HMS-Ocean
The Battleship Ocean is stationed in the area of BPA Newgate, the deep-max penitentiary in Manchester. To deter jailbreaks and freeing attempts the Ocean positioned itself just outside the minefield encompassing Newgate, covering the only entrance through the mines. Criminal groups in the Border Worlds were growing stronger, and the need for an Armed Forces battleship had become considerable enough to ensure the protection of the Manchester system. However, the Ocean leaves the system of Manchester from time to time to assist in major military operations throughout Bretonia and the front lines of Leeds. Orders from Auxiliary Chief Marshal James Montgomery of Her Majesty's Armed Forces.
Commanded by Captain Talbot Carstairs with the Commander Ashton Barker as his Second-in-Command. Captain Carstairs is a stern man, harshened by the war against Kusari. Having served on front lines in the Taus, Carstairs knew what had to be done when every thing's at stake. He's devoted servant of the Crown and would do anything to ensure the safety of his fellow Bretonians. When not commanding at the bridge, his old and trusted friend Commander Barker would assume command of the ship.
Captain Carstairs frequently provide missions for freelancers and civilians passing occupying the system. Anything from pilot retrieval to deliveries. Paying handsomely for completing his tasks, however he only offers them to pilots who's Universal rank doesn't exceed thirty (30).
Captain's log, 032418
The system of Manchester can be quiet at times, though I had the luck to run into a friendly vigilante by the name of [:E:]_Ocelot. He kept me company, aiding us in locating and capturing criminals that run rampart in the system. An outstanding man, with limitless potential. The criminals we caught together were brought on-board Newgate by shuttles, ferrying them in bundles. I'm surprised none of their friends tried to break them free, but I guess that's how much these murderous thieves and cold bastards care for each other.
Today's catch
At this rate, Newgate will be crowded in no time. Perhaps it's time that second BPA penitentiary were constructed. Or is that just empty talks... Although I was surprised to hear from an BPA officer on the station, that they're allowed to shoot to kill. For any reason. A tad brutal, but an effective way to keep the population and dissent at acceptable levels.
I left Commander Barker in command at the bridge, while I'm having a cup of tea with crumpets at my private quarters. Barker is a fine man, and I trust him with my life. I heard he had a brother in the Armed Forces, now what's his name...
Funny thing though! A trader passing through the system mistook my name for a Corsair's! He actually thought my name were 'Corsair', not Carstairs! He blamed his mistake on fatigue, but I suspect he might been flying while under the influence. I only hope the BPA caught him before he could crash his ship into a station, or worse!
Mollys, Mollys, Mollys. I had no idea they infested the system of Manchester so heavily! I'm amazed Kingston and Liverpool Border Stations haven't been overrun by those crooks yet! We suffered one of their attacks today, probably aimed for Newgate penitentiary. I only hope we can replace our losses the Mollys inflicted on us before they were driven off; good fighter pilots are hard to come by these days. Every ship lost is close to irreplaceable.
Well, good news at least! We managed to apprehend many more of them, and they're all being ferried to Newgate as I speak. Good thing the Ocean's been stationed in Manchester, crime is running amok. At least the miners on Birmingham will be pleased with lesser attacks on their operations.
Detained Mollys
I had a long and good conversation with a friendly Junker, miss Suzume, captain of the Lonely.Sparrow{ST}. Bit shy at first, but I managed to get her talking. Actually, she couldn't shut herself up! Her communicator malfunctioned, transmitting her every word she spoke, all across the system channel. I hope we meet again, as I enjoyed our chat. Sadly, most of the passers by are quiet as mice. It's nice to have someone talk back, for a change!
The bow of the HMS Ocean, Manchester System
By the bye, I came in contact with Commander Barker's relative. Benjamin was his name, should be easy enough to remember. We only talked briefly, but he seemed to be an upstanding good man! Perhaps I can convince Commander Barker to have Benjamin transferred to the Ocean's fighter corps! Hah!
The influx of Mollys in Manchester is amazing... We send one of them to Newgate, and another three pops up to take the other one's place. I've yet to grasp why they're so interested in the system of Manchester anyway. Do they really care so much about the BMM mining operations, or do they think that piracy is generally safer to conduct here... They are, literally, everywhere in Manchester! At least they'll keep Newgate running!
Apprehended Mollys
We also caught wind of a smuggler. A Zoner vessel by the name of Ridgerunner was caught crashing down the trade lanes from New London, packed with alien Artifacts. The vessel managed to enter a second trade lane leading to Sheffield Station, but a wing of fighters were dispatched after him. He managed to evade the pursuers somewhere in the Magellan system. We'll keep an eye out for this smuggler, and perhaps we can see him coming next time.
Passing time
We were also contacted by a group that call themselves the Sirius Revolutionary Front, or SRF for short. Borderline terrorists, they claimed to be, hitting "mega-corporations" to cripple the economy of Houses. They also revealed that they operate mainly in Kusari, disrupting shipping and attacking traders there, as well as fighting the KNF. I've received no other reports regarding this group of rebels, and they seem to leave traders alone in the systems of Magellan, Cortez and Manchester. However, I made it very clear to them that if they reside to piracy against Bretonia, in her systems or against her people, the Ocean will be forced to take appropriate actions against them.
