-_-_-_-_-: File Open: Perpetuus Praesentia :-_-_-_-_-
-_-_-_-_-: Documenting Official: Dr. James Erzie :-_-_-_-_-
-_-_-_-_-: Data Decryption Complete. Authorized Viewing Parties Loaded: Invite Only :-_-_-_-_-
Operation Perpetuus Praesentia is the directive given for the Zoners affiliated with the Ingenuus Research Group to form an essential task force under the direction and command of Doctor James Erzie. At the start of this project, noted crew members were far from combat ready with the task of becoming combat specialists and experts. Because the Zoner community is slim in unified numbers, the crew is also tasked with learning and perfecting the nature of squadron and fleet combat, as well as serving a proficient amount of competence as a lone unit and single vessel.
The first step the Research Group took was to request training aboard a militarized Core vessel to perfect strategies around a light, agile capital ship variant. Already well versed in combat using heaviest variants, aboard the Colony Ship Itherael, it was a new task learning to extend distance and use marksmanship to use weapons effectively. This would also require seamless cohesion between gunners and helmsman to successful manage distance between vessel and target to effectively give the helmsman enough time to avoid incoming fire, as well as allow the gunners to be as close to the target as possible, to allow for the highest accuracy on target. Though this management is a mutually applied skill between lone-wolf and fleet strategies, the versatility of the skill makes it essential to perfect.
Training Day
Once the Crew arrived at Alabama Shipyard and boarded the Core retired "Mako"-class vessel the "Battleshark," the crews worked side by side with a short orientation period for each member of the crew to become accustomed to the controls and agility of the vessel. Using standard control schemes, there was little doubt that their training would become universal, once perfected. The helmsman trained first, making numerous maneuvers while guided by the operators of the Perditrix, giving plenty of time for the crew to be ready for the tight maneuvers that would be performed in combat.
Maneuvering training was nearly all-inclusive, with mines being added to the equation for extra risk, although they lacked the significance to truly do anything even the aged hull on the "Battleshark." After the orientation, several exercises were executed and the crew was enlightened to new strategies straight from the Commanders of the Core. For the purpose of this documentation, the specifics of details pertaining to the combat and fleet strategy have been redacted to provide a level of informational security to the Core. Additional logs on the interactions between the crews can be viewed here.
[18.11.2017 16:44:01] IRG|Itherael: J: Are we clear to approach the shipyard?
[18.11.2017 16:44:16] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: All clear.
[18.11.2017 16:45:24] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Anything unusual as of late?
[18.11.2017 16:51:19] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Systems back online.
[18.11.2017 16:51:45] IRG|Itherael: J: Even with our normal shielding we still had a comm blackout there. All other systems remained online.
[18.11.2017 16:52:19] IRG|Itherael: J: I've brought a skeleton crew to man the Itherael while we transfer over to the desired training vessel.
[18.11.2017 16:53:04] IRG|Itherael: J: We also brought some supplies and foodstuffs for both parties to enjoy.
[18.11.2017 16:53:15] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: This thing is almost as big as the shipyard!
[18.11.2017 16:53:34] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: I got no readings on whiskey, oh well.
[18.11.2017 16:53:51] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: But.
[18.11.2017 16:53:53] IRG|Itherael: J: That it is. If we had the supply lines even half of what the Core utilizes, we could have hundreds of these vessels.
[18.11.2017 16:54:05] IRG|Itherael: J: Also, our whiskey seems to mysteriously disappear.
[18.11.2017 16:54:08] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: I recommend you pick either [Redacted]
[18.11.2017 16:54:40] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Both are Mark one Makos, with the older engine design.
[18.11.2017 16:54:58] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: But they get the job done.
[18.11.2017 16:55:21] IRG|Itherael: J: Right then. Versatility on a combat oriented vessel is what we're going for.
[18.11.2017 16:55:29] IRG|Itherael: J: Old or not, they still suffice.
[18.11.2017 16:56:18] IRG|Itherael: J: Standby to moor.
[18.11.2017 16:56:54] IRG|Itherael: J: We will return on one of the vessels you specified. I'll let our helmsman choose, as he has the only preference.
[18.11.2017 16:57:05] 2017-11-18 16:57:08 SMT Traffic control alert: IRG|Itherael has requested to dock
[18.11.2017 17:03:04] Battleshark: J: Everything seems to be in order.
