Keyguyperson

The New Order(Post WW3 RP)

Gateway California, Mojave Desert
Fergus' feet slowly trudged through the garden on its gravel trail, biting his lip nervously. Every step he took was filled with fear, fear of what would come. There were so many things that could go wrong, and if any of them did go wrong, well... there goes the funding. Sure, Fergus was rich, but not nearly rich enough to accomplish his goals, so he had approached David Wilson and asked for funding. He promised great rewards, beamed solar power, Helium-3, orbital weaponry, and the extension of NAF rule of course. He accepted, but he certainly didn't know that Fergus didn't actually care about any of that. To him, the entire corporation was nothing more than a means to an end. The oil was nothing more than a kick-start, the natural gas there to build up capital. Solar power a good image, medical businesses to help people along the way. The war was perfect as well, giving him a chance to improve relations with the government. Everyone thought KTCI existed to make money, but on this day that interpretation would be challenged by KTCI itself.

Looking around him, Fergus saw a sight much different from most towns in the NAF. Other places were mostly slums, the middle class had all but disappeared despite all the government efforts against it, and the upper class was just as small as before. In Gateway, however, the standard of living was much higher. Houses might all look the same, but all of them had two stories and ten rooms, running water, electricity, and multi-gigabyte internet connections. Food was clean, and the water was cleaner. Even the work week was better, with a whole day taken off (Wednesday to be exact). It was unfortunate that this standard was not the norm elsewhere, but one step at a time. Can't change the whole world overnight.

But you can inspire it Fergus thought, feeling the ground tremble beneath his feet. He looked up at the sky, the shining stars calling out to him. Their calls wouldn't last, because they were soon obscured by a rising cylinder riding on a tail of fire into the night sky. The Starfire mission, first space launch since the war. Everybody thought that there was no chance of returning to space, with the global economy in shambles and so many dead. Of course, somebody had to prove them wrong. And proving people wrong was Fergus' specialty. They said he'd never become anything, then "Fergus McClain" became a household name. They said he'd never be loved, then he got married. They said he'd never be able to pay off his family's debt, then he became a billionaire. Now he just sent six people up into the very place that nobody thought humans would return to within the century.

KTCI Broadcast to All Governments/Organizations
"This is CEO Fergus McClain of KeyTech Combined Industries. The citizens of the NAF already know this, but none of you do. At eleven-hundred hours PTZ yesterday, a ballistic device was launched from a secret KTCI facility in the Mojave Desert. This is not a missile, it is a chemical rocket that is part of the KTCI Planetes program. It is carrying a capsule containing six astronauts into low Earth orbit, in which they will remain for two days before returning. This is the first manned spaceflight since the ISS was brought down in 2016, and believe it when I say that there's a lot more coming!"

The New Order(Post WW3 RP)

TheEvanCat said
I don't know if you'd even need two million people unless you had a bazillion research labs with enough employees as there are Walmarts. It'd probably be even lower than that because of automation advances.A company doesn't want more employees: that's more money you have to pay, especially for researchers.

Yeah, good point about the automation too. I'll adjust again.

The New Order(Post WW3 RP)

TheEvanCat said
> Two million employees.I think that surpasses the largest employer in the world right now: Walmart.

No it doesn't. Walmart has slightly more employees than I listed. However, it honestly should be lower, but not by much, because Walmart doesn't operate any research labs that I know of.

The New Order(Post WW3 RP)

Name of Group: KeyTech Combined Industries (KTCI)

Type: Multinational Corporation

Assets:
-Multiple Solar farms around the world, most of them in the NAF
-Rocket test site in Mojave Desert (Secret)
-Rocket launch site in Mojave Desert (Secret)
-HQ, also in Mojave Desert
-Multiple factories (With a wide range of outputs), located outside the NAF in places like China and Taiwan to evade nationalization. Wages follow NAF minimums, which in China and Taiwan are insanely lucrative.
-Multiple research centers, all located in the NAF
-Several smaller companies in nearly all areas considered "technological", such as pharmaceuticals, programming, genetics, aerospace, oil drilling, even for-hire services such as a think tank. Of particular note is the fracking and refinery company that was the very beginning of KTCI

Personnel: 1,279,000, employed across a number of different divisions and sub-divisions. Mostly made up of factory workers and researchers.

