Better Late Than Never
26 Sep 2018Nato Jahran
*** BEGIN SPEECH TO TEXT TRANSFER*** ENTRY 001
Is ... is this thing on? Damn it, how can I tell? I can fix a broken FSD 50 light years from ... oh, it is working. Huh.
I've hesitated starting a personal log for quite some time. Most of me doesn't want to remember what happens on a day to day basis out here, and due to the secrecy of my current contract, well, it's not exactly sanctioned behavior to ramble about one's deeds, or misdeeds, for that matter.
Over the years in the bubble I've made friends, made family, lost both, and learned to rely on a very close circle. Privacy and secrecy are almost necessary. COM links can be tapped, messages hacked, terminals bugged. It's not easy to trust anyone these days, especially with the Thargoid sympathizers and saboteurs becoming more active on a seemingly day-to-day basis.
Just recently I had to assist The Company in farming metas due to some Unknown Artifact sabotage in a local station. It's a bit off the beaten path and boy, you better have supplies when you get out there and make sure to drop heatsinks on the way to cover your tracks --- nevermind the pirates on the way back looking to make some credits off your hold. It makes me wish they didn't make FSD scramblers illegal years ago --- I'd sure love to have one now.
I've been spending more time in Federation space. After working my way up the ranks with the Empire, and being feet away from royalty, I needed a change to the aristocracy. It's easy to find yourself becoming an elitist when you're fraternizing with those that don't understand struggle. I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth, so it's not the most comfortable place for me to be around those that have been.
I've worked my way up the ranks now with the Feds, and even for their flaws, they seem like mostly honest people. Winters seems to think what they're planning outside of Rhea really is best for this area of the bubble, and considering Thargoids and the in-fighting with the Duvals, it seems she might be on to something. The Alliance has been making noise, and they seem mostly to keep to themselves as long as you don't try anything. Those loyal to Grom, though, they're friends of no one except themselves.
There is something coming --- you can feel the anxiety in the stations. It's no longer so black and white in terms of politics and policy. The Thargoids changed everything. Most of all, they changed the way we look at each other and behave, and that's more damage than losing a few pilots on expeditions and having a few Orbis and Coriolis stations damaged. Stations can be repaired. Attitudes sometimes change permanently, and paranoia isn't easily fixed with a few thousand tons of cargo.
I've thought about just keeping my nose to the ground, running passengers, building the bankroll back up, and improving an escape plan --- the "hero" in me, if there is one, does want to stay, fight, and help, but I've seen Thargoids melt capital ships and still have energy left over to scramble jump out, back in, and re-engage the support squadrons seemingly unaffected by the deterring attack. The Guardian tech that's been distributed and built does give those that are brave enough to fight (and equipped enough to find it) a good chance, but running and reinforcing may end up being the play some, if not most, of us have to make.
There aren't cowards in war --- there's leaders, strategists, soldiers, and cattle.
Enough Lavian Brandy for now. Better hit the rack and get ready for tomorrow. New orders coming.
*** ENTRY 001 - END