<<Log Suspended>>
27 Apr 2022Rixses
<<Log, three days ago>>My drug addled brain is starting to slow back to normal speed, but I still can't shake the feeling of being watched. I've checked everything I could and scrubbed the ship top to bottom. No trackers. I haven't used stimulants this much since I moved on from my old life. It's got to just be drug induced paranoia. That should pass with some time. I hope...
I spent a few days searching for a decent source of Selenium. I found a few planets with a large detectable mass but was unable to locate any decent concentration making mining efforts extremely difficult. The quiet allowed me some time to get away and calm my nerves, but I'm still waking up in cold sweats most of the time. If I can't get my mind centered, I might have to visit the Lotus. It will be dangerous to keep going like this for long...
<<Log End>>
<<Log, two days ago>>
Finally!
I received a transmission from Beebbs. Dr. Burbarry now. They have set up shop in AI Space and are going to be working from there for a while. I still can't get over how easily Beebbs can change professions and faces like it's nothing. The transmission included a copy of the decrypted files from the shard we recovered so long ago. At least I know they are safe for now. Beebbs is confident that they were not followed to AI Space. But apparently, that shard we recovered had a very sophisticated locater program imbedded into it and Beebbs was unable to shut it down before a ping got out. I still need to dig into everything Beebbs sent me, but it looks like I'm going spy hunting for a while.
There was also an equipment list that Beebbs needed me to arrange to send. Most of it was trivial but required extensive modification. I'll need to head back to The Bar to get everything done.
I put together a response giving an update on where things were here and confirming that I'll get the supplies sent in the next few days. I included a copy of the encrypted transmission that I intercepted at The Bar just before everything went to shit. I'll have to wait on Beebbs to do what they do on that. After arranging for parts to be delivered to The Bar I set course to return home.
<<Log End>>
<<Log, yesterday>>
I arrived back at The Bar and started work on the stuff Beebbs needed. When I wasn't working on the modifications, I was pouring over the data that they sent me. I felt better knowing Beebbs was okay and having a clear path again seemed to clear my head. At least for the time being. I was still having nightmares, but no longer awoke in a cold sweat frequently. It'll take another day or so to complete the work for Beebbs and get everything sent off. But I'm pushing to get this done tomorrow as I have other interests now that I need to pursue.
Going through the data I received, I am suspecting that my brother is alive. Or should be. Beebbs and I were to receive a notification and a copy of the coordinates to the hidden cache if anything happened to my brother. So, I can only assume that he is still alive. Or that disaster struck, and the message failed to be delivered. I'll choose the former as it allows for more hope right now. Maybe Beebbs somehow learned about the suspended message and that's why we infiltrated the Imperial Listening Post that led us to the cache. But it gives me hope. Something to hold onto and I need that right now.
<<Log End>>
<<Log, personal - active entry>>
I was able to wrap up the work for Beebbs ahead of schedule. It helped not being able to sleep much. The order is processed, modifications made, and shipping directions left with the carrier system headed that way. I'm packing for an extended trip to Achenar and
<<Log Entry Suspended>>
The hair on the back of my neck suddenly stood up as the door-tone surprised me while I was writing my log. I wasn't expecting anyone. I unfastened the holster of my tormentor as I got up and moved to the door to answer.
Checking the door vid I saw a clean-cut suit. The typical type you see working for corps or reps for one of the powers. I relaxed a little and opened the door.
"Hello, Commander. Sorry to have disturbed you." He said. His voice smooth and even. Federal maybe, seemed like a native Blest or Atarapa perhaps. The years spent working across the systems coming back to me from my old life, trying to find the details and fill in the information. Who was he?
"What do you want?" I wasn't in much of a mood for unexpected company and I let more of my irritation at the interruption show than I intended. He seemed focused and direct. All business in mannerism and form. But the eyes unnerved me. Something in them. Something black was pulling at me.
He introduced himself "My name is Eshar Direntill, I'm a security consultant. I work mostly for the Federation and a few other special parties." I couldn't stop staring at his eyes. They seemed to envelop me. Bore into me. He continued as he started walking into my quarters "I've been looking for you for some time. I was shocked to discover that you had abruptly checked yourself out of the medical unit shortly before I arrived." My mind was racing. I couldn't seem to stop him from entering. Those eyes never left mine. Slowly boring into my mind. "But I was even more shocked to discover that you somehow survived the Synuefe system. No one has ever done that before." The pain started creeping up into my brain again. The HMI felt like it was super heating and my head being cooked like a hard-boiled egg. Those eyes...
I was moving again. The pain drew my attention away from his eyes. I didn't stop staring at them, but my instincts buried at the back of my mind started taking over. I stumbled backwards into my desk as he stared into my soul. "This is interesting..." He said. "I've never encountered someone able to pull back like this before. Just relax. It'll ease the pain and be over soon." His eyes never blinked. His voice never changed. I screamed in pain as I fumbled around the desk trying to break eye contact. I just couldn't look away. Instinctively my hands found my hypo of the Slush and Rager cocktail I had been using all too liberally during my recovery. When I stabbed it into my neck was the first time I could see any change of expression in those eyes.
I felt the mind-numbing effect of the Slush and the steroidal amphetamine kick of the Rager burst into my veins. I was finally able to break eye contact and my fists came up in a flurry of blows. The first one contacted and allowed me to push forward some and clear the desk. The rest were futile as he regained his composure and adeptly blocked them all. This was bad. I was hopped up on the best combat drugs you can steal, and he was brushing my assault aside like I was a fly in the park. A few more futile blows and he caught my arm. A moment later I was hurled across the room and over the bed. I hit hard as I tumbled over the far side. The burning in my head had stopped but now it was ringing from the throw. I couldn't think. My instincts knew I needed to move and so my body did. I came up over the bed drawing the tormentor and opened fire.
I squeezed off three shots before I realized I had hit him. The smell of super-heated plasma slugs burning flesh and fabric as one tore into him. It was over. I grabbed the last couple of things I needed and left before security could show up. I knew the plasma fire would trip the internal alarms and I didn't want to be there when they arrived. A security consultant... I thought to myself. What kind of security consultant can do that?