Heaven.

Any topics you wanted to discuss with the Barons in light of the new information?
Things to take care of in the homeworlds? (Besides seeing your parents.)
>>
Resuming tomorrow.
>>
>>4048381
>Any topics you wanted to discuss with the Barons in light of the new information?
Plans for their respective planets and the house moving into a new era? Maybe one of them needs something the other has etc.

>>4048381
>Things to take care of in the homeworlds? (Besides seeing your parents.)
Visit the Kavos memorial, because the war is finally over.
Look into getting a puppy we promised the kids? I bet all the dogs on Rioja are subversive Terran breeds.
>>
>>4048381
>Following your wedding Matyáš Fox had even sent a representative asking for something of a cease fire.
Awww, how nice of him. No. Fox can go fuck himself with a chainsaw.

>Any topics you wanted to discuss with the Barons in light of the new information?
>Things to take care of in the homeworlds? (Besides seeing your parents.)

Can't think of anything at this moment in time.
>>
>>4048381
>Things to take care of in the homeworlds? (Besides seeing your parents.)
Say hello to Troy's parents?
Visit the lodge and relax for a day or two.
Spend a day at the fleet club.
Pay our respects to the count and the council. We can't really show up on the homeworlds in an official capacity without checking in on either.

Package the following people for shipment to the builder vessel for repairs and rejuvination:
-Sonia's parents
-Duncan
-Old man Petras
-Knight Devante Cu'paher
-Anyone in the fleet club who's suffering from a debilitating disease or decided to go into stasis for medical reasons. Or just growing too old in general - Sylvan should be in his 70s at this point, I think.
Open a Vampires' club for people who got the treatment, meet each year a week before Halloween.
>>
>>4049110
Sylvan juiced himself up with Vekcron energy didn't he? Or I might be thinking of someone else.
>>
>>4049130
That's Saputo, I think.
>>
>>4049135
Yeah that seems more correct now that I think about it.
>>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W167C2shx1U

By the time the Outer Heaven returns to Dreminth your gravity well generator has finally caught up with the fleet. It had taken a few days but they were able to make a series of jumps to rescue one of the long range battleships that had been forced to drop out of FTL in a bad location. As for the other one that simply vanished there was no way to get close enough to search for them. The region was too thick with gravitational anomalies and distortions. They're declared missing, presumed killed in action.

Before the next round of meetings with the Barons you attend funerals for those lost on campaign. Those that hadn't wanted to be memorialized on Rioja that is. Towards the end of the first day you stop by Kavos grave marker.

"It's over, this pointless war. It's been going on so long that it might be more accurate to say that the peace is just beginning. I don't know if it's going to be something that lasts or just a speed bump on the way to something worse.
I'm going to keep looking out for your family. Not too much, just making sure they stay out of trouble. They'll have a chance to settle on that planet I'm naming after you if they want. That whole project should keep me going for awhile. Keep me from doing anything crazy like running off on another adventure. Maybe. Not entirely ruling it out.

I still miss you. Maybourne has been keeping on eye on things for me like you wanted so in a way it's like you've still got my back. Thanks.
I may not be able to visit for awhile. Family, the job, you know how it is. That doesn't mean I've forgotten. I may be as old physically as when we met now but I haven't forgotten. I'm not going to."

With that you decide to leave before you say anything really stupid. Or before the media figures out where you are and interrupts.
>>
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>>4049468
And I forgot to add the picture.
>>
>>4049468
Kavos missed immortality by what? 5 years? 7? How upset do the factions get about time travel, BTW?
>>
>>4049522
He probably wouldn't have taken it having no interest in outliving their children or grandchildren.
>>
>>4049468
Kind words for one of the best. I miss this nigga and his words of wisdom all the time.

>media
I'm looking forward to messing with the Terran press on Rioja at some point again.
>>
>>4049529
>I'm looking forward to messing with the Terran press on Rioja at some point again.
Holding a press conference saying we're going to make a important announcement, only to end up showing them pictures our kids drew?
>>
>>4049525
We are probably able to convert existing Dro'all into whatever model the immortal's body is without killing them first, now that we have the builder ship. That would theoretically allow to even turn his whole family immortal as they'd only need one treatment and wouldn't require continued use like Humans do at the moment.
>>
>>4049538
Only take questions from Terran Infowars reporters.
>>
>>4049548
I mean sure, maybe if you knew about that.
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>>4049556
Sonia will inquire about Dro'all upgrades sooner or later, it makes sense to ask about existing procedures to have something to work with, and we're besties with the Emperor. Even if he doesn't mention the Immortal. We couldn't really ask the Terrans about previous attempts for obvious reason but it shouldn't be a problem for data on Dro'all.
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>>4049548
That sounds like a political nightmare worse than "Versa AI refugee cyber-knight."
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>>4049563
Sonia hasn't gotten where she is now by neing completely rational.

Like.

We JUST offered Versa asylum.

Anyways our next step should be sending her a flesh and blood body she can use as a peripheral. Dominion cloning tech is the best after all.

We can talk to the Kythera about how to go about it as well.
>>
>>4049563
I still stand by that being a good idea. Terrans be damned. They can go fuck themselves. Knight-Commander Versa Cerrowon (01) ahoy!
>>
Meeting with the Barons again the group discusses more practical concerns. Funding will need to shift a peace time footing soon and that may not leave everyone in the best position. Your industry and shipyards have plenty of civilian options and will either change over to those or simply slow production to more sustainable levels. Even with the anticipated drop in income you're in a better position to help than some others.

Mothballing fleets in secure locations isn't new to your House. Entire wings of standard corvettes were once parked at holding and logistics facilities. Partly how you were able to field so many refit Attack Corvette II's.
A return of piracy is a concern now more than ever. If people hit holding facilities belonging to your House they'd be able to make off with some very dangerous ships and equipment. The Rioja fleet is well prepared for this. Mons Abyla base can store plenty of mothballed corvettes. They'll be safe and out of the way there.

The Alliance asteroid FOB builder you acquired and brought along with your fleet could be useful to the other Barons. Hollowing out an asteroid would certainly be cheaper than constructing a new space dock to park unused ships in.

Shuffling of other assets are discussed as well. Few things are set in stone as a result, but everyone agrees to hold regular meetings to help keep things stable over the next few years. A united front to make sure the House will be ready if anyone else tries to test you.

What to do about the Super Carrier is an issue that wont be solved quickly. It's going to need extensive refits, similar to what was done with the Qlippoth, to allow it to better maintain Faction ships and tech. Some of the onboard manufacturing will be removed to keep producing top level Neeran tech.

The Ruling House and members of the Seven are already starting to ask about allowing scientists access to captured R&D data. Even before the ship arrived in House space the Count requested protection from the Ruling House to ensure the tech data wasn't destroyed by the Terrans or someone else.
Examples of Veckron and shield piercing weapon data has already been flow off to remote locations so that it's not all in one place. To say that the Terran and Rovinar ambassadors are displeased would be something of an understatement.

Did you want to personally review any of the tech data?
>>
>>4049662

>Did you want to personally review any of the tech data?

Yes, but I can already guess the Count and the rest of the House do not want us to lay claim to most of it. Since they want to get the R&D budget under control. Still would be nice to know what exactly we got out of capturing it. And we can just sell it to one of the seven or a larger allied house after it is fixed.
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>>4049662
Does the ship have manufacturing data for Neeran Jello shields?
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>>4049662
>Did you want to personally review any of the tech data?
Do we want to go over a bit of our delicious salvage? I don't know, do we? Ofcourse we do!

>Mothballing fleets
Perhaps we should hold off on that for a while considering the nature of the tech captured in the ship... And uh... a certain other secret project related to it that we've yet to hear about. The time is nigh for the Dominion SP project.
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>>4049662
Yes. Maybe we split pieces of the data between each Baron so that we're all in agreement if we ever want to develop/trade with it?
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>>4049662
Why mothball fleets when we can rent them out to the warring states in the collapsing Neeran Empire?
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>>4049758
>>4049662
We could explicitly rent them out only for defense, allowing said states to put more ships of their own into their attempts at conquest.

That way we could rent fleets out to both sides.
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>>4049758
I think it's probably also a good time to review which ship types are worth keeping around, and what should be sold off.
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>>4049759
>We could explicitly rent them out only for defense
What could possibly go wrong with this?
>allowing said states to put more ships of their own into their attempts at conquest.
And it had been answered for me.

Just to be sure there hasn't been a mistake on my part: you want to actively sell weapons to warring parties the Factions and the Alliance are actively try to stop from fighting with their peacekeeping efforts?
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>>4049784

>H&D Gun Running Edition

Pass.
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>>4049784
I don't see the problem. I mean, they got to get their weapons from somewhere or they might try killing each other with inferior weapons! Besides, it's legal and we make a profit. Absolutely nothing can go wrong with this.
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>>4049784
Sell em baby
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>>4049784
I'm definitely not in favor of doing anything that can keep the conflict going.
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>>4049790
>>4049795
>>4049805
>>4049808
>Tie vote
>H&D
Who would have guessed?

At any rate there was an agreement not to sell or provide modern ships to the Empire's successor states made just before the invasion. No assault corvettes, fast battleships, or your high end attack cruisers. Just older vessels that might have once been suitable for use in the mixed wings.
Things that most mercenary groups would likewise want to get their hands on.
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>>4049784
No, I want us to participate in peacekeeping efforts by renting out ships, not selling them, thereby protecting civilians and infrastructure as well as trade with the Dominion while the nationa exercise their rights of liberty and self determination.

If that includes destroying each others armed forces, well, that's up to them.

Of course nations that refuse our peacekeeping efforts will be at a disadvantage, but we can hardly force them to purchase our peacekeeping services.

It'd be a real shame if any nations exhausted themselves so much on a war that they became dependent on our forces, though.
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>>4049838
We aren't providing them with ships.

Our ships just happen to be in the area, and will only intervene to prevent civilian deaths or non-military infrastructure.

We can just have really heavily armed, really slow, trade conveys.
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>>4049838
I'm gonna vote no until the situation stabilises at least. We wouldn't want to sell to a state that would turn around and start provoking allied forces and borders.
Maybe the Rekesh though.
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>>4049872
The term you're looking for is "protection racket."
Using deniable assets like mercenaries would be better than directly tying yourself to such activity.
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>>4049838

>Things that most mercenary groups would likewise want to get their hands on.

The most I'd be willing to bend on this, is selling to either Mercs we know/ trust that operate out there. Or to SRL groups that are on good terms with us or our House. Since we most likely would be selling such equipment to the SRL and mercs anyways.

What Mercs or SRL does out there with those ships/ equipment is their business and most people can do is discourage us from selling to said mercs or the SRL. Not hitting us with sanctions and shit. Where as selling directly to the warring groups out there will just invite trouble and actual legal action and sanctions.

Would still rather not go gun running.
>>
Wanting to get a look at some of the tech that's been captured you head to Loran. Security is tight around the tech vaults and bays with experimental ships. Powerful active scanners prevent anyone in recon armor from getting inside the storage areas while invisible. Both your bodyguards deactivate their camo while aboard.

Mike already evaulated a few of the warships while the Carrier was stuck at the gate. Odd corvettes that could be produced more cheaply and easily with a lower tech base, captured Faction ships, even a Neeran designed assault corvette. The last has is believed to have mounting points to quickly change out weapon types for ease of upgrade. For things like the Veckron corvette there's nothing left but data.

As the engineers who have stayed onboard the entire time tell you, the Neeran Assault Corvette was probably intended to be a big deal. There is data on development of SP beam weapons it could be equipped with eventually. The guns weren't finished, being too large to use on such a craft.

You recall intelligence reports about attack cruiser or battleship sized vessels with shield piercing particle beams. One of the Ruling House special forces officers confirms that they were encountered by other Dominion forces. Data on them is also aboard. Each full sized beam weapon used a Veckron core that was used to irradiate the outgoing particle stream.

Fortunately for the Alliance, combat experience showed that the particle beams couldnt reliably deal enough damage to kill anything larger than an attack cruiser. At the same time the size of the guns made it difficult for them to hit fast moving corvettes. If anything the subspace radiation being emitted was more dangerous than the particle stream.
>>
When it comes to the V-torp corvette data things look fairly straight forward. A good portion of the hull was supposed to be reinforced with the same sort of phasing lattice found on many torpedoes. Material stockpiles onboard would indicate there had been a change, tweaking the material properties slightly. The techs indicate it's much closer to that used on SP torpedoes, minus the embedded particle flux that seem to give the weapons their unique properties.

Even without Versa's input from the battle it's clear enough that this isn't a coincidence. The amplified subspace fields from the veckron core should interact with the modified lattice in some manner.

"The longer the weapon is turned on the stronger the torpedo casing gets," you mutter.
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>>4049889
No, it's peacekeeping!

Hey, doesn't that Medel kid gave a merc group?
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>>4049980
Now that's some spicy data cores.
Did we end up keeping that High Guard class the Neeran had modified? We had the choice of either keeping it or giving it to the RH.
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>>4049980
So does it have a point of diminishing returns? Can the energy in the strengthened casing be shielded from?
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>>4049691
>Does the ship have manufacturing data for Neeran Jello shields?
Sort of. You'd still need one of your people with the caretaker enhancement to make use of it in its current state. The Neeran designed the control systems this way for them intentionally to prevent rebels from making use of them.

The Alliance has been working to reverse engineer them. Presumably they have working prototypes by now, but since the Neeran hadn't been rolling out mass produced SP weapons yet it wasn't worth the added cost and complexity of introducing them.

>>4050027
>Did we end up keeping that High Guard class the Neeran had modified?
I believe you kept it.

>>4050076
>So does it have a point of diminishing returns?
It does, though the strengthened cases should be fully capable of shield penetration at only a fraction off that strength. Provided a current is run through it like normal SP torpedoes that is.

>Can the energy in the strengthened casing be shielded from?
Whatever trace elements the cases pick up is permanently embedded within their structure. Faction shields can't stop it, only slow it down, or that's what the Neeran were finding. The Terrans would know better than anyone about how to develop a shield that could stop SP weapons and subspace radiation.
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>>4050092
Maybe as an act of goodwill we could throw the Terrans a bone? Some small inconsequential piece of data if they already know what we're poking around at with these discoveries. Presumably they would have guessed or made a deduction based on the Count arranging protection.
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>>4050126
>Maybe as an act of goodwill we could throw the Terrans a bone?
Before engaging in diplomacy with potentially hostile foreign powers we should speak with Fadila.
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>>4050092
I just mean, if the material can be strengthened enough would it make sense to make a ship out of it if we could shield the internals from radiation?
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>>4050134
Completely agree, maybe discuss with RH as well.
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>>4050142
Or we could use actual subspace to harden the exterior hull made from this material before assembling the actual starship.
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>>4050134
Yeah, maybe we can use this to flush out terran spies somehow.

Give them slightly incorrect data, then let the correct data slip to suspicious people and see if it gets through.
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>>4050142
Note: Physically strengthening the material wont block subspace radiation that's bleeding into real space. I have stated this a few times before though I dont know how long it's been.

>>4050134
>speak with Fadila.
>>4050148
>maybe discuss with RH as well.
>>4050164
>Yeah, maybe we can use this to flush out terran spies somehow.
Worth a shot. I'm sure your spymaster would be up for the challenge.
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>>4050217

>Note: Physically strengthening the material wont block subspace radiation that's bleeding into real space. I have stated this a few times before though I dont know how long it's been.

It might not stop subspace radiation. But would it be on par or closer to Builder material then current materials allow?
>>
>>4050311
>>4050217
Yeah, this is what I was getting at.

Building stronger ships, but without the whole "killing the crew with radiation" part.
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>>4050311
Theoretically it could surpass that of the newer Kavarian developed structural materials. No telling if it could get up to that of builder stuff.
>>
Searching through some of the more obscure databases and equipment stockpiles you find drive plates. A lot of drive plates, but they're not to any standard configuration.
"All of these are decayed." Ruiz points out. "Why would they have so many decayed drive plates?"

Comparing them to Neeran records show that all of these are badly wore down. Way more than even over use on a ship would cause.

"The Navigators Guild reprocesses drive plates for the Factions," you point out, looking through the collection of related equipment. "They even pay people a trade-in incentive. Supposedly to make sure there are less ships on the trade lanes that need rescuing due to parts failure."

Valeri speaks up. "I'm no engineer but these look way past failure point. No ship could jump using these."

"Look for reprocessing equipment," you order.

It takes an hour but with the help of a few engineers you find what you're looking for. You've never actually seen a drive plate reprocessing operation before but this doesn't seem right.
"Get some FTL tech specialists in here who know what the hell we're looking at."

Some of the engineers brought in have seen just about everything. A couple of them had even been put aboard the builder ship to try and help figure out its systems. It's safe to say these are some of the best engineers you've got and they confirm that this isn't any kind of reprocessing operation to make new drive plates.

"It reminds me more of a weapons grade uranium enrichment plant sir. They're distilling, or condensing the worn down plates into an even more compact form. The end result must be unstable as hell. I recommend we lock down this section immediately. We dont want any stray electrical issues causing problems."

>Do as he says?
>Other input?
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>>4050382
>Do as he says?
Yes.
>Other input?
With the scans she had the builder system take of SP torp casings and various info she managed to pick up in alliance service, Sonia should know this is in some way related to either veckron or shield piercing weaponry.
Which means we have to either call in the RH or watch our House implode within a few months.
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>>4050382
>What do?

Lock it down of course. Then have all the engineers and anyone who came in here sign the necessary NDA’s. And that the only approved thing they can say at that. Is that they saw faulty equipment and even that may be giving to much.

Once we secure it we either:

A: Tell the Count that he needs to quickly and quietly contact the Emperor. To have a RH team recover this equipment before more attention is drawn to it.

B: Keep the Count out of this. And contact the Emperor ourselves and tell him he needs to send an RH team to recover it asap.

C: Disappear everyone who has had access to this room. And disappear this equipment to some forgotten moon or asteroid. And give a message to the RH to recover some ‘lost tech’. (this is a joke or is it?)
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>>4050319

>Theoretically it could surpass that of the newer Kavarian developed structural materials.

Mother... WELP! Time to pass this idea on to someone else. Maybe Helios? Along with the corvettes and armor materials? Since we don't have the R&D capacity to research it ourselves.
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>>4050443
>Along with the corvettes and armor materials?
Kharbos seems to have the most sensible corvette designers/engineers in the Dominion.
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>>4050429
>B: Keep the Count out of this. And contact the Emperor ourselves and tell him he needs to send an RH team to recover it asap.

