A Long Journey

[Daryk]

Per TRO 3057R, Bastions have two 30,000-ton capacity Pressurized Repair Facilities.

[vianca]

Per TRO 3057R, Bastions have two 30,000-ton capacity Pressurized Repair Facilities.

The Lee is 17.000 tons.
A Titan is 12.000 tons.
A Dictator is 9.000 tons.
So yeah, their dropships will be taken care of, quite well.

Depending on what all is loaded on those Bastion computers, they may be able to fabricate quite a bit.
If they are lucky, they are even former parts of the SDS system, meaning they might thus get access to those SDS drone systems.
Those computer systems could mean quite a upgrade, what with full grown & intergrated SDS C3 systems.
Just think of Scout mechs acting as artillery spotters, here.
Or luring hostiles into the guns of a unit with a long reach.
It even helps with requesting LRM & SRM support.

So it will be interesting to hear what is what, with those Bastions and what is stored in those repair bays.
Could be a factory station, either small or large.
Could be a (un)pressurised yard, either small or large.
Could be Battlesats.
Could be anything, really, including the more critical modules of a Hudges Mobile Yard, needed to keep a Navy & Army, on the move.

Lets be real, would you not pack those Bastion modules, to the maximum possible?
The real question is with what.
It even covers their potential medical needs.

So when are they going to check them?
Could be everything they need and then some.
But untill then...

Edit:
The first task is upgrading the heatsinks, from single, to double, if they ain't that, already.
But it's a good starting base.
Here is hoping they can use them to make their own fleetbase.

[lowrolling]

Per TRO 3057R, Bastions have two 30,000-ton capacity Pressurized Repair Facilities.

Many thanks

[2ndAcr]

6 April 2785
Mackolla (Federated Suns)

 While the ground forces tried to sort out their differences, at the Nadir Jump Point, work on putting the two Bastion System Defense Stations together was proceeding at a quick pace. The hardest part was making sure the halves were perfectly aligned before the two Elephant Tugs pushed them together, the tiniest of error could be catastrophic, possible damaging the stations beyond repair. So it was a slow and delicate procedure with the utmost of care. Commodore Patricia Mitchell had taken SLS Second Chance, Vigilant Corvette, over to the Zenith Jump Point's Olympic Station for a maintenance checkout plus she wanted to check out the stations repair facilities. It did not take long to note quite a few deficiencies with the personnel onboard as they watched them awkwardly move about their tasks.

 "How long has it been since this station has actually performed a full maintenance cycle on a vessel?" Commodore Mitchell asked

 "Outside quick maintenance checks, it has done so in my time here. Usually we work on the odd Dropship but have never performed a full on service of any vessel. Most folks prefer to take their ships to the manufacturer for those." The stations Chief Engineer replied

 "That is going to have to change, but outside of Second Chance we don't have anything they can service outside of Dropships. Get a team over here to start a training regime for these folks but until then I want every move they make watched and triple checked by our own people." Commodore Mitchell said to her own Chief Engineer

 "Aye ma'am. I will have one my people shadow their every move."

 "We are going to have to figure out how we are going to service our own ships, Panpour or Delavan are the closest locations that can service our Jumpships and that is a problem. Six months to get there, 3-6 months for the work and then six months back. Two years out of service, we don't have enough ships to even think about a rotation schedule." Commodore Mitchell said to no one in particular but she got an answer from her Chief Engineer.

 "Nor do we have the money to pay for the work."

 "Yeah, that is a huge problem we need to sort out. We no longer have the SLDF footing the bills and since we own all this equipment, the Federated Suns is not going to foot the bill either." Commodore Mitchell said

 "We are on the edge of the Periphery, so we could always do some salvage work."

 "Chief, we have to find something to salvage first. That takes time and money we do not have." Commodore Mitchell replied

 "There are wrecks all over Taurian space. I was in 19th Fleet before I was assigned to you. I don't know exact locations, but I know there is one location where rebel Jumpships were hauled to after capture and staged, charges were detonated up against their cores to make sure they could not ever make a jump again. Must be twenty or thirty ships sitting out there." Chief Engineer James Kellog said

 "If they cannot jump, we cannot patch and bring back here." Commodore Mitchell replied

 "We just need a core grinder. We rip the head or tail off, cut the core loose and have one of the tugs pull it out. Grind that core up, haul it to a shipyard and sell it off." Chief Kellog said

 "You make it sound so easy, we don't have a core grinder nor the money to buy one. Back to square one Chief Kellog. But that is excellent information for the future." Commodore Mitchell replied, we are going to have to sell some ships, she thought silently.

7 April 2785

 "To make this work you going to have to break up the 322nd or the garrisons will be too weak to delay an enemy until the cavalry arrives. We are too weak on the infantry front to staff the garrisons plus Mackolla enough. We all know the Battlemech Regiment is our cavalry so there are no hard feelings there but we have to have a min of two Infantry Regiments on each planet to have a hope in properly garrisoning a planet. Back by an Armor Regiment of course but armor is not our problem. Infantry is our problem." Colonel Albert Crapo said

 "We will have to recruit and train more then." Lieutenant General Samuel Mitchell replied

 "Your talking up to two years before we see a single new crop. I have looked at the so called boot camp this planet run, it trains a platoon every three months. Most barely know how to operate their weapons much less any tactical training. Just enough to handle providing peacetime replacements for the militia Battalion. We need the troops right now or this experiment of yours is doomed." Colonel Crapo replied

 "Okay, okay, calm down before you stroke out. All of you look like your going to blow a blood vessel. We do what we have to do. Let's try not to loot too bad but start tossing out the idea's that I obviously mentally cancelled out." Lieutenant General Mitchell said

 Colonel Otto Brown spoke first "Give me the Fury's, a single Thumper Battalion and my Regiment can easily hold our own until the cavalry arrives."

