Retribution Chapter 8 [Spoilers]

[betatester]

So the cats out of the bag, Jason had to reveal the translight drives to the confederation.

It is was a very arrogant way that he announced it at the summit; that would definitely lead to ruffled feathers.

let the Spy Games begin

[kyli]

Let me sum it all up with two short words...... Oh crap!!!

[Belgarion213]

Yeah, oh crap is the right word. I'm not sure that was the most...diplomatic way to go about things Jason. I mean I knew that spy games would be undertaken but the way he went about it just seems needlessly confrontational, even though he was very firm about not giving the tech out.

That said, poor Jason keeps getting interupted in things like Paladins games by diasters like having to re-wire Cybi or the Consortium finding out about the Translight Drive whenever he sits down to relax.

...also, is it just me or the name of the Translight Drive a bit confusing when you realise that there are Slower than Light Translight Drives in active use in the Confederacy? Why not call the ones that Kahrines have something else like a Hyperlight Drive or something.

Man, the money those projection stadiums are earning is a bit insane. I hope that its being reinvested instead of just sitting in a bank account somewhere(well its probably done through that alien race who controls the banking who I forget the name of off the top of my head, so I assume its being used properly). I mean think of the number of sports that must be in use over the confederacy, not just the Imperium or Earth.

[Wolfee]

The whole section dealing with the reveal of the drives seems out of character for Jason to some extent. Jason is no push over... but the total asshole way he went about this announcement will go a long way toward undermining Jason's plan of "make money not war". He could still used the carrot and stick approach and have been just as pointed as to the consequences, without the whole total Fing assholishness. This to me does not feel true to the character of Jason that Fel has spent all these years creating.

Personally I wouldn't mind seeing a rewrite of this... all Jason had to do is explain his position and he should have started with the carrot not the stick, along with assurances and reminders that House Karinne is not out to own the universe.

[SYED]

The thing is while the energy beings would be eager of any assistance offered by the Karrines. Jason has to realise they would still be after his tech, so forced to deal with their covert and overt attempts to gain access. So he will most definitly need the shaman assistance in keeping them in check. We might see epic shaman battles coming soon.

There was a mention of archery in this chapter. I know it would be unnecessary, but Jason could build a high tech bow, with cool trick arrows, similar to the ones used by comic heroes. Simply for the challenge, and the cool factor they would provide.

Jason could ask his rich cousin to found an internal house karrine bank. To help share the wealth in the house. There are attempts by other nations to create their own version of the hollow moon shipyard. What if she built her own versions but solely for civilian projects. She can't have house tech installed, but she could get it constructed by house assets. If she built it in the earth system, she could get business from all over the confederation.
Jason is ruler of Karis, but they are terraforming another planet in system. If she invests, it could be the seat for her future descendants.

To help sooth tempers after the big reveal, instead of sharing the trans galaxcy drive, they could share the improved hyper light engine and possibly that third form of FTL, mentioned years ago. It might not be the super engines, but alternative FTL offers them options. While it could be seen as reducing the worth of indicators, they would still retain worth and the karrine tech advantage would allow them to keep trouble makers in check.

[GotToGo]

I believe that Jason's hard-ass speech was directed for only a small number of the Confederation members who would have tried to steal it and was directed at them in an open forum. Was it the correct approach - stay tuned and we all will find out. I believe we will pleasantly surprised how it all unfolds.

Don't forget that Fel has dropped a spoiler on this forum awhile back that others in in the other galaxies has take notice!

[SYED]

I wonder if the Ruu might attempt to develop their own intergalactic drives. If the improved hyper light engines are released to the confederation, they could use it as the starting point. They are said to be very smart.

Those key systems that are indicted, they must each have a bunch of ships waiting for access. I doubt they would hang around in deep space, so there must be some gathering systems for them to wait or store their cargo. That seems ripe for it to cost them even more.

[Rakshasa claw]

The very fact that Observer A asked, "You solved the ___ equations." Tells me that they know what Jason's people did already just haven't had any luck with the actual breakthrough.

[Wolfee]

The very fact that Observer A asked, "You solved the ___ equations." Tells me that they know what Jason's people did already just haven't had any luck with the actual breakthrough.

No they didn't know...they had been researching.... they knew the problem not the solution. They didn't know that house Karinne had solved the equations and built a drive. Read observer A's reaction.