History: KeyTech began as a small start-up in 2018, exploiting an untapped oil reserve in Louisiana. The land the oil reserve was under had been inherited by Fergus McClain after his mother died. The oil reserve had always been known, but his father refused to sell off the land or develop it for sentimental reasons. When the father died, everything he owned was passed on to his wife (There had been a falling out between Fergus and his parents). However, not long after, Fergus' mother died as well. With no surviving relatives, she had to give everything to Fergus in her will or give it to someone outside of the family (Which neither of Fergus' parents would ever do). When Fergus got the land, he immediately began developing it despite being halfway through college, founding the company now known as KeyTech. (He named it KeyTech in reference to his own unpublished short story, though the name also fit with his long term goals).

Due to the oil shortage beginning to hit, he was able to force an astronomical price on buyers, creating huge profits for himself. Using that money, he quickly expanded into actually refining the oil (As well as adding multiple more drilling locations both on land and at sea), then selling the product at prices lower than the refineries he continued to sell to, driving them out of business and making himself the best option while still making a huge profit. He then stopped selling crude oil to other companies, forcing them to go to drilling businesses with less desirable outputs and prices. With his oil drilling operation bringing in so much money, he opened up fracking operations anywhere that would allow him to do so, taking great care to make sure everything was safe. Along with the fracking, he opened up natural gas processing centers to complement his refineries. For a while he simply built up capital, the corporation that once made near constant news with announcements of new endeavors becoming nothing more than a common name associated with fossil fuels which continued to drive the economy.

Then, KTCI made headline news when it broke ground on the largest solar energy plant in the world, a 1,000 megawatt behemoth capable of powering 900,000 homes with clean energy. Aside from being record breaking, it was also a solar power planet being built by a company so far connected with natural gas and oil. Another surprise decorated the front of newspapers later that year, announcing that KTCI had merged with First Solar (One of the largest solar power companies in the US). However, that wasn't the only merger KTCI participated in. Later that year, it was announced that they had merged with Gamble & Baxter, pharmaceutical companies. It was probably around that point at which KTCI was an acceptable villain for Cyberpunk stories, as it might as well have changed its name to "Megacorp" when the merger occurred. (Note: All mergers so far mentioned gave the former CEO of the merged company control over it was a division of KTCI, while also giving them a percentage of all KTCI profits). Notably, KTCI operated nearly all of its factories in China and Taiwan, but followed United States labor laws. When asked by, Fergus McClain responded "Here in the states most people either live off of welfare or have a job with a living wage, that's not true in some places across the Pacific. In China, for example, people commit suicide over their jobs and live in company provided housing that's actually worse than no shelter at all. I have an opportunity to help people over there with negligible losses, so I might as well take it."

Over the following years, KTCI continued to merge with much smaller businesses such as independent labs and think tanks, amassing huge assets and using the profits to open yet more solar farms and natural gas related operations. By the time we war began the oil reserves once used by KTCI had run dry, but instead of abandoning the sites they auctioned the land off at reduced prices. The sea operations, however, were gifted to the US Navy to be used as refueling outposts and guard towers. They also fielded medical personnel on the battlefield, as well as doing extensive research into frontline medical solutions. Despite the support, KTCI refused to research or build weapons and armed vehicles no matter who asked. Everything they sold to the military was either medical or related to transport, and all transport vehicles they built came with a contract requiring the buyer to not arm the vehicle with any lethal weapons or carry any such weapons. Obviously, they didn't sell many vehicles as a result. However, their medical services were a great boon to the allied military, and earned them warm relations with allied governments.

When the NAF was formed, KTCI realized that it would have to fight for its independence from the government. Fergus McClain hired the best lawyers he could get his hands on to make his case against the nationalization of KTCI. Luckily, the good relations he had cultivated during the war made the fight easy and KTCI was allowed to stay autonomous so long as it gave up certain operations to the NAF Government (Those operations being about one tenth of the natural gas operation, which was no longer the flagship endeavor of KTCI). After the settlement, Fergus McClain ordered the secret construction of multiple facilities dedicated to aerospace R&D, as well as a rocket test facility and a launch pad in the Mojave Desert (Where the HQ had been moved shortly before). Those facilities are still shrouded in secrecy, with no mention of even the type of research being conducted given. However, Fergus has promised to reveal it all eventually.

