To make something good is to make something that can’t be broken. And the only way to do that is to break everything...
Iwakura -
I've walked through the door. Your card provided all the answers I needed. But now I have need of you.
The Ingenuus Research Vessel is back in my hands, and in need of some... changes. Both directed at the vessel herself as well as the crew aboard. With the advanced technology already aboard, adapting it to suit her new purpose I would expect would be less extensive than building from the ground up.
As such, I need a destination best available for such an endeavor. Once a destination picked, the planning can begin for what upgrades she shall receive, and deliveries made to begin the work.
Autumn blossom falls,
death comes to all on swift wings,
the warmth of life: gone.
How are you, mister McCool? Aah... I know the feeling, I also wish we could use more immediate ways of communication but it's not as bad in the end.
So you have a ship in need of a partial overhaul, right? We used to have a nice workshop over here until not so long ago but had to close it. You know, plenty of eyes around usually scare our customers away.
But don't panic yet, Finn. We have a more discrete place floating in -that- creepy part of the Omicrons: Shipyards, high-tech laboratories... and a mini-bar! But don't overdrink, alright? There's plenty of work ahead.
I don't have the keys here right now and I've got some work to do that will keep me posted at the Gate. But perhaps the name of Enma Loyola rings a bell, hah?
Let's patch her in and hope for a swift answer. I'm sure she's way closer to the place I'm suggesting for your ship's overhaul and will be able to lead you there, unless she's busy arranging yet another celebrity party I've not been invited to.
As always, I am at your service, master Iwakura. Senor McCool and I already had a chance to talk on a different matter.
I do have an experience of mooring large capital vessel on Altair already, while was helping Maren with her husband. If ship needs some pre-technical service, I can organize something on Alabama. It's better not to abuse that option, but if there's a need, you only need to let me know.
Excuse me master for not coming to the Heaven's Gate as you ordered, but as you see it was worth it. I hope you will be able to rely on me, when it comes to your Omicron business. There's a lot of work to be done yet to solidify my current position. Be sure, I won't let experience of Malta to repeat, even such worthless as I am can learn from my own mistakes.
Now senor McCool, as I said in our last communication, we will have a chance to drink. But it seems that it's going to happen way faster than I expected. I'm not sure what sort of drinks are there on Altair, but I can grab you quite a bit of good stuff from Durban when I get there. And it would be great if you could specify what do you have in mind.
To make something good is to make something that can’t be broken. And the only way to do that is to break everything...
Loyola and Iwakura -
Unfortunate that Heaven's Gate no longer houses the necessary means for a retrofit, though completely understandable given prying eyes constantly watching the Gate. Damn pests.
Loyola, I do not feel Alabama will be necessary, nor a wise idea given the still tense situation between the Core and the Zoners. Seeing the Ingenuus moored there would undoubtedly cause more stir and potentially upset the plans for the peace treaty. Besides, the ingenuus is perfectly fine in her current state so there shouldn't be too much of a need for servicing.
Altair though... Nothing would please me more than to bring the ingenuus there. The mini bar an added plus. Don't worry, the drinking will be kept to a minimum while there is work to be done. Once the retrofit is completed though... some drinks will definitely be in order. Loyola, I assume you can get your hands on some foreign goods. I'll let you surprise me.
Regarding the specifics of what I have in mind, The Ingenuus in it's current form houses some of the most advanced equipment available on the market, including some proprietary technology developed for the IRG. But given the recent... changes, the Ingenuus is no longer top of the line. During my time as head of the IRG, we tampered with Nomad and human power sources, and creating and adapting them to work with the Ingenuus. Such a core is still useful, but pales in comparison to the raw power and energy of a pure Nomad power source. That is only the beginning as well. With such an increase in power, the systems will need to be adapted to house and utilize pure Nomadic energy. Bio-mechanical adaptations are in order. I believe the same methods used for the Scorpion Gunboats can be applied and adapted for the ingenuus. The labs as well will need an overhaul, to allow for both human and Nomad use. Included will be a facility to house new generations of Incubi, though that I would need to discuss further with Iwakura.
The goal here will be to keep the Ingenuus, which will assume a new name once completed, still covert and mostly human in appearance, but internally housing non-human components as well. More I'm sure will be realized once the retrofit begins, but we can save such for a later date.
I hope that provides some more clarity surrounding my initial plan for the Ingenuus. Loyola, please inform me what will be needed from me, otherwise I will begin preparations to bring the Ingenuus to Altair. Iwakura, I would especially be pleased to hear what ideas or suggestions you may have to incorporate into the above plans.
As a side note, Loyola - any Liquid Cardamine drinks on Altair? Could be interesting...
Uhhhm, great. You see, I am not qualified enough to uphold such conversations. I mean I don't want to sound rude or anything, but I will leave it for you and senor Iwakura. I am more interested about your crew, don't you afraid of their reaction on arriving into such specific location? This is not a warship, but there are some risks still. My concern is security concern, so we would have to solve that issue either before you start to Altair or per time you arrive. But everything need to be done with minimum restistance regardless. That's up to you to decide.
Drinking liquid cardamine? Senor McCool, I am afraid that on Malta we usually inject it. But we could try? Or maybe test it on someone first?
To make something good is to make something that can’t be broken. And the only way to do that is to break everything...
Loyola -
No offense taken concerning your tone. I will discuss and continue conversations with Iwakura to see this project's details are covered and executed.
Regarding your concern with my crew, such a worry will be addressed and rectified before we arrive at Altair. I will be bringing the Ingenuus to Heaven's Gate first before venturing into the deep Omicrons, at which time my crew will enjoy the sights and refreshments that I received during my time on the station. Once they have been brought into the light, we will embark towards our final destination.
As far as Liquid Cardamine goes, i'll gather some samples and see what I can concoct while at Heaven's Gate. Anyone in mind to be the first to try "McCool's Cardibrew"? If not, I have some candidates in mind, should the samples created are cleared for human trials.
But let us not get too far ahead of ourselves. I do believe regular drinks are warranted given the soon-to-be-signed treaty with the CoF and the Core. The first round is on me.