Over the years, a consistent thorn in our side has been the interference and time-consumption of the Bounty Hunters Guild. What renders these fopdoodles particularly irritating is that many of their ilk come from within the rank and file of the unlawful denizens of Liberty and Sirius at large. As a result, they are oft privy to information concerning routes, jumpholes, watering holes, fences, and bases. A not inconsiderable amount of time and effort on our part goes into arranging and rotating new dead drops, exchanges, routes, and entertainment venues. In light of the risk imposed and the work incurred, an initiative was established to reduce the leakage of information to the bunters and reduce this burden, whereby we would prevent those dwelling within the underbelly from crawling out to whatever heinous anatomy refers to the back-stabbing traitorous paste-gobblers that are the bounty hunters.

The first and most important part of the process is analysis and detection of members or clients portraying increased risk of betrayal. Through profiling, behavioural and pattern recognition, we assess the risk of all outer circle members, clients of our data, and where possible, the members of other organisations within our reach. Few, if any members of the inner circle have been stupid enough to attempt to defect, reflective of the intelligence and thoughtfulness of our group to recognise that such an action would put them into an intolerable position. The only devised scenario for such a circumstance would be when an associate is left with no other choice, and so tolerable alternatives must be made for transgressors. Needless to detail, such an abandonment of the Lane Hackers would result in the loss or severe scrutiny of access to cardamine, the usual pleasures of membership, technology, information, and would render them a target of the highest priority. It would be a condemnation to solitude, disconnected from lawful and other groups alike. While members of the outer circle of the Lane Hackers comprise few of the traitors, they are under the greatest surreptitious scrutiny, in consideration of their access to our technology and information. Wingmen of the Liberty Rogues, and other groups known for infighting, turbulence and dissatisfaction are a greater risk for attempted departure, though a lower relative hazard than those from within our organization.

Demographic predictors aside, data are gathered from three key types of metadata through the network and all of our available infrastructure. These include that of communication logs, target interception information, and ship logs. Marks have been shown to tend towards sudden changes in communication patterns, including increased adherence to security protocols, decreased engagement with routine contacts, and repeated, predictable, or excessive contact with unidentified contacts. There have been instances where our network has detected obvious and unencrypted contact of a non-derogatory nature with authorities, and public bounties for the summary execution of such space-for-brains have been quickly issued and easily completed. Suspect clients also tend to access fewer packets of target acquisition data concerning trade convoys, and pay greater time and attention to identified patrol routes of authorities, potentially to arrange a protective custody. Finally, ship logs can show unusual instances of rookie pilots who would normally only fly with a wing venturing out for extended periods alone, or to unusual locations. Scout wings, especially sensor ships, always fly with a complement, and are the only wings that routinely explore poorly charted areas. Rookie ships returning alone from combat with more experienced pilots are flagged for further monitoring and decreased clearance as they may have been susceptible to being made an enemy asset.

In the event that a mark is identified from the data, they are indicated for further scrutiny and active engagement, undertaken through a variety of measures. One of the simplest ways is to contact them anonymously, with idyllic claims of opportunities for their escape and security. A systematic approach is utilized to differentiate the depth of their damnation, determining how far they will go to undermine and betray us. This method is customised according to the attending agent. Often a neutral option is first offered, freedom and anonymity in the lawful sector or on a Zoner installation in the edgeworlds, then demands are increased, for information, for backstabbing, for resources, technology, and so on. How far these reprobates will go to back-stab their own will determine with how they are dealt. Minor infractions and uncertain fools may simply be reconditioned, released to their owner under close watch. Others may simply be put to death, or sold to the fields of Malta. Valuable assets may be considered for mania-reconditioning. Anonymous network contact is not always sufficient, and so at times more complicated ruses must be improvised to ensure that the mark is not alerted to the deception. Meetings in space can be arranged, transfers to allied vessels masquerading as complicit traffickers, whatever is necessary and practical to maintain security. In the event that scoundrels slip through the net, bounties are issued, and assassins dispatched. Public bounties are extremely useful as any party willing to contain this leak, freelancers or the LPI themselves, must be encouraged. It is often possible to provide an anonymized bounty, issued through a third party, which will result in the death of a target by the guild themselves, as the defection and subsequent recruitment is not always internally publicised. In tandem or separately, information, evidence, and slander can be leaked to render the idea of harboring the traitor unacceptable, and their death morally warranted, for those so inclined.

