Destroyer Shillelagh

CLASS: Scylla

CREW: CLASSIFIED

ARMAMENT: CLASSIFIED

The Shillelagh is one of the few Scylla class destroyers produced at Foyle Shipyard. Over recent years it has operated as a commerce raider in New London and Manchester, before being recalled to Dublin in 831 AS. With the Mollys preparing to take action aboard Graves Station, the Shillelagh was to play a critical role in the second phase of their plan to capture the system.

Molly leaders believed that an independent Dublin could never be secured while the New London jump gate remained intact and Armed Forces reinforcements had unimpeded access to the system. The jump gate itself was heavily protected by the Battleship Essex and its support fleet, which would normally make a direct attack impossible.

Following the mutiny aboard Graves and the public execution of a number of BMM executives, the Essex was forced to intervene immediately. With Graves under Molly control and the Essex deployed to the edge of the Founder's Gold Field, a once in a lifetime opportunity was available; the Shillelagh and all of the Molly reserves were committed to a win or die assault.

The Shillelagh's escort incurred heavy casualties fighting through the battle hardened but outnumbered squadrons the Essex had left to guard the jump gate. Once a path had been cleared through this rearguard, the Shillelagh towed an enormous demolition mine into place and affixed it to the superstructure. The resulting explosion shattered the outer gate housing, destabilizing the gate core.

To avoid being cut off in Dublin, the Essex issued an immediate evacuation order. The survivors of the Molly diversion force and Shillelagh squadrons attempted to intercept the fleet as it withdrew, but were unable to prevent its escape to New London before the gate core detonated. The Shillelagh itself took heavy damage from the Essex's gunners before being forced to retreat.

## News

While this troubling trend is observed throughout the Sirius colonies, Liberty is bearing the brunt of the crisis among the four major Houses. Remarkably, even Rheinland, where historical data indicated low Cardamine consumption, has witnessed a notable rise in medical cases linked to the illicit narcotic. Experts postulate that the extensive black market responsible for Cardamine distribution might be facing a shortage, or worse, that Outcast factions deliberately curtail the supply to bolster demand. Regrettably, no law enforcement agency has been available for comment on these concerns.
The long-standing debate over Cardamine's controversial nature, juxtaposing its euphoric and purported medicinal qualities with the genetic alterations it inflicts upon long-term users, continues to echo. A key point of contention revolves around the plight of innocent consumers caught in this crisis. Yet, according to independent polls, a substantial majority of our viewers maintains that the substance must remain banned.
In response to this escalating crisis, Cryer Pharmaceuticals has announced a forthcoming press conference. During the event, the company intends to unveil plans for an expanded production of Stabiline, their touted "wonder drug". This announcement promises affordable access to Stabiline for all patients grappling with Cardamine withdrawal, sparking a remarkable 15%% surge in Cryer Pharmaceuticals' stock following the revelation.

Professor Nagel and her team are certain the Pulse originated from outside Sirius, but are otherwise no closer to identifying its source or mitigating a future Blackout event. "Following the Blackout, we began to see immediate signs of jump hole destabilization in multiple different regions, with many ultimately falling out of phase alignment altogether", she commented. The dramatic upending of Sirius' jump hole network has already prompted many groups to abandon stations and withdraw from systems that appear to risk being cut off.
While months-long trips between the stars are possible thanks to the Liberty Engine and many centuries of innovation, few ships are designed or provisioned to make such arduous journeys. Those who were displaced by Sirius' redrawn map hope that system connections will return, while adventurers and explorers rush to discover new routes.

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Starved of the bloody Gold they use to subsidize their repression, Bretonia announced its withdrawal from Poole in a bloodless victory for the Mollys. All Poole's liberation required was patience - simply to wait for DSE to finish disassembling the jump gate. Sadly, these aspirations have turned sour with the destabilization of the Dublin jump hole, and signs that the Cambridge and Omega 48 jump holes will soon follow suit.

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If these jump holes fail, our people will be cut off and stranded to starve. We cannot risk such a disaster in this critical stage of our fight for freedom. Colraine has issued evacuation orders to Kilrea and Garvagh. Mull Base has offered to provide transports to assist with extraction to Lisburn Rock in Cambridge.
We will monitor this space; As soon as the jump holes return, so shall we.

## Rumors

*NOTE: Page generated on the 28/10/2023 at 17:59:45 UTC*