TO: BAF| H.Q.; SUBJ: Freelancing Gunboat Inquiry

[ChiefDM]

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Firstly, as the third and final gunboat captain, may I extend my greetings to all at Bretonia and indeed Liberty armed forces. Let it not be said that we are not capable of gentlemanly conduct.

Secondly, I must apologise for my late arrival to the transmissions surrounding this matter, however due to the poor state of repair my ship was in at time of purchase I have only recently been able to repair the faulty comms system. Unfortunately it was quite a long way down the list, behind the more pressing matters of increasing the hull integrity beyond 42% and repairing the life support systems in every compartment with the exception of the bridge.

I must say that I find the stance of the BAF to be somewhat perplexing. Myself and my fellow gunboat captains have shown nothing but respect for the law, and indeed on more than one occasion have put our own lives and ships on the line to help remove aggressors from your systems, and yet we are now being treated as criminals. At time of purchasing our vessels they were mere shells of their former glory, and yet we were still required to pay full price for them. We had only good intentions at heart, to explore, to protect, to help where ever we could those who needed it. We supported both Liberty and Bretonia forces to remove unscrupulous individuals from causing harm and damage from their respective homes, and yet now we are to be hunted, and forced into a situation where we will have no choice but to fight to defend ourselves.

Sirs, after I purchased my vessel I spent tireless hours and money bringing it back to some of it's former glory. God himself only knows what sort of buffoon the previous captain had to have been to get her into such a state. Indeed, even now, I am yet to get her running beyond 56% power capacity and as such she is at a considerable disadvantage to any of the gunboats in your fleet. Yet, despite this disadvantage, I again repeat that we risked our own lives and ships to assist you.

For this it seems we are to be arrested as common criminals. We carry Freelancer ID's so we may explore and assist those who may need our help. We ask for nothing in return but thanks. I am left with a feeling of dismay at our current situation, but if exiles you wish us to be, then exiles we shall become.

Gunboat Captain Ralph Harris

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