The day begins with a news item:

"Bellone Arrives Over Alsace"
Aidensburg Observer, a GNA company
352/5741

Alsace was electrified to learn of the arrival of the Free Republic Navy's newest warship, Bellone, in orbit last night.  The fifteen hundred ton frigate is the newest addition to the Navy's fleet and will formally be accepted into service at a commissioning ceremony on Day 365.

The second ship of the Desaix Class, Bellone will be joined for her commissioning ceremony by her sistership and other ships of the fleet.  The second of a planned production run of eight ships, Bellone is the largest and most technologically advanced ship in space.  She houses a crew of nearly eighty starmen and marines as well as some of the most devastating weaponry fielded in the last century.  Military strategists argue the class is neccessary to counter the quantitative edge enjoyed by other powers.

Alsace parliamentary representative Crystelle Aix-en-Chapelle will be the guest of honor at the ceremony, which will be attended by leading citizens and foreign dignitaries.  The ceremony will be presided over by Rear Admiral Yvette Pascal.  Admiral Pascal is known to most citizens as the commander of the Free Republic expedition to Aslan space in 5738.

Upon entering service, Bellone will be assigned to an Alsace based squadron.  The Navy has also announced that the ship will host public tours on New Year's Day.

The flight to the downport is almost routine.  Only the knowledge that this is the first flight of your ship makes it noteworthy.  Gypsy Moth handles like a dream.  The Kurth & Sons pilot brings her smoothly into orbit, then lets you have a brief chance at the controls.  She makes a half-dozen rotations around the purple and sea green orb of Alsace while the launch approaches and docks without incident.

You are so eager to familiarize yourself with your new home that it almost hurts to tear your attention away and soak in another unusual sight.  Two Desaix Class 1500ton naval frigates (presumably the soon-to-be commissioned Bellone and FRs Desaix herself) in formation orbit with four Greatsword Class 800ton ships.  It has been several years since any of you have seen such a concentration of naval power in one place.

Then the Kurth pilot conducts a flawless, if conservative approach, setting Gypsy Moth down on Pad 07E.  Routine arrival items, such as power, water, sewer, and data connections to port services are completed efficiently.

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Gaither Memorial Downport near Aidensburg is one of the largest starports in the sector.  A dual-use port, it is divided between military and civilian areas.

The Free Republic Navy controls the western side of the port.  Lists of ships in port on the military side are not publicized nor are arrivals and departures announced in advance.  As Gypsy Moth approaches her pad, you can see at least a dozen ships on the sprawling tarmacs of the military side, ranging in size from small craft to Kirin Class SDBs.

The civilian side of the port is no less impressive.  Ten landing pads are reserved for civilian starships and, most of the time, they are over half full.  Furthermore, the port has orbital patterns reserved. They are for the mammoth 1000ton Ozawa Lines bulkers that are too big to land on the planet.  Cutters and other small craft use smaller service pads to ferry cargo and passengers for these giants.

Furthermore, expansive warehouses and concourses house thousands of tons of goods and scores of shipping oriented firms.  Passengers move through Gaither by the dozen.  On the north side of the port are minor repair and upgrade shops as well as equipment suppliers.

In port now are:


Pad  Ship              Line       Tonnage   Departure  Destination
01   Express           FRPC       100       357        Espiaux
03   Sturdy Maple      ESL        200       354        St. Croix-Espiaux
05   Corvus Pride      Corvus     400       352        Ozawa-Tupolev
07   Gypsy Moth        Blackfin   400       357        Espiaux
08   Petya             ICE        200       355        Vauclain-Svetlana
09   Silver Lady       Klaveness  400       360        St. Croix-Espiaux
10   Sandrella         SSIL       200       355        St. Croix-Espiaux
Orb  Quazacoatl        Ozawa      1000      353        Ozawa


Scheduled Arrivals are:


Pad  Ship              Line       Tonnage   Arrival    Origin
01   Malachi           FRPC       100       357        Espiaux
02   Proud Lila        Ozawa      200       355        Ozawa
03   Verdant Willow    ESL        200       354        St. Croix
05   Yvette            FRF        400       357        St. Croix
Orb  Cao Cao           Ozawa      1000      359        Ozawa


Most of you have been in and out of Alsace enough times to recognize this level of traffic is fairly typical.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:40, Sat 26 Feb 2011.

Simon Newell arrived a half hour before takeoff and made the flight with you.  He signs the last of the neccessary documents with the yard once Gypsy Moth is settled at the Downport.  Now fully and totally the property of Blackfin Shipping Interstellar, Gypsy Moth is yours.

Newell will be on the ship for a short time after arrival to answer questions.  He introduces you to Jean Renet, a petite woman in her mid-thirties.  Newell has contracted with her to be the ship's agent in port, meaning she will take care of mundane, day-to-day issues for you.*

Almost as soon as the connections are made, the ship's comms begin signalling incoming calls.  One is from the Chandler, desiring to arrange delivery of three tons of life support supplies Hayden ordered.  They can deliver them this afternoon if you would like.

The other two are from cargo brokers, Norman Zander of RSS and Fiona Huet of Roycan Ltd.  They wish to discuss possible freight contracts with the Captain, Purser, or other authorized Agent.

* - not much of a role for the ship's agent here since Alsace is the closest thing you have to a homeport.  In other locations, hiring a ship's agent is generally a good idea since they are experts on local business and regulations.

Hayden introduces himself to Jean Renet and thanks her for her assistance.  He will be sure to keep her informed about any deals, procurements, and deliveries, in order to ensure everything is kosher.

”I’ve hopefully moved the interview with Prisa to tomorrow, so we can interview her and Syren Hawthorn back to back.  So for most of the day, I’ll be working on buying cargo and hopefully talking with RSS and Roycan.”

”If someone can work with the Chandler service, that would be great.  Also, I see that the Express leaves for Espiaux on 357 as well.  Jack, Jim, not sure if you know anyone on the Express but it might be useful to make some inquiries.  If we find out when she’s leaving, I’d be game for travelling with her.  Safety in numbers and all that.”

OOC: Let me know if anyone wants to be an authorized agent and assist with any of the cargo stuff.