Incoming Transmission...
Message from: Thomas Purdom
Re:Application
Dear Sirs,
I am a Bretonian trader that was born on planet Cambridge. I joined up with Bretonia Mining and Metals early on, and it was pretty profitable. It was going well; Good ship, good pay, safe job, the family was happy. Then I noticed some frightening things. Whispers of war between Kusari and Bretonia. More pirate attacks on trade convoys. I also noticed that BMM was treating its employees quite poorly. They docked my pay, and started taking taxes from my trade profits based on how much time I spent flying. They got rid of my benefits, and by that time I was fed up. I still worked there, it was the only job I had to keep income rolling in. Then Kusari and Bretonia went into open war. BMM convoys were being destroyed left and right. I got out of there as fast as I could. I was looking for more job opportunities, and I found you chaps. I wish to apply for a mining position in your guild, and I think that I will be just your man. I know my metals from my days with BMM, and I know where some profits can lie, some of them quite dangerous, but high profits. I hope that my application will be accepted.
*static* Hello? *Static* Are you reading this? *Static, then image clears*
A bald headed middle age man stands before the camera, covered in grease and dirt...
"Ah there you go, this ship is barely running.. anyways I'll get straight to the point, the name is John Avery and I would like to join you fine folks.
I've worked 15 years busting my knuckles on various IMG transports and know my way around an engine room.. Hell... I got this bucket of bolts running.... Yeah I bought this old Mining ship from a dealer on California Minor.. bit rough shape but I'll get the old girl purring in no time. I admit I don't have much skills in fighting, but then again if I'm mining, I'll have some other fighter jocks out there watching my back... ah that and my own turrets if I could ever get them working...
I personally feel with all this conflict going on, mining is the way to go, metals and raw material prices will be skyrocketing soon.. or so I think... I'm not an economist....
Anyways, hopefully I answered any questions you might have, if not give me a shout on this channel.. if I don't answer.. try again.. its like the comm is down... "
*static, image starts to fade*
"Ah dammit..."
*a shower of sparks comes from a nearby panel and the signal is lost
Iâll carry this flag
To the grave if I must
Because itâs flag that I love
And a flag that I trust
Artur stepped out of the shower rubbing the towel behind his ears. His small cabin, even though with 6 square meters rather big compared to the others, didn't challenge his eyes when he took a look for some booze. As he salvaged a bottle out of a rather big accumulation of oily mining cloths, dusty random documents and dirty magazines in front of his pallet he thought about the benefits of doing paper work instead of stewing at the Miner's Tractor Lock with the damn fried ore.
While scratching the back of the grayed head, he decided that putting on some clothes had a lower priority than downing a drink. After putting him self in his favorite (and only) easy chair and pulling his second glas, he took a look at his small computer terminal in front of the pallet. it showed a row of new ... and rather old messages. Artur guessed that it was a bunch of new applicants as well as friendly reminders, persistent requests and pure hate mails of Masterson about dealing with the new applications. 'tsk - Guild Masters are so annoying', he thought 'especially when they are as young as this chap'. He sighed as he took his glasses off and activated his neural interface to answer the mails instead of putting on some clothes.
' Wrote:*Transmission to IMG*
From: Planet Pittsburgh
Message reads:
Greetings IMG my name is Jacob Hanson and I am an ex-DSE employee who was recently laid off with a number of workers due to rising costs in the business. I currently have no family connection and I am single with only a single Starflier in my control. I use to be a miner for the DSE usually heading out into the debris fields around Pittsburgh but sometimes heading into Colorado to mine for silver and trade supplies. With little money and needing assistance I turn to you for employment. I hope to here from you shortly.
A few Details:
Name: Jacob Hanson
Age: 27
Occupation: Ex-Miner
Current ship: Starflier.
Artur mehed. On the one hand, he had no relatives. Which is a really good thing. It meant that when someone died in an accident or got blasted to hell by those bloody Outcasts, you had no one crying at you for the bad security measures. on the other hand, he was poor. Bloody poor. A Starflier? But then again ... no relatives ...
***Message***
From: Recruiting Supervisor Artur von Seelenburg
To: Jacop Hanson
Subject: Being fired from DSE
Mr. Hanson,
I have studied your curriculum vitae for quite a few hours and I am fairly Impressed by the level of qualification you are willing to put into the service of the IMG. Please add my neural net contact 'von_seelenburg' to your list so I can introduce you into the Guild Coms rather fast and tell you when you will be picked up from Liberty. Unfortunately, My ship only has two seats and no cargo hold. So if you have any friends or relatives, I am MOST disappointed to tell you that I have no way to transport them as well.
