Month: January 2019

The Forge Region – Anttanen Constellation
Uitra System – Planet VI, Moon 4
State War Academy Station

30 January YC 121

I woke up with a feeling that something wonderful was going to happen today. Still sleepy, I took full five seconds to remember what it was – I was ready to finish the Industry course and today was the day! I had been fed up with mining, refining and Kokseri’s peremptory manners, and I had just enough patience for one more mission. Continue reading “Bantam Building”

The Forge Region – Anttanen Constellation
Uitra System – Planet VI, Moon 4
State War Academy Station

28 January YC 121

“That was quick,” said Kokseri. “My friend will surely appreciate your prompt service and may send other manufacturing orders your way. See, you are already building your business network.”

I had my reservations regarding the value of such network in my career but one never knows, so I politely replied, “Thanks, Kokseri. I’ll keep that in mind. By the way, do you have another mission for me?”

“Sure,” smiled he. “How about some mining?” Continue reading “Mining Merlin”

The Forge Region – Anttanen Constellation
Uitra System – Planet VI, Moon 4
State War Academy Station

28 January YC 121

Despite my resolve to finish the Industry course as quickly as possible, I couldn’t make myself take another mission straight away. The formal excuse that I presented to Kokseri was a weekend – a man needs to have rest after all.

Not having any specific plans, I just caught up on the holovids that I started watching during my previous attempt to take a leave which was unceremoniously interrupted by the urgent mission from Annukka. Most movies did not leave a lasting impression – they were just means to pass the time – but one film really stood out from the sea of mediocrity. It was about a nightclub singer’s career and love affairs during the rise of Tibus Heth and Caldari Providence Directorate. The plot was not too exciting, but the musical numbers were absolutely delightful, and the sinister presence of Provists in the background created a fraught atmosphere of the world driven to hopefully resistible but, as history showed, imminent catastrophe. The holography was also outstanding and I replayed several episodes from different angles to fully appreciate the scenes.

On Monday I came to Kokseri for a new mission. Continue reading “I Am a Shipbuilder”

The Forge Region – Anttanen Constellation
Uitra System – Planet VI, Moon 4
State War Academy Station

25 January YC 121

“How were the cap boosters? Any good?” I asked Kokseri next day after completing the “complex manufacturing” mission.

“Remember, Vladimir, we are not fighters, we are industrialists. The main purpose of our work is to supply Caldari Navy with quality ships, modules and ammunition. I didn’t plan to use the cap boosters, I planned to sell them. Today I found a buyer, so your next mission will be to deliver the boosters to the customer.”

I let my involuntary induction into the ranks of industrialists slide for now, but still raised an objection, “I’ve already done transportation. Is there anything new I can learn?” Continue reading “Boosting the Trade”

The Forge Region – Anttanen Constellation
Uitra System – Planet VI, Moon 4
State War Academy Station

24 January YC 121

When I requested a new mission from Kokseri, I was disappointed to get another mining and manufacturing assignment.

“I’ve already done that before,” complained I.

“This one is significantly different, Vladimir,” said Kokseri. “You will have to produce Cap Boosters which require three different minerals, not just one as before. Of course, you can buy them on the market but if you want to learn how to plan your industrial pipeline you will have to do it the hard way. Firstly, you have to research which types of asteroids you need to mine in order to get the required minerals by refining. Secondly, you must calculate the minimum amount of ore required to obtain enough minerals for production of twenty boosters. And finally, you will have to jump into your Venture and actually find those asteroids.”

“And how can I find out which types of ore I need?” Continue reading “Hunting Asteroids”

The Forge Region – Anttanen Constellation
Uitra System – Planet VI, Moon 4
State War Academy Station

23 January YC 121

Despite my refusal to take a Miner as a reward for the previous mission, Kokseri sent the boring thing to my item hangar anyway. I decided not to press my point but neither did I thank him. I took a day’s break to let any residual emotions settle and came to Kokseri’s office on Wednesday. He met me with a fixed mask of indifference on his face and immediately got to the business.

“Your next mission, Mr Korff, will be transportation. You need to deliver a crate of electronic parts to Peace and Order Unit Logistic Support station in Abagawa system. The cargo is being moved now to your hangar and the coordinates are sent to your ship AI. Questions?”

“Whew! So I am ‘Mr Korff’ now,” thought I. “I guess I shouldn’t have thrown that bloody Miner in his face.” Aloud I said, “Yes, I have one. What am I supposed to learn during this mission?” Continue reading “On Some Aspects of Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle”

The Forge Region – Anttanen Constellation
Uitra System – Planet VI, Moon 4
State War Academy Station

21 January YC 121

Luckily, I didn’t promise Kokseri to get back for a new mission yesterday. Because I didn’t. What started as one pint segued into a dinner, then another pint and, you know, by the time I left the bar it was too late and hmm… too risky to start a new mission.

Today is another day, and fresh as a daisy (or a cactus, as I forgot to shave) I turned up at the doorway of Kokseri’s office. If he disapproved of my early end of the academic activities yesterday, he didn’t let it show. Although I noticed a suspicious glint in his eye. Continue reading “Watching the Paint Dry”

The Forge Region – Anttanen Constellation
Uitra System – Planet VI, Moon 4
State War Academy Station

18 January YC 121

“This time I want you to manufacture two Civilian Afterburners, Vladimir. They will be used to fit corvettes for new capsuleers like you. Here is the blueprint. You will need 128 units of tritanium for this job. It’s up to you how you get them, but I see you are eager to try out your new mining frigate,” here Kokseri gave me a wink and laughed. I managed a polite smile which implied I agreed with him without actually committing to any particular course of action.

Continue reading “One and a Half Afterburners”

The Forge Region – Anttanen Constellation
Uitra System – Planet VI, Moon 4
State War Academy Station

18 January YC 121

After lunch I returned to the agent’s office. He met me with a frown, “Where have you been? I expected you at 12:00.”

I looked at the clock; it was 12:07.

“Er… I didn’t know the mission was that urgent, Kokseri,” said I wondering why the asteroids could not wait for seven more minutes. Continue reading “Finer Things”

The Forge Region – Anttanen Constellation
Uitra System – Planet VI, Moon 4
State War Academy Station

18 January YC 121

My next course was Industry so it was time to say good-bye to the War Academy. I boarded the capsule and gave the station crew a command to load it to my new Heron.

“Aura, darling,” said I, “get us to the nearest Industry Career Agent.”

“Autopilot disabled. Waypoint reached,” answered Aura imitating autopilot’s voice.

“What do you mean, ‘waypoint reached’?”

“Congratulations, Captain. You have safely arrived to the location of Industry Career Agent Kokseri Velen.”

“But… but why is he here, in the War Academy?” I asked a question which meant to be rhetoric.

“Dunno. Maybe he is training combat Venture pilots. Why don’t you ask him yourself?” Continue reading “Making Mountains of Molehills”