ADO Chpt 34

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==Nautilus ExpeditionChapter 34 - Aurigan Dreams (BattleTech CYOA)==
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===Discussion of the Future===
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“Okay, I can see why you suddenly want this business venture.” says Angela Hawkins as my chief financial officer looks at the copy of my patent on the myomer layout, “How good is this?”
“I got it registered on Terra with a highly respectable Blakist legal firm agreeing to defend such a promising patent.” I answer, trying to hide my concern at what is most likely ComStar’s hand, especially with the fact I got such a decent deal out of it, “We have word back from Canopus, Taurus, Sian, and Atreus that they have acknowledged and registered the patent, but I have yet to hear from New Avalon, Tharkad, Luthien, and Alpheratz.”
“There shouldn’t be any difficulties.” says Angela as she puts the patent down, “Even in this day and age, patents are fairly standard business and very few are willing to mess with them. Anyway, I was asking more after how much of a big deal this will be. I know you are an expert in this field, but I want to make sure that you aren’t getting too caught up in its hype.”
“An understandable concern, but in this case, it is a real deal.” I tell her, “For no increase in cost, it allows for far more effective movement and range of motion. We just need to set a low licensing cost, wait for word to get out and sit back as the C-Bills come in.”
“That explains your interest in acquiring some exoskeleton production lines.” notes Angela, “What about the armor production lines? Trying to secure a cheaper supply of replacement armor for the Sentinels?”
“No, the myomer layout is one of the two secrets behind combat exoskeletons.” I answer, “The second is BAR 10 armor capable of fitting on an exoskeleton. I have some working examples in the form of the Nighthawks, which I am hoping to reverse engineer. I don’t expect to get the same quality armor as the stealth armor out of it, but even just non-stealth armor that fits on an exoskeleton would be a major breakthrough. We could make our own combat exoskeletons and all of it would be using technology that isn’t LosTech or irreplaceable.”
“Okay, that is a big ask.” says Angela as she purses her lips, “Not impossible, but you would need to fund it and you might not get results out of it before those funds dry up or you run out of Nighthawks.”
“If I can get the man that I am hoping to get, I have no worry about getting some results.” I say, “Okay, what is next?”
“No, we need to take a step back and go through this in order.” says Angela firmly, “I know you aren’t the best with finances, but you need to start taking a more organized approach to them rather than being all ad hoc and gung ho like you have been. Especially if you intend to expand from a single regiment formation into a multi-regimental formation.”
“Right, right.” I agree, “Let’s see. I want to produce combat exoskeletons for which I want to purchase some existing production lines to save on the expense of setting up some new ones. I also want to acquire some BAR 10 armor production so I can fund experiments to produce BAR 10 armor that’ll fit on an exoskeleton. To do that, I want to hire Doctor Kota Drakon, the premier expert in the Reach on material science. He is a genius like I am and while he finished his uni egrees earlier this year, he is currently filling out his education and acquiring connections at one of the local trade schools.”
“This Doctor Drakon, who is he and what is he like?” asks Angela as she takes some notes.
“A couple years older than me and as I said, he is a fellow genius.” I answer, “We met whilst I was at college and he was at uni due to our shared engineering courses. Well, not shared per say, but we were both doing separate engineering courses and that was a point of mutual contact. We discussed our studies a few times, went on a couple of dates that went nowhere and then I continued with college while he finished uni and decided to take some correspondence courses to round out his education. We don’t talk these days, but I keep track of his works since he is a fellow genius. While I am more of a putting existing parts together person, Kota is more interested in making those parts with a speciality in material sciences.”
“Sounds like an excellent fit for your project.” says Angela, “Do you think he’ll accept?”
“He hasn’t got an existing job, we know each other and I am rich.” I reply, “He will need a job and I can offer him both money and prestige. Especially if House Karosas backs this endeavour.”
“Wait, what now about House Karosas?” demands Angela as she gives me another look.
“Right, I was going to mention it after this bit, but I’ve impressed Lord Karosas enough that he has expressed interest in supporting my venture and/or investing in it.” I explain, “I’ve sent him a copy of the patent and between that and the fact he knows I’ve got some Nighthawks in reserve, I’m confident that he’ll want in. Once we finish this meeting, I’m hoping to arrange a meeting with him over what we decide here.”
“You’re worse than Coranni.” says Angela with a weary sigh, “I don’t know how, but you managed to be worse than her. Let me get this straight. You want to purchase some exoskeleton and armor production lines alongside hiring the best material science expert in this part of the Periphery so you can make some combat exoskeletons. And Lord Karosas, one of the big shots in the Aurigan Coalition, wants to invest or otherwise support this venture because he has seen enough promise in either you or it if not both.”
