Lividia Shipyards, Omicron Kappa
25th of December, 824 A.S.
Sender: Dr. Adrian Wight
Recipient: The Core, Atlantis Manufacturing
Topic: Repairs and Proposal
Esteemed Sir or Madame,
My name is Adrian Wight and I am part of a small science team employed at the University of Cambridge. We have recently acquired a Bustard Civilian Carrier for a quite good price, but as you can guess, cheap does not always equal a good condition in such cases — Budgets are annoying like that. We would like to ask Atlantis Manufacturing for permission to moor with Alabama Shipyards and procure the repairs necessary to bring The Titanic back to a presentable shape.
After this, my team and I would like to talk about whether AM might be interested in investing into one of our projects that will no doubt garner your attention, given that you are likely just as interested in hyperspace jump technology as we are. That can wait, however.
:::[INCOMING TRANSMISSION]::: :::[ESTABLISHING VIDEO FEED]::: :::[VIDEO FEED:LIVE]:::
»ID:Martin McKinsey »Location:APM Flagship "Core|APM-Sagittarius|FS" »Subject:Repairs and Proposal »ENCRYPTION:APM-STANDARD
Dr. Wight,
I am known for neither having a rich sense of humor nor much of a tolerance for ignorance. Regardless whether your message displays one or the other, I am not amused. Therefore, if we are to build on the actual subject matter of this business call, I advise you refrain from either and in return I shall consider your slip an honest mistake.
To begin with, we are perfectly capable of refurbishing your precious acquisition and willing to do so. The time and funds it will consume are both largely dependant on the technical condition of said craft. To asses the damage maintenance crews will perform preliminary inspections upon your arrival. However, before you can be granted mooring privileges, you are required to provide your identification information, an abridged copy of your repsheet with regard to The Core specifically, as well as a cargo manifest true to the time of arrival.
As for the second point of business, I am all ears to learn about your proposal, at your convenience, though the peculiarity of position may prove limiting to my direct availability at Alabama Shipyard, in which case message exchange or tightbeam (if possible) will need to suffice.
Planet Cambridge, Cambridge System
4th of January, 825 A.S.
Sender: Dr. Adrian Wight
Recipient: M.McKinsey, APM
Topic: RE: Repairs and Proposal
Mr. KcKinsey,
You confused me at first, but then I noticed my mistake. In hindsight, I couldn't facepalm harder, but I hope my honest apology coupled with a chronic lack of coffee in the recent days are enough to put this matter to rest.
In regards to the ship itself: We have procured The Titanic a small while ago from a seller going by the name of Ezrael Vertiga, who seemed overly eager to be rid of the ship. Nevertheless, we have procured the vessel, knowing of its damage. Going by the scorch marks, I would assume that mines were the culprits. There are no remaining explosives lodged in the hull, however, so the danger for Alabama would be minimal.
As for why we prodcured the vessel in the first place. Well, it is a bit of a complicated matter. Since their first appearance, I have been fascinated by the Cult of Technology's ability to make their carriers night unto impervious to almost any kind of damage. I think I might be able to replicate this technology to an extend, given time and samples of the Cult's drones. The University of Cambridge has been given several samples of Cultist remains. Our initial findings were supported by another source, who claimed the material to be Narcrahtite, a rare, yet brittle material found hitherto only sporadically in some uncharted systems that occasionally found themselves linked to seemingly random places in Sirius.
Yet there is one problem with Narcrahtite: It is not actually more durable than common steel — or at least not in its naturally found state. This is why we believe the material can be processed and that this process is the key to the Cultists' impressive armor. I, alongside my team from the University, have started to research this possibility, yet we need Narcrahtite and further samples of Cultist technology to conduct our experiments — and the Titanic in working order, since we aim to replicate their armaments according to readings we have of the latest Cultist incursion into the Dublin system.
Naturally, I would never dare to ask this of you for free. Naturally, we will pay for The Titanic's repairs and will share any of our findings about the Cult in case you are willing to help us get to the bottom of their armaments. If not, we would take the repairs and leave. It is your choice.
:::[INCOMING TRANSMISSION]::: :::[ESTABLISHING VIDEO FEED]::: :::[VIDEO FEED:LIVE]:::
»ID:Martin McKinsey »Location:APM Flagship "Core|APM-Sagittarius|FS" »Subject:Repairs and Proposal »ENCRYPTION:APM-STANDARD
Compliments Dr. Wight,
you have grasped my attention. I propose we take this to the table in the comforts of Alabama Shipyard, where we can share insights more freely - having acquired a bit of knowledge on encryption protocols, I put as much trust in them as I do in my dogsbody.
You are welcome to proceed to Omicron Rho at my invitation - we shall make sure to keep a wetdock clear for your arrival. Once repairs are on the way, we will have more then enough time to talk technology, mineral processing or politics. Also, I am sure that the AP Maintenance division will draw up a generous estimate for the repairs - I imagine that Cambridge does not fall much behind other government institutions in terms of underfunding. The last thing we would want is to overstress your budget.
Please make sure to provide the necessary documentation for mooring clearance. Also, please give me a few days ahead notice of when we may expect your arrival.
Lividia Shipyard, Omicron Kappa
12th of January, 825 A.S.
Sender: Dr. Adrian Wight
Recipient: M.McKinsey, APM
Topic: RE: Repairs and Proposal
Mr. KcKinsey,
I am gracious for your offer. APM can expect The Titanic on Monday the 15th at 14 Sirius Standard Time. Clearance papers can be seen here. I am looking forward to our meeting and would postpone anthing further until such a time where we can meet face to face. Text is always rather impersonal like that.
Planet Cambridge, Cambridge System
22nd of January, 825 A.S.
Sender: Dr. Adrian Wight
Recipient: M.McKinsey, APM
Topic: Arrival
Mr. KcKinsey,
The Titanic has arrived at Alabama. I will be awaiting the time when you are free to meet with me so we can discuss the more pertinent matters of our stay in private.