Turn 1a Report – April 2296

Table of Contents

Reports from the Theater of Operations, French Arm (TOFA)	3
Week 1	3
61 Ursae Majoris (Joi)	3
War Diaries: TF Yukikaze on station	3
Beta Canum Venaticorum (BCV-4)	4
War Diaries: First Contact	4
Beta Comae Berenices (Nous Voila)	4
War Diaries: On the Bridge of the Duquesne 1	4
[Classified System]	5
Royal Space Navy Reports Destruction of Sensor Array beyond the Frontier	5
DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)	5
War Diaries: Bridge of the SMS ARNHEM , March 2nd, 2296	5
Hochbaden (Hochbaden)	6
Salvage Tug Minotaure Bound for Arcturus System	6
Xi Ursae Majoris (Kie-Yuma)	7
Trilon Industries Delays Purchase of Hyde Dynamics X-2296 Fighter	7
Week 2	7
[Classified System]	7
French and British Warships Engage Aliens beyond Arcturus	7
[Classified System]	7
Royal Space Navy Reports Destruction of Sensor Array beyond the Frontier	8
Henry’s Star (Crater)	8
Mine Cave-in Kills 5, Traps 30	8
Hochbaden	8
War Diaries: On the Bridge of the Duquesne 2	8
Week 3	9
DM+36 2219 (Sans Souci)	9
Pentapod Convoy Bound for BCV	9
Eta Bootis (Aurore)	9
IFN Détachement de recon Gaiaenne Arrives at Aurore	9
War Diaries: The engine room of the Duquesne	9
Queen Alice’s Star (Beowulf)	9
Royal Space Navy Release Report of More Sightings of Alien Vessels Beyond Frontier	9
Week 4	10
[Classified System]	10
War Diaries: Midshipman Jefroi aboard the Duquesne	10
Sol (Earth)	11
War Diaries: Last moment of calm	11
Xi Ursae Majoris (Kie-Yuma)	11
Trilon Industries Reports First Quarter Earnings	11
Political Activities	11
Political Relations Levels	12
Political Interventions	12
Requests for Colony Protection	12
Directives for Fleet Action	12

Reports from the Theater of Operations, French Arm (TOFA)

April 2296 saw several units of several nations operating at the end of the French Arm in response to the events surrounding the loss of contact with the civilian research post in the Arcturus system. Contact with a hostile, mysterious alien race has occurred, and humanity now knows without a doubt that there is something out there beyond the frontier.

Week 1
The first week of April 2296 very quiet as the various military task forces worked their way towards Arcturus and beyond. The only electrifying news was the destruction of an enemy facility beyond the frontier.

61 Ursae Majoris (Joi)

War Diaries: TF Yukikaze on station
Excerpts from the private log of Commander Junichi Yamaguchi, TF Yukikaze, Japanese Combined Fleet:

My Dearest Yukiko,

Today we pushed back from the docks at L1. I exercised my commander's privilege to train our visual sensors on Tosashimizu, but I patched the feed through to all the shipboard stations. It is good for the crew to be allowed a glimpse of home before we leave, so that we can have something to remember. I do not think we will be gone long, although I say this not yet having opened my sealed orders from the Combined Fleet.

The Yukikaze is a fine ship, and her crew are the best a commander could ask for. We have trained long and hard to have the honor of taking her out for her first cruise. I'm proud to be at the con, though I can imagine your knowing smirk at my formality. You're the only one I can't fool with that stern "tamagao", that earnest, deadly serious look drilled into all the Eta Jima graduates.

I always get a bit melancholy when I have to leave you for a while, and I know you aren't one for outright sentimentality. Everyone reads us wrong, don't they? They look at me and think I'm the tough one. If they only knew! At least I can say that this is a mere shakedown cruise and once we make a few jumps, we'll be right back here again.

And when I get back, if I'm guessing our destination correctly, it should be spring. If the cherry blossoms are blooming then, I hope we can take the children to Shiba-koen for hanami.

