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Goliath · (This post was last modified: 12-11-2020, 09:13 PM by Goliath.)

►LOADING FILE. . .[PERSONAL LOG #1]

►Identification: Vilhelm Von Hof

►Assets: "Voss" -72-ARKM-G27 "Phantom" Heavy Fighter

►Affiliation: Marinenachrichtendienst (MND)

►Status: [CLASSIFIED]

"First log this year, and it already started out bad. The debriefing was taking a while, so I decided to load up my "Phantom" with a few snacks and drinks. Go on a patrol, or just peek around to see how are the Federalist forces doing in Munich. It turns out a small Rheinland Military Fleet was idling next to Ingolstadt Station. After a few words here and there, the fleet decided to withdraw and leave Federalist Space. But that was only half of the story I have to tell today, just to pin something down for the future decisions I have to take: Rheinland change a lot since I left. I even think that it may have changed way too much. Anyway. I docked on Passau after that disaster.

To my surprise, a few hours later I got to see a god damn Hessian Scylla during a recon patrol with two BDM Agents. Those things are getting uglier the more you look at them, but that's not the main issue I have. What really bothers me is this NAP I heard of from the mouth of one of the Buro. A goddamn NAP with the HESSIANS. The Hessians out of all criminals. What has gone through their minds? They would never hold up to such a laughable pact, and would've backstabbed the Federalist forces at any given time. Sadly, I got to see the day that happened.One of them decided to screw the pact and go for one of the Buro's ships. I was somewhat happy I could blast Hessians, yet dissapointed that more bloodshed took place. One of the BDM Agents fought valiantly while the other cruised away. Did it run away to call for reinforcements, cowardice, betrayal? I will never know. Time passed and I desperately looked on the radar for any friendly contacts. My heart started to feel like burning by the end of the fight as I saw the Hessian up in smoke and fire.

Minutes later during the fight I also found myself surrounded by Hessians, left behind. I had to fight alone that one terrorist I set my eyes on. Nearly got him shot down too if I wasn't stupid enough to charge guns blazing by the end. I was so close to getting out of there in one piece...all I got out of that recon is my Phantom being disabled in fight, lacking a wing, and the Stealthblades' barrels blown off. I managed to start up the Phantom minutes later after the Hessian left, barely making it to a safe place I could call recovery teams from. I will head back to Schatten in the next 4 hours.

Hessian Scylla; Omega-7 System, Omega-3 Jump Gate

Maybe this is just an isolated case, I hope. I really hope.

►. . .LOGGING OFF

Goliath · (This post was last modified: 12-09-2020, 06:59 PM by Goliath.)

►LOADING FILE. . .[PERSONAL LOG #2]

►Identification: Vilhelm Von Hof

►Assets: "Voss" -72-ARKM-G27 "Phantom" Heavy Fighter

►Affiliation: Marinenachrichtendienst (MND)

►Status: [CLASSIFIED]

I am finally cleared for duties. So much has changed now aboard the Helgoland...even the ranks shifted. Some of the old folks couldn't be cleared for duties. Some were too crippled by the isolation. I can't really blame them, honestly. This made new room - if it wasn't enough already - for fresh crewmembers. I would rejoice to this. I really would, but the Helgoland is now populated by those who bonded together through long-lasting suffering, and then there are the fresh ones, unable to understand how things roll aboard. I'm getting complains left and right about "X did that. Y doesn't understand. Why is Z doing that? He shouldn't.". Hopefully they get along in time.

I'm a Commander now, too. That never-ending interrogation session finally spat out something good. Well, almost. I've got this...Fiona Edberg as my XO. I can't say I trust her yet. Hell. I don't think I ever will. But who knows? Definitely not me. We spent the whole night selecting about one hundred and fifty federalist agents. Maybe even more. Every time I wanted to take a cup of coffee, or take a smoke break she'd just throw them off the table and say they're bad for my recovery. What recovery? I haven't even been scanned for infection, or had a medical checkup. Did they stab me with a syringe at night to collect blood? Eh...I'd expect that on Schatten, to be honest.

This very same day we also spent a few hours sorting things on the Helgoland, then launched in space. I couldn't even approach the Thuringia Jump Hole as I intended to. The Buro already located a group of Imperial Forces. One Tirptiz. One Oder. One Bismarck. I haven't seen the Cruiser's Mortars fire in ages. But man did it feel good to watch them hit raw hull. It's a bit depressing to shoot your very own ships, though. The Bismarck. Pride of Rheinland. Fallen in Imperialist hands, and now lost in space as two Donau Cruisers and one Tirptiz mowed it down. The other Donau was "Braunschweig". Can't say I remember the name, so it must be a newly comissioned one.

