Corporate Cosmos [IC | Closed]

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Mon Nov 28, 2022 11:49 am

Masvingo, East Africa
May, 2120

It was with a sigh that Uloweyo closed up his shop, hefting the heavy keys and scanning his eyeball once to confirm the shutdown protocols. Would he open again? Hard to say. He trod down the street wearily, not even responding to some of his fellow merchants called out to him, squatting nearby in the dust on a corner and idly casting dice to pass the time. It was not a time to sit and chew qat in the shade of the highlands trees, for his heart was too full.

Better security, aye. The Red-Blood Marauders which had ruled Masvingo for a generation were gone, most of their leaders corpses decorating the eastern barracks of the new occupiers as a warning to their men. The worst of the brigands had been run out into the Tsangari forests and lowlands, into the crevasses and caves where even surveillance drones had a difficult job to track them down. He had been optimistic, for a time. His business had done well in the last two weeks, with the cut for protection money no longer eating up all of his profits.

Then that young man in the clean charcoal-gray suit had stopped by, and politely informed him that the state required contributions from the people to maintain the peace, a thing called "taxes".

They had all heard of taxes before, of course. The oldest graybeards spoke of them when they spoke of the benighted Grand Zimbabwe who had once been the people of this land. They were supposed to be a giving of those below to those above, so those above could return the money to the people in projects which were good for all, so the people who could see furthest could invest the resources for all where they were needed.

Well, Uloweyo hadn't seen any of this investment, not yet. There were men in the armored suits of the gendarmes patrolling the streets, sure, making sure nobody cheated at the bazaars too blatantly. They flogged the reprobate, cast the murderer into chains to sweat off his debt to the family of the lost. But that was about it. For business? Ah, they were far too busy to do anything about the rutted road outside of the black-headed man's home, or even deal with thieves really - not unless you brought them the thief, or had an idea who it might have been.

The dreamers in the square squatted in the dust and talked in their sleepy tones about development, prosperity, progress. They said the south-men and the Federation had gone to the stars, that their furnaces made wonders which made men live lives of luxury and ease.

Well, Uloweyo hadn't seen any of those wonders, not yet. Just the man in the gray suit who had insisted he sell a quarter of his stock for Krugerrand, and hand it over to the state. The merchant spat in the dirt as he walked home, wondering how he would explain it all to his wife. A month's profit, gone like that, with the thin veil that if he didn't pay the gendarmes would be just as happy to put him in chains as any other man.

Life under this new government, it seemed. Fai.

Sud Afrika takes Major Action: Taxation

by **Wheath** » Mon Nov 28, 2022 2:37 pm

Pavo Innovative Head Office, Montefaune
May, 2120

"In the year 2120, President Leduc of the PUM established Pavo Innovative, with the intent of developing FTL technology. Headed by the idealistic Soro Stilton, a scientist - not a director, PAVINN was a bright peacock yet to be sullied by the ashes of Earth's phoenixes..."
Excerpt from Corporate Cosmos: An Age of Expansion

Paper covered the black and sleek desk before Soro Stilton. Really, he almost felt professional, with his pen signing off the future of Montefaune. Officially founded a month before, he knew that the people under him had been researching the path PAVINN would take for years. Stilton's signature marked the end of the beginning.

"Here goes... something," he muttered to himself. Perhaps something great.

PAVINN conducts Prospecting Endeavors (Minor Action)

by **Ovstylap** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 9:07 am

Lý Kiều Mai, Australia
May, 2120

It had worked! She couldn't believe it! It had actually gone and worked! So soon after landing and returning with all of the asteroid materials they had, KICKK's shuttles had once again been launched to the stars. They had been able to launch into space, and head out to less than half of the distance they had first gone when they had set out to mine asteroids. The first time it had taken a lot of fuel to get there, as they were shifting the mass of multiple additional rockets. They had attached these rockets to some of the asteroids they did not mine, and had essentially propelled them towards the moon. It had been a fantastically risky idea, and had been kept in the highest levels of secrecy. Most scientists and members of senior corp believed that the computer projections had aimed the asteroids to a location accessible from Earth, but not directly threatening it.

Lý Kiều Mai's interventions had meant that the asteroids would be fired even closer to Earth- she could not possible have got Archie Robins, the CEO to approve the risk of launching them at Earth, but at the moon, oh yes, that was possible- even if they hit there would have been catastrophic consequences, but still, at least his conscience was approved.

Nonetheless, KICKK's shuttles would head to space, and would apply inertial dampening to the asteroids, slowing them down until they weren't too far away from the moon at all in space terms, where they were systematically dismantled over those end weeks of April, and the start of May. Before long the initial resources gathered would see some market value generated, and the rising industrial capacity of KICKK would soon be known. The choices for KICKK's investments only ever seemed to grow however, and it would be hard to make choices, but that wasn't Lý Kiều Mai's problem. No. She would continue to work on all sorts of data calculations to analyze that beautiful combination of which asteroids were most profitable as per the risk to mine. She looked forward to her bonus this year, that was for sure. Potentially, she was even going to be able to have a personal home built for her at the new lab complex she heard was being designed. It was strange to think that 150 years ago her ancestors had been working alongside the Australians, who themselves were assisting the Americans in fighting in the great war that was happening in her country. Now, here she was, at the pinnacle of human history!

by **The Empire of Tau** » Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:43 am

