[Brian Swartz]

Research orders received. The Inquisitor will need to decide what aspects of the empire the new leaders will serve when the time comes.

2244, Part I

2244.01.06 -- Agglor begins construction of a Power Hub. With two operational power plants already, this provide a bit of an energy boost which is once again needed.

06.21 -- Debris analysis results in a significant jump in progress on Blue Crystal Capacitors.

07.06 -- Power Hub is now operational on Agglor. Though the energy situation changes on almost a monthly basis, the added income is enough to put us back where we want to be, a small surplus, for at least the moment.

07.13 -- The Fist of Boojie has finished clearing three systems near the Ibannic Veil(middle arm) and is headed back to Raggani for repairs and reinforcements.

Naval Briefing: Admiral SirFozzie

The system-clearing operations have reached an important juncture. At the moment, debris from four small crystalline entity battles(a single ruby variant in each, in fact) and a void cloud await analysis. At present, there are three systems with hostiles still in them. All are pulsars, and all feature concentrated groups of crystalline entities in close orbit around those pulsars themselves. So far as I can tell, all three systems are nearly identical in the opposition. Each has three distinct 'squadrons' composed of six crystalline entities in each.

On its own, each 'squadron' is nearly as strong as a group of space amoebas and significantly tougher than any crystalline entities we have fought so far. The combined force of each is 18 entities, with an estimated combat power of 1.15k. A space amoeba trio is about 450(three organisms), and the toughest red crystals we've seen so far were 270(five), for purposes of comparison. Given the increased size of the threat, your orders are required before we proceed.

Over the past couple of years, the Home Defense Force has remained constant and quiet, orbiting our homeworld of Humboldt under your personal command. The Fist of Boojie has received all new vessels. Once reinforced and repaired, it will consist of 13 destroyers, 1 frigate, 3 raiders, and 11 corvettes. Combined, these 28 ships will have a combat power rating of a little over 1.9k. At present, energy reserves are not sufficient to support additional ships.

It is also worth noting that none of the three pulsar systems are considered strategically vital at the present time. How should we handle this situation?

** Leave these 'crystalline elites' alone until we have a larger fleet. This option would have the additional benefit of allowing Engineering to catch up on debris analysis and finish the cruiser research. Of course, it is possible that these hostiles might also provide potential technological advancements we are presently unaware of ...
** Attack with the Fist of Boojie. We have enough firepower to take them down, and enough mineral production to replace what are expected to be moderate losses in between each confrontation.
** Take command of the raids yourself. This would leave defense of our core systems in charge of an unskilled subordinate, but would likely reduce losses at least marginally due to your command skill.

Returning and repairing will take some months, at which time we will pause once again. Of course you may pick something else if you don't like these options. Adm. SirFozzie, you are on the clock. Inquisitor Roe Laren and all other Collective officials are also advised that no change in the borders of the Ul-Tur Concordat has yet been detected.