The tea cup was set aside, two thirds empty. The flavored liquid Jason so much enjoys was cold now and not appealing anymore. With all the things running through his head these past few days, he hardly had time to fully enjoy the small, but equally important, pleasures of life. His gaze was set on the directorate office door in expectancy of others more from reflex rather than conscientious thought, barely even noticed a certain engineer barging in. He was almost entirely immersed in the inner world, that place where a man is facing his fears, argues with himself over his thoughts and deeds and presents his ideas to himself, playing successively the role of the creative mind and the cynical audience, only his conscience as a beacon of him still alive and his body a clear indication of his presence in the projected reality of those surrounding him.
A buzz...Jason looked away from the door and checked his personal communicator. The alarm, himself set, triggered, announcing the appointment was to take place in just a moment.
The Director looked at him without saying anything. He seemed too much engrossed in his thoughts.
Obviously Jason was in his genius mode and and Isaac wisely decided not to interrupt him.
The engineer saw on the table couple of datapads. The ship details he already knew, but the minefield data and the Canaan involvement were new to him. Isaac sat on the closest chair, trying to make as little noise as possible, reached for the two datapads and started started studying them carefully.
Some kind of a buzzing alarm went off somewhere from Jason's direction ...
Traditionally, Thrawn arrived late, but better late than never. Setting course for Thabit, he went down to his quarters for a little rest. A hour later an Osiris shaped old rusty hull appeared out of the mist nearby the station. Judging by the 22 inch double barrelled guns, Thabit's docking master recognized Thrawn's ship, but asked for security codes out of habit anyway. The clearance was soon given, and the long process of mooring the ship with the station was started. Meanwhile Thrawn was already on his way to the docking hatches after a short nap, which was well deserved after a long engagement with a considerable Core force. He took the time to gather his thoughts on the meeting while walking through the corridors. He arrived at the hatch waiting for the mid section to get pressurised. Soon the hatch opened, and he made his way to the bridge where the meeting was about to begin. He entered the room, and immediately sat on one of the free places. He wasn't nervous or anything like that. He was known for his cold attitude, and presence. While looking at the datapads, he awaited for the meeting to begin.
It was one of those long and busy days at the hangar. The days that everyone hated, for obvious reasons. The order is one of those type of organizations that run rather low on resources, be it material or manpower, because of nature of their operations... thus, it promoted a policy of maximum efficiency. Everyone was expected to be maximally efficient, especially in this part of Thabit.
The Republican Shipping management wing employees included one interesting factor in their calculation of probable project's execution efficiency. It was equal to total number of 18 gram coffee units divided by total number of personnel involved in the project. Results close to number two were taken as satisfactory. Here, no abstract calculations were necessary, you only needed to just take a pick at the provisions to tell that the engineers of Thabit did not work as effeciently as they could.
Coffee was not the only "essential resource" that was lacking aboard, but no one really bragged about it. That was a feature of living in the Edgeworlds. Coffiee was seen as an luxurious item, thus little care was given to it's shipping. Surprisingly enough, alcohol was never in lacking... but this could be explained as a necessity due to lack of ways to release the tension caused by living in constant danger of attack and enormous workload (and of course, it is cheaper than a therapy).
Danger was very real indeed. Minor assault is still an assault, so hellhound pilots will still need R&R (which stands for "rearm and repair") in the aftermath. This time it was The Core who broke the pilots' moods ... and ships. it's funny for outsiders to see signs of a relief when the battle alarm rings and the announcer reports Core vessels sighted. Remember, it's just because these people know what forces they are bound to face someday...
Anyway ... a Turmoil in the hangars tired almost every engineer in the repair crew, except one, the new guy. Colleagues just called him "Unionier". No one really talked to him, for few reasons. Rumors spread quickly on a small space stations like this, thus his criminal past was never a mystery. If this was not enough to discourage a potential talker, then his awful confidence did... the confidence just unnatural and ... disrespectful in this kind of environment. Not to mention the actions and vocabulary clearly exposing a sociopathic behavior... Even the command was hesitant with his recruitment. Everyone asked themselves the same question: why was he here anyway? It looks like the answers might come faster than they expect.
