Meganesia Production and Construction Cooperation – Task group 362 – Executive Officer – Task leader Burke, Randolph.
Staff: 40 Technical personnel, Security detachment, Driver and maintenance crew. 60 Indentured Servants (ID).
Objective: Construction and Setup of Burh 19. Task Group 362 will be deployed to the NT in accordance to order 36372_A with immediate effect. Your task is to set up and construct BURH 19 within the specified time frame of 32 weeks. Additional personal and resources as required will be provided by regional command, place re ad appendix.
Location: Abandoned mine shaft formerly operated by (redacted) coordinates (redacted) Northern Territory – Protectorate of Meganesia
Hazards: Extreme temperatures during drought period surpassing 50 degree Celsius, lack of surface water sources, lack of infrastructure, potentially dangerous wildlife class three. Undetermined contamination level of ground water by fracking fluids. Present low risk of Sino-terrorism in the region.
Personal Log Burke, R. 0460205 XO Task group 362 23rd of December:
I have received my new orders, our task is to set up another BURH, this time in the middle of nowhere in the NT zone. The Intel is sketchy at best, half a page with lots of blanks, this smells fishy, looks like HQ hasn’t come clean. We are approaching the dry season, expected surface temperatures exceeding 50 degrees, unclear threats by wildlife? What is class three referring to? Dingo’s? Need to consult with the headmaster. The security situation is described as stable, I have heard that before. I’m not too concerned about the contamination, after that last trip to Sydney it can’t be that bad. We will need extra water rations though and water filter tablets. Received a new batch of draftees as well as a full complement of ID’s. Mostly German refugees, they can’t speak English but apparently are more skilled than the last batch. This brings the Task Group back to full strength. I will request additional personal in accordance with the difficult circumstances and the time frame, we need more labor. I have 60 IDs, 20 guards, 10 technicians, 5 mechanics, 3 drivers, 2 medics. Transit will take us a week, setting up camp and preliminary work will take us another. That leaves us with 30 weeks to conduct the actual construction. Even under perfect conditions with no issues whatsoever we will be working day and night. Will include full memo with first report to headmaster on sight. B.R.
Personal Log Burke, R. 0460205 XO Task group 362 26th of December:
Arrived in NT, equipment and construction materials are as specified delivered to regional HQ. I was unable to see the headmaster, the guy in charge an uptight federal army Major by the name of Barnes was not cooperative to say the least. He neither seemed interested in my mission nor would he provide any Intel on the region. My security clearance was not “sufficient” he stated. I will file a complaint to the headmaster how am I supposed to do my job if I am not aware of potential threats? At least they finally told us where exactly to go, proceeding in mot-march to destination. Some long-abandoned mining operation in the Simpson desert.
Personal Log Burke, R. 0460205 XO Task group 362 28th of December:
Arrived on location. Unable to obtain comm-link with regional HQ, long range transmitter installation will be given priority. Lost a tractor 10 miles back on the track. Apparently, the gearbox broke, chief engineer Sinner listed possible causes as material fatigue, contamination or potential sabotage. I will have the mechanical team conduct a full investigation once we retrieved the vehicle. I have ordered two guards to stay with the driver. Unfortunately, they will have to make due for a night.
Personal Log Burke, R. 0460205 XO Task group 362 29th of December:
Inspection of the mine shaft postponed due to extensive collapse. According to our tunneling expert it was most likely a deliberate act and not due to structural decay. Instead we conducted a wide sweep of the area, the valley is narrow and is flanked by steep hills, the access road is in poor condition. No significant vegetation or animals to speak of. We have not passed a settlement nor seen any human activity in the area either. I was hoping to do some bartering with the locals and if need be acquiring additional workforce. The sight is in general unremarkable, one small building at the entrance, probably used as a control post, a large storage and maintenance facility with two stories. We can house our technical staff there and should be able to fix electricity quite easily. A secondary smaller two-story structure is at the head of the valley, most likely used as the administrative center. I will set up our HQ there. The place seems to be abandoned for quite some time the structures are structural sound although lack any comfort and need to be rewired entirely, so far, no traces or hints of what this supposed mining operation was conducting. No Ore, no processing, just general maintenance equipment, a derelict bulldozer that looks like from the 1940s, as well as five 90 octane gasoline barrels still sealed. This could proof very useful I haven’t seen such high-quality fuel since my childhood. Finally, there are two storage or loading ports with concrete roofs but no walls upheld by concrete columns on each side. I have decided to house or IDs there, should be plenty of space. We will construct makeshift walls with fences boards and sheet metal.
Personal Log Burke, R. 0460205 XO Task group 362 29th of December Addendum:
The detachment to recover the tractor has returned. Our men were attacked last night by a creature of unknown origin. One guard was killed and the other two men severely injured by what they describe as a giant Tasmanian devil. Furthermore, we were unable to recover the tractor. The ground gave way under its weight and it is now stuck in a deep ditch. I will send a team to unload the cargo first thing in the morning. Any night activity has to be ceased until we figure out what the hell happened.
