Y2156.12.11 Purvaux - DJ, Joe, Mick & Nyota [Data Cubes]

[atpollard]

Y2156.12.11:0200 Purvaux (scene 1: arrival)
The flight from Brulantfort to Purvaux was long but quiet. The partial cloud cover was low, so the Medium Transport flew above the majority of the clouds on autopilot. You had a clear view of the star filled southern sky and were able to watch both small moons rise and set. As you approached Purvaux, the massive glowing structure was visible against the lush, green landscape. Your first impression was of a giant Christmas tree, 200 meters tall and three times that in diameter, made from three disks stacked one atop the other suspended from a central trunk. You contact Air Control for landing instructions and were informed that Purvaux only accepted flights during daylight hours. “Please contact the control tower after 0600 for specific landing instructions” stated the clearly very junior “official” assigned to babysit the overnight shift.

Fortunately, the Medium Transport was fully VTOL and the surrounding roads offered plenty of places to just land and wait for dawn.

The travel time afforded opportunity to discuss training with the AKOA in greater detail. Aiza, the adult female, suggested that the AKOA could certainly attempt to teach you to control your gift, but that such training would require time … “time away from people and cities, perhaps weeks of living in complete harmony with the planet” . Such a regimen would have to wait until after the Trill was recovered to begin. Nira, the adolescent female, would be the best one to teach you, but they all could help.

Ilona (light) - elderly male
Aiza (living) - adult female
Nira (near) - adolescent female
Aiva (warrior) - male child

GRAV MEDIUM TRANSPORT: (TL 11) Cr 81,000 (used); 13,000 kg GVWR. A sixteen-seat personal Grav transport with seats, Electronic Controls and onboard Autopilot for two (2) 100 kg Pilots, seats for fourteen (14) 100 kg Passengers and a cargo area with a 4000 kg capacity. The vehicle is designed for operation below 3000 meters altitude, has a Top Speed of 600 kph, a Flying Cruise speed of 450 kph (10,800 km range), and a Nap Of Earth (NOE) speed of 150 kph (3600 km range). The Fuel Cell consumes 19,272 Liters of Liquid Hydrogen Fuel (Cr 675 to refuel) in 24 hours.

Y2156.12.11:0600 Purvaux
With the lightening of the sky, Traffic Control came online and you were given an approach vector and a landing berth assigned to your craft. Large panels on the roof opened to allow you access to a well lit and clearly numbered landing pad. You exited the security doors (whose code you set yourself) and were standing on a transportation corridor overlooking a large Central Park on the roof of the uppermost level. A bureaucrat with HandComp was waiting to collect your signature on the docking agreement and have you initial the Fees. You also had a long list of options available that included refueling, cargo handling, and security (all available for a small fee). He wasn’t obnoxious … more like a Hotel Concierge.

[You are looking for something called the P.I.E. Council - they are selling the Data Crystals you heard rumors about.]

[Eris]

While we're waiting for dawn, Joe will ask the others how long we intend to remain in Purvaux and what sort of local services we might require here.

EDIT: Services will have to include Docking, but are we going to need to refuel or warehouse anything here. I thought it was just a delivery and pick up job. Oh, but we also want to SELL the Textiles here, right? That's a different thing than the Data-Cubes, so yeah, probably need cargo handling and to do a little searching to find a buyer for our goods, right? I'm not sure about warehousing or security, what say you?

Once that is determined, he'll say, "I'll handle getting us signed in with the local authority while somebody contacts PIE to see about those data cubes."

A bureaucrat with HandComp was waiting to collect your signature on the docking agreement and have you initial the Fees. You also had a long list of options available that included refueling, cargo handling, and security (all available for a small fee). He wasn’t obnoxious … more like a Hotel Concierge.

Joe will smile and initial the fees for the company for the services we'll be needing. He'll tell the bureaucrat that he's never been to Purvaux before and ask a few friendly questions, "Why is the town arranged like this with the levels and enclosed areas? It's almost like you're a space habitat."