I’m all for this, the Count doesn’t need to know - not should be honestly.

While we know what this facility would probably be used for, our engineers wouldn’t. This basically saves their lives.
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>>4050447

I picked out Helios because they are likely the closest to replicating Kavarian Armor or Builder Material.

That said, Kharbos would be the one most likely willing to go about using more morally grey practices to figuring out solutions to such vexing problems. So giving them the corvettes and armor would also work.

Or we could approach one of the other seven greater houses, like Nirium or Ceres. Really approaching any of The Seven that we are friendly with with this would be a good idea. Just a matter of who would be able to make the most of it quick enough to get it into production for their allies which would include our house.
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>>4050473
>Kharbos
I was mostly thinking about handing over the various corvettes to them.
Ceres might be a good pick for armor or material tech but to be honest, before we think too much about that we need to make sure our House still exists in 6 months. Which means calling the Emperor. Can we have a red quantum entanglement communicator to contact the Emperor directly and securely?
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>>4050443
>>4050447
Just keep in mind that producing the stuff would be abhorrently expensive and dangerous. It would require removing the cores from Veckron weapons to irradiate mass quantities of material. Most people get nervous when it comes to fucking around with Veckron weaponry for what should be obvious reasons.

>>4050473
>I picked out Helios because they are likely the closest to replicating Kavarian Armor or Builder Material.
They're better focused on weapons tech usually, especially siege weaponry. Though they do have good R&D overall. I cant recall who was better at materials engineering.

>>4050473
Kharbos is better at ship development, though their R&D is still recovering from the civil war. Ceres is better at industrial engineering.
>Nirium
They did absorb House Posat and take their best techs. Those that didn't jump ship to your House that is.
>>
>>4050500
For House & Dominion: Research Facility Inspection - A 20 thread sidestory
>>
The safety lockdown is put in place as recommended. Once that's taken care of you clear out the engineers and go talk to the ranking officers aboard.

In a secure room with heads of the J-D intel and the Ruling House special detachment, you inform them that you've found a new problem. Or a new opportunity, honestly you could go either way on that one.

"What exactly did you find?" the House intel rep asks.
"More experimental gear. Probably related to SP or Veckron weapon manufacture. I dont really want to know myself at this point."

The RH officer sighs. "I'll see about getting more security and scanning gear to protect the area from infiltrators."

Before that you have an important question.
"Do you have an entanglement communicator you can use to update the Emperor on everything we have aboard?"
"Not yet. The Emperor is still aboard the flagship. They'll be returning through Shallan space soon. We do have communications but we can't guarantee how secure it is until they're back."

Well that's good to know. Hopefully once Emperor Ber'helum is back in the Centri cluster the whole situation can be sorted. Preferably in a way that doesn't end with the Terrans or Rovinar starting a war.
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>>4050452
Seconding
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>>4050538

>"Not yet. The Emperor is still aboard the flagship. They'll be returning through Shallan space soon. We do have communications but we can't guarantee how secure it is until they're back."

The Emperor is traveling through Shallan space? Call me paranoid, but, if the Terrans want to off him and his closest allies in his fleet to cripple BH. This is the chance and they can just play it off as the Shallan Military Government declaring war on the Dominion. No chance of us crewing up the Wraith and getting it out there to cover him, just in case?
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>>4050552
If there's actually any chance of staging a successful attack on the Emperor in his big ass mobile asteroid caste with a huge escort fleet around, one more super won't do shit about.
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>>4050552
>No chance of us crewing up the Wraith and getting it out there to cover him, just in case?
Not the Wraith. You couldn't even get ships from the J-D shipyard in the Pandora cluster there before they finish passing through.
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>>4050382
Give it a scan with the builder arm and back it up onto a disc somewhere until we can meet the Emperor.
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>>4050591
>Give it a scan with the builder arm
This is a good idea. The information should be safe enough stored in the indestructible sensor buffer of the arm.

With you and Alex busy with your own R&D projects Baron Jor'ron takes on the issue of dealing with the upgraded High Guard. That's one problem dealt with allowing some equipment and salvage to be shipped off the carrier.

Any remaining captured SP warheads are shipped to the capital to help replenish the still largely exhausted House stockpile. It's being built back up bit by bit using salvaged torpedoes recovered by each of the fleets on their deployment. There's a tax break available for anyone willing to sell or donate more to the House.

How long you'll have to sit on the SP weapon data is anyone's guess. Political wrangling upstairs apparently hasn't stopped since word came through that your House was getting the carrier while the Alliance got the gate. Ruling House personnel providing extra security think that for the moment the ship will be safe as it's far too public right now. Of course that can always change.

For now if the Terrans dare to act it would have to be against any attempts to take the data into hiding. The moment it's out of view of the public the knives will come out. Valeri expresses concern that they might try to go after the Wraith. It's a valid one. It would make a great place to work on weapons development in secret, at least in theory. After what you've seen of the captured tech keeping the two supers as far apart from one another as possible seems wise.

A message is sent suggesting that a detour or rendezvous be arranged with the Emperor's flagship on the way back to the capital. That could be the safest way to get data out of here. The Count will have to know about this at some point. You'll let the local Barons decide on that.

Wishing the guard force luck you depart with another arsenal of secrets.
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>>4050700
Can you imagine all of this stuff on the Wraith? Absolutely crazy, I can see why they're scared.

Any word on the cloaking tech in the Wraith? I remember the stuff the Neeran used was distinctly different from anything the Factions had. What was it, the Cloaking Field vs the Cloaking Shield?
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>>4050732
Imagine the Wraith with a complete Nocturne manufacturing setup.
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>>4050732
>Any word on the cloaking tech in the Wraith?
It's still on its way back to the Centri Cluster. It will be handed over at an Alliance base. J-D personnel are still being gathered to man the ship and an escort is being assembled.
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>>4049110
>Package the following people for shipment to the builder vessel for repairs and rejuvination
This action will need a strong majority.

Somewhat related, how much do you think Sonia's Mom would sue for in the inevitable kidnapping lawsuit?
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>>4050808

Not if we wipe her memories and put her back in a cryo-kit and say she was there the whole time.
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>>4050808

I believe she would disinherit us instead of suing us. Also that Builder ships medical facility would definitly cure her. But our Neeran budies would be against this to the extreme.
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>>4050808
Make the offer available? I feel like giving it to everyone would be something that would make a lot of enemies both in the Dominion and the Factions.
What kind of agreement do we have with regards to access to the ship and medical system? Unlimited use since we were head of the discovery team?
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>>4050808
There will be blood
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>>4050817
I mean

We're the ones with the Noble title. Can she even disinherit us?

If so then we'll use our power to adopt her.
>>
Resuming Tuesday
>>
>>4050808
>This action will need a strong majority.
I would assume most of them will come voluntarily. We should also add Linda to the list if she's in the region, she's also getting old.

Anyway, it should be okay to try to convince Sonia's mom first. It's not like she can do anything about it if she knows and doesn't want to go. In addition to that, even if she ends up being upset about the whole thing, she'll take at worst a couple of centuries to calm down. That's a pretty short time frame if you take an indefinite lifespan into consideration.
Maybe be smart about this and get the rest of the family to gang up on her. Maybe even use the twins to bully her into it with their cuteness.

>how much do you think Sonia's Mom would sue for in the inevitable kidnapping lawsuit?
She'd probably have to sue Sonia in Terran space because House intel alone will censor so much of the case file that there will be nothing to work with. If any lawyer is willing to take the case, which I'd doubt.
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>>4050808
I actually forgot to mention it a while back but it might be worth having Eleanor and Leon scanned in the medical suite, just to make sure our initial reaction speed boost augment didn't mess up our genetics too much. It would suck if they started having seizures or brain problems as they got older.
>>
I wonder how much we can charge the alliance and helios for the builder material upgrades to their ships and stations.
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>>4044501
>>
With everything going on you've only had a few hours to see your parents but now that things are calming down a bit you take two days to visit them and invite everyone out to the lodge. You of course make full use of the very expensive holographics system to talk to your kids back on Rioja. They're glad you'll be back soon.

Your brother's unit was not deployed to any combat zone in the last year of the war. The Engineering corps unit he was part of was needed elsewhere in House space to improve underground facilities. He did get to leave the galaxy but only made it as far as Robrinaan. There have been considerable upgrades put in to prepare the planet for assignment of a Baron.

Your father fills you in on the prep work going on for the Barony in DRH2. Contracts are supposed to go up for bidding for construction of a new station there.
"You're going to have your work cut out for you."
"Why do you say that?"
"One of the competing station manufacturing companies in the House are trying to get the contract. They've already made a solid case that your companies are getting too much of the market share."

Maybe you should ask RLS to work out some agreements for future operations to ensure every major House station manufacturer gets a share of large contracts. It might cost some money on some jobs but will make sure you're not locked out of the market in a worst case scenario.

Your mother is relieved the fighting is finally over and that she doesn't have to worry about her kids being killed fighting in some far off conflict.
"Now all you have to worry about is us being killed by assassins." you mutter.

"I heard that!" mom says, pointing at you. "If they're stupid enough to set foot on this planet it means I have a chance to see them caught and executed."

Dad leans in and whispers to you. "Since your brother moved out she's been spending a fair amount of time at your company's investigations office."

Huh, interesting. Clearly mom got tired of waiting for trouble to come to her.
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>>4052802
Ryan I'm not going to your 6AM bible studies. I have enough trouble getting up for a shift that early when I'm being paid for it.
>>
You bring up the topic of improved medical systems you've come across during your deployment, leaving out the particulars. Ones that could certainly cure your mother's condition and knock some years off her age if she really wanted.

"Bring one here to this planet and I'll consider it. I've lived long enough on one planet that I'm more than willing to stay here."
"Mom, you'd be fine."
"I'm not doing it Sonia, I've told you this before enough times already."
"Bu-
Your father interrupts. "Sonia you have to respect your mother's decision and that's final. I dont want you pestering her about this again. When you have a health clinic or whatever it is set up on Dreminth I'm sure we'd be more than happy to stop by and have a look at what they can do."

You sigh in annoyance, rolling your eyes. "Yes Dad."

"And dont think just because you got a nice facelift you can act like you're 20 again." Mom adds.
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>>4053892
I wonder if this is what it's like for normal people to interact with Sonia.
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>>4053892
Aaaa but Sonia IS 20 again.
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>>4053892
"Facelift, right. We'll call it that and not the classified thing it was"
>>
"Facelift, right. We'll call it that and not the classified thing it was."

You enjoy the time out at the Lodge, both with family and running around the property. Through the centuries old trees and up the mountain.
Bekka is still more than a week out from the homeworlds so it looks like you wont be able to see her before you depart for Rioja.

Another day is spent at the fleet club, catching up with old and new members. Duncan is there, apparently as part of his new cover. The two of you exchange information on paper about tech on the carrier then burn the evidence.

Plenty of Knights both new and old are discussing the political situation within the House. There are debates out the direction the House is going with the new leadership, along with how things might be if not for the assassination. Some arguments that spiral out of control have to be broken up, but thankfully these are few in number.

The last day is spent making a quick stop to check in with the Count and Council then heading to Loran to meet with the Harmen family. They're relieved that both of you made it through the campaign unscathed.
"We were worried when the fleet didn't return after the initial campaign." Troy's mother explains.
"There was talk some fleets have been asked to act as a reserve. Even though it was only a few extra months there were rumors about how fierce the fighting around the Neeran capital was becoming."

"Don't worry, I wasn't about to let our kids become orphans," you reply.

Troy jokingly adds, "Though it was starting to look like you might have to come home without your command ship at one point."
This results in you covertly giving him a well deserved elbow.
>>
Before leaving the area you give thought to arranging medical treatment for some in the House that are in dire need of it. The systems on the Builder ship could save many lives, and extend those of many more. Unfortunately the ship has been returned to Threochts planet. That complicates things due to the long term presence of Krath that are being evacuated.

Signing NDA's shouldn't be a big deal but nobody is going to want any more traffic than is absolutely necessary entering the planet's interior. The Krath certainly wont. If more information about the medical systems aboard gets out there's going to be thousands if not millions of people lining up. It might be best to keep quiet about it and wait for some of the tech to be reverse engineered. Data modules on practically everything were brought back to the Dominion, it's just going to take time to go through it all.

[ ] Keep it secret, wait for tech
[ ] Covert smuggling of patients
>>
>>4054047
>[ ] Keep it secret, wait for tech
>>
>>4054047
[ ] Keep it secret, wait for tech
This our little secret.
>>
>>4054047
>[ ] Keep it secret, wait for tech
No one's gonna die soon although I'd want to take the kids there for check up.
>>
>>4054047
> [ ] Keep it secret, wait for tech
>>
>>4054047
>[ ] Keep it secret, wait for tech
>>
>>4054047
>[x] Covert smuggling of patients
As it seems like the other choice will we, I'd like to request we arrange for stasis storage of people with terminal illnesses or who are recently deceased.
>>
For now you'll work to keep the ship and its medical tech a secret. The reverse engineered tech should become available in a few years hopefully. What's already available to the Factions is rather impressive. Stasis tech had advanced by leaps and bounds since the start of the war allowing life saving medical procedures that might have been next to impossible at the time.

Troy picks up a puppy for the kids before leaving. You're not sure how they'll respond to it but hopefully it will be positive.

Before you can set out for Rioja there are already new problems. House Logistics want to make use of some of your transports and thus delay their return home.

Do you allow it? Tell them they can wait 2 weeks? Or request that they provide replacement crews?
>>
I'm not feeling great, haven't been since I woke up. I'll try to resume later on if I'm doing better. Sorry guys.
>>
>>4054093
The transport guys have been on the front for months like everyone else. It's high time they got home for some rest. Either they wait or they can replace the crew so our boys and girls can come home with us.
>>
>>4054095
Good luck, hope you feel better soon.
>>
>>4054093
Why do they need them, what’s so pressing?

>>4054020
>Bekka is still more than a week out from the homeworlds so it looks like you wont be able to see her before you depart for Rioja.
I’m honestly happy for us to just wait here to see her. It’s been a long time and it’s not like we’re urgently needed on Rioja.

>>4054095
All good mate, feel better
>>
>>4054093
>replacement crews
>>
>>4054093
How much are they willing to pay us?

What do they need them for so urgently?

Feel better soon man.
>>
>>4054104
Or if they want they can offer to pay the troops to convince them to stay.
>>
>>4054093

If they need the ships. They can provide the crew. Our own crews need the time off.
>>
Big Dominion Ball when?
>>
>>4054123
>>4054162

>Why do they need them, what’s so pressing?
>What do they need them for so urgently?
Run of the mill cargo transport that needs doing since many house transports are occupied with the expeditionary fleets still in the Neeran occupation zone.

>How much are they willing to pay us?
You? Nothing because the logistics craft in question are owned by the House.


>>4055480
>Big Dominion Ball when?
I knew I forgot something.

Still feel like I'm going to throw up at a moment's notice.
>>
With the medical suite you could prank Troy real good and turn him into a cute girl
>>
>>4054093
Replace the crew, if they can't or won't tell them to fuck off
>>
If they need the logistics ships they can provide the crews is your answer. They're more than happy to do so. Transport crews from Rioja hitch a ride on your other ships. There is still plenty of room, despite the loss of 3 medium cruisers in the attack on the gate you did pick up several others. Another week at FTL isn't going to kill them.

The fleet reaches Rioja, plotting a course around the heaviest traffic with it's loop around the planet. Even without your fleet the number of ships in orbit is rather impressive, much more than that around Dreminth. Despite having more than enough warning the station crews are having trouble finding berths for everyone. Much of the fleet is sent to the moon base, smaller ships docking within, while the heavier starships take up parking orbits at various altitudes.

The Outer Heaven, along with those ships belonging to the higher ranked unit commanders, take up a lower orbit. They'll reach the surface first and take stock of the situation for the arrival of their people. This turns out to be a good thing. Even with all of the pre-planning there aren't enough vehicles to take all of the officers in one go. It doesn't take long to figure out a workaround and soon you're headed for the planetary capital.

Even in your absence the planet has continued to prosper. From orbit you could see wider stretches of green from the expanded agricultural regions. New buildings have been added to the city surrounding the capital making for quite a sight on the approach. People line the streets cheering for your return and -presumably- their loved ones.

Some of the army is still on Threochts planet helping to protect its secrets. Most of those are now clone troops but they'll need to be rotated eventually. That can be figured out after everyone has had a couple months of shore leave. Also after the inevitable round of resignations that are likely to hit.

>Cont.
>>
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Once at the steps of the capital arcology you're greeted by the Governor and it isn't long before you launch into a prepared speech welcoming the various units home. Awards, promotions, and titles are handed out. Facing a protracted war the previous Count had wanted to cut down on the number of people Knighted each year. The House couldn't have supported a massive expansion of the nobility with each deployment. Now that the war is over there might not be a beter time.

Any potential Knights that the House didn't want to provide land for you do so yourself. This isn't the first time and you have plenty more where that came from. A parcel of land on Rioja now is worth far more than when it was a wasteland. You could probably chip away at the edges of your holdings for a century like this and still have plenty to spare.

Hera, Phas, Lyas then the Admirals and Generals with their people rotate through, one group after another until the sun is setting. Fortunately you're eventualy able to conclude events before it gets dark out.

"People of Rioja, the war against the Neeran is over! Tomorrow we may face new challenges but today we celebrate!"
>>
>>4057626
All drinks are on the house?
>>
>>4057626
>You could probably chip away at the edges of your holdings for a century like this and still have plenty to spare.
And even then you remember that we still got a ENTIRE planets worth of land in this system which is undergoing terraforming. We aint running out of land anytime soon! That's for sure!

>Now that the war is over there might not be a beter time.
Did someone say FACTION WARS, Terrans are mad edition?
>>
>>4057633
>All drinks are on the house?
Maybe the first round? The MP's need time off too.
>>
>>4057655
Sounds like a good compromise.
>>
>>4057622
>despite the loss of 3 medium cruisers in the attack on the gate
What did we lose aside from the Eclipse that got v-torped? I skimmed over that thread and didn't notice any other medium cruisers we lost.
>>
>>4057738
Looks like a Shukhant and a Monitor.

Your promise to cover the first round of drinks is met with the expected enthusiasm. As much as you'd like to get a few drinks yourself there are other things needing your attention. Firstly your kids. Rufaro managed to keep them from running out to greet you while the parade awards and speeches were going on. Troy has soon hoisted Leon onto his shoulders while you give Eleanor a piggy back ride, chasing them inside.

