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LETTERS FROM A DISTANT STAR 

Pocket Manual

(formerly Blue Jackets Manual)

 by

Tyger Burch

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Tygerprintz Studiozwww.tygerprintz.zzn.com

This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the productof the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events,locales, or persons, living or dead is coincidental.

Copyright © 2009 by Tyger Burch

Read more from Tyger Burch and join his Fan club atwww.tygerprintz.ning.com/profile/TygerBurch

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“We have a responsibility it to those back home to persevere and find strength when we think 

there is none left, hope when its invisible to our eyes and a will to fight when all seems lost. Anyone can stay encouraged when the battle is won, it takes a real fighting spirit to do it when

the battle seems lost.”

 ISAC JACOBS, CAPT 

COMMANDING OFFICER

COLONIAL SHIP PASIPHAE 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

● INTRODUCTION

● LAST TRANSMISSION● MAP OF THE CAMICUS SYSTEM

● MAP OF EASTERN DEADALUS

● MILITARY CREWS AND SKILLSETS● MILITARY ARMAMENTS/SHIP CLASSES

● REMEMBERING CAPT ISAC JACOBS

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INTRODUCTION

When I started this project I really, honestly expected it to be a shot shot deal. Just a quick shortstory about some poor schmuck on a ship somewhere standing watch and literally watching the wold

 pass him by. There was just something about writing those letters that reminded me of my own

deployments and how much I missed my own family. Most people don't understand that part of military

life, how a person can volunteer to be separated from their families for months on end or how thateffect them. To be honest a lot of family members still don't get it. Its one of those facts of life that I

 believe will exist for years, maybe centuries to come.

There's also my love affair with space. My father, when I asked him if he believed in life

 beyond Earth said he didn't believe God put all that up there just to give us something to look at. That

stuck with me and I continued to have a fascination with space travel, science fiction and of course,after watching Aliens and Starship Troopers, the space marine.

So with that said, here in your hands (or desktop) lies all the background that went into makingthe stories that follow Letters of a Distant Star. I hope it by sharing it some new comers will enjoy it

and want to learn more about the world I plan to dive more into as well as all my Sci Fi lovers out therewill have yet another tome to add to their bookshelf. Of course there's one more group that might enjoythis project and that's my fellow writers. Hopefully they'll be inspired to dive as deep as possible into

their own worlds as well so that the characters, conflicts, trails and triumphs are that much more

 believable and we get one more place we want to move to.

Even if only in our minds.

Tyger BurchAuthor 

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LAST TRANSMISSION

 Lorianne,

 I got your message this morning, I'm so sorry to hear about dad. I knew he wasn't well 

but... I still can't believe it. Sixty-eight. I wish I could have been there with him one last time. Just to hear him tell that same story about how he made that last shot during the College Finalsto win the game. I used to hate that story! Now, now if feels like that's all I got left. You're doing 

a great job little sis. Tommy told me how you've been holding things together. With things so

tense right now I can only imagine how the boys are taking it. I know you don't want to hear this but I feel I should say it. Don't think or try to stop every argument. Believe me I know my

brothers, we're all basically just bad copies of dad, missing all he good features. Its part of who

they are. They love each other so it won't last, but if you try to be the voice of reason every time

 you'll only end up stressing yourself and that'll last long after those two forget what they weremad at to begin with.

The crew is doing fine more or less. Complaints never cease about the animals and the smell. Now I know how Noah felt. To have all of them crowed in one space just seems inhumane

but the veterinarians we have on board says everything fine, though that seems to be everyone's

answer about everything.

 As for me its been tough. Its coming close to our sixth year and still nothing. A few dead 

 stars and a dwarf planet is all we have to show for it. Some of our probes haven't even comeback. Soon we'll have to just send out a ship the old fashion way. I hope not, those nuclear 

engines they put in to keep them running are dangerous. I don't want to have to write another 

letter to a parent or a spouse about how their loved one gave “the ultimate sacrifice for the

 survival of our species.”

 I have to admit had I have known... who am I kidding right? I still would have done it.Crazy as that sounds. I made Captain by the way, not that its much of a surprise. The Admiral 

on the Daedalus wants me to fly over and visit so she can congratulate me personally. Sounds

like a chance for her to drop some more responsibility on me. What's that dad used to say?

They'll keep promoting you until they find a job you can't do. HA. Well I hope that's a long time from now.

 I miss you sis and I'm proud of you. Hang in there kiddo. We'll find a new home soonand you, me and the whole family will have a whole planet to pick prime real estate from. I hear 

they might let us name the planet if we discover it first. If I do I'm gonna name it Osairus. I think dad would like that.

