Yegg re-read what he wrote for what seemed to be the 100th time; it was distilled to so little, but it felt like so much. He sighed. Nomad encounters are never pleasant, but today...was different. Much more intimate, much more of a metal game of chess.
Yes, it came to a firefight; Yegg's thumb traced a circle, much like he did over the "Master Arm" switch in the seat of his Bastet only a few hours ago. It was tense; several parties involved, which Yegg had to manage. All he wanted to know was why it was there, why it swayed there, "communicating", if that's what one can call what Nomads do, in riddles.
Yegg rubbed his forehead. The report was so plain; so sterile. It didn't capture how his mind raced during the encounter, trying to call up staff lists, cross-reference previous Omicron space incursions, and trying to keep the lesser Nomad swarms contained.
Well, his commanding officer wouldn't want to wait any longer. He hit "Submit" with trepidation, but he knew going into any more detail would have clouded the issue.
Order| Sortie Report Form
Reporting Officer: Ensign Yeggito Kebok
Date of Sortie: 14-Sept-823 AS
Location Origin: Omicron Delta, Outer Rim
Encryption Level: LOCKED
Parties Involved:- Order: Ensign Yeggito Kebok, Ensign Micah Tevnor, Captain of |O|- Neteru
- Nomad Hostile Contact: K'Hara|Rati
Other Parties:- [FL-ER] Sidhe, Order 2nd Fleet "Komnista", Penelope.Rodriquez[TBH]
Summary:- To report a concise report of Nomad contact in Omicron Delta. Nomad threat neutralized. However, the Nomad...communicated, if you could call it that, a riddle.
- The "Geb" Assault Carrier "Neteru" arrived to suppress some lesser Nomad fighters that, as typically, did not seem to think for themselves. A freelancer was asked to stay at bay, and to divert back to Freeport 11; they complied. Then, of all ships, a Corsair arrived, but was warned to stay out of the encounter. Ensign Tevor decided to head back to Mu, as his Onuris was not holding up well to the lesser Nomad swarms.
- Due to concern over the safety of those in the system, the Nomad was engaged. The Corsair pilot engaged the Nomad several minutes after. The Nomad was eventually destroyed.
- As was inevitable with a 2-vs-1 encounter, the Corsair and I traded, accidentally, some shots. The Corsair did not relent, and pushed the attack onto me once the Nomad was neutralized despite breaking off my attack pattern. I called my defensive engagement, and traded blows until both of our ships were to damaged to continue. The bad blood of the dissolved pact between our two factions still remains, it seems. I retreated back to Mu for repairs.
- Full debrief to follow at Taba.
Nomad Contact:- On patrol in Delta (false positive long-range scanner readings on a Core ship in the area). The K'Hara jumped from Minor to Delta, and met ~15 clicks NE of Freeport 11.
Communication of Note
1.
[14.09.2016 22:06:26] K'Hara|Rati: **.. "Yours" seeking -questions- from "Ours" hivemind (?) / "Core/hunters" graverob ~shallow waters~ (annoyance) ..**
Assessment: The K'Hara believe we were hunting lesser Nomads in the relative safety of Omicron Delta. It was displeased.
2.
[14.09.2016 22:22:09] K'Hara|Rati: **.. ~Ours/we~ seek -book keeper- / ~wielder~ of red and -rage- ..**
[14.09.2016 22:23:43] K'Hara|Rati: **.. (Amusement) ~Not a shelve~ rather ~singular book~ / "ours" seeking ~one of yours~ -maybe- ..**
[14.09.2016 22:25:54] K'Hara|Rati: **.. "Ours" seeking -young human-kin- / ~barrer of dragon fire~ / -seat of a warrior- ..**
[14.09.2016 22:28:28] K'Hara|Rati: **.. "Dragon's rage" -warrior of the Dragon- / "hers" is the ~book keeper~ / 'ours' is seeking "hers"
Assessment: The K'Hara seem to be searching for a singular person for a purpose. This person is someone with great knowledge ("bookkeeper"), young, and was a warrior who wielded "dragon fire". Cross-references to staff lists and weaponry manifests did not produce anything of note.
3.
