Overview:
The Nomad Containment and Research Unit (NCRU) was a Liberty funded program aimed at monitoring, controlling and researching the nomad threat to Liberty. Founded in 802 AS after Liberty officials realized that Nomads were a real threat to the security of Liberty, the NCRU operated deep in the Alaska and Ellesmere systems. Due to the extremely dangerous operations and the importance of keeping the NCRU secret the vessels involved in the program were extremely powerful and be able to go without support for extended periods of time.
Shortly after the Nomad war, Liberty officials realized that Nomads were a real threat to Liberty. The Nomads were able exploit the one entry to New York that was not heavily guarded from the inside. This meant the Nomads would be able to organize a force deep in the Alaska system without detection and then capture the most important system for Liberty, New York. The pledge was made to form an elite group of ships that would patrol Alaska and conduct research on the Nomads. Ships participating in this operation would be of a much higher standard so as to survive the harsh environment that is the deeper parts of the Alaska system without having to continuously return for repairs and supplies. The Liberty Navy chose to build a variety of ships that could fit this purpose, but only sent out the first few to see if this investment was worth it.
The first group of NCU ships to be sent out was Gunboat 410, Gunboat 413 and Cruiser 903. After a period of success and the destruction of hundreds of Nomads the group was ambushed by the Nomads. Whilst trying to escape Gunboat 410 and Gunboat 413 were destroyed with all 10 crew members on each ship on board. Cruiser 903 returned to Liberty and after extensive upgrades and repairs was allowed to continue the patrols deep in the Alaska system alone. Cruiser 903 was able to successful survive attacks from the new form of nomads know as 'assassins' which destroyed Gunboat 410, Gunboat 413 and left Cruiser 903 badly damaged. Once it was know that Cruiser 903 could survive without support, scientists were recruited to begin basic research on Nomad brains captured during battle.
When the ship returned to Liberty to pick up the research team 3 never before seen or tested systems were fitted to the ship.
Neural Brainwave Frequency Containment Field Generator:
The first device was known as a Neural Brainwave Frequency Containment Field Generator (NBFCFG) that stopped the Nomad brains collected from communicating with the crew. This, along with the upgraded cargo hold ensured that the ship would not fall under Nomad control. The NBFCFG also had another function. If the cargo hold was unable to be sealed the NBFCFG was offline a self-destruct mechanism that would activate a 5 minute timer to engine overload. The nomad field as it was called by the crew was known to be harmless to humans but because there was limited time for testing other side effects of the device were not known.
AVIOS:
The second upgrade was to the ships main computer. Cruiser 903 was fitted with a new ship operating software know as AVIOS (Advanced Vessel Intelligence and Operating System). AVIOS was a super computer that was also human like, in particular female. AVIOS was capable of handling Cruiser 903 without any crew and in the case that AVIOS calculated that the ship was salvageable after being breached by nomads it could override the self-destruct sequence. AVIOS also had an advanced wireless system which allowed it to access the information and in some cases the controls other ships if they came close enough. AVIOS was first activated on board Cruiser 903 and all information regarding AVIOS was destroyed.
Shadow Generator:
The last upgrade was known as the Shadow Generator. This device was an experimental clocking device. The Shadow Generator is only capable of masking the signals generated by Cruiser_903. The only way the ship could then be detected is by sight. Due to the low visibility within the Alaska system this was not a problem. However one problem was that the Shadow Generator generated excessive amount of heat and if used for extended periods of time the device would overheat and fail.
Soon after the research was in full swing on Cruiser 903 the order was given for the ship to return to Liberty, permanently. This order was given the Carrier LNS (//need to verify with the owner of the ship). It had been decided that the risk of Rheinlanders finding the ship and exploiting its secrets on the media was more than an attack from Nomads. To ensure that the ship would never be found it was decided that the ship would be destroyed. When the carrier informed Cruiser_903 the captain ordered the ship to attack the carrier and attempt an escape. The carrier was unable to destroy Cruiser_903 but was able to heavily damage, most likely to the point where it would be destroyed by other parties. Shortly afterwards it was found that the ship was still operating but it was beyond the Order system of Omicron Minor. It was decided that it was too risky to try and bring the ship back but from that day forth Cruiser 903 no longer belonged to Liberty and would be destroyed if it ever returned.
Diplomacy:
Allies: none
Neutral: Zoners, BHG
Hostile: Order, Corsairs, any pirate groups, anything nomad related
Main Objectives:
--Protecting Liberty by continuing the research that it was originally designed to do.
Secondary Objectives:
--Mapping of Nomad controlled systems (Lota etc.)
--Observing Nomad forces and the capturing of Nomad technologies
Areas of operation:
--Omicron Delta.
--Omicron Kappa.
--Any Nomad systems (only for short periods of time)
Dockable stations/planets and conditions:
Omicron Delta:
--Freeport 11: once a week and must stay at least 10k from the station unless docking/undocking.
--Unable to dock at any other station/planet.
Omicron Kappa:
--Planet Primus/Gammu: only for short re-supply stops
--Unable to dock at any other station/planet.