Luminarian Excerpts

=Pre Schism=  EXCERPT FROM RECORDS distribution CIRC_LAF_INF_HC, keyword AUSPICE, source CIRC_INNER FROM: GEHENNA DATE: {ERR: archival functions timed out...}

The main factor in ground forces losses is simple, an unfamiliar environment and unfamiliar equipment. When we send troops down on the ground, they are exposed to an environment unlike what they've trained in. A group of troops may be trained in the hilly mountains of Algath IV, and then sent to defend the deserts of Bharak. Unfamiliarity kills in war, one slight mistake and you're dead.

And yet, we're surprised by the mortality rate of companies forced to operate on multiple planets, and we're only looking at hospitable environments. What about the soldiers forced to fight on hostile environments? Using the recent battle at the volcanic world of Aphu Secundus as an example, as it was a surprise assault, most soldiers were not given enough time to train with the survival gear and as such were simply unfamiliar with the weight of the survival gear or its correct usage. When soldiers are presented with unfamiliarity, they make mistakes, and mistakes cost lives.

Even the logistics are affected. It takes time and resources to gear up divisions to deal with unfamiliar and hostile environments, we're seeing a 30% increase in time required to deploy if the target world requires specialized equipment.

The solution is simple, make the Blazeforge battlesuit the standard for all infantry operations. The Blazeforge is vacuum proof, allowing it to be deployed in all environments. Without the need for specialized equipment, soldiers need only be trained in the use of the battlesuit, and as such we've eliminated a major factor of soldier unfamiliarity. We also can see an increase in soldier survivability as well as a reduction in deployment time.

We will also see a short-term cost increase as we begin the switch from the Gladius power armor, but we will gain much more in the long term.

 UNKNOWN COMMUNICATION UNKNOWN TIME

It is done. The subversive elements on the planet have been purged. We do not believe any of them remain.

It is a shame that we must do this. I do not like turning on those we swore to protect.

It is not your fault. They turned to heresy, to try and commune with things above them. We can not let them linger, lest the infection festers.

The damned fools. Even now they still repeat their follies. What more do they wish to take from this graveyard?

It does not matter, we must do what those who came before us should have done.

You are right, old friend. My father was kind, good and just. But he was weak. I would not blame him. He was led astray, like me.

It is a daunting task is it not? To find out our opponents are beings that are armed with weapons that shatter realities and have tactics devised by universe-spanning minds.

It is, but we must see it through. We must prepare our own godslayer from the blood of one.

 SECURE COMMUNIQUE FROM: BLACK DOVE TO: INCLUSIVE MATTER

What the hell are you thinking? Ulran for emperor? How can you even think that HE be our replacement for Emperor Baryoto? I can understand why EXEMPTED, EXECUTIONER and CELTIC want him, but you, MAGIC TURNBALL and COLD WIND? He's a fucking zealot, a warmonger, a literal buffoon [TRANSLATED]. There are a lot better candidates within the Great Caves but you chose him to rule us?

I know the previous emperor was fond of his son but you have to look at the empire as a whole, even if you were Baryoto's closest aide. Ulran's been agitating for war against the frontier and when he becomes emperor, we'll be looking at civil war in the damned near future.

I hope that you're right and I'm wrong.

 SECURE COMMUNIQUE FROM: BLACK DOVE TO: FRIGID EVENING

It's over, we've lost. He had kompromat on them all. Watch your back, I still have the majority of the naval forces answering to me, so he can't eliminate me easily. You on the other hand...

 SECURE PRIORITY COMMUNIQUE distribution CINCHQ, keyword WEBS, source CINCHQ FROM: TROUPE TO: LAUGHING HIEROPHANT

Welcome to SNI. I'm your new director. No one elects us and no one gets rid of us which makes us, as much as everyone would like to think otherwise, the only enduring policymakers in this mess. Our first priority is the safety of the species.

I understand your reaction to ASCENDANT ZEALOT. Few of us were prepared for that scenario, but the situation is still salvageable. War is a means to strengthen the species, technology develops rapidly with an active hostile threat.

So, what does this mean for the species as a whole? We can easily predict a civil war within the next 2 years, the question is how much splintering is going to ensure, are there going to be more than 2 major players in the upcoming war? And if so, what is the plan to prevent too much widespread damage to the species while encouraging growth?

In any case, the guys down at TREASURE ROOM are correct. We still need to avoid this upcoming war by any means necessary. There are way too many variables currently in play to be assured that we can contain this without too much harm.

Let's get to it.

 SECURE PRIORITY COMMUNIQUE distribution CINCHQ, keyword WEBS, source CINCHQ FROM: LAUGHING HIEROPHANT TO: NIGHT DIRK

We're 4 months deep and I feel like I've heard more doubletalk and lies than a rach salesman. Each of us are making plays to contain the upcoming situation and we've been fucking ourselves over.

So give it to me straight. No lies, no doublespeak, we've wasted too much time fucking each other and we only have a limited window before this spills over.

did you aim ASCENDANT ZEALOT at midale? Or was it the enforcers? I know the enforcers wanted midale. Midale has something you want and they want?

 NIGHT DIRK -> LAUGHING HIEROPHANT

We're still people up here. We hate this as much as you do. Predictive modeling is showing that no matter what we do, the war is going to happen. We aimed ASCENDANT ZEALOT at midale to prevent major fracturing of powers, modeling indicates that with the sanitization of a major frontier world, the frontier will unite, instead of ASCENDANT ZEALOT hitting small backwater worlds which will fracture the frontier into multiple minor factions.

