Portsmouth Drydock

Portsmouth Drydock

File:Br04 03 base.png

Owner

Bretonia Mining & Manufacturing

Location

E-3, Cambridge

CLASS: Nelson

GRAVITY: Full

DOCKING: Yes

AMENITIES: Yes

CREW: 3250

After the Gallic War's conclusion, the Bretonian government was forced to evaluate its long term options for the construction of a military shipyard. Despite the symbolic and cultural value of Southampton Shipyard, it was ultimately determined that the cost of recovery and the wider strategic position made a New London site infeasible. Following the Glassing of Leeds, Bretonia's reduced ability to adequately secure the Tau frontier would place a repaired Southampton at unacceptable risk in the event of a future war. Similarly, it was deemed unacceptable for Aland to continue operating as Bretonia's main military shipyard on anything but a short-term emergency basis due to its exposed location and inadequate facilities. After a protracted deliberation period a decision was made to develop a new installation in Cambridge, orbiting Planet Sarum. The Construction Ship Fenland was deployed to handle this task, hauling large sections of the new shipyard consisting of individually constructed modules. Each module is hauled to the construction site to be welded together.

After a lengthy construction period which saw non-Bretonian participation, even from BMM mining rival Daumann, the ship yard was completed in late 827, and was officially named Portsmouth Shipyard in a ceremony observed by the monarch. The shipyard completion has made Aland no longer required for ship building efforts, with most of the production being moved over to the far more capable Portsmouth.

Bribes & Missions Offered

Bribes

Border World Exports Bretonia Mining & Manufacturing Bounty Hunters Guild Independent Miners Guild Gateway Shipping Bretonia Police

Missions

Bretonia Armed Forces Bounty Hunters Guild

Commodities

Imports

Commodity Price Xeno Relics 189$

Exports

Ships sold

Ship	Class	Price

News

[835 AS] Freiburg targeted in terrorist strike

FREIBURG STATION -- 835 -- Emergency responders have rushed to Freiburg Station after a serious terrorist attack killed 7 Gallic visitors. 3 Gull-class Transports attempted to ram an IDF Shipping convoy moored to the station, exploding once they hit their targets. 1 of the vessels was successfully disabled by the station’s defense grid. The assailants had just arrived from Omega-7, broadcasting the convoy shipping papers of a small export company based on Freeport 1. RFP officers believe the Gallic ships were the actual target, and have suggested either the LWB or Bretonian radicals could be responsible. Bretonian and Rheinland authorities are cooperating to investigate the incident.

[835 AS] Coronado disaster sparks panic

YUMA -- 835 -- Public data feeds have lit up with distress calls from Coronado, after a system-wide EMP pulse wreaked havoc. Emergency requests for aid have been issued by the Crayter Republic and IMG, with early reports indicating that the system’s Trade Lane project has been destroyed. Ageira has confirmed that the Jump Gate remains unaffected thanks to post-Blackout safeguards, allowing relief to be delivered from Bretonia and Liberty. Panic erupted on many Liberty worlds after footage was released showing an energy field around the moon Jericho, seeming to indicate another activated alien site. President Hawthorne has called for calm, and reiterated that security forces were moving to contain the situation.

[835 AS] Gallic threats raise Tau fears

SCALPAY OUTPOST -- 835 -- The Taus are once more on edge, after Gallia threatens the use of force to retrieve the Tau-23 to Tau-31 Jump Gate. Bretonia constructed the first Jump Gate in the system, which was later annexed during the Gallic War. Bretonia was gifted the current Gallic Jump Gate by Kusari during their invasion of Gallia, and has held it since -- with Gallia formally ceding its Tau claims through the Treaty of Rishiri. Bretonia has historically refused to discuss the Gate’s status until its own demands on the extradition of war criminals and payment of Gallic War reparations are met. The Bretonian government has warned that Gallic aggression or threats “will not be tolerated”.

[835 AS] Recapture of Dublin commences!

BATTLESHIP ESSEX -- 835 -- Admiralty representatives have confirmed that the Bretonian operation to recapture Dublin has been initiated. Defense commentators have long assumed the Bretonia Armed Forces would breach the system via a Jump Hole believed to be concealed within the Cumbria Asteroid Field. Forecasts predicted a bloody advance, given the Mollys renown expertise as ambush fighters, and prolific use of concealed mines. Despite this, Bretonian officials confirm that the Battleship Somerset has established a bridgehead in the system without casualties. “This will be a quick operation,” Admiral Rowley noted. “The Mollys cannot stand in open space.”

[835 AS] Lend-Lease ships return to Liberty

CORDOVA -- 835 -- Liberty’s Hawthorne administration has ended the wartime Lend-Lease program with Bretonia. The initiative saw Liberty provide large loans and huge quantities of military materiel during the Gallic War, throwing the beleaguered House a vital lifeline. The sudden development sees most remaining Liberty capital ships in Bretonian service returned to their parent House with immediate effect. Anonymous Bretonian sources have expressed dismay with Liberty’s insistence on an expedited return, arguing it undermines domestic security at a critical moment of Armed Forces’ preparations for a major deployment.

