Going After All
20 Nov 2021Lily Flemmon
After that failed attempt to get to Colonia on my own that actually nearly cost me my life, whatever it's worth, I had the crates put back in the cargo bay at Chilton. I was contacted by another Chilton Co-op (CTAC - Chilton Terminal Agricultural Cooperative) member, a woman by the name of Zinnia. I wasn't sure exactly what she was asking for, something about genetically engineered butterflies as pollinators, and a case of rare live butterfly specimens held in live stasis, and to keep it quiet? Well, the clear part is she wanted to ride along with me on an expedition to a lot of earth-like worlds to collect more pollinator specimens, and then to visit Domino Green to inquire about nanorobotic systems to help her create some new pollinator species. I agreed, but I told her I would have to deliver the Colonia package first. I knew I would need a better fitted ship for the expedition, so I asked the director if this new ship could be the first with direct affiliation to CTAC, and received a very emphatic approval.We christened the CTAC Intrepid at a starport ceremony, all blue and white, SRVs and all. It was quite something to see a Krait Phantom decorated heavily with flowers. But the most important part is that this ship has a mission statement:
"To hurtle into the unknown and find fantastic new ways to nurture humanity."
It just.. it speaks so truly to the mission of all of us in CTAC, and to be given the honor to be the owner and pilot of the Intrepid, it reminds me how I'm so much more than a soldier, or a mercenary, or any kind of fighter. And frankly, that's a reminder I always need. I guess I really am worth something. I know who I am, but to really be somebody is... it's more than that, and it's hard for me to really wrap my brain around.
It took a bit to find a carrier to ride to Colonia, but now I'm riding along with the first leg of a 7-stop expedition hosted by NEWP, and Colonia is the third stop. I took a handful of ships with me, including the Intrepid. Right now though, the carrier is stopped along the way in Eoch Flyuae NC-O b50-44, for maintenance to its navigational systems. It's a delay, but I'm really glad we stopped, and I'm really glad I snooped around the system and did some surface scans...
Here, almost 2,000 ly from Colonia, I made the first footfall on this planet. I checked in on a distress signal I picked up from the surface scan, and found an occupied escape pod, with the occupant still alive. I scooped it up and went to check the next two planets, a co-orbiting pair, for possible linked distress signals, and found 21 more pods with vitals detected by checking on 6 more distress beacons.
I knew I had been awarded the title to the first footfall on all 3 planets. These people ejected as a last fleeting hope, fully convinced it'd be the last thing they do. This is the maiden voyage of the Intrepid, and I don't even have Zinnia with me. But the gift to Colonia is going to be one hell of a statement.
Now I just have to decide if I want to be there when these people wake up. That, and make this 500 ly run to catch up to the carrier convoy. Luckily for me, they’re kind enough to wait for me, and it’s… It’s nice to not be alone out here.
LOG ADDENDUM:
I’m sorry. I lied to all of you, and I lied to myself. There were not 22 pods across six signals. There were 26 across five of the six signals I picked up, and my cargo hold could only hold 22 of them. I left at least 4 people behind. Probably about 9 or 10. I hope they get rescued before anything happens.