I think I am ready for this.
15 Apr 2022Sei Kitsune
//Start LogI finally made it to Copernicus Observatory in Asterope, not my first time to the area, so at this point the hyperdictions are just annoying, not outright terrifying. It took some extra fuel to make it this time and added 2 extra jumps onto my trip from Meliae. I call into the tower "Tower! St. Roch, requesting docking permission!" This trip, is a bit different than usual, I get to take possession a modified Alliance Chieftain, search out Xeno signals, and give them a bit of a rude encounter. I have done combat before, and hold a rank of "Master" in the Pilots Federation for Combat. My contact assures me that I will be able to get "Dangerous" quickly, if not Elite. I don't so much care about getting the rank, but I want to try myself against non-humans. I hear these monsters are very competent, and want to see for myself. I receive my docking assignment and let the computer land me on the appropriate pad.
Powered down and post-flights completed, I unbuckle myself from the chair, and head to the boarding ramp eager to meet my contact. I stop by my cabin to collect my sidearm from the weapons cabinet. I never, ever, go anywhere unarmed, but that is a different story. I know I don't need it on the station, but after being coerced to fight in ground conflicts, PTSD is a bitch. Like I said, different story. I make my way down through my Anaconda and disembark. Not often do I need to exit my ship to talk to a contact, but this person insists on a face to face. It also gives me a chance to inspect my landing struts and other systems that I too often just let ground crews inspect for me.
Satisfied that my ship doesn't need any immediate maintenance, I make my way to the station concourse. All I have is a name, my contact was uncomfortable using any visual channels for contact. I send a message to them to their dead drop comm address, and wander around the station. I stop by the Pioneer supplies to see if they have any better options than my Grade 2 Tormentor, but I won't hold my breath. Finding the one I have was a lucky break as it was. Finding nothing interesting I head to the bar, find a seat in the back corner where I can see everything and everyone, and wait.
An hour later I notice a woman walk in and scan the room, obviously looking for someone. They walk across the bar, straight to me. "Commander Sei Kitsune, sorry to keep you waiting, you ready to see your new ride?" Hand on my Tormentor and in as polite of a tone as I can use "Do I know you? The gravity of your casualness needs to be worked on." She takes a step back and looks around quickly "Are you seriously going to do this right now? Here?" I start to draw my sidearm "Yes, I am. I don't know who you are, and if you are who I am supposed to me, we had agreed on the terms in which we would start our conversation." She puts her hands out in a non-threatening manner "Jesus, your file says you are paranoid but this is too much. Fine, you want to act like some secret agent? The countersign is Mass. Now either put that damn thing away, or the deal is off and I will find someone else who wants a top of the line medium fighter, maybe one who will actually pay me for my work."
I holster my weapon, but keep a hand on it "My personal security measures are what have let me survive, nothing personal. Ok, so are you Petia Kosyak, or not." Petia glances down at my sidearm "Yes, I am Petia. You really need to relax! My employer doesn't know I am doing this, and I really, seriously, don't want Taurus Mining to find out until AFTER you run the Naglfar through its shakedown."
"Lead the way, Petia. Let's see this ship"
//End Log