Franz,

I still can't believe that you sent me off to deal with your Outcast friend while you flirted with that Order pilot. She's never gonna be into you, man. She shot you down at least twice while I was listening, and I'm sure you kept going, even after we were out of comm range. But that's alright, because you did me a favor. I learned a lot from that meeting, and your buddy - "Shadowwalker" - was very informative. I don't know if that's his real name, but that's the ID he was transmitting. I will have to assume you know who I'm talking about.

Anyway, he wanted to apologize for his recent forays into spying on the Unioners. Apparently, he's a very curious fellow, and can't help himself from wanting to listen in on our high-level meetings. In fact, he admitted while we were talking that he listened in on large portions of the protected peace talks that I was privy to while escorting the Arbeitsdirektor the other day. I can't say I'm surprised, as his ship's technology is pretty impressive, but I don't know how the Unioner leadership will feel about the idea of something so critical being spied on by someone who wasn't welcome. I don't even know the proper channels to report that sort of infringement. Should I talk to Stefan, since he's my CO? I could use your advice.

In addition to his apology, he also got around to the reason he wanted to visit you. In exchange for all the intelligence data he has shared recently with the Union, including the information on Harmony's movements in the Omicron systems, their potential alliance with The Core, and their fighting with the Order, he wants something from us. He's looking at a dreadnought engine. He believes the Unioners can design him one that will operate off the ship's power core alone, and requires no other resources. As you know from me talking about my parents, I'm no technical expert, but I thought we didn't share technology? I mean...our tech is our pride, Franz. I don't know if it means anything to you, but the idea of sharing the tech with a Maltese - or anyone, really - seems weird. But, that's what he asked for.

That being said, he was very helpful. That question that you asked me the other day that you didn't know anything about? He had a LOT of information to share about it. I want to talk to you about it too, get your opinions, but it's not safe on any open channel, no matter the encryption. We need to meet in person, so we can discuss it over short-range comms, so there's no risk of an intercept. Send me your patrol schedule, and I'll find out when we next meet up.

Until then, stay safe. Let me know what to do about the Maltese - both his invasion of Unioner operations, as well as his tech request. I'll do whatever I can to help you, my friend.

Stay Safe,
Hunter

Franz,

Shadowwalker is a strange soul, to say the least. From talking to him as we did, he almost seems lonely. I do believe that he's genuinely trying to earn our friendship, and that may even be his more important goal than getting an engine design out of us. That isn't to say that we shouldn't help him. We should, especially if his information continues to be valuable. However, we may want to push back on the spying on Union high-level meetings a bit. People don't generally spy on their friends. I don't know if he can help himself, though. It almost seems like a compulsion. I guess that's okay, as long as that compulsion works for us and not against us.

I'll keep the rest of this information close to my chest for now. I still think command will need to be made aware, and I'm not comfortable keeping it from them for too long. The Direktor should be aware that his...colorful conversation with others wasn't as privileged and private as he thought it was. It could have a big impact on the results of those discussions if others find out about it. But, I'll follow your lead here. I'm the rookie, after all. Though, I was thinking about requesting a cruiser, now that I'm eligible. What do you think? Me in command of an entire crew? That would make my parents proud...probably.

And I agree on the in-person meeting. It's the only place I'd be comfortable discussing that "other" topic. Meet me at the bar in Pacifica whenever you're off duty next. It's important, trust me. And a little scary.

Until Then,
Hunter

Franz,

I haven't heard from you in a bit, and I hope you're doing alright. Our patrols haven't really lined up recently, but I miss talking to you while we do them. They've been sending me on a lot of patrols alone recently, and it's not nearly as much fun as it is when you're around. Go figure, huh?

I finally took some time to go see my family on Leipheim, though. Landing there, back where I spent so much of my life so far, was weird. My parents and my little brother were standing on the deck waiting for me, and it was amazing to see them again. I nearly broke my mother's ribs with the hug I gave her. She had a home-cooked meal waiting for me, my dad wanted to do nothing but stand around and check out my fighter, and my little brother Sebastian did his best to look bored out of his mind. He missed me though, I'm sure of it.