United New States of America, Dixie
Florida-Green Belt

The Sea of Florida is a colloquial name among the inhabitants living within the Dixie region. Technically not a sea, most of Florida is nevertheless submerged under high levels of water. Underdeveloped and devoid of any major urban center, Florida is less a state and more a geographical feature akin to Yellowstone National Park. Interestingly enough, there was a single floating swamp village protected by the Tejas government on the basis of their status as a tribe. Sadly, such a habitation has been bulldozed and its inhabitants moved elsewhere. The perpetrators? ARC. The purpose? Food. Fears of an incoming famine across Dixie and New England have sparked the newly formed United New States of America to pressure ARC to expand its fledgling agricultural sector. This, of course, has derailed ARC’s future plans for the next month or so. However, ARC is the sole agri-producer in the whole U.S. Faced with a new opportunity of monopoly, ARC hopes to expand its crop yields by the end of this month - easier said than done. The interior of Dixie is not the greatest in terms of arable land. Complications with weather patterns, soil, and new climates have made large-scale farming in the interior harder than before. It is doable, but ARC does not want to invest more than it needs to. Instead, Florida has been deemed suitable for the growth of water hyacinth - an invasive plant to current Florida. While not wholly edible on its own (parts of it are), ARC plans to refine the whole hyacinth into a nutritious sludge or bricks. All ARC has to do is constantly harvest the rapidly growing hyacinth and transport it to its food processing centers.

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Wed Nov 30, 2022 8:17 am

Okavango, East Africa
April, 2120

On the sand hills the heavy sounds of machinery reverberated, men and women at work directing the immense mechanisms as they laid acres of carefully calibrated soil and steel. Nearby the wind changed, and a thick stench of green and growing things filled the air. The foreman wrinkled his nose, before shrugging internally. It wasn't the good clean air of the south, that was for sure, but it was the reason they were here.

Ever since the late 21st century the Okavango had played host to a wealth of life, most of it human. The water right wars had meant mass migration to those places where free-flowing potable fluids still persisted. Turfing out the immense shantytowns that had invaded the former natural park hadn't been easy, but with the newly compliant provincial government in place nobody with enough power to stop it had bothered to complain.

And besides, diverting the water from these alluvial floodplains was vital to the ongoing efforts of Blue Sky. It would all be lost by transpiration or evaporation under normal circumstances, feeding the monsoons that watered the Indian subcontinent.

But that wasn't Blue Sky's problem. It certainly wasn't Sud Afrika's problem. The various fragmentary successors to the DBP government would probably lodge a formal diplomatic protest or two, but they couldn't do anything about it - and most states these days were nothing if not shortsighted. Harvests would fail in the Indus and Ganges because of what they were doing here... but that, again, was someone else's problem.

Deep delved vertical farms would spit out cultivars to feed the masses, exactly what Blue Sky needed. Causing problems for other people by solving your own might as well be the universal corporate motto of 2120.

Blue Sky conducts Agricultural Expansion in East Africa

by **Ovstylap** » Wed Nov 30, 2022 8:28 am

The Australasian Emergency Government had secured a major success in Canberra, with the Provisional Government managing to reach a major agreement with a number of local factions and minor corporations, resulting in a government consolidation and a return of stability to the region. According to some people on the ground, the negotiations were made possible by the disappearances of several hardliners- a couple of warlords, a minor agricorp CEO, and the commanding officer of a rogue unit. Considering that KICKK is now investing heavily in the region, someone scrupulous might suggest there is a connection.

Nonetheless, what is true is that a number of new apartment blocks are being developed, and capital already being raised in advance of them being made available, and KICKK is also serving by helping renovate a university, and expanding three hospitals. These lucrative contracts come alongside the rapid provision of KICKK's consumer goods into the local market. Across Australia many celebrate as KICKK renovates, upgrades, constructs, and sells. One would not be amiss to say that Australia relies on KICKK, and is the fundamental homeland of that corporation. Indeed, the government(s) and other factions need them, and KICKK is in many ways more unified than some of them- the tax waives are both a needed incentive, and something they lack the power to change.

by **Ovstylap** » Thu Dec 01, 2022 8:30 am

Mekis One, on behalf of KICKK, I would like to extend my warmest greetings for this new month, as well as my own personal hope to hear that you are well in yourself. First of all I would like to extend my congratulations for your role in assisting the Sud Afrikan government, and working alongside our very own Kingfisher Security in the governmental integration of East Africa. We look forward to continuing to working with you.

This outreach today, I hope, could lead to the beginning of a prosperous exchange between our two megacorporations, undoubtedly the most influential within the Southern hemisphere. There will be a variety of offers here, across a number of sectors, and I anticipate eagerly your response.

I am contacting you today regarding a trade offer we have for you. As you know, KICKK is currently heavily focused in sectors other than agriculture, which Blue Sky itself appears to be focused on in terms of its current investment records. As such, we would like, as a gesture of good will, to sell you the farms, with existing technology (bar exceptional elements) and subcontractors there to be transferred to Blue Sky, which we currently have in Western Europe. We suggest that given our own existing start up and operating costs, and the cost of transferring our personnel back home, as well as the inevitable technological acquisition you would acquire, in addition to the growing market for food in that region which does have a migrant influx currently, that we would sell the farms for a total of 8 capital. Now we recognize that a transfer of this size would likely have its own costs so are willing for this to come in the form of two payments.

As you may be aware, KICKK considers Australia to be an exclusive market for itself, but of course Australia is in need of food at this time. We would be willing to negotiate the possibility of opening up food sales from Blue Sky in Australia, or indeed the opening of your own farms here, and would like to hear your thoughts.

