Identifiant:Enseigne de Vaisseau François Hannart de la Vignolle-Haute, ID 1789-42165A-FPK135-Psi Destinataire:État-Major de la Marine Royale Gauloise Sujet:Rapport de patrouille (1ère catégorie)
Le 24 Mars, 741 A.G.S.
Madame, Monsieur,
As per standard procedure, I was performing post-patrol maintenance checks in the orbit of Planet Leeds when a neutral contact appeared on my scopes, arriving from the Nouveau Londre Gate trade lane. The vessel (and pilot) were of clear Sirian origin, and appeared to be but a simple trader. However, my suspicion was aroused when the ruffian failed to answer my hails; instead, he accelerated to cruise. I initiated pursuit, and chased him along the trade lane in the direction of the old hulk the Bretonians call a mining station. His vessel was, to my shame, fleeter of foot (wing? engine?) than my own, and started outpacing me. I kept up the hails, politely requesting that he either cut his engines so that I may inspect his cargo and arrest him (for flight is a sure admission of guilt, and he was flighty indeed) or face certain death at the hands of the MRG and PRG. Due to the initial distance at the start of the course-poursuite and the scélérat's considerable speed, he kept out of main sensor range throughout the event, although I was able to determine that he flew a freighter of Sirian make due to his equipment (Flashpoints and other Sirian civilian weaponry) and engine trail.
I was most concerned by his eventual, confusing response to my hails. Either he was very very lost, or the Coalition ordures are up to something - although I do not believe their agents would act in such a blatant and overt manner. Even communists have standards, after all, low as they may be.
Like all stories, though, this one came to an end - a most satisfying one, if I may be so bold. The gredin was atomized by one of the MRG's own glorious battlecruisers, on patrol along the lane. I can only guess as to how a (hostile, by that point) Sirian pilot managed to display such incompetence, enough to fly up to one of the Roy's capital ships - with no regard for the inevitable consequences. If brains were dynamite, he wouldn't have enough to blow his nose. No matter; it is done, may he rest in peace. The return to Planet Leeds was uneventful. I was not able to find out what the ship carried, or even if there was anything inside.
This concludes my report. Vive le Roy! Vive Gallia!
Sincèrement,
François Hannart de la Vignolle-Haute
Enseigne de Vaisseau de la Marine de Sa Majesté Le Roy