The recruitment officer looked up at the sound of his office door opening and a rhythmic clicking approaching his desk. As his vision fixed on a casual, yet tidily dressed man, he flinched as sharp clack of metal on metal briefly startled him. The man in front of him stood at easy attention before the desk...not the sort of overly rigid attention of some blow-in new recruit, trying to seem all spit and polish in an effort to impress, but that of someone who had done it thousands of times before...someone that could relax into it and stand for hours while maintaining the proper dress and bearing.
As the recruiter was about to speak and ask the man his name, a faint whirring and clicking drew his attention. Looking down he noticed the mans left hand bore the unmistakable shine of a synthetic replacement limb. He abruptly looked up, realising that the rhythmic clicking he had heard on his approach also meant at least one of his legs was a "synthrep" as well.
"I'm sorry..." he began, intending to inform the man that he couldn't take his application, as he had civilian-grade synthetic limbs and would not pass the standard entrance physical. The man produced an e-pad and handed it to the recruiter.
"Let me stop you there Sub-Lieutenant," the man said, in a steel-edged tone that indicated he would suffer no foolishness, "I have special dispensation to apply to re-enlist, due to previous service. You'll see the MED-117-A is correctly filled and filed and has been endorsed by a serving officer".
The recruiter stopped and looked down at the e-pad, seeing that the correct forms had indeed been filled, filed and cross-signed. He looked back up at the man, somewhat stunned.
"Uh, these all seem in order," he stammered, "but your hand and..." he trailed off looking down.
"Courtesy of the BAF" the man replied, tapping his artificial left knuckles against his left thigh, with a faint metallic thud, "Class 6 Mil-spec".
The Sub-Lieutenant took a brief breath and stood up from behind his desk. He looked the man over; casual but neat dress, generally well kept even though he'd obviously not seen a razor in a couple of days. Everything looked ok...until he met the man's eyes. This chap had seen some action in his time...And there was something more...a steely look of determination.
"Ok," the Sub-Lieutenant said, "May I have your name and ask why you wish to re-enlist?"
"Certainly," the man said, "Lieutenant Commander James Morris, formally of No 617Sqn" he stated. "Simply put, I want back in to help crush those Gallic thugs and send them scampering back behind the minefield barriers they crawled out from. That, and I wouldn't mind a chance to give the Molly's a good kicking, just for good measure, in the process."
Feeling momentarily panicked, the Sub-Lieutenant snapped to attention himself and rendered a smart salute and a crisp "SAH!".
"Relax Subbie," Jim replied, feeling a little amused and smiling at the eager young officer, "No need to go straining yourself and popping a vac-seal. There's no need to be so formal, just yet. Call me Jim."
"Uh, Yes Sir...I mean, No Sir...Uh, oh dear me", the young officer stammered
"Ok, so, everything in order?" Jim asked, indicating the e-pad
"Uh, Yes Sir." the Sub-Lieutenant replied, looking the forms over again, "I'll just forward it to the review board and they'll be in touch."
"Thanks," Jim replied, "I guess I'll go find myself some coffee and wait for their reply then," he said, spinning smartly on his heel.
"But you might be waiting for days!" the young officer replied, in concern, after him.
"Well then," Jim said, looking back over his shoulder and winking, as he went through the door, "I'd better make sure it's good coffee and in plentiful supply!"
*************************************
Bretonia Armed Forces Application Form
I. Personal Information
Your name and surname: James "Jim" Morris
Age: 43
Region, House or Location of Origin: Caernarfon Station, Poole, Bretonia
Are you are Bretonian Citizen? Yes
Any useful experience and qualifications: Plenty of trading and mining experience. Previous military service (BAF): long-range patrol, search and destroy, convoy escort etc. Briefly commanded No.617 Squadron (Special Projects) evaluating a series of modified Havok II advanced medium bombers for use in long-range, deep penetration operations against Kusari and Gallic forces and infrastructure.
Motivation for joining the Bretonia Armed Forces: I was previously enlisted with the BAF back over a decade ago. (RL change of career stopped a lot of playing time dead in its tracks. Would like to pick up where I left off all those years ago and enjoy what time I have to myself these days.)
