Herald of the Stars: Chapter Two Hundred and Ninety-Four

A warm welcome to Napoleon III, A Bag, Charles Heller, Matthias S, Miłosz 1002, Derek Elodio, and Russel Mills. Thank you so much for sponsoring Herald of the Stars!

-----------------------------

I say, “Correct, Inquisitor Horthstein. A secondary communication network is not intended to replace the Adeptus Telepathica though. Rather my network is an extension of the network that connects all Forge Worlds already through the altars in our Auto-Temples and Forge Temples. 

“I am exercising my rights as a Magos Explorator and Rogue Trader to push the boundaries of the Imperium, integrate new worlds, and facilitate trade. I would not be opposed to the Inquisition using my communication systems if they require a discrete, warded connection, rather than hurling secrets through the Warp on the backs and dreams of data-addled Humans.”

Raphael tuts, “I’m starting to see why Inquisitor Lyre Hamiz finds you so annoying, Magos Issengrund. You always have a convincing defence as to why you should be granted more power with no other viable options in range. Some of the Imperium’s worst disasters have come from good intentions and you are on track to causing another.”

I say, “Doing nothing won’t solve anything either.”

“I know,” says Raphael. “I agree with Heiress Alpia’s analysis. You’ve shown thought and caution in your other works. Previous performance is not a reflection of future results, however. Forgive me for being apprehensive about your ambitions. It is in my nature and training to question both fortune and disasters alike. The Great Enemy is subtle, as you well know.”

Calligos says, “Magos Issengrund, this energy currency and proposed bank of yours, will it be capable of transferring funds between systems as well as within them?”

“Capable, yes. The final goal, even. Will I allow it? Not now. Maybe in the future. When transferring wealth through an unstable hellscape, reactive to the smallest thoughts, digital currencies are far easier to subvert than physical ones. Thrones, despite being silver, contain identifying codes to reduce forgeries and have an industrial and aesthetic value as well. 

“The benefit of Bytes is that they have a set value that cannot fluctuate. One Byte will always be one kilowatt hour, even if how one acquires that energy, or the efficiency of the processes that one spends them on, varies.

“The value of a Throne fluctuates not only based on the abundance of silver in a system, but also its perceived value, not the labour that an expenditure of energy represents. 

“While there is some variance in the usable value of a Byte, thanks to STCs and their uniform standards, most basic goods require a similar amount of energy to produce, for well maintained Forge Worlds at least. Standardization makes it far easier for administrators, factorums, merchants, and fabricator-generals to understand if they are over-paying or under-paying for their goods, be it within systems or between segmentums. You can immediately see where inefficiencies, and the opportunities for profit, lie. 

“The potential efficiency gains in administration and shipping are staggering. Bytes’ easy comparison has the capacity to incentivise failing worlds and noble syndicates to invest in themselves or lose the trades that enable their power and decadence.”

Raphael nods along, looking pleased. Calligos is less impressed, his frown deepening as I talk.

I continue, “However, a Byte’s ephemeral nature makes it challenging to communicate through the warp and that’s before one considers Warp storms. An extra zero, or a lack of one, could cause all sorts of havoc and break trust in the system. Credit chips compatible between systems aren’t wise either. Chips are easier to falsify than Thrones. 

“My credit chips are tied to the unique variance of specific enginariums at the moment of production and several other cryptography and advanced manufacturing techniques. They’re also linked to the extensive biometric data of the person who owns the account from brain waves and genetics to the serial number of their MIU.

“A major benefit of credit chips is to concentrate value to avoid transporting large quantities of industrial metals as currency; making credit chips from sufficient valuable metals would be impractical and foolish. One might as well transport hydrogen pellets or promethium as they have obvious energy value.

“The practical value of the chip comes from the anti-scrap-code Machine-Spirit on board, rather than the value of the materials used to make it, like a Throne. This means they’re actually Machine-Spirit cores and can be used to repair damaged machines or protect a cyber-brain from intrusion. All these advanced functions and security would be quite pointless for anyone other than the Stellar Fleet.”

Riordan says, “Magos Issengrund, we all understand the premise and benefits of your currency. We use it every day. How do you intend to address the issues you have raised?”