Additionally, KICKK would be interested in setting up an agreement on technological exchange. Blue Sky of course operates a number of significantly prestigious technological research complexes, and KICKK would be interested in the possibility of being able to purchase technology and blueprints, and competitively offer to hire scientists and technicians from Southern Africa. Perhaps as an initial form of exchange we might suggest 2 capital per 1 innovation.

Finally, as always, there are the possibility of other unique and tailored contracts for investments and loans between one another. We are particularly looking to expand our overall corporation at this time, and so if you would be willing to make any loans, or sell us any infrastructure you set up in either Africa, Oceania, or, appropriate conditions permitting, Australia, then we would be interested to hear your offers.

With many regards and looking forward to a prosperous exchange,
Archie Robins,
KICKK CEO.

by **Diarcesia** » Thu Dec 01, 2022 7:33 pm

The Planetary Union of Montefaune - Porto Alexandria Colony
April 2120

The Commission official was a little too jubilant about it. It wasn't every day that the government sponsors a corporation, let alone one with the lofty goal of developing FTL technology and interstellar travel. All he had to do give the approval for PAVINN in the name of President Leduc.

"We look forward to working with you, Soro Stilton," the official said, extending his hand to Soro as he sat in his office chair. The two shook hands together; Stilton apparently winced at the unprofessional tugging of his arm.

Stilton reciprocated the pleasantry. So... what happens now?

The official smiled widely, like a shark that had gotten a whiff of blood in the water from across an ocean apart; or perhaps more accurately like a Earthling politician who knew how easily he could squeeze more money out of people who hadn't given him any yet but might do soon if only they were nudged into it gently enough and without realizing that's what was happening at all... which someone educated in literature can suppose is pretty much the same thing anyway. "We'll start funding your first projects right away!"

In the Union's perspective, it should be a great thing. The initial grant was thought sufficient to get the newly-minted PAVINN's hires working on their projects right away.

He waited until Stilton had left his office before pulling a lever under his desk. A panel in the floor opened up to reveal a safe, which the official hurriedly unlocked and pulled out a briefcase with a bunch of printed-out check stubs and a folder with the words "classified" scrawled on it in red.

The official smiled again. He opened up the folder and began to skim through its contents. Project Wünsche... Project Nexus... space elevators? Really? That's not even a project! It's just an idea! A great idea, but still just an idea! And what is this about jumpdrives? The official couldn't fathom how anyone had gotten such an ambitious project approved when it wasn't initially even part of PAVINN's goals to begin with.

Bonus Action One - Minor: Raise Government Bonds

Stats
Population:16
Battalions: 0
Capital: 15 + 5 (Raise Government Bonds) = 20
Hunger: 16
Public Opinion: 17 
Innovation: 2

Effect: Extrasolar Power
;Until: December 2130
;Public opinion per Month: +5
;Food Aid efficacy multiplier: x2

Effect: Independent Localism
;Hunger per Month: -3
;Capital per Month: -1
;Taxation Income Change: -4 Capital

by **Ovstylap** » Fri Dec 02, 2022 6:18 am

Somewhere in East Africa, April 2120

"Get your filthy hands off of me you f-" the man's shouts and cries were suddenly silenced as the man attempting to rob him suddenly let go and fell, limp, to the ground. For a few seconds his body moved slightly, before he gradually began to regain control of himself, and slowly attempted to get to his feet. By that time, there was a man wearing a slightly dirty white uniform, with KSOMPO displayed on the dark stab-proof vest the man wore. Kingfisher Security Officer for the Maintenance of Public Order. The man had a myriad of equipment with him. He wore a tactical belt, which one might almost consider a shooter's belt, if they were familiar with such from their conscription time in the Sud Afrikan military. Attached were a holster with a sidearm, a taser, a first aid kit, and a number of other items. A baton hung from his belt too. He turned a small dial on part of his vest, and magnetically attached the CPT08, or Chemical Pacification Tool, Model 2108, made in KICKK's Perth Manufactory Complex, to himself. He assisted the previously limp man to his feet, and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

"You were tranquilised in order to prevent further harm coming to either of you, and I have reason to believe that you were caught in an act of armed robbery. The near-victim picked up the shank that had fallen to the side as the attacker, now looking fearfully at the ground by the KSOMPO's feet, and handed it to the officer. A Sud Afrikan policeman who had been alerted to the incident by a communications device the KSOMPO had used helpfully arrived within a few moments, having used an electric squad car to come along. He took the shank, and placed it into an evidence bag, and handed the KSOMPO another set of plasticuffs as he took hold of the arrested man. The KSOMPO used his body camera to take a quick interview with the victim, and then wished him a good day before continuing with his patrol. The white uniform reflected the intense heat, but he was still sweating due to the weight of the equipment he carried. He had opted not to go for some of the heavier kit some of his colleagues carried, but also didn't go for what he called the 'soft touch' loadout which the occaisonal new Australian personnel often used with their focus on 'community relations,' that was until they saw how messed up things could get in East Africa.

That said, things were seeming to get better. Food remained, as always, a consistent problem, but now there were the forces in place to isolate violent disturbances to order, and Kingfisher Security had been taking less and less casualties. It was strange- on the one hand it was good for the people of East Africa that there was now an organised system of governance in place, and he and his colleagues had more hopeful, successful days, but at the same time, he wasn't getting that same rush of adrenaline one got, suppressing a riot here, breaking an organised criminal ring there, intercepting a drugs boat over there, or running down violent criminals through the slums of any number of urban sprawls which had once been distinct towns and locations. Still, at some point the conscripts would have to go home he thought, so at least the income should remain steady.

