Professor, I had a very lengthy, interesting and enlightening dialogue with none other than president of Universal Shipping Incorporated - Michael Trenton. Perhaps I was wrong to be so rough to their corporation? Perhaps we can come to agreeable terms and concentrate on the bigger fishes?
Quote:Michael: Mr. Scorpius. Scorpius: We have Universal Menace to deliver, don't we? Michael: Hmph. Scorpius: Is that the voice of a concerned CEO I hear?! Michael: Should I be concerned? Scorpius: Yes, yes indeed. Michael: Are you looking for blood? Scorpius: We have evidence of you transporting HFuel. Michael: And? Scorpius: Considering the embargo is in place Michael: I didn't get it from Kusari. Never entered. Scorpius: I bet a certain party in Kusari might be interested in it. Sure. Sure. Michael: No reason for me to lie. Scorpius: I mean, our USI hack is all wrong. Logging you in New Tokyo and Honshu, right? Michael: Nope. Doesn't matter. You're going to say whatever you want to say to whoever you want. Scorpius: So. Let's discuss business. I will not rest till I see your corporation be put into bottomless abyss. Unless.. The stated sum will be transfered to Lane Hackers.Or, you can indulge me with information I want. Scorpius: And I might reconsider the deal Michael: Although, I don't understand your fixation of my company; I do understand you like money. So, I have a cargo full of H-Fuel. Despite what you think, I didn't get it from Kusari. I'm willing to dump it all. Scorpius: You should reconsider your tone But I will repeat myself. I value knowledge over profit. Michael: Knowledge? ... Okay... Scorpius: If you can give it to me, I might just call all this off and leave your corporation in relative peace. Where have you aquired this Fuel from, if not from Kusari. Michael: Where? Ames Research Station in Kepler. Scorpius: Are they storing it there? Michael: Technically, we store Liberty's H-Fuel reserves on Emlenton Storage & Exports, but we like to keep it topped off. That's why I decided to personally pick up a shipment from Ames. Scorpius: So, how did the HFuel ended up in Ames in the first place? Michael: C'mon, I don't know that. They're zoners. Scorpius: So you assume that it is still from Kusari. And they broke embargo for you? Michael: Sure. Maybe some Kishiro dropped it off there. Maybe the GMG themselves dropped it off. I don't know. I guess you'll have to speak with the merchant there. Scorpius: So, Micheal. Can I call you that? Michael: Michael is what people who don't try to kill my employees call me. Scorpius: I never try to kill honest persons. Except for Ageira lackeys. But that is just revenge. Your corporation, on the other hand is just business. Michael: I can tell you right now that's not true. Business. Which Business? Scorpius: Pleasant one. Michael: The business of knowledge? Scorpius: That too. Michael: The business of terrorism? Scorpius: Tell me more about your station in Pennsylvania. I'd like to hear all there is about it Michael: I think since I have talked to you so far that there should be an end in sight. What happens after I tell you about our station there? Scorpius: I will let you go. I am a man of my word. I think. Michael: Okay. What would you like to know about Emlenton? Scorpius: What is it for? Michael: Well, we keep some of Liberty's fuel reserves in stock on there. We also import Helium from the local miners. We really helped the citizens of Penn. there. Scorpius: How so? Michael: Anyways, it's long-term goals are to seek fuel Independence from Kusari. Scorpius: Why not use Bretonian MOX? Michael: MOX? Didn't you say you use to be in Ageira? Scorpius: Hey, shut up. Michael: The engines that run on MOX are highly unstable and when those vessels get damaged, they make a big boom. Scorpius: Exactly... Michael: I could run -this- ship on MOX.
