While the recent announcement by the Kusarians has not had an immediate impact on Logistics Corps homeland operations, I am concerned as to the long-term effect the restriction will have on our ability to maintain fleet assets, particularly on the Bretonian front. Our larger assets are already under significant strain meeting the requirements for the retrofit of the Defiant-class gunboats ordered by FADM Baker in conjunction with supply of defence installations, with the vast majority of Leeds' planetary resupply efforts being made by the Freighter Corps against significant enemy resistance.

While I don't doubt the strategic fuel reserve can keep the Fleet operational into the foreseeable future, with the current strain placed on the Logistics Corps our ability to distribute that fuel will be severely limited.

Consequently, I'm requesting permission to pull the 103rd Squadron's Grizzlies from the Leeds front and instead employ them on the Kusari border to ensure that any fuel transports that do make it do our side of space, through intention or accident, make it the rest of the way without extraterritorial interference by Kusari's Naval Forces. Transports have been complaining about pirate activity on the border for years, and I think it would be a mistake to risk whatever fuel we may still be able to secure on the goodwill of the locals. The 103rd would be able to provide some additional security in the area without the implied threat of a fighter wing.

I am confident that after their experience on the Leeds front the pilots of the 103rd will be more then up to the challenge of playing nice with the Kusarians.

Regards,

Noted, the 103rd will remain at their current posting. I'll draft orders to go out to them in the event the situation with Kusari escalates. This still leaves us with the problem of distributing the SFR if it comes to that, but I'm sure the Republic can call in some favors with Universal to make that happen on the civilian side. The National Guard should be able to pick up the slack on keeping military assets running until the Defiant retrofit concludes, which I'm informed should be a matter of weeks now.

Further, it seems we're receiving some assistance on the fuel front. The Marauders wouldn't be first choice, not after the incident Commander Wicks lodged earlier, but if they're willing to keep our ships flying, I'm not going to turn away that assistance. I gave clearance for the train to enter our space from Rheinland on that occasion. In future, we'll keep transfers to the border worlds. I hate relying on the Junkers, of all people, but until this blows over I'm not really in a position to be picky. Thought you should be in the loop, Sir.

Regards,