[color=#66FF99]Logistics -Transportation - Service Solutions
[font=Lucida Console][color=#CCCCCC]Recipient: [color=#FFFFFF]Jean Pierre LeBlanc Director of External Operations, Gallic Metal Service Encryption Level:Confidential - High Sender Location:Scrambled Location
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Bonjour Monsieur Jean Pierre LeBlanc
This is Ãvelyne Mallory, from Mallory & Lambert Logistics, and I am adressing you, as you hold the position of the Gallic Metal Service Director of External Operations. I might have an offer for you that is hopefully worth your time, Monsieur.
Mallory & Lambert Logistics is a Gallic logistics, transportation and service enterprise that has specialized in the linking of Sirian and Gallic markets. By relying on Sirian and Gallic contractors, experienced pilots and civilian technology and registrations, we enjoy great freedom of movement even in dangerous war zones like the Taus.
Despite being a young entersprise, we already managed to sign supply contracts with Gold Ore providers in Dublin, and gold ore is why I call you primarily.
It is no secret to informed circles that Alesia has a huge demand for raw ore: Gold, Beryllium, Niobium.
It is no secret either that at the moment it is almost murderous to try to reach Dublin in Vaches, as Tau 23 but also Bretonia have become an increasingly hostile territory lately. The alternative route through Lewis is extremely dangerous because of the massive Gaian presence.
Consequently, I know that Gallic traders and miners have a very hard time to satisfy the Gallic demand for raw ore at the moment.
Mallory & Lambert Logistics wants to offer help:
[color=#FFCCCC]Orkney Storage Facility: We have aquired a Barge Storage Facility and have positioned it in Orkney system. This facility would be opened to GMS ships to retrieve commodities and would thus provide critical infrastructure for the following operations.
[color=#FFCCCC]Gold Ore Storage: Mallory & Lambert would store a sufficient amount of Gold Ore (or other requested goods) on the Storage Facility in Orkney to allow GMS vessels to satisfy Alesia's demand even if the access to Dublin is barred at that moment. Mallory & Lambert could play a part in offering some supply stability for the Gallic ore markets.
Pick Up in Orkney Service: GMS could buy Gold Ore from the Orkney Barge for a fair price, thus avoiding the risks of ship loss in Tau 23 or Lewis, furthermore avoiding the risk of being caught by Kusari checkpoints when breaking the blockade, and also avoiding the dangers of the volatile Bretonian hellhole Dublin. GMS could effectively outsource half of the trade run that contains most of the dangers to Mallory & Lambert Logistics.
Delivery Service: Mallory & Lambert also offers a delivery service of Gold Ore directly from Dublin to Alesia, which would mean that GMS resources would not have to be put in harm's way at all. You would outsource the complete risk in these cases and add another supplier, thus improving market stability.
Security Services:As Mallory & Lambert contractors can operate freely in Sirius as well as in Gallia, this makes us effective, inconspicuous scouts that can make sure whether the hot zones can be passed. Our civilian vessels will not be considered hostile by many that would attack your escorts on sight.
Intelligence Services: Mallory & Lambert can provide intelligence updates on the competitors of GMS, namely BMM, IMG, and the Mollys in all parts of Sirius. Especially the moves of BMM in Bretonia could be interesting as they could give some hints about BMM's strategy in T23's Beryllium operations.
These services are explained by focussing on the highly demanded Gold Ore, but Mallory & Lambert can supply any good that GMS needs, Monsieur.
In return we ask for something rather insignificant:
We would like GMS to accept Mallory & Lambert Logistics as a business partner of GMS that can legally transport Ore (and other commodities requested by GMS bases, if you want to improve supply stability) in Gallia.
In case you are willing to accept our offer, we would kindly ask GMS to make sure that GRN and GRP, as well as the necessary governmental authorities are informed about the cooperation, so that our contractors can legally move the defined goods in Gallia.
