To: IMG, Corsair and Zoner pilots out there.

[Stefan]

As the video kicks in, the image of a scrambled hair individual, sitting on a simple and empty room,
amidst the smoke of a singular cigarrete and the light of a computer screen is shown.
He looks like someone who's been missing a good night of sleep for days.

Evenin' fella's... or is it morning? Uh... I have... no clue, I think...
Uh... Yeah, hey there. Or something.

...

So, name's Jacob, you might have seen me flying if you came to Bretonia or something... Not really the point here.
I hope you don't mind me calling this late... or early, I really don't know. I'm tired as anyone can ever be.
The reason I'm doing it is... well, the reason why I haven't slept in quite a while: Aliens.

He doesn't smile, in fact he shows the face of someone who simply doesn't know how to address the matter.

I'm not sure what you guys call them, you probably have more information on that than me,
and I imagine you find it kinda funny to ask about them on this way. But... Yeah. Aliens. Blue things.

Whatever.

What are them? What the hell are them?
I thought they were a myth or something, I never thought they were actually true until... what, a month ago?

He does a pause, drags in, and exhales white smoke before talking again.

I suppose you're asking yourself "What the hell is he talking about?"
Well, t'be honest, I have no clue m'self. That's why I'm asking.
I don't leave Bretonia space much, it ain't like we got reasons to do it, but I...
I need to know more about them... and I just don't know whom to ask!

This is something of a personal favor, just... Just... Talk, really.
Run-ins, rumors... Let me pay you a shot of Marijuana or something one of these days if you wish...

So... yeah... farers of the Taus, Omegas and stuff... Can we... talk?

[Camtheman]

Incoming Transmission
Adress: Freeport 11 General Communications, Omicronium Deltion
Origin: Freeport 11
Speaker: Honorable Administrator Marvin James Orphelia

Hello there...

I am Marvin James Orphelia, Administrator of Freeport 11...

Being from Bretonia, which is very nearly the opposite side of Sirius to us, I wouldn't expect you've heard much about our Freeport. We deal with these "Nomads" as they are called on a nearly constant basis.

I have defended my Freeport, as well as the people of Omicron Delta, the system in which Freeport 11 resides, many times from some of the most powerful of the Nomads.

The Nomads originate from our side of Sirius, which is the Eastern/Northern Omicrons. Their home system, at least at this apparent time appears to be a system called Omicron Iota, although scans are inconclusive that this is in fact their home.

The Governments of the Houses have swept the issue under the rug. While I normally disagree with mo- no... all... of their descisions... They've seem to have kept them 'secret' to allow the public to have a clear conscience and worry about more domestic issues... For example... Bretonia's defense of their systems from a very human threat, the Gauls.

If you don't leave your home of Bretonia much, I don't see why you'd want this information in the first place, although the Newcastle system is a possibility, along with the possibility of another Nomad outpost in the little-known system of Chester, which was recently charted.

Marvin James Orphelia,
Administrator of Freeport 11
Administrator of Freeport 13

[Stefan]

Ah... g'd'evening Mr. Marvin... Or whatever the time is over there...
I kinda wished to believe all this was conspiracy stories and stuff but...
On the last four weeks I had two encounters with these... things.

The look on his eyes changes to something close to obsession.

"Nomads", you called them? And you say Newcastle?
Wow, so that's why that system is a Agent Hornetnest...
I can't really express my confusion on these matters, as hard as I try...
Iit's just that... they seem... Seemed... You know, it's like... Gah...!

He draws in a long sigh and colapses on his hands.

I have always believed Nature being the closest thing to a God.
And now... Now I ain't sure anymore.

[AeternusDoleo]

**** Incoming Transmission ****
From: Johnathan Sanders
To: Jacob Fade
Subject: Aliens
Encryption: Low

Greetings,

Sadly, we have very little information on these aliens. They are most commonly referred to as "Nomads", although some folk, mainly Outcasts, refer to them as "Spirits" instead. As I understand it they are some kind of space-based lifeform, using some kind of organic technology directly in spacetravel. They seem to come from the deeper Omicron region - beyond Tau space. We have no holdings there. The Zoners might know more of these beings, as I understand it they have a number of Freeports in the region.

A word of caution: These aliens are most often hostile, and are a threat not to be taken lightly. Individually they are generally more maneuverable then the average patrol craft, and whatever they are using as weaponry is quite powerful. If you intend to go looking for them, I recommend you bring a strong escort. The advice we give our mining bands is to avoid contact with these beings when possible, and use excessive force to surpress them if they approach our bases. Luckily, they rarely do. The few encounters we have had with them usually involve smaller craft accompanying an Outcast raiding party.


Regards,
- Johnathan Sanders, on behalf of the Independent Miners Guild

**** Transmission Closed ****

---

Wide awake in a world that sleeps, enduring thoughts, enduring scenes. The knowledge of what is yet to come.
From a time when all seems lost, from a dead man to a world, without restraint, unafraid and free.

