Message Class: Textual
Encryption: English Breakfast
To: Admiralty
From: Admiral Sir George Richard Hall
My ladies, Admiral McIntire,
I must inform you that I have potentially reached substantial progress in the South. During the last days I have been inciting a certain Corsair to take over power from their current leadership.
The person in question, Izay Vyu, a young Corsair woman of Coalition origin, commands a Legate-class called the CNS Sokol. She sent me a message after I had disabled her ship in Omega-5, to inform me that she was still alive. That correspondence of ours evolved into what I mentioned in the first paragraph. She currently stands no chance to successfully execute the coup d'état, as she is barely known and, although she is convinced in the very opposite and for the sake of the plan's success I must not admit it to her, she is not more capable than an average Corsair. Raising an average Corsair to power in their society has the potential of causing them disarray, especially if it succeeds. I am primarily interested in replacing Elder Hector Beltran, who, I hear, tortures animals, so I have no notion what he does with people; and Pepe Ladron, who named a cow after me, and then slaughtered it and ate it. I have built reasonable relations with Vyu, and I believe I can manage to convince her to launch a full attack on the Red Hessians.
The reason why I am sending you this message is to request a meeting of the Board so we could discuss about the plan of how to raise Vyu up. I will state it here.
Izay Vyu will capture me in Omega-3, on my route from the Norfolk to the Gwent in my shuttle. The Corsairs consider me one of their archenemies, so any of them who manages to capture me would enjoy admirable reputation. She will perform the action in command of the Sokol and with the help of an interceptor. I will spend the following time aboard her ship. In Omega-41, right before Omicron Gamma, a detachment of ours, ideally a cloaked carrier with a squadron of bombers and fighters, will "unexpectedly" intercept the Sokol, board her and rescue me. This will be regarded as a catastrophic failure of Beltran's and Ladron's command, as they will be the ones supposed to receive me. It should allow Vyu, a freshly distinguished hero, to rally supporters and overthrow one of those two, or both.
There are, of course, some risks in this operation. Vyu could be trying to trick me and, instead of using the circumstances to her own advantage, inform the Corsairs about everything, so they prepare to meet our fleet, and thus both capture me and destroy it. There is also a possibility that Vyu attempts to transfer me to another ship, or to interrogate me while I am aboard hers. That is why I have taken measures of precaution. The carrier will travel cloaked through Corsair space, always behind the Sokol. The encounter will happen in Omega-41 because the Corsairs cannot send their capital ships to fight there due to the dense asteroid field and mines. To prevent information extortion by torture, I will voluntarily take a substance for neutralizing pain. I assure you that the only one who will be taking a risk here is me.
A circumstance that may raise eyebrows is why Vyu would take the risk of her ship being destroyed. She would not, as the Sokol will only be temporarily disabled. She has promised me that, once I am aboard, she will reveal me her ship's weak spot, which I will inform our fleet to target and thus disable the Sokol with as little damage done as possible. If she does not, then I suppose the fleet will have to be rough. Of course, in order to avoid getting lost, we will have to send a scout to map the path before the operation starts.
No matter how unorthodox this plan might seem, I ask you to consider its benefits. Since I am only human, I might have made some oversights, so if you consider it, I also ask you to spot them.
[img float=right]http://i.imgur.com/U1OxmMr.png?1[/img] Priority:High To: Admiralty From: Admiral Jacob McIntire Location: HMS Ark Royal, Newcastle
The willingness with wich you trust a Corsair with your life is interesting if not worrying, but I do believe you should know what you do.
In case the plan fails you can not sacrifice a carrier and its entire crew for your personal well beeing though, I will not agree to sending one of our most valuable assets to die if your gamble turns sour.
If the carrier gets orders to retreat in case of a failure of yours I can live with this endeavour.
You might also want to get in contact with local privateers to have some guidance for the forces in the deeper omegas. Our regular troops lack knowledge of the area.
Another small detail, you should take more than just painkillers with you in case you get captured, those only work for a time. A more final solution for this situation has to be availeable.
