I’ve got an exhilarating tale to share with all you thrill-seekers and cargo-haulers out there. It’s about my latest (and quite profitable) DTR Artifact smuggling run into Bretonia—and our plan to make it a double deal by bringing back gold!
The Setup
I’d been planning this operation for a while, keeping an eye on the Bretonian patrol patterns, trade lanes, and those pesky Bowex and BMM shipping routes. We all know Bretonia is no fan of Artifact trade, but that’s precisely what makes it interesting... and lucrative! I reached out to a few like-minded pilots who had the guts (and ships) for a risky venture.
The Run
Under cover of darkness, we loaded up our ships at our staging point. Every container was packed to the brim with Artifacts from Crete, enough to make Bretonia officials sweat if they ever caught a glimpse. We mapped out our route, weaving between trade lanes, using jump holes, and occasionally hugging nebulae to stay off scanners. Nothing like the thrill of a cloaked ship passing mere clicks from a Bretonian patrol!
Things got hairy with a couple of near-detection moments, but our crew worked like a well-oiled machine. Jammer devices were active, and we had scouts keeping an eye out for anything suspicious.
Delivering the Goods
Touchdown in Bretonia! Our contacts received the shipment with wide smiles and heavy pouches of credits. Now came the second part: taking a chunk of our spoils and reinvesting them in Gold.
The Gold Run Back
With Artifacts out of our hands and credits burning a hole in our cargo bay, we stocked up on the finest Bretonian Gold. Heavily guarded in some spots, but we had charm, bribery, and sheer force ready. We planned a different route back, mindful that going home is often trickier. Our convoy evaded a couple of BAF patrols and even had a brief exchange with curious freelancers. Nothing too close, but enough to get the adrenaline rushing again.
Profit & Glory
Safe to say, it was a successful haul. The Artifacts brought a sweet return, and the gold is ready to find a new home. These kinds of runs are what keep the blood pumping and remind us why we do this—profit, risk, and that little spark of rebellion against authority.
So, who’s up for the next run? If you have nerves of steel and a sturdy enough hull, we’ll be taking volunteers. The risks are high, but so are the rewards!
Our hermanos from the Union Corse have recently expanded their artifact distribution network and therefore asked us to help them out by supplying Epernon base in Orleanais with large amounts thereof. The promised profitos are immense and will surely be beneficial for achieving our next military objectives in Omicron Kappa such as the liberación of Planet Gammu.
I have started off our smuggling campaign by a stealth transport of 3150 units of artifacts to Epernon and returned with the same amount of bio-neural processors that we can surely use for expanding and restocking our flotillas.
I too received the news from senor Marcos Espinoza regarding the need our Artifacts in Gallia. I must admit, seeing us thrive and seeing more markets opening up to us is a sight to behold. This is only because of your exceptional leadership and unmatched diplomatic skills that our factions shines over the others.
Now, I usually like to command a train for transporting whatever commodities around, but for this task it seemed more appropriate to borrow the Raba from a relative of mine. Neat ship! I had to get used to the extra speed this ship has. And the Cargo Haul is better enforced comparing to the one of the train I usually fly. Overall, an interesting experience in itself, flying this one!
But nonetheless, Raba or Train, Artifacts needed to be delivered and here I was, delivering yet again. I was not on my own as I did not travel much to Gallia, but I expect my colleagues to share their report as well. The journey was rather peaceful. Only your average trade convoy in the Stuttgart system flying scared when they saw us on their radar. As it should be. Rats should know their place! These ones did. Apologies, I got sidetracked again. I was saying that we've reached Epernon Base without any problems. Weird people are these Gallic ones! But customers are customers. They even had Bio-Neural Processors for us. After the Epernon docking crew unloaded the Artifacts, I've asked them to load back in some of their Processors. I guess everybody won today. I've delivered the Processors back to Rhodes. Glory to Crete! Glory to the Imperio!
Act I: The Omegas – No Fear, Only Precision
The Aleksandros glided through the asteroid fields of Omega-11 without flinching, its advanced stealth systems keeping it undetected as the convoy barreled onward. The scanners were sharp, and the course was plotted with precision. A faint signal appeared on the radar: two Hessian interceptors on an intercept course.
“Viva La Vamos, what’s the word?” came the calm voice of the Aleksandros pilot.
"Approaching targets. Keep your pace. I'll handle it," the Viva La Vamos responded coolly, her tone more akin to a battlefield commander than a ship captain.
