032. Diversify! Armaments and Media, Diversify!
August 2991, Skye
The EarCandy Company of Skye was, in their own humble opinion, really reallygood at what they did.
What they did, was produce musical and sensory recordings.
At this very moment, they had 1832 musicians and musical groups signed on with their different labels.
They were the best.
The absolute best when it came to music in the Lyran Commonwealth.
Which was why the fact that Eggers Media's success in breaking open new markets had been so frustrating.
EarCandy could, of course, use their influence in the music markets to shut out Eggers Media, but the Propaganda Department of the LIC was supporting their actions. Something that meant they needed to play 'fair'. Lest... something happened to them.
Which rankled.
Rankled greatly.
At least until Eggers Media sent out feelers with the intention of cooperating.
They wanted to work together...
...
The entire corporate board had to ponder exactly what it was they were trying to pull here. Working together for mutual profit? That was essentially a giant scam.
What else could it be? They had done the same multiple times.
Executive 1: "How are we sure that this... can be trusted at all?"
Executive 3: "Huu Eggers has a reputation for straight deals where everyone benefits. You've heard of Primitive Bounty plan? Same with the Smialy. If there's someone who deals straight, it would be Huu Eggers."
The room paused.
Executive 2: "Is he... gullible?
A Lyran who dealt straight? That was the complete antithesis to the Lyran spirit of business negotiations and deals! One had to be smooth, had to be wordy, had to be eloquent! If they weren't, what were they even doing here!?
Executive 3: "Are you blind, have you seen what Eggers General Utility has managed to do in less than two years? Are you seriously saying he doesn't know what he's doing?"
Executive 5: "Okay, okay. So, the guy's a little naive."
The room didn't dispute this characterisation. Extreme capability elsewhere could make up for one's inability to negotiate well.
Executive 8: "Do we... say yes?"
Executive 3: "Yes, we say yes. You've seen the same reports we all have. LIC is using half of Eggers General Utility as a front. You saw what happened to the Rasalhague Kingdom! Just imagine it, they created an entirely new market for themselves! 43 virgin worlds without EarCandy ticket sellers, EarCandy record labels, EarCandy mechandise, EarCandy stores, EarCandy music streams, EarCandy Tours, EarCandy radio and television labels! E.M. broke that market wide open, and they're the ones who've benefited from it. They're the ones who set the trends in the Kingdom!"
The room started to breathe heavily. The holy grail of business, an entire new market for them to enter and dictate as they wanted.
Executive 3: "Whatever LIC has planned for them next, or whatever that little monster Huu is planning next, we need to be there with them. They're willing to work with everyone who pulls their weight, and the rewards are going to be insane. We need to say yes because, if we don't, Donegal Broadcasting will, or any of the tiny labels like MusicBlaster. If we don't benefit, who will?"
Executive 1: "Wait, wait, what do you mean little monster? That doesn't sound very trustworthy."
Executive 3: "He's called the little monster because he hasn't even reached his age of majority. But the shit he's done. The retro-tech, the fortresses, now this development with the primitive jumpships and dropships? The farming? The boy is basically setting up for the Fourth Succession War. He's a war hungry monster. But he's one on our side. As patriotic as they come. Nothing is sold over 10% cost, everyone can get the designs for a pittance if they're Commonwealth based. He's a monster, but he's our monster."
Executive 1: "That will hit well with the military demographics. If we play up Huu's role, we could see significant inroads after MusicBlaster stole a march on the military ballads. It might take back the market share we lost in the last year."
Executive 2: "And E.M. is the current big thing, the trendsetter. If we take a few of the more experimental labels and have them cooperate, we can ride that wave."
Executive 3: "That is, assuming, of course, the terms of the cooperation are favourable, and within our capabilities."
The executives nodded.
The media promotion sharing agreement was to be signed once they had a chance to actually see what it wanted. One that would bind The EarCandy Company of Skye to Eggers Media.
If only temporarily.
A push into the Free Worlds League was planned, they had just taken on the Combine, now their eyes were turning elsewhere. And if it was as militarily successful as the Rasalhague Kingdom, then EarCandy would come out on top, as it always had.
There was no indication there was a military buildup, but it was Huu Eggers. There had to be one.
The little monster wouldn't be able to sit still when there was war to be had.
+_+
Minutes of Meeting recorded on August 23, 2991 on Blackjack III regarding Heimdall Fire Control System.
