As requested, I have posted a contract for the Cryo-Organisms delivery to Port Tacoya to the OMG job boards. My own ship, the Dreaded Skies, has completed the first contracted delivery. I'm leaving the second for another OMG ship to pick up to spread the work, and profits, around. If nobody accepts the contract in a timely manner, we will complete delivery of the second load as well. Please find attached to this message a time-stamped record of our cargo manifest before and after delivery.
Saw an outstanding order when I was passing by a noticeboard on Canberra. Thought I'd take care of it since I was headed out towards Liberty anyway. Hold full of Cryo-organisms delivered to Port Tacoya.
Identification: Taskmaster Harold Kane Affiliation: Natio Octavarium, Fourth Fleet
To: Octavarium Intelligence Commission; Aquila Defense Systems
Subject: OCS Black Cloud II Encryption:High Location: Canberra Star City, Tau-44
Recipients,
A recent set of cryo-organism shipments from the Amalfi Directorate contained a selection of open market cruiser weapons as requested. The turrets and launchers are currently aboard Canberra in the Foundry Dock, berth four. Munitions have been procured and stored in Graphite Bay; the Aquila loaders have been given clearance to access anything in there. If you plan on signing out any of the other prototypes that are there, please let me know so I can ensure that the R&D folks don't have panic attacks.
We've also got a sizeable number of structural reinforcement panels handy. They should take only a few days to install now that our lovely friends from the Omegas have completed their work on repairing the substructures.
I'd love to get some blueprints for the thing, still. Producing a sister ship would be expensive and something we'd need some structural support for, but having the plans on hand would be brilliant for making repairs in the future more rapid.
Oh, and let me know if we're renaming it. I'd like to get some nameplates made up before the recommissioning ceremony.
Incoming Transmission from Renzu Shipyards
Hiroshima, Kusari Empire
30. August 825 A.S.
To:NO Internal Affairs Priority:Normal Topic:Ordered a new ship
Message Contents:
Good day, chaps!
On my last stop to New Tokyo, my usual contact at one of Kusari's larger Sake breweries asked me to carry a load up to Renzu Shipyards in Hiroshima. It wasn't the most profitable run on my list, but I've never been to Renzu's shipyard before. Obviously, I'm aware of their reputation for quality spacecraft, so I couldn't resist the opportunity to see their facilities first-hand and perhaps make some new contacts.
Upon my arrival, the Renzu personnel were very polite and, upon learning of my position with the Mercantile Guild, presented me with a full set of sales brochures and specifications for their full line of spacecraft. They then set me up on a tour of the facilities. I was disappointed at the lack of standard transport ships in their product line, but their fighters and freighters are very impressive. I've forwarded the sales materials to the Guild and Fleet databases.
My dream for retirement from Bowex had always been to purchase and operate my own cruise liner. Since taking up citizenship in Natio Octavarium, my fortunes have improved far beyond anything I ever expected. I no longer have to wait until my retirement to realize my dream. With that in mind, Renzu's Shukensha-class Liner caught my eye. As the ships are built to order to each customer's specification, they didn't have any on hand for me to see. Instead, we discussed available options, and they set me up with a virtual tour on a holotainment band. After a good bit of discussion, we settled on exactly what I want, and I placed the order. The ship is fantastically expensive, but the facilities and options are well beyond the Enterprise-class Liner I've previously had my eye on. The ship, to be named Invictus, will take some time to build, and they've agreed that payment will be accepted once I've agreed that I'm satisfied with the ship and take official delivery.
Once it's entered service, I'm willing to place the Invictus at the Cabinet's disposal for diplomatic purposes. The ship, assuming it's delivered as ordered, will be even more impressive than Bretonia's Palace-class Liner and should give the appropriate impression for state visits.
Captain John Riley, NO-Dreaded.Skies
Guildmaster, Octavarium Mercantile Guild
Identification:Saronsen Illat, Fourth Fleet Specialist Intended recipients:Taskmaster Kane, Taskmaster Escher Subject:Felicity Willing, Inner Circle Encryption:Get lost chump.
Visual Feed Unavailable
Met with the Lane Hacker associate as instructed, and we had our conversation. Pleasantly, she was not hostile as I was expecting, and it went far more smoothly than I could have hoped. I will attach logs of our conversation to this message. For now, I'll leave these as your eyes only, as miss Willing did instruct that much of this was to be kept between myself, and the Taskmasters.
Quote:NO-F-Saronsen: Good day.
Felicity.Willing: Good evening, rather.
NO-F-Saronsen: Ehh, my internal clock is definitely in another system. How do you fare?
Felicity.Willing: Good enough. Canberra turned out to be a hospitable place.
NO-F-Saronsen: It's been a bit of a process. I'm not sure how old the station actually is, but.
NO-F-Saronsen: Beds, bath, bar, all the necessities.
Felicity.Willing: I could realise.
NO-F-Saronsen: You'll have to forgive the lack of welcoming party, much of the fleet is spread thin currently.
Felicity.Willing: Picking something up and suiting it to be a better place is never an easy task.
Felicity.Willing: Worry not, this can be forgiven.
Felicity.Willing: The gesture itself was quite a surprisde.
Felicity.Willing: Surprise, even.
NO-F-Saronsen: I wasn't given too much information, just to make sure you're welcomed properly.
NO-F-Saronsen: There was admittedly some amount of hostility in the Natios and Lane Hackers past, but I never knew the why myself.
Felicity.Willing: Whatever the reason was - it apparently lies in the past, prior to me becoming the part of the Inner Circle.
Felicity.Willing: I don't know the whole story either.
NO-F-Saronsen: Mm. I never did get along with the inner circle myself. Mactan was less of a home and more of a pitstop.
NO-F-Saronsen: A one.. Phate wasn't particularly fond of me either if I recall.
