Edit: Darn Microsoft Word Spelling Check
"Patience, n. A minor form of dispair, disguised as a virtue."
-Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary, 1911
Galtenn Standard Year 2401, 9th month
"So what are you telling me, Mr. minister?"
"Well sir, the survey data received from the Vulcan and the Swift reveals... that..."
"That what?"
The Central Regent now began to speak in an annoyed tone and voice.
"... Don't know how to quite put this sir... Umm..."
"Stop stalling Mr. minister. Just tell me. Tell, shout, smack. Just let it go."
"Well, the survey tells that, there are not much habitable planets around us sir. We seem to have evolved in a... backwater sector of the galaxy."
"Not much? There must be something!"
"They... aren't... quite economical to send to sir. Most of them are the size of a planetoid, and the large ones that we have found don't have enough mineral deposits."
"Anything? Anything at all worth colonizing?"
"Some, sir. In the farther systems."
"Well, then just send them farther!"
"We can't... exactly... do that sir. Our resources are down to the Last coffers. The Construction yards are now building 25% of their normal rate because of it."
"We've scrapped both of the Anton schmitts, minister. Wasn't there anything out of that?"
"Sir, those colony modules are... quite expensive, so to speak."
"Please tell me, if we keep going at this rate, what is going to happen to us?"
"Are you sure you want to hear it sir?"
"Please."
"We can expect all construction to halt, then it will take at least 5-7 years to completely refill our resources banks, then we will have to start again, sir."
"I don't believe this."
"Colonies that are producing minerals are only producing a fraction of our income sir... and they wouldn't really help if we should begin another full scale expansion."
"What's the status of the Geosurvey research?"
"The nation regents rejected it sir. They believe it is best to keep colonizing."
"We have 4 oxygen worlds in our own home system and you are telling me that WE CAN'T COLONIZE IT!"
The central regent's temper was up to his head; maybe beyond. He was frustrated at the rate of expansion; even though there are now 4 colonies, only 1 of them was breathable and huge. The other 3 have high mineral deposits but are hostile and small. The Space Command ships were now kept afloat just by a hairline, and if anything should happen to the fragile economy, the ships would limp back and be scrapped. It would be the start of a long pause in the space program.
"Well, sir... they're rock planets... they're too hot for us sir, and too rugged, even for our body suits."
"Do we have any options?"
"Only one sir. We keep expanding, at least by planet by planet, keep claiming space, and if we should meet any extraterrestrials that knows how to colonize rock planets, we trade our Ice colonization technology with them sir."
The statement dumbfounded the central regent.
"Extraterrestrials? Aliens? Little Brown men? If this is an attempt to lighten up, you've picked the worst time to do so, Mr. minister, cause if that was a joke, I will fire you right now, as of this moment."
"Umm... that was no joke sir. We believe that it's... a viable option. The Garroth's (drake's) Equation tells..."
"That there are at least 3 planets in the galaxy just like Galtenn and just like galtenn, they will have life."
"Yes sir. So in turn, we should meet one of them soon enough..."
"Garroth is a hack, Mr. minister. You are placing an entire race's future on a hypothetical theoretical equation!"
"Well, sir, if we had any better options, we'd have told you Mr. Central regent."
It looked as if the GeoSurvey Minister was going to cry. The central regent quickly backed down. He let out a long sigh before he started again.
"How long will it take to develop rock colonization by ourselves?
"At least 13 years."
"Then it would seem evident, that the GAGS option is the most viable one..."
"We don't like it either, Mr. Central regent, but it's the best one we've got."
"How long will take for the second space yard to develop?"
"2 months at most, sir."
"Tell them to scrap their orders and build a long range scout."
"Yes sir."
"Thank you minister. Have a nice lunch."
"Thank you Mr. Central Regent."
The Central regent let out a long sigh once more as the GAGS minister left the building.
"Secretary, get me Space Command."
"This is space command, Mr. Central Regent, what are your orders sir?"
There was a long period of silence.
"Tell the captain of the Swift and Vulcan to refuel and explore as much systems as they can. Tell them to take the nearest warp points always, and if... alien craft is to be encountered, that they are to establish contact, no matter what happens.
"Sir? Is this a joke?"
"No, this is an order."
"Alright sir. Order received. We'll be sure to relay them to the captains as soon as they get into hailing range."
"Thank you."
He hung up the phone shortly after.
"Secretary, please tell the cafeteria to bring some of their mammoth soup with some tropical sandwich. Also, tell them to bring a large mug with extra strong Schaawaanika brew, filled to the brim."
"Confirmed. Menu will be brought in 20 minutes."
[ December 02, 2002, 01:15: Message edited by: TerranC ]