FROM: Sir Humphrey Fulbright
TO: Colonial Office, Earth
CC: Naval HQ, Earth
Admiral Burwasher
DATE: 3198.240
I have just attended a conference on Potomax (the main Esteeler system in Q7) about dealing with the Berserker threat to quadrant 7. All powers in the quadrant are committed to united action against the berserkers. (A copy of the minutes is attached).
There is still a considerable threat to the quadrant (and human space generally) from a large Berserker base located at Granyt on the outer edge of quadrant 7. Looking at the various intelligence sources it is my view that the Berserkers are self-replicating machines which establish ship-yards in systems containing the correct materials for them to make new vessels. This hypothesis is supported by the preliminary evidence from Flypaper where it appears that a BSB converted itself into the planetary based installation that was assaulted during Operation Fenrir.
Should my hypothesis be correct then there are likely to be several Berserker bases outside human space which are capable of producing Berserker Super Battleships (BSBs). If this is the case then it is very likely that the war will be protracted, or at least it will recur with regularity as either we find new Berserker bases or the new BSBs reach the limits of human space.
It is therefore my recommendation that the entire Earther Empire increases the production of pacifiers, carriers and nuclear missiles.
While we have only used a few of our nuclear warheads the local Naval Intelligence cell tell me that the Esteelers and Martians have probably used their entire stocks in Q7. I am investigating whether it would be possible to increase production in Q7 in case we also need to use ours at Granyt.
I intend to increase production of spares and other essential items for pursuit of the war effort in Q7 as much as possible. However I shall seek to do this without unduly affecting the economy of Q7 and without taking over control of any industry.
Your servant etc.
Sir Humphrey Fulbright
Deputy Imperial Governor General.