2048.
Type Four Offensive Units (roughly equivalent to velocity-improved Killer class): 12 288.
Type Five Offensive Units (based on Thug class upgrade design study): 24 576.
Type Six Offensive Units (based on militarised Scree class LCU, various types): 49 152.
These craft do not represent a hegemonistic threat as they are not independent Mind-supporting entities; they are Al-core controlled, semi-slaved to me and therefore only capable of being used effectively as a single unit, not as a distributed war machine. All are currently deployed in the volume of space around the Excession.
The surrender of the Affronter fleet of Culture craft has been effected without conflict; the ROU
Nine Affronter military officers have also surrendered; their commanding officer took his own life. I include a roster of their names and ranks (list attached).
Should the Affront now sue for peace, I propose that I and therefore my war fleet be placed at the disposal of authorities considered acceptable to all concerned. I and the fleet under my command will not be used to prosecute any further hostilities against the Affront or anybody else.
Any other suggested uses will be evaluated on their merits.
Otherwise it is my intention — in the fullness of time — to dismantle the craft I have constructed and go into a retreat.
I attach a signal file received from the LSV
I also attach records of the confirmatory signals used by the
The implication that the ships from Pittance have been used as part of a conspiracy to trick the Affront into a war has been noted. I imagine that the ships/Minds named in the aforesaid files and those others also concerned in the matter will each wish to make a full explication of their motives, thoughts and actions concerning this alleged stratagem and take any further steps honour dictates.
The Mind of the LSV
Given the apparent at least partial entrapment of the Affront in this matter, further action against them of a punitive nature might seem to be both excessive and dishonourable. Please note that a copy of this signal, slightly edited for signal-operational methodology and stripped of codes and ciphers, has been sent to the Affront High Command and Senate as well as to the following news services (list attached) and the Galactic General Council.
Regarding the Excession itself, I have the following to report:
— Be seeing you.
— What? Where are you going? the
— Here; Churt Lyne wants to jump ship.
The
The giant GSV had finally come to a halt, not far from the thirty-light-year limit the
The GSV's war fleet was still deployed, set out in a year's-radius hemisphere throughout the skein while the Affronter's fleet of tricked Culture craft gathered together and opened their armament and armour systems to the scrutiny and control of the
— Come back!
The
[tight beam, M8, tra. @4.28.891.7393]
xGSV
oGCU
Come back! What are you doing? Are you trying to ruin everything?
oo
[wide beam, Marain clear, tra. @4.28.891.7393+] xGCU
oGSV
It's all right. Goodbye and farewell.
— What's it up to? the GSV asked the drone Churt Lyne, hovering in the minibay it had been Displaced to.
— I really don't know, the drone replied. ~ It wouldn't tell me. But I think it was in communication with the Excession.
— Communication…
The
The GSV decided to let it go. Its engines would fail… about now.
Fail they did, but just before they stopped working the
[tight beam, M8, tra. @4.28.891.7394-] xGSV
oGCU
What has happened? Why are you doing this? Has your integrity been compromised?
oo
[wide beam, Mclear, tra. @4.28.891.7394]
xGCU
oGSV
No! I'm fine!
The
The GSV inspected the resulting shell of energies. It certainly looked like destruction. The
A human would have shaken her or his head.
When the