Felicity.Willing: Well, i can't help but to inquire on the reason of the invitation.
Felicity.Willing: Natio, apparently, would want to establish some sort of a discussion?
NO-F-Saronsen: That does seem to be the case. It may have been more an open invitation to stop here for whatever we may be able to offer you.
NO-F-Saronsen: I'll see if I can't find out the Taskmasters true intentions.
Felicity.Willing: You know i am not forcing you to dig through their mind intentionally.
NO-F-Saronsen: Well, the more the merrier.
Felicity.Willing: Good evening.
Felicity.Willing: I've expected to be not alone either, but it seems that my colleague will not be present.
NO-F-Saronsen: So much more welcoming than me.
Felicity.Willing: Your hospitality is appreciated, Mr.Riley.
NO-F-Saronsen: Looking through the logs, we're just looking to make things less.. unfriendly, with the Lane Hackers. From what they've decided
NO-F-Saronsen: there's no actual reason for us to be hostile towards the Lane Hackers.
NO-F-Saronsen: Considering the roots of.. a number of people here, it does make sense.
Felicity.Willing: Neither there is such a reason for us. To be honest, we might even have some mutual grounds.
Felicity.Willing: Like those nasty Gauls pestering our borders.
NO-F-Saronsen: I spent years as a Mactan based Hacker myself, and a number of people in the Fleet were Hacker associates.
NO-F-Saronsen: Indeed, we've had our run ins with them out here.
NO-F-Saronsen: Particularly their intelligence branch.
Felicity.Willing: These are the most unpleasing ones.
Felicity.Willing: Sniffing around anywhere, possessing some stealth technologies.
Felicity.Willing: Quite a slippery meat to deal with.
NO-F-Saronsen: Thankfully their navy doesn't seem to actually /care/ about Canberra, or this system.
NO-F-Saronsen: Nor do the.. Colonials. Crayter now is it?
Felicity.Willing: They are more occupied with the actual war theaters.
Felicity.Willing: I believe you are partaking in one of these.
Felicity.Willing: You as Natio, that is.
NO-F-Saronsen: Indeed, we tend to be a large thorn in their side whenever possible.
NO-F-Saronsen: We have a rather large strikeforce of bombers parked comfortably in Bretonia in fact.
NO-F-Saronsen: On the border I should say, Curacao.
Felicity.Willing: That is understandable. Quite a well placed base of operations.
NO-F-Saronsen: Sure, safe skies.
Felicity.Willing: Safe skies, Mr.Riley.
NO-F-Saronsen: Of course
Felicity.Willing: Mister... Saronsen, i assume?
NO-F-Saronsen: Yeah?
Felicity.Willing: A word have been spreaded among our ranks that Natio does have connections to Alster Union, and is concerned with state of-
Felicity.Willing: -affairs in Bering?
Felicity.Willing: Is that so?
Felicity.Willing: It's one of those 'mutual grounds' i've mentioned before.
NO-F-Saronsen: Mm, something like that. We've done business before.
Felicity.Willing: To make it blunt - i am working towards the crysis being resolved.
NO-F-Saronsen: We're definitely not involved in that.. mess. Our concern is the supply of scrap that's made its way to Canberra for processing
NO-F-Saronsen: has..
NO-F-Saronsen: Dwindled, might be the right word.
Felicity.Willing: Do you have intentions of supporting Alster Union in some way? Perhaps, providing them with a temporary refuge?
Felicity.Willing: Harmony will not reach out 'that' far, and certainly not while we are... contact on scanners.
NO-F-Saronsen: Mm? Oh, yeah, she's welcome.
NO-F-Saronsen: As for the support, as far as I know, nothing direct, or indirectly beneficial.
NO-F-Saronsen: We accept refugees all the time, and I imagine if the Alster Union knows of that, they might use that.
NO-F-Saronsen: I do believe the Taskmasters mentioned they're allowed here for humanitarian purposes, whatwith the rumors of what's going on
Felicity.Willing: Given you have had business before - they are aware of this.
NO-F-Saronsen: in the Bering system.
NO-F-Saronsen: Well, most should be aware, but tend to be ignorant of what some people offer.
Felicity.Willing: Trust me, their current state of affairs is unpleasant.
Felicity.Willing: But you know that as well as i do.
NO-F-Saronsen: I'm personally ignorant of the situation, I just skim through our logs on occasion.
Felicity.Willing: If the Harmony will proceed with the current course - they will have their leash pulled.
Felicity.Willing: We find their actions rather... unpleasing.
NO-F-Saronsen: Haven't they successfully lost.. mmmost of their allies?
Felicity.Willing: They have had a drastical change of course, that is.
Felicity.Willing: Which is actually equal to losing allies.
Felicity.Willing: To discover support in alternative sources, that is.
NO-F-Saronsen: They're probably very fortunate Gallia is stepping on Liberty's toes.
NO-F-Saronsen: Probably would've swept through Bering with the entire navy if that wasn't the case.
Felicity.Willing: Well, our course of action is decided at this point. Perhaps we will bring Navy to a conclusion that such a sweep is necessary.
Felicity.Willing: Yet, we are more focused on different concerns.
Felicity.Willing: Specifically - Gauls stepping on Liberty's... just what the hell is that gathering?
NO-F-Saronsen: Well, we are a fairly neutral port afterall.
NO-F-Saronsen: Some people take comfort in 'reformed' scumbags instead of Zoners.
Felicity.Willing: Mister Saronsen, i would like thse individuals to be gone from the area. Temporarily.
Felicity.Willing: Or should we move away from the gathering?
NO-F-Saronsen: We could do that.
Felicity.Willing: Given the circumstances - i would encourage that.
NO-F-Saronsen: Moving
Felicity.Willing: Engage formation, Mr. Saronsen.
NO-F-Saronsen: On your wing.
NO-F-Saronsen: Be back soon folks.
