Chapter 53:
[Research group 2027]
Vulcan Science Council Member Sornak said, "I am trying to understand the logic for these research challenges given to the public. The most qualified experts with the knowledge and experience of their field of research are already trying to solve those challenges. They know what previous approaches worked and which ones that might seem promising did not. They do not need to, as an analogy, reinvent the wheel."
A Tellarite answered, "That is exactly what holds back advances, a group belief in what is not possible. There is a place for experts, but there is also a place for the skeptical. Experts in societies such as Vulcan are expected to defer to group belief and their seniors. Creative individuals often think of questions that have not been adequately answered."
A Human added, "Our greatest recent advances have been by combining previously separate schools of research. On Earth, not only did we add magic research to non-magical science, but non-magical questions about magic revealed many long-held assumptions that were not correct."
A Denobulan added, "Efficiency of research is not the point. By having different ways of approaching the challenges, we find new paradigms. That is why the Vulcans, despite being intelligent as individuals, have advanced slowly compared to other species.
Not wanting to brag about my own people, but perhaps I will. The Denobulan advantage is simply in finding the joy in what we do. We want to discover so we do discover. I think our emotions give us an advantage."
A Tellarite added, "Our Alliance combines our talents in unexpected ways. This is actually part of Vulcan philisophy, Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. Now that you are experiencing the result of your own philosophy, you should accept that things will be different for you."
[Alliance 2027]
The Alliance in 2027 was in a stable situation. Not much expansion was going to happen until the new fleets were built planned for the end of 2029. The governing structure was stable, with full technology sharing and the ability to move to new colonies. Some Alliance members allowed other Alliance citizens to move to their planet, but it wasn't required. It was not yet the time for a further step of combining governments. Vulcan was just getting started being in the Alliance.
The Vulcans were faced with a significant number of people of other species showing up on Vulcan and wanting to learn to be like the Vulcans. Their presence at Vulcan academies would be disruptive, and it was assumed that they would lose interest quickly. Vulcan setup learning centers for off-worlders. They would be kept out of the way of other Vulcans, and would be considered to be tourists.
A smaller number of Vulcans traveled around the Alliance wanting to experience the culture and even the emotions of other worlds. Vulcan disapproved of their actions, and considered them embarrassments to Vulcan. However, there was no law passed to stop them. The Alliance as a whole disapproved of extra-territorial laws, except those that prevented escaping various obligations. When there might eventually be a Federation there would be a more definitive decision on laws that follow a person's species or origin.
[Orions 2027]
The Orion Syndicate had plans in place for the moment they would be allowed to hire spell casters. They even had recruitment contracts agreed to and ready to sign. Now they could advertise. The Daily Prophet and other wizarding publications had an ad the same day that Orions were allowed to recruit.
Whatever you are looking for, the Orion Syndicate can provide. All spell casters wanted. Special skills are worth even more. Tell us what you want and what you can do and let us make a deal.
It was a difficult market to hire spell casters, since the other Alliance members had already been hiring those that wanted to go outside of Human areas for high rates of pay. The in-person recruiting by the Orions emphasized experiences to be had, a monetary legacy for their families to be paid before they even left Earth, and interesting challenges.
The Orions had a separate recruiting effort for spell casters with a criminal background. They emphasized that Orions do not have the same rules as the Alliance and that a certain moral flexibility is not only allowed, but would be rewarded.
They approached Snape. He co-owned Spotion with me which was a multi-planet corporation. It found new potions ingredients, developed new potions, found what potions worked on different species. It not only made Snape and me a lot of money, but gave Snape the ability to do what he likes to do best. He had no interest in working for them.
Nott Junior turned down the Orions because he was Lord Nott and ran his family enterprises. The Orions tried to convince him that he could let his son run it, and have a meaningful boost in assets. Nott had no interest in being an employee of anyone.
Walden Macnair joined the Orions. He was 70 years old, but wizards don't age as quickly as non-magicals. He was hired as an enforcer using magic. The Orions told him that his talents and interests would well serve and be well served in Orion service.
Avery Junior joined. He had worked for me as a smuggler, but there wasn't much need for that anymore. The Orions could appreciate his skills.
Spell casters with legilimency abilities were particularly prized. They could detect truth of those they did business with, help with spying and counter-spying. Orion didn't acknowledge paying Earth magicals to use the imperius spell to take over people's minds, but it was rumored that they did.
