FORWARD!---------
Ice Heart, 05-12-2000 10:18 PM
(Zeta Prime Orbit, bridge of the NHD Iron Fist)
The NHD Djebauti, one of the Pretender's destroyers, was finally destroyed as the Anubis' potent main beam punched through the Djebauti's hull and through the many decks to the reactor room. The battered ship exploded violently, scattering debris in all directions and its shockwave swallowing both Pretender and Loyalist fighters and bombers which had been too near the ship.
Harak's own Iron Fist was engaged in a slugging match with the NHD Ennead, a Pretender Mentu, and a Pretender Sobek. The Pretender's fleet had launched a counter-attack a mere day after Harak's own assault had failed. They had attacked with a large amount of their forces, throwing all three of their Ramses destroyers and three quarters of their smaller Sobek corvettes and Mentu-cruisers against Harak's forces. The remainder of the smaller ships and the Pretender's reconstructed Typhon were left to guard the Pretender's shipyards against any possible counter-assault by Harak's forces. A very good plan, one which ensured Harak was reacting to them, rather than dictating the battle on his own terms.
Harak smiled grimly as the Djebauti finally went down, that ship had taken a severe pounding, just as it was designed to do. It had taken the Anubis combined with the NHD Abydos, NHCv Am-heh, NHCv Imiut, and a steady stream of bombs from the Anubis and Abydos' bomber wings to finally get the ship down. Aside from the Iron Fist, the Ramses was the toughest Vasudan destroyer type every developed, though it lacked the firepower of the ultra-high powered main beams of the Iron Fist and Anubis, it made up for that with being even stronger and having its beams positioned so that at least two to could be brought bear no matter what side the enemy attacked the ship from. This was an advantage over both the Anubis and the Iron Fist, both modified Hatshepsuts which were least defended from their belly and aft areas. The Djebauti's death came at a price, for as he watched the NHD Behedti, a Pretender allied Ramses, fired the four beams it could bring to bear forward into a Loyalist Sobek. The loyal NHCv Amathaunta, which had until then sustained only mild damage, was literally cut in half by the withering beam fire, which had been well aimed on the slim central shaft of the corvette. The two parts drifted away from one another; spewing gas, debris, and bodies out of the gaping holes. The NHC Mert-sekert fired its belly-mounted anti-capital ship beams into the aft segment. The beams hit the exposed area, chewing through the exposed decks and finding the reactor core. The core exploded, vaporizing most of the drifting aft section while the helpless fore segment continued its drift, ignored and no longer a threat.
"Sir, main beam has recharged!" The gunnery officer aboard the Iron Fist shouted.
"Hit the Ennead with it again. Communications, contact the Anubis. Tell them to come about and bring their main beam to bear on the Ennead as well." Harak ordered.
The beam powered up, then flashed out at the Ennead. The Shivan-tech influenced redish-yellow beam slammed into the port side of the Ennead, boring into the tough hull plating. It had beed off target slightly, the shot was meant for the already weakened section where the Iron Fist's first beam shot had landed. Nonetheless, it did some damage to the destroyer. The Ennead returned the favor in kind, firing its two portside beams and the dorsal beam into Iron Fist's face. One hit dangerously close to the bridge, obliterating a flak turret nearby but not penetrating the bridge. Harak flexed his prosthetic arm, a reminder of a similar incident during the Second NHOL Conflict. That beam had hit the bridge, he had lost his arm to a secondary explosion caused by the shot.
The Anubis was slowly lumbering about to bring its own main beam against the Ennead. As it maneuvered, its dorsal and rear mounted beams lanced out at the Ennead, hitting it on its starboard side. Another thirty seconds or so and the Anubis would be lined up to fire its heavy main beam at the Ennead. Excellent, if they could take down another of the Pretender's destroyers, they could turn this surprise attack into a victory.
