NationStates Jolt Archive


Selling the homeworld...sorta

imported_Berserker
08-08-2004, 02:09
Jonathan stared at the ceiling, arms streched, yawning. The board room was dim and deathly silent. The only light was the cool blue glow of a vid screen waiting for something to happen.

Jonathan rocked forward and glanced about the table. Half the committee was asleep, and the rest were either day dreaming or entirely to interested in their coffee.
One lifted her head from her arms, the imprint of her wristwatch on her forehead.
"Maybe we could just give it away?" She half asked, half explained.

Another member simply muttered no, not bothering to lift his head from the table.

The committee was in a rut. Ever since the Liberty incident, people had been leaving the Sutherland in droves. The area was practically deserted, save a few farmers, but they too would probably leave soon. Liberty was to be rebuilt, but it appeared that the people wouldn't be there to populate it. Furthermore, the area economy was practically non-existant, not good for a city. What to do with all of that land weighed heavily on the government.

"We could sell it." Jonathan added.

"Where the fuck have you been, that's what we've been trying to do. The citizens ain't interested though." Came the reply from the head of the table.

"No shit Jane, but I didn't mean to our people."

A few heads raised.

"Looks like the Dominion is looking for some land."

"That's crazy Jon, no one would go for..." Jane began, but Jonathan cut here off. "Worth a shot. Besides, better than sitting in here all day."

Jane nodded, despite the soft chair, her ass was beginning to hurt. "Perhaps...but you get to be the one to talk to the boss. Draft a letter."

____________

To: Dread Lady Nathicana
From: The Jingoistic Hegemony of Berserker

My lady,
It seems that we are both having land troubles. You're looking for some extra-terrestrial real-estate, and we're sitting on some land that isn't doing us much good. Care to talk?

- Jonathan Dashin
- Ministry of Land
Dread Lady Nathicana
08-08-2004, 04:59
The offer came as a bit of a surprise, she had to admit. She had thought perhaps a small bit of something in the Common Area perhaps, though there wasn’t much to it. A foothold. One more place to carry on their heritage, keep a record of their history. And admittedly, a place to help take off some of the pressure from a burgeoning population. The fact that they wanted to talk …

Perhaps offering a bit more? Lets see just how much.

Dear Mr. Dashin,

I am most definitely interested in further investigating what you may have to offer. Perhaps we could arrange a time to meet, or set up a teleconference or the like? I’m certain from our missive you have an idea of our needs and goals. Lets see how we can work together to best benefit both our nations as you suggest.

--Nathicana D’Aquisto
imported_Berserker
10-08-2004, 03:00
To: Dread Lady Nathicana
From: Mr. Dashin

Ma'am,

I believe it would be best to meet here, on Titan at XXXX date. May be best to have some real-estate to look at while we negotiate.
Dread Lady Nathicana
10-08-2004, 20:12
To Mr. Dashin,

I believe this arrangement should work nicely. I'll dress appropriately then, for a bit of a hike? And I'll likely be accompanied by a couple of my sec officers. You know how protective Security can get. I look forward to a productive meeting.

--Nathicana D’Aquisto
imported_Berserker
11-08-2004, 19:36
Sometime later...

Jonothan stood, squinting into the morning's light, Saturn already well overhead. Behind him the ocean lapped lazzily upon the coral colored beach below.

As he drank his morning coffee, he scanned the sky for any sign of the Dread Lady's transport.

Behind him one could once see Liberty in the distance, but the horizon seemed flat, empty. A fishing boat floated near the shore, a few fishermen fighting some shallow water fish.

I've never met Nathicana before, I wonder if she is as rumored.
Dread Lady Nathicana
12-08-2004, 02:17
Nathicana guided her shuttle from the bay of the Machin Shin, jacked in and already in contact with the local authorities and acquiring clearance to land on Titan. The escort irked her, but she knew it was necessarry. Or at least, was one of those things she needed to accept as graciously as possible.

Grace however, was something she was running a bit short on lately.

She came in fast, making a low run of the perimeter, getting a quick feel for the area before bringing the Tempest in for a smooth, swift landing.

Still can't believe the damage, she thought, brows knit as she thought back to everything that had gone on at the time. Was a terrible loss.

Nathi ran over her post flight checks as she always did, jacking out when she was satisfied all was in proper order and unbuckling her harness. She rose smoothly, brushing a hand over her khakhis and white cotton shirt. Grabbing her jacket off the back of the other seat, she tugged it on as she made her way back towards the hatch, slipping on her sunglasses and adjusting her cap while walking down the ramp with a confident stride, her sturdy hiking boots .

Extending her hand, she approached the man, offering up a winning smile even as her off hand itched to draw her gun if needed. "Mr. Dashin, I presume? Nathicana. Why don't you show me what you have in mind."
imported_Berserker
12-08-2004, 16:21
"Ah yes, the infamous Dread Lady herself." Dashin took her hand and returned her smile. Dashin was considered the most brash and daring of the committee, and that's why he was chosen to meet Nathicana, the others were too afraid to do it.

He handed her a datapad* and then turned around and headed for the cliff. "If you'll follow me."

"We are going to hike down to the beach and then up it a couple kilometers to a checkpoint. At this point a zipcraft will pick us up and take us to another checkpoint where we will disembark again and proceed on another hike. We will do this till I'm satified you've seen all the terrain offered."

They approached what appeared to be a large gully, and Dashin motioned to follow him into it. A creek ran down the center of the gully until it descended to the beach, where it cut across into the ocean. He followed it down the shallow incline, occasionally warning of loose rocks.