Like a number of his other KSOMPO colleagues, he wondered what the actual payment from Sud Afrika to KICKK would be, and was looking forward to his bonus later this month.

No actions taken at this time

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Fri Dec 02, 2022 7:27 am

Government Spire, Neu Pretoria, South Africa
April, 2120

Jessamine winced internally as her heels clacked across the cool tiles of the lower executive suit. She had forgotten they hadn't made the transition to noise-damping architecture here yet, away from the public's eye. It drew unwanted attention to her passage towards Mekis' office, and the eyes that followed her, though appreciative, were ones that she had intended to avoid.

It couldn't be helped now though. Let the lower functionaries speculate about why the government minister for social consensus was having a meeting with Blue Sky's number one, and why that meeting wasn't being had when he was wearing his hat of Prime Minister and Arch-Fabricant.

The doors hissed closed at her back, and instantly Jessamine felt those eyes dissipate in a very satisfying manner. The polarized glass that composed Mekis' office was good for keeping an eye on things going on beyond his office, but only presented a stylized tableau of various art forms for the external observer. A smile from the aging chief officer of the Conglomerate and a wave saw her take a seat gratefully.

"Thanks for meeting with me, Jess. Your reports were concerning. Do you want to start with action items, or can we go through Blue Sky's input first?"

On the raven-haired woman's face her eyebrows arched. She hadn't expected Mekis to have action items prepared, given she had filed the monthly cohesion report only four hours ago. But that was a false assumption, apparently. This was supposed to be an informational session mainly, but the Landsraad wouldn't be dissatisfied if she presented working plans within the week - not at all.

"I'm perfectly happy to start with action items, if you feel prepared to begin there. I take it my report was not a surprise to Blue Sky then? Perhaps we should work more on information sharing."

There was a hint of reproof in her voice, but the unnaturally vibrant man merely gave her a jaunty wink, and traced his fingers across his datapad. The private entities that made up the morass of labyrinthine bureaucracy of Blue Sky were only partially beholden to the state, in truth, and trying to rein them in was like trying to put a cage around gelatin pudding. Messy, and fruitless.

A number of trendlines winked into existence above Mekis' phenomenally expensive Honduran mahogany desk, and a few brief images of signs on the streets and protestors marching.

"We've been monitoring the growing food insecurity in a variety of operation areas, and I want to reassure you - and by proxy, the good folk of the Houses. Blue Sky remains committed to fulfilling the growing caloric needs of the Federation. We anticipate spring harvests to create greatly decreased reliance upon government aid, and only request that the state continue to fund our ongoing expansion operations so we can best serve our clients."

Blue Sky uses Minor Action: Harvesting Season

by **The Empire of Tau** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:18 pm

United New States of America, Dixie
Harvesting Season

The U.S. is starving - simple as that. The masses are getting rowdy with minor incidents of food riots located in the poorer areas of various metropolises. If it was up to ARC, they rather not be the ones responsible for feeding the UNSA. Food retail is not exactly what one would call “capital rich.” Everything from agri-construction, harvesting, and then finally distribution is an extreme hassle. In that same time frame, ARC could have rapidly progressed its R&D sector, launch its second round of asteroid harvesting, and run a massive consumer retail campaign to rein in the necessary capital to repeat the process again. In other words, Harrison and his board of directors are royally pissed. In their eyes, anything that derailed the course of action set forth in the “American Foward” plan will inevitably place ARC behind global competitors. On the other hand, ARC does not have much choice in the matter. If the UNSA falls because of some pesky lack of food then ARC would also fall down with it. If ARC is to survive then the UNSA has to survive. More importantly, the dreams of Pax America must continue - even if ARC has to take some unsavory decisions in the progress.

by **The GAmeTopians** » Sun Dec 04, 2022 3:22 pm

Undisclosed Location, Dixie
April, 2120

"In conclusion, we forecast the research staff within the Dixie region to triple in size over the next two months. Poaching of minor corporate staff has been a wild success - particularly with the current unrest in the broader UNSA."

Called out questions and responses followed the end of the eleventh status report of the day. Haruka covered a yawn with her left hand - though odds were good that nobody would even notice, given she hadn't spoken in over an hour. Report days were miserable like that.

"Thank you, Director King. We will take a five minute recess, then reconvene for the report from the Director of Asset Management."

Otou-san, I've half a mind to shoot them all and just do their work myself. Forgive me, but you've left me a bureaucratic hellhole.

Not that anywhere else on this godforsaken planet was any better.

(April catch-up post, approved by G - May is coming later tonight, potentially after a Minor action)

Imai Holdings is Establishing Laboratory (Major) in Dixie

by **Neo-Western East Korea** » Sun Dec 04, 2022 7:22 pm

Kamchatka, Okhotsk
May, 2120

As he sat down (in what he knew was potentially the world’s least comfortable chair), Frímann once again cursed the fact that he continued to age rather poorly.

While back in his youth, he could have been out with the lads actually seeing the newest thing they had managed to hit that would “surely make them relevant”, now he had to actually face the bloody investors and attempt to convince ‘em to keep funding his ventures.

‘Course, he couldn’t let any of his incredibly unimportant ranting show on his face as he finished sitting down and finally took a good look at the gathering of walking corpses he had attracted with his latest find (he supposed the fact his mines were producing anything at all had made it novel), and as such, he put his best soulless smile on and got to work.

An few hour’s worth of veiled threats (The collection of bandits and government-bandits who made up the leadership of the region were never particularly fond of him), actual showing of the surprisingly decent resources they had managed to extract so far, and a few promises he had absolutely no intention of keeping (the suits would be replaced soon enough), and he had managed to gather himself a decent enough starting fund to begin some more proper work (or at least something that approximated proper work, considering the words “proper” and “work” were distinctly malleable to himself).

