Identification: Taskmaster-Adjutant Harold Kane Affiliation: Natio Octavarium, Fourth Fleet
To: Fleet Internal Affairs
Subject: Officer Staffing Updates Encryption:You Bet Location: Canberra Star City, Tau-44
Members of the Fleet,
We would like to announce some changes being made to the staff of the Fourth Fleet. In the lower half of the officership, Officer Candidates Lergae Merlorn and Benjamin Redmond have successfully managed to fly for a month without wondering what they've gotten themselves into too many times and are appointed to the rank of Bombardier. Welcome to the meat and potatoes of the forces.
And on the boundaries of the lower and upper halves, Lieutenant Reina Pavoni has been with us on and off for many years. Her actions over those years have brought great things to the Natio, and, frankly, we have regrettably not rewarded her enough for it. As such, I am pleased to offer her a promotion to the rank of Commander and a position in the upper officership. Ms. Pavoni, it's been a long time coming. Don't worry, the added responsibilities come with a pay bump.
I think that's about it. Oh, and I apparently have a desk with my name on it again, so that's neat.
Taskmaster-Adjutant Harold Kane Ministry of Relations, Natio Octavarium
Subject: PRIORITY ORDER: Relocation Encryption:Oh my, yes. Location: The Spider's Watch, Canberra Star City, Tau-44
A Maltese fleet has entered Tau-44 to do a major operation against Crayter.
We do not have the forces to repel them, even if I had an interest in doing so.
I strongly advise that you relocate Unforgiven to Kwinana Starport, for the defense of the facility - and to avoid any accidents with overzealous Outcasts. Black Cloud II will see to Canberra's defense.
Incoming Transmission from Fourth Fleet HQ
Canberra Star City, Tau-44
19. November 827 A.S.
To: Taskmaster Weaver Priority: Somewhat Important Topic: RE: PRIORITY ORDER: Relocation
Message Contents:
While I'm not exactly sanguine about moving one of our strongest assets away from our capital at a time like this, you're right that its origins may cause us more trouble than its firepower can get us out of. I've ordered Commander Cerise to take the ship to Kwinana with minimal crew. The Unforgiven's crew are our best people, and they'll be more useful elsewhere while the flagship's sidelined. Needless to say, I'll loan you any personnel you need reassigned to the Black Cloud. With Unforgiven out of the system, I've formally transferred my flag to the Weaver of Fate. As one of our newer Starbridge-class Command Ships, it's well suited to the role. I'm not overly comfortable on larger ships anyway.
Beyond that, I'm ordering the Fleet to take a defensive posture at Canberra to enforce our neutrality and encourage the fighting to stay well away from our civilians. Let's hope the politicians can do something useful for a change and keep us from getting involved in the fighting.
Taskmaster Eva Flores, OCS Weaver of Fate
Fourth Octavarium Fleet
Incoming Transmission from Canberra Star City
Tau-44, Natio Octavarium
22. NOVEMBER 827 A.S.
To:NO Internal Affairs Priority:High Topic:Nomads are drug addicts, too?
Message Contents:
So, apparently my first mate is an idiot, and didn't see any need to wake me up during the events of this report. Needless to say, I tossed him out on his worthless, drug-addled ass the moment we made port. Revoked his Master's Certificate and his Chief Officer's Certificate as well, to spare other Guild ships his dubious services. Anyway, enough about my personnel issues and on to why we're here.
On our way to Trafalgar from the Petrucci Estate on Malta, we were accosted by a pair of Nomad ships immediately upon jumping into Tau-31. Since it was the late watch, my first mate was standing watch alone, and the drug-addled idiot thought they were a figment of his imagination. As soon as he realized they were real, he panicked and tried to run. Fortunately, he didn't get us killed in the process. Turns out that the Nomads wanted as much of our Cardamine as they could carry, claiming it for personal consumption. The one smart thing the idiot did was pay up without delay and get us moving again as soon as we were able. He did tractor in the remaining cargo that the Nomads didn't consume. My cargo officers that checked it over confirmed that the remaining cargo was intact and undamaged, but I've had them confined to quarters for a full examination by specialists from Canberra. Can't be too careful when it comes to squids.
I'm appending our full comm log from the incident. We'll be departing Canberra again as soon as station authorities have confirmed that the ship and crew is free of all alien infection.
[22.11.2020 20:04:58] K'Hara|Shul-pa-e: *** 'Thee' shall remain stationary, 'ignorants' will feel the light (aggressive) ***
[22.11.2020 20:05:14] NO-Sea.of.Dreams: Wow, I've been hitting the drugs hard today. Today's hallucination's a bit flashy.
