COMM ID:Commander Robert Hume TARGET ID: The Liberty Security Force (CC: ESRD) SUBJECT:Fort Collins Inspection ENCRYPTION:High PRIORITY:High
Director,
I have recently been appointed as the Commanding Officer of Fort Collins, a previously decommissioned vessel that is currently undergoing retrofit to face the Gallics. Matters are more complicated then that statement would warrant, unfortunately.
Fort Collins was decommissioned following mutinous action during the Nomad War. Collins and the two siege cruisers in her group (Mount Sentinel and Scottsdale) opened fire on the Armoured Transport Aurora while the latter was carrying congressional representatives, likely in an effort by the aliens to sow confusion and fear. Aurora escaped the attack, thanks in large part to the sacrifice of the gunboat Midland.
Following the attack Collins, Sentinel and Scottsdale were declared rogue vessels. Collins' Chief of the Boat received the notification and subsequently lead an effort to seize control of the ship and return it to Republic hands that was ultimately successful. Sentinel, the lead ship of the group, was later destroyed by elements of the Sixth Fleet in orbit around Houston, whereas Scottsdale apparently vanished into interstellar space two months after the attack and has not since been seen.
While no concrete evidence of infestation within Collins' surviving crew was uncovered in the days following its return to Republic space, with so little known about the Nomads, the decision was made to decommission her. She was struck from the register in 802A.S, and her crew placed in quarantine for the remainder of the war. The ship remained in a graveyard in Virginia until it was called up for the war against the Gallics.
While I appreciate that the likelihood of any remnants of nomadic presence remaining aboard after almost twenty years is low, your agents are better qualified to advise on that decision then I am. Deep Space Engineering has been selected as a likely candidate for handling the final stages of the retrofit, and it would be appreciated if a member of your agency could be dispatched to serve in an advisory capacity during the ship's contact with members of the public, to both ensure they are aware of the appropriate procedure should the unlikely occur, and that the vessel itself is free of any contamination that may interfere with operations.
Regards,
Robert Hume
Commander
Commanding Officer
LNS Fort Collins
Liberty Navy First Fleet
COMM ID:Agent Brandon Bunnett TARGET ID:Commander Robert Hume, Liberty Navy, First Fleet SUBJECT:Infection Control ENCRYPTION:High
Good afternoon Commander.
My name is Brandon Bunnett, I've been tasked and authorized by the LSF Directorate to respond to your communication as well as negotiate any operation. I'd first like to thank you for your vigilance as well as foresight before using a vessel with that kind of history.
While Naval Intelligence should already be investigating the matter, I understand that you'd also have the LSF give approval for active service. I'd also like to note for you and your crew's own security that you are, unfortunately, wrong in your assumption. Nomads can not only infect biomass, but also electronic and mechanical entities, such as the Fort Collins or any other warship and unlike any disadvantages biomass (humans, for example) would have with cell degeneration and time itself, a ship could be infected and continue operation for tens of years without external assistance or resupply.
But fortunately, with the amount of time and money we've poured into detection methods, it would be a simple -if long- procedure to check the ship itself for possible infection. What we would like is the ship to immediately pause retrofit operations, moved to open space within Virginia and quarantined. Once you can assure that the ship is in place, we'll send a team with the required equipment to check for any nomadic infestation. Due to the known nature of non-biological infestation types the ship would only have to go under this routine only once. Naval infestation protocols -as always- would be enough to ensure no future infestation unless in contact with a large nomad biomass, which, you already have the required equipment to check for any short-term exposures.
If the information is satisfactory to you Commander then I can have a team sent immediately once you have assured me of the vessel's quarantine state.
COMM ID:Commander Robert Hume TARGET ID: Agent Brandon Bunnett (CC: ESRD) SUBJECT:Re: Infection Control ENCRYPTION:High PRIORITY:High
Good Afternoon Agent Bunnett,
Your prompt response is appreciated, as is your clarification of the scale of the threat. Unfortunately, I am unable to comply with your request to shift Fort Collins to Virginia. While she was able to make the journey from Washington, her navigation systems have since been stripped by the Seabees in anticipation of the retrofit. Launching her into jump space in her present state would likely mean she wouldn't come out again inside this century.
