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Completed Let's Multiplay Alpha Centauri - Binary Dawn - Game 1
- Thread starter Kalin
- Start date
-
- Tags
- alpha centauri smac
Hellraiser
Arcane
A blue light flickers on, the suit's wrist-bound computer renders a new screen filled with information.
Name: Kasumi Nakagawa
Age: 24 Planet Cycles
Place of birth: University Base, Planet
Class: Talent
"Talent" Kasumi thinks. It took her years, years of toiling away at the node terminals. Years of contempt from both the talent-born and the drone-born, the former considering her to be an upstart, the latter ostracising her for trying to be more than them and their parents. She considered this class distinction to be sheer idiocy, especially when put into the context of the meritocratic nature of the ancient academic values of Old Earth and thus of the University, as it was in direct opposition of it. Yet it existed and she managed to break the invisible barrier and get to the other side.
Hard work paved the path to talenthood, contrary to what the "how to become a talent" guide said. That guide made everything seem trivial. But it was worth it, higher energy quotas, bigger and better rations, hab size privileges, transportation rights, free choice of occupation, unlimited breeding quotas including unlimited contraception if desired! That was just the tip of the iceberg. Meanwhile the drones, including her parents, had to eat slop, which probably was made from re-processed fecal matter - it definitely looked the part. They had to do what they were told, as the occupational office decided what they will be doing and when, and the drones had nothing in the way of entertainment quotas, except for good datalinks terminal access - because knowledge is power and thus policy even for the drones. A fact that Kasumi used to her advantage as much as she could, unlike her former classmates who preferred to use their free time and resources to grow hemp or xenofungus in stolen hydroponics trays and smoke it.
But it was not just the data-sifting and lab-assisting that got her the official class status change. She had to agree to just one assignment and the Provost personally would change the needed database entry to "Talent".
It took most of the day for the convoy to reach the site only known as Grid Zone K5. A remote location if there ever was one on Planet. Minor vegetation, dirt, rocks, some hills. Nothing special compared to everything else she saw after they crossed the bridge spanning above the flowing Babylon, and the Babylon Riverside forest beyond the bridge. Nobody sane or even insane ventures this far our out of their free will, not since the worm threat forced the withdrawal of Speculatores groups.
The top scholars, including Feldt who was also travelling with her, said nothing of the destination. The briefing only mentioned a necessity to utilize steam turbines to capitalize on the local heat resources, with the details to be explained on site. The camp near the site which they just past seemed fairly well equipped for a temporary forward outpost. But it was not the camp that caught Kasumi's attention.
"Oh my g..." she said before stopping herself as she realized what and next to whom she was about to say.
"What were you about to say Talent?" Feldt asked.
"Galileo, oh my Galileo Viceprovost," she finished quickly.
"Very good, quick thinking and smart thinking," Feldt replied after a few laughs." Both will get you far, especially with this,"
While this should have decreased the tension she was still nervous. It was not something around which you could feel relaxed, knowing the implications of it.
The object stood over 30 meters tall, it was hidden behind some hills in a valley. In front of it was a flat area, covered partially in local plant life. What the plants have not covered appeared to be the center of a pictogram about 10 meter wide. The plants formed a perfect circle with the middle of it utterly devoid of them, flat, clean, unnaturally sterile considering everything else surrounding it
The pictogram in front of the object appeared to be the only part that stood out. The object itself could be compared to an obelisk or monolith. Uniform, with sharp straight edges between vertices forming the exact same angles. The surface was dark, featureless and perfectly smooth. No dust, fungus, plants or debris covered the monolith or its base. The geometrical perfection was not merely suggesting its artificial and alien origin, it was shoving it down Kasumi's throat along with the feeling of witnessing something unnatural and thus terrifying.
"What..." she paused, "what is this? Who left this? What does it do?" she continued in a stream of rapid questions.
"We don't know," Feldt answered. "Well, that might be an oversimplification," he added.
"We seem to know what it is doing, or at least part of what it is doing," the Viceprovost explained. "It is generating heat and any inanimate object left in the pictogram gets reduced to useful chemicals. Rocks to useful cubes of alloys or minerals. Plants to sugars and proteins, also in cubes. Animals it leaves alone, unless they are dead, we managed to test it with some heated up corpses and it seems to ignore anything above ambient temperature that moves. Everything else though, it just... well observe."
The Viceprovost takes a rock and throws it into the pictogram. For a moment nothing happens, then it starts glowing and melting. Clouds of steam pour out of the rock.
When it melts the liquid starts moving in different directions, forming several different glowing cubes. They quickly cool and gain specific colours. The viceprovost walks forward and grabs them returning afterwards to Kasumi.
"Iron, Aluminium, Silicon, Magnesium, either pure or bound into an inert compound," Feldt presented his cubes.
"This silicon for example is a perfect pure crystal we could slice into wafers for semiconductor production," he continued.
"How?" the Talent asked.
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic," Feldt quotes Arthur C. Clarke's famous law. "We can only hope we can see behind the magic and find the science making it work."
"How can I even begin to grasp how this works Viceprovost?" Kasumi queried doubtfully. "This is not just cycles ahead of us, this is megacycles ahead of us! More than our species exists!"