 Lieutenant General Mitchell walked to the large easel and wrote on it.

 1st Garrison Brigade
 109 Fury
 24 Thumper
 1 Infantry Regiment (Foot)

 "Wish I would have known you were going hard core. I will take some Demon but I want a Battalion of Turhan for my grunts. With a side of Thumper but I will need it garnished with that extra Mech Inf battalion." Colonel Albert Crapo said with a smile

 Lieutenant General Mitchell wrote this on the easel.

 2nd Garrison Brigade
 108 Demon
 36 Turhan
 24 Thumper
 1 Infantry Regiment (Foot)

 Colonel Blanca Petrone went next "You don't have anything that really fits my Jumpers. But if I get both Regiments, using those Cobra's backed by the Cyrano's, I will play bloody hell with anyone hostile."

 Again Lieutenant General Mitchell wrote on the easel.

 3rd Garrison Brigade
 36 Cobra VTOL
 9 Cyrano VTOL
 2 Jump Infantry Regiments

 Before any others said anything Lieutenant General Mitchell said "Okay, that gives us garrisons for 3 systems besides Mackolla. Gamlestolen, Arundel and Bamburgh. Until we get more infantry, that is our limit for now. I will submit the list of systems to AFFS High Command and inform them that we are officially taking over garrison responsibility for those systems. I have no idea if we will be getting AFFS rank or not, it was not discussed nor if they are going to officially rename us. For now, let's get a real training camp setup for recruits here and we will do the same on the other three systems. With luck, we will be able to fill out our garrisons with local's in a couple years. So, let's get to work, I will issue the orders to create your commands and get them deployed, as soon as you get mobilized, get to training."

9 April 2785

 This question had been eating at Colonel Colin Blaine since they embarked on Terra, so today he planned to find out exactly what General Kerensky had loaded onto their Dropships using those massive convoy's that made his task easy, but complicated the loading process. The containers had all been carefully marked either GK or 322 to make sorting later much easier. The first container had been unloaded and he stepped closer as they popped the deal and opened the door of the container revealing a large section of machinery. One of the techs stepped in and returned with a packing list. Colonel Blaine opened the packing list, read it and then closed it back up. He ordered the container sealed and all other containers to be set aside and kept sealed. He had to go locate his cousin.

[Daryk]

Hmmm... that's looking like machine tools for restricted tech... hmmm... ;)

[vianca]

Hmmm... that's looking like machine tools for restricted tech... hmmm... ;)

Stealth tech?
SDS tech?
Dome tech?
Knighhawk tech?
Nightstar tech?
Jumpcore tech?
Experimental tech, all the future Clan upgrades where based on?
A yard, in all it's component pieces?
The factory plant of a Newgrange?
Who knows?
Find out in the next update, if it is even in this list or if it's something else.

How long before they they are running the show on that recharge station?

[Wolf72]

...
9 April 2785

...  Colonel Blaine opened the packing list, read it and then closed it back up. He ordered the container sealed and all other containers to be set aside and kept sealed. He had to go locate his cousin.

This reminds me of watching some sort of favorite tv show.  Get sucked in, forget about time, then it ends with leaving a huge ?.  Well played.  (kinda glad next part is not up yet, I need to get to sleep!)

[lowrolling]

Here is hoping they get at least a small break to help on cost and/or logistics

[2ndAcr]

12 April 2785
Mackolla (Federated Suns)

 "Tell her what you told me Colin." Lieutenant General Samuel Mitchell said. They had taken a shuttle up to the Olympus Recharge Station to see his sister.

 "Before we left Terra, General Kerensky ordered a crap ton of cargo containers to be loaded onto one of our Mammoth Dropships. I figured they were just additional supplies, made my job much easier as I was able to just slip my trucks in with his. Anyway, my trucks carried training aids recovered from storage sites. Along with a complete copy of every training manual ever written by the Star League Defense Force. MechWarrior, Aerospace Pilot, Armor, Infantry, Technician, Spacer, everything to train folks the SLDF way, but also about eight thousand tons of machinery the RRU folks yanked out of a blasted ammunition factory. I couldn't get my hands on any machinery to make weapons.

 The first container I had popped open contained machinery to manufacture Endo Steel, since End Steel has to be manufactured in space this is your domain. I researched this particular model and it is rated for ten tons per month, doesn't sound like much to me but some is better than nothing I guess. It will have to be assembled of course, it is brand new and spread across 18 shipping containers. Not real heavy but bulky as hell. I figure this was part of a shipment he had loaded somewhere else and we only got part of it. Hence our visit to you." Colonel Colin Blaine said

 "Okay, I guess that is easy enough to handle. Gonna need to find somewhere to put it, I guess worst case is we put it on one of the Bastions, they have some decent sized cargo bays, we control those, but not the Olympic Recharge Station. Since your both here, we might as well discuss my issues and I have quite a few. First, we are going to need a bunch of money fairly soon. Soon as in a year or two. The problem is we can service my Vigilant but nothing else. The closest shipyards that can handle our ships are a 6 month one way trip, then 3-6 months during service and another 6 months back to us. Short explanation is we lose a single ship for two years just getting it serviced. I don't even have enough ships to even begin to create some sort of rotation schedule for that kind of time frame. Two, I might have a way to generate a cash flow, but it will require money to even get it started, money we do not have. Three, it goes back to the first issue which is servicing, the only ship we would be able to service here is the Merchant. That means we need three ships and three crews to equal a single Star Lord, that is going to be a problem. But the bigger problem is even selling a Star Lord does not get us enough money to buy three Merchants. Only enough for two Merchants. See my dilemma." Commodore Patricia Mitchell said

 "Your just full of good news. Why does every problem seem to have a price tag attached that we cannot afford?" Lieutenant General Mitchell asked but not expecting an answer which he got anyway.

