Incoming Transmission from Capitol Offices, Canberra Star City
Tau-44, Natio Octavarium
21. May 826 A.S.
To: NO Internal Affairs Priority: Normal Topic: Dead Men Tell New Tales
Message Contents:
Taskmaster Escher,
It's good to have you back. I think you can understand why I was sceptical of Weaver's story. Needless to say, I'm satisfied with the received answers. For what it's worth, consider yourself fully reinstated. I know that doesn't really change anything, but making it official will give our people hope. Minister Keighley hasn't entirely been comfortable running the Ministry of Intelligence, and I think he'd be thrilled to return to duty with the Fleet. And yes, the AI opened a number of secure files to me when my position here became permanent. Annabella's been a great help, both with getting me up to speed quickly, and helping me manage my work. As to your mission, I wish you the best of luck. Though it goes without saying, you'll have access to anything and everything you need. If there's anything I can do to help, you need only ask.
Commander Miller,
Two unlikely miracles in one week? Yes, that could be construed as suspicious, but I prefer to think of it as our luck finally turning around. I'm sorry to hear about what you've gone through, and we're all happy to have you back. In your absence, Commander Daisy Williams and Commander Eva Flores were both promoted to the rank of Taskmaster and Williams was placed in charge of the Fleet as a whole. Though I would not ask you to take a demotion, if you feel that would be appropriate, I will accept it. I will, of course, authorise your return to active duty, but before then, I'd like you have a full medical examination and a debriefing from Taskmasters Williams and Weaver. If the medical staff and Taskmasters clear you for duty, I will accept their judgement.
Identification: Taskmaster Daisy Williams Affiliation: Fourth Fleet, Natio Octavarium
To: Members of the Fourth Fleet
Subject: Canberra Star City Defense grid Encryption:Natio Level Four Location: Canberra Star City, Tau-44
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Fourth Fleet,
Firstly I wish to say that serving as your Taskmaster so far has been an honor and privileged and I cant see myself doing anything else for the foreseeable future. The Citizens of Natio Octavarium are counting on us to keep them safe and have a high standard for us and we will deliver!
Secondly, I wish to stress the importance of being vigilant, alert and on you're "A" game when patrolling the Tau-44 system. The safety of our citizens and allies fall on us and we are the beacon that shines bright when their days seem dark.
With that being said I will end this with a set of orders that are to be implemented time now. Canberra Star City is going to be under construction, a Shipyard is slated to be constructed and I want all Home Fleet forces to rise the threat level from two, to three. This means a heavier presence will surround Canberra Star City and all incoming ships are to be thoroughly scanned to ensure nothing can disrupt the construction process.
Should there be any questions do not hesitate to come to me, though I do expect the chain of command be followed beforehand.
Taskmaster Williams Fourth Octavarium Fleet
[ Transmission Ended ]
Just as the constant increase of entropy is the basic law of the universe, so it is the basic law of life to struggle against entropy. - V. Havel
I had received reports from a Guild transport of suspicious movements in the Gallic fleet suggesting they were planning a raid in the northern Taus. I immediately took an Enyo-class fighter that had just been supplied for a deep patrol and headed towards 37. Along the way, in Tau-44, I encountered Anthony Reys in a new Enyo of his own and enlisted his assistance. When we arrived in Tau-37, we met up with a Maltese destroyer and were soon joined by several Legión Maltesa ships.
Everything seemed to be going well at first. There was no negative reaction to our Crayterian-designed ships, and we were starting to lay some operational plans. That all changed when a Crayterian carrier affiliated with the "Legacy of Corvin" fleet showed up to lend their assistance as well. The Legion ships did not listen to the Crayterian captain's explanation of their presence, instead choosing to engage and destroy the ship. I attempted to intervene to settle things down and try to organize everyone against the Gallic fleet, but it was to no avail.
Shortly after the Crayterian carrier was destroyed, the Legion ships started threatening myself and Mr. Reys for trying to intervene. In order to avoid making tensions worse, I ordered an immediate withdrawal. We were both allowed to leave without resistance. If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion, I think someone in the upper levels of command or the Government needs to contact the Legion and try to settle matters before an unfortunate incident occurs.
