In the year 817AS, BMM discovered new gold deposits in the Dublin System. That same year saw the fall of upper Leeds, a Corsair upheaval, and even a new and inhospitable House emerge from the shadows. These all combine to force the Admiralty to greatly expand ship production. To help pay for this, the Queen decreed that resource production be stepped up to both supply the buildup of the Bretonian war machine and to finance it as well.
Bowex, the leader in Bretonian and Sirius shipping, did it's part the best it could to secure the freedom of Bretonia. Moving all cargo-ship building to its new main base at Scarborough Station left the Southampton Shipyards free to focus solely on the production of capital class war vessels, which it churned out at a great pace. Bowex continued to haul loads of cargo throughout Rheinland and Liberty, to help finance the war effort, and returned with much needed materiel and supplies.
BMM also helped as best it could, mobilizing a fleet of Hegemons to the Dublin system, risking Molly and Corsair attacks to mine the fields of gold. BMM Hegemons, brimming with ore, would be serviced by Bowex transport ships, and together the companies made great strides toward the ultimate goals of ship production and finance.
It quickly became apparent, however that with such a long and arduous journey, the transport captains of Bowex could not keep up with the ore production of BMM. Added to that, Hegemon pilots were seen making the dangerous trip alone, in their mining ships, the need for Bretonia was so great. Plans were drawn up from these two companies for a solution to both the problems of storage of ore and it's distribution. The idea for The White Cliffs was born.
The financing was secured and the keel was laid for this gargantuan project late in 817AS, and completed several weeks later due to the fine work of shipwrights from Southampton, Scarborough, and as far away as Baltimore. It is even rumored that laborers from Alster made the long trip to assist Bretonia in the project. It was nearing completion when the board of Bowex and BMM got together on the start of their joint venture.
Funding for The White Cliffs was greatly done through individual private donations, so as not to tax the already strained finances of the Crown and it's component interests. The ship itself, along with an upgraded armor array, weaponry, and supplies, were fully paid for by individual investors.
The initial capital investment was split between Bowex, BMM, and other individual investors, comprising the initial bankroll of four hundred million (400,000,000) Sirius credits made to The White Cliffs as one hundred fifty million (150,000,000) each from BMM and from Bowex, and an additional one hundred million (100,000,000) coming from third parties interests.
Plans for The White Cliffs were bought from DSE and transferred to the shipwrights, who built the project in the Dublin system itself. A ship as mammoth as the Barge was something that wasn't meant to move about, and Bowex and BMM board members knew this. The Barge was built within distance of the Battleship Essex, which could in times of emergency extend the super-massive battleship shields around The White Cliffs and make it near impenetrable.
So, with much fanfare, Bowex and BMM christened the giant ship The White Cliffs, in homage to ancient Britannia. The Queen herself again graced the christening of a Bowex ship, and remarked "...With this completion of this gigantic vessel, the heart of Bretonia's resurgence and resurrection, we will have the means to take the fight back to Kusari, back to the Corsairs, back to those that wish to destroy all that we Bretonians hold dear. May this Barge, The White Cliffs, and those that service and commune with it, be a beacon of hope and prosperity for all of Bretonia."(Royal Decree 17A-395).
The[color=white] White Cliffs
Business Transcription Log.
CommID: Captain Jonas Elijah Edwards
Message Source: The White Cliffs Captain Suite
Message Target: Borderworlds Exports Board of Directors
Message CC: Bretonian Mining & Manufacturing Board of Directors
It is with great pride that I bring to you this first report from operations aboard The White Cliffs. The maiden voyage went swimmingly and I could not have been happier for ship and crew.
All contracts through Bowex have transferred over to the Barge, and many more were filled out today. The Bowex portion of the bankroll was received
along with the donations by the private parties in excess of one hundred million credits (100,000,000), totaling initial bankroll of 250,000,000 credits for operations.
The day couldn't have been better. Ex/Sec pilots, BMM miners and those freelancing for BMM, even BAF were on hand to witness the unveiling and maiden flight of The White Cliffs. Business was incredibly brisk from the moment she embarked, and soon a bustling economy was revolving through the area, along with none-too-few onlookers witnessing the awesome sight of The White Cliffs.
At the end of the day, many new contracts were signed by miners, and a couple of haulers were also put under contract. Details can be forwarded to The White Cliffs executive board members upon request. A list below shows the units bought and sold, and to whom. Prices are purposely left for the protection of our clients and their individual contracts.
Gold ore Bought (Seller - Units)
Miner_3125 - - - - - 3884 units
Tom.Bombadil - - - - 4795 units
Jonah.Hex - - - - - 2716 units
Fru - - - - - - - - 1422 units
Kinder.Dynomite - - 2749 units
Meekan - - - - - - - 1225 units Total Ore Purchased- 16791 units
Gold ore SOLD (Buyer - units)
VASUV - - - - - - - 1300 units Total Ore Sold - 1300 units
There are currently 15,941 units of Gold Ore aboard, and approximately 127,264,129 Sirius Credits on board.
