Reservists from the Colonial Disaster Response Force (CDRF), a militia group formed to combat frequent natural disasters on the world of Thania, are activated by colonial AI to combat a local Insurrectionist uprising, as a cell manages to defeat the CMA garrison on the small island of Arvum.

The group successfully inserts navally under the cover of dark and end up over-extending.

This over-extension, however, works out in their favor. The militia group single-handedly defeat the uprising. The events have since been highlighted as the subject of lectures in UNSC military academy, to display the effectiveness of highly-aggressive tactics against an enemy that is busy celebrating a victory.

AUTHOR: ONI SECTOR THREE, ANALYTICAL DIVISION
DISTRIBUTION: RESTRICTED — WARHOUND COMMAND STAFF ONLY

Since the conclusion of Operation Harvest Blue on September 14th, 2555, UNSC intelligence assets have been engaged in a sustained manhunt for the Insurrectionist leader designated "LOPOTEV", primary orchestrator of the Rosarian Peninsula Insurrection. Despite extensive allocation of resources across multiple branches and operational theatres, Lopotev remains at large as of the date of this report.

Warhound Squadron served as the spearhead of the opening phase of Operation Harvest Blue, conducting an initial strike to secure the Rosarian coastline and enable the deployment of follow-on UNSC assets into the peninsula. The opening assault was successful, and Warhound pushed deep into Insurrectionist-held territory over the following days.

In the final days of the operation, Warhound Squadron elements responded to a request for assistance from Pegasus Colonial Services personnel who had become encircled by Insurrectionist forces near the Veklori highlands. Following the successful extraction of PCS assets, PCS operatives reported that Lopotev was believed to be in the immediate area, attempting to withdraw before UNSC forces could consolidate their hold on the region.

Acting on this intelligence, Warhound immediately initiated a pursuit, tracking Lopotev's withdrawal southeast through the highlands. The squadron closed to within visual range of the target on multiple occasions during the pursuit. However, Lopotev reached a pre-positioned aircraft at a makeshift landing strip near the coastline. Warhound operators observed the aircraft lifting off and departing the area at speed. The aircraft was tracked for approximately seven minutes before it vanished from all sensor coverage. Its destination remains unknown.

Post-operational signals intercepts and informant reports have placed Lopotev in no fewer than seven separate star systems between September 2555 and December 2556. Sightings have been reported on Arcanis Majoris, Actium, Mamore, and two unregistered outer colony installations. None have been independently verified. Lopotev appears to be operating under an extensive support network of sympathetic Insurrectionist cells, facilitating rapid transit between systems via civilian shipping corridors and compromised slipspace routes.

Of significant concern is Lopotev's apparent continued operational capacity. His reputation has only grown since Harvest Blue. Several intercepted communications reference him as a unifying figure, with at least three separate cells citing his actions on the Rosarian Peninsula as direct inspiration for their own operations. The UEG bounty of several million credits remains uncollected and active.

Warhound Squadron's familiarity with Lopotev's tactics and the Rosarian operational environment makes them a primary asset for any future capture-or-eliminate directive. It is the recommendation of this office that Warhound Squadron be maintained at elevated readiness and briefed for potential redeployment should actionable intelligence on Lopotev's location become available.

As of January 2557, Lopotev's exact whereabouts remain UNKNOWN. The last credible intelligence placement was a signals intercept originating from the Elduros system in late December 2556. Analysis is ongoing.

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AUTHORITY: ONI / UNSC HIGHCOM
TASKING: 22ND RAPID DEPLOYMENT FORCE, WARHOUND SQUADRON
CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET // AUTHORIZED EYES ONLY

1. SITUATION
Signals intelligence intercepted from the Elduros system (reference ALR-010) has been partially decoded and verified. The transmissions originated from the vicinity of Aleria's southern coastal region. Analysis confirms communication between the source and known Insurrectionist networks previously linked to Subject LOPOTEV.

ONI Sector Three has identified the likely source of these transmissions: a high-ranking Insurrectionist logistics operative designated "VASQUEZ". Intelligence assesses Vasquez to be a critical node in the support network facilitating Lopotev's movement between star systems. Vasquez is believed to possess detailed knowledge of Lopotev's current location, planned travel routes, and the identities of other network members.

2. TARGET PROFILE
Vasquez operates under deep cover on Aleria, maintaining the guise of a civilian dockyard worker at the Veklori commercial port. This cover provides Vasquez with access to civilian shipping manifests, cargo schedules, and slipspace corridor authorizations — all of which are exploited to move Insurrectionist personnel and materiel through legitimate commercial channels.

Off-duty, Vasquez resides in a single-structure dwelling — a shack on the outskirts of the Haarkanpine forest, approximately 4 kilometers southeast of the Veklori port facility. The location is isolated, with limited approach routes. Alerian colonial authorities have no record of the residence, suggesting it was constructed illegally or acquired through local contacts.

Vasquez is not assessed as a direct combatant. However, the target should be considered a flight risk with potential access to small arms. The surrounding forest provides significant concealment opportunities if the target becomes aware of approaching forces.

3. MISSION
Warhound Squadron is to deploy to Aleria under commercial cover, locate Subject Vasquez at the Haarkanpine residence, and execute a warrant for immediate arrest and detention. The target is to be taken ALIVE for intelligence extraction. Lethal force is authorized only if the target poses an immediate threat to Warhound personnel or if escape is imminent and cannot be prevented by non-lethal means.

This is a capture operation, not a termination. Vasquez is the most credible lead on Lopotev's whereabouts that ONI has obtained in fourteen months. Do not lose this asset.

4. EXECUTION
Warhound will insert via civilian freighter to the Veklori commercial spaceport. Local CMA garrison forces are NOT to be informed. ONI has flagged several CMA officers in the region as potentially compromised or sympathetic to Insurrectionist elements. Any interaction with local law enforcement risks compromising the operation.

Pike Troop will conduct the primary approach on the Haarkanpine residence following the conclusion of his shift. Tail the asset, avoiding obvious detection, before approaching through the treeline. Breach the building with equipment deemed most suitable and capture the target.

ONI operatives will provide eyes-on-the-ground reconnaissance of the Haarkanpine residence in the days prior to insertion, confirming Vasquez's presence and daily routines, and provided further overwatch during the operation.

6. RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
Weapons free on armed hostiles only. Vasquez is not to be harmed unless absolutely necessary. Minimize civilian presence and casualties. If the operation is compromised by local CMA forces, you are authorized to disarm and detain them.

FINAL NOTE: Lopotev has been in the wind for over a year. Vasquez is the thread that unravels the entire network. Bring them in breathing. This is not a request.

Operation Harvest Blue was a UNSC operation to quell a united Insurrectionist uprising on the Rosarian Peninsula. Warhound Company played a key role in dismantling the insurgency.

During the final days of the operation, Warhound faced off against insurgent leader Lopotev, whom managed to escape. Following heavy casualties on both sides, the operation succeeded in halting the insurgency.

With Warhound's failure to capture Lopotev, and his achievements during the uprising spreading far, Lopotev would go on to inspire Insurrectionist leaders galaxy-wide.

Lopotev, to present day, remains on the run with a multi-million credit bounty.