Asteroid Blues

Author’s note: Since Garak already submitted a detailed report of the battle, I thought it useless to re-iterate the same information with some minor adjustments. Instead I thought to deal with the aftermath of the operation and the Ariadnan/Haqqislam plan to trick the shasvastii into believing their operatives are dead instead of captured for interrogation.

The link to Garak’s report is here:
https://asteroidblues.warconsole.com/battles/garak-vs-tarash_bulba-1570365512?fbclid=IwAR0Al0uqK3c5sgkqkr3KSlbe5sUzl5Io5TcxZmwT8H11U3PrKDmgfMIdcm4#report
and I recommend to read it before continuing with my report.

I also added pictures of the battle at the end with captions describing the highlights from the battle.

===For Ariadnan High Command eyes only===

Excerpt from “Analysis of AHC O-12 information exchange during the Asteroid Blues conflict on Novyy Bangkok” by Major P. Smith of the Ariadnan Surveillance Service:

Note: I have taken the liberty to cut Major P. Smith’s exhaustive analysis altogether as it is not relevant to today’s briefing. I did leave the introductory summary written by the Major in order to provide the background for the following video which details the second meeting of Colonel Voronin with Ms. Jenner from O-12 Military Intelligence.
Staff Lieutenat Sidorov

---Start report---

Sirs,
In regard to the aftermath of Operation “Iron Hammer”, please see the attached video registration taken during the information exchange meeting between the Ariadnan High Command representative and the O-12 Military Intelligence delegate.

But before proceeding to the video a short explanation of the events and reasons that lead up to this faithful meeting is in order:

As you might already know from the debriefing report submitted by Col. Voronin, the purpose of the Ariadna/Haqqislam joint-operation “Iron Hammer” was the capture of a live Shasvastii operative from an infiltration cell operating in the Japanese bottom of the Main strip.

It was believed at the time, later confirmed, that it was one of several infiltration cells coordinated from a central location which proved to be the HQ of Shasworth Financial on Novyy Bangkok. See attached Shasworth Financial employee manifest that started the hunt for proof of Shasvastii infiltration of the Sphere:

Due to the distinct possibility of Shasvastii’ infiltration of some of the many organizations within the Human Sphere, with O-12 being a prime candidate, and being unable to assess at the moment who is compromised, a decision was taken for a “modified” report to be submitted officially to O-12 and then “leaked” to other factions, ensuring that the Shasvastii wouldn’t grow any wiser about the capture of one of their operatives nor have any information on the extent of our knowledge of their clandestine operations in the Human Edge.

Under this assumption, operation “Iron Hammer” is presented ostensibly as a concentrated Ariadnan effort to bring down gun smugglers, operating in the Japanese bottom of the Main Strip, supplying YuJing weapon tech to Haqqislam interests in the area.

The official report provided to O-12 is linked here for your convenience: https://asteroidblues.warconsole.com/battles/garak-vs-tarash_bulba-1570365512?fbclid=IwAR0Al0uqK3c5sgkqkr3KSlbe5sUzl5Io5TcxZmwT8H11U3PrKDmgfMIdcm4#report

Maj P. Smith’s Note: The security cam recordings were expertly modified and edited by Haqqislam tech experts in such a way as to be virtually indistinguishable from actual recordings to even experienced techops of the vaunted Tunguskan security branch.

In order to convince O-12 of the necessity of the unsanctioned operation, and thus get an official validation for the operation that would increase legitimacy in the eyes of the other factions, a meeting was arranged between AHC representative Colonel Voronin and O-12 Military Intelligence delegate Ryko Jenner at the Happy Yuan Yuan bar in the Main strip with the scope to supply the “evidence” in the form of security cam footage as well as “official” debriefing reports and intel.

The colonel arrived well in advance of the meeting itself, but since nothing happens, I have taken the liberty to fast forward to just before the delegate’s arrival.

---Start video playback---

The colonel is sitting at a lone table in the back of the empty bar, barely visible in the dim lights and the thick bluish smoke coming out of his cigar. From time to time, for a few seconds, a diffuse red light bathes the whole bar through the large windows in the front, not enough to dispel the shadows, but just enough to paint everything in a surreal coat of dark red, then blinking briefly just before dying out.

The light is coming from the gambling den on the opposite side of the street, the Redlectric Gheisha, a place known for entertaining patrons mostly from the Chao Pho criminal groups.

The entry door opens suddenly, and a short and slight silhouette is visible in the backlight. The figure hesitates for a few seconds before closing the door and going directly to the colonel’s table. In the dim light most details about the figure are hidden except that it’s wearing a dark hooded cape.

Ms. Jenner opens up the discussion while remaining standing near the table “Colonel Voronin?”

