TARGET ID:Liberty Navy High Command SUBJECT:Patrol Report #OED-2848: Smugglers, Corsair Gunboat, Mad Zoner, and Bounty Hunters ENCRYPTION:High PRIORITY:Medium
Last night I conducted a patrol of the New York system alone in my Guardian. I received a distress call from a pair of Ageria Bison-class transports ([color=#FFCC66]Ageira|Thunderbolt and Ageira|Olympus) at the vicinity of the Colorado gate. They were under attack by the pirate gunboat Warhol. I moved to intercept and engaged the pirate vessel along the lanes. I ordered the transports to flee and fought the pirate as long as I could. Unfortunately I was lacking the necessary firepower to defeat him, but with the transports safe I retreated to West Point academy.
There I got into contact with a pair of bombers from DSE's security team, and we were preparing to hunt the gunboat when he fled into Coronado and we broke off.
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A few moments later, after returning to West Point, I had the most bizarre encounter. A fellow named David.Hale.Clone.1 appeared in a lowly CSV and opened comms with me. He proceeded to attempt to order me on his authority as a clone of Fleet Admiral David Hale. Of course I ignored him, but the conversation was interesting, and I figured High Command would want to know about this imposter.
My next encounter was with a smuggler who very much lacked subtlety. Cpt.Azdrubael.Vect was seen heading from Fort Bush to the Colorado gate with a load of nearly 5000 Blood Diamonds in the hold of his Stork Advanced Train. I pursued to the Colorado gate and stopped him before jumping.
He elected to run, and I engaged, nearly destroying him before he fled through the gate. My pursuit was unfortunately slightly delayed by a Universal convoy. I caught up to him at Planet Denver where he docked.
I received backup from Lieutenant Commander Remus Sius with the LNS MacArthur at Denver, and we waited for the smuggler to attempt to leave. He left the planet once with different cargo but docked again before we could finish him off.
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I left the MacArthur in Denver orbit to make a quick sweep of the system when I encountered several people at the New York gate, including Ciel, a Corsair-tagged vessel in a gunboat. After I hailed him, he opened up on a nearby freelancer and killed him, prompting me to engage and call the MacArthur in for backup.
We engaged the gunboat together. The enemy ship mainly attacked myself while the MacArthur attacked him. Eventually he managed to destroy my ship but his was destroyed soon thereafter and the MacArthur rescued my pod. I was returned to New York.
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I continued patrol in New York, when I encountered a group of Rhinos near Manhattan. (Haud_Logik, Jon_Krowe, and cross.) They were acting suspiciously, so I investigated. Two of them had Synthetic Marijuana in their holds, which I attempted to confiscate. They were not particularly cooperative but eventually they turned over the contraband and it was summarily destroyed. Based on the way they were acting, I highly suspect they had imbibed some of the drugs prior to my arrival, but I could not prove it so I left them be.
Afterwards, I received a report about a possible intruder in Zone 21. I moved to investigate and encountered a Zoner-tagged vessel in the vicinity of Melbourne Station. The base's shields were engaged, so I was immediately suspicious.
The ship had some interesting things to say when I demanded he explain himself. I've attached relevant portions of the log.
<Attachment 13: Communications with The.Interdictor>
<File open>
Quote:[09.07.2012 01:07:41] The.Interdictor: Eric: seems the LN Did send some one finally
[09.07.2012 01:07:52] [LN]-James.Lambert: What are you doing, Zoner? [09.07.2012 01:08:18] SFC|Interceptor-1: I guess my help isn't needed any more?
[09.07.2012 01:08:19] [LN]-James.Lambert: He has a Zoner GB.
[09.07.2012 01:08:26] The.Interdictor: Eric: yes yes Why would a Peaceful Zoner openfire on a base?
[color=#FF99FF][09.07.2012 01:08:31] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: interceptor.
[09.07.2012 01:08:33] [LN]-LLS-Sierra.Nevada: Alan: Is he in Zone 21?
[09.07.2012 01:08:35] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: We could use an escort.
[09.07.2012 01:08:37] SFC|Interceptor-1: Yes?
