Franz took the card, thanked the scientist and headed to his quarters. A long day was finally over and things started to move. As he was sitting in his quarters, in a semi-awake state, drinking a glass of Whiskey he could almost see Omega 11.
[Mailbox: 1]
[From: Kishiro Research and Development]
The scanner has been modified and mounted on your ship, connected to the mainframe. We took the liberty of deducting the funds. The receipt is on the attachment. Your stay on Honshu extends for another 7 days. We hope you do enjoy it.
An odd sound could be heard. It was getting louder.
Franz, far from being completely awake looked at the celling, where several numbers glowed green, projected from an object at the side of his bed.
2.14 AM
The sound suddenly stopped for a few moments.
Was ist los?
Like a lightning memories of the previous day appeared. Of course. His watch wasn't working properly. It didn't set itself to Honshu time.
The sound...it must be the neural card.
He slowly got out of bed and searched for the annoying sounds source.
It was in his briefcase.
Quote:[Mailbox: 1]
[From: Kishiro Research and Development]
The scanner has been modified and mounted on your ship, connected to the mainframe. We took the liberty of deducting the funds. The receipt is on the attachment. Your stay on Honshu extends for another 7 days. We hope you do enjoy it.
After a few minutes, he sent a reply.
Quote:[Re.]
[From: Franz Maister]
Excellent, please inform me when the scanner is tested.
If it possible, please send me a proforma invoice.
Personal note: I must say, that the time I'll spend on Honshu deffinetly won't be a waste of time. This week offers me an opportunity to widen my horizon of thought, especially the different philosophy that can be sensed here.
That morning on the office, Junior Manager Irjima feels the weight of responsibility. In preparation for new arrangements between shipping companies of Kusari and Liberty, the engineers on Honshu installations have been under constant pressure. Such was it, that certain schedules could not be met by the overloaded employees. With an annoyed expression, Mr. Irjima begins checking the pre-redacted communications he will have to send to the clients affected by one of those schedule mishaps.
Quote:Greetings, I'm Kishiro's Junior Manager Hajime Irjima. Due to unexpected circumstances surrounding the group tasked with the outfitting of your vessel, which affected planned schedules, certain procedural requirements were not met. We are working hard to solve that situation. The first step will be to try to re-assign the group which was working on your ship back to that duty. If within 24 hours we don't see that as a reasonable possibility, we will assign you a new team, to prepare the tests you had requested, and to guarantee the installation of any further equipment required into your ship. Of course, you are free to continue your exploration of Honshu culture, and the technology you can see around our installations, for the time it takes to completely fit your ship.
Thanks for your patience, Mr. Franz Maister.
With a key press, the communication is sent to his secretary, who will then forward it to that "Franz Maister". Inmediately afterwards, a new communication directed to another client appears on his screen.
The sheer size of Sirius and the quantity of planets prevents anyone from knowing the sectors past in detail. Neural net is of course extremely helpful, however it can't replace human memory.
Franz was just focusing on a centuries old neural net map of planet Honshu when he received the message.
Finally things started to move again.
He beginning to feel impatient as the time passed. Previous days were, despite the endless possibilities of research on Honshu, marked by thoughts in which the glowing Red giant of the Omega 11 could be sensed. Now, he knew that the Omegas are not that far in the future as he had previously feared.
Walking along the corridors of Kishiro's installation in Honshu, Higa Satö was checking every room number. After a brief walk, he stopped in front of one of the doors. He raised his hand, with a PDA which software was primarily programmed to identify signatures for receipts. He introduced the memory card he brought inside of the device, awaiting the checks he liked to do before handing any documents to his clients. Once he was sure there was no data missing, he pressed the "call" button on the door. A door promptly opened.
- "Hello, are you Mr. Franz Maister?" - Asked Satö with his soft voice.
- "Yes, I am." - "We are pleased to bring you the scanner functionality test results, the stress test results, a detailed guide for it's use and security measures and maintenance, plus all the required documents regarding warranty clausules and cobertures. It is all on this disk. We only require you to sign up this receipt -Maister was handed the PDA- you only have to push your hand on the screen."
While he was checking and signing up this way the receipt of the documents, Higa Satö commented with him several of the details of how to handle the new installed scanner. Once the paperwork was done, only one question remained:
- "Did you require any further equipment upgrade in your ship, Mr. Franz Maister?"
Franz was quite surprised when the Kishiro employee brought business to the weary doorstep. Actually he was quite pleased with it. A bit more personal approach effects ones self-confidence in a positive way. He, or better his micro neaural net terminal (something he wasn't used to before) also wrote down every detail about how to handle the new scanner. His pilot will be grateful.
As he was just preparing to open a chapter, that was like a heavy burden on his shoulders, a question that remained unsolved, the question about the quantum computer he required, the Kishiro manager mentioned additional equipment. The archaeologists face displayed a refined palette of feelings that, in a remote way resembled the expression used by the Bretonians.
Yes, I was just preparing to discuss this... We require a specially modified quantum computer, that will be shielded from the intense interferences of the red giant.
However I'm not sure if our, well lets face it limited founds are sufficient for such a device.
The last statement was pronounced more like a question regarding the price, than a statement with any other meaning.
