To: Lt. Nikita Zorin | From: Unit 47

[KrYuInquisitor]

INCOMING MESSAGE

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Communication Troops of the SCRA, CDC Post #557912, Planet Tangier, Omega-47 System

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TO: ZVEZDA-5
FROM: POST "ZENIT"
ENCRYPTION: HIGH

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ZVEZDA-5, THIS IS "ZENIT". TRANSMITTING A MESSAGE VIA SECURE CHANNEL.
30 MINUTES AGO. CODE WORD "NEMETS". HIGHEST PRIORITY
HOW DO YOU RECEIVE? OVER.

Attached files (1)

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From: u_554822145_o@mail.zspd

To: "ZENIT"

Topic: TO COMMISSAR K.PIMAKHOVA, UNIT 47

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I remain in strict compliance with the non-intervention directive. No direct engagement with parties involved in local hostilities. Maintaining a neutral operational posture, I am conducting continuous visual and sensor-based surveillance of all faction movements. Activity from Bretonian government forces and resistance forces is being logged and catalogued. The system remains highly unstable. Skirmishes ignite without warning and across multiple grid sectors. Escalation patterns are irregular and lack centralized coordination. Primary operational risk: unintended exposure. Probability factors include stray munitions during active exchanges and inspection attempts by overly aggressive armed forces patrol units operating with minimal oversight. -------------------------------------------------------- PLANET CARLISLE AREA A radar installation has been confirmed in orbit above Ashington’s moon. The array demonstrates extended-range detection capability and is assessed to be fully integrated into the planet’s air and space defense network. It is also believed to possess counter-stealth tracking capability, significantly reducing the effectiveness of cloaking devices within the planet Carlisle zone. The station maintains continuous 360-degree coverage, securing a substantial sector of surrounding space. Observation of Gateshead Station has been completed. The presence of heavy defensive armaments is confirmed. The installation functions not only as a primary logistical hub, but also as a central defensive stronghold for the planet Carlisle. It conducts active patrol coordination and provides protective coverage for the planet Carlisle area against hostile forces aligned against the Bretonian government. Combat capability is assessed as high. -------------------------------------------------------- BATTLESHIP HARLOW AREA A second major radar array has been identified in proximity to the battleship Harlow. Its coverage extends across the opposite hemisphere of the Newcastle system. In conjunction with the Ashington array, the two installations establish full-spectrum surveillance coverage. Their overlapping detection fields effectively eliminate exploitable blind zones for system entry or exit. Bretonia Armed Forces have constructed a layered long-range early warning network. A direct planetary assault on planet Carlisle would be exceptionally difficult to execute due to cross-monitored radar control from both Gateshead Station and the battleship Harlow. Any sizable strike group would be detected well before reaching operational range. -------------------------------------------------------- GALLOWAY NEBULA AREA The surveyed area is clear. No irregularities or government installations have been detected. The only presence within the sector is Mull Base, operated by Mollys. As a reminder, this group maintains a position of allied neutrality toward the Sirius Coalition. No suspicious activity or additional infrastructure has been observed in the vicinity of the base. -------------------------------------------------------- NORTHUMBERLAND ICE FIELD AREA No anomalous activity or government assets identified. The sector hosts a Gaians facility designated Skye Base, along with a smaller station of undetermined affiliation. Neither installation appears to be of strategic interest. No indicators of military operations or defensive posture have been observed. -------------------------------------------------------- TYNE ICE FIELD AREA This zone is likewise clear. No government installations or abnormal activity detected. The only notable presence is the destroyer Ceuta and battlecruiser Bastia, affiliated with the Hispanic Outcasts. The capital ships maintains a passive posture and has demonstrated no hostile intent. -------------------------------------------------------- CRASTER NEBULA AREA RECONNAISSANCE OPERATION “THE FOG” During reconnaissance of the surrounding nebula and an attempted penetration into its inner perimeter, the following anomalies were reconfirmed, consistent with my previous reports: severe communications degradation, intense signal interference rendered data transmission virtually impossible, elevated radiation levels exceeding established operational safety thresholds, complete absence of ships traffic within both visual and sensor range. While maneuvering along the outer boundary of the nebula, I detected an unidentified structure. The installation does not appear in any Coalition intelligence database, and identification was not possible. Upon approach, the station failed to transmit any form of identification or warning. Without provocation, it initiated sustained direct-fire engagement. The projectiles employed were of an unknown configuration, inconsistent with any documented weapons system. Energy signatures were atypical, with a distinct toxic-purple emission profile. The engagement inflicted critical damage to my ship. Due to the severity of system failures, I was forced to abort reconnaissance operations and withdraw. Repairs