The seconds ticked by as battle raged around and nearby the Iron Fist. The Anubis was in position, from the bridge of the Iron Fist Harak could see the main beam of the Anubis powering up. Ten seconds after that, Harak's ship should have its own beam recharged. Then, a moment before the Anubis was going to unleash its beam, the Ennead jumped out of the area. The beam meant for it slashed through empty space to slam into a Loyalist Mentu cruiser that had been above and to starboard of the Iron Fist. Harak swore, a clever maneuver that had been. Using one of his own weapons to destroy one of his own ships. Harak noted that the last Pretender destroyer was pulling out, along with almost all of the corvettes and cruisers.
Except one, a tiny Aten that the Pretender's shipyards had obviously pulled from the junkyards. This Aten sped forward at an astounding velocity of 85m/s, sped towards the construction dock that held the NHD Unut, a Ramses-class destroyer under construction. Harak realized the tactic even before he heard the maniacal shout over comm. "Death to the Unbeliever!" A wild-eyed Vasudan shouted into the commscreen on the little Aten.
"Stop that ship!" Harak ordered. Anti-capital ship beams and turrets tried to hit it, any of the beams hitting would have been sufficient to destroy the little cruiser, but it travelled at a velocity above that which the anti-capship beams could effectively track. A few turret rounds hit home, tearing holes in the thin, deteriorating armor of the old ship; but it was not enough. The Aten hit home, it had been stuffed with volatile explosives and its explosion tore into the Unut, through the exposed internal structure which had yet been reinforced or covered with armor. The explosion touched off the reactor and the Unut, along with its construction dock and all the construction vessels nearby, were destroyed in a blast. A large chunk of debris from the construction dock slammed into the nearby Karnak installation and tore a great hole in the facility's side.
Harak slumped into his chair. The Pretender had done it again, Harak had bloodied his nose by destroying the Djebauti, but the Unut, which would likely have made it possible for Harak's forces to simply overrun the Pretender's forces, had been destroyed. Along with the expensive construction dock and the irreplaceable loss of skilled construction personnel.
The Pretender's ground based forces had launched a simultaneous attack on the planet below but fortunately they had been repulsed with heavy losses to the Pretender's forces, thanks to the recent training of General Sevek's special operations units. But the loss of the shipyard more than compensated for the good news of the repulsing of the Pretender's ground offensive.
Harak sighed. This war will not be over in a mere month, or two months. Harak thought. It will drag on, drag on until we have bled ourselves white killing each other. What then should our GTVA foes stumble upon us?.
---------
PeachE, 05-13-2000 12:45 AM
Admirals Log
GTVCv Anatu
Beta Aquilae
Right before our scheduled departure from Ross 128, we recieved orders from the GTVA. Apparently, they had heard of some our losses in recent attacks. A troop transport was sent with reenforcements for us, a peace offering if you will.
The orders are quite clear and to the point. Civil strife is to be put aside. The war has begun.
End Log
--------------------
Bridge, put me through on audio to the other ships and activate the intercom on all levels of the Anatu.
"Yes Admiral"
[A communications officer flipped a few dials and raised the other ships in the battle group. The Admiral would speak to his crew.]
My fellow Terrans, as you all know, an alliance has been arranged between us and the GTVA. We have agreed to put aside our differences for the benefit of all kind. What you may not know is the reason why.
A short time ago, the Vega node to Capella was reopened, and Shivan warships have begun to reenter the Vega system, Shivan Juggernauts, known as Sathanas', have come through, as well as several Ravanas and Molochs. Now, some of you have never seen a Shivan, most of you in fact. But this is a new crew. It is to be expected. So, for the benefit of those who have never faced a Shivan, the technical databases and libraries have been updated as necessary. I want you to be familiar with every aspect of a Shivan ship before we get where we're going.
Our orders, for now, are to remain in Beta Aquilae. A GTVA Deimos Class Corvette, the Phobos, will be rendevouzing with us here. From here on in, consider them part of the fleet. New officers and crew arrived yesterday as replacements. Make them feel at home. I don't want any grudges being held in my ships.
When the Phobos arrives, we have been ordered to head immediately for Vega, where we will proceed to hastily wipe every Shivan son of a ***** we find off the starmap.
