After reloading all armaments and some sensor calibration, as well as giving the crew a quick break, I started a long-distance patrol of Omega-41 and 47 with the Vladistan, with the goal of checking up on our distant assets in the latter system.
To my surprise, I encountered no hostile presence whatsoever as I did a full sweep of 41 and proceeded to 47. Aside from the Corsair Battleship Fes still being present and on watch duty in the system, there was no single Corsair or other kind of threat to be found.
I opted to set course for the 47 jumphole, to then take a look at Casablanca, opting to inspect Viernheim as I'd be returning to Freital later on. And as I said Kameraden, there was no threat to be found. I did however encounter a few Zoners, and chose to ask them for donations to our cause.
Some were quiet, but one wasn't, that one being the Kapitän of the Omicron Supply Industries vessel "Selene". I have provided a transcript of our conversation here.
Quote:[color=#FFFF99][11.08.2011 20:13:44] RHGB-Vladistan: Guten Tag.
[11.08.2011 20:13:53] OSI-Selene: Hello
[11.08.2011 20:14:06] RHGB-Vladistan: May I interest you in donating to the Red Hessian cause?
[11.08.2011 20:14:30] RHGB-Vladistan: Herr?
[11.08.2011 20:14:56] RHGB-Vladistan: Ja? Nein?
[11.08.2011 20:15:19] OSI-Selene: Oh, sorry...
[11.08.2011 20:15:35] OSI-Selene: Well, in fact you could interest me
[11.08.2011 20:15:43] RHGB-Vladistan: I could? Sehr gut!
[11.08.2011 20:15:58] RHGB-Vladistan: Should we halt and have a conversation?
[11.08.2011 20:16:04] OSI-Selene: If you could be so nice to stop for a sec, I could drop something
[11.08.2011 20:16:26] RHGB-Vladistan: I was actually going to tell you how donations help the cause for that matter!
[11.08.2011 20:16:50] OSI-Selene: Sure, I'll gladly hear about it - if it doesn't involve any killing...
[11.08.2011 20:16:58] RHGB-Vladistan: Ah, yeah, actually it doesn't at all.
[11.08.2011 20:17:02] RHGB-Vladistan: -ahem-
[11.08.2011 20:17:24] RHGB-Vladistan: As I'm sure you're aware, most of the Hessian movement is comprised of former workers and laborers of the, as you can say...
[11.08.2011 20:17:29] RHGB-Vladistan: "lower class".
[11.08.2011 20:17:57] RHGB-Vladistan: Well long story short, the work conditions in Rheinland, when it comes to the mining and refining part of goods...
[11.08.2011 20:17:57] OSI-Selene: yes... that's what makes me interested in helping
[11.08.2011 20:18:18] RHGB-Vladistan: Oh, I'm glad to hear. As you know the conditions are not exactly... good for a human being's health.
[11.08.2011 20:18:29] RHGB-Vladistan: Both physical and mental, also emotional actually.
[11.08.2011 20:18:49] OSI-Selene: So how do you help those poor guys?
[11.08.2011 20:19:12] RHGB-Vladistan: Ah, well that is the interesting part. I'm sure you're familiar with Rheinland's foremost mining corporations...
[11.08.2011 20:19:15] RHGB-Vladistan: Daumann and Kruger?
[11.08.2011 20:19:29] OSI-Selene: Yes... heard a bit about them...
[11.08.2011 20:19:30] RHGB-Vladistan: Even though Kruger plays a smaller role, but yeah.
[11.08.2011 20:19:54] RHGB-Vladistan: Well, many people of the "lower" class work for those in Rheinland as I'm sure you can understand.
[11.08.2011 20:20:04] RHGB-Vladistan: Extremely hazardous working conditions, low pay, etcetera.
[11.08.2011 20:20:18] RHGB-Vladistan: Now not too long ago, thanks to the mindless war between Rheinland and Liberty...
[11.08.2011 20:20:19] OSI-Selene: You gotta earn credits for your living somehow, right?
