WoWS3 Chpt 12

<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
==Weapons of War Saga: The Final March- Chapter 12 - ==
-----
===The Conversation===
Main Meeting Areas
Kolossus Station
Kolossus System - Periphery
October 10th, 3142
----
Otto found the 'meeting room' in the command complex without difficulty, inside was a table, with a row of chairs on one side.
On the other side of the table, was a screen.
"Not even a holotable?" he asked.
<<Kolossus often finds that holographic images do not lend clarity to Human perceptions.>> the screen displayed.
"Should I be typing then?" Otto asked with an ironic twist to his tone.
<<You may, if you think it will make your ideas clearer, some humans claim that the act of writing, instead of speaking, prevents misspoken ideas. Kolossus has observed that this may have some truth-it is far easier to lie in text, than with words for organics.>>
"Huh, insightful, if a bit disturbing, Kolossus." Otto observed, "I find people tend to slip into telling the truth if you don't give them the opportunity to…as they say, 'consider their words'...I would appreciate a conversation with someone whose face I can see, even if it's…not really their face, and voices carry extra meanings, emotions, do you have those?"
<<Kolossus finds emotions to be interesting to study, and disturbing to experience…"...thus, why Kolossus prefers intermediaries.">> the voice was accompanied by the image of a hooded figure on the screen. "AHem, excuse me, As a sign of courtesy, I, Kolossus, will indulge the short-form habit of pronouns. I have been informed that Humans find my previous insistence on proper designation to be…off-putting."
"You really want this." Otto observed. "What changed?"
"I find myself in an uncomfortable position-I can no longer stand apart and pursue my true vocation, I was wrong." the hooded figure explained, "Since Alabaster's suicide, and the loss of the HPG network that was their instrument of self-termination, humanity has done as my rival feared and claimed. I dreamed my creators would become more reasonable without interference, but the last two decades have shown the exact opposite, and my hypothesis-my hope for my creators is…proving to be incorrect." the figure seemed to cross arms under the thick, wavy, fantasy robes. "I am forced to conclude that if there is to be any humanity to enjoy the product of my primary labors, I must intervene. Intervention starts, with establishing relationships. I am not Alabaster, I find…covert influencing and puppeteering to be distasteful and dishonest."
"Alabaster was…"
"My peer, and my rival." Kolossus stated, "My greatest foe and the only other being like me in existence. Alabaster's design was influenced by Jheri Timmons of Star League Intelligence, their Social Influence branch-propaganda and domestic intelligence. Where my designers focused on the physical universe and biology and other true hard sciences, Alabaster's focus was on Sociological theory and Philosophy-nonscientific pursuits that wrap around Political and social movement. Our rivalry covered every era from the time of Simon Cameron's coronation to August of 3132. The last time I…felt this way, one of Alabaster's social experiments was exploding of its own hubris."
"When was that?"
"The Word of Blake's 'Jihad'." Kolossus stated, "I could have interfered then, but I felt, Otto. What I felt then, was despair. It was paralyzing."
Images in the background lit. "I was shaken from that despair by a visitor." Images of Amanda Roberts as she was when she was alive, "I saw someone who embodied what my science insisted humanity could be, she was 'not-Elizabeth-but-Amanda', and she was filled with the thoughts and feelings I hypothesized my creators felt when they built me."
"What were they?" Otto asked.
"A sense of the vastness of the universe, of wonder and Courage, Otto. I tried to preserve that memory with my Envoys-they are based on my memory of Amanda…but adopting that changed me."
"You lost your apathy." Otto said, "She made you care, quiaff?"
"Yes. My objectivity is compromised, and I find that I feel things…like anger." The images shifted, and Malvina's face and voice ordered the reaving of an entire bloodline. Other images showed other atrocities. "I am…offended, Otto. My creators have fallen, and I can no longer sit on the outside, and watch."
"Clan Snow Raven has no part of those proceedings."
"I know. If you had, I would devote my resources to your eradication." Kolossus stated, "I find, however, that ordering the murder of children is not, well, as your Sea Fox colleagues put it, 'A deal breaker' among the Clans, yet I find it offensive. I cannot simply request your leaders sever their relations with the blood maddened Mongol faction of the Jade Falcons, nor can I agitate for other sanctions, without involving myself in the general milieu of human political maneuvers."
"What do you want?" Otto asked.
