"Tales From Where Angels Fear to Tread" A White Star Lines Publication, A Division of Orbital Spa and Cruise 10 April 827 A.S.
A Special Delivery
Orbital Spa and Cruise's primary focus is meeting the transportation needs of the denizens of the 5 houses in comfort and luxury, However, making Sirius more comfortable can take many forms, and the corporation's legendary hospitality can be enjoyed just as much on the ground as in orbit.
Arakan Yukimura of Kishiro Technologies found his company in high spirits and wanted to splurge on some luxurious foodstuffs from Gallia and Sirius to create a fusion of culinary experiences that spans all of humanity. By putting out a mass order for Gallic Wine to accompany OS&C luxury food, Kishiro created a unique opportunity for cooperation between EFL and OS&C, and neither faction would disappoint.
Captain Kasumi Hikamaru of the OS&C|ONE-Yuki-Maru provided OS&C's contribution on behalf of Orbital Network Express, our logistics division. The current situation on Stuttgart, traditional bed basket of Sirius, required some creativity on the part of ONE. "We delivered the finest food from our farms and manufacturers in Cambridge," said Captain Kiamaru. "We have chocolate that will melt on your tongue and the finest meat that you will ever find. Also, some biologic grown vegetables of the highest quality to complete the meal and offer an alternative for any vegetarians that might want to party with you." OS&C's proactive accommodation of varying dietary needs ensures that any event the corporation caters leaves all patrons fully satisfied.
In response, EFL used the meal as an opportunity to pull out all the stops on its own luxury offerings. While a joint venture between Liberty and Gallic corporations in Kusari would have been unthinkable during the war, the end of the Gallic conflict had an additional perk for the wine selection for the meal. "This wine is our newest brand we have recently added to the market: King's Reserve," said Jeremie Dupont, CEO of EFL Oil and Machinery. "You see, prior to the end of the monarchy, EFL was the sole provider of Wine to his majesty's court. This wine wasn't ever allowed on the market but now! We can!" It seems proper that a meal fit for a king demands wine produced to the same standard.
While EFL and OS&C are friendly rivals for the luxury foodstuff market, there was one thing both sides could agree on: the curious inclusion of Synth Paste on the menu. "I shudder to think what meal would necessitate both our luxury food products AND synth paste," said Jonathan Seabourne, Chairman of OS&C, "but we will be happy to supply our end of the menu to the best of our ability." His Gallic counterpart echoed the sentiment. "It's not my business to tell you what food to serve at your parties," said Dupont. "I just know if I were to attend a party and they served Synth Paste rather than proper luxury foods, or Synth Gel for that matter..." began the Gallic CEO before trailing off diplomatically.
A Voyage Home
The evacuation of Leeds left tens of thousands of Bretonian expatriates scattered across friendly planets in Liberty. The United Hope Foundation, coordinating with Deep Space Engineering, took in many of these refugees. However, the Bretonian Government feels it is now time to finally close the books on the Leeds Evactuation.
"Our previous efforts with the United Hope Foundation were successful in relocating a large number of families off Planet Leeds to Planet Pittsburgh," said Jess Doe, CEO of Deep Space Engineering. "We will now be relocating Bretonian citizens off Planet Pittsburgh and returning them to their homes. We have contacted the Bretonian Government and they agree now is the time to begin this relocation effort, offering Planet Exeter as an ideal location for this."
Exeter, previously Gran Canaria, was annexed by Bretonia during the war when it looked as though New London might also fall and a planet to house refugees was needed. While the capital held firm during the blitz, the genocide on Leeds left hundreds of thousands without a world and millions more unaccounted for. What was once a fallback position for the crown would now become a new start for Bretonians who had lost it all.
By coincidence, Captain Jonathan Seabourne took part in the initial evacuation of Leeds along with the Breezewood. The White Star Lines flagship transported over 100,000 out of harms way, and the irony of transporting Leeds refugees out of Liberty and into Bretonia was not lost on the captain. "Always good to see the people of Leeds again. I helped get a lot of them offworld during the blitz, it was a pleasure being able to bring them to a new home and close that chapter."