[11.08.2011 20:20:34] RHGB-Vladistan: Oh yes, oh yes. However, see, due to the war, it's not just "earning credits".
[11.08.2011 20:20:48] RHGB-Vladistan: Basically thanks to the war, the government is largely in control of said corporations now.
[11.08.2011 20:21:03] RHGB-Vladistan: See that wouldn't be that much an issue in general, wartimes are wartimes and demand sacrifices.
[11.08.2011 20:21:25] RHGB-Vladistan: However a big minus here is that, due the warmachinery's insatiable hunger for resources...
[11.08.2011 20:21:40] RHGB-Vladistan: Working conditions have degraded from the inhumane to the largely impossible-to-endure.
[11.08.2011 20:22:00] RHGB-Vladistan: Now the movement, we're not just a bunch of, well, people who decided to take up arms and get somewhere by force.
[11.08.2011 20:22:20] RHGB-Vladistan: See, some of us ask for donations, others resort to piracy... we're a rather diverse bunch.
[11.08.2011 20:22:39] RHGB-Vladistan: However the thing is we all try to bear in mind who the money comes from.
[11.08.2011 20:22:55] RHGB-Vladistan: Now as a Zoner, I realize you do not wish your money to be used for war, ja?
[11.08.2011 20:23:21] OSI-Selene: Well, i'd definetely prefer if it was used to help those poor guys...
[11.08.2011 20:23:33] RHGB-Vladistan: Exactly, and that's where the more subtle aspects of our movement come in.
[11.08.2011 20:23:52] RHGB-Vladistan: Now I'm not sure if you know, but our general idea is to help the poor, the aforementioned "lower class".
[11.08.2011 20:24:04] RHGB-Vladistan: Sometimes that help requires us to take up arms, sometimes it can be peaceful.
[11.08.2011 20:24:06] OSI-Selene: Oh, it's a noble idea
[11.08.2011 20:24:19] RHGB-Vladistan: Yes, it is, danke for those kind words, Freund.
[11.08.2011 20:24:44] RHGB-Vladistan: See when it comes to the peaceful, we try to help the poor by, well, using our extensive network of contacts in Rheinland.
[11.08.2011 20:24:54] RHGB-Vladistan: Oh, thank you kindly! That is wonderful, ja!
[11.08.2011 20:24:54] OSI-Selene: Here, help those guys...
[11.08.2011 20:25:05] Death: [Scout.squad]Hugo was killed by Mortensen[101st] (Mine)
[11.08.2011 20:25:06] OSI-Selene: Interesting thing you know...
[11.08.2011 20:25:10] RHGB-Vladistan: I'll ensure that your money will go to those in need, definitely.
[11.08.2011 20:25:12] RHGB-Vladistan: Ja?
[11.08.2011 20:25:30] OSI-Selene: About two months ago i've been selling my old ship to a guy...
[11.08.2011 20:25:38] OSI-Selene: gimme a sec...
[11.08.2011 20:25:45] OSI-Selene: Oh, i know... O'Neal
[11.08.2011 20:25:55] OSI-Selene: From some LN part
[11.08.2011 20:26:08] OSI-Selene: Corona something
[11.08.2011 20:26:17] RHGB-Vladistan: Mhm... the name doesn't ring a bell to me, but go on... I'm all ears Freund.
[11.08.2011 20:26:44] OSI-Selene: Well, either way... He was telling me that this Rheinland - Liberty conflict must finally come to an end
[11.08.2011 20:26:56] RHGB-Vladistan: -nods- Ja, ja. I agree.
[11.08.2011 20:27:01] OSI-Selene: And that it's senseless and all this kind of things...
[11.08.2011 20:27:21] RHGB-Vladistan: It is Freund, it is.
[11.08.2011 20:27:30] OSI-Selene: Well, why I remembered this is that I found it weird that LN commander says something like this...
[11.08.2011 20:27:39] OSI-Selene: Sounded almost like a treason
[11.08.2011 20:27:53] OSI-Selene: Oh, I know - Corona Battlegroup
[11.08.2011 20:28:08] RHGB-Vladistan: Ja, I might not know much about how it is handled in Liberty, but in the Military that comes quite close to high treason.
