Post by him on Oct 18, 2021 2:18:40 GMT
NAH'HARTA
12:02 AM SGT
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KSHZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZIK.
Click. Fwumph. Whirl whirl whirl. Kshzz Kshzz.
KSHZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.....
A welder and his cohorts sat upon a large frame, welding one of many large Polyrite plates together on the segmented chassis of a new Ancerium Megaharvester. Elsewhere, large magnetic whorls hung from massive chains, and large mechanical arms moved chassis plates and major interior sections to and fro, the sounds of industry filling the hall around them for what felt like miles. Above, the smog-choked skies of Nah'Harta hid more harvesters being lifted into orbit, the glowing red eyes of Zetyan craft zipping through the haze like oversized insects.
As the welder finished up another part of his section, one of his coworkers spoke to him through muffled masks, his mechanical dendrites working with speed and grace to speed-weld a smaller section in record time.
"You ever hear 'bout what them megacorpies are doin'?"
"What for? They get rattled by the crash?" he replied, focused on his work.
"What for? They get rattled by the crash?" he replied, focused on his work.
"Yarp. 'ey've gone up and started buyin' all the 'cerium 'ey can get."
"Well, how much? They can't need that much, right?" The welder now stopped his work for a moment, turning to his compatriot.
"'Pparently wrong. From what I 'eard, it's a lot. 'Nuff to get stock fer long while, I'm guessin'."
"Then whadda they need these things for?"
"Them, uh, Oompritta whosits are yewlin' high, from what I hear. Prolly want more than 'ey can git, too, them megacorpies."
"Uh huh." He became more doubtful. He read the news, listened to some street talk to, but he never heard nothing about no... Oompritta?
"Yea. I even once 'eard 'at we ain't even seen 'alf of it. 'Ey say the worst's to come."
"Bah. You hear everything this side-a-the Clanholds." he now said, a tone of mocking disbelief in his voice.
"Maybe I do, boy. Only takes a careful ear."
"Whatever you say, old man." In reality, his compatriot was only 27. The welding suit didn't help, but whatever.
He returned to welding his section, the distraction already phasing out of his mind. His coworker's words did have a truth to them, however...
TO'OORA ORBIT
11:02 PM SGT
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Click.
Click click.
Fwooomp. Ding ding. Beep.
The meeting room went alight with orange, as a hologram depicting galactic stocks hovered over a long table. Around the board table sat the most important members of On'gary Heavy Manufacturing, from the CEO to the Chairman, from CFO to CTO. Before them, one stock was brought to light, a great red line continuously going downwards at record pace indicated the current crash-and-burning of Ancerium stocks. Another, smaller hologram, a designated Full AI in interviewer mode, hovered and zipped around, taking the form of a Zetyan as it spoke.
"Gentlemen, as of now you are at a crossroads. Kaida'kol, Dem'yot and many others have begun to buy up Ancerium en masse, as have we. They have also begun to ship out Ancerium harvesters to both our own fleets and foreign fleets, as have we. However, there is one thing no side has done that we are on the cusp of pulling through with, given our history as a construction company and our recent boost in funding thanks to Project Dreamweaver.
For as long as we have known, all of what the galaxy refers to as Kolleronic materials have had to be imported, though thankfully of all the available material present in the galaxy only a few have been needed. However, recently, Dem'yot has approached us with an offer, one which, despite it's downsides, I highly implore you accept.
In exchange for greater control over Project Dreamweaver and it's ass-"
Already, the presenter was met with objection. Argumentation erupted across the room, the rats seemingly offended by the notion of giving up control.
"Bullshit!" the CFO cried. "They've been trying to get a leg up on us for years, and this is how they're gonna do it! Can't you see?!
"Gentlemen, please. Wait till I'm finished?" the FAI presenter said, a tinge of annoyance in it's normally emotionless voice.
"Should it be of consolation, I have ran many calculations on this matter. I believe it will be a very beneficial deal, in the long-term."
A moment of silence, to wait for more complaints. All there was to hear was grumbling. "As I was saying."
"In exchange for greater control over Project Dreamweaver and it's assets, Dem'yot has offered to begin construction of experimental Kolleronic manufacture facilities. The proposed constructions would allow us to make basic materia, such as Goldenstone, Exodion Gas and Brightstone, to name a few. However, and most importantly-"
"Remind me what those are, again?" said the CTO. The FAI only dryly responded with "You have a phone. Search it up."
"Now, most importantly, these facilities would allow us to begin experimenting with these substances in question. Extensive experimenting, to the point where we could find uses for it noone else has even conceived of.
Perhaps, even... make our own, from scratch." The AI wasn't quite so sure about that one, but it knew mentioning that bit would raise eyebrows.
"So, I will now ask you again. With the following in mind, and the long-term benefit it would provide-one that likely outshines whatever Dem'yot could possibly give to us in the future-will you take the deal?"
The AI's 'gaze' shifted to the CEO and the Chairman, as all eyes soon shifted onto the two. The CEO could only look at the Chairman, weary of the risks such a deal could provide.
A silence filled the room. Then, the Chairman opened his mouth, and then said one word.
"Sure."
SOMEWHERE
9:02 AM SGT
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"So, why were we called here?"
At a round table sat an octopus, a man, and an insect. The man sat under a spotlight, across from the other two. The latest from Corridor Digest, ARK Invilis and UCNN were splayed out on the table-Isoterrans Ally With Zetyans. Soon to Begin Tourism. An unlikely headline if ever there was one.
"My friends, I will be succinct-we may be in grave danger."
"Our mutual friend recently gained a powerful new ally out of the blue. They're arguably as aggressive as our friend, with far more throwing weight to boot. Already, from what I hear, they plan to start joint operations with the Zetyans, and since they were so isolationist until recently they've managed to ride the bear with impunity.
Now, I won't lie. We're easy targets. And while our trade with each other can sustain us, and our alliance with the Clanholds is a very good safety net-ignoring how much ire they draw to themselves-should the Isoterrans start sizing us up there'll be virtually nothing that can stop them save foreign intervention. We can't do it alone."
"What do you suggest then, comrade?" The insect chittered.
"An alliance. Not just including us, but select associates.
Umpreta has several decent connections that are eligible for joining, and I would imagine you both have friends other than the Clanholds as well. Together, we'd be able to defend from outside assault-especially on the eve of war-and we'd be able to make our own mark on the Corridor."
"And, what about the six-eyes?" said the jellyfish, skeptically.
"I could not say for now. Maybe, maybe not. Depends on how much the Isoterrans-"
"Regarding them, comrade?" Said the insect.
"Ah, yes. Go ahead?"
"Should this... 'alliance' of yours come to be, would it not be prudent to put both the Zetyans and the Isoterrans in the alliance? That way, we shall be truly unified, without worry of attack by stringent allies, and we shall have much more weight to use than if we hadn't ever bothered in the first place."
"I've considered that, my friend," the man said, "and it's a big risk. It's a bigger safety net, sure, but nothing would stop them from simply leaving and attacking us. And if they get close with the Clanholds, I wouldn't doubt they'd drag them into war all the same."
"Then we would all fight them as friends, instead of acquaintances." The insect's confidence seemed odd to the other two. Perhaps it was a cultural thing.
"A bit bombastic of you." the octopus quipped.
"Better than cowardice."
"Mm. True. Your thoughts?" The octopus focused back on the man.
He pondered for a moment. Reweighing the risks, checking them twice. Perhaps it's accuracy would be better had he time to ponder, but the waiting eyes of the other two spoke otherwise.
Finally, he broke the short silence.
"...I suppose... you're right. It wouldn't be that risky."