JOLLY SECRET
From Governor Rhett Elgon, Quadrant Seven, Greater Federation of Asteel
To Yuri Leonov, CO 1st Venerian Task Group,
Copy to:
Supreme Councillor Bradbury, Q7 Martian Colonies
Governor Sir Mario Menendez, Q7 Earther Worlds
Sir Humphrey Fullbright, Earther Deputy Governor, Quadrant 7
All other political leaders in Q7 (JIM-9000 to list please for future reference)
To all military commanders for information
3198.122
Admiral Leonov,
Please convey the following urgent message to your political leaders.
Admiral Leonov, you have acted wisely in opening up Venerian shipyards for urgent battle repairs to our ships and you have my thanks.
Leaders of the Venerian Worlds of Quadrant Seven, greetings.
The Greater Federation of Asteel in this Quadrant has suffered greatly in the War Against the Berserkers and considers Victory essential, not only for our own survival but to ensure the survival of Humanity. The Berserkers make no distinction between nations and are pitiless mass-killers. They must be defeated; and all differences between peoples must be forgotten in the urgency of this task.
Therefore we call upon all Humanity in this Quadrant to make this War their highest priority.
If any Power fails to commit itself totally to this War, and seeks to obtain some squalid advantage, either by treacherous manoeuvres or by refusing to commit any part of its military forces to the defeat of the Berserkers, (in practical terms, by moving them to the War Front immediately and handing them over to JAC control) the Esteelers in this Quadrant, and most likely in the Home Worlds and other Quadrants too, will consider this a profoundly unfriendly and hostile act. Furthermore, we will seek to persuade all the Powers who have acted in good faith in this co-operative effort to view it in the same light. Other Powers are hereby invited to add their voices to my earnest call to you.
I appeal to you to take measures to ensure no such accusation of War Crimes can be made against the Venerians. The consequences, if such an accusation were to be proved, would, I promise you, be grave.
If we are unified...Humanity Will Triumph!
Governor Rhett Elgon