Encryption: GAS23 ~ Theta63-44-21-Helium15-43-Omega15-22-29
Subject: A mission
Kon'nichiwa,
I'm Taruko Ishibashi, predecessor and former advisor of now retired Takashi-sama. I've received access to all of Takashi's communications and this one raised my interest.
But before I proceed with anything, I'd like to know if you are still alive, you know, monthly check ups were either deleted or not submitted at all.
receiving transmission identifying encryption applying available decryption keys processing transmission format: text checking transmission for hazardous content status: trusted tracing neural net ID trusted neural net ID recognized loading neural net avatar playing transmission
Neural Net ID EZRAELVERTIGA
Esteemed Taruko Ishibashi,
all check-ins and repairs were done under the supervision of Manager Teppel Askua in Niigata's equipment section of the public hangars. The last inspection was done three weeks ago and I stayed for two days on your station, the flight control should have the docking logs archived. The ship is still running under the name CV-Apotheosis and the loadout hasn't changed at all.
I hope Miss Takashi is healthy and alright. I've been monitoring the situation in the Sigmas and am rather concerned about Niigata. The Star City is one of the neutral places I visit rather frequently lately, since Curacao was evacuated and Omega-49 turned into a battlefield.
Encryption: GAS23 ~ Theta63-44-21-Helium15-43-Omega15-22-29
Subject: A mission
Kon'nichiwa,
Takashi-san is being well, however she won't be able to return anytime soon.
I have a job for you, if you are interested, Vertiga-sama. And I am well aware nothing is for free and reward I've got prepared for you should make your life a bit easier, I believe.
receiving transmission identifying encryption applying available decryption keys processing transmission format: text checking transmission for hazardous content status: trusted tracing neural net ID trusted neural net ID recognized loading neural net avatar playing transmission
Neural Net ID EZRAELVERTIGA
Ishibashi-sama,
before you continue, I need to clarify something. My crew and I are freelancing, yes, but we are no sellswords or assassins. Should your proposal contain any militaric action, an escort, assassination or any other direct offensive action, we are not interested. If you need someone who can perform in stealth action or acquire information, you are talking to the right person.
In any case, no matter what, the GMG has been very helpful to us in the past. Returning a favor would be an honor.
Encryption: GAS23 ~ Theta63-44-21-Helium15-43-Omega15-22-29
Subject: A mission
Kon'nichiwa again,
I wouldn't dare to assign you a mission containing assassination or murder, that's for less valuable guys which have nothing to lose, beside their lives and even few of them prefer money over health. However it's good you mentioned you are good in intelligence and data gathering, that's something I am looking for now.
How's your reputation with Rheinland, by the way? And also, do you want to discuss your future mission over this channel or somewhere on the ground or in space?
receiving transmission identifying encryption applying available decryption keys processing transmission format: text checking transmission for hazardous content status: trusted tracing neural net ID trusted neural net ID recognized loading neural net avatar playing transmission
Neural Net ID EZRAELVERTIGA
Ishibashi-sama,
I guess a more personal meeting on Niigata wouldn't hurt. I doubt anyone is able to access this communiqué, but then again, one can't be sure.
We have the coordinates to jump to the Sigmas, I could be there within a few hours. Anything else can be discussed on your station. Is that acceptable to you, Miss Ishibashi?
receiving transmission identifying encryption applying available decryption keys processing transmission format: text checking transmission for hazardous content status: trusted tracing neural net ID trusted neural net ID recognized loading neural net avatar playing transmission
Neural Net ID EZRAELVERTIGA
Ishibashi-sama,
You will find all the intel we've been able to gather for you in the attachments of this transmission. I am certain you will find some of it rather informative.
Despite not having gotten hired for that part of the job, I've taken the initiative to move a stealth asset to the Honshu system, fully aware of the possible risks. That being said, I am also fully aware of the capabilities of said stealth asset, and the fact that you received this report marks the success. We have arrived through the Sigma-19 Jump Hole in the Chuyu Cloud at G3 on the Honshu System Navigation Grid.
This map shows the relevant data on the Honshu system as it has been in the last few days. The northern region of Honshu is uncontested and fully under control of House Kusari's lawful forces. This includes Planet Honshu itself. The planet is currently only defended by patrols and the planetary defense, as most heavier assets have been moved throughout the system.
We've spotted Border Control assets at the gate to New Tokyo, the gate to Sigma-19 and Aomori Station, at the Osaka Wreck and Battlegroup Hyono at the Akita Border Station, on the map marked with Hatched and Tokugawa icons.
