A Calderon is You

Psyckosama · Jun 1, 2015

fitzgerald said:
Samuel Calderon

Miriam doesn't grace your look with any comment. No she's obviously far too busy studying away to even notice you. Over the sounds of Tetris.

"You better be learning Russian."

Aaron agrees that the Archer is always a solid selection. In April after funds for the Wolverine get transferred to Norse Battlemechs to cover the cost of replicating the tooling he One Time Pads a numbered Comstar account that covers the cost for VMI to duplicate their Archer line. Said line ends up remaining down until April 3026 as VMI takes the opportunity duplicate their tooling.

Works.

TTI having brought the various parts factories online estimates that once the tooling arrives the first Wolverine should roll off the assembly line sometime in June-July 3026

Though I think we should tweak the design. What do people think of changing the direction of the laser? And is this a partial or full wolverine line? If full, it might be a good idea, to, I don't know, dupe the parts we don't already havea copy of? That way... well... 2-for-1 deal.

VMI starts planning to shut their Griffin line down in January 3026 to copy the tooling, Magistry Metals does the same as VMI Engineers head to Magistry to help the process along.

Alright. Though along those lines I'd like to suggest some modifications to the Shadowhawk based on my own perceptions of its performance.

Tactical Weapons Carrier actually. A wheeled Combat Vee small enough to fit into Light Vehicle Bays based using a standard chassis to equip a range of weaponry from SRMs, LRMs, Autocannons, and eventually Mech Mortars, Rocket Launchers, and any other new tech.

Shown below is what they expect the basic SRM version to look like

Code:

Tactical Weapons Carrier FC
Mass: 40 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Wheeled
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/C-D-D-A
Production Year: 0
Cost: 1,057,000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 701
Power Plant: 140 Fuel Cell Engine
Cruise Speed: 43.2 km/h
Flanking Speed: 64.8 km/h
Armor: Standard Armor
Armament:
5 SRM-6s
Manufacturer:
Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 20 points 4.00
Engine: Fuel-Cell Engine 140 6.00
Cruise MP: 4
Flank MP: 6
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 1 0.00
Control Equipment: 2.00
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Turret: 1.50
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 120 7.50
Armor
Factor
Front 29
Left/Right 24/24
Turret 24
Rear 19
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 SRM-6s T 20 5 15.00
@SRM-6 (60) BD - 0 4.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 7
4w 4 4 0 0 2 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: EE, TUR(4/4/0, SRM 4/4/0), SRM 4/4/0

Click to shrink...

Neat. Work out an ICE version as well for export we can use the sale of them to help fund the TDF's accusation

The TDF is actually rather happy with the idea of having an easier to move Fire Support unit that shares a common chassis, with additional variants added on to the list. Engineering the bugs out will take time, but in the end the TDF will have a nice base unit to put into production.

Do we have any Hermes Battlemechs anywhere? If not I'd like to get one. I don't care if the lostech is in it as long as its modular repair system is intact. I believe it would behoove us to study it for ideas.

Assisted by the fact that the new Universities founded by your predecessor Thomas Calderon eight years ago are putting out new graduates. The R&D splurge is soaking up new graduates and has set up a number of Research Parks across the whole TC University system.

Additionally the prospect of Bulls being plunged into the economy via R&D has very much calmed jitters in the stock market.

Hanse Davion isn't the only one who can look to the future. I respect his NAIS efforts but we're gong to show the universe that when it comes to new ideas, the Sword and Star might be good, but nobody takes the Bull by the horns. Nobody.

They'd very much like to build up expertise first on the Rocket Launchers and Arrow IV projects, its not so much a matter of additional cost now that the R&D facilities have been established. Throwing more money at it won't actually make things go that much faster, its much like BBQing sometimes low and slow gives the best results even if it takes time.

Ah. Okay. Fair enough.

A good deal of protests start going up, right now its turned into a matter of pride.

"Believe me, I know who my enemies are. And he's not one of them. Not exactly a friend, though both can change based on future events but for now he and I have one thing in common: we have bigger fish to fry. For me, the instability of this nation cased by the deaths of my kindred. For Hanse, the Draconis Combine. And in this I believe we're both on the same page. He wants a stable and more importantly, quiet neighbor to the South so he can focus his efforts on the Dracs. I want a wealthy and prosperous Taurian Concordant and Thomas Iguchi's head on a silver plate. I believe it can be said that our current objectives align quite nicely..."

As for your Mech it has its armor slowly swapped over. At the same time two additional Magna Medium lasers are added. While still not a Mech to Alpha strike in ever, it provides Samuel with two distinct range bands along with plenty of fire-power.

Pull the smalls and replace them with a flamer.

While your personal Mech is being upgraded another stock 6D is purchased for your usage at the Ecolie Militare

Very nice.

Starting from a base of Anti shipping missiles used by Gunships the engineering staff are having real trouble with the launch system. A big advantage of LRMs and SRMs is that individual missiles aren't actually all that big, so its much easier to load and launch them.

Hm. Start with a non-reloadable system (the original .5 ton Thunderbolt from unbound). A compact, lightwight single shot system can still add a good deal of punch to most mechs. We can work out a reloading version later.

Well that and it made TTI's lawyers happy that any lawsuit against it would fail badly.

You can't license a weapons loadout and it it was developed independently there would be no room to stand anyways.

Given the dream of an all fusion powered fleet dies instantly once the costs of building new powerplants gets mentioned the TDF is perfectly happy to envision a future of using a Fuel Cell fleet.

Fuel Cells and Fusion are like a hand and a glove. Perfect match.

Another great idea!

Biggest issue is that the easiest way forward is to settle on a single armor scheme that can support variant weapons load. By the end of the March the TDF settles on an engine size (Fuel Cell 250) and in November a single armor scheme that supports both an AC10 variant and a AC5 paired with a SRM6 for the two main production variants.

The various factories tool up to produce the engines for local production.

Wonderful.

Colonel Henry merely shrugs and answers "Safe, sane, consensual can cover a great deal of ground. Then the Canopians will think up at least fifty additional ways to add more ground to that."

I laugh.

Chemical Warfare Labs are always interested in additional new weapons. Why they are greatly underfunded compared to the bastards over in Nuclear Weaponry

A non-lethal compound that will turn the enemy into paranoid crazies is always a good thing.

"If you were grey haired, fifty, and a complete disaster hadn't just occurred I doubt anybody would mind" a tall elegant woman in a grey dress answers in a friendly tone.

"Muckle darmed Snakes! 'Aie eh nabmlies be keepin' me wee men?!?!"

I pause. "Sorry just reminded of a merc that I met when I was younger with that..."

And I put a sidenote to hire Old Man Henderson if he'll be available. Payment will include Lawn Gnomes.

Eve Moneypenny you recall from your study notes was Marshall Brenda Calderon's personal secretary and was tapped to work with you.

Never can say no to a Moneypenny.

A retired TMI field agent, she has a daughter Naomi who just turned 15 and was engaged to a former TMI field agent who died in the field.

I'll introduce her to my sister. She can use (reliable) friends.

Helloooo nurse!

Taking a moment to adjust your tie Miss Moneypenny continues on, "Now a few pictures of you relaxing on a beach somewhere with an open Hawian shirt would be greatly appreciated by all the young ladies in the galaxy. In this case the suits going to appeal to all the bankers, businessmen, and politicians who are panicked by the current instability."

"I think my briefcase full of R&D and industrial projects will do about the same."

Roll a 2d6 please labelled Speech for the general reaction.

[dice]1796[/dice]

A completely average roll.

While everyone sees the mention of ties to Aaron Sandoval as inevitable and is perfectly happy at focusing on pirates not everyone, including Grover Sharplen is happy about seeking ties with the FedSuns.

I restate the point above.

More importantly Aramis Dunn, the prominent leader of the Farlookers is extremely pleased by your forward looking attitudes after eight years of Thomas's fear of the FedSuns.

I sit down with him when he gets the chance.

I understand his mindset but over the next few years I intend to slow down colonization efforts to focus on industrial buildup. My plan is what I like to call the Lobster principle. When they grow a lobster must shed its shell, and during this it has to slow down to allow its new shell to harden less it become dinner for a rival lobster. We need to keep the same attitude.

Periods of growth followed by a solid consolidation period to ensure that those new worlds are a net benefit to the concordant as a whole. I agree with the Farlooker creed in principle but we have to temper it with realpolitik.

I believe the next 5 years are going to be pivotal and violent. I believe storm is about to hit the Inner Sphere so I'd like them to start being careful with their efforts and work with me to make their current colonies safe and secure before any great waves of expansion. Once they are, we can talk about new expansion. That said, I will be much more willing to support colonies on worlds abandoned during the fall of the Star League and colonies placed to ensure that no new world is more than 30 light years from another Taurian world.

The former are a matter of pride that will never be questioned as long as it can be done without causing a political incident or endangering our national security. The latter are in my mind, naturally part of the focus on consolidation efforts as I believe no world should ever be cut off from immediate support from another.

My gut tells me we're looking at about a regular 5-10 year cycle depending on political climate of controlled expansion follow by a consolidation phase.

In general I tell him I have two rules for everything: Safe, Sustainable, Achievable, and Manageable, with a good Return On Investment. As long as my old buddies SSAM and ROI are there, you can probably talk me into doing almost anything.

Basically a pro-Farlooker stance with caveats. I outright say their job is to be eyes in the stars idealists and as long as they behave within the law, I support that. We need people like them. But my job as protector is to be the rock that keeps them grounded in reality because if you're head is too far in the stars you might find yourself drifting.

I hope they can respect that and as long as they do, they have my support. And that together we can draw from eachother's strengths to pave a better future not only for the Taurian Concordant but humanity as a whole.

As a symbol of my dedication I... pass forward an NDA. What I'm about to tell him is top secret.

If he sighs, I let him know that I intend to remove one of the largest canker sores on the ass of his efforts: The so called Pirate's Haven cluster has always been a nest of problems. Before the fall of the Star League it was under Taurian control. I'd like to see it return to such. And I don't just want to smack the bastards and leave, I intend to resettle it with proper Taurians who know the value of a Bull and are willing to work for an honest living. I'd like his help finding it. Rumor has it that James Kaiten has found a stable world inside the cluster that may be possible to colonize without protective gear.

While not exactly an ideal region, the Badlands would make a great resource supply for future expansion, if there's one stable world there may be others, and by systematically relieving outside pressure we can shorten the consolidation phases and allow more generous colonization phases.

More practically the Ministry of Trade is happy with the direction you are taking.

He's also the Minister of Colonization so I hope he can respect my above viewpoint.

On the flip side a good number of the Privy Council is cautious about moving too fast and too far. While the Fed Com Accords and the Kaypten's Pact have start dividing the InnerSphere into two factions no is thrilled with the idea of actually picking a side and getting dragged into the Succession Wars.

My view is to be marginally aligned with the FedCom. We share a massive border with the Federated Suns which would be almost impossible to properly defend in case of war. Our borders with the Capallans are much more narrow and besides McCarrons Armored Cav, their forces in the region are somewhat limited.

We can afford to be opportunistic.

"Speaking of," Miss Moneypenny mentions after the meeting as she slips you a smooth gin and tonic. "The high profile young ladies you pretty much have to meet are Lisa Steiner, she's the niece of the current Archon, she's been hopping jumpers like mad to get here.

I plan a polite discussion about Mech tactics.

With her is Duchess Natalie Vanderzham head of Bowie Industries whose lovely features had very little to do with her becoming CEO even if she's only 25 years old. "

An offer to expand business relations.

Miss Moneypenny passes you short profiles of each of the young ladies in questions to review.

Okay.

"From the FWL Louise Humphries, my she's a short one with an almost pink shade of blonde, daughter of the current Duchess of Andurien.

I think I've head about that one... she's pretty violent is she not?

Force Commander Elizabeth 'Liz' Sherman is here with her mother Andrea Sherman CEO of Magna Metals.

More people to talk shop and business with.

They've been here since November last year and Magna is a major industrial producer here on Taurus."

I see.

"From the Cappies, Candace Liao has actually sent a rather lovely note of regret that she can't attend and meet you as she's currently leading efforts against aggressors from the Capellan March.

One bullet dodged.

Lady Kelly O'Hanion ruler of Victoria is the leading light and most eligible of the candidates. With her is Commander Jessica Hollis, second daughter of the Duke of Corey and an ASF ace in her own right. "

I'll be polite and friendly to both, but honestly, considering I know what's coming I do not intend to get overly chummy with the Capallan Confederation.

"Marques Rani Mukherjee ruler of As Samik is the current leading lady from the FedSuns barring your Aunt of course. Next would be Doctor Famke Vanlees, younger sister of the current Duke of Kathil"

Polite and friendly to both, with discussions of improved relations but there's little common interest at the moment.

"From the OWA Guardian Kara Avellar is teaching at the Aersospace Flight School and is a bit of rowdy but then she's an Ace with twenty six kills to her name."

I'd like to discuss with her some possible fighter concepts and what she thinks would be a good strategy for improving the Taurian Navy.

"Madeline Centralla, currently studying Orbital Engineering here on Taurus is the niece to the Magestrix. While she's not in line to take over Madeline's also not going to be plunged into this unexpectedly."

Orbital Engineering, interesting concept that.

"Locally the big names are Callina Malvena, heiress to New Vandenburg, and Baroness Sajal Duro ruler of Celentaro.

I need to get very acquainted (respectfully) with them. We'll be working together for the rest of our lives.

Ms Mayumi Saegusa heir to Wingman Enterprises on Pinard rounds out the list. The Saegusa's and Wingman are rather notorious for acquiring ASF designs from the Combine during the lead up to the New Vandenburg Rebellion without a single speck of consent and a habit of shooting lawyers who brought lawsuits on behalf Wakazashi Enterprises."

I like them already.

Some more projects I'd like to play with.

1) What would it take to get our jumpship yards back up and running and get Snowdens back under production?

2) I'd like to approach more companies about getting businesses started up on the less developed and more newly colonized worlds of the Concordant and am willing to discuss at least some degree of industrial partnership with interested worlds. Doesn't even have to be pure military production. Anything that fills a real need will be valued.

Along those lines I'd like to contact Mountain Wolf Battlemechs.

3) I'd like to make locating and capturing Bloody James Kaiten's secret home world (and killing the son of a bitch) a priority. Ideally we'll be able to work with the Farlookers on this project. As they are fighting a non-state opponent, they are clear to use low power tactical nukes if need be. I'm very strong on that last part. I want to capture as much intact as possible and not ruin the damned planet.

4) I'd like to reverse engineer Black Bessie and put the Toro back into production. I'd also like to put out a bounty for an intact Talos.

5) As part of consolidation efforts I'd like to open up some merc contracts. Not *great* pay, but with full salvage rights (within reason), a permanent land-hold, and a comfortably generous discount on all war materials bought from Taurian based manufacturing interests.

Pay will reduce after 10 years but and as long as they keep a percentage of their unit on the planet in question as a security force (unless working on behalf of the Concordant) and are willing to fight to protect the Taurian Concordant they can keep the other aspects and take outside contracts as long as they do not threaten Taurian interests.

Basically if you're willing to become a Taurian aligned unit, we're willing to treat you really damned nice...

Perfect for smaller units to built up, for damaged units to recover, and for moderate to set down roots, and larger to consolidate and organize into a truly terrifying force.

There's also a couple in case of war clauses but they're pretty standard really and come with hazard pay.

6) I'd like to suggest a Triangle Support Pact between the OWA, TC, and MoC focused on Pan-Periphery development. The objective being to improve the educational standards, medical care, industrial development, and national security for all members via exchange of resources and information.

7) I have a somewhat ambitious plan to piss the Dragon off royally and profit greatly from it but I'll need help. I need a front company created that'll pass muster enough to buy the tooling for the Charger. I'm willing to contact Duke Sandoval about the project. The plan is simple. Buy the Charger line, run off with it, then put it back into production after a full on refit. I'm willing to share the tooling with Sandoval in exchange for support and assistance.

Along those lines I'd like to hire the Hat-in-the-Ring Battalion on a long term Garrison contract.

The Challenger is going into full production.

And yes, I know this plan is a little bit crazy. Which is why I think it'll work. Noone will expect it.

drakensis said:
Kaede Kanzaki-Calderon (23), 3011

Right.... how many of them are less than twice Kaede's age? For their current positions that isn't a bad thing (and I'm not making wholesale replacements) but as prospective spouses...

Not many to be honest.

[dice]1794[/dice] (crap)

You soon get a message from an aid who is appropriately named Col Akabar.

IT WAS A TRAP!

The regiment is badly mauled. Seems that the raiders were all part of McCarrons Armored Cav who were flying under false colors and they'd managed to cycle over a regiment onto the planet. They were baiting you to respond.

Your forces fought a wonderfully and managed to withdraw without severe loss of life, a fucking but a good deal of material was losses severe. They had to abandon (and) destroy almost a third of their mechs.

TMI is flummoxed, the military is FURIOUS, and the population is enraged. Your press secretary has managed to pass the blame off of you, but there's some talk that you might be too green to be making military calls.

Excellent!

And in other news you're getting sued.

There's two other projects I have in mind to provide a 'rounded' fuel cell option for the TDF: the Tracked APC and the Ballista (see Liberation of Terra pg 139-140). Maybe the Hover APC as well. With these and the J.Edgar (fusion powered) we're covering most of the bases for our armoured brigades.

I'll check it out.

Well... that's probably a good thing.

Discuss this with my advisors. It's very good for us if we get invaded, but historically it's more likely the Capellans won't be able to keep their hands off Andurien and we'll get dragged into the Succession Wars. It may be worth it.

Considering what they just did, the general opinion is fuck the Capallans with a 50 Megaton Warhead.

Literally. There are some calls to blow up the Big Mac's base on Menke.

Well at least I've got something going for me.

Normally I'd be thinking that marrying Taurian would be best but there aren't any serious contenders at the moment. Catherine's third and fourth sons (Conrad and Laurence) are both a bit younger than me and would wind up a politician and a scientist. They'd also make it less likely that any children would be highly placed in the succession to Andurien. I wouldn't be averse to meeting them if Catherine can bring herself to send sons that far from home.

She is. You're encouraged not to rush marrying though.

Privately: 'Prince Ian is the best sort of Davion, the type who lead their armies directly away from the Concordat'. I don't think being more pro-Davion than that is politically wise at this point.

Works. That said, Ian is interested in meeting you for possible trade negotiations.

My official stance is that the Concordat and the Suns have a long history of antagonism. I don't see the need to shed more blood on those matters as they stand.

Nice and neutral.

That'll do for now. It'd be worth considering sending a diplomatic mission to discuss whether they'd be interested in Taurian support with their educational system in exchange for Canopian support with our medical system.

Happily.

Figures. Well, depending on how the Rollis matter goes, I may consider some operations there.

The word is "poorly"

I don't think I have the credibility to send people off to look for lost Star League caches in the distance at the moment. However it may be worth seeing if we can put together a credible claim that the DCMS are building a major supply depot on Halstead Station on the location of an old Star League university and attach to this a 'theory' that the supply base is to cover efforts to recover some material from the university's remains. Then leak this to MIIO.

You can manufacture it if you like. You want anything in exchange for the info?

I think there's a reasonable chance that Ian Davion will launch a major effort to deal with the supply base/possible lostech cache.

Oh hell yes he will.

And on the back of this, request a survey of Celeano to check for old Star League facilities that may have been missed in the confusion of Kerensky's withdrawal.

They'll look into it. Send me info please.

bzzt3421 · Jun 1, 2015

Alejandro Diaz-Calderon(19) 3031

Psyckosama said:
Ouch....

You manage to somehow trip due to a loose step and while you don't break anything you kinda just made a fool of yourself.

OOC: Yeah honestly expected something worse then that when I saw you were going with low rolls as good. At least I didn't get shot.

IT does its job but could better

A more complete list...

The Minister of Defense, the Treasury Director, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Colonization and Trade, the Minister of Education, the head of the Taurian Guards, the C&C of the Tarurian Military, and a number of what are currently the late protector's personal chosen advisers...

Well one of the first things Alejandro is going to do is start slowly and subtly phasing out the late Protector's personal advisers, rather not have people yelling 'Kill the Davions!' in stereo every time Hanse sneezes in our general direction. I will let Grover stay though, he's bit of pest, but Alejandro does need someone to remind him that Davions are in it for themselves, same as every other leader in the Inner Sphere. He's just one of the few that has style. But first he runs this through some of his political and diplomat guys, Alejandro really doesn't want to piss these guys off.

Cue paranoid tv ranting.

Let them rant.

Right then time to get down to the brass tacks, once Alejandro has set himself up, and gotten some time set aside, he arranges some private meetings with the certain members of his privy council. I.E. everyone but the late Protector's personal advisers, except for Grover.

"Gentlemen, ladies, due to a rather unfortunate stroke of luck, I've recently come into quite a large sum of money. Money which I intend to put to good use in service to the Concordat. To that end I've requested your presence here to help me decide the best use of it."

