Author Topic: Corporate Folly: Chapter 1: Reconstruction, Part 2 (2029-2033 CE)  (Read 12436 times)

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Offline Malikane (OP)

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January 2nd, 2029
Global News Network
"We want to start with today's top story--it is a video that has surfaced from the terror group being referred to as the 'Seraphim.  '  The video comes as an apparent response to the State of the Globe speech given yesterday by CEO Caroline Gibson of Frontier Dynamics.   In the video, the terror group assures viewers that Gibson's promises of a new security force rolled out sometime this year will be wholly ineffective.   Gibson's promises come five months after the high-profile assassination of Edmund Riggs, president and owner of McDaniel-Riggs, and two months after a bombing in New York City.   According to both Suhi Multinational and Rainier International, multiple terrorist attacks have been thwarted in the previous months, but no progress has been made tracking down whoever the leaders may be.   Still, audience members are encouraged to remain calm and confident in the forces hired to protect your communities.  We have no news as of yet what the CEO's exact response will be to these continued threats, but we will keep audiences up to date with information as soon as we learn any.    Now on to you, Jack, for an update on the agricultural crisis in Egypt.  "

April 26th, 2029
Caroline stood alongside several members of the Corporate Assembly in preparation for a security demonstration of the new powered armor suits.  Finally, at long last, Project GARRISON--started three and a half years prior but rushed in recent months due to current events--was complete.   One of Caroline's personal security detail was selected for the demonstration, in part because her security forces and the security forces of the corporations of the Corporate Assembly would be the first to be upgraded.    It would be years yet until every police force globally had completed upgrades to the new suits.         

To Caroline's relief, the demonstration was straightforward.  The researchers refrained from overly dramatic claims or displays, and focused entirely on how the power armor would allow policing forces to protect and serve while maintaining confidence in their ability to withstand small arm assault.  The standard armor had a mix of mesh, ceramic, and other layers of protection integrating the best of 20th century body armor with TN materials.   The helmet had a transparent faceplace and was detachable to allow for a more human presence while on patrol, and the standard sidearm was a baton that delivered an electric shock to stun and disable.  In times of need, the baton could be supplemented with one of a specifically designed Beretta Px7 pistol or Cx7 carbine rifle, which could both be integrated with the on-board electronics to allow accurate shots with a margin of error of less than a millimeter at 50 meters away, albeit only in perfect conditions.   Even in harsh conditions with heavy precipitation and low visibility, the accuracy enhancement was a vast improvement on anything previously available.   The armor itself could be connected to a secure network to allow for constant communication with a control room and databases, giving forces easy access to records in the field.   The researchers showing these different design elements encouraged Caroline's guards to try different things with them and test the features in realistic ways.   When her people were satisfied, Caroline decided she was satisfied.    Despite her furvor in preparing to strike back at the terrorist group, she still recognized that her expertise was in other areas.         

"Begin the fabrication and distribution of the suits.    Previously negotiated contracts with Rainier, Suhi, and the others will remain the same.    Good work, everyone.        "

---

July 11th, 2029
Houston Gazette
"New Shipyard Reaches for the Stars in Spite of Muck on Earth"
Abilene, Republic of Texas - Construction has been completed on a new commercial shipyard for MRLD Holdings.    Representatives from MRLD stated in a press release earlier that expansion will begin immediately in preparation for compliance with the vision of the future set forth by Frontier Horizons.    With this announcement, the two shipyards in Earth orbit stand as a bright example of the future of humanity.    It serves as a vindication to Caroline Gibson's drive for the stars and a much needed distraction from the realities of the ongoing struggle against violent activist organizations on Earth.         

---

August 24th, 2029
New York Times
"Attack on Embassy Thwarted by Rainier Security Forces"
New York, Eastern American Confederation - An attempted attack on the Californian embassy earlier today was thwarted by Rainier security contracted to protect the area.   With a summit being held there to coordinate plans for the eventual manufacturing of various starship components, the terrorist attack was almost inevitable.   Still, with new technology being rolled out to defensive forces, the Rainier protection was more than a match.   Caroline Gibson has received a boost in public opinion, as it was Frontier Dynamics that developed the so-called 'power suits' that the Rainier forces were using.    The guards were not only able to prevent any loss of life at all, but also capture the team of four terrorists attempting to disrupt the discussions.         