[835 AS] Bretonia and Rheinland call for de-escalation

CURACAO -- The governments of Bretonia and Rheinland have called on Kusari and Liberty to attempt formal talks, amid fears that continued escalation and military friction could spark war. Queen Carina and Emperor Frederick have offered to mediate an emergency summit on Planet Curacao after Kusari and Liberty imposed mutual sanctions that are already having rippling effects across Sirius. Gallia’s Grand Marshall de Varax meanwhile has condemned Kusari as a “belligerent and destabilizing actor”, and called for Liberty’s demands to be met. Neither Kusari or Liberty has agreed to attend, with each demanding pre-conditions be met by the other. Gallia has not received an invite.

[835 AS] Arrests made after Freiburg killings

FREIBURG -- 835 -- Freiburg patrons scattered in terror after a bar disagreement between Bretonian and Gallic customers escalated to murder. Witnesses report an IDFS officer said “something about Leeds” to a drinking Bowex transport team. Within moments, a brawl erupted, with Gateway employees assisting their normally bitter rivals. “There was a flash of light and three bangs, and before I knew it, two Bretonians and a Gaul were dead,” bartender Benno Gramann explained. The RFP have held six Bretonians on suspicion of murder and released two Gallic citizens on bail, sparking outrage in Bretonia.

[834 AS] Police Authority lands blow against Slog

CARLISLE -- 835 -- Following a series of raids, 74 people have been arrested on Planet Carlisle in connection with the production of Slog. The outlawed narcotic has wreaked havoc on industrial towns across New London, Carlisle and Sprague, with some calling it the "working man's scourge". Chief Inspector Harry O'Donnell confirmed that a suspected laboratory was stormed by armed constables, resulting in the seizure of narcotics and equipment. Anonymous sources allege a number of those arrested were biochemists employed by Planetform Incorporated.

[834 AS] H-Fuel prices spike as market volatility increases

MANHATTAN -- 834 -- H-Fuel prices across Sirius have spiked after demand for future supply contracts surged. This unusual increase has been driven by Liberty corporations who are buying up all surplus stocks, although what has provoked the sudden frenzy remains unknown. Universal Shipping and Synth Foods both declined to comment on their own significant increase in buying activity, however many have noted that neither has the storage capacity to account for the excess. Share prices for Kishiro, GMG and Samura all rose on the news, despite Kusari warning that it may impose export caps on H-Fuel to limit market volatility and curb inflation.

[832 AS] Houses outraged by Roppongi attack

NEW TOKYO -- 832 -- Kusari has received blistering criticism from the other Houses after the destruction of Roppongi Station. Roppongi hosted House embassies in Kusari, and was a major business hub for foreign companies. Liberty’s President Hawthorne is said to be “incandescent” over the attack, which killed Ambassador Luisa Mason and her aides. She has threatened consequences unless Kusari exert all “means and resources” towards the Farmers Alliance’s eradication, and announced the LSF will be taking “enhanced measures” to protect Liberty citizens. Interspace Commerce has quadrupled its bounties on Alliance targets. Kusari has opened an inquest into the attack.

[831 AS] Bretonia announces Poole draw-down

NEW LONDON -- 831 AS -- The Bretonian government has announced a controlled withdrawal from the Poole system, citing ballooning costs and difficult post-Dublin state budget. Poole was once of critical importance to Bretonia, briefly hosting a Supergate to Liberty during the Gallic War, and acting as a launching point for Bretonia's colonial ambitions in Omega-49. This importance declined after the war and the abandonment of Gran Canaria. The cost of policing the frontier system has significantly outweighed tax revenue for many years. DSE has already confirmed that it will begin deconstruction operations soon, with Jump Gate and Trade Lane components expected to be removed by 833 AS.

[831 AS] Gruesome reports as Dublin falls

Grotesque broadcasts have issued from Graves Station after Molly saboteurs captured the base. The terrorists filmed the execution of senior BMM officials with pickaxes, murdering station administrator Dame Helen Raleigh and maintenance chief Harland Streeve. The Battleship Essex was quick to respond to the atrocities, dispatching a boarding force to retake Graves. Unwilling to face justice for their crimes, the hijackers detonated the station, murdering all aboard. Simultaneous suicide attacks against the New London Jump Gate forced the Essex's withdrawal. The Government has stressed that this withdrawal is temporary, and that a blockade will be imposed while forces are assembled to pacify the system.

[816 AS] Terrorist attacks rising in Omega-3

FREEPORT 1 -- 816 AS -- Omega-3 has a long and turbulent history of being a lawless space. In recent days there have been a particularly brutal spate of killings, with several BMM and Bowex convoys massacred. The Bretonia Armed Forces has been on the case for weeks, and yesterday successfully intercepted the mysterious attackers mid-ambush. Major Helen Hardy identified the assailants as Rheinland Military vessels, commenting that, “it was like 800 all over again” -- referring to Rheinland’s assault on Omega-3 during the Colony Wars. Following a complaint to the Rheinland government, defense officials were quick to deny responsibility for the attacks, pointing instead to the Military deserters-turned-terrorist group commonly known as The Wild.