Short biography:
Jim had had his fill of war and killing. He'd done his time fighting the Kusari; he'd helped secure the realm against the Molly pirates and other threats to Bretonia. With the Gallic advance on Bretonia, he'd briefly been called back to help hold the line against the Gallic forces. After being severely injured in the defence of New London, he had retired and gone to work for his maternal family's mining business (Rees Mining Co - a sub-contractor to BMM) along with his father, John.
Deciding to settle down, he got married and started a family (wife and child on Caernarfon Station in Poole system). Life seemed to be going ok for the retired pilot. He was reasonably well off, still got to fly (running escort on company convoys or freight back and forth to Rheinland) but also be around to support his growing family. Then, during what was supposed to be a routine gold mining run, in the Dublin goldfields, things changed.
A recent incursion by Gallic backed "pirates" in the Dublin system, ended with the death of his Father. Having lost his brother and family (listed as missing) earlier in the conflict with Gallia (during the invasion of Leeds) he finally decided he had no other choice than to reenlist and help stop further losses at the hands of the Gallian nation and roving bands of pirates. He would broker no more threat to his family, home or nation.
After contacting some old friends in the Bretonia Armed Forces, he has gained special dispensation to apply to reenlist; he has just one final hurdle to cross before he would have a chance to take aim at the forces of Gallia once again...The BAF admiralty board.
Knowledge Questions
Quote the Bretonia Armed Forces motto? Carina, Regina, Imperatrix
Who is the current fleet admiral of Queen Carina the First's Armed Forces? Fleet Admiral Zhukov Redmond
What is the name of the Bretonia Armed Forces flagship? The HMS Pendragon
Enumerate the primary factions Her Majesty's Armed Forces are currently at war with: Alien entities, Auxesia, Bundschuh, Coalition, Corsairs, Gallic Royalists, Farmers Alliance, Gaians, Gallic Brigands, Hogosha, Lane Hackers, Gallic National Intelligence, Liberty Rogues, Liberty Insurgency, Mollys, Order, Outcasts, Marinenachrichtendienst, Pirates, Red Hessians, Unione Corse, Unioners, Xenos, Kusari Office of Intelligence
If you painted something on your ship, what would it be? A winged skull with 3 blood drops beneath it and a rampant lion and dragon facing each other above
// ooRP section
How would you rate your RP skills from 1 to 10? Been away a long time, so I would say 4ish.
How would you rate your PvP skills from 1 to 10? Not sure. Been a long time since I have tried.
What is your Discord address? ACEwoK666#9160
Have you ever been sanctioned? If you have, what for? No.
Do you agree to always be fair, considerate of other players and not to take inRP hostilities with characters to an ooRP level? Yes.
What is your ooRP reason for joining the Bretonia Armed Forces? I am originally Welsh, though have spent most of my life in Australia. I'm ex-military as well so BAF seemed an obvious choice for my main character.
Can you fund your ship and equipment? The BAF| can provide you with limited credits or equipment if you can not. Yes, I already have a good thing going with my BMM characters (Miner and Trader). I'm also considering getting into a capital ship but it very much depends on the time-sink factor versus requirements.
Are you are aware that your character must be a Bretonian Citizen in order to be accepted? Yes
Mr Carter, it says in our records that your father fought and died like a hero, so the Admiralty has approved your application under the impression that you will do the former the same, and if necessary, the latter too. Do mind, however, that your service will require high discipline and that your motive of personal vendetta will have to be quelled, lest you may find yourself committing a war crime.
Be aboard the HMS Somerset in New London orbit by tomorrow for a briefing. And please do not call the fleet admiral "Zhukov", because that is not his name, it has never been and nobody understands why the newest recruits have been using it. The fleet admiral is John Redmond.
Welcome, ensign.
BAF Recruitment Office
James Morris
Mr Morris, we could find no former or enlisted serviceman under your name in our database. It is possible that this specific section was destroyed when the Gallic bombardment of New London incapacitated one of our main servers, but the fact is, we do not have any record of anyone named James or Jim Morris in the last 12 years. Were you a reservist? Unless you provide verifiable files about your former service, it will not be possible to reinstate you under your supposed previous rank, but you will start as an ensign. Additionally, it could be useful to know that we are no longer at war with Gallia.
