[@Durandal]Posted.
Sterbstahl is offering you his help, if for anything just to see your men leave the planet sooner.
Although he's interested exactly what kind of "artifact" can require the force of an entire fleet.
Depending on how threatening it could be they might wish to sign a contract/treaty with you to never use that artifact against the Morte.

Another note is that psychic dampeners are active so mind-reading or such means likely don't work and active attempts are detected like it was with the Democracies.
Use of psychic powers is considered an act of aggression for Morteans.
Just giving a refresher here.