Section 8 - Personal Logs

[Toaster]

Section 8

Personal Logs

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Login ID: Hawkins
Entry #: 01
Encryption: Fortress

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14. Nov. 828

[REDACTED] suggested that I start writing personal logs again, like I used to. To "keep my head clear." I suppose he is right. So, this is entry number one.

The Kepler situation has been relatively calm for some time. I have therefore requested command to let me redeploy the Nightfall to the Kansas system. "Corax" was able to verify the rumors he heard about the Turtle Creek Nebula and I believe investigating it may provide valuable intelligence. Command agreed. [REDACTED] was able to source hyperspace coordinates and a well-detailed, if rather outdated star map of the system from an information broker on Ames.

Upon arrival in Kansas, I had helm set a course directly towards Turtle Creek. Our sensors were able to confirm the strange emissions that "Corax" had reported. They are, however, diffused and refracted erratically by the cloud's particulate matter, which made it practically impossible to determine a source. I ordered all hands to high alert and had the Nightfall enter the nebula. It took a few hours of more or less blindly coursing through the cloud - even the Nightfall's sensors are barely capable of penetrating the matter - but we finally reached what I assume is its center.

Knossos-type jump gate, Kansas system

We found an alien construct, Knossos-type. A derelict jump gate. It is badly damaged and may no longer be properly operational, but preliminary scans revealed that its power source is still active. Its proximity to Liberty space is disconcerting. We will need to spend some time performing further scans and analysis to determine its exact status and danger-level, as well as to calculate its destination. [REDACTED] is already hard at work.

Ousia Research Outpost, Kansas system

Within close proximity of the jump gate, we found a small station, Ousia Research Outpost. It did not respond to hails and detailed scans were rendered useless by heavy shielding. We could not even determine whether it is powered and / or inhabited or not. But it does prove that we are not the first party to stumble upon this jump gate.

We also came across another Order operative - or rather, she stumbled upon us. Cassandra Hayes, callsign Empress, with Recon Unit Vigil - what a coincidence. She reported to have deployed a beacon some clicks away from Turtle Creek Nebula, which detected increased traffic in the area. She came to investigate. If her report is accurate, we will need to run tight security while deployed in the nebula. I wouldn't want us to be found by any unwelcome parties.

Hayes will be operating within Liberty and its bordering systems, much like Section 8. I pointed her towards the Xeno Alliance for bases of operation and suggested that she stick close to Section 8 units when available. Command also instructed me to share with her a briefing of the Kepler situation - however heavily redacted.

This new discovery in Kansas will likely keep us occupied for some time. I will leave the continued observation of Kepler in the capable hands of "Solemn" and other operations across Liberty to "Corax" and "Veles."

That will be all for now.

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Olivia Sable