Message to: RHA
Comm ID: Major Gunther Hoerst, RHA Oberkommando
Location: Freital, Omega-11
Encryption: High
Kameraden, our war on the Corsairs continues. I am sure you've already heard of today's skirmish in Omega-41, and while it was not a decisive victory, it was very much a tactical one. We've managed to hold for as long as possible against the enemy hordes and successfully dispatched one of their capital ships and several fighters and bombers, including one of their Elders. This will take them some time to rebuild.
But there was also another thing. Any of you who have paid attention to their scanners during the battle have probably noticed more than just the Corsairs there. A group known to us as the Phantoms has been snooping around. We have caught them in Omega-11 after the battle, around the Omega-54 jump hole. I made sure to question them and force them to wipe their navigational scanner data before they were allowed to leave. The attached conversation log may be reviewed by any of you for reference.
In case you are unaware of who exactly these Phantoms are, here is a short briefing based on our past dealings with them:
The Phantoms are a terrorist group bent on the destruction or dissolution of all lawful governments in Sirius. Their methods to achieve this range from the overt (such as mass murder of civilians and military alike) to covert (infiltration and subversion of factions, turning them towards their own ends).
Now, I am aware that the Phantoms have not been heard of for about a year now. Either they have been in hiding, plotting something big, or the group has simply disintegrated over time and what we see now is a new, reformed group. Either way, we need to gain further tactical information, therefore all units are now encouraged to interrogate any encountered Phantom units in an attempt to gain as much data about their current goals and methods of operation as possible. Do NOT open fire unless provoked. And most importantly report all encounters with the relevant comm logs here.
Remember kameraden, knowledge is power. We need to know what we are dealing with.
Regards, Hoerst
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Attachment 1:
Code:
Communications log #62347-0204818
[RF]Stakhanov: Alexey: So. You see, we had a little problem...
Thrasymachus|pH: I saw the Corsairs. Rather numerous, but not too skilled. Is that what you're referring to?
[RF]Stakhanov: Alexey: Not really. They're not too big of a problem.
[RHA]RHC-Jeschke: This is Major Gunther Hoerst of the Red Hessian Army. Foreign fighters, identify yourself.
Thrasymachus|pH: We are Mithras and Thrasymachus of the Phantoms.
Mithras|pH: Mithras: Other than my codename, there's nothing else to know.
Thrasymachus|pH: A bit of a Lesestuck I suppose.
[RHA]RHC-Jeschke: Indeed. You are aware that this is Red Hessian space, ja?
Thrasymachus|pH: Of course we are aware. We hold the utmost respect for the Red Hessians.
[RHA]RHC-Jeschke: Then I need to inquire about your business here.
[RHA]RHC-Jeschke: What are your intentions?
Thrasymachus|pH: We are passing through. Moving to the Freeport in Omega-41
Thrasymachus|pH: Do you mind if we move behind this Planetoid to protect us from the Radiation before continuing?
[RHA]RHC-Jeschke: Proceed.
[RHA]RHC-Jeschke: Stakhanov, keep with us.
[RF]Stakhanov: Alexey: I am.
Mithras|pH: Mithras: So, we were going to Freeport 5 to fix a problem on my ship... you see.. the ID system is broken.
[RHA]RHC-Jeschke: I saw you scanning our and Corsair forces in Omega-41. Surely you do not mind if I request some of the data you've gathered on our enemies first?
Thrasymachus|pH: We could collect some data, yes. Of course, we'd prefer it to be our small secret.
[RHA]RHC-Jeschke: A secret... from whom exactly? Just so I know.
Thrasymachus|pH: Well in the heat of battle, words tend to slip out. We wouldn't be very useful spies if we were known to be spies, would we?
[RHA]RHC-Jeschke: Indeed you wouldn't.
[RHA]RHC-Jeschke: Transmit me the data, and I will let you on your way... for now.
Thrasymachus|pH: The data on what?
Mithras|pH: Mithras: This radiation is chewing out the armor plating from my hull.
[RHA]RHC-Jeschke: Scanner data from Omega-41 that you have obtained. In addition to that, I would request you remove any scanner data on Omega-54 that you have obtained.
Thrasymachus|pH: We've taken no data on Omega-54.
Thrasymachus|pH: However, I'll give you what I do know about Omega-41.
[RHA]Schwarzvogel: And I'm in reality a modelling star.
[RF]Stakhanov: Alexey: Yeah, right. You closed your eyes.
Thrasymachus|pH: We told you, our ship is malfunctioning and must be repaired as soon as possible.
Thrasymachus|pH: Omega-54 was the quickest way out of Rheinland.
Thrasymachus|pH: You may choose to believe me, or you may choose not to, but this is the trust.
Thrasymachus|pH: Truth, rather.
[RHA]RHC-Jeschke: Make sure all the visual data is gone. Next time, be sure to transmit your intentions to standing Red Hessian forces if you
[RHA]RHC-Jeschke: wish the enter Omega-54.
[RHA]RHC-Jeschke: Any RHA or RF vessel will do.
Thrasymachus|pH: We will hold every intention to do so.
[RHA]Schwarzvogel: *grumbles*
Thrasymachus|pH: May we go?
[RHA]RHC-Jeschke: Sehr gut. Proceed.
[RF]Stakhanov: Alexey: Oh well. Resuming patrol.
