[To]: Defence Intelligence Staff
[From]: Jonas Hudson, SIS
[Subject]: Important Activity Debrief - [UC] Correspondence update
[Encryption]: Extremely High
Defense Staff:
This is another follow up on my contact withe Union Corse regarding our procurement of vital intelligence. I am pleased to report that the [UC] in general is open to limited cooperation with SIS on the leaking of information they receive regarding Royal Navy activity along the front and occupied systems. They have expressed interest in being exempted from the embargo of Gallic civilian organizations entering Bretonia, and even are open to helping supply some BAF operations if it was found to be prudent. As I informed them I would, I can only place the recommendation that we (SIS) adopt new protocols and give the [UC] a pass while in Bretonia for the time being, allowing them to move freely. Even if they do wind up interacting with enemy forces, we may gain vital intelligence from them as such. Lastly, and only on their behalf, I request an official referral of the matter to the Admiralty Board to decide on changing current BAF/BPA rules, at least secretly. The Unione Corse know they would have to keep their arrangement a secret officially, so if a change at the government level could be made, the BAF and BPA could also adopt new protocols on the matter. I believe this would serve the interest of Bretonia with the long term investment of deep enemy penetration and intelligence gathering.
Here is a link to my most recent correspondence with them: ----> Transmission Log
Additionally, throughout the course of my regular patrolling of the Leeds front, I have had a few small engagements and acquired some useful information on enemy activity;
1. On a routine patrol I spotted a GRN battleship operating in the area, the 'RNS-Tours'. I chose not to engage as I was heavily out matched, but I did manage to gather some technical data on the vessel before losing track of it and withdrawing. I can confirm this vessel is maximally armored and employs a Cloaking Device. I recommend the deployment of anti-cloaking countermeasures to the front.
2. While patrolling the main lane to Leeds, I caught sight of two Gallic corporate vessels (GMS and EFL), a transport and fighter escort, on their way to Leeds. I missed them inbound, but a short time later they came back through the same route and I intercepted them. The transport refused to halt or drop its cargo and was destroyed. Its escort did a decent job of keeping me on my toes until I made it back to Leeds where I manage to use the planet's curvature to get cloaked and withdraw.
3. I intercepted a pair of Republican vessels taking a 'short cut' through Leeds between the Dublin jump hole and New London's. I determined they were not intending to supply the Gallic presence on Leeds, and escorted them to Southhampton Shipyard safely with a warning. This is an example of neutral civilians crossing the embargo, I believe this should be caught and discouraged as much as possible to avoid any confusion with those supplying the enemy.
4. Again while patrolling near Leeds, a strangely nameed Gallic Battleship was spotted in high orbit, designated <AG]VR-Gascogne. It seemed to withdraw once it realized it had been detected and docked with the Battleship Castres. I succeeded in getting partial scans of the vessel. Aside from its callsign, its only noteable cargo was that of rather large cache of Sirian Credit cards. This would seem to suggest it may be a high value target.
5. While on routine disruption of the Stokes -> Leeds trade lane, a Gallic Battlecruiser and Gunboat dropped in right on top of me. I immediately engaged, but fire from both vessels kept me on the defensive, and I withdrew while I still could. I found the presence of these ships using the trade lane strange, except I later noticed on my records that a GMS vessel had appeared on my scanner for just a moment, and likely passed us by using the lane on the way to Leeds. This may indicate a heightened sense of urgency among the Gauls with regards to their supply operations, as they were obviously the advance guard for the civilian vessel.
I shall continue to try to rally local militia and privateering support around the embargo zone for the time being. The allocation of any further agents, resources and funds would be well received.
Standing by,
Jonas Hudson Her Majesty's Secret Intelligence Service, Bretonia