Take care sis. Talk to you soon.

 –  Isac

MSG SENT 02-08-2054:11:28:01

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12-03-2055:07:30:48

It had been six days of the most excruciating silence the crew had even been forced to enduresince the launch of the mission. Every transmission, every call home regardless how rare was a treasure

to every man and woman aboard and now somehow, that had been snatch away from them like

innocence of a child who just learned Santa wasn't real. For six days not a single communication beyond the sporadic radio check from their sister ships, The Daedalus and the The Lapyx had been sent

or received and it was taking its toll on the personnel. At first it started out as flagrant rumors,

suspicious of varying nature made their rounds about the ship and the lack of authority to cut themdown only made them grow and bloom and spout grander tales.

The Second in Command was seen late the night before the ship had gone silent, moving

frantically toward one of his personal transports or captain's gigs as their often called. Personal securitydetachment in tow, they ship was off and away without so much as a word of farewell to the air crew

who were standing by. It became obvious the matter was serious when after the third day the she took 

command of the ship and assured the crew over intercom that everything was fine. Stating everythingwas fine was naval code for nothing is fine.

 Now the crew was assembled and filed orderly on the sub-landing deck. They could hear theloud thump and skid as the captain's gig came screaming onto the runway. The catch of the catapult

snatched the little craft and pulled forcefully, dragging the craft to a stop.

The men were standing silently. The tension was thick as milk froth as singular bodies mad

uneasy motions to loosen up or find more comfortable positions. Off to the side, separate from the rest

of the crew, were the officers who looked just as at ease if not less. Opposite of them were the chiefs,

all clad in their tan uniforms like a line of potatoes, full of smirks and whispering about the possibilitiesof the announcement that was sure to come. The Second in Command was sure that they were getting

some pleasure from the rooms discomfort. They had been through this routine dozens of times before

and like her they knew there was nothing they could do about it except waste their time worrying or laugh at those that did.

Unfortunately, she couldn't bring herself to join them. Ever since Isac received that transmissionall she could see in the back of her mind was the Admirals cold expression. There was something

 beyond those war-hardened hazel eyes she just couldn't put her finger on and as always, the obedient

little soldier that he was, Isac flew off without so much as a question.

Sweat trickled down the nape of her neck and soaked into her thick black locks making the tight

 bun she tied feel like she was trying to balance a cinder block on her head. A few of the chiefs

measured her up, waiting for her to squirm uncomfortably so they could joke later about how even theSIC was loosing her composure. Not bloody likely, she thought to herself and refused to give them the

satisfaction.

Crew members nearly jumped out of their skin when the load pop of the landing platform burst

to life and began its decent. Once the imagined threat had passed it was immediately replaced by

embraced laughter among the ranks. Even Kristen was coached to giggle a bit at that one. She hadn'tspent much time on the decks but was used to it enough now that the sounds and sights didn't surprise

her one bit. Apparently, there were some aboard who had not grown quite accustomed to this new type

of ship life completely.

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The platform came to a halt parallel to the deck and the captain was already exiting the craft

with helmet in hand. He ran his fingers through his hair and they met halfway along the walk and

exchanged a warm smile.

“The crew is assembled as ordered sir,” she reported with a slight bow of the head.

“Very good.” he passed his helmet over to a young cadet who ran off with it as if it were stolen

treasure. “I'll address them now, then I want all my officers and chief in the war room within say

twenty minutes following.”

“Yes sir,” she said following his lead toward the massive crew in waiting. “Attention on deck,”

she bellowed with authority and the solid strike of boots to tarmac echoed in response.

“Can everyone hear me?” he said through the microphone positioned in the center of the room.

A resounding “aye.”

“Good.” Isac let out a slow sigh followed by another of his patented smiles. Kristen watched

him as he address his men with admiration. They loved him and he them. In the past ten years thataffection had only deepened with each trial. She couldn't imagine anyone in his place doing a better job

of keeping the morale and focus required for a mission, failing one at that, like this. Not even if she

stood in his shoes could she see herself walking that mile with the same confidence.

“Its good to see you all again. I'm sure my absence hasn't gone without notice, and there are

 probably plenty of stories floating around about what I've been up to. I assure you that most of them

aren't true and the rest are even worst.”

“I was asked, aboard The Daedalus with Captain Riddion to meet with Admiral Azuli for a

 briefing that was far from brief.”

