Turn 49 - Welcome to the Hotel California
-----
The final preparations for departure are a bit time-consuming, with a large number of details needing to be ironed out to deal with the fact that you’ll be out of contact for almost an entire year. In general it involves a great deal of contingency planning, meetings, and above all else paperwork. But in the end, Jeremy is ready to handle things for a year in your absence.
Before you depart you look over the paperwork for the end of the year.
The new factory construction has gone extremely well, with all new facilities, from the new Battlemech and ASF factories to the expansion of the two shipyards and the construction of the new Refit and Repair Yard, coming in on time and on budget.
All new units have stood up successfully, with one stand out.
The new Griffon IV Interceptor Wing, the 401st Interceptor Wing, has… earned a rather dubious nickname but in the process has also proven to be a cut above the expected skill level of a brand new unit out of the Aerie.
It is also the only all-female unit in the entire AFGE, from the Wing Commander all the way down to the most junior enlisted in the wing mess. The fact that this seems to have happened entirely by accident, with every indication that the ordinary process of mixing veteran pilots and crews from existing units with rookies from the Aerie being assigned based on a mix of class standing and indicated preference having been followed… yet everybody in the unit is female.
And they completely scandalized the good people of Griffsport, where the unit was initially formed before transferring to Griffon IV, by engaging in a truly epic bar crawl of colossal proportions. They managed to get back to base just minutes ahead of the local constabulary, whom the Wing CO managed to tie down in so much red tape that they gave up on pressing charges of lewd and lascivious conduct, public drunkenness, public nudity, and disturbing the peace. Charges that would have stuck, if it weren’t for the sheer inventiveness of the CO whom you never want to play poker against, because she managed to, with a perfectly straight face, stonewall the local police for long enough that the… uhhhh… ladies… of the unit were able to sober up just enough to get back into uniform and pretend to have never actually been engaged in such lewd behavior and that obviously some scofflaws had stolen uniforms from the base laundry and impersonated them.
However, the wing nickname of ‘The Strippers’ has stuck, and it would probably take an Act of God to get it changed this side of the Second Coming.
The art exhibition has gone exceptionally well, with artists from across the Empire converging on Griffsport to display their work. The current art style is one you somewhat like, focusing on portraiture in a very… Dutch Baroque style, at least according to the critics and art historians who wrote up commentary and guides.
Jake is making no progress whatsoever with the Chamber of Delegates. Friendly delegates are quite willing to meet with him, so there’s no loss of support, but the opposition is deep in campaign mode for next year's elections and are far more interested in ‘proving their independence’ from the Crown then giving Jake, or you for that matter, the time of day.
R&D is a mixed bag. Work on the Stingray missile has been successfully concluded, with test articles fired successfully and showing promise as a hard-hitting anti-Dropship weapon. Likewise new innovations in Industrial Mechs, including massive new construction mechs that dwarf any battlemech ever envisioned, have moved from the drawing board to production. On the other hand, the R&D teams working on HPG theory are running into significant issues, making little progress this year and requiring more time, and funds, to continue hammering away at the problem.
Security screening for defense related industries is going smoothly, with the people involved being quite understanding of the need, especially in light of the recent events. Implementing a broad-based security monitoring system for all public employees, on the other hand, has run into technical difficulties of the legal kind, as a court has halted implementation of the new protocols until various legal challenges are worked out.
And then it is time to head off, accompanying the Griffon’s Roost Olympic Team to the NRI for the competitions next year. A Free Folk jumpship with a pair of collars is at your disposal for this journey, and HMS Renown along with a chartered transport carrying the team, docks with her in late December. A day later the first jump was made.
Upon arrival, the exquisitely sensitive sensors on HMS Renown pick up contacts creeping towards the arrival point, showing the sensor readouts to the NRI liaisons reveals them to be pirates, from one of the nastier bands that regularly raids the NRI. Evidently this group has been looking for the new trading partners of their regular targets in order to raid you as well.