Family or no you're still expected to be present a few hours later at a ball held for the returning nobles. While not everyone is there it's surprising just how many of the local Lords have decided to show up. The kids are allowed to hang around, watching from one of the balconies reserved for the family.

Everyone wants to know what the future holds in store, not just for Rioja or its soon to be twin world, but you as well. Many anticipate you'll be focusing on some outlandish project or another even while the terraforming of Kavos is underway.

>Any plans you're willing to make public?
>>
>>4057762
>Any plans you're willing to make public?

Well not anything we've talked about a lot but I want to get the planet moving business started in the Run big time. Increase the amount of Dominion worlds in the area that can be terraformed. Especially JD worlds.

If it's not official we could reveal the plan to make this a two colony system with the terraforming of Kavos?

The SP project is still secret until the Emperor unveils it to everyone so that's a no go.

Builder stuff is super classified so we can't share that. Nor do I want to.
>>
>>4057782
>If it's not official we could reveal the plan to make this a two colony system with the terraforming of Kavos?
The planet is already in its new orbit. The cat's out of the bag on that one.
>>
>>4057762
Intent to establish a gate somewhere in the Run to link with Rekesh space.
Deeper trade links with the Rekesh.
Did the Antimatter station ever get completed? Maybe something to do with that.
Expanding the planet-building business and building up the civilian economy with massive terraforming projects. The shipyards are going to need work now that they're not pumping out warships.
Maybe we can make some vague hints at the potential technology that's coming? Increase the quality of life of every inhabitant.
>>
>>4057762

>Plans?

What are some of our plans for the future?

I assume making Rioja and Kavos the best worlds in the House is a given. Keeping the civillian sector growing and focusing more towards post war-time production growth. So as to keep Rioja competative in the coming years and decades of Dominion peace. Nothing to specific, just saying that now that the war with the Neeran is over we are going to focus on making Rioja noteable for not just being a colony that rapidly grew in but two decades to a flourshing colony that supported war production. But also a key stone colony that is key to the longevity of the house. Can also probably tell them that with the defeat of the Neeran Empire that it could be safe to expect many changes and upgrades in technologies that could very well spell a period of growth and prosperty for not only the Dominion as a whole but also for Rioja and her people. So long as that isn't giving away to much of what is in store.

And while there may be smaller conflicts of posturing and word flinging, that will hopefully be resolved by cooler heads before actual fighting need occur.

We will always stand by Rioja and soon Kavod and our House.
>>
>>4057762
>Any plans you're willing to make public?
That's a good question... Don't mention the Rekesh, the last thing we need is to have even more attention on that area.
Maybe announce an interest in supporting the watcher government's exploration efforts in coordination with the navigator guild? The last few centuries have shown that remaining within the existing borders only leads to stagnation and strife. I hope this sounds at least a bit extravagant and most importantly it will far enough away from the Dominion that people shouldn't be able to poke around too easily.
>>
>>4057622
>From orbit you could see wider stretches of green from the expanded agricultural regions
I have to say, that's probably the most beautiful part about this. All these years real years waiting for this moment, and we're finally here.
It's been good.
>>
>>4057762
>>4057826
Actually maybe we could build Rioja up to being the expert Terraforming planet? We have the Singularity systems to move the planets, the weather control system to stabilise them, and the arcology production to inhabit them.
It worked for the Harmen family, so why not just repeat it on a much grander scale? We could even use Troy's family links to get a head start on the business and build it up to megacorp level.

Then once we've colonised every possible planet, we can build our own dyson sphere.
>>
>>4057798
>Did the Antimatter station ever get completed?
The Station should be complete by now, or at least enough to begin operations. It's going to take a number of years to make back its money. It was supposed to look something like this right?

I can't seem to find anything on it in the Holdings and Finances page even though I'm certain a majority agreed to have it worked on. I don't remember that much else aside from some Houses like the RH being able to station their own tanker craft to help with in flight refueling.
>>
>>4057936
>I can't seem to find anything on it in the Holdings and Finances page even though I'm certain a majority agreed to have it worked on.
I haven't been able to find a price on it, maybe you included a price in the survey where we voted on the shape of the station? We got the antimatter plant for free and visited the construction site before leaving:
>SURVEY! NW-95
>surveymonkey com /r/JMDGPT3

>>3308500
>The week before your departure you perform an inspection of the antimatter production facility. Things are looking a bit haphazard with the various station components being prepared for assembly into a spherical construct. Antimatter production itself is still being carried out by the ancillary platforms. They're a safe distance away from the construction site and wont be fully integrated until the sphere is completed.
>One of the Ruling House Supers departing the cluster has taken part in trials for in flight AM refueling when passing through the system. Despite trepidation a number of fuel tanks were loaded and the engines fired using what was supplied by the station.
>A Kavarian antimatter tech that was hired from the ship the generator was taken from seems to be enjoying himself. Specifically he's spending a lot of time laughing at Dominion personnel and the amount of caution they're taking with the volatile fuel stores.
>"These systems will only fail if the Terrans point their fancy weapons at it, not before. You've taken our already sufficient redundancy to a whole new level."
>That's a fine theory but you'd rather not test it.
>>
>>4057979
Thanks anon.
>>
These people have made a mistake. They've asked about your plans for the future, not realising they've become trapped as an audience for you to talk at length of your crazy tech and development ideas.

>Stargates (Run)
You've already been investing money into an Alliance project to assist with recovery of failed teleports. If combined with other technologies you've encountered, say the giant gate facilities built by the Neeran and the Alliance, maybe an expanded gate network could be created? It takes 10-12 days for most transports to fly from Rioja to the J-D homeworlds or the Dominion's core territories. Even a small gate could cut that time down to perhaps 2 days.The economic impact should be evident to anyone.

>Deeper trade links with the occupied territories
Expanding trade into the Neeran Occupation Zone should be obvious to anyone. Reconstruction is going to be an expensive and lengthy process. The successor states are already looking for any aid they can get their hands on. Unfortunately some have been quick to use that aid to attack their neighbours.

Many are worried about the prospect of pirates, remnant forces and other unknown hazards that might threaten ships used in such an endeavour. There will be plenty of work for transport companies willing to take the risk and Mercenaries willing to protect them.

You try to avoid mentioning any particular states like the Rekesh. Best to avoid drawing too much attention to them in particular.

>Antimatter station
With the coming expansion of J-D territories into the next relay there might be an opportunity to construct another station. The current one is seeing use, though not as much as you would like, and hopefully the availability will ensure some ships make use of it. For now you're primarily reliant on military traffic like heavy and super heavy warships that need the extra kick to move at speed.

Bernard Foss and some other SRL mercs considered to be trustworthy have also been making use of the fuel station at times. Though he's personally not present, one of his company representatives are on Rioja at all times due to their base in the Run. They seem to think there might be a market for such stations in the Pandora Cluster. That could open up all sorts of problems dealing with the PCCG. What to do if they tried to nationalize the facility in an emergency?

It's worth considering.
>>
>Expanding the planet-building business and building up the civilian economy with massive terraforming projects.
>maybe we could build Rioja up to being the expert Terraforming planet?
There is a limit to how much one planet can benefit from distant terraforming projects in other galaxies. Gravity well generators and surface crews along with most of their support equipment go where the business is. You can still personally make money off of it and invest it locally.

Advanced weather control systems are starting to see more serious competition from the other Factions and your own output isn't always able to meet demand. You're still expected to hold a good chunk of the market share for a long time to come.

>The shipyards are going to need work now that they're not pumping out warships.
It shouldn't take too long to switch a number of yards over to infrastructure and habitat construction. Not all of them mind you but enough to keep paying the bills. Some warship construction will have to continue in order to ensure a skilled workforce.

You'll hardly be alone in such a venture. There are going to be a lot of yards looking for work. While you or the Harmen family might be able to cut deals on weather control systems and gravity well usage, arcologies are another story entirely. Those are jobs local governments will want.

>exploration efforts in coordination with the navigator guild?
You can't simply confine efforts to known space. The last 4 centuries showed that remaining within the existing borders only leads to stagnation and strife. People will need to press the Navigators Guild to explore distance territories and expand beyond the confines of Faction space. If necessary you'll consider throwing wave after wave of cash at the problem.
>>
>I assume making Rioja and Kavos the best worlds in the House is a given.
People are certainly glad to hear this as always. One of the nobles calls for a toast to the soon to be twin worlds. Soon in relative terms at least. It's going to be more than a decade for everything to settle even in a best case scenario. Rioja took more than 30 years.

>Keeping the civillian sector growing
>keep Rioja competative
>a key stone colony that is key to the longevity of the house
This is what the industrialists want to hear. Rioja's growth as a trade hub has made a number of people very rich, not just you. More of the same would be welcome.

>expect many changes and upgrades in technologies
Telling people to expect new tech isn't exactly a revelation in this planet. More of a constant really. Economists are always on the lookout for signs of new developments on the horizon, especially after your weather control tech. Plenty of tech has been salvaged from the Neeran over the last 20 years and nobody is surprised by the idea that more may yet appear.

Towards the end of the night you address the assembled guests.
"I will always stand by the people of this system and our House. Their prosperity and their future is important to me. We never know for certain what the future holds for us but I intend to do everything I can to make certain it's a bright one."
>>
Not that it will make much difference in my posting speed today but I have to run over to work and get my hours.
>>
>>4058013
Survey is closed?

Anyways don't forget we have the option to sell ships to "independent" Mercenaries for "Defensive use" in the warring Neeran remnant states and "Guarantee the stability of trade to prevent the conflict from causing collapses due to lack of basic necessities". I mean Input those all in quotes because it will obviously profit us greatly even if that's all they really do, but I mean that's how politics works.

We can even have them recruit from people who aren't pirates, but are likely to not be able to adjust to peace. We can support individuals in the group to put them in command of it, and as part of the benefits we will enroll their children in the best schools. Ensure the financial security of their families, and if they are capable in their duties we have a reputation for Knighting people and granting them land on Rioja. In fact, as a sign of trust and provide the best suport we can even move their families to the plots we plan to give them upon their return so they can start developing it right away.

We can even offer the same benefits to the officers underneath them, not the land but to bring their children over as well so that they can have access to a higher social strata and status. Moving them together as a group will also prevent them from being ostracized as much as an individual child would.

That way we can guarantee them that while they're away in service, that they'll be able to return to a situation that will allow them to support themselves and their families and most likely be able to help in turn the men they commanded so the same. It could work out quite well for developing Rioja for us well.

Of course, there's the added security knowing that their families are tying them to us after they head out into an unstable situation with multiple chains of command, which is reasonable to be concerning if we're using people who are already at risk to resort to piracy.

Not that we would hurt their families. I mean, if they do end abandoning them clearly they would be prepared for the worst.

Nope. We would salvaage them. Adopt all their kids, we could have our own sports team. Force their parents to work without pay and merely provide them with necessities and provide them with an allowance in the form of credit at local businesses so that they can't save to send away or escape themselves but can still maintain their daily life.

Oh and also we'll like hunt down and destroy anyone who thinks that any amount of distance, or that any amount if chaos in the Free Warring States, can stop us.

Anyways I'm gettig off track. The point is that sending forces past the our sphere of infliunce and where their deeds would easily gp unwitnessed is pretty much how military exploration turns to exploitation. We already enough truly trustworthey people who are needed ton ensure stanility during our transfer to a peaxetume economy.

Additionally, exploration usually has a low ROI, and we still need to start paying taxes
>>
>>4058096
>Anyways don't forget we have the option to sell ships to "independent" Mercenaries for "Defensive use" in the warring Neeran remnant states and "Guarantee the stability of trade to prevent the conflict from causing collapses due to lack of basic necessities".

Not necessarily what you want to be saying in public to the people of Rioja on your first day back.
>>
>>4058013
>>4058089
>>4058090

I don't suppose there are some business owners and nobles with good ideas and businesses we can invest in here at this ball? Or maybe point our knights towards so they can build a report with the nobles and business owners of Rioja.

Maybe even representatives of other Houses? Though I wont hold my breath on that since other Houses are likely also celebrating in their own way victory over the Neeran Empire.
>>
The next few days in the capital are busy ones. Getting the fleet squared away and parked at the various docks takes time, especially for the more valuable ones. A number of captured Neeran ships need to be gone over in greater detail and prepared for transfer to Loran for a refit down the line. The heavy tankers are moved to one of the secondary facilities to keep them out of the public eye.

Then there's the money that needs to be paid back to the investors for the fleet deployment, namely you. Families of those killed in action. Bonuses for promotions and medals requiring approval. So many other things!

Eventually your friends and family force you to take a few days off and leave the city. The mansion has had a bit of work done in places with expansion of the out buildings. Trees and bushes are growing quickly, making for plenty of hiding places when the kids decide they would rather avoid lessons or bedtime. Rufaro hasn't taught them how to avoid detection by thermal imaging yet or it would be very difficult to find them at times.

A few days into your vacation Troy finds you by the lake and waterfall. Rather than enjoying the view of course you've been working on a pad.
"You're supposed to be taking some time off from work," he reminds you, extending a hand.

Reluctantly you save your work and give him the device, looking back out at the lake. Even with the extra greenery it's still different from the more familiar and vertically oriented cities and forests of Dreminth. That's not bad but it really stands out the more you think of it.
"Distract me."

Troy sits down beside you and considers for a moment.
"Did you want to have more kids?"
"That's your idea of a distraction?"
"I'm not hearing a no."

[ ] No
[ ] Yes
[ ] Eventually
[ ] Other?
>>
>>4058492
>[ ] Eventually
>>
>>4058492
>[ ] Yes
We did say we want to before we left
>>
>>4058518
Found it
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2882854/#p2890384
>>
>>4058492
>[ ] Yes
Jaws theme plays
>>
>>4058492

>[ ] Eventually

I am for us getting another kid. But lets at least get these two up to something older. Then see about getting another kid when these two are either in their last year of mandatory schooling or maybe in university.
>>
>>4058492
>Yes
Well if we're going to have another one then it's better to have them now while the twins are still of similar age. It would be more complicated to take care of teens and a newborn if we do it later.
>>
Do plasma cannons have any possible use in Terraforming operation?
>>
>>4058492
"Hey Troy, I'm not wearing anything under my armor right now."
>>
>>4058492
>[ ] Eventually
>>
>>4058492
>[ ] Yes
Be careful what you wish for Troy
>>
>>4058492
>[ ] Yes
Better to have them a similar age as the twins
>>
Did tstg died of chinaflu
>>
>>4061817
Only if it causes terrible depression.

Got most of a post typed up but I want to edit it a bit more. Will post tonight when I get back from work.
>>
>>4061817
He's secretly writing lewds
>>
Thinking over your reply you take a deep breath and slowly let it out to deal with the buildup of anxiety this question has caused.

"No?" Troy asks.

"I want to say eventually but I said that before we left on campaign. So yes."
Reaching out with your prosthetic hand you grab Troy by the front of his shirt. Dragging him over until the two of you are face to face you plant a brief kiss firmly on the lips.

"So?" you ask, after letting him go.

Troy rolls his eyes in mock annoyance trying to keep a smirk off his face.
"This is why I wait to bring these things up because you think it means immediately."

"Are you saying you don't want to right now? Too tired from playing with the kids?" you taunt.

"We could wait until we're back at the house at least. I could use a drink."
"I'm not getting drunk this time. This time I want to remember it."

Troy shrugs, grinning.
"I guess we'd better get to work making it memorable then hmm?"

The two of you get back to the manor after dark, both dirty, disheveled and a bit wore out from the last few hours activity.
"If we're planning on making this a regular thing it might be a good idea to purchase some beach towels." Troy suggests.

It's not a terrible idea. For now the two of you focus on getting cleaned up and helping get the kids to bed.
>>
>>4063213
When we getting a lewdbin?
>>
>>4062130
>He's secretly writing lewds
>>4063328
>When we getting a lewdbin?
Never. I cant write lewds with established characters. It's too meta.
>>
>>4063331
So you're saying it's fine if I do it?

I got an idea for one titled "Linda and the extra long hugs".
>>
>>4063213
Sonia such a rascal.
>>
I bet Sonia was a succubus in another life.
>>
>>4063625
Well there was the Sonia semen demon meme before
>>
Following a well deserved break you return to the capital. The place hasn't burned down from returned troops partying, and the overall number of arrests by the MP's was surprisingly low. General Rna reports that all of the army's equipment that came back is now planet side and is being secured against potential theft.

The fleet reports a similar status. A few wings of assault corvettes have been parked inside Mons Abyla base. There was consideration for putting the Fire Drakes there as well, but odds are they might be needed so they're in the moon base for now.

Requests are beginning to come in from people in all branches of Rioja's military asking permission to resign. The numbers are low but are expected to increase over the next few months. One potential issue is that a significant number of those asking to leave are younger people who haven't completed their 4 year minimum. Others are long time veterans with valuable skills that might need to be passed on.


1) Allow newer recruits to leave the army? The war is over and many signed up specifically to fight in it.
1A) Allow
1B) Reduced priority (Only if there are not shortages of people.)
1C) After they complete their 4

2) What about skilled Veterans?
2A) Let them go
2B) Offer a bonus to keep them on
2C) Offer academy teaching positions
2D) Delay departure a few months
>>
And I have to run and get stuff ready for a ski trip tomorrow. Will put up a few posts later.
>>
>>4064278
1B

2B and 2C, gives them two different paths.
>>
>>4064278

1) Allow newer recruits to leave the army? The war is over and many signed up specifically to fight in it.
>1C) After they complete their 4 years

I don't expect us needing to go to war in the next four years, but they do need to serve the minimum.

2) What about skilled Veterans?
>2B) Offer a bonus to keep them on
>2C) Offer academy teaching positions

Most times offering people additional bonuses/ pay for staying on works irl. Unless the person is really salty and just wants out which at that point no real reason to keep them longer. Also offering to put them in training positions does mean we can likely plan to train the future generation of soldiers here on Rioja instead of over at the home worlds. As much as I am certain that would annoy and upset people back there.
>>
>>4064310
Supporting this
>>
>>4064278
1B if they are surplus personnel
2B & 2C
>>
>>4064278
>1C) After they complete their 4
>2C) Offer academy teaching positions
>>
If people want to get out before they've completed their 4 years then tough luck. Everyone old enough had to suffer through two decades plus the turmoil before the war. One or two more years isn't going to be a hardship for them.

As for the older and more experienced veterans you'll see that they're offered bonuses to stay on or academy teaching positions. Anything to try and maintain some of the military's skill that has been acquired over the war. Those incentives should help maintain the army and the fleet.

