=== Incoming Transmission ===
== Encryption: You could say that ==
Remember us?
I have a Mr. Robert Crompton on the line. He says he's one of yours, and he seems interested in attempting to restore old relations between the Front and the Raiders.
I can assure you that the Raiders are greatly interested in the return of one of our old allies to the New Caledonia-- er, Kansas system.
That is, if you're still out there.
Sincerely,
Harold A. Kane
Taskmaster, Vagrant Raiders
Minister of Relations, Natio Octavarium
Mr. Crompton? That'd be me, current Executive Commander of the Front. Everyone else is either too busy with internal affairs or dead. It's true that I'd like to restore our relations with the Raiders, not only because of past friendship but because of recent developments. I visited Kansas a few days ago and I'm impressed by the progress of the Natio Octavarium project on Wichita, or New Westminster if you prefer that.
We've been busy in the Omicrons getting run down in conflicts that had nothing to do with us. The Order proved to be a valuable ally in a time of need, but the explosion of Nomad activity followed by the Zoner Alliance mess made us rethink our plans. Kansas looked like our best hope to get back on track with the Sleeper Ship project. Well, ignoring Magellan that is. Can't believe the bloody Royalists have made it this far.
What's left of our fleet is in the Barrier nebula around Cortez or in Manchester. So what can the Front offer? We can probably help with the Natio's supply train, given our transports. The Grall is fully functional Firefly and a second one just needs some repairs to be back in working order. Some fighters might be useful for sector defense or hell, spare parts. The Hinton's got a large database of research into stellar cartography of the Nomad and Edge Worlds, scanner data from all kinds of ships and celestial bodies, engine drive research and scraps of an experiment using tractor beam technology in reverse as a plasma beam weapon.
Then there's the Belisarius - hard to say what can be done with a ship with an infamous reputation. Last thing I want to do provoke Liberty a second time.
As for us, we just want to get started on our sleeper ship project. Might have to find a cover for that - again, Liberty could be a problem there.
Awaiting your reply. Executive Commander Robert Crompton out.
=== Incoming Transmission ===
== Encryption: You could say that ==
Hello,
Sorry about the delay, I have a comm backlog to get through the size of the Kanzler's mom.
We have a couple facilities and organizations that can provide cover for your research. We would be more than happy to offer you land on Planet New Westminster for continuation of research and development, or even just a place to live for the time being.
As for the Belisarius... There are a couple nebulae in the system she could be hidden in. I suggest the Smokey Hill Nebula, as the Sirius Astronomical Union calls it. There is a more dense nebula, but... let's just say its contents are unpleasant and cause odd visits from people we try not to get visits from.
Sincerely,
Harold A. Kane
Taskmaster, Vagrant Raiders
Minister of Relations, Natio Octavarium
I suppose now it's time for me to interrupt. I am Taskmaster Escher, the commander of Merak Squadron - the core spaceborne assets of the Octavarium Intelligence Commission.
You've indicated a desire to avoid provoking Liberty. This is good, for both of us.
However, I would like to know what kind of operations you plan to be involved in. Security reasons. I know your history relatively well, and me and an agent of mine fought alongside you in Omega-3. But my job calls for the security of more than just myself.
First of all I really appreciate the offer for help with our research and land on Wi- er, New Westminster. Most of our research involves FTL drives, colonisation and exploration. The Natio Octavarium is important to us for the second point because it's potential template for our future colonies outside Sirius. We're not simply going to burden the Natio with our presence though - contributing to its success is just as important to us and a given anyway. I'm only concerned about the cost of the land - that might be beyond the reach of the Front.
Smokey Hill is probably the best place in the system to station the Belisarius. Everyone in the Front is all too familiar with what's in the Tuttle Creek Cloud and the crowd it draws in - it's a no fly zone as far as I'm concerned.
Now, as for our operations: We're not interested in seeking out fights with anyone, first and foremost. That's probably the number one reason we haven't been able to build the sleeper ship. The Gallic Royalists are the only exception. We don't like the Outcast Nation's use of slave labour or the Corsairs' barbarity, but there's nothing to be gained by attacking them. Then Liberty, or rather the LSF would destroy the Front because of former LSF personnel, nearly all of whom are dead and gone. Otherwise, if we're going to fight it's to defend ourselves or Natio Space.
We're going to focus our efforts on rebuilding our assets and improving the Natio's economy through trade with Bretonia, the Independent, Border and Edge Worlds and potentially Kusari. We've been traditionally neutral with Rheinland but since you're at war with them we're probably better off keeping our distance for the time being until we decide whether to support causes like the VWA or stay out entirely.
I was just forwarded a transmission regarding a "Punisher" attack on an Octavarian citizen. The Royalists have stooped to a new low, not that it was unexpected. I can only hope your pilot recovers from his injuries soon, but I feel incidents like these could become more common for all civilians in the Magellan system as the Royal Navy attempts to crush morale in their campaign against Liberty.
In light of this I might be able to spare a fighter or bomber for support in combat operations, but with most of our fleet out of action I can only guarantee supply shipments. Anything to stop the Gallic menace and other threats to regional peace before it's too late.
Oh and I'm still waiting for a reply on yesterday's transmission as well - though do I understand you have a government to run.
The matter of land cost may be better resolved through... alternative means. Supply shipments, perhaps... or the construction of your own outpost that our scanners will conveniently miss.
You could also simply take up residence within the city of New Vancouver. While it wouldn't be suited for large-scale construction projects, some research staff could easily work there. They'd just have to keep quiet about their affiliations.
On the Gallic note, it would probably be more useful to focus on freight. Running a colony consumes a lot of resources, especially when under threat of attack by a band of pillagers. I doubt one fighter would make a significant difference in our combat capacity; I would recommend focusing your combat craft on securing your shipments for now.
Back to the research subject, you may want to look into Heisenberg Station, in Koeln. It's on the edge of Rheinlandic space, but there's a back route in through jump holes. Not something for permanent residence, but its community may be helpful for your scientists.
Deliveries or somewhere in New Vancouver would be fine, we'd draw attention if we bought an island anyway.
Since we both want to handle things discreetly given the Front's bad reputation with Liberty, we'll use a cover identity. Any official, public business with the Natio Octavarium will be carried out by the Tannhauser Corporation, specializing in colonization and long-distance logistics.
A few members from the Front's command will be selected for the "company's" board of directors and regular staff can be contracted from there. We'll also hack our transports systems to display the new IFF. That way, we should be able to move cargo around without drawing too much attention. This should work out well for both of our organizations.
As for Heisenberg, it could be useful to us in the future but right now we're looking closer to Bretonia. Omega-50 could be a good spot if the rumors about new jump holes are true.
Hello, it's been a while since the last transmission. Technical problems on our end.
While I'd like to continue negotiations, the Liberty Navy incursion into Kansas last night is concerning and could be one of many to come. I'm not willing to risk Front assets with a force like that. That really needs to be assessed before any other decisions can be made.
However, Tannhauser Corporation ships seem to have been ignored by Liberty so far. Those can still make supply deliveries, depending on what you need.