Ceylon's news and such

[king of cochin]

The Kingdom of Cochin recognizes transition of Republic of Sri Lanka into the Corporate Republic of Ceylon and such consider the due transfer of existing treaties and alliances with the new nation as valid. We hope that the Corporate Republic of Ceylon would not espouse extreme Corpocracy and ignore the well being of the people of Ceylon and Bengal.

[Lynneth]

[quote name='king of cochin' timestamp='1309169870' post='2742611']
The Kingdom of Cochin recognizes transition of Republic of Sri Lanka into the Corporate Republic of Ceylon and such consider the due transfer of existing treaties and alliances with the new nation as valid. We hope that the Corporate Republic of Ceylon would not espouse extreme Corpocracy and ignore the well being of the people of Ceylon and Bengal.
[/quote]
"We are a corporate republic now, a nation run by corporations. By the definition of the word 'Corporatocracy', we are one.
However: It is in the interest of the corporations for a strong, educated workforce, one that is loyal to the corporations and will not look elsewhere for employment. Radicalism does not serve anyone well, it only destroys potential.

On another note, we thank the Kingdom for recognition of the transition and the transfer of treaties."

[JEDCJT]

"The Holy Empire of Ursalia recognizes the Corporate Republic of Ceylon."

[Lynneth]

It had taken some time, but the Corporate Republic's government had been established properly. The Board and its advisors were working hard already to establish a proper constitution - which would basically be a large contract-like document, which every citizen would have to sign upon reaching 18 years of age in order to be allowed higher education, good jobs and a variety of other things.
One could probably live quite well without signing it, but signing this document meant actual support from the corporations, as well as becoming a full citizen. Of course there would be an option to sign the constitution at a later time, but thta would be a hassle, with an intentionally large amount of bureaucracy.
IDs had been replaced already, people now having a Citizen Number instead.
Further changes in the lives of people would come over time.

_________________________________

In Ceylon's research laboratories, a satellite of unique capabilities was beginning to take form.
"So, it'll be able to warm up any area of the world we want?"
"Yes. It has a certain 'range' of sorts, that being the radius of the area it affects. We estimate it to be some kilometers wide, depending on deployment of the mirrors."
"That's all?"
"Well, in theory, we could align the mirrors and...focus them on a very small area, potentially allowing for a weapon that focuses several hundred to some thousand times the usual amount of sunlight onto some place on the planet."
"That would disturb the atmosphere, wouldn't it?"
"Oh, quite likely. We've no idea whether it would be viable as weapon. The only way to find out would be to test it somewhere."
"And that would most certainly garner a lot of attention we might not want."
"Indeed. Many nations wouldn't like such a weapon. It's likely they're simply shoot it down or something."
"So perhaps we won't test it. Just use the mirrors and see what they do to the atmosphere, extrapolate from there?"
"That...We don't know enough about the atmosphere for that. Too many unknown variables."
"Hrm. Bad. But we can try."
"Well, yes...It would most likely be impossibly inaccurate, though."
"Better than nothing?"
"Better than nothing, yes." He sighed. "I'll get to ordering that."
"Thank you~"

Edited June 30, 2011 by Lynneth

[Lynneth]

[center]
[b][Announcement][/b]

"We would like to announce a new 'Flag', more our corporate logo, and what's commonly known as 'Coat of Arms'."

[url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/The_Corporation_by_snoopydoo.png"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/th_The_Corporation_by_snoopydoo.png[/img][/url]
[i]Logo[/i]

[url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/boslogo_2.png"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/th_boslogo_2.png[/img][/url]
[i]Coat of Arms[/i]
[/center]

"Thank you for your attention."

Edited July 2, 2011 by Lynneth

[Lynneth]

[b][Far above the surface, in LEO][/b]

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Icarus01.png[/img]

[i]Icarus is responding normally.[/i]
"All systems nominal?"
[i]Nominal. No problems right now.[/i]
"Something will go wrong."
[i]There hasn't been anything wrong with our space technology in ages. The sheer quality with which it's made is staggering.[/i]
"True. How do you feel up there?"
[i]Good. Much better than I'd have thought. But then again, I did undergo fighter training in Germany.[/i]
"Used to it, huh?"
[i]A little.[/i]
"Now, it should finish opening..."

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Icarus02.png[/img]

[i]Halfway.[/i]
"You sure?"
[i]Yes. It's unfolding a bit slower than expected. Everything else seems to be fine.[/i]
"Too little gas perhaps."
[i]Maybe.[/i]

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Icarus03.png[/img]

[i]Getting there now[/i]
"Excellent."
[i]That mirror is huge.[/i]
"It only looks so large because the only object you can compare it to is the satellite. And compared to it, a 30-meter mirror is indeed big."
[i]Eh, true.[/i]

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Icarus04.png[/img]

[I]It's finished. Icarus has opened his wings.[/i]
"Most excellent. We'l begin positioning it immediately!"
[i]Just don't catch us in the beam.[/i]
"Don't you worry, you're behind it. Nothing should happen."
[i]Should.[/i]
"Now shut up and watch."

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Icarus05.png[/img]

The satellite was repositioned slightly by the thrusters attached to it. With the satellite turning, the sun coming into the mirror's view, the first beams of light began to crawl across the reflective material, caught briefly and redirected into a chosen direction.
Like a sunbeam through thick clouds, the light caught in the mirror sped down towards the surface, human eyes and the human brain barely capable of registering the moment in which the dusky antarctic day above a small, artificial forest in Ceylon's antarctica-protectorate was illuminated, a pillar of white extending into the heaven.

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Possible/Sign_by_Scorpion757.jpg[/img]

This location had been chosen - and prepared - because of its extraordinary remoteness on the ground, even if the test itself could not be hidden all that easily.

