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S8 Operatives · 03-23-2024, 11:04 AM,

Section 8

Login ID: Solemn
Entry Date: 23 Mar. 834
Location: Planet Akabat, Omicron Mu

After Action Report: Omicron Minor

Yesterday, 22 Mar. 834, at around 1900 hours SMT, Cairo Station picked up a massive energy spike originating from the northern Pohnpei Nebula in the Omicron Zeta system. Command decided that local Section 8 units should investigate while a task force was organized to fend off a potential alien attack. I was joined by operative Wendigo. We performed a quick sweep of Omicron Zeta and encountered a flotilla of Nomad warforms and infected vessels. Being heavily outnumbered and outgunned, we broke off our patrol and returned to Omicron Mu to relay our findings to the task force. While we were reporting the alien activity, Cairo Station informed us of a second, stronger energy spike from the direction of the Omicron Minor system. Anticipating an alien incursion, the task force set out, with our fighter complement taking point. Operative Armsman was assigned command of our strikecraft.

Arriving in Omicron Minor, the task force set course of Planet Toledo and the Graveyard, hoping to intercept any Nomad forces outside of the system's asteroid field. In Toledo's orbit, we encountered not only the alien flotilla Wendigo and I came upon earlier, but also several wings of Libertonian snubcraft - including elements of the First Armada and the Alaska Security Force - as well as a number of Core fighters and bombers. Ignoring the human trespassers, we engaged the alien forces at once.

Of note: The RNC Einbeck - the same Rheinland cruiser Vagabond recently encountered in Sigma-17 and Omicron Delta - appeared to be attempting to perform scans of the Isis' wreck. To what end, I don't know. The Einbeck was quickly dispatched by friendly forces. However, the ship and her crew are clearly compromised.

The Libertonian and Core units assisted with fending off the alien incursion. But, unsurprisingly, the useless traitors turned on our forces as soon as the Nomads were pushed back. Our fighter wing was massively outnumbered while the rest of the task force was harassed by Core warships joining the fray. Eventually, we were overwhelmed by enemy snubcraft and my ship was disabled. Luckily, I was able to disappear amidst the Graveyard's wreckage and await SAR. How the battle finally turned out, I don't know. But my guess is that the aliens' plan - whatever it was - was halted.

Operative Wendigo, formerly Knave, performed well. Emissary is right. He may be of some use.

That is all.

- Solemn

Attachments:

Video Recording

Section 8 - Content & Feedback

Toaster · 06-06-2024, 03:38 PM,

Section 8

Login ID: Hawkins
Entry Date: 06 Jun. 834
Location: Unto Nightfall, Ontario

Priority Report: Planet Sudbury, Ontario

On June 1, contact to one of our long-range probes in the Ontario system broke off. While this was initially dismissed as a simple malfunction, the rapid failure of the remaining four probes deployed across the system alerted our analytics team aboard the Atum. Analysis of the received data immediately prior to loss of contact revealed energy readings similar to those detected four years ago during the Pulse event originating from a point within the Ontario system. The Unto Nightfall was deployed to investigate.

Immediately following our departure for the Ontario system, the Atum received and forwarded an emergency broadcast originating from Fort Ramsey. The message indicated a hostile presence in the system, disconcertingly including Nomad warforms, as well as confirming suspicions of a hyperspace pulse being the cause of the probes' malfunctions.

Arriving in-system, the Unto Nightfall rendezvoused with Xeno Alliance Commander Cobra, who insisted on showing us rather than briefing us on the apparent cause of the system-wide blackout. We were joined by the warship FRS Roanoke and made best speed towards Planet Sudbury - a barren world with no atmosphere, located in the stellar northwest of the system. Our sensors picked up considerable traffic on the far side, and Cobra informed us that there was heavy fighting between local Xeno units and elements deployed by the Liberty Security Force, Technocracy, Bounty Hunters Guild, Lane Hackers, as well as Nomad warforms. We were further informed that the LSF battlecruiser LeHigh and a heavy DSE construction ship had arrived in-system via the partially repaired and hastily reactivated California jump gate.

Approaching Planet Sudbury, our scanner array began detecting unusual energy readings originating from its surface. The source of these readings appears to be an enormously powerful energy field, several hundred kilometers in diameter and visible to the naked eye, forming a hemispherical dome over a vast stretch of the planet's surface.

SysOps immediately commenced a detailed scan of the energy field and its source of emission, however, after several days of continuous scanning, observation, and analysis, even the Unto Nightfall's newly fitted Mark I Wiretap array could neither penetrate the energy field, determine its exact source, not discern what lies underneath. Scans were, however, able to discern that the dome formed by the energy field reaches under the planet's surface. The field's immense energy output caused significant wear and tear on our scanner and sensor suite, resulting in several malfunctions. While field repairs have thus far patched the damage our hardware has taken, spare parts, which the local Xenos are unable to provide, are already running low.