When they reached the bottom, the immediate area was a mass of boulders and other large rocks all a similar color to the cliff and beach. The further out they walked, the smoother the rocks became. He walked out nearly to the breakzone and then proceeded south along the water.
"Any questions"



*The datapad displays the following links:
Land Area: X# km.
Land Area to be sold: Y# km
Terrain Analysis
Mineral Survey
Hydrological Survey
Flora
Fauna
Other
Dread Lady Nathicana
12-08-2004, 16:52
“Infamous, is it?” she said with a laugh. “I didn’t think I’d quite hit that level of notoriety yet.” She nodded as he explained the plan for the day, rather glad to be out and about rather than stuck behind a desk, however comfortable her offices were. Her last trip to Titan had resulted in a short hunt with ‘the boys’, and it had refreshed her a taste for the outdoors. Definitely a much needed positive experience after her previous excursion in the Dominion. Looking over the datapad occasionally as they walked, she pondered thoughtfully.

That’s quite a bit of land, that is, an ‘exotic’ locale, good resources … and beachfront property to boot. I could see this place being in high demand. It’s beautiful.

“Lets get right to the point, Mr. Dashin. The Liberty tragedy has driven your people off from the area, yes? It’s the only reason I can see you needing or wanting to part with this particular chunk of real estate. What are your expectations should this deal go through? What limitations, cooperative efforts, and other such details are you intending here?”
imported_Berserker
12-08-2004, 17:26
"First off, we're selling the land south of negative thrity-second latitude, with one exception, but I'll address that later."

"We will expect you to pay for the land, of course, but the method and timing will be negotiable. The ministry of trade would also like to set up some more advanced trading agreements, which brings me to that exeption."

"The city of Liberty, what's left of it, exists 50 kilometers south of the negative thirty-second. The top has already appropriated a massive amount of funds to rebuild the city, and we would like to keep a four hundred and fifty kilometer area around the Liberty site. It measures roughly 15 by 30 kilometers. We can sell any excess surface land at a later date."

Dashin momentarily gaged the Dread Lady's expression and continued. "There is also the matter of the Caves of Steel Network and various small communities. Unlike northern Berserker, where the caves network is practically everywhere, here it is mainly localized around Liberty, with transportation branches going to outlying communities. You would have access to the transportation branches through the hubs in each community, however the habitable area of the network falls within the 450 square km area, and we would like to keep that as well."

"However, if you wish to develop your own habitable network area, we can help you do so."

"It is our belief that Liberty, once rebuilt, will serve as an excellent trading center for the two of us."
Dread Lady Nathicana
12-08-2004, 22:04
“Of course,” she replies to his comments on payment and arrangements, as well as trade. Always good to set up good relations with the neighbors.

“I’ve a passing familiarity with the Caves. An impressive piece of engineering, that. For now I think, building topside would be a good place to start, as you say, with links to the network in the communities. However, I would like to put plans in place to develop an underground complex as well. I don’t think we’ll be able to stretch our funds far enough to work on both, not with all the expansion we’re currently working towards, you see. Your engineers' and architects’ expertise on such things would be greatly appreciated. I’m certain my people would benefit from and enjoy learning the techniques that go into such development.”

She pauses thoughtfully for a moment. “Perhaps we could assist as well in the rebuilding as part of our trade and a good will measure?”
imported_Berserker
17-08-2004, 07:05
Dashin paused for a moment, lost in thought for a moment.
"Well, I'm not the man to make that decision, but it does sound like an intruiging idea. We could possibly even lower the price of the land, depending on the services rendered."

"Now, the current communities aren't in the mediterannean styling you're probably familiar with. Their close to Old Earth japanese in stylings, though you'll find all the modern technology in them. You can choose to either keep them, or tear down and rebuild if you do purchase the land. Most people like them due to the fair weather of the area, but I'm sure your tastes are different."

"Back to the area at hand. We are currently walking along the coral beaches, named for obvious reasons (the color). I'm not a fisherman, but I hear that the fishing off the coast is quite excellent. Infact some of the finest Lobster and crab can be found along the coast here."

Dashin smiles warmly at Nathi, "I should warn you though, big fish attract even bigger sharks," almost winking as he says this.
Dread Lady Nathicana
17-08-2004, 18:03
"Current communities ... il dio, in all the other details I missed that completely," Nathi said, surprised. "Seems I'm slipping. I was thinking of undeveloped land ... my, my that does change a few things."

She smiled broadly, pondering the implications of that. "In that case, our funds would indeed be better spent developing underground, as there are ready-to-live-in communities available. I should think the local style would be refreshing to citizens. A taste of the exotic," she paused, tapping one finger against her lips thoughtfully, nodding with satisfaction.

"Mr. Dashin, I believe this is going to be a very beneficial deal for the both of us, indeed. As for the sharks, have no fear. Most of our borders are ocean after all. My people should find at least that aspect pleasantly familiar, though the larger breeds of animals you tend to have here on Titan may take a little getting used to for some. In fact, I may need to set up a place for myself, here. A home away from home as it were ... " Nathicana trailed off, then shook her head slightly, getting back to the task on hand.

"I think that working with the current architectural styles would be intriguing. Blend nicely with existing, provide that far-off feel folks looking to expand are hoping for ... yes, I think that should work well. I trust you'll put me in touch with those who can make decisions about that trade and work on Liberty, yes? It isn't a deal-breaker by any stretch, so don't worry yourself there. I'm liking what I'm seeing. And I think our colonists will as well."
imported_Berserker
31-08-2004, 03:45
"Sounds excellent ma'am."

As they came around a bend, he motioned to a zip craft parked on a pad on the beach.

"If you would ma'am, I'd like to fly you a little inland and show some different scenery."
Dread Lady Nathicana
31-08-2004, 05:06
"I'd be delighted, Mr. Dashin," Nathi assures him. "Please, lead the way. Have to admit, I'm enjoying the trip."

She smiles and follows along, checking out the shuttle as they board with her usual curiousity.