Intermission

[BobMacaroni]

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For now, my decision is that Rheinland might be an opportunity to gain some extra resources or perhaps lend a ceasefire if they would be willing, but I would not want to bet or depend on them, in any case. If you can convince them to assist us somehow - great. I will leave that to you. However we will still be on the lookout for more organizations to haul for us.

Harabero was unconvinced on Rheinland. To him, all outsiders were untrustworthy, and must either be purified through Cardamine or brought to their knees before they can go before the Outcasts. Zoners were the slight exception he was willing to grant.

While you are right that credits in and of themselves are not the issue for us - after all our coffers are very large - what I am concerned of is the effectiveness of our payments. This will take long, long periods of time to create, with enormous amounts of credits to acquire the resources, yes, but also we would need to get the supplies from somewhere, as well. Our current intermediaries would mean that it would take a long time, and we cannot rely on any deal with Rheinland or any other house to go well. No known nation in Sirius - let alone the Maltese - we have known to be able to create a "smart minefield" which can move at will. While yes it is true that we can facilitate research to discover the tangibility and recreate the proposition you described, it again, would take large amounts of time amplified by the costs given, which I believe could be better spent on other systems.

Should you be able to give us some discovery or research that would make this possible? We would consider recreating this. In theory, it is a very good idea. However, until then we need something that we can tangibly use in the short term to boost our system defenses, while we may look at permanent solutions. Again, while it would be nice to have such a minefield, we need something that we can cost-effectively use until then.

It would take a long time to implement this, and resources and very large funds for something that was not yet attainable, only invested in the future. Harabero believed that Malta required something that would be able to keep their system secure, without draining their funds for a vision of grandeur.

For your other suggestion - what would be the benefit of this over weapon platforms? They seem to be similar in nature, while more heavy duty, though if our campaign in Omicron Theta has taught us anything, we do not rely on brute force.

As I mentioned before, I believe the best option for us would be to implement several weapon defense systems stationed around the exits to Omicron Alpha. Several at the exit to Omicron Theta, Tau 37, and Omicron Psi, and a few around Omicron Beta, as that is almost entirely controlled by our forces, and would be nigh impossible to field a large fleet through there. We may also be able to use alternative methods as well to boost these platforms. Perhaps we may field some cruisers to guard the exits, and act as wardens, which can block any small forces into the system, withdraw and regroup if the worst arrives, or have the flexibility to block incoming fleets as well. De Marco's suggestion of scanner arrays is also very intuitive as well. We would be able to spot our enemies oncoming before they even enter the system, and demolish them as they enter into a prepared ambush.

The Don turns to De Marco.

Training and cooperation must be held between the cartels of Malta, on their own decision. While we can assist them and do what we can for our own personnel, that must be their decision to be made. Between all those here, however, it would do well for us to encourage this in our own circles, and for those under our command.

He returns to addressing the whole board.

In any case - as De Marco pointed out - New research is a must. To move forward for this, should we be able to create advanced systems, we must move forward to new frontiers in research and discovery as well. We will do our best to begin further investing toward new advances. Should any of you make any new discoveries, naturally we should communicate this as well, as this we could use to further our defensive capabilities, and increase our options.

I also believe it to be essential for our forces to be more vigilant on who we allow into our home system as well. Logistical transports of hostile organizations as well as scouts and enemy fightercraft have been spotted more frequently, and this must come to an end. The Starfleet will begin to move to start countering these more strictly, and I encourage you to do the same as well.

It was time to begin wrapping things up.

Is there any finalities to address, before we conclude?

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