JAMESON CRASH SITE
31 Oct 2023Jav Marlo
03 APR 3309, system HIP 12099.This is commander Jav Marlo, flying the Electra. The rumours about Salvation having survived the Thargoid attack on the Bright Sentinel by relocating his mind continue to spread.
In the meantime, I was on route to the Hyades Sector to re-join the fight when I received a message by Lori Jameson. She was thanking me for the information on the INRA bases that I forwarded to her. She said that she might have some information of my interest and asked to meet me at some specific coordinates on System 12099. She also told me to be cautious and to not share the location for our rendezvous.
The Electra approaching the rendezvous site
I detect a faint signal coming from the coordinates Lori Jameson provided. There is a beacon too... I am almost there... A Cobra... there is a crashed Cobra there... and an old one... I do not need to scan it to know whose Cobra this is.
…Analysis complete…
…High concentrations of mycoid particle detected…
…Searching known databases for identification…
…Results confirmed…
Designation: Cobra MkIII
Registered Pilot: Commander Jameson
Jameson Crash Site
Quite fitting. Jameson Crash Site was discovered in 3303, about a year before I got my Pilot’s Federation license. I remember reading about it in GalNet. He crashed on the same system where the Stack abandoned settlement is. I wonder if he was trying to get there after deploying the mycoid weapon... The scanners do not show any other ships in the vicinity. I guess there is no danger if I disembark and look around while I wait for Lori Jameson.
The Electra landed in front of Commander Jameson’s Cobra
The cockpit is empty. The remnants of Commander Jameson must have been removed, along with any useful data, for sure. But... I wonder... if I use the energy link into that socket... I might be able to power up the black box... it is working... and blocked... but I have a full set of INRA codes I got recently... maybe I could override the...
Jav Marlo observing the cockpit of Commander Jameson’s Cobra
Commanders Log: John Jameson 1/4
Hey there, kiddo. Now I know I said i’d be coming home soon, but they’ve asked me to do something – something important – and I couldn’t say no. I wanted to be there, believe me but sometimes you have to make sacrifices, well this is one of those times. I don’t know if that makes much sens to you, but maybe it will do when you’re older. Anyway, I thought I’d send you this log. I know it’s not the same as being there in person, but it’s the best I could do. I’m sorry. I’m not really supposed to talk about my mission, but if I’m going to miss your birthday the least I can do is give you a good story. Consider yourself sworn to secrecy.
I’m sitting in the cockpit, waiting for the all clear. They want to tinker with her for a while first, but they don’t seem to have done any harm. All systems online. Everything’s… everything’s looking good.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling just a little jittery. You know I’ve fought bugs before, sure, but never more than one at a time. Flying up to one of their hive ships? Well, that’s a whole different story. Hell, I don’t even know what I’m carrying. Classified, they said. All I know is it’s designed to target the bugs’ hyper-drives so they won’t be able to leave the system. Of course if it doesn’t work, I’m just kicking the hornet’s nest. That’s why I’ve set the nav system to jump out as soon as I’ve deployed the payload. Can’t be too careful. Wish me luck.
Jav Marlo over Commander Jameson’s Cobra
Commanders Log: John Jameson 2/4
That was almost too easy. Threaded my way past their perimeter, masked my heat signature so I could get close to the superstructure. I tell you… I’d never seen a hive ship up close before. I doubt many people have. It was amazing, kiddo. Beautiful, really. Makes you realise just how smart they are, how advanced. I admit it: I hesitated for a moment before I hit the button. I had to remind myself that it wasn’t them I was attacking, just their technology. That’s if this mycoid virus of theirs even works. Man, I watched the payload rocket into the belly of their ship and stuck around just long enough to make sure it hit home. Then I punched the throttle. Woah!
I’m coming home, kiddo. I’m coming home.
Commanders Log: John Jameson 3/4.