This meeting involves the following corporations; Nashsan Computers, Defiance Industries, Bowie Industries, Eggers Armaments, Doering Electronics, Trellshire Heavy Industries, Red Devil Industries, Coventry Metal Works, Lockheed/CBM Corporation, Shipil Company, Gienah Automotive, Ioto Galactic Entreprises, Semler Data Tron, and TAG.
Meeting has been called to discuss future Fire Control System developments.
Representative of Eggers Armaments: "Let this meeting regarding the Retro-tech Computer Fire Control Systems Modernisation Program commence!"
Representative of Nashsan Computers: "A thank you to our hosts at Eggers Armaments for arranging this meeting. I would also like to thank everyone else that is present for their time. Now, I do believe that it is important to discuss exactly why we are here. Specifically, the modernisation of fire control systems present in the military machines of Pre-Space Flight Terra."
Representative of Doering Electronics: "Thank you to my compatriots at Nashsan Computers. In our investigations of ancient Terran designs, it is rather shocking how similar the systems we have now, compared to that of 1000 years ago, are. Fire Control systems, as they did in the 2000s use a mixture of visual, sonar, radar, infra-red, laser range-finders, anemometers, wind vanes, thermometers, and barometers to calculate firing solutions. What is shocking is how much of this is outside the central system."
Representative of Defiance Vehicles: "What do you mean outside the central system?"
Representative of Doering Electronics: "Well, you know that we at Doering are the premier producer of sensor equipment and neurohelmets in the Commonwealth. We know our sensors. The biggest difference is that all of our sensors are contained within the Battlemech or Vehicle itself. The machine is a self-contained unit, that does not share information unless it is part of a C3 system. Contrast this to retro sensory equipment, and it is a marvel of battlefield control. The system links to satellites in orbit to gain weather information, to other units in the field to gain atmospheric information. It can also use the sensors of linked machines to triangulate targets. Using all of this information to calculate accurate firing solutions for over 10 kilometres away in some cases. It is truly a marvel of design and engineering."
Representative of Trellshire Heavy Industries: "Thank you for explaining it in a way that doesn't include fifty different words of high tech jargon. We've seen the abstract and while it is impressive. The question is why has this integrated link to the wider battlefield disappeared from modern battlefields?"
Representative of Doering Electronics: "The simple reason is that the battlefield changed. Where before, you had entire armies, with all of their information synced together for maximum effectiveness. With the advent of space travel and Electronic Counter-Measures, the value of synced information decreased. With smaller armies, all clad with ECM as standard, the value of a complete link became less useful, I would guess. Why it went away altogether, I do not know. Now everything must be manually connected, instead of the automatic links on all systems that previously existed. And even then, only with certain battle computers."
Representative of Defiance Battlemechs: "Perhaps the reason is simpler than you thought. ECM jams signals, which means those from orbit or from infantry on the ground simply cannot get through. With modern ECM, it is pointless to continue development of any form of wireless integration."
Representative of Eggers Armaments: "And yet signals work, Battlemechs can communicate with one another, dropships and jumpships."
Let the record show silence of 10 seconds.
Representatives of Doering Electronics: "Then it is like the innovation of Standard Battle Armour. The minutes of that particular meeting have gone out to beyond the Commonwealth at this point. That highly dense shells defeat ablative armour because one must ablate the entire, multi-kilogram projectile. In our advances, we forget what came before. Push and pull, victory and defeat. Sensors allowed the destruction of entire field armies at a fraction of the casualties. ECM developed to defeat sensors and communication..."
Representative of Nashsan Computers: "And now it is time for the sensors to once again defeat ECM. To develop a computer and communication system that can share sensor feeds for infantry, vehicles, dropships, satellites, and aerospace. The battlefield has once again expanded, and we will be on the cutting edge."
Representative of Eggers Armaments: "Which is a good thing. The range on the retro-120mm cannon that the Leopard 2 possesses is over 5 kilometres for a guaranteed kill against other similar vehicles. With current sensor technology, it's going to be difficult to fully utilise the tank. Still a good militia vehicle, but it could be better."
Representative of Defiance Research and Development: "Yes, it is why we've started research and development of improved Autocannon variants. With the extended ranges that retro-weapons possessed, it behooved us to develop a counter in the Autocannon family to ensure the competitiveness of modern equipment. Inspired by this and similar meetings, we've extended a hand to the autocannon manufacturers to assist us in this endeavour. With the knowledge from this meeting, the Commonwealth's military capabilities will be improved once again!"
