Caputian Reconnaissance of Lake Morovia/Unit Operations Diary

Key dates

Date	Event
1661.VII.14	Captain Augustus Strong promoted to Brevet Major & appointed OC of Independent Squadron
1661.VII.15	Independent Squadron Advance Party (ISAP) arrives at ESB Facility Keybir-Aviv. Established strength 13 personnel. Orders received. Orders queried. Clarification received.
1661.VII.16	Recruitment and selection process begun.
1661.VII.21	Independent Squadron formation parade.
1661.VIII.09	"A" Troop proceeds up country to begin observation of indigenous population of Lake Morovia's northern shore.
1661.IX.10–05	9 shallow draft vessels identified by ISAP as associated with illicit activity targeted by Lake Morovia Det. 4RF (x2 Wildcat attack helicopters & x1 Gazelle patrol helicopters carrying anti-tank TOW missiles). Of the vessels targeted, 6 estimated to have been put beyond use as a consequence.

Record of Operations

Date / Time	Place	Summary of Events & Information	Notes & Appendices
1661.XII.12 (2300)	"Lorenhall" (Alperkin encampment 2km northwards from shore of Lake Morovia)	After four weeks, cause for optimism. Prisoner/Hostage exchange a success. Private Halford returned undrained and manifesting no symptoms of infection. Will be kept under observation for 73 hours before medical evacuation to Haifa is authorised. Trade gifts exchanged over tea with local chieftains. Alperkin much taken with the rum and whisky although we could not dissuade them from mixing their drinks with the blood of recently captured Jogi mercenaries. Suggested the release of the mercenaries into our custody but the natives pretended not to understand the question, so I dropped the matter. Conversations with Chief Bazen-Lek-Themis most enlightening on the question of the Harpies and the significance of the carvings encountered on the edge of the marshlands. The latter are purportedly in honour of a demi-god known locally as "Tar". Tar purportedly a chieftain in pre-Atteran times, of divine ancestry naturally, who defied the local 'Ras' (Atteran title of nobility, typically associated with generals and provincial governors) and was banished into the swamps in consequence. Encountered a harpy and dismembered by her accordingly. As the harpy feasted on Tar's flesh, his heart slipped from her gore splattered talons and fell into the brackish waters of Lake Morovia and sank into the abyss where it was discovered by the protective goddess of the waters (no name, referred to euphemistically, possibly a "Dark Alp") who took the heart, "passing it into herself and concealing it in her secret place" (which I'll assume means what I think it means). After a year Tar was reborn from the womb of the nameless goddess and returned to the shore, slaying the Harpy and the Atteran Ras in a long hunt where Noctic-Rabrev leaves were all that sustained him as he ran down his quarry. There was also something about a goat but the interpreter looked embarrassed and pretended not to understand. Have been invited to next year's Cicada Song Festival. Unsure of the significance of this.
1661.XIII.01 (0900)	Lorenhall	Bazen-Lek-Themis, accompanied by retainers, enjoyed breakfast at our encampment. Minor kerfuffle as the Alperkin objected to being disarmed before entering the stockade. All smoothed over. Interpreter whispers that it is very rare to see Alperkin abroad in the daylight hours. By their ashen pallor I can well believe it. The chief is delighted upon espying the black pudding on the plate laid before him. I don't doubt it, although I doubt they exactly rear pigs for the slaughter. The Alperkin wolf down black pudding, bacon, and mushrooms, with a grisly abandon. No use for cutlery it seems. Quite a ghoulish spectacle to behold. Saw several of them sprinkling dried leaves on their plates. No prizes for guessing which plant those hailed from, I suppose. Chief is disappointed to learn that we do not customarily drink rum at breakfast. Seems unimpressed with coffee. Talk turns to the Jogi secessionists. The chief bemoans the raids of various mercenary bands. This is probably the league which is trying to stamp out the practice of consuming the Noctic. I happen to mention casually that as this territory now falls under Caputian protection, no person may do harm to another without the expressed authority of Her Majesty's Government. The Chief retorts then that there will be scant prey for the High Alps and Alperkin in their season if that is the case. I don't suppose the health ministry will thank me but it was then that I had an idea. I mentioned, as conversationally as I could, that in Caputia there are hospitals which have facilities, buildings, that exist solely for the purpose of collecting and storing blood in refrigeration units for long term use. Eyes go wide around the table. "Human blood?" the Chief enquired. "But of course," I answered, "it is used in the treatment of our sick, and it is bought and donated from the population at large in vast quantities." The Chief then immediately demanded to know how much we had collected and what of that we would be willing to sell. I answered that I would need to refer the question back to my government - imagine the Minister trying to explain this to Parliament! - but I was certain that for a good price we would be generous indeed. There was some dissent around the table. The interpreter informed me that the objectionable mimic with objections was extolling the virtues of the hunt. Diplomatically I answered that the purchased blood would merely serve as an alternative to hunting Caputian citizens, their fellow Caputian citizens I quietly added as an afterthought, and what they did elsewhere was another matter. I did not mention Jogi by name, but by the horrifying smiles I observed I am fairly confident that they deduced my meaning. The Alperkin have it seems heard about the plan to enclose the territory of Morovian-Patrovia with a security wall as has been the case in those other portions of the realm which share a border with the Bassarid Federation. The Mimics are of a nomad habit and do not like the idea very much of being confined either inside or outside of this wall. I said something or another about being confident that a corridor would be established to facilitate their movements. Can't imagine the Border Guards Service being too impressed with that idea though but the administrators of the territory can sort that one out.