Now, my duty calls. Make sure Yusuke does his homework, and kiss Mari-chan goodnight for me.

I will send another message when I have the opportunity.

Your Husband,

Junichi
-- submitted by Mike Montesa

Beta Canum Venaticorum (BCV-4)

War Diaries: First Contact
2295 November, in orbit around BCV

Capitaine de Fregate Jean-Pierre Cassel stared with awe as the transport shuttle brought him to his new ship. The slender Suffren-class cruiser floated before the black background of open space, pointed by flickering lights of distant stars. “She looks like a predator, like a panther,” he thought to himself. The sleek main lines of the cruiser were broken only by the turrets of her deadly armament and the outside missile packs and submunition dispensers. “Her claws are already out” he chuckled “just like a cat having fun”. He knew the official descriptions, the impressive technical parameters that made her one of the most dangerous and capable ship ever built. He knew what those “claws” are capable to do with other hulls. But, knowing the data and seeing her were completely different matters.

The transport shuttle slowed down as she approached the docking point on the cruiser’s hull. The breaking made the stocked up supplies containers slightly creaking. The ship was prepared to leave port soon, personnel, supplies and spare parts constantly flowed to her by the chain of transports. “And she will be under my command” he thought, a shiver running up on his spine. The nervousness with the responsibility he took lurched in his stomach again. Being a captain of such a ship is the top of his carrier. He already took command of a frigate; the role was not totally new to him. But, the league was definitely bigger. Way bigger.

As the transport glided close to the cruiser he saw the name painted on the back of her hull. Gaiaenne. He spoke the name silently a few times, tasting it like some quality wine or fine cigar. Gaiaenne. It sounded prideful and comforting at the same time. A name he would like to see famous. “Well” he thought again “let’s see what we are capable of together.”

The transport docked with the cruiser with a slight tremble, the airlocks got pressurized and opened up. In the weightlessness of zero-g he floated to the entrance and as he appeared there the quartermaster’s whistle signal was sounded.

“Captain on deck!”
-- submitted by Zsolt Nagy

Beta Comae Berenices (Nous Voila)

War Diaries: On the Bridge of the Duquesne 1

Michel Hébert stood on the bridge of the Duquesne and looked thoughtfully out the viewport at the lights of Nouveau Amman, the colonial capital, showing clearly on the night side of Nous Voila below. As a Captaine de Corvette it was a rare honour to be given temporary command of a Suffren-class ship as it awaited a replacement for its reassigned commander, but now to be sent on such an urgent mission, it was unexpected to say the least. 

"Merde," he muttered as he looked down at the printout in his hand.

The orders were clear, head to Arcturus and determine the status of the outpost, a simple mission, but one that would expose the Duquesne to the same unknown fate that had befallen earlier contact attempts. Three ships were missing, and one a cruiser of the Imperial French Navy, one of the most formidable ships on the French Arm. This mission would not be a walk in the park, but it could make his career, or break it. It was an opportunity, at any rate, and he would not be passing it up. 

"Communications," he barked, "send a priority message to Governor Laplante requesting help finding a xenopsychologist and prepare to send an encrypted message over ESA channels. Let’s see if anyone else is heading in the same direction as we are."

-- submitted by KevenJ

[Classified System]

Royal Space Navy Reports Destruction of Sensor Array beyond the Frontier
RSN Fleet Intelligence has confirmed that a reconnaissance ship operating beyond the frontier has destroyed a sensor array of unknown origin after the array attacked the scout.

DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)

War Diaries: Bridge of the SMS ARNHEM , March 2nd, 2296
On Patrol in the Dunkelheim system
 
“Skipper, FYEO message incoming” said the Communications Officer Ensign Higginbotham.     Fregattenkapitan Ernst Udet acknowledged, “Send it to my console”

Ernst mumbled, “Damned disrespectful Texans” as he opened the email.
(Higginbotham is an Ensign of the Texas Star Navy on exchange duty with the DeutchesSternKriegsmarine).
 
