ON YSS Eucharis, Cabin 5
Wazu looked drained, constantly rubbing his eyes as he shifted from one datapad to the next. Of course, he could have just switched to a different tab on the pad, but there was something pleasently analoge about switching topics along with hardware. His room mate had already left for the promotion cerimony, and it was about time he headed that way too. His mind wandered to the kitchen and how easy it would be to sneak in and grab coffee while Mango was at the promotion cerimony. It was hard to maintain a train of thought without something to help focus the mind, and he had plenty to think about. There were the Rixx and Kuvexians, how they interacted with eachother as well as others, the dangers of being on a Yamatain ship, Aikiko's shockingly pleasent familiarity...
Aikiko,
How about we take that run while we are planetside?
-Wazu
Wazu then raised his hand...
*SLAP*
The sting was refreshing, a bit of adrenaline helping clear the mind as he grabbed his hoodie and headed to the rear of the ship.
--
"You did not sleep last night either," Wazu said, approaching Marcus's spot overlooking the promotion cerimony. Neither of them were soldiers, and Wazu's plain clothing clearly stood apart from the finery that the others had on display... even his colors did not quite match the surroundings, the dull green looking out of place in the rocky basin.
"No. I didn't." Marcus eyed Wazu as he stepped down to join him near the ship as they looked at the gathering for the ceremony. "There was a lot of research to do. This universe is substantially different than Ayenee. Of course, you know that."
Marcus pondered for a minute, then came do a decision. "You asked me last night about how my combat ability came upon me. While the fighting knowledge itself was purely through training, I've been given a great deal of genetic engineering. My father was a brilliant scientist. My sister and I were his favorite projects. Some of those modifications allow me to stay awake without consequence. I can't do it often, but it works well when I need."
"You would get better results with chemical additives than genetic engineering I think," Wazu replied,
He shrugged. "It's entirely possible. But I've never known anything different. I've been this way for the entire time I can remember."
"For an explorer, you do not seem that interested in exploring," Wazu said, taking a quick look at his datapad... looked like the device he requested from Jax had been finished, "Though, maybe you prefer the world of busness instead? I take it you have a better idea of what industry you want to go into now that you have had some opportunity to look around? Genetic Engeneering has a bit of a taboo about it here... or at least companies that do have been responsible for enough shady activities to give them a sour taste in the public.... eye... uh... mixed my metaphor a bit there...."
"Honestly, I never considered myself to be much of an explorer." He paused for a minute. "Granted, there isn't much of Ayenee I haven't visited. I've been all over that realm in my business dealings. I suppose that does make me somewhat of an explorer. Still, my primary role, honestly, is more related to my family than to anything else."
Marcus paused, again. It was obvious that he was reflecting on something. "That brings me to something I wanted to discuss with you. You're right. I do have a better idea of what I would like to do. The problem I have is that I don't have much expertise in the area of commercial farming. I have ways around my problem with data cloning technology and the like, but in the end, I'm going to need to return to Ayenee. In order to do that, I have to be able to start this business as quickly as possible. I'm going to need your advise...and possibly some direct assistance, if you're willing."
"Sure. I assume you have access to the genetic engineering technology used on you? Or at least something similar? The people here use fairly basic crops for food, so there is plenty of room for improvement. Developing the crops itself would be the hardest part, finding land to grow them and developing the resources to do so is a bit more straight-forward. A decent amount of computing power and off-the-shelf drones should help you do most of the heavy lifting." He said, thinking about it for a moment, "But first things first. We should develop a crop based on some market application."
"I don't know what era of its history you were around Ayenee for, but our people have had material compression technology for years. A specialized version was particularly popular when young would-be gladiators would capture wild animals and fight them against each other. They used a style of compression technology that managed to make the wild animals more amiable and keep it alive at the same time. It was barbaric. However, it gave us some tremendous technology. I have similar equipment at my disposal. I have a large sampling of seeds that are versatile enough to grow on any terrestrial planet. After weighing the options, I believe Kotori would be my best option." Marcus was clearly getting into an area of discussion with which he was far more comfortable...logistical planning and business. "I have enough equipment to implant information into a data-clone of myself until genuine experts in the field can be taught and/or found. Ideally, I would sell bulk foods, both fresh and prepared, to those who need it, particularly this region's military. That would also allow me to take part in more philanthropic interests, as well."
Marcus seemed to recall something just as he paused. "And yes, I do have a style of genetic engineering available, as well. Although, for the record, it pales in comparison to what my father used on us."
"Kotori!" Wazu replied with a smile, "I met her once.... " It took a moment for it to click as he reached down for his datapad, quickly keying in a query "Oh, that is a plant of some kind right? I am not familiar with it."
"... Companies here are vertically intigrated to a high degree. If you want to focus on selling bulk foods and ready to eat style rations you will need to build most of the infrastructure to support it. Industrial capacity is fairly easy, and I have contacts that would help with transport, but that still leaves growing of the stock plant, harvesting, and getting it on store shelves... so, I should start with Kotori.... what exactly is it and what do you plan to do with it?"
