"Tales From Where Angels Fear to Tread" A White Spa Lines Publication, A Division of Orbital Spa and Cruise 7 February 827 A.S.
A Passport to Paris
The Gallic Confederation continues to coalescence from the scattered groups that rose up against the monarchy during the Gallic war. The Parisian Assembly is re-establishing norms throughout Confederation space, seeking to take her place among the Houses of Sirius as a peaceful peer rather than a vengeful conqueror, and Orbital Spa and Cruise is pleased to be one of the first bridges helping to make it happen.
With the establishment of Gallia's visa office, foreign companies now have a legal presence in Gallic space for the first time. OS&C was one of the first to apply for a B-2 visa allowing all Orbital ships to transport passengers to and from Gallia. "With our borders open to tourism," wrote the Assembly, "we hope that this will turn into a fine partnership."
However, some sticking points remain. Gallia's contraband laws are currently being debated and possibly updated, but until the former King's decree against exotic dancers is formally struck from the books, his word technically remains law. "One way or another, this question remains open," said Nathan de Montfort, Speaker of the Parisian Assembly. "Until then, the transportation of dancers across the territory of the Confederation [is] still an illegal activity. Alas, there can be no exception so far."
Captain Jonathan Seabourne of the liner Breezewood has made it clear that he does not intend to visit Gallia if it means having to leave "the girls" behind. "They're as much a part of the ship as of the rest of the crew," said Seabourne. "I wish other captains good fortune in Gallia, but for now we will wait, and watch, until we can visit New Paris in full compliance with both Confederation law and the expectations of our passengers for quality entertainment."
A Tongue Too Far?
Captain Jack Ashton continues to make preparations for the inaugural flight of the Boundless Pleasure to Gallia. Such a journey requires medical staff on hand for any emergencies that might happen in deep space, but the cross-border journey necessitates doctors that are as skilled with their tongues as they are with their hands.
"I have been informed by the administration," said Captain Ashton, "that it is necessary that at least one of the members of the medical team provided speaks one of the four major languages spoken in Sirius and Gallia."
Fortunately, Med Force Enterprises, the premier medical group in Sirius, was more than up for the recruitment challenge. "The great thing about Med Force Enterprises," said Dr. John "Doc" Holliday, founder of the humanitarian group, "is that our people come from all houses so at the least, each has their native tongue and a majority are bilingual." It seems every passenger on the Boundless Pleasure will be in good hands if things go wrong and will be in good company if things go according to plan.
Some Friendly Fire
The Shukensha class of liner is a durable and luxurious vessel, well suited to take on the more dangerous corners of Sirius while transporting her charges in comfort. However, Captain Theobald Franklin was not expecting to have to put his vessel's endurance to the test in the heart of Liberty Space.
The Reverie was transporting Envoys from New Tokyo to Grand Vista Orbital for a symposium when it was stopped in Manhattan orbit by the Navy secondary fleet vessel Inceptor. The gunboat demanded the liner to stop, which Captain Franklin complied with. Some confusion over the travel papers for the envoys somehow escalated into the launching of two torpedoes into the side of the Reverie. At point blank range, both hit their mark.
The first shot drained the shields while the second ravaged the hull. However, recent hull armor modifications and some skillful damage control by first mate Mathew Davis ensured that the hull was not breached. The Navy ship apologized for the "accidental" fusillade, but fortunately the only casualty of the event was a culinary one. "Our chef is furious," said Captain Franklin. "His kitchen is completely messed up and a huge pot of tomorrow's goulash was ruined!"
The unfortunate incident does serve as a demonstration of the strength of the passive protections of OS&C vessels, and even provided a source of pride for the crew and passengers aboard. Precious few can say they've been on a ship that was torpedoed, though that club is an exclusive one for a reason.
> > > > Closing Transmission < < < <
OS&C|Breezewood
Captain Jonathan Seabourne, Editor-in-Chief, Wanderlust Magazine
![[Image: Luxury_liner.png]](https://discoverygc.com/wiki/images/b/b8/Luxury_liner.png)
![[Image: PojtqNs.png]](https://i.imgur.com/PojtqNs.png)