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Entry One
November 10, 4432 OER (Old Earth Reckoning)
Tellus Research, Cantus F-3
I woke up this morning having cried in my sleep, a common occurrence this past week. I quietly ordered a warm meal from the local food dispenser, and retreated to a computer console to check my mail, hoping desperately that perhaps one of my communications to my dear Yukinari had gotten through; I even have dared hope that I might have received a response from him. As I have slowly become to expect, but not yet come to accept, nothing I send will make it to him. Either he has deactivated his mail account or someone is blocking it deliberately from the outside.
Having brought my combat license levels to the brink of being able to buy a level 4 license, I spent the rest of the morning taking out my pent-up stress on rogue TyCorp Assaults near Oscree Gardens, a favorite haunt of Yukinari and I. How he loved calling it Octree Gardens! That was his favorite joke; he based it on the errors we used to find during our pilot simulator days. When I destroyed the last TyCorp I needed for my license, I retreated to the first place where I ever set foot in space, Eo's Garden. I briefly visited family and friends in my hometown of Sirens Call as I stopped in the capital city to take the test to qualify to upgrade my license. None of them had heard about my recent loss, and so, were much confused by my unusual depressed state.
I also took the time to visit Eilon's grave while in the capital. While there, I spent an hour meditating with the monks in order to clear my mind. Unfortunately, I left with a more congested consciousness than I had arrived with.
I returned this evening to Tellus Research after destroying a few more TyCorp Assaults with my newly acquired plasma devestator cannon. Soon I will be able to leave Itani space and head out towards the UIT Senate, where I should be able to acquire some information on Yukinari's last known location. (I recall in one of his more recent letters that he liked to patrol the wormhole to the Dau system in Azek J-1. I'm putting my hunches on that being where I'll have to go next.)
To end this day, I studied combat theory for transport craft such as the Atlas or Centaur. Due to my current license levels, it would currently be much more efficient (both mass and money-wise) to equip only one weapon or none at all if I were flying in friendly space now that I have the ability to fly on afterburners for an indefinite length of time. I will have to experiment.
It is getting late. More tomorrow or at some other time.
This document is presented as-is, and TPG Corp. and its subsidiaries hold no responsibility for the historical, legal, or grammatical accuracy of this document. Please contact your local PublicNet Admin if you have questions or comments about the Nets, or the author ( http://www.vendetta-online.com/x/msgboard/7/6936#87021 ) of this document if you have questions or comments about the document itself.
Entry One
November 10, 4432 OER (Old Earth Reckoning)
Tellus Research, Cantus F-3
I woke up this morning having cried in my sleep, a common occurrence this past week. I quietly ordered a warm meal from the local food dispenser, and retreated to a computer console to check my mail, hoping desperately that perhaps one of my communications to my dear Yukinari had gotten through; I even have dared hope that I might have received a response from him. As I have slowly become to expect, but not yet come to accept, nothing I send will make it to him. Either he has deactivated his mail account or someone is blocking it deliberately from the outside.
Having brought my combat license levels to the brink of being able to buy a level 4 license, I spent the rest of the morning taking out my pent-up stress on rogue TyCorp Assaults near Oscree Gardens, a favorite haunt of Yukinari and I. How he loved calling it Octree Gardens! That was his favorite joke; he based it on the errors we used to find during our pilot simulator days. When I destroyed the last TyCorp I needed for my license, I retreated to the first place where I ever set foot in space, Eo's Garden. I briefly visited family and friends in my hometown of Sirens Call as I stopped in the capital city to take the test to qualify to upgrade my license. None of them had heard about my recent loss, and so, were much confused by my unusual depressed state.
I also took the time to visit Eilon's grave while in the capital. While there, I spent an hour meditating with the monks in order to clear my mind. Unfortunately, I left with a more congested consciousness than I had arrived with.
I returned this evening to Tellus Research after destroying a few more TyCorp Assaults with my newly acquired plasma devestator cannon. Soon I will be able to leave Itani space and head out towards the UIT Senate, where I should be able to acquire some information on Yukinari's last known location. (I recall in one of his more recent letters that he liked to patrol the wormhole to the Dau system in Azek J-1. I'm putting my hunches on that being where I'll have to go next.)
To end this day, I studied combat theory for transport craft such as the Atlas or Centaur. Due to my current license levels, it would currently be much more efficient (both mass and money-wise) to equip only one weapon or none at all if I were flying in friendly space now that I have the ability to fly on afterburners for an indefinite length of time. I will have to experiment.
It is getting late. More tomorrow or at some other time.
Entry Two
November 13, 4432 OER
Siren's Call, Eo
These past few days have been rather busy. I spent most of the early morning on the 11th sleeping, and then worked license levels up to 5/6/5/4, at which point I made the daring move of leaving Itani space. My first stop was Verasi I-5, where I picked up a cargo shipment to Dau. I spent most of the day running cargo around Union space for The Propeller Group Corporation. Oddly enough, I encountered no hostile activity in Azek J-1, more commonly known as Cargo Collection Central to the Syndicate, a favorite haunt of pirates and Syndicate personnel. Much time was spent traveling through that particular sector as I ran errands for TPG. I spent the evening in Sedina V Hold searching the ship registries for Yukinari's ship, the "Kirie". I spent almost the entire night looking for it, but found nothing before I went to sleep.
I spent the afternoon yesterday taking out more TyCorps as well as doing more work for TPG. I did manage, soon after I woke up, to come across a lead on Yukinari's last known position. This line of text from the registry read as follows:
SHIP: Kirie... REG: Yukinari Sasaki... TYPE: Warthog MkIII... DEST: Fenhall Mining (Orion), Azek I-4... TIME: 10/31/4432
I assumed from that one line that my dearest had returned to Azek one last time before disappearing, so with that I tore across open "grey" space, narrowly avoiding a Serco convoy on my way. I found upon my arrival no trace of his existence; and this was enough to cause me to give up temporarily. As mentioned before, I had spent the day destroying rogue drones and doing cargo runs for TPG. I eventually earned a level 6 heavy weapons license and a level 5 trade license, at which point I made my way back to Edras to take the appropriate tests.
