[Log Entry: January 25th, 710 A.S. | Unknow System, Echo-6 sector]
Commanding Officer: Capt. Klaus von Tanner | E.V. Morgenstern
Classification: Emergency Operations Log — Priority Flag [RED]
“Continued analysis of Echo-6 formation revealed anomalies inconsistent with natural geological evolution. Subsurface scan indicated voids with rectilinear symmetry. Surface venting observed in localized sectors did not match mineral pressure profiles. Intermittent thermal signatures, non-conforming to passive geothermal activity, were logged.
At 1721 shipboard time, four Valkyrie-class fighters from squadron Alpha deployed to conduct close-range surface reconnaissance. Initial pass yielded no visual contact.
At 1734, flight lead reported unidentified surface structures exhibiting radiative dissipation profiles consistent with artificial exhaust systems.
At 1741, multiple concealed weapon emplacements activated from within the asteroid’s outer shell. Plasma-based point-defence turrets engaged simultaneously. All four Valkyrie units were neutralized within 12 seconds. Final transmission fragment received:
“...full of Cors[data lost] here, it’s not— repeat, it’s not an—” [signal lost]
At 1743 Immediate threat response executed. Bridge crew aboard Morgenstern scrambled battle stations. Though technically armed, our offensive systems are civilian-grade and unsuited for prolonged engagement. SCRAMBLE order issued to remaining flight elements. RNC Matterhorn and RNC Jena advanced to intercept. Multiple Corsair-pattern strike craft launched from internal hangar structures within asteroid mass — estimated two squadrons minimum, probable third wave in reserve. Composition consistent with heavily modified Correo and Praetorian chassis.
At 1749 Gunboats Matterhorn and Jena initiated suppression fire, buying the Valkyrie wings time to maneuver. Matterhorn established initial defensive perimeter. Jena assumed overwatch and command relay for coordinated Valkyrie response. Engagement sustained at close range..
At 1753 impact sustained by E.V. Morgenstern, two long-range pulse bursts. No hull breach. Minor superstructure damage and transient shield overload. Casualties: none.
At 1758, Matterhorn took a concentrated missile barrage from multiple angles. Hull breach followed by reactor implosion — total loss, crew listed as KIA.
At 1800 Knowing we could not withstand a direct assault, I gave the order to retreat. Jena remained in position, shielding our port corridor and launching overlapping flak bursts to mask our withdrawal.
At 1801 Power diverted to maneuvering thrusters, sensor jamming, and internal containment protocols. Per survival protocol Theta-5, Morgenstern initiated emergency withdrawal. Course adjusted to sector Beta-2.
RNC Jena continued engagement, executing controlled fallback under cover of Valkyrie fire patterns. Our Valkyrie squadrons fought with distinction — diverting Corsair pursuit, intercepting bombing runs. Three fighters rammed targets directly. Confirmed kills: 12 enemy craft. Of our own: unknown. Visual contact of RNC Jena lost at 1752. Last confirmed signal: flare burst code 2R-1G — evacuation corridor clear. All escort ships listed as KIA.
Initial withdrawal plotted along vector Beta-2. At 18:06, emergency council convened with remaining senior officers. Consensus reached: course adjusted to quadrant Delta-5. Justification: high radiation interference from neutron star core may reduce probability of pursuit and mask thermal trail. All active comms suppressed. Shipboard transponder disabled.
Casualties: significant. Fleet status: unknown. Mission status: compromised.
E.V. Morgenstern operational, systems nominal. Crew shaken but functional.
May God have mercy of us
"End emergency log"
The log flickered on the screen, a cold line of monochrome text quietly finishing the story that no one had wanted to hear.
Neer leaned back slowly, arms crossed. “They set their fallback point… right on top of a Corsair base.”
He stared at the terminal like it had personally betrayed him. “They didn’t know. They just—walked into it.”
Schmidt said nothing. He was still reading the report, line by line, as if some detail might shift under closer inspection. Something—anything—that might make it all less absurd.
Neer shook his head. “Why didn’t the Corsairs hit them earlier? An entire convoy doesn’t just waltz into Omega-41 without pinging a few hostile radars.”
Belck answered without looking up. “Maybe they were waiting. Watching. Figured out the route, picked their rock, and let them come. Easier than chasing them across the system.”
“A trap,” Schmidt said, flatly. “Sprung clean.”
Neer leaned forward again, scrubbing through the log, and stopped. He replayed the final bit of audio, the line that had caught his ear. Von Tanner’s voice, urgent, clipped:
“… Consensus reached: course adjusted to quadrant Delta-5...”
They all stared at the screen.
“The center,” Neer repeated. “They went toward the center of Omega-41?”
“Maybe they thought it was safer,” Belck offered, but it sounded weak, even to him.
“Safer?” Neer scoffed. “That’s like running into a volcano to get away from the fire.”
“It was panic,” Schmidt said quietly. “They had minutes to react. Weapons fire on all sides, jamming, a compromised fallback point. Delta-5 might’ve looked like the only absurd but viable and secure option left.”
“But it’s Omega-41,” Neer muttered. “There’s no such thing as security here. Just radiation and regret.”
Belck didn’t respond. He was watching the walls of the bridge again — the uneven plating, the retrofitted consoles, the evidence of someone’s long, desperate attempt to keep the ship breathing.
Silence returned, heavy and unsettled.
Then Schmidt stepped toward the console, jaw set.
“Keep reading. Let’s find out if they made it out.”
![[+]](/forums/images/collapse_collapsed.png "[+]")
Mission Record No. 121 FILE ENCRYPTED