Posts: 6,277
Threads: 329
Joined: Aug 2007
Staff roles: Story Dev Economy Dev
To: Bowex InfoNet. From: Flight Instructor Andrew Peterson. RE: Standard report.
Today has once more been an eventful one. I initiated my trade run by picking up a troop of young scientific undergraduates from Ames Research Station in Kepler (I was actually scouting for H Fuel buy-sites, but that's irrelevant) and set course for Cambridge. Nothing of particular interest happened until I reached Manchester, at which point things got rather interesting, rather quickly.
I encountered a "Pilgrim" class transport called SV-Antares, colloquially known as the Slave Liner. It seemed that this was in fact a slaver, given the Lane Hacker IFF, and the sheer number of captured pilots and illegal commodities there were in the hold. Unfortunately, he also had a scanner and could see I was carrying passengers. He thus decided he would try to way-lay me. Unfortunately for him, he didn't seem to realise he was dealing with a Clydedale. Nor did he realise what Bowex's policy on slavers has been ever since a whole bloody gang of them hijacked one of our bloody Royal Liners.
[22.06.2011 13:35:34] SV-Antares: Hmm some scientists ey'? [22.06.2011 13:35:48] Bowex)Leeson: Indeed. And you're not getting your grubby paws on them. [22.06.2011 13:35:53] SV-Antares: Might fetch a good price on the Market eh? [22.06.2011 13:35:58] Bowex)Leeson: Try it, and you'll regret the day you were ever born, sah. [22.06.2011 13:37:17] SV-Antares: So how about handing let's say Half of them over, since i'm feeling charitable. [22.06.2011 13:37:24] Bowex)Leeson: I'm warning you Slaver. Cease and desist, or I will shoot you in the face. [22.06.2011 13:37:43] SV-Antares: No? [22.06.2011 13:37:55] Bowex)Leeson: You do not want to do this, trust me. [Slaver opens fire] [22.06.2011 13:38:42] Bowex)Leeson: Very well. You've made up your mind. Time to tear you to bits, y'bugger.
And tear him to bits we did. He jumped to New London and set a course for the Devon Asteroid field. I was engaged in a running fight when Mart turned up in the Fenning. Together, we took it in turns to pound on his shields and hull, eventually carving the hulk into ragged chunks. The Fenning tractored the captured pilots, and we both proceeded to Cambridge to drop our charges off.
Later that afternoon, we decided to make the return trip to Liberty. Once again, it was Manchester that provided a moment of interest. Yet another slaver - an Albatross class Large Transport called Wulf - was encountered fleeing from Birmingham's guns. The local BMM residents had quite rightfully taken offence to the foul crime of human trafficking and opened up on him. This time, it was affiliated with the Outcasts. We carefully judged the political situation, decided that the Outcasts weren't worth pissing on if they were on fire, and proceeded to intercept him.
[22.06.2011 15:55:08] Bowex)Leeson: You sir! Stop in the name of the law! [22.06.2011 15:55:27] Bowex)Leeson: Bowex does not tolerate slavery! [22.06.2011 15:55:31] Bowex)Fenning: you foul brigand! [22.06.2011 15:55:38] Bowex)Leeson: Now you sit tight and cut your engines! [22.06.2011 15:55:47] Bowex)Fenning: or face the Clyde wrath! [22.06.2011 15:55:49] Wulf: you dont want to play amigo [22.06.2011 15:56:01] Bowex)Fenning: we do not sir! [22.06.2011 15:56:05] Bowex)Fenning: the insult! [22.06.2011 15:56:08] Bowex)Leeson: Trust me, if you decide to be awkward, we'll shoot your bridge out. [22.06.2011 15:56:16] Bowex)Fenning: we sure will! [22.06.2011 15:56:25] Bowex)Leeson: The cargo pods won't even be disturbed. [22.06.2011 15:56:34] Bowex)Fenning: now release them! [22.06.2011 15:56:35] Bowex)Leeson: Now, you're going to set those fellows free. [22.06.2011 15:56:47] Bowex)Leeson: Follow us, and let them go on New London. [22.06.2011 15:56:52] Bowex)Leeson: Or Canterbury station. Your choice. [22.06.2011 15:57:09] Bowex)Fenning: i say! shoot the bugger already! [22.06.2011 15:57:13] Bowex)Leeson: Fail to do so, and we will atomise you. [22.06.2011 15:57:29] Bowex)Fenning: he's cleary refusing! [22.06.2011 15:57:32] Wulf: for one i cant land at lawful base [22.06.2011 15:57:34] Bowex)Leeson: Your unwilling passengers will be fine, but you sir will die. [22.06.2011 15:57:37] Bowex)Fenning: *jumps up and down* death! death! [22.06.2011 15:57:45] Bowex)Leeson: Now, comply with our orders. [22.06.2011 15:57:52] Bowex)Leeson: Set a course for the jump gate. [22.06.2011 15:58:01] Bowex)Leeson: We ourselves will shuttle them to the station.
