Daimler Observatory
10 Feb 2018DNA-Decay
Daimler ObservatoryJune 3302
I can't remember why I first came here.
We were working nearby, pushing, pulling, lifting lowering. Adjusting. Someone needed a boost.
Reasons.
There's a mix of Open Projects, internal-but-casual, and strict need-to-know. They're all within a hundred and fifty light years; and they all step on each other's toes.
Governance.
There are those that read, analyse and decide. Those that order. - Officers.
Then there's those that collect the data, discuss and do. - Vets
And then there's those who make and do. - Militia. and we lean by doing.
Sometimes we don't get to know why.
Reasons.
The first time I came here, I was delivering for someone else. This time we are here to take the port.
The first time, I came in with trepidation. Lined up on final with the sun setting behind me. Habits from atmospheric bombing runs back with the Allies. Harder to spot that way. Coming in over a crater, it's depths lost in dark shadow.
Drove out onto the main drag. The SRV was cherry, and so was I. First times.
The garage bay closed behind me, and my ship disappeared from the radar. Couldn't call it back. "Must be outside the 3km limit"
Sigh.
Daimler Observatory sits crowded between a steep ridge line to the south and east; and a crater's edge to the west. But I'd seen a flat region on the far side of the crater.
Thinking that a little crater drive might be fun I tipped the SRV over the lip and watched the sun kiss the rim.
I didn't see it sink into the horizon as I was busy.
The crater was much steeper than I thought. And bigger. And deeper. And darker. Very much so.
For two hours I slogged through inky blackness with hummocks and gullies leering out of the headlights. The crater wall too steep to climb, tumbling backwards and tacking the rim at angle. I finally found clear ground a recalled the Yellow Punchbuggy.
But coming back here now under different circumstances. This time we're in charge here: LHS 2541 Alliance Combine - Civic Hall, executive boardroom, branch office. Alliance flags and framed paintings in the lobby.
I come here as a Veteran of the AEDC.
Cultural Attache to G14-6. And Daimler Observatory - my second home.