They're not the only ones that need to be seen to. New Knights need not just land but often are gifted a means to fight the House's enemies. Traditionally that meant a ship like the Knight class but those are now out of date. Through the war Jerik-Dremine largely gave up on that system, assigning ships to units as available, or letting officers buy, salvage or requisition their own.

Many Knights also picked up a habit of acquiring additional warships for their private use if they'd made enough money off salvage. This worked out in your favour at the start of the Civil War, with many of these ships formed into temporary units to bolster the House fighting strength. Most of your best assault corvettes were away on campaign at the time so the addition of even outdated ships was a welcome one.

If you're entering an era of relative peace it may be necessary to resume the previous policy of gifting ships to new Knights if needed. You certainly have no shortage of suitable craft at your disposal. Fadila also informs you that there is an option to make upkeep of the vessels the responsibility of the Knights that own them. At least in peace time or when not actively deployed. That could save you and the House a lot of money, but might be a burden on the Knights.

Ships aren't the only things being gifted. A number of officers among the army and special forces that were Knighted will be getting power armor. Despite being produced in far greater numbers than at any other point in history power armor is still just as expensive as some ships. General Rna outfitted some of the army's Knights themselves to expand their capability.

Troy is quick to point out that this is a good opportunity to influence future loyalty of the Knights. Loyalty to you, the House or ensuring the real strength of the peace time armed forces remains out of the hands of the Knights.

>1) Do you intend to restore the peacetime practice of arming the Knights? This would be for those who need it, not those already packing a small armada.

1A) A ship or power armor for each Knight (Provided by the House)
1B) A ship or power armor for each Knight (Provided by Sonia)
1C) They can use ships owned by the House/Sonia

>2) Upkeep of Knights ships
2A) Knights pay upkeep of owned ships
2B) House will pay upkeep
2C) Knights can apply for rebate on upkeep of 1 ship?

Unless there are other ideas?
>>
>>4065172
>1B
>2C

Sonia is loyal to the House, so the Knights only need to be loyal to us.

This also ensues that there are some financial limits placed on private arms/ships.
>>
>>4065172
1B) A ship or power armor for each Knight (Provided by Sonia)
2C) Knights can apply for rebate on upkeep of 1 ship?
>>
>>4065172

1) Do you intend to restore the peacetime practice of arming the Knights? This would be for those who need it, not those already packing a small armada.

>1B) A ship or power armor for each Knight (Provided by Sonia)

Loyalty to Sonia is loyalty to the House. And since Sonia is loyal to House J-D then by extent so are our knights. Also lessens the chance of them being brought into the groups of other nobles from the rest of the House. Or making another group of 'Young Upstarts' that brings the House to the edge of a civil war.

2) Upkeep of Knights ships
>2C) Knights can apply for rebate on upkeep of 1 ship?
>>
>>4065172
>1B) A ship or power armor for each Knight (Provided by Sonia)

>2C) Knights can apply for rebate on upkeep of 1 ship?

If not this maybe we can split maintenance costs 50/50 with the Knight. Less burden on them, but it teaches them to be responsible with the their property.
>>
>>4065172
>1B) A ship or power armor for each Knight (Provided by Sonia)
>2C) Knights can apply for rebate on upkeep of 1 ship?
>>
>>4058271

I fail to see how us subsidizing the creation of independant security forces to aid in the transitioning to peace time employment for military members to secure newly opened trade routes is going to be recieved poorly. Especially since it will provide

It's just corporate welfare, with the added benefit of us being able to rapidly reintegrate those forces if conflict breaks out again.

They're like reverse privateers. Or regular privateers if anyone picks a fight. It's not like the space formerly known as the Neeran Empure is safe.
>>
>>4065172
> A ship or PA for each Knight provided by the House

They're JD Knights, not our personal force.

We should totally hold a competition between the Knights in their new shils and Sonia can personally reward the winners with custom Power Armor, though. Or offer to spend and equivalent amount pimping their ride.

> Rebate on 1 ship

Just saying, if we support the Knights creating mercenary companies to defend trade routes in the Neeran zone we could work out a deal for the upkeep of more ships until they can establish profitable trade routs.
>>
>>4065370
If we subsidize the creation of independent trading companies (sounds better than mercenaries) we can spin it as us being willing to decentralize power as well as the opportunity for social mobility by merit since the won't have the chance to do so during war any more.
>>
Imagine how sad Sonia's going to be when she realises that no more war means she can't just solve all her problems by blasting them with a Plasma Pistol.
>>
>>4066752
Nah, she's disgustingly wealthy. She's just gonna make even more money now that her grav wells are free for terraforming.


Also special ops.
>>
>>4066752

Just have to get more creative in its use in dispatching problems.
>>
>>4066752
[Laughs in Terran-Dominion Faction war 2.0]
>>
>>4044501
>Aftermath / Epilogue
Oh my
>>
I've been called into work today so current plan is to get a few posts done tonight after 7pm. Probably doing the same thing tomorrow as well.
Busy thursday and friday now too so I'll see what I can do about find time to post those days. Worst case resuming saturday.
>>
>>4067790
Look, guy, buddy, you gotta tell me how long you expect this epilogue to be. This thread? One more? Ten?

Thinking about losing this quest makes my stomach hurt
>>
>>4067991
I have some notes but it's taking a lot longer to get through them than planned. So business as usual there. Figured it would only be about 1 thread.
>>
You've made enough money off your last series of campaigns in the war that you can afford to outfit some Knights yourself. After all you are loyal to the House and as long as those Knights are loyal to you there shouldn't be an issue.

Some Knights may be a bit more in need of help in paying for support of their own vessels. Because of this you've willing to let them apply for a rebate on the upkeep of 1 of them. If they have more ships than they can pay to support then perhaps it's a sign they shouldn't have them? As with most rebates there's a chance some Knights just wont both with the hassle which means more money for the House.

Of course there should always be a chance for upwards mobility. Maybe you can arrange for a tournament to see about offering better ships or armor? Fire Drakes are expensive as hell, more than an attack cruiser, maybe a few could act as prizes for ship crews? The same for higher end types of power armor.

Most of your advisors suggest waiting a month or two to let things settle a bit. Some Knights may ask for transfer to other worlds when the remaining fleets get back. If any ask to join your forces it would be good to give them a chance to enter the tournament.

Within the week of the Knight armament and upkeep deals a dozen of the new Knights are outfitted with ships from the reserve. Power armor will take a bit longer to procure. A surprisingly low number of Knights have applied for the rebate so far, a mere 51 percent. Fadila reports that those who are financially secure are for the moment holding off on making use of it.

Talking to the Count and some of the other Barons when you get the chance, many of them support the idea of a rebate given the sort of numbers seen so far. Some have decided to continue assigning ships to units for the moment but others think you may have the right idea for maintaining long term fighting strength.

Carefully following news from the Centri cluster, the Wraith finally arrives as Loran, taking up a parking orbit on the opposite side of the planet from the Carrier. It isn't the only thing to arrive. A few days later the Emperor's flagship, along with vessels representing each of the Seven arrive in the Loran system. Orders are sent that House Jerik-Dremine is to send one Heavy Cruiser and an escort to help protect the super carrier. It will be temporarily located to a specially prepared location where certain select technologies will be transferred.

The Emperor was apparently quick to assure the Count that the House's claim to most of the tech onboard will still be honored. Certain things however are too dangerous to leave onboard. High intensity sensor sweeps have returned odd readings from the outer edges of the Loran system. Time may be running out for a peaceful resolution.
>>
>>4068889
>The Emperor was apparently quick to assure the Count that the House's claim to most of the tech onboard will still be honored. Certain things however are too dangerous to leave onboard. High intensity sensor sweeps have returned odd readings from the outer edges of the Loran system. Time may be running out for a peaceful resolution.

I do hope the Krath and Rovinar remember our agreements. Unless they want those agreement nullified and we get sole control of the most valuable piece of salvage in the universe.
>>
>>4068889
Are they okay with us sending more ships to protect it?

We have a fair number those cloaked Battleships, and wasn't one of our guys skilled at using them for alpha strikes? Throughout our campaigns we've rarely used them that way so it would come as an unpleasant surprise to have a bunch of them suddenly do so, especially since their usefullness meant we never really had them all in one place.
>>
Alex once again scrambles his fleet, taking the Inexorable Class Heavy and as many ships as he can quickly deploy with. Two days later you get word from Alex that the Emperor's fleet has arrived in orbit of a planet in Kharbos territory. He's not under any orders regarding radio silence it would seem.

Ships from more than 40 Houses are present, including those that were to be given special assignments. Oddly Alex also reports that an Alliance unit is in orbit. It's made up mostly of Aries ships including a pair of Zeus Heavies that have been refit with Dominion upgrades.

Multiple flights of heavy lift vehicles ferry equipment down to the surface from the carrier. Each land at built up facilities ringed by defenses. It's all being done in the open. No attempts at holographic camouflage or cloaking shields on the lifters. Through there are a lot of high intensity sensor sweeps being done at any given time.

The planet is an odd one, once home to a thriving colony according to pre-civil war records. While there are still millions present that's only a fraction of its former population. Sites of a few cities have been scoured from the face of the planet by orbital bombardment years ago. Alex says his people think it was by laser fire of all things. Sure enough Helios has a large aperture laser equipped heavy among the ships in orbit.

"Damage from fighting the Kythera in the Civil War?" you postulate.
"It's a safe bet."

The following day you're sent a new update; Rovinar and Krath ships have arrived. Units from either Faction approach the planet slowly without the use of their cloaking shields. They take up positions alongside the Alliance fleet.

A few hours later Fadila informs you there has been a diplomatic... development. The Ruling House has officially requested that the Terran Alliance remove all of their cloak capable ships from Dominion territory. Failure to do so will result in the expulsion of any Terran registered vessel from the Dominion.

The Count has asked you to put the Rioja fleet on alert for potential deployment at short notice. For now any ship capable of forming a detection grid is to be readied for immediate launch. News of the fleet deployment is to be kept from civilian channels for now.
>>
>>4069137

>Dominion being out in the open about tech movements and being largely transparent. Large Dominion presence, with FA presence shortly after followed by Krath and Rovinar. And deceleration to Terran's to remove their black ops from Dominion space or be forcibly removed from Dominion space.

I take it everyone in the galaxy is now collectively holding their breaths.

Either the Terrans abide and allow the Dominion to continue on, seeing as how we now have the backing of the FA and to some degree the Krath and Rovinar. One a close ally of the Terrans and the other a close ally of the Rovinar.

Or the Terrans do not abide and think themselves superior/ better and risk an altercation with not just the Dominion but also the FA and their own allies.

This is a long time coming. And I can swear everyone's butt hole is puckering for what comes next. And whether or not the Terrans heed the Emperors words. Stocks are likely going mad with people freaking out with such a deceleration and what it could mean.

Meanwhile, Sonia is playing with her kids waiting to see whether or not the Terrans really are that dumb to challenge not only the Dominion but a large number of other factions so shortly after the end of the war with the Neeran.

If the Terrans do not comply. But instead act petty and force a diplomatic incident. That cuts them out of all research into the Builder ship?
>>
>>4069137
This is huge...
>>
Though you've received no orders to launch yet, Rioja's position on a major trade lane would make it ideal for deployment of a detection grid. That plus the remaining sensor arrays used to watch for pirate activity.

Did you want to get your attack cruisers into position and begin operations with the detection grid or wait for orders?

1A) Put the grid in place now
1B) Conduct exercises so they're nearby
1C) Wait for orders

2) Did you want to step up inspections of Terran registered civilian freighters and transports passing through?
2A) Yes
2B) No
>>
>>4069261
> 1A) Put the grid in place now.

> 2A) Yes

Honestly, we have the resources to recover from any loss in trade, now that we have the markets in the Neeran Zone opening up and Threochts planet is politically stable and closely allied with us.
>>
And I will be back on tomorrow night.
>>
>>4069261

>1A) Put the grid in place now

Tell the ships and crews to keep an eye out for stealth vessels. But if they are leaving the region and leaving the Dominion in general. To make note, and inform us, but to not act on it. Of course if they detect stealth vessels heading into the region and to strategic zones then of course act on it. Attempting to contain/ detain said ships but do not open fire unless fired upon by said stealth vessels.

2) Did you want to step up inspections of Terran registered civilian freighters and transports passing through?

>2A) Yes

Can cover it up by saying we are cracking down on possible smugglers of Black Market materials concerning newly captured Neeran Empire tech. To ensure it doesn’t start appearing in said black markets. Or any other number of BS reasons. It’ll hit our market to some degree, but we can cover it for the short term. As I do not believe this will be a lasting/ permanent thing. Unless the Terran Alliance does something stupid which will warrant us cracking down on said Terran based ships.
>>
>>4069261
>1A) Put the grid in place now
>2A) Yes

It's finally popping off.
>>
>>4069261
>> 1A) Put the grid in place now.
>> 2A) Yes

The Dominion shall rise again
>>
>>4069261
Maybe we coordinate with members of the Run Alliance too?
>>
I don't know if it's been forgotten or not, but could the Rare Element Synthesis business we had going on be looked into a bit further? Maybe instead of making drive plates they could go straight to the denser stuff used for all subspace weapons.
>>
>>4069137
>The Ruling House has officially requested that the Terran Alliance remove all of their cloak capable ships from Dominion territory.
This is fucking it. This is IT! Time for a big fuck you to the Terrans for years of their black ops operations on foreign soil.

Time to show the Terrans we mean buisness. The Dominion will suffer no more fuckery. Terrans be damned. FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION BOYS!

>>4069261
1A) Put the grid in place now
2A) Yes


>>4069668
I was thinking about bringing those up for when we had it confirmed that it's rare element exposed to FTL that forms the basis of SP and Veckron tech. Something like a Rare Element Synthesiser, weapons refinery and production facility in one. Plop one down at a star and start mass production.
>>
>>4069261
>1B) Conduct exercises so they're nearby
>2A) Yes
>>
Can Sonia live in her armor? At a time like this when there could be Terran kill-squads just waiting for a moment of weakness, is it feasible to just leave it on all the time? Recon or Builder, or even the Nxesi special?
>>
>>4069261
>1B) Conduct exercises so they're nearby
>2B) No
Let's not try to escalate the situation on our end before the big guys do so. If the Terrans want to use transports for their special operations, they'll have access to more than enough vessels registered in either the Dominion or one of the other factions.
>>
Despite the lack of orders you have enough attack cruisers deployed to get the detection grid into place. Ships coming from the direction of the Centri cluster wont even know that it's in place until after they've passed through it thanks to the reversion point location.

While that's happening you ask inspection teams to step up checks of all Terran registered vessels. Fadila correctly anticipates a response from the local ambassador, complaining about harassment of Terran civilians and companies.
"Tell them that the checks are because of an investigation into smuggling by a Terran crime syndicate. We believe they may be trying to establish relations with certain South Reach groups."

Fadila looks surprised by this answer. "Is any of this true?"

"I dont know that it's not. Maybe we'll uncover something? At the very least it should act as a deterrent."

It isn't too long before the detection grid begins to get results. Two cloaked ships are picked up, unfortunately both of them are from other Houses. An older cloaked Frigate and a Nocturn were each passing through headed to parts unknown. They were of course annoyed but glad your people used only tight beam to communicate with them, otherwise letting them go on their way.

Additional security measures are put into place should the Terrans decide to make a run at you, your family or personal holdings. There's no telling what they might resort to if their black ops decide it's better to lose some deniable assets in the process of taking out future threats. They might even make use of people from other Houses they've bribed.

"Is living in my armor an option?" you ask your bodyguards. "I've gone for extended periods of time with it on in the field."
"You already know the answer to that," Valeri reminds you.
"Yeah, I dont want to accidentally freak out the kids."

Suddenly an idea hits you.
"Troy!"
"What did you want?"
"What if... we give the kids power armor."

This is met with a chorus of negative responses from literally everyone within earshot.
>>
>>4070714
>You can't just give your kids power armor!
It's like these people want Sonia AND her family to be dead!
>>
The tense situation with the Terrans only lasts a few short days. The Terran government officially responds to the demands of the Dominion, promising to see to it that any and all of their cloaked ships are removed from the territory of all the Houses. You suspect the Rovinar and Krath will play a part in ensuring the Terrans remain true to their word.

Barely a day later a new update from Alex reaches you that a Terran delegation have arrived at the Kharbos colony. Diplomats from each of the Houses and Factions present are sent planet side, even the Emperor. Whatever is being discussed there doesn't take long. The Terrans depart quickly, their ships making for the nearest friendly non-dominion territory at high FTL.

Just what has happened becomes clear later in the day as Caius contacts you to give an update on events. It seems the Dominion will have the Shield Piercing weapon production it has long coveted. Research and production facilities on the colony of Amherst will be jointly operated by a group of Houses. They will operate openly and unharassed by the other Factions.

In return for this the Dominion will not produce its own Veckron or subspace weapons beyond a set treaty limit. They will also assist in limiting the proliferation of such weapons technology. A special Alliance committee will provide oversight to assure the other Factions that the Dominion is keeping up it's end of the bargain. Other than that the Alliance will have no influence on the treaty or operations.

The Terrans are not happy about the arrangement but at this point they have no choice but to accept. It was either this or risk the Emperor distributing SP technology to all of the Houses and perhaps even the SRL and PCCG. Any attempt to use force to stop it would have resulted in war, and the Dominion is much better prepared for another conflict.

House Jerik-Dremine is slated to receive a shipment of ten thousand SP torpedoes once production is in full swing. There are rumors that the early production batches will be donated to the Alliance or the Dominion Knights.
>>
>>4070915
>the Dominion will have the Shield Piercing weapon production
Finally!
>>
>>4070915

>The Terrans are not happy about the arrangement but at this point they have no choice but to accept.

The understatement of not only the year but perhaps the next several centuries.

>In return for this the Dominion will not produce its own Veckron or subspace weapons beyond a set treaty limit.

Which the Dominion will of course try to counter at the first possible chance any other faction has a lapse in oversight. But hey, that is future Dominion several centuries down the roads problem. Now we just gotta make sure no "pirates" try to raid said facility to get a fresh stock of Dominion grade SP Torps.

>House Jerik-Dremine is slated to receive a shipment of ten thousand SP torpedoes once production is in full swing.

Who wants to bet these have or will or could have been programmed to remotely detonate? Like how we did early in our career with those SP Torps we sold to the pirates. Be a hell of an "accident" for a member of our house. Or for our SP Torp stockpile to suddenly and explosively go up in flames.

Either way, suck it Terrans!
>>
>>4070915
>In return for this the Dominion will not produce its own Veckron or subspace weapons beyond a set treaty limit.

