Comrades, today was a productive day. I boarded the Saratov to take command for a patrol of the Dublin system, followed by anti-smuggling operations in the Coronado system.
First, though, we took the oppotunity to show the flag at the Zoner bases in the Omega-49 and Omega-50 systems. I took guncam shots of each stop.
After our diplomatic duty was complete, we moved on to the Dublin system. To my surprise, it was relatively quiet. I did manage to rid the universe of a number of Corsair patrols along the way, so the trip to Dublin wasn't entirely wasted. After making sure Dublin was quiet, we moved on to the Coronado system.
Coronado, as you know, is one of the main highways for the Outcast's slaving and cardamine circuit, and today proved to be no disappointment. On our first run towards the Baffin jump hole, we encountered a trader named Tas_Delta in a Bactrian-class freighter. Knowing the ship to be a favorite among small-time smugglers and pirates and finding his lack of an IFF beacon suspicious, we moved to intercept. Sure enough, he was carrying a full load of cardamine. The following exchange ensued.
CPW Saratov Communications Log Wrote:[07.06.2010 23:16:52] SCRA|CPW-Saratov:: Hold for inspection, please.
[07.06.2010 23:17:17] SCRA|CPW-Saratov:: The cardamine has to go.
[07.06.2010 23:18:55] SCRA|CPW-Saratov:: Drop the Cardamine, and you'll be free to leave.
[07.06.2010 23:18:59] Tas_Delta: Communications error:)
[07.06.2010 23:19:03] SCRA|CPW-Saratov:: Resist, and you'll regret it.
[07.06.2010 23:19:34] SCRA|CPW-Saratov:: Good boy. Run along now.
After I called for him to halt, he immediately tried to outrun us. We managed to get close enough to hit him with a cruise disruptor, bringing the chase to a halt. After that, he claimed a communications error, so we reverted to the Sirius Universal Language. After we fired our first salvo, he immediately dropped the Cardamine, which we promptly burned. He went on his way, and we resumed our patrol.
The rest of our patrol was pretty routine. We encountered only one other ship, but it was a passenger transport, so we cleared him to proceed. After picking up nothing further after several more loops, we set course for home. We returned to Omega-52 without any trouble.
In addition to the above report, we also captured the following items. We delivered them all to the authorities on Mykolaiv Research Station. Personnel
9 Bounty Hunters
25 Corsairs
2 Lane Hackers
10 Liberty Rogues
10 Outcasts
Materiel
5 x Corsair "Salamanca Mk II" Class 9 Neutron Cannon
2 x Corsair "Angelito Mk III" Class 7 Neutron Cannon
3 x Bounty Hunter "Winchester Mk I" Class 5 Laser Cannon
120,000 Alliance Credits on transfer cards
I certify the above report complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
INCOMING TRANSMISSION
COMM ID: Sub-Lieutenant Konstantin Petrovin
LOCATION: Battleship Isis, Omicron Minor System
I launched from Zhukovsky Station on border patrol but on the request of Comrade Lieutenant Commander Broch joined her wing for a mission. It was a deep reconnaissance run into Corsair space, logging the locations and dispositions of various Osiris-class Battleships of theirs. While not familiar with these outlying regions of hostile space, I stuck to my Comrade's wing and gave support when able.
We'd finished scanning several ships before running across a pair of Corsair ships in the Omicron Gamma system. While initially maneuvering to evade pursuit, we found that they were sparring with live ammunition. Comrade Commander Broch saw it as the perfect opportunity to exact revenge on one of the pilots for a past transgression and we entered into the fray, rapidly decimating both targets just as their reinforcements started to arrive. Comrade Broch and I both shared our deal of damage, although each of us personally put the final blasts into the backsides of one or the other.
The Corsairs were unwilling to pursue us outside of their system, and opted to throw insults at us. But there is not much that can be said when our victory ratio was a blistering two kills for no losses. A decisive strike indeed. We cut through the outlying systems and reached the Battleship Isis where we hooked up with our Comrade-Allies, the Order. Curiously, a rather confused sounding Outcast Tridente was sighted nearby, but we trust that the crew of the Isis dealt with it accordingly. My fighter's currently being restocked after the fight, and I'm awaiting further orders.