Brokenclaw: Why dont we use that to our advantage? Scorpius: It would make our eyes... Eye in my case, happy. Michael: But that would risk my pods not making it. 3M on Emlenton is working on another "type" of H-Fuel Apparently it uses the same process as the factories of Planet Erie. Or, at least that's the idea. Scorpius: Let's say this will cover the possible profits. Now this got my attention. Is Ageira aware of your research? Michael: I'm sure they've read the academic journals centered around it. But, no. We haven't included them. Scorpius: Would this breakthrough damage Ageira in anyway? Michael: We have some people from Cambridge Research Station though. Would it damage them? I don't know... They would certainly dislike the idea that they didn't make it. Scorpius: Would their reputation as superior company on technology advancement be lowered? Michael: I doubt that.. The project team is a diverse team from all over Sirius. It's just a relatively small team with our subisidiary company. Scorpius: How would this Fuel affect Liberty's economy and daily life of civilians? Michael: According to the project leader, it'll stir up a new industry in Penn. Universal vessels will be retrofitted first before other organizations. Scorpius: Would this lower the cost of fuel in general? Michael: That's the idea. Scorpius: And would that make HFuel redudant? Michael: For us at least, yes. Michael: It would take at least a decade to retrofit the new fusion engines on the rest of Liberty. Scorpius: What are the prerequisites of making this fuel? Michael: Prerequisites? I'm not an engineer, Mr. Scorpius. Scorpius: I mean, what materials are needed to make it. Michael: Oh. Scorpius: Helium-3? Michael: That's easy. It only requires Helium. And we have plenty of it. Scorpius: Then this would mean Pennsylvania a new gold site. Michael: In a way, yes. Scorpius: And boom the economy in a major way Michael: This technology wouldn't be licensed to other Houses though. At least not for another 20 years. Scorpius: Just like Ageira? And their Lane and Gates? You would keep it in house to rake as much profit as you can? Before opening it to public. Michael: You're comparing two mutually exclusive things right now. Scorpius: How so? Michael: It's not about profit. It's about supporting Liberty's economy and her citizens. Scorpius: Economy is based on profits. Michael: Do you know why the Xenos exist today? Scorpius: Certainly. Because LPI fails their duties. Or does not care. Michael: Mostly, it's because of Ageira and DSE. Scorpius: Sure. Blaming other parties. That is typical Michael: My company certainly had nothing to do with it. Scorpius: Look. Let's cut this short. We will want a prototype of this engine Michael: We don't have one. Scorpius: When you do have one, we will want it. Michael: It's still in its developmental stages. Then I'll keep it in mind. Scorpius: I am sure we can come to a beneficial agreement. Michael: But a lot could happen between now and then. Scorpius: Then let's hope nothing happens. For example, a sabotage by Ageira to keep them on top and to ruin your image. They are capable of such evil And you do well to remember that. Michael: Believe me, I do. I typically don't trust Ageira or DSE. Scorpius: Who do you trust then? Michael: There are some organizations that we do. Scorpius: Because a person without trusted friends, is all alone and on his own. Name few. Michael: Most organizations are just Business acquaintances. Okay... Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing and Hyperspace Institute are two. Scorpius: Is that all? Michael: You really want me to sit here and tell you who we like and don't like? Scorpius: Do you like us? Michael: The Hackers? No, I don't. Scorpius: Exactly. Michael: Are you surprised by that? Scorpius: Figures that much. No brainer after all. Alright, how about you dump 70 units of fuel. And I will be done with you Michael: Fine. Scorpius: I'd say stay safe. But I don't mean it
Quote:Michael: You always manage to find me. Scorpius: Ach it is you again. Michael: What is it now? Scorpius: Where is the cargo heading? Hamilton Station I bet. Michael: You should gamble more often. Scorpius: Indeed. You know that I can't let this happen. It's damn Ageira's station Michael: Why's that? Oh, right. Scorpius: You forgot, right? Michael: No, I haven't forgot. Scorpius: This makes nice profit, does it not, eh? Michael: I just didn't think it would matter, considering the cargo. Scorpius: Such high value alloys are to be considered. Michael: Makes a nice profit? Not really, no. But, yes. They are high-valued. Scorpius: You have no guns equipped Michael: Good observation. Scorpius: And yet you are carrying loot that was dropped by quite armed ship. How is that? Michael: Which are you referring to? Scorpius: Nova Torpedoes. Michael: Oh, those? Yea, I just carry them along with me incase I need to jettison them. Scorpius: Yeah. I think the time is just about right. Michael: I didn't realize you wanted to search me ship. Time is right for what, exactly? Scorpius: To jettison that amunition Michael: You want my amunition? Scorpius: Not only the amunition! I would really appreciate a contribution as well. Michael: Here I am thinking that you wanted a protoype fusion engine. Scorpius: That too. I