»UPLINK: ICN FIRESTORM, INCURSUS NODE

[Petitioner]

Non-Combat After Action Report

Date: 05.27.34, 10:46 GAST
Rank & Name: Fleet Captain With, Kelly
Reporting From: █████
AAR #001

---

FC With, making my first report over Firestorm. Been a hot minute since I've done one of these. Anyway, movin' swiftly along...

Initiate Crowe and I had travelled to Freeport 6 in order to secure two K13 "Falchion" strikecraft from an old contact of mine within the IMG. Got a good deal on the things, as my contact was more interested in cutting his losses on maintenance costs than turning a profit. Workhorses secured, we did the absolute nailbiter of a flight back to FP14 entirely unarmed, whereupon I picked up another special order for myself -- a set of four new guns crafted in imitation of a Kusari gunsmith's work, usually known as FROSTBITEs. We then RTBed, with Initiate Crowe spending some time getting their ship outfitted and getting used to the controls, also christening their new fighter as Wind Rose, while I prepared for the next bit of today's work.

---

At exactly 0901 hours, 21 seconds, Aergia Research Facility utilized its prototype "veil-render", as the Auxesians called it, to generate a jump hole to the so-called "Earhart" or "Anchor" system. I proceeded through, followed by Initiate Hideyoshi (in the strikecraft Watatsumi) and the Technocrat freighter SV Lilac Dawn (an R1 "Draugr") . While Hideyoshi and I scouted the various jump anomalies in this absolute fuckin' freakshow of a system -- which, by the way, has giant death lasers all over the place, not to speak of ambient radiation what corrupted all my visual logs -- while our Technocrat counterpart dived headfirst into an uncharted system in pursuit of some valuable and unstable cargo the nature of which I'll neither attempt to comprehend nor explain in this report. The pilot of the Lilac Dawn explained that some people can't stand being in the Anchor, as if the graveyard of a system is "screaming at them". Sounds like superstition to me, but with the giant alien railguns, who even knows?

After our friend came back out in good health, spooky shite securely within hold -- didn't ask any questions about it, but next time perhaps I will -- we made for the Omega-7 jump anomaly and did a fast burn up via Bretonia, as allegedly some of the cargo might have destabilized the Oh-Five-Five/Vespucci connection. Thinkin' back on it, I'm mighty bloody curious about what exactly we were running escort for, but I do digress.

---

As we made our way home, Initiate Crowe informed us they'd encountered a gunboat bearing the callsign of I-127^[1] with a Kusari Office of Intelligence ident. As we entered Cortez via the Manchester gate utilizing decades-old access codes, the Lilac Dawn made its way back to Aergia, presumably avoiding detection by the contact. The KOI agent at the helm of the ship had been attempting to pry information out of the initiate, and so I stepped in to take over the conversation. Initiate Hideyoshi in the Watatsumi took a defensive posture near me, and shortly thereafter many Technocrats arrived^[2] as well. Revenant (Hawfinch fighter), Yoruha (K14 "Lance" bomber), and ACV Python (AP-385 "Pleco" gunboat) arrived as a show of force. Additional TFP units were also scrambled, including LC West in the Blackjack ("Guardian" fighter) and Atropos-2 (R1 "Lich" fighter). Both arrived on-scene^[3] as soon as possible after the scramble call went out, and I'd like to issue a formal commendation to Atropos for its timely response and its restraint during a potentially tense diplomatic situation.

I interrogated the KOI agent about their presence within Cortez, and they claimed to be gathering intel about the local cardamine operations. When pressed, they made the incredibly obvious statement that the region was a major highway for smugglers, which made it quite clear that they had no intention of actually providing useful information. They repeatedly asked about Task Force Prometheus, which I deflected by simply describing us as merely an attaché of the Technocracy. I do not expect Kusari to have any sympathies towards our efforts to reestablish the Commonwealth or the Legion, and I don't wish to jeopardize our legal status within Kusari. Not only would this hinder the operations of our benefactors, but it would cut off one of the only "legal" trade markets we have, undoing all the hard work that Initiate Mori, Initiate Carmine, and others have done in the area in the past weeks.

