Esperanza’s contribution to the ‘Orphée patrol’ arrived in system this week, en route to Orphée. They request permission to refuel.

The New Colchis authorities are suspicious of the Esperanzans’ intentions, since this task force is almost one-hundred times larger than that suggested by Joyeuse when the Orphée patrol was first proposed.

They are placed in a holding orbit 100 diameters from New Colchis, and not allowed to refuel while this week’s courier carries a request for further information (and proof of good intentions) to Esperanza.