[Lynneth]

[b][Classified][/b]

"Oh wonder of wonders. They're already halfway done with building the next prototype?"
"Yes. After [i]Neptune[/i] and [i]UAC[/i] absorbed the old space agency's assets, efficiency rose by almost 40%. Less bureaucracy, better coordination between the corporations."
"Amazing what a little corporatism appears to be capable of doing."
"Well, it only works because of Sostra. Because we keep the peace, because we can end them, and they know it."
"Heh. Fear, or respect?"
"Both. And they hope to eventually emulate our success, thus copying our modus operandi."
"Quite nice. I presume others do this, as well?"
"Aside from our subsidiaries? Yes. In fact, those who don't provide as many 'socialist' services keep losing personnel and customers unless they're monopolists in their branch."
"That's good to hear. Now, for the satellite, how big will this one be?"
"Around ten times the diameter, with an appropriately larger area. With any luck, it might even be capable of focusing enough sunlight already for the inner mirrors to do their work."
"We're going to test those, too?"
"If we can, yes. Why?"
"Hrm...Well, I doubt the world would like a practically unstoppable superweapon..."
"It's not unstoppable, and if the weather isn't right, it won't do much, either. A too heavy cloud-cover can dissipate its energy rather easily."
"The small one's I assume."
"Yes. The final prototype will be larger again, of course. The energy it will capture and redirect...Incredible. It'll require massive heat radiators to keep from melting."
"How fun. Now, how long 'till this one's done?"
"A few weeks, perhaps. There's some parts we haven't yet delivered into orbit, but those are the most delicate ones, in the interior."
"I see. Well, I'm looking forward to this."
"As am I."

[Lynneth]

[b][Mostly Classified][/b]

"The orbiter is getting into position."
[i]"How long?"[/i]
"Less than a minute."
[i]"Excellent. Proceed with the operation."[/i]

Several minutes passed, a powerful telescope on a geostationary space station having been turned to watch the second prototype do its work.
Very much like the first, gigantic, inflatable and reflective surfaces, nine in total, emerged from the satellite, beginning to grow and unfold, showing its observers a beauty that nature could not create.

"I-P2 is unfolding. estimated time to completion, five minutes."
"Let's see whether this one works just as well as its predecessor."
"It will. Same technology, larger scale. The only difference should be a larger power-output."
"Potentially enough for weaponising."
"Yes. But still nowhere near enough to do what we want it to do."
"Indeed."

Another five minutes came and went. Finally, the second Icarus-prototype had done what is was supposed to do. Slower than the first prototype, accounting for the larger size, but just like it, without any problems.
The command to initiate the test was given. As before, the satellite, possibly one of the largest in orbit of the planet by size, if not mass, began to turn slowly, deliberately. Finally, sunlight was caught on its mirror-surface, forced to change its course. A pillar of light extended towards the planet once more, invisible in the vacuum of space, though visible as atmosphere was hit, atoms bouncing the photons around as if they were volleyballs.
Visible over hundreds, if not thousands of kilometers, in the Kerguelen Islands and much of Antarctica itself, this pillar of light stretched into the heavens. A religious or naive man could have interpreted this as a Holy figure descending from, or ascending towards heaven.
A rational man would wonder what the hell was going on.

"Icarus is working nominally. All sytems in the green. Heat radiators unfolding."

The spectacle continued for several minutes. Then, another command was given.

[i]"Let's test Icarus'[/i] other [i] mode."[/i]

The satellite's focus began to change as specifically developed materials began to respond to the operating computer's demands. From the middle, something that its engineers had dubbed a 'focus-crystal' - in essence sophisticated mirrors and lenses, in a similar yet more complicated arrangement as Dahl's energy weapons - extended from its base, taking mere seconds to become the object onto which the mirrors focused their sun-given power. Numerous slits and holes opened up along the FC, and within the fraction of a second, a thin, utterly powerful beam of light emerged from the tip. Glorious as it was when it touched the atmosphere, it was a mere few metres thick, beginning to dissipate and disperse.
What touched the ground in the end was still a coherend 'beam' of light, visibly warming the air and snow around it, but little more than able to give a target sunburn within a shortened amount of time.
Yet, a great success in the minds of those who had made the satellite.

[Lynneth]

[b][Classified][/b]

"Work has begun, I see."
"The prototypes were successful. The smaller one has been brought down for recycling, the larger prototype will stay in orbit for a while so we can do a few other tests."
"Well, it's working. We could just keep it running for some sort of antarctic holiday resort." She grinned at him, which he waved away with one hand.
"Ehh, probably won't work...But I think we'll find a use. Eventually."
"As usual."

"Now, onto other matters. How are our lunar operations going?"
"Extremely well. Three further cities have been planned to aid with current construction- and mining operations, and using even a tenth of Von Braun's population, it'll go a lot faster than the first time we made a city."
"Especially now that we've some experience."
"Indeed. Now, the other project...It's going a little slower. The needed resources are staggering, and quite honestly, I can see that one driving us into bankruptcy."
"Haven't we finished other projects of which we thought the same?"
"True enough. Then again, none of those was half as ambitious as this one."
"We finished them all, nonetheless. And the freighters will help immensely."
"They will, naturally. They have a massive transport capacity, compared to everything else we have."
"Has construction even started yet?"
"Actually? Yes. They've begun the ring."
"Why wasn't I informed?"
"I oversee all space matters, and I sort of wanted to surprise you?" He chuckled weakly.
"Ugh...Ah, whatever. How big's the ring supposed to be, anyways? The entire station, for that matter, really."
"Right...It'll actually be two, to stabilize each other. We're not sure about the population yet, but 800,000 people are an estimated minimum that can be sustained, with up to 2 million maximum."
"And...that's just the small one, isn't it?"
"Yes. The large colony will be around five times as large in every dimension. We estimate a minimum of 10 million being able to live in a single one, with up to 25 million as maximum ceiling."
"That's simply massive. Gargantuan."
"With nine kilometers length for the smaller cylinder, and a planned 32 kilometers for the large cylinger...They might even be visible from Earth, with a good telescope."
"I can't even imagine that sight. On one side, Luna. On the other, Terra."
"You'll see it soon enough. It'll be magnificent."
"Promise?"
"I promise."

Edited July 25, 2011 by Lynneth

[Lynneth]

[b][Mostly Classified][/b]
[Visible with good telescopes or the like]

Things were busy in GEO near Pezun 01. A truly massive satellite was beginning to take shape, already well over 300 meters in length and still growing.
Unlike The first prototype, which had been assembled on the surface, or the second prototype, which was built in low orbit, the final version of [i]Icarus[/i] was being built right besides one of Ceylon's three space stations, in an orbit high enough to be nearly untouchable by all but the most powerful of carrier rockets.
Dozens of astronauts were busily floating through the seemingly endless void, supported by countless remote-controlled robots moving larger parts into position for assembly.
For an outside observer, it might have looked very much like brilliantly performed ballet. For those responsible for organization, it was pure chaos.

