Gallic Royal Navy Transmission Center (iRP) (FO)

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ID: Margrave Blaise Mersenne, Colonel d'Armee Navalle
ENREGISTREMENT: GRN-3305-81-C
ORIGINE: Gap Station
DESTINATION: Sieges Sociaux, Temeraire
CHIFFRAGE: Securite-S

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Mon ami, Montague,


Indeed, the defense of Her Highness is an utmost priority, especially considering the extents to which the Zoners have gone in an attempt to bring harm upon her. It is wise to maintain a sizable defensive in orbit around Nevers, and though His Majesty's Royal Navy had repelled the Council assault on Lorraine the system is still recovering and requires as much support as necessary. I am loathe to squander the deployment of support vessels should it allow the rebels to perform a feint; it would dishonor the name of my family greatly to be remembered for the loss of His Majesty's Territory.

I will agree that it is still too early to have jumped to my prior conclusion about the rebel's intents within Dauphine; however, I will maintain any and all records of their incursions. Should a pattern be established, I will forward all pertinent data to Naval Command and let them decide the best course of action. You must remember, mon ami, that Dauphine is in a precarious position: we stand between a major entrance route for intrusion and the Royal Navy's headquarters in Burgundy. I must also emphasize the need to maintain the unhindered operation of EFL, as any lapse in their shipments could potentially set back our time tables.

Never the less, I will adjust the local fleet's deployment orders as necessary. The Embrun and Guillestre will maintain their respective positions at the Burgundy and Lanquedoc jump gates, and patrol routes are already being developed to ensure efficient coverage of Dauphine. You have my word that no further intrusions will progress beyond this sector.

In light of this, I have taken the liberty to assemble an analysis of the current tactical situation within Dauphine. Data are current as of the compiling of this message, and are as follows:

The Sylvana was deployed for observational flights through Dauphine, her sensor array being suitable to operate within the multiple debris fields that line the outskirts of the system. Aspirant Seymour flew escort for the cruiser. Shown below is a general star chart for Dauphine as a whole:

Our first point of interest was within the southern-most field, approximately 50 klicks east of the Lanquedoc jump gate. Many earlier patrol reports indicated flight trajectories leading into and out of the field, the majority of which displayed IFF patterns belonging to rebel and/or Sirian vessels. The Sylvana maintained its flight path along the edge of the field until anomalous gravitational readings were detected around standard coordinate D7. Entering into the field from this point, through the southern edge, visuals were confirmed for the Lanquedoc jump hole. Sensor readings also indicated energy signatures conforming to a stellar installation; detailed scans identified this as a Maquis station. An important detail to note is the proximity of the installation to that of the jump hole:

[SENSOR LOG//ROOT - OBJECT 1-2]

The jump hole can be identified visually to the left, and the Maquis installation has been highlighted to the right. We are lead to believe that this positioning allows the rebels a rapid-response staging base into Lanquedoc, as well as a potential haven for Sirians that wish to avoid detection by naval patrols. Smaller, but significant, energy readings were detected further into the debris field, but the Sylvana would be at a disadvantage in maneuvering should an attack wing arrive. Before exiting out of the field, Tactical managed to perform a structural analysis on a stationary defense platform; details have been uploaded to the databases:

[SENSOR LOG//ROOT - OBJECT 3]

Our next point of interest was within the Voiron Dust Field, located to the east of the transit lane between Gap Station and the Lanquedoc Jump Gate. Deep scans within the field, coupled with resonance imaging, identified an installation of unknown origin along with multiple smaller, but energetic, artificial structures. Since there are no records of naval activity within the field, we can be lead to conclude that this installation is of rebel construction. Shown below are the relative positions of the Sylvana and the installation:

[SENSOR LOG//ROOT - OBJECT 4]

Of concern is the location of this installation behind Gap Station; this base could allow a direct assault on Gap while also providing reasonable cover for rebel movement. This is a point of interest which has been taken into account, and a sentry wing is being stationed on Gap.

The third point of interest lies within the northwest sectors of Dauphine: the Nyons Asteroid Field. Archived reports of Sirian flight paths, along with patrol flights performed in Burgundy and Dauphine, already confirmed the presence of a jump hole within the field. Of concern here is the ability for a defensive force to respond potential threats using this jump hole. Shown below are the relative positions of the eastern-most edge of the field and the Burgundy Jump Gate (of which the Embrun is stationed next to):

[SENSOR LOG//ROOT - OBJECT 5]

The distance between the two is large enough to affect the efficient response time of an interception wing deployed from the battleship. Natural solutions would include a pursuing wing of His Majesty's Royal Navy using the jump hole as well, though this presents potential attacks from the rebel base on the Burgundy-side of the anomaly; patrol wings in Dauphine have already been instructed to travel along the transit lane between the sealed jump gate while maintaining scans for any intervening activity.

Finally, the last point of interest lies in the northeast sectors of Dauphine. Here, the Isere Dust Field is located in proximity to the Burgundy Jump Gate; its positioning is closer and, as such, allows for a ready deployment into the field if necessary.

[SENSOR LOG//ROOT - OBJECT 6]

Deep scans did not reveal anything of major interest, and a visual scan of the field's interior was performed afterward. Approximately 15 klicks into the field a sensor anomaly was detected, and after closing in on the source we identified the wreck of a vessel. Details of the vessel are listed below:

[SENSOR LOG//ROOT - OBJECT 7]

[SENSOR LOG//ROOT - OBJECT 8]

Beyond this, there are no remarkable observations within the debris field. Tactical analysis does identify it as a possible flight route for rebel forces that wish to remain undetected, or intend on ambushing transit along the Burgundy Jump Gate.

For now, this concludes the tactical analysis. Along with this copy sent to you, another has been dispatched to naval command. I thank you again for you prompt response, mon ami. For His Majesty and His Will, I will ensure the security of Dauphine.


Your friend and compatriot,


Margrave Blaise Mersenne

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Maybe some day, they'll see a hero is just a man who knows he's free.