D-69: Naegarn starship "Silk King", Captain Torlen Shadth, parsec 0804, contact

Status: M-drive running at full power for seven hours. Engineer reports that we can do this for another forty-eight hours if need be. After that we would not have enough fuel to jump to any system. Jump drive is out of commission due to damage to its containment but this is being repaired as I write. No significant injuries.

I directed the ship to make a closer pass on the Uridae cache, with the intention of ascertaining the quality and content of the materiel. The Ursidae destroyer on station was not manoeuvring at all and not using active sensors, thus it seemed possible we could close with the cache and make an undetected pass at visible range. I ordered the navigator to place the cache between us and the destroyer and to move into that position by occluding as few stars as possible. We subsequently moved onto that vector and commenced to close with the cache under silent running orders.

We closed sufficiently to make a more meaningful study of the cache. We observed a number of fuel bladders that were large enough to contain an estimated four thousand tons of fuel. There were also forty to fifty containers that we did not recognise. The marking on them do not match anything we have in the language program on board, but we have pictographs stored analysis.

I ordered a reverse in direction intending to return to a safer observational distance. Within minutes of the course change Dr Hill burst onto the bridge warning of the imminent arrive of one or more ships. I kept the ship on course but had the engineer shut down the Manoeuvre Drive.

Three minutes later Dr Hill's warning proved correct. Two more destroyer class war ships and five more transports exited jump. I'm now convinced that Hill is onto something of vital importance with his detection gear.

The new arrivals were all within line of sight, only the original ship was occluded by the cache. One of the destroyers immediately pinged us with active sensors and we were detected. I ordered full power and launched a missile on the cache. 

We were pursued by a single destroyer that also intercepted our missile. We were grazed by a single laser battery before outranging them. We continue at full speed and the enemy ship pursues. I intend to jump for Sunodar as soon as the jump drive is back on line.

D-69: Sunodar, Coded Communique, To General Mandah Sunodar, From General Markus Ghilan Military Command Covuni

The tank plant was battered in an Ursidae bombing run, and from what I'm hearing they couldn't be back up and running for months. I've standing orders to save what of the equipment I can and send it deeper into Neagarn space, not quite a burnt earth policy but not far from it.

We've had five heavy hit and run raids in the last three days. Naegarn navy took the brunt of it, but the Corvuni still took a dose. We won’t be able to ship you any more grav units for some time, if ever.
The tempo of raids here is increasing, I'm under pressure to retain all the military cargo we were going to ship your way. We got an infantry-transport away before the last raid but as usual it'll be routing via Trants, expect it in a couple of weeks.

The raids haven't hit any of the orbital fighter factories. I'll insist we send you the promised fighters as soon as we get transport for them. Can't promise anything after that.

Intell' dropped a bombshell that I thought you should hear. They give it 50-50 as to reliability as it comes from apparently uncensored mail found on a captured Ursi' boat. Could be a set-up. The mail claims there are "big ships" coming up to the front. Intell' are being sketchy but are giving me estimates on tonnage that I find it hard to believe. They're talking of 10+ 500k ton Super Dreadnoughts. Make of that what you will.

D-70: Havakurl, Field Marshal Pater Napier's private notes

In transit for Shula. Made a point of using the king’s yacht for this journey. As expected the nobles kicked up a stink, formed a blasted posse. There was even talk by some that they'd use their personal militias to blockade the port against us. Didn't materialise.

Yesterday's press was predictably anti-empire, kicked into a frenzy by the nobles. That kind of talk this close to the front isn't good. I had Monkton give a few prompts to the propaganda unit. I suggested they play on the idea that the aristocracy were guarding their ships so they could run away when the Ursidae come and leave the populace to die. Won't hurt to put those stuck-up idiots in their place.

Note: Send word to General Burlinski, Havakurl, to run his eye over those militias for possible conscription.

Reports from Faslane came in last night. Two weeks old, they didn't have any comms-boats with long legs. Two weeks! Ursidae are keeping pressure up with raids. Not so much action at Betria.

Note: Have Monkton ensure Faslane gets at least three of the jump-4 comms-boats. they'll be able to reach Shula in a week instead of two.