The Cruiser nearly got shot down too. The Imperialists have far more guns than a rusted Donau could ever have. This weird contact saved my skin there. All it said was "Interesting", then minutes later as the Imperialist Carrier was blasting the Helgoland's engines, this..."Shiroi" scrambled its targetting. I ordered full speed. And that's that.

I don't feel pride for shooting down those Rheinland ships. I don't feel regret either. I either shoot them and get to have a chance at being fully reinstated within the MND, or get shot for treason.

Blackbox

RNC-Helgoland and the KKS-Njord

►. . .LOGGING OFF

Goliath · (This post was last modified: 12-12-2020, 04:06 PM by Goliath.)

►LOADING FILE. . .[PERSONAL LOG #3]

►Identification: Vilhelm Von Hof

►Assets: "Voss" 90-ARKM-N45 "Wraith" Very Heavy Fighter
Rheinland Cruiser "Helgoland" - Donau Class

►Affiliation: Marinenachrichtendienst (MND)

►Status: [CLASSIFIED]

Dear god. Today I was too close to being blasted. Not once, but twice. I started this morning by checking in with Lambda-1 and Lambda-2. Two was nowhere to be found. Where the hell did she go? One on the other hand wasn't cleared for duties yet. I decided to exchange my Phantom temporarily for One's Wraith. I never flew one, but boy today was the worst time to fly one. I had it outfitted with some ragged guns left in Helgoland's armory. And while I was at it, I had its engines changed on Schatten. The previous ones were just plain burnt to the ground. These new "HNP" engines on the other hand. I love them.

I started my patrol off Thuringia as usual. Place is as silent as ever. I decided to make a detour and extend my patrol to Frankfurt, until a Buro Freighter - "Gram" - reported the sighting of a Donau Cruiser in defensive positions next to the Frankfurt Gate in New Berlin. I rushed there, and lord behold, it was true. On the other hand, an Imperialist Officer also showed up later. One I had to kill around the same time. What's beyond me is not the name, but the loadout. Why would the mighty Rheinland Police use a Jackdaw and not the proud Phantom? Did budget run out, and now they rely on civilian ships? It doesn't matter. I disabled the ship. I'm not proud of it, but I had to do it in front of The Buro. I'd rather save my own skin than a pawn's one.

Hell. I couldn't even spend a minute to take a breath. The moment the battle was finished, I was ordered back to Carrier Saar. Something about a mass RV. Fortunately, The Helgoland was also at Schatten, so I told Fiona to bring it to Saar. I boarded up, and took command. And to be honest, I wasn't surprised the Imperialists organized a strike force themselves to take on Saar. How many times will I have to fight them? I just don't want to anymore. It's tiring, and all I feel is dishonor every single damn time I kill one. Today I killed two. A Gunboat, and a Capital Ship. Can't say what kind of Capital Ship it was, though. The Westerwald couldn't let me take one peek at what I was shooting at. I knew the radars showed it red. And that it killed a Kameraden Cruiser. I also saw a Heavy Mortar just fly past the command bridge, nearly ending The Helgoland. Close one, I have to say. Both are dead, anyway. I get to live another day.

The crew also seems to get along...more than before. Winning fights apparently raises their morale. Can't say I don't like it, to be fair. Sadly, the veterans claim we could've done better if not for the fresh crewmen screwing up steering and engine maintenance before take-off. Maybe one day my desk won't be full of complaint files.

Blackbox

RNC-Helgoland at Schatten Research Facility, Drydock One

►. . .LOGGING OFF

Goliath · (This post was last modified: 12-12-2020, 04:07 PM by Goliath.)

►LOADING FILE. . .[PERSONAL LOG #4]

►Identification: Vilhelm Von Hof

►Assets: "Voss" 90-ARKM-N45 "Wraith" Very Heavy Fighter
Rheinland Cruiser "Helgoland" - Donau Class

►Affiliation: Marinenachrichtendienst (MND)

►Status: [CLASSIFIED]

I'm in The Buro now. Somehow I made it this far. And as always, their precautions are always annoying. I've been placed as a Recruit now I have to prove I'm useful to stay so. That promotion in the interrogation room doesn't make much sense anymore, though. Sure, I can fly my ship alright. The Helgoland on the other hand can't be classified as a Buro asset. Not that I'd want so, anyway. I'm already starting to think about retirement. I've returned to Rheinland only a month or two ago, but all this...situation is tiring me out faster than anything I've encountered so far.