[14.09.2016 22:32:14] K'Hara|Rati: **.. "Keeper of the book" -is human-kin- / "Hers" in exile "ours" shall locate / -Tome return to great waters- (!) ..**
[14.09.2016 22:34:47] K'Hara|Rati: **.. "Greater form" is not -located- within ~this void~ / 'Khepri/Tlaloc' ~songs~ are 'heard' (joy) ..**
Assessment: The person the Nomad seemed to be searching for is in "exile". It seems that if she is located, it will allow them to return "to the greater waters", where a "greater form" is located. This could refer to many things; perhaps the universe beyond the Dom K'Vash hypergate, perhaps the gate-like structure found in Order Recon flights of Omicron Major, or perhaps another location, perhaps unknown, of Nomad civilization.
4.
[14.09.2016 22:36:34] Order|Yeggito.Kebok: Nomad, the Order is tasked with keeping this space safe. You are in violation of that mission.
[14.09.2016 22:37:14] K'Hara|Rati: /The creature flashed from its blue hue to a redder tint, a series of buzzing filling everyone's ears
[14.09.2016 22:37:27] K'Hara|Rati: as if a hive of wasps had been woken and angered/
[14.09.2016 22:37:27] Order|Yeggito.Kebok: That's what I thought.
[14.09.2016 22:37:52] Order|Yeggito.Kebok: "Ensign Yegg engaged offensive, Nomad Threat".
Assessment: Proper protocols were followed to engage the threat.
Conclusion:
Due to this potential link between this "great power" and, if I dare think it, the Toledo Incident, I believe this should be investigated further by the Order Overwatch, no matter how remote the chance.
If there were records of any lost craft in Omicron space that match a description given by the Nomad, it may be a place to start.
Please let me know if there are any questions/concerns.
Signed: Ensign Yeggito Kebok, Order ID 081-976
- -- --{ Transmission Initiated }-- -- -
[Comm-ID]:MICAH TEVNOR/"PHOENIX"
[Recipient-ID]:Order Reporting Centers; Order Overwatch
[Subject]:Tau-23, K'Hara, IMG
{BEGIN TRANSMISSION}
Reports of a large battle within the Tau-23 system have been confirmed shortly afterwards the skirmish. The miners of the IMG claimed they were attacked be unknown Bretonian and Libertonian elements, including cruisers and even a Liberty 'Overlord' dreadnaught. These forces were joined be smaller 'blue ships' that slowly increased in size and number until completely replacing the unknown warships. Jack Henderson of the IMG identified these as Slomon K'Hara forms, and a battle ensued. The IMG pilots were assisted by various freelance ships, the Kusari Naval Forces, the supposed 72nd Outcast Rebel fleet, and even the Gallic Royal Navy. The combined efforts of the allied elements, the K'Hara were forced to retreat, where they disappeared after leaving scanner range. Many casualties were claimed. Attached below is the communication over the event.
Jack Henderson will be sending a more in-depth report to the Overwatch soon.
Code:
[27.09.2016 18:28:04] Order|Phoenix: ?:"I just got reports of hostile...nonhuman activity in this sector. Is this accurate?"
[27.09.2016 18:28:19] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Anna: Indeed. A lot of it. We had severe losses on all sides.
[27.09.2016 18:28:38] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Miners, back to Java. Get the transports undocked.
[27.09.2016 18:28:58] Order|Phoenix: ?:"I see. And the parties involved in the conflict with the Others?"
[27.09.2016 18:29:22] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Anna: Wait, I will patch you through to a senior official.
[27.09.2016 18:29:47] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Jack: Greetings, Order pilot. This is Jack Henderson speaking. What can I do for you?
[27.09.2016 18:30:55] Order|Phoenix: ?:"Ah, quite nice to meet you. I got reports that there was severe human and non-human numbers in the system of Tau-23."
[27.09.2016 18:31:26] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Jack H.: Patching you into the convoy comms. They were eye witnesses.
[27.09.2016 18:32:13] IMG|Dark.Chocolate: The systems was attacked with a swarm of aliens... but we managed to survive
[27.09.2016 18:32:25] Order|Phoenix: ?:"Right. Do you know the parties involved?"
[27.09.2016 18:32:30] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Anna: Our losses were... 5 ships, I think.
[27.09.2016 18:32:42] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Yes. I saw Bretonian gunships. A lot.
[27.09.2016 18:32:57] IMG|Dark.Chocolate: Also Liberty Cruisers...
[27.09.2016 18:32:59] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: And what were these others?
[27.09.2016 18:33:15] Order|Phoenix: ?:"Bretonians and Libertonian warships? This far out?"
[27.09.2016 18:33:16] IMG|Tom:Marsh: Liberty Battlecruisers
[27.09.2016 18:33:25] IMG|Tom:Marsh: Was there a Liberty Dreadnought at one point?
