Personal Log 12: 8th - 14th June, 3301
07 Sep 2016Jemine Caesar
8th - 14th June, 3301Aware that my Sidewinder was still something of a magnet for pirates looking for an easy victory, I upgraded her shield generator and thrusters, and swapped one of the pulse lasers for a gimballed Beam Laser. Two interdictions in the Eravate system gave me early chances to test the new weapon, and added another 5% to my Combat Rating. A good spell of trading brought me the rather dubious sounding title of Peddler. It reminded me of my papa, peddling so-callled 'biomeds' to gullible farmhands back home.
Rudolphus called, having safely returned to Imperial space after our weekend date. Jopo, still exploring the inner depths of the galaxy, also called. We chatted about the growing possibility of war between the three main powers, and about the mysterious disappearance of Starflight One. Jopo was dubious about my theory of sabotage by Hudson.
"Think about it, Jopo," I said. "Hudson has been openly critical of Halsey for a long time. Now she disappears, and he immediately becomes president."
A new friendship began on June 13th. Commander Samuel Hodkin made contact through the Pilot's Federation social media site, and invited me for a drink on Russell Ring. The first thing I noticed about Sam when I met him at the Nova bar was his height. At 193cm he towered over me. We quickly became friends, and talked about ourselves and our families. Sam's 19 year-old sister Sarah was at university, studying astrogeography. His other sister Jenna, also 19, had opted to follow a career in the transport side of the Hodkin family business. Sam was clearly very close to his younger siblings, and spoke of them with great affection. I, in turn, told Sam about Bekka and the deaths of my parents, and of my search for Caz.
"Well, Jem," said Sam, "If you want company on your way to Earth, I'd be happy to be of service."
* * * * *
The next day brought the closing of one chapter and the opening of another in my life. A scrap delivery trip to Yakabugai was interrupted when I was interdicted by a Federal Navy dropship. Luckily I had not deployed my lasers, or the navy ship might have simply blasted me out of the void. But worse was to follow in Eravate later.
On my way from Sylvester Ring to Cleve Hub to meet Sam, The Last Thing was destroyed in a particularly brutal attack. "Oh, this is not fair!" I thought ruefully, as my escape pod returned me to Sylvester Ring.
My new Sidewinder was duly paid for, wheeled in and fitted with my old ship's loadout. She sat in the bay, waiting calmly for me to take the cockpit. I, however, felt anything but calm. I called Sam and told him about the attack.
"I'm scared, Sam," I sobbed. " I'm scared he might still be out there, waiting for me. What do I do?"
Sam told me to stay put until he arrived. "I'll get you back to Cleve Hub," he said, "and we can have that drink in The Black Hole."
A short while later we were safely docked at Cleve Hub, thought not before I had been accidentally rammed by a T9 in the slot. The impact instantly reduced my hull to 38%. "Oh, that does it!" I thought. "Tomorrow I get a bigger ship."
In the Black Hole bar, Sam bought me a Toolfa G&T to calm my shattered nerves. "Thank you for coming to help me, Sam," I said.
"That's what friends are for, Jem," he replied, taking my hand.