[The cheers go up in all the ships. The Admiral can hear his crew yelling from the decks below him. He smiles and pauses for a short while]
You should know one thing, there will probably be Vasudans on board the Phobos. Deal with it! Now, I don't expect you to like it. I don't expect you to leap for joy at the prospect of having to work side by side with the species you have come to call your enemy. What I do expect is for you to act like soldiers! We have a mission! You will carry it out! Our survival, the survival of the human race, depends on it.
Let me close by emphasizing the severity of our situation. We are going into battle with the fiercest species man has ever met! If you see a Shivan ship, destroy it. If you hessitate... you're already too late.
That is all.
---------
Ice Heart, 05-13-2000 09:05 AM
(Vega System, near the Beta Aquilae jump node)
A subspace vortex opened and the Phobos emerged. The corvette and its crew waited nervously for its subspace drive to recharge for an inter-sytem jump to Beta Aquilae. Beta Aquilae was the most likely route for any other escaping GTVI ships to follow. None emerged. No Shivans emerged either. The sensors on a Deimos corvette were not good enough to sweep an entire system, but they could pick up the area where the losing battle for the node was being fought. It registered as a huge bulge of energy, the energy expended from firing beam and turret weapons.
Falstaff had been in the GTVI most of his life, much of his career had been spent aboard this very ship, but aside from Capella he had never before witnessed a slaughter of such magnitude. The GTVI ships that had remained had inflicted a number of casualties on the Shivan force, but the Shivans could afford the casualties. The GTVI and the Alliance as a whole could not.
Falstaff cursed the stupidity of his superiors. They should have more thoroughly tested the shut down mechanism, else this may not have happened. He agreed that they needed to stay abreast of what was happening in that sealed off system, but he also thought that they should have been much more cautious. Now they had unleashed a third Shivan assault on their worlds at a time when the Alliance was least prepared. They had been weakened by the Second NHOL War, and finally outright war between the quarrelsome Alliance and the SDF had broken out. So much for hindsight, he thought bitterly.
"Helm, how long until we can make the jump to Beta Aquilae?"
"Four minutes, sir."
He turned to his comm officer. "Communications, get a message off to Command ASAP, tell them that Capella is reopened and the Shivans are coming. Record it, set it to loop over and over again until we receive a reply from Command."
"But sir, our operations there were secret." The officer replied.
"I don't give a damn anymore. Do you think they will really care about our rogue operations with the threat of genocide knocking again at the door? They have to be warned."
The officer bent to his task and Garrett glanced back at his sensor display, the intense energy field seemed to be lessening in its intensity, undoubtedly because the final remnants of the GTVI fleet were being mopped up. In another minute or two he imagined that the annihilation would be complete and the Shivans would then spread to leave the system. He only hoped that they would not spread towards the Beta Aquilae node before he left.
A minute later, they received a communication, not from Command but a different source:
TO: ALL SHIPS
FROM: CAPTAIN TODD RIPPER, GTC HORAN
SUBJECT: SHIVAN INCURSION
Attention all ships. The Vega/Capella jump node has been reopened. Shivan forces are pouring through the node. At least two juggernaut class vessels are in Vega now. An unknown number may still be coming. All ships, put aside your differences, the greater enemy is upon us. Repeating. . .
Falstaff remembered hearing about the Horan, it must have been amongst those five ships that had jumped in on the operation shortly before the destruction began. At least there was one more survivor.
Shortly thereafter, they received another communication, this one from a group calling itself the Terran Marauder Battle-group, former enemies now turned allies of the GTVA. They had requested that the Phobos rendezvous with them. Falstaff decided he would follow those orders, but he would enter the area cautiously, ready to depart at the first sign of trouble. He had a few Vasudan crewmembers and he knew of the TMB's hate for Vasudans, if they showed any sign of attacking him, the Phobos would jump out and inform Command ASAP that the TMB was no longer an ally...
---------
Velocity7, 05-13-2000 11:47 AM
5/13/2384, 1000 hours
GTC Horan -- Bridge
Vasuda/Antares Jump Node
-----
With the Horan on their journey to Tau Sigma, the Redway and the Afyror left for the Beta Aquilae War Tribunal Court to deliver whatever is inside the box. Although Velocity 7 was curious, his conscience tells him not to open it.
