Month: February 2019

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

7 February YC 121

“What was on the datacore?” I asked Hakkaras next day after the archaeology mission.

“Oh, it was a very ancient and very rare technology,” said the agent and, seeing interest in my eyes, finished, “Yes, very rare, because it is so primitive that we don’t use it anymore.”

My disappointment was so obvious that Hakkaras couldn’t help laughing.

I was not impressed, “Now that you’ve had your fun at my expense, I’d like to know what I can do at yours.” Continue reading “A Truckful of Data”

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

6 February YC 121

Looking back, I’d say that the last mission taught me more about business than all others in this course. Hoping to dig deeper into the intricacies of business planning, next day I came to Hakkaras for another mission.

“Ah, Vlad,” smiled the agent when I entered his office, “glad to see you. You did an awesome job on that tracking computer yesterday. I didn’t expect you to turn it around so quickly. Tell me honestly, you bought it?”

“Well, I did,” admitted I, “but you said there were no restrictions.”

“None whatsoever. You know, I didn’t give you a blueprint for reason, and you saw straight through it. You made an absolutely right choice buying the module instead of building it.”

I made a mental note to pass Hakkaras’s compliments to Aura; after all, it was her light-bulb moment. Aloud I asked, “What about a new mission? I’d like to get more exposure to the planning side of the business.” Continue reading “Professor Aura”

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

5 February YC 121

“How is the cracking going?” I asked Hakkaras next day after delivering the encrypted data chip to his friend in Saisio.

“Well, you know how it is with decryption,” winced the agent, “you may be lucky and decode the chip in the first 5 minutes, then there is a period with 90% confidence level, and finally there is the worst-case scenario.”

“And what’s the worst case?” Continue reading “Tracking Profits”

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

4 February YC 121

This morning, when I walked into Hakkaras’s office, he met me with a look of concern.

“Trouble?” asked I. Continue reading “Teraflops Matter”

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

3 February YC 121

Despite all that toing and froing with the Salvager I completed the previous mission rather quickly, just before lunchtime. I thought I could take another one after lunch if I didn’t go too far away searching for food. Thus, after my Saturday’s culinary escapade I returned to the good old “meat and three veggies” ration in the Academy mess hall.

While I was choosing a table with the best view I noticed Hakkaras who was waving his hand at me. I moved to his table and took a seat next to him.

“Hey, thanks for the tritanium, Vladimir,” said the agent. “You delivered it just in time for me to finish a certain manufacturing job by Monday morning. By the way, I hope you don’t mind my calling you by the first name. I think we can drop those formalities.”

“No worries, Hakkaras,” replied I. “I was actually going to see you after the lunch about a new Business assignment. Have you got any?” Continue reading “Hacking and Slashing”

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

2 February YC 121

On Saturday I took a break from educational activities. Didn’t have any special plans except visiting a restaurant recommended by Hakkaras. He warned me it was pricey but the food was excellent. I was getting tired of the bland grub served in the Academy canteen and welcomed an opportunity to try local haute cuisine. The restaurant was called Kōdo and proudly claimed that it sourced all produce exclusively from Uitra. Its menu was not extensive but featured exotic plants and animals, such as a particular species of crayfish found only in polar regions of the fourth planet which was completely covered by the ocean. Continue reading “The Mother of Learning”

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

1 February YC 121

The start of my Business course was pretty unimpressive but I hoped it was just prolegomena to juicier stuff. With such thoughts I entered Hakkaras’s office a day after the first mission.

“Good morning, Mr Korff,” the agent raised from his chair and went around the table to greet me. “You did a great job yesterday – perfect delivery in the shortest time!”

I thought he was joking but, on the other hand, his enthusiasm could have been completely genuine given he had saved about 30 million kredits on that delivery.

“Thank you, Mr Ihora,” I answered earnestly. “I’ll try to keep the same level of performance in all future missions. Talking of which, have you got another one for me?” Continue reading “Wrecks’R’Us”

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

31 January YC 121

Next course I planned to take was Business. Strangely but conveniently, State War Academy also hosted a Business career agent, Hakkaras Ihora. I expected to see a besuited sleek businessman but instead I was greeted by a dour, athletic fellow dressed in a flight jacket.

“Welcome to the Academy, Mr Korff. The business of New Eden is devilishly complicated and you’ve made the right decision to undergo the training before investing your time and money in some doubtful enterprise. Have you studied economy or finance?”

“Not exactly, but I have a degree in Applied Mathematics,” replied I.

“That’s good enough. To run a successful business means doing lots and lots of spreadsheets, and a person like you, with a background in ‘rithmetic, will have no trouble mastering them.”

“Mathematics,” said I.

“Pardon?”

“I have a background in Applied Mathematics, not arithmetic.”

“Sure, that’s what I meant,” handwaved my remark Hakkaras. “Now, are you ready for your first mission?” Continue reading “Balancing the Books”