Allow me to introduce myself, I am Taras Kozhevnikov Sabitov, Voivode (Warlord, in Common tongue) of the Sem'ya Sabitova and designated regent of Kniaz Dragomir Sabitov while he is preoccupied elsewhere. I come to you on his behalf not to present terms, threats, or debate as seen in the past; but rather I offer cooperation for the sake of Malta and her noble people.
As we are all aware of, the Gallic fleets are stampeding into Sirius, the Bretonians have already lost Leeds and have taken massive casualties over the course of the war; while Liberty has come to Bretonia's aid, they cannot shift their entire fleet to the Gallic front and are still continuing combat operations against Rheinland, thus minimizing their capacity for assistance.
As is the case with nearly every war, the price of basic necessities will skyrocket as rationing is put into effect, martial law will be intensified, and trade will flounder causing a large scale money shortage. All in all this spells disaster for the Nacion, as our clients will have to expend more on basic goods, they will have less money to purchase cardamine from Maltese distributors; in addition, exporting cardamine into Liberty, our largest buyer, will prove to be magnitudes more difficult than is was in the past as the bulk of the Liberty Navy is shifting from the mostly closed Rheinland front thus forging an extra layer of law for our smugglers to penetrate. The mass production of that heathen substance 'stabiline' will only further deteriorate our economy as addicts now have a cheaper and legal alternative to cardamine. We can assume similar downturns will occur in the Maltese-dominated slave trade as we all know, slaves are an expensive stock to maintain.
As prices and demand of cardamine gradually erode, the treasuries of the Maltese families will slowly decrease placing the Nacion in a vulnerable economic state which brings forth obvious consequences for the Nacion including gradual cutbacks to security and order. Eventually the wear and tear on our economy and by extension our people will open a large, exploitable position for the Gallics to invade and lay siege to our territories. As history has shown, usually conquering states simply subjugate their newly gained territory and constituent population as will be the case for Bretonia and eventually Liberty. For us however...this will not be the case, due to the cardamine saturated atmosphere of our planet and our genetically dictated dependence on the drug, I postulate that our planet and people will prove to be unconquerable leaving Gallia with one option to rid themselves of the Maltese people - complete extermination.
The foolish civil war, now considered by the Sem'ya Sabitova to be concluded only worsens our situation on top of everything else as our own people turned against one another on a grand scale, wasting precious resources, manpower, and morale. The Maltese were never meant to act as a unified force, and we never will; however during this time as the potential extermination of our race dawns upon us, we must compromise and work together in some capacity to ensure that our race will not face certain death at the hands of the Gallic foe.
The Contari Famiglia is extremely powerful, being able to stand toe to toe with the 101st despite facing heavy casualties. Your riches are vast, your people are loyal; the Sem'ya Sabitova stands just the same and we are willing to sacrifice our children to ensure our people's place in the galaxy.
I await your response, if you will choose to cooperate with us and take measures to defend the Nacion, further plans will be drawn and the rage of Malta will be brought to bear against our enemies. Kniaz Dragomir himself will be present in the coming time, until then I act as his voice. We can accomplish great things, Alcantra, we can rally the famiglie to our banners and perhaps drive back Gallia.
Slava Sabitovu, Voivode Taras Sabitov
Krai Novgoroda
It is an honor to meet another member of Kniaz Sabitov’s family. He is reasonable yet firm in his convictions, characteristics I can see you share.
I highly doubt the Gallic menace has been ignored by any Maltese who choose to pay attention to the world beyond the Orange seas, but recognizing a threat and preparing to face it are two unfortunately unrelated propositions. As to the former, I have attempted to do my best on behalf of the Lance to determine Gallia’s capabilities, tactics, those few Bretonian maneuvers that seem to put them on their heels temporarily. Once the Gauls began their final push into Leeds, I was forced from my observation duties and have since focused on more economic matters.
Your observation on Liberty is quite astute, and the recent Gallic incursions into Cortez have made our own operations more dangerous and more expensive. Not only do we face Gallic aggression, but less than friendly authorities have their eyes fixed on the area. The clamps are closing, and our economy is in many respects caught in the middle. Alternative routes through Kusari have proved fruitful, but as Gallia ramps up its operations, even those swift routes could clog with Gallic armor.
