To: Field Marshal Lukas Keller Coalition Military : Battlegroup Stirling, Omega 49

[Markam]

Message Class: Audio-Visual
Encryption: White Russian
To: Field Marshal Lukas Keller
From: Commodore John Redmond

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Field Marshal Lukas Keller

I have been made aware that you are responsible for the military affairs of the Coalition. Greetings, I am John Redmond, Commodore of the Bretonia Armed Forces, and commander of Battlegroup Stirling and all Bretonia forces within Omega 49.

With introductions aside, the events of the last few days has left our position within Omega 49 on the balance. As such, I must discuss all options to secure the safety of the system and its' residents, Bretonian and Coalition both. Ever since we took action to secure the system and the planet, we have had one thing on our mind, and that is the Corsair response. We knew it would come, and in fact, considering their support for our principle enemy, Gallia, we counted on it. Indeed, if the Corsairs had not supported Gallia in the first place, we very likely would never have entered Omega 49. Our annexation of the system was designed to draw them from our capital, and to remove their main source of food and a major staging point.

But now we must defend it for as long as possible, long enough for New London to be secure once more, long enough for the war to be seen through. For every minute, every hour, every day, week and month we hold this system, the Corsairs are not in Bretonia. But do not misunderstand me, I am not here to say that Omega 49 is a pawn in our war, to be sacrificed at a drop of a hat. No, we hope to hold it indefinitely, and if I were you, I would want it held.

Up until now, excepting minor Corsair incursions, you have stayed mostly passive in its defense, a prudent move, considering we faced mostly insurgent Zoner elements at best. But now, in consideration of reports of Corsair movements in our direction, a more active defense, if even for limited circumstances, such as the arrival of a Corsair Battlegroup, should be considered on your part.

Of course, recent events have placed us under a more strenuous relationship. Your allies of old, the Hessians, in moving to defend the IMG from our taking over of a military asset essential for the war, have caused us to lose a previously crippled Battleship in the HMS Gwent. It was mostly staffed by BPA officers, and contained a prison facility, so militarily speaking its loss will not hurt us greatly in Omega 3, but that being said, in response the Battlegroup Norfolk moved on the Hessian forces, doing considerable damage in a devastating counterattack. I take no pleasure in fighting the Hessians, nor do I applaud their deaths. I can understand the military benefit they provide, and have provided us in regards to the very Corsairs that concern me. I am of the opinion - an opinion that may or not may not be shared by all in the admiralty due to the anger felt in being attacked in Omega 3 - that the conflict between the Hessians and Bretonia must be toned down, for we are playing into our mutual enemies hands.

The BAF under my command will not impede any effort on your behalf to help your allies to safety, and I will look the other way on my part, but I must implore you to reason with your Hessian friends that there is no sense in exasperating their losses any further, being already damaged, the Hessian battleship will not survive another encounter with Norfolk. Persuade them to halt major offensives against us, and to provide IMG with only token support in future, I am sure the IMG will see that the Hessians have sacrificed enough in honoring their alliance.

I am not one known for diplomacy, and I have been called a war hawk by some, but pragmatism must take priority.

Commodore John Redmond
Carrier Venerable, Battlegroup Stirling
Bretonian Armed Forces

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Markam is evil

[Keller]

[Transmission Begins]

From: Field Marshal Lukas Keller
To: Commodore Redmond
Priority: High

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Enabling video-feed

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[Message Begins]
Commodore Redmond.

A fellow pragmatist, good we can speak frankly. The Revolutionary Army can agree with the objective of repelling not only Gallia but the Corsairs in addition. However I am nonetheless rendered very confused by how your statement regarding the Bretonian intervention in our backyard conflicts with the usual excuse that I am often fed.

Which of them is true? Did you evict innocents out of sheer desperation to house your people safely? Or was this a decision born purely from strategy and cunning? Be honest, this is a military dialogue not a political one. Though I am personally beginning to believe that your motivations in Omega-49 are purely motivated by tactical necessity rather than population concerns. Since the annexation, we have observed exactly zero transports bearing refugees. You placed a large military garrison on the planet and then.. nothing. I do not appreciate being misled, even less being lied to. With how precarious the situation has become, I want the cold truth.

