Yesterday I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to fly a reconnaissance mission through the Bretonian Capital. Unfortunately, there was very little worth reporting. Either our attacks over the past few months have cowed the Bretonians sufficiently that they are now willing to hide in the dank corners of the system, or the Lynx possesses better stealth systems then I had been lead to believe.
Regardless, the mission was not a complete waste of time. I was able to locate and destroy a series of Bretonian depots, a set of each in orbit of Southampton Shipyard and Kensignton Shipping Platform (accounting for what appear to be waste storage, scrap deposits and a H-Fuel dump), and evade the attention of a rather irritating BPA pilot bearing the name of Tator Salad, who I shall refrain from commenting on. Visual logs of the day's activities are attached.
Transmission was not submitted before leave. Remedying now. Report as follows.
Began Agincourt interdiction patrol. First contact was Carl Johnson, apparent Freelancer. Given standard challenge protocol, no response and multiple engine spin ups despite warnings. Target was put down.
Returned to oversight near Battleship Oubli. Moved to investigate reports of possible contacts near the Magellan anomaly, discovered independent bomber vessel. Upon challenge contact Hernan Cortes declared himself to be a pirate seeking to attack Bretonian targets. Initiated combat when contact refused to depart Crown space; completed neutralization.
Repaired and rearmed, responded to minor incident in Tau-31 system. After incident contact with Planetform vessel CBass92 hauling modular construction parts was made. Successfully forced cargo from target, but was caught unawares as contact spun up engines and made escape despite pursuit.
Returned to Agincourt system and maintained watch near Battleship Oubli. Made contact with professed Zoner Kalvin Klein. Contact appeared to be unstable mentally and rambled absurdities, refused to answer challenge, and made request for funds. Neutralized contact over planet.
The Bretonians appear to have abandoned defense of their realm in favor of leaving it to paper-armored transports and mercenaries. Neither of which was quite able to stand up to the efforts of Daniel Neilsen and I. While I do approve of the new defensive strategy, it does take the challenge out of things.
After a brief stint on the lanes in Manchester, where we happened across a DSE transport that behaved sensibly and a so-called Zoner that did quite the opposite, in addition to a sleeping Hunter Gunboat, we progressed on to Magellan. While the lane traffic was comparatively quiet, we were able to pinpoint a Bretonian Heavy Fighter loitering around the Freeport, who was decent enough to come to us. The duel, fought by Neilsen while I kept an eye on a Hellfire Legion fighter in the vicinity, proceeded (surprisingly) fairly right up to the point a mercenary gunboat undocked from the Freeport and powered weapons.
With the aid of the Legionnaire, one Michaela Sandera, the Captain of the gunboat quickly diverted that power to his escape pod. Shortly afterwards Neilsen and I turned for home, leaving the heavy fighter to his dancing.
At any rate, EFL's prototype has performed better then I could have expected, and I will be certain to inform them of the success at the earliest possible opportunity.
Early yesterday I had the opportunity of accompanying monsieur Baton on his inaugural patrol. While our initial flight in Manchester saw little action from a military standpoint, we were able to interfere with a number of shipments travelling to and from Bretonian space. The crews were left with their pods for the Bretonians to collect. With any luck, they may serve to bring the various corporations supplying the forces in New London to their senses, but I would not place money on it.
With the trade-lanes growing relatively quiet, we instead moved to Magellan to introduce Pascal to the frontline. Our arrival at the jumpgate to Liberty space was greeted with two Fifth Fleet fighters, whom we dragged away from the gate before moving to engage them. The first fighter, struggling to stand before our volleys, retreated to the safety of Freeport 4's weapons, with his comrade following shortly after. A third Fifth fighter joined them there shortly thereafter. While the attention was flattering, at that point there was little to be gained by remaining, and Pascal and I withdrew to Agincourt.
This is my first reported transmission on an operation I have been conducting to collect solid intelligence on the structure of the Weddel Ice Field, in the Liberty Navy Zone of the Magellan system. This schematic outlines the flight paths I intend to take with my "Caracal" Class Recon fighter, equipped with long range sensor materials. The first sweep revealed only limited intelligence, some trade lane infrastructure; however on the second run through I hit gold. As I approached the last 25% of my patrol I came across a telemetric and gravitational anomaly; a jumphole to be precise. The jumphole is frequently used, as its foreign emission rate is exceedingly high. No external defenses have been detected, but I didn't dare jump through with out proper fire support. I suggest we set up a recon satellite in the area to monitor the anomalies traffic capacities and determine the composition of the population beyond it.