[22.11.2020 20:05:28] GC-Yanagi: ?: Konnichiwa.
[22.11.2020 20:05:29] NO-Sea.of.Dreams: So, what can I do fer ye, figment o' me imagination?
[22.11.2020 20:05:37] GC-Yanagi: ?: An interesting encounter.
[22.11.2020 20:05:38] K'Hara|Bhahas: **warmth**
[22.11.2020 20:05:40] K'Hara|Shul-pa-e: *** 'Thee' has inhaled 'orange dust' (?) ***
[22.11.2020 20:05:45] -|-Cagliari: Enjoy the warmth.
[22.11.2020 20:05:53] NO-Sea.of.Dreams: Never touched the stuff. I sell it, not use it.
[22.11.2020 20:06:13] GC-Yanagi: ?: Did you two really think I was gonna dock with that?
[22.11.2020 20:06:16] GC-Yanagi: ?: I'm not -that- rude.
[22.11.2020 20:06:18] K'Hara|Bhahas: **-ours-...<give>..."warmth"-to...~orange-dream~...**
[22.11.2020 20:06:31] K'Hara|Bhahas: **-ours-...<see>...-yours-..."intent"**
[22.11.2020 20:06:43] GC-Yanagi: ?: I had no intent of using that lane.
[22.11.2020 20:06:43] K'Hara|Shul-pa-e: *** 'Ours' -will- rain light upon thy shells, if ignorant (!) ***
[22.11.2020 20:06:55] NO-Sea.of.Dreams: Wait.. are you seeing this, too? You mean this *isn't* a drug-induced hallucination?
[22.11.2020 20:06:56] GC-Yanagi: ?: You clearly saw wrong.
[22.11.2020 20:06:58] K'Hara|Bhahas: **-ours-...<purge>...~ignorant-minds~...(anger)**
[22.11.2020 20:07:00] GC-Yanagi: ?: Nope.
[22.11.2020 20:07:03] GC-Yanagi: ?: They're right there.
[22.11.2020 20:07:05] NO-Sea.of.Dreams: Oh shit.
[22.11.2020 20:07:12] K'Hara|Bhahas: **-ours-...<lightshow>..."begins"**
[22.11.2020 20:07:17] GC-Yanagi: ?: I would advise against running if I were you.
[22.11.2020 20:07:30] NO-Sea.of.Dreams: Well, this isn't good.
[22.11.2020 20:07:41] NO-Sea.of.Dreams: Ok, so you aren't in my head. What do you want?
[22.11.2020 20:07:45] GC-Yanagi: ?: Just sit still, I guess.
[22.11.2020 20:07:50] GC-Yanagi: ?: They'll pro'lly fuck off.
[22.11.2020 20:08:23] K'Hara|Bhahas: **-ours-...<beckon>...-yours-..."clear"...~intent~**
[22.11.2020 20:08:24] K'Hara|Shul-pa-e: *** 'We' shall obtain half of 'unknown orange substance' ***
[22.11.2020 20:08:34] GC-Yanagi: ?: And do what with it?
[22.11.2020 20:08:45] NO-Sea.of.Dreams: Well, at least one of you is clear enough. Half me cargo? Sure, why not?
[22.11.2020 20:08:47] GC-Yanagi: ?: Doesn't fit on your holds, well... what the scanner reads as 'holds'.
[22.11.2020 20:08:55] GC-Yanagi: ?: I can't exactly imagine those 'ships' having cargo holds.
[22.11.2020 20:09:01] NO-Sea.of.Dreams: My contract can be filled by the other half, so long as I'm alive for it.
[22.11.2020 20:09:10] K'Hara|Bhahas: **-yours-...<minds>..."not-enlightened"...(annoyed)**
[22.11.2020 20:09:10] NO-Sea.of.Dreams: Maybe the ships get high? Aren't they supposed to be alive?
[22.11.2020 20:09:42] K'Hara|Shul-pa-e: *** 'This one' will consume all possible substance, remainder shall be returned to 'thee' ***
[22.11.2020 20:09:42] NO-Sea.of.Dreams: There you go. Precicely half my cargo.
[22.11.2020 20:09:45] NO-Sea.of.Dreams: May I go?
[22.11.2020 20:10:11] K'Hara|Bhahas: **-yours-...<show>..."warmth"...~NO-kind~**
[22.11.2020 20:10:16] NO-Sea.of.Dreams: Ahh, well... that was fair. Take it easy, gents!
