24 October 2015IM checked her notes again. The conference was about to start and she was nervous. The last time she had spoken to the Queens she had been more than just a little disrespectful. US had given her a firm dressing down afterwards and revealed that more than just a few of the Queens were now actively considering replacing her. And possibly having her head displayed over the main monitor in Swarm Command as a warning to the next First Governor. That revelation had shocked her just a bit.
Now she had to make a decision as to what their factories should construct next, now that the Commercial Shipyard was scheduled for completion later that day. And not just any decision. Telling the conference they would be doing something 'because she thought it was a good idea' was not going to settle the enormous argument from the day before. She was going to need a reason and numbers to support her decision. And she was going to have to do it without alienating the Queens any further.
"Drone, open the channels. Mute all audio this side" she commanded.
The array of individual screens marking each Hive's feed flickered to life. IM waited as, once again, every Queen began silently speaking at once. Possibly shouting.
"Your Majesties" she began slowly and clearly. "I will discuss each of your suggestions in turn so that we can decide on the best one." One by one the Queens stopped talking so they could listen. Curiousity was sometimes useful.
"First we can eliminate a few options as impractical. There was a suggestion to begin construction of parts for the Myrkuls. Unfortunately, the Myrkuls will be outdated as soon as the new engines are researched, and the engines are the only real component we can produce on the planet. So that simply isn't worth it."
A few of the Queens clearly had comments about this, but IM couldn't hear them.
"Our mineral supplies are not yet so low that we must begin seriously expanding our mining operations. The same goes for the automines as they are even more expensive for the same return. We also have no further need for more infrastructure at this time. We can construct it far faster than we can ship hives at present and we have enough to support about a million Wrix, so we have a sufficient buffer."
"No, we must maintain our focus on our primary goal. The optimal path forward is either Gamma's suggestion of a new research facility or industrial expansion. The question is, which? To detemine that, I will present a few numbers, if you will excuse me. If we start construction on a research facility now, it will be completed in about a year and provide a 30% decrease in the time needed to obtain our engines. According to my numbers, that should mean we get our new engines in two and a half years instead of three and a bit. That is between 16% and 20% reduction."
"If, instead, we expand our industrial capacity, we can improve our total industrial output by about 5% per year. So in the equivalent time, that would be an improvement of about 16%. However, we would also consume the minerals of Wrixom at an equivalently faster rate."
"The final point in favour of the research facility is that the research facility only takes a year of construction before we feel its benefits, while the factories would require three. In closing, I suggest we follow Gamma's suggestion immediately and continue with industrial expansion after its completion. That way we get the quickest benefit. The only question is now, where do we start the construction?"
A number of the other Queens spoke up, but they were still muted. So IM continued. "I feel there has been far too much fighting over these facilities in the past. Hence, my suggestion is that we build the facility somewhere neutral and staff it with drones from ALL hives. That way everyone has access."
"You got lucky" US said.
"They were happy with my analysis" IM replied.
"Our analysis. I spent up all night with you, remember?" The conference was finished and the other Queens had agreed to IM's plans. It appeared they had forgiven her.
"And I thank you for your efforts."
"My pleasure. But don't get comfortable. They have only decided to leave you be for now. If you piss them off again you will probably not do so well."
What is really happening:
Commercial Shipyard completed, so a number of new projects were started. Construction has started on a new research facility and a Myrkul class freighter (plans blow).
On an unrelated note, I will be away for a few days again. Try not to miss me too much
Myrkul class Freighter 10,000 tons 103 Crew 111.4 BP TCS 200 TH 8 EM 0
40 km/s Armour 1-41 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 7 Max Repair 5 MSP
Cargo 5000
Conventional Engine E1 (3) Power 2.5 Fuel Use 10% Signature 2.5 Armour 0 Exp 1%
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres Range 90.0 billion km (26041 days at full power)
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
