It saddens me to say this mein herren, but our beloved vaderland is overrun with smugglers, most of which are hauling copper ore.

My patrol started with the discovery of one, "cristi_pirat, A DSE transport hauling mining machinery within New Berlin. I contacted the pilot and informed him that this was against Rheinland law. He of course immediately landed on Planet New Berlin, but I was sitting in wait for him. I engaged him and was able to disable his ship. Perhaps he will think twice next time.

I then received some intel of a Junker Congress tagged vessel hauling copper ore and heading to Hamburg. I was able to intercept, ".:J:.Aristotle" at Bonn station. I then questioned him as to the destination of the ore. He claimed to be taking it to Kaiserslautern Depot. I insisted that I act as an escort so as to make sure he was telling the truth. We arrived at Kaiserslautern Depot and the Junker vessel docked with the station.

I then received further intel of another copper ore runner, this time it was a Zoner tagged vessel. Once again I was able to locate the vessel and question its captain. It didn't take very long for it to become obvious he was heading to Texas with the ore. I instructed him to drop the contraband but he fled. Unfortunately he was able to disrupt the tradelane and escape. I followed him all the way to Bering after receiving permission from Feldwebel Dermen, however there was a Liberty cruiser waiting for me on the other side. Thankfully I was able to return to Rheinland space before it could lock on.

Feldwebel Dermen then informed me of yet another ore runner that he was in the process of interigating, just outside Essen. Myself and Herr Klaus Weiss of the secondary fleet made our way to meet up with Herr Dermen. Upon our arrival the runner was spooked and docked with Essen .

We then decided to set up a checkpoint, what with all the smugglers. Myself and Herr Weiss were stationed at Planet Hamburg, while the Feldwebel and Herr Siegmund Wetzel, another secondary fleet pilot, were stationed in Bering. It was not long before our first runner came along. It was another Zoner Vessel tagged, " "{Freeman" His hold was overflowing with copper ore and he even admitted so be heading towards Liberty. The Zoner also chose to flee, but little did he realize that Feldwebel Dermen and Herr Wetzel were expecting him. The Feldwebel was able to stop the smuggler. I was then ordered to accompany Herr Wetzel to the Hudson jump hole in Bering, Herr Dermen recognized the usefulness of being aware of its location. The Feldwebel then ordered us all back to Planet Hamburg for a debrief. The Feldwebel then signed off and left me in charge. Herr Wetzel also left as he had some sort of paper work to complete.

I went ahead of Herr Weiss, to Alster Shipyard where I discovered another Copper ore runner. I ordered Herr Weiss to stay by Planet Hamburg in case the smuggler decided to flee. He claimed he was only taking the ore as far as the Hudson system. I asked if he was aware of the trade embargo with Liberty. Of course he claimed ignorance. It was blatantly obvious that his destination was in fact Texas. I ordered him to drop the cargo, in response he offered to a bribe, I was greatly offended but remained calm and informed him that I do not accept bribes. I then ordered Herr Weiss to report to Alster because I was preparing for a fight. Just as he arrived, another trader came past. This transport, "Dodo" was carrying Military vehicles with an Independant Miner ID. I was busy with the ore runner so I told Herr Weiss to deal with him, just then "TSS-MeteorStar" docked on Alster. I informed him that he would become a wanted man if he did not launch. There was no reply... Fortunately the cooperation of Dodo, was admirable. He was not aware that what he was doing was illegal, so he apologized and agreed to drop the cargo. Herr Weiss then seized it. We then set course for Planet Hamburg where we join Feldwebel Dermen for a well deserved drink.

I will keep those who escaped in mind mein herren, their time will come...