[i]"Running out of fuel for the torch."
"A bit further left, a bit more, yes, there."
"Get that robot out of the way, it's in the way."
"What do you mean you're taking a break? You need to steer those robots!"[/i]

All at once, all trying to do their best, but at the same time gain attention. Each single astronaut naturally thought he was doing the best work and everyone else was an amateur.
It was a competition, as well. If something wasn't done well, the man responsible for it would have to get back out and fix it ASAP, something none of the men involved in this construction liked very much. Still, what had to be done was done. [i]Icarus[/i] was growing by the day, the main body eventually reaching almost 500 meters in length.
The satellite would be the largest man-made object to orbit the planet in a geostationary orbit.


[b][Von Braun, Lunar Colony of Ceylon][/b]

Several people had gathered in a room some dozen meters below where the habitat-domes reached, a bunker under bunkers, in effect.
Both of Ceylon's leaders, Laura and Alexander Leclerc had come here, taking a 'vacation' of sorts to find the time. With them were several other people, among them one who, for inexplicable reasons, had dyed his hair a sort of purple.
He was the one to begin, first to say anything during this meeting. "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to our - your - Lunar base, Von Braun. I trust that you've had the time to look through one of the hab-domes already?" Nods were the only answer. "Very well. Most of the domes are similar in construction and composition, with relatively few factories within the city-limits. Factories have been built nearby the hub-mine, to which all the mining outposts we have built to date bring the resources they gather. These massive underground complexes are the heart of this colony, producing everything we need. And everything the latest project of our great nation requires."
He pressed a button. In the middle of the room, a large hologram appeared, several meters in size. One of the visitors asked, "This is the great project?"
The purple-haired man, currently administrator of Von Braun, nodded. "Part of it. What you see here is a small Island-type colony."

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/?action=view&current=spacecolonypa1.jpg][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/th_spacecolonypa1.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

"How big is it, exactly?" asked a tall, but thin man. One of Ceylon's CEOs. Like everyone else in this room, with the exception of Von Braun's administrator.
"The cylinder's diameter will be 1.8 kilometers. Its length will be 9 kilometers. The large ring you see at one end will be 15.2 kilometers in diameter at the widest, and contain all sorts of food-producing facilities."
Another of the CEOs walked to the hologram, touching the cylinder, which began to zoom in. He manipulated the hologram to show the interior. "How will the cities be arranged, exactly?" The background showed fictional planets and star-constellations.

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/?action=view&current=AC75-1086.jpg][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/th_AC75-1086.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

"The outermost layer will be the hull, naturally. Three meters have been planned right now, protected by an external 'foam', which will be able to stop most micro-meteorites and the like. The windows will begin at the same layer, separated into five times five meter big segments, fitting into each other perfectly. A total of four layers of such windows will be built in total, to protect as well as possible against unwanted radiation as well as micro-meteors. The middle layer will be skyscrapers of sorts. There will be no space between them, making them essentially one large construction, interspersed with numerous tunnels for transport. On top of this 95 meter thick layer will be around 12 meters of natural soil, to provide its inhabitants with relaxation areas as far as the eye sees."
This time, Laura spoke, "What about gravity? I assume it'll be simulated by spinning the construction around its long axis?"
"Indeed, Ms. Leclerc. I see you know a little about these things." He smiled briefly at her, then continued to elaborate. "The outermost layer will be subjected to a gravity of 1.2 g, meaning around 20% higher than what we experience on Earth. Around seven point two times more than what you're experiencing right now, here on Luna. With a radius of 900 meters, gravity will lower by 0.1 g every 75 meters. This means that the surface, 110 meters from the outer hull, will experience the equivalent of 1.05 g."
"Any anything further away from the center will experience higher gravity?"
"Yes."
"Is that safe?"
"Test have come to the conclusion that a human can live comfortably under the influence of 1.5 g and more, for extended periods of time. The body adjusts by forming stronger muscle, and over time people living under such conditions may find that their great-grandchildren are a few centimeters smaller than they are."
"Right. And this half-sphere on the ring-end? That's factories, correct?"
"Correct. We call it 'ring-wards', by the way. The other direction would be 'dock-wards'. The last two directions, east and west of the little colony, are 'spin-wise' and 'counterspin-wise'. At the moment at least, this might change over time."
"One other thing: What's the population, roughly?"
"We estimate that it will be able to sustain around a million people with ease. A higher population is possible, if deemed necessary. Furthermore, technological advances may allow more people to live on it, as well."

The lecture continued, with the Administrator going further into the details of the 'Island Two' colony station, as it was called.

[Lynneth]

[b][Visible to the world market][/b]

The sheer amount of resources required for Ceylon's latest endeavour was immense. Rare earths and resources required for the nation's most advanced technologies were bought in previously unseen quantities from all over the world.
Imports of these important resources almost tripled overnight, and that wasn't the end of it. With Lunar factories working 24/7 and still being unable to fulfill all needs, the launch loop was a must. Originally built by the Kingdom of Cochin, most of its use was by the Corporate Republic, accounting for around 65% of regular operation.
With the new project, however, use jumped up massively. The loop was capable of bringing up to 6 million metric tons of material into space per year. More than 90% of this total capacity would be 'hogged' by Ceylon, augmented by standard shuttle launched from launch pads located in the south of the island. Even the Space Elevator was being used, able to lift around 300,000 metric tons of material into GEO per year.

Whatever this project was, how secret Ceylon's government wanted to keep it: The economic waves it generated could be felt around the globe.
The most industrious nation on the face of the planet was straining to keep up with this project's demand.

[Captain Enema]

Siberian Prosperity Co-op

"Ceylon is scavenging the globe looking for raw materials. Giving fairly decent prices as well. Send a message making them an offer. We aren't ready for full production, but the way they are gobbling up materials I doubt they'll not be buying when we are ready."


[quote]To Ceylon
From Port of Sudan Imports and Exports, Legion

We'd like to enter in discussions with your organization to provide minerals from our Siberian facility once it is producing processed minerals.

Chellani[/quote]

[Lynneth]

[quote name='Tidy Bowl Man' timestamp='1311910832' post='2766663']
To Ceylon
From Port of Sudan Imports and Exports, Legion

We'd like to enter in discussions with your organization to provide minerals from our Siberian facility once it is producing processed minerals.

Chellani
[/quote]

[Reply]

To: Port of Sudan Imports and Exports, Legion
From: Corporate Republic of Ceylon

Let's keep it simple. We'll pay the market price plus 5%. These 5% can either be paid in money, or turned into shares for a company/corporation of your choosing.

Regards,
Sostra Holdings
Department of Imports

[Captain Enema]

[quote]Sold, we'll start shipping as soon as we have something to send.