[11.08.2011 20:28:35] RHGB-Vladistan: Our Military isn't quite... well... it doesn't look kindly upon things like those being said openly, to put it lightly.
[11.08.2011 20:28:47] OSI-Selene: Well, anyway... I've heard that they've been disbanded and converted into some private owned organisation.
[11.08.2011 20:29:02] OSI-Selene: So maybe those guys could help you somehow...
[11.08.2011 20:29:09] RHGB-Vladistan: Hm.
[11.08.2011 20:29:28] OSI-Selene: Idunno... this fella seemed quite uncontent with all this war
[11.08.2011 20:29:45] RHGB-Vladistan: Corona Battlegroup, disbanded and converted to a private organization, and the name O'Neal.
[11.08.2011 20:30:03] RHGB-Vladistan: Ja, that sounds worth looking into, Freund.
[11.08.2011 20:30:09] OSI-Selene: Yeah... If I remember correctly of course
[11.08.2011 20:30:28] RHGB-Vladistan: Oh any hint at more minds who think alike is a great thing, really.
[11.08.2011 20:30:45] OSI-Selene: Well... either way... Money's not gonna earn themselves... I'll better go...
[11.08.2011 20:30:57] RHGB-Vladistan: Hm... ja, gut mein Freund.
[11.08.2011 20:31:02] OSI-Selene: Farewell, amigo.
[11.08.2011 20:31:06] RHGB-Vladistan: Where are you headed if I may ask?
[11.08.2011 20:31:37] OSI-Selene: Freeport 9 for now...
[11.08.2011 20:31:53] OSI-Selene: I'll see what will be my next stop then
[11.08.2011 20:32:17] RHGB-Vladistan: Ah, ja, very well. I heard 41 is empty for the time being, so you should have a clear sky.
[11.08.2011 20:32:30] RHGB-Vladistan: Gute Reise, Freund, and danke sehr for the donation again!
[11.08.2011 20:32:34] OSI-Selene: Thanks, friend
As you can see it was quite the interesting conversation, providing some even more interesting information, ja. Of particular note is the bit of that mysterious "O'Neal" person and the Corona Battlegroup. I have set it as a secondary task for myself to find out more about said person and group should I see a chance for that during my future patrols.
Of course, our Freund on the Selene was also so kind to donate a whole three Million Credits to our cause and seemed much interested in the latter, as you can see.
Seeing as I had more than enough fuel left and long-range-scan reports weren't indicating any more threats, I then decided to set course to Omega-49, to try and see if I couldn't gather more donations.
However seeing that our movement has not too long ago been officially recognized by the Bretonian government as a legitimate organization, and seeing Omega-49's close proximity to Bretonian space, as well as the fact that 49 itself is Zoner-governed territory, I wanted to first ensure that I wouldn't be upsetting the locals by asking for donations, so I tried to find out who, at the time being, governed 49 exactly so I could get in touch with them. I have provided a transcript of the communications sent, received and otherwise during my short stay in the system below.
Quote:[color=#FFFF99][11.08.2011 20:37:38](SR~Adrian.Thrax: Eh. Must be me.
[11.08.2011 20:37:40] SlowCat: Girl: annu...lar. DO they look like donuts?
[11.08.2011 20:37:55] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: I am too tired... Too much rading and stuff...
[11.08.2011 20:38:03] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: Noo, foolish woman.
[11.08.2011 20:38:13] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: Nah... They look like blue dildos...
[11.08.2011 20:38:15] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: I know, I feel you.
[11.08.2011 20:38:41] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: No, they do not.
[11.08.2011 20:38:47] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: Yes they do.
[11.08.2011 20:38:53] SlowCat: Girl: blue edible.... WHAA~! That's lewdy! *Chuckles*
[11.08.2011 20:39:06] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: Their shape is perfect and divine.
[11.08.2011 20:39:11] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: I bet it is...
[11.08.2011 20:39:36] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: Them and their servants are monsters!... Uh... Excuse me.
