Stood in a refit cargo bay of an Eagle, Melissa seems in good health, She bows her head, speaking in a soft and friendly Cambridge accent.
"Tia, hope you're having fun with the new position. Max, Jerard, hope you both are well.
I want to keep this brief. Because I'm heading out for a few weeks. I want to apologise that I never formally passed everything to you all, but there's a lot in my personal life I need to see to. Alex and I are out of Velvet, permanently, so it's up to you all to take care of the Organisation. Rest assured, I'll be helping from the shadows when needed, but I won't be wearing the badges. I am now fully independent, and plan to keep it this way. It's the best course of action for me, and no doubt for the organisation.
Now, my reason for contacting you, is I need my ship back. The Cryolite. I know she's currently getting refits in Livadia, but those will have to wait. With your permission, I'll be taking the vessel back under my personal banner, which will be independant. I'll be around to help you out when needed.
As for anything else, I'll leave you a load of my old fighters, bombers and every other ship. I just need the Cryolite. My XO, Matthew Keyes, is standing by with the rest of the crew on Livadia pending your response.
Now that we're operating independently as well, it could give us an opportunity to carry on working together, so the offer is always there for my old team.
I'll see you all again soon."
Melissa winks playfully, bowing her head respectfully as the transmission begins to end.
Hey Mel. Sorry, I have been busy with the whole Freeport thing around Sirius, but it is under control for now.
The High Command has decided to give you the Cryolite. Keep in mind that about 90% of the ship has been retrofitted so most stuff that you had on your ship is either dismantled or stored on the shipyard. You can thank Bulldog for that. I want to make sure that our ships abide the regulations. You can do anything you want with it now.
Since I am in a hurry now, I will take my leave. Have a good day.
==Incoming Transmission== ID: Melissa Jones.
Date: 1st December, 826 AS.
Location: Planet New Tokyo, New Tokyo System.
Encryption: ***Unbeatable***
Subject: The Cryolite.
Melissa takes a deep breath before speaking. As she exhales, she briefly closes her eyes, thinking how to word what she's about to say. She smiles and nods her head respectfully, speaking in a soft and friendly tone.
"Tia, thank you for the reply. Before I officially take the vessel back under my own control again, I find myself in a bit of a predicament with how to keep her a float. Naturally, it's not like I have the direct backing of Velvet anymore, as I'm no longer the leader or even involved anymore. I also won't have the backing of the current existing crew, as they are mostly Velvet employees, it's only right that they return to Velvet's own ranks. Only the skeleton crew of those who would be interested in the new ventures, of which there are actually very few, are operating the ship currently. We can move and operate within the ship, but anything more than that... Lets say we're very short staffed right now. I have a few ideas that allow me to keep the ship operating with the existing crew, but also means that we can carry on using the ship to assist in Velvet's own operations:
We keep operating in the Omicrons, assisting with the Nomad menace. Would mean then we have a reason to keep any existing crew, should they be interested, and it means that Velvet don't actually get short one flagship. It stays under my command, but it works alongside you and your teams when you need it.
Velvet will help me with the maintenance and supplying of The Cryolite while we assist you. I will also ensure that any Iridium operations are well safe guarded so that ships such as the Nyx, Kaldra and others can be kept on their official rotas.
I can work in and out of House Space, meaning should you need it, we can use The Cryolite later on as an envoy to work on helping Velvet establish itself better with more than just the co-operations it had when I was in charge in just the Omicrons, Taus and Sigmas. Would mean potentially more allies and as well, will mean your teams can keep low profiles if the need to.
Should Velvet also need it, I can act as a medial voice as someone who is now an outsider. Means should there be any issues, you can have a voice of reason... Not that I ever was such a thing when leading, but it's definitely something that now as an independant, it's more important than ever. Let me know on this one.
We relinquish any access to the No Fire Zone enforcement, naturally, we won't be Zoners anymore, so it shouldn't be something we look at doing. The plan long term is having the ship be fully self sufficient, but also retaining it's ability and capability to assist you when needed. We are also to be treated as any other capital vessel, and would have to request access to any No Fire Zone before entering.
I would also request a small personal intake into the Iridium deal which was previously negotiated with Core. This would merely be for Iridium, at a single percent within the NCLE. If Velvet are happy and in agreement with this, I will make the necessary contact to Core.
Any future co-operations with Velvet are done free of charge. No strings attached. Would be the least I can go for you all.
These are some ideas that I have in my head, so that you aren't short one of the most potent vessels that the organisation had, unless you have something new. This will also allow us to keep working together, despite me no longer being part of the group. Not to mention, I still feel a connection with you all, despite the separate paths we now walk. How is everyone doing?"
Melissa chuckles and she nods her head respectfully.
I will make this really easy on both of us. The high command has spoken.
We stand in agreement to everything but number 2 and 6. As you have decided to leave Velvet, you do not have the same jurisdiction anymore. We have been generous enough to give you the Cryolite back.
As I said. We will agree to all, but number 2 and 6. This is the best we can do.
==Incoming Transmission== ID: Melissa Jones.
Date: 3rd December, 826 AS.
Location: Planet New Tokyo, New Tokyo System.
Encryption: ***Unbeatable***
Subject: The Cryolite.
Mel seems pretty impressed with Tia's response. Melissa takes a second obviously thinking hard about how to respond but instead just seems to speak a bit more off the cuff.
"Very well. I will be looking at external benefactors to keep the ship afloat. Rest assured, should you call on the Cryolite to assist, it will be there to help you out. It's the absolute goddamn least I can do for you and the team in the Omicrons. Just because I've left, doesn't mean I don't hold you all as close to my heart as I did when I was in charge, but life has a way of making the path we walk suddenly change. Maybe one day when we both get time, would be good to actually have a coffee and a catch up, my friend.
Parts two and six can therefore be happily ignored, thought it was a bit cheeky, but can't blame me for trying, eh?
For now, I want you to be aware, the majority of the crew have requested to remain under Velvet's banners. Out of the 650 existing crew, 408 have requested to remain in Velvet, and 242 are remaining with me and are interested in my plans. This means I have 608 slots to fill. This won't be a short term process, nor a cheap one. I won't be 'stealing' your people to operate a ship under a banner that they didn't sign up for. While I'm getting the ship operational again, would you be interested in that coffee and catch up in the interim at your convenience? Let me know, be good to see how things are going since I packed up and left."
Melissa chuckles and she nods her head respectfully.