Liberty Navy Raids Hamburg!

[Drake_Forsyth]

Dateline Planet Hamburg - RM Defence Perimeter

The Liberty Navy 2nd Fleet blasted its way into high-orbit around Planet Hamburg just hours ago, forcing the Rhineland Military to scramble all available ships to defend it.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, a combined strikeforce of Liberty capital ships, gunboats and fighter support jumped into the Hamburg system, proceded on stealth cruise toward the main inhabited planet, then attacked en masse. Rhineland Military vessels declared the battle joined, and engaged the incoming fleet with fighters and their own battleships.

The Liberty fleet was comprised of a number of Assault Battlecruisers, causing havoc as they spread throughout the warzone and bombarded Altona Station from afar. Heavy Cruisers and Gunboats broke into fire-teams, maneuvering to flank the beleagered RM Battleships in Hamburg orbit.

Victory seemed assured for the invading ships; overwhelming firepower, superior numbers, and significant support. However, as more and more Military ships reinforced the perimeter, the tide of battle changed suddenly, with disasterous results. A small contingent of mercenaries and Red Hessians further stacked the deck against Liberty, causing casualties to skyrocket. The LNS Hello.Kitty, fresh from refit after the Fort Bush Incident, tried to remove the irregulars from the battle, but even its Solaris Flak turrets could not sway the outcome. More and more fighters and assault vessels streamed into the system, routing the LN strikeforce.

Amongst the carnage, a small team of newly-qualified Sirius Medics on the SS Centre of Healing dodged fire to help the wounded. Escape pods and ejected pilots were tractored into their Firefly-class Transport, to be given medical treatment and safe passage until the fighting was over.

The Post interviewed the transport's Captain Morgan Hammersmith, about their dangerous line of work.
"...This is a large vessel, one of our largest in fact, we can house around 200 patients, but if required we can place more on the bridge as well. Unlike our smaller 'ambulance' ships, we can and do treat most patients straight away" he said.
"We normally have about 20-50 [patients] though, giving us the room for more complicated procedures."
We asked if they had performed many procedures today.
"Sure, we asses their wounds and take care of 'em straight away. Even under fire," he responded, "Many of our cases are life-threatening, so we need facilities that can save them right away. You can't wait to transfer 'em to a better facility, since they're usually too far away or under attack themselves".

On the subject of finding out where they are needed most, Captain Hammersmith said "I'm usually at Norfolk Station, if something is going on, the Navy gathers there."
The Liberty Navy has a case-by-case policy for battlefield observers, and the Centre of Healing recieved permission to shadow the taskforce from Bering into Hamburg.
"My chief medical officer, Doctor Raimon Whitesun, looks after the sickbays and cryo facilities aboard. He'll definately have his hands full today" Hammersmith said when asked about his staff.

With more than two thirds of their fleet destroyed or disabled, Navy forces ran a firing retreat back to the Bering jumpgate. Rhineland ships consolidated the defence perimeter, and victory was declared. A short amnesty for Hessian and other unlawful 'assistants' was announced, allowing them to retreat and celebrate.

The Sirius Medical Corps and the SS Centre of Healing will remain in Liberty and Rhineland territory, as there seems to be no shortage of war casualties, and no end in sight.

Drake Forsythe | War Correspondant | Manhattan Post

*addendum*
Thanks go to both fleet's commanding officers for allowing civilian observers and medics to attend the battle.
Special Thanks goes to Rhineland Military pilot Flieger Karl Hoch, for his professional attitude, flying escort for the Post, and protecting the SS Centre of Healing from explosive debris.


*Further Coverage*
If YOU were present for the above incident, or have a news story you'd like to contribute, the Post's neuralnet address is open 24 hours a day. Comments and additional perspectives are welcome and encouraged

*attachments decrypted*
*gun camera footage - file previews - ADDITIONAL IMAGES AT FILE CACHE LINK BELOW*






*image cache held at Altona Station public server IMAGE CACHE - Hamburg Raided Again *

---