COMM ID:Ensign Alan Polstari TARGET ID:Primary Fleet Command HQ SUBJECT:Shakedown Cruise ENCRYPTION:High PRIORITY:High
Greetings sirs,
As I'm sure that you'll be receiving a report about today's actions over Manhattan against the Liberty Rogue and Lane Hacker Gunboatsfrom either Captain Baker or Ensign Kalen, as well as a discussion which they had with the Supervisor of Samura Personnel Kaido-san, I will leave that to them to report upon. I will instead focus upon the successful launch and shakedown cruise of the L.N.F. Paradise, and an interesting communique I received while getting her prepared.
While completing final system checks at Platform A of Norfolk Station, I received a communication from a vessel identified as "S.E.F~Zor.PrimE" inquiring about what our status on base development was. I responded that I was not aware of any base, and that if I was that I would not be able to discuss such matters anyway. The captain of the Zor Prime insisted on talking with me, however, and mentioned that he had an item that would be of interest to us were we to have such a structure. Not being authorized to make such dealings, but not wanting to let potential intel go, I attempted to get as much information out the captain as possible. It eventually came down the following offer.
When I told him to contact Fleet Admiral Hale with his proposition, he mentioned that he had several such items in a secure location. I closed communications with him, but managed to run across his vessel over Manhattan as I was on the shakedown cruise. The vessel was a Zoner Gunboat bearing a matching affiliation. No contraband was detected.
I completed the shakedown of the Paradise and proceeded to the Texas system. Finding nothing of note I was en route back to Norfolk when I picked up a pair of Corsair tagged vessels coming from what appeared to be the direction of Zone 21. I ordered an emergency lane stop and moved to intercept, ordering the vessels to hault. I fired several Cruise Disruptors, and stopped one of the vessels. Unfortunately, before I could establish further contact, his compatriot opened fire upon us and the engagement was on. The Corsairs involved were a Lloyd Christmas and a Harry Dunne, though it's entirely possible that they were using aliases. While my crew fought valiantly, being a green crew and undersupplied on ordinance due to the nature of the shakedown cruise, the Paradise was overwhelmed and forced back to Norfolk rather violently, though we came close to taking them out as well. I've been informed that it will take at least a full day to replace all the blown wiring and to rebuild her armor systems. We'll try to have her shipshape and ready to launch as quickly as possible. The crew and I would also appreciate additional combat training when available.
[color=#FFFFFF]Specifications of the L.N.F. Paradise ([LN]-LNF-Paradise) Class: Grizzly - DL-Hai Liberty Shuttle Weapon Systems:
* Four (4) N25 "Magma Hammer" Liberty Plasma Cannon Mk Vs
* Four (4) TN9-A "Magma Hammer" Liberty Plasma Turrets
* One (1) MX-17 Nuclear Mine Dropper
* One (1) CD95XT Train Cruise Disruptor Defensive Systems:
* One (1) SP-d2 "Advanced Aegis" Freighter Positron Shield
* One (1) Universal Armor Upgrade Mk VIII
* Two (2) CM-4 Enhanced Countermeasure Droppers Crew:
* Five (5) Crewmen
* Ten (10) Marines Available Cargo: 220 Standard Units Purpose: Heavy Interdiction & Armored Transport of Critical Equipment/Goods