TRANSMISSION ENTRANT PRIORITÉ: MEDIUM SUJET: PROMOTIONS
ID: Général Lucie LeBlanc, Marine Royale Gauloise
High Command - those of them who aren't very busy slacking off, that is - announces the following rank adjustments:
Firstly, Capitaine Jaques Fontaine is raised to the rank of Commandant, in recognition of his long service within the Royal Navy's ranks. Lieutenant Maurice Cornett is raised to the rank of Capitaine. Sous-Lieutenants Leon Dupont, Mathis Launcelot, and Camille Gabriel are raised to the rank of Lieutenant. Aspirants Tomiko Himura, Damien Chevalier, and Pascal Baton are raised to the rank of Sous-Lieutenant, following completion of their introductory periods.
Interesting day today....I got reports of a little battle happening in Magellan with the Libertonians. I jumped into my " Cougar " Bomber and headed out to investigate. When I arrived, the reports were true. About seven Navy Bombers were attacking our " Valor " Dreadnoughts. I quickly jumped in, and managed to destroy two of them. After one of the ' Valor " destructions, one made it out to safety, and the Navy bombers retreated back to Freeport. I believe these two pilots are some high ranked ones in the Liberty Navy too, but who cares...right? *he smirked*
New London was, once again, silent. Fortunately, I was able to take advantage of the opportunity for a moment's sightseeing. While the list below is by no means definitive, I will endeavor to return over the next few days for a complete survey. In the meantime, I hope the list below will provide an indicator of the more prominent modular facilities in Bretonian capital space.
Initiated standard combat patrol off of Battleship Guillestre in Tau-23 system. Initial contact with hostile gunboats near Java Station. No combat initiated due to lack of supporting firepower. Detected and recorded Ageira and Bowex identified vessels launching off of Java Station. Was unable to prevent return to station. Submitting records below.
Resumed patrol circuit of system and intercepted Council "Stellion" class VHF near Tau-29 anomaly. Traversing to a relatively Outcast free sector, initiated combat against and destroyed hostile.
Returned to Java Station to resume patrol pattern after destruction of target. Detected Independent Miner's Guild pilot returning to Java Station in Colonial "Nyx" class VHF. Challenged pilot on illegality of vessel per Section 3.2 of Gallic Royal Charter. Pilot refused to yield and obey order to surrender vessel, initiated combat to remove pilot from vessel by force. Objective achieved.
Initiated interdiction patrol off of Battleship Oubli in response to patrol sightings of Interspace Commerce vessels operating in Dublin system. Initial sweep of known mining territories yielded no contact, expanded patrol to full system sweep. Discovered first vessel in north-west quadrant unguarded and laden with Gold Ore, maintaining watch over additional ore in space. When second contact arrived on scene to retrieve ore, levy on transports was issued. Discussion proved long and pointless as captains of the vessels quibbled over minor expenditures. Engagement against targets began resulting in one kill and half of the raw materials lost to the asteroid belt. Initial target used confusion to escape to protection of Battleship Hood. Audio and visual logs attached.
Code:
[12.03.2014 05:54:44] GRN|Raptor.: Ah ha!
[12.03.2014 05:54:50] GRN|Raptor.: Libertonian sighted.
[12.03.2014 05:55:05] IC|Salem: isuppose i can say aha Gallic spotted
[12.03.2014 05:55:18] GRN|Raptor.: You could say many things.
[12.03.2014 05:55:34] GRN|Raptor.: It seems I have caught you fat and loaded, oui?
[12.03.2014 05:55:38] IC|Salem: one hell of a ship
[12.03.2014 05:55:46] IC|Salem: looks sleek and sexy
[12.03.2014 05:56:08] GRN|Raptor.: And with another 5,000 or so units of ore ready to ship.
[12.03.2014 05:56:10] IC|Salem: i mean look at it
[12.03.2014 05:56:22] GRN|Raptor.: Truly this is a good day for the Crown.