Further, Commander Cobra relayed anecdotal evidence of the field responding to certain audio frequencies. It is known that some artifacts of the Daam K'Vosh progenitor race respond to harmonic waveforms, i.e. musical notes, suggesting that the energy field and its source, too, are of Daam K'Vosh origin. The immense energy output - beyond what our own sensors could read - rules out any human-made construct, nor does it seem likely that it is Nomad in nature. Our own testing with modulated scanner frequencies emulating musical tones, however, resulted in no discernible alteration to the energy field's behavior.

Further discussion with Commander Cobra revealed that the local Xeno forces are under considerable pressure from the numerous newly present hostiles and that reinforcements from the Order were required. I informed him that the majority of Section 8's assets are currently occupied with ongoing operations and that the Order's resources were stretched similarly thin to his own. However, he insisted that the Order provide some form of support if it intended to secure the site of the planetary anomaly and prevent it from falling into the hands of the Liberty Security Force or Technocracy.

My personal recommendation is as follows: While the hunt for the infected battlecruiser Wyoming is of top priority, these new developments surrounding Planet Sudbury are of too great a significance to ignore. Whatever lies beneath the energy field is almost certainly of alien, likely Daam K'Vosh, origin, and must therefore not fall into the wrong hands, i.e. those of any party other than the Order. Commander Cobra has already expressed his desire to claim whatever is covered by the field for the Xenos' war efforts, believing it may be a technological cache. It stands to reason that the other present parties, particularly the Liberty Security Force and the Technocracy, share this assumption. While the energy field has thus far proven impenetrable by scanners and impervious even to heavy weapons fire, should the Order not act, it is only a matter of time before another party succeeds in gaining access to what lies beneath. Further, the sudden appearance of Nomads in the Ontario system - and thus in the immediate vicinity of major population centers in the California and Colorado systems - is a grave development almost certainly brought on by the activation of the energy field. Section 8 must secure the site and the alien threat must be thwarted before it can grow out of control and threaten Liberty's population.

Attachments

Belmont · (This post was last modified: 11-03-2024, 06:11 PM by Belmont.)

Section 8

Login ID: Captain Emrys Belmont
Entry Date: 09 OCT 834
Location: Ontario

Priority Report: Planet Sudbury, Ontario

Four days ago, our long range sensors detected a high-energy signal originating from Planet Sudbury. The Unto Nightfall launched from Fort Ramsey at once with the goal to investigate. The source of the signal was plain to see - quite literally.

The anomalous structure beneath the planet's surface appears to have entered a second phase of activation and has started emitting a high-intensity beam of energy into deep space. Initial calculations indicate a vector towards the galactic west. Astrometric analysis further suggests that the beam may intercept the neighboring Coronado system, though an exact vector cannot currently be determined due to the beam's unusual energetic nature. The light emitted by the beam remains within the visible spectrum for a length of circa thirty-five klicks before rapidly shifting into the non-visible spectra. Comparative analysis of the beam indicates readings consistent with patterns usually only found in the immediate vicinity of jump holes and jump gates and within hyperspatial tunnels. Due to this, I believe the energy beam may be propagating at a relative speed faster than light.

Where exactly the beam's energy is being drawn from remains undetermined, though visual scans indicate that it may be drawn directly from the planet's matter. I will have to leave the more detailed interpretation of the captured data to Analytics.

Radiation levels around Planet Sudbury and within the immediate vicinity of the anomaly and energy beam remain heightened but non-threatening. Close-up inspection of the planet's surface revealed further activity below the anomaly's energy shield. Images captured by our high resolution camera suite show a structure emerged from the planet's surface. Its geometry appears to resemble that of a pyramid or ziggurat. Due to the energy shield's all but impenetrable nature and intense interference, it is not yet possible to tell whether the structure is the source of the energy beam, nor what its purpose may be otherwise.

The cause for the the anomaly's sudden could not yet be ascertained, though reports from the Xenos indicate that the activation of the energy beam and emergence of the pyramidal structure on the planet's surface coincided with heavy fighting between LSF, Technocrat, presumed infected, and the Atum's own forces in orbit. It is possible that the anomaly's behavior is a result or even a reaction to this activity. Again, I will leave detailed interpretation to Analysis.

I have communicated with the Xeno Alliance's commander, Damien Morreti. He is well aware of the situation and the absolute necessity to establish complete control over Planet Sudbury through the expulsion of Libertonian, Technocrat, and alien forces. Combat will continue to be primarily handled by the Xenos, while it falls to us to carry on observation and analysis of the Sudbury anomaly.