Representative of Doering Electronics: "We will, of course, need to develop the computers that can handle this networking, the sensor technology for everyone from infantry, to battlemechs, to satellites, to lift and carry comfortably, and an upgrade package to be disseminated. It will take significant effort."
Representative of Nashsan Computers: "And once that is completed, we can start development on Fire Control AI computers. That can automatically designate targets and land an impact on the first shot. Like this... ATLAS system the Western Alliance used for their main battle tank line."
Let the record show silence for 10 seconds.
Representative of Eggers Armaments: "Let's sort this retro-tech computer and sensor system first before we start looking at AI technology. How did they have AI technology back then, but we've nearly completely lost it?"
Voice becomes indistinct after this point.
Representative of Doering Electronics: "At this point, there's not much that we can do. We should be focusing on the here and now with the development of modern sensor systems. But first, what should we call the project?"
Representative of Eggers Armaments: "Heimdall. From the gatekeeper of Asgard from ancient myth. He who's eyes can see across the nine realms, able to discern threats to Asgard with but a glance. Born of nine mothers, guardian of the border. Doesn't this describe the system? To protect the borders of the Commonwealth and born from multiple different corporations working together."
Indistinct murmurs.
Representative of Defiance Industries (Battlemechs, Combat Vehicles, Aerospace) : "All who vote in favour of Heimdall, raise your hands and say aye. Aye."
Representative of Doering Electronics (Sensors and Neurohelmets) : "Aye"
Representative of Trellshire Heavy Industries (Battlemechs and Vehicles) : "Aye"
Representative of Red Devil Industries (Battlemechs and Vehicles) : "Aye"
Representative of Coventry Metal Works (Battlemechs and Vehicles) : "Aye"
Representative of Bowie Industries (Battlemechs and Vehicles) : "Aye"
Representative of Lockheed/CBM Corporation (Aerospace) : "Aye"
Representative of Shipil Company (Dropships and Jumpships) : "Aye"
Representative of Gienah Automotive (Vehicles) : "Aye"
Representative of Ioto Galactic Enterprises (Dropships and Jumpships): "Aye"
Representative of Semler Data Tron (Dropships and Jumpships) : "Aye"
Representative of TAG (Dropships and Jumpships) : "Aye"
Representative of Nashsan Diversified (Dropship, Jumpship, Computing) : "Aye"
Representative of Eggers Armaments (Battlemechs and Vehicles) : "Aye"
Representative of Eggers Armaments: "The ayes have it, the new system shall be named Heimdall."
Final notes: All corporation production specialities include in-development production capabilities as of 2991 August, Terran Standard.
+_+
August 2991, Blackjack III
SeraVideo Entertainments Incorporated, the largest manufacturer of entertainment electronics within the Lyran Commonwealth.
They were meeting with one Chisaki Nagao in her office on Blackjack III.
Eggers Cradle, the collection of Fortress Hexes, was visible from orbit as they burned in. The enormous network of fortifications visible from orbit itself, each one had a roof lit with bright lights. Lights that told incoming enemy vessels, 'this is a fortress, land and die.'
In orbit, there were quite the number of inbound and outbound dropships, all landing on different zones of the Cradle network.
Theirs was coloured bright purple.
The landing zone strobing with fluorescent lights.
Chisaki herself, in her office, beamed at them.
"Good morning! It's good to meet you!"
The executives were taken aback by her enthusiasm.
"It's good to meet you as well?"
"Yup! Anyway, now that you're here. We can talk video-game consoles. An all-in-one, computational unit."
"Pardon?"
"Yes, I know, it's a little crazy. All of our computers rely on a central server that our computers link to. It's where all the processing is done, our handhelds just display the information. The Boss wants us to design a self-contained computer. No central server or anything, everything comes in the box. We're going to release all of our video games to it."
"That's... that's insane. You're going to disrupt the entire entertainment market if you do this! Everything is streamed! What you're doing..."
"These are the Boss' orders." Chisaki's cheerful demeanour became serious. Like a prophet relaying the words of their god.
The executives gulped. It had been just two years... but the legend of Huu Eggers had reached across the Commonwealth. Military, civilian utility, media, agriculture, education... he had his hand in every industry and achieving mind-boggling success in each. What made matters worse was that he was singularly focused on two things, benefiting the Commonwealth... and war. A war so large, so devastating, that it would consume the Inner Sphere in a way that even the Age of War couldn't replicate.