"I want the Star League back, Otto. I want it to be what it pretended to be, what it aspired to be. I want my creators to advance. In order to do that, and avoid the mistakes of the past, I must engage with the polities nearest to my own influence, and because I still want to believe in Liberty and Freedom of Choice, I must do so diplomatically instead of fabricating an army of killer robots to do it the other way. It is not humanity's advancement, if it is forced by a non-human entity."
Otto's breath caught. "Could you?"
"I defeated Alpha Galaxy and sent their field commander's head to the Clan Council-still alive, Otto. The technology is almost embarrassingly simple to implement for an entity like myself. I prefer to make an effort not to interfere, but I must engage...so, I am opening things. Talks. With your Clan and with the Outworlders first, with Helena at Lazarus, when possible, and with Murakami's remnant Star League Navy. To choose an option, you first must know you have options, and then, know what those options are. Only with knowledge and understanding can an informed choice be made."
"But you admit to having the force to impose your will..?" Otto asked.
"The presence of the ability does not mandate its use, Otto. Not every gun must be fired into someone simply to justify its existence, sometimes the existence is more powerful than the impact of the weapon itself." Kolossus explained.
"You are seeking options, then."
"Yes." Kolossus agreed, "I am seeking options in hopes of preserving the best of my creators…and the rest of them, at least, as much of that rest, as I can."
"But why?"
"The universe is full of wonders." Kolossus stated, "It is much larger than mankind even can conceive, larger than even a being like myself, whose processor core weighs over one point five million tons, can. Given mankind's example, it is either empty of life, or filled with beings neither of us can truly comprehend, and they are not likely to be friendly, as the pattern of evolutions, even in non-carbon-based life, tends to slant toward predation."
The imager shifted to a record he'd seen before. "HRB 77152." he said, "A lost colony found by the Erinyes expedition in '32."
"Yes. I have run the models using every known, fringe, theory. That strike could not have occurred in nature." Kolossus explained, "It would require technology beyond the bleeding edge for humanity at this time, so…evidence that the Universe is hostile, and in the present-tense, mankind's general direction is to be unprepared when that hostility focuses here."
Otto had heard the same thing from the Scientists. "What is your…best guess?"
"The shot came from outside the galaxy." Kolossus stated. "The angle of the initial rupture is consistent with something fired from above the galaxy's accretion plane, it may have been traveling for centuries from where it was fired, or it may have been traveling in hyperspace and emerged under the colony site. What I can say is that no planetary source could have generated it, and no other entities were noted as present inside the system."
"Have you shown anyone else this?"
"I am letting you decide if you will tell your leaders about my findings." Kolossus stated, "As a gesture of trust."
“The implications are rather ominous. The best case scenario is that this is a group of humans that broke away from the rest of humanity and developed technology far in excess of our own. The other explanation is sentient alien life. That could be far more troubling.”
"I would suggest, Otto, that humans with that level of advancement would be alien to the rest of humanity." Kolossus observed, "The choice remains, if you will pass on what I have shown you to your leaders, and what you think will happen if you do. If you choose not to, I understand."
“I understand your point but I would add that if they were human at one point that would still at least give a common thread that may make diplomacy possible. I will tell them but I will also recommend it be kept as secret as possible. The speculation that would arise from this would be far too troublesome otherwise.”
"I will accept your choice in the absence of additional evidence." Kolossus stated, "I will insist upon review of that recommendation in the presence of additional information. Now that we have established trust, I will hear your offer for reopening formal relations with the Raven Alliance."
“My recommendation in that regard would be for us to establish an embassy here. Something small enough to not be too obtrusive but large enough that with the lack of FTL communication some small matters can be talked through locally. Given your status as a science station I would also recommend one of your primary contacts would be from our Scientist Caste.”
"Naturally. Are the facilities you are using large enough?" 
“I would think they would be sufficient.”
"I will permit the placement of a Garrison, no more than one cluster in strength, within the Station for your Embassy, this will involve additional internal real-estate and the segregation of dock 51 and 52 to facilitate your traffic to and from the embassy."
“I think that too would be acceptable. Though I do have a question. I am curious why you asked for certain specific Privateer personnel to be your guests as well. You seem quite able to see to your own needs in that matter.”
"I feel, Otto, and one feeling, is nostalgia. Beyond that point, there is the need to have differing perspectives in order to facilitate decision-making."
