USF Progenitor & Crew: Adventures in Cosmos 01

[#20] Like Old Times

On the Rosemary OR (Outer Ring) Policing Frigate, Space Force Police Covenant (SFPC) of the Han-Zhu Xo-Ming-Ma Foxtrot Star System under shared Space Forces control.
"Where's the target now?" Urged Lt. Marjoram, a heavyset man, light-brown skin, with white and black short hair.

His comms reported: Negative visual, sir. They weren't where we thought they would be, lieutenant, sir. Over.

"That's bullsh$t! That's such f$cking- gaaaAAAAH!!" Lt. Marjoram set his communicator to the side for a moment, reeling in only anger and frustration. He looked to his side at the report documents on his computer display. His comms went off again.

Sorry, LT. The good news is, we're in the fairway, on this. If I'm allowed to say that. Over.

"I don't- really care, Sergeant. We came this close to catching that f$cker and he wasn't at the- fff$cking- GaaaAAWD!! Tell me! Seargant, tell me! He wasn't at the f$cking hit spot?!"
The comms went silent, and Lt. Marjoram was suffering. The operation was turning into a huge migraine. He calculated the patterns, the algorithms, and the tactical maneuvering of their target, using numerous and accurate reports, following all updates on descriptions of the target, leaving nothing to chance of vagueness in the wake of their search. It became a manhunt.
"You sent another unit, this report says. You did that- what. Three hours ago. And what happened? Where are they now? Over."

They're scouting Mr. X's last known location, and they haven't reported anything about it yet, sir. Over.

Lt. Marjoram scratched his eyebrow, blinking profusely. He scratched his head on its right side. He felt like he was chasing a phantom from a past life, and that it was taunting and haunting him. He transmitted, "Is the target aware of our presence there? Has he been aware? Over."

Negative. Not that we're aware of. They were on track for immediate termination with their manager, and when we arrived to the hit spot, the target, Mr. X, was already escaped. We were tracking him and his people, and then communication errors happened all across the grid. We sought advisory from the inhouse security department, and they were radio silent for over three STs. Over.

"Status on you and your squad, Sergeant. What is your plan of action?" Lt. Marjoram demanded. The radio fell silent for a few seconds. "Sergeant Potts, now your current location and plan of action? I would like that delivered to me. Verbally. Over."

I am planning to intervene with the target when they return to the hit spot, and overall we are currently planning to use other venues to funnel the target and any other hostiles into a situation. We're going to use a web trap. We are working on IDing the other suspects with him that we have deemed as accomplices, as well. At this time, the accomplices are unknown, and Mr. X remains at large somewhere in the mining facility. How copy?

Lt. Marjoram got testy. His impatience rooted deeper, unsettling him from his usual entitlement to success. "Well, that's a mouthful, genius. And I better hear back from you every half cycle on our tick. If you even so much as plan on changing anything or deviating from your plan of action, you report it to me immediately, without a second thought. Without- a second- thought. Do you read me lima charlie, over?"

You got it, sir. Uhhh, affirm. We are leaving and moving in on the mining facility. Our other squad unit, Echo One, will be searching quadrant by quadrant, using an advanced algorithm movement. When we receive more details, I'll have them reported to you. We are also apparently having some frequency disruption that's limiting our comms range. Plan of action. Utilizing system emergency channels until communication is stable, sir. Over.