I slept at Eo's Welcome last night. I was unpleasantly notified this morning that it was my turn for the border patrol, so I made all haste to the Deneb system.
When I arrived at Ellias' Stand, I was ordered to Deneb E-7, where I faced three different Serco pilots who had managed to get by the Goliath Cannon. All three of them (Broma-Cho Koshick, Ostala Tudala, and Eckello Slano) fell to my neutron blasters, after putting up a courageous and honorable battle. (Honorable is a bit of a stretch, as a pair of Orne Guardian drones were on my tail at the same time I was combating the Serco pilots.
I retreated home, and took the time to visit. My sister, Maharu, was overjoyed to see me, and offered me a place to stay for the night. So here I am.
November 13, 4432 OER
Siren's Call, Eo
These past few days have been rather busy. I spent most of the early morning on the 11th sleeping, and then worked license levels up to 5/6/5/4, at which point I made the daring move of leaving Itani space. My first stop was Verasi I-5, where I picked up a cargo shipment to Dau. I spent most of the day running cargo around Union space for The Propeller Group Corporation. Oddly enough, I encountered no hostile activity in Azek J-1, more commonly known as Cargo Collection Central to the Syndicate, a favorite haunt of pirates and Syndicate personnel. Much time was spent traveling through that particular sector as I ran errands for TPG. I spent the evening in Sedina V Hold searching the ship registries for Yukinari's ship, the "Kirie". I spent almost the entire night looking for it, but found nothing before I went to sleep.
I spent the afternoon yesterday taking out more TyCorps as well as doing more work for TPG. I did manage, soon after I woke up, to come across a lead on Yukinari's last known position. This line of text from the registry read as follows:
SHIP: Kirie... REG: Yukinari Sasaki... TYPE: Warthog MkIII... DEST: Fenhall Mining (Orion), Azek I-4... TIME: 10/31/4432
I assumed from that one line that my dearest had returned to Azek one last time before disappearing, so with that I tore across open "grey" space, narrowly avoiding a Serco convoy on my way. I found upon my arrival no trace of his existence; and this was enough to cause me to give up temporarily. As mentioned before, I had spent the day destroying rogue drones and doing cargo runs for TPG. I eventually earned a level 6 heavy weapons license and a level 5 trade license, at which point I made my way back to Edras to take the appropriate tests.
I slept at Eo's Welcome last night. I was unpleasantly notified this morning that it was my turn for the border patrol, so I made all haste to the Deneb system.
When I arrived at Ellias' Stand, I was ordered to Deneb E-7, where I faced three different Serco pilots who had managed to get by the Goliath Cannon. All three of them (Broma-Cho Koshick, Ostala Tudala, and Eckello Slano) fell to my neutron blasters, after putting up a courageous and honorable battle. (Honorable is a bit of a stretch, as a pair of Orne Guardian drones were on my tail at the same time I was combating the Serco pilots.
I retreated home, and took the time to visit. My sister, Maharu, was overjoyed to see me, and offered me a place to stay for the night. So here I am.
Before I post, I would like to add that you are welcome to make a quick comment or suggestion in this thread, and apologise for my absence.
====================
Entry 3
December 1, 4432 OER
Jallik Watch, Jallik E-15
I spent a week on Eo with my sister. We enjoyed ourselves, mostly occupying our time by mining in the outer asteroid belts together. During this time, Maharu managed to coerce out of me the information about why I was wandering about the known universe. This following conversation occurred while we were mining for Lanthanic ore in the Ramarak belt:
<Excerpt from Kareepan intercom logs>
Maharu: Why did you leave home so suddenly, Miha? You were so happy.
Me: Thats none of your business.
Maharu: Of course it is, Miharu! You completely threw the family into confusion when you left! We were scared! Why would you go without leaving behind a note of some kind? You left us nothing! No leads, no ideas of where you might have gone!
Me: You really want to know? Yukinari disappeared without a trace within his own patrol areas. Ive been busy figuring out where he has been, and could possibly have gone. Im settling at the moment for having been taken by UIT authorities, and I am prepared to go in there to bail him out if necessary.
Maharu: Yukinari? You mean that young man you brought home to visit a month ago?
Me: Yes. Who else? I've never brought home anyone else before.
Maharu: Dont be rude to me, Miharu. All you had to do was tell your family that your boyfriend had gone missing and we would have been trying to help you. We can do something, as much as you doubt our ability to do so. I would even put in a request to the IDC if you wanted.
Me: Which is exactly what I dont want. Yukinari is the leader of the Syndicate, a pirate guild. I dont think he'd appreciate being picked up by the Itani military, even if it were a rescue attempt.
Maharu: Now Im curious. How exactly did you fall [in love] with a pirate?
Me: He wasn't a pirate when we met! He became one after pilot school, sometime in late September to early October.
Maharu: And you still kept seeing him?
Me: Yes.
Maharu: (pause) I'm ashamed, Miharu. A pirate? You could have made a better decision.
Me: Maharu, thats some rash talk coming from someone who spends all day at home primping herself up instead of going out to actually meet a man. At least I have someone to love, who loves me in return!
Maharu: (silence)
Me: Nothing to say for yourself, eh? When I see you with a boyfriend, much less a husband, I will respect your advice and judgment in this field. Until then, you may observe, but not judge. I don't want your opinions when you have no experience to back them up.
Maharu: Miharu, we only want you to come home. Let the government do the searching. Please.
Me: I'll come home when I see fit, whether I see that to be a week from now, or even a year from now.
<End of log due to deactivation of intercom systems>
I brought Maharu home, and decided to leave Itani space again. I took my time in returning to UIT space, where I continued mining for several days before returning to Jallik to check the news. I have heard no news of Yukinari since my discovery of his last destination, and I will investigate the area much further when I am properly equipped. It has been a long week, and I am tired. I will not be surprised if I find my way back to Azek tomorrow.
