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'''Fleet Communication Protocols''' are the standardized naming and transmission procedures used by the [[Planetary Union]] Fleet in ''[[The Crypt]]'' series. These protocols help ensure clarity and coordination during ship-to-ship, fighter, and boarding operations — particularly in dense battlespaces or missions involving multiple capital vessels, voidcraft, and support teams.

== Voidcraft Communications ==

Fleet voidcraft such as the [[GU-44 Ochthera]] and [[U-90 Sentinel]] follow a standardized comms protocol based on class, origin, and mission type.

=== Individual Operation Naming Convention ===
Used when voidcraft operate independently from a single capital ship or base.

* Format: <class> + <local number>
* Example: ''Crawler One'' (the first Ochthera assigned to the PUV ''Keeling'')

=== Group Operation Naming Convention ===
Used when voidcraft operate in task groups or multi-ship operations.

* Format: <mothership/base short code> + <class> + <local number>
* Example: ''Crawler Kilo-Echo-One''
** "Kilo-Echo" is the short code for the PUV ''Keeling''

=== Mission-Based Suffixes ===
Suffixes indicate a voidcraft’s specific mission role in complex engagements. These are only used when multiple craft of the same class are operating with differing assignments.

* Example: ''Sentinel Alpha-Kilo-Three Razor''
* Format: <base code> + <class> + <number> + <suffix>
* Example breakdown:
** ''Sentinel'': Class name (U-90 Interceptor)
** ''Alpha-Kilo'': Mothership short code for the PUV ''Akathaso''
** ''Three'': Local assignment number
** ''Razor'': Mission suffix indicating deep penetration

=== Mission Suffix Key ===
These suffixes are only used in engagements with high craft volume or mixed-mission sorties.

* ''Noise'' — Electronic warfare
* ''Carton'' — Troop transport and assault
* ''Dump'' — Mine laying
* ''Needle'' — Boarding troop insertion
* ''Blast'' — Counter-air operations
* ''Jolly'' — Search and rescue
* ''Razor'' — Deep penetration strike
* ''Shield'' — Counter-boarding or defensive intercept

== Current Voidcraft Types in Use ==

* [[GU-44 APC %22Ochthera%22]]: Multi-role armored personnel carrier
** Typical callsign: ''Crawler''
* [[U-90 Interceptor %22Sentinel%22]]: Interceptor voidcraft
** Typical callsign: ''Sentinel''

== Short Code Assignment ==

Fleet comms assign each ship or base a two-letter short code for quick tactical communication.

* Example: ''Kilo-Echo'' = PUV ''Keeling''
* Example: ''Alpha-Kilo'' = PUV ''Akathaso''
* These short codes appear in callouts, mission logs, and tactical broadcast ID

== Use of Protocols ==

* All comms — including verbal, broadcast, and text logs — use this format.
* Mission suffixes are only included when tactically necessary (e.g., an active carrier group using multiple voidcraft types with distinct objectives).
* Smaller deployments, like the PUV ''Keeling'' with only two voidcraft, often omit suffixes for brevity.

== See Also ==
* [[Fleet Contact Management System (CMS)]]

[[Category:The Crypt]]
[[Category:Planetary Union Fleet]]
[[Category:Fleet Protocols]]