Submitter: Dr. William Sanders Recipient: Members of the Independent Miners Guild and Colonial Remnant Subject: About your recent discovery
Greetings esdeemed members of the IMG and the Colonial remnant,
My name is William Sanders, a former Cambridge professor, now acting as a freelancer cartographist researcher, in command of the research vessel Albumasar. Rumours about your recent discovery of the inhabited systems called "Gallia" have reached our ears, thus are we seeking confirmation from you if these rumours are indeed true. We are looking for your validation because we are aiming to conduct wider cartographic research regarding the recent discoveries you made.
I would also like to point out that we would welcome an escort party or a guide that helps us pinpoint the exact location of the entrance to the Gallic systems, we can manage after that. Any other information and help is of course, welcome. Needless to say, the Albumasar is fully willing to cooperate with any orders your faction would issue, even if we were asked to forward our cartographic research to your organisation, free of charge.
Sender: B_Angelos@MinatoNet.col
Re.: About our recent discovery
Well Gallia's existence is no secret anymore... Your curiosity is easy to understand though, the further from it, the less people know. As far as we know, Gallia is a house-sized lawful state much like the ones already existing in Sirius. They are apparently what's left of the French nation from Earth and they're royally annoyed by some alleged manipulations of other houses' ancestors aimed at sabotaging the French sleeper ship. We gathered lots of data about them even before their political opposition militants called the Council made a breech in the Orkney minefield. The vast majority of the gathered data however is classified as military and political intelligence. What we can offer you, professor is overviews of the Gallic factions and some basic navigation charts. I wouldn't advise an overt and manned expedition into Gallic space. As I previously mentioned, the Gauls view all of Sirius as their enemies and they won't hesitate to kill you regardless of your intentions. If you however insist on going there, we can offer escort only as far as the minefield. In the Taus your safety is protected by our fleet, in Gallia you're on your own. You might want to contact the Council militants though... Not only are they native Gauls, an invaluable source of information for you no doubt... But they have ways and means of smuggling you into house space.
On a side note... Once your research is complete, maybe I could interest you with a post on Sarawak station among our own scientists?
Submitter: Dr. William Sanders Recipient: Basil Angelos, President of the Colonial Republic Subject: Re: About your recent discovery
Esdeemed President Angelos,
Your help and support is most appreciated and the information you forwarded is invaluable for our research. Even though I could say I understand the threat a whole House hunting me means, I'm afraid I have to take that risk. The direct presence of my ship and crew is vital on the field of research, there is no other way of obtaining the map data I require. I will also attempt to contact this group, the "Council", as you were referring to them for further protection, I did not intend to ask you to risk your soldiers in such a dangerous operation, an escort to the minefield would be more than sufficient. I will also note that the results of this operation will remain classified to everyone but my contractor, my crew and if you request, your organisation. Under no circumstances will the data get into military archives or into the hands of other malefactors.
As for the future steps, I will contract a mercenary escort to take the Albumasar to Freeport 6, located in the Tau-29 system or further in to Tau-23, if it would not suit your preference. To be honest, I'd prefer your soldiers' escort further into the Taus aswell, since they obviously have more knowledge of the area than a mercenary I would contract, but I entrust the matter to what you deem fit. Can we perhaps arrange the specific time and place of where we would be meeting your men?
Regarding your offer about employment, I'm most honored. I will consider your proposal upon the operation's success. I would like to thank again for all the help you provided and will provide.