Kaladvinna uses Minor Action: Solicit Investors

by **Ovstylap** » Mon Dec 05, 2022 3:40 pm

Investment Conference 2120 037

"Well I'm glad to hear that we have an agreement. It's true that we have a significant amount of capital at this time, and although we shall soon be investing this into some larger projects, I believe that we should keep our portfolio options open. Though there has been a strong case for shifting away from agribusiness, we should not press forward on that line of things until we hear if Blue Sky is willing to take on our farms in Western Europe. Again, with prospecting, there could be some gains to be made, but that will take us hitting the right resources, and in the right regions. At this point, we should stick to our primary overall goal, and press ahead with further research. Please indicate your support for that final resolution."

A few moments pass, and the majority of those in the room tapped the green icon on the personal displays they had in the conference room. With the correct research grants given out, financial incentives provided, and equipment procured, alongside tests and algorithms and all the related research carried out, KICKK would be gathering yet more technological knowhow, preparing themselves to make the greatest leaps forward in science and technology that the world had seen in the past half century. There was competition in theory, but the other corporations were yet to know that.

KICKK is carrying out the Minor Action: Prioritize new markets

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Mon Dec 05, 2022 5:57 pm

Re: Various Offers
Cf: Archie Robbins, CEO KICKK

Greetings and salutations from the Executive Board here at Blue Sky.

It is most pleasing to hear from other corporate leadership in East Africa and Oceania; Mekis One would like to extend his personal gratitude for your ongoing adherence to best practices in the northern Transvaal, and lauds KICKK's continued and enthusiastic embrace of the promise that JumpDrive technology represents for all mankind.

Regarding your various offers, he has forwarded the suggestions to a variety of local contractors, the summary of which we append hereafter for your consideration, as the on-site Conglomerate elements will be more directly involved in those matters. Blue Sky generally approves of these offers, but notes that the ground-level considerations are ultimately up to our subsidiaries.

AgriSource Europe (tm) has been forwarded your communications concerning the KICKK operations in the south of France, and the attendant credit transfers Officer Robbins proffered. Upon review of property markets and operating costs, AgriSource unfortunately cannot approve a credit transfer in the amount listed; current estimates for the replication of KICKK's food service infrastructure stand at only four billion cyber-Francs, fully half of KICKK's listing price. Though AgriSource is eager to cooperate with your business interests, we are ultimately responsible to our shareholders for the fiduciary command of their assets, and cannot reconcile that with your offer.

AgriSource is, however, open to discussion on a lower price point; it would be criminal to leave the people of western Europe languishing in their current desperate estate, and if KICKK must for no doubt valid reasons withdraw from the market, we would certainly be willing to remunerate her in part for her expenses. Our analysts have recommended a fair price point at three billion cyber-Francs, about 75% of KICKK's costs to date of record. At such a price point AgriSource will be able to retain all given personnel from KICKK's local subsidiaries with no disruption in employment, while still allowing KICKK to withdraw from the market with minimal losses. We eagerly await your thoughts on such an arrangement.

As to the question of exchanging proprietary research materials, I have directed your inquiry to our South African counterparts at Blue Sky Central. At the moment COO Summers feels his personnel are very well utilized, and is reluctant to divert their focus from our ongoing projects - as such, our board of directors, though flattered that KICKK would consider our research division for your innovation needs, must politely turn down your offer. Innovation, we feel, will be key to Blue Sky interests in the coming months, and your offering price is far enough away from our calculated opportunity cost that we do not see a forthcoming meeting of minds on the question of remuneration.

We will, of course, remember your interest, and apprise you if the situation changes.

I remain,
Mekis One, Fabricator-General, Blue Sky Conglomerated

Blue Sky conducts Minor Action: Assets Transfer with Sud Africa (as Major Action) [5 Capital for 3 Food in East Africa]

by **Ralnis** » Mon Dec 05, 2022 9:50 pm

Neo Dallas,
Capital of the UNSA

President Bob Page was a man who was pragmatic. As the newest "elected" president of the United New States he needed to be so. In New Dallas alone, the undercity was a washed with the hunger and the needy. Protesting their demands for food and safety. They didn't care who gave it to them, just that they get their basic human needs.

Bob knew exactly what they wanted. As the human race was teetering on the brink of destruction. The hubris and greed of the species had caused the destruction of their cradle. Overpopulation was evident when looking at the many, many problems the human race now faced. The Page Administration had to pressure ARC to try and help the citizens of the very America they were wanting to bring back.

The backlash came in the form of greed. Wanting to prioritize research plans to match the power of other competitors. While that was a novel idea, it was met with the riots that were going on and his government was still behind keeping their promise. The incompetence of the Tejas Movement had pushed the American Restoration Project by many years.

So, this famine needed to be curtailed. Dixie was already projected to be free of the problem soon, New England was another matter. New England was newly acquired territory. Already held by ARC before the UNSA formerly moved in to control it. The people were ruled by warlord states and militias that didn't know any better. Their education came through the domination of the state and now they had to handle it. The problem is that they didn't have all the means to do it alone.