We could also need GMS help in repairing the Storage Facility, as it is not 100 % operational at the moment. I don't know whether GMS has experts that could be of good use in restoring the Barge's functionality, but in case you have, they would be very welcome.
I hope this offer is interesting enough for you, Monsieur Jean Pierre LeBlanc.
[color=#66FF99]Logistics -Transportation - Service Solutions
[font=Lucida Console][color=#CCCCCC]Recipient: [color=#FFFFFF]Jean Pierre LeBlanc Director of External Operations, Gallic Metal Service Encryption Level:Confidential - High Sender Location:Scrambled Location
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Bonjour Monsieur Jean Pierre LeBlanc
This is Ãvelyne Mallory, from Mallory & Lambert Logistics, again. I am calling you, to let you know about good news. I will let the image speak for itself and you can decide whether GMS is interested.
Loading operations have begun today after crucial repairs to the front storage container units were completed yesterday.
As you can see, the Barge is ready to hold Gold Ore at sufficient quantities and is already able to supply some Vaches.
I hope you are interested in what Mallory & Lambert offers. One call is enough and Mallory & Lambert can supply your shippers with Gold Ore.
Merci for your time, Monsieur Jean Pierre LeBlanc.
CommID: Jean Pierre LeBlanc Target: Ãvelyne Mallory Subject: Mallory & Lambert Contract Inquiry
Bonjour Mademoiselle Mallory.
Merci for your polite correspondence to our great organization. Some other Sirians could learn a thing or duex about business etiquette from you. We are intrigued by your proposal and are interested in exploring it further. You are correct, securing Gold Ore for our transports is a cumbersome enterprise, and your offer seems to give us a way to alleviate that. But first we have some questions for you, mademoiselle...
Un: We would like some more information on your business. A little background and relations with other organizations would be appropriate to see where you fit in to Sirian society. We have to be careful who we work with and endorse as to keep in ze good graces of ze King. If you have a company brochure with this information, please forward it to us.
Duex: We would like to know a little more about how you go about acquiring ziss Gold Ore. Do you have your own mining division? Do you purchase it from ze IMG or BMM? As you know we do not do business with ze BMM.
Trois: Ze corporate culture at GMS is very relaxed and employees are given numerous vacation days. As such, GMS will not always be available to pick up ze ore. In addition, I assume ze Barge is not a 24-hour operation, and will not be open for business all day. How do you propose that we can arrange ore pick-ups to correspond to our work schedules?
Quatre: Perhaps most importantly, for what price will you be selling us ziss Gold Ore? Will $5350, or half of ze sale price in Burgundie, be a problem for you?
Cinq: It seems your Barge ship is now operational, are you still in need of repairs from our organization? We do not have ze corporate Repair Ship and our Sirian transport fleet is relatively small, but we could deliver some nanobots to ze Barge or a Vache-load of robotic supplies every once in a while. Would that suffice?
Sept: As for access to ze great Kingdom de Gallia, we can offer to put in ze Good Word with ze Crown for you. Our voice does hold some wax in ze King's ear. But ultimately, ze permitting and entry permission is run by ze King's designee in ze Government, not us. So you will have to go through the normal channels for Gallia entry. I hope ziss is acceptable to you. I also have heard that ze permit process is being revised currently, so that process may change very soon.
Huit: Last but not least, my beautiful mademoiselle, if all points are eventually agreed to by ze two companies, would you agree to join me on Planet Nevers to sign ze deal and for celebrations at ze Chateau de LeBlanc at ze LeBlanc family vineyards? It is an appropriate place to finalize ze negotiations. You have ze seductive eyes and sheer beauty of ze Gallic femme. Do you have some Gallic in you? If not, would you like some? Hon...Hon Hon Hon Hon..Hon Hon! It is just ze Gallic joke....Or is it? Regardless, a trip to moi winery on Nevers is always good for business and Wine is good for ze heart. So what do you say, mademoiselle? Keep in mind, failure to agree to ziss point may jeopardize ze entire deal.