It was supposed to target their hyperdrives. That’s what they told me. Just the hyperdrives. So we’d be safe again. So we could live without fear. Well, it did a hell of a lot more than that. There were sensors on the payload so I could monitor the reaction and make sure it activated properly. I’m staring at the data now. The weapon is… lethal. They knew what it could do. They knew what it could do and they used it anyway. How many have we killed? Thousands? Millions? God forgive us.
Jav Marlo observing the beacon marking Jameson Crash site
Commanders Log: John Jameson 4/4
Got myself into a bit of a situation here kiddo. My guess is that they installed a program in my ship and set it to trigger after I’d deployed the payload. All my systems are dead. The controls are out. Can’t even access the escape pod. And the ship is on a collision course. And there is nothing I can do about it.
“We need to inspect your ship, Commander.”
How did I fall for a ruse like that? Oh god. I’m at least partly to blame. I’ve gotten old, careless. I should have quit years ago. I guess I should have known they wouldn’t want me coming back.
The bugs are dangerous – no doubt about it – but er, well this is mass murder we’re talking about. You can understand why they’d want to keep it secret.
I know some men wouldn’t want to admit they’d killed thousands of sentient beings. I guess… I guess the guys back at base think they’re doing me a favour by burying me out here in the black. Personally, I’d rather people knew what happened. Even if I didn’t come out of it looking too good. I don’t have much time. There’s a big old planet in my viewport and it’s getting bigger by the second. People will talk about what I did, after I’m gone. The missions I flew, the things I accomplished. But there’s something I want you to remember. No matter what they say, whatever garlands they hang on my name, whatever they write on my tombstone.
You, you, were my greatest achievement, I love you son.
(Sigh) Damn us!... How do we pretend to win this war? (Deep breath) By killing our own heroes?... With more treachery?... (Deep sigh) We are doomed!... I better go back to my ship.
Jav Marlo walking towards the Electra
Wait a sec... What was that?... Like a flash... in the sky... It might be a ship breaking out of supercruise.
Jav Marlo observing the Sky at Jameson Crash site
And... I would say... that whoever it is... is gliding towards here. Could be Lori Jameson, could be anyone else. I better hurry up.
An unidentified ship gliding towards Jameson Crash site
(Heavy breath) It is a small ship. Its signal is masked. How can it be? It is coming directly to my ship. I don’t like the look of this.
(Comms buzz) Unidentified ship. o7. This is commander Jav Marlo. I am exploring this site. Please stand your intentions. (Comms buzz)
The pilot of the unidentified ship
No answer. I can see it know. It is a Diamondback Explorer. IT HAS DEPLOYED WEAPONS. IT’S FIRING.
The unidentified ship firing
IT’S A TRAP. (Heavy breathing) All this was a trap. It’s hitting the Electra. THE SHIELDS CANNOT HOLD MUCH LONGER. I cannot board. If one of those bolts hit me… DAMN LORI JAMESON!
The Electra taking fire
MY SHIP! IT’S GONNA EXPLODE! NOOO!
The Electra exploding
What now?... Abandoning me on this forsaken place. Letting me suffocate when my oxygen reserve expires... Bastard!... NO!... No way!... It’s going to land... He wants to finish the job. (Heavy breath)
Jav Marlo observing the unidentified ship approaching for landing
(Heavy breath) You are not going to get me so easily. I still have a plasma gun with me. Let’s see what you have... (Heavy breath) I am taking cover behind Jameson’s Cobra.
Jav Marlo jumping to take cover behind Commander Jameson’s Cobra
It’s landing... Come to me... you bastard! (Heavy breath) Show me what you got!... DAMN! I am doomed. An SRV!
An unidentified SRV firing Jav Marlo
Not looking for a fair fight, I guess... It’s firing at me. But my cover is holding. At least until it decides to go around and finish me from afar.
Jav Marlo taking cover behind Commander Jameson’s Cobra
If it comes close enough, I might get a chance of landing some plasma bolts on it. Maybe scare him. Quite unlikely, but it is my only chance... Damn! He is not biting. It’s keeping its distance. I cannot leave my cover. I’m trapped. Nothing I can do!