"You? You could try and feel free to do so in your spare time, but I have a different job for you." Feldt replied. "This thing produces heat regardless if it is or is not converting anything to its base elements, getting it from Sagan knows where. I want you to find a way to utilize it as best as we can regardless of how this thing works or where the energy is coming from."
"Is it safe? What if they come back for it and find us tampering with their... device?" the Talent utters the question nervously.
"Think about what you just saw. If it wasn't safe, we would be well, cubed," Feldt explains. "And if they come back, well, we better know as much about this thing as we can if we wish to avoid getting cubed as part of some alien-initiated pest control and sterilization procedure."
At this point Kasumi did not know if she would rather not live the life of ignorance and slop-eating of her parents, than face the reality of her insignificance when compared to beings that could do such things to matter.
Last edited:
Hellraiser
Arcane
Turn 30 power ratings:
AI brother lol dominating. How much is the AI cheating in this mod MercantileInterest ?
Human players are going toe to toe it seems.
Also the Hive is gearing up for something nasty or Grimgravy is just paranoid.
AI brother lol dominating. How much is the AI cheating in this mod MercantileInterest ?
Human players are going toe to toe it seems.
Also the Hive is gearing up for something nasty or Grimgravy is just paranoid.
Police State + Planned can translate to anything between a mass of Recon Rovers or a dozen Formers.
He also doesn't have to spend production on drone suppression buildings since the garrison does that for him.
No surprise with the Hive having the strongest military.
What is funny though, if you think of what the Hive completing CDF means. Or maybe there's a double meaning behind it.
He also doesn't have to spend production on drone suppression buildings since the garrison does that for him.
No surprise with the Hive having the strongest military.
What is funny though, if you think of what the Hive completing CDF means. Or maybe there's a double meaning behind it.
Hellraiser
Arcane
The mod renames some tech (most of it really) and projects. Most notably CDF is the vanilla command nexus (free command center), and polymorphic defence (I think) is the vanilla CDF (free perimeter defence).
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2013
- Messages
- 3,469
Status of the Hive, 30 years since planetfall.
Diplomatic situation: Questionable
Situation unchanged - informal contact with Skye. Is the "Lady" interested in diplomacy?
Strategic Situation: Questionable
The Gaians block peaceful expansion on one side. Scouts have been dispatched in other directions. Defense forces seem adequate, but the three battles with the xeno-form worms this cycle alone are troubling. The chairman's Green economic policies, questioned by many at the time of implementation, shows his wisdom. Invasive industry seems to enrage the worms while less disruptive industry makes combating them easier. Claims that some xeno-forms have been captured are as yet unproven. Even so, with increased xeno-form activity and the unknown threat of the Gaians the chairman has requested all hive members have the requisite training to defend the Hive.
Research Situation: Tolerable
Situation unchanged - progress continues but is slow.
Base situation: Tolerable
Fecundity Tower has been chosen to implement the chairman's defense initiative: the Citizen's Defense Force. Other bases continue work toward exploration and and expansion.
Three victorious battles with worms in 2130! I hope they're hassling the rest of you.
Hellraiser
Arcane
Salutations Scholars, Talents, Drones and Children. The time is Sol 89.8 Cycle 32 APF, the scheduled time for Ex-Cathedra and the latest news relevant to all intellectuals.
PLANET NEWS
Following successful and full land exploration of grid box ZA 28 to ZG 47 Speculatores of expedition Zeta are coming back home.
Expedition Gamma, the former Monitoring Station escort which was displaced by a still unidentified space-time anomaly, reported that it had found a Unity pod which triggered an earthquake. This sudden and baffling tectonic event created a new mountain which was nicknamed Sheridan Mons. This name is not yet approved by officials and thus has not been entered into the University Carthographic Register, however the Provost is pleased with this development as it has, quote, "alleviated some perceived issues with the local topography".
Despite losing its escort to the anomaly the last convoy group made it safely to the designated base site and completed the erection of critical base infrastructure thus officially founding Monitoring Station. A nearby Unity terraforming pod activated a couple cycles earlier by Expedition Delta has provided the site with an impressive forest already slightly larger than Babylon Forest. The site also enjoys good rainfall due to the proximity of Adama Mons.
Worm activity remains low with mindworms not attacking humans in well over a deca-cycle.
Meanwhile the terraforming engineers from Mir Lab have begun vital infrastructure work, aiming to improve the resource pool available to the home of the Xenoarcheoengineering Institute. Their work is part of the major goals of 3-Cycle Plan 6 and will no doubt result in more effective study of the Mir Lab Monolith and understanding of Progenitor machinery.
The sixth 3-Cycle plan since the introduction of the centralized resource allocation system is well on its way to become a success similar to the prior five plans.
Mir Lab's forestry project is well on track with the new terraforming crews working around the clock to bring prosperity which the Monolith alone cannot give.
Phase I of Project Chiron has begun.
Phase I of Project Tartarus has also begun.
Expansion and growth is on track.
Expedition Kappa is forming and expected to depart from Zoloto-Gold on schedule.