Steven Sanders, proud, young member of the repair crew, noticed a flashing datapad in the turmoil. Unfortunately, it belonged to the infamous Unionier.
It was a "coffee break" time, so everyone was involved in almost sacred break activities, such as smoking a cigarette while standing beside the wall (again, a luxury!), trying to drink up the cold, black pulp, which was pretty much all that was left of the coffee made few hours ago; and of course cursing and complaining about every possible reason to be found. Every engineer was present in the messroom, except the Unioner. He never really liked the company of humans, they make those irritating noises which the professionals call emotional communication, and are generally impractical in nature. Mechanisms are different. They are melodic in their work rhythm, and usually just need few material parts replaced to be fully functional again. Machines are his truest friends, as they are never unpredictable. This is why he really rested by doing his work, alone. Besides, with nothing to focus on, the mind starts to overtking things, which, in some cases, is best to be avoided.
Steven decided to take a risk and to disturb the Unionier by giving him his abandoned, flashing datapad (someone just had to do it, besides, he was the youngest of the repair crew). The device was constantly flashing as it made it's way to it's owner trough 200 meter walk. There, a person half-way submerged in 042D Bastet's propulsion plant was visible, clearly messing around with something. -"Ekhm... You've got a message!", shouted the young one.
Anger, frustration, irritation, hatred, resignation. An incredible, still unnamed combination of these emotions raced through Alexander's (or Just "Unionier's") head. Here he is, in his sweet 30 minutes of isolation, and this brat just walks in and wakes him up from his "meditation" just using his voice. Waking him up in a matter so incredibly important to him, that he decided to just keep it 200 meters away from himself. -"Oh great!" He Answered. "I thank you so much for bringing this flashing device to me on my brake. It's not like you're disturbing me right now, oh no!-
-It's form the high command, and you want to see it ASAP, prick!" Steven interrupted, throwing the Unionier's datapad at him.
Unionier managed to grab the thrown object, and started reading the message. Indeed, it was about the meeting in the Jason's office. It was his "invitation" to be exact. Without delay, he crawled out of the engine of the fighter and jumped out of the wing, to the hangar's floor, with a datapad in his hand.
-I got to go, take care of this" He said, pointing at the spaceship he just left. Steven just stood there unmoved, clearly with anger on his face.
-"Look, I'm sorry, I ... I really got to go now" He added, as he was leaving, but the boy just continued to stand there. Alexander just waved his hands and entered the hallway. Did he really forget the boy still had 12 minutes of braketime?
This station's hallway was a strange place to him. In his previous "occupation", everyone seemed to use it as another place to perform inactive activities usually conducted in the messooms or bars. Here, he just passed by smartly looking people gazing in their datapads. Everyone was rushed, but not a single of them let it be visible, which enhanced already clearly present atmosphere of professionalism.
Finally, he reached the Elevator. While riding it, he noticed an open maintenance console with "override" status. "Isaac..." he said to himself. Finally, elevator doors opened, he was almost there.
This corridor seemed to be even more peculiar than the lower one. it certainly was more quiet, mainly because there was less personel assigned here, but it also seemed somewhat... darker. Still, it was short enough for the Unioner not to start thinking about it.
He didn't nock at the director's office. He just opened the door slowly and took a pick. There was a man visible sitting by the desk, busy enough with thinking to not notice the door opening. In front of the desk, were standing a couple of people he didn't really know, or recognise... with exeption of Isaac of course. He opened the door widely, this time getting the Jason's attention. Unionier gently nodded his head and joined the rest in a line.
After a long reconnaissance flight, Leeroy was finally nearing Thabit.
Setting a circuitous course for Thabit and after engaging auto-pilot, Leeroy sank into the comfy chair of his fighter, and caught a quick nap.
Leeroy awoke in time to see Thabit looming out of the mists, still new to his eyes. The docking master asked him for the security codes, still suspicious at anyone that hadn't been around long. Leeroy sent them quickly, lest he irk the grumpy docking master further.
