To: Sir James Cromwell, Board of Directors. From: Michael Caine, Capt. Bowex)Carter CC: ExSec Manager, Andrew Peterson RE: Reconnaissance Freeport 11 in Omicron Delta. Date: 22 October 819 A.S.
Sirs, I would like to report a successful Exploration mission to Freeport 11 in Omicron Delta.
For some reason Capt. Peterson was unable to lead the mission, so Capt. Aaron Clarke of the Bowex)Sheridan took command of the convoy (rumour has it, Mr Peterson had drunk a little too much in the Blue Lion and couldn't find his ship). The convoy assembled at Freeport 1 in Omega 3.Other members of the convoy included:
Bowex)Hyman Capt. Colin Trevena
Bowex)Ripper under the command of Capt. Martin Fraser
Bowex)Shackleton Capt. David Whelms
ExSec pilot Bart Fletcher as our scout
A Freelancer known only as LJB who has experience of fighting Corsairs and with his Havoc would help us with anything bigger than a Gun Boat should it come to a fight, even though our standing orders were to avoid confrontation if possible.
We departed from Bretonia and took a route through Rheinland space and then into the Sigma systems.
There was an unfortunate incident in the Stuttgart system; a Kusari Kurki I believe he was called was killed. We were only trying to help the local Police stop him as he had been identified as a smuggler. [RFP]Geilenkirchen asked us to stop firing; but it was too late the Kusari's ship cracked open like an egg.
To avoid an international incident with the Rheinland Government; it may be an idea to apologise for our eagerness to get the Kusari, although some of the lads think the rice muncher shouldn't have been so close to Bret' space in the first place and he got what he deserved!
Also in our defence Officer Wolthers did ask for assistance "This is officer Wolters aboard the Geilenkirchen. I have located criminal activity at F-3. All units respond" So we did; just a little too efficiently I suppose.
In Sigma 17 Mr Fletcher; using informationhad obtained from unkown sources we are told; we found a Jump Hole that took us to Omicron Theta; Mr Fletcher then proceeded to take us to a Jump Hole into the Omicron Gamma system.
Whilst in Gamma I lost the convoy and my scanners could not locate the Jump Hole; Mr Fletcher and Capt. Trevena then had to search for me, putting the whole convoy and mission in jeopardy, in the meantime I found the Jump Hole to Omicron Kappa and then nearly fell into some sort of Black Hole; luckily Capt. Trevena located me and linked up his Nav computer to guide me back to the convoy.
Once in Delta we proceeded to Freeport 11 where Capt. Clarke negotiated with the Station commander for us to purchase Iridium.
Whilst we were being loaded, a ship with the ID BHG|Core-Eden entered the region of Freeport 11. The Captain seemed quite friendly, definitely surprised to see us, either way he let us go on our way without incident; he did mention he may send a message to the Directors of Bowex to clarify our mission.
I believe the Captain of the Core-Eden told Capt. Clarke of a quicker route back from Delta and we proceeded towards the Omicron Kappa Jump Hole.
However on route we encountered 2 ships with the ID GHOSTS an ID I have never encountered before; Ghost~of~Didrik~Pining and Ghost~of~Louis-Garneray. They said they represent the 'The Galactic Outlaws and Shadow Traders' and demanded payment for not destroying us.
After much discussion Capt. Clarke decided to pay 2.5 million credits to avoid confrontation; as per our orders, but some of the lads wanted to fight the ruffians! I still don't know who they are, although they were flying Civilian ships; Havoc and Roc bombers; one of the lads thought, because of the French names, they were from Gallia, the French house that was lost 800 years ago?
We left the GHOST ships and went through Kappa and Gamma to a new Jump Hole to Omega 41.
This system was very unusual in that it has a Neutron Star and we had to make sure we didn't get too close.
From Omega 41 we took a Jump Hole to Omega 5 and then the Jump Hole to Cambridge. It was good to be back in Bretonian space. We then took the Trade Lanes through Leeds to Newcastle and home.
Although we did not encounter any problems on this trip, I would recommend these Jump Holes are checked as I am not sure Shire's and Shetlands would be safe, the anomalies may collapse if something as big as Shire used the Jump Holes.
We docked back at Scarborough Station at around 21:00 Sirius time, where Capt. Clarke took us to the Lion to celebrate our safe return and therefore a successful mission.
This concludes my mission report on behalf of the Delta Exploration Convoy;
Michael Caine.