Babylon Highway West is completed, Babylon Highway East construction has already begun.
UNIVERSITY BASE NEWS
The 5th 3-Cycle's Sagan awards have been awarded. The main award, the Great Sagan of Ingenuity goes to Kasumi Nakagawa for the Nakagawa Cycle Turbine. The Provost recognized Nakagawa's revolutionary design incorporating the best of University resources and know-how to integrate human technology with the alien monolith for power production.
[clip from award ceremony]
Provost Zakharov: It is a great pleasure to hand this award to someone who has given so much to our colonial society and always strived to broaden her understanding regarding the practical implications of the universe and its laws.
[clip ends]
Other winners include Viceprovost Bordeaux winning the Great Sagan of Software Engineering for his work on the Recycling Tank OS 3.3 and the fixing of the Drone mutilation issue. The Great Sagan of Knowledge was meanwhile awarded to Viceprovost Ogawa for his Ourobouros initiative.
In other news, small bands of protesters have yet again gathered in front of the faction headquarters. They were not united but rather divided by their agendas. Some demanded a ban on studying progenitor tech and a quarantine to be imposed on the monolith and any other progenitor devices. Others unreasonably demanded democratization or the liberalization of the economy, in a situation where our colonial presence on Planet has only begun stabilizing. Certain drones even call for a ban on human experimentation, even when it is used on criminals guilty of religious belief or "social science" advocacy. Then there are fungal booze enthusiasts stupidly admitting their crime in public and demanding legalization. All such degenerates have been rounded up by the Custodes for deprogramming, with the peaceful and legal although unjustified protesters left alone.
Last edited:
Kalin
Unwanted
Appropriate music
Fellow shareholders! Employees! Friends! Dear allies! Let me begin by acknowledging the challenges of yesteryear. Following Planetfall, we had no heavy industry, no means of providing the necessary comforts in life. Existence was - simply put - dreadful. We all suffered - we all lost loved ones. Yet Morganites rise to the challenge, and a challenge it was! We developed manufacturing, utilizing 3D and 4D Printing. We made rapid headway in recycling and automation, greater than ever seen on Earth. When the xenoform threat materialized, we did not curse our wicked fate. We developed potent flame-guns and fungicides to fight back the plague. Morgan Industries endured, and in enduring, we grew stronger. We dared to dream, and at long last, we have put our dreams into action: the Free Market!
We have launched a true private ownership economy completely unregulated by ethnocentrism and communistic mind-rot. We had to create our entire economic infrastructure from the ground up! No gradual evolution from a previous economic system was possible - there WAS no previous economic system! Each interdependent piece had to be materialized simultaneously and in perfect working order, or the system would have crashed out before it ever got off the ground. How has it fared, you ask?
A massive success! After a single Planetyear, prosperity is soaring! Talents are no longer the exception - we are the majority! Highly educated, affluent and influential, raised up by the power of free enterprise. Our new generations of Planetborn constitute the cognitive elite of Planet. But can everyone truly be a talent? YES! Unlike the nations of Earth, where the systematic dumbing down of populations was the norm since the 20th century, Morganite employees are incentivized to soar ever higher!
The Free Market is the way, the light, the future! And yet, some employees ask me, will not our massive focus on consumer goods make us vulnerable? To this I say: who would be so foolish to attack us, when we provide such excellent products and services to mankind? But assuming that human stupidity could indeed degenerate to such levels outside of our corporation, the combined might of Morgan A.I.M. and Miriam Godwinson's zealous followers ought to discourage each and every anti-market sentiment among even the most foolhardy colonist.
Speaking of the good Sister and her pious followers, long-distance commerce with Chapterhouse Planet is currently booming! Although somewhat... 'Restrictive' in their tastes, trade in minerals, industrial robotics and MorganNet PuritySafe Datalink Filters has netted us massive profits! Technological exchanges have resulted in mutual enrichment over the years, and will only continue to bless our respective societies. Some have questioned our generous policy towards our zealous friends. Let me reiterate: Power is a bargain: One must give in order to receive!
And so, let me leave you with this: The time, ladies and gentlemen, is now! Planetary resources exist to be consumed, and consumed they will be, if not by the current generation then by some future. Let us take what is ours, chew and eat our fill. Planet belongs to those who take it! Planet, my friends, belongs to us!
--- CEO Nwabudike MorganLink 3D-Vision Interview
Fellow shareholders! Employees! Friends! Dear allies! Let me begin by acknowledging the challenges of yesteryear. Following Planetfall, we had no heavy industry, no means of providing the necessary comforts in life. Existence was - simply put - dreadful. We all suffered - we all lost loved ones. Yet Morganites rise to the challenge, and a challenge it was! We developed manufacturing, utilizing 3D and 4D Printing. We made rapid headway in recycling and automation, greater than ever seen on Earth. When the xenoform threat materialized, we did not curse our wicked fate. We developed potent flame-guns and fungicides to fight back the plague. Morgan Industries endured, and in enduring, we grew stronger. We dared to dream, and at long last, we have put our dreams into action: the Free Market!