If your annexation effort is purely to deny the Corsairs resources, then why hold it yourself at all? A Triumvirate protectorate would not only be more logistically efficient, but at least twice as defensible than the current Bretonian deployment. You are bleeding in Omega-3, bleeding in New London and very soon, bleeding in Holland. I'm sure the full metal wench whom is a notorious peer of yours believes these fronts feasible, but they are not. You are holding more than you are able and your Kingdom is buckling for it.

I needn't remind you of all that's at stake if Gallia tears into the Omegas after successfully besieging New London. I understand that under duress in a desperate situation, you intended to nationalize Aland. But you have borne great casualties in this effort, the worst of which is the loss of time. Are you aware that even if you take Aland you will not be able to construct warships nearly as quickly as is necessary to repel Gallia? Even if I'm being generous with my calculations, you have made a grim situation detrimental.

The Coalition will do what it can to keep the Corsairs out of Holland in the interest of securing New Moscow. But I must ask that you allow my men already on the ground within the boundaries of former Corsair territory the right of military access to key locations within your occupied territory for the purpose of reinforcement.

I will not speak on behalf of the Hessians in this situation, it is not my right to do so. But your actions have had unprecedented consequences. As an ally of the Hessians, we must aid them however we can, though no declaration of hostility has been declared. Such would be foolish with what you and I know is coming. It isn't too late to turn the Norfolk back to where it would be most valuable, New London. But it isn't my place to tell you what to do.

Perhaps with luck you and I will survive this and not wind up on the platter of a hungry cannibal. Tell your subordinates to steel themselves, we are in for a long and bloody slog.

Sirius Coalition
Коалиция Сириуса

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"Knowing Humanity - We will be duty, bloody and unavoidable."

[Markam]

Message Class: Audio-Visual
Encryption: White Russian
To: Field Marshal Lukas Keller
From: Commodore John Redmond

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Field Marshal Lukas Keller

I am extremely glad you have replied. I was worried that there was no hope at all for our relationship in light of recent events.
We are not without hope, but we are against the odds, it would seem by your words.

In regards to the background to our move here, I am no politician, and I have made no comment as to the reasons behind our move, so I can say I am no liar. I am a military man, and I have always been as such. I look at our current situation through military glasses, and I see the situation which I have outlined in my original communication. We are here to draw them to us, we are here to deprive them of their needs, and we are here to stop them in their aid to Gallia. You are correct there have been no convoys, and you are correct we have hunkered down with a primarily military force.

As I see it, there will be no refugees, not in our current circumstances. I would not let them come even if they desired to, I am not going to let excess civilians enter a war-zone. That being said, if the worst case scenario befalls us in New London, refugees, we may see. So, we have not lied to you or misled you, the annexation was for the reasons stated, the system may yet see refugees, just not yet. When you start seeing them, you will know why.

Omega 49's importance to us is hard to understand for some, I know, if it were so clear, then the condemnation we faced would not have been so severe. Omega 49 has two purposes to my knowledge, first, to weaken the Corsairs in New London, and to draw away their forces, and second, to serve as a fallback position in the worst case scenario. The first purpose, has worked, in fact it has worked perhaps too well. I wish for our detractors to have the foresight to see this, calling us expansionist, imperialistic, is a sad state of affairs. We are fighting for survival here, and have lost a hundred thousand fold what we have taken here, and in Omega 3.

As to your other points, as per the Sydney Accords, the Coalition has obtained a great deal of land, roughly 20% of the planet surface, when you suggest "leaving it to us", I am most confused, we have left a considerable part of it to you, and I hope, and I am sure your leadership is hoping, that the 20% of Gran Canaria that you hold, will soon be able to stand up on its own, with its own docking and mooring infrastructure, and economically we can prosper together. This of course relies on us defeating what is coming, if we do not do it together, or worse, we fight among ourselves, then there is considerably less chance of success.

I appreciate your view point on the Shipyard, I am however obliged to trust in the wisdom of our leaders, one day you may see the situation differently. And on access for your ground forces to our territory, we are still not to the point where a land invasion from the Corsairs is imminent, so such items should be left for later, I am open to more cooperation, and will engage on detailed planning once we see invasion as a likely outcome. I think in the case of an invasion, the Corsairs will not be able to land enough forces to unhinge our forces, and are likely to land on either 1) Underpopulated/deserted strips of land, or 2) their old territories, as in, where your forces are positioned. I have considerable land forces at my disposal, and if they are to take option 2, I will be sure to rush to your aid, to prevent the Corsairs from creating a beachhead.

