Some new rookies admitted on probation. Recruits Jake Grafton and James Witter. You've probably seen them around. Grafton has tangled with Phate already in Leeds.
Recruits Mike Fire and Jon Kirk are getting bumped to full Agent status.
All outstanding requests for AP12400 Bomber craft are approved. APM has been working on building custom-models for the IND, so production is running at full capacity. No custom paint-jobs please.
If I hear any more about people smoking marijuana while on duty, there will be hell to pay. I've revoked licenses before and I'll do it again if I have to.
We have wings operating in all three sectors. The danger of being spread too widely is getting caught alone. Those of you experienced enough to remember the glory days placing ambushes at the Jump-Holes around Liberty to nail cardi smugglers and how we dealt with those Corsairs in Leeds know that our strength lies in co-ordinated hunting packs. You folks especially need to demonstrate how best to operate a hunt to our rookies. Show them the ropes.
Now go. Search and destroy.
Assistant Director Harvey Blackwater, The Doghouse, New London
TO: Operations
From: Special Agent DeVirgo
RE: Ship Locations
The Athena's Memory has been relocated to Bonn Station, as per orders. Did a quick patrol in New Berlin today with the Swordfish and Magusson - not much actually happened, though.
Later on ran into a corsair operating in New Berlin, but when I saw him, he wasn't pirating. So as I was explaining to him that he could leave because there were no bounties on him - he said, 'Engaging' and blew my ship all to hell. Can we talk to the Rheinland government about maybe getting a standing bounty on Corsairs as well?
While waiting for ship repairs, I caught an transport back to Bretonia, and assisted in the relocation of the Surma. She's now down at Rostock, and is ready to support any actions as needed over here.
End Transmission
(11-21-2013, 12:53 PM)Jihadjoe Wrote: Oh god... The end of days... Agmen agreed with me.
**Incoming Transmission**
To: The Director
From: Agent Dane Larrikin
Ship- S/D-Cestus
Location : Ingolstadt, Munic
Subject: Patrol report
Message Reads:
Well all the mapping is done and begining patrols. Got caught in an Ion storm that shut my ship down while in space. Made it to Ingolstadt station and will hole up there while they de-Ionize my engines
While outfitting the Surma down at Rostock, we explored the system and found the wreckage of a convoy that had Nomad material in it. We took that material to the Cryer facility in Cambridge. While there, we noticed on long range scans that there were two miscreants operating in Edinburgh. We contacted Agent Grafton to assist us, and he met us at Planet Leeds.
Upon jumping into Edinburgh, we found VV-Albator[A] and VV-the_french[A] near the Gaian outpost. Upon our announcement that there were warrants for their termination, they fled the system. An Advanced Train captain in the system, [Revo]Rogue.Charlie, was so grateful for us running these guys off that he forwarded a nice sum to us.
The Surma is now docked at Sheffield for work on her IFF computer, and Special Agent DeVirgo has taken a 72 hour leave - something about visiting a girl down in Rheinland. I'm temporarily in command of the Surma while she has the work done.
End Transmission
(11-21-2013, 12:53 PM)Jihadjoe Wrote: Oh god... The end of days... Agmen agreed with me.
Comm System: OPEN
To: The Director
From:S/D-Jake.Grafton
Subject:Status Report
Tough day at the office. The morning started out quietly enough, only exitement was a lone "order" pilot I helped the BAF escort out of Cambridge. Who are these order folks anyway? I heard some of the hunters on Rostock gripe about them but never did get their story.
Later I took a commission to escort two Gateway) trains from Cambridge to New Berlin. Quiet trip only thing that showed up on the long range scanners was a lone [OPG] ship off in the distance. At least the Gateway guys were decent conversation and paid a mill a piece for the trip. Once they were safely at their destination I proceeded to Bonn to check the bounty board. Was asked to do a quick patrol of the system that only turned up a greenhorn Liberty Rouge IFF'd ship of all things in the heart of Rheinland but no bounty so moved on.
My return back to Cambridge was a bit more interesting as I had to avoid an [OPG] hunting party in Omega7 safely past them I proceeded to Planet Cambridge to refuel and grab some chow.
Just as I was checking on my ship the word came out of some corsairs in the system. Turns out there was a 'sair gunship, bomber and some greenhorn in a ravens talon. The BAF officer of the watch asked me to take the bomber while his troops went to work on the gunboat. After engaging the bomber for quite some time and the greenhorn tripping over a few mines I left for him.
