Bowex InfoNet (inRP)

[AfriXan]

+++Transmission incoming+++
+++Source locked, relaying+++
+++Source ID: Huntsman's Arms / Planet Leeds+++

To: Bowex InfoNet
From: Frank Blacksmith

Hallo all! Just had a rather good run so, in the best and oldest of traditions, I'm sending this report via the pub terminal.

I departed the Dublin system with a hull full of Gold, no Molly activity today, but then again they've been awfully quiet of late.
I met our new escort pilot, Fyn Adler, in the Cambridge system. He had agreed to accompany me through the Omegas to Munich on his first mission for Bowex.
We passed through Omega 3 without problems. Fyn seems an interesting chap, shall have to get to know him better. When we reached Omega 7 however, lady luck decided play with us a little.
We encountered a Rhineland gunboat. Fyn reported it had been attacking Gateway vessels so upon entry I immediately made for a trade lane. The gunboat disrupted it... and the next one. My suspicions aroused I made to run for it, heading away from the lanes into space. The gunboat followed and disrupted my cruise, demanding it be allowed to scan my cargo. I wasn't sure if the Gordon could survive an attack from the gunboat, Fyn certainly would have been destroyed. I therefore halted the Gordon and allowed the gunboat to scan her.
The gunboat then requested we contribute 100 Nanobots towards "maintenance", an odd request, which I granted. It then allowed us to continue. When I queried its purpose and the reasons for which it had destroyed the Gateway vessel it responded that Gateway had broken Rheinland law.
Now, I may not be friends with Gateway but I know when somebody is telling pork pies. Gateway do not smuggle or run blockades, and also Rheinland law doesn't apply in Omega 7. There was definitely something odd about this ship.
It engaged its cloak soon after and vanished from our scopes... I'm not aware of normal Rheinland gunboats having that capability.
Anyway, we proceeded through Stuttgart and entered the New Berlin system. Well, I did.
Apparently something had caused a major malfunction in Fyn's transit, he vanished from the scope for a while (enough time for me to get to Frankfurt) and then reappeared on the edges of the New Berlin system, miles from any lane or jump gate. I reached Munich and he attempted to pass through a gate into Frankfurt, once again something occurred to disrupt his passing through the gate. He eventually arrived in Munich, somewhat shaken, and I took him for a few calming drinks while the engineers looked at his ship.
Apparently his engines were malfunctioning and emitting a strangely named particle (Muons or something), that was disrupting his jumps. The engineers had limited it as best they could but it was going to be a bumpy ride back to Bretonia.
The trip back to Leeds was uneventful for the Gordon but poor Fyn was bounced around mercilessly. The crew were snickering somewhat at his predicament but when I threatened to stick one of them in his hull they clammed up fast enough.
His relief when we passed through the last Gate and entered Leeds was palpable. Anyway, I paid him his due as an escort and recommended he get a new ship. He should be joining me here in the Huntsman's shortly. We'll celebrate his survival and another successful trip for the Gordon.

Here's to Herr Adler!

Blacksmith out.

+++Transmission Ended+++

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