Moria Mining (part 2) - 15/Aug/2012
Spring 2009, Luna.
Things went pretty well, to start with. There was plenty of work to keep everyone busy. Brains tried to help, but the Morians wanted to do most of it themselves, and pointed out Brains was supposed to be working on his own home. He ended up mostly providing advice, and the odd bit of technical assistance; Uran ended up with a six-month ban, for having played one too many pranks.
As things started to settle down, and there was a bit of time at the end of the working day to reflect, grumbles began to be heard. Yes, they were all in this together. Yes, they were happy to be working, making, stuff as something other than a hobby. But, they were in Space, on the Moon, for the gods sake! And, they were stuck in a hole in the ground.
A community meeting was agreed, when it was sensible to take a break from the schedule. The living quarters were usable, the mines were started, the access tunnels fully concealed, and they'd have to be really unlucky to be discovered. Brains had promised them a few extra wrinkles, to hide them even better, when they were properly established.
At the meeting it became quite clear they were both going to have to expand, and split-up. The community needed more people, probably several dozen in the long run, and while Brains had offered to help them with AIs, they didn't want to walk that path. Some of them wanted to see a lot more of the Solar System, which arguably fitted with 'Moria Mining' needing a lot more resources.
Careful advert design, intended to attract both young and old, miners, engineers and craftsmen. "Excellent health benefits"; one or two of them laughed hollowly at that. With luck they could net a doctor, and a nurse, maybe another couple of teachers.
They might end up with more than two groups, for example Moon Miners, Air Miners, and Traders. But, that was for the future. It would also be wise to make agreements with anyone with similar... culture, elsewhere in the Solar System. Possibly exchange students? There was almost certainly enough work for all of them.
Brains would help them with ship designs. Some Morians were worried they were building too big a debt with him. Even though he was an honorary member of the community. The more philosophical persuaded others that these things have a way of working themselves out.
And, hopefully no one would get too badly hurt in the process.
--
"It is the business of the future to be dangerous" - Hawkwind
Spring 2009, Luna.
Things went pretty well, to start with. There was plenty of work to keep everyone busy. Brains tried to help, but the Morians wanted to do most of it themselves, and pointed out Brains was supposed to be working on his own home. He ended up mostly providing advice, and the odd bit of technical assistance; Uran ended up with a six-month ban, for having played one too many pranks.
As things started to settle down, and there was a bit of time at the end of the working day to reflect, grumbles began to be heard. Yes, they were all in this together. Yes, they were happy to be working, making, stuff as something other than a hobby. But, they were in Space, on the Moon, for the gods sake! And, they were stuck in a hole in the ground.
A community meeting was agreed, when it was sensible to take a break from the schedule. The living quarters were usable, the mines were started, the access tunnels fully concealed, and they'd have to be really unlucky to be discovered. Brains had promised them a few extra wrinkles, to hide them even better, when they were properly established.
At the meeting it became quite clear they were both going to have to expand, and split-up. The community needed more people, probably several dozen in the long run, and while Brains had offered to help them with AIs, they didn't want to walk that path. Some of them wanted to see a lot more of the Solar System, which arguably fitted with 'Moria Mining' needing a lot more resources.
Careful advert design, intended to attract both young and old, miners, engineers and craftsmen. "Excellent health benefits"; one or two of them laughed hollowly at that. With luck they could net a doctor, and a nurse, maybe another couple of teachers.
They might end up with more than two groups, for example Moon Miners, Air Miners, and Traders. But, that was for the future. It would also be wise to make agreements with anyone with similar... culture, elsewhere in the Solar System. Possibly exchange students? There was almost certainly enough work for all of them.
Brains would help them with ship designs. Some Morians were worried they were building too big a debt with him. Even though he was an honorary member of the community. The more philosophical persuaded others that these things have a way of working themselves out.
And, hopefully no one would get too badly hurt in the process.
--
"It is the business of the future to be dangerous" - Hawkwind