((hi hi)) [b]|Data Search Possible Hit|[/b] Message scanned on anonymous message board at 0345 [b]|Displaying Message|[/b] [i]Hey, SahnaBlue, you might be interested in this, I heard you were turning your attention towards solar traffic and I just happened to have intercepted this little nugget yesterday evening. Sounds like something is up, don't know what, maybe you can fill me in? I'm parched![/i] ---- [b]Sender:[/b] Lola Reichart [b]Recipient:[/b] Casey Helman [b]Header:[/b] Something came up at work. Honey, I know you're going to be upset, but some kind of emergency is going on and I've been called up. I'm going to be gone for a few months but I'll leave you a fork to keep you company. Please don't be mad at me, you know I didn't want to miss your birthday. I would have come over to say goodbye in person but we've got to start climbing in less than an hour and everyone over here at the port is in a fit. Seems the consortium had a ship near Caloris when whatever this is went down and they're going to try to beat us to the punch if we're not quick about it. We haven't been briefed yet but Max is beside himself worrying about it, but guessing from the preparations we're taking, I'll be heading sunward. I'll try to see if I can catch you some good close-ups, I know it won't make up for it... I gotta go, I'll be able to call you when we're on our way back I think. Love you. ---- [i]|Reply|I'm not sure what all is going on SiennaSeraph, but one of my contacts informed me that the Consortium is making a move on something that we might have reason to be concerned about. Supposedly, they picked up a transmission a couple days ago and within minutes of that, they contacted one of their corvettes in Mercury orbit (PCS Thomas Hayne I think) with orders to intercept and secure the target. The Thomas H. reported engine trouble a few hours later, but I have confirmation that moments after that, they diverted a cargo ship and that it is going via V/2011 Caldwell to pick up munitions of some sort. Maybe they're thinking that if they're going to be late to the party that they'll just...[/i] [b]|Probe Detected, Source Deleted|[/b]

((hi hi Just a little background and description for today I'm afraid. Sleep calls.)) [b]|Radio Traffic Intercept|[/b] Encryption Protocol: Outdated, decrypt key on file. Sender: Mars Orbital Guard Header: Re: Solar Traffic Query 02.25.10b [i]Commonwealth flagged transport Deep Six, logged flight plan on Oct. 2nd for standard Titan/Neptune transfer via solar gravity assist. This is an automated message.[/i] [b]|Structural Design Details (Abridged)|[/b] Source: Public Safety Inspections and Licensing Manufacturer: Samuel Melikov, "Spacecraft Artisan" Series: S17 "Periwinkle" line, #5 of 7 Maximum cargo capacity: 5500 standard cargo containers Internal Capacity 25 standard Maximum passenger capacity: 120 [b]|Design Analysis in Progress|[/b] Barring any after market modifications... Hull configuration, thin inflatable polymesh with secondary debris buffer. The craft's main power plant is located in the aft, near the fusion drive. A long spinal column connects the drive section to the habitat rings near the fore. One cargo elevator and two access ladders run the length of the craft. A central utility duct allows transfer of electrical power, coolant, atmosphere and computer connectivity throughout the craft. Docking umbilical allow for direct access to cargo containers, however only an estimated 34% of cargo containers have compatible access points. [i](EVA may be required for full access without extensive cutting, calculating estimated time for full survey.)[/i] Primary command and control components located near the habitat ring central hub, secondary control center located in missing navigational compartment. The ship's solar storm cellar is also located near the habitat ring hub. [i](Due to solar radiation, there is a high probability that biomorph survivors would seek refuge in this central location)[/i] Habitat rings contain requisite living quarters and recreational facilities, amenities classification: low budget... [b]|Surface Activity Detected|[/b] [i]The smoldering mass of slowly tumbling metal continues to remain totally radio silent, but as if sensing it is not alone, several external camera mounts become active and begin tracking the approaching visitors. Still no radio transmissions, not even a transponder beacon.[/i] [hr] "Hey boss, boss? Something's goin' on, we just got pinged by active lidar. It was just for an instant though, might still be one of these other ships." "Damn, back us off to 20 million and plot a flyby. If they're all going to play it safe, then so are we. What's the status on the remote we sent ahead?" "Oi, gimme a minute boss, I can only do so many things at once 'ere." "Are you serious? I don't believe it! First you commandeer my ship, then you wreck it trying to get here first, and now that we've got a chance, the chance you were so eager for, we're just going to float around and watch? I don't think I need to remind you the maintenance bill we racked up by running the motor at 107% for a month..." "How could I forget? You've mentioned it three times a day, every day since we set out. But I don't think I need to remind YOU that this is not YOUR ship. It belongs to the corp, and management gets the final say. I believe we've had this discussion before as well." "Right, fine, whatever... but now we're here, ahead of schedule like you wanted, why are we waiting around?" "Boss? Boss!" "Yes? I'm listening. What's the status on the remote?" "Nevermind that, they're starting up their engines!" [i]A flash of light - atoms smashing together to produce a brilliant burst of energy, and though weak by comparison to the nearby original, it is no less remarkable. The massive craft shudders like a beast in pain as it slowly begins to accelerate. Its slow tumble begins to pick up speed. climbing up into a higher trajectory, then leveling out and diving back down again. The radiators, hopelessly out of alignment begin to glow a bright cherry red, then orange, and within minutes small droplets of molten metal mixed with coolant begin floating away through space like a little swarm of fireflies. Almost as suddenly as it started, but much less unexpectedly, the activity comes to a halt as the #2 engine bell melts clean through then explodes in a puff of cooked hydrogen.[/i]

((hi hi If you like, I can keep it rolling, or we can wait for someone else to step in.))

((hi hi Alright me, gotta get back in character, you can do it!)) [hr] [i]The thin outer hull surrounding the airlock appears as little more than a faint white outline crisscrossed by seemingly random wiring. A random pattern of lighter spots sporadically coat the exterior bulkhead, some unknown material flash melted to the surface in the intense heat. The thicker core bulkhead returns a chaotic scene of twisted, jagged metal; torn by some physical stress and cratered by detonations. Someone, it seems, did not go without a fight.[/i] [b]|Faint Radio Transmission Detected|[/b] Source: Aft section Analysis: Makeshift transistor oscillation "Is someo-----ut there? Please ---- me, I'm h---ng in the fusion contr------cessor but I don-----ow how much longer------keep them-------ey're physically alteri--------- don't wa----to end like this,-------- this! You've -----got to ----" [b]|Transmission End|[/b] [i]A quick glance down the axis shows that the utility conduits between control and propulsion have been deliberately severed in multiple locations. Looking up towards the fore returns a flicker of movement inside the habitat ring before the entire command module lights up with its own t-ray emissions. Dozens of points of light slow to a halt, then begin flowing in unison in the direction of the airlock. Somewhere deep inside, a compartment depressurizes, causing a gentle gust of atmosphere and tiny metal flakes to exhale from the open airlock.[/i]