Scene #7945: Solar Firewalls

Owner	Pose
Starbound Flotilla	The Flotilla have docked a heavy construction vessel here, near a glassy structure set with dozens of glowing lines. Seems to be one of Albert's, the IFF identifies it as the SFV Vehemence III. But it's the whole Starbound Flotilla that's offloading gear. Heavy cords are buried deep in the gleaming lines, and heavy cranes have been places at various balconies and on the roof. From there, Moonfin and Seft are busy maneuvering the craneheads, while Albert, George, Pavo, and Biteblade set about mounting various anti-air turrets on the tall structure. They've been busy expanding it, too, and some of the neighbors. Landing pads, cargo areas, power systems, processors, living space... infrastructure is underway, to allow a proper long-term defense, not just day-long. Up on that main building, on the border of the digital zone between here and that coffee-infused retrofuturist menace, they're welcoming any aid in construction. And, of course, chances to chat.
Staren	Staren's previous efforts have resulted in some basic reinforced-concrete structures with foundation-pylons pounded into the meat-earth, furnished to Cantio's specifications. Solar power and batteries run lines of lights between Cantio's 'base' and the gate and help power the buildings. "Dang, what is... Is that built of megadiamond or something?" Staren asks, magically floating around. Golems and robots carry raw material extracted from 'dungeons', stone, wood, and scrap metal, piling it near the Flotilla's construction site. "I guess I didn't think of this since mine came with a castle, we need to build a whole living space and withstand attack... What's the plan so far, guys?"
Starbound Flotilla	You'd be amazed by what kind of defenses Seft and Biteblade can put together out of stone, wood, and scrap metal. The two are experts at mostly kinetic things wrought of mostly inert workable materials like that. The pseudo-trebuchets and defensive anti-air ballistae contain traces of the tribal design aesthetic while being clear anti-air weapons fit to punch holes in a dieselpunk invader. "Mmmh. We don't have the time or infrastructure to power megadiamond-working equipment here. This will work." He gestures up. "The avian plans on attacking from the skies. Operating out of an aerospace graveyard. No question he'll use his advantages." "Isss why, isss working early lots to get big advantage in firssst place!" Biteblade's platform swings nearby as she gets to tying together the contraption she's setting up with Staren's materials, and loading it up with thick rod-shapped munitions charged with energy from those solar panels. "What about you, cat friend? NWhat isss advantage you are finding?"
Staren	Staren is at least a little bit astounded at Seft and Biteblade's quick work. "Damn, I've missed working with you girls." Fistbumps are offered! Staren looks up. "Now THAT I can do something about." It'll take them awhile to get here, but SAM platform golems are on the way. "Here? I think I can set up an awful lot of missile launchers. In Secundus in general?" Staren lands and turns towards Biteblade. "The first dream fragments I investigated supplied a lot of raw material, power sources, and helpful constructs. I'm working out how best to distribute them now.
Starbound Flotilla	"Hmmm... Floran think, power sssource isss only good assss what cat-friend can power. Floran think, many outpossst, more infrassstructure ssspread, isss good." Biteblade rambles. She has to fit herself with chunks of her armor to wind some of these spring-like constructions into place, they're so heavy. "Good. Missiles will work." Albert's own platform rotates around the building, and he starts to fit a large clamp on his while he signals something to Moonfin above. He'll be conveying the SAM golems up to a spot on the roof, and getting them supplied and defended. It must be why he's got those crates of sandbags around here. "Concord's already endured a bloodied nose so far. Not letting Hearthward continue stepping all over us. Need to make sure we have enough launch platforms and infrastructure here when Cantio decides to mount a counterattack." When, not if. As if he's going to foist the action on her.
Staren	Staren nods to Biteblade. "Exactly! This windfall is a chance to spread territory a little further..." Staren looks out at the digital expanse, sending out some drones. "Do we know anything about THIS world yet? What's up with the glassy buildings?" Counterattack? Staren looks a bit solemn for a moment. "Ah... It's a shame exploration has become conflict so quickly. But I guess we must learn to deal with it. Has she got any... meat resources? To attack with, yet? Is that a thing?"
Starbound Flotilla	"Hey, I mean, rich resources, that's always conflict, you know? Everyone wants a slice of the pie." George hangs off of his platform irresponsibly, but then, he's also the only one of the group wearing a hard hat, probably including Staren. "This is just how digital works, you know? When you're inside silicon, the look is usually silicated. Or... I guess. Probably." He scratches his chin awkwardly. "Guessing. I think smooth surfaces are really common because of the abstractions. Single faces just seem very digital, right?" Seft radios down from the cranes. The scouting in that direction finds the border warpgate to the coffee-infused retrofuture zones, but it looks like Kale himself is busy reinforcing and rallying the area thoroughly. It's sure to become a pitched battle soon. Seft notices the drones from her high up position, and offers, "Encouraging. I think Cantio will get through this. We're all working to support her, after all."
Staren	IS that how it works? "I don't think Cantio's homeworld looks like this at all..." Staren observes. She nods at Seft's comment, though. And then her eyes widen once her drones radio back from the warpgate. "I've SEEN that place! Maybe. It looks just like the other side of one of the gates in Wonder... damn it." She focuses her attention elsewhere for a moment, directing defenses to gather around THAT gate.
Starbound Flotilla	"Worried. You'll want to be careful. It's very close to where you've set up your operating base here, right? Well... it's farther away from his. If it comes to it, I know you can probably project much more martial power out of your castle than he can out of an outpost. Even though the politics of engaging that way might be... complex..." Seft's synthesized tone sounds worried for Staren. "Complex shmomplex. Life's too short not to roll around in the warfare mud if you ask me." George lights up one of his cigarettes, pulls a pair of welding goggles down, and gets to securing a solar-powered beamgun, energy courtesy of Staren's solar line. "If you don't take what you can get, you sure won't ever be given nothin'."
Staren	Politics? Staren laughs. "From what I understand, Wonder's natives have been missing for a long time. The tower is empty but for two stranded people who lost their homeworlds who were set up with supplies by other travelers. There isn't... there isn't like a kingdom or political entity or anything involved." She tilts her head. "Or did you mean making an enemy of Kale? I think he already is." Staren nods to George. "Yeah... I guess I need to be more aggressive..."
Starbound Flotilla	Albert rises on his crane-platform, golem-in-clamp, near Staren. "If you don't have manpower, start recruiting or building. You need a headquarters. If Hearthward isn't in another heavy offensive tomorrow, let us know. We'll help you expand." Seft is raising another clamp full of crates of sandbags. The SAM golem should be extensively defended at the top. Surely Kale doesn't have more than one heavy ship, right...? Looks like the work will be finished soon. So George leaves a bit of old suspicious uncle wisdom to Staren. "Yeah, get aggressive. But, I mean, don't gotta get aggressive in your brain. You, I mean, kid, no offense, but you don't have the brain capacity for it. Launch an attack but don't try to become a warlord in the brain or nothin', that's not your style."
Staren	Staren considers this, pondering how to set up a base for offensive operations in Wonder. She smiles at the uncle wisdom. "Thanks. That feels kind of like a competent... and probably a good description of the problem I gotta solve. How to be aggressive, without getting aggressive in the brain." She continues to thoughtfully consider this.