A Critical Meeting

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Billy pondered the words of the Intelligence agency, and the political ramifications of what Paracusia had said. Pulling up a digital calculator app on his datapad, he punched in a few numbers. Nodding to himself, he took a sip of beer and spoke.I'll be honest, I expected to come here and fill out a fairly significant check to secure the rights. Given your situation, and the requirements of defending a civilian population. However, I have a potential solution to that. Keying the holographic projector, it fizzed to life with a small pop and displayed the Nightmare's status. Keying a button on his datapad, the display changed to display the electrical subsystems of the Nightmare.

In her death throes the Nightmare executed a full system purge, wiping out all ship control software onboard and activated a thermite charge to physically destroy any data storage devices embedded in her computer array. I can only assume it was a failsafe installed to stop anyone from recovering any sensitive data. However, this leaves a problem. Currently the Nightmare does not have any functioning computer systems. As much as I trust the Junkers to weld and make physical repairs to the vessel, some of the more intricate functions a warship must perform. I can find a suitable Navigation and Navigation Control System on the black market, however a suitable Combat System and Electronic Warfare suite will be sufficiently harder to source. I've been researching suitable firms for this work, and a certain Weapons System manufacturer caught my eye. Billy put down his datapad and leaned forward, interlocking his fingers.

Aquila Defense Systems is wholly owned and operated by Civilians from the Natio Octavarium, correct? Well, with your blessing I'd like to reach out to a Company Rep and request a quote for a full Ship Computer Systems overhaul as well as overseeing the overhaul, design, installation, and testing of all shipboard weapons systems. Considering the task, I can only infer that the company would need to hire more engineers and technicians to complete the work, bringing additional money into Canberra's economy. This would be in addition to a "salvage" fee that I will offer to pay for the hull of the Nightmare.

And lastly, regarding the presence of an additional warship. If you can convince the Crayter Republic that the Nightmare is not an Outcast manned vessel, I see no problem with operating in the vicinity of Canberra. Officially under contract, but we can write up a contract that lists the Nightmare's presence would be gratis. I will need to train my crew to operate efficiently, perhaps some cross-training and simulated wargames would be in order to help prepare the two crews to work together should a conflict come to Canberra's doorstep. What do you think?

Billy leaned back in his chair, sipping his beer.

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Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.