I informed the agent that any further information would be contingent on their providing something useful to us, and threw them a bone by requesting they share the results of their anti-cardamine investigations in the area, stating that we would happily contact Kishiro to arrange for gold exports to Kusari in exchange for such info. Of course, we've been intending to step up trade with Kusari anyway, so we may as well attempt to squeeze somethin' out of the spooks with it while we're at it. The KOI agent was cagey, making no promises of any kind.

---

However, they did give us a service name and number to verify with their superiors:
Operative 127, personal number 127-662236-C.
Full transcript attached to this report.

After our conversation, the congregation dispersed, with the KOI operative making their way for Coronado and most other assets returning to Inverness. Atropos-2 and LC West followed me to █████ in Magellan, where we docked. I believe both later returned to Valravn.

Concludes this report. FC With, out.

Attached Files

• Transcript

  Code:

  [27.05.834 09:39:04] A/)-Yoruha|: This is Iekahara. I am on station near Curacao.
[27.05.834 09:39:15] A/)-SV-Lilac.Dawn: G: Precious cargo inbound.
[27.05.834 09:39:25] A/)-SV-Lilac.Dawn: G: We'll bypass to Coronado and use the Inverness side entry.
[27.05.834 09:39:35] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Sounds good.
[27.05.834 09:39:37] A/)-Yoruha|: Nails, Kempeitai, India 127.
[27.05.834 09:39:50] TFP)-Atropos-2: Introduction: Unit Atropos-2 is present at Cortez and ready to provide ||murder|| support as required.
[27.05.834 09:39:54] I-127: Hail, Technocracy vessel.
[27.05.834 09:40:26] TFP)-Wind.Rose: Fleet Captain, Yoruha, this intelligence officer is digging for information regarding Task Force operations in Kusari.
[27.05.834 09:40:42] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Well, they can direct those questions to me.
[27.05.834 09:40:54] I-127: Very well, who are you?
[27.05.834 09:41:09] A/)-Yoruha|: [The woman trains her weapons on the Kusari Intelligence vessel. It's clear she isn't friendly.]
[27.05.834 09:41:11] TFP)-Kelly.With!: The plural you, I'd imagine.
[27.05.834 09:41:43] A/)-SV-Lilac.Dawn: On the home run now.
[27.05.834 09:42:15] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Am I right?
[27.05.834 09:42:25] A/)-Yoruha|: I will defer to Miss With. I am not familiar with Task Force Prometheus ATOs or other mission information..
[27.05.834 09:42:32] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Well, regardless. Fleet Captain Kelly With of Task Force Prometheus.
[27.05.834 09:42:40] 834-05-27 09:42:40 SMT : I-127 is attempting to disconnect from the server
[27.05.834 09:42:46] A/)-Yoruha|: And even if I would.. I would never humor a Imperial with the information.
[27.05.834 09:44:31] A/)-Yoruha|: Wind Rose, be advised - your IFF transponder is invalid. You are squawking as IMG.
[27.05.834 09:44:35] [OOC] TFP)-Kelly.With!: wb, what was the last message that you saw?
[27.05.834 09:44:37] [OOC] I-127:  My apologies, technical problems.
[27.05.834 09:44:49] TFP)-Wind.Rose: What a pain. I'll sort that as soon as I get back to Valravn.
[27.05.834 09:44:54] TFP)-Wind.Rose: Thanks for the heads up.
[27.05.834 09:45:02] TFP)-Kelly.With!: S'what happens when you buy ships from 'em I guess.
[27.05.834 09:45:13] [OOC] I-127:  Last thing I saw was my question "Who are you?"
[27.05.834 09:45:21] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Singular or plural "you"?
[27.05.834 09:45:44] I-127: Your group - you have been in Kusari and around it, but we don't know who you are.
[27.05.834 09:45:52] TFP)-Atropos-2: Remark: This territory has a high probability of ||gruesome death|| dangerous encounters for Kusari vessel. Unit wonders it's-
[27.05.834 09:45:55] TFP)-Atropos-2: -purpose here.
[27.05.834 09:45:58] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Task Force Prometheus.
[27.05.834 09:46:09] A/)-Yoruha|: I will defer to Miss With. I am not familiar with TFP Active Tasking Orders or other mission information as it is compartmentalized.
[27.05.834 09:46:09] TFP)-Blackjack: Oh, hey.
[27.05.834 09:46:16] TFP)-Wind.Rose: As I told them, I don't see why a gunship is necessary to attain that information when a communique would do.
[27.05.834 09:46:19] TFP)-Blackjack: A northerner.
[27.05.834 09:46:20] TFP)-Kelly.With!: For the moment, we're an attachee of the Technocracy.
[27.05.834 09:46:53] I-127: I see - do you have any interests in Kusari aside from passage of your logistic vessels?
