Bringing Light to the Process (Moira)

[Maelion Liates]

Two days after their successful raid on Maramere, @[member="Moira Skaldi"] and Maelion Liates were back on Corellia to begin the next phase of their operations. The thought that the Protectorate might put 2 and 2 together seemed unlikely considering their lax vigil over Maramere.

Now though the two of them wanted to take the next step. Through electronic communication the two plotted their moves, sharing not just words, but diagrams, blueprints and more.
“A mobile processing ship and portable command centre is desirable. Request information on possible ship manufacturers who can be trusted. With the Stygium crystals we can make this ship cloaked and impossible to detect.”

 

[Moira Skaldi]

@[member="Maelion Liates"]

The Protectorate's lack of response had been most underwhelmning. However, their lack of competence and preparedness was a net gain for Archangel. Added to that was the fact that they would construct the sort of ship the Pyre had long wanted but never got around to build.

As diagrams, blueprints and so on were transmitted Moira quickly calculated their options, running through various potential manufacturers before settling on one.

"Consensus. Suggest Iron Crown Productions, state-owned Fringe corporation. We have an understanding with Rave Merrill and the Fringe would not ask too many awkward questions," she transmitted.

 

[Maelion Liates]

@[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

“Agreed. This ship shall be smaller than 400 metres and be crewed entirely by droids. Suggest two dozen advanced units to hand complex orders and one thousand other droid units for maintenance. We require droid starfighters capable of holding off an enemy or scouting ahead. Suggestions?”

Because the ship would include potent cloak capabilities and large amounts of space given over to the processing unit the weaponry of the ship would not be heavy, mainly just enough to defend itself from enemy attack if it was ever unfortunate enough to be caught in the open.

 

[Moira Skaldi]

@[member="Tamara"]

"Baktoid produces Droid TIE fighters. We might also use the contact with them as an opportunity to launch the entechment project now that we have contact with the Fringe, given their interest. Suggest installation of gravitic modulators and thrust trace dampeners into the ship to enhance stealth capabilities."

Gravitic modulators had been used in StealthX fighters and were designed to counter mass detectors. Thrust trace dampeners were used to conceal the presence of a starship, so that it could fool even sophisticated detection systems. This was not a vessel of war - that would come later in time - but designed for stealth and to house the mobile processing unit.

 

[Maelion Liates]

"Yes, Baktoid is already a customer of ours. Those stealth capabilities should be enhanced by the mentioned technology. Rave will be able to assist us in this acquisition. In addition to to this we must ensure that the ship has detainment cells for organics who are captured before processing. A small quantity of sustenance must be available for the prisoners before processing. We will not be able to manufacture the chassis of the units on board, so we must have storage capable of holding many sets of preformed metal parts. It is likely we will not be able to properly prepare the human disguises in the limited space, so that will have to occur when we return to Corellia."

Space was the big issue, but it was not insurmountable to them.
@[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

@[member="Maelion Liates"]

"Consensus. Concerning armaments, we should go for lighter weapons and a heavy fighter hold. The vessel is not designed to engage in an actual fight beyond self-defence capabilities, stealth takes precedence over battering ramming."

She was not at all mocking a certain organic under whose command she and Maelion had been for some time. With the focus being on stealth and much space being taken up by the processing device and the holding areas for their captives, space for weaponry would be limited. Hence it would have what could be called a light guns configuration.

 

[Maelion Liates]

@[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

The comment concerning a certain battering ram former Jedi is well noted….

“Suggest installation of as powerful a sublight engine as can be fitted on the ship. It must be able to manoeuvre away from danger as well as fight it off.”

The next step of course was considering what sort of power plant would be used. The Processing Machine would be extremely draining, so they would need a reactor with the output capacity necessary.

 

[Moira Skaldi]

@[member="Maelion Liates"]

"It will require a potent reactor to produce the power needed for the processing device. I have a copy of the reactor plans I acquired from Taala Back for the Leviathan. The output was impressive."

After the battle of Metalorn Moira had been abducted the scientist Taala Back, who had designed a new type of reactor core but refused to cooperate with the Protectorate, which wanted to use them for the Leviathan battleship, and 'convinced' her to surrender her plans.

Of course, the big irony was that the great invasion for which the war vessel had been built had never happened and now the Protectorate was weaker than ever before, a shadow of its former self.

 

[Maelion Liates]

@[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

“Agreed. That will be adequate if it can be sized down. We must duplicate the processing equipment and move it onto the new ship. By using the entechment gear provided by Rave Merrill we can ensure that the equipment is miniaturised and not too space consuming.”

They had almost ‘brainstormed’ it out. There were a few things left, but mainly they were details, such as how they would pay for it. That wouldn’t be hard. Orders had been coming in and they had a healthy amount of credits to reinvest.

 

[Moira Skaldi]

@[member="Maelion Liates"]

"Consensus. Funding should not be a problem. Orders have been coming in, our deal with the Dominion was most profitable. A notable amount of credits has been siphoned from the profits of Saelari Mining towards us."

Aurelia had been processed by them and control over the mining company that she headed was a significant boost. Of course, so far the board was still composed of organics...so far, which also limited the profits that could vanish, but that would be resolved in due time.

It might be necessary to...process entire families, but one step at a time. Rave Merrill had given them access to entechment technology, which should prove most useful. Likewise Moira had still been doing freelance work for the Galactic Empire on the side, such as during their annexation of O'reen and by participating in the defence of Atrisia against the Fringe invasion - which had later turned into both thrashing the CIS.

 

[Maelion Liates]

“Excellent. Plans will be drawn up and sent to the shipyard for production. Is there anything more which requires attention?”

The Lightbringer would soon arise and begin the unstoppable Age of Steel.

@[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

@[member="Maelion Liates"]

Moira calculated for a moment then responded. "No, we are set. Size will preclude installing the cloning equipment. I will be looking into propelling Aurelia's career forward. It is time she entered the galactic scene to serve us."


Considering this Republic was one of religious fanatics and self-righteous warmongers, committing crimes under the cloak of spreading democracy, it should be beautiful to watch. From what Moira knew Aurelia wanted to appear on the alternate news broadcast and debating hour 'Battle for Democracy', co-hosted by Moira's old colleague Linna - it would be most useful.