Without missing a beat, the Viva La Vamos fired up her engines, cutting through the space between the transports and the incoming Corsairs. The first Corsair was struck by a series of plasma blasts from the Viva La Vamos, its hull shattering under the assault. The second fighter, now fully aware of the threat, attempted to break off and retreat, but the Viva La Vamos was already on its tail, locked in for the kill.
“No hesitation,” the Viva La Vamos muttered to herself as the final shot hit the Corsair fighter, sending it into a fiery, uncontrolled spin.
The convoy continued its course, unbothered, as the Aleksandros and Nave.Fantasma shifted through the asteroid fields with effortless agility. There was no fear in their movements. This was routine—just another day for a DTR smuggling run.
Act II: Zurich – Fearless and Unyielding
The stakes changed as the convoy exited the Omega system and entered Zurich. The presence of the Gallic Navy loomed like a dark cloud in the distance. They had no tolerance for smugglers, and their patrols were relentless. But the DTR Corsairs were undaunted.
“We’ll pass through here without a hitch,” said the pilot of the Aleksandros, his voice as calm as a moonlit night. "Keep the formation tight and don’t break pace."
A sudden comm burst over the radio, a sharp, demanding voice echoing across the comms:
"This is La Reine of the Gallic Navy. You are in a restricted space. Halt immediately or prepare to be boarded."
The Viva La Vamos barely reacted, a grin forming on the captain’s face. "Now, that’s just adorable."
Before the Gallic ships could take a step closer, the Viva La Vamos was already moving, a flash of plasma fire cutting through the silence. She fired at the approaching vessels, taking out their sensors and communications systems with brutal accuracy. The Gallic Navy ships began to scramble, but the DTR smuggling fleet remained calm, their course never wavering.
“Nave.Fantasma, don’t break formation. Aleksandros, keep steady,” the Viva La Vamos ordered as she engaged the enemy. The Viva La Vamos was as aggressive as they came, a beast of a ship that tore into anything that threatened their progress. The enemy’s missiles were no match for the DTR smuggler’s defensive countermeasures, and one by one, the Gallic Navy ships fell behind, impotent in the face of the DTR’s calm yet deadly approach.
The Aleksandros and Nave.Fantasma cut through Zurich’s space without a second thought. The calm was unnerving in the face of such danger, but the DTR Corsairs had done this countless times before. There was no fear—only precision, confidence, and a collective understanding that this was their turf, and no one would take it from them.
Act III: Orleanais – The Final Challenge
The Orleanais system loomed ahead, and the Viva La Vamos’s radar blinked ominously. A whole new set of threats lay beyond the veil of the jump hole. The region was heavily monitored by both the Gallic Navy and Maquis insurgents. If they could get past this, the payoff would be worth the risk.
The Nave.Fantasma held its position, silent and unbothered as it passed the jump hole into Orleanais. The Viva La Vamos followed suit, her cannons primed, anticipating the inevitable ambush that would come.
"Contact! Maquis fighters—on our six!" the Viva La Vamos pilot shouted, even as she cut through the enemy fire like a knife through butter. "Lock weapons and engage. No mercy."
Without missing a beat, the Aleksandros unleashed a broadside of high-powered torpedoes at the incoming Maquis ships. The Viva La Vamos launched its own salvo of missiles, ripping apart two enemy fighters in a blaze of fire. The Maquis would be no match for the DTR Corsairs today.
The Nave.Fantasma twisted in and out of asteroid clusters, evading fire with effortless ease. The crew’s hands never trembled; there was no panic, no concern about what was happening. The Aleksandros, unaffected by the constant barrage, slid past the battle, headed for their destination: a hidden trade station, nestled deep within the heart of Orleanais.
The moment they dropped out of warp and arrived at the station, the buyer—a powerful figure from the black market—was waiting, a slight smirk on their face as they saw the convoy. The alien artifacts were swiftly unloaded, transferred, and secured, the transaction smooth and professional.
“Pleasure doing business with you,” said the buyer, but there was something in their voice—respect, even fear. They knew the DTR Corsairs were not like other smugglers. They had no fear.
As the convoy began its departure, the Viva La Vamos and Aleksandros took up their positions once again, the Nave.Fantasma right behind them. There were no more threats to worry about. No Gallic Navy, no Maquis to fear. The DTR Corsairs were as unyielding as the stars themselves.
“No one can stop us,” the Viva La Vamos muttered, staring into the black void ahead, her voice low. “No one ever will.”