Laughter, that was good she thought and it seemed he was in a good mood. She had feared that

the trip was a meeting to formally concede defeat and turn back but now she wasn't so sure. The crewalso seemed to take notice of the same thing. Everyone stood prouder, firmer. The officer's eyes were

wide with excitement, searching each word the captain spoke with a cryptic's determination to find the

slightest hint of the purpose for this gathering.

“At 1800Z Friday evening a reconnaissance probe returned with what we believe at the time

was evidence of a possible contact. Upon further investigation that contact was concluded to be a

 planet, about the size of Pluto. We were encouraged that this, while smaller than we initially planedmay be the beginning of the end for our search for a new planet.” He allowed the information to sink in

for a moment and Kristen could feel her heart sink, a heavy stone in the shallow chamber of 

hopelessness.

“As you may have already noticed,” he said somberly, “this is all stated in the past tense. The

 planet is in fact a gas giant. Unable to support life at its current state and we assess that we do not havethe equipment, supplies or time to convert it. Simply said, we were wrong.”

The room was swallowed in sorrow. Every face was contorted to some extent, some lost their 

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military bearings and leaned on one another for support. Others merely nodded in silent tears. The

captain raised his to calm the crowd.

“There's more. As you all well know we officers have a penchant for the melodramatic,” he saidto a smaller chant of giggles. “I had our wolf team, the best blood hounds in the fleet recheck our 

efforts. They have conclude as I said that we were wrong about the planet.”

“But we were right about our assumptions.”

Murmurs of confusion ensued. He gazed over at his SIC and gave playful wink. He wasenjoying this, she thought. Tugging at their emotions. What a jerk! All the pride she had felt standing

 beside him as he addressed the masses had shattered like cheep china. She wanted desperately to slap

him but civility and duty won the day, this time.

“Sir, for the benefit of all of us who've been standing here a good thirty minutes before you

arrived, would you mind getting to the point.”

The laughter was choked out near instantly. The captain searched her eyes for a few moments,

looked back at his crew, then to her again nodding in agreement.

“Very well,” he surrendered. “As I said before we were wrong about discovering a planet. What

we in fact have done, thanks to the work of all of you, was discover an entire new solar system with not

one but several planets from which to choose from. Well done men.”

The words hung like snow flakes, not quite making contact yet with their collective

consciousness but once it had there was jubilation. Caps were flung into the air and people hugged,

they shook hands and high fived one another. A few even kissed and sealed the deal on a fewscandalous rumors. Even Kristen was shocked at a few of the match ups. She and the Isac exchanged

similar looks of surprise.

“Listen up,” the captain finally broke in. “we now have a lot, and I mean a lot of work to do but

there are a few things to put out. First, we have one week to have all preparations ready for initial

contact with the system. Hornet Crew has been given their orders and we are now en route. HoundCrew!'

A loud bark answered back to the captain's approval.

“You have the honor of being the first to step foot on our new home. Get in and do what you do,

your department heads will brief you individually but I'm going to say this myself. Be safe and

 professional. I don't want to loose a single one of you in the coming weeks and months as we prepthese planets. Sacrifice for our species is one thing, needless sacrifice is some else entirely. Got it?”

One of the chiefs stepped forward, a crusty old sailor with a thick jagged scar that traced hischeek down to his chin. With a solid, frighteningly passionate gaze he bellowed, “Hounds sound off!”

And again they woofed on command.

“Finally, there is the matter of a name,” Isac began, prompting the chief to step back in racks

with his fellows. “As you all know my father passed away of cancer just over a year ago. It was his

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dream to see this new world that inspired me to volunteer for this duty and it was his support that

motivated me to continue on. I'll admit when I was first told that I was granted the honor of naming the

 planets I had selfish intentions on naming it after him.”

He paused to compose himself wiping away a tear. It took all that was in Kristen to push away

her womanly urge to comfort him. Just that quickly the man she had come to respect had returned.

“Then I thought about all of you, and all of your families. I know that for a fact we have at

minimum eighty nine of you who's lost loved ones during this endeavor and even more of you either 

divorced or on your way. A few of you don't even know it yet.”

“The thing is we have all sacrificed and all put our trust and our faith into this cause and I

 believe that it would be a shallow thing to honor any one us without honoring all. Unfortunately, I can't

name the thing after all of you or it''ll never fit on a map!”

Once again he brought joy and cheerfulness back and weaved it into the historic moment like a

master tailor. Men stared at him as if he were their proud shepherd, acknowledging them as goodsheepdogs for the first time.

