Mandat de l'impératrice des Cieux - Imperial Princess Troubleshooter Space Opera Quest

[x] Investigate ONE lead now. High risk other leads may go cold.
-[x] Investigate SA-Caledfwlch (pirate refit supplier)


You consider the risks and rewards, and come to your decision. Malusial is the lowest risk, and you're tempted to play things safe, but that's your stung pride speaking: low risk is matched with low reward. Auditing 4th Fleet doesn't sit right with you, and anyhow, if you really wanted to investigate Shiki's fleet, there are subtler, gentler ways to do that. SA-Caledfwlch is just right: moderate level of risk, moderate level of reward, commensurate to the effort, and even if the trail stops cold there, letting pirates get their hands on milspec weapons and systems doesn't sit right with you. If you can close that supply, it'll be a worthwhile outcome.

"I've decided, Daniel," you say. "Let's investigate SA-Caledfwlch."

Daniel nods, and makes a note to himself. "I'll get started on that then, ma'am," he replies. "I'll brief you on Wednesday, there's a number of things I need to get started on my end."

"Let me know what you need, so I can make the necessary arrangements," you agree. "I'll brief Her Majesty on the Egon investigation and advise her that we're continuing to follow up on developed leads. I want you to head out as soon as possible, but I also want to make sure that we've gotten all our ducks in a row before you set out. I think after you get back, we'll need to look into expanding our team - I have a feeling we're going to need more investigation leaders in the future. But for now, let's put our focus on SA-Caledfwlch. I think this will give us the best return on our effort."

"Yes ma'am. We could run the investigation overtly or covertly, which posture would you prefer?"

You consider. As a mere member of the Regency Council, you don't really have the formal authority to conduct this investigation (beyond the personal verbal orders of the Empress). An Overt investigation would put you in the spotlight as the chair of the investigation committee: you'd have to spend time to assemble the investigation committee and work your way through the bureaucracy. It would tip your hand, you'd have to burn political capital to get the committee setup, pushback would be loud and immediate, and your moves would be watched, but your agents would be able to investigate openly and subpoena documents, and all evidence Daniel finds would be admissible for legal proceedings. Such an overt investigation would make plausible deniability difficult to achieve; you can't guarantee you can insulate Ahri from any fallout.

On the other hand, a Covert investigation would require you to arrange things for Daniel to perform off-book investigation of questionable legality. It has the advantage of being quieter and lower profile, and faster to get moving - you're not tipping your hand, you're not burning your political capital. However, your agents won't be able to investigate as openly, there will be limits to what they can find out, and not all evidence gathered may be legally admissible. And that's not counting the stink Fenghuang and Siam-Astra will make if Daniel's blown and they learn he's snooping around them. Still, it would allow a layer of plausible deniability, insulating Ahri from any fallout.


What is your investigation team's posture?

[ ] Overt Investigation
[ ] Covert Investigation


There's also another matter: Major Nakahara, your IRG liaison officer, did promise you that the IRG would assist you within reason. The IRG intel team did turn out to be quite helpful to Daniel in the Egon System investigation. Perhaps you should reach out to the IRG and involve them in this investigation? It'd be helpful to have the IRG backstopping Daniel's investigation, in case anything goes wrong. On the other hand, you're not sure if you want to give the IRG more access to you and your movements.


Will you reach out to the IRG for support?

[ ] Yes, involve IRG in the investigation
[ ] No, do not involve IRG in the investigation