Chellani[/quote]

[Lynneth]

[b][Von Braun, Lunar Colony of Ceylon][/b]

"How will security be handled?" The question came from CEO Cannel, of CIII.
As during the previous day, a hologram was visible. This time, however, the O'Neill cylinder - or Island type station - was accompanied by a smaller station, no more than 200 meters in diameter, with two rings that were rotating around their center, one clockwise, the other counterclockwise.
"There will be several of these small torus stations, each assigned to a specific number of colonies. Upon arrival, there will be a security check, standard fare, really, checking the luggage, the passenger, et cetera. With current methods, we'll have a high probability of finding anything metallic or otherwise non-organic that doesn't belong into the person's body. Or into their luggage. Upon departure, another mandatory security-check will be conducted. It'll be the same check, but in a different order, to throw people off a little. After transfer to the shuttle, passengers will not be allowed to leave their cabins, in which they will be under near-constant surveillance. A third check will be done after arrival in the docking bay of the colony. A fourth and last check will be conducted before boarding the train to the colony proper, with as much variety between each check as we can achieve."
"Don't you think this might be a little excessive..?" asked Cannel.
"Oh no," responded the Administrator. "That's barely enough to protect against nuclear terrorism, in my opinion. And before you ask, yes, I consider that a very distinct possibility. On that note, the station, shuttle, docking bay and trainyard will naturally be four different divisions, each with its own chief of security. This makes infiltration much harder."
Now, Jeremy Ultor, of Ultor spoke up. "I heard you wanted to provide each immigrant a HoloPC?"
The Administrator nodded, smiling. "Indeed. In return, the immigrants must relinquish any and all other electronic devices they possess. Appropriate scans will be done when they first dock at the Torus station, to make sure they do not have electronic or metallic contraptions hidden somewhere on themselves. This short visit will also include medical tests, to ensure the person isn't sick, can live for prolonged periods of time in space, et cetera. All this information will be supplied to a central computer within the colony, by hand, to ensure that hacking into it is only possible from the mainframe itself, or specifically designated terminals. If the person experiences trauma or other extreme emotions, basically if any sort of physical or mental problem arises, and the holoPC can detect it, the central core will be notified automatically and in turn a medical team will be dispatched. This will ensure that you'll be saved if you have a heart attack, will receive treatment if you're doing hard drugs, or are experiencing major emotional stress. Everyone will be provided for."
"Some may think this to be a little excessive and...intrusive." de Silva, CEO of CORE.
"Perhaps. But it's necessary. Every citizen has to be cared for, so they can work at peak capacity without problems. This ties in with heavily regulated goods and services; People won't be able to buy just anything. They'll be in space after all, in which living room is at a premium. Mass is expensive."
Again, de Silva spoke. "Another thing. What about foreign craft coming too close? What if a fire or something of the like happens? Gas explosion?"
Purple-hair walked to the hologram, zooming in so the 'citylevel' was visible.

"For one, there will be numerous bulkheads all over. Any part of the city we will be able to isolate utterly, which will make it impossible for fires to spread far. We'll also use as little flammable material as we can, naturally. The same with gas, though we'll also be able to shut its supply down if we have to. And if there'll be a use for gas in the colony, which I doubt.
Now, as for foreign vessels, I thought I'd propose a policy of not letting any foreign craft within, say, 50 to 100 kilometers of a colony with the torus stations being near the edge of this zone. Any vessel that is not authorised to enter this zone will be deemed hostile, and destroyed. Appropriate warning will be given when they're around 5,000 kilometers away, then periodically every 1,000 kilometers, telling them to dock at one of the torus stations."
The CEO of Neptune, Ali Ameer, continued for a moment. "And we'll of course broadcast this policy to all nations on the planet. This way, they won't be able to complain."
"Yes. Also, as a last measure, we will be able to remove parts of the large windows, to vent the atmosphere. This will be a last-ditch effort in case a colony is actually invaded, a nuclear weapon has been smuggled on board, or something utterly catastrophic like that. With triple redundancy securing the windows, it also will be practically impossible for a spy to activate the venting mechanism."
"Triple redundancy?" came from de Silva.
"Magnetic, hydraulic and explosive bolts to secure the windows. Three different people will be needed to activate the mechanism, unless a special command authorised by the nation's leader or leaders is given. On the topic of the windows, they're based on aluminium silicate glass, as used in space shuttles to protect against micrometeorites. We have managed to improve upon this, to provide superior protection."

After another minute or two of explanations, the CEO of Whole Foods, M. T. Akbar, suddenly raised his voice. "Wait, wait, I just thought of something. What about we build specially air-proofed greenhouses, with 1 inch thick bullet proof glass or whatever. This keeps part of the colony's crops under another layer of protection, and in the catastrophic case of venting or the food-ring being destroyed, I'm sure a these hobby-farmers will be able to keep people from starving. We should also allow people to simply farm land on the surface, and plant forests, as well as let them grow naturally."
The Administrator looked at Akbar for a moment. "That might actually be possible...We'll have to ensure that the topmost layer of soil is rich and thick, blacktopsoil, as it's found in the corn belt of the former United States..."
This idea found general agreement; It was decided to apply it, and build greenhouses as well as allow farms and small communities on the surface.


"With this, we come to the Island Three colony. As you know, it will be considerably larger than an Island Two, which we've talked about all this time. In addition, some things have come up that forced us to revise the design somewhat."
"Such as?"
"The windows would be too large. Instead, we'll have to build fusion reactors along the central axis. Like beads, but providing the interior of the structure with warmth and light. Miniature suns in an artificial sky."
"Are you serious..?"
"Quite."

An appropriate hologram popped up, showing a possible view of the interior of such an Island Three colony, if no relaxation areas were to be built.
[url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Amalthea_by_Hamsterfly.jpg"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/th_Amalthea_by_Hamsterfly.jpg[/img][/url]

"With this, we will be able to raise the theoretical population limit of the colony from previously 13 million, to a maximum of 24 million. Food production will be able to cope with this, so do not worry. Especially if we allow for the greenhouses and all."
"This will prevent 'venting', though, won't it?"
"Most likely. We haven't found a workaround yet, but that just means we'll have to keep security even tighter with Island Three colonies."
Ultor spoke up, "How big will this one be? I know the small one's gonna be 1,800 meters wide, 9 kilometers long, with a 15-kilometer ring."
"Island Three colonies will be 6.4 kilometers in diameter. They will be 32 kilometers in length. The ring will be approximately 52 kilometers in diameter. We estimate the total mass of one such station to be above 8 billion metric tons. That's eight thousand million tons."
"No wonder our economy's straining to keep up with resource demands...How many of these are we going to build, what was the plan again?"
In response, the Administrator changed the Hologram again. A view of the Earth-Moon system appeared.