Questions were raised about the economics of using luxury liners for refugee transport, which CEO Doe quickly dismissed. "The funding and programs offered by the United Hope Foundation is set up to ensure every individual is safe and comfortable while in any of our support programs. It is important to note that while safety is our top priority, we are aware it is also important to make sure that these individuals do not suffer any unnecessary stress. Because of this, we will ensure that they reach their final destination as comfortably as we possibly can."
Breezewood was joined by Captain Caitlyn Cross's OS&C|TE~Red~Velvet~Club for an improvised convoy from Pittsburgh to Exeter when the two inadvertanly met up in New York. "We do not want compensation for this," said a magnanimous Cross. "We are happy to bring these people that suffered so much in the Last War to a new home." However, Sirius is not short on humanitarian crises these days. "If [DSE] wants to do something in return," said Cross, "Planet Baden Baden is at the moment in need of medical supplies. So if [DSE] sends some our way, that would be more than enough for me."
A Crowded Orbit
Stuttgart remains in the crosshairs of the escalating conflict in Rheinland. Federal forces are desperate to evacuate their personel to Thuringia while Imperials are eager to off-world scores of detainees to quash any possibility of planet-wide resistance. As ships take off overladen with personel, crates of "Riot Suppression Materiel" have been spotted, indicating that both sides are digging in for a long fight for the Breadbasket of Rheinland.
Nearby Baden Baden continues to be a haven of neutrality in the conflict. Citizens from other houses are flocking to the luxury world to arrange passage out of Rheinland as OS&C continues its coordination with house governments. Interhouse transit has slowed to a trickle, but intra-house shuttles still cross the skies of Rheinland, ensuring that Libertonians, Bretonians, and Kusari trapped outside of their houses can reach the corporate territory of OS&C. Those unable or unwilling to go through formal diplomatic channels at their planetary consolates have found safe passage home by the score, even as the amenities of the planet are slowly shut down for security reasons.
But as these refugees order drinks from the popular "Rick's Cafe Libertonian," and patiently await the next liner to make it through the increasingly complex security checks at Stuttgart, they may look up and see two unusual sights in the sky: The Mercy and the Angelwing.
OS&C|HS-Mercy nee Tahiti is a newly re-christened hospital ship under the command of Captain Marcel Dumas. A large focus was placed on the red and white lights to warn potential Imperial and Federal patrols about the nature of the craft. "They're powerful enough to be seen some clicks away from the planet," said Dumas. "Until now the situation was calm but we expect it to get worse in the following days. The stocks for the life-saving drugs are calculated to last for half a year starting now, hoping the medical teams did the math well." Of course, refitting the Tahiti for its new role required more than just a change of paint and lights. When asked about what it took to turn the liner into a hospital ship, Dumas replied, "New electrical wirings, new sterilized pipes for oxygen flows, filters renewal, activation of the surgery wards and new flowcharts for disaster response." Hopefully, Dumas's ounces of preparation will yield pounds of cure if needed.
Sadly, the escalating war has not seen civilian ships spared as misunderstanding between Federal and Imperial forces and their irregular allies have seen shots fired at non-millitary targets. To disuade any such misunderstandings from happening near Baden Baden, Steward Paul Falkner of Spa-Sec has seen fit to commission a new ship as well: OS&C|SEC-Angelwing. The retrofitted Corvo-class cruiser-gunboat hybrid will be a welcome presence for OS&C efforts in Stuttgart.
"We are running the final systems tests at Corfu Base," said Falkner. "After launch, the Angelwing will be deployed to Baden-Baden's orbit, where it will serve as a Coordination Centre for our relief efforts in the area." In addition, the armament of the ship should remind the Unioner and Bundschuh allies of the factions of Rheinland that misunderstandings with OS&C vessels will not be tolerated while not being enough of a threat to the Imperials or Federals as to jeopardize OS&C's corporate neutrality.
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OS&C|Breezewood
Captain Jonathan Seabourne, Editor-in-Chief, Wanderlust Magazine
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