 "Well, because you sort of negotiated a kinda bad deal. If we had joined the AFFS full time, this would all be there problem to deal with. Of course, I know your reasons, understand those reasons and even agree with them, but it was still a bad deal. You could have bargained for the Feddies to pay for all maintenance for our ships, loan us replacement ships while ours are being serviced. But, I guess the First Prince would have demanded something major in return for those kind of concessions. Of course, he is probably just waiting for all our maintenance costs to bankrupt us so he can absorb us totally." Commodore Mitchell replied

 "Yes he would have, and I am sure it would have been your Vigilant. I am sure we can ring him up and ask what that will get us. I am also pretty sure that is exactly what he is waiting on." Lieutenant General Mitchell said with a smirk

 "Pass, I like having a way to fight back if I really have to." Commodore Mitchell replied as she lightly punched her brother on the upper arm.

 "Okay back on topic. Money, what is your idea on what we do about it?" Lieutenant General Mitchell asked

 "Sell one of the Monolith Jumpships to the Feddies. It is new enough that we should get almost full price for it. Then again, we might more than full price since General Kerensky sucked every one he could lay his hands on they are pretty rare still. Right now they are asking 1.6 Billion for a new one. If we can get that much, it gives us a decent start point that could last us a year or two if we don't get a good revenue stream going." Commodore Mitchell replied

 "That is a ton of cash." Lieutenant General Mitchell said with a slight whistle

 "That we can very easily plow right extremely quick if we are not careful. So, with that being said, back to my cash generation idea. Chief Kellog, my chief engineer, says he knows the SLDF stashed captured rebel jumpships....." Commodore Mitchell said before being cut off by her brother.

 "Then let's go get them, we can sell them off and not have to sell one of our good ships." Lieutenant General Mitchell said rapidly.

 "Sammy, how about letting me finish before you go ape shit. now, as I was saying, the SLDF stashed rebel Jumpships AND then cracked the cores with explosives so they could NEVER move again." Commodore Mitchell finished

 "Then how is that a cash generator if we cannot bring them back to sell?" Lieutenant General Mitchell asked

 "If we had a core grinder, we would rip the jump core out, grind it into small pebbles, soak them in special chemicals and then sell that off. A jump core is most of the weight of a Jumpship, so we will use an Invader as an example. An Invader weighs in at 152,000 tons, but the jump core weighs roughly 144,000 tons. That only leaves about 8,000 tons for everything else. I do not know the exact science of making a jump core, but every collar added adds another 100 Million roughly to the cost of the core. But it has no effect on the 144,000 tons worth of jump core. That 144,000 tons is worth roughly 288 Million. Now, hauling 144,000 tons is no easy feat, your talking four Mammoth Dropships for that single jump core once we grind it up. A core grinder would set us back about 100 Million since it is specially hardened to grind up cores. Plus it has to be installed in something large but portable. Then we have to be on station for several months doing the work. That means we have to protect it while it does the work. It is a logistical nightmare, but a profitable one." Commodore Mitchell explained

 "Yes, but it still costs a ton of money we do not have. It always comes back to that problem. Even if we did have the money, we are not totally free to do as we wish." Lieutenant General Mitchell said

 "Okay, this is getting depressing. How about we all head back down and pay a visit to the folks, maybe dad will have an idea out of this jam we are in." Commodore Patricia Mitchell replied

[Iron Grenadier]

What was there jumpship fleet looking like? Brandt had suggested I think 2 Monoliths and another Tramp, then Kerensky said another Monolith. Did they get all that?

[vianca]

That jumpcore weight for jumpships, works better the other way around, 2ndArc.
It would make a 100.000tons warship, weight 250.000 tons, yet the Scout stays below 100.000 tons.
Thus explaining tanking damage, repair times and even the later it's faster recharge cycle.

We are even given tge needed numbers for this.
Warship 40%
Tramp 65% ???
Civilian 95%

It basically makes warships weightier by having more mass to them.
Civilian ships are mostly jumpcore anyway and are thus using the jumpcore support frame as part of the hull structure, since why not.
Replacing that core would mean replacing most of the ship, anyway, so I can see why they would ho that route.
Does that makes those cores, costlier?
Yes it does.

Selling jumpships is stupid, anyway.
And they don't really need a core grinder, they need a mining station like a Snowden.
Would be nice if they happen to have all that is needed.
But still, never make such sells, before you have done a full on inventory.
Check those jumpships and the two Bastions, their cargo's.
Who knows what Kerensky sneaked in.
And considering the units layout, it might even be focussed on support gear for them.
See them checking the two main bays of those Bastions, so they can start restoring those Lee's, only to find them full, filled with a factory and a yard station.

Besides, they are forgetting, stealing the jumpships of pirates, is perfectly fine as well.
Heck, they could even start up a trainings command, for John Davion, a military school and thus earn money, while having first pick of the students.
And then there is the Backpay to consider as well.
Getting the man to invest, could also be a option as well.
Worse, they have the skills, to do the upkeep themselfs, they just need a bay big enough.
How did they get the parts for their repair jobs, again?
If nothing else, they could make one from Endo-Steel.
Easiest way to add a habitat module, use the Bastion it's modularity, to put said yard bay in between it's two sections.
That would mean, they could thus, make two such yards.