[url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/LagrangePoints.png"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/th_LagrangePoints.png[/img][/url]

"Two Island Three colonies at Lagrange points One, Two, Four, Five. Ten Island Two colonies at the same Lagrange points. 24 torus-stations at each of these Lagrange points. They will not just 'sit' there, but orbit the Lagrange points, for greater general stability in relation to Terra and Luna."
"So, how many people..?"
"Approximately 232 million people."
"My god."

[Lynneth]

[size="6"][b][Ceylon's publicised space assets][/b][/size]
[i]Note: Not everything built by Ceylon is in this catalogue. Some things are kept secret by the government, or under construction. [/i]

[b][i]Laplace[/i][/b]
[url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Possible/spacestation5.jpg"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Possible/th_spacestation5.jpg[/img][/url]
Originally the GDSS Bismarck, later Smiling Buddha, Laplace was built by the German Democratic Republic. The station is located at around the same height as most GPS satellites, meaning that it is in a semi-synchronous orbit, going twice a day around the planet.
It can house up to 50 people with a diameter of 90 meters, and is mostly used to perform experiments under microgravity conditions. It also is used as refueling station for shuttles and other space craft.

[b][i]Pezun One, Pezun Two[/i][/b]
[url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/6a00d83452397c69e200e54f4aaf548834-800wi.jpg"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/th_6a00d83452397c69e200e54f4aaf548834-800wi.jpg[/img][/url]
[i]Note: Archive-image of Pezun One, when it was under construction[/i]
Each Pezun station houses up to 700 people, largely engineers or other workers. The stations have the capability of building vessels directly in space.
The torii have a diameter of 500 meters, a thickness of 32.36 meters. The central cylinder is 153.13 meters long and 78 wide at its maximum. The mass is 46,239 metric tons, simulated gravity is 0.7 g. The stations orbit Earth in a geostationary orbit.

[b][i]Explorer[/i][/b]
[url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Bayern/GDR/Explorer-1.png"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Bayern/GDR/th_Explorer-1.png[/img][/url]
[i]Note: Archive-image, original vessel built under the GDR[/i]
The Explorer class vessels - three exist at the moment - have the mission to travel to the other planets and significant asteroid fields. Currently, one is in orbit around Mars, one is near Jupiter's Trojans. The last of these vessels is in orbit around Venus.
The class utilizes two advanced drives, a [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VASIMR"]VASIMR[/url] drive, together with [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion_thruster"]ion thruster[/url] propulsion. This enables the high speed with which they travel through the solar system, requiring a mere 40 days to Mars, and around 6 months to Jupiter.
Its hangar houses a shuttle, while the railgun is capable of launching mini-probes. Its thermal radiators enable a magnetic field to be used, protecting the crew from harmful radiation of outer space. The habitation modules rotate around the ship's main axis, providing a comfortable artificial gravity of 0.7 G, meaning 70% of earth's gravity at sea level.
The crew consists of 42 people. The ship's mass is 12,982 tons, at a length of 207 meters.

[b][i]Von Braun[/i][/b]
[center][url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Possible/moonbase.jpg"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Possible/th_moonbase.jpg[/img][/url]
[url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Possible/tranquilitycity.png"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Possible/th_tranquilitycity.png[/img][/url]
[url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/eco-city2020-1.jpg"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/th_eco-city2020-1.jpg[/img][/url]
[url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Possible/ecocity-3-thumb-550xauto-51580.jpg"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Possible/th_ecocity-3-thumb-550xauto-51580.jpg[/img][/url][url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/ecocity-5.jpg"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/th_ecocity-5.jpg[/img][/url][url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/ecocity-6.jpg"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/th_ecocity-6.jpg[/img][/url]
[url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/ecocity-7.jpg"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/th_ecocity-7.jpg[/img][/url][url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/ecocity-8.jpg"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/th_ecocity-8.jpg[/img][/url]
[i]1st image - The original lunar base
2nd image - The underground factories and -facilities located near the city proper
3rd to 8th images - The habitat-domes of Von Braun[/i][/center]

Von Braun, originally built by Sri Lanka with the name Jaywardenapura 01, is undisputedly the largest extraterrestrial settlement ever constructed by mankind. With each hab-dome capable of supporting around 5,000 people, around 300 meters at the widest, 245 at the thinnest, and around 82 meters deep.
A habitat has 4.8 million cubic meters of volume, though much of this is occupied by systems to keep the atmosphere breathable, the people alive, fed, et cetera. Between each habitat is around 40 meters of rock, with a total of 225 habitats built. This allows up to 1,125,000 people to live on an area of roughly 26 square kilometers.
Due to relatively large distances, transport is achieved via maglev through some central hub-habitats, which have been adjusted made to accomodate such population-fluxes. Additionally, for shorter distances, automatic buses run on a regular schedule, in additional to limited (i.e. rented) personal transport being available.
The entire city is powered by helium-3 fusion.
Nearby the city is also a launch/lofström loop, 112 kilometers long and parts hovering up to 4.5 kilometers above the surface. It functions exactly like its terrestrial counterpart, aside from being smaller due to considerably lower gravity on the moon.

[b][i]Type 3 Lunar Worksuit[/i][/b]
[url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Lunar_Exoskeleton.jpg"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/th_Lunar_Exoskeleton.jpg[/img][/url]
This suit has been engineered specifically to work in the moon's low gravity well.The two canisters on the back are the main oxygen supply, useful for approximately 96 hours of moderate, or 60 hours of hard work. What looks like a gas mask on the face is in fact the combination of a rebreather/CO2-expulsion system, a great feat of engineering.
The suit itself is multilayered, with various insulating and protective layers. The inner- and outermost layers are a mesh of carbon nanowire with boron and titanium threads interwoven into it, providing supreme protection against most everything this incredibly hostile environment could potentially throw at them.
In addition, a modification of the HAL exosuit is built into the suit, the latest and most powerful battery technology utilized to guarantee up to 120 hours of continuous use before having to recharge.

[b][i]Clean up vessels[/i][/b]
This unnamed ship class has the sole purpose of emptying the planet's orbit of any and all manmade debris. While they have been highly successful to date, with a total of five vessels having been built, Earth's orbit still has not been completely cleaned up.
Work is expected to continue for another decade, unless some nation decides to destroy another's satellites. Each has a crew of nine.

