~ Incoming Transmission from Planet New London (137.112.127.25.210.37.21.34) ~
From: Jan Peters
To: Bowex Application Departement
Encryption: S/MIME+
Topic: Application for Bowex Shipping Division
Borderworlds Exports application form 8209-2727
- What is your full name?
My full name is Jan Peters, and as it would suggest, my family name is of dutch origin, back to the roots of our ancestors from Sol. While the dutch nation never participated in the Sleeper Ship project, nor received it's own systems or planets in the new world, numerous people of dutch nationality travelled aboard the "Rheinland" to Sirius, and their families have lived in Rheinland ever since, still conserving our traditions and language throughout the centuries.
- Where was your last place of employment? What experience do you have?
While I have never been official employee of any company, I do have a decent amount of flying experience. After finishing my "Abitur" degree at the age of 19 at a school on Planet New Berlin, I decided that, rather than continuing my career at a university, I would go out and explore Sirius. Rather than studying the books, I wanted to satisfy my need of seeing new places and learn by travelling, as part of a quarter-life crisis, so you could say. I quickly became accustomed to the life of a trader, which I considered the most reasonable way of guaranteeing a good income for myself. Travelling around the galaxy costs money, after all. Relying on my math skills and thinking logic, I worked as an independent Interspace Commerce trader and managed to repeatedly upgrade my equipment and acquire bigger ships. I never became much attached to any of the places I visited, I saw myself as a restless traveller.
That, however, was years ago. Already concerned when the relations towards Rheinland worsened, I decided to leave Liberty and settle in Bretonia on Planet New London instead. Having collected a lot of experience with piloting, trading, trade calculations and piracy threats, but being sick of working alone, I wanted to take on a new kind of job and teamed up with Mr. Brown, a young BMM Miner from Leeds who remained my business partner and friend for many years. Working independently again, this time with a BMM ID, we frequently mined in the fields of Dublin, where I took on the role of a hauler, enjoying the strength and efficiency of my new transport, the majestic Shire.
Over the following time, I gathered a lot of experience in navigating the Shire and coordinating my crew, as well as admiration for the Bretonian working ethic and way of life. Even though I had already calmed my wild dreams of exploring Sirius, I never regretted my choice of leaving Rheinland. At least, until the day our convoy was attacked by a horde of ruthless Gallians as we entered the Leeds System through a jumphole. While all my attempts at negotiation with those honorless warcriminals remained futile, I watched and felt our ships being torn to shreds by the powerful gunboat cannons.
When I woke up from a coma months later on a medical station on Planet New London after my escape pod had been discovered by a passing convoy, the world offered me nothing but the harsh reality that only pieces had been found of my friends Spatial, and fate had left me as the sole survivor of the assault.
- To what division are you applying?
According to my working experience, I would like to apply to the Shipping Division. After living a few months in seclusion, still shocked by the sudden loss of everything that had been so near, I finally decided to start over and give the life out in space as a trader another try. Thanks to the huge monetary assets I had gained from my work, I was able to purchase another Shire right away.
- Why are you interested in working for Border World Exports?
I would love to offer my experience with trading and piloting the Shire to the Bowex company, and do the Bretonian nation a service in the struggle against the numerous hostile forces threatening the Bretonian peace and prosperity. Not only does Bowex fit my fascination for the Bretonian culture and the work of trading and escorting, but also would it satisfy me to know that I'm an active part in the support of the BAF and BPA in their fight against the fractions that have been trying to take everything from me and other traders for years.
Hence, I'm not opposed to the idea of supporting the ExSec division in the future as well, however, I would need an additional education for such a position, which is why I'm putting it as a lower priority for my future career, should my application be accepted.
- You happen across a Gateway convoy that is under attack by Red Hessians. What do you do and why?
I like to think of myself as someone who adapts his behavior as well as possible to the situation at hand. While I do not think highly of Gateway employees, we're all traders of one kind and I'd much rather see them win than a group of maniacs belonging to a delusional paramilitary organisation that threatens the System I was born and grew up in.
However, should I be carrying important goods for the company, I wouldn't risk the company's property for my own moral ideas, and leave the convoy alone in their violent conflict which has most likely been provoked as well on their part by refusing to comply with the aggressors' demands.
Should I be off duty, I would consider the option of helping them out in the conflict and offer them a hand, given an intervention on my part could turn the fight around. I wouldn't mindlessly sacrifice my life in a fight that is already lost.
In any case, I would contact military or police forces and advise them of the issue.
- You encounter a corporate trader of Gallic origin. It croaks mockingly at you. What do you do and why?
I would not bother with it much. While my disgust for the Gallic nation is as big as it could be, it is not and never was part of my duty to cause conflict where there is no conflict. I might at most make a sarcastic remark about my opinion of his kind, and leave him with that.
- How do you feel about Glaswegian badgers?
They should be introduced to my neighbour's pet snake.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours faithfully,
Jan Peters