I've seen you a month ago in space. I was almost surprised to see the Alster Union still holding its positions. Forgive my sudden questioning, but how have you been lately - and by default, the Union? I haven't heard of you folks in a very, very long time. There have been rumours about Bering's status. So I'll ask the source - you.
On another subject, I need something the Union has. Its engineering expertise. The "CV-2400" requires a modified power output. You might see the following months why. But its mainly centered around that even though my urgh..."companion" - a broken Artificial Intelligence you have met - can manage power usage and boost this ship pretty nicely, hardware limitations are a pain. Even for a Heavy Fighter on steroids like the Jackdaw, I need modification that can give me an edge in combat. Engine re-calibration and other things to increase turn rate, speed, and more. I'd trust the newly formed scientific group - the "GRG" - but I don'y believe in true neutrality. I've seen how such bold claims end in my time of assisting "Nodoka Hanamura" - the Administrator of Freeport 11. Well, ex-Administrator. She went silent.
This message is highly encrypted using syndicliga proprietary encryption cryptography through intranet-publicneralink drops and are functionally untracable if no sender address is given. Abuse of Intranet functionality commands community service punishments as listed in regulation five three seven gamma six. security is assumed. Any deliberate or otherwise location triangulation method successfully employed against anonymous transmissions will receive either a one billion credit reward or immediate incarceration dependent upon disclosure and motive. The revanchist council requests that Arbeiters do not squander valuable neuralnet bandwith on the consumption of CNS articles, adult content, or gambling, and advise that the relevant arbeiters employ public terminals for such use, rather than the secure line. Communal enforcement may differ between Reichsarbeitergesellschaft der Alsterian and Landwirtrechbewegung cells. Consult your admin for technical support or contact your resident Neural Technology Help Specialist at www.totallypacifica@notAHacker.net. The Union reminds Arbeiters that "trolling" is not an acceptable standard of political debate, unless aimed at capitalists, fascists, militarists, etc, who lack the neurological prerequisites to engage in such discourse. Southern Unioners are encouraged to remember that the average Unioner's literary age is roughly analogous to a twelve year old on PCP, and are encouraged to avoid engaging in difficult subjects, and are suggested to stick to familiar subjects, such as the market value of cardamine, bundschuh-based footwear puns, and the general terrible quality of life aboard wedel mining station.
Have a glorious day, Comrade user. - Unity, your resident Neuralnet VI.
G.Riehl
Incoming Transmission
Ridrrs
To: Kyle Vaughn. You always were one of the good ones. From: Gunda Riehl, as asked for. Subject:You've come to the right people.
Unpacking videofile...
Scanning for malware...
Linking attachments...
Video play...
Gunda lights a cigarette from what looks like an arc welder on its lowest power setting. It's a long way away from her face when she pulls the stunt.
"Sure, Kyle. I remember you, mate."
"It's been a bit, hasn't it?"
She raises the smoldering wreckage of the cigarette to her lips and inhales what she can.
"Ugh. You'd think spaceflight rad-exposure would be my downpayment on the radiotherapy these sticks are going to win me."
"Well, I ain't the best fabricator in the Unioners or wouldn't be in a flightchair. But I can take a tinker with it, send it to a trustworthy set of knuckles who can bend the metal in the right places. Thing is, all engineering being of the same mark, materials science splits between reliable, low-mass, and high output. You can only aim for one, max of two if you wanna' meet an average. Trying to go for all three is quackery if you're not doin' somethin' so radically out-there that it ain't sustainable for the everyman."
"Keep your expectations at eyelevel, and you'll get ahead in this life, right? Doesn't mean we can't get what you're gunning for - our parts are well put-together even if they're long in the tooth, and our techs are always looking to crack in optimisations. Core powertrain refits means a rebuild, not a tack-on, Kyle. There's only so much surface-doodads you can wangle before your numbers get capped."
"I can promise you, you'll have one of the better ships in the underworld once the design boards start viewing it as a loved-in project. Just don't let the technicians creep away with the specs."
"And hey; meet me on Pacifica sometime. Preferably with that AI turned off so it doesn't hole the dockingmaster, as much as Haast deserves it. Figured I owe you a Rheinbeer."
"Smart move coming to the Alster Union to get your ship rejigged. There's iron in our blood and magnesium in our brains, buddy. You'll get what you need, and maybe, more than you want."
---------------Data, Uploading---------------
The birdclock croaked when it saw the sun, tethered to a spring.
G.Riehl.
Wedel's Remnants.
Transmission Complete
Scrambling access point...
Decompiling neuratrace... Signal lost.
THE SYNDIC LEAGUES
(A co-operative of Rheinland's Shipping Unions, retired from a life of piracy.)
I am glad I can still count on the Union for engineering. The callsign vessel "CV-2400" will arrive in what seems to be a month or two - currently Bit is at Ames with the ship, while I am in a Collector class Junker vessel having a nice trip in Liberty. Obviously I am not here to have an adventure - but to cause as much chaos as possible. You see, I wouldn't ask for this Jackdaw to be upgraded had I not looked into actively turning Liberty in my personal playground. Or Rheinland. Or the Omicrons. It depends, really. I have a lot of nuisances to get rid of. This Jackdaw is dear to me - many killed navies. Many contracts taken. Hell, I even earned around 450 million credits out of contracts and simply intimidation. The engine and power management systems are the real deal - they roar like a raging bull. Of course, there can always be better. Lighter, stronger, and thinning that profile are only a few examples. Surprise me with your engineers, Gunda. If the Alster Union needs a place to deal with the ship on the safe ground right under Liberty's nose - you have The Black Liner for it. Or maybe you want to see The Core's space yourself, and that can be arranged.
About that beer...sure, why not. Unless you welcome around 2400 fellow Junker engineers to join. You might know many of them, especially a certain someone under the name of "Dover Vaughn". Well...not really 2400 - but they are all family. The only issue would be Bit. You see - poor clanker took a lot on his processor, and for some reason, I grew fond of him. Call this clanker a necessary evil, since he can greatly boost what the CV-2400 does. Naturally, he won't shoot Alster down...unless provoked; make sure none of your engineers sting the bastard too hard. Especially when the GRG is on to giving him a huge upgrade.