A New Hope for O-Theta

[Soban]

Freeport 8, Living Quarter D, Meeting Room A

---

“What are we building toward? Once you piece together everything that has happened in Theta, the answer becomes obvious. Freeport 9 has fallen, and this so-called shared Corsair administration is little more than a farce. They are using it as cover to establish their own stronghold in Theta, while the Zoners still aboard serve as little more than an immunity token. And once they are finished, they will cast out whatever Zoners remain and extend their reach into the Sigmas without meaningful opposition.”

Jonathan slowly shook his head, remembering all those lost to the Corsairs.

“Our goal is to turn Corfu into the first true Freeporteress, if I may call it that. The Omicron entrance needs a trading platform, just as Freeport 9 once was for the Omegas and Sigmas. But unlike the classic Freeports, this one will be able to support larger vessels. It will also serve as a light industrial outpost to process what the Pygar colony requires. As you know, the looming Kusari–Liberty war and the constant pressure on Erie have driven many more people toward the Zoners, or at least toward freer ground. Which we intend to provide. It will be the— ”

He was interrupted by a sharp chime from his datapad.

“Ah. Our teams have finished their estimate for phase one.”

He pressed a key, and a long material list unfolded in the air.

“The first phase consists of adding the initial layer of superstructure, enough to support the new modules and the machinery required to construct them.

Let us begin with Weiss. We will rely on your shipping capacity for the bulk of the supply runs, while Daumann will focus on the critical materials that only their infrastructure can produce at this scale. We can, of course, rebalance responsibilities if needed.”

The hologram shifted to focus on the Weiss portion of the contract:

• Engine Components — 5,000 units
  For base thrusters and orbital calibration.
  Source: Oder
  Price: 30
  Corfu buying price: 101
  Phoenix bonus: +100 per unit
  Bonus total: 500,000
  
  
• Basic Ablative Armor — 20,000 units
  For reinforcing the temporary modules
  Price: 30
  Corfu buying price: 102
  Phoenix bonus: +100 per unit
  Bonus total: 2,000,000
  
  
• Hull Panels — 20,000 units
  To make the new modules airtight.
  Source: Oder
  Price: 30
  Corfu buying price: 55
  Phoenix bonus: +150 per unit
  Bonus total: 3,000,000
  
  
• Munitions — 5,000 units
  To arm the weapons platforms.
  Source: Oder
  Price: 10
  Corfu buying price: 45
  Phoenix bonus: +100 per unit
  Bonus total: 500,000
  
  
• Xenobiotic Filters — 5,000 units
  For the standard life-support and recycling systems in the temporary modules that will house workers and engineers assigned to the project.
  Source: Freiburg Station
  Price: 35
  Corfu buying price: 65
  Phoenix bonus: +100 per unit
  Bonus total: 500,000
  
  
• High-Temperature Alloy — 5,000 units
  For the secondary core powering the construction works.
  Source: Wichter Station
  Price: 30
  Corfu buying price: 0
  Phoenix bonus: +150 per unit
  Bonus total: 750,000
  
  
• Super Alloy — 10,000 units
  For the foundation of the new superstructure.
  Source: Scarborough Shipyard
  Price: 30
  Corfu buying price: 138
  Phoenix bonus: +200 per unit
  Bonus total: 2,000,000
  
  
• Superconductors — 5,000 units
  For the station energy grid.
  Source: Pueblo Station
  Price: 30
  Corfu buying price: 0
  Phoenix bonus: +230 per unit
  Bonus total: 1,150,000
  
  
• Optronics — 5,000 units
  For essential systems and scanners.
  Source: Newport Station
  Price: 44
  Corfu buying price: 87
  Phoenix bonus: +100 per unit
  Bonus total: 500,000
  
  
• Nanocapacitors — 5,000 units
  For use across nearly every system and module.
  Source: Altona Station
  Price: 30
  Corfu buying price: 0
  Phoenix bonus: +230 per unit
  Bonus total: 1,150,000
  
  
• Nanotubes — 5,000 units
  For use across nearly every system and module.
  Source: Altona Station
  Price: 7
  Corfu buying price: 0
  Phoenix bonus: +207 per unit
  Bonus total: 1,035,000
  
  
• Quantum Multiplexors — 5,000 units
  For computing systems and the industrial/scientific modules.
  Source: Newport Station
  Price: 45
  Corfu buying price: 45
  Phoenix bonus: +145 per unit
  Bonus total: 725,000
  

“That makes a total of 95,000 units of cargo to move, for a payment of 13,810,000 SC. Naturally, the payment remains negotiable. Now, Daumann’s portion.”

Jonathan shifted the display to the DHC contract.

• Specifically Designed Ablative Armor — 20,000 units
  For reinforcing the station’s outer armor.
  Price: 30
  Corfu buying price: 102
  Phoenix bonus: +100 per unit
  Bonus total: 2,000,000
  
  
• Crew
  Engineers and skilled workers to assist and advise Zoner laborers.
  Phoenix will cover all salaries.
  Total payment: 6,000,000
  
  
• Hull Panels — 20,000 units
  To make the new modules airtight while ensuring resistance to Omicron threats.
  Source: Oder
  Price: 30
  Corfu buying price: 55
  Phoenix bonus: +150 per unit
  Bonus total: 3,000,000
  
  
• Biodome Materials — 10,000 units
  Synth-food biodome components modified by Daumann to amplify dwarf-star light and improve structural resilience.
  Source: Supply Station Neckar
  Price: 144
  Corfu buying price: 0
  Phoenix bonus: +400 per unit
  Phoenix payment: 4,000,000
  
  
• Solar Panels — 10,000 units
  Bretonian models modified by Daumann to improve dwarf-star light conversion and add armor.
  Source: Canterbury Station
  Price: 15
  Corfu buying price: 0
  Phoenix bonus: +300 per unit
  Phoenix payment: 3,000,000
  
  
• Construction Machinery — 10,000 units
  Any machinery deemed necessary for the project.
  Source: Oder Shipyard
  Price: 8
  Corfu buying price: 42
  Phoenix bonus: +150 per unit
  Bonus total: 1,000,000
  

“That comes to 70,000 units of cargo for a total payment of 19,000,000 SC. Again, negotiable. And I should stress: this is only the foundation. We expect both of you to ship and build at least five times this volume before the project is complete.”

He turned another page on the datapad until the hologram shifted to the profile of an Aquillon-class carrier.

“Before anything else, for security’s sake, we will be dispatching a brand-new Aquillon and its escort fleet to improve safety in the region. It will help protect your convoys and, on the return leg, provide fair-price iridium for transport back to Rheinland.

And if you were not already aware: the Core is currently establishing a base in Sigma-17. That alone should make Corsair plunder significantly more difficult.

So, are you interested in this project?”