Sender: Captain Gary Hawk, LNS-Aegis.Fate Subject: Report number #242
~Message begins~
Well, with my reassignment it seems I have a new channel to make my reports to... Well, here goes.
Within seconds of the Aegis Fate unmooring from Houston, we received word that two Rheinland Military ships were in the area. Not knowing where they were, we set up position between the Bering and Hudson Tradelanes, attempting to determine the location of the usurpers. Minor contact with the Junker Vessel Maelstrom.
We received a call from LNS-Hunter who had tracked down the Rheinland Fighters, and was attempting to order their immediate vacation of the system. It was when he told me that the Junker crewed Rogue Destroyer Maelstrom was present that I moved the Fate to his location, to make sure the Junker didn't attempt to aid the Rheinlanders.
The LNS-Hunter engaged their cloaking device at a random point (How the hell did they get one?) and the Rheinlanders used my confusion to escape along with the Maelstrom. Not having clearance to engage the fighters, I returned to Houston to organise a fighter wing to hunt them down.
Within an hour, a small strike force had assembled. Much more than was needed, but I was happy for the support. Amongst some gunboats and fighters, I assumed Tactical Command of the situation. I sent some fighters to scout the North Dallas Field, where intel told me a suspected Junker Base was held.
We chose correctly. The Rheinlanders appeared to have been repaired at the Junker Base, perhaps by the Maelstrom itself, and upon seeing the scouts, they made a beeline to the Hudson Jump Hole. Attempts to cut them off were unsuccessful and we chased them into the Hudson system where they split up.
I used the tradelanes to our advantage, reaching the Hamburg Jumpgate just after one of the RM fighters, who escaped into the Gate. I took position blocking the gate, and fought the fighter off again as he attempted to rescue his wingman. Said wingman managed to evade the blockade and also escaped into the Jumpgate.
At this point I had no idea where the Maelstrom was, as the ship designated to follow them was not replying to comms. Somehow they made it to Hamburg, and against my orders the LNS-Tyrant entered the system, engaging the Destroyer. I ordered the Strike Force to set up defensive positions blockade the way from Rheinland to Liberty, at which point the Tyrant called for help.
I entered the system with LNS-Douglas and immediately headed towards the battle, engaging the already damaged Maelstrom. The Tyrant was disabled, and the Junker plus RM retreated to Westfalen. Knowing to follow within range of the Westfalen's guns would be suicide, I informed the Maelstrom that it was no longer welcome in Liberty, and ordered all friendly units back to Hudson.
At this point the strike force broke up, their mission done, even if it was a relative failure. I left Ens.Travis.Russ to guard Hudson, and sent Vesko to Bering, while I returned to my post in Texas to write this report. They stayed on station for fifteen minutes, before I recalled them and debriefed, giving them permission for some R&R on my tab.
The RM got away, but I do not believe they gathered any useful intelligence on the system, though the Junker is a worry. I'd like to put Ens.Travis.Russ and Vesko up for promotion, they have showed exemplary valour in combat and followed all of my orders to the letter, even though I am not their regular commander.