[2ndAcr]

17 April 2785
Mackolla (Federated Suns)

 They had spent the last two days just depressurizing from all the stress that had built up over the last year. Except for Colonel Colin Blaine, their cousin, they had spent most of their pre SLDF life growing up here. Ever since their father had taken his entire savings of 38,000 Dollars and took a risk purchasing 15,000 acres for a dollar an acre in 2750 when the planet had first been opened up for colonization. Most of the remaining funds had been spent building the house and moving the family here. He had been stationed with the 53rd Jump Infantry Division on Lackland when the opportunity had presented itself. Even though Colonel (Ret) Gerald Mitchell had been born on Muphrid II, inside the Terran Hegemony, he had spent his entire career in non Royal commands, but he did not resent it at all. The eldest son was the only one born inside the Terran Hegemony, he had been killed during the Periphery campaign with the 4th Royal Infantry Division as they had found out later.

 Colonel (Ret) Gerald Mitchell was 73 years old but still as fit as he was at 45. He had retired in 2762 after a 30 year career in the SLDF in the Jump Infantry. None of his children had shown any aptitude for Battlemechs or Aerospace piloting, probably didn't run in the genes, but it didn't both him at all. Now his last two surviving children were home and safe, even if they were still in the military. Since retirement, he had been bored silly. Try as he might, he could not find anything to occupy his attention for very long and was always looking for something else to focus his energy on. He thrived on adrenaline, a result of his SLDF career. He set the four beers on the picnic table on the back lawn and took a seat.

 "Okay kids, what is eating at you both?" Gerald Mitchell asked

 "Money trouble." Lieutenant General Samuel Mitchell replied

 "Yeah, that sort of trouble will put anyone in a funk. I know the feeling quite well." Gerald Mitchell said

 "You in trouble pop?" Commodore Patricia Mitchell asked

 "Not yet, I can pay the property taxes this year, but next year is going to be a rough one. Pension checks halted in 2780 so we have been living on what we saved. Worst case, I sell the place and we move into a much smaller place. Prices have changed dramatically here. Back when I first bought the homestead, it was a dollar and acre, now you can get 25-30 an acre, so I will make a profit on it. But your not here to listen to my problems, so spill it kids." Gerald Mitchell said and then listened for the next hour as they explained the problems they had encountered. His brain absorbing the issues and assigning priorities to each problem being faced before he spoke.

 "Not the worst deal anyone struck, but your dealing with a big old bull in First Prince John Davion. As rulers go, he is pretty good, but he is also a Davion, which means he expects you to go belly up and he gets everything in the end. Just might take a few years for him to see his deal bear fruit. As for the terms of the deal, your operating sort of in a gray area, not House troops being funded by the Government, you still own everything but not Mercs either. But you committed yourself to guarding Mackolla and surrounding systems plus defending the Federated Suns if it is attacked. So yeah, your on a leash unless you break your word, in which case I will beat you silly. So, let's take these one at a time.

 One, sell that Jumpship. Gives you operating capital and buys you time.

 Two, form a company, civilian but with protection, lord knows there are a ton of former SLDF with nothing else to do that would jump at a decent paying job acting as security. Plus, as a Federated Suns company, and Suns citizen employee's the Federated Suns, ie you, are obligated to come to their aid if conducting legal business. Make it a holding company, so that your not limited in what you decide to dabble in.

 Three, put a chunk of cash into some sort of security, bond or something that will accrue interest but no serious risk, gotta take care of your people.

 Four, take another chunk and buy a big plot of ground. I would suggest the continent of El Maouna Prime. Great farm land, or ranching, nearly year round growing seasons, never gets cold. Make that your base or headquarters. As folks retire, they get good housing and all that. Your in a grey area, not sure of the Feddies are gonna pony up a pension. You can hide that Royal equipment you spoke about, bury it good, cause if John Davion gets wind of it, well it could get tense. It's 83,570 square miles, uninhabited so no locals to bother you. You can probably get a good chunk of it for cheap, since it is totally undeveloped and you would have to start from scratch. That's 53 million acres and some change, bargain hard enough, maybe point out how dangerous it is to base troops near population centers and you might get it all handed to you for free. Governor Nelson is decent but there are also rumors that he is skimming from the tax money. But he is smart enough not to get caught, so be careful.

 Those are my initial thoughts on your problems. I might get more, and I will continue thinking about it, but that is all I have right now really."

 "Good thoughts, as for your first, we are already leaning that way and you pushed us over the edge. The second, well what the hell do we call it?" Samuel Mitchell asked

 "Anything you want. Call it Mackolla Enterprises, Mackolla Consolidated, not sure I would tie your name to it. It will smell dirty to a bunch of folks including the troops. Get it all legit and you can even issue stock to your troops, make them part owners, pay a little dividend out. No one gets mad when they are getting some cash. If you do score with the salvage idea, well that just sets you up to expand the civilian side of things. After awhile, it will become almost a perpetual money maker for everyone involved." Gerald Mitchell replied

 "Neither of us will have time to run a civilian company. I am committed to oversee the defense of Mackolla and the surrounding systems, Patricia I doubt is going to give up her command or ship for the civilian world." Samuel Mitchell said

 "Put Colin in charge, he is family." Gerald Mitchell replied as Colin coughed on his beer.