*Incoming Transmission: Text Only*
*Subject: Border World Exports Risk Management Request*
To: Submissions & Claims, Border World Exports Insurance and Risk Management Office, Scarborough Station
From: J. Brighton, Shipping & Transportation Division
CC: Border World Exports Export Security Office, Scarborough Station
I have seen a startling increase in Corsair attacks on my travel route in the Home Systems (in particular within the New London system itself!), and Gaian Terrorist attacks during my occasional forays bringing passengers to and from Planet Gaia.
I would like to notify the company at large (and relevant departments) of the increased risk to company property and partners in the systems of Edinburgh, Cortez, and New London, with specific regards to the loss of profit and potential loss of life if these pirates are allowed to move freely within our nation's sovereign space. It is my hope that appropriate action can be taken by the company or the Crown to end these attacks and preserve the peace of our trade lanes.
Thank you,
J. Brighton, Shipping & Transportation Division
Posts: 6,280
Threads: 329
Joined: Aug 2007
Staff roles: Story Dev Economy Dev
To: J. Brighton. From: ExSec Manager Andrew Peterson. RE: Security concerns.
Many thanks for your update relating to the core worlds' internal security. It would be for the best if said information were not passed along to IC. They can be awkward about such matters. In any case, you'll just have to hang in there for the time being. We're going to contact the BPA regarding the matter, but they can't really do much more than they already are.
Should the problem worsen, we will be pushing for another ExSec recruitment drive, and looking to secure another contract with the Bounty Hunter's Guild. Should the security situation truely be that adverse, we will also consider altering our convoy composition, and using independent worlds formations for travel within core space too.
~Peterson.
To: Bowex InfoNet. From: ExSec Manager Andrew Peterson. RE: Standard report.
Firstly, I would just like to congratulate each of you who participated in the Delta mission. Unfortunately, I was forced to remain behind due to a surprise inspection of ExSec being launched by the under-minister of Trade and Industry. The information you all recovered is superb. I've been notified that Mr Clark has already dispatched Mr Caine his bonus. Now for a convoy report;
Points of interest:
Over 30,000 units of Niobium ore were shipped.
James Barnes losing a bet and having to wash Bellock's underwear.
Mart Bellock being shot three timesby a tranquiliser gun.
Aaron Clark being a treacherous bastard.
Angry Badgers freeing slaves.
Angry Badgers fighting off Hackers.
Well, in cooperation with our nationalised BMM brothers, a large convoy was launched to the Tau 23 system earlier last night. Overall, the entire convoy consisted of the BES Johnson, Whitte, Darwin, Cook, Williams, Firbolg, Wheatstone, the Clydesdales Sherridan and Carter and the Freelancer LJB. After picking up the ore, we pulled in to the BMM Outpost for technical inspections before continuing on our way. In total, over 30,000 units of Niobium ore was collected.
After 30 minutes or so, half of the convoy departed. The BES Johnson, Whitte, Cook, Williams, the Clydesdales and LJB left for Tau 31. The Darwin and Firbolg later completed the route together. In order to generate a friendly rivalry between the chaps, I announced that the last man to get through the Tau 31 Asteroid field would be facing a grim fate worse than death: hand washing Bellock's undergarments. James Barnes of the BES Whitte won this dubious honour when he hit an asteroid, pushing him to the rear of the pack.
Upon reaching New Berlin and loading up with H Fuel, the BES Wheatstone caught up with us, helmed by Bellock himself. The lazy toad had been doing something unmentionable to his underwear, which is what had delayed his departure from Tau 23. I passed this news on to the rest of the convoy, much to Barnes' consternation. Bellock appeared to have forgotten his medication, and went off on a rather childish tantrum-come-rant. His first mate was forced to shoot him three times with a tranquilliser dart gun, "in the arse". I'm sure Mart rather enjoyed that. First mate Pete then took over as the Wheatstone's acting captain.
The route home got a little... competitive, with each of the heavy transports vying for the lead position as we raced through the trade lanes. The convoy's comm officers may or may not have been briefed to make rally car noises whenever an overtake was achieved. In any case, Mr Clark of the Sherridan revealed his true colours by allying with the Wheatstone, and disrupting my Johnson, enabling Bellock's foul replacement - Pete - to take the lead. Despite this foul play, I made it back to Leeds at the head of the transport convoy through my considerable skill (the Clydesdales having already raced off ahead). Or at least, I would have if my engines hadn't decided to do a hot reboot 10k from the planet. I still suspect Clark and Bellock of sabotaging my ship while we were moored in Rheinland.
