Locklear, I have an update for you in regards to our salvage operation.
I am in collaboration with a colleague by the name of Hans von Goeben, and Herr Goeben has graciously offered to assist us in location the derelicts of Apotheosis, Heket, and Serqet, and to help us to analyze the debris and determine whether any of it is still useful to us.
With this being the case, I would like to proceed with the operation as soon as is convenient for you. I would greatly prefer not to waste any more time than necessary, and determining the feasibility of this salvage has become a new top priority. Additionally, if you have any suggestions as to how we could store the fruits of our labors, I am all ears.
Do let me know if you can do this soon. I look forward to seeing you.
[Comm-ID]:Samuel Locklear, Lord Commander, Hellfire Legion [Recipient-ID]:Aisling Cenncroithi [Location]:Monterrey Base, Vespucci System, Commonwealth Space [Subject]: Reliquary
[Priority]:Standard [Encryption]:Heavy
After having discussed this with High Command, we've determined that the rewards outweigh the risks. I've managed to arrange a detachment for you consisting of the Battlecruiser Zenith, under the command of Grand Admiral Theodore Duncan, along with a compliment of two full SAD fighter squadrons and accompanying logistics transports, Delta One and Two. In exchange, we'd like to keep the Serqet for ourselves, though you'll be granted full access to any information we may glean from her. The Apotheosis and Heket can be sequestered away in Vespucci until such time that they're fully operational or stripped down, depending on their status and your plans for them.
If you find these terms acceptable, please let me know. I regret that I'll be unable to attend myself as the situation with Auxesia is... ongoing. If you agree, I'll be assigning Captain Heartwood as a military attaché to aid in coordinating the search and recovery efforts, as I know you're at least tangentially familiar with her, despite her.. eccentricities.
This is quite a lot more than I was expecting, I must say, and more than I had hoped for.
I must stress that there is no guarantee that Heket and Serqet are wholly intact, or that any particularly valuable components remain of either of them. However, the most important components for my purposes are the sensors arrays; and, from Apotheosis, her drive and reactor.
I had hoped to use parts from these old vessels as bargaining chips for when we inevitably contract a shipwright to work with us on blueprints for a new, larger, and more defensible laboratory. They would hopefully also help attain a shipyard to build our ship in. I was told by the newly fledged Natio Octavarium a month or so ago that we may be able to contract Aquila Defense Systems for the construction of a mobile laboratory; otherwise, I am uncertain of where we may look, and how we may achieve the funding to do so.
Nevertheless, between Heket and Apotheosis, we ought to have enough to work with, especially if you intend to help us salvage the entire hulls, and not simply the individual components we need. With any luck that will be sufficient to exchange.
Thank you for everything that you have done for us, Locklear. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
[Comm-ID]:Samuel Locklear, Lord Commander, Hellfire Legion [Recipient-ID]:Aisling Cenncroithi [Location]:Monterrey Base, Vespucci System, Commonwealth Space [Subject]: Reliquary
[Priority]:Standard [Encryption]:Heavy
Don't thank me yet - I'm going to assume you were unaware that the microstate of Natio Octavarium declared war upon us less than a week ago. I can't in good conscience spare you a taskforce to recover ships which will penultimately fall into the hands of our enemies. If you're adamant on working with them I won't personally hold it against you as I feel they've been coerced, but rendering any assistance is out of the question.
On the other hand if you'd rather find another party to salvage your ships, the offer stands.
Oh, is that so? That's quite a shame. Their offer seemed to be our best lead.
Nevertheless, we have made no commitments to them at this time--it was simply the most readily available option. We certainly will not give technology to your enemies. I believe that we will be able to find another option. We will simply need to do some searching.
With that being said, I still intend to take you up on your offer, revised terms and all.