The RDV CROATOAN began it's life as the "Big Bertha", a custom built Bustard for a retired Marine looking to explore Sirius space and see what it had to offer. After 15 years of service in this purpose, it was sold to a young woman in Omicron Theta going by the name "RTRN-NULL". The ship was overhauled to function as a makeshift lab and hacking platform by NSE. From here it was renamed to the "Data Breach" and utilized for research and hacking purposes.
Shortly following it's overhaul, it went into service being used by a shadow faction known only as "The Directive" and it's name was once again changed to "Techarus". From here it was utilized for surveillance and data collection to be sold to the highest bidder. After a few months, the Directive disappeared, and the ship once again reverted back to the individual known as RTRN-NULL with a man named Sayne Jadyn functioning as it's XO. From here, it was renamed to it's current name: The RDV-CROATOAN.
It is unclear what "RDV" stands for, but some theories contend that the R stands for "Recon" and the V stands for "Vessel." The D is an unknown abbreviation and it's purpose is kept close to the chest by it's commanders. The carrier has rarely been seen as much of the time it operates under a highly customized cloaking system, allowing it to stay hidden much of the time; fulfilling it's purpose as a "Recon" vessel.
It is unknown who the vessel is operated at the behest of. The ship's IFF and ID appears to be that of "Freelancer", however their goals appear muddled. Intelligence ascertained in the past few months indicate that they may be open for hire to function as a recon vessel in a limited capacity for certain parties as long as they remain out of combat. However, it's been noted that they have an interest in monitoring Nomad activity, which is further lent credibility for their consistent activity within the Omicron and Tau systems.
The technology onboard the RDV CROATOAN is considered a trademark secret to most of the world. It's design, originally, was to create a device capable of cloaking a ship without the need to refract light around a ship. It's purpose served to remove the IFF of a vessel and scramble certain tracking capabilities of house militaries. Additionally, it was capable of interfacing with networks from great distances and allowing the hacking of said networks for nefarious means. However, after the ships recruitment into The Directive, the ships purpose changed from these tasks to something resembling a platform capable of tracking hostile targets and informing others of their location without the need to be involved in combat.
The modified Bustard Carrier class ship houses just under a dozen different laboratories capable of designing and testing a wide variety of tech capable of many different applications. It's scanners and communication arrays are designed to scan from long distances, detect hostile targets, and if necessary, hack these targets to gain further information for clients or protection.
The cloaking system onboard the vessel, while advanced, is not much more advanced than many versions presently available on the market. However, research into this is ongoing and attempts to maintain the cloak for a longer period of time with less charge are constantly being attempted by those onboard. The current progress on this is unknown, but intelligence believes that it may be capable of remaining cloaked for anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours.
The engines onboard the vessel are capable of achieving standard thrust for a vessel of it's size, however it requires very little fuel and it's engines sport a system classified only as "self-healing". Meaning that any damages made to them appear to repair themselves and maintenance needed is practically nil.
The hull plating onboard appears to be made of an unknown alloy that refracts light at certain angles, making scanning the ship or seeing it via line of sight difficult in certain wavelengths of light. This affords the ship some measure of stealth even when outside of cloak. However, while this allows the vessel to sometimes avoid detection, it is far from foolproof.
The vessel can run mostly on it's own as Bustards are initially configured to do so. However, the RDV CROATOAN is further advanced in this aspect and the ship can essentially run itself with only one or two people needed. While a fully crewed ship will run much more optimally, it is not a requirement of the ship due to it's automated features.
Lastly, due to these advanced technologies onboard the vessel, this required the weapons systems to be completely gutted from the frame of the ship. The RDV CROATOAN runs no weapons and zero offensive capabilities, relying on it's stealth and defensive systems to do the work of keeping the vessel safe. This is why ongoing research into its stealth systems is so important for the longevity of the ships continued existence.
Name:
Sayne Jadyn
Aliases:
Whiplash, Jadyn
All records on Sayne Jadyn are only current as of 10 years prior. Before that time frame, he didn't exist...at least in our universe.
