Log entry 2
09 Aug 2020Zamen Kensata
The galaxy is vast. More vast than I remember. I'd often wonder as a kid when staring up at the sky at night what it would look like up close. The stars seemed so close to each other from the ground. Clustered together in bright constellations. The contrast of reality was sobering the first time I launched into that same night sky. I found out why experienced explorers called it "the black" instead of space. You could easily fool a first time tourist of the void that stars were just some elaborate hoax because that endless black void is sometimes the only thing you see when peering out of a window. In space, you have to actually look for the stars.I'm exaggerating, of course. But Not by much. The Nebula are amazing.
I have a destination planned. A general direction set. But I'm in no hurry. Just got done fighting a war and securing several star systems. I deserve a break and to be as lazy as I want. The journey is already bearing fruits. I've scanned and mapped at least ten systems that no other human has seen. No clue about the bugs or any other species that may be out there but who cares about them? They aren't going to be getting the bonus credits for the exploration data. Strange though that us humans will never truly know if we were the first since the revelation of intelligent, space-faring alien life. But beggars can't be choosers I guess.
Managed to set foot on a small blue rock riddled with some very useful minerals. Not that I need them, or the money from the exploration data. Perks of being a multi-billionaire. Great photo opportunities though.
I often think back of what humanity of the past must have felt like, trapped on that shiny blue ball of water we call Earth. Or even what people living today on some backwater world, too poor to leave might feel. I wonder if they get the claustrophobic sensations like I used to. Can't imagine what I'd do without the freedom to sit and relax and enjoy views like this;
To know that at any moment I only need pick out a star, open a comm channel and say "engage" and then...here I am. You, future reader or listener of these logs might think me a bit too repetitive in explaining my appreciation for the freedom I have earned. Well...I've earned it. Making a record of this journey was a spontaneous decision. Ending these records will most likely be just as spontaneous.
Or maybe not. Who knows?
But when stress and misfortune have been a constant reality for years on end, topped off with a long, hard fought war, spontaneity and procrastination go hand in hand. I'm sure my mind will wander into more interesting thoughts sooner or later as I laze about out here in the black. Might even find something a bit more interesting than a nebula that looks something like an ancient Wyvern.
This is Commander Zamen Kensata of the Fleet Carrier, Draekul.
Signing off, for now.