Homeworld: Exodus

by Robert A. Howard

Chapter 3, Part 1: The Great Wastelands – The Oort Cloud

Fleet Intelligence Personal Log:

We have emerged at the outer edges of the Kharak system. All ships emerged from hyperspace in formation; Karan was able to make adjustments while in hyperspace to keep the Death’s Redemption and Sand Vortex on course. She believes she will have no problems keeping our larger ships in close proximity with the Mothership no matter how far we jump.

Karan has also initiated a build order for a second mining ship, the Starlight, while retooling the construction line for our fighters, corvettes, and frigates. Using modular components in our ships will allow the Shipyards to construct multiple ships at one time; theoretically, Karan could have eight fighters, four corvettes, and two frigates under construction at the same time, though ship launches would be staggered to avoid potential collisions. Unless we find significantly more resources, however, we’ll not have the ability to test this functionality.

The Mothership emerged from hyperspace almost 20 kilometers from one of the densest known asteroid families our astronomers had found in the Oort cloud. Unfortunately, there isn’t much in the region, and most of that is covered with a fairly thick coating of volatile ices which makes these Oort bodies difficult and dangerous to mine. The remainder either lack metallic components or are lone remnants that aren’t worth our time to go after.

The longer we stay in the Kharakian system, the greater the likelihood our new enemies will discover our presence and attack us. In addition, we need to track down the Taiidan scum who burned our world, and destroy them before they have a chance to rebuild. Information in the Taiidan databanks offers several star systems where the fleet that destroyed Kharak may be holed up. But our fleet consists of a stolen frigate, two flights of light interceptors, and three light corvettes. It’s obvious our forces are insufficient to withstand an assault from the Taiidan forces. We need more time, time to design our own frigates, gather enough resources to build our own fleet, and train crews for these ships.

One added benefit of this region of the Oort cloud is the large level of dust found here, along with oddly fragmented P-type asteroids in several localized asteroid families. The relative lack of heavy metals is unfortunate, though the silicates and water ice will be useful, and hints of magnetism among the fragments suggests the presence of troilite. It is believed that two cometary bodies collided centuries ago, resulting in the vaporization of the grozen gasses the made up the majority of the outer shell of the comet. The heaviest fragments stayed together, while diffuse particles boiled away with the volatile gasses. This theory would also explain the dust field.

The Dreamscape and Starlight were sent to begin mining operations, along with the Sand Vortex, Echo squadron, and the Death’s Redemption. Wasp squadron is remaining in the Mothership while final testing of the Blade Mk.5. As the pilots have less combat experience with the Arrow, it is hoped they will adjust to the new fighters once manufacturing begins.

Chief Engineer Maren Somtaaw reports that efforts to rebuild the alien missile corvette have been successful, and that a second alien fighter has also been rebuilt. The two alien Bandit-class fighters have been launched with a pair of our best test pilots to better determine the abilities of these strikecraft and to scout out the region. While our own Arrow light interceptors are faster than the Bandit, by using the alien craft we are hoping to confuse any enemies we encounter in the area. Sort of like the Manaani stories where Kharakians don the fur of dunewolves to hide from packs of dunewolves in the Kharakian deserts.

Repairs on the Quiltwork are also complete. Engineers stripped down much of the interior of the corvette and rebuilt her from the ground up. I understand that there are plenty of volunteers to fly the craft, which confuses me. I’ve heard complaints about using resources from ripping apart the Taiidani frigates, superstitious nonsense which no doubt includes fears of vengeful ghosts and the like. But it’s the most superstitious among the crew who are volunteering for the Quiltwork; I’m told they say the ghosts of those who died on board will protect the corvette from further harm.

I’m of two minds of this. First, I can’t stand superstitious thinking. It’s a sign of a weak mind and it risks the viability of our fleet and our people. But when stupidity works to our benefit… no. Even then it’s not worth it. We’re facing an alien empire that likely numbers in the billions. We are barely 600,000 strong. Even if Kharak had not been destroyed… we will not prevail against the Taiidan through strength of arms. It will take intelligence and cunning to defeat our foes. The Taiidan can afford stupidity. We cannot.

Fortunately, this religious thinking is likely in the minority. Those chosen for the Exodus are the brightest and best Kharak has… had to offer. Kharak herself is– was unforgiving of stupidity among its adopted children. I have to wonder. If we survive, if we reach Hiigara and either are accepted by our people there, or reclaim it from whoever possesses it now… where will we be in a hundred years? Will this purge of our people ultimately have some silver lining?

