So, I recently took a poll of the Guild's shipmasters to find out what they wanted that the Guild wasn't already providing. The overwhelming answer was "access to larger transports". Seems they're a bit jealous, sitting in their Serenity and DL Series transports, and seeing other nations' better-appointed transports flying by. The only ship of greater capacity we currently operate is the Pitbull-class "pirate" train. Not exactly the most welcome ship in respectable ports, and rather cramped besides. Maintaining anything bigger is a bit beyond our resources at the moment.
I'd be a poor, and soon unemployed, Guildmaster if I didn't try to do something about that. So, that brings me to why I'm calling you. First, I'd like to negotiate for discounted servicing of our merchant fleet at Sabah Shipyard. Our smaller ships can be serviced on the fly or at whatever ports we find ourselves at, but anything larger needs dedicated facilities. Securing access to Sabah for that purpose would allow us to expand into larger transport classes.
The benefit to yourselves would be the servicing fees you can charge our Captains for the work. By offering your services at preferential Guild rates, our Captains are more likely to have their work done at your facility rather than at more expensive ports elsewhere. Surely the increased business would more than offset a modest per-ship discount.
The second reason I'm calling is your excellent Atlas-class transports. A number of Guild captains have expressed interest in acquiring them, and I'm sure you can understand why. The Atlas' cargo capacity is well above any ship in our fleet, aside from the aforementioned Pitbull, and is robust enough to survive in the hostile space we often find ourselves in. If you're willing to sell them to us, let me know what terms you'd be willing to accept.
Captain Joseph Bloggs, NO-Sea.of.Dreams
Guildmaster, Octavarium Mercantile Guild
This is minister Ryo Kase. I have to say that takes us great pleasure to see that you are looking to increase your civilian fleet and as our allies, we stand by your needs.
We have several Atlas class ships which you can use, some of them are new and some of them were in use for the last 2 years, they are now awaiting upgrade on their weapon array.
The Republic can supply you with 7 vessels initially for your needs.
As you know, we are currently still developing our Fleet and our capacities within the Tau 44 system. The Crayterian Development Bureau will contact you if there is any help we need regarding shipments of materials.
That is excellent news. It's good to know we can continue to count on the Crayter Republic's support. Expanding our merchant fleet's hauling capacity will help fuel the expansion of both of our economies. I need to do some paperwork to update our transport licensing before we can take delivery of the ships, but I will let you know when we're ready.
Captain Joseph Bloggs, NO-Sea.of.Dreams
Guildmaster, Octavarium Mercantile Guild