WCGW Chpt 265

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==Chapter 265 - What Could Go Wrong==
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Thazi (Independent System)
23rd July, 3047
After several days of diagnostic testing, the first HPG message was sent and answered by the NAIS constructed Mobile HPG. The gathered NAIS personnel cheered at their success, but Jeremy Frazier, while happy, also knew that the programming itself was only a direct copy of the originally provided one, which was still on New Avalon. Also, Wokha was only 30.9LY and they needed a location to test the maximum range of the Mobile HPG. He brought this to President David Mitchell.
"We need a target that is close to the 50LY range gate. Have any idea where we could find one?" Jeremy Frazier asked
President Mitchell had spent months studying the immediate region around Thazi, mainly as part of his need for a fairly secure supply route to the Federated Commonwealth. He had memorized the distances along his proposed routes only because he had spent so many hours in front of a Star Chart of the region. "Leave the one on Wokha. Rondon is 49.4LY from Wokha. It will be a few months at least before we get there though. Unless you want to go over to Wokha and try to convince Vice Admiral Unger to haul you out there."
"Already dealt with him on the issue and it is dead on arrival. We will just have to wait. May I ask why you would be going to this, Rondon?" Jeremy Frazier asked
"Salvage operations and scouting a secure route back to the Federated Commonwealth border." President Mitchell said
"Think you might find anything of value after all these years?" Jeremy Frazier asked
"That Mobile HPG you have been playing with back on New Avalon? Where do you think it came from?" President Mitchell replied with a smile.
"Makes you wonder how much more is out here." Jeremy Frazier said
"It is what we have been doing for years now. Personally, I think there is way more out here than anyone thinks and I plan on finding it all." President Mitchell replied
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Inner End (Federated Commonwealth)
"Sarah, I did not expect you to come personally." Chief Warrant Officer Harry Caldwell said after sharing a brief hug.
"When I got word, I figured what the hell, one more treasure hunt will not kill me. It will be a few more months before my new Dropships arrive and I can begin my great experiment." Sarah Campbell replied
"What experiment?" Chief Harry Caldwell asked
"Passenger transport, but not the pleasure cruise type. Bulk passenger between systems. I have two Mules being setup to carry 1,000 passengers in quarters." Sarah Campbell said
"You really think that will pay the bills?" Chief Warrant Officer Caldwell asked
"Today, here on Inner End there are 4,294 people waiting for transport out of system to other systems. A single Monarch passes thru here every three months. Everyone else bids on spare spots on anything else that passes thru the system. That single Monarch charges 2,200 C-bills per jump made. Not everyone can afford that. I plan to make it affordable for the masses. If I can get 1,000 per passenger per jump, an average of a Million C-bills per jump, per Dropship, that is more revenue per jump than my cargo ships make. The experiment will be direct travel at first, then if that works out, I will build a passenger facility on Inman. Work a spoke system from there to better get people where they want to go." Sarah Campbell said
"Never heard of anything like that." Chief Warrant Officer Caldwell replied
"Try reading some of David's books on the United States from centuries ago. Even most planets have airlines to move people between cities. I am just copying their methods and adapting them to Jumpship travel. Hub and spoke. Instead of hour layovers, it could be a month layover. But I also plan to make the layover very affordable for those people. Make money on that end also instead of letting the local hotels get it all. If that works out, I will expand the network further." Sarah Campbell said
"Hope it all works out. We are ready to go when you are." Chief Warrant Officer Caldwell said
"It will. You in a major hurry?" Sarah Campbell replied
"Hell, yes. Sergeant Major Pullman is pissed that I am dumping a cargo on him, and he has to keep it safe. My bag are already loaded on the Seeker." Chief Warrant Officer Caldwell said
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