Preliminary Review, Dedicant Search and Recovery, 02 August 3309
11 Aug 2023Glen van Ross
[NOTE: Contains some spoilers]
FNS Saratoga (T6Q-48H) and Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5)Preliminary Review, Dedicant Search and Recovery
From: Commander, Carrier Strike Group Seven (CSG-7)
To: DCNO Information Warfare (N2/N6) / Director of Naval Intelligence
CC: Director, Federal Intelligence Agency
Via: Commander, 15th Fleet
Subj: Action Review and Summary Report, 02 Aug 3309
Ref: OPNAV Inst. 4359.7 of 20 Jul 3309
PART I - COMPOSITION OF OWN FORCES AND MISSION
Spacecraft from Carrier Air Wing FIVE had been involved in the search for megaship Dedicant on 21 July 3309; after the Imperial Navy localized the origin of its distress signals to HIP 19600, this information was relayed to Federal authorities and FNS Saratoga (T6Q-48H) was tasked with search and recovery operations. At time of writing, HIP 19600 was Thargoid-controlled and generally hard to approach, being several jumps deep through enemy-held territory.
[NOTE: As of 0800Z 03 August 3309, HIP 19600 is no longer Thargoid-controlled territory]
Civilian policymakers in Olympus Village expressed a strong preference for Dedicant to be recaptured. An opposed boarding is a complex and dangerous operation at the best of times; the navy has longstanding doctrine and procedures for it, generally following this outline:
- Interception. When ready to intercept the target vessel, the supporting naval vessel will move at best speed to position itself so that its weapons and sensors are best situated to support the boarding team.
- Boarding. One or more teams of special operations forces (SOF) will approach the boarding target in smaller vessels. Depending on the type of ship being boarded and mission requirements, SOF teams can gain access to the target vessel's interior by a number of means—hatch-breaker limpets, electronically overriding hatch controls, breaching charges, or ramming their own boarding craft into the target vessel's pressure hull.
- Securing the ship. After SOF teams are aboard, they will sweep through the ship to locate all crew and passengers, and take control of the ship. When threats on the vessel have been contained, the boarding and inspection team can be brought aboard.
- Turnover to boarding and inspection party. The boarding party must determine if the ship is spaceworthy, if there are any medical considerations with the crew, if there are any potential safety hazards aboard, and if the crew is able to assist in operating the vessel. They may conduct a search and inspection while the vessel is underway, stopped, or elect to divert the ship to a port. The boarding party must be able to operate the ship safely and securely until it is turned over to other authorities. Communications must also be established with the escort naval vessel. When the boarding team is ready, they will accept responsibility for the ship from the SOF team.
According to our N3 Operations staff, Maelstrom-capable ships would be sufficiently durable to conduct a search for Dedicant in contested territory. No supplementary training was deemed necessary for aircrews, as N2 Intelligence indicated that HIP 19600 should present a much less hazardous environment than the Thargoid Titans.
In the early stages of mission planning, there were concerns that the strike group's two Maelstrom-capable ships (which have sacrificed their fuel scoops for additional equipment and stores) may not have the range and endurance to reach the search area. Typically, a vessel will suffer one hyperdiction per jump when entering or transiting Thargoid-controlled space. These failed jumps burn significant amounts of fuel, and can drastically reduce the maximum jump range of a vessel.
With the discovery of a secure staging area in Col 285 Sector EA-Q c5-16, a mere 20.8LY distant, fuel and endurance concerns were no longer a factor.