Ernst viewed the email, made a copy for the orders safe, and then went to his cabin/office to put the flimsy in the orders safe.   All the while Ernst was wondering about the orders he had just received.    Why should he cooperate with the damned Frogs…?
 
Flash back to a scene in 2293…

Hochbaden System, SS Freier Kaufmann, heading outbound to jump out-system…
“Kapitan, we have two unidentified stutterwarp signatures on the scanner”
“Sensors, try to get me more info on these contacts.  Engineering, spin up the stutterwarp for max acceleration, I think we have something to run from.”
“Kapitan, contacts appear to be French, and we have 4 more stutterwarp traces leaving the first 2 and heading inbound”   
“Helm, evasive maneuvers now.   Engineering, pour it on, we have hostiles inbound”
Karl Udet, Kapitan of the merchant Freier Kaufmann, silently cursed his bad luck.    He had managed to evade French patrols for several voyages now, only to get caught by a French commerce raid in a German system.     Further bad luck, the Freier Kaufmann was unarmed.
“CommO, send a message to the system defense command, send signal RRR and attach our location and heading.”
“Kapitan, the 4 inbounds are on intercept and almost here.”    CommO, dump the log into a message buoy, and launch the buoy.   All Hands, brace for impact.”
 3 blinding nuclear fires bloomed, and the Freier Kaufmann was no more.
 
Back to reality…
 
“Why should I care if the frogs lost 2 ships?   They killed Karl, and his merchant was unarmed.   They are no better than pirates.    And cooperate with them, that will be a hard pill to swallow” Ernst thought to himself.   He pulled the flimsy out of the safe and read it again…
 
To:	Fregattenkapitan Ernst Udet
SMS Arnhem, DSKM
 
From: Kommodore Ritter von Freholt,
ESA Arm Command, DSKM, Commanding
 
Subject:  Arcturus Reconnaissance
 
You are directed to move immediately, departing Dunkelheim and transiting Hochbaden, DM +18 2775 and Eta Bootis systems, sweeping for pirates, privateers and hostiles.

After that you are to go to Arcturus and attempt to locate the Hamid-class survey ship Stansfeld, which is 2 months overdue and out of communication.
 
You may cooperate with other human war, and scout, ships but you are discouraged from placing your vessel under the command of any officer of the Marine Spatial Imperial Francais.    Should you do so, and the action you are involved in fail, and German arms not requite themselves with honor, there will be consequences.
 
Good luck to you Kapitan.
 
Deutchland Uber Alles
 
Kommodore Ritter von Freholt,
ESA Arm Command, DSKM, Commanding
 
“Crap and double crap, they put us on the sharp end of it now,” Ernst thought to himself.
 
Two hours later, the communications officer informed Ernst that the flight plan for the Arnhem had been plotted and the Dunkelheim system command notified of Arnhem’s departure.   20 minutes later the CommO told Ernst that there were three messages, two from British vessels and one from a French ship, requesting a rendezvous in Eta Bootis system.
 
“Comm, send to Hebert (Duquesne), Winsor-Williams (Blazer), and Pellew (Indefatigable) and tell them that Arnhem will sail alone but may meet them in Eta Bootis in 3 weeks.”

“Helm, plot a course to Hochbaden.  Engineering, spin up the engine and let get underway.”
 
In for a pfennig, in for a mark…
-- submitted by John Carroll

Hochbaden (Hochbaden)

Salvage Tug Minotaure Bound for Arcturus System
The French flagged salvage tug Minotaure departed Hochbaden system today, bound for the system of Arcturus. Owned by Compagnie Fraissinet-Bazin, the Minotaure has been tasked with the search and recovery of the MS Orléanais, the supply ship for Station Arcture missing since late 2295.

