**Transmission source**
Office of the Director
Cook, Matthew
Pryce Institute for Advanced Scientific Research; Planet Los Angeles; California System
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**Begin message**
Effective immediately:
All Institute ore collection (Mining) operations in the Kansas system are to cease.In the past months,it has become abundantly clear to me that the Kansas system is no longer in the control of the Liberty Government.The loss of the DL transport late last year, and the missing status of several of its crew remains a stark reminder of the dangerous risk taken by our ships every day, and I can no longer be a part in increasing that risk.It is clear to me that the Kansas system is in dispute, and the threat to our vessels is far beyond ordinary piracy. The frequent reports of close calls by our vessels have moved me to make this hard decision.
I am aware that the loss of ore from this site will greatly affect our work in the Metallurgy Department.I have been informed that our current stores will allow us to continue the experiments for approximately two more months before being depleted; in light of this information, I have initiated efforts to locate a new source of ore.I will communicate additional details as they become available.
Vessels Metallurgy.301 and Metallurgy.401 are to set course for Baltimore Shipyard, for refit and reassignment. Metallurgy.501 is to return to Los Angeles for reassignment.