[color=#66FF99]Logistics -Transportation - Service Solutions
[font=Lucida Console][color=#CCCCCC]Recipient: [color=#FFFFFF]Jean Pierre LeBlanc Director of External Operations, Gallic Metal Service Encryption Level:Confidential - High Sender Location:Scrambled Location
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Bonjour Monsieur Jean Pierre LeBlanc,
Merci for the fast reply. I am sure I can answer all questions in a satisfactory way:
[color=#FFCCCC]Question 1: Where do we fit into the Sirian society? That's a good question, I can't aswer. I am Gallic, Mallory & Lambert is a Gallic logistics enterprise, so - despite our knowledge about Sirius - I would describe us as "foreigners" in Sirius.
I have studied Sirian culture and languages for many years, I read hundreds of intelligence dossiers, and I sometimes pass as a Sirian. So I guess I am in between. I am Gallic by birth, by feeling, by pride, by loyality. And I pretend to be Sirian, every day, slowly becoming better and more convincing at it. I adapt, of course. And I can't say it doesn't change a person. Our independent contractors are from Gallia and Sirius, so they are more Gallic or more Sirian, I cannot generalize.
Who we work with: We work with everybody that is willing to work with us. We programmed our ships in ways that allow us the greatest freedom of movement possible, and with Freelancer designations we can be neutral to almost everybody. As we do not even know every Sirian party, it's hard to say who we think as friendly or who things that we are friendly. We treat them all as business. We don't need to be friends with Sirians to do business. We need their cooperation, and while in Gallia or in the contested areas we can make them cooperate, we have to resort to other means deeper in Sirius.
As loyal Gallics we are of course friendly with all Gallic law-abiding organisations, we respect Gallic laws and support the King's monarchy as good patriots.
[color=#FFCCCC]Question 2: The source of the Gold Ore: We have neutral to good contacts with the Mollys, wo supply us with ore. An agreement has been signed. It could be better, but it is very satisfactory for a first contact.
We strive to get the same for IMG, and already some subcontractors work with us for good prices.
We would also like to work with BMM, even if it is only for the gathering of intelligence. I know you don't like it, but that's what contractors and service providers are for: do the things that you can't do or won't do.
Question 3: We are currently discussing Barge access, but we feel most comfortable with providing the GMS with a suitable number of contacts (likely three high-ranked M&L members) so that whenever a convoy is scheduled, a call could be made that would reach one of the Barge managers, hopefully.
Question 4: We have discussed a possible price to cover our risk and unavoidable losses. The risks are high, we both know that. Mallory and Lambert contractors have to circumvent the Kusari-Bretonia embargo, that leads them through Gaian territory. You know how much Gaians hate Gold going to Gallia since the Lewis problems. Going through Lewis is risky, at times deadly. Tau 23 is a hell hole, and T31 in the hand of BMM and the Queen Carina's Privateers.
Consequently our pricing would have to be above 50 %, as about 50 % of the way but 75 % of the risk is located in the part that we do. We talked about 6.000, for the reasons mentioned. It's hardly any risk any more once the ore is in Orkney.
Question 5: Only the front storage is already functional and repressurized, the aft starboard storage has yet to be sealed and there are numerous other smaller issues. So, yes, anything that you can bring is welcome. We manage, but you know for sure that every little thing that you don't have to do yourself helps.
Question 6: Yes, channeling information via secure infrastructure is essential. I agree to have such a channel in which data can be shared between GMS, GRN and Mallory & Lambert. I have been hoping for a way of aquiring and sharing information in a reliable and safe way from some time. If I can get this done via our deal, I'd be very glad.
Question 7:As we are a Gallic company, the formal admission into Gallic space should not be a problem. It's more a problem that GRN and GRP sometimes do not seem willing to let ships that do not field Gallic corporation ship designations and papers pass. If you let them know that Mallory and Lambert ships are actually working for you, for Gallia, they might believe it. A hidden code would have to be invented to allow for identification, as we will not add transponder tags to our ships for obvious reasons.