[27.09.2016 18:33:29] IMG|Rock.Blender: And something huge and blue.
[27.09.2016 18:33:36] IMG|Dark.Chocolate: I even saw an "Overload" class Dreadnaught...
[27.09.2016 18:33:42] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Anna: I did not know those... but the large alien ships... they were the worst! The blue shiy ones.
[27.09.2016 18:33:47] IMG|Tom:Marsh: Alien ships of roughly gunboat size
[27.09.2016 18:33:54] IMG|Tom:Marsh: then of battleship size
[27.09.2016 18:33:59] Order|Phoenix: ?:"Large, translucent, and blue? So the Others were a part of the attack..."
[27.09.2016 18:34:09] IMG|Dark.Chocolate: Oh yeah.. Actually 3-4 of those Big arse ones...
[27.09.2016 18:34:24] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Yes! Huge! Like... large as a base.
[27.09.2016 18:34:46] IMG|Dark.Chocolate: With shiney stuff inside them..
[27.09.2016 18:34:53] IMG|Rock.Blender: I also saw this kind blue ships, but much smaller. In size of very heavy fighter.
[27.09.2016 18:35:11] Order|Phoenix: ?:"What you ran into was a battallion of Slomon K'Hara vessels. The Bretonian and Libertonian warships..."
[27.09.2016 18:35:12] IMG|Dark.Chocolate: oh yeah.. like 50 of them i guess...
[27.09.2016 18:35:13] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Anna: Yes, we had tons of those swarming all around the dense asteroid fields. Scary like... hell.
[27.09.2016 18:35:20] Order|Phoenix: ?:"Did they have identifiers on them?"
[27.09.2016 18:35:30] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Anna: I... did not scan.
[27.09.2016 18:35:53] IMG|Dark.Chocolate: We all were too busy defending our arse i guess...
[27.09.2016 18:35:53] IMG|Rock.Blender: They were too far for my scanner.
[27.09.2016 18:36:02] Order|Phoenix: ?:"But they fired upon the mining convoy, yes?"
[27.09.2016 18:36:14] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: I mean... the targetting named them... to Epsilon Black or so...
[27.09.2016 18:36:31] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: But... that's just automated.
[27.09.2016 18:36:31] IMG|Dark.Chocolate: Yes they did literally attack the mining operation inside the fields..
[27.09.2016 18:36:42] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Anna: Exactly. They targetted us!
[27.09.2016 18:36:56] Order|Phoenix: ?:"Were there identifiable vessels as well? Defenders?"
[27.09.2016 18:37:06] IMG|Dark.Chocolate: As far as my knowledge.. This has never happened before
[27.09.2016 18:37:11] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: On our side? Yes. Of course. We called all our allies.
[27.09.2016 18:37:16] Order|Phoenix: ?:"Agressors? Any Nomad Sympathizers? Outcasts?"
[27.09.2016 18:37:20] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: LIBERTY
[27.09.2016 18:37:35] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Anna: The 72nd helped us!
[27.09.2016 18:37:55] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Anna: Can you believe that? They were Outcasts, I can swear. They helped us fend them off.
[27.09.2016 18:38:07] IMG|Dark.Chocolate: Oh Yeah... There was a Maltese Battleship and a gunboat i guess...
[27.09.2016 18:38:24] IMG|Tom:Marsh: Kusari and Gallia got involved too
[27.09.2016 18:38:33] IMG|Rock.Blender: Kusari Cruiser and Battleship were aswell.
[27.09.2016 18:38:34] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Anna: And... from what I saw... there were no... Outcast attckers against us.
[27.09.2016 18:38:54] Order|Phoenix: ?:"The 72nd Maltese battlegroup...and Gallic and Kusarian elements?"
[27.09.2016 18:39:09] IMG|Dark.Chocolate: Yeah....
[27.09.2016 18:39:25] IMG|Tom:Marsh: Also some Freelancers
[27.09.2016 18:39:43] IMG|Dark.Chocolate: Lets not forget the Junker Gunboat as well..
[27.09.2016 18:39:58] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Anna: It's in the logs of the exploded miner... indeed!
[27.09.2016 18:40:25] Order|Phoenix: ?:"Seems everyone came to your aid. There were no...identifiable vessels, ID wise?
[27.09.2016 18:40:47] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: ID? You mean... KNF... and Auxesia...?
[27.09.2016 18:41:00] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Of course they can all be IDed by the guncam pictures and Java sensors.
[27.09.2016 18:41:18] Order|Phoenix: ?:"Battlegroup Auxesia? And they were assisting the convoy?"