“Instead I have chosen, to the delight of the Admiral to name it after all of you in a differentfashion. The planet will be named Pasiphae, and for the entirety of its history no man or woman will

ever speak of it without remembering all of you and what you gave to be here. You can tell your 

children and grandchildren that this was your gift to them and their future. Our home, Pasiphae.”

He stared out amongst the crowd to the proud men and women who served him. The active duty

sailors and marines and the civilian scientists and researchers. There wasn't a dry eye on board. His

speech was echoed to every corner of the ship. From the pilot house to the engineering bay. He couldhear the walls vibrate and rattle with cheers. This would be his gift to them. He was so thankful for 

each and every one of them. They were a blessing and he knew it.

“Now,” he whispered just loud enough to be barely heard by all. “Get out of here and celebrate.

Tomorrow we got some moving out to do.”

He would never forget those next moments. Dancing and celebrating. Tears and laughter. It was

 just like the day the ship was commissioned, tied to the heavy responsibility of finding a new home, a

whole planet for his entire species he'd felt enormous pressure but his crew savored the challenge. They

loved it with all their hearts and he loved them for it. Even if he were to die today he knew he run up tothe big man himself and hug him with a grateful heart for this very moment in time.

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“You ready CJ?” the man called from the opposite side of the bay. He stood just to the right of alarge solid steel door, his hand readied at a square button. His eyes occasionally scanning the massive

compartment, unsure of what he expected to see. CJ was yards away yanking down hard on the safety

that held a similar button in position, when it finally gave the man rested a palm on it and through a

thumb up to sign he was good to go. His counterpart nodded and they both pressed their respectivelevers in near simultaneously.

A heavy, forceful hiss of pistons could be heard outside each sealed door. On the monitor CJ

watched as the floor tilted slowly downward, the wall splint in two like Siamese twins freed from one

another for the first time and an enormous rectangular crate tattooed with the letters FNF for theFederation Naval Fleet on it side slid on grooved rails toward the exposed edge. Oxygen was slurped

out of the space with vicious speed and the bright glow of the sphere below filled the panoramic view.

CJ was breathless. He could see the thin veins of rivers and swallows of lakes lead out from the waves

of land to be devoured into the wide bodies of ocean. It was a sight to see, especially taking intoaccount that only months ago the planet was nothing more than barren rock. Now it was teeming with

green, lush life. Everything from the rocky shores to the mountainous ranges seemed to flow with it.The terraforming bots that had been released on the globe had done well seizing the dead content for them and planting the seeds of their future hope. The robots were far from finished though, he knew

that for sure, it may feel like a miracle but asking for a whole planet to be made livable in months was

 just being plain irrational.

 Now the next set of crates lay in wait. “CJ!” The voice called, finally breaking through the

man's daydream. “You gonna let that thing go or what?” “Oh yeah,” the tech responded and grasped the

 bottom edge of the square, flipping it up like a door cover and then pulling it straight down. Fromoutside, the audible snap of the clasps release reminded him to grab the nearest handhold and brace

himself as the sudden drop of weight caused the ship to shift not the least bit gently.

The planets gravity grabbed hold of the case once the thrusters on the shallow side ushered it in

far enough and the case dived downward to the surface. Reaching just the right altitude the sides burst

free of the main body and two wings erected navigating the shipment onward. An antenna peeked outfrom the top of the crate sniffed about and caught a beckoning signal. The entire package then swung

east and sped along the skyway, a short mile behind its earlier dropped brethren.

“Alright junior here it comes, watch out,” he could hear the voice say through his helmet

speakers. “Its a two sixty ton boxes chief I think I see it.”

“Then get out of their way then, knucklehead!”

The boy made a fumbled run to his left, his suit constraining each movement, turning each step

into all out chore.

As the boy had expected the crate, slowed now by parachute, pounded the earth a safe distance

away the gust that surface sent stones and dust careening into the shell of his suit. What he hadedexpected was the roof of said box somersaulting and slamming into the ground mere feet away making

for an image in the back of the boys head of a very embarrassing death. First death in the history of the

world, he mind scolded. Knucklehead.

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“You alright son,” his father said waddling toward him, his voice broken between pants.

“Yeah chief I'm fine.”

The man wrapped his son across the back of the helmet. “Be more careful then. If that thing had

crushed on you, I would killed you”

“How is that even--” he paused, “never mind, lets get to work.”

