Research and Red Tape
28 Jan 2017FriscoFlame
"Congratulations on your proposal, Senator."Consul Nezrec had reached out to me following the vote. After the discussion with the War Council, the System Defense Fleet Resolution had passed through the senate Unanimously. With Consul Nezrec being a man of war himself, he relished the opportunity to submit his platforms for the consideration of the War Council. He had originally had the role of training recruits before the division of the Celestial Light Brigade and the Prismatic Knights.
"Thank You, Consul," I replied, "I didn't suspect much opposition once I was given public support by the council. In fact, General Chaos had even asked about my proposal for the training platform. I believe you have been briefed."
"I didn't need a briefing," the Consul laughed, "Adam informed me of an unusual request he received from you, something that didn't fit your usual roles within the fleet. In fact, I'd like you to fly it out and give me a quick sparring session."
This wasn't a dual request, but it would have still been bad form to refuse.
"I'll meet you outside of the station, Sir"
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"Katherine, distribute Project Gloval to authorized recipients"
On the display pads was the security footage of the Viper I recently commissioned from Adam, followed by a summary:
The System Defense Fleet Experimental Build One is designed as a training platform that emphasizes pilot skill and positioning in winged formations. Maneuverability is sacrificed for increased firepower and armour.
I detected Nez in my contacts, and saw that he had flown his Conda out to meet me. A bit unfair, in my opinion, a modified Anaconda vs an unmodified Viper. He signaled, and we began our flight and flip.
I was unprepared for the firestorm released upon me. I was able to avoid his purple multis using my chaff, but soon I had a pair of torpedoes on my tail. They removed my shields, but luckily I was able to get myself behind and at the underbelly of the Conda. I was able to get a shield ring to deplete, when I noticed that suddenly the ship was getting closer.
I was being rammed.
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"Well I'm certainly glad the rebuy cost is low on this build."
I was a bit irritated, having felt that the Consul had knowingly led me into an unbalanced fight, for what reason was beyond me. I kept the build cost at just a hint over 3.5 million credits, as I wanted something that wouldn't break the bank for the constant error that was sure to accompany trial. I hadn't heard from any of the Generals about platform proposals, but expected by the end of the next cycle, we would start flying some out for testing.
The Senate hearings had gotten admittedly intense this week. I was glad to know I had an ally in the War Council in General Chaos, and Senator Hooman had been the most balanced mind in the senate, agreeing with me often, but also willing to passionately debate any misteps he felt I had taken. With an expansion pending, this was a time for sound minds.
There was increasingly hostile actions by the 17th Federal Fleet. General Detroit was going on leave, but before doing so had left behind a list of Engineers we should visit and what modifications to request on each visit. I still had to earn some report with certain engineers, but I would wait to modify any further ships until I heard more about our SDF platforms, or at least when we had some final approvals. In this time of spies, dissent, and a general unpreparedness, we needed all the allies and members we could get, but security needed to be increased.
In the meantime, I had a ship to pick up from Adam, and some bounty hunting in our resource extraction points.