My name is Vic Powers, one of Arcetri Station’s administrative team here in Galileo.
Recently, as the difficulties of Kusari and Liberty’s failures of diplomacy have become heavily evident, my security detachments are realizing that the vessels normally used for escort here - generally the Kress K11 "Kali" - are not suitable. Piracy has begun to rise, generally Liberty Rogues, and I need a vessel to equip my escorts with and ensure that they get to their destination and back safely.
I’m told that some of these pilots are requesting the T-493-VHF "Benzaiten"; generally these are Honshu-bound pilots who have seen your ships in action around Aomori and into the Sigmas, and have been suitably impressed upon by the ship’s performance.
As such, I’m requesting the purchase of a single model for testing purposes in and around Galileo, with the potential to purchase a further twelve to make a full squadron. As the ship would be potentially subjected to destructive testing in survivability trials, there can be no expectation of the fighter’s return to your organization.
I look forward to hearing back from you.
V/R
POWERS, VIC
ARCETRI STATION ADMINISTRATION
GALILEO, INDEPENDENT WORLDS
From:Wolfgang Schulze, Head of External Relations of the Shinsei Clan, Gas Miners Guild To:Vic Powers Topic:Purchase Request Encryption:SENSITIVE
Decrypting Message
Good afternoon, Vic Powers,
The Shinsei Clan extends its greetings.
First, we would like to express our appreciation for your cooperation in supplying a strategically important resource from Pennsylvania — deuterium. We also note the successful acquisition of the Bulwark combat transport; our pilots highly value its performance and reliability.
Regarding your request, we inform you of the following. At present, the Gas Miners Guild is engaged in intense combat operations in the Sigma-19 system, repelling a large-scale incursion by the Nomads. Despite the involvement of the Order and several other allied organizations, the situation remains critical: the enemy has deployed a prototype heavy battleship of a new class. Losses are substantial, and every unit is of critical importance.
Nevertheless, given the constructive and mutually beneficial business relations between us, we are prepared to accommodate your request and consider the delivery of 20 units of the T-493-VHF "Benzaiten" GMG Very Heavy Fighter.
In return, we request an additional delivery of one unit of the Bulwark transport.
We await your position on this proposal.
Kind regards,
Wolfgang Schulze
Head of External Relations of the Shinsei Clan
Gas Miners Guild
I would regret to inform you that due to Liberty Navy demands for Avionic Systems and Interior Systems, which are expected to extend late into this month at minimum, we currently do not foresee the ship construction market stabilizing for some time. As this is prohibitive towards the construction of a Bulwark-class Heavy Explorer, we do not feel this is a satisfactory agreement.
Furthermore, as the immediate acquisition of 20 T-493-VHF "Benzaiten" fighters is not within my purview before any testing of the vessel can be made by my own pilots in Galileo - the conditions of which are different to those in the Sigmas. In total, I do not feel that this request is to the benefit of Bristol C&M.
I do, however, appreciate the needs of GMG in this engagement against an unknown capital ship within the Sigmas. As such, I would make this counter-offer. For one T-493-VHF "Benzaiten" class fighter, Bristol C&M would pay the standard fee, an additional fee of 20% to cover the costs of transportation, and would be willing to transport 43.000 units of Deuterium to Yakushima Station. This would free up your escorts and transports for more pressing needs.
I hope this is acceptable to you, and I look forward to hearing back from you.
V/R
POWERS, VIC
ARCETRI STATION ADMINISTRATION
GALILEO, INDEPENDENT WORLDS
From:Wolfgang Schulze, Head of External Relations of the Shinsei Clan, Gas Miners Guild To:Vic Powers Topic:Purchase Request Encryption:SENSITIVE
Decrypting Message
Dear Mr. Vic,
Under the present circumstances, a decision has been made to provide you with one T-493-VHF “Benzaiten” prototype (code designation G-01-Delta) on a complimentary basis. Our representative on the planet Honshu will supply you with the necessary access codes to the onboard computer. The details of our agent have been transmitted to your email in a secure, encoded private message.
Please note that the transfer of this prototype to any third parties is strictly prohibited. For the next week, you are requested to refrain from altering the vessel’s name. Upon completion of the trial period and after the specified deadline, you may proceed with renaming.
We also confirm our interest in acquiring the resource - deuterium. Compensation for delivery will be commensurate with the importance of the task.
Respectfully,
Wolfgang Schulze
Head of External Relations of the Shinsei Clan
Gas Miners Guild
Before taking control of the vessel G-01-Delta, Bristol C&M intends to complete at minimum half of its contractual obligation of the supply of 43.000 units of Deuterium to Yakushima Station. The remaining half will be completed prior to 08.03.836.
I should inform you that the T-493-VHF "Benzaiten" will be tested under heavy conditions, to include damage expected to be sustained during normal combat operations. As it is not expected to be operational following this testing, the vessel will more than likely be salvaged at our Akutan Station facilities.
Thank you for your time and your business. Should the Bristol Board find the fighter to be acceptable, you may expect further communications on the negotiations of those vessels.
V/R
POWERS, VIC
ARCETRI STATION ADMINISTRATION
GALILEO, INDEPENDENT WORLDS
I’m happy to say that the first 7 shipments of 4.300 units of Deuterium have been shipped to Yakushima Station, totaling 30.100 units. As such, we’ll be taking control of G-01-Delta, marking the start of the trial period of one week per the agreement. The following are proofs of the transfers to your installation.