Liberty Forces Message dump

[Manticore]

****INCOMING TRANSMISSION****

TARGET ID: Liberty Navy High Command
SUBJECT: Patrol Report #OED-2994: A Bizarre Encounter
ENCRYPTION: Very High
PRIORITY: High

First of all, I am pleased to report that my debriefing process is going well, and I anticipate being back to full active duty soon. A full report from [color=#33FF33]Captain Polstari regarding my debrief will be forthcoming.

I was out and about on some personal business today in the New York system when I picked up something strange on my scanners outside the Missouri. Two unknown vessels, that did not respond to my initial hail and instead made a break for it. I pursued them a short distance, and they cut their engines and began transmitting. Around this point I also began to feel a strange pressure on my head. Reminded me of the sinus headaches I get sometimes.

I got a good scan of one of the vessels. They were both Nomad Morphs, similar to the ones often seen within Zone 21.

Their transmissions at first were odd and barely comprehensible. After a bit of back and forth I determined that they were seeking a human to communicate with. There were a number of other human ships around, including a Police subcontractor named Helix Might and a member of the 41st Task Force. I asked these two to enforce a 5k cordon around the Nomads and my vessel, as several civilian ships were getting too close and I feared they might do something to agitate the Nomads.

One Nomad introduced itself as Sovereign, and the other's name was Hidian'deloush, and had apparently not yet chosen a pseudonym for itself yet. They repeatedly asked things like "Mind-Open?" and "Wish-Speak?" and it took me a while to figure out what they were getting at. Finally they indicated they wanted to commune with me directly, which involved some sort of mind-meld. I felt a presence prodding at my mind, and for some reason I still don't fully understand, I allowed both of them in. It was a... bizarre experience, but also amazing. I was transported to a place within my mind, a calm beach that bore a striking similarity to one I frequented as a child on Curacao.

I saw both Nomads there, and was able to speak with them directly. Their speech was easy to understand, and I was able to have a direct conversation with both of them. Interestingly, they both chose to represent themselves as children.

They asked me several questions. I didn't feel any of the questions were a security risk, so I answered them as best I was able. The questions were:

1. What is family?
2. What is love?
3. How can one tell if they are able to love?
4. Can one love without knowing?
5. Can I [Sovereign] feel love?
6. You live with others, yet you hate others. How can you feel both at once?
7. Why do humans teach you to hate other humans?
8. Is not division your species' weakness? How do you live with so much division?

I did my best with the answers to these questions, and in return was allowed to ask a few questions of my own. I believe the exchange was valuable, as the information I received in return was a revelation to me, personally, and hopefully will be of value to you as well.

Also, while we were speaking, another Nomad showed up. This one was in a massive capital vessel. I did not speak with this one directly, but I was able to gather that it was called "Aurora". It spent a fair amount of time communicating with the other Nomads and the civilians in the area.

1. Explain the mindshare. Do you know everything the other Nomads know?
The mindshare is the collected thoughts and memories of the Nomad race, and all Nomads are born a part of it. Individual Nomads are allowed to keep certain things private from the mindshare, controlling what they contribute to a certain degree. Aurora has been disconnected from the mindshare, apparently by choice. She wishes for Sovereign and Hidian'deloush to join her and also remove themselves from the mindshare, but they are undecided.

2. What happens when you separate from the mindshare?
Aurora has told the other two that they will be given free will if they separate from the mindshare. Apparently this will also invoke the displeasure of another Nomad known as Harbinger, who claims that separating from the mindshare will result in something bad. Perhaps death, but they didn't specify.

3. Who is "Harbinger"?
Harbinger is the Nomad who sought to start the war against humans in the first place. The Nomads referred to the war as "Harbinger's Crusade". Harbinger seems to be a leader of the Nomads, as he "directs" them through the mindshare. Harbinger hates humans for some unknown reason, and uses the other Nomads as pawns in his war. Apparently Aurora has a theory as to why, but I didn't hear any specifics.

4. If Harbinger were to be killed somehow, would the other Nomads continue the war?
They did not know the answer to this question, but claimed that Harbinger currently has the full support of virtually every major Nomad save Aurora. They said that "Harbinger is the mindshare", though I do not know if that was meant figuratively or literally. It seems obvious that he controls it, however, and if humanity were to take him out, it seems possible it might have a positive effect on things.

5. Are you two going to side with Aurora or Harbinger?
They remain undecided. They are both young Nomads, and retain some open-mindedness about humanity and the war. They are attempting to contact open-minded humans such as myself and learn more about humanity before they make a final decision. I believe they are currently leaning towards Aurora's side, but that's just my opinion.

After our discussion concluded, they removed their presence from my mind and departed Liberty space with Aurora. I don't believe the encounter has left any sort of lasting indoctrination, but I will submit to any further medical testing if you require it.

Nothing in my training or experience prepared me for this encounter, and I hope you understand that I did what I thought was best under the circumstances. However, I am prepared to accept any consequences of my actions here. If what they have said is true, then there may actually be a way for us to seriously blunt the Nomad threat and perhaps someday achieve a lasting peace with these fascinating aliens.

Lambert out.

[font=agency fb]****TRANSMISSION TERMINATED****

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