Transmission to: SCRA Command
Comm ID: Captain Totenkopt, Recon Squadron CO
Omicron 80 System
Comrades, I have completed a partial reconassance of the avaliable areas of the house known as "Gallia". Comrade Captain Baranov aboard the CPW Nusret and myself aboard the CPW Death's Head moved up through Orkney into Gallia, and made contact with a local, seemingly of a group known as the 'Maquis". We then travelled to Burgundy, where an extremely serious Ion Storm forced us to separate. I don't know Captain Baranov's location at this time, but the man is extremely resourcefull, and I have no doubt he'll be back alive.
After the Ion Storm passed, I carried on, breaching the minefield into Omicron 80 several hours later. I am currently at that location, passing this report. In my travels through 'Gallia', I have made several important observations, and by speaking with the local inhabitants and interrogating several prisoners before their disposal, have learned much of the local groups and militaries. Here is a brief rundown.
Personal Log Entry 09-5-8B Wrote:Gallic Royal Navy
Massive armed force that seems to prefer bomber and capital ship waves. Fighter attacks were rare, and easily dealt with. Pilots showed a high individual skill level, but poor group tactics. Capital ships were extremely common, and extremely well armed. I would not reccomend engaging a capital ship force without at least a tempest and a bomber squadron. Obviously works in conjunction with the Gallic Royal police. The senior officers of this Navy are extremely dedicated to their Royalist ideals, and I reccomend that we allow the Council to deal with them, and support them in a limited role, rather than attempting to obliterate them ourselves.
Gallic Royal Police
A lightly armed, extremely corrupt organization, much like the LPI on a larger scale. It is apparently more common for a pilot of the GRP to ask for a bribe than to give a fine, although they will open fire on the slightest sign of non-cooperation. Commonly used as a shield for the navy in battles with the Council, and other criminal elements. It may be possible to exploit this corruption, but since the region is already in the midst of a civil war, I predict it will work out to no more than an irritant at best, and a waste of time and effort at worst.
The Council
An extremely large splinter faction of the GRN, GRP, and several civilian interests, they seek to make peace with the capitalist scum of the other houses, rather than the war of their royalist opponents. Also extremely well armed, they have both managed to liberate several systems from the control of the royalist gov't, and to hold onto them. Responsible for bashing holes in the minefields leading to Sirius proper. Appears to care about it's public image more than their counterparts, The Maquis. Reccomend that support be given in the form of training and PR expertise, as well as limited combat roles.
The Maquis
A splinter group of the Council who has turned from revolution to corruption. They have proven willing to offer resupply to our vessels, but their leanings toward drug trafficking and unlawfulness are of concern, although not as much as the Unione Corse. They help the Council in a limited combat role, but their main concern at this point in time appears to be survival. I would reccomend that we attempt to turn them from their criminal leanings back into a revolutionary cause, through controlled and targeted propaganda, as well as re-arming from gallic sources and training in modern tactics. I watched two Maquis Light Fighters attack a GRN battlegroup, balls to the wall and squeezing triggers until their deaths. These men don't lack courage, but they lack the leadership and equipment to back it up. We can use troops of their sort.
Unione Corse
A highly organised gang of criminals and drug runners. Extrememly well organized, and well armed for a small operation. In all seriousness, they remind me of junkers with guns and leadership, although they'd rather run for another day than fight a losing battle. I would recomend that we slowly and gradually begin to put the grips to them, and attempt to knock out their leadership before they realize it's going on. If we remove enough heads, the body will fall over. Friends of the Gallic Brigands, and support them in their criminal activities.
Gallic Brigands
A slimy gang of lowlifes and scum, nonetheless possessing several highly motivated skillsets and heavy weaponry. Known to have aided the Council and the Maquis before in military operations, athough they claim little to no credit. I would advise that we recruit the more skilled operators for our own GRU and Marine Commando forces, then turn the rest into paste. We don't need their scum.
Throught 'Gallia', the militarization is incredible. Every station bristles with weapons, every planet is fortified, and every inch of space is filled with fighting patrols and battlegroups of every stripe. Staying directly off the radar seems to be the best option for survival, and the use of jumpgates is right out. Nearly every jumpgate is fortified, and about half of them have either a GRN or Council battleship stationed next to it. I advise that fighters travel in groups of three or more, gunships in pairs, and capital ships with escorts. Flying through that area is like being back in the Nomad Wars, except good and evil both have an accent.
Jack Handey Wrote:I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it.