ALJ Chpt 92

frameless|right|300px|link=A Long Journey
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==Chapter 92 - A Long Journey==
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1 February 2788
Panpour (Federated Suns)
Walter Ovilla, CEO TechniCorp Panpour Factory Complex, met the Jumbo Dropship that had arrived from Mackolla, home of Mackolla Enterprises. He had arranged buses to transport all the new people. In the background everyone could see construction 'mechs working on constructing several massive buildings. He followed everyone's gaze and said "Working on our expansion. Should get us up to 300 Manticore per day when it is completed, and we get the new machinery."
"Impressive, but honestly, I am not in favor of expanding Manticore production here on Panpour." Colin Blaine replied
"And you are?" Walter Ovilla asked
"Colin Blaine, Senior Vice President of Mackolla Enterprises. Too big a target. We saw it during the Amaris War, lose the only factory and suddenly your totally screwed. But your expansion will not go to waste, it will be repurposed and put to good use." He handed out a piece of paper which Walter Ovilla accepted and read over.
"Production license, for the Goblin? I build tanks not battle taxis." Walter Ovilla replied that you should be able to get production up to 400 per day. The profit margin is also higher and should get us between 20 and 25%. We also estimate that it can be achieved with only 75% of the manufacturing e
"Addicks has fallen, and Johnson Industries no longer can supply the AFFS with Goblins. So, we are going to do it in their place. I also have the complete production specs loaded onto a data stick. We estimatequipment you ordered, the other 25% of the equipment is being sent to Mackolla. You can use the information on the data stick to start making the proper molds until all the smelting equipment arrives and such." Colin Blaine said
"Sir, I am not sure who is advising you but...." Walter Ovilla started to say before being cutoff.
"Buhallin Military and Ulston Armor. I have almost 2,000 of their people with me who are going to assist you with this expansion. Plus, all of you will learn how to build Goblins together, at the same time. Like I said, I am not a fan of massive factory complexes because they are also massive targets. Addicks has fallen to the Capellans and now the AFFS is sucking wind. We just heard the news, and the AFFS has been cut off from Johnson Industries for several months. They have a void and a need; we are going to fill that need. When this war ends or sooner if we get the chance, we are going to open up another factory complex somewhere, maybe even two more, it has not been decided yet, but it will happen.
Now, I know TechniCorp used to let you lower CEO's operate fairly independently, and while we do to, we also look at things more strategically. We are still rebuilding our industrial base and even expanding, which is money intensive. So, for the immediate future expect to send 80% of your profits up the food chain to Mackolla Enterprises main office. We will reevaluate those numbers at the end of the year and see where we stand. That should easily allow you to meet whatever emergency expense comes at you and anything you cannot handle we can step in and help out. I saw the year end numbers, but how did January go?" Colin Blaine said
"We finished January with 6,600 Manticore Tanks produced and shipped to the AFFS, we finished with a hair over two billion profits." Walter Ovilla replied
"Outstanding numbers. You and your people know their jobs well. Since we took part of your equipment away, we will drop January to only 75% so roughly one point six billion. That should leave you with around four hundred million to handle any emergency expense. I think that is more than enough. We can continue this tomorrow, for now let's take a quick tour of your facility, get all our people into quarters because I could use a good long shower in some gravity." Colin Blaine said
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Terra (Terran Hegemony)
"We will need to adjust our planning General Hayes, we cannot risk a confrontation with any of the Houses. Everyone is now onboard with the operation, are your troops ready?" Jerome Blake asked
"They are. If we are not going to hold the surrounding systems, then we should strip them of everything we can before the Houses get to it. Bring it all back to Terra." Major General Lauren Hayes replied
"Thoughts on how to accomplish this task?" Jerome Blake asked
"It will not be hard to adjust the current plans. It will require additional shipping and cargo carriers be added to the strike groups themselves. Instead of occupying we will just land and strip what we can. You ordered me to plan the operation before you left, and I selected those worlds that would do us the most good, industrial wise. I will adjust our targeting accordingly." Major General Hayes replied
"Very well. First, we secure Terra and then we conduct our operations in the surrounding area. I trust you to command this operation." Jerome Blake said
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