Rheinland patrols were spotted in the red marked areas on the map. Scouting wings were encountered in the Chuyu Cloud, the Hiryo Cloud and the entire southern region of Honshu. Heavier assets ranging from Oder-class Gunboats up to Donau-class Cruisers and Tirpitz-class Battlecruisers were seen south of the trade lane from the New Tokyo gate to the Osaka Wreck, actively brawling with Border Control combat groups. Similar events have been seen in the region between the Sigma-13 and the Sigma-19 gates, not far away from Planet Hikari in the outskirts of the Hiryo Cloud. The density of Rheinland patrols was significantly higher in the Hiryo cloud.
Battlegroup Westfalen was spotted below the system's plane in G5, outside the Chuyu Cloud. The Westfalen itself does not seem to hide, being well visible from the trade lanes.
We've scouted the southern region of the Honshu system but came to the conclusion that diving into the Hiryo Cloud would be too risky for us, given the density of rheinlandian (and kusarian) patrol groups.
Analysis
Battlegroup Westfalen is, at this point, the only battlegroup we know about for sure. They are not hiding in a nebula and are positioned directly between the Hiryo and Chuyu Crow Wisps. Given the density of patrols in the Hiryo cloud and the heavy patrols between Hiryo and the New Tokyo gate, we can assume there is at least one additional battlegroup in the Hiryo Cloud, the exact location and numbers are however unknown. For all we know, Rheinland could have at least one but possibly more than one battlegroup in there. My personal guess would be there is just one, and this guess is based on the fact that Rheinland has made too many losses in the war with Liberty without the ability to recover most of the lost ships, which are still trapped in New Hampshire and Bering, the latter being salvaged by Junkers, Liberty Separatists and Unioners and possible other smaller parties. Another indication of not more than one battlegroup hiding in the Hiryo Cloud would be the fact that Rheinland usually focuses on fast rushes, the so-called Blitzkrieg strategy.
This was shown in the Sigma-21 system, where nobody really expected Rheinland to suddenly make a push into the system and destroying the orbital station at Saigon. Attack groups encircled the Saigon region, meaning the present defense forces were either caught or forced to flee into the region behind Saigon instead of being able to relocate to Honshu directly. I personally assume the Westfalen Battlegroup to be a decoy to lure the Hyono away from their established defense grid at the Akita Border Station by threatening to attack the defense forces at the Sigma-19 Gate and Aomori Station. The moment the Hyono and her fleet leave Akita, the border station would be vulnerable to an attack from the Hiryo Cloud. The moment Akita falls while Hyono's fleet is busy with the Westfalen, it would allow the second battlegroup to flank the Kusarians.
However, should the Hyono make her stand at Akita and profit from the defense grid, chances are the Westfalen attacks the border control group at Aomori anyway, which would effectively cut off Kusari from the Sigma-19 system. The only way then would be via Okinawa, and the gate to Okinawa is only so far away from the Sigma-19 gate. One way or another, Rheinland has a powerful advantage in Honshu, should they have at least one hidden battlegroup next to the Westfalen. It is however safe to say that New Tokyo is safe for now, as any rheinlandian force would be required to move through a big chunk of open space to reach the defended New Tokyo gate. That means Kusari can send in reinforcements without much hassle, should we not oversee some critical factor to change everything.
Should my assumptions be correct, then the GMG would be the most effective in the Honshu theatre by buying Kusari time to reinforce Honshu. I would advise against an attack on whatever is in the Hiryo Cloud, simply based on the fact that we don't know the numbers or the locations of the Rheinlandians. Instead, I would advise to launch surgical strikes on the Westfalen Battlegroup from Aomori, and I would suggest to coordinate assaults on the Westfalen with smaller craft while making sure the Hyono Battlegroup remains at Akita. As long as they stay there, Rheinland can't conveniently leave the Hiryo Cloud. The moment Kusari sends a second battlegroup to Honshu, GMG and Kusari can begin to attack the Westfalen.
One problem however is the fact that the Sigma-21-Honshu connection is contested, and the defending forces in Sigma-21 can only prevent so many rheinlandian reinforcements coming from Sigma-15. Kusari needs to be faster at reinforcing Honshu than Rheinland. Otherwise, the tactical defensive advantage would be gone. GMG and their allies need to find a way to secure the connection, as that would cut off the Rheinland Battlegroups in Honshu from logistical and military support. As you know too well, the most effective way of beating Rheinland has proven to be starving them out.
With all that being said, Miss Ishibashi, I would like to remind you that these assumptions are all based on only so much knowledge, and I assume you and Kusari have more insight in the environmental features of the Crow Nebula.