* * * * *

Research on the Blade Mk.5 is complete. From what we’ve viewed from files recovered from the Taiidani frigates, their fighter (Tactical has designated it as the “Triikor,” named after a predator cat indiginous to Kharak) is more maneuverable and has a heavier cannon. Our own twin cannons have a higher rate of fire, however, which will hopefully compensate for the Taiidani advantage. Wasp squadron has been outfitted with the new fighter and are currently conducting combat trials to get a better feel for their new strikecraft.

In addition, the Illumination reports that they’re ready to start testing a new corvette design, the Hammer. This corvette will be significantly heavier than the Cavalier corvette, with a second turret, with fragmentation and armor piercing ammunition that can be switched out quickly, and considerably heavier armor. While the Hammer is a little slower than the Cavalier, the majority of the weight was at the expense of crew quarters; the cockpit cocoon is loaded directly into the craft with the pilot and armor plating bolted in place behind them. The only way out is by ejecting the cockpit cocoon or by having a technician unseal the plate and unload the cockpit.

I understand that the pilots crewing the test craft have already nicknamed the Hammer as “Coffins,” though from what I understand this not because they consider it a “death trap” but rather that the cockpit cocoon can be… claustophobic. Still, the significantly heavier armor and armament should help keep these corvettes in battle significantly longer than other strikecraft. The only real threat to the craft would come from frigates like those we captured (our decryption team has unlocked some files on the frigate, designated the “Kudaark.” What the word means, we don’t yet know); tests on the tracking systems on the Death’s Redemption shows it can accurately track corvettes. Tactical is already testing wargame scenarios on how to best fight the Kudaark.

Work is also underway to miniaturize the Taiidani plasma torpedo launcher; the Taiidani plasma torpedo spaceplanes proved quite effective against large targets.

I’ve just been informed that sensors have just detected a sensor contact; a huge energy signature. We are on full combat alert. I’ll continue this later.

* * * * *

We’ve made contact with a new alien species. They appear to not be hostile.

According to Karan S’jet, the alien vessel, which outmasses the Mothership, was not detected emerging from hyperspace. It just appeared in our sensors suddenly. Karan ordered the two Bandit fighters to investigate it, and we soon had telemetry on the alien vessel.

The alien vessel is luminous. It was shaped much like a steeder-shoe with a U-shape, though thicker and without the crossbars used in steeder-shoes for added support. The vessel also has a grace and beauty to it that has not been observed in other alien vessels. It seems doubtful that the aliens are affiliated with the species that has attacked us and is responsible for the burning of Kharak.

Bandit-1 reports that there were no visible engine ports. We cannot identify their propulsion system; the ship is clearly far more advanced than our own or the aliens that attacked us. The vessel glided before the Mothership and smoothly matched our velocity and vector before spinning to face us. It has not responded to communication hails, and the Diplomatic Corp has suggested we send an ambassadorial vessel to dock with the alien ship and open negotiations.

I will not be a part of the ambassadorial team. The entire staff in Fleet Intelligence, including my most vocal opponents who were so adamant that Admiral Telar would be a superior head to Fleet Intelligence than myself, turned against me and let me know that I was too valuable to be risked in a First Contact situation. I suspect Karan could hear the shouting through the bulkheads separating Fleet Command from Fleet Intelligence.

I’ll regret not being a part of the team that is making First Contact with the aliens for the rest of my life.

An ambassadorial corvette was quickly designed along the lines of the Hammer, but without weapons, ejection systems, or targeting systems. More importantly, the internal crew quarters can be opened from an interior hatch. It’s a bit cramped, especially with an honor guard of marines and the Diplomatic team, but it should suffice. I assigned Captain Zarrin LiirHra as the vessel’s captain, and assigned Lt. Jaana Somtaaw as the corvette’s pilot; it will hopefully distract her from what she went through on the surface of Kharak. The Ambassadorial team consists of Major Karier Kaalel, Captain S’inol Maanan, and Captain Jaharen Kaalel, along with six Sobani marines.

Lt. Jaana is maneuvering the corvette past Wasp and Anvil squadrons and headed toward the alien vessel. Captain Zarrin is giving us a running commentary as he approaches the alien vessel; they are hailing the craft as they approach; they’ve entered a magnetic field and… the ship has lost guidance and is being drawn into a brightly-lit docking bay. Zarrin is reporting activity… We’ve lost radio contact. We’re still receiving some telemetry from the ambassadorial corvette. There’s nothing to do but wait.

* * * * *