Cal,
We have run into a serious problem; Hoffer's gap is protected by a set of gunstar defense platforms. In the last week the gunstars have started malfunctioning. We think they might have been hit by a computer virus. Whatever the cause, it leaves the colony wide-open to attack.
Within the Stepsons, we suspect the cause is sabotage, which means someone on the inside. The Marauders have been pretty quiet since we took out their base, but I get the feeling they are planning something big. Taking out the gunstars would be an obvious first step.
We do have a course of action open to us. We have established the location of an abandoned Military FTL communications relay, right on the edge of the system. The base is derelict, but it's surrounded by six gunstars. They're old models, the best part of a hundred years old. They've been mothballed and are offline, but as far as we can tell they are still in working order. Clearly these platforms would be immensely useful in plugging the hole in Hoffer's Gap defenses.
Our clan's people do not have a lot of experience in this kind of work, and my mother and I are concerned that there is a traitor amongst us. So we'd prefer it if this were handled by an outsider.
Cal, I'd like to propose that we commission you to recover them for us. If you succeed we'll give you a hefty reward.
Once you have secured them, we will send out a freighter to transport them back to Hoffer's Gap. If you say yes, we will place a freighter on standby ready for your call.
Hope to talk soon,
Elmo Stepson
Stepson Clan