INCOMING TRANSMISSION RECIPIENT: Oberkommando des Büro der Marinenachrichtendiensts SENDER: Rupert Gehrig, Betriebsleiter, DHC LOCATION: The RING ENCRYPTION:SEVERE
ESTABLISHING VIDEO FEED
Esteemed direktors of the Büro der Marinenachrichtendiensts,
For the past few years, Daumann Heavy Construction has developped its activities in the Omegas, notably the extraction of diamonds in Omega-11. With the assent of the government, we have deployed a modular base, Ruhrpott Mining Facility, which is now a cornerstone of Stuttgart economy.
However, for the past few months, our security detail on the station as well as our escorts and clients, have witnessed an increase of piracy and other threats to the goods and people transiting in the region.
Although we fully support Rheinland law enforcements and their action against this plague, our company has decided to take the matter into its own hands.
The Kaiserliche Rheinwehr has granted us the permission to build and deploy a total of six weapon platforms, which will serve both as defence and discouraging devices against further attacks on and around Ruhrpott Mining Facility.
The reason I contact you is that although Daumann Heavy Construction will honour its reputation for the development of the platforms, we currently lack some of the talents we need to undertake this project by ourselves. We request the help of Die Büro der Marineachrichtendiensts for the strategic capabilities of the platforms. Of course, should you be interested, we would share our plans with your services, and provide the necessary funds and materials.
We hope that this plan will help Stuttgart region to be a safer place, and that we will collaborate with you for the success of that project.
With utmost respect,
Rupert Gehrig
Operation Manager,
Daumann Heavy Construction.
the Direktor has appointed me to liaise between our organizations for this effort.
Rest assured, the recent spike in pirate activity in the Omega Border Worlds and Rheinland has not gone unnoticed.
We are still analyzing this new threat and its capabilities, but it seems unlikely that these pirates could mount a coordinated attack against a large facility like Ruhrport at this time.
Nevertheless, we are prepared to assist with developing these platforms, as fortifying the Stuttgart system has been deemed strategically sound by the Direktor. A team of R&D specialists has been assembled to collaborate with your people on this project, codenamed "Butterblume". They are standing by to receive your plans for the platforms, as well as any additional specifications you may have.
I will be in contact, should you have any questions.
With regards,
Agent Jakob Reiter,
Büro des Marinenachrichtendiensts
INCOMING TRANSMISSION RECIPIENT: Oberkommando des Büro der Marinenachrichtendiensts SENDER: Rupert Gehrig, Betriebsleiter, DHC LOCATION: The RING ENCRYPTION:SEVERE
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Guten Tag Agent Reiter,
I am glad your organisation is willing to help us on this project.
I forward you the Research and Development report of our company. As offered, we remain available for any business linked to "Butterblume", and to a greater extent, any business that may be in the interest of Rheinland.
With utmost respect,
Rupert Gehrig
Operation Manager,
Daumann Heavy Construction.
Over the past few months, Stuttgart system, as well as its surrounding systems (Omega-7, Omega-11) have seen an increase in criminal activity. From simple piracy to outright attacks against both civilian and military assets, the security status of the region is rapidly declining.
Daumann Heavy Constructions has been wary of the situation, as the company has different interests that must remain untouched — for its own account, but also for the economic health of Rheinland and the Omegas.
Although it trusts Rheinland law enforcements with the safety of Rheinland, the protection of Ruhrpott Mining Facility, main commercial hub of the system, is of primary importance and must be assured.
As such, Daumann Heavy construction has applied to the Kaiserliche Rheinwehr for a weaponry licence, which was granted on January 28th, 829 A.S. (Licence number: 243C|1286531|195465).
Daumann Heavy Constructions has commissioned its Research and Development division to design and develop a weapon platform system that may ensure the safety of Ruhrpott Mining Facility and its immediate surroundings.
Specifications
The materials used for the production of such assets will be composed primarily of hull panels recovered by the Kaiserliche Rheinwehr, deposited at The Ring. The ratio between the recovered hull, and new hull panels will be of 6:1.