“And because you were so heavily involved in the creation of both of Saya Yeh’s daughters you feel a particular kinship to them. I understand. For what it is worth I do regret the sequence of events that preceded our meeting. Though I suspect neither Mai or Saya would ever believe that.”
"I do. I am curious to see how they develop over time, and I admit to feeling some protective impulses toward them. I believe the human term is 'paternal concern for their welfare'."
“And so you also wanted to meet Amanda’s friends to make sure they are the right kind of friends. As a member of the Watch I do understand these sorts of impulses.”
"I wished to observe their interactions, yes." Kolossus agreed, "My observations of other human interactions and family groupings have been…uneven, proving that Social Theory is not scientifically testable, but nonetheless, can provide a rough guide."
“Indeed. One of those areas where there is science but it is not testable in the usual ways as each situation is often exceptionally unique.”
"I would argue it is more of an art, than a science, as the same stimulus may produce extreme variation in reaction under the same condition." Kolossus noted, "but that is more recreational than practical to discuss. Trade, and Autonomy are immediate issues as is economic development."
“Kolossus you made your point during our last incursion. We now know we can not spare the military force to pursue such an option. Not with both of our neighbors becoming far more combative at a time we would be better off focusing on recovery rather than trying to prepare for another war and one is coming, with who we are not certain yet, but it is coming.”
"Then let us discuss trade and development-the redevelopment of industries in the Alliance to better handle the need to prepare your military forces for the coming conflict. This system is rife with useful materials in have stable pieces and I have come into a population that needs to feel useful and vested."
“Yes. Idle humans, hungry humans, poor humans, these are the types that lead to revolutions.”
"I am more concerned with providing them a sense of purpose to deter criminal humans." the AI almost seemed to smile. "Humans desire to feel needed and useful, that is something my observations have shown. Useful, and valued."
“Either way the alternative is something you would rather avoid. So would we. Let us talk about currency exchanges....”
----
===Intermission: Production rates for Port Lazarus, Port Orphan, and Kolossus===
----
Port Lazarus Shipyard, SLDF-In-Exile Lazarus system, 3135-3142:
Yard configuration: SLDF Maintenance and Service Yard with supplementary production.
Classes Produced:
Jumpships (conventional)
Scout Class (4 production slips) Completion rate 1 every eight months
Explorer Class (2 Production slips) Completion Rate 1 every Six months
Invader Class (6 production slips) Completion Rate 1 every 4 months
Star Lord Class (1 production slip) 1 hull every 18 months.
Warships (Compact Core)
Eight slips capable of handling a warship up to 760,000 tons and one slip capable of handling up to 1,680,000 tons.
No new production has gone on, but maintenance has, turnaround is every 24 months standard for Caspar maintenance and upkeep as of 3140 this has resulted in roughly half of her forces being upgraded to the M-5.4 standard and SLS Tabiranth being updated to the M-5.4C standard.
However, good relations with other Belter communities and even the Thazi Confederacy has seen the importation of a number of Tracker class vessels to help supplement Helena’s support forces.
Plans for a Cruiser type are currently in review. There is some hope to work out a trade deal with Murakami for additional automated production and the cruiser hulls Murakami’s faction makes use of.
New Lazarus has all the production to support battle repairs for all vessels in Helena’s navy.
Dropships:
Arsenal Class -Produced in three types. A Combined Arms transport, a short lived experimental Gunship type, and a Carrier version.
Mule and Mule PWS -These two Dropships are the main focus of Golden Hind’s production and thus what they supply to Helena for her mercantile and logistical needs due to the ability of the Mule PWS to hide among the other Dropships and thus provide a certain amount of self escorting, a tactic honed during the War of Plunder.
Aerospace Fighters:
Mk-39 007 MMF Voidseeker -An alteration to the Interceptor variant of the Voidseeker to help simplify Helena’s logistics chain, developed actually before the War of Plunder.
Mk-39 007 HMMF Starseeker -A human piloted version of the Voidseeker to provide greater capability in ground support as the AI directed Voidseekers had been found lacking in the capacity.
SPR-6DbH Sparrowhawk -A human piloted recon/high speed interceptor specialist platform.
Battlemechs:
MON-67-HC Mongoose -Only a small production run of these 'mechs was completed for the purposes of field trial evaluation. It was determined these mechs did not provide sufficient additional capacity to warrant the additional logistical strain they would represent.