[b][i]Yeoman class freighter[/i][/b]
[center][url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Ships/Freighter01.jpg"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Ships/th_Freighter01.jpg[/img][/url][url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Ships/Freighter02.png"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Ships/th_Freighter02.png[/img][/url][url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Ships/Freighter03.png"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Ships/th_Freighter03.png[/img][/url]
[url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Ships/Freighter04.png"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Ships/th_Freighter04.png[/img][/url][url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Ships/Freighter05.png"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Ships/th_Freighter05.png[/img][/url][/center]
These ships are intended to deliver goods to and from Von Braun, moving to wherever they are required.
With a length of roughly 1,200 meters, each of these vessels has a mass of 79,845 tons when empty, and is capable of transporting up to 40,000 tons, using their powerful [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_rocket"]fusion rocket[/url] engines.
It has a crew of four.

[i][b]Icarus[/b][/i]
[url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Icarus04.png"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/th_Icarus04.png[/img][/url]
While relatively little is known about this project as of now, it is known that Icarus is intended to locally change the climate by redirecting sun beams with its massive mirrors. The main use is to warm regions such as South Georgia, which usually are cold and inhospitable.
Further information is unknown.


Furthermore, Ceylon has numerous other space vessels, capable of operating in Lunar and Earth orbit with ease. At the time, they are the main means of transport, be it goods, satellites or people.
The exact number that exist is not known to the public, but at least 30 are in Earth's orbit alone, with at least the same number stationed on the Moon.



OOC: This is an attempt at gathering everything I've done in space into one post. I'm pretty sure I missed a few things, and this post is mostly for my convenience.

OOC Edit: Corrected Yeoman 'Fusion Torch Engine' to 'Fusion Rocket', removed image, replaced with wiki link.

Edited August 21, 2011 by Lynneth

[Lynneth]

[b][Semi-classified][/b]

The first test had been done with great success, and the massive satellite [i]Icarus[/i] was moving a little, turning on the spot it resided in. Anchored to the sky in low MEO above the sea south of Ceylon, the satellite would have to be moved into another orbit eventually. For now, however, its final test was yet to be completed.
With great joy had the astronauts in orbit and the people watching through cameras on the surface observed the mirror inhale the sun's light, breathing it gently upon an uninhabited spot of land owned by the Corporate Republic. All expectations for this had been exceeded.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Icarus06.png[/IMG]

Now, however, followed the last, most important test. A ship had been positioned in the middle of the Indian Ocean, devoid of life and aged, yet cleaned of all dirt to ensure that it would not endanger life in the ocean when it was ended.
Far above, [i]Icarus[/i] continued to move seven square kilometers of mirrors, slowly taking its position and aiming at the intended target - the outdated vessel in the ocean.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Icarus07.png[/IMG]

[i]"All systems nominal."
"Heat-radiators extending according to procedure."
"Focus deploying as planned."
"Mirrors repositioning. Systems still nominal."
Icarus is ready, CEOs Leclerc."[/i]
"Fire."

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Icarus09.png[/IMG]

Within moments, heat began to build up within the satellite's systems, funneled into gigantic rods on the other end to radiate from there into the endless void of space.
Touching the atmosphere almost immediately, the light began to interact with molecules and atoms contained within. Thus becoming visible to the naked eye, it took but a moment for the spectacle to begin.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Icarus10.png[/IMG]

With the ship positioned some 300 kilometers south of the middle-point between the Maldives and Seychelles, the nations of Cochin, Novak, Aeon, Grassy Plains and Arctica were those most likely to take note of this event. Of course, any other nation with satellites or ships in the area would be a witness as well.
Witness to one of the most hopelessly overpriced weapons there has ever been. Yet, it was not made to be a great destroyer such as nuclear weapons. This was a device of great precision, intended to cut into an adversary's forces, demoralize them as the very heavens cast their judgement upon them, and annihilate all hope. Powerful as it might seem, [i]Icarus[/i] was fragile.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Corp/Icarus08.png[/IMG]

Its great weakness required for it to be positioned in a geostationary orbit once the testing was completed, for even a single well-placed missile could make it utterly useless, despite its immense size. In a few words, [i]Icarus[/i] was a scalpel of diamond. Sharpened to an incredible edge, but the slightest misuse or impact shattering the brittle construct.
It required great care in use, and equally great protection.

The ship's fate was a short one. Heat began bending the metal relentlessly, forcing steadily widening leaks and taking it apart at its weakest points.
A minute later, only the boiling ocean was left, and the satellite deactivated.



[b]OOC:[/b] Okay, people are probably going to scream bloody murder.

However, remember Liberty Prime. I do not intend to use the weapon-function outside of [b]closed Roleplay[/b], and even then only if those I RP with agree to the satellite's use.
In such a case, for one use of Icarus, I would forfeit the ability to launch two or three nuclear weapons, diminishing my 'arsenal' quickly with prolonged use, yet comparatively little destruction.

Do not let yourself be fooled by what certainly [i]looks[/i] to be an impressively powerful weapon. Icarus does not annihilate entire armies. It cannot glass cities or deliver the apocalypse to a region.
It is, as said in the post, a scalpel, a weapon of precision.
And I doubt I'll ever use it, much like Liberty Prime.
!@#$storm is probably imminent, anyways.

Edited August 4, 2011 by Lynneth

[Shan Revan]

OOC:
BLOODY MURDER
But no complaints here so long as it's used with everyone's consent I guess.

IC:
"BLOODY MURDER. Whatever the hell that thing is I bet it's one of Ceylon's new space toys. just congratulate them and forward it up the ranks so they can ask about it in private later..."



[quote]
TO: CEO Leclerc
FROM: RdlL STRATCOM-1
MESSAGE: Congratulations
BODY:
Congratulations on successfully testing, whatever that was. I'm sure it was you, who else would do something like that?
Mj. P. Ain
[/quote]

Edited August 4, 2011 by Shan Revan

[king of cochin]

[quote]Secure Message from the King of Cochin

To: Ceylon

We had observed with much interest the testing of your new Satellite system and do permit us to say, it is indeed an incredible piece of engineering and technology. We do however hope that at its present orbit in Middle Earth Orbit or even if it is taken higher you would ensure that no Cochin satellite assets are in the path of your "Sun Ray". Nevertheless you are to be congratulated on this feat.

Yours Sincerely,

Kerala Varma[/quote]

[Lynneth]

[quote name='Shan Revan' timestamp='1312458564' post='2771730']
OOC:
BLOODY MURDER
But no complaints here so long as it's used with everyone's consent I guess.

