We've recently been made aware that you've begun operation in the Cyprus (or Sigma-21) system in order to control and possibly colonise the habitable planet there - Nicosia (or Saigon). This has come as a little bit of a surprise to us, as we've been working on establishing presence in the Sigmas for a long while now. While it's a shame that I'm hearing about this from third parties rather than yourselves, I'd just like to summarise to you what we've been doing to strengthen our position in Cyprus, since I believe there may have been a lack of communication on both sides regarding this venture.
Initially, we discovered that a band of Corsair raiders established a small outpost in the nearby system of Sigma-15. This outpost, Petra, while terribly undersupplied and ignored for the most part proved to be located in a very strategic and defensible position. As such, we've established a bonus[1][2] for deliveries of supplies to Petra and managed to fortify the base. The number of personnel stationed there also tripled as we moved some of our own pilots from Lagos and the Bretonian front.
Then, we conducted two thorough surveys of the Cyprus system[3] as well as sent a scouting party planetside. Unfortunately while doing so, we were attacked[4] by a stray Blood Dragon patrol, which we thankfully managed to destroy with minimal losses.
I suppose that our plans regarding the future of the planet are obvious. We wish to establish a sustainable presence of Custodi on the surface and eventually create an environment which can supply the rest of Crete with food. During our communication with the Alliance, we learned that you've already decided to give parts of the planet away to our allies, which I'd like to advise against. I would like to know what other plans the Council has regarding Nicosia.
We are eagerly awaiting your reply.
Yours sincerely,
Ίκαρος Αυγουστόπουλος
Icarus Augustopolos
General of the Custodi
Sender: Luciano Vasquez, The Brotherhood Location: Planet Crete, Sparta Encryption: Mucho strong Recipient: General Augustopolos Topic: Planet Saigon
Saludos General,
Planet Saigon has been on the Council of Elders agenda for sometime- ever since our patrols reported the system to us. But, the Council of Elders has a busy agenda, and by the time it became clear that our allies were not going to respond about testing the planet's growing conditions and capacity, we had to move on to other, more pressing matters. Fleet movements, the situations in Omega-5 and 47, as well as Omicron's Delta and Xi, Cambridge and talks with the Royal navy, all clamoring for the attention and decisions of the Elders. We had to put our plans for Saigon aside, till we could one again spare our attention to it.
However, just because our attention was focused elsewhere, does not mean we had forgotten of the planet, nor not noticed your efforts to supply Petra, and claim the region for the Corsair Imperium. We had our initial plan to colonize the planet with our allies from Kusari- The Hogosha, Farmers Alliance and Samura. This decision was made for reasons twofold; to ease the burden of settling a brand new planet, which is an endeavor not to be undertaken lightly, and that a Corsair planet, without such an impressive and developed defense network such as Crete, would be far too much a target of opportunity to our many enemies. So, the Council decided that payout of sharing the planet was better than risking losing it entirely. Regardless of who owns or controls the planet, the Council is in agreement of one thing, at least- its produce shall feed Crete, making hunger a thing of the past for our people.
So, a Corsair planet? Thats a target, and surely I don't need to remind you of the damage orbital bombardment can do to a planet, after our fleets visited Cork. But, a Samura planet, with their men acting as a figure head, and the rest us working behind the scenes as the real power? Rheinland will surely grumble, especially if they have little evidence of our involvement, but they have other concerns, both elsewhere in the Sigmas, and back home with all the revolutionaries, that all but out-right control Dresden and other large swathes of Rheinland. Kusari? Well, they may be annoyed at Samura going ahead without their permission, but the end of the day, Samura is still a Kusari corporation, so we don't expect them to complain anymore that they need to to save face diplomatically. That's two of the biggest threats to our plan- gone. Or at least, pacified for now, giving us more time to build and fortify against any attacks. The GMG have no large space-born assets that could pose a threat to any settlements planet-side, and if the Outcasts or Core decide to bring any heavy artillery through to the planet, we can scramble a defense from the planet itself, as well as Petra outpost and the Kumamoto, loaned to the Farmers Alliance, if they can even bring such firepower past the houses without trouble first.
Now. I don't like the idea of handing this planet over entirely, even to our allies. But I would rather see it in their hands than our enemies. This... is a hard compromise to make, but it is one made with the thought of long-term benefits for our people in mind. So, the Council asks you, the Custodi, to stand with us and help colonize Saigon, or Nicosia as you may call it, with our allies. You may claim your own land on the planet for your own use, as we all will. There will be plenty to go around, after all. But this.. charade, is what the Council has deemed necessary to get everything we can from Saigon, with minimal losses and risks along the way.
That said, if you do, or have, found something to show that our trust has been misplaced, or concerns about our plan, I urge you to share it with the Council, so we may make resolve any problems before they get out of hand. But until then, they stay our allies, and we will work with them to claim this planet for the Empire, forging a brighter future for all
*the screen flicks off for second, before turning back on again*
Ah, one last thing, General. While discussing Sigma-21 and Planet Saigon with our allies, there was several mentions of a Naval Forces outpost in the system, something your surveys haven't mentioned yet, so I must ask: How up to date are your patrols of the system? It sounds like a new sweep would be advised. I'll also see about sending some Brotherhood forces to the region too, to bolster our ranks on Petra and Lagos, before anymore trouble starts up in the area and they risk getting overwhelmed or cut-off.
Your plan is noble and wise, however it hinges on one assumption that may topple over this entire project. Indeed, I am not as strong in believing that Samura can be trusted as you are. They are a Kusarian corporation and their allegiances lie with Kusari, especially now that their civil war is over. And still, you want to trust them with a planet which could be the future of the entire Empire.
If we are to allow for a joint control of Nicosia, between Samura and us, it would have to be on our terms, and under our control. That is, until the time we solve immediate problems with hunger on Crete and establish supply lines between Cyprus and Omicron Gamma. And that, in turn, will be difficult to accomplish if we cannot at least achieve temporary pact with Kusari.
You see, Kusari is weakened because of the civil war and with the prospect of another conflict with Rheinland just over the horizon, they cannot afford a power struggle over Nicosia. If we were to prove to them that we are a force to be reckoned with and then approached them with a proposition of peace or, even, an alliance against Rheinland, we would create a win-win situation for both us and our Kusarian partners.
There is even one, wonderful opportunity for a display of power. The Kusari outpost which you have mentioned, Kazuno, is a thorn in our side as well. If we were to approach with a large enough force and capture it, we would be in a dominating position over the system and could dictate the terms of any eventual agreements regarding the system.
And, if all else fails, we can count on the combat prowess of Custodi fighters[1] and Brotherhood battleships to back up the defence while static weapons platforms are set up.
Yours sincerely,
Ίκαρος Αυγουστόπουλος
Icarus Augustopolos
General of the Custodi
Ship sustained heavy missile damage at some skirmish over Holstain planet in Frankfurt and now is fully repaired and ready at Tripoli. She might have some countermeasures circuits issues and her command board was smashed from inside captains bridge. We advise your technicians to check that with Captain Madena.
Muchos gracias,
Salazar da Palma Oliveira
El Portavoz del CoE
The Custodi are grateful for your contribution to our fleet. The vessel under captain Madena's command was renamed to Odysseus and successfully deployed in Sigma-21.
However, we must decide on a common choice of action during this time, as any display of disagreement may prove to be catastrophic in future.
Yours sincerely,
Ίκαρος Αυγουστόπουλος
Icarus Augustopolos
General of the Custodi