My assets have been keeping an eye open on everything happening in Rheinland in the recent days, and I believe, next to the information about economical infrastructure in Rheinland, intel on the defensive assets of Rheinland would be vital to any efforts for a counter attack.
Just like the Kusarians did with Honshu, the Rheinlandians stationed Border Control Cruisers and escorting assets in key positions throughout the Frankfurt system. One at the gate to Munich, one between the Mainz Storage Facility and Planet Holstein and one at the gate to New Berlin. There is also the relatively new Konstanz Border Station, which is guarding the lane to the new Sigma-15 Construction Site in the Taunusfeld. I would assume Konstanz is just close enough to send response wings in case of an attack on the Gate Construction Site, although the lane through the Taunusfield does not seem finished yet. You probably know it already, but the gate is not of sirian design, just like the counterpart in the Sigma-15 system. Both are well visible from the distance due to their enormous size. We weren't able to gather information on the Fulda Border Station or the status of the Frankfurt-Sigma-13 gate. If it is active again, one could assume they have relocated defenses there as well, as it is the door to Kusari.
The Munich system is extremely chaotic because of the darkmatter catastrophe devouring more and more of the system, and it is about to render Planet Nuremberg absolutely uninhabitable. Battlegroup Schwerin is protecting what is left, which is not much. It also tries to keep the refugee situation on Nuremberg under control, as everyone wants to leave, while there is a lack of not only outbound transports but also sites to bring the millions of people to. Apparently the criminal rate is extremely high on the planet, which is reflected by the unlawfuls of Rheinland. The jump hole to Omicron Xi is behind Planet Nuremberg and frequently used by Zoners to reach Omicron Theta, and by Corsairs to raid Rheinland.
Then there is the Omega-7 system, which is covered by Battlegroup Altenburg directly at Freistadt Base and Elbe Station, which mark the core of the system. I would assume the battlegroup is stationed there to prevent an increase of piracy in the system or an invasion from the deeper Omegas.
The Stuttgart system is fully covered by Battlegroup Karlsruhe at Planet Stuttgart. Stuttgart is generally considered the most secure system of Rheinland since Omega-11 was burned away by the supernova.
The Hamburg system is currently very weakly defended. The Rheinland Polizei mentioned it not too long ago, confirming rumors about the Red Hessians and the Coalition having managed to successfully attack Vierlande Prison, causing a giant prison break. We haven't seen any protective fleets, however Lübeck Border Station at the gate to New Berlin is still a thing. It is also unclear how many ships at the Alster Shipyard can be turned active in case of an attack. We're not sure how the Vierlande site currently looks like. If the station wasn't destroyed, chances are Rheinland will try to rebuild it. In that case, they might have assets there to secure the area.
The Cologne system, or Köln, also seems rather unprotected at this point. Heisenberg Research Station is a very well known hub for all kinds of people. All kinds. One of my assets stumbled over a jump hole anomaly to the so called Zurich system, which seems to be close or even a part of Gallia. That means Rheinland has a direct link to Gallia, which probably is used to boost the gate construction efforts in Frankfurt. We didn't get to update our knowledge on the jump hole, as it is possible that it is not stable. Currently, we can only assume. Unlawfuls usually stay away from Tholey Station's area, which is Bounty Hunter Guild territory. Olpe Border Station at the gate to Stuttgart prevents direct assaults on Stuttgart.
And of course the New Berlin system, which seems to be on par with Stuttgart in terms of security. Rheinland gave up on Dresden. They weren't fully defeated there, but instead moved their assets to other locations. Both the Red Hessians and the Rheinland News have published information about it. The gate to Dresden still stands, however the lane there is protected by Wildau Station of the Rheinland Polizei, and that one is not a small station. The Polizei also has the Brandenburg Base close to Bonn Station in the western area of system New Berlin. The northern area is covered by the Lübeck Station in Hamburg on the other side of the gate while Dortmund Station of ALG and Essen Station of Kruger probably have enough security assets around to protect themselves until the Military arrives. The same probably for New Berlin, although the planet itself surely has a big enough contingent on the surface to deal with any direct threat close to the planet. The Oder Shipyard, part of the Ring, is currently working on a Bismarck-class battleship, which we don't know whether it could be activated in an emergency case.