-----INCOMING TRANSMISSION----- Comm ID: Lieutenant Commander Angelica Broch
Location: Isis
Recipient: Coalition High Command
Privet Comrades,
I am reporting from the Isis, Kostya sitting beside me at the booth. He was kind enough to join me on this mission.
I was assigned the mission to search for the Corsair Osiris class battleships and to take pictures of them for tactical use. The Fes, Delos, and Prox have all been scanned and are ready to be analyzed. Uploading information now.
Fes:
Delos:
Prox:
As well, we destroyed two troublesome Corsairs:
For the Revolution!
-----TERMINATING TRANSMISSION-----
"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THESCIENCEIS LEAKING OUT!"
Incoming Transmission
COMM ID: Sub Lieutenant Ethan Scott
Location: Zvezdny Gorodok
Subject: Mission Report
Privet,
I embarked on the long journey up to Omicron Alpha to pay a visit to the Hispania. It was a rather uneventful trip, until I reached the ancient wreck.
I flew up to it, noticing the toll the centuries have taken to the sleeper ship and engraved my name onto it.
Noticing an Outcast gunboat in the distance, I proceeded to make a break back to the Taus. I wasn't pursued, and made my way back to Omega 52 uneventfully.
And Previet Primiere and additional High Command officers!
*salutes*
So, my Partisan fighter was finally ready for me. I took the lady out for a spin, we went trough to Omicron Delta, where I met up with the Havana captained by Alvarez..
Such a marvelous vessel, I believe a tear left my tear duct..
*shakes his head smiling*
In any case, we proceeded to Omicron Minor where I inspected the Isis, also a gorgeous vessel, not as.. Special as the Havana of course!
*coughs*
In any case, I decided to finish my initiation rite, by heading towards Omicron Alpha.
When I entered Eta, Omicron Eta that is..
My sensors, if they weren't lying to me.. I swear the lady wants me dead every other turn, weird readings and such..
*shakes his head*
The sensors picked up a enormous target 10k's away, it read as having the Transponder signal: .Wraith .
I quickly evading it's sensor sweeps, another great thing about the old lady, she can surely hide!
Entering Omicron Alpha, first thing I saw was a Outcast, I thought to myself, By Lenin, this can not be happening.. They where expecting me!!
A cruise disruptor, evasive behavior, dodging and flying in cruise made me come into range of the Hispania.
I attempted to persuade my followers I only wanted to look at the beauty, I did!
And so I scorched my name on the outside, aaand the inside..
Here follows a log of what was said.
Quote:fireborn: Hola coalition
fireborn: You better get out of here
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: Previet! And, niet.. I do not think so..
fireborn: Why not?
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: Don't worry! I will only be a moment..
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: I'l pay you a little something something..
fireborn: And what's that something
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: Well.. I won't.. Shoot ya? -smiles-
fireborn: well well
fireborn: you think i am afrid of you
fireborn: and you want to see The Hispania
Vredes[Intoxicated]: [STATIC]
fireborn: DOn't worry
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: Just want to touch it..
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: May I?
fireborn: The data from it's core was deleted a long time ago
fireborn: hmm
fireborn: Just don't scrath it
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: Oh! Don't worry! I do not intend to enter it.. And naaah.. Don't worry..
fireborn: o and drop the nomads
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: Yeah yeah, sure keep 'em.
Vredes[Intoxicated]: [STATIC]
fireborn: ok now beet it
fireborn: i'm not
Vredes[Intoxicated]: [STATIC]
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: I am a Coalition member..
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: I am completely innocent.. Heh..
Vredes[Intoxicated]: [CENSORED]
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: Alright fella's Im out of here!
fireborn: i'll escort ya
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: Yeah, the Tau's are waaay closer..
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: Sooo.. I must admit, Lovely home planet you have -smiles slyly-
fireborn: *chuckles* way better than the corsairs one
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: Indeed!
fireborn: Well don't you guy have ?
fireborn: or you live on bases
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: Farewell then -smiles-
Of course, I didn't want to answer the question of the Outcast, but he let me leave without a fight..
That wasn't true for everyone in the Tau's how ever...
When entering Tau 31, I detected A colonial Remnant, 2 cartel members and one SMP tagged vessel..
I knew I was out-gunned and so I decided to attempt to persuade my way trough..
