Conclusion

Danli, if there is any piece of advice I wish to emphasize, it is this: Do not underestimate the ingenuity and the technical sophistication of the Tribes of Man. They are not the crude barbarians the Coreworlders continually mock in their little political dramas, though undoubtedly less cultured than the average Imperial citizen. The Sirdar Corps should already know tribal military capability is substantially greater than media reports indicate. This is a warrior society. They have fought each other for centuries, and they are not exhausted; au contraire, tribal cultures are vibrant and dynamic. People are optimistic and highly independent. Combat training is widespread, part of the culture.

I believe the tribes can possibly triple or quadruple their standing forces if pressed, at least for a short time. Their biggest vulnerability is their fractiousness and their small navies. Still, if they were to act in unison, they would be difficult to overcome. The Empire would prevail in such a hypothetical combat, but at what cost? Besides, I don't believe the Imperial military is capable of sustaining a war against both Scourge and the tribes at the same time. I urge you to pass my observations to your contacts in the Halionate. Perhaps it is time to see if the tribes could be allies in the war with the Scourge.

Before it's too late.

REMARKS TO REPORT A72384-Y
IMPERIAL INTELLIGENCE
401214.2114TS
ALCAZAR-MERIDIAN III
                                        ...maximum encryption...

///FROM -- Colonel Danladi Haroun-Nicanor///

///TO -- Director Hesho Ayazumi [Halion Eta]///

Operative Scherazade has provided a reasonably comprehensive summary update of the current state of tribal technology. Please review it. There are a few new items I found interesting, especially her coded references about a superweapon that has been field-tested in the wilderzone. I have instructed Scherazade to continue her investigation of tribal military technology under academic cover. Perhaps her tribal contacts will turn up something more.

There have been numerous reports of Scourge activity along the Amrir-Sforza Axis near the fringe of the wilderzone. I maintain that this mysterious weapon must be the reason Draxon musters at least three of his Greater Hordes. We must not let this thing fall into Draxon's hands, especially if what we've heard about its potential is true. I suggest you ask the Grand Sirdar and Lord Protector whether they can free up a few Legions. We may need to go in ourselves.

Personally, of course, I believe the barbarians deserve what's coming to them. For centuries, we of the Empire have been locked in a death struggle with the Scourge while these various little inbred sects of tribal filth squabble amongst themselves. And when we tried to establish a base in the Kepler March? A refugee settlement? The thrice-damned Phoenix came in and burned everything. As far as I'm concerned, the Hordes can raze every damned one of the barbarians' pigsty holdings.

My apologies, Hesho. As you can see, my feelings haven't changed. I'll never forgive the murder of Fritha on Kepler, but that's enough venom for now.

I'll keep you informed as to any new findings.

-D.

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