All incidents and casualties related to Expedition - by Jimmy Manderson

[34th Brigade]

Case number: #1-833-C4
Date: 05/04/834
Category: Physical
Persons/units involved: Commandant Clotilda Sorg, 341st Wing.

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Details: On April 5, 835 A.S., the 34th Brigade's Expeditionary group successfully jumped into the "Abyss-12" system. As expected after "Abyss-11", the system contained several Daam-K'Vosh traps similar to those the unit had seen previously. After an hour of plotting a route, the entire team moved forward, gathering data on the system. The artifact obtained in "Abyss-10" allowed them to initiate the gate activation process, which had previously allowed them to enter "Abyss-11". As for exiting "Abyss-12", due to limited visibility (dark matter clouds), they had to determine the location of the next hyperspace gate.

At 15:43, 34th Brigade made a brief stop to consult maps and then proceeded to the two remaining checkpoints. It was believed that one of them was the gate.

Having reached their destination, Commandant Clotilda Sorg and several other pilots from the 341st Wing headed to the designated point. Freighter SD-Runner was moving behind the group, preparing to launch probes. According to formation, Clotilda was flying ahead. At 17:01, the incident occurred that resulted in her death.

Further communications are being recorded.

One: CV-Hades
1-1: Clotilda Sorg
1-2: Andry Scott
1-3: August Johnson
1-4: SD-Runner
2-1: Jacob Meser

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1-1: 1-1 to One. We're almost reached structure. Ja, looks like the gates. Safe range set, ordering all Group-One members to cut their engines.
One: Copy that, 1-1. There same job we have to do as in previous system. Over.
1-1: Aha. Group-One, safe point set. Cut engines when reach it. Stay in formation, do not divide.
1-2: 1-2 to 1-1, safe point reached, engines off. Over.
1-3: 1-3 to 1-1, safe point reached, engines off. Over.
1-4: SD-Runner to 1-1, safe point reached, we're stopped. Preparing for launch the probes. Do you copy?
1-1: Ja, we'll keep eyes open. Over.

Probes are launched towards the gate. No any reaction.

One: 1-4, we're receiving data from the probes. Yes, this is the gate. Activate the artifact when you're ready.
1-4: Copy that, Hades. Starting the process.

A powerful cannon-like weapon emerges from SD-Runner compartment. Moments later, a purple beam erupts from it, aimed directly at the gate.

1-1: Not THAT close, 1-4!
1-4: Apologies. Activation will end in 10 seconds.

Ten seconds later, the beam's connection to the gate was reset as is typical for its launch. The runner could no longer fire due to the artifact's design. The gate still didn't respond.

1-4: SD-Runner to One, no any reaction. Gates doesn't launch. And we cannot shoot it again.
One: Understood, Runner. Get out of there, get back into line. 1-1, same order to you. Do you copy?
1-1: Ja-ja, Hades. Going back.

The group returns to formation. Flashes of light and lightning begin to flicker around the gate. Suddenly, a singularity appears, causing no damage to the structure but sucking in all nearby objects. Among these objects is Clotilda Sorg's ship.

The anomaly was a gravitational vortex. Probes caught in it were stretched and torn apart, their fragments flying in all directions at incredible speed.

1-4: Gravitation! Cruise speed, now!
1-3: Fuck, cruising. Andry, running?
1-2: Already on it! See Runner getting out of it. 1-1... Ah, damn it, Clotilda, ma'am, how are you?
1-4: Drones, drones, look! That thing just annihilated them!
1-2: Holy fuck.
1-1: It draws me in! Cannot get out! Starting emergency cruise speed!

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Note: Clotilda's ship had a unique design and was equipped with spare engines to increase cruising speed. Their power was sufficient to double the speed, but the fuel supply only lasted for an five minutes.

© Jimmy Manderson

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1-1: I can't! The countdown has begun. I have 4 minutes and 48 seconds left!
One: One to 1-1, we'll try figure out something. Give us a minute.

Not mentioned in the blackbox: Hades's crew was quickly trying to find a solution. The most obvious was to strengthen the cruiser's tractor beam and direct it at Clotilda's ship.

1-1: There is not enough speed, I am gradually getting drawn in. 4 minutes and 4 seconds left!
One: Let's try, 1-1. Disable all engine overheating safety systems. With your superstructure, your ship will last for five minutes. But this is your chance. Do it right now.
1-1: Done. Now I'm just frozen in place. I can already feel the warmth coming on.
One: One to 1-1, we'll try use our tractor beam now, so you'll be able to get out. Keep your ship level and do not make any movements.
1-1: Come on, One, do it!

