"Tales From Where Angels Fear to Tread" A White Spa Lines Publication, A Division of Orbital Spa and Cruise 12 February 827 A.S.
A Lesson in Manners
Orbital Spa and Cruise strives to make space travel both more accessible and more civil. The luxury fleet is known for its warm greetings of passing ships as they strive to fly through friendlier skies. Orbital pilots like to think they bring out the best in even the most jaded ore haulers and navy pilots, but it seems even hardened freedom fighters are capable of polite discourse with the corporation's liners.
Captain Caitlyn Cross of the newly branded OS&C vessel Red Velvet Club found herself in Shikoku when her Palace class liner was cornered by several Golden Chrysanthemum ships. A tense stand-off with the radical feminists ensued when the pilots "Blades of Autumn" and "Oniyuri" were refused docking privileges on the luxury liner. However, distrust turned to mutual benefit when the GC ships agreed to put on a show for the passengers in exchange for some free drinks and payment for their entertainment. As the liner departed, one of the ships attempted to shake down Captain Cross for more credits, which Blades of Autumn quickly put a stop to with a firm but unquestioned, "she has no manners."
When asked why the GC pilots had been denied landing privileges in the first place, the luxury fleet's newest captain simply smiled and said, "I am the only armed lady on my ship."
A Way to Stay Busy
As the Boundless_Pleasure continues its preparations for its VIP trek to Gallia, Captain Jack Ashton found himself all dressed up but with nowhere to go. Orbital captains are selected not only for their skills with handling both ships and people, but also for their innate drive to go out and discover strange new places. So when Captain Cross found herself an escort short for a risky trek through the Omegas, Captain Ashton found himself mooring his modified Democritus and taking off in a Taurus class fighter.
While the extra friendly ship in the formation probably comforted the nerves of some passengers, a fighter-escort was a poor match for most of the hazards encountered along the way. From punching through minefields in Omega-5 to timing a zero-G performance in front of Omega-41's famed neutron star to avoid radiation poisoning, this trip saw Captain Cross fighting the ambient dangers of Sirius itself for the sake of her passengers. Of course, not all of the passengers aboard necessarily saw such dangers in a negative light.
"I would have liked to be longer in the system, but I understand that not all are willing to take health risks for the science," said Dr.Markov, the leader of the scientists on board. Others, such as Brent McFaden, an Astronomer from Cambridge, found themselves distracted by other heavenly bodies. "I couldn't choose what was More fantastic; the sight behind the windows or the young woman on the stage."
Fortunately, the Junker-born captain is more pragmatic and not as easily distracted as her charges. "As much as i can understand [Dr. Markov's] scientific curiosity, the health of my passengers will be always come first."
The ships returned to Manhattan space via Rheinland and the Red Velvet Club is scheduled to return to regular service after decontamination and inspection protocols are complete. With any luck, Captain Ashton will be back aboard the Boundless_Pleasure before then.
A Round Trip Rescue
Captain Jonathan Seabourne of the OS&C Liner Breezewood had just unmoored from Planet Curacao when disaster struck. A large explosion on scanners revealed some sort of docking mishap can caused a Crayterian freighter to hit the resort planet's thick atmosphere and disintegrate. With multiple distress signals from life pods detected, the Breezewood immediately went into Search and Rescue mode.
"We were a full up vessel," said Seabourne, "so we started by jettisoning some wine and liberty ale to make room for casualties. Then we carefully maneuvered to allow our tractor to make pick-up on the survivors." The liner made pickup on several civilian pilots and crew and continued on its original heading towards Bethlehem in Pennsylvania. En route, the pods were opened and basic first aid provided to those who ejected. However, one pod remained unopened.
The Crayterian Pilot's pod was badly damaged in the accident and given the technological inconsistancies between Crayterian and House technologies none of Breezewood's engineers felt confident enough in their ability to extract the injured pilot without possibly damaging the life support systems keeping him stable. It was decided to keep him aboard as the rest of the rescued survivors were discharged on the zoner station Bethlehem until he could be formally repatriated.
Fortunately, the liner did not have to carry its unwitting stowaway for long. Dr. Doreen Naggar, Chief Medical Officer for the Crayter Republic, was coincidentally attending a medical conference on Curacao. After Seabourne made contact with the good doctor, the Breezewood turned around and headed back to where the whole ordeal started. The pilot was transferred over to Curacao's chief porter and planetside logistics took care of things from there to get the pilot back in friendly hands.
When asked if the Crayter Republic would be billed for the round trip provided to the downed pilot, Captain Seabourne laughed before saying, "The man was unconscious in our cargo hold for the duration of the flight. It would be inappropriate to charge him for a passenger ticket."
The grinning captain jokingly added, "We'll bill him as freight."
> > > > Closing Transmission < < < <
OS&C|Breezewood
Captain Jonathan Seabourne, Editor-in-Chief, Wanderlust Magazine
"Tales From Where Angels Fear to Tread" A White Spa Lines Publication, A Division of Orbital Spa and Cruise 18 February 827 A.S.
A Starlit Sea
Orbital's ships have combed much of Sirius to find the most exotic and thrilling locales for their passengers. But an explorer's job is never done, and even the most experienced captains can still be awed by making the sector give up new secrets. For captains Seabourne and Cross, an unexpected run-in with some freelancers out in Omicron Delta culminated in just such an experience.
The Red Velvet Club and Breezewood were discharging passengers to Freeport 11 on the edge of civilized space when several freelance pilots of the Forlorn Wing made an offer too good to pass up. For a few million credits, Nick.Stenn and his wingmates Regina.Silva and Sanada.Junko offered to guide the passenger liners to the edges of charted space to gaze down at something that would be worth the price. "We can always make more credits," said Seabourne, "but unique experiences are much harder to come by."
What ensued was a harrowing journey passed vaporized planets and ancient alien constructs. Passage through an unstable jump hole brought the ad hoc fleet to their final destination. "Welcome to the edge of the universe," said Stenn upon emerging from the jump hole. "You are now in a system that doesn't exist."
Below the vessels stretched a massive blue plane that seemed to reach out to the horizon of the cosmos themselves. A brilliant starry sky twinkled overhead as a dusty debris field swirled around the ships. "Floating above the surface, you felt like a nautical cruise vessel and not a space ship," said Seabourne. "It felt like Breezewood was skimming a starlit sea. I took the helm myself for part of the journey, the sensation was incredible."
The origins of the massive blue object are not known to Orbital Spa and Cruise, but Seabourne did report some strange markings on its surface. "It looked artificial," said the captain, "like it was built that way by design, but I shudder to think what kind of intelligence would have been powerful enough to construct it."
A Civil Encounter
Orbital Spa and Cruise has little tolerance for pirates. Terrorists who threaten our ships even less so. However, the universal language of credits has a way of turning tense encounters into mutually beneficial engagements, as newly returned Captain Steve Jones of the Barbuda found out.
The unretired Captain was ferrying passengers to the Renzu Shipyards in Shikoku when he was accosted by a Lane Hacker named Konrad von Gloda. Lane Hackers are mortal enemies of Ageira Technologies, but this one seemed to take a more pragmatic approach to other Liberty corporations. Perhaps the fact that he was alone in a Domedary freighter instead of a more combat oriented vessel factored into the Hacker's decision to talk instead of shoot, but in any event the captain soon found himself negotiating with the would-be pirate.
"Not wishing to disturb my dining guests with the sounds of battle and due to the pittance of a "donation" he requested I decided to spare him the indignity of being eviscerated in such a public way," said Jones. "He also, at my request preformed a close flyby, which delighted my travelling passengers." The Barbuda proceeded on to its final destination, the Hacker got his payday, and the passengers disembarked with a story to tell their friends. Charm, not steel, makes up the main armor of the luxury fleet. In this case, the Barbuda's rising tide lifted all ships.
An Uninvited Guest
Manhattan is a natural gathering point for travelers from across Sirius. The planet is centrally located between three houses in one of the most well defended sections of the sector. Many a pilot has found themselves shooting the breeze with whoever else queued up for mooring with Liberty's capital world, but for the crew of the Breezewood this one would feature a most unwelcome guest getting their comeuppance.
