<sender>Commandant Chelsea Rhoswan <recipient>"Bowman" <subject>A Proposition
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//: A Proposition
Greetings, "Bowman".
This is commandant Chelsea Rhoswan of the Order. Your associate has made contact with one of our agents and later has proven themselves a capable partner. Also, you were mentioned as a man of realistic and practical approach, therefore I expect you to see reason.
Liberty, without mentioning its inhumane approach to those unlucky enough to be born under its banner or subjugated under it, also is rotting from inside with another threat. This house festers with aliens and their puppets and Pennsylvania is no exception. I assume you have recieved reports about suspicious and aggressive ships roaming in Vespucci - a system in mere two jumps from zoners you aim to free and protect. Your associate, named "Trouble", also may have explained what this is about.
The reason you must see in mentioned above is that House officials are not the only problem you should be worried about. This fight for freedom, in all its justice, is an opportunity for far malicious forces to take over. They may already have penetrated your ranks, they may lurk between your allies and they will only multiply their numbers. Standing ready to burst and crumble your cause in an instant after a mere thought coming from their masters.
We offer you a countermeasure. Whilst there is no way of annihilating the threat completely yet, we have a solution to lower their chances drastically.
I shall await for your response, be it questions or interest. We can help each other greatly.
Commandant Chelsea Rhoswan,
The Order,
Section-834
Z-NET ACCESS 4.0 | S E C U R E | CLARION version 0573.9523711B. Copyright Alex Maccabelli, 832 A.S., Confederacy of Freeports - You are using PRO edition.
User ID:__"Bowman"
Target ID:__Commandant Chelsea Rhoswan
Subject:__Re: A Proposition
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I see.
So it was all the truth, then, was it?
My "associate" believes similarly, yes, and she'd shared suspicions to this effect. After she'd commandeered my ship without my authorization, for an unknown party. I knew she was hiding something from us, but I'd not have guessed it was these supposed ties to the infamous Order. Your reputation precedes you.
That will rather exonerate her of treachery, if not her insubordination.
Which just leaves you and I, and the matter at hand. I've spared much of my time in the prior week reviewing the likelihood of her claims, as our Edge Worlds counterparts within Phoenix had made mention of their hardships struggling against alien life. Living among the people here, I'd assumed them to be primarily a danger to faraway spacer pioneers, at worst.
Between "Trouble's" testimony, my review of similar claims of puppetry made late last year against Task Force Prometheus by the Xenos, and now you... I believe that may be wishful thinking.
If what I've been told is true, then it is all too possible that this planet may regain its independence, only to lose it to some new puppeteer. One that turns our own bodies against us? And their reach extends throughout Liberty? Many other Militant cells seem to take it for granted that such a threat exists, but establish no security measures. With so many divided agendas between our allies, I'd assumed any accusations like this to be simple propaganda. Many competing groups wish to pull as many Militants into their camp as possible, to our detriment. As a result, I've trusted none of them fully.
But after this? I'll not ignore a threat that could jeopardize everything I'm working for. I'll take what you say with some gravity.
With that, indulge me these questions, commandant. We've matters to clear up.
Evidence has made the rounds in Pennsylvania that pilots of your 34th Brigade had engaged forces of Task Force Prometheus, as well as the now-defunct Ouroboros Militants which many voices under suspicion sought to stress, some time last year in the Coronado system. What were the circumstances of that engagement that led those pilots to attack these two groups?
Separately, regarding the intelligence submitted by the Xeno Alliance, alleging these former Legionnaires to have standing orders to cooperate with said alien powers. Do you possess hard proof of whether this Task Force has been subverted in this way? I intend to verify this independently, but if you've intel to share as well, I'm interested. Their prior Technocracy affiliation is what spooked my own agent, and with the evidence mounting, so does my own suspicion. As they're a now-prominent force against the Liberty occupation in Pennsylvania, it's an imminent concern, to say little of their past ties to Vespucci itself.
On top of that, we've all learned our lesson here the hard way. No assistance is given for free. There will be something expected of us in return for your aid, logistical support being one such favor you'll need by the look of it.
If we accept your help, what would you want from us in return?
Clarify these for me, and you'll find me interested in how you can arm us against this enemy.
<sender>Commandant Chelsea Rhoswan <recipient>"Bowman" <subject>RE:A Proposition
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//: A Proposition
Glad you asked.
I will not lie, militants and Pennsylvania in general are very much optimal foothold - given the location right in the heart of Sirius. So it is no wonder that multiple faction that need this foothold are now at your doorstep, singing serenades in order to earn your sympathy. Again, not to lie - I do expect a similar outcome in a long term, but I also do believe that we will come to this naturally.
After all, we do have a same enemy to fight in this parts. And not only one, perhaps.
To your questions.
You have seen what Xenos proposed as their proof and occusations. It is interesting how this data ended up in their hands, but that is not our concern now - awareness is for the better. A part of our unit recieved this data from another cell, that claimed the source trustworthy.
