Bastion

Mission Log

Author: Captain Nathan C. Jackson

Mission 5, Entry 3:

Well, it seems my little stunt has gained me some infamy. To be fair, half of me knew it was a reckless, stupid thing to do. Also, thanks to that, we still cannot launch as we did not complete the job we came here to do- test the Sentinels. I received a nice little reprimand from Asteri for that, so that was cool too.

I'm no longer going to be using the Hornet offensively on this mission. For starters, for all the credit I gave it for being a strike craft, it still is just an armed surveillance vehicle- not meant for combat or even a combat environment. So my little manoeuvres strained some of the fine control instruments, which on the whole defeats the purpose of using it as a strike craft. Second, the damage I took may be considered light, but for a hull that's mostly there to keep the engine and the cockpit together, explosive flak is not exactly something it should be flying through. Third, and most importantly, I think I have evened the score which, now that I think about it, was the underlying reason behind my little sortie.

The one good thing that came out of it was that I seemed to have caught the enemy off guard and unprepared for a proper fight. So that sent them in retreat, buying us more time to keep mining and setting up more proper defences. We managed to get some fortifications up by messing around with blueprints for structure foundations. They are not very thick so they will not last as long as we would like them to, but hey, any shell that hits the wall is a shell that didn't damage a turret.

The star is setting. My second night on the surface. I have already grabbed some shut-eye, so I am going to be staying awake the whole night. If another attack is coming in the dark, I would rather be ready to jump into the Hornet and provide some extra firepower, if it is needed.

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Internal Log: Day 13

Transcender System

System:

Warning- IR scans detecting movement south-east of base site

Distance from base site: 31040 m

MasCon: ETA?

System: 6 hrs, 3 hrs if targets accelerate

MasCon: Warn base site, prepare for possible abort launch

System: Executing...

MasCon: Send memo to base site- "No rash thinking"

System: Sending...

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Audio/Video Transcript

Location: Pod 472, Sector 36

Time: Mission Day 13, 0306 (Beta Day 8, 2106)

Cptn. Jackson: So... no scouting op?

Tara: Is that supposed to be a joke?

Cptn. Jackson: Let's view it as one.

Tara: Once again we have time, so let's load everything back in.

Cptn. Jackson: Yes ma'am.

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Internal Log: Day 13

Transcender System

MasCon: Enemy formation status?

System:

Distance form base site: 17056 m

ETA: 1.5 hrs

Targets have accelerated

MasCon: Warn base site

System: Sending...

System: Radio signals detected

MasCon: Location?

System:

Tracking... Signal lost

Possible location: Sectors 47-54

MasCon: Analyse signal

System:

Analysing... Complete

Communications signal

Directed at enemy units

MasCon: Flag sectors 47-54

System: Executing...

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Audio/Video Transcript

Location: Pod 472, Sector 36

Time: Mission Day 13, 0551 (Beta Day 8, 2351)

Cptn. Jackson: Time till contact?

Tara: About half an hour.

Cptn. Jackson: You want me on standby in the Hornet in case we need an extra pair of guns?

Tara: You are on standby and you will stay away from the hangar.

Cptn. Jackson: Okay, okay, fair enough.

Time: Mission Day 13 0624 (Beta Day 8, 2424)

Tara: Hostiles on close radar, prepare for enemy fire.

Cptn. Jackson: Here we go.

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Combat Log

Mission Day 13

0631: Enemy contact, enemy units open fire

0633: Enemies within range of Sentinels, returning fire

0637:

First confirmed hit and kill, 34 operational enemy units detected

Minimal damage to walls, no damage to turrets

0642:

Walls receiving heavy damage, no damage to turrets

2 confirmed kills, 32 remaining hostiles

0647:

Enemies continue to advance

Walls severely damaged, turrets receiving damage

6 confirmed kills, 26 remaining hostiles

0655:

First turret loss, southeastern corner

Southeastern walls destroyed

10 confirmed kills, 16 hostiles remaining

0701:

Enemy advance slowing

5 confirmed kills, 11 remaining

0704:

4 confirmed kills, 7 remaining

Hostiles retreating

0724:

Enemies out of range

2 confirmed kills, 5 remaining

Report:

Engagement time: 53 mins

Enemies: 35

30 destroyed, 5 escaped

Losses:

Southeastern fortifications

Southeastern turret

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Internal Log: Day 13

Transcender System

Pod successfully launched

Cargo and crew secure

Plotting course to last known location of Transcender

Transcender located, plotting course

Retrieval of 472

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Audio/Video Transcript

Location: Launch bay, Pod 472

Time: Mission Day 13, 1512

Cptn. Jackson steps out of the pod. Asteri and Tara forms projected in front of the pod.

Asteri: Congratulations! That's the first mission we have completed successfully!

Cptn. Jackson: Yeah! Go us!

Tara: Yes, it's nice to finally have a change of pace.

Asteri: Of course, this is only the beginning.

Cptn. Jackson: Well, that's all I've got the energy for today, so please give me a break.

Cptn. Jackson proceeds away from the pod.

Asteri: Captain.

Cptn. Jackson: (turns back around) Yes?

Asteri: Can you come to the bridge first thing tomorrow morning?

Cptn. Jackson: What is it?

Asteri: It can wait, you've earned your rest. Just remember tomorrow.

Cptn. Jackson: … Sure, good evening you two.

Asteri: Good evening Cptn. Jackson.

Tara: Good evening Captain.

Captain. Jackson leaves the room, Asteri and Tara forms disappear.