Captain Jonathan Seabourne's liner was in orbit near Trenton outpost. The ship was making preparations to receive a new batch of socialites from the surface and the captain was engaging a pilot named NO-F-Saronsen over open comms. "I had never met a pilot from the Natio Octovarium," said Seabourne, "and I never pass up the opportunity to make new potential friends and allies. You never know what interesting slices of Sirius they know like the back of their hand which the rest of us haven't even heard of!"
The Liner and the Pilot weren't alone in Manhattan space. Two Forlorn freelancers, Stenn and Junko, were also coincidentally present. "It was pleasant company," said Seabourne, "until the Gaian showed up."
Gaians, a radical eco-terrorist group, have long opposed any efforts at terraforming worlds. While most of their ire is centered on Planetform, they harbor a deep resentment for OS&C for its ecotourism. Planet Gaia, the most biologically diverse world in the sector, was closed off from development save for limited facilities for university researchers from Cambridge and for OS&C escorted tourists before the Gallic Invasion. That limited footprint was perceived as an existential threat to the garden planet by the Gaians, who attacked civilian shuttles rather than tolerate human visitors to the Eden of Sirius. The mostly-Bretonian faction ended up joining forces with the Gallic Royal Navy against their own government in a short-sighted campaign to drive the Queen's careful custodianship from the planet once and for all. Of course, the Enclave ended up settling the planet en masse with the collapse of the monarchy, erecting oil derricks to strip the planet of the rich hydrocarbon deposits left behind by all of its varying lifeforms. A curious fate the Gaians secured for their once pristine world.
But though their cause celebre now lies in ruins at their own hands, the Gaians can still field sizable military hardware, as one Gina-Caliburn demonstrated by flying a Gaian destroyer into the heart of Liberty. "We keep a menagerie of Gaian wildlife on board," said Seabourne. "I shuddered to think what they would do to our ship in the name of "liberating" those creatures."
The freelancers decided to move against the destroyer, spurred by a reward promise from the Breezewood. The Forlorn ships engaged the destroyer with the liner and NO pilot tagging along to enjoy the view. The battle was evenly matched as the destroyer headed for the safety of the Jersey Debris field until it made the fatal mistake of shooting at Saronsen. The NO pilot did not take kindly to the scratches on his paint job and joined the fight. "Hope you like rapid fire," exclaimed Saronsen as he opened up on the hapless Gaian capital ship with his chain guns at point blank range. With stripped shields and depleted batteries and nanobots, the vessel quickly was put out of action in spectacular fashion.
The Navy ship LNS-Shenandoah responded to the situation quickly thereafter, but only found dust and echoes to report. Seabourne paid the pilots for their service and their spectacle, even though the ship was running empty at the time. "It was a shame we weren't carrying passengers to entertain," said the captain. "But every once in a while it's nice to let the crew man the rails and enjoy something like a spectacular starfight too!"
> > > > Closing Transmission < < < <
OS&C|Breezewood
Captain Jonathan Seabourne, Editor-in-Chief, Wanderlust Magazine
"Tales From Where Angels Fear to Tread" A White Spa Lines Publication, A Division of Orbital Spa and Cruise 25 February 827 A.S.
Gallivanting to Gallia
Another crucial step towards peace and reconciliation between Gallia and the houses of Sirius was taken earlier this week with the establishment of regular commercial service between Baden Baden and Monte Carlo Freeport. Captain Jack Ashton inaugurated the new route with a VIP tour from Rheinland through Liberty and Kusari before ending up in Confederation space. After much careful planning, the Democritus class vessel Boundless Pleasure met up with OS&C escorts in Baden-Baden along with a few extra freelancers under Forlorn pilot Sanada Junko. Little did they know, they would need all of the extra firepower they could get.
Even the best laid plans of mice and men cannot foresee every eventuality. The convoy moved out of Stuttgart and jumped into New Berlin. "And that's about when the plans started going haywire," said Captain Ashton. "Com issues meant that our scout's reports of hostiles in New Berlin was delayed and the BP along with the remaining escort vessels jumped straight into the wolf's den as a group of Hessian pilots, vastly outnumbering and outgunning us, was waiting for us." The leader of the band of radical Rheinlanders, a pilot named Heinrich with the callsign SOA-Vanagandr, stopped the convoy but mysteriously made no demand for credits. "They started going on about how they were the true defenders of Rheinland and how the military could not protect us," said Captain Jonathan Seabourne who served in the convoy as an escort. "It made me more nervous than a straight-up stickup when they started pontificating. When a pirate says your money or your life, you know the deal. Here, we had no idea what we were dealing with."
The pilots demanded that the convoy follow them through Rheinland space. With a lack of military or federal police assets in the area to challenge the Hessian claims over who truly controls Rheinland, the convoy complied and followed the heavily armed pirates through Hamburg to the jumpgate to Hudson. Having picked up several Coalition fighters and a cruiser along the way, the Motley crew of legal, quasi-legal, and criminal ships made the jump into the Independent Worlds
A Mexican Standoff
The Gallic-Bound convoy jumped into the Hudson system only to find an even larger squadron of Unioner vessels and their Corsair and Rogue allies staring back at them. A tense standoff ensued as the Unioners and Hessians traded barbs centering on their respective turf and zones of influence. "At this point we had already decided to black out the windows of the BP and start the in-flight entertainment 4 hours earlier than planned," said Captain Ashton, but not all parties involved could simply close their eyes and pretend everything was ok. One Bowex vessel, the Aeolus, found itself in the wrong place at the wrong time, shouting an exasperated plea to their overwhelmed comm channel for clarification on just how many ships were trying to simultaneously rob them.
However, the Unioners were not the only ones mustering in the Hudson system. Orbital Spa and Cruise maintains close ties to partner house navies for a reason, and in this case a chance conversation between Captain Seabourne and Lt. Jeremiah Sawyer of the Liberty Navy earlier in the day paid dividends. "When I heard what OS&C was planning, I knew they'd encounter trouble at least in Texas," said Sawyer, the skipper of the gunboat LNS-Monitor. "Unioner activity has been booming there as of late, so I contacted all available channels for reinforcements, and decided to rendezvous with the OS&C convoy in Hudson."
Sawyer formed an impromptu battlegroup under Commander Nicolette Micheaux of LNS-Invincible. The capital ship flew into the middle of the standoff via the tradelanes along with LPI-SWAT-Rikers and several other LSF and freelance agents in the employ of the Liberty government. Meanwhile Rheinland also mobilized its forces with the cruiser RNC-Karlsruhe moving in.
Soon, shooting broke out. "We shot at basically anything that was red," said Sawyer. "It was a real mess. We managed to deal with the Unioners first, while Rheinland Military reinforcements managed to arrive to assist us, thus we could finish off the Coalition there as well, and finally whatever pirates were left. We took some losses as well, but we still managed to come out of that chaos as victorious. That kind of mess is something I would wish only for the worst people out there."
Commander Micheaux confirmed that coordination against the Unioners was the key to success, with several Hessian forces moving to defend the capital ship from bombardment. "Coordination by anti-Union forces was critical," said the Commander, "and we owe it to the rest of the men and women who arrived. Invincible would likely have suffered far worse without them."
Gunda Riehl, a spokesperson for the Unioners, summed up the battle more succinctly. "The captain of the battleship smacking his [sic] magnum sized <expletive> around the trade lanes. How do you think this usually goes?"
Meanwhile the OS&C assets slipped through the battle lines without casualties and made for New York at top speed before heading to Pennsylvania for the first layover on Eerie. The first part of the journey was finally complete.
A Duel in Provence
After an overly exciting beginning, the convoy settled into a more comfortable groove. The vessels made their way from Pennsylvania to Kusari without incident. A Kusari State Police battlecruiser, the Hatakaze, and an Imperial Navy pilot named Asakura Nagamoto offered to guide the convoy through Kusari space to the Gallic border. While the extra guns were most welcome, coordinating the larger group ran into logistical issues. "The following stretch of our journey was refreshingly boring compared to the beginning," said Ashton, "except for some Nav problems that saw the BP twice leading the convoy in the wrong direction."