IC:
"BLOODY MURDER. Whatever the hell that thing is I bet it's one of Ceylon's new space toys. just congratulate them and forward it up the ranks so they can ask about it in private later..."
[quote]TO: CEO Leclerc
FROM: RdlL STRATCOM-1
MESSAGE: Congratulations
BODY:
Congratulations on successfully testing, whatever that was. I'm sure it was you, who else would do something like that?
Mj. P. Ain [/quote]
[/quote]
[b][Encrypted reply][/b]

To: RdlL STRATCOM-1
From: Desk of CEO Leclerc
Message: RE: Congratulations

Body:
What you have seen was indeed our doing.
It was a test of our latest 'Grand Tech', as some of our scientists have dubbed these megaprojects. In this case, the test was of a large satellite equipped with mirrors, capable of simply redirecting sunlight, or focusing it into a coherent beam, the latter of which you have witnessed.
The satellite is named [i]Icarus[/i], after the man who dared to try and touch the sun.

Regards,
Laura Leclerc
CEO Sostra Holdings
[b][End Message][/b]

[quote]Secure Message from the King of Cochin

To: Ceylon

We had observed with much interest the testing of your new Satellite system and do permit us to say, it is indeed an incredible piece of engineering and technology. We do however hope that at its present orbit in Middle Earth Orbit or even if it is taken higher you would ensure that no Cochin satellite assets are in the path of your "Sun Ray". Nevertheless you are to be congratulated on this feat.

Yours Sincerely,

Kerala Varma[/quote]
[b][Secure reply to Cochin][/b]

To: Kingdom of Cochin, HrH Kerala Varma
From: C.R. of Ceylon, CEO Laura Leclerc

I can assure you that we have taken all possible precautions to ensure that no friendly satellites are in the way in case of [i]Icarus[/i] being fired again.
We will eventually move it into a geostationary or semi-synchronous orbit for improved orbital stability as well as greater reach and a better 'supply' of sunlight. At the altitude of the test, the atmosphere still managed to disturb testing slightly, minimal as it is.
But, as incredible as this project and its results are, it will stay the only satellite of its kind. Resources are needed elsewhere, as you may have noticed from our recent massive imports.

Sincerely,
Laura Leclerc,
CEO Sostra Holdings



OOC Edit:
Amendment to my little OOC thing about the satellite:
In case of me being attacked, I will utilize Icarus to its fullest extent to defend myself, as I deem necessary.
Should you declare war on me, you acknowledge this, and agree to this.

Edited August 4, 2011 by Lynneth

[Lynneth]

With the lack of an 'official' government - thus taxes - the corporations themselves were responsible for services such as education, transportation, even the polic and the nation's military forces. Everything had been privatised in the months following the governmental change, with entities such as Vanguard or CIII taking over matters of security, while Sostra effectively removed all traces of the previous government's institutions, its offices taking over duties of foreign affairs and the organisational part of the government. Much of this had been orchestrated by the CEOs of Sostra and Oberone, these two wielding the a considerable power behind the scenes through puppets, proxies and shadow networks.
Without this 'shadow government', as such things often were called, the nation wouldn't be nearly as orderly or organised. Corporations would be too busy to outbid each other and claim tyrannic monopolies instead of providing things that enabled their customers and employees to make an actual living and survive.

Now, the power behind the scenes was slowly being resisted, metaphoric cracks opening in the previously flawless surface. After all, it wasn't often that almost all money that [i]could[/i] be used for things such as investing or expanding the company was being funneled towards projects which had an extreme risk, compared to almost anything else. It wasn't often that Vanguard was forced to let many of their employees - soldiers - go and mothball ships and airplanes for no other reason that someone else needed the money elsewhere.
Since the beginning of this, the largest project ever attempted, Ceylon's armies had been reduced by almost 400,000 men and 7,000 armoured vehicles. Two full carrier battlegroups had been mothballed, and a third of the entire airforce was in storage. Assurances that this would only be temporary until the project's completion did little to calm the affected corporations, who were forced to part with their profits.

Shiny as things were on the outside, not everything was good and happy within, even if little showed for now. Some would eventually begin planning and plotting. Others would notice.
Changes needed to happen, eventually.

[Lynneth]

["If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch,
you must first invent the universe."]

For several years have I been walking upon this speck of dust among the stars, occasionally casting my eyes upwards, seeing our dear Father, burning ever so brightly in the vastness that is the cosmos, immortalised so many times in our religions as one of many, or the only one. Then I look down, gazing upon the beauty of our Guardian Angel and our efforts to make her ours, just as we have made our dearest Mother our own. We, her children, are rampaging over her body, taking from her what we believe ours. We have done so for millenia. And now we repeat the cycle with her little sister, having pounced upon her like a hungry animal and taking more than our fill. It is in these halls, carved from the little one's flesh, that I ask myself: 'Will we ever stop?'
And I return into my office, watching the holographic screens, eyes barely reading what is written upon them, yet understanding every last square-angstrom on their surfaces. Going over the utterly boring and mundane reports of expansion, projected resource extraction, progress of construction and so many more things, I realise...'No, not if we can help it.'
I look upwards again, into the [url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Possible/ESO_-_Milky_Way.jpg"]face of our galaxy[/url], the Milky Way. Wondering, what the future may bring.

_________________________

Resources, parts, manpower, money, everything was flowing in massive amounts for this greatest of great projects.
If the owner of a telescope looked towards the moon in curiousity, they might just see the many exhausts of Ceylon's space fleet, the three ring-like objects taking shape, aligned towards the sun. Hundreds and thousands of souls were climbing and crawling over the construction sites, moving anything from centimeter-sized canisters to tens of meters of solid plating, designed to stop even the heaviest of predicted meteorites from damaging what it protected more than superficially. Freighters of amazing size lumbered through the void, delivering their cargo only to turn and gather more for another delivery.
It was like the work of ants; Chaos, choreographed by a true master, one who was capable of directing even the most minor of workers to where they were needed. But while there was one single person responsible for everything, this person had gathered only the best of the best, working together with them to make a fantasy, reality.

Endlessly working, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all weeks in the year, checking in and out of their shfit, back to their temporary lodging and soon enough returning to the work site.
There always was the near-exact same number of workers on duty during any conceivable moment. They all knew what they were contributing towards.
They all knew that this was where the future was waiting for Man.