A General Outline of Things covered in the meetings.

"Deepening and strengthening ties with our fellow periphery states. More specifically see if the OWA's Mountain Wolf Company would like to set up some of it's Merlin line here, and in the Magistracy. Seeing as the former needs the revenue, and the latter doesn't even produce heavies, that would be a boon for both. In return, let's see about upping our visiting instructors from the OWA, and maybe getting a tax break on exports on military hardware sold to the Magistracy. I've feeling they might like that. Of course now that I think about it, we could always use another solid medium mech, I wonder if the Magistracy would be willing to license their Shadowhawk? Maybe even see if can't get some cross training going on between us and the Magistracy, techs for doctors would be nice. Bet our boys and girls could still learn a thing or two from the Canopus physicians."
"Strengthening our own industrial and economical base. According to my own understanding, what we lack is twofold, sufficient jumpships(which everyone suffers from) and the fact that Succession wars, the Pirate Raids, and of course the work of the Star League have all contributed to the decline of what we used to be. And yet we're still the strongest industrial production in the entire periphery, with more A class factories then any two periphery states put together. But our B and C class factories can use some work.(OOC: are we using that terminology? Or is that just how Com* ranks things?) It's my understanding that we suffer from a case of strong arms, but weak legs. In other words we can make a mech or aero-fighter, but suffer a bit when comes to things that don't make other things go boom. I'd like to get the opinions of the minds here on whether that's true or not, and if it is, see about the best way of correcting that."
"Now while my understanding of the assignment of our military forces may not be the best, I'm aware of the general theory that we've stretched ourselves pretty thin in or order to cover not only threats from the Davions and the Liaos, but also the pirates spinward of us. I doubt our ability to ever completely remove the threat of the Inner Sphere, but I would like to help end the pirate threat, and hopefully help aid our jumpship issue as well. Generals, Admirals, I want your honest opinion of this suggestion. Is it possible for us to seed members of the Taurian SASF over various likely planets to be hit by raids, and have them capture the enemy jumpships? This would deal a critical blow to the enemies' ability to move, but I fear that the pirates on the ground will destroy everything they can, rather then standing down and surrendering. So we'd need to also subtly bolster the forces of whatever planets are being used as bait. Not to mention the possible reprisals the remaining pirates at large may perform when they find out they're being stolen from. Therefore I thought perhaps this program could enacted with general crackdown and assault against the pirate menace, with mercenaries being hired to help fill out holes left in our defenses."
"I don't think I need to tell you all about the Helm Datacore, what I do need to ask is where is our copy? And if the answer is, 'we don't have one', I have to ask why not? As according to what I've learned, the Grey Death Legion was literally making copies and giving them away. No, on second thought, I don't care about the why, what I do care about is getting a copy of that Datacore. Councilors, we as a nation, have always been outnumbered. We've always known we couldn't match them with quantity. But we can damn well top them with quality! The heart and spirit of our troops are second to none! And I will not let the Spheroids say that they've topped us in terms of technology! Yes, it galls me to seeking the scraps of knowledge left behind by the Star League, but a find like this changes everything. If we are the only nation to be left without, that leaves House Liao and Davion far stronger then they were before. Possibly strong enough to survive conquering us. And that's... it will not happen. So then, if it takes diplomats handing out buckets filled with gold to the Grey Death Legion, so be it. If it takes spies slitting throats in the dark, so be it. If it takes the entire Taurian Corps dropping on their homeworld to claim it, well maybe not the entire Corps, but you get the point. Get the Concordat that Datacore."
"Now to matters of funding, I'm increasing the budget of TMI by 50%. No, stop yelling. This is important. We've always known that the possibility exists that one day, one of the so called great houses of the Inner Sphere may decide to try their hand at finishing what the League started. And to that end, I want us to know before even their Generals do if they ever decide to invade. To that end I want to restart the training of our spies in infiltrating and integrating into other nations. Naturally the focus is on the Capellan Confederation and the Federated Commonwealth, but it may be best to cut our teeth on our fellow neighbors in the Periphery. Not to say I don't trust them, in fact it may be good idea to see about running several training ops against each other in order to help knock the dust off. In any event, while I don't expect this to be done anytime soon, I do expect this to get done. We need to know whenever our 'neighbors' start getting hungry, in order to be prepared to shove nuke right down their throat. But don't think that means we're letting up on in house security. Yes that does mean the Constables will be a budget increase as well. I want to make absolutely sure that were locked downed, especially when we get the Datacore. I want that thing to be just as well protected as I am. In fact, now that I think about it, I want to start upping the security around our main university on Taurus. Ramp it up slowly, we're going to need some place to start introducing whatever science is on that core, and I don't anything happening to citizens of the Concordat trying to better themselves. And I also don't want whoever would attack them to know that we're preparing for it. So keep it subtle, but make sure it happens."
"Finally, and as much is it pains me to do so, I'm thinking of opening up diplomatic ties with House Davion. Yes, I know! SIT DOWN GROVER! This is in fact, probably a bad idea, but it may be one that pays off. Ian Davion was indeed the kind of Davion our fore bearers feared the most, Hanse Davion on the other hand, is that one they really should have been afraid of. He's smart, he's cunning, he knows when to fight and when to cut his losses. Taken all together, it means that the man would be perfectly willing to try and conquer the Concordat, if it was in his best interests. The reason I want to open ties with him is to insure that he and his heirs will never view it in their best interests to even think about raising a finger against us. Because quite frankly, if this Federated Commonwealth thing actually gets of the ground? I think we may be in for some interesting times. And not the fun ones. Yes, Grover I know that they'll try to take us for everything we have, we'll just have to do the same to them. No I don't plan on selling us to the Davions, how could you even!?! Grover... Please, let's just let this play out first, before we get to the doom and gloom. And yes, you damn well better believe that I'm going to be making sure that the II is in full fighting trim just in case. "

"Gentleman, Ladies, I do believe that will be all at this time. Thank you for the insights and advice, I am hopeful that together, we can usher the Concordat back into a Golden Age. Dismissed. "

"Minister of the Interior? Head of the TMI? Fleet Admiral? A few more moments of your time, if you would? Thank you. Now then, I was wondering if the three of you would be willing to do a little research for me. I'm looking to see if I can find some suitable assets to perform a little mission for me. I need loyal, dependable, discreet men. Men that would rather die then betray the Concordat, men and women that were born here, raised here, lived here for generations. And I need a few off the book jumpships and dropships, a couple of satellite deep scanners if we have any left. And I need them without anyone else finding out about it. Now there's no rush on this, take your time, as I rather we were careful then hasty. But as soon as this force is assembled, I like to give them their mission at that time, it's going to be long, maybe a year or two, or three, and possibly dangerous, though it's probably unlikely, still. They should be prepared for that. Thank you, dismissed."

drakensis · Jun 1, 2015

Kaede Kanzaki-Calderon (23), 3011

Psyckosama said:
Not many to be honest.

Work on steadily broadening the social circle of these gatherings.

Psyckosama said:
You soon get a message from an aid who is appropriately named Col Akabar.

IT WAS A TRAP!

The regiment is badly mauled. Seems that the raiders were all part of McCarrons Armored Cav who were flying under false colors and they'd managed to cycle over a regiment onto the planet. They were baiting you to respond.

Your forces fought a wonderfully and managed to withdraw without severe loss of life, a fucking but a good deal of material was losses severe. They had to abandon (and) destroy almost a third of their mechs.

TMI is flummoxed, the military is FURIOUS, and the population is enraged. Your press secretary has managed to pass the blame off of you, but there's some talk that you might be too green to be making military calls.

Looks like we know who's prioritised for the first Griffins and Wolverines in a year.

Play up the heroism of the soldiers who fought there, publically noting that faced by one of the Inner Sphere's best our regiment catching them by surprise that they managed a skillful withdrawal.

Privately advise TMI that we - they and I - both got played by the Maskirova. Blame belongs to the Capellans, responsibility for not letting it happen again rests with us.

Psyckosama said:
And in other news you're getting sued.

Oh? Who by? The Draconis Combine?

Psyckosama said:
Well... that's probably a good thing.

What is?

Psyckosama said:
Considering what they just did, the general opinion is fuck the Capallans with a 50 Megaton Warhead.

Literally. There are some calls to blow up the Big Mac's base on Menke.

Well at least I've got something going for me.

I don't think attacking Menke would be particularly prudent given recent performances. Even if it was just delivering a nuke.

With that said, Andurien is likely to get that mutual defense treaty unless strong opposition surfaces (or unless they changed their mind given the situation on Rollis).

Psyckosama said:
She is. You're encouraged not to rush marrying though.

I'm not going to be hasty making a decision, but meeting them should let me know if it's likely to be a viable outcome.

Psyckosama said:
Works. That said, Ian is interested in meeting you for possible trade negotiations.

Ian Davion wants to do something other than jump in his 'Mech and shoot at the Combine? Are we sure this isn't another trap? Still, it's worth at least discussing.

Psyckosama said:
Happily.

Follow up on that then.

Psyckosama said:
The word is "poorly"

Yeah. Unless the TDF is very confident, aggressive campaigns against pirates aren't too likely for the next year or two.

Psyckosama said:
You can manufacture it if you like. You want anything in exchange for the info?

I was planning on letting it leak but since Ian wants to talk, hang onto it for possible negotiation use.

Psyckosama said:
Oh hell yes he will.

That's my own assessment.

Psyckosama said:
They'll look into it. Send me info please.

In canon a farmer on Celeano found a Star League storehouse in 3019 - there were several Maultiers and other minor examples of lostech found. It's mentioned on TRO 3058 as the source of the Taurians putting the Maultier back intor production.

fitzgerald · Jun 1, 2015

Samantha Calderon March 3025

Psyckosama said:
Plenty. Which Marik's are of the right age again?

That would be Duncan Marik whose a bit old at 39, Thomas Marik whose 35 and Janos's secret heir at this point so a bit unlikely but seeing below might be a possibility.

And you actually got a rather stiff proposal (literally) from Takashi Kurita about his unwed heir that speaks a great deal of common enemies.

Is he seriously trying to FedCom you?

A very formal, very polite and very gracious letter is to be written up that extremely regretfully turns down this proposal but conveys that Samantha is also impressed by the Coordinators generosity in considering her to arrange a marriage between her and his son. Mostly on the grounds that
A) A formal Union of the TC and DC is purely impossible at this time due to interstellar cartography
B) As Theodore is his heir and that Samantha is the Protector the Duty of both their respective realms would drastically reduce chances to conceive strong heirs for both Realms

Done. Sharplin is in a tizzy.

Sharplin and the other anti-Davion crowd are talked to with a narrative that Clever Taurian Merchants will be able to run rings around arrogant Davion Mechheads. Far better to have the Fedrats happily hand over their money instead of them raiding us to take trade goods anyway.

And one of them comes with a memory card. And a fruit basket. And most of them are actually in serviceable condition.

Samantha pokes oddly at the fruit basket pondering why in the blazes it isn't gin or vodka. "These people really do not know my tastes. Oh well send it down to the staff break room with my compliments and the knowledge that it came from Quikcell."

Samantha then promptly makes herself a gin martini

D6 months to work out the bugs.

Another d6 to see how well the refit turned out. Bugs are a thing.

Bug rolls below

Assuming it works right, what trade limitations do you have on them? It's suggested that export models be the standard ICE design.

And you're sued by Bulldog Industries.

Fuel Cell models are for strictly internal consumption only. Apart from the TDF changing out its entire moving stock to Fuel Cell models, a process of at least a decade if not more, expansion plans for the TDF are in the works.

Important question in whose courts? In any case an offer to settle out of court is made.

The TC will pay a reasonable one time payment to Bulldog (enough for a new production line) either in the form of cash or tooling for a line itself, with the restriction that the design won't be sold onto outside nations. Oh and export ban for twenty five years.

Again 2d6 and a suggestion that the exports remain the standard model for now. Protectionism is a thing.

Vedette roll will be below. As per Bulldog FC the Vedette FC will be Taurian only for sales for at least 25 years, if only on the grounds that the TDF will be buying them up wholesale.

Look at the map. Anyone who doesn't have a factory would love to have one for obvious reasons.

Celentaro it is!

And want to do a fuel cell Aardvark? (I personally love that little tank of mine. It's so... usefully shitty)

Code:

Ardvark FC
Mass: 20 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Advanced Rules
Era: Age of War/Star League
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/C-D-D-A
Production Year: 2750
Cost: 335,000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 389
Power Plant: 140 Fuel Cell Engine
Cruise Speed: 75.6 km/h
Flanking Speed: 118.8 km/h
Armor: Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Medium Laser
2 Machine Guns
Manufacturer: 
Primary Factory: 
Communications System: 
Targeting and Tracking System:
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 10 points 2.00
Engine: Fuel-Cell Engine 140 6.00
Cruise MP: 7
Flank MP: 11
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 3 2.00
Control Equipment: 1.00
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Power Amplifiers: 0.50
Turret: 0.50
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 80 5.00
Armor 
Factor 
Front 20 
Left/Right 16/16 
Turret 16 
Rear 12
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(R) Machine Gun RR 0 1 0.50
Medium Laser T 3 1 1.00
Machine Gun T 0 1 0.50
@MG (200) BD - 0 1.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 4
7t 1 1 0 0 1 0 Structure: 1
Special Abilities: EE, TUR(1/1/0)

Because the only thing better than a cheap shitty tank is a fast shitty tank.

On that note Samantha floats the idea of a Tactical Weapons Carrier, a light weight gun platform that can carry a turret load of 5 SRM6s (3 tons ammo), 7 LRM5s (4 tons ammo), or a single Thumper (3 tons ammo) that uses the same chassis but different turrets to provide easy to transport fire support

It would be an interesting way to bind them together.

Do you put anything into finding a Talos to reverse engineer?

TMI staff get assigned to finding a Talos to purchase

I'll have to look over the mercs books to find a particular unit.

How the Mithril Mercenary Company, an outfit whose Overlord is Captained by one Teletha Testarossa and best mechwarrior is a fellow named Sousuke Sagara

Done.

How many additional Mech Battalions does the TC have added to its roster?

A little grumbling. And speaking of their buying structure, how do you want to charge them for gear?

What it costs the TDF to purchase, if they think they can get a better deal privately from the various Defense Contractors Auditors are to double check the terms of the deals the TDF has with them.

Goal is to avoid a Company Store situation, so fairly open books and transparency is the order of the day.

Understood

Samantha does mention via the Ambassador that a solution to the Pirates Cluster might be the TC and FedSuns hiring a major multi-regiment Mercenary Force, aka Wolfs Dragoons once their contract with the DC is up, to lead an expedition to smash that mess once and for all.

A counter suggestion is made. Bridge systems and abandoned worlds.

Bridge systems being systems colonized to make sure there's 30 ly or less between every colonized system.

Samantha is in fact perfectly happy with such an idea, in fact its why she's willing to continue supporting Orbital Colonies to build up bridges between colonies.

The reality is still the same, the TC needs time to build up its forces, human resources and logistics to cover the newly colonized regions as is.

Additionally Samantha would very much rather have 10 colonies of 5 million people each than 50 colonies with 100,000 people each.

However the brakes still need to be applied right now so the Protector and the TDF can build up to handle their new areas of responsibility.

*
In private Samantha offers Aramis Dunn a deal, she'll offer him an exclusive right to establish a new colony world every year in exchange for the usage of one the best Farlooker exploration teams trained in both discretion and ability to work in hostile worlds.
*

Alright. It'll be expensive. Assuming you have the same level of resources I have, 10+ billion over the next decade... if someone doesn't decide to show up and fire some missiles into it.

Again.

Fucking pirates.

Wearing White Wings like those assholes who blew up the Black Lion in 2980. God damn Terries and their plots for complete supremacy!

Additionally the plan looks rather like this publicly

3025-30329: work up Parts Industry
3030-3034: Start pumping out Snowdens, Orbital Factories, Habitats
3035-3039: Work up crews by focusing a massive repair binge, at the same time new Pressurized Yards are slowly being built
3040-3044: The new pressurized yards slowly start working on building new jumpships, its assumed that the rate will be slow as the kinks are worked out
3045-3049: Full Production begins

In secret however the plan looks roughly like this
3030-3034: A few Snowdens, factories and habitats gets sent off deep into the Hells Heart as a Colonization attempt filled to the brim with staff and their families that this will be at least a 20-25 year trip with no or minimal contact home
3035-3039: 1 MT pressurized Yards get built in series: Additional staff / factories etc slipped to base
3040-3044: Assault/PocketWarship Dropships/Monitors get built up to cover Fleet Base
3045: Production of Calderon Frigates begins
3050: Fleet Base Alpha goes live with its existence as a black hole now being lessened to merely Top Secret, slit your throat if you know exactly where it is.

The Fleet Base Plan is centered around the idea that all the monies being thrown at the Vincent currently being a White Elephant stop and instead get built up to cover the costs of building up a secret base to rival Titan Yards.

2d6

Speech roll below

It'll have to wait. They were built in same yards as your Jumpships and Warships were

Meh Sam can wait until next year at least.
[dice]1800[/dice]
[dice]1801[/dice]
[dice]1802[/dice]
[dice]1803[/dice]

katar · Jun 2, 2015

jack calderon 3011

Psyckosama said:
Thank god.

So, any ideas on a time scale.

Well, you could do it now but there's resistance to using the Guard regiments They're needed to protect the capitol.

If they can get past the other 9 regiments on the boarder, we arent stopping them anyway planet side. besides the hyades great defenses are location and space based.

Im thinking the delay for a few reasons, 1 is to build up a large close stock of supplies for the fight and rebuilding after. Another is dramatic timing, i want my birthday bash.

Also likely a good idea to give the Davions atleast a minor heads up too.....

In message to Hanse Davion ill thank him again for his thoughts and ask him opinion on a brithday bash in the badlands.

Alright.

I suppose there other people, lords ladies and single daughters i have to meet, might as well get started on that. God help me.......

They'll slot some ships to do so.

2d6

Roll(2d6)+0:
4,4,+0
Total:8

2d6

Roll(2d6)+0:
3,2,+0
Total:5

Psyckosama · Jun 2, 2015

bzzt3421 said:
Alejandro Diaz-Calderon(19) 3031

OOC: Yeah honestly expected something worse then that when I saw you were going with low rolls as good. At least I didn't get shot.

I wouldn't kill you on a single roll, but you managed to impress absolutely no one with your speech and came out looking like a fish out of water who has no idea what he's doing.

Well one of the first things Alejandro is going to do is start slowly and subtly phasing out the late Protector's personal advisers, rather not have people yelling 'Kill the Davions!' in stereo every time Hanse sneezes in our general direction. I will let Grover stay though, he's bit of pest, but Alejandro does need someone to remind him that Davions are in it for themselves, same as every other leader in the Inner Sphere. He's just one of the few that has style. But first he runs this through some of his political and diplomat guys, Alejandro really doesn't want to piss these guys off.

Your privy council is yours to decide.

Let them rant.

Right then time to get down to the brass tacks, once Alejandro has set himself up, and gotten some time set aside, he arranges some private meetings with the certain members of his privy council. I.E. everyone but the late Protector's personal advisers, except for Grover.

"Gentlemen, ladies, due to a rather unfortunate stroke of luck, I've recently come into quite a large sum of money. Money which I intend to put to good use in service to the Concordat. To that end I've requested your presence here to help me decide the best use of it."

alright.

A General Outline of Things covered in the meetings.

"Deepening and strengthening ties with our fellow periphery states. More specifically see if the OWA's Mountain Wolf Company would like to set up some of it's Merlin line here, and in the Magistracy. Seeing as the former needs the revenue, and the latter doesn't even produce heavies, that would be a boon for both. In return, let's see about upping our visiting instructors from the OWA, and maybe getting a tax break on exports on military hardware sold to the Magistracy. I've feeling they might like that. Of course now that I think about it, we could always use another solid medium mech, I wonder if the Magistracy would be willing to license their Shadowhawk? Maybe even see if can't get some cross training going on between us and the Magistracy, techs for doctors would be nice. Bet our boys and girls could still learn a thing or two from the Canopus physicians."

They can talk to Mountain Wolf about starting a faculty. As for the Shadowhawk, TTI has incomplete tooling for the Wolverine that was damaged during the Periphery Revolt while there's a recent Griffon plant started on New Vandenburg if you want to make a trade, though they'd probably loathe to cut production for the time needed to duplicate the toolings.

"Strengthening our own industrial and economical base. According to my own understanding, what we lack is twofold, sufficient jumpships(which everyone suffers from) and the fact that Succession wars, the Pirate Raids, and of course the work of the Star League have all contributed to the decline of what we used to be. And yet we're still the strongest industrial production in the entire periphery, with more A class factories then any two periphery states put together. But our B and C class factories can use some work.(OOC: are we using that terminology? Or is that just how Com* ranks things?) It's my understanding that we suffer from a case of strong arms, but weak legs. In other words we can make a mech or aero-fighter, but suffer a bit when comes to things that don't make other things go boom. I'd like to get the opinions of the minds here on whether that's true or not, and if it is, see about the best way of correcting that."

