Fwurg

[Maria Latharion]

The senate went dark as the Union State Secrets Act went into effect.

The Minister of Defence, Maria Latharion, stepped forward.

"Senators, recently the Chancellor and I received a disturbing report that the Mandalorians are moving troops in the direction of the Union.

While we have yet to receive conformation, the source is reliable enough to take precautionary actions.

I have taken the liberty to put the fleets in the Great Coreward Fleet Group on high alert status. I also suggest that worlds who have fleets of their own in that area do the same."

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

"Thank you for the heads up Minister, you have our full support"

Senator Peinaili said,

"We shall put both our scanning fleets on high alert. If the Hiocan Senator permits it, we will station our fleet 'Beyond the Horizon' in their sector while keeping our second fleet 'The Edge of Darkness' in reserve."

[Senator Shahkra of the Federal Republic of Bisidn]

"Dear Senator de Montreve," Senator Shakra begon calmly, "wouldn't it be better to let the Union Defence Fleet CORPI 2 patrol the sector from the Hiocan Society, as they always did, and use your fleet to scan the sector of 6 -7, as this the most likely way of approach for them?"

((OOC: I saw no Passive Hyperspace Scanning Array upgrade noted on the scanning fleet, so the fleet has no upgrade yet?"))

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

"I agree that the fleet should also be stationed there; however the fact remains that in order to reach sectors 6 -6 or 6 -7 swiftly, we would depend on permission from the Hiocan Society to pass through their sector and make use of the Hyperspace lane.

If we are granted this access we will continue towards one of the aforementioned sectors to begin surveillance. We are willing to hear from the Senate or preferably the Ministry of Defence, which sector is deemed a high priority target and thus warrants our attention and reconnaissance."

((OOC: No upgrade has been done just yet, will start next turn though as the req. research completes this turn (99)))

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"Since it is a scanning fleet that poses no threat to the Hiocan Society I see no problem with moving the Sundarian scanning fleet to sector 6 -6. This should give us an early warning."

[Former Senator Aunzora of the Confederacy of Excaria]

"Minister and future minister: how will the transfer of power affect our readiness for dealing with the Mandalorians?" the Senator inquired with some concern.

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"I have handled the negotiations with the Echani that resulted in new technologies and invested in the spy network in the Mandalorian sectors in the past. I am well aware of the situation and have read all the new information."

[Former Senator Aunzora of the Confederacy of Excaria]

"I am glad to hear the new ministers are informed and up to date then. My concerns have been addressed." the Senator noted seriously, apparently satisfied with that answer.