 "I do not know a damned thing about business. But I do have contacts with a ton of manufacturers and suppliers here in the Federated Suns that might be helpful. I am willing to retire and help, I said help, let me say it again, HELP whoever you appoint, but not run the damned thing." Colin Mitchell replied

 "It has to be family, too much is on the line. Dad, how about you? Your mind is sharp as a tack, plus your bored out of your mind. Care to take on the challenge of building a profitable business empire?" Patricia Mitchell asked

 "Not what I was angling after kids, but I will do this until such time as one of you can retire from your military career and take it over." Gerald Mitchell said

[lowrolling]

The tracks are greased and rolling, nice update.

[Daryk]

Indeed!  Nice way to slide Dad back into the business! :)

[Detlef]

But you committed yourself to guarding Mackolla and surrounding systems plus defending the Federated Suns if it is attacked.

Oh boy! Stupid!!!

The Mitchell kids don´t have any idea of Star League / Inner Sphere politics?
Even without hindsight it should be clear that the Inner sphere states will be seeing the defenseless Terran Hegemony as a very tempting target (factories, technology, shipyards, population). An all you can eat buffet. Even with all the destruction of the Amaris years. So as soon the first starts moving in the others will jump in too.
Which means war among the Inner sphere states.

Now as former SLDF officers they probably didn´t have to think about politics. But that they didn´t think about it after Kerensky and the majority of the SLDF deserted? After all they went to Mackolla because they knew that nobody could defend the Terran Hegemony. Didn´t they think it through?

So that dream of living in peace, guarding against pirates, building things (as mentioned to the First Prince) is dead on arrival. Because they committed to defending the Federated Suns if it is attacked.

Because as soon as the war over who gets what pieces of the Terran Hegemony starts, Inner sphere states will also attack each other. Who will be the new state lording it over the inner sphere? And if I can´t have it, nobody else will have it.

Once the first SW starts the First Prince will start screaming for support from two battle-hardened former SLDF divisions. Kentares and all that.
And because Lieutenant General Samuel Mitchell didn´t put any limits on that support I don´t quite see how he can say no to any request / order?

He - probably without thinking about it - offered all ground troops and their equipment, all dropships, all jumpships, the two Bastion defense stations and their single warship to the defense of the Federated Suns.

Given that agreement the only soldiers remaining on Mackolla will be retired soldiers.

[Iron Grenadier]

I'd sell all the Monoliths to Davion.

[ddm45]

Sell the Monoliths for money and renegotiate some of the terms of the original deal. Davion will do it since they cam also sell them to a private fedsuns company if he balks.

[2ndAcr]

9 May 2785
Mackolla (Federated Suns)

 Gerald Mitchell had thrown himself into the work, using his own money to hire a local law firm to prepare the paperwork to form Mackolla Enterprises. He knew the message had gone out offering to sell one of the Monolith Jumpships to the Federated Suns so they were waiting on it to be accepted and funds deposited into the account setup for payments from the Feddies. It was separate from this new adventure though. But waiting on money allowed him to do a ton of research on a vast array of subjects. It did not take him long to locate a common problem in the entire region, trained or skilled workers, which was a common problem for getting any sort of local higher tech industry going.

 "Colin, we are going to need skilled workers if we have any hope of bringing any sort of real industry out here." Gerald Mitchell said

 "We have to figure out exactly we are going to do before going on a mass hiring spree. We are still laying the ground work and have no clue how much money we will even have to work with." Colonel (Ret) Colin Blaine replied

 "Yes, I know that. I like to plan ahead. What are you working on anyway?" Gerald Mitchell said

 "Trying to figure out a couple of these so called locations that I skimmed off the computers on Terra. They just are not aligning correctly. There is this one here that bothers me because there is nothing marked on any star map" Colin replied as he spun the portable computer around so Gerald could see the screen.

 "That's site 222. It's two or three jumps from here. SLIC had it removed from the star maps decades ago, it was a dumping ground for all sorts of stuff that was recovered in the Periphery." Gerald Mitchell said

 "How the hell do you know that?" Colin said loudly

 "Because 53rd Jump Infantry Division. Spent over a decade out here with them and we ran anti-piracy sweeps all the time. I probably visited site 222 five times during my time with the 53rd." Gerald Mitchell said

 "So your saying that it is something we should check out?" Colin asked

 "Yeah, it sure is. Now that we have a firm location for someone to head for. I am just comparing the dot on that star map you got to where we are standing right now. Sure looks like site 222. But also remember the last time I was there was probably 2758 or so, that is thirty years ago. I am sure it has been emptied by now." Gerald Mitchell replied

 "What sort of stuff did they dump out there?" Colin asked

 "Back then? Hell, back then, there was stuff from the Reunification War parked out there. But after all these years, I doubt anything is left. What database did you get into that told you about site 222?" Gerald Mitchell asked

 "A roster that had SLDF cache sites that were not looted during the war, our war that is. Chief Kellog, Patricia's chief engineer said he knew the SLDF was hauling captured rebel ships somewhere and then cracking the cores with explosives, but he didn't know where." Colin replied

 "There is a good chance they were hauling it to site 222. It had been used for two centuries after all. I think we just figured out our first company, how does Mackolla Interstellar Salvage sound to you?" Gerald Mitchell asked

 "Sounds okay to me, but we still have to see what is out there to even determine what will be needed." Colin replied

 "Then maybe Patricia should send a small expedition to scout the site." Gerald Mitchell said

[Daryk]

Salvage ops are a go! :D

[lowrolling]

Bring in the germanium, and the workers will follow. Besides, working inside of an armored base station should be a perk all to itself

[DOC_Agren]

Welcome to Black Site 222

[lowrolling]

Welcome to Black Site 222

Busted jumpships on the left. Questionable dropships on the right. The really fun stuff is hidden in the asteroid field.