Nobody said anything about Threochts planet developing those weapons and selling them to the Dominion.

Can we point out to the Terrans that they were the ones who fucked the entire universe last time because they were dicking around with those things, and it's not like anyone believes they've stopped?
>>
>>4070915
Dominion dabbing on all the factions.
It feels like they've become China with all their knock-off variants. Cheaper and less performance, but still an SP Weapon/Plasma Cannon/Super Heavy. Other than Assault Corvettes of course.

What worries me is what the Terrans will make next. No more great tech lead? Maybe they'll go all in on AI research knowing the Dominion would tear itself apart over that if any house tried it. They'd never need to send in a blackops team ever again.
Maybe they'll try and figure out Conversion shields or some even more obscure subspace weaponry.
>>
>>4070915

TSTG, you did a truly great job of connecting player agency to this huge event. Really feels like Sonia had a big hand in making this happen.

SoniabathinginTerrantears.png
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>>4071020
>SoniabathinginTerrantears.png
>>
Your anti-smuggler operations catch a few ships carrying contraband and unregistered cargo but for the most part operations are shut down without incident. Ships forming the detection grid are recalled and crews allowed to return home.

With the end of one crisis another soon begins to loom. The Alliance continues to stand as a military powerhouse equipped with the best technology from all of the Factions. This also makes them a threat, one the Factions have long been wary of.

Infighting among the Empire's successor states continues, though it has begun to quiet down and borders are stabilizing. Hard numbers are starting to be compiled on the numbers of vessels needed for peacekeeping commitments and exploratory defense fleets. Attention is also starting to turn towards the gates. An unknown number of ships may be needed for operations to pursue Neeran forces that fled through them.

Even with all of these anticipated responsibilities a drawdown of the overall Alliance strength is inevitable. Many of the Factions are reluctant to take the first step until the gate situation is resolved. Many but not all. In the wake of the SP weapon agreement the Terrans have begun attempts to recall a number of capital ships they funded the construction of. Most of their focus is on the two Expeditionary Carriers. This has been refused for the moment, with the Alliance citing remaining threats requiring the presence of the larger carriers.

Barely a week later the lingering threat posed by the remnants of the Empire rears its head with a series of attacks in Faction space. A few are bombings but others involve transports loaded with large numbers of Warrels. Either type use stasis containers that shut down after a ship has landed, unleashing the contents of a plasma warhead or releasing Warrels into crowded spaceports.

All planetary governments are ordered to begin screening vessels in orbit, using local HLV's for shipping cargo to the surface. Planetary defense forces are advised to cordon off surface spaceports to help contain escapes and begin quarantine procedures for most cargo. Rioja is no exception to such threats and some off the army are recalled to help with spaceport protection. You're not about to start handing out splinter ammo to the PDF.

A few days later Verilis intercepts a suspicious Frigate trying to get permission to deliver cargo to one of the orbital platforms. When prevented from reaching its target an emergency teleport is detected and the vessel is destroyed in an antimatter explosion. Judging by the size of the blast the ship must have been carrying nearly 50 kilograms of antimatter.
>>
Despite the new threat of what are being called vengeance attacks life continues on. With the end of hostilities cloning has seen a dramatic reduction in demand. Because of this certain shortages are now ending which will mean greater availability of cloned limbs and organs for soldiers and civilians alike. Even your fleet suffered similar shortages.

There have been suggestions for a program to allow veterans to trade in their cybernetics if they wanted them replaced with cloned bits. Did you want to support such an initiative or pass on it?
>>
>>4071166

>Alliance as a super power.

I wonder how long it is going to take to draw down the standing military might of the Alliance. And whether or not the people who are Alliance are going to willingly start standing their forces down. Maybe not to pre Neeran War levels. But to a state where they are a much reduced threat to the Factions. While keeping their capability of over seeing the new splinter states until they stabilize.

>Gates/ Exploration

That is definitely going to be a mess. Hey found a reason for the Alliance to keep a strong military presence!

>Anti-matter bombings/ Warrel attacks.

Okay. Who the fuck…

>50kg anti-matter bomb nuking Rioja space.

Someone just signed their death warrant. 50kg anti-matter = 2148 megatons of TNT. Not cool at all. And we sentenced a yacht racer to serve in the Alliance or prison for less I believe.
>>
>>4071220

>Did you want to support such an initiative or pass on it?

Sure make it available to those who need it. Not like we need it. We got a cool AF builder arm out of all our travels and we are keeping it.
>>
>>4071220
I would gladly support such an initiative for our soldiers.
However, maybe we can make cybernetics a Rioja cultural staple? Sonia's had her arm for nearly a decade now right? Maybe that's another area we could develop Rioja's industries towards.
>>
>>4071220
Take it one step further, give the opportunity to get Builder body treatments for re-enlisting. But otherwise yes.

Make our own quiet little army of super soldiers.
>>
>>4071220
Sure. I can't see any drawbacks.

>>4070915
Now that the dominion is going to see more so toros, can we start r&d on Jello shield tech? We could se up a shield moon around Kavos to complement the plasma moon around Rioja.
>>
>>4071611
>toros
*SP-torps
>>
>>4071220
Support it. Better they get normal limbs than them running around with military grade hardware. Unless they prefer being a cyborg. Honestly. What ever makes them happy
>>
>Yesterday
Forecasters: prepare for a shitstorm of snow today
Mother nature: Gently sprinkles snow
Everybody: Does this even count as a snow storm?
>Today
Mother nature: DID SOMEBODY ASK FOR A SNOW STORM?!?!
>>
>>4073614
Enjoy it, I haven't seen snow in over 16 years.
>>
>>4073614
Didn't Sonia invest in some ice world at one point? Use the chance and get in the right mood to write a couple of paragraphs about that.
>>
>>4058013
>They seem to think there might be a market for such stations in the Pandora Cluster. That could open up all sorts of problems dealing with the PCCG. What to do if they tried to nationalize the facility in an emergency?
Make an offer to the navigators' guild? We'd construct and maintain the facilities, they provide a neutral network of spaceship fuel stations to support interstellar commerce. It might make larger transport ships more cost effective than they are at the moment. And we do coincidentally have a design team that has designed and built a heavy cruiser class from scratch.
>>
>>4074039
>It might make larger transport ships more cost effective than they are at the moment.
This might actually be really worth looking into. The Cygni class is the largest freighter in service iirc, and it was mentioned offhand that it burns a shitload of fuel. With all the newer Repulsor systems and safer, hardened antimatter systems, maybe we can build a better variant that can fill the super-freighter role more efficiently?
>>
>>4074100
Imagine filling an entire neeran city ship to it's maximum load limit with trade goods. You'd spend a year stocking it and a year unloading.

... Traveling super bazaars? Gypsie Queen Sonia!
>>
>>4075143
Imagine taking it into SRL space. Not only will it generate a lot of trade income, it will also generate a huge amount of salvage when yet another dumb pirate tries to steal Sonia's city ship.
Speaking of city ships, or rather the people making them. Can we get Svidur a checkup at the improved medical suite? If I remember correctly, his clone body is so fucked up even the systems on the sphere couldn't help him. Maybe the upgraded version can.
>>
>>4071259
>give the opportunity to get Builder body treatments for re-enlisting.
The builder ship returned to Threochts planet where access to the rank and file is restricted. It's going to be a couple of years before tech from its medical systems can be reverse engineered effectively.
>>
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Programs are set up to allow veterans to replace cybernetics with cloned limbs and organs. There have been suggestions that some of the cybernetics could be donated to civilian programs. At least those that aren't spec'd out for combat boosts.

Fadila and your PR department get to work finding veterans willing to allow documentary teams to follow them while going through the process of getting the new replacements. It should hopefully help bring public attention to the struggles faced by the soldiers returned from the war. At the same time it will also publicize your government's willingness to look after the people of Rioja.

Similar documentaries are being planned for those trying to adjust to civilian life. Polling indicates these should be well received by most elements of the populace, be they those originating from the Dominion or Terran space.

Many Terran citizens abroad are making plans for eventual return to their homeworlds, if their worlds survived, or new colonies. What substantial numbers of families are facing is that those who were born or grew up in Dominion space are reluctant to leave now. It's been more than ten years since the main wave of Terran refugees arrived. Some are reluctant to return to a home they never knew, with little to look forward to but cratered landscapes and prefab shelters.

For the Shallan civilians in the Dominion it's even less likely they'll return to their ancestral homes. The State is increasing travel restrictions, blocking access to non-governmental starships and monitoring newly arrived citizens. It's hard to find information on conditions within the State's borders aside from through the Alliance observers.

The State hasn't kicked the Alliance out yet. Nor have they contested the Nai declaring themselves and independent nation. They're focusing on rebuilding now that assistance from most of the other Factions is beginning to drop off. Food, water filtration and medical supplies are the only things they're getting from the Terrans, Rovinar and Republic. The Kavarian Imperium via the Iratar corporation are attempting to negotiate industrial deals but a sticking point has been the rights of their workers.
The Republic along with a number of Houses and private companies are the only ones willing to sell weapons to the State right now.

As for good news the Shallan government has agreed to the establishment of a permanent navigation route through their territory into the occupation zone. The corridor is to be considered under special administration by the Navigators Guild. Ships are prohibited from stopping or changing course, but if they follow the rules they can go through without incident. The State officially can't block anyone from using the corridor. Though if anyone considered to be rebel sympathizers stray outside its bounds you're willing to bet they wont last long.
>>
Did you want to increase support for the Shallan Federation's government in exile or it's various groups?

[ ] No, it could impact business
[ ] Mezan (covertly)
[ ] Shallan Mercenaries (covertly)
[ ] Government in Exile (covertly)
[ ] Mezan (openly)
[ ] Shallan Mercenaries (openly)
[ ] Government in Exile (openly)
[ ] Other?

Select all that apply.
>>
>>4075494
>[ ] Mezan (covertly)
>[ ] Mezan (openly)
I'd be fine with either. Unless the state's secret agencies are super incompetent, they'll know anyway. Sonia showed up in person to get her out of prison, after all.

>[ ] Shallan Mercenaries (covertly)
If Mezan can vouch for them.
>[ ] Other?
Does the federation hold any territory? Maybe they managed to pick up a habitable but uncolonized system in Neeran space? I wouldn't be supposed investing in something like that.
>>
>>4075509
>Does the federation hold any territory?
It does not, though there are a few worlds sympathetic to them in the occupation zone, PCCG, Dominion and Terran space. There is also a substantial Shallan population in Nai space which shouldn't be a surprise.
>>
>>4075509
>Maybe they managed to pick up a habitable but uncolonized system in Neeran space? I wouldn't be supposed investing in something like that.
The Shallan State received a large number of systems promised to them/their former government earlier in the war. Because of that nobody has really been in a position to gift the government in exile systems when the Terrans, Dominion and even the Kavarians also needed replacements.

That doesn't mean an arrangement couldn't be made, especially factoring in new terraforming technologies. Most successor states aren't going to just sell a potentially habitable world that they could otherwise keep for themselves. Not without an incentive. Example, the Shallan GiE could make an agreement with a successor state to hire your company to terraform 2 worlds, allowing them to keep one.

They either need to find a nation that is really cool with them, or be prepared to spend a lot of time and resources to make a new home. Resources they could spend on a fleet to take back their old one.
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>>4075490
[ ] Mezan (covertly)
[ ] Mezan (openly)
I don't really care for the Shallans since that is looking more and more like a civil war and warcrimes galore waiting to happen. Invest in our current asset and make the best of it when shit happens.
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>>4075570
>They either need to find a nation that is really cool with them
They could merge with a small Shallan successor state, if there are any. The Federation would gain territory, while the successor would gain influence with the factions and much needed financial stability. The Shallans still serving with the FA will probably appreciate having the option not to end up in the state.
>>
>>4075494
>[ ] Mezan (openly)
>[ ] Government in Exile (covertly)
>>
>>4075494

>Support Mezan

Supporting her openly or covertly does not matter to me. Just so long as we support her.

>[ ] Shallan Mercenaries (covertly)

More those who Mezan can vet as being good or not likely to commit war crimes.

>[ ] Government in Exile (covertly)

Give them some business deals. But real support to be done covertly.
>>
>>4075509
Supporting this
>>
>>4075660
Support this.
>>
You dont know the people making up the Shallan government in exile and trust is a little hard to come by considering that. Who you do trust is Mezan. You'll continue to fund her mercenary outfit as you have been through ships, weapons and monetary support.

That doesn't mean you've completely given up on the rest. The Admiral is undoubtedly aware of other former Shallan military personnel making up mercenary units. She's also made contact with people like Trelta Gun and Viqano Dyer thanks to you. If she decides any of them are trustworthy you can covertly get her funding to spend on them. It wont be a lot at first but it'll be something. If she wants to do the same for the government in exile that's her prerogative too.

With the topic of mercenaries in mind you're considering RSS operations in the occupation zone. As busy as they've been they're currently gearing up for even more activity. Salvage, cargo transport and merc work are all available in quantity, sometimes all at once. Salvage operations at the gate are wrapping up so the Crate class heavy there will be available to redeploy soon.

London along with the company's ranking officers and operations managers would like to discuss the way profits are divided. Specifically they'd like it reorganized to better provide funding to make sure the new deployments stay on track.

Traditionally the majority of the company's cash goes through you, or someone acting in your stead while you've been away. A substantial portion of the company profits have been diverted into Rioja, private spending and other projects over the years. It's the only thing that made that planet possible. Only a fraction has been consistently invested back into growth. London would generally ask you for more for priority projects .

The boost to the company's income supplied by war profiteering is coming to an end. Assault corvette and battleship orders are beginning to drop off sharply, though the Heavy, super heavy and transport sales are doing fine. With this in mind plus the need for consistent growth the general consensus is that the current budgeting system needs to be turned on its head.

A larger flat rate or percentage of the company profits need to go back into the company to keep its momentum. A board made up of people from RSS, RLS and RTS would draw up a yearly budget for final approval by you. Just based on discussion it sounds like you'd personally be getting a much smaller cut of the profits compared to before. It would keep the company in good condition though.

Better than good maybe if they can make things work in the occupation zone.

>cont.
>>
London also included a note that he hasn't discussed with the potential members of the board. What he's termed the heir/inheritance meddling act. Basically it would be a rule that future inheritors of the company would only be able to alter proposed budgets by a maximum of 50% of the total profits/funding. At least that way the company could still get some of what would be necessary to continue on if one of your heirs decided they'd prefer to leech RSS of funding.

1) Approve creation of a Board to determine budget allocation?
1A) Yes
1B) No
1C) Give the company more funding but no formal board

2) Inheritance meddling act / Budget alteration
2A) Yes
2B) No
2C) Smaller percentage (specify)
>>
>>4075811
>1A) Yes
Make it a trial run. 5 years to show if it works or not. In case it doesn't, we'll be able to revert the changes at the end of the period without causing too much chaos.

>2A) Yes
I do want some contingencies in place, just in case the company board turns out to be crazy in the future and not the heir.
>>
>>4075811
>1A) Yes (mostly)
Evaluation after a few years
2A) Yes
>>
>>4075809
>>4075811

>Reorganizing RSS profits to support the company more than Rioja post war.

I am fine with this.

>Results in less wealth for Sonia from RSS but gives RSS more funds to grow.

So long as those funds are going towards growing the company. I will be fine...

>Board members

Tl;dr: Create a means of oversight of this board.

Fuck that, if we do decide to put board members. Which I am super skeptical of. Because while the first board decided by us could certainly be good. It would be super easy for future board members to swindle money meant to pay us/ our family and money meant for the company.

If London and other ranking members in RSS want to create a board. Then there better be a means of oversight. To prevent board members from pulling an EA or any modern day company. Where they just leech off millions while closing down branches to further line their pockets.

Any board to be created is going to be made up of people we trust and any future board members are going to be people vetted by RSS. Not going to let some douche bag or group of ass holes start making decisions about how our money and the money of our company is organized/ diverted.

Also what would prevent these board members from making RSS open for public stocks post Sonia. If I remember correctly, we’re the sole owner of all RSS, save for the weather control towers. And god knows as soon as we open to share/ stock owners. How quickly our company will just be taken over by opportunists who don’t give a damn.

Oh, also a clause where if it is found that the board members are corrupt, more than the usual amount and are hurting RSS. So long as there is solid proof. Board members can be dismissed/ replaced. But at least one of our descendants must always be on the board.

>Inheritance clause

Sounds fair to me. Would prevent great great grand children from syphoning all of RSS’s funds away which makes sense we want to prevent that. Maybe a clause that inheritors can for short periods of time, allocate more corporate funds towards Rioja? So long as said funds go towards creating/ supporting Rioja’s military and defense. In case another war happens sometime in the distant future? So long as said fund redirecting does not cripple the company. While I am sure Rioja will soon quickly out pace RSS in funds gained if it has not already. Would probably a good idea to provide ourselves/ our descendants a mean to help grow/ expand Rioja’s fleet and military.
>>
>>4075811
>1A) Yes
Doesn't sound all that bad. Worst case. We just stop doing that. It is after all our company.

2A) Yes
Secure our heirs financial future! Regardless of what they want!
>>
>>4075811

>1) Approve creation of a Board to determine budget allocation?

1A) Apprehensively, yes, but like other anons have suggested. Give a period of testing and review. To see how this project goes. And whether or not it immediately goes tits up. Or if they can prove to be actually worth the investment in creating.

>2) Inheritance meddling act / Budget alteration

2A) Yes, it makes sense.

Also, for our Heirs. Make sure they all have a vetted and trusted advisor for monetary matters like we did with London. That way they can still make decisions but also have someone to advise them on the choices they have available.
>>
>>4075811
1A) y3s

2A) yes. Make sure we're excluded.
>>
>>4075811
>1A) Yes
RSS Council

>2)
The inheritance act but it has to be triggered by the Council/Board if they have reason to suspect leeching.
>>
>>4075843
>If London and other ranking members in RSS want to create a board. Then there better be a means of oversight. To prevent board members from pulling an EA or any modern day company. Where they just leech off millions while closing down branches to further line their pockets.
I'd be less worried about a comparison to EA than to the likes of Sears desu.
But yes legitimate concerns.

>Any board to be created is going to be made up of people we trust and any future board members are going to be people vetted by RSS
All the more reason to hire trusted RSS veterans.