They have a yard, but it was hit 40 years ago by an unknown ASF squadron. They had white wings.

"Now while my understanding of the assignment of our military forces may not be the best, I'm aware of the general theory that we've stretched ourselves pretty thin in or order to cover not only threats from the Davions and the Liaos, but also the pirates spinward of us. I doubt our ability to ever completely remove the threat of the Inner Sphere, but I would like to help end the pirate threat, and hopefully help aid our jumpship issue as well. Generals, Admirals, I want your honest opinion of this suggestion. Is it possible for us to seed members of the Taurian SASF over various likely planets to be hit by raids, and have them capture the enemy jumpships? This would deal a critical blow to the enemies' ability to move, but I fear that the pirates on the ground will destroy everything they can, rather then standing down and surrendering. So we'd need to also subtly bolster the forces of whatever planets are being used as bait. Not to mention the possible reprisals the remaining pirates at large may perform when they find out they're being stolen from. Therefore I thought perhaps this program could enacted with general crackdown and assault against the pirate menace, with mercenaries being hired to help fill out holes left in our defenses."

It would badly stretch the SASF to do so. Though setting traps might be a good idea.

"I don't think I need to tell you all about the Helm Datacore, what I do need to ask is where is our copy? And if the answer is, 'we don't have one', I have to ask why not? As according to what I've learned, the Grey Death Legion was literally making copies and giving them away. No, on second thought, I don't care about the why, what I do care about is getting a copy of that Datacore. Councilors, we as a nation, have always been outnumbered. We've always known we couldn't match them with quantity. But we can damn well top them with quality! The heart and spirit of our troops are second to none! And I will not let the Spheroids say that they've topped us in terms of technology! Yes, it galls me to seeking the scraps of knowledge left behind by the Star League, but a find like this changes everything. If we are the only nation to be left without, that leaves House Liao and Davion far stronger then they were before. Possibly strong enough to survive conquering us. And that's... it will not happen. So then, if it takes diplomats handing out buckets filled with gold to the Grey Death Legion, so be it. If it takes spies slitting throats in the dark, so be it. If it takes the entire Taurian Corps dropping on their homeworld to claim it, well maybe not the entire Corps, but you get the point. Get the Concordat that Datacore."

You already got one. Grayson Death Carlyle made a rather... well... comically severe amateur mistake.

The memory core database was encrypted to prevent theft... theft being some jackass copying data off the memory core and then... say... disseminating it to the whole of humanity in a well intentioned gesture of good will and fuzzy kittens.

Without the original memory core reader, you're basically looking at a couple hundred petabytes of badly fragmented gobbledygook. It'll take years, maybe even decades to make up for his well intentioned little fuck up and crack the coding deeply enough they can actually read the goddamned thing.

Hell, they're still working on breaking the INDEX FILE so they at least can have an idea what's actually on the goddamned thing.

"Now to matters of funding, I'm increasing the budget of TMI by 50%. No, stop yelling. This is important. We've always known that the possibility exists that one day, one of the so called great houses of the Inner Sphere may decide to try their hand at finishing what the League started. And to that end, I want us to know before even their Generals do if they ever decide to invade. To that end I want to restart the training of our spies in infiltrating and integrating into other nations. Naturally the focus is on the Capellan Confederation and the Federated Commonwealth, but it may be best to cut our teeth on our fellow neighbors in the Periphery. Not to say I don't trust them, in fact it may be good idea to see about running several training ops against each other in order to help knock the dust off. In any event, while I don't expect this to be done anytime soon, I do expect this to get done. We need to know whenever our 'neighbors' start getting hungry, in order to be prepared to shove nuke right down their throat. But don't think that means we're letting up on in house security. Yes that does mean the Constables will be a budget increase as well. I want to make absolutely sure that were locked downed, especially when we get the Datacore. I want that thing to be just as well protected as I am. In fact, now that I think about it, I want to start upping the security around our main university on Taurus. Ramp it up slowly, we're going to need some place to start introducing whatever science is on that core, and I don't anything happening to citizens of the Concordat trying to better themselves. And I also don't want whoever would attack them to know that we're preparing for it. So keep it subtle, but make sure it happens."

No major complaints there.

"Finally, and as much is it pains me to do so, I'm thinking of opening up diplomatic ties with House Davion. Yes, I know! SIT DOWN GROVER! This is in fact, probably a bad idea, but it may be one that pays off. Ian Davion was indeed the kind of Davion our fore bearers feared the most, Hanse Davion on the other hand, is that one they really should have been afraid of. He's smart, he's cunning, he knows when to fight and when to cut his losses. Taken all together, it means that the man would be perfectly willing to try and conquer the Concordat, if it was in his best interests. The reason I want to open ties with him is to insure that he and his heirs will never view it in their best interests to even think about raising a finger against us. Because quite frankly, if this Federated Commonwealth thing actually gets of the ground? I think we may be in for some interesting times. And not the fun ones. Yes, Grover I know that they'll try to take us for everything we have, we'll just have to do the same to them. No I don't plan on selling us to the Davions, how could you even!?! Grover... Please, let's just let this play out first, before we get to the doom and gloom. And yes, you damn well better believe that I'm going to be making sure that the II is in full fighting trim just in case. "

Noone likes it... but frankly having the largest military power since the Star League on their asses, well, they like that even less.

"Gentleman, Ladies, I do believe that will be all at this time. Thank you for the insights and advice, I am hopeful that together, we can usher the Concordat back into a Golden Age. Dismissed. "

Okay.

"Minister of the Interior? Head of the TMI? Fleet Admiral? A few more moments of your time, if you would? Thank you. Now then, I was wondering if the three of you would be willing to do a little research for me. I'm looking to see if I can find some suitable assets to perform a little mission for me. I need loyal, dependable, discreet men. Men that would rather die then betray the Concordat, men and women that were born here, raised here, lived here for generations. And I need a few off the book jumpships and dropships, a couple of satellite deep scanners if we have any left. And I need them without anyone else finding out about it. Now there's no rush on this, take your time, as I rather we were careful then hasty. But as soon as this force is assembled, I like to give them their mission at that time, it's going to be long, maybe a year or two, or three, and possibly dangerous, though it's probably unlikely, still. They should be prepared for that. Thank you, dismissed."

They'll assemble it but want an idea what this is about. And how secret is secret?

drakensis said:
Kaede Kanzaki-Calderon (23), 3011

Work on steadily broadening the social circle of these gatherings.

okay.

Looks like we know who's prioritised for the first Griffins and Wolverines in a year.

To put it gently.

Play up the heroism of the soldiers who fought there, publically noting that faced by one of the Inner Sphere's best our regiment catching them by surprise that they managed a skillful withdrawal.

Well, that does soften the blow a little, but there's a call for Arcie McCarrons head on a pike.

Privately advise TMI that we - they and I - both got played by the Maskirova. Blame belongs to the Capellans, responsibility for not letting it happen again rests with us.

Actually, from what it sounds like this was actually McCarron's plan, Maskirova simply provided support after Max Liao signed off on it.

Oh? Who by? The Draconis Combine?

Yep.

There's also a long rant about your long standing violation (250 years now) of the Sabre's licenses and demand for justice for the over 123 serving Wakizashi Aerospace lawyers that the Concordant has had shot over your blatantly illegal production line over the past centuries.

I don't think attacking Menke would be particularly prudent given recent performances. Even if it was just delivering a nuke.

Alright. Still, they want to table a plan to gift the sons of bitches with a couple megatons of canned sunshine should it come down to it.

Hell, one of your generals even makes a suggestion. Nuking them on Capallan soil would be cause for war. Nuking them on TAURIAN soil on the other hand would be... well... we never signed the Ares Conventions and only a damned fool attacks a bull in it's pasture.

He'd like to return the favor and leak rumors of a valuable lostech research faculty in the middle of a desert. One where noone would mind if you were to say... detonate a couple strategic yield nuclear warheads to remove a blight on the landscape?

With that said, Andurien is likely to get that mutual defense treaty unless strong opposition surfaces (or unless they changed their mind given the situation on Rollis).

Not at all.

I'm not going to be hasty making a decision, but meeting them should let me know if it's likely to be a viable outcome.

Alright.

Ian Davion wants to do something other than jump in his 'Mech and shoot at the Combine? Are we sure this isn't another trap? Still, it's worth at least discussing.

He's going along with his brother Hanse, who according to rumor is the driving force behind this meeting.

Follow up on that then.

Done

Yeah. Unless the TDF is very confident, aggressive campaigns against pirates aren't too likely for the next year or two.

Honestly it's suggested you go hardball as the nation needs a victory to offset the loss.

I was planning on letting it leak but since Ian wants to talk, hang onto it for possible negotiation use.

Right. He and his brother are taking a command circuit to the border. Where do you want to meet?

That's my own assessment.

Heh. Lets be honest, Battletech Ghandi would.

In canon a farmer on Celeano found a Star League storehouse in 3019 - there were several Maultiers and other minor examples of lostech found. It's mentioned on TRO 3058 as the source of the Taurians putting the Maultier back intor production.

Ah. Right. Well, roll a 2d6.

fitzgerald said:
Samantha Calderon March 3025

That would be Duncan Marik whose a bit old at 39, Thomas Marik whose 35 and Janos's secret heir at this point so a bit unlikely but seeing below might be a possibility.

Righto. Duncan independently is looking to meet you

A very formal, very polite and very gracious letter is to be written up that extremely regretfully turns down this proposal but conveys that Samantha is also impressed by the Coordinators generosity in considering her to arrange a marriage between her and his son. Mostly on the grounds that
A) A formal Union of the TC and DC is purely impossible at this time due to interstellar cartography
B) As Theodore is his heir and that Samantha is the Protector the Duty of both their respective realms would drastically reduce chances to conceive strong heirs for both Realms

Probably for the best as frankly his letter was almost insulting to be honest. He's a sexist pig and a cultural bigot who thinks he's gods gift to the cosmos. He pays too much attention to his own propaganda.

Sharplin and the other anti-Davion crowd are talked to with a narrative that Clever Taurian Merchants will be able to run rings around arrogant Davion Mechheads. Far better to have the Fedrats happily hand over their money instead of them raiding us to take trade goods anyway.

True... they still dislike it and what keeps from from doing both?

Samantha pokes oddly at the fruit basket pondering why in the blazes it isn't gin or vodka. "These people really do not know my tastes. Oh well send it down to the staff break room with my compliments and the knowledge that it came from Quikcell."

You sure? They're really exotic fruit.

Samantha then promptly makes herself a gin martini

It's made for you. Personally bartender. His name is also Sam. He used to play baseball.

Bug rolls below

Okay.

It takes 4 months deign the Bulldog refit and it's without any MAJOR flaws.

It takes only three for the Vedette but the suspension system doesn't seem to get along with the electrical motors for the fuel cells and as a tendency of slipping gears at flank speed. It'll take additional time and money to fix.

Fuel Cell models are for strictly internal consumption only. Apart from the TDF changing out its entire moving stock to Fuel Cell models, a process of at least a decade if not more, expansion plans for the TDF are in the works.

Good.

Important question in whose courts? In any case an offer to settle out of court is made.

The Combine's of course.

The TC will pay a reasonable one time payment to Bulldog (enough for a new production line) either in the form of cash or tooling for a line itself, with the restriction that the design won't be sold onto outside nations. Oh and export ban for twenty five years.

The suggestion is just to ignore them. If you want to smooth things over, send a gift or something to someone important not to bulldog industries.

Bowing to the whims of uppity merchants would make you look weak.

Vedette roll will be below. As per Bulldog FC the Vedette FC will be Taurian only for sales for at least 25 years, if only on the grounds that the TDF will be buying them up wholesale.

Right.

Celentaro it is!

The planetary lord is overjoyed and sends you his personal thanks.

Code:

Ardvark FC
Mass: 20 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Advanced Rules
Era: Age of War/Star League
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/C-D-D-A
Production Year: 2750
Cost: 335,000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 389
Power Plant: 140 Fuel Cell Engine
Cruise Speed: 75.6 km/h
Flanking Speed: 118.8 km/h
Armor: Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Medium Laser
2 Machine Guns
Manufacturer:
Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 10 points 2.00
Engine: Fuel-Cell Engine 140 6.00
Cruise MP: 7
Flank MP: 11
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 3 2.00
Control Equipment: 1.00
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Power Amplifiers: 0.50
Turret: 0.50
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 80 5.00
Armor
Factor
Front 20
Left/Right 16/16
Turret 16
Rear 12
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(R) Machine Gun RR 0 1 0.50
Medium Laser T 3 1 1.00
Machine Gun T 0 1 0.50
@MG (200) BD - 0 1.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 4
7t 1 1 0 0 1 0 Structure: 1
Special Abilities: EE, TUR(1/1/0)

Because the only thing better than a cheap shitty tank is a fast shitty tank.

Click to shrink...

Heh. Speedy little brick.

So please where are you putting all these faculties for my notes?

On that note Samantha floats the idea of a Tactical Weapons Carrier, a light weight gun platform that can carry a turret load of 5 SRM6s (3 tons ammo), 7 LRM5s (4 tons ammo), or a single Thumper (3 tons ammo) that uses the same chassis but different turrets to provide easy to transport fire support

Sounds like a simple enough design. You want one design or you want competing bids?

TMI staff get assigned to finding a Talos to purchase

Secret or can it be publicly known?

If publicly known they suggest putting up a bounty for one. Maybe with the excuse you want it intact for a museum. Maybe offer a cash reward or lance of Mechs in exchange.

How the Mithril Mercenary Company, an outfit whose Overlord is Captained by one Teletha Testarossa and best mechwarrior is a fellow named Sousuke Sagara

Seriously?

Fine. I was going to look for someone canon but alright I guess...

How many additional Mech Battalions does the TC have added to its roster?

Hm. roll a 2d6.

What it costs the TDF to purchase, if they think they can get a better deal privately from the various Defense Contractors Auditors are to double check the terms of the deals the TDF has with them.

Goal is to avoid a Company Store situation, so fairly open books and transparency is the order of the day.

Generous. Very generous. And it'll remove any illusions of an abusive company store. Frankly, many unit's don't actually MIND shopping at a company store as long as it comes with a matching employee discount.

It's when you try and put the screws to them that they get upset.

Samantha does mention via the Ambassador that a solution to the Pirates Cluster might be the TC and FedSuns hiring a major multi-regiment Mercenary Force, aka Wolfs Dragoons once their contract with the DC is up, to lead an expedition to smash that mess once and for all.

They cannot state their intentions as of yet. Nice blanket statement.

Samantha is in fact perfectly happy with such an idea, in fact its why she's willing to continue supporting Orbital Colonies to build up bridges between colonies.

The reality is still the same, the TC needs time to build up its forces, human resources and logistics to cover the newly colonized regions as is.

Additionally Samantha would very much rather have 10 colonies of 5 million people each than 50 colonies with 100,000 people each.

However the brakes still need to be applied right now so the Protector and the TDF can build up to handle their new areas of responsibility.

They still don't like it but it's at least semi-reasonable.

*
In private Samantha offers Aramis Dunn a deal, she'll offer him an exclusive right to establish a new colony world every year in exchange for the usage of one the best Farlooker exploration teams trained in both discretion and ability to work in hostile worlds.
*

A new colony established according to their own terms outside any conditions set by the protector...

Wearing White Wings like those assholes who blew up the Black Lion in 2980. God damn Terries and their plots for complete supremacy!

Yep. White fucking Wings.

Additionally the plan looks rather like this publicly

3025-30329: work up Parts Industry
3030-3034: Start pumping out Snowdens, Orbital Factories, Habitats
3035-3039: Work up crews by focusing a massive repair binge, at the same time new Pressurized Yards are slowly being built
3040-3044: The new pressurized yards slowly start working on building new jumpships, its assumed that the rate will be slow as the kinks are worked out
3045-3049: Full Production begins

In secret however the plan looks roughly like this
3030-3034: A few Snowdens, factories and habitats gets sent off deep into the Hells Heart as a Colonization attempt filled to the brim with staff and their families that this will be at least a 20-25 year trip with no or minimal contact home
3035-3039: 1 MT pressurized Yards get built in series: Additional staff / factories etc slipped to base
3040-3044: Assault/PocketWarship Dropships/Monitors get built up to cover Fleet Base
3045: Production of Calderon Frigates begins
3050: Fleet Base Alpha goes live with its existence as a black hole now being lessened to merely Top Secret, slit your throat if you know exactly where it is.

Ambitious as hell. And now stolen (YOINK!). You tell anyone?

The Fleet Base Plan is centered around the idea that all the monies being thrown at the Vincent currently being a White Elephant stop and instead get built up to cover the costs of building up a secret base to rival Titan Yards.

So fake throwing endless billions into restoring a crippled warship and use it to build a warship production faculty?

Speech roll below

You manage to... well... noone tries to shoot you but they're pretty annoyed to put it gently and this damages your image.

katar said:
jack calderon 3011
So, any ideas on a time scale.

If they can get past the other 9 regiments on the boarder, we arent stopping them anyway planet side. besides the hyades great defenses are location and space based.

Space doesn't have battlelines. They can simply jump around them.

Im thinking the delay for a few reasons, 1 is to build up a large close stock of supplies for the fight and rebuilding after. Another is dramatic timing, i want my birthday bash.

... seriously?

Well, roll a 2d6 for setup please unless you can come up with any better plans.

Also likely a good idea to give the Davions atleast a minor heads up too.....

In message to Hanse Davion ill thank him again for his thoughts and ask him opinion on a brithday bash in the badlands.

Ian is still First-Prince. He's focused on the Combine.

I suppose there other people, lords ladies and single daughters i have to meet, might as well get started on that. God help me.......

Where do you look?

katar · Jun 2, 2015

Jack Calderon, 3011

Psyckosama said:
Space doesn't have battlelines. They can simply jump around them.

My point stands. If those 9 cant take care of it 3 more arent going to help.

... seriously?

Well, roll a 2d6 for setup please unless you can come up with any better plans.

Thats also why i want time.
While we gather up supplies and make sure we have enough jumpers ready with asf to defend them, SASF should use old maps to get into the cluster and start picking out targets.

Roll(2d6)+0:
4,3,+0
Total:7

Ian is still First-Prince. He's focused on the Combine.

and yet you had hanse send me the message before. if this was wrong then ignore it please.

Where do you look?

Lets start with letter offers and such while working up the courage to see whats already surely lining up to try and sink there hooks into him. When I need breaks from those sharks ill take a look at whats available in the Sphere along with the other periphery nations.

fitzgerald · Jun 2, 2015

Psyckosama said:
Though I think we should tweak the design. What do people think of changing the direction of the laser? And is this a partial or full wolverine line? If full, it might be a good idea, to, I don't know, dupe the parts we don't already have copy of? That way... well... 2-for-1 deal.

TTI is perfectly agreeable with duplicating the tooling for tool lines vs one.

As for a WVR-6T they suggest you only specialize one line that way, and leave the other as a SR.

Alright. Though along those lines I'd like to suggest some modifications to the Shadowhawk based on my own perceptions of its performance.

VMI's perfectly happy to crank out a 6T variant, they are planning on duplicating the ShadowHawk Line anyway.

Neat. Work out an ICE version as well for export we can use the sale of them to help fund the TDF's accusation

While a lot more thin skinned an export version gets approved.

Do we have any Hermes Battlemechs anywhere? If not I'd like to get one. I don't care if the lostech is in it as long as its modular repair system is intact. I believe it would behoove us to study it for ideas.

An old Hermes is found and its owner happily takes a swap for a Griffin walking off VMI's line sometime in July.

Working with the modular repair systems however is going to be tricky and a matter of years not months of work.

2d6 labeled Hermes please

Hanse Davion isn't the only one who can look to the future. I respect his NAIS efforts but we're gong to show the universe that when it comes to new ideas, the Sword and Star might be good, but nobody takes the Bull by the horns. Nobody.

Huzzahs follow.

"Believe me, I know who my enemies are. And he's not one of them. Not exactly a friend, though both can change based on future events but for now he and I have one thing in common: we have bigger fish to fry. For me, the instability of this nation cased by the deaths of my kindred. For Hanse, the Draconis Combine. And in this I believe we're both on the same page. He wants a stable and more importantly, quiet neighbor to the South so he can focus his efforts on the Dracs. I want a wealthy and prosperous Taurian Concordant and Thomas Iguchi's head on a silver plate. I believe it can be said that our current objectives align quite nicely..."

The Research scientists and TMI agents quickly go quiet, while not hostile you quickly sense that they aren't supportive at all. You'll get obeyed because you are the boss not because there's any support at all for you in this room.

Pull the smalls and replace them with a flamer.

Easy enough to do. Your training mech gets the same swap at the cost of some armor to ensure little trouble in swapping between the two.

Hm. Start with a non-reloadable system (the original .5 ton Thunderbolt from unbound). A compact, lightwight single shot system can still add a good deal of punch to most mechs. We can work out a reloading version later.