My first big kill with S/D.
Unfortunately the day didn't end quite so well as a group of 'sairs came to the rescue of my next mark ending in a long running melee of a large number of ships. Missiles expended I finally fell to an hombre by the name of Handro. Will remember that one, that is for sure.
To: Harvey Blackwater, Assistant Director, Sheffield Station
From: Sir Douglas Bader, Assistant Director, Newark Station
Subject: Relocation of headquarters
Harvey -
One of the (many) things I have been examing since my transfer from Sheffield Station is the possibility of relocation of our headquarters to Liberty space, due to the potential for damage in Bretonia space should the level of violence between Kusari and Bretonia escalate even further.
At this time, I must state that Liberty space is also unsafe for our operations. The Bretonian envoy ship was attacked recently in Manhattan orbit, and an assortment of beings (Nomads, to be precise) seem to show up in Liberty space entirely too often for comfort.
In examining the reports from our agents, I would recommend serious consideration be given to Planet Stuttgart, if the Rheinland government will cooperate. The presence of a floating battlestation - for what else is a battleship with the engines removed but that? - will help insure the safety of the men and women aboard the Doghouse. Granted, I know that what we do is not safe and we take risks every time we get in the cockpit of our ships, still, the administration staff normally isn't front line material.
On an unrelated note - there was a recent communication from an unaffiliated hunter that seemed rather - presumptous - in bandying about something for us to do. He also seems to be communicating things rather openly that ... aren't public knowledge. I'm just wondering if this person needs to have the SOP 14 protocol utilized.
Oh, and on a personal note - I transferred over here so fast that I forgot I still owe Sniffer a bar tab. I did send him a message telling him that you, Harvey, would be a good chap and pay it for me. I know you'll take care of it, especially since you still owe me for that incident after the holiday party. (It's only a few hundred credits.) And yes, I still have the pictures of you and you-know-who doing you know what - and they're still well hidden, and my barrister has an order about what to do if anything untoward happens to me. You still never have explained how the goat, the chimpanzee, and the two gallons of milk were needed, by the way. I AM actually curious about that part.
End Transmission
(11-21-2013, 12:53 PM)Jihadjoe Wrote: Oh god... The end of days... Agmen agreed with me.
To: Operations
From: Special Agent DeVirgo
Priority: Normal
Subject: Patrol Report
Started a patrol in New Berlin tonight.
While engaged with some rookie Unioneers, there was a Xeno flew through. I was unable to do more than quickly note - hey, that's a Xeno - and he was gone. The rookies were annoying.
APM-Capricorn was heading for Cambridge from the Ring, and asked for escort. Under SOP 6, I terminated my patrol and escorted the cargo to Cambridge. Upon entering the system, I noted on system scanners that a known Corsair - [+]Black.Falcon - was in system. The Capricorn made it safely to Cambridge while I monitored out near the Battleship Norfolk.
Since I was available - and the pirate was still in system - the Capricorn asked me to escort him back to New Berlin. I did so, and while we were in the trade lane between the Norfolk and the jump gate, the Corsair hit us. I think he was unpleasantly surprised to see me, as he was in a Praetorian, which is slightly less manueverable than my bomber.
His orders to the Capricorn to stop were met by my orders to continue while whilst I terminated this punks existance. He had already destroyed several ships, as evidenced by the wreckage nearby. While I engaged Falcon, the Capricorn got clear.
Unfortunately, we were hit by an intermittent ion storm such that neither one of us could gain an advantage on the other. I was out of bats and had sustained some damage - he was out of both bots and bats (couldn't QUITE get the killing shot needed with my SN) - and finally he fled rather than face destruction. My ship had suffered computer damage such that I was unable to continue to pursue, and I attempted to continue with my escort mission. Unfortunately, jumping through to Omega 3 broke something inside, and I was barely able to limp into Freeport 1 for emergency repairs. Those should be complete before too long, and I will return to New Berlin.
The Capricorn was able to continue the rest of her delivery run safely.
End transmission
(11-21-2013, 12:53 PM)Jihadjoe Wrote: Oh god... The end of days... Agmen agreed with me.
