King's Cross was established by the Bretonian Crown in 819 AS, and placed under the stewardship of the nationalised shipping interest, Bowex. Designed to complement Thames Outpost in New London's orbit, King's Cross acts as a storage facility for valuable cargo and equipment before it is distributed throughout Bretonia and abroad.
The construction of an Armed Forces barrack house and a Police Authority station house also ensures King's Cross amply fortifies the jump gate to the Cambridge system. The installation's tactical positioning as a dual-purposed border station provides safety and security to local shipping and assists in the long term goal of blocking further Corsair expansion into the Bretonian core systems.
Significant controversy has surrounded the station's recent construction. Disgruntled members of the press have accused Parliament's significant Royalist powerbase of using the station for their own ends, in an attempt to perpetuate or enforce various state monopolies over services or goods. Demands for politicians to clearly declare their own vested interests prior to the debate of Bills are now being demanded by various progressive organisations.
Alongside the resale of cargo and letting of storage space, a paid permit based system has been proposed for docking privileges, in order to recoup a portion of the station's running costs. Opponents contend that restricting access to a state-owned facility is unethical and borderline illegal. This has of course fueled debate regarding the morality of refusing access to non-permit holding vehicles when they find themselves under attack, causing significant contention among members of the Federalist party and the popular media.
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Name: Samuel Bates. Rank: Station commander, Department Manager, Colonial Authority. Birth: 03/04/771 Biography:
Born into a moderately wealthy family on Planet New London, Bates joined the company as an admin clerk in the Services Division in 788 AS, aged 17. Stationed at offices on Planet New London for 4 years, until ordered to Glasgow to assist with the auditing of Tau trade to Kusari. Received promotion to Services Supervisor in 793 AS, after serving with the company for 5 years.
Following the conclusion of the third round of Great Reforms (initiated by Sir William Burke in 779 AS), transferred to the Bowex Colonial Authority in 799 AS. Transferred to Lancaster Trade Centre as a CA sustenance overseer in 800 AS, arranging the station's day to day supply requirements. Received promotion to CA Department Manager in 802 AS, after serving with the company for 14 years.
Regularly transferred around Bowex holdings until the outbreak of the Tau War in 813 AS, at which point Bates was stationed on New London once more, to coordinate the supply of Bowex and BMM holdings throughout the realm. With the colonisation of Port Jackson in 816 AS, transferred to the colony to oversee the hands-on construction of the initial growth phases.
Upon the completion of the PJCSPF, colonial government complex and Red District, he was relieved of his command by Colonial Governor Sir Gregory Golding. He continued to manage the development of the city under the largely belligerent watch of Sir Golding, who was later forcibly retired by the House of Lords due to general incompetence. Bates went on to serve alongside the newly appointed Colonial Governor, CA Division Director Sir James Hewitt.
Bates received the honour of the Order of St Michael and St George in 817 AS, at the rank of Knight Commander, for his services at Port Jackson. In 818 AS he was transferred back to mainland Bretonia to assist ExSec with calculating the annual supply projections for the colonisation of Sprague. In 819 AS he was shortlisted for the command of King's Cross Station in New London, a role he has now adopted, aged 48.
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Name: Felicia Miller. Rank: Chief of Security, Department Manager, ExSec. Birth: 11/09/777 Biography:
Born on Planet Leeds to a mining family in 777 AS, Miller signed up with the BPA as a part of a community policing scheme, aged 19 in 796 AS. After three years of service as a SCPO (Special Community Police Officer) she resigned and utilised her training to apply for entry to the Armed Forces, Royal Marine boarding regiments as an entry officer.
Passed the stringent entry exams of 27 Commando Brigade, becoming the 138th woman to succeed in the regiment's 300 years of history. Passed the Royal Military Academy Carlton with flying colours, being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 800 AS. Posted to Douglas Station on the Omega border during the conflict with Rheinland.
Much of Millers' military career is classified, with public records displaying numerous decorations for exceptional valour, tactical oversight and injuries during the execution of her duties. Medals include the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Gallantry Cross, Omega Campaign Medal and Harris Campaign Medal.
Received promotion to Lieutenant in 802 AS, Captain in 809 AS, Major in 816. Resigned with full honours in 817 AS after the loss of a leg during a boarding operation on the IKN Hyūga, marking 18 years operating within the Royal Marines. Leg replaced with a prosthetic augmentation through a governmnt grant sponsored by Bowex. ExSec headhunters made contact with Miller at this point.
Accepted commission as a terrestrial ExSec Department Manager on Planet Leeds to assist with the managing of local ExSec levvies and the securing of planetside company assets. With the construction of King's Cross, posted to the station to oversee internal security, counter-espionage (corporate and otherwise) and local ExSec counter piracy/terrorism patrols. Accepted the position of Chief of Security, aged 42.
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Name: Ryan Manning Rank: Logistics Manager, Department Manager, Trade Combine Birth: 18/07/792 Biography:
Born into a wealthy family on Planet Cambridge in 792 AS, Manning elected to attend the elite economics university, Rowling College - a higher education facility partnered with Cambridge University. He graduated with a masters degree in stellar resource management in 814 AS, aged 22. Initially found employment with Gateway Interstellar in 815 AS, as a contract manager on Kensington.
Eventually shortlisted for managerial responsibilities within Gateway, due to extreme competence as a logistics operator. Consequently, Manning was posted for a transfer to Planet New London. Bowex headhunters made contact at this point, networking through affiliated contractors. Due to feeling unsatisfied with his new career path, statutory notice was given in 816 AS.
Trade Combine recruitment specialists approached Manning and offered him a position on Scarborough Shipyard as a Supervisor, managing the annual supply budgets and rotas. Manning carried out this role for approximately 1 year before being rotated to Lancaster to replace the incumbent manager in 817 AS. Due to conflicts with existing managers onboard the station, Manning was temporarily transferred out to Planet New London after three months of service.
Further stellar postings were promised, but this opportunity failed to materialise over the next year. Consequently, Manning threatened to quit the company. He was consequently offered a department manager's position as a logistics manager on the newly built King's Cross station in 819 AS. Manning accepted and currently oversees the station's supply requirements, aged 27.