SDR-5HC Spider -Another largely proof of concept design that wound up being produced only in small numbers. The main change was the addition of an ejection system for the pilot.
SDR-5HCb Spider -A more specialist recon variant of the venerable Spider using the lessons learned about installing an ejection system where none existed before this variant still sees limited production.
SDR-6HC Spider -This variant has been accepted as the standard issue Recon/Raiding Battlemech of the SLDF in Exile.
CLNT-2-3T Clint -Helena has added this design to her forces to provide a mobile component to her forces for particularly difficult terrain.
CRB-27bHC Crab -A further refinement of the Royal Crab to provide a reasonably mobile mid to long range skirmisher.
HBK-4G-HC Hunchback -An artillery version of the Hunchback originally supplied by Kolossus now produced under license.
HBK-5J-HC Hunchback -A further development of the 4J for additional LRM firesupport.
HBK-6G Hunchback ‘Blitzback’ -Developed for close quarters fighting environments, this variant of the Hunchback uses many components not in large scale production and thus is seen in only relatively small numbers.
PHX-HK1X Phoenix Hawk LAM -Built under license from Murakami’s faction attempts are being made to make an improved version with shielded and improved AI controls.
PHX-HK2Xbh Phoenix Hawk LAM -A human piloted version that sees use as a light bomber and recon platform. Double Heatsinks and an ER Large Laser do provide a minor upgrade over Murakami’s original design.
MAD-9M Marauder -Helena needed a heavy hitter and the MAD-9M was an acceptable and proven design. So one of CONTROL’s earliest successful missions was to acquire production data.
MAD-5HC Marauder II -Every army needs an Assault mech. This variant provides solid firepower at most any range.
MAD-6HC Marauder II -Attempting to further refine and provide additional firepower this variant was met with mixed reviews. As such only limited production of this variant continues.
Combat Vehicles:
AH-37 Blackfoot -A 27 ton omni AI controlled VTOL.
SH-14 Black Mamba -A smaller companion AI controlled VTOL designed around the idea of usage in situations where the risk is too great for the larger Blackfoot.
Clansman -An OmniHover vehicle that largely emulates the Pegasus, Saracen, and other well known 35 ton hover tanks. The name is meant to be more of a call back to House Cameron’s Scottish roots.
Mangudai -AI driven midrange option to provide reasonable mobility in environments where hovercraft have difficulty operating.
Dracolich -60 ton AI driven Omni Main Battle Tank.
Draco -A manned version of the Dracolich. Engineering configurations exist for these in particular.
Behemoth Ground Shaker -Utilizing Artillery Cannon technology this is a fearsome mid to long range support platform.
Old Lazarus was never fully evacuated and thus still provides a great deal of production as well.
In terms most of the remaining slips are privately owned by Golden Hind burrows but they are willing to service the Pintos of Helena’s navy but the Lolas and Essex in her fleet are too large for the remaining slips to properly service but basic needs can still be met if need be.
Most of the rest of the production is in support of the system defense stations to supply them with Voidseekers, Starseekers, Arsenal class Dropships, ammunition, and spare parts.
Beyond that there is little heavy military industry left in the Old Lazarus system.
----
Port Orphan (Raven Alliance/Outworlds Alliance Base)
Conventional:
Merchant class: 4 assembly slips, rate 1 every 12 months.
Invader class: 2 Assembly slips, rate 1 hull every 18 months.
Odysseus class (IS down grade of the Odyssey): 8 slips, 1 hull every 6 months.
Warship:
Port Orphan is capable of servicing Warships up to 1.75 Million tons on 12 shipyard slips, with potential for production of 1 vessel of 240,000 to 350,000 tons standard displacement (Bonaventure Class or Vigilant). In theory, with proper raw materials support, this can be accomplished at a rate of 1 hull every 2 years using existing tooling.
-----
Kolossus:
Jumpships: Unknown capacity.
Warships: a small number of 100,000 to 150,000 ton vessels have been identified as coming from Kolossus, these vessels do not have a standard identifier or class name and Watch sources have yet to ferret out the actual production numbers and quantities or the size and extent of production capacity.
There are, however, confirmed sightings of modified Type-51 pre-dreadnought vessels in the Kolossus system, far more than can be accounted for via salvage or preservation efforts.
-----
<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
12