[SYED]

How likely is it that the Ruu would share with the academy advanced unsolved problems? Just because other races might gain access to the unfinished work, does nit mean they can solve it or make it into a viable engine!

If they are aware of the problem, would they necessarily know that the answer requires the combination of two FTL engines?

[Wolfee]

How likely is it that the Ruu would share with the academy advanced unsolved problems? Just because other races might gain access to the unfinished work, does nit mean they can solve it or make it into a viable engine!

If they are aware of the problem, would they necessarily know that the answer requires the combination of two FTL engines?

The last part might not be to hard for them... its solving the problems, power generation, computing power... Fel has already explained that they do not have it. Before now they never thought to ask the question.... now they know, but they are missing everything else. The Faey just got a real time drive as have a several others? But power, computing, structural integrity... and who know what else, they don't have the requirements.

[Rakshasa claw]

The very fact that Observer A asked, "You solved the ___ equations." Tells me that they know what Jason's people did already just haven't had any luck with the actual breakthrough.

No they didn't know...they had been researching.... they knew the problem not the solution. They didn't know that house Karinne had solved the equations and built a drive. Read observer A's reaction.

Knowing the question to ask IS what I meant. I wasn't trying to suggest that they had a research group that had solved the equations nor that they knew Karinne had. Just that they knew what question to solve. Sorry for the ambiguity.

Edit:
As for sharing it with the Academy... I think has been pretty clear that the Ruu are just as jealous of their knowledge as Karinne so I find that idea utterly laughable. Even if this leads the Ruu to solving the problems required for building a drive they won't share any of the technical results with anyone except maybe Karinne to compare their end result drives... maybe.

[Coderunner]

It is a bit out of character for Jason, but maybe he decided that he had to take that tone to deter those Confederation members who would attempt to steal the technology. I think things may be tough for the Karinnes, in the near future, at least, having to worry about attempts to steal not only biogenics, but now also Karinne computer technology, the Karinne power technology, or the drives themselves. Some members may not be too happy with Jason after this. There could be some tough times ahead for the Karinnes, in more than one galaxy.

[GotToGo]

For some of the comments above, please keep in mind the below two points:

1. “Amen,” Jason agreed as Zaa nodded. “Besides, none of them can even use it. The only empire that could conceivably use drives with their current technology is the Ruu. They’re the only ones with both sufficient power generation tech and computers powerful enough to govern the drives in mode three. They’re also about the only empire I’d even consider sharing drive tech with, given who they are. But still, as much as I respect the Ruu and consider Observer A a friend, no. Their actions would be my responsibility, and I won’t break the oaths I took when I became the Grand Duke.”

2. The IP carapace armor that Jason shared with the Confederation was developed by a Ruu scientist which he had hired and cleared for working for the Karinnes.


I think time while tell that Jason's tone to deter those Confederation members who would attempt to steal the technology, was the right one!!!!

[Fel]

Just to clear up some of the speculation about the Ruu:

--They haven't been working on the drives, they've been trying to solve the equations that Cybi and Cyra solved that allows a computer to govern a drive to maintain a translight state in hyperspace. Though, now that they've seen what those equations lead to, they'll devote a lot more resources to it.

The irony here is that the Ruu had no intention of building a translight drive until they saw from the Karinnes that it could be done.

--The Ruu wouldn't share the drive or its technology with anyone. They have almost the exact same policies the Karinnes do when it comes to sharing or giving technology to races they see as aggressive, warlike, or unenlightened, just for different reasons. This is why the Karinnes are really just about the only empire the Ruu engage in trade. Remember, they won't trade ANYTHING with empires they deem unworthy, not even stuff like raw materials, toasters, or food. Since the Karinnes came along, the Ruu now have a trading partner that can get them all those things they previously had a hard time getting on their own, due to their strict trade policy.

--The Ruu know better than to ask the Karinnes for help building a drive...but Observer A sees nothing wrong with asking the Karinnes if the work they've done on the math of the equation is so far is correct or incorrect, to see if they're on the right path or the wrong path. And Jason's respect for Observer A and the Ruu will cause him to do that much for them. As chapter 8 stated, the Ruu are the ONLY empire that Jason would not have grave misgivings about having drive technology. He'd be very reluctant to give them the technology due to his oaths, but if they develop it on their own...more power to them.

--The Ruu will eventually build their own translight drive. But given they don't have Myleena, it's going to take them a LOT longer to do it. But, you'll eventually see them succeed within the story's plotline.