Monkon's worrying about Faslane. He's right. The ship yards there are a rich target for the bears. The pressure there might be part of a softening up exercise. I'm not convinced. The yards are a good target but not critical, they're not building anything big. Could be a distraction. They might be trying to draw us forward before jumping behind.

Note: Get intel/analysis to cover the raids on Faslane, is it indiscriminate destruction, or targeted. What are they not attacking?

Note: Look up scout reports for 0508-0510.

The King lambasted me for being "defensive". He was angry about his yacht, but he has got me thinking. If we mount something a little larger than a raid, we can maybe pull the pressure of Faslane. Brendelane and Karlyn have my attention, both within reach of jump-2 ships. Maybe two raids?

Note: Target Analysis on Karlyn and Brendelane.

D-70: Chobos, Naegarn scout ship Haylen Jules, comms transcript

Speech is tagged with the recording station.

[Captain] Twenty four seconds to jump exit, all stations report.

[Engineer] I'm showing green across  my board.

[Pilot] Ready to engage manual guidance.

[Gunner] All weapons powered, sandcasters prepped for immediate firing.

[Navigator] Course looking good, jump calculations prepared.

[Captain] three, two, one.

[Pilot] Entering real space.

[Captain] Sensors passive sweep. Navigator, plot us a way out of here.

[Sensor Op] Sensors show nothing in our immediate area. Extending sweep.

[Captain] Engineer, how's it looking?

[Engineer] Jump drive in the green, five minutes until reset cycle is complete, power to the jump grid is in the green.

[Sensor Op] I have a return. Its moving, designating bogie one.

[Captain] Have they seen us?

[Sensor Op] Can't tell, no course change, no active sweeps.

[Captain] Pilot, minimum power, move us directly away from bogie.

[Sensor Op] Three more bogies sir designating two through four. Oh. Bogie one is pinging on active.

[Captain] Gunnery disperse foil! Sensors do we have a path in-system?

[Sensor Op] Only by skimming past bogie one.

[Captain] Navigator plot the course. I want a long range laser shot at the bogie as we pass. Sensors at full active power, we need the intell, it's why we're here. Pilot, flank speed. Engineering, what’s the status on the jump drive?

[Engineer] All green, four minutes.

[Pilot] Give me that course.

[Navigator] Sent.

[Sensor Op] All bogies are vectoring on our position.

[Captain] Can we maintain the in-system course and avoid getting raked by the other ships? What are those ships?

[Sensor Op] Yes sir. They're reading as SDBs, we have the legs in the race.

[Captain] Send the long range feed to my console.

[Sensor Op] Sent.

[Captain] Gunner, warm up the missiles I'm going to send you multiple long range targets. Pilot how long until we're in laser range?

[Pilot] Two minutes sir.

[Captain] Gunner, targets marked, run the missiles silent until within two hundred clicks. Launch and prepare for the laser pass.
...
[Pilot] They're firing!

[Captain] Open fire.

[Gunner] Firing.

Confused speech from multiple sources.

[Captain] Get down there Jon, I have the sensors.

[Sensor Op] On the way!

[Captain] Engineer is the jump grid still online? Engineer? Missile incoming, Pilot evade.

[Gunner] Captain, he's dead.

[Captain] Okay Jon, is there a breach?

[Gunner] Err. Looks good. No pressure warnings.

[Captain] Is the turret operational?

[Gunner] Not without. No.

[Captain] Check Engineering, then get back up here.

[Pilot] Missile passed to port and detonated.

[Unidentified] Captain, no comms in engineering no damage down there.

[Captain] We have the intell. Pilot are we still at a safe jump distance?

[Pilot] Yes sir. We're outpacing the SDBs.

[Captain] Navigator, is the computer prepped for jump?

[Navigator] Sir.

[Captain] Jon, go tell engineering to initiate jump.

D-72: Sunodar, General Mandah's personal diary

The news from Heart, or rather the lack of it, is worrisome. The days of the daily comms-boats have long gone. We lost regular comms with them a couple of weeks back and only the odd ship has come our way since, and every time they do come its with bad news. It must be hell out there. We're definitely next on the Ursidae menu, they're squeezing the salient, Once they've snuffed Heart they'll aim for us.