Even worse than that was the Commonwealth, through the LIC, through the Estates General, through the LCAF were backing this rising star. Soon to be married into House Steiner if the rumours were correct.
Huu Eggers' voice had weight very few others could match in the Commonwealth.
"Why aren't you producing the self-contained computer yourself?"
"Vertical Diversification. The Boss says that if we make everything ourselves, we will cut ourselves off from the Commonwealth. If we cooperate and share, we will become part of the Commonwealth. What benefits one, benefits all."
"Ummmm. Yes... We tentatively agree. We do need to talk specifications... and internal hardware. We don't have anything like that. I don't think anyone does, actually. You're asking for decades of R&D to be done in a few months."
"We'll start small. Use basic computers from pre-space Terra for the older stuff. We'll put R&D in to develop computers until we get where we need to. Probably will never get enough power for holo-vids and holo-games, but 2-D will make us money out the wazoo."
The executives smiled, Chisaki smiled.
Everyone smiled.
Even if some smiles were a little more forced than others.
+_+
August 2991, Blackjack III
Tharkan Media Associates, The Donegal Broadcasting Company, Holo Entertainments from Kooken, and Nashsan media were here.
Here to meet Chisaki Nagao of Eggers Media.
"Good morning! You're probably wondering why everyone is here." The head of Eggers Media beamed at them. The figures did not feel reassured at all.
It was nearly public knowledge she was formerly of LIC propaganda, the strength that was behind her... was the strength of the Commonwealth.
As powerful as their corporations were, the Estates General could cripple them with a single judgement, hundreds of millions of Kroner in fines if they broke the law... or make life more difficult in other ways if they did not cooperate.
As had happened many times in the past, to many other corporations. Each secure in their own wealth, feeling as if they had purchased enough planetary representatives to be safe from any retaliation. Only to discover this was not so.
Into the room stepped two more sets of executives, from EarCandy from Skye, and SeraVideo Entertainments Incorporated.
"Now that we're all here. I have invited everyone for a simple... proposition. The creation of a media universe! Like the Steinheart production by Donegal Broadcasting Company, but revolving not around the Steiners. But around the Smialy!"
...
It sounded insane.
But, these were representing the most powerful media companies in the Lyran Commonwealth. One did not reach this point by being stupid.
"Yes, Eggers Media have been signing contracts with media companies across the Commonwealth. The goal is to push the Smialy onto the public stage by inserting it into every aspect of a Lyran citizen's life. From music, to shows, to movies, to theatre shows, to holovids, to video games, to arcade machines, pornography, bloodsports, and sensory recordings. A Lyran product, for a Lyran people."
"It's a machine..."
"Yes, a soldier can use it, a farmer, a miner, a spacer, a romantic noble. Anyone with arms and legs can use one. There just needs to be a little... creativity."
...
"You are aware that there will be certain concessions if we even entertain this idea?" Nashsan Media's representative spoke.
"Of course. All we want is the model kit rights. You can hash out the toys and merchandise and distribution rights. You also get to keep the rights to your shows and the Smialy's presence in them for the duration of this contract, which has an auto-renewal process every 10 years. You don't even need to pay us for the rights, except a small flat fee pegged to inflation." Chisaki's smile was genuine.
"You... you are being exceedingly generous, why?" Donegal Broadcasting asked.
"The Boss, of course. The Smialy is a Lyran machine that will be defending the Lyran people. But, for that to happen, the cultural rejection of everything that isn't a Heavy or Assault Battlemech must end. Without the Smialy, we will be hard-pressed to defend our borders, our worlds. We must promote the machine, must ensure that everyone who may need a machine, knows about it. Industry, military, agriculture, it can do it all," Her voice had taken on an almost fanatical edge.
"And when the time comes, it will lead our offensives." The room froze at that last statement.
Eyes narrowed, she surveyed the representatives in the room. Themselves, nearly taking a step back in fear. For all that she ran Eggers Media now... none could forget that she used to be part of LIC. The Propaganda Department may just be a cover if the bloodthirst in her eyes was any indication.
They gulped, the offer was too good to be true. The rewards were astronomic, the cost minimal. Could they refuse? There were so many other companies that would jump at the opportunity. The Estates General and the Archon would also be driving the Smialy forward. Enough had been leaked about it, that those of enough influence could see the reports. Understood, it represented a complete change to the Commonwealth's fighting capabilities.
They could not afford to deny this. Could not afford to let this chance go.
So long as the contract was in order, they had to sign as soon as possible.