NO-F-Saronsen: You can keep them company over there if you'd like
Felicity.Willing: I apologise for the sudden relocation.
NO-F-Saronsen: Fair enough
NO-F-Saronsen: It's understandable.
NO-F-Saronsen: The inner circle is rather well known for its.. secrecy. Surprising we talked about it there at all.
Felicity.Willing: There are... matters to be discussed without ears.
Felicity.Willing: Having you toe-to-toe with me will allow us to talk more freely.
NO-F-Saronsen: Of course.
Felicity.Willing: Well then, where were we?
NO-F-Saronsen: On the topic of Bering I believe.
Felicity.Willing: Gauls, Bering, somewhere around these two matters that could potentially close the gap.
Felicity.Willing: The gap between the Inner Cicrle and Natio, that is.
NO-F-Saronsen: Was there something you had in mind at this time? Or will we be hearing from the Inner Circle soon about that?
Felicity.Willing: I am working pretty much personally on the case, in tight cooperation with The Union, of course.
Felicity.Willing: Or, at least - with someone representing their interests and the one eager to conclude the conflict.
NO-F-Saronsen: I see.
Felicity.Willing: Mostly now we remain dormant, and are focused on Gallic issue.
Felicity.Willing: In particular - the big nasty construction site in Leeds.
Felicity.Willing: I believe you have seen it.
NO-F-Saronsen: With my own eyes? I have not. Is it that new Jumpgate, presumeably going to New London?
Felicity.Willing: Exactly.
Felicity.Willing: We have a confirmation of this, as well as the supplying going at a constant rate.
Felicity.Willing: Even through it is a bit... chaotic.
Felicity.Willing: So far the shipments do not look somewhat scheduled.
NO-F-Saronsen: Strange considering the rampant piracy and privateering behind Gallic lines. They must be just throwing bodies at the project.
Felicity.Willing: However, neither they bother with setting appropriate escort to the transports.
Felicity.Willing: Above that - i have discovered the source of where commodities are coming from.
NO-F-Saronsen: Oh?
Felicity.Willing: The system's called Picardy. The facility is presumably located in grid square 2B.
Felicity.Willing: A transport intercept in that system only confirmes that assumption.
Felicity.Willing: Intercepted, even.
NO-F-Saronsen: I see. I think we know a number of groups who wouldn't mind having that information as well.
Felicity.Willing: Gallic opposition, mostly.
Felicity.Willing: I would assume that.
NO-F-Saronsen: Indeed.
Felicity.Willing: Let me be honest: we are drastically interested in this shipments intercepted and extorted. Actually, we could perform the-
Felicity.Willing: -extortions ourselves.
Felicity.Willing: On a recent occasion i have discussed that matter with Bretonian intelligence.
NO-F-Saronsen: Their variety of gate and lane technology, no doubt?
Felicity.Willing: Bull's eye, Mister Saronsen.
Felicity.Willing: At this point we have retrieved only one shipment of these parts.
Felicity.Willing: As i have mentioned, these are quite chaotic.
NO-F-Saronsen: Mm. And every blow to that supply line probably drastically lengthens the time it'll take to build that gate.
Felicity.Willing: Precisely.
Felicity.Willing: At this point, Mister Saronsen, i would like you to keep everything said within the Natio's command.
Felicity.Willing: Share this to the taskmasters only.
NO-F-Saronsen: Of course.
Felicity.Willing: There is a reason we are delaying their shipments.
NO-F-Saronsen: I mean frankly, just to spite the gauls is reason enough for me personally.
Felicity.Willing: I hope you are upholding the same principle of your promises the Lane Hackers do.
Felicity.Willing: As such - give me your promise.
NO-F-Saronsen: Mm, what am I promising, to be exact?
NO-F-Saronsen: I do prefer to have the details plain.
Felicity.Willing: To keep the reason of their shipments being intercepted and construction delayed in secret to anyone except your taskmasters.
Felicity.Willing: That is what i would want you to keep in secret.
NO-F-Saronsen: You have my word on that. Only the Taskmasters will receive this information.
Felicity.Willing: The Lane Hackers are 'that' close to produce Spyglass Mark II.
Felicity.Willing: Might be quite a specific reason, but that's pretty much everything i can tell.
NO-F-Saronsen: Ah, I see. I can imagine you'd want that under wraps.
Felicity.Willing: It is relieving to have your understanding.
NO-F-Saronsen: From Ageira to the Lane Hackers to the Natio, I've learned to keep my mouth shut over the last decade or so.
Felicity.Willing: That's certainly a useful trait. Silence is life sometimes.
NO-F-Saronsen: Well, silence when it comes to secrets anyway.
NO-F-Saronsen: Any other time I generally talk too much.
Felicity.Willing: Precisely. You seem to be smart, and resourceful. Which brings me to a confusion you did not extend that gesture of friendship-
Felicity.Willing: -earlier.
NO-F-Saronsen: I'm personally not the one who can make those orders. And the Taskmasters had.. other issues for a time.
Felicity.Willing: I wish i could tell you the details, but the project is kept in secrecy, not even the senior members know a lot about it.
NO-F-Saronsen: I see.
NO-F-Saronsen: Well, hopefully this leads to a warmer relationship betwen the Natio and the Inner Circle.
NO-F-Saronsen: It's bad enough I'm paranoid of the Navy when I'm passing through, let alone running into a Lane Hacker in a bad mood.
Felicity.Willing: Hopefully. I would've personally ensure that warmup if you'd be a little more honest about what you are going to do in Bering.
NO-F-Saronsen: I'm honestly unaware of any planned activities in Bering. So far the only actions we've taken is allowing the Alster Union to
NO-F-Saronsen: send Refugees to Canberra.
Felicity.Willing: I see.
Felicity.Willing: Going to be hell of a task with that blockade, through.