There is also this...Siege that's about to happen in a few hours. The crew is starting to panic. Obviously they don't want to die like this. Against their own, that is. We don't have a choice, sadly. If the Imperials win the war, the Helgoland will definitely have to make a run for it and flee. Neither the veterans, or the new ones want to serve this Rheinland Empire. I don't want that either, really.

So here I am, caught in this mess, with the only option being "Fight until you die". The Federalists have to win this one, if I want to visit New Berlin without getting shot down by my own kin. If they don't...then I don't know. I'll see if I can rush for the Omicrons again and hide there. I doubt the crew will argue over whether they want to serve the imps' or die. Getting attacked by Nomads is a way better alternative than serving a lie of an Empire. I'll see if I can requisition some replacement ships until then. Maybe if I gain enough funding and trust among the Federalist resistance, I could get my hands on a few fighters. Hell, maybe even a Gunboat or two. I miss the old days. I miss Klaus even more. He didn't have to go down with the RNC-Falke. We met as rivals and departed as friends. It doesn't matter, I guess. Speaking of the dead isn't going to bring anyone back.

I need to go. Last preparations until the final take-off have started and I haven't checked on Ben and his gunnery crew yet. Fiona had ordered a whole lot of fuel and other supplies. We'll be spending the remaining hours in space, holding defensive positions next to Fort Sommerda.

►. . .LOGGING OFF

Goliath · 12-13-2020, 12:56 PM,

►LOADING FILE. . .[PERSONAL LOG #5]

►Identification: Vilhelm Von Hof

►Assets: "Voss" 90-ARKM-N45 "Wraith" Very Heavy Fighter
Rheinland Cruiser "Helgoland" - Donau Class

►Affiliation: Marinenachrichtendienst (MND)

►Status: [CLASSIFIED]

I cannot believe I somehow survived the Siege. Initially I was supposed to rally with an interceptor squad at Carrier Saar, but then I received new orders to board The Helgoland and depart Schatten at full speed, one hour prior to the Imperialists' siege. The first minutes were as painful as having someone with a knife pointed at your back, but wouldn't stab you yet. All of us were there. Standing next to the Frankfurt Jump Hole in the Southern part of Thuringia. The comms were buzzing about orders and chatter about what might come through. One of the recruits in the control room panicked and simply fell on the floor. He said the pressure is too high. At that moment I started to fear others might end up in the same position and The Helgoland would simply go down like that.

And then they came. The Imperialist Forces leaked through right in front of us. Battleship by Battleship. Carrier by Carrier. We kept cutting them down, and they kept cutting us down as well. There was so much bloodshed that one of the veterans proposed to desert as we resupplied. I nearly passed the proposal to the rest. Then I looked at how the Kameraden and Buro kept charging to defend Thuringia. They were giving their lives away for this system. For the survival of a true Rheinland. Why should I not do that too? Why would anyone not do that? We forgot about the desertion attempt, and charged right back, taking down Imperialist forces left and right. We took a few shots on the hull as well, many being critical, even. We kept going, until the Imperial Military couldn't spit any more forces out. We had actually won.

We eventually returned back to Schatten Research Facility. Several decks were about to blow, and one of the docking bays had been disabled. A few turrets needed complete replacement as their barrels had overheated beyond usable parameters. At least the repairs were quick on that part. Everything else may take a while. The reactor will take some days to get fixed, so I'll be on my Wraith for a while. Fiona will take care of any complaints aboard the Helgoland, provided there are any. For the first time I've seen the veterans and greenhorns cheer together, none really spilling out the beans that they're drinking while on the job - theoretically. They turned a part of the Cruiser into a bar now, breaking down their livers as anyone would do after surviving nearly impossible odds. I hope Fiona will turn a blind eye to it. I would've joined if not for the fact that I had to ready up papers for the requisitioning center. That, and I was ordered to patrol Frankfurt. Alone.