Course plot from carrier to HIP 19600. (UNCLAS)
| MAELSTROM-CAPABLE COMBAT SALVAGE | MASS | JUMP | RANGE | THERMAL | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TYPE | VESSEL | IDENT | CARGO | UNL | LDN | UNL | LDN | UNL | LDN | SPD | BST | IDL | THR |
| Fed. Assault Ship | FNS Grapple | ARS-53 | 16 | 830 | 846 | 26.2 | 25.7 | 93.1 | 91.3 | 334 | 557 | 13.4% | 20.1% |
| Imperial Clipper | FNS Haudenosaunee | ARS-14 | 80 | 842 | 922 | 25.9 | 23.6 | 91.7 | 83.7 | 476 | 603 | 13.8% | 20.2% |
Although it had lesser laden jump range and maximum endurance, FNS Haudenosaunee (ARS-14) was selected by mission planners because of its greater cargo capacity and higher boost speed. At this point in the search, it was unknown whether Dedicant would turn her guns on search craft, how many of the detainees and FIA agents were still aboard, and if Thargoid opposition would include Hunter-class Glaives.
Reconnaissance craft Hawkeye (VAW123) was launched to reconnoitre Col 285 Sector EA-Q c5-16 in advance of carrier arrival; there were several combat zones in-system where independent pilots faced off against Thargoid forces, but these were remote and did not present a significant danger to the carrier.
FNS Saratoga (T6Q-48H) and strike group took up station in Col 285 Sector EA-Q c5-16 sector at 2015Z 01 August 3309.
PART II - BACKGROUND
The Dedicant is a Freedom-class Surveyor built in 3308 by the Workers of Popontia Free, under contract to a militant "True Chapters" sect of the Thargoid-worshipping Far God faith. It is the fourth and most recent megaship commissioned by the Order of the Far God, following the Testament, Perdition and Sacrosanct launched in August 3307; these latter two are also Freedom-class.
Interstellar vehicle Dedicant in Popontia system, January 3309. (Photo by Cmdr Coehoorn)
Following armed clashes with Federal law enforcement, and the failure of an independent pilots' campaign to defend the True Chapters adherents, the Federal Congress drafted legislation outlawing the Far God cult. Despite spirited debate from opposition parties and Shadow President Felicia Winters, the bill passed with a narrow majority; it was signed into law by President Zachary Hudson on 19 October 3308.
Subsequently Dedicant was seized by the Federal Navy, and was slated to be inspected and evaluated by investigators.
[NOTE: Inquiries to the Inactive Ships Management Office at Naval Space Systems Command were inconclusive, failing to reveal the scope and thoroughness of inspections by engineers and naval architects—or indeed whether any took place.]
The vessel languished in Popontia for nine months and was not drydocked or refitted.
On 08 June 3309, Alliance Prime Minister Edmund Mahon extended an offer to settle all Far God adherents currently detained by Federation authorities; that offer was accepted by President Hudson on June 12th. Federal security services categorized the True Chapters sect as high-risk, insisting that they be deported before more "orthodox" Far God cultists. In exchange for transport to Alliance space aboard the Dedicant, the Thargoid-worshippers agreed to provide full access to the megaship’s databanks and the Order’s sacred texts.
An arrangement with Alliance immigration officials planned for the vessel to make port in the Mullag system, with a cadre of FIA agents embarked to manage the transit. On 16 June 3309, thousands of True Chapters adherents boarded Dedicant for the transfer. Hours later the vessel departed Popontia ahead of schedule, but failed to turn up in Mullag. SAR efforts were directed along the Popontia-Mullag route, but found no wreckage or indication of passage.
Commentary from Seo Jin-ae, a victim of horrific Thargoid-human interface experiments by Azimuth Biotech, indicated that the internal habitable volume of Far God megaships differs significantly from the original design specification. This is apparently intended to confuse and confound those visitors the Far Gold cult regards as heretics. Cultists consider Seo Jin-ae to be a religious figure ("the Preceptor") for her sporadic ability to interpret impressions gleaned from the Thargoid hive mind.
On 20 July 3309, an Imperial scout ship detected a partial distress signal in the LP 714-58 system, and that information was released to the Federal Navy and independent pilots at large. The signal had been routed through beacons in several nearby systems; on 01 August 3309 the Imperial Navy determined the original signal source to be HIP 19600.