====================
Entry 3
December 1, 4432 OER
Jallik Watch, Jallik E-15
I spent a week on Eo with my sister. We enjoyed ourselves, mostly occupying our time by mining in the outer asteroid belts together. During this time, Maharu managed to coerce out of me the information about why I was wandering about the known universe. This following conversation occurred while we were mining for Lanthanic ore in the Ramarak belt:
<Excerpt from Kareepan intercom logs>
Maharu: Why did you leave home so suddenly, Miha? You were so happy.
Me: Thats none of your business.
Maharu: Of course it is, Miharu! You completely threw the family into confusion when you left! We were scared! Why would you go without leaving behind a note of some kind? You left us nothing! No leads, no ideas of where you might have gone!
Me: You really want to know? Yukinari disappeared without a trace within his own patrol areas. Ive been busy figuring out where he has been, and could possibly have gone. Im settling at the moment for having been taken by UIT authorities, and I am prepared to go in there to bail him out if necessary.
Maharu: Yukinari? You mean that young man you brought home to visit a month ago?
Me: Yes. Who else? I've never brought home anyone else before.
Maharu: Dont be rude to me, Miharu. All you had to do was tell your family that your boyfriend had gone missing and we would have been trying to help you. We can do something, as much as you doubt our ability to do so. I would even put in a request to the IDC if you wanted.
Me: Which is exactly what I dont want. Yukinari is the leader of the Syndicate, a pirate guild. I dont think he'd appreciate being picked up by the Itani military, even if it were a rescue attempt.
Maharu: Now Im curious. How exactly did you fall [in love] with a pirate?
Me: He wasn't a pirate when we met! He became one after pilot school, sometime in late September to early October.
Maharu: And you still kept seeing him?
Me: Yes.
Maharu: (pause) I'm ashamed, Miharu. A pirate? You could have made a better decision.
Me: Maharu, thats some rash talk coming from someone who spends all day at home primping herself up instead of going out to actually meet a man. At least I have someone to love, who loves me in return!
Maharu: (silence)
Me: Nothing to say for yourself, eh? When I see you with a boyfriend, much less a husband, I will respect your advice and judgment in this field. Until then, you may observe, but not judge. I don't want your opinions when you have no experience to back them up.
Maharu: Miharu, we only want you to come home. Let the government do the searching. Please.
Me: I'll come home when I see fit, whether I see that to be a week from now, or even a year from now.
<End of log due to deactivation of intercom systems>
I brought Maharu home, and decided to leave Itani space again. I took my time in returning to UIT space, where I continued mining for several days before returning to Jallik to check the news. I have heard no news of Yukinari since my discovery of his last destination, and I will investigate the area much further when I am properly equipped. It has been a long week, and I am tired. I will not be surprised if I find my way back to Azek tomorrow.
Entry 4
January 16, 4433 OER
Odia Stronghold, Odia J-9
This past month has not been as hard as I thought it would be, moving into the new year without Yukinari. I can't say I know exactly where he is as of yet, but I have heard rumors. A good friend of ours in the Syndicate, who goes by the name of Katarn, told me in an Ineubis station (I forget the exact location) that he had received information to the effect that Yukinari was flying under the Serco flag and a different call-sign. He didn't know specifics, but was glad to be of service, and paid for my meal.
I can understand why he would do such a thing; the Dominion has become much more powerful in recent years, and it is understandable that one would feel pressured to join with them in order to survive. What I don't understand, however, is his decision to not notify me of this change of heart, and it disturbs me greatly.
I have decided hence to seek him out for one last chat, like the old days.
In other news, I've been working hard for TPG Corporation and Axia Technology Corporation in order to gain trust with them. I'm looking forward to being able to buy a TPG Atlas or Marauder soon (I upgraded my Trader License to Class VII just yesterday, I'm on my way to Class VIII already) as well as an Axia Accelerated Positron Blaster. I am honestly more interested in flying a Marauder than the rare Itani Valkyrie my father used to tell me stories about. (He told the stories so well, I wouldn't have been surprised to find out he was a pilot of one of the ships.)
Anyway, I've begun to take up permanent residence outside of Itani space. I think I will have to visit home, but as my travels tend to take me closer to Serco space, I fear I will have to make a mad dash through their space, dodging strike forces all along the way.
January 16, 4433 OER
Odia Stronghold, Odia J-9
This past month has not been as hard as I thought it would be, moving into the new year without Yukinari. I can't say I know exactly where he is as of yet, but I have heard rumors. A good friend of ours in the Syndicate, who goes by the name of Katarn, told me in an Ineubis station (I forget the exact location) that he had received information to the effect that Yukinari was flying under the Serco flag and a different call-sign. He didn't know specifics, but was glad to be of service, and paid for my meal.
I can understand why he would do such a thing; the Dominion has become much more powerful in recent years, and it is understandable that one would feel pressured to join with them in order to survive. What I don't understand, however, is his decision to not notify me of this change of heart, and it disturbs me greatly.
I have decided hence to seek him out for one last chat, like the old days.
In other news, I've been working hard for TPG Corporation and Axia Technology Corporation in order to gain trust with them. I'm looking forward to being able to buy a TPG Atlas or Marauder soon (I upgraded my Trader License to Class VII just yesterday, I'm on my way to Class VIII already) as well as an Axia Accelerated Positron Blaster. I am honestly more interested in flying a Marauder than the rare Itani Valkyrie my father used to tell me stories about. (He told the stories so well, I wouldn't have been surprised to find out he was a pilot of one of the ships.)
Anyway, I've begun to take up permanent residence outside of Itani space. I think I will have to visit home, but as my travels tend to take me closer to Serco space, I fear I will have to make a mad dash through their space, dodging strike forces all along the way.
Entry 5
February 5, 4433 OER
Siren's Call, Eo
It has been just over two months since my last visit home, and several weeks since my last incursion into Itani space.
