Bug Hunters
In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 389):
The discussion goes on with a lot of back and forth wit ideas. Everyone acknowledges that a military base near the violent species is needed. They also acknowledge that there is no population to man it.
The number of bugs you have brought back is also a matter of discussion. Most agree they should be kept close, in case they turn hostile. But the recognition of their potential contribution to the populations of the scant colonies is also recognized.
As for Vilani provinces closer coreward, you are provided a reasonably good map. It indicates there is indeed a local provincial border between the Vilani worlds nearby and those closer to the bug homeworld. This may offer potential benefits, or may not, depending on the politics of the coreward province. Intelligence officers are detailed with finding out more.
Local governors come to the conclusion that a bug colony on a large nearby island would be a suitable solution, with a couple of scientists from your ship who are familiar with them detailed to live amoung them and help them grow into a mature and friendly colony.
For your part, your are detailed with escorting small craft, a trio of modified Iiken cargo vessels, to the colony you have established. These craft are loaded with additional colony members that will help train the locals into forming a colony. Two of the craft will make one-way trips, before being cannibalized for spares while the third will make regular cargo runs. Your own small craft will be resupplied with what they have.
1 x Ships Boat Rescuer III 42.5 B Solars, 30 dTon Needle/Wedge
2 x AK Light Modular Tank, M$ 13 Solars, 6 dTon Flattened Sphere
1 x AK Auto-Miniminer, 7.4 M Solars, 6 dTon Flattened Sphere
You are to swap out one of the tanks with the Modular Surveyor when you get back.
You are also provided with replacement crew, including 10 members for the new colony in Low berths. Some of the crew may also be swapped out with members of the crew there.
Then you are directed to conduct a more thorough assessment of planets that may contain life, with a view of looking for races that could potentially be trained up as allies. Three specialists in humanitarian sciences, including two linguists, have been added to your crew specifically for that purpose. you are to look at all planets that are around the bug homeworld, neutralizing any bug colonies you can and evaluating all potential colony sites, with a view of containing the violent bug problem.
The suggestion of leaving small teams on planets that do not have bugs is considered a good option from a scientific perspective, and when you are getting short of small craft and personnel, you would return to here. In the meantime, they will continue to gather suitable individuals for such remote endeavors.
It is the next day before discussions are concluded. There is plenty of chance for your contributions...
06 Oct 2188, Rita's Place, Supplies: 5600 person days, Vatfacs can cover all, $87,496,300, 18/18 Cargo, Life support 97/120 with all bugs, food growth 97/100