[Lynneth]

There wasn't a moment when things were not busy in Von Braun.
With over a million souls, each doing its part to keep things running, maintaining air filters, greenhouses, farming food, mining resources, building new habitats and uncountable other things, it never slept, very much like New York City or other such megacities. The one major difference between Von Braun and these was, however, that it truly did not matter whether it was night. Each 'day' and each 'night' lasted almost two weeks - standard weeks, each seven standard days, according to the average length of a day on the homeworld of humanity, Earth.
Being in natural darkness with artificial lights for two weeks, then in natural light with artificial light for approximately the same duration of time changed how people lived in the colony. Rhythms stopped aligning with sunrise and sundown, instead each person slowly aligning with their natural, internal clock. Thus, at any given moment, someone might be going to sleep, another person just waking up. These changes in a person's rhythm didn't come quickly, however. Many had been raised with getting up and going to sleep when civilisation dictated for them to do so, via school, parents, job or any other such construct. Changing this, the habit of a lifetime, often needed another lifetime.
Luckily, this only applied to those whose life had begun on Earth. Some years ago, the first child born off-planet had been celebrated, the first human liberated from the gravitational grasp of mankind's origin.

_________________________

"Journal start, 8th of March.
Working here on the Moon - many call it Luna, its Latin name - opens my eyes anew every day. To think that a merely some ten thousand years, perhaps some hundred thousand years, we were hunters, gatherers, only beginning to comprehend more than the 'now', the moment we live in. In no more than the blink of an eye to the Earth, we have changed so radically. Around the end of the 19th century, the first airplane flew. Seventy years later, the first man visits his homeworld's satellite.
We begun in Africa. We overcame gravity. We overcame the limits of our atmosphere and biosphere. We threw ourselves into space, eager to explore. As a species, mankind is so very young. After all, did the Dinosaurs not live, survive and thrive for millions and millions of years? Yet, here we stand, with no trace of another intelligent culture visiting Luna, no trace of 'traditional' intelligent life, other spacefaring species. Are we the first species on this planet to visit its satellite? Are we the first to build cities, exploit our Mother's natural resources and ride on thermonuclear detonations upwards, away from home? We have no proof, no nothing that says otherwise. We can only make assumptions.

If it is so, if mankind is the first spacefaring species born from Earth, we truly need to make an impact - a positive one. Right now, radical changes in our biosphere could annihilate the majority of mankind, those living on the planet itself. Do we want to risk this? Billions dying because we did not think ahead? I believe this is why the Leclercs are working so hard to build the habitats, and enable us to live in space for prolonged periods of time. There are things capable of devastating not only an entire continent, but annihilating almost all life on the entire planet. It's happened before, several times. Mass-extinctions. Such a thing could easily happen to us, with all the dangers that are on Earth itself, and in our solar system.
Spreading out means survival. Survival means that we leave more than a short-lived legacy. It means that we will be able to repopulate a healed world, if we even want to repopulate it by that point in time.

The Island habitats are beginning to take shape. They'll be our Ark with which Man may survive even the greatest catastrophe, harbouring so many millions of people. A nation in itself, becoming more and more self-sufficient with each passing day. I wonder what it'll look like in ten, twenty, thirty years.
Will I recognise it?"

[Lynneth]

Work in Von Braun was, for some, utterly repetetive. For others, incredibly boring.
Repetetive for the miners, who had become exceedingly skilled at extracting resources from the natural satellite's innards over the years Sri Lanka and Ceylon had worked. Great amounts of resources had been extracted by the Concordance Extraction Corporation, which owned practically every last mining vehicle, as well as employing the people controlling and maintaining these. Every day, coordinates had to be set, controlled, re-set and controlled again, to keep each vehicles going in what was basically a very long line. Unexpected amounts of resources could be removed from the moon's surface, the top few centimeters of dust worthless, but a few meters underneath holding staggering wealth. Up to and over 45% of Lunar soil were composed of silicon, iron, magnesium and aluminium, while there also were plenty of trace elements such as titanium, thorium and potassium.
This did not include more sophisticated mining operations, during which some of the deepest tunnels had begun to reach further than any earthly mine below the surface. This was an effect of the moon being much smaller, and thus much cooler than the planet. On Earth, temperatures could reach life-threatening levels at more than 3,000 meters under the surface. On the moon, however, the same depth still was easily a hundred degrees celsius below freezing, if not colder. To reach even the freezing point, some scientists hypothesized that the crust would have to be nearly completely penetrated, leaving mere kilometers between the miners and the outer mantle.

Having realized the mindblowing wealth of the moon, coupled with the largest permanent outpost - and at the time only one on the far side - CEC began to erect large towers on the moon. Each would be around 75 meters in height, have at least two other towers in line of sight, and serve to show the boundaries of what was considered Ceylon territory. Each tower would be well-lit and connected to a network via satellite to ensure good visibility and the ability to communicate with its owners.
All this was done with the government's approval, naturally.

It was time to make the claims official.

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[center][b][size="6"]Public Announcement from CEO Laura Leclerc
Regarding the assets of Ceylon on the Moon[/size][/b]

"Ladies and Gentlemen,

Many of you know that Ceylon has had a lunar colony for a long time. Years, in fact. During these years, we have built a base from which to expand, mining operations which have expanded to encompass impressive amounts of land as well as a large city, with a current population of 1,031,617 people.
For a long time, we were content with this arrangement, keeping to ourselves on the far side of the lunar surface. However, due to geopolitics being what they are, we feel that it is time to formalise something.
Today, the 'Von Braun Lunar Region' has been established. This region will from today on be treated as part of the Corporate Republic of Ceylon, as the province 'Von Braun', with the provincial capital 'Von Braun'.
Its area is estimated to be around twice that of Madagascar, putting it at around 1,080,000 square kilometers and almost quintupling Ceylon's total area.
For those who're already thinking about claiming ridiculous tracts of the moon, please note that Ceylon will not recognise any claims with less than 10,000 people and sufficient infrastructure to back the claims up.
Following is a map of the far side, showing the approximate region which we claim."

[url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Mappings/Moon_001.jpg"][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Lynneth_del_Serpentas/AE/CNRP/Mappings/th_Moon_001.jpg[/img][/url]
(OOC: Large image, 1.7 MB)[/center]

[Kaiser Martens]

"This is the most degenerate type of far-right capitalism, claiming the earth and its resources was not enough, now, they also lay claim to the moon! I shall make a motion in the Althing not to recognize this claim, as the moon should be the property of mankind, not of a few." - Germanian Communist Party Folksthing Member