[11.08.2011 20:39:39] SlowCat: Girl: so... how do you cook those?
[11.08.2011 20:39:54] SlowCat: Girl: are they tasty~?
[11.08.2011 20:39:59] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: Sorry Thrax? You...said something?
[11.08.2011 20:40:03] RHGB-Vladistan: You cut off a part, Fraeulein, then you cook it like you would cook pasta.
[11.08.2011 20:40:47] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: Really stranger in which I have no interest.
[11.08.2011 20:40:54] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: Where might you be?
[11.08.2011 20:40:55] SlowCat: Girl: Yay~! What do you eat those with?
[11.08.2011 20:40:56] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: Uh... Right... probably that's how...
[11.08.2011 20:41:29] RHGB-Vladistan: Fraeulein, if you are so daring to eat them, they go well with tomatos in particular if cooked and sliced.
[11.08.2011 20:41:41] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: Oh, mister Vladistan.
[11.08.2011 20:41:43] RHGB-Vladistan: They are sehr gut for sandwiches, cooked and sliced.
[11.08.2011 20:41:58] RHGB-Vladistan: Ah, Guten Tag!
[11.08.2011 20:42:05] [SE]-Destiny: Jared: Hello
[11.08.2011 20:42:12] SlowCat: Girl: *mumbles* Jeez, somehow we are not discussing marvelous organs...
[11.08.2011 20:42:16] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: Care to tell me where you are? So you can send me the instructions for that meal.
[11.08.2011 20:42:25] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: My friend Bassam, is going crazy here... Stop that Anunnaki eating thingy stuff...
[11.08.2011 20:42:31] RHGB-Vladistan: You seem like a knowledgeable person of the Zoner lot...
[11.08.2011 20:42:34] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: He's hungry.
[11.08.2011 20:42:41] RHGB-Vladistan: Can I ask, who governs Omega-49?
[11.08.2011 20:42:58] RHGB-Vladistan: I am in front of Gran Canaria at the time being, ja.
[11.08.2011 20:42:59] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: No, please continue. I am quite enthralled. I wish to meet with you, mister Vladistan. *his eye twitches*
[11.08.2011 20:43:06] [SE]-Destiny: Jared: Im not Sure.... since im usually around Omicron theta
[11.08.2011 20:43:16] RHGB-Vladistan: -raises an eyebrow- Strange Herren you are.
[11.08.2011 20:43:25] RHGB-Vladistan: Ah, okay.
[11.08.2011 20:43:39] RHGB-Vladistan: Can you maybe point me to someone whom would know?
[11.08.2011 20:43:42] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: Uhh... This will be interesting *laughs*
[11.08.2011 20:43:49] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: Oh, that place is so public! How about we meet in a more secure location, yes? *his eye twitches again while he smiles*
[11.08.2011 20:43:57] [SE]-Destiny: Jared: Well..... Maybe the TAZ
[11.08.2011 20:44:02] SlowCat: Girl: yay~! Pasta eating party~!
[11.08.2011 20:44:12] RHGB-Vladistan: Mein Freund, that is a nice invitation, but I am here on business, ja.
[11.08.2011 20:44:19] RHGB-Vladistan: Wrong channel, oops!
[11.08.2011 20:44:22] [SE]-Destiny: Jared: They should know..
[11.08.2011 20:44:35] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: Hairy?
[11.08.2011 20:44:38] RHGB-Vladistan: -coughs- Ahem, ja, very well. Danke sehr Freund. I will ask those when I see them.
[11.08.2011 20:44:47] [SE]-Destiny: Jared: Alright
[11.08.2011 20:44:49] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: What say you, hmm? *he cracks his neck*
[11.08.2011 20:45:05] RHGB-Vladistan: Mein Freund, I am afraid I am here on business and not on a joyride, ja?
[11.08.2011 20:45:24] SlowCat: Girl: ... you are?
[11.08.2011 20:45:32] RHGB-Vladistan: Ja Fraeulein.