Once the docking process started, he sat back and waited patiently, knowing it was always faster for a small craft like his to dock. Once it was complete, he climbed out of the cockpit and hurried steadily down the corridors of the station. He took the time to look around and marvel at all the Cell had accomplished since he had first joined. Leeroy had heard rumors that the station might be getting a serious upgrade soon. That might explain the extra personnel he'd spotted on his way to the meeting.
Leeroy made it through the hatch and hurriedly found one of the few remaining chairs and sat down. Someone handed him some data-pads, and he glanced at their contents while he waited for the meeting to start.
-"How long until we're there crewman?"
-"Uhh.. around 70 kilos up-spin sir."
-"Mhm.. Alright, start with docking procedures at 20 kilos and request priority docking. There's a meeting soon enough.
-"Yes sir. Understood."
It had been a while. Daniel had been on leave for quite some time now. Yet now he was finally back, and his cruiser was finally completed too. He was anxious to get there. Wether it was because of the meeting, or finally coming back, or maybe visiting the homey Thabit? He didn't know neither did he bother himself with it. His thoughts were running up and down. The ship now finally reaches Thabit, and that old dockmaster asked for the proper verifications and all.. the boring stuff.
Thabit station, Docks. - 1208 822AS
Daniel left his XO to take care of the ship, and proceeded to boarding off of it. Upon setting foot on the busy docks he was greeted by the lights and the lively atmosphere around him. The extra personnel, the dock workers, agents and so on. He greets some of the agents and waves at the dock master. Yet he still had a meeting to attend. Quickly he makes his way to the lift, fetching a ride to the upper floor. Waiting at the lift he has one more look at his ship moored with the station, also noticing the Tobruk, which also brought a slight grin to him, along with the other ships.
Thabit station, Main Hall. - 1208 822AS
Going through next was the main hall. Ahh the lively atmosphere. Bars, Monitors, ways to every part of the station, people all around, noticeable was also the extra personnel which had already arrived. Most people seemed busy, yet the view was great. However Daniel was also busy, he still had a meeting to attend. Noticing the sign with large capital letters that had "BRIDGE" written on it , Daniel hurries up under it, making his way there. It was a rather short trip, just a couple of corridors and some stairs.
Entering the bridge, there were again a lot of people working on managing the station, and everything you would expect on a control center. A bit further from him was a small "hallway" that led to the war room. That where the meeting was to take place. Upon going inside he first greeted his mates and fellow director, Jason Orack, before fetching an emoty seat next to Thrawn.
"Well Orack, it was about time for a meeting like this one." Accompanying that with a grin, he expressed his amazement to the fact that everyone from the cell was attending.
Tantalus sat on the bridge of the Razgriz, flipping through the datapad for info on the Golden Chrysanthemums, when Marissa comes up behind him tapping his shoulder, and whispering a few things into his ear, Tantalus nods and she leaves curtly, he then directs his attention towards the intercom, pressing the button and clearing his throatEngine Crew, redirect all power to take us to Thabit, we've got a comm from the director! All communications staff, alert Thabit and Jason Orack of our ships arrival!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
After a few days of travel the ship arrives to Thabit, and gets taken into the bays, Tantalus embarked from the vessel, taking a moment to look back through the mooring tube and he headed towards the conference room, straightening his Officer's uniform while walking, he then arrives at the door, walks in, straightening his uniform one last time and sitting down and taking a deep breathEvening everyoneHe looks around at each agent giving each a respectful nodI assume I'm not late, so, lets either begin or lets wait for the rest of the agents.He takes another deep breath sitting back relaxing, and taking a small drink out of his pocket, a popular core drink: Delta Dingerino
Eyes getting sore, Returning from a 5 day patrol in Zeta encountering countless Nomad threats along the way David sees his communicator flash a blue light. checking the communicator he tells the XO to set course for Thabit. along the way thinking about his aging Wine he left there from his last visit. "one day jack. il open that wine to celebrate a grand victory of massive proportion, I dont know when and Dont know were but i will return to thabit and crack open that bottle." "itl be a grand day sir" his XO answers. (moving at full impulse throw the minefield of Mu) "40k out sir" "Take command Jack im going to go for a rest, have to get ready for the times ahead." Jack doesnt get to run the ship often there is something about being at the command seat of a Geb which no girl or Drink could ever match. "have a good rest sir. I will have the Corporal wake you as we come closer to dock. " David "hmm i suppose i can let you perform the Mooring procedure. If you feel up for it?" Jack" im more than ready sir! i wont let you down!"