If you still wish to enlist, be aboard the HMS Somerset in New London orbit by tomorrow for a briefing.
[*]Your name and surname: Dougal McFarlan
[*]Age: 29
[*]Region, House or Location of Origin: Planet Leeds, Leeds System
[*]Are you are Bretonian Citizen?: Yes
[*]Any useful experience and qualifications: Decent Trade and basic combat skills
[*]Motivation for joining the Bretonia Armed Forces:
-To defend Bretonia From any enemies that come after us
[*]Short biography: I was born and raised on Leeds. My parents worked at the local equipment shop and I was raised to do the same. I was getting ready to take over my father's position when the Gauls came to glass the planet. My mother and i escaped, but my father died in the attack. I joined the secondary fleet soon after. I heard about the primary fleet recently and I felt like it was a good time to join
[/list][/indent] II. Knowledge Questions
Quote the Bretonia Armed Forces motto. Carina, Regina, Imperatrix.
Who is the current fleet admiral of Queen Carina the First's Armed Forces? As far as i am aware, Fleet Admiral Zhukov Redmond
What is the name of the Bretonia Armed Forces flagship? The HMS Pendragon
Enumerate the primary factions Her Majesty's Armed Forces are currently at war with.Alien entities, Auxesia, Bundschuh, Coalition, Corsairs, Gallic Royalists, Farmers Alliance, Gaians, Gallic Brigands, Hogosha, Lane Hackers, Gallic National Intelligence, Liberty Rogues, Liberty Insurgency, Mollys, Order, Outcasts, Marinenachrichtendienst, Pirates, Red Hessians, Unione Corse, Unioners, Xenos, Kusari Office of Intelligence
If you painted something on your ship, what would it be? Equipment dealership symbol
How would you rate your PvP skills from 1 to 10? 2
What is your Discord address? Wolverine518#9320
Have you ever been sanctioned? If you have, what for? No
Do you agree to always be fair, considerate of other players and not to take inRP hostilities with characters to an ooRP level? To the best of my abilities
What is your ooRP reason for joining the Bretonia Armed Forces? While born in the USA i have ancestry in Scotland and have always been facinated with UK
Can you fund your ship and equipment? The BAF| can provide you with limited credits or equipment if you can not. I can
Are you are aware that your character must be a Bretonian Citizen in order to be accepted? Yes
Another Leeds survivor eh? I'm assigning you as Ensign serving the 6th great fleet. You were once an equipment dealer so I expect you've got experience dealing with those who'd like to steal from you. Your skills will be put to the test in Dublin. Or perhaps you'll find your self in logistics with that trade experience. Report to the battleship Essex at 0900.
We expect great things. Welcome to the Armed Forces.
Bretonia Armed Forces Application Form
I. Personal Information
• Your name and surname: Arthur Norton
• Age: 34
• Region, House or Location of Origin: Canterbury Station, New London
• Are you are Bretonian Citizen?: Yes
• Any useful experience and qualifications: Our family shipping line has had great success transporting diplomats to Planet Miura and returning with much needed H-Fuel for Bretonia So much so that the family voted to purchase and fund a Paladine to help with the continued security of the Great Bretonian cluster. Its transponder is currently registered as 'SNGalaxy_VI'. Instead of gifting the craft, it was decided that it would be better served if it was personally flown by a family member and I was chosen. I have been using the Paladin as private security for our Shetlands until I am now confident I have transitioned my mind set from Transport captain to snub pilot.
• Motivation for joining the Bretonia Armed Forces: Bretonia is our home. We can afford to offer assistance where we can. So here I am at the recruitment station.