Navigational issues got worse when the convoy crossed into Gallic space. The New Paris system is a confusing roundabout of horizontally oriented trade lanes. The Sirian vessels, an odd sight in the Confederation still, attracted the attention of local vessels who found the bewildered travelers amusing. Fortunately, some were also feeling altruistic. "Because of this," continued Ashton, "a local IDF vessel volunteered to show us the way on the final leg of the journey, from New Paris to Monte Carlo."
IDF, the main shipping company for Gallia, had extremely close ties to the crown and even now there are rumors of continued relations with the exiled royalists in the Enclave. A lone IDF bomber conveniently showing up to escort the OS&C convoy raised some suspicions. "IDF acquired most of Solar Engineering's hospitality assets," said Captain Seabourne, referring to Gallia's former tourism corporation. "They focus mainly on transporting cargo, but they have their own liners and resort worlds and constitute a rival for us as Gallia and Sirius start to get closer together. Part of me wondered if Prise.d'Orange had been sent to sink that relationship before OS&C could get a foothold in the Confederation."
Fortunately, the fears were unfounded. The IDF pilot seemed intent on hunting for Maquis fighters. He did not have to search for long. Waiting at Monte Carlo Freeport was Juliet.Crux, a Maquis who was quick to label the IDF bomber a Royalist and open fire. The two bombers proceeded to dance a deadly dog fight with each one dodging the devastating ordinance of the other. Eventually, both went in for the close range kill, only to end up destroying each other simultaneously. It was a fitting final batch of fireworks for a red letter day for OS&C. The Boundless Pleasure delivered her passengers, safe and sound, to the freeport where the VIP's were all too happy to eat, drink, and be merry to make up for all the death they had cheated that day.
> > > > Closing Transmission < < < <
OS&C|Breezewood
Captain Jonathan Seabourne, Editor-in-Chief, Wanderlust Magazine
"Tales From Where Angels Fear to Tread" A White Spa Lines Publication, A Division of Orbital Spa and Cruise 4 March 827 A.S.
The Beauty of Sirius
When legendary ship designer Peter Englund first designed Orbital Spa and Cruise's signature Enterprise class of liners, he set out to create a machine that was as much a work of art as it was a means of transport. Little did he know that his venerable ships would one day transition from being a masterpiece of design to a brush with which to paint on an infinitely larger canvas.
Captain Thomas Reardon of the OS&C liner Axiom commissioned famed artist Michael Andreas to create several magnificent paintings in an attempt to capture the beauty of the stars that can never be fully put into words. Forgoing realism, the artist channeled the vast stellar backdrop through myriad styles and mediums until the final result couldn't help but inspire some friendly competition. "I've heard rumors, that our little project will not be the only one around," said the captain and it wasn't long before Captain Cross of the Red Velvet Club, Captain Madlyn O Rouke of the long range research charter vessel Hawking, and Director Jonathan Seabourne of the Breezewood joined in on the fun. We are pleased to share the results of their passion with the rest of the starbound of Sirius who may reconize these vistas from our most popular routes.
In "A Home in the Sky," the artist invoked the style of street graffiti to infuse life, color, and a lived-in hominess to the edge of human civilization. The empty void has been replaced with an orgy of color and astute viewers can spot the distinctive tail fin of the Red Velvet Club, guiding passengers to the distant station. But we are left asking which is the home in the sky? Is it the station, perpetually perched in nothingness or the spaceship, fated to wander the cosmos in search of ever more interesting sights? Humanity's once solid notions of "home" were shattered the moment we took to the stars and realized even our home planet of Earth was a cosmic wanderer of a sorts. "A Home in the Sky" asks us to consider the notion that, perhaps, home is where the heart is, be it planet, station, or starship.
"Second Star to the Right," sees the liner Breezwood streaking off towards a ringed star. The signature ridged fins and smooth curves of the liner are rendered in sharply edged panels, obliterating the cold functionality of the ship and leaving only its pure, elemental style. The rays of the sun exhibit a feel of dynamic change, but is this a sunrise or a sunset? So many of the interesting sights in Sirius center on the birth, death, and rebirth of the celestial bodies, going through eons long lifespans compared to which the timeline of our entire species is but a blink of the eye. In this way, Orbital cruises are as much a trip through time as they are in space, with think hulls protecting passengers from the ravages of the universe as they experience the beauty of the birth, life, and death of stars in a human timescale. This humbling call of the void is a familiar friend to all space-faring pilots, with even the most humble crater-pocked asteroid a reminder that this rock was floating in space long before life emerged from Earth's primordial seas, and the rays of the "Second Star to the Right" will continue to shine long after Breezewood has been put to pasture.
In "Neutron Night," the liner Axiom sees herself invited to one of the most awe-inspiring places in the sector: the orbit of a neutron star. These incredibly rare stellar formations are the result of stellar bodies that refuse to go quietly into that good night. Unimaginably dense and spinning at ludicrous speeds, these stars are the giant disco balls of the sector, spewing a strobe-light effect powerful enough to turn an entire system into a dancefloor. Ancient Earth texts invited mankind to eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we may die, but "Neutron Night" invites us to consider the possibility that even in death there is a party to be found.
In "Hawking at Nagano," we see the outline of the long term science charter vessel Hawking agains the background of two brilliant stars. Often we look at space as a vast emptiness interrupted by small beacons of survivable atmosphere, but the composition of the painting turns that motif on its head to see the universe through the eyes of the scientists who make the Hawking their home. Their life's work is spent revealing the mysteries of the cosmos by perusing that same void with sensors that see what our petty human eyes miss while the amenities of the ship are already well known and thus of no interest. Here, it is space that appears warm and inviting while the vessel is reduced to a featureless black smear. Through brilliant inversion of color, the artist invites us to see the universe through the wonder-filled eyes of the patrons of the Hawking, and all who see "Hawking at Nagano" will never look at the "emptiness" of space the same way again.
> > > > Closing Transmission < < < <
OS&C|Breezewood
Captain Jonathan Seabourne, Editor-in-Chief, Wanderlust Magazine
"Tales From Where Angels Fear to Tread" A White Spa Lines Publication, A Division of Orbital Spa and Cruise 10 March 827 A.S.
A Link to the Past
Orbital Spa and Cruise has a proud tradition of catering to ship-spotters, passengers who enjoy catching glimpses of the myriad vessels that traverse the sector the way fanatics of old Earth would track down rare birds. From improvised Junker frigates whose functionality defies the laws of known physics to hauntingly beautiful Nomad captial ships, OS&C liners have given their patrons a glimpse of every ship that Sirius has to offer except for the one that started it all: An Alliance sleeper ship.
Residents of Manhattan will of course be familiar with the profile of the "Liberty" that dominates the skyline, but the original sleeper ship was salvaged down to its frame to build the fledgling Manhattan colony. Most of the modern skyscraper's fascade is a reconstruction on top of a partially original frame, more tourist recreation than authentic vessel. The other sleeper ships were completely dismantled for parts by their colonies, save for one: the Hispania.
Ironically, the last remnant of the Alliance fleet has the Coalition to thank for its preservation. Crippled by onboard sabateurs from the rival political block, the vessel limped into the Omicron Alpha system while the remaining crew limped down to what they would christen as planet Malta. It was easier to carve the reasources for their new colony from the planet itself, leaving the battered sleeper ship to drift silently in space, a link to their past and a memorial for their future.
As the settlers from the ship morphed into the modern Maltese nation, these "Outcasts" because fiercely protective of their vessel, fiercely protecting their territory from all who would blemish their heritage. For centuries, they'v warded off Corsair incursions and Coalition vandals, but rumors of the last sleeper ships have left the ship spotters of Sirius eager to cross one last vessel off their lifetime lists. Fortunately, Captain Cross of the OS&C liner Red Velvet Club had the proper mix of moxie, diplomacy, and armament to make their dreams come true.
