A Long Journey

[Lone-Wolf]

23 May 2786
Mackolla (Federated Suns)

 "We cannot do a normal recruitment drive, it will draw too much attention, so how many people show up daily?" Lieutenant General Samuel Mitchell asked
...

It is nice to see that they have decided to ahem, be creatice about House Davions "You may not recruit" order.
But maybe they should do it a little more submerged.

You know, they should do - if at all! - to announce it as "The situation is getting worse, we give you training." Just like the Swiss or the US National Guard today if I am correct. Six months basic and every year two weeks duty - OFFICIALLY at least.

(And regarding being creative with rules reminds me of a certain video on youtube about the bug in the treaty of Versailles - with countryballs)

[wolfcannon]

what about the Wells company (charger) or the Orguss and Kong Insterstellar?  producers of the Ost series and urbanmech, Black Knight, Ostwar, Wasp and Stinger.
also weird as it may sound Gato Press is treading water at this time, Also what about industrialmech companies like Mason Farquason and Bluth?  Bluth is in every state but loses a lawsuit and has to sell off it assets being reduced to one plant on Terra.  also Norse Technologies has lost several factories and would be willing to sell those off.   

[arcticwyrm245]

wonder if they can do anything with infantry equipment production, should be less high profile then even tanks and considering how overengineered the standard SLDF Mauser was, a field derived redesign might be good since I would expect there to be enough armorers and grunts to get that done.

[vianca]

What I find weird is that while we can find the companies that became Comstar, we not only don't know who made those HPG's, but neurohelmets and the SLDF uniforms?
Who made them?
There simply is no info about them.
Same for the Nighthawk PA(L), completely no info.
Even the with the mech stealth technology, we can atleast find some info, even if it's weird that it's located on Victoria CC and not in the Hegemony, yet that name might be the needed hint, reseach, what Hegemony company had that in it?
Hegemony Research and Development Department, Weapons Division, that's who.
Yet after that, no info at all.

Same for infantry equipement.
Do we know we made the SLDF rifles & pistols?
Basically, what do we know of this?

Found something.
https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Terra

Mauser and Gray Firearms, a LC company, had a factory on Mars, to supply the SLDF.
So basically, everything they had a licence on, at the time, I bet.

Star League Defense Industries, producer of mobile HQ's, destroyed during the the Amaris civil war.
Now getting that one, would be good.
If only they could get a mobile HPG.

The Asuncion Escape Suit proves that it's not just cooling suits that will end up being lost tech, but also other uniforms, like the Uniforms Of The SLDF.
Can't find who made any of this, besides some weapons, if anybody has a clue...
But the ability to make their own SLDF uniforms, will become important in the future, very important.

[Maingunnery]

A lot of suggestions, but which of those companies will move out of their own interests? 
Do not forget, Mitchell barely has any spending money left.
So a lot of additional designs will have to be their own upgrades to public domain designs. 

[vianca]

A lot of suggestions, but which of those companies will move out of their own interests? 
Do not forget, Mitchell barely has any spending money left.
So a lot of additional designs will have to be their own upgrades to public domain designs.

Lets first see what all they can thus get, in terms of production machinery.
For all we know, they have a very odd mix of stuff, to start with.

Just think of how many different variant weapon (like the ER-PPC or the lasers) licences & fabrication machinery, they are now getting.
I can thus see them pulling a Clan one, there, by combining their best futures, into one product, especially if they only have partial lines and it's those variant futures, their production machinery, they have of each line, thus getting the same thing, via kitbashing a working line together, from several partial lines.
Like say less heat producing lasers, harder hitting lasers, better laser focussing system and thus farther hitting, less energy needed per shot lasers, ect, ect.

Which could thus have funny results, down the line.
Like when the Wolf Dragoons finally arrive in 3100 or so and one faction having what seems to be Clan Technology.
O, oooh, RUN!!!!

I personally, thus hope they get their own variant of Nova CEWS, just by trying to get a working production line.
A more SDS Nova CEWS, to be sure, in terms of kitbashing origins, but...
If only for the lulz factor of them hoping it works, everytime, while everybody else is freaking out about their tech level & how fast they managed to get there.

[Maingunnery]

Lets first see what all they can thus get, in terms of production machinery.
For all we know, they have a very odd mix of stuff, to start with.