“Da. I mean, yes, of course”

The silhouette reaches into the cloak and then extends a hand holding an electronic device “Identification is needed before we proceed…”

The colonel says nothing and just reaches for the device and places his right thumb over it. After a brief moment the device emits a short beeping sound.

“Identity confirmed” Says the figure in a small but sure voice before she removes the hood and reveals a pretty face framed by a dark bob haircut. A few seconds pass in silence.

“Would you like to identify me as well before we proceed?”

“Not necessary Ms. Jenner.” The colonel says before taking a brief drag out of his cigar and blowing the smoke in the air.

“This is not proper protocol, I could be anyone for all you know…”

“Ms. Jenner, I know you’re you, but if it makes you more comfortable…” The colonel puts a similar device on the table before Ms. Jenner and she places a thumb over it and after a brief moment the device emits a short beeping sound.

Without looking at the device the colonel smiles and says “There, you’re you and proper protocol has been followed. Would you like to sit down?”.

“Yes, shall we proceed?” asks Ms. Jenner while taking the opposite seat at the table.

“Sure. But before that I wanted to ask you, what’s with the outfit?”

“What do you mean?”

“The main strip is full of shady characters. Tell me, did you see anyone wearing a cape covering them from head to toes?”

A moment of hesitation from Ms. Jenner, then “Uuuuum, no…”

“You see, the strip’s full of smugglers, drug dealers, pimps, soldiers for hire, murderers and worse. Someone might get into their heads that you may be carrying something valuable and have a go at it. And a lone person does look like an easy target for these types…” says the colonel before taking another drag out of his cigar.

With a small waver in her voice “Who says I’m alone?”

Instead of an answer the colonel just smiles.

After a moment of silence “So, colonel, do you have something for me?”

“Yes. Your superiors would like to know the reason why the Aridanan Expeditionary Force was involved in an unsanctioned operation in the Japanese bottom. In keeping with our good collaboration so far we would like to provide a detailed report of operation “Iron Hammer””

“Iron Hammer…?”

“Yes, it sounds…cheesy, I know, but we do have a few of the old school military types in the High Command and, once you’ll go through the report, you’ll see that it’s more than appropriate as well”

Having said that, the colonel pulls a small data slate from a pocket in the front of his jacket and puts it on the table in front of Ms. Jenner who reaches for it and asks “What’s in it?”

After a brief drag from his cigar the colonel says casually “The complete security cam footage in the area recorded during the operation, a full after-action report as well as the intel on which we decide to act”

With a surer voice, “Is that all?”

“Yes, as far as recorded information goes. It should be more than enough to build a clear image of what happened during the operation. And why.” After another brief drag from his cigar the colonel continues “We also made sure to delete every single piece of footage in the area so that the information could not be used by…others”

“I see…How confident are you that everything was deleted?”

“We employed some of our best contractors for this job, but a double check from O-12 specialists would be much appreciated. In the interest of transparency and our good collaboration so far, of course”

Ms. Jenner, now with a confident voice remarks “Of course. Yet you didn’t deem it necessary to inform or coordinate with us prior to the start of the operation…colonel”

After another long drag from the cigar the colonel explains “Well, it’s not like communications regarding these types of things are easy, I mean just look at us meeting in secret just to pass along information. How could we and O-12 coordinate, in secret, such a complex…situation?”

“I see…”

“And there just wasn’t enough time to inform and wait for a decision from O-12 Military Intelligence in these conditions. Not, if we wanted to capture the smugglers before selling YuJing weapon tech to the Haqqislamites and whoever else might take a fancy. God knows there are enough shady organizations in Novyy Bangkok with the need and resources necessary to acquire high tech weapons. Luckily, we had an intervention force on standby that could step in and do the job, quickly and efficiently”

“Quickly and efficiently, sure, but how about quietly?”

“Fair enough. We’re not known for our subtlety but considering the area, that shouldn’t be a problem.”

“That remains to be seen” added Ms. Renner

“Yes, we’ll see. In the meantime, I’m pleased to inform you that the smugglers have been eliminated together with most of their Haqqislam bodyguards and we got our hands on the data leading to the weapon stores. It’s all on the data slate.”

“Haqqislam bodyguards?”

“Apparently they wanted to protect their investment. For all the good that did them in the end, heh”. The colonel takes another long drag from the cigar. A few seconds pass in silence.

Ms. Jenner clears her throat before talking again “Is that all then?”

“Yes. That is all for now regarding operation “Iron Hammer””, pause, “If I could add one last thing?”

“Sure…”

“Might I suggest that we could vastly improve our effectiveness if we would collaborate more closely in, say, a mixed unit with members from both O-12 Military Intelligence and Ariadnan Expeditionary Force?”

After a brief pause “I can’t make that decision”

“I don’t expect that you do. Just think about it and if you find it has merit, maybe mention it to your superiors?”

