Receiver: Mark Hindenberg
Sender: Unknown Soldier #7 [Sinderen]
Subject: Permission Granted
Date: 28/03/2077 (Celestial Year: 997)
Time: 0800 hours (Equestrian Time)
Document #: 0034-6721-A31B7

After some mediation it was determined that you should be allowed access to these files.
These have already been sent to you in a separate attachment.
I have decided to provide you with further information.

You are not allowed to ask where or when these files were found. All you need to know is that they were found on Equestrian soil.

These files are real. They were not forged. Neither the company nor the Guardians could have done this. The encryption was unique. Only our upper echelons have access to the technology required to decrypt these documents.

The files have been heavily edited. Many sections were removed. In most instances this was not to censor information. The sections I have sent contained the most relevant details to this situation.

Most of the editing can be found in the Krastos Logs. It was at this point Stratos’s writing became nearly incomprehensible. He was writing for the sake of writing. Most have been removed for that reason.

The vast majority of Stratos’s scientific records have been removed. These notes would be an unnecessary distraction. He had modified his writings to compensate for the differing Equestrian physics. You would not understand them. We are not ignoring the information. We are translating, analyzing, and implementing what we can. It is not worth considering at the moment.

Context is important. We understand that you are acutely aware of Equestria and its inhabitants. Stratos’s files regarding this area of study may seem unneeded. It has a purpose. Some information was unusual enough to warrant it being included.

I can assume you never knew Stratos personally. Keep it that way. We do not need you to grow attached to someone you will never meet. Focus on what is important.

There were several oddities. Notably, the final log entry was exactly how you see it. It required no editing for comprehension. We are uncertain of the significance. There were several files created by Stratos’s allies. Their coding tags indicated they should not have been part of the data packet. Only a few were important enough to be considered for your purposes.

I will not say anything else. You are not witless. The rest you can figure out for yourself.

I am not supposed to say this: I sent this document to you for personal reasons. I am concerned about what has transpired here. This was not something we were expecting. This was not supposed to happen. We were wrong about what it is. We are in the process of adjusting to this reality. Difficulties are numerous. Casualties will increase. Further conflict is inevitable.

You have experience with us but I will remind you to question everything. Stratos did not understand the full nature of his opponent and its actions. He did not realize its reach or its allies. What he encountered and learned was not the whole story.

We have no idea how the information on Krastos spread to the general staff. We do know that the current circulating rumors regarding the nature of Krastos are wrong. It is exceptionally hostile towards humanity and all living creatures. It will not change. It will not negotiate. It does not tire. It does not understand fear. Its abilities are not natural to this world. Even it cannot comprehend itself. No individual or group can fight it. Death only slows it down. For these reasons, it is understandably inadvisable to continue our current operations.

My feelings indicate it is too late for a swift retreat. I doubt the personnel will so readily abandon their new companions.

I am not certain if my superiors have withheld information. You need to be aware of off-world events. A meeting will be held to determine the next course of action. Due to your status, your input would be considered heavily in their decision.

As always, if you desire, you can simply reconsider your request. If you do, dispose of these documents, erase all digital traces on your computer. Send a report to me saying you did so. In that case, I will not ask for a follow up.

If you do decide to continue, you are free to access and distribute the information as you see fit. They cannot stop you. They cannot afford to lose your favor. Do not consider the effect such actions would have upon me.

Ultimately, it is your decision.