To: All friendly, peaceful visitors to Sanctuary and Haven bases in Galileo
From: Anburusuki, Administration Executive
The rationalisation of Sanctuary and Haven has progressed well and allowed us to determine those commodities that are required in larger quantities and those that are not so popular. We have lowered our stocks of the latter to create space for additional amounts of the former.
Meanwhile we have been monitoring the military activities in and around Gallia and also in Vespucci and Kansas. The changes noted have necessitated PJ-888 and myself to travel to these areas and consider the alternative routes for the delivery and collection of some of the most profitable commodities. Routes have been found but we must be careful as we do not yet know how safe and secure these are for our trade ships. Deliveries and collections were successfully completed by both of us yesterday, but we reserve judgement until more trips have been completed to other destinations.
Over the past 4 weeks there has been an occasional sighting of 2 Nomad ships very close to our bases. Our ships retreated inside and the Nomads eventually lost interest. Only once was a defence shield triggered. We remain vigilant.
To: All friendly, peaceful visitors to Sanctuary and Haven bases in Galileo
From: Anburusuki, Administration Executive
Both PJ-888 and I have made trading trips to Omegas 48 and 52. We 'overlapped' on the first trip in order to assess the safety of each section of the journey. It was unnecessary as it turned out but a worthwhile exercise non-the-less. We delivered our cargoes to Mykolaiv Research Station and then headed into Omega-48 and the Gran Canaria bar. It seems there is only one route in and out of Omega-52 these days so some caution is required.
The bar on Gran Canaria was interesting in that we observed that the only Zoner was the bartender. There were 2 Coalition crew, a Corsair and a Bounty Hunter. There was a Molly in the Commodity shop. All very strange we thought.
The really great news was that a message was smuggled to us by a small boy that asked us to go to a private room on the base. We were so surprised when we got there because our great friend and benefactor Explorador was there to greet us, The small boy was his son.
Explorador was in a mobile chair but is clearly improving, albeit slowly. He had some troubling words with regard to the situation on Gran Canaria and Omega-48 in general. He feels there is trouble coming, and in the not too distant future. We told him we will arrange to get his family out and to Haven base whenever he gives the go-ahead. We will continue to make our trading trips to Omegas 48 and 52 and visit Gran Canaria each time.
We left him looking relieved and we hope he continues to recover.
To: All friendly, peaceful visitors to Sanctuary and Haven bases in Galileo
From: Anburusuki, Administration Executive
Yesterday PJ-888 took me on a familiarisation trip around Sirius. We started from Galileo and picked up tradable commodities in Shikuko before heading through Kusari and into Gallia using some jump holes that I was unaware of previously. PJ-888 has absorbed and stored so much information over the last few months. He learned a lot from Explorador but has enhanced this with every flight he has undertaken.
We continued the flight through Gallia and into Bretonia space, again carrying commodities for trade. We docked 2 or 3 times in New London and Cambridge before heading through Poole and into Omega-52. We visited 3 stations here, which was an interesting experience for me. Finally we headed into Omega-48 and Planet Gran Canaria where we met with Explorador. We gave him the gifts we carried for his family and had a few drinks before retiring for the night. I needed some rest although PJ-888 needs none being an AI. How lucky he is
I will continue this update in the morning.
PJ-888 lead me away from Gran Canaria the next morning with the intention of returning to Galileo using the Poole, Cambridge, New London and Leeds systems. I was apprehensive as my one and only previous trip into Leeds had resulted in being attacked by Mollys. PJ-888 had scanned ahead and assured me we would be OK.
He was correct and we transited Tau-31 before docking on Freeport 6 in Tau-29. After a short stop for refreshment and some small talk about any system problems we continued on our way. The journey home through Kyushu, New Tokyo and Shikoku was uneventful and I was comfortable because I knew these systems quite well.
To: All friendly, peaceful visitors to Sanctuary and Haven bases in Galileo
From: Anburusuki, Administration Executive
Yesterday was a personal disaster for me. I was really stupid. I have little experience in travelling around Sirius on my own but for a reason unknown I decided I would take a solo trip.
Initially I took Platinum-168 ore to Zurich following the route shown to me by PJ-888. I then retraced my route to Languedoc to collect Military Scrap as PJ-888 had done. I decided that I would not take this to New Berlin as there appeared to be a lot of ship activity in that system. I headed for Sigma-19 intending to look for Planet Kurile in Sigma-17 although I hadn't been in that system previously. What a mistake!