I have relayed orders to Operative Prophet to scan the Coronado system for any traces of the high-energy beam.

Attachments

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Belmont · (This post was last modified: 11-03-2024, 06:12 PM by Belmont.)

Section 8

Login ID: Captain Emrys Belmont
Entry Date: 12 OCT 834
Location: Ontario

Priority Report: Reconnaissance, Coronado

Upon the completion of Operative Prophet's task to reconnoiter the Coronado system, I am reporting following findings.

Shattered planetoid

Scouting the Coronado system for any potential traces of the high-energy beam being emitted by the Sudbury anomaly in the neighboring Ontario system, Operative Prophet came upon an exceptionally large formation within the Barrier Rim nebula. Located circa 20 klicks below the stellar plane, it appears to be the shattered remains of either an exceptionally large asteroid or a small planetoid.

Shattered planetoid

Operative Prophet's fighter is not equipped to conduct detailed geological analysis, so that collected data is limited to visual and basic surface scans, as well as electromagnetic readings. The formation consists of several large fragments, at a glance consistent with other rocky bodies found throughout the Barrier Rim. At the center of the formation, however, lies what appears to be a frozen core. Despite extreme closeup scans, the exact composition of this body could not be determined by Operative Prophet.

Frozen core

Of particular note are the following:

Firstly, the formation exhibits extremely heightened electrical activity, presenting as cascading lightning bolts flashing between and around the fragments. These electrical discharges are of sufficiently low voltage to not pose a threat to properly hardened vessels, though standard civilian craft may be damaged if struck directly.

Secondly, the asteroid's / planetoid's core is laced by a system of caverns. These are large enough for small craft to enter and explore. Operative Prophet, upon doing so, discovered an inner core within the frozen outer shell. This inner core, paradoxically, emits significant thermal radiation - not, however, to a degree that would pose a threat to spacecraft. The composition of this inner core could not be determined.

Hot inner core

Review of our astrographical database did not return any mention of this shattered planetoid. It is possible, of course, that it has not been previously discovered due to its well hidden location within the Barrier Rim. The cause of the planetoid's destruction is currently a mystery, as are the source of the electrical activity throughout the remains and the thermal activity within the inner core.

Alien gate

Three days ago, Vincent 'Caliban' Abrams approached the Unto Nightfall with a report of unidentified activity around the Knossos-type Nomad jump gate within the Barrier Rim. Abrams claimed that the structure was "rebuilding itself." The Unto Nightfall performed a hyperspace jump to the Coronado system to investigate and, if necessary, secure the site of the Nomad gate. Upon arrival and rendezvousing with Abrams and the Xeno Alliance Commander Cobra, the Unto Nightfall conducted a close inspection of the gate's remains.

Knossos-type jump gate

No activity - either alien or human - was observed. The gate itself remains derelict. Electromagnetic readings indicated heightened levels of radioactivity within the immediate vicinity of the ruins, though this is not unusual for technology of alien origin.

Abrams' claim regarding the Nomad gate could not be verified.

Conclusion

The sudden discovery of the unusual planetary fragments and the admittedly unverified claim by Abrams regarding sudden activity around the Nomad gate are likely unrelated to the activation of the Sudbury anomaly. However, there is a chance that these developments are not mere coincidence. Particularly Abrams' report on the Nomad jump gate seems uncannily well-timed when coupled with the calculated vector of the Sudbury anomaly's high-energy beam. I believe close observation of these matters should be a priority, and I have instructed Operative Prophet accordingly. Should the opportunity present itself, the Unto Nightfall will deploy to the Coronado system to perform more detailed scans of the shattered planetoid.

Attachments

Communication logs

Belmont · (This post was last modified: 11-03-2024, 06:12 PM by Belmont.)

Section 8

Login ID: Captain Emrys Belmont
Entry Date: 2 NOV 834
Location: Sigma-59

Incident Report: Operative Prophet

Yesterday, at 2044 hours SMT, we lost contact with Operative Prophet in the Shikoku system. He was en route to Noshima Freeport to rendezvous with a local informant. Twelve hours after loss of contact, our informant reported that Prophet had not yet arrived. Assuming he was ambushed by bounty hunters or Kusari authorities en route, I requested deployment of an SAR party from the Atum.

Two hours ago, Whistler squadron sited a debris field not far from Shikoku’s southern Keiun cloud. Serial numbers on the remains match Prophet’s ship. A sweep of the sector found no escape pod. A local police patrol forced Whistler squadron to retreat before a more thorough search could be conducted.

I have listed Operative Prophet as MIA. Should he not reestablish contact within seventy-two hours, he will be listed as KIA. The Atum has agreed to keep Whistler squadron on standby for extraction.

Attachments

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