To:
Sir Humphrey Fulbright CMG, Deputy Governor General, Earther Q7, Dolha
Supreme Councillor R. Bradbury, Martian Q7, Xynam
Venerian High Command, Oith
Sirian High Command, Gryt
Centauri High Command, Mald 2
Wolfer High Command, Prtoprnss
Zionist High Command, Tiel
Governor Rhett Elgon, Esteeler Q7, aboard Esteeler vessel 'Draconis'
From:
3198.018 (assuming 7 day message transit from Sandron - Xynam)
I thank Asteel Governor Elgon for his message and am heartened at the consensus that seems to be developing in the Quadrant. In reply, I would like to add my own thoughts to his, if I may:
>1. An Emergency is declared. The destruction of Exterminators is the only priority. All other military activities which distract from this are to be suspended until further notice and maximum effort is to be put into the defeat of the Exterminators.
>2. The armed forces of all Human Powers in Quadrant 7 are to be treated as allies and all possible support and aid is to be offered. This is to include the sharing of all information about Exterminator whereabouts, intentions and capabilities. (snip)
I fully agree with these sentiments. I am, however, concerned at the continuing silence of the Venerians.
>3. As a matter of urgency a Joint Command is to be set up for all Powers in Quadrant Seven. The Supreme Commander is to be the senior officer with the most experience of combat against the Exterminators. My personal recommendation is that the Supreme Commander be Earther Admiral Burwasher.
Following the tragic if heroic death of my own Admiral, I am willing to concede the Earthers' greater experience. Perhaps he might be made
Chairman of a Joint Committee consisting of senior military figures from all nations.
>Once this is agreed, Esteeler forces will be subject to this Supreme Commander for the duration of the Emergency. I wish to offer the excellent facilities and central location of the Potomax system as a Supreme Command Headquarters and invite allied powers to muster there. I myself will be there in a few days.
An unsurprising offer, but I cannot help but feel that the Exterminator 'centre of gravity' has moved northwards from there. My own proposal remains M'Drid, although I will abide by any majority decision.
>4. Initial key military objectives are to include:
>a) The bringing to battle and destruction of all Exterminators; (Operation Mjolnir)
>b) the capture of Exterminator technology to aid in our ability to understand and combat them; (Operation Loki)
(b) has already been achieved by the Earthers. I trust anything they find will be made public domain.
>c) the discovery of a means of taking the battle to the enemy by finding and attacking their bases or homeworld (Operation Utgard) (snip)
Definitely a long-term objective, but first things first, eh?
>Attachment
>PREVIOUSLY SECRET
(snip)
Martian Naval Intelligence agrees with the Esteelers' assessment in all respects. My concern now is that this accounts for "only" six Exterminators. Given their 'binary' nature, might we not therefore assume that there are two more as yet undetected? A very worrying prospect, I'm sure you will agree.
>The unmapped area of the Dark Nebula could be the origin of the Exterminator attacks, or it could at least be being used as a refuelling or marshalling area and this should be investigated by a scout force.
A good idea. Earth and Asteel seem best placed to conduct such an initial scouting foray.
>It is of interest that Earth forces have had all known success against the Exterminators. We must gain access to their intelligence as a matter of urgency. (snip)
Agreed with the latter if not the former. Martian assessments of Exterminator capabilities and tactics resulting from the Battle of Balder are currently being collated. We will make such intelligence available to you all as soon as our analysis is complete.
Councillor Bradbury, Xynam.
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