The potential benefits of this are questionable too on the long run. If the Corsairs are able to root the Hessians of the omega region nothing will stop them from turning on us. Keeping the situation in the omegas in its status quo is essential as long as we have a war to fight on the other end of the Kingdom, but in the light of recent Hessian movements against us an offensive of the Corsairs might be exactly what we need. The more from a young and inexperienced commander who will have to take heavy losses.
Last but not least we need to have a plan b for the failure of this operation.
How is Captain McKinley doing In his position? Is he fit to take your place in case of your early demise ?
Message Class: Textual
Encryption: English Breakfast
To: Admiralty
From: Admiral Sir George Richard Hall
McIntire,
I believe that it is obvious that, if the Corsairs clashed with the Hessians, they would not have enough assets available to raid our commerce for some time. That should also increase Rheinland's revenue from trade with us, making the chance that they drop their eye on Sprague again less likely. Furthermore, if a victor emerges out of the war-torn Omegas, he will be their sole master, and thus a threat for both Rheinland and Bretonia, providing a good reason for our alliance. I would risk my life for that, and even a carrier. Concerning analgesics, do you think that cardamine would help? I am sorry for my ignorance, but I expect you in Newcastle to be in contact with it much more often than I.
If, however, the rescue party forgets that I risked my life for them, loses morale and decides to return home shamed and empty-handed, I can say that I have done everything in my might to prepare McKinley to replace me one day, but he does not seem to be particularly interested for the position. I believe that we should find another candidate. Brennan is not an option due to her recent demotion.
I suppose that you approve of the plan more than you disagree?
[img float=right]http://i.imgur.com/U1OxmMr.png?1[/img] Priority:High To: Admiralty From:Admiral Jacob McIntire Location: HMS Ark Royal, Newcastle
I think you underestimate the potantial of the Omega sector for whatever group might become the hegemonial power in it. If we do not have to face the victors forces tomorrow it will be another day. Planning for the long run is what distinguishes us from the average commander.
It would be a lot more benifitial if none of them emerged victorious but both sides were caught in hard fights without a winner.
That is why I think this young captain might be the right choice. She most likely lacks the experience to lead a perfectly planned out offensive.
Apart from that I did not talk about analgetics but a more final option. We can not afford to have an Admiral captured.
For captain McKinley, if you did all you could to prepare him I am sure he will fill the position just fine, his seeming lack of interest might be an attempt to not seem to ambitious. This might be hard to distinguish for some who do not think too much in these categories.
To summarize, I do approve of the plan even though I doubt that it will develop the way you forsee it.
Message Class: Textual
Encryption: English Breakfast
To: Admiralty
From: Admiral Sir George Richard Hall
McIntire,
You seem to have a lot of plans that do not include my return. I assure you that I will come back and pester you as I, judging by your style, always have. Twice that if the circumstances develop as I have foreseen them.
As much as I enjoy the playfulness the two of you seem to have adopted in your messages to one another, this matter must be settled finally.
I've spent some time thinking on this operation. Admiral Hall, you seem genuinely concerned about this "Omega Alliance". Are you absolutely sure that this is the ONLY way to protect Gibraltar and, by extension, Cambridge?
Though, lets be clear here. Jacob's right. If you manage to get yourself captured, do not expect a rescue party. We don't have the assets to spare, not now the Gauls have a foothold in Magellan, and I'm not comfortable with the Corsairs potentially extracting House security secrets. You take every step necessary to ensure the protection of the Kingdom.
One final thing George, no Cardamine. We don't need that kind of scandal.
On behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, and Her People in the Realm of Bretonia,
Michelle O'Brian, Admiral of the Fleet, First Sea Lord
Bretonian Command
Message Class: Textual
Encryption: English Breakfast
To: Admiralty
From: Admiral Sir George Richard Hall
Admiral of the Fleet,
There could not be a more perfect moment for you to approve this, having Operation "Sevastopol" in mind. It would be an enormous gain if one of the Corsair leading figures was our person during its execution. Not the only way to succeed in our intentions, of course, but certainly the easiest one.
I will begin with the preparations immediately. Long live the Queen.