I sold the Military Scrap on Kurile but then for reasons unknown I went through the Omicron Theta jump hole, which was close by. How dangerous could it be?
My scanner picked up Freeport 9 so I headed there feeling relieved. I mingled with people in the bar and got into some interesting conversations about places unknown to me. Many people suggested I should find the Omicron Gamma jump hole and find Planet Crete, where I could buy Artifacts, which sell for a good profit in Gallia and Liberty. Why not? PJ-888 would have been disturbed had he known.
I safely navigated to Planet Crete with no mishap. On the planet I had my first meeting with Corsairs, who were unknown to me. I got some strange looks and I felt somewhat uncomfortable. Bought Artifacts and launched to space. Now which jump hole did I come through? My scanner quickly picked up the Omicron Theta jump hole so I headed for it and docked. Relief. Due north was Freeport 9 and safety. From the windows of the bar I could see a number of smaller bases some distance away from the Freeport. I thought I would explore once undocked.
I started to travel among the smaller bases but the strong light from the yellow dwarf sun caused me some difficulty. My one known reference was the Freeport. Keep that within scanning range. I found a planet deep in a cloud mass. I now know it is called Vespus. A jump hole to the north; should I enter not knowing where it would lead? Stupid I know but in I went. Over confidence can be fatal.
I emerged into a dense cloud. My scanner picked up a planet ahead, which I approached cautiously. It appeared to be a frozen, lifeless gas giant. I climbed higher and higher hoping to get more information about this system. Common-sense said turn round and go back through the jump hole now! I picked up a small base called Ibiza and in the distance a Planet called Malta. Beyond Malta I could just make out a jump hole into Tau-37, a system I had visited once with PJ-888. I thought I might continue at altitude and then dive down to dock with that jump hole. However, during the dive 3 large targets appeared on the scanner. They appeared neutral but were clearly intent on cutting me off. I was through the jump hole before I was hailed and a disrupter was fired. I was surrounded by Outcast Battleships/Battlecruisers and in a complete panic.
An authoritarian voice stated that I had violated Outcast law and the punishment was death!. I became a gibbering wreck and could not think clearly, never mind make a coherent statement. Carrying Artifacts through Outcast space is the most serious crime because it implies smuggling on behalf of the Corsairs, who are sworn enemies of the Outcasts. Very quickly I could see this was the end. I asked if a girl was allowed a last meal before the inevitable. This was granted although not much time elapsed before my ship was obliterated.
I find myself on Freeport 9 in the medical bay. My recovery will take a little time apparently but a message has been sent to Galileo on my behalf. No doubt PJ-888 will come and collect me and deliver a very serious speech in his AI way.
A very humbled Anburusuki, Administration Executive.
To: All friendly, peaceful visitors to Sanctuary and Haven bases in Galileo
From: Anburusuki, Administration Executive
PJ-888 collected me from Freeport 9 a few days ago and brought me back to Sanctuary. It was a very quiet and uneventful journey as he was reluctant to speak and was very cautious in his choice of route: Sigma-17, Sigma-19, Honshu, New Tokyo and finally Shikoku to Galileo and home. He even had water, oxygen and kyushu rice as cargo so we would not look suspiciously empty. After all Zoner traders rarely travel empty!
I was 'summoned' to a meeting of all my friends and it was a difficult discussion. I may be the Administration Executive but my lack of piloting experience and knowledge had been made clear to all. It was decided that until further notice I would be the supply pilot for the 2 bases and would travel daily into Shikoku and New Tokyo to pick up the essential commodities.
Life would be boring for a while but I understood the reasons for the decision.
PJ-888 has made a few trips to Gran Canaria in Omega-48 to deliver pearls from Junyo and to check on Explorador and his family. We discussed the feasibility of preparing living quarters for them on Haven but decided this needed to be carefully considered and I was asked to prepare project notes for another meeting.
To: All friendly, peaceful visitors to Sanctuary and Haven bases in Galileo
From: Anburusuki, Administration Executive
Since my last post all 3 trading ships have been extremely busy accumulating credits towards our next project.
At PJ-888's request Sorairo_Aozora and I made separate trips to Omega-48 and Omega-52 to visit all known stations and visit the bars searching for gossip about the state of play in those systems. PJ-888 had reported unease after his visits and talks with Explorador. However, he wanted human confirmation of his fears. He, in an AI way, believes that there is real trouble brewing in Omega-48. The Corsairs appear to be on full alert. We took goods to Casablanca on a few occasions and met a number of Corsair fighters around the station. They were more than friendly to us but we had delivered needed goods to their base. Each of us independently went to Gran Canaria to speak with Explorador, who is now almost fully recovered physically.
