BeyHop Chpt 48

==Beyond Hope- Chapter 48 - Greed==
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There’s a trend in history when it comes to humanity. The truly successful and prosperous are the minority. This creates a constant struggle between these people and the common folk. Look at the beginnings of Leninism for how someone can present an idea and turn on these sorts of people. Other times when a new discovery threatens the status quo, the successful and prosperous too can lash out. In the end the source is always the same. Money. Either because a group thinks they deserve more or another feels theirs becoming threatened.-anonymous manifestoUniversity of Arluna library catalog ID#11498 published 3067
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===Fresh out of School===
MS SindraMainstreet system, Federated Commonwealth (Lyran State)May 18th, 3063
Giao watched the new Dropships depart, their advanced features were new, and her tiny shipping firm was getting a subsidy to even equip them.
Extra pay to run some tests? No spacer worth her skin would flicker an eye at that. Seeing modified Mule class haulers streak away at improbable speed? That was amusing. Very amusing.
"Hey boss, what do you think of the new freight haulers?" 
"Profitable," Giao judged. "See?” The other cargo ships at the point were poking along at one gee toward the planet, hers were already well beyond visual range, streaking for the destination far ahead of even the FedCom Express ships going in to pick up military cargoes from the Arcology Factories. "Our guys will be done unloading days before theirs make orbit, and we'll have to play watch-me at the point only for as long as it takes to finish charging the drive… If it all works the way the Duchess and Ms. Whyte claim it does."
“The Longshoremen are going to be billing a lot of overtime with the pace of travel we can sustain now,” Sophie groused.
"Yeah, well… that's why you studied Labor negotiations, isn't it?" she turned to her XO, Sophie Deen. "So that we can keep it reasonable and still make a profit."
“Yeah.”
"You know where we could've used those though?" Giao continued.
"Is this another story about the war?"
"If it bores you, I'll shut up." Giao said.
"It's just…I was in school and the war ended!" Sophie whined a little.
"Yeah, it ended. Which is fantastic," Giao told her. "Far, far better than the alternative. I saw the alternative. I's part of why 'Giao resigned her commission to go be a freight jock'."
“Listen to the Skipper. I know war sounds all glamorous and fun, but when you see it first hand, it loses its luster real fast,” Retired Chief Petty Officer Gregor Wolecz, who had signed on as ship’s security and bagman, added.
"Greg, check the Sail gang. We're here for a week, but we need to make sure those retractors are in good shape and the crewmen know the procedures, if you please. XO, I'm going to leave you on watch and take a little walk outside, do some star-gazing and ship-spotting. You call me if there's an issue you can't handle."
“Will do, Skipper,” Gregor made his way to the other end of the ship.
"Yes, Ma'am."
Giao shook her head and headed for the airlock with her helmet banging merrily on her hip.
Gotta break her of those academy habits… poor kid.
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===These kids and their fast DropShips!===
Traffic ControlKowloon, Federation Commonwealth (Lyran State)3063
The tracks were coming in at velocities you normally associate with munitions. "Scramble the fighters, make sure those dropships aren't a danger to the traffic pattern!!" Kommandant Leslie (call me Les) Goerzen barked. "Can you tell those hot-dogs to slow the hell down!!"
“Aye, ma’am.” Corporal Jack Derringer was on comm duty this rotation.
After he made the calls, Les could hear him popping open a container quickly followed by the audible sound of chewing.
“Corporal? Are you eating in my command center?” Les glared.
"Mmhp! Just antacids, ma’am!"
She turned and gave him a hard look. "Antacids… no, that’s food, did you bring enough for everyone? Obviously not, or you'd be sharing with your mates. Get it out of my control room."
“I swear they really are, ma’am. These new ships are stressing me out and that gives me heartburn.”
She examined the man's face, then, she pulled a nic-stic from her blouse, popped the end of the smokeless cigarette, and took a deep drag. "I see. Well, it's probably safer than vaping nicotine, as long as those 'antacids' don't get into the control boards, we're clear, corporal."
“Thank you, ma’am.”
He has a point. Before we had hours, sometimes days to figure out if a ship was hostile, off schedule traffic, or just a free trader. Now we’ll have minutes, maybe hours. Then we also have to determine if these are actual missiles. I may need to put something stronger in these sticks and invest in hair dye to combat going gray early.
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"We're getting complaints." Was not what Evelynn Mosovich wanted to hear first thing in the morning. Especially on a morning where she was 'minding the store' for Her Grace while Duchess Elizabeth was offworld with her family, doing a tour of the Commonwealth as her Royal Husband's consort.
"What kind of complaints, Chuck?" She asked.
Charles Vanh had been like a big brother to the Ngo kids, and by extension, the Mosovich family that were his feudal overlords in the Golden Lake region. The one-armed Loki Vet tumbled a Kroner coin between his fingers. His prosthetic was probably still on the charger in his office.
