Date: 18.06.818 A.S.
Comm ID: Col. Jonathan Nolan
Captain's ship log entry #1
Alright... This is my first day on service after the promotion and stepping up from captaining a cruiser is indeed a long way. I have officially received the command of the newest carrier in the Liberty fleet although I've been on this shipyard for the last two months, in probation and training.
There's no friendly face to be seen in Alaska, that's for sure. Just the occasional Nomad patrol, and some deep incursions made by the Order - but hey - that's why we're here. Contrary to everyone's expectations, this ship isn't due to serve on the southern front, but rather as a mobile outpost, for some LSF bomber squadrons.
We are going to fire up the main navigation systems, and that brand new Nav AI that everyone at Ageira is so proud about.
Col. Nolan out.
Date: 19.06.818 A.S.
Comm ID: Col. Jonathan Nolan
Captain's ship log entry #2
He-llo. In my last report was talking about the Nav AI testing. It went almost good. Why almost? It navigated the ship in simulations through a coronal mass ejection, avoided every single avoidable asteroid in an asteroid field simulation - this was the good part.
The bad part: It crashed Atlantis against the shipyard's mooring clamps. They promised to fix this with the next release, so we're stuck with manual mooring procedures. Again. Why in God's name an advanced AI can steer the ship clean through the coronal sphere of a freaking sun, but it's unable to perform something stupid simple like a mooring procedure? I am certain every capital ship helmsman would simply ram their ship into a Sun, if they'd try to "surf" a coronal mass ejection. Oh well.
Anyway, the official launch procession is due to start, in a few hours. Time to get dressed, and get this beast out there, in space. Will return to update the ship's log when this whole ordeal is dealt with.
Col. Nolan, signing off.
Date: 19.06.818 A.S.
Comm ID: Col. Jonathan Nolan
Captain's ship log entry #3
Alright, the deed is done. Me and the crew have shaken hands with various Navy officials, met with our families on Juneau for the last time - our mission is going to last six months, out there in the dark, with no one but ourselves to watch each other's back.
I still remember that moment when we were still talking to the Juneau's control tower, when we received the official mission briefing. Our standing orders are to rendezvous with a LSF bomber squadron - some tough officers I was told - and patrol between the points of interest within Alaska.
The combat manual states that in the case of an engagement with enemy forces of an unknown size, we are to deploy our complement of drones, and provide suppression fire upon enemy ships if possible - without endangering the ship. I've been given express orders, that if I have to choose between the lives of the pilots and the potential risk to the ship and it's crew, I am authorized to turn tail and run and hope for the best.
That sounds scary in itself, but we're all eager to start and that six months will pass swiftly in a finger snap.
Col. Nolan out.
Date: 22.06.818 A.S.
Comm ID: Col. Jonathan Nolan
Captain's ship log entry #4
Col. Nolan reporting on the ship's log... star date 18.06.818 A.S. We have joined forces with the LSF pilots, they have been briefed on the mission, I personally gave them a tour of the ship and showed them their quarters. They were unimpressed by Atlantis's capabilities which came off as a surprise to me, but anyway. Since they're going to be here, we're all having to cooperate and return home alive. Right now, we are to head down to Planet Wrangell, to investigate some Nomad presence - according to LSF intelligence, and after that we're to head down towards Planet Anchorage.
This is all for now, col. Nolan out.
Date: 01.07.818 A.S.
Comm ID: Col. Jonathan Nolan
Captain's ship log entry #5
We have just established orbit around Planet Wrangell, and our first encounter with the aliens is unfolding as I'm filling this log entry, right now. We're under engagement with the Nomads for several hours now. I've decided to follow up on the standard engagement manual, devised by the Liberty Navy for such situations when dealing with aliens... and guess what - it already looks like going "by the book" with these guys is a bad idea.
I have launched all available drones, emptied the bays of bombs and kept Atlantis out of the fight. A few Nomad fighters were very occupied with some Order fighters, which turned tail and ran out when our first wave was going in.
And then something rather interesting kept happening; every time a Nomad ship blew up, it sent out a short outburst of data through subspace. Every time that happened however, more Nomad ships kept coming and coming, appearing literally out of nowhere. The ship's Core of Engineers are probing and analyzing the signal, to see what's all about it, how it works and how can we replicate it, and more to importantly - how can we stop it.
