Personal Log 103: 7th - 13th March, 3302 (Part One)
11 Oct 2016Jemine Caesar
7th - 13th March, 3302 (Part One) The Bluford Orbital appeal was due to end on March 10th. I made steady progress with supplying small quantities of various metals, as well as fitting in some additional delivery jobs along the way. Two of these jobs attracted some unwanted attention.
The first was a near fatal encounter with a Federal Dropship at Uzumeru. Its pilot clearly wanted to prevent the delivery of an encoded datachip, and rained fire on me with everything he had. He reduced my hull to 11% and shattered my canopy, triggering my remlok. Luckily for me, he had chosen to interdict me within a few kilometres of my destination, Lorentz Orbital.
By flying close to the station I was able to use it as a shield to dodge his lasers until the arrival of help from the system authorities. Even so, the desperate chase lasted over ten minutes. I eventually managed to dock with less than fifteen minutes of air remaining. Repairs to The Last Thing cost me 4700CR. The Dropship had obviously targeted my powerplant, as it had taken the heaviest damage.
The second incident was at Apoyota, where I was interdicted by a Cobra III. He, too, chose to attack close by the starport, but this time the battle was more evenly matched. I succeeded in destroying this pirate fairly quickly, and redeemed a 20,000CR bounty.
When I arrived at Worlidge Station a little later with another hold full of metal, I received a k-cast recorded message from commander Argent Steel. We had already spoken several times on long-range ship-to-ship comms. Towards the end of February he had messaged me to say he would like to buy me a drink at Beta Hydri sometime. This meeting had so far not taken place...
*****
+++ k-cast recorded message +++
From: commander Argent Steel
To: commander Jemine Caesar
Date: 8th March, 3302
That meeting doesn't seem like a thing that will happen. I'm sorry for that, since you seemed like a nice girl to get to know. Long term plans of mine that have been in the making for years are now starting to reach a critical stage for me and I'm going to have less time to meet young attractive women for a drink. For that I have nothing but regret.
Should you ever have the resources to find me I encourage you to do so. For the next several weeks I plan to keep a temporary residence in Thome Gateway within the HIP 16607 system. It's Imperial space, so know that before you pack to head this way, if you ever plan to. I've developed enough of a reputation here that the local Imps will take my word for it if I vouch for you. Some of them seem to have it in their head that they'll convert me to their cause wholly, but unfortunately for them I have commitments too old to break. When I make a promise, it sticks.
Be careful out there Jem. I miss our talks.
+++ end of message +++
*****
I read Steel's message with feelings of guilt, embarrassment and sadness in equal measure. I had behaved badly towards this man, and felt I owed him an apology and an explanation...
*****
+++ k-cast recorded message +++
From: commander Jemine Caesar
To: commander Argent Steel
Date: 8th March, 3302
Oh, Steel! I feel so awful. I'd been looking forward to meeting you, but circumstances seem determined to prevent it.
To be honest, I'm keeping myself on the move as much as I can. There's a murderer out there, Steel. He's been picking off the girls on the so-called 'harem' list... I did tell you about that, didn't I? Ten have died in apparent accidents since the start of the year. I'm number 11 on that list. It's my turn this week. So you see, I've been a little preoccupied.
I'm hoping that by constantly moving around I'll gain some sort of advantage over the murderer, perhaps even force them to show themselves before they're ready to strike. I'm hoping that I'll be ready when that happens. I don't want to die.
Sam is looking after me. But there may soon come a time when I need all the friends I can get. Your plans have taken you away from me for now, but I have a feeling that we will meet for that drink. You're a good man, Steel.
+++ end of message +++
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OOC bit
Thank you to commander Argent Steel