This is Raven, callsign [EX]-Raven, operating under the banner of The Expendables.
I am reaching out in good faith to report an incident that may be of direct concern to your cause.

Earlier today, I completed a routine commodity delivery to Providence Station in the Edinburgh System. Upon undocking, I observed a Coalition Transport Vessel maneuvering in close proximity to the station. What initially appeared to be standard logistical traffic quickly raised concern during a brief exchange on open channels.

The vessel in question, callsign “Biyeliy.Lebed”, was carrying Gaian Wildlife as cargo.

During the encounter, the transport’s pilot made it abundantly clear that the cargo was regarded not as living creatures, but merely as "food" things, rather than lives. There was no effort made to conceal the nature of the shipment, nor any indication of care for the animals’ survival or origin.

I attempted to assess options for intervention. However, as a Longhorn pilot and a freelancer operating outside my designated area of operation, I had neither contractual authority nor legal standing to seize or liberate the cargo. No standing freelance contract exists to act against this form of wildlife exploitation, and any direct action on my part would have escalated the situation beyond reason.

That said, I was able to gather visual proof of the transport and its cargo for record and verification.

I am forwarding this information to you at the earliest opportunity, as I believe the Gaian Movement deserves full awareness of such activity, especially when it involves the mistreatment and exploitation of life native to worlds you protect.

While this transmission is primarily informational, I will be transparent in my intent:
I hope this report may serve as a first step toward earning your trust. Should the Gaians ever see value in independent pilots acting as observers, escorts, or intermediaries in the protection of wildlife, or in the discreet transport of special commodities, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss longer-term cooperation.

Until then, this message stands as a warning and a record.

For life.
For balance.

Hallo, Flora,

Thank you for your response, and for taking the report seriously. I’m glad to hear the information will be recorded.
it’s good to know it won’t simply disappear into the void.

I understand that there’s no work available at present, and I appreciate the honesty. My intention was never to press for an arrangement where one doesn’t yet exist.

For the sake of transparency, I should mention that The Expendables are currently looking to establish a more permanent foothold in the Vespucci and border Systems. As such, I expect to be operating in and around the region with some regularity.

If at any point the Gaian Movement finds itself in need of supplies, transport, or additional manpower, you’re welcome to reach out to me directly. Even if it’s only information that needs passing along, I’ll make myself available where I can.

Until then, consider us an extra set of eyes when we are flying near areas of interest.

Your message was… noted. The wording suggests more than a general assessment of risk, so I’d rather not misinterpret it.

When you say Vespucci is a bad place, is that due to conditions within the system itself—or because our presence there would create complications for parties already operating in the region?

I ask this out of caution, not defiance. The Expendables have no interest in stepping on existing interests unnecessarily, nor in placing our people where they’d become liabilities or targets without reason.

If this is meant as a warning rather than a general advisory, I’d appreciate knowing that directly so it can be taken into account at a higher level. Discretion cuts both ways.

For now, we’ll proceed carefully and keep our footprint light.

Thank you for the heads-up and for being direct about it. I appreciate the warning, and the context behind it. Information like that saves lives, plain and simple.

We’re not strangers to uncommon situations or hostile environments. Ithaca, Freeport 5, the deeper reaches of the Omegas even the Omnicrons...., we’re well aware of the kind of threats that tend to linger where most pilots won’t go looking. We don’t underestimate them, and we don’t treat rumors lightly.

That said, we don’t intend to walk in blind or careless. Any scouting or operations in Vespucci will be conducted with heightened caution and a clear priority on survival. If something needs to be given a wide berth, we’ll make sure it stays that way.

Your concern is noted and respected. We’ll not be a burden to you in this regard.