required approximately 48 hours before operational capability was restored. Craster Nebula and its surrounding perimeter conceal an installation of unknown origin and technological classification. The station demonstrates extreme hostility and possesses weapons systems that surpass known comparable platforms in both power and performance. ------------------------------------------- The enforced downtime during ship repairs was used to consolidate my position within the local environment. I initiated contact-building efforts with elements of the Newcastle system’s criminal underworld, as well as with our Mollys allies. Operating under the cover identity of an independent freelancer continues to provide strategic flexibility, allowing me to maintain neutral relations with all factions without compromising operational security. This advantage was fully leveraged. Informal exchanges with local pilots yielded a substantial body of folklore surrounding Craster Nebula. Persistent rumors and superstitions circulate throughout the system: the nebula is said to be cursed, numerous ships have allegedly vanished within it without a trace, reports of “phantom ship”, unidentified voices, and anomalous signal emissions are common. Local traffic largely avoids the area. The prevailing belief is that entry invites disaster “the curse will claim you”. Well... while such accounts lack verified evidentiary value, their prevalence reinforces a critical assessment: anomalous activity within the cloud is widely perceived and consistently avoided. Whether rooted in irrational fear or repeated unexplained incidents, the behavioral pattern is operationally significant. Civilian and military traffic deliberately maintains distance from the zone. A chance encounter occurred with a smuggler of Kusari origin. The individual compromised himself in a notably careless manner, which allowed for a low-risk initiation of dialogue. Negotiations led to a business arrangement: he agreed to supply a cloaking device for a substantial fee. Delivery timeline: 4 days. Through established contact chains, I successfully acquired a light cloaking device. With assistance from trusted Mollys associates, I conducted a comprehensive technical sweep of the vessel intended for its installation. Particular attention was given to counter-surveillance inspection. My military occupational specialization in information security proved fully applicable during this phase. No tracking systems, embedded beacons, or hidden monitoring devices were detected. The ship is confirmed clean. ------------------------------------------- RECONNAISSANCE OPERATION “THE FOG 2” Following final preparation of the ship, a second reconnaissance operation was initiated. On approach to the unidentified station referenced in my previous report, an unmarked pursuit craft was detected. The vessel transmitted no identification signature. Ownership and affiliation remain unknown. It shadowed my course for an extended duration at long range. Attempts to establish communication received no response. The craft displayed no overt hostility. Upon my approach to the hostile station previously encountered, the trailing vessel disappeared from sensors without trace. Due to the absence of active radar arrays on the unidentified station, I was able to bypass the installation undetected using the cloaking device and proceed deeper into the nebula. An anomalous minefield was subsequently discovered. The design and energy signatures of the mines do not correspond to any known configuration. A viable route was identified; however, the safe passage resembled a complex labyrinthine corridor, significantly slowing progress. Despite delays, the minefield was successfully navigated, and I reached the outer vicinity of planet Darlington. At approximately midpoint to the planet, all communications systems failed completely. The navigational grid became non-functional. Within the upper atmospheric layers of planet Darlington, an unidentified structure was visually recorded. Image fidelity is extremely poor, consistent with the severe interference conditions prevalent throughout the nebula. Environmental exposure within the nebula caused critical degradation of the ship’s hull integrity. Structural wear reached unacceptable thresholds, rendering continuation of the mission impossible and necessitating immediate withdrawal. During exfiltration, the unidentified ship was detected again. This time, however, it demonstrated no observable interest and took no action, as though unaware of my presence. At this stage, it is not possible to determine whether the Bretonian government is connected to the installations within Craster Nebula. The observed technology exceeds known reference standards. However, these objects are confirmed to be the primary source of the widespread communications disruptions affecting the system. Repeated shadowing by an unidentified craft strongly suggests a high probability that my identity or at minimum my operational relevance may have been exposed. The pursuer’s intentions, allegiance, and capabilities remain unknown and unpredictable. In order to preserve operational integrity and protect the established intelligence network, I am initiating a low-visibility posture. Active measures will be suspended temporarily to monitor potential adversary response patterns and reassess threat levels. Further action will be taken only after the situation stabilizes and risks are reevaluated. I will continue covert observation in passive mode. Communications will be limited to emergency transmission via reserve channels. Standing by for further instructions. End of transmission.

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END OF MESSAGE