>>4075850
>Make sure we're excluded.
I had considered offering that as an additional option then realised that it was something Sonia would never agree to.
>>
>>4075885
>less worried about a comparison to EA than to the likes of Sears desu
GE and Jack Welch seems like a scenario that could realistically happen to Sonia's company under the wrong circumstances. Fantastic numbers for a couple of years, and then the whole thing collapses once the guy leading it cashes out.
Sonia's companies are not only supposed to line her pockets, they're just as much about providing jobs and economic stability to the House and its various employees. It's fortunately not a public company.
>>
Evaluation, testing and review seems to be the order of the day. A great experiment to see if the system can work and keep the company profitable. Just as importantly to see if it can keep corruption from leaking in and weighing down operations.

As for London's other plan it might be a good idea to secure your heirs financial future, regardless of what they want. That's them though, not you. Meddling in company affairs is something you'll reserve the right to do if the new plan doesn't work out.

Fortunately there is little reason for you to be diverting extra funds away from RSS for awhile. Between salvage, recovered technology and artifacts you made back all of your investment in the last campaign of the war. That plus just a bit extra in the bank collecting interest means you're set for quite awhile barring any excessive spending sprees.

Even with cash from RSS and the subsidiaries portioned off there's more coming in from other companies and resources. Industry and agriculture on Rioja, DHI and HTF in the homeworlds, and more besides in Terran space on those new colony worlds. There shouldn't be any shortage of pocket change for awhile even with the expected economic downturn.

Back to the issue of the occupation zone and the place you have in mind for RSS there. With the company's ability to produce its own ships for both cargo hauling and protection it's well placed for convoy missions. As dull as they tend to be 99% of the time, the other 1% tends to make up for it.

There were suggestions for protection duties as well as selling ships and weapons to the fractious successor states. Buying up ships and salvage or hiring on local veterans of the wars might also be a route to expanding your forces and influence.

What role did you see for RSS, RLS, and RTS in the occupation zone?
>>
>>4076070
RTS- Instead of terraforming, optimizing and rehabilitating environments. There's gotta be a ton of planets that were damaged by the war, or planets terraformed for Neeran not native preferences.
>>
>>4076070

>What role did you see for RSS, RLS, and RTS in the occupation zone?

Salvaging and building ships is a given. So providing services to salvage ships and even provide ship yards which we could rent out to the successor states.

Also need to get our presence out there in terraforming and stabilizing worlds/ planets. That have been affected by the war and helping to rebuild. Also moving planets to give those successor states more worlds to eventually grow out into.

As for military, well, we do need to train them how to use those new ships they are likely to refurbish and build. So we can hire on crews there and train them with some of our vets who want to work out in that area. Which would also just so happen to have them escorting our ships around the successor states region.
>>
>>4076070
>There were suggestions for protection duties as well as selling ships and weapons to the fractious successor states.
I'd be open for that but only if we coordinate with the FA. It should be another market to dump these alliance patrol craft, and we're looking for something to keep our battleship production yards active and profitable.

>Reynard Industries
I'm not really sure which company does what at this point, so here are some general suggestions.
-We could offer refits of Neeran ships to faction tech. J-D has extensive knowledge in that area and spare parts bought from the FA should be significantly cheaper than most Neeran tech replacements for the foreseeable future.
-Our defensive platforms and in-house designed stations are quick to produce and sturdy, there might be a market for governments looking for an efficient way to replace larger orbital infrastructure that's been lost.
-We might have agricultural tech and animals or plant species available that are better than what the Empire had. Neerans didn't give much about planetary development, if I remember correctly.
-We could also offer training programs for crews on the new faction built ships.
>>
>>4076087
>I'm not really sure which company does what at this point
Reynard Salvage Solutions - Salvage, repair & large vehicle/station relocation
Reynard Logistics Solutions - Manufacturing & cargo transport
Reynard Tactical Solutions - Private military
>>
>>4076087
>>4076085
Wot about our contracts in Terran space? Should we continue with those?

Additionlly, I would like to increase contact with the Kythera. The AI race may have unique requests or opportunity to work together on joint projects. Despite our prior conflict, it was nothing personal and given our relationship with Versa we are in a unique position to relate to the the Kythera.

Also, given Versa' identification with her Terran identity it's only a matter of time before they also start working with the Kythera as they evidently are able to tolerate AI enough to make living in Terran society desirable.

We need to do this not just for ourselves, not fo Versa, but for the Dominion as a whole since anti-AI sentiment runs so high.
>>
>>4076138
>Wot about our contracts in Terran space? Should we continue with those?
I don't really see any reason to suspend these. The Terrans managed to work out a deal with the Dominion, so we should continue doing business as usual until the give us a reason not do.
Maybe ask the Emperor for another gravity well generator ship so we can expand our operations to Kavarian space, as it seems they also lost planets during this war.
>>
>>4076138

>Wot about our contracts in Terran space? Should we continue with those?

Yes, no reason to stop doing business with them. Now if they had been aggressive against the Dominions attempts to gain SP-Torps, then yeah we would have to stop. But for now we can continue working with them. Maybe even expanding into Terran space and trying to get more business either with their government or their populace.
>>
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>>4076138
>Despite our prior conflict, it was nothing personal and given our relationship with Versa we are in a unique position to relate to the the Kythera.
The medics urge you to continue following this line of reasoning to lessen the chances of post traumatic stress related to the battle in the capital.
>>
>>4076180
That's all 100% genuine Dominion retardation that cause that.
>Kythera
They still owe us for those psychopaths they turned into Kythera who then went on and massacred hundreds of civilians on our station. Now that the factions have established contact, there must be an address where we can send the writ of summons.
>>
>>4076192

>Kythera repayment

They already supposedly did so several dozen threads ago post civil war arc.
>>
>>4076214
The only thing I could find was this:
>>2851012
>"We're staying away from them for now and they're staying away from us. The Alliance has made an arrangement with them to ensure they stay out of our invasion corridors. We'll return the favour. If anything needs to change they'll negotiate through the Alliance. Better we face them as a unified force if it becomes necessary.

>When the war with the Neeran is over we'll attempt to negotiate normalisation of relations. It could have a profound impact on technology used by the Factions. That alone is reason to not take it lightly."
>>
>>4076079
>Instead of terraforming, optimizing and rehabilitating environments.
You might be able to set up a special taskforce with HTF. A small-ish unit with weather control gear and equipment better for short term work. Maybe only year long contracts. This would be a good job for company veterans getting off that Karakum Death World. Fast intense work, but substantially easier in terms of safety precautions.

>>4076085
>Salvaging and building ships
>provide ship yards
It may be possible to salvage or purchase damaged yards from some states looking for quick cash. This would also get around weapons restrictions since it would be using warships already available to the successor states.

>get our presence out there in terraforming
The gravity wells are going to be busy filling contracts in Faction space for awhile. Money will be set aside to acquire additional gravwells when they're available once more.

>Mercenary/militia training contracts
>We could also offer training programs for crews on the new faction built ships.
Could work.

>>4076087
>alliance patrol craft
Those are generally meant for the peacekeeping forces.

>keep our battleship production yards active and profitable
Those can be easily switched over to cargo transport manufacture.

>refits of Neeran ships to faction tech
Could work where the Faction stuff is superior. That's not always the case.

>agricultural tech and animals or plant species
Your companies are not optimised for dealing with this but it should be easy to find another one you can partner with on such a project.

>>4076157
>Maybe ask the Emperor for another gravity well generator
You have to wait in line and buy that shit. A lot of other Houses are waiting for gravity wells and they have zero while you already have 2.

>>4076167
>if they had been aggressive against the Dominions attempts to gain SP-Torps, then yeah we would have to stop.
The Terrans and Dominion would have started nationalizing each other's assets that are in their respective territories. So yes you would have stopped, or your local company branch would have had to pull a Coca-Cola Deutschland.
>>
>>4076134
RLS being a Corporation based in a non-local Faction allows us to invest in multiple local States without political conflict

I think we should pick several States with shared borders and offer to collaborate in single markets in each one. If we can create jointly owned and operated Companies in partnership with local corporations, we can ideally develop them rapidly and extensively enough that it will be cheaper for States to purchase finished goods from each other instead of bearing the cost of building infrastructure themselves.

To get the best return on our aid, Governments will naturally also funnel funding towards that sector instead of sectors that would compete against foreign RLS invested markets.

A simple example would be investing heavily in mining and extraction industries in different States, and concentrating investment in refinery infrastructure in only one state. That way multiple states would decline building their own infrastructure due to the high up front cost and instead invest even more in mining and extraction.

RLS could use its position as a Dominion corporation to ensure safe transportation free from political influence and risk of manipulation by the Refiner State while also ensuring that the mining states don't excessively infringe on each others benefits by producing excessively of similar materials, while also providing a pipeline to sell excess product to Dominion buyers.

Stability is great for economies, and it will also help stabilize international relations.
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>>4076264
> So yes you would have stopped, or your local company branch would have had to pull a Coca-Cola Deutschland.

Sell all local assets to Versa.
>>
>>4076264
>You have to wait in line and buy that shit. A lot of other Houses are waiting for gravity wells and they have zero while you already have 2.
Yeah, and that's really unfortunate for these houses but most of them didn't suggest the idea, helped develop it, or kept providing new tech to improve it. But okay, if they don't want we're grateful for the two we already have.
What we should definitely do however is to start setting up our own R&D infrastructure for singularity reactors. We're the only ones in the Dominion with access to one in the foreseeable future.

>>4076299
That would have been hilarious.
>>
>>4076192
Not like we haven't done terrible things during war ourselves.

Regardless, like I said now that there is an AI species the Dominion can't afford to let Terrans or other factions monopolize relations with them.

Sonia is pretty much the only Dominion Noble of standing with any sort of relationship and experience dealing with and AI, not considering it was to the point we offered Versa citizenship even.

We can also work to better understand why the Kythera chose that strategy, and if it was due to individuals making choices within the Kythera society then we can help support their opponents politically to suppress them.

We have a potentially huge advantage. While Terrans created Versa, they also keep her as a second class citizen. Sonia is the only person at all in the Factions to treat Versa as an equal. Including her in birthdays, fighting with her in command of a ship together without having her in metaphorical chains, refusing to abandon her or use her as a disposable "program" just because she can be backed up.

I mean, the Kythera are alien so there's no guarantee of how they percieve relationships or even Versa, but Sonia's actions show that she's capable of working in good faith with AI and doing so from a position of trust instead of requiring safety measures that limit their capacity to act.

That's a big thing when dealing with foreign entities since it's not possible to subject them to forced limitations.
>>
>>4076299
Do this if the Terrans and Dominion get into a hot/cold war? Or do you mean do it right now?

>>4076314
>What we should definitely do however is to start setting up our own R&D infrastructure for singularity reactors.
I was under the impression that this was one of the sciences studied at the university?
>>
>>4076328
If they get involved in a war.

But that being said, we could offer Versa a position managing our assets in Terran space. She could make money, pay taxes, do all that citizen stuff.
>>
>>4076328
>I was under the impression that this was one of the sciences studied at the university?
Maybe? The testing facility should probably be parked somewhere in deep space instead of being located on our comfy planet.
>>
>>4076344
Well yes, but you generally want people going to school for a bit before they start trying creative new uses for expensive toys. Though I'm sure that wouldn't stop some enterprising students from trying to set up a contained micro singularity test lab. You know, were it not for the staff actively on the lookout for such insanity. Especially after the whole incident with the racing ship and the antimatter set precedent.

I guess some stasis fields might be strong enough now to make a planet based facility like that possible. Still wouldn't recommend it.

As for operations being planned by the company they'll attempt to hire on more engineers from the House that have experience with Neeran tech. While such people will certainly be in demand throughout the House with luck there will be enough veterans looking for a better paycheck.

The company will be working to establish relations with the various successor states for neutral trade. Construction of industry and orbital platforms will be focused on a smaller region like the Yang galaxy initially to build up a foothold for future operations. Establishing stable supply links to Faction space will be a priority. Once those are in place they can spread out to a wider area.

London is making use of the gate in the Centri cluster while it is still in operation. There's no telling how long it will remain that way. Even traversing the occupation zone from the gate to the Yang galaxy shaves a week of travel time compared to the direct route. The Crate already in theater will remain there and is being resupplied for more construction projects.

They'll be relying on the contacts you've built up initially to kick things off which will make it a lot easier. There is a more difficult but still viable option however. Your dealings with the Trayan mercenary Ren could give you an in for potential operations in Trayan space.

It would not be a sure thing and there are obvious hazards. Trayan space is like some of the worst parts of South Reach, infested with pirates, raiders and mercenaries. Their mobile bases could be extremely useful for salvage and support, as could the local mercs for protection. Of course some might decide a well built ship like the Crate would make for a good prize.

Only 1 RSS heavy is available to start up operations in a new location. Should they head for the Yang galaxy and its easier prospects, or for Trayan space for high risk but higher reward?

[ ] Yang galaxy
[ ] Trayan space
>>
>>4076656

>Yang Galaxy
For our initial wave into the succesor states. Start talking with Ren, I'm sure he would like to get another business offer. One that I am sure is more beneficial to him now then the previous one we had when we were working with him in the Yang Galaxy.
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>>4076656
> [ ] Yang galaxy

Yang Gang is Nazbol Gang
>>
>>4076656
[ ] Yang galaxy
Foothold please. Then we can take on Trayan contracts after
>>
>>4076656
>[ ] Yang galaxy
>>
>>4076656
>[ ] Trayan space
ALL IN
>>
>>4076656
>Should they head for the Yang galaxy and its easier prospects, or for Trayan space for high risk but higher reward?
I'm okay with either option.

>Only 1 RSS heavy is available to start up operations in a new location.
The Crate is a top of the line ship, one that's probably built close enough to the standards of the combat variant that it could be refit into an actual warship without being significantly worse than one purpose built for that.
That got me thinking. Is there something available that's still modern but focused on jobs where the ship is unlikely to have to fend off anything larger than a battleship or outdated medium cruiser?
I mean, Crate class ships cost 3.8 billion a piece and that's with any rebates Sonia is likely to receive from Ceres for her help during the civil war.
A budget heavy cruiser like the Moradin costs less than half of that at roughly 1.8 billion. Does a construction ship variant of that thing exist? Maybe using down scaled repair arms like the ones found on some FA supers?
>>
Can Sonia spin her Plasma Pistols like Revolver Ocelot?
"One fuel cell. More than enough to kill anything that moves.
>>
Dealing with windows problems.
>>
>>4077492
Maybe with some practice? They're heavy guns.

>>4077186
>The Crate is a top of the line ship, one that's probably built close enough to the standards of the combat variant that it could be refit into an actual warship without being significantly worse than one purpose built for that.
Structurally the Crate is actually tougher than the Cage class due to its simplicity. Ceres is going to have to redesign their carrier eventually to make up for this.

Best to keep such a tempting target out of a pirate haven. RSS will start off in the Yang galaxy with a wealth of contacts and business available. A brief conversation is held with Mezan and the heads of RTS to make sure there wont be any competition for personnel.

The bulk of the RSS ships and personnel heading into the region will go via the Centri cluster gate. RLS is working to establish supply lines both through the gate, and through the Shallan space corridor. General consensus is that the gate wont remain available indefinitely. It's difficult enough for the company to get clearance to go through right now.

Speaking of gates, your intel contacts believe the Alliance's other gate facility has now been turned towards pursuing the Neeran tech carriers. The overall situation in Neeran territory is quieting down and at least 20 Alliance capital ships were routed to the REP 01 Nav relay. It's the most advanced facility the Alliance has access to which they've had plenty of time to test. It would make sense they'd prefer to use it instead of the Neeran gate you secured. At least that way one route remains open to shorten logistics for now.

More of the front line Alliance forces are being pulled back into reserve positions. Former Neeran bases are being worked on to act as strong points for response fleets. Before the year is out it's expected that the long anticipated drawdown of the fleets can begin in earnest. Less than one third of the Alliance's current capital ships should needed out on patrol or for the response fleets. Even if half of those withdrawn from the occupation zone are sent on missions through the gate that would still leave hundreds with their fate undetermined.

>cont.
>>
The Terran government has officially recalled Admiral Chen as their representative to the Alliance Admiralty. This is seen to be a response to the Admiralty's previous reluctance to return the pair of AEC's the Terrans funded the construction of.

A few days later Chen not only steps down from his role as the Terran representative, but resigns his position as supreme commander of the Confederated Systems Fleet. Most of the other upper level members of the Admiralty soon do the same with their respective Factions. The sole exception is the representative of the SRL, as doing so would be considered a breach of treaty with the other Factions.

Emergency meetings are called between the Factions various leaders and the Alliance in the hopes of preventing the situation from spiraling out of control. Media in the Dominion is advised to keep a lid on things until more is known. The Emperor and the heads of the Houses want to be prepared to spin this in their favour depending on how things go.

Initial concerns of course are that the Alliance is going to go rogue with their tremendous military power. As it turns out they're more worried the Factions are going to do much the same if given the keys to the most powerful ships and super weapons ever built.

It was worried the Dominion and Terrans might come to blows over the SP weapon issue, though that was avoided in some small part thanks to the Rovinar and Krath. If the Terrans had possessed a hundred new model capital ships they might have more seriously considered alternatives. As you later hear Chen is quoted saying that; "If the factions want to destroy themselves they can do it without our weapons."

Arguments over investments aside the ACS series were ordered exclusively by and for the Alliance. No one has a good claim on them save for the Kavarians who don't want them. Weapons and systems might come from different factions but many of those are easily replaced.

For once the Dominion may actually be left in a superior position if nobody gets the mothballed ships. They already have the home built DECS and -while inferior to the ACS- it far surpasses the nearest competition. The Terrans and Rovinar only have claims on the older EX-Megas and some of the super carriers.

Unsurprisingly Emperor Ber'helum is as supportive as possible of the Alliance in looking for a solution that will prevent any one Faction from getting such weapons. He probably figures that whatever advantage everyone else has is going to be eliminated once your side has reverse engineered all of the tech you've captured in the war.
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The attention of the Houses making up the Dominion is turning inward once again. They're eager to return to the business of internal politics, or watching for opportunities in the occupation zones. While the Dominion Knights will continue to guard against threats outside the Dominion, their scattered orders are little larger than patrol fleets.

The Alliance is needed to keep watch for more serious threats. If their surplus of larger warships are mothballed now and saved for when they're needed, it will mean they'll have to ask for less from the Factions in the future. Or that is one argument the Emperor leads with.

Ultimately the Factions agree to establish a number of high security storage depots for ships and weapons. These are to be guarded by combined forces from each of the Factions themselves, not the Alliance, though there would be Alliance engineering personnel on site. The Dominion will largely scale back funding of the Alliance with the exception of Houses Nasidum and Xygen. Their remaining reparations from the Civil War are being directed to the Alliance for the next 15 years.

