OOC + IC: 7.1B - Entrepreneurs

Mercer and Peter, mentioned the desire to take the StellarNet mission below:

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Once in a lifetime opportunity to own a pre-tech refinery
Details:
- A harried engineer has discovered a partially-complete schematic for an ancient pretech refinery unit that produces vast amounts of edible compounds.
- Several remote chemical-reeking underways on the planet are indicated as having the necessary pretech spare parts required to build the device.
- Underways are vast, inter-continental subterranean tunnels, big enough for a gravcar to enter.

Prerequisites to receive the rewards:
- Have a small corporate headquarters in Zyronis (Cost to estabilish one: 10,000 credits)
- Hire a local NPC manager and put him in charge of all your company operations in the system (another short side quest)

Rewards:
- 49% ownership of the refinery unit. It is expected to produce 1d8 x 10 tons of edible kibble per month (its kibble is a Common, Agricultural product with a base/galactic price of $50/ton)

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Before the mission itself in Zyronis, there are 4 preparations involved:
- Choosing gear and the team. Not only PCs and NPCs but maybe even talking and leading mercenaries to go with you.
- Opening a company based on Zyronis but with license to have assets, transfer credits and operate in the ITC. Some of the first choices are its name, goals and first assets (depending on how much you wanna invest here and who will be your partners)
- Hiring the manager
- Buying drones, robots and/or vehicles

This side-thread should be used for the preparations above.

What are your first thoughts on this, so I can give you more details in line with it?

Mercer is willing to put forward as much to this venture as needed and will draft up a "Good Intentions" shared ownership contract for Peter and himself (not that he's a skilled contract lawyer, but he knows how to edit contracts and read them) detailing percentage of ownership shared, and that the other owner gets first rights to buying out shares if one wishes to sell their ownership.
And that if this ownership share selling is found to be covered then the cohercer forfits their coherced shares and up to half the coherced value from their own. (Fairly common where he's from)
Then he'll give the contract to Hank first to look over, knowing he'd be motivated to protect all the members of his crew, before giving it to Peter. This way Peter can have all confidence in their joint venture.

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Mercer will want to chat up some locals to find out what dangers are expected if they head into that area.

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Mercer will be sure to bring his Armored Undersuit, and Force Pavice, and vibroblade if able, and/or a pistol(Spike Thrower?). And Lowlight Goggles, Atmofilter. Will make sure to make a full load out when we start.

Peter will have a through look at the contract before signing it, he is very excited about his first venture in this new business work, but still he is anxious about not getting anything wrong or being taken advantage of, although he learnt many things while in the Marines, business 101 wasn’t one of them.

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Peter will try and obtain some kind of map for the underways they will need to venture into, maybe talking to some old contacts in the military. He will also try to connect with any contacts he might have within the local defense force, to try to get special permissions to go more well armed.

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He will take the armored undersuit, a pistol from the ship armory, and would make sure to put some extra supplies on a backpack, a sufficient amount for him and Mercer keep warm and fed for two days if it comes to that.

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About the corporations info, and the percentage breakdown I’m all good with it, about mission/goals it would be a general mission for the conglomerate that could buy other types of company? Or just for the edible components factory? Because if so I would think the goals would be basically sell the components and try to expand maybe?

About the credits the company would have I think we could think about leaving some extra money after it is setup as a kind of bootstrap fund.

Trade Era 1235, Day 164. 18:30 UTC

Zyronis atmosphere
The descent through the thick, smog-filled atmosphere of Zyronis was rough. Peter Morgan gripped the armrests of his seat, his mind racing with thoughts of what awaited them in Calypso, the bustling capital of this ecumenopolis. Beside him, Mercer seemed nonchalant, his eyes fixed on the view through the small porthole.

The planet's surface came into view, an endless expanse of metal and concrete, dotted with towers and skybridges that stretched toward the sky. The city was a maze of technology and people, an intricate web that housed millions. As their transport ship touched down at the starport, the two men exchanged a knowing glance.

Disembarking, they were immediately swallowed by the frenetic energy of the starport. People of all origins and professions bustled around them, a symphony of movement and noise. Peter scanned the crowd, his military instincts on alert, while Mercer seemed to soak in the atmosphere with a practiced ease.

"We need information. We can't just dive into the underways without knowing what we're up against," Mercer said.

Peter nodded. "Agreed. I suggest we split up. I’ll check in with my old contacts from the Marines. You, meanwhile, can see what you can find out from the locals. Meet back at the bar near the old market in two hours?"

"Sounds like a plan," Mercer replied

Trade Era 1235, Day 164. 18:49 UTC

Calypso, Zyronis
Peter Morgan, his military bearing still evident despite the casual clothes he wore, stepped out of the starport and into the cacophony of the city. His eyes, hardened by years of combat, scanned the crowded streets for any familiar faces.