Other: I request permission from Duck on the history relating to the NAF. Thank god I finally came up with an idea that I could actually invest thought into. I am well aware that what I have written is not completely economically realistic, but honestly, the former USA is now socialist. I think we can excuse my inaccuracy when it isn't glaringly obvious to all of humanity.

Void of the Stars II: Return to the Stars [Sci-Fi] [Always Accepting]

Children of the Phoenix
"While I am but a specialist, I know I speak for all the Children of Lakfakalle when I say that we welcome this alliance! The myths tell of the days when we stood tall with our allies, and we shall stand tall with them again! Diversity is power!"

Colonial Report, Colony 01, Unnamed Planet
[Transmission Origin=Office, Governor Asta Gunvor[/b]
[Transmission Target=L.C.F. Colonial HQ, Lakfakalle]
[Begin Audio Playback]
"This planet appears to be perfectly suitable for long-term habitation by the Children of Lakfakalle. The prefab shelters have been deployed, and we are already moving into new, more permanent ones. In contrast to the Abh continent of Lakfakalle, the large flora here have no wood, and instead resemble bamboo, just much larger. Just across the lake we settled next to, there are truly massive 'bamboo trees', large enough to be a whole house. Many of us are simply cutting into these and adding in flooring, creating mostly natural apartment buildings. The colonists have independently begun connecting these settlements using bridges. It's a shame I can't send you a picture though, our comms equipment isn't good enough."

Void of the Stars II: Return to the Stars [Sci-Fi] [Always Accepting]

Lakfakalle
Ekuryua stared at the disk, then at Celestia. Fairlan's antennae suddenly whipped around to point at it, and the mouths of all the other diplomats dropped (aside from Moko's, being a Dolphin, her expression of surprise was somewhat incomprehensible to 'land swimmers').
"No more grav rings, no more cancer, no more ten foot ship hulls... I... I know its almost certainly worthless to you, but take this."
She handed an adaptive datastick to Celestia, a deceptively primitive device.
"This will automatically redesign to accommodate your computer systems. It contains the message 'Thank you' in all the languages of Lakfakalle, information regarding recreational activities, and all our research into the warp drive and negative mass antigravity. Though I doubt either of those will be of any use to you, think of it as a cultural exchange of the highest level. As was once said by Founder Velias, 'Nothing says more about a society than the games they play and the devices they have created'."

Void of the Stars II: Return to the Stars [Sci-Fi] [Always Accepting]

Lakfakalle
"Personally, no." said Ekuryua "However, reports from Captain Miklan and Commander Natālija have stated that they have been feeling Deja Vu while near your people. Miklan in particular says he feels safe around you in the same way he feels safe near close and old friends. The existence of the Triarian Collective corresponds with our myths of the ancient times in which our people sailed throughout the stars as we have begun to do now. As for trade routes, our nation has no interstellar transport vessels, only the Starfire and Challenger. The first is an exploratory vessel and the second is a warship, neither can be freed up for trade duty. However, we are currently working on other FTL technologies that wouldn't require a special drive. Of particular interest to us are Miklan-Rosa Tubes, and of course the mythical Fath, but nobody has ever seen a Sord. Perhaps we could pool our resources towards one of those goals, it would make interstellar travel cheap enough for average citizen. On the Defensive Pact, consider it written and signed. Our docks are open to you and all military assets we have will be ordered to put your distress calls at top priority. There is no such thing as being too prepared."
As she finished speaking, Fairlan and Emily entered the room, now wearing formal uniforms. Fairlan's antennae were curved to his right, towards Emily, who still seemed quite embarrassed over the whole thing.
"A thousand apologies for our inappropriate clothing earlier, it was a necessity for the descent in our landing craft." Said Fairlan hurriedly.
"Please forgive us." Added Emily.
A quick look from President Jinto Lynn told the two that the Equestrians had no idea what wearing a M.I.S.S. suit meant, their jaws relaxed, but they appeared no less embarrassed.

LIV Challenger
Having not recieved a response, the Challenger decided to make a quick jump to the asteroid belt where the contact was taking place. Seeing what they thought were oddly-shaped asteroids and an obvious alien fleet, the ship opened a channel with the fleet, assuming that they had translated English due to being in contact with the Equestrians.
"This is the Lakfakalle Cooperative Federation Interstellar Vessel Challenger, we have recently colonized the most habitable planet in this system and have chosen to contact your people in order to secure relations with surrounding nations. To make ourselves clear, we are not looking for conflict, but will defend our claim to the planet we have chosen for colonization."