The Terrans will get one of their big Expeditionary Carriers back once it's been stripped of a few upgrades. If they want the second one they have to pay for the refit downgrade because it wouldn't be an easy process.

There has been a snag in the negotiations, one which you fortunately managed to side step. All intact Executioner class ships have been added to the list of vessels that will be mothballed with the Alliance Capital Ships. They're considered to be of equivalent firepower. Most factions have already recovered main guns from them for reverse engineering so it's not considered a terrible loss. It's good you traded in your claim for the Wraith when you did or the vessel might not have been available.

Alliance Capital Carriers being little more than a Mega class with a lot of extra support infrastructure for repairing smaller ships have been exempt from restrictions. Any that can be shown to have been funded entirely by a particular Faction may be recalled with sufficient notice. This means that for the Terrans, Rovinar and Republic 90% of their post war super heavy cruisers are likely to be carrier types. It would appear that the PCCG will also be getting their first super heavies in this manner as they did fund construction of a few.
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One group of vessels that haven't been decided on are the mobile bases. Relatively smaller ones like the Cascade Mobile Fleet base and its many docking arms are less concerning than second generation vessels. The Torrent may have less capacity when it comes to repairing capital ships, but it's able to work on them much more quickly. Its pair of capital ship bays allow it to continue work even while at FTL. Worse it is theoretically capable of producing new capital ships from scratch, though this hasn't been demonstrated.

For now the Kavarians have a monopoly on the stronger structural frames needed for any new ACS or Torrent class. This means that for now the Factions can place an upper limit on how many mobile bases the Alliance can field.

>Any input on how many?
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>>4078411

>>Any input on how many?

Not really? I'm tempted to say no more then what they have. If we are entering the drawn down phase of things. Then the FA should not need more then they have now. And if there is a war of same or greater scale as the Neeran war. This can be changed to allow more as needed.

Alex's Mobile yard can already theoretically build supers, no? So why not use the agreement made for those as a basis for the Torrent's? No more to be made without the express permission of all the Faction members.
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>>4078411
>>Any input on how many?
One financed by each power block except for the Republic, which will have to share the payments for a second one with the assorted minor powers because they're the biggest faction? (Republic; Republic+minor powers; Terrans; Krath+Rovinar; Dominion; Kavarians)
That would put the alliance at 6 ships. Depending on how you count the SRL and PCCG, they would add either 0 ships if they're lumped in with the minor powers or 2 if they're counted separately.
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>>4078439
>So why not use the agreement made for those as a basis for the Torrent's? No more to be made without the express permission of all the Faction members.
>>4078440
>(Republic; Republic+minor powers; Terrans; Krath+Rovinar; Dominion; Kavarians)
>That would put the alliance at 6 ships.

Those could work.
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>>4078440
>>4078411
Supporting this.
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>>4078773
This thing looks really cool by the way.
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>>4078440
What about making polar opposite powers joint crew them? Eg Terran+Dominion crews. That way it's unlikely you'd ever see them in combat.
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>>4078889
>What about making polar opposite powers joint crew them? Eg Terran+Dominion crews. That way it's unlikely you'd ever see them in combat.
I think nobody aside from the SRL has strained diplomatic relations with the other factions like the Terrans and the Dominion do at the moment. However, with a population that's supposed to number around 6 million total on a Torrent class ship, I'm sure you could park a decent garrison of each faction on these ships without any impact on performance.
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The Torrent is too much of a game changer for many more to be built. There will only be a number allowed equivalent to the number of Factions to support them. Or as some might see it the number of Factions prepared to counter them. It will be similar to deals made within the Dominion over Alex's shipyards. Only so many of those will be built after all.

Discussions over distribution of crews from different Factions are largely tabled. The crew requirements are so high that it would be a difficult prospect to try and create countering numbers of any two Factions. Millions will be serving onboard just as the crew and you already know that civilians with sufficient clearance are operating businesses aboard to support them and improve morale. That's already the case with many Supers.

A topic you did not anticipate was discussions on the presence of invulnerable warships. The Builder ship is going to be sent to the Dyson Sphere once the situation there is well in hand. Maybe in another year or two, who knows. Nobody else is getting builder material plated ships in the meantime.

Some (not the Terrans) have suggested that certain ships that have been so upgraded be locked away. A few of the fleets that were present at the Gate in preparation for battle had their Fire Drake corvettes armored. Your surviving Eclipse medium was as well. So was that massive Helios gun super.

Having some ships that cant be scratched aside from using mass quantities of antimatter against them is going to make some people rather apprehensive.

What is your opinion on this matter? Should anything be done or should they be locked away? Or maybe just certain ships?
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>>4079504
Things like the Fire Drakes I can understand, they're small, dangerous, and fast. The bigger ships like the Helios Supergun were always going to face things like a Veckron strike to take them out, even if they weren't armored. If the Factions are being picky about this, then we could probably un-armor the Drakes, but it's not like they're massive game changers.

You'll still need a fleet to operate with them, they're not going to turn the tide of a war on their own. I think what I'm trying to say is, they're not the logistics nightmare a mobile forge/shipyard/carrier is.
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>>4079504
>What is your opinion on this matter?
I think they overestimate how useful 1 super, 1 medium, and a couple hundred corvettes that are hard to damage will be.
Even if the hull can't be damaged by regular weapons, continued impacts will turn the interior structure and crew to paste, without any need to start throwing anti matter.
But if people overestimate the usefulness of these ships and it will garner us garner us some goodwill for looking these away: They pay us what they think these 'invulnerable' ships are worth and in exchange they will be interred in the sphere, like the ancient pre-republic fleet. If Helios is worried about the tech on their ship, they'll get to dismantle the interior before handing the hull and remaining systems over.
That way we should gain lots of funding (if they're that worried, these ships should be worth a lot, right?) and people can cross one reason for headaches off the list. The Sphere even gains some more up to data defenses in the process.

>The Builder ship is going to be sent to the Dyson Sphere once the situation there is well in hand.
Can they do that without asking Sonia? I know we'll have to agree once the other factions start pressuring us but regardless of that. Like, at least half of it is Sonia's ship.
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>>4079521
>Can they do that without asking Sonia? I know we'll have to agree once the other factions start pressuring us but regardless of that. Like, at least half of it is Sonia's ship.
I was wondering this as well. Surely the Rekesh inside the planet would prefer having the ship kept there too? It's technically a bargaining chip for them too.
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>>4079521
>Can they do that without asking Sonia?
>>4079531
>I was wondering this as well.
I may have remembered something wrong again.
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>>4079538
Storing anything in the Sphere worries me because by their own admission they don't have enough people to take care of it. And now it's loaded up with Empire Neeran. And we've already been on the receiving end of them running riot on the Sphere.
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>>4079504

>Terrans acting like spoiled brats pussies now that the Dominion has a couple toys that their precious SP Torps cant one shot. And now that the Dominion has its own SP Torp production and isn’t reliant upon the other factions for them. Terrans crying foul and wanting to lock away tech that the Dominion got through the war fair and square.

Honestly? With how petulant the Terrans are being post Neeran war. I don’t give a fuck what they say. Dominion Houses even those of the Seven have feared approaching the idea of SP Torps for fear of Terran Black Ops and counter operations fucking them over into the foot notes of history.

And now they are complaining that the Dominion has a few ships with armor that only Anti-Matter and Vekron weapons can damage. But not their precious SP-Torps? Fuck them.

I will relent and say things like the Fire Drakes can be given to the Ruling House or one of the Seven for safe keeping if they are so worried about us, a medium house at best having access to them.

But I say “Fuck you” to the Terrans in turning over our Medium, if Helios wants to turn over its Super and cripple its own research. That’s its prerogative.

Also if we ban these ships with Builder Armor then any ship built in the future once the Builder ship is made known. Are going to be prevented from having that armor. And hell I would not put it past the Terrans to whine at this point to ban research and study into the Builder ship just to spite the Dominion.

So nah man. I say no to getting rid of them or storing them away.
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>>4079585
>Some (not the Terrans)
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>>4079587

I stand corrected, I still say no to locking them away.
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Has that crate with all the new medals Sonia has received since the end of the civil war arrived yet?
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>>4079538
Right, we'll come back to this. Have a short post typed up.

>>4079634
You got a few of the more substantial ones from the Count at the end of the parade on Dreminth. Arrangements were made for the lesser awards and duplicates to be sent to Rioja. Also the Ruling House has to send some your way but cant do so publicly because of secrets surrounding the mission.

>>4079517
>You'll still need a fleet to operate with them, they're not going to turn the tide of a war on their own. I think what I'm trying to say is, they're not the logistics nightmare a mobile forge/shipyard/carrier is.
This is true.

>>4079521
>Even if the hull can't be damaged by regular weapons, continued impacts will turn the interior structure and crew to paste, without any need to start throwing anti matter.
This is a good point. The corvettes would actually be more vulnerable to this since there isn't as much ship to take the jolt.

>They pay us what they think these 'invulnerable' ships are worth and in exchange they will be interred in the sphere, like the ancient pre-republic fleet.
Even if they were locked away with the capital ships I think a case could be made for demanding payment or other compensation.

Builder armor upgraded ships?

[ ] Mothball them with the capital ships
[ ] Mothball some of them as a gesture
[ ] Ships interred but they have to pay us
[ ] Don't hand over upgraded ships, threat is overblown
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>>4079688
>[x] Ships interred but they have to pay us
Capitalism, ho!
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>>4079688
>[ ] Mothball some of them as a gesture
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>>4079688
The Terrans got a few of their ships up-armored didn't they? Maybe we should coordinate our response with them.
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>>4079688
>[ ] Mothball some of them as a gesture
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>>4079714
>The Terrans got a few of their ships up-armored didn't they?
Yes, mostly smaller ones like the Hex class.

>Maybe we should coordinate our response with them.
Just remember their government owns their ships where as the J-D ones are mostly owned by you.
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>>4079688
> Ships interred but they have to pay us

It wasn't done as anything part of the alliance.
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>>4079751
Also can we in turn bring up Veckron Beam weapons and demand they be proven to be safe for subspace or banned, given the prior Universe being imploded?
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>>4079767
This would seem to be a good point in time to bring it up. Along with whatever other dangerous experiments they might be getting up to.
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>>4079790
We're willing to accept observere for SP torps to ensure stability, anything less than the same for the Terrans is hypocritical.

Also we should first agitate Terran environmentalist groups. It should be more acceptable if Terran organizations are the main people investigating, and with their open society we should seed the agreement with letting the most radical group investigate.
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You generously offer to mothball some of the ships on the condition that you're compensated for the temporary loss of such rare and valuable collectibles. A storage fee or lease of sorts acknowledging that they're still your property. When the technology is less of a novelty perhaps they'll be released back into your custody, or that of your heirs.

You'll have to keep a few upgraded ships of course. The Eclipse isn't going anywhere for one thing, and something extraordinary will be needed as the grand prize of the tournaments you're planning.

The offer is met with incredulity according to the Ruling House's diplomatic corps. Supposedly the Republic's representatives were incensed and the Terrans are reconsidering their own options after realising they might be able to make money off of this. Predictably the other Houses have copied your example after hearing about it.
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>>4079531
>>4079521
>>4079538
Right so the plan was that tech from Threochts planet was going to be shared eventually with the Factions. It would go through the Caretakers and from them to the Alliance. That couldn't start for awhile due to the whole Krath situation.

Then you brought in the Builder ship to help defend the Gate making everyone who wasn't in on the secret suddenly aware of its existence. It's back at Threochts planet for now but it can't remain that way. The other Factions are asking too many questions which is making the Rovinar and Krath nervous. A new plan is needed.

Thanks to enhancements like those your people tested, the Caretakers can bolster their ranks with volunteers. They know it works for Humans and Rekesh, maybe Kavarians too. These volunteers obviously wouldn't be able to do everything, but they could help provide the numbers the Caretakers desperately need for the short term.

There would be a permanent Rekesh presence stationed aboard. Eventually it may be moved back to Threochts planet. Once at the Sphere the Factions not already involved would only be able to get information on the vessel through the Dyson Exploration Sciences Foundation or the Alliance.

Input on this plan?
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>>4080052
>They know it works for Humans and Rekesh, maybe Kavarians too
Shouldn't there be a relatively decent chance that it can work on Hune too? They're probably still closer to baseline humans than Rekesh are to Kavarians.
Also, if the factions will know about it, we should give Chen a refresh. He's relatively old, if I remember correctly. He should be in his 70s? He was already older when the war started.

>Input on this plan?
I want the option to veto when it comes to passing on certain technologies. I'm generally fine with passing on advancements in healthcare and teleportation technology. Everything else should be reviewed.
I guess we can't really prevent the rest. Helping the caretakers getting their shit together is a good thing in my book. Although they seem to have the impractical tendency to lose the more sensible members of their order, just look how they've been treating Svidur and Uller.

>There would be a permanent Rekesh presence stationed aboard.
Is establishing a more permanent connection between the sphere and the Rekesh facility an option?
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>>4080052
I really don't like it. I don't see why the ship can't be kept at Threocht's planet. We even had that city built with the beams for long-term study. It would also mean that people would take any threats in the North seriously.

Shoving everything in the Dyson sphere seems way too much like putting all our eggs in one basket.
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>>4080052

>Krath/ Rovinar issue at Threochts.

Dominion to calm the other factions. If they get worried, we can let an Alliance observer into the facility again. But only once the Rekesh Wizard says it is okay. And we keep the Alliance observer in the southern regions and away from the northern regions. Citing some BS claim that going to the north is dangerous to those who do not share similar biology to the Krath/ Rekesh? Only need to placate people for a year or two until the Builder ship is moved. Then attention will be removed from Threochts and on to the Builder ship and the Sphere. And since there is only one way in, which we (Sonia) control. Unless we turned control over the base to someone else. We can dictate who goes in and out.

Not to say we abandon the Krath project. But since we are learning more about wormholes and they have a functioning gate inside the facility. I’m sure the Krath government in tandem with the Rovinar and the Dominion can convince the Alliance to look the other way to let them use one of the gates to get their secret out. That or we just build a receiver for the Krath so that the gate in the facility can lock on to it once and then send the Krath and their secret through it never to be heard or seen again.

If the Krath don’t want to lose the access to the Builder ships wormhole generator. We can set aside a date/ time in the future where we make a testing of the worm hole generator with the Krath/ Rovinar. And ensure only a select few are allowed on board during that time.

>Caretaker Enhanced personnel helping the Caretakers

This is a sound plan and gives our people a chance to learn more about their powers and abilities in ways that they might not have been able to with just the handful of Neeran we had brought with us. So long as our people remain loyal to us and the House.

>Builder ship tech distribution through Foundation or Alliance.

I don’t trust the Foundation not to fuck up or do something stupid. Since they screwed up twice. Once in letting a Neeran Sleeper agent into our team which screwed up our deployment to the Sphere and again by putting an agent to spy on us and who blew their cover when we learned of the Kraths secret. So I don’t trust them to not make their own side deal. But if the Alliance/ Factions want to include them in distributing said tech, that is their choice. I don’t trust them.

And if the Alliance distributes it. I am sure that will do wonders for the Factions who are worried that the FA is getting to powerful and might try to replace them. But hey I’d be willing to give them a chance. So far they are doing everything to keep the Factions from panicking in spectacular fashion and are taking steps to draw down their power. So sure, let the FA distribute it.
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>>4080113
>Once in letting a Neeran Sleeper agent into our team which screwed up our deployment to the Sphere
True.
>and again by putting an agent to spy on us and who blew their cover when we learned of the Kraths secret
Not true.
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>>4080080
>Hune
>They're probably still closer to baseline humans than Rekesh are to Kavarians.
They have the medical scans of that ancient dock worker that you guys effectively brought back from the dead. They were more or less Kavarians with a caretaker enhancement.

>Is establishing a more permanent connection between the sphere and the Rekesh facility an option?
Now that the gate inside Threochts planet is repaired, yes.

>I want the option to veto when it comes to passing on certain technologies. I'm generally fine with passing on advancements in healthcare and teleportation technology. Everything else should be reviewed.
Putting a more stringent review process in place would seem to be a good idea.

>>4080087
>Shoving everything in the Dyson sphere seems way too much like putting all our eggs in one basket.
That is a legitimate concern.

I'm open to other ideas to help the Krath cover their tracks while they're busy evacuating their kin. Getting the ship out of the plant just happens to be the most expedient one.
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>>4080130
>Getting the ship out of the plant just happens to be the most expedient one.
Use the builder ship to build a dedicated research facility for the ship out of sphere material in deep space? Link it to the sphere with a wormhole gate, and it's effectively removed from direct faction interference and still under direct access from the sphere.
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>>4080130
Ultimately it's down to the Krath but what if we kind of told the truth? Imply this was a bio-weapon research facility and one of their projects got out of hand, and thankfully the Krath are able to safely counter them.
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>>4080113
>And we keep the Alliance observer in the southern regions and away from the northern regions. Citing some BS claim that going to the north is dangerous to those who do not share similar biology to the Krath/ Rekesh?
The Alliance will probably send a Kavarian officer if for whatever reason they cant locate a Krath one.

>And since there is only one way in, which we (Sonia) control. Unless we turned control over the base to someone else. We can dictate who goes in and out.
J-D troops still hold the entrance. Forces on planet have been supplemented with Ruling House personnel but your people are not relinquishing control of the equatorial site without your authorization.

>and again by putting an agent to spy on us and who blew their cover when we learned of the Kraths secret.
They "blew their cover" because the weren't an agent but an Archaeogeneticist who was given a security clearance sufficient to know what to look for if they stumbled onto ancient Krath and Rovinar on the Sphere.

>use one of the gates to get their secret out. That or we just build a receiver for the Krath so that the gate in the facility can lock on to it once and then send the Krath and their secret through it never to be heard or seen again.
That is actually something I hadn't considered.

>>4080140
>Use the builder ship to build a dedicated research facility for the ship out of sphere material in deep space?
That's a neat idea. They're still learning a lot about what it can build and they've been holding off on disassembling a gate to gather the necessary patterns. Part of the reason they've been practicing on something relatively simple like the city.
Not going to rule this one out.

>>4080150
Other complications lie down that path.

The Krath timeline has certainly been accelerated thanks to the stasis container packaging craft they assembled inside the docks. Assistance from the Builder ship has been a big help too. It wouldn't be unreasonable to make use of the interior's gate facility to dial out to a point in Krath space. Or even the Centri Cluster Gate really. The latter would be a pain in the ass due to monitoring in the region and cargo traffic having to be diverted.

