Pausing, Kurt thought about Jason's words. According to records, he was barely 20 when the invasion was sent. At that time, the war was referred to as "The Blitz" as the Turians swept across human worlds as the overstretched and understrength United Systems Navy didn't stand a chance against the overwhelming Turian fleet. And that was only half of their Ninth Fleet. Looking on it, he realized he actually knew little of the first years of the war.

Flipping around, he opened up another chapter. This time, later in the war. Much later.

* * * * *

January 1, 2174

19 years into the FCW

//////Mission Log//////

Objective: Defense of critical materials convoy through contested space.

Mission Assets:

USS Merlin: Keep-class heavy cruiser, designated command ship.

USS Yale: Pillar-class light cruiser

RSAS Zemski: Lobachevski-class light cruiser

Destination: Ardainia System

E.T.A.: Five days.

* * * * *

/////Mission Log/////

Enemy Interception

Location: at New London system

Enemy Assets:

Five heavy cruisers

Four light cruisers

Twelve Destroyers

Ninteen Frigates

AAR

67% enemy losses

25% Human military losses.

0% Human Civilian losses.

* * * * *

Journal Log: January First

Today is the start of the new year. Wish it were better. Escorting supply convoys isn't a glorious job, but its necessary. At the very least, I finally managed to have the Merlin outfitted with the newest gear, so we might be able to stand one-on-on with a Turian cruiser. Kinetic impactors, Mark nine atomic missiles, and brand new defense lasers. Hope they work. We're entering contested space soon.

Commander Nathan Laurel

* * * * *

Journal Log: January Third

So far, clear sailing. Another day and another relay and we might get away clean and return to the front. Got a encrypted message from command stating they need us with the third fleet ASAP. The Eleventh got mauled stopping the latest dreadnought push. This mean that the Turians got at least two of those things. And god help us if they have more.

ADDENDUM

Enemy contact at 2230 hours.

* * * * *

/////Recording////

AAR: Gunner Miranda Nates

ONI: You may start when ready.

Miranda: The battle was, scary at first. There were so many of the enemy. More than three times our number.

ONI: Go on.

Miranda: The commander ordered us to battlestations, brought us to bear on the enemy. I went to my post, cannon one-bravo, and awaited a firing solution. Then everything went as a blur.

ONI: Can you elaborate?

Miranda: The damn bird-heads used a frakking missile cruiser. Over a hundred missiles got volleyed in a minute. The Commander ordered interception, all guns.

ONI: That was a bit of a rash decision wasn't it? Everything devoted to deflecting missiles.

Miranda: No, it wasn't. If he didn't order that, the convoy's defense wouldn't have lasted a minute. He ordered for us to draw the enemies fire, get their attention drawn away from the other ships and onto us. If it wern't for him, we would have all died.

ONI: Yes, the Merlin's timely upgrade of its defense lasers certainly mattered.

Miranda: Are you accusing my commander of something?

ONI: I am simply curious that he managed to obtain such a advanced reverse-engineered technology on such short notice. I am also curious as to how he acquired it so easily.

Miranda: Now you listen to me! Commander Nathan Laurel was the damn finest commander I have ever known! If he didn't defend that convoy we never would have gotten the Titan online! He saved millions that day and you know it! And don't you dare slander his memory with your bald-faced accusations! He deserves more respect than that!

ONI: ...

ONI: Indeed.

/////End Recording/////

* * * * *

March 13, 2174

Apocalypse Station

Navy High Command

Transcript from Officer meeting XPD-14514514

Davidson: Gentlemen, its that time again. The politicians want their poster boy.

Charles: God damnit. Every damn year they want some poor sap to read their damn speeches and be their scapegoat.

Wilson: Gods yes, they still haven't gotten over using Harris as their argument for loosing the ground war. Poor boy.

Davidson: Yes, I heard he's been shuffled from one suicide assignment to another. Don't those bigwigs know that these boys just can't handle the meatgrinder this war is becoming?

Charles: Hmm. Well, getting back on topic, just who are we going to sacrifice this time?

Wilson: Can't we just make one up? Like Olglivy?

Charles: No, they found out about that remember? We can't just make it up.

Davidson: I'm thinking, about a certain Commander Nathan Laruel.

Charles: Hes real?

Davidson: Yes, but KIA. Died defending a critical materials convoy. I've seen the recordings. Damn heroic.

Charles: The bigwigs want someone living. Still, that will give them something to gnaw at until we find someone.

Wilson: I can't believe we do this to our honored dead.

Davidson: Cheer up man. I don't like this anymore than you do, but the public needs this. Anything to keep up morale is worth doing.

Wilson: Still doesn't feel right.

Charles: Nothing feels right about this war.

/////End Transcript/////

* * * * *

Liberty News

March 24, 2174

HEROIC CAPTAIN SAVES MILLIONS!

In a daring holding action, Captain Nathan Laruel saved millions of lives defending a military supply convoy and stopping a cunning Turian raid against the colonies of the New England cluster. Over the course of the battle, over two dozen enemy ships were disabled or destroyed, while not a single freighter was harmed.

More details on page A3