“I’ll think about it”

“Thank you, Ms. Jenner”

A few more seconds pass in silence before Ms. Jenner talks again “Are we done then?”

“Yes, thank you for coming here. And for listening to me”

“Just part of my job”

“Even so, it’s appreciated.”

“All right then, I’ll take the info to my superiors and we’ll let you know of the outcome through the agreed channels.”

The colonel just nods while taking a drag from his never-ending cigar.

“Goodbye colonel”

“Dasvidania…I mean, Goodbye Ms. Jenner”.

The woman rises from the table and traverses the bar towards the entry in quick and hurried steps. She opens the door while reaching to pull up the hood over the head when the colonel’s voice can be heard in the background
“Ms. Jenner?... Please take care out there. I would like for our collaboration to be a long and successful one!”.
She nods and hesitates for a second before leaving the hood to fall back on her shoulders and then steps quickly out in the bright red light. Then the door closes, and the bar is once again enveloped in the surreal dark red, for a few moments more.

The colonel continues to smoke for a little while before a dark silhouette emerges from the back of the bar and stops a few short steps away from the table.

The colonel stops smoking before asking “Satisfied, Major Dayan?”

With a pleasant voice to match her gracious body the major replies “Yes. She seemed receptive enough. I just hope her superiors will be convinced”

“I’m confident they’ll see things as we want them to.” After a brief pause “I’m more concerned with her reaching the O-12 HQ safely, Major”

“We’re on it colonel, I have my best men providing guard duty. And she’ll not suspect a thing” pause “I’m still surprised by the outfit she chose. It’s like dangling a piece of bloody bait in a pond full of sharks.”

“She’s new at this major. It was only her second meeting with me, and the first in this part of the strip. She’ll learn given the chance”

“Right. In the meantime, my men will ensure she reaches…” the major stops and turns her head to one side as if listening to something, then smiles “She dropped her cloak in a garbage bin”

“See? She’s smart too” says the colonel with a big grin.

“Then I’ll report to command that everything’s going as planned”

“Yes, and I have to say I do enjoy our little enterprise so far…Thank you for your help, major”

“Happy to assist, colonel.” With that said, the major made her way towards the back door behind the bar before stopping just shy of the doorframe
“By the way colonel, I know you insist on doing things by yourself, but you really should listen to your own advice and get some bodyguards when in these areas.”

“Why major, I didn’t know you cared?” said the colonel with a big grin.

“Well, I do enjoy our little enterprise so far as well. Would be a pity if it would end at the hands of some...thug” said the major with short chuckle.

Grinning, “Appreciate the thought, major, but don’t forget, I was born and raised on one of the toughest places in the Human Sphere… a cossack city neighborhood, hah!”

“Yes, I keep forgetting that somehow. It must be the way you talk, with “almost” none of the grunts and two-word sentences of your comrades” said the major continuing to chuckle.

“Those are them uncouth provincial scots, hah! Not us educated cossack city boys…” adds the colonel with false modesty and a hearty laugh.

Still chuckling “May God be with you, colonel” said the major, before stepping out.

“And you, major” said the colonel while toasting the air with an imaginary glass, “And you…”

The colonel takes one last drag out of his cigar blowing the smoke in one long puff and then smashes the now spent butt in the empty ashtray on the table. Then he gets up and walks slowly through the bar towards the door leading to the back alley.

Once out in the tight confines of the alley he cocks his head to one side and asks seemingly to no one “Zaitsev, report status on Ms. Jenner and the Major”. After a few seconds he nods “Good then, if you think that Ms. Jenner is in capable hands, please change position and cover Major Dayan until she exits the strip. She may be capable of handling most threats around here, but a guardian angel never hurt either”
then, walking slowly to the alley entrance “And Zaitsev? Congratulations for spotting the Major’s men so quickly”
after a short pause” Now don’t sell yourself short, MSV’s only help if you know where to look…Anyway, drinks are on me when your back at the dacha”
another short pause” Davydov... let's move. Voronin out”

The colonel pulls out a new cigar, puts it to his mouth and lights it with quick and economic gestures. Stepping out in the main street he takes one long drag from the Oklahoman lung burner and, bathed in the red electric light he lets out a similarly long puff of smoke followed by a low chuckle “I love the smell of a job well done, in the morning”.
The red light blinks out for brief moment and the alley entrance stands empty, once again.

--- Playback ends---

Recording analysis by Major P. Smith:

Sirs, even before getting into the detailed analysis, it is clear that Colonel Voronin has achieved…..............

=== Excerpt end===

Second author’s note: Bellow I placed a few pics of the battle (sorry for the potato quality, not so smart phone was used) with some comments on the highlights from the battle (that I can still remember).

Enjoy,

Tarash_Bulba