After leading us on a merry chase all over the system, we eventually caught him right back where we found him. The stupid bugger took a trade lane to Birmingham, allowing us to catch up and shoot out the lane ring ahead of him, effectively trapping him. Myself and the Fenning dropped its shields, then utterly demolished its bridge. The cargo pods were left unbreached and free-floating in the wreckage. We immediately prioritised freeing the poor wretches, dropping our cargo and towing the pods to Birmingham's docking bays.
Inside, the pods were unsealed, wherein 3,000 gibbering and hysterical former-slaves were unleashed. I hear they're still trying to round them up now! Good lot, really. 'Lot of spirit. I dread to think what they would have done to the Outcasts who were going to try and use them. At any rate, there was no civilian collateral damage. Once they've all been registered, a BPA shuttle will begin transferring them all to either Planet New London or Leeds. From there they can be sent back to wherever they were abducted from.
We really, really need to put a bounty on these amoral bastards. The slave trade needs to be stamped out in Sirius, and Bowex will be at the forefront of the fight - even if I have to fire the first and last shot myself!
Me and Leeson just shot down some Rogue scallywag while trading.
Oh, this may amuse you as well.
We also ran into a Slaver who was using Junker papers to escape detection by lawfull forces. The very same 'junker' who we caught with Slaver credentials a day back The nerve! he even docked on Curcao with a full hold of slaves... I wonder what the security lads were doing? eating crumpets?
Posts: 6,277
Threads: 329
Joined: Aug 2007
Staff roles: Story Dev Economy Dev
To: Bowex InfoNet. From: Flight Instructor Andrew Peterson. Ship: Bowex)Leeson. Re: Standard report.
Hullo chaps! This report is to detail some of last night's doings in the Dublin system. I had a rather enjoyable flight, y'see. I initially entered the system in the hope of purchasing a load of Gold Ore for the Leeson. Despite this relatively simple objective, matters rapidly veered off-target as they are wont to do. I became embroiled in an argument with some IMG miners, who were being rather dense about the Canterbury Station petition. I of course set them straight on the matter, as is my duty as an educated citizen of Bretonia. Unfortunately, I believe they missed the point entirely and took me at face value. I shudder to think that they may have actually misconstrued my speech as humble...
From there, there was a considerable amount of fuss being generated in regards to pirates. I had heard there was a freelance pirate bomber lurking around, and so went on patrol. What I found instead was considerably more amusing; [M]-Bloody.Hangover (a Molly gunboat) and [M]-Long.Ben.Fenn (Bactrian freighter) were busily extorting the Zoner trade ship, OSI-Selene (Borderworlds Transport). I let them have their way with the Zoner before making my presence known, at which point the freighter peeled off to 'intercept' me. I patiently awaited his arrival with my engines cut.