PART III - DEDICANT SEARCH AND RECOVERY
FNS Haudenosaunee (ARS-14) on deck, ready to begin search and recovery operations. (Federal Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Marella Bouvier) 341967-N-GP389-2581
Salvage vessel FNS Haudenosaunee (ARS-14) was prepared for sortie with a payload of limpets, while the flight crew was briefed on expected Thargoid resistance, Freedom-class Surveyor characteristics, armament, ingress/egress points, and other mission-relevant data.
The carrier's medical personnel and Sickbay were placed on higher readiness to prepare for potential influx of sick and wounded. Not being a hospital ship or rescue megaship, Saratoga does not have the innate medical capacity to treat or accommodate all 8,150 souls aboard Dedicant; but in concert with the ten other fleet carriers present in-system, collectively their capabilities could ensure the survival of a significant percentage.
FNS Haudenosaunee (ARS-14) sortied for the search area at 2022Z 01 August 3309. Limited use of the Full Spectrum System Scanner was unavoidable in locating Dedicant's position (high orbit over HIP 19600 1 D); otherwise mission rules dictated EMCON Charlie to minimize detection via signal radiation.
The salvage vessel was interdicted twice while supercruising to the site, but these Thargoid interceptions were futile owing to the ship's boost speed and reduced thermal profile.
FNS Haudenosaunee (ARS-14) approaching the derelict Dedicant, HIP 19600 1 D. (Federal Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Marella Bouvier) 341967-N-GP389-2586
Visual confirmation that Dedicant had been located occurred at 2031Z 01 August 3309. The megaship was clearly in distress and had the usual hallmarks of a Thargoid attack: remnants of the characteristic green caustic cloud, severe and persistent corrosive damage to exterior plating, jagged scar-like hull breaches—as if it had been clawed by some great beast.
Dedicant bridge / command section detail, HIP 19600 1 D. (Federal Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Marella Bouvier) 341967-N-GP389-2593
Examination of the bridge / command module revealed that the forward windows were intact and some interior illumination was still operational, along with navigation and running lights. Evidently one or more powerplants were still generating power, or the megaship had significant battery reserves.
This area of the ship had received comparatively little damage, but Dedicant did not respond to narrowband RF communications.
Salvage vessel FNS Haudenosaunee (ARS-14) aligning communications array with Dedicant uplink port, HIP 19600 1 D. (Federal Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Marella Bouvier) 341967-N-GP389-2593
Dedicant's habitation rings and agriculture domes had been devastated; several of the domes' lattice shells were bent and perforated, open to the vacuum of space. The rings had ceased rotation, and significant portions of the second ring had been wrenched away entirely. The bulk of the detainees would have been in the habitation rings; considering the level of destruction, casualty figures had to be extreme.
There are a number of data uplink ports scattered across the megaship; these provide access to ten log entries made by both FIA agents and Far God adherents. The content of the logs is ... simultaneously fascinating and disturbing.
[NOTE: Transcripts of log entries have been redacted from this report until families of the deceased can be notified.]
Dedicant's log recordings corroborate the earlier FIA distress signal, indicating that True Chapters adherents temporarily incapacitated FIA security teams and initiated a hyperspace jump to HIP 19600. It is notable that the cultists chose non-lethal means when it may have been faster and more expedient to use a less gentle approach.
Not long after, Thargoids approached the megaship and initiated hostilities, including—for the first time—a boarding action. The exact nature of this boarding action is the subject of much debate by our intelligence analysts. Some say the audio data should be interpreted as breaker-type limpets penetrating the hull and abducting captives; others say it is potentially evidence of live Thargoids storming the ship in search of human captives.
Whether they were FIA or Far God cultists, Dedicant's human occupants met an agonizing, unsettling end.
Detail of significant hull breaches in Dedicant's engineering and propulsion sections, HIP 19600 1 D. (Federal Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Marella Bouvier) 341967-N-GP389-2606
The engineering and propulsion sections also received critical damage, and may even have been specifically targeted during the initial wave of attacks to preclude the possibility of escape.
