NationStates Jolt Archive

"So removed were we from the mind stirring wonders of space that on reflection it is no small wonder that the possibility of alien races had never stirred in our minds. But the blame for our isolation cannot be placed on the comforting blanket which the oceans of our world afforded us, for we were also isolated by a cultural obsession with the "self" that turned our minds inwards thus limiting our capacity for considering the whole community let alone another world of intelligent beings."

-Extract from Eee Zai' Iii's The Cultural And Social Analysis Of Interstellar Revelation

--------------------

O' Ai' Eee's tentacles twitched in anticipation, his semi translucent body pulsed with a faint pink luminescence in his nervousness; this however was merely an unnoticed instinctive expression on his part. His mind and the four pairs of beady black eyes spaced at equal intervals around the circumference of his domed jellyfish head were focused in raw determination on the plastic type sheets he studied. Using his multiple tendrils he raised multiple documents at the same time to study them with each set of eyes, having checked them he replaced them into his brief case to withdraw another set.

Is this one ready?

O' Ai' Eee "jumped" in surprise, his jellyfish shaped body contracting to propel him half a foot through the water as the secretary he had forgotten about addressed him.

Pardon? He replied, quickly pushing his documents back into his briefcase, with his scrutiny he had been too detached from the situation to notice either her body language or note her electro and chemical signals by which his kind conversed.

The Director is ready to see you know, are you ready? She replied, being patient was what she was paid for.

Although O' Ai' Eee's body language positivly screamed unready he conveyed Yes one is ready in a confident enough manner.

The secretary drifted over her desk and proceeded towards the door to which O' Ai' Eee believed concealed his success, wrapping a tendril round the handles twisted shape she pulled it withdrawing the bolt, pushing it open she gestured for him to go in. Tentativly he drifted into the office clutching not only his plans for reaching the great unknowns of space but also acheiving recognition and fortune...

"During my second term in office I was struck by how the Metropolitan-Regional Association was, to put it bluntly, wholly powerless to do anything other than nag. It seems that the only way to get anything done in this day and age is to take your idea and repurpose it so it will seperate the consumer from his well earned Aiii and then go all weak limbed to a potential investor and beg for investment... no wonder we advance forwards in the same manner as a crab..."

-Extract from Eaetz Zaaezt's auto Biography Don't Even Think About Thinking

------------------

O' Ai' Eee proceeded forwards, immediatly held in awe by the room which simply radiated success. The floor was paved with a swirling deep red marble, the pillars and walls of the room had been decorated heavily with bronze and aluminium panels featuring elaborate carvings and patterns reminiscent of Terra's own art deco style. The ceiling, which was also covered with stylized panels of aluminium, remained intimidatingly high above O' Ai' Eee, statues, paintings and assorted pices of furniture and interesting items decorated the room. At the end of the room, placed in front of a wall encompassing window which afforded a view across the the outer reaches of the city and the sea bed which stretched into the distance, rested Aezz' Etz, one of the most successful buissnesmen on the planet. He was a clever, calculating, enterprising, risk taking, oppertunistic man whose personal fortune was so great that many believed he would be unable to turn his funds into material possessions before fate ticked his name; O' Ai' Eee waited in anticipation for what this economic titan would say.

Please sit down

He was also surprisingly cordial. Obeying silently O' Ai' Eee made a few gestures indicating his thanks and rested his head on a steel ring supported by a number of struts.

So O' Ai' Eee

Please call me Oee O' Ai' Eee managed to say.

Very well, one will call the other Oee, feel free to call me Etz. Now then, in essence your proposal to me outlines the methods by which you believe we can expand into space. And have accordingly listed the many benefits of this... but... one wonders is this really possible?

Anything is possible Oee said suddenly forgetting his place, reiterating the belief that the entire Phale A 'Thein species shared.

Of course it is Etz mused, tell me, are you willing to see this to its end? If I were to grant you the nesacery finds that is.