[12.03.2014 05:56:35] IC|Salem: its a good day for all of us every day i guess
[12.03.2014 05:56:43] IC|Salem: but your ship damn
[12.03.2014 05:56:49] IC|Salem: i cant take my eyes of it
[12.03.2014 05:56:51] GRN|Raptor.: Oui. It is a Cougar.
[12.03.2014 05:57:03] GRN|Raptor.: Ripping to shreds the enemies of the Crown.
[12.03.2014 05:57:16] IC|Salem: i dont care what it rips it or shreds
[12.03.2014 05:57:19] IC|Salem: but damn
[12.03.2014 05:57:36] GRN|Raptor.: It may well yet rip and shred you, monsieur Libertonian.
[12.03.2014 05:57:46] IC|Salem: me no way
[12.03.2014 05:57:51] IC|Salem: but damn
[12.03.2014 05:58:00] IC|Salem: the crown does have good ships in its line
[12.03.2014 05:58:12] IC|Salem: sorry for getting this much excited
[12.03.2014 05:58:14] GRN|Raptor.: And where do you intend to bear your rich plunder, Libertonian?
[12.03.2014 05:58:22] IC|Salem: hmmm
[12.03.2014 05:58:43] IC|Salem: if i understood what you just said i could have become a gallic by right now
[12.03.2014 05:58:55] IC|Salem: *waves*
[12.03.2014 05:58:56] GRN|Raptor.: Do no play foolishness wih me.
[12.03.2014 05:59:01] GRN|Raptor.: *not
[12.03.2014 05:59:11] IC|Salem: does it look like i am playing
[12.03.2014 05:59:24] GRN|Raptor.: Answer le question.
[12.03.2014 05:59:28] IC|Salem: which one
[12.03.2014 05:59:30] GRN|Raptor.: Ah, another Libertonian.
[12.03.2014 05:59:38] IC|Salem: aye
[12.03.2014 05:59:38] IC|Mercana.Shirou: What "le question?"
[12.03.2014 05:59:41] GRN|Raptor.: Where are you taking your plunder?
[12.03.2014 06:00:02] IC|Mercana.Shirou: To our own base, in Kusari space sir
[12.03.2014 06:00:14] GRN|Raptor.: And you are of Libertonian origin, oui?
[12.03.2014 06:00:18] IC|Salem: is your ship made of copper and tellerium because its cute
[12.03.2014 06:00:34] IC|Mercana.Shirou: Does Mercana Shirou sound Libertonian to you Gallic?
[12.03.2014 06:00:39] IC|Mercana.Shirou: I am from Honshu, thank you.
[12.03.2014 06:00:46] GRN|Raptor.: Your corporation is Libertonian.
[12.03.2014 06:00:58] IC|Salem: aye i am from honshu aswell Ishiro.Tomak is my name
[12.03.2014 06:01:04] IC|Mercana.Shirou: Yet we operate primarily in Kusari space
[12.03.2014 06:01:06] GRN|Raptor.: Hmm.
[12.03.2014 06:01:14] IC|Mercana.Shirou: In fact, we pretty much live there *grins*
[12.03.2014 06:01:21] GRN|Raptor.: Then you will not mind yielding taxes to the Crown, oui?
[12.03.2014 06:01:41] IC|Mercana.Shirou: What sort of crown? Of gold or thorns? *smirks*
[12.03.2014 06:02:01] GRN|Raptor.: Your arrogance will end you if you remain smug, Monsieur Shirou.
[12.03.2014 06:02:15] IC|Mercana.Shirou: Hmmm
[12.03.2014 06:02:17] GRN|Raptor.: Or do you truly expect an Agent of the Crown to be insulted by such as yours?
[12.03.2014 06:02:38] IC|Mercana.Shirou: You know not who you are talking to?
[12.03.2014 06:02:58] IC|Mercana.Shirou: An Agent of the Crown.. I am a businessman, the leader of this Organization
[12.03.2014 06:02:59] GRN|Raptor.: I see Libertonian corporate men.
[12.03.2014 06:03:06] IC|Mercana.Shirou: *glares* But I understand taxes..
[12.03.2014 06:03:11] IC|Mercana.Shirou: Do you have documentation for such?