His past is unknown with exception to the very publicized attacks on a group known as the "Freedom Fighters" and the death of a Liberty Senator around that same time period. However, the Freedom Fighters and Jadyn himself fell off from the public eye within a few years, their activities unknown.
He possess many implants which further enhance his combat abilities from unknown sources. One of these implants grants him the ability to kill all emotion while dramatically increasing his speed. However, utilizing this implant causes him extreme pain and often causes him to collapse after using it.
Much information about him is unknown with the exception of his combat prowess. It was this prowess that garnered him the attention of The Directive during their operations in Sirius. He was brought onboard as an enforcer shortly before they disappeared from Sirius. It was at this time that he was onboard the Techarus that would eventually be renamed to the RDV CROATOAN
For a time, he functioned as the ships XO and Security Officer. Recently, in an agreement between RTRN-NULL and Jadyn, resulted in him taking command of the vessel while Null still owns it outright and has final say concerning any encounters the ship is in.
Name:
Unknown
Aliases:
RTRN-NULL, Null
Only known as RTRN-NULL or simply "Null", the "Commander" of the vessel is far from what you would normally expect of the commander of such an advanced vessel as the RDV CROATOAN. Raised as a Junker, she quickly outgrew the environment she was raised in and went out on her own to explore the cosmos. While she may look young to a discerning eye, she is anything but naïve.
Considered an engineering genius from a young age, she quickly branched out into other fields such as computer science and networks. However, her desire to learn more about the universe around her lead her to being forced out of the Junkers for endangering others lives with her reckless experiments. In order to fund her desire for learning new things, she began hacking others and blackmailing them for their resources. She also ran a quite profitable smuggling ring for some time which is rumored to still exist under new management somewhere near Liberty space.
She was eventually recruited for The Directive shortly after obtaining her newly minted custom Bustard from NSE. From there she functioned as their hacker and dispatch for all Directive agents throughout Sirius. After the collapse of the Directive, she took her ship and went to ground deep in the Omicrons until such a time that she could ensure that she was safe from whoever or whatever had ended the Directive's existence in Sirius space.
Now, she is the Chief Engineer and ad-hoc owner of the RDV CROATOAN, lurking deep in Omicron space always keeping an eye on the goings on there and ever watchful for the threat those systems face to Sirius at large.
In closing, the RDV CROATOAN is an unknown element in the Edge Worlds. It's appearance is sometimes seen as a herald of attack by enemy parties. However, this isn't always the case. It is the belief that the vessel has consistent contact with Nomad elements in both the Taus and Omicrons and are agents of them.
Despite the ship not having any offensive capabilities, caution is advised approaching the vessel for any means by authorities. A healthy dose of suspicion is advised in all encounters with the vessel.
Dropping from the public network ...
Reconfiguring for Muninn Network ... Error. Network not found! ...
Rerouting to backup network ... Error. Backup network not found! ...
Reconnecting to public network ...
Verifying hardware encryption strength ...
Isolating integer factorizations ...
Isolating discrete logarithms ...
Isolating elliptic-curve discrete logarithms ...
Encrypting public key ...
Encrypting private key ...
To:
Log
From:
RTRN-NULL
Subject:
Omega-48 Recon
Encryption Level:
The crypt keeper has our files, they're encrypted
We flew through Omega-48 on our way to another destination and came upon some miners. We scanned both of them and saw nothing out of the ordinary so we moved on to Tau-23 where we're at now.
Reached out to NSE for an update on advancements for the CROATOAN and recently heard back. Going to reach out to some of my old crew and see if they can shuttle some of the load to it's destination so that we can get this equipment purchased. This and a couple of other upgrades and we should be good to go for advanced Recon operations in the Edge worlds. We're going to need the stealth where we're going.
That's pretty much it from my end. Jadyn doesn't have anything to add. More later, I guess.
Dropping from the public network ...
Reconfiguring for Muninn Network ... Error. Network not found! ...
Rerouting to backup network ... Error. Backup network not found! ...
Reconnecting to public network ...
Verifying hardware encryption strength ...
Isolating integer factorizations ...
Isolating discrete logarithms ...
Isolating elliptic-curve discrete logarithms ...