Of course! One is convicted in this and the possibilities space holds, and the oppertunities of course. If one would care to see the designs Oee opened his brief case and quickly went through it for a summary document.

It is not required Etz replied simply, one has had his other designers assess the validity of this ones designs he tilted slightly to look at a large ornate clock which hung from the wall to his left. Oee grew nervous,

So... to what does this one owe this meeting?

Is it not obvious? One had already made the decision. Yes the possibilities of exploring the land masses are intriguing, but for what? Minerals and resources already abundant in our own oceans. There has been a growing interest in space since our exploreres of the surface cast their eyes on the great sparkling darkness, the public mind is readied for the intrigue of space! If we start off this cultural trend and snap up those who have set their minds to this task we could make a fortune in a short time that will more than cover our investment.

Oee was shell shocked and somewhat lost, So this means?

Etz swam up and over his desk and settled next to Oee wrapping a tendril his round Oee's, It means my new employee that if your designs are as valid as you claim then the doors of success and immortality lay before you, we begin tommorrow, the market waits for no man.

"So certain were the technicians and scientists of the age with regard to the near impossibility of space travel that later exchanges with other races would prove them right. What other race was confronted with an additional atmosphere to their own habitat impdeing their ascent into space? If only our atmosphere consisted of the oceans and nothing else! they raved and ranted in their papers, if only we had explored land earlier!, if only we had evolved on land!... for me, the only "if only", was if only we had cameras trained on those so called experts faces when the Aezz' Etz Corporate Board announced the O.A.E Type Rockets surprise success."

-Extract from Ai Eee' Zaeei's Always Right On Reflection- Cultural Attitudes To Advancement

Fourteen tidal changes later O' Ai' Eee stood before the metaphorical fruits of his labour, the O.A.E Type Rocket, named after himself, stood tall, powerful and intimidating; one hundred and twenty two hgih meters of engineering demonstrating the value of determination and hard work. It stood solitary against the blue surroundings of the surruonding ocean, ten seconds to it's launch would testify his work and the short but indepth tests performed to seethe validity of his designs. His future failure or success depended on this, it would propel his people into the future, the universe even in just seven seconds! Getting through the two vastly different atmospheres had been a problem... five seconds. But it had been discovered that using water and gas pressures propelled a vessel not just through water but through air as well... three seconds. After acheiving the maximum possible height and acceleration the initial boosters would drop away allowing the cooled nitrogen thrusters to do the rest... one second All that remained to see was if it worked... ignition.

A sudden torrent of white fizz erupted from the bottom of the rocket, the ground shook as the water was ejected at high velocities which tore into the bedrock of the shallow sea kicking dirt and rock, as it shot up towards the oceans surface and the atmospheres base it was concelaed by a great white cloak of bubbles which obstructed it from view... O' Ai' Eee was greatful, fearing he would have to watch any disasters directly...

"The Space Ascent was the period following the immediate launch of the Aezz' Etz Corporations first rocket and ending with the death of Aezz' Etz and the subsequent dissolution of his buissness empire. This period is recognised in both historical, cultural, economic and scientific circles for it's tremendous impact on all areas of the life. The perceived technological advancement revivied the previously unfavourable design movement termed Futurism."

-Extract from Ooo Aaa Aii's Extended Edition Of Modern Design History

The O.A.E Type Rocket burst from the ocean like a virus erupting from it's host cell, a torrenting cascade of water crashd down upon the surrounding water sending rippiling waves outwards akin to dropping a stone into a small pool. Screeching with unprecedented power it rose upwards on multiple columns of water being forced at high velocities from it's thrusters. Suddenly the column stopped abruptly, anyone close enough to hear it would have heard the roaring of water replaced with the hissing of high pressure gas, in a mere second however six initial boosters were released from it's side, revealing the next stage of boosters, in less than a second after it's water thrust had been terminated it's nitrogen thrusters kicked into life; flaring brilliantly it increased it's already rapid speed and headed up and away in a manner that many races, proud of a similar first acheivement, would have recognised.