---

September 10th, 2029
Bianka Ebner, propulsion and power expert, has done it.  With a breakthrough in pressurized water reactors for power plant technology, the stage is set for developing proper trans-Newtonian engine for spacecraft.  As she prepares her report for the scientific oversight committee, she includes several recommendations for Nuclear Thermal design theories.  She is hoping to be assigned to the research for that as well.  Several hours later, she gets the assignment.  Her and her team are invited to a private lounge with an open bar and hors d'oeuvres, courtesy of Canadian Electric.         

---

January 1st, 2030
Ishinomori Kiyotane completes research into geological survey sensors, completing the next step in the long road to humanity touching the stars.  As with the pressurized water reactors, the decision is made to keep the success of this research quiet from most of the public.  Anticipation within FDI is building, with added pressure being put on developing the new engine technology.         

With the report for the new sensors completed, the other scientists have access to review the research if they desire.  James Palmer, with a little bit of free time at that moment, looks at Ishinomori's work and realizes there may be more potential in the design than anyone seemed to be aware about.  He takes a few days to speak with some theoretical physicists before preparing a proposal for the FDI scientific oversight committee.   In the proposal, he theorizes that it could be possible to use the gravity wells of suns and other large objects to jump across large distances in space.   His initial argument is persuasive enough that Caroline Gibson herself authorizes research into the area.         

---

January 7th, 2030
Windsor Hampson was furious.  Once again, Gibson had gone against LM Apex's research requests and changed things last minute.  With this new theory about gravitational sensors, the needed research into laser technology was delayed.  And this time, unfortunately there was little that Hampson could do about it.  The rest of the Corporate Assembly seemed to fully support the plan, and with the huge successes of the power suits of the garrison forces the need for better weapons was not as urgent.  Besides, he no longer trusted his allies to show restraint with more delicate operations.  The plans would have to be delayed for a little while longer.  Still, he needed to find some way to really start consolidating power.  Gibson had been showing surprising adeptness with balancing the needs of the different member corporations.  It would be time to start building a true coalition to go against her soon.  He opened his secure communication line, and made some calls.       

---

May 26th, 2031
It had been a quiet several years.  With all the security forces finally upgraded to the new garrison power suits as of this day, crime was at an all time low.   The Seraphim have not had a successful attack in almost 8 months, and even then it was in a state that had no security contracts.   Rainier International had managed to outbid and outperform the competition so well that the organization held almost 80% of security contracts globally, among both state and corporate clients.  Still, Suhi Multinational maintains very specific contracts well.  That organization brings with it a certain level of brutality that is not mirrored in their larger competitor, so several states and corporations find the contracts to be a better fit.  Most notably among these is LM Apex, and their private Suhi security forces are arguably the best armed soldiers on the planet.       

---

October 16th, 2031
Los Angeles Chronicle
"FDI Reinforces Commitment to Earth as well as Space"
New York, Eastern American Confederation - Frontier Dynamics has announced today completion of construction support technology that will increase the rate at which new construction can be completed.  This has been accomplished by Liam Miles, one of the leading scientific developers of the 21st century.  The press release went on to state that Miles would be attempting to apply these same techniques to mining, in order to mitigate a projected shortfall in trans-Newtonian minerals.   Frontier Dynamics has announced previously that their support for interstellar travel would be mirrored by development of facilities to support that on Earth.  It appears that construction of these facilities--including the mass drivers and research labs currently being built--will accelerate the plans of the company in the near future.  This is all happening in addition to the conversion to a trans-Newtonian factory base, from the conventional industry.     

