RP: New Dusk Conclave [Ravenaca's Watch] Fly By Night

The captain gave Arye a nod of acknowledgement in response to her question. "Our optical sensors are having trouble discerning much detail at this distance, and the subspace mass array can't pick much out against the background of that planetoid. However whatever it is that's there, we expect for them to have a not insignificant fleet of retrofitted small civilian vessels."

As the captain spoke, the screen zoomed in on their objective's destination, and estimations of the pirate's forces were displayed on the screen. Light freighters and modular starships flashed on screen, as well as older Armored Frames and cheap fighters. "Our previous engagements with the pirates also would indicate that they're receiving newly built Variable Frames from somewhere. It's possible that there might be a factory here."

An icon popped up, displaying a number of U1 Variable Frames and a facility, more than likely representing the factory that the captain believed to be present. The screen zoomed out once more, displaying the whole system again. A dotted line began to trace its way from the Watch's position towards their objective. "Our current plan, as it stands, is to conduct reconnaissance of this location in preparation for a joint assault with Newhaven's Orbital Guard. We will close in on the location under stealth and deploy Alpha lance to scout. Your mission will be to utilize the debris in the area to scout the enemy's capabilities unobserved before the full assault commences."

The screen seemed to wipe clean as the captain finished her explanation. "Between our own preparations and the transit time, we should have about twelve hours before the scouting mission commences. Any other questions?"

V115 took in all of the information as it was presented, critical info being giving a pop out in her digital vision so it was within her field of view as the information changed on the captain's briefing display. This wasn't her kind of engagement but like with the frame kick she employed in the previous engagement, adaptation wasn't outside of this synthetic's wheelhouse. When it came to the point of further questions V115 only had one. "Should we be discovered while on mission, what are our orders?"

Outside of that question she was already formulating a plan but it was one she'd have to discuss with her lance. V115 was well aware that her own frame was equipped with an Orchestra system. If they drifted into the debris field she could utilize it to capture some debris with minor EM pulses as the only electronic signature, rather than risking aether emissions. In addition she could pull herself and possibly her lance mates to various pieces of the orbiting debris with said orchestra system.

Arye listened intently to the captain's response, taking in the details of the expected fleet presence and the possibility of a factory for producing Variable Frames. The plan for reconnaissance using the debris in the area made sense, allowing them to gather information while remaining undetected. She nodded in understanding as the captain finished her explanation.

When the captain asked for any other questions, Arye glanced at V115 before raising her hand once again. "Is there any information on possible pirate alliances or affiliations? Have we detected any communications or signs of collaboration with other factions in the region?" She knew that pirates often operated in loose alliances or had connections to other organizations, and understanding the extent of their network could provide valuable insight into the potential threats they might face.
Arye waited for the captain's response, her mind already turning to the preparations needed for the upcoming mission. She knew that they would need to be at the top of their game, relying on their skills and teamwork to succeed in their reconnaissance and eventual assault. She glanced to V as she gave her own question, which appeared different to her own.

Looking to the two Alpha Lance pilots, EVE6 answered their questions once more; "If detected, you should attempt to disable or destroy the craft that detected you before making your way back towards the Watch to regroup with the other lances. The AO is too hot for us to risk a one-lance assault."

Giving a glance back towards the information board, the captain shut it off with a mental command before dismissing the pilots of the Revanaca's Watch. "I believe that covers everything, we have twelve hours, I suggest that you see to your machines and make sure that they're in fighting shape during that time."

==== 12 Hours Later ====

The Revanaca's Watch glided gently through the void of space, slipping between the asteroids and planetesimals of Newhaven's outer debris cloud as they spun silently, miles between each icy object. Though the distance between obstacles was great, the ship still took great care in the plotting of its course. Out this far from the sun, subspace mass detectors were the best way to "see" anything. Optical cameras had begun to adjust their gain, making the "eyes" that the pilots were using fuzz up just in order to work. They were left flying by instruments, something which no doubt left many pilots feeling unsettled.

Of course, for Alpha lance, that likely stood secondary to the fact that though they were set to launch on their scouting mission, the bridge crew and the captain still had yet to provide a full picture of the situation. The coordinates of the pirate facilities as well as their numerous small ships, now detected though not thoroughly scanned, were available, but the planetoid that the captain had talked about still hadn't shown up on any scans other than mass sensors.

A piece of the puzzle was missing, and it seemed like it had been left to Alpha Lance and its pilots to find it.