Question 8: Thank you for the flattery, I will gladly accept the invitation. Everything else depends on your willingness to sign the contract as I would like it to be signed. And, no, I will not jeopardize something that can only be good for both GMS, Mallory & Lambert and Gallia by not showing up. I'd be a fool to wast opportunities.
Merci for your time, Monsieur Jean Pierre LeBlanc.
CommID: Jean Pierre LeBlanc Target: Ãvelyne Mallory Subject: Mallory & Lambert Contract Inquiry
A mon dieuuuuu! A Gallic femme! I knew it! Hmmm...you say you studied ze Sirian language and culture for many years, yet ze passageway to Sirius has only been opened very recently...how very strange. No matter, I am too encapsulated by your beauty to consider such trivial inconsistencies.
I suppose you are right. Ze source of your ores is non of our business. Everyone who works in mining tends to sometimes get their hands dirty. Hon Hon Hon Hon. Your barge access contacts and calls should be satisfactorie to us, assuming we can buy ze ore at reasonable hours. I just wanted to make sure you had some plan in place.
You say there is hardly any risk once ze ore is in Orkney. That is ze funny joke! I shall share ziss funny joke with ze Legione and ze Maquis when I next see them. They will hon hon hon all the way back to Ile-De-France, I am sure of it! But I do understand there is some burden in reaching Orkney. I will accept ze $6000 cost for ore for now, mon ami. We'll see how it works out and we can always re-negotiate in ze future if needed.
I am surprised you do not have ze ship designation. Are you sure your organization is not ze criminal enterprise? Have you considered separating your fleet into deux? With one group equipped for Sirian travel and another equipped for Gallic voyages? This may help with your problems with ze Law. I repeat that we can put in ze good word with ze Royals, but their concurrence is not guaranteed. And it sounds like ze ultimate signing of ze entire deal is dependent on ze Crown granting your ships permission to carry ores into Gallia, non? We need more discussion on details of how we can accomplish ziss.
We would also like to meet with one of your representatives in space somewhere in Orkney to give you ze old Gallic shakedown to ensure ze integrity of your business. I hope ziss is not too much to ask.
For now, I believe we have an Agreement of Principles. Now for ze formalities and hammering of ze details. Please reply with ze required responses and we shall see ziss new bond formed.
For ze Arch.
Regards,
Jean Pierre LeBlanc
Director of External Operations, GMS
[color=#66FF99]Logistics -Transportation - Service Solutions
[font=Lucida Console][color=#CCCCCC]Recipient: [color=#FFFFFF]Jean Pierre LeBlanc Director of External Operations, Gallic Metal Service Encryption Level:Confidential - High Sender Location:Scrambled Location
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Bonjour Monsieur Jean Pierre LeBlanc,
What a great pleasure to hear of you again!
Even though you did not insist in explaining my knowledge and studies of the Sirian culture and languages, I will still explain. My CV does not state details on 4 years, and the reason is that I worked as an independent data analyst for a subsection that was loosely connected to what you might call "the Gallic intelligence community". To these people, the existence of Sirius was no secret. My job was to keep good contacts to Gallic Junkers and glean information. Lodeve was my second home at that time. When the traitors of the Council opened the mine fields, all outsourced data analyst operations were dunped and moved to GRN. I decided to use my knowledge, in the way that would best suit myself, and Gallia. That's why I know things and have contacts that many do not have. You don't have to mistrust me, Monsieur. I am one of the good.
I will transfer the contacts of the coordinators that administrate the Barge Storage Facility on a secure channel via Sky-P3 protocol. Please contact me on the adress attached to the message: << encrypted Sky-P3 contact >>
I agree that there are remaining dangers in Gallia. No doubt. As Mallory & Lambert moves goods on that route, too, we will be able to keep an eye on criminal movements there that could endanger the ore transfer. In case the security situation changes, we might indeed renegotiate the pricing. Je suis glad that we have reached a general consent now.
