The Oort Federation: To the Stars

The Moon-Udachny

THE MOON—UDACHNYIsidor Orlov’s office in the Udachny Station on the Moon looked more like a control room than a traditional office. Permanent holodisplays connected to his diamond mining operations in the Russian Republic, Africa, and South America, and his mining and production facilities on the Moon and in the Asteroid Belt.

Isidor Orlov’s motto was Survival of the Fittest, and he considered himself fittest of all. Following the collapse of the Russian Federation and the creation of the Federated Russian Republics under a new constitution by Gregori Yeltsin and his colleagues, Orlov had moved his diamond mining operations headquarters off-planet to the Moon. He wrested control of worldwide diamond distribution from De Beers. Then he established the Udachny Protocol, a diamond cataloging system based on laser-etched ID numbers and blockchain accounting that made it impossible for anyone to trade in diamonds that lay outside the system—his system. The Udachny Protocol replaced the Kimberly Process established in the early twenty-first century to limit trade in Blood Diamonds. Behind the scenes, however, Orlov set up off-the-books diamond purchases at rock-bottom prices from various militants around the planet. These purchases funneled badly needed money to outlaw groups everywhere, who used the money to purchase weapons from Udachny, all the while dramatically boosting Udachny’s bottom line.

Udachny, or one of its subsidiaries, supplied the bulk of mined and processed raw materials throughout the Solar System. Initially, Udachny used VASIMR propulsion to move ore and refined metals around the Solar System. As portals for travel and transport became ubiquitous, Orlov invested the funds for a portal system licensed through Phoenix. Orlov’s portal license was a thorn in his flesh because it drained his profits into Thorpe’s coffers.

After things settled down following the creation of the Federated Russian Republics and the defeat of the Asterians1, Orlov sought out Academician Sergii Anatoly Borisovich at the Institut Kosmecheskikh on the campus of the Krasnoyarsk Academy of Sciences. Borisovich no longer headed the Institute, but out of deference to his accomplishments over the years, the Institute gave him a windowless office on the second floor and allowed him to retain his lab deep in a subbasement under the northeast corner of the Institute. Orlov reached Borisovich by Link in his lab.

“Academician, I am Isidor Orlov, Director of Udachny.” Orlov’s holoimage showed him seated in his high-tech office.

Borisovich glanced at the holoimage, annoyance crossing his features. “And you contact me why?”

“I am aware of your current ignoble treatment, especially considering your heroic accomplishments over the last few years. I am prepared to offer you spacious off-world lab facilities, skilled laboratory people, and virtually unlimited funding to pursue your independent MERT Portal development.”

“Why do this for me? I am disgraced scientist.” Borisovich’s voice sounded bitter.

Level with him, Orlov thought. Gain his trust. “I need your MERT Portal, Academician. Phoenix has a stranglehold on Udachny because I am forced to use their portal system.” Orlov paused to let his words sink in. “I will make it very much worth your while.”

With the collapse of China following the devastating destruction along her Pacific coast caused by the Asterian asteroid swarm, Academician Guo Qiáng, founder of the Institute of Nanoscience Computing (INC), assumed leadership of the entire Chinese Academy of Sciences. Within a year, he had clawed his way up to become head of the new Chinese government. He walked softly on the world stage, slowly opening doors to China’s participation in world affairs and even with the Oort Federation. Guo Qiáng remained the titular head of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He assigned a former protégé, Zhang Yupei, to head INC, where he had independently developed the upload technology that had nearly stopped the Oort Federation.

Guo Qiáng spent part of his time at his offices in the Great Hall of the People, but he frequently went two and a quarter kilometers west to be with Zhang Yupei in his INC lab. Orlov tracked Guo Qiáng down by Link and appeared in his lab as a holoimage.

“Chairman Guo Qiáng, I am Isidor Orlov, head of Udachny.”

Guo Qiáng signaled Zhang Yupei to leave the lab so he could have a private conversation.

“Why have you called me?” Guo Qiáng spoke formally.

“Congratulations on your elevation to the supreme position in China,” Orlov said with a flourish. “That is a remarkable achievement for one who had fallen so far.”

“Had it not been for Phoenix, I would not have fallen,” Guo Qiáng said quietly. “What is it you wish?” Impatience crept into his voice.

“I compete with Phoenix throughout the Solar System. Ogden Enterprises has a complete lock on upload technology, and Ogden is slaved to Phoenix. I want to upset the applecart. I am working with Academician Sergii Anatoly Borisovich, whom you know, to reach dominance in portal technology. I wish to work with you to gain the upper hand in upload technology.” Orlov paused to let his words sink in. “I believe your laboratory is sufficient, but I suspect you need researchers and funds. I will supply both at any level you require for an arrangement that gives me exclusive control over your technology.”

Guo Qiáng stood quietly, saying nothing.

“If you wish to proceed without any oversight,” Orlov said, “I can supply you an off-world laboratory…” He let his sentence hang in the air.