Do enjoy your stay.

[vianca]

Welcome to Black Site 222

And stop the sell of that Monolith.
If only because you are going to need that jumpship collar space.

What???
Think, you could always start a jumpship trading line, with them.
But selling them, makes it so you are now missing nine collars, if you ever have to pack up in a hurry.
Can't easily get that back, you know.
It's the first step in John Davion his plan on buying you up, his litteral first step, thanks to that ½ pay deal.

Never ever sell your stuff, if only because else you never ever are going to get something like that, back.
That is lift they will need, in a little while.
I personally, would never have talked about the backpay or if  I did, gone for ½ backpay, if main pay was full.

So how are they going to run any evac job from the Hegomony, when they have sold all their big droppers?
Because with this, that's what will happen.

They should have contacted Jerome Blake, in stead.
But they never really thought things true, from the get go.
No attempt to get any ground engineering gear, schooling materials (Prometheus starter up) additional dropships that are reconfigured in a new way like a Princess as a mobile hospital, not even trying to get the parts needed to flesh out his cousin her space recovery unit.
There are foldable yards of 50.000 tons, that have a collar.
He only really needed to requist four parts of a hudges, for her, yard, core grinder, mixer & maker.

They are in the boonies, the Hegemony is far away, how will they replace things, considering the Black Box nature of ceryain stuff, that's only made in the Hegemony?
Stupid.
Hope somebody will hit them with a clue-by-four.

Edit:
Sorry guys, but in most of these stories, for some reason, it always starts with "Lets sell our gear, starting with our own jumpship fleet."
They saw the Perisphere Uprising & the Amaris Coup, first hand.
I think these folks, if only because of trauma, would want to keep their options open, in terms of trandports & weapons.
As in, able to run, when needed or to help with a planetary evac.

Worse, if the Ship Salvage Group is so good, then they should be able to construct their own open frame yard bay, for ship upkeep.
I thought it was said that they were so good, they could do yard task in open space, without any support.
So upkeep checks on their own jumpships, should be something they should be able to do, both now and in the future.
If you can repair a warship back into fighting shape, you can do the checks on a jumpship, because that is included in getting that warship back into fighting shape.
I feel like the focus lays too much on the Ground Pounders and thus the capabilities of the Spacers, is forgotten.
And even worse, with all the repair bays, they should be able to construct a big repair bay, especially if they have every SLDF brance, it's manuals & related (trainings) documents.
That should contain the needed know how, on how to set up a ship maintaince dock from scrap.
Which if you count in the local jumpship upkeep travel problem, would be quite the money maker and thus a good investment for all that back-pay money.

There are other ways, to make money.
For one, the Spacers can make double heatsinks and Endo-Steel.
Think, for a moment, how this could thus factor into things.
Or the Bastions their automated repair & cargo bays.
They have products they could thus sell.

Really, 2ndArc, take a very good look at the Spacers of this group and what they are capable off.
Because with the way things currently are going, you are running them over with the idiot ball and basically say they can't do the job, they have been doing for years, while even having extra equipement for this job and the option to make more specialist equipement as well.
Take a very good and long look.

Now if it was selling of certain ships in order to get all the needed extra gear, in a special express...
Maybe even getting the Argo, Cargoking & Cargomaster, their lines as well...
But nothing of the sort, happend.
Your hamstringing them and for what?
Why nerf them?
You could have killed off a few of them and thus pull that off, this is a bit too heavy handed.

[Shadow_Wraith]

I am enjoying the story as it progresses.   The choices the characters are making to me is what they see from their world view and life experiences.  The SLDF was their life, not the business field or the civilian engineering field of constructing things from nothing.   They know of what equipment to use that the SLDF let them use. 

In story, just because the characters know of a technology that might be available does not mean they can get at it or convince the people to move there.  The characters got what equipment and weapons they could get when they were helping pack for the SLDF exodus. 

I just want to see how the characters help secure and improve their space of FedSuns as the 1st Succession War starts.  Also will the characters get to interact with the people currently running the HPG on Mackolla?

[2ndAcr]

16 May 2785
Mackolla (Federated Suns)

  Over the last week, every member of the 322nd Armor Division and former SLDF personnel had been made aware of the moves being made and the reasons why. Over 90% of the personnel supported the idea of using funds to start a pension fund, starting a civilian business plan to help fund all the stuff they might need. Since it was a large majority that supported the plans, those with questions went along with the idea. But the questions they might have had were answered to the best of everyone's ability to alleviate their concerns.

 "We can do basic maintenance on all our ships, in most cases even handle the more complicated repairs. During the war, we did not make ships shipyard quality. What we did was make them as battle ready as we could or get them mobile enough to make it to a designated Yardship location or shipyard under our control for further repairs. We can self manufacture a great many things, but a bunch of stuff is beyond our ability. We can replace armor, replace weapons, repair most computer or electronic equipment. But what we cannot do and this is important is do a full on scan of a jump core or repair a jump core. If the computer detects micro cracks, we can only take it's word for it, we cannot verify that finding. We can manufacture most parts of a ships transit drive but we cannot manufacture one from scratch, same goes for reactor plants, the core reactor vessel is beyond our capabilities. We can replace a reactor with a new one, but if the reactor vessel itself is damaged, it has to be sent back to the manufacture. So, to put it into an example you all might understand even better, take your Mauser 960, most of you or your armorer can repair the rifle with spare parts, but can you manufacture those parts? Even in a garrison environment, have any of you seen them making the parts to repair that rifle or did they send it off to the manufacture? As good as your mechanics are, can they completely redesign one of your vehicles and then manufacture it from the ground up? Outside of field modifications, swapping several medium lasers where a large laser used to be and adding extra cooling ability because they didn't have another large laser? How about taking a standard Goblin and deciding they want the SLDF issued Goblin so just making it happen? While I am not a ground trooper, I know for a fact that making that sort of change is going to require a factory level set of manufacturing equipment and tooling to make it happen.