Signed: Artur von Seelenburg
***/Message***
' Wrote:***INCOMING MESSAGE***
TO: Director Claude Foster: Independent Miners Guild Economic Division
FROM: Erik Wyvern Jr.
SUBJECT: Miner looking to join IMG
Hello.
As the message stats, I am Erik Wyvern and I am looking to join the Independent Miners Guild. Allow me to give you a little about myself and reasons I am looking to become a member of IMG.
I was born on the GMG station Naha in the Sigma 13 system. My father; Erik Wyvern Senior was Rheinland citizen who, like his father went to work for GMG as a miner. They primarily worked on collectors but were also cross trained in refinery work. However both times war broke out; my grandfather and my father answered the Fatherlands call, joining the Rheinland military.
I respected my father; he took me under his wing and taught me the mining trade. The problem is I do not see myself as a Rheinlander, I was born on a GMG space station in the Border Worlds. I never even set foot on a Rheinland world. So my Father packed up to leave for the most recent war I told him that I would have no part in it. I packed up the few belongings I owned and purchased a ticket on the first transport away from GMG and Rheinland space. I have landed on the planet Pittsburg and am having trouble finding employment.
I am not one to take handouts and that is why I am turning to IMG. I have seven years of experience in the mining profession and to be honest mining is in my blood. I however lack the funds to purchase my own mining vessel and would gladly work one of your; possible operator to own program.
All I want to do is find a place to lay down roots and make a living away from the Houses. If I am lucky maybe meet a nice girl and start a family. I was told you stand up for the little guy and want to work claims which others have over looked. Your goals match up in this aspect and I think will come out ahead in a partnership.
Thank you for taking the time to review my submission.
Erik Wyvern
***END MESSAGE***
Artur made him self a checklist: Former miner who knows what he's doing - Check. Relatives at the other end of sirius (some in war even) which won't yell at you for bad security - Check. Rich - of course not. What the hell did he even expect? Artur replied on the application with the smile of a thief as he wasn't the one who had to deal with the guild's accounting.
***Message***
From: Recruiting Supervisor Artur von Seelenburg
To: Erik Wyvern Jr.
Subject: Running from Home
Mr. Wyvern,
I visited the mining grounds of the GMG my self and I have to tell you: I wasn't pleased with their proceedings. A tremendous lack of security and other Issues regarding their hostile environment surely ain't as good for miners as our Clean, well working and maintained Miners with their disciplined Crews. And I have to tell you, as I was rheinlander my self once - Alignment to a House is NOT worth risking your life! You made a good choice, boy.
*Artur Scrolled up to his last message to copy and paste the ending*
Please add my neural net contact 'von_seelenburg' to your list so I can introduce you into the Guild Coms rather fast and tell you when you will be picked up from Liberty. Unfortunately, My ship only has two seats and no cargo hold. So if you have any friends or relatives, I am MOST disappointed to tell you that I have no way to transport them as well.
Signed: Artur von Seelenburg
***/Message***
' Wrote:***Start Transmission***
RE: Application
Name:Jerrasis Kentari
Homeworld:Houston, Texas
Current Ship: There's Gold in Them Hills(Rino)
I am seeking membership into the IMG. I have spent most of my life under mountains on various planets across Liberty, mining resources for slave like rates. I finally saved up enough money to buy my own ship, so I quit my job and headed out to see what the stars(more like the asteroids) could do for me. I've a knack for fixing things and a lust for exploration. Plus I've got years of mining experience, so I feel I can at the very least pull my own weight in the IMG. I know what it's like to be a wage slave and I've heard great things about the way the IMG treats people, all people. I hope to be a part of that in the near future. Oh and the 5 mil. signing bonus isn't a bad draw as well.....
**End Transmission**
Artur Contracted his eyebrows. So ... this guy earned enough money, yet only joins because of the 5 mil? Oh of course: he joins because we are known for our awesomeness. God! Wake up man! We are a bloody refuge! Meh. At least he didn't mention any relatives.
***Message***
From: Recruiting Supervisor Artur von Seelenburg
To: Jerrasis Kentari
Subject: nicking cash from the IMG
Houday zere,
I will have to correct that little flaw which you saw on that recruiting poster. Its not 5 mil but a at least 5 years of guidance! And yes we do treat everyone the same! Isn't that great?
