SECRET INTELLIGENCE SERVICE - KINGDOM OF BRETONIA - SEMPER OCCULTUS
From:Agent Mountbatten, SIS
Location:SIS Headquarters, New London
To:SIS Defence Intelligence Staff
Subject:Update
While returning from the Taus yesterday, I encountered a Natio Octavarium fighter (callsign: Utsusemi) near Freeport 6. We had a brief conversation, during the course of which the pilot reported an increase in aluminum ore shipping through Tau-23 by the Gallic Metal Service. The Octavarium pilot conjectured that the ore was being used for the lane construction project. That would be consistent with what we know of their aims in the region, but a single data point isn't really enough for a proper analysis. I have attached my comm log to this message, as well as a data dump from my vessel's scanner array from my recent trip through the Tau systems. Hopefully somebody at home will find it useful.
[23.07.2018 01:22:57] NO-Utsusemi: ... Well, how about that.
[23.07.2018 01:23:32] [SIS]-Sarah.Mountbatten: Hello there.
[23.07.2018 01:23:37] [SIS]-Sarah.Mountbatten: Any news on the Tau front?
[23.07.2018 01:23:51] NO-Utsusemi: GMS seems to be moving more ore through 23 recently.
[23.07.2018 01:24:00] NO-Utsusemi: Other than that, nothing in particular.
[23.07.2018 01:24:28] [SIS]-Sarah.Mountbatten: Any word on what the ore's for?
[23.07.2018 01:24:46] NO-Utsusemi: They aren't exactly forthcoming about it. All I know is they're moving a lot of aluminium.
[23.07.2018 01:25:06] NO-Utsusemi: The transport grunts probably aren't briefed on the details. Less to get into enemy hands that way.
[23.07.2018 01:25:06] [SIS]-Sarah.Mountbatten: I wouldn't expect them to be. Still, any bit of information helps.
[23.07.2018 01:25:52] NO-Utsusemi: Speculation, probably related to the lane construction projects.
[23.07.2018 01:26:27] NO-Utsusemi: They pushed into Bretonia too fast to even finish work in Tau-23, but they're not leaving it incomplete.
[23.07.2018 01:26:41] [SIS]-Sarah.Mountbatten: I hope something can be done before they can shore up their lines.
[23.07.2018 01:27:04] [SIS]-Sarah.Mountbatten: If only the Kusari hadn't caved, we might have pushed them back to their own borders by now.
[23.07.2018 01:27:21] [SIS]-Sarah.Mountbatten: But, that's operations, not really my area.
[23.07.2018 01:27:24] NO-Utsusemi: It's expected. Never expect more from Kusari.
[23.07.2018 01:27:49] [SIS]-Sarah.Mountbatten: *bitterly* They were brave enough when they were winning...
[23.07.2018 01:28:01] NO-Utsusemi: That's always how it goes.
[23.07.2018 01:28:18] NO-Utsusemi: Brave and honorable in victory, disgusting cowards the rest of the time.
[23.07.2018 01:28:32] [SIS]-Sarah.Mountbatten: I really should move on, though. I'm sure word of my presence here is already heading north, and I'd rather not wait around for the inevitable response.
[23.07.2018 01:29:13] NO-Utsusemi: Understandable. Fly well.
[23.07.2018 01:29:34] [SIS]-Sarah.Mountbatten: You as well. Keep up the pressure on the enemy. You're not alone in the fight!
File Attachment: SIS/SM.SCANDUMP.TREG-8250722
(FILE UPLOADED TO CENTRAL DATABASE - CLEARANCE REQUIRED)
In Her Majesty's Service,
Lady Sarah Mountbatten, Agent
Her Majesty's Secret Intelligence Service