Long story short, New Berlin, Frankfurt and Stuttgart are heavily protected while Dresden was lost not long ago. Hamburg is still chaotic, Omega-7 is covered and Cologne, while rather unprotected, doesn't offer much strategic value. One aspect I want to add, though, is that the BDM, the Büro des Marinenachrichtendienst, announced their shift of focus from supporting the war front to defending Rheinland internally. Should you plan a counter attack on Rheinland, expect the BDM to be there with their assets. They've never really shown their fleet, or fleets, so I can't tell what to expect from them in terms of firepower. Knowing Rheinland, I wouldn't underestimate them.
I believe your wording was more specific about the actual mission goal for what you hired me for, but as it turned out, it is a bit more complicated than we assumed it to be. Rheinland is operating two major shipyards, at least to the public eye. one of them is the Alster Shipyard in the Hamburg system, the other the Oder Shipyard, which is part of The Ring in the distant orbit of New Berlin. Alster Shipyard is owned and operated by Republican Shipping while Daumann Heavy Construction operates most parts of The Ring and Oder.
Both shipyards are quite sizeable, and both of them seem to be busy with the production of capital vessels. Alster Shipyard's extension, as seen on the visual material, is currently working on an Elbe-class Carrier. The Oder Shipyard on the other hand is very obviously working on a Bismarck-class Battleship. Status on both ships is not clear, but knowing Rheinland, I would bet they have the highest priority in their construction.
My assets were tasked to keep an eye on the traffic in Rheinland, and I've received a nice list of trading ships of various factions transporting various commodities around. While the list itself is rather less helpful when it comes to the mission goal, one of my assets managed to offer herself as transport escort for a Daumann transport ship delivering materials to The Ring. I've censored the name of my asset for reasons you surely understand, but the audio logs she sent me will be pretty helpful to you.
[27.04.2019 13:17:55] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Ah, good, you're already there.
[27.04.2019 13:18:05] Daumann|-Bremerhaven: Ja, ve are.
[27.04.2019 13:18:05] Daumann|-Brandenburg: What are you waiting for?
[27.04.2019 13:18:25] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Holstein, you first.
[27.04.2019 13:18:36] Daumann|-Holstein: First what?
[27.04.2019 13:18:44] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Dock with the Ring, unload the materials.
[27.04.2019 13:18:55] Daumann|-Holstein: Oh, right. That was what we came for.
[27.04.2019 13:18:56] Daumann|-Brandenburg: And then take your break and eat a snack.
[27.04.2019 13:19:04] 2019-04-27 13:19:13 SMT Traffic control alert: Daumann|-Holstein has requested to dock
[27.04.2019 13:19:22] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Everything alright, Bremerhaven?
[27.04.2019 13:19:29] Daumann|-Bremerhaven: Indeed, shall I proceed?
[27.04.2019 13:19:40] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Sure, dock and unload.
[27.04.2019 13:19:55] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Pause for the rest of the day.
[27.04.2019 13:19:59] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Maintenance, and such.
[27.04.2019 13:20:00] 2019-04-27 13:20:09 SMT Traffic control alert: Daumann|-Bremerhaven has requested to dock
[27.04.2019 13:20:11] Daumann|-Brandenburg: So, you are back here now?
[27.04.2019 13:20:18] [Redacted]: Me?
[27.04.2019 13:20:26] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Well, yes.
[27.04.2019 13:20:36] [Redacted]: Yes I'm waiting for someone. So I had to return.
[27.04.2019 13:20:55] Daumann|-Brandenburg: I see. The Officer didn't want to tell me what kind of trouble you had here.
[27.04.2019 13:21:25] [Redacted]: He was really interested in my ship. Then while we talked more and more of my ship turned out to be 'restricted'
[27.04.2019 13:22:06] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Rheinland has very strict laws, mein Fraeulein.
[27.04.2019 13:22:15] Daumann|-Brandenburg: So, you are waiting here?
[27.04.2019 13:22:17] [Redacted]: I'm noticing that.
[27.04.2019 13:22:20] [Redacted]: Ah I guess.
[27.04.2019 13:22:34] Daumann|-Brandenburg: I guess that means you are not available for an escort job?
[27.04.2019 13:22:43] [Redacted]: Oh well depends on where it goes.
[27.04.2019 13:23:19] Daumann|-Brandenburg: We need Mining Machinery from the Ontario system.
[27.04.2019 13:23:27] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Would you be up for a tour there?
[27.04.2019 13:23:37] [Redacted]: Hm that's quite far... but I guess it is no issue. Sure.
[27.04.2019 13:24:08] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Excellent. I'll quickly moor with the Ring and unload these engine components. Please wait here for the time being.
[27.04.2019 13:24:16] [Redacted]: Sure thing.
[27.04.2019 13:24:31] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Ringstation, we'll moor now.