I will make sure a reporting channel is opened in which your commanders can enter the amounts of goods that they deliver to the Barge. This will be done, as soon as I have finished this message. Thank you for reminding me.
Am I a criminal? *she smiles and shrugs* You will find out on Nevers, I guess. I will explain to your the exact workings of Mallory & Lambert.
And I was pushing for the GMS approval of Mallory & Lambert as the GRP has informed shippers that no company is allowed to transport ore to Alesia if not authorised by GMS. It may be that this is only a trick to fine traders that only want to do their best to supply GMS's demands, but it's better to comply. A happy police officer is a tame police officer.
But, as I said, let's discuss these details when we meet on Nevers. And you can give me the "old Gallic shakedown" at Nevers, I guess. I can be there in a few hours, perhaps 3. If you give me an idea where to meet you, I will gladly be your guest and answer all your questions.
Merci for your time, Monsieur Jean Pierre LeBlanc and see you soon.
[color=#66FF99]Logistics -Transportation - Service Solutions
[font=Lucida Console][color=#CCCCCC]Recipient: [color=#FFFFFF]Jean Pierre LeBlanc Director of External Operations, Gallic Metal Service Encryption Level:Confidential - High Sender Location:Scrambled Location
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[color=#FFCCCC]TOPIC: TAU-31 CLOSED BY HEAVY FIGHTING
This is an urgent security intel update concerning the Dublin route Orkney-T23-T31-Edinburgh-Dublin:
There is heavy fighting between Bretonian Armed Forces and Kusari ships in Tau-31 that makes travelling along the Smuggler Path (Edinburgh Hole - Planet Harris - T23 Gate) impossible.
Bretonian checkpoints and Kusari combat patrols challenged us heavily and it took all expertise, superior ship performance in dense asteroid fields, optimised loadouts and solid knowledge of the system to break contact multiple times and avoid being caught.
If you enter, be prepared to be picked up by Battleship scanners before you can pick their signatures up. If you want to try, contact me on a secure frequency to be told how you can still make it. I won't lie to you: the risk is incredibly high. And I strongly discourage trying to brave that bloackade if not specialised in that sort of business.
CommID: Jean Pierre LeBlanc Target: Ãvelyne Mallory Subject: Mallory & Lambert Contract Inquiry
Merci for meeting us up in Burgundie, Miss Mallory. Our rendezvous was as cordial and enjoyable as I expected. It seems you are definitely a company we can do business with. As one of ze smaller space-based corporations in Gallia, we do like to support other Gallic small businesses. We have seen nothing that should disqualify you and your organization from dealing ore to Rousillion/Gallia. It seems ze Mallory & Lambert is loyal to ze Crown, so hopefully you will get ore-transport clearance soon.
Merci for your first intelligence report. We were unaware of ze recent uptick of fighting in Tau-31 and will do our best to avoid ziss area until it dies down. We shall make ze depository for your reports upon Mallory & Lambert's permission to carry ore to Gallia and the signing of our agreement. Please update us when ziss happens, mademoiselle. We cannot wait to get ze Gold Ore shipments rolling.
For ze Arch.
Regards,
Jean Pierre LeBlanc
Director of External Operations, GMS
[color=#66FF99]Logistics -Transportation - Service Solutions
[font=Lucida Console][color=#CCCCCC]Recipient: [color=#FFFFFF]Jean Pierre LeBlanc Director of External Operations, Gallic Metal Service Encryption Level:Confidential - High Sender Location:Scrambled Location
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Dear Monsieur Jean Pierre LeBlanc,
merci for the enjoyable meeting on planet Nevers. It felt good to be in the company of a Gallic top businessman to discuss the remaining issues. My last meetings always took part with different Sirian company representatives and I must say I miss the cultivated Gallic way to do business a lot. Sirians are so difficult.