We have launched a true private ownership economy completely unregulated by ethnocentrism and communistic mind-rot. We had to create our entire economic infrastructure from the ground up! No gradual evolution from a previous economic system was possible - there WAS no previous economic system! Each interdependent piece had to be materialized simultaneously and in perfect working order, or the system would have crashed out before it ever got off the ground. How has it fared, you ask?
A massive success! After a single Planetyear, prosperity is soaring! Talents are no longer the exception - we are the majority! Highly educated, affluent and influential, raised up by the power of free enterprise. Our new generations of Planetborn constitute the cognitive elite of Planet. But can everyone truly be a talent? YES! Unlike the nations of Earth, where the systematic dumbing down of populations was the norm since the 20th century, Morganite employees are incentivized to soar ever higher!
The Free Market is the way, the light, the future! And yet, some employees ask me, will not our massive focus on consumer goods make us vulnerable? To this I say: who would be so foolish to attack us, when we provide such excellent products and services to mankind? But assuming that human stupidity could indeed degenerate to such levels outside of our corporation, the combined might of Morgan A.I.M. and Miriam Godwinson's zealous followers ought to discourage each and every anti-market sentiment among even the most foolhardy colonist.
Speaking of the good Sister and her pious followers, long-distance commerce with Chapterhouse Planet is currently booming! Although somewhat... 'Restrictive' in their tastes, trade in minerals, industrial robotics and MorganNet PuritySafe Datalink Filters has netted us massive profits! Technological exchanges have resulted in mutual enrichment over the years, and will only continue to bless our respective societies. Some have questioned our generous policy towards our zealous friends. Let me reiterate: Power is a bargain: One must give in order to receive!
And so, let me leave you with this: The time, ladies and gentlemen, is now! Planetary resources exist to be consumed, and consumed they will be, if not by the current generation then by some future. Let us take what is ours, chew and eat our fill. Planet belongs to those who take it! Planet, my friends, belongs to us!
--- CEO Nwabudike MorganLink 3D-Vision Interview
Last edited:
Hellraiser
Arcane
The question now is where the two of them are.
Hellraiser
Arcane
Wonder how long will it be before the first planetary governor vote considering the recent diplomacy announcements. In any case the proximity of Sparta to the Gaians certainly adds a new angle to Hive-Gaian rivalry.
Still wondering where the hell all of you are.
Still wondering where the hell all of you are.
Hellraiser
Arcane
Turn 40 power ranking
Deidre leading in tech, probably due to trading tech with the Spartans.
AI Lal has plateued for some reason but still on top of us all. Not sure if the Hive is so low due to being behind in tech or if this is the fault of Gaians cockblocking Hive expansion.
I am still leading in territory still which means it might be a while before I contact another faction. It seems the other players landed close to themselves or on islands.
So far it is only known Hive and Gaians are bordering each other and Spartans are close nearby. The Believers might be close to Morgan or the pact might just be the result of the comm frequency pod.
Deidre leading in tech, probably due to trading tech with the Spartans.
AI Lal has plateued for some reason but still on top of us all. Not sure if the Hive is so low due to being behind in tech or if this is the fault of Gaians cockblocking Hive expansion.
I am still leading in territory still which means it might be a while before I contact another faction. It seems the other players landed close to themselves or on islands.
So far it is only known Hive and Gaians are bordering each other and Spartans are close nearby. The Believers might be close to Morgan or the pact might just be the result of the comm frequency pod.
Kalin
Unwanted
Yes!
This is Morgan Mediabreak! You give us three minutes, we'll give you Chiron!
Casey Wong Junior: Good morning! This is Casey Wong Junior! Top story, Paramount Mining! A delighted spokesman from the up-and-coming subsidiary announced the successful completion of their two-year trek through fungal zone #47, ensuring smooth deployment of our fifth base on Planet. Experts estimate it will take a minimum of four mission years to clear enough fungal infestation to link the base to the prosperity road network.
Casey Wong Junior: In the meantime, Paramount Mining stresses that all employees located beyond the fungal barrier are exceedingly safe thanks to support from Rover Squad Alpha. In addition, deployment of trance-trained CorpSec flamethrower squads has been made an immediate priority. Worms, begone!
[CUT TO ADVERTS]
[BACK TO THE STUDIO]
Casey Wong Junior: Next up - Drone riots! Chaos threatened to engulf Morgan Pharmacon as minority low-IQ workers protested excessive focus on Project Prometheus. Activist spokesman Bester: "Damn suitists only care about their Sekhrut Project! I'd rather stick a boil of squirming worms up my *** than work anutha second for those ****!!" The workers were reluctantly appeased by CEO Nwabudike Morgan's personal pledge to deliver high quality entertainment. But first...
[INTRUSIVE ADVERT]
[CUT TO MORGAN PRESS CONFERENCE]
CEO Nwabudike Morgan: "Mistakes were made. I have reviewed the situation, and I'm appalled. Our employees had to make do with a mere three meals a day. Even worse, some did not enjoy proper comfort services, nor even properly outfitted arcade halls. Effective immediately, I have ordered a third of the base's production to focus on providing proper enjoyment!"