[27.05.834 09:47:07] A/)-Yoruha|: What is your intention with that question?
[27.05.834 09:47:09] TFP)-Kelly.With!: This goes both ways, agent.
[27.05.834 09:47:14] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Yoruha, let me.
[27.05.834 09:47:19] A/)-Yoruha|: Very well.
[27.05.834 09:47:46] TFP)-Kelly.With!: What brings you all the way down here? So like the initiate said, ye could've just asked over the neural.
[27.05.834 09:48:39] I-127: I have not come all the way here just because of you.
[27.05.834 09:49:32] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Right.
[27.05.834 09:49:38] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Well, this is our backyard.
[27.05.834 09:50:02] TFP)-Kelly.With!: And it's generally common courtesy to give a bit of warnin'. You're just after snooping around without so much as a "how do ya do".
[27.05.834 09:50:33] 834-05-27 09:50:32 SMT : I-127 is attempting to disconnect from the server
[27.05.834 09:51:58] [OOC] TFP)-Kelly.With!: welcome back, again. I too hate computers
[27.05.834 09:51:59] [OOC] I-127:  Game doesn't really like me today
[27.05.834 09:52:02] [OOC] TFP)-Kelly.With!: where did we leave off?
[27.05.834 09:52:44] I-127: We met you initiate by pure chance - I do not know where you group is even based in.
[27.05.834 09:52:56] A/)-Yoruha|: I don't buy that for a second.
[27.05.834 09:53:02] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Well, as I said, we're an attachee of the Technocracy fer now.
[27.05.834 09:53:21] TFP)-Kelly.With!: So ye can draw yer assumptions therefrom.
[27.05.834 09:53:24] I-127: My intentions are clear - my badge of office is clear on this matter.
[27.05.834 09:53:32] A/)-Yoruha|: I am familiar to a degree with the Kusari Intelligence community. You have ears as far as the eye can see.
[27.05.834 09:53:33] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Aye, here to snoop.
[27.05.834 09:53:33] A/)-Revenant: What are you looking for, Operative.
[27.05.834 09:53:44] TFP)-Wind.Rose: They did say they weren't just here for us.
[27.05.834 09:54:00] A/)-Revenant: Interested enough to inquire with you, regardless.
[27.05.834 09:54:14] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Now we've no problem chit-chattin' once it's purely harmless, but foreign warships ain't allowed into Inverness itself, and ye'd do best to keep that in mind.
[27.05.834 09:54:17] I-127: I do not care what you do in here, unless it somehow involves my House.
[27.05.834 09:54:36] A/)-Revenant: Operative, what brings you down here?
[27.05.834 09:55:14] I-127: We are monitoring the smuggler activity - Cardamine, mostly.
[27.05.834 09:55:33] I-127: This is one of their main routes.
[27.05.834 09:55:38] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Aye, that it is.
[27.05.834 09:55:56] TFP)-Kelly.With!: We're right along the Barrier Pass, sure.
[27.05.834 09:56:00] TFP)-Blackjack: Some might argue it's /the/ main route.
[27.05.834 09:56:07] TFP)-Wind.Rose: I'm actually relieved that's it.
[27.05.834 09:56:15] TFP)-Wind.Rose: We piss on cardamine.
[27.05.834 09:56:27] TFP)-Kelly.With!: That's an... unusual way t'put it.
[27.05.834 09:56:30] A/)-Yoruha|: Our kind, nor Prometheus, do not involve ourselves with Cardamine outside of what is needed to supply those afflicted with an addiction. Beyond that to my knowledge, unless Revenant wishes to correct me, we do not engage in or traffic Cardamine.
[27.05.834 09:57:14] I-127: There is already an easy substitute for it - Stabiline for those who suffer from the addiction.
[27.05.834 09:57:21] A/)-ACV-Python: L: Quite the contrary. We intercept and regularly disrupt the market of Cardamine.
[27.05.834 09:57:25] TFP)-Atropos-2: Remark: Kusari vessel provides vague, short and evasive answers. A detailed inquiry in an appropriate setting is recommended by this unit.
[27.05.834 09:58:38] TFP)-Kelly.With!: How about this.
[27.05.834 09:58:59] TFP)-Kelly.With!: If you find somethin' interesting involving those cardamine smugglers, we might just step up shipments to Kusari.
[27.05.834 09:59:30] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Surely the Empire's economy is always interested in injections of foreign capital.
[27.05.834 09:59:33] [OOC] TFP)-Wind.Rose:  Didn't one of our logistics ships come under attack by Outcasts recently?
[27.05.834 09:59:54] I-127: What can you offer to Kusari?
[27.05.834 10:00:40] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Ready access to all sorts of refined metals what might otherwise be difficult for yer corporations to get ahold of.