NO-F-Saronsen: Indeed. If they're desperate enough, they might try their luck going through Hamburg, and all the way through the Sigmas and
NO-F-Saronsen: Kusari to get here.
Felicity.Willing: With all the mess going out there? With the Core eagerly shooting everything that comes through Sigma-15, Rheinland affairs-
Felicity.Willing: -with the Gas Miners, and, as the final nail on the coffin - the Sigma-21.
Felicity.Willing: Making hyperspatial jumps with small portions of refugees would be a better option, don't you think?
NO-F-Saronsen: It would, though I'm not certain if they have any ships capable of it.
NO-F-Saronsen: God forbid they attempt to jump with a damaged capital too, they'll break its back and probably never be able to use it again.
Felicity.Willing: All other options involve hell of a risk.
Felicity.Willing: Their attempt to jump with a damaged capital?
Felicity.Willing: Is there something i don't know?
Felicity.Willing: Which capital? When? Have Natio spoken them out of that idea?
NO-F-Saronsen: Ah, no, nothing like that.
NO-F-Saronsen: It's just my personal speculation. Their station was crippled, and I imagine any capitals are probably hurting from the fightin
Felicity.Willing: Crippled. To say the least.
Felicity.Willing: It suffered a direct hit of Nuclear EMP payload.
NO-F-Saronsen: Yeah, that'll do it.
Felicity.Willing: You can imagine the consequences.
NO-F-Saronsen: And I imagine any repairs for their capitals is only for critical damage, which means jumps are probably ill-advised.
Felicity.Willing: I've seen them in person few days ago.
NO-F-Saronsen: Unless they have something no one is aware of.
Felicity.Willing: That's unlikely.
Felicity.Willing: They have been holding close ties with Harmony for years.
Felicity.Willing: Unfortunately, during that time Harmony was able to assess the Unions' powers there, in Bering.
Felicity.Willing: And all this - for a single cruiser and a couple of shots fired.
NO-F-Saronsen: I heard the Union sent them packing quite easily in that altercation as well.
NO-F-Saronsen: I suppose numbers will beat out skill in the end.
Felicity.Willing: To be honest: Harmony might have deserved this.
Felicity.Willing: That's what they get for turning their back on someone who basically saved them few years ago.
NO-F-Saronsen: Indeed. And now they have the Liberty Navy casting a shadow over them again.
Felicity.Willing: When Harmony was nothing but a scattered, vulnerable bunch of rogue Navy and LSF pilots.
Felicity.Willing: As i have mentioned - perhaps they should get their arse cracked a bit.
Felicity.Willing: To have that feeling of their own blood on their tongue to realise their mistakes.
NO-F-Saronsen: It's strange how they've lasted as long as they have. A small battlegroup threatening the entirety of the Liberty forces.
Felicity.Willing: Anyway, mister Saronsen. I would still like to meet one of your Taskmasters in person.
Felicity.Willing: Could i possibly entrust you the arranging of that meeting?
Felicity.Willing: Anwering your question pre-emptively - yes, i will be staying on Canberra for a while.
NO-F-Saronsen: I'll be sure to let them know of your wishes, and get them to contact you directly.
NO-F-Saronsen: And especially if you're staying on Canberra, it's far more likely it'll happen sooner rather than later.
Felicity.Willing: That fits me.
Felicity.Willing: Should we return to Canberra now?
NO-F-Saronsen: Couldn't hurt.
Felicity.Willing: I would not mind a hot bath and a soft bed right now.
NO-F-Saronsen: Wouldn't mind that myself, though I do have some paperwork followed by a patrol to handle.
Felicity.Willing: So do i.
Felicity.Willing: I've climbed high, but not that high to have no one to write reports to.
NO-F-Saronsen: Bah, even at the top you still need to keep track of paperwork.
Felicity.Willing: Farewell, mr.Saronsen.
NO-F-Saronsen: Have a good evening, miss Willing.
Also, there is a concern with the Crayter Republic that I would prefer to speak to you about over live communications, or in person.
Subject: Meeting Encryption:Oh dear. Location: Around a few corners.
Extensive discussion with Hacker oprative known as Felicity Willing. really, that's what you're going with?
The Bering situation is... bad. Hellfire Legion EMPed Pacifica, seemingly at the behest of Harmony. I suspect the Legion is the one actually pushing the conflict. Lane Hackers are currently neutral, officially, but were actively pushing for humanitarian aid to the Alster Union - they have already chosen their side, but are attempting so far to remain peaceful about it.
They want our help, and have offered to escort our transports.
And I didn't even have to threaten to throw anyone out of a window.
[31.08.2018 00:47:33] NO-I-Green.River: Hmm. Shiranui adjusted some things here... I'll sort that out later.
[31.08.2018 00:47:46] NO-I-Green.River: Well. I was informed you wanted to speak with a Taskmaster.
[31.08.2018 00:47:58] Felicity.Willing: That is correct.
[31.08.2018 00:48:06] NO-I-Green.River: I had intended to leave this matter to my agents, but if that's your wish.
[31.08.2018 00:48:12] NO-I-Green.River: I am Taskmaster Escher.
[31.08.2018 00:48:43] Felicity.Willing: I have had a belief that you would provide me with somewhat more... precise information.
[31.08.2018 00:49:04] NO-I-Green.River: Hm. We like to play our cards close, but I may be able to accomodate you.
[31.08.2018 00:49:15] NO-I-Green.River: I also need to survey the hull of Canberra.
[31.08.2018 00:49:25] NO-I-Green.River: There was an... incident earlier.
[31.08.2018 00:49:53] Felicity.Willing: I could feel that accident myself. And that was, uh... a Crayter dreadnought?
[31.08.2018 00:50:11] NO-I-Green.River: Yes. They have not done much to improve my opinion of Crayter.
[31.08.2018 00:50:35] Felicity.Willing: They did a lot to ruin it, rather.
