The Other Side by VA Hawkins Section report: Republic Intel - Station XLZ Report: To all officers, officials and other approved personnel bordering the space owned by Imperial Remanent 'Emperor's Hammer'. Significant fleet movements have been detected within Hammer space, specifically around the Doldur systems. Information gathered via our [CENSORED] and [CENSORED] intelligence services have identified the deployment of the following front line fleet assets: ISDII Challenge and attached vessels, We have no current data on the whereabouts of: VSDII Aggressor - no data on attached squadrons Analysis: Initial inspection of data implies this is likely to be a training exercise, and therefore does not represent an immidiate threat. Despite the timing of the event coinciding with aggressive deployment of fleet assets against civilian installations in neutral systems along agreed borders, it is deemed that at this time the current deployment does not indicate a likely escalation into active engagement with the Republic. However, images captured by [CENSORED] show Calamari cruisers being used as the focus of the operations. Definite identification of cruisers cannot be made at this time; possibilities include the Redemption, Star of Alderaan, Yavin's Honour or a previous incarnation of the Deliverance. Details of other smaller craft involved cannot be confirmed. Analysis suggests this could represent; Advised Action: The following actions are recommended, in line with previous experiences with the Emperor's Hammer and standard Republic Fleet procedures; Notes: Reporting officer: CPT Verillion Note 1) All indications are that this is just a grand training exercise. Deployments of main fleet assets is comparable with other known Imperial protocols - the Warrior and Hammer on assignment, the Challenge on monitoring duty. However, doing so in a system that the Hammer would know we would monitor suggest they WANT us to see them. This likely means they have an ulterior motive, which is most likely to be territorial expansion. It would therefore be prudent to treat this as a hostile act until such time as it can be conclusively proven not to be. Note 2) In the light of the above assertion, we should send a response fleet, under an officer experienced in dealing with Imperials. There role should be to enforce the rule of Republic law, and encourage the Imperial vessels to return to their own space. The force will need to be significant, to ensure the fight doesn't seem worth it. The Emperor's Hammer is a powerful foe, but cannot afford unending conflicts. I suspect that they will not have the stomach for a prolonged engagement, and that this is little more than 'lightsabre rattling' on their part. A significant fleet reaction will satisfy their Imperial egos, allowing them to feel we have been sufficiently reminded of their strength, and after some initial bluster, they will return to their own space. Summary: * Imperial fleet on probable training manoeuvres, possible sign of future aggressive acts May the Force be with you. |