 Your mechanics and techs are very skilled but how often did you have or know about a piece of equipment that had some sort of lingering issue? A Battlemech with  hitch in it's step, a fire control computer that always had a bug, any issue, no matter how often the techs or mechanics replaced the thing or worked on it? Why didn't they just make a new one? Every Regiment and above command has a full on maintenance setup on par with what we haul around. Why didn't they do it, because there are some level of repairs that require a full on factory level repair.

 My people are extremely good at what we do, even working some miracles, but there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Yes, we could put together a maintenance dock to support our larger ships, there are plans to do just that, but we will still lack the ability to do a jump core scan of the larger ships. That requires literally pulling the core from a ship, while protecting it from just about everything, putting the jump core into a massive X-Ray machine which moves at a speed of a meter per hour while it checks the density of the core in it's entirety. If the density of the core exceeds a certain level, the ship is dead lined, the core is then ground up and recast. That is shipyard level maintenance, an ability that we do not have and I am sure we will never have. So to accomplish that level of care we have to send our ships to an actual shipyard that can handle that sort of task. The closest is a six month journey just to get there, another three to six months for the checks and another six months back here. Two years to return the ship to service. The SLDF did it because they had thousands of ships to rotate in and out of service while retaining the ability to move troops on a whim. We do not have that luxury, not even close. We could push our luck and ignore a core warning, but then you run the chance of a misjump, possibly killed instantly, a core shatter, stranding you in some far off location, no way to call for help and then you run out of air, water, food and die. I don't want that to happen to anyone, I doubt any of you want that either. Your vehicle breaks down, you get out and walk for help, out here, it can be a death sentence. So, does everyone understand how, even as good as my people are, how our abilities are limited?

 We have several tons of blank circuit boards, the resistors, even chips, we can combine those to manufacture just about any circuit board needed. But we lack the ability to make the individual parts themselves. Same for armor, several thousand tons of it, all types, we can cut the plates, even form the plates, but can we actually make the armor plates? Nope, we cannot mine the raw material, then smelt that into the next level of metal, which then has to be remelted and mixed with another few compounds to make the actual armor plate. We have some replacement weapons, we can swap in, substitute weapons, reprogram the firing computers, but we cannot actually make the weapons themselves. There are limits to everything and there are many other examples I could use. I hope you all understand why we will be forced to make some very hard choices at times." Commodore Patricia Mitchell said before the large audience.

Terra (Terran Hegemony)

 "We have confirmed the location of the 322nd Armor Division and the ships carrying them. They are in the Mackolla system in the employ of the Federated Suns. But they are not mercenary, nor regular troops. They have offered the Federated Suns one of the Monolith Jumpships for sell. If they had fully joined the Federated Suns, that offer would not have been made. Yet we know the AFFS navy has been having a fit about their Vigilant Corvette not being under their direct control. It seems to be some sort of hybrid setup we are having trouble figuring out because the Suns are paying about sixteen million a month to them after a large lump sum payment back that just went out. There is also a new business starting up on Mackolla, the paperwork forming it was also just transmitted to New Avalon. Mackolla Enterprises is what it is called. One subsidiary names, Mackolla Interstellar Salvage. A Gerald Mitchell is named as the CEO of Mackolla Enterprises."

 Major General Laura Hayes snorted "Our Monolith you mean. Kerensky yanked three at the last minute before leaving. Lieutenant General Mitchell commanded the 322nd Armor Division. Same name as this new company CEO, coincedence, I doubt it. Be watching for any advanced gear hitting the open market, Mitchell just might be selling it off to start this business venture. But they are no threat to us at this time, monitor but no action needed."

[Shermpotter]

Gen. Hayes has no more right to those Monoliths than Mitchell does.  And that far out, good luck.

[2ndAcr]

18 May 2785
New Avalon (Federated Suns)

 "It has started, it is only a matter of time before Lieutenant General Mitchell and his merry band of soldiers are absorbed by us. Purchase the Monolith, below market price, shave it by 10%, it only buys them so much time before they have to sell off another one to make ends meet." First Prince John Davion said

 "What if he refuses the price and places it on the open market? Another House might purchase it."

 "It is a risk I am willing to take, we will call this a test of his loyalty to the Federated Suns. Better to find out now than later." First Prince John Davion replied

24 May 2785
Mackolla (Federated Suns)

 The purchase agreement arrived at the same time as the money being deposited in their account. It was not the usual way to do business, but it made it very difficult to refuse, though some wanted to do just that.

 "The First Prince just screwed us out of 160 Million dollars. We should refuse the offer and send the money back to him. Sell it to the highest bidder." Colonel Martin Harper said

 "And what then? If we do as you suggest, we could be cutting our hand off in spite of our face. We accept the money and transfer the Monolith as agreed upon. There is no need to draw too much attention to ourselves by the First Prince or his underlings. Our situation is just too murky right now, there is too much we do not know about how much freedom we actually have to operate. He is testing us, I can feel it in my gut." Lieutenant General Samuel Mitchell said

 "Well this test sucks." Colonel Harper replied

 "Yes it does at that, but we will swallow it. There will come a time when we will be able to return the favor and we will do exactly that. Now, we have almost 1.5 Billion, so have the lawyers setup the pension fund and deposit 191 Million into it, I want a minimum rate of return of 5% per year on our investments. The pension fund will cover retirements, disability and survivor payments in case of death equal to their pay rate at 100% for survivor, 50% for diability and 75% for retirement." Lieutenant General Mitchell said, he was setting up an exact copy of the benefits of the SLDF. "Medical care will be provided 100%. Once you have that completed, transfer 300 Million to Mackolla Enterprises so that they can get started up building our future. That will leave us One Billion to make payroll and purchase what equipment and supplies we need."