Red Alert… All Hands Man Your Battle Stations.
Posture during the initial merge (capital phase)
Meta Event Roll - 24
Dynastic Luck - 48
Imperial Approval - 4
Approval Change - 4
Politics - -2
Imperial Economy Rating - 3
Imperial Economy Event - 7
Research Event - 6 (unlocks Max Tonnage Aerodyne Dropships)
Griffin’s Roost Economy - 7
Griffin’s Roost Population Growth - 12
Griffin’s Roost Rating Change - 7
Nowy Gdansk Economy - 5
Nowy Gdansk Population Growth - 12
Nowy Gdansk Rating Change - 8
Griffon Inner Asteroid Belt Economy - 1
Griffon Inner Asteroid Belt Rating Change - 3
Griffon II Orbitals Economy - 7
Griffon II Orbitals Rating Change - 1
Griffon IV Economy - 1
Griffon IV Population Growth - 4
Griffon IV Rating Change - 4
Dynastic Luck - 48
Imperial Approval - 4
Approval Change - 4
Politics - -2
Imperial Economy Rating - 3
Imperial Economy Event - 7
Research Event - 6 (unlocks Max Tonnage Aerodyne Dropships)
Griffin’s Roost Economy - 7
Griffin’s Roost Population Growth - 12
Griffin’s Roost Rating Change - 7
Nowy Gdansk Economy - 5
Nowy Gdansk Population Growth - 12
Nowy Gdansk Rating Change - 8
Griffon Inner Asteroid Belt Economy - 1
Griffon Inner Asteroid Belt Rating Change - 3
Griffon II Orbitals Economy - 7
Griffon II Orbitals Rating Change - 1
Griffon IV Economy - 1
Griffon IV Population Growth - 4
Griffon IV Rating Change - 4
Military [$ 699147.41 ]
Build factories for ASF Griffon IV [115]
Target - 115
Roll - 29
Result - SUCCESS
Build factories for ASF Griffon IV [115]
Target - 115
Roll - 47
Result - SUCCESS
Build factories for ASF Griffon IV [115]
Target - 115
Roll - 60
Result - SUCCESS
Build factories for Battlemech Griffon IV [115]
Target - 115
Roll - 44
Result - SUCCESS
Build factories for Battlemech Griffon IV [115]
Target - 115
Roll - 71
Result - SUCCESS
Purchase New Units [$ 265225.16 ]
-1 Regimental Support Squadron [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 37
Result - SUCCESS
-1 Standard Carrier Wing [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 19
Result - SUCCESS
-1 Interceptor Wing [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 1
Result - Critical SUCCESS
-1 Training Wing [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 15
Result - SUCCESS
-1 Mechanized Assault [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 34
Result - SUCCESS
-1 Imperial Guard Regiment [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 14
Result - SUCCESS
Interior [$ 14781250 ]
Focus Development on Griffin Inner Asteroid Belt [65]
Target - 65
Roll - 91, Economist Reroll - 54
Result - SUCCESS
Expand Factory 3 (Battlemech)
Target - 95
Roll - 61
Result - SUCCESS
Expand Factory 6 (Battlemech)
Target - 95
Roll - 95
Result - SUCCESS
Expand Factory 9 (Battlemech)
Target - 95
Roll - 38
Result - SUCCESS
Build factories for Battlemech Griffon IV [115]
Target - 115
Roll - 51
Result - SUCCESS
Construct Refit and Repair Yard [90]
Target - 90
Roll - 15
Result - SUCCESS
Expand Orbital Shipyard Griffons Roost [95]
Target - 95
Roll - 67
Result - SUCCESS
Expand Orbital Shipyard Nowy Gdansk [95]
Target - 95
Roll - 95
Result - SUCCESS
-[X] Diplomatic [$ 70000 ]
CULTURE - General Cultural Festival [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 43
Result - SUCCESS
[X] Political [$ 510000 ]
Build Relations with Chamber of Delegates* [60]
Target - 60
Roll - 100 - ShadowArxxy reroll - 99
Result - FAIL
-[X] Research [$ 26100000 ]
