The Bear and the Dragon.

[mtjsmith]

[font=agency fb]Location: [color=#FFFFFF]Deputy PM's Office, Planet Volograd
Date: 9th June 819 AS

"Hmph. Couldn't stand all that ceremony."

[color=#FFFFFF]The new Commandant of the Fighter Corps sat outside the door to the Deputy Premier's office. Ling was draped in a new uniform, with a ceremonial sword on his belt and large medal's and pins on his chest. It was important for the people to have Commanders they could trust, fear and respect his uncle had told him. Too bad his uncle happened to be Deputy Premier now, and was using his new office and status as if he were the God that the Libertonian's believed in. Major Xu stood, leaning against the wall.

"Relax. It'll be a pat on the back, well done and go bring me the Corsair's downfalll"
[color=#FFFF00]"I think not. It never is that simple with my uncle.. Especially since that intel you brought back didn't exactly work as planned."
"Oh?"
"Dui. XiaoBei said something along the lines of square peg, round hole. And that the Zoners can fit do-dec-a-gons into non-existent holes."
"Science is not my strong point."

The door opened and a young Chinese man gave a swift bow and invited the Commandant and Major into the office. The office was as grand as it was large, with trophies, trinkets and other grand exhibits placed strategically around the room. There seemed to be 3 sections to the office. The Deputy Premier's large desk with seats in front of it. A small boardroom table with projectors and assets of a tactical nature spread around it. Down slightly, a couple of stairs linked the rest of the room to a small ring of sofas which were to entertain guests. It was here where the Deputy Premier was entertaining someone right now.

"So you can see why the State Duma rose me to Deputy Premier! Now you just have to pick up where what I left off at the Ministry of Plenty! Ahh... Commandant Ling!"
[color=#FFFF00]"Deputy Premier."
"I would like you to meet Clariman Porter of Volgograd Industrial."

He nodded at the chairman, and the delegation took their seats on the sofas. Tea was served and Ping sat back in his seat. A box of cigars was on the table, which he offered to his guests. Once they were all settled, Ping sat forth his agenda.

"Mr Porter, as you have now been fully briefed on Project Red Letter Day, I believe Volograd Industrial is well placed to bring the supplies necessary to complete the project. There are modifications to the ships which the State Duma is requesting however."
[color=#FFFF00]"Modifications?"
"Dui Nephew. XR-1 will be required to do a lot more deep space work than initially planned. With the increased traffic into our home systems and the increase in trade - Battles will be fought further afield than ever before. The XKR project will yield more than enough defensive capability to defend Omega-52."
"Respectfully, I disagree. We are behind schedule as it is, and currently we've not been able to integrate the Zoner Cargo Capability technology which Major Xu acquired. If the technology is rendered incompatible, then we will never be able to keep enough supplies onboard for long range, deep space operations."
"Then the technology must be made compatible. Furthermore, the Havana's fighter fabrication bay is only capable of creating fighters from base materials already present. This will be improved upon with XR-1 able to fabricate not only the fighters, but the parts necessary. This will also be on triple the scale as the Havana. If we lose a squadron, then it should be replaced within the week."
"That will compromise our fighting ability!"
"Bu dui, it will not. The new flagships of the Coalition are REQUIRED to be so. You have the best scientific minds within the Coalition - Make it happen."

The argument seemed to reach an impasse. Ling knew that what his uncle was demanding from the Hammer near enough couldn't be done and shook his head.

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