To: Rheinland Gov || From: Bristol C&M

[Shulsky]

Incoming Transmission

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User ID: Booth, Hector
Recipient: Rheinland Military Forces
Subject: Discussion for Foreign Capital Ship Registry
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Good Afternoon,

My name is Hector Booth, signed employee of Shackleton Operations Group, a client signatory corporation to Bristol Constructions and Manufacturing.

On or about 16 December, 834, Bristol patrols took note of a fairly intact Judicator class cruiser in the Guerrero Asteroid Cloud in the Vespucci system. Three days after, I captained Bristol transport Powhatan to perform salvage assessments of the cruiser as, due to the intact nature of the vessel and its position within the cloud, it was deemed that large amounts of material could still be extracted.

Since then, assessments have deemed that the vessel’s structural integrity to be good enough that it would prove a valuable piece of research for our own shipwrights at Bristol Bay Station. Repairs have been made to the Judicator’s reactor, primary drive system, and linked primary drum system, which my Chief Engineering Officer states would bring the vessel into capacity to generally speaking travel to the Bering System.

I am also informed, however, that the cruiser might be able to be brought into partial operational capacity - something which would greatly enhance Bristol C&M’s operational capability within Bering and Galileo due to the notable hangar and support facilities which can be found on the Judicator class, as well as the superior armor and internal structures compared to civilian craft for withstanding the dark matter clouds in Galileo specifically.

As a direct result, I would like to discuss the possibility of moving the cruiser through Rheinland space. We at Shackleton are aware that this is a most unusual request, and are more than willing to discuss operational restrictions for the vessel while transiting through Rheinland space.

V/R
BOOTH, HECTOR
CO -BCV-ENDEAVOR (COM-VES01204-C824)
CO -BCV-POWHATAN (LIB-BRI82021-V802)

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Transmission Ends

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Operation Have Sea

[Rheinland Government]

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Herr Booth,

We have discussed this matter, and have decided to allow you to proceed under two conditions.
First, you must inform our security forces and follow any directives they will provide. You will likely be expected to embark an oversight team for the duration of the transfer, and contract a local escort.
Second, you must moor at a shipyard of your choosing during your transit through Rheinland space. I would recommend Oder from my prior experience with its efficiency, but Alster will serve the purpose just as well. You need not remain for longer than it takes to refuel and resupply.

Note that both of the above are non-negotiable. You confirmation of the above is necessary in order to proceed with this initiative.

Signed,
Rüdiger Steube
Verteidigungsminister

[Bristol Constructions]

Incoming Transmission

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User ID: Booth, Hector
Recipient: Rheinland Military Forces
Subject: Discussion for Foreign Capital Ship Registry
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Good Afternoon Mr Steube,

Bristol Constructions and Manufacturing, and Shackleton Operations Group, finds no issue with either of these stipulations, though we do wish some degree of clarification and additional information on these following points.

1. How much forewarning does the Kaiserreichspolizei Rheinland desire for scheduled transits?
2. Besides Kaiserreichspolizei Rheinland forces, are there any other agencies suitable for a contracted escort?
3. Are there any costs associated with the contracted escort?
4. Should no refuel or resupply be required during our transit through Rheinland space, shall your second stipulation still be required?

I look forward to hearing back from you.

V/R
BOOTH, HECTOR
CO -BCV-ENDEAVOR (COM-VES01204-C824)
CO -BCV-POWHATAN (LIB-BRI82021-V802)

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Transmission Ends

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[Rheinland Government]

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Herr Booth,

Your inquiries do you credit. You may choose to establish an understanding with any of our security forces (RFP, Buro, Rheinwehr). I have a note here that you recently granted a license for one of your proprietary vessels to the Rheinwehr. Perhaps you should begin there, but I leave the choice in your capable hands. Any details of the escort arrangements must then be decided by the escort commander assigned to you.

Further, our last stipulation remains in effect. You must moor at Oder or Alster, and undergo refueling. I trust that any additional questions about this will be directed to our security representatives.

Signed,
Rüdiger Steube
Verteidigungsminister