From: Sn.Lt.Alaxander Stanislav To: Gaian Guard Encryption:<Unbreakable> Source: Battlecruiser Kronshtadt, Omega - 52 Subject: 'Survey, Expedition' ...transmission established
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Privyet, esteemed comrades of the Gaian Guard. It is amazing to see how our past agreements succeeded without any issues and congratulation to the better future where we will take part, not by enemies, but by friends. Our staff, salutes you as one. Let me introduce myself. I am Alaxander Stanislavsky, senior lieutenant of the security cell. I would go on and on but that will be boring at its best. So let me get straight to the tasks.
The life on the Gaia has always fascinated me and the staff of how beautiful it can be. However, I am not a scientist myself so I might mess up here and there, addressing things but, I hope that is not going to be an issue. Comrades, I am hereby starting an expedition towards the planet Gaia regarding studies of the life form and survey of various similar things in order to gain knowledge, should the permission of passage you give us. The both parties will be included should the need arise of security reasons. From there, our scientist comrades will do the rest of the works, for the betterment of our understanding. If you have any questions regarding anything. do not hesitate to ask.
To:Sn. Lt. Alaxander Stanislav From:Jacob Fade Topic:Stereopsis
Security Cell. Hm.
Evening. Name's Jacob Fade, but I think you wouldn't be sending this had Dr. Belov not told you I would be picking it up. I knew very well that such a request would come, but it's always best to prowl carefully. We have a lot to discuss before moving on.
First, proceeding with this, you and your crew will not land nor be left alone at any times. Having been given responsibility over this I will be carrying the op and we need to do this under the radar as humanly possible. You'll be given freedom as to several it's definitions but the last word will come from me and the Gaian Guard beforehand. I trust this will not be an issue.
Second, being the first of it's kind this will be one op of observatory nature only. No wildlife will be taken from Gaia. This is not open for discussion. Normally, I wouldn't allow any fire arms on the ground either, however, due to the current situation with Gallia, I will reluctantly allow your team to carry sidearms - which should be holstered and secure unless told otherwise. I don't give a damn if we have to remove an excursion of the french, but you point that barrel towards so much an insect and we'll have a problem.
A landing zone far away from any known past human operations will be chosen for the task, but I'll be armed as well and putting faith you'll know how to follow orders should the need arise. I'll be carrying enough food and water for myself, you should all do the same - we will not consume from the planet. A small number of tranquilizing rifles will be brought along in the case of an emergency as well.
Now, onto your necessities.
Sharing exactly what you desire from this initial operation is imperative for picking a good landing location. I do not plan this to take longer than 8 of planetary hours, so we have good ground to cover, but Gaia is vast so your options are the same. I've considered surveying the surroundings of a lake - which would make a good dropzone and avoid the treeline - but I need to know your intentions.
Alongside that - numbers. I assume you are being reasonable, bringing experts that have done this kind of recon before, but a small team nevertheless. How many are we speaking of? Three? Half a dozen?
From: Sn.Lt.Alaxander Stanislav To: Jacob Fade, GG Encryption:<Unbreakable> Source: Battlecruiser Kronshtadt, Omega - 52 Subject: Survey, Expedition ...transmission established
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Privyet, comrade Jacob Fade.
It is nice to finally talk to you since you were the one that handled all the diplomacy works with our Chief Research Officer and of course, we do what our high command tells us to do. Now on topic, we engage.
First of all, I would like to say that, we will be operating on your airspace. Giving everything you say or do, we have to listen and respect casually, without any issues, from our own. It will be totally fine for you to carry the operation, so, do what you consider best. Staying under the radar is what we all seek for since the Gallic incursion is not stopping, by any means but, risks can not be taken so operation will be held within a small number.
Observatory research sounds splendid to my ears and I can promise you that, experiments with the wildlife is prohibited unless given the permission by the Guard itself which, I won't question it, given the answers were pretty clear. Comrades, it will affect me to hurt the very beautiful, living creatures of the planet Gaia. Thinking of that, nauseates me. Sidearms will be bought in case of an emergency but, do trust, you are not our enemies, nor any other living creatures in the planet, comrade. I hope I made myself clear about that situation.