The Esperanza herself has made a number of visits to a small group of eager Junkers in Gallic space. Though the demand for Cardamine is growing in Gallia itself, I would not dedicate my more experienced pilots to supplying it. The trek through Lorraine has its own dangers, and I do not expect that we could ship enough to rot the House from the inside without inexhaustible losses.
It is my opinion that observations in Leeds were both essential and extraordinarily inadequate in their scope. The Contari Famiglia has, of course, had to address issues at home, which I also view to be concluded and left to political posturing if anything. Perhaps continuing those observations would be in order, particularly as Gallic strategies seem to have changed. Opening two fronts is a different matter than a simple push south, as it were, and should the Gauls turn their eyes to Malta, it is likely they will be pursuing multiple fronts simultaneously. They must have a weakness, and an overly aggressive push into Magellan appears to have given Bretonia a bit of breathing room for now.
That being said, you’re already well aware that Bretonia needs all the help it can get. Whether stretching our resources so far as to contemplate combat operations would be wise, I do not know. All Leeds demonstrated to me was that we have an enemy, but merely “knowing of” is far from “knowing.” Once we do, we will be in a place where we can prepare for the inevitable confrontation between Gauls, Contari, Sabitov, Russo, Santiago, and Malta’s other great names.
All in all, my response comes down to this – the resources we have are best spent preserving what we have while we have it. None of us can take it to the grave. What did you have in mind?
I am grateful for your hasty response and I shall respond in kind. It swells the heart that you, an influential Maltese noble, have been monitoring the Gallic onslaught as closely as we have. You are correct in asserting that Gallia has a titanic population lusting to experience the Orange Dream, however to build a clientele in proportion to that which we already have in Liberty would take at least half a century taking into account their totalitarian regime. Kusari has also shown promise but is a stronghold for Corsair supporters and the government is also on the payroll of Gallia though there still are profits to be made there, albeit not enough.
As you have wisely taken notice to, the Gallics are fighting a multi-front war and lack proper dedicated allies in Sirius to help ease the burden. They're military is vast, estimates of their fleet suggest that the number of battleships in their fleet alone is over 250 with countless snubcraft and gunboats to support. Yet with such a vast front to cover, there are bound to be holes and weak points in their line - who else better to exploit weakness than a Maltese? Since establishing limited cardamine distribution within Gallia and closely monitoring their breakout from Languedoc we have learned much about their tactics, numbers, and weaknesses.
While we must continue to gather intelligence, we cannot deny that a militant solution must be devised and deployed as soon as possible, my plan for which I will explain imminently. While we are engaged in a bloody stalemate with the Cannibals primarily in Eta, the Kniaz has informed me that while the 101st has unfortunately for the most part detached themselves from the greater Maltese community, they are actively continuing the fight against the Cannibals in Eta which alleviates a few concerns. While I assume we will have minimal to null cooperation from the 101st and their affiliate families due to past conflicts, their heavy presence on our southern front will a allow us breathing room.
The Flot Sem'i Sabitova (Sabitov Family Fleet) is relatively large for a medium sized family consisting of multiple capital vessels as a result of the civil war buildup; as the Contari Famiglia is what I assume to be at least thrice to four times as populous as mine, I estimate your forces to be of a simply massive scale in comparison. I state these figures to prove a point, between our two families alone is a force sufficient enough to conquer and hold a populated system for extended time, imagine what the combined might of all willing families will amount to?
In reference to my aforementioned plan, I propose the following. While the combined fleets of the Maltese people represent an earth-shattering force, their full magnitude will not be required. All we need is a small, mobile, capital squadron (I postulate two dreadnoughts, one or two destroyers, and a very large snub escort wing) who's purpose is to inflict grievous damage upon Gallic garrisons in 'weak points' that we discover, and perhaps even act in unison with elements of the Bretonian fleet if possible. The idea is to bring overwhelming firepower to the weakest links of the enemy lines, attack with lightning speed and precision inflicting maximum damage, and pulling back into the mist awaiting another opportunity to strike before enemy reinforcements could arrive. In the event of a major Gallic offensive, elements of the fleet would join Bretonian forces to assist in repulsion. All elements of this task force would be constituted of volunteer forces from families who choose to do so, this will not be mandatory by any means.