So, they had to reach out. To beyond through just ARC and see both the Blue Sky Conglomerate and KKICK in order to try and bring them into the UNSA. It was at this point that they could help solidify America as a returning power. Even as more problems arouse with the food riots. However the government was always there, racing against time. Racing against the stomach.

by **Ralnis** » Mon Dec 05, 2022 11:52 pm

UNSA,
New England Region

The nascent UNSA had managed to stamp out the food crisis in Dixie. Most of it was with the same rushing and brute force methods that the government needed to do. Red tape was being trampled as the race to appease the people was still in effect. The Page Administration didn't have the time to wait for an answer from two of the largest megacorps on the planet to help save their issues. ARC had done what they could but it was still up to the Power to make sure that the common American can believe in their country once again. Unlike most of the famine state due to food riots, the rest of the week had been stabilized for now in Dixie.

New England was still feeling the crisis in several key cities. Philadelphia and Pittsburg were the ones who had the most issue after the Great Mistake and the collapse of most of the east coast. What was now New England was only a shadow of its former self and much of America's glorious historical works were lost to time. At least some were kept in copies by the American Restoration Project but those were now some of the largest cities in the northern part of the UNSA, but the largest city in the nation.

So, with the cities of New England still on fire but Dixie secured, the Page Administration sent standard food aid through the emergency reports. It wasn't the greatest use of the budget, but it had solved the issue with nearly most of riots kept under wraps. It also allowed for the President to prepare for a speech as a means of unifying the nation, maybe send some more incentives to corporations for their continued support to the people before the UNSA had stepped in and unite the people under a common goal. Under Pax America!

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Tue Dec 06, 2022 8:06 am

Bulaweyo, East Africa
May, 2120

It was here, at the newly established North Transvaal offices, that the negotiations were finalized on an aid package for the struggling region. The truth was that the newly collected revenue from the seasonal taxes was something the new representatives of East Africa to the Landsraad were eager to demonstrate being given back to the people, and investing in the creation of more business infrastructure would signal to the local populace that that money wasn't just being embezzled into private coffers, as had too often been the case in the history of the region.

Thus it was that the KICKK representatives were informed that new legislation in the Federation would see their organization receiving a significant grant for the continued development of operations in East Africa, compliments of their lobbyists in the area to a certain extent, but more largely due to the desire of the state government to rebuild in the wake of entrenched mismanagement and economic malaise.

The fact the Blue Sky would also be receiving subsidies wasn't touched on explicitly, but it didn't change the reality. Without the ongoing efforts of the conjoined twin of the Sud Afrikan state it would be likely that public anger had already boiled over, and that was something which needed to be avoided at all costs.

Sud Afrika distributes Development Grants (Minor Action) to KICKK and Blue Sky

by **Ovstylap** » Tue Dec 06, 2022 9:27 am

Archie Robins, Perth, May 2120

The massaging tool hummed as it worked hard against the toned back of Archie Robins. He let out a grunt as a particularly hard knot of muscle was worked at. He had spent half an hour on a rowing machine that morning- an archaic form of working out as rowing was almost non-existent in most parts of Australasia due to polluted waterways, and quite frankly the fact that there wasn't the time for it for anyone but the richest of persons. It was good exercise however, and important to clear one's mind. If only. If only the human mind could do more. If only the human heart could withstand more. If only the body could do more, with less calories needed, less litres of clean water needed, less hours needed for sleep, rest, recovery, and relaxation. If only there were more hours in a day. Perhaps it was not just that humanity needed to adapt to its surroundings, adapt its expectations and demands. Perhaps it also needed to adapt itself. Drugs, bionics, augmentations, supplements, optimised environments, cybernetics... perhaps that was the future. Perhaps.

But there was no time to waste in thinking of problems without exploring solutions. And so Archie Robins needed to look forward. He needed to think about KICKK's role in the future of the world, in the future of humanity.

Re: Re: Various Offers
Cf: Mekis One, Fabricator General, Blue Sky Conglomerated

A return of greetings and salutations from Senior Corp here at KICKK to your own Executive Board.

It remains an honour to develop our commercial relationships with the gracious providers of Jump Drive technology. We appreciate your own lauding of our current practices in the Northern Transvaal, and are pleased to receive reports of strong co-operation in trilateral efforts by Sud Afrikan security forces, Blue Sky security, and Kingfisher elements in East Africa.

The passing on of our offers to your appropriate subsidiaries is much appreciated. With regard to AgriSource's own offers in France, we can fully appreciate and understand the cost assessments conducted in your consideration of our previous deal. In light of the good faith negotiations conducted, and KICKK's approval of the withdrawal of a number of non-transferrable personnel and technologies, the potential for an unnecessary loss of our own intellectual property has been reduced. Though AgriSource is of course interested in a partial renumeration- and we fully appreciate the necessity of being fiscally responsible to one's shareholders, we face a similar predicament.

The opportunity cost of losing access to the Western European food market and withdrawing from our small foothold in global agribusiness must be realised, as well as the costs involved of us temporarily establishing a Western European branch so far from home. Given our withdrawal of some sensitive material, which should only have a minimal effect on production, we would be willing to compromise on our initial pricing point- highlighting the advantageous critical mass of expertise and scale of economy provided by Blue Sky's extensive portfolio in not just food production, but distribution and sale too. As such, we would like to ask for a transfer of five billion cyber-francs, as opposed to our initial request for eight billion, and your own offer of three. Given your position in the market, we believe that this would be an acceptable solution.

We can fully appreciate COO Summers' assessment of sharing research materials, and so will for now withdraw our initial offer of capital for innovation, but would be amenable to a proposed pricing from yourselves. We would like to inquire as to the possibility of establishing a joint research effort in East Africa- with perhaps Blue Sky as the senior partner given their proximity and direct interest in the area. An equivalent to three billion cyberfrancs could be invested in the construction of a Blue Sky laboratory in East Africa- with the condition of receiving half of the innovation produced until a renegotiation in March 2121. We recognise that this may be a sensitive offer, and so would be open to any counteroffers regarding future possibilities for research exchange.

