The simple ideology that peace can be achieved by "stamping out all threats" is one that has cost more lives than even the cultist mental health condition known as religion.
When the side your fighting for is down on numbers as well as friends. Making your own opportunities as well as catching them just at the right moment becomes one of the major focal points in day to day life.
Chenzo had overseen the orange dream for over a decade before his mysterious disappearance, the foundations laid were secure enough to stand to the current day. There were however weaknesses. Weaknesses that time had made apparent. The near fossilised don of Malta wasn't liked by all, some would even put core values of the Maltese nation in question just to try and appose him. Just like the time that bred these delinquents, they would fade into the nothing from where they came. After all, the test of time has proven Corsica; originally built the now ancient and almost forgotten 101st Ghosts still remains the proud shipyard responsible for producing most of all Maltese warships, second to none within Sirius.
Chenzo may have gotten older, but his interest of finding new ways to outsmart the enemy never skipped a beat. The once used research station, reduced to but a small depot everyone had forgotten about was under Chenzo's keen eye. He'd docked a number of times to lay probes to detect activity, landed with his workers almost a year prior to make the once forgotten tool of the enemy part of the very thing that would bring another Maltese enemy to their knee's.
Carful planning, perfect placement. The enemy had forgotten of the installation existence years prior. The gas clouds created a barrier that enemy patrols never dared to mess with. Only the heightened senses and reflexes of an Outcast could safely navigate them. Ironically, even the Gas Miners were too afraid.
over decades, the husk of the lifeless station seen as mere junk had drifted from it's original position. No fuel in gravitational systems causing it to fall out of orbital alignment.
Chenzo had been waiting for this opportunity. The task now, was how to use or deploy this masterpiece of disguise and resource. A pathway for the Orange Dream? A hub from which to launch logistical assault on an enemy before disappearing back into the clouds? A storage depot for hard to get and even harder to transport logistical goods?
A meeting had been set with an extremely high profile scientist. Chenzo had observed the man from afar for years. He'd attracted the attention of many unsavoury names Chenzo had witnessed, also had spoken in detail of the Dr's interests and skillset field when Chenzo finally approached him.
It had been a very, very long time since that initial meeting, however Chenzo was delighted when Batsbak accepted his offer to work with him.
A promise was made for for Dr's safety. The doctor himself hadn't even mentioned credit based reimbursement. Chenzo hadn't offered as he knew the man's interest was purely in research, development and better aid. He was a good man, which is why the fact he would soon be face to face with one of Sirius's most renowned Maltese Don's did not phase him.
Chenzo had ensured that unlike every other Maltese station, this one had no Cardamine flowing through the Oxygen pumps on board. The station was capable and primed, but the idea was not to make Batsbak a prisoner. Chenzo wanted his help.
The finest foods sourced from the extensive study of Rheinland cuisine had been prepared to ensure Chenzo's guest was fed well. A private apartment fit for the highest of profile personnel had been constructed for Batsbak.
Chenzo had odd acquaintances for an Outcast which spanned Sirius. This base had been used for years for just such personnel meetings, however this was the first time much more than just logistics or safe passage were to be discussed on board.
After receiving Mr. Chenzo’s invitation, Dr. Batsbak quietly packed his belongings. To his colleagues, he claimed he would be traveling to the Omicrons for several days on an expedition. In truth, the story was nothing more than a cover—an excuse to disappear for a while without anyone searching for him or interfering.
He set out for the Kreuzberg Depot, where Mr. Chenzo had left a briefcase for him. Along with it came instructions: he was to rendezvous with an escort who would help him out of New Berlin and escort him toTau-13.
The flight passed without incident. Against all expectations, Batsbak’s movements remained unnoticed, and no one associated him with the Outcasts.
Upon entering Tau-13, the escort bid him farewell, leaving him with one final order: land at a remote station, hidden well beyond the usual patrol routes. There, Chenzo would be waiting.