Xi Ursae Majoris (Kie-Yuma)

Trilon Industries Delays Purchase of Hyde Dynamics X-2296 Fighter
Trilon Industries announced that the purchase of X-2296 fighters for Kie-Yuma would be delayed 12-18 months. Spokespersons for Trilon indicated that “performance issues” have not yet been resolved on the X-2296. Hyde Dynamics had not responded by press time.

Week 2
The second week of April 2296 saw British and French forces battling alien warships beyond the frontier. Something was out there… was humanity ready to meet it?

[Classified System]

French and British Warships Engage Aliens beyond Arcturus
Reports have come in revealing that the IFN Duquesne and RSN Defatigable, operating in a classified system beyond Arcturus, engaged a pair of alien warships. 

Unknown ships were detected on long-range sensor scans at 0300 UST. Pursuant to standard operating procedures for the detection of unknown vessels outside of colonized systems, the Duquesne attempted IFF communications. The unknown ships did not respond via any monitored communications channels or spectrum bands, but instead, moved towards the French cruiser at a high rate of speed. At 0650 UST, the unknown vessels activated sensors sweeps against the Duquesne that were attributed to target acquisition attempts. The British destroyer Indefatigable moved to support the French cruiser as the enemy vessels fired a salvo of missiles at the two human warships beyond the typical range of known missiles. At 0728 UST, the Duquesne and Indefatigable activated point defense measures, destroying the incoming salvo.

The human warships attempted to disengage, but were matched in speed by the alien warships. Both the cruiser and destroyer were able to land missiles from their salvoes, while incoming salvoes were largely neutralized. The Indefatigable suffered minor hull breaching while the Duquesne lost one of her turrets.

Forced to close range by her speedier opponent, the Indefatigable sustained significant damage, losing a turret and suffering additional hull damage. Return fire failed to achieve appreciable damage on the alien warship. Unwilling to leave the smaller destroyer alone, the Duquesne charged into the fray. The cruiser suffered minor hull breaching and lost its sensor drone during the exchange. However, she managed to land a full salvo of Ritage-2 missiles on the alien warship, destroying it at 0932 UST.

At 1023 UST, the remaining enemy vessel began to disengage. Both human warships moved towards a stutterwarp discharge point while the damage repair crews work feverishly to seal hull breaches and tend to the casualties. 

[Classified System]

Royal Space Navy Reports Destruction of Sensor Array beyond the Frontier
RSN Fleet Intelligence has confirmed that a reconnaissance ship operating beyond the frontier has destroyed a second sensor array of unknown origin after the array attacked the scout.

Henry’s Star (Crater)

Mine Cave-in Kills 5, Traps 30
Mining operations on Crater have been halted for the last week due to a massive cave-in that killed 5 miners and trapped 30 more. The Governor General has called for an inquiry and Ian McAllister, head of the Miner’s Union has publically blamed the colonial government for failing to enforce safety laws.

Hochbaden

War Diaries: On the Bridge of the Duquesne 2

"Capitaine, we’ve crossed the FTL threshold, we’ve reached Hochbaden."

Cpt. Michel Hébert turned to the operations officer, “report contacts Lieutenant."

"Sir, we have 5 civilian transports and what appear to be two British military transponders."

Hébert growled, "are they British or not? Do you think the doubly-cursed Allemand are above using British transponders?"

The young operations officer nervously entered commands into her console and sweated visibly, "confirmed, sir, two British contacts, a destroyer and smaller defense boat, at exactly the coordinates we were to rendezvous with them." 

"Too slow! Mon Dieu, we must identify targets faster than that, or we will be finished." Hebert scowled at the young officer and added, "I expect to see you putting in some time on the simulators after your shift today Lieutenant Bouchard."

Hébert had been hard on the crew since taking command, but he and they were both new and relatively untested, he couldn’t afford to let them think he was soft. 

"Communications, hail Hochbaden Station and log a flight plan, let’s avoid making them scramble their fighters." Hebert himself had been involved in an unnecessarily tense standoff at Neubayern when he, as a frigate commander, had neglected to inform the Germans of his intentions in entering the system; he had no time for that today.