[color=#FFCCCC]Ore Test Run Proposal: As we are still waiting for clearance to trade and haul in Gallia, we could already do some "test runs" for your shippers. We have ore. You want ore. Why wait? Send your transports any time, they will be supplied. Please make sure to give Mallory & Lambert a call, so the Barge will be ready to service the ships. Contact information to the Barge operators have been sent via a personal message.
I hope the process of getting the clearance will be given soon. We are kind of grounded without it, which is not a very satisfactory state of affairs.
[color=#FFCCCC]Tau 31 Security Situation: the fighting seems to have shifted to Leeds, but our supply ships still encountered much more resistance from Bretonian as well as Kusari ships. Also noteworthy that this fight seems not only to be fought by regular forces, but has shifted to irregular combatants, namely Hogosha on the Kusari side, and Queen Carina's Privateers and also Outcast on the Bretonian side. Especially the link between Outcast and Bretonia is troubling, in my opinion.
BMM Update: We have seen BMM miners in Dublin and they perform operations like this: small miners, mainly Dacite class, fill transports that evade at the slightest sign of trouble. Having worked with miners in Dublin, Mallory & Lambert assesses this strategy as extremely effective for a hostile environment as Dublin. It might also work for GMS, who are confronted with a lot of hostility in Tau 23.
I hope for another meeting soon, hopefully then with the permit in my pocket. I will invite you to a nice place (surprise) when our first official deal has been signed and the delivery completed.
[color=#66FF99]Logistics -Transportation - Service Solutions
[font=Lucida Console][color=#CCCCCC]Recipient: [color=#FFFFFF]Jean Pierre LeBlanc Director of External Operations, Gallic Metal Service Encryption Level:Confidential - High Sender Location:Scrambled Location
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Dear Monsieur Jean Pierre LeBlanc,
We are proud to present to you the permission granted by the Office of Border Affairs, by Her Royal Highness Alice DeFrance:
Quote:
::FROM THE OFFICE OF HIS MAJESTY, KING CHARLES XI. SOVEREIGN OF THE KINGDOM OF GALLIA::
::Given at the twentieth day of Septembre in the Seven-hundred and Eighty-fifth Year of the Reign of the Royal Family ::
Mallory & Lambert Logistics,
By decree of the Princess Alice DeFrance, you have been given the following authorisations :
- Gallic Corporation Import and Export accreditation.
- Leaving and Entering the Gallic Kingdom.
These authorisations take effect immediatly.
Her word is law,
The office of border affairs.
I think that this was the last missing piece that we need to make our cooperation work in all ways.
I would also like to make another proposal to you, in case you haven't thought about it yet: If you fly from Alesia to Orkney, it's rather hard to find a good trade route that ends there. Most transport captains would prefer wine for Luxury Liner Shetland in Edinburgh for the Gold Ore run, but you aim to avoid going there by buying at Orkney.
Thus Mallory & Lambert wants to help:
[color=#FFCCCC]We offer to buy Gallic Wine for 1500 cr. / unit at the Barge.
You thus profit twice: If you see that the Taus are free and if you want to risk the run to Dublin, you have Wine that sells well at Shetland. If you have to cut the route short and thus contact Mallory & Lambert in Orkney, you still get paid a fair price for your cargo. You remain flexible without much risk.
Of course, if GMS has any other goods that it wants to transport on the way to Orkney, let us know. We can distribute and resell most goods, I'd just have to check the market situation first.
I hope you like it and that we can put the contract into action soon.
![[Image: eve_mallory.jpg]](http://www.augedergasse.de/bilder/chars/eve_mallory.jpg)
![[Image: orkney_barge.png]](http://www.augedergasse.de/temp/orkney_barge.png)
![[Image: jeanpierreleblanccropped.jpg]](http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1779281/fldocs/GMS%20Images/jeanpierreleblanccropped.jpg)