The video footage from the probe being streamed over the connection captured the visage of a drowned city.
Well, it was more like a city purpose-built underwater over anything. And I guess city was overselling it a bit, as it was more like like a network of automated extractors that would dig into the sea bed to drill precious ores, then already begin processing them on the way up. By the time they were already fully extracted, they would have already been cast into bars of metal to load into disposable buoyant capsules to bring them to the surface.
According to Veronica's database, the moment they broke the waves these capsules would begin emitting a pickup signal that a collection drone would have detected to retrieve these refined materials for collection. Then they'd be loaded into orbital delivery cannons and fired into space to be caught by the automated dockyards above, the shipment used to print the next ship order queued up. It was all done automatically with maybe an AI to remotely control the entire process, one specifically tailored for this role.
It'd been quite a nifty operation, with the only organic part in this entire operation originally being the human settlement on Cavia I. Just enough that SecComm could label and declare this world claimed by humanity, in case whatever else was out there stumbled upon this little operation. Because I guess this universe or at least SecComm operated on the rules of first dibs via local population.
However, true to what Veronica had briefed me regarding this system's history, the operation had been abandoned when the original deposits had been depleted. SecComm collapsed while the system was struggling to transition, leading to the rise of House Hessin deciding that with no more oversight, they could do whatever they wanted. They made use of the unfinished ships that never were delivered and then raided enough resources to finish a small personal selection among them which they used to them bugger off.
Leaving the rest to die to our guns.
The damage was so total that salvage operations had been a total write-off. The dockyards they'd used weren't in great shape. But it wasn't like we were going to manufacturing ships anytime soon, as the resources mined from Cavia I were apparently all marked by Harrison Armory instead. So I had no pipeline to feed those orbital printers.
Or at least I thought I didn't, until I read through the survey report sent from Captain Feng's Half-Measure."Is this verified? Are you sure that there wasn't a mistake in that particular probe you made and sent?"
"Yes, and to be sure, we've tested with multiple probe models. So it's not just a singular line that's having a malfunction; it's a consistent discovery among the variety of scans."
"My word," I muttered and eyed the numbers. "That's...SecComm abandoned this? No way. These aren't the small, minute 'inefficient' deposits that are on Cavia I. These are actually veins that could perhaps even feed our own supplies, and then some!"
"I concur, which is why I had decided not to wait until the end of my patrol to make my report," reported my naval subordinate. "Sir."
"Veronica, what do you make of this? Do you have a theory?"
"If we were to delve into the hypothetical, sir, I have constructed a myriad of feasible causes based on these data plots. A possibility is that the automated systems malfunctioned and prematurely reported resource exhaustion, ceasing operations temporarily until further guidance could be provided."
Further guidance would've probably involved the original colonial director sent to have a look probably doing their job, and discovering the error. But as previously reiterated, they'd decided to instead to begin a little dynasty of oppression and their descendants just took the resource exhaustion for granted. Why would they have reason otherwise when they were living the high life already?
"An alternative explanation is based upon the realization that the discovered landscape does not line up with prior data points, indicating perhaps tectonic activity that brought these previously deep veins into easier access. It is not improbably that prior scans had revealed the presence of these materials buried deeper than what could be 'efficiently' extracted, so their existence had been disregarded. Then through natural mantle shifting, unseen over generations, they have been gradually exposed for possible extraction."
Given that the entire planet was completely underwater, it was possible that House Hessin completely missed out on whatever earthquakes were happening if they just didn't bother to look. It also happened to line up with the fact that the currently mapped extractors were nowhere near these new hotspots, indicating they just hadn't been there originally. So I could see that happening.
"A third theory, though far less substantiated, involves artificial seeding by an unknown third party-"
"Okay, I think we have enough now," I cut-off, not ready to blame aliens. I mean, I tangentially knew it was possible, but I wouldn't also just put it out there that a GM running a game had just handwaved the entire matter. "What matters more is how we can make use of it. Feng, how do the extractors look?"
"They're not in good condition, nor are they even in the right spot. I think sir that we'd have to send engineers down in either hardsuits or mechs to make adjustments." His gaze turned and glanced at another screen that had popped up. "It's possible that the dockyards could also have means for working them, but I'm not holding my breath on their functionality either. Maybe we'd get lucky, sir."