David walks from the bridge to his captain's cabin his staff saluting as he walks by. as he enters the quarters David looks out the window ready to day dream once more of the grand battles in his past knowing soon he will be in the company of friends and have beautiful women to accompany him in his bed at night.
Jason snapped out of his trans-like behavior once people started pouring in the room, with each seat screeching on the floor, with each hand left on the table making a deaf noise, with each whisper and each word said by everyone present. Let's proceed, gents! Said Jason as he approached the big, oval table in the middle of the room. We're here to talk about Project Gardening....and seeing you in this big number, also about something else... Jason paused for a while, collecting his thoughts. What he had in mind was to be discussed as well, but towards the end of this meeting. For now he saw fit to focus on the task at hand. So, Project Gardening. I called the science team to come up with a plan based on the discussions we had earlier. I'll present you a draft right now and we'll talk about each point in it. Jason pulled out his personal datapad and hooked it up to the main holographic projector.
NAME: Draft plan #1276 for Thabit Command and Research Center
DESIGNER: Science Nucelus
DATE OF ISSUE: Stardate 1108 822 AS
PURPOSE: Repairing of the two minefields that lead to O-100 and O-Zeta, respectively.
LICENSE: O'Rhu Directorate internal communique #4171 -still not answered
STARTING DATE: TBD
ESTIMATED COST: TBD [Tasks]
Surveying the area to see the extent of the damage - will be done with Oberth.ROP-CU (currently awaiting upgrades);
Comparing survey data with the data Overwatch provided, as requested by official message;
Acquisition of at least 2 mining vessels. Possible contact to be made through Bundschuch.
Upgrading the two miner vessels to hold mines and operate them safely - testing will be required.
Acquiring or fabricating the mines. More info concerning this is needed.
Working on the minefileds. Suggestion: O-100 field to be finalized first.
Jason took the seat in the far end of the table and started looking at each and everyone as they were reading the small draft presented.
"OK, now that everyone is up to date with everything, let's see how we split the tasks. Quint, you get in touch with our friends in the Bundschuh, see if they can help us track down a few vessels. They do not need to be in top notch condition either, functional is enough. Don't get me wrong, I do not think they have that kind of crafts, but they must know those that do, and maybe get us in touch with them." Jason pulled his chair closer, sat his hands one on top of the other on the table and continued. "Still, we need to figure how much is enough. I'd say one vessels is not enough. Until we come up with a number, get in touch with the VWA. Once you make contact with them over the Com's, get Longstar to accompany you and head over there for deal and pick-up."
Jason moved on looking at Isaac, next. He was sitting on the far side of the table, next to his desk, looking a bit distracted. "Isaac, get me a cup of tea, please! See the machine on my desk. Two sugar cubes and a sip of milk!" Making sure Isaac understood, he continued. "William, I think we should ask from the Overwatch to see if the mines will be built on Akabat's facility. If not, we will need those construction plans. Can you take care of this ?"
Jason did not waited for an answer, he just moved on with his speech, focusing next on Grooms and Craig "You two should identify new safe routes for the incoming shipments. Building those mines will take materials and we cannot afford any delay or interruption. Once the Science Nucleus comes up with the requirements, you will go in field and get proper routes for our transports. I count on your expertise."
Finishing with this and still waiting for his tea, Jason approached Daniel an whispered "I'll have to go for the next week or so, I'll take Laffarentz here and do another run in Rheinland. Meanwhile, keep track of everything here. William already knows all that needs to be done so he can get you up to date."
Jason continued. Concerning the survey vessel, I'll keep track on that as it is a bit more...complicated. Once I get word from Canaan, Isaac will get the Oberth down to their location for upgrades. Also, he will supervise the upgrades and report any advancement in the works to the Directorate. Once the ship is ready, Daniel will supervise the survey operations. See if either Richards or Callen can help also."
"Laffarentz, after this meeting, I'll have a word with you, OK?"