 "Yes sir." Colonel Harper replied and it was quite obvious he still doubted these moves being planned.

1 June 2785

 With the startup money now deposited, Gerald Mitchell wasted no time in setting things into motion. He had also done a ton of research and sent a message to O'Neil Yards in the Terran system and ordered the exact core grinder that was installed on their Newgrange Yardships. Having been given the specifications by Patricia, he knew the exact model needed and how much it was, so attached to his order was the information needed for the money transfer in the amount of 62 Million dollars, which paid for the shipping expense plus 100 of the large capture bags which could contain 10,000 tons each. He still had not located a large movable object to mount the core grinder on though. He placed 20 million into the account for Mackolla Salvage for operating expenses.

 His next order went to Achernar Heavy Industries where he spent 80 Million puchasing heavy machinery to manufacture various armor types and metals and all of the equipment needed for start to finish manufacture. This would be the foundation for Mackolla Special Metals, the next division he planned in their portfolio. He would purchase the raw ore from local small mining outfits, for now anyway. He hired a local recruiting agency to try and hire experienced workers from the Terran Hegemony region, there were bound to be quite a few unemployed people there that would be willing to relocate.

 His third planned division would be Mackolla Aerospace Services, but this one would require some negotiation with Planetary Governor Nelson, a meeting he had scheduled for tomorrow. He planned to use the mans faults against him and to their own gain.

2 June 2785

 "Gerald Mitchell, nice to meet with you. I have been informed that you are related to Lieutenant General Mitchell and have formed a corporation which is based on Mackolla. What can I do for you sir?" Planetary Governor Nelson asked

 "Thank you for meeting with me. Yes, it has been a very busy and exciting time for me. Retirement is very boring. I am forming a new venture, Mackolla Aerospace Services. I plan to offer maintenance and repairs for Jumpships and Dropships and would like to work out a long term lease on the Olympus Recharge Station at the Zenith Jump Point. It would save me a ton of money but help generate a good tax revenue stream for Mackolla. I understand that right now, there is virtually no revenue coming in from the Olympus Recharge Station, I want to change all of that." Gerald Mitchell said

 "That is a very expensive asset to Mackolla Mr Mitchell, you understand that." Governor Nelson replied

 "I sure do sir. Mackolla still would own it, I would just be leasing it from your government. I handle the operations, expenses including the payrolls. Your government just collects the taxes on the revenue I generate. I just need to know what sort of terms this would require. Granting it will take some time to actually start generating a steady revenue stream, I would ask for some sort of concession." Gerald Mitchell said

 "One million per year for the first 10 years, after that Mackolla would need 10% of the revenue stream." Governor Nelson said

 "I would like a fifty year lease for those amounts sir. You have done a lot of good for Mackolla, but you have also strayed a bit. I have lived here full time since 2762 and outside of small enterprises and very modest infrastructure projects, not much has changed here. I was here when you were elected, that has been thirteen years now, your on your third term with an election in two years. You come from modest means yet you are the majority owner of the largest construction company on the planet, majority owner of the largest mining company, which happens to have the most favorable leasing terms. That does not look good sir. People are happy so they do not rock the boat, but an election is coming and if this were to get out, well it just does not look good. I believe the planets mono rail projects are over budget by 80% and behind schedule by three years. Your company has that contract if I am not mistaken.

 You come from modest means, a little more than my own means. Getting a company started is expensive, I know that for a fact. I have to ask myself, exactly how did you, in just three years in office manage to get the funds together to purchase a majority ownership of those companies. Your salary is only a million dollars a year and both of those companies probably have in excess of 100 million in equipment assets alone. If I am asking those questions, there are bound to be many more people asking those questions. I am just saying, it does not look very good." Gerald Mitchell said

 "Sir, are you threatening me?" Governor Nelson asked, his face reddening

 "Not at all sir, I was just pointing out some simple observations to you. I think a fifty year lease would work out for both of us don't you?" Gerald Mitchell stated calmly

[Wolf72]

Totally not a threat, just pointing out the minefield in front of him and offering some help navigating it.

[2ndAcr]

18 July 2785
Cephei (Unclaimed)

 Commodore Patricia Mitchell had decided to lead this mission personally, she just was bored crazy after years of constant action having nothing to do was driving her crazy. She shook off the brief jump effects and watched as the ships systems returned to normal. As the radar system came back online it began picking up large debris that reminded her of the aftereffects of a naval engagement. It made her nervous and she ordered the Titan launched and for it to establish a local CAP.

 Deep inside the system, the detection of the incoming emergence wave awakened long dormant systems which began bringing all its formidable systems back to life. The newly arrived ships were broadcasting active SLDF ID codes, which did not cause it to shut down, but to just actively monitor the area for any hostile acts. The onboard clock said it had been dormant for 6 years since the last engagement, so it began a full diagnostic of all its systems. The sensors noted that the systems onboard laser communication system was active and had affirm lock on its partner nearby. They remain on passive sensors for now.

[Daryk]

And all of the Commodore's crews have faced Caspars before...  Standing by for the freak out! :D