And with that, the convoy vanished into the endless depths of space, their mission a resounding success. They had been undeterred, unstoppable, and unafraid—because the DTR Corsairs feared nothing.
Here’s the story of a recent smuggling operation that had us dodging fire from the Bretonian Armed Forces and tangling with the Mollys. The goal? Deliver Artifacts into Bretonia’s underworld and bring back a payload of Wildcat Gold. This one got tense—read on to see how we made it out!
Phase 1: Artifacts to Bretonia
We started by loading up with Artifacts from Crete, every hold packed to the brim. Bretonia might officially call them contraband, but there’s no shortage of buyers willing to pay top credit for these black-market treasures.
We plotted a careful route into Bretonia, steering clear of major trade lanes and avoiding the typical BAF haunts. As we hit Dublin, though, the Mollys decided to make things interesting. A small raiding party jumped us out of nowhere I guess they thought we were Bowex or BMM hauling corporate cargo.
A Quick Dance with the Mollys
Not all Mollys are keen on friendly chats. Just as we finished loading up with Wildcat Gold, one hot-headed Molly raider decided we were intruding on their turf. No amount of smooth talk or credits was going to change their mind—it was fight or flight.
The raider came at us fast, flying an agile gunboat bristling with outdated but effective Bretonian weaponry. I called for a quick defensive formation while one of our wingmates,with the Callsign Cobra-1 flying a heavily armed fighter, peeled off to engage.
The fight was fierce but quick. Dodging through an asteroid cluster, we baited the Molly into overcommitting. A well-timed salvo from our escort's EMP missiles disabled their shields, and a follow-up plasma barrage had them limping away, swearing revenge.
We didn't stick around to see if they'd bring backup. With no damage to our convoy, we were back en route, adrenaline still pumping.
Phase 2: Delivery & Reload
Our contact in Bretonia was waiting near Dublin, tucked away in a quiet zone just outside RPA patrol routes. The handoff was quick and clean—we didn’t want to linger long. With our holds empty, it was time for the second part of the plan: Wildcat Gold.
Wildcat Gold is infamous around Dublin—Corsair-mined, high-purity, and completely off the books. It’s a risky purchase, but the return margins are unbeatable.
Phase 3: The Return Run
The way back was anything but smooth. The BAF had picked up rumours of smuggling activity in the area, and their ships were crawling through the nearby asteroid fields. One patrol nearly caught us as we skirted the edge of Graves Station’s sensor range.
We stayed one step ahead, using jump holes and debris fields to lose them. Our convoy was tight, and everyone played their role perfectly. By the time we hit Omicron space again, the adrenaline was wearing off, replaced by the satisfaction of another successful run.
The Haul
The profits from this trip? Huge. The Artifacts fetched a premium price, and the Wildcat Gold is already lining the pockets of our best buyers. These runs are risky, but with planning, guts, and the right team, they pay off in spades.
So, who’s ready to join the next one? Whether it’s Artifacts, Gold, or whatever the market demands, there’s always room for daring pilots in the DTR ranks.
Commander Hernandez, this is an urgent directive. The battlecruiser 'Penitence' is sustaining critical damage and requires immediate assistance in the Dresden System. All available units under your Task Force Skorpios are to be mobilized without delay. Your mission is to secure the 'Penitence' and ensure its safe withdrawal or stabilization while neutralizing any hostile threats in the vicinity.
Additional Instructions:
1. Coordinate with Penitence's command for real-time situational updates.
2. Engage hostiles with extreme prejudice to ensure fleet security.
3. Maintain readiness for possible reinforcements or extraction operations if required.
This order is non-negotiable. Time is critical; act immediately.
By Order, Admiral Ruben Diaz, Corsair High Command
Admiral Diaz, we have received your emergency order. I am pulling out Stólos Skorpiós from the Frankfurt system and we're rallying inside the Taunusfeld. We'll make a direct burn towards Dresden to reach the Penintence as fast as possible and we will put ourselves infront of it, shielding it from Rheinland vessels. They will regret choosing to cross us. Aftoí oi anóitoi, we will leave their systems a burning wreck once this emergency is dealt with.
Esteemed Conclave,
I bring news about the current smuggling trends. My crew and I have started gaining traction in the house of Gallia, the lack of any security forces has made it prime time to bring our products into their markets and make some good profit. We've made contact with the locals, the Unione Corse - they are buying everything up. On their station we're taking bio-neural processors back to Rhodes. I will attach with this message a manifest of some of our recent cargo runs.
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