It's started already, they made a raid out at the jump point and took out one of the supply runs from Trants. I think we only lost one transport, but it was one of the big liberty ships. The manifest listed mixed cargo, but it was all intended for us. I've gone over it more than once. The ground to air missile batteries, and the platoon of grav tanks will be missed. I've had training running double time on the simulators to get the crews together, but now there's no kit for the men. I've repeatedly told the civs we need manufacturing capacity for the grav-tanks. Do I return them back to their units or assign them to a provisional block as replacements?

The deep bunker construction continues. I have two companies of grav tanks safely underground in the new holes, both on the northern continent. None of the other units have anywhere to hide yet. They are dispersed, and that should reduce casualties from any strikes but you can't hide a battalion from orbital cameras. Oh, there's a thought, we could hide them in commercial structures. They'll be dispersed just as they are now, so I won't lose any additional unit cohesion. I'll have Folah look into it tomorrow.

Tomorrow is going to be another long one. Need to chase the sappers about the buried comms.  Blasted meeting with Northern Command will waste half a day. The press were harping about arming the populous again. I'm starting to think they may have a point.

D-70: Sunodar, Liam Hilders, Void-Traffic Manager, Courts Martial

Court:  Please state your name and occupation and duties at the time.

Hilders: Liam Hilders, Void-Traffic Manager on Ghian station. I was working on the observation deck, overseeing the scope operators.

Court: Do you operate the sensor arrays yourself?

Hilders: Not normally. Well, only if we're short-handed or sometimes if someone on the team is on a break.

Court: Are you saying you were understaffed? It seems odd that you should be carrying out the work of lower ranks.

Hilders: No sir, I'm not normally understaffed.

Court: And on this day?

Hilders: Normal, sir.

Court: In your pre-court submission you claim you were working a scope.

Hilders: Yes, sir, but not because we were understaffed. One operator was on a break, and I dropped into his seat. I often do that. It means I can double-check the situation as relayed to my own screen.

Court: I see. Tell us what was on your sensors

Hilders: We had a normal traffic situation and were expecting the transport from Trants. The only unusual thing were the rocks coming in from the belt. But even they were not that unusual.

Court: These are the rocks that turned out to be the Ursidae ships?

Hilders: Yes.

Court: Why were your suspicions not aroused by these rocks?

Hilders: The belters would sometimes sling rocks into long orbits to get them back to ore processors further in-system.

Court: Surely that's a traffic hazard.

Hilders: Yes sir it is, but they normally advise us when they're about to do it.

Court: Did you have such an advisory?

Hilders: No sir.

Court: Interesting. What is the standard procedure when unexpected rocks appear on your sensors.

Hilders: We dispatch an SDB to intercept.

Court: Had you dispatched a System Defence Boat to intercept these rocks?

Hilders: No. Sir.

Court: Explain yourself.

Hilders: I have no excuse sir.

Court: The court appreciates your candour, yet we would like to hear your rationale and reasoning.

Hilders: Sir. I. My wife is an engineer on one of the SDBs.

Court: Continue Mr Hilders.

Hilders: She told me that the SDB crews are run ragged sir. They don't have enough boats to do the duties, and the crews. Well, they've been thinned down. They don't have full relief crews on any of the boats. Her boat has missed the last two maintenance periods and it’s the same story for most of them.

Court: Was your wife's SDB on duty?

Hilders: No sir.

Court: So, if not your wife, what was the reason for failure to order an intercept.

Hilders: It didn't seem warranted sir. The belters have forgotten to file flight paths before, that happens sometimes. These rocks weren't on one of the usual orbitals but it wasn't far out. I assumed they'd just forgotten to file, and anyone that sloppy might have got the orbital wrong too. It made sense.

Court: And the SDB?

Hilders: I wanted to let them have a rest. I didn't want to scramble them for a bunch of rocks that weren't a danger to anyone.

Court: But they weren't rocks.

Hilders: No sir.

Court: You saw these rocks on your screen?

Hilders: Yes sir.

Court: And what happened when the freighter appeared.

Hilders: It exited jump right on time, within a few kilometres of the point.

Court: You saw it on your screen?

Hilders: Yes sir. The transponder on the ship was broadcasting and our active sensors registered a L'Ouverture class liberty ship a few seconds later. It's all in the recording.