Just think of how many different variant weapon (like the ER-PPC or the lasers) licences & fabrication machinery, they are now getting.
I can thus see them pulling a Clan one, there, by combining their best futures, into one product, especially if they only have partial lines and it's those variant futures, their production machinery, they have of each line, thus getting the same thing, via kitbashing a working line together, from several partial lines.

I see no logical chain events here that lead to Clan Tech. The big changes to component availability that they have will just likely lead to new variants.

[2ndAcr]

24 June 2786
Mackolla (Federated Suns)

 Gerald Mitchell had just sent the purchase confirmation of Ulston Armor, Blow/Hookson Technologies and Newhart Industries for a combined total of 1.6 Billion. It was a large sum but also came with a total of 29 licenses between the companies he just finalized, several were not just licenses but complete ownership of said license. Anyone that wanted to get a manufacturing license would have to pay Mackolla Enterprises a large fee upfront and a percentage of each and every sale to obtain that permission from him. The same they would have to do on all the various production licenses he had purchased for almost 600 Million since he had started this. With more still pending.

 He now turned his attention to the HPG message that arrived this morning from Froy Industries, which he had to look up to even know who they were. His hour of research quickly made him write out HPG message agreeing to every single condition proposed in the original HPG message. This was a bonanza and killed so many birds with a single stone that he could not pass it up. His next message was to the bank to make contact with the sender and arrange the funds transfer. With that simple agreement an additional 450 Million was spent. Even he had to whistle at how fast he was ripping thru money. He had thought five Billion would last but he had already torn thru almost three Billion in just a few months. But this last purchase was just too good to pass up. He reached behind him and pulled out a ringed binder and opened it up. This was where he kept note of companies and licenses held by Mackolla Enterprises. He pulled out a pen and started updating it. He would wait for confirmation before adding in Froy Industries licenses.

 Company Owned

 Lockheed Galactic
 Buhallin Military Products
 Ulston Armor
 Blow/Hookson Tech
 Newhart Industries
 Froy Industries (Pending)

 License Controlled Fully
 
 Leviathan Jumpship - Jumpship
 Lev 291 - Leviathan Jump Core - Jump Core
 Rotunda Scout Car - Vehicle
 Turhan Med Tank - Tank
 Thor Artillery - Tank
 Zero - Aerospace
 Spider - Battlemech
 Hussar - Battlemech
 Guillotine - Battlemech (production License to Irian, Lycomb-Davion IntroTech)
 Saroyan Cavalier - Zero Frame
 Benztrov 40 - Hussar Chassis
 Crucis-I Endo Steel - Guillotine Chassis
 Newhart 1200 - Spider Chassis
 Bangkock 140 - Fusion Engine
 Victory Anchor 2 ferro-fibrous armor - Armor
 Ulston Prime w/CASE - Armor
 Mercury Weave ferro-fibrous - Armor
 Ulston 105 ferro-fibrous w/CASE - Armor
 Anderson 398 - Jump Jets (production License to Irian)
 StarLink 955G - Communication
 SP/2 HAYOT - Communication
 Redstar III - Communication
 Orbitcom Model 11 - Communication
 Field Ranger Sightseer - Communication
 Pulsar Tri-X - Targeting & Tracking, production license to Irian)
 PS-1-12 - Targeting & Tracking
 TBR LaserTrac - Targeting & Tracking
 Baltex K580 - Targeting & Tracking
 Hanover Sight 3000-A-K-P - Targeting & Tracking
 Ranger LAF Model 2 - Targeting & Tracking
 Amdecker 300 - Large Laser
 Ramsey-65 - Machine Gun
 BLW Blow Mark II - Medium Laser
 BLW Blow Mark III - Large Laser
 Newhart - ER Large Laser
 PF Barr 14 - Prefab Barracks (14 person)
 PF Barr 28 - Prefab Barracks (28 person)
 PF Admin - Prefab Admin Building (2400 sq ft)
 PF Din Fac 120 - Prefab Dining Facility (120 person)
 PF Din Fac 360 - Prefab Dining Facility (360 person)
 PF Mech 4 - Prefab Mech Hanger (4 Mechs)
 PF Mech 12 - Prefab Mech Hanger (12 Mech)
 PF Aero 6 - Prefab Aero Hanger (6 Aero)
 PF Veh 12 - Prefab Vehicle Bay (12 Veh)
 PF Ware Small - Prefab Warehouse (10,000 sq foot)
 PF Ware Med - Prefab Warehouse (28,000 sq ft)
 PF Ware Large - Prefab Warehouse (60,000 sq ft)
 