[18.11.2017 17:04:02] Battleshark: J: Please give my helmsman a chance to familiarize himself with the controls and response of this vessel...
[18.11.2017 17:04:14] Battleshark: J: It's much more agile.
[18.11.2017 17:04:20] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Sure is.
[18.11.2017 17:04:31] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: It trades armor for mobility.
[18.11.2017 17:05:04] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: [Redacted]
[18.11.2017 17:05:07] Battleshark: J: Combat expertise isn't the Zoner's strong point, so we usually make things easier with maximum armor.
[18.11.2017 17:05:52] Battleshark: J: Also very powerful reverse thrust, I nearly fell forward with that stopping power.
[18.11.2017 17:06:33] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Yeah.
[18.11.2017 17:06:47] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: First timers usually face-plant.
[18.11.2017 17:07:03] Battleshark: J: I have a feeling some of the crew did.
[18.11.2017 17:07:15] Battleshark: J: It's a bit crowded.
[18.11.2017 17:07:38] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: In due time, maybe you can see the bridge of the Perditrix.
[18.11.2017 17:07:49] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: [Redacted]
[18.11.2017 17:08:02] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: [Redacted]
[18.11.2017 17:08:04] Battleshark: J: We're going to take a quick round in this field if you don't mind, just to give everyone a feel for its agility.
[18.11.2017 17:08:57] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Burning hard towards you.
[18.11.2017 17:09:10] Death: CNS-Kalligra suffered a self-inflicted catastrophic decompression.
[18.11.2017 17:09:59] Battleshark: J: Obviously not perfect... I wouldnt expect such from the first 15 minutes.
[18.11.2017 17:11:12] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: We should've sprung for better mines.
[18.11.2017 17:11:59] Battleshark: J: Alright, I think we're ready. Seems the crew is adjusted to riding along.
[18.11.2017 17:12:12] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: How are you gunners?
[18.11.2017 17:12:20] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Should I provide them with optic arrays?
[18.11.2017 17:12:26] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Or are they fine with standard controls?
[18.11.2017 17:13:16] Battleshark: J: Standard controls are best. For our intentions, as of now, we intend to use a standard control scheme for the versatility.
[18.11.2017 17:13:34] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Alight, command them to disable our shields
[18.11.2017 17:14:09] Battleshark: J: Roger; enabling all pulse cannons. Make it interesting folks!
[18.11.2017 17:15:24] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Range control was good.
[18.11.2017 17:15:46] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Firing order was on spot.
[18.11.2017 17:16:00] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: But I did get into effective weapons range in the end.
[18.11.2017 17:16:10] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Okay, let's change our positions.
[18.11.2017 17:16:23] Battleshark: J: Seems Winston catches on quite quickly. I didn't give him any orders, so he was taking it on the fly.
[18.11.2017 17:16:39] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: This time, aim for shields but also dodge incoming fire.
[18.11.2017 17:16:47] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Commence.
[18.11.2017 17:19:28] Battleshark: J: A little happy on the trigger.
[18.11.2017 17:19:28] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: That was a bit closer than expected.
[18.11.2017 17:19:32] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Right.
[18.11.2017 17:19:37] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Main problem here is range.
[18.11.2017 17:19:55] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Effective range on the Battleshark is [Redacted]
[18.11.2017 17:20:13] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Perditrix operates at [Redacted]
[18.11.2017 17:20:18] Battleshark: J: Certainly. Seems my gunners have a hard time aiming at long ranges... We are used to a typical combat distance of 900 meters
[18.11.2017 17:20:42] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Keeping within those parameters allows you to efficiently use side thrusting power and firepower.
[18.11.2017 17:20:52] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Do not use vertical motion.
[18.11.2017 17:20:59] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: It's highly ineffective.
[18.11.2017 17:21:19] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: I usually have a rear view camera and dodge enemy fire as it comes at us.
[18.11.2017 17:21:24] Battleshark: J: Just our helmsman, accustomed to the Colony ship which only benefits from vertical motion.
[18.11.2017 17:21:38] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: With slight course corrections, keep the ship at a perfect 90 degree angle towards the enemy.
[18.11.2017 17:21:48] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Always showing the smallest possible profile
[18.11.2017 17:22:09] Battleshark: J: Definitely something to note...
[18.11.2017 17:22:29] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Usually, it's bad idea to turn your ass to your enemy, but hear it's one of the best ideas you can have.
