I would like to know exactly what seems to be the problem... As a majority shareholder, we've given you the direction and funding needed to save The Galactic Spanning Corporation from bankruptcy, not to mention preventing your own personal downfall and humiliation... From your previous reports, it would seem that our R&D Division has since solved, or at least greatly improved, the Yuma flora problem, and continued to study samples of the Ribozyme 'Y-823'. I feel the need to remind you, Mr. Richardson, that GalSpan is not strictly a Colonial Republic company. From the reports I have read, it would seem that Project Lead, Dr. Albert Zeiler, has not only found no immediate side effects of the use of 'GS-941' or the 'Lynx' aerosol spray, but has come close to developing a new Ribozyme that can increase produce growth. This new Ribozyme, if we can begin marketing genetically modified plant seeds, could easily make FloraGro obsolete. Perhaps that is a new direction that you can take the company in?
Don't forget that GalSpan is a multi-faceted company. With a merchant division, construction division, an R&D division, and a small Armed Forces, GalSpan can see profits from places other than Colonial Republic space. This company has a trend of seeing negative or static growth; I, and the other majority shareholder, feel that there are more than enough methods for GalSpan to enter the black. It is in our best interest, and yours, to see that GalSpan begins to turn a profit, sooner rather than later. We've allowed you to maintain leadership over the company and granted you the title of 'Director'. Please do not disappoint us...
I apologize for the delays, Mr. Woods. We have primarily waited for the Colonial Republic to finish testing ‘Lynx’, as well as respond to some of our requests. I realize that we aren’t a dedicated Colonial Republic company, and I think you will be pleased to hear that I’m already attempting to implement some of your other suggestions. The Merchant Division has been making regular trips throughout Liberty and the Independent Systems already.
GalSpan, while still a relatively small company, is on the verge of changing Sirius for the better. Here is a report from Dr. Albert Zeiler that I had received just after I left the office last night. I think its contents will put your mind at ease.
“Dear Director Richardson,
As you know, we’ve been studying Ribozyme ‘Y-823’ extensively. Our synthetic Ribozyme ‘GS-941’, while capable of limiting the affects of ‘Y-823’, is more or less incapable of being marketed to anyone but the Colonial Republic in their efforts to colonize planet Yuma.
We instead had focused our shift on using the genetic code of ‘Y-823’ and building a brand new Ribozyme from scratch. We have begun the formulation process of a Ribozyme that is capable of being genetically implanted into fertile plant seeds, which can then be marketed without needing any fertilizers of any kind, or even healthy soil, yet still see an increased growth rate. We’ve decided to program a growth rate of five times the average, approximately a 500% increase. As you know, FloraGro only gives a roughly 10% increase in plant growth. Obviously, this has the potential of being an incredibly profitable product. If desired, we can also program the seeds to be infertile after sprouting, giving GalSpan the ability to regularly market the altered seeds as well, becoming a staple product, and further increasing GalSpan’s profits in the agricultural department.
We’ve dubbed the new Ribozyme ‘GS-9Y1’ which stands for ‘GalSpan-9(41)Y(uma)1 (first commercial Ribozyme)’. A more marketable name could certainly be imagined, but as a scientific and patent name, I would certainly appreciate it if you would consider it.
Signed,
Project Lead, Dr. Albert Zeiler”
I may be a born Colonial, but I’m also a businessman, and I understand that GalSpan needs to become more profitable. Considering our primary focus has been on research and development as of late, we still need time to build up GalSpan’s infrastructure. With patience and care, this company has the potential for exponential growth. Please remain patient; we’ll soon see the profits that both you and I know that GalSpan is capable of. I’m sure of it.
Sincerely,
Director Martin Richardson.
The Galactic Spanning Corporation.
Hello again, Director. I'm pleased to hear that GalSpan moved on our suggestion to build a new base in Coronado; the safety granted to us by the mere presence of the Crayterian Republic and their fleet should be defense enough until Minerva can construct proper defenses. I quite enjoy the symbolism in the name that we've picked as well. Very befitting of a research station!
I hope you remind the construction crew to complete my mooring point as soon as possible, and I'd like my quarters to be very similar to what I had on Lagos Depot. I've sent the original base's schematics to the home office with instructions to be delivered directly to Assistant Director Bales.
Ah... Lagos Depot... I had a great deal of personal history there. I'll miss her terribly, but perhaps it was for the best. Life moves on, yes?
Speaking of; I understand that there has been another breakthrough from Dr. Zeiler's lab aboard the Corvo? Care to elaborate, or must I land my Democritus on New Hope East and discuss it with you in person? I'm collecting the base construction materials on 'The Azilian' as I write this message, and will be there soon enough regardless. My curiosity, however, always tends to get the better of me.
Which reminds me, you owe me considerably for asking me to use my personal yacht (and home) like a common transport ship. I'll collect that debt some other time, old man. Haha.