 Production License Held

 Samurai - Aerospace
 Hammerhead - Aerospace
 Hellcat - Aerospace
 Hellcat II - Aerospace
 Ironside - Aerospace
 Goblin Med Tank - Tank
 Ostwar - Battlemech
 Crab - Battlemech
 GM 180 - Fusion Engine
 LTV 160 - Fusion Engine
 VOX 280 - Fusion Engine
 GM 270 - Fusion Engine
 Hermes 250 - Fusion Engine
 Hermes 260 - Fusion Engine
 Strand 255 - Fusion Engine
 Rawlings 250 - Fusion Engine
 FD 50-12 - Samurai Chassis
 Lycomb 6 - Hellcat Chassis
 Ost-I - Ostwar Chassis
 Hollis Mark 1A - Crab Chassis
 Wakazashi IX - Hellcat II Chassis
 FD 205 - Communication
 Telecron L50 - Communication
 Dalban Series K - Communication
 650 RND - Targeting & Tracking
 Telecron M75 w/Beagle - Targeting & Tracking
 Scope 115F - Targeting & Tracking
 Holly SRM-2 - SRM-2
 Magna LT - Medium Laser
 Magna - Small Laser
 Maxel DT - Medium Laser
 SRT Ferro-Aluminum - Armor
 Slab Panzer V - Armor
 SlabPanzer 5 - Aero Armor
 Searweave - Armor
 Paulina ferro-fibrous - Armor
 SLDF Reg Mech - Uniform
 SLDF Reg Aero - Uniform
 SLDF Reg Armor - Uniform
 SLDF Reg Inf - Uniform
 SLDF Reg Tech - Uniform
 SLDF Enlist Navy - Uniform
 SLDF Eng Navy - Uniform
 SLDF Reg Neu Mech - MechWarrior Neurohelmet
 SLDF Reg Neu Aero - Aerospace Neurohelmet
 SLDF Reg Neu Arm - Armor Neurohelmet
 SLDF Reg Inf Hem - Infantry Combat Helmet

[Moriarty74]

Ah, the Hellcat aerospace fighter, the one miniature I've always wanted and never was released.  Only seen it once on ETSY but shipping from overseas makes it a no go.

[Daryk]

To what company are they paying the license fee for the Goblin?

I see no logical chain events here that lead to Clan Tech. The big changes to component availability that they have will just likely lead to new variants.

If that's what you're looking for, Hotpoint is doing it under his Red Cameron Star... ;)

[2ndAcr]

Johnston Industries, they already bought out Tauken Weapons Systems. A few years earlier.

[georgiaboy]

Now you just need the computer data sets for all that Tech polloza and you can plug it into your salvage crews machine shops and build away slowly...


Just need to scam some of the SLDF ship builders and shipyards for some cheap sets of data cores and licenses.

[Daryk]

Johnston Industries, they already bought out Tauken Weapons Systems. A few years earlier.

Ah, thanks!  I didn't realize they had it already.

[vianca]

Now you just need the computer data sets for all that Tech polloza and you can plug it into your salvage crews machine shops and build away slowly...


Just need to scam some of the SLDF ship builders and shipyards for some cheap sets of data cores and licenses.

Why do you think I hope the somehow manage to get ALL the companies that created stuff, for the SDS?
It might let them able to make their own version.
One has the Mako II platform, plus the McKenna and another warship, plus a early jumpship, on which I bet, the Royalty class was based on, probably a Bonaventure warcore, as heart of that conversion.
Yes, Blue Nose Clipperships & Roe Weapon Systems are a fun combo.
But not many folks are currently willing to buy new ships, so no new orders, not even Comstar.

Nicholas Spacecraft, New Earth Trading Company, Allied Aerospace & Nimakachi Fusion Products Limited are also fun buys, all SDS related.
Nirasaki Computers Collective and Ulsop Robotics should help on the electronic side of things, licence wise, at least.
But I'm more looking at the Bastion and M5 Caspar, you know and in the upkeep side of things.