Interviewer: "Any comment on the rumour that CorpSec wanted to cut off air-flow to Pharmacon drop zone, knock the protesters out by inert gas narcosis and have them all conveniently nerve-stapled?"
CEO Nwabudike Morgan: "One word: Preposterous! Now, ideas may have been exchanged, because Morgan Industries is a free-fire idea zone. Yet make no mistake: we put great value on the U.N. Charter. Besides, such an action would endanger the legitimacy of our Free Market and impede commerce with the Believers. The losses would far outweight the net gain of whipping a couple of drones into slightly heightened productivity."
Interviewer: "So basically, CEO, you ran the numbers, and putting them down just wasn't worth it?"
CEO Nwabudike Morgan: "You might very well think that! Of course, I could not possibly comment."
[CUT TO STUDIO]
Casey Wong Junior: Classic Morgan! And that concludes our broadcast. Speaking of CorpSec, here is a word from our sponsors...
Morgan Industries in all its glory! Gunning hard for the Human Genome Project aka the Rejuvenation Tanks, and by Jove, I'm gonna need it! Talents currently outnumber drones, but just barely. Not sure why Morgan Pharmacon pop is so apeshit bent on rioting, but allocating a worker to psych duty was way cheaper than altering the overall budget, or -Invisible Hand forbid!- switching away from Free Market.
Speaking of which, here it is! Look at that income! Same as purging a boil of worms every turn! I bet the paramilitary police state brutes of Planet net like 5 mega-credits a turn with their subhuman commie economies. Lesson to everyone: Free Market is where it's at! Also: AutoEconomics removes mineral cap!
This is Morgan Mediabreak! You give us three minutes, we'll give you Chiron!
Casey Wong Junior: Good morning! This is Casey Wong Junior! Top story, Paramount Mining! A delighted spokesman from the up-and-coming subsidiary announced the successful completion of their two-year trek through fungal zone #47, ensuring smooth deployment of our fifth base on Planet. Experts estimate it will take a minimum of four mission years to clear enough fungal infestation to link the base to the prosperity road network.
Casey Wong Junior: In the meantime, Paramount Mining stresses that all employees located beyond the fungal barrier are exceedingly safe thanks to support from Rover Squad Alpha. In addition, deployment of trance-trained CorpSec flamethrower squads has been made an immediate priority. Worms, begone!
[CUT TO ADVERTS]
[BACK TO THE STUDIO]
Casey Wong Junior: Next up - Drone riots! Chaos threatened to engulf Morgan Pharmacon as minority low-IQ workers protested excessive focus on Project Prometheus. Activist spokesman Bester: "Damn suitists only care about their Sekhrut Project! I'd rather stick a boil of squirming worms up my *** than work anutha second for those ****!!" The workers were reluctantly appeased by CEO Nwabudike Morgan's personal pledge to deliver high quality entertainment. But first...
[INTRUSIVE ADVERT]
[CUT TO MORGAN PRESS CONFERENCE]
CEO Nwabudike Morgan: "Mistakes were made. I have reviewed the situation, and I'm appalled. Our employees had to make do with a mere three meals a day. Even worse, some did not enjoy proper comfort services, nor even properly outfitted arcade halls. Effective immediately, I have ordered a third of the base's production to focus on providing proper enjoyment!"
Interviewer: "Any comment on the rumour that CorpSec wanted to cut off air-flow to Pharmacon drop zone, knock the protesters out by inert gas narcosis and have them all conveniently nerve-stapled?"
CEO Nwabudike Morgan: "One word: Preposterous! Now, ideas may have been exchanged, because Morgan Industries is a free-fire idea zone. Yet make no mistake: we put great value on the U.N. Charter. Besides, such an action would endanger the legitimacy of our Free Market and impede commerce with the Believers. The losses would far outweight the net gain of whipping a couple of drones into slightly heightened productivity."
Interviewer: "So basically, CEO, you ran the numbers, and putting them down just wasn't worth it?"
CEO Nwabudike Morgan: "You might very well think that! Of course, I could not possibly comment."
[CUT TO STUDIO]
Casey Wong Junior: Classic Morgan! And that concludes our broadcast. Speaking of CorpSec, here is a word from our sponsors...
Morgan Industries in all its glory! Gunning hard for the Human Genome Project aka the Rejuvenation Tanks, and by Jove, I'm gonna need it! Talents currently outnumber drones, but just barely. Not sure why Morgan Pharmacon pop is so apeshit bent on rioting, but allocating a worker to psych duty was way cheaper than altering the overall budget, or -Invisible Hand forbid!- switching away from Free Market.
Speaking of which, here it is! Look at that income! Same as purging a boil of worms every turn! I bet the paramilitary police state brutes of Planet net like 5 mega-credits a turn with their subhuman commie economies. Lesson to everyone: Free Market is where it's at! Also: AutoEconomics removes mineral cap!