"Right, you still need to conduct an investigation of them," I muttered and waved absently with one hand. The other reached up to cup my chin in thought. "Thanks for the update, Captain. Please resume your sortie. Dismissed."
He saluted, then cut the connection, leaving me to ponder on this development.
If these numbers were right, then they could feed the printers of the logistics corps to print out even replacement vehicles or mechs. It's not yet quite enough to immediately feed dockyards but it could actually also be a launch point for shipbuilding if I wanted to go that route. Which was...fantastic.
It meant that I could have in-house manufacturing.
Were it a few days prior, I think I'd have been ecstatic. But now, with the shadow of the Prynth Mining Union over me, things just got pretty complicated. Especially now that Harrison Armory was brought into the picture.
Now, their agreement was specifically for resources that came from the mines of Cavia I. So in that regard, they had no claim to those mined from Cavia II. But no way did I think Harrison Armory wouldn't argue otherwise, especially when people eventually figured out that I was resupplying my forces somehow. Sooner or later, somebody would discover it and get upset.
Then they'd want to push it under their control, and oh dear, this was now sounding like a Lancer plot that would screw me over. Something like how I was personally withholding and hoarding all these materials to build a personal army. So they had to stop me before I became like a certain boss from a tactical espionage game.
Shit.
But I really needed those resources.
Hm. Okay, let's focus on what I could do to help shape this perception. The first one would be to announce the findings publicly, and then invite the new local mining guild to help with this. They could actually provide necessary oversight and aid to replace what extractors we possibly couldn't fix or handle previously automated tasks. Things like the collection drones could be done manually perhaps, giving them jobs to feed into the economy while the more dangerous things were handled entirely by mechanical labor.
The issue then was that damn agreement with Harrison Armory. There was no way I would let that megacorp vacuum up all those resources via their subsidiary or make me have to outbid them at whatever outrageous prices they could afford. Nor did I want to just become an 'affiliate' that sourced exclusively from them.
Mainly because I felt like that would just be setting up the downfall of Harrison Armory as a Lancer plot in its own, and I'd be an unfortunate collateral in that!
"Commander. I am detecting an unexpected spike in your heart rate. Do I need to call for medics?"
"Wha- No, no. I'm fine, just a bit stuck in thought." Right, Vernoica probably had sensors tracking my well-being as a direct NHP aide. Wait, what was I doing? I could ask her to help me get information to start crafting a solution to all this! "Veronica, could you retrieve a copy of the contract between Prynth Mining Union and Harrison Armory?"
"It's already in my database. Shall I pull it up for you?"
"Yes please, and also highlight relevant sections relating to priority sales. I want to see how it's structured."
She dutifully did so with incredible swiftness, even providing a helpful summary that helped cut through all the legalese and to the heart of the matter. It definitely seemed to be structured around the idea that anything dug up by Prynth Mining Union belonged to Harrison Armory, which did give the impression that it'd just be limited to Cavia I where they were based on. But if I were to extend their reach to Cavia II, then it could be argued that was included as well.
However, Veronica helpfully pointed out a clause regarding the actual volume of material, focused entirely on a minimum that had to be dug out every year to maintain the pricing. Something that I imagined the megacorp had haggled for to pressure the former enterprise to keep digging and push their workers to extract even more. In exchange, the price of these materials was locked.
...Wait. It was locked in?
I blinked and reread the section, just to confirm. Then I asked Veronica to see if there was actually any adjustment function mentioned within the contract. None whatsoever.
Oh my. I think I spotted something that Harrison Armory had overlooked and blindly signed off on.
They couldn't change their purchase price of the materials whatsoever. They couldn't try to bid for it any lower, but neither could they afford to bid any higher for it to compete with me! Meaning that so long as the Prynth Mining Union actually delivered the bare minimum volume, they were locked in- and I could actually price them out by offering better prices locally than whatever those elsewhere could afford!
But why was this here? This was a pretty bad mistake, unless it was on purpose. Ah, was it perhaps part of the agreement with the former owner to ensure that they instead didn't undercut? A concession to acquire those materials no matter what then, which indicated that this supply line was essential for the megacorp, to the point where they'd pay over a certain price point for it to ensure constant supply. Not too much so that they'd seek some alternative source, but enough to keep the owner happy and not searching for an alternate buyer.