Blackbox

Federalist Fleet, Thuringia 827 A.S

►. . .LOGGING OFF

Goliath · 12-14-2020, 06:39 PM,

►LOADING FILE. . .[PERSONAL LOG #6]

►Identification: Vilhelm Von Hof

►Assets: "Voss" 90-ARKM-N45 "Wraith" Very Heavy Fighter
Rheinland Cruiser "Helgoland" - Donau Class

►Affiliation: Marinenachrichtendienst (MND)

►Status: [CLASSIFIED]

I've finally finished those cursed papers. They're not hard to write down, but getting them through the departments is a nightmare. I don't think there's a place on Schatten I haven't visited yet on my way to these representatives. The security here was also tiring to get through, especially for an Agent who's gone missing for so long, and only recently returned. They just don't seem convinced that I'm...me and not some infectee with an incubi' in my spine. Everywhere I go I get poked in the finger or asked to spit in a flask for a DNA scan.

The crew aboard the Helgoland still hasn't calmed down. Deck One smells like beer. Bottles everywhere. I thought Fiona would snitch. Turns out she's wasted in my quarters with about seven bottles of Rheinbeer. Warm ones, so she's been out for a while. I simply entered, sent off the request, and left silently.

With everything signed up, I have to head directly for the High Command with these requests. God I hope this won't be in vain.

Filed Request (Sent)

►. . .LOGGING OFF

Goliath · 12-17-2020, 11:58 PM,

►LOADING FILE. . .[PERSONAL LOG #7]

►Identification: Vilhelm Von Hof

►Assets: "Voss" 72-ARKM-G27 "Phantom" Rheinland Heavy Fighter
Rheinland Cruiser "Helgoland" - Donau Class

►Affiliation: Marinenachrichtendienst (MND)

►Status: [CLASSIFIED]

Outcasts. Out of all types of scum the Buro could possibly deal with. They picked the Outcasts. Are they actually serious about this? These absolute maniacs enslave everyone with their Cardamine. Even Buro personnel now. I don't like the Corsairs, but neither do I like hearing about Federalist forces being addicted to Cardamine. This can only end badly. To make matters worse, the god damn FlotillenAdmiral placed his "opinion" on this matter. Opinion, which just so happened to turn into a whole armored escort to carry one load of Cardamine from Planet Malta to Schatten - I think.

I ended up yelling at the door the whole night, cursing my choices. If I knew how badly the Buro does, and how reckless their actions are, I would have never attempted to contact them. I'd rather serve Rheinland on my own terms than fall as low as escorting Cardamine Freighters. The morning after, everywhere I went, the crew would just step away as if they'd face some ghost. At this point I'm almost sure someone heard me. Whatever. I just...need a few moments to clear my mind. I took off with my Phantom on patrol. I need to find someone I can remotely trust at this point. Someone that is actually aboard the ship, or in my contacts list.

Speaking of ships. The requisitioning order I had sent was successful. The required ships were delivered with no delays. Ben was sent to command the Gunboat. He named it "The Falke". Tribute to the incident in Hornet's Nest, I suppose. I can't blame him, though. His drinking buddies were aboard the Gunboat when it got struck by the Nomads. I had the wreck's name plate for a while in my office, hanged on the wall. Now it's welded on the new Oder's nose. At least something turned out right today.

►. . .LOGGING OFF

Goliath · 12-24-2020, 02:24 PM,

►LOADING FILE. . .[PERSONAL LOG #8]

►Identification: Vilhelm von Hof

►Assets: "Voss" 72-ARKM-G27 "Phantom" Rheinland Heavy Fighter
Rheinland Cruiser "Helgoland" - Donau Class

►Affiliation: Marinenachrichtendienst (MND)

►Status: [CLASSIFIED]

I'm losing my mind here. I hope the coming Christmas will solve all my doubts regarding the Buro. It's just...depressing to watch how fleets stare eachother to death while I have to maintain positions as...nothing. The Helgoland is just standing in the Sigmas right now, with supply Freighters coming once a month. We're peeking on Imperialist activities within Sigma-15. I won't stay here to just watch how the sun shines.

Fiona has taken command of the Cruiser for the moment. Lambda Wing left after detecting unknown signatures in Sigma-13. Something about old MND signatures. Me? I won't just stand here doing nothing. I gathered enough cash to buy a new ship. My own ship - aside from Voss. It's some sort of "Edge Worlds" Fighter, previously owned by a Freelancer going by the name of "Gregory". Mine now.

I'm taking a shuttle to Freeport 9 in Sigma-15. The ship should be there with all weapons set up. I'm about to see the world as it is. And maybe strike a few contracts against the Imperialists while at it. For now I'll keep this quiet, and claim the ship was a recovered wreck, assuming its new name - Wynn - won't raise suspicions, that is.