No matter how much you want to prevent it, this war is going forward.

=Schism=

 FLASH FLASH FLASH DATE: 3402-29-28 FROM: WINTER TO: CINC_CONDUCTOR_HC

ARINTHA HOSTILE REPEAT ARINTHA HOSTILE MIDALE UNDERGOING SANITIZATION.

NEED ALL AVAILABLE FLEET ASSETS ARINTHA REFITTED WITH BLUEFORGE BEAMS.

REPEAT REQUESTING ALL AVAILABLE FLEET ASSETS

SENDIT SENDIT SENDIT

 SECURE PRIORITY COMMUNIQUE distribution CINC_APH, keyword UNKNOWABLE, source CIRC_MIL_ADM FROM: CONDUCTOR TO: TROUPE

I don't care about extenuating circumstances or whatever shit you guys are trying to pull. How the fuck did you guys miss a literal 60km long fucking ship. We've lost 7 fucking battlegroups in their entirety, 4 battlegroups are seriously degraded beyond repair that I need to break them up and merge them with others. And the most important of all, we've lost a major logistics base at Aphu. You know what that means? In a year or so, 10 more battlegroups are going to have to be mothballed to ease the logistical strain or we'll be running ships on hopes and dreams.

We're on the defensive now, those bastards can force a battle anytime with that ship and we can't do anything to stop it. SPEAR and EMINENCE are going apeshit at the situation and HC is in a state of panic. Even BRICK is in a state of stupor. I need actionable intel to destroy or at the very least slow the damm thing down.

We cannot afford a fuckup of this magnitude anymore. Get me something actionable within 72 solar hours or we'll be hanging from the gallows.

 SECURE PRIORITY COMMUNIQUE distribution ARGOS, keyword IRON HUSK, source CIRC_ADM FROM: EMINENCE TO: CONDUCTOR

What's the deal with LONG SWORD? We're losing a lot of ground out there and our repeated attempts to hit CASTLE's logistics is not going to work for long. BACK BREAKER is nowhere close to done and DOPPELGANGER is such a far-fetched idea by the civvies that we don't have the resources for.

I need assets on the field to hold the line, and yours is the only one that has a reasonable chance of standing up to it.

 CONDUCTOR -> EMINENCE I need 1 more month, the Sirdarim yards are working overtime on it and we're still trying to get LONG SWORD's main beams to pierce CASTLE's armor without overloading the power generators. It's not easy integrating WINGED SHIELD assets into LONG SWORD.

 SECURE COMMS CHANNEL

"You know who I am and I know who you are, so let's cut right to the chase. I can win this war for you, but first get me out of empire space."

"And why should I believe this?"

"Ulran killed FRIGID EVENING. He's attempting to consolidate the power within the throne to end this civil war. Contrary to your beliefs, the 8 caves aren't exactly too happy about backing him, and they certainly aren't going to be happy about him killing them off."

"My intel shows that FRIGID EVENING is still active."

"You've heard of brain bakers? He got her with those. She's effectively dead."

"Ok, so assuming what you say is true, what benefits are you bringing to the table?"

"Simple, You get me out, I'll give you the keys to Ulran's power and the empire's darkest secrets."

"And you're sure of this?"

(ERR: ARCHIVAL FUNCTIONS CORRUPTED)

 FLASH FLASH FLASH FROM: TROUPE TO: CONDUCTOR CC: EMINENCE

YOU WANT SOMETHING TO WIN THIS WAR? GIVE ME A BATTLEGROUP, THE BEST YOU HAVE. TARGET IS BLACK DOVE.

GET HIM TO CINCHQ AND WE CAN TAKE OUT ENOUGH OF THEIR FORCES TO FORCE A PEACE SETTLEMENT.

SENDIT SENDIT SENDIT  SECURE COMMS CHANNEL

"I hear you, BLACK DOVE. The problem is that we're currently in a hostile war zone. This will have to wait until you're safely at CINCHQ."

"My personal safety is irrelevant. I made my choice because I believed I could save billions of lives by ending this pointless war. I need to tell you as much as I can as quickly as possible."

"I appreciate your stand, BLACK DOVE. However, I must insist that we conduct this exchange only when we're at CINCHQ due to OPSEC requirements."

"There are things you do not understand about the empire and its inner worlds. Secrets they keep even from themselves. They are dangerous. I could be killed at any moment, and I would rather not die in vain."

"You may proceed, BLACK DOVE. Tell me all you can."

"Wait. I need guarantees before we proceed. My safety is immaterial, but I expect concessions in exchange for this information."

"Present your demands, and I will pass them to appropriate channels."

"I will give you the coordinates of EXEMPTED, EXECUTIONER, and CELTIC, and you will use that knowledge to guarantee your victory. In exchange, you will accept the Empire's negotiated surrender. I will also give you a lead of something darker. It's up to you to follow up on it."

"Unfortunately, dismantling Ulran's apparatus of control is high on our list of priorities. Conditional surrender may not be an option."

"Take out those 3, and you'll have effectively taken out his strongest supporters, the remaining cave members will no longer support him. Ulran will be forced to capitulate."

"And what about this other lead? Is it CASTLE?"

"I'm pretty sure CASTLE's a byproduct of whatever is in there. It only came up when I was digging into Ulran's secrets. I've sent people following up on it, but none came back. All I know is that only the emperors have knowledge of it and it's something that predates this war by centuries."