"As I've never been here before, can you recommend any 'can't miss' sights or points of interest around here? Maybe a good, but not too expensive place to eat, too?" Joe continues with the friendly questions being as charming as he can be.

[Thumper]

Mick will have spent part of the flight to Purvaux establishing contacts and initiating the textile and data cube trades. He'll discuss psionic basics with their new friends and Joe. Otherwise, he'll rest.

Once on the ground, he’ll pursue those trade contacts in person.

[atpollard]

Y2156.12.11:0610 Purvaux (scene 2: find PIE)

[Sometimes TRADE is a simple matter of a phone call, drive up, load the truck, hand over the cash and dash off to deliver and make the next deal. However, that is both BORING and really doesn’t warrant the sort of “buy low/sell high” profits that make Traveller FUN. Adventures are FUN. So whenever the time and opportunity present themselves, I like to treat TRADE as an ADVENTURE … even if it is a VERY SHORT ADVENTURE. That being the case, there is an ADVENTURE to locate some TEXTILES that TUT heard a RUMOR about in Decuir and there is an ADVENTURE to locate some DATA CUBES that Mick heard a RUMOR about in Purvaux. I just wanted to manage expectations and set the right MOOD.]

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Joe feels for a moment like he is signing away his first born as the contract lists item after item that he must initial as accept or decline … Bless Bureaucracies. The friendly bureaucrat explained that “Purvaux is a state of the art facility and its residents enjoy living in climate controlled comfort breathing triple filtered air with the gas mixture optimized for health and comfort.”

“For not to be missed sights, there is a theatre district with both robotic and live human performers. There is a Quartet in the Park playing this evening that is quite popular. There is a museum with a collection of Pre-Settlement Artifacts from an extinct civilization that once lived on this planet. Some prefer to take advantage of the world-class Health Spa and relax and be rejuvenated.”

“Purvaux enjoys 14 different restaurants all within walking distance, so you can find cuisine for any palette or budget. Any information you need should be accessible via your COMM or HandComp.”

Mick lands a bit concerned. He had heard that “P.I.E.” had the unique Data Cubes for sale, and Mick was able to locate contact information for them in the Purvaux directory … P.I.E. was actually the “Productivity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council” … unfortunately, every time Mick attempted to call their number, he received an automated message that they were not presently available and he should leave a message and they would get back with him … [except the mailbox was full].

Now that you were physically in Purvaux, Mick was able to obtain a physical address for the location of the “P.I.E.” offices.

[Eris]

Joe does read what he is initialing and signing as he goes, which slows things down, but he's dealt with bureaucrats before and knows attention to detail is a must. He keeps smiling and nodding as he goes. It might take some time, but that's better than a rushed job that comes back to bite you in the end.

"Well, thanks for the information about local events. The museum exhibit sounds very interesting." Joe says to the bureaucrat as they reach the end of the paperwork, "Are there any local laws or regulations we should be aware of here in Purvaux?"

"Oh, and can you suggest an inexpensive hotel where we can stay if our business takes more than one day here?"

Shaking hands Joe says, "Thank you for your attention and help with all this paperwork. It is appreciated."

Joe starts to turn away then turns back as he seems to think of something else to ask about, "Say! Do you know anything about an organization here in Purvaux called PIE?"

"It was suggested to us as a group we might want to contact about a business opportunity, but we don't know much of anything about them. Is there anything you could tell us?"

[Thumper]

Was just at the end of a very long and tiring day...and I didn't want to hold up play for this group if they got to posting before I got back to it.

Mick looks at their visitors and says, "You want to come along, mates? We'll find a good breakfast then hopefully head off to find the PIE. How 'bout it for a couple days? Busy time right now.

He waits for the response to Joe's inquiry about P.I.E.'s location.

[atpollard]

Y2156.12.11:0730 Purvaux (scene 2: PIE Offices)

The layout of Purvaux was unusual with rings of cascading buildings forming a giant bowl with a large hole in the center for a vertical light shaft and a tall tower of buildings forming the side of the bowl. The roofs were all covered with gardens and terraces. Six giant vertical pylons pierced through the “bowl” both supporting it and providing a vertical transportation hub between the stacked bowls. A glass outer shell allowed light to enter and gaps in the bowl allowed light to penetrate to the space below it.