CV-Hades approached the 1-1, preparing to use the beam. At some point, gravity began to affect the cruiser as well, and the reverse thrusters were activated. Cruiser began to move away at a speed of 1 m/s.

The tractor beam was then deployed, with all available power turned on. The attempt was unsuccessful: at first, the ship was pulled toward Hades, but then the wormhole's gravity intensified, pulling Clotilda deeper until the beam was deactivated.

1-2: This thing won't let go. If you held on any longer, One, gravity would suck us all in.
One: 1-1, it didn't worked. Report your status.
1-1: Doing good. Still waiting for any solution possible. 2 minutes and 58 seconds left!
2-1: 2-1 to 1-4, can you try re-activate your device? Maybe this thing has the opposite effect?
1-4: Negative 2-1, it just doesn't want even activate.
2-1: Fuck!

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Note: The "device" refers to an elongated artifact, visually resembling a spearhead. From previous uses, we learned that the artifact recognizes when it can activate a given gate. Attempts to use it on an activated gate yielded no effect. We were also unable to circumvent this limitation. The device was lost after Incident #1-833-C9.

© Jimmy Manderson

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2-1: 2-1 to One, let's just destroy that thing!
One: Guns pointed, we're already on it, 2-1. All ships are to maintain their distance.

The released plasma charges followed the desired trajectory until they crossed the event horizon, after which they headed straight for the anomaly and dissolved within it. 2-1 took the initiative to bypass the anomaly and attack the structure located between the anomaly and his ship. 1-4 also participated alongside 2-1, arming probes with antimatter explosives. Other Brigade pilots approached from other flanks and engaged the structure with crossfire. All key elements thought to be able to maintain the anomaly in a singular state were destroyed. However, this had no negative impact on the anomaly itself. It continued to exist.

The resulting debris was caught in a gravitational vortex, shattering into small pieces in all directions. The high velocity caused significant damage to several ships.

2-1: Fuck that! 2-1 to One, anomaly status?
One: No effect. It still exists.
1-1: 2 minutes.
One: We have no other ideas, 1-1. We can't release the cable; it's too risky. There's a high chance the cable will hit your ship and tear it apart before the anomaly does.
1-1: Ja-ja, I understand that. We have no other ideas. It seems I was wrong to fly ahead of everyone else.
2-1: What do you mean, Clotilda?
1-1: You know what, Jacob. Looks like you'll have to become the next Commandant. Sorry, One, but this is where we part ways.
One: What are you planning, 1-1?
1-1: Die earlier than this thing will destroy me. Jacob Meser, I hereby appoint you to my position as Commandant of the 34th Brigade. 1-1 to One, I relinquish my powers as Commandant-
2-1: Wait, what?! You cannot give up just like that Clotilda! Let us think for more, maybe we'll figure out what to do!
1-1: Screw that, Jac! We've tried everything! There's no point. You're better off moving on without me.

Cockpit camera 1-1 showed the pilot pulling his pistol from its holster and placing it under his chin.

1-1: So... Yeah... That was great run. Sorry, Hades. I have no choice left-
2-1: Clotilda, don't you dare do this! Don't even try! As the newly elected Commandant, I order you not to do this!
1-1: You can't save me. It's useless. And I don't want to die from this crap either. I'll do it myself. I know you won't shoot. None of you will.
2-1: Clotilda, no! I order you!
1-1: Two minutes' worth of fuel, Jacob. Not even a minute. You won't have time to think of anything.
2-1: Clotilda, don't fucking dare do this! I love you, do you hear me?! I love you very much and I don't want to lose you after Tyler. I'm sorry I was such an asshole and didn't ask you to go on date! Just wait a little while, we can save you! Let us think of something!
1-1: I love you too, fool. I'm an idiot too. I should have realized what was going on right away. We were both countering each other. It's been a pleasure serving with you, my gang. Adam, I'm handing over my authority to Jacob. Move on. My journey ends here.
One: Understood 1-1. Been a pleasure serving with you too. Do it.
1-1: Ja, sure... I know.
2-1: Adam, no!

Clotilda shoots herself in the head. 34th|Tau-1 continues its cruiser burn maneuver for about ten seconds before being sucked into the gravitational anomaly. Hit by the center, the ship stretches and tears apart. Later, camera analysis revealed that Clotilda's body had also been torn apart.

The anomaly ceased to exist an hour later. Further analysis of the system revealed a second such structure. Following enhanced security measures, the device was reactivated, and this time the gate opened, providing access to the next system. Footage of what happened to Clotilda's body was not shown to Jacob Meser, to avoid further psychological trauma.

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