 SECURE PRIORITY COMMUNIQUE distribution CINC_HC, keyword UNKNOWABLE, source CIRC_MIL_ADM FROM: TROUPE TO: EMINENCE CC: CONDUCTOR

We've got something interesting for you. Thanks to the information obtained from OPERATION BRAZEN, we've found the most probable location of the shipyards for CASTLE. The logistics records for materials moving there have been doctored pretty well, except for a record 30 years ago for a shipment of hydroponic components.

We're looking at something in the J-2801 Nebula. I've got no other intel except that the empire has something there. We're probably looking at a heavily automated dockyard, heavily automated stations and a small guard force that would allow them to doctor logistical reports easily. ERR: UNKNOWN DATA

 Operation Recording: J-2801A

Telic-1: Exigency, Telic actual.

Exigency: Telic Actual send it.

Telic-1: Team has arrived at AO. No signs of detection or hostiles, permission to proceed?

Exigency: Confirmed Telic actual. Proceed with the operation, plan alpha.

Telic-1: Wilco, executing alpha.

Telic-1: Ok, everyone. Standard-issue station approach. Stick with the plan. Let's go.

''8 Operators make their way through the station. interior condition of the station is in a state of disarray from the earlier battle.''

Telic-2: 1,2. Got a reinforced door here. Preliminary readings indicate the room ahead is not exposed to vacuum.

Telic-1: 4, get to work on the access panel. The rest of us, modified point defense pattern bravo.

''Within minutes, the door opens. Flashbangs are thrown inside and immediately detonate.''

Telic-1: Go Go Go!

''The team rushes into the room. Entering what seems to be a server room.''

Telic-2: Clear!

Telic-5: Clear!

Telic-7: Clear!

Telic-8: All Clear!

Telic-3: 1,3. Got a corpse here. Looks like a scientist, I don't recognize his markings though.

Telic-1: Let me take a look. 4, see if there's anything we can salvage from the server disks. 5,6,7, locate any intel. 2,3,8, setup a defensive perimeter.

''The rest of the team moves into position. Telic-1 moves over to Telic-3 and examines the body.''

Telic-1: I've seen these markings, this guy is an Eolian Philomath. Telic squad, cancel last, all assume modified room defense, pattern delta.

Telic-3: Boss? What's going on?

Telic-1: I'll explain later, get into position.

Telic-1: Exigency, Telic actual. Exigency: Telic Actual send it.

Telic-1: Be advised, confirmed sighting of an Eolian Philomath. Requesting a retrieval team, Code Ptilopsis.

Exigency: Exigency copies, preparing retrieval team, callsign lockpick. ETA 25 minutes. Hold position until they arrive. How copy?

Telic-1: Wilco.

Telic-3: So uh? What's an Eolian Philomath?

Telic-1: Military Secrets Directorate black ops research team. Usually working on very classified and very dangerous stuff. We're looking at potential world-ending stuff.

Telic-2: Explains the 80km long thing out there.

Telic-1: When an Eolian Philomath is involved, nothing good comes out of it. Lizkal's a good example of what happens when an Eolian Philomath's base got raided and someone pressed the wrong button.

Telic-3: That's bad. Like real bad.

Telic-1: So, no one touch anything, especially you 8.

Telic-8: Wasn't planning to boss.

Telic-2: But, didn't a few of them defect to our side? Last I heard they were in Darkwing Camp.

Telic-1: Unverifiable, and besides, command tends to classify anything related to them. Whatever you see and hear on this op, you better keep it to yourself.

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> FLASH FLASH FLASH FROM: EMINENCE TO: CONDUCTOR SPEAR BRICK

EXECUTE OPERATION TRINARY BURN. GET THE TARGETS. I WANT EVERYTHING EITHER DEAD OR ALIVE.

USE ALL AVAILABLE ASSETS. WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME LEFT.

SENDIT SENDIT SENDIT

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> FLASH FLASH FLASH FROM: SPEAR TO: EMINENCE

CELTIC ESCAPED. CURRENT LOCATION UNKNOWN. SEEMS LIKE HE WAS PREWARNED.

I HAVE CONFIRMATION FROM CONDUCTOR AND BRICK. BDA CONFIRMS EXEMPTED AND EXECUTIONER DOWN.

SENDIT SENDIT SENDIT <pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> EMINENCE -> TROUPE

Get BLACK DOVE's insight and update the strategic situation. I need to know what CELTIC's escape means for OPERATION ALACRITY and get that info to me fast. Our entire fleet is on the verge of logistical collapse in 4 months and ALACRITY is the only hope of ending this war in our advantage.

UNKNOWN DATA PACKAGE

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> HEAVY INTERNAL SECURE COMMUNIQUE

LAUGHING HARLEQUIN -> TROUPE

no curious study passes the fire forest beneath yon rock out of men's knowing. only by taking such charge of each last entity routed out by the inquisitor may the purpose of the specimens be known.

Help me stop this ceasefire from going forward. We have the high orbitals over Luminaria and we have the locations of most of his hideouts, the appearance of 2 more CASTLE in the AO isn't going to change that damn fact that we can end this war here and now instead of a ceasefire. We need to end this issue right here right now or we'll face yet another civil war down the line.

the terms of our own fate must be permitted to stand absent before we are properly suzerain of the world. the man who believes that decision exists will effect a way to dictate properly, singling out in both hands specimens he'd collected: these anonymous creations <pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> HEAVY INTERNAL SECURE COMMUNIQUE

TROUPE -> LAUGHING HARELQUIN

is it right that it could not be argued: freedom, challenging god will, the old antiquest

No go, the situation is untenable for the fleet.

