[President_Elect_Shang]

2404.2 – The Raytheon Corp introduces to Sky Marshal Kana and Chairman Shoebach (the Chairman of DoD) a new weapons defense system which fires non-nuclear interceptor missiles at incoming standard mode missiles. This Basic Point Defense system is not very effective and has an extremely short engagement range. Field tests show it is not effective enough to give a single ship a firm upper hand over another. Despite its shortcomings Sky Marshal Kana believes that it is a worthwhile system and gives the go ahead for further testing. He assures the Raytheon CEO that any time and money spent by his company will be worthwhile as this system will be included on any future designs; but not any refits. The Department of Exploration [DoEx] Chairman; Chairman Whitmore, is so pleased with the field trials of the Quasar Class FG he requests funding for an additional 4; however, instead of asking SAAB for Cutters he requests Shuttles for their greater endurance.

2404.5 – LRM Manufacturers arranges a demonstration of a weapon system they have developed for Sky Marshal Kana, Chairman Schoeback, President Shang, and a few other notable dignitaries. Despite Kana’s protesting that it is unwise to make himself such a vulnerable target Shang agrees to go. The group is shuttled up to a freighter barge and treated to a fine meal. After which they are lead to the starboard side of the ship which has been completely covered by a screen giving the illusion of there being no hull. The CEO of LRM clears his throat for attention. CEO: “You have all been speculating as to why I have asked you here. Obviously this is something of great import to go to such lengths and expense. I could tell you why, but I feel seeing will convey the message far better than I could.” A sudden shudder nearly throws a guest or two to the deck. On the screen five things leap from the outer hull of the ship and speed off into the depths of space. The screen constantly refocuses to keep these things just far enough away to prohibit a clear view. Soon enough another ship starts to take form. The things home in on the ship and with a blinding flash end there journey in nuclear fire. The screen quickly polarizes but not before causing the guests to cringe. CEO: “This is what we are calling an External Ordinance mounted Standard Missile. There is no internal launcher to tie up valuable space. It can only be used once per engagement since you must lower the drive field and have a two man team physically carry another missile to reload the rack. And you can only fit a certain quantity depending on the size of the ship. This may not sound like such a great trade off except consider this final tid-bit. A single Agamemnon with XO mounts has the first round fire power of three Agamemnon combined.” His point made the CEO walks back to the dinning hull leaving more than one mouth agape.