Quote:[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: Well Hello *Puffs Cigar*
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: Previet! What a lovely day it is, yes? -smiles-
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: Cut your engines SCRA
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: Dont move
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: I am.. In a hurry?
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: Bring your speed to 0 now
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: Boy I said now
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: My engines. Seams to be faulty..
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: There!
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: I was about to have my boys fix them *smiles*
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: -smiles- No need comrades! See..
Death: BrownBear was killed by a hostile vessel.
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: Now im sure you know how dangerous these parts can be
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: I'll make you a deal.
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: Soooo.. Yes, of course I do! Or I wouldn't be here, da? -smiles- Well, I hope there is no problem? -sounds shocked-
SMP|Lt.Andre.Dupont: You guys harrasing visitors again?
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: Indeedlio! They are, but I feel fine.. Ehm. For now..
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: *Puffs Cigar* Harrasing? You mean insuring there safty?
SMP|Lt.Andre.Dupont: Insuring... Of course.
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: But I am a lonely explorer... I swear.. -smiles- Here take a look at my papers!
SMP|Lt.Andre.Dupont: Tell me mister Rasputin, do you feel safer with these around?
SMP|Lt.Andre.Dupont: Because that is insurance, right?
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: a explorer. hmm *Puffs Cigar*
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: Hmmm... Well.. If I say no, they'l take offense! And if I say yes.. Then.. Well.. heh.. -coughs- And yes, a lonely explorer.
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: I can make sure you stay alive while you pass through this system for 1 million credits.
[Cartel].T.Kataklysm: you certainly are exploring far from home
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: -checks his account- Oh my.. It seams, I have not that ammount of money! I am no big shot you see -smiles- Maybe... I can -
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: Transer the credits later? -tries to sound quite friendly-
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: I guess we have to find other things that can make up for that
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: Oooh? -scratches his stubble-
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: Im sure all your ammo and nanobots will help
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: lets say 500k credits, ammo, and your nannobots
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: But.. I have so little left, and such a far way to go! Take pity on this lonely revolutionary!
=CR=Cloud[44th]: Why should he pay you?
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: Sirius is a dangerous place and things get broken very easy. *Puffs Cigar*
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: -taps in a number of commands quickly- I have almost NO credits, none the less Nano bots.. -sounds depressed-
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: and the ammo
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: But gentlemen, is this all life is for you? Asking poor revolutionaries for their only chance of survival?
=CR=Cloud[44th]: Coalision you didnt have to pay them...
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: Like I said we will make sure you stay alive.
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: Just drop all of the ammo and nannobots
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: I havent payed anyone.. -sighs- It seams.. Things are turning out for the worse -sighs-
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: Time is money.
SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin: -taps his console- I think not Cartel.. I think not..
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: Kill him boys
[Cartel].CM.Nexx:: firing weapons Death: [Cartel].CR.Wolffe was put out of action by SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin (Mine).
SMP|Lt.Andre.Dupont: Meanwhile i can collect on your heads...
=CR=Cloud[44th]: Need a hand coalision?
SMP|Lt.Andre.Dupont: En garde, Cartelians. Death: SCRA|Ivan.Rasputin was put out of action by [Cartel].T.Kataklysm (Mine).
A great hit!
How ever, only moments afterwards the Cartel ships all shot me, and I hit one of their mines.. We drifted away, I managed to get the engines back to.. Almost full power.. But, yeah, the lady will need some repairs..
But, not the worst day in my life, and not the worst of first days out in space...
INCOMING TRANSMISSION
COMM ID: Sub-Lieutenant Konstantin Petrovin
LOCATION: Battleship Isis, Omicron Minor System
Reporting from the Isis; Order Cross-training was completed yesterday, so today I chose to go on patrol with some of our Comrade-Allies. I was attached to a Comrade Ensign Frederick, and set off on a patrol of the Omicron Delta System. There was a brief run-in with a Nomad Morph, although the little thing fled rather quickly when we arrived. I was going to insist on pursuing and destroying it, but for whatever reason Comrade Frederick said that these Morphs "are not a threat". I fail to see how letting a Nomad mature into a pure-bred weapon is a wise course of action. Perhaps he was misinformed..?
