To: INS-Fretensis From: INS-Justicar

[Cortana Clark]

⨳ ENCRYPTED TRANSMISSION // INS-JUSTICAR
TO: CAPT. JAMES MARSHALL – INS-FRETENSIS

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SENDER: Cmdr. Ilyana Routh
VESSEL: INS-Justicar (Archer-class)
LOCATION: Omega-55
STATUS: Stable / Recon Pending
ENCRYPTION: Hardshell-32

Captain Marshall,

We have observed an anomaly at the fringe of our sensor coverage in grid sector H-4.
A sharp and unexplained spike in electromagnetic background radiation was recorded, followed by an immediate and total absence of signal.

This event was detected via long-range passive sweeps and confirmed against baseline EM background telemetry.
No accompanying mass signatures or gravitational distortions have been recorded, yet the phenomenon remains unresolved and inconsistent with known cosmic activity in the region.

EMF Scan

As per standard protocol and out of precaution for the security of the Fretensis and surrounding elements, I intend to dispatch a reconnaissance wing to investigate.
Requesting approval to launch INS-Justicar with 1–2 Very Heavy Fighters in escort for short-range survey and data retrieval.

If higher priority operations are in motion, we will proceed with a minimal footprint and maintain regular transmission intervals.

Awaiting your authorization or further instruction.

— Cmdr. Ilyana Routh
INS-Justicar

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“Silent sectors are rarely empty.”

[Culbrelai]

Transmission Received: Authorization Code 40291-249634 - Identity Confirmed - INS-Justicar Respondent: Captain James Marshall Vessel: INS-Fretensis, The Bridge - Comms Console Location: Omega-55 System Salutations, Commander Routh. Dr. Bagshaw, our sole remaining senior science officer, had noted this anomaly in the datastream of routine scans of the system. She'd been pressing me to divert our limited resources to investigate it for quite a while, and to be honest, it had been on the agenda but was pushed down the list by more pressing matters. I see now that it can wait no longer - god knows what it could be - the theories Dr. Bagshaw has presented to me claim anything from a classified LSF drone capable of bending the background EM fields to conceal its appearance, precise location, and so on, to the radiation from a far-off supernova just reaching the system. Regardless, you have my approval to launch a recon wing. If we are being surveilled, we must prepare. I certainly do not intend to spend the rest of my life in some black site prison in the backwaters of Liberty. We will go out swinging.

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#NotMySNAC

[Cortana Clark]

⨳ ENCRYPTED TRANSMISSION // INS-JUSTICAR
TO: CAPT. JAMES MARSHALL – INS-FRETENSIS

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SENDER: Cmdr. Ilyana Routh
VESSEL: INS-Justicar (Archer-class)
LOCATION: Omega-55
STATUS: Stable / Recon Pending
ENCRYPTION: Hardshell-32

Captain.

Reconnaissance wing was launched at 0600 hours local time with full defense protocol engaged. INS-Justicar anchored at H-3 edge during survey to ensure immediate fallback capacity.

Surveying units confirmed our preliminary scans. However, the phenomenon observed was not merely anomalous, it was absent.
No residual EM signatures. No particle drift. No starfield alignment. Absoluty nothing.

Flight telemetry confirms: systems remained functional, but all active and passive scans returned null.
No interference, no distortion, but a complete and total erasure of expected background data. Standard markers failed, as there was nothing to triangulate against.

No contact, no engagement. No threats observed. But I advise extreme caution.

Some of the returning crew have reported to feel highly discomforted. I am placing Carrick under observation, as he seems to be the one most affected.
In the meantime, Kael is conducting a full systems diagnostic to rule out sensor contamination, though I believe this to be unlikely. Jace has secured the hangar and reinforced standby readiness.

We are standing by for further instruction, but I recommend elevating the threat posture aboard the Fretensis. Whatever this is, it’s not natural.

Attachment: Cockpit Cam Still - VHF-1 0603hrs

— Cmdr. Ilyana Routh
INS-Justicar

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“Silent sectors are rarely empty.”