[27.04.2019 13:24:42] 2019-04-27 13:24:50 SMT Traffic control alert: Daumann|-Brandenburg has requested to dock
[27.04.2019 13:26:19] Daumann|-Brandenburg: [Redacted], I will invite you to a private shared channel for formation coordination.
[27.04.2019 13:26:38] [Redacted]: I'll fly ahead to scout the route.
[27.04.2019 13:26:44] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Excellent.
[27.04.2019 13:27:23] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Don't bother with those. Head for Hamburg.
[27.04.2019 13:27:59] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Are you from Rheinland, Fraeulein?
[27.04.2019 13:29:07] [Redacted]: No I'm from Liberty actually.
[27.04.2019 13:29:19] [Redacted]: Just going where jobs take me.
[27.04.2019 13:29:43] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Ach wie schoen. I guess you will be perfectly able to guide me to Ontario. Otherwise I would have needed the map.
[27.04.2019 13:29:57] [Redacted]: That shouldn't be difficult at all.
[27.04.2019 13:31:14] Daumann|-Brandenburg: I usually don't roam around in Liberty that often. There are enough contractors and materials in Rheinland, you know.
[27.04.2019 13:31:35] [Redacted]: Anything in particular you expect to threaten your task here?
[27.04.2019 13:31:55] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Just pirates and the Lane Hackers.
[27.04.2019 13:32:28] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Kusari and the Gas Miners have sent a few attack wings to Rheinland, but they usually look for military targets.
[27.04.2019 13:32:30] [Redacted]: So just the usual then.
[27.04.2019 13:32:47] [Redacted]: Well I doubt they'd come all the way here.
[27.04.2019 13:33:13] Daumann|-Brandenburg: I very much hope they don't, yes. We're behind schedule for the warships at the Ring.
[27.04.2019 13:33:38] Daumann|-Brandenburg: The upper ranks had to make some deals with contractors outside to get things running somehow.
[27.04.2019 13:33:48] [Redacted]: That doesn't sound like Military would be happy with it.
[27.04.2019 13:34:05] Daumann|-Brandenburg: The Military is happy as long as we provide the ships they use.
[27.04.2019 13:34:16] Daumann|-Brandenburg: It's more that everyone else is rather unhappy about it.
[27.04.2019 13:34:42] Daumann|-Brandenburg: They call for war, so shortly after the last one, and didn't think about the economical aspects.
[27.04.2019 13:34:57] Daumann|-Brandenburg: So here we are at Daumann, trying our best to still get things done.
[27.04.2019 13:35:09] Daumann|-Brandenburg: I hope for a good paycheck for this trouble, though.
[27.04.2019 13:35:19] [Redacted]: Is this not your normal job?
[27.04.2019 13:35:39] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Well, define normal.
[27.04.2019 13:35:49] [Redacted]: Shipping contracts?
[27.04.2019 13:35:55] Daumann|-Brandenburg: I usually do only routes within Rheinland.
[27.04.2019 13:36:10] [Redacted]: Ah so that's the troubling part then
[27.04.2019 13:36:23] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Exactly. And all that because of a bet I won.
[27.04.2019 13:36:24] [Redacted]: Well Liberty is... fairly safe. Though the Navy is losing ground I hear.
[27.04.2019 13:36:36] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Losing ground to Gallia?
[27.04.2019 13:36:43] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Serves them right.
[27.04.2019 13:37:34] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Entschuldigung, I forgot you are libertonian.
[27.04.2019 13:37:43] [Redacted]: Ah no worries...
[27.04.2019 13:38:06] Daumann|-Brandenburg: It's just, not long ago we fought Liberty. Or, well, the Militaer did.
[27.04.2019 13:38:31] Daumann|-Brandenburg: One of the ships I worked on before I switched to transport duty was destroyed in that war.
[27.04.2019 13:38:54] Daumann|-Brandenburg: It's a bit frustrating when you see your work rotting away as a wreck, salvaged by Junkers.
[27.04.2019 13:39:00] [Redacted]: Sorry to hear that.
[27.04.2019 13:39:10] [Redacted]: I try to avoid these wars for the most part.
[27.04.2019 13:39:28] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Looks like working as Freelancer is the hot thing now.
[27.04.2019 13:39:35] [Redacted]: Is it?
[27.04.2019 13:39:42] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Going wherever you want, doing whatever you want.
[27.04.2019 13:39:49] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Your ship looks quite expensive.
[27.04.2019 13:40:19] [Redacted]: Oh yeah it's a very good ship.
[27.04.2019 13:40:53] Daumann|-Brandenburg: I am curious, Fraeulein, are you a trained combat pilot?