[09.07.2012 01:08:45] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Join up with Sierra.Nevada.
[09.07.2012 01:08:46] [LN]-James.Lambert: Right at Melbourne, that count?
[09.07.2012 01:08:52] SFC|Interceptor-1: All right.
[09.07.2012 01:08:53] [LN]-James.Lambert: Mmhmm...
[09.07.2012 01:08:56] The.Interdictor: Eric: Quite the Question Eh? [09.07.2012 01:09:03] [LN]-LLS-Sierra.Nevada: Alan: Yes. Sius, see if you can help move that Zoner idiot out of Zone 21.
[09.07.2012 01:09:09] [LN]-James.Lambert: Care to explain yourself?
[09.07.2012 01:09:14] The.Interdictor: Eric: maybe a Zoner possesed
[09.07.2012 01:09:20] The.Interdictor: Eric: Zoner gone mad
[09.07.2012 01:09:32] The.Interdictor: Eric: a Zoner who has lost touch with everything
[09.07.2012 01:09:44] [LN]-James.Lambert: Well, you're in violation of about a dozen laws
[09.07.2012 01:09:53] The.Interdictor: Or maybe [09.07.2012 01:09:56] [LN]-LLS-Sierra.Nevada: Alan: Aye, deadly force is authorized. Wait for back up, though, Mr. Lambert.
[09.07.2012 01:10:02] The.Interdictor: Eric: a Zoner who has seen the Light [09.07.2012 01:10:06] [LN]-James.Lambert: Stalling him.
[09.07.2012 01:10:11] [LN]-James.Lambert: What light?
[09.07.2012 01:10:20] The.Interdictor: Eric: The LN have so many secrets
[09.07.2012 01:10:44] [LN]-James.Lambert: Secrets, yes. Like what's inside this minefield.
[09.07.2012 01:10:51] The.Interdictor: Eric: But i wont tell what your Great Admiral Hale hasnt told you [09.07.2012 01:11:07] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Lambert, status?
[09.07.2012 01:11:10] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Still holding?
[09.07.2012 01:11:12] The.Interdictor: Eric: thats no Secret *laughs* [09.07.2012 01:11:19] [LN]-James.Lambert: He's talking. Very much crazy.
[09.07.2012 01:11:26] [LN]-James.Lambert: No shooting yet.
[09.07.2012 01:11:32] [LN]-James.Lambert: Oh really?
[09.07.2012 01:11:34] The.Interdictor: Eric: your a Sorry excuse for a LN pilot Jamey boy
[09.07.2012 01:11:38] [LN]-James.Lambert: And how did you know about it?
[09.07.2012 01:11:50] The.Interdictor: Eric: Been there [09.07.2012 01:12:02] [LN]-LLS-Sierra.Nevada: Alan: You have LNS in Alaska if you need it.
[09.07.2012 01:12:02] [LN]-James.Lambert: I don't take kindly to that sort of insult, Zoner.
[09.07.2012 01:12:12] The.Interdictor: Eric: Jamey Please
[09.07.2012 01:12:18] The.Interdictor: Eric: You are Blind [09.07.2012 01:12:22] [LN]-James.Lambert: Hurry please.
[09.07.2012 01:12:23] The.Interdictor: Eric: join me
[09.07.2012 01:12:34] [LN]-James.Lambert: Call me blind and then ask me to join you?
[09.07.2012 01:12:41] The.Interdictor: Eric: it only hurts for a Second
[09.07.2012 01:12:42] [LN]-James.Lambert: That's not the way to ask
[09.07.2012 01:12:46] [LN]-James.Lambert: Hurts?
[09.07.2012 01:12:49] [LN]-James.Lambert: What hurts?
[09.07.2012 01:12:52] [LN]-James.Lambert: Explain
[09.07.2012 01:13:07] The.Interdictor: Eric: that day on Boa Vista
[09.07.2012 01:13:17] The.Interdictor: Eric: The men walked in
[09.07.2012 01:13:32] The.Interdictor: Eric: those logos ill never forget them
[09.07.2012 01:13:40] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Alright... hailing Zoner ship.