After being dismissed V115 turned to Arye to discuss her idea. "Arye, is your frame able to utilize an Orchestra system? Assuming the debris field objects are close enough I think I can utilize mine to maneuver with as little signature as possible through the field. It's possible I could even pull you and others assigned to us through it as well." There was a slight pause as she briefly considered the backup plan. It wasn't nearly as good in her mind but micro thrusts initiated behind debris to glide between the debris might also work. "I do have another idea just in case but it doesn't sound as good to me."

==== 12 Hours Later ====

Out in the void V115 and Alpha lance were once again in the thick of things for the Watch. While they had trained for missions in environments requiring instruments and what could only aptly be described as flying by feel, this was the first real mission requiring such. On top of which, it was a stealth reconnaissance of a hostile pirate base whose masters had been smart or diligent enough to post patrols for in spite of their deep space location. While normally cool, V115 found herself actually feeling the pressure for once. Prior to deployment she'd given the order for communication silence, for this mission they'd have to just play follow the leader until home or if discovered.

Arye listened attentively to V115's idea, nodding in understanding. "Yes, I think my Starbreaker does have the capability to utilize an Orchestra system. Your plan sounds like a good approach, using the debris field to maneuver undetected. We'll need to coordinate our movements carefully to minimize any risk of detection." She mulled over V115's backup plan as well, considering the potential challenges and risks. "The micro thrusts idea could work in a pinch, but it might increase the risk of leaving detectable signatures. Let's focus on using the Orchestra system to traverse the debris field quietly, but keep the backup plan in mind if needed."

==== 12 Hours Later ====

As Alpha Lance embarked on their stealth reconnaissance mission, Arye could feel the tension in the air. The reliance on instruments and flying by feel added an extra layer of challenge to the mission. She followed V115's lead, adhering to the communication silence and playing the role of a diligent wingmate, staying close while keeping a sharp eye out for any signs of detection or potential threats.

The void was both eerily tranquil and unnerving. The looming presence of the debris field added an extra layer of complexity to their movements, requiring precision and coordination. It was a delicate dance between navigating through the obstacles and remaining hidden from the enemy.

Arye's focus was unwavering as she flew, her instincts and training guiding her through the vast expanse of space. She trusted in V115's ability to navigate the debris field using the Orchestra system, utilizing her own Starbreaker’s

After 12 hours of painstakingly slow transit through the outer reaches of the Newhaven system, the pilots of Alpha Lance had been deployed. This far away from the system's star, as the captain had explained during the briefing hours prior, visible light and cameras no longer were adequate for the purposes of navigation, the debris field that V115, Arye, and two wingmen found themselves picking through was lit only in passing. If they had been navigating by visible light only, they would have crashed dozens of times over as asteroids and planetesimals caught the light, revealing themselves to the pilots.

However, the sensor suites of their craft served them well, providing a digital recreation of what they might have seen with their eyes, were there sufficient illumination. The recreations were high in fidelity, but drab and monochrome. Space was bleak, this far out, a far cry from the inner reaches of the system.

They had picked their way through the outer debris cloud, many AU beyond the point at which most starships might have jumped to FTL, utilizing their Orchestra systems to both conceal their own movement behind that of asteroids and to help avoid collisions with the unusually dense field of debris they found themselves in. The captain's theory had been that the debris in this area was more concentrated due to the planetoid that the lance had been sent to find, its gravity drawing in the otherwise disparate objects.

The lance's stealthy approach had served them well, too. Several times, pirate patrols in U-1s had passed them by, their sensors not tuned enough or their pilots not wary enough to detect the vessels of Alpha Lance as they ran cold. The frequency of patrols had been increasing as they got closer to their objective; the pirate facility that they were to survey. It was within range of their sensors now, and though they had no light to see much detail by, their sensors told a strange story indeed.

The pirate base was quite large, several kilometers across on its longest axis, and seemed to be composed of starship hulls. While it was impossible to identify every type of ship that had been used in the construction of the station, it seemed to have been constructed over several decades, judging by the ships that were still identifiable. Dozens of small starships sat docked at the station, some seeming to come and go in the direction of the planetoid that they had been sent to find.

Speaking of their secondary objective, it was still nowhere to be found. Even this far out, one would have expected a planetoid of the size needed for the gravitic signature they were picking up to reflect enough light to be seen, but there was nothing but the stream of ships to and from where it should have been. That, and an unusual radiation signature.

