Busy Lady
19 Jun 2023Ryuko Ntsikana
Busy Lady
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During the morning division chief's meeting, we discussed the future plans and the need to improve efficiency. As much as we enjoyed the scenic beauty of the Flame Nebula and Barnard's Loop, it was time to return to human-inhabited space, known as "The Bubble," and attend to specific tasks.
One task that we neglected to address before embarking on our adventure was the need for a Universal Cartographer on board the carrier. Now that we had confirmed the carrier's sustainability away from civilization, it was time to select a suitable candidate for the position.
Contacting the carrier administration office in The Bubble, the chiefs and I reviewed a list of astrological cartographers. Each candidate had impressive qualifications, but we also considered their comfort with being away from civilization for extended periods. After careful consideration, we narrowed it down to three candidates and submitted their names back to the carrier administration office, which made the final selection.
Later in our evening, which would be their morning, our carrier would dock at their facilities for the installation of the new module. The cartographer would be ready to join us upon our arrival. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be there to personally greet them as I would be busy hauling the cargo from our holds to the market.
Once back in The Bubble, the plan was to rendezvous with the carrier in an alternate location. The proceeds from the sale of the cartographic data would contribute towards the cost of the new module. The profits from the mineral sales would top up the carrier's fuel tanks, stock up the storage tanks, and the remaining funds would be deposited into the carrier's account. Any earnings from the repatriation of escape pods would go into my personal account, with the option to use them before the next pay period or add them to the onboard bonuses.
All the chiefs agreed to grant the clan members a subjective day of shore leave during this process. It would take at least that long for me to fly my fully loaded Python to various distant markets, seeking the best prices for the cargo I carried. Chief Bowen's crew would reconfigure the ship to maximize cargo capacity while still retaining fuel scooping and combat capabilities. Hauling such valuable cargo meant that it was only a matter of time before we encountered pirate interdictions, but their bounties would only add to the carrier's account.
With the meeting concluded, I made my way to the ship's galley. I shared the upcoming plans with the android master chief, who prepared a nutritious and filling meal for me. I knew I would rely on the food printer's offerings for the next couple of days, but I wanted to start this busy period with a freshly prepared and satisfying meal.
Price Quote
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There's nothing more frustrating than arriving at a location only to find out that the quoted price has changed. I wasn't going to waste my time haggling with them about it; instead, I decided not to do any business with them at all. Apparently, they didn't appreciate my stance, as I was immediately chased and interdicted after leaving.
Fortunately, my ship's dull frost-ice white paint scheme helped me blend in and hide its armored seams. Overconfidence was the biggest threat in space, and my combat-oriented ship was designed to excel in such situations. Its medium hull design allowed for an impressive cargo capacity, making it a versatile vessel. The crew of the Anaconda that pursued me probably had time to contemplate this while floating around in their escape pods. Unfortunately for them, my cargo bay was filled with valuable ores and minerals that they wouldn't be able to recover.
Luckily, I found a willing buyer who happened to be their competitor, and they were willing to pay above market value. They even enjoyed watching footage of their rival's ship being turned into scrap metal. I informed them about the escape pods, suggesting they have a chat with them if they were interested. I had no intention of returning to that location, as there were other sales to be made, and I valued profits over getting caught up in their vendettas.
Thankfully, I didn't encounter any more trouble after that incident. It seems they got the message that chasing after my ship without a full wing was a recipe for failure. Their lack of tact and proper business ethics didn't deter me, as I found several well-paying customers who knew of them and were not their fans. Each transaction added to my funds, allowing me to indulge in a bit of mischief if I felt like it.
With a successful and profitable day behind me, I sent a message back to the carrier to check on its progress. The new module had been installed, and our newest clan member had boarded. Everyone had the opportunity to do some personal shopping at the system's main station, and now the carrier was waiting for my rendezvous coordinates. I could only imagine Rex's expression when he received my reply, realizing that I was a full jump distance away from his location.
While wheeling and dealing, I managed to find a good market value for the recovered escape pods. The coordinates I sent back to Rex would position my carrier along the same orbital path as another carrier whose owner was well-compensated by regional powers for purchasing and repatriating escape pods. The 20 million payouts for the 67 rescued escape pods from deep space would contribute towards the purchase of a Dolphin-class ship. Yatziri would definitely have a fit once she learned about this.
That evening, I granted Avery access to my dreams, allowing the AI to process and cover the various bullet points I needed to address. It might sound confusing, but it was a convenient way to handle executive decisions while getting a proper night's rest.
The following morning, I left the carrier in my trusty Diamondback Explorer. Its impressive jump range and cost-effectiveness made it the ideal choice for transportation back to the carrier. While my biological body was resting, I sent a message to Rex, outlining my plan and setting the carrier's next destination. I wanted it positioned in the system where we were currently located before embarking on our adventure into the Flame Nebula. This strategic move would ensure easy access to below-market-value Tritium fuel and set us on the right path for our journey.
Apart from Avery, only Rex was aware of my upcoming intentions. My physical presence was necessary to take possession of the Dolphin-class ship and the specific modules I had requested. Although I hadn't met our newest crew member yet, I knew they were on board the ship. Unfortunately, I could only be in one place at a time, so a ranged holographic introduction seemed impractical, albeit amusing to think about.
I chuckled at the thought of such an unconventional meeting, but quickly dismissed it as I didn't want to make things unnecessarily awkward. They would still be on board when I returned, and I would make sure to allocate time to properly meet them before switching back to the Python and starting my Tritium shuttle runs. Building up a sufficient supply of Tritium in storage was important to me, serving as an insurance policy should I have a change of heart. Although, at the moment, changing course seemed unlikely.