-incoming transmission-
-source: Planet Cambridge, Cambridge-
-subject: a possible contract-
Good day to whoever may receive this message. My name is Edwin Pennybrooke, and I'm contacting to you today with a request for help with my most prized possession, the LL-Pennybrooke.
She's a Bretonian cruise liner laid down at your very own shipyard in 743 A.S., or so the service history tells me. In the decades after, she was apparently used as a pleasure ship and meeting point for a certain anonymous BMM higher-up, until she was finally put into retirement some time around 790 A.S.
In the end, I acquired her at an auction some three years ago.
Well, I suppose there's no need to bore you with her history. Suffice to say I've taken her to the farthest reaches of the Sirius sector, and during all this time she's been far more than a companion.
This may sound a bit weird, but she's been the love of my life since I got her. A million passengers have been through her many exquisite rooms, much like they have in my own life, but she's always been there for me.
Ah well. Getting way too sentimental here. Anyway, the issue is that she's recently developed a rather serious technical problem somehow related to the main core.
My own technicians and all those I've shown it too have not been able to successfully track the issue, so I'm really helpless at this point.
At some point between the core and the main distributor hub, most of the energy is lost. It doesn't really help that the whole setup is almost eighty years old and spent decades with little to no maintenance.
Basically, this is where I need your help. The ship is barely functional now and I don't expect it to get any better anytime soon, so I figured my best bet was to bring her back to the shipyard she was built at. I'm not much of a techie, but from what I've heard the entire powerplant may have to be replaced.
Anyways, if you're interested in working on getting an old ship spaceworthy again, against adequate payment of course, I'd like to fly her over so you can have a look.
It's my pleasure to hear from you between the usual tedious rubbish. While there are some parts of that liner's history I'd rather not touch with a ten foot pole, we'd be happy to run some diagnostics and determine the issue for you. It's not a very unusual problem you're having, but the reasons may vary quite heftily considering her age without routine maintenance. It's possible that the ship will need to go through some refitting if we can't repair the power core (should that indeed be the issue) in order to install a newer model. Of course the old one served you well thus far but I doubt we can acquire another of the same exact make to replace it.
If you'd like escorts or towing to Southampton, we can arrange that to make sure you arrive without problems. In the meanwhile we can schedule in an opening in the dry docks for her when you've given us some more information, we can discuss the cost when we've determined the problem.
-incoming transmission-
-source: Planet Cambridge, Cambridge-
-subject: a possible contract-
Good day to you, Mr Graham, and thank you for your quick reply.
I'm very pleased you're willing to look at the old girl, I know it may require some major work but I'm willing to invest generously in that. She's worth it.
If the whole core needs replacing then so be it; the old one's gotten plenty of mileage.
Anyway, your offer of towing or escort is much appreciated, but she should make it well enough under her own power.
If you could have a drydock ready around the same time tomorrow, it'd be most appreciated.
-incoming transmission-
-source: Southampton Shipyard, New London-
-subject: a possible contract-
Good day again, Edwin here.
As I'm writing this, I'm looking outside the bridge at the magnificent dry docks of Southampton, where my ship is now moored. I'm pleased to announce that a very thorough preliminary checkup of the entire ships mechanical and electrical systems has been performed.
Not an easy task considering how spread out everything is, and how many systems are behind massive slabs of hardwood.
Anyway, with that out of the way, I'd be happy to hear more on how we can progress with this. You have my eternal gratitude for your time and your work.
To: Mr Pennybrooke From: George Collins Encryption:Trumpet Lamb Subject: The Pennybrooke
Is thing still o-
Well if yer look at that! G'day Mr Pennybrooke! It's come to my attention that we're stuck in a bit of a rut with our progress on yer fine ship.
We're gonna 'ave to redo the inner hull and we're short on plates. Anything that can be spared is being put into war machines, as you can guess. This is why we're askin' yer to gather 2500 units of Ablative Armour Plating from Aland in Rheinland.
That should suffice for the project, just give us a shout when yer done.
-incoming transmission-
-source: Southampton Shipyard, New London-
-subject: a possible contract-
Mr Collins,
This was actually very exciting news to me. Not only is there progress with my girl, but I get to make an interesting journey! Andy anyway, I'd fly anywhere for her.
Though I do believe you meant Alster shipyard, not Aland?
In any case, I picked up my old bumblebee, the Drifting Lantern, and made the trips. Yes, I had to fly twice. It's not a very big ship.
At least I got some extra, I'm sure Southampton can make use of them!
To: Mr Pennybrooke From: George Collins Encryption:Tranquil Mango Subject: The Pennybrooke
As of today, the Pennybrooke is back in action.
Apologies for the delay, turns out that if you address the Ablative Armour to "Pennybroke Material Supplies" things get lost in the logistics. Hopefully this hasn't caused you too much distress over the matter.
The project is done and the Pennybrooke is simply awaiting your return to her Captain's seat.
For future reference, remember that BMM is always there for you and your needs. Always.
Oh, and my thanks for the extra Ablative. Support in times of war is always appreciated. As for that Aland/Alster mix up, I must have had those IMG fellas on my mind. Thankyou for understanding what I actually meant.
-incoming transmission-
-source: Southampton Shipyard, New London-
-subject: a completed contract-
Greetings again, Edwin here.
I just got back on board, and I'm struggling to find words for how grateful I am for your incredible work!
Firing up the main reactor and not being immediately confronted with dozens of warning lights was an incredible feeling.
I'm planning to make a round trip of Sirius now that my baby is finally running smoothly again, and I'd like to invite the entire engineering team that was involved to what I hope will be an unforgettable trip. We will visit all the greatest sights, serve the finest food and drink the sector has to offer, and maybe even find an adventure or two!
You've saved the love of my life and I will be in your debt forever. If there is anything else I can help your shipyard with, I will be happy to oblige.