Numbers wise, I have been sending more and more reinforcements, to keep our domination over the battlefield, we haven't lost any ships yet. However, right now I am worried about my pilots being fatigued, and I don't want to lose them in the first engagement with the enemy - we are also demanded to hold this position for roughly three weeks - until more permanent defenses are put in place.
Will return when the situation updates. Col. Nolan out.
Date: 02.07.818 A.S.
Comm ID: Col. Jonathan Nolan
Captain's ship log entry #6
The fight is still raging, and my forces are committed 100%, all available pilots are out there, while I'm resting the others to replace them. We can't exactly figure out what's going on, but that subspace signal looks like a distress call. It's imperative to find a way to stop it, and I'm considering taking Atlantis in there, to relieve the situation.
I'll keep the log up to date, right now I have to analyze some front-line data.
Col. Nolan out.
Date: 03.07.818 A.S.
Comm ID: Col. Jonathan Nolan
Captain's ship log entry #7
Okay, we have gained the upper hand - and the Order just showed up with a few fighters. Surprisingly, they've joined on our side. We have closed the gap between Atlantis and the fight - and we managed to pick up on the long range sensors where the Alien reinforcements are coming from. A Nomad Battleship is hovering ~14k away from the fight, it's silhouette being seen from our current location.
Apparently, the Order is also out for Nomads. Two Order cruisers are harassing the enemy Battleship. I am going to send all available bombers to help them - and throwing in all my fighter reserves into the battle to preserve our field domination. Alright, let's see how that goes.
Col. Nolan out.
Date: 03.07.818 A.S.
Comm ID: Col. Jonathan Nolan
Captain's ship log entry #8
Alright, the deed's done. The Nomads have been defeated and the Order retreated. In their reports, the front-line pilots are saying that on certain occasions the Order agents saved their lives. They acted as their wing-men, covering their rears while they were occupied with bombing the enemy Battleship.
This gets me conclude the following:
1. The Nomad tactics are more advanced as the combat manual says, at least at harassing enemy bombers.
2. I underestimated them, and even if I hate to admit it, it looks like the Order saved some of my pilots.
Some of my men were really impressed by their actions. I will have to remind them, that we're in a two-way war here: against the Nomads and the Order.
Col. Nolan out.
Date: 05.07.818 A.S.
Comm ID: Col. Jonathan Nolan
Captain's ship log entry #9
The Nomads have returned. And they have brought a capital ship fleet with them. They're currently holding position, on the other side of Planet Wrangell for now. I have plotted an attack plan, and I've sent diversionary units to draw their fighters away from the capital ships. They have been seen to send Gunboat sized vessels to support them, which will be countered by a squadron of bombers.
As for the rest of their group, the rest of the bombers will tie them down, while we'll come from behind and annihilate them. It's time for this bird to unleash it's destructive firepower upon these Nomads!
We'll begin at 08:00 tomorrow.
Col. Nolan, signing off.
Date: 09.07.818 A.S.
Comm ID: Col. Jonathan Nolan
Captain's ship log entry #10
We have attacked the Nomads - we totally surprised them. But what we have failed to see was that we were... outmaneuvered. They have brought two more Battleships as reinforcements.
During the initial assault, Atlantis's shield was severely drained, but the ship was undamaged. They have tried a classic pincer movement against our position, but my drones were already in space by the time they arrived in weapons range. The drones attacked one of the Battleships and it's escorts, while I have personally flew Atlantis to do battle with the second Alien battle group.
This time we took severe damage. At least, I am content with them being destroyed. Knowing that there's no hope to sustain the damage with an almost depleted shield, I have ordered to deplete the ship's core as well - we went toe to toe with them for a while there. In some quick thinking from my part, we managed to outgun them and collect a victory in this battle.
On the other side of the planet however, reports from the drones were interesting - the Nomads were expecting us. Surprisingly, we had no casualties. The bulk of an Order hunter&killer fleet helped my pilots into battle. I am getting unconfirmed reports that my men were actively communicating, cooperating with the Order. I will have to discipline them, when they all get on board. After all, those damned aliens managed to render the left side bay unusable. We're fixing that as we speak, and we're redirecting the traffic to the right side bay.
Col. Nolan out.