---

January 11th, 2032
New York Times
"State of the Globe Falls Flat as No New Announcements Wow"
New York, Eastern American Confederation - CEO of Frontier Dynamics Caroline Gibson has emphasized previous accomplishments in her annual State of the Globe rather than future plans.  While many are defending her, saying that most of the current research is being kept secret for security reasons, many more are starting to question FDI's effectiveness as an organization.  Still, there is little denying the successes that have been had so far.  Chief among the successes are the two shipyards still in Earth orbit, weighing in at 7000 tons of capacity and 25,000 tons of capacity for William Hamilton and MRLD, respectively.  The two yards keep expanding, with subsidies from FDI, so by the time that all of the research is completed in an estimated 4 years the size of the ships should be truly inspiring.  One highlight that has not received a lot of attention so far is the planned work on a third shipyard.  It is not clear at this point what the timeline of that shipyard is.     

---

June 26th, 2032
Sensor research continues as Markov Yefimov finishes up research into active sensors and transitions into electromagnetic sensors.     

---

November 1st, 2032
For the first time, FDI feels the effects of a true mineral shortage.  The mining output of neutronium is vastly outpaced by the required amounts to keep up with the projected shipyards (new and expansion), as well as the mass drivers.  Construction resources are shifted to prioritize converting more of the remaining conventional industry to mining complexes, with the hopes of mitigating as much of the shortage as possible.       

---

December 1st, 2032
At long last, the research into capacitor recharge rates is completed.  LM Apex announces publicly the arrival of a new line of practical lasers for consumer use.  Acquisitions of several other corporations are announced a few days later (under the pretense of 'Strategic Alliances'), and LM Apex transitions into a true megacorporation.  From the consumer side, LM Apex controls an impressive marketshare over a variety of electronic devices.       

---

March 26th, 2033
Neutronium shortages continue to plague FDI.  Fortunately, the planned mass drivers are completed and considerable progress has been made on the new shipyard.  With the expansion of the existing shipyards halted, the only use of neutronium is on the new shipyard, so efforts are doubled to finish the project up as soon as possible.       

---

October 16th, 2033
With the third shipyard in earth orbit, the strain on neutronium is lessened.  Still, the shortages will continue into the near future for any projects that require the mineral.  The new shipyard, owned and operated by Daewoo Shipyard & Marine Engineering, represents the first Korean company to really enter the international business scene.   Since the unification of the peninsula, huge amounts of effort were required to complete integration and reconstruction, and finally Korea has recovered to the point to request entrance to the Pacific Trade Organization.  The PTO quickly accepts the country into its fold, adding Korea to the entities that formerly were Japan and Australia.       

---

November 26th, 2033
A new age has dawned.  With the completion of the conversion of all conventional industry, the global economy has completely transitioned to trans-Newtonian.  The last nine years have had their share of ups and downs, but the economy is stable, companies are expanding, the political situations are solidifying, and with three shipyards in orbit things are looking bright for the next step into space.  Only a few technologies remain to make space travel a reality, and the near future will see those completed.  Crime is low and hunger and disease are all but eliminated thanks to the work of McDaniel-Riggs in humanitarian efforts.     

Caroline feels relieved.  Her efforts have been working and it feels like FDI has done some legitimate good in the world.  With reconstruction finished, progress can move full speed into the next stages of the future.       

Three thousand miles away from Caroline's home in New York City, a man walks the streets of London after dark.  He passes several Rainier patrols on his journey, but they leave him alone.  He looks like a simple businessman, albeit with a somewhat large briefcase.  Outside of the Parliament building, he pauses for a moment, looking around.  Security is much more stringent around this area, but a plan three years in the making is about to come to fruition.  He walks down a set of stairs and enters a door of Parliament, both of which are suspiciously unguarded.  He finds the room he is looking for, then leaves the building again.  As he walks away with his hands in his pockets, the hole in the patrol schedule is still open, ensuring his passage goes unhindered.     

---

November 28th, 2033
Caroline is woken that Monday morning by a call from Commander Seigl.  "There was an attack on the London Parliament--dozens of members are dead.  A briefcase left in the House of Commons released an aerosol biological weapon during a meeting.  The Seraphim are taking credit for the attack.     "  
« Last Edit: April 14, 2014, 06:58:17 PM by Malikane »
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.