Coventry/Earthwerks Combine should be a relative cheap buy and would give them a solid scout mech.

[2ndAcr]

1 July 2786
New Earth (Terran Hegemony)

 Helen Froy, owner CEO of Froy Industries, had received the agreement from Mackolla Enterprises to purchase Froy Industries in the mornings message batch. The CEO, Gerlad Mitchell had agreed to all of her terms and another message confirmed the deposit of the funds in her account. It was more than enough to handle all the transportation costs for the move, which she had included in her asking price to prevent getting stiffed. Now, it was up to her to accomplish the movement of her company to Mackolla. She had started making arrangements before she had even finished reading the message slip. As she finished making the local arrangements, but before starting the task of hiring all the Dropships and several Jumpships for the move, her eyes focused on the bottom line of the message.

 ".....I would be interested in any other small outfits that you can think of making the move to Mackolla also. I am willing to help with movement costs, and if the company is really worth it, possible purchase."

 Who is this Gerald Mitchell and the seemingly endless amount of money, she thought silently. Her brain was already sorting all of her own vendors into possibilities, mainly because they knew her and she knew them. It was about the only hesitation she had in the move to Mackolla, she would be losing easy access to vendors she had worked with her or her father for decades. The very first vendor that popped into her head was Smythe Mining and Metals, it was where she sourced all of her metal and ore from. Froy Industries accounted for 70% of their business and her moving would probably put the out of business.

 The next was Excellent Electronics who manufactured most of her electronic parts and circuits, before final assembly at her factory, another long term vendor where Froy Industries accounted for roughly 60% of their business. They also accounted for 10-15% of Smythe Mining and Metals business.

 Then there was Trimble Precision Machinery who manufactured all of her production equipment along with a wide range of hand tools, specialty tool and specialty equipment, who also made up another 10-15% of Smythe Mining and Metal's business.

 Her moving was going to really hurt those three company's. Plus the owners were all her close friends. She had to make the offer, it was the right thing to do, she just had to sell it to them.
 
6 July 2786
Mackolla (Federated Suns)

 The third Tracker arrived but would have to wait it's turn in the repair bay since it was still occupied by the second Tracker undergoing the much more extensive customization and conversion. Work putting the Trackers at Site 222 back into working condition was getting faster on each ship the workers started on. So much so that another fifty workers had been sent to help take apart the Athena Cruiser. This news was relayed to Warrant Officer Bart Cooks who could but shrug since his hands were full and he was not about to hurry this project up any. He wanted it done perfectly and all of his people were keeping meticulous notes on every issue encountered along with how they solved the problem. Besides, the small machinery shops could only work so fast in manufacturing the needed parts.

Taurus (Taurian Concordant)

 Colin Blaine was tired as a dog when he stretched out on the bed in his hotel room after taking an hour long shower just enjoying the hot water. Tomorrow his task began as he would have to make contact with only god knew how many people until he arranged the meetings he really wanted. Today had been grueling at the special attention his Federated Suns passport had brought upon him by the customs people, he just wanted a good night sleep, after over a month with no real gravity, he absolutely loved the feeling of Taurus' gravity. Even if his legs and back ached from their own weight much less his two luggage bags.

[lowrolling]

Nice update and thanks for sharing.

Good to see Gerald wringing every last ounce of purchasing power out of their windfall and those other companies will come in incredibly handy. Now to figure out how to duplicate what production that they can at Morgan's Holdfast and be able to launder that production in without Prince John's people noticing overly much. Again, DHS and additional gauss rifles will make those Trackers sing showtunes on any pirate group that falls into their sights.

[vianca]

Delhi WarShips has the Vincent, Essex I and Soyal
They have two brances, one on Carver IV and one at Capella.
If they can be gotten, then they can produce & maintain Vincent class warships and I do remember they have a Vincent.

It looks to me, that getting the licences of what they have, can be only a good thing.
So let them focus on the Vincent & Lola II, their companies, for now.