An unidentified SRV firing at Jav Marlo’s cover
This is it! This is the end... (Heavy breath) I cannot hit him from here... (Heavy breath) I cannot run... And I will run out of oxygen before he does... (Heavy breath)... I am not dying suffocating. I’d rather take my chances against those plasma repeaters... Wait... What is that?
Jav Marlo under fire at Jameson Crash site
It’s taking fire! I mean, the Diamondback explorer is taking fire! A ship is attacking it! WHO? WHAT?
The unidentified ship under attack
(Heavy breath) My attacker is turning over... He won’t make it back to his ship... It’s shields are down... It cannot hold much more... IT’S GOING TO EXPLODE!
The unidentified ship exploding
It’s running away! TAKE THAT! The SRV is running away! Bastard!
The unidentified SRV running away
Wait! A Fer-de-Lance! My rescuer flies a Fer-de-Lance! If it is really my rescuer. Perhaps it is another assassin!
(Comms buzz) Commander Marlo, hold your position. I am landing. (Comms buzz)
A mysterious Fer-de-Lance landing at Jameson Crash site
(Comms buzz) Who are you? Why should I do as you say? (Comms buzz)
(Comms buzz) Because we have a rendezvous, Commander Marlo. I am Lori Jameson. (Comms buzz)
Lori Jameson’s Fer-de-Lance landed at Jameson Crash site
(Comms buzz) How do I know this is not another trap? (Comms buzz)
(Comms buzz) You’ll have to trust me. We don’t have a lot of time. (Comms buzz)
(Comms buzz) My ship. It is destroyed. (Comms buzz)
(Comms buzz) I know. Board my ship. I´ll take you to a safe place. (Comms buzz)
(Comms buzz) No way. Show yourself. (Comms buzz)
(Comms buzz) Fair enough. I am disembarking. Just don´t shoot me. (Comms buzz)
Jav Marlo and Lori Jameson talking at Jameson Crash site
Ok. I trust you. You are Lori Jameson. What is that crucial information you have for me.
The crucial information I have for you is that a secret organisation, known as the Black Flight, is pursuing you. The assassin that just run away is one of its operatives. And they could be more. So get into my ship, we need to RUN AWAY.
Agreed. But who is this Black Flight? Why are they after me? Why meeting here if it was not safe? How did you know they were after me?
Jav Marlo and Lori Jameson embarking on Lori Jameson´s Fer-de-Lance
Too many questions, commander Marlo. I will try to answer them on our way back.
Our way back where?
To my base in Shinrarta Dezhra.
...
Lori Jameson´s Fer-de-Lance departing
Black Flight is a covert military unit that has been monitoring any Thargoid activity for years, preventing the public from discovering any Thargoid-related sites and technology by any means necessary. And, for some reason, they see you as a threat. We also think they have tights with Azimuth Biochemicals and the project Seraph.
Who is ‘we´? Why me?
´We´are the Pilots Federation, of course. And regarding ´why you´, you tell me; have you been sniffing into any Thargoid related issues lately?
Lori Jameson´s Fer-de-Lance departing HIP 12099
Are you kidding me? I have been trying to discover how my father disappeared in the Merope system for years, following clues about the Thargoids, and uncovering many dark secrets in the meantime, secrets kept by obscure organisations such as your Pilots Federation.
The Pilots Federation is like any other influential organisation, it has members that act undercover with their dark agendas, and it has its members that seek the truth. Don’t forget that you are a member too. And regarding your father, I might have some information for you too. Cisco Marlo, correct? I knew the man. Briefly.
Did you knew him? I mean... my father. How is it so?
