[hr] [center][h1][color=0054a6][b]New Horizon United[/b][/color][/h1][/center] [hr] [b]Destiny's Decend, Main entrance[/b] "Everyone, please stay away from the fences. You will be processed as soon as possible." yelled an Exo-Suit trooper through his mic. They were lucky that they had the time to places the fences around. Just like with every other corporation and colony still standing, NHU began to get a refugee problem. But the CEO made a tough call. Most citizens disliked the decision. Even though it was explained why it was made. Refugees were one by one interviewed. If their skills were deemed valuable they were allowed to enter. If not, they were politely requested to remove themselves. Nobody listened. And with only 5 recruiters interviewing applicants, it was a slow process. Outside the fences, an improvised tent camp formed. Those who weren't allowed to enter but didn't want to go anywhere else just staid. Hoping New Horizon would change their mind. The chances were small in that. "Hey you! Step back from the fence!" yelled one of the security guards. With the lack of Taser or Less-Than-Lethal bullets, they were forced to walk around with live ammo. This particular security guard had seen a man, someone who clearly crawled through dust with torn clothes, trying to climb the fence. "Get down the fence! Now!" The guard was getting restless. There were no given orders when someone tried to climb the barricade. But the man didn't listen. A mixture of desperation and following the order to let nobody in made the guard pull the trigger. A warning shot flew over the head of the man. Who looked wide-eyed at the guard. He dropped back on the ground on the good side of the fence and ran into the masses waiting at the entrance. [hr] [b]Destiny's Decend, R&D wing, offices[/b] Isabelle fell back into her chair, exhausted. She had just returned from Digsite Alpha. From the Dropship she had a clear view of the refugees amassing before the main entrance. As a civilian herself she worried for those people. She knew that Jonathan couldn't help them all. They were a corporation. At the end of the year, they had to have a plus on their balance. And a CEO could not promise that while giving out water bottles to everyone outside. Back in the R&D, she now had to do the most boring thing of all time. Paperwork. She was jealous of her co-workers. Their fun was just beginning. They were actively toying around with the metal: Isabomium. Named after her. They had quickly made several servers with instead of copper, that special metal. While quickly tailoring together a sever side AI. That server was now controlling all clean up drones in Destiny's Descend. Which resulted in an improvement of efficiency of almost 200%. Those were the first tests. Networking basic OS systems like those Drones with a Sever side AI. Now began the real task. As she looked out the window into the main lab, she saw the 5 humanoid platforms. 2 legs, 2 arms and something that had to pass for a head that was filled with all sorts of sensors. The first prototypes with built in AIs who'd be networked back to another AI in a server. she couldn't wait for the first tests. Even Jonathan was stoked for the results. She knew, because the creation of an entire new complex was resting on these results. [hr] [b]Destiny's Descend, CEO office[/b] Jonathan watched the footage of Elysium again. The images were burned into his mind by now. SkyGuard drones, firing on everything that moved in the once great city. That place was no longer just a battlefield. It was a slaughter. A massacre. A knock on the door broke his focus. His commander entered the room. "You wanted to see me, sir?" he asked in his near military tone. Serving on several mercenary groups had made him rigid. "If I would publicly denounce SkyGuard. What would be the reactions?" Jonathan was looking over the message he had typed and re-typed the past few days. "From who’s standpoint? SkyGuards or someone else?" Philip asked his boss, expressionless. "Both." "SkyGuard won't be happy. The way I see it, they want to beat everyone into obedience. But they already attacked the people. If they'd attack and destroy a corporation, then they could lose Mars entirely. From the people's standpoint, two things could happen. One, they will praise you. So far I don't think a corporation took a stance to condemn SkyGuards actions. At least not in public. On the other hand, you could be seen as a hypocrite. Especially with this many refugees before our gate." Philip answered with no change of tone. As a commander, he felt the obligation to remain a professional, neutral stance in the matter. "Thank you, commander. You may go." And with that, Philip removed himself. Jonathan kept looking at the broadcast message. He had everything riding on SkyGuard having the good sense not to attack them. But they already turned Elysium into a slaughter house. He wouldn't risk it. New Horizon was yet too small. But he did sent a message over to Eudaimonia Colony. Their neighbors: [hider=Private Channel Message, NHU -> Pentagral Indusstries] To: CEO Melanie Winters From: CEO Jonathan DeLaLune. Miss Winters I will assume that refugees are currently flooding your colony. As they are flooding my company. With SkyGuard running lose and terrorists running amok, I will assume that security is at the top of your agenda. In these difficult times, we must stand together. I want you to offer my support in the form of 2 Harassers and a squad of 10 exo-suited troops. See it as a small gesture of goodwill. [/hider] Some parts were meant. But all in all, it was more of a tactic decision. With Elysium down, Jonathan had to think long-term. That meant export. And you can't export without a space-elevator or space port. Infrastructure Eudaimonia Colony had. Offering them now help might secure a form of alliance for later. When he'd want his metal off Mars. Towards Jupiter maybe.