Chisaki's eyes stared them down.
"Remember. All we do, we do for the Commonwealth."
+_+
October 2991, Blackjack III
Huu Eggers sat in his room. A simple four metre wide, six metre long room. One that held his screens, his bed, his bookshelves, and collection of Battlemech model kits that he promised himself he would build. He had promised himself that four years ago. They were finicky things, requiring glue and effort, and vices, and ugh. Nothing like the snap-fit Bandai Gundam ones that had spoiled him all those years ago.
It was like trying to build the early Ikaruga kits from Kotobukiya. Build the front, then the back, now get out your tweezers and build the middle you fat pleb. He could hear the malevolent laughter of the instruction writers now. ~Hahahaha!~
Ugh. Irritating.
To cheer his spirits back up, he had a look at his computers.
At the messages from his department heads.
The reports coming in were enough to make him beam.
Everyone had been following his orders.
The need to diversify production lines, to spread out the profits, and thus increase losses had worked!
Had worked! He needed to repeat his words!
Media was sharing out all the media, they were just earning a small flat fee in exchange. All that work and not even the sight of profits?
Perfect!
Construction was setting up the orbital infrastructure for dropships and jumpships with the help of everyone else... but they would be receiving just 10% of the final production. A small fee as well, but hah! 10% of jumpships? When there was like one a year from Shipil's slips a year?
That was a big windfall... in 10 years!
He chortled, best idea ever!
Even better, it was primitive Jumpships! They had a jump range of half of modern jumpships... so 15 light years? Yeah, that sounded about right. One every 10 years, hah, what a great way to lose money!
Then there were the O'Neill cylinders, the first being called Crippen Station. The final plan was ready, now was the time to start building everything, and it would cost him billions upon billions of Kroner.
Oh, this was glorious.
Armaments was spending money on R&D and advertising, all for nothing. Nobody wanted to buy a light mech in the Commonwealth. Why would anyone want to buy an Ultralight? Sure it was called an Automachines, sure it was marketed as every planet's Militiamech... but really. Who was that going to fool?
Hah!
Producing them, nobody buying them.
~losing money, I'm losing money!~
Hmmm.
Tolsand Warworks was finalising some work on the initial Armoured Exosuit.
It looked like someone that had been stuffed into a suit of armour from the Middle Ages. The ancient Middle Ages, not whatever was happening in the Federated Suns and their fashion choices... or lack of it. Then the plates were made two centimetres thick, an engine stuck on the back... and a machine-gun stuck on the right arm.
Oh, and the helmet was a regular helmet.
It was.
Uh.
The bulkiest, and slowest thing that he had ever seen.
Seriously, who would even want to be inside this thing?
He grinned, perfect.
Bulky, ugly, and can move at 15 kilometres an hour? Oof.
That's a slow one. He used to be able to run faster than this thing!
Back in his first life.
Doing cross-country in his sneakers and shorts... but that wasn't the point! The point was that it was slow, when vehicles move at three times that speed at a minimum, what was even the point of having something like this?
Hah, he had even checked the battle on Romulus with the EDF.
Had read how all the Daimlers were always moving at top speed during the battle. Speed is king, to slow down was to die.
These were too slow to keep up with anything.
Hmmm.
Then there was the protection. Standard armour plates... a few dozen kilograms of armour, and one weapon. Ok, but not great.
Perfect.
Exactly what he wanted.
When they showed up on the Solaris Circuit next month or however long it took to get into production, it was going to get everyone asking 'what's going on, what are my eyes telling me?'
Huu beamed.
Then there was Eggers Education, opening up satellite campuses within their complex at his order. Diversification! The different universities like Washington on Donegal, New Cambridge of Wessex, Kyoto College, Tharkad University, and Raina on Skye being just a few of the examples.
More researchers, more people to pay, more money to spend on useless R&D.
Oh.
It was glorious.
Just imagining the billions that had gone into the haptic Battlemech control system... and how none of that was going to be returned in earnings.
Or the billions for melee weapons... that wasn't going to be returned.
Oh, it was just roses, all roses.
Huu did a little jig in his room, putting on 'greatest hits of 1990' for that stab of nostalgia.
He had been so worried, but.
But!
Things were coming up aces!
One more month and he felt incredibly relaxed, couldn't see how there would be profits now... or ever!
He still needed to find a friend, though.
Damned System!
Or maybe friendly System. The diversification had been genius. It was going to lose him all his money... maybe he had been too hard on the System