For a brighter tomorrow [font=Times]Captain J. Elijah Edwards
Master of The White Cliffs
The[color=white] White Cliffs
Business Transcription Log.
CommID: Captain Jonas Elijah Edwards
Message Source: The White Cliffs Captain Suite
Message Target: Borderworlds Exports Board of Directors
Message CC: Bretonian Mining & Manufacturing Board of Directors
It is with great pleasure that I can announce that I will be taking The White Cliffs back out on it's intended mission. The Ion storms that have plagued us for weeks seem to have abated enough to bring the necessary systems back online, and there are credits to be made.
I will make an addendum to this communique when operations have ceased for the day.
For a brighter tomorrow [font=Times]Captain J. Elijah Edwards
Master of The White Cliffs
The[color=white] White Cliffs
Business Transcription Log.
CommID: Captain Jonas Elijah Edwards
Message Source: The White Cliffs Captain Suite
Message Target: Borderworlds Exports Board of Directors
Message CC: Bretonian Mining & Manufacturing Board of Directors
Good day to you members of the board. Another productive day aboard The White Cliffs saw the addition of two miners under contract, and also to haulers under contract as well. Details to follow.
Another tip of my cap to the lads and ladies of Her Majesty's Bretonian Armed Forces. They provided security throughout the Cliffs' operations today, and they may just have been what was needed. The Joker, that nefarious ne'er-do-well that terrorizes Bretonia and her citizens, showed his head around the Essex. They say the old girl draws a crowd, and like a moth to the flame, it brings out some dastardly folks too.
Luckily, the BAF kept the known pirates at bay, and several traders and miners were safe around the Essex. I will say that apparently, during the ion storms, some of the bridge crew took the ship out without my knowledge, and made some of their own transactions. Records of these are not existent, but we started the day with 259,015,986 credits and 21,061 units of Gold Ore.
Gold ore Bought (Seller - Units)
BMM - Torbay[M] - 2750 Units (Our first recorded Certified Customer)
Davis_Williams - 800 units
Gold ore SOLD (Buyer - units)
Lancerator - 4100 units
S.S.GreatEastern - 558 units
At the end of the day, stores were 306,926,986 credits and 19953 units of Gold ore. A jolly good haul all things considered. Not many customers today, but good business relationships forged.
For a brighter tomorrow [font=Times]Captain J. Elijah Edwards
Master of The White Cliffs
The[color=white] White Cliffs
Business Transcription Log.
CommID: Captain Jonas Elijah Edwards
Message Source: The White Cliffs Captain Suite
Message Target: Borderworlds Exports Board of Directors
Message CC: Bretonian Mining & Manufacturing Board of Directors
Good day yet again to the members of the Board. Today was very short, yet very productive. I had a message as I came on duty today from the Bowex)Bramall with a request for ore. Who am I to deny a fellow Bretonian, and from Bowex no less.
Starting the day, stores were at 306,926,986 credits and 19953 units of Gold ore. Coming online, there were a couple of other miners about, and the Bowex)Bramall One new miner was put under contract, and another, already under contract, sold it's haul to The White Cliffs. Details below.
Gold ore Bought (Seller - Units)
LEGO-Power-Miner - 2549 units
Tony.Pike - 484 units
Gold ore SOLD (Buyer - units)
Bowex)Bramall - 2240 units
Bowex)Somerled - 4180 units (credit sale)
At the end of the day, stores were 304,904,508 credits and 16566 units of Gold ore. Also, a verbal agreement was made with an individual who promised 12,000 to 15,000 units of ore by the end of the week. At this rate, the Cliffs will be full by the end of the week as well. Special care will be taken to recruit new haulers in the days to come.
For a brighter tomorrow [font=Times]Captain J. Elijah Edwards
Master of The White Cliffs
The[color=white] White Cliffs
Business Transcription Log.
CommID: Captain Jonas Elijah Edwards
Message Source: The White Cliffs Captain Suite
Message Target: Borderworlds Exports Board of Directors
Message CC: Bretonian Mining & Manufacturing Board of Directors
Greetings members of the board. Today was a good day aboard The White Cliffs. Bowex) haulers met at a contracted time en mass, and fairly cleared out the hold of my Barge. Details below.
We started the day first off with a Neural Net transaction from the Bowex)Bramall, taking care of the credit transaction from yesterday to the tune of 41,800,000 and change. Beginning stores were 348,794,508 credits and 16,566 units of Gold Ore.
