To look into the eyes of the unknown

Ship's Log: Cmdr Kitsune Yamashita

[Feb 18, 2386 12:00] (Sec Lev 12)

Loc: UTP Victory in orbit Hectora 1 (Rhynoa)

Estimated Safe Launch Window Time: T-24:00hr

UTP Victory in orbit above Rhynoa.

The hours pass and the time draws near for the moment we have worked and planned for. There is still much to do but the main systems needed for the Chimera Exchange are operating nominally. We have discovered the service dock for the Niad (Anedra Base). It has five ships connected and hopefully in working order. The Niad crew will form the core of the flight operations with the aid of Rhynoan volunteers and New Bealdrin robots. The carriers will help defend us when we come out into the disorganized but still formidable Phaerian Planetary Assault Fleet.
The diplomatic mission with the Rhynoan states has helped set up a confederation and the mechanism for a planetary standing army. They have formally petitioned for member status in the USFC. We may need all the friends we can get on the other side of known space. Let's remember this is their planet,
Several events have transpired in sick bay. Dr. Asham Rashid (CMO) and Dr. Peter von Swantz (CPO) were running tests on a crewman from the Nyad when the subject experienced convulsions and rapidly lost consciousness. All attempts to revive him had failed. The patient was placed into stasis to prevent death.
News of the incident was sent to the commander of the Niad, Needless to say he was not pleased. I was able to defuse thye situation. The last thing we can afford is angering the Rhynoans. The stakes are too high to treat it lightly.
The sick bay was brought to high alert when the readings indicated the stasis field was down and the readouts of the patient's life signs went wild. His body spasmed and he bellowed in pain. His eyes opened. No longer blue, but violet. the Iddry on the base were called. They are as shocked as anyone else. They make a request to take him back to the Iddry home lands to protect others and himself from harm. We have seen something no being has seen till now. The spontaneous change from Rhynoan to Iddry. Tyriceus rushes in with Garten and Lenny. I know that look. The look that Aston has found a clue to what he really wants. I know his secret and I have to agree with him.
Once again we had some strange events in sick bay. Captain Ardean has been healing with the aid of one of the symbiont suits. He woke and began talking, slowly, with great effort is called out. I had been conferencing with Dr. Rashid and Paetra when the incident occurred. I decided to try my wraith ware to project into sickbay. I asked Paetra what should we do? Modayah never gave me the instruction manual for this toy. Genwauw have that perpetual dolphin like grin, but her face looked different. I could swear she was giggling. Knowing they have a sense of humor is a revelation. I focus and feel Paetra focus too. Suddenly we are on Eckolyn base in the sick bay. Unlike my previous attempts everyone can see me. Whether it is because I'm gaining control or Paetra is the cause.
The air parts and five Iddry and a tall old Gendauw appear. I recognize the Gendauw. He is one of the senior researchers. The senior Iddry sits on the bed next to the Captain. She smiles and asks him about his ship. to walk the decks and show where it was damaged and how he would repair it. When he falters she asks what would this officer or another would say. While they talk a message arrives from the repair dock. Something is happening to the Thucidites. It was repairing ifs self. All as good as new. Gleaming and ready for space again.
The rebirth of the Thucidites comes with a price. Our captain was carrying a heavy weight. He held the fate of us all in his mind. He is family and we shall care for him and nurse his wounds. But his days as a ship's captain has sadly ended. So say we all.

Morning Announcements.

• I need status on the crew rescue mission. How soon can you complete it?
• Recommendation for promotion of current XO of the Victory to Captain chair of the Thucidites.
• Crew reassignments to man both the Victory and the Thucidites.
• We need a break down on military assets released by the Rhynoan Confederation. ASAP
• Commander O'Hara I need you to lead a mission into the base on the surface. You will take your team, several assets from Arkydal Junction and Atum is sending a guide/specialist to advise and secure the base from Sylvean forces. There are approximately five functioning reactors in the complex. Depth of the installation is unknown.
• Repair status on the Wave rider. How long till Banshee is safe to fly?
• Status of the relief effort around the blast site. Liaise through team sent by Dr. Asham Rashid.
• Status of mine deployment and the big surprise.

We are at t-24 hours people. Let's look sharp, stay focused and frosty. To my XO congratulations. You deserve it. The fleet's back in town. Ensign Enrico Juarez please meet me in my ready room.

Transmission Ends:

Picking Up the Pieces

Mission Log: Cmdr. Kitsune Yamashita

[Feb 14, 2386 02:20] (Sec Lev 12)

Loc: Victory orbiting Rhynoa

Estimated Safe Launch Window Time: T-266 hr

Alert Status: Red Alert

Ship Status: Nominal

UTFS Victory in orbit above Rhynoa.

The Phaerian Sucker Punch

It would seem that we forced the Phaerian's hand and They responded by attempting to destroy what they wanted to gain by a silent takeover. Their plan was audacious and should have worked as they had planned. We did not win this exchange by strategic superiority. It was a matter of luck. Perhaps I am too harsh in my assessment. Without our planning and quick thinking of our people we would all be screwed. Rhynoa would be destroyed and we would have been forced to flee ill prepared for the near future. Kudos to Major Magoo, Dr von Shwantz, Cmdr O'Brien, the crew of the Victory and our Iddry and Gendauw allies.

O'Brien has back tracked and established the launch points for the attack. His immediate reaction was for a strike to neutralize any threat. Initially I was of the same opinion. However on second thought I believe a more measured response is needed. We know Phaerians can use mind control to force people to do their will. Most likely the perpetrators had no knowledge of their actions. We can't lay waste to highly populated areas to kill enemies who in all probability are no longer on the planet. We do need to investigate the explosion on the surface ASAP. It appears to be a trap to lure us into the blast zone. The only reason our expeditionary force survived was due to the presence of an Iddry elder who mitigated the damage.

