To: Red Hessian Army | From: Taskmaster Escher, VR/Merak | Re: Going to Hel

[Thexare]

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Others within the Raiders are attempting to source a Corvo-class exploration cruiser, or at least the hull of one.

It would be a great ship for... certain specialized purposes. The problem is, lately our Zoner contacts have proven about as trustworthy as a drunk Junker, and some of their other schemes to get the ship... well.

There's a reason the plotting is left to me most of the time, I'll put it that way.

So I've done some research into alternative options, and I believe your old Hel-class interdiction cruiser would make an adequate frame for our project. The intended purpose is... indirect. Electronic warfare on a larger scale than that which our Bayonets and Anki refits can provide - and, if successful, we intend to share this technology with the Bundschuh and Hessians for the security of your bases.

As for what wre've done for you lately... that Sturmgrenadier HQ isn't polluting Dresden anymore.

Of course, we're not asking for this for free - name your price and we'll see if it's feasible.

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= Location: The Emerald CityERRORERRORERROR

[Zayne Carrick]

Transmission established...
Source: Vogtland base, Dresden system
ID: Diplomat Gotthold Ludewig

Guten tag, taskmaster Escher.

We've admitted your input into destruction of hostile base in Dresden system. Also, we usually don't have problems with sharing a bit outdated technology with factions, who help us on a regular basis.
But first you must deliver following goods to Vogtland base.
* 1000 units of engine components
* 10000 units of industrial materials
* 1000 units of light arms
We can't build ship from space hydrogen, you know.

Second, once ship is build, you shouldn't use it outside of Rheinland and/or Omegas systems. Also, it shouldn't be used to harm or provoke any friends of hessian movement or volksrevolution.

Transmission terminated.

[Thexare]

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== Encryption: Starting to seem irrelevent, honestly. ==

Hrm...

The Rheinland limitation is something of a problem. Beyond just needing to bring it home for the initial refitting, we'll need to continually experiment with the EW systems, and while the Hessians make very good ships, we have very specific needs for this project. Of course, having it on-hand to deal with Gallic incursions into the Barrier would also be useful.

We will need to discuss these terms internally. The supplies and non-aggression won't be an issue.

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[Thexare]

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== Encryption: Starting to seem irrelevent, honestly. ==

As I had suspected, those terms simply do not work for us.

We can provide additional supplies beyond those necessary for the vessel's construction or de-mothballing as the case may be, and our own crew. Outside of Rheinland, we have no intention of using it in offensive operations, but we can't withhold such a useful asset from the defense of the Barrier against the Gallic Navy, and defense of our colony.

I am aware that Gallia is not yet your problem. Consider the following, however:

Kusari has already fallen under Gallic influence, and Bretonia is under constant assault. Kusari has for a long time been an ally of Rheinland, or close to one. In the aftermath of the war with Liberty (it's not over yet, but it won't be nearly as intense as it was) they will need assistance, but Kusari isn't exactly in great shape either, shown by outsourcing some of their ship production to Daumann. Ah, but there's the noble king of Gallia, ready to offer support. At first, perhaps there will be no strings attached to the offer, but as they continue to hammer Bretonia, the Kanzler will see merit in throwing in his lot with the invaders.

This would be bad for the Hessians and worse for the Landwirtrechtbewegung and the Bundschuh. You see, a few months ago I learned that this war is not one of reason. It's not even one of conquest, not traditionally. It's a war of revenge for a perceived crime that predates the Exodus. An imagined offense a millenium ago.

They won't stop at simple victory.

This went on longer than I intended, but I believe it's only fair that you know why we consider that limitation to be a problem.

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[Zayne Carrick]

Transmission established...
Source: Vogtland base, Dresden system
ID: Diplomat Gotthold Ludewig

Tag again, taskmaster Escher.

Oberkommando thought about your words. And they sound right. But you should understand our position aswell. If ship came from our shipyard will interfere with people we don't want to, hessian movement will have some problems.

So we think that this ship will be allowed to leave Rheinland, but we don't want you to use it offencive outside our house. Protection and jamming-maybe, but not direct assaults. Additionaly, once your project will be finished, we want you to modify one of our Vidar-class cruisers in same way.

Transmission terminated.

[Thexare]

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== Encryption: Starting to seem irrelevent, honestly. ==

It's an understandable concern.

All our non-Rheinlandic operations are targeting Gallic Royalists and the corporations that support them, or in defense of our colony. We have an... understanding regarding the Independent Miners Guild. I can't elaborate fully on the why and how, but we're not extorting anything from them and we're keeping them off our target list. It's been determined to be for the best for everyone involved.

Outside that, though, we've determined that it's in the best interest of the colony that we provoke no more than we need to. But Gallia must be stopped, and many among the Raiders have taken a personal interest in the Bundschuh cause.

Your new terms - that we refit a Vidar-class cruiser with the same technology - are acceptable, as long as you can accept some delays. While we're testing the technology now, we simply do not have a cruiser frame or power grid to work with, and therefore we cannot properly upscale our prototypes. I'm certain it will work, but it'll take some modification and calibration before we can be sure it's working at full efficiency. When that's done, we will refit a ship for you with the same equipment, and until that's done we will update you periodically with the testing results.

I will contact Quartermaster de Shahrizai and arrange for the delivery of the materials as soon as possible.

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