The party receive a message, using the royal code, from Princess Rao, on 020-1107, two days after the signature of the Acrid War peace treaty, dated six days after the Battle of Argona, so she cannot have known the outcome at that point. It was sent with Sal Dancet in her J3-ship: this is rare, since Rao is subtle about her direct use of the smuggler.
“003-1107 Drinax
Sources indicate a Third Imperium Treasure Ship has been damaged and separated from its convoy. Believed to be stranded at Arunisiir Lowport. This represents a rare opening: these ships carry staggering wealth, quite apart from the value of such a ship itself.
By the time you receive this, she will have been on Arunisiir for over a month, and an Imperium rescue fleet is to be expected in a matter of several weeks, so this may be a fleeting opportunity.
I am aware that you are engaged in prosecuting war on His Majesty’s behalf, and that the conflict may last some time, so use your judgement as to the prioritisation of this opportunity, and as to what individuals you put to the task. The defence of Acrid must not be imperilled, but my father has set his heart on half of the bounty of which We are alerting you, believing that it will represent substantial liquidity. It is to be hoped that he is correct.
I trust in your proven wisdom to adopt an approach that is discrete enough not to bring down the ire of the Imperium upon us: take as much as you can, but do not leave any undeniable link to Drinax. Use your most capable and subtle assets.
On a related note, your Iuwoi princeling is recruiting at Kteiroa and is, I believe, intent on making for Arunisiir later in the year. Given his lack of subtlety, it is fortunate that you have yet to summon him there. The involvement of an army would be hard to obfuscate.
R.“
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