Cross rendezvoused with a guide named Garcia Ortega whose security escorts along with OS&C's own Paul Falker provided a sizable escort for the liner. The extra guns turned out to be a wise precaution as a Corsair squadron was waiting to assult the liner in the Outcast home system. "We have at least neural standing with [the Corsairs]," said Captain Cross of the careful diplomacies OS&C maintains to keep its passengers safe. "I tried to negotiate with them, but they wanted blood, something I will never understand. Why fight when you can enjoy your life? But the Corsairs did not only want the life of the Maltes, they wanted our heads!"
Ortega advised the Red Velvet Club to retreat to Omicron Tau, which Cross promptly complied with while her escort stayed behind. A fierce battle ensued where Ortega's wing exchanged fire with the Corsairs, eventually driving them from the system. Captain Cross returned once the dust settled, and Mr. Ortega proved as capable a tour guide as he had a pilot as he explained the history of the Hispania to an eager audience. However, the Captain did not share in the enthusiasm of her passengers. "I felt a stab in the heart as some one who where Born in Space and Raised on Star Ships," said Cross after laying eyes on the Hispania. "It was a sad view for me. I Imagined how majestic this vessel under full power was, flying through the dark cold emptiness of space." Still, a pensive captain and a jubilant group of passengers makes for a successful journey in the eyes of the corporation.
A Strong Defense
As OS&C pushes the envelope to open up the most exotic and dangerous corners of Sirius to commercial travel, Sirius is beginning to push back. Fortunately, the Luxury Fleet is taking new precautions to ensure our liners are as safe as they are magnificent. With the addition of a new Spa-Sec initative, Orbital will now host its own fighters and gunboats commanded by our brave and skilled stewards. Already Paul Falkner has proven the value of such forces while escorting the Red Velvet Club to planet Gaia, in the heart of Enclave space.
Gaia, once the ecological jewel of Sirius, has been under Enclave occupation since the collapse of the Gallic Monarchy at the end of the war. The only planet suitable for habitation under the crown's control, the former wildlife preserve and eco-tourism mecca has been transformed into an industrial refugee world.
An embolded Enclave has recently been striking out at OS&C vessels. With the addition of Spa-Sec forces, the corporation can finally push back, trading petty stick-ups and hit-and-run encounters for a boastful flyby of what passes for the Enclaves capital world. "Aquitaine System is one of central systems of the Royal Enclave," said Steward Falkner, "thus we prepared accordingly: Red Velvet Club and my Taurus shuttle were temporarily equipped with Cloaking Devices."
Cloaking devices allow for ships to temporarily disappear from scanners and visual tracking, allowing for a quick escape. They have their drawbacks, namely in the form of massive amounts of additional batteries needed to power the systems. But anything that keeps passengers safe is a welcome addition to an OS&C liners. The two ships made their way to Gaia and took several photographs of the garden world.
Fortunately, fortune smiled on the luxury floatilla today as the natural ice clouds allowed the ships to avoid any Enclave encounters. "All in all, I deem tours to Aquitaine feasible," said Falkner. "With mandatory precautions, of course."
A Close Encounter
Most of a luxury liner's life is spent pursuing daring adventures to entertain our guests. However, every once ina
while OS&C ships have to put in for repair work or simply shuttle between destinations with no passengers along for the ride. These "empty runs" give a chance to perform much needed maintenance or upgrades for the ships before they take on their next batch of passengers. And they usually provide a breather for the crew in between bouts of excitement. Usually.
Captain Theobald Franklin of the luxury yacht Reverie, for example, recently completed a refit and upgrade at Baltimore Shipyard. After an unfortunate misunderstanding with two Liberty Navy torpedoes in Manhattan's orbit, the captain thought it prudent to install upgraded medical facilities aboard the vessel. "What if we hadn't been directly in orbit of a Capital Home World, but somewhere far away?" asked the forward thinking captain. Franklin has also taken the liberty of commissioning docking facilities from the zoners at Freeport 12 and is looking forward to traversing Gallia with the upgraded amenities.
Of course, not every empty run is a walk through the park. Captain Jonathan Seabourne of the liner Breezewood found himself shuttling from Freeport 1 to New London when an urgent message from HMS Trojan warned of a Nomad vessel making for New London as well. The captain attempted to make a run for the gate and slipped into the trade lane on the other side with the alien vessel hot on his heels. Everything appeared to be going fine, until a lone Corsair fighter disrupted the tradelane. The Nomad vessel, identified as K'Hara|Minerva by a confused bridge crew, disrupted the Breezewood's cruise engines and opened fire.
With limited evation, Seabourne made for New London, deploying shield batteries and nanobots as needed to buy the liner more time, but with the hull increasingly compromised and New London a far way off, the Captain began to make peace with the universe. "If I had to go," said Seabourne, "at least my last experience would be conning the bridge of an Enterprise."
But today was not the day Breezewood's luck was to run out. With less than 5% of its hull remaining, the alien guns went quiet. Having sufficently cowed the civilian vessel, it moved off, leaving a vague feeling of intending the encounter to serve as a warning to others. "They seemed to realize that Wanderlust Magazine would be a more striking warning if we survived to tell our tale, I suppose," said a relieved Seabourne. "I don't dabble in the artifact trade, I've never tolerated the things on my ship, but after feeling the outrage of that vessel, how it wanted to protect its... heritage I suppose the word would be, I don't think I'll ever go anywhere near the things again. It was angry, but at least in this case, it was merciful."
A stylized Red Velvet Club takes to the stars. Streaks of orange and blue replace the more familiar black and white of space, evoking the infectious joie de vivre of space-born captain Cross.
> > > > Closing Transmission < < < <
OS&C|Breezewood
Captain Jonathan Seabourne, Editor-in-Chief, Wanderlust Magazine
"Tales From Where Angels Fear to Tread" A White Star Lines Publication, A Division of Orbital Spa and Cruise 20 March 827 A.S.
A Radical Reorganization
Orbital Spa and Cruise was proud to play its part in the Gallic war. Most operations were suspended as OS&C assets were nationalized to serve as hospital ships like the Shetland or as refugee transports like the Breezewood. With peace returning to Cortez and beyond, however, the corporation finds the demand for interplanetary travel returning to pre-war levels, and is gearing up its organization and logistics as a result. "The stripped down corporate leadership model was fine for wartime when our focus was clear," said Captain Jonathan Seabourne. "The White Spa Lines initiative has been a huge success in showing that the corporation can now reach beyond mere survival back into expansion, bringing our services to all corners of Sirius. But to accomplish that, we have to delegate and specialize."
That specialization comes in the form of a reorganization of corporate duties across four new lines announced at a ceremony on Curacao earlier today. Each line legally is an independent subsidiary cruise line under the OS&C banner, tasked with pursuing the goals of the corporation as a whole. As a result, you may see OS&C logistics or security ships carrying passengers. "After all," said Seabourne, "anyone who carries the title 'captain' in our corporate family should be in the business of getting travelers from A to B. Their exact contributions just might look a little different."
The first new line to be announced was "Triton Expeditions," under the leadership of Captain Caitlyn Cross of the Red Velvet Club. Triton Expeditions will be tasked with handling the more unusual diplomacies that OS&C needs to ensure the safety of liners operating on the fringes of Sirius. When liners are far from house navies, Triton will ensure that OS&C assets are surrounded by friendly forces that are capable of providing protection and access to unusual sights and souvenirs from the edges of civilized space. Captains, and passengers, who balk at high-risk high-reward adventures need not apply. Upon being handed the reigns to the division by Seabourne, Cross replied "I will not disappoint you and make sure to search for interesting new friends."
The second new line announced was Orbital Network Express under Captain Jack Ashton. OS&C-ONE will be tasked with handling the logistics of the corporation. From selling the company's line of fightera and transports to interested parties to construction and maintenance of bases, ONE ships will be the lifeblood keeping OS&C destinations well stocked with all the luxury and comforts our clients expect. "My priority as the director of ONE will be to find suitable partners for helping us establish a new station," said Ashton upon taking formal ownership of the company. "Perhaps in House Gallia, who knows? Right now all cards are still on the table."