Di Tron Heavy Industries would let give them dictator, titan, aegis, dart & nightwing licences and if daughter company is still owned by them, Ioto Galactic Enterprises and that would thus give them scout, invader, monolith, commenwealth, sylvester (bet the SLDF modified it into the carrack, not much heavier) and barracuda, white shark & killer whale missiles.

Do read up on Raimei, since they produce the Sabre.
It looks like the most important ones are on Galedon, Outreach & Panpour, especially the first two, SB-26 & SB-28 respectively, which would allow you to make all Sabre variants.
I find it that if you have the primitive design, you have a slightly overweight royal, if you convert everything to royal standaards. primitive 40%, endosteel & ff armor, 30%, so a good starting point to make your own SB-28, if you can't get that one.
I just don't get how  Protectorates Limited (which was founded in 3020) could buy up the Organo plant in 2814, you know.
Something is wrong there.

Now as for that Athena, only the Athena Corporation ever made them a reality and only two where ever made, the Athena and the Kossandra Centrella, so which one is she?
Anyway, can they get that company?
It also produces the Pinto and should thus be a relative cheap buy.

It also makes me wonder who made the M9 Pavice, becauce merging the two designs, would get you one hell of a platform.
Just think, two big repair bays (of each 800.000 tons) on the nose, dropship repair bays (of 100.000 tons)to the sides, longer engine section with added grav decks, so one set can become a bigger Snowden refinery setup, then add in a factory setup and perhaps a jumpcore caster & grinder.
Or just a M5 supply station, that can also hide them at the same time.

Even if not, that Athena they have, it's hull would be perfect as the basic spacestation structure to attach two enclosed shipyards to.
So don't throw away it's hull component, even if you grind up it's warcore and remove it's weaponry
Most space stations don't have transit drives and thus easy targets, you could thus use this Athena hull, to make one heck of a mobile shipyard complex at Mackolla, thus removing the SDS stations their static in space, flaw.
A shipyard complex able to sidestep balistic ammo and run from missiles???
What's not to like?
So get that company, it might be the only working warcore caster you might be able to get, even if it's a fixer upper, it's true value lays in letting you make your space infrastructure able to move around in system when needed and a war is coming.

As as for mining, Terex-Schaeff is your company, producer of the finest mining machine you can buy.
Now, can they get Bergan Industries?
Especially the New Earth site???
Blake will raid it in 2788, for tech & data, wrecking things.
Nirasaki Computers Collective, they made the computer for the Fury, site unknown, yet Amaris emptied out the New Earth facility.
We also don't know anything of the M9 Pavice, either, so a tosh up if that fury computer plant currently still exist or not.
But since Nicholas Spacecraft was also located on New Earth, we can thus say SDS Bastion computer systems and automated cargo handling system probably where made by Nirasaki.

And another New Earth funny, Numall Armored Vehicles, the producer of the Beagle hovertank, which might mean a way to get a beagle active probe production line.

Ulsop Robotics, still seems like one of the better companies to buy up, it has the Vincent licence and made parts of the SDS.
Sure, the RWR killed of quite a lot of it's people, but we're talking about the company assets, here, not workers, that cherry is gone.
Add to this the New Earth Trading Company and Blue Nose Clipperships, then their warship upkeep problems would be gone and they might even be able to creats more of them, in time.
All three are currently on hard times, so prime time to get them.

[Daryk]

I'm thinking Smythe will definitely move... I'm less sure about the other two.

[Wrangler]

I think that all industrial development may in vain with pent super volcano 🌋 about blow.

[vianca]

Can they buy up a jumpship transport company?

[georgiaboy]

Once they detect the volcano problem, start moving as many people and infrastructure to Pirate Clusture they can slow build and Davion will not know for a while what happened to them.

[Lone-Wolf]

Once they detect the volcano problem, start moving as many people and infrastructure to Pirate Clusture they can slow build and Davion will not know for a while what happened to them.

Hm, that sounds good.

"Lord Davion. I regret to inform you, that a previously undetected traps volcano erupted and wiped out the continent where the Mitchells and their unit were.
Save or Salvage operations are not possible as the entire continent is covered by 5 meters of volcanic ash.According to the scientists it will be at least 30 years before any operations on this continent can happens. Earlier only if we are willing to risk massive loss of live."

Can they pull this off? Do they have this lift capability?

