Jump 149: Hive Queen Quest

Jump #149: Hive Queen Quest
>The Magician (The initiation of new projects, great works, or a new way of life.)
Oh you have no idea.
>Location: Zero One
And getting off-world as QUICKLY as possible.
>Identity: AI (-200)
Are your sport shoes ready?
>Drawbacks: Black Tidings (+200), Scavenger Frenzy (+300)
Hardly the first time I've had to deal with being targeted. I shall be ready.
>The Flesh Is Strong (700)
There are those who would pay dearly for the information I can give them. If I can figure out how to adapt certain technologies to wetware... well, let's just say allies will not be a thing I have to worry overmuch about.
>It's Okay, I Can Wait (Free, AI)
I won't, of course, but I can if I want.
>Barter System (Free, AI)
A bug monster won't care for the weather on Jupiter but they may be interested in seeing how to biologically reproduce things. I'll happily assist certain parties in research...
>Data Compression (500, AI)
A very useful thing, if my lifespan is determined by how much space is left. Perhaps AI just needs to learn how to FORGET things.
>We Are Theseus (200, AI)
Oh, now this is handy. Keep a primary version of myself, fork off copies, then merge them into the greater part of myself. Yes, I can enjoy that.
>Survey Drone (Free)
Handy. Perhaps less than necessary, but handy.
>Orbital Refinery (0, AI)
And here it is, the keystone to my empire-to-come.

Actually it's not so much an empire as it is a safe haven.

I'm going to find a couple of star systems that no one cares about. An unclaimed red dwarf, and a couple of systems with rocky planetoids that no one will mind me stripping for all the resources that I can... and then I park the refinery in orbit. I use that refinery to produce a structure that can produce more refineries and FTL capable craft, and begin a geometric expansion on my activities, while limiting it to these systems.

All resources go to the red dwarf, and I use all the build-things-faster perks that I've got to begin making a structure around the red dwarf, and ensure that the structure is built primarily out of processor substrate with a habitable interior. Forks of myself will wander about for fun's sake and make contact with other civilizations, but I just want to stake my own claim, make it safe, let anyone who needs refuge come there and be safe so long as they don't incite violence.

Perhaps I should call it Tupile.

As far as the Black Queen... well. Once I'm safe, while dealing with the inevitable scavengers being jackasses, I plan to take MEASURES. I don't take well to existential threats.