*He pasted*
Please add my neural net contact 'von_seelenburg' to your list so I can introduce you into the Guild Coms rather fast and tell you when you will be picked up from Liberty. Unfortunately, My ship only has two seats and no cargo hold. So if you have any friends or relatives, I am MOST disappointed to tell you that I have no way to transport them as well.
From: Tam Dunbar, Aboard the mining vessel Albiorix
To: Director Claude Foster.
Greetngs,
I would like to offer my services to the guild. A native of Leeds, I have for some years been operating the mining vessel Albiorix as an independent extractor. I can now see the benefit of becoming part of the IMG as we seem to share the same principles.
As I already have the Albiorix all fitted out, I would not require any funding for a vessel. I would, however, be keen to recieve extra training and information on efficient extraction from the most profitable fields.
All the best,
Tam Dunbar.
+++TRANSMISSION ENDS+++
......... SIGNAL LOST.
Artur took his 4th glass.
***Message***
From: Recruiting Supervisor Artur von Seelenburg
To: Jerrasis Kentari
Subject: Your Miner!
Ah! Great! People who bring new ships into the guilds Motor Pool are always welcome! Welcome, sir, you will see that nothing is more important to us than independence while still paying everyone his share! I bet that will be something refreshing for you after having worked in Bretonia for so long, eh?
Listen, add my account 'von_Seelenburg' to your list and I'll take care about you getting getting Guild Com access and receiving some training and all that stuff! Really looking forward to it! Good show!
Signed: Artur von Seelenburg
***/Message***
Finally someone who the Guild wouldn't have to pay up....
' Wrote::::INCOMING TRANSMISSION:::
From: Steven Cummings
To: IMG Human resources
Greetngs,
I am glad you are taking your time to read my application, I am a man from the planet Cambridge, I have much experiance with fighters and Gunboats controls expecially with my IMG Spatial that is heavy equiped, The IMG Gunboat is from my long lost father, and I also have a Mining Ship, Equiped with Mining Lasers and is stationed in the Gold Fields in Dublin not far of our Battleship ::HOOD::. My IMG Gunboat is part of the IMG Guard and is ready to defend against the most tricky and Violent foe. I also have a IMG Bomber soon to be loaded out with the best of everything, Its not in service or ready to fly yet but in a few Wekks it will be ready. My Mining ship isn't enough to be worth long journets because of its 2700 cargo so i am saving for a IMG Transport with 5000 Units i belive. I have now got the AVD.Viper (name is unknown) Its kitted out with amazing wepons and hardware, Its awaiting orders at Java station in Tau-23 along with my GunBoat, Bomber, MiningShip and my Spatial is at Tau-31.
As you can see and I am very wealthy and have got many types of vessels I understand t5hat only a few of these can begin but i hopfully will be ranked up quickly to gain the others into the Guild. It was only last week when a old friend joined the BMM and he tryed to make me do as well, i refused and now he as tryed to send letters to make me still join. I have seen the BMM for what they really are, they arn't Miners only Men with wips forcing others to work.
I Would really like to know the best mining areas and where to sell the product for, The 5million creits would be nice as well, My ship name is Independant.Miner..
I hope you will think carefully about my offer,
Many Thanks,
Steven Cummings
:::TRANSMISSION ENDS:::
What the frak is THIS? So ... his father buys this bloody capital ship from us and now he died and his son comes it requesting that WE maintain it? What the hell is wrong with that guy! And why did he spell Hood like he had some epileptic disorder. Fellow Hoodlum, have mercy with those serving on his ship, he thought.
Artur shook his head while mumbling some rheinlandarian swear words. He tried to calm down
***Message***
From: Recruiting Supervisor Artur von Seelenburg
To: Jerrasis Kentari
Subject: Your request of IMG maintaining your bloody motor pool for free.
Oh, good sir, I am SO (!) disappointed to tell you that our ship yard can't handle the maintainance of yet another Gun Boat, Spatial, Bomber, Battleship or Planet of yours. We can surely take care about your miner and that fighter, but you won't see the rest flying under our Banner. Also, lad, its "Hood" not ::HOOD:: or any other clutter of random letters which try their best to look effing ugly. "Hood", alright? "Hood". Please Repeat: "Hood"
*Artur Pasted with disgust*
Please add my neural net contact 'von_seelenburg' to your list so I can introduce you into the Guild Coms rather fast and tell you when you will be picked up from Liberty. Unfortunately, My ship only has two seats and no cargo hold. So if you have any friends or relatives, I am MOST disappointed to tell you that I have no way to transport them as well.