My thoughts might appear scattered tonight for which I apologize, days of panning over intelligence documents and military figures have taken their toll. Please, offer your critique, suggestions, statistics, and what not.
Slava Sabitovu, Voivode Taras Sabitov
Krai Novgoroda
I believe I speak for the entire Contari Famiglia when I say such a plan is a bit daring, but we need some daring moves in these times. I will canvas the Famiglia to see who might be interested in this endeavor, and I believe several of our more experienced fighter and bomber pilots might volunteer. A change of scenery once in a while is good for the soul, so they say.
Of our capital resources, we would likely keep the Bisanzio closer to Malta, but the Napoli could be made ready. Our fleet also boasts several destroyers and gunboats, but in the interest of having an appropriate reserve, perhaps we should determine what assets the other families of Malta would be willing to provide. Some may bury their heads in the sand, others may commit the entirety of their forces, but in either case, as you say, it is a choice. Should we be lacking, the Lance will certainly provide what it can.
I will also commit the Esperanza to the endeavor. She is a Bretonian-made fortress, and many of her defensive armaments can be "re-deployed," so to speak, depending on the needs of the fleet. I will have her cargo holds refitted to preserve cardamine, food, water, medical supplies, and ordinance for as long as possible. Being cut off from our supply lines to Malta is a real possibility, and I'll be damned if I let our forces lack what they need.
The Lance remains hopeful that what you propose can indeed help curb the Gallic plague, but regardless of the outcome, we must do what we can for the survival of all we hold dear. Sound the call to the other families; see what they can and choose to volunteer, and I will let the Bretonian Armed Forces know what they have coming their way.
I apologize for the wait you had to endure, Kniaz Dragomir had required my help with his self-imposed exile from the 101st including the return of all our assets to our capital, Krai Novgoroda. Things became quite volatile with the 101st Administrator, prompting a subtle and rapid withdrawal from Corsica. However this dilemma has passed and we can continue our plans which the Kniaz is well informed of.
We now can act, all possible resources from the Sem'ya Sabitova will be mustered to support a cooperative effort against the Gallic scourge along with any other families who might want to join us. Regrettably due to the traditionally isolationist nature of my family, we do not have many contacts within the other echelons of Maltese nobility and would like you to have the honors of declaring our initiative to the Nacion.
We also need a staging system within reasonable distance of New London and Magellan, one that is also safe and relatively friendly. I have postulated that Inverness could be a viable candidate, being home to a massive Junker base likely well stocked with cardamine and a large nebula that can hide our fleet; not to mention the system is very quiet and close to our objective areas. However we ought to contact the Congress first before using their territory for military purposes out of deference to them.
Lastly, what would you like this task force to be named? We need a banner for the families to unite under that fits all. Once we settle these details, we'll broadcast the communication and begin our crusade.
Slava Sabitovu, Voivode Taras Sabitov
Krai Novgoroda
Your mind is in the right place, I have to say. Inverness would be an invaluable staging ground, and the Junkers, should they be so kind even if they need . . . assurances . . . certainly have the facilities to accommodate whatever force Malta ends up sending forth. Though I trace my lineage partly to Junker blood and culture, I have not maintained those connections. Perhaps you would be better suited to ask for their permission, but if I can assist, I will gladly do so.
Alluding to my previous communiques, I will also contact the Bretonians to make them aware of our plans. If I were in their shoes, I would welcome the assistance, but their stubbornness has no bounds on issues of pride or country. Hopefully, they can respects our motivations in at least some regard.
I appreciate the honor you've offered to address the Nacion in the matter once the appropriate permissions are complete. In the meantime, let's consider the "banner" a bit further, though I am sure Malta's families may well favor the opportunity to fly under their own and for their personal glory. For identification purposes, at least, I concur and see a need for some uniform papers or communications tags.
I'll have the transmission to the Bretonians opened to you, so if you get some notifications from fellows with moustaches and crooked teeth, you'll know what to expect. Until then, be safe.
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