Monday, October 4, 2010

Old piece

Hello!

First, this piece is REALLY old. Some may know how old, most won't. It may or may not be autobiographical and may or may not refer to reality...I'll go with the disclaimer side. Oh well.

Wednesday - Here
The UNS Fife was holed stern-to-aft this evening by the rail cannon of a tentative-friendly fleet during reportedly routine maneuvers over White Mountain Harbor. Few sailors were lost as most were plunged into cryostasis immediately after the impact, though casualty lists are not yet available. The ship managed to reach the nearby United Navy Station Drydock Hermit where it was locked down under multiple layers of physical and network security. We have not received word yet as to its status or repairablility. The few messages passed on by the crew reflect the harsh atmosphere under which the ship is being kept. Only the most necessary interactions with other fleet members are permitted and Srizbinski quantum pumps are being used to maintain a cool one kelvin and a hard vacuum. Few crew members have been resuscitated pending further analysis of the damage and its causes, as the AI and numerous other systems are suspect in provoking the incident.

Saturday - UNSD Hermit - UNS Fife
The lockdown continues today as investigators pore over the rather sparse evidence. Speculation runs wild: is this a covert UNS op gone wrong? is the oft-touted AI running the fleet's most powerful warships truly and deeply flawed? was the UNS Fife pursuing a ship that seemed friendly but simply did not want pursuit? These questions rattle our understanding of the UNS' operations in this sector and defy explanation; however, a few friendly nations have extended support by offering damage inspectors, grief analysis experts, and past incident experience. This has allayed many of the suspicions of the high brass, and we look forward to forthcoming information in the near future.

Sunday - UNSD Hermit - UNS Fife
Work is progressing rapidly in repairing the structural damage and thawing soldiers. Contact with the UNS was established late Saturday by the captain of the ship who fired on the UNS Fife, and a great deal of understanding was received regarding the provocation in the attack. This has led to selection of several specific subsystems for revisal and modification. Authorities are still searching for answers to a handful of questions before certain major shielding and navigation systems are completed, though most repairs are nearing completion. We have learned that the shot originated from a vessel in a fleet with a tentative-friendly IFF while awaiting an opportunity to clarify treaty provisions via a secure channel. Communications from the UNS Fife are still under close guard, but many of the most severe security restrictions have been lifted and the crew are being permitted leave on the station as fast as they are revived.


The investigation concluded three months later, about when repairs had been completed. Crew members interviewed more recently insist that a friendly foreign power was instrumental in completing many repairs, and some major retrofits are still underway. A UNS spokesperson declined the opportunity to comment. Two years after the incident. further investigation has shown that the UNS Fife was severely needing a refit. The damage from this encounter enabled some core changes that would have otherwise been left until 'later' due to cost and red tape. Other diplomatic ties are currently under cultivation and have led to many advances in naval theory and technical capabilities.


Thanks for reading. Cheers!

3 comments:

  1. I like! The metaphor is great, though it leaves one wondering HOW old this piece is, and if one has heard the story that caused the inspiration for it. :)

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  2. Blast, you mean it was metaphorical? I was enjoying the sci-fi.

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  3. Brett, I wouldn't worry about it much. If you liked the Sci Fi, keep it. The mere presence of interpretations or underlying meaning is no excuse to stop enjoying a good sci fi story. I wasn't particularly intending the metaphor to be obvious, so the idea of a secretive recovery from a mission gone awry can still be fun. :)

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