++My primary concern iz outlining ze contingencies and fallback planz first.++

++Az clarified by MSC Valna, ze Outpost may require...assistance should hostile forces be present. Naturally zis would require zat ze Outpost be ze first rendezvous position. I fear we must be prepared to.... scuttle ze outpost if necessary. ++

++If ze outpost successfully evacuate or iz otherwise not a priority, my experience iz zat a jump location and target should be predetermined. An unoccupied system would be best if not for our Beasts' appetite. Only ze Wartooth would have ze stores to jump again. Pursuers would have to be taken into consideration az we wouldn't want to lead them straight to Haven, nie?++

++And, I would like to...apologize for my abandonment at the officer's lounge on Hallus. Having lived so long on Both, such decadence does not sit well with me. I was wrong to not inform you.++

++ I have set a schedule for emergency drills to take place during the spike, one that i am not aware of either. I suggest you all do the same, and possibly identify weak points in our collective response time. ++

++ As for the outpost, its presence is of strategic importance, and i would prefer to have its safety marked as a primary objective. However, should we find evidence than an attack by superior numbers is imminent, i would like to have an evacuation plan set up beforehand where we would take the crew on board our ships before Spiking out with them to a safer system. Outposts can always be rebuilt, but the crew has knowledge of Hegemony space and naval command structure. One way or the other, this intel must be denied to an enemy, and i'd rather do it while preventing loss of life. ++

++ These are, of course, precautionary measures. I have no proof such a force would be waiting for us, or whose arrival imminent, but i would rather not be caught unprepared. ++

Zazan makes a series of approving clicks
++Indeed. It would also be foolish forget about ze possibility of us breaching back into realspace and Station Ultima Black VI is already destroyed.++
This message was last edited by the player at 21:52, Mon 24 Feb 2020.

The Squadron leaves Anatoli behind in their rear-viewers, a dwindling dot as they accellerate to a significant fraction of the speed of light, Spike drives warping gravity and space around them to speed the journey. Aboard the ships, were it not for the sensor systems, you might believe that you were simply standing still in the void. Inertial control systems and artificial gravity projectors on all decks made it feel no different than standing on the station or even on the planet surface.

Only the Sigfred lags behind. In a matter of hours, you will be far enough from the system Primary to make the Drill out of the system to Ultima Black.

There are other INS warships in system and you can track the broadcast IFF data even as you speed towards the system edge. Even more than a casual check of sensors and comms indicates a normal, though perhaps slightly tense atmosphere in system. After all, they are watching five warships leaving station simultaneously and heading for the borders of known space. It's a not insignificant force and surely, everyone is talking about it.

++This is Wartooth-Actual. We are looking forward to the drills and testing ourselves in this mission. The system presents a lot of navigational challenges. Our bunkers are full and supplies stocked, ready for any casualty. Should we get into trouble, I would suggest we practice emergency docking and refueling. Should we need to get a courier ship out in a hurry, I would like to have done the procedure before. Would any other ships be willing to practice UNREPs* and emergency dockings?++

++In addition, I propose that the Wartooth wait for the Sigfried so that we can drill out together. We can rendezvous with the rest of King afterward. It would also allow for a contingency if we do have some unexpected company waiting for us as we jump in. We can drill out if there is any danger and warn the rest of the Fleet.++

*Underway Replenishment

++ Good suggestions and observations, captains ++, offered Volsung, his tone clear that he was considering what impact they might have on the mission parameters.

It shifted as his thoughts coalesced, becomming firmer but more authoritative too, familial intonations slipping into how he spoke unconsciously, ++ Securing our emergence point into Ultima Black is our first objective. All ships, except the Sigfried, will drill together. Recommend drilling in formation to ensure the Wartooth is covered and able to execute an escape drill outsystem if we encounter hostiles on emergence. Protecting her should be considered a secondary objective throughout our stay insystem ++

++ If our emergence point is clear, I expect the Wartooth to remain on station to wait for the Sigfried. If initial scans are clear, we will establish comms with the outpost from the Angantyr initially ++

++ Depending on planetary orbits when we emerge, I expect to task the the Randver to burn in towards Ultima Six Outpost and ensure a secure perimeter around it, whilst both the Valdar and Angantyr will complete preliminary scans of those outer planets are in alignment with a slower burn in. Both ships will remain close enough to provide support for the Randver ++

++ When the Sigfried emerges, she and the Wartooth will complete secondary scans as they make rendezous with Ultima Six Outpost and review the situation there. If necessary, the Randver may need to use her boarding tubes to gain access ++

++ Once the station has been assessed and secured, I intend the squadron to complete flybys of the remaining planetary bodies, based on proximity with the station, and thence establish regular patrols. At all times, one ship will remain in proximity with the station ... though I hope this will include a degree of shore leave ++

Taking a deep breath, he finished, ++ Your commands are your own, though I am happy to review any training plans or exercises you intend to conduct prior to emergence. Until we have secured Ultima Six Outpost, I would request that such activities take into account any risk to the orders I have laid out ++

