Maiden flight of the [EDF] HIPPALUS
15 Mar 2021DibEnzO diOxiN
I joined the test pilots on a flight around the space dock. The completion of the Hippalus was delayed once again, allegedly due to some chip shortages. This might have been a thing in the generation ships, but not in today's quantum computers. I knew they were just buying time, to meet the high demand on rescue ships caused by the recent cowardice attacks on the capitals in Sol, Nanomam, Lave and several other minor
systems. My urgency was triggered by rumors about my friend and comrade Kinji, who has been lost without a trace for three months. Understandable that my personal S&R mission was of a higher priority to me.
Kinjiro Rokuemon was last seen STKM 1-478. That is much to close too the Pleiades and right smack in the middle of Li Yong-Rui space.
I owe him my life. He rescued me out of my failing escape pod in V2689 Orionis. We both were drafted out of Okinura and were fighting side by side in the Lugh War, when our flanks were breached by a flight of Vultures. My bulkheads buckled under the salvo of overcharged frags so I abandon ship.
So... any more delay or tricks and these test pilots are risking to be flushed out of a depressurising airlock...