The Kaiserliche Rheinwehr has offered Daumann Heavy Construction the opportunity of recovering the hull panels the Military has gathered during a siege in Frankfurt system. It would be of bad taste not to use them, and it is economically worth it for the company, as it avoids unnecessary expenses for hull panels.
The recovered hull panels are currently held in The Ring cargo bay 315H. They will be transferred to Daumann's technical unit at Oder Shipyard, where the worst pieces will be redesigned, and all of them will be upgraded to the current standardised format. The hull panels format recovered by the Kaiserliche Rheinwehr is most likely H965-SH-type panel, as it was primarily used for the reinforcement of the exterior integrity of modular installations.
H810-SH hull panel
The new generation of hull panels designed by Daumann Heavy Construction, the H830 generation, has finally be approved, and will be added to the external and internal structure.
H830-SH hull panel
We aim for a multilayered hull (3 H810-SH panels, 1 H830-SH panel, 3 H810-SH panel), as such a design will provide better resistance against external damages. The H830-SH panels will also provide better temperature resistance, an important feature for this platform.
The design of the weapon platforms will be of an X, and will mount a total of six defence devices.
Our security division has advised that an efficient defence system would rely on its versatility. As such, the weapon platforms should be able to mount a total of six different defence turrets.
Weapon platform X1-950, view from the top
As shown on the blueprint, the turrets must be set as follow:
• One turret at each extremity of the X;
• One turret at the top of the platform;
• One turret at the bottom of the platform.
Weapon platform X1-950, view from the front
Inquiries
In the light of the development of such platforms, Daumann Heavy Construction faces some limitations.
Indeed, a station such as Ruhrpott Mining Facility, settled in a strategic position within Rheinland, needs to rely on more powerful weapon systems, especially if the security in the region worsens.
Unfortunately, Daumann Heavy Construction currently lacks the necessary installations to develop the type of armament needed for these weapon platforms. Thus, Daumann Heavy Construction may not quantify the power requirements to keep the weapon platforms up and running, although it can develop a powercore matching the needs of said system.
Finally, civilian-grade software may be a strong concern for this technology.
As powerful and efficient as they can be, civilian softwares may easily be hacked. There is also the question of whether managing the external defence system from the station, or running the weapon platforms on a different software. The second option remains the most adequate to ensure a secure system, avoiding any threat of returning the platforms against its station.
Unfortunately, Daumann Heavy Construction does not have access to military-grade software and encryption that would be required for such a system.
Recommendations
To push this project forward, Daumann Heavy Construction would require external assistance, both for the armament, and the weaponry systems. If not, the development of such weapon platforms will be possible, but will remain at the mercy of potential hacks, and lack the firepower needed to overcome external threats to the station.
our researchers have gone over the specifications you provided, and development is well underway. As I understand, there are two primary focus areas for the project - the platforms' armament and their software package. The teams have outlined their proposals in the report, which I am forwarding to you.
Schatten Research Facility
Project Butterblume
R&D Direktor Otto Schnauer
Focus Area 1: The Weapons
As far as armaments are concerned, a combination of pulse weapons and Cerberus turrets is recommended to make the platform versatile against most targets. The Cerberus turret is a mainstay of the Rheinland military ships, and Daumann specialists would have no trouble adapting them to the design. Their shipbuilding experience for the Rheinwehr would make this the most cost-effective solution.
C-25 "Cerberus" Turret
The team is exploring possible modifications to the Cerberus turret to make it more suited to being mounted on a stationary platform. We can focus on improving the weapon in one area for a small benefit. I have outlined the team's proposals below:
Proposal A: Power
Our specialists will dedicate their efforts to developing and integrating improved launch systems for the weapon, allowing it to increase its output. This is projected to lead to a 4-6% higher impact force and projectile speed, allowing for better armor penetration against most targets.
Proposal B: Range
Our team will focus on optimizing the turret's magnetic field generators and stabilizers, making it better able to engage distant targets. This will theoretically lead to a 7-9% increase in the weapon's effective range, as well as a reduction in the overall spread of projectiles.