I chased this guy Blessed_Heretic across three systems last night afore he slipped away in Edinburgh. Cuaght up with him and his wingman, Decoy, in Cambridge this morning, and cornered them in New London. Shot em both up real good, downed Decoy, and forced Heretic to bail out near Kensington.
Location: Rheinland
We ain't got a chance in hell of making money round these parts with the competition messing things up. Them military boys ain't too keen on these other firms choking up the trade-lanes and leaving debris all over the place.
Take this for example. I found a grav <strike>amonmaly</strike> <strike>alomoney</strike> jump hole and an alien Nomad ship jes' floating there.
This one was real calm, ain't never seen one, so I managed to get up real close and snap some footage.
Thing is, there was a darn stampede and they just plain squished the thing afore we could learn any more.
To: Operations
From: S/D-Jake.Grafton
Priority: Normal
Subject: Patrol Report
Pretty quiet patrol in New Berlin was interrupted by the sighting of a [RHA] member. Started a sweep and found the mutt near Dortman station. Informed him of the warrant for his termination and began the chase to get into weapons range. Was a long fight with me unable to get a killing shot or the hessian to bring his weapons to bear. Unable to shake me any other way the hessian proceed to a junker base hidden in the debris field and docked. Unable to withstand the stations guns for long I was forced to return to Bonn to rearm and refuel.
To: The Director
From: Special Agent DeVirgo
Priority: HIGHEST
Subject: Patrol Report
Sir -
I went on a routine patrol with Agent Starr in New Berlin. During this patrol, we assisted the Rheinland Military in forcing an Outcast - call sign Bulldog - in a Lane Hacker Gunship to leave New Berlin. We tried but failed to destroy him, and he was able to flee before we could collect on his bounty.
During this same patrol, we encounterd two hunters that refused multiple hints to vacate Rheinland space, since their presence was in violation of Rheinland law. Specifically, one of them was in a Bounty Hunter BattleCruiser, and the other was in a Gunship. Quite frankly, Agent Starr and I were asked to assist the RM if it came down to blows against these 'gentlemen' for violating Rheinland law.
Since we had spent quite a bit of time previously in conversation with these two mutts at Bonn Station prior to their moving on to New Berlin orbit - and they wouldn't listen to us then, either - we told the RM we would assist.
Then one of them made a statement that should have him thrown out of the guild. His comments were such that I could not help making my comments.
Well, this disgrace to the Bounty Hunters Guild finally moved on. My personal recommendation is that he be removed from the guild rosters, as a minimum. Agent Starr docked, and I headed out as well. I had heard a report from one of my sources that there had been no communication between Rostock and Capetown for two days. Since I am our intelligence director, I thought I'd go check it out.
What follows ... well, if I hadn't seen it myself, I wouldn't have believed it.
Capetown and Durban are empty.
Oh, the ships available for purchase are still there. The ammunition reloads are still there. The food and drinks in the bar are still there. In fact, I found several drinks and meals still sitting on tables, half consumed. The important point to this is that NONE of them had been spilled or dropped. No forks on the floor, no puddles from spilled drinks - nothing out of place.
It's just that there's no one there except for the station maintenance robots.
Those 'alien' bounty hunters that had moved out there are all gone. All of their ships are gone. All of their equipment is gone. All of the station PERSONNEL are gone. The station logs are clean and show nothing - and I mean NOTHING. It's like their computer cores have been wiped clean. I checked the security rooms on both stations - all recording devices go back no more than 20 hours before I docked - and that's it. Everything prior to that has been wiped clean. It's like about 20 hours before I docked, everything there just - reset itself.
I'd almost check myself in for psychiatric evaluation if I didn't have a co-pilot that saw - or didn't see - the same thing. On a special comm channel, I contacted one of our Wild Geese operatives that was in Omega 15. He came out there with HIS crew - and they found - or didn't find - the same thing.
I recommend - hell, I don't know WHAT to recommend. It's not like there's anything to quarantine - both our ships crews have already been checked out by Rostock medical for anything known. Our equipment doesn't show anything abnormal anywhere in Omega 56. Oh, and I didn't mention - there's NO sign of combat damage anywhere, either. It's like everyone in the system just ... vanished.
Request advice...
End Transmission
(11-21-2013, 12:53 PM)Jihadjoe Wrote: Oh god... The end of days... Agmen agreed with me.