Finally, we are each aware that the UNSA has outreached to both of our corporations regarding our establishment of branches in North America. KICKK is certainly interested in this, and would be willing to make industrial investments, and would recognise Blue Sky's possibility for establishing large agribusiness investments. We are aware that there are other American Megacorporations which may take an affront to this, and we would not wish to sour relations before they get established. As such, KICKK would like to reach a joint agreement with Blue Sky on the response to the American invitation, and would like to pre-emptively offer the use of Kingfisher Security contractors to help protect Blue Sky investments in the United States at an optimised price to provide equal renumeration +marginal covering of loss of opportunity costs.

If there are any other offers, or communications you seek to make, we shall anticipate them patiently.

Many regards from myself to yourself, and good health,
Archie Robins

by **Ralnis** » Tue Dec 06, 2022 1:16 pm

UNSA

Throughout the two territories, the Food Crisis had been prevented. It was considered a massive feat and a step forward for the UNSA to be able to hold it's ground even as the world burns around them. Even still, the people were angry at the government. Many have been looking to secede from the fledgling union and devolved back to warlords. Such a thing is not allowed for America to grow and unite under the power of the Page Administration.

For the first time in three months, the cybernetic face of the president of UNSA was seen throughout the world. The world listened as Bob appeared in front of millions in Neo Dallas.

My fellow Americans,

"It has been some time since we have met face-to-face. Me and my administration has been hard at work trying to make sure that no American need to go through that famine again. And, with all my heart and soul, proud to say that we have achieved the impossible."

A crowd of millions could be heard cheering and clapping in front of jackbooted, faceless troopers.

"This was but one of many grievances that the Tejas Movement had done on the American people. From their gross negligence of the survivors of the Great Mistake. It was only by the American Restoration Corporation and Imai that complete anarchy was not totally achieved but was close. That closeness was something that I can not stand. No, it will not stand as long as I am your president. So long as America stands, then anarchy and warlordism will not be washing over us anymore!"

The crowd continues to praise the President as he continues.

"That is why I have a dream. A dream of a united America, from sea to shining sea. To make sure all of North America is unified once again. It is only through the combined unity of all of North America can we be able to spread amongst the stars so that Pax Americana can begin again and flourish beyond what our Founding Fathers believe was possible. It is because of this that I am publicly promising a volunteer program for our military.

The UNSA will not be doing conscription and will have the means to establish a volunteer force capable of defending our homes. To bring low the warlords, and to establish ourselves among the remaining powers. We need to have the potential to spread our worth in the stars and we will give first priority to those who join. Their families will be relocated to new bases being built or repaired to handle the massive influx of new recruits. Food, medical, and safety will be assured to those that join.

This program will be available for the next five months after today. This is among the multitude of promises that I assure you that this administration will be able to get done.

Thank you all for your support in your United New States of America. Let us show the world, that Pax Americana is back and will never leave!"

Bob knew that it was a lot of grandstanding, but the UNSA needed a large surplus of men. The army was understaffed and if they had any chance of defeating the various warlords and militias, then they needed manpower. Those desperate men and women who need a paycheck and 3 square meals would have people line up around the block. They only need the best but enough bodies to fill a firing line was better than just a few of them.

Most warlords only used whoever they can grab and conscripts were no more just a person pressed into service. At least the UNSA was able to pay for their own fodder.

by **Ovstylap** » Tue Dec 06, 2022 3:00 pm

Ralnis wrote:Neo Dallas,
Capital of the UNSA

To both esteemed corporations,

My name is Bob Page, president of the United New States of America and I am personally writing to both of you in inviting both of your corporations to New England. I know you have heard of the food crisis that had been happening in part due to the negligence of the Tejas movement. But, I assure you that we have everything under control and will have it under control once the final foods are sent.

For the CEO of Blue Sky, I offer you an exclusive deal to help with sending an argibranch for New England. The UNSA will also buy food at a premium in order to make sure that this food crisis wouldn't be a problem anymore. For the CEO of KICKK, we would like to have you help industrialize the American Spirit. We would also like to buy innovation from you both at the same premium rates, if only to help our fellow man not go hungry in these dire times.

We also offer development grants for your branches in the New England area. I know this is on short notice but America has always thrived on the free market and the megacorpoations are nothing but the logical way forward if we are to reach for the stars.

Signed,
President Bob Page

To the President of the United New States of America, Bob Page,

May greetings to yourself and your administration from those of us here at KICKK. It is with genuine excitement that we congratulate your government's success in consolidating power, and we commend your commitment to bringing about a new Pax Americana. KICKK would certainly be interested in working alongside your government in making advancements in humanity's best interests. We would look eagerly to be involved in supplying the American citizen base with those things which they demand, and in offering employment, expertise, and empowerment to your people. I trust that you will understand our corporation's interest in minimising market and personnel risks as we look at the possibility of getting involved in North America. As such, we would like to look into the possibility of your government securing assurances from Imai Holdings and American Reclamation Corporation that they will welcome us without hostility into their near markets. We would seek to work in areas that they are not focused on, and not directly compete with them. Indeed, the prospect of assisting with the reindustrialisation of North America is of great interest to us.