[12.03.2014 06:03:26] GRN|Raptor.: My identification papers declare all you need to know.
[12.03.2014 06:03:37] IC|Mercana.Shirou: I would note that if we find any discrepincies in your paperwork we will file a report with our legal department
[12.03.2014 06:03:46] IC|Mercana.Shirou: Now, what is this tax you speak of?
[12.03.2014 06:03:56] GRN|Raptor.: Your Libertonian lawyers do not frighten me.
[12.03.2014 06:04:05] IC|Mercana.Shirou: Did I ever say they were from Liberty? No
[12.03.2014 06:04:13] GRN|Raptor.: Heh.
[12.03.2014 06:04:23] IC|Mercana.Shirou: Again, I am Kusarian *glares in anger*
[12.03.2014 06:04:37] IC|Salem: *tires to show some angerness ends in epic fail*
[12.03.2014 06:04:43] GRN|Raptor.: As if the Crown will hear them. Your citizenship is irrelevant, your corporation is an enemy of the Crown.
[12.03.2014 06:04:58] IC|Mercana.Shirou: Well what will it be, I have yet to hear your terms?
[12.03.2014 06:05:00] GRN|Raptor.: They will pay the appropriate levy.
[12.03.2014 06:05:15] GRN|Raptor.: 25,000,000 of your Sirius Credits for the passage of both vessels.
[12.03.2014 06:05:26] GRN|Raptor.: Escorted to the border of Tau-29.
[12.03.2014 06:05:39] IC|Mercana.Shirou: Ridiculous, that would be the entire profit for these loads
[12.03.2014 06:05:54] GRN|Raptor.: Your numbers are quite off, I'm certain.
[12.03.2014 06:06:07] GRN|Raptor.: It is not -per- vessel, but for -both- vessels.
[12.03.2014 06:06:09] IC|Mercana.Shirou: We are transporting this ore to our own facility?
[12.03.2014 06:06:22] IC|Mercana.Shirou: What profit do we have to make off it besides operating cost yes?
[12.03.2014 06:06:34] GRN|Raptor.: Your resale will earn you much, I'm sure.
[12.03.2014 06:06:49] GRN|Raptor.: Do not play the Crown for a fool, capitaine.
[12.03.2014 06:07:02] IC|Mercana.Shirou: We prefer to keep the raw material in our banks. We are a financial company after all.
[12.03.2014 06:07:17] GRN|Raptor.: Then it is the price you pay to maintain your reserves.
[12.03.2014 06:07:51] GRN|Raptor.: Answer quickly.
[12.03.2014 06:07:54] IC|Mercana.Shirou: I will pay 15 million for us both, not a credit more
[12.03.2014 06:08:07] GRN|Raptor.: Your terms are unacceptable. Twenty.
[12.03.2014 06:08:19] IC|Mercana.Shirou: 17million, final offer
[12.03.2014 06:08:23] GRN|Raptor.: Given your Libertonian origins you are getting a bargain.
[12.03.2014 06:08:31] IC|Mercana.Shirou: I am from Kusari!
[12.03.2014 06:08:34] IC|Mercana.Shirou: *slams fist*
[12.03.2014 06:08:35] IC|Salem: me too
[12.03.2014 06:08:37] GRN|Raptor.: Your corporation.
[12.03.2014 06:08:44] GRN|Raptor.: Is Libertonian.
[12.03.2014 06:08:45] IC|Mercana.Shirou: You gaijin are all the same
[12.03.2014 06:08:51] GRN|Raptor.: And thus an enemy of the Crown.
[12.03.2014 06:08:53] IC|Mercana.Shirou: Take the 17 million
[12.03.2014 06:09:11] GRN|Raptor.: It is the mercy of the King that offers you 20 in exchange for your safety.
[12.03.2014 06:09:41] IC|Mercana.Shirou: I insist, 17 million, its a generous offer for a lone gunman
[12.03.2014 06:09:54] GRN|Raptor.: Monsieur, I am not a lone gunman, but the Crown in this space.
[12.03.2014 06:10:09] IC|Mercana.Shirou: Im sure the Mollys would love to hear about this as well *grins*
[12.03.2014 06:10:15] GRN|Raptor.: You are already being shown a leniency of 20%.