++ Given how freshly minted the squadron and our crew are, please ask if there are clarifications or concerns regards my orders - now is a far better time to resolve any confusions or doubts than in the thick of things ++

++A very sound plan Sir. I would like to pose some....suggestions...if I may.++

++First I propose zat we set ze L2 Lagrange of ze outermost planet nearest to ze drill point as ze secondary rendezvous after ze outpost.++

++Next, I would also suggest zat we agree on a first response protocol. Perhaps nearest ship to an unidentified IFF signature makes tight-beam contact and demands identification while developing firing solution and transmitting to ze Squadron? Would it be safe to assume you delegate firing authority to ze captain of said ship? Or do you reserve zat right unless ze Angantyr is unreachable? Ideally ze Sigfried would be positioned such zat her sonic launcher can disable rather than damage the ship.++

++I would also like to dizcuss ze possibility of pursuit. Should an unknown vessel flee, do we pursue? Do we attempt to disable? Or do we disengage and observe? Quite useful to outline zis before we get all hot headed abouts it.++

++Finally there iz ze subject of formation, Valdar would serve well center, with it's flak batteries providing cover. Angantyr and Randver could flank Valdar at port and starboard. Sigfried could be high center above Valdar to provide a clear line of fire for it's sonic charge launcher. Wartooth would bring up ze rear obviously directly behind Valdar ++

This message was last edited by the player at 05:12, Thu 27 Feb 2020.

++ Excellent. As for formations, i would suggest the following. ++



++ In this diagram, King would occupy positions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7. The Valdar would take point on 1, the Randver and Argantyr covering the flanks on 2 and 3 and the Sigfred covering the rear on 7. The Wartooth would be on position 4, where it would be protected from all sides. This would also provide maximum firepower in a frontal engagement, while retaining flak capable ships at the front and rear of the formation defensively. ++

Diana paused for a moment.

++ I'll be frank, gentlemen. It is my belief that we are sent out on this mission as bait. Five corvettes are a sizable force, sent out to a border system next to the Dead Zone that is rumored to have Brotherhood remnants and a potential unknown in it... and yet there is not one among us that has been a Ship Master for more than a day. I feel... we are sent in as a force strong enough to deal with stragglers and remnants, but whose possible defeat would simply inform the Hegemony that a Cruiser fleet would be required, without risking the loss of a more senior commander. ++
This message was last edited by the player at 13:28, Thu 27 Feb 2020.

Zazan smiles a wry smile that can be heard over the comms. ++Oh now zat iz a bold statement Captain Hersson. Now I must ask....has there been evidence to support such a claim? Zer are some secrets here to uncover, zis is known but MSC Valna had emphasized our duty to our ships and crew...that does not strike me as laying ze ground work for a nobel sacrifice. Though it does appear zat she was expecting trouble. ++

++I believe zat we all can attest to ze...eeriness of this operation and are dying to hear your analysis on ze subject.++

++ Evidence to support it, no, merely circumstantial at best based on the rumored unknowns in the system: Politically, a military engagement with unknown forces in Ultima Black would allow the Hegemony to claim the resulting conflict as a defensive war, which would garner more public support than a war of aggression. Though it would not matter as we would likely still end up going, or others in our place. My reason to mention this is mostly grounded in not wanting to see this as a 'milk run', for which, indeed, no tangible evidence exists either. Even less so, in fact, a sizable force such as ours would maximize the odds of High Command receiving combat intel regardless of who would be the victor of such an engagement. ++

++ I appreciate the concern for the Wartooth but we are not a fragile princess. The augmented armor plating will keep us in the fight. After all, we are more akin to a combat medic than a timid nurse. We do not want to be coddled or singled out as more important than any other ship of King Squadron.++

++As for this mission, we will not be any better for speculating until we have information to go on. When I was salvaging, our worst enemy was our own imaginations. We can think all we want, captains, about possibilities but the best case will be to get our hands dirty, so to speak. ++

++ You misunderstand, Master Hargrave. The Wartooth is the only ship in King Squadron outfitted with cargo space. It carries our supplies, therefore its continued survival is key to the success of our mission, making it the least expendable ship in the Squadron. Added to that is the fact that the Wartooth's offensive layout makes it neither flak capable, nor having a damage output comparable to the Plasma Beams of the two Karvi-class Corvettes. It is also the slowest ship in the Squadron, which leaves it as the most likely candidate for center formation. Would you agree with this assessment? ++
This message was last edited by the player at 18:50, Fri 28 Feb 2020.