Encrypting public key ...
Encrypting private key ...
To:
Log
From:
RTRN-NULL
Subject:
Edinburgh Recon / California Possibilities
Encryption Level:
Find a Decoder Ring
Ran into a funny Zoner earlier this evening. Found it a bit odd that he was in a Pilgrim Liner of all things when they've got those fancy advanced ship everyone seems to be wanting. The girl on the camera shrugs and continues her log. Anyway, we had a short discussion about the possibility of us reaching out to them for some upgrades on the CROATOAN, I've heard some things about their Director...a Doctor Montgomery or something or other. Heard he's fairly trustworthy, so we might reach out to him or his team.
Additionally, heard some rumblings about the possibility of action going on in California. Some of my old smuggling contacts have indicated that their might be some folks in that sector that could use a recon ship such as the CROATOAN. I think we'll head that way and position ourselves nearby for the sake of a possibility of being hired for some work. Money isn't tight, but I don't like my boys in the freighters being picked on.
[20.11.2022 04:18:15] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: Contact.
[20.11.2022 04:18:35] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: Hmm, a Zoner in a...Pilgrim...Liner?
[20.11.2022 04:18:45] SLRC-RV>The.Stagecoach: Brad: We have wears if you have coin
[20.11.2022 04:19:07] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: We don't purchase things. We watch.
[20.11.2022 04:19:51] SLRC-RV>The.Stagecoach: Brad: Ah, all watching no talking, shame shame, must be one of those funny order fellows
[20.11.2022 04:20:18] RDV-CROATOAN: [A mirthless laugh echoes through the comm. channel]
[20.11.2022 04:20:24] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: The Order are clueless.
[20.11.2022 04:20:31] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: As always.
[20.11.2022 04:20:46] SLRC-RV>The.Stagecoach: Brad: Oh don't tell them that to their face, I'm not a fan of conferences with them to settle things down
[20.11.2022 04:20:59] SLRC-RV>The.Stagecoach: Brad: Unless you aren't a zoner, in that case good luck pal
[20.11.2022 04:21:17] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: Ha. Maybe in another life I was. These days...we just like being independent.
[20.11.2022 04:21:35] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: SLRC, researchers yeah?
[20.11.2022 04:21:46] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: Heard of you folks through the grapevine.
[20.11.2022 04:21:56] SLRC-RV>The.Stagecoach: Brad: Ah Freelancers, your the fifth one tonight, bunch of detectives about earlier too
[20.11.2022 04:22:15] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: We might have some work for you in the coming weeks or months. We're performing upgrades on our...vessel.
[20.11.2022 04:22:20] SLRC-RV>The.Stagecoach: Brad: Oh yes, we collect scientific data, assist in research projects, build things, blow things up, pretty standard stuff
[20.11.2022 04:22:29] SLRC-RV>The.Stagecoach: Brad: Well, keep in mind we don't have access to a shipyard
[20.11.2022 04:22:44] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: Hmmm, that could be a problem. A resolution will need to be sought out ahead of time then.
[20.11.2022 04:22:46] SLRC-RV>The.Stagecoach: Brad: We don't speak for the Lividia zoners, they are, even more strange than me
[20.11.2022 04:23:09] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: Indeed.
[20.11.2022 04:23:24] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: A NDA will need to be issued to you and your...uhm...Director I believe? I forget his name.
[20.11.2022 04:23:28] SLRC-RV>The.Stagecoach: Brad: That being said, should Voncloud grant you drydock time there is /very/ little outside of our reach
[20.11.2022 04:23:35] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: ...before any work is done of course.
[20.11.2022 04:23:50] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: Interesting. We will need to see what we can do then.
[20.11.2022 04:23:52] SLRC-RV>The.Stagecoach: Brad: Indeed, Director, Doctor, Montgomery
[20.11.2022 04:24:02] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: Ah, Montgomery, that was his name.
[20.11.2022 04:24:26] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: Yes, we've heard of him before. We will be reaching out after our dealings with NSE are concluded.