The rocket rose up into the atmosphere, shedding it's emptied boosters as it entered new stages of the atmosphere before finally breaking free of the planets atom thin protective coating of molecules; adjusting it's course slightly so it began a gradual arc into a stable orbit around the planet it blazed off and around the planet, dropping a number of crude yet functional sattellites which began taking readings it headed off to slow it's speed for it's future use.

For the Phale A'Theins had not approached this as a governmental effort to acheive a pre-set agenda, this was being done via a corporation with the approval of a hands off yet watchful government, as such they did what capitalists would do best, to get as much as they could out of the situation; which was why the rocket was much more than just the first of it's kind, it would be the first of many things as well.

"It is the hallmark of any successful buissness to prepare and act in short notice to a change in the market, in the same way that a drastic shift in planetary climate wipes out species unsuited for this new environment, a change in consumer demands can make or break a company which is either redundant, or resistant to change; either way the result is the same."

-Extract from Za O' Ah Zaetz's The Basics Of Economic And Commercial Competition- Making Or Breaking The Bank

Wave for the recorder.
Wave? One twitch and this one will be launched towards the nearest star!
Come now, this is a historic moment is it not? Show some enthusiasm.
Enthusiasm, we are floating free several hundred miles above our planet and your asking this one to have some enthusiasm.
Well yes... for the recording.
You nearly lost it a moment ago, one suggests this one be more careful; so curb your enthusiasm!

Irritably Zae Ooo Eaaiii dilligently clipped the camera recorder to the side of his domed helmet containing his central body/head, fixed beneath this a steel tube gave his tentacles room to breath; from this bizzare space suit a number of his covered tendrils protuded in all directions making him and his companion look somewhat ridiculous and inspiring at the same time.

His companion, Eazt Ezt Aiii, was dilligently fumbling the first O.A.E Type Rocket's external control panel which had stabalized with four of his tendrils that were close and long enough to reach, although he remained silent Eaaiii could tell he was frustrated as his tendrils did nothing but pull him to the rockets surface as he pulled against the panel. A while ago Aiii had suggested he grip onto the panel and fire the small rocket propulsion module built into his back; they had foolishly tried it only to have Aiii shoot off into space. It took at least half an hour of chasing, dodging, missing and generally flinging themselves about the place before finally getting back to their own vessel where they had rested; now they were back at the control panel, and behind schedule.

There was no senior complaining to their sensory apparatus thankfully so they didn't have to listen to any annoying reprimands, on the otherhand they were beginning to wonder if something had been left out of their briefing. The first O.A.E Type Rocket which had been blasted up here had been constructed to serve as a space station once it settled, a crude and small one, but a station nonetheless, cornering the market their seniors called it. Two more rockets had been sent out on similar courses carrying supplies before they had been sent up themselves. They had orders to prepare the station for immediate receival of future rockets, establishing a platform for their companies future development.

Accursed currents Aiii said through the speakers, watching him he withdrew a number of tools from his harness and set to work on the panel with them.

Perhaps more pressing was that their "transit", as the scientists had put it, was in the first O.A.E Rocket, demonstrating the companies forward planning to beat the competition long before it could mobolize, unfortunatly that would be the only way down.

Aazzeatz! Eaaiii stirred from his thoughts as Aiii's curse sounded through his head, he emitted a few bursts of his thruster to come closer and could see that the corner of the panel had been bent in his attempts to open it, Aiii pointed with a tendril away from the vessel, turning he saw a shiny pair of grippers floating away into the distance.

Bubbles he muttered in reply, he unhooked his own pair and handed them to Aiii, What now?
Grip the corner this one's unpeeled Aiii replied as he set to work on another corner, Eaaiii did so and tugged at it to no avail.
This ones loosened this end Eaaiii declared, Remove ones crowbars

Together they forced in their crowbars at the edges and pushed, a few moments of straining passed before the panel suddenly "popped" out and lowered.

