FILEVERSION 2
SETBG "fleetcommunique"
self " " AUTO
PLAY music "Music_CW_OpeningTheme"

"Narake" "Admiral Webb. Did the meeting with the First Lord go well?"
"Webb" "I'm afraid not. Just a retread of everything that we discussed before."
"Webb" "'Though trade security remains the Navy's most important mission, international developments have stressed the need for a stronger battle line.' Lady Orlando's exact words."
"Webb" "She's denied our request for more light units and prioritised funding towards the capital ship building programme."
"Narake" "This is madness. There already isn't enough bloody escorts to screen our battle squadrons. And where are we going to find the personnel to crew these extra dreadnoughts?"
"Narake" "She must know the tradelanes are the lifeblood of the economy. If the cartels go under, who's going to finance the shipbuilding?"
"Webb" "These points were all brought up, Admiral Narake. I emphasised our need to build more escorts to keep the tradelanes secure."
"Narake" "Yet the government still wants us to do more with less."
"Webb" "Not quite. The First Lord of the Admiralty has 'generously' approved development of the Gryphons. Lady Orlando's given us six months to prove that the concept works."
"Narake" "Six months? The Sinarusians have the Atlanteans by the jaffas, we might not even get six months before funds get siphoned for 'wartime requirements'."
"Webb" "We'll have to move quickly. Can you get the first units ready in time for the Siamelayu deployments?"
"Narake" "Of course, Admiral. It's not like my career's already riding on this, is it?"

ACTION fadeout 1

SETBG "fleetcommunique2"
ACTION FADEIN 0.5
"MESSAGE INBOX" "COMMANDER ANDREW MEIKS - ERSKINE ORBITAL"
"Meiks" "Stuart lad. A swear if ye're still at Akrotiri drinkin yourself tae an early grave A'm gaunae personally come over thare an drive a boot up yer arse."
"Meiks" "The universe isnae out tae get ye everytime sumit small goes wrong. You've ays been like this even at Erskine. Pull yersel' together mate."
"Meiks" "So Cait did ye a disservice did she? If she really wanted tae make ye an ANI puppet, she wouldnae have offered tae help ye get your life together afterwards. She'd have cut an ran once her mission was done."
"Meiks" "If ye're no gaunae make things up wi Cait McKearney, at least take this chance tae get your head sorted. A'm headin out tae Siamelayu on HMS Caen, wan o the new Gryphon frigates."
"Meiks" "Get yer arse off half-pay and come wae me. Ye've got the skills for the job and a could use someone familiar to watch ma back. It'll also give ye a chance to make a difference again."
"Meiks" "Besides, a ken ye canni look after yeself without someone to wipe yer arse for ye. Am a right?"

ACTION fadeout 1

SETBG "briefingscreen"
PLAY music "Music_CW_OpeningTheme2"
ACTION FADEIN 0.5
"Cameron" "Commander Meiks. Lieutenant Ross. CenTrans just received a distress signal from a freighter out near the Malikan trade highway."
"Cameron" "The Compass Rose reported an impeller failure five hours out of Siamelayu. She was forced to enter normal space and is adrift at the edge of the Castell 628 system."
"Cameron" "The area has been a hotbed of hostile activity and the Compass Rose is a sitting duck. Admiral Narake is scrambling the Caen to assist. We jump in five."
"Cameron" "Our communications relays are still undergoing final testing. Attack drones will be unavailable for this mission."
"Cameron" " "

ACTION FADEOUT 2
ACTION ENDMISSION