On the other hand:
If all those companies come to Mackolla, how do they move them all to their hideout? Or do the use the middleway: massive loss on the military side, nearly no loss to the economic side.

[georgiaboy]

If the industry is coming on their own DS and JS, send them straight to the beta site and then use their lift, with the lift on site to move as much of the pop as possible. There is all the Aquila's, the two Conastoga's and all the Trackers which can be used also.

[Wrangler]

If their clever they'll keep the Trackers out sight and not mention it to anyone. 

Not going mercenary likely was bad move for Sam Mitchell.

[Daryk]

If he had gone merc, he'd already be on the Kurita border...

[2ndAcr]

18 July 2786
Taurus (Taurian Concordant)

 Colin Blaine was seated in a very expensive conference room waiting. It had taken days and ten thousand dollars in payments to get this meeting arranged. Problem was, he had no clue who he was actually meeting with. He had only told the last contact that he had a very promising business venture to discuss that could benefit the Taurian Concordant greatly. When the door opened he stood as four obvious body guards entered and took positions close to where he stood waiting. An elderly woman entered the room and sat down in a plush chair at the head of the conference table. She gestured that he should seat himself. Colin Blaine knew exactly who this was and had not expected this in the very least, Nicoletta Calderon, Protector of the Taurian Concordat. As former SLDF, he also knew that SLIC suspected her as an accomplice of Amaris.

 "Why is a citizen of the Federated Suns and officer of a corporation spending vast amounts of money buying up all sorts of things with military applications offering something that could benefit my nation greatly?"

 "Protector Calderon, forgive my stunned look but I was not expecting you to be at this meeting. I was expecting one maybe two corporate executives." Colin Blaine replied

 "That did not answer my question."

 "You are obviously well informed since you know I represent Mackolla Enterprises. One of our divisions has recently located several ships. These ships could replace normal Jumpships being used inside the Hyades Cluster and allow them to be used on a more profitable mission." Colin Blaine replied

 "I assume one of these ships found is a Merchant Jumpship, the one your company ordered the replacement core for."

 "Yes, one ship located was a Merchant Jumpship. We also located four Aquilla Transports. We are offering you these four ships." Colin Blaine said

 "Ancient ships, but the Taurian Concordant was founded using Aquilla's. Does First Prince John Davion know that one of his company's is offering the Taurian Concordant ships that can be militarized?"

 "No, the First Prince does not know, or should I say, we have not informed him. The ships belong to us, not the Federated Suns. We feel your nation can use them the most but also fulfill some of our own needs in making a deal." Colin Blaine replied but was also uncomfortable with how the conversation was going.

 "What needs are you needing fulfilled for these four ships?"

 "There are quite a few Merchant Jumpships that ply the trade lanes in the Periphery and along the Federated Suns border that are in need of core replacements. The Federated Suns lacks the ability to manufacture Merchant cores at a price that leaves us some profit, but your Concordat Aerospace Limited is able to meet the price point we desire so that our operations are profitable. We....." Colin Blaine paused when she raised a hand.

 "Bring in Sonya Quin, she now needs to be in on this discussion."

 It only took a minute before a woman in her forties entered the room and was gestured to a seat. "This is Sonya Quin, CEO of Concordat Aerospace Limited. You may continue Mister Blaine."

 "As I was saying, Concordat Aerospace Limited can provide the Merchant cores at a price that leaves us some room to make a profit performing these core swaps. We have already purchased one and are quite happy with the time frame we were quoted. We are in need of thirteen more Merchant cores. We offer one of the Aquilla Transports in exchange for those thirteen cores." Colin Blaine said

 "Mrs Quin, can you work the numbers and make sure it is a good deal."

 "Protector, it would take almost thirteen years to deliver those Merchant cores and that is if I bump every other order to fulfill one that large. We might even have to purchase several more core forges and they are very expensive." Sonya Quin replied

 "That is not what I asked Mrs Quin, is it a good deal or not?"

 "The Aquilla is an ancient design and has not been produced in centuries. But they were known for their durability and some still sail to this day. Thirteen jump cores is almost four billion dollars. I have to place this into perspective, purchasing a core forge would cost almost a billion dollars and I would probably need two more to fulfill an order of this size in a timely manner and keep our current schedule. That would eat into any profit you would think we are making. I do not see this as a wise decision." Sonya Quin said

 "There you have it Mister Quin, the deal would not be profitable for the Taurian Concordant."

