[Internal Channel] Operation Chisel

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[ Incoming Transmission ]

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Identification: Taskmaster Weaver
Affiliation: Octavarium Intelligence Commission

To: Octavarium Intelligence Commission

Subject: Operation Chisel
Encryption: Quite Possibly Recursive
Location: The Spider's Watch, Canberra Star City, Tau-44

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Harris, Borneo, Toulouse, Gaia. Planets of tactical value in the Taus, that will inevitably draw House attention. Even after Toulouse's strategic nuclear detonations, it remains a valuable planet - simply one with additional initial expense.

Our imperial neighbors to the south, Bretonia, will be moving north. Kusari will likely act to counter Bretonia's expected aggressive expansion, remembering the Tau War and wanting to avoid another sudden attack like what kicked off their recent war with Rheinland. Gallia as well, when they finally sort our their internal divisions. Malta is already moving against the IMG, to no great surprise, and no one expects their movement in Tau to stop with the rogue miners.

Crayter cannot hold the Taus alone against any one of these powers, and our own strength would do little to change that. Our prediction is that they will surrender Harris to Bretonia per the original deal to avoid a new war, which solves the immediate problem but gives Bretonia a stable foothold in the region.

Our overarching objective over the coming months is to make our neighbors unable to expand significantly in the Taus, through leverage and support of co-aligned elements. We also must, in all cases, avoid being caught - I do not want war with Kusari, Malta, Bretonia, or Gallia. I simply want them to decide that taking our space is not worth the expense.

The Gaians have indirectly brought to our attention the scope of Synth Foods' role as a tool of Libertonian propaganda and control. By dominating the advertising narrative with their talk of vast biodomes, they drown out all smaller solutions, no matter how valid. We will assist them in expanding their own station-based food production so they can continue their fight. We will also supply them with munitions, though not the equipment to produce their own - their shipyard already gives them some independence, we must retain some leverage. The Gaians will provide a helpful screen in the Taus, hindering Bretonian and Royalist movements and freeing up much of our south flank. With some luck, we may even be able to sever the Gaian-Crete alliance.

The Enclave themselves could be of strategic note. However, their pride is a complication; they are blind to the reality of their situation, and as long as they hold Gaia, I expect that will not change. A further complication is that unlike with the Gaians, we can't feasibly argue ideological sympathies.

In Kusari, the Golden Chrysanthemums are of note, and Kane has initiated contact already. They have also provided us with intelligence that, though somewhat limited, shows a willingness to cooperate on matters of Tau corridor security. Similarly, the Blood Dragons are always interested in shooting down KNF patrols. There is tension there with Malta, but their strategic alliance with the Chrysanthemums will hopefully offset that. Both groups are notoriously testy, however, and care must be exercised. The Dragons consistently want guns and munitions, but we will need further information from Kane on what the Chrysanthemums are after.

Our options for Gallic hindrance are unfortunately limited. We've had minimal contact with organized Brigands, and time will tell what becomes of the Maquis.

Malta is still the same disarray of competing warlords that it always is, despite Consul Escudero's rise. The new government appears to favor a peaceful approach to the Taus, only interested with securing their bases and the cardamine corridor, but the other warlords are expected to be varying degrees of violent. We will have to wait and see how that pans out, regrettably. Unfortunately, Escudero's tendencies make playing Malta and Gallia off each other somewhat difficult. If contact can be made with the Corse, we may be able to distract Maltese vessels... or, if we're not careful, we'll draw them further in.

Focus for now on the Bretonian and Kusari fronts. Individual assignments will be handed out over seperate channels.

Weaver
Octavarium Intelligence Commission

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