Stardate 96709.4
***APPENDED BY NSIDERIS LCDR***
I have transcribed the following information from the messages we are intercepting from the Isep Xedi relay. Itemized below.
1. I decoded messages stating that the Xedi Rebel outpost on Poltofor II went silent, prompting an investigation by the insurgents. Their chatter indicates that this outpost is of particular importance because of its proximity to Parin and they are planning to stage a breakthrough of the Parin royalist border checkpoints at some point in the future.
After 24 hours of silence, the rebels sent an investigation team to Poltofor II and found that the outpost's crew had been massacred. The details on the murder scene suggest the perpetrators were interested in making the process and the scene as gruesome as possible. Their investigation team found Federation weaponry and insignias, and have drawn the conclusion that Starfleet was responsible for wiping out the outpost. They're still investigating the matter, but opinions in the Xedi rebel hierarchy range from 'I knew we couldn't trust them' to 'the only way to survive now is to start attacking Federation ships and stations'.
This response has been tempered by the opinion of someone identified as Runis'Salli, the Parin representative of the People's Movement of Popular Discontent. Per these communications, he's residing in the literal Isep Xedi underground. While he does believe the Federation would be willing to use force, he also claims in his response that this would have been in conjunction with a more public and political approach. He recommends caution and determining the truth of the matter rather than jumping immediately to rash hostile action.
It's my impression from these messages that the Xedi rebel leadership is in serious disagreement with itself about how to respond. They're split between proceeding cautiously or attacking us outright. Some advocate asking for direct intervention from the Klingon Empire. Others advocate for dismantling the base and moving to 'Location B'. If they weren't so scattered, I don't think they'd give the Parin representative's opinion as much weight. It's also my impression that they're not likely to remain divided. Whatever their final decision, we need to be prepared for their response.
2. Though it's become a secondary concern, in response to CAPT Bishop's request for information regarding the carrier Intelligensia, the ship was built after the Isep Xedi scientists had a chance to study foreign designs, with a focus on Dominion War-era ships and equipment. In addition to the main ship, it also carries several corvettes that serve in a screening capacity and are better equipped to pursue retreating enemies while the Intelligentsia holds its position.
The administration has invested a sizeable portion of their military resources into the vessel in hopes that it could defend the system from piracy and insurgents, and given the fraught nature of Xedi politics, the late Helmswoman was appointed specifically for her apolitical and meritorious record. The administration took these unusual pains to make sure that the ship could be a protector for all the population of Isep Xedi rather than used as a political stunt. Choosing a replacement Helmsman or Helmswoman will be a challenge.
In communications from the suspected rebel headquarters located in the abandoned mining colony, the response was celebratory with regard to the death of the general, but mournful regarding the lost Helmsman of the Intelligentsia. If their internal communications are to be believed, the rebel Xedi were not responsible for this attack. The killing of the general and the Helmswoman may still have been the work of Xedi rebels, but if so, the organization at large is not aware of their actions.
3. Finally, in addition to the standard communication traffic authorized through the Isep Xedi homeworld and the rebel-encrypted communications coming from the mining colony, I have intercepted series of transmissions for which the computer was unable to determine an exact point of origin. These transmissions were badly degraded - a technologically inexpensive way to make it more difficult for uninvited parties to listen in if they don't need to hold their integrity for long subspace distances - but with the computer's help I was able to reconstruct several of the most recent.
The messages reference a cloaked ship en route to Isep Xedi with a cargo of military-grade weapons. The name of this freighter was not mentioned, and given the lack of additional information there isn't much for us to go on to investigate this further - even if Command authorizes an interdiction, finding a cloaked ship without knowing its route is a difficult prospect at best. If we pursue that course of action, our best bet would be to make contact with our Dominion contingent. I understand they have some scanning equipment that might make the job easier.
I wish I had better news. I'll update this as I've got more.
//SIGNED//
LCDR Sideris
Intelligence Officer, DS13
Ask not why the wall of text; only estimate how many walls of text you will scale for good story and add one.