The Orions asked if they could buy magical prisoners on Earth. There were many survivors from the 1981 roundup of Voldemort supporters, and the equivalent in other countries. The Orions said they would make sure that anyone they got from Earth prison would be used in areas away from the Alliance and would not be encountered by the Alliance. Furthermore, they would be under Orion custody and the arrangement maybe would formally be considered an outsourcing of imprisoning them. The payment to Earth would be considerable. The Alliance said that they would think about it.
There had been no contact between the Alliance and Romulans. However, the Orion stores in Jupiter orbit and San Francisco, London, Beijing, and Jakarta were selling Romulan ale. The Romulans were buying Andorian ale and Kaferian fruits. There weren't many in the Alliance who wanted Klingon gagh served live, except the Denobulans. Klingon bloodwine was popular among the Andorians. Based on Canon, the Orions tried selling Earth prune juice to the Klingons and found a successful market for it there.
The Jakarta center was a base for buying spices in that region of Earth. A recent visit to a cinnamon production cooperative said, "20% less this time. It is becoming less of a novelty. Next ship will be even less. However, it will soon stabilize. We are creating a market for true cinnamon while most will be satisfied with replicated. The best craft producers will be getting a premium price indefinitely."
The co-op leader said, "Now that Earth will be getting ships as fast as yours, why shouldn't we sell it ourselves?"
The Orion buyer answered, "What we do is far more than transport a commodity from one place to another. We create a market, a desire for a flavor, for an experience, for something that few others have. We also can go to places that the Alliance can not."
The co-op leader asked, "Why do you ask so much about the some of the craft producers, even about their families and history?"
The Orion answered, "We are selling a vision, a story, a part of a tradition, not just a product. We can get you far more for your product than you would be able to on your own. We also have a reputation for honest luxury goods, which others would have difficulty establishing."
On Arkonia, near Klingon space, an Orion was selling Earth spices. "Only 500 Earth years ago, the most advanced transport on that planet was ships traveling over water, propelled by sails catching the wind. They went from the more advanced parts of their planet to the other side, to an area they called the East Indies to bring back spices. Just as kings and nobility sought out cinnamon, cassia, cardamom, ginger, pepper, nutmeg, star anise, clove, and turmeric, so do we provide these from a distant star, as difficult to get to with warp engines as the same place was by sailing ship so long ago.
We have five varieties of cinnamon. Each takes exacting efforts to get the best quality. Here is a product better than the kings of Earth could have. See the artisans that create this spice from trees that can only be harvested every 10 to 15 Earth years. This flavor represents ancient Earth culture."
[Research group 2027]
The Orions provided the technology of their warp 7.15 travel. Their ship design had recessed nacelles that were better at handling damage but not as efficient in plasma use, and requiring more shielding of the crew from various types of radiation. The extended nacelles were still going to be used by the Alliance.
Combining the Vulcan and Orion technology and using magic to enhance it resulted in warp 7.22. Part of the agreement with the Orions turning over their designs was turning over our improvements to them.
A Vulcan started the ship design meeting, "Modular design, to upgrade materials as better ones become available in sufficient quantity. We anticipate frequent upgrades of this ship platform."
A Tellarite answered, "Make sense. I thought you Vulcans were supposed to disagree with us?"
A Human answered, "Isn't that your job?"
The same Tellarite answered, "The NX ships were modular, and built in sections that attached together. Everyone agrees that the Original Series class will do the same thing."
An Andorian said, "Then something useful to decide. The disrupter of Orion design shows the most promise. It has a concentrated blast against an enemy ship. It can also blast a group of drones or torpedoes at once."
A Human added, "We will still need an array of phase canons for more close in coverage against swarms of drones. The extra engine in the saucer section will be needed."
Another Human added, "Magic based transporters, but room to also have sub-space transporters when they become ready to use."
A Vulcan said, "For internal power flows, I find the use of electricity inefficient."
A Human answered, "Until we can invent the equivalent to circuit breakers, surge protectors, and ground fault interrupt cutoffs, plasma for power will be too risky under harsh or combat conditions."
A Denobulan replied, "It is entertaining in Canon though seeing those panels on the bridge exploding all the time. For that matter so is having the crew get thrown around when the shields take damage."
A Tellarite answered, "That is already solved. We have instant cushions and sticking charms for all crew. There also might be a technological equivalent ready by 2030."
A Denobulan replied, "We hope to have more spell casters born within the next several years. Meanwhile the Vulcans might be trainable."