Corporate Shipping Airways. Convoys for Corporations that care..
Dearest allies.
Let me get right to the point.
The CSA is a small, and highly motivated faction of corporate traders that have formed a loose Convoy conglomeration for long distance trading and cargo shipping.
We are motivated to protect our cargoes, and safety in numbers has always been a good rule of thumb for those longer voyages.
Our primary cargoes are the various ores, from the far corners of Sirius to the populated planets, but we have recently seen an increase in passenger transfer requests, and personnel carrying is a small part of our scheduled freight.
It may surprise you that a mere freighter company takes contact in this manner... please forgive our impudence, but I wish to describe a worrying trend that I'm sure your own vessels are experiencing, and ask for your assistance in a manner that may give both our organizations a financial benefit.
Piratical trends.
In recent months the level of pirate activity has increased to - lets be frank - the point of madness and beyond.
Case in point: The madness escalates
Where once a convoy of our standard bison-class vessels was more than enough deterrent against unwanted attention, they are now rolling into dock bloodied and battered when they roll in at all.
The war of attrition is devastating our quarterlies, and we are at over 50% total loss of shipments as we face pirates that are demanding full cargoes, with minimal dialog or negotiation.
A recent encounter with a pirate IN A KUSARI MILITARY GUNSHIP was really the last straw, and we have had enough.
Where our ships are failing, yours are not. Several of our more experience pilots have reported the glorious sight of Enterprise class liners withstanding onslaughts that would give a battleship second thoughts.
At least for the most arduous voyages that CSA currently runs I have therefore been authorized to make the following request:
We would like to commission 3 special edition Enterprise Liners, with the full armor and defense options that your ships are so well renowned for. We would like them to be converted for extreme distance bulk cargo trading, with flip-over basic amenities personnel transportation capability.
I am aware that we ask for a more-than-cosmetic adjustment to the standard configuration of these excellent vessels.
Please let me know if this is doable, and what the final price will be, above the basic costs, as well as an eventual date for launch.
Is it possible to purchase these vessels directly from your shipyard and transfer them for the conversion process?
We will also require training for rotation crews for each of the vessels, and request the correct Identification papers to legally operate these vessels
Lastly we require a parts and labor warranty, to ensure minimal downtime due to maintenance.
Is there any way to speed this process? Our need is dire as our stock is dipping disastrously as shipment after shipment goes astray.
Perhaps an exchange of materials to your shipyard will spur this process along?
[font=Agency FB]Greetings Mr. Smith, I am Ernst Geisshardt, current CEO of the Bretonian branch of Orbital Spa & Cruise, Greyhound Passenger Transportation.
I understand the idea that piracy is a rising problem, especially today. Yes, I've gotten word that the infamous pirate "The Joker" is back as well. I know, our Liners are made with the protection of our clients in mind and thus have heavy defensive capabilities to fend off potential pirates.
However, I must remind you these ships are meant for transportation of passengers and are "Luxury" liners. They aren't meant for hauling large amounts of cargo. The cargo holds of Liners are comparatively small to ships of similar size as most of the space is used to accommodate passengers and other luxury amenities. Even if you strip a liner of it's passenger facilities to make way for cargo hold, I can guarantee you it would be an expensive venture.
My suggestion is to purchase decommissioned Luxury Liners. These liners are often used by the police and military as Prison stations but can easily be converted to house cargo. Not only will this be a cheaper alternative due to the fact the Liner would be second hand. It would also provide similar defensive capabilities to the current liners. Additionally, it would look less flashy and thus attract less attention from pirates. Afterall, a Luxury Liner tends to have "I'm rich! Pirate me!" painted in bold on it's sides.
I must remind you that I am not in charge of the production of Luxury Liners. All I am doing is providing suggestions for your venture. For the purchase of Luxury Liners, I have to refer you to the main branch of Orbital Spa & Cruise. I have alerted the main branch, you should soon have a reply.
Ernst Geisshardt [font=Agency FB][Digital Signature Imprint, verified by the Federal Parliamentary Republic of Rheinland]
I have fully read your transmission now, and let me be frank, though it has been said before. Luxury Liners are made for Luxury, typically for very important people, but sometimes used for the normal tourist as well. It is certainly not designed for shipping goods. I would suggest going the same direction that my counterpart has already pointed to yourself.
These you will find much more suitable, in many respects. Namely that it will be cheaper to rip out all the cell holdings with in.