I spent a good amount of time hunting Hive Queens in UIT-controlled space. Some of this time was spent with a Serco who went by the name "CrippledPidgeon". Even though I was one of his hated enemy, he and I got along like the best of friends. Hive Queen after Hive Queen fell to our blasters, and in the end, we were awarded medals by the UIT Senate. As we went to part ways, we promised each other that all of our future meetings would be as cordial as this one, and with that, he headed (presumably) out to Sedina as I headed to Edras.
I have been working hard; my overseers at Tunguska Heavy Mining Concern, Axia Technology Corporation and Orion Heavy Manufacturing are quite proud of me and my deeds, and I have been granted access to their respective unique spacecraft variants, most notably the Tunguska Mining Marauder and Centaur Aggresso. Just recently, I took the daring move of sneaking into Serco space with the intent of destroying hive drones. After about one hundred of these drones fell to my positron blasters, I retreated to the wormhole that I had entered the system through.
To my surprise, I was not immediately hunted down by a Serco Strike Force or even a single Aerna Seeker drone (a radical, kamikaze variant of the Observer-class hive drone). Instead, I was escorted to the station in the sector by two battle-scarred Vultures.
When I left my ship, I was gruffly (but not roughly) led to the bridge of the station. There, a heavily augmented Serco sat me down and led me through a complicated series of questions:
"What do you come here for? What is your purpose?"
"How did you get past our patrols?"
"What connections have you to the Order of Akan?"
... There were many more, but they have mostly escaped me. I answered truthfully, and the station commander (that surely must have been who he was) laid down the basic facts:
- I would be granted a provisional merchant's license for use in the Dominion's territories, to be made permanent if I behaved.
- If I attacked an ally of the Triumvirate, I would have to fend for myself when facing the consequences.
- Basic amenities would be made available to me at all Serco Stations.
- I was forbidden from going near the Xithricite Research wing on Catequil Outpost; the rest of the station was open to me.
- I would truly have to prove myself to be trusted to fly a Vulture Guardian or Prometheus.
I agreed to all of this and once the go-ahead was sent from Sol II, I was handed a card and information was uploaded to my pilot file. Since then, I have been running expensive cargo for the Triumvirate to and from Sol II. I took a bit of time to look at the inactive wormhole; I spent an hour or two meditating in remembrance of the lost brethren on the other side.
My hard work in Serco space has paid off as well; I was just yesterday granted a permanent Serco Merchant's License, as well as permission to buy the Guardian-class Vulture and the Prometheus when I acheived proper piloting license levels. Of course, the best part was returning home and showing the license to my family.
They couldn't figure out what the hell it was.
February 5, 4433 OER
Siren's Call, Eo
It has been just over two months since my last visit home, and several weeks since my last incursion into Itani space.
I spent a good amount of time hunting Hive Queens in UIT-controlled space. Some of this time was spent with a Serco who went by the name "CrippledPidgeon". Even though I was one of his hated enemy, he and I got along like the best of friends. Hive Queen after Hive Queen fell to our blasters, and in the end, we were awarded medals by the UIT Senate. As we went to part ways, we promised each other that all of our future meetings would be as cordial as this one, and with that, he headed (presumably) out to Sedina as I headed to Edras.
I have been working hard; my overseers at Tunguska Heavy Mining Concern, Axia Technology Corporation and Orion Heavy Manufacturing are quite proud of me and my deeds, and I have been granted access to their respective unique spacecraft variants, most notably the Tunguska Mining Marauder and Centaur Aggresso. Just recently, I took the daring move of sneaking into Serco space with the intent of destroying hive drones. After about one hundred of these drones fell to my positron blasters, I retreated to the wormhole that I had entered the system through.
To my surprise, I was not immediately hunted down by a Serco Strike Force or even a single Aerna Seeker drone (a radical, kamikaze variant of the Observer-class hive drone). Instead, I was escorted to the station in the sector by two battle-scarred Vultures.
When I left my ship, I was gruffly (but not roughly) led to the bridge of the station. There, a heavily augmented Serco sat me down and led me through a complicated series of questions:
"What do you come here for? What is your purpose?"
"How did you get past our patrols?"
"What connections have you to the Order of Akan?"
... There were many more, but they have mostly escaped me. I answered truthfully, and the station commander (that surely must have been who he was) laid down the basic facts:
- I would be granted a provisional merchant's license for use in the Dominion's territories, to be made permanent if I behaved.
- If I attacked an ally of the Triumvirate, I would have to fend for myself when facing the consequences.
- Basic amenities would be made available to me at all Serco Stations.
- I was forbidden from going near the Xithricite Research wing on Catequil Outpost; the rest of the station was open to me.
- I would truly have to prove myself to be trusted to fly a Vulture Guardian or Prometheus.
I agreed to all of this and once the go-ahead was sent from Sol II, I was handed a card and information was uploaded to my pilot file. Since then, I have been running expensive cargo for the Triumvirate to and from Sol II. I took a bit of time to look at the inactive wormhole; I spent an hour or two meditating in remembrance of the lost brethren on the other side.
My hard work in Serco space has paid off as well; I was just yesterday granted a permanent Serco Merchant's License, as well as permission to buy the Guardian-class Vulture and the Prometheus when I acheived proper piloting license levels. Of course, the best part was returning home and showing the license to my family.
They couldn't figure out what the hell it was.
� are evil. � are what you get when you type your post out in a word processing program and forget to change their special curved quote into either the appropriate HTML Character Entity or into a good old fashion single-quote. � show up as little empty squares or question marks (depending on the Operating System) if you're using a browser that at least pretends to follow standards. And question marks are annoying all over documents. :)
hrm. I get a umlaut i , an upside down question mark, and 1/2
(now, I know those thingies have names, but I'm lazy and ignorant :D)
(now, I know those thingies have names, but I'm lazy and ignorant :D)
Mind telling me what exactly is messed up? I went back after posting the fifth entry (which I typed up manually in the post box) and got rid of/added stuff that shouldn't have been that way.
It looks okay now. But those little figures are annoying. If you can't do it with character entities, at least use something that's in the UTF-8 character set.