[26.06.2011 20:52:41] Bowex)Leeson: Good lord. You in trouble, Zoner? [26.06.2011 20:52:53] [M]-Bloody.Hangover: "GOOD LORD" Bug off Bretonian. [26.06.2011 20:53:01] Bowex)Leeson: How rude. [26.06.2011 20:53:12] Bowex)Leeson: Didn't your mother ever teach you manners? [26.06.2011 20:53:19] [M]-Long.Ben.Fenn: Oi'll deal wiz da Bowaax. [26.06.2011 20:53:24] Bowex)Leeson: No... I suppose she didn't. Not even a mother could love a voice like that. [26.06.2011 20:53:41] Bowex)Leeson: Ah, so one approaches. [26.06.2011 20:53:57] Bowex)Leeson: I suggest you move away, Fenn. [26.06.2011 20:53:58] [M]-Long.Ben.Fenn: So, ye lad think you're smartass? [26.06.2011 20:54:07] [M]-Long.Ben.Fenn: Pickin' a fight with us? [26.06.2011 20:54:11] Bowex)Leeson: No, sah. I think you're a dead man if you don't move away. [26.06.2011 20:54:17] Bowex)Leeson: So I suggest you do. [26.06.2011 20:54:26] [M]-Long.Ben.Fenn: Seems oi have tae prove ya wrong [26.06.2011 20:54:37] Bowex)Leeson: I certainly wish you luck, sah. [26.06.2011 20:54:45] [M]-Long.Ben.Fenn: Defend yeself, cuz I don't like fightin' newbies like ye workin' in Bowaax [26.06.2011 20:56:01] Death: [M]-Long.Ben.Fenn was killed by Bowex)Leeson (Gun) [26.06.2011 20:56:02] [M]-Bloody.Hangover: Lets rip him up Ban my son. [26.06.2011 20:56:12] Bowex)Leeson: That'll teach you, you little bastard. [26.06.2011 20:56:42] [M]-Bloody.Hangover: No profit 'ere. [26.06.2011 20:57:04] Bowex)Leeson: Indeed, sah. Unless you want me to remove your eyeballs and testicles, then swap their places... [26.06.2011 20:57:07] Bowex)Leeson: I suggest you leave. [26.06.2011 20:57:24] [M]-Bloody.Hangover: Try it. Just don't talk crap to me and then run away *Laughs lightly to himself* [26.06.2011 20:57:48] Bowex)Leeson: Why don't you jump in a Barghest or Bactrian and try your luck if you think you're good enough? [26.06.2011 20:57:58] Bowex)Leeson: Your weeping wench of a wingmate obviously wasn't.
After the freighter was dispatched, the gunboat attempted to have his way with me. I dropped a few Screamer mines on him, and he failed to do any appreciable amount of damage to me at all. Consequently, he retreated. It seems we've very little to worry about in regards to this new Molly organisation. They're just as incompetent and lacklustre as the last four or five Molly incarnations. On another positive note, the Bactrian was full to the brim with stolen Gold Ore, rewarding me for my troubles.
I immediately drummed up some trade by selling my scouting services to a duo of Percherons - Spartacus and AlexV. The pair agreed to pay me 1.5 million credits in order to escort them to Fort Bush in Liberty. In the course of this mission, I successfully allowed them to slip past two Rogue fighters (by rerouting them) and one Lane Hacker gunboat (by attacking it, in order to stage a distraction). Upon reaching our destination, they rewarded me with 2 million credits as a thank-you for services rendered. Keep an eye out for these fellows - they're good chaps.
Well, that about sums things up. Cheero!
~Peterson.
Incoming Transmission
Encryption Level: Maximum
CommID: Liam Adama - Director of operations Borderworlds exports (Bowex)
Message Target: Mr A Peterson
Message Source: Scarborough Station
Subject: Clydesdales
Mr Peterson.
I must first congratulate you on your success of your brain child the Clydesdale Brigade. I am contempt to let you maintain overall control of your Department. However given the precarious nature of Snowdown and the imperialistic Rheinland, I am in needed of the full strength of your wing. As we have offered to the Zoners of Freeport 1 I will require your opinion on whether the Clydesdale Brigade will be able to run the joint Rheinland and Kusari forces ragged also I need your expertise on whether you and your wing would be able to bolster the defenders of Douglas if the Rheinlanders mange to gain a better foothold and assault the base. As I will not let any other Bretonian Stations be captured with out a significant fight.
One last thing ensure Bellock doesn't cause to much problems with the Zoners while you ship the aid requested.
Posts: 6,277
Threads: 329
Joined: Aug 2007
Staff roles: Story Dev Economy Dev
To: Sir Liam Adama. From: Peterson. Ship: Bowex)Leeson. RE: Clydesdales.
