April 14th, 8252

You nod in satisfaction at the reports awaiting your signature on the display before you. The damage report from Midshipman Huckle is not intentionally damming, but pulls no punches as to the fact that the warp screens suffered a flutter event, and a serious one at that, not even three days after a refit period. And after the Celesmore yards had either ignored or dismissed requests from both the Night Horse's engineering department and Captain for the drive installation to be examined. You don't expect heads to roll over this, the signatures releasing the Night Horse back to active service are from officers too senior and entrenched to be so easily displaced, but it is evidence to your case that the Kleinova drive is demonstrably not ready for mass production or deployment in it's current configuration.

The survey report for the Cloudbury system is a much more interesting read.

TO: SURVEYOR'S CORPS (Celesmore System)

STAR SYSTEM: CLOUDBURY

PIRMARY STAR:

Designation: Cloudbury. Classification: unknown. Star falls within the volume, mass, and general luminosity for a mid-life main sequence star but appears purple in the visual spectrum. More though investigation is required by a dedicated 'stellar diver' equipped science ship.

INNER CAULDRON:

No major stellar objects are present within this region of the Cloudbury system. However this region of space is subject to frequent radiation bursts and solar flares from the primary star as well as shifting gravity tides. Ships navigating this region of space should exercise appropriate levels of caution.

PRIMARY BIOSPHERE:

The unusually close orbits and large masses of the planets and moons in the Cloudbury system's primary biosphere results in strong gravity tides at times of conjunction. While not strong enough to damage a ship they can and will alter ship vectors if the helmsman is caught unawares.

Cloudbury 1 is notably ovoid in shape though the cause of this is unknown. It is below average planetary volume but sufficiently dense to generate a 1.8 g gravity field and capture an atmosphere dense enough to drink. Almost literally: the high surface temperatures combined with significant surface water result in constant rain. Plentiful industrial metals deposits noted.

Cloudbury 1-1 is a large asteroid captured in a decaying orbit around Cloudbury 1. It is calculated that it will not remain in orbit for more then six months from the date of this report as it is already scraping the upper edges of Cloudbury 1's atmosphere.

Cloudbury 2 is a potential teraforming candidate. It is a large and dense world with a surface gravity of 1.23g, above human norm, but it's atmosphere is already human-breathable. Surface temperatures can be described as warm to hot depending on planetary region. Detected resources include plentiful industrial metals and ornamental materials as well as major deposits of radioactive isotopes. Of note are the abandoned ruins of an unknown humanoid species. Surface landings and preliminary investigations indicate that this species possessed a tech base undergoing an industrial revolution. Evidence present indicates electrical power generation facilities but no widespread power distribution network. Likewise there is evidence of early chemical powered firearms and metallic armor being used in parallel.

Cloudbury 2-1 is not only a habitable moon but an inhabited one. Of above-average size and gravity, it possesses a human breathable atmosphere and sufficient water to be considered a verdant, temperate world. Orbital scans have identified the following unique species of flora and fauna: a primitive (tribal-era) species of humanoid bio forms, two unique species of tree,one of which has been observed moving at a swift walking pace, an apex predator whose pelt and tusks the local sentient population values highly, two further species of non-apex predators, three species of mega fauna, one of which is possessed of iridescent, pearlescent scales, two highly toxic Toxicofera species, one serpentine and one quadrupedal, a species of rodent noted to group together in enormous swarms, three species of avians, and a herd best that the local people have begun to domesticate. Major deposits of industrial materials and significant qualities of ornamental materials in addition to the significant volume of valuable biological materials. Notably extraction of resources is expected to be difficult due to presence of local sentient bio forms. See Surveyor's Corps regulation regarding non-interference with developing sentient species.

Cloudbury 2-2 is similar to Cloudbury 2-1 in that it is a large high gravity moon. The atmosphere is dense but human breathable, the temperature is tropical and the flora tends towards large species. Three such unique species have been identified along with a predator species, two avian species, a scavenger, and three separate species of heard beasts. There are minimal ornamental materials available per the orbital scan, mostly unique woods, but there are plentiful radioactive isotope deposits, and limited exotic semi-precious stones.

OUTER REACHES:

The outer reaches of the Cloudbury system is relatively unremarkable aside form a series of dust clouds. They are rather spectacular to view when back lit by the system's star.

SIGNED: CAPT Lawrence Warde, Commanding, HMSCS Night Horse.

Satisfied you append the direct sensor recordings, apply your signatures and transmit both your reports. A few moments later you receive the automated announcement the both of your midshipmen have been awarded four hundred and forty six credits each and that your own share has been automatically deposited into your investment account.