[20.11.2022 04:24:29] SLRC-RV>The.Stagecoach: Brad: *chuckles* Its a bit of a mouthfull but he's got the exuberance needed to field this group
[20.11.2022 04:25:00] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: I find the ones with the most interesting names are the most qualified for scientific measures.
[20.11.2022 04:25:12] RDV-CROATOAN: ?: Take my own nomenclature of RTRN-NULL.
[20.11.2022 04:25:32] RDV-CROATOAN: NULL: Not my true name, but it's a handle I adore.
[20.11.2022 04:25:54] SLRC-RV>The.Stagecoach: Brad: I see, well there can certainly be a lot of simbolism in a name
[20.11.2022 04:26:10] RDV-CROATOAN: NULL: Anyway, we have more...sights to see you understand and...an unfortunate limited cloak for the time being.
[20.11.2022 04:26:22] RDV-CROATOAN: NULL: We can't allow the CROATOAN to be seen due to it's technological advances.
[20.11.2022 04:26:36] RDV-CROATOAN: NULL: Fucking spies everywhere.
[20.11.2022 04:26:39] SLRC-RV>The.Stagecoach: Brad: Indeed, we to hide things in the back of fridges at time, can't let the icecream get out
[20.11.2022 04:26:53] RDV-CROATOAN: NULL: ...uh huh. Indeed...I think.
[20.11.2022 04:27:08] RDV-CROATOAN: NULL: Safe travels, Stagecoach. May you discover all the secrets of the universe.
[20.11.2022 04:27:11] SLRC-RV>The.Stagecoach: Brad: We'll, I'll let the boss know you're going to be coming a knocking, ta-ta
[20.11.2022 04:27:19] RDV-CROATOAN: NULL: "What a day for science." someone I once knew would say.
[20.11.2022 04:27:32] RDV-CROATOAN: [The comm. cuts off after a laugh from a woman]
... user logout detected.
Encrypting data log ...
Encryption complete ...
Powering down terminal ...
Dropping from the public network ...
Reconfiguring for Muninn Network ... Error. Network not found! ...
Rerouting to backup network ... Error. Backup network not found! ...
Reconnecting to public network ...
Verifying hardware encryption strength ...
Isolating integer factorizations ...
Isolating discrete logarithms ...
Isolating elliptic-curve discrete logarithms ...
Encrypting public key ...
Encrypting private key ...
To:
Log
From:
Jadyn
Subject:
Security Log #1
Encryption Level:
Don't bother.
In my official capacity as XO/Security Officer, I'm required to keep a log. So here is my log.
We performed a test of the reworked jump system and all seems good. First we jumped to an Omicron system; Rho I think it was. Then we targeted Burgundy as our secondary system across Sirius and into Gallia. All systems checked out.
Our next destination is Tau-23 to discuss somethings with Scientists. Not sure what Null is thinking here, but I'll follow her lead as far as this goes...her command skills need work though.
Going to hit the rack and keep us in stealth mode out here. We'll begin moving towards the Taus tomorrow.
Dropping from the public network ...
Reconfiguring for Muninn Network ... Error. Network not found! ...
Rerouting to backup network ... Backup Node "Ozymandias" Located. Connected to Muninn Network ...
Verifying hardware encryption strength ...
Isolating integer factorizations ...
Isolating discrete logarithms ...
Isolating elliptic-curve discrete logarithms ...
Encrypting public key ...
Encrypting private key ...
To:
Log
From:
RTRN-NULL
Subject:
Rebirth
Encryption Level:
This message isn't even here.
Today was a whirlwind...where to begin.
During a routine maintenance period on the Jump drive, we accidently jumped into Kepler. Jadyn was clearly annoyed by the entire thing but luckily for us...the accidental jump seemed to have been extremely fortuitous for us. As soon as the jump completed, a subsystem on the CROATOAN activated and insisted on leading us towards an old abandoned station deep in the radiation clouds. Upon further investigation, revealed that the base was actually an old Directive base.
Jadyn entered the station and ensured that it was cleared of all traps and personnel before the CROATOAN decloaked and moored with the station.
We reviewed files for hours pertaining to several subjects. The two things we were looking for was information on what happened to Jack and what happened to the Muninn network. One answer wasn't surprising, the other was.
