TAZ Message Dump

[Ophiuchi]

To: Malaclypse, Baffin
Comm ID: Reggie, Veranda Incognita, Port C.

Well, Mal, I can report completion of that Molly "market research" you commissioned me to do in the Veranda.Vixen, old friend. It was a hectic and somewhat emotional voyage.

I set out early from Gran Canaria. Moira was still away visiting old shipmates on Islay, and I took minimal crew, and no cargo along as instructed.

I jumped to Dublin, and wasn't there two seconds before I was contacted rather gruffly by a Republican named "Liam". After the obligatory "'sairs off Canaria!" speech, and a few moments of confusion while Liam verified my "pass" with Arranmore, I was allowed to transit Dublin.

There were multiple pings in Dublin at the time, so I didn't trouble Liam for permission to dock at Arranmore; but I have some old data from a previous visit "before" the recent unpleasantries:



As you can see, no surprises there. They have gold and light arms in abundance, and require H-fuel for daily patrol operations. I then proceeded to New London, and mapped the location of the "Molly Destroyer". I was however unable to dock, as my Whale wouldn't fit in the bay, so no market data was gathered.

I then proceeded to the Cambridge JH, and proceeded to Lisburn Rock:



I didn't expect much to be available on a stoney asteroid. However, they may have "concealed" needs. More Net research will be required. From Lisburn, it was a short hop to the Leeds jumphole, and back into Dublin via the JH south of the Edinburgh lane. I moved quickly through Dublin, then on to Chester and Newcastle.

I recalled that some time ago, Mull Base was buying scads of plutonium from us, so I proceeded there first:



Mull seems to have fallen on hard times, and the plute market seems to have dried up; possibly due to the completion of whatever "project" the Mollys were working on back then. (Oh, and we bought back quite a bit of it when we toasted old Yog Sottot at his "Nomad Prison".)

From there, to Belfast. Surely that nefarious place wouild have some possibilities for trade with the owners:



My day brightened a bit, Mal. They appear to be in good shape manufacturing both Hull Panels, and H-fuel. It also appears that whatever project Mull was involved in has moved to Belfast, as they seem to pay well for plutonium there. The panels could go to our own yards at Livadia or G.C., or perhaps even to Mykolaiv or The Mollys' own yards at Foyle. H-Fuel could go back to Arranmore through Chester.

Another long flight across Newc'sle brought me to the Dundee JH, and then within visual range of Tayport Base, another new Molly outpost:



Tayport requires only the usual necessities, and have a few light arms at rather inflated prices; but again, they may have needs not readily apparent.

I then popped down to Islay, deciding to pick Moira up. They brought her to the docking bay in a bloody wheelbarrow, laughing and enjoying the Thud out of her sorry state. They dumped her in our stateroon, and I could hear her snoing the rest of the way!

And now, my friend, comes the "emotional" part. I dropped back into Dublin from Edin'bro, and managed to contact a coiuple of Indy Mollys for permission to enter Londonderry. Breen's name did the trick this time, and I entered the Guard system without incident. The first station sits in a serious radiation field near planet Cork:



My Goddess, Mal, my radiation detectors were off the scale at a distance of 18 kilometers. How the Mollys can survive, let alone exist on the Kilrea station is testimony to their resolve:



It is not surprising that there is nothing offerred for sale here, nor do they have funds to buy much either:



I lifted from Kilrea with a hard knot in the pit of my stomach, Mal. I had no idea of the scope of this past tragedy. Radiation detectors were still screaming when I grabbed this still on the way to Garvaugh Mining facility:



Garvaugh is an impressive base, but as instructed, I won't reveal any further pictures or intel on Molly assets in Londonderry. However, the amount of gold in that system is staggering:



I'll have to go over more data as to the price of MOX, and whether it is in short supply for the [MR]..

Lifting from Garvaugh, I was contacted by another Republican pilot, Nick Brock, who said he had orders to escort me to the remaining bases, and back to Canaria. At first he was suspicious, and made no bones about disliking his assignment; but that didn't prevent him from talking a blue streak. (I suspect a bit of the local "Greenspot" brew had lubricated his tongue earlier..)

I expressed my sadness at the conditions on Kilrea, and Nick confided that many of the children born there have abnormalities and short lifespans. Again, I was relieved that Moira was still asleep..

Our next stop was Foyle Yards, where many items seem to be in demand. I think here is where we might make the most difference, Mal:



Nick then esorted me to our last in Londonderry, Coleraine Base. It is a huge rocky moonlet, equalling Cape Wrath or Macon in size and population:



Again, if there is anything we can provide for this Facility, it must be of a "confidential" nature...

Nick seemed a bit more trusting as we lifted for the 49 JH. The trip to Gran C. was uneventul. At the last minute, I knew I would not be able to face Moira. or myself for that matter, unless I did something for those poor children on Kilrea; so I transmitted a modest donation to Nick's account. At first he resisted, afraid that he would be accused of "taxing" a TAZ; but eventually he agreed to re-send the funds to Councillor Breen for re-distribution. We parted company, and I managed to get my dear Moira into a hovercart, and reach the Veranda.

That's about the size of it, Mal. Some opportunities for profit, many opportunities to assist the [MR], and a huge feeling of responsibility to help the survivors of Cork and the children of Kilrea. Eris would want it that way, I believe.

Let me know if you need more data, and I will lift again. This time, with a full hold.

Regards,
Reggie

---

<span style="color:#339999">Reg Waverly * Moira &quot;Kentigearan&quot; Waverly * Fnordette Sophie Noir</span>



<span style="color:#66CCCC">Sophie's on the Square * Veranda Incognita</span>