Specialist Kim Ye-jin
Специалист Ким Е Чжин
스페셜리스트 김예진
To: Octavarium Intelligence Commission CC: Fourth Octavarium Fleet
Subject: Ranking Update Encryption:Adequate Location: The Spider's Watch, Canberra Star City, Tau-44
When the Commission was initially established, Taskmaster Escher had left something of an oversight in the ranking structure. I am correcting this, and clarifying the roles of each rank.
The Taskmaster is, of course, the person running the Commission as a whole. That remains unchanged.
Commanders oversee an entire department of Commission operations. Sundog, for example, heads our counter-intelligence operations.
Coordinator is a new rank. Coordinators lead teams in the field and work as handlers for lower-ranking agents and external contacts. Coordinators Mindcrime and Paracusia will find that their new rank does little to change their duties.
Last, of course, are our Senior Agents and our Agents, standard field personnel.
In practice, little has changed beyond formalization of distinctions. Escher's initial setup worked well, I'm simply smoothing out the rough edges.
Subject: Flowers and Farmers and Guns, Oh My Encryption:Si Location:error: access violation at 0x4c65656473
There was a uniquely bizarre encounter in Kyushu today. OTS Fallen Leaves stumbled across a slightly-inebriated Chrysanthemum, and a Farmer's Alliance pilot.
The strange thing is that they weren't trying to kill each other. The attached comm log shows this and the reason for my slightly inflated expense report for this operation.
One shipment of equipment has been brought to our friends in the Pollutagon. The reports regarding the new location of the Guillestre have also been confirmed - I suspect they found the jump hole. All agents participating in Operation Sling-Stone are advised to have their Limelight arrays retuned for smog.
Code:
[12.06.2019 01:15:09] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: Then I suppose you got some blood on your hands.
[12.06.2019 01:15:19] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: Yes, I do
[12.06.2019 01:15:31] NO-Fallen.Leaves: Shuji: I'm not sure what's up here, but I feel like it's better for everyone if I didn't see it.
[12.06.2019 01:15:51] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: See what?
[12.06.2019 01:15:55] NO-Fallen.Leaves: Shuji: Exactly.
[12.06.2019 01:15:55] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: I would not haste it so much if I were you.
[12.06.2019 01:16:20] NO-Fallen.Leaves: Shuji: I think I've heard this one. A Chrysanthemum, Farmer, and free trader walk into a bar...
[12.06.2019 01:16:39] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: *takes a sip of sake*
[12.06.2019 01:16:56] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: dodge
[12.06.2019 01:16:59] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: that nova
[12.06.2019 01:17:05] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: sorry
[12.06.2019 01:17:12] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: Why thank you very much.
[12.06.2019 01:17:20] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: Hey I warned you
[12.06.2019 01:17:23] NO-Fallen.Leaves: Shuji: Loose trigger? Some of those older models have that issue.
[12.06.2019 01:17:43] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: Yes, that and being a little intoxicated
[12.06.2019 01:18:00] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: What are -you- doing here anyway, gaijin?
[12.06.2019 01:18:19] NO-Fallen.Leaves: Shuji: Passing through enroute to Liberty, was thinking of picking up some food on Kyushu to sell.
[12.06.2019 01:18:25] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: I want to hear the bar story
[12.06.2019 01:18:33] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: How does it end?
[12.06.2019 01:18:35] NO-Fallen.Leaves: Shuji: Name's Shuji Iwahara, by the way.
[12.06.2019 01:18:47] NO-Fallen.Leaves: Shuji: Funny thing, I can't actually remember the rest. It's been a while, dates back to the Tau war I think.
[12.06.2019 01:18:48] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: I am Misaki
[12.06.2019 01:18:51] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: Kennishigawa Geki, of Farmer's Alliance.
[12.06.2019 01:19:48] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: Listen, I do not mind some random people support our food market on Kyushu.
[12.06.2019 01:20:21] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: But if you say word "Liberty" in your destination point - this is where I get upset.
[12.06.2019 01:20:48] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: And Rheinland, lately. Due to their aggression and all.
[12.06.2019 01:20:51] NO-Fallen.Leaves: Shuji: If more people in Liberty are buying naturally-grown food from Kusari, wouldn't that be a boon to your farmers though?
[12.06.2019 01:20:52] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: Just say Honshu or something. He might let you go.