[09.07.2012 01:13:41] [LN]-James.Lambert: Describe them for me, please
[09.07.2012 01:13:49] [LN]-James.Lambert: Hold please, sir.
[09.07.2012 01:13:52] The.Interdictor: Ben: the Hammer the Gear and the Scythe
[09.07.2012 01:14:06] [LN]-James.Lambert: The hammer, the gear, and the scythe?
[09.07.2012 01:14:09] The.Interdictor: Eric: Ben shut up let me explain
[09.07.2012 01:14:24] [LN]-James.Lambert: Continue, Zoner.
[09.07.2012 01:14:32] The.Interdictor: Eric: The deep rep and dark black
[09.07.2012 01:14:39] The.Interdictor: Eric: Gold trim
[09.07.2012 01:14:57] The.Interdictor: Eric: they cam in the beat me down
[09.07.2012 01:15:19] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Right.... we'll need you to drop your cargo... and exit this area immediately.
[09.07.2012 01:15:20] The.Interdictor: Eric: and told me " we only do this to those we care for
[09.07.2012 01:15:43] [LN]-James.Lambert: Sir, I think we should take him in for more detailed questioning.
[09.07.2012 01:15:54] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: What for?
[09.07.2012 01:15:55] [LN]-James.Lambert: Something's not right with this.
[09.07.2012 01:16:09] The.Interdictor: Eric: They were so Orderly
[09.07.2012 01:16:20] The.Interdictor: Eric: Id never seen such Strictness
[09.07.2012 01:16:30] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: I'm reading a civilian hostage with a couple of armed personnel on board.
[09.07.2012 01:16:39] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Whats the meaning of this?
[09.07.2012 01:16:49] The.Interdictor: Eric: have him
[09.07.2012 01:16:55] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Have him??
[09.07.2012 01:16:59] The.Interdictor: Eric: Sir i assure you
[09.07.2012 01:17:03] [LN]-James.Lambert: Secured the pilot.
[09.07.2012 01:17:29] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Hmm... and where did you get those pearls?
[09.07.2012 01:17:31] [LN]-James.Lambert: Zoner, all this doesn't change the fact that I SAW you shooting at that base.
[09.07.2012 01:17:32] The.Interdictor: Eric: Were did i see that logo * pulls out an old book*
[09.07.2012 01:17:38] [LN]-James.Lambert: Care to explain that?
[09.07.2012 01:17:55] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Did he?
[09.07.2012 01:18:08] [LN]-James.Lambert: He did. Shield was engaged when I arrived.
[09.07.2012 01:18:11] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Tsk tsk tsk... shooting inside Z21...
[09.07.2012 01:18:17] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Attempting to enter Z21...
[09.07.2012 01:18:20] The.Interdictor: Eric: *presses book against window* There thats the logo!!! * points to a Coalition Insignia
[09.07.2012 01:18:26] [LN]-James.Lambert: I believe my guncams got evidence of him firing as well.
[09.07.2012 01:18:32] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: You sir have gone off course...
[09.07.2012 01:18:38] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Disable your shields.
[09.07.2012 01:18:41] [LN]-James.Lambert: Ah, so you're working for the Coalition, you say?
[09.07.2012 01:18:44] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: NOW.
[09.07.2012 01:18:49] [LN]-James.Lambert: You'd best cooperate.
[09.07.2012 01:18:52] The.Interdictor: Eric: Wait what? Working?
[09.07.2012 01:18:59] The.Interdictor: Yes sir
[09.07.2012 01:19:01] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Right...
[09.07.2012 01:19:08] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: We're boarding you.
[09.07.2012 01:19:23] The.Interdictor: Eric: I i dont know I ...
[09.07.2012 01:19:30] The.Interdictor: Eric: Wait
[09.07.2012 01:19:34] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Barnes, prepare docking tubes.
[09.07.2012 01:19:38] The.Interdictor: Eric: Please Wait
[09.07.2012 01:19:45] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Ready Seal-Team Blue.
[09.07.2012 01:19:55] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Yes?
[09.07.2012 01:20:01] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: More explanation?