Some cargo holds are intact, but examining their contents via hatchbreaker limpet produced a hostile response from the megaship's still-functioning defence turrets. Haudenosaunee collected and returned samples of these commodities for examination; there was no evidence of weapons or contraband substances. In the main, none of Dedicant's bulk cargo differed significantly from its manifest, nor was it unusual or worthy of note.
NS Haudenosaunee (ARS-14) recovering escape pods jettisoned from rescue bay hatches on Dedicant's centreline propulsion nacelle, HIP 19600 1 D. (Federal Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Marella Bouvier) 341967-N-GP389-2638
Close inspection of the engineering and propulsion sections revealed a functional rescue bay / escape hatch on Dedicant's centerline propulsion nacelle. Employing the Data Link Scanner and hatch-breaker limpets allowed our salvage vessel to recover a number of escape pods. Over the course of several trips, 120 occupied escape pods and 60 damaged escape pods were retrieved from this bay.
The pods were taken to a sealed hangar bay for quarantine, and examined by Saratoga's medical and xenobiological personnel. I regret to say that the pods' vital signs monitoring was faulty, and that despite telemetry indications, no survivors were recovered. In light of this and several other factors—the time elapsed between Dedicant's disappearance and discovery, the destruction wrought on most of the vessel's pressurized, habitable areas—we have high confidence that all aboard have perished. All bodies recovered by the salvage vessel will be transferred to Medical Corps custody at Ito Orbital, Rhea system, after the carrier returns to Federal space.
FNS Haudenosaunee (ARS-14) preparing to depart Dedicant hulk and return to FNS Saratoga (T6Q-48H). (Federal Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Marella Bouvier) 341967-N-GP389-2715
At time of writing, Thargoid activity around the hulk was minimal but not zero; our salvage vessel was fired upon by interceptors and forced to leave several times. Owing to the occasional enemy presence, and the possibility of Thargoid biological or biomechanical constructs remaining in Dedicant's hull, no boarding was attempted.
FNS Haudenosaunee (ARS-14) completed its survey of Dedicant and returned to FNS Saratoga (T6Q-48H) at 0108Z 02 August 3309.
PART IV - PARTICULARS OF DEDICANT AND INCIDENT
| VESSEL PARTICULARS | |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Dedicant |
| Flag | Disputed between Federation and Order of the Far God |
| Classification Society | Lloyd's Interstellar Registry |
| IMO Number / Registry | Not declared |
| Type | Freedom-class Surveyor |
| Registered Owner | Disputed between Federal Navy and Order of the Far God |
| Construction | Furanium / Tritanium / Duranium metal-matrix composite |
| Year of Build | 3308 |
| Length Overall | 4,500 metres (estimated) |
| Gross Tonnage | Not declared |
| Minimum Safe Manning | Not declared |
| Authorized Cargo | Passengers, Mixed ro-ro cargo, Machinery, Bulk cargo (metals, materials) |
| VOYAGE PARTICULARS | |
|---|---|
| Port of departure | Popontia system |
| Port of arrival | Mullag system (intended) |
| Type of voyage | Prisoner Transfer / Emigrant Transport |
| Cargo information | 8,000 Far God detainees emigrating to Alliance of Independent Systems, ~550 tons machinery, metals and minerals |
| Manning | 150 |
| MARINE CASUALTY INFORMATION | |
|---|---|
| Date and Time | 16 June 3309 2030Z (estimated) |
| Type of Marine Casualty or Incident | Very Serious Marine Casualty (Loss of vessel, loss of life) |
| Location of Incident | HIP 19600 1 D (Thargoid-controlled at time of incident) |
| Injuries / Fatalities | Estimated 8,150 killed |
| Damage / Environmental Impact | Vessel Constructive Total Loss. Extensive kinetic and caustic damage to hull plating, extensive deformation of structural spaceframe. Agriculture, habitat, engineering and propulsion spaces specifically targeted and vented to space. Potential for biologic or biomechanical lifeforms remaining undetected in hulk. |
| External & Internal Environment | Pre-incident: Local space climate unknown. Post-incident: Remnants of caustic cloud (density insufficient to cause damage) |
| Persons on Board | 8,150 |
PART V - CONCLUSIONS
Dedicant's loss is directly attributable to True Chapters Far God cultists deliberately navigating the vessel to Thargoid-controlled territory; an action which subsequently claimed their own lives, and the lives of 150 FIA agents. There are also several contributing actions and parties who share culpability in this tragedy.