“In general, the citizens of Purvaux enjoy both peace and privacy. If one avoids actions to disturb either the general peace, or invade the privacy of another, one should find few difficulties with the local laws.” the bureaucrat smiled “So try to avoid drunken brawls or rappelling over balconies like a paparazzi to get video of celebrities … and you should stay out of trouble.”

“P.I.E. is a sort of Think Tank. I believe they are affiliated with the University and funded from various sources to pursue unconventional research.” he offered. You were informed that their offices were located on the “First Ring” - the lowest of the three rings.

The bureaucrat declined the offer for breakfast and to accompany you, apologizing but explaining that he had other craft to welcome to Purvaux Landing Port. Then the group visited a “Waffle House” - (yes, THAT ‘Waffle House’ with its distinctive yellow color) on the Second Ring near the Grand Purvaux Hotel (a 60 room hotel with rooms costing Cr 15 [Standard - SOC 7] and Cr 45 [Suite - SOC 10] per person per night).

Purvaux was over 200 meters tall and more than 300 meters in diameter, making the walk around the circumference to the correct pylon to catch a vertical lift to the University District on Ring 1 and locate the P.I.E. offices nearly a kilometer of walking from Breakfast to the P.I.E. office. It was a rather nondescript door in a Commercial Mixed-Use Entrepreneur Center [an office complex that served as an incubator for new businesses]. Next to the door was a sign that read “Productivity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council” in professional looking letters. The door itself was glass and through the locked door, you could see a dark office, dimly illuminated, containing office furniture, a dead plant and no people.

[What skills will the group employ to attempt to locate a person or gain more information?]

[Thumper]

Mick would want to go to the community administrators office and use his ADMIN skill to obtain contact with a P.I.E. Director. He’ll claim (and show if necessary) his business license and follow Joe’s phrase: ”It was suggested to us that we might have a mutually beneficial trade opportunity with P.I.E.”

[Eris]

First, compare the time with any notice on the door of open hours and if there is any sort of contact info posted on the door.

If that doesn't give a lead, then second, the office seems to be in a business/office area, so there might be other businesses around it that are open. Joe will visit these offices and see if he can draw anyone inside out about PIE. Who worked there? What happened to them? Where they might be contacted? Who worked there?

Third, go to the University...this is the University Ring and this sounds like a University research project or incubator...so let's check with the University's Admin and see if they can direct us to the Professor/Administrator that was in charge of PIE.

Fourth, do a computer search of recent news for references to PIE, as well as "Productivity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council."

If all the above fails to delivery help, we might want to try going around back and seeing if there is a back door...

[atpollard]

Y2156.12.11:0830 Purvaux (scene 2: PIE Offices)

The data-panel on the door listed “Office Hours”, among the available data, however the information was blank. Joe was unsure whether the hours had been deleted or a lazy staff had never entered the data. Joe decided to stick around and try the adjacent offices as Mick headed off to see what the Purvaux Community Administrator’s Office might know.

The people in the adjacent offices were friendly enough, but like most startup businesses they were too focused on their own insurmountable daily crisis to pay much attention to other offices. A few people sort of remembered a skinny guy that came and went at odd hours. One person thought his name might be “Adam” … something. Where Joe had greater success was chatting with a custodian cleaning one of the unoccupied offices. Leo had access to all of the Suites in the Complex and repaid your assistance emptying some trash cans by returning to the “PIE” suite with you and using his access code on the Data Panel. A record of who entered access codes and when appeared on the display. No one had come or gone, except Leo, in the last 72 hours and there was only one other visit in the last 120 hours.

