To: Katherine Pennybrooke | From: Hunter Wolff

[Aaron_Cianci]

From: Hunter Wolff, on assignment at Pacifica Base, Bering System
To: Katherine Pennybrooke
Subject: The Maltese and the battleship you saw
Encryption: Heavy

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Dear Katherine:

I was as surprised as you were to run across you in the Galileo system. I can't get into much operational detail, but the Union was conducting some engine testing that ended up not going as planned. I know you peeled off shortly after we entered Kusari territory, but I hope you found yourself well and away from things. Thankfully, in the end, there was no conflict between us and the Maltese. In fact, they got rather distracted by a Kasuri battleship that decided to enter the area. We simply turned and returned home - albeit not without having to watch our backs religiously the entire way through Liberty territory.

I too was disappointed that we could not speak more. I know I was distracted keeping command of the two other escort fighters, but the conversation I did manage to pick up between you and Admiral Shultsky sounded strained. I've come to learn that many of the Union's senior command types seem to love to hear themselves talk, sometimes about nothing at all. I don't know what went on between the two of you, but I hope you will not consider it a judgment on my own behavior. I continue to want to speak to you, and learn more about the Nomads and what their presence in Sirius means to humanity.

That being said, I must be blunt - I have been warned off further investigation into the Nomads by a...let's just call him a colleague. He has warned me that they are dangerous and not to be trusted, near impossible to communicate with and...Katherine, I don't know if this is true, but he tells me that they have the ability to occupy a human being, to take them over down to their very core, and then act as if they are that person. The idea is...frightening, to say the least. Do you know anything of this? Is this true at all?

I must learn more. Every time I hear someone tell me not to investigate something, it only makes me more curious. I can only hope you will continue to assuage my curiosity...but please, always be honest with me. I may be a young, backwater Rheinlander...but I can take it.

Thank you for your continued trust and openness with me.

Sincerely,
Hunter

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