Sue Is the voidship something that I should tell Damon about?

Dionysus That's entitrely up to Sue.

• Sue would tell him about it, then.

Sue If Avery isn't sure he can afford it, an empire is probably the only entity that can help.

Dionysus Damon makes time for you later in the day, & after you lay it out for him, he explains that he can arrange funding only if the Empire maintains exclusive rights to it.

Sue "Exclusive rights?"

Dionysus "In other words, the Empire of Maraddon is the only country that can use it. No other company, nation, or individual. You could use it for your quest, but after that, we'd get it."

Sue "I honestly hadn't considered what would happen to it after that. If we need to bring it back, I'll have to completely rethink the propulsion system."

Dionysus He frowns, "How else would you get back?"

Sue "I was counting on being able to buy, borrow, or steal lunar technology once we arrived there safely."

Dionysus "I would prefer not to spend that much capital on what would end up being an empty investment, & even if I wanted to, explaining that to the Emperess would be next to impossible. If you can bring it back, & pehraps secure trading or ambassadorial rights with any or all of the lunar empires, then I can definitely agree to it."

• Sue springs out of his chair and begins pacing. "Then we need an internal propulsion system. Damn! I know we can't use gunpowder. Even with the antigravity drive, the mass ratios are horrible, and we'd need to spend oxygen. If we use magic, then we can't use AG at the same time." He pauses. "Is there someone I can talk to about this?"

Dionysus He frowns, "Possibly. You have access to the Imperial Scholars, Imperial Engineering Corps, Imperial Special Forces, Imperial Navy, & Imperial Chamber of Commerce, to a degree. Try any of them."

Sue "I suppose I'll start with the scholars. Thank you. I'll do my best to come up with another proposal before we leave."