Guten Abend Guildmasters. Now I'm sure you know this isn't just a personal call to keep in touch, but in fact a matter of business. ALG is interested in acquiring ten (10) of your Nanda Devi heavy bombers. Since we are all men of business, I'm prepared to offer you two (2) of our Golem Heavy Movers in addition to the learning courses your men would require to operate them.
We are also prepared to give you a more exclusive access to our ship hull panels we are currently producing from Wuppertal. Cheaper prices for bulk, for our good friends in the IMG.
And finally, should you wish to accept it. I'd be happy to invite you to Baden Baden and enjoy the beautiful planet and perhaps a few drinks while we discuss this business.
**** Incoming Transmission ****
From: Johnathan Sanders
To: ALG Waste Disposal, per attention of Frederick von Kleinz
Subject: Bomber models
Encryption: Civilian (// Hack-able by house intelligence agencies)
Mr. von Kleinz,
It's good to hear from our partners in ALG. I don't see any reason to deny this request, however, the amount of craft asked for is a bit unusual. Where are you intending to make use of these bombers, and in what capacity? The Nanda Devi is mainly designed as a counter to supercapital ships, such as the ones we sometimes see threatening our bases in the upper Tau region. To my knowledge, your own company does not face such threats - at least none that the Rheinland Military would not counter.
A source of low cost ship hull panels would be beneficial, mainly to Aland. The Golem glass transports could be of use to our haulers - their large dump bays are quite suitable for ore transport, and the heavily reinforced nature of the vessels make them a good choice for traversing asteroid fields.
Incidentally, rumors have reached us you are making overtures towards Kruger, with some saying you may even seek a merger at some point. Is there any truth to these rumors? It would create an awkward situation, given there is some bad blood between our own mining crews and those belonging to Kruger, especially in Omega 7. Then again, it might just be the rumor mill grinding out nonsense.
Regards,
- Johnathan Sanders, on behalf of the Independent Miners Guild
**** Transmission Closed ****
Wide awake in a world that sleeps, enduring thoughts, enduring scenes. The knowledge of what is yet to come.
From a time when all seems lost, from a dead man to a world, without restraint, unafraid and free.
Mostly retired Discovery member. May still visit from time to time.
I can understand your concern Herr Sanders, however the bombers are merely to supplement our current escorts. Having personally seen a rise in Hispanics in the Sigmas, and the somewhat strange politics surrounding that area, I'd much rather have the capacity to defend our transports than wait on either the KNF, GMG, or RM to attempt to rescue us.
And as I'm sure you're aware the Omegas are quite dangerous, and with the rise in conflict in Bretonia... I'm certain my kapitaens would be much happier with competent escort craft.
I'm glad you find the deal acceptable. I'll send the order to have two of our Golems prepared for your use in addition to the discount.
As for the rumours of us absorbing Kruger. Right now that is all they are. While I will admit an interest in acquiring their assets, I am not interested in adopting their policies. It both saddens and frustrates me to see your companies run into such direct conflict.
However under ALG's management that would never occur. And I would like to clarify, this 'merger' would be very one sided. ALG would remain in control of the management and policies of -my- corporation, we won't make shortcuts. And should we acquire Kruger's assets, the first agenda would be to make those decrepit stations up to ALG standard.
**** Incoming Transmission ****
From: Johnathan Sanders
To: ALG Waste Disposal, per attention of Frederick von Kleinz
Subject: Bomber models
Encryption: Civilian (// Hack-able by house intelligence agencies)
Mr. von Kleinz,
I can understand the need for stronger escort vessels, it was just the count that surprised me. But I assume you will want to station them at key locations as a rapid response then. In groups these craft tend to be very effective at countering hardened targets, however, they are not designed for use in the Crow nebulae. I cannot make guarantees on their ability to perform under those conditions - we simply have not tested them for such. Filtering units allow the craft to perform at 94% of top capacity in the Walker nebula, but since the Crow has a different composition, I'm not sure if they will be effective. It may be wise to consult the Gas Miners Guild if you intend to operate them in those areas for any extended period of time - if anyone has experience in operating in the Crow, it will be them.
I will notify our transportation department about the availability of the Golem class transports.