Good day sir. I'll attach a list of our forces at the bottom of this report to brief you on the full extent of the wing. Thank you for your praise, sir. I can assure you though, I do not deserve it. I am but a part of a greater whole, and the 'Brigade would be nothing without the constant and diligent efforts of my companions. Any praise granted is due to all of them equally.
Now, on to business. The Clydesdale is extremely heavily armed and armoured, but it is remarkably slow and sluggish. Due to this, we will be utterly outmatched by fighters such as the Chimera and Wraith as well as lighter gunboats. We have had considerable success against bombers and medium to heavy gunboats, such as those constructed by the Mollys and Corsairs. Craft such as the Kusari gunboat and fighters could be impossible nuts to crack, I'm afraid. The effort simply would not be worth the risk.
In Snowdown, we would be able to play a suplimentary role, destroying their super-heavy bombers with ease. As the Rheinlandic agents in New London proved, their light bombers can prove to be troublesome. Despite this, we would of course be well suited to taking out their ponderous and slow gunboats and cruisers, should we have enough numbers. We could of course redeploy to Douglas in order to repel invaders, but this would remove our ability to function and traders and escorts. We would also be utterly at the mercy of Rheinlandic snub-fighters unless we had Armed Forces backup.
I can however see a second option for the 'Brigade. If we could establish some kind of deal with the GMG, we could base a number of our ships out of the Okinawa system in Kusari. This system is strategically located near the jump gate to Sigma 13 in Honshu - the only route into Kusari by Rheinland shippers. We could relocate to western Kusari in order to rendezvous with the QCP and destroy Kusari and Rheinland shipping. Liberty and other neutral bodies of authority would not be able to complain, due to the fact we would merely be assisting a lawful body in the execution of its duties - well within our remit as a company.
This privateering action would allow the 'Brigade to directly strike at the infrastructure of both our foes, much as the BDM has been doing in Cortez, Magellan, California and even New London. They have initiated a horrific and brutal war against Bretonian civilians, sir. I intend to finish it. I say we drop the axe on their only trade route, sir. Give us permission, and we'll be tearing Republican ships asunder within a week.
Oh, and I agree with you about Mr Bellock. For the purposes of activities around Freeport 1, I would suggest he is either replaced, or his medication increased. While he is a valuable asset to the team, he is also a bloody pain in the neck and a huge liability. That said, I'll see about organising some aid shipments. Mr MacFarlane seems to have had the right idea.
That should just about cover it, sir.
~Peterson.
CB 1 - BES Leeson: Brigadeer Andrew Peterson.
CB 2 - BES Sheridan: Employee Aaron Clark.
CB 3 - BES Fenning: Senior Employee Mart Bellock.
CB 4 - BES Yvonne Fletcher: Employee Scott MacFarlane
CB 5 - BES Mulgrew: Employee Miles McGregor.
CB 6 - BES Darby: Senior Employee Richard Belmont.
Posts: 6,277
Threads: 329
Joined: Aug 2007
Staff roles: Story Dev Economy Dev
To: Bowex InfoNet. From: Flight Instructor Andrew Peterson. Ship: Bowex)Leeson. RE: Slightly unusual report.
Well, today was certainly worth it. Myself and Mart Bellock were officially reprimanded by the Scarborough station commander earlier, for stealing the structure's septic tank. I believe this chiding goes on our permanent records and will affect our prospects for future pay-rises. Regardless, that's not important. I like to think we had a better use for the tank's contents than the BMM cleaner-crews would have. The BES Leeson and Wheatstone loaded up a full cargo of the human waste - and it was most certainly toxic - it was chilli night in the Scarborough canteen yesterday. Altogether, we were in possession of 5,540 standard units of effluence.
From there, we jumped from Newcastle to Leeds to Edinburgh. This gave us a clear shot at moving through to the Taus. Passing by the Battleship MacDuff, we set a course for the Tau 23 gate, travelling directly through open space. Mart's Advanced Train struggled slightly with the asteroids, but his shields prevented him from falling foul of any natural hazards. From Tau 23, we proceeded to the Kyushu system, then Hokkadio and finally Chugoku. The latter two systems were exceptionally risky - populated almost entirely by Golden Chrysanthemums and Blood Dragons. While relations with these two groups have been cordial in the past, it is always difficult to gauge how they will react to our presence - especially so close to home.
