Hunting Shivans

I don't know about Wilkins' idea that command is keeping us in the dark about certain things, especially after this mission. Maybe they might be with the Knossos and the NTF being out here before us, but after this, I think they're still in the same boat as everyone else. Everyone has secrets, but they're all here with us on the same ship.

We were told to head out and escort the Actium and the Lysander, two GTCv cap ships that were heading out to destroy two Shivan cruisers that were detected in the nebula by command. We were to provide fighter escort and screening while the caps were to blast the enemy into dust with their beam cannons. Everything was going fine and the pilots even took a few pot shots at the enemy cap ships as they were going down until another one jumped into our space just as we killed the last one. Whatever it was, it blasted both the Actium and the Lysander with heavy fire destroying both in a matter of seconds.

Command immediately ordered us out of the area and we were happy to leave. I also got the feeling that we would be heading back in to take care of whatever it was that destroyed both vessels. I'd never seen anything like it...it was as if they were there one second and in the next, they were gone.

Wilkins was quiet when I met him and Sheryl for lunch in the mess. His wing was tasked to another patrol out in the nebula and most of them didn't make it back. It was his first encounter with the Shivans and I could tell that he was still trying to find something smart to say about the whole thing but he didn't. A lot of my squadmates, especially the younger ones, were like that. Our time in the nebula has put everyone on edge. No one's sure what we're going to be running into out here, and the talk about the Trinity has already started to breed even more rumors among the crew. It's getting to where I can't walk down an access corridor without hearing people talk about the NTF and why they're out here, that we've jumped into the Shivan's home galaxy, or that command might not even be able to send us back home from this side of the gate. Lt. Samsa already debriefed us on the last mission and added that if we are caught spreading any kind of rumors, that he'll personally take care of the problem himself. In other words, loose lips sink ships. At least I think that's how it goes, I'm not too good with my history.

Sheryl's wing was tasked on another patrol and they didn't run into anything new which she seemed to regret. I don't know if she likes looking for trouble, or simply wants a challenge out here. Just being here is enough to make you wish for home.