Hyper-Pulse Generators - Theory* [45]
Target - 45
Roll - 74
Result - FAIL
Industrial Mechs Tier 5* [80]
Target - 80
Roll - 32
Result - SUCCESS
Sub-capital Missile - Stingray [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 36
Result - SUCCESS
Intelligence [$ 1500000 ]
COINTEL - Security Screening of Citizens Involved In Government-Related Industries [65]
Target - 65
Roll - 63
Result - SUCCESS
COINTEL - Security Monitoring of all Public Employees [65]
Target - 65
Roll - 91
Result - FAIL
Build factories for ASF Griffon IV [115]
Target - 115
Roll - 29
Result - SUCCESS
Build factories for ASF Griffon IV [115]
Target - 115
Roll - 47
Result - SUCCESS
Build factories for ASF Griffon IV [115]
Target - 115
Roll - 60
Result - SUCCESS
Build factories for Battlemech Griffon IV [115]
Target - 115
Roll - 44
Result - SUCCESS
Build factories for Battlemech Griffon IV [115]
Target - 115
Roll - 71
Result - SUCCESS
Purchase New Units [$ 265225.16 ]
-1 Regimental Support Squadron [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 37
Result - SUCCESS
-1 Standard Carrier Wing [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 19
Result - SUCCESS
-1 Interceptor Wing [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 1
Result - Critical SUCCESS
-1 Training Wing [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 15
Result - SUCCESS
-1 Mechanized Assault [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 34
Result - SUCCESS
-1 Imperial Guard Regiment [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 14
Result - SUCCESS
Interior [$ 14781250 ]
Focus Development on Griffin Inner Asteroid Belt [65]
Target - 65
Roll - 91, Economist Reroll - 54
Result - SUCCESS
Expand Factory 3 (Battlemech)
Target - 95
Roll - 61
Result - SUCCESS
Expand Factory 6 (Battlemech)
Target - 95
Roll - 95
Result - SUCCESS
Expand Factory 9 (Battlemech)
Target - 95
Roll - 38
Result - SUCCESS
Build factories for Battlemech Griffon IV [115]
Target - 115
Roll - 51
Result - SUCCESS
Construct Refit and Repair Yard [90]
Target - 90
Roll - 15
Result - SUCCESS
Expand Orbital Shipyard Griffons Roost [95]
Target - 95
Roll - 67
Result - SUCCESS
Expand Orbital Shipyard Nowy Gdansk [95]
Target - 95
Roll - 95
Result - SUCCESS
-[X] Diplomatic [$ 70000 ]
CULTURE - General Cultural Festival [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 43
Result - SUCCESS
[X] Political [$ 510000 ]
Build Relations with Chamber of Delegates* [60]
Target - 60
Roll - 100 - ShadowArxxy reroll - 99
Result - FAIL
-[X] Research [$ 26100000 ]
Hyper-Pulse Generators - Theory* [45]
Target - 45
Roll - 74
Result - FAIL
Industrial Mechs Tier 5* [80]
Target - 80
Roll - 32
Result - SUCCESS
Sub-capital Missile - Stingray [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 36
Result - SUCCESS
Intelligence [$ 1500000 ]
COINTEL - Security Screening of Citizens Involved In Government-Related Industries [65]
Target - 65
Roll - 63
Result - SUCCESS
COINTEL - Security Monitoring of all Public Employees [65]
Target - 65
Roll - 91
Result - FAIL
-----
The final preparations for departure are a bit time-consuming, with a large number of details needing to be ironed out to deal with the fact that you’ll be out of contact for almost an entire year. In general it involves a great deal of contingency planning, meetings, and above all else paperwork. But in the end, Jeremy is ready to handle things for a year in your absence.