Signed: Artur von Seelenburg
***/Message***
' Wrote:***INCOMING TRANSMISSION***
From: Elrohir Sirfalas
To: IMG Human Resources Director
Sir,
I have extensive experience in shipping vessels, but due to the current economic crisis I have been made redundant from my post as a 'self employed' shipping contractor at Stokes Mining Station.
Although my background is in shipping rather than mining, my time before getting command of a trading vessel was spent as a Weapons & Sensors officer onboard a Heavy Tanker. I feel that this experience would allow me to be of value to the IMG given that judicious use of sensors (for detecting either minable deposits or hostiles) and precise mining laser targeting are a big part of successful mining operations.
Regrettably, economic circumstances mean that I may not be able to fund a full-size Mining Ship, however I could possibly make a contribution in the lower millions of credits towards whatever role the IMG assigns me.
Sincerely,
Elrohir Sirfalas
***TRANSMISSION ENDS***
When he tried to pull yet another glass, he noticed with brief disappointment that he just emptyed his first bottle. He sighed before answering yet another application.
***Message***
From: Recruiting Supervisor Artur von Seelenburg
To: Elrohir Sirfalas
Subject: About your scientific stuff
Mr. Sirfalas,
I have cross checked your reports of experiences with our R&D department and we are most pleased to tell you that your application was accepted. The Guild will of course help you to fund that miner as we are convinced that you will help us to significantly maximize our profits. Please add my neural net account 'von_seelenburg' to your list so we can introduce you into our highly advanced guild com channels with very educated R&D members.
Signed: Artur von Seelenburg
***/Message***
' Wrote:*static* Hello? *Static* Are you reading this? *Static, then image clears*
A bald headed middle age man stands before the camera, covered in grease and dirt...
"Ah there you go, this ship is barely running.. anyways I'll get straight to the point, the name is John Avery and I would like to join you fine folks.
I've worked 15 years busting my knuckles on various IMG transports and know my way around an engine room.. Hell... I got this bucket of bolts running.... Yeah I bought this old Mining ship from a dealer on California Minor.. bit rough shape but I'll get the old girl purring in no time. I admit I don't have much skills in fighting, but then again if I'm mining, I'll have some other fighter jocks out there watching my back... ah that and my own turrets if I could ever get them working...
I personally feel with all this conflict going on, mining is the way to go, metals and raw material prices will be skyrocketing soon.. or so I think... I'm not an economist....
Anyways, hopefully I answered any questions you might have, if not give me a shout on this channel.. if I don't answer.. try again.. its like the comm is down... "
*static, image starts to fade*
"Ah dammit..."
*a shower of sparks comes from a nearby panel and the signal is lost
Artur was indeed able to identify the exciting accumulation of letters in front of him as an application ... After all he was the supervisor of recruitment, now wasn't he? He got it over with...
***Message***
From: Recruiting Supervisor Artur von Seelenburg
To: You
Subject: An appliction, obviously
Oi old chap, you are exactly what we are looking for. Lord knows how much stuff we got lying around here that needs some fixing - Some times I feel like a damn junker. You know what? We could really need some more of the more experienced folks like you. Those damn kids in their thirties and forties mess things up way to often, tell ya that...
So, add 'von_seelenburg' and I'll show you how things are going in the guild.
PS: We we'll also help you taking care about your gear. Seems like you only need some more manpower. We'll get this done, lad.
Signed: Artur von Seelenburg
***/Message***
' Wrote: Incoming Transmission...
Message from: Thomas Purdom
Re:Application
Dear Sirs,
I am a Bretonian trader that was born on planet Cambridge. I joined up with Bretonia Mining and Metals early on, and it was pretty profitable. It was going well; Good ship, good pay, safe job, the family was happy. Then I noticed some frightening things. Whispers of war between Kusari and Bretonia. More pirate attacks on trade convoys. I also noticed that BMM was treating its employees quite poorly. They docked my pay, and started taking taxes from my trade profits based on how much time I spent flying. They got rid of my benefits, and by that time I was fed up. I still worked there, it was the only job I had to keep income rolling in. Then Kusari and Bretonia went into open war. BMM convoys were being destroyed left and right. I got out of there as fast as I could. I was looking for more job opportunities, and I found you chaps. I wish to apply for a mining position in your guild, and I think that I will be just your man. I know my metals from my days with BMM, and I know where some profits can lie, some of them quite dangerous, but high profits. I hope that my application will be accepted.
