The Pretoria

The Pretoria
Ship Class	unknown
Built by	Vincent Strahl
Technical information
Guns/Turrets	0 / 12
Hull strength	570,000
Cargo space	4,000 units
Nanobots/Batteries	750/750
Max. impulse speed	80 m/s
Max. thrust speed	140 m/s
Power output	90,000 u
Power recharge	7500

This is a player owned ship.

Origins

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Vincent Strahl was a Bretonian Freelancer that spent many of his early years working as a fighter escort for trans-sirius trade firms and expeditionary vessels until his savings amounted to something he could purchase his own hauling vessel with. From there he worked as an independent trader, running supplies mostly throughout Rheinland and Liberty to some of the most remote stations within house space. With his aspirations extending farther than his chosen career path, he began nurturing relationships within the IMG whom he is still now loosely affiliated with. His contacts were able to make way for him to step up in the market and purchase the vessel which is now the spearhead of his trading fleet, a Heavy Tanker under the call sign 'Vesper'. It was with this vessel that he made his millions, shipping construction supplies to firms rapidly expanding into the worlds surrounding Rheinland and Bretonia. It wasn't long before he employed more to his booming enterprise including his son Martin who today is the new captain of the Vesper. With his savings blooming and his accounts in the blackest of black he chose to invest in his passion for adventure. At this time The Renzu Corporation had just released it's designs for it's revolutionary luxury liner model that boasted style, solidarity and efficiency and Vincent invested quickly. He purchased large portions of shares in the Renzu Corporation not days after the designs' release. That following year the shares value multiplied sevenfold and the return in dividends for Vincent was massive. He used this fortune to place an order for his own Shukensha liner that was built later that year. With his son in charge of the trade fleet which provided a steady income for his family, Vincent took command of his flagship vessel The Pretoria and turned his gaze to the stars.

Adventure

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The Pretoria under the command of Captain Strahl is frequently called upon by VIP's and executives seeking to travel in style between colonies. The Captain has been known to take contracts in transporting government officials, scientists, tourists, politicians and company executives to an array of summits, conventions and resorts across the sirius sector. But his passion for adventure has frequently led him to take the Pretoria on more risky expeditions into the untold worlds between the houses. The Pretoria is more than occasionally seen moored at Newark Station or Norfolk Shipyard where it is believed to undergo repairs and fittings in preparation for it's next voyage.

Taking Risks

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On the fifth month of 818A.S. the Pretoria embarked on a voyage to the Tohoku system, setting out from Roppongi Station in New Tokyo. On board were a group of expeditionary enthusiasts and scientists hoping to get a look at the lost arch of Kusari. However on this occasion The Pretoria overstepped it's bounds and was ambushed by a group of hostile fighters who drove it into a nebula where it was forced to take a jump hole to an unknown system. The Pretoria was presumed lost for days until it emerged from the unknown system somewhere in Omicron space. The vessel immediately encountered a squadron of Order pilots who escorted the vessel to a nearby Freeport in return for all data on their local systems erased from the ship's mainframe. From there the Pretoria made it's way back to Kusari space and has not since returned to the unknown systems. It was said that the Pretoria carried with it some fragments of alien technology that was sealed off in it's cargo bay until a use could be found for it.

A month after the fiasco in Kusari the Pretoria was contracted to transport the alien fragments to a scientist in New York. Unaware of the newly established contraband policy in Bretonia it set out from Southampton toward Cortez. It was soon stopped by a police official in Manchester where the goods were demanded as well as a fine for it's transportation. Captain Strahl denied these demands and continued toward Liberty. The situation escalated and it wasn't long before the Police vessel opened fire on the Pretoria which was forced to retaliate. After a prolonged persuit, the Pretoria escaped to Magellan and no casualties were reported. Since, relationships between the Bretonian authorities and the Pretoria have been tense and have hinted several bounty contracts being drawn up, but no developments have been made as of late.