It might have been soon before he disappeared. You know I was a bounty hunter before I became an engineer. Well, years ago, on March 3301, I received an urgent call requesting an armed escort from an associate of mine. He was on route from the Pleiades to the Leonard Nimoy Station in Fed space carrying an unknown alien artifact and expected trouble. I gave the mission to two of my partners that were close to the target: Halligan and Kohl, and I departed to join them as soon as I could. When they found my associate, his Type 7 cargo vessel had already being interdicted. There were two Vipers, with pirate marks on them, and an unidentified Vulture. Halligan and Kohl were elite pilots flying A rated Eagles and confidently engaged the pirates. Kohl easily destroyed one of the Vipers diverting the attention of the Vulture, that proved to be a total different challenge. It killed Kohl with a single bolt of its supercharged plasma guns and then turned again on the Type 7. In the meantime, Halligan was engaged with the other Viper that ended crashing with the Type 7 heavily damaging it. That is when I joined the battle. The Vulture was about to blow up the Type 7 when I stroke, with the main star at my back, firing my supercharged plasma accelerator. It clearly did not see me coming. Outnumbered it tried to jump, but Halligan’s and I combined fire destroyed it. My associate’s Type 7 had already lost its canopy, but he managed to do an emergency landing. We survived.
Lori Jameson talking to Jav Marlo
A thrilling story, but how is it related to my father?
I think you know my associate, professor Ishmael Palin, he was flying that Type 7. And your father was with him. Indeed, your father used to work for Palin on that time. That is what I’ve heard... I know, it might be shocking for you... but I can prove what I say. I can show you records and video files.
Video record of the attack on Palin’s Type 7
It... it cannot be... Palin would have told me... why... why are you telling me this?
Because Palin asked me to do so... Indeed, he asked me to keep an eye on you... He cares about you, you know?
Why? Why he did not tell me? Why did he send me to you? He played me. Why? Why now?
I am sorry. I don’t have the answers to your questions. Palin has them. You should visit him He is expecting you.
I... I don’t know. I need to think.
I understand. You are welcome to stay all the time you need at my base.
Lori Jameson’s Fer-de-Lance ready to jump
06 APR 3309, system Shinrarta Dezhra, Jameson Base
This is commander Jav Marlo. I have spent the last three days at Lori Jameson base in the Shinrarta Dezhra system, studying the Pilots Federation files on my father that she has provided. The files are fragmented, they are contradictory, it seems that he was some short of cover agent, but it is not clear if he was working for the Alliance or for the Feds. He is still an enigma to me. Lori Jameson insists that professor Palin has the answers and that I should visit him. I think I am ready to do so. But first I am heading to say good bye to my host.
Jameson base at Shinrarta Dezhra
Greetings. I wanted to thank you for all the information you shared with me. I am ready to leave. I think I will pay a visit to professor Palin.
I am glad to hear that. And thanks to you too for providing all the intel of the INRA bases and the logs from my great grandfather’s ship.
Jav Marlo and Lori Jameson talking at Jameson base
Just a question before I depart. Did you knew? I mean, did you knew about John Jameson, and what INRA did to him?
Yes. I have known for a long time. But it was important that you knew it too. That is why I sent you there... Do not worry. You will understand soon enough... when you talk with Palin. Farewell, commander Marlo.
Farewell, Lori Jameson
Jav Marlo walking towards the docks of Jameson base
One last thing, commander Marlo. My friend Palin would never forgive me I let you leave my base on an Apex shuttle. An Elite commander deserves better. There is something for you at the docks.
What the...?
I did my best to prepare that ship for exploration and recon, given the short time I had. And she is fast too.
Jav Marlo observing a Cobra in the docks of Jameson base
I... I don’t know what to say... She... she is a beauty.
I was so sorry for the lost of your ship. I hope you don’t mind that I took the liberty to name it. Godspeed, commander Marlo.
...
Jameson base control, this is commander Marlo, on board the Electra II, requesting permission to depart.
(Comms buzz) Permission granted. (Comms buzz)
It seems that I owe an old friend a visit.
Jav Marlo signing out.
Jav Marlo on board the Electra II requesting permission to depart Jameson base