want many things. And I usaully get them all. So how about you jettison the amunition and fork me over a million Michael: Ever heard of that ancient chinese curse? "May you find what you want in life." Scorpius: I found. I lost an eye, I gained clearity. My vision halved, but my sight has expanded. Michael: I believe we already offered to fix that for you. Scorpius: And untill I give my best to rip apart this corporate empire Liberty has built, I have no time to rest. Michael: Sounds exhausting. Such a waste... I have no use for these Nova Torpedos. But, I don't like the idea of you using these exact ones. Scorpius: Then you better give me what I wanted. Because I might start using my own. And I believe nobody would want that. Michael: Could we just destroy them? Well, that one help anyone. I'm quite fond of this ship. And using your torpedos on this would pretty much mess up any hope for you getting those prototypes. Scorpius: Is that so? So I am left to use Antimatter then Michael: Uh, yea. Yea, I believe so. Scorpius: I can work with that too. Michael: *Laughs* As you can see, I'm no threat in this current situation. Scorpius: Certainly. I am well aware of that. Michael: Obviously, I'm going to jettison these Novas. However, could you just destroy them? Scorpius: No. Michael: No? Just "No"? Scorpius: Yes. I'd ask if there's any problem, but I already know the answer. Michael: Hmph... Actually, I did a scan of my own. Scorpius: You did, didn't you. I bet you checked my ammo supply Michael: I don't believe you can actually fit these things in there. These scans are pretty handy, aren't they. Scorpius: But then again, that is none of your damn business, now is it? Michael: Depends on your definition. Scorpius: True. Michael: Okay, they're jettisoned. Scorpius: Fireworks. Enjoy. Hey! Michael: Seriously? Scorpius: You still owe me a million. Michael: You knocked my engine. It still amazes me that you find us to be the enemy. Scorpius: Are you telling that the shields didn't protect it from the blast? Michael: Oh, they did. Quite well in fact. But, the engines did start up. Scorpius: I don't see you as an enemy. Prey, more likely. Oh. An idea. Michael: A prey? Seriously? Scorpius: I should totally dress up as a pirate for Halloween. Michael: What? Scorpius: That would make one of a kind costume. Michael: O...kay... Scorpius: I'd cover my eye, get some kind of bird, from Gaia probably, and pretend to be a pirate! Though let's hope I will not be needing a wooden leg, as those movies from Sol era portrays . Michael: If you truly had clarity, then you would concentrate more of your time on Ageira. Scorpius: Oh, but we are. You are both, buying and selling from and to Ageira stations Michael: This whole "stopping Universal pilots" thingy is a lil' in the wrong direction. Scorpius: Tell me how should I view that? Michael: You should view that as just its face value. Scorpius: Alrighty. What value is that? Michael: My company has to act as if we are aligned with Ageira and DSE. We're actually not. Scorpius: How so? Michael: All of these shipments that you witness of us transfering cargo to and from Ageira bases... Well, that's just part of the facade. Both Ageira and DSE don't give a rats butt about the citizens of Liberty. They've proven that time and time again.Remember reading about the Dallas Incident? Michael: That was all planned by Ageira, DSE, and LPI. Scorpius: No way No fricking way. They wouldn't... Michael: Oh yea. And guess which company almost dissolved? Us. Scorpius: How so? Michael: Took us half a century to get out of that IC debt. Scorpius: You are telling me that 3 corporations of Liberty. Intentionally caused major accident. But why would they do that? Michael: That was the problem that our President had at the time. He couldn't find the evidence to support his allegations. He actually ended being assassinated. My theory? Scorpius: Any suspects? Michael: They wanted to turn the citizens of Texas into slaves for a new industry led by LPI and DSE. Scorpius: But they did not succeed. Or did they? Michael: Succeed? I'd say so. But, not without people questioning them. Everyone knows LPI is sour. And we support some activists groups to hinder DSE and Ageira. Scorpius: Like, us? No. Then who? Michael: Who? Scorpius: Who. Michael: Just some freelancers. Scorpius: Because they can hinder megacorporations? Michael: And other citizens of Liberty who were affected by their actions. All I'm trying to say is that your sword is pointed in the wrong direction here, Mr. Scorpius. Scorpius: Dagger. Dagger. Then the question must be raised. How can our organisations be beneficial to each other in order to impair DSE and Ageira in their expansion? Michael: Well what's happening right now isn't. Why don't you come up with some -good- ideas and we'll compare notes. Michael: This whole "vigilante" mindset won't get anyone far. Scorpius: That will have to go directly to Professor. And she might have other views on this.. Michael: Professor? Michael: Who is the professor? Scorpius: That's what we believe in. Not worth to explain to you Michael: Fair enough. Scorpius: Not really want to either. Michael: Then you "speak" with your professor, and uh lemme know. Scorpius: I shall.
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