The Aeolus and Mentu cruisers headed towards the Antares jump node when suddenly a transmission popped up in front of the GTC Redway's screen. Also, some corvettes blocked the node.
"You are not authorized to proceed to Antares," a man said.
Velocity 7 frowned. "Who are you?"
"An officer of GTVA Command. Turn your ships around and go back wherever you came from."
"This is the GTC Redway currently coming with the GVC Afyror, delivering something regarding the Eishtmo to the Beta Aquilae War Crimes Tribunal."
"...what is it?"
"I do not know. I haven't even checked inside. All I have been told from Captain Ripper, commander of the GTC Horan, is to bring this to Beta Aquilae by all means."
"Please give me a moment." the screen went on a hold. Then the screen split in half, and a transmission from the Afyror opened.
"Terran," B'tok asked, "why the stall?"
"Command wants us to hold on a second before authorizing us to go ahead. Leaving Vasuda without authorization can be a serious crime, you know."
"I understand, but why send a small box? What does this have to do with...the Eishtmo?"
"Frankly, I don't know. I only hope Captain Ripper makes it to wherever he's going to, and if I'm lucky enough, I'll follow behind him."
"I see."
The screen from GTVA Command went on again. "Redway and Afyror, you may proceed. Be sure not to bring bombs or anything."
"Like I would," Velocity 7 frowned yet again.
After both screens went off, the cruisers broke off their blockade and the Redway and Afyror resumed their journey to Beta Aquilae.
-----
Commander Velocity 7's Log
5/13/2384, 1200 hours
I still do not know why Ma'thon said. "What is in the box, only you can decide if you are ready." What does he mean by that? If I only realized what danger the box holds, then I would ask myself the question, "Am I ready?" Now the Shivans have returned due to the GTVI's idiocy, and with the GTVA and SDF civil wars still going on, we may actually have our second Great War happen again. If the GTVA does not come up with a new super destroyer soon, we may become extinct. In any other case, I will deliver this box to the Beta Aquilae War Crimes Tribunal. Afterwards, I'll contact the Horan using the Beta Aquilae Communications Terminal. Hopefully, I'll find some answers...
End log
-----
---------
Mattouf, 05-13-2000 01:52 PM
Adhara System
Adhara XI
WBD Red Dragon
General Todd Blackman entered the bridge of the modified Hecate destroyer. Supreme General Lockhart had given him command of the ship, especially because the GTVA are allowing them to come back and help. However, the Wolf's Brigade has to get there on their own. That means running right through the Vali Allience. He only hoped there would only be a small force guarding the node at Adhara I. Another worry of his was that the ship was only modestly armed. There was an untested Gauss cannon on the corvette Jaguar, and one being installed on his ship. However, it would not be fully functional until a time after they broke though the blockade, if they survived.
"Sir, Supreme General Lockhart has ordered the whole fleet to jump to Adhara I and have all weapons ready."
"Thank you. Engage engines."
"Aye, sir. Engaging." said the helmsman.
The whole Wolf's Brigade fleet slipped into subspace, leaving their home once and for all.
------------
Adhara I
The fleet exited subspace on the far side of a planet. On the other side was the node to Epsilon Pegasi. So far, only a few ships were detected, although the planet most likely blocked the signatures of more of them. Only a destroyer and two Aurora Corvettes of the Vali Allience were detected. Lockhart hoped that there would not be many more than that.
WBCv Jaguar
Bridge
-----------
"Lockhart has granted us permission to test the Gauss cannon. We are permitted to find a lone cruiser if possible, fire, then retreat."
"Thank you," said Commodore Phelan Raiko, "Helm, move us to the other side of the planet, as far away from the node as possible. Weapons, arm the Gauss cannon."
As the Jaguar began to move, two doors began to open up on the front-top of the corvette. A tube-like projection slowly moved out a little, and then lit up to a pale blue, as it waited for its target.
The corvette had not gone far when a stay Vali AWACS ship came around the planet, most likely to find out who just jumped in. Suddenly, the pale blue turned bright red as a huge mass followed by a red brown cloud shot out.