We convened a meeting of all our personnel from Haven and Sanctuary and independently presented our findings and thoughts. The outcome is that we feel that Explorador and his family should come to Haven if they wish to leave Gran Canaria before violence erupts. It must be their decision but we will plan assuming that they will come here. This is going to require extra accommodation facilities and may require us to upgrade the size of Haven base. We are operating close to full capacity.
We all believe that Explorador would make the ideal base administrator with his knowledge of Sirius and his ship fighting and control abilities. He could set up a training facility within Haven base for the benefit of all Zoners.
To: All friendly, peaceful visitors to Sanctuary and Haven bases in Galileo
From: Anburusuki and Sorairo_Aozora, Administration Executives for Sanctuary and Haven bases
The last few weeks have been difficult but exciting for both of us as we took PJ-888's advice and made a number of trips to Gran Canaria to try and assess the developing situation in Omega-48. We independently started to travel around the system and visit any and all bases found. The bar on Gran Canaria was, as PJ-888 indicated, surprisingly populated by more non-Zoners than Zoners.
We found and, with one exception, visited the following bases:
Casablanca: a Corsair facility with the ability to carry out ship repairs.
Primus Outpost: an AI facility, not visited but no hostility detected.
Planet Tangier: a Coalition base with some Red Hessian activity.
Madeira Base: an IMG base. IMG appear ambitious and do not want conflict in Omega-48.
We agree with PJ-888 in that there does seem to be trouble brewing in Omega-48. It is difficult to determine when and how this might manifest itself. We ventured through the jump hole into Omega-52 just long enough to complete some scans. PJ-888 regularly carries out trading trips and we rely on his information for this closed system, which is controlled by the Coalition.
We returned to Galileo and convened a meeting of all executives and operatives. A briefing was delivered by Sorairo_Aozora as she had taken comprehensive notes about the trip.
PJ-888 requested to give other information and surprised us all by expressing concern with regard to Freeport 11 in Omicron Delta. He told us that the inhabitants of that Zoner base are concerned about recent Corsair mobilisation. Problems between the Core and the Order seem to be escalating.
Watch this space for further information as it comes to us.
We have decided to make sure that our Colony ship is available to accommodate Explorador and his family should an emergency arise before we have suitable 'on base' living quarters.
We wish all our friends peace and prosperity,
Anburusuki and Sorairo_Aozora, Administration Executives for Sanctuary and Haven bases
To: All friendly, peaceful visitors to Sanctuary and Haven bases in Galileo
From: Aburusuki and Sorairo_Aozora, Administration Executives for Sanctuary and Haven bases
Our last post was under Haven Base and we reproduce some of the content here for continuity.
All 3 transport ships made frequent trips to Omega-48 to check on Explorador and to get the latest security information. PJ-888 supplied detailed instructions for the routes we were to take and made it clear that no contraband cargo was to be carried. There are credits a plenty to be made carrying legitimate cargo to Omega-48 and Omega-52. No need to take unnecessary risks on these trips. We all agreed that the situation on Gran Canaria was becoming worryingly uncomfortable, particularly with the latest edict from the Corsairs.
Picadura_de_Avispon has been equipped with a "Nephilim" Zoner Mobile Colony Ship and he made the difficult journey and is now based on Gran Canaria ready to evacuate Explorador, his family and any other Zoners who wish to leave if troubles begin. Before its departure the ship was fitted out with 'Knock-Down Kits', 'Med-Stasis Bands', 'Mobile Medical Units' and 'Temporary Deployable Shelters'. The ship also has a 'Cloaking Device' and 2 'Docking Bays' although these are deemed unlikely to be needed. But you never know if a war breaks out.
We have also re-equipped Dan_Rich with a second "Nephilim" Zoner Mobile Colony Ship, which is stationed in Galileo for security purposes. It just needs some 'Knock-Down Kits', which PJ-888 will acquire later today.