Mostly retired Discovery member. May still visit from time to time.

[Stefan]

When the transmission patches through, Jacob is staring at the camera with a blank look.

I'm sorry, I must have understood wrong, you said... Outcasts?
Great... just great... Why does everything has a sick sense of humor these days...

He dives in on his hands again. After a while he raises his head, hands on his neck.
His eyes zone away from the line of sight of the camera, but he keeps talking anyway.

Thanks for answering, Sanders. Really do.
I find it... weird... to consider them hostile...
The few times I... ran into them they were merely... curious, at best...
Ironic... The moment they vanished, the curious became me.

Do you know if... Anyone has ever managed to trade words with'em?
I still have headaches about my last meeting, they can mess'up really bad with ye'head...
It... would be interesting sharing words with some'ne with that experience...

[Camtheman]

Incoming Transmission
Adress: Freeport 11 General Communications, Omicronium Deltion
Origin: Freeport 11
Speaker: Honorable Administrator Marvin James Orphelia

I wouldn't call them curious...

They're far too agressive to be curious. Anything they learn from their assaults on our space stations and ships is just coincidence to them, I believe.

Trading words, if you can even call what they 'speak' words, is rare and is usually squarely ended with gunfire, especially if your ship has nottle armaments, such as ... unescorted heavy transports, lone fighters...

Very oppertunistic, the Nomads, yet agressive and rash at the same time.

They've charged Freeport 11's defense fleet many-a-time when they were outnumbered and outgunned by the multi-faction minuteman-esque 'fleets' we mustered with incredibly short notice, seemingly unaware of the imminent destruction and death that would ensue for them...

[Slavik]

**** Incoming Transmission ****
From: Ronaldo Benitez
To: Jacob Fade
Subject: Sushi
Encryption: Low

Buenos Diaz senor,

I've seen them and I've fought them multiple times. Yaren Base in omicron delta has the same problems as Freeport 11. However senor, non of us here are true specialists and only deal with them in a defensive manner. There are people that might be able to help you with more information senor, but getting in touch with them is risky, dangerous and muy hard.

The order senor, they might be able to help you with more detailed information. How to reach them though? I have no idea, the only contact we have with them is when they come close to our bases

Ciao for now
Ronaldo Benitez
**** Transmission Closed ****

---

There used to be pictures here

once known as Richard Farbridge, OBE and Ronaldo Benitez

[Stefan]

Head laying down on his arms, he voice commes muffled.

Then I think I'm dumber then I though.

On my first encounter with then I was on a Claymore.. My baby...
You know what I did? Cut the goddamn's hields off, yes, off.

And it felt like I was dreaming something "it" wanted me to dream...
It felt wierd, but not agressive.

The second time though, it was different...
It was a bigger one, like a huge sphere... It exhaled anger, somehow...
But after I tried talking about my first meeting with them... It...
It gave up attacking...

Gah...

...

Sorry for my state, it's just...
It's like... Trying to piece everything together, somehow...

[Ganimed]

*** From: Mara Arin, stationed at Battleship Hood

*** *** [color=#CC6600]To: Jacob Fade

*** *** *** Affiliation: IMG, Research and Exploration Division, Member rank


Greetings Mr Fade, your name reminds me of a person who I deeply care
about which seems to be the reason I read your message in the first place.
It is not in my profession to study these creatures, but the Guild wasn't
keeping me busy at some point in the past, so I decided to play with the
blue aliens as you called them. From my first encounter with them, I've
studied them in my free time and even talked to some prestigious pilots
who had contact with the largest aliens. Why don't you come to my office
on Battleship Hood in Dublin, so we can talk there? I haven't met another
person who's interested in these creatures in years, apart from a colleague
of mine, so I'm intrigued why are you seeking rumors about them.

If you decide to visit me, I'm sure a talk with you will be a welcomed rest
from constant studying.

---

Mark of the Paragon

<div align="right">&quot;For all her contributions to the Guild, with an unparalleled zeal and professionalism...&quot; - Takeshi Ogawa</div>

<div align="right">&quot;The Shrink's Insights&quot; chief psychologist

''It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.''</div>

[Stefan]

The ashtray ahead filled with smoke remains, Jacob lays back on his chair, looking like he managed to take a nap at least.

The Order, huh. I'm not sure that's the kind of fellas I wanna get involved with.
All that talk on the news about being terrorists and stuff smell like conspiracy to me... but...
They seem to frame a much bigger picture than I want to get involved with...
Ah... I don't know... I just don't know.

He lets a long yawn slip.

Ahw... Sorry, sorry... I just had the best fifteen minute nap of my life.
Mara, I'd like that... I really would... But I will ask for you to recheck the ID here, cuz...
Well, cuz your message header was send to the Reavers and there're no Reavers here.

He tries his best to lift a small smile, but on the end it just doesn't look like one.