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I have successfully completed my assignment with the Independent Miners Guild, though my cover was burned in the process. I was on perimeter patrol at South Shields, under my cover identity as Tobias Knight, alongside two other IMG pilots (callsigns Nightwitch and Gervaegis-O), when several SIS ships came out of the trade lane. The SIS ships were the battlecruiser HMS Blackpoole, as well as agents Skirka, Statham, Drest, and Telic.

As per standard procedure, I communicated the prearranged signal. When I received the appropriate response, I halted hostilities and retreated towards Agent Drest as ordered while the other ships provided cover for my exfiltration. As soon as I was clear, the other SIS ships escorted me to Darlington, where I was granted clearance to land at Sunderland for my debriefing.

After I complete my debriefing and standard psychological evaluation, I will be available for alteration and reassignment at the Directors convenience.

We had been receiving reports from front-line units that the Gallic Royal Navy has recently shifted its forces. In order to substantiate these reports and to get solid information on the current situation, I took command of the HMS Menzies and engaged in a one-ship long-range scouting mission from New London up into the Tau region. The remainder of this report will be broken down by system. I will restrict this report to information and assessment only, as it is not the purpose of this agency to suggest operational plans. Unless otherwise stated, all mentions of enemy battleship movements include that ship's full battlegroup. This report will be provided with minimal redaction to the BAF Admiralty Board.

New London

The Gallic Battleships Le Cendre and Ambazac, along with the Corsair battleship Athos, have moved away from their position at the Southampton lane terminus to approximately halfway down the lane toward the Kensington lane terminus. It is likely that the enemy intends to attack the forces staged there. Analysis suggests the most likely motivation is to choke off trade from Liberty to New London in order to further isolate the capital.

Leeds

The Gallic Battleship Guillestre, last known to be in Tau-23, has moved into Leeds and taken up a position in the East Leeds Smog Cloud, in the vicinity of the Magellan jump hole. Analysis suggests likely motivation to either be a planned move into Magellan or an attempt to disrupt covert supply of the Resistance on Leeds.

Edinburgh
The situation in Edinburgh appears unchanged from prior reports. The Gallic Battleship La Riche continues to guard Issoudun Drydock.

Tau-31
As with Edinburgh, the situation in Tau-31 is substantially unchanged. Aside from New Tours Watch Station, and its patrols, the enemy has no significant forces in this system. Harris remains completely undefended. The Crayter Carrier Hades continues to dispatch raiding patrols to harass enemy patrols, but has made no move on either New Tours or Harris.

Tau-23
Scans confirm that the Gallic Battleship Guillestre has departed from Tau-23 without replacement. There are now no significant enemy forces anywhere in the Tau region. Analysis suggests that the enemy is hoping for one last offensive to force and end to the war.

ATTACHMENT
Bridge Camera and Navmap Data - HMS Menzies