The Measure of Insanity
Undisclosed Largentian Asteroid
McBay Military Base was one of the most secret bases in all of Largent. Some of Largent's most secretive meetings and most horrible secrets find a home there. It is burried deep within the asteroid with a small mining station as a disguised entrance.
Today was no different. Several top Largentian officials were gatherine for a top-secret discussion. As Admiral Swanton was escorted through the base he was followed by several men. They soon entered a totally dark bunker wich contained only a small metal table. They took their spots around the table and soon Swanton stood.
"I'm sure that not one of your know why you are here and are probably not accustumed to beeing kept in the dark." The high level officials nodded, urging him to go on. "However, you do know that our previous capital ship is probably outdated by no less than two decades. This is why the High Charter and High Council have given the order to construct a new one. However they request it be no less than 10,000 meters long."
Swanton recieved nothing but blank stares as their brains tried to process the information. Finally one spoke, "That would would cost our entire budget for the next five years! It would take up the cost of an entire fleet."
"I believe thats the point. We don't want the communications issues and coordination problems but with the same firepower. Repairs would also be easier as repair crews wouldn't have to move form ship to ship."
"Well, I shall not object but I would very much enjoy some sort of plans."
"Surely, we have a hull design chosen but no interior or weapons. Thats why you're here." He rolled out a design.
Thay all examined it and agreed that they liked it. Soon they would have to design the rest and decide upon construction.
Tiriq Alanzo wasn't sure how to respond. As he looked at the order he wasn't sure Dyna-Flex would have the capacity to complete it in less than 20 years. He gazed out of his office window upon the space station Squeglia, the largest construction site in all of Largent. As he slowly rotated around Charon he could only think of the monumentous task that lay before him. His terminal still displayed the message:
##Incoming Encrypted Message##
##Decoding...Complete##
##Initiating Files##
Mr. Alanzo, as the director of Dyna-Flex Inc. you have served your country well and honorably. You and the buissness you build from the ground up are the sole contractor for the Imperial Navy. We in the ranks of the Navy have come to trust you which is why we shall give you the task of constructing our new capitol ship. The exact plans are encrypted below, only your personal password will open them. Gooday.
file.23hn14p1l1a2ns.lim
##Terminating Message##
He rubbed his temples and got up. He would have to break the news to his board members. As he entered the board room they were waiting. The ten of them sat around a huge granite table with the Dyna-Flex logo engraved in the middle. Tiriq sat at the head of the table and started the presentation he had created.
He pushed a small button and a hologram progector rose up out of the logo. It first diplayed the plans for the hull and all the systems they were to install. A general feeling of concern and numbness spread over the room. They had no reason to speak up, they all though the same things.
After the presentation Tiri asked for comments and several asked where they had room for such a project. Tiriq answered by saying that they will have to close the station, renevate, and cancel all other current projects. All the men knew it would be a crushing blow to the company's revenue. However, they had an imperial order to fufill and had no choice.
McBay Military Base
The men had finished their meeting and Swanton was leaving. He walked through the mining stations, it was totally empty and a rather strange place, being totally hollow.
He soon boarded his ship and departed for the Largentian homeplanet. The meeting was an overall sucess. He had managed to bully the attendants into agreeing with the plan.
The ride was long and dull. His mind drifted from topic to topic until he could final see his destination. The planet was a dark color and rather ominous.
Finally they had landed and Swanton was met the Emperor's personal assistant. "Well?" The young man asked.
"It went well, thats all you need to know. Now take me to the palace."
The Admiral had little time to change for his presentation to the High Charter and High Council. It was a hard crowd to work but the Emperor was fond of him so it eased the pressure slightly. He dressed in his white uniform cluttered with gold and silver medals from his work over the years. He would have appeared rather reagle to anyone other than a Largentian.
He was escorted by marines from his office to the Charter Room, which was little more than an overly decorated room with enough easy chairs for the hundred five men attending the meeting. After the Emperor commenced the meeting Swanton was called upon for news from the meeting in the Sol.
He stood and walked onto the large marble floor and gazed out of the sea of intimidating faces and began. "As you requested I have informed the requested representitives of the Four Kingdoms of our intended project. There seemed to be hesitation but the eventually warmed up to the idea. However, there is still deliberation as to the exact hull design. The final choice shall be given to Mr. Alanzo at Dyna-Flex.
"The next order of buisness is construction. I contacted Dyna-Flex on my return trip and we discussed construction space and we were informed that all major proojects will have to be halted for no less than twenty years. We will also have to pay form renevations on Squeglia Station, not to mention the added cost of construction. The final cost is upwards of two trillion dollars." There was a murmur amongst the crowd but none of them dared question the Emperor's request for the massive ship.
Swanton soon continued. "As for the interior, Dyna-Flex has confirmed it lacks capacity on Squeglia Station. We will have to find a new site for that phase of construction. One proposed idea is our second sation in the Saturian System. That affair will be taken up with the Dominion once diplomatic discussions commence. So far the whole ordeal looks good and should be completed within the twenty year time frame."
As Swanton finished the Emperor stood and delivered the final twist of the meeting. "As you all will also know, we intend to move our capital to Earth within the next half century. Once this ship is completed it shall be sent there." Again there was murmuring but no opposition.
Squeglia Station
Tiriq rubbed his temples as the construction ships tore dozens of docks away so that the addition could be added. The addition would make the sation contain more than 1000 cubic KM of space. Fortunatley it was being paid for but still, private customers would not be happy having their shuttles delivered to their children rather than themselves.
It was for this reason that Tiriq had all private customers pay in advance. Then he broke the news to them. His headache hadn't let up in over a week and he had taken morre Advil than most do in a lifetime.
It was a trying time and had he not been such a devoted patriot he would have quit his position long ago.
Squeglia Station
The massive black hull was quite imposing to say the least. It was less than a cycle since the construction began and almost a kilometer of the ship's hull was complete. It was a sleek ship and the latest in Largentian technology.
Even to a man under as much stress as Tiriq it was a beautiful ship. It wasn't only good looking but it had a nice price tag on it too. All around the station defense fighter swarmed looking for any sign of hostilities.