In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 931):

Kat, Cyril and Natalie don their suits and head to the main mine administration building, which has been converted to a command centre at the moment.

You are given guides, and it is just as well. The place is a maze of repair workers.

The centre is a hive of activity. Welders are working seemingly everywhere, as are electricians. You recognize some of the vessels, but they look to have been torn apart, with wires, conduits and other iters hanging out of their 'wounds'.

How long do they estimate for repairs? Cyril asks the ladies

Kat changes and goes along. She looks at everything as they go.

In reply to Katherine 'Kat' Steele (msg # 934):

Natalie translates Cyrils question for one of the guides.

The answer is rather technical, but the gist comes back that there is a major shortage of parts. Particularly electronics and power plants. Some vessels will be done much sooner than others, as parts are cannibalized. Already, 6 Cruisers and a sizeable number of Destroyers are back to full strength...though it seems different technicians have different opinions about what full strength' exactly is.

Cyril nods knowingly... well there is one trade item for the near term at least.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 936):

One of the Technicians stops for a minute and asks a question.

"He wants to know if we are the reason they are putting a stop to constructing new power plants for now."

Cyril slows and looks quizzically at the man ... Not that I am aware... I see no good reason for that.

"So can we get any of these parts?"

We'll have to ask.... I assume you mean from Andrew?

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 940):

The Labrysan worker asks if you are planning to teach them how to make more efficient power supplies.

I think that may be one of those things we discuss, although how much we can improve your tech I don't know.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 942):

The translator tells you they are close to developing Fusion plants, and indeed may have had them at the research station before it was captured. Indeed, that is rumoured to be why it was captured.

Yes, we presume that is very likely...

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 944):

You continue moving through the workshops into the living quarters. The difference barely seems noticeable, with bunks and small kitchens strewn around with working gear, but this area is at least pressurized. Finally, you enter la large hall, where a table has been set up with a number of Labrysans sitting around it. They indicate a number of empty chairs at the table.

Kat walks along and in the big room, greets the Labrysan. She waits for the rest of her party before sitting down.

In reply to Katherine 'Kat' Steele (msg # 946):

There is an uneasy pause as your hosts wait for you to be seated. After a few minutes, you do so.

One that appears to be high ranking initiates conversation.

"You have proven your capability, destroying a large fleet with fewer and smaller vessels. Clearly we are interested in coming to an agreement."

He pauses to allow you time to respond.

Not at all easily, your ship designs and construction are very tough. We too feel that an agreement would be mutually beneficial.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 948):

"We are glad to hear that. We note that much of your victory was owed to swarms of tiny remote controlled suicide fighters. We have looked at one you gave us, but find we lack the technology to produce the small brain and the small power plants. What can we offer you in exchange for these technologies?"

Well some of your ships and the use of your shipyards ... we can arm them and put our own electronics in them at the new colony... although we may indeed take a Plasma weapon or two... they certainly are powerful. I think a cruiser hull or two and quite a few of your fighter hulls. Perhaps a carrier hull... let me allow my Trade expert, Petty Officer Svebodne here, to sit with whom you choose and work out a mutually agreeable arrangement.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 950):

"Very well. The shipyards and the ships are vital for our defence. If you utilize them, we will want some assurance of defence in their place. In addition, perhaps you can supply us with electronics, as yours seems much more advanced."

Kat translates as needed and talks with the aliens. She does not negotiate, letting Cyril do that.

I think we can do that and supply missiles until you can make them.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 953):

"Excellent. How many missiles and electronics systems per month can you supply?"

Kat is occasionally helping them with words they are unsure of, but they are attempting to speak in English, though it is broken.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:18, Sun 12 June 2016.

Precise numbers I don't have as the factory ship was still being set up when we left, but I'll guess at least a hundred missiles to start, the electronics are built as pieces and put together, The lack of a single part can hold things up and the sudden arrival of a number of parts can release a large number of electronic systems at once, so we'll need to talk there for specifics. I am sure they should be able to out fit several of your ships in a matter of weeks though, and more as they learn your needs.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 955):

"I see. So at this stage we can only agree on principles, and the details we can agree on later. How do you propose to ensure compliance of all individuals to the alliance? The government would love to break it by sending ships masquerading as rebels to raid merchants. Indeed, they may even bribe a rebel ship to attack, or perhaps a Terran pilot may see the chance to raid us."