APM...Protocol....Alpha 6-5
Opening Network Network Established Running APM Security
To: APM Control & Operations From: APM-Technical.Conveyor Subject: Informal Report on SHF Salvage
SHF Polver salvage from Sigma 13
This information is now well know through the APM but this is a candid version for media release.
Hauling Iridium Ore across Sirius is not without interest and excitement. Many oppose the APM ships and seem to disregard the mandate of Defenders of Humanity which the APM, supporting the Core, uphold. The last trip by APM-Technical.Conveyor was no different. The remote station in the Shikoku System are always eager for the Ore as is the Base in Coronado. This trip was for Shikoku and having succeeding in the ships delivery was returning back to Omicron Delta.
In order to expand the ships NavMap a slightly alternate route was planned taking the Ship through Sigma 13. As many pilots know, wrecks from hostile activity, mechanical failure or just plain neglect are strewn through all systems and many smart navigators have them well plotted on their maps in order to search for loot. However, As the Conveyor made course for the Frankfurt Jump Gate an unplotted wreck was in the ships path. Just as the 1st Officer order a single turret to fire upon the wreck to see if any loot was released, the ships Captain belayed the order as the Conveyors sensor array showed electrical activity coming from the wreck. APM overriding orders are to salvage technology and for his impetuousness the Captain order the 1st Offer to beam across to the wreck to examine the activity.
Hails released no response and so the 1st Officer found himself in his protective clothing in the cockpit of the wrecked vessel. The wrecks pilot was dead at his controls but the ship showed no signs of hostile activity and that indeed the wreck, a SHF Plover, had run out of fuel and oxygen. Another casualty of neglect and of such a fine vessel an almost criminal act. Ships ID showed this to be a Freelancer vessel and now fair game for salvage rights. A tractor line was connected to the Plover and the Conveyor took it in tow and continued its return to Alabama Shipyard with it's prize.
The Alabama technicians waisted no time inspecting the Plover while admin personnel took care of the humanity arrangements for the dead Plover pilot. There was more negligent damage to the SHF than originally thought. Coolant manifolds were corroded with radiation damage, much of the electronics and optronic systems had also damage from radiation and the triple skin of one fuel tank was holed leaving the technicians wondering why this ship had not blown itself apart. The APM crews were well experienced in repairing and replacing damaged and worn out systems and within 8 shifts the Plover was ready for a test flight out of Alabama. There was a scramble of pilots volunteering for the task and several test flights took place with minor tweaks and adjustments taking place between each flight.
Soon the Plover was recommissioned into the Core fleet as an escort and close protection vessel.
The Techies who rebuilt this ship search for a codename or two to make it a formidable SHF and they gave it the title of The.Kurgan.