By the end of the year a small number of single one shot guided missiles are flowing from the lab as the specs go out to the various weapons manufactures to produce their own lines.

The ASF wings of the TDF and TCN however are quick to try and get a hold of as many of the Thunders! as possible, if only for the sheer edge having a vicious first strike capability.

You can't license a weapons loadout and it it was developed independently there would be no room to stand anyways.

Well that and it was easier to keep the original Imperator AC.

Are orders given to take several apart to reverse engineer the Banshee so a production line can be built?

Fuel Cells and Fusion are like a hand and a glove. Perfect match.

Now the fusion engines can be limited to the fuel trucks and water purifiers vs every single vehicle.

"Muckle darmed Snakes! 'Aie eh nabmlies be keepin' me wee men?!?!"

I pause. "Sorry just reminded of a merc that I met when I was younger with that..."

And I put a sidenote to hire Old Man Henderson if he'll be available. Payment will include Lawn Gnomes.

He disappeared under very mysterious circumstances that involved copious amounts of arson, stolen VTOLs, and an Ice Hockey Arena that was blown up with an absolutely obscene amount of C8. It was suspected he was in the Arena at the time.

I'll introduce her to my sister. She can use (reliable) friends.

Naomi and Miranda get along fairly well, both go to the same very exclusive school, Daimen Academy, which certainly helps the transition.

"I think my briefcase full of R&D and industrial projects will do about the same."

"Oh true," Eve agrees pleasantly. "The suit just adds to the effect.

A completely average roll.

No ones wowed, but more importantly no ones super ticked off at the speech.

I restate the point above.

Which falls on mostly deaf ears. By the grim set of Sharplen's face and several others of the Anti-Davion crowd you get the sense that they aren't happy.

I sit down with him when he gets the chance.

Aramis Dunn takes several long minutes to think through your impassioned plea. Eventually as his drink swirls around in his glass the much older gentleman finally takes a last sip.

"Filling in the empty spaces," Aramis states calmly, "Is not the ideal I was striving for but Samuel I do believe we can come to an agreement that a more focused phase of colonization is certainly possible. Not perfect, but what in this universe ever is."

As a symbol of my dedication I... pass forward an NDA. What I'm about to tell him is top secret.

If he sighs, I let him know that I intend to remove one of the largest canker sores on the ass of his efforts: The so called Pirate's Haven cluster has always been a nest of problems. Before the fall of the Star League it was under Taurian control. I'd like to see it return to such. And I don't just want to smack the bastards and leave, I intend to resettle it with proper Taurians who know the value of a Bull and are willing to work for an honest living. I'd like his help finding it. Rumor has it that James Kaiten has found a stable world inside the cluster that may be possible to colonize without protective gear.

While not exactly an ideal region, the Badlands would make a great resource supply for future expansion, if there's one stable world there may be others, and by systematically relieving outside pressure we can shorten the consolidation phases and allow more generous colonization phases.

Aramis's eyes light up on that news. Wiping out the Badlands Pirates would certainly make colonization efforts more viable.

"Reclaiming the Badlands? Now wouldn't that be a sight," Aramis answers a gleam entering his eye. "I've got several crack crews in mind who wouldn't mind taking a shot at the Cluster. Its going to require a decent sized force from the TCN though just to secure a route into the Cluster."

He's also the Minister of Colonization so I hope he can respect my above viewpoint.

He gets to satisfy both the business crowd and the Far Lookers how can he not?

My view is to be marginally aligned with the FedCom. We share a massive border with the Federated Suns which would be almost impossible to properly defend in case of war. Our borders with the Capallans are much more narrow and besides McCarrons Armored Cav, their forces in the region are somewhat limited.

After the meeting Fyodor Malvena, a regal looking woman with granite grey hair stayed behind.

"Samuel," Fyodor advised warmly. "You've got to learn the virtue of Patience. A young firecracker you may be but in the world of politics its game of centimeters, of building pressure before a big breakthrough. Move too far, too fast and things will get ugly quick as reactionaries get riled up."

"Also a thought to bear in mind. The First Prince might be sitting on Duke Hasek right now but plenty of people on the worlds of Macleod's Land all the way to Althea's Choice know the Fed Suns forces as the ones that have come to raid their worlds. "

"Go too far, too fast and suddenly the words 'He wants to be Duke of the Taurian March. Or he's the lapdog of the First Prince. We need a real Protector' will start getting said."

With a final shrug Fyodor assures Samuel "You've got my support though. Oh and a suggestion if you do plan to work alongside the Lyrans and Feddies, try seducing the ruler of Victoria. Nothing wrong with liberating a few of the Crappies worlds and adding them to the Concordat."

Ball will be below

1) What would it take to get our jumpship yards back up and running and get Snowdens back under production?

1) A good bit of the repairs to the yards have been completed thanks to some of the subsidies from the colonization grants. Right now they are only capable of repairs and making smaller stations.

An initial investment of $1 Billion C-Bills in cold hard cash is required to import some of the necessary parts, funds only you actually have available. From there the Government has no problem pumping in roughly 2-3 Billion C-bills worth of Bulls a year into fully fixing the yards.

Dusting off the Snowden plans isn't an issue, for actual production vs a single one off, an investment of $1 billion C-bills worth of Bulls should be enough to see the first new Snowden produced in three years.

2) Ministry of Trade and Colonization believes they can rejigger some of the subsidies to reflect this new priority

As for Mountain Wolf they are tentatively interested but are going to need initial investment monies to get setup and additional subsidies.

3) The TCN with the help of some crack Farlooker crews are putting a plan in place to hit the Badlands sometime in late June-early July to track him down and clear the Badlands of pirates.

4) Rumors of the Toro being put back in production are slowly spreading as work on Black Betty proceeds, and a volunteer fund quickly spreads throughout the Concordat as everybody chips in to see the Toro put back into production

Parts of Talos are slowly being gathered up, enough that by years end an almost complete Talos can be put together as each part is identified and measured.

5) Roll 2d6 for Battalions attracted by the offer and 18d6 for Companies.

6) As word reaches the Magistry its greeted by a good deal of enthusiasm by the Magistrix. The OWA has some trepidations about shared security but is otherwise fine about the deal but a little bewildered as to what they can actually share.

7) TMI severely doubts an outright purchase of a Mech line, even the Charger from Luthien Armor Works would even be possible. No matter how poor the Mech actually giving up a line would be unthinkable in this day and age.

They suggest a modification of this plan. Wells Technology designer of the Charger should be very interested in getting out from under the Dragon's thumb. Get them to jump ship with the design and all the plans then introduce a new variant of the Charger.

Aaron Sandoval either way is interested in the idea of cheeking the Dragon by producing a better version of the Charger.

(Hat-in-the-Ring hasn't actually captured the Chargers yet and developed the Challenger)

Hat-in-the-Ring hasn't finished out their contract with the FWL but the new offer is very tempting.

Ball Room; February 7th 3025

Resplendent in the crimson tunic, golden lanyards and sash of the Taurian Defense Force dress uniform Samuel cuts a dashing figure.

"The Protector of the Taurian Concordat, Samuel Calderon!" the Sergeant at Arms announces enthusiastically as every eye in the room turns to Samuel. Everyone's dressed to the nines in their finest uniforms, or outfits as the best and brightest of the Concordat or visitors from afar fill the ballroom.

Discrete buffet tables mixed with bars line the room as the main feature, a smooth golden ballroom floor carefully tended for several centuries is filled with dancers. Small tables and discrete couches are littered around the grand room.

A lively waltz starts moments later as Ayala joins Samuel for the first dance, a tradition that an unwed Protector takes the first dance with a close relative. "So Samuel," Ayala whispers "Which of the lovely ladies here tonight are you going to take for a twirl around the dance floor first."

Psyckosama · Jun 2, 2015

fitzgerald said:
TTI is perfectly agreeable with duplicating the tooling for tool lines vs one.

As for a WVR-6T they suggest you only specialize one line that way, and leave the other as a SR.

Sounds good to me. I've always been a bit put off by rear mounted lasers on anything short of a slow assault 'mech. If you can't watch your ass in a medium you're a crap pilot with crap lance mates.

VMI's perfectly happy to crank out a 6T variant, they are planning on duplicating the ShadowHawk Line anyway.

Nice. Pull the SRM and replace it with a medium in the other arm... I believe the small laser assembly can be reversed quite easily, and a machine gun. Can use the same bin space and probably open up the cockpit a bit. Then replace the AC5 with a PPC. I believe the Donal PPC and ArmstrongJ/11 have a similar profile and we already produce both.

While a lot more thin skinned an export version gets approved.

Good. Nothing like having your cake and eating it too.

Is a sniper version possible?

An old Hermes is found and its owner happily takes a swap for a Griffin walking off VMI's line sometime in July.

Working with the modular repair systems however is going to be tricky and a matter of years not months of work.

2d6 labeled Hermes please

Honestly, I expected as much. This is a long term project but I believe if it works we may very well find ourselves looking at a paradigm shift in Battlefield technology. Entirely modular load-outs on battlemechs.

The Research scientists and TMI agents quickly go quiet, while not hostile you quickly sense that they aren't supportive at all. You'll get obeyed because you are the boss not because there's any support at all for you in this room.

"I believe in you men enough to be honest. Right now I will accept your obedience, but I hope I will earn your faith and trust with time. "

Easy enough to do. Your training mech gets the same swap at the cost of some armor to ensure little trouble in swapping between the two.

Alright.

By the end of the year a small number of single one shot guided missiles are flowing from the lab as the specs go out to the various weapons manufactures to produce their own lines.

The ASF wings of the TDF and TCN however are quick to try and get a hold of as many of the Thunders! as possible, if only for the sheer edge having a vicious first strike capability.

I'd like to expand it by creating a version designed to be fired from bomb hard points.

And of course work on the reloadable version continues.

Well that and it was easier to keep the original Imperator AC.

Are orders given to take several apart to reverse engineer the Banshee so a production line can be built?

Of course I am!

Now the fusion engines can be limited to the fuel trucks and water purifiers vs every single vehicle.

Or at least high end energy weapon equipped ranks.. which can also work as re-fuel vehicles in a pinch.

He disappeared under very mysterious circumstances that involved copious amounts of arson, stolen VTOLs, and an Ice Hockey Arena that was blown up with an absolutely obscene amount of C8. It was suspected he was in the Arena at the time.

I order 100 lawn gnomes be sent to his grave. He was a great man.

Naomi and Miranda get along fairly well, both go to the same very exclusive school, Daimen Academy, which certainly helps the transition.

Nice.

"Oh true," Eve agrees pleasantly. "The suit just adds to the effect.

"True true. I just feel like a penguin in a noose."

No ones wowed, but more importantly no ones super ticked off at the speech.

It was blunt, a bit awkward, but honest.

Which falls on mostly deaf ears. By the grim set of Sharplen's face and several others of the Anti-Davion crowd you get the sense that they aren't happy.

"I understand your doubts. All I ask is that you be willing to trust me."

Aramis Dunn takes several long minutes to think through your impassioned plea. Eventually as his drink swirls around in his glass the much older gentleman finally takes a last sip.

"Filling in the empty spaces," Aramis states calmly, "Is not the ideal I was striving for but Samuel I do believe we can come to an agreement that a more focused phase of colonization is certainly possible. Not perfect, but what in this universe ever is."

"I know. Oh god I know." For a moment I look much older.

"If I had my way there wouldn't be any need for these pointless, endless, idiotic wars. We live in an infinite cosmos of infinite bounty and infinite possibility yet as a species we haven't seriously reached out into the unknown since the days of the dying days of Terran Alliance... for eight hundred years we've clung to Terra like an infant to a mother's tit. We left the cradle only to circle around it like vulture around a dying yak."

"If I had my way, humanity would dedicate itself not to personal gain but to self-improvement. We would look to the stars with hope and childlike wonder, not fear and selfish greed. We would explore strange new worlds, dream of meeting new civilizations, and boldly go where no one has gone before. But instead, we... as a species... spend our days standing around clubbing each-other over the heads like a bunch of punch drunk cavemen futilely hoping the next blow will knock them out and make all our dreams come true. And what is the definition of insanity but doing the same thing again and again without change yet expecting a different result?"

I take a deep drink and sigh. "I'm sorry you had to hear that, but I needed to be honest with you. I respect you and agree with you very much..." I pause in thought then nods. "And I'd like to work closely with you and your people in the future. If politics will allow it, possibly even a seat on the Privy council. If you'd take it"

Aramis's eyes light up on that news. Wiping out the Badlands Pirates would certainly make colonization efforts more viable.

"Reclaiming the Badlands? Now wouldn't that be a sight," Aramis answers a gleam entering his eye. "I've got several crack crews in mind who wouldn't mind taking a shot at the Cluster. Its going to require a decent sized force from the TCN though just to secure a route into the Cluster."

"I'll arrange for you to have a meeting with the Admiralty and will put the SASF at your disposal. If we're really lucky, maybe we could even put their jump-ships to an honest use."

He gets to satisfy both the business crowd and the Far Lookers how can he not?

Always a good day.

After the meeting Fyodor Malvena, a regal looking woman with granite grey hair stayed behind.

"Samuel," Fyodor advised warmly. "You've got to learn the virtue of Patience. A young firecracker you may be but in the world of politics its game of centimeters, of building pressure before a big breakthrough. Move too far, too fast and things will get ugly quick as reactionaries get riled up."

"I understand. It's just that there's... so much to be done and so little time."

"Also a thought to bear in mind. The First Prince might be sitting on Duke Hasek right now but plenty of people on the worlds of Macleod's Land all the way to Althea's Choice know the Fed Suns forces as the ones that have come to raid their worlds. "

"I know. And if Hasek slips his leash I'll be ready," I reply, "I'd like to work out some plans with the admiralty for dealing with raiders. At least in our major systems. I think I have a solid idea."

"Go too far, too fast and suddenly the words 'He wants to be Duke of the Taurian March. Or he's the lapdog of the First Prince. We need a real Protector' will start getting said."

"I know." I take a deep breath. "I know."

With a final shrug Fyodor assures Samuel "You've got my support though. Oh and a suggestion if you do plan to work alongside the Lyrans and Feddies, try seducing the ruler of Victoria. Nothing wrong with liberating a few of the Crappies worlds and adding them to the Concordat."

"How far would you suggest I go in the seduction? And do you think trying to draw her into a threesome with Archon Steiner's niece would be a bad idea?"

Ball will be below

Alright

1) A good bit of the repairs to the yards have been completed thanks to some of the subsidies from the colonization grants. Right now they are only capable of repairs and making smaller stations.

An initial investment of $1 Billion C-Bills in cold hard cash is required to import some of the necessary parts, funds only you actually have available. From there the Government has no problem pumping in roughly 2-3 Billion C-bills worth of Bulls a year into fully fixing the yards.

Oh this is going to fucking hurt...

Dusting off the Snowden plans isn't an issue, for actual production vs a single one off, an investment of $1 billion C-bills worth of Bulls should be enough to see the first new Snowden produced in three years.

Any way to get these spread between my personal expenses and the national budget without overdrawing?

2) Ministry of Trade and Colonization believes they can rejigger some of the subsidies to reflect this new priority

Good.

As for Mountain Wolf they are tentatively interested but are going to need initial investment monies to get setup and additional subsidies.

I'll personally invest and arrange the tax breaks and subsidies. Though I'd a percentage of the company in exchange for the personal investment. Something that will be profitable in the long run and is too reasonable not to accept.

3) The TCN with the help of some crack Farlooker crews are putting a plan in place to hit the Badlands sometime in late June-early July to track him down and clear the Badlands of pirates.

Great. This should help make it clear that I'm the real deal.

4) Rumors of the Toro being put back in production are slowly spreading as work on Black Betty proceeds, and a volunteer fund quickly spreads throughout the Concordat as everybody chips in to see the Toro put back into production

I never confirm or deny and I put the fund to good use to help pay for the work and eventual toolings

Parts of Talos are slowly being gathered up, enough that by years end an almost complete Talos can be put together as each part is identified and measured.

Great.

5) Roll 2d6 for Battalions attracted by the offer and 18d6 for Companies.

And what would I roll for individual lances?

6) As word reaches the Magistry its greeted by a good deal of enthusiasm by the Magistrix. The OWA has some trepidations about shared security but is otherwise fine about the deal but a little bewildered as to what they can actually share.

Shared security is less a binding military alliance, though such an alliance might be possible in the future, and more a general agreement to do all we can reasonably do to help our friends be most able to protect themselves. I'd like to consider it a friendship between states.

7) TMI severely doubts an outright purchase of a Mech line, even the Charger from Luthien Armor Works would even be possible. No matter how poor the Mech actually giving up a line would be unthinkable in this day and age.

Ah. Well, was worth an idea.

They suggest a modification of this plan. Wells Technology designer of the Charger should be very interested in getting out from under the Dragon's thumb. Get them to jump ship with the design and all the plans then introduce a new variant of the Charger.

This I approve of and I'd happily help them set up in the Concordant, as a newly minted Taurian company.

Aaron Sandoval either way is interested in the idea of cheeking the Dragon by producing a better version of the Charger.

And in exchange for his aid in this little misadventure I'm sure he'll be first outside the Concordant an improved Charger line up running.

(Hat-in-the-Ring hasn't actually captured the Chargers yet and developed the Challenger)

Ah. Well, might have to accelerate that...

Hat-in-the-Ring hasn't finished out their contract with the FWL but the new offer is very tempting.

Good. Because I want them on my R&D team.

Ball Room; February 7th 3025

Resplendent in the crimson tunic, golden lanyards and sash of the Taurian Defense Force dress uniform Samuel cuts a dashing figure.

I'm to sexy for my sash too sexy for my sash...

"The Protector of the Taurian Concordat, Samuel Calderon!" the Sergeant at Arms announces enthusiastically as every eye in the room turns to Samuel. Everyone's dressed to the nines in their finest uniforms, or outfits as the best and brightest of the Concordat or visitors from afar fill the ballroom.

And I do my best to keep my cool. This much attention makes a man feel like a rat in a room of sleeping cats.

Discrete buffet tables mixed with bars line the room as the main feature, a smooth golden ballroom floor carefully tended for several centuries is filled with dancers. Small tables and discrete couches are littered around the grand room.

Oh, buffet! O.O

A lively waltz starts moments later as Ayala joins Samuel for the first dance, a tradition that an unwed Protector takes the first dance with a close relative. "So Samuel," Ayala whispers "Which of the lovely ladies here tonight are you going to take for a twirl around the dance floor first."

"Not entirely sure," I admit, "I'm somewhat overwhelmed. Though I intend to dance with all of them."
[dice]1807[/dice]
[dice]1808[/dice]
[dice]1809[/dice]
[dice]1810[/dice]

fitzgerald · Jun 2, 2015

Samantha Calderon April 3025

Psyckosama said:
Righto. Duncan independently is looking to meet you

Samantha meets Duncan privately for a chat, in this case in a private billiards rooms wearing tight pants, high heeled boots a low cut blouse and a leather bolero jacket, all of it expensive and perfectly cut to fit. Perched on the table cue in one hand Samantha asks once her guest has been served a drink and Sam has discretely left the room.

"So Duncan, you've traveled a long distance to have a face to face meeting with me. We'll get down to the brass tacks in a while, first though lets play a round or three."

Probably for the best as frankly his letter was almost insulting to be honest. He's a sexist pig and a cultural bigot who thinks he's gods gift to the cosmos. He pays too much attention to his own propaganda.

Or is trapped within the mindset of the Draconis Combine. Samantha has no intention of becoming a bigamist, but at least he wasn't offering Marcus Kurita as a way to get his nephew out of the Combine.

True... they still dislike it and what keeps from from doing both?

"You've got to take risks to get ahead. Its my duty to least try for a more peaceful border, and we'll see if this generation is any different from the last." Samantha answers honestly. "Worst comes to worst the TDF isn't getting yanked off the border just on a promise of better times ahead."

You sure? They're really exotic fruit.

Samantha passes them up gladly. Even if she's a fan of the basic berries and stone fruits there's plenty of reason to pass up something unknown and have interns test it first.

It takes 4 months deign the Bulldog refit and it's without any MAJOR flaws.

It takes only three for the Vedette but the suspension system doesn't seem to get along with the electrical motors for the fuel cells and as a tendency of slipping gears at flank speed. It'll take additional time and money to fix.

Sam pays the money to go ahead and fix the design.

The suggestion is just to ignore them. If you want to smooth things over, send a gift or something to someone important not to bulldog industries.

Bowing to the whims of uppity merchants would make you look weak.

That suggestion is taken up, and Sam personally takes the bill to buy a new built Leopard fill it with a Marauder, Warhammer, Archer and Thunderbolt plus a Shilone and Slayer as a personal gift from herself to the Coordinator of the Draconis Combine. Grover Sharplen is speed on his way to the DC via the CapCon.

Bulldog Industries gets ignored

The planetary lord is overjoyed and sends you his personal thanks.

