By the time you receive this memorandum, Moff Assange informs me that you will have made contact with the government on Volus and taken up residency on the planet, or, perhaps, on one of its vessels, as the case may be. I hope that you find the planet amenable to you. The Ruling Council does have a task of some importance for you, however. I have inquired of Crin Star, the Senator of Volus, the reasons for the planet's seeming inability to modify its Avenger-class battle ship within the time period it is required to do so under a recent act of the Senate (of which I'm sure you are aware). I have made similar inquiries of representatives of the Volusian government, including its King and its Prefecture, who have assured me that they intend to comply and, furthermore, that they are as bewildered by the delay as the Empire is. This leads me and, as it happens, the Imperial Security Bureau, to one conclusion—that there are seditious elements within the Volusian government, specifically its executive branch or its military, that are resisting the modifications to the Avenger-class vessel and are, in some manner, causing these delays.

The reasons for this are not clear, although the Imperial Security Bureau reports that there is a significant amount of national pride surrounding the Avenger-class vessel, especially among the planet's military. But the questions remain; why bother trying to prevent modifications that will, sooner or later, be completed? And if these seditious elements are intent on doing so, how far are they willing to go? Will the modifications (still in the planning stage at this time) eventually be subject to terrorism? The Empire is in need of intelligence on this matter, Captain, and to that end I would like you to compile an urgent report that addresses the following questions:

1. What is causing the delay? (Speak to individual engineers, crew, etc. if you must, or consider planting one of your own people among them to see if political pressure is being exercised upon them to "drag their feet," as it were).

2. What security measures are in place for the renovation? (Be innovative, Captain. Speak with who you must to ascertain, and, of course, to confirm for yourself, what security measures are in place for the overall operation [e.g. worker shuttles, equipment operators, clearance to sensitive areas, etc.] and for the Avenger-class vessel itself [e.g. who is authorized to operate its systems? Are they password protected? Can doors be opened or closed or weapons fired remotely? etc.]).

3. In your estimation, should the Empire assume responsibility for completing the modifications to the Avenger-class vessel itself? (e.g. replacement of Volusians with Imperial droids, engineers, etc., and placing the operation under Imperial control. Moff Assange has told me that, were this to happen, his people would complete the required modifications in 6 standard days. Please include, in your answer to this, whether it is your belief that Volus is capable of completing the modifications, similarly, in 6 days at its current pace).

I do not wish to hurry you, Captain, but if possible I would like to have this report in my possession in 2 standard days, on Benduday. (( OOC: Maybe you can ask Crin about these OOC so you don't have to RP it all out. ))

Regards.