Whatever the next steps in this investigation were to be, they fell to the troops on the scene; Alpha Lance.

In dark space flitting painfully slowly between debris and hazards for twelve hours was a long time. Longer still knowing that they had to do the same in reverse. Despite this, Arye and V115 were both Operators, meaning that in spite of the long time under stressful conditions their bodies could keep going regardless. One of the many advantages of their mechanical nature. Which begged the question, should they cut and return to base with the information collected thus far? V115 wasn't so sure. The out of sight gravitational well still posed as a massive X factor. Where were those ships going? Why did the seem to vanish and then appear out of nowhere? While it was probably too risky to go past the radiation signature, getting a better reading seemed prudent. If they could at least determine why or what the signature was, it could go a long way to aiding the eventual attack plan. Still the pirate base made from stitched together hulks, loomed in the distance. A present and potential danger should they be discovered.

V115 stopped for a moment, floating behind a chunk of debris as she formed the decision within her brain, accepted the risks, and then plotted her next move to get closer. Silently drifting she pulled her her frame body from large debris to large debris. The moment she got a clear reading of the signature being emitted by whatever was masking the ships, she was prepared to reverse course and start the grueling trek back to the Watch.

In the vast expanse of dark space, Arye, an Operator—a mechanical being with keen awareness—navigated cautiously through debris and hazards aboard her Starbreaker, a Drone ship she controlled with her mind. Twelve hours felt like an eternity in this treacherous realm, especially when every moment carried the threat of discovery. From the safety of their capital ship, Arye's senses were attuned to every potential danger.

As her Starbreaker darted gracefully through the void, Arye's focus was unwavering. She moved with precision, knowing that a single misstep could lead to catastrophe. Her ship's sensors, finely tuned to detect even the faintest anomalies, soon alerted her to the presence of a pirate base ahead. It was a makeshift structure, cobbled together from salvaged hulks—a grim reminder of the dangers lurking in the depths of space.

Arye's concern deepened when she remembered their capital ship detected a peculiar gravitic signature emanating from the vicinity of the pirate base. There should have been something visible, something tangible to account for it, yet there was nothing but the empty void. This anomaly, coupled with an unusual radiation signature, set off alarm bells in Arye's mind.

With a mixture of caution and determination, Arye steered her Starbreaker closer to investigate. Every instinct told her to proceed with care, for whatever lay ahead could pose a grave threat to her comrades in Alpha Lance. As she drew nearer to the source of the mysterious signals, Arye braced herself for whatever revelations awaited her in the darkness of space.

As V115 moved closer in, and Arye followed, their sensors reached out, almost fumbling, into the black of space so far from Newhaven's star that it appeared like any other amongst the cosmos. The figurative eyes of their surrogate bodies narrowed in concentration on the area of space where they'd detected the mass signature, looking past the pirate base.

Several minutes passed of silent flight, with V115 being in the lead of Alpha Lance's formation. Her sensor feed was the first to pick up hints as to what was going on, and with the processing power of her Operator brain and additional sensors support from Arye's larger Starbreaker and its more comprehensive sensors suite a realization might begin to assemble itself from the disparate pieces of information being drip-fed to her.

A gravitic signature similar to a planetoid, ships appearing and disappearing without normal jump signatures, and unusual spikes of radiation. Signs pointed to, as strange as it seemed, a wormhole lurking in the outer edge of the Newhaven system. What clinched the deal was when Arye's sensors fed the lance data of a ship's signature, distorted ever so slightly as to suggest gravitational lensing. Still, for something like this to be left off of navigational charts would have to mean that it had either remained undiscovered during the system's initial survey...

Or unreported.

Whatever V115 and Arye thought about that possibility, deeper ponderings would have to be left for later. Two patrols were nearing their position, one seeming to be on its way back from its route while the other was on its way out. They had moments before the pirate frames would be within sensor range. Moments to act.

The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on Arye as she processed the data streaming in from their sensors. The realization that they were potentially facing a dormant wormhole in the outer reaches of the Newhaven system sent a shiver down her figurative spine. Wormholes were enigmatic phenomena, capable of bending space and time in ways that defied conventional understanding. The presence of such a cosmic anomaly held immense implications, both strategic and existential.

Arye's synthetic mind raced through scenarios and contingencies, assessing the risks and opportunities presented by this discovery. The possibility of a hidden wormhole on the doorstep of their territory raised questions of security, exploration, and exploitation. If this wormhole could be stabilized and charted, it could open up new frontiers and strategic possibilities for the New Dusk Conclave.