He never did refer to his old man as dad, or father, or even a rebellious pops. It was alwayschief. Ever since the boy took up the job as a combat builder or CB he'd tried with all his might to

make his father see him as a man and not just his son. In his own mind Eric Jones Jr. had failed

miserably. Everywhere his father was stationed he was stationed, it was like the old man wanted him

close to always keep an eye on him, as if he were adult enough to look after himself. Then Eric slid hiseyes back over to the heavy box lid, wisps of smoke-like dust still refusing to settle around its edges.

Maybe chief had good reason to worry.

He walks over to the hulking box and opens a panel on one of the short sides, presses a button

and the wing on each of the elongated sides sulk back into place and the second later of steel on eachside that housed them falls away. A loud caution alarm blares away once, twice, and the boy moves

aside as if unaffected as the short sides now loose their standing and tipped over. Inside the fist case

were several smaller ones. He traced each one with his fingers, found one on the outside back corner and lifted the collapsing door of the mobile garage to find a large, armored, four wheeled vehicle. It

was basted in a deep muddy brown and a large dog was stamped on its hood, fangs exposed and ready

to strike. Behind its head were the symbols of a gun crossed with a jackhammer encased in a large

circle.

The boy walked inside the storage cases, petting the mutt as if it were more than paint and

climbing inside the rig. The keys were tucked away in the visor and a clipboard was propped up on thedash. He snatched it up, examined it and then tossed it in the seat next to him. Eric had no time or 

concern to log his use of the vehicle now. Besides he could always guesstimate the numbers later once

he was done. He turned the key and the truck roared to life, Eric smiled to himself. Boy did he miss thatsound.

As he eased out of the container he saw the other men descending on the other cases there as

well as further off at the other crate just near the ocean. He was glad they didn't have to fish one of the boxes out of the water as sometimes they tended to miss their mark. It was a good thing the guy they

 brought along new what he was doing. He actually had the nerve to call himself a pilot, as if flying a

 bunch of boxes by joystick counted. Humph, not likely. Eric gave the man his credit but ever using thattitle for a kid the same age as him was pushing things too far.

“I hate these dang things,” the old man spat, face folding over itself like bedsheets after a roughsleep. He measured the talking robotic armor up before shaking his head in disapproval. “Trade off 

with me.”

“Not on your life.”

“I'm sorry,” the chief mocked with a hint of venom in his voice, “did that sound like a request?”

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Eric cursed pounding a fist into the steering wheel of the truck before sliding out of it in

surrender. As much as the chief hated the M-BAS's, Eric loved his trucks and he knew it. The boy

climbed up into the harness and strapped his self in, bringing two handle bars down from overhead. He

 pressed the ignition and the steal beast stretched its synthetic muscles and stood, nine feet off theground. He motioned it to go and the gargantuan obeyed, lurching step by ground shuttering step

toward the second group unloading materials from the distant case.

“Alight son,” the chief called through the comm system. “lets get this base built so those lazy

top-siders up there can get down here and do some real work!”

“How they looking down there Keith?” the captain said, resting a hand on his radioman's

shoulder.

“Good sir, looks like they just started up.”

“Who's running the show?”

“Chief and First Class Jones.”

“Oh the tag team huh? This'll be interesting.”

Keith eyed the captain questionably, “Sir, if you don't mind me asking, why do you keep those

two together? It's obvious they don't get along.”

The captain raised an eyebrow followed by an amused grin, “Normally I wouldn't but the chief 

insists. He's retiring once we get settled here and he wants CB First Class Jones to take over the team in

his place. Besides, what father and son do you know that does get along all the time.”

“Not many sir.”

“How about our communications station project,” the captain called out to no one in particular.

A young female radioman at the end of the isle raised a hand and got his attention. He nodded to her.

“Last word we got was an hour and a half ago sir, they were just finishing up.”

“Good, but check in on them. I don't want them feeling like their out there alone on the other 

end of the system and I want to know as soon as we're able to get full comms back at to Earth. We havea lot of people waiting for their tickets to come here.”

“Yes sir,” she said but her voice trailed off at the end. A puzzled look washed over her and she

 began working the keys of her computer frantically. The captain was quickly at her side, attempting to

read the screen from over her shoulder. Failing not due to lack of vision but more from a lack of understanding what he saw he waited for her to report.

“Sir..” she typed a bit more, change screens and then again. “We just lost comms with the team

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on Delos.”