"Mainstreet traffic control, Winter Traffic control, Jessenice TC, TC Hood IV, Melissia even. The new dropship models are using Her Grace's invention, and it's giving heart palpitations and various other stress related maladies to the Militias of around fifteen worlds in a sixty light year zone around Kowloon. Some of the dropship guys are hot-dogging it."
"Isn't that a Gracie Wells problem?" Evelynn asked.
"Gracie's taking some personal time to visit her parents in the Skye region," he told her. "Not due back until June."
"******… so that means I have to ask for a Board Meeting, doesn't it?"
"Since Gracie's XO kicked it back to the civilian government, and we can't legislate outside the system? Yeah, that's what that means-unless you want to try negotiating traffic regulations with Prince Victor… or the Star League Council, anyway."
“As much as that is something we will have to do eventually, I can kick that can down the road until Liz is back. For now we’ll just have to do our best to settle this in house.”
"Figured that. You willing to make the call, or should I just start dialing members and tell you where we're meeting?" Charles asked.
"I'll do it… did she plan this? Is this some kind of revenge?"
"You did babysit her when she was six. I'm going to guess wildly and say 'no', Evvie, Lil'bit didn't even consider this to be a thing that would become a problem," Charles assured her. "When and where?"
She sighed, "My place on the Lake, and the Sithers-Deen rep has just got to deal with outside air for a while. We'll have a barbecue, and work this thing out."
"Sounds good. Any special guests?"
"Is Prince Victor visiting?"
"He is."
"And the rest of the Council?"
"They are…"
She groaned. "Fine. Have your wife do up the invites. We'll either settle it with the board, or use the politicians to settle it. They'll be useful as a threat. Make sure the Star League Council doesn't know we're meeting... or where, or over what."
"What's the plan?"
"Work up a solution, then present the solution before we explain the problem we're solving," Evelynn said. "And Chuck?"
"Yeah?"
"If you hate the damn prosthetic arm that much, get a better one! You're all… unbalanced looking like that."
"I don't love it, but I also don't hate it, Evvie. It's just that it's in for servicing and I've got a floor address at ten today. The Social Democrats are fighting with the Nationalists again over legislation, and the Royalists are about ready to go to blows with the Northern Populists over imports."
“The greatest argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the common voter.”
"Oh yeah, I know. However, Lil'bit wants the Assembly to follow Kowloon's original founding constitution… So I have to put up with it, and so do you."
"Fair," Evelynn nodded.
“Still it’s weird. We’re going to have to talk about instituting speed limits in space.”
"Either that, or radically improving the traffic control in thirteen… no, three hundred star systems," Evelynn mused. "I'm inclined to see if anyone clever has a technological solution before we go to the Star League to get something like speed limits imposed."
Charles looked thoughtful, then, "Bet on the speed limits. Offering power to politicians is like dangling a wounded calf in front of a Broward Beast. They'll want the limits regardless of technical solutions, that way, they can sell exemptions."
"For a politician, Chuck, you have a dim view of Politicians."
"Didn't used to, but after being inside the process? Yeah… I really do."
“I guess it’s a bit like the Wizard of Oz. Once you see behind the curtain, the Wizard loses his appeal.”
"I think that's why Lil'bit spends so much time away from Kowloon," he suggested. "She's trying to forget what she knows she has to deal with."
"Yeah. Okay, get the Board together at my place on Wednesday night, we'll hold a barbecue and a meeting. I've got Lizzie's proxy… and an idea how to get the haulers to stop hotdogging the traffic cops."
"Oh?"
"Insurance," she said. "All the current test ships are insured via Ngo Credit Union. We'll 'encourage' safe flying."
“Heh. It’ll help and make us not very popular, but we’re not here to be popular are we?”
“I’m not, but you are. But yeah, what we really need is a system that can sort through vessel IDs, shipping schedules, and the huge databases those create in seconds.”
"So… talk to Jane too?" he suggested.
"Yeah," she agreed. "She might have a few insights to give on that."
“Hmmm… Damn. I guess I’m out of things I can use to stall. Time to get moving and make those calls.” Chuck shook his head.
“Thanks, Chuck.”
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===Remembering how things were===
Principality of Regulus, Free Worlds League3061
"...the Star League had a superb traffic control system in the Hegemony. Of course, it all fell apart when Amaris took over, but…" Jane Cameron/Drillson watched her children playing together.
“So what would it take?” Evvie asked.
“Pretty much a super computer run by an AI.” Jane answered.
“That will go over well.” Her wife answered back.
“While it would be more efficient if it were a sapient AI, and thus able to handle the whole process from beginning to end, a non-sapient AI should actually suffice. But I know even that would be a hot button for some.” Jane commented.
