The Bubble in turmoil
11 Nov 2022Claude Lecardunoie
As I remember it now, it was the first sign of what was soon to come: a refugee convoy from the Witch Head Nebula. It landed in Sullivan Dock few hours ago. People, fleeing recent Thargoid attacks there, were taken care of, right on the landing pads, by LFT 133 Health Services and the Galactic Red Cross. I didn't really paid attention then. I just docked my Cobra mkIII, back from a mining campaign in Tau-3 Eridani. I managed to collect some raw material, iron and chromium that I thought I could use to get anti-corrosion cargo racks. So far, my mining experiences had been disapointing. It was some months ago, in Otegine, when I only was a Pilot's Federation prospect. I didn't know then how to use a refining module and without collector limpets, the task then was really tedious. But this time, it worked well for me as I also refined some tons of gold and silver.
A successful mining campaign in Tau-3 Eridani
So, in a very optimistic mood I contacted Darell Steele, the local material trader to get the required components to have these anti-corrosion cargo racks built for me in Archambault Hub. I quickly realised that I had to give up on it, for now, because I needed neofabric insulation, stuff you cannot get on any markets.
I was sitting in one of the many cantina you can find around the landing pads area in Sullivan Dock. The screen of the restaurant was broadcasting a news channel, it was all about Azimuth disaster in HIP 22460, galaxy powers negocations to set a conjoint Anti-Xeno force and internal divisions inside the Empire, the Federation and the Alliance on the attitude to have towards the Thargoids. Again, I was barely watching, too busy thinking on how to get better ship modules. Then I received a text message from Juergen Michel, a wealthy trader and my friend:
"Claude, I am leaving Ehecatl to Colonia in 4-5 days. My family is already on the way there. I have decided to handle my business from the subsidiary I have there. After Azimuth Biotech failure, I am pretty sure the Thargoids will soon reach the Bubble, even if an allied fleet fight them back, it will be with heavy casualties and destructions in the Core Systems. Colonia will be safer. You are welcome if you decide to join us there".
If I didn't really care about the news or the refugee convoy I just saw earlier, this message was a serious warning to me, because Juergen has always been a very wise man. I quickly ordered a kebab and a double expresso and turned my attention to the news on the screen. It was a press conference from Torben Rademaker, Azimuth CEO. It was a call for a new mega-ship contruction components deliveries and protection in Wandrama.
Well, I figured that I aside from the money to be made, why not giving Azimuth Biotech another chance: I had always thought that humans and Thargoids have to reach some kind of agreement, but then, the Xenos were too threatening and we needed an answer. An answer Azimuth may be able to provide by successfully producing AX weapons. While finishing my kebab, I sent the requests to the Spatioport Authorities to have the Marco Polo Merchantman, my T-7 ready on a pad and bought enough power generators to fill its cargo to be delivered in Wandrama.
I had 2 hours to wait for my T-7 to be ready. I spent them trying to have some news from my friends, here and there in the galaxy. I first tried to reach Imran Boyangi, a spy master for Sirius Corp. Was he too busy or was it because I still hadn't decided to work for Sirius, but he didn't answer.
Then, I contacted Rob Timlson, my mentor in the Pilot's Federation in Dromi. He answered wishing me good luck for my mission with Azimuth. As for him he would remain in Dromi, trying to set up a local AX defence force.
Finally, I sent a message to Jorge and Ilia, my friends in Veroandi. I only received an answer from Jorge:
"As you know, as a supporter of the Revolutionary Party, I am still under surveillance in Leighton. Ilia, she managed to escape. She joined Anarchists Armed Forces. You know her, she always thought that if Thargoids are attacking it is because Humans have been pushing them, you know. Invading their planets, plundering their ressources like meta-alloys".
Yes, indeed. I knew her opinion, and at some point I could understand it. But right now, Thargoids were too dangerous. And I decided to help Azimuth. Ilia, her, was on the other side.
Each of us had to make choices in these times. Ilia made hers and I made mine. Yes, the Bubble was in turmoil and with it, everyone of us.