[31.08.2018 00:50:49] NO-I-Green.River: But, it appears to be mostly surface damage. High-dispersal flak, limited penetration.
[31.08.2018 00:51:01] Felicity.Willing: What is actually going on within it? Have they had some sort of power shift?...
[31.08.2018 00:51:09] NO-I-Green.River: We'll still need to get the Dubbo out here to patch it up.
[31.08.2018 00:51:17] NO-I-Green.River: Crayter... to be entirely honest, we're working on figuring that out ourselves.
[31.08.2018 00:51:34] NO-I-Green.River: The Fleet Admiral and Minister that were our initial contact points are nowhere to be found.
[31.08.2018 00:51:38] NO-I-Green.River: An explanation has not been forthcoming.
[31.08.2018 00:51:58] Felicity.Willing: That does not sound very promising.
[31.08.2018 00:52:38] NO-I-Green.River: No, but it's not as surprising as it would be were this Bretonia.
[31.08.2018 00:53:01] NO-I-Green.River: Militant states are prone to sudden power shifts.
[31.08.2018 00:53:21] NO-I-Green.River: Teach your people to see everyone as the enemy, and they'll take that to its logical conclusion.
[31.08.2018 00:53:23] Felicity.Willing: Hm. Perhaps, i should pull some strings to try and find something out.
[31.08.2018 00:53:34] Felicity.Willing: If anything comes out - i will let you know.
[31.08.2018 00:53:46] NO-I-Green.River: That would be appreciated. I know Coronado is an important corridor to both of us.
[31.08.2018 00:54:06] Felicity.Willing: Now, mister Escher. Would you mind to... enligten me on a certain matter?
[31.08.2018 00:54:10] NO-I-Green.River: Go ahead.
[31.08.2018 00:54:41] Felicity.Willing: I have received a word from mister Saronsen that you are accepting refugees from Pacifica, and have had dealings with-
[31.08.2018 00:54:48] Felicity.Willing: the Alster Union in the past.
[31.08.2018 00:55:04] NO-I-Green.River: Not as much in the past, but recently yes. They actually reached out to us first.
[31.08.2018 00:55:21] NO-I-Green.River: Since they've never wronged us, we saw no reason not to work with them.
[31.08.2018 00:55:36] Felicity.Willing: What was that transmission, if i may ask?
[31.08.2018 00:56:00] Felicity.Willing: Don't get me wrong. We are on a mutual ground here. Our Professors... are not pleased with Harmony's actions.
[31.08.2018 00:56:09] NO-I-Green.River: Those messages were fielded by Taskmaster Kane, but the first contact was inquiring about the status of the Metropolis.
[31.08.2018 00:56:35] NO-I-Green.River: I believe there's been talk of ship repairs, but that may have been Kane attempting to help speed the Black Cloud's restoration
[31.08.2018 00:57:11] Felicity.Willing: Black Cloud? Is it some sort of a special vessel?
[31.08.2018 00:57:27] Felicity.Willing: Given the source of that veseel - a Hel cruiser, i would assume.
[31.08.2018 00:57:44] NO-I-Green.River: It was built off a Hel frame, at least.
[31.08.2018 00:58:04] NO-I-Green.River: It houses a number of scanners and defensive electronic warfare systems, but the exact details are kept quiet.
[31.08.2018 00:58:24] Felicity.Willing: That's understandable.
[31.08.2018 00:59:05] Felicity.Willing: Anyway. Since you house a certain number of Pacifica refugees... have Natio considered any active operation in regards-
[31.08.2018 00:59:21] Felicity.Willing: -to assisting Alster Union with moving them?
[31.08.2018 00:59:53] Felicity.Willing: Given you have the direct contact - you should be pretty much aware of the Harmony's blockade.
[31.08.2018 01:00:01] NO-I-Green.River: We have a ship enroute to ascertain the situation and begin humanitarian assistance.
[31.08.2018 01:00:26] NO-I-Green.River: We have heard of the blockade, but we're attempting to get more information before fully moving in.
[31.08.2018 01:00:49] Felicity.Willing: Well, i can update you on the situation as i have arrived to Canberra straight from Pacifica.
[31.08.2018 01:00:52] NO-I-Green.River: While we doubt the Union is intentionally decieving us, we would like a clearer picture of the situation.
[31.08.2018 01:01:01] NO-I-Green.River: That would help.
[31.08.2018 01:01:47] Felicity.Willing: Harmony have fallen to open hostilities with the Union. Pacifica suffered a launch of Nuclear EMP payload, supposedly - by the-
[31.08.2018 01:01:51] Felicity.Willing: -Hellfire Legion.
[31.08.2018 01:02:29] NO-I-Green.River: Odd. That fits with expected Legion resources, but I'm wondering *why*.
[31.08.2018 01:02:36] Felicity.Willing: Internal blockade have been instilled and any vessels trying to trespass and moor on Pacifica are either turned back - or shot-
[31.08.2018 01:02:38] Felicity.Willing: -down.
[31.08.2018 01:02:59] Felicity.Willing: I've had a chance to talk with Legionnaires.
[31.08.2018 01:03:18] Felicity.Willing: They seemed to be eager 'to get rid of the plague on the Liberty outskirts'.
[31.08.2018 01:03:31] Felicity.Willing: Bringing up Union's Texas raids as an excuse.
[31.08.2018 01:03:46] Felicity.Willing: Which is, honestly...
[31.08.2018 01:03:56] Felicity.Willing: A very weak excuse for such harsh measures.
[31.08.2018 01:04:22] Felicity.Willing: I assume Harmony 'asked' them to do this.
[31.08.2018 01:04:27] Felicity.Willing: As in 'provoked'.
[31.08.2018 01:05:04] NO-I-Green.River: I've yet to get a good reading on Harmony; they broke off from Liberty during our time in isolation.
