This is Malta Omicron Patrol, pilot Antonio Valdez to all Maltese raid groups.
My patrol in the Omicron Xi system has revealed multiple exploitable weakpoints to the local defense grid, specifically indicating vulnerabilities to two modular installations operated by the Corsairs. I urge you to take a moment of your time to consider this opportunity to strike.
The aforementioned installations in question are Prison Station Nicosia, which is currently at 100% structural integrity but in a position that allows for easy targeting. Battleship Delos and two considerably outdated weapon platforms provide cover, making an attack from below and the east arcs of the station difficult, while the upper and western arcs are wide open. It seems the station is at modular core level 1 and thus only offers very limited defensive capabilities. While this station offers itself as target of opportunity, its strategic value is relatively low.
It could be interesting to us to assault it, nevertheless, to prevent the Corsairs from taking prisoners. The less intel they can torture out of anyone, the better it is for us. It would also put pressure on the Corsairs, forcing them to divert defensive assets to Omicron Xi, creating potential weaknesses in other areas.
More importantly, however, is that we consider dealing with the modular installation Roma Invicta, which currently maintains four highly advanced weapon platforms. These weapon platforms provide the Corsairs with a comparatively huge area of denial, more so than any battleship can provide. Not only do these weapon platforms have powerful anti-capital cannons similar to the Cerberus technology, but also a problematic anti-fighter beam cannon.
Scans indicate that Roma Invicta is currently at about one third of the possible maximal structural integrity of similar multi-core modular installations, and while an assault on this station will likely come at a risk, taking it down before it turns into a fortress seems like a favorable idea.
This will, however, prove to be a difficult task. Roma Invicta is located in a tight spot between Planet Mykonos and the moon Naxos. A siege from the west is therefore impossible, and with the close proximity of Naxos, an attack from the east only offers limited room. It is not impossible, though, and Naxos itself can actually be utilized as a shield against the weapon platforms, which are currently located in the very close proximity of Roma Invicta. An assault from the north leaves our flank open to possible ambushes from the Syros Shipyard, while an attack from the south is most favorable.
I wish to put emphasis on the importance of a siege on those installations. In the past, our raiding groups were left ignored by the Corsairs, letting us freely roam in Omicron Xi without contest. This means that they were operating somewhere else. And we do not know where. As I see it, repeated assaults on those two installations, especially on Roma Invicta, serve multiple goals:
- ensuring the Corsairs have to respond to raids in Xi, meaning we don't waste any fuel and keep their fleet strength in check
- frequent combat training for our pilots
- further insights about the latest technological advancements (or thefts) of the Corsairs
- a possible prevention of Roma Invicta becoming a fortress with even more area coverage
- prevention of capture and interrogation of Maltese pilots in prison station
- a coordinated push into Omicron Xi will disrupt their artifact mining operations and possibly allow the deployment of a stationary Maltese raiding group
Make yourself familiar with the Omicron Xi NavMap. I have marked the positions of Prison Station Nicosia and Roma Invicta.
There are currently two routes to access Omicron Xi conveniently from Malta.
Omicron Alpha: Jump Hole to Omicron Theta at F6
Omicron Theta: Jump Hole to Omicron Gamma at E6
Omicron Gamma: Jump Hole to Omicron Xi at D3
Omicron Xi: Entrance at C2/3
This route leads through Corsair home territory. It is possible that our ships can get intercepted in Omicron Gamma's Malvada Cloud, which heavily favors cruisers and non-torpedo bombers due to the asteroid field. There is a small passage the Corsairs created to allow capital ships to traverse through the area without colliding with asteroids, but it does not allow capital ships for optimal combat maneuverability.
Omicron Alpha: Jump Hole to Omicron Beta at F5
Omicron Beta: Alien Jump Gate to Knossos Atmosphere at D5
Knossos Atmosphere: Stable Atmosphere Exit to Omicron Xi at F6/7
Omicron Xi: Entrance at G4
Corsairs will have a more difficult time intercepting our ships arriving via this route. In Omicron Beta, head for out outpost, Ruiz Base, first as there is a cleared passage to there as well as one that leads directly to the Alien Jump Gate at D5. It responds to our engines and is considered reliable - in fact, more reliable than the jump holes. The gate is connected to a counterpart in the upper atmospheric layer of Planet Knossos in Omicron Xi. While the atmospheric turbulances are dangerous and allow only limited space for combat - yet a lot more than Omicron Beta or the Malvada Cloud in Omicron Gamma - the only obstacle to keep in mind here is the cluster of alien ruins at D/E-4/5. Capital ships should avoid this area as it contains supermassive fragments that hinder optimal cruising and could cause bigger vessels like the Sarissa or Ranseur to get stuck. Ideally, fly to C6 first, then to the target exit location.
The biggest threat on this route is the North Aegean Nebula surrounding Planet Knossos in Omicron Xi, as previous raids have shown it reduces the sensor efficiency. This general location strongly favors heavy battleships like the Corsair Legate, but also our Ranseur-class Dreadnought. Torpedo-Bombers can easily flank us here, as there are no asteroids to prevent the usage of Nova Torpedoes. Group coordination is almost impossible in this nebula due to massively reduced viewing range.
Of course, the easiest solution would be to use an MK4 Jump Drive. The Malta Hyperspace Starfleet is known for using these quite effectively.
This is Julia López, Observadora of Malta Hyperspace Starfleet and I will communicate the main thoughts from our organization, on this regard. We have carefully revised the information that you have gathered and it is completely understandable to take heavy consideration on the issues at hand. Omicron Xi has been stormed frequently and Maltese forces, in general, have suffered a…lack on efficiency on finishing such operations.
Alpha Command has decided that our organization will vouch the attempt to eradicate the problem, sending support to adequately take care of the situation. It is worth noticing that our raiding parties will focus the effort on Roma Invicta, as a swift strike on this particular station will severely cripple the defense capabilities of the Corsairs in the area. Several reports from different raiding parties have shown us how detrimental their turrets could be on the skirmishes and this needs to stop. Still, it is part of our main goals to secure the life of every Maltese, and we will do our best to defend the rest of our brethren in every type of scenario that we could encounter on this grand task.
Lastly, this is a good opportunity to deteriorate the current status of Corsairs in the system and our organization will be glad if more brethren join up to the destruction of the rest of facilities in the vicinity. As the Orange Dream needs to be secured throughout Sirius, an optimal outcome should be the annihilation of those who blindly try to put obstacles on our plans.