[12.03.2014 06:10:26] IC|Mercana.Shirou: Enforcing laws of the "Crown" in their space... *laughs*
[12.03.2014 06:10:42] IC|Mercana.Shirou: 17 million..
[12.03.2014 06:10:43] GRN|Raptor.: Monsieur, do not threaten foolishness or I will conclude you for a fool.
[12.03.2014 06:10:55] GRN|Raptor.: 20. It is the last offer I will give.
[12.03.2014 06:11:02] IC|Mercana.Shirou: Well.. I was born on April Fools day... heh *grins*
[12.03.2014 06:11:05] GRN|Raptor.: Or you may risk your profits for 3 million.
[12.03.2014 06:11:29] IC|Salem: you know 3millions is too much i can feed an entire city with that for a month
[12.03.2014 06:11:37] GRN|Raptor.: And the CRown can do as much as well.
[12.03.2014 06:11:41] GRN|Raptor.: Whom do I care for more?
[12.03.2014 06:12:05] IC|Mercana.Shirou: I dont have time for this...
[12.03.2014 06:12:07] GRN|Raptor.: I have been more than patient, monsieur. What is your offer?
[12.03.2014 06:12:12] GRN|Raptor.: Oui, or non?
[12.03.2014 06:12:41] IC|Mercana.Shirou: Why not 18?
[12.03.2014 06:12:49] GRN|Raptor.: Monsieur, you are a fool.
[12.03.2014 06:12:57] IC|Mercana.Shirou: Alright then..
[12.03.2014 06:12:58] GRN|Raptor.: Bargaining over 3 that would save your life.
[12.03.2014 06:13:11] GRN|Raptor.: Yield twenty now or suffer.
[12.03.2014 06:13:53] IC|Mercana.Shirou: *lights cigar*
[12.03.2014 06:13:54] GRN|Raptor.: I will destroy your friend first, perhaps, oui?
[12.03.2014 06:14:09] GRN|Raptor.: Watch you suffer his loss for your foolishness?
[12.03.2014 06:14:14] IC|Mercana.Shirou: Now you've done it
[12.03.2014 06:14:22] IC|Mercana.Shirou: No more games,
[12.03.2014 06:14:24] GRN|Raptor.: And then burn you if you continue in your foolish ways.
[12.03.2014 06:14:29] IC|Mercana.Shirou: Prepare to die scum!
[12.03.2014 06:14:56] IC|Salem: You GRN scum bag i wll return for you mark my words
[12.03.2014 06:15:55] IC|Salem: You GRN scumbag come to me
[12.03.2014 06:16:14] IC|Salem: OH wait i dont think you are manly enough do it
[12.03.2014 06:16:26] Death: IC|Mercana.Shirou was killed by GRN|Raptor. (Gun)
[12.03.2014 06:16:47] GRN|Raptor.: Come monsieur.
[12.03.2014 06:16:49] IC|Mercana.Shirou: *ejects to safety, disappearing into the asteroid field* "Til next time Gallic!
[12.03.2014 06:16:50] IC|Salem: You GRN SCUMBAG i wll put you in the drainage hole for this
[12.03.2014 06:16:52] GRN|Raptor.: Show me your courage!
[12.03.2014 06:16:58] IC|Salem: MARK MY WORDS I WLL RETURN FOR YOU
[12.03.2014 06:16:59] Traffic control alert: IC|Salem has requested to dock
[12.03.2014 06:17:09] IC|Mercana.Shirou: "We will meet again Gallic!"**--static--*
[12.03.2014 06:17:13] GRN|Raptor.: Foolish Libertonians.
[12.03.2014 06:17:22] IC|Salem: I wll make you beg for Mercy when i am done with you there will be no family left for you
[12.03.2014 06:17:34] GRN|Raptor.: I left my family to rot long ago.
[12.03.2014 06:17:38] GRN|Raptor.: *snorts*
[12.03.2014 06:17:48] IC|Salem: guess that explains why you are this much of a scumbag
[12.03.2014 06:17:58] GRN|Raptor.: *grins wickedly*
[12.03.2014 06:18:06] GRN|Raptor.: You've no idea, foolish Libertonian.
[12.03.2014 06:18:08] IC|Salem: you will go back to the same drain pit were the colonials found you