From Darkness

[Manticore]

INTERLUDE

root:\\fp2\comm\commserve\cblock\net\0125

Access DENIED.
Enter authorization code.

AAMT YFSH PQQB

Access GRANTED.
User "Betty" has joined the chat.

Alice: Since you've connected successfully, I assume you are the man I wish to speak to.

Betty: Very much so. And I assume you had something specific in mind with initiating this whole... hopefully untraceable interaction.

Betty: Now, I would like to know what your proposal is, requiring this amount of preparation and secrecy.

Alice: Very well. The Liberty Security Force has obtained intelligence regarding the movements of the Kanzler himself. Specifically that he will be visiting Hamburg in three days time. The Liberty Navy is preparing an assault, timed specifically with his stopover on Altona.

Alice: What I propose is simple: the Kanzler needs to be anywhere but Hamburg at that time, and in his place there should be a... rather large fleet, set to ambush the Libertonians.

Betty: How exactly did you get such information, if I may inquire?

Alice: I'm afraid I cannot clarify that any further. You may confirm with my superiors their level of trust in my information, if you wish. Know that we wish to wound Liberty equally as much as you do.

Betty: I would not dare question your motives, I am merely curious. Nonetheless, it bothers me that the Liberty Navy possesses such intelligence.

Betty: Your proposal is sound. However, it can be turn out to be quite difficult. Our assets are busy at the front, and other assets are busy in the core. Weakening the Liberty Navy with such an ambush could be another stone for the avalanche.

Betty: There is something I have to ask though. If they have sensitive information such as the movement of the Kanzler, wouldn't a few missing cruisers, maybe even a battleship moving back to Alster on that very day would go unnoticed?

Alice: I cannot tell you for certain, I'm afraid. However, my source's impression of the situation indicates that the LSF acquired this information from an isolated, and quite fortunate, leak.

Alice: I do know this, however: the Navy cannot commit overwhelming force to this operation. If they get spooked, they will simply abort the mission.

Betty: Your impulse to tell us this is most welcome. We have to review our information and deal accordingly. I appreciate your efforts. Now, was there anything else you had in mind you would like to discuss?

Betty: We have experience with revealing rats within our own ranks. Could you possibly have any information that leads to the culprit?

Alice: Unfortunately, that is outside of my source's area of operation. Please understand that if I could provide you any further guidance, I would.

Alice: Unless you wish to discuss anything else, it would likely be best to keep our contact as brief as possible. Despite the measures I have taken, there is some risk in contacting you directly.

Betty: Indeed. Now, I would once again like to express my gratitude. If there is nothing else, this connection can be closed.

Alice: Thank you. I do hope you make good use of the information I have provided. It would be a shame to let such an opportunity go unseized.

Connection TERMINATED.
Session end.

(Credit to LordVipex for his character's portion of this chapter.)

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