► Source:Passau Outpost, Munich ► Encryption:port RM-MAS-1NTS-TMD-TRM ► Submitter:Leutnant Elias Beist ► Recipient: Kaiserliche Rheinwehr HQ, Kolonnenplatz Neu Berlin ► Subject: Human trafficker, Thuringia warning and engagement
Guten Abend Offiziere.
After assisting with repelling a raid in Munich by the Corsairs, I proceeded to fly a patrol leg towards Thuringia. I reasoned that with the relatively recent expansion of the exclusion zone to the whole system, there may still be individual captains under false assumptions.
Upon proceeding away from the Munich jump gate into the trade lane, my scanners detected an incoming Samura-tagged transport vessel (designation: Star.way - ERROR:Scan_data_unavailable). As a matter of habit, I scanned its hold and was surprised to discover as many as 1,000 lifeforms aboard! My system immediately pinged me about high-profile kidnapping links, but I was too busy ending the trade lane sequence to fly in pursuit of the transport. My demand to halt on the system-wide band naturally went unanswered.
Upon transitioning back into Munich, I detected the vessel approximately 9K away, on a relatively straight course towards the Xi jump anomaly. However, upon my closer approach, it completely disappeared from scanners! While the dark matter storm could cause interference, I have enough experience in its confines to conclude that this was certainly a cloaking device. I proceeded to the last known location of the vessel, and then towards the Xi jump anomaly with no additional sightings. I also retransmitted a system-wide message, offering the captain a chance to land their "cargo" on Passau, but this naturally did not occur.
I proceeded back to my original route to Thuringia after some additional time of blocking the jump anomaly. This time my journey was uneventful until I actually jumped into Thuringia. As I approached Bayern, my long-ranged scanners detected a Zoner-tagged large transport (designation: Toxictrasher). A closer scan revealed it to be carrying 5,000 units of Helium. My command to halt was obeyed, and I proceeded to interrogate the captain. Seeing as the vessel complied with my demands and seemed willing to describe its trading route, I decided to let them off with a warning.
[04.03.2023 14:14:52] Toxictrasher: Guten Tag
[04.03.2023 14:15:08] [RM]Lt-Elias,Beist: Attention Zoner vessel. You are in restricted space
[04.03.2023 14:15:26] Toxictrasher: ty and sorry about that
[04.03.2023 14:15:30] [RM]Lt-Elias,Beist: Do you know about the situation in this system?
[04.03.2023 14:15:38] Toxictrasher: no sorry sir
[04.03.2023 14:16:01] [RM]Lt-Elias,Beist: Cut your engines while we speak
[04.03.2023 14:16:08] Toxictrasher: yes sir
[04.03.2023 14:16:19] [RM]Lt-Elias,Beist: What is your origin port and destination?
[04.03.2023 14:16:45] Toxictrasher: i bring helium to freepot 10 to theta only trading
[04.03.2023 14:17:00] [RM]Lt-Elias,Beist: Why did you make your way through Thuringia?
[04.03.2023 14:17:23] Toxictrasher: i think it is saver for pirates than hamburg
[04.03.2023 14:17:42] [RM]Lt-Elias,Beist: You could say that. This system is fully off-limits
[04.03.2023 14:17:52] [RM]Lt-Elias,Beist: Consider this your one and only warning
[04.03.2023 14:17:57] Toxictrasher: sorry i dont no that
[04.03.2023 14:18:06] Toxictrasher: yes ty sir
[04.03.2023 14:18:14] [RM]Lt-Elias,Beist: The next time you are seen in this system, a fine of 20,000,000 credits can be expected
[04.03.2023 14:18:27] [RM]Lt-Elias,Beist: Be on your way Kapitan
[04.03.2023 14:18:33] Toxictrasher: ok sir ty for your help and information
[04.03.2023 14:18:41] Toxictrasher: ty good day
After this encounter, I decided to make a long loop past the Bering jump anomaly and return to Bayern. However, when I was at the apex of the leg, I was urgently contacted by a fighter on standby on the Bayern (designation: Phoenix). It detected a signature following my route, and proceeded to intercept. This turned out to be a Bundschuh fighter (designation: Moroda), which it promptly engaged. Unfortunately, my revenant loadout did not allow for effective engagement parameters against agile ships. I did my best with the tools I had available, but ultimately both me and Phoenix were forced to retreat to the Bayern to avoid sustaining heavy damage.
This encounter has solidified my growing assurance that the Bundschuh are fully committed to their belligerent status inside Rheinland, and will therefore be treated by me accordingly in the future. Additionally, I recommend a complete blacklist of the vessel Star.way, and a potential fact-finding communication to be established with Samura Industries.
Für den Kaiser! Für das Volk! Für Rheinland!
Hochachtungsvoll,
Elias Beist
Leutnant der Kaiserlichen Rheinwehr