A whole planet set between them and the moon. It was likely that interference was preventing

the ship from reaching them. Nothing else had gone as perfectly as practiced after all. The ships usablewater had run out at least twice this month alone, leaving half the ship to shower with wet towelettes

and the supply team had greatly underestimated their rations, causing most of the crew to resort to the

disgusting space MRE's that seemed worst than the ones he had back on Earth, if that was possible atall. Communications was the one thing he expected to fail and hadn't so far.

“Is it just our satellite? Can we adjust or move to get a better signal?”

“No sir,” she said with an uncomfortable certainty in her voice, “its not the signal.” She pointed

to the screen, “see here, it shows that its getting through and their comm-links in their suits are sending

confirmation of receipt.” He had no idea what he was looking at, but the worry in her voice and theexplanation was crystal clear.

They were getting the messages but either chose not to respond or couldn't.

The doors at the back of the pilot house flung open. Everyone in the room spun, half startled to

the source of the ruckus. A man came racing in and dashed straight over to the captain.

“Sir!”

“What is it doc?”

“The men on Delos, can you reach them sir?” he asked he chest heaving with panic.

“No, why? Do you know something?”

The man's face lost all signs of strength as he struggled to regain his breath, “the life supportsystems in their suits just dropped off the charts.”

“What?”

“I checked and double checked but nothings wrong with my stuff,” he panted. “Either 

something happened to the systems on the suits themselves, which is unlikely for all thirty-eight of 

them at once or...”

Isac didn't let him finish, “I want a rescue crew put together now and someone get the other 

ships on the horn! I want those men found asap.”

“Sir we have incoming contacts. I repeat incoming con..” captain yelled at the main for more

information as all the color abandoned his face.

“I said how many damn it!” he screamed.

The sailor would now break out of the daze. He was frozen if fright, the room filled with the

sounds of alarms and others yelling the same warning Incoming contacts, contacts in bound. Yet no one

could say what kind or how many or from what direction with certainty. Then a female for the back of 

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the room gasped.

“My God,” one of them whispered.

The captain looked up and out the wide window as other rose to their feet in shock and awe. He

too found himself without words and striped of the ability to even think of what to do next. Eyes wide

he could see it and yet not fully grasp in his mind enough to believe it.

Hundreds, no thousands of asteroids fluttered aimlessly through space, propelled by something

unseen. They slammed into the surface of their newly found home and the crew could only watchhelplessly as flashes of light were sent across the scene it its wake. At first they were small about the

size of the very crates they dropped to the planet themselves but then they grew ever larger as if 

whatever source they had emerged from grew unsatisfied with the damage it had caused. Wave of the

rock had already began their collision course with the ship, each one instigating a shoving match withthe hull. The ship would stand its ground and give only slightly on the outside, but within the shaking

was violent, burst of electricity broke free along walls and shocked passersby to death. Lights and

 panels fell from the ceiling and glass thick as three walls began to crack and spew pressure.

The SIC ran onto the floor to meet her captain. Once his eyes met hers he let loose the words he

never thought a captain should in the entirety of their careers.

“Abandon ship! You heard me. Go! Abandon ship!” it felt more like Abandon hope. Yet no one

moved they either stared on at the oncoming barrage of stone or looked back at the captain with thesame look that he saw reflected in his Second in Command. She closed in on him, kissed him lightly

and took his hand in both of hers, their wedding bands lightly tapping against one another as she said

exactly what he knew his crew, his friends, his surrogate family were thinking.

“And go where husband.”

He let out a deep sigh, closing his eyes, a silent prayer in his heart that somehow fought its wayout his lips, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”

The first stone made connected with the front hull and broke through. Through the screams andthe crushing of metal. The sparks and scrapes he could hear here whisper the along with him as she

completed the phase and dipped her head into the crest of his chest.

“I love you,” she said so calm in the face of the end. He responded, but the air and pressure hadalready abandoned them. They were swept away with it and he could not tell if she had heard him.

Surely he would see her soon enough to find out. They had come this far to find their new home, in his

faith he new they would. Just not where he initially intended. Fates cruel sense of humor at work.

TRANSMISSION LOST...

10-06-2055:19:31:02

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THE CAMICUS SYSTEM

 Figure 1 - Camicus System. Planet and dwarf planets of the Solar System. Sizes are to scale, but relative distances from the

Sun are not.

The Camicus system has two suns. Camicus Minor and Camicus Major. Of all the planets there is only

life on Daedalus and Erechtheus. Of the twelve planets (including dwarf planets) five are consideredterrestrial planets (consisting of rock and

The Camicus System consists of the two suns (Comicus Major and Camicus Minor) and those celestialobjects bound to it by gravity, all of which were discovered over three hundred years ago during the

secret Project Detroit on Earth in which countries raced to be the first to locate an inhabitable system

over 150 years ago. 