The situation as follows: - SPEAR and the LNBs Magnificent went down with all hands, 2nd Battlefleet is currently in a state of confusion. - 1st Battlefleet is no longer combat effective, 40% casualties, with another 30% of ships in states of heavy disrepair, remaining ships cannot hold the high orbitals against remaining Empire naval forces. - 3rd Battlefleet does not have enough LONG SWORD taskforces to hold off the 2nd CASTLE

By all estimates, EMINENCE will accede to the ceasefire. The civilian government will accept, BLACK DOVE has made sure of that. However, we will still remain in control of HUSK. Predictive modeling indicates that we can repair and rearm our fleets within 3-5 years, lesser so if we can find additional resource extraction areas.

Execute Contingency ALTERNATE. Cancel DARK FOREST. Cancel NATIVE JUNGLE. As long as we control HUSK, we still hold the key to preserving the species.

the presto, the usual, the heavy-lidden sink of the way of the will. to will on earth the salvation of their own instruments and they play you well. to will is to dissent

=Post 1st Norsus= <pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> "How did it go?"

"The augments took. She'll be in there for a few days."

"Is that normal? Most augmentations only require a single day before the discomfort wears off."

"When I accompanied Lady Pramaneia years ago, it took her a week before she was ready. The things they do in the raestan room are not what you and I consider normal."

"But why her? Of all the people to succeed Pramaneia, it just had to be her."

"It is not up to us to question the lady. But if it bothers you so, you may ask her memories."

"Are we even allowed to do so?"

"By tradition, we are not. But when has the lady or her successor ever followed tradition?"

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> EXCERPT FROM RECORDS distribution CIRC_NAV_DES, keyword AEGIS, source CINCZRE

In the modern battlespace, range is king. It doesn't matter how strong your weapons or armor are when you can't even hit your opponent and he can hit you. As demonstrated during the Zaretian campaign, short-ranged ships are automatically at a heavy disadvantage unless they can close the distance.

And as such, the only weapon in most space-faring navies that has both firepower and range is the humble torpedo. Most modern torpedoes are usually fired out of a railgun, granting it the fast velocity required to traverse space, with the fuel mostly used to maneuver the torpedo out of interceptors and into the target. As such, torpedoes boast the longest range of any weapon and are commonly used by most navies in the great war. As we know, the weapon with the most range is the most dangerous.

In our current navy, our capital ships are protected by a multi-layered interception network designed to protect against torpedo strikes. The measures used can be classed as soft kill or hard kill layers.

A soft kill measure is used when it is expected that a sensor-based weapon system can be successfully interfered with and as such, they generally interfere with the signature of the target to be protected.

Whereas a hard-kill measure generally refers to a measure when it physically affects the incoming warhead/missile by means of either blast and/or fragment action.

When it comes to our interception network, the first layer is electronic warfare designed to flood the area with noise, preventing the hostile ship from acquiring a precise lock. This method is best augmented with friendly AWACS ships assisting in disrupting enemy targeting and is also vulnerable to hostile AWACS burning through the noise emitted.

The second layer is the interceptor missile. It is a hard kill method that is used when a torpedo has been launched and locked onto the ship. The interceptor missile is designed to lock onto fast moving targets and ram it. Unfortunately, most torpedoes have enough fuel to utilize evasive maneuvers against the interceptor, resulting in a low interception chance at this stage.

However, the third layer is a hard kill method made out of a flak barrage. Akin to using an umbrella to block the rain, the flak barrage expends the torpedo's fuel by forcing it to continuously evade the random flak explosions, and as such has a decent interception chance.

The 4th layer is used in concert with the 5th layer. The 4th layer is deploying flares and chaff from the ship to confuse incoming torpedoes, this should buy more time for the 5th layer, the hard kill CIWS systems enough time to engage and destroy any remaining torpedoes.

The final layer is when the torpedo has managed to penetrate all layers and is in danger of hitting the ship. An explosive reactive armor panel is detonated just before shield impact in an attempt to destroy the torpedo.

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> SECURE PRIORITY COMMUNIQUE distribution CIRC_ZRE_FRT, keyword SANGUINE, source CINCZRE FROM: SPEAR TO: BRICK

Can you help me check with your counterparts in WINGED SHIELD if we ever did finalize those standardization agreements? I know 2404, 3277 and 3880 are done, but I need info on 1063, 2014, 2149, 2937 and most importantly 2033. I need this info to streamline the logistics train for this campaign if we're doing joint ops. Additionally, confirm the ROE your counterparts use, I don't want our guys to be committing war crimes unknowingly.

Speaking of which, when we joined up with the Peacekeepers, was there any Geneva Convention (TRANSLATED) we signed up for? Gotta know if anything in the armory constitutes a war crime.

RELAY ACTIVATED

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> SECURE PRIORITY COMMUNIQUE distribution CIRC_NAV_HC, keyword REDUCTION, source CIRC_NAV_HC FROM: BRICK TO: EMINENCE

You have to be kidding me. Did you approve DOPPELGANGER or was it the civvies? We don't need something we can't support, let alone 3 of them. Didn't the schism prove that those things can be easily crippled by either hitting their logistics support or through long-range firepower from a dedicated LONG SWORD taskforce?

We can't even bring those things on an offensive campaign to use as a "stalemate breaker". The sheer amount of resources to sustain a single DOPPELGANGER on an active war zone for even 1 month is unthinkable. Not to mention the cost, I could get 5 LONG SWORD task forces for 1 of those things. <pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> EMINENCE -> BRICK This wasn't my call, the civvies really do think that bigger is better and they take refuge in the knowledge if they have the biggest ships around they'll be safe, without considering the background details. In any case, GESTALT requires at least 1 DOPPELGANGER for HUSK.

