ALG field reports to Management

[Luminium]

PRIVATE MESSAGE
TO: ALG Management

FROM: Anja Saebel, ALG Waste Disposal

SUBJECT: Dortmund Station Wreck Analysis

ENCRYPTION: MAXIMUM - LINE IS SECURE
SOURCE: New Augsburg Outpost, Munich

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Guten Tag,

Saebel here. As instructed, I have departed Bochum Depot to run scans on the remnant of Dortmund Station. Although I never had the chance to work onboard the station (it was destroyed prior to my joining the corporation), Dortmund was once a well-known installation in all of Rheinland. The remnant is located just off the trade lane junction between planet New Berlin and the jump gates to Hamburg and Stuttgart systems, a very advantageous position from a business standpoint. Unfortunately, this exacerbates the problems that arose from the station's present condition.

Spoiler

On approach to Dortmund Station. The ruptured waste storage tanks are immediately apparent, as is the detached crew module.

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Even as I exited the trade lane, the instruments showed an increase in radiation levels that couldn't be written off as background emissions. Upon approaching the station, the ship's computer sounded a radiological alert. It appears that most of the waste that awaited reprocessing in Dortmund's storage tanks has leaked out into space when the station was scuttled and is now undergoing radioactive decay without any form of shielding. This is undoubtedly a hazard for ship traffic in the heart of Rheinland.

Spoiler

Scans confirm high concentration of radioactive material, as well as a number of other toxic pollutants floating in the station's vicinity.

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Curiously, there are traces of tampering on the station's hull that suggest previous salvaging attempts. Whether it was Rheinland government forces attempting to recover ALG technology or independent freelancers looking for something of value, the fact is that much of the same waste that leaked out into open space has contaminated Dortmund Station's interior far beyond levels considered safe for human habitation. It is unlikely that these scavengers had any success.

Spoiler

This damaged crew module is completely separated from the rest of the station. I have managed to recover a data storage device that somehow survived the station's destruction. It contains the log of one of the station's engineers. The last entry reads:

"Today marks the last cycle of Dortmund Station's operation. We've evacuated whom we could, but the Imperialists have blockaded the station and are beginning to board now. We cannot repel them. The order to scuttle the station has been given. We've just finished removing the safety overrides. In a few minutes, the main reactor will melt down. Dortmund Station will not fall into the hands of the enemy. The dream of a new Rheinland, free from tyranny, will not die here. Auf Wiedersehen, brothers."

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The high radiation levels forced me to end the mission early. I remained long enough to complete the scans specified in the mission parameters. I am attaching the results to this report. I also collected some samples in a secure container for analysis. Perhaps the specialists at New Augsburg Outpost can figure out the best way to deal with this case.

Spoiler

With the samples secured, I arrive at New Augsburg Outpost. This ship will require a lengthy decontamination session.

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Conclusion: the ruins of Dortmund Station are unlikely to yield a significant profit in salvage. Nevertheless, they represent a significant enough danger to ships taking the trade lane from New Berlin to Hamburg and Stuttgart, as well as the nearby Rheinland facilities. More importantly, it is a danger that will not go away any time soon. In addition, because of the station's historical significance as the primary facility of ALG, there may be a lingering expectation of it being the ALG's responsibility to clean it up. Therefore, it makes sense to show at least some level of commitment to securing the leaking contaminants from the station's wreck. If we could approach the Rheinland government for a cleanup contract, this could be an opportunity for some good PR with Rheinland's citizens and a chance to mend some rifts in the wake of the Civil War's end.

This concludes my report.

Auf Wiedersehen,
Anja Saebel, ALG Waste Disposal

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