The six planets; Ovid, Ariadne, Lapyx, Pasiphae, Daedalus, and Theseus also called the terrestrial

 planets, are primarily composed of rock and metal. Of these Lapyx, Daedalus and Pasiphae have

environments that are the closest resemblance to early Earth. The other planets; Icarus, Erechthesus,Samos, and Homer, also called the gas giants, are composed largely of hydrogen and helium and are far 

more massive than the terrestrials.

As far as scientists can tell Minos is covered in ice and minerals and Delos, once an orbiting moon of 

Daedalus is now destroyed in an early attempt to colonize the sphere and one third of the planet floats

freely as an asteroid cloud around remains. Scientists now refer to this body as a ruptured moon.

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 Figure 2: Early map of Eastern Daedalus. Scale at right- 1=100 MI 

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Figure 3: Early map of Pasiphae North. Scale at right- 1=100 MI 

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MILITARY CREWS AND SKILLSETS

Each military unit falls under a different crew represented by an animal. Individuals are then further 

 broken up by skill sets and rank.

EAGLELEADERSHIP

● Officers

WOLF

COMMUNICATIONS

● TOA – Tactical Operations Specialist● RDM – Radioman

● SIA – Signature Intelligence Analyst

● TGT- Targeteer 

HOUNDGROUND TROUPS

● CB – Combat Builder 

● HGN – Heavy Gunner 

● BWS – Basic Weapons Specialists

HARE

SUPPLY, ADMIN, SUPPORT UNITS

● SHK – Shopkeeper 

● ADA – Administrative Assistant● CMO – Combat Medical Officer ● MPO – Military Police Officer 

● CSC – Culinary Service Clerk 

HONET

AIR CREW, NAVIGATION, MAINTANENCE● PLT - Pilot

● CRM – Combat Repairman

●  NPO – Navigation and Propulsion Operator 

TCO – Tower Comms Operator 

SCORPION

SYSTEMS● ENG – Engineer 

● PLT – Pluming and Sewage Technician

● ALL UNDESIGINATED PERSONEL

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SERPENT

COVERT OPERATIONS (SPIES, ESPIONAGE, INTERROGATION, PROPAGANDA)

● TL – Tactual Liaison (Spy)

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SHIP/ARMAMENT CLASSES

COLONIAL

 Non combatant vessel used for colonization of new areas (i.e. Planets, moons, dwarf planets, etc)

Colonial vessels are the largest and slowest of the fleet and carry a small array of defensive weaponry

in lieu of heavier armor. Colonial vessels can carry up to one million passengers including staff and are

equipped with reconnaissance ships.

COMBAT CARRIER 

The Combat Carrier is the largest single fighting vessel currently available to the fleet. Designed tohouse close to 300,000 personnel, the Combat Carrier is designed to provide a mobile launching

ground and “battle station” for military decision makers. The vessel is specifically designed to launch a

variable number of Fighters and Bombers and has recently been retrofitted to carry the new M-BASMechanized Armor units (though untested). The Combat Carrier carries pulse cannons, missiles and

defensive weaponry.

BATTLESHIP

The most heavily armed of the smaller classed ships, the battleship was designed for anti-terrestrialoperations. Its powerful laster guided missiles are designed to take out planet based weaponry or fire atdistant targets with satellite assisted accuracy. The heavy armor, heavy armament of the battleship

make it the least nimble of all the vessels but ensure it remains an formidable enemy in any combat.

CRUISER 

The cruiser is a light vessel with moderate weaponry and an extensive array of radar and defensive

measures. It's designed for a dual mission to protect the Colonial/Combat Carrier ship and to hunt their 

most dangerous enemy the stealth bomber. Using manned reconnaissance craft, probes and the latest inSATDAR (Satellite Directional Array), the cruiser is the best equipped to detect and neutralize the

threat with the assistance of fighters from the combat carrier.

FIGHTER 

The most nimble ship in the fleet. The lightly armored fighter is designed for anti-spacecraft operations

(i.e. fighters, bombers). Loaded with small guns, missiles and short but keen radar systems, an

experienced aviator can easily take down two to three bombers in a dog fight. Because of its lightweight fighters tend to have shorter fuel supply and while the radar systems update quicker than the

 bomber, they have a much shorter range. This makes the fighter inappropriate for missions alone and

should be augmented with bombers.

