From: Commander Nobles-Stirling
To: Government of Malta, Foreign Office
Subj: Acquisition of a Tridente class gunboat
1. The BAF, in my person, is requesting that our treaty partners, the Maltese government, provide a Tridente gunboat for use by Queen Carina's Most Diligent Interdiction Wing, more commonly known as Queen Carina's Privateers. This vessel should be "scrubbed", rendering it unidentifiable other than by type. The ship will be used for black operations, and will not be directly traceable to either of our official organizations.
2. This request is for the vessel only, which will be paid for as normal. It is requested that it be provided by your yards, as opposed to a vessel which was acquired at second hand as it will be operating in isolation for extended periods. It will be outfitted through other sources, only an operable base hull is required.
3. Your prompt attention to this issue is appreciated, and I hope to hear from you soon.
To: Commander Nobles-Stirling From: Erikasaria Espinosa Subject: Inquiry about your inquiry
It's cute that you Bretonians believe that you're owed something here. The representatives of the Nación attempted to ask for a similar exchange recently ourselves, only to be shot down. And now you come to me and ask that I just simply give one over, credits damned and all?
Y'know what? How's about you give me proper justification as to the reasoning you need this vessel and I'll consider it; I can at least offer to try to hear you out ( a courtesy we were denied.)
Long story short: Who the hell are you, why do you want one of my ships, what would you do with it on the ever-so-unlikely chance I decide to let one fresh off the production line fall into your teacup-holding hands, and what do you offer the Nación in exchange?
Bretonia isn't the only house that's presently occupied fending off the Gallics; we're having our own problems. Malta's fleets need to be reinforced at every interval possible. If you can't give me a damn good reason to redirect a ship otherwise bound for the front-lines to you, then we have no business here.
[ sci·am·ach ]
/sīˈamək/
A simple, angry man casually working his way through life on a personal quest to acquire copious amounts of street cred.
I appreciate your makin' the time t' speak with me. I hope you don' mind, but I'll address your concerns a touch out o' order.
I had, and have, no intention o' takin' a ship from you folks. As you can see in Para 2 of the formal request:
Quote:2. This request is for the vessel only, which will be paid for as normal.
I apologize for whatever happen'd with other offices o' the Navy, or the government at large, but I can assure you I am askin' for authorization, not demandin' favors.
The project I am in charge o' is a pilot to see if we can... encourage the Gauls ta redeploy assets t' rear defense. Ta that effect, I was plannin' ta use light warships as deep raiders. No offense intend'd, Inquisitor, but your 'boats see a wider distribution than ours, and, should the project no be a success, it would be easier ta deny a Tridente than a Churchill.
As ta why I think it would be to your benefit ta grant my request, if the project succeeds, it will ease the conflict on all fronts, not just Bretonia's.
To: Commander Nobles-Stirling From: Erikasaria Espinosa Subject: Inquiry about your inquiry
You Brets are as naïve as you are idealistic, I'll give you that much.
Faced with the entirety of the Gallic Armada and you want to charge in headlong with nothing more but a heavy escort- but I suppose the mentality of "throw enough corpses at the tank's treads until it stop's moving" is a good of one as any.
You've got my attention. Now, convince me that I won't have to send a salvage team into Tau-37 in a week to retrieve my Tridente with a brand spankin' new hole in it's plating. Shoot some Gauls, help out against an enemy patrol, volunteer with the 12th Recon Squadron; I don't care how.
Impress me and I'll arrange the Tridente's transfer personally.
[ sci·am·ach ]
/sīˈamək/
A simple, angry man casually working his way through life on a personal quest to acquire copious amounts of street cred.
The idea is ta not get tied down, but to be a mobile nuisance. Yes, of course, you are correct in that a 'boat, however skillfully handled, is not goin' to stand in the formation of battle.
The intention is to be enough of a pain in the arse to make them come lookin' for us. Any ship doin' that is as effectively Not bein' used in other operations as one destroyed. Believe me in that I have no desire nor intention of gettin' caught in the gears.
Very well, I will see that my reports get forwarded ta your attention via this channel."