The S/D Agency Files

[Athenian]

Incoming Transmission
To: All agents
From: The Director
Subject: Operating Procedure
Priority: Highest

Message reads:
In answer to your questions.

Should an APM ship request an escort, by all means arrange to rendezvous with them. Once escort service is completed, resume normal assignment.

The more protection these ships have the better, so double escorts are preferable but not entirely necessary. Bear the following in mind - APM are trade ships; pirates may demand creds or cargo, but generally speaking they are not inclined to desatroy any ship out of hand. They are more attracted to loot. It is in a pilot's interests to ensure the safety of the ship and crew. Where the odds are obviously stacked against a ship, yielding to a pirate's demand is probably the best option. Refusing to pay them may very well cause them to react with their customary violence. Money and cargo can be recovered; lives cannot.

Where a chance to evade or destroy a pirate emerges, escort vessels should engage to fight a delaying action while the trader engages cruise engines, moves into a trade lane or docks at a friendly base. Escorts should not risk their ships in impossible situations. Delay by all means, but then retreat. Needless to say, if the target is easily subdued, disable or destroy his ship.

We have intel on the jump-hole in Sigma 13 already. As regards your cousin, so long as a man is trustworthy and can handle himself, we are always pleased to establish working relationships with anyone.


The Director

End transmission

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Former member of "the most paranoid group of people in the community"
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