Court: The court is not ignorant of that fact Mr Hilders. Might I remind you, we are here to ascertain your part in the affair, and what you perceived and understood at the time. It is you that the court needs to understand, not the intractable recordings.

Hilders: Yes sir, sorry.

Court: Tell the court what happened next.

Hilders: The rocks changed vector. I saw it straight away. They'd turned towards the Dunning-Star, the transport. I hit the alert, and focused my sensors on the rocks. There was a lot of interference, which I think was the camouflage. But I could see there were at least three ships. Then I saw them launch missiles at the transport.

Court: Then what did you do?

Hilders: I warned the Dunning-Star, then I vectored the duty SDB onto the Ursidae, and then put out an all-points-assist request.

Court: The Dunning-Star was destroyed.

Hilders: Yes. Three home fleet ships responded to my all-points broadcast, but the Ursidae turned out-system and jumped before any Naegarn fleet ships got close enough to engage.

Court: Thank you Mr Hilders. Do you have anything else to add?

Hilders: No sir.

Court: Very well. Mr Hilders retire from the court while we confer.

Verdict: Guilty of gross dereliction of duty. Mr Hilders to be stripped of all rank and privileges and to serve a sentence of not less than ten years in a penal battalion, followed by termination from the service.

D-76: Heart, Northern Continent, Audio diary recording recovered from remote farmhouse

I was in the upper field when I saw an Ursidae starship. It was too big to be a shuttle, it had to be a bulk transport or maybe a military ship. It whisked overhead and disappeared into the clouds over Athios mountain. It came from the south, no idea if it came from one of the ports down that way or if it had just dropped into the atmosphere. I didn't recognise it as being Ursidae, but only realised what I'd seen when I saw them on the hillside later. At the time I thought it might have been one of ours or maybe a Naegarn.

I'd been out hunting all day, had a couple powdids butchered and stashed that I intended to pick up on the way home. They're still out there, I'll grab them tomorrow. Anyway, I saw movement a while later on the mountain side. Just dots at the distance but they didn't move like goats. I couldn't make it out at first through my scope either. I watched them down all the way to the bottom slopes before I realised what they were.

It was Ursidae, when they got closer I could tell. Great lumbering brutes on all fours. What had me confused was the guns. They run on all fours and the guns are on their backs. After I killed one I got a good look at it. I couldn't get the gun though, its mounted on the suit it was wearing. It’s like a turret sort of thing on their back.

Anyway soon as I realised I was seeing the brutes coming my way I ducked into the bushes, and loaded up the one ploder round I had left. I always keep one on me in case I see something big to bring down. I saw a few big things today! They move fast those Ursidae, less than half an hour later they appeared across the field, marching in a line. They're big. On all fours the shoulder was level with my head. They are shaped like bears, I never really believed it until now. They were wearing suits, black with patches of grey hear and there., and that great gun on the back. I let them go past, didn't even breath. When they were past, I took a bead on the furthest away. Aimed for the visor. I figured, even if the ploder shell  didn't kill him, it'd bust his suit maybe suffocate him.

The ploder took his head off. I was grinning like crazy as I headed down the Tilders Brook beating a rapid retreat. They were shooting the whole area up for while then moved on.

I went back after scouting around and found the body. The head was a mess. They don't have fur, I thought they would have. Its scales they have, all over, at least everywhere I could see through the neck of the suit. The suit was a solid thing looked like metal or ceramic maybe. The rifle on the back was welded into place. Must be part of the suit, I couldn't get it off.

Just before I got home I saw some lights over towards Hargreave town, then heard some bangs. The power was off at home, so I guess the Ursidae's must have taken out the hydro plant.

D-71: Empire Fleet Commander Burtok, Faslane System, Battle Report submitted to Navy Command Havakurl

Ursidae fleet consisting of eight destroyer-class, four cruiser-class, one battleship-class, one escort-carrier entered system as a group. Piquet ships engaged with long range missiles and withdrew under fighter harassment.

Enemy fleet split into two groups. The smaller group (Bogey-A) of two destroyers, one cruiser, and a squadron of fighters set course for the belt mining stations. We had no ships that far out and in a position to intercept.

The larger group (Bogey-B) headed at flank speed in-system toward the nearest of the three inhabited planets, Chester. Despatched the Faslane home-fleet on direct intercept. The Empire contingent was ordered to maintain a protective screen around Chester.