Landing zones are fine with us given the capabilities of our crafts, to be strong, be it harsh, be it smooth or be it anywhere, we can surely cope with that. Enough food and water will be bought for ourselves so, you do not need to worry about that. Of course comrade, we are not the people of backstabbing. We will and surely follow your orders and commands should the need arise but, self security is always a thing that should be respected. 8 planetary hours seems debatable but, given the large amount of area to cover, it may take a bit more than that but our scientist comrades will make sure to do their best, like they always do and are known for. Our intentions are always and will be, to grasp knowledge, nothing peculiar. Hoping that, all the confusions are gone by now, comrade.
The expeditionary forces will consist of 4 main personnel, being me, in charge of it. 2 scientists and 1 other security personnel excluding me, making a balance and hopefully being alright to your terms as well. We seek the permission of ;
S-Besposhadniy "Storm" class gunboat under the command of myself
CPRV-Peltonen "Lovitar" class Vidar research vessel under the command of Dr.Liisi Virtanen
capital vessel(s), for passage. The other scientist will be commanding a retrofitted freighter and the other security personnel will be flying on a 'Lich' Very Heavy Fighter. That being said, all the information has been given to you comrade. Hopefully, this odyssey will bring various research capabilities to both the parties. Any more questions, feel free to ask.
For now, we all should stand solid and serve our best.
To:Sn. Lt. Alaxander Stanislav From:Jacob Fade Topic:Stereopsis
Hmm.
I appreciate the low numbers, that is a given, but the size of the fleet is a complication. From my experience, either the gunboat model you speak of or the cruiser's heat signature will be easily picked up by Gallic forces, which will quickly become a very real nuisance in absolutely no time, regardless the outcome of the clash. I don't think these vessels should go with the recon group, to be perfectly honest.
My suggestion is as follows.
We meet in full aboard Battleship Hood, in Dublin, under it's cover as a neutral point - I trust your relations with IMG are still intact. From there, to Edinburgh and Planet Gaia, I suggest moving aboard the Infernalis, my own vessel, which will be more than ready to accommodate the crew and scientific equipment you decide to bring, and your escorts. These, however, should be ready to move out soon after planetfall, only returning to pick us up once the survey is finished, reducing any chances for interruptions. That said, if eight hours is not enough for your team, we can extend it to ten for the operation - everything going decent, we can consider improving it in the future.
There's something else... Look, I'll openly share my worries with you.
I can't stress enough how Edinburgh is of sensitive nature for all of us. To put you up to speed - ever since the invasion, Gallia has incessantly looked for alternative ways into Bretonia and, unfortunately, Edinburgh is at the top of their list at the moment. Although our hostilities we've managed to avoid major confrontations until now - majorly due to our numbers - but considering this I have to ask that, no matter what, you run the risk of leading their forces towards one of our outposts. We cannot afford to run any risks. With your military background in mind, I think you understand the importance of discretion - but should you wish to run recon of Edinburgh beforehand feel free to say and we'll do so.
I'll run analysis over Gaia topology soon, I'll have a map of the survey area next we speak.
Let me know what you think.
Jacob Fade, Gaian Guard
From: Sn.Lt.Alaxander Stanislav To: Jacob Fade, Gaian Guard Encryption:<Unbreakable> Source: Battlecruiser Kronshtadt, Omega - 52 Subject: Survey, Expedition ...transmission established
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Comrade Fade.
I do respect your concern on bringing capital ships but, however, we have our reasons. I am not trying to push it but, it is how we get our things done quick enough since time is everything in anything. Our capital vessels of the science division, holds enough power to protect itself and the surrounding forces also holds the necessary scientific equipment, to carry an expedition. It holds research chambers to labs to everything, for one's needs. Dr.Belov always said that, science has no boundaries so does the research capabilities of a ship. Nothing is a waste, it is how we see things, comrade but, we always do have backup plans. Our capital vessel will be fitted with a 'Cloaking' device to mask itself from detection so, everything will be done accordingly.
The rendezvous plan seems very good, the asteroids outward from the Omega - 49 jumphole will give us a good area of hiding ourselves while rolling. Of course, our relations with the IMG is pretty decent, we had operations before so, I do agree with the neutral point. 10 hours seems amazing, but, hopefully the expedition will be concluded before reaching the peak and if everything goes as planned, this can be executed very nicely.