The hangar swallowed his ship in shadows as Batsbak touched down. The engines wound to silence, and he stepped onto the cold metal floor. At the far end of the bay, a door slid open with a low hiss. From the darkness beyond, a lone figure emerged—his silhouette sharp against the dim light behind him.
Squadron 9 of Chenzo's personal elite guard had successfully escorted Batsbak to the station, before returning to Ruiz, Omicron-Beta where they are primarily based. The difficulty of escorting sombody who isn't used to evading the law means travelling perilously close to hostile scanning stations who are ready to spit out countless craft to "defend".
An overwhelming sense of relief fell over the Maltese Don as he watched Batsbak's ship dock, So many things could have gone wrong. He took a sip from the freshly delivered liquid from the usual but ever strange vial before sealing and returning it to his jacket before proceeding to to the hangar to greet his guest.
"Welcome, herr Batsbak. It has indeed been a while since we met. Thankyou for the honour of joining me here. I do trust my pilots kept you safe on the way here?They have reported zero enemy sightings which is a positive, at least".
He stood in the doorway of the hangar in which Batsbak stood by his ship, arms gesturing to welcome him into another section of the station.
AS Batsbak followed him through the door into the bare yet very lit room, a oval shaped table appeared to Batsbak's view, a chair at either end.
"Sir, I've had an idea for quite a long time. I've previously purchased samples of fully functional weaponry from your region's BDM so I make the assumption that technology you possess and can share with me, I can adapt to my needs."
As Batsbak takes a seat, the room's lighting fade gently and the table between them begins to glow. Projections light up of the Dr's station before zooming in on the device that had prompted this meeting
"Sir, if you can advise me of exactly what I need to make this device, I'm sure I can work out the programming and if not, I have friends who can help. I'd not like to waste too much of your time in teaching, but if you can go over the key fields, my idea can then make sense"
He pauses momentarily
"All of the new focus is on the Omega's, I bet you're itching to get out there. If we manage to build the device I hope to make, exploring the Omega's will soon be almost without worry at all. With your mind, my resources and limitless funds; I'm sure we can do it. I'd also be more than happy to share this technology we produce with your very own BDM as well."
“Mr. Chenzo, I admire your ambition and your interest in my little project, but let’s take one step at a time.
I can certainly provide you with some documents from the platform’s development, but I must ask—what exactly do you intend to do with it?”
He paused briefly, then continued:
“I’ve already made several excursions into the newly discovered Omega Systems. Unfortunately, I haven’t yet had the chance to venture into their depths. Still, like you, I’ve read some troubling reports from other pilots.”
The doctor leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.
“You mentioned that you had acquired weapons from our BDM. You must understand, it’s hard for me to believe they would simply sell weapons to you. And if they did, why wouldn’t you incorporate them into this project as well?”
Dr. Batsbak leaned forward again, resting his arms on the desk before him.
“Well anyways, why don’t you start by telling me what your grand plan really is?”
He sat and listened as the thick Rheinland accent became more and more understandable. Chenzo was doing his very best to understand, as always when speaking to someone with a foreign dialect.
He sat quietly, until the doctor had finished speaking.
"Senor, I promised you I'd not seek to weaponize or cause death from this project and I'll keep to it. Genuine Outcasts do not double deal, do not back stab, do not do anything except operate in a manor of extreme trust and respect. It's the old ways. The kids these days are literally trying to re-write our history instead of embracing it and learning from it".
He pauses, his voice becomes more delicate
"It's well known the Maltese live vastly longer than normal humans, sir. When you live that much longer, your word becomes that much more important not to break. This makes sense, no?"
He clears his throat
"To answer your question directly; I wish to create four beacons to guard four areas from those who may wish to attack my people. Assuming this can be done and I'm able to program the beacons to only affect those I wish to keep out, then we can move on to the next stage which I can promise you will make this technology wanted Sirius wide. But, will only ever be available to the Maltese and the BDM. I promise you this desired equipment also does not cause loss of life, quite the opposite.
