[Brian Swartz]

A couple of things here: one informational, the other requiring new orders. Having requested information on the aliens in Wollaeus and Impal Tov, Inquisitor Roe Laren will likely be interested to know that the Crystalline Entities in the latter system have an effective combat strength equal to 4-5 of our corvettes, probably more like four. They are a slightly more powerful foe than the Silver Fangs were, and based on our experience so far we will need about eight total corvettes to clear them out without significant casualties. The mining drones in Wollaeus are stronger still, due to the support of the mining station they serve. Combined, this force is the equal of at least five of our latest corvettes. The recommendation at this time is to clear Impal Tov first should the Inquisitor order it. There are several reasons for this: Impal Tov is just one jump from Solaris Troutentis, it's an easier task, and our borders have expanded just barely enough over the past year or so to add the system to our claimed space. The Crystalline Entities are now denying us access to resources that Architreuthis lays direct claim to.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

With Genome Mapping completed, there are new options now available.

** Centralized Command(Military Theory, 240) -- Army upkeep reduced by 10%. Military Academy is also unlocked. Any planet that builds this facility will have it's armies increase their damage against the enemy by 10%, and recruit armies 25% faster.
** Planetary Unification(Statecraft, 240) -- +1 to monthly influence. Also, the planetary edict Propaganda Broadcasts is unlocked, which increases happiness by 10%.
** Galactic Ambitions(Statecraft, 600) -- Extends our borders 20% further due to increased patrols. Our intelligence agents will also gain the ability to learn survey data from from other empires on systems within their borders.

Dr. David Corperial, you are now on the clock. As the Society Department currently has nearly a year and a half's worth of accelerated research banked -- even having doubled it's output with the Maghama research outposts -- the timeline will not be progressed until the Collective has heard from you.