C57 Accidental Cooperation
Accidental Cooperation.
Weldor System.
“ Trader, huh? “ Anthony wondered, that offer had been on the table for a few days now, and the ship Ludwig got for him was an ok transport ship when it was just about cargo-hold. It seemed implausible how a Pirate would dare use it in a raid on another ship, without any support ships, it’s build and armament made it utterly unsuitable for such.
And while the jury rigged missile launcher in two of the cargo pods may have given it an edge, it was unwieldy and slow. Which left Anthony to guess that the previous owner must have tried running a surprise attack, disable the enemy ships, and use his cargo drones to steal the freight, which clearly he failed at.
The TCS Vulture, as the ship was called, was a large drive section, that was connected by a long slender midsection where cargo containers where to be attached, and then move onwards into a wide crew section that included the bridge. And with it’s 90 meters in length, it was hardly even a frigate, even if classified as such.
It had a lackluster capacity, able to hold 8 medium containers, whom measured about 5 by 5 by 10 meters. 4 port, 4 starboard, in two rows of two each side, and currently two of these slots where used as missile pods, with one being defective.
Anthony ordered the Androids to remove those, to expand the carry capacity, since it would mean one round full of unrefined rare minerals could already pay a 5th of what he owed to Ludwig. And it nearly hurt to think about that he could make up to three times that amount if he sold it someplace else, which would be a nice gain.
“ This ship is ancient, thrust capacity alone is barely worthwhile. If this ship had modernized drive systems, it could probably double or even triple it’s load capacity. “ Anthony remarked.
“ You expected less when Ludwig mentioned it. “ Hope remarked.
“ That I did, but it hurts seeing this design, the approach is not half bad, but it’s clearly made to be a short range transporter, Station to Station only. It can fly longer ranges, probably was modified to do so, but there is no efficiency in it. “ Anthony nearly protested.
“ It is an old design, which likely is the reason Ludwig claimed that it’s reactor type is no longer available, and I assume they used less speed and longer drift times then for long range transports. Which is the likely reason why it had so much storage space for crew supplies. “ Hope suggested.
“ Probably, but now I really do feel scammed. “ Anthony groans.
“ Well, if it is the only ship available, by what I seen, ships are not cheap. A comparable transport vessel, used, goes for nearly 80000 credits. So, 2500 is a steal with your ability. “ Hope assured.
“ Yes, but we will upgrade this thing, or better yet, replace it the moment we get an alternative. I think even the 02, without the sleeper pods, could carry more.
In fact, think you can adapt a loading system to the transport variant ? Side-loader that takes these cargo pods into the ship hull for storage, with an automatic sorting mechanism ? “ Anthony asked.
“ I can try, but that will reduce the available storage space. “ Hope warned.
“ Well, I think adapting to storage containers wont be too bad, if we transport ship material to shipyards, we need to consider sealed fright options anyway, I would not want electronics to be exposed to radiation when transferred. “ Anthony suggested.
“ Understood, I can adapt to it, but I may need some time to integrate such a system.” She responded.
“ Take your time, and I think I will need to take the New Horizon over to Cordan. She can land and be loaded with the freight, unlike this thing. We will have to do orbital transfers.
What do you think, how long will it take you to build the transporter variant of the New Horizon ? “ Anthony asked then.
The NH vessels were always meant to be transporters and miners after the backup sleep system was removed. But a total conversion to transport would create more cargo space, which was the reason he had Hope remake the design. But if they included the phase drive, and modernized the chemical drive system, then the NH line should be able to easily compete with other transports.
“ Aside from the phase drive, using our tech, I can build one per week, if we want to include Terran tech, three to four weeks, less if the local gate is finished and we get the production capacity of the other systems involved. “ Hope responded.
“ Thought experiment. Compared to Terran and Siren our chemical drive’s are inefficient, our hull is weaker, but cheaper and faster to produce.
And the NH class is bigger then what currently goes for a Frigate, but smaller then a destroyer. But as we do not need any crew amenities, we should theoretically be able to build an NH variant that can keep up with Terran Destroyers in offensive performance.
It could be cheaply produced, if we get the Siren to help us include their drive system, and the phase drive, given that they are more likely to know how it works, right ? “ Anthony considers.
“ Theoretically, yes. Using our construction methods, I can build NH ships quickly once I have a working blueprint. Terran Weapon systems, phase drive, and a modernized chemical drive system would be a bottleneck for now.
But once I can adapt production lines for these, I could potentially compensate, and I do have a few upgrade options still available within our means as well, based on drive performance.
For instance, switching the armor plating from aluminum composite to steel with a smaller cobweb structure should pose little difference in production time, and grand the ship increased resilience, especially once we can reproduce the carbon fiber plating to place above it.” Hope responded.
