To the GRN, from a Concerned Party

[Jayce]

Jerry looks at the comms panel, a warm and inviting expression plastered on his face.

Heya guys! Allow me to introduce myself. My name's Jerry, Jerry Rigg. I'm the captain of the Fat Clydesdale. Y'know, the vicious Percheron, the scourge of Pennsylvania?

Pressing a button on the panel, a few guncam recordings of a Percheron attacking Dunkirks, Overlords, and Defiants flash up on the screen, complete with symphonic tones in the background.

I'd like to meet up with someone in your ranks, someone important. I've got a business offer to discuss that may just benefit both of us in the long run. Not someone too important, though. I don't like drawing attention. Shoot me a message back on this channel when ya' get the chance!

The scruffy man spins around in his rolly chair and cuts the comms, the feed disappearing into static.

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[Omi]

Battleship Oubli, Leeds System
12. janvier, 738 AGS

Sender: Capitaine Katsuko Komatsu, Légion Étrangère.
Recipient: 'Jerry Rigg'.
Topic: Re: Business offer.

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Zenryaku,

I can't say I've ever heard of you, mister, ah - 'Jerry'. Or the 'Fat Clydesdale'. And it's been years since I was in Pennsylvania.

In any case, your transmission was pushed out to my end of things. You know - the Foreign Legion end of things. I'm sure you can infer what that means. My guess is that the nice shots of battleships going up in smoke caught more than a few people's attention - but that they probably don't want to admit it to themselves, either. Go figure. Coincidentally, I probably fall right into your category of 'not-too-important' as well.

I hope you've got more to tell me than just wanting to apply for the Termination Commission. That's publicly advertised, you know. You could have found that yourself with a neural-net search. That said, my gut tells me you have something more to offer than just being a bounty hunter with a novel choice of ship.

I feel I should warn you - the Royal Navy isn't big on 'cutting deals', so to speak. You probably knew that - or had an idea, at least - before you even started recording, but they really mean it. If you're after Naval technology, you may as well give up right now. Fair warning.

Sousou,

Katsuko Komatsu
Légion Étrangère
Gallic Royal Navy

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Transmission End

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[Jayce]

Wonderful to hear back from you so quickly!

He wheels around in his chair, gliding across the bridge at a breakneck pace. His face pans into view, almost disturbingly close to the video recorder.

I wouldn't mind being on your little Bounty Board thingy, if you want to. That's not what I called you for, though. See, I'm in the piracy business, or "privateering," if you prefer a more polite term. I'm less in it for the money, and more for the excitement. I'd have joined a House Navy or something, but I got turned away from every one I approached. Something about flat feet?

Mister Rigg lifts a hefty, brown boot in front of the camera, as if to intensify his point.

Not entirely sure what that's about. Back to business, anyway. From what I've seen on the newsfeeds, you lot are rather proficient at, ehm, taking apart Bretonian Capitals. Big ones, like Dunkirks. Word in the bars is that you're planning a major offensive, and I'd like to tag along. You know, for the scrap. See, I've got this idea that I'd like to put into action. I've attached a small diagram to display what I'd like done.

He leans back contentedly, rather sure that his diagram is probably the best picture ever made. Better than any engineer or draftist.

For sure.

See, the Bretonians aren't too keen on just handing one of these guns over, so I figure, what's the next best thing? Getting it for free! The way I see it, if I can tag along behind ya'lls fleet and lift one of the turrets off the wreck, mounting and all, I ccould just shove it on top of the Clydey!

Swiping a bead of excited sweat off his brow, he grins a less-than-well-maintained smile, trying his best to be convincing.

"Well, what's in it for us?" You might ask? Well... Ehr... I'll get back to you on that one, yeah? Maybe when we meet up in person. Catch ya'!

[Omi]

Battleship Oubli, Leeds System
14. janvier, 738 AGS

Sender: Capitaine Katsuko Komatsu, Légion Étrangère.
Recipient: 'Jerry Rigg'.
Topic: Re: Diagram.

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*Komatsu appears on screen, her expression best described incredulous.*

Are you serious?

No, really - is this even possible? I mean-

*She breaks off, skepticism written across her features as she glances somewhere off-camera - presumably looking at the freeze-frame of Jerry's "unique" diagram.*

-that turret is massive compared to your transport. Not to mention the drain on a transport-class capacitor.

*She refocuses her gaze on the camera, trying to look a little more composed.*

I'm not entirely convinced, but I can't deny that I - personally - am interested. Not from a professional perspective, of course, but...

*There is another long, uncomfortable pause as the Kusarian looks at the provided 'schematics' one more time.*

You know, I used to be in a similar line of work. I would have killed for something like that. Assuming, of course, it actually works. Which, well, I mean- at this stage, that looks like a really big assumption to make.

*Biting her lip thoughtfully, Komatsu seems to come to a decision.*

Okay- oh, and this is strictly off the record for now, you understand - but you can consider me interested. I'm really interested to know what you intend to offer m- or, rather, the Royal Navy - in exchange for all this.

That's probably something best done in private, like you suggested. No offense, but I'm not sure how strong the signal encryption is on your end. You can't intercept face-to-face, right?

Let me know.

*A last flicker of doubt shimmers across her face, so fast that it's almost imperceptible, before she reaches forwards and turns the camera off.*

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Transmission End

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[Omi]

Battleship Oubli, Leeds System
16. janvier, 738 AGS

Sender: Capitaine Katsuko Komatsu, Légion Étrangère.
Recipient: 'Jerry Rigg'.
Topic: Re: Business offer.

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Haikei,

I'll keep this brief, since I guess you're after the data rather than the small talk.

::]TELEMETRY PACKAGE[::

This is what one of our Cougars uploaded to the mainframe earlier. That's a dead Dunkirk if I ever saw one. Along with the guncam, you'll find all data regarding the exact time the kill was logged, the approximate co-ordinates of destruction, and even a projection of where the wreck might be drifting towards. That's Gallic technology for you. I hope you can access all that info on your end. The file type might need to be converted.

If there's any problems, let me know. I suggest getting on your way ASAP, because the longer you wait, the harder it'll be to find - and even if you do find it, it might batter itself into uselessly small chunks in the meantime.

Good luck. Oh, and - if it actually ends up working, send me a picture or two. I'm dying to know if you're crazy and rich, or a rich genius - or just plain rich. Maybe even all three. Who knows?

Oh - and here's my list:

• 10x Jumbo-Size Multipacks, Kyushu-grown Rice
  
• 10x bottles of Sendai-brand sake, 750ml
  
• 1x bottle of Dublin Firebrand Whiskey, 1500ml
  
• 1x bottle of Cretan 'Escopeta' Rum, 1500ml
  
• 1x bottle of Gorodok Vodka, 1500ml
  

Some of that is a little exotic - but I really haven't drunk anything but wine for years now. Seriously.

We can hash out the details of that particular transfer another time. For now, good luck (again), and goodbye, Jerry.

Keigu,

Katsuko Komatsu
Légion Étrangère
Gallic Royal Navy

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Transmission End

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