Last edited:
Kalin
Unwanted
Appropriate theme
"Gentlemen. You have all travelled long. I hope the inconvenience will be alleviated by what I am about to show you. Before you is the heart of Project Prometheus. Here, Morgan Pharmacon first conceived the idea: life-extending gene-therapy treatments commercialized for the general population. A simple idea. Application of it... Anything but. The life-extending therapy we executives undergo is extremely costly, very difficult to replicate. Four weeks of suspended regeneration, once a decade, utilizing dwindling old-Earth longevity chems. To extend life, to 'cheat death', we must prevent arterial clogging, weakening bones, cancers, diseases, accumulated genetic copying errors, depredations of brain-destroying prions-"
"We are all intimiately aware of the procedure", Director Harrsich interjected. "Cut to the chase already."
"Very well", Subsidiary CEO Takeshi replied with a curt bow. "The chase: Sixteen years of intense work. Drone troubles. Utilization of two artifacts. Without a doubt, the most expensive Morganic enterprise since Planetfall. And now: the most rewarding."
"You are saying, you finally did it?" CEO Nwabudike Morgan inquired, already aware of the answer.
"We finally did it", Takeshi affirmed matter-of-factly. "Success rate: 99.7% per cent. Zero fatalities for three consecutive batches now. Subjects exhibit increased resistances to disease, immunity to the Prometheus virus, and as far as we can tell, vastly extended lifespans."
"How do they measure up to our own treatments?" Director Caen asked, stroking his mustache.
"Sub-par. I would not recommend switching treatment plan. But for the general population, more than adequate. We have one-hundred and forty working tanks. Enough to cater to roughly nine hundred employees a year. CEO, members of the board: we are ready for launch."
"Nine hundred a year seems rather light", Harrsich said. "Are you sure it will be enough?"
"We are constructing additional tanks, of course, but yes. Marketing predicts rapid profits specifically due to the exclusivity factor. Time is money, and now money buys time. Our employees will pay anything to get to live like us. Besides, granting the gift of extended life indiscriminately would be a terrible waste."
"Imagine granting it to drones!" Caen exclaimed, drawing a couple of laughs.
"The drones, of course, fulfill their purpose." Takeshi replied. "There will always be those who fall through the cracks, into the drop zones. That is as it should be. Many tasks are fitted solely for the desperate and inferior: worm hunting, human testing, entertainment, arena fighting, prostitution, journalism. However, they are already a minority, and now, set to be insignificant."
"The true beauty of Project Prometheus", Takeshi continued, "is how well it coincides with the Grand Design. Our corporate egueneering program already screens for genetic defects to limit degenerate procreation. Unlike Earth, which endured teeming billions of subhumans, our corporation is completely turning the tables. Talents will dominate. They will live twice as long, at the very least, and they will multiply. Drone riots, gentlemen, will be a thing of the past. It is a marvelous thing we are doing here."
"Marvelous indeed", Morgan affirmed. "You have my blessing, and soon I assume, that of the board. When you launch, I want it properly snazzed up. Adverts on all channels, promo-reels, celebrities, special prizes in Morgan Cosmic Keno. The works! Spare no expense."
"As you command, CEO!" Takeshi replied, bowing deeply.
Planet's first Secret Project!
Burnt two artifacts. It stung, but why leave them to be consumed by some future generation?
Extra talents will help a lot with future pop booming since Morgan can only pop boom through golden ages.
In other news, raking in 30 credits a turn, rushing recycling tanks mostly.
Oh yeah, and...
Poor thing got totally obliterated. Need sensors and trance training yesteryear.
"Gentlemen. You have all travelled long. I hope the inconvenience will be alleviated by what I am about to show you. Before you is the heart of Project Prometheus. Here, Morgan Pharmacon first conceived the idea: life-extending gene-therapy treatments commercialized for the general population. A simple idea. Application of it... Anything but. The life-extending therapy we executives undergo is extremely costly, very difficult to replicate. Four weeks of suspended regeneration, once a decade, utilizing dwindling old-Earth longevity chems. To extend life, to 'cheat death', we must prevent arterial clogging, weakening bones, cancers, diseases, accumulated genetic copying errors, depredations of brain-destroying prions-"
"We are all intimiately aware of the procedure", Director Harrsich interjected. "Cut to the chase already."
"Very well", Subsidiary CEO Takeshi replied with a curt bow. "The chase: Sixteen years of intense work. Drone troubles. Utilization of two artifacts. Without a doubt, the most expensive Morganic enterprise since Planetfall. And now: the most rewarding."
"You are saying, you finally did it?" CEO Nwabudike Morgan inquired, already aware of the answer.
"We finally did it", Takeshi affirmed matter-of-factly. "Success rate: 99.7% per cent. Zero fatalities for three consecutive batches now. Subjects exhibit increased resistances to disease, immunity to the Prometheus virus, and as far as we can tell, vastly extended lifespans."
"How do they measure up to our own treatments?" Director Caen asked, stroking his mustache.
"Sub-par. I would not recommend switching treatment plan. But for the general population, more than adequate. We have one-hundred and forty working tanks. Enough to cater to roughly nine hundred employees a year. CEO, members of the board: we are ready for launch."
"Nine hundred a year seems rather light", Harrsich said. "Are you sure it will be enough?"
