>> 00230-00923-MP // ADM PARANGOSKY, MARGARET ORLENDA
<< 00834-19223-HS // VADM STANFORTH, HIERONYMUS MICHAEL
RE: OPERATION: BRAVADO
Hello Harold,
Well done. I wish I could extend a more formal congratulations than that, but it'll have to wait, as will our tea.
Something's come up and we need you at Reach immediately. Informants on Verge are pointing to an ultra-radical wing of the People's Occupation. Not much of a surprise there, as you've been around since well before this Covenant business started, but my water is telling me something else is brewing. We've run some numbers based on the Covenant's movement pattern over the last nine months and the results are... well, not good. Epsilon Eridani is at 87.2% probability of intersect within the next five months. Eight-seven percent. It's never been that high.
I think we need to start seriously considering RED FLAG. Send me updates on the recommendation docs you were working on back in March, so we can evaluate them here in Sydney. Obviously, keep this between you and me and don't mind the ONI trawlers on Reach combing for that data Keyes picked up. They'll being asking everyone involved questions, but remember that I sign their checks so there’s nothing to worry about. Just make sure your folks aren't withholding critical intel when it matters most.
Also, it's interesting that you should bring up Halsey. I know she'll likely be involved in anything we do with RED FLAG, but she's been on the end of a very long leash for a while now and my patience is wearing thin. Since she stumbled onto that artifact in Visegrád, she's been rummaging around in the wrong file cabinets - mine, and more specifically: the data we collected from Onyx. At this point, I'd be shocked if she hadn't pieced together what we believe the planet actually is, but I'm keeping her in Viery with half a dozen eyes watching her every move.
I'm only telling you this because I know you're fond of her and I respect you. Her free-ride days are numbered though, so you should brace yourself for that.
Take care. I'll drop you a line when you get to Hathcock.
- P
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