The Soul of Our Homeland, 7: Hunters and Prey
11 Dec 2024Meowers
( 11.12.3310 / 08:45 GMT )
( WISE 0855-0714 - Alpha Centauri )
Okay, I have to admit, I was reluctant to say that aloud earlier, but it seems like we're making good progress. The bugs abandoned all their attacks on Groombridge 34 yesterday, also LHS 380 and 450, and Luhman 16 around that time too. Fighting over WISE 0855-0714 ceased just a few hours ago, we regrouped and now on our way to Alpha Centauri as I record that.
What does all that mean? The bugs got a boot. Out of every system they couldn't overpower immediately as soon as the Titan arrived in Sol. And I'd say more... We won in Barnard's Star and Wolf 359. These two were amongst the four unlucky systems completely overwhelmed by the bugs and left without fighting less than a week ago.
Less than a week ago, but almost a week nonetheless... Days have just blurred into one. System after system. Fight after fight. Shot after shot. Stop them here and move on. Us or them. And everything around burns. I close my eyes and I swear I still hear guns thundering and engines roaring. I mean, we all knew it was going to be like that, but... You can never be perfectly prepared. That's the whole point, I guess, to keep you on your guard, to stop you from growing complacent. You may not think of it every time, but that sits there in the background: only a single mistake could be enough.
Hells, literally everything that keeps your eyes open and your brain angry is okay. We call that big box of insta-coffee our 'refuelling station'. Smoking breaks are a sacred ritual and don't you dare interrupt them. Cold showers, loud swearing on comms, some people refuse to sleep in beds. Also, other... substances, well, I know some of the pilots do. Can't endorse, but damn, at least it helps them to stay alive, so far. Tomorrow... will come tomorrow. And I'll look into that if I meet that tomorrow. What about me? I'm blasting the living heck out of my ears with music, as I usually do. Not the first year in that, have seen things, but, you know... With some metal, drums beating and guitars screaming, locking onto a Hydra, boost pushing you into the seat, stars turning blurred streaks in your eyes, Shard guns slamming the bastard like a hammer of gods... Still gives me the right kind of goosebumps.
They came here for prey, we're making them our prey.
So Alpha Centauri still fights... Another WISE thing, 1506+7027, fights too, and the bugs are really on the back foot there. And what surprised me the most, is... I got to know that some stations in Sol keep fighting as well. They didn't leave, or they couldn't, and they resist. They resist becoming their prey. Hoping for the best. Or fighting beyond hope. And, that kind... I think it inspires me the most. Doing what you should, no matter the odds, no matter the hopes. No matter what your own mind says to you.
What is hope, actually? What's inside it, how does it work? There are lots of smart texts on that matter and frankly they all tell different things. So maybe I might figure it out later. Everything's a bit less complicated for me. All details aside, I either kick bugs out of places, or stop them from getting into places. Sometimes I have to retreat, so I make them pay dearly for coming. If I hunt them, they are the prey. If they hunt me, I tell them that's a bad idea. Either that or I'm dead or worse, because the bugs don't waste any opportunities.
So whatever that word means... I hope we won't see any more of the dirty bug tricks. The circle around the Titan is almost closed and it would be mighty annoying to start everything over. And I don't think we have enough coffee left for that. At least there are those famous Hutton Mugs at Alpha Centauri, I know the market doesn't work right now but maybe they have some of those stashed away for such a special occasion.
Because if we also run out of ammo, we may start beating Thargoids to death with mugs.