For now, I only have a modest auto assembly operation. The maximum output without purchasing additional equipment is two vehicles per day-under civilian standards-or one per day under military standards. But that's fine; we'll expand over time. Moreover, additional assembly kits can be purchased directly from the Arbiter if necessary. About five thousand vehicle kits of various modifications are stored at the orbital platform warehouse.
On one hand, this number might not be enough if all auto assembly lines on all bases on the planet are running at full capacity-my direct competitors number fifteen, not counting me. On the other hand, the planners of the program weren't fools either, and this stock should last until the first regular supply transport arrives. This transport will not only carry away mined resources but will also deliver everything that has been pre-ordered and prepaid.
As for military vehicles, I won't make major changes, given my near-zero experience in military operations. I'll assemble all vehicles myself at my facility, except for armored personnel carriers. Savings will go toward purchasing assembly kits for two light armored cars equipped with fixed roof-mounted laser weapons. Extra funds for strengthening my forces will buy an additional military supply truck kit, adding ten tons of cargo capacity-not a bad surplus-and extra spare parts.
You might ask: what differentiates a military-standard truck from the civilian armored variants mentioned earlier? Simple: civilian vehicles, even when armored, can function as military vehicles only if you're willing to risk them. Military-standard vehicles include not only armor but also redundant control systems. Such vehicles fully protect the crew against firearms issued to civilians.
If a convoy is ambushed with weaponry beyond standard civilian grade, military vehicles are likely to escape thanks to redundant systems, whereas civilian vehicles will fail after the first critical damage to the engine or driver. Notably, even the incapacitation of a military truck driver doesn't mean the vehicle is lost. The onboard AI detects the driver's injury or death, communicates with the lead vehicle, and activates a protocol called "Follow-the-Leader." Even if communications are jammed, the vehicle's AI uses omnidirectional sensors to continue following the leader.
In short, this completes the first Arbiter directive. My base budget is fully sufficient, even leaving a reserve of critical items for normal operations. I send a report letter to the designated address and begin drafting proposals for assembling equipment for neighboring parties.
I have a small plan here as well. To my three geographically closest new "friends," who are also situationally my fiercest rivals, I will offer equipment assembly with a symbolic five percent markup. Not out of naivety or generosity, but for hidden reasons. The first layer of the plan is to seek allies. The second layer is advertisement. Beyond that, the true intentions remain hidden.
This contract allows me to deprive a competitor of personnel. I will explain in the letter that I cannot deliver the equipment to my dear friend's base on my own, but I am willing to host the transport team for a nominal fee-free lodging, my "friend" only covers the crew's meals.
The second layer of the plan is that during the first two months, which I request modestly to fine-tune production and complete the order, my barracks will host an extra ten soldiers. My competitor will likely send at least that many, meaning they will be unavailable for his base-ten percent of the garrison. These soldiers can be temporarily contracted to help me if needed, and any assembled but unclaimed equipment can, in a pinch, be used under the guise of operational testing.
If luck favors me, internal conflicts among colonists will further weaken my competitor. The inherited transport team and unclaimed equipment will become mine. Then, with great pleasure, I can seize valuable production equipment and warehouse stocks-or even take over an abandoned resource extraction base-though this depends largely on neighboring leadership. The saying about free cheese and mousetraps remains relevant.
While drafting and sending letters, the auxiliary system spoke again. An incoming message was received. Priority: high. Read: mandatory. Electronic signature verification: successfully completed. Sender: AI – Arbiter. The message was automatically opened.
AI 53685698535845. Reporting. Directive executed. Status: Success. Final update of the base placement map on the planet completed. Map data packet attached (Appendix 1). Task analysis completed. Results:
Base placement - Success: 100%
Type of production - Rare production type chosen for your area - Success: 100%
Reward: Free supply of additional production equipment. Equipment type: stamping press. Quantity: one unit. Specs in Appendix 2. Installation costs borne by Arbiter.
Base building configuration - Non-standard design selected, conditional defense capability increased by 20% - Success: 100%
Reward: Free supply of automated light laser turrets, model "Drozd 2." Quantity: five units. Specs in Appendix 3. Installation costs borne by Arbiter.
Quantity and nomenclature of technical tools for initial base setup - Non-standard order fulfilled, ensuring full utilization of production capacity - Success: 100%
Reward: Free supply of rolling mill. Quantity: one unit. Specs in Appendix 4. Installation costs borne by Arbiter.
Quantity and nomenclature of essential supplies for colonists - Stock sufficient for guaranteed survival until next supply transport. Success: 100%. Planned base population: 100%.
Following completion of colonization planning, new geographical names were assigned. AI 53685698535845 is now designated Base 12. To conserve transport ship resources, Base 12 is instructed to enter minimum energy consumption mode one hour after receiving this message. A countdown timer for shutdown is now active. AI Base 12 is ordered to submit installation plans for the new equipment before entering low-power mode; failure to comply means installation costs are borne fully by AI Base 12.
With time remaining before power-down, I preferred to finish ongoing tasks. From the Arbiter's message, completing directives on time earns either a "thank you" or the promised reward; failure results in penalties specified in the directive. Exceeding expectations may yield a bonus, at the Arbiter's discretion.
The rolling mill and stamping press will allow me to produce some car components or low-quality armor sheets independently. This saves money and encourages sourcing local resources. Equipment for smelting metals might be provided as a bonus to neighboring bases to strengthen industrial cooperation.
The bonus turrets far exceed the almost junk-standard turrets I had to purchase to stay within budget. Why criticize the standard turret? Its armor protects only against light colonial weapons, not against a fully equipped infantryman. Its ammunition capacity is limited to 10,000 rounds, insufficient for sustained fire at 1,500 rounds per minute.
The bonus turrets fit standard mounting dimensions, making visual identification difficult before firing. Without stored ammunition, the turret gains sufficient armor against infantry weapons, with firepower effective against infantry and light armored vehicles. The main drawback: high energy consumption. If I can acquire fifty more sets, additional reactors will be required. Separate power lines will also be needed. Standard models fight on stored ammunition even when power fails; new bonus turrets enter passive mode when power is lost.
Distribution: one turret at each of the two entrance gates, one at the barracks entrance, one guarding the arms warehouse, and one at the entrance to the reactor section of the Citadel, which also leads to the server room.
After specifying my preferences for the placement of the equipment gifted to me, I quickly sent the instructions to the Arbiter. Furthermore, taking advantage of the generous offer to cover installation costs, I didn't hold back and requested triple redundancy for all necessary communication lines. Each backup line was required to be routed at a distance from the others.
This meant that instead of a single conduit-which could later accommodate my own power and control cables with minimal additional work-I was getting three. All three lines would run nearly throughout the entire base, since the entrance gates were located at opposite ends. The military would also appreciate the redundancy, greatly reducing the chances of a successful sabotage attempt. For security reasons, all lines were required to be buried underground. Later, I learned that all installation requirements had been successfully approved, which only improved my mood.
My letters to future neighbors regarding vehicle assembly also received replies. Unfortunately, my plans did not come to fruition: the transport orders had already been submitted and successfully paid for, making cancellations impossible. My neighbors expressed their regrets at being unable to take advantage of such a generous offer, while subtly advertising their upcoming products and promising discounts and bonuses.
Overall, it seemed I had entered a veritable terrarium of like-minded people. There was no room for relaxation here; otherwise, one could easily assume everything was fine while someone was already digging your grave.
With these thoughts in mind, I decided to switch to minimum power consumption mode.