imported_Vales
12-10-2003, 14:08
::Transmission to relevant Nation States::
::Originates Valian Bureau’s of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Science::
::Transmission begins::
The image which appears on most data screens shows a conference room, in which sit three people. All are citizens who sit on the Counsel of Nine, the body that controls the state as a whole. On the right is seated the Secretary of Science, Doctor Vito Aeset a youngish looking man with short curled black hair. His dark eyes are rather disconcerting, since he seems to blink only intermittently. To the left sits the Secretary of Trade, Juliet Harvan. Another younger member of the Counsel, in her mid thirties she has a determined and focused look about her. While in the centre is seated the Valian Foreign Secretary, Essa Routlan. She has an air f authority about her, but a warm and welcoming face. As a grandmother of three she is one of the most experienced members on the ruling counsel, its quite obvious that the other two officials are ready to defer to her and are perhaps even a little unnerved by her presence.
The Foreign Secretary smiles, as do the other two representatives, and then she begins to speak.
“To the various Secretaries, Chairpersons and Presidents of fellow nations we offer you greetings from Vales. We will try not to keep you away from various State matters for very long. Today, after much thought and consideration we have a contract to be tendered, and so are opening the bidding process.”
Pausing to take a sip of water, from the glass sitting in front of her, she smiles and then continues.
“Our space program has, for some years, consisted mainly of sending telecommunication satellites into orbit, limited zero gravity science tests and an effort to refine our rocket propulsion systems. The costs of such endeavours have, in past years, become untenable. Fortunately science fact has recently caught up with science fiction. I’ll now pass you onto our science advisor, Doctor Vito Aeset.”
The young man leans forwards and begins talking quite quickly, “Yes, yes. Thank you. In recent years the discovery of carbon nanotubes and the ongoing development to implement them into a ‘Space Elevator’ has reached a point where we have incorporated it into a working design. A magnetic levitation unit would propel cargo, personnel and service vehicles to a station along the tether, which is anchored to an asteroid or other mass at the end point. We now have the technology to make this work.”
The doctor sat back, obviously relieved that his part in this seemed to be over. Next the Secretary of Trade began to speak, “I am Juliet Harvan, Trade Secretary. My department will co-ordinate the deployment of the project between the contractor and our national corporation, Vanguard Industries. The main problem facing this project is not funding. Factored in over the long term, the Space Elevator will reduce the cost of sending materials into space from $10,000-$40,000 per pound to $100-$1,000 per pound.”
Pressing a button on a control console to her left the message shifts to display figures along the side of the screen. “The problem we face is one of a skilled workforce. The project would need to be completed within seven to ten years, but with our current workforce numbers it would take nearly three times that. The contractor would need to supply a trained workforce, fully equipped to work over that length of time. They would make up approximately 45% of the workforce in construction. Any adaptations to the tether would need to be screened by our Science Bureau, but if they appear to improve the project further rewards would be available.”
Sitting back in her chair the young Trade Secretary offers a small smile, before turning to the Foreign Secretary. “The contract we offer is enclosed, but the main points are as follows.”
As she began to list them they also appear along the side of the message, replacing the figures. “The project is estimated to cost $20-25 billion, the contracted partner would receive $8.2 billion. This would be supplemented by an extra $1.8 billion if budget costs are met and the project is completed on time. Work Visa’s would be granted to the entire imported work force, along with accommodation as necessary within 10km of the work site. Security will be provided for, but upon signing the contract you will be privy to those plans and be free to supplement them as you see fit. $5 billion is factored in for possible improvements upon the design, and is negotiable to a certain degree. Once an acceptable number of bids has been placed we will reconvene to examine them in relation to one another .”
The side window collapses and is replaced by a close up of the Foreign Secretary.
“We would like to thank all interested parties for their time, and the consideration they put into any proposals. We hope to hear from you soon.”
::Valian Counsel of Nine::
::Message Ends::
::Originates Valian Bureau’s of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Science::
::Transmission begins::
The image which appears on most data screens shows a conference room, in which sit three people. All are citizens who sit on the Counsel of Nine, the body that controls the state as a whole. On the right is seated the Secretary of Science, Doctor Vito Aeset a youngish looking man with short curled black hair. His dark eyes are rather disconcerting, since he seems to blink only intermittently. To the left sits the Secretary of Trade, Juliet Harvan. Another younger member of the Counsel, in her mid thirties she has a determined and focused look about her. While in the centre is seated the Valian Foreign Secretary, Essa Routlan. She has an air f authority about her, but a warm and welcoming face. As a grandmother of three she is one of the most experienced members on the ruling counsel, its quite obvious that the other two officials are ready to defer to her and are perhaps even a little unnerved by her presence.
The Foreign Secretary smiles, as do the other two representatives, and then she begins to speak.
“To the various Secretaries, Chairpersons and Presidents of fellow nations we offer you greetings from Vales. We will try not to keep you away from various State matters for very long. Today, after much thought and consideration we have a contract to be tendered, and so are opening the bidding process.”
Pausing to take a sip of water, from the glass sitting in front of her, she smiles and then continues.
“Our space program has, for some years, consisted mainly of sending telecommunication satellites into orbit, limited zero gravity science tests and an effort to refine our rocket propulsion systems. The costs of such endeavours have, in past years, become untenable. Fortunately science fact has recently caught up with science fiction. I’ll now pass you onto our science advisor, Doctor Vito Aeset.”
The young man leans forwards and begins talking quite quickly, “Yes, yes. Thank you. In recent years the discovery of carbon nanotubes and the ongoing development to implement them into a ‘Space Elevator’ has reached a point where we have incorporated it into a working design. A magnetic levitation unit would propel cargo, personnel and service vehicles to a station along the tether, which is anchored to an asteroid or other mass at the end point. We now have the technology to make this work.”
The doctor sat back, obviously relieved that his part in this seemed to be over. Next the Secretary of Trade began to speak, “I am Juliet Harvan, Trade Secretary. My department will co-ordinate the deployment of the project between the contractor and our national corporation, Vanguard Industries. The main problem facing this project is not funding. Factored in over the long term, the Space Elevator will reduce the cost of sending materials into space from $10,000-$40,000 per pound to $100-$1,000 per pound.”
Pressing a button on a control console to her left the message shifts to display figures along the side of the screen. “The problem we face is one of a skilled workforce. The project would need to be completed within seven to ten years, but with our current workforce numbers it would take nearly three times that. The contractor would need to supply a trained workforce, fully equipped to work over that length of time. They would make up approximately 45% of the workforce in construction. Any adaptations to the tether would need to be screened by our Science Bureau, but if they appear to improve the project further rewards would be available.”
Sitting back in her chair the young Trade Secretary offers a small smile, before turning to the Foreign Secretary. “The contract we offer is enclosed, but the main points are as follows.”
As she began to list them they also appear along the side of the message, replacing the figures. “The project is estimated to cost $20-25 billion, the contracted partner would receive $8.2 billion. This would be supplemented by an extra $1.8 billion if budget costs are met and the project is completed on time. Work Visa’s would be granted to the entire imported work force, along with accommodation as necessary within 10km of the work site. Security will be provided for, but upon signing the contract you will be privy to those plans and be free to supplement them as you see fit. $5 billion is factored in for possible improvements upon the design, and is negotiable to a certain degree. Once an acceptable number of bids has been placed we will reconvene to examine them in relation to one another .”
The side window collapses and is replaced by a close up of the Foreign Secretary.
“We would like to thank all interested parties for their time, and the consideration they put into any proposals. We hope to hear from you soon.”
::Valian Counsel of Nine::
::Message Ends::