Portsmouth Drydock

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

* BMM
* Bounty Hunters Guild
* Independent Miners Guild
* Gateway Shipping
* Bretonia Police

* Bounty Hunters Guild

## Rumors

* 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.

* 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.

* 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.

* 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.

* 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.

* 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.

* 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.

* 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.

* 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.

* 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 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.

* 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..

* 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.

* 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.

* 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.

*NOTE: Page generated on the 28/10/2023 at 17:59:45 UTC*