Orders are as follows:

• Security Section: I am placing you under command of Cmdr O'Brien. Please give him your full support. We need to be on guard.
• Diplomatic Team, proof and recheck both the Articles of Confederation, the Petition for USFC Membership, Conference notes and presentations based on attack. work with Communication team to get the conference scheduled for Feb 14, 2386 12:00. Please contact the commander of the Niad to bring an assistant and attend the conference. He will need a per-confrence briefing to bring him up to speed on the current situation.
• All departments full status reports ASAP
• Maintenance: Status on repairs of wave rider and progress on key projects
• Communication team: I need all updates from Echolynn base.
• We need to test the RABOD field system ASAP.
• Team Atum: please do a final sweep and prepare for my arrival in an hour.
• XO to the bridge, You have the con, notify me ASAP if needed.

To the crew of the Victory. No captain of a vessel could be prouder of a crew's service in times of crisis than I am of you. Never have we faced a situation so dire and important. You are my family and I shall never forget it. I will be forced to lead us all into danger, but I will never make you sacrifice in vain. This I swear on my life and honor. We stand on the brink of a new era and we shall not fail. To do otherwise is not an option.

Transmission Ends:

The Prodigal's Homecoming

Mission Log: Kitsune Yamashita

[Feb 13, 2386 - 14:25] (Sec Lev 12)

Loc: Victory outbound from Hectora 1 (Rhynoa)

Estimated Safe Launch Window Time: T-285 hr

UTFS Victory in scale with the Nyad.

Rescue Mission

Today is the day. A day of celebration for all of Rhynoa and our effort to keep this planet free. Two hundred years ago I tossed out a message in a bottle and it has come back in the form of a legend. Long ago the Nyad launched in an ill-fated mission to the doomed planet Trispephane. During a time space journey back to That last day for Trispephane, we spotted the Nyad in shut down mode slowly moving toward destruction.

On the return trip we were able to establish contact with the automated flight systems and turn the Nyad around Their new heading was to bring them into near orbit with the gas giant after a two hundred year journey. Orders were changed to wake the crew during the last years of the trip. I had programed two robots of the same type on-board with all the information needed when they return home. Louie and Dewie performed flawlessly. During the last few days of their flight our long range scans showed it was under attack. Databases confirmed the raiders were operated by one of the slave states under control of the Phaerian Empire. As the Nyad races toward the Hectora system it steadily drops homing mines. These seem to have no effect on the shields of their pursuers.

I was on my way to my meeting with Atum when the Caxton sounded and I was called to the bridge. Reports were coming in on the situation and the course of action was clear. I called for status reports and ordered immediate launch and warp jump into the running fight. Navi reports a 2 minute ETA, Weapons control nominal, shields max, running like a bat out of hell.

I hail the Nyad and offer assistance. I can tell the captain recognizes me from the data archive. He smiles and we exchange names. He welcomes us and I give him our ETA. A squadron of Gendauw robotic ships are trailing behind. They will not be able to close to battle but will offer support as we near Rhynoa.

I have to admit he has guts if not tactical sense. During the running fight he turns and scores a broadside which cripples one of the pursuing raiders. Unfortunately the second raider hits the Nyad with a plasma vortex weapon which strips off his side shield and penetrates the hull. Damage reports flow in, bulkheads closed, damage sustainable

The seconds crawl by and I order rolling fire as soon as a weapon system comes in range. Slowly my shots take down their shields and I refuse to let him go. The raider disengages and attempts to flee. The hull begins to glow and the ship is motionless. scans show it is pushing hard to escape the pounding from the Victory, but it is unable to get away..

A new voice is coming through the com unit. It is Dr. von Schwanz aboard the Enciviar. He is attempting to get the crippled ships to surrender. In reply the face of unknown alien species appears and snarls at us. It raises it's fist and the screen goes blank. Twin explosions mark the last location of the crippled raiders. As with their masters no secrets will be discovered.

Messages have been sent to the people of Rhynoa about the return of the Nyad. As planed every transmitter capable of reaching them sends greetings and a welcome home to long lost heroes. I get a message of thanks from the captain. He is still processing the whole situation. I tell him it looks like he could use a drink and come on board when he can, we have a lot to talk about He is home again and his ship carry's the bounty of life nearly destroyed in the great war so long ago. Yes the Age of Miracles has not passed.

The Nyad's course is laid in for Echolynn base. Repairs have top priority. All scans of the Phaerian raiders is being sent to central archives. Victory is taking up orbit of Rhynoa and continuing rescue missions and coordinating communications with the surface. I am issuing commendations to the crew of the Victory in battle. We have drawn first blood in our fight for survival..

Hopefully I will make it through my meeting with Atum and then shower, eat and sleep. The Victory is running smoothly and the crew is frosty. X-O you have the con, Yamashita signing off.

Transmission Ends:

Return To Rhynoa 001

Ship Log: Kitsune Yamashita

[Feb 13, 2386 13:47] (Sec Lev 12)

Loc: Banshee New Baeldra Hectora 1 (Rhynoa)

Estimated Safe Launch Window Time: T-313 hr

It felt good flying again. I have to say getting back to Rhyoa feels like home. Our trip was uneventful and Ardea is a good traveling companion. We both look forward to see how the Gendauw live.

The view as we flew in was amazing. The word gets used far too much to do justice to what the small group of refugees have accomplished. A gleaming city alive with activity. Granted it is almost completely robotic, however I have spotted large scale construction zones. We may have met some true friends in the universe. Advanced ones with a common foe.

Landing coordinates received and we are landing on the top of an extremely tall building. Time to take her in.

Perfect landing, passive transponder activated

We are leaving the ship.

Transmission Ends: