Seek and you will find (29/03/3304)
30 Mar 2018Archived
Previously in James' LogbookAs professor Goldstein continues his preparations for the next trip, James divides his time between working with the Terran Colonial Forces in LP 98-132 system and trying to find the missing corvette of late CMDR Blasius Hajdu...
***
'No Leaf Clover'
Landing Pad 12
Freeport
LP 98-132 System (Federal Space)
"Yes, commander, Siobhan is fit to talk, although not for very long. She is still very weak" - a young medical assistant in Eranin smiled at James, glanced at someone outside the camera's field of view, nodded and adjusted the holocam. Sib's face now was visible on the screen - and Barrett had to use all his willpower to remain calm. Most of her scalp was covered with bandages, and her left eye hidden behind a patch. Minor burns and bruises sharply contrasted with the pale cheeks. Also the lips were almost colourless. Still, Sib tried to smile when she saw him - the effect was far from comforting.
"Hey lass, how have they been treatin' you?" - James tried to use the most casual tone he could muster.
"I've been better" - her voice was feeble - "but I guess I've been worse too.."
"You're in good hands, Sib. They'll put you back on your feet in no time".
"No doubt... after the plastic surgeries, nano-reconstruction of lost tissue and replacing my left eye with a cybernetic one..."
"Wow! Tell them to install some cool targeting gizmos" - he knew it was getting pathetic but he kept on pushing - "but seriously. I'm thinking about getting a Type 9 and I will need you back for the fighter, lass".
"A Type 9? You're that rich now?"
"Can't complain. You'll see. I'll call ye in person soon, OK?"
"Sure.. I'll be waiting".
"Grand! See you soon!" - he waited for her to wave at him and then he disconnected. He took a few deep breaths and ran his fingers through the face.
***
Local Terran Colonial Forces HQ
Freeport
LP 98-132 System (Federal space)
"We need one extra push in the system, gentlemen" - Cmdr Crashbx, general of Terran Colonial Forces fleet, looked around with a stern face. All the gathered commanders were closely listening to the briefing. Their leader continued - "while it seems that our enemies have temporarily regained initiative in this system and managed to push us back, our Special Ops department was able to stage a coup that effectively will drag the iBootis Democrats into a civil war in another system. This means they might become too overstretched in the coming days. And that is why we need to be prepared".
Once again he stopped and looked in turn at each of the pilots - "Teidybugi, Barrett, Sammie said we will need more heavy weapons. Much more -around 2500 units. Can you get these and bring them here? Quietly?" - both men nodded in unison. Crashbx did the same - "Good. We're counting on you".
"What can I do?" - asked the youngest pilot in the room, Matthew Horner. He has just graduated from the Academy, was eager to learn and James spoke highly of him - more then enough in Crashbx's view to entrust the greenhorn with some skimmer cleaning.
"Hey, lad, and once you're done with it we'll need to return to LHS 3006 and try to find the Hyperion or its remains..."
"Of course, James".
"Still no luck locating Blasius?" - asked Crashbx. James shook his head.
"Nay. And all the leads we had so far make me believe that there's been some nasty cover-up by the Feds themselves.."
"Roger. I know Cmdr Hajdu was flying for the Federation, but he was a decent man.. Keep me posted on your findings. "
"Will do".
***
Deep Space
LHS 3006 System (Federal space)
"Hold on, lad, I think I have something here" - James checked the readings again and put max pips on weapons before dropping from supercruise. As he did so he was forced to make a sharp turn to avoid collision with a big chunk of metal slowly spinning in front of 'No leaf clover'. Not one. Hundreds of larger and smaller pieces littered the area all around.
"Under attack" - warned Betty.
A Keelback materialised to his right, guns blazing. Barrett instinctively enabled vertical thrusters to avoid collision and then quickly used better speed and manoeuvrability of the Chieftain to gain upper hand. The fight was soon over.
"OK, lad, this may be the debris left by a Federal Corvette... are you coming?"
"Wait one, lost you from my scanners, can you enable the beacon?"
"There...done. I've got a data source here, let me download it. TFC Wizards at Prospect Five will help us decipher it".
"Good thinking" - at this very moment Matt's Cobra Mk3 has dropped into the zone - "Holy shit, just look at this.."
"Aye.. I'm afraid this may be what we're looking for"
"We will learn once we read the data, lad..."
(deciphered data)
(AUDIO LOG #1)
(Federal Corvette Hyperion)
To whomever may listen to this log... This is Commander Blasius Hajdu, captain of the Federal Corvette 'Hyperion'. We have been attacked by an unmarked corvette during an engagement with a pirate Anaconda. Our shields went down quickly and I ordered my crew to abandon ship, which they did. I remained on the command deck expecting to go down with my beloved vessel... but the life support system worked flawlessly and sealed the bridge, keeping oxygen supply. I am now surrounded by the debris, trying to count the escape pods and hoping that someone will soon come to our.. their rescue"
(AUDIO LOG #1)
(Federal Corvette Hyperion)
To whomever may listen to this log... This is Commander Blasius Hajdu, captain of the Federal Corvette 'Hyperion'. We have been attacked by an unmarked corvette during an engagement with a pirate Anaconda. Our shields went down quickly and I ordered my crew to abandon ship, which they did. I remained on the command deck expecting to go down with my beloved vessel... but the life support system worked flawlessly and sealed the bridge, keeping oxygen supply. I am now surrounded by the debris, trying to count the escape pods and hoping that someone will soon come to our.. their rescue"
"Someone must have come here before, James. No sign of any escape pod".
"Aye. So it seems... we'll just have to find them, my bet is they have been transported safely to Leonard Nimoy"
"Yes, let's check once we land there.."
(deciphered data)
(AUDIO LOG #2)
(Federal Corvette Hyperion)
I can't believe it... These bastards are waiting for the escape pods to automatically disable their cloaking devices... Corvette has launched two fighters, and these are lazily patrolling the zone. Wait... I think they found one of the pods.. and they have opened fire! They are killing innocents... they are killing my crew...
(AUDIO LOG #2)
(Federal Corvette Hyperion)
I can't believe it... These bastards are waiting for the escape pods to automatically disable their cloaking devices... Corvette has launched two fighters, and these are lazily patrolling the zone. Wait... I think they found one of the pods.. and they have opened fire! They are killing innocents... they are killing my crew...
"Can you see any markings on the remains here?" - asked James.
"Yes, I am afraid I saw some Federal decals... Let's get this data to the specialists. The sooner, the better... hey, look at this - a destroyed Diamondback!"
"Aye... I wonder how did it get here?"
(deciphered data)
(AUDIO LOG #3)
(Federal Corvette Hyperion)
It's been more than one hour now.. they destroyed all the pods. All of them. Cassie, Adam, Rob... dead. Killed with cold blood. At some point a Diamondack jumped in, but quickly was destroyed by the fighters. No hails, nothing. The pilot managed to escape, but his fate is sealed. They will kill him just like they killed the others.. Oh no.. (heavy breathing).. I turned off all the lights in here hoping that they won't find me... but one of the fighters is approaching my position...
(AUDIO LOG #3)
(Federal Corvette Hyperion)
It's been more than one hour now.. they destroyed all the pods. All of them. Cassie, Adam, Rob... dead. Killed with cold blood. At some point a Diamondack jumped in, but quickly was destroyed by the fighters. No hails, nothing. The pilot managed to escape, but his fate is sealed. They will kill him just like they killed the others.. Oh no.. (heavy breathing).. I turned off all the lights in here hoping that they won't find me... but one of the fighters is approaching my position...
To be continued