“Pretty much.” I confirm, “Also, I want to found a new company for this. If I’m going to be making and producing new designs, I want my own business to do it with.”
“That’s a reasonable course of action.” says Angela, “Do you have any idea how you’re going to go about it?”
“Well, I was hoping to get your help or advice on that.” I admit somewhat sheepishly, “You’re my chief financial officer and you are the daughter of a CEO.”
“You aren’t wrong about me being the right person to go to.” agrees Angela, “Okay, but if we are going to do this, we will do it right. Which means sorting out the finances of not only this new business, but also the Rimward Sentinels and your own.”
“I’ve been meaning to sort those out, but it has never been a high priority with everything else that I’ve had to do.” I protest as this subject comes up once again as it almost always does with Angela.
“Well, now it is a priority so you will be getting around to it.” says Angela firmly, “I know it isn’t the biggest of issues with the sheer military power at your disposal and the friendliness of the local nobility, but once you enter the realm of running a traditional business? You absolutely need to separate your own personal finances from the finances of the business. Got it?”
“I understand.” I reply, trying not to be sour about having my hand forced as the Lyran woman has a valid point.
“Any more business ventures that you have in mind?” asks Angela, “Beyond this exoskeleton related stuff?”
“Not right now.” I answer, “I am planning to get this going and turning a profit before I branch out.”
“Then we’ll address the details of your future business and getting other people involved later.” says Angela as she starts tapping away at her noteputer, “Since I’ve done some preliminary research on acquiring some exoskeleton and armor production lines, we’ll address those now. As a highly populated and developed system with a decent amount of orbital ongoings, the Coromodir system has multiple exoskeleton production lines on both worlds. About fifty over on Coromodir V and around eighty here on Coromodir VI, some of which are inactive or mothballed whilst some production lines are tied up in a single factory.”
“Will it be as simple as just buying a few of those or will it be more complicated?” I ask.
“Technically the former, but it will be a more involved process than just popping out to the shop and buying something to cook for dinner.” replies Angela, “You may be rich, but your wealth only stretches so far. Some owners will be unwilling to sell or be brought out whilst others will ask for prices that are too high for you to accept. If we look at some of the smaller businesses or those who are doing badly and otherwise struggling to make a profit, it should be possible to get an affordable price or even a good one. Another alternative is going after inactive production lines, but I would like to send experts to personally inspect those sites to see how much of those production lines are still there or remain usable.”
“Alright, sounds good to me.” I say, “I’ll trust that you’ll both be able to handle it on your own and keep me in the loop?”
“Of course I can.” answers Angela with a proud smile, “And if you want me to run this new business for you, you’ll need to promote someone to replace me in my current position. I am a capable woman, but being a CEO is a full time job and so is being the chief financial officer for a multi-regiment mercenary command.”
“Get a competent successor and I’ll give them your job.” I tell her, “I assume the situation with armor production is similar to the situation with the exoskeleton producers?”
“Effectively so, but it is more varied.” replies Angela, “We have some BAR 10 armor producers, but the majority of them are civilian producers making industrial or commercial grade armor for civilian products. Until recently, Coromodir hasn’t been host to active military forces and it has been isolated and well-defended enough to historically avoid raids. There hasn’t been much of a local need for standard armor and the main producer for the region as a whole is Mechdur.”
“In that case, look at production lines for both standard armor and heavy industrial armor.” I say, “They’re basically the same thing and it is easy to switch from making heavy industrial to standard.”
“I’ll make a note of that.” says Angela as she types away on her noteputer, “Now, let’s discuss your plans for your own company.”
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===A conversation with a fussy Doctor===
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“Doctor Drakon?” I ask as I take a seat at the table in the bar..
“Buzz off.” replies the man without looking up from his drink.
“I have a job offer for you.” I tell him, ignoring his response.
“Who the ‘ell are-oh, Elizabeth right?” says Kota as the man finally looks up.
“That’s me.” I confirm, “We did some collaboration on exoskeletons a couple years back.”
“I thought you went mercenary.” says Kota as he gives me a look, “I’m ain’t interested in becoming a merc.”
“I inherited a mercenary unit at the start of the year, but I don’t want you for that.” I tell him as I pull out a copy of my patent along with some stretches of the myomer layout, “I’ve started branching out into the manufacturing business thanks to this and it is this that I want your involvement in.”
“What is-wait.” starts Kota as he takes the papers that I’m offering him, “Hmm, is this…?”
“Yes.” I answer with a grin, “I’m already purchasing some production lines for both exoskeletons and armor.”
“Armor?” repeats Kota, “What does armor have to do with exoskeletons?” 
