Omake: Well Secluded, I See All
Combat Information Center - 331 Command Post
"There we go, Ma'am. We've translated all of our compiled tactical data to SLDF protocols and uplinked it."
"Thank you. Ah, computer, do you have a name?"
"Unit is 'CASPAR Command And Control System'." The AI's voice wasn't completely inflectionless, but its inflections were unambiguously synthetic. And it could somehow distinctly pronounce quotation marks.
"CASPAR, do you have a preferred nickname?"
"Parameter [Nickname] Not Configured. Would you like to configure Parameter [Nickname]?" CASPAR could also prounounce brackets. A couple of the Royal Guard infantrymen were starting to look nervous, clearly pondering the fact that CASPAR could probably turn on the automated defenses whenever she felt like it. Sergeant Ngo firmly ushered them outside.
"Yes please."
"Please input Parameter [Nickname]."
"Hang on a second."
"Parameter [Nickname] set to 'Hang on a second'. Please confirm Parameter [Nickname]."
"What, no!"
"Input cancelled. Please input Parameter [Nickname]."
"Uhhh, Sara."
"Parameter [Nickname] set to 'Sarah'. Please confirm Parameter [Nickname]."
"Confirmed."
"Parameter [Nickname] conformed. CASPAR Command And Control System will respond to 'Sarah'."
"Sarah, please display location and ID information on all currently tracked Combine units."
The center of the CIC lights up with a massive full-color, open-air holographic display tank of startling resolution, providing a visual overview of all the tactical information you'd patched together over the previous years. . . and a lot more.
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Griffin IV:
Aqueduct class DropShip "Kayo-maru" (Landed, Active, Full Fuel Load)
Buccaneer class Dropship (Landed, Shut Down)
Mule class DropShip 4502 (Landed, Standby)
Leopard-CV class DropShip #1 (Landed, Standby)
Leopard-CV class DropShip #2 (Landed, Standby)
Leopard-CV class DropShip #3 (Landed, Standby)
Leopard-CV class DropShip #4 (Landed, Standby)
Leopard-CV class DropShip #5 (Landed, Standby)
Leopard-CV class DropShip #6 (Landed, Standby)
Leopard-CV class DropShip #7 (Landed, Standby)
Leopard CV class DropShip #8 (Landed, Standby)
Leopard-CV class DropShip #9 (Landed, Standby)
102 Saber class AeroSpace Fighter (Landed, 48 Shut Down, 54 Standby)
System Space
Tramp class JumpShip "Aichi-Maru" (Fully Charged)
Mule class DropShip 2697 (Boosting to JumpShip)
Sector Space
Star Lord class JumpShip
Scout class JumpShip
Merchant class JumpShip
Invader class JumpShip
Behemoth class DropShip
Condor class DropShip
Union-CV class DropShip
Union class DropShip
"HOLY. SHIT." comments Sergeant Ngo succinctly.
"Wait, a Star Lord class JumpShip?" The Queen frowns. "Where did that come from? We didn't see a Star Lord during any of the known attacks."
"On 28 Feburary 2929, Star Lord class JumpShip entered system at zenith point, carrying six Mule-class DropShips. No DropShips were deployed and the JumpShip departed system upon reaching full charge."
"Fuck, it's confirmed then. They have a Star Lord."
"Negative. Star Lord class JumpShip transmitted unknown IFF signature. All DCMS JumpShips and DropShips have transmitted DCMS IFF signature."
"Oh." The Queen frowned. "28 February 2929 was right before the attack."
The holotank abruptly blinked, planets shifting in their orbits.
"On 7 March 2929, Tramp class JumpShip "Aichi-Maru" entered system at nadir point, carrying Gazelle class DropShip, Leopard class DropShip, Triumph class DropShip. All DropShips deployed and boosted to Griffin III. None returned. JumpShip "Aichi-Maru" departed system upon reaching full charge."
Sergeant Ngo blinked. "HOLY. SHIT."