[09.07.2012 01:20:04] The.Interdictor: Eric: They...Oh dear...
[09.07.2012 01:20:20] The.Interdictor: Xi: Thats it! I told you No talking to them!!!
[09.07.2012 01:20:23] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Barnes: Docking tubes online... on your signal.
[09.07.2012 01:20:31] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Stop him!
[09.07.2012 01:20:40] The.Interdictor: Xi: I told You!!!
[09.07.2012 01:20:41] SFC|Interceptor-1: Err you sure?
[09.07.2012 01:20:41] [LN]-James.Lambert: He's...
[09.07.2012 01:20:41] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Noo! [09.07.2012 01:20:49] Death: The.Interdictor was killed by an NPC
[09.07.2012 01:20:56] [LN]-James.Lambert: My God...
[09.07.2012 01:20:58] SFC|Interceptor-1: Jeez..
[09.07.2012 01:21:01] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: What the hell?!
[09.07.2012 01:21:05] [LN]-James.Lambert: Not reading any pod signals...
[09.07.2012 01:21:13] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Affirmative...
[09.07.2012 01:21:19] [LN]-James.Lambert: Good thing you didn't board, sir.
[09.07.2012 01:21:31] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: You said it.
[09.07.2012 01:21:39] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Poor man.
[09.07.2012 01:21:43] [LN]-James.Lambert: From what I can piece together, I think he was trying to say the Coalition had captured him
[09.07.2012 01:21:56] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: Report this to the Zoners at once.
[09.07.2012 01:22:05] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: They would love to hear this.
[09.07.2012 01:22:08] [LN]-James.Lambert: Yes, that would be a good idea.
[09.07.2012 01:22:23] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: In the mean time, interrogate that civilian hostage.
[09.07.2012 01:22:34] [LN]-LNS-MacArthur: Remus: He may have seen those responsible.
[Later...]
[09.07.2012 01:35:21] The.Interdictor: ****[From a Broken Pod in the minefield a small transmission comes]****
[09.07.2012 01:36:15] The.Interdictor: Eric: *gasp* Beware........* wheezing breath* ....the Star..................*a mine explodes signal ends*
To be perfectly honest I'm not overly upset about his fate, as he was clearly in violation of several different laws by being in Zone 21, opening fire on a Navy-affiliated base, and his initial rude contact towards a naval officer. But the possibility that Coalition forces may be capturing neutrals and coercing them into hostile actions is a serious threat, and should be carefully considered.
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After the Zoner's death, the MacArthur and I returned to the Norfolk, where Lt.Scott_Andrew, a Bounty Hunter tagged Thresher class destroyer was passing through. We halted him, and informed him that foreign warships were not permitted in Liberty space. He argued the point for a while, claiming that he was an ally of Liberty and that he had special permission to be here. When we inquired as to who, exactly, had given him permission to be in Liberty space with a Thresher, he claimed it was an officer currently in the *REDACTED* system.
We escorted him through Zone 21 and into the *REDACTED* system, to *REDACTED* Shipyard. We waited for this other officer, the LNS Lotus. While we were waiting, Lord_KaLoyan, another Bounty Hunter, appeared, obviously also in violation of Liberty law by being in the system. I pursued him alone back through the gate into Zone 21, and engaged when he attempted to run. He was destroyed shortly after.
Immediately following his destruction, the MacArthur reported that the Thresher was attempting to flee towards me. We both engaged him within Zone 21, but soon the MacArthur was hurting and retreated to gather reinforcements from the other side of the gate. I faced the Thresher alone for several harrowing minutes until he returned with reinforcements.
The MacArthur returned with two additional Liberty Secondary Fleet capitals: the LNS Orchid and the LABC Enclave. There was momentary confusion by the two newcomers but after explicitly ordering them they finally engaged the Thresher and destroyed it.
I regret that I had to raise my voice to get the two Secondary Fleet ships to open fire on the Bounty Hunter, but their orders from Lieutenant Commander Sius were crystal clear and I believed my life to be in danger after the enemy ship had previously engaged me.
This concludes my report -- it was quite the eventful patrol.