Tuscaloosa Mission Update: red line triggered

[Ava D. Foster]

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From: Commander Ava D. Foster, Liberty Security Force.

To: Liberty government.

Topic: Critical update -- Planet Sudbury.

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Madam President I am writing to provide a final report on the mission of the Battlecruiser Tuscaloosa in the Ontario system. My taskforce was assigned to Planet Sudbury with the explicit mandate of containing the Non-Human Intelligence (NHI) artifact-site located beneath the planet's surface -- Site Alpha. We have now reached the red line where an immediate withdrawal from Ontario must take place. Remaining longer will jeopardise the Tuscaloosa's capability to conduct the interstellar cruise out of the system, risking the loss of the vessel. We currently project a two month voyage to reach Colorado. The LSF became aware of Site Alpha in 834 AS, following the "pulse" event associated with its initial activation. The energy signature recorded during this event bore remarkable similarities to those detected during the Blackout in 831 AS, immediately raising national security concerns. Soon after activation, artificial spires pushed through the regolith, protected by an extremely resilient energy field. The site later transitioned from a "dormant" state, to an "active" state. During this phase, Site Alpha fired a beam of energy into interstellar space, later striking and activating Site Bravo. Due to this event, there was a severe information containment breach, resulting in the wider public becoming aware of the existence and status of NHI artifact sites across the near-Independent Worlds. The Tuscaloosa was dispatched to Sudbury with a complement of mission specialists and orders to breach the energy field, and study Site Alpha. We were to either secure the facility for Liberty's benefit, or ensure it could never be used against our interests. My crew have been blasting boreholes around Site Alpha, in an attempt to undermine the energy shield and gain access to the interior. I can now confirm that these attempts have been unsuccessful. Our excavations and deep penetration ground scans have ascertained that the shield is a perfect sphere, extending around the subterranean facility. This has also quashed earlier theories that the facility was utilizing a form of core-tapping technology to harness power, as there is no evidence of structures protruding beyond the shield for this purpose. Instead, it is now surmised that there is an interior power source, or power is being drawn directly from hyperspace. It is evident that Site Alpha contains remarkably powerful technologies, and that the misuse of these technologies could pose a dire threat to Liberty and her interests. The Tuscaloosa's combat wing has repeatedly sortied to repel incursions by Technocracy fighters, in addition to alien warforms, and the unmarked vessels collectively code-named "Wendigos". Any of these parties gaining access to Site Alpha could unleash a calamity. Additionally, the Xenos maintain a significant presence in Ontario, although they have thus far been reluctant to challenge my crew directly. This is likely the result of casualties suffered during the Peary Incident. Regardless, this status quo will not hold indefinitely, and Site Alpha falling into Xeno hands promises to be just as disastrous. My mandate is the protection of Liberty. While I have not been able to open the facility for study and exploitation, I have authorized my crew to begin emptying the Tuscaloosa's magazines. We intend to place a networked array of gravimetric mines and antimatter torpedoes directly below Site Alpha, as a form of shaped charge. Based on available evidence, it is my belief that this detonation should be sufficient to destroy the site, through either direct damage or the subsequent collapse of the surrounding landmass. There is the slim risk that the blast is insufficient to destroy the shield. There is the risk that the blast drops the shield, but fails to annihilate Site Alpha itself. This would potentially expose the mechanisms within to our enemies. Taking no action risks that our enemies discern the means by which the shield can be deactivated, or the site enters another deadly "active" state with far-reaching consequences. I do not have any answers regarding the potential ramifications flowing from Site Alpha's destruction, particularly given the violence of both it and Site Bravo's awakening. Despite this, I must caution that leaving the site unguarded, as a gift to our enemies, is unacceptable. It is my recommendation -- and that of my officers -- that decisive action is taken. Due to the gravity of this decision, I am providing this report in deference to our elected leaders. Madam president, do we pull the trigger? God save the Republic of Liberty. Commander Foster Attached files (0) N/A

[The Republic Of Liberty]

Commander A. D. Foster;

We've been expecting this communication for some time, and I would like to first commend you on your exemplary efforts in keeping the Tuscaloosa in full operational capacity despite the lack of supplies available to you. After review of the situation with the admiralty board, it is our opinion that you and your crew should immediately begin operations to plant the explosives as you have suggested, but rig them to detonate if they detect any appreciable change in the power output of the shield around Site Alpha, or upon detecting seismic activity in the area.

Once your Marine detachment has finished their work and returned to the ship, you have full discretion to vacate both the immediate vicinity of Sudbury and the Ontario system as a whole, however you see fit. Once clear of the termination shock, make your best speed back to Colorado, and transmit your course so we can send supply ships and an escort to get you the rest of the way back.

I look forward to hearing a full report on this matter on Norfolk, Commander.

- Admiral James Collins, Chief of Naval Operations

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[Ava D. Foster]

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From: Commander Ava D. Foster, Liberty Security Force.

To: Liberty government.

Topic: Critical update -- Planet Sudbury.

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Admiral Collins I can confirm that the Tuscaloosa's Marine contingent has completed works, and is back aboard. We intend to depart for Colorado within the hour - the Ohio will be provided with updates on our vector so fleet tenders can rendezvous en-route. Given the current uncertainty around the timing of any return expedition, we have done our utmost to ensure the Site Alpha Contingency cannot be tampered with - and that doing so will result in its detonation. It has been wired with seismological and ground pressure sensors -- these will detect a ship touching down on the surface within ten miles, or any nearby drilling activities. Unexpected seismic activity will also trigger the device, although we have detected no such activity to date. Improvised energy monitors should also trip the Contingency if any anomalous spikes in the shield output are detected - whether that be a power buildup, or the energy field being deactivated. I have exercised my discretion to remove the remote override for the Contingency. In conference with my officers, I determined that the ability to remotely disable the weapon would introduce a vulnerability that could be compromised by The Technocracy or Lane Hackers. This poses an unacceptable risk to the security of Site Alpha and Liberty generally. I understand that this may fetter Liberty's freedom of action in the future. I accept personal responsibility for this decision. We have left a buoy in orbit instructing trespassers to avoid landing, or face extreme peril. Commander Foster Attached files (0) N/A

[The Republic Of Liberty]

Commander A. D. Foster;

It's good to hear that your people were able to complete their work so quickly and efficiently, and you have the thanks of my office regardless of what may come as a result of your actions. Your choice to remove the remote override has been approved by the admiralty, so regardless of how things go from here, you will not be held accountable if things go poorly. You and your people have performed admirably under the circumstances, and I already have orders drawn up for your next assignment. We can discuss these aboard Norfolk, but I'm sure you'll be pleased by them.

- Admiral James Collins, Chief of Naval Operations

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