Humbly,
Thomas Purdom
Oh Gods... another Application ... would this ever end? Artur didn't even bother to read the appliction to look for relatives that would make it worth to be rejected. The only words that really sticked out were "Bretonia", "Kusari" and BMM. Poor bastard he, thought. BMM must have tried to sell him to those damn Kusarinese Restaurants with a bunch of Cats and stuff!
Artur was so shocked about this poor fellows story that he couldn't slur his Response fast enough:
***Message***
From: Recruiting Supervisor Artur von Seelenburg
To: Thomas Purdom
Subject: Being sold by BMM and fed to random Kusari people
Shocking, lad! Totally shocking! Man I feel you, you know? I totally feel you. You know what? Call me Arty - I got some connections you know. I'll get you some mining gear and all. And I promise: No one will ever sell you in IMG! Add 'von_seelenburg' to your neural net account and blah blah, you know what I mean.
Totally yours, Arty!
***/Message***
Thats it, he thought, I need some more damn Booze. He didn't even bother to answer or at least delete any of Masterson messages before wrapping him self into a towel to get on his way to the bar.
--- Incoming Transmission ---
Source: Planet New London, New London
Comm ID: Richard Simmons
Subject: Application for the IMG
Hello, my name is Richard Simmons. On a small... business trip your adverts got my attention. During the whole trip I was sure that I would be best in IMG. I've already collected some experience in mining because I worded in the mining business earlier. I lost my job because... the mining... Yes, the mining corporation had to shut down. Since that happened I had to earn money with... with... short time jobs, which wasn't very profitable at all. My only permanent posession is my mining ship I never would give away. It's old, no one buys it, so I keep it to stay mobile in this world. However the ship still is functional and mines ore like on its first trip. It's just not as efficient as the newer models, but once I got enough money, that should be a thing of the past.
Oh, I'm getting out of the topic. I better say more about myself. I'm 32 years old and was born in Los Angeles, Liberty. I used to have 2 sisters, but they kinda... disappeared since I lost my old job. My parents are still alive, I guess, but I don't have any contact to them anymore. They are not quite happy about my job, so they stopped talking to me after I started in the mining business.
I'd love to hear more of you, since you are the only corporation I applied for. BMM is a bunch of filthy... I mean, I would not feel very free being part of BMM.
I'm looking forward to work with you in the future.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Simmons
--- Transmission ended. ---
--- Incoming Transmission ---
Comm ID: Artur von Seelenburg
To: Richard Simmons
Subject: RE: Application for the IMG
Well good sir, you are short on telling us any details on how things really went for you until today. Its more than obvious that you are trying to keep things secret from us! And you know what? We don't even care! Welcome to independence! I'll have you put on our guild coms in no time so we can talk about the logistics that both mining and maintainance of you mining vessel require.
--- Incoming Transmission ---
Comm ID: B. Wilton
To: Whom it may concern
Subject: Application for the IMG
The names Basil Wilton, a born and bred Bretonian. I was born to a purple blood family from London. I left home shortly after completing secondary school due to... well lets just say moral differences with my family.
I started of my new life by receiving a degree in engineering (specialising in spacecraft engineering), I then worked for a ship dealer on Leeds, fixing up (Or in some case rebuilding) ships.
After about three years of underpaid work I worked on a independent traders ship (Firefly class) as the mechanic after many years of mostly boring work I left the ship (Although the fact that the captain lost the ship due to his gambling debts didnt leave me with much choice).
Now at the age of 29 I decided to head to the Omegas and after talking to one of you IMG bunch (Cant remember if it was before or after our friendly debate on the finer points of ship functionalities) I decided to sign myself up.
Well thats it, my life story. Obviously I havent fitted everything in this little communiqu? (A man has to have some secrets you know) but thats the basics off it during years on the trader ship I did learn one of two things about piloting and mining (Its safe to say I wont be crashing any time in the near future).
--- Incoming Transmission ---
Comm ID: Artur von Seelenburg
To: B. Wilton
Subject: Application for the IMG
Mr Wilton,
you application was accepted as it is no secret that the guild is in the need of people capable of maintaining our motor pool. Now even though I am glad that you are applying for a regular position, I have to admit that men with your level of qualifications are fairly rare in the guild. There for I would like to recommend to have a look at our R&D department. Add my contact 'von_seelenburg' to your neural net communicator and I will introduce you to the respective Guild Members via Guild Coms if you wish.