Naval Surveyor

Introduction

 Skill:  Builder -> Construction Tech -> Engineer's Assistant ->Surveyor's Apprentice -> Surveyor
 Pay In.  2,000         4,000                   7,000                  10,000             15,000

While some skills are incredibly useful on the field of battle, others are just useful. In the case of a Naval Surveyor, a character is more than likely looking for a way to make more money. Many of these characters, or at least the majority of our NPCs, have families and homes and some serious bills to pay. Usually these people are paid according to active duty, which is a pretty straight pay. BUT! If they can get some extra work done in their off-time, that's more money for the kids and possibly a quicker route out of the Navy- there's nothing sweeter than early retirement after all. Thus, say your pilot does his or her route for the day- there's no guarantee they'll be needed again. In that time, these men and women can go and assist other members on seperate areas of the base that need work, usually in heavy lifting or maintenance. However, as these people move up, their positions can become even more lucrative, no longer responsible for the leaks in the ceiling, but the arrangement the new turrets so that they might be most effective against aerial attack. Note that by the time you're character is playing such an administrative role, he or she is probably an officer and has been in the Navy for some time.

Surveyor Series

Builder: Obviously, one can not start out with deciding where to build the next hanger- especially without formal training. However, we can give you grunt work! These people, when they're off from their fighter duty, and yes- they do fly- are going to be wearing maintenance outfits according to the job. If they're working with oily residue, full suits are probably needed, or if they're working outside and helping to lay foundation for new buildings, possibly lighter clothing with heavy gloves. The situation dictates. Your character will be learning how to use tools that you can probably create if you must, make simple buildings, learn about the effects of atmosphere on whatever it is their constructing... There's a lot to take in. That's why this particular stage takes the longest to get out of. Note that some people may never want to leave this stage because it suites their character best, and, if they want to leave, that they can only do this job on the side to make things interesting. You're looking at a good five missions or so to reference this skill.

Construction Tech: If you can think of a foreman, that's basically what this is. Your character doesn't have to do as much work, but he or she directs things because they happen to know everything about what it is they're doing. The roof won't stay in place? DO THIS! They have the knowledge because they've probably done the job in the past. Also, this is a longer term occupation so people will probably be on the job for days at a time, working long shifts. This puts a strain on fighter duty, but it can still be done. If anything, your character would be scheduled in blocks, given a week's worth of construction duty and then another week's worth of fighter jockey.

Engineer's Assistant: "I don't think that looks right..." Your character would now know how to fix certain structural problems or be learning from an engineer why it is they do what they do. This person would be good in planning building development and stopping by work sites to make sure things are coming along nicely; more importantly they'd helping to design new aspects of a building to make them visually appealing as well as give it fundamental, functional worth. They make sure that the building will actually be able to withstand a blast from a cannon, or hold its ground in a tropical storm. Just remember that this person works along-side a real engineer; that person will probably come up with the ideas and send your character out to deal with it.

Surveyor's Apprentice: By this time it's hoped that your character has become an officer or something similar to it, that way they don't have to deal with flight duties. Put simply, your character is making the jump from 'average Joe' to administrator. Your character pulls what he or she learned from all those experiences building, fixing structures and making sure they function, and applies them to tactical aspects. In short, your character helps to run base development, usually aside the Surveyor- these people build bases. They understand that if you put a wall and some turrets here, they'll be able to take this much damage and deal this much more because they're at a certain angle to the hill. Or, that if they place the command center in this region rather than this one, it'll take much longer for the enemy to start doing any real damage- superficial and unimportant structures on the outside while the good stuff goes in the middle. They also understand that certain environmental problems can be introduced due to a planet's nature- storms, quakes, stampedes- you name it. These people will probably work on more than just planetary structures, but the majority of the time will be spent on the ground and making sure that the Navy has control of the planet's skies because of their position on that planet.

Surveyor: You build bases, teach others and travel quite a bit, not to mention give quite a few orders. You're probably quite tactical and know a thing or two about Naval Battle- from the ground though. You are a ship captain forced to live on the ground. Pay is high, risk is pretty low, but these people can get into some pretty sticky situations. A surveyor doesn't just build, he or she manages money as well as their members of the base. Really- these guys are about like Base Commanders, accept that they control things pre-emptively: how they decide to build a base and manage it can determine how efficiently it will be able to run in a battle. There's quite a bit to think about. The chances of someone becoming a person of this status is very small, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. The path on the way to this status is one that will build your character tremendously, and, over time, develop your character's age and possibly bring them to a resting point. At best, your character could make it here in a year and a half to two years.