United Indiastan
22-01-2004, 10:49
It had been nearly a year since that day when it all started.
Hiren had sat at the wall-sized window, facing the expansive New Delhi skyline, as the sun set. His ministers sat at the table behind him, chatting quietly while he thought abuot what had been discussed. Just what could this all mean...
The subject of the meeting was caused by the news from Io: that the chief nation of Arda was building a gigantic orbital station, presumably with intent to dominate the Jovian sector. While Gammak and Fleet HQ stood, this eventuallity had to be stopped. Sure, their presence on Io could be written off, but steps had to be taken to keep them in that sphere. But what can we do...
"There isn't much we can do, alone, sir." said one of the ministers when the question was posed to them. "But, with international help, we might just be able to contain them. However, it would be much easier to assure Gammak's saftey if we had an increased presence around Jupiter..."
Yes, this they agreed on. Jovian assests had to be increased. After thumbing through the latest inter-solar intelligence files, it appeared that three options were available. First being the natural expansion fothe research base on Ganymede. The planet was largely uninhabited, so this wouldn't be much of an issue. Second, Europa, with its limited natural supply of (frozen) water would make a good second colony site. Here also would be the colonial capital. Lastly, the second largest Jovian moon, Callisto, would be the place of the third colony. It had been agreed that this would be the only way.
Almost as soon as the meeting broke up, bids were requested from the largest construction companies that worked off-world. The contracts would be lucrative, and only so much bidding was to be done. Next, the mining companies were contacted, and told to put together plans for Jovian mining projects of all kinds, on all of the moons and Jupiter itself, save Io. Finally, draft cards were sent out to the unemployed, as they and their families were to be 'recruited' as Jovian colonists. It was expected that the first transport of people, construction workers, would leave for Gammak and Phase 1 Ganymede by the end of the year, less then six months away.
Yes, the Project is finalized, Hiren thought. Now, lets hope it gets some returns...
That was a year ago. Phase 1 was now well underway, with the outer domes, heaters, and power plants installed. But there was still a long way to go...
Hiren had sat at the wall-sized window, facing the expansive New Delhi skyline, as the sun set. His ministers sat at the table behind him, chatting quietly while he thought abuot what had been discussed. Just what could this all mean...
The subject of the meeting was caused by the news from Io: that the chief nation of Arda was building a gigantic orbital station, presumably with intent to dominate the Jovian sector. While Gammak and Fleet HQ stood, this eventuallity had to be stopped. Sure, their presence on Io could be written off, but steps had to be taken to keep them in that sphere. But what can we do...
"There isn't much we can do, alone, sir." said one of the ministers when the question was posed to them. "But, with international help, we might just be able to contain them. However, it would be much easier to assure Gammak's saftey if we had an increased presence around Jupiter..."
Yes, this they agreed on. Jovian assests had to be increased. After thumbing through the latest inter-solar intelligence files, it appeared that three options were available. First being the natural expansion fothe research base on Ganymede. The planet was largely uninhabited, so this wouldn't be much of an issue. Second, Europa, with its limited natural supply of (frozen) water would make a good second colony site. Here also would be the colonial capital. Lastly, the second largest Jovian moon, Callisto, would be the place of the third colony. It had been agreed that this would be the only way.
Almost as soon as the meeting broke up, bids were requested from the largest construction companies that worked off-world. The contracts would be lucrative, and only so much bidding was to be done. Next, the mining companies were contacted, and told to put together plans for Jovian mining projects of all kinds, on all of the moons and Jupiter itself, save Io. Finally, draft cards were sent out to the unemployed, as they and their families were to be 'recruited' as Jovian colonists. It was expected that the first transport of people, construction workers, would leave for Gammak and Phase 1 Ganymede by the end of the year, less then six months away.
Yes, the Project is finalized, Hiren thought. Now, lets hope it gets some returns...
That was a year ago. Phase 1 was now well underway, with the outer domes, heaters, and power plants installed. But there was still a long way to go...