[31.08.2018 01:05:04] Felicity.Willing: Blockade have been inflicted soon after, intercepting any incoming convoy intending to help Pacifica.
[31.08.2018 01:05:09] Felicity.Willing: Gaians, mostly.
[31.08.2018 01:05:55] Felicity.Willing: Harmony? A bunch of rogue Liberty Security Force pilots obsessed with the idea of Liberty Navy's infection.
[31.08.2018 01:06:06] NO-I-Green.River: I feel like I've heard that exact story before.
[31.08.2018 01:06:10] Felicity.Willing: Not the whole Navy, of courrse, but their higher ranks, that is.
[31.08.2018 01:06:20] NO-I-Green.River: ... since when does the LSF have "battlegroups"?
[31.08.2018 01:06:43] NO-I-Green.River: Nevermind, that's tangential at best.
[31.08.2018 01:07:03] NO-I-Green.River: It sounds like the Hackers aren't exactly friendly with Harmony, then.
[31.08.2018 01:07:07] Felicity.Willing: Back in the Nomad War, Harmony was a battleship of a Naval battlegroup. During their exaltation, LSF backed them up.
[31.08.2018 01:07:34] Felicity.Willing: More like neutral at this moment.
[31.08.2018 01:08:05] Felicity.Willing: Their agression is not tolerated, yet this is not just another simple case.
[31.08.2018 01:08:11] Felicity.Willing: The course of action is yet to be picked.
[31.08.2018 01:09:01] NO-I-Green.River: It is a complicated situation.
[31.08.2018 01:09:58] NO-I-Green.River: It's rather distant from us, but we have reasons to be interested. I'll see what we can dig up.
[31.08.2018 01:10:06] Felicity.Willing: There is another thing. Johnatan Kalh, that fool is... troublesome, to say the least.
[31.08.2018 01:10:27] NO-I-Green.River: We've had limited contact with him. He seems to have a one-track mind.
[31.08.2018 01:10:37] Felicity.Willing: He also should be dealt with, and reminded of his place in the universe.
[31.08.2018 01:11:17] Felicity.Willing: We would not like to attract external assets to this, but, perhaps, you know someone capable of providing us with a Mark IV-
[31.08.2018 01:11:18] NO-I-Green.River: I take it there's been a recurring issue, there.
[31.08.2018 01:11:21] Felicity.Willing: -Jump Drive?
[31.08.2018 01:11:53] NO-I-Green.River: Hm. The only contact we have that we know has the capacity to produce them is Crayter.
[31.08.2018 01:11:55] Felicity.Willing: *Inhales* Johnatan Kalh's Harmony milksop.
[31.08.2018 01:12:37] Felicity.Willing: Perhaps, we will need one such device soon enough.
[31.08.2018 01:13:33] NO-I-Green.River: Crayter definitely has the capacity to produce them. The willingness to part with them, that's another matter.
[31.08.2018 01:14:11] Felicity.Willing: Show people the money and they fall for it. Crayter is no exception, no matter who's in charge of it.
[31.08.2018 01:15:02] NO-I-Green.River: Fair, especially with how they've treated their other military technology.
[31.08.2018 01:15:03] Felicity.Willing: Oh, and remind your vessel to be extremely cautious in Bering.
[31.08.2018 01:15:20] Felicity.Willing: Harmony is way more trigger-happy now than they were before.
[31.08.2018 01:16:05] NO-I-Green.River: We have ideas for that, but we'll have to go over the exact details internally.
[31.08.2018 01:16:40] NO-I-Green.River: The Hackers haven't taken a side, but you do seem to be leaning toward the Unioners.
[31.08.2018 01:17:03] Felicity.Willing: What i am certain about is that they will not, most likely, engage any ship escorted with our assets.
[31.08.2018 01:17:22] Felicity.Willing: Yes, we are leaning towards The Union.
[31.08.2018 01:17:35] Felicity.Willing: Their stance in the conflict is what we find more justified.
[31.08.2018 01:17:55] NO-I-Green.River: What exactly started this whole situation?
[31.08.2018 01:18:32] Felicity.Willing: Of what i know - it started off a Hel cruiser that Harmony requested, later on supplied it's construction, but never received-
[31.08.2018 01:18:36] Felicity.Willing: -the end result.
[31.08.2018 01:19:02] Felicity.Willing: Then the Hellfire interfered, first shots from Harmony's side were fired...
[31.08.2018 01:19:21] Felicity.Willing: Actually, Harmony's officer given an order to terminate Union's vessel.
[31.08.2018 01:19:38] Felicity.Willing: Supposedly, Legionnaires took their part in the show.
[31.08.2018 01:20:18] NO-I-Green.River: Hm. I wonder if perhaps the Legion had a hand in pushing it toward open hostilities.
[31.08.2018 01:21:26] NO-I-Green.River: If they're the ones who supposedly EMPed Pacifica, and claimed it was in response to raids on Texas... but, that's speculation.
[31.08.2018 01:22:07] Felicity.Willing: They not 'supposedly' NEMPed Pacifica, 'we' know they did.
[31.08.2018 01:22:13] NO-I-Green.River: My mistake.
[31.08.2018 01:22:41] NO-I-Green.River: Our intel on the events in Bering has been spottier than I would like. The problems of distance.
[31.08.2018 01:23:00] Felicity.Willing: I ended up getting in touch with former Pacifica administrator on quite a sensitive matter.
[31.08.2018 01:23:18] Felicity.Willing: Once accomplishing it - i've picked up another patch of the information from him.
[31.08.2018 01:23:36] Felicity.Willing: To have the full view and make a better judgement of the situation.
[31.08.2018 01:24:19] Felicity.Willing: As i have mentioned - i suggest extreme precaution if you are willing to send blockade runners.
