Come the Revolution
14 Jan 2016Jim Beaumont
So after Merc's revelations, and the stunning realisation of the bigger game, my mind went into the plan. Slowly making my way back to the bubble, I had a good 7000 Ly to work on it. And thought after thought, cog after cog, the wheels turned. And the plan evolved.I'd already told Merc we were leaving. He was happy with the idea, as it was almost his suggestion anyway. He just needed to get word to Oppo about it.
Most of my fleet was already out at another base, just the Infante Henrique left there when I departed for Sag A*. So I don't need to do anything on that front. Not yet. A Hauler taxi another day will get that. So what is going to be the first step.
As I'd already fought for the Commies during the CW, and done a few hauling tasks for them, I'm sure now they were in charge they'd be happy to put some work my way again. I pulled up the Galactic Info Map. I already knew that the majority of my fleet was only 6 Ly away, but what of the rest of the systems close by. Dam no shipyard here, just makes things awkward now. Temporary, not a problem. Permanently, a problem.
A look on the map identified another system closer in, 5 Ly. No starports or outposts but one planetary station, so a remote little place. Nothing I can do about that, I don't have the capabilities. Still, who's running that show. Now that's good news. The Communists already have a prescence there. And a sizeable one, although they don't run the place. Maybe Merc can go do some work down there, help them out. What else have we got nearby? Another remote system, and they are already in charge of there, but its another backwater type place. Small extraction community. Still thats good. Obviously helps funding the faction having these places. And next? Well that's where the main load of my fleet is holed up! So I pulled up the System Info page up. It revealed that there are 4 existing factions with enough recognition to be mentioned. The Communists don't have anything of size here. Industrial economy.But obviously, the shipyard, at a major station. The big plus.
Now considering the uplift in things with the Commies in charge, and little help from us, we could raise things a little more. And if Merc does similar at the planet place, at least gets them in charge, then we might be able to get something going for them to expand into the big time. To the big station. All the time putting a squeeze on the space around. No matter what era your in, or look back at, encirclement has always been a good tactic! It's a grand plan, big in it's expectations. It's going to take persistance and rigour. But why not? What's to say that we can't make this work? And the more we try, and succeed, then the Commies will be happy I'm sure. They are already in 3 systems, the natives are happy with things so far, be it relatively new. But their influence percentage seems to be rising with everyday that passes. And the chance of a claim on a major starport! No way the Communists will turn that down. But firstly, we need to do this quietly without raising questions. Softly softly till we get to be known better. Little trade missions, courier stuff. A bit of normal freelance haulage of supplies they need. Medicines and Machinery. Lets play this political machine, oil it, fine tune it.
And all the time this will be worrying Duta. Because when he see's the advances, he'll recognise the Communist wall beginning to erect around his little home. Lets just hope we can get to that starport before he notices. It's far enough away not to be a direct concern, but enough of one for him to send me there in the first place.
I hope we get to see Casandra when I return. Maybe she might like to assist us with some high value metals she loves mining out so much. That reminds me, I must find another pristine metallic source as looks like the old one will be too far away for safe journey's.
I'll let the others pick the bones out of the plan tonight in the bar. But I know one thing for sure. We ain't staying there any more. Duta can do one.
Cmdr Beaumont (Red Jim)