I would ask that in the coming month your government transfers an initial payment of 5 capital, or more if you are willing to foster a strong commercial relationship with us, to Australia, in order to invest in our own expansion- recognising that by diversifying our portfolios, labour, and time into North America will cause delays to our other programmes, and ultimately enabling us to invest more in America in future. We believe that capital invested in us now, rather than in half a year or a year, will return the most significant gains, as we are at the beginning of a curve of rapid, dynamic growth.

I look forward to your response,
In good faith,
Archie Robins, CEO of KICKK

by **Ralnis** » Tue Dec 06, 2022 4:48 pm

UNSA

As the people had started to have a dynamic up swing in Bob Page's Administration. The UNSA had gained a lot of social income from the people. The Famine had been put down by the resources the Restoration Project had gathered up. The Tejas Movement had been bested and seized as a means of nationalization.

It was all in good conscience, as far the people's concerned. The need of Pax Americana is one that is going to be priced in blood. Blood that had been accepted as the world continued to break around their feet.

So he had to keep giving away his bread and open circuses. Make sure that ARC and Imai try to play catch up and help the American public escape the tattered cradle. Only then can Pax Americana can flourish.

by **Diarcesia** » Tue Dec 06, 2022 5:19 pm

When a normal person in the universe looks at the flag of the Planetary Union of Montefaune, they see two connected circles in dark blue and pink. To a vexillologist, however, it represents so much more. Each circle represents the a significant feature of the planet. The blue represents the oceanic northern hemisphere, whiile the pink is obviously... well... the southern hemisphere's windswept and dusty geography.

The Union Flag is a combination of these two elements as they govern the entire planet (in theory).

Bonus Action Two - Minor: Court Politicians

Stats
Population:16
Battalions: 0
Capital: 20
Hunger: 16
Public Opinion: 17 + 2 (Court Politicians) = 19
Innovation: 2

Effect: Extrasolar Power
;Until: December 2130
;Public opinion per Month: +5
;Food Aid efficacy multiplier: x2

Effect: Independent Localism
;Hunger per Month: -3
;Capital per Month: -1
;Taxation Income Change: -4 Capital

by **Ovstylap** » Thu Dec 08, 2022 8:41 am

Public Statement from the Marketing Branch of KICKK:

KICKK has announced that it will be offering substantial contracts to various corporations of the world, as well as making some other offers.

It has announced the following contracts:
A payment of 15 capital for the construction of a laboratory in Australia which will then be transferred in full over to KICKK. No time limit currently imposed, KICKK holds the right to cancel this offer until it is fulfilled.

A payment of 12 capital for the construction of a laboratory in Australia which will then be transferred in full over to KICKK. KICKK holds the right to cancel this offer until it is fulfilled.

Payment of 11 capital each for the construction of laboratories in East Africa. KICKK holds the right to cancel this offer until it is fulfilled.

A payment of 7 capital each for the successful efforts of Prospecting Endeavours- whereby the results of these and the rights to the discovered resources will be transferred to KICKK. If a party enters into a contract intending to fulfill this, but has unsuccessful prospecting endeavours, KICKK will reimburse 2 capital if the party no longer intends to fulfil the contract, or 3 if it is does intend to try again.
These endeavours may be carried out in the following locations: Australasia, Oceania, East Africa, Horn of Africa.
These contracts are available until the end of the year. KICKK retains the right to withdraw the sale of contracts, but will fulfill any committed to.

The use of a unit of Kingfisher mercenaries by either powers or corporations is possible with a lease of 5 capital per 2 months, with a reimbursement clause of 10 capital if a Kingfisher mercenary is completely destroyed.

KICKK will take on loans of up to 20 capital, which can be negotiated on 3, 5, 9, 10, or 12 month contracts- with increasing returns for longer duration loans. KICKK is to be contacted to arrange these.

No actions taken at this time

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Thu Dec 08, 2022 5:55 pm

Southern Tethys Governate, Antarctica
May, 2120

On the swells of the frozen sea the small skiff floated, Dmitri grimly clinging to the instruments as his driver did her best to hold the vessel steady. Again and again he muttered dull curses under his breath, long ago defanged of all of their venom by repetition. The captain had admonished him over his singularly uninventive invective years ago, and now the other half dozen people aboard the Godwin IX merely took the oaths under advisement, like the sound of the waves beyond their hull.

More developed kelp forests were monitored by mature centers, men and women cozily ensconced in purpose-built facilities using fiber linkups to report the progress of their crops to Tethys Command. Newer kelp forests in more temperate reasons were much sought after postings, because eco-engineering was a difficult field to get hours in for, but lucrative at the upper end.

And yet they all had the ill fortune to pull this posting just off of the north shores of Princess Victoria Land, where the high-latitude cyclones came so quickly after one another that they might as well be a seamless weather system. Only one day in sixty did the wave crests fall below two meters, and even the Astral-designed vessels Sud Afrikan mariners had designed in the 90s weren't up to the task of keeping even a vague semblance of stability in the rough seas.

They were lucky they didn't end up like so many in the last century, drown by freak storms and rogue waves in the attempts to exploit the fishing stocks and subaquatic mineral deposits of the Last Continent. But the Godwin IX was a second-rate; not new, but perfectly capable of operating 100% capsized while waiting for retrieval. You were, technically, safer in her hull than you were on even the most well tested suborbital flier, by the statistics.

That didn't mean everyone who monitored the kelp fields and manufactured fisheries didn't hate their jobs with a passion. Even if the emergency tranche of funds for caloric production did meant they were getting time and a half for every hour out here on the waves.

Sud Afrika uses Minor Action: Food Aid in Antarctica

Corporate Cosmos [IC | Closed]

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