[27.09.2016 18:41:33] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Mining operation. Yes. Definitely.
[27.09.2016 18:42:46] Order|Phoenix: ?:"And after the...skirmish...did the Guild members collect any...non-human remains?"
[27.09.2016 18:43:20] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Anna: Ehm... I... do not know. The GRN destroyed everything they said. IMG did S&R. Rescued like 40ish
[27.09.2016 18:43:30] IMG|Dark.Chocolate: Ohh ! I kept my hull clean of those strange things.. I do not know about the others
[27.09.2016 18:43:59] IMG|Dark.Chocolate: We cannot risk Java getting infected...
[27.09.2016 18:44:09] Order|Phoenix: ?:"I see. And this has been your first contact with the K'Hara elements?"
[27.09.2016 18:44:31] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Jack: Only the Pioneer and an Outcast vessel collected survivors. The Pioneer is under quarantine.
[27.09.2016 18:44:35] IMG|Tom:Marsh: We've been targetted before
[27.09.2016 18:44:41] IMG|Dark.Chocolate: Well... As per my experience.. They haven't been spotted in such large swarms in Tau23
[27.09.2016 18:44:51] IMG|Tom:Marsh: Though they didn't come into Tau-23
[27.09.2016 18:44:55] IMG|Tom:Marsh: (last time)
[27.09.2016 18:44:57] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Anna: Often... before. However not so much with large vessels...
[27.09.2016 18:45:05] Order|Phoenix: ?:"So this is the first time such size has been seen in the system in question?"
[27.09.2016 18:45:19] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: The size of the attack... yes. Was large.
[27.09.2016 18:45:22] IMG|Tom:Marsh: It's the first time such a huge number has been seen by me anywhere
[27.09.2016 18:45:46] IMG|Dark.Chocolate: Luckily they were picked up on the long range scanners..... Else Java was doomed...
[27.09.2016 18:46:04] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Anna: It looked bad... in the middle of it. I was on Java.
[27.09.2016 18:46:14] Order|Phoenix: ?:"Yes...you are all very fortunate."
[27.09.2016 18:46:40] Order|Phoenix: ?:"Anything out of the ordinary, save for these Maltese assistants?"
[27.09.2016 18:46:41] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Jack H: The Order will receive a full report of what happened once we have collected the material - as is standard.
[27.09.2016 18:47:58] Order|Phoenix: ?:"I have collected all I need for now. Thank you for your assistance in this matter."
[27.09.2016 18:49:51] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Jack: As I said, we will send you a report
[27.09.2016 18:50:40] Order|Phoenix: ?:"Very well. I just needed initial details over the incident. Thank you for your willingness to assist the Order in this."
[27.09.2016 18:50:42] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: We will also check all the shps for NOmad Material.
[27.09.2016 18:51:03] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: I am pretty sure that some tractored something. We would not want a danger for our operations there.
[27.09.2016 18:52:50] Order|Phoenix: ?:"Any discovery of non-human material should be quarentined and the Order informed."
[27.09.2016 18:54:13] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Jack: Yes. As usual, we will collect all of it and ship it to the Order.
[27.09.2016 18:58:27] IMG|Falling.Teardrop: Anyway, thank you for looking into the incident. Jack, off
{END OF FILE}
- -- --{ Transmission Terminated }-- -- -
Order| Sortie Report Form
Reporting Officer: Commander Yeggito Kebok
Date of Sortie: 21-Nov-823 AS
Location Origin: Omicron Mu, Outer Rim
Encryption Level: LOCKED
Parties Involved:- Order: Commander Yeggito Kebok
Nomad Contacts:- Vagrant "Kessereya"
- Vagrant "Kapheria"
Auxesia Contacts:- Sapphire Raven
- Auxiesa "Endurance"
Other Contacts:
Summary:
Large amount of long-range sensor activity picked up from Meskhenet Station was the trigger to investigate. Trying to keep a low profile, I utilized the Bastet mk.II hangered at Taba, as it was recently equipped with a cloaking device, albeit one with a short duration of run-time. Trying to avoid detection, the system was patrolled counter-clockwise, looking out for any glints of hostile craft in the system's sunlight. Report Photo #1
Eventually, multiple hostile contacts were detected in the Pohnpei Asteroid Field, about 10km away from the Sigma-59 jump hole. Engaging the cloak once the hostiles were detected at 15k was too late, and while it prevented my ship from being targeted, my presence was known. Before the craft scattered, five (5) contacts were picked up. Two were Nomad, likely smaller craft, though the field's density, causing an obstructed view, prevented visual contact and verification.