As the approaching pirate patrols threatened to expose their position, Arye knew they had to act swiftly. She relayed a terse message to V115, "Prepare for evasive maneuvers. We need to evade detection and return to the Watch immediately. We have critical information to report." With practiced efficiency, Arye adjusted her Starbreaker's trajectory, ready to navigate the treacherous debris field and lead Alpha Lance back to safety before the pirates closed in. Their discovery of the hidden wormhole would reshape their mission and potentially alter the course of the Newhaven system's future.

As Arye began to lead the lance away from the pirate enclave, she caught a burst of radio traffic. Codebreaking algorithms would take some time to decrypt the message, but from the blips on her sensor scope, it was clear enough what the message had roughly entailed. Both of the pirate patrols turned as they crossed paths, beginning to follow the lance into the debris field.

Five enemies in each patrol, composed of mixed variable frames and old Origin Industries frames, began to slip through the debris field in pursuit of the pilots of Alpha Lance. Despite their stealthy approach, it appeared as if concealment would be relatively ineffectual against these opponents. A beam of red laser light was visible to Arye and V115 as it swept across the chunks of debris and asteroids, giving the pilots a hint as to how their opponents were managing to see out here; LIDAR.

The lasers sweeping across debris and, presumably, their own spacecraft, would serve to identify with great precision any craft flying this deep into the black, especially if radiation from the newly discovered wormhole was rendering other sensors such as RADAR unreliable.

The pirate frames began to fire upon the pilots of Alpha Lance, most of it missing but much of it coming a bit too close for comfort. A piece of metal was sent spinning, half molten, by a railgun shot which sped past V115's cockpit. Similarly, Arye saw a burst of plasma consume a micrometeorite near her and render it into a puff of space dust.

Arye and V115 found themselves in a precarious situation as the pirate patrols closed in, their frames detecting enemy signatures amidst the debris field. The sudden burst of laser fire and railgun shots illuminated the darkness of space, signaling the beginning of a heated engagement.

As the hostile fire intensified, Arye's focus sharpened, her mind quickly assessing the tactical situation. She relayed orders to her wingmates, coordinating their maneuvers with precision. "Stay low and use the debris for cover. Keep evasive maneuvers constant. We need to break their line of sight," she instructed, her voice steady and composed.

Arye deftly piloted her Starbreaker, weaving between asteroids and using every scrap of cover to evade the incoming fire. Her sensors scanned the area, seeking opportunities to outmaneuver their adversaries. She knew that their survival depended on swift and decisive action, utilizing their skill and teamwork to outwit the enemy frames in the unforgiving expanse of space.

With determination in her synthetic heart, Arye prepared to lead Alpha Lance in a daring escape, utilizing their training and technology to outsmart their pursuers and ensure their safe return to the Revanaca's Watch.

Arye's evasive efforts kept her safe for the most part as she led her lance back through the black toward the Ravenaca's Watch, either dodging fire from the enemy frames or utilizing asteroids to absorb the shots. Even so, some shots began to get through. A burst of Plasma splattered against her shields, and then burned through, slagging a set of maneuvering thrusters and hampering her efforts to fly evasively.

As this happened, V115 seemed to lag behind Arye, and if Arye were to view a damage readout on her lancemate's Banshee, an alarming detail would soon move to the front of her consciousness; one of her lancemate's engines had taken a hit, and were becoming dangerously unstable. They could be pushed for a time, perhaps enough to get back to the Watch, but hard maneuvering at military power might be too dangerous for V115's machine at this point.

Her digimap readout said that they weren't too far from the Watch and it seemed, in fact, like their mothership was on the way towards Arye and her Alpha Lance compatriots. A moment later static broke over Arye's radio line.

"------out of there! I repeat, do you read me Alpha Lance, we're picking up dangerously high levels of radiation activity from your area of operation, and communications have gone spotty, get out of there!"

It was the Watch's CAG, his gruff voice pockmarked with static and tinted with concern and, more importantly, offering some insight into the situation. From the words he was saying, it would not be hard for the Operators of Alpha Lance to infer that the Watch had been trying to reach them over comms for some time, and that more importantly, help was on the way.

Help that would be, as it seemed, quite timely. Arye's sensors began to pick up a spike in radiation, even bigger than what they'd seen while spying on the Pirate's movements, and the mass signature that they had been hunting appeared to double, then triple in size.

Something had come through the wormhole, many, many somethings.

