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Issued by Admiral Aiashi Hojo MSN, 3200:175
MSS Fenris, Orbiting Red Spot III
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The operation proceeded as expected up to the point of intercept with
the Exterminators. As hoped, the dual mass driver attack split their forces.
Seven ESBs moved to attack Force A, six to attack Force B, while 4 Vikings
remained at Red Spot III.
At four days' out from the planet, with intercept approaching, Force B
withdrew as planned, leaving the B Mass Driver on autopilot.
The 45 minute "deactivation code" was transmitted such that
it would be complete just as the ESBs were moving into PAD range of Force
A.
During the transmission, the ESBs behaved 'normally'. Shadows were deployed
ahead of the engagement as usual and Pacs were scrambled to deal with
them and a dogfight ensued.
I ordered the 7 BBIs forward of the rest of the fleet, intending to ram
and board/nuke the ESBs on a 1:1 basis and hoping the rest of the fleet
could tidy up what was left. We prepared to sell ourselves dearly.
The transmission was finally completed just as we came into range. I
think it could be said that the effect was... unexpected.
All 7 ESBs immediately made a 20G turn and burned at 2G for the M25. Simultaneously,
the 6 ESBs heading for mass driver B and the 4 Vikings at Red Spot also
burned for the M25 at 2G.
Unable to intercept them, and not sure I could take them if I did, I decided
to press on to the attack on the Red Spot installations.
No further attempt to stop us was made by Exterminator forces. The two
mass drivers impacted as planned and the planetary base was obliterated.
No attack was made by the fortresses. Shuttles of marines were able to
carry nuclear weapons and attach them to all fortresses and the shipyards.
I ordered 11 out of 12 fortresses and 4 out of 5 shipyards destroyed by
these devices, while Martian and Venerian marines from the ALSIs occupied
the remaining yard and fortress (with the nuclear devices remaining in
place and armed, just in case).
No resistance was offered by the onboard defences; combat robots or 'clankers'.
Marines were simply ignored. A hyperlinium manufacturing facility was
discovered on the shipyard. Images are being transmitted to UNIT of on-board
activity but it is suggested that scientific teams be immediately sent
to Red Spot to examine these facilities under their current 'peaceful'
condition (assuming that it lasts).
The only shots fired after the code was transmitted were either by the
Shadows in the pacifier dogfight, and some ineffective surface to space
fire from the base during the terminal approach of the mass drivers.
Final tally:
Enemy forces destroyed:
84 Shadows
11 Fortresses (ESB equivalents)
4 Shipyards (Viking equivalents)
Base including 25 ESB equivalents of materiel.
Enemy forces captured:
1 Orbital Fortress
1 Shipyard
Allied losses:
120 Pacifiers (80 pilots recovered. 40 lost)
2 LSSIs (used as mass drivers).
Enemy forces escaped system:
13 ESBs
4 Vikings
Commander's comments:
The mission produced some surprising results. The Exterminators suddenly
revealed that their ships had capabilities that we have long suspected
but which they have never used before. The capability of 2G acceleration
is a worrying development, as is the fact that so many of them escaped
the system.
However, given that we still have a fleet in being, the situation is nowhere
near as bad as it could have been. Indeed, if prior to the operation I
had been offered a way of destroying 80% of the enemy for the loss of
only 2 LSSIs and some pacifiers, I am sure I would have jumped at it.
However, while the operation must be regarded as an overwhelming success,
I remain concerned by the apparent change in Exterminator tactics the
"deactivation code" has caused. I urge UNIT to look into these
new developments with the utmost urgency, and also into what the code
itself may have been.
Secure in the knowledge of humanity's triumph,
I remain,
Hojo.
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