The Voyages Of Saitō Dōsan

[Abolisher]

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Tau-23, The Independent Miners Guild

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A routine reconnaissance mission. Saitō Dōsan set out to investigate the latest happenings in the bordering system of Tau-23.
"Knowledge is power. Wisdom is second only to intelligence."
"Would a wise man really lead his cruiser through hostile trade lanes then, and past hostile warships?"
The Captain couldn't help but smile, just a little - Katsuyori was probably right. But speed was of the essence for this mission, they could not afford to give the Naval forces a chance to intercept or block their escape.

As the ship approached the jump hole to Tau-23, the ship's scanner began picking up contacts sporadically - the Ohka dust field was causing great interference, so that even the powerful advanced deep scanner was not operating efficiently.
The ship advanced to try to get visual contact.
"Visual contact now Captain... Outcasts... Attacking what looks like IMG ships..."
"Ah. The Independent Miners Guild... How well are they faring?"
"They are putting up quite a fight, but I fear they will meet a warriors death in battle here - being up against gunboats in their small escort fighters..."

The Captain pressed a button on his chair, transmitting his own voice in an open frequency to all ships in the immediate area - confident that any naval forces patrols outside the field would be unable to receive the signal.
"Outcast ships, leave the area immediately. I will not tolerate common pirates exploiting miners in Kusari."
The gunboats did not respond, seemingly too busy battling to respond. The Captain did not wait any longer, and after one last attempt at communications, he ordered his crew to battle stations, and the cruiser engaged.

The battle was difficult for Saitō, due to the slow-firing nature of her weaponry. However, the gunboats were unable to even scratch her thick shielding, thanks to their reliance on anti-fighter weaponry, and after a few accurate shots from the Bo-Hiya, the gunboats fell like leaves from the tree of piracy.
[1] [2]

The IMG ship and its allies were grateful, and made a generous donation as thanks. Saitō followed the ships back to Java Station, continuing the mission.
When they came close enough, the crew took reconnaissance images of the Gallic battleship.
[1] [2] [3] [4]

"I had no idea... that the miners here were now under the oppression of the Gallics... This is greatly disturbing... And means operations in this system will be most dangerous..."
"...And we cannot help them then. And others choose not to help them... We must pray that they must endure no further hardships, or they will surely perish..."