Sender: Dr. Dax Lorne Recipient: Thaan "Doom" Naxan, Kommandant der Eclipse Vanguard Transmission Origin: Dax's Gas Miner, Omicron Minor Subject: Formal Introduction and Azurite Lab Installation Date 27.05.835 A.S.
Grüße, Kommandant Naxan,
Where are my notes—ah, yes! I knew I had them somewhere, they were behind the spectrometer again. Always migrating there, the sneaky little devils. Anyway—Guten Tag! It is with great pleasure (and only mild containment breach) that I formally introduce myself to you: Dr. Dax Lorne, specialist in exotic particles, Azurite instability, quantum gas harmonics, and also forgetting whether I’ve eaten today. Probably not. That explains the hand tremors.
I wanted to reach out following your recent Eclipse Vanguard deployment aboard my noble scientific habitat—Dax’s Gas Miner (not, I must emphatically note, "Konpeki", which sounds like a sushi bar and not a Class-Three Experimental Azurite Research Outpost). A minor naming oversight, surely, but one that singes my circuits just a little, if you understand. Names have resonance, and this place practically hums in E-flat minor when aligned with the proper ion field. "Konpeki" just doesn’t *vibrate right*.
That said—your team was excellent. Precise. Efficient. No one opened the live specimen vault. One of your people even fixed the broken override on the cargo elevator—unless that was me? Hm. No, I think I was talking to a reactor drone about time dilation. Anyway, whoever it was, good show. The addition of the Azurite research lab is—how shall I put this—a quantum leap forward in my life's work. I haven't been this excited since the time I accidentally reversed the polarity of a cryo chamber and created an ice sculpture of myself. Magnificent symmetry. Shame about the frostbite.
I would very much like to be involved in any further missions the Vanguard launches involving Nomad tech, anomalies, blinking structures, sentient energy pulses, or unidentified gravitational murmurs. Especially the murmurs. They whisper when no one listens. I'm sure of it.
One crucial note—coffee. I don’t mean rations. I don’t mean rehydrated powder packets. I mean Kaffee. The real, bean-born liquid that keeps my brain firing at frequencies technically illegal in Rheinland. Next time your vessels arrive, kindly bring at least one thermos. Or two. No, three. One for drinking, one for experimenting, and one for backup in case of quantum contamination. I’ve been trying to convince the station AI to make coffee but it keeps misinterpreting my requests as ‘combat readiness drills’. The last one triggered the external defense turrets. Not ideal.
The recent influx of personnel has been... refreshing. I now have actual people to talk to instead of bouncing theories off my reflection or training surveillance drones to simulate conversation. Which, by the way, has unexpected potential. Imagine—an AI that reminds you not to step into an active graviton tunnel without pants. Or tells you where you left your sandwich from three days ago. Or possibly warns you *before* you overload the reactor because you thought the blue button was the coffee dispenser—
Ah—nein! That reminds me, I still haven’t recalibrated the isotope filters from yesterday's spike. Or was it the day before? Did I sleep? …Was that dream real?
Moment mal.
...Oh no. This is still recording. Scheiße.
Ehem. Kommandant, bitte entschuldigen Sie. I may have drifted off-topic... again. Thank you, truly, for the collaboration. Your team's precision and presence have made a tremendous difference—not just to my research, but to the morale of this old floating lab. I look forward to working closer with Eclipse Vanguard in the future. Maybe next time I can offer you some insights—or at least a mildly unstable prototype to test. With proper caution, of course. Probably.
Name:Thaan “Doom” Naxxan - Admiral and Current 1IC of the Eclipse Vanguard
Origin:Eclipse Vanguard Headquarters
Recipient: Dr. Dax Lorne
Subject:Formal Introduction and Azurite Lab Installation
Greetings, there Dr. Lorne !
