To: Jerard Voncloud. From: Armin Jansen, der Alster Union. Subject: Humanitarian Contracts.
Mister Voncloud – your reputation precedes you.
This wasn’t a subject we intended to cover, but you are right – the mounting of the domes forms a worrying subject for us. Within current service, the Nephilim, and the Nephilim only, mounts biodomes as a non-fixed-orbit spacecraft, as opposed to space outposts and habitats which have the ability to change their orbital paths as a matter of station-keeping, yet have no intrinsic capacity to change velocities at any significant Gee.
The crises remains that the Nephilim, and the Nephilim only, can mount the biodomes with any regular success – of course, I doubt you would be willing to manufacturer even a neutered mobile colony vessel for the Unioners, no matter what we paid you with, considering our background – nor would such a vessel be simple for us to operate or put into use. We had briefly contemplated attempting to obtain an aged Jinkusu and stripping it of its gun batteries, however, given the Zoner proclivity to recycle anything of even the slightest value and your understandable unwillingness to give out technology willy-nilly, I barely give the idea much credence.
At present, the task remains enigmatic. Most of our vessels are militarised to some degree and thus unfit for task, mobile habitats in their own right without room for life support expansion, or riddled with other inherent incompatibilities. Therefore, any suggestions you could make would be most welcome to us – although even if we cannot figure out any solution to our dilemma, we would still willingly make use of the domes themselves.
Whilst we do frequently make anonymous donations to Rheinlandic charitable organisations, it is rare that the Union physically uses our engineering talents for actual philanthropy. We are treading untested ground.
Regards,
Armin Jansen.
First contact representative and Diplomat-in-Chief of der Alster Union, Pacifica Base, Bering.
To: Jerard Voncloud. From: Armin Jansen, der Alster Union. Subject: Humanitarian Contracts.
There has been some progress on this subject.
The Unioners have fabricated ourselves a carrier, that we indent to operate as a deep-space merchant picket. With sufficient modifications, the Von Rohe will be more than sufficient for the task. As a hanseatic vessel, you can be assured that the vessel will be thoroughly demilitarized and Zoner operational oversight will be high.
Are you still interested, Zoners?
Regards,
Armin Jansen.
First contact representative and Diplomat-in-Chief of der Alster Union, Pacifica Base, Bering.
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Name: Commander Motoko Susubo
Location: Aboard ABH Capital Research Vessel Goddess Shizuha
From: Data Pad of Motoko Susubo
To: Armin Jansen
Konnichiwa Mr Jansen I have picked up this transmission via our deep space array. I would suggest Hydroponics for you food growth. The BioDomes like the ones on our Goddess Class Heavy Research Vessels do have some problems. Thou they withstand a great deal of punishment in open space along with the minor altercations that pop up and Meteor bombardment they do develop cracking and need repairs often. That cause us to put in Renzu station offten to let Zoner ship wrights make repairs.
Hydroponics requires less space and resources to produce same amount of food and can be done in the safety of the hull of a ship or any place that you want to place it. This is something you may want to consider if you plan on growing food in space. The primary function of the biodomes on the Shizuha is supplement oxygen, CO2 scrubbing and a place for the crew and their families to enjoy on their off time.
We had conducted radiation studies on our domes and found that growing anything out side of vegetables was ok. But food production was better served in controlled hydroponic shielded from any radiation. In some systems we have found that the domes are need to be locked down due to the type of star found in a system. The trees seem to handle it but humans come down with radiation sickness thou mild it is still not a good practice to expose your crew to such dangers.
To: Motoko SusuboFrom: Armin Jansen, der Alster Union. Subject: Humanitarian Contracts.
Intriguing. Whilst I am not an expert in this field, it is true that plants are significantly more rad-resistant than animals.
The intention of the domes would not be as habitats or living space - we Unioners prefer a good pressurised compartment, anyhow, but as an experiment in the department of sustainable in-space agriculture. This places them under significantly reduced risk. We regard the physical risk presented by biodomes to be acceptable under the grounds that the modules themselves will not be normatively crewed. Hydroponics tend to produce less yield, and require elaborate cooling and aquacology support networks, which, of course, add mass.
Luckily, the Von Rohe is not a small vessel.
Your suggestion intrigues us, Commander Motoko. In return for twenty million credits, would you be willing to share with us some technical schematics, if you have any available, for the potential hydroponics systems that could be mounted to the Liner?
We will need an to make the transfer to.
Regards,
Armin Jansen.
First contact representative and Diplomat-in-Chief of der Alster Union, Pacifica Base, Bering.
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Name: Commander Motoko Susubo
Location: Aboard ABH Capital Research Vessel Goddess Shizuha
From: Data Pad of Motoko Susubo
To: Armin Jansen
I am having the Terraforming section putting together schematics and information on Large Scale Internal Food Production. Once I have all the Data from them I will be forwarding it to you. As for the payment that is not needed and I hope this in no way insults you. We are happy to help any group that is in need of it.
Encrypted Time Stamp HgatRGD1428754
I have recently acquired a Nephilim class vessel and am prepared to assist whenever possible. I am currently enjoying the amenities of Freeport 11. I think biodomes would be the perfect addition for brewing my infamous space beer available only to Zoners. Stop by sometime and have a few.