Chapter 57

Meeting of the Board, Confederation Corporation: Luke sat at the head of the table, and looked at the Division heads around him. He couldn't help but think how this reminded him of a Captains call. "Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen. Shall we get started?"

He looked at Daniel Jakoub's, "You're first Dan."

"Yes sir. The Aeronautics division has several rather adventurous projects in the works right now. We've completed the construction of our shipyard in orbit of Vega 4, and the designs for the new cargo ship we're offering for sale begins full production in just about a month. The improvements we're making on the James Carter are underway, and the EA people seem quite pleased with them so far."

Luke looked at him, "How far did you have to strip her down?"

"To the frame sir. It would have been easier to start from scratch, but the good news is that all of the materials from the original are being reused, retooled or recycled. So the cost is decreased from what we first estimated."

"I'm sure the General's will like that fact."

"Yes sir."

Daniel continued, "By reworking the hull and armor, and reinforcing the framework with durasteel, we've managed to decrease the overall projected mass by 35 percent. With the gravity plating and inertial dampening systems in place, we project a top speed just slightly past double its previous speed. With a Yaw/Pitch/Roll ratio of more than three times what it had."

"Sounds good Dan, anything else?"

"We're also upgrading all of the electronic, computer and avionic systems, and we're installing the improved versions of our fusion generators with magnetic intake and storage systems."

"Go on."

"Yes sir, we're leaving the same type of weapons on the ship, but our Mil-spec designs of them. They have twice the range and the power output has been increased by 50 percent. We're also installing first generation Cap shield generators on the ship. The good news is that with the more automated systems, we've managed to cut the crew requirements by 30 percent."

"So when do you project completion?"

"If all goes according to plan, the James Carter should be ready for trials in about 3 months."

"What are you doing with the crew?"

Daniel smiled, "We've sent them back to school sir. To learn about the new systems, and how to work and repair them." This brought a round of smirks and chuckles from the directors.

"Any other projects?"

"Yes sir, we've entered into a joint venture with Mitchell-Hundyne to work on building a new fighter for the EA, one that is based on the star-fury. But it is both space and atmospherically capable. They seem to be more than receptive to our engineers ideas."

"Keep me informed on that one Dan."

"Yes sir."

----

Luke smiled, now he looked at the Medical division head, "Doctor Haynesworth, your report please."

Dominic nodded, "Yes sir. We've just received approval of our line of antiviral meds from the EA. And we're working with Edgar's Pharmaceuticals on the production of several of the other meds we use."

He raised a hand before anyone said anything, "They already have the necessary manufacturing facilities, and we still hold the patents for the meds for the next 50 years. So it was more cost effective to do this as a joint venture, besides it's a good PR move."

"Sounds like a good plan doc, go on."

"As you all know, the Melvin White Medical center is open now and we're already being contacted by hundreds of doctors about sending their patients here for regenerative therapies. Since we are only charging the minimal amount, we've already got patients scheduled for the next five years. But we've left open a few spots for emergency cases that may come up."

"We've also begun to look into several of the diseases here, and we have cures for a few of them, and treatments for most of the others. We're also doing research on improving their cybernetic implants, and finding ways to make them more biologically compatible."

"Anything else doc?"

"Yes sir, I've had Heidi and a few others contacting the local non humans to get information on their species, and medical databases."

"And how is that going?"

"Slow sir, very slow. We've received information from the Narns and Centauri; we even got information from the Minbari. But most of the others don't want to give up any information at all. But I'm not giving up on the project sir."

Luke knew that Dominic could be stubborn, yet subtle. He would get the information eventually. "Is that all doc?"

"No sir, when we asked the Minbari for medical information, we recieved a request from some of their 'healers', their name for a doctor, for training in the care of humans."

"I hope you've given your OK on that doc."

"Yes sir, a Dr Massanol will be here in 2 weeks."

----

Now he turned to Amanda Burnes, the head of the Entertainment division. "Amanda, your report."

"Yes sir. Well the first thing we did was to put together a full listing of the various books and recordings the crewmembers had. We found that we had the full sets of at least 26 Romance, mystery and adventure series. We also had 6 full sets of children's series as well. We made copies of them, and have begun negotiations with a few publishers to release them into publication. Surprisingly, it's the romance stories that are the best sellers so far. We also had several sets of action tri-vids, and holo's, along with 'a lot' of individual titles. We're in negotiation with a few studios to remake them here, using EA Actors."

Luke smiled, and he hoped they got a better actress for the heroine in his Adventures in the Gemini quadrant than the people at home had used. "Go on Amanda."

