Battlefield Report: Recommendation for Sector Protocol Revision
Observer: Psionic Vanguard Unit U5-72C
Engagement Zone: Northern Containment Outpost 14-Bila
Timestamp: [Redacted]
Subject: Incident Involving Psionic Anomaly
— Operational Aftermath
Summary:
The engagement I observed from my position revealed the immense risk of deploying clone personnel in proximity to the psionic anomaly.
Seven psionic combatants two Adepts and five Vanguards were neutralized, but the cost to surrounding forces and the local etheric plane itself was catastrophic. The event demonstrated that standard containment and combat protocols are wholly inadequate when facing such phenomena.
The anomaly’s presence amplified etheric instability across a vast radius, overwhelming even experienced psionics. My position, though distant, was pulled into the etheric plane’s chaotic currents. The anomaly not only distorted the mental realm but exerted a cascading effect that destabilized nearby personnel, breaking their cohesion and rendering them liabilities.
As the engagement escalated, it became clear that the anomaly’s influence was a destructive feedback loop. Raw energy storms, and fractures in the etheric plane obliterated any chance of a stable operation.
Clone personnel caught in the anomaly’s radius suffered catastrophic psychological damage, including convulsions, catatonia, and violent psychosis. Command units confirmed that several had to be euthanized to prevent further casualties.
Based on the events I witnessed, I strongly advise an immediate revision of operational protocols in sectors where such anomalies are present. Clones should be withdrawn entirely from the sector, and operations should be conducted exclusively through droid and mechanized units equipped with psi-resistant augmentations.
Justification for Droids:
1. Immunity to Etheric Instability:
Droids are immune to the cascading effects of etheric feedback and the mental strain that overwhelmed organic personnel. Their neural cores can be reinforced with psi-dampening constructs, allowing them to operate effectively in environments that would otherwise incapacitate clone forces.
2. Scalable Deployment:
Mechanized units can be deployed en masse without risking morale or psychological integrity. In the event of significant damage or destruction, droids are replaceable assets, minimizing operational and clone costs.
3. Operational Precision:
Droids can be programmed to react with precision and speed in environments saturated with psychic interference. Their processing capabilities allow them to navigate chaotic scenarios without succumbing to panic or disorientation.
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4. Risk Mitigation:
Removing of clone personnel from the battlefield eliminates the anomaly’s ability to exploit minds as weapons. Etheric phenomena have no effect on droid units beyond technical disruptions, which are far easier to contain than widespread mental collapse.
Proposed Action Plan:
Phase I: Deploy specialized droid units equipped with psi-dampening technologies for recon and containment in affected sectors.
Phase II: Begin withdrawal of clone personnel from high-risk zones. Establish remote command stations outside the anomaly’s effective range.
Phase III: Evaluate the effectiveness of droid-exclusive operations and refine tactics for etheric anomalies.
Conclusion:
The incident at Outpost 14-Bila demonstrated the unacceptable risk of deploying clone forces in proximity to the psionic anomaly. The survival of personnel and the stability of the etheric plane cannot be guaranteed under current protocols. Transitioning to droid-based operations is the only viable solution to ensure containment and minimize casualties.
I urge Command to act swiftly in implementing these changes. The price of inaction will be measured in lives and the further degradation of both the etheric plane and our operational capabilities.
Observer's Note:
I will report for a full psychological evaluation. Though my field held during the engagement, the aftermath has left lingering instability in my mental constructs. The screams of those seven psionics are not easily forgotten.
Submitted By:
Psionic Vanguard Unit U5-72C
Command Directive: Continuation of Operations in Anomaly-Affected Zones
From: Central Command, Psionic Operations Division
To: All Field Units Operating in Containment Zones
Subject: Operational Continuity Directive — Clone Deployment Protocol
Report Summary:
The engagement at Outpost 14-Bila and subsequent observations have highlighted the extreme risks posed by the psionic anomaly. While these risks are noted, the current strategic value of operations in the anomaly-affected zones outweighs the potential losses. The deployment of organic personnel, particularly cloned units, will continue until a loss threshold deemed operationally acceptable is reached.
Directive Details:
1. Clone Utilization:
Clone units will be deployed in greater numbers to reinforce operations. Their expendability and rapid production cycles make them a practical resource for high-risk engagements. Cloned personnel are to be prioritized for frontline positions within the anomaly's radius.
2. Loss Thresholds:
An acceptable loss ratio has been established for each engagement. Command will monitor losses in real-time; should thresholds be exceeded, immediate evaluation of strategy and resource allocation will occur.
3. Rationale for Continuation:
Strategic Priority: The anomaly zone contains assets and phenomena critical to ongoing etheric research and containment efforts. Abandoning these zones is not an option.
Resource Efficiency: Cloned personnel reduce the psychological and logistical strain on standard forces, enabling continued operations without compromising broader campaigns.
Operational Insight: Further engagements will provide valuable data on anomaly behaviour, aiding in the development of countermeasures and future protocols.
4. Support Enhancements:
Psi-dampening fields will be deployed to mitigate etheric instability, though effectiveness remains limited.
Increased deployment of auxiliary mechanized units will provide additional support and reduce reliance on standard human personnel.
Operational Note:
Command acknowledges the risks inherent in this directive but reiterates the importance of securing anomaly-affected zones for the greater strategic picture. Cloned units are a controlled and expendable resource, and their sacrifice ensures the survival and effectiveness of standard forces for long-term campaigns.
Unit commanders are instructed to ensure morale remains stable among non-clone personnel by emphasizing the necessity and value of these operations.
Signed:
Central Command, Psionic Operations Division
“Through sacrifice, victory is forged.”