@harvestmouse: That's what I get on Linux. The funny thing is that all 3 are supposed to be single-quotes. :)
@harvestmouse: That's what I get on Linux. The funny thing is that all 3 are supposed to be single-quotes. :)
Entry 6
February 21, 4433 OER
Vanitus Stronghold, Rhamus G-12
Were I only two more classes higher on my Combat license, I would now be able to fly both the Itani Valkyrie, and with one higher class on my Heavy Weaponry license, the Serco Prometheus. I have been working diligently towards those ends, hunting Valent A-47 and TyCorp assault drones. My Mark II Warthog is covered in blaster scars, but all major structural damage was fixed within minutes of each return to Vanitus Stronghold by the station's automated nanotech repair systems. One truly has to admire the Serco for their expertise in this realm... I was talking to a friend I have made back at Prime Command, Parakch Tako, about the various augmentation types the Serco use.
~~~~
He told me that the augmentation came in a few basic forms, namely gene therapy and cybernetic enhancement. Most of the Serco in the Dominion preferred the latter, of which there were many different kinds. Arm and leg bones could be replaced with strong Xithricite or Plasteel alloys, armor could be grafted onto various parts of the body, etc. Some of the Serco, however preferred gene therapy so they could go out into the world and explore for the Triumvirate.
"Were you not carrying a Foreigner's Card," he told me, "You might be mistaken for one of the gene therapy users. They don't look that much different from anyone else."
I was surprised. Growing up, I had been told that Serco were born looking as Parakch did, muscular and partially covered in metal. I must have turned red, because he started to laugh. After he calmed down and asked me what I was so flustered about, I explained what I had been taught. He laughed so loud I thought the window in the bar would break and the air would rush out into the vacuum.
"So that's what they teach you back where you come from? Not all that surprising considering what they teach us about your people. We're taught that the Itani are born so weak that they need to be fed every moment of the day from the minute they are born for the first ten years of life. But that can't be true," he said looking at me seriously. "Now, can it?"
I shook my head. "No."
"Anyway, we're born much like any other human is. No metal, no excess muscle mass. Just skin and bone."
"Ah. Much like us then."
~~~
I'm gathering many friends in the Serco Dominion (of which Parakch is only one), and I am proud of myself for doing so. Perhaps I shall return to Itan to ask for an official diplomatic job.
February 21, 4433 OER
Vanitus Stronghold, Rhamus G-12
Were I only two more classes higher on my Combat license, I would now be able to fly both the Itani Valkyrie, and with one higher class on my Heavy Weaponry license, the Serco Prometheus. I have been working diligently towards those ends, hunting Valent A-47 and TyCorp assault drones. My Mark II Warthog is covered in blaster scars, but all major structural damage was fixed within minutes of each return to Vanitus Stronghold by the station's automated nanotech repair systems. One truly has to admire the Serco for their expertise in this realm... I was talking to a friend I have made back at Prime Command, Parakch Tako, about the various augmentation types the Serco use.
~~~~
He told me that the augmentation came in a few basic forms, namely gene therapy and cybernetic enhancement. Most of the Serco in the Dominion preferred the latter, of which there were many different kinds. Arm and leg bones could be replaced with strong Xithricite or Plasteel alloys, armor could be grafted onto various parts of the body, etc. Some of the Serco, however preferred gene therapy so they could go out into the world and explore for the Triumvirate.
"Were you not carrying a Foreigner's Card," he told me, "You might be mistaken for one of the gene therapy users. They don't look that much different from anyone else."
I was surprised. Growing up, I had been told that Serco were born looking as Parakch did, muscular and partially covered in metal. I must have turned red, because he started to laugh. After he calmed down and asked me what I was so flustered about, I explained what I had been taught. He laughed so loud I thought the window in the bar would break and the air would rush out into the vacuum.
"So that's what they teach you back where you come from? Not all that surprising considering what they teach us about your people. We're taught that the Itani are born so weak that they need to be fed every moment of the day from the minute they are born for the first ten years of life. But that can't be true," he said looking at me seriously. "Now, can it?"
I shook my head. "No."
"Anyway, we're born much like any other human is. No metal, no excess muscle mass. Just skin and bone."
"Ah. Much like us then."
~~~
I'm gathering many friends in the Serco Dominion (of which Parakch is only one), and I am proud of myself for doing so. Perhaps I shall return to Itan to ask for an official diplomatic job.
Entry 7
March 11, 4433 OER
Coranis Watch, Divinia M-14
I was meditating in my new Valkyrie Vengeance, the Kareepan, on the hangar deck of the Corvus Hold station, preparing to make a return trip to Azek, when the incoming transmission indicator began to burn its pleasant yellow light into the corner of my eye.
I glanced at the readout on the HUD. An Ensign Martialis from the Serco military. I wondered if it was about my work on the Nemesis' interior design. I turned on the comm and replied with a cheerful "Hello, Miharu Sena Kanaka speaking. Anything I can do for you?" What I heard next was enough to make my heart stop.
The Serco government wanted me to help them find Yukinari.
When I overcame my initial shock (and once my heart started beating again), I arranged to meet Martialis at a restaurant of his choice on the Illapa Orbital in the Sol II system.
Upon my arrival at the restaurant, I was escorted to my seat by a lightly augmented Serco in a standard simugrav jumpsuit. He introduced himself as Martialis, Yukinari's bunkmate, and thanked me for coming. He then proceeded to inform me of all that Yukinari had been doing since my last contact with him.
Yukinari had been a cover pilot (an escort pilot trained to block weapons fire and destroy attackers) for the SMV Gentu, a Serco military vessel that conducted border patrol in Geira Rutilus from its home station in Betheshee, occasionally sneaking into Deneb to test armor plating against Itani weapons technology. I was also informed of Yukinari's last actions on the Gentu in the hopes that I might shed some light as to where he might have gone.
Apparently, Yukinari and most of the other pilots who were on duty at the time stole several of the Behemoth transports that were undergoing testing from the hangar and departed for an unknown location. They were not fired upon because the ship's weapons systems were undergoing repairs. How like Yukinari, to time everything so that he would get away with the fewest casualties.