[31.08.2018 01:24:49] Felicity.Willing: Use Freighters for their speed, use unpredictable routes - given the circumstances, the one through Rheinland and Puerto Rico-
[31.08.2018 01:24:55] Felicity.Willing: -would be the best one.
[31.08.2018 01:24:56] NO-I-Green.River: We have considerable experience in the field, don't worry.
[31.08.2018 01:25:19] Felicity.Willing: I am not putting your experience to a doubt.
[31.08.2018 01:25:29] NO-I-Green.River: On that note, though
[31.08.2018 01:25:35] NO-I-Green.River: do you know what the Junkers' angle is on the situation?
[31.08.2018 01:25:39] Felicity.Willing: It's a 'better safe than sorry' kind of advice.
[31.08.2018 01:25:45] NO-I-Green.River: If we're to pass through Puerto Rico, it would be good to know.
[31.08.2018 01:26:19] Felicity.Willing: Right. Unfortunately, i lack that piece of information. But i doubt they will mind your minor traverse.
[31.08.2018 01:26:34] Felicity.Willing: I haven't seen them assisting Harmony in any way lately.
[31.08.2018 01:26:47] Felicity.Willing: So there is a high probability of getting on their good side.
[31.08.2018 01:27:16] NO-I-Green.River: They are generally easy enough to work with.
[31.08.2018 01:27:44] Felicity.Willing: Unless you really, 'really' piss them off.
[31.08.2018 01:27:57] Felicity.Willing: Which is quite difficult to perform.
[31.08.2018 01:28:08] NO-I-Green.River: But, that's the Bering matter addressed, pending updates.
[31.08.2018 01:28:17] NO-I-Green.River: Did you have other questions?
[31.08.2018 01:29:13] Felicity.Willing: I would ask you again if you plan to direct any transports with humanitarian supplies or for the sake of evacuation, but-
[31.08.2018 01:29:26] Felicity.Willing: -i assume it to be pointless at this point in time.
[31.08.2018 01:29:38] NO-I-Green.River: As I said, we have to ascertain the situation first. If the situation allows, we likely will.
[31.08.2018 01:29:57] Felicity.Willing: I am grateful for your honest answers, Taskmaster.
[31.08.2018 01:30:02] NO-I-Green.River: It's less a matter of diplomatic concerns and more a matter of *tactical* concern.
[31.08.2018 01:30:14] Felicity.Willing: Tactical concern.
[31.08.2018 01:30:20] Felicity.Willing: Care to elaborate further?
[31.08.2018 01:30:37] NO-I-Green.River: Simply ensuring there *is* a feasible way around the blockades without losing our ships.
[31.08.2018 01:30:45] NO-I-Green.River: Which there likely will be.
[31.08.2018 01:30:56] Felicity.Willing: I have proposed at least one opportunity.
[31.08.2018 01:31:11] Felicity.Willing: Have one of our escorts tagging along with your convoys.
[31.08.2018 01:31:25] Felicity.Willing: That increases your probability of success drastically.
[31.08.2018 01:31:47] NO-I-Green.River: That is a viable option, yes.
[31.08.2018 01:31:59] Felicity.Willing: I understand that we've had some uneasy terms in the past, but there you'll need to have some trust in us.
[31.08.2018 01:32:27] Felicity.Willing: Not for our sake, but for the sake of people secluded and suffering on Pacifica.
[31.08.2018 01:32:43] Felicity.Willing: I assume you understand.
[31.08.2018 01:32:45] NO-I-Green.River: There is a saying, "trust but verify." My job is to verify. Kane, I'm sure, is willing to dedicate aid to the cause.
[31.08.2018 01:33:17] Felicity.Willing: A very good saying, to be blunt and honest.
[31.08.2018 01:33:56] Felicity.Willing: Anyway, i suppose we've discussed pretty much everything we could at this point.
[31.08.2018 01:34:18] NO-I-Green.River: We will send a ship in the near future. Exact timing is usually not disclosed for obvious reasons.
[31.08.2018 01:34:49] Felicity.Willing: Understandable.
[31.08.2018 01:35:11] Felicity.Willing: But, perhaps, that would be a perfect moment to see if our escort will make some effect.
[31.08.2018 01:35:22] Felicity.Willing: To kill two rabbits with just one shot.
[31.08.2018 01:35:48] NO-I-Green.River: Barring any unexpected tactical problems, I believe the aid will be delivered. Hold on, I'm getting a message...
[31.08.2018 01:37:04] NO-I-Green.River: [he sighs] Civilians...
[31.08.2018 01:37:21] Felicity.Willing: Anything requiring your attention?
[31.08.2018 01:37:27] NO-I-Green.River: No, I don't believe so.
[31.08.2018 01:37:55] NO-I-Green.River: There *may* be a ship available now, but I'm checking on that.
[31.08.2018 01:38:17] Felicity.Willing: I believe i could send a word to one of my trusted colleagues to meet your vessel of choice and escort it.
[31.08.2018 01:38:43] Felicity.Willing: I personally would like to stay on Canberra for a while longer before departing.
[31.08.2018 01:39:33] NO-I-Green.River: We may have someone available, a ship passing through Coronado .
[31.08.2018 01:40:05] NO-I-Green.River: It's the... am I reading this right?
[31.08.2018 01:40:21] NO-I-Green.River: OTS Run Like Hell. I suppose it's appropriately named.
[31.08.2018 01:40:50] Felicity.Willing: Hm.
[31.08.2018 01:40:53] Felicity.Willing: Fits the cause.
[31.08.2018 01:41:14] Felicity.Willing: Perhaps they should be put on a standby for now, however.
[31.08.2018 01:41:31] NO-I-Green.River: That may be for the best, actually, I"m getting odd reports of hardware issues on their end.
[31.08.2018 01:41:49] NO-I-Green.River: Minor ones, but best fixed before such an endeavor.
