Log #008: Reflections of a Mercenary
10 Nov 2024Bobby Brightside
(The audio starts with a faint clinking sound, like glass on metal, as Bobby settles in for another log. His voice comes through with a weary yet determined tone.)Bobby (grizzled, reflective):
Commander Bobby Brightside here. Another long day out in Kamadhenu, making my rounds for credits, reputation, and materials. The more I do, the more I keep the right people happy—the kind who’ll have better opportunities down the line.
Picked up a string of missions today from Overseer Rylie Harden with the Kamadhenu Citizens Forum. Seems they’re knee-deep in a civil war with the Kamadhenu Netcoms Corporation. The tasks were right up my alley: a few mega-ship infiltrations and a chance to get back into The Red Razor for some combat.
First on the list was a scan job on an Alcatraz-Class Reformatory, a prison ship out in HIP 33390. Just as I dropped in, the Nu Pictoris Silver Drug Empire arrived, clearly looking to stage a breakout. Prison ship sent out a signal, calling for backup, but… I wasn’t here to play hero. I’d come to gather data for the Forum, and truth be told, I wasn’t ready for a full-blown skirmish. Steered clear and took care of the espionage quietly, in and out.
The second job was easier—scanning a Beckett-Class Science Vessel. No trouble there, just a quick data grab. And then on to the third: a Thomas-Class Bulk Cargo Ship. Another straightforward infiltration. Made me wonder what a prison ship, science vessel, and cargo hauler had to do with a civil war, but asking questions wasn’t part of the job.
Back at Shajn Market, Harden seemed impressed and introduced me to my new contact, Patron Abbie Cardenas. Seems the Citizens Forum’s warming up to me—friendly, now.
[Transition Sound: Vulture Thrusters]
After that, it was time to get back into The Red Razor for some action. Started in a low-intensity conflict zone and took on an assignment to take out eight ships. First three targets went down without much fuss, but as I was dealing with the fourth, things started going sideways. Mid-module reinforcement got damaged, and the onboard computer was glitching. Couldn’t even tell who was friend or foe on the radar. Had to bug out and get some repairs.
Round two. Only four targets left, so I was feeling confident. But after two takedowns, I realized I’d been burning through ammo faster than planned. Had to break off again and reload. The Red Razor is a solid ship—the Vulture’s about as good as it gets for small-ship combat—but she’s still got a lot more potential. I’m starting to think engineering might be the answer to get more out of her.
Third round. Pushed through with barely enough ammo, but finally got the job done.
[Beat]
After that, headed back to Shajn Market, grabbed a drink at the bar. Found myself wondering about all those Imperial Navy ships I’d taken out today. Citizens Forum contract or not, those ships were flying Imperial colors. Couldn’t help but think about who might’ve been in those cockpits. Old friends, maybe. People I used to fly with. Strange business, merc work. But… the job’s the job.
Poured myself a drink and raised it to those who fell today. The galaxy keeps moving on, doesn’t it?
Ran into Beau Levy while I was there, another merc with a few more miles under his belt. Shared with me a ship build for the Vulture that’d make The Red Razor a real beast. Serious amount of engineering involved, but Levy swears it’ll be worth the effort. Just another goal to keep me going.
Commander Bobby Brightside, signing off.
(The audio log fades, the quiet sounds of ship systems and the distant murmur of the station bar ending the log.)