Natio Octavarium Internal Affairs

[Capt. Henry Morgan]

Incoming Transmission from Planet Marseille
Provence, Syndicated Minarchy of Provence
16. février 743 A.G.S.

To: NO Internal Affairs
Priority: Normal
Topic: Gallic Real Estate

Message Contents:

Bonjour!

Today I took the Dreaded Skies into Gallia to scout out locations for a potential trading post in Gallic territory. Should Gallia prove receptive to Octavarian trade, laying some groundwork now could prove of benefit to the Guild and Natio Octavarium as a whole. I focused my attentions on the Languedoc and Provence systems due to their proximity to Tau-44 and the fact that the Minarchy would likely be the Gallic power most likely to be amenable to our advances.

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Lodeve Space Port, Languedoc

This base was once held by the Gallic Junkers before they were driven out by the Royalist government. It is currently under the control of GMS, who are using it to salvage the wreckage in the system.

Pros:

• Base is already operational and well suited for use as a trading post.

Cons:

• The location is well off the beaten path, which limits the amount of traffic that would be willing to divert to it.
  
• GMS is currently making a profit from the system-wide salvage operation and is unlikely to be willing to vacate the base until the operation is complete.

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Remoulins Lane Terminus, Languedoc

Remoulins Station was once used by GMS to supply local mining operations. The station was destroyed as collateral damage in the battle for control of the Languedoc System between Council and Royalist forces.

Pros:

• This location is situated directly on the main trade artery leading from the Taus into the Gallic Core Systems.

Cons:

• Remoulins itself is a total loss, new construction would be required.
  
• The debris field at this location makes construction potentially hazardous.

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Chateau d'If Prison Station, Provence

Chateau d'If was constructed to serve as a supermax prison shortly prior to the onset of the Second Gallic War. During the battle for control of the system, Council forces boarded the station in an attempt to free Council and Maquis prisoners. Few made it off the station, however, as large sections were depressurized and internal fires were widespread due to stray fire from the larger battle.

Pros:

• Despite the heavy damage, the station is still in salvageable condition, making it cheaper than new construction.
  
• Chateau d'If is located in a close orbit of Marseille, in a prime location to handle goods coming to and from the surface. It is also located not far from the jump gate to the Ile-de-France system, placing it in a good location to access the Gallic Core Systems.

Cons:

• The station was designed as a prison, and a rather unpleasant one at that. The interior spaces are too small for either storage or use as living quarters without extensive modification.
  
• Both the Unione Corse and local government have expressed interest in repressurizing the station for their own uses and may not be willing to sell it to us.

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Battleship Arles, Provence

Prior to the Battle of Provence, the Arles served as a backwater posting for GRN officers who were, for various reason, not suited to front line service. Over the course of the Battle of Provence, both the Arles and Oblique battlegroups were almost completely destroyed. Unlike its Council counterpart, though, the Arles survived the battle with its hull largely intact, though depressurized and damaged beyond repair.

Pros:

• Despite the heavy damage, the ship is still in salvageable condition, at least as far as conversion to a station like the Battleship Hood in Dublin, making it cheaper than new construction.
  
• The Arles already possess a large amount of crew quarters that can be used for station crew and guests. In addition, some of the spaces no longer needed for ship operations can be converted into additional living and work spaces.
  
• The removal of heavy equipment such as the engines and forward gun, as well as the reduction in the number of fuel pods and power generators, would allow the ship's internal storage to be greatly expanded.

Cons:

• Even considering its current condition, as a Valor-class Battleship, the Confederal Gallic Defense Force may be unwilling to allow anyone aboard for any reason.

Capitaine Jean Dupont, NO-Dreaded.Skies
Gallic Regional Coordinator, Octavarium Mercantile Guild

Transmission End

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