HRZ~ Die Schwarzen Herzen - Message Dump

[Luminium]

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> Incoming transmission <

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Applying decryption algorithm...

...complete.

From: Kurt Weinbaum
Source: Ithaca Base
To: Black Hearts' Pirate Council
Subject: A Successful Heist

Alright ladies and gents, Kurt here. We've scored big time.

Yesterday, Maija and I went poking around in Corsair territory. And what do you know - their relic collection operation at Knossos that we've had our eyes on for a while? It was in full swing.

We've managed to slip in unnoticed. I guess we got lucky and missed their patrols, or maybe it happened during a changing of the guard, but the only one at the site was a Deterrence salvage vessel. He didn't even have to be coerced to fill up the Whydah's hold with the stuff he had.

Right when we were done, the Corsair combat ships arrived and started screaming over the open channel. But we managed to get out alright. It was almost too easy.

View Attachment - Conversation Recorder

[02.01.2023 18:00:57] HRZ~Terpentin: Ah, hello there!
[02.01.2023 18:01:20] DTR-CCS>Kolkan.Garcia: K:Ola
[02.01.2023 18:01:46] DTR-CCS>Kolkan.Garcia: K:Looking for some Relics Senor?
[02.01.2023 18:01:46] HRZ~Terpentin: How goes your collection effort?
[02.01.2023 18:02:17] DTR-CCS>Kolkan.Garcia: K:Good
[02.01.2023 18:02:37] HRZ~Terpentin: Alright, well, I don't suppose you'll mind filling up my friend's cargo here?
[02.01.2023 18:02:51] HRZ~Terpentin: Terribly sorry if it's inconvenient.
[02.01.2023 18:03:02] DTR-CCS>Kolkan.Garcia: K:I can do that Senor, no Problem
[02.01.2023 18:05:29] HRZ~Whydah: Aight, that's a full haul.
[02.01.2023 18:05:34] HRZ~Terpentin: The Black Hearts appreciate your cooperation.
[02.01.2023 18:05:46] HRZ~Terpentin: Have a good day.
[02.01.2023 18:05:47] DTR-CNS>F.J.Gonzales: Oh Ratus Oh Ratus i can smell you
[02.01.2023 18:05:56] DTR-CCS>Kolkan.Garcia: K:Have a good day
[02.01.2023 18:06:12] DTR-CCS>Kolkan.Garcia: K:All good Amigo.

Before you break out the rum, that was just the first stage. We then had to smuggle out the loot. I'd heard rumors, of course, of the alien relic market in Liberty, but to go there was risky for a number of reasons.

For one, we had to go past Malta, and we had no idea how the Outcasts would react to a shipful of relics. Fortunately, no one paid us any heed except one freighter pilot. I still have no idea if he was actually tailing us or just going the same way, but he was getting on my nerves.

View Attachment - Conversation Recorder

[02.01.2023 18:14:51] HRZ~Terpentin: Hello, Outcast vessel.
[02.01.2023 18:14:55] HRZ~Terpentin: Don't mind us.
[02.01.2023 18:15:00] Falco.Argentato: Hola, pirates.

[02.01.2023 18:31:41] HRZ~Terpentin: You alright there, Mister Outcast?
[02.01.2023 18:31:49] Falco.Argentato: I am.

Once we had reached Liberty though, we had to worry about Rogues, Lane Hackers, Xenos, Liberty Navy, and God knows what else taking notice. But Maija seemed to know the way, and we managed to find a buyer for the stuff in California without too much trouble.

When that was over, getting home was the easy part.

On Maija's insistence, we bought freedom for some people from Liberty's slave markets and offered them a choice: get on with their lives or sign on with us. A few folks actually ended up joining, and we let the rest go. This decision weighs on me, because, despite good intentions, it supports the slave trade just the same, which is against our way. But Maija seems to consider it a valid recruitment method, and, well, I suppose we're in dire need of more support personnel here at Ithaca.

Is it better to let a man be chained than to free him by paying his captor, who can then go on to capture more men? It's a grey area for our Code. Suppose we can ponder that one over the next Council meeting. Anyway, I've rambled long enough.

I'll go get drunk now. Kurt out.

End of transmission.