We saw the day start with the usual fare of smuggler interception. We bagged two in Sigma-13. One was fined and the other destroyed. The Cardamine from that shipment was burned on the spot.
The day continued with our new policy of probing Omicron Beta. Myself, Ensign Hatsumi, Naomi-san, and the DXI Director Seido made a pass around the dark side of the planet there, gaining new sensor readings concerning the composition of the upper atmosphere.
Our path probably took us too close to an Outcast sensor array, for soon a maxed force of Outcast and Lane Hacker ships entered and immediately engaged us. Poor Naomi was shot up whilst she attempted to parley with the curs! She is soon to be released from medical.
We held our own against the fighters. We were at great risk from an MNS Battleship that came thundering into the system - only to discover it couldnt fire its flak guns due to the debris and other Outcast ships in the vicinity. This is crucial intel for our tactical division!
Whilst we successfully repelled the interceptors, the Battleship took the opportunity to move on, threatening to attack Ogashawa itself!
Damage was sustained to the facility whilst we regrouped. As a last resort the Ghost made an appearance, and the Outcast Battleship immediately retreated in surprise.
Repairs are underway to Ogashawa as we speak.
We have proved to day we can hold our own, but it raises the issue of how to deal with any reprisals from the Outcasts. Our personnel can always retreat into the nebula, or into Kusari. But we will probably have to accept material losses and damage to our facilities in the short term.