Point of Origin: Temporary Capital Kyoto, Chugoku system
Encryption Level: 重畳
Importance: 重畳
After the last fiasco with total OS crash on my Wyvern the last time, I left my fighter for complete check up while I looked for other means of occupying myself in the meantime. I pitched a suggestion to the Quartermaster and at the time acting logistic coordinator. I learned that portions of our fleet are dated or close to a point the structural stress and damage may disqualify them from future service. I volunteered to obtain non-Kusarian hardware, arguing it may prove value in more than a simple stopgap measure until more domestic designs may be acquired for the same role.
Based on catalogues of independent ship designers and builders (figured it would be more diverse and easier to acquire than to try my luck with… ugh… House Megacorps) I have opted for Peregrine-class marketed as a “frigate” sold, built and mainly operated by Zoners operating around Gran Canaria. Its fairly new invention and it is openly sold, so there is no red tape preventing us from acquiring more of their ships in the future. On paper, this vessel looks like the Raba-class: smaller merchant built with the philosophy of an upscaled freighter.
We would board one of the smuggler vessels outbound for Bretonia. Manned with extra crew so we are able to man our newest acquisition without leaving the original mothership without enough hands to work onboard. Inbound and outbound transit followed on the same route which is as follows: Chugoku - Hokkaido - Kyushu - 23 - 29 - 31 - Edinburgh - Dublin - Poole - 48. I have to say that I never visited Gran Canaria before, I only know it from neural net and stories passed around bars frequented by Zoners and Corsairs (many of them live there, I will get back to that point later). Allegedly it was once possible to access Omega 48 directly from Dublin but jumpholes can be such trifling things.
My Commanding Officer for this mission was Hayashi Aiko, ranked Genbu. Her role was to provide oversight, knowledge and authority in situations that outstrip my personal experience. She has stayed on the sideline, falling back as a member of the crew while I held temporary brevet rank to command the crew, including Hayashi. She is tough as nails but compassionate to a certain point, she did not make my life any harder after discovering my ‘condition’. She worked as hard as anyone onboard the ship despite physical scars that necessitated her rebreather. I can respect and admire people who can work as hard as their own expectations towards their own subordinates. Such work ethics are admirable.
Four of us have been dropped on Gran Canaria, while our ride made its best speed back to Bretonia to minimise potential exposure to hostile elements present within the system. I bought a Peregrine-class frigate, inspected the ship and commenced space trials under the eyes of the Zoner crew before finalising payment to the manufacturer. My experience from past service on a gunboat had paid dividends as this ship’s unique layout and features was more of that of a warship than a commercial cargo train. Impressive, considering this is open-market design rather than proprietary dedicated escort ship. I compiled a list of what we have learned during those trials. I believe other Blood Dragons may take it as a review whether such a ship has a place and role within their personal flotillas.
Powerplant: Total output consistent with what is expected of a gunship/light gunboat. Capacitors however are capable of holding more than twice as much power in reserve.
Offensive capabilities: 8 turrets, each capable of equipping gunboat turrets. Disruptor mount makes this ship capable of independent raider operation.
Combat assessment: Excellent all-gun forward and rear arcs, with decent star- and port-side coverage due to horizontal weapon mounts. Facing an enemy with top or keel is inadvisable due to limited firepower and far greater profile.
Defensive capabilities: Armor rated for a Gunship or light Gunboat. ECM slot. Large bank of nanobots and batteries further enhance survivability.
Theoretical maximum carry capacity: 2900 units divided into four external cargo pods (Replaceable containers allow for rapid load and unladen times, this feature is often unjustly ignored) and an internal compartment. The latter likely to be severely diminished in favour of additional armor reinforcement.
Mobility: Agility should be accountable amongst that of gunships, so long as you are not trying to bank in the opposite direction too often and put yourself at disadvantage with sluggishness of its cargo hold.
Final Words: It is far from the greatest transport in the world. If you are looking to efficiently and swiftly transport as many goods from point A to point B as is humanly possible, you are looking for one of the Borderworld Trains. “Peregrine” is a heavily armed pirate raider, blockade runner and decent escort ship in one package. You are going to surprise everyone who thinks a Blood Dragon Merchant Navy to be an easy hit.
Having the honor to name it, I christened our newest frigate as SST AINO and set out to return to Chugoku with haul of locally mined deuterium. I named Genbu Aiko as my second in command and Nishikigoi Kubo as my Third should the situation demand it. En’enra Kawakami was the fourth and final member of our crew. Trip had nothing of consequence or importance to mention. Mollys do not concern themselves with random smugglers, nor the usual crowd of Bretonia had any time to react to our presence. We arrived during night of 29th of Saturday and moored with Kyoto. SST Aino is not to be considered fully fitted. This frigate is basically a stock unit, equipped with substandard weapons and minimalistic armor for the time being. Upon completion of its assigned tasks for the needs of a commitee, SST Aino will be sent to Mito where it can receive a full complement of weapons and improved armor. I hereby request that the ship remains under my care afterwards.
P.S. I saw angsty Anna Aurelia roaming about Kyoto and Chugoku in general. She is looking forward to seeing Shogun Tsuya in regards to her gift.
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