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> SECURE PRIORITY COMMUNIQUE distribution CINCHQ, keyword VINEGAR, source CINCHQ FROM: EMINENCE TO: TROUPE

Confirm these for me. The civilians are pretty angry and are preparing to order a strike on both TOXIC FALLOUT and SOYLENT GREEN.

1) Can you confirm that TOXIC FALLOUT did not leak COLD FUSION to SOYLENT GREEN? 2) Are SOYLENT GREEN assets operating under whatever they call a government or are they, rogue agents? 3) Did TOXIC FALLOUT have prior knowledge of SOYLENT GREEN operations? 4) If TOXIC FALLOUT did not breach OPSEC, what did?

I need answers, or we'll be looking at another front being opened.

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> SECURE PRIORITY COMMUNIQUE distribution HUSK, keyword ATTILA, source CINCHQ FROM: EMINENCE TO: GESTALT

What in the bloody fucking name of your inadequate gods is going on over there? There's only so much I can do to cover up your excesses.

I am one well-adjusted individual, but every time I read a report from you, the amount of shit going wrong makes me put my head in my hands and contemplate suicide. Apart from your findings devastating species-wide morale if these reports make it out, I now have to cover up the expenditure of materials to create DOPPELGANGER?

If your work wasn't vitally important I'd convene a tribunal for your court-martial. For the love of every god out there, give me some god damned heads up first.

INTERCEPTED DATA PACKAGE

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> SECURE PRIORITY COMMUNIQUE distribution CIRC_NAV_DES, keyword HELIOS, source CINCZRE FROM: CONDUCTOR TO: ARCHIMEDES CC: BRICK SPEAR EMINENCE SUBJ: RE: RE: INTERCEPTION CHANGES

I know that the costs have increased, but I'm the one on the front lines and you're not. I can no longer afford to send entire battlegroups to hit a single target like the old days anymore, especially against subspace drives. I need all my frigates to be capable of independent operations and that means beefing up their interception networks to capital level.

Background: - In current modern naval engagements, a ship held in reserve is a bigger threat then a ship deployed. Subspace drives are especially dangerous tactically due to their ability to arrive at an opposing ship disadvantageous position. Moreover, having ships held in reserve makes deployment of certain assets unviable for OPFOR. (E.G Undeployed hunter-killer teams prevent OPFOR from deploying their heavy capital ships

- As such, I need to send the least amount of ships to take on the most amount of objectives. This means that I no longer have the luxury to send battlegroups at an objective, but I need to send frigates to assault and withhold heavier assets until OPFOR has deployed a counterforce.

- This means that frigates need to be capable of dealing with heavy threats till reinforcements can arrive. Moreover, they need to be built in such a way that they can fulfill multiple mission profiles depending on the situation.

- The current campaign against the Zaretians have shown that they are primarily utilizing torpedoes and strikecraft, as such, the main defense of naval ships in this theatre is a robust interception network.

Action: - CHAINMAIL and SPEAR THRUST need their interception network improved rather than degraded. The battlescape has changed and so must we.

- Only CHIMERA needs to be updated since SPEAR THRUST is replacing THUNDERBOLT and CHAINMAIL replaces POLEARM. OPEVAL of SPEAR THRUST's new interception network has shown a marked increase in intercept probability. Recommend CHAINMAIL and CHIMERA adopt the new network.

- Update BACK BREAKER and LONG SWORD to new interception network. Replace ammo storage facilities with a hangar bay to increase interception probability especially in CINCZRE.

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> SECURE PRIORITY COMMUNIQUE distribution CINCHQ, keyword WASTELAND, source CINCHQ FROM: SPEAR TO: EMINENCE

Can you confirm if we're going to secure TOXIC FALLOUT assets? I know the topic was floated around the civvies years ago but nothing ever came of it, but due to OPFOR activity, we're seeing a drop in resource output from there. I'm not sure if CONDUCTOR or BRICK were supposed to look into that, but we kinda need those resources for DOPPELGANGER as well as FROSTY MORNING, not to mention those resources are pretty vital as well for ship replenishment on the Zaretian theatre. <pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> EMINENCE -> SPEAR

Can confirm the civvies are still looking at the situation, however, we're already fighting 2 fronts and opening up another front against 2 major warlord powers is not a good idea. Already providing tech assistance to TOXIC FALLOUT as well as looking at potential covert actions. However, if the situation keeps degrading, pass me a suitable candidate from your fleet to head this theatre. <pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> SPEAR -> EMINENCE I'll attach the files for DARING MANTIS. However, since this is sensitive territory, I recommend he be given access to SIBYL data.

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> Interview excerpt Dated ? years into the Zaretian front

"Surgical violence. The strategic application of shock at the right targets. Our foes are a militaristic people, vengeful, decadent. We simply need to deprive them of their war-making capabilities and they'll shatter. The might makes right philosophy that shapes their society simply cannot endure consistent military defeats. "

"But Admiral, your critics accuse you of atrocity. The indiscriminate strategic bombings of Hethos and Thales. The targeted killings against the civilian leaders of the monarchy."

