by Icefoxen
Forces from almost every squadron of TRI participated in raging battles in all three territories, and when the dust finally cleared enough to rally a multifactional defense, the Conflux focused their attacks on Solrain Core and Wake Station, alternating between the two targets and using infestations gain a tactical advantage. At some times during the battle all TRI wings were reported downed, and a lone C8 sentient turned to open fire on a particular bulkhead of Solrain Core station. Sources suggest that the C8 was attempting to sear through Core’s armor and damage Vandagriff’s lab, though this has yet to be officially confirmed by TRI. Repairs to Core and other TRI stations hit by the Conflux are still underway this morning and official damage reports have yet to be released to the media.
Conflux jumpgate infestations were numerous last night, with Nyamaza of the Flying Fur leading the infestation kill charts with six confirmed infest kills. Dahalb, Vulture, and Icefoxen of Solrain Guard destroyed one as SG bomber wings moved to clear Solrain of infestations, and Kyzer_Soze of Solicidal destroyed another infestation at Bronci Rift. Firestorm also destroyed an infestation blocking reinforcement efforts to Wake Station. CytoPro of GOD made an amazing seventeen bombing runs in his Phoenix to open up Hyperial space to TRI forces, earning him kudos from other TRI pilots. Other infestation kills were numerous, though unconfirmed by SNN reporters.
Ipuki-Hanh was seen in Solrain space during the attack, spouting his usual rhetoric. “You will fail” was uttered at least twice around Cornea Station, and “She cannot be stopped. It will soon be in her hands” was later broadcasted at Wake. TRI pilots responded rather vehemently to Ipuki-Hanh’s rhetoric. One pilot, Nyamaza, responded so vehemently that the next two waves of Conflux at Wake Station targeted his bomber exclusively. Amazingly, the pilot survived only to further taunt Ipuki-Hanh and have a C25 “Shark” warp in near his location. All TRI pilots focused firepower on the Shark, quickly dispatching it before Nyamaza’s ship could be downed. Rumors are currently abound as to whether Nyamaza could recieve Sarath’s Wit for his ability to survive an obvious podding attempt by multiple Conflux wings.
Conflux sentients were seen primarily in modified C8 “Kraken” and C18 “Stingray” last night. Several pilots noted that the C8 Sentients seemed to have increased firepower and lower top speeds than in previous engagements, though this has yet to be confirmed. All C18 “Stingray” deployed to TRI space housed the essense of Ipuki-Hanh, and were heavily shielded. One kill of Ipuki-Hanh’s host went to dahalb of Solrain Guard in a desperate fight around Cornea Station, with another kill going to TheTickBR3 later at Solrain Core station. Unfortunately, despite numerous nuking attempts by many TRI pilots and 22 attempts by Icefoxen, Ipuki-Hanh was not permanently dispatched last night.
A complete database of Sentient kills last night is impossible to attain. However, SNN has been able to put together a sorely incomplete list. Pilots are asked to reply with more data on Sentient kills recieved last night to help make this list more complete and accurate. Both SingleShot of Brotherhood and Liet were credited with nine Sentient kills apiece last night. Coming in a close second was dahalb of Solrain Guard with an impressive seven Sentient kills. Khorne scored three Sentients, Firestorm two, and Wilson one. Spectator also destroyed a Sentient last night, as did TheTickBR3 in downing Ipuki-Hanh’s host at Core Station. Mordikar, the typically non-violent ambassador of Eternal Legacy, was constantly seen fighting Conflux in his Dragon last night, and it paid off – Mordikar scored his first Sentient kill.
Amazingly, Solrain and Quantar units ceased fire on one another last night as the conflict between the factions came to a pause to deal with the Conflux threat. Despite this solidarity the CLAWS Array, which was deployed in Pulsar without notice by TRI officials, was reported damaged by KTRI last night. Many pilots, particularly prominent members of the Barrier Rift Coalition, are very suspicious of the CLAWS Array as it is, and its clandestine deployment to Pulsar has some worried of either TRI incompetance or conspiracy.
Amananthi space was left totally to itself last night, with no infestations blocking their gates and not a single claim to their territory. SNN and our various affiliates are investigating this matter. More than one pilot suggested a possible Amananthi involvement with the Flux beyond what is already evident, and even New Dawn Conflux War Command seems unnerved by this information. An official response from TRI or the Amananthi has yet to be made.
In a related note, Gunny of QUIT reports that despite the Conflux attack tonight and five seperate sentient assaults upon his artifact hunting task force in the last two days, only a single artifact huner was lost (-Phoenix-). No notable UCs were lost due to Conflux attacks, and Gunny reports that over 100 needed UCs have been collected by the task force, 80% from charitable donation.
It would appear that LupinOne is not such a “crazed old man who has spent too much time in Conflux space,” as was earlier suggested by a number of skeptics. The attack predicted by Conflux War Command came, and CWC reports that many worse attacks could follow.
This is your correspondant John “Icefoxen” Robertson at Wake Station, signing off.