[27.04.2019 13:41:02] Daumann|-Brandenburg: As in, how many kills did you score so far?
[27.04.2019 13:41:08] [Redacted]: Well I can fight but I'm not really doing that most ofte-
[27.04.2019 13:41:20] [Redacted]: Ah... that I'd rather not talk about.
[27.04.2019 13:41:26] Daumann|-Brandenburg: I see.
[27.04.2019 13:41:31] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Entschuldigung.
[27.04.2019 13:41:45] Daumann|-Brandenburg: I am just curious whether you can defend me in case of an ambush.
[27.04.2019 13:41:52] [Redacted]: I certainly can.
[27.04.2019 13:42:01] [Redacted]: But if I do my job right you aren't in any danger
[27.04.2019 13:42:19] Daumann|-Brandenburg: I hope so, mein Fraeulein!
[27.04.2019 13:42:48] Daumann|-Brandenburg: We'll stop at Toronto Station, then we'll take the same way back to The Ring.
[27.04.2019 13:43:02] [Redacted]: Alright. I'll wait.
[27.04.2019 13:43:15] 2019-04-27 13:43:23 SMT Traffic control alert: Daumann|-Brandenburg has requested to dock
[27.04.2019 13:44:02] [Redacted]: Ready?
[27.04.2019 13:44:15] Daumann|-Brandenburg: On your lead, mein Fraeulein.
[27.04.2019 13:45:01] Daumann|-Brandenburg: They said they wanted Mining Machinery from here. Turns out they meant Platinum. Another transport will do the Mining Machinery
[27.04.2019 13:45:07] Daumann|-Brandenburg: I'm fine with that.
[27.04.2019 13:45:26] Daumann|-Brandenburg: You see, the supervisors are having troubles keeping an overview here.
[27.04.2019 13:45:28] [Redacted]: Ah oh well.
[27.04.2019 13:45:35] [Redacted]: As long as it works out in the end!
[27.04.2019 13:46:48] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Well, what we lack in management, we make up in the engineering, right?
[27.04.2019 13:47:00] [Redacted]: Well so I hear. *laughs*
[27.04.2019 13:47:46] Daumann|-Brandenburg: It's true, mein Fraeulein. The Ring, for example, has pretty much all the refineries and factories to produce everything we-
[27.04.2019 13:48:04] Daumann|-Brandenburg: need for the construction of ships, by purely supplying it with the raw materials.
[27.04.2019 13:48:15] Daumann|-Brandenburg: And fuel, but that's Kruger's job.
[27.04.2019 13:49:10] Daumann|-Brandenburg: To the best of my knowledge, no other house has something that can keep up with our beloved Ring.
[27.04.2019 13:49:28] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Not even the Republicans can keep up at Alster.
[27.04.2019 13:49:38] [Redacted]: Well it is fairly big.
[27.04.2019 13:50:09] Daumann|-Brandenburg: That's just for show. Ever since the gas attack on Alster, the working motivation there is rather low, in comparison.
[27.04.2019 13:50:19] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Simply because they are less well defended out there in Hamburg.
[27.04.2019 13:50:45] Daumann|-Brandenburg: The Prison Break of Vierlande doesn't make it any better.
[27.04.2019 13:50:56] [Redacted]: Is Hamburg that dangerous now?
[27.04.2019 13:51:06] Daumann|-Brandenburg: I'm actually quite fortunate to work at the Ring because of that. Yes, mein Fraeulein.
[27.04.2019 13:51:40] Daumann|-Brandenburg: I would say the safest places in Rheinland are New Berlin and Stuttgart, including Baden Baden.
[27.04.2019 13:52:01] Daumann|-Brandenburg: The latter being rather expensive, since it is an OSC base. Currently their headquarters, even.
[27.04.2019 13:52:35] Daumann|-Brandenburg: They say all the admirals are taking mud baths there.
[27.04.2019 13:52:56] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Ever been there, mein Fraeulein?
[27.04.2019 13:53:14] [Redacted]: Ah no can't say I was.
[27.04.2019 13:53:23] [Redacted]: I keep spending my money on other things.
[27.04.2019 13:53:40] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Baden Baden is well known for the purple mud baths. You should give that a try when you have the funds for that.
[27.04.2019 13:54:30] Daumann|-Brandenburg: I know it's probably not the best place for a Libertonian, but Rheinland really has some very nice areas.
[27.04.2019 13:55:18] [Redacted]: Well I don't seem to get along here too well.
[27.04.2019 13:55:40] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Just give it some time and visit the planets.