The second set of craft were Auxiesian; the "Endurance", and the personal craft of one Sapphire Raven. Yes, the same Raven who tipped off the Core to our Iridium program several weeks back. Their presence, and thus proximity to Omicron Mu, was unsettling, but both Auxiesian ships turned for Sigma-59, and jumped through. Report Photo #2
Last contact was Lihko; as the focus was getting scans in before the Cloak Batteries were depleted, I did not get a full ship scan. As a neutral IFF, he may be a Freelancer. His name was seen in Omicron Delta system previously, but I have not made contact directly.Report Photo #3
[22.11.2016 01:55:24] Preparing to cloak...
[22.11.2016 01:55:28] Cloaking device on
[22.11.2016 01:55:29] Likho: Goodbye, Kapheira.
[22.11.2016 01:55:32] Sapphire.Raven: Order...
[22.11.2016 01:55:32] Likho: Until next we meet.
[22.11.2016 01:55:35] Likho: Under better circumstances.
[22.11.2016 01:55:40] Likho: Oh goddamnit...
[22.11.2016 01:55:43] Sapphire.Raven: Farewell, Ree-
[22.11.2016 01:55:44] Sapphire.Raven: Egh.
[22.11.2016 01:55:51] Sapphire.Raven: I suggest you move.
[22.11.2016 01:55:53] Vagrant.Kessereya: {::Endurance's and Sapphire's navigational maps blink with the coordinates of jump hole to Sigma-59::]
Deduction / Conclusions:
Based on the communications picked up, it seems that the meeting between the five parties was mutual; a lack of hostilities between Auxesia and the Nomad contacts was surprising (as they are, on public record, claiming to be protecting those in Sirius from Nomad threat), but the fact that all five scattered when the an Order Primary Fleet vessel was spotted lends evidence to the fact that the meeting, potentially, evidence of Auxiesian - Nomad relations.
The fact that the Nomad seemed to notify both Auxiesian vessels to the location of the jump hole, as in to aid in escape, also lends credence to the fact they could be working together.
I heavily suggest this "Lihko" character is investigated further. As he seems to be addressing the Nomad directly, hoping that the "meet again, under better circumstances", leads me to believe that they are seeking out direct contact with the Nomads, and are thus a high risk of infection.
Please let me know if there are any questions/concerns.
Signed: Commander Yeggito Kebok, Order ID 081-976
Order| Sortie Report Form
Reporting Officer: Commander Yeggito Kebok
Date of Sortie: 25-Nov-823 AS
Location Origin: Omicron Mu, Outer Rim
Encryption Level: LOCKED
Parties Involved:- Order: Commander Yeggito Kebok
Civilian (AP Manufacturing) Contacts:- APM-Metalicus
- APM-Insight
Core Contacts:
Summary:
A high density of contacts out of Dabradau Station's sensors in Omicron Delta led the the scrambling of a VHF out of Taba. Once it was determined that these were Core ships, and they were heading to Lost, the mission was planned to identify the Core assets, and their approach to Iridium mining. To avoid detection, the cloak-equipped Bastet was used, and the mining field approached from above. Report Photo #1
The field was identified, visual contacts with the ships were made, and the cloak was engaged. Report Photo #2
Due to a cloak malfunction, visual obscuration was lost, but the Core did not engage. Report Photo #3
Scans were taken of the three craft:
The VHF, Needle, was utilizing four (4) ARCHANGEL main guns, and two Warrans. He was the only one to break the Core radio silence during the interaction.
The Miner, the APM-Metalicus, was a Bretonian freighter, though only utilizing two (2) mining arrays. A four-point mining array setup is twice as efficient when equally spaced. This shows that this operation is new to them, as their mining vessel was quite novice
The Transport, APM-Insight, was a standard Bison. Scans did not reveal armor, likely to maximize transport space.
The vessels were kept at a safe distance, and followed back into Delta. The tracking was terminated, and return to Taba was initiated. Report Image #4
Conclusions:
The Core, and the primary guild, are taking Iridium mining seriously. As opposed to a single miner working with a freighter, there are dedicated assets with an Escort. While it was only a single VHF at this time, they will likely increase their numbers after this encounter. Their route out of Lost took them through Delta, and then what looked like to Kappa.
Please let me know if there are any questions/concerns.
Signed: Commander Yeggito Kebok, Order ID 081-976