The Lane Hackers | Internal Comms

[Mr.Ling]

...hack.initiated...connecting.to.Spyglass.Network...decryption.in.progress...
...Deceiver.Mr.Ling.recognized...encoding.transmission...
...uploading.data...

Well, this is long overdue, but a trip this intensive takes a lot of time. It has been about 4 months since I last checked in, but hopefully I have some useful things for you all.

---

CLASSIFIED: Report on Kusari/Gallia War


Basic Analysis

On or around the twenty seventh of June this year, Kusari entered into war with Gallia. The intent, as stated, was to ensure stability in the Taus and persecution of the war-criminals of the old government through the destruction of the weaponry used in the Gallic war that crippled Bretonia, and "actions" to ensure that the nation of Gallia never becomes a threat to Kusari. To that end, they blazed a path through the Tau systems and initiated a surprise attack on Gallia, striking quickly and ruthlessly, and establishing a sizable foothold in Lorraine and Languedoc.

Damage Report: Lorraine

After a quick travel through Chrysanthemum space, with no incidents, I began my first flight through uncharted territories. Jamming my ships USI allowed me access to the Jump Gates, civilian and corporate in specific, but put automated defense systems on the fritz. I do think that if we had more access to blue packs to reverse engineer, we could get through restricted Lanes and Gates, but that is a topic for a later date. From the lanes that I took, it appears as if Lorraine has fallen completely. [X] [X] The lanes and gates all flashed Naval Forces Identification. While the storage platform pictured was virtually unharmed, the station with drydocks was damaged severely. It really does seem as if Kusari is specifically attacking war-capable production facilities. The few patrols I saw while keeping my head down let trading ships pass, but engaged Gallic Defense Forces. Given that I was in unfamiliar space, I simply made my way from the Tau 53 Jump gate to the Burgandy Jump Gate. I did not scout the area down the Chateau Salins Station trade lanes. I have left the south-west quadrant uncharted for now,

Damage Report: Burgandy

Arriving out of the Gate in Burgandy, the Kusari Fleet is visible. They currently hold what appears to be a stalemate above the Planet Nevers, and as such simply lob artillery at each other. I encountered an Outcast in that space, one of Loyola's Guard if I recall correctly, however most of my flight logs were corrupted due to a later event, and I cannot display them at this time. The Gendarmerie hold the trade lane to the Lorraine Jump Gate [X], but several crippled ships lie in the orbit of the planet [X]. Travel from there on is relatively uneventful.

Eventful Ile-de-France

I did say "relatively uneventful". There was still something interesting in Ile de France, and that was this modular base above Planet New Paris. It did not recognize my IFF, and did not trigger automated defense systems upon picking up my jammed USI [X]. The automated control actually cleared my landing, and I had a brief respite aboard the landing pad. However, upon launch, I was intercepted by a cruiser patrol outside who did recognize my IFF. While I did escape, my electrical systems suffered damage from pulse weaponry, and many of my flight logs and some important data was destroyed.

Damage Report: Dauphine

More damage, and this time only one lane away from Ile de France. Kusari is basically knocking on Gallia's door here. Another crippled Gallic battleship outside the wreckage of a station [X], and the Kusari Battleship Nagasaki is visible from the trade lane [X]. Once again, I took a simple path, and did not explore the north-east quadrant of Burgandy. I had enough troubles on my plate with the Naval Forces giving my damaged ship a sideways eye.

Damage Report: Languedoc

About the same as Lorraine. Station wreckage, crippled and destroyed ships, and Kusari control over the transportation network [X][X]. I did not explore Planet Quillian, but I did travel the lane and mark it on my map. After that, I traveled down the Kusari-controlled lane to the Tau 23 Jump Gate, and ended back in friendlier skies. I followed an Outcast patrol to Malta, who helped me to fix my ship and recover any salvageable information. After that, I went back through Kusari to Leiden because I needed a nap and cardamine.

Theory

Now, I'm no military analysis expert, but I do have a hunch: The reason that Kusari was able to take so much in such a short time was because they attacked too fast for Gallia to shut down their transportation network. A surprise like this would easily see fighter wings, gunboat patrols, and even the cruiser squadrons abuse it to quickly force themselves forward. In an effort to defend civilian health and welfare, the lanes are still active. The only thing really stopping Kusari from simply taking a ride down to New Paris is the might of the Gallic Military, and Kusari might have enough strength to push through that. A quick blitz like this was an indefensible position for Gallia, but now that the element of surprise is gone, both sides must settle in for a long haul. The destroyed platforms are all either capable of harboring warships or capable of manufacturing them, which lends credit to Kusari's claim of only striking at the military force. However, in the end, it really isn't my issue. The professors are the one's who'd like this information.

---

In other news, I have made my appearance on Radio Free Liberty, and as per a recent discussion, I do believe this qualifies for the Enlightenment Criteria.

Also, just today, I met a pilot of a ship named Sabes. I intend to keep said pilot as an informant of sorts. Not only was this freelancer willing to not shoot at me despite the circumstances in which we met, he also gave me a trinket of great importance that I would like to see transferred to one of our vaults for further analysis or something. I feel as though they could be an ally in the future. While I would like this to count towards Subterfuge, I do not know where freelancers really fall on the list of "Friendly, Neutral, and Hostile factions". Feedback would be appreciated on this subject.

That is all for today. Mr. Ling out.

...encryption.in.progress...disconnecting.from.network...hack.terminated...