Rumors

Bretonia Armed Forces

Leeds, lost again. At the very least Gallia will have to deal with all the defenses planetside - the ones we had prepared initially to resist a Kusari invasion. Most have been tailored to resist any orbital bombardment, so Gallia will have to go in by ground to clear them out. I don't think they've got any idea what's waiting for them. The planet itself will thin their ranks well before they even reach those fortifications. Welcome to the York tavern. We apologise for the unavailability of a human host until a suitable replacement can be found. Until such time I will serve as a replacement. What can I get you? Gallia doesn't fight like Kusari did. Kusari forces used cunning and precision. Gallia relies more on sheer overwhelming force. It's ironic, but we've begun using the same kind of tactics that Kusari used against us with such efficiency against Gallia, and with equal effectiveness. Trouble is, they seem to have endless reserves to call upon. So far, I'm not all that impressed with Gallia. They talk a lot about honor and justice, but when they attack they head straight for the weakest target, just like any bully. But what do I know, maybe they thought the Shetland was a state of the art battleship dressed up like a luxury liner, protecting a major military installation posing as an unspoiled planet. Or...maybe they're just bullies. I heared the ship had to flee across the interstellar space without her cruise engines. Quite an extraordinary feat of flying in this day and age. I can almost remember the time when it were just Mollys, Gaians and Outcasts we had to worry about. Petty smugglers, silly pirates and annoying ecoterrorists... two subsequent invasions sure put things in perspective. This vessel had to withdraw from the Leeds system after Gallia threatened to overwhelm the York battlegroup. We are now assisting the defense of New London. This far, and no further. I don't like falling back, not one bit. York is still in one piece, but Leeds is lost. That is not how it should have been. Still, I must admit that the loss of the Derby is a heavy blow to us, even when it cost Gallia even more. We encounter a good deal of Bounty Hunters hired by BMM to kill the criminals we can't lay a beam to, but they are as shady as the criminals at times, plus I think they enjoy their job too much. I kill because I have to; these sadists kill because they profit from it. Makes them little better than pirates in my book. Once the damage incurred by Gallia is repaired, we will reclaim the terrain that is lost. We shall return to Leeds and drive Gallia back. Long live the Queen.

Bounty Hunters Guild

Tau-31 used to be a productive area for us, but with the Gallic invasion, Harris is all but shutting down, and the Gaians don't seem to be around as much anymore either. I guess throwing their lot in with Gallia hasn't done much for the support for their cause, heh. Maybe I'll head to Dublin and see about popping a few Mollys if business keeps being as slow as it is now. The Mollys haven't been cutting the Armed Forces any slack, not here, nor in Dublin. Used to be they were a major annoyance for them, but now, with the military being spread thin, they're much more of a threat. Doesn't concern us though, we're targeting them where BMM and Bowex pay us to. Beyond that, they're not our problem. This new position for this ship isn't so bad. The debris field and Newcastle are just a stonesthrow away. Mollys, Gaians, Outcasts. You name it, it's in range. Unless you're looking for Corsairs, but I got enough of those guys down in Omega-3. Time for a change of scenery. The Outcasts used to slip down through Edinburgh somehow, but there's less and less coming from that direction. I think the Gallic Navy might have something to do with that. Our trackers think they're slipping through Newcastle now, although where they're getting in exactly we don't know... yet. Besides, there aren't many bounties out on Outcasts anymore. I guess Bretonia is cutting them some slack since they're hitting Gallia in the rear. Planetform hired me to kill Gaians a few months ago, so that's what I did. The contract didn't get renewed, since they don't have much use for Stokes anymore. I'm waiting for my next solid assignment and am just picking up loose jobs in New London and Newcastle until then. Most of the time it's Mollys I'm sent after.. The military personnel on this ship are always looking down their noses at us Bounty Hunters, but the truth is that if they could do their job well enough, BMM wouldn't be forced to hire us to do what the military can't. Not like they haven't got enough to do with a hostile navy bearing down on them. Those soldiers stick to preparing for Gallia these days, so hunting down the criminals ends up being our job. But we ain't cheap.

Border World Exports

I used to do the Border World run to Kusari, then the supply run to Leeds. Nowadays, I stay within the confines of New London, piloting a small freighter for the local hops. This is my last job until retirement. I've got my eye on a nice cottage in the Cambridge countryside. You are reasonably trustworthy in Bowex's eyes, so I don't mind telling you that the MOX on this ship comes from Birmingham. We ship them back Toxic Waste to reprocess. BMM had to start doing it after over 7 centuries of dumping because of ALG - the government does not want a second Leeds to happen. Makes things a bit more expensive. If you ask me they shouldn't bother regulating things in Manchester, there's no inhabitable worlds there anyway. I've just delivered a load of Engine Components. This ship and it's escort fleet was heavily damaged during the fighting in Leeds - it's amazing she held together. Shipboard engineers are patching her up so that when the time comes, she's ready for offensive duty. Meanwhile York serves as a rearguard carrier. Molly, Outcast and Gaian raiding parties aren't a match for even a damaged Dunkirk.