Bonjour,

I am capitaine Marcel Patulacci, of the MRG, currently stationed aboard the Bétheny. I will be your contact for this joint operation, chiefly because of my former position... I'm an ex-cop, you see, and no stranger to the Grand Nettoyage's lasting effects. And quite frankly, I've been assigned this task because no other officer on this ship wants anything to do with the Police... You and I know why. Although I'm confident that bringing results regarding this case is likely to improve your service's reputation quite a bit ! This is the first time in ages that the Police has set up an investigation in cooperation with the Marine... I'll help you as best I can, for the sake of old times.

I've arranged for your stay on the cuirassé. You will be added to the visitors' list and will be issued a bunk, a slot for your spacecraft and access to the dining facilities onboard. Wear your badge at all times.
The case you're on is very worrying. There's been talks of human trafficking in the northern-most parts of Gallia back in my day, but we could never uncover anything exploitable. Whoever is doing this is well connected and knows a thing or two about covering their tracks. Make your way here as soon as you can and I'll see about pointing you to a few people I know that might bring some information.

That is all the help I can promise you for now. Don't expect the MRG brass to lift a finger to help... You will be under scrutiny the whole time. Prove them the Police Royale can still take a case and I reckon things will change.

A bientôt, j'espère.

Amicalement,
LV Marcel Patulacci

Madame Delacroix,

Regarding the so-called Liberty Rogues : there really isn't much to go on from our files, as we've had very limited contact with them. I'll pass on what I know.

Strategically speaking, they're essentially poorly organised space pirates operating from bases hidden in the vast Libertonian litter. They target shipping indiscriminately and with remarkable success.
Tactically speaking, they use their own ships and weapons, which speaks volumes about their actual level of organisation. Not many groups can afford independence from the shipbuilding market in Liberty : that they achieved logistical autonomy is a testament to their skill and the threat they pose.

And that's all we know for a fact. What follows is only speculation from our intelligence analysts.
They're rumoured to have a leadership somewhere. That would explain their coordination and relative autonomy, surprising concerns from dispossessed pirates.
Their power may also be accounted for by possible connection to the Maltese drug traffickers. There's evidence of cardamine use among the Rogues. We're unsure of its origin or its destination : they may sell it, they may just like it.
They're known to have a share in the Libertonian black market. The exact amount of influence they exert, their opponents and their partners in that scene are unknown as of yet. There's no record of them associating with any of our own criminals.
Some analysts have suggested covert funding of the Rogues in exchange for guerilla actions against the Liberty Navy and commerce raiding. But their likely ties to the Outcasts, apparent chaotic nature and evasive leadership have, thus far, prevented this idea from being considered by the brass.

That's all I have for you now. You know where to find me if you need anything else.
Amicalement,
LV Marcel Patulacci

Madame Delacroix,

Apologies for coming back to you only now. I've looked over your transmission and I find it hard to believe. To think we had our hands full with pirates, bandits and terrorists back in the day, now we're importing Libertonian scum as well ? It's bad enough we have to fight them on their own turf... If your conclusions are true, then we have a significant problem on our hands. It's... Not for public knowledge, but you probably know it already : the balance of power within Gallia itself is stretched. With the bulk of the Marine dispersed and very sollicited everywhere but at home, there's an increasing number of reports that dissent is brewing in several places, and acts of defiance are becoming bolder and more frequent. All it would take is a single spark... And I can't imagine the Gallic population reacting well to an outbreak of Libertonian parasites infesting their homes. This could be THE spark that would leave us with an eruption of social chaos at home.

He scratches his head. His tone is level, calm, if a little tired.

This can't happen. Gallia will not consume herself from the inside. This investigation of yours may be significantly more important than you realise, madame Delacroix. You and what remains of your service must not let foreign agents interfere in the careful balance currently maintained in our borders, whatever the cost... It is imperative that you track down the source of this Rogue outbreak and ties between our criminals and Liberty's before they have a chance to cause too much damage, or the people will figure that we've lost the control of our territory to those same outsiders we've been describing as weak, ineffectual and disorganised all those years. He sighs. In that spirit, I will help you... At great risk to myself, so I will ask utter secrecy from you from this point onwards.

I can't do much for you in regards to the Liberty underworld. That's a very dark and twisted turf that we're only beginning to pinpoint : we're not sure where it ends nor where it begins. However, I do have a close connection to the Gallic underworld. An old family friend of mine : we've spent a good deal of our childhoods together, but... We followed different paths. Don't judge him too harshly when you meet him : he's a good man at heart... A calculating, but gentle soul, who does his best for his people. I won't disclose more on this channel : meet me aboard the Bétheny when you can and I'll give you instructions on how to contact him. He owes me a favour, that I'm going to spend to make sure he accepts... That means YOU will owe me a favour, madame.

There's work to be done. Don't take too long.

Amicalement,
LV Marcel Patulacci

Madame Delacroix,

I'm happy to know André has been of some use to you. I imagine he's been inbetween thorough and enigmatic, as always. I do hope he didn't charge you too much for his help, this lot can get very greedy.
So I take it the investigation proceeds well, then, I'm happy to hear it. And of course you're welcome back on the Bétheny whenever you please, but...

As usual when he's embarrassed, he scratches his head and stammers a little.

I'm not quite certain you understand what you ask of me next. So you want to go in the middle of Sirius' hottest warzone, look for a representiative of the most notoriously uncooperative bastards in Liberty... And bring him back for interrogation, on the faint hope that he'll accept answering your questions about this case ? On the off-chance that he'd know something ?

He sighs. It's a stretch, this crazy plan of yours. It's a lot of risks for uncertain gains... I'm willing to help you, if you make it worth my while. He winks. I was in the GRP too at some point if you'll recall, I know how this works. Bring me a nice bottle of wine from Paris and we can discuss the specifics of your... opération suicidaire.

A plus tard.

Amicalement,
LV Marcel Patulacci