While in the space of Gilkara, Grand Scientist Caksya Gupta carefully looks around. While she keeps diligently to being a proper guest, the flashes of envy in her eyes at what she sees she is unable to hide well.
She politely speaks with the scientists, complimenting the cloak technology. She takes the brief rest, after which she meets Belbryn Gilkara. Both women of age, busy work schedules and scientific interest, she offers a smile.
With her proposal made, she listens to Belbryn Gilkara. She politely nods when Belbryn mentions the efficiencies and surveys, making a hand gesture as if to say that is up to House Gilkara to arrange further.
Following Belbryn’s eye out of the view port, she turns back to look at Belbryn as she mentions the lack of Universities to not be as daunting for Zaqaru. When Belbryn looks, Gupta turns to look out the window with her again. As she listens, her eyes gaze more towards the asteroids, as if trying to decipher their secrets.
Letting go when Belbryn brings up the map of Gilkara, Grand Scientist Caksya Gupta frowns for a moment as she sees the colonies of Mirza included, but then smirks. It fades as she listens and her gaze turns more thoughtfully.
When a long wait is mentioned, Grand Scientist Caksya Gupta grins for a moment, looking at Belbryn Gilkara and shortly shaking her head. She then continues to listen, but addresses it when Belbryn Gilkara is done talking.
“I do not have the luxury of time to wait or decide. Anything I wish to set in motion must be done now or soon as I will abdicate in five years time as Grand Scientist and Earl.”
Grand Scientist Caksya Gupta then moves closer to the window and looks out of it. “Lady Belbryn Gilkara, what you have done here is impressive by your words. Gathering technology, integrating them and hiding them in asteroids. From the outside, and for that matter, the reception hall, I cannot see what type of space station this is. Whether to harbour the cloaked spacecraft escorting me here and home to agents, a center to research technology and science as topic close to your heart, or a noble court to receive others in. Or perhaps this would reveal dockyards for military vessels or thriving trade hubs.”
“Yet, because it is in asteroids, I find myself questioning your words. Do you mean this to be a space station outfitted with many advanced equipment or indeed, the next step of scientific advancement, where what is developed by research and prototypes, created by factories for anybody’s use, is actually combined in its own experimental cutting edge invention? You may even allude to this space station being the result of development where the experiments are integrated in the next stage of science, the next stage of technology, which would take my breath away.”
As if to underline it, Grand Scientist Caksya Gupta leaves a moment of silence, before looking to face her speaking partner again.
“Yet, you also refer to the process of technological advancement being something which Gilkara will look towards in the future. Now, let me say with profoundness I am the first to welcome a new age of scientific advancement, with Zaqaru Universities standing at the top of research capability. Yet even if each of the current Universities would be elevated to the next level right now, then each University may be the most cutting edge of all, but the total research capacity would not be noteworthy.”
Gazing upon the map, her eyes go in a faint direction as to where Zaqaru space would be.
“I agree with you on the point that the lack of scientists is not as daunting compared to many of the other noble realms, as long as it is used efficiently, receives support and treasured. However, compared to exactly the Collective you mention, as well as powerful noble Houses such as House Laramy, or other leading researchers such as House Greenflame, House Mallarch and others, Zaqaru is lacking. I can imagine House Gilkara to also find itself envious of what researching capability they wield. Hence why I approach you. For your research capability is significant, and by cooperating, we may both enhance our possibilities. And given your neighbour, you well need that.”
Looking at Belbryn, her gaze shifts to the map, clearly looking at the border towards House Laramy.
“Though perhaps not as much as I thought, if you already have the means to produce the required equipment for super prototypes and find that to be sufficient. I am also curious as to what you learned from the Collective, for what the Imperium learned of their military might is only reason for concern.”
Looking back at Belbryn Gilkara, Grand Scientist Caksya Gupta points towards House Mirza space.
“You brought House Mirza up for a reason. The number three could be provided by Zaqaru, but could as well by provided by their exactly three Universities. But what do you foresee of their political situation?”
Withdrawing her hand, she reiterates. “Fifteen years. Five years to produce the equipment, five years to develop super prototypes, five years to develop an archive. It can be done faster, but it costs. Find whoever currently has University equipment, buy it off of them to develop super prototypes in the upcoming years while ensuring there are sufficient blueprints, then five years to develop an archive.”
“I would welcome such an advancement, but I find myself deeply lacking University equipment at current and the prices of equipment high. While my successor will take the glory.” She wraps her hands behind her back. “Truth be told, I wish to make my own mark on Zaqaru by propelling forward the creation of Universities. Once there are more centers of research, the King is bound to finally pay more attention to the field of science. Centuries ago, Zaqaru stood at the forefront in science, but calamity saw that advantage vanish. While our Universities are too far behind to take a top position, I refuse to leave my post without dragging Zaqaru out of the laggard position it currently is in.”
“Yet, I will gladly leave things in such a way that taking certain courses of actions are too rich compared to others to leave things alone. So what steps are you exactly proposing, what do you expect of Zaqaru, what do you seek from House Mirza and what are you willing to commit to developing University prototypes?”
Meanwhile, another vessel entered Gilkara space. “Greetings, I am Grand Diplomat Namzara Zaqaru and I seek to speak with Anoa Gilkara. Tell her I’m interested in her warning.”