>>6300519“We need to start small.” You say. “First, we should speak with the big wigs in Gaspost V.”
“Agreed.” Ivy replies. She brings up her wristpad and types in a request for a meeting in half an hour.
‘Big wigs’ was a bit of a stretch. Gaspost V is not exactly some bustling metropolis. The bigger names here are three. The Federation and Planetary Administration Representative Rupert Wildings, an old round man with a balding head and big moustache, even less ambitious than you are, if that’s even possible. Then there’s the Captain Inspector of the Gaspost V Police Precinct, Gunther Haussmann, also an old man, but powerfully built, strict and disciplined, unlike Rupert.
Ivy leaves a dossier on your office desk. The production report from yesterday. Paper is old tech for many, but out in the outposts like this one it’s actually one of the cheapest materials to bring in from the other sectors. Trees are plentiful when you’re talking galaxy level. Electronic factories making datapads? Not so much. You eye it up for a bit, most of the numbers are normal. The gas is being sent to Helian Beta Prime as per schedule, though contact with the capital has been scarce the past few days.
“Any news from HBP?” You ask.
“Helian Beta Prime is quiet as always. Though the workers from the refinery have been accepting our goods. They don’t say much else.” Ivy checks on her wristpad. “Representative Wildings and Inspector Haussmann have both accepted the meeting.”
A lack of news from the planetary capital isn’t news per se. They don’t care much about what goes on in Gaspost V as long as the gas keeps moving through the pipelines. Still, considering the situation, you expect someone to say ‘Keep calm and carry on.’. Or something like that.
You’re going to ensure the production reports are good, then head on to the meeting. Perhaps you could assign a task to Ivy for the morning.
You’re thinking of a few options, one is to <span class="mu-r">try to contact the Helian Beta Prime administration</span>, see what’s cooking over there, you’re not sure if she’ll be able to get someone on the line but she might as well try.
Another is to <span class="mu-g">contact the other four Gasposts</span>, see if everything is alright over there and if they know anything about what’s going on. It’ll probably be easier than getting to HBP admin.
One more thing she could do is <span class="mu-b">check on the mood of the locals</span>. Contact the headmasters at the mine, some inspectors from the precinct, chat with some admin workers.
Of course, doing all 3 is the most desirable, but she’ll have to prioritize. Time is of the essence in situations like these.
>Contact HBP Prime. We need to know what’s up in the capital. Difficult roll.>Contact the other Gasposts. We need to know how our fellows are handling this matter. Medium roll.>Contact our local middle management. They’re probably as worried as we are, but we need to know if it’s going to mess with our orderly outpost. Automatic success. 