I guess it could work and allow the ship to remain inside Threochts planet.
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>>4080314
>The latter would be a pain in the ass due to monitoring in the region and cargo traffic having to be diverted.
Isn't there supposed to be a second gate facility in Rovinar territory? There must definitely be more than one to test gate2gate connections.
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>>4080357
No? The Factions only constructed the 2 gates and those were expensive as hell. The main one in REP 01 and the other in the Centri Cluster. The Centri cluster one wasn't even intended for regular use, more as a backup in addition to a connection test point.

The Rovinar destroyed a gate in Shallan space early in the war. Maybe you were thinking of that?
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>>4080377
Probably, yeah. Or I didn't remember about the gate location in republic space and moved it to rovinar space.
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I don't fancy the plan as is. Looks too much to me like the Dominion is giving up the ship without getting any thing for it. Likewise sharing tech with the other factions doesn't seem like it would be in the Dominion best interest. What do we get out of sharing tech with people who at worst considers us enemies in all but name?
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>>4080393
It's in the relay outside of the main body of Republic territory that was largely under Terran jurisdiction during the Republic's civil war. It got hit by the pirate Warlords rather badly. This conveniently means there was a lot of free real estate to set up research bases on planets that are not as habitable as they once were.

>>4080471
Unfortunately the Rovinar have a tech sharing agreement with the Terrans so it's going to get out eventually.

Every effort will be made to try and keep the ship at Threochts planet. This will delay sharing the tech with the other Factions though not a lot. Just until the Krath evac their people.
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>>4080505
>Unfortunately the Rovinar have a tech sharing agreement with the Terrans so it's going to get out eventually.
Why not reroute everything through the Krath? They're already as closely allied to the Rovinar as can be, so it makes little difference if the Rovinar scientists are leased for work to the Union. Everything gets a sticker "Proud product of the Krath Union". The tech sharing can't feasibly include passing on technology provided by a different ally without the third party's consent.

>>4080314
>The Krath timeline has certainly been accelerated thanks to the stasis container packaging craft they assembled inside the docks.
How many scales managed to evolve sapience on their own? We recovered at least one from the shipyard, I think. Do they get along with the Krath?

Also, can we get the Union to provide a specialist for proper Krath healthcare in our territory? I don't mind paying for it but we have a small and possibly growing population of these guys, which means we need somebody to look after their specific needs. That's at least a doctor-equivalent on Rioja. The last thing we need is for them to suddenly start budding out of nowhere.
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>>4080940
>Why not reroute everything through the Krath?
Because you'd have to kick the Rovinar out of the arrangement first? They're already involved. The only way to do what you suggest would be to first make the Rovinar uninvolved. That's not easy.

>How many scales managed to evolve sapience on their own?
Unknown for sure. The only one encountered so far was the one rescued from the shipyard. Those that are present on the planet interior seem less advanced. They've been able to survive but not really thrive.
Your scientists stationed there think the Leviathan blood may have functioned as a cognitive enhancer, in addition to everything else it does for them. Synthesizers in the yard may have been able to replicate a close substitute allowing any smart ones to function apart from the Leviathans.

>Union to provide a specialist for proper Krath healthcare in our territory?
The Krath do have an embassy on Rioja, or at least one attached to the Rovinar one. It will have medical facilities to treat Krath.
>The last thing we need is for them to suddenly start budding out of nowhere.
That shouldn't be an issue.
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>>4081056
>Because you'd have to kick the Rovinar out of the arrangement first? They're already involved. The only way to do what you suggest would be to first make the Rovinar uninvolved. That's not easy.
That's unfortunate. Probably not worth the headache in that case.

>krath stuff
That's good to hear. I guess no reason to worry then.
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You know what's been bugging me? We never got to see the Helios/Veritas SuperPhase fire.
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>>4081056
>Unfortunately the Rovinar have a tech sharing agreement with the Terrans so it's going to get out eventually.

Can't we get a tech sharing agreement in return then? Agreements can always be renegotiated. Simply have the Rovinar tell the Terrans that if they were going to share tech from us with Terrans, then the would have to share Terran tech they recieve with us.

Eitther we get Terran tech, or the Rovinar/Terran alliance weakens.

After all, the Krath stuff has tech involved and they make an exception for sharing that.
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>>4081072
They're conducting a few test firings against wrecks that can be rigged up with shields.

>>4081229
Anyone else in favour of causing as much political fuckery as possible to delay tech getting from the ship to the other Factions? I'm sure the Ruling House would be happy to quietly assist on the condition they can deny personal involvement in the delay.

Y/N?
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>>4081250
>Y/N?
No. We're making headway to finally build good diplomatic connections with both Krath and Rovinar. It would also delay tech that should reach all factions asap, and that's just a dick move.
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>>4081250
We can also remind the Rovinar that if they were willing to limit tech from joint operations being released to the Terrans, we would be much more willing to work on them with other projects.

They surely don't think that this location is anywhere near everything we have. Remember who got that wraith? Who improved their cloaked battleships so much they had to sue?

Are they partners with the Terrans, or just their bottom bitch and unable to work with others.

I'm sure the Yang galaxy races would also be disappointed to learn that anything the get released to the Rovinar automatically gets sent to the Terrans who have a history of suppressing foreign powers in the name of "stability". Especially since they're naturally concerned about the integrity of their new hard-won independance.

They could find it significantly more difficult to gain long term relationships and lose out massively since the Alliance isn't representing the factions any more.

Unless they truly believe the Terrans can resist the need to meddle in other nations, especially ones who they disagree with regarding political structures.
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>>4081250
Honestly? No.

We're in a precarious position with the Dominion having just gained SP technology. Moves like this might antagonise the wrong groups. It's kind of like the Weather control tower technology we recovered, anyway. Everyone can build it, but we've had that 'head-start'.

Maybe in this case the Dominion will be the first to field Singularity reactors and we'll have a comfortable advantage for a while. We wouldn't want to turn into the Terrans with excessive tech hoarding and suppression.
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>>4081250
>They're conducting a few test firings against wrecks that can be rigged up with shields.
Missed this. Neat!
>>
For now you'll hold off on any needless meddling with the politics of the builder ship. Getting the current agreements in place was hard enough. The Krath can hopefully create enough delays and will appreciate what you've done to make a difference.

With the new year fast approaching you make arrangements to head to Dreminth with the family. Now that everyone is back from deployments and with Bekka still around it's the first time in many years that all of you have had a chance to really spend the holidays together.

Talking over the prospect of arranging for snow at lodge a few object while others are much more in favour. You make the compromise of only a day's snowfall. Enough for those who want it to have fun. Leon and Eleanor dont really know the Lodge or its surroundings so you, Troy or your siblings take turns showing them around.

Helping out your sister with a few errands you notice signs that she's physically quite a bit older than you now.
"Bekka you have grey in your hair."
"Shut up, no I dont!"
"Uh, yes, you do."
"Sonia I will punch you, I dont care how many invisible bodyguards you have."

>What say?
>>
>>4081457
"I only mention it because I care, and because I might be able to do something about it."
>>
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>>4081457
>What say?
"Please don't, I've had so many upgrades I'm actually worried you might break something if you hit me hard enough."
So, is the lodge hardened enough that we could share the information on our fountain of youth with her without having to worry about nosy people listening in?
>>
>>4081514
>So, is the lodge hardened enough that we could share the information on our fountain of youth with her without having to worry about nosy people listening in?
Parts of it.
>>
Looking for any more suggestions for Sonia's long term plans regarding the House, Rioja, family, all of it. Will Sonia still be getting involved on adventures or sticking closer to home barring diplomatic visits?

With all of the black ops stuff I was thinking even early on that some day she'd just vanish on a crazy mission *never to be seen again.


>>4081510
>>4081514
Defuse and see if Bekka can be let on on the secret.

Have to head out and get some stuff done tonight.
>>
>>4081521
Well, I guess Bekka is getting a nice Christmas gift this year in that case.
>>
>>4081560
>Will Sonia still be getting involved on adventures or sticking closer to home barring diplomatic visits?
I'd say she's going to be more selective? After all of this, most interhouse warfare seems like a complete waste of time. She'll probably insist on staying involved in spherebuilder related business. There's obviously lots to discover in that area.

>Sonia's long term plans regarding the House
Find a place for the House that allows it to prosper without the need for military action, unless there's good reason to. Work on keeping the peace between the different political groups and barons.

>family
They seem sensible enough. So, aside from keeping them around indefinitely I see little reason to micromanage. All of them should get scanned and treated by the builder system asap, though.

>all of it
Keep raising the standard of living and find ways prevent people from doing the stupid things they usually do when things are going well?
>>
>>4081560
>adventures
I think if she started turning down going on missions, people would be concerned that she'd been replaced. Probably exploring uncharted regions, following up on any more leads from the Dyson Sphere, working with the caretakers if they ever needed 'specialist' help. Maybe taking a few years off to train with them or Svidur if she got caretaker enhancements?
She needs her adrenaline fix somehow.

>House
I can't see Sonia getting truly involved with House politics as it was never her strong suit. Maybe acting as a watchful guardian, ensuring things like the Count's assassination and the attempted coup never happen again. Planning long-term to reach true 'medium house' status.

>Rioja
I can't imagine her ever stepping back from Rioja unless pressured to do so, probably constantly managing parts of it and implementing new (or dumb) ideas.

>family
That's an interesting one. Probably making sure all her children grow up strong and healthily, encouraging each of them to follow their interests? Maybe pushing them into making their own legacy as well.
>>
>>4081560
Probably stockpiling for whatever next apocalyptic enemy the Factions have to fight, too.
>>
It causes me physical pain to think that this is almost over
>>
>>4081560
Sonia constantly starting massive vanity projects like a dyson ring that starts the size of a tiny moon and continually scales up, in an attempt to build her own dyson sphere WHEN
>>
>>4081560

I think Bekka would be one to question us on the question of ethics regarding this kind of medical technology being made available to the average person.

If we go this route it might be prudent to think about our answer on this. We haven't been seriously tested on this before unless I'm misremembering.
>>
I have a theory.

If the Builder ship was used to build sections of the Dyson Sphere, then it must have used a shitload of power. Assuming the conversion beams are at maximum 100% efficient, that's still going to be an equivalent amount of mass from the Singularity that powers the ship. This makes me think that the Singularity inside the ship isn't one that's been generated and fed fuel, but a natural super-massive black hole that's been collapsed.

Which means that somewhere in the universe, there's an even more massive Builder facility that can capture entire singularities and compress them to use as a power source.
>>
Rolled 4 (1d4)

>>4081560
Rolling for more kids
>>
>>4081657
I'm avoiding thinking it.

>>4082098
Movies, so many movies.
>>
will there be a sequel/spin-off quest? or will tstg write an all new one?
>>
>>4082290
It's 2 more sets of twins!
>>4081657
Same. Makes me feels wistful even though it's not completely over yet
>>
>>4082352
> Not one set of quadruplets

Side effects of optimized genetics using alien machinery! More babies good!
>>
>>4082341
>will there be a sequel/spin-off quest?
Eventually.
>>
>>4081560
>all of it
I can kinda see Sonia trying to get a degree in starship design or engineering. The combination of the improved spherebuilder medical facility making age a non issue and the chance to gain access to the time dilation study rooms if she asks might even make this possible while taking only a few weeks of vaction.
>>
>>4082813
>Sonia trying to get a degree in starship design or engineering.
>time dilation reading rooms
That feels like cheating. Imagine if you were some idealistic Terran student attending Rioja's university, and you got assigned Sonia as your partner for assignments. Now that's comedy.
>>
>>4082791
Call the spin-off "Keeping up with the Reynards". Play as one of Sonia's many children as they become soldiers, actors, pilots, racers, businessman and do their best to burn through our money.
>>
Can we get magic now?
>>
>>4082150

Everything I've learned about SMBHs screams to me that this is impossible by our physical laws. It's a good thing our laws aren't so strict in this universe.

That being said, your hypothesis is awesome and I hope it's true. I imagine subspace manipulation would be the best way to do anything regarding black holes - traditional means seem seriously unreasonable considering the scale of energy.
>>
>>4081560
I want to know more about Winifred. Also to make her a Godmother to our kids.

We can send a large quantity of alcohol along with the letter informing her that we also want to share the profits from the "diamond mine" now that it's productive.
>>
I have actually been writing today. I've got 1 whole page done of Sonia and Bekka talking. FML

>>4083971
>we also want to share the profits from the "diamond mine" now that it's productive.
She made the arrangements with intel for Duncan to be hiding the SP weapon data. Data that he copied and gave to you and you gave to the Ruling House.

So your letter should be addressed to Sonia. Your House is already slated to be given a substantial shipment of Dominion made SP weapons. If you really want to make yourself a target and ask the Count to send you and Winifred some of those that's your prerogative.

Archivald has suggested that the new SP weapons received by the House be divided up into equal lots. 1 for each Baron and 2 for a central J-D stockpile. Support for this plan?
>>
>>4084141
Yeah I'll support the plan. Might as well keep the obvious benefits "fair".
>>
>>4084141
So, do we still have any copies of that data?

If so, can we use it in any way to upgrade older SP torpedoes since manufacturing them is restricted?

Also, can you finally reveal to us how SP torpedoes work?
>>
>>4084141
>Your House is already slated to be given a substantial shipment of Dominion made SP weapons.
Do we get production capabilities?

>Support for this plan
Sure. Just make sure to store them better this time, if I remember correctly, pirates were able to loot several depots during attacks on J-D planets.
>>
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>>4084792
>Do we get production capabilities?
No. See:
>>4069137
>>4070915
>Research and production facilities on the colony of Amherst will be jointly operated by a group of Houses. They will operate openly and unharassed by the other Factions.
>In return for this the Dominion will not produce its own Veckron or subspace weapons beyond a set treaty limit. They will also assist in limiting the proliferation of such weapons technology. A special Alliance committee will provide oversight to assure the other Factions that the Dominion is keeping up it's end of the bargain. Other than that the Alliance will have no influence on the treaty or operations.

The Dominion's SP weapon development and production is for the moment going to be centralized on the Kharbos colony of Amherst as it was depopulated during the civil war. There are still enough civilians living there as to make destroying such facilities without collateral damage difficult.

>>4084545
>So, do we still have any copies of that data?
Yes, though Duncan would have to get it from wherever he's hidden it.

>If so, can we use it in any way to upgrade older SP torpedoes since manufacturing them is restricted?
You can crack them open and upgrade the warheads, which might actually be a good idea. Normally this isn't done because if you fuck it up you've wasted an expensive torpedo. That and there were some substantial structural changes between certain marks.

>Also, can you finally reveal to us how SP torpedoes work?
I'll start with how they're made how about.
>>
>>4085455
God dammit, I saved it as a jpg. WHY.
>>
Torpedoes used by the Factions have, in addition to a much more powerful warhead, a casing that allows the weapon to be charged with phased energy. This is phased off phase cannon tech. With the charged casing there is an increased chance of the weapon penetrating a ships shields. It used to be easier to determine and match the frequency of a ships shields allowing phase cannons and torpedoes to penetrate.

As it became more difficult to match frequencies the practice fell out of use, though the casings were kept up because they were tougher and helped with armor penetration.

Because of the casings properties there was found to be some interaction as a result of subspace bleed through from veckron cores. This was accidental at first. The Terrans field tested a few Veckron torpedoes against Kavarian warlords. These torpedoes had a standard high-end casing material at the time and the process of charging the weapon (using inverted drive plates) made the casing even stronger. It also gave the casing its shield piercing properties.

Conventional shielding is unable to repel the odd almost latent subspace energies running through the casing when energised. One thing a V-torp has no shortage of is engery.

It took a few years but the Terrans eventually figured out they could subject casings of conventional torpedoes to similar exposures using veckron cores and fields from drive plates to harden the casing and produce a similar effect. The SP torpedo has to be given a charge for the new casing to work as intended, as it doesn't have the same oomph behind it as a V-torp.
>>
>>4085455
>>4085531
Also I dont know how long it's been since I mentioned this but Veckron weapons have traditionally had this nasty habit of becoming unstable and exploding because it suddenly completed its charge. Usually a lot sooner than the operator was expecting.

The same thing can happen in SP torpedo production. If you mess it up the veckron core you're using may go bad. This may have been a side effect of inadequate enrichment or impurities. The Terrans aren't going to tell and they lost a lot of ships to this problem.
>>
Just out of interest what's the value of 10000 SP torps? Maybe a discount on purchases would work better?
>>
I guess there's going to be a second epilogue thread. I'll get a bunch of notes and things together before the next thread.

>>4085692
>Just out of interest what's the value of 10000 SP torps?
Probably a lot less if any Houses start selling off parts of their new arsenals. The Terran and Rovinar ones having been battle tested will probably be worth more.

I think the old black market price was averaging anywhere from 1 to 4 million for the best quality ones at different times?

>Maybe a discount on purchases would work better?
The Dominion will have limited production to start off so you're getting torpedoes as a contributor. What you choose to do with them after is your decision.

It might be a long wait if you were to ask for a discount on torpedoes that might not be for sale for awhile. The Emperor has made no announcements about selling them to Houses yet, just giving them to Houses. Probably in return for loyalty or to ensure the Dominion is strengthened against outside attack. That may change but the details are unknown.
>>
>>4085728
Eh, in that case I'll trust the Emperor's decision. We probably only used around 10k torps during the war anyway.
>>
>>4085794
You would be wrong by a substantial margin. At the start of the Crucible campaign Sonia's fleet was issued approximately 60 SP torpedoes for each attack ship. Plus some for the starfighters. Some for the medium cruisers that have torpedo launchers, though those are admittedly few in number. And finally a reserve. There is a reason the Alliance gets part of the salvage claims.

If you do the math you'll find you used boatloads of them.
>>
Been working on some things for next thread. Stuff with family, visit to the SP weapon facility, at some point there's going to be a visit to the builder ship again with Bekka, though might not be for a couple years. Not sure how much support there is for a diplomatic mission to the Kythera but some people have asked for it.
>>
>>4088302
Visit Svidur? Dominion Ball?
>>
>>4088302
If the builder ship is now known to the factions, can we bring it directly to Rioja for a short trip to repair people?

Does the FA have official headquarters anywhere? It be neat to visit before everything is scaled down again.

Meetings with the run alliance and another one with all the Houses in the relay?

>Kythera
I'd be okay with that, if they don't have some weird compulsion to turn organics into more Kythera. In that case it would be rude to visit when we don't want to become one.

>>4088309
>Visit Svidur?
Good idea. He should offer some insights on how things will go forward with the Neeran in general.



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