Thanks received and a message noting that Samantha's striving to live up to the ideals of the Protectorship.

Heh. Speedy little brick.

So please where are you putting all these faculties for my notes?

List will posted as soon as I finish it.

Sounds like a simple enough design. You want one design or you want competing bids?

Goal is to make it a TDF owned design, with competing bids for the contract to build the Fuel Cell versions (SRM, LRM, Thumper) and an open offer for any company to build an ICE version for export

Sams operating assumption is that the big boys, TTI, VMI and PPI will come to an agreement to specialize with Bowie Industries being a wild card if they chose to build it at all.

Secret or can it be publicly known?

If publicly known they suggest putting up a bounty for one. Maybe with the excuse you want it intact for a museum. Maybe offer a cash reward or lance of Mechs in exchange.

A Museum piece sounds like a wicked idea. A cash reward is offered up substantial enough to buy the TCs most expensive mech.

Seriously?

Fine. I was going to look for someone canon but alright I guess...

Merely continuing the ongoing tradition of BT referencing other series XD Why wouldn't I want to use a Mercenary company that uses Mecha

Hm. roll a 2d6.

Below labeled as Battalions

They cannot state their intentions as of yet. Nice blanket statement.

The Dragoons or the Feddies?

A new colony established according to their own terms outside any conditions set by the protector...

Only under those set by Zarantha, which were outright minimal

Ambitious as hell. And now stolen (YOINK!). You tell anyone?

Bits and pieces are spread across top level civil servants, TDF and other top men for the publicly known plan. In April Samantha holds a Privy Council meeting to lay out her ambitious goal for restoring the Jumpyards to something beyond trickle production.

"Any single planet with a great deal of money and effort can construct a Yard capable of building jumpships, then completely fail to build more than a few over priced jumpers. Building an entire economy with all the supporting business's to create a thriving JumpShip manufacturing Industry, that Ladies and Gentlemen begins from the ground up. Every part, every tool, every tool needed to build those tools needs to be readied before even thinking about starting to manufacture JumpShips. I've got a plan to build up all the supports needed, and a method to keep it thriving while the Concordat prepares to leap into the future.

In the end the goal is to make the fabled O'Neil Yards of Terra look like a bunch of pikers. Some boutique manufacture of one off designs. Before then however there's a long and winding road starting today."

With that Samantha lays out her 25 year plan broken down into five year goals, all designed to feed into the next step.

So fake throwing endless billions into restoring a crippled warship and use it to build a warship production faculty?

Samantha meets privately with the Marshall of the TCN and Marshall of TMI for a very private, best anti snooping, in a Faraday cage sans any clothing, decoration and anti cyborg measures chat. A few clay bowls of water and several hand towels are in the back along.

Ignoring her nudity Samantha once the door is sealed crouches down on the smoothly tiled floor and gestures for the two to join her.

"Gentlemen sorry for the dramatics but this conversation has never happened. No one is to learn even the general topic of this discussion until they get deliberately brought in on it. If need be we will flat out lie and claim to have had a quick somewhat kinky threesome got it."

At their nods Samantha continues on. "I've got a plan to build a secret Fleet Yard and restore our nations native ability to build WarShips starting around 3045."

< Reaction >

"The plan starts simple. All funds being sunk into the TCS Albatross or Vandenberg are going to creep upwards, a nice big spiral of parts, orders and cash. In reality however we stop putting funds into that money pit and instead begin prepping an expedition deep into the Nebula. An entire colony of mining stations, orbital habitats and factories all designed one goal in mind

Start laying the foundations for the Marshall David Santos Fleet Base, and with it a Naval Yard capable of building new WarShips.

Everybody on the trip out is going to be signing on for at least a twenty five years, no constant back and forth, no emergency family leave, nothing. The cover's simple, a group of intrepid Farlookers go out and attempt to establish an space colony and vanish into the black. With them go a crack SASF force and a few TCN assault droppers, gunboats and ASF.

By 3035 the goal is start building 1 MT pressurized Yards in series, as we start slipping the Fleet Base new staff, new equipment, supplies factories and mining stations. Its still a one way trip except for the most trusted navigation officers.

In 3040 or so the Yard should be ready to start building new Assault dropships and gunboats to cover it, maybe even Monitors, to protect it alongside a few regular Jumpers to get their hands in it.

3045 the first new Warships get laid, and production begins as we start transferring in even more staff and equipment.

By 3050 we get to the stage where only knowing the location of Fleet Base Santos is slit your throat stuff, not its actual location and the poor bastards stuck their for twenty years can actually communicate with friends and family again."

After if the TMI Marshall suggests making the cover story real, well Sam is ready to make sacrifices for the Concordat.
[dice]1806[/dice]

drakensis · Jun 2, 2015

Kaede Kanzaki-Calderon (23), 3011

Psyckosama said:
To put it gently.

Yeah. Some rebuilding required. Sigh.

Psyckosama said:
Well, that does soften the blow a little, but there's a call for Arcie McCarrons head on a pike.

As and when the opportunity arises.

Psyckosama said:
Actually, from what it sounds like this was actually McCarron's plan, Maskirova simply provided support after Max Liao signed off on it.

Well there's a reason the MAC were considered the best mercs in the universe until the Wolf Dragoons turned up. And right now Max Liao employs them both.

Psyckosama said:
Yep.

There's also a long rant about your long standing violation (250 years now) of the Sabre's licenses and demand for justice for the over 123 serving Wakizashi Aerospace lawyers that the Concordant has had shot over your blatantly illegal production line over the past centuries.

"I prefer to consider it an 'innovative business practise' with regard for licensing. Sort of similar to the way Wells Technology keeps building the world's most useless assault 'Mech on Luthien and then shipping it to the LCAF."

Psyckosama said:
Still, they want to table a plan to gift the sons of bitches with a couple megatons of canned sunshine should it come down to it.

Hell, one of your generals even makes a suggestion. Nuking them on Capallan soil would be cause for war. Nuking them on TAURIAN soil on the other hand would be... well... we never signed the Ares Conventions and only a damned fool attacks a bull in it's pasture.

He'd like to return the favor and leak rumors of a valuable lostech research faculty in the middle of a desert. One where noone would mind if you were to say... detonate a couple strategic yield nuclear warheads to remove a blight on the landscape?

That's an interesting idea and in principle I have nothing against the idea. See what can be set up.

Psyckosama said:
Not at all.

That's a little unclear.

Psyckosama said:
He's going along with his brother Hanse, who according to rumor is the driving force behind this meeting.

Hmm. Interesting. I hope they realise that a Davion marriage would be unthinkable for me.

Psyckosama said:
Honestly it's suggested you go hardball as the nation needs a victory to offset the loss.

Okay then. Draw up a plan for Pirate's Haven.

Also, as a reserve option, what would be required to take out jumpships used by pirates for raiding? Without jumpships they can't escape and we can move in and take them out. For that matter, how about gunship squadrons held in reserve to intercept their incoming dropships and give them a warm Taurian welcome?

Psyckosama said:
Right. He and his brother are taking a command circuit to the border. Where do you want to meet?

Given I'm more or less the only thing holding the Concordat together right now, it'll have to be in Taurian space. Do I have any suitably discreet estates I can use on New Vallis?

Psyckosama said:
Ah. Right. Well, roll a 2d6.

[dice]1805[/dice]

Psyckosama · Jun 2, 2015

Forgot to put in my rolls before... what I get for posting REALLY late.

Psyckosama · Jun 2, 2015

fitzgerald said:
Samantha Calderon April 3025

Samantha meets Duncan privately for a chat, in this case in a private billiards rooms wearing tight pants, high heeled boots a low cut blouse and a leather bolero jacket, all of it expensive and perfectly cut to fit. Perched on the table cue in one hand Samantha asks once her guest has been served a drink and Sam has discretely left the room.

"So Duncan, you've traveled a long distance to have a face to face meeting with me. We'll get down to the brass tacks in a while, first though lets play a round or three."

He nods and picks up a cue. "I heard you were a very lovely woman. Not disappointed."

Or is trapped within the mindset of the Draconis Combine. Samantha has no intention of becoming a bigamist, but at least he wasn't offering Marcus Kurita as a way to get his nephew out of the Combine.

That's in the next letter. He's persistent.

"You've got to take risks to get ahead. Its my duty to least try for a more peaceful border, and we'll see if this generation is any different from the last." Samantha answers honestly. "Worst comes to worst the TDF isn't getting yanked off the border just on a promise of better times ahead."

They still don't like it.

Samantha passes them up gladly. Even if she's a fan of the basic berries and stone fruits there's plenty of reason to pass up something unknown and have interns test it first.

Totally safe.

Sam pays the money to go ahead and fix the design.

another 2d6 to work it out. Assuming they don't have to redesign the entire drive train.

That suggestion is taken up, and Sam personally takes the bill to buy a new built Leopard fill it with a Marauder, Warhammer, Archer and Thunderbolt plus a Shilone and Slayer as a personal gift from herself to the Coordinator of the Draconis Combine. Grover Sharplen is speed on his way to the DC via the CapCon.

Bulldog Industries gets ignored

You get a polite thank you. It has been added to the lists of the Otomo as befits such an honorable gift.

He sends you a pair of swords with a matching tanto in thanks. All are master crafted in the traditional manner.

Thanks received and a message noting that Samantha's striving to live up to the ideals of the Protectorship.

You made an ally. Lord James Meyers, while still extremely distrusting of House Davion has left Sharplin's circle and is now in yours.

List will posted as soon as I finish it.

Right

Goal is to make it a TDF owned design, with competing bids for the contract to build the Fuel Cell versions (SRM, LRM, Thumper) and an open offer for any company to build an ICE version for export

Alright. You get a number of bits including several from small local manufacturers.

Sams operating assumption is that the big boys, TTI, VMI and PPI will come to an agreement to specialize with Bowie Industries being a wild card if they chose to build it at all.

Bowie would actually like to license the design for production in the Lyran Commonwealth.

They believe that they may be able to convince Archon Steiner to trade the Rommel and Patton.

A Museum piece sounds like a wicked idea. A cash reward is offered up substantial enough to buy the TCs most expensive mech.

A smaller bounty is placed on functioning parts as well and it starts to literally come together.

2d6 labled "Talos" please.

Merely continuing the ongoing tradition of BT referencing other series XD Why wouldn't I want to use a Mercenary company that uses Mecha

*grumble* Fine.

Below labeled as Battalions

You manage to score a cool 3 regiments worth of various mercs and mechwarriors. Would you like to open this up to independent assets (lone pilots) or other forces such as vehicular units, infantry mercs, and ASFs ?

The Dragoons or the Feddies?

The goon squad

Only under those set by Zarantha, which were outright minimal

Understood.

Bits and pieces are spread across top level civil servants, TDF and other top men for the publicly known plan. In April Samantha holds a Privy Council meeting to lay out her ambitious goal for restoring the Jumpyards to something beyond trickle production.

"Any single planet with a great deal of money and effort can construct a Yard capable of building jumpships, then completely fail to build more than a few over priced jumpers. Building an entire economy with all the supporting business's to create a thriving JumpShip manufacturing Industry, that Ladies and Gentlemen begins from the ground up. Every part, every tool, every tool needed to build those tools needs to be readied before even thinking about starting to manufacture JumpShips. I've got a plan to build up all the supports needed, and a method to keep it thriving while the Concordat prepares to leap into the future.

In the end the goal is to make the fabled O'Neil Yards of Terra look like a bunch of pikers. Some boutique manufacture of one off designs. Before then however there's a long and winding road starting today."

With that Samantha lays out her 25 year plan broken down into five year goals, all designed to feed into the next step.

Taurus already has the industry needed to support it. So does New Vandenburg for that matter. It's a matter of cost.

Though matching the O'neil Yards is seen as a bit over the top... the cost would be astronomical

Samantha meets privately with the Marshall of the TCN and Marshall of TMI for a very private, best anti snooping, in a Faraday cage sans any clothing, decoration and anti cyborg measures chat. A few clay bowls of water and several hand towels are in the back along.

"Ma'am... don't you think this is a little over the top?"

Ignoring her nudity Samantha once the door is sealed crouches down on the smoothly tiled floor and gestures for the two to join her.

"Gentlemen sorry for the dramatics but this conversation has never happened. No one is to learn even the general topic of this discussion until they get deliberately brought in on it. If need be we will flat out lie and claim to have had a quick somewhat kinky threesome got it."

Blushing and stammering.

At their nods Samantha continues on. "I've got a plan to build a secret Fleet Yard and restore our nations native ability to build WarShips starting around 3045."

"What."

"That's why you drug us in her naked?"

"The plan starts simple. All funds being sunk into the TCS Albatross or Vandenberg are going to creep upwards, a nice big spiral of parts, orders and cash. In reality however we stop putting funds into that money pit and instead begin prepping an expedition deep into the Nebula. An entire colony of mining stations, orbital habitats and factories all designed one goal in mind

Start laying the foundations for the Marshall David Santos Fleet Base, and with it a Naval Yard capable of building new WarShips.

Everybody on the trip out is going to be signing on for at least a twenty five years, no constant back and forth, no emergency family leave, nothing. The cover's simple, a group of intrepid Farlookers go out and attempt to establish an space colony and vanish into the black. With them go a crack SASF force and a few TCN assault droppers, gunboats and ASF.

By 3035 the goal is start building 1 MT pressurized Yards in series, as we start slipping the Fleet Base new staff, new equipment, supplies factories and mining stations. Its still a one way trip except for the most trusted navigation officers.

In 3040 or so the Yard should be ready to start building new Assault dropships and gunboats to cover it, maybe even Monitors, to protect it alongside a few regular Jumpers to get their hands in it.

3045 the first new Warships get laid, and production begins as we start transferring in even more staff and equipment.

By 3050 we get to the stage where only knowing the location of Fleet Base Santos is slit your throat stuff, not its actual location and the poor bastards stuck their for twenty years can actually communicate with friends and family again."

You'll be hard pressed to find a group with the right skills and willingness to make those sacrifices. Not saying it can't be done, but you underestimate the scale of this undertaking.

After if the TMI Marshall suggests making the cover story real, well Sam is ready to make sacrifices for the Concordat.

He's not.

drakensis said:
Kaede Kanzaki-Calderon (23), 3011

Yeah. Some rebuilding required. Sigh.

A lot of men were dispossessed. Do you give them new mechs as in to own?

As and when the opportunity arises.

Good.

Well there's a reason the MAC were considered the best mercs in the universe until the Wolf Dragoons turned up. And right now Max Liao employs them both.

Which is both an argument for and against disintegrating them

"I prefer to consider it an 'innovative business practise' with regard for licensing. Sort of similar to the way Wells Technology keeps building the world's most useless assault 'Mech on Luthien and then shipping it to the LCAF."

Technically that's all stolen goods... technically.

That's an interesting idea and in principle I have nothing against the idea. See what can be set up.

They can set up a faux lostech cashe. Something too juicy for Liao to ignore. Make it seem like they're keeping it so very secret.

Though they do suggest you use what contact you have with the Davions to inform the First Prince that it's actually a trap. Wouldn't do to have the wrong dog stick his nose in the noose looking for treats.

That's a little unclear.

They're still very interested.

Hmm. Interesting. I hope they realise that a Davion marriage would be unthinkable for me.

They can still try can't they?

Okay then. Draw up a plan for Pirate's Haven.

They'll work on it.

Also, as a reserve option, what would be required to take out jumpships used by pirates for raiding? Without jumpships they can't escape and we can move in and take them out. For that matter, how about gunship squadrons held in reserve to intercept their incoming dropships and give them a warm Taurian welcome?

What strategy would you like to use to do this?

Given I'm more or less the only thing holding the Concordat together right now, it'll have to be in Taurian space. Do I have any suitably discreet estates I can use on New Vallis?

Yes. Thought they do make it clear, if anything happens to the brothers the Concordant will burn. Nothing personal, but a vague disclaimer is noones friend.

As for the attempt to find that cashe, they're still digging.

bzzt3421 · Jun 2, 2015

Alejandro Diaz-Calderon(19) 3031

Psyckosama said:
I wouldn't kill you on a single roll, but you managed to impress absolutely no one with your speech and came out looking like a fish out of water who has no idea what he's doing.

Your privy council is yours to decide.

Well, as long as there's little to no political backlash, pare out the previous Protector's personal advisers then.

alright.

They can talk to Mountain Wolf about starting a faculty. As for the Shadowhawk, TTI has incomplete tooling for the Wolverine that was damaged during the Periphery Revolt while there's a recent Griffon plant started on New Vandenburg if you want to make a trade, though they'd probably loathe to cut production for the time needed to duplicate the toolings.

Alright start sending out feelers to the MWB, and send the offer to the Magistracy about the Shadowhawk, see if they'll be willing to trade a copy of the line tooling for us paying for setting up a Merlin line there. As for the Wolverine, well of the four companies producing, one's Lyran, seeing as they joined up with the Suns, and are on the exact opposite side of the Sphere from us, no. One's Capellan, so no. The other's Federated Sun, and I've a feeling that while possible, would cost me some political clout, which after that fall, probably not a good idea, so no. That leaves the Free Worlds Defense Industries on Gibson. Send an offer off them and see if they'll bite about supplying us with the necessary tooling to get that Wolverine line up to spec.

They have a yard, but it was hit 40 years ago by an unknown ASF squadron. They had white wings.

Fucking Comstar. If there's any repairs left to be made to the yard, do it. As for the second part, how did the idea of using the inheritance to set new factories that build the parts that build the parts, etc, etc. Basically filling out any holes in the Taurian industry brought about by the Star League's policies?

It would badly stretch the SASF to do so. Though setting traps might be a good idea.

Alright then, I'll leave the planning and such to the heads of the military, though I suggest that with the new potential new factories being set(Merlin, Shadowhawk, Wolverine) they may want to focus on the planets were they're being built. Of course I leave it there hands.

You already got one. Grayson Death Carlyle made a rather... well... comically severe amateur mistake.

The memory core database was encrypted to prevent theft... theft being some jackass copying data off the memory core and then... say... disseminating it to the whole of humanity in a well intentioned gesture of good will and fuzzy kittens.

Without the original memory core reader, you're basically looking at a couple hundred petabytes of badly fragmented gobbledygook. It'll take years, maybe even decades to make up for his well intentioned little fuck up and crack the coding deeply enough they can actually read the goddamned thing.

Hell, they're still working on breaking the INDEX FILE so they at least can have an idea what's actually on the goddamned thing.

Sigh, points for good intention, but damn if that isn't annoying. Still at least we have one.(OOC:Main timeline it looks like the Periphery didn't even get a copy.) As long as it's set up somewhere in a secure secret site, I'll let them keep up with the decyrption.

No major complaints there.

Good, I'll leave it to the TMI and the Constabulary.

Noone likes it... but frankly having the largest military power since the Star League on their asses, well, they like that even less.

Yeah, that was my thought too. Alright, send the offer off to the Davions? Steiners? Steiner-Davions? Davion-Steiners? Whatever last name they've picked. Actually, send two, the first is the formal offer of embassy on Taurus with the standard diplomat speak, have it made by right people. The other will be a polite personally written letter by to Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner, with a belated congratulations on their nuptials, and with the new start of their lives together, I too hope this will be a new start of s mutual beneficial and peaceful relationship between our two nations.

Okay.

They'll assemble it but want an idea what this is about. And how secret is secret?

"This does not leave the room, understood? I want to form an expedition, specifically, I want to form a expedition to a dead world, that was once part of the Terran Hegemy, before it fell during the Succession Wars. It's name is New Dallas, and it was one of the most loyal worlds to the Star League, to the point where it not was one of the first planets to get new tech after the SDLF and HAF, it was also used as aboneyard and redoubt. Now I'm sure you're thinking that it was stripped by whoever conquer the planet, but the thing is. From the information I've gathered, the resistance on the planet was so strong, that invaders nuked into oblivion. To the point were whatever terraforming was done to the planet failed. Leaving the planet a radiated lifeless ball. One which the invaders didn't bother with looting down to the bedrock. Considering it's been nearly three hundred years since then, I'm thinking the radiation is probably gone, and that means that any possible tech that may have survived is safe to use. Therefore I want the expedition to go the planet, excavate and explore as much of the planet as possible and determine if there is still anything of worth that's intact. I'm hoping that we'll run across a few records on production notes, maybe even a surviving library from one of the schools on the planet, possibly a few surviving mechs and fighters. In any event, this isn't to leave the room. Top secrecy must be maintained, I'd rather not deal with half the Sphere trying to excavate the place before we do."

katar · Jun 2, 2015

Points up to post 127.

Psyckosama · Jun 2, 2015

katar said:
Jack Calderon, 3011
My point stands. If those 9 cant take care of it 3 more arent going to help.

You're not paying attention. Those 9 are not defending the capitol.

Thats also why i want time.
While we gather up supplies and make sure we have enough jumpers ready with asf to defend them, SASF should use old maps to get into the cluster and start picking out targets.