Using these methods of profiling, data analysis, testing and preventative or retrospective intervention, loss of information and pilots to the Bounty Hunters Guild has been impeded. The maintenance of information and technological security is of utmost importance to preserving the superiority of the inner circle and the Lane Hackers at large. This initiative is of course, classified, accessible only to select members of the inner circle who have proven themselves undoubtedly loyal. Any person devious or mischievous sufficient to imagine such a measure is, we intend, driven to such paranoia that their hopes of an 'escape' are made futile. It is however doubted that this is possible, given the intellectual capacity of those who contemplate such an action. Existence of the program should be denied, and those inquiring designated for recruitment assessment and monitoring.

On or around the twenty seventh of June this year, Kusari entered into war with Gallia. The intent, as stated, was to ensure stability in the Taus and persecution of the war-criminals of the old government through the destruction of the weaponry used in the Gallic war that crippled Bretonia, and "actions" to ensure that the nation of Gallia never becomes a threat to Kusari. To that end, they blazed a path through the Tau systems and initiated a surprise attack on Gallia, striking quickly and ruthlessly, and establishing a sizable foothold in Lorraine and Languedoc.

After a quick travel through Chrysanthemum space, with no incidents, I began my first flight through uncharted territories. Jamming my ships USI allowed me access to the Jump Gates, civilian and corporate in specific, but put automated defense systems on the fritz. I do think that if we had more access to blue packs to reverse engineer, we could get through restricted Lanes and Gates, but that is a topic for a later date. From the lanes that I took, it appears as if Lorraine has fallen completely. [X] [X] The lanes and gates all flashed Naval Forces Identification. While the storage platform pictured was virtually unharmed, the station with drydocks was damaged severely. It really does seem as if Kusari is specifically attacking war-capable production facilities. The few patrols I saw while keeping my head down let trading ships pass, but engaged Gallic Defense Forces. Given that I was in unfamiliar space, I simply made my way from the Tau 53 Jump gate to the Burgandy Jump Gate. I did not scout the area down the Chateau Salins Station trade lanes. I have left the south-west quadrant uncharted for now,

Arriving out of the Gate in Burgandy, the Kusari Fleet is visible. They currently hold what appears to be a stalemate above the Planet Nevers, and as such simply lob artillery at each other. I encountered an Outcast in that space, one of Loyola's Guard if I recall correctly, however most of my flight logs were corrupted due to a later event, and I cannot display them at this time. The Gendarmerie hold the trade lane to the Lorraine Jump Gate [X], but several crippled ships lie in the orbit of the planet [X]. Travel from there on is relatively uneventful.

I did say "relatively uneventful". There was still something interesting in Ile de France, and that was this modular base above Planet New Paris. It did not recognize my IFF, and did not trigger automated defense systems upon picking up my jammed USI [X]. The automated control actually cleared my landing, and I had a brief respite aboard the landing pad. However, upon launch, I was intercepted by a cruiser patrol outside who did recognize my IFF. While I did escape, my electrical systems suffered damage from pulse weaponry, and many of my flight logs and some important data was destroyed.

More damage, and this time only one lane away from Ile de France. Kusari is basically knocking on Gallia's door here. Another crippled Gallic battleship outside the wreckage of a station [X], and the Kusari Battleship Nagasaki is visible from the trade lane [X]. Once again, I took a simple path, and did not explore the north-east quadrant of Burgandy. I had enough troubles on my plate with the Naval Forces giving my damaged ship a sideways eye.

About the same as Lorraine. Station wreckage, crippled and destroyed ships, and Kusari control over the transportation network [X][X]. I did not explore Planet Quillian, but I did travel the lane and mark it on my map. After that, I traveled down the Kusari-controlled lane to the Tau 23 Jump Gate, and ended back in friendlier skies. I followed an Outcast patrol to Malta, who helped me to fix my ship and recover any salvageable information. After that, I went back through Kusari to Leiden because I needed a nap and cardamine.

Now, I'm no military analysis expert, but I do have a hunch: The reason that Kusari was able to take so much in such a short time was because they attacked too fast for Gallia to shut down their transportation network. A surprise like this would easily see fighter wings, gunboat patrols, and even the cruiser squadrons abuse it to quickly force themselves forward. In an effort to defend civilian health and welfare, the lanes are still active. The only thing really stopping Kusari from simply taking a ride down to New Paris is the might of the Gallic Military, and Kusari might have enough strength to push through that. A quick blitz like this was an indefensible position for Gallia, but now that the element of surprise is gone, both sides must settle in for a long haul. The destroyed platforms are all either capable of harboring warships or capable of manufacturing them, which lends credit to Kusari's claim of only striking at the military force. However, in the end, it really isn't my issue. The professors are the one's who'd like this information.