“ Good, then, when your done taking the 02 apart, create the transport variant Plan as suggested, with phase drive, and make another alternative, but arm it to the teeth, rail-guns and missiles mostly, to save in power consumption.
And use a system similar to what the Pride’s fall has, turrets that can be retracted, and a Missile pod design that can be hidden behind hull plating, so that, from outside, they would be indistinguishable from the transport variant.
Ask Aria if they could help us develop a more efficient chemical drive, or whatever else they are using, and if they can help us with the Phase drive design. Maybe even borrow the Wishkeeper to us for say, a month. Their staff, we only provide materials so they wont have to worry about the ship suddenly changing owner. “ Anthony suggested.
“ I can do that, but what exactly are you aiming for ? “ Hope asked.
“ For now, four transport groups, one transport, with two disguised escorts each. And then, a cheaply build standing force, which can be gradually upgraded with Terran armor and energy systems. Using our existing tech until we have actual capacity to mass produce newer equipment and a shipyard that can properly utilize the new tech. “ Anthony explained.
If Ina wasn’t pregnant, they would probably just need to build one ship each, and have her consume matter to simply create copy’s of the ships with her ability, which would be extremely fast. But that option was barred for him at the moment, unless she created her own daughters, and that was not an option to him just yet.
The Siren could potentially help too, but with their decreased abilities, they could only create components for the ship, and the conversion rate he seen so far was, less then stellar, making production lines more efficient. And they were required for the gate construction anyway, as it used materials he could not produce himself.
“ Understood. I need two more days to finish the disassembly of the 02, then I can create the blueprint for both ships. “ Hope stated.
“ Good. Tomorrow, I let the Vulture start and do her first run. I do not think she will be attacked the first time around. But starting with the second run, people may get greedy after seeing us bring rare minerals in. “ Anthony remarked, leaning back in his chair as he wondered how to play off the appearance of his ships in Terran space.
It would not be unusual for some cooperation to offer ships, especially within the civilian range, and by what he knows now, there are even some Military contracts going with them. But, Terran space meant they needed to be licensed there, unless they were not of Terran design.
That held true only for the independent systems that had not yet been taken over by the Terran’s due to their resource influx to the Commonwealth, which would be interrupted for a while if the Terran’s forcibly annexed them. And they could move in Terran space with their own IFF’s, voiding the need for a ship licensing with the Terran’s, for now.
“ Hope, do ask Aria as well if they care to play shield for a while as well. I am considering to use the Sovereign IFF, to protect the ships we use from Terran inspections. Once we do that, Terran’s may become nosy and try to gain passage towards us.
We would need Eden to pretend having a sort of, non-interference agreement with us, and perhaps a trade agreement. And probably extend our interest to trade with the Terran’s in resources, so we can fill in with Eden’s hopes to create the desired piracy situation, and permit some leeway in case it comes to combat. “ Anthony suggests.
“ And if the Terran’s don’t take the bait ? “ Hope asks.
“ Then we have to get other transport vessels, perhaps get some from the Siren, or see about flooding that trade station they plan to build, so that traders flock for dirt cheap prices and create high traffic that way. Either way, appealing to their greed should get us what we need. “ Anthony claimed, hoping that he was right.
“ Understood. But I think we might reveal ourselves to soon. “ Hope responded.
“ I don’t disagree. Which is why the cheap firepower buildup is going to give us secondary options. For a while, that will serve us even better then the salvaged ships from Logan, those have to be taken over by me, and my command capacity is sadly not that big. “ Anthony admitted.
“ In fact, Hope, we should keep utilizing what we are good at for now. The new ships we design. Instead of using their technology half-assed. Make sure to design ships based on their technology, but use our production methods. Keep designs modular enough so we can perform upgrades to the exterior for better armor.
We can’t get around using their weapons tech, so adapting our production lines only towards those will be enough for now. “ Anthony added.
“ So, you want to go with mass over quality ? “ Hope inquired.
“ Yes, but with increased performance still. Our ships may initially not be as enduring, but I think they will outperform Terran vessels by space utilization alone. “ Anthony responded.
Vanguard Station, in orbit around Mars.
“ Admiral. “ Roland greeted Karlo when entering his office.
Roland had just gotten back from his mission of tracking down Corrik, and entering Karlo’s office, he could see that Karlo was calm, which he found quite unsettling.
If Karlo was calm after the way he had acted lately, then there was something either very good, or something very bad to happen. And since Roland was able to get as far as his office, it should at least not be something bad for Roland himself.
“ Have a seat, Roland. “ Karlo suggested, which was already a good sign to Roland, if he addressed him by name, then he was not talking to him as Admiral to General, but as a friend.
“ So, I heard you have a new mission for me ? “ Roland got right to the point as he sat down opposite of Karlo.