Marcus chuckled. "Kotori is a planet in the Bard Cluster. It's controlled by the Yamataian Empire. I figured, since I'm currently being lead around on one of their ships, I would need to start with them. It has a reasonably low population, but not completely void of civilization. There's plenty of water and soil. I have a lot of the necessary materials to begin a construction process. The next part is, also, where I'll need your assistance."
He pulled the pouch out of the interior pocket of his vest and held it out. "Again, compression technology. It's even more efficient with non-living samples. I have a rather large amount of valubale material and raw metals. I've already taken away what doesn't seem to be of any use in this universe. I tried to do a reasonable amount of research on their value, and there's definitely enough to have everything I need purchased and constructed. My main obstacle is that I don't know where to sell any of it."
"Selling to civillians is like pulling teeth... it takes a lot of time and effort to speak to each person one at a time and talk them into buying your product. Your best bet is to speak with someone like Hanako once you have a product ready. The Ketsurui clan will buy in bulk, though you may be familiar with their busness practices from Ayenee... Your other options for big sales are the Nepleslian government, or some of the smaller nations." He replied, "Though... with a name like Kotori I would suspect someone already has plans for the planet. I would have to check with the Ketsuruis."
"Providing I can just sell enough of the material to get starting capital, I can hang on to the others until I've established myself. And as far as the location is concerned, honestly, Heram, so long as a decent terrestrial planet can be found that's within reasonable distance to other inhabited worlds, it doesn't much matter to me where the original location is. I figure, one way or the other, I'm going to have to buy the land from the government. That and the expense for actual labor of construction will be the largest drain on starting up. The good thing about matter being converted into energy for compressed storage is that it can be reprogrammed to form into basic shapes easily. I can form several of the pieces of the structures I'll need from what I have. I just can't put them together. But, as you observed, a lot of that can be automated."
Marcus took a minute to take a look at the ceremony gathering. There were more people on the ship than he would have thought, now that he got the opportunity to look at the outside of the vessel. "If you can find someone willing to buy some either valuable rare materials, or useful less rare ones, and verify a decent startup planet, I should be able to handle most of the rest, myself." He grinned, slightly. "And don't think I'm just trying to take advantage of a common background. I'm in the practice of keeping my business dealings fair and honest. We can easily negotiate remuneration for your assistance."
"Like I said, manufacturing is easy to come by. Assuming the Yamatains do not want to just
give you the land in exchange for setting up in their territory you could always look for planets just outside of their territory. It is a bit more dangerous but not by much... though I would strongly consider talking to Hanako first about such things. They very well may just give you some territory to work with on one of their worlds for free. Based on the deal they offer we can then look at what options you have availble and what the expected ROI will be.
As for labor, I have been meaning to do a robot-army thing for a while. I think the easiest option would be to purchase some cheap drones or configure some cheap power armors to run remotely then have a nicer computer system run the whole thing. The computer system I have laying around, the drones not so much... but I can take a look at what is avalible."
Wazu looked over at Marcus for a moment, that smirk was something he was used to seeing on Ayenee,
"A small cut of whatever is fine, It is not like I need the money."
He nodded, again. "Thank you, Heram. Your help is greatly appreciated. I'll speak with the captain...or admiral...or shosho..." He sighed. There seemed to be no end to these titles. "to Hanako as soon as I have the opportunity. I do find one thing strange about this universe, more than any other."
Marcus looked around, not really fixing his eyes on anything in particular. "There are tremendous empires that exist on the backs of other empires. Alliances and coalitions stretch across galaxies with amazing feats of technology at their disposal. And yet, there are planets who, while knowing about the technological marvels of their time, are completely underdeveloped. I'm amazed that empires have managed to be forged when so little focus is given to basic needs."
He shrugged. "I suppose, though, not everything works as uh...smoothly...as Ayenee, right?" It was an obvious joke. Still, the point did bother him. Even in a chaotic and mixed up universe like his home, societies, in general, advanced together. Still, that wasn't why he wanted to go back.
"... The Ketsuruis killed a lot of people," Wazu replied solemly, "... others, do not share your vision for what constitutes basic needs."
"Fair enough, then." It was clear now, to Marcus, that he would have to spend a great deal more time learning about the various people of this universe.
~"Or rather"~ He reminded himself.
~"My clone will. Things aren't good at home. I can't spend too much time here.~
"Thank you, very greatly, for your willingness to help. Upon my return, if, for some reason, you ever find yourself in the confines of my home universe again, I will be more than happy to assist you with whatever you may need." Marcus held out his hand to Wazu. He didn't know about the customs here, but anyone who had spent time in Ayenee knew what to do with that gesture.
"I suppose I am being dramatic... next time I can play story-teller and fill you in on that particular bit of history," Wazu replied, shaking Marcus' hand.