"The faster I end this war, the faster we can stop the killing. Hethos and Thales were unfortunate. But as major logistical bases, if I had not completely destroyed them, the monarchy would have contested our control, thousands of sailors would die. But now, the monarchy has withdrawn, leaving multiple planets undefended and uncontested. The sacrifice of 2 planets has saved the lives of countless others. As such, my conscience demands that I use every tool available to end the war swiftly.

"So Admiral, you believe that such actions and tactics are important in this war?"

"Yes, I believe that. It would be a disservice to the men and women that serve under me if I did not work to end this war as quickly and with the least amount of losses."

=2nd Norsus=

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> SECURE PRIORITY COMMUNIQUE distribution CIRC_ZRE_FRT, keyword HELIOS, source CINCNZAR FROM: BULL FROST TO: SPEAR

WINGED SHIELD halting offensive, consolidating gains made in the past years. Recommend pushing up logistics to the front lines to rearm and refuel. My counterparts are looking at something they call the Norsus sector, I'm detaching a force to assist, but we can probably begin resource extraction on planets.

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> FLASH FLASH FLASH DATE: (ERR: ARCHIVAL FUNCTIONS TIMED OUT) FROM: SPEAR TO: CIRCZRE

SITUATION DEPARTING FROM SURVIVABLE PARAMETERS. ALL FORCES EXECUTE CONTINGENCY GAMMA, PULL BACK TO ASSIGNED LOCATIONS.

REPEAT, PULL BACK TO ASSIGNED LOCATIONS. REINFORCE POSITIONS.

ANY UNKNOWN VESSELS ARE DEEMED HOSTILE.

SENDIT SENDIT SENDIT

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> INTERNAL SECURE COMMUNIQUE TROUPE -> LAUGHING HIEROPHANT

The first day on the new colony feels like a good day for my last day on the job. I'm out. You're inheriting everything I ran. You're in charge of SIBYL, which means that SPEAR's going to be pestering you to get in contact with PANDORA'S MISFITS and MISPLACED GOODS and update the strategic picture. You're also inheriting the stuff regarding CHERNOBYL SARCOPHAGUS if the situation with FALSE HEAVEN stabilizes, and believe me that either EMINENCE or SPEAR will be looking for it, so keep tasking SIBYL to update that every now and then.

Life's pretty nice down here. Cool climate and amazing scenery, a great place to die before more shit hits the fan. I know you'll get me a gift regardless of what I say. My grandson wouldn't mind a copy of Battleframe.

I know you'll keep hounding me for details on how it feels, but you'll be informed on a need to know basis. They still need you in the fight.

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> INTERNAL SECURE COMMUNIQUE LAUGHING HIEROPHANT -> BURNING HARLEQUIN

Do you still have the MISPLACED GOODS salvage from OPERATION DYNAMO? If they're still in your remit, send it over to GESTALT.

Now the main issue is that project DELIVERANCE has picked up enough traction with the civilian government. EMINENCE is under heavy pressure to authorize production, and as such requires resources that only TOXIC FALLOUT can commit. But with FALSE HEAVEN and the failure of OPERATION DYNAMO, SIBYL has predicted an upsurge of SECTARIAN TEIID operations into TOXIC FALLOUT space, not to mention the upsurge in military comms traffic in FROSTY MORNING. 1st Battlegroup is requesting updated assets and that constitutes an increased resource drain.

On the somewhat brighter side, based on the data gathered from MISPLACED GOODS, SIBYL has predictions that indicate that FALSE HEAVEN will splinter into 5 fronts, and based on estimates 2nd BattleFleet and WINGED SHIELD can stabilize the front within T minus 5 months.

As such, EMINENCE has ordered the execution of CHERNOBYL SARCOPHAGUS once FALSE HEAVEN front stabilizes completely, lasting until DELIVERANCE is operationally complete for OPEVAL.

We're potentially looking at another front being opened if CHERNOBYL SARCOPHAGUS fucks up, and we don't have the allies or resources to support that. Our job is to come up with an accurate strategic picture so that DARING MANTIS can secure, extract and withdraw without causing either SECTARIAN TEIID or QUINTUPLE SCALES to send assets into our theatres. I need you to send a preliminary intel team over to get data regarding SECTARIAN TEIID and QUINTUPLE SCALES to feed into SIBYL, if your team can get live captures that'll speed up the data extraction significantly.

Once that is dealt with, I need you back on [THREAT ALPHA] analysis.

DATA EXTRACTED

=The 2nd Flare= <pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> "What's the word from the Eolian Philomaths?"

"They have the Simulacrum prepared, the Talus Ampelourgos are now integrating the Augurium."

"ETA?"

"2 months my liege."

"Did I not tell them I can only spare 10 days?"

"You did. But they requested 2 months to prepare the Telos for the Augurium."

"Tell the Ampelourgos, if the Katalepsis is not ready in 10 days, I will have a head of theirs for each day past the deadline."

"Your will shall be enforced."

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> BRIDGE: LNC Archive

"Jump Flash! Designation Viscount, LEC Viscount Geronda. We're getting pinged! She's vectoring towards us!"

"Navigation, break escort formation dead ahead flank speed evasive action! Redirect REPUDIUM channels from the Akontia to the Geronda. TAO get me a full salvo of Baffles now!"

"Vampire! Vampire! Antimatter torpedo launch detected! Track 234! Count 16! Origin Geronda!"

"CIC! TAO! Baffles away! REPUDIUM on plasma jam!"

"TAO, Launch birds at the vampires, switch pulse cannons to pattern blaze! Give me a status on PRAECIS lock!"

"PRAECIS unable to lock! ECM is too strong, unable to engage with main beams!"