At the thirty-two hour mark a long range missile engagement commenced. This was mildly effective; one enemy destroyer was clearly damaged and other hits were scored. In return fire we lost seven Fast Attack Boats, and the Battleship Heroic-Fortitude suffered a grazing hit. A greater percentage of our missiles hit but our own defences were overwhelmed by the number of missiles they were able to launch. Analysis suggests that at least two of the destroyers were specialist missile boats.

The fleets interpenetrated and Heroic-Fortitude inflicted serious damage on two destroyers and the enemy battleship, but was lost when rammed by an enemy destroyer. Our Fast Attack Boats stripped the enemy of most of its fighter escort but another twelve of our boats were lost. I ordered the Fast Attack Boats to reverse course and pursue. The cruisers Nathan-Brook and Danan-Bloom were ordered to vector onto Bogey-A and engage at earliest opportunity.

Bogey-B continued accelerating in-system their trajectory suggested they intended a grazing run against the orbital stations above Chester. Accordingly, I deployed the Empire contingent so as to intercept. As per standard operation procedure the seeded seeker mines in the projected path and deployed behind them. The Empire ships engaged with missiles and the enemy Escort Carrier was destroyed. The enemy did not engage us with missiles.

The minefields proved ineffective.

During the orbital-pass engagement three of the stations were destroyed and a further two suffered serious damage, it seems the enemy had reserved a significant supply of their missiles for the stations.

During the pursuit out-system further hits were scored on the enemy battleship and the three damaged destroyers were crippled. One subsequently detonated itself. We lost no ships during this phase. The enemy jumped out of system.

The Nathan-Brook and Danan-Bloom were unable to intercept the smaller enemy flotilla before it jumped out of system. A number of belter stations and facilities were raked with laser fire in passing, but these operations can be restored within a few weeks.

D-71: Wayk, Commander Bosahtchobui, Address to the 243rd Ursidae fleet

Ursids of the fleet both officers and underlings I speak to each and everyone of you, today we commence a new operation. It is the next step in the grand plan for Ursidae domination of this sector. We are taking this space from the humans who two hundred years ago ignored our warnings and claimed ownership of our ancestral systems.

Two hundred years of humiliation, two hundred years of the disgusting filth walking on our soil. Two hundred years of gross insult to the honour of the Ursidae.

I know your teeth thirst for the blood of the foe that dishonours your race, but I warn you that the humans you find ahead of you are not worthy of the blood-death. They have no honour, they have no god-soul. Even as you conquer them, remember they are lower than prey animals, worthy only of your contempt. Beat them. Whip them. Crush them beneath you. They are slaves of no value.

We go forth to conquer Kranel. We go to take back ownership of our land, our soil, our right, our future. Captains, prepare to jump.

D-71: Heart, Southern Continent, unknown soldier's diary recovered from battlefield

We were jammed in the transport. All the seats were full, casualties in the walkway, no medics. I was standing in the footspace of a seat with two guys jammed on it. Every time the truck hit a bump the injured screamed. I saw one of the guys use his own sedative on one of the injured. Hope he made it. I didn't recognise anyone, none from my company. Inside that truck was nightmare material, but I was relieved to be in there. Four days in a pit just waiting. Then boom.

I was dug in on a hillside and I could see the sea. It erupted, like a volcano. No, a whole line of volcanoes. First a huge crash a mile out, then another closer, and another. It came in, explosion after explosion. When they hit the land each one was like an earthquake. They went past on my left smashing everything. Dirt rained down, and bricks, and concrete. Lucky to not be hit. I put my resper on, the air was thick with dirt. I'd seen the training films about ortillery, the orbital stuff, but it just doesn't prepare you. Not for the real thing. I was shaking for hours after.

When the air cleared, the rest of the company was gone. There was just dirt. The woods, the buildings, even the roads we used to move up, it was all gone. It was weird too, not just the being scared, but that on my left was nothing, and on my right everything was normal. The city was still there, unhurt, or it looked unhurt. But the other way, nothing. I don't know if I'm the only one left from 3rd.

When we were kicked off the transport I didn't know where we were, still don't. We’re in some hills, there are mountains to the North. Some officers were stomping around. They grouped us into fire teams and told us to dig in. I used my knife as I'd lost my digging kit. I'm here with five other guys and you better believe we dug in. Took turns with the digging gear they had. By the time we'd finished we were able to stand up and our heads couldn't be seen, we even had dug outs. After seeing the amount of debris last time we wanted something over our heads. No food.

D-72: Havakurl, Field Marshal Pater Napier's home office, official notarised record

The Field Marshal was woken after a mere two hours rest. His ADC, Monkton, had a communique. He prepared a cup of coffee while the Marshal read the note.  After reading, the Marshal moved to the map table and gratefully took the coffee from Monkton, who said nothing and stood quietly behind the Marshal as he studied the map.

"Monkton get the ship-building, and forward deployment schedules."

With a crisp "Sir" the ADC slipped from the office. The Marshal moved around the table and examined it from a different view point. He'd sipped his coffee twice between musings before the ADC returned and placed the reports on the table.

"Answer me this. How many jump-4 comms-boats are on route to the front right now?"

The ADC flipped open one of the report folders. "One hundred and six sir."

"How many jump-5 and jump-6?"

Without looking the ADC said, "Four."

Marshal Napier used the side of his hand to measure various distances on the star map. "Its not enough Monkton. My information is too out of date. Too few boats." The Marshal retired to his chair before continuing. "We lose too many comms-boats. They jump into systems the Ursidae have invaded and never come back. The boats we still have don't have the legs, they take two or three jumps, two or three weeks to bring me out of date information. There's nothing for it, we, I , need to get nearer the front shorten the distance."

"But sir," the ADC appeared worried, "we are already within jump-5 of Thaoson, and we know they have some strike ships that can reach here."

The Marshal finished his coffee, set the cup down and pondered a few seconds before answering. "As do we Monkton, as do we. Plan an immediate move to the Shula system. From there I'll be nearer to the latest Ursi' push and it wont hurt to be nearer the Naegarn, it'll help with coordination."

"Yes sir right away."

"And Monkton, sweep the highports again. Anything capable of Jump that's not already in service, commandeer it. Don't take any excuses from the nobles this time. If it jumps, it joins the service, we need better comms."

"The king will complain."

The Marshal's eyes hardened. "Start with the king’s yacht, and I'll visit his Majesty first thing. Damnit Monkton! Why'd you give me coffee, I need bloody sleep."

D-72: Kranel, Boone Family Dome, Jerome Boone's personal diary

Just got back from Tijeks Dome. It smelled bad. Everything's still working but there's a tension. I had to ask Hank to speak up. Normally he deafens you across the store, but everyone is whispering. I don't know how to write it, its a feeling, a hunch, maybe?  I got the cleaner fluids and the algae feed.

Its the Ursidae, got to be. Hank was saying the ships from Wayk are late. That's bad. Gharlan and Thaoson haven't sent any trade our way for months. Hank says he knows a guy that had a trader friend that's disappeared. He ran a trade route to Lunak and back, regular as clockwork. One week to Lunak, two days there and a week back, two days here and back out again. He hasn't come back from Lunak. Worried.

I haven't said anything to anyone, not even Jane. I'm going to start digging a bunker. I've been saying for years we should have a second farm tunnel, so I'm going to tell everyone that's what I'm doing. I need to make plans, it'll need its own separate air and water, power. Hide the entrance? I won't be able to hide a hidden entrance from the family. I'll get it set up and then worry about hiding it.

D-72: Sunodar, Emergency Powers Committee, transcript extract

Attendees
Prime Minister: Jacob Mitska
Armed Forces Liasion: Major Sera Dolitsak
House Leader: Dr Chand Iller
Intelligence Secretary: Sir Kaur
Food Security Minister: Ellisha Espin
Transport Minister: Javan Willis
Health Minister: Idrees Preat

Prime Minister: Well Idrees, how bad is it?

Health Minister: Fifteen ships from Heart.

Armed Forces Liaison: Seventeen, there were two escorts.

Health Minister: Yes. Thank you. Fifteen ships filled with hospital cases. The up-port medical facilities are overwhelmed, the cases are being brought down as quickly as possible. Javan?

Transport Minister: We've directed all non-essential port shuttles from all stations to work with the hospital ships.

