Logs Declassified - part 2
25 Nov 2018Zinnsei
FROM THE IMPERIAL OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE, CAPITOL, ACHENAR, 18 NOV, 09:20 HOURS, 3304The following excerpts are from the recently declassified logs regarding the transfer of COMMANDER ZINNSEI to OPERATION JANUS. The excerpts are confidential and are in no way, form or grade to be reproduced, copied or duplicated by either letter, sign or image under penalty of the highest degree known to the Imperial Navy.
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Commander's Log, 01 SEP, 3303
It has been a long time since I've seen any familiar faces, albeit the crew has started to warm up to me. Apparently "The Imperials" aren't such a bad bunch when you hang around them long enough. That and the fact that we've been running combat drills for so long, none of us are much up to the challenge to keep bickering. So far I've not yet learned the entire truth of my transfer, but the Captain has made it clear that I am to be stationed here for quite a while. I've heard of these joint ventures of under-the-table politics where The Federation and The Empire exchange personnel but I had not thought of myself as a candidate. Especially after the trip to the core.
I look forward to things being fully disclosed.
Cmdr. Zinnsei, signing off.
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Commander's Log, 10 SEP, 3303
Things are heating up. There have been more and more sightings of Thargoid vessels in the past few weeks. Pilots report being immobilized and scanned - some have even been pulled out of hyperspace. So far no aggression, but if these aren't opening moves to something, I'll be damned.
We have been patrolling farther and farther out but we always come back to Merope. It seems that here is where the largest concentration of sightings occurs. These past 24 hours alone we've investigated 7 Unknown Signal Sources, or U.S.S., but have found nothing more than strange readings and a few Unknown Probes. I know that the top scientists of both the Empire and the Federation are working on deciphering their content but so far there has been no luck.
A record high amount of interdictions have occurred this week, ranging from small trading vessels scanned on planetary approach to Anacondas being pulled out of hyperspace. Very few Navy vessels have been targeted but some have come back with reports of Eagles and Vipers being scanned. The pilots all report a strange, deafening sound and a blinding green light that both soothes and agitates at the same time.
I can't help but feel that we're standing on the precipice.
Cmdr. Zinnsei, signing off.
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FROM THE IMPERIAL OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE, CAPITOL, ACHENAR, 15 SEP, 04:26 HOURS, 3303
** EMERGENCY ACTION MESSAGE TO ALL IMPERIAL VESSELS **
MESSAGE BEGINS:
THARGOID AGGRESSION CONFIRMED. INV ROTHSCHILD SCUTTLED AFTER ENGAGEMENT WITH THARGOID VESSEL. ATTACK UNPROVOKED. CASUALTIES REPORTED. AGGRESSOR EVADED PURSUIT BY CLIPPER ESCORTS.
ALL IMPERIAL VESSELS TO PROSECUTE THARGOID PRESENCE WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE
MESSAGE ENDS.
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Commander's Log, 15 SEP, 3303
It has happened. Reports have come in over the comms: Thargoid aggression confirmed! Both the Imperial and Federation forces are engaging the Thargoid presence in Maia and Merope with unconfirmed reports of the Alliance joining the fray shortly. So far we're seeing little to no effect of our weapons. I am willing to bet that this is the reason for all the scans, we have been hearing about. They have been gauging our strengths and weaknesses and found our offensive capabilities lacking.
Our vessel has yet to be in direct engagement with the enemy, but we have seen the carnage first hand. The FNV BAXTER sent out a mayday around noon and before we lost contact, they reported two large enemy vessels carving up the hull of the BAXTER. We were moments away - 300 LS - and responded within a minute of the mayday. When we arrived at the BAXTER, it was too late. Escape pods were swarming the area and the Corvette itself was ablaze. No sign of the aggressors. For two hours we coordinated search and rescue efforts with three Federal Dropships and we managed to save all surviving crew members. The amount of damage was staggering. Just staggering.
By Jove, this is war.
Cmdr. Zinnsei, signing off.
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Commander's Log, 01 JAN, 3304
It has been almost 4 months since the Thargoid invasion began and I'm sorry to say that we're not exactly coming across as the winning side here. The skirmishes are almost a stalemate - almost. I am amazed at how quickly we developed new weaponry to combat the Thargoid aggressors, but even though we're winning a lot more skirmishes, it's like the Thargoids are just ramping up their forces to match. We scuttle a scout, they send two Interceptors. We scuttle the Interceptors, they send a Mothership and obliterate one of our bases, like in HIP 16824.
The Corvette, I'm currently serving on - and have been for the last 7 months - has taken major damage. We're still battle ready but the hull is looking like something out of a horror-holo. Like a ghost ship traveling the stars. I shouldn't' make it sound so ominous. It's pretty much the same look of all the military vessels out here. We're all cats with scars on our muzzles from countless engagements with the enemy.
On a brighter side, it does seem like the last few months have unified the three superpowers of the human part of the galaxy. The crew has accepted me as one of their own and I no longer feel like the outsider. I have had command of a squadron of F63's, on a few occasions, and have led them with more than average success. It's been a while since I myself have been in the cockpit but directing the moves of my pilots have been strangely rewarding and it seems I have gained the respect of the men serving directly under me. Lovely crafts, these F63's. They're no Imperial Fighters and lack the maneuverability thereof, but they are tough and they do their job well.
Sometimes I think of the voyage to Sag. A* and of my stay at the medical facility afterward. It all seems so far away and like it happened to someone else. Sometimes I can't even remember the time around my discharge. Then it comes back to me moments later. I guess I am still recovering in some way or fashion.
Still. Strange.
Cmdr. Zinnsei, signing off.
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Commander's Log, 15 APR, 3304
Made Rear Admiral today. I am so happy that the effort I have put into this assignment has paid off. I just received a new set of orders, along with the official papers.
I am given the command of my own Corvette, the FNV BOSWORTH. Not a particularly imposing name, coming from the sterling christenings of the Empire, but I am told it is named after a famous battle, long ago in Earth history, the battle of Bosworth Field.
The Bosworth and its crew are to proceed to the ETA CARINA Nebula to take part in an Areal Denial Mission against the Thargoids. We'll be joined by countless other vessels and if successful, we'll be effectively cutting off a part of the Thargoid advance. I can't wait.
We depart tomorrow at 05:00, ships time. Hopefully, we will have an opportunity to do a shakedown on the way there.
Cmdr. Zinnsei, signing off.
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FROM THE IMPERIAL OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE, CAPITOL, ACHENAR, 16 APR, 05:14 HOURS, 3304
Confirmation received. The FNV BOSWORTH under the command of COMMANDER ZINNSEI has departed for the ETA CARINA NEBULA. Federation liaison confirms that standing orders are to take part in an Areal Denial Mission. The true nature of OPERATION JANUS is still considered [REDACTED] and therefore the Council has authorised [REDACTED] to be executed at [REDACTED] following the arrival of [REDACTED].
The Council is pleased with the progress of the subject and that the preparations for the full implementation of OPERATION JANUS have gone as hoped. It is the decision of the Council that execution of Order 42 is to be prepared for by all personnel and that [REDACTED] base is to begin final preparations for arrival.
Subject has no memory of [REDACTED] and seems to have fully accepted [REDACTED]. All indication of [REDACTED] is [REDACTED] and to this point no adverse effect of [REDACTED] has been diagnosed.
The Council hereby authorizes the execution of OPERATION JANUS to the full extent of the programme.
Congratulations, all.
Senior Scribe Darren Blackpool
Imperial Office of Naval Intelligence