A Battle Unseen

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A Semi-Clandestine Secure meeting Room, SDA Offices, Kensington Lodamun

"Good Afternoon, friends," began Mr. Mark Templeton, of Spencer Spaceflight and Test Center. "This meeting is purely off the record. It is expected that each group will make a confidential report of its proceedings to their respective governments. Are all agreed?"

In the room for Kalistan were Dr. Louanne de Calle, who was a project specialist at Spencer, Mr. Joseph Alwine representing the MinDef, and Walter Bonner, representing KalMilInCo. For Lodamun were Mr. Gregory Townes from the Strategic Defense Agency, Dr. Edward Eller, of the Lodamese Space Agency, Mr Joseph Newton of the Research Projects Administration, and Ms. Margaret Weston, who was representing the Armed Forces Project Agency. All signaled that it was understood that this meeting was off the books.

"Good," continued Templeton. "We asked for this meeting, because we are interested in working along with Lodamun to develop anti missile technology. We have a long history of cooperation with Lodamun on intelligence gathering and analysis. And we know that Lodamun has taken great strides forward in Northern Seleya toward developing strategic mitigation assets. Kalistan would have benefitted from those assets when our nation was attacked in 5610-- Not having them cost our nation more than 40,000 lives and wasted a generation of our nation in unceasing and pointless warfare. We attempted to end our involvement in it, were blasted by several nations and then when we rejoined it to help finish it, because that nation was still developing and planning to deploy more weapons of mass destruction, some of our neighbors now see that as an opportunity to upset the strategic status quo in the region. It is now an imperative for Kalistan to acquire the assets that Lodamun has developed for its own protection."

Alwine, LodMinDef: "Mr. Templeton. We understand that Kalistan would like to acquire the strategic mitigation systems that Lodamun has developed. You will of course excuse me if I cut the brass tax: Those systems cost Lodamun billions to develop and deploy. And they are already about to be replaced by new systems that we are working on. So I'll just ask: Before any of us could even consider such a request, we need to consider for ourselves just what can Kalistan bring to the table."

Dr. Eller, LodSpace Agency: "Mr. Alwine, perhaps the transactional discussion can be held for another day. To rephrase the question in a more constructive light, what can Kalistan bring to the table, so this could be considered a joint project, rather than appearing to be the Empire imposing on Lodamun for technology they have invested so much time and resources into?"

de Calle, Spencer SFTC: "These are both excellent questions, gentlemen. To answer them, Kalistan currently stands ready to offer launch facilities for all Lodamese space activities until they can get their own facilities stood up, if that is indeed your goal. Our space launches are primarily limited to satellite maintenance, and manned spaceflight is pretty sparse there. Consequently, we not only have the launch facilities but the vehicle fabrication facilities to help Lodamun get their space program into fourth gear pretty quickly. Secondly, we maintain a system of global surveillance satellites that are often tasked with providing geo stationary weather data, but can easily be augmented to also provide the kind of data that would let Lodamun accomplish their goal of launch detection, telemetry, and interception before a potential incoming missile reaches its zenith and begins re-entry. This includes high resolution thermal imagery, anomaly algorithm, and machine learning: As I say, those satellites are usually meant to provide weather date, but several of them can easily be repurposed, especially those which are sitting over known owners of ballistic missiles. We also can provide a lot of the raw materials for the tech. And we would like to supply your designers money, resources, including human resources, and facilities to continue your research into more advanced targeting and physical assets."

Mr. Townes, LodRPA: "Do you all need an answer soon?"

Mr. Alwine: "Soon-ish. I imagine there are a lot of details we would need to work out: this meeting is just a preliminary meeting. So no, not today if this is what you are asking."

Mr. Templeton, Spencer: "We could go over the details of our proposal if you'd like."

The Lodamese listened to the over all proposal for bringing Missile Defense to Kalistan. Several nodded as the Kalistanis based their proposal in terms of regional security in "a dynamically and rapidly changing security environment." They asked several questions regarding integration not only with other security and surveillance platforms already in place, but with new ones that were in the works on both sides of the Jah River. After an hour, with all questions asked and answered, the Lodamese shook hands with the Kalistanis.

Ms. Weston, LodAFPA: "We'll take this back to our people, and we will be in touch." The non-commitment was expected, as nobody in the room had any actual decision making authority regarding this project, but instead were here because they could speak with expertise on the subjects covered in the meeting.

Mr. Bonner, KalMilInCo: "We'll be here all week. You all know where are staying, and how to get a hold of us. I hope we can do business." The Lodamese politely nodded, signaling to the Kalistanis that the meeting had ended.