I even got to see my girlfriend, Klara. Have I told you about her? Beautiful girl - long blonde hair, nearly as tall as me, eyes that look like the most beautiful grass you've ever seen. She'd like you. She's got an interesting sense of humor like you. She, like you, also knows she's too damned good to be hanging around with my sorry, rookie butt. But that's okay. I'm grateful for her, and that's she's willing to put up with so much of my crap.

I also got to meet my brother's boyfriend for the first time. My parents decided that inviting him to my first dinner back was a good idea. I had to pull the little punk aside and tell him he better watch himself, because I'm very protective of Sebastian. He seemed to get the message. He may have also wet himself. I'm not quite sure. Either that, or he spilled some food. Oh well. Sebastian wasn't entirely happy with me, but he'll get it when he's older.

I hope your patrols don't bore you to death, my friend. I'm on my way back to assignment at Pacifica now. I've made a new friend in the Galileo system and have met a couple ladies you might be interested in getting to know. They're all very...informative. Until then, take care of yourself, my friend.

Safe travels,
Hunter

Franz,

It was so good to see you today. After what happened, I'm glad you decided to bring that gunboat with us, though I hope that you and your crew got out of there alright. As it is, after John Silverstone pissed off the Nomads, I had to run with my tail tucked between my legs. I barely made it back to Freeport 11 in one piece. I'm just grateful that the Zoners will fix anybody's ship, because otherwise I never would have made it home.

I have no idea how Katherine and Nycto got out of there. I lost touch with them after I had to flee. John Silverstone, though, ended up back at Freeport 11 with me, and escorted me all the way back to Pacifica. I have to say, there's a lot more to that man than I initially expected. What angers me though is that he intentionally pissed off those Nomads, apparently to stop me from making a "grave mistake." I don't know why, because all I wanted to do was talk. I was so excited when one of them expressed curiosity about me...and then it nearly blew my fighter to pieces.

John had a lot to say on the long journey home as well. Apparently, he and Katherine have a bit of a history. I had never heard her angry before, but before we lost contact, she was absolutely livid with him. I know you were concerned she was getting me into trouble as well, but we were just there to talk. I never intended on...anything else happening. I know perhaps it was a little foolish, Franz, but I want to know what these Nomads are, and what they want. I still believe there's some option between us and them other than absolute destruction of one or the other of our species.

Anyway, apparently John believes himself to be a bit of a guardian, protecting people from "making mistakes" like I did. He also basically said that if I ever did it again, he'd blow my brains out. Not very subtle, that guy. I don't know how to feel about all of this, but I could really use your advice. I trust Katherine, and I want to get more information from her, but I also value my life, my family, my future. I value the Union. I do not want to endanger any of them. Maybe my curiosity just needs to be sated with what I can find out at a distance.

But God, I want to go back. It was so good to get out of Rheinland. I just...I don't know. What do you think I should do? I'd love your input.

Keep Safe,
Hunter

Franz,

I trust your judgment, my friend. You're the first person I ever flew wingman for since I became a pilot, and I'm not going to let any amount of curiosity override that. I didn't realize that they were not attacked as well, and agree that is concerning. I will keep my distance for now, but stay in touch over long-range communications only. Katherine does have a tendency to seek me out, and if she does, I will make sure to remain in Union territory - just to be safe.

I ran into John again yesterday. He lingers around Bering like a plague - but a very sedate one. He just looms in the space near Pacifica, and when I talk to him, he simply indicates that he's watching. Apparently, his interest is in Bering itself, not in the Union - despite all evidence to the contrary. I really don't know what's up with him. He also mentions a former employer - Nicole something or other. I don't know what it's about, but he's in Bering for a reason, and it might be worthy to let command know, so they can investigate why.

I'll be to Pacifica shortly. It will be good to see you again in person, and I'm definitely ready for any assignment you've got for me.

Until Then,
Hunter