We managed to slip through unperturbed, allowing us to jump into the Sigma systems. Sigma 13 in particular. Passing through a large explosive gas cloud, we emerged near the Junker Yanagi Depot. In close proximity to this den of degenerates was the Frankfurt jump hole - the next waypoint to our destination. Emboldened by the lack of resistance we had encountered up to that point, we jumped through and set a direct course for the Munich jump gate. Unfortunately, those Jerry buggers had planted a battleship out back of the asteroid fields, that we had to swerve around in order to avoid. It gave its best to shoot us down, in what could be described as little more than a futile fireworks display. I believe it was the Battleship Koblenz.
At any rate, the jig was up - the element of surprise scuppered. We immediately began to make use of the infrastructure again, and jumped to Munich. There we took the trade lanes, ensuring we made a long detour around the edges of the Battleship Regenburg's sensors. I scouted ahead to Planet Nuremberg, to find it utterly devoid of patrols or forces. Signalling to the Wheatstone, we both took our places in front of the docking ring and began to drop what you could describe as a 'dirty bomb'. After we'd ejected roughly 700 individual units of human faeces into orbit, a RFP patrol and a Rheinland Military cruiser battlegroup arrived, and promptly chased us off. We dumped the remainder of our cargo as a single larger load, then lost them through some rather neat trade lane manoeuvres.
From there, we took a different route home. Using a path our ExSec pioneer teams found in 817 AS, we moved through to Sigma 13, then Sigma 17, followed by Omicron Theta. From Theta, we proceeded to Omega 41 and Omega 5, where we had some hair-raising encounters of the Corsair variety. Even so, we escaped to Cambridge without harm. I believe this route-change was essential. After we were caught outside Nuremberg, we'd have been easily apprehended if we'd attempted to head back the way we got in. No doubt Jerry would have radioed ahead to his new best friends and told them to expect us. We arrived back at Scarborough a short while later. It was a relief indeed when we dumped our ships after that considerable strain, I can tell you.
I wonder how Jerry will react to our dumping over 5,000 tons of crap on his doorstep? I mean, if they can't even stop a civilian corporation from leaving their doings all over their pride and dignity, what chance do they have in the Omegas? My only regret is I did not have a paper bag big enough, nor do they burn in a vacuum. A shame indeed. Oh, and the BBC covered the story too, it seems. As I said... Today was certainly worth it.
Incoming Transmission
Encryption Level: Maximum
CommID: Liam Adama - Director of operations Borderworlds exports (Bowex)
Message Target: Borderworlds Exports, Mr Peterson
Message Source: Scarborough Station
Subject: Your needed
Greetings I have been in contact with the former DO Mr Maloney. I have pretty grim news for you his family has been stranded on planet Baden Baden and has now taken refuge in the mountains , this is made worse by the fact the in the recent elections, Mr Maloney has successfully run for his constituency's seat in the house of commons. Which is why it is imperative that his family is rescued before the sausage swilling krauts realize the significance of his family or even his family's existence.
Therefore I would like to request that the Clydesdale brigade due to the size of the Clydesdale which allows it to be useful in infiltration of hostile space, however I will not force this upon anyone however those you decided to op out I will not hold it against you except that those who do not decide to help in such a noble cause.
"Let it be known that the men and women who are not present or part of the plan in this rescue shall consider themselves accursed they were not present and hold their manhood cheap or in case of the women hold their womanhood cheap while others can hold themselves high." Also I would like to quote another speech of encouragement "Never was so much owed by so many to so few"
Mr Peterson make sure you clean you ship before it is inspected as I don't wish to have the health and safety dogs on my back.
Posts: 6,277
Threads: 329
Joined: Aug 2007
Staff roles: Story Dev Economy Dev
To: Bowex InfoNet; DO's office. From: Flight Instructor Andrew Peterson. Ship: Bowex)Leeson. RE: Infiltration.