“Okay we’ll have to workshop a different term then.”
“That would probably get past most of them. The rest, well, we’ll just have to hope they can actually differentiate the different types of AI.”
"Expert system." Evelynn suggested, "I mean, it's a term they use for the systems on some armored vehicles…"
“There we go,” Jane nodded.
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===Sales Pitch===
"...not going to outmode your existing products, this is a system that will enhance end user satisfaction and performance." Elizabeth Ngo-Steiner-Davion was selling again. "Consider the shipping market, ladies and gentlemen. Consider what every customer, including you, wishes could, or would happen. What do freight, passenger, and logistics customers want more than anything else from their delivery services? I submit two things to underscore the most; Reliability and speed of delivery. Nobody wants their cargo to arrive later, everyone wants it earlier, your customers in the shipping and transportation market want, more than anything else, to be able to deliver fast, safe, cargoes at lower per-unit cost, with less danger from handling and random events in shipment, because that's money, time is money, money can buy time."
She was selling it hard, as Helena Cameron/Drillson watched. "Cameron Industries in cooperation with Ngo Enterprises and our insurance and financial services can help you deliver the next generation of reliable, safe, efficient, freight and cargo services to the hands of your customers, the owners and operators of Jumpship lines and delivery services throughout the Inner Sphere… and of course, the emphasis is here, in the Lyran Commonwealth, that I'm offering this in preference."
“Are there any signs of health or mental issues with this new technology?”
"My husband Arthur's dropship is outfitted with the first model, and we bring our small children with us. You saw the approach when we arrived," Elizabeth said. "I would never risk my children, sir. It's safe."
“What about maintenance? Certainly such an advanced system requires constant upkeep by specially trained personnel.”
"The system is remarkably simple and robust, and every contract comes with a training and support package as part of the deal. Since you're manufacturers, you'll be able to offer factory support to customers yourselves. I'm committed to spreading this technology as quickly, and as far, as we can, to outmode and out-compete foreign competitors. This isn't just a new piece of engineering you'll have to sandwich into your product lines, it's a full upgrade, including tooling package, technical support package, advance notice on newer refinements and discoveries, and a comprehensive technician training course your people can revisit any time. I make no secret, if you don't adopt it, someone else will and we'll supply that technical package to them... albeit, for more money. I have my list of preferred customers, after all."
“There must be some catch to this technology. It’s too good to be true otherwise.”
"I’m reminded of the rise of Fusion Power," Elizabeth noted. "On Old Earth. Hundreds of potential customers for the General Motors/MIT reactor model, big names, names like Caterpillar, and Chrysler, Maybach… do you know those names? How about General Electric? No?" she let it hang there for a moment. "You don't know those names, because those were manufacturers who thought 'there must be a catch' and delayed, or refused, to license the technology. They don't exist now. Nissan does, but who remembers Kia, or Komatsu, or Kubota? Nissan licensed the technology, Kubota felt that Fuel Cells and Diesel were the way to bet, Komatsu invested heavily into solar utilities… they ceased to exist, they could not compete."
“In other words the future is coming, it’s a train, and we’re on the tracks. Get on board, get out of the way, or get run over.”
"Harsh. I would prefer to suggest we are beginning the rise from an era of darkness, a Renaissance, and who really wants to be stuck in a Dark Age? This is opportunity here, to profit from the end of an era of privation and darkness… but yes, if you won't take the deal, I'll find someone who will., and they will profit and continue… and you likely will not." She smiled, "The choice, to grab the future now, or let it take you? Is yours. I am only offering the chance."
“It may be harsh, but the universe is harsh. And this technology is worth investing in. Send over the contracts for due diligence. We wish to get on the train.”
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===Diminishing Prestige===
"That went smoothly." Helena noted as they left the conference, "How many did you get?"
"Off the conference? Haranshire will sign on, McQuinsoton will. Did you notice the KruppWerke rep at the back of the room?"
"Dieter."
"Yah. The Terrans are drooling," Liz said. "Which is funny, they could replicate everything we did in an afternoon between tea and supper," she added, shifting her accent to something nasal and snooty. "I also noted a gent from the Combine, a 'Chandrasekhar Kurita' whom I've heard rumors from corporate security about-big time investor, but nobody knows what his core business is. Rumored to be a cousin of the Coordinator."
“Hmmm. When no one is sure, that usually means the person is hip deep in the ISF when it comes to the Combine.”
"I figure he's their covert front man for economic espionage," Liz nodded. "Interesting he'd be here in person. I mean, the Gibbs Trade Show isn't exactly big business if you're not in Aerospace-and even when you are, Alarion's Annual is a bigger trade conference."
“We’re getting attention.”