[12.06.2019 01:20:58] NO-Fallen.Leaves: Shuji: And a blow to Synth, for that matter.
[12.06.2019 01:21:58] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: A natual blow to Synth is... literal blow. Like an explosion. A really BIG explosion. Preferably in headquarters of their base.
[12.06.2019 01:22:19] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: One small transport with rice is not so much of a blow.
[12.06.2019 01:22:28] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: I want to see that
[12.06.2019 01:22:39] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: Thank you on that, sister.
[12.06.2019 01:22:57] NO-Fallen.Leaves: Shuji: We're talking about a megacorporation with trillions of credits and millions of employees. They can rebuild, and you kno
[12.06.2019 01:23:04] NO-Fallen.Leaves: know as well as I how little these companies care about their employees.
[12.06.2019 01:23:27] NO-Fallen.Leaves: Shuji: Undermining their market can erode the financial base that they actually *do* care about.
[12.06.2019 01:23:34] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: Rebuilding takes time though
[12.06.2019 01:23:43] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: For all I care - and I care none - they can rebuild as much as they want - I will still blow them up.
[12.06.2019 01:24:14] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: As long as they dare to enter Kusari space.
[12.06.2019 01:24:29] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: But you do have a point.
[12.06.2019 01:25:12] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: As much as I hate it, to my regret - spreading natural food among "Houses" may only bring us more profits and thus victory
[12.06.2019 01:25:23] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: over Synth Foods in longer terms.
[12.06.2019 01:25:56] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: What is the affiliation of that ship though? NO?
[12.06.2019 01:26:26] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: For all I care - it says "NO KUSARI" to me.
[12.06.2019 01:26:33] NO-Fallen.Leaves: Shuji: Natio Octavarium. We're a small colony set up in a station... nearby, in the Taus. We generally keep to ourselves, with
[12.06.2019 01:26:41] NO-Fallen.Leaves: the one exception of fighting the Gallic invasion.
[12.06.2019 01:27:14] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: Anyone who hates Gallia is good enough to live at least one day.
[12.06.2019 01:27:21] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: Oh, we rarely cross far into the Tau
[12.06.2019 01:27:31] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: Are you?
[12.06.2019 01:27:34] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: Mostly just across the border
[12.06.2019 01:27:37] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: I've heard different/
[12.06.2019 01:28:00] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: I shot Gallia a few times
[12.06.2019 01:28:07] NO-Fallen.Leaves: Shuji: It's something of a mess out there, between Crayter, the Outcasts, Crayter splinter elements, Gallia, their pet Miners..
[12.06.2019 01:28:31] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: Good work, sister.
[12.06.2019 01:28:34] NO-Fallen.Leaves: Shuji: About half of which have forgotten that we should be shooting Gallia.
[12.06.2019 01:28:53] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: Right so.
[12.06.2019 01:29:05] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: I do not mind you to go and do what you say you will do.
[12.06.2019 01:29:07] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: But.
[12.06.2019 01:29:38] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: Just to keep this the professional way - a small donation to the Kusari traditionalism movement is more then welcome.
[12.06.2019 01:29:39] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: You keep telling me I did a good job. I didn't do that for you.
[12.06.2019 01:29:58] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: The sum number I shall leave for you to decide. Surprise me.
[12.06.2019 01:30:01] NO-Fallen.Leaves: Shuji: Hm. Seems reasonable enough.
[12.06.2019 01:30:13] You have sent 3.000.000 credits to [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki
[12.06.2019 01:30:38] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: That's all for me you have to worry about then.
[12.06.2019 01:31:03] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: Oh, Misaki, you may have not done it for me.
[12.06.2019 01:31:13] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: But I still benefit from it.
[12.06.2019 01:31:15] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: I dont care about you. I got sake
[12.06.2019 01:31:15] NO-Fallen.Leaves: Shuji: Right, then. Was there anything you needed, Misaki, or should I just carry on about my business?
[12.06.2019 01:31:37] NO-Fallen.Leaves: Shuji: Eh, fair enough. Have a pleasant evening.
[12.06.2019 01:31:43] [AFA]Kennishigawa.Geki: Sake may end one moment. I won't.
[12.06.2019 01:31:56] GC-Yunoki.Misaki: Bye Natio person
Subject: The Green Maybe Encryption:Significant Location: The Spider's Watch, Canberra Star City, Tau-44
Had a fascinating conversation with a Daumann captain.