As a stopgap, I've had Fort Collins' cleared of crew and her airlocks sealed. There's not an atom of Norfolk's air getting aboard that ship that wasn't there when I received your message. The mooring lines and access tubes have been kept in place for your teams to make use of. The skeleton crew operating Fort Collins' (eighteen, including myself) have been assigned range practice on Norfolk's simulator in the interim. At the time of this message they have not been informed as to the reason for the ship's lockdown. I have no desire to cause a panic on account of a twenty year old warship.
I can claim little authority over the 3rd Construction Brigade who conducted Fort Collins' repair work, and continue work on other vessels stationed at Norfolk. Captain Fredrickson has command of the station's engineering elements, and he has so far been unable to meet me. His XO however; was good enough to detach four marines to secure access to Fort Collins. They are currently engaged in guarding the access tubes to the cruiser.
Your team will have to come to us, Agent.
Regards,
Robert Hume
Commander
Commanding Officer
LNS Fort Collins
Liberty Navy First Fleet
COMM ID:Agent Brandon Bunnett TARGET ID:Commander Robert Hume, Liberty Navy, First Fleet SUBJECT:Infection Control ENCRYPTION:High
Commander,
That won't be a problem, although we would rather enjoy the secrecy and security of Virginia, we've done this sort of thing in core space as well, multiple times. I'd like to thank you again for your continued foresight into Liberty's security. I've went through Norfolk's logs and I've confirmed that the Fort Collins is moored on Bay 2 using Ports 23 through 36. I've had the decks connected to these ports sealed off and put under quarantine until further notice, it was quite easy to convince the Dockmaster for his assistance after dropping in the words National Security and Nomad Threat. I've dispatched multiple teams and they're en route from Alaska as we speak, including some operatives to ensure the security of the decks we're working on.
As for the 3rd Construction Brigade, the Dockmaster has cleared and ordered them all to undergo non-routine infection checks aboard the Missouri. My teams will also do some quick checks on any ships the 3rd Construction Brigade has worked on in order to ensure operational security. I understand this operation might slow down the efficiency of Norfolk for a small time, however, the complete security of Liberty takes priority over anything and everything.
Since there's been no need for frequent structure-infection checks within the past year, I've been able to pull more operatives than usual for the task so the operation should be complete within 36 hours.
I believe this should be satisfactory enough, Commander.
COMM ID:Agent Brandon Bunnett TARGET ID:Commander Robert Hume, Liberty Navy, First Fleet SUBJECT:Infection Control ENCRYPTION:High
Commander,
I'd like to note that the infestation checks on the Fort Collins have turned out negative. That is, your vessel is completely free of any Nomad influence. The previously locked down decks and mooring stations have been reopened for use as my team has left the station.
The Collins is cleared for continued retrofit operation.
COMM ID:Commander Robert Hume TARGET ID: Agent Brandon Bunnett (CC: ESRD) SUBJECT:Re: Infection Control ENCRYPTION:High PRIORITY:High
Agent,
I just received the all clear from the Dockmaster. I'll be moving Fort Collins' own crew through screening to confirm we're properly clear before resuming pre-flight clearances for the retrofit. My thanks to the Agency you for your attentiveness, it's a weight off my shoulders to know that the threats we'll be facing will be wholly external.
If there is any capacity in which we can repay the service in the future, I'll be happy to consider it.
Regards,
Robert Hume
Commander
Commanding Officer
LNS Fort Collins
Liberty Navy First Fleet
COMM ID:Agent Brandon Bunnett TARGET ID:Commander Robert Hume, Liberty Navy, First Fleet SUBJECT:Infection Control ENCRYPTION:High
Commander,
There is something you can perhaps assist the Agency with. As outlined in a prior communique, which you undoubtedly have access to, the Predator Program is still going under some operational capacity tests. We've been thinking of implementing a Remote AI Control Node on a capital vessel. Due to the nature of Naval forces, this allows the opportunity to extend the range of the Predator Drones beyond Liberty Core and Border systems without any breaches in security due, again, the nature of a Liberty Naval vessel.
The Node would boost the control range of the Predator Drones which would allow for the Predators to assist your vessel as limited fire-support but more importantly, as a means of actively gathering intelligence as long as you aren't too far from Liberty, of course, the Node would be controlled remotely by LSF operatives and any data collected by the Predators would be, naturally, classified and none of the personnel on your vessel would have access to it, unless the security of your own ship is threatened.
We can easily have the node installed as an implantation into your retrofit program upon your acceptance, if you have any questions about my request just ask.