Well sir, we've begun production on a new gaming system that incorporates holography and VR headsets and gloves. We project that this item alone should be a big seller, and we are keeping the price as low as possible. We've used the flight Sims as our first set. We've even introduced the Kilrathi as the enemy in them. We've set up a whole game of the Vega Campaign, and another using the Gemini Campaign sir. We're also producing a fantasy game as well based on the 'Fires of Antioch' game series from home."

"Anything else?"

"We started contacting music companies about co-producing some of the music we brought from home sir. We're using the recordings the crews had, and are writing the music to be played by local groups."

"That sounds excellent Amanda."

"Thank you sir."

----

Luke now looked at Maria Whitedeer, head of the Agricultural Division, "Maria, your report please."

"Yes sir. The farming center is fully planted, and the construction of our second hydroponics plant is almost completed. We've made purchases of various breeding livestock from Earth, and over half of them have arrived and have been medically cleared. We should be at projected dairy output in 3 weeks, and the cattle, goats and sheep that we purchased for meat production are even now being fattened up."

Luke smiled; he hadn't had a real steak in almost a month.

"We also plan on using the goats for cheese production, and the sheep for wool production as well. Also, if everything goes as planned, we should begin egg production in about 5 weeks."

Jeff Grove looked at Maria, "That's good to hear Maria, I for one am tired of soy protein all the time."

This brought a few lighthearted chuckles from everyone. "Anything else Maria?"

"Yes sir, we've received permission from Earth force to upgrade the hydroponics section on Beta Durani station as a test bed for them. If they like the results, then we could get the contract to upgrade all of the Earth Alliance stations."

"Excellent Maria."

----

Now Luke looked at Anthony Mason, "Your report Tony."

"Yes sir. We've completed the building of our training facility on the coast, and thanks to a little free advertising, we've already begun to accept new people for training. We've even been contacted by some people in the corps, who wish to join our division."

"I hope you're screening them."

"Oh yes sir. All former corps members are given deep scans, to confirm their truthfulness. So far none have refused."

"How is the research going on the new drug therapy?"

"Promising sir, with the help of the Medical division, we're close to developing a new type of suppressant drug, one that hopefully doesn't have the same detrimental side effects as the sleepers. We're also developing a new form of cybernetic jamming device. The design shows promise, but it still has a long way to go."

"And the other project Tony?"

Tony looked at him, "Still in research sir, but progressing very well."

"Thank you Tony."

----

Now he looked at Ajama Motamba. "And how is the Explorer Division doing?"

"Quite well sir. We've managed to map out the jump points throughout most of the Earth Alliance. We've even begun talks with the Narns and the Centauri, about exploring their areas of space as well. The other species haven't been as accommodating, but we've made some good progress with a species called the Vree. Their Merchant houses are more than willing to negotiate with us, but it is slow going sir."

"Any good news Ajama?"

"Oh yes sir, we've found at least eight solar systems that are not on the Jump gate system, and a few of them have inhabitable planets. We've also forwarded our scans of the systems to the technologies division for possible mining of the systems."

Luke smiled, that was easy money in the coffers.

----

Now he looked at Jeff Allen, the head of the Technologies division. "Your report Mr. Allen."

"Yes sir. As you've heard from the other directors, we've already begun to produce new computers, holographic systems, fusion generator systems, optronic systems, sensor systems and gravity systems. All of these lines are doing quite well. We've even begun to sell and lease them to other EA companies for incorporation into their existing systems and designs. We've also started a new recycling business with several of the EA corporations, and they are quite pleased with the reduction of their losses. Plus it provides us with more materials that we can use in our production facilities. We've also started mining operations in one of the systems that the explorer division located. We're currently processing Beryllium, Boron, Cobalt, Copper, Diamonds, Gold, Iron, Nickle, Niobium, Oxygen, Platinum, Silver, Tungsten and Water deposits found there. We've also found a rather unique crystal deposit as well sir."

Luke looked at Jeff, "Let me guess, a small pinkish-white crystal?"

Jeff just smiled, "Oh yes sir."

"Keep me up to date on that one Jeff."

"Of course sir."

"Good, continue."

"Well sir, we've also begun production on superconductor materials, new polymers, new metal alloys, ship armors and Akwande drive units."

Luke looked at him,"How are things going at Daniels University?"

"Better than we hoped sir. The first classes began a few months ago, and we've already received requests for enrollment for next years term from all across the EA, Narn space, and even from a few Minbari as well."

"Well I hope that you're giving the Minbari an even shot."

"Oh yes sir. We're treating everyone the same, as long as each applicant can pass the written exam."

Luke smiled, "Well at least he is fair."

----

Now he turned to Jeff Grove. "And how is your division doing Jeff?"