Hello and pleasure to meet you, Dr. Lorne. Captain Falk spoke about you, our personel are quite delighted from your hospitality on your Research Outpst in Omicron Minor. We are happy to mention, that we have secured a safe passage around the Installation, and the nearby Jump Holes for Omicron Delta and Mu. Our pilots will be on daily duty to clean up the regions, then repair and restock at your station. Our heavy war vessel will be keeping a close eye on the Gas field, will be ready to bombard any hostile life form and keep the field clean and comforting for Gas mining.
The Eclipse Vanguard will be at your disposal, if you ever find yourself in need of help. The system itself is quite dangerous now, especially that our beloved Planet Toledo has fallen and it is completely tarnished by the Nomads, it's not safe to fly trough Minor without an escort of skilled pilots. Before i forget, let me update you on the situation in Omicron Delta... It seems there's a huge fight around an installation with allias "Reincarnation Outpost" which is under control by a branch of The Corsairs, they call themselves "The Detterence". That outpost has been nothing more but trouble, it has been selling Xeno Relics to unauthorized transport vessels, that carry the Relics to sources still unidentified to us. The outpost is under siege by a massive fleet of Core capital and fighter vessels under the banner of "<ARM>" and a branch of the Zoners under the banner of "Phoenix", the reason for this siege is yet to be revealed. The Corsairs fleet is suffering from heavy losses and the installation will fall, i would advise you to keep distance from the siege.
We had some brawls couple of times against "<ARM>", they are a strong foe and not to be underestimated at all. By the looks of it, they are trying to takeover the Xeno Relics business, but i doubt the Corsairs will give up so easily.
As for the "Phoenix" Zoners, we are in ally conditions with them, we owe them alot, since they helped us to evacuate Cairo Station from Omicron Zeta. If you haven't heard, our Cairo has fallen together with Capetown Station, which is a Core installation and we are afraid, that the Nomads will takeover Zeta. Our ally has been pressured by the Corsairs to sign some sort of a "Treaty" in order to gain access to Planet Pygar's Artifact ruins. We cannot allow the planet to fall under Corsairs influence, so whenever we finish with Carthage's reparing, we will start planing to ignite our expansion towards Omicron Theta and help our ally to keep the planet safe from the Corsairs forces.
With all of this valuable and classified information, we hope you would understand in what position we currently are. You can be sure, that we consider you as a friend and an ally to The Order and humanity itself.
Sender: Dr. Dax Lorne Recipient: Thaan "Doom" Naxan, Kommandant der Eclipse Vanguard Transmission Origin: Dax's Gas Miner, Omicron Minor Subject: Omicron Minor Status and M.M.L. Operations Date 28.05.835 AS
Grüße, Thaan,
Umm... is this recording...? Ah! Yes! Yes. Sorry. Had to recalibrate the transmission relay—again. Someone fed coffee into the coolant ports. Again.
It’s good to hear from you so soon—or is it soon? Yes! I believe so. Thank you kindly for the intel on the Omicron situation. Much of it’s already passed through my little corner of space. Traders, you know—can’t keep quiet if their lives depended on it, which in this sector, oddly enough, they often do.
Luckily, most of our trade remains extern, external! Yes. Dax's Gas Miner ships rarely leave Omicron Minor these days. The environment is... hm... "unforgiving"—yes, that’s the diplomatic word. I’ll be sure to forward the relevant details to Falk. He's—how do you say—everywhere and nowhere at once. A slippery man. But Falk! Ah! What a professional! One of the finest individuals I’ve had the honor to work alongside.
Did you know he’s the reason I got this station? Yes, yes! Before him, I was neck-deep in grant denials, arguing with ALG reps about why I needed an Azurite plasma loop inside the crew deck. Falk? He just handed me the clearance and said, “Don’t blow up too much.” I respect that. Either way—where was I?
Oh! Right, the actual reason for this message.
You gave me information—Danke!—and now it’s only fair I return the favor. Over the past four months, M.M.L. teams have aligned their rather brilliant minds to build a comprehensive plan to restore Omicron Minor, both environmentally and strategically, under The Order’s flag.
Toledo... Ach, Toledo! I had read the stories, yes, but seeing it—seeing it! It’s... unbeschreiblich. There are no words in English or German that quite capture it. A world turned mausoleum. The radiation hums like ghosts.