The third division is now known as Spa-SEC and contains the security forces for OS&C assets. Captain Paul Falkner of the Styletto will be heading the division responsible for deterring and, when necessary, avenging threats to OS&C ships and stations. While the materials put out for the naming ceremony carry the slogan, "turning credits into vengeance," the captain himself took a surprisingly more diplomatic tone. "Diplomacy comes first. Firing is last resort," said the Captain before making it clear that a love of peace does not mean a fear of war. "Defend OS&C ships or die trying. If odds are against you - try to buy them time to run. Never leave a liner alone."
And lastly, a confused crowd turned to the front to see what the last announcement was. The fourth division would be... White Star Lines, headed by Jonathan Seabourne.
"The duties of White Spa Lines have been split up and reorganized," said Seabourne. "We decided to modify the brand back to the original name from Old Earth than inspired it. White Star Lines will take point on being the public face of the corporation, handling official communications and treaties with our partner houses and being a first point of contact for lawful entities in Sirius."
"And of course," added the smiling captain, "Publishing the deeds of all subsidiary lines in Wanderlust magazine.
In addition to the subsidiary lines, a new title of "chairman of the board of directors" has been created to be worn as an additional hat by one of the subdirectors of the lines. Seabourne named himself the first such chairman. "Hopefully, I won't be the last. Honestly, I'm looking forward to spending more time in space and less time making phone calls now that I have passionate and competent leaders to delegate to. We already have some interesting new engagements being cooked up for our customers, and our future couldn't be brighter."
A Bit of Housecleaning
Rheinlanders have a reputation for being meticulously clean and orderly. The industrial steel look of their vessels hide orderly interiors where everything has a labeled compartment and woe be unto anyone who does not put a component back in its proper place. An attack force of the Rheinland Bundeswehr under command of Grossflottilenadmiral der Garde Katherine Anneliese von Meyer decided to do some spring cleaning of the New Berlin system recently, and Captain Caitlyn Cross of the Red Velvet Club was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time to watch.
The target was the abandoned station Alexanderwerft which the Red Velvet Club happened to be passing while making a floral delivery to Nagano. As the Rheinland battlegroup featuring =BW=RNC.Freya, =BW=RNC-Hamburg, [RMK]RWK-Kaiser, RNC-Veneray, and RNC-Havel among other forces moved in for the kill, the adventurous OS&C captain opened a channel to the fleet.
"After a friendly conversation, they allowed the Velvet to stay and watch," said Captain Cross. "We were able to take some nice pictures of the military might gathered around the abandoned installation. To see this much firepower in action was a rare occasion, and also a welcome spectacle for my crew."
Grossflotillenadmiral von Meyer also saw the benefit of allowing OS&C witnesses to her navy's might. "[We] would likely benefit from the publicity to deter further individuals from partaking in the same actions," said von Meyer in reference to the construction and abandonment of a station in the Rheinland capital system. "I would also like to ask that a notice be added simply stating our desire for readers to follow Rheinland's law. Simple mistakes or exceptionally grievous errors are all subject to the law, and all who are kept abreast of it are better for it."
For a venerable Navy commander, such spectacular displays of force are commonplace, but they are truly memorable sights for the rank and file of Sirius to see their tax dollars at work. Fortunately, the Grossflotillenadmiral was open to future partnerships. "Should the Bundeswehr be made aware of any non-classified deconstructions in the future," continued von Meyer, "we will aim to alert Orbital Spa and Cruise of the time and location. I was not anticipating that people enjoyed watching these sorts of things."
While the Grossflotillenadmiral's battle prowess is beyond doubt, the waiting list for tickets to the next Rheinland station demolition shows that even Grossflotillenadmirals can benefit from OS&C's insights to the hospitality trade in Sirius.
A Cosmic Can-Can
The Breezewood under Jonathan Seabourne has been under self-imposed isolation from Gallia. Despite being the one who negotiated the initial work visa on behalf of the corporation, the captain had to look forlornly as other vessels like the Reverie under captain Theobald Franklin and the Boudnless Pleasure under Captain Jack Ashton reaped the benefits. The problem? Exotic dancers were considered contraband in the Confederation, a holdover from the laws of the prudish monarchy. And the Breezewood would rather forgo Gallic wines and sights than leave behind her dancing girls.
However, the Parisian Assembly recently voted to drop all visa requirements for corporations. On March 9, the assembly announced, "With political stability returning and borders stabilizing, the B2 visa has been altered to allow entry for major House Corporations without the need of paying a B2 fee. A full list of corporations is now available in the updated original documentation." When a refund of the sizable visa fee was offered to Seabourne, he had a different idea. "You can always earn more credits," said the Captain, "but you can't always count on favors dropping into your lap."
Seabourne asked for a trade: the ability to transport exotic dancers through Gallic space in lieu of the refund. After a brief review in committee, the assembly agreed to the request. Seabourne celebrated by picking up passengers in Rheinland and taking "the scenic route" to Freeport 10 via Gallia instead of a traditional path through the Sigmas and Kusari. The exotic dancers, eager to practice their craft, looked up notable dances in Gallia's pre-exodus history and found the Can-Can, a wild and energetic display of high-kicks and frilly dresses. Choreographers and costume designers worked overtime to ensure that the dancers would be ready to show their stuff in orbit of the Confederation's Capital world. The display from the Breezewood was well received by the passengers on board, but it remains to be seen if the modern interpretation is up to modern Gallic entertainment standards.
> > > > Closing Transmission < < < <
OS&C|Breezewood
Captain Jonathan Seabourne, Editor-in-Chief, Wanderlust Magazine
"Tales From Where Angels Fear to Tread" A White Star Lines Publication, A Division of Orbital Spa and Cruise 30 March 827 A.S.
A Call for Help
Planet Curacao is almost fully recovered from its damage from the Gallic War. The watery resort world made for a frustrating target for the crown's invaders by simply not having many viable targets worth the time and ammunition of the Royal Navy. The invaders settled for wrecking the docking ring of OS&C's crown jewel before a combined Liberty and Bretonian fleet finally pushed them back on the Cortez front. But while the wrecks of Yukon and Bethany will continue to serve as stark reminders of the conflict for years to come, Orbital Network Express is now stepping up operations to get the last planetside remnants of the war fixed.
Captain Jack Ashton, director of ONE, announced ealier that, "As a part of the continuing redevelopment of Orbital Spa and Cruise's portfolio, the board of directors have tasked ONE with the repair of the, still functional, docking rings orbiting Planet Curacao. It is therefore my pleasure, as the newly appointed director of Orbital Network Express, to publish this public tender for delivery of the materials needed for this repair."
Docking rings are notoriously tricky devices to repair, so massive amounts of Industrial Materials, Industrial Hardware, Polymers, PlasFoam Conduits, and Solar Panels needed to bring docking operations back to 100% to planet Curacao. Traders from all over Sirius are invited to pitch in, with appropriate bonuses to be awarded to those who help bring the flagship resort world of OS&C back online. Interested traders are invited to apply here.
A Unique Flotilla
Sirius is home to scores of different ship configurations, each perfectly suited to its myriad tasks. From the distinctive fins of an Enterprise-class liner to the fish-like curves of Bretonian fighters to the utilitarian stoutness of Rheinland vessels, trade-lane traffic is always a veritable cornucopia of design philosophies. Still, some models prove more popular and well suited to the needs of a dangerous and unforgiving cosmos. Some models get pushed to the brink of obscurity in favor of more pragmatic ships. Still, sometimes the fates align to allow these rare sights to be seen from a single porthole, much to the delight of the ship-spotters who frequent OS&C vessels.
The Triton Expeditions vessel OS&C|TE-Suzume under captain Keiko Hamada is herself a rare site. The Geisha-class luxury yacht, unlike her more utilitarian Democritus cousins, is an absurdly whimsical sight among the stars. Featuring delicate decorative features, external statues, and the distinctive fins of all Kusari craft, she looks like a traditional temple grew tired of worldly concerns and decided to ascend to the heavens. Such a rare ship would be a worthwhile spectacle on its own, but she would shortly be joined by two other rare sights in the sector.