Health Minister:  The hospitals in the downport facility will be filled within a matter hours. Then we'll be shuttling the cases to other cities.

Prime Minister: Spirits save us. How many people are we talking about?

Health Minister: I'm not sure.
Armed Forces Liaison: Around twenty five thousand. That's an estimate. Most of the ships were well over capacity except one which was only half full.

Health Minister: Are you sure about that number?
Armed Forces Liaison: Sir. It's as accurate as I can be. There were no manifests.

Prime Minister: Idrees?

Health Minister: We don't have room. Not nearly enough. We've err. I mean.

Prime Minister: Yes?

Health Minister: I'll need to speak to my team. We need to set up temporary hospitals. I had no idea. We don't have enough staff!

Prime Minister: Major. Can the military assist? Can you open the military hospitals to these men?

Armed Forces Liaison: All military facilities are close to capacity because of our own casualties.

Prime Minister: Idrees, you need to get on this right now. Go.

Health Minister: Yes, of course.

[Door opens/closes]

Transport Minister: Major.

Armed Forces Liaison: Sir.

Transport Minister: I'm looking at these ships. Most over capacity, one only half filled.

Armed Forces Liaison: I imagine there's a lot of. Well, let's says it must be chaotic at the other end.

Prime Minister: What's the latest from Heart? Did these ships bring you any more information?

Armed Forces Liaison: They did and some of it I would classify as need to know.

Food Security Minister: You want me to go Major?

Prime Minister: One minute Ellisha. Can you summarise your report before you go?

Food Security Minister: Rationing is now in place, surpluses are being stored near all habitation centres as planned.

Prime Minister: Problems?

Food Security Minister: A few riots. Trouble getting enough cold-storage. Oh, and preservatives. But I have some plans to get around that.

Prime Minister: We'll talk later.

[Door opens/closes]

Prime Minister: Major.

Armed Forces Liaison: There was no official military communication on the ships that just arrived. That in itself is very telling. There was no civilian mail either. We've conducted preliminary interviews with the captains of the ships and it seems pretty grim. The Heart void-Navy has taken a beating, at least three battleships have been lost and quite a few smaller ships. All orbital stations over Heart were hit in the first wave. The captains claim they are all non-operational. The casualties we've received are a mixture of civilians and military. The Ursidae are on Heart, but it’s clearly still being defended. or at least. It was a week ago.

Prime Minister: Can we help at all?

Armed Forces Liaison: Only at the expense of our own defences.

Prime Minister: And we may not get help from Covuni or Trants, for weeks, or at all.

Armed Forces Liaison: Indeed. Sir I have a question of policy.

Prime Minister: Yes?

Armed Forces Liaison: The ships that just arrived. I've ordered the captains of the two escorts to stand by. They're desperate to return to Heart. I don't believe that's the right option. I'd like to add them to our inventory.

Prime Minister: Boost our defences, at Heart's expense? I have the legal power, all military ships are Neagarn service first, planetary second.

Transport Minister: We should grab the transports too.

Armed Forces Liaison: I agree with Mr Willis.

Prime Minister: They'll hang me.

Armed Forces Liaison: Only if we fight off the invasion sir.

Prime Minister: Military humour.

[Multiple people laughing]

Prime Minister: Major. Are you basing your advice on the fact that. Because the Ursidae are on the ground at Heart?

Armed Forces Liaison: Yes sir. And the state of these ships. I think they'll do more good for the Naegarn cause here.

Prime Minister: Hanging be damned. Let's do it. Act on it, I'll sign the paperwork as soon as I see it.

D-72: Heart, Marshal Nell Ferreday's HQ bunker, recovered communiques

From: Commander T. Shuit ,Kaylen-City HQ
To: Marshal N. Ferreday, Southern Continent HQ

Sir, have ordered the 7th, 13th, and 23rd divisions to withdraw from the coastal region. The Ursidae have made a series of attacks here. In each case limited orbital bombardment on our troop concentrations. Then followed up with destroyer-class starships which I have been unable to counter, limited air defence resources. They've not attacked any of the major cities along the coast. Am leaving independent battalion forces dug in around the cities of Shayden and Houan. I do not have resources to evacuate civilians.

From: Marshal N. Ferreday, Southern Continent HQ
To: Commander T. Shuit ,Kaylen-City HQ

Commander you are to immediately cancel your withdrawal. Stand your ground.