VAAwacs Scouter
Crew Quarters
--------------
Two of the four crew members were unsuccessfuly trying to rest as there two companions took over and took the ship to investigate the mass of ships had jumped in. Life was very boring for the AWACS crew, nothing very interesting ever seemed to happen, until now.
"Joe, Dave, get up here now!" came a desperate voice over the speaker.
"Wha.....you want us wher....?" said Dave as he fell out of the bed.
His fall was harder than usual, because just at that time, the whole ship shook violently, from the shot from the Gauss. He could hear the huge dish on top start to twist off and slice into the bridge. The ship was spinning, he could tell. He also knew that more than half the ship was probably gone now. He could feel the vacuum of space start to pull him out. Then the huge dish came slicing through..........
---------
PeachE, 05-15-2000 10:48 AM
GTCv Anatu
Beta Aquilae
Recon, when is that patrol fighter do back?
"Any minute Admiral."
Good. Have Ensign Madison report to me immediately upon his return.
"Yes sir... Sir, enemy ship on scanner! Mara class, coming in fast!"
Only one? That's not right. Run a diagnostics. Mara's never fly alone.
"Diagnostics complete. All systems in order."
Get confirmation. Have the escort fighters fly over there and get visual confirmation
"Negative. Communications with the fighters is failing... Testing... Our system is fine. Attempting to communicate with the intruder... Intruder will not answer."
You mean cannot. That we know, Shivans cannot communicate with us.
"Sir, reading faint EM signatures coming from the fighter. She's firing on us."
Why would a single fighter take on a fleet? She must be attempting a kamikaze. Gunner, point a turret at that thing and blow her out of space.
"Aye sir. Missile away... Direct hit."
"Shivan ship has dissappeared off of scanners. Nothing left but debri."
"Communications have reopened with the escort ships. Something must have been jamming them. I'll get them over there and have them do a full scan of the debri... Full scan complete. Indicates..."
Well, what is it?
"Sir. Scan indicates Terran Debri. It's been confirmed. Ensign Madison's patrol ship."
Get the debri on board. Have the engineering staff take a look at it. Have them investigate the escort fighters when they get back as well. If there's a body, send it to the medical engineers. I want a full investigation... I don't want this getting out. No communications with the other ships except by my authorization! No transports off of this ship without my authorization! When the escort returns, have those pilots confined to quarters until we know what we're dealing with! Bridge, I can count on you all to keep this to yourselves, can't I?... Good. That is all.
---------
HeX, 05-15-2000 11:53 AM
GTVI OVERIDE COMPLETE
TRANSMISSION SECURED
DESTINATION: GTVI Outpost, Vega System
FROM: Commander Xavier Regalla
RE: Possible Code 6 (detection of operation)
This is Commander Xavier Regalla to GTVI outpost Palomedies, we have a possible code 6 in effect. A patrol ship from the Anatu stumbled upon GTVI CovOp Omicron-45B in the Vega system. Fortunately, through the use of remote altered systems and communication cut-offs onboard the fighter, I was able to cause the elimination of the pilot before he could report his findings. Unfortunately some debris and a few genetic samples survived the incident and while I was able to tamper with the findings to prevent detection, it is possible that they will discover my presence here. I recommend a rendevous point be established somewhere nearby incase of detection where escape may become needed. I will also not transmit any of my findings aboard the Anatu except in person under GTVI Code of Operations 12, the protection of unclassified information.
On another note, I noticed we are being joined by the Phobos. Please inform the captain of my presence here and to think twice before firing in the case of the Anatu going renegade. I will try to transmit again in the near future.
END TRANSMISSION
---------------------------------------------
Regalla shut down the rigged communications port and quickly erased all indications of his activity. He turned and watched below as the pieces of debris from the downed patrol ship were carted off to be stored in the cargo bay. Regalla frowned and left the engineering bay to head for the terminal he had designated as his center of operations. He made a note to alter the data on the crate containing the debris to ensure it was destroyed rather then stored. Slipping into the rarely used room containing the terminal he inserted his de-coding device into the slot and was once again presented with the entire ship's functions. He brought up one of his visual/audio bugs planted in the Admiral's office and waited, soon the Admiral would make one of his log entries concerning the incident. Regalla smiled, with a little tampering that log could be the very thing he was looking for, evidence to bring about the elimination of the TMB...for good.
