SENDER:Vincent Proch, Schiffskapitän RECIPIENT:Schifffahrtsbürokapitäne LOCATION:The Ring, New Berlin System SUBJECT:Sigma-Bretonia convoy ENCRYPTION:Medium
Guten tag, meine Damen und Herren.
I am glad to have been a part of a successful convoy operation in the past week.
We began in Sigma-21, where the Berlin and Ironmore were to be filled up by the Kapitan of one of our independent contractors, in Trash.Compactor. However, before the conclusion of this operation, a GMG gunship arrived to warn everyone present to clear the field. The Basti, still on its way from Wichter, was also ordered to turn back. The GMG Kapitan suggested that we use the nearby stockpile inside Mekong depot, but Trash.Compactor ascertained that they only had 1000 units at present, which he promptly purchased.
While the situation did not escalate to any threats or acts of aggression, I believe that this was our only warning. If we aim to pursue this route in the future, we must make prior arrangements with the Guild or Kishiro, as it seems that they are not eager to sell off their supplies to allcomers. I would strongly advise against making use of the field "on the sly", as safe transport through the Sigma-13 systems remains an important cornerstone of the Zurich-Honshu route.
A communication transcript of the encounter is attached.
[05.02.2023 20:34:20] SEO|T-Ironmore: we've got GMG on scanners
[05.02.2023 20:34:40] SEO|T-Ironmore: It's a gunship, greeaat
[05.02.2023 20:34:44] Trash.Compactor: HIDE
[05.02.2023 20:34:45] SEO|T-Basti: No, no...
[05.02.2023 20:34:58] GMG|Kani.Maru: Good day, but the Guild has to tell you something [05.02.2023 20:34:59] SEO|T-Basti: I don't think they're hostile.
[05.02.2023 20:35:00] Trash.Compactor: Ironmore hide!
[05.02.2023 20:35:00] SEO|T-Ironmore: Guten tag
[05.02.2023 20:35:09] Trash.Compactor: Yes? [05.02.2023 20:35:15] SEO|T-Basti: just talk to him
[05.02.2023 20:35:15] Trash.Compactor: I've filled you up
[05.02.2023 20:35:16] Trash.Compactor: go
[05.02.2023 20:35:18] Trash.Compactor: while there's still time...
[05.02.2023 20:35:19] SEO|T-Basti: Ironmore, go
[05.02.2023 20:35:26] Trash.Compactor: What is the problem?
[05.02.2023 20:35:30] SEO|T-Ironmore: We're conducting a mining operation for our refineries [05.02.2023 20:35:33] Trash.Compactor: They are gonna kill you!
[05.02.2023 20:35:35] GMG|Kani.Maru: If you have been paying attention to the laws of the Sigmas, this mining field can only be used by GMG and Kishiro
[05.02.2023 20:35:43] SEO|T-Ironmore: There's a shortage of reinforced metal containers
[05.02.2023 20:35:55] GMG|Kani.Maru: It is regrettable, but the law must be respected
[05.02.2023 20:36:01] Trash.Compactor: We are terribly sorry. We will leave now then
[05.02.2023 20:36:21] SEO|T-Ironmore: Is there a chance for a warning? We are not looking to cause issues with the Guild [05.02.2023 20:36:22] Trash.Compactor: MOVE
[05.02.2023 20:36:26] GMG|Kani.Maru: In the meantime you can buy Uranium ore at Mekong station [05.02.2023 20:36:37] SEO|T-Ironmore: Take it easy
[05.02.2023 20:36:41] SEO|T-Ironmore: I can't run anyway
[05.02.2023 20:36:50] SEO|T-Ironmore: That's just what we'll do then
[05.02.2023 20:37:00] SEO|T-Ironmore: Could you escort us there? [05.02.2023 20:37:02] SEO|T-Basti: Almost there
[05.02.2023 20:37:06] GMG|Kani.Maru: For now, please vacate the area. If you want a request, please send it to us
[05.02.2023 20:37:17] SEO|T-Ironmore: Understood, moving out
[05.02.2023 20:38:25] SEO|T-Basti: Guten Tag Kani.Maru GMG vessel
[05.02.2023 20:38:29] SEO|T-Ironmore: Basti, be advised, Mekong station is looking like your next stop
[05.02.2023 20:38:40] GMG|Kani.Maru: Good day, Basti. The laws state that only Kishiro and GMG have mining rights within the system
[05.02.2023 20:38:42] SEO|T-Ironmore: I would recommend availing yourself of its facilities
[05.02.2023 20:39:07] SEO|T-Basti: Oh.. apologies for that... this is kind of awkward [05.02.2023 20:39:40] SEO|T-Ironmore: I will be waiting at the pre-arranged rendezvous. I hope we can get there in one piece...
[05.02.2023 20:40:01] SEO|T-Ironmore: hopefully they have a nice stockpile
[05.02.2023 20:40:23] Trash.Compactor: 3K PER UNIT?!??!?!
[05.02.2023 20:41:43] SEO|T-Ironmore: Okay, I am near Wichter
After returning to Wichter, we proceeded along the route, stopping by the Breuninger depot to fill up from its seemingly endless Aluminum stockpile. Before proceeding to the Omegas, Basti ordered us to wait for our escort, the gunship Hitman-76. We assumed formation, and departed in good order.
Despite reports of danger in the Omegas, our passage was uneventful. We unloaded our ore at Belvedere and planet New London, and Basti's Kapitan went to contact an independent BMM contractor (Bavaria.George) to conduct the gold mining operation for the return leg. Meanwhile, the Kapitan of the Trash.Compactor pulled out of the convoy due to a scheduling conflict. Kapitan Locke of the Hitman-76 gunship scouted the Dublin mining field, finding it to be empty. As we proceeded with the operation, we were visited by a Bretonian gunship and an advanced snubcraft - a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.
The officers of the Armed Forces gossiped with us about the safety of the Dublin system. Kapitan Henry believes that the Molly threat is growing ever more prevalent, which has forced most of the miners to only work for contracts. This confirms the reports of Manz about the perpetual emptiness of the depots created for the purpose of maintaining gold ore stockpiles. Whether by luck or due to the increased security presence, we were left unmolested.
After ending the operation, we proceeded back to The Ring, with the BAF providing escort as far out as the Elbe Border Fortress. Once again, our journey proved to be uneventful. We parted ways in planet New Berlin orbit, with confirmations about future convoy involvement.