[11.08.2011 20:45:46] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: Oh I see. Then I'll have to meet you some place else, hmm? Possibly when you're sleeping in your bed...oh disregard that.
[11.08.2011 20:45:51] RHGB-Vladistan: As I've now been told I would have to contact an individual of the "TAZ".
[11.08.2011 20:45:52] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: *his eye twitches*
[11.08.2011 20:45:59] SlowCat: Girl: *pouts* Jeez, you should reconsider and make it a joyride instead!
[11.08.2011 20:46:30] RHGB-Vladistan: -raises an eyebrow again- Eh? And I'm afraid not Fraeulein, I have a duty to fulfill, ja?
[11.08.2011 20:46:46] (SR~Andrei.Kuzmin: Greetings Gent's....and lady's
[11.08.2011 20:47:54] SlowCat: Girl: Duty can wait! Who works without a day off once in a while?
[11.08.2011 20:48:05] RHGB-Vladistan: Hm.
[11.08.2011 20:48:30] RHGB-Vladistan: Say Freund, any chance of you knowing when one of those Damen und Herren from the TAZ might be around?
[11.08.2011 20:49:04] SlowCat: Girl: umm-umm... just which one exactly do you need?
[11.08.2011 20:49:07] RHGB-Vladistan: Fraeulein, I'm afraid that the movement never rests, and while my mission is not the most important right now, it's...
[11.08.2011 20:49:12] RHGB-Vladistan: Nevertheless a mission.
[11.08.2011 20:49:27] RHGB-Vladistan: Ah, well, one who might tell me who governs Omega-49?
[11.08.2011 20:50:06] SlowCat: Girl: ugh... right... i guess, Doc will do, but...
[11.08.2011 20:50:14] RHGB-Vladistan: Ja?
[11.08.2011 20:50:28] SlowCat: Girl: *sighs* i wonder where do we look for him now.
[11.08.2011 20:51:07] RHGB-Vladistan: Aha. Well are there any particular times of the day or week when the TAZ are present in the vicinity more often?
[11.08.2011 20:51:22] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: Hey... Hey... Bassam... What are you gonna do with that spoon?
[11.08.2011 20:51:40] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: *silence*
[11.08.2011 20:51:51] SlowCat: Girl: Well... all of them?
[11.08.2011 20:51:55] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: Heey.... I don't like this....
[11.08.2011 20:52:05] RHGB-Vladistan: Well I guess from what I have been gathering, any of them would do, ja?
[11.08.2011 20:52:06] SlowCat: Girl: I just wonder why are they not around now.
[11.08.2011 20:52:53] RHGB-Vladistan: Ah, guten Tag again die Herren!
[11.08.2011 20:53:00] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: Hmm...
[11.08.2011 20:53:10] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: *says nothing, just stares*
[11.08.2011 20:53:16] RHGB-Vladistan: Maybe you can help me? Do you perchance know when the TAZ are more present in the vicinity?
[11.08.2011 20:53:29] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: Drop that spoon before someone gets hurt Bassam!
[11.08.2011 20:53:33] RHGB-Vladistan: Like, particular times of the week, times of the day?
[11.08.2011 20:53:44] SlowCat: Girl: say... did you try to reach anyone via... fnordnet, i guess. That's how they call it~!
[11.08.2011 20:53:57] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: *doesn't move a muscle, just holds the spoon and stares*
[11.08.2011 20:54:14] RHGB-Vladistan: Ah I'm afraid nein, it's my personal preferance to discuss matters directly, ja.
[11.08.2011 20:54:45] RHGB-Vladistan: It's not that big a concern to make a big show out of it, so to speak, verstehst du?
[11.08.2011 20:55:13] (SR~Andrei.Kuzmin: Cake time doesn it?
[11.08.2011 20:55:35] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: *sighs and goes to his cargo hold*
[11.08.2011 20:55:35] SlowCat: Girl: well then, you can ask them via fnordnet to discuss things directly~!
[11.08.2011 20:55:40] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: What? Cake?...