[18.11.2017 17:22:49] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: It's an easy concept, doesn't involve lots of complicated things.
[18.11.2017 17:22:54] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Just a bit of practice.
[18.11.2017 17:23:05] Battleshark: *James takes out a data pad and makes a note, drawing a small image of the Perditrix's current profile*
[18.11.2017 17:23:35] Battleshark: J: Certainly more than just a bit of practice. We've never really fought outside a fleet scenario.
[18.11.2017 17:24:07] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Now, let's move to fighting more than one target.
[18.11.2017 17:24:17] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: [Redacted]
[18.11.2017 17:24:30] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: [Redacted]
[18.11.2017 17:24:59] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: [Redacted]
[18.11.2017 17:25:04] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: [Redacted]
[18.11.2017 17:25:17] Battleshark: J: That would explain the dynamic loadouts between ships.
[18.11.2017 17:25:20] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: That's a very complicated move to sync in combat.
[18.11.2017 17:25:25] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Exactly.
[18.11.2017 17:25:41] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Each captain prefers a different approach.
[18.11.2017 17:26:02] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Ultimately, what we lack in [Redacted], we compensate in [Redacted].
[18.11.2017 17:28:40] Battleshark: J: So, how would you like to exercise that portion?
[18.11.2017 17:29:12] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: We cannot exercise that without more vessels.
[18.11.2017 17:29:25] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: So we gonna make it theoretical only.
[18.11.2017 17:29:30] Battleshark: J: Fair.
[18.11.2017 17:29:59] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: It's a good concept, it require good awareness and just a bit of precision.
[18.11.2017 17:30:49] Battleshark: J: Awareness is key in basically all situations.
[18.11.2017 17:31:00] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Yet sometimes, it doesn't help.
[18.11.2017 17:31:11] Battleshark: J: As I observed earlier today.
[18.11.2017 17:31:15] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Sometimes you just gotta head in blind and steamroll everything you see.
[18.11.2017 17:31:47] Battleshark: J: To be successful in any fight one must commit fully. That is the key lesson I learned in the arena.
[18.11.2017 17:32:10] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Yeah.
[18.11.2017 17:32:58] Battleshark: J: So whether you are blind or omniscient, one must put all of their chips on the table to warrant any form of success.
[18.11.2017 17:33:08] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Well said.
[18.11.2017 17:33:14] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Once you commit, you go all in.
[18.11.2017 17:33:29] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Not two hours ago, The Perditrix and Diaboli got hit bad.
[18.11.2017 17:33:31] Battleshark: J: What is the typical huddle distance, if I may ask? How close is each ship to another?
[18.11.2017 17:33:48] Battleshark: J: I saw, it was... rather a mess.
[18.11.2017 17:33:50] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Because the captain of Diaboli back away and let me take all the flak.
[18.11.2017 17:34:07] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: But he was out of effective range and did not damage the enemy.
[18.11.2017 17:34:27] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: In the end, Deceres was down to 50% hull integrity
[18.11.2017 17:34:46] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: But when Diaboli was down and they grouped up, I couldn't really do much.
[18.11.2017 17:34:57] Core|WV-Perditrix: Daniels: Moral of the story, never stop firing.
[18.11.2017 17:35:35] Battleshark: J: As if my crew would want to. Hah! They're getting an affinity for burning down vessels.
--End of Logs--
Training Continued throughout the day, exercising distance, power core drain, and fleet position management, which all came to a close at the end of the day. The Zoner crews moved back to the Itherael, taking time to rest and recuperate. As the dining hall was set, Doctor Erzie invited the Core crews, and all who wished to attend to a banquet to at least accommodate healthy social interactions between the two factions. Many different beverages were provided, with the exception of whiskey, which seemed to mysteriously vanish. A string of very mixed interactions occurred, but the environment remained healthy for a high level of ideological debate among those who valued thought, as well as a level comradery for the newly associated crews. The Zoner crews showed due respect for the experience the Core crews possessed, and many among the Core treated their Zoner counterparts as fresh meat for the grinder, giving them all due guff and trouble for their incompetence, but this was not in ill spirit.
With the closing of the feeding hour, the Crews departed from the hall, to which the personnel responsible cleaned and reset the hall for the next occasion, leaving only the the Doctor, his helmsman, and the Core officials to discuss strategy and proficiency for the coming political situation. This would be the last banquet for some time, as training was to be the primary focus of their visit.