11/5/1532
The incoming expedition, provisionally identified as operating under the aegis of the Protectorate of Galyon, has been subject to extensive long range aerial reconnaissance for the past 52 hours. The full detailed analysis of the gathered surveillance data is available and will be added to the official mission record along with this summary.
Current outline of incoming expedition:
Based on extended visual and infrared imaging I estimate 200 unique individuals that appear to be of the same intelligent species as the one we have already encountered. The most likely source of error for this estimate is the presence of 15 self-propelled vehicles with cargo enclosures that obscure the available suite of long range imaging systems. The vehicles themselves are clearly not drawn by the 30 large domesticated animals that also accompany the expedition, however their means of propulsion is unclear, thermal imaging shows no strong central source of heat emissions, or warm exhaust plumes, that might be associated with combustion engines. The expedition appears to be led by two individuals, though one clearly seems to wield greater day to day authority, they will meet with the other on a daily basis and appear to discuss their position and future path, if their body language, and use of cartography tools and binoculars is any indication.
Plans for follow up mission:
If the expedition’s route and rate of advance follows expectations, further reconnaissance by stealth infiltration drones will be undertaken in approximately 72 hours. This mission will seek to fill in the gaps in the currently available data. The primary targets will be inspection of the vehicle interiors and gathering audio recordings of conversations among members of the expedition. Inspecting the vehicle interiors will provide vital data on their equipment and supplies, as well as refining my estimate of the number of personnel involved in their operation. A close inspection of the vehicles may also yield some insight into the nature of the propulsion systems they use. The infiltration drones are capable, when in close proximity, of detecting the sort of electromagnetic emissions that would indicate electrical components in operation, visual inspection of the undercarriage and ultrasonic imaging of closed compartments should also prove illuminating. Conversations between members of the target expedition may help confirm their identity based on the language they use, as well as potentially providing further insight into their intentions and capabilities. A particularly high priority will be placed on planting bugs on or near the two individuals who appear to be the expedition's leaders. Since the intent is for Andrea to attempt peaceful contact with the expedition less than 24 hours after the infiltration drones’ mission, discretion will be prioritized at the expense of data gathering. Even if there is a very good chance that an infiltration drone can pass itself off as some exotic fauna with special abilities, I have judged that it will increase the paranoia with which anything else unusual will be viewed, which is not helpful for Andrea’s mission, and therefore detrimental to the overall mission objective of peaceful exploration.
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