Priority: High
Encryption: Full
Destination: NTF secure comms
Source: Commander Robert Crompton, NTSV Hinton, Omega-50
Subject: Report
The patrol began as normal, up the Barrier Pass to the Taus. I encountered a Corsair in a Titan in Tau-29 of all places. We had a brief conversation as I flew onward to Tau-23. The situation there is comparable to our own in Kansas, but worse. Colonial Remnant forces were busy trying to maintain control of the system, from scanning passing traders to pushing Outcasts back into Tau-37. Groups such as the IMG and ICMG were providing a constant influx of minerals to be shipped away from Java at the same time.
Afterwards I flew to the southern half of Tau-37 and the western half of Kyushu, but considering the lack of anything notable I flew down towards Edinburgh, and Dublin. Edinburgh was quiet. Dublin was the exact opposite. The miners seemed strangely absent save for a lone BMM miner, but the BAF, Corsairs and even the Order were plentiful. I took the long route around the system, passing through several mining fields and eventually reaching the Omega-49 system safely.
Omega-49 resulted in an encounter with a member of the Virulian Council, presumably Archbishop Ryodan, two Corsairs of a 'Benitez' clan and a Freelance Hydra Gunboat going by the name of Kyle Clark. Corsair - Order relations are frosty, with the Corsairs seeking information on the Order ships in Dublin. It seems they have been undertaking missions in Corsair territory without informing the Corsairs themselves beforehand, something which has helped sour relations between the two groups.
The Freelancer had a Derelict Nomad Artifact in his posession. He was more than happy to get rid of it, offering a bargain price of one million for it. Something that our researchers, or more realistically, the Hellfire Legion's, can use to keep themselves occupied. Afterwards I had a conversation with the Archbishop, lasting an hour or more. The Artifact was a cause for dilemma, especially since none have come into the Front's posession before. The Archbishop suggested that I could visit the Virulian Temple on Gran Canaria where I would be able to think about what should be done with it. How could I refuse such an honour? At around the same time I noted a large Order fleet passing through the system, including a cruiser which seemed related to the Ghost of Black Icarus.
The Virulian Temple is a monolithic structure in the middle of Gran Canaria's vast wilderness. It amazes me how they can keep such a massive construction on the scale of the Temple concealed so effectively. It was also as quiet as I had been told it would be; perfect for contemplation of what I should do with this Artifact. Finally, I decided to transport it securely back to Magellan under the security that the Hinton provides. I rendezvoused with the Hinton in the Omega-50 system where the artifact was transferred at Boa Vista station. Hopefully this will be worth the effort of returning it to the Independent Worlds.
