I'm afraid I'm not versed in discordian poetry, so forgive me if your missive is not well understood. But I'm fine, thanks for asking. I hope you are in good shape as well.
So, from what little I could understand, from "... can OSI hold it's needed light...", I imagine you are asking if we are able to defend the stations of the Baffin system, or even the system itself. Well, as I said, Omicron Supply Industries doesn't have the firepower the Temporary Autonomous Zoners have, but I'm sure we are more than capable of defending the Zoner's interests in the system. Our history in the Omega 49 system told us that firepower is not the only way to guarantee the safety of our people. Diplomacy and business can do wonders on that front, as well as calling in some big friends when the need arises.
I'm sorry if I misunderstood your message, but I'm a transport captain and businessman, I don't have much experience with riddles. Is there anything else you want to know?
Again, if there is anything our friends of the TAZ need, don't hesitate to ask.
Best regards,
David Starr
Chief Executive Officer
Omicron Supply Industries
Forgive me in my message, I was with my daughter here in orbit of Jiangxi singing with her. But allow me to get to my message.
I'll be frank. TAZ is leaving Baffin due to what we believe to be a nomadic influence. We've had little response in our meditations and I fear the worse.
Which is where you come in.
Long ago if my memory serves me, OSI had an Aquillion Mark I used for jumping purposes. Is that vessel still in serve or swapped out for the Mark II model? I'm working on a project for the Persephone and I require the old Mark I schematics.
So, as I suspected, I was completely wrong about the meaning of your message. At least I was not wrong about that...
Well, I'm afraid we don't have the original Keldabe anymore. At least not as it used to be. It's in fact not controlled by OSI, but privately owned by it's crew. We had a contract to use it as a testing bed when we were developing the first jump drive prototypes. As you might imagine, those tests were very stressful to the ship's structure, so the ship was retrofitted at Livadia, and "upgraded" to the Mark II variant. Very little of the old Keldabe remains. As a matter of fact, visually one cannot distinguish it from a new Aquilon. I have no idea if we have the old schematics, or even if the crew at Livadia have them. I will ask around and talk to our tech crew, but I would not hold any big hopes over this. I'll get back to you on that...
But one expression on your message worried me: "nomadic influence". Since we plan to send security ships to Baffin in the near future, anything more specific you could tell me would help very much. Since I know very well the TAZ history with the Order, I guarantee you we will not give them any information you don't want them knowing. But if the safety of our pilots might be at risk, I want to know.
By the way, have you reached any conclusion on the matter of the system's stations administration?
Best regards,
David Starr
Chief Executive Officer
Omicron Supply Industries
Damn. That's not what I was hoping to hear David. I'd go to Livadia myself but the last time I went to the Omicrons about two weeks ago actually, I had a pair of Order pilots wanting to fire on my transport. I think I might have to ask you another favor to see if they have the Mk I plans still. The design schematics are cruicial to the Persephone's refit and I can think of no one else I'd trust to get them for us.
When it comes to Baffin. David, you and I both know our security vessels stand little to no chance against nomadic vessels of any size, let alone how little combat experience our pilots have. We Popes are not made for war. Hell the only one with major combat experience is yours truely. And I can't fight such alone. The Crayterian Republic and the Council on the other hand have far more experience in such a matter.
For now. Since virtually all TAZ transport vessels are in Coalition space, I'd like you to move several transports to Shasta and Sedona. Get what gear and such you can stow aboard, and destroy the rest if you have to. I'm sure to say that we can manage for a while outside of Baffin. I just pray the system doesn't turn into a battleground while we're away..