[22.11.2020 20:10:24] Death: Elo'Zor was put out of action by LRD-Maxer (Gun).
[22.11.2020 20:10:35] GC-Yanagi: ?: Right, of course. You need half of that to sniff on it. Didn't know you're junkies as well.
[22.11.2020 20:10:44] GC-Yanagi: ?: The Outcast influence truly is immense.
[22.11.2020 20:10:47] K'Hara|Shul-pa-e: *** 'Thee' is cleared (grateful) ***
[22.11.2020 20:10:55] K'Hara|Bhahas: **warmth**
Captain Joseph Bloggs, NO-Sea.of.Dreams
Guildmaster, Octavarium Mercantile Guild
Identification: Victor Delacroix Affiliation: Octavarium Intelligence Commission
To: Consul Riley
Subject: Beachfront Property Encryption:Orb Protocol, Phoneutria variant Location: OCS Black Cloud II
While ISA are investigating the Reyes situation, they raised several interesting points.
First, the Dons are going to be fishing for other Quislings. Reyes exposed a weakness, and there will be more fools and opportunists to follow.
Second, Tau-44 is a warzone. While we've been able to keep Canberra out of the line of fire, I do not know how long this will last.
Therefore, to avoid the loss of another government, and to hinder the efforts of another would-be Reyes, it's the Commission's sincere recommendation that the Senate be relocated out of Tau-44 for the duration of the current emergency. Nassau has more than adequate facilities for the Senate, security, and attendant staff, and Kwinana Starport should also be similarly capable of filling your needs.
This is not an order, merely a recommendation in the interests of the Senate and Natio Octavarium. Take it as you will.
Minister Victor Delacroix Octavarium Intelligence Commission
Incoming Transmission from the Office of the Consul
Canberra Star City, Tau-44
24. NOVEMBER 826 A.S.
To: Victor Delacroix Priority: Utmost Topic: ...in Arizona
Message Contents:
Minister,
My initial reaction to your proposal was to tell you I wouldn't be leaving for any reason at all, particularly since most of our civilian population doesn't have a Curacao resort to run to. I've since talked it over with the head of the Consular Guard, however. According to him, I'm free to stay on Canberra, but he'd insist on increasing my security even further. In the interest of continuing to use the loo in peace, not to mention having some alone time with my wife, I've elected to take your advice after all. I'll leave the exact details of the transfer to yourself, the Consular Guard, and Captain Jankowski aboard the Leviathan. The fewer people that know, the better.
Subject: Outcasts and Repairs Location: Canberra Star City, Tau-44
Well, looks like the situation in Tau-44 is causing people to be more and more paranoid.
I was bringing in some repair supplies for Canberra's stockpile when I was stopped by an Outcast, MNS-Accordion, in Tau-31. I didn't think it would be a problem, but he seemed to think I was supplying the Colonials. I tried explaining things, but he didn't even entertain the thought. He wanted me to drop my cargo, I didn't want to, things went on like you can expect. The idiot did it at the Holman junction though, so he was only able to scuff my paint before I was tucked away safely. Once he left the area I was able to bring my stuff home, so not much of a hazard.
Should we do something? He doesn't seem all there enough to be too dangerous, but I'm not sure him coming around Canberra would be good for everyone either.
Identification: Technician Derek Valmere Affiliation: Aquila Defense Systems
To: Natio Octavarium Internal Affairs, ADS Contracts Reporting
Subject: Asset Assessment of Roussillon Encryption: Biodigital Jazz, Man! Location:Canberra Star City, ADS Station Construction Division Cubicle 23-524
Greetings,
The following is a report on the Roussillon system as requested as part of the ongoing contract to support Octavarian Fleet Operations. This report will focus on technical findings during this voyage.
Mission Brief: Acquire technical information of surviving assets in the Roussillon system after the Gallic Royal Enclave withdrawal from the system and assess status of tactical and civilian assets for potential reactivation. Grid sections Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta where scanned during this trip.
Section 1: Tau 44 Minefield, Sector D-3
This minefield completely envelops the Tau-44 Jumphole Anomaly. Multiple exit vectors exist, however they require multiple course corrections. No Nav bouys where available to assist in navigating this hazard, and the turns required to clear the minefield where rather abrupt.
Recommendation: To stabilize the area, Nav bouys are required to assist civilian pilots in navigating this hazard, and further cleanup of routes out of the minefield should be done to limit potential accidents in the future.
