Logbook entry

Commander's Log 33010816: First Day in Space - First Mission

16 Aug 2015Amaya Manami
Today, I arrived at Trevithick Dock in the LHS 3447 system. I was shocked to discover the news about the death of the Emperor!

The news saddened me greatly because I had met the Emperor once while on a diplomatic mission with my father (Sentor Manami) when I was twelve years old. I remember him as a bit strange, but he had a warm smile and treated my father and I with kindness and respect. Mostly, I remembered his granddaughter, Aisling (Duval), and the seemingly endless supply of sweet cakes and candies. Aisling and I played together quite a bit when we were growing up. I hope she is doing well.

Within an hour I took possession of a brand new Sidewinder. Wow! She is a beautiful ship and, even though she is filled out with loaned equipment, I can't wait to get her out of dock and into deep space (even if it is only within the known systems) for the very first time.

I don't know what to call her yet - we will need to spend some time together so she can let me know what she wants to be called.

I walked around her outside and ran my hands along her skin to check the integrity of the hull. She is beautiful with smooth curves and a shiny new paint job. I spoke to her as I did this - lovingly, soothingly. We were going to spend a lot of time together, she and I, it was best that we were on good terms with one another.

After performing a thorough check of all systems, I jumped into the cockpit and scanned the station's Bulletin Board.  Sadly, most of the missions were out of my reach requiring more cargo capability or jump distance than I am currently capable of.

However, after only a few minutes, an entry for a discreet delivery of personal weapons to the Boswell Platform in the LTT 18496 system popped up. It was only 6.97 ly away so I should be easily be able to make the jump. I reviewed all of the particulars and then scanned the galaxy map to set a course. No problem - a short jump. This was, of course, illegal. However, I remember reading somewhere that each citizen actually performs at least three felonies every day. There are so many laws that people do not even know when they break one of them - that is, until they come for you. I knew if I got caught that I would be in a lot of trouble. Even my name and the fact that my father was a member of the Senate would not protect me from a smuggling charge. The danger and rebelliousness of it excited me.

I accepted the mission.

Several men quickly loaded 4 crates of personal weapons into the cargo bay. They were silent and wouldn't even look up at me staring down at them from the cockpit. There was one man who had a scraggly beard and grimy overalls that stood out from the rest. The air around him seemed to pulsate and scream from the bad vibe he was putting out. I wondered if, perhaps, he was a down-on-his-luck pirate stuck at this docking station, making money however he could. Whatever it was, he gave me the creeps. I was glad to be leaving whatever station he was on.  I looked back to the dashboard and started the preparations for departure.

Within minutes, the ship was on the platform. The holding clamps were released and I gently pulled away from the landing area. I raised the landing gear and accelerated to move away from the mass lock of the station. She handled beautifully!!

Once we moved past the mass lock, I oriented the ship toward the LTT 18496 system and charged the Frame-Shift drive.

I accelerated to maximum throttle. Five... Four... Three...  Two... One... Hyperspace!!! The engine whined as I was pressed into the back of the seat. I heard somewhere that this effect was not as pronounced in some of the larger ships. But, within the tiny frame of the Sidewinder, the effect was very noticeable.

A few moments later, we arrived in the LTT 18496 system. A quick shift to avoid flying into the sun  then a quick lock onto the beacon from Boswell Platform.  Another few minutes and there we were - docking on Boswell and delivering our goods.

For my first day on my own in the Bubbles, I must say I am very proud of myself. Now, some rest --another day of excitement ahead!
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