⠀With the view to increase its presence in the Omicron Tau system, diversify assets and income sources, as well as increase production efficiency, the Board of Directors of "Cuatroce", agreed to deploy a modular facility in Lagrange 1 point of Soledad. Dubbed "Estremadura" after a harsh region on the Old Earth, the base extends the reach of the Cartel directly into Omicron Tau, providing a fortress, a trade hub, and a research complex belonging exclusively to "Cuatroce" where its secrets are well hidden even from the eyes of the fellow Maltese.
⠀Estremadura base was deployed at the beginning of April, 826, and due to the influx of capital quickly developed into a comfortable place for overseeing local Cartel’s operations. As the base grew and the permanent operation crew arrived, the administration became necessary. Señor Antonio de Motti, who oversaw the delivery of the most goods required for facility deployment, was appointed as Administrador del Instalacion. A security officer Daguza Ecoas, who had been excelling those days, was promoted to Senior Security Officer and entitled to oversee Estremadura’s inner security as well as the whole Soledad quadrant in the capacity of Capitán de la Guardia. Those two are the two highest positions in the quadrant and answer only to the Chief Executives, the Board of Directors, Adelantado, and the Don himself. The newly appointed administration is to ensure the stable operation of the facility and to further the following goals:
Mining operations on Terre - due to increased radiation and immense density, Cartel’s research teams suggest that roughly 80% of the moon consist of metals, predominantly heavy ones like Uranium. Therefore, mining is strategically important for both "Cuatroce" and Malta;
Logistic support and expansion of Soledad colonies - "Cuatroce" has invested significant sums into the development of the arable equatorial "ring" of Soledad and created a few settlement-plantations. As electronics do not last long on the surface, plantations rely predominantly on manual labour and their efficiency has been so far limited. The researchers suggest, however, that special magnetic "domes" can be created to create small "havens" where electronics would work. This will allow fast, industrial-scale processing of Cardamine similar to Malta in the domed facilities, as well as promote urbanisation. The collection of the raw Cardamine from vast plantations around the domed facilities will still rely primarily on simple mechanisms and human labour, so support any of these endeavours, the Cartel will need its own orbital facility to drop or deliver needed supplies and equipment regularly and to serve as the primary communication hub for the surface facilities;
Hub for trade - while the development of the Soledad and mining of Terre are the utmost priority, the Cartel does not forget its commercial aspect and intends to use Estremadura for exclusive deals with Cartel, as well as to promote the local trade in Omicron Tau;
Manufacture of equipment - the initial plans for Estremadura provided space for additional modules that can serve in particular for the development and construction of ships and equipment for the Cartel;
Maintenance of Cuatroce's fleet - the vicinity to Venice Shipyard makes the construction of drydocks unnecessary. However, a small maintenance mechanical bay is to be constructed for emergency repairs and maintenance of the damaged with magnetic field freighters constantly going to and from Soledad;
Orbital lab for studying perspectives of further colonisation of Soledad & other research programmes - a remote compound for Cartel-only research is needed to ensure a competitive advantage with rival Maltese corporations and cartels. While Galicia remains the primary space research facility of Malta, its profile is rather wide and the station needs to serve the whole Nacion. Estremadura’s research quarters, on the other hand, will focus on urgent Cartel’s needs, especially those related to Soledad and Terre. The remoteness also allows conducting researches that would raise too many questions on Malta or any other Outcast installation.
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