I was then asked what I knew about Yukinari, and what my connections to him were. Reluctant as I was to let the Serco know that I had been, and for all intents and purposes, still was, in love with the man they were intending to hunt down, I held nothing back. I gave Martialis a full history of Yukinari's youth, as far as I knew it. I gave him everything I knew about the Syndicate. I spilled my heart out until there was nothing to spill anymore, at which point I broke down and cried.
I finished my meal with the intermittent tear trickling down my cheek. When I finished, Martialis mentioned that he was expecting a transmission from Yukinari sometime soon, and that he would forward it to me when he received it. I thanked him for the meal, and left for Azek, as I had originally intended.
As I was leaving Dantia, the transmission light began to glow again. I once again turned on the comm to Martialis' voice.
"I just received the message! I'm sending it to you now," he said quickly before cutting the signal. The message began to print up on the HUD. I quickly scanned it, looking for my name, or anything that could have been referring to me. I wondered who Mikgo was until I noticed the part about "the vulture I provided". Mikgo must have been "The Lieutenant" that Martialis was referring to. I read on, and saw the part about the bar in Odia. I read the next few sentences, and my meditative state became so unstable my ship almost collided with a chunk of ice.
"Things like this are why I don't like involving my significant other in my schemes, it's happened to three of them before."
My heart stopped for the second time today. Only this time, it felt like something (or someone) was ripping it in two. How could he? How? Three girls in four months? I felt betrayed. I didn't want to read on, but I knew I should. What I saw in the final paragraph mended the first two pieces of my broken heart.
"There was one other though, she still pulls at me even though I've become a heartless murderer, but to keep her from becoming a nameless corpse and a mere tick-mark on the Itani's war loss count, I had to leave her behind. I do hope she isn't angry at me for it, it would really ruin things if I do find what I'm searching for."
Baka... I'm not angry at you for leaving me behind. I'm angry at you for never writing, never calling, never responding to even one of my messages. I just want you to come back to me.
If there was any doubt that he still thought of me, it had now vanished. I made my way to Divinia, and from there to Coranis Watch, where I now sit in my cabin, writing. When I find the time, I will further analyze the letter for clues to his whereabouts.
For now, I need to cry.
March 11, 4433 OER
Coranis Watch, Divinia M-14
I was meditating in my new Valkyrie Vengeance, the Kareepan, on the hangar deck of the Corvus Hold station, preparing to make a return trip to Azek, when the incoming transmission indicator began to burn its pleasant yellow light into the corner of my eye.
I glanced at the readout on the HUD. An Ensign Martialis from the Serco military. I wondered if it was about my work on the Nemesis' interior design. I turned on the comm and replied with a cheerful "Hello, Miharu Sena Kanaka speaking. Anything I can do for you?" What I heard next was enough to make my heart stop.
The Serco government wanted me to help them find Yukinari.
When I overcame my initial shock (and once my heart started beating again), I arranged to meet Martialis at a restaurant of his choice on the Illapa Orbital in the Sol II system.
Upon my arrival at the restaurant, I was escorted to my seat by a lightly augmented Serco in a standard simugrav jumpsuit. He introduced himself as Martialis, Yukinari's bunkmate, and thanked me for coming. He then proceeded to inform me of all that Yukinari had been doing since my last contact with him.
Yukinari had been a cover pilot (an escort pilot trained to block weapons fire and destroy attackers) for the SMV Gentu, a Serco military vessel that conducted border patrol in Geira Rutilus from its home station in Betheshee, occasionally sneaking into Deneb to test armor plating against Itani weapons technology. I was also informed of Yukinari's last actions on the Gentu in the hopes that I might shed some light as to where he might have gone.
Apparently, Yukinari and most of the other pilots who were on duty at the time stole several of the Behemoth transports that were undergoing testing from the hangar and departed for an unknown location. They were not fired upon because the ship's weapons systems were undergoing repairs. How like Yukinari, to time everything so that he would get away with the fewest casualties.
I was then asked what I knew about Yukinari, and what my connections to him were. Reluctant as I was to let the Serco know that I had been, and for all intents and purposes, still was, in love with the man they were intending to hunt down, I held nothing back. I gave Martialis a full history of Yukinari's youth, as far as I knew it. I gave him everything I knew about the Syndicate. I spilled my heart out until there was nothing to spill anymore, at which point I broke down and cried.
I finished my meal with the intermittent tear trickling down my cheek. When I finished, Martialis mentioned that he was expecting a transmission from Yukinari sometime soon, and that he would forward it to me when he received it. I thanked him for the meal, and left for Azek, as I had originally intended.
As I was leaving Dantia, the transmission light began to glow again. I once again turned on the comm to Martialis' voice.
"I just received the message! I'm sending it to you now," he said quickly before cutting the signal. The message began to print up on the HUD. I quickly scanned it, looking for my name, or anything that could have been referring to me. I wondered who Mikgo was until I noticed the part about "the vulture I provided". Mikgo must have been "The Lieutenant" that Martialis was referring to. I read on, and saw the part about the bar in Odia. I read the next few sentences, and my meditative state became so unstable my ship almost collided with a chunk of ice.
"Things like this are why I don't like involving my significant other in my schemes, it's happened to three of them before."
My heart stopped for the second time today. Only this time, it felt like something (or someone) was ripping it in two. How could he? How? Three girls in four months? I felt betrayed. I didn't want to read on, but I knew I should. What I saw in the final paragraph mended the first two pieces of my broken heart.
"There was one other though, she still pulls at me even though I've become a heartless murderer, but to keep her from becoming a nameless corpse and a mere tick-mark on the Itani's war loss count, I had to leave her behind. I do hope she isn't angry at me for it, it would really ruin things if I do find what I'm searching for."
Baka... I'm not angry at you for leaving me behind. I'm angry at you for never writing, never calling, never responding to even one of my messages. I just want you to come back to me.
If there was any doubt that he still thought of me, it had now vanished. I made my way to Divinia, and from there to Coranis Watch, where I now sit in my cabin, writing. When I find the time, I will further analyze the letter for clues to his whereabouts.
