NationStates Jolt Archive

After recent turbulences, The Iron Fragment, the (slightly) acclaimed nation run by a mechanical population, has been able to stabilize it's resource supply, big thanks going to various nations who donated extra resources used to build an iron refinery and oil derrick (you know who you allare, big thanks to all of you). Now, while the economy is still definitely not the best, the resource flow is steady.

Though they would not want to be glum in this situation of happiness, the leading programs have begun to devise how to further gather resources, for the island The Fragment currently resides in is not very abundant. Following a recent boom of other nations' plans to populate it, The Fragment, too, is sending a small group to the inhospitable landscape of Antarctica. Having bought a small island off the mainland coast from Shinoxia (OOC: God I hope I'm spelling that correctly), the programs are sure that this was a wise move. In return for this, The Fragment will be sharing 25% of found oil to Shinoxia. The facility will not be a militant one, but purely for oil drilling and research of Antarctican landscape.

Although their original plan was to travel along with The Zoogie People, who are also going off for the South Pole, The Fragment's leaders have become impatient with glee and are already preparing to leave. Also, a new series of leader programs, the B0-series, is being made to regulate foreign Fragment outposts. The first program, B01E, will be soon setting off with 200 research and industrial droids for Antarctica. Good luck for him and the others!

Having secured their source of oil, the supercomputer has begun to think of a foreign source of iron ore, the next most important resource, to colonize. The Andes in South America are a valid candidate.

Australia! Lots of iron and copper there.

Australia! Lots of iron and copper there.

Well, we're still planning about it. Though as we understand, Australia is a heavily contested area. Well, contested might not be the best word, but populated. Either way, we might not be that welcome.

------

200 droids were being shuffled into the large and simple transport ferry, along with 50 guard droids with built-in AK-74's. It would be a long trip, and some protection would be needed if any pirates attempted to stop their ship.

B01E gazed with his camera at the ship, then revolved back towards the island. He shared acknowledging looks with the five A0-programs. During his short life on the island, the A0-programs had become certain kinds of big brothers for B01E. They had been around back when the Fragment had still floated stationary in orbit, and had survived the launch back to Earth. B01E had gone through no large events, but he would certainly do something remarkable in Antarctica.

"The ship will be returning to the outpost every two months," A01E informed the younger B0-program. "We expect you to stand the derrick up soon. The industrial droids have had the steps programmed into them, so you will only have to supervise the procedures."

"That I will," B01E answered.

"If the research droids discover any interesting facts about Antarctica, we expect you to send them ASAP via the Internet," A05E ordered, always interested in new information.

"I will, though I can't promise the connection will be open often, what with the hazardous weather and all," B01E said.

"Of course, but attempt regularly. Good luck on your voyage."

"And good luck on controlling the mainland," B01E wished them goodbye, then revolving towards the ferry-boat, ordered it's spider-like, hydraulic transport droid to begin loading onto the ferry as the last few research droids climbed in. Soon, the boat began to drift, the engines humming sluggishly as it began to gain speed.