But! Progress is underway. Now that M.M.L. has officially acquired the—ugh, the "Konpeki" (terrible name, sounds like a toothpaste), we’ve rechristened her Dax’s Gas Miner—much better. And with Eclipse Vanguard’s Dim’Mak stationed in Minor, the strategy is beginning to solidify into something truly tangible.
M.M.L.'s Lead Security Officer, Kristina M. P., has conducted numerous missions across the system. Drone scouting. AI surveillance mapping. Calibration routines. Some of the drones have developed distinct personalities. One of them told me to take a nap yesterday. I might’ve programmed it to say that... or maybe it just learned empathy? Heheheh.
Ah! Wait—are they listening to this transmission?
... Shhhh...
No, no. I set the encryption to maximum level. We’re safe.
One key point, Thaan: neither Dax’s Gas Miner nor Maric Metallurgical Labs claim ownership of this space. We are not colonists. We are assistants. Allies. Think of us as scientists in camouflage. Our sole purpose here is to help The Order neutralize or control the Nomad threat. Nothing more.
So far, over 150,000,000 SC have been committed to Research & Development — experimental containment fields, Azurite-powered emitters, drone shielding, the occasional explosive prototype... twice exploded actually, hehe. Ten percent of our overall project is complete. A small step—but in the right direction.
Toledo lives, as long as The Order stands.
"Oh Toledo, sidus frigidum,
Lucem tuam obscurat bellum.
Sanguis tuus fluit, nomen manet,
In tenebris fulget cor fortis."
Beautiful, no? Do you know Latin? Ah—probably not. But it still stirs something, doesn’t it?
Now, Admiral... Tell me is this plan of ours feasible?! The way we see it it's better to shift the funds where you deem more important than to waste time and credits on just a dream...
Name:Thaan “Doom” Naxxan - Admiral and Current 1IC of the Eclipse Vanguard
Origin:Eclipse Vanguard Headquarters
Recipient: Dr. Dax Lorne
Subject:Omicron Minor Status and M.M.L. Operations
Greetings, there Dr. Lorne !
Ah, it seems that you are also fluent in Latin language and you are in need of some quality good Coffee? Well, you are in luck. We receive daily shipments with all sorts of beverages from Rheinland and Liberty, our Freelancer assistants find good offers on products we look out for, then they deliver them to us in secured and fast routs. If you are in need of anything like this, we can arrange a shipment of some goodies for your Installation in Omicron Minor.
Ita Latine loquor, machinarum spatiarum studui una cum professore insigni scientia in illa provincia. Moneo te ut ista indicia ad te serves.
About your plan, we can agree on this with you and your team. Omicron Minor really does need to be cleared out from the flying debree and leftovers from the ship graveyard near Planet Toledo and that destroyed Junker Installation. It is quite messy, it'll need a lot of time and patience, but we do see hope in your idea and we are ready to assist you with anything we can on this subject. So far, we advise you to avoid a precise sector, that has an unstable Jump Hole, which leads to a flooded system with Liberty Security Forces and Liberty Navy Forces. A system that is heavily guarded, has Nomad activity and very hostile environment. You may have heard of that system, if not, then just warn your crew and try to stay away from sector 6D if you dont want any trouble or at least dont go unescorted by our vessels.
We have a plan to send some shipments of Azurite Gas towards Sendai Research Complex in Sigma-59 to our Blood Dragon allies. That station has Order scientists and engineers, that assist the Blood Dragons on the captured Artifacts from Hogoshan smugglers, then study them for any activity or information. They work together on a joint project in their xenoarcheological laboratory, that as well includes Azurite Gas researching and examination. We dont know what is your stance with them, but we can organize a convoy to Sigma-59, but it will be quite dangerous. What we need from you is some fresh 10.800 units of Azurite Gas, that is ready to be loaded on our transports upon arrival at your Installation. Our allies on Sendai Reseach Complex need that specific amount of Azurite Gas for deep examination and some tests.