[27.05.834 10:01:01] A/)-Revenant: Including Gold if necessary...
[27.05.834 10:01:45] I-127: Gold is a good argument for your shipments, especially for Kishiro facilities.
[27.05.834 10:02:19] TFP)-Kelly.With!: If Kishiro's got supply issues, we can work somethin' out quite surely.
[27.05.834 10:02:22] A/)-Revenant: We do also offer research opportunities as well as our market for cybernetics and health services.
[27.05.834 10:02:59] A/)-Yoruha|: [An audible irritation in her voice is heard before she realizes she has keyed the microphone, and cuts the feed.]
[27.05.834 10:03:17] TFP)-Wind.Rose: Is everything alright, Yoru? **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:03:42] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Now, look, I don't care what your issues with Kishiro might be. I don't like any corp either so. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:03:50] I-127: Health and cyberntic services might be welcome by some, but keep in mind that the planet Honshu is already fulfilling these needs. And our people are very patriotic.
[27.05.834 10:04:05] A/)-Revenant: I'm sure Kishiro can assess what is necessary.
[27.05.834 10:04:06] TFP)-Kelly.With!: But if'n yer lacking the discipline to refrain from compromising potential trade relations, then fuck off, aye? **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:04:22] A/)-Yoruha|: For many a reason, I have a strong distaste for both Kishiro and the Kusari state. I understand I have no say in the matter. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:04:59] A/)-Yoruha|: But I have, and will continue to keep my tongue short until this.. kiseichu (parasite) gives me reason within my ROE to do so. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:04:59] A/)-ACV-Python: The grim reality is that without support from some of these parties, supplies and movement would be infinitely more difficult to manage and acquire. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:05:15] I-127: This is enough to let your shipments through - especially if you can source Gold at reasonable prices.
[27.05.834 10:05:22] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Right.
[27.05.834 10:05:42] A/)-Revenant: What is your name, Agent?
[27.05.834 10:06:19] I-127: My name is a closely kept secret to protect my family from the Gen'an and Dragon terrorists.
[27.05.834 10:06:21] TFP)-Atropos-2: Recommendation: It is vital to reserve your strength for matters you can be most productive in while refraining from those you are not best suited to perform, vessel Yoruha. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:06:26] A/)-Revenant: Not even an operating name?
[27.05.834 10:06:34] A/)-Revenant: How can we verify you are actually with the Kusari Office of Intelligence?
[27.05.834 10:06:42] I-127: However, my 'work name' is Operative 127.
[27.05.834 10:06:53] A/)-Yoruha|: I affirm, Atropos-2. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:07:23] A/)-Revenant: What department do you work for - so we have a contact point of reference with your peers?
[27.05.834 10:07:25] TFP)-Watatsumi: Dragon terrorists. A part inside me wishes to unload the entirety of my guns into his hull. But the other parts knows how to behave. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:07:47] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Imagine how I feel seein' BMM convoys. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:07:50] TFP)-Wind.Rose: I don't like it either. I've never.. well, met a Dragon before, but. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:07:51] A/)-Yoruha|: I am here to provide security guarantees. Unless my superiors with to relieve me of that duty, I will do so.  **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:08:03] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Save your fire and fury for when it's needed. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:08:15] A/)-Revenant: Smile and wave. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:08:21] TFP)-Wind.Rose: They're good people from what I know. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:08:25] A/)-ACV-Python: Smile and wave, indeed. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:08:41] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Don't know much about Kusari. Presume it's not too different from back home. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:08:46] I-127: I am one of the more independent operatives, but if you have doubts about my identity - you can always my agency.
