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Freeman steps back up.
"Oh aye. Them Deurger don't seem ta' believe in safety protocols at all. Structural damage to the asteroid was caused by the process but with the proper safety measures it shouldn't be more dangerous than any other forge."
He glances at his notes, "Now, the computational power needed to keep all this runnin' is quite significant. Again, I think a good Dwarven engineer could fix some of the issues, the last occupants seemed to be best at what we call Brute Force Programmin'. However, as you can see by these schematics and relay figures it's not any real improvement over what Dwarves did a very long time ago. Now, that processing power is used well, controlling the process from starting up to focusing the lens at the forge. The combination of magic, engineering and computing power is impressive to say the least. If ya look at that last file I just sent ya, you'll note a list of projects. The first set is what was made before the Duerger arrived. The latter is what could be made. A lot of potential there fer sure. I'll leave ya to it. Lots ta' process."
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“My dear Ulrikka Clanholdings chairpeople. What a sight you are. So much wisdom, wealth and good taste gathered together with a single objective. To push Ulrikka Clanholdings into the future, stronger than before, better than before! But one can’t move into the future without a close look into the past, and in this asteroid you were exploring, the opportunities are plentiful. Classic dwarven computational power, with data to explore, decipher, expand!”.
Vaal Noor moves about the room. “Sure, there is plenty of material tainted by the duergar, who saw the same potential and sought to explore it. But it’s quite easy to tell apart their rough code from the craftsmanship expected of dwarves. It’s like observing a painting and being able to tell apart where the artist used a brush made from the fine fur of a castrovelian tree-eater, and where the beast itself smacked its tail against the canvas! So hear our words: don’t destroy the asteroid - it’s a treasure waiting to be taken. Take the right system administrators down there, gather all you can, use it. Don’t want the duergar data? Turn it over to the Stewards, maybe they’ll reverse engineer it and use the information against them. But blowing it up now would be akin to melting credit sticks. Thank you!”
He steps back, waiting for questions, if any. He's used to dealing with art patrons...
The board members keep fairly straight faces as you outline the scientific and industrial value of the machinery still down inside the rock. However, as the three of you go over more and more of the tech specs you notice murmers of affirmation and interest among the audience, especially between Dolma and Remol.
The android Eom maintains an expressionless face. As Vaal speaks, it nods but speaks. You have all certainly outlined the potential value in the accumulated knowledge and technology that lies below. Yet by your own accounts Droskari magic has been integrated throughout AA-126D's facilities. And there have been significant casualties amidst both the duergar and their slave caste, which have spawned it glances down at his notes at least one undead spirit that we are aware of already. Given the circumstances, it is logical to assume there is a significant risk of necromantic energies posing a significant risk for further post-mortal creatures emerging. Given the Droskari influence and this place's history, the probability of such complications must be weighed against even the most remarkable potential findings. He says as he looks at Drak approaching the podium.
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Drak will step up to the podium, leaning some of his weight on it as he looks over the board members while Eom addresses the group. He then thinks for a moment before speaking. "Well, I won't go denyin' that those are some of the potential dangers of this asteroid. However, given time the necromantic taint that exists withing the rock could quite likely be expunged by those capable of such things. Is is beyond my knowledge of how to do so, but I do know that the church of Pharasma would be quite interested in visiting here and removing any remaining undead creating energies that may be present in the asteroid."
"Additionally, while you speak of the integration of Droskari magic into the facilities of AA-126D, when I performed a more in-depth mystical look into the enchantments surround the Solarion Stone, I found that many of them appeared to be magical overrides and controls for enchantments that were present from before the Duergar took and occupied the station. In specific, they were put in place to either negate or manipulate enchantments that were tied not to Droskar, but instead to Torag, our vanished god. If it is at all possible that there is anything more to learn about that from the asteroid, then it is imperative that we refrain from destroying the asteroid until we have looked through it entirely."
Drak steps back in silence, as the five senior crew members looks at one another. Though their mouths remain shuts, it is clear that there is some level of telepathic discussion going on between them.
After several minutes, chairmwoman Gwalei Korversal stands and looks across the space to you six. Your Society has certainly provided an impressively detailed report. In light of your arguments, and the preliminary findings that have been sent to us, Ulrikka Clanholdings shall keep AA-126D intact for the time being. While the Clanholdings retain the full rights to the materials within the asteroid, you may inform your Forum to expect one of our boardmembers to reach out to them regarding further outsourced study of these artifacts.
The chairwoman gives just a curt nod of approval before she and the other crew members retire, but Thromkendal is exuberant as she approaches you.
Well, that's about as good as we could have hoped for! Well done agents! Come with me: the Sledgehammer may look like any old mining ship but its got some first-class dining bays and this meal's on me!
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“Well, hooray! Let’s celebrate captain, but I need to depart soon - the exposure to the Solarian Stone has fueled my inspiration. I believe it’s time to create my next masterpiece!” he bends down, close to his drone. “Don’t worry, Enereth-7. You’ll always be my… second favorite. Now come! We must order new materials! New tools! And a better weapon!” the drone follows behind his master, and it seems, though impossible, that it is slightly... sad?
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Bubba busts open a stash of 'herbal' cigars and presses one into everyone's hand, whether they wanted it or not!!! He then commands his solarion mote to go from person to person, exude a bit of star energy and lights up all the cigars... again, whether anyone wanted it or not.
Ultimately, everyone ends up with a lit cigar in their hands.
"Cool dudes. Cool.... We'll have to get those lava lamps set up tomorrow, yah??" Bubba sits down and takes a few puffs while staring out the window at the local star....
You are able to dine and recline in peace and comfort and Thromkendal arranges for a shuttle to take each of you back to Absalom Station for some R&R before your next assignment. Midway through the journey one thing of note does occur: each of you get a missive from an Ulrikka Clanholdings representative inviting you to attend a formal reinterment of Avaldur Rhols' remains on the Star Citadel Heorrhahd later that month. To be invited to a ceremony for such a storied legend is quite the honor, and its an event that is sure to be crawling with dignitaries, officers, fixers, and all sorts of movers and shakers that could be some helpful connections to make too...