And The Walls Came Tumbling Down

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Report No. 1. From Mantus, Commanding No. 8 Expeditionary Party (Sol 3), to Zennacus, C-in-C Vanguard Emigration Forces (Electra 4).

Sir,

Craft State: Fully serviceable 4; slightly damaged 1; lost in action 2.

Casualty State: Fit personnel 220; unfit 28; lost in action 102.

Present Position: 54/28/4 X 23/9/10-Sol 3.

Supply State: v. satisfactory. Equipment: satisfactory.

Morale: fair, improving.

Approach was made to Sol 3 at 28/11 (Electra 4 time). Signs of hostility were imme­diately encountered. Expe­dition withdrew without counter action. Approach made in other hemisphere. Signs of greater hostility encountered. Two ships were dis­inte­grated with all aboard. Third ship sustained minor fractures, ditto 28 crew, 2 lost. Expedition with­drew. Signs of hostility in all inhabited places visited. Conference was called. It was decided to set down in unin­habited area, if suitable. Very suitable posi­tion located after search. Expe­di­tion set down with­out inter­ference 34/12 at read­ing given. In con­sider­ation of hostility en­count­ered, con­struc­tion of a redoubt was commenced immediately.

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