To: IMG Mining, Defence
Location: Java Station, T23
From: Samuel Vale
Subject: Mining op report
Message begins
Well, as some of you maybe know, I was offered the "interesting" job of T23 mining ops coordinator. So in order to take a look at things, I hopped today on cousin Alex's Heg and joined him on his mining run. Here's what happened:
1. Name and vessel type - IMG|Alex.Vale[M], IMG|Alex.Vale - both Hegemons
2. Mining location - T23, northern niobium field
3. Material mined - niobium ore, two Hegemon cargo holds
4. Escorts hired - none this time
5. Hostiles encountered - We filled our first hold, and were just seconds on our way to Java, when a very interesting ship appeared on the scanners - Senor Sebastian Rodriguez of the Mandalorian Mercs. Knowing the fellas' deep love for IMG, Alex immediately changed course to T39 Jump Hole. We made it clear, and were on our way to Jakarta, when Senor Rodriguez decided to follow us in our own guard system./guncam proofshots attached here - 12 /
Lucky for us, we had some running space, and Alex is quite the hand with a Heg in asteroids, so we made it clear to Jakarta, from where I immediately called Herbert Vale /my oldest brother/ and advised him to wake up the Dry.Run and see to the nozy mandalorian.
I am sorry to say that none of our regular T39 patrols were on site to assist us - again. Something should be done about that, really. I do like the service in Jakarta infirmary, but enough is enough.
After waiting for Herbert to give us the clear, we went back to Java and filled Alex's second Heg. No adventures this time.
6. Any other interesting encounter or event - Herb had a chat with a Junker lad, he says, but I will let him do the paperwork on that 'grins wildly'.
Conclusions made:
1.It becomes more and more dangerous to mine in Tau 23 system. Escort system for the miner ops should be made first priority.
Also, Based on my previous observations:
2. Second priority should be the reviving of the convoys to Rheinland, and reestablishing our connections with foreign shippers. Lads are complaining that their ore stays at Java with no way to sell it. Our Gallic friends seem to prefer Dublin lately, and less and less other ships come for our niobium.
3. A lot of our lads hereabouts prefer to work independent, and to deal on a personal basis with haulers they choose. Some of that is due to higher profit, but there's also the lack of ready and easily acesible storage space in T23 - the barge in T39 is not comfortable to everybody. I have an idea about that, but here's not the place to talk about it.
4. In connection to point 1 - in the long run we must increase our patrols in T39 both in numbers and strength. It is supposed to be a safe heaven for our lads, but now that big asteroid field looks to me more like a trap for Hegemons. Several more weapon platforms at the Jump Hole won't be in excces too, I think.
Message ends
"Come on, people. We have a job to do, so let's be about it" - Lady Dame Steadholder Admiral Honor Alexander-Harrington, RMN A weapon is a device for making your enemy change his mind. The mind is the only battlefield that matters. Everything else is just ... fuss.
Lieutenant Lord Miles Naismith Vorkosigan / Admiral Miles Naismith/ "Always aim for the stars, boy. Even if you miss, you'll at least not end up shooting your leg"
Ascribed to General Count Piotr Pier Vorkosigan
<span style="color:#FFFF33">"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."</span>
Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear.