Brow furrowing as conversation shifted to speculation, Volsung let his Captains air their concerns and suggestions. After a sufficient time, he decided to interject

++ Thank you for your input, Captains. Let us keep our fears and rumours in check, between ourselves, but I would encourage them to continue to be raised here, where they may spark a thoughtful debate ++

++ Whilst we travel together, I believe the formation suggested by Captain Hersson is solid enough. If for no other reason it permits us to test our crews with a relatively simple formation, and let them see us operate as a unit. We will each occupy our own patrols soon enough, and if more complex formations are needed in the future then mastering the basic will be our ally ++

++ Until we split, I suggest that contact responsibility sits with the Angantyr; if we are indisposed, then it falls by seniority. Once we have begun to operate more independently then standing orders will be as laid our by Captain Mysh: tight-beam contact, relayed to the rest of the squadron if possible, whilst a firing solution is established. If they fail to heave to for inspection, each Captain retains firing authority, but Command has emphasised the need to assert our sovereignty. Disable or force surrender where possible, unless it imperils your ships or crew ++

He paused, wincing as memories surfaced unbidden as he turned his thoughts to the broader context of engaging, ++ Pursue, but no further than the system limits and be wary of them controlling the engagement. You will not want to permit yourself pulled out of position... or into a trap ++

++ Finally, Lagrange 2 of Ultima Black Outermost is confirmed as secondary rendezvous insystem; our prior drill point in the system before if we need to regroup outsystem ++
This message was last edited by the player at 14:45, Sat 29 Feb 2020.

Transmissions from Anatoli and other stations and ships throughout the system become increasingly less common as you speed out of the system towards the edge of the heliopause where the jump to Metaspace could be made.

Your sensors are fixed on the coronal mass ejection that Sifried has to route around. It is the most major celestial event in system at the time and there is constant updates and chatter from monitoring stations and other ships regarding the System-wide hazard.

Content that the squadron was in the most reasonable shape it would be, until his captain's had a chance to work on their crews, Volsung nodded once to himself, ++ Let's ensure we capture scans from the mass ejection before we drill, captains. Sensor drills to prepare for Ultima Black. Please have crew and ship readiness reports ready for me when we exit ++

Good to move on, unless there's more to come from this scene

++ Understood. Valdar moving to take point and matching speed with the Wartooth. Valdar out. ++

Diana then began to relay the orders to her crew about the formation they would be flying in, as well as ensuring they would be capturing the scans as per Volsung's instructions.

One by one, the connections are terminated and each Ship Master returns to their own ship and crew, in a tiny warship, hurtling towards the vastness of the Black...

>>>individual ship threads>>>

++++NEARLY TWELVE STANDARD HOURS LATER++++

Across all ships, with the notable exception of the Sigfred receive a roughly similar message from their own helm department, audible throughout the ship on the PA system and all personal comms.

"Attention all crew, we are approaching the Akkadia system Heliopause. Prepare all stations for upcoming Spike drill to Ultima Black. Repeat. We are approaching the Akkadia system Heliopause. Prepare all stations for upcoming Spike Drill to the Ultima Black system."

From here, the jump would take at least at least 72 standard hours and deplete the main fuel stores for an FTL jump, leaving only system drives and auxiliary spike field manipulation functional until refueling. The rear-facing viewers and sensors showed only the slight glow of yellow Akkadia A and barely visible, smaller red Akkadia B and the stars and galaxies beyond.

Comms are still coming in from the relay buoys and stations throughout the system. There's nothing really interesting to look at and it's hours old by now anyways. Four of the five ships stand by to make the jump to a nearby system. They could wait another 12 hours for the Sigfried to catch up to them, or they could go now. Either way, they need to decide if they can afford to trim the course and try to save themselves extra time at the risk of potential disaster or further delays. Astrogation says the charts have been updated recently, so there shouldn't be any complicates from that end of things, but trying to move thousands of tons of metal through light years of empty space to another system was never easy, even in the ancient times...

You are all in communication with each other, except for the Sigfried. She's still about half way back, so expect it to take 6 hours to reach her and 6 hours for her reply to reach you. By that time, she'll have arrived at the Heliopause with the rest of you.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 08:27, Sat 14 Mar 2020.

Zazan spends a few moments to dispatch his latest moves on the three dozen go and chess matches he has open on the net while the squadron is still within buoy range.

++Randver-Actual reporting in. The Randver is prepped for Drill and and awaiting further orders, Over.++

++ Valdar standing by, prepped and ready. Has the Sigfried mentioned any technical problems that may have caused them to lag behind? ++

++Wartooth reporting all systems nominal. Ready to drill out. Confirm Wartooth is to wait for the Sigfried after arrival at Ultima Black.++

++ All ships, jump on the allotted mark ++, confirmed Captain Takagawa from the bridge of the Angantyr, ++ We will see you in Ultima Black, Captain Karsen ++

Frowning, Diana decided to message the Angantyr again.

++ Captain Takagara, please confirm: We are to jump without the Sigfried in formation? Would it not be more... prudent to wait for them here, rather than in the reduced intel system we'd be drilling out into? ++

++ I thought we had covered this in our briefing, Captain ++, came Volsung by return, calm and measured, ++ Her evasions by virtue of the solar flare here have put her off course. Our orders suggest a certain alacrity. We spike as planned ++

This came up in the all-Captain's conference, where I understood folks to be comfortable

++ Certainly, Captain. I merely sought to have this officially stated for the record, as our meeting was not. ++

OOC: Yeah, my bad ^^;
This message was last edited by the player at 16:35, Wed 18 Mar 2020.