Sender: Dr. Dax Lorne Recipient: Thaan "Doom" Naxan, Kommandant der Eclipse Vanguard Transmission Origin: Dax's Gas Miner, Omicron Minor Subject: Omicron Minor Status and M.M.L. Operations Date 01.06.835 AS
Grüße, Herr Kommandant Naxxan,
Oh mein Gott—pardon me—oh my god! Kaffee und Latin? You, sir, are clearly a man of culture and refined neural pathways. It is an honor, truly, to serve such an educated Admiral. Danke, danke, you've made this old fool’s day shine brighter than a Gamma sun flare on solar reflux! Wundervoll!
Oh... das war nicht der wichtige Teil, oder? Scheiße..
On to pressing matters:
I am thrilled that the plan—Minor Renascentiae—is now officially in motion. We shall fully abide by all protocols and every restriction laid forth by The Order and the Eclipse Vanguard. We have no interest in poking sleeping beasts — particularly not ones branded "LSF" with itchy trigger fingers.
Sector 4C—wait—nein, nein, falsch! Sektor 6D! Scheiße, entschuldigen Sie...
Right—Sektor 6D has now been broadcast to every drone and every pilot under the Dax's Gas Miner and MML flag as strictly no-fly. I’ve even added a custom alarm: it plays an old Rheinland opera at full volume if someone approaches — very effective deterrent.
We’ll provide updates, guidance, and wild theories as the operation evolves. That includes whatever the Omicrons throw at us, galactic chaos included. Ah—and of course—as funding allows. Luckily, our pockets are rather... tief, but keep that between us, ja? Pirates have the hearing of bloodhounds and the morals of used servo-lube.
"HEY! DR-Janitor098! Deck vier! Not this corridor! Are you—bist du am lauschen?! Raus mit dir! Weg!" Khm... excuse me. Drones. They get curious sometimes. It's the learning AI. Too much personality.
Now—Azurite Gas. 10,800 units are already secured in reinforced cryo-stabilizers. If you give us 12 hours notice before your convoy arrives, we’ll have the bays cleared and safe docking protocols uploaded. Some maintenance drones still roam the upper deck corridors like confused poets, and the station's previous condition was... sagen wir mal, suboptimal.
Shall we coordinate through MML logistics as well? Blood Dragons tend to growl when they see Rheinland colors, but we’ve cultivated an understanding with them. Officially, Dax's Gas Miner is listed as a Freelancer operation, unaffiliated, unaudited, and delightfully flexible. Sneaky, right? Richtig, richtig?!
We consider the job DONE, pending convoy arrival. And Admiral, your continued trust means more than I can put into clean syntax. We serve, proudly, in the lightless void and await your notice. Until then — Für die Wissenschaft. Für das Überleben. Für den Orden.
Sender: Dr. Dax Lorne Recipient: Thaan "Doom" Naxan, Kommandant der Eclipse Vanguard Transmission Origin: Dax's Gas Miner, Omicron Minor Subject: Omicron Minor Status & Drone Network Update Date 03.07.835 AS
comm beep and keypad rumbling
soft crash, a mug clinks against metal
khm... khm...
Grüße, Kommandant Naxan!
Loud shrill beep
Ah—Scheiße! Entschuldigen Sie, Kommandant... these blasted new comm systems! I press one button to start recording and the whole drone deck goes into alert mode. Wirklich ärgerlich!
Now then! I bring glorious, bürokratisch joy!
Allow me the immense Freude—and a bit of emotional relief—to announce that the official paperwork has finally been processed: the station is now legally and properly named Dax’s Gas Miner! Jawohl! No more “Konpeki” nonsense. That name always sounded like something you'd find stamped on discount hover-parts. Pfui!
But now? Now, mein Name is up there in lights—figuratively, of course. Still working on the literal lights. Long story involving loose cables… Don’t ask!
Moving on! We’ve yet to receive any updates regarding your convoy.
Not to pressure you, nein nein, just... let’s call it logistics-induced curiosity. A harmless twitch in the back of the brain that gets worse if I don’t scratch it with information.