As the situation escalated, Arye remained focused and determined despite the challenges they faced. She swiftly assessed the damage to her own Starbreaker and the critical condition of V115's frame, realizing the urgency of the situation. The familiar voice of the Watch's CAG crackled over the radio, urging Alpha Lance to withdraw due to heightened radiation levels and imminent danger.

Arye processed the information quickly, understanding the gravity of the situation unfolding around them. The sudden spike in radiation levels and the mass signatures multiplying indicated a significant and imminent threat emerging from the hidden wormhole. With help on the way from the Watch, Arye knew they had to act swiftly to retreat and regroup before it was too late.

Turning her Starbreaker towards the approaching Watch, Arye led Alpha Lance in a tactical retreat, guiding their compromised frames through the hazardous debris field. She coordinated their movements, ensuring they maintained formation while evading enemy fire and avoiding the growing threat from the emerging entities.

With the looming danger closing in and the knowledge that their actions could determine the outcome of this high-stakes mission, Arye pushed her Starbreaker to its limits, determined to navigate the treacherous space and lead her team safely back to the Watch. The relentless pursuit of the enemy and the unknown entities from the wormhole cast a shadow of uncertainty, but Arye's resolve remained unwavering as they raced towards safety.

As Arye led Alpha Lance back to the watch, V115's frame wasn't able to hold maximum speed as it had earlier, causing the formation to lag as they made their break for the protective umbrella of the Watch's point-defense weaponry. Unfortunately for the lance, their pursuers were suffering no such damage, and seemed undeterred by the strange activity from the wormhole.

Plasma and railgun fire went whipping by the formation, splashing off shields before suddenly cutting off as a series of explosions lit up the debris field in the distance behind Arye and her compatriots. If they looked back, they would see several fireballs lingering in the void of space for a short moment before dispersing into space dust, and the remaining pirate frames turning on a dime to face what was becoming rapidly apparent was a third party.

The same weapons that had been attempting to pick off Arye, V115, and the others now were firing franticly at some opponent still unseen to Alpha Lance, allowing the operators to slip away back to the safety of the Watch. It appeared, though, as if there would be little respite.

While damaged frames and fighters docked with their mothership, the pirates that had been pursing them were picked off one by one. Brilliant beams of energy, giving off Aether signatures, pierced the center-mass of the older pirate Frames and sent them bursting into explosions.

On the bridge of the Watch, a concerned bridge crew looked on in horror at a freeze frame of what appeared to be one of the new mystery assailants silhouetted against the light of the explosion, an all-too familiar sight making itself known. Despite being of a new type, the sensor data on these new foes matched reports coming out of other parts of the Kikyo Sector about all new Mishhuvurthyar Battlepods. Already the bridge was abuzz with arguments about what the ship should do next.

Down on the flight deck, however, things were a different story. As V115's damaged frame set down on its landing pad within the hangar, firefighting drones made their way over and began to extinguish the small fires that had erupted on her Banshee once it had entered an oxygenated environment. The hangar was also humming with activity as other lances began to prepare themselves to launch, though there were not yet orders for Alpha Lance to join those preparations.

Instead, they were scheduled for a debrief with the captain and the CAG. There would be a moment for them to decompress before then, however.

As Arye guided Alpha Lance back to the safety of the Watch, the intense battle and subsequent explosions behind them painted a stark picture of the chaotic space they had just traversed. The sudden appearance of unfamiliar assailants, identified as Mishhuvurthyar Battlepods, added a layer of complexity and danger to their mission. The atmosphere aboard the Watch shifted from concern to urgency as the crew grappled with the realization of this new threat.

In the hangar, Arye watched as V115's damaged frame was tended to by firefighting drones, ensuring her safety and the containment of any residual fires. The bustling activity of preparations for further engagements filled the space, hinting at the looming challenges that lay ahead for the crew of the Watch. For Arye and her companions in Alpha Lance, the immediate danger may have subsided, but the weight of recent events lingered in the air. Their scheduled debrief with the captain and the CAG promised a chance to process the intense experiences they had just gone through and to reflect on the implications of the emerging threat.

As they awaited their debriefing, Arye took a moment to check in with V115 and the rest of Alpha Lance, ensuring their well-being and readiness for the upcoming discussion. Together, they had weathered a harrowing ordeal, but the true test still lay ahead as they prepared to confront the Mishhuvurthyar Battlepods and navigate the uncertain future that awaited them in the depths of space.