Void of the Stars II: Return to the Stars [Sci-Fi] [Always Accepting]

I'm going to be camping for the next few days, I'll try to post from my phone. My posts will be of much lower quality due to this.

Void of the Stars II: Return to the Stars [Sci-Fi] [Always Accepting]

NewSun said
Just so i'm getting the just of this correctly, how much time has passed IC between things going haywire and things presently? The figure 50,000 comes to mind but i'm not sure if that's what i'm thinking.

Yep, 50,000 is right.

Void of the Stars II: Return to the Stars [Sci-Fi] [Always Accepting]

LIV Challenger
The Challenger sent a message to the Equestrian vessel, the video feed showed an Abh captain with a serious look on her face.
"This is Captain Laitparh Bausec Laicchynr Haidiss of the Lakfakalle Interstellar Vessel Challenger. We just colonized the fourth world from this system's star, so we believe it would be appropriate to 'meet the neighbors'. As such, we are requesting permission to join you."

Lakfakalle
Fairlan looked at the Equestrian group, and he couldn't help but feel like he knew them. As he took off his piloting helmet, he gave a curious look to the Archmage. The Equestrians had mentioned magic in their contact with the Triarians, perhaps the energy had some sort of adverse effect on Delphans. He remembered the dream he had the day of the launch, the creature in the mirror. Had she been an Equestrian?
"Welcome to Lakfakalle, in your language the name of this world means 'Companion of the Sun'. I would be wearing diplomatic robes, but those aren't comfortable in the high g-forces experienced while landing one of our shuttles, so I apologize for my garments." He said, gesturing to the grey jumpsuit he was wearing. "Come with me, I'll bring you to our leaders, then I can go and put on something more formal and less embarrassing. Like a clown suit."
He led the group into the building, opening the door to reveal the excessively gold-covered interior of the meeting hall. Standing in front of them were the four leaders, and there was some sort of aquatic creature visible through the glass walls, wearing a garment in the same style as the other leaders. They each bowed, and the aquatic creature clicked and circled vertically.
"Welcome to Lakfakalle." Said the Abh among them, who was wearing what appeared to be a formal military uniform. "I am Empress Aicryac Üémh Tlyzr Naurh, you can call me Ekuryua. I represent the Abh Empire, I do hope we can forge good relations here."
"I am President Jinto Lynn." Said the Human in the group. "I represent the Democratic Human Republic."
"My name is Conduit Aweyta Olok, I represent the Hyacintho Mental Collective." Said the Delphan.
A clicking came from the tank in the walls, and after a few moments it was translated into English.
"My interspecies designation is Moko, I am the Followed One of the Interplanetary Aquatic Dolphin Tribe. It is pleasing to make contact with your people." It became obvious that the one speaking was the aquatic creature.
The Boskop and Ehtra'Hirel diplomats stepped up at the same time, and bowed once more.
"We represent the Progenitor Cooperative." They said in tandem, having no idea of the ancient meaning of their name.

Jinto turned to Emily and Fairlan, all of whom appeared embarrassed.
"Ah... please go and put on something more suitable for public display. We have diplomatic robes stored away, if you can't find them you can put on whatever you want, just please don't wear a M.I.S.S. to a diplomatic meeting."
"We didn't have any specialized g suit-"
"Go and change! Now! You can give me excuses later!"
The two walked out of the room, once they exited into the hallway their steps became much faster as they prayed to the stars that the Equestrians didn't know what a M.I.S.S. was.
"Now, what is it that you wish to discuss?" Said Ekuryua

Shuroh
The food situation on Shuroh has become dire, rationing has begun and its entire complement of defense ships have been dispatched to pick up seeds, cattle, and food from Lakfakalle. Meanwhile, on the planet's surface, the Navy has begun hunting the aquatic animals native to the planet for meat. Submarines are seen towing the dead bodies of whale-like creatures to the underwater cities in surreal scenes, the sickly green blood of the once majestic creatures spilling out into the water. Despite all this, without the supplies needed for agriculture, the colonies there will starve and leave behind devastated swaths of ocean as their only legacy.