OBSERVATION DEC # 2
Roy forced aside his annoyance with Slavic, pondering for a moment on Dusk's question. "Well, I don't recall having heard any serious problems at Astra, so if we go there, it would be just to check in. That said, I could see stopping there on our way to Paradise..."
He took a sip of his drink, giving himself some time to think through that. "We did discuss taking Paradise, not all that long ago. It would go a long way toward closing our back door, so to speak...one of the reasons the Empire keeps getting new inroads on territories that we've already fought over is because the Angels are inviting them in. No Paradise means Ge-Fi no longer has the illusion of calling on Angel reinforcements, and no Angel navies helping usher Demon forces into APF space." He took another sip, before adding, "It would make a lot of sense to close that up before we venture into Vampic space or tackle any other Empire forces. It'd also send a clear message to any APF dissidents who are cooperating, thinking that the Angels will pick up the pieces...there would still be Angels left, but it would be the Moons, and not Paradise, that's providing the leadership."
He shrugged. "If I was the one setting policy and calling strategy, that's the direction I'd go. It's a single planet, with a space navy that hasn't seen real combat in over a thousand years, and there are APF member worlds right there to help cover the attack and watch our flanks. Pretty much the only thing Paradise has going for it is their reputation. It's their most effective weapon, and it's about time someone took it away. But that makes a lot more tactical and strategic sense than starting a campaign against an enemy whose real spread through the galaxy is unknown to us."
He chuckled, and added, "Besides, think of the quality of intel we could collect if we take the Angels. They had, a thousand years ago, the best star charts and the most accurate knowledge of who was where in the galaxy. That info is probably not accurate, at this point, but it gives us a starting point. And if they've been actively working with the Empire, they should have details about who else is helping the Demons, and how, and possibly even where. And that would be OUR best weapon, going forward. We're reaching the limits of familiar space for APF member worlds...anything we can get that will give us more clarity on what we're moving into from here will be helpful."