The world the pirates are operating out of is possibly uncharted. They'd like more intel before acting.

and yet you had hanse send me the message before. if this was wrong then ignore it please.

My mistake. I also told you I don't like it when people use consistently clipped replies with poor punctuation. It is discouraging.

Lets start with letter offers and such while working up the courage to see whats already surely lining up to try and sink there hooks into him. When I need breaks from those sharks ill take a look at whats available in the Sphere along with the other periphery nations.

Anywhere you decide to start?

bzzt3421 said:
Alejandro Diaz-Calderon(19) 3031

Well, as long as there's little to no political backlash, pare out the previous Protector's personal advisers then.

I said you had the right, not that there would be zero backlash.

But you need to start somewhere. So what do you intend to do?

Alright start sending out feelers to the MWB, and send the offer to the Magistracy about the Shadowhawk, see if they'll be willing to trade a copy of the line tooling for us paying for setting up a Merlin line there. As for the Wolverine, well of the four companies producing, one's Lyran, seeing as they joined up with the Suns, and are on the exact opposite side of the Sphere from us, no. One's Capellan, so no. The other's Federated Sun, and I've a feeling that while possible, would cost me some political clout, which after that fall, probably not a good idea, so no. That leaves the Free Worlds Defense Industries on Gibson. Send an offer off them and see if they'll bite about supplying us with the necessary tooling to get that Wolverine line up to spec.

VMI recently got a Griffin line back to full functionality. You could talk to them about making a trade with the Canopians without having to build two factories. Though they are loth to take it offline without some compenstation.

As for the wolverine, there is the option of reverse engineering the parts you need. It'll be more expensive than buying the specific toolings you need but you won't owe any favors either.

Fucking Comstar. If there's any repairs left to be made to the yard, do it. As for the second part, how did the idea of using the inheritance to set new factories that build the parts that build the parts, etc, etc. Basically filling out any holes in the Taurian industry brought about by the Star League's policies?

It'll be damned expensive. Especially building up Taurian base industry. It's a long term development program that.

Alright then, I'll leave the planning and such to the heads of the military, though I suggest that with the new potential new factories being set(Merlin, Shadowhawk, Wolverine) they may want to focus on the planets were they're being built. Of course I leave it there hands.

They're going to be placing the Shadowhawk and Wolverine on established worlds. Taurus for the Wolverine, and the Shadowhawk depends on who gets custody of the line.

Sigh, points for good intention, but damn if that isn't annoying. Still at least we have one.(OOC:Main timeline it looks like the Periphery didn't even get a copy.) As long as it's set up somewhere in a secure secret site, I'll let them keep up with the decyrption.

Everyone and their grandmother got a copy just only the major states had the resources to put into decrypting it.

Good, I'll leave it to the TMI and the Constabulary.

The Minister of Intelligence is thankful.

Yeah, that was my thought too. Alright, send the offer off to the Davions? Steiners? Steiner-Davions? Davion-Steiners? Whatever last name they've picked. Actually, send two, the first is the formal offer of embassy on Taurus with the standard diplomat speak, have it made by right people. The other will be a polite personally written letter by to Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner, with a belated congratulations on their nuptials, and with the new start of their lives together, I too hope this will be a new start of s mutual beneficial and peaceful relationship between our two nations.

Both the Federated Suns and Lyran Commonwealth send ambassadors and you get some very politely written letters from Melissa, Hanse, and Katrina.

"This does not leave the room, understood? I want to form an expedition, specifically, I want to form a expedition to a dead world, that was once part of the Terran Hegemy, before it fell during the Succession Wars. It's name is New Dallas, and it was one of the most loyal worlds to the Star League, to the point where it not was one of the first planets to get new tech after the SDLF and HAF, it was also used as aboneyard and redoubt. Now I'm sure you're thinking that it was stripped by whoever conquer the planet, but the thing is. From the information I've gathered, the resistance on the planet was so strong, that invaders nuked into oblivion. To the point were whatever terraforming was done to the planet failed. Leaving the planet a radiated lifeless ball. One which the invaders didn't bother with looting down to the bedrock. Considering it's been nearly three hundred years since then, I'm thinking the radiation is probably gone, and that means that any possible tech that may have survived is safe to use. Therefore I want the expedition to go the planet, excavate and explore as much of the planet as possible and determine if there is still anything of worth that's intact. I'm hoping that we'll run across a few records on production notes, maybe even a surviving library from one of the schools on the planet, possibly a few surviving mechs and fighters. In any event, this isn't to leave the room. Top secrecy must be maintained, I'd rather not deal with half the Sphere trying to excavate the place before we do."

They'll send a top secret expedition immediately.

katar said:
Points up to post 127.

drakensis · Jun 2, 2015

Kaede Kanzaki-Calderon (23), 3011

Psyckosama said:
A lot of men were dispossessed. Do you give them new mechs as in to own?

Kaede winces at the expense but since this was a 'moral victory' rewarding the men is appropriate.

Psyckosama said:
Which is both an argument for and against disintegrating them

Well if a good opportunity arises...

Psyckosama said:
that's all stolen goods... technically.

Yes, but I'm specifically leaking to the DC lawyers that a DC firm is actively smuggling 'Mechs to supply the Lyrans. I should be able to hear Takashi screaming from Taurus.

Psyckosama said:
can set up a faux lostech cashe. Something too juicy for Liao to ignore. Make it seem like they're keeping it so very secret.

Though they do suggest you use what contact you have with the Davions to inform the First Prince that it's actually a trap. Wouldn't do to have the wrong dog stick his nose in the noose looking for treats.

Be sure not to leak anything until I'm ready.

Psyckosama said:
They're still very interested.

Then agree to the mutual defense treaty.

Psyckosama said:
They can still try can't they?

From one redhead to two others: oh beeehave.

Psyckosama said:
They'll work on it.

I look forward to the result.

Psyckosama said:
What strategy would you like to use to do this?

Can we spare six squadrons of gunships to provide interception duty for the worlds up at the spinward end of the Concordat?

Psyckosama said:
Thought they do make it clear, if anything happens to the brothers the Concordant will burn. Nothing personal, but a vague disclaimer is noones friend.

Naturally. And if this is some cockanamie assassination/abduction plot then the natural consequences will be natural.

Psyckosama said:
As for the attempt to find that cashe, they're still digging.

Okay.

fitzgerald · Jun 2, 2015

Psyckosama said:
Nice. Pull the SRM and replace it with a medium in the other arm... I believe the small laser assembly can be reversed quite easily, and a machine gun. Can use the same bin space and probably open up the cockpit a bit. Then replace the AC5 with a PPC. I believe the Donal PPC and ArmstrongJ/11 have a similar profile and we already produce both.

That would make a rather hot Shadow Hawk, still VMI agrees to give it a go.

Roll 2d6 for Modifications

Good. Nothing like having your cake and eating it too.

Is a sniper version possible?

Just too heavy, but well there's a reason they called this the Tactical Weapons Carrier. In a few years once the backlog for parts is cleared out, and hopefully by the time they get the Arrow IV in production they want to introduce a Strategic Weapons Carrier.

Honestly, I expected as much. This is a long term project but I believe if it works we may very well find ourselves looking at a paradigm shift in Battlefield technology. Entirely modular load-outs on battlemechs.

Efforts to acquire a Spad for its notoriously easy to ways are made by some go getting officers.

"I believe in you men enough to be honest. Right now I will accept your obedience, but I hope I will earn your faith and trust with time. "

That's well received.

I'd like to expand it by creating a version designed to be fired from bomb hard points.

And of course work on the reloadable version continues.

Main reason the ASF wings snagged it so early, the designers essentially started with bomb hard points for ASF and went "now how to apply this to Mechs"

Of course I am!

Roll 1d6 labeled Banshee

I order 100 lawn gnomes be sent to his grave. He was a great man.

Done

"True true. I just feel like a penguin in a noose."

"No worse than military dress uniforms,"

"I understand your doubts. All I ask is that you be willing to trust me."

Its your trust in Hanse Davion they doubt. The man's earned his nickname The Fox for a very good reason.

"I know. Oh god I know." For a moment I look much older.

"If I had my way there wouldn't be any need for these pointless, endless, idiotic wars. We live in an infinite cosmos of infinite bounty and infinite possibility yet as a species we haven't seriously reached out into the unknown since the days of the dying days of Terran Alliance... for eight hundred years we've clung to Terra like an infant to a mother's tit. We left the cradle only to circle around it like vulture around a dying yak."

"If I had my way, humanity would dedicate itself not to personal gain but to self-improvement. We would look to the stars with hope and childlike wonder, not fear and selfish greed. We would explore strange new worlds, dream of meeting new civilizations, and boldly go where no one has gone before. But instead, we... as a species... spend our days standing around clubbing each-other over the heads like a bunch of punch drunk cavemen futilely hoping the next blow will knock them out and make all our dreams come true. And what is the definition of insanity but doing the same thing again and again without change yet expecting a different result?"

I take a deep drink and sigh. "I'm sorry you had to hear that, but I needed to be honest with you. I respect you and agree with you very much..." I pause in thought then nods. "And I'd like to work closely with you and your people in the future. If politics will allow it, possibly even a seat on the Privy council. If you'd take it"

"Samuel," Aramis replies clearly moved by your speech. "I'd be delighted to take a seat on the Privy Council"

"I'll arrange for you to have a meeting with the Admiralty and will put the SASF at your disposal. If we're really lucky, maybe we could even put their jump-ships to an honest use."

"Ha," Aramis declares with a laugh. "Likely the first honest use in two hundred years. Still I'll start prodding to get an expedition together."

Always a good day.

"I understand. It's just that there's... so much to be done and so little time."

"I know. And if Hasek slips his leash I'll be ready," I reply, "I'd like to work out some plans with the admiralty for dealing with raiders. At least in our major systems. I think I have a solid idea."

"I know." I take a deep breath. "I know."

"How far would you suggest I go in the seduction? And do you think trying to draw her into a threesome with Archon Steiner's niece would be a bad idea?"

"Oh ho you are ambitious!" Fyodor answers with a laugh. "Spheroids tend to be a bit prudish, but if you can go for it why not. Heh, at the very least leave her with a wonderful impression of the Concordat to contrast to the Liao's reign."

Oh this is going to fucking hurt...

Any way to get these spread between my personal expenses and the national budget without overdrawing?

Its suggested that you actually wait a year anyways before putting money in. All your moves in the field of new Vees, mechs etc are rapidly filling up all the secondary and tertiary manufactures. Adding more pressure would simply drive up prices.

I'll personally invest and arrange the tax breaks and subsidies. Though I'd a percentage of the company in exchange for the personal investment. Something that will be profitable in the long run and is too reasonable not to accept.

The Vanderzhams pony up a good bit of cash and land as well landing the Mountain Wolf Factory on Dicallus, rumors shortly afterwards start speculating on merger of Bowie Industries and Mountain Wolf Industries in the Lyran Commonwealth.

And what would I roll for individual lances?

Combined into Companies for ease of rolling

Shared security is less a binding military alliance, though such an alliance might be possible in the future, and more a general agreement to do all we can reasonably do to help our friends be most able to protect themselves. I'd like to consider it a friendship between states.

You get the feeling its more do to the rather large Pacifist movement in the OWA, they however do welcome your interest as a long standing friendship between your immediate family and the OWA. The Magistrix on the flip side seems to be cooking up a big move where access to the TC's factories would help a great deal.

This I approve of and I'd happily help them set up in the Concordant, as a newly minted Taurian company.

And in exchange for his aid in this little misadventure I'm sure he'll be first outside the Concordant an improved Charger line up running.

Ah. Well, might have to accelerate that...

Good. Because I want them on my R&D team.

Roll 2d6 for "Wells Technology"
Roll 2d6 for ISF

Seduced by your offers H-I-T-Ring signs up at the end of December 3026

And I do my best to keep my cool. This much attention makes a man feel like a rat in a room of sleeping cats.

Hungry Cats, who are all awake and eying the prize.

"Not entirely sure," I admit, "I'm somewhat overwhelmed. Though I intend to dance with all of them."

Baroness Sajal Duro however quickly takes the opportunity, dressed in an absolutely gorgeous in an aquamarine and silver Sari, slipping in to take up the next dance with mischief in her eyes. "Protector Calderon, its a pleasure to finally meet you. Please do call me Sajal however tonight, we can get all formal for matters of business."

With that she launches into a pleasant bit of flirting as the two of you waltz away.
[/quote]

[dice]1807[/dice]
[dice]1808[/dice]
[dice]1809[/dice]
[dice]1810[/dice]

By end of the year you've managed to get 8 Battalions (Hat in the Ring among them), and another 46 Companies worth of individual Mercs. The TDF urges placing the Companies throughout the newly colonized worlds and in a number of strategic locations to back stop the big Armored Battalions of the TDF.

bzzt3421 · Jun 2, 2015

Alejandro Diaz-Calderon(19) 3031

Psyckosama said:
I said you had the right, not that there would be zero backlash.

But you need to start somewhere. So what do you intend to do?

Right, I'll start by inviting each of them into private meetings over drinks. Get a feel for them, their politics, how annoying in general I find them based on how they treat me, and then organize a list. Those who treat me like a brat, an upstart, a fool, or an obstacle to be worked around, will slowly be phased out over the course of a year. Everyone else can keep for now.

VMI recently got a Griffin line back to full functionality. You could talk to them about making a trade with the Canopians without having to build two factories. Though they are loth to take it offline without some compensation.

If that's the easiest method, then it's a stroke of luck that I've recently come into some money that can be used for a little compensation. Or a lot as the case maybe.

As for the wolverine, there is the option of reverse engineering the parts you need. It'll be more expensive than buying the specific toolings you need but you won't owe any favors either.

I am not going to have a lot of my inheritance left, am I? Right, rather not owe any favors to the FWL anyway, especially considering what may happen later on. Reverse engineering it is.

It'll be damned expensive. Especially building up Taurian base industry. It's a long term development program that.

That's what I figured, still it is a game changer. Alright, I'm going to have a meeting with the Treasury Director, the Minister of the Interior, and the Minister of Colonization and Trade. The objective is to come up with a 25-50 year plan that does just that. Split it up into five year chunks that can changed accordingly, and see if the ideas we can come with are viable. If so, I'll start the first one at the end of the year.

They're going to be placing the Shadowhawk and Wolverine on established worlds. Taurus for the Wolverine, and the Shadowhawk depends on who gets custody of the line.

Well seeing as how I'm paying for it, and I currently own TTI, unless any of the privy councilors can think of reason not to, give it them. Still, I'd like to think of some bait to help strike back against the pirates. Hmph, perhaps Althea's Choice? Maybe stage rumor that we're building a new staging base there to hit the pirates and transferring are starting to transfer large amounts of supplies over. Nah, bit too obvious that. Well for now, see about arranging the SASF to station themselves over worlds that the TMI and the Military believe are in risk of pirate attacks. I'll the planning and execution of it to them as this point.

Everyone and their grandmother got a copy just only the major states had the resources to put into decrypting it.

OOC: Strange, I could have sworn that the Inner Sphere nations were stated to have done their very best to insure that none of the Periphery states got their hands on the Helm datacore, and to suppress any attempt by them to gain the technological advance made with it. It's why the CC made such inroads with their little Triple Alliance.

So basically this isn't an issue that can be solved by just throwing money at it. People, educated people, the appropriate tech and facilities, and a whole lot of money right? Well, screw it. This is the egg we have at the moment, so that's the one I'm going to try to hatch. Grant the current researchers whatever they need, and then see about getting them some more help.

The Minister of Intelligence is thankful.

Glad to be of service, I expect great things of them.

Both the Federated Suns and Lyran Commonwealth send ambassadors and you get some very politely written letters from Melissa, Hanse, and Katrina.

Gotta admit, was not expecting that big a of a reply. Well if the TMI think this is legit, I'll see if I can't start up communication going with each of them. Start off polite and sorta formal at first, and then depending on how it goes, start to either relax the formal, or increase depending on their personality. I'll try to get feel for the personality or least the personality they're trying to convey in the letters, and see if I can't at least develop a friendly relationship. Maybe see about how they or at least Hanse and Melissa would feel about possibly opening up the Taurian armed market to the FedCom. Not immediately of course, for now it would just be sounding out of the idea.

They'll send a top secret expedition immediately.

Good wo/men.

Psyckosama · Jun 3, 2015

fitzgerald said:
That would make a rather hot Shadow Hawk, still VMI agrees to give it a go.

Roll 2d6 for Modifications

14 isn't that hot if you bracket fire judiciously. Remember, the stock Shadowhawk is oversinked to the 9s.

[dice]1817[/dice]

Guessing its an easy mod.

Just too heavy, but well there's a reason they called this the Tactical Weapons Carrier. In a few years once the backlog for parts is cleared out, and hopefully by the time they get the Arrow IV in production they want to introduce a Strategic Weapons Carrier.

"Might as well name it the 'Wenstac' Strategic Weapons Carrier.... which is an acronym 'WE Never Signed The Ares Conventions'. You know. A blunt reminder for all interested parties?"

Efforts to acquire a Spad for its notoriously easy to ways are made by some go getting officers.

He's rewarded for his quick thinking and diligence.

That's well received.

Rectal smoke is reserved for the media. I need them to have a clear vision.

Main reason the ASF wings snagged it so early, the designers essentially started with bomb hard points for ASF and went "now how to apply this to Mechs"

Would it be worth putting them on our "Trusted State" Export Lists?

Roll 1d6 labeled Banshee

Righto.

[dice]1818[/dice]

"No worse than military dress uniforms,"

"Hate them too. But at least they feed into the male Ego."

Its your trust in Hanse Davion they doubt. The man's earned his nickname The Fox for a very good reason.

"He's a tricky bastard. The way to deal with people like him I find to be reasonably simple. First, don't give him reason to want to ruin your shit. Second, position yourself in a manner that will allow you to exploit his... shenanigans to your own benefit. He has enemies. He's going to make their lives extremely difficult and I intend to take full advantage of that fact."

"Samuel," Aramis replies clearly moved by your speech. "I'd be delighted to take a seat on the Privy Council"

I shake his hand. "Welcome to the government."

I'm sure this will confuse people. I'm funding screwing the Far Lookers but their leader is joining the Privy Council

"Ha," Aramis declares with a laugh. "Likely the first honest use in two hundred years. Still I'll start prodding to get an expedition together."

"If the planet is truly habitable I might very well be tempted to officially have it named Haven just as a way to mock all this Pirate's Haven bullshit."

"Oh ho you are ambitious!" Fyodor answers with a laugh. "Spheroids tend to be a bit prudish, but if you can go for it why not. Heh, at the very least leave her with a wonderful impression of the Concordat to contrast to the Liao's reign."

"We live in an era of cheap and universally accessible birth control.... hell, we've lived in one for going on eleven-hundred years..."

Its suggested that you actually wait a year anyways before putting money in. All your moves in the field of new Vees, mechs etc are rapidly filling up all the secondary and tertiary manufactures. Adding more pressure would simply drive up prices.

Alright. Fair enough. I want the projections ready though.

The Vanderzhams pony up a good bit of cash and land as well landing the Mountain Wolf Factory on Dicallus, rumors shortly afterwards start speculating on merger of Bowie Industries and Mountain Wolf Industries in the Lyran Commonwealth.

Interesting. Though didn't they relocate mostly to the OWA at this point? And am I able to buy partial local ownership?

Combined into Companies for ease of rolling

Right.

You get the feeling its more do to the rather large Pacifist movement in the OWA, they however do welcome your interest as a long standing friendship between your immediate family and the OWA. The Magistrix on the flip side seems to be cooking up a big move where access to the TC's factories would help a great deal.

My stance is this: Personally I agree with them on an ideological level. I'd rather live in peace... and I believe that a good 9 out of 10 people would agree with me wholeheartedly. Problems with people like that can be solved by diplomacy and understanding, by putting yourself in the other man's shoes and coming to results that everyone might now always find ideal, but that they can agree on. Reasonable people using reason to come up with a reasonable and fair solution.

It's that over guy you need to worry about. That other guy is why Democracy failed on the Galactic Stage. That other guy is the reason the Unification wars happened. The reason the Star League fell. The reason the Succession Wars are endless and the Periphery is full of pirates. He's the unreasonable man. The one who wants what he wants, to hell with everyone else, and who will happily lie, steal, and kill to get it. The only way to reason with such a men is to physically beat it into him with a hammer.

A great man once said, speak softly and carry a very big stick and you'll go far.

Roll 2d6 for "Wells Technology"
Roll 2d6 for ISF

[dice]1819[/dice]
[dice]1820[/dice]

Well, average rolls all around.

I hope that's not a bad thing. Audaciously awesome plans are the stuff of Battletech after all... (hopeful look)

Seduced by your offers H-I-T-Ring signs up at the end of December 3026

Cool. They get a nice post as a "ground level" R&D team. I'm paying them to tinker with mechs and vehicles and other bits of hot off the presses technology more than fight. I want them to be my Team Banzai.

Hungry Cats, who are all awake and eying the prize.