"We are constructing additional tanks, of course, but yes. Marketing predicts rapid profits specifically due to the exclusivity factor. Time is money, and now money buys time. Our employees will pay anything to get to live like us. Besides, granting the gift of extended life indiscriminately would be a terrible waste."
"Imagine granting it to drones!" Caen exclaimed, drawing a couple of laughs.
"The drones, of course, fulfill their purpose." Takeshi replied. "There will always be those who fall through the cracks, into the drop zones. That is as it should be. Many tasks are fitted solely for the desperate and inferior: worm hunting, human testing, entertainment, arena fighting, prostitution, journalism. However, they are already a minority, and now, set to be insignificant."
"The true beauty of Project Prometheus", Takeshi continued, "is how well it coincides with the Grand Design. Our corporate egueneering program already screens for genetic defects to limit degenerate procreation. Unlike Earth, which endured teeming billions of subhumans, our corporation is completely turning the tables. Talents will dominate. They will live twice as long, at the very least, and they will multiply. Drone riots, gentlemen, will be a thing of the past. It is a marvelous thing we are doing here."
"Marvelous indeed", Morgan affirmed. "You have my blessing, and soon I assume, that of the board. When you launch, I want it properly snazzed up. Adverts on all channels, promo-reels, celebrities, special prizes in Morgan Cosmic Keno. The works! Spare no expense."
"As you command, CEO!" Takeshi replied, bowing deeply.
Planet's first Secret Project!
Burnt two artifacts. It stung, but why leave them to be consumed by some future generation?
Extra talents will help a lot with future pop booming since Morgan can only pop boom through golden ages.
In other news, raking in 30 credits a turn, rushing recycling tanks mostly.
Oh yeah, and...
Poor thing got totally obliterated. Need sensors and trance training yesteryear.
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Hellraiser
Arcane
This is In the Eye of the Beholder, the source of freedom related news on Planet, operating independently from faction authorities since Cycle 43 Sol 71 and spreading the wisdom of liberty and associated values guiding the Freedom Faction. Today we take a look at the political situation following the first University Assembly elections of Cycle 44 for all of the 60 assembly seats.
It has indeed been a fine day for dumbocracy, the unwashed masses have voted against freedom opting for the safe status quo under the despot-turned-democrat Zakharov and his Rationalist Party in the historical very first University Assembly elections. Just 3 seats short of a majority RP will no doubt have to form a coalition with one of the minor factions. Ideologically the most closely aligned factions are Digital Democracy with 8 seats and Ad Astra with 7 seats giving a lot of negotiating room for Zakharov as he only needs one of them to rule.
Polls prior to the vote already suggested the public was content with the past de facto dictatorship of the Provost and his stance on key issues such as economic management, xenoarcheology, exploration, research and expansion.
Digital Democracy seems easiest to please with little sacrifices for Zakharov as their agenda is focused on building a modern cybernetic state which does not collide in any way with Zakharov’s plans. He would increase bandwidth and order the research of new computing advancements most likely anyway even if he would have a majority.
Ad Astra is a bit more problematic at first glance because there is no way to achieve their vision of space exploration within just 4 cycles. However Ad Astra, despite their sky-high and beyond goals, knows this will take more time and might be persuaded to rule together with promises of industrial developments which some day might enable more space-related industry to emerge. After all the facilities and personnel of Caladan Shipyard and the Speculatores Mobiles Workshop could also be used for aeronautical development, with some additional investment.
Our own Freedom Faction has unfortunately gained only one representative on the assembly proving once again that the poor educational standards of colonial society lead to the impossibility of sane government. Thus the next 4 cycles will not see the introduction of much needed market freedom.
However dear viewers it could have been worse. The Drones Prosperity Front is the biggest party of the opposition and has no chance of forming a governing coalition which prevents their idiotic and reckless “gibs for all” policy from becoming reality. Drones are upset as usual, talents and anyone with an IQ above that of an amoeba rejoice.
The fungus-huggers of the Green Block are the big losers of this election showing that much of their visibility on the datalinks and in the bases prior to the voting was just astroturfing. With the RP showing no interest in spending more resources on xenobiology the GB is likely to remain politically impotent unless they manage to conjure non-imaginary support.
The arch-nemesis of the green loonies, other than our own FF, has gained 2 seats showing that few voters agree with the veteran Speculatores of Citadel. We can’t blame them as even for us the Citadel seems to be built on an irrational fear of Planet, its wildlife, of other human factions and of long dead intelligent alien life. Events of the past 40 cycles do not justify the radical isolationist and militant views of the Citadel. Then again there are those who claim the founders of this block know faction secrets, considering their former and current position in the Speculatores. Secrets about things so terrifying that they would convince anyone to see things their way. That might be possible, but few voters are convinced without hard evidence, even in a dumbocracy.
By pure chance the Fungal Enthusiast Block managed to get one seat. While they are no doubt delusional addicts there is no reason for the government to ban their dangerous and moronic pastime. If they want to get even more crazy or die, let them, it is their right to do with their life as they please and not the nanny-faction’s.
That is all for the election results. Next up in this nodecast...
...is expedition Kappa a waste of faction resources? Freedom Faction experts will debate in the studio.