[31.08.2018 01:42:12] Felicity.Willing: True that. Everything should be working perfect on such a risky endeavour.
[31.08.2018 01:42:43] Felicity.Willing: Even through Spyglass picks no Harmony signatures within Bering...
[31.08.2018 01:43:03] Felicity.Willing: It won't take them long to appear should somehting unidentified try and get through.
[31.08.2018 01:44:55] NO-I-Green.River: Anyway, now I do have matters to attend to. You are of course still welcome on Canberra.
[31.08.2018 01:45:09] Felicity.Willing: Very well.
[31.08.2018 01:45:15] Felicity.Willing: Until next time, Taskmaster.
Subject: We took NO prisoners Encryption:As high, as our encoder allow Location: Freeport 6 bar
Greetings here. I'm sorry for late response, but victory required some drinks..and zoners had dozen.
In needed time i met with miss Akibara on crayters carrier. Tau alliance's forces collected fast, and somebody who call himself monsieur Pierre, encouraged us went into fires. When first scouts entered in fight, and their reports come to Helios, miss Akibara decided stay in reserve, awaiting proper targets for her waran. Seems gallic side dont awaited attack here and deployed only small veterans wings.
Our forces, leading by Crayter-Councils joint command, and encouraged by brave monsieur Pierre, despite losses, took numbers advantage and cleared area near of Holman.
Hm..played i much role in this fight? Think no. Seems dual-maxims load on Taurus don't meet expectations of our technicians. Well, cockpit of it definitely luxury, and i almost felt asleep in it.
But it definitely was victory, and as brave soldier, i went in bar. Don't tell to my wives, where i'm.
Identification: Minister Harold Kane Affiliation: Ministry of Relations, Natio Octavarium
To: Natio Octavarium Internal Affairs
Subject: You Have One New Transponder Update Available Encryption:Meh. Location: Canberra Star City, Tau-44
All,
I am pleased to announce that our humble nation has gained recognition from the collective ghost in the machine that runs the Neural Net and our application for Natio-specific transponder generators have been approved. Please visit your nearest Fourth Octavarium Fleet or Aquila Defense Systems maintenance facility to have your transponder updated with the new identification sequence at your earliest convenience.
Additionally, I would like to congratulate our fleet and paramilitary forces for the successful strike operation in league with Crayterian forces. This will go a long way both for our relationship with the Crayter Republic and in showing the Gallic Royalists that we are not going to roll over and submit to their posturing. Well done, folks.
Incoming Transmission from Freeport 8
Simga-15, Border Worlds
27. September 825 A.S.
To:NO Internal Affairs CC:Octavarium Mercantile Guild; NO Ministry of Relations Priority:Normal Topic:Liberty and other matters
Message Contents:
Good day, chaps!
Today, the Sea of Dreams took a contract to carry Basic Alloy out to Freeport 8. Not the most profitable run, but it allowed me to scout out the Sigmas and the Omicron Rho jump hole. Sigma-21 is right on the front lines of the Kusari-Rheinland war, but neither side gave me any trouble passing through. I encountered a Corsair (//NPC) patrol in Sigma-15 that managed to take a bite out of my hull, but they weren't too much trouble. Overall, the run is shorter and less dangerous than, say, a trip to the Coalition for ordnance, but it isn't a day on the lanes, either. Something to keep in mind if any trade opportunities open up out that way.
On to the other matter at hand. I have requests out to the governments of Bretonia, Liberty, and Kusari concerning the use of Pitbull and Bullmastiff-class transports, as well as Gallic civilian ships, in their respective territories. So far, I've only heard back from Liberty, and the news wasn't good. For now, any guild members operating one of those ships should avoid travelling with them in Libertonian space. Anyone who chooses to do so, does it at their own risk, and forfeits any Guild legal representation should they get caught.
Also concerning Liberty, I was informed by one of their Admirals that the Treaty of Elysium Fields is no longer considered to be in force on the Libertonian end. Without even basic diplomatic issues settled, I was unable to negotiate ship licenses with the Libertonian government. Somebody at the Ministry of Relations might want to give them a call and see what's going on.
Captain John Riley, NO-Sea.of.Dreams
Guildmaster, Octavarium Mercantile Guild
Today, I took the Carina Imperatrix on a patrol of the Cortez-Magellan corridor. On the way there, I encountered a Rogue slaver in Coronado near the Cortez jump hole. I hailed the ship, named Ice.Cream.Van, but was unable to prevent them from fleeing with their rather horrifying cargo due to the lack of a cruise disruptor aboard my ship. I corrected the oversight immediately upon my arrival at Sabah Shipyard.
After leaving Coronado, I began my assigned patrol, flying through Cortez, past the Battleship Carcassonne, and to the Magellan jump hole. Once in Magellan, I proceeded to the wreck of Freeport 4 and held station there for a little while. While at Freeport 4, I assisted a Liberty Navy patrol against a number of Gallic fighters. I also encountered a trader named Thomas Krenki flying a transport through the system. I advised him of the dangerous nature of the Magellan system and advised him to go through Cortez instead.
During my patrol, I destroyed nine enemy fighters and captured their pilots. I have turned the enemy prisoners over to the Crayter Military at Sabah Shipyard. I will remain here long enough to rest and resupply, then I will make my way back to Melbourne for an in-person debreifing.
This report is certified accurate to the best of my knowledge.
![[Image: ZTqmcmr.png]](https://i.imgur.com/ZTqmcmr.png)
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![[Image: 6dab00c719.jpg]](https://puu.sh/BdNu4/6dab00c719.jpg)
![[Image: Harold-Kane.png]](https://files.cordilon.net/disco/vagrant/of/Harold-Kane.png)
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Spoiler
![[Image: Taskmaster-Escher.png]](https://files.cordilon.net/disco/vagrant/oic/Taskmaster-Escher.png)
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