“ Yes. I would like you to stir up some trouble. “ Karlo responded, handing Roland a file.
“ What’s this ? “ Roland asked, opening the file as Karlo just sat there with a smile that felt off even to Roland.
And looking through the file, Roland could see mostly information about a Mercenary outfit, Black Wolves as they were called. But seeing their history, essentially just being created, Roland was slowly understanding what Karlo was planning, but the end goal evaded him.
“ You want me, to run this Outfit ? “ Roland asked then, going with his initial assumption.
“ Yes. Officially, a band of people from the Vorden territory, one of the independent territories. They have massive deposits of rare minerals, and make a good trading partner. And they also have their own ships. And their captains have just been given permission to act as Mercenaries in Terran space. “ Karlo spoke.
“ And, what exactly do you want me to do ? “ Roland asked as Karlo was seemingly enjoying this to much.
“ Undercover search for the Psykers Union, we want you to get friendly with them, so, no indiscriminate killing of other Psykers. Just make a name for yourself under your new Identity as Vorden dare devil, get some missions under your belt, and get people to like you. “ Karlo described.
“ And, what are you really after ? “ Roland posed his question then, which caused Karlo to lean forward.
“ Well, I think, with most Military vessels being drawn to the Seltran front, patrols start to shrink. Some pirates may see that as an opportunity. I think they might feel emboldened to claim Terran vessels for themselves, and run rampart with their visions of grandeur.
There is a high likelihood the Union is working with pirates, so I guess, we wont get around making friends with them, to truly get to their Roots. One or the other sacrifice can not be circumvented to truly flush them out of hiding.
But, if things were getting to much out of control, Intelligence may need to get their own military vessels, ships we can move independent from the military, so that we can deal with hostile elements. Especially if the Psykers Union is going to take advantage of this situation. “ Karlo explained.
Roland would lean back in his seat then, unable to hold back his own smile. Karlo, that bastard, he was giving him a Carte Blanche. He wanted chaos while the Military was weakened, and implicate Psykers as the cause. And the endgame was already clear, independent Military power.
Karlo wanted an excuse to built up a fleet, to counter the Psykers activities with, and he was likely going to use ships from the Independent Territory to do so. And once he had any excuse at all, he could use that power to strike out at Eden, he was still fixated on them.
So, Roland’s role was becoming quite clear. Surround himself with Psykers to use against Terran infrastructure, especially military. Finding the Union, while the primary focus on the surface, was just a bonus here.
“ And the Psyker from Cradle ? “ Roland asked, suspecting that Karlo will grasp at any straw to implicate the Siren’s merely using a powerful Psyker.
“ There has not been a trace of him yet. But it is looking like Eden has been moving to smuggle Psykers into their Territory. So, if you find that bastard, I want everything on him and that ship ! “ Karlo proclaimed, visibly angry now.
It wasn’t hard for Roland to see that Karlo firmly believed that Psyker at fault for what happened to his Grandson, and the Sirens to have used him and that ship to scare the Commonwealth into the ceasefire. Roland wasn’t quite so sure if that Psyker was involved at all in this, given how he lied about that ship holding traces of his power, but he was growing a basic understanding of what Karlo was thinking now.
Roland would be off the leash, no handler, and no one that would ask questions if one of the approved Psykers would disappear either. And the Psykers he would have to surround himself with to give Karlo the opportunity he needed, well, they could be the Buffet for later, and he’d even be the Hero taking care of them. It would be a win win situation for the both of them.
“ So, going assumption would be, they worked with the Psykers union, created a situation where their territory becomes off limits to the Commonwealth, and are now amassing Psykers to their side. Do I have that right ? “ Roland asked, testing his assumption.
“ Correct. They bought time. And if one of their Psykers can cause that incident in Vigal, well, who knows what they be doing once they have a whole army of Psykers on their side. “ Karlo responded, confirming what Roland suspected.
“ I see. Then I will do my best making contact with them, and find out what I can. “ Roland assured.
“ I hope you do. I will arrange a contact point for you. Be sure to familiarize yourself with Vorden, they all speak High Terran, so you don’t have to worry about that. But they have a few strange habits that you need to be aware of to pass as one of them.
The crews under your command will the a mix of Terran operatives and Vorden freelancers. So make sure your crew is well invested in their role before you start acting. “ Karlo warned.
“ I’ll make sure. Where are the ships stationed ? “ Roland asked.
“ They will head for Redwan soon, Pirate infested system. Get some bounties under your belt and use the opportunity to train the crew performance. Then start using Merc bases and establish your outfit. There is a shuttle waiting for you down at the dock, it will take you to the lead vessel. “ Karlo instructed.
“ Good. Then, let the hunt begin. “ Roland suggested.
“ Indeed. “ Karlo agreed, reaching out to shake Roland’s hand in agreement.