He made his way through the bustling crowd, heading towards the Green Beretta, a bar known for its discretion and the military clientele it attracted. The bar was a relic from his past service days, a place where favors were traded and alliances formed away from prying eyes. As he approached the entrance, a bouncer gave him a once-over before nodding him inside.

The interior of the bar was a stark contrast to the chaos outside. Dim lighting cast long shadows across the room, revealing a few scattered figures here and there. Peter moved with purpose, heading towards a corner where a familiar face sat nursing a drink.

"Lieutenant Harris," Peter greeted, using the formal title as a sign of respect. "It's been a while."

Harris looked up, his eyes widening in surprise before a grin spread across his face. "Morgan! I thought you'd disappeared into the void. What brings you back to this hellhole?"

Peter sat, leaning conspiratorially. "I need a favor, Harris. I need to go armed, more than the law allows a civilian. Do you think you can help an old friend?"

Harris scratched his chin thoughtfully.

"That's a tall order, even for you. Things have tightened up around here and you're not in the Interstellar Security Division anymore. But... I might know a way. There are a few strings I can pull, but it'll cost you. What are you looking to carry into our lovely little city? Rifles? Combat armor?"Trade Era 1235, Day 164. 18:49 UTC

Calypso, Zyronis
Meanwhile, Mercer was navigating a different part of Calypso, his sights set on gathering information. The local bar he entered was lively, filled with a mix of rough-looking locals and adventurous souls. Mercer, with his disarming charm, sidled up to a group of patrons, his eyes on a woman with a sharp gaze and a cybernetic arm, clearly someone who knew her way around the city.

"Mind if I join you?" Mercer asked, flashing a smile as he settled at the bar. "I’m new in town, looking to avoid any... unnecessary complications… in the underways."

The woman gave Mercer a scrutinizing look before nodding. "Depends on what you’re after. The underways aren't exactly tourist-friendly."

Mercer leaned in, lowering his voice. "What's the word on the dangers down there? We're planning a trip, and I’d rather not be caught off guard."

The woman took a sip of her drink, her eyes never leaving Mercer's. "The underways are vast, inter-continental tunnels, big enough for a gravcar. They reek of chemicals and are home to all sorts of nasties.You need specially modified atmofilters to stay more than a couple of minutes there. Moreover, gangs, rogue robotic units, alien animals and mutated creatures from chemical spills... you name it. In some sectors, it’s a lawless place."

Mercer nodded, slipping a few credits to the woman as thanks. "Appreciate the tip. Anything specific we should avoid?"

"Stay clear of Sector 15P," she warned. "The Crimson Vipers have their base there. They're heavily armed and don't take kindly to intruders. If you're looking for something valuable, though, Sector 11N's salvaged tech markets might be worth a visit. Just watch your back."

Mercer thanks the woman, pays for a couple of her drinks and floats around the bar to confirm her story. He gets mostly the same info: the dangers of the chemicals, the gangs and robots and strange creatures. One story of a ghost that kills all it comes across from a patron too drunk to be reliable..plus if it killed all it came across, where wohld the story come from?
Mercer will look into what we would need to protect ourselves from the chemicals and such..

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I have three company name suggestions. I am keeping with the solar naming convention for our things.

Mani Goods Co.[/b]
Firstly, (amdy favorite) Mani. The Norse moon god destined to be devoured by the world.

If we don't want to be invoking gods I have two other suggetions.

[b]Therion Provisions. inc
Therion, the Greek name for the Lupus constellation, once considered the wineskin (a consumable) part of the Centaurus constellation.

Nova Comestibles
And thirdly: simple. Nova, Just a cool, high-energy, space object/event.

Mercer discovers that the special filters cost 80 credits, can be used for 1 hour and takes 1 encumbrance.

They are attached to regular atmofilters.

How many do you want to buy and take with you? You can easily buy more if you need them later.

To investigate the underways, looking for the 4 refinery parts, you will get a 10x8 unexplored map. The exploration will be divided into turns of 15 minutes each.

In one turn you can either:
- Move one square (potentially any of the 8 directions, as long as nothing in the terrain blocks you)
- Pilot, using the hovercycles. You can move up to 3 squares this way, as long as all those squares have already been explored or traversed.
- Explore this square. The GM will tell you if there is something relevant here. You may receive further information, find hostile creatures, resources, items or humans inhabitants.
- Salvage/fix/hack/do some relevant activity in your current square.
- Rest, plan, talk, swap atmofilters from your inventory and use any amount of items or tech - including Lift and other farmaceuticals
- In specific locations highlighted in the map (tunnel entrances), you can enter or leave the underways and get back to Calypso.
- You must leave in 24h (before the CV departure) or, preferably, much sooner than that to avoid spending too much credits on the special atmofilter adapters.