►. . .LOGGING OFF

Goliath · 12-25-2020, 11:47 AM,

►LOADING FILE. . .[PERSONAL LOG #9]

►Identification: Vilhelm von Hof

►Assets: "Voss" 72-ARKM-G27 "Phantom" Rheinland Heavy Fighter
Rheinland Cruiser "Helgoland" - Donau Class

►Affiliation: Marinenachrichtendienst (MND)

►Status: [CLASSIFIED]

It's Christmas. I didn't think I'd get to see this day without a pile of complaints on my desk. Yet here I am. No complaints. Everyone seems to be in a cheery mood. Grudges were left aside and...it's nice.

People started to send out gifts to one another. Some even formed unlikely friendships. A simple example would be Ben and Fiona. Ben got a shiny X42-A1 Assault Rifle with 5 magazines. Fiona? She got a perfume, and a handful of plasma grenades, twin sidearms and holsters for both. Both seem to like guns so...sure? I guess? Meanwhile I got an apple, some candy and three bottles of Rum. At least it's something. I'm getting drunk tonight.

On the other hand, Lambda Wing returned from Sigma-13. They found absolutely nothing. Well, not really nothing. They went along the lanes to check for any criminal activity. At some point they had encountered two signals, both reading as MND. I also took the liberty to check their blackboxes, just out of curiosity. Once Christmas is over I'll send in Ben with the RNC-Falke to check in more detail.

|Begin Log|

Lambda-1: This is just stupid.

Lambda-3: Oh please, everything is stupid for you. Be happy we're here to spread our wings and not clean the hangar.

Lambda-2: He's got a point, you know.

Lambda-1: We're flying along the lanes as Imperial transports run by to let them deliver goods to the Empire! We can't just let that happen, you know?

Lambda-4: We also can't just shoot civilians while on assignment. We're here to investigate these signals, not shoot sitting ducks.

Lambda-1: What's the difference?

Lambda-2: Forget it. Wait, I'm picking up something.

Lambda-1: Like?

Lambda-2: Two contacts. Fourteen kilometers away- They're gone.

Lambda-3: To where? Ships don't just vanish.

Lambda-1: The nebula doesn't really let me see beyond a few clicks, you know? Let's return to base. We've lost our chance. They know we're here.

|End Log|

►. . .LOGGING OFF

Goliath · 12-26-2020, 04:03 PM,

►LOADING FILE. . .[PERSONAL LOG #8]

►Identification: Vilhelm von Hof

►Assets: "Voss" 72-ARKM-G27 "Phantom" Rheinland Heavy Fighter
Rheinland Cruiser "Helgoland" - Donau Class

►Affiliation: Marinenachrichtendienst (MND)

►Status: [CLASSIFIED]

[12:30]

Sometimes I just wonder if it's even worth fighting for Rheinland. The glorious warcry "For Rheinland!" lost all its charm after what I keep witnessing. Everything is crumbling. The Buro's actions make me doubt more and more their sanity, too. I didn't enlist in the MND - or the Rheinland Military prior - to guard a Cardamine shipment, shoot my own kin, watch those next to me die as I hopelessly stare, with my breath taken away by the shock of losing.

And here I am now. Thinking what makes me different from a regular deserter. By the looks of it, I'm no different from the scum I used to shoot down days ago. Weeks ago. Even years ago. I don't want to fight for the wrong cause. I don't want to serve anyone anymore, but myself. I've lost all interest in serving the Republic, and I'll be damned if I were to join the Empire in its last days.

[16:41]

I had a meeting with Ben and Fiona. I wish I hadn't now. I presented the idea of simply vanishing in Sigma-13 for a while. Ben was alright with it. Fiona? She was really, really pissed. She even threatened with contacting the Buro about this "completely unacceptable action". Ben calmed her down, talking about the benefits of distancing from all this mess. Fiona simply threw her tablet on the ground with the Buro's contacts on the ground in rage, cracking it, then stormed out of the office. After all this time I thought she'd be convinced that Battlegroup Helgoland as it is now does not have a place in modern Rheinland.

[17:00]

Fiona returned just now. She picked up the tablet's remains and took a seat, staring at them for a bit. I just stood there, hesitant to look at her. So what did I do? Stare at the ceilling. Eventually she spoke, agreeing to the plan. Apparently she'll try to sort things out with the Buro, since she's more trusted than I am. I doubt the Buro will let a mini-fleet just leave after all this. Maybe Fiona's got a better idea.

►. . .LOGGING OFF

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