Seems they're playing both sides. For the intel acquired, I allowed him to proceed with his cargo of gold ore, but we need to corroborate this. In particular, they claim to be actively supplying Bretonia's war effort.
[22.06.2019 23:42:07] NO-I-Premonition: Oh my.
[22.06.2019 23:42:14] NO-I-Premonition: Now, hold a second.
[22.06.2019 23:42:27] NO-I-Premonition: That's quite the hold. Where's it headed?
[22.06.2019 23:43:05] DHC-Duppel: Can I help you? You are no pirate, and yet you were fool enough to fire on me...
[22.06.2019 23:43:17] DHC-Duppel: I suppose your people have no more need of aid against gallia, is that it? *chuckles*
[22.06.2019 23:43:31] NO-I-Premonition: I believe I asked a question.
[22.06.2019 23:43:50] NO-I-Premonition: And since I'm the one here that has the guns, I'd recommend answering.
[22.06.2019 23:43:58] DHC-Duppel: You did, poorly, admittedly. So let me ask one in return: why is a neutral opening fire against their own laws on a -
[22.06.2019 23:44:01] DHC-Duppel: -RHEINLAND ship?
[22.06.2019 23:44:19] NO-I-Premonition: You're unfamiliar with our history. We remember the atrocity at Zwickau.
[22.06.2019 23:44:42] NO-I-Premonition: There is no "neutrality" with Rheinland for Natio Octavarium.
[22.06.2019 23:45:04] NO-I-Premonition: Now, I'm being reasonable so far by settling for questions. The gold. Where's it going?
[22.06.2019 23:45:09] DHC-Duppel: Oh? So you're willing to bring down our fleets on your little cause... particularly interesting brand of stupidity.
[22.06.2019 23:45:43] DHC-Duppel: Its going to a client. Should be self evident, that being the nature of trade.
[22.06.2019 23:46:21] NO-I-Premonition: I see. You know, information's a valuable thing, could've saved your employer some money.
[22.06.2019 23:46:46] DHC-Duppel: *chuckles* I think changing the direction of weapon shipments *away* from your people will likely make them much more
[22.06.2019 23:47:12] NO-I-Premonition: When have you sent weapon shipments to any of our allies?
[22.06.2019 23:47:25] DHC-Duppel: So, would you like to throw out any more empty threats, or shall we part ways and I forget you were fool enough to -
[22.06.2019 23:47:29] DHC-Duppel: -threaten a Rheinlander?
[22.06.2019 23:48:15] NO-I-Premonition: I'd hear more about that claim of shipments to "my people" before proceeding. It might save your life.
[22.06.2019 23:48:27] DHC-Duppel: Again, you threaten me. Very well *electronic beeping*
[22.06.2019 23:48:52] DHC-Duppel: So, you wish to surrender to the gallians, yes? Thought your people stood against them, guess I was wrong *chuckles*
[22.06.2019 23:49:10] NO-I-Premonition: *he sighs* You're making even less sense than the Unioners do.
[22.06.2019 23:49:18] NO-I-Premonition: Which is an accomplishment, I have to say.
[22.06.2019 23:49:38] DHC-Duppel: Unioners? You just have to know how to speak to them. Primarily with firepower, has been our lesson. They fell in line.
[22.06.2019 23:49:52] NO-I-Premonition: Hm. On that, at least, I'm tempted to agree.
[22.06.2019 23:49:54] DHC-Duppel: As many did before them, and will still. There are no finer weapons, nor ores, than ours. And Sirius wide, you *need* us.
[22.06.2019 23:50:21] NO-I-Premonition: See, here's the problem, as I see it. I've seen nothing to indicate Rheinland supporting any opposition to Gallia.
[22.06.2019 23:50:45] DHC-Duppel: You're not very observant. Though I suppose the bretonnians could do without our ships, our guns, our trade routes-
[22.06.2019 23:50:57] NO-I-Premonition: Hm. Fascinating.
[22.06.2019 23:50:58] DHC-Duppel: -or our ores. Oh wait... No, they cannot. We have fed them, and continue to feed them.
[22.06.2019 23:51:06] NO-I-Premonition: They're not inclined to share a lot of information, the war's made them paranoid.