Jack was dead, killed at the hands of...something. The network gave a series of errors when we attempted to find out exactly what. Shortly after his death, the network detonated. Conveniently his death coincided at the same time as someone named "Zylar Vespertine" went missing due to an emergency jump.
The Muninn Network wasn't destroyed as we had assumed. Something called the "Primary Link Node" was destroyed in Tau-44 at the same time Jack died and Zylar went missing. This caused the entire network to disconnect until a command was entered at Outpost Ozymandias. Once this command was entered, the Muninn Network reconnected to a "backup node" and resumed normal operations.
Due to the network becoming operational again, we had access to everything, agents, logs, the works. Jadyn surmised that due to us having access to this veritable treasure trove of information, we should resume The Directive's operations from where Jack left off with a few changes. I agreed with him and gave him the "keys" to the CROATOAN with the express understanding that I had veto power for any situation I didn't want my ship being flown into. The ship might be operating in the service of The Directive, but I wasn't about to allow it to be utilized in a manner that would destroy her.
Lastly, the changes to The Directive would be simple. Jack's death was more than likely at the hands of someone who didn't like what he'd sold to someone else. He'd probably tried to play two sides and it'd gotten him killed. My experience in fishing for dirt on high level politicians and leads of corporations had lead me to this conclusion. The simple fact is, he flaunted the data he possessed far far too much. I learned this lesson when my father nearly died because of my mistakes. Instead, we will simply observe. Whilst doing so, we will endeavor to enhance our capabilities for long distance monitoring and reconnaissance.
Money is a problem too, Jadyn has pointed out. While we possess probably one of the more advanced recon vessels in the sector, that doesn't mean that our money will last forever. The advanced engines onboard keep us from needing to make stops less often than others of the same size, but eventually we will need to stop for supplies. That requires money...money we're dangerously low on already. The answer to this is running recon for whomever requests it as an independent contractor. How this fits into The Directive, I don't know yet...and I'm guessing neither does Jadyn. We'll figure that out in time.
What this means for us, remains to be seen. I'm sure Jadyn has his own thoughts on this but I'll leave that to him. I doubt this will change things in the long run.
In the meantime, we're going to sus out some of these agents that the Muninn Network tells us are apart of The Directive. No doubt they've gone to ground in the aftermath of the "Techarus Directive". If we can find them, we'll recruit them, if not...then we'll continue on as we are...
Dropping from the public network ...
Reconfiguring for Muninn Network ... Error. Network not found! ...
Rerouting to backup network ... Backup Node "Ozymandias" Located. Connected to Muninn Network ...
Verifying hardware encryption strength ...
Isolating integer factorizations ...
Isolating discrete logarithms ...
Isolating elliptic-curve discrete logarithms ...
Encrypting public key ...
Encrypting private key ...
To:
Log
From:
Jadyn
Subject:
Distances
Encryption Level:
Don't bother.
Well, Null has departed the CROATOAN as well as The Directive. She decided that her usefulness had some to an end in this excursion and decided it was past time that she returned home to her family in Texas. I bought out her remaining ownership of the CROATOAN and she departed home. I wish her the best of luck in future endeavors.
That leaves me as the last remaining member of The Directive, and as such, I'm considering dissolving the group. There just doesn't seem to be much interest in intel being purchased or recon being run by parties other than their own even when advanced technology is at play. Possibly I need to look further into what we (meaning I) can do to recruit more people...or perhaps give up and operate independently without any names being attached. A thought experiment for later.
Additionally, I've begun the slow process of disassembling the Muninn Network transceiver array to relocate it to another station or system. Kepler has been getting even rougher as of late concerning radiation and I'm not in any hurry to stay here. Using instructions left by Null, I've been taking it apart piece by piece and storing it on the CROATOAN. With any luck, I'll find another base to buy soon to reassemble the array to get the network back up. Until then, I'll be operating blind again.
Lastly, I'm servicing the stealth systems and engines onboard the CROATOAN. Meaning I'm out of the count as well concerning activity. Hopefully I should be back up and operational within the week and can get "back on the road".