BOMBER 

Slower and armored heavier than the fighter, the bomber is designed for anti-ship operations. Its heavy

cannons and missiles allow it, in squadrons of skilled aviators, to assault and take down larger vesselsincluding the Carrier Class. Radars on these vessels have wide range but are slow to update so quicker 

ships like the Fighter made elude it if the pilot is skilled enough.

NOTE: There are also sub classes of the Bomber including the Stealth, equipped with a

cloaking technology that allows the ship to appear virtually invisible to radar and tracking

weapons so long as the ship does not fire its weaponry. Once placed in a combat state thecloaking technology cannot be initiated. Also the ship carries lighter armor than the basic

 bomber and if it takes on enemy fire the system will divert power from cloaking to shields

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rendering disable the capability. These vessels are faster and more nimble than the basic bomber 

and are considered the submarines of their time.

M-BAS (MECHANIZED ARMOR)

The Mechanized Battle Armor System or M-BAS was originally designed for mining, and hazardous

work on the ground of foreign planets and exploration in areas not suitable for conventional ground

vehicles. The system has gone through several changes and upgrades and now is a modular system,meaning that each unit can be equipped with weaponry, radar and support tools unique to the mission.

The M-BAS MKIII is currently the standard issue at the time of this writing.

NOTE: That presently courses are being developed to train personnel to use the M-BAS and a

newly designed Jump System for launch and recovery from Combat Carrier vessels. The Jump

System will allow units limited mobility in space as well as the ability to leap greater distances

using a back mounted propellant and engine combine. This system is still in testing and may not be field ready when this manual is published.

RECONNAISSANCE

A single or dual piloted vessel designed to scan a given area. Reconnaissance craft are lightly armored

and carry only light cannons but are the fastest non combat vessels in the fleet. There have been a few

rare reportings of Reconnaissance craft out maneuvering fighters but none have been confirmed.

PROBES

 Non combat, unmanned unit designed to scan a given area. It can be preloaded with various “themes”varying from asteroids to enemy craft. Because of its light weight and inexpensive design, probes carry

no weaponry and light armor. Way points are programed into it to return back to the vessel it was

launch from if needed but it can also self destruct by remote making it also useful as a unconventional

“mine”.

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NFCS PASSIPHAE (CCS 30) Commissioning

W e are delighted to inform you that NFCS Passiphae (CCS 30), the third of a new class of 

colonization ships, was commissioned in Norfolk, Virginia onSeptember 28th 2040. NFCS Passiphae was built at Ogawa Aerospace inSan Diego, CA. On November 9th 2035, Federation Naval Fleet accepted delivery of thePassiphae from Ogawa Aerospace(OGAS) in San Diego.

Commissioning a ship is a time-honored tradition, which celebrates a vessel’s formal entry into service with the active Navy fleet. The Long Beach Council Chapter of the United StatesNavy League has agreed to sponsor USS GREEN BAY (CCS 30) commissioning and is raisingfunds to support this endeavor.

The commissioning of NFCS Passiphae was a memorable event. The officers andcrew thank all of you for your support of "Operation Homeward" on November9th, 2040.

If you would like to continue to support the crew of NFCS Passiphae, please visitthe Federation Naval Fleet Veterans League website athttp://www.tygerprintz.zzn.com/group/FNFV 

Thank you for your support of NFCS Passiphae (CCS 30)!

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TO: Jacobs, Lorianne

FROM: Brookdale, Kevin J., ADM FNF

SUBJ: ICO Jacobs, Isac

Dear Mrs. Jacobs,

It is with regret that I write you confirming the message of recent date with informed you of thedeath of your brother, Captain Isac N. Jacobs, XXXXXXXXX, Commanding Officer of the CSC

Passiphae, on 10 July 2155 in a until now an unidentified sector of space.

The official casualty report states that he was killed as a result of an asteroid shower that

ruptured the propulsion of the colonization ship causing a collision.

I wish there were additional details I could provide you but unfortunately the circumstances

surrounding the ships crash are currently unavailable due to the nature of the mission your brother was

apart of but I can assure you that if further particulars are received by this office they will certainly bedirected to you at once.

I realize that there is little which may be said or done at this time to lessen your sorrow but it is

my hope that in time you may find sustaining comfort in the knowledge that he died serving hiscountry, his planet, and his people. I also want you to be aware that though it is not yet been made

official, I am of the understanding that your brother was successful in his mission before his untimely

death. You have the condolences of a grateful nation and we mourn with you for you loss.

Sincerely yours,

K.A. BrookdaleAdmiral

Federal Naval Fleet