As for now, they maintain docking rights with the Ocean. In return, they agreed to bring any pilots they take prisoner to us. May it be criminals, Kusari pilots or otherwise.
Those rebellious bastards, they are, the Sirius Revolutionary Front rebels! The other day, they act all casually and I was actually enjoying their company in Manchester. But not today...
I suspect yesterday's approach by them was only a devious plot to gain hindsight how the Ocean operates. Today, they used that information they had gathered, to assault Her Majesty's Ship Ocean!
Slandering the Queen and the great House of Bretonia, they spat their idealistic propaganda how all of Sirius was corrupt, that there would be no war between the Houses if it weren't for power hungry politicians. They even dared to say that the diplomatic talks between Bretonia and Kusari was meant to fail before they started, prior to this war! All to blame our corrupt politicians and leaders... No more than propaganda and lies, I told them!
I had a feeling they hadn't come to Manchester just to spread their propaganda, and my gut was right. Once I abolished their slanderous comments, they tried to persuade me to join their cause! Mutiny! The Ocean flying under colours of the Sirius Revolutionary Front! Unimaginable! I have sworn my allegiance to the Queen, to serve her and protect her subjects! I would never side with a rag-tag bunch of rebellious fools, abiding to piracy and murder...
By now, they realized I wasn't going to surrender my ship to their cause. But they wouldn't had brought so many numbers to field, if they really thought I would... Their two bombers and two fighters faced the full might of Her Majesty's Ship Ocean. A Dunkirk class battleship, armed with countless turrets and the thickest of armour!
A fierce battle ensued, their agile fighters drawing the attention of my gunners, while their bombers remained at a distance carefully aiming their Antimatter Cannons. Taking heavy fire by their weapons, I commanded the ship to head for BPA Newgate.
During our flight, our gunners managed to break through their shields several times, but to little help. The wide open space between Sheffield Station and BPA Newgate provided plenty of room for them to manevour. I would have to tighten the battlefield. The southern Sheffield ice field was close by, but we received earlier reports that there were plenty of Mollys lurking in that field, and I didn't want more hostile ships to open fire on the Ocean. The narrow corridor in the Newgate minefield provided us that we needed.
The battle raged on, but now we had the upper hand. The minefield, complemented by a set of platforms, gave the rebels hell! It wasn't long before one of their bombers took devastating hits from one of the platforms, and the ship was turned to scrap metal. Another one, lost flight control and flew straight into the minefield. Their comrades, still alive, realized defeat was inevitable. They rescued the escape pods of their fallen, and broke off their attack. The Ocean was victorious!
I doubt this will be the last we see of them, but at least now I know their true intentions. If they dare enter the system of Manchester, they'll know that the Ocean will be here... ever vigilant.
Those rebels of the Sirius Revolutionary Front never ceases to surprise me. Today, they've made reality of their threats. This attachment is a log that comm operator Webster printed as a hard copy for me, it read as follows:
Quote:Riposting Shadow: Well, well, well. Are you there, captain? Captain Carstairs: Let me open a second channel.. there.. We hear you loud and clear. Identify yourself. Riposting Shadow: Talbot?
Riposting Shadow: Or Barker?
Riposting Shadow: I'm Andrew Light. Leader of the Sirius Revolutionary Front. Captain Carstairs: Ah, you know my name Talbot.. you must be one of those rebels, arn't you..
Captain Carstairs: I thought I recognized your voice.. Mr Light: How's it going? Captain Carstairs: Outstandingly, as always. Mr Light: We'd like to give you a little gift. Just because we like you.
Mr Light chuckles
Mr Light: We won't attack you this time. Captain Carstairs: The Armed Forces don't accept gifts from terrorists, mr Light. Mr Light: Oh, you think
Mr Light: Then these guys should float in space forever..Right? Captain Carstairs: I can see where this is leading.. Mr Light: We are not going to attack you.
Mr Light: We just want to give back your guys. Captain Carstairs: I doubt you'd dare another raid on Her Majesty's Ship Ocean.
Captain Carstairs: You know where to find us. Mr Light laughs
Mr Light: We will, but not today. Captain Carstairs: Hopefully, that won't be a problem. Mr Light: So what do you say?
Mr Light: We have hostages. Captain Carstairs: If those men come to harm, you can expect us to hunt you mercilessly. Mr Light: Oh, really? Captain Carstairs: But what I don't understand, is what do you want in return?
Captain Carstairs: You know we do not negotiate with terrorists. Mr Light: Hmm.. I'm sure we can find a diplomatic way to solve this.
Mr Light: These guys fear death. Captain Carstairs: As any sane man do. Mr Light: So you don't care about their death? Captain Carstairs: Of course I do. I'm counting on your not stupid enough to get them killed. Mr Light: Maybe not..
Mr Light: They are Police guys.
Mr Light: Most of them Captain Carstairs: Bretonians, none the less. Mr Light: Rats... heh..
Mr Light: Guys who work for the filthy Queen. Right?