[22.06.2019 23:51:15] NO-I-Premonition: But this is useful information, and information is why I'm here. Thank you.
[22.06.2019 23:51:23] NO-I-Premonition: Carry on, then.
[22.06.2019 23:51:28] DHC-Duppel: Trade. Must. Flow. Our neutrality is not some act, but a hard fact that does a great deal for both sides.
[22.06.2019 23:51:43] DHC-Duppel: I ask you to remember that. Daumann ships are not your enemy... whereever you find us, we are there for *business*
[22.06.2019 23:51:51] NO-I-Premonition: Hmm. I'll pass that up the chain.
[22.06.2019 23:52:21] DHC-Duppel: Gut. As long as the trade flows, there need be no emnity.
Identification: Adjutant Harold Kane Affiliation: Natio Octavarium, Fourth Fleet
To: Internal Affairs
Subject: Return to Desk Service Encryption:No more than usual Location: Canberra Star City, Tau-44
Ahem.
Seeing as there are apparently no protocols, processes, or preventative measures surrounding such an act, I am commandeering a vacant office in the Fleet headquarters on Canberra. Considering the terminal let me log in, and nobody stopped me from reprogramming the nameplate on the door, I'm assuming this is fine by you all. In exchange for being able to continue answering mail and telling people exactly how and in what fascinating ways they've made horrible mistakes as an Adjutant to the Taskmastership, I'll be handing in my rank of Taskmaster and my official position in the command hierarchy, including any claims to the captaincy of any military vessels unless appointed to one by the Taskmastership.
This doesn't mean I won't still yell at people from time to time, but you should expect that by now.
Much love,
Adjutant Harold Kane Fourth Octavarium Fleet
Location:Tau-23 Space To:Fourth Fleet Operational Records Encryption:Flex on OIC Subject:Wandering Baguette
As I just so happened to be making my monthly trip back to Canberra from my extended vacation out to Kusari, I intercepted, or should I say, just ran into one of those Royal Navy battlecruisers in the vicinity of the Tau 44 jumphole. I didn't really have much time to say anything before the warship began filling the space between it and myself with secondary and primary turret fire. The crew seemed particularly green, and had great difficulty dealing with my Waran bomber, but an Order vessel picked up the ping I sent out for assistance, and swooped through the Tau 44 jumphole as well. The captain of the Neteru seemed a little more diplomatic towards the situation, but that didn't last long when the Gallic battlecruiser planted a mortar firmly on the Osiris' shields.
Sure enough, with the support of a battleship, I was able to move in relatively unharassed and put a stupid large hole in the side of the battlecruisers hull with my rocket pods.
Identification: Taskmaster Daisy Williams Affiliation: Fourth Fleet, Natio Octavarium
To: Adjutant Harold Kane
Subject: Complete Inventory Encryption:Natio Level Four Location: Canberra Star City, Tau-44
Adjutant Kane,
I must say I am surprised to see you coming back in a subordinate position, regardless you have earned your keep and your ok in my book. I don't think we have had the pleasure of officially meeting but I am Taskmaster Williams of the Fourth Fleet. If your eager to get to work then I will gladly accept the help. I have taken the liberty in ensuring your office stays your unless your unhappy with it in the future.
I need a complete inventory of all the fleet assets in both home and away divisions. Ships, armaments, repair commodities, anything and everything that makes a Fleet function I need to see it on paper. I dont care how it gets done just ensure it is accurate. Welcome back to the Fourth Fleet Kane.
Taskmaster Williams Fourth Octavarium Fleet
[ Transmission Ended ]
Just as the constant increase of entropy is the basic law of the universe, so it is the basic law of life to struggle against entropy. - V. Havel
Subject: Waffling Miners Encryption:Significant Location: The Spider's Watch, Canberra Star City, Tau-44
An IMG| pilot was attempting to provoke a fight with Crayter and seems to have completely thrown his lot in with Gallia, talking about Gallia annexing Tau-44. Given certain other reports we've gotten from our contacts, this is interesting.
Crayter pilots on the scene claimed the miner was drunk. I'm not sure if this was actually the case or simply a matter of pity for the terminally stupid.
Weaver, be alert. I hinted at our knowledge of that Dromedary, we may have a message inbound. It's time for the Holman variable to be resolved.