NAVAL HQ
MARQUE STATION
TO: ALL PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN OPERATION REDBERRY
COUNTER PIRACY MEASURES : MARQUE SYSTEM
The current problems with local piracy have been, to some extent, reduced with the removal of the infamous Flint.
However, Marque Star Guard are overstretched and their ability to intecept the remaining local pirates remains limited.
After a number of fruitless chases out to the M25 limit, we have decided to adopt a new strategy.
In conditions of the greatest secrecy, we are equipping some merchant vessels as a trap for pirates. The aim is to lure the pirates to board, then unleash a strong force of marines to either counter-board or at least capture their boarding party.
Planning on this is only just underway, and we will welcome input from the Captain and officers of the ESS Agamemnon on the best way to go ahead on this.
The code-name for these new ships is 'Q-SHIPS'. They are based on the standard Class 5000 merchant (a type particularly prone to attack due to is fairly low acceleration profile).
Points we need to consider in the planning are:
1. Modifications to the ship.
2. Modifications to the crew deck layout (as you know there are already a number of fairly standard and well known layouts).
3. Crew Complement. It is essential that the Captain of a Q-SHIP is from the regular Navy, and is prepared to take some hard decisions - there will be little or no support once a mission commences.
4. Marine Complement.
5. SOPs.
6. Number of Q-SHIPS to operate and frequency of operations.
7. Security and deception plans.
The sooner these issues are resolved, the sooner we can get the plan into operation, and shut down those blasted pirates once and for all.
ANNEX A
Resources:
Marque has 1 Group of Marines on Station Defence. Only a squad or two of these could be spared for Q-Ship Duties.
Marque Station has a squadron of Pacifiers (12).
Marque Star Guard has a Reserve Group of Marines drawn from their own training facility on Marque Station. This unit is basically composed on Combat Crewmen rather than Marines. However, they could be useful for something.
The MSG has a number of ships, which are basically converted merchants (1 x HELL, 1 x multicannon). As you know, there are limits to their effctiveness.
Captain Dennis
Marque Naval HQ
Data on the Pirate Ship Crazy Joe - defeated by 130th Regiment on Q-Ship duty.