Higa Sato was astonished at the request. Nobody requested a Quantum Computer System for a ship when in doubt about if they were able to pay one. He took out his corporate PDA and began doing an estimate about the costs of such system.
- "Take into consideration, Mr. Franz, that such systems designed for more than entertainment are very expensive. Quantum Computers were designed to be based into big ships able to manage it's power consumption, and size. Our most modern designs' size is very reduced, of course, and their energy requirements have been lowered greatly, but even then, those are the most expensive of the series. Let's go step by stem." - He showed the PDA to Franz, with several options on it's screen. - "This is your ship's configuration. The minimum computer we could install, and which energy requirements could be fulfilled by your ship is this one. This is one of the newest versions. We would install it in one of your ship's control panels in the bridge, with it's main components distributed along the ship's hull. It's energy requirements are low enough for your ship to be able to keep all systems online, with a safety margin of a 5%. And here -Sato says as he clicks in the screen- is what the requested type of shielding would require. We would have to shield that part of the hull from the inside and outside of the Quantum Computer System slots. Installation costs are included in the price."
Franz Mainster stared at the screen, seeing the eight digits number reflecting the cost. After evaluating his expression, Sato decided to give him another option.
- "You can also buy one of our older models. Their reliability is the same as newer ones, with the advantage that the price will be much lower. As your ship propulsion system would not be able to give it enough power, we will install batteries in your cargo hold, for the Quantum Computer to use. You should be able to refill the batteries on any station or mooring fixture, and that will guarantee you days of computer use. You can also turn down certain ship systems like shields, scanners, and weapons, and redirect their energy towards the batteries during trips which don't require those systems. Another advantage is this kind of Quantum Computers comes in a rack, and are not installed inside the ship hull, but are left in any cargo area or room available. This means the surface to shield from radiation is much lower. This will only cost 9,499,999SC, installation costs included. We can find with you other options, if that is your desire."
Satos proposal was something none at the right mind would reject. However, Maisters ego didn't let him accept it right away, he always wanted to have the last word. Sadly that wasn't possible today. If fortuna is flying pass you, don't forget to grab her tail, was something, that came across his mind.
So, he thought for a few moments, then suddenly nodded slightly, looked at Sato and said:
"Your proposal seems the best option for us, especially if I take eight digit numbers in consideration, we'll arrange payment, as soon as the equipment is installed."
He paused for a few moments, then continued.
"However, I have some questions regarding this equipment, I'm sure you understand, that we won't be buying one of these things in near future, so I would like to know certain details."
"Despite the fact, that Kishiro is famous for its long lasting and reliable equipment, I'm concerned about life expectancy for this computer and batteries. Will there be a warranty?"
Fraz observed Higas expressionless face.
"And in case this computer stops functioning properly, which I doubt, will we have to ship it to the nearest planet, or will we receive on sight support?"
- "I afraid I didn't understand if you wished the second option, the one with batteries, installed right away, or only wanted the estimate for a possible future purchase. I will have to warn you, though, the current price of 9,499,000Cr is offered because we have that particular model on stock. If it had to be scheduled for construction, the costs would raise by a 10%." - Sato then accessed the standard computer systems warranty on his PDA - "As you can see here, all our Quantum Computers under standard circumstances are guaranteed to work for, at least, 20 years. Degradation due to quantum mechanics of course occur, but it will not be detrimental to the performance of the computer. Considering the hazards the computer would be exposed to, the warranty will have certain clausules. The anti-radiation shielding guarantees that no external radiation will be leaked to the room where the computer will be held. That special "room" that we will place in your cargo hold will be composed of a dual-door systems, in which one of those doors must remain closed at all times. If such system is bypassed by you or any of your crew-members, the warranty will be considered void, as that would be put inside our "bad use" exemptions. If because of a ship accident, like a space crash or ship failure, the quantum computer is damaged, that should be covered by your own ship insurance for evident reasons, as they are the ones who are held responsible for damages of such type. And, at last, if none of those two conditions apply, we offer for those 20 years a full parts guarantee. Work hours are also included. Regarding the anti-radiation shield itself, it's guaranteed to sustain up to 7800W/m2 for 6 hours continuously. And the batteries are based on a fusion-fission reaction. They work under a negative power output fusion when loading in mooring fixtures, and later release power by fission reactions. This guarantees a steady power output without needing to re-fuel or substitute batteries for over 300 years."
As a matter of fact, Higa Sato considered this customer a strange one. So he decided to try to push him a little bit more... for Kishiro's well being.
- "I also see you are interested in immediate support, should the worst happen and your computer have any kind of failure. We offer an "on-the-spot" support service. I'm afraid the basic service would only ship the technicians and parts to Kusari, Liberty, and Rheinland space. This also includes independent worlds between said houses. In the case you wish to have that kind of service in not regulated space, the fees would vary. The basic fee is 35,000c per month, all included but inmediate support in not-regulated space.. The complete fee would be 65,000c per month, and you would be given priority assistance universe-wide."
As a last fact, he only added: -"On your word, we will proceed to equip the shielded room, and computer into your ship cargo bay. And you are free to pick any of the two additional on-spot support services we offer."
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