SIS Director Victor Steiner, oligarch of Bretonia.
Location:
Barrier Gate Station, Coronado.
Priority:
High
Encryption:
High
Privyet, mister Steiner. Yes, the intelligence one, not the naval one or whatever other ones there were.
It's come to my attention that the Governor-General's lobbying attempt on my behalf has fallen short, so perhaps against better judgment, I find it necessary to meet and discuss the future of "Crimean" spaceborne forces.
My reasoning and logic for this request is rather straightforward. The stated M.O. and operating procedures of a unit of Privateers are, and I quote myself here, "a bit too off-putting for the final product" of a national state, dependent or independent of Bretonian control. No ship can fly anywhere in space without proper colors, you know, and I can't exactly just masquerade as a member of the Armed Forces or Police Authority as a foreigner.
So, from my point of view, it is either the SIS, the BIS auxiliaries, or a dramatic reduction in my ability to fight Bretonia's enemies effectively, either due to a lack of recruitable, skilled officers, or a severe limitation in jurisdiction.
I do hope no one's time is being wasted with this communique.
If I remember correctly, I told Governor Hall that the SIS would support the plan to see you put back in charge of the SCRA, I personally remain skeptical, nevertheless the Service would support that course of action.
So I am confused as to what it is you seek, if you wished to return home in a leadership capacity we will support you, if you wish to fly as an armed branch of the SIS, we will support you, if you wish to act as privateers we will support you.
SIS Director Victor Steiner, oligarch of Bretonia.
Location:
Planet Exeter.
Priority:
High
Encryption:
High
Steiner.
In a way, I have a couple of goals on my plate. I do aim for a return to my office on Volgograd, but I understand this is a very long-term goal and perhaps unattainable within the confines of even several years of effort.
What I think we both recognize is that the short-medium term has more flexible and relevant choice. I'm more or less done with the stigma-ridden position of privateering now, such a label on my space forces is too much of a propaganda hindrance and no doubt limits the level of trust I can garner with Bretonia as well as putting off potential recruits, Coalition defectors, associates and the like.
Contrarily, operating under the auspices of an intelligence service, while perhaps a bit distasteful to the upper echelon, would offer my militia a higher degree of legitimacy and international compliance, and maybe would serve as enough of a base for growth of my own command staff.
Given your intentions however and your reasons for desiring to be nominally under the command of the SIS, I can agree to this and it will ultimately open more doors for your return to Volgograd. I trust you understand that this is not a 'five minute job'. It will take many months of preparation in order to carry it out.
SIS Director Victor Steiner, oligarch of Bretonia.
Location:
Planet Exeter.
Priority:
High
Encryption:
High
Privyet.
Well, one thing we can both be assured of is the People's Republic itself is playing the long game, just as it has for almost a millennium now. We're all nothing if not patient, but I digress. My ships, personnel and material will be ready for reassessment, once final verification is passed down.
I do hereby formally confirm your organisation's full and complete transfer into Her Majesties Secret Intelligence Service, your people, should they be willing to continue service under the SIS banner will be free to do so, those unwilling are free to refuse the offer at their own discretion.