It is unclear, at best, why Dedicant's watch-standing crews were drawn from FIA—an agency concerned with counterintelligence and major criminal investations—and not the Federal Navy. It is unclear why Dedicant's security teams were drawn from FIA and not the Bureau of Corrections, or other Federal law enforcement agencies. It is unclear why FIA believed that 150 agents were sufficient to maintain control over 8,000 detainees; a 53-to-1 ratio.
It is unclear whether Dedicant's modified internal volume and layout was adequately examined and documented while in Federal possession. The Navy appears negligent; in the nine months elapsed between seizure and voyage, there is virtually no paper trail. Basic requirements regarding vessel ownership were not attended to; it does not have a Federal registration or hull pennant; its basic dimensions, gross tonnage, and insurer are not listed; there is no record of it having been inspected post-seizure.
If the ship had been properly inspected, and its modified / "secret" compartments identified, then this information was evidently not passed on to the Federal Intelligence Agency's watch-standing crew and security elements. True Chapters adherents having unfettered access to these "unknown" areas (and whatever weapons or contraband they may have contained) is the proximate cause of FIA losing control of the vessel.
Decisions regarding Dedicant's crew were undoubtedly made at a high level, but FIA's crew complement was not consistent with "minimum safe manning" practices—to the point of negligence. Safe manning is a function of the number of qualified and experienced spacefarers necessary for the safety and security of the ship, crew, passengers, cargo and property and for the protection of the space environment. When determining minimum safe crewing, peak workload situations and conditions should be considered, such as:
- Ability to moor or dock safely in adverse conditions, supervised by a responsible officer;
- Ability to evacuate the ship safely without assistance from orbital or planetside facilities, in the time specified by the IMO;
- Ability to enter port, work cargo and sail while complying with mandated requirements for hours of work and hours of rest;
- Ability to staff reactor, engineering and propulsion control rooms or monitoring stations when navigating in restricted space and/or berthing/unberthing;
For proper security per the Bureau of Corrections, Dedicant would have required 696 security personnel to be on duty at all times, plus additional watch-standing crew to navigate and operate. Operating on three shifts per day, and adhering to mandatory crew rest requirements, Dedicant's security complement alone should have been at least 2,795 persons.
PART V - RECOMMENDATIONS
The scenario should never be allowed to arise where prisoners know the layout and operational procedures of their transport vessel better than its watch-standing crews and security teams.
- A serious review of the handling of seized and inactive ships is necessary; it is glaringly apparent that current protocols, workflow or staffing are inadequate, or simply being ignored. The Dedicant chain of unfortunate events raises the question of whether our inactive/reserve warships are being accurately inspected and maintained in proper readiness. If not, this faulty information has wide-ranging implications for the Department of the Navy; combatant commands and flag officers will not have an accurate assessment of the Navy's readiness and operational posture, and worse, civilian policymakers will formulate strategic and foreign policy decisions based on those false perceptions.
- The Navy and FIA should strive for better inter-agency cooperation, transparency and timeliness.
- Responsibility for the staffing and crew complement of a megaship should not fall upon government agencies whose primary responsibilities do not include the safe and secure operation of large spacefaring vessels. At the very least, naval or merchant marine officers with significant large-draught command experience should have been consulted regarding minimum safe manning.
- Responsibility for mass transport of prisoners should not fall upon government agencies whose primary responsibilities do not include the care, custody, and control of incarcerated individuals. A security element of nearly 2,800 would have been apropriate for the number of detainees; 150 was woefully inadequate.
G. van Ross, Commanding