Comrade Fade, I do agree with how things are going in Bretonia, upon many various operations of mine and receiving knowledge about how things are going with Edinburgh, it surely is worrying but, do know that, we will surely strike where it is due needed, once the time is right. The Royalist scums will surely meet their demise and of course, we will try our best to disappear if, things get out of hands and, bait them for an optional strike, elsewhere, should the need arise. A system recon can be done since risks are the things you, we are trying to avoid so you have my word on that, if needed help, my crew and I will surely help as well.
The perfect time will be given due and, I will await the maps of the survey area. Schastlivogo puti, comrade.
To:Sn. Lt. Alaxander Stanislav From:Jacob Fade Topic:Stereopsis
Look.
I'm not sure I understand what you think these capitals will bring that we can't afford otherwise. I will assume your intentions are simply to run analysis of the topography and atmosphere from space, but trust me when I say that something that big, standing near Gaia for ten hours straight, will be picked up by Gallia one way or another.
That said, I've spoken with command. As long as you don't move these vessels near our outposts and proceed to land the science crew with us, there should be no issues. If I were in any of those command bridges, however, I'd stick to Dublin or the Arran Ice Cloud for discretion - Edinburgh runs close to no interference, and if your equipment is as good as you say it'll receive readings without any problems.
Now, about Gaia.
I've scouted for a lakeside area and, after speaking with the others, believe I found an appropriate location. As it is, the place is teeming with life but not exceedingly dangerous - most of the wildlife who forage here are not in mating season and therefore not attracting too much attention. There aren't any forecasts for extreme weather conditions ahead either, so other than the usual Gaia thunderstorms, we should be fine.
The lake runs a little less than ten kilometers in perimeter, which coupled with the rough terrain should take about four hours to cover. Your team will have the extra time to run their analysis and rest.
I made the map of the area available - it should be self explanatory, but:
[A] This is our landing zone. We'll approach it from the lake, with a pilot who knows what he's doing and a ship with proper equipment we'll be able to disembark harmlessly. [1] In the southwestern margin of the lake lies a place where the water comes to a standstill, infiltrating the earth with irrigations. A lot of organic matter comes to rest here. [2] Alongside the southeast, there's a rocky stretch of land that rises above the lake level. We can track over it for closer inspection of the waters and different flora. [3] The delta of the single river that flows into the lake is considerably wide, but we can cross it by foot on some of it's areas. [b] The treeline opens here, in what seems to be a small grove with clear view of the lake. Making good time, it is a good spot to rest before picking up again.
Our route should be from A to b to A, starting early and using the best of daylight we can. I recommend checking the muds during the morning to reduce the chances of us having to contour it because of rain.
And... I'll contact you soon for a recon on Edinburgh. I believe there's something you should see.
From: Sn.Lt.Alaxander Stanislav To: Jacob Fade, Gaian Guard Encryption:<Unbreakable> Source: Battlecriser Kronshtadt, Omega - 52 Subject: Survey, Expedition ...transmission established
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Salutations, esteemed comrade Fade.
Intention, a word that can be exploited in various ways, in action. It leads to betrayal in many scenarios and leads to many goodwill but, we are talking about bad intentions, specifically. We all have been the victim to betrayal at a point, be it mentally or physically but, I have made myself clear and you can have my word in that comrade. Also, the 'Storm' class gunboat will not be participating in our odyssey since it has been tasked in repairing and refit. Even though the 'Peltonen' is still operational, as I have made myself clear before, I am making myself clear all the way now. Our 'Research Vessel(s)' are only used in research and scientific purposes, collecting samples to study them to literally everything, for a scientist's needs unless, there is an immediate emergency to secure and protect the peoples, of the motherland and its allies. Though, we are having an observatory research, and after a lot of thoughts and procedures, you have it comrade, the capital vessels won't be flying with us, on this expedition, just for the sake of our cooperation. The retrofitted freighter will be coming with us and I hope, there is no prohibition to that.
Now, that thing is out of the way, we engage on our main priority. The map of the designated area seems sound. The logs has been transferred towards our scientist comrades and has been acknowledged as well. They did have some good words but, for one thing comrade, they requested a sample, given the restrictions towards these stuffs but, not from any living being or any type of local plants and herbs but, of soil, even a square inch sample will do for the team but, that is for you and the Guard itself, to decide.
Anyways, as all things are cleared out of the way, I will await for your contact regarding, recon. I will be arriving myself only, as our team, prepares for the odyssey. Hopefully, there is something interesting.