...will Zakharov and the rationalist goons abolish reproductive restrictions as promised? Check our list of RP campaign promises and our predictions on what promises they were surely break.
...the xenofungus problem. It slows down travel, it makes land useless. Can we make it work in our favour and would that be worth the effort?
...free enterprise in the age of centralised economic oppression. How you can still make a living using just your own time and without being on Zakharov's quota payroll.
...where is the source of Babylon Flumen? Our Planetography guests debate if Deep Space 9 Flumen is a fork of Babylon Flumen or the source of it.
Not much happening now besides implementing democracy. I have yet to make contact with someone I could trade with, fungus is slowing down exploration and that loss of a scout early on really hurt my exploration. Pods have been quite generous with resources recently but those tend to be far and my starting location is pretty much devoid of those.
Worm activity remains low but I made a lot of risky fungal traversing recently and I could find some very soon.
Worm activity remains low but I made a lot of risky fungal traversing recently and I could find some very soon.
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Kalin
Unwanted
Hellraiser
Arcane
It seems it is already in the making. From the turn tracking conversation:
Looks like worm rape hentai in the making.
Kalin, release that special edition war of mutual commie killing popcorn already. That 'zah is just waiting to be picked up.
Hellraiser
Arcane
Alberto Ruiz gazed towards the horizon. Next to him stood Ivalyo, his friend ever since both of them were placed in the Zoloto-Gold infirmary just after birth.
“Has it been six cycles already?” He asked Ivalyo.
“Unless we overslept six cycles have indeed passed.” Ivalyo replied. "It is cycle fourty six is it not?"
“Six cycles.” Alberto looks at the horizon again, turns his head left and right. Then he turns around to look at what was behind him.
They left Zoloto-Gold six cycles earlier. It was supposed to be an adventure, an epic tale the two of them would be repeating ad infinitum to their comrades back home over a bottle of Uniwersyteckaja. A tale filled with vastly exaggerated feats of courage and manly strength, which would make even the pickiest and most beautiful woman found at the LAN Bars eager and willing. A story so inspirational that the peers of their future children would want to take pictures with them and the Provost would name a base or something after them. Not to mention granting them higher quotas, although they already got an increase after signing up for Expedition Kappa.
“So, after six cycles of boredom, when will they call us back?” Alberto continued.
“When the Speculatores Marinus Corps deems it necessary. So far it seems the Curiositas could go on for decacycles, unless captain Vogler gets bored. ”
Ivalyo’s answer was not an exaggeration, Caladan Shipyard has built the ship to last. The power systems utilized state of the art stirling generators capable of operating for a very long time without refuelling. As a backup it was equipped with traditional hydrogen fuel cells and solar panels could be used to recharge them. If things went really bad it could raise the emergency sky-sail, assuming winds were favourable.
The ships recycling tanks were capable of recycling biomaterial into edible nutrient bars and agronutrients for use in the onboard hydroponics farm. The biomaterial could come from any number of sources including aquatic wildlife, planetkelp, human waste and mutinous crewmembers. All systems were triple-redundant. The design itself was based on the Provost’s own memory from his work on the Unity exploration vehicles back on Earth, the Unity Foils in this particular case.
A long silence followed Ivalyo’s answer. It was interrupted not by him or by Alberto but by the cracking sound of the radio.
“Broadcast picked up on multiple frequiencies!” The comms officer yelled at the top of her lungs. “This is either some ghetto radio amateur or they really want to be heard” she added.
“mongol-mon…” *crack* “…Gaian fluoride in the wat…” *ringing* “…paganic worm worship…” *noise*”…Deidre fending off Yang….” The transmission was barely comprehensible.
“Did they say Deidre and Yang? Were those not the names of Unity officers that took command of some of the other pods?” Alberto asked. “Did we just fin…”
“Yes, yes they were” Captain Vogler interrupted him. “Mrs. Westgard, please begin recording and broadcast the message immediately with class-nine encryption back to HQ with a data package containing the recording of this transmission we just heard.”
“Affirmative Sir!” She replied before beginning to navigate the UI of the comms console. A soft electronic tone sound indicated the recording began.
“This is Captain Vogler of the UNV Curiositas, Expedition Kappa code Epsilon Three . We have intercepted radio transmissions of unknown origin referencing Security Officer Yang and the Xenobiology Officer Deidre Skye. Our position is grid XU 34, we are moving to investigate. The message we intercepted will be sent in the next data packet. End transmission”
“Sending messages” officer Westgard announced.
The data package moved with the speed of light across Planet’s vast Mares, relayed by comm buoy after comm buoy left along the path the Curiositas has traveled so far. Finally it echoed across Caladan Mare and reached Zoloto-Gold where it entered the datalinks. The signature was identified by the nodes and prioritized accordingly. The Provost was at his desk, he saw the message header.
“Episolon Three. The day has finally come” Zakharov said to himself. ”Well, let’s see what I will have to report to the Assembly….”
It took a while for Expedition Kappa to find someone but there it did, Sparta has been located. Now I need to locate the other guys. Luckily the ship was not lost to isles of the derp, there were things I could build with far better return than a ship that sinks before it loots enough pods or finds anyone.
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