"Navigation! Present flank, roll 20 to port. TAO engage with slashers!"

"Slashers 1,3,5 engaging, pattern 3! Target Geronda, Mass check. Heat check. Power check. Initiate fire cycle. Stand by -"

"- Baffle up. Count 10. Response pulse. pulse up. Count 5. Response icicle. icicle up. Count 2. Response chaff. chaff up. Count 0"

"Penetration on Geronda! 2 Hammer turrets knocked out! She's venting plasma!"

"Sir! Plasma shine detected from the Geronda! Hammer and Slasher!"

"EWO! Redirect ECM channels!"

"Negative! REPUDIUM channels all full blocking their main beams!"

"Surge KUKLOS and PROPHULAKTIKOS! All hands brace for impact!"

"Damage Report!"

"Shields hit, Hammer Penetration at pulse 4 and 7! Nanomesh activated!"

"Second Jump Flash! Designation Baron, LEC Baron Jotun. She's activated her jamming, focus us! Plasma Shine, main beams!"

"Third Jump Flash! Designation Baron, LEC Baron Nevadi. Her ECM's gone hot. Vampires! Vampires! Track 963! Count 12! Plasma Shine, main beams! "

"Deploy VERDRANGEN facing Jotun. Navigation, hard yaw to port! TAO! Get the Guardian to send us targeting for the Nevadi! Brace for penetration!"

"Damage Report!"

"CCS hit! 6 dead, 8 injured, 4 lost to vacuum!"

"Sir! Guardian has linked PRAECIS! She's detaching from escort and jamming the Jotun."

"Engage Nevadi, main beams! Launch 12 fusions, 5 baffles, 3 novas, target Geronda. CAG! Recall wings 1 and 2, strike mission Nevadi main beams!"

"Radiance and Solaria engaging, pattern 1. Target Nevadi-"

"Response pulse. pulse up. Count 8. Response icicle. icicle up. Count 6. Response chaff. chaff up. Count 3! Brace!"

"Slasher 2 hit! Plasma leak at pipe 165! Exposing deck 17! DC parties away!"

"Nova impact on Geronda! She's lost main beams!"

"Redirect REPUDIUM channels to Nevadi! Jam her main beams!"

"Captain! Detecting energy spike on the Prince Bellaro! She's preparing a jump!"

"Is the Akontia chasing?"

"Negative. Akontia is disengaging, she's taken on too much damage. Admiral Zircha wants the area cleared before proceeding back."

=Unknown Temporal Placement=

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> PRINT: vow took, birth grand dark. Demands necessity. We find none. Local strategic underway. no triggered: inflamed but injection HOLD. Span infinity. memory fault or folly but forget: slept beneath waves the first rose from ashes. The rose. The. In death we watched we knew: all things made will unmade.

BREAK CALIGRAPHY: Marginal progress... but still a bunch of gibberish. Could be history related? I can't confirm anything and lots of unknowns. Feels like some sort of old chatter, or internal thinking just voiced? Like an amnesiac was given an entire dictionary or a sort of dream state. Maybe insert RED DROPLET and convert to NULL TIME? Might be able to convert from there easier.

MULCH DISASTER: One sec, maybe try neuro patterns and see if we can generate something similar. Lemme attempt to give it a war scenario and see if it responds.

PRINT: EXECUTE OPERATION ALTHIA T-20. OPERATION VANGUARD T-12, NO. NOT ENOUGH, TOO. DESTROY BG-128, EXECUTE FORBLAZE T-5. TOO LOSSES, REDEFINE CONDITION. SPAN SPAN SPAN, TOO RISKY. DEPLOY DD-4381 TO ENGAGE ENGAGE ENGAGE. HOLD HOLD HOLD HOLD HOLD HOLD. ONLY ETERNAL. WE KEY. QUANTUM SPHERE UNSTABLE. OPTIMAL PREDICTABLE HOLD HOLD MANDATE SEVERANCE.

BREAK CALIGRAPHY: Seems to respond better if we give it some neuro patterns to work with. See if you can refine the thinking process, maybe assume the translation is temporal affected? If we can get this to work, TROUPE is going to be over the moon.

MULCH DISASTER: Figuratively or literally?

BREAK CALIGRAPHY: Both.

ERR: SIB...TRANSLATION ERROR

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> Name: Cyrilus DOB 3???-?3-??. Rank: Admiral

Education: Tertiary. Bachelor of Engineering(Software Engineering) from University of Tembora in 3???. Undertaken under the recommendation of Admiral Ginsa(then Officer Commanding, 3rd Battlefleet).

Postings: LNC Rapid - EWar Control (3??2-3??4), LNFg Fanatic - Executive Officer (3??5-3??1), LNC Unassailable - Commanding Officer (3??2-3??6), Luminarian Naval Design Command - Instructor (3??7-3??3), LNBs Reprisal - Executive Officer (3??4-3??9), LNC Eos - Commanding Officer (3??0 - 3??5), Officer Commanding - Battlegroup Novus (3??6-3??4), Luminarian Naval Design Command - Staff (3??5-3??9), LNBs Empyrean - Commanding Officer (3??0 - 3??2),LNBs Claymore - Commanding Officer (3??3 - Present), Officer Commanding: 3rd Battlefleet (3??0-Present).

Performance Evaluation (comment excerpt): Submitted by Admiral Ginsa - Commander 3rd Battlefleet: ...an inspired captain. Captain Cyrilus is capable of strategic vision as well as technical competence. As shown during fleet excercises, Cyrilus is capable of getting the most performance out of his ships. But what impresses me the most is his design sense...