Section 2: Station Rodez Wreck, Sector D-4
In Orbit around planet Toulouse, this derelict appears to be a Gallic modular station with a substantial amount of Hangar and Mooring points. While the original use of this station is unknown at this time, it appears to be a relatively straight forward design. Large segments of the stations large mooring points appear to be intact, and various station weapon emplacements appear undamaged.
Recommendation: Given the fairly simple nature of the station, it is Aquila's belief that this station would serve as a potential candidate for repair and reactivation. Given it's modular construction, we potentially could adapt Sirian technologies to replace any damaged or missing Gallic tech.
Image Logs: Datalink 1
Section 3: Perpignan Spaceport Wreck, Sector D-5
This station is in orbit around Planet Foix, and would appear unsalvageable. Scans indicate multiple close-in impacts from high yield weapons fire, potentially from battleship class vessels. The station is shattered into multiple distinctive pieces, with the largest section appearing to be a civilian trade center.
Recommendation: While the hull of the lower section of this station may be of some use, overall the station is a total loss and would probably be only useful for scrap metal.
Image Logs: Datalink 2 | Datalink 3
Section 4: Battleship Pamiers, Sector D-5
Accompanying the wreck of Perpignan Spaceport, the Battleship Pamiers appears to be of Council origin, however is currently flying the flag of the Maquis. Surface scans report the battleship is significantly damaged, but optical scans indicate repairs are ongoing.
Image Logs: Datalink 4
Section 5: Le Boulou Station Wreck, Sector C-6
This station appears to have been a defensive platform covering the Jump Hole, however the station is a total loss. It's only use now would be as scrap metal.
Image Logs: Datalink 5
Section 6: Active Maquis Military Assets, Encountered in Section C-6
While executing detailed scans of the Le Boulou Station Wreck, two heavy combat assets exited the Jump Hole Anomaly and initiated in conversation with myself and Octavarian Fleet Officer Reina Pavoni. While they discussed business, I took a few scans of their ships discreetly. Both ships appear to be old Council vessels, with enhanced armoring packages added post-construction.
Image Logs: Datalink 6 | Datalink 7 | Commlog
Detailed Raw Scan Files are located on the Aquila Defense Systems internal Neural Net under the Contract Deliverables section.
If any further items are needed please contact the ADS Contracts Department.
[ Transmission Ended ]
Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.
Today I decided to make use of our permission to harass Kusari. I sat in Kyushu for awhile, and it wasn't as boring as I expected. There was a Kishiro Stork that came by hauling ore, and I was able to squeeze a few million out of him. He seemed pretty understanding of the situation, and even paid me more than I was asking. Later though, a really really weird Chrysanthemum showed up. She acted like a girl in those cringy Kusari cartoons. I don't know, she offered to team up for a 90% of what we got but no way was I going to do that. Before I could leave, a Naval ship showed up. They seemed to know each other, both were a bit rude, but when I tried leaving they both stopped me. I'm not sure why the Chrysanthemum wanted to keep me around, but after they had their chat the Naval officer decided to fight me. I was able to take him down, and I took off before the Chrysanthemum could try anything. I still need to work on my form, but it was enough for today.
Incoming Transmission from Fleet HQ
Canberra Star City, Tau-44
24. JANUARY 828 A.S.
To: The Spider's Watch, Canberra Star City, Tau-44 Priority: Elevated Topic: I spy with my little eye...
Message Contents:
Buenos dias,
Allow me to be the first congratulate your people on the new firmware updates for the LIMELIGHT scanner. They've exceeded all expectations. My scanner team won't shut up about the increased resolution and more efficient power management. All in all, it's a job well done.
Aside from my crew's enthusiasm, the upgrades have already borne fruit. During patrols of the Canberra-Roussillon corridor passive scanning picked up some unusual ion emissions and gravimetric anomalies somewhere southeast of the patrol corridor in the Sumatra Cloud, sector C-4. My scanner crew tells me that it's consistent with a large ship that's running silent, though they can't entirely rule out drifting wreckage from the recent battle. Active scanning would've cleared it up, but if someone is trying to sneak about out there, I felt it best if they weren't aware we noticed.
Could you task one of your people to poke around quietly? I'm aware that finding something in such a broad area is like finding a needle in a haystack, and it may just be a piece of errant wreckage after all, but as volatile as the Taus can be, I'd like to be sure.
Taskmaster Eva Flores, OCS Weaver of Fate
Fourth Octavarium Fleet