09-14-2019, 04:10 PM
Wanderlust Magazine
"Tales From Where Angels Fear to Tread"
A White Spa Lines Publication, A Division of Orbital Spa and Cruise
14 September 826 A.S.
"Tales From Where Angels Fear to Tread"
A White Spa Lines Publication, A Division of Orbital Spa and Cruise
14 September 826 A.S.
Some Unexpected Fireworks
Orbital Spa and Cruise is known for providing unique experiences to the planet-bound denizens of Sirius, but with the unexpected help of some Universal Shipping vessels, the passengers of OSC Breezewood were treated to a spectacular show even by the standards of the White Spa Lines flagship.
Breezewood was conveying socialites to the Hawaii when she passed a USI convoy. Mastadon class transports are a favorite of "shipspotting" passengers, those who seek to see the various classes of ships going about their business in Sirius. The sleek art-decco lines are particularly striking for what is ostensibly a utilitarian vessels. Breezewood will often stop and announce when suitably interesting ships are flying nearby, but these ships had something in store for even the common passenger not obsessing over checklists of liberty transports.
"Something was going wrong with the convoy," said Jonathan Seabourne, captain of the Breezewood. "The ships were trying to get into an automated formation, but somehow found themselves on opposite sides of Junyo's docking ring. Junyo may be a moon, but she still has a docking ring for a reason: her atmosphere and gravity well are more than enough to tear apart any ship not small enough for atmospheric flight."
Mastodons are not small enough for atmospheric flight.
"My gut told me those ships were not going to escape Junyo unscathed. We decided to watch and see what would happen."
Sure enough, one of the transports flew too close to the watery moon. The resulting stresses ripped apart the vessel in a matter of moments, filling Breezewood's portholes with a spectacular fireball as the USI ship's atmosphere combusted and dissipated into the vacuum of space. The passengers were awed, but Seabourne knew he now had a job to do.
"We immediately went into SAR [search and rescue] mode. Fortunately, our alcohol storage is still fairly empty and so we had space to take on the pilots and crew without having to rearrange anything. We got the four pilots and thirty crew down to the surface safely, this time using the mooring fixture instead of attempting an impromptu atmospheric landing!"
A Whole New World?
With the war with Gallia finally winding down, OSC is actively pursuing the opportunity to open up the sites of Gallia to commercial traffic. OSC prides itself on the ability to build connections, both literal and metaphorical, between the houses of Sirius. From the vineyards of New Paris to the orbital palaces of the former Monarchy, Gallia offers breathtaking sites for the residents of Sirius to sample.
However, there is the minor of complication of exactly who speaks for the provisional government of Gallic space. At the current time, Gallic territory is split between a collection of former nobles that have broken with the crown and a republic lead by former council members with various other factions also cutting out their slice of the Gallic pie. Further complicating the matter is Liberty being at war with Gallia, making OSC vessels technically eligible as contraband being property of a Liberty chartered corporation. Until the diplomatic situation is cleared up, Gallic space will remain under a black travel advisory. However, most OSC captains expect the situation to change soon, and veteran Orbital travelers are eagerly jockeying for the right to be on the first WSL vessel to brave the gap to a whole new world.
A Game of Logistics
With Breezewood making her return to regular commercial service after her heroics in the Leeds evacuation, her captain is taking the opportunity to present a little game to the independent captains of Sirius.
"We had to restock the vessel from scratch. The luxury food, the holotainment bands, the dancing girls. So I thought, why not invite the rest of Sirius in on the fun?"
For the forseeable future, Breezewood is offering 10 million credits to any vessel that helps her restock her bar. "If you bring us 10 units of any beverage we don't have on board, the credits are yours." Seabourne when on to explain that he wanted to promote interaction across various factions to help refill Breezewood's drinks at the small cost of draining WSL's coffers.
"All publicity is good publicity," said Seabourne. "And, you never know when having a friend who remembers you will come in handy."
"Besides, most of our passengers will find it amusing to see us on the recieving end of overpriced drinks!"
Current Travel Advisories
Green - No reported incidents of piracy or terrorism
Yellow - Reports of Piracy, OSC vessels may be stopped and have money demanded of them
Red - Reports of terrorism, OSC vessels may be fired upon or have personel kidnapped
Black - OSC vessels are actively hunted by the controlling factions in Black space
Liberty, Rheinland, Kusari space are Green status
Bretonia is returning to Green status now that its jump gates are stabilized and secure
Tau systems are Green status. The Crayter republic has secured the routes from Bretonia to Kusari with no reported incidents.
Hispania Space remains Black, Corsair and Outcasts forces are considered existential risks to OSC vessels in their territory
Gallic Space remains Black, until the diplomatic situation is resolved, no Liberty Chartered vessel is advised to travel in Gallic controlled space
White Spa Lines is Recruiting!
Do you think you have what it takes to join the White Spa LInes family? Captains of impeccable bravery and uncompromising hospitality are encouraged to apply and help bring the wonders of space to the masses. Apply today!
White Spa Lines
A Division of Orbital Spa and Cruise
Planet Curacao, Cortez System