*shudder*

Baroness Sajal Duro however quickly takes the opportunity, dressed in an absolutely gorgeous in an aquamarine and silver Sari, slipping in to take up the next dance with mischief in her eyes. "Protector Calderon, its a pleasure to finally meet you. Please do call me Sajal however tonight, we can get all formal for matters of business."

With that she launches into a pleasant bit of flirting as the two of you waltz away.

And I happily flirt back, asking about her world and generally being charming and polite.

By end of the year you've managed to get 8 Battalions (Hat in the Ring among them), and another 46 Companies worth of individual Mercs. The TDF urges placing the Companies throughout the newly colonized worlds and in a number of strategic locations to back stop the big Armored Battalions of the TDF.

I put the TDF, Far Looker reps, and ambassadors of my various noble underlings in the same room and tell them to hash something out. I'm not going to micromanage everything. Though I do want a rather sizable force unattached to garrison the Haven cluster once it's retaken.

Psyckosama · Jun 3, 2015

bzzt3421 said:
Alejandro Diaz-Calderon(19) 3031

Right, I'll start by inviting each of them into private meetings over drinks. Get a feel for them, their politics, how annoying in general I find them based on how they treat me, and then organize a list. Those who treat me like a brat, an upstart, a fool, or an obstacle to be worked around, will slowly be phased out over the course of a year. Everyone else can keep for now.

If that's the easiest method, then it's a stroke of luck that I've recently come into some money that can be used for a little compensation. Or a lot as the case maybe.

I am not going to have a lot of my inheritance left, am I? Right, rather not owe any favors to the FWL anyway, especially considering what may happen later on. Reverse engineering it is.

That's what I figured, still it is a game changer. Alright, I'm going to have a meeting with the Treasury Director, the Minister of the Interior, and the Minister of Colonization and Trade. The objective is to come up with a 25-50 year plan that does just that. Split it up into five year chunks that can changed accordingly, and see if the ideas we can come with are viable. If so, I'll start the first one at the end of the year.

Fix that formatting.

bzzt3421 · Jun 3, 2015

Psyckosama said:
Fix that formatting.

Fixed, sorry.

Psyckosama · Jun 3, 2015

drakensis said:
Kaede Kanzaki-Calderon (23), 3011

Kaede winces at the expense but since this was a 'moral victory' rewarding the men is appropriate.

Plus those mechs are technically remaining in Taurian service. Most of those men have loyally served for generations and such a reward not only "rewards" the "Moral victory" but will reenforce the loyalty of other units. Nothing says "I care" like rewarding your local mechwarriors who have lost everything in battle, fighting at your command, with a pat on the back, a well written sympathy card... and a shiny new mech.

Roll 2d6

Well if a good opportunity arises...

Heh.

Yes, but I'm specifically leaking to the DC lawyers that a DC firm is actively smuggling 'Mechs to supply the Lyrans. I should be able to hear Takashi screaming from Taurus.

He already knows. Every once in a while someone who gets a bit too cocky waters the roses but on the whole it's rumored that he actually finds it more amusing than anything.

In the Combine they're largely seen as a punishment assignment yet the Lyrans will pay a great deal to acquire one to have a "Proper" scouting 'mech when they have very many capable and well designed lights and mediums that do the job far more effectively at a much lower price.

While he's no merchant (and will murder anyone who even thinks he is), if his enemies wish to give his servants money in exchange for inferior tools he'll happily allow their stupidity to go on as long as it is done in a way that preserves honor. Kind of like how Japanese guards would allow POWs to gather food even though it was against regulations as long as they took some minor measure to "conceal" their activities. Even if it was as transparent as putting a piece of cloth over an obvious full fruit basket.

Be sure not to leak anything until I'm ready.

Not until after the state visit.

Then agree to the mutual defense treaty.

Rumor is mad max is displeased that his "lesson" was not learned.

From one redhead to two others: oh beeehave.

Ian: "Bah. Nonsense."

Hanse: "It's a well known fact that redheads have the most fun."

I look forward to the result.

You willing to approach the Far lookers for help?

Can we spare six squadrons of gunships to provide interception duty for the worlds up at the spinward end of the Concordat?

Would be tight. Would it be acceptable to look for mercs?

Naturally. And if this is some cockanamie assassination/abduction plot then the natural consequences will be natural.

"And probably involve several dozen megatons of canned sunshine. You never signed the Ares Conventions, we know."

Anyways. Before we move onto that meeting which would involve a small time jump, anything else?

bzzt3421 said:
Alejandro Diaz-Calderon(19) 3031

Right, I'll start by inviting each of them into private meetings over drinks. Get a feel for them, their politics, how annoying in general I find them based on how they treat me, and then organize a list. Those who treat me like a brat, an upstart, a fool, or an obstacle to be worked around, will slowly be phased out over the course of a year. Everyone else can keep for now.

Alright. The Old Guard seems to be suspicious of you due to your low birth and lack of preparation.

If that's the easiest method, then it's a stroke of luck that I've recently come into some money that can be used for a little compensation. Or a lot as the case maybe.

Frankly it's the cheapest tool. They'll gear down for the duplication in 6 months. To make up for production shortfalls they're going to be doing double shifts. That way there will not be a severe production shortfall and they'll meet all their standing orders... but you get to pay the overtime.

I am not going to have a lot of my inheritance left, am I? Right, rather not owe any favors to the FWL anyway, especially considering what may happen later on. Reverse engineering it is.

You're insanely rich and you make literally billions each year. Just you're going to blow your initial nest egg if you're not careful.

That's what I figured, still it is a game changer. Alright, I'm going to have a meeting with the Treasury Director, the Minister of the Interior, and the Minister of Colonization and Trade. The objective is to come up with a 25-50 year plan that does just that. Split it up into five year chunks that can changed accordingly, and see if the ideas we can come with are viable. If so, I'll start the first one at the end of the year.

They'll start drawing it up.

Well seeing as how I'm paying for it, and I currently own TTI, unless any of the privy councilors can think of reason not to, give it them. Still, I'd like to think of some bait to help strike back against the pirates. Hmph, perhaps Althea's Choice? Maybe stage rumor that we're building a new staging base there to hit the pirates and transferring are starting to transfer large amounts of supplies over. Nah, bit too obvious that. Well for now, see about arranging the SASF to station themselves over worlds that the TMI and the Military believe are in risk of pirate attacks. I'll the planning and execution of it to them as this point.

VMI would like the Shadowhawk. They're the ones copying thier line and they'll do so without charging the duplication costs as long as it means they come out with another mech factory.

OOC: Strange, I could have sworn that the Inner Sphere nations were stated to have done their very best to insure that none of the Periphery states got their hands on the Helm datacore, and to suppress any attempt by them to gain the technological advance made with it. It's why the CC made such inroads with their little Triple Alliance.

It was handed out like hotcakes. That's like trying to dam a river with your hands. You'll just get annoyed and wet.

So basically this isn't an issue that can be solved by just throwing money at it. People, educated people, the appropriate tech and facilities, and a whole lot of money right? Well, screw it. This is the egg we have at the moment, so that's the one I'm going to try to hatch. Grant the current researchers whatever they need, and then see about getting them some more help.

That's exactly the problem and exactly why the Triple Alliance worked. The Periphery states had copies but they basically were useless to them due to not having the resources to decrypt them.

And honestly, it probably would be cheaper to simply find another memory core.

Glad to be of service, I expect great things of them.

He'll give it his all and more.,

Gotta admit, was not expecting that big a of a reply.

At this point you probably at par with the rump capallan confederation in industrial output if not stronger and are sure as hell more powerful than the Saint Ives compact. You're worthy of respect.

Well if the TMI think this is legit, I'll see if I can't start up communication going with each of them. Start off polite and sorta formal at first, and then depending on how it goes, start to either relax the formal, or increase depending on their personality. I'll try to get feel for the personality or least the personality they're trying to convey in the letters, and see if I can't at least develop a friendly relationship. Maybe see about how they or at least Hanse and Melissa would feel about possibly opening up the Taurian armed market to the FedCom. Not immediately of course, for now it would just be sounding out of the idea.

Hanse is VERY interested in this. He'll always be in the market for more guns... and he still has a snake to skin.

Good wo/men.

Right. Now, lets jump things ahead say... three months?

Any last efforts before that?[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

katar · Jun 3, 2015

Jack Calderon 3011

Psyckosama said:
You're not paying attention. Those 9 are not defending the capitol.

"Well then lets use the closer units off the Davion boarder." I know they will like that option even less, and its 1 or the other we dont have that many forces. Ill take the time to explain the benefits of having less pirates and another cluster to the economy. This needs to be done and frankly im not taking no for a answer, but im open to concerns and ideas anyone has.

The world the pirates are operating out of is possibly uncharted. They'd like more intel before acting.

Then get the SASF what they need, and let them get to work.

Anywhere you decide to start?

Start with those that are oldest and work my way to the more recent.

drakensis · Jun 3, 2015

Kaede Kanzaki-Calderon (23), 3011

Psyckosama said:
Plus those mechs are technically remaining in Taurian service. Most of those men have loyally served for generations and such a reward not only "rewards" the "Moral victory" but will reenforce the loyalty of other units. Nothing says "I care" like rewarding your local mechwarriors who have lost everything in battle, fighting at your command, with a pat on the back, a well written sympathy card... and a shiny new mech.

Roll 2d6

[dice]1827[/dice]

Psyckosama said:
He already knows. Every once in a while someone who gets a bit too cocky waters the roses but on the whole it's rumored that he actually finds it more amusing than anything.

In the Combine they're largely seen as a punishment assignment yet the Lyrans will pay a great deal to acquire one to have a "Proper" scouting 'mech when they have very many capable and well designed lights and mediums that do the job far more effectively at a much lower price.

While he's no merchant (and will murder anyone who even thinks he is), if his enemies wish to give his servants money in exchange for inferior tools he'll happily allow their stupidity to go on as long as it is done in a way that preserves honor. Kind of like how Japanese guards would allow POWs to gather food even though it was against regulations as long as they took some minor measure to "conceal" their activities. Even if it was as transparent as putting a piece of cloth over an obvious full fruit basket.

Anyway, subject changed and dropped.

Psyckosama said:
Not until after the state visit.

Quite.

Psyckosama said:
Rumor is mad max is displeased that his "lesson" was not learned.

Not my fault he's slow. If he'd like a remedial lesson, I'm meeting Davion ambassadors soon.

Psyckosama said:
You willing to approach the Far lookers for help?

What sort of help are they looking for from the Far Lookers in a plan to clear pirates out of the Haven cluster?

Psyckosama said:
Would be tight. Would it be acceptable to look for mercs?

Yes, it would. In fact, since I'm still a bit flush, in addition to putting out the word on Galatea for aerospace units for this, let's see about picking up a couple of mercenary 'Mech battalions to bolster our Capellan border defenses. Pay for quality.

Psyckosama said:
"And probably involve several dozen megatons of canned sunshine. You never signed the Ares Conventions, we know."

So now we've exchanged the ritual threats.

Psyckosama said:
Anyways. Before we move onto that meeting which would involve a small time jump, anything else?

Let's go ahead.

fitzgerald · Jun 3, 2015

Samantha Calderon April 3025

Psyckosama said:
He nods and picks up a cue. "I heard you were a very lovely woman. Not disappointed."

After a few rounds of billiards, a few drinks and some small talk Sam hooks a bar-stool with her foot and slides onto it straight backed and inquires completely seriously . "So Duncan what's your pitch. What's the Supreme Commander of the Marik Militia, whose got the ambition to become the next Captain General of the FWL want? A private deal to ream the Cappies when Hanse tears them a new one? Something else?"

That's in the next letter. He's persistent.

Marcus is politely turned down as well (not to mention eww he's 49 in 3025). Instead Samantha has the rejection letter politely suggest that a Flower of the Kurita's become a beautiful ornament of the Protectors Court, a magnificent Lily that packs as much yuri undertones in as possible without being completely overt.

another 2d6 to work it out. Assuming they don't have to redesign the entire drive train.

Roll below

You get a polite thank you. It has been added to the lists of the Otomo as befits such an honorable gift.

He sends you a pair of swords with a matching tanto in thanks. All are master crafted in the traditional manner.

A formally written reply of thanks is sent.

You made an ally. Lord James Meyers, while still extremely distrusting of House Davion has left Sharplin's circle and is now in yours.

How old / married is James Meyers?

On that front he should be happy, he's getting a Merc Battalion to guard his new Combat Vee factory

Alright. You get a number of bits including several from small local manufacturers.

Sam steps back and recluses herself from the decision leaving it up to the Quartermaster's staff and Procurement branch. She owns too much of the big boys to not make a biased decision.

Bowie would actually like to license the design for production in the Lyran Commonwealth.

They believe that they may be able to convince Archon Steiner to trade the Rommel and Patton.

The ICE version or Fuel Cell? ICE is no issue at all, for Fuel Cell...... Samantha wants feedback from the TDF and TMI

Samantha assumes that Bowie plans on expanding their Dicallius plant to include Rommels and Patton

A smaller bounty is placed on functioning parts as well and it starts to literally come together.

2d6 labled "Talos" please.

You manage to score a cool 3 regiments worth of various mercs and mechwarriors. Would you like to open this up to independent assets (lone pilots) or other forces such as vehicular units, infantry mercs, and ASFs ?

Samantha opens this up fully for ASF forces specifically and makes an extra effort to attract both large forces and independents. Vehicular units, and infantry get passed over.

Sterope, Logan's Land, Norman's World, Celentaro, Organo, Cytron, Dicallus, and Althea's Choice each get a Merc Battalion planted on them for Garrison.

Perdition has the Concordat Cuirassiers located there already so they are good.

The goon squad

Speaking of, Sharplen should have carried a few one time pads for the Dragoons only.

Sam will have included a letter asking politely for a face to face meeting with a rep of the Dragoons. As to why, well if they ask via one time pad she has three names for them.

Understood.

Crews in question are going to bound under some fierce Non Disclosure Agreements and a warning that letting word slip at all to Comstar will have Sam planning to have them shot.

If Aramis insists on knowing after Samantha has him sign an Non Disclosure and a Top, Top Secret intel agreement "The FWLN completely plastered New Dallas in their attempts to take it. While the planetary militia most likely completely used up their stock of Royal mechs they like other favored Hegemony Militias had massive bone-yards of old Mechs built up and with them memory cores on all designs. I intend to launch an expedition to sneak in and retrieve a selection of Mechs and more importantly any technical data."

TMI gets to put together a mission to raid New Dallas in utmost secrecy.

Taurus already has the industry needed to support it. So does New Vandenburg for that matter. It's a matter of cost.

Though matching the O'neil Yards is seen as a bit over the top... the cost would be astronomical

Well perhaps as the works of generations. Certainly not in twenty five years however.

As for industry Sam isn't aiming for "one - three a year production levels" as her end goal. She's aiming for mass production thus build up beyond current theoretical levels.

That being said how much funding per year (from her own pocket) is Samantha looking at, assuming things don't get blown up

"Ma'am... don't you think this is a little over the top?"

"No I'm worried its not enough" Samantha answers somewhat grimly. "Besides its not as if either of you have anything to be ashamed about."

"What."

"That's why you drug us in her naked?"

"No that's because bastards in units with White Wings are able to destroy the Tripitz when all records indicate that no leak of its actual orbit or jump co-ordinates had been leaked. Or how certain key scientists die or data stores mysteriously blow up along with all back ups. Or "Pirates" manage to find hidden co-ordinates into the Hyades and ravage our jump yards.

If I could I'd be having this meeting in a chamber purpose built into an asteroid from a randomly selected from several where we leave behind a set of space suits for going in and take an entirely different set out before nuking all the chambers. " Samantha grimly concludes. "I can't provide you with factual proof but taking the long view somebody hasn't stopped the Star Leagues campaign to continue undermining the Concordat as a whole. I have no intention of them learning about this conversation and my ambition at all."

"More practically we'd get swarmed by the Cappies, Eagles and Fed Rats the instant they learned we planned on building a yard to build WarShips."

You'll be hard pressed to find a group with the right skills and willingness to make those sacrifices. Not saying it can't be done, but you underestimate the scale of this undertaking.

Samantha nods at this "Which is why I asked for this conversation. Its a massive undertaking and a risky one that needs feedback. As for human resources, well there's a reason I'm not insisting on a quick launch."

Taking a breath Sam adds "An alternative thought is that we simply build a bloody massive station as a new Fleet HQ for the TCN that we build over twenty or so years. We slip the support stations, habitats etc in around it as we build the station and add a few pressurized slips for repairing the TCN's Jumpers and several more for repairing and building Dropships.

Inside it we build in a yard capable of building slips rated for at least a Megaton. Then by the time the place is an extremely well defended bit of space we start putting out new big slips capable of building WarShips. Thoughts?"
[dice]1835[/dice]
[dice]1836[/dice]

fitzgerald · Jun 3, 2015

Psyckosama said:
14 isn't that hot if you bracket fire judiciously. Remember, the stock Shadowhawk is oversinked to the 9s.

[dice]1817[/dice]

Guessing its an easy mod.

Extremely quick as well, "It just slips into place!" is a comment made repeatedly.

"Might as well name it the 'Wenstac' Strategic Weapons Carrier.... which is an acronym 'WE Never Signed The Ares Conventions'. You know. A blunt reminder for all interested parties?"

That gets several laughs,

He's rewarded for his quick thinking and diligence.

She gets a nice promotion and additional responsibilities to go with it. Sarah Ferguson is a go getter whose going place.

Would it be worth putting them on our "Trusted State" Export Lists?

If you can ever manufacture enough that the TDF doesn't snap them all up.

Righto.

[dice]1818[/dice]

Producing tooling for the Banshee is expected to take roughly four years, so mid 3029. Swapping out fusion engines needs to be decided early however, because downgrading to a Fusion 285 gives a massive 25.5 tons to play with.

A quick napkin sketch proposal suggests the following if engine is made smaller

Code:

Banshee BNC-3T
Mass: 95 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Introductory
Era: Age of War/Star League
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/C-E-D-A
Production Year: 2475
Cost: 8,804,640 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,873
Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 285 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 32.4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 54.0 km/h
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor
Armament:
2 LRM-20s
2 Large Lasers
1 SRM-4
2 Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 145 points 9.50
Engine: Fusion Engine 285 16.50
Walking MP: 3
Running MP: 5
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 16 6.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 HD, 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 LL, 1 RL
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 288 18.00
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 30 47
Center Torso (rear) 12
L/R Torso 20 30
L/R Torso (rear) 10
L/R Arm 16 31
L/R Leg 20 39
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRM-4 CT 3 1 2.00
Large Laser RT 8 2 5.00
(R) Medium Laser RT 3 1 1.00
Large Laser LT 8 2 5.00
(R) Medium Laser LT 3 1 1.00
LRM-20 RA 6 5 10.00
LRM-20 LA 6 5 10.00
@SRM-4 (25) CT - 1 1.00
@LRM-20 (12) RT - 2 2.00
@LRM-20 (12) LT - 2 2.00
Free Critical Slots: 20
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 10 Points: 19
3 2 3 2 0 4 1 Structure: 8
Special Abilities: SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, LRM 1/1/1, IF 1

"Hate them too. But at least they feed into the male Ego."

"My you're in for a horrible time of it," Eve teases "Uniforms are the one thing the role of Protector demands"

"He's a tricky bastard. The way to deal with people like him I find to be reasonably simple. First, don't give him reason to want to ruin your shit. Second, position yourself in a manner that will allow you to exploit his... shenanigans to your own benefit. He has enemies. He's going to make their lives extremely difficult and I intend to take full advantage of that fact."

This gets a few nods but also a few comments of the assumption that doesn't mean he won't take bits of the Concordat after badgering his enemies.

I shake his hand. "Welcome to the government."

I'm sure this will confuse people. I'm funding screwing the Far Lookers but their leader is joining the Privy Council

You've sold the Farlookers on the "Lobster Shell" idea. Of taking some time to build up the current stock of colony worlds before leaping towards the next. Of course if in five years a new round of colonization isn't started up expect there to be hell to pay.

"If the planet is truly habitable I might very well be tempted to officially have it named Haven just as a way to mock all this Pirate's Haven bullshit."

"A fine sentiment!" Aramis agrees

"We live in an era of cheap and universally accessible birth control.... hell, we've lived in one for going on eleven-hundred years..."

Fyodor at this point takes this as a challenge and promptly begins to describe an interesting evening with a pair of contortionists and her now dead husband (he died in a race car crash)

Alright. Fair enough. I want the projections ready though.

They get prepared for next year.

Interesting. Though didn't they relocate mostly to the OWA at this point? And am I able to buy partial local ownership?

While still a Lyran company Mountain Wolfs Alpheratz plant was in much, much better shape than their Vendrell one.

You still buy an interest in Mountain Wolf, the Vanderzhams simply did the same and landed the factory. You personally have an interest in Bowie Industries as well, so your financial advisers suggest that no matter happens you'll make money and the TDF will get Mechs.