As for the Kruger merger rumors, it sounds almost as if you are considering a hostile takeover. It's evident that Kruger has fallen on hard times ever since the conclusion of the 80 year war. The "direct conflict" you speak of has mostly consisted of a few individuals that Kruger may or may not be directly affiliated with, that seem to blame us for a number of Hessian attacks on their holdings. It has been incidental thus far. However, what I mostly worry for is our companies becoming competitors in the Omega region, rather then partners. Should you acquire Kruger as a whole and absorb it into your own organisation, the Elbich facility would be among such. I must admit feeling a bit worried for our own crews in the region - most of the copper and cobalt produced by the Freistadt crews is transferred to the Dortmund smelter for refining. If ALG produced such raw minerals itself, what use would you have for our crews?
Regards,
- Johnathan Sanders, on behalf of the Independent Miners Guild
**** Transmission Closed ****
Wide awake in a world that sleeps, enduring thoughts, enduring scenes. The knowledge of what is yet to come.
From a time when all seems lost, from a dead man to a world, without restraint, unafraid and free.
Mostly retired Discovery member. May still visit from time to time.
Herr Sanders, a hostile takeover is a bit of a stretch. Currently ALG owns Kruger in all but name, it wouldn't take much for ALG to change ownership of the assets.
As for you worries over what will become of the Omegas. I do not see us coming into conflict, we certainly would not turn back ore mined by the IMG. More ore is more profit, even if the mining costs extra coming from our partners in the IMG. Not to mention a self contained economy is a stagnant one. If you have more concerns I'm certainly willing to discuss them in depth. I would not want something that could turn into mutual benefit turn our partnership sour.
**** Incoming Transmission ****
From: Johnathan Sanders
To: ALG Waste Disposal, per attention of Frederick von Kleinz
Subject: Bomber models
Encryption: Civilian (// Hack-able by house intelligence agencies)
Mr. von Kleinz,
I was not aware that ALG had such a significant stake in Kruger as a company. I hope, given the state of their company, it was not a bad investment. My main concern in all this is the integrity of the three-way partnership between you, ourselves and Gateway Shipping. It has allowed each of us to prosper - your smelter at Dortmund (and, once fully operational, I wager Wuppertal as well) have benefited from the regular Gateway shipments of raw materials produced by the IMG in the Omega and Cambridge systems. I realise I am not in a position to dictate company policy, yet ALG is one of the few large corporations in Sirius that has not yet decided to keep all these aspects internal. While this means you rely on others, keeping focus on the industrial aspect of this chain has made ALG more efficient then, for instance, Daumann. As rumor has it, that is one of the reasons they do not look forward to ALG competing with them on the High-Temperature Alloy business.
Speaking of which, it's obvious Daumann holds considerable sway in the Bundestag. Would they not try to oppose a merger that would create an industrial juggernaut comparable to themselves? I could see them trying to create legislation that prevents it.
Regards,
- Johnathan Sanders, on behalf of the Independent Miners Guild
**** Transmission Closed ****
Wide awake in a world that sleeps, enduring thoughts, enduring scenes. The knowledge of what is yet to come.
From a time when all seems lost, from a dead man to a world, without restraint, unafraid and free.
Mostly retired Discovery member. May still visit from time to time.
While it is entirely likely Daumann will pull some political strings to attempt to mitigate or eliminate this merger, with the Rheinland economy what it is. I'm not entirely certain the Bundestag would even listen to them.
As for your concern of the integrity of our partnership. ALG will continue to use Gateway transports and IMG ore. We won't turn out back on our friends of old simply because we're expanding our business. The largest difference is ALG will simply have access to potentially more avenues of ore und materials. I'm fully aware of the folly of expanding ourselves too quickly and trying to be competitive in too many markets. However IMG can look to themselves to see how successful a well expanded business can be.
And at the same time Herr Sanders, even if ALG might not need this merger, Rheinland does. You've seen the state of the Rheinland economy. With the Kruger assets being reintroduced as proper facilities that would provide a, perhaps slight, boon to the job market. As well as get more processed materials and goods flowing through the Rheinland market once again. Rheinland has fallen on hard times, I do not want my children and their grandchildren to look up to me years in the future and ask, 'What did you do during the crisis papa?', only for my answer to be one of nothing.