If for any reason you decline, then all we ask of you is your continued Vigilance, Competence and Loyalty for and to out great nation, Liberty.
COMM ID:Captain Jane Hartman TARGET ID: Agent Brandon Bunnett SUBJECT:Remote Control Node ENCRYPTION:High PRIORITY:Moderate
Agent Bunnett,
In the wake of recent supply shortages following events on the Kusari Border, the restoration of Fort Collins has been postponed indefinitely. Commander Hume has been reassigned as Executive Officer of the LLS Glenbrook, a Revere-class Fleet Auxiliary, under my command. As Fort Collins will be unable to meet the requirements of the LSF with regard to serving as an AI Control Node, I'm willing to allow the device to be fitted to Glenbrook when she returns to dock for maintenance.
There are elements of your proposal that concern me, Agent. Particularly the remote operation of the node. I understand the need for secrecy in LSF operations and, to be frank, would rather give whatever information it is you're passing through that node as wide a berth as possible; however, as I understand it the primary function of these drones is to gather local intelligence, with access to that information by my crew restricted by an agent potentially stationed a star system away.
Lines of communication in combat are unreliable at the best of times, and though Glenbrook is not a warship, we are expected to operate alongside combat vessels, and against enemy craft known to employ electronic warfare. Should an enemy vessel succeed in severing the node's connection to your command elements, that access restriction would turn a potentially life saving asset into dead weight.
I understand and accept the need for security; however, I cannot accept a system that will lock my personnel out in the event of connection failure. Please advise as to how the system would respond in those circumstances. If need be, Glenbrook can host a Security Force operator to oversee the system and grant local authorization as required.
Regards,
Jane Hartman
Captain
Officer Commanding
21st Combat Support Group
Liberty Navy
Important:This communication remains the property of the Liberty Defence Forces and is subject to the jurisdiction of the Neural Net Communications Act 807A.S, Section 30. If you have received this message in error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the communication.
COMM ID:Agent Brandon Bunnett TARGET ID:Captain Jane Hartman, Liberty Navy, First Fleet SUBJECT:Remote AI Control Node ENCRYPTION:High
Captain,
Ah, an unfortunate turn of events regarding the Fort Collins, she would have made a perfect test bed for the continuation of the Predator Program, but I understand the reasoning. However, the Agency Directorate has approved your suggestion of implementing the Remote AI Control Node on the LLS Glenbrook. As for your concerns,
The default configuration of a G-series Predator Drone allows for selective data access authorization according to multiple parameters. In the case you described, the structural integrity of the Node would take a rather high priority, the Predators would release information regarding any would-be threats to your vessel, including visual, sensory as well as combat intel data. This is the default configuration of the Predator Drone's AI, however this could be overridden by the AI if certain..extreme parameters are met.
In the event of the connection between the Remote and Control being severed, the default protocols would still apply, the Predators are capable of operating autonomously from the Command Node on Hoover. The only thing that would change is that our operatives would not have access to a continued data-flow and direct remote control of the Predators until the link has been reestablished. Although as a prior note, in such an event that the Remote Node cannot establish a link with the Command Node, the computer will override your vessel's communication systems' safeties and try to use your systems to re-establish the link with Command. It will do this as a background process and will only have a 0.09% efficiency decrease in your communication systems as it uses your system memory.
I hope this is sufficient to put yourself at ease, be assured that the LSF would not install a system that had drawbacks significant enough that would in any way restrict a Naval vessel's combat and duty efficiency. Doing that would be counter-productive to the safety and security of Liberty.
COMM ID:Captain Jane Hartman TARGET ID: Agent Brandon Bunnett SUBJECT:Remote Control Node ENCRYPTION:High PRIORITY:Moderate
Agent Bunnett,
I'm glad to hear that. Considering what you've said, I've given this project the green light with Logistics Command. Glenbrook will be returning to Norfolk shipyard for routine maintenance on the 22nd. I trust this will be adequate time to prepare your systems for installation. I'll see to it that Glenbrook's registry entry is made available to the LSF prior to that date.
Regards,
Jane Hartman
Captain
Officer Commanding
21st Combat Support Group
Liberty Navy
Important:This communication remains the property of the Liberty Defence Forces and is subject to the jurisdiction of the Neural Net Communications Act 807A.S, Section 30. If you have received this message in error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the communication.