Success Aiii said, more releaved than happy, he looked at the metal, Seems to have expanded and contracted during it's ascent into space, seems the body cover was not enough.
Make a note?
Certainly.

Aiii moved out of the way so that Eaaiii could access the panel, flicking a number of switches light thrummed through the make shift space station/rocket hybrid, the external hatchway swung open.

Well that's dealt with.
Now these ones merely need to recover the supplies and breathable water from the other supply rockets Aiii dryly observed as they turned and headed back to their small pod of a vessel.

"The Futurism movement is the predominant trend in these exciting times of space development, and although purchasing the alluring products styled along these futuristic free flowing styles is both alluring and brings the purchaser with a sense of style do not be fooled; by all means follow ones personal tastes but do not be swept up in the euphoria. Instead be reassured that the Art Deco styles will re-emerge or absorb this new trend, so remember, be a savvy shopper."

Extract from Aiiez' Eiiz A' Ooo's Fashions, Trends And Consumerist Commentary column of the Eie'Ooo'Ahh'Hai regional paper The Entrepeneur

The Aezz' Etz Corporation was the first to send a rocket into space, the first to send a mobile vessel into space, the first to lift a Phale A'Thein into space, the first to deploy probes into space, the first to invest in Futurism styled commodoties, the first to... well, everything.

Aeii Ooo' Ooo' of A.O.O Advancement Industries had seen it's profits fall, and the spiking declining graph portrayals offended him about as much as they hurt his account. He tossed the print outs across the conference table where important members of his corporate board waited in silence occassionally flicking through their papers.

We're doomed, Aeii declared, Our profits are falling rapidly, soon we'll be breaking even and after that who knows what will happen! Soon this company, MY company, will be loosing profit! That cannot be allowed to happen!
If this one may offer it's opinion sir, Etz' Zez Etz ventured pushing forward a number of documents into the center of the table, The recent market analysists suggest this is a trend sir. Once we pull through this time of changed consumer values we should be back on track.
And how long do you expect that to be?
Well it's difficult to say sir... Ootz?
Their social consumerist trends expert stirred suddenly and slowly produced an answer, It could be soon sir... or maybe the trend will continue for some time...
This one will tell you how long this will last! It will last untill Aezz' builds an accursed monument to himself in space! An architectural wonder they'll call it, he's engraving himself a place in history and we're being left behind!
Please sir, but this o-
Nonsense! We will continue loosing profit untill my reserves either dry up or potential investors dissapearing! Either way it will result in bankruptcy! What legacy is that to leave?!
What of the A.O.O Buildi-
Our, my, industrial architectural monolith will be nothing more than a footnote compared to something such as a... I don't know... hotel in space!
That's not bad si-
Don't interrupt me! Aeii' lofted himself of his chair so he was floating above his executives, I want strategies, proposals, plans, anything to boost revenue or give us an edge! I'm putting the word out all our workers, if any of our lackies come up with something better than any of you then perhaps by board is in need of a refit.
Sir we-
Work to your best ability? Well in that case perhaps i'll need people who have higher abilities yes?
Sir this one-
Yes!
Yes sir! his executives replied unanimously.
Good! Now get out and get working! I don't pay you to float around and disagree with me!

Aeii retretaed from the conference room into his office as his executives swam away hastily, he knew that he'd been overly tough with them, but still, ideas were fair game, the question was why hadn't his people come up with the right ones? Tough buissness was as close his people ever got to war after all...

Hecarefully poured himself a tumbler of concentrated ammonia which drifted slowly to the bottom of his glass, adding a few flavours to it he dipped a tentacle into it and began absorbing it whilst thinking about what had been said... in all honesty, a space hotel wasn't that bad of an idea... the big questions were just the "hows" in that scheme...