 Colin Blaine did not know if he could salvage this meeting or not but he had to try so he said "What if we offer one Aquilla Transport for three Merchant cores and two core forges? We have tried to purchase our own but no one will sell us one, they are in very high demand and nation states or the largest corporations are at the front of the line it seems. If you could purchase us two core forges, we could at least grind the existing cores and recast them. It would take longer to complete the repairs but it would still be within a profitable margin we could live with. But we would like it kept quiet."

 "Afraid the First Prince might take them away from you?"

 "Something like that Protector Calderon. War is already breaking out over the Terran Hegemony and is likely to get worse. We would prefer not to draw that much attention to ourselves." Colin Blaine admitted

 "Is that why your company is pruchasing production licenses yet are not purchasing any sort of equipment to actually manufacture what your licenses would allow you?"

 "It is a long term strategy, one that we hope will pay off in the future." Colin Blaine answered honestly

 "Mrs Quin, is that deal profitable for us?"

 "Yes Protector, that a fair deal." Sonya Quin said

 "Very well Mister Blaine, the Taurian Concordant will purchase two core forges for your company and Mrs Quin will provide you with three Merchant cores in exchange for two Aquilla Transports and we will keep this very quite."

 Colin Blaine sat there for a minute as his mind raced, he knew they were raping him and there was nothing he could do about it. "I can agree to those terms." He was not sure if he would get everything they wanted now, but at least the core forges would pay off down the road and that was his only saving grace.

 "Very good. You said you were offering four Aquilla, you have two left. What do you want for those last two?"

 "Honestly, I was hoping to trade one for a new Snowden Mining Station and the other for a production license for the Snowden Mining Stations. I am not sure I can achive that goal now." Colin Blaine replied

 "Your honesty is refreshing but it is obvious that you are not very skilled in business negotiations. Mrs Quin?"

 "Taurus Majoris Mining owns the rights to the Snowden Sations Protector. I do not think they would agree to a simple swap. It would be creating a competitor to what is a monopoly on those stations." Sonya Quin said

 Colin Blaines heart sank, Sonya Quin was just too damned good for him to beat. "We would offer a 1% royalty on each station manufactured."

 "Protector, that is still not good enough."

 "Mrs Quin, if you were to make the decision, what would you ask for in exchange?"

 "Protector, if the decision was mine to make. I would except nothing less than a 2% royalty for each manufactured PLUS a non compete clause for twenty years but would try for thirty years." Sonya Quin replied

 "Mister Blaine, your counter offer."

 Colin Blaine could feel the blood draining from his face as he said "A 2% royalty with a 20 year non compete clause would be acceptable. We still retain the right to manufacture for our own use."

 Protector Calderon looked at Sonya Quin who said "Twenty five year non compete with a 2% royalty on each Snowden manufactured even for your own use. We will even throw in a license for the mining mechs."

 This has gone horribly wrong Colin Blaine thought as he shook his head yes and said "We have an agreement."

 "Mister Blaine, you need to know this, go break this agreement and the Taurian Defense Force will make you pay a dreadful price for such an action. Uphold the agreement and the next business agreement will have more favorable terms for your company." Protector Calderon said as she stood and offered her hand which Colin Blaine accepted. What have I done, he thought.

[lowrolling]

Blaine is returning as one well skinned cat but he got most of the goods. Not to bad for a military officer operating against a CEO and head of a nation on their own turf. Hopefully if he is required to do anything like that again he will have backup. Still a win for Mitchell and company though. Four dropships of questionable value for a Snowden and some hard to find industrial equipment.

Nice update and thanks for sharing

[2ndAcr]

 Aquilla is a primitive Jumpship, not a Dropship. Even has a compact core, a primitive one, but still a compact core. Meklab has them at about 5 Billion for each ship.

[Daryk]

That performance should get Blaine out of having to make any more deals of that scale... ;)

[Wrangler]

Dear lord, he should not have been allowed to be negotiating for the company

2ndAcr, you sure this story should be renamed named "What Could Go Wrong?".  Seem this story is right for that title more than old one by that name.