Hesperus II
Defiance Industries
Karen smiled at the other engineers who were in the meeting. They were busy explaining their latest technological innovations and how they had come up with the ideas from examining the Helm memory core. To be fair, that particular gem had given the Inner Sphere a look at the Star League’s most common advanced technology, and that would prove extremely helpful in giving them a fighting chance against the invading Clans.
“So, your solution to the weight problem is to load every single mech you can think of with an Extra light engine so you can jam as many guns and extra systems into the frame?”
“I don’t see a problem with that.” The lead engineer, an obnoxious individual named Prett answered her with a look of disdain.
“What about the extra shielding that is required for the extra light engine?”
“It’ll take up some extra space, so what?”
“Combat reports among your own products indicate that after the arms, the side torsos are the most frequently destroyed locations on a battlemech.”
“And?”
“With the amount of space the extra light engine takes up, that means those side torso destructions result in mech shutdowns. Are you going to include spray on targeting reticles with the ‘Mechs when they ship?” She heard a chuckle from a couple of the engineers in the meeting. They’d actually discussed the issue earlier in the day.
“With the advances in Ferro Fibrous armour technology and the widespread use of CASE, you know what that is, right? We feel that the potential dangers that the use of extra light engines are limited, and the safety measures we’ve implemented will keep our products in the field longer than their counterparts from other developers.” Prett answered her.
Oh good...a condescending prick in a 3 piece suit….Karen shook her head. “If you want to delude yourselves into believing that, by all means. CASE is only going to help in the case of an ammunition explosion, and in that situation, only in the torso locations you mount it. It’s not going to save your exorbitantly priced engines from shutting down when the Torso is physically removed from the ‘Mech during combat conditions. Further, Ferro Fibrous Armour means you can get a smidge more armor onto the design than the weight would normally indicate. It doesn’t magically protect it from breaches.”
Prett started to speak again, but one of the other engineers interrupted. “I don’t think the lady’s finished speaking.”
“And both of those concepts are predicated on you using both Ferro Fibrous Armour and CASE on every design you’re adding an extra light engine to. If you’re stupid enough to put CASE on a flashbulb, i have no idea what the hell you’re doing.”
Prett was turning a particularly violent shade of purple, and was about to launch into a tirade when the chairman of the board interrupted. “I think Miss Witwicky makes some excellent points, and we’ll be reconsidering some designs when this board meets again in a month. Prett, see me after class.” The older man smiled and nodded at the rest of the executives. “Miss Witwicky, i believe you have an HPG communication waiting for you, but i would like to thank you, and the conglomerate you work for, for giving us a bit of your expertise and time. If you’re ever looking for a new job with some amazing benefits, you have a place here at Defiance Industries.”
“That’s a very kind offer, Sir, but i am spoken for on several levels.”
“Very Good.”
She found her way back to the private office that the Defiance people had been nice enough to loan her for her stay. She took the business jacket off and stretched her arms. She absolutely hated this suit. She felt out of place in it, and longed for the days when she could take the field with her fellow Seekers. She smiled as she pulled up the message from Comstar.
Ivan’s surprisingly ancient face greeted her. She’d met him almost twenty years prior in the Periphery, a newly made seeker full of piss and vinegar. He’d kept her close while he carried out several Seeker operations, and she’d learned a lot about the Inner Sphere and its people during those early couple of years. He’d mellowed her out, and that was probably for the best.
“My dearest friend, i am calling to let you know that our timetable for Homecoming has stepped up a bit. I am going to need you to coordinate with the rest of the Homecoming committee, especially Flynn, to make sure that the dance hall is ready and the party favors are prepared on time. I am sending some additional resources to allow you to make whatever changes to your timetable you may need to, and am authorizing you to borrow transportation assets from a couple of other projects to make it feasible to move everything. I will see you sooner, rather than later.”
She closed her eyes for a moment and thought back through the codes. Ivan had a penchant for coded communication and was constantly revising his code ciphers. This was an older code that she knew, it just took a moment. He was activating the entire Galaxy quietly in preparation for a return to the homeworlds. Sooner meant within the next 3 months projects should be wrapped up and everyone should be in motion towards the OZ.
Flynn...she didn’t like Flynn. He was a rock money who cared more about buildings than people. If he was involved, Ivan was building a base somewhere, and her role was to make sure that they were properly stocked with spare equipment and supplies to hold out for a lengthy operation. She’d spent the last fifteen years making contacts, acquiring equipment, and preparing for a day like today. Her designs were about to go into production, and it was going to be a lovely year.
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