Taking Inventory 4

Five cups in and half of the jug gone, the Arboreal Maiden made a move to progress what needed to be done. "Speaking of the earlier topic, when can ARC and either one of you be made available. I am certain you wish to acquire materials in order to set up an industry yes?"

"The creation of a shipyard is one of our top priorities, yes. I take it there isn't an automated one you can just give to us, is there?"

"You should understand we are not yet at the point of automation, not anywhere close." The Maiden responded not with split, but in English. "I will do my utmost to keep your people's secrets. At the moment, you would consider our level of technological development around that of your early medieval period, if a little lacking. There are a choice few civilizations that have progressed further, but none have gotten to the atomic age."

"So no computer chips or radioactive materials, no superconductors either. Is there any chance we might be able to get access to petroleum products like plastic?"

"At the moment, no. If the Holifanians decide to accept you as a protectorate you might be able to acquire some limited levels of support in that arena, but I would not operate under the assumption that you will be. They are staunch isolationists, and even my influence may prove ineffective."

"Probably a good idea. In that case, how much of and to what degree of purity do you think we might be able to get our hands on metals like copper, iron, nickel, and aluminum?"

"Merchant, how large are our stocks of cheap metals?"

"We are actually trying to get rid of some of our store of iron and bronze, so we should have plenty of those. Aside from that I would have to check. Usually that department is handled by the more junior members."

"I see. What of our stores of nickel and aluminum?"

"Nickel? I think we only have a limited supply owing to the Great Csillacra's response to it. I seem to remember that the Marshal placed an order for more of it to be used in replacing some old armor. I, I don't think I've heard of this aluminum. It is entirely possible that I simply have not seen record of it, so I will make a check."

"Tell him not to bother. If he doesn't know what something as mind-bogglingly common like aluminum is, then you haven't yet got the refining process for it."

Aluminum was an incredibly important material used in extra terrestrial infrastructure owing to it's low density and high strength. He wasn't going to ask for titanium, something that beat aluminum in the strength to density competition, owing to it being a hell of a lot harder to work with.

"How about zinc and lead?"

"I wouldn't count on either of those. I should specify that only the Holifanian Theocratic Republic knows about specific elements."

"Damnit." Don's eyes were still closed, and a headache was returning. This time, the headache was not caused by that orange liquid. "How about gold and platinum?"

"Merchant, how much gold might we be able to spare?" Don was smart enough to infer from the lack of its mentioning that platinum was not something that was on the table.

"We might be able to spare with a hundredth of our smelted reserve, though I warn that giving away such a large amount of our minting reserves may draw the eyes of some of the more unruly nations."

"They should not require anywhere near that amount. As I understand they use gold as a component in many of their more intricate constructions." Donovan nodded at this. "Aside from those, what other metals do we have?"

The Merchant was quiet for some time as he thought of what else there might be that they could actually afford to give away. "Quicksilver?"

- - - - -

It turned out that aside from the metals, there was not much the Sanctum could provide that would actually be of immediate use. Food was fine and all, but they didn't have the highly processed materials they needed. Aside from those relatively common metals, nothing they could provide would help in extraterrestrial construction.

Plastics, for example, were a lightweight, sturdy, and cheap material that could be used for a variety of tasks where more expensive materials would have to be used instead. Chief among these was coating the interior of a spaceship. They would have to find their own fuel too, though for the moment they might be able to get away with using the reactor aboard the Noah.

This conversation about their material needs wrapped up just about the time Donovan finished the rest of what was in the jug.

This was also the time that Diana finally regained consciousness, an event announced by pained groaning. Don, who was just about able to see at the level he would normally, averted his eyes from her beautiful but woefully unclothed body.

"Skwiven, might I ask for another of those jugs?" The Arboreal Maiden addressed the small body who had been waiting at attention for the duration of their conversation. As it scampered away, she moved over to address her other charge. "Remain calm, Diana. I will soon have something to ease the pain."

Diana could only give a pained "m-hm" in return.

"Very good. In the mean time, here are some robes. They aren't the most comfortable, and they certainly aren't as appealing as your other clothing, but they are far easier to put on."

Diana's face went red at the realization of her exposure and sat up. Gingerly, the Arboreal Maiden helped her put them on.