A great man once said, speak softly and carry a very big stick and you'll go far.

And the Omniss Sect are fundamentally opposed to big sticks. However the Alliance Military Corps is very happy to have the TC's assistance.

[dice]1819[/dice]
[dice]1820[/dice]

Well, average rolls all around.

I hope that's not a bad thing. Audaciously awesome plans are the stuff of Battletech after all... (hopeful look)

Wells Technology wasn't perfectly discrete, but all accounts the ISF took an approach of "Meh LAW actually owns and operates the lines"

So by end of year 3025 Wells Technology is arrived and interested in where you want them to set up

Cool. They get a nice post as a "ground level" R&D team. I'm paying them to tinker with mechs and vehicles and other bits of hot off the presses technology more than fight. I want them to be my Team Banzai.

They're rather pleased by the suggestion and look forward to tinkering with new technology.

And I happily flirt back, asking about her world and generally being charming and polite.

Sajal Duro leaves you with an open invitation to visit her pleasure gardens and a warm kiss against your cheek.

Louise Humphries steps in time for the next few dances, it seems a quiet ladies agreement has been worked out as to access to you. A very petite and fine boned young woman Louise is gracious, polite and seemingly more interested in discussing the mutual problems Andurien and the Concordat faces in the CapCon. Sam gets the impression she's not really interested in being a suitor but much more a diplomatic conduit to Andurien, re-enforced how she lights up and then eventually lights into a some what shaggy looking fellow in the Defenders of Andurien uniform accompanying her.

Doctor Famke Vanlees steps up in a stunning red ball gown that highlights her best features and greets you warmly as the music sways you into a slower dance. Apart from salutations from her brother the Duke of Kathil, Famke suitably shifts so that she's very comfortable in your arms as you dance and flirts somewhat in a gentle demure manner. At least that is before Famke moves in for a quick peck on the lips as she saunters away giving you a mischievous smile.

Does Samuel hunt any one down at this point.

I put the TDF, Far Looker reps, and ambassadors of my various noble underlings in the same room and tell them to hash something out. I'm not going to micromanage everything. Though I do want a rather sizable force unattached to garrison the Haven cluster once it's retaken.

A quartet of companies, remains of older units who've been on many pirate hunting missions before start practicing together before raising their banner as a combined Battalion named "Gatekeepers" who take the nickname "Pirate Slayers" as well. A number of volunteers from Noble regiments quickly form up a largish infantry contribution.

Psyckosama · Jun 3, 2015

could you please fix the formatting? IT's going to be a real pain to reply to like this.

fitzgerald · Jun 3, 2015

Psyckosama said:
could you please fix the formatting? IT's going to be a real pain to reply to like this.

Yrgh sorry missed a quote tag and fixed it up

Psyckosama · Jun 3, 2015

katar said:
Jack Calderon 3011
"Well then lets use the closer units off the Davion boarder." I know they will like that option even less, and its 1 or the other we dont have that many forces. Ill take the time to explain the benefits of having less pirates and another cluster to the economy. This needs to be done and frankly im not taking no for a answer, but im open to concerns and ideas anyone has.

The generals find that more comfortable. They can reduce some of the garrisons without stripping any defenses as long as they're careful.

Then get the SASF what they need, and let them get to work.

SASF are special forces, no space-pathfinders.

Start with those that are oldest and work my way to the more recent.

They all came in about the same time.

drakensis said:
Kaede Kanzaki-Calderon (23), 3011

[dice]1827[/dice]

People are still pretty upset and there's still some doubt to your tactical judgement (she's a school teacher not a general) but your good intentions are never doubted. Though there's a general feeling in the unit you could really do with better advice.

Not my fault he's slow. If he'd like a remedial lesson, I'm meeting Davion ambassadors soon.

Actually he's pissed at you for not learning to fear the might of the Confederation.

What sort of help are they looking for from the Far Lookers in a plan to clear pirates out of the Haven cluster?

Mostly in the form of charting. The place is a notorious pain in the ass to navigate.

Yes, it would. In fact, since I'm still a bit flush, in addition to putting out the word on Galatea for aerospace units for this, let's see about picking up a couple of mercenary 'Mech battalions to bolster our Capellan border defenses. Pay for quality.

Roll 2d6 for squadrons worth of pilots.

So now we've exchanged the ritual threats.

They arrive on planet discretely. How do you want to greet them.

Let's go ahead.

Lets to the visit.

fitzgerald said:
Samantha Calderon April 3025

After a few rounds of billiards, a few drinks and some small talk Sam hooks a bar-stool with her foot and slides onto it straight backed and inquires completely seriously . "So Duncan what's your pitch. What's the Supreme Commander of the Marik Militia, whose got the ambition to become the next Captain General of the FWL want? A private deal to ream the Cappies when Hanse tears them a new one? Something else?"

He grins. "A closer relationship with the Taurian Concordant would be nice. Though I do like the idea of a pact against the Cappies. While my brother is technically their ally, I'd very much rather border the Federated Suns and Concordant than the damned Capallan Confederation. While I have no love for the Lyrans, at least they're civilized folk lead by a civilized woman. Max Liao is an animal."

Marcus is politely turned down as well (not to mention eww he's 49 in 3025). Instead Samantha has the rejection letter politely suggest that a Flower of the Kurita's become a beautiful ornament of the Protectors Court, a magnificent Lily that packs as much yuri undertones in as possible without being completely overt.

The response is totally unshaken. The man is a stone. And he is willing to send a female ambassador if that is what you wish.

A formally written reply of thanks is sent.

You're sent a respectful Haiku.

How old / married is James Meyers?

78 and going strong as an Ox. He's also on his 3rd wife who is 21 and has 16 kids. He's pretty much the Battletech version of Walder Frey if Walder Frey was an eccentric but fundamentally good natured dirty old man instead of a complete and utter weasel

Here's a picture

On that front he should be happy, he's getting a Merc Battalion to guard his new Combat Vee factory

Ecstatic. He invites you to join him and Barbs (his latest wife and former Miss Concordant 3019) at this Vacation Villa should you ever need to take a load off and get away from it all.

Sam steps back and recluses herself from the decision leaving it up to the Quartermaster's staff and Procurement branch. She owns too much of the big boys to not make a biased decision.

It'll take a couple months for the offers to get in full. Everyone is joining in on the fun.

The ICE version or Fuel Cell? ICE is no issue at all, for Fuel Cell...... Samantha wants feedback from the TDF and TMI

Fuel Cell.

These are the latest and greatest in the Commonwealth. In fact they're technically not even released yet and are still in the prototype stages.

The general consensus is that Defiance Industries wants to study your Fuel Cell drive train technology for possible incorporation into the two designs. Right now they're Fusion Driven, but would gain a net performance boost if switched over to Fuel Cells as they use a predominately ammunition based weapons loadout.

Samantha assumes that Bowie plans on expanding their Dicallius plant to include Rommels and Patton

They're more acting as an intermediary for Defiance who are offering the Concordant a license to produce natively once its finalized.

TMI's guessing that this is a rather naked attempt on Defiance's behalf to say "We're totally planning on fucking you, but at least we're going to by you dinner and movie first."

Samantha opens this up fully for ASF forces specifically and makes an extra effort to attract both large forces and independents. Vehicular units, and infantry get passed over.

2d6 please.

And your still getting biters for the other offer. Add another 2d6 worth of batallions, though this is mostly in the form of smaller units... A couple companies. Sometimes even individual mechwarriors. You even get a number of dispossessed basically offering you their soul for a landhold and a battlemech.

Sterope, Logan's Land, Norman's World, Celentaro, Organo, Cytron, Dicallus, and Althea's Choice each get a Merc Battalion planted on them for Garrison.

Lots of happy lords.

Perdition has the Concordat Cuirassiers located there already so they are good.

Their lord is a bit sad he's not geting moar guns though.

Speaking of, Sharplen should have carried a few one time pads for the Dragoons only.

And he has them delivered.

Sam will have included a letter asking politely for a face to face meeting with a rep of the Dragoons. As to why, well if they ask via one time pad she has three names for them.

They'll slot you in but are very busy... want to send those names?

Crews in question are going to bound under some fierce Non Disclosure Agreements and a warning that letting word slip at all to Comstar will have Sam planning to have them shot.

TMI basically makes sure to use only the most utterly and fanatically reliable people. You end up with a bunch of crazed Taurian Supremacist Pro-Periphery Fanatics who hate all things Inner Sphere. Sharplin would be proud... but if this'll help the Concordant get one over on the Sphereoids they'll cut off their own limbs if they have to.

Basically the Taurian version of This Guys. They're reliable, abet completely insane.

If Aramis insists on knowing after Samantha has him sign an Non Disclosure and a Top, Top Secret intel agreement "The FWLN completely plastered New Dallas in their attempts to take it. While the planetary militia most likely completely used up their stock of Royal mechs they like other favored Hegemony Militias had massive bone-yards of old Mechs built up and with them memory cores on all designs. I intend to launch an expedition to sneak in and retrieve a selection of Mechs and more importantly any technical data."

TMI gets to put together a mission to raid New Dallas in utmost secrecy.

Aramis is thoughtful but actually approves. The security of the Concordant is important and would aid in long term expansion.

Well perhaps as the works of generations. Certainly not in twenty five years however.

As for industry Sam isn't aiming for "one - three a year production levels" as her end goal. She's aiming for mass production thus build up beyond current theoretical levels.

That being said how much funding per year (from her own pocket) is Samantha looking at, assuming things don't get blown up

Overall cost is likely to be in the hundreds of billions. This is not a small undertaking and you're going to have to do a lot of reinventing the wheel R&D. Though being able to say, strip an existing yard for the critical parts and having design specs on hand would probably shorten things greatly.

"No I'm worried its not enough" Samantha answers somewhat grimly. "Besides its not as if either of you have anything to be ashamed about."

They share a look. "Are you expecting Ninjas from the walls, ma'am?"

"No that's because bastards in units with White Wings are able to destroy the Tripitz when all records indicate that no leak of its actual orbit or jump co-ordinates had been leaked. Or how certain key scientists die or data stores mysteriously blow up along with all back ups. Or "Pirates" manage to find hidden co-ordinates into the Hyades and ravage our jump yards.

If I could I'd be having this meeting in a chamber purpose built into an asteroid from a randomly selected from several where we leave behind a set of space suits for going in and take an entirely different set out before nuking all the chambers. " Samantha grimly concludes. "I can't provide you with factual proof but taking the long view somebody hasn't stopped the Star Leagues campaign to continue undermining the Concordat as a whole. I have no intention of them learning about this conversation and my ambition at all."

They share a very grim look. "Who do you think is responsible?"

"More practically we'd get swarmed by the Cappies, Eagles and Fed Rats the instant they learned we planned on building a yard to build WarShips."

Now THAT is a concern they share.

Samantha nods at this "Which is why I asked for this conversation. Its a massive undertaking and a risky one that needs feedback. As for human resources, well there's a reason I'm not insisting on a quick launch."

Taking a breath Sam adds "An alternative thought is that we simply build a bloody massive station as a new Fleet HQ for the TCN that we build over twenty or so years. We slip the support stations, habitats etc in around it as we build the station and add a few pressurized slips for repairing the TCN's Jumpers and several more for repairing and building Dropships.

Inside it we build in a yard capable of building slips rated for at least a Megaton. Then by the time the place is an extremely well defended bit of space we start putting out new big slips capable of building WarShips. Thoughts?"

"Why build a station? There are plenty of perfectly good asteroids you could refit and quite a number have been pretty well mined out."

[dice]1835[/dice]

They have to completely rebuild the transmission from scratch. It'll damage parts commonality and add some extra retooling costs but little hicups like that are to be expected.

[dice]1836[/dice]

You're having a bitch of a time finding one.

fitzgerald said:
Extremely quick as well, "It just slips into place!" is a comment made repeatedly.

I'm pleased. So how well liked is the T-model Shadowhawk.

The Standard IMHO was badly undergunned. This one, while lacking the SRM has a reasonable Anti-Infantry capability and an all energy based primary weapons loadout with enough sinks that a capable pilot will be able to keep it running cool as long as they use good judgement.

That gets several laughs,

"And my friends, I think we have a name. Because a vague disclaimer is noone's friend."

She gets a nice promotion and additional responsibilities to go with it. Sarah Ferguson is a go getter whose going place.

I invite her to the palace. If she has any other bright ideas I'd like to hear them. I'm open minded.

If you can ever manufacture enough that the TDF doesn't snap them all up.

See, that just translates in my mind to "Build Moar Factories"

So I do.

I'd also like to invite Kara Avellar to give them a try.

Producing tooling for the Banshee is expected to take roughly four years, so mid 3029. Swapping out fusion engines needs to be decided early however, because downgrading to a Fusion 285 gives a massive 25.5 tons to play with.

Make the downgrade. The Charger and Banshee are both perfectly respectable assault mechs once you give them a decent engine that doesn't weigh more than a house.

A quick napkin sketch proposal suggests the following if engine is made smaller

Code:

Banshee BNC-3T
Mass: 95 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Introductory
Era: Age of War/Star League
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/C-E-D-A
Production Year: 2475
Cost: 8,804,640 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,873
Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 285 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 32.4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 54.0 km/h
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor
Armament:
2 LRM-20s
2 Large Lasers
1 SRM-4
2 Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 145 points 9.50
Engine: Fusion Engine 285 16.50
Walking MP: 3
Running MP: 5
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 16 6.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 HD, 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 LL, 1 RL
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 288 18.00
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 30 47
Center Torso (rear) 12
L/R Torso 20 30
L/R Torso (rear) 10
L/R Arm 16 31
L/R Leg 20 39
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRM-4 CT 3 1 2.00
Large Laser RT 8 2 5.00
(R) Medium Laser RT 3 1 1.00
Large Laser LT 8 2 5.00
(R) Medium Laser LT 3 1 1.00
LRM-20 RA 6 5 10.00
LRM-20 LA 6 5 10.00
@SRM-4 (25) CT - 1 1.00
@LRM-20 (12) RT - 2 2.00
@LRM-20 (12) LT - 2 2.00
Free Critical Slots: 20
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 10 Points: 19
3 2 3 2 0 4 1 Structure: 8
Special Abilities: SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, LRM 1/1/1, IF 1

Click to shrink...

Any redesign that removes PPCs from a 'mech should be swiftly reconsidered.

Personally I'm not fond of multiple vast banks of LRMs outside fire support mechs.

"My you're in for a horrible time of it," Eve teases "Uniforms are the one thing the role of Protector demands"

"Didn't you know?" I smirk, "Militaries revise their uniforms all the time and as the Protector I have sway over the equipment used by the TDF. I think we're going to be adopting a slightly more... comfort oriented dress uniform rather soon."

*wink*

This gets a few nods but also a few comments of the assumption that doesn't mean he won't take bits of the Concordat after badgering his enemies.

"That's why you occasionally say nice fox and throw him a doggy treat."

You've sold the Farlookers on the "Lobster Shell" idea. Of taking some time to build up the current stock of colony worlds before leaping towards the next. Of course if in five years a new round of colonization isn't started up expect there to be hell to pay.

5-10 years depending on international political and military climate. That said, if things are close to canon the early 3030s should be a decent to do an up-swell.

"A fine sentiment!" Aramis agrees

"Might change the name entirely. Lets be honest. Badlands Cluster is accurate doesn't exactly envoke the desire to move there. Haven is just so much more... optimistic. Kind of how 'Greenland' on earth is actually an inhospitable iceball while Iceland is a shockingly hospitable volcanic island."

I take a sip of my drink. "If I ever hear of a planet called Happyworld I'm going to be expecting that the capitol, the twin cities of Joy and Optimism, will be located in the descriptively named 'Valley of Skulls', divided by the crimson waters of the Blood River, and having a scenic view of the jagged, firey, obsidian peaks of Mount Doom."

Fyodor at this point takes this as a challenge and promptly begins to describe an interesting evening with a pair of contortionists and her now dead husband (he died in a race car crash)

"You know, if you were 30 years younger I'd probably have you bent over table by now."

They get prepared for next year.

"It's going to be a busy year."

While still a Lyran company Mountain Wolfs Alpheratz plant was in much, much better shape than their Vendrell one.

Ah.

You still buy an interest in Mountain Wolf, the Vanderzhams simply did the same and landed the factory. You personally have an interest in Bowie Industries as well, so your financial advisers suggest that no matter happens you'll make money and the TDF will get Mechs.

Nice. Very nice. I love a win/win situation.

And the Omniss Sect are fundamentally opposed to big sticks. However the Alliance Military Corps is very happy to have the TC's assistance.

The Sphereoids made their opinion of us clear long ago. We need to watch each others backs.

Wells Technology wasn't perfectly discrete, but all accounts the ISF took an approach of "Meh LAW actually owns and operates the lines"

So by end of year 3025 Wells Technology is arrived and interested in where you want them to set up

I arrange for a plant to be built on one of our more secure worlds that doesn't already have massive industrial interests. I allow the lords to put in bids with Wells.

I also sit them down with my contacts from Robinson who are VERY interested in setting up factories.

They're rather pleased by the suggestion and look forward to tinkering with new technology.

Their first job: I hand them several chargers, some of Well's technologies best techs, and say "I'm thinking a new mech build on the same chassis... something along the lines of an Awesome maybe? How about 4 large lasers and a medium in the head?"

300 fusion engines, Magna Mk3 Large Lasers, and literally shipping crates full of heatsinks will be made available for experimentation.

On the same note, I'd like to talk to wells about what to do with the 400 engine. I have no intention of producing the (useless) stock charger so we might as well find a profitable peacetime use for the engine. It's one of the most powerful mobile fusion reactors ever built. How about a mobile power plant for up and coming colonies?

Sajal Duro leaves you with an open invitation to visit her pleasure gardens and a warm kiss against your cheek.

Okay. The name "Pleasure Gardens" doesn't have me fighting down a raging boner. Nope. Not at all.

Mental Note: Read the Kama Sutra (again) and catch up on my Yoga...

Louise Humphries steps in time for the next few dances, it seems a quiet ladies agreement has been worked out as to access to you. A very petite and fine boned young woman Louise is gracious, polite and seemingly more interested in discussing the mutual problems Andurien and the Concordat faces in the CapCon. Sam gets the impression she's not really interested in being a suitor but much more a diplomatic conduit to Andurien, re-enforced how she lights up and then eventually lights into a some what shaggy looking fellow in the Defenders of Andurien uniform accompanying her.

I let her know that I have no great love for Max Liao and I'd be open to a cooperative defense pact against outside aggression.

Doctor Famke Vanlees steps up in a stunning red ball gown that highlights her best features and greets you warmly as the music sways you into a slower dance. Apart from salutations from her brother the Duke of Kathil, Famke suitably shifts so that she's very comfortable in your arms as you dance and flirts somewhat in a gentle demure manner. At least that is before Famke moves in for a quick peck on the lips as she saunters away giving you a mischievous smile.

I'm polite, friendly, and respectful. I do mention the shipyards at her homeworld and mention that maybe we could cooperate in rebuilding our jumpship production capabilities together. Shared experience. Some things transcend national borders.

In reality I'd really like to get some people in there to study even a damaged SLDF jumpship yard, but I do not say that.

And I totally didn't give her at bottom a gentle rub at any point in the dance.

Nope. Not at all.

Does Samuel hunt any one down at this point.

No, but he does grab some drinks that happen to be very close to the ruler of victoria...

And I'm going to want to request a copy of her full bio.

Honestly IC I'd have wanted one for all the girls... before the party to make sure I didn't... well... stick it in crazy and knew how to pull their strings

A quartet of companies, remains of older units who've been on many pirate hunting missions before start practicing together before raising their banner as a combined Battalion named "Gatekeepers" who take the nickname "Pirate Slayers" as well. A number of volunteers from Noble regiments quickly form up a largish infantry contribution.

Done!

And I'd like to make a review program for dispossessed mechwarriors and pilots. How does this sound?

They join the TDF. After 20 years of loyal service from them (or their children if they are too told to serve 20 years), combined with a oath of fielty to the Taurian Concordant, they will be given a small landhold in the Colonies or an established world depending on the situation and desires of the local leaderships (whom they must also swear fidelity to) and be permitted to keep the 'mech.

All involved will be reviewed in their training, ability, and how they lost their mechs. If the program is successful it might be opened up to others who have the ability and are looking to honorably earn a 'mech or ASF

A Calderon is You

Connoisseur.

Getting sticky.

Versed in the lewd.

Experienced.

Know what you're doing yet?

Connoisseur.

Know what you're doing yet?

Experienced.

Connoisseur.

Experienced.

Versed in the lewd.

Connoisseur.

Connoisseur.

Getting sticky.

Know what you're doing yet?

Connoisseur.

Versed in the lewd.

Experienced.

Getting sticky.

Connoisseur.

Connoisseur.

Getting sticky.

Connoisseur.

Know what you're doing yet?

Versed in the lewd.

Experienced.

Experienced.

Connoisseur.

Experienced.

Connoisseur.

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