Mick arrived at the Government Offices (also located on Ring 1) and began to work his way through the infamous “helpful” Beau Civil Service Bureaucracy. At last he reached the Second Assistant to the Chief Clerk of the Third Minister who was delighted to assist anyone seeking business opportunities in Purvaux … “After all, facilitating trade is what I am here for” replied the perky redhead that seemed to live for her bureaucratic role in the universe. Mick learned that Purvaux was very proud of the work of the Productivity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council, and that it was a think-tank offshoot of the University of Purvaux School of Economics. “Sort of a clearing house for research grants and unconventional proposals” she said with pride. According to official documents, it was under the control of Adam Weber of the Beau Bureau of Economic Research. She offered you the location of the Offices of the Productivity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council … and after the THIRD time explaining that you had the address and comm number for their office and had visited it … yes, in person … Mick left to locate Adam Weber by some other means.

Returning to Joe and exchanging data, Joe and Mick played a hunch and located Leo to ask if he had contact information for Adam Weber, the man that rents the PIE suite?
“Well, I don’t know where he lives or anything like that” said Leo “but I have his COMM information listed under the Emergency Contact in case anything happens.” Leo is happy to provide you with Adam Weber’s personal COMM number.

Now the group can at least arrange a meeting.

[Order of activities] Action (skill applied) roll for result
[2] Adjacent offices (streetwise) 8+1=9
[4] Community Administrator Office (admin) 6+3=9
[5] Door hours (JoT) 7+2 = 9
[5] Computer Search (not needed) 6
[6] University (not needed) 7

[atpollard]

You have a COMM to contact ... What will you say?

[Thumper]

Mick will call the number given them.

[Eris]

OOC: Hum, while Mick is taking the direct approach Joe will try a sideways approach. Having dealt with Academics in the past, Joe (and I) know that Professors do research and publish; Instructors teach and try to find time for research; Administrators hold meetings, play politics, and try to herd cats; and Department Secretaries do all the actual work of keeping everything functioning.

Joe says, "If you want to get the real scoop talk to the Secretary." and with that he places a call to The University of Purvaux School of Economics and asks to speak to the Department Secretary.

"Good morning! My name is Joe Black and I represent Omni Enterprises. I'm hoping you can take a minute to help me with a couple of questions I have."

"We are trying to get in contact with the Productivity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council here in Purvaux. Our understanding is that this is a off-shoot from your department. Yes?"

Joe continues, "You see, my colleagues and I are in Purvaux on other business, but have heard that PIE, I believe that is the normal way the Council is called. We have been informed that we and the Council might be able to do some business."

"So, we have tried to contact the Council, to no avail. An Adam Weber, is the contact we should talk to is that correct? Joe asks, "Well, we've tried calling their offices, but get no answer. We even visited their offices, but found it was closed, lights off, no sign of activity."

"The thing is, we are only going to be in Purvaux for a short period and based on what have been told were intrigued with some of the things PIE was working on, and really wanted to pursue an idea for some business with PIE." Joe says, "Now we find ourselves at something of a loss on how to proceed. I'm hoping you can help us make contact with them."

"Do you know what's going on with the Productivity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council? Perhaps even offer an alternative contact if Adam Weber is not available?"

[atpollard]

Y2156.12.11:0840 Purvaux (scene 3: Adam Weber)

Mick called the number …

“Hello, Adam here” came the voice from the comm. A man in his mid thirties dressed in comfortable athletic clothing (and barefoot) stepped into the viewscreen holding a coffee in one hand. He took a sip. Visible behind him was an expensive apartment residence with an impressive view through the floor to ceiling glass wall (probably on the third ring from the height of the view). “How can I help you?”


Joe called the UNIVERSITY …

The secretary laughed “PIE is fine, but those people are all odd ducks” she replied. “Adam is it. He runs the operation. However Adam is more of a MBWA type. He hates offices and meetings and is a firm believer in ‘Management By Wandering Around’, so the office is the last place you’ll find him. I think he just keeps it so he has a place to meet when the Oversight Committee wants to inspect things … he will have a place for them to inspect.” An address arrives at Joe’s comm “Have you tried his apartment? That’s usually the first place to start looking.”

