I'd like to go over some basic strategy here, it's about time we did.
I have no idea why Dortmund hasn't been boarded yet, but it's only a matter of time. At least it's given us the opportunity to move some of the heavy equipment off, to prevent its capture by the monarchists.
Most of our forces have been pulling back into the better-secured parts of northeastern Rheinland and the Sigmas, and I'm cautiously optimistic about our capability to maintain a line in that region, and a connection to the outside for trade.
Of course, the company has a long-standing relationship with the Gas Miners Guild, and we've already been involved in a few skirmishes against monarchist forces encroaching on their territory. I can't imagine the Guild is particularly excited about the prospect of a newly-founded Rheinland Empire at their doorstep, so I'm hoping the new Republic can reach accommodations with them.
As for the south, we are firmly of the opinion that some sort of agreement must be reached with the Red Hessians. The situation in Cologne is far from ideal, but Hessian control of the system is certainly preferable to monarchist control. I urge the Republican forces in the south to focus on preventing any monarchist advance, and not getting caught up in battles with the Hessians.
To put it bluntly, I'm certain that if Hessians and Republicans expend energy fighting each other, the monarchists will be able to swoop in and defeat both.
We can talk about more permanent solutions to our ideological differences when the Republican politicians have actually gotten around to the formation of the new state, but in the meantime show some strategic pragmatism and focus on halting the monarchists' advance.
Kai Richter
Security Directorate
ALG Waste Disposal
Transmission received
Code recognised as NNA-419A-PFA
Decrypting.... Recipient:Kai Richter - ALG Security dept. Sender:Walter Kappmann - Provisional War Office, PFA Date:06.05.827 A.S. Subject:Strategic considerations Priority:Medium
Greetings Mister Richter,
say about the gas miners what you will, but in the Sigmas it is them who reign supreme these days. And it is them who should see themselves at great threat if the empire manages to gain absolute control over our house. Because before you know it they'll remember that there's some old scores to settle. As you rightly put it, I doubt that's in the guild's interest. It certainly is not in ours.
Keeping the supply chain out of Frankfurt open and keeping the guild as a partner both in warfare and in logistics is thus something I consider of the utmost importance. God knows the Republic has not always been on the best of terms with them, but the times have changed. And your company's connections into the Sigmas are more valuable right now than ever. Coordination between the Federal Forces and the GMG needs to happen as soon as possible, and mediation by ALG would be much appreciated.
Considering the Cologne ordeal you might be pleasantly surprised, but the Hessian leadership was quick to reach out to us with an offer for a ceasefire. The way Heinrich and her band of miners are using this conflict to make such territorial gains is concerning, but I'm with you on the conclusion that we cannot waste energy on them while we are in such a precarious situation like this. I consider it the best to honour this agreement, at least for the time being. 'The evil you know' and all that.
Related to this development however is the precarious situation that the advancement of the Gallic fleet into Zürich poses. Not only does the Karlsruhe now find itself damaged and way out of position inbetween wary Hessians and wary Gaulls, officials of the Marine Nationale have also come into contact with us.
To not go into unnecessary elaborations: They are not happy about the RHA taking control of the system, knocking at their door and blocking their trade access to southern Sirius. They were very keen on getting Karlsruhe and her escorts involved in an advance into Cologne, and I get the feeling sooner or later they will act - with or without our participation.
I don't think I need to explain how the entry of another party into this conflict would make things even messier, and while I'd honestly love the Hessian endeavour into the system to be over sooner rather than later, this is definitely not how it should happen. With the loss of Stuttgart and paramilitary resistance in the system at a very early stage, our capacity to do anything is very limited at the moment.
I know that ALG has been working on getting a foot into the Gallic market over the course of the last few years. That must have also provided you with some contacts to the Gallic government and perhaps some diplomatic leverage that our provisional government does not possess yet. It might be wise to apply that leverage to keep the Gaulls from acting ... overly hasty.
Yours sincerely,
Walter Kappmann
Provisional War Office
Provisional Federal Army of Rheinland