Also, it will make those horror stories of those we encounter within the Omega's something we'd not have to worry over again"
The Don scrolls frantically through his PDA, his facial expression goes from confused to delighted as he places the PDA on the table, allowing the file he'd selected project for the Doctor to see.
"I have no reason to lie to you, sir. You have knowledge I desire and you have never once spoken to me as if I'm scum. I'd fight to the death for anyone who shows me that level of respect. I'd sooner die than show you the disrespect that comes with lying. Hell, you could have sped off route today and sent the co-ordinates to the Rheinland Military of my base here and it'd be potentially blown to space dust by now! I'm not like other Maltese, sir. I'm all that's left of the Old Guard."
He allows the doctor time to see the proof of purchased weaponry before continuing
If you are on board with me so far, sir. I'd like to get to work to not waste any of your time. I'll answer any questions you have. I'll be honest, relations between the BDM and I aren't exactly great at present. Some of my lesser brainpowered Outcasts decided to raid Rheinland forces about a year ago. It soured things. Like you, they have some very smart people and I'm hoping this project between us, if successful will allow me a table on which to speak openly once more. If you desire to leave, I'll hold nothing against you and offer the same exit protection as entry, but if you wish to continue, it's on your terms, sir.
Dr. Batsbak set the PDA down after reading the communication between Mr. Chenzo and the BDM.
“Well then. I hope you understand what is at stake for me. I have a reputation to protect—and likely face severe penalties in Rheinland should your technology ever be turned against it.
That said, I have always stood by the principle of preserving and protecting human life.”
The doctor retrieved a holodisc from his jacket pocket and slid it into a small slot on his side of the table.
Another hologram of the Celestial Sentinel Platform appeared—this time displaying technical schematics and additional construction blueprints.
“As you can see, I have already prepared the most essential plans.
Keep in mind, however, these are not from the final version, but from a prototype. I trust you understand that I must keep my most advanced and up-to-date designs for myself.
Still, these plans should be more than sufficient for your purposes.
For further cooperation, I do have a few conditions:
1. I require access to the systems under your control, so that I may conduct my research and expeditions there.
2. I expect to be informed about any ‘special’ occurrences within the Omicron and Omega systems—particularly concerning astronomical anomalies and alien activity.
3. You are to continue sharing the results of your project with me.”
Batsbak fixed Mr. Chenzo with a questioning gaze.
“Even so, you still haven’t told me what the next step of your plan is—the one that will make this technology sought after across all of Sirius.”
Feelings of slight confusion mixed with delight fell over Chenzo, the expression on his face showed it.
"Well, sir. Your terms are agreeable for anything within the Omega's, however the primary focus of the four initial beacons I hope to build from your blueprints is to protect key areas of Maltese home space, which you must be able to appreciate, I cannot and will not be able to give you control over, nor share any potentially sensitive data over?
I whole heartedly also understand the light in which this may show you if I were to not keep my word, alas this is unbreakable- I'd sooner die than break my word."
The annotated graphic still projected from the table, Chenzo raises his hand to zoom in on a specific module
"I've been looking at your modal, scanning from as close as I can get without drawing attention to myself. This specific module which actually projects each wave of EMP against anyone you program to be a foe.
My idea rests wholly on the ability to change the type of signal, frequency if you will. I read the capacitors for each pulse draw immense amounts of power. A large percentage of this power is lost in generating what is simply seen as the visual effect. We both know that it's far more than just a visual effect, instead the frequency signal reacting with particals in space. I believe that by altering the frequency we can remove the inefficiency in power usage,
The frequency only requires a mild change to not react in colourful visuals with the surrounding space, meaning with the same power input the wave is invisible to the naked eye and also penetrates through much thicker armour plating, rendering the largest of ships unable to fire ammo based weaponry or cruise away"
He uses both hands to zoom back out before selecting another part of the modal
"The change of signal frequency would mean less power used, si? Now, this section of your beacon. This particle accelerator isn't required at all. This makes the device much, much smaller. Of course, this reduces the effective range, but also significantly reduces the cost.