---------
Eishtmo, 05-15-2000 03:18 PM
*GTVA Command Conference Call*
"Nice to see you all could attend," said the GTVA Senior Security Advisor.
"Like we had much of a choice," muttered one of the Admirals.
"You're right," the Advisor said. "You didn't. Well, if you're all ready, I'll begin the briefing session." The screen shifted as a node map display appeared.
"As of 1500 hrs today, the SDF had total control of Delta Serprentis and partial control of Beta Aquilea and Talnia. However, with the recent Shivan incursion, the SDF has offered a cease fire and temporary joint venture against the Shivans. Unfortuantly, many SDF vessels have refused these orders, and are contiuning to attack GTVA vessels, especially Vasudan warships and transports. Primarily amoung these ships is the SDD Olympus, which seems to be leading the rebel forces. SDF Command has made a less than enthusiatic effort to bring these ships under control."
"Just like the SDF," a General said.
The Advisor sighed. "Regardless, their forces are small. Other than them, several mercenary and anti-NHOL groups have offered to join us. The few that have refused seem to have joined the rebel SDF forces. We should be able to handle them. For the time being, our true concern should be the Shivans." The node map closed in on the Vega system. "Currently, the Shivans are gathering their forces in Vega. They have only made minor assults through the Vega nodes to our systems, but we can be assured that they are simply biding their time until their forces can mount a serious attack against us. We have little information about their size and strength in Capella, however messages intercepted between GTVI forces indicate that it is quite large."
"By the way," yelled one of the Admirals. "Why the hell was the GTVI trying to open the node anyways?"
The GTVI chief gulped. "Well, er, it was believed to be necessary."
"Necessary to wipe out our entire species!" the same Admiral yelled.
"Calm down people," the Advisor said. "We'll be able to place blame after we defeat the Shivans."
"If we beat the Shivans," yet another Admiral muttered.
The Advisor looked at the box containing the Admirals face, and then continued. "All of our forces are currently gathering in Deneb, Beta Aquilae, and Talnia to blockade the Shivans in Vega. Our best hope at this point is to contain them until we can get to and destroy the Knossos device, and the Capella node."
"Why don't we just close off the Vega nodes, that would put a stop to them," a fourth Admrial suggested.
"Are you mad?" said a military advisor. "If we close off those nodes, there'd be only the Vasuda/Antares node connecting the two halves of the GTVA, and if something happened to that connection. . ."
"The Security Council has already rejected that plan," the Advisor said. "We've lost two systems to the Shivans, and they'll be damned if they'll lose another." The Security Advisor sat up and took a breath. "We're currently working on a plan to destroy the Capella node much like we did the first time. However, the Shivan forces in Vega have made a direct assult impossible at the moment." One of the Admrials chuckled. "What's so funny Admiral Lucas."
"Well," Lucas said. "I was just thinking that if we had a ship like the Victorious on our side, it would be a cake walk to take out that node."
"We don't have the Victorious," teased the General. "Even if we had the Victorious, the SDF would string us up for even thinking of using the damn thing."
"Actually," said the Advisor. "We may just have the next best thing. Shortly before hostilities between the GTVA and SDF broke out, a cruiser known as the GTC Horan fought it's way out of Sol with an escape pod from the Victorious. A later report indicated that it could be the Eishtmo himself."
All of the Command officers began talking at once. "That's impossible," one finally shouted out.
"Calm down people," said the Advisor. "We don't believe that the Eishtmo is acutally aboard the Horan. However, it is possible that the schematics for the Victorious might be. With those, we can at the very least dublicate the ships main cannon and use it against the Shivans."
"That's one hell of a long shot," the military advisor said.