For now, I need to cry.
Arr! True love... I must hear more!
Your description to me was very accurate. However, it is very good!
Entry 8
March 12, 4433 OER
Corvus Hold, Odia M-14
I have spent most of the day busting my brain over the next-to-last sentence in the message Yukinari had written to Martialis. I knew that it had to do with communications between Yukinari and Martialis, but I didn't know the crucial part: when this would occur.
"I'll offer a roundabout way of contacting me on the Ides, it'll require not a few steps to ensure my safety though."
What could the Ides be? Was it the ship that Yukinari had built with all that stolen Xithricite? The name "Ides" has more to it than I can see. It must have another meaning... perhaps... Let me go check.
I was right. Ides is an ancient term derived from an Old Earth language signifying the 15th day of March, May, July, or October or the 13th day of the other months in that civilization's calendar (which happens to be the same as the one currently in use this side of Sol II). This may mean that Yukinari is planning to contact or meet with Martialis this Tuesday! Now we only have to find out where...
I could easily wait around here on Tuesday... Martialis should definitely hear about this.
March 12, 4433 OER
Corvus Hold, Odia M-14
I have spent most of the day busting my brain over the next-to-last sentence in the message Yukinari had written to Martialis. I knew that it had to do with communications between Yukinari and Martialis, but I didn't know the crucial part: when this would occur.
"I'll offer a roundabout way of contacting me on the Ides, it'll require not a few steps to ensure my safety though."
What could the Ides be? Was it the ship that Yukinari had built with all that stolen Xithricite? The name "Ides" has more to it than I can see. It must have another meaning... perhaps... Let me go check.
I was right. Ides is an ancient term derived from an Old Earth language signifying the 15th day of March, May, July, or October or the 13th day of the other months in that civilization's calendar (which happens to be the same as the one currently in use this side of Sol II). This may mean that Yukinari is planning to contact or meet with Martialis this Tuesday! Now we only have to find out where...
I could easily wait around here on Tuesday... Martialis should definitely hear about this.
Entry 9
March 18, 4433 OER
Sky Command, Sol II H-13
Needless to say, I am thoroughly angered with myself, and am punishing myself for what I have (or rather, should have) done. Of course, I might as well tell why I am angry with myself, right?
I was on my way to Sky Command for a chat with Parakch when the transmission light turned on. It was Martialis.
Apparently Yukinari had just sent a message to Martialis. He warned me that it wasn't long, and to prove it he read the whole thing in one breath:
"A message not meant for thine ears can be found betwixt the blazing stars of Rhamus."
Martialis assumed that the message did not mean himself, and immediately passed the riddle, if it even could be considered one, off onto me. I was in Initros at the moment, so it was not a very hard thing to do to turn around and head from the Pyronis wormhole to Rhamus.
When I arrived in Rhamus, I immediately scanned the sectors within Rhamus Alpha and Beta's barycenter radius. Sensors picked up a small communications buoy in H-9, so I headed there to investigate it. Upon arrival, I was greeted with an invitation to use the buoy. I accepted.
Of course, that was the easy part. I had to figure out a password that only Yukinari could possibly have thought of, which, by the way, isn't easy at all considering his sense of humor. After several tries, I finally settled on a password that would have been a sarcastic reference to Martialis' new position. It worked.
Once I was connected, I was warned by the buoy's systems that the connection would be lost in twenty minutes, and was asked for my name. I complied. Oddly enough, the person on the other end seemed to know me, but when I asked to be connected to Yukinari, they had no idea who he was.
They found him though.
As soon as I heard his voice, memories came flooding back with such force that I almost hit my head on the console from the shock. I could barely force his name out of my mouth, but when his reply indicated surprise at hearing from me, as if he never expected me to find him again, I admit I got a bit more defensive than I should have.
He told me that they were low on Xithricite, and asked if I could retrieve some. I replied that I couldn't do that if it required stealing from a convoy. In retrospect, I probably should have said yes and done it.
Lesson 1: When your guy friend asks for purified xith for some secret project, seriously consider getting it.
Why should I have done it? Because where he was was about to be sealed off from known space. I would have had a chance to be with him. I asked how long it would be before I would be able to talk to him again. A week. Maybe more.
At least it was better than last time.
He then explained the basics behind their method of "finding" wormholes... more accurately they were enlarging small ones. I suspected he was trying to find Earth, and told him so. He disagreed.
I asked what I could do to help, other than staying out of it. He took the sarcastic route and told me to stay out of it. I became incensed.
I began to yell at him about how I have risked my life to become who I am today. I told him that I did not care how I died, as long as I died with him.
I was in the middle of a sentence when the connection cut out. It took me a few minutes to calm down, but when I did, I realized I had spent so much time yelling at him I had forgotten to say those three ever-important words: I love you.
Lesson 2: Never put off until next week what you should have said today.
I flew on to Sky Command, crying all the way. When I arrived, I went to my office on the habitat section and continued crying myself to sleep.
March 18, 4433 OER
Sky Command, Sol II H-13
Needless to say, I am thoroughly angered with myself, and am punishing myself for what I have (or rather, should have) done. Of course, I might as well tell why I am angry with myself, right?
I was on my way to Sky Command for a chat with Parakch when the transmission light turned on. It was Martialis.
Apparently Yukinari had just sent a message to Martialis. He warned me that it wasn't long, and to prove it he read the whole thing in one breath:
"A message not meant for thine ears can be found betwixt the blazing stars of Rhamus."
Martialis assumed that the message did not mean himself, and immediately passed the riddle, if it even could be considered one, off onto me. I was in Initros at the moment, so it was not a very hard thing to do to turn around and head from the Pyronis wormhole to Rhamus.
When I arrived in Rhamus, I immediately scanned the sectors within Rhamus Alpha and Beta's barycenter radius. Sensors picked up a small communications buoy in H-9, so I headed there to investigate it. Upon arrival, I was greeted with an invitation to use the buoy. I accepted.