Proposal C: Efficiency
The researchers will work on reducing the overall power intake by upgrading the energy conduits and cooling systems. This should lower the weapon's power demand by up to 10% without a significant reduction in other parameters, allowing it to increase its rate of fire accordingly.
C-25 "Cerberus" Turret, side view
Focus Area 2: The Software
We have access to military-grade software upgrades not only for the weapon's target acquisition and tracking systems but also as a defense layer to prevent malicious tampering.
Now, while we cannot supply Daumann with the latest version for our own security reasons, we could send them an older, stable branch that their specialists would be able to integrate and then develop their own build easily. This version is slated to become available for the civilian market in the next year, so why not give them a little head start?
Proposal A: Defense
The team will work on ensuring the weapon platform has increased security from being compromised by malicious intrusion programs. Expanded malware databases hosted on Ruhrport, increased data link encryption, and upgraded security programs that will sever any unwanted links will help in that regard.
Proposal B: Countermeasures
Alternatively, the platform could be equipped with limited electronic warfare capabilities. This wouldn't make it able to "hack" an enemy ship - but it could detect and interfere with any intruder attempting to compromise the platform by attacking their system through the data link. Doing this is less reliable than simply cutting the connection, but may yield more information about the intruder.
Proposal C: Targeting Optimization
It's also an option to install a standard software package and dedicate the spare processing power to more advanced targeting algorithms. Doing this is projected to increase the weapon's tracking speed, while still offering it sufficient security from being "hacked".
Conclusion
Four upgraded Cerberus turrets (one placed at each of the platform's extremities) and two EMP pulse cannons (one at the top and one at the bottom of the platform), as well as an upgraded software package, will result in a slightly more formidable fortification than what is normally available on the open market, giving Ruhrport Station what it needs to hold off a direct attack.
As you can see, there are multiple proposals from the team, but only one from each of the focus areas will make it into the project's final iteration. We require only your approval for a proposal to proceed - which areas do you want our scientists to focus on?
While we may be in the theoretical stage, we will need some materials delivered for the project. I will send you the list once you decide where we should concentrate our efforts.
Regards,
Agent Jakob Reiter,
Büro des Marinenachrichtendiensts
INCOMING TRANSMISSION RECIPIENT: Oberkommando des Büro der Marinenachrichtendiensts SENDER: Rupert Gehrig, Betriebsleiter, DHC LOCATION: The RING ENCRYPTION:SEVERE
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Guten Tag Agent Reiter,
I apologise for the delay of this answer. There have been pressing matters lately, but I assure you that our partnership over the security of Ruhrpott Mining Facility has not been discarded.
After review from our Security Offcier on the station and our Chief Engineer, here are our recommendations:
- Regarding Focus Area 1: Proposal C is the way to go. While firepower might have been interesting in the past, we are looking for a steady, precise defence against attacks on the station. The defence system will work as a deterrent, preventing direct assaults on Ruhrpott, but should someone be fool enough to try it, we want the system to be efficient, and only hit its target, not surrounding facilities or ships that are not related to the threat.
- Regarding Focus Area 2: Proposal A seems the most interesting option. Obviously, we understand that Daumann, as a civil company, cannot have access to the latest, military-grade defence software. But the expanded malware database as well as military expertise in terms of encryption, will already be a great asset to the defence of the station.
I will keep a pilot or two on stand-by to deliver the necessary materials for the prototypes. There is also a software engineering team ready to meet you on the station, should you want to send your experts to assess our potential capabilities, and software and hardware upgrades needed.
With utmost respect,
Rupert Gehrig
Operation Manager,
Daumann Heavy Construction.
excellent choice. I'm happy that Project Butterblume did not get filed away to gather dust in some archive.
Our work has progressed somewhat since the previous communication, and now that the goals have been outlined, we are working to get a functioning design into the prototype stage.
To do that, we need some items delivered here to Schatten Research Facility in the Frankfurt System. I will arrange for a special pass for your transport pilots to dock to the station. The research team is already putting in item requests for running their tests. We need:
3000 Superconductors;
3000 Optronics;
3000 Energy Field Equipment;
6000 Hull Segments.
Once everything is delivered, the research team will send someone to evaluate Ruhrpott Mining Facility to ensure the prototype's optimal integration and test its performance. They'll remain onboard to oversee the platforms' eventual installation - I trust that won't be a problem.