From: Commander T. Shuit ,East of Kaylen-City Mobile HQ
To: Marshal N. Ferreday, Southern Continent HQ

Sir, I am continuing to withdraw. 7th division is reduced to 30% strength, and its the strongest of my divisions. We are being pounded and can't hit back. I repeat that our air force is gone. We have nothing to hit the Ursidae destroyers with. Since the void-Navy was destroyed I have no hope of suitable support. We will dig in on the Covenant line.

From: Marshal N. Ferreday, Southern Continent HQ
To: Commander T. Shuit ,East of Kaylen-City Mobile HQ

Tommi, dig in where you are. The Covenant line is gone. Spirits bless you. May they bless us all.

D-72: Naegarn starship "Silk King", parsec 0804, extract from personal diary of Ensign Gordon Dimmock

I don't know whether to be happy or sad. First the captain thinks I might have a point about the solar interference with Hill's detector device. I don't know what he's picking up with that thing, but Hill doesn't strike me as someone clever enough to come up with something humanity has been seeking for centuries! The Captain told me not to speak to Hill, something to do with not-distracting him, I'm glad, Hill isn't a nice guy. Anyway I get to use the computer to test my theory when I'm off-duty and its free. It's really nice to be trusted by the Captain.

I'm sad. No. It's a sad-excited feeling. We've spotted Ursidae. They seem to be stock piling out here, close to home. The crew think it can only mean they're building a staging site. From here they could reach three of our systems. Including home.

I keep getting the shakes. Its stress. I want the captain to storm in and blast that stockpile, and stop them dead in their tracks, but he won't do it. Jakeson told me it wouldn't happen. "We're out here to collect intelligence." I'm glad we're doing our part, but a couple of missiles now could blast the whole stash.

D-72: Naegarn starship "Silk King", Captain Torlen Shadth, parsec 0804, extract from ships log

Running quiet, tenth consecutive twenty-four hour cycle. Batteries sufficient for a further three cycles.

Dr HIll's device appears to be working. If the results are to be believed he is detecting an average of three jump signatures passing through this region every cycle. Ensign Dimmock is running correlation checks against all nearby star intensities, he suspects the Doctor's jump signatures are really just radio emanations from the nearby stars. I believe the idea may have merit.

Later: Seven Usridae ships. Four transports, three small escorts emerged from jump. Ninety-two light minutes distant. Transports unloaded cargo with station keeping framework. Unable to ascertain cargo type, suspect fuel. One escort remains on station, the other two made a brief active search before jumping out. I do not believe we were detected. Dr Hill's equipment registered all the jumps, most importantly his system predicted the appearance of the Ursidae ships by four minutes, although not the direction.

Preface

There have been many grand histories written about the Second Ursidae Invasion, covering the grand strategies, the fleet movements, and the political machinations that drove the decision making. There have also been hundreds if not thousands of personal recollections and memoirs covering the same period in history.

In these pages we will look not at a single person's memories, but at the memories of many of the participants. We will not look at the grand strategy, but at a single military operation that could make or break the alliance against the common Ursidae enemy.

Through personal memoirs, official communiques, ships logs, news reports, and a myriad other sources, we will tell the story of a single supply convoy that battled against the odds through everything the enemy could throw at it, to delivery vital war materiel to desperate allies.

Of course this has not been the work of just myself. No one person could have collated or collected this information, indeed it was not possible for just humans to collect it. This preface is not an apt place to list all of the sophonts that aided in the compilation of the documents used to create this work, and the names of them all can be found in the appendix. However I feel that I must mention two Ursidae who were of especial value in my researches.

Firstly His Honour Botaxcoahu the Ursidae ambassador to The Empire of Man during the period this work covers. Without his aid I would not have been able to access the official archives of the Ursidae military. His contacts and understanding of the Ursidae administrations security concerns was invaluable in securing the documents I used, and his intercession on my behalf released a number of documents that had not already been declassified.

Secondly but not any less important, was Fleet Marshal Aeebuipechhuj, who gladly rendered his services as translator, as correspondent, and of course as a friend. His phonetic transliterations of the Ursidae language into standard Imperial have been used throughout this work.

- Charles Oman