In any case, we were quickly called back to Toledo to form a defensive fleet; multiple Bounty Hunter Guild contacts were detected entering the Delta System. A sizable fleet was created, and I offered my services as part of the treaty-alliance. It was suspected that there was a single battlecruiser, two destroyers, and a fighter or bomber, and I was to be part of the interceptor group targeting that snubfighter. But information was shoddy, and a recon flight was requested. I volunteered, with Comrade Frederick in tow. We encountered two of their destroyers near the local Freeport, but the other two contacts were nowhere to be found. I evaded pursuit while Comrade Frederick almost got himself killed, but in any case they gleefully followed us back into Omicron Minor where the combined Order fleet was waiting. After flinging a few quick verbal barbs, they fled, and I RTB'd to the Isis.
The BHG captains did not seem to know why I was flying among the Order. In fact they mentioned that the "Sairs would be interested in this info". No shots were exchanged throughout the course of the event, but nevertheless my ship was spotted flying alongside the Order and they most certainly took note of it.
[font=Garamond][color=#33CC00]To: SCRA Fighter Corps
Comm. ID: Captain Ricardo Alvarez
Priority: Medium
Subject: Orders/Promotions
---Communications Opened---
Salud, camaradas!
It has come to my attention that, unfortunately, due to a lack of manpower in certain departments, that certain bureaucratic necessities have been mishandled or caught up amidst large volumes of paperwork.
This has been rectified, and our roster updated to reflect a recent influx of recruits.
Now, we have also been needing an additional Commander to assist with the organization of our growing Fighter Corps, so Lt. Commander Ben Warner shall be receiving Commander's stars to have pinned to his flight suit. Congratulations.
Also earning a promotion is Lt. Commander Angie Broch, promoted to full flight Commander, for showing more than capable skill and swiftness of ability.
Now, to orders.
It has come to my attention that many of our recent recruits have been rather sluggish to get going, partly the fault of our difficulties in restructuring the Fighter Corps, but there is also personal blame here, too.
I am now ordering all of our pilots who have been recruited in the past two months to increase their activity and report their actions, so that we have a record thereof.
Commanders Warner and Broch, you are responsible for Gold Wing One and Gold Wing Two. The pilots in these wings are under your command, you two are held personally responsible for their training. If they are found to be... deficient... you will be found deficient as well.
With Promotion comes responsibility. Failure in duty is punishable by the Commissariat! Commissar Medvedov, I am told, is quite efficient at punishing even those Commanders that step out of line.
INCOMING TRANSMISSION
COMM ID: Sub-Lieutenant Konstantin Petrovin
LOCATION: Zhukovsky Station, Omega-52 System
My return to Omega-52 was successful. As ordered, I took the route through the Liberty Navy's precious "Alaska" System and went home via Rheinland. As per orders I also took scans of one of the Navy's research stations as well as two of Rheinland's mining refineries in Omega-7.
Target: Premier Katz
Sender: Sub-Lieutenant Joseph Williamson
Subject: patrol duty & optional search and destroy mission.
Greetings Comrade, This is Joseph Williamson,
Today me and Comrade Kostya, were given orders from Comrade Ben Warner, to patrol Omega 7 for Corsairs. Kostya was put in charge and I was placed as his wingman as we patrolled the system. We ran into some members of the Independent Miners Guild and as ordered did not engage, we simply told them we were on patrol for pirates and they let us pass. After scanning the system we informed Comrad Warner that we found no trace of the Corsairs and he told us our mission was over but we may accept an optional mission to take down a member of the Cartel in Tau 23. We accepted and traveled to Freeport 1 for a quick restock, after which we went off on our mission.
On the way we were met with no opposition, and made it to Tau 29. When we arrived at the Jumphole my friend ordered me to stay on the other side of the Jump Hole and he would see if it was clear. After he jumped i was told to turn and flee from system, that there were 3 of them waiting on the other side of the Jump Hole. Much to my dismay i followed orders and fled back toward Omega 52. I told my comrade to flee as well but i knew he couldnt. I was relieved to hear a few hours later that he made it to the nearby Freeport with his escape pod and is awaiting pickup. I hope you will see the need for soilders and pick him up.
Joseph Williamson over and out.
Video feed follows....
::Downloading.....
When life gives you lemons..... throw them at your enemies!!!