It may seem contradictory for our fallback position to also have been bait, one that may suffer an invasion, but it is the risk we must take, if we do indeed fallback to Gran Canaria, the Corsairs will find themselves thrown out of Omega 49 once more.

As for the Hessians, I hope you take my gesture as a testament to our good faith, while our actions may have, in the Hessian perspective, forced their hand, we did not start this, and for my part, I have voted against retaliatory measures beyond the repelling of attacks on Omega 3. I hope that I will not regret opposing attacks on the Hessians beyond Omega 3, and I would hope to see similar good faith gestures be made in return.

I strongly desire that the Hessians can see reason, and direct their forces not to Omega 3, but to where they are sorely needed, in the areas where Corsairs are now massing in the Omegas. As for the Norfolk, it was at no point to be directed to New London, its focus being on Cambridge, Omega 3 and our supply routes through Poole all the way to Gran Canaria. If Norfolk completing its mission in securing Aland will trigger further problems, it is regretful, but we will have to deal with the hand that will be played to us.

I intend fully to survive. But if I am to go down, I will put up such a fight that the Corsairs would rather nuke my position than spend another life attacking it, there won't be much left of my being to eat.

Commodore John Redmond
Carrier Venerable, Battlegroup Stirling
Bretonian Armed Forces

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Markam is evil

[Keller]

[Transmission Begins]

From: Field Marshal Lukas Keller
To: Commodore Redmond
Priority: High

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Enabling video-feed

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[Message Begins]
Commodore.

I'm not calling to berate you with the optics of your recent annexations. This is a purely military focused message. With the Corsair advance gaining momentum for New Holland, I'm forced to do what I'll inevitably be accosted for one way or another. I must make a difficult choice.

A pack of Typhoons headed by the Resurgency will take up a supportive formation with the Stirling. I will focus a ground force to intervene in the event of Cretan invasion. Efforts to fortify our occupied land will be doubled. I'm ordering my men to hold the line with you to deny the Corsairs, and of course by extension Gallia, open access to our common backyard.

I trust nobody at this juncture of the conflict, all I can do is make choices that I feel are tactically prudent. The Katz will hold its current position, but you will receive the fire support that I described. I will allocate more if the situation in 47 improves. Letting the Corsairs take a victory here would doom countless lives and potential for peace. I'm loathe to admit it, but New Holland is more attractive than whatever Imperial concoction the Corsairs have in store for the system. They've proved incapable of seeing beyond sheer conquest.

Co-ordinate this effort with either myself or the Premier directly. I will attempt to be flexible in the event that my authority is required to enforce our claims on Sydney.

Sirius Coalition
Коалиция Сириуса

[Transmission Terminates]

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"Knowing Humanity - We will be duty, bloody and unavoidable."

[Markam]

Message Class: Audio-Visual
Encryption: White Russian
From: Commodore John Redmond

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Field Marshal Keller

It is good to hear from you. It is also good to hear you have warmed to our relationship, if but a little. That in mind, I have no issue with you maintaining your public stance of opposition, just so long as we are clear where our priorities lay.

Your military support is most welcome, and it is a relief to me personally that I can point more guns in a certain direction, I share your opinion that it is hard to trust fully, so do not feel offended if you feel some guns are still facing your way, we are not taking any chances with the lives of the men and women of this planet. I have seen many, too many innocents slaughtered on Leeds, we are talking hundreds of millions here. I will not let that happen again.

I would appreciate if you could enlighten me more as to your situation in Omega 47, the information I have is piece meal at best. It is not an easy place for us to reach. If I had the opportunity to hit the Corsairs before they can enter Omega 49, make no mistake, I would. Sitting my arse is frustrating to say the least.

As for Gallia, their presence in Dublin is also too close to comfort, and I would enjoy that presence being removed, I have my doubts in the direction of the IMG on the Hood likewise, considering the evidence i have seen of Gallia collaboration, though nothing concrete, but I would shudder at the thought of Gallia abusing the Hood.

Regards,

Commodore John Redmond
Carrier Venerable, Stirling Battlegroup
Bretonian Armed Forces

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Markam is evil

[Keller]

[Transmission Begins]

From: Field Marshal Lukas Keller
To: Commodore Redmond
Priority: High

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Enabling video-feed

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[Message Begins]
Commodore.

