To: Rheinland Military | From: Luc Durand

[iiLeRoss]

► Source: KKS-Kaiser
► Encryption: port RM-MAS-1NTS-TMD-TRM
► Submitter: Kapitän zur See Karl Holzner
► Recipient: Commandant Durand
► Subject: Concerning Activity

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Commandant Durand,

While we are willing to allow your units to operate within our lines, a full joint unit would require the approval of our government. Our high command does not dictate foreign policy and only has the power to grant transit and limited operational authority to foreign military powers.

We see no reason not to further communicate on this matter, but our latest intelligence indicates the bulk of Unioner activity is focused on more mundane criminal activities. While we agree that counter-piracy and smuggling operations are important, we put much greater priority on terrorist forces who actively operate along the Alsace Passage.

Ultimately, compared to groups such as the Red Hessians or your own Maquis, their resources and direct threat are far more limited. We can concur with your assessment that they lack true heavy warships; their last known vessels are either confirmed destroyed or are believed to be on account of long proof of existence. While they possess a meager force of cruisers, we have no doubt they are thoroughly outmatched by both our respective forces and are likely to be of poor condition and quality. That is without speaking of the inferior training and poor combat experience they possess.

As is, our own forces, headed by the Altenburg, are conducting operations of such nature within Cologne itself. Elsewhere, I can report that we have succeeded in degrading Corsair activity, a known Unioner smuggling partner, to a large extent in the Frankfurt and Sigmas operational zone.

Ultimately, we are willing to cooperate to an extent, but are limited by the directives of our state, and logistically, we believe direct operations short of large-scale counter-terrorism operations would be of minimal effect at best, but are willing to spare some light squadrons nonetheless. If this is of interest to you, I will pass it on to the Admiralty.

Für den Kaiser! Für das Volk! Für Rheinland!

Hochachtungsvoll,
Karl Holzner
Kapitän zur See der Kaiserlichen Rheinwehr

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