"Better than we hoped sir. As you know, with many of the crewmembers taking positions in the various divisions, we've had to rethink our System defense division. So we took 4 of the Destroyers and used them for parts in the construction of our new Cutter and Corvette class ships. By using the smaller ships, we've cut down the crew requirements, and increased our over all system coverage areas. We've also placed detection satellites throughout the system, and have a first alert area of more than 100 AU in any direction from the Vega star. We've also completed the Station by the Jump gate, and I daresay it could take on even a Snakier and win."

This had the other Directors nodding, as most of them knew what a Snakier was.

"And you're other projects?"

Jeff was smiling, "The new power generators are working better than we could've hoped sir. We found that by using both a Mini M/AM generator and the Singularity generator in combination, we can produce more than enough power in the ships."

Director Motamba looked at him, "Why use both?"

"Well Ajama, the singularity generator produces antimatter, most of which we then use for the Mini M/AM generator. The remainder is used in a new form of mine that can be dropped by the ships. The antimatter is held in a containment field, and as it decays, the antimatter reacts with the matter of the housing and." Jeff just moved his hands slowly apart.

"We're also using the antimatter in upgraded torpedoes and Cap ship missles."

"What about the other new weapons?"

Jeff nodded, and put a crystal in a data reader. The directors watched a weapons test-taking place. The beam was fired from a destroyer, and it literally obliterated the asteroid target, and then a Morning-star did an attack run and obliterated its target as well. "As you can see, the New Laqua cannons and beam weapons are quite remarkable. The range is nearly double that of our antimatter cannons, and the energy output is about 30 percent higher."

Jeff now looked around the room, "And the weapon comes in 4 variants, two of which can be mounted on fighters, with a slightly reduced range and power output. The other two are larger, and are designed for Capital ship use."

Now he placed another crystal in the data reader. As the data was displayed, he narrated. "This is our new Venture III class Corvette, by incorporating some of the Minbari systems in it, it is almost as agile as a fighter. And it's top speed is almost two-thirds that of a Scimitar. This second ship is our Liandra class Cutter, and even though it's twice the size of the Corvette, it's just as fast and maneuverable."

----

Now Jeff stopped the reader, and was smiling as he looked at Anthony Mason. "Dr Mason, what's the smallest jump capable ship that you've ever heard of?"

Tony thought for a moment, "Well that would have to be the light Cruiser class, like the James Carter."

Jeff just nodded, "The James Carter is about 600 meters long. So a ship the size of the Liandra, at 160 meters shouldn't be able to do this." Jeff started the reader again, and everyone watched as a jump point formed in front of the ship.

Tony was stunned, "How did you do that?"

Jeff smiled, "What can I say, Hershel got inspired one day. She theorized that if she focused the energy steam that is passed through the Quantium 40 a little differently, then the amount of energy and Quantium 40 needed would be greatly reduced. And by reducing these two factors, and using our materials in the shielding, we were able to build a jump drive that is about 30 percent the size of standard EA Jump drives."

Now Luke looked at Jeff, "When do you want to let the EA know about this improvement?"

"Actually sir, we would prefer not telling them yet. We've already made a deal with them for the production of new jump drives based on Minbari designs. As you know, they are just as efficient as the EA drives, only smaller. I think we should keep this to ourselves for now sir."

Luke looked at the other directors and saw them all nodding, even Tony. "Alright then. We keep this little tidbit quiet for now. Thank you all for the information, and I'll see you at next weeks meeting."

----

As the directors were leaving, Luke asked Tony and Jeff Grove to stay. Once they were alone, Luke looked at Jeff. "Jeff, have you finished the refit on the Black Knight?"

"Just about sir, we finished the weapon and power system upgrades, and are almost finished with the new stealth upgrades."

"Good, because I may have a mission for it soon."

"What sort of mission sir?"

Luke looked at him, "A possible prisoner rescue."

"From were sir?"

"What I'm about to tell you goes no further than this room Jeff."

He just nodded.

"General Hague called me and asked for our help in getting his nephew released from a Psi-corps prison. It seems that his nephew is one of the people that opted not to join the corps, or take sleepers. Before he could go underground, he was picked up and imprisoned. Now it seems that his corps appointed lawyer refuses to even discuss the possibility of him or any other prisoner joining division M."

Now Tony looked at Jeff, "A few weeks ago, I sent one of my people to earth to find out any information she could about the Psi-corps prison. Once she has that Intel, we want to plan a rescue operation using Col Ellison's marines. Even now he and his people are prepping, and they are working with some M-12 telepaths that we have recruited."

"That's a pretty risky plan sir. Won't the corps, and the EA get just a little ticked off by something like this?"

Luke sort of half smiled to himself, "The corps? Oh yeah, I'm sure they'll be more than a little ticked off. As for the EA, as long as we don't kill any non-telepaths, and a few other incentives we're providing. Well they've assured Hague that they can blame this on the rogue underground."