[27.05.834 10:10:07] A/)-Revenant: Well, 127, thank you for providing the points of references. You'll forgive us for being skeptical, it's hard to tell these days who is compromised by the Nomads, or otherwise are an operative of another hostile group.
[27.05.834 10:10:10] TFP)-Atropos-2: Recognition: This unit is pleased to witness restraint among its allies.
[27.05.834 10:10:28] A/)-Yoruha|: Acknowledged, Atropos-2.**(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:10:39] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Surely. But as I'm just after saying, give us somethin' useful to work with on these smugglers, and we'll be quite inclined to reach out to Kishiro an' whoever else.
[27.05.834 10:11:19] I-127: My personal number is 127-662236-C. Our public database will flag it as valid.
[27.05.834 10:11:22] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Nothin' more mutually beneficial than cooperation, isn't it.
[27.05.834 10:12:59] I-127: I will want to know more about you, but that might be a talk for a different time.
[27.05.834 10:13:16] A/)-Yoruha|: Revenant, permission to be relieved to return to the Achlys.
[27.05.834 10:13:25] TFP)-Kelly.With!: As I'm after saying, two-way street. I understand yer not in a position to be too loose-lipped.
[27.05.834 10:13:30] A/)-Revenant: Granted.
[27.05.834 10:13:43] I-127: For now, my curiosity is satisfied and we have something to work with.
[27.05.834 10:13:44] A/)-Yoruha|: Understood. Until next time, everyone.
[27.05.834 10:13:51] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Take care.
[27.05.834 10:14:19] TFP)-Wind.Rose: Fleet Captain With, permission to RTB?
[27.05.834 10:14:25] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Granted.
[27.05.834 10:15:13] I-127: I am done with my questions - do you have anything to add?
[27.05.834 10:15:43] A/)-Revenant: Unless my colleagues are interested.... No.
[27.05.834 10:16:14] I-127: Then we will part our ways - and don't worry, we won't enter Inverness uninvited.
[27.05.834 10:16:23] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Appreciated.
[27.05.834 10:16:34] A/)-Revenant: Superb. Be careful of the LSF, they will not take kindly to your presence here.
[27.05.834 10:16:52] A/)-ACV-Python: L: You've given us something to think about, certainly. I appreciate the willingness to communicate.
[27.05.834 10:16:58] TFP)-Kelly.With!: If the maskers give you trouble, or the LSF, let us know. Possible we may ne able to assist.
[27.05.834 10:17:16] I-127: [She chuckles for a bit.] I don't like LSF too.
[27.05.834 10:17:31] TFP)-Kelly.With!: They've... well, that's for another time.
[27.05.834 10:17:46] I-127: Take care, Technocracts.
[27.05.834 10:17:52] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Keep your head down out there.
[27.05.834 10:17:53] A/)-ACV-Python: L: LIkewise.
[27.05.834 10:17:56] A/)-Revenant: Farewell.
[27.05.834 10:18:00] TFP)-Blackjack: Yeah.
[27.05.834 10:18:05] TFP)-Kelly.With!: So that went well. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:18:11] A/)-ACV-Python: Exceedingly. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:18:12] A/)-Revenant: Mm. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:18:16] A/)-Revenant: Snooping for something for sure. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:18:21] A/)-Revenant: They're not here solely for the Cardamine. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:18:26] TFP)-Atropos-2: Confirmation: Everything's clear. Returning to base. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:18:29] A/)-Revenant: Could be for their little Bretonia-Crayter agreements. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:18:31] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Never was one much for diplomacy. West, how'd I do? [She lets out a brief chuckle.] **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:18:45] A/)-ACV-Python: Naturally, though they've given us something to wedge our foot in the door. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:18:50] TFP)-Blackjack: You're asking me? My specialty is yelling at people. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:18:50] A/)-ACV-Python: You did well, Fleet Captain. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**
[27.05.834 10:18:59] TFP)-Kelly.With!: Ah, a woman after me own heart. **(PRIVATE COMMS)**

---

Libera Te Ex Infernis
Mihi Vindictam Ego Retribuam