Call me crazy or stupid, but I hope, with your help to literally build an entire ship around this device. There will be no power for weaponry or anything but a medium transport shield on the largest of ships. Instead, we could produce a countermeasure which once deployed in real time, disables any form of enemy Cruise Disruptor or cruise engines for around 15 seconds, a five click radius giving enough time to escape any foe. Personally, senor. I care about this for goods transportation ships. but for you? The extra space with any given transport can be used for your other measuring equipment. I've estimated that such a countermeasure device would only allow for capacity of up to Five countermeasures before eating into any given transport's haulage capacity. Five should be enough, though. "
He sits back, clearly wanting to pass over so much more information than he's currently able to comprehend.
"I understand your plan, I’ve had similiar Ideas aswell.
But do you really want me to help you develop a ship that prevents other vessels from pursuing it?
Please don’t be offended, but I’m thinking of smugglers who would then be almost impossible to stop and could transport their goods unhindered. Or of pirates who could effortlessly prevent already vulnerable targets — freighters, transports, or liners — from escaping.
Although I am very interested in your project from a scientific perspective and can see many other applications for this technology, I also have moral concerns.
I am willing to help you develop the four beacons to protect your homeland, but I cannot promise to assist in building a ship equipped with an EMP weapon at this time.
The don listens, almost predicting the words to leave Batsbak's mouth before they were spoken. He stays calm and smiles.
Herr Batsbak, that's the thing I do enjoy about yourself, you do have a conscience. You are sat across the table from a man who's responsible for untold numbers of dead and don't forget, probably the largest drug's peddlers known to Sirius. At least we have all the same enemy's and pleas do not think for a moment I'm proud of the death caused. It's only ever been to protect Malta. I'm hoping the beacons will be another deterrent in them coming.
That said, my interest in such vessels is not to peddle my people's primary product. It's to assist in the exploration of the unknown. Each haul of Cardamine must be worth at least three ship loads, otherwise it wouldn't make sense. At least one in three shipments get caught by some form of House Navy. The projected cost of one of these ships would be more than ten times that of a regular ship, not to mention I'd imagine it would haul less product.
I intend to create three ships, senor.
All three much the same in likeness.
One will be for me, my personal exploration efforts in the Deep Omega's, of which I've already promised to share my gathered intel with you in order best gain knowledge mutually. The second will be for yourself, a gift for your assistance in the project itself. The third, will be presented to the BDM. A token to re-kindle the collective sharing of efforts in wide spread research and of course, re gain an ally who also likes to ensure Corsairs keep their distance.
From exploration attempts so far, there are creatures similar to the Nomads out there. I thought they were the same, until I witnessed one group of Nomads I was familiar to observing fight against a group within the deep omega's. We just uncovered an unseen before find.
I lost a couple of really, really good pilots escaping senor. Such a ship would allow us to not worry about losing those we hold dear on such explorations. Needless to say, they do enjoy firing Cruise Disruptors.
Should it work as intended, such technology would never make it into the hands of those who would use it distastefully.
He opens his jacket and pulls out a cigarette. almost immediately, a robotic chimney like tube comes down form the ceiling. It powers on and begins to follow the excess smoke generated by the cigarette.
He slides both the packet of cigarettes and a cardamine-filter breather over to Batsbak before continuing
Forgive me, sir. I should have started with this. Every Maltese installation in existence silently pumps Cardamine through the vents. I have personally seen to it that this station's Cardamine pump is off. Nothing but pure oxygen coming through here, although I'm sure you have your own equipment for testing already in use. The breather there is just for your personal comfort. I promise you, there would be zero benefit to making you addicted to it if you didn't want its vast benefits. I respect the fact you don't entertain it, so this station will always have clear vents for yourself.
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Proof of purchasing weapons from BDM