I clear my throat and try to hide my embarrassment, “My apologies. I am, perhaps, a little over enthusiastic about the intricacies. The puzzle fascinates me. To answer your question, Chaplain Riordan, I am aware that the Kin have the technology for more secure and reliable Warp communication, as do the Aeldari and Necrons. The latter two won’t help us and there’s no way I would run our financial system through the Webway either. The Kin, at least, might trade with us and are a Human subspecies. No alien mechanisms required. 

“It could be that my communication network, secured with wards, Machine-God blessed Machine-Spirits, and cloned, soul-bound, psyker brains filled with rigid, arcanotech implants, and fueled by Sacred Blood is secure and accurate. We haven’t tested it enough though. Only Cobalt, SR-651, and soon Footfall, are in the network. I would prefer further refinements before I tie my reputation to it further than I already have.”

Calligos says, “All I heard Magos was that you’re planning an energy monopoly and you already have enough hardware and security in place to make it happen.”

Abbisine shakes her head and says, “An energy monopoly would be impossible. There are too many competitors and internal factions. There are no doubt multiple plans to subcontract local Mechanicus enclaves with the production of Bytes.”

“Correct,” I say. “I’ve no desire to upend the incense burner.”

“It is not necessary to adopt Bytes to use the standardized evaluation they provide either,” says Abbisine. “Having heard a more direct explanation, the idea alone is more useful than I first thought. I, too, share Magos Issengrund’s love of a good puzzle, and will labour to keep my analysis brief.

“The Mechanicus already performs a similar function, evaluating goods by the efficiency they are produced. An efficiency metric is more comprehensive than Bytes, covering time, material, expertise and many other factors in a holistic approach from industrial pollution to accident rate. Efficiency values are done on a per product basis, not to a universal value. Unlike Bytes, an efficiency rating does not allow for equivalent comparisons as each good has its own metrics. 

“When one’s largest energy reactors can put out as much power as a red dwarf star, kilowatts are not considered a useful metric for value. The total energy used in fabrication and the infrastructure to maintain it is so great that it requires a cogitator implant and decades of study to understand. However, turning energy into a per unit produced and making it comparable to a ration bar, is a metric that even a menial could grasp.

“Magos Issengrund, you don’t need to wait until you can transfer funds across the Warp to get your system working. Providing the data on how you evaluate a product, and providing a means of data exchange for people to check prices between systems is sufficient. While the issue of delays and the consequences of inaccuracy remain, running such a system from Footfall, especially if you provide a public terminal, would provide the void station with security through reputation. No one likes to be cheated. Not even pirates or xenos.”

“Thank you for your insight, Logis Vakul. Trader Winterscale, what sort of market data do you have access to already?”

Calligos says, “My data, such as it is, is based on barter, rumours, and the messages of my agents. I do not think that would change either. Even if you had a Stellar Fleet Forge-Temple on every planet, ready to upload the offered price for every tradeable item, my methods would not change. 

“There is no guarantee that once a merchant arrived to actually buy a factory’s goods that the factory would sell the merchant their goods at advertised price. Even the threat of you black listing bad actors might not be enough. Connections matter. Contracts matter. One cannot afford to waste a trip when every voyage through the Warp might be the last.”

“I did not expect such a strong disagreement from you, Trader Winterscale,” I say. “I had thought you would appreciate having access to more information.”

“Magos Issengrund,” says Calligos. “I understand the value of your goal far more than anyone else at this table. Standardizing values is practical within a system. It is ripe for abuse between them. The dissemination of trade data relies on trust and trust requires force. Are you prepared to be a broker? To enforce all contracts within the Koronus Expanse? That is the equivalent of encroaching on the sovereignty of a Rogue Trader’s Warrant. I do not see this ending well for you.”

“Absolutely not,” says Brigid, speaking up while I’m stuck in an internal debate with myself. “Such a service would be no different to the information passed onto you, Trader Winterscale, from your own efforts. You take the same risk when you receive a positive offer via Astropath. 

“Besides, I rather think Logis Vakul is getting ahead of herself and you are trying to add burdens to my husband where none are required. Updating prices regularly is not practical. At best, I see monthly updates for subsectors, yearly for sectors, and once a decade between segmentums. That would already be a phenomenal achievement and a millennium long infrastructure project that I see no reason to fund. 