[27.04.2019 13:56:01] Daumann|-Brandenburg: New Berlin is rather cold outside, though.
[27.04.2019 13:56:18] [Redacted]: A lot of the planets look rather icy.
[27.04.2019 13:56:40] Daumann|-Brandenburg: If Rheinland manages to win the war, and that they will do, we'll import more of that nice leather and fur from Nagano.
[27.04.2019 13:57:04] Daumann|-Brandenburg: The media tries to denounce our Militaer but they will win the war.
[27.04.2019 13:57:29] Daumann|-Brandenburg: First Honshu, then New Tokyo. Then they will probably surrender.
[27.04.2019 13:58:35] [Redacted]: Is it really going to go that far?
[27.04.2019 13:58:43] [Redacted]: This sounds horrible.
[27.04.2019 13:59:16] Daumann|-Brandenburg: It's not my decision, Fraeulein, but the population really needs a win this time. The loss of Munich and Nuremberg specifically
[27.04.2019 13:59:21] Daumann|-Brandenburg: are really bad for us.
[27.04.2019 13:59:32] Daumann|-Brandenburg: The Hessians took over Dresden as well.
[27.04.2019 13:59:49] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Sigma-21 is a good new ground for us, so they say.
[27.04.2019 14:00:29] [Redacted]: Run!
[27.04.2019 14:00:32] [Redacted]: Don't come here
[27.04.2019 14:00:33] Daumann|-Brandenburg: And let's be honest, Fraeulein, Kusari could make good-
[27.04.2019 14:00:35] Shiro.Nakamura: Konnichiwa.
[27.04.2019 14:00:35] [Redacted]: Stop at the base!
[27.04.2019 14:00:39] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Alright.
[27.04.2019 14:00:46] [Redacted]: Who are you?
[27.04.2019 14:00:51] [Redacted]: Some unknown Kusari vessel.
[27.04.2019 14:00:55] [Redacted]: Probably the KNF
[27.04.2019 14:01:00] Shiro.Nakamura: I am the Tennos fist.
[27.04.2019 14:01:10] Daumann|-Brandenburg: I see. We'll head for Bonn instead. What are they doing? Are they at the Ring?
[27.04.2019 14:01:12] Shiro.Nakamura: Shiro Nakamura, of the Kusari Naval Forces.
[27.04.2019 14:01:20] Shiro.Nakamura: Leave the lane, civilian.
[27.04.2019 14:01:21] [Redacted]: In the lane to New Berlin.
[27.04.2019 14:01:28] [Redacted]: Ah... certainly.
[27.04.2019 14:01:32] Daumann|-Brandenburg: I see.
[27.04.2019 14:01:54] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Heading now to Wildau Station, then we'll lane to New Berlin.
[27.04.2019 14:02:06] [Redacted]: I'll wait there
[27.04.2019 14:02:33] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Laning.
[27.04.2019 14:02:39] Daumann|-Brandenburg: I hope this lane is clear.
[27.04.2019 14:02:49] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Have you on sensors.
[27.04.2019 14:02:55] Daumann|-Brandenburg: No other signals.
[27.04.2019 14:03:05] [Redacted]: That's good then
[27.04.2019 14:03:14] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Heading straight for the Ring. Thanks for the scouting, mein Fraeulein.
[27.04.2019 14:03:26] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Sending your payment... now.
[27.04.2019 14:03:40] You have received 8.000.000 credits from Daumann|-Brandenburg
[27.04.2019 14:03:45] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Payment sent.
[27.04.2019 14:03:46] [Redacted]: Thank you!
[27.04.2019 14:03:51] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Thank you very much for the service.
[27.04.2019 14:03:56] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Daumann will remember this.
[27.04.2019 14:04:21] [Redacted]: Well good luck with all the shipments.
[27.04.2019 14:04:30] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Ringstation, we're queueing in for mooring.
[27.04.2019 14:04:44] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Fraeulein, what is your name, by the way?
[27.04.2019 14:04:53] [Redacted]: [Redacted].
[27.04.2019 14:05:22] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Excellent. Marvin Kunt mein Name. I hope we'll get to work together in future as well.
[27.04.2019 14:05:53] [Redacted]: Sure if I'm in the area again
[27.04.2019 14:06:01] Daumann|-Brandenburg: Good luck out there, then.
TLDR: The Ring can work by just being fueled and supplied with raw materials, but Daumann is badly behind schedules and imports finished parts from other facilities to make up for it. I've then asked one of my other assets to provide me with a list of stations and their products in Rheinland. The list might not be 100% accurate, given some of these stations produce items not available to the open market, but it will surely be an interesting read. Sorted by systems.
