Starlight Research Consortium Chasing starlight since 829 A.S.
From: Emily Gataki
Subject: Making Acquaintances
Encryption Strength: Impossible
Hello, fellow Zoners. I'm Emily, of the Consortium. You probably thought we were long gone by now exploring the vastness of space, but we're still around. Our number is small, but we are far from done discovering new things about Sirius. Maybe you already remembered us from the past, but that was just in case you didn't.
Lately I've been working on a project for our research endeavours, in an attempt to further our knowledge with a vessel more capable than her predecessor. So far, the initial flight checks have been successful and she's ready for the move to Tau space. There's a couple of problems though. Ordinarily we would call on our own security vessels to aid in the escorting of her across from Omegas to Taus, but there's not many of our security left here at the moment. Certainly not enough to protect an entire Bustard-class carrier and especially not one without any heavy shielding or weapons array setup.
I suppose what I'm looking to find out is this: Would you be willing to send us over some of your pilots to assist in escorting the research vessel from Omega Forty-nine to Tau Twenty-three? It would give us some time to catch up, rekindle an old friendship from years past and give us all a chance to bully Karl a bit too, seeing as he is once again absent from his damn posting...
--Emily Gataki Heavy Research Vessel Andromeda Ever upwards, towards answers.
We already have ongoing arrangements with other SLRC members, so we are aware of the Consortium’s renewed activity.
Now, to business. You’re proposing to take a Bustard-class, unarmed and unshielded, through the Omegas and into Tau.
I’ll be frank: I don’t understand the insistence on a weaponless and unshielded platform. “Neutrality” does little against a hurled asteroid, a Nomad incursion, or even the Houses as they operate these days… but I digress.
At the very least, I trust the hull has been reinforced to withstand solar exposure and system radiation over a long transit.
On our end, I can likely arrange an escort detachment. Though if we’re crossing House space, we cannot commit anything above gunboat class. Alternatively, we can have one of our regular convoys rendezvous with you en route; typically three to six Bulwarks, supported by a few frigates, discourage most parties foolish enough to test our patience.
What I can spare, and for how long, will depend entirely on your intended course. Send me your planned route, timetable, and any known hazards, and I’ll see what we can commit for the duration of the journey.
Starlight Research Consortium Chasing starlight since 829 A.S.
From: Emily Gataki
Subject: Making Acquaintances
Encryption Strength: Impossible
Yeah, I know an undefended carrier is not the best to be moving past an entire house that has a mutual dislike between us, but that's by the by. Heavy radiation resistant plating has been installed already though, that was the first thing I made certain of.
Our decision hasnt been easy. Alot of the routes involve Bretonia, only one avoids it entirely. Naturally, this is the one that we eventually settled on, as the less time we spend in that forsaken house the better. The current route has three limited stability routes, but I have been assured that the Hull can handle the journey. This is partly the reason there was no installed weapon systems, need her to be as unleaden as possible. The Omegas into Vespucci are difficult, and from there it would be into Coronado and the Taus. Jump Holes only aside from the Omega Three to Seven gate, as Liberty ain't all that fond of us either. Bretonia have more than a few eyes on the thirty-one to twenty-three gate, so that's out of the question. The route is attached below for clarity, more details will be sent to your Neural Net for specifics to avoid hazards through key systems along the route.
As for the fleet size, unless your Bulwarks can challenge the unstables, lighter crafts would be better suited to this. A date can be arranged when we are both all ready, providing you are okay with the plan. Sailas has assured me the few assets of ours will also be mobilised alongside the Andromeda, seeing as she could be a vital step forwards into rebuilding our research fleet. I am not entirely convinced that this is the smartest idea but at least this way it grants us the best chance of making it in one piece.
--Emily Gataki Heavy Research Vessel Andromeda Ever upwards, towards answers.
Ah...so this would be outside our regular convoy path. That’s a bit inconvenient, as it will tie up dedicated resources, but I understand the need.
I’ll see what I can spare from our Omega fleet. At best estimate, I can commit one squadron, led by a gunboat, to shepherd the run.
As for the route: the real challenge will be pushing through the Omegas toward Vespucci. Omega-5, for a start, if the Corsairs catch wind of your trip and learn Phoenix has ships moving in that corridor, they may be tempted to bring their usual circus. After that, between the uncharted nature of the Burrow and the criminal activity still plaguing Vespucci, I expect a rough passage.
Beyond that, the remainder should be manageable. Our escort will then have to make the return journey separately. We’ll likely take an alternate route on the way back.
We’ll need roughly a week to put the pieces in place. If you have a specific departure window in mind, send me the date, and I’ll plan around it.
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