One of the Legionnaires of Task Force Prometheus and if one of them is speaking about getting direct orders not ot fire upon an infected individual. As well as admitting that there are more of those flying around, not to mention that at least two out of three commanding units were signing this order. Exarch Megiddo and Exarch With. You will find this communications attached, if you wish to refresh your memory.
After recieving this data, 34th Brigade has deemed Task Force Prometheus compromised. I believe, you do understand that these means were necessary, as there is no place for risk. Besides that, our organisation has a colourful and bloody history with Technocracy, who are also suspected to collaborate with aliens and to which Prometheans still are aligned as allies. Ouroboros militants acted to assist the Task Force, so they, if not compromised as well, were caught in a crossfire by their own choice.
Some may call this actions radical, in a way. But this threat we are facing is not forgiving to those who linger.
As for the "return" part of our cooperation. I have already mentioned that we are looking forward to prolonged alliances, both regarding the situation in Liberty and beyond, as Nomad threat has its influence in neighbouring Houses as well. For a more short-term goals - you were right. We are in need of logistical support, in which "Trouble" has excelled after a little test we gave her. We will need your pilots and their ships to collect the cargo on a designated station in Omicrons and then - drop it off in Coronado, where it will find its own way. Naturally, it will require smuggling skills. You, however, will be able to claim a portion of said cargo, which is the key to control your infectees situation.
If you are interested, I will elaborate further.
Commandant Chelsea Rhoswan,
The Order,
Section-834
[20.07.2025 18:37:21] Thallia.Thorn: Just... ... ... I've been collecting data whilst doing m...my work, and I think the Gammu AI are dangerous.
[20.07.2025 18:38:36] Source: Mm. They certainly are.
[20.07.2025 18:38:51] Source: Do you think they might be looking to harm you?
[20.07.2025 18:39:06] Thallia.Thorn: *blinks* Y...you already know this? What do you know about them?
[20.07.2025 18:40:22] Source: Not that much. But I've seen them chasing people around who they feel... Own something that is belonging to the AIs.
[20.07.2025 18:41:59] Thallia.Thorn: "They're att...attempting to collect items they think can be used to open some sort of structure, or gate or similar."
[20.07.2025 18:42:13] Thallia.Thorn: "Th...they working with some kind of alien form."
[20.07.2025 18:43:37] Source: Quite troubling, given that... We have been told to stand down and cease fire on certain aliens.
[20.07.2025 18:43:57] Source: Not only that, but even... Told to play nice with them.
[20.07.2025 18:44:44] Thallia.Thorn: "What?!...w...which aliens? How? Who?"
[20.07.2025 18:46:01] Source: Not really supposed to be talking about this, but you'll end up knowing anyway. We have a bunch of infectees-
[20.07.2025 18:46:26] Source: -flying around recently, apparently with some amount of free will their masters gave them.
[20.07.2025 18:46:43] Source: Former legionnairies included.
[20.07.2025 18:46:59] Thallia.Thorn: Ca...can you share names?
[20.07.2025 18:48:48] Source: Let me check my log...
[20.07.2025 18:49:34] Source: Oh, what a name.
[20.07.2025 18:50:08] Source: "Nibwaakaawin"... Took me an effort to say it.
[20.07.2025 18:51:50] Thallia.Thorn: "Nibwaakaawin"...*she jots it down on a scrap of paper.* "Wh...who gave you the order t...to not fire on them?"
[20.07.2025 18:52:37] Source: From the very top.
[20.07.2025 18:52:42] Source: Exarchy.
[20.07.2025 18:52:56] Thallia.Thorn: "Exarchy... M...Megiddo?"
[20.07.2025 18:53:11] Source: Them, too.
[20.07.2025 18:53:24] Thallia.Thorn: Wh...who is the Exarchy, sorry?
[20.07.2025 18:53:41] Source: Well, Megiddo you already know.
[20.07.2025 18:53:59] Source: There is also Exarch West and Exarch With.
[20.07.2025 18:54:21] Source: All of them are responsible for their own fields of operations.
[20.07.2025 18:54:40] Thallia.Thorn: And th...they've all signed off on this order to permit th...this infectee presence?
[20.07.2025 18:55:15] Source: Two of them, at least, has spoken about it with us. Megiddo and With. I assume West is on board with it as well.
Z-NET ACCESS 4.0 | S E C U R E | CLARION version 0573.9523711B. Copyright Alex Maccabelli, 832 A.S., Confederacy of Freeports - You are using PRO edition.
User ID:__"Bowman"
Target ID:__Commandant Chelsea Rhoswan
Subject:__Re: A Proposition
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Received and understood. The forthrightness is noted.
Good to know we're both working off the same evidence, then. Given that you've your own reasons to consider the Legionnaires your enemy, I can see why the call was made. I'll require more proof than an anonymous claim and circumstantial suspicion to be absolutely sure that these Nomads of yours are so close at hand and not only prowling Vespucci. If we antagonized the Task Force now, it risks splitting the Militants into opposing camps. I'd be firing up the oven and baking a bloody Christmas cake for President Hawthorne.
