If you looked up Wikipedia in around 3325, it might read something like this...
The Engineers
The Engineers are a reclusive group of individuals who can perform a wide variety of modifications to ship modules. Demand for their services was extremely high in the period 3302-3304. Their current whereabouts are unknown.
The engineering process was both scientific and mysterious, producing highly unpredictable results. This was sometimes a source of frustration when modifications did not go to plan; the Engineers did guarantee that results would (mostly) fall between certain bounds, known as ‘Liability Limits’, although these were fairly broad.
Very occasionally, a modification would yield staggering performance, far beyond expectations. Such a result was technically termed ‘Greatest Optimisation Delivery - Rarity Outside Liability Limits (GOD-ROLL). Many Commanders spent years attempting to obtain a GOD-ROLL. Rumours abounded of frameshift drives with 60% optimised mass boost, and of thruster tuning in excess of 40% increase with almost no ship tonnage penalty.
In late 3303, responding to demands for more predictable engineering results, the Pilots Federation engineering administrators commissioned a team of scientists to look at ways of tightening up the range of possible outcomes. Eventually they came up with a concept solution - the Gross Randomisation INhibition Device (GRIND). Initially the GRIND was heralded as ushering in a new era of engineering. However, this soon turned to dismay as it became apparent that the GRIND would require vast quantities of materials to achieve even a basic high-level modification. Furthermore, the GRIND would also limit the maximum potential of modifications - a GOD-ROLL would no longer be possible. Many pilots protested against this change, but it became apparent that the bureaucrats would not be swayed. Initial testing confirmed the worst fears.
This led to the Great Engineering Rush of 3304. Commanders flocked to the Engineers in a desperate attempt to modify their ships before the introduction of the GRIND, knowing that this was their last chance to obtain a GOD-ROLL. Unscrupulous traders sprung up throughout inhabited space, fleecing Commanders in need of rare materials with extortionate exchange rates.
There were more violent consequences. Lakon had to temporarily double production of the Type 9 freighter to keep up with losses, after it became widely known as a source of chemical manipulators. Rumour has it that the conflicts in Nu Tauri and Wangal around the beginning of 3304 were in fact orchestrated by Commanders seeking to create sources of pharmaceutical isolators. The Pilots Federation has dismissed such speculation as a baseless conspiracy theory.
As the fateful day approached, modifications reached fever pitch. Starships of all sizes blanketed the ground for miles around the Engineers’ bases as teams worked through the night to beat the GRIND. Numerous GOD-ROLLs were achieved, each met with bittersweet cheers, as all present knew their kind would never be seen again.
After the introduction of the GRIND, engineering plummeted. Many new Commanders no longer deemed the results worth the effort, whilst veterans had all the modifications they needed. Engineered ships were traded like rare antiques, and GOD-ROLL modules sold for astronomical prices. Most of the Engineers subsequently went into semi-retirement. After the Great Rush they were so rich that they no longer needed to work. Felicity Farseer was last seen headed for Beagle Point in her personal Anaconda, rumoured to have a jump range of 80LY. Professor Palin spent most of his time researching the Thargoids. The exception was Marco Qwent, who was never in much demand for his engineering services and was really more of a middle-man. He is now the president of a thriving modular terminals business. Rumour has it that he controls over three quarters of the galaxy’s known supply.
In 3305 the remaining Engineers declared they would no longer comply with the requirement to use the GRIND; they were subsequently declared fugitives and went underground. Now, still wanted by the Pilots Federation, they survive on their vast fortunes. If you need a GOD-ROLL, if you have the materials, and if you can find them...maybe you can hire...the Engineers.
The Engineers
The Engineers are a reclusive group of individuals who can perform a wide variety of modifications to ship modules. Demand for their services was extremely high in the period 3302-3304. Their current whereabouts are unknown.
The engineering process was both scientific and mysterious, producing highly unpredictable results. This was sometimes a source of frustration when modifications did not go to plan; the Engineers did guarantee that results would (mostly) fall between certain bounds, known as ‘Liability Limits’, although these were fairly broad.
Very occasionally, a modification would yield staggering performance, far beyond expectations. Such a result was technically termed ‘Greatest Optimisation Delivery - Rarity Outside Liability Limits (GOD-ROLL). Many Commanders spent years attempting to obtain a GOD-ROLL. Rumours abounded of frameshift drives with 60% optimised mass boost, and of thruster tuning in excess of 40% increase with almost no ship tonnage penalty.
In late 3303, responding to demands for more predictable engineering results, the Pilots Federation engineering administrators commissioned a team of scientists to look at ways of tightening up the range of possible outcomes. Eventually they came up with a concept solution - the Gross Randomisation INhibition Device (GRIND). Initially the GRIND was heralded as ushering in a new era of engineering. However, this soon turned to dismay as it became apparent that the GRIND would require vast quantities of materials to achieve even a basic high-level modification. Furthermore, the GRIND would also limit the maximum potential of modifications - a GOD-ROLL would no longer be possible. Many pilots protested against this change, but it became apparent that the bureaucrats would not be swayed. Initial testing confirmed the worst fears.
This led to the Great Engineering Rush of 3304. Commanders flocked to the Engineers in a desperate attempt to modify their ships before the introduction of the GRIND, knowing that this was their last chance to obtain a GOD-ROLL. Unscrupulous traders sprung up throughout inhabited space, fleecing Commanders in need of rare materials with extortionate exchange rates.
There were more violent consequences. Lakon had to temporarily double production of the Type 9 freighter to keep up with losses, after it became widely known as a source of chemical manipulators. Rumour has it that the conflicts in Nu Tauri and Wangal around the beginning of 3304 were in fact orchestrated by Commanders seeking to create sources of pharmaceutical isolators. The Pilots Federation has dismissed such speculation as a baseless conspiracy theory.
As the fateful day approached, modifications reached fever pitch. Starships of all sizes blanketed the ground for miles around the Engineers’ bases as teams worked through the night to beat the GRIND. Numerous GOD-ROLLs were achieved, each met with bittersweet cheers, as all present knew their kind would never be seen again.
After the introduction of the GRIND, engineering plummeted. Many new Commanders no longer deemed the results worth the effort, whilst veterans had all the modifications they needed. Engineered ships were traded like rare antiques, and GOD-ROLL modules sold for astronomical prices. Most of the Engineers subsequently went into semi-retirement. After the Great Rush they were so rich that they no longer needed to work. Felicity Farseer was last seen headed for Beagle Point in her personal Anaconda, rumoured to have a jump range of 80LY. Professor Palin spent most of his time researching the Thargoids. The exception was Marco Qwent, who was never in much demand for his engineering services and was really more of a middle-man. He is now the president of a thriving modular terminals business. Rumour has it that he controls over three quarters of the galaxy’s known supply.
In 3305 the remaining Engineers declared they would no longer comply with the requirement to use the GRIND; they were subsequently declared fugitives and went underground. Now, still wanted by the Pilots Federation, they survive on their vast fortunes. If you need a GOD-ROLL, if you have the materials, and if you can find them...maybe you can hire...the Engineers.
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