To: Defense Division
From: Brighton, Jack
RE: Strange Vessels
Good Evening Guildmembers,
I just got back from patrol on Java, and I have two strange sightings to report.
After neutralizing some outcasts near the Tau- 39 Jumphole, I encountered a trader known as "BALKAN~EXPRESS". He was hauling over 4000 units of niobium. Interestingly, he possessed a Daumann ID, but had no IFF identification. I felt that the boys at the Falk wouldn't have sold that much, or even any, niobium to a Daumann man. Suspicious, I hailed the trader. By this point, I had engaged to cruise to follow him, but he was out of CD range. After remaining silent for some time, he spat out some gibberish I couldn't understand. I followed him to the '31 gate but did not pursue him further, as I needed to return to my patrol.
My second sighting occurred as I flew from the gate back to Java. I was detecting massive radar and instrumentation pickups from the Orkney Jumphole. As it was on my way back, I took a slight detour to investigate. My scanners are good, so 4k from the target, I exited cruise and set down on a nearby asteroid. To my surprise, the ship was a Gallic Royal Navy vessel, cruiser class, "GRN-Liberte". At this point I became highly suspicious. I hailed the vessel and asked his purpose. Being in my Nyx, I was in no condition to engage, but I felt it my duty to gain as much info as possible. The Gallian was quiet, and appeared to be on recon. I am however confounded by several facts.
1. How did the Gallian get to '23. From what I know, The Council controls the whole system in Languedoc. How'd this GRN fellow get all the way through Languedoc, into the minefield, past Reunion and into '23. Clearly there need to be some more security checks.
2.If the Gallians sent a cruiser on a mere recon mission, '23 must be pretty important. This could be the beginning of a major offensive.
I have returned to Java, and after several stiff drinks, I feel a little better.