We have continued to keep our Galileo bases supplied with essential commodities while PJ-888 has spent several days shipping steel plates from Texas to Omega-3 and bringing cobalt on the return trip. These trips were very profitable and he only had one unfortunate incident. He encountered a Junker named Rufus.Murdoch in Texas who claimed to be unsure of the route to Omega-3. As he was also flying a Zoner Civilian Frigate PJ-888 did not complete a full scan before agreeing to help. A mistake from which we all have learned something. When flying through Bering PJ-888 was fired upon and stopped in a trade lane ring. The frigate was equipped with a cruise disruptor thereby making it a combat vessel and not a transport under the laws of Sirius. The pilot may have had a Junker IFF but is clearly a pirate. PJ-888 paid him off and docked for minor repairs to his ship. The cost and the short delay was not worth a full scale battle. Full scans of all suspect ships from now on!
Sorairo_Aozora, Administration Executive for Haven and Sanctuary bases
To: All friendly, peaceful visitors to Sanctuary and Haven bases in Galileo
From: Aburusuki, Administration Executive for Sanctuary base
The last few weeks have been interesting and exciting for me personally as PJ-888 has tried to help me overcome the difficulties that I have flying and fighting in my Peregrine Falcon transport ship. He travelled to Bretonia and purchased a suitable cloaking device and brought it back to Sanctuary and supervised the installation. He then devised a route for me to fly to test the capability of the cloak. I proceeded through Shikoku, New Tokyo and into Kyushu using jump holes and expected to come across neutral or even unfriendly ships so I could test the device. However. the first challenge came from Fukushima Ayado, a usually friendly Kusari State Police Officer. He was some distance away when I activated the cloak and I easily slipped away into the nearest cloud and headed into Tau-29 and docked on Freeport 6.
I took rest and refreshment before heading back into Kyushu along the trade lane. As I emerged from the jump gate Ayado challenged me. He had identified my ship just before the cloak activated. The one thing that PJ-888 and I had not considered was that cloaking devices are illegal in Kusari space! Ayado was polite but firm in his demands and I explained the issue of my lack of competence in flying an armed ship. He agreed that I could be fined and depart under escort provided I agreed to drop the cloaking batteries and remove the cloaking device. I readily agreed, dropped the batteries and asked to be allowed to remove the device in Galileo. This was accepted and I was escorted by a Battlecruiser to the Galileo jump gate. I headed to Freeport 12 and sold the cloak before returning to Sanctuary base and explained all to PJ-888, who said that he had thought of another possible solution. More of that later.
Anburusuki, Administration Executive for Haven base
To: All friendly, peaceful visitors to Sanctuary and Haven bases in Galileo
From: Aburusuki, Administration Executive for Sanctuary base
What adventurous weeks since my last post. PJ-888 decided to equip me with an unarmed Zoner ZBT-1002 "Whale" Deep Space Transport. No weapons but a hardened radiation shell supporting massive engines to carry 5,000 units of cargo with extreme agility for its size. A drawback is that it cannot be docked in House Space except for Pennsylvania. This has required us to change the way we use our 2 Transport Frigates. They bring cargo destined for stations in other than House Space to Haven and Sanctuary where it is consolidated before loading onto the ZBT.
This has meant that I have ventured to systems I had never visited before. I have been to all the Omegas and 18 Omicrons plus all Tau Border Worlds. There have been many trips to and from Independent Worlds. All of these travels have meant that I am now producing a lot more credits for the Station Banks. I feel I am a much more useful asset to the colony.
There have been 3 'incidents' during all of this travelling. When called upon to halt or stop I always obey the request, but I always want to engage 'pirates' in a bit of repartee before complying. On one occasion the command to stop was immediately followed by a salvo of rockets. Clearly never any thought of talking. Another time was really galling (sic) as I had been asked for assistance, but it was a trap as 2 Gallic Navy ships suddenly appeared. They were either 'cloaked' or hidden in dense cloud or asteroids. We talked for a short while, but they were clearly intent on destroying me. Before they opened fire a Kusari Police Officer (Ayado?) came to help as we were in Kyushu. I took the opportunity to run for cover as fast as the ship could go and weaving to avoid anything fired at me. I felt bad leaving the KPF Officer to his fate but vowed to compensate him at the first opportunity, which I subsequently did. The third occasion was on entering Omega-52. I was asked to stop by 2 ships who asked why I was there. Quite quickly I was able to convince them that I was delivering cargo to Mykolaiv Research Station as per a request. They said I needed a permit, but this was the first I had heard of this requirement despite many trips to and from Omega-52. I was allowed to proceed and subsequently escorted back to the jump hole. A most interesting encounter.
I really like my "Whale"
Stay safe and enjoy profitable flights.
Aburusuki, Administration Executive for Sanctuary base