You see, some time ago—though my internal clock is a bit... wobbly—a Longhorn frigate of yours paid us a visit. Baring the name OLV-Hand Of Mu. Came in nice and smooth, engines humming. It was accompanied by two escorts—sharp-looking ships, well-disciplined flight paths, yes yes, very professional! They docked, exchanged some comm banter with the station AI (who is still offended, by the way), and proceeded to load up precisely 4,000 units of Azurite Gas.
But then... radio silence.
Not a peep! Not a ping! Not even a "Thanks for the gas, old man!" . I'm starting to wonder if the whole thing actually happened... Did I dream it? Was it a simulation test? Or was it that malfunctioning janitor drone again wearing a frigate hull skin? He does that, you know... it's very unsettling… Well not for real… In my dreams mostly… No wonder I can’t sleep!
Anyway! Just wanted to check in and confirm whether that pickup was part of the main shipment or... something else entirely. The full 10,800 units are still sealed, neatly stacked, humming in their holding chambers—untouched and waiting—just in case that first run was something unrelated, mysterious, or possibly accidental.Is everything in order? Were they meant to pick up part of the 10,800-unit shipment? Was that a warm-up? A test? A fuel stop? A practical joke?
You understand. Logistics! Timing! Sanity! All important things. Just let us know what’s what!
On a third note—and this one’s been spinning in my head like a loose gyroscope—I’ve been... denken... denken... ah, ja! Thinking! Our drone network... well, let’s say it works... admirably. But it could use a little muscle. Our current fleet is... how do I put this... winzig. Great at hiding, yes. Great at acting like space debris. But when it comes to gathering materials in volume? Eh, not so gut.
Our wunderbares team of engineers has cooked up a plan: convert five Hedge-class ships into fully autonomous harvesting drones! With your shipyard’s help, of course. These ships will be piloted by no one—not even me! Instead, they’ll house my latest creation: the DAX-INCOM chip—that’s Dax Integrated Node Command Module (catchy, no?).Yes! laughs lightly A Hedge with no pilot seat, no windows—just a brain chip and a cargo bay.
These chips will link the Hedges directly to the station’s AI, turning them into obedient, clever, slightly snarky collectors. For integration, however, they’ll require Order IFF. Otherwise, the AI thinks they’re intruders and attempts... well, let’s say it gets creative.
You, of course, will retain remote access codes to the vessels—full override capability.
These vessels will have the distinct... heh.. AUX mark... because 'Drone' sounds so pedestrian, and 'Mobile Intelligence Extraction Relay Architecture' didn’t fit on the hull... It stands for "Actually Useful eXtractor"... ahhh but we need to make it more "Corporate"... so the official meaning is "Autonomous Utility eXtractor". blah...
Oh, and I nearly forgot—chip fabrication is tricky. Very tricky. We need precise components:
600 Bio-Neural Processors
600 Optical Chips
600 Optronics, per ship.
Yes, yes—I know what you’re thinking: “That’s a lot of tech for one drone!” And you’d be right! It’s a masterpiece of overengineering! Trial and error is part of the fun—just ask the drone that now only flies backward.
But don’t worry! I won’t bore you with the thrilling electromagnetic nuances and triple-phase signal buffering that makes this all possible...
...I mean I want to. Really! I could! But something tells me you might not share quite the same... enthusiasm for subatomic thread-stitching logic gates.
But—maybe you do? Ja? You should visit! Come to Dax’s Gas Miner—we could have a proper scientific sit-down, a nice cup of... well we mostly have coffee—and I could show you my whiteboard! It’s glorious! Color-coded and everything!
As for the Hedges themselves—we’ll gladly purchase them. Just name your price. Regarding the materials—do you want to handle delivery, or shall we? Either way, the operation is ready to proceed.
We’ll also be sending 5 of our finest scientists to your HQ shipyard to fit everything together. One per ship.
Soooo... Admiral, Admiral... Was denken Sie? Shall we bring this strange little plan to life?
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