Some time later, we received that one of our new trainees had come under attack from a foul wastrel called Alpha5, while on his way to Scarborough in a CSV personnel shuttle. Not one to let such things stand, I abandoned my paperwork and rushed to the cockpit of the Angry Badger 1. Accompanied by the Clydesdales Hyman and Shackleton, we led a search of the independent worlds of Cortez and Magellan. We found the Lane Hacker in Cortez, and chased it through to Conorado, where it docked on the IMG owned Planet Pecos. We will be looking into this. On the way back, we discovered a slave trading Junker, ISC|Vergo, who we'd inadvertently blocked by jumping back.
Alongside the freelancer John, we demanded the slaver travel to Curacao and set his prisoners free. The docking control refused to allow him to moor, so we utilised the Clydesdales to shuttle the slaves down to the planet's surface. Over 3,000 slaves were rescued from the Junker's clutches without a shot being fired. We warned him that if he should try it again, every Bounty Hunter in the colonies would be hunting for his scalp, then let him go. Our group and John went our seperate ways after that, intending to return to Bretonia.
After jumping to Manchester, we received word from John and a Bounty Hunter we'd previously worked with that Alpha5 had been spotted in California at the jump gate. With all due haste, we hurried back in order to confront the ne'er-do-well. A confrontation ensued, with a fight of ridiculously long proportions. Its conclusion was not decided so much by the skill of the participants, but rather their endurance, capacity for boredom and stamina of their ships. As it happened, the Hacker succumbed first, falling foul of some technical errors. Whatever it was that happened to him, it overloaded our sensors and masked his final fate. I simply hope it was fatal.
After that we really did return home, exhausted and looking forward to spending some quality time asleep. The convoy returned to its berths on New London without incident. That'll be all for now.
To: Andrew Peterson.
From: James Barnes; Capt. (Trainee) BES Whittle
RE: Bellock's Under Garments'!
*James comes into shot on the screen wearing a large pair of pink rubber gloves and holding some soiled garments' *
What has Bellock been doing in these things! I have 2 children and they were cleaner than this when they were babies. I have never in my life ever seen such disgusting; Oh my God what is that; oh the smell'¦'¦
Right from now on I'm going to win every race home; even if I have to ram you out of the Trade Lane, Oh I think I'm going to be sick'¦
Tell him, in future, to go before we leave space dock!
I've got go'¦
*James is seen running off camera and the screen goes blank *
Posts: 6,280
Threads: 329
Joined: Aug 2007
Staff roles: Story Dev Economy Dev
To: All Bowex personnel. From: Acting DO Cromwell. RE: Promotions.
In stead of DO Adama, I am now announcing the latest batch of promotions within the Bowex corporation. The following list has been formulated based on the suggestions of our current shift supervisors and the management team. Commendations are also being dispatched for good service. There is soon to be an overhaul to the Bowex commendation and reward system, so all employees receiving these distinctions should retain the paperwork and proof. They will become somewhat more useful in the near future.
Charles O'Callaghan: For professional conduct, your contract has been confirmed. Your probationary contract is to receive an immediate promotion to full Employee. Continue your good work within the Trade Combine and you shall go far.
Father Peter McCullen: For professional conduct, your contract has been confirmed. Your probationary contract is to receive an immediate promotion to full Employee. Continue your good work within the Trade Combine and you shall go far.
David Whelms: For exemplary service during trying and testing times, you receive an immediate promotion to Senior Employee. Continue your good work within the Trade Combine and you shall go far.
James Barnes: For exemplary service during trying and testing times, you receive an immediate promotion to Senior Employee. Continue your good work within the Trade Combine and you shall go far.
Colin Trevena: For exemplary service during trying and testing times, you receive an immediate promotion to Senior Employee, with a Manager's Commendation for your diligent service. Continue your good work within the Trade Combine and ExSec and you shall go far.
Aaron Clark: For demonstrations of leadership in convoy management and extreme competence under fire, you receive an immediate promotion to Provisional Supervisor, with a Director's Commendation for your diligent service. Be aware that with this step into junior-management comes great responsibility. You will find your security clearance has been upgraded, and your passcards now give you access to the supervisor's lounge on Lancaster Trade Station.
With these formalities dispatched with, I expect you all to give your best. We have invested a great deal of trust in those who have received promotions, and we expect you all to honour that trust. Those of you with new-found seniority, use it wisely. This is aimed at Supervisor Clark in particular. There were objections raised regarding your appointment, and you will have to impress your seniors in order to wave them aside.
WELL THAT'S JUST BEAUTIFUL!
LADS, LADS! Everyone to the bloody Lion, time to celebrate! Free drinks for everyone who is not a Zoner or a Kusarian. In that case, free airlock decompression. But nevertheless, FREE DRINKS!
<div align="right][color=#000000]Drinks are on Peterson.