(Bureaucrat Supervisor) Adam Weber (age 34)
Below average (2-5) STR,DEX; Average (6-8) EDU; Above average (9-C) END,INT,SOC.
Skills: Admin-2, Brawling-2, Steward (Instr/Recruit)-2, Vehicle (grav)-2

[Eris]

Y2156.12.11:0840 Purvaux (scene 3: Adam Weber)

Joe called the UNIVERSITY …

The secretary laughed “PIE is fine, but those people are all odd ducks” she replied. “Adam is it. He runs the operation. However Adam is more of a MBWA type. He hates offices and meetings and is a firm believer in ‘Management By Wandering Around’, so the office is the last place you’ll find him. I think he just keeps it so he has a place to meet when the Oversight Committee wants to inspect things … he will have a place for them to inspect.” An address arrives at Joe’s comm “Have you tried his apartment? That’s usually the first place to start looking.”

Joe chuckles, "I know the type. We at Omni have our fair share of odd ducks ourselves. I'll try to contact him at his apartment, thanks for the address. It's been a pleasure talking to you and again thanks for your help."

Joe turns to Mick and starts to tell him what he found out, but see's that Mick has already gotten a hold of Adam and simply nods and stays quiet.

[Thumper]

Mick:
“‘Ello, Mate. Er, Doctor Weber! It’s Mick Hogan here. I’m a partner with a company named Omni Enterprises outta Brulantfort.

“I’m thrilled we got ‘hold of ya. I tried to call your office a couple times and it went to voicemail mail. Came by yer office. Finally tracked down your personal comm…Hope ya don’t mind.

Anyway, I read an article the other day about yer Data Cubes. Came out Pirveax on other business and was hoping to discuss some possible opportunities with ya. Can we buy ya lunch? Beer and Barbie perhaps?”

[atpollard]

Y2156.12.11:1200 Purvaux (scene 3: Cork Screw BBQ)
After insisting that you just call him “Adam”, he agreed to meet you at a park near the University and the PIE offices. He knew the perfect place to get Beer and Barbeque, but it was a little tricky to find, so it was best to meet at the park and he would lead you.

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Adam arrived at the park about 1140 and guided the group DOWN from the Ring One. You discovered that Purvaux had a subterranean “Ring” that served as an industrial complex. Nestled among companies that seemed to manufacture items ranging from medical devices to advanced alloys was the Cork Screw BBQ … a place with a rustic meets industrial vibe that seemed crowded with patrons. The scent of smoked meat filled the place and there was a selection of nearly fifty different Craft beers to select from. Adam suggested the Pulled pork and brisket combo that was the house specialty. When the food arrived (on a compartmental plate on a sheet of brown paper covering a metal tray), Adam thanked the waitress and allowed Mick to pay. While pulled pork had a tendency to be dry and needed lots of sauce to provide flavor, the group was shocked to discover this pork was moist, tender and had an amazing flavor even without any BBQ sauce. As for BBQ sauces, they had about 15 different varieties to select from. The waitress suggested several brews that paired well with your selections … including the option of a “flight” if you wanted to sample several different brews. Adam chose a flight.

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“So you said you were interested in some Data Cubes” Adam began as you enjoyed your meal. “I am afraid you have me at a bit of a disadvantage. You see, the Productivity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council doesn’t actually DO anything.” Adam explained with a smile. “We are really more like a ‘Pimp”.

With a small chuckle, Adam went on to explain that the function of the Productivity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council was to match problems in search of a solution with solutions in search of a problem. Specifically, they maintained a database of Research Proposals and Technical Challenges and attempted to cross match them. “Large corporations and major industries maintain direct research teams and facilities and ongoing programs that seek slow but steady progress that large bureaucracies favor. The Productivity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council seeks to identify and support the outlier cases. Radical solutions that no large organization would take a chance on, or niche problems that no large university department would bother to notice. We match small funds with few restrictions to projects that are high-risk, high reward to see if an outlier can produce something that offers dramatic potential. So I need a little more detail on exactly what you are looking for. I have LOTS of data cubes with lots of data … none of which would likely interest you. However, you are probably looking for something that we funded. That I can help with.”