“This myomer setup makes exoskeletons agile enough to use in combat.” I explain, “Put some armor on an exoskeleton with this layout and figure out how to attach a gun and I’ll have some power armor for my infantry.”
“Like the SLDF’s Nighthawks.” mutters Kota as he looks thoughtful, “The concept is proven. I don’t know how much it will cost, but the Star League has already shown the concept to be viable. Making a lesser version of what the SLDF achieved is certainly on the table, especially since we are limiting ourselves to existing technology.”
“Are you onboard?” I ask him, hoping that I’ve got him hook, line and sinker.
“I want to say yes, but no, not yet.” says Kota with an apologetic look, “Ah, you see you're not the only one who is approaching me.”
“What do you mean?” I reply.
“House Davion or at least a representative of theirs has reached out to me.” explains Kota, “It’s surprising I know, but they want me for a big research project that they are putting together.”
“The New Avalon Institute of Science.” I say as it clicks into place.
Damn it. I’m competing with the NAIS for Kota’s expertise? I’m not sure that I’ll be able to compete with that. I mean I’ll try, but I’m less confident of my chances of success here. Just damn it.
“That.” confirms Kota, looking interested at my instant recognition, “Did they reach out to you as well?”
“No, but I’ve heard about it.” I say, hoping that he doesn’t inquire further on how I heard about it, “Alright, I can offer the position as project lead or team lead or both if you want it. I can pay you a lot though I may not be able to match what Davion is offering in both C-Bills and benefits, but I have a specific project for you, one that has the potential to be very big.”
“I can’t deny that this could be game-changing.” says Kota, “On the other hand, New Avalon is New Avalon.”
“You’ll be a big fish in a massive ocean over there.” I tell him, trying to play to this ego. “Here on Coromodir, you’ll be a big fish in a small pond and the standards of living are in the same league even if we are out in the Periphery.”
“Maybe I want to leave Coromodir behind.” mutters Kota as he turns back to his drink, leaving me feeling frustrated once again.
“Pray tell me why you might want to leave Coromodir?” I demand, “You might not have noticed, but I am a pretty important person around here these days. I have my own heavy-metal mercenary unit, I am a baroness, I am actively dealing with the heads of three Founding Houses and one of my best friends is Kamea Arano, heiress to House Arano and the Aurigan Coalition. If you have a reason to leave Coromodir or the Coalition behind, I might be able to help you out. And if it is just Coromodir, I can arrange for the project to be done on another world if need be. I would rather keep it here on Coromodir, but you are the Coalition’s best in your chosen subject.”
“Well if I’m that valuable, I’ll need you to keep Baron Lauatai off my back if I am to stay here on Coromodir.” says Kota.
“Who?” I ask, drawing a blank on that name.
“Baron Henre Lauatai.” answers Kota, practically spitting out the name as he looks back up at me, glaring though at whatever he is imagining rather than me. “Some a-hole who I humiliated at a bar a few months back. Didn’t know he was some noble until later when he started getting back at me for making a fool out of him. He has been making the odd attempts to hurt me since then and my attempts at coming to an accord have been met with Lauatai making it clear that he intends to ruin me out of spite.”
“Never heard of him, but I have the connections.” I say, still not recognizing the name, but deciding that if I don’t know who he is. He isn’t important enough to matter, “I am close with House Arano, Lord Karosas wants you to be part of this project and Lord Espinosa will do what it takes to ensure this project is successful. I can’t promise what will happen with Baron Lauatai, but if you commit to this endeavour, you’ll be important enough to keep him off your back.”
“Fair deal, but House Davion is offering me a way to deal with him as well.” says Kota, “You can offer me fame and protection, but I want wealth. They’re offering me a starting salary of five thousand C-Bills a month and if you want me to stay and work with you, I want you to match that.”
I frown at that and how can I not? It might be affordable to me, but only because I inherited a lot of money from my old man. Until my new businesses and patent begin to turn a profit, the expenses will eat deeply into my personal income and five thousand C-Bills for a single person is a lot. Twice the pay that an elite-rated Mechwarrior officer can expect to make in fact. Is Doctor Kota Drakon worth it? Probably and he better be worth it.
“Alright, I will match that,” I tell Kota after my moment of thinking, “but if I am paying that much. I’ll be expecting a return on it.”
“Don’t worry about that, Elizabeth,” Kota assures me with a grin, “I’ll get you your exoskeleton armor.”
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==Author's Chapter Notes==
;Word from the Author: The update is done now and I am hoping to reach the end of 3015 in-story by the end of 2022. Anyway, this is the industrial side of things. The next update or two will be character-based in nature and that is it for this arc. Once those are done, I have a ComStar interlude planned before we get to the seventh arc, which will time-skip ahead to December.
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