Of course, that was the easy part. I had to figure out a password that only Yukinari could possibly have thought of, which, by the way, isn't easy at all considering his sense of humor. After several tries, I finally settled on a password that would have been a sarcastic reference to Martialis' new position. It worked.
Once I was connected, I was warned by the buoy's systems that the connection would be lost in twenty minutes, and was asked for my name. I complied. Oddly enough, the person on the other end seemed to know me, but when I asked to be connected to Yukinari, they had no idea who he was.
They found him though.
As soon as I heard his voice, memories came flooding back with such force that I almost hit my head on the console from the shock. I could barely force his name out of my mouth, but when his reply indicated surprise at hearing from me, as if he never expected me to find him again, I admit I got a bit more defensive than I should have.
He told me that they were low on Xithricite, and asked if I could retrieve some. I replied that I couldn't do that if it required stealing from a convoy. In retrospect, I probably should have said yes and done it.
Lesson 1: When your guy friend asks for purified xith for some secret project, seriously consider getting it.
Why should I have done it? Because where he was was about to be sealed off from known space. I would have had a chance to be with him. I asked how long it would be before I would be able to talk to him again. A week. Maybe more.
At least it was better than last time.
He then explained the basics behind their method of "finding" wormholes... more accurately they were enlarging small ones. I suspected he was trying to find Earth, and told him so. He disagreed.
I asked what I could do to help, other than staying out of it. He took the sarcastic route and told me to stay out of it. I became incensed.
I began to yell at him about how I have risked my life to become who I am today. I told him that I did not care how I died, as long as I died with him.
I was in the middle of a sentence when the connection cut out. It took me a few minutes to calm down, but when I did, I realized I had spent so much time yelling at him I had forgotten to say those three ever-important words: I love you.
Lesson 2: Never put off until next week what you should have said today.
I flew on to Sky Command, crying all the way. When I arrived, I went to my office on the habitat section and continued crying myself to sleep.
I read this before, not it all, but I knew I had seen the name somewhere before, nice story.
argh yoda, you bumped it!
Entry 10
April 11, 4433 OER
SkyCommand, Sol II H-13
I don't know what has happened to Yukinari. Has he been killed like Mikgo was in an atmosphere venting? Was he injured operating a piece of machinery? Too many possibilities exist for me to conclusively make a decision on the cause of his failure to contact me. All I do know is that not knowing is making me almost too stressed to fly.
I solved that problem as fast as it appeared, however. I signed up at the CWGA booth, and I now run two daily patrols from SkyCommand to the Deneb wormhole and back in the Nemesis' upper-front turret. I rarely see any action except when the Nemesis gets caught inadvertantly in an ion storm and we have to defend it from the hive drones.
I now sit waiting for my next run. Yukinari, I expect you're just sitting somewhere in Odia, waiting to make your move as soon as all my hope is lost. For crying out loud, just call, will you? I know you used to read the TPG Public Nets. Why not now?
April 11, 4433 OER
SkyCommand, Sol II H-13
I don't know what has happened to Yukinari. Has he been killed like Mikgo was in an atmosphere venting? Was he injured operating a piece of machinery? Too many possibilities exist for me to conclusively make a decision on the cause of his failure to contact me. All I do know is that not knowing is making me almost too stressed to fly.
I solved that problem as fast as it appeared, however. I signed up at the CWGA booth, and I now run two daily patrols from SkyCommand to the Deneb wormhole and back in the Nemesis' upper-front turret. I rarely see any action except when the Nemesis gets caught inadvertantly in an ion storm and we have to defend it from the hive drones.
I now sit waiting for my next run. Yukinari, I expect you're just sitting somewhere in Odia, waiting to make your move as soon as all my hope is lost. For crying out loud, just call, will you? I know you used to read the TPG Public Nets. Why not now?
ever thought of writing and publishing?
Entry 11
May 2, 4433
Sedina V Orbital, Sedina D-14
I don't really know what to say. I heard from Yukinari again. Same process as before if I wanted to open the attachment, only this time the password was a single word, with only the clue "something you do with energy." I decided to give Thesaadri a ring when I next heard him on the CommNet, because that is what the initial message said.
I ran into him in this station. I explained my situation and gave him my guess for the decryption key. Luckily, "focus" worked on the first try.
Yukinari, I am glad to hear that you actually doubted leaving me here, regardless of whether that means you miss me or not. That does not mean that I do not want to be by your side regardless of the dangers. If you think I would rather die here, in known space, to a pirate or rogue hive drone, you are sadly mistaken. If you think I would not be able to handle it because I do not have the physical stamina nor the expertise with the energy focus, remember that I could obtain augmentation just as easily as you did and that I have always been more skilled with the Focus than you. If you think I would have died in that accident, maybe you should consider that I might have been the one operating that Focus and that you might have been operating the arm. If you haven't learned anything about me by now, know this: I will go to any length to be by your side because I love you. Never forget that.
Ever.
May 2, 4433
Sedina V Orbital, Sedina D-14
I don't really know what to say. I heard from Yukinari again. Same process as before if I wanted to open the attachment, only this time the password was a single word, with only the clue "something you do with energy." I decided to give Thesaadri a ring when I next heard him on the CommNet, because that is what the initial message said.
I ran into him in this station. I explained my situation and gave him my guess for the decryption key. Luckily, "focus" worked on the first try.
Yukinari, I am glad to hear that you actually doubted leaving me here, regardless of whether that means you miss me or not. That does not mean that I do not want to be by your side regardless of the dangers. If you think I would rather die here, in known space, to a pirate or rogue hive drone, you are sadly mistaken. If you think I would not be able to handle it because I do not have the physical stamina nor the expertise with the energy focus, remember that I could obtain augmentation just as easily as you did and that I have always been more skilled with the Focus than you. If you think I would have died in that accident, maybe you should consider that I might have been the one operating that Focus and that you might have been operating the arm. If you haven't learned anything about me by now, know this: I will go to any length to be by your side because I love you. Never forget that.
Ever.