Pardon the delay, my focus was occupied with the subject that you requested enlightenment about. I will address that shortly. Let me first be frank with you, I did offer the Corsairs an unopposed path to Holland. I wanted to know if there existed even a single entity in this entire sector that did not simply compromise on its ideals. Needless to say bloodying our noses on the gamble of Tangier is more important to Crete than the prospect of liberating their former protectorate. I understand if this earns your ire, but at least now I have certainty that the Corsair Empire, like any Empire, cares for little else besides conquest.

I might not like the idea of New Holland, but I greatly prefer it over the idea of an Empire-sympathetic or worse yet, Empire controlled system. Considering their sudden brotherly associations with Gallia and lack of Human decency. They see fit to challenge us squarely, and all we can do is meet them squarely. Given what I have just admitted to, I'm certain your trust is going to come at even more of a premium. But all I can hope to reassure you with is that I do not see you as the Devil. And I have no plans to break the backs of your people if I can find a clear path to peace and unity. I am prepared to put my trust in you and your men if you will do so for me and mine.

With painful honesty aside, I will elaborate on what you requested insight into. The situation in 47, from what I've been advised, is one of the Corsairs seeking to reclaim a mineral-rich Tangier for themselves. The reason they intend to do this is likely to use those resources to reinforce their lines, should they succeed in 47 and from that position advance into Holland. Our response to this aggression was the presentation of the Katz to hold Tangier and retain the current balance of the system. The assets that I have designated to support you are what we have to spare, needless to say that if the front in 47 were to be relieved, I'd have more ships to secure Holland with.

I have always shared a sense of support for what Leeds endured. And were I able to wipe it clean of its current occupiers, I would do so in a span of time too miniscule for our constructs to measure. I do not intend for your people to endure a second Leeds, you have my word.

Will there be anything else, Commodore?

Sirius Coalition
Коалиция Сириуса

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"Knowing Humanity - We will be duty, bloody and unavoidable."

[Markam]

Message Class: Audio-Visual
Encryption: White Russian
From: Commodore John Redmond

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Field Marshal Keller

I appreciate the honesty, and while your attempt to get the Corsairs to go headlong against us, saving your Hessian friends was from our perspective, a fairly low move, seeing as it seems to have failed, I am willing to forgive the indiscretion outright. I can easily from my standpoint accuse you of violating all sorts of values, but it is just that, my stand point. I cannot say I would not do the same in your shoes, not if my home was in the crosshairs, I am willing to contemplate many things in regards to Leeds, New London, and any other Bretonian planet that may be threatened. I can be honour-bound when all that is on the line is a remote station with very few people on-board, but planets with millions of people on them? No measure is too low.

Your information regarding Omega 47 is invaluable. I take it that you are now on the back foot, and the system potentially stands to fall fully to Corsairs, instead of the previous state, which was something similar to Omega 5.

I do not have a great deal in my power in regards to Omega 47, it is far beyond the range of supply, and the system is known to be a navigation hazard to those who are not familiar with it. However, I can put together some irregular units to send to your aid. I will be honest, our irregulars are a colourful bunch, and not the most diplomatic. They care more for plunder than anything else, but they are resourceful and ferocious, very much the traits required for Omega 47.

I hesitate however. Many of the admiralty hold ill will against the Hessians, both for their attack on us in Omega 3, and for their continued belligerence, even though we have conducted no reprisals. We have left them be in respect to the Coalitions diplomatic position, and also for the pragmatism in keeping Hessians stable in their fight against our foe, the Corsairs. I am however willing to act on my own volition on this assistance, the only issue remains is, if I send irregulars, can I guarantee their safety from Hessians?

Finally, you asked if I needed anything else. I do, as I have mentioned, I need the Gauls out of Dublin, both reducing the threat on Omega 49, and relieving pressure on our economic efforts in Dublin. The Mollys, in their wisdom, instead of attempting to remove Gallic forces from Dublin, instead opted to attack a lightly defended mining facility recently evacuated by the IMG in Cambridge. I would like for the Coalition, the Mollys, potentially the Gaians if I can convince them, and our forces to evict Gallia from Dublin. Mollys are hostile to us it seems, though I am willing to overlook this again, for pragmatism. If you can run this by your command, and we can get a green light on such an operation, we can discuss it in more detail.