Regards,
Agent Jakob Reiter,
Büro des Marinenachrichtendiensts
INCOMING TRANSMISSION RECIPIENT: Agent Jakob Reiter, Büro der Marinenachrichtendiensts SENDER: Rupert Gehrig, Betriebsleiter, DHC LOCATION: The RING ENCRYPTION:SEVERE
ESTABLISHING VIDEO FEED
Guten Tag Agent Reiter,
Daumann Heavy Construction values this project, and deems it as of paramount importance for the security in the part of the sector.
Of course, as agreed, we will provide the necessary materials for the prototypes. I will despatch one or two transports to bring you everything — their pilots will be given temporary access to this channel, so as to provide the delivery manifests.
As stated before, Ruhrpott's team is ready for your arrival. I will personally attend the deployment of the prototype once ready, and I look forward to seeing you in person.
With utmost respect,
Rupert Gehrig
Operation Manager,
Daumann Heavy Construction.
▪ Source: Transport Kapitän Morritz Kocher | Daumann Heavy Construction
▪ Relay: Schatten Research Facility, Main Relay
▪ Encryption: Severe
▪ Access: Daumann Heavy Construction, Büro der Marinenachrichtendiensts
▪ Message Type: Debriefing Delivery Report
▪ Convoy Participants:
- {DHC}Essen
▪ Routes taken, amount of materials delivered:
{DHC}Essen
- 3,000 Superconductors from Pueblo Station, Colorado system to Schatten Research Facility, Frankfurt system;
- 3,000 Optronics from Planet Honshu, Honshu system to Schatten Research Facility, Frankfurt system;
- 1,000 Gravity Field Stabilizers from Austin Depot, Texas system to Schatten Research Facility, Frankfurt system.
▪ Notizen des Kapitäns:
Nothing out of the ordinary.
▪ Source: Transport Kapitän Morritz Kocher | Daumann Heavy Construction
▪ Relay: Schatten Research Facility, Main Relay
▪ Encryption: Severe
▪ Access: Daumann Heavy Construction, Büro der Marinenachrichtendiensts
▪ Message Type: Debriefing Delivery Report
▪ Convoy Participants:
- {DHC}Essen
▪ Routes taken, amount of materials delivered:
{DHC}Essen
- 2,000 Gravity Field Stabilizers from Austin Depot, Texas system to Schatten Research Facility, Frankfurt system.
- 6,000 Hull Segments from Planet New Berlin, New Berlin system to Schatten Research Facility, Frankfurt system.
▪ Notizen des Kapitäns:
Nothing out of the ordinary.
Büro des Marinenachrichtendiensts Encrypted Video Transmission
.......● RECIPIENTS:.........Rupert Gehrig, DHC .......● CARBON COPY:....-- .......● SENDER:-..............Agent Jakob Reiter .......● LOCATION:............Schatten Research Facility .......● PRIORITY:..............█ █ █ █ .......● SUBJECT:..............The Final Stage
Guten Tag Herr Gehrig,
I hope you're doing well.
I would like to apologize for the late reply - things have been rather hectic over here. Nevertheless, we have received the requested materials and, with the recent uptick of Red Hessian revolutionary activity, the Direktor has given the go-ahead to accelerate Project Butterblume. I'm happy to report that the project is nearing completion.
As you undoubtedly already know, one of our freighters has docked at Ruhrpott Mining Facility today. The specialists onboard carry with them the components necessary to assemble a prototype weapons platform to be deployed and tested in the field. They will also set up a terminal on-station to control the platform and server machines to house the extensive defensive software upgrades.
Once the tests are concluded, the team will turn control of the prototype over to your people, as well as grant you the necessary schematics and licenses to produce 5 more weapon platforms for the purpose of fortifying the Ruhrpott Mining Facility. I believe your facilities are more than up for the task.
Regards,
Agent Jakob Reiter,
Büro des Marinenachrichtendiensts