(Bureaucrat Supervisor) Adam Weber (age 34)
Below average (2-5) STR,DEX; Average (6-8) EDU; Above average (9-C) END,INT,SOC.
Skills: Admin-2, Brawling-2, Steward (Instr/Recruit)-2, Vehicle (grav)-2

[Thumper]

Mick says:
“Hey, this smoked brisket if tasty! And this sauce is its equal! Great choice!

Well, a couple a days ago while searching out a possible trade opportunity (Omni Enterprises is primarily a speculative cargo trading company). Anyway, I came across a reference with P.I.E.’s name on an article which wrote about the development of data cubes with the potential help companies increase productivities and help communities raise GDPs. I’m assuming, then, that’s not your product…you’re more the synapse between some innovator and the government dollars? Lemme guess, it’s probably a kid genius who designed and developed ‘em?

The article discussed commercial use, but not much discussed in the way it was being used to actually help communities. I’m guessing the blockhead bureaucrats have a “process” for that, but it’ll be years to get government funds available and even more years before someone actually distributes them.

We’ve recently been to a number of small communities and seen first-hand how they conduct their business. Got a number of trade agreements with some of ‘em already…cultivating more. I think there may be a potential opportunity here for us to connect the manufacturer to those small community markets. I’ve got some ideas of some possible ways we could shorten circuit the bureaucrats and deliver this capability directly. Ya know, do some good in the world and make a buck. Win-win for all. The middle man outta get a cut of that deal, too.”


He washes his words down with a sip of dark beer then takes a fork skewered with coleslaw.

TRADE: Mick’s Trader skill (ADMIN) discovered an unusual opportunity for both short-term and long-term profit. Purveaux (pop 5k, Ri) had 1 tonne of Data-cubes [Cr 50k FMV] available for [roll 8-5= 3 = 80%] Cr 40k. If St Oyland purchased these Data-Crystals, the information on them would allow them to increase trade by 1% of GNP per month from the current 10% of GNP to 20% of GNP [by eliminating the “Po” trade category].

[atpollard]

Y2156.12.11:1300 Purvaux (scene 3: Cork Screw BBQ)
Adam lit up with understanding “Ah yes. The ‘Triple Eye’ program … You are looking for Zoe Becker and her ‘Information Innovation Initiative’ project. That was originally funded by ‘B.B.E.R.’ … the Beau Bureau of Economic Research as a sort of radical ‘proof of concept’ for Zoe’s Master’s Thesis and a stepping stone towards her Doctorate. She was reporting interesting results with her modeling when BBER pulled the plug on funding. The new director wanted something more ‘Centralized’ than Zoe’s distributed approach to the problem.”

Adam grinned wide “You have to give her credit for originality … I mean who the heck would think of TERRAFORMING an economy like an atmosphere?” he shrugged “With the funding pulled, the program is dead, so you will want to contact Zoe Becker at the University of Purvaux, School of Economics directly. Anything from the program will be in her personal possession.”

Adam provided you with contact information for Zoe.

(Bureaucrat Supervisor) Adam Weber (age 34)
Below average (2-5) STR,DEX; Average (6-8) EDU; Above average (9-C) END,INT,SOC.
Skills: Admin-2, Brawling-2, Steward (Instr/Recruit)-2, Vehicle (grav)-2

(Scientist-Economist) Zoe Becker (age 26) M.Economics
Below average (2-5) STR,END; Average (6-8) DEX,SOC; Above average (9-C) INT,EDU.
Skills: Comp-2, Admin (Economics)-1,JoT-1, Mech-1

[Eris]

Joe has been quiet, letting Mick do all the talking, but as Adam gives the contact info for Zoe Becker, Joe is taking it down. While Mick and Adam continue to talk he is running a quick data search on her...papers, references, bio and curriculum vitae from the University Website, and any news references with her name.

EDIT: I don't need details, Joe is just looking for whether Zoe is known, respected, likely more than a "grant pig" just rooting around for funding of her doctorial research, and really might have something useful to sell to Omni.