“Let other worlds spend their resources and join of their own free will in exchange for sharing data. If a system lies about their prices after all that expense and gets snubbed, they only have themselves to blame. Really, this has nothing to do with the Stellar Bank is barely relevant to Footfall. 

“The Stellar Fleet will keep its focus on the Koronus Expanse as per Aldrich’s fourth objective and a connection to each Forge World. Maybe sector and segmentum capitals as well. Even with minimal coverage, we would need a third fleet to establish, maintain, and secure such a network. Making use of local services is essential.”

Logis Vakul says, “High Pursar Issengrund, you would trade your communication, cloning, and warding technology? Such a network would have no access to your blessed Machine-Spirit cores. What would even be the point in it then?”

“You know perfectly well that was not what I just said. The blessed cores would be for our own use and potentially for modest transfers of funds between some systems, similar to an insured letter of credit. Aldrich has already said he intends to visit as many Forge Worlds as we can and we will set up our communications as we go. Those who want to advertise their goods from more distant worlds, can always send an Astropathic message or courier to a Stellar Bank connected world, should we be graced with such a reality. 

“Logis Vakul your point about increasing reputation through trade data was a good follow up to Herald Primarus Noake’s analysis. However, there is little point in continuing this speculation. We must restore our focus on Footfall. Aldrich?”

Abbisine leans forward, ready to argue and I say in a hurry,  “Right, Overseer Ursus. I want to know two things from you. How do we sell our changes to Footfall to the local population in a manner that secures their cooperation and what resources would you require to do so?”

Thorfinn folds his arms and leans back in his chair, appearing both serious and relaxed.

“Nothing,” says Thorfinn.

A moment of silence reigns.

“Please elaborate,” I say.

Thorfinn chuckles, “I was exaggerating a bit, yet the essence of my message remains. We will be feeding the hungry, curing the sick, and offering education. Sermons by the Sororitas and surviving clergy will disseminate news of opportunities and aid. A bank will provide identities to those who have none. Better equipped soldiers will give a higher sense of security. We’re already planning more than enough to have Footfall’s support.”

I say, “I am pleased with your analysis. How would you improve upon it further?”

“If I was to ask for one thing, it would be a free Vox for every household,” says Thorfinn. “If you’re feeling really generous, a dataslate would be even better. Let the people hear Saint Alpia and Astartes sing. Interview locals and have them talk about their jobs and lives so that their voices are heard. Have Tanthus Moross speak about what he is doing to better everyone’s lives once a month, or tell of ill disciplined crews who embarrassed themselves to foster nationalism. Share tales of different worlds and the people who live upon them. You could even install a Harmonium.

“You have the soylent viridans, now give them loyalty enforcing vox shows.”

I turn to Brigid, “Would such an endeavour stretch us?”

“That’s a problem for the people we leave behind to deal with,” says Brigid. “Overseer Ursus knows who to pick and what to do. It won’t affect my plans as it can be funded from the scrap they scavenge while rebuilding. Tasking a micro-factory with constructing vox devices will be a good use of any downtime when major projects hit a snafu.”

“There you have it,” I say. “Thank you, Overseer Ursus. We would have missed an easy win without you.”

Thorfinn smiles.

“High Pursar Issengrund,” I say. “You’ve heard all the opinions and options, let’s hear that master plan you’ve been tapping away at on your dataslate.”

“Thank you, Magos Issengrund. I’ve been looking at the data Fleet Marshal Ridel and Herald Primarus Noake helped me compile; I have concluded that total control would overstretch us, consuming a third of our resources and personnel. Without Iron Crane, we’d be stuck here for six to eight years replenishing our reserves lest we invite failure upon ourselves on our tour of the galaxy. 

“Were we to do so, we might as well just head straight back to SR-651 and postpone our voyage. While the knowledge of the future has been locked away in our minds to reduce the chances of lethal paradoxes, my husband has made it quite clear in our private discussions that further delays are not an option. Full control would also put us at odds with multiple Rogue Traders.

“Partial control is ideal yet also still too expensive. Sponsoring a security force is wholly inadequate for the problem at hand. While we could afford to do so, sponsorship would create an ongoing expense for the Stellar Fleet yet provide few avenues to recoup costs.

“We find ourselves with a conundrum. We can be seen to be doing something and achieve nothing, or invest properly and risk failing a major objective: trading knowledge.

“My solution is to flip the table and choose all three.”