The Gaians have seen a dip in their activity since they were betrayed by the Enclave. Originally siding with the Gallic invaders against Bretonia to protect planet Gaia, their movement was gutted when the planet was taken over by the King's rump state and its wildlife razed by its oil production facilities. Caught between a desperate Gallic crown and a triumphant but still heavily militarized Bretonia, the Gaians find themselves with little room to maneuver. That didn't stop the Gaian gunboat Fist_of_Gaia from attempting to shake down the OS&C vessel, partly out of desperation, partly out of the old grudge between the two groups over eco-tourism issues that seem positively benign compared to the ecological holocaust on the surface today.
However, what captain Keiko Hamada's ship lacks in armor and weapons her captain makes up for with charm. "We made a hidden system-wide distress call and hoped for the Warden, a hope that not would be disappointed. We kept the Gaian distracted and gave the Warden enough time to change her course."
HMS-Warden, a lend-lease battlecruiser, arrived on the scene and stated "Spa and Cruise vessel, I suggest you make yourself scarce." Lend-Lease battlecruisers were mass produced in Liberty to aid a Bretonia on the brink of total anihilation and most ended up making the ultimate sacrifice for Queen and Country. Designed to hold the line against the mind-boggling firepower of the Gallic fleet, the gunboat stood no chance against one of the rare specimens that survived the war.
"Like her name, she was a true Warden for us" said Captain Hamada.
A Question of Compatibility
Orbital Spa and Cruise prides itself for being a truly inter-house organization that has ascended beyond its original Liberty charter. With captains and vessels from all across Sirius, it is a point of pride that all four houses are well represented in the Luxury fleet. With the four becoming five at the end of the Gallic war, efforts are now underway to bring Gallic captains into the fold as well, and every Gallic captain deserves to captain a Gallic ship.
Captain Marcel Dumas in conjunction with an initiative under White Star Lines is seeking to bring something novel to the skies of Sirius: a Lucullus class luxury liner flying OS&C colors. "I can't forget nor deny my roots," said the former Gallic noble who fled to Liberty during the war and now longs for the luxury vessels his family flew in the old Kingdom. For its part, OS&C wants not only another unique experience to offer passengers, but also a chance to be a bridge builder across all 5 houses of humanity. "I will confess," said Jonathan Seabourne, captain of the Breezewood and chairman of OS&C, "I really want a group photo of the great luxury liners of humanity to adorn my wall, each decked out in OS&C livery. And such a photo would not be complete without Gallia's contribution to making the stars a little more luxurious."
The Gallic visa office has voiced its support for the project, saying "We are glad to see that even far from his house, a true Gallic man never forget his roots." And OS&C seems to have found a kindred spirit in CEO Jeremie Dupont of EFL Oil & Machinery. "You see, I too have been eyeing up Sirian ship designs and the Renzu has caught my eye," said Dupont. "From the price tag alone to the unmatched quality I have been dying to have one as a private vacation destination for myself and friends."
With the acquisition of a refurbished Shukensha-class liner on the secondary market by White Star Lines, OS&C is ready to make the trade of a lifetime to bring a signature piece of Gallic ship design to Sirius. But those looking to book tickets will sadly have to wait. "There is a lot of incompatibilities between OS&C technology and the Lucullus. Essentially, we can run the ship to our standards but only by diverting all power from weapons systems. I'd rather not send a defenseless ship out to space, so once we have the trade, she'll be spending time in dry dock until our engineers can figure something out."
No word yet on when the ship-swap will occur, but both EFL and OS&C have expressed an interest in making an event out of it, "A celebration of the closing of wounds," said Seabourne. Rumors of a possible encounter in Leeds are just that at the moment, but the most visable scar of the war would be a fitting background for this next step of reconcilliation. As Captain Dumas said, "I, and OS&C too, believe that this cooperation will be vital to improve and strenghten the bonds of peace and prosperity between our Company, Liberty, Sirius, and the Confederacy itself."
> > > > Closing Transmission < < < <
OS&C|Breezewood
Captain Jonathan Seabourne, Editor-in-Chief, Wanderlust Magazine
"Tales From Where Angels Fear to Tread" A White Star Lines Publication, A Division of Orbital Spa and Cruise 7 April 827 A.S.
Landmarks of Gallia
Ever since Captain Jack Ashton opened Gallia to routine commercial service aboard the Boundless Pleasure, passengers from all over Sirius have been clamoring for limited seats to see how the "other" half lives. Recently, Captain Hanna Brooks of OS&C|Aesthea decided to commission a tour that dove deeper into the rich history of our Gallic cousins, highlighting their landmarks for all to appreciate. Under the watchful eyes of one Gerald Bourbeau, the liner made its way through the history of humanity's lost house.
The first stop were a pair of Gallic battleships: the La Fierte and De Grasse. Most Sirians who have seen Gallic capital ships up close were not in a position to appreciate the artistry that goes into Redemption-class vessels, but the Aesthea got to take a slow tour of the historic vessels. The La Fierte's dark hull plating and fiery orange accents were particularly striking to the passengers who awed at the former council color scheme. The de Grasse made up for its more traditional color scheme with its more storied history. Beloved by the Republique despite her age, she is a striking symbol of honoring the past while embracing a less confrontational future.
However the Gallics don't save their keen eye for design for their warships alone. All of their stations embrace a philosophy that merges form and function together. "As we were passing through Orleanais & Ile-de-France, I was admiring the beauty of Gallic Architecture," said Captain Brooks. "Gentle curves, white palette and imposing might are seen everywhere." From the delicate web-like spokes of Chartres Space Colony to the cathedral-like buttresses of Versailles, every station in Gallia doubles as a work of art.
The next stop was Battleship Montreuil in Ile-de-France. This would not be another flyby, but rather tenders ferried passengers to dock with the battleship to peruse Gallia's museum dedicated to the Second Gallic War. Through informative exhibits, the passengers got to see the war through the eyes of the other side and gain an appreciation for the sacrifices of the council that made ultimate victory possible. Most Sirian reports focused on the New London blitz, but countless stories of heroism from deep inside Gallia never made it to the Colony News Service, and all who left the Montreuil came away with a fuller knowledge of the conflict. Of course, the sheer size of Gallic battleships makes them uniquely suited to this task. "Gallic battleships are majestic," said Captain Brooks. "Vast corridors, the ever-present white aesthetics... It is hard to believe that such beauty was created as a machine of terror and oppression."
Gallia has her natural beauty as well, though the remnants of the war have left her a scarred land of contrasts. For every magnificent vista such as the strikingly tiger-striped planet Tonnerre, there are derelict stations such as the Genlis Debris field. A somber reminder that Gallia proper was also a front in this last war, and is also recovering from the effort.
One of the last ports of call was the Luxury Liner Belleville, a Lucullus class liner in orbit in Lorraine in same manner as OS&C's own Hawaii cruises the Sigmas. Everything the Gallics build for space is large and majestic, and the Belleville was no exception. Some passengers were almost disappointed to leave the amenities of the liner to return to the Aesthea, but Captain Brooks managed to refill her liner and return home to Exeter.
Gallia has many more secrets to share and vistas to admire, and OS&C will continue to offer all of humanity the opportunity to appreciate all the Confederation has to offer.
Baden Baden Temporarily Closed
After meeting with the board of directors, Chairman Jonathan Seabourne has ordered that the resort world of Baden Baden be temporarily closed due to the escalating situation in Rheinland. "All civilian flights to Baden Baden are hereby suspended," said an unusually somber Seabourne in a statement from Planet Manhatten. "I've been observing the situation firsthand in Rheinland, and until their internal matter is sorted, it would be irresponsible of us to continue putting civilian tourists in harms way."
Rheinland is in the midst of a historic powerstruggle between the military-backed Imperialist party and the Federal government backed by the MND and Bundschuh. After a recent election saw the Imperial party's plurality out-maneuvered by a power sharing deal from the opposition, violence became inevitable with accusations of treason and assassination attempts flying back and forth. Stuttgart is likely to be a front line in the dispute, and OS&C neutrality no guarantee of safety for passenger ships travelling to and from the planet famed for its volcanic springs.
