--- Filed by
--- Pilot: John Brannigan
--- Callsign: CFC_Infinity
--- Assignment: CFC Research and Reconnaisance, Expedition Atalante
Salve!
Usually CFC-based reports are rare and few, since the CFC is only drafted into combat in emergency situations.
This report, however, is the product of an encounter with a Liberty Navy fleet in our realm. My ship was the only craft available and hence I scouted the fleet as best I could, using the modified CFC Sekhmet that is assigned to me.
Initial contact:
The fleet first came to our attention as the CFC science vessel was on the return leg from an operation in Omicron Major. Being exhausted from nomad harassment, and bearing valuable materials, orders were given to deploy my ship and return to Isis at once, so as to protect our asset and our research materials.
Tracking:
With the Atalante having returned home, I turned towards the Alaska jumphole as a logical starting point for a search. Soon, however, sensor systems around the alien gate picked up the presence of the navy ships.
By the time I reached the gate, the fleet had already jumped into Omicron Major. After confirming again that no reinforcements would be available, I followed them.
Hostile Operations:
The fleet remained only briefly in Major, less than half an hour. Whether this was intentional or a response to my presence is unclear. I kept my distance, except for brief flybys to obtain more detailed scans of the enemy ships.
The objective, as stated by the navy commander, was ostensibly reasearch. As the ships did not approach the Dyson sphere itself at any point*, I surmise that they had entered the system only to collect nomad brains for their own purposes. Further details were not forthcoming, unsurprisingly.
Combat:
Any combat was limited. I deliberately avoided attacking any navy ships, though was hit by some minimal weapons fire and a surprisingly large number of cruise disruptors.
The nomads were indiscriminate, however, and forced me into a number of firefights, causing extensive damage to my craft. The final engagement with nomads occured in Minor just outside the gate and involved a large number of fighters, assassins and a gunboat.
Retreat:
As stated, the fleet did not stay long. Scans show that only around 40 nomad brains were collected. I also spotted a number of human pilots, mostly criminals, and twelve Order pilots. Given the circumstances, there was nothing I could do for them, except report their capture and location.
After jumping back to Minor, I was caught up in a rather lengthy engagement and was unable to track the withdrawing navy fleet.
It is now confirmed that they returned to Alaska. They have not left the system since.
Fleet composition:
Five ships, as follows:
Four cruisers: LNS-Himalaya, LNS-Ishimura, LNS-Longsword, LNS-Bainbridge
One fighter craft: [LN]-Jorzza.Clark
Conclusions: **
Liberty is apparently commencing new research programmes into Nomads and / or Nomad technology. Given the aggressive stance of Liberty one can speculate that the objectives will be aimed towards new offensive systems, as opposed to more defensive capabilities such as the detection of nomads within human hosts, shielding, etc.
While it is possible that the presence of an Order bomber may have triggered a hasty retreat of the fleet, we consider it far more likely that the research is in its inital stages, thus requiring only few samples, at least for now.
We can expect to see more forays of the navy into Nomad - and Order - territory as they attempt to secure more samples for themselves. This new work is obviously of great importance to their military leaders, as evidenced by the large fleet the Navy committed to retrieve such a small sample volume.
However, this is not a lone incident. In recent days, a number of navy ships have been spotted in and around the vicinity of the alien gate, all reportedly there to harvest nomad brains. The large fleet deployed in this instance may also be a response to the expulsion of these collector vessels by Order forces.
It is probably in our interest to hamper the Libertonian research efforts further. This may be achieved by tightly monitoring research groups already working with Nomads or Nomad-derived materials, which are not already directly under our influence.
Some of our undercover field agents should also be alerted with regard to this matter so that they may ascertain for us
- The aims and scope of this new programme as well as its progress, including any possible threat to the Order and human population in general
- Any suppliers of Nomad samples, so that we may, if possible, intercede to cut their scientists off
Utmost caution would be needed, however. If the Navy or government become aware of our interest, security measures on this already secret project will only be increased. From the above report we can deduce that this project is carried out in Alaska, and will hence not be easy to access.
The CFC will continue to interrupt navy sampling missions whenever the opportunity presents itself. However, as a chiefly scientific operation our means to this end are highly limited. I would advise the Order High Command and intelligence services to keep a close eye on this matter.
Even if we cannot break the Navy in their stride, we may still benefit from whatever insights they might gain into our foe. A close is watch is needed.
Signed,
Brannigan
CFC R/R
Report revised by
Ivan Komarov
CFC Expediton leader
*Excepting a heavy fighter, which came to within 100 metres while tracking me.
**Added by I. Komarov, CO Atalante, Expedition leader
