After Action Report

[Ethan Neufeld 0]

On 02 May 2420 at {HH:MM} I, Selek, was instructed by Captain Joe Manning to report to the Verbsitul's shuttlebay for landing party duty, along with Qob First Mate Chris Nickles, Security Chief Pher, crewmembers Sal Rosetto and Zaphod Dascal; and Verbistul Science Officer Alex Macen. The landing party was to be lead by Chris Nickles and Pher. I was informed that we would be conducting a submerged insertion via modified shuttle, as this was determined to have the most success. At {HH:MM}, we checked our equipment and boarded shuttle Verbistul-01. At {HH:MM}, while en route, the landing party executive determined our insertion point (+35 16' 44'', -76 28' 13'') with the assistance of Troy Parsons aboard the Qob in orbit. Our insertion point was a fjord approximately 220 kilometers north of Site #2, and approximately 10 kilometers east of an unknown Port City that was 190 kilometers east of Site #1; we would exit the shuttle 20 meters from shore. We were informed that we would have to climb cliffs in the area of the beach to proceed inland. At {HH:MM}, the Qob initiated radio silence due to the approach of a hostile vessel in the star system. At {HH:MM}, we exited the shuttle, made an uncontrolled assent to the surface and swam to shore south of the mouth of the fjord. I did not notice contacts in the immediate area. Upon arrival at the beach, Zaphod and I determined the best route up the cliffs. I took lead and Zaphod and I proceeded to free solo up the cliff face. After securing anchors at the top, I assisted Zaphod in setting up belay and returned to the base of the cliff to assist Chris, Pher and Sal with climbing the cliff. I then returned to the cliff top and we determined that we should leave my climbing gear in order to facilitate a quick retreat. At {HH:MM}, we proceeded west, inland on foot, toward the Port City and paralleling the fjord to the south.

 

At {HH:MM} Zaphod conducted an active tricorder scan of the area and informed us that the planetary sensor grid had detected his scan. Within approximately five minutes, we sighted three planetary defense drones approaching our position and took cover. The drones arrived on Zaphod’s previous position, but first appeared unable to determine the team’s exact locations after taking cover. At this point, Sal made a remark regarding the Zoalus language; Zaphod growled on two occasions; and Chris said to Zaphod, “Easy.” I noticed that the drones appeared to react specifically to these three members of the team by approaching and scanning their positions, but the drones appeared lose or end sensor contact once said team members ceased speaking. At approximately {HH:MM}, the drones ceased searching the area and appeared to follow our tracks toward the cliff.

 

At this time, Sal broke cover and said, “I have an idea. Sorry, everyone, if what I'm about to do doesn't work.” He then proceeded to attract drone attention by whistling and approaching their location. The drones reacted by appearing to scan in our direction, and then one drone (A) approached Sal while the remaining two (B and C) continued to scan in the direction of the cliff. After reaching Sal’s position, Drone A scanned him, but appeared unable to make a satisfactory sensor contact. It then appeared to notice Sal’s shadow and make a furtive movement. It fired at the shadow and appeared to use the resulting dust and smoke to determine Sal’s exact position, at which point, Drone B and C began moving back toward our position. Drone A attempted to shoot Sal, but Sal immediately ran and was not struck. Drone A appeared to track Sal’s retreat via his footprints and fired additional shots, but did not strike Sal. At this time, I noticed Zaphod break cover, appear to power up his phaser and ask for permission to return fire. The drones did not appear to detect Zaphod’s phaser in standby. Permission to fire was denied by Chris, and Zaphod powered down his weapon and returned to cover. Sal then said, “I guess it's smarter than I thought.” Sal took cover and Drone A appeared to lose his sensor contact. At this point, Sal attempted to touch Drone A and the drone reacted by changing its orientation to scan Sal’s new position. Chris said to Zaphod, “Tell him [sal] to remain still;” and Zaphod said to Sal, “Stay still. Lay low.” I noticed that Drone B reacted by scanning Chris’s position and Drone A reacted by scanning Zaphod’s position, while Drone C appeared to patrol the perimeter. Said team members ceased speaking and Drone A and Drone B continued to scan for approximately two minutes; then appeared unable to establish sensor contact. The three drones broke from our position toward the cliff and eventually disappeared in the direction of the beach below.

 

At {HH:MM}, the team regrouped and we determined an alternate exfiltration route to the shuttle. Sal also informed us that each drone possessed a control panel and that the ‘hats’ created by Troy had interfered with the drones’ sensors. At {HH:MM}, we proceeded west on our original heading. At {HH:MM}, we altered course and proceeded west-northwest toward the river that feeds the fjord, flowing east to west from the direction of the Port City.

 

Around {HH:MM} and 3 kilometers west of our insertion point, we sighted an additional drone (D). Drone D altered course to intercept us and we took cover. I turned off my radio at this time, suspecting it had attracted the drone. Drone D approached our position and appeared to accurately scan and determine the positions of Zaphod, Sal and myself; and scanned me for the longest period of time. The drone did not scan Pher or Chris. After scanning us, Drone D proceeded on its original course. Drone D’s instrumentation appeared to have been recently modified. At {HH:MM}, the team regrouped and proceeded on altered heading.

