***Incoming Transmission***
***Comm ID: Hans von Goeben***
***Source: Freeport Six, Tau 29***
***Encryption: Civilian***
*The transmission consists of a simple voice message*
Hi Flora!
Glad to hear you made your way back safely, and thanks for checking on me. Sorry that it took a bit to reply, but I wanted to wait until the doctors presented definitive results which can be shared. Fortunately, Dr. Adams is still working here. As a former study colleague at Cambridge, he sped up my appointment.
*The sound of crinkling paper can be heard* ...got the diagnosis with me here. They are...*he chuckles shortly, then sighs*...equally as calming, as they are awkward.
To put it shortly, at the end of our meeting, I had an episode of retrograde amnesia. Haven't had one in months. And just like the times before, I forgot there even was medication for it onboard. Cruel irony that the memory of such medication is also affected by the very illness it combats...*Hans pauses for a moment*
Anyway, since this affliction is relevant to our...common worries...right now, it's clear that it is caused by my own hands instead of manipulation. Took a while to inquire, but medical records of the diagnosis and treatments exist on Stuttgart. Also a call home brought eludication. And finally, after the doctors here made sure everything was in order anatomically, taking the meds lifted that damn fog in my brain again. So far, so good.
And on a final note, another secret shared, since we're on a run recently. The cause of this dumb amnesia is intertwined with the failed SOL project about six years ago. We can talk about it in detail soon, but for now, let's just say a lot of folks were extremely upset with the results and wasted ressources. One of the less...diplomatic contacts which made a hefty investment, was especially direct in letting me know. While laying low on my home planet Stuttgart, one of their gorillas found me and sent some regards. Turns out a baseball bat to the temple can damage the most peculiar parts of the psyche and brain. And ever since that day, the events of the months before become foggy every now and then, without mentioned medication. Our trip to Gran Canaria, the Baillia Project, the final days of the SOL Project and my work for IRG...
So yeah. That's the rather mundane reason for my...episode...back then. Of course the plan you suggested earlier can still be realised, just to make sure. Even though I'm still not a fan of meeting these particular folks. But for now, I am ready for space once more.
From: Flora To: Hans von Goeben Encryption: Very Subject: Checkup
Yeah.
That makes sense. Not at all bizarre. I think. Well, it's good that it's nothing too serious. But yes, a proper check-up will not hurt. I have already made the call, now it's just a waiting game.
In the meantime, do keep your curiosity on a leash, okay? I think it would be best for you to distance yourself from them. At least until we have an idea on what to do next.
*Incoming transmission*
*Previous Comm Link re-established*
*Opening text message*
Hey Flora.
I am still around. In fact, my ship has been moored at Freeport Six ever since our last talk. Sounds pretty ominous, but ask whatever you want to. There are a lot of things I question myself lately, so coming clean and being honest is the only logical thing to do right now. Even got some questions of my own to you. So...just send me a quick message on the PDA when you're close to the Freeport and ready to meet in space.
From: Flora To: Hans von Goeben Encryption: Very Subject: Checkup
Hey.
Wouldn't you know, it didn't take all that much searching. I'm attaching a BAF report from the incident we spoke about. You'll have to forgive me for misremembering some of the details, but I don't think they're all that relevant in our circumstances. The report speaks for itself.
Message Class: Textual
Encryption: Pranava Mantra
To: BAF DIS
From: Captain John Khatri
This report is about a battle that took place yesterday in the New London System.
The Sovereign, with me at the helm, was protecting the orbit of our capital planet when I received the TLAGs net report of Nomad ships, again, in Manchester. I assembled a fleet consisting of the Sovereign, a Dunkirk the Hubble, an Overlord the Alaska, a Crecy the Coventry, a Thanatos the Eris, three of our snubs, one Council snub, three mercenary snubs and two Auxesian snubs.
The alien fleet eventually came to us and it was comprised of one Ishtar, one Siris, one gunboat of the infected forces and some snubs. I did not count those, but I can say that they were outnumbered. There was also a GRN Cougar nearby, which sided with the Nomads, a Gaian Claymore which sided with us and a Corsair Murmillo which originally stood by side.
I attempted to communicate with the Nomad fleet and turn them on the Corsair and the Gaul, but that bore no result. Then I ordered the fighters, all except the BAF ones, to clean up their snubcraft. As the Murmillo was still staying by side, I moved the Sovereign towards the enemy and took the Coventry with us to assist. The Eris I left nearby to monitor the Murmillo and open fire at them should they side with the Nomads. The Hubble and the Alaska I left in the New London orbit to protect the planet should any Nomad ship break through our first layer of defense. Then I also sent our own snubcraft at the enemy. The Corsair decided to open fire at the Nomads, so I ordered our capital ships out, hoping that the Nomads and the Corsair would neutralize each other. Our light wing destroyed the infected gunboat and the Nomad cruiser, and the Murmillo managed to disable the Ishtar without receiving damage.
While that was happening, and while the Gaian gunboat was helping us clean up the Nomad snubcraft, an incident occurred. The Auxesian ships, now probably more of them than there were at the start, stopped pursuing the Nomads and diverted fire to the Gaian gunboat. The captain informed me of that, so I gave a system wide order (since they were now far from the Sovereign) to all Auxesian ships to stop firing at any Gaian ships. The Auxesians directly refused my order and stated that the Gaians shot first. I repeated my order to both and demanded that the feud is resolved later, diplomatically, but my words fell on deaf ears. After that I received the standard escape pod SOS message after ship destruction, this one coming from what used to be the Gaian gunboat.
There was no time to resolve the incident on the spot, as we were in pursuit of the Murmillo. They stopped near Southampton and made a stand against the Sovereign there. It was a valiant one, but unsuccessful. The Sovereign received medium damage. Then the fleet returned to Planet New London.
Allied Ships:
1) BAF|HMS-Sovereign (Dunkirk; damaged)
2) Hubble (Dunkirk; did not take part)
3) LNS-Alaska (Overlord; did not take part)
4) BAF|HMS-Coventry (Crecy; effectively took no part)
5) =CR=FV-Eris|283 (Thanatos; effectively took no part)
6) GG-W-Raven (Claymore; disabled by Auxesia and a mercenary)
7) Various snubcraft: BAF, Council, mercenary, Auxesian (Very light or no casualties)
Enemy Ships:
1) Vagrant.Daeira (Ishtar; disabled)
2) CNS-San.Salvador (Murmillo; disabled)
3) [Callsign not recorded] (Siris; disabled)
4) Black.Lotus|Aoi (Gunboat; disabled)
5) Snubcraft; number and names not recorded, but clearly outnumbered; includes Punisher|FL.BlackSword, a Cougar (All disabled)
*Incoming transmission*
*Previous Comm Link re-established*
*Opening text message*
Hey Flora.
Thank you for your effort to dig those reports up. Since these are from the Blitz of London and not the Glassing of Leeds (as I incorrectly assumed before), and also after having a look at the communcation transcript, I'd have a few questions for our next meeting...the sort which are best discussed personally instead of over networks. Maybe over a drink somewhere, instead of cold space?
Thinking back to yesterday, I really liked the idea of visiting the Golden Dragon again. One of the best bars in Sirius, if you ask me. But any Freeport would also do. As for the time...considering the situation, I decided to use my overtime hours and request a few days off work. So, we can meet anytime you would like to. Just send me a message on the PDA and I'll be on my way.