For now, all passengers with holidays booked on Baden-Baden are entitled to a refund for OS&C credit to be used towards future vacations or luxury goods. Customers can also opt for a free upgrade in tier if they re-book their vacation to Curacao in the next three months instead. Meanwhile the only OS&C vessels heading to Baden Baden will be Spa-SEC stewards looking to ensure the security of OS&C assets. In addition, Seabourne has opened the world to neutral parties looking for a politically neutral base of operations. "Med Force Enterprises has expressed an interest in using us as a potential base for their humanitarian operations in the sector," said Seabourne, "and Captain Dumas will be reformatting his liner into a hospital ship for our humanitarian efforts. We will of course take in any injured pilot or damaged ship in accordance with the Law of the Stars, but we cannot stress this enough: Baden Baden is neutral ground and not a part of this war. When the dust settles, we look forward to continuing OS&C's productive relationship with Rheinland. Until then, we'll do our part to make sure the civilians caught in the middle suffer as little as possible.
> > > > Closing Transmission < < < <
OS&C|Breezewood
Captain Jonathan Seabourne, Editor-in-Chief, Wanderlust Magazine
"Tales From Where Angels Fear to Tread" A White Star Lines Publication, A Division of Orbital Spa and Cruise 10 April 827 A.S.
A Special Delivery
Orbital Spa and Cruise's primary focus is meeting the transportation needs of the denizens of the 5 houses in comfort and luxury, However, making Sirius more comfortable can take many forms, and the corporation's legendary hospitality can be enjoyed just as much on the ground as in orbit.
Arakan Yukimura of Kishiro Technologies found his company in high spirits and wanted to splurge on some luxurious foodstuffs from Gallia and Sirius to create a fusion of culinary experiences that spans all of humanity. By putting out a mass order for Gallic Wine to accompany OS&C luxury food, Kishiro created a unique opportunity for cooperation between EFL and OS&C, and neither faction would disappoint.
Captain Kasumi Hikamaru of the OS&C|ONE-Yuki-Maru provided OS&C's contribution on behalf of Orbital Network Express, our logistics division. The current situation on Stuttgart, traditional bed basket of Sirius, required some creativity on the part of ONE. "We delivered the finest food from our farms and manufacturers in Cambridge," said Captain Kiamaru. "We have chocolate that will melt on your tongue and the finest meat that you will ever find. Also, some biologic grown vegetables of the highest quality to complete the meal and offer an alternative for any vegetarians that might want to party with you." OS&C's proactive accommodation of varying dietary needs ensures that any event the corporation caters leaves all patrons fully satisfied.
In response, EFL used the meal as an opportunity to pull out all the stops on its own luxury offerings. While a joint venture between Liberty and Gallic corporations in Kusari would have been unthinkable during the war, the end of the Gallic conflict had an additional perk for the wine selection for the meal. "This wine is our newest brand we have recently added to the market: King's Reserve," said Jeremie Dupont, CEO of EFL Oil and Machinery. "You see, prior to the end of the monarchy, EFL was the sole provider of Wine to his majesty's court. This wine wasn't ever allowed on the market but now! We can!" It seems proper that a meal fit for a king demands wine produced to the same standard.
While EFL and OS&C are friendly rivals for the luxury foodstuff market, there was one thing both sides could agree on: the curious inclusion of Synth Paste on the menu. "I shudder to think what meal would necessitate both our luxury food products AND synth paste," said Jonathan Seabourne, Chairman of OS&C, "but we will be happy to supply our end of the menu to the best of our ability." His Gallic counterpart echoed the sentiment. "It's not my business to tell you what food to serve at your parties," said Dupont. "I just know if I were to attend a party and they served Synth Paste rather than proper luxury foods, or Synth Gel for that matter..." began the Gallic CEO before trailing off diplomatically.
A Voyage Home
The evacuation of Leeds left tens of thousands of Bretonian expatriates scattered across friendly planets in Liberty. The United Hope Foundation, coordinating with Deep Space Engineering, took in many of these refugees. However, the Bretonian Government feels it is now time to finally close the books on the Leeds Evactuation.
"Our previous efforts with the United Hope Foundation were successful in relocating a large number of families off Planet Leeds to Planet Pittsburgh," said Jess Doe, CEO of Deep Space Engineering. "We will now be relocating Bretonian citizens off Planet Pittsburgh and returning them to their homes. We have contacted the Bretonian Government and they agree now is the time to begin this relocation effort, offering Planet Exeter as an ideal location for this."
Exeter, previously Gran Canaria, was annexed by Bretonia during the war when it looked as though New London might also fall and a planet to house refugees was needed. While the capital held firm during the blitz, the genocide on Leeds left hundreds of thousands without a world and millions more unaccounted for. What was once a fallback position for the crown would now become a new start for Bretonians who had lost it all.
By coincidence, Captain Jonathan Seabourne took part in the initial evacuation of Leeds along with the Breezewood. The White Star Lines flagship transported over 100,000 out of harms way, and the irony of transporting Leeds refugees out of Liberty and into Bretonia was not lost on the captain. "Always good to see the people of Leeds again. I helped get a lot of them offworld during the blitz, it was a pleasure being able to bring them to a new home and close that chapter."
Questions were raised about the economics of using luxury liners for refugee transport, which CEO Doe quickly dismissed. "The funding and programs offered by the United Hope Foundation is set up to ensure every individual is safe and comfortable while in any of our support programs. It is important to note that while safety is our top priority, we are aware it is also important to make sure that these individuals do not suffer any unnecessary stress. Because of this, we will ensure that they reach their final destination as comfortably as we possibly can."
Breezewood was joined by Captain Caitlyn Cross's OS&C|TE~Red~Velvet~Club for an improvised convoy from Pittsburgh to Exeter when the two inadvertanly met up in New York. "We do not want compensation for this," said a magnanimous Cross. "We are happy to bring these people that suffered so much in the Last War to a new home." However, Sirius is not short on humanitarian crises these days. "If [DSE] wants to do something in return," said Cross, "Planet Baden Baden is at the moment in need of medical supplies. So if [DSE] sends some our way, that would be more than enough for me."
A Crowded Orbit
Stuttgart remains in the crosshairs of the escalating conflict in Rheinland. Federal forces are desperate to evacuate their personel to Thuringia while Imperials are eager to off-world scores of detainees to quash any possibility of planet-wide resistance. As ships take off overladen with personel, crates of "Riot Suppression Materiel" have been spotted, indicating that both sides are digging in for a long fight for the Breadbasket of Rheinland.
Nearby Baden Baden continues to be a haven of neutrality in the conflict. Citizens from other houses are flocking to the luxury world to arrange passage out of Rheinland as OS&C continues its coordination with house governments. Interhouse transit has slowed to a trickle, but intra-house shuttles still cross the skies of Rheinland, ensuring that Libertonians, Bretonians, and Kusari trapped outside of their houses can reach the corporate territory of OS&C. Those unable or unwilling to go through formal diplomatic channels at their planetary consolates have found safe passage home by the score, even as the amenities of the planet are slowly shut down for security reasons.
But as these refugees order drinks from the popular "Rick's Cafe Libertonian," and patiently await the next liner to make it through the increasingly complex security checks at Stuttgart, they may look up and see two unusual sights in the sky: The Mercy and the Angelwing.
OS&C|HS-Mercy nee Tahiti is a newly re-christened hospital ship under the command of Captain Marcel Dumas. A large focus was placed on the red and white lights to warn potential Imperial and Federal patrols about the nature of the craft. "They're powerful enough to be seen some clicks away from the planet," said Dumas. "Until now the situation was calm but we expect it to get worse in the following days. The stocks for the life-saving drugs are calculated to last for half a year starting now, hoping the medical teams did the math well." Of course, refitting the Tahiti for its new role required more than just a change of paint and lights. When asked about what it took to turn the liner into a hospital ship, Dumas replied, "New electrical wirings, new sterilized pipes for oxygen flows, filters renewal, activation of the surgery wards and new flowcharts for disaster response." Hopefully, Dumas's ounces of preparation will yield pounds of cure if needed.
