I'm happy to report that trade is flowing both ways, it's a slow and perilous process but Milford has it on record that Corsair transports have been paying them visits and that we've been hauling things to Crete and back. But there's a favor we need to ask for.
It's been a long time since the Alliance has taken on a commercial deal like this, and quite frankly we're ill-equipped to haul goods back and forth. The ramshackle pirate transports that we nicked from the black-market are falling to pieces and the only Bison-class transport in our possession is a massive target, and not suited to our needs.
The Alliance needs suitable logistic vessels, that can also serve as reliable platforms for piracy and fire support against heavily armed and armored transport. Operatives report the Pilgrim liner as having a durable frame, reliable gun mounts and a basic enough power-system for us to jury-rig to work with our gear.
From our trips to Gamma, we know you have the ability to manufacture the ship we want. We'd like permission to acquire them from you as is needed to facilitate commercial operations and for domestic extortion of goods with which we can augment the black-market between us.
Sender: Luciano Vasquez, The Brotherhood Location: Leon Base, Omega-41 Encryption: Mucho strong Recipient: Commander Damian Morretti of the Xeno Alliance Topic: The Artifact Trade
Saludos Senor Moretti,
Ah, the Pilgrim Liner, a sturdy bulwark and spacious hold make it an excellent smuggler. We have a few on hand for our own use currently, although we do prefer our own Essedarius for large-scale hauling. Having spoken to our engineers at Tripoli, they'll be able to produce the ships if you can bring them the materials- Hull Panels, Engine Components, Optronics, various Alloys etc- I'll spare you the shopping list, as I'm sure you know what it takes to make a ship. Just bring the supplies and you'll get your ships. Sound fair, si?
Mister Vasquez, that's more than fair and actually quite generous of you. Though it will take close to a week for us to procure and then ship the supplies out for assembly. Circumstances being what they are and procurement of ship-building materials simply being an unreliable task to facilitate at best.
Usually, we would name transport ships after a desert within Liberty's boundaries before its pilgrimage from Sol to our current residence. But given your cordial attitude, perhaps you deserve the honor of naming the ship. It would certainly add a fresh twist to an otherwise standardized series of names.
To: <"The Brotherhood">
Reg: ""<Business as usual>""
Mister Vasquez it's Morreti again.
The Pilgrim liner has been doing well so far as long distance haulage of less than legal goods is concerned. It's not the most comfortable thing, but it gets the job done and that's more than sufficient. I'm contacting you now because the ship enables a new business opportunity, which is to ship scrap of the premium variety direct to Crete for a mark up. I'm happy to get the ball rolling, I just need you to nod.
Additionally I'd like to know if you'd be willing to receive a team of our most experienced engineers so that you can educate them regarding ship design, maintenance and the challenges involved given the nature of our profession. It's a high priority objective to eventually design and produce our own craft, namely fighters and bombers. I figure your Spartan insight on the subject would prove quite inspiring for them. The only condition I'd have is that I need them back in one piece, or at least pieces that function - I'm joking. Things have been good so far, I'm willing to see them go a little further in limited cooperation such as this, provided of course you see the value just as I do.