 

At approximately {HH:MM}, the team determined it was necessary to find shelter for the night as it was nearing dusk. The team moved to and made shelter in a building (A) built on the south river bank, approximately 2 kilometers from the Port City. (It was later discovered that Building A was a maintenance shed for the planetary defense drones.) We secured the building.

 

At about {HH:MM}, we discussed our situation and objectives. Pher said that Zaphod, Sal and I had “ticked them [the drones] off,” and the team leader directed the team to turn off all powered gear until further notice. We were further instructed to preapprove any action that would violate this directive. I agreed, saying, “You're right: the last contact was my fault. I left my radio on. Everything’s off now. Won't happen again." I fully complied with the directive at this time.

 

From {HH:MM} to sunrise at {HH:MM}, Zaphod stood watch outside Building A and stood watch inside. I possessed nightvision, but was unable to use it due to the directive concerning powered gear. At {HH:MM}, Zaphod entered the Building A to sleep while the remainder of the team stood watch.

 

At appoximately {HH:MM}, a drone entered Building A and Pher directed the team to make immediate egress. After exiting the Building A, we counted at least three dozen drones in the immediate area; they appeared to be maintaining the gardens around the local buildings. The drones did not appear to detect us as we moved away from the area.

 

Around {HH:MM}, the team leader instructed Sal to take point and choose a building to collect intel. Sal selected a building (B) approximately 500 meters to the southeast, as it was determined that drone activity in the area was minimal. During our approach of Building B, around {HH:MM}, we sighted Drone D and it appeared to briefly scan our position before proceeding on its previous course.

 

At about {HH:MM}, we arrived at Building B and Sal and Chris entered the building. Pher stood watch outside roughly five meters from the entrance of Building B; Zaphod at the southwest corner; and I stood watch at the northeast corner. At {HH:MM}, Sal apparently became lost inside Building B and Pher activated her ODRI to locate his signal and then entered Building B with Chris. Within approximately one minute, I sighted Drone D approaching our position from the east. At this time, Pher exited Building B and I noticed that Drone D appeared to stop and focus on her position. Feeling the team was in immediate danger, I disregarded the directive against powered gear; and turned on my radio in order to create a distraction and attract the drone to my position. The decoy appeared to work, as Drone D did move on my position, at which time I turned off my radio and expected Drone D to lose my sensor contact. However, Drone D remained on my position and proceeded to scan me. It then fired at me on stun, striking me with a precise shot in the abdomen below my plate carrier and I was rendered unconscious.

 

I awoke after about five minutes, face down and twenty meters west of my original position at the northeast corner of Building B. I discovered a drone had attached to my belt with its tentacle. It was inactive and had apparently been shot. A second drone (E) was attempting to carry the inactive drone from the location, however, the inactive drone was still attached to my belt and Drone E could not lift our combined weight. Drone E scanned my position, but did not appear to detect me. Unable to determine the cause of the extra weight, Drone E used its weapon to sever the tentacle that was attached to my belt and carried the inactive drone to an unknown location. I picked up the severed tentacle and delivered it to Sal, at which time the all team members entered Building B. I was medically checked by Chris and he determined I was not critically injured. We discussed our next objective and returning to the shuttle. Sal was given permission to activate his tricorder and collect data on Building B before we moved out.

 

Around {HH:MM}, the team sighted a large force of drones - including several modified drones - approaching our position at Building B from the Port City. Pher and Zaphod took defensive positions outside; I was directed to alert Chris and Sal and did so. Within a few minutes, the force of drones surrounded and began firing on Building B. There were concerns that the building would not withstand the attack and Chris ordered us to regroup outside. Again, disregarding the directive against powered gear, I threw an IR/S strobe toward the south in an attempt to distract the drones. It did not have an apparent effect; our actions appeared to be ignored. Chris, Sal and I exited Building B and headed east, regrouping with Pher and Zaphod and taking cover in a creek bed roughly ten meters from the building. It was immediately determined that the team should return to the shuttle. We followed the creek bed north toward the river, intending to follow the river toward the fjord.

 

At approximately {HH:MM}, I noticed that we were being followed by a detachment of roughly two dozen drones - some of which were modified. We halted to rest and I attempted to inform the team of contact, but the drones were on our position before we could move out. At this time, Pher said she would attempt opening a dialogue with the drones. She approached a modified drone (F) and said, “Do you guys watch B movies? If you want us somewhere, show us where;” further stating that she was providing them with English for their translators. Drone F replied, “Follow.” The team was then directed by Pher to follow the detachment of drones.

 

I broke cover to follow Pher and a second modified drone (G) approached me and said, “Follow.” As instructed, I followed drone G. Chris objected to my actions and I explained that I was following the instructions given to me. I continued following Drone G for roughly ten meters, at which time I was stunned in the back by a third drone and rendered unconscious.

 

At about {HH:MM}, I regained consciousness in the Capricorn transporter room.

 

 

Based on my observations as documented in this report; it is my opinion that powered devices fitted with electromagnetic shielding do not emit sufficient electromagnetic signatures in ‘standby’ or ‘passive’, to register on the sensors or threat indicators of modified or unmodified defense drones. This could provide an advantage for future teams and expeditions. However, I do not recommend future insertions on Zoalus unless countermeasures can be obtained against what I suspect are the video or holographic processing capabilities of the modified drones; or the drones can be completely deactivated.

Edited September 12, 2011 by Ethan Neufeld