"Attention gets contracts. I picked Gibbs as the stop-off specifically because aside from Lockheed and Ioto, most of the attendees are small shop subcontractors," Liz said. "Which makes them especially good for distributing the technology and motivated to learn how to build, maintain, and upgrade it…less bureaucratic inertia with medium manufacturers and small shops, more open minds."
Helena grimaced, "Because they have to be."
"Exactly. I expect I'll be releasing loans to some of these folks to cover tooling them up."
“Damn. My inbox is full of fan and hate mail again.”
Elizabeth laughed, "Anything graphic? I remember one Donegaller sent me a nice deep death threat when it came out I was marrying Arthur! She included an animation of my torture and execution!"
“To be honest I’m just bulk deleting without reading.”
"I have interns to handle that task. I know about the soon-to-remain nameless death threat because she put such absolute care into it… and I interceded because you don't put fourteen year old girls in Blackgate for making death threats over a celebrity crush."
“I guess that’s the difference, you married into famous, then became famous on your own merits. I’ve always just been famous.”
"I'm infamous, Helena." Elizabeth said. "Arthur lost credit marrying me." She was dead serious now, "I'm not a mechwarrior, or a soldier. I bypassed military service unless you count three months on a nuclear submarine and screwing up the missile launch, and I've personally killed people on live holovid. 'Fame' is something that happens to you, even for me." She tapped her thermal cup of coffee. "What you do with it? Now that's different. You've done an amazing job with it, don't sell yourself short."
“You and Arthur are revolutionizing space travel. Me? I’m just supporting my friends.”
"So say we all, Helena. I picked this conference because I have, despite being a cut-throat bitch, a deep and abiding affection for the little entrepreneurs and inventors out there. The guys who work as many hours as I have, but for a micro-fraction of the rewards. It was smallholders and co-ops that supported me against the Regency, and they were at the worst risk if we'd failed. I don't forget my people, my friends, and…" She poked Helena with a free hand, "NEITHER DO YOU!"
“I do my best but I’m not perfect.”
"No one who lives is perfect. Perfection is a static state," Elizabeth noted. "Only dead people, long eroded to dust, are 'perfect'."
“What is perfection? Ask ten people and you’ll get a dozen different answers,” Helena nodded.
They reached the ferroglass doors to 'outside', and Liz nodded at the ticket-person as they stepped out into the main station.
"There are still some efficiencies in just spin gravity for a station, wouldn't you say?" Liz said, looking up at the opposing skyline, past the solatube that lit the O'Neill cylinder.
“Yeah. But this will still be huge for the Belters, Rockjacks, and all the other independent spacefarers.”
"Yup. We're going to detour to Ender's cluster on the way back, I've got some investments there," Liz told Helena semi-cryptically.
“Of course you do. Which settles we really do need to clone you so there’s enough of you to go around for all your responsibilities.” Helena shook her head.
"The same can be said for Danny Brewer," Liz noted. "He's got the whole of Defiance Industries to look after-and you know, they're big."
“And we’re not?”
"Nope." Liz shook her head, "Not big. Growing, but not there yet. We haven't beaten the average standard of living of the Star League of Legend yet. We'll be big when we can look at that era and pity the poor primitives."
“Well as long as we don’t create our own vampire economy doing it, I’m onboard.”
"Don't be silly. Vampires are static, we're aiming for dynamic!" Liz chuckled.
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===Racing down the Crimson Shadow Road===
Strana Mechty, Kerensky Cluster (Clan Space)3063
The array of ships gathered was powerful, some of the greatest warship designs of the Star League era, escorted by the best innovations in dropship technology of the Clans, carrying super-elite, bred for conflict, trained practically from birth, warriors.
It will take them eighteen months from today, to reach their destination.
Clan Star Adder was arrayed for war. Intelligence gathered on the 'Crimson Road' suggested that the Touman would end up eroded to almost nothing, even if they won every engagement along the Inner Sphere's invasion route, that taking the stations would cost so much, that it would effectively gut the touman.
So, Cassius N'Buta elected to arrange a different course, to preserve his Clan's fighting strength, and warship superiority.
A superiority that would be necessary to land ground forces in sufficient number to take a world his Loremaster termed 'a nightmare to occupy', full of people who see surrender as death, but are freely willing to retreat in a dogged extended, brutal battle to the last, denying any stronger force the decisive engagement in favor of bleeding an enemy over time.
Ahead of them were ships whose purpose was to alert them of any possible encounters, search for suitable worlds where the Warriors could be exercised, and to help optimize their path with updated stellar information.
As little as possible was being left to chance for this mission.
“Time for Clan Star Adder to begin their journey. All vessels jump when ready.” N’Buta commanded.
"Are we ready?"
"The race is on," Cassius asserted. "Even now, Marthe Pryde's weak coalition is arranging diplomatic passage down the Crimson Shadow Road. They will be there, to see our victory. Those 'classes' take years to complete."
“Seyla.”
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