-I've reviewed your planetary scan data.
-Good. Any Revelations?
-Seems our saboteur was in quite a hurry. There were small, empty genome enhancement tubes left on the surface of one of the toxics nearby
-Wait. Aren't those used by the Stryll?
-Yes... and the assembled bomb fragments paint a similar picture.
-What did you learn from then?
-We spoke with the Alarri Consortium. Given your prior interaction with them, they were willing to provide some details on the weapon that were useful.
-The Alarri I'm Suprised to hear that Valthken would provide anything without earning a profit.
-Don't be too surprised. They were quite insistent on payment.
-So, did their Intel provide any answers?
-A great deal. The charges are definitely of Stryll origin. They are a modified versions of a design they use for smaller, precision targets. Assassinations. But... these are the design of the Strazi.
-The Strazi? Are they part of The Order?
-Yes, but they operate as an elite, secretive branch. Their genetic makeup is quite different - far more experimental. Other than that, there is little else both your government and the Ardyne leaders know about them.
-Where does this leave us?
-Our Priorities haven't changed. The nexus remains at serious risk as long as we remain in the dark about their methods.
-That is true. The Stryll will return to finish their contract.
-And we'll need to step up our patrols in the meantime.
-Any other leads?
-Yes. Upon further examination of the genome tubes, it appears they were lined with Xendrium. A curious choice, given its rarity.
-If they are using Xendrium, then there's a good chance they are refining it themselves.
-Xendrium is found within dense asteroid fields inside class CF nebulae. I've already reviewed the charts.
-Any matching systems?
- The most likely match is the Gartith Nebula. It's remote, and the stars there are very young. It wouldn't be a viable location for colonists, but it would be a good place for the Strazi to hide.
-That is deep past enemy borders. Getting there won't be easy.
-If you want to get to Gartith undetected, there are a few tricks that the new gateway can offer.
-Such as?
- We've made some temporary modifications to the gateway for the egress aperture. It should give ships using the gateway an extra window of time to avoid detection as they leave the border... until our enemies learn of it and compensate.
-How does it work exactly?
- When the aperture is opened, the gateway releases a flux pulse stream through the aperture into the direction of the nebula. The pulse stream can travel quite far, but we have to leave the aperture open in order to maintain it. Some ships will need to stay behind to transfer power to the emitters.
-And our ships will travel along the stream?
- Exactly. We can't leave the stream running indefinitely, though. Eventually it will be detected. That would put the entire gateway at risk.
-Understood
-In addition, the stream is extremely sensitive. Ships that are traveling to Gartith cannot use any devices which may disturb its flux pattern.
-No Chart purging, no flux devices. Got it.
-Assuming the Strazi are there, you'll need to strike fast. While you may not find the saboteur specifically, data from their systems should be enough to provide answers as to how to protect ourselves from further incursions.
-I'll begin assigning the team now.
-Good luck, commander.
End Transmission