That about lined up with why Erica was so insistent on getting business back to normal as soon as possible. So it was still an ongoing thing that had whatever higher-up in Harrison Armory twitchy in whatever nonsense boardroom power plays they were having. Which meant there was leverage for me to apply if I were to exploit this opening and purchase materials at a higher price after the miners delivered the minimum stated in the contracts.
Better yet, the optics of paying more to my people for their hard work was something that no Lancer could fault!
I did recently come into some capital as well with a few of the 'clean' businesses cooperating nicely and paying for a business license that would hold up for this interim government. It should also be good for the next one as well, I reassured those business owners with, and I'd be willing to sit in on the next administration to make sure of it. Something that oddly reassured them enough to fork over some very nice manna that could be used to outbid a megacorp's fixed price.
It'd only be a temporary fix though, given how it'd probably eat up most of my tax income from these transactions. Something that just wasn't sustainable in the long term. But even if I could apply a pressure with it temporarily, I could maybe nudge Harrison Armory to return to the negotiating table and hash out a different agreement that could be more to my favor.
What shape would that take?
Well, I had no idea at the moment, but I'll wing it somehow if I got that far.
For the moment, it would actually be very prudent for me to contact Prynth Mining Union and inform them of this discovery on Cavia II. Then slip them into my plan of trying to bring their new corporate connection in-line with the idea of a better deal. Previously, it had been to just get rid of a terrible owner.
Now they could argue for better pay that rewarded their efforts better afterwards. Which I imagined they would quite like.
I basked briefly in my realization, feeling triumphant in looking like I could score one over Harrison Armory. Then I sobered up and realize that this probably was actually more like a victory for Cavia- I'd likely be out of office by then, though I surely would function as an advisor for said negotiations having briefed the participants beforehand. Oh well.
But before I fully came back down to the ground, Veronica chimed in then. "Commander Moores, sir. We have an issue."
"Hm? What is it?"
"An explosion just struck the military base where our forces are currently barracked at. It appears to have been an insurgent attack, sir."
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Compared to when I had last visited, now there was a flurry of activity and a lot of angry shouting all around the shoddy, unnamed garrison facility.
The vehicle screamed to a halt and I all but leapt up, striding directly into the command center. There, the army officers were gathered, listening and following any order that left their superior's lips. "...and I want you to contact the local hospitals to see if they could spare any surgeons. We need as many hands as possible to our people!" She turned and stiffened, a gesture repeated by the others present. "Attention! Commander Moores, present!"
"At ease. Show me the numbers," I urged Major Rowles. "And tell me how this happened."
"Sir. An unmanned bomb drone flew under the radar and struck one of the company quarters. The payload was thankfully light so nobody was outright killed, but we've got multiple wounded, some...severely so."
Meaning that it was maybe a coin toss if they'd pull through. I grimaced and looked over the paper that was handed to me. "How did it get through the sensors? Nobody picked it up until impact?'
"The base's forward observation system is woefully lacking, and the logistics corps hadn't yet the time or resources to construct our own."
"I see. Given the quality of this base therefore, I suppose that there wasn't much of a defense against being hit so."
"Unfortunately so, sir." Rowles' face twisted. "This place, frankly speaking, is a deathtrap. It's in a bad spot, it's got poor facilities, and it's got built terribly. I don't recommend we stay here any longer."
"I understand. But we have to mind where we go next-"
"Sirs." Veronica interrupted, appearing on a screen in the control center. "There's been a new development. Local media channels are now broadcasting a message they have received from the insurgents claiming responsibility for the bombing."
Oh, fuck me. It was a whole resistance group?! "Tune into a local channel, now! Any of them!"
"Yes sir." She dutifully swapped to one of the public broadcasting channels, one that had previously been blaring nonstop propaganda about the greatness that was House Hessin. After that, it had been blaring nonstop propaganda about the Half Committee before my former state collapsed.
Now, it was blaring a nonstop message. One that showed a rather crudely painted upon flag, with a single voice chanting, "RISE! RISE! RISE!"
And then to keep things interested, it threw in "OVERTHROW THE OPPRESSORS AND CHASE THEM OFF OUR WORLD!"
Oh wonderful.
I had actual rebels.