Trouble was eager to verify this source. With her penchant for acting unilaterally, I've left her to it.
Best not to wait for confirmation. We now have the route to your Omicron installation. Dangerous trek, but our new armored transport's proven capable. The captain's the most trustworthy man I have, and he has experience on both sides of that cat-and-mouse game. I'll prepare a recurring mission profile for the EMS Leatherwood.
Now, what precisely are they hauling, and how does it help us? Some sort of antidote for these parasites your enemy deploys?
<sender>Commandant Chelsea Rhoswan <recipient>"Bowman" <subject>A Proposition
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//: A Proposition
Legionnaires are not the target right now. All you should do about them is to keep your eyes open and expect that they may deviate from normal behaviour sooner or later. Same about everyone who suddenly takes up the arms to fight and/or comes from so far away, that it is surprising to see them helping out, really. Dealing with this enemy is a very, very delicate work. If you would want to hear a recommendation - you have heard it. Stay vigilant, even minor deviations from the usual can be a sign.
I would not take infectees from Vespucci out from the question when it comes to Pennsylvania, if I were you. You will have a list of infected ships attached to this message. As you see, there are ship classes, that are both frequently met in Liberty and its vicinity and those that are unusual, to say the least. Not to mention an oddity of seeing these fighting together. To clarify, this list was obtained and compiled during one of the operations performed by the Order a little after this tip-off from earlier was made public. This vessels were engaged in a fight that continued throughout Vespucci, Magellan, Cortez and Coronado, constanly being reinforced by the infected side. I will leave you to ponder on this by yourself.
Besides that, you will find a documentation file regarding the solution we offer. While this is as much as we can do at the moment, it should make the situation at least promising. What you will see there and recieve afterwards, are handheld scanners, developed and produced by our organisation. Those will help you identify physically infected individuals, for a reference of this technology put into action - you can look how Freeport-11 is functioning right now. Now, this will not help against mentally controlled thralls - this is the field where you will need to put all of your suspicion.
As for recommendations:
Dispose of detected infectees. DO NOT TRY TO CAPTURE THEM. - They would rather die than give out any truth.
Organize your facilities. And watch for any deviations.
If it is possible, give out this scanners to the most trusted of your associates and first perform tests on the most suspicious ones.
As much as I would love to have an antidote, it does not exist. Unfortunately, any physically infected individuals can not function if parasite is removed: it feeds on nerves and internal organs. So in reality - you are dealing with the parasite itself, rather than the body it is wearing. However, mentally-controlled thralls are still can be saved through removing them from an infectee that controls them, preferrably - by eliminating the latter. Though the risk is still high.
Along with the scanners, the cargo will consist of other samples of our technology. These will be distributed among our agents from the endpoint of the route you have - Barrier Gate Station.
Our people in Omicrons will separate these two parts for your convinience. To drop off your part of the cargo first and then deliver our portion or to return with your scanners from Coronado - is under your discretion.
Looking forward for your answer.
Commandant Chelsea Rhoswan,
The Order,
Section-834
Z-NET ACCESS 4.0 | S E C U R E | CLARION version 0573.9523711B. Copyright Alex Maccabelli, 832 A.S., Confederacy of Freeports - You are using PRO edition.
User ID:__"Bowman"
Target ID:__Commandant Chelsea Rhoswan
Subject:__Re: A Proposition
Rendering transcript...
All understood, though...
Mentally controlled thralls, you say? I'm to understand just the presence of these creatures turns our own people against us? How?
That sounds quite simply detached from reality. As does hysteria around alien invaders for that matter, but... here we are, aren't we?
Well. As you're the expert, I'll have to plan accordingly. We're lucky for our isolation from other cells then, via our planetside headquarters, but extreme caution will be observed on my next visit to Pinnacle. Next you'll tell me these creatures have the strength of ten men. Keep on with the jolly good news.
Recent events have put the establishment of security clearance levels into consideration. I'll move up that timetable. Once we receive the first share, I'll start getting people in for a "med check", then establish a regular checkup schedule. I'll see pushback from the newcomers on-base no doubt, but, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
The rest of the details, I'll forward to "Southpaw" captaining the Leatherwood, list included. I'm intrigued to see what you mean by other samples of your technology in these deliveries. I'm always on the lookout for wider equipment variety for my fighters, as they'll soon be put into more demanding circumstances than bushwacking LPI boots and isolated marines.
If you support us in this war with the House Liberty machine as well as these parasites, this partnership will prove a good fit after all.
Now, the Leatherwood can transport up to 2600 units of cargo. What proportion among that would be set aside for Pennsylvania? Beyond this, do you have a quota to fill, or is this need continuous? If we're to report successful route completion, inform us of the appropriate channel if any. And understand, I will have to commit them to other pickups on occasion as our resource needs change.
I'll stand by to give the go-order on next transmission.
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