Well, that is terrible news, sir. I had heard that many Bretonian holiday-makers had been stranded on the planet by the war, but I wasn't sure what was being done about it. I suppose I know now - we are. Just my sort of job, if I don't say so myself, sir. Quite a coincidence that myself and Mr. Bellock partook in what we shall call... a 'warm up' exercise yesterday, too. I most certainly think we can pull this off. Mr Maloney's family will be home in no time.
I will need two or three things though. Firstly, I'll need a guarantee that we will be able to access Baden Baden's docking facilities. That stunt we pulled in Munich will have all of Rheinland on high alert, looking for Bowex ships. I suggest we tackle this by waiting a week to allow for the situation to cool off, and then bribing their docking attendants to turn a blind eye for one time only. Contacting the Orbital Spa & Cruise company HQ itself would be a mistake - if they knew we were planning a gun-and-run raid on their planet, they'd probably be resigned to notifying the local authorities. At least this way, they'd have plausible deniability.
Secondly, a diversion to draw patrols away from the planet would be excellent. I'm not sure how we could pull this off. Perhaps we could divide into two teams, with one providing a vocal and inflammatory distraction on the opposite side of the system? I am not entirely sure. This part of the plan would need some careful attention. Perhaps we could try to utilise local forces? The LWB have proven to be friendly enough to our transports in the past. Perhaps we could politely request their assistance? Alternately, the Hessians have proven to be sympathetic to Bretonia's plight in the Omegas. That would certainly be less risky than putting our own ships on the line.
Thirdly, I will need a source of intel regarding an alternate route into Stuttgart. If we attempt to use the Omega 3 and Omega 7 route, we'll be lit up like a Christmas tree. That happens to be on fire. In short, unless we're trying to stage a rather ballsy distraction, it's not an option for the infiltration team. It would be most practical if we could utilise the jump hole networks, given that they are not monitored by the authorities. We'd be able to slip in undetected, for a short while at least. Myself and Mart demonstrated this in Munich. By avoiding the trade lanes and jump gates until there was no other option, we evaded detection by the USI system. Now, information of this route could probably be acquired from the aforementioned parties, such as the LWB and RHA.
That said, I will begin more in-depth planning, and forward the news to the rest of the Brigade. I assure you, sir, very few will turn this mission down. I can only say this regarding those I have the honour of serving and fighting alongside: each man a hero, each hero a friend. We'll get the job done, sir. You can count on us. We'll catch Jerry with his trousers around his ankles.
To: Bowex InfoNet; DO's office.
CC: Flight Instructor Petersen, North Derry Flight Center, NL
From: Captain MacFarlane
RE: Infiltration.
----->Text only
Sirs, I think that perhaps a great deal of the route information we require can be had by making request of the Bretonian Intelligence Service. As you maybe aware, they have recently ramped up activities against Jerry and may have the very information we would need to pull this off. In addition, I'm sure a Destroyer squadron or two would be happy to make noise in Snowdown at the same time as the RHA/LWB diversion, if those groups choose to help.
Another thing to consider sirs: Exit strategy. Not only for the infiltration team, but for those supplying the diversion as well. If we lose a great many men or ships in this endeavour, even in the rescue of a parliment member's family, then we've made a bad investment towards Bretonia's future. Therefore I urge that a clear plan of withdrawal also be formulated.
For me personally, I have spoken to Mr. Munro, my Engineer on the Bonny Lass, he also serves as co-pilot on the Yvonne Fletcher. We are both with you. CB-4 will be ready to fly. However, Mr. Munro believes that the Bonny Lass herself would make for an extremely effective diversion. My First Mate, Mr. Fraser, does not agree....but he and Munro rarely do. Anyway, an attempted smuggling run by the Lass into Munich would surely draw a great deal of attention away from the Stuttgart area, making the RHA/LWB diversion that much more effective, seeding additional chaos, and helping to insure that the LWB/RHA forces may be able to break away safely. Otto Kriech, the man who was arranging purchase of military equipment for me on Nuremburg in the past, is still sympathetic to the Bretonian cause. I'm sure he would be willing to help, both by bribing docking officials on Nuremburg, and by arranging a "report of smuggler activity" to the RFP. This would cover up his involvement AND insure that at least some attention is focused in the Munich system.