"And send a message to the British ships, let’s form up and head to Arcturus, see what fate awaits us." Hébert was concerned about whom, or rather what, awaited them at Arcturus, but he was anxious to get underway. Whatever it was couldn’t possibly be as bad as the rumours he had heard before leaving BCB...
-- submitted by KevinJ

Week 3
The third week of April 2296 was rather quiet, in stark contrast to the previous weeks. A new French squadron, centered on the cruiser Gaiaenne arrived at Eta Bootis at the end of the week. While a Japanese squadron has moved down from Joi as a show of support to the French.

DM+36 2219 (Sans Souci)

Pentapod Convoy Bound for BCV
A Pentapod merchant convoy entered this gateway system from DM+27 28217. The convoy of six living merchant ships is currently discharging at the outermost planet. The IFN Tonnant has moved to escort the convoy, as is customary. All system traffic has been warned to remain 0.5 au away from the Pentapod vessels.

Eta Bootis (Aurore)

IFN Détachement de recon Gaiaenne Arrives at Aurore
The French cruiser Gaiaenne arrived in the Eta Bootis system at the end of the week Fresh from the Core, this is the second French Squadron known to be operating at the end of the Arm. The Duquesne has not been seen since last month, when it warped to an unknown system beyond the frontier.

War Diaries: The engine room of the Duquesne
Ingénieur en chef René Devereux had spent many years in the engine rooms of the Marine Impériale Français, and although all ships had their charm, he thought there was nothing equal to the hum of the reactor that powered the Suffren cruiser. Although Devereux wasn’t happy with the overall situation on the ship – the command crew was largely new, the captain was a junior officer, and the latest mission was fraught with the rumour of danger – he could find no fault with the engine, nor the engineering staff under his command. 

Devereux checked the efficiency of the power plant one last time and prepared to go off shift. Sergent-chef Baroukel would be expecting him for cards. Without the usual compliment of troops aboard the Sergent was forced to look beyond army staff to fill out his weekly game. Devereux was not offended though, he always gained a few livre when they played. 

Ah well, he thought, glancing with satisfaction at the monitor before him, whatever dangers awaited the ship, the Duquesne would face them with a very impressive engine efficiency.

Queen Alice’s Star (Beowulf)

Royal Space Navy Release Report of More Sightings of Alien Vessels Beyond Frontier
Sources in RSN Fleet Intelligence have confirmed, off record, that deep reconnaissance probes conducted beyond the frontier have encountered numerous alien vessels in multiple systems. When asked if the vessels were friendly or not, the source responded, “decidedly unfriendly”.

Week 4
The fourth week of April 2296 ended quietly without further reported encounters with aliens.

[Classified System]

War Diaries: Midshipman Jefroi aboard the Duquesne

Aspirant Gerard Jefroi opened the hatch and pushed through, still adjusting to the zero gravity after emerging from the spin habitat. He struggled to simultaneously adjust the damage control pack on his back and secure the helmet of his vacuum suit, all while cursing the ship's klaxons and the incessant drills mandated by the new Capitaine. 

He would be late again to his station. "Merde encore, why are the drills always called when I’m off shift sleeping?" he wondered half-aloud. It seemed he hadn’t had a decent rest in days. Things were significantly different on board the frigate La Capricieuse under the relatively lax Capitaine Laflour. He cursed the bad luck that put La Cap in the same system as the under-crewed Duquesne when it was ordered to Arcturus. He had been excited about the sudden re-assignment, but now he would give a month’s pay to return to the frigate and its uneventful colonial patrols.

He rounded the last corner and sped full-force into a figure hurrying in the opposite direction; a shoulder sending his unsecured helmet flying. He began a curse, but bit his tongue as he met the cold eyes of Sergent-chef Baroukel glaring at him through the glass-steel of his armored suit. Thankfully, Baroukel had more important duties than disciplining a careless midshipman and shoved by leaving him spinning briefly out of control. 