Before you depart you look over the paperwork for the end of the year.
The new factory construction has gone extremely well, with all new facilities, from the new Battlemech and ASF factories to the expansion of the two shipyards and the construction of the new Refit and Repair Yard, coming in on time and on budget.
All new units have stood up successfully, with one stand out.
The new Griffon IV Interceptor Wing, the 401st Interceptor Wing, has… earned a rather dubious nickname but in the process has also proven to be a cut above the expected skill level of a brand new unit out of the Aerie.
It is also the only all-female unit in the entire AFGE, from the Wing Commander all the way down to the most junior enlisted in the wing mess. The fact that this seems to have happened entirely by accident, with every indication that the ordinary process of mixing veteran pilots and crews from existing units with rookies from the Aerie being assigned based on a mix of class standing and indicated preference having been followed… yet everybody in the unit is female.
And they completely scandalized the good people of Griffsport, where the unit was initially formed before transferring to Griffon IV, by engaging in a truly epic bar crawl of colossal proportions. They managed to get back to base just minutes ahead of the local constabulary, whom the Wing CO managed to tie down in so much red tape that they gave up on pressing charges of lewd and lascivious conduct, public drunkenness, public nudity, and disturbing the peace. Charges that would have stuck, if it weren’t for the sheer inventiveness of the CO whom you never want to play poker against, because she managed to, with a perfectly straight face, stonewall the local police for long enough that the… uhhhh… ladies… of the unit were able to sober up just enough to get back into uniform and pretend to have never actually been engaged in such lewd behavior and that obviously some scofflaws had stolen uniforms from the base laundry and impersonated them.
However, the wing nickname of ‘The Strippers’ has stuck, and it would probably take an Act of God to get it changed this side of the Second Coming.
The art exhibition has gone exceptionally well, with artists from across the Empire converging on Griffsport to display their work. The current art style is one you somewhat like, focusing on portraiture in a very… Dutch Baroque style, at least according to the critics and art historians who wrote up commentary and guides.
Jake is making no progress whatsoever with the Chamber of Delegates. Friendly delegates are quite willing to meet with him, so there’s no loss of support, but the opposition is deep in campaign mode for next year's elections and are far more interested in ‘proving their independence’ from the Crown then giving Jake, or you for that matter, the time of day.
R&D is a mixed bag. Work on the Stingray missile has been successfully concluded, with test articles fired successfully and showing promise as a hard-hitting anti-Dropship weapon. Likewise new innovations in Industrial Mechs, including massive new construction mechs that dwarf any battlemech ever envisioned, have moved from the drawing board to production. On the other hand, the R&D teams working on HPG theory are running into significant issues, making little progress this year and requiring more time, and funds, to continue hammering away at the problem.
Security screening for defense related industries is going smoothly, with the people involved being quite understanding of the need, especially in light of the recent events. Implementing a broad-based security monitoring system for all public employees, on the other hand, has run into technical difficulties of the legal kind, as a court has halted implementation of the new protocols until various legal challenges are worked out.
And then it is time to head off, accompanying the Griffon’s Roost Olympic Team to the NRI for the competitions next year. A Free Folk jumpship with a pair of collars is at your disposal for this journey, and HMS Renown along with a chartered transport carrying the team, docks with her in late December. A day later the first jump was made.
Upon arrival, the exquisitely sensitive sensors on HMS Renown pick up contacts creeping towards the arrival point, showing the sensor readouts to the NRI liaisons reveals them to be pirates, from one of the nastier bands that regularly raids the NRI. Evidently this group has been looking for the new trading partners of their regular targets in order to raid you as well.
Red Alert… All Hands Man Your Battle Stations.
Posture during the initial merge (capital phase)
[] | Aggressive | 2x damage caused/received |
[] | Balanced | Normal |
[] | Defensive | ½ damage caused/received |