Gold ore Bought (Seller - Units)
Gold ore SOLD (Buyer - units)
Bowex)Empress.Matilda - 4940 units
Bowex)Wheatstone - 4980 units
Bowex)Somerled - 4180 units
Lancerator - 2466 units
To end the outing, The White Cliffs had 523,072,519 credits and 0 units of Gold Ore. That is not a misprint, members of the board. The Cliffs is sold out currently of ore. It seems I spoke too soon in my previous report. Bowex certainly knows how to get business done. My crew and I will do our best to make sure there is more product when the time comes.
For a brighter tomorrow [font=Times]Captain J. Elijah Edwards
Master of The White Cliffs
The[color=white] White Cliffs
Business Transcription Log.
CommID: Captain Jonas Elijah Edwards
Message Source: The White Cliffs Captain Suite
Message Target: Borderworlds Exports Board of Directors
Message CC: Bretonian Mining & Manufacturing Board of Directors
Good day gentlemen of the Board. The last week or so has seen many a hard time come upon Bowex, and our brothers at BMM, from the unscrupulous efforts of mercenaries hired by some tart from Kusari. We shall not let this deter our efforts for Queen and Country.
To this extent, I have made it a mission to see that the most business be carried out as quickly as possible, to fill the holds of the Cliffs. It was a good day today, both buying and selling. Details to follow.
One Cardinal.Reaver did make his (or her) presence known early in the shift, but the Essex's extended shielding capability deterred him. Coming back online, there was little trouble, though several Corsairs were seen poking around the Cliffs. BHG units, both affiliated and non-affiliated, were on station to deter the ne'er-do-wells from any further entanglements.
Beginning the day, stores were 523,072,519 credits and 0 units of ore.
Gold ore Bought (Seller - Units)
BMM-Applecross[M] - 5805 units (5000 by way of a proxy, Mr. Fred_Trader)
Diego-Milito - 4272 units
Lamare - 2750 units
Miner99 - 2436 units
KF-95 - 500 units
VonBlack - 223 units
Gold ore SOLD (Buyer - units)
Lancerator - 2659 units
LucrativeTransport.Inc. - 755 units
Of special note. One Red.Arrows|Lancelot was paid 1.25 million credits (minus expenses) for the procurement of new armament and sensor suites for The White Cliffs. Thank you Mr. Lancelot for your service to my ship and to the Queen.
Ending tallies were 421,864,244 credits and 12,572 units of Gold Ore.
For a brighter tomorrow [font=Times]Captain J. Elijah Edwards
Master of The White Cliffs
The[color=white] White Cliffs
Business Transcription Log.
CommID: Captain Jonas Elijah Edwards
Message Source: The White Cliffs Captain Suite
Message Target: Borderworlds Exports Board of Directors
Message CC: Bretonian Mining & Manufacturing Board of Directors
Another good day to the members of the Board. Today was very profitable, and if not for the intermittent ion storms causing problems both in transfers and mooring positions of the Cliffs I daresay we could have filled the holds. Details below.
A small repair bill was required when a Corsair with a death-wish made a suicide run at the Essex and the Cliffs. Shields went down quickly, but the hull had little more than a couple of scratches.
Beginning the day, stores were 421,864,244 credits and 12,572 units of ore.
Gold ore Bought (Seller - Units)
BMM-Applecross[M] - 7455 units (2750 via proxy Fred_Trader)
Miner99 - 2750
Sirius*Star - 1798
Gold ore SOLD (Buyer - units)
Ending tallies were 313,744,310 credits and 24,575 units of Gold Ore. We will need to get some transport pilots under contract soon.
For a brighter tomorrow [font=Times]Captain J. Elijah Edwards
Master of The White Cliffs
The[color=white] White Cliffs
Business Transcription Log.
CommID: Captain Jonas Elijah Edwards
Message Source: The White Cliffs Captain Suite
Message Target: Borderworlds Exports Board of Directors
Message CC: Bretonian Mining & Manufacturing Board of Directors
Good evening to the members of the Board. Today was a productive day overall. Miners and Haulers both from all over Sirius stopped to buy and sell. A small hub of commerce is springing around The White Cliffs, and it grows every day. Details below.
There was some Corsair trouble early in the day's shift, but it soon dissipated with no fisticuffs involved. Those Sails, while still Corsairs and Pirates, are much more jovial folk than those bloody mercenaries. Always makes my hairs stand on end when they come in force.
Beginning the day, stores were 313,744,310 credits and 24,575 units of ore.
Gold ore Bought (Seller - Units)
LEGO-Power-Miner - 1628 units
Midnight.Sky - 1256 units
Leviathan_XV - 800 units
Gold ore SOLD (Buyer - units)
Bowex)Stephenson - 4197 units
Bowex)Drake - 2598 units
Jall.Transport - 1330 units
S.S.Great.Britain - 180 units
Ending tallies were 373,878,310 credits and 19,954 units of Gold Ore.
For a brighter tomorrow [font=Times]Captain J. Elijah Edwards
Master of The White Cliffs