Regards,

Commodore John Redmond
Carrier Venerable, Stirling Battlegroup
Bretonian Armed Forces

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Markam is evil

[Markam]

Message Class: Audio-Visual
Encryption: White Russian
From: Admiral John Redmond

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Field Marshall Keller,

It has been a while since we last spoke. Times have changed, situations have changed. I hope you can rejoice the defeat of Gallia in New London, and I thank you for your help in saving the people of Leeds. All agendas, all ideologies and allegiances aside, nobody, not any sane human being can tolerate the massacre of millions of defenseless people, long since surrendered.

With New London finished with, all attention falls to our remaining fronts. Newcastle, where I sometimes see your men. Dublin, where the Mollys, with which I know you to have relations are as ever, present. Leeds, where the meat of our forces are to push. And finally Edinburgh, where Gallia scurries in retreat to.

All these fronts need to be dealt with somehow. In command of the Essex, Dublin falls to me. My priorities are clear, rid the system of Gallia, and anyone who supports it.

I do not know your level of influence with the Mollys, or on anything in Dublin for that matter, but if you can let them know, that they should not shed blood over Gallics and miners who blindly support them, I would appreciate the gesture. I will not prosecute them if they heed your warning.

Admiral John Redmond
Dreadnought Venerable, Battlegroup Essex
Bretonian Armed Forces

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Markam is evil

[Keller]

[Transmission Begins]

From: Field Marshal Lukas Keller
To: Admiral Redmond
Priority: High

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Enabling video-feed

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[Message Begins]
Admiral.

I take it harsh attrition made your elevation in office necessary. How does your fellow Commodore fare? I recall her being in charge of the initial annexation of Holland and the succinct ousting of its motley militias. Nonetheless, I know this isn't a social call. On to your request.

The Mollys are perhaps an extremely accurate reflection of one of the most prevalent themes of your Kingdom in these trying times. They are without compromise. Faced with the inability of Crown administration to satisfy or appease their grievances they resorted to a cause of rebellious separatism. Graves, as he was aptly named, pushed many of their brethren to an early grave during the height of the gold rush. Something I'm sure you aren't ignorant of. Naturally, he was also profiting off the business which kept resulting in a failure to reach extraction quotas, which only meant that these People were pushed harder and harder each quarter.

The Hood is a symbol of their defiance and Graves still stands as a monument, serving only the purpose of adding insult to injury. I will not even attempt to ask them to sully their cause by disregarding a former oppressor for a current more potential oppressor. In their situation, I would do everything they did and more. You have given the Mollys every reason over a historical period of abuse to never compromise in their cause for a free Dublin. Telling them to forgive and forget and let bygones be bygones does not console them of the loss. Just as an apology from Gallia would do little to console the body-counts of both New London and Leeds.

The Mollys are nevertheless a straightforward People, conversing with them through me would seem insulting at best, and a perception of the Revolution being compromised at worst. Talk to them personally, be absolutely honest and make your case. Do not attempt to take the moral high-ground and imply that their struggle is petty by comparison to the current stakes. Unless of course you would prefer that they, in addition to other belligerents, resolve instead to treat you as priority number one for elimination.

I cannot offer Bretonia aid against a cause hammered into existence by its own failures. That is for your Crown to atone for. They have fought you to a stand-still thus far, and they aren't about to stop just because the Kingdom is both on the cusp of victory and capitulation.

They will accept only one outcome. And you know what that is.

Sirius Coalition
Коалиция Сириуса

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"Knowing Humanity - We will be duty, bloody and unavoidable."

[Markam]

Message Class: Audio-Visual
Encryption: White Russian
From: Admiral John Redmond

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Field Marshall Keller,

Strange that you would mention Admiral Dagon, I have no issue with informing you that she perished in the battle over New London, though perhaps you knew already? Anyway, I know nothing of your relationship with her, and I do not need to.

Your words are harsh, but I see your point. I will attempt parlay with the Mollys, I am, as we established long ago, a man of pragmatism, even if the odds point to any attempt at parlay to be futile.

I wish you all the best in wars to come, Field Marshall.

Admiral John Redmond
Dreadnought Venerable, Battlegroup Essex
Bretonian Armed Forces

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Markam is evil