Mr Light: Doing the dirty job instead of her. Captain Carstairs: Your slanderous comments of Her Majesty will not aid you, mr Light. Mr Light: I'm sure about it. LOCALCaptain Carstairs: Unknown vessel detected! All hands to battlestations! Mr Light: 2 of my men is currently there. LOCALRuthless Revolt: Attention Escort 1, we got company! Mr Light: I think you've already noticed them. Captain Carstairs: We have. Mr Light: They are waiting for my order. We can make a deal, if you want to. Captain Carstairs: What are your demands, mr Light? Mr Light: We'd like to give us a hand.
Mr Light: Whole Bretonia on the side of the SRF would be outstanding. Don't you think? Captain Carstairs: What are you trying to say, mr Light? Mr Light: Join us. And help the revolution! Captain Carstairs: I thought we put that behind us, mr Light. I know where my loyalties lie. Mr Light: Then your employees shall die. Captain Carstairs: You're only burning bridges, mr Light. Point of no return. Mr Light: "...Burning bridges lost for anymore..." Ah.. good ol' times.
Mr Light: Or evermore is it?
Mr Light: Can't remember well.. Captain Carstairs: I urge you to think carefully what your next actions will be. They might cost you more than you'd think. Mr Light: Anyway, my dear captain. If you're not going to join us, the comrades of yours will die before you.
Mr Light: Fortunately you don't know about our following action. Do you? Captain Carstairs: I know you'll regret what you're about to do. I'll make sure of it. Mr Light: Where is the Ocean now? Captain Carstairs: That information is classified.
END OF TRANSMISSION
That was only the beginning. By now we had been contacted by a Liberty Navy Ship christened the Pacific, commanded by Captain Georgi Dimitrov. He requested a meeting of our two ships, in the independent system of Cortez. I accepted his request, and we left the system of Manchester. I enjoyed the conversation with Captain Dimitrov. It's not everyday I get to speak with our friends across the border Bit ironic I must say, as close that we are...
Captain Dimitrov wished us farewell, as he had to depart. I was just about to order helmsman Henderson to bring the Ocean back to Manchester, when those cursed revolutionaries jumped into Cortez. Log read as follows:
Quote:Mr Light: I like this system...
Mr Light: It's so....friendly. Captain Carstairs: Mr Light.. how delightful to hear your voice crackling over the comms yet again. Mr Light: Oh! Greetings, Talbot. How are you? Captain Carstairs: My friends call me Talbot. You may refer to me as Captain Carstairs. Mr Light: As you wish, Talbot.
Mr Light: Err.. Captain.
Mr Light: Sorry.
Mr Light: Would you come above the sun of Cortez? Captain Carstairs: I'm trying to make it a habit of not running into traps, mr Light. Mr Light: I can assure you, now we mean no harm.
Mr Light: Then come to the Jumphole of Coronado
Mr Light: Guys, discharge the weapons. No need for fight, now. Captain Carstairs: You have only given me reason to distrust you so far, mr Light. Mr Light: See these guys floating here? Captain Carstairs: We're reading their life signs, yes. Mr Light: Fire at will, comrades. Captain Carstairs: Stop this killing immediately!
Captain Carstairs: Lieutenant! Sheilds up, weapons online! Mr Light: Weapons online, guys!
Mr Light: Fire at will! Captain Carstairs: Blasted murderers!
END OF TRANSMISSION
Those murderous bastards had captured more than a dozen of BPA constables and several civilians, just to eject their escape pods and blast them to smithereens! I commanded the Ocean to engage the killer rebels, and a fierce battle ensued!
Massacre
This time they had brought considerable firepower. Three bombers mounted with Antimatter Cannons and Nova Torpedoes, and a fighter acting escort. In the end, casualties were heavy on both sides. The arrival of a fourth bomber, a Lane Hacker smelling blood, made things only worse. Oddly enough the SRF didn't seem to want the Hacker to engage, but the crazed Cardamine addict saw only blood.
Captain Dimitrov of the LNS Pacific had returned, and together we managed to chase off the revolutionary forces. I'm proud to say that the Ocean is credited two confirmed kills, the first of many to come.
Boogie down
The SRF will no longer find any safety in the system of Manchester, as we will relentlessly hunt them down like the animals they are. With the transfer of three Crusader wings of the 563th 'Yellows', they'll have no chance to escape.
Heavy ion storms raging through Manchester today, heck, it could cover all of Sirius far as I know! Lets wait and see how long we have to stay here, as the men are growing restless already.
We're keeping the Ocean moored with Newgate until the storm passes, so perhaps the men can enjoy themselves preventing jail breaks and stomping down riots. Lieutenant, lights out!
Outstanding! Finally the bloody ion storm seems to have passed. The men are all eager to set out again I reckon, being trapped on board the Ocean and Newgate for several days, doing nothing but beating down riots! Good training though, as I do not wish to rely solely on a detachment of marines to repel boarding parties.
And then there are the Mollys... the Admiralty has agreed a full ceasefire with all vessels of the Molly Republic, and I intend to follow these orders. However if those dirty bandits dare to engage in piracy anywhere in Manchester, they'll wish they never had left Dublin...