This is a player-written letter from Timaeus haut-Roth to Lord Wrax, Admiral of the Star-Guard of Drinax.
Acrid Lowport,
Acrid,
Star Kingdom of Drinax
013, 1107
To: Admiral Wrax of the Star Guard: his eyes only
Sir,
You will surely have been informed of the change in circumstances in His Majesty’s system of Acrid. I am pleased to report that the local situation has now been stablised largely in favour of Drinax.
As these matters now ultimately fall within the Star Guard’s remit and therefore under your authority, please allow me to advise you of the current state of Acrid’s spacebourne defences, to wit:
3 D-Class System Defence Boats (200t)
1 S-Class System Defence Boat (400t)
(Please find attached readiness reports, repair and maintenance history, current crew assignments and ship schemetics. These vessels were named by their erstwhile owners, but I am advised that the local government will wish to rename them)
The original two D-Class corvettes were augmented by a cutting-out operation in Argona wherin a third was siezed within sight of the enemy, and then transported to Acrid. I would remark that the operation was completed without His Majesty’s ships receving a single shot, and there were no permanent casualties amongst His Majesty’s crew or boarding forces. I wish to commend Sir Erik and Dr Parsifal for their exemplary gunnery, and the Vargr irregular officer Captain Krrsh for outstanding piloting. The operational margin for this expedition was exceedingly tight, and all three of His Majesty’s officers mentioned fulfilled their orders in the least possible time and to the greatest possible effect. Only their skill allowed us to withdraw with the prize without sustaining any damage or loss.
I am most mindful that the newest province of the Star Kingdom is now also by far the best defended. Allow me to mention that serious thought was given to the possibility of transporting one of the S-Class ships to Drinax; this option was finally dismissed as impractical due to the extended time that doing so would leave that vessel defending neither system, in addition to completely consuming the capabilities of what is currently the largest vessel in the fleet (The Mercifuge).
Further, although there is now a diplomatic agreement with the Pax Rulin Quartermasters, the Wildeman cluster is alive with pirates, mercenaries and general political turmoil. Acrid being currently at least a month’s travel from Drinax it was deemed preferrable pro tem to ensure that no additional strains were placed on the Star Guard’s available resources should a defence of the system be required.
A Roth’s word is his bond: I have ordered the 300t Corvette, formerly christened the Lamprey and currently known as The Slightly Bent to proceed to Drinax, there to be turned over to the Star Guard for the defence of Drinax and other systems of the Kingdom as needful, and renamed as you deem suitable.
As you did me the honour of allowing me to be candid in our last meeting, I will presume to be so again. The Slightly Bent is not quite so fine a ship as the Harrier, but she is also larger, much more resilient and, I believe you will agree, better suited for the visible defence of Drinax, just as the Harrier is better suited to the equally great responsibility of enlarging it.
I am, sir, aware that crewing and maintaining this ship would be a considerable challenge given the paucity of the resources that are currently available to you. I have therefore included two ‘Shipmate’ androids – these are proficient in operating and maintaining all manner of starship systems, as well as being sufficiently competent turret gunners if no better can be found. They do require maintenance, but no salary. In respect of the ship’s operational expenses, please also find included a credit chit for 200,000cr. These monies are specifically intended for the sole use of the Star Guard, and are entirely seperate from the levy on our profits due to His Majesty; you may in good conscience so use them. This sum should suffice to keep the ship itself running for a year or more. After this period, I trust that the increase in revenues from the expansion of the Kingdom will allow His Majesty a more liberal hand with the Star Guard’s budget.
Sir, at our last meeting, I enquired whether you thought me an ambitious adventurer, and you averred that you did. So I am and so I remain, but my ambitions are to be a knight and noble of the Star Kingdom of Drinax, and Her power, glory and continuance are absolute requirements for my own small share of them.
As you are sure of my ambition, so you may be equally sure that this Corvette will be but the first ship we provide to the Star Guard, and not the greatest.
I remain sir, your servant
Sir Timaeus haut-Roth.
PS: We will look to send additional information concerning developments Coreward as soon as we may.
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