[11.08.2011 20:55:54] (SR~Andrei.Kuzmin: Yea...cake
[11.08.2011 20:55:56] RHGB-Vladistan: Hm, I guess, even if that's not as direct as I'd be interested in it being, ja.
[11.08.2011 20:56:07] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: Real men don't eat cake.
[11.08.2011 20:56:12] RHGB-Vladistan: However I will keep it in mind Fraeulein.
[11.08.2011 20:56:32] RHGB-Vladistan: But first I'll try my luck on other occasions, ja.
[11.08.2011 20:56:35] (SR~Andrei.Kuzmin: Umm...ok mate
[11.08.2011 20:56:52] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: Okay you say?... Gave up already?... Sissy!
[11.08.2011 20:57:05] SlowCat: Girl: *nods* Should i mention you looking for them? Just in case i meet someone.
[11.08.2011 20:57:07] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: Real men never give up on things they love!
[11.08.2011 20:57:13] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: *crashing noise and screaming is heard from the hold*
[11.08.2011 20:57:27] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: Uhh... I didn't hear that... nope...
[11.08.2011 20:57:31] RHGB-Vladistan: Ah nein nein, danke Fraeulein but please, no hassle, I will try my luck on my own.
[11.08.2011 20:58:11] RHGB-Vladistan: Just as the movement tries to get things done on its own, so have we sometimes, ja.
[11.08.2011 20:58:18] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: *returns and sits down* That's better.
[11.08.2011 20:58:40] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: Uhh... hey... you have some ketchup around your mouth...
[11.08.2011 20:58:50] RHGB-Vladistan: But, Fraeulein, and Kapitaen of the Destiny, I thank you both very much. You have been helpful.
[11.08.2011 20:58:57] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: Ketch-...*wipes mouth* Oh...
[11.08.2011 20:59:11] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: Kay...
[11.08.2011 20:59:18] RHGB-Vladistan: I'll get back to my usual area of operation now, I think.
[11.08.2011 20:59:20] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: You feel ok now?...
[11.08.2011 20:59:27] (SR~Bassam.Hussaini: I'm great.
[11.08.2011 20:59:28] SlowCat: Girl: i wonder if i really helped with anything, though... *sighs, apparently feeling a bit useless*
[11.08.2011 20:59:42] RHGB-Vladistan: Ah, no worries Fraulein, you did help indeed.
[11.08.2011 20:59:46] (SR~Adrian.Thrax: Man I tell you... Them Anunnananankis did something weird to you...
[11.08.2011 20:59:48] RHGB-Vladistan: Danke again!
Now as you can see, while I didn't manage to get in contact with any authority figure, so to speak, I did however find out that it's the TAZ I have to contact in this matter, which brings me a step closer.
I have to say here that due to 49's close proximity to Bretonia as well as to Casablanca and Viernheim, and due to its apparently rather peaceful population, I think that the system could become quite the interesting "donation center", for the lack of better words, meine Kameraden.
Aside from that little bit from the potentially threatening "SR)" fellows, overall there was no hostility, and while I wasn't as successful as I'd like, it was quite the interesting and productive detour. And, uh, ja, that sandwich thing is a long story that came as a result of a couple too many conversations with a particular Fräulein on Vogtland, but no matter.
On the way back I passed Viernheim and took a closer look, only to find everything in order. I encountered no further threats, and then proceeded to Omega-5, finding it nigh-empty, and afterwards to Omega-7 where I passed some individuals to catch myself a lone miner going by the name of "Markam".
I convinced our Freund to donate a token amount of 333.333 Credits to our cause and then moved on to Freital, having brought the total of donations collected by the Vladistan to 7.777.777 Credits. All in all, in terms of combat the only thing happening was a single cruise disruptor missile hitting Markam's ship, but else there was absolutely nothing, and that concludes my report meine Kameraden.
To serve as a final note I do want to add that, while I don't know our comrade "Vlad" in whose honor the Vladistan is named, I sincerely hope that with my rather peaceful and non-violent actions I could bring honor to the ship's name and acted in a way that would have done our comrade proud.
Josef Steiner, für ein freies Rheinland, für die Volksrevolution