Sadly, the escalating war has not seen civilian ships spared as misunderstanding between Federal and Imperial forces and their irregular allies have seen shots fired at non-millitary targets. To disuade any such misunderstandings from happening near Baden Baden, Steward Paul Falkner of Spa-Sec has seen fit to commission a new ship as well: OS&C|SEC-Angelwing. The retrofitted Corvo-class cruiser-gunboat hybrid will be a welcome presence for OS&C efforts in Stuttgart.
"We are running the final systems tests at Corfu Base," said Falkner. "After launch, the Angelwing will be deployed to Baden-Baden's orbit, where it will serve as a Coordination Centre for our relief efforts in the area." In addition, the armament of the ship should remind the Unioner and Bundschuh allies of the factions of Rheinland that misunderstandings with OS&C vessels will not be tolerated while not being enough of a threat to the Imperials or Federals as to jeopardize OS&C's corporate neutrality.
> > > > Closing Transmission < < < <
OS&C|Breezewood
Captain Jonathan Seabourne, Editor-in-Chief, Wanderlust Magazine
"Tales From Where Angels Fear to Tread" A White Star Lines Publication, A Division of Orbital Spa and Cruise 24 Arpil 827 A.S.
A Sudden Surprise
Cloaking technology has come a long way this century. What was once the most highly guarded experimental technology of the Liberty Navy has made its way into the general market in the decades since the Nomad War. While still not standard issue on every ship, more and more freighters and liners are carrying the devices. Seeing a ship appear from nowhere has gone from a once in a lifetime opportunity to being uncommon for those who make their living amongst the stars.
Of course, the main clientele of OS&C are precisely those who do not see such ships up close and personal on a daily basis.
Captain Theobold Franklin of OS&C|Reverie got to treat his Kusari passengers to such a sight in Manhattan Orbit. "We picked up an energy spike as a huge ship decloaked right in front of us, said Franklin. "It was a Liberty Atlantis Carrier, the LNX-Valley.Forge of the 5th Navy Fleet."
Many passengers rushed to the windows to see one of the finest pieces of Liberty Hardware casually toy with the laws of physics for her patrol, but the whole point of a cloak is being able to hide from curious eyes. "The Carrier sped up and suddenly cloaked again," said Franklin. "Many passengers still remained for some time on the panorama windows to see if the Valley Forge would reappear, but she did not."
Hopefully, the Reverie's passengers soon found other spectacular sights to distract them, but all of them will remember the time they caught a glimpse of one of Liberty's most elusive capital ships.
A New Port-of-Call?
The Zoners of Galileo have tirelessly dedicated themselves towards building and maintaining Freeport 12 in the Galileo system between Kusari and Liberty. The facility is well known among shipowners in Sirius for the specialty equipment they produce for aftermarket modification of vessels. Many OS&C liners have left Freeport 12 with new docking bays and cloaking devices. But Leon Dante, CEO of the station, would like to add a new reason for Orbital Vessels to stop by Galileo instead of passing through neighboring Kepler.
"We have just recently had a total refit of both facilities which are normally used as manufacturing factories for our equipment," said Dante. "We decided to use very vast areas of unused space due to new state of the art manufacturing modules which have been built and means we have our manufacturing done all in one place aboard each facility."
And what do the Zoners of Galileo plan to install the freed up cubic of their station?
"A shopping mall, a fully functional night club, a fully functional casino, 1000 accommodation suites which are divided at 500 per facility, also bars and restaurants."
While the ZoG are well known for their shipping and manufacturing prowess, they are significantly less experienced in carrying human cargo and have reached out to OS&C for assistance. "Equipping Freeport 12 with a nightclub and other exotic entertainments sounds like a capital idea," said Jonathan Seabourne, captain of OS&C|Breezewood. "Most Kusari traffic will probably simply head for the Golden Dragon in Shikoku, but I know a lot of Liberty customers would be very excited by the prospect of the forbidden fruits offered by a station outside of house space that's a little closer to home."
The Golden Dragon, a Hogosha-run facility in Shikoku, is notoriously skeptical of foreigners, and the feeling is oftentimes mutual. "Most Libertonians also dislike dealing with the Hogosha," said Seabourne. "Hopefully they don't take too much offense at diverting some patrons."
Negotiations are still ongoing, but commercial routes to the accommodations are expected to begin in the near future.
A Delightful Consolation
As the Rheinland Crisis continues, more and more trips to Baden Baden have been cancelled out of an abundance of caution. Most of OS&C's non-Rheinland customers have taken up on the corporation's complimentary upgrades to other Orbital properties such as Curacao and Luxury Liner Hawaii. Others have accepted vouchers for future trips. However, Rheinlandic visitors to Baden Baden that wish to still enjoy their vacation but not risk travel complications from leaving their house have a new option on the table: Planet Hamburg.
"Hamburg is an ideal world for winter games," said Linus VonClaussen, the Ducal liege of the planet. "It is rather more seasonal than New Berlin, and has its temperate spells. The alpine quintessence of our breathtaking glacial seas have the potential to form a remarkable tourist attraction." Unlike New Berlin where half of its luxury accommodations are constantly shut down due to its exceptionally slow day-night cycle, Hamburg is bathed in a more tolerable climate that allows for its snowy slopes to be enjoyed rather than endured.
Already, over 9,000 passengers once bound for the warm volcanic springs of Baden Baden have opted to swap out their snorkels for skis thanks to incentives from OS&C. Initial reviews have been glowing for Hamburg's underappreciated amenities. Its quaint hostels and B&B's have yet to be overrun by throngs of tourists, and its alpine charms stem from the genuine lifestyle of the people instead of an artificial veneer put on as a show.
Of course, other OS&C customers have started making inquiries to the new route in Rheinland, but the corporation is currently declining such requests. "We'll keep it as a purely internal route for now until the current conflict is resolved," said Seabourne. It makes sense that the corporation will not bring in new customers while evacuations of Baden Baden are ongoing, but once Rheinland settles down, Denver might face new competition for Libertonian socialites looking to hit the slopes.
> > > > Closing Transmission < < < <
OS&C|Breezewood
Captain Jonathan Seabourne, Editor-in-Chief, Wanderlust Magazine
![[Image: Luxury_liner.png]](https://discoverygc.com/wiki/images/b/b8/Luxury_liner.png)
![[Image: Trip-to-neuron-star.jpg]](https://i.ibb.co/hdpwK93/Trip-to-neuron-star.jpg)
![[Image: PojtqNs.png]](https://i.imgur.com/PojtqNs.png)
![[Image: 6EbBy8q.png]](https://i.imgur.com/6EbBy8q.png)
![[Image: MZBys5W.png]](https://i.imgur.com/MZBys5W.png)
![[Image: iZYautd.png]](https://i.imgur.com/iZYautd.png)
![[Image: Oq6KBBV.png]](https://i.imgur.com/Oq6KBBV.png)
![[Image: JqZi8D8.png]](https://i.imgur.com/JqZi8D8.png)
![[Image: XexBq6C.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/XexBq6C.jpg)
![[Image: z1enRJe.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/z1enRJe.jpg)
![[Image: FnLBC8k.png]](https://i.imgur.com/FnLBC8k.png)
![[Image: 5zWaReC.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/5zWaReC.jpg)
![[Image: yITs5Rk.png]](https://i.imgur.com/yITs5Rk.png)
![[Image: wGbteOC.png]](https://i.imgur.com/wGbteOC.png)
![[Image: imageedit_3_6319931738.jpg]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/632084285347594250/686344288035930132/imageedit_3_6319931738.jpg)
![[Image: ToHP3Wa.png]](https://i.imgur.com/ToHP3Wa.png)
![[Image: TJjjjiZ.png]](https://i.imgur.com/TJjjjiZ.png)
![[Image: uDFyZlV.png]](https://i.imgur.com/uDFyZlV.png)
![[Image: uD1Z7ay.png]](https://i.imgur.com/uD1Z7ay.png)
![[Image: uLizXhB.png]](https://i.imgur.com/uLizXhB.png)