He took his station, jammed the helmet on his head and attempted to secure the pressure lock, but nothing happened. The helmet had connected to the suits power source but the heads-up display stilled flashed red showing the air-tight seal had not been made. He tried again, but still the suit would not seal. The run-in with Baroukel must have damaged it, but perhaps it would not be noticed.

The klaxons halted their drone and the lighting levels returned to normal as power was shunted back to non-essential systems. The intercom announced the drill was over and as he moved to return to barracks his HUD flashed with an incoming message from operations.

"Aspirant Jefroi," said a tinny voice in his hear, "I show your suit was not sealed during the exercise, please confirm."

"Oui," Jefroi began, "It seems to be damaged and would not ..."

"Une moment," the operations officer cut him off.

Jefroi was just beginning to realize he would not be returning to his cot when the Capitaine’s voice cut over the intercom, "Aspirant Jefroi, you are aware, are you not, that secion 8 of the duty manual states your equipment must be maintained in a state of readiness?"

"Oui, mais…"

"But nothing, your suit is damaged, yes?" "Oui, Capitaine," Jefroi realized there would be no explanation the captain would accept.

The operations officer returned, "Aspirant Jefroi, report to the armoury immediately for repairs and then report to the mess. You will be working double shift this week, starting tonight. Captain’s orders."

Jefroi sighed. He would report to the armoury, but he would take his time. He brightened a bit - perhaps the kitchen duty would at least mean extra rations. He pushed himself in the direction of the armoury and wondered if he would be transferred back to La Cap when this mission ended. No, he thought, not if his luck had anything to do with it.

Sol (Earth)

War Diaries: Last moment of calm

February 2295, Earth, somewhere in France

The man stood next to his bicycle, his grey eyes slowly looking over the riverside before him. It was an unusually warm February; the water was not frozen in, not even some ice in its flow. The trees' and the bushes' dark branches silently moved in the slight wind, together with the dried, sickly yellow and brown grass. Only some crow broke the silence, flying high in the air. Their voice came a bit muffled through the grey sky, the Sun just a pale, hazy spot. The whole scene seemed ethereal, otherworldly. Still, for Capitaine de Fregate Jean-Pierre Kassel this sight was as precious as the most beautiful place on Earth.

Possibly the last and most vivid memory he would keep about Earth for a long while.

He loved to silently watch and admire nature, whatever face it showed to him. Sunshine, snow or mist, plains, mountains or seas... it was equal to him. He carried his inner awe about the world from his childhood and it survived in him as he grew up, as he graduated, as he got her training as soldier, a man sworn to protect his country from any enemy. He was not a young boy any more; he was shaped by the good and bad experiences of his life to what he is today. Commander and leader, who has the responsibility for his men under him, and indirectly for anyone else who might come to harm or worse because of his decisions. Still, this little spark of an innocent child was in him and he was grateful for it. And he loved to sink back into its warmness, even if only for a few fleeting moments.

Because when he gets back on his bicycle to return to his old parents' house where he currently resided everything will change. He will have to say goodbye to them and embark on a journey, which might bring as much wonder as suffering. His leave was at end, his orders arrived, his ship is ready for him to take over and make his name into history. This way or that way. With a sigh he gets on his old bicycle and started his way home. 

The eerie riverside remained in knowing silence as the man left.
-- submitted by Zsolt Nagy

Xi Ursae Majoris (Kie-Yuma)

Trilon Industries Reports First Quarter Earnings
Trilon Industries reported First Quarter Earnings this week. Overall, earnings were above market predictions and Trilon stock saw a 4% increase as a result.

Political Activities

Political Relations Levels
Political relations levels present the level of friendliness that exists between countries. Values range from 100% (extremely cooperate) down to 0% (extremely antagonistic).

Political Interventions
Political interventions are the uncontrollable events that the home nations and colonies thrust upon players.

Requests for Colony Protection
None at this time.

Directives for Fleet Action
None at this time.