A Warm (Perhaps Hot) Welcome Back to The Black
02 Dec 2022Curious.Sparrow
Unfortunately, due to some health issues, I was grounded for a bit, though I did my best to keep up with Galnet. I knew it was bad, but... I am wordless.I have to help. There is no question there; I could not live with myself knowing I had abandoned so many people who simply did not have access to the same resources and education that I did, it is the only right thing to do with the gifts those resources have given me. I had read that Vista Genomics recently upped their payout on samples, so I decided to use that to my advantage and get a ship better suited to hot zone humanitarian operations. As I was getting ready to head out, genetic sampler in hand, my squadron commander came up on comms and we got to talking, culminating in him asking me to say hello to "Granny Farseer" for him (she tried to look displeased, but he is clearly on her good side), meanwhile I managed to buy a python--and break 100 million credits for the first time!
I am regularly amazed at the kindness and generosity of the various other commanders that I meet along my journeys, but this one really blew me away. Commander C gave me a cut rate on A LOT of platinum to trade on the market, "I'm just glad it's getting used for something worthwhile" was what he said when I asked if he was sure. With that amount of aid toward getting me into a good evacuation ship I was able to get, and outfit, a python. I was pretty worn out from the hauling (short-range jumps, but I am still recovering so it was a bit of an effort to stay focused) so I racked out for the night.
Nothing could have prepared me for what I would wake up to. My heart goes out to all those who lost someone when the thargoids arrived. I had no idea what I was going to see when I got to the front, but I was not expecting this. In the meantime, I did the only thing I could to help prevent more losses, I set to work moving the wounded from Matshiru to the hospital ships. My heart was breaking while beating at the speed of a hummingbird's wings! I had only ever seen 3 thargoids prior to the UIAs arriving, and that was from a distance. Talk about a test of piloting skills! I was taking hits nearly constantly while trying to outmaneuver as much as possible. I just needed to keep moving, get in and get out as fast as possible, and I am grateful to the unknown commanders that pulled about a half dozen scouts off of me during one run.
I am exhausted, physically, mentally, and emotionally; however, after a bit of rest, it is right back to it. I think my python may have earned itself a name, I am thinking DUSTOFF...