[To]: SIS Defence Intelligence Staff
[From]: Jonas Hudson, SIS
[Subject]: RECON update
[Encryption]: High
Hudson Reporting:
Logging some recent activity. I've been managing to slip in and out of New London between waves of Gallic attacks. They have been letting up in frequency at least, and casualties seem high still on both sides.
I've made a few incognito trips to the Omegas and to the Cologne system as well. As to Omega-49, we picked up a high number of large engine signatures from long range, as relayed from the Stirling. I took a lighter stealth craft, as I was otherwise untasked at the time, and made the hike out to take a look. I wound up making several sorties in and out of the GC high orbit vicinity in order to try to pick up on some radio chatter. I did manage to pick up a great deal of conversation among several Red Hessian Army vessels, members of Battlegroup Auxesia, the SCRA, a Gaian vessel, an IRG colony ship, and later a Zoner vessel bearing the same name as a recent media persona (may have been press). Some discussed expected malcontent, with the most anti-Bretonian discourse coming from the RHA. They seemed somewhat determined to stir negative sentiment. Surprisingly, no ABF vessels were sighted.
After having returned to New London, I also took advantage of an opportunity to make a pass through the Cologne system in regards to rumors of new access through there to Gallia. I never got the chance to do much exploring, but as I pulled in towards Heisenberg Research Facility, an IDF vessel was pulling in to dock. I returned to Bretonia without incident. In conjunction with previous intelligence, and a later sweep we made, it is confirmed this route connects to a Gallic borderworld system, and can be used by all ship classes to traverse. This may be a disturbing development indeed.
Last action to report is a sweep that I, Agent James Skirka and Agent Sarah Mountbatten embarked upon. This patrol to Cologne and the 'Zurich' System was done in cooperation with the BDM. However for obvious reasons, no further acknowledgement of that arrangement should be made. However, the BDM Director took us out there personally, and expressed genuine concern over this new development, and a great deal of angst towards Ageira over trade lane technology issues.
To our surprise, just after our rendezvous in Omega-3, we passed into Omega-7 only to be confronted by a Wilde vessel, a Scorpion class gunboat, holding an OS&C luxery liner hostage, at minimal hull integrity. They offered the hostage up in exchange for credits. We deferred to the BDM's jurisdiction, and concurred that the chances of infection among the survivors was too great to allow for any contact. He chose to engage the vessel, and the liner was destroyed. We of course assisted and the Wilde gunboat was also destroyed. At least that pest won't be bothering local traders again.
After a sweep out to the new jumphole connection, which he alluded may have indications of being 'man made', we entered into the Zurich system and split up to quickly survey the immediate vicinity. Once the data was collected, we doubled back the way we came. This allowed us to confirm what previous intel had also concluded, with thanks to the BDM for taking such initiative.
But, just in the periphery of Stuttgart, RHA attackers showed up, a small squadron. This was unfortunate, as we'd hoped to avoid such detection. But we are quite sure no connection to our presence was made, and they were more concerned with attacking the BDM director. We then used discretion to withdraw without arousing any suspicion. It is not known the fate of the BDM vessel U-101, or the Director. After this, we made it back up to New London safely for debrief. Guncams enclosed.