Name
Faction
Location
Exports
Wuppertal Refinery
ALG
Cologne
Oxygen
Robotic Hardware
Thorium MOX
Heisenberg Research Station
Independent
Cologne
Argentium Silver
Human Organs
Lasers
Nanotubes
Oxygen
Pharmaceuticals
Tholey Station
Bounty Hunters Guild
Cologne
Oxygen
Pharmaceuticals
H-Fuel
Side Arms
Synth Paste
Planet Holstein
Daumann Heavy Construction
Frankfurt
Cigars
Fertilizers
Hydrocarbons
Oxygen
Rheinbier
Synth Paste
Water
Blue Diamonds
Consumer Goods (made in Rheinland)
H-Fuel
Oxygen
Kreuzberg Depot
Junkers
New Berlin
Armaments
Black Market Munitions
Consumer Goods (made in Rheinland)
H-Fuel
Manifolds
mining Machinery
Oxygen
Reinforced Alloy
Rheinbier
Scrap Metal
Side Arms
Synth Paste
Planet Stuttgart
Synth Foods
Stuttgart
Blue Jillies
Consumer Goods (made in Rheinland)
Hydrocarbons
Oxygen
Synth Gel
Synth Paste
Water
Planet Baden Baden
Orbital Spa & Cruise
Stuttgart
Consumer Goods (made in Rheinland)
Gin
H-Fuel
Holo-Tainment Bands
Hypnotainment Bands
Luxury Consumder Goods
Luxury Food
Oxygen
Pharmaceuticals
Rheinbier
Synth Gel
Tea
Vodka
Water
Whiskey
Wine
Supply Station Neckar
Synth Foods
Stuttgart
Oxygen
Synth Gel
Freiburg Station
Republican Shipping
Stuttgart
Consumer Goods (made in Rheinland)
Drill Bits
Energy Field Equipment
H-Fuel
Optical Chips
Oxygen
Shape-Memory Alloy
Solar Panels
Water
Briesen Mining Facility
Daumann Heavy Construction
Omega-7
Cobalt
Copper
mining Machinery
Oxygen
Elbich Mining Facility
Kruger Minerals
Omega-7
Argentium Silver
Diamonds
Mining Machinery
Oxygen
Freistadt Base
Independent Miners Guild
Omega-7
Argentium Silver
Cobalt
Consumer Goods (made in Rheinland)
Copper
Mining Machinery
Oxygen
Silver
Water
Whiskey
Planet Hammersee
Rheinland
Sigma-15
Oxygen
Vanadium
Water
Wichter Station
ALG
Sigma-15
Food Rations
H-Fuel
Light Arms
Oxygen
Water
Ennibeck Spaceport
Daumann Heavy Construction
Omicron Delta
H-Fuel
Mining Machinery
Oxygen
Toxic Waste
Water
As you can see, Miss Ishibashi, the Oder Shipyard is not reliant on specific sources of parts in Rheinland. They are importing raw materials from all kinds of sources. Daumann even runs a station in Omicron Delta, importing Iridium and other Edge Worlds materials to send them via the Rho corridor to New Berlin. Alster Shipyard and Dortmund Station are both producing chassis-related products.
Rheinland's economic network is large enough to be able to deal with accidents and ambushes. Attacking a freighter here just means they need a freighter somewhere else to go. In the end, the materials will still arrive at The Ring. If you want to sabotage the production of new warships in Rheinland, you will need to find a way to disable the Oder Shipyard or the facilities of The Ring.
Alster Shipyard would be easier to starve out, though, given they are a few lanes away from The Ring and defending assets. That Elbe-class Carrier could join the front in days or months. If the latter is the case, the Alster Shipyard might be an interesting target for a bomber strike, if you manage to reach the Hamburg system. Using the Liberty corridor to reach Rheinland via Hudson might be a good idea. It just takes more time. That, or you find someone who provides you with a jump-capable capital ship to deploy the bombers.
Encryption: GAS23 ~ Theta63-44-21-Helium15-43-Omega15-22-29
Subject: A mission
Kon'nichiwa again,
I am surprised about the detail of your report, Vertiga. You even risked your life to go through something I really didn't need and won't need any time soon, good job anyway on the scouting part.
Rheinland part however, this is interesting. I will have to read it again a bit more carefully in the evening but I can already see how much it's going to help our efforts.
Now to your reward, I will make sure my contacts get in touch with the organisation which is trying to hunt you down. It's my personal reward for your job. I will get in touch with you as soon as I get the result. No promises though.