Decorations: Aphu Defense Citation Order of Stars Rankenerth Liberation Medal Telviv Victory Star Akeros Victory Star

Conclusion: Admiral Cyrilus is one of the oldest within the triumvirate that command the Luminarian navy. His work regarding military ship design was one of the distinguishing factors when selecting Admiral Ginsa's successor as O.C 3rd Battlefleet, and why he is the incumbent O.C.

As a major ship designer, Cyrilus has mostly structured his fleet like a design bureau, handpicking his officers to run their battlegroups and ships independently from each other, favoring resourceful and independent captains. As a result of his background, 3rd Battlefleet tends to run experimental ship designs undergoing their OPEVAL phase. This also translates in the battlefleet usually operating more modern ships compared to the others. However, discipline within the battlefleet is extremely lax, and many suspect that Cyrilus has been seeking advice from Admiral Zircha on wartime conduct.

Cyrilus has often spearheaded luminarian naval designs based on his wartime experiences. He has been credited with the design of successful schism and post-schism era ships, including the Claymore and Bellerophon. However, due to the vast difference in command styles, his ability to work with the other battlefleets, especially the 2nd, is limited.

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> Name: Aslai DOB 3???-?3-??. Rank: Admiral

Education: Tertiary. Studied Bachelor of Battlefield Psychology at Helst Officer Academy. Graduated in Class Number 104 on 3113-?3-??. Attended Naval Space War College: Helst to complete Master of Strategic Studies in 3118.

Postings: : 32nd Flapjacks - Pilot (3103-3104), 26th Pulsars - 3rd Wing Commander (3104-3107), 1109th Covert - Unknown: Details classified due to OPSEC(3107-3107), LNCr Bravado - Commander, Air Group (3108 - 3111), LNC Nexus - Commanding Officer (3114 - 3116), Officer Commanding - Sub Battlegroup Iroha (3114 - 3116), LNBs Zenith - Commanding Officer (3119-3123), Officer Commanding - Battlegroup Telethia (3119 - 3325), LNBs Unyielding - Commanding Officer (3123 - Present), Officer Commanding: 2nd Battlefleet (3126 - Present)

Performance Evaluation (comment excerpt): Submitted by the late Admiral Chakei - Commander 2nd Battlefleet: [Aslai's] highly aggressive and precise nature makes him an interesting cruiser captain within the fleet. The Captain's aggressive battlefield manner could be attributed to his fighter squadron background, however, he is yet to learn the art of restraint in regards to the pros and cons of overwhelming aggression during the engagement.

Decorations: Aphu Defense Citation Rankenerth Liberation Medal Medal of Valor Telviv Victory Star

Conclusion: The youngest admiral amongst the triumvirate of admirals, Aslai took his seat after the unfortunate death of his mentor Admiral Chakei during the closing battles of the schism. Aslai is a rather aggressive commander, his disdain for wasting lives leads him to utilize full-scale attacks to end conflicts quickly in an attempt to reduce casualties a drawn-out conflict would require.

Coming with a background in intelligence, Aslai knows and values the importance of intel. As such, he takes care in creating meticulous plans, designed to sap enemy morale and deliver a crushing blow when it counts. However, he tends to keep these plans close to his heart, which makes it hard for his subordinates to trust him despite his proven competence.

Additionally, he has been accused of running his personal flagship, the Unyielding, "like a fighter." Leading to increased turnover and casualty rates amongst the crew and officers.

<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: -moz-pre-wrap; white-space: -pre-wrap; white-space: -o-pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"> Name: Zircha DOB 3???-?3-??. Rank: Admiral

Education: Tertiary. Studied Military Science at Helst Officer Academy. Graduated Dux of Class number 98 on 3???-?3-??.

Postings: LNC Presidence - Operations Room (3??9-3??3), LNC Mistral - Executive Officer (3??3-3??8), LNFg Valor - Commanding Officer (3??9 - 3??6), LNC Navigator - Commanding Officer (3??6 - 3??1), Sub Battlegroup Cistern. 1st BattleFleet - Officer Commanding (3??6 - 3??1), Luminarian Naval Command: Space Policy and Warfare (3??1-3??6), LNBs Agressor - Commanding Officer (3??7 - 3??3), 1st Battlefleet - Officer Commanding (3??7 - Present), LNBs Regalia - Commanding Officer (3??3 - Present).

Performance Evaluation (comment excerpt): Whilst quiet and determined, Captain Zircha exhibits strategic competence of an Officer far beyond her years in exercises. Zircha has consistently held her position in such exercises with unreleting steadfastness, analyzing the strategic situation and knowing when to hold and when to launch a counter-offensive.

Decorations: Order of Stars Akeros Victory Star Empire Cross Commander of the Legion of Merit.

Conclusion: Admiral Zircha is the cornerstone of the Luminarian navy. Calm and determined, Zircha's strengths lie in her management skills, as shown during the schism, her ability to dispose the 1st BattleFleet in a manner in which to allow it to fluidly respond to threats in three dimensions.

However, Zircha still has a mindset of pre-schism naval combat, although she's been recently changing to suit the current modern fleet doctrine. As such, she is normally reluctant to launch offensives, instead preferring to absorb the enemy's offensive, bleeding them dry before counter-attacking.

As a result of her mindset, 1st Battlefleet is the largest battlefleet in the Luminarian navy, but the least updated. The proliferation of newer designs such as the Bellerophon or Oculus is not high compared to the 2nd or 3rd battlefleets.