"Perhaps," said the Advisor. "But we must try at least. As such, I've contacted the VAD Axion and asked that it help track down the Horan, and retrieve any and all information regarding the Eishtmo and the Victorious."
"The Vali Alliance!" shouted the General. "They're almost as bad as the SDF, the damn traitors."
"General!" the Advisor shouted. "You know damn well that at this moment the Axion is one of the most powerful warships in the GTVA. From what we can tell, every ship opposed to the NHOL is after the Horan, and the Axion maybe the only one capable of finding and protecting her." The Advisor sat up again to cool down.
"Still," Lucas said. "With a warship as powerful as the Axion, we should put it on the front lines, where it would be truly productive."
"I wouldn't want that ship on the front lines," said the first Admiral. "Chances are that if our people found out about it, they'd attack the Axion."
"That was our thoughts exactly," said the Advisor. "Now, we will keep you updated on further developments. Remember, the Horan operation is classified. This meeting is dismissed."
---------
PeachE, 05-16-2000 12:37 AM
GTCv Anatu
Beta Aquilae
[Admiral Kohler is having a discussion with a Security Officer]
So, what exactly happened this morning?
"A lot."
Well, let's start with the beginning.
"Okay. After a full day of diagnostics testing, we've discovered that the IFF signature of Ensign Madison's ship were changed in the main database to show a Shivan Mara on scanners. He was picked out specifically. It was no glitch. This was deliberate."
What about the escort fighters?
"Apparently, whoever did this figured out who would be flying escort this morning and sabotaged the communications systems of the fighters. That way, we couldn't couldn't ask them to for a visual confirmation."
The shots?
"All reports show the EM signatures on the scanners to be falsified. No damage was done to any ship. The confined escort pilots report they didn't see any shots."
Communication with Madison's fighter?
"Undetermined. The debri tells us next to nothing. However, we have come up with the most probable conclusion. It's impossible that Madison's fighter was sabotaged like the others. Communications were being run between the Anatu and the fighter all morning. We suspect that whoever did this jammed communications while it was actually happening. Which means that the person had access to the communications panel and was on board at the time. So, we ran a check on who was off-duty, who was on board, and who had access to the communications panel at the time. Unfortunately, this proved futile. The list is a couple hundred names long."
So, we don't know.
"No sir."
What do you think?
"I believe it's probably one of the new crew members. We've been having rather strange occurences since the reenforcements arrived. Small thefts. Unidentifiable data accesses, dismissed as glitches until this morning. Things like that. One of the engineering officers was even unexpectedly transferred to Delta Serpentis. Now, if you assume that it is one of the reenforcements, came in one one of the last reenforcements, we can limit the list to a few dozen people."
Hmmm... Interesting. But I don't think we can limit it to the new officers or crew. That was about the same time I announced that we were rejoining the GTVA and that we might be having some Vasudan company... Speaking of which, any news on the Phobos?
"No sir. She's a day late. No word from her since she agreed to join the battle group."
Interesting... No. I don't think we can rule out an angry crew member. Keep me posted on the investigation, and keep all of this to yourself.
"Yes sir. If that is all sir?"
Yes, yes. That's all. Dismissed.
Computer, begin log.
[beep]
-------------------
Admirals Log
GTCv Anatu
Beta Aquilae
The investigation of this morning's incident looks futile. While the list of suspects has been shortened, it is still far too long. Whoever it was, they knew what they were doing. This was a pro. And only Intelligence specializes in this type of thing. What are they up too?
Security thinks that some of the communications jamming was handled from within the Anatu. Tomorrow, I'll order the computer engineering staff to go through the entries one by one. The entries have probably been deleted by now, but there is a chance. Maybe I'll put that new engineer, Mason, on the job. He seems very knowledgable and has an impeccable record. This will be a good job for him to start with.
No matter how much Security doesn't want to admit it, I think it's obvious that this guy got away with it this time. But eventually, I'll get him. And when I do, I'll christen the bow of this ship with his skull.
Computer, End Log.
-------------------
Computer, add a task to the morning duties of Lt Commander Mason, Engineering officer. Have him search the computer entries for evidence on this investigation.
---------
More tomorrow. Laters.