• Short biography: Born on the Platform Base, Canterbury Station in New London during an unscheduled stop our family home is Planet Cambridge. Our family has been lucky during the recent Kusari and Gallic wars in that as hauliers, we have been spared the horror of war we hear so much about at the various stop overs we visit. The most action we have seen is from the ever present roving bands of brigand factions who attempt half hearted attempts at stopping our transports. Our scouting division have mapped most jump holes so we have avoided concentrated military actions during our trans house runs. As detailed previously, I have been nominated by the family to ‘do our bit’ to repay the success we have had as Bretonian citizens.
II. Knowledge Questions
• Quote the Bretonia Armed Forces motto. Carina, Regina, Imperatrix!
• Who is the current fleet admiral of Queen Carina the First's Armed Forces? Fleet Admiral Edmund Stiener
• What is the name of the Bretonia Armed Forces flagship? HMS Somerset
• Enumerate the primary factions Her Majesty's Armed Forces are currently at war with. The Gallic Royal Enclave, Gaians, Corsairs (damn their fanatical hides!) Coalition, Xenos, and the Red Hessians. Technically I could count the Mollies but I have personally met some and I am somewhat sympathetic with their cause. I do believe the changes in the Dublin system by Lady Graves, may one day appease the Mollies and they can feel they can return to our Great Bretonian society.
• If you painted something on your ship, what would it be? The silhouette of a Hawker Hurricane (with quad 20mm cannon).
// ooRP section
• How would you rate your RP skills from 1 to 10? 5
• How would you rate your PvP skills from 1 to 10? 3
• What is your Discord address? SNGalaxy_IV#8723
• Have you ever been sanctioned? If you have, what for? No.
• Do you agree to always be fair, considerate of other players and not to take inRP hostilities with characters to an ooRP level? Yes.
• What is your ooRP reason for joining the Bretonia Armed Forces? Roleplay.
• Can you fund your ship and equipment? The BAF| can provide you with limited credits or equipment if you can not. I have a funded Paladin.
• Are you are aware that your character must be a Bretonian Citizen in order to be accepted? Yes.
And lastly, since you are interested in the BAF, maybe you would also like to join the Bretonia Police Authority, the Bretonia Mining and Manufacturing, Bowex or Gateway. I have BMM transports.
There are several discrepancies in the submitted form, however due to your experience, they have been overlooked. The recruitment office aboard Planet New London has been informed of your application; you are to report on board of the HMS Somerset for the receival of all required equipment.
The Admiralty Board has decided to reinstate you to the rank of Lieutenant. Report in on the HMS Somerset within 24 hours for the receival of required equipment.
me: James Kent
[*]Age: 27
[*]Region, House or Location of Origin: Leeds system
[*]Are you are Bretonian Citizen?: Yes
[*]Any useful experience and qualifications: Master degree as a ship pilot (transports, freighters, Very Heavy Fighters, Bombers, Capital Ships) at Cambridge University (Planet Cambridge).
[*]Motivation for joining the Bretonia Armed Forces: There are many Motivations. My brother, Arthur Kent, is a BAF|MN pilot. My brother always was my hero and i want him proud of me. I was born at Planet Leeds, at Leeds system. Me and my family, after de Gallic invasion, were forced to leave our home. I want to do something about that, helping Bretonia to recover from the Gallic war, not only at Leeds, but also at the Taus Border Worlds. I am also concerned with what is happening at the Omegas Border Worlds, with the Coalition and the Corsairs. I am a fighter pilot and i want to do it at BAF, do defend Bretonia, to defend our home and to serve HM the Queen Carina.
[*]Short biography: I was born at Planet Leeds. After the Gallic war, me and my family were forced to leave Leeds, At Planet cambridges i took my Master degree as a pilot.
II. Knowledge Questions
Quote the Bretonia Armed Forces motto. "Carina, Regina, Imperatrix!"
Who is the current fleet admiral of Queen Carina the First's Armed Forces? Harold Sommerville
What is the name of the Bretonia Armed Forces flagship? H,M,S, Somerset
Enumerate the primary factions Her Majesty's Armed Forces are currently at war with. Coalition, Corsairs.
If you painted something on your ship, what would it be? My name, James Kent.
We have noticed several discrepancies in the initial application form, however they have been addressed since. The career of your brother in the Armed Forces is highly valued, and we do not have any reason to deny yet another one from following in its path.