Logbook entry

The Communist WP Rules

01 Feb 2016Jim Beaumont
The Election finished, and the Com WP took control of the sole base in the nearby system giving them the ownership of three systems now. The Outpost press here at home have been expressing a rowsing spread on it, hoping it will further their hold on things here. Not that they are in much doubt now. Popularity is at record high. Expansion edges closer I feel. Only one snag. In the last few days, the Galactic feed of the political high and lows has been off line with nothing being registered for days. The party leaders are getting a little twitchy, nervous about the ideal time to make the expansion move not knowing the latest states in the nearby systems. Word of mouth between the Haulers, Bounty Hunters and Explorers is the best news they can get. The hauling jobs I have been doing of late have dried up, the Com WP obviously holding on to goods now in preperation for the push. It's a costly business expanding into a new system.

Merc and Oppo came across the other day and we met up in the bar area. It's not the best of bars we have met in, the decor needing some work. Still the beer on offer is good.
'So whats happening in your gaff then Merc? I've been over swapping my ships out but haven't really stayed for too long to catch the vibes.'
'Lots of money changing hands, goods coming and going big time. A time of economic boom they call it. But Energy Industries are ready to break out and expand. Just as soon as the money slows down. I'm wondering if they have their eyes set on the same place as your lot here.'
'That may change their plans if they do. What you up to Oppo?'
'The usual pirate bashing and Bounty Hunting. I did a little mining 2 days back. In the new source you told us about. I got jumped by some pirates when I arrived. It was a little hot for 10 minutes or so until they cleared out a little scarred by the experience' as he laughs.
'Duta contacted me the other day' I offered. That changed the mood slightly.
'Did he now. What did he want?' asks Merc
'To go back and start working for him again. But that was a none starter. A bit of subterfuge later maybe, but not for him, but it's too early for that'
'What do you mean too early? That sounds like you have plans for returning Jim' a quizzical Oppo asks.
'Well with the WP winning the local election and now running the Col base, Duta and his boys are just one jump away. In fact its the nearest system to Col by a good yard, so it could be a possibility sooner than we think. But my guess is it is too early in that the WP need a bigger base to govern from. Outposts are now too small. My original target is still my best guess for now.'
'How close is the WP from pushing out from here?', Oppo suddenly getting interested in the politic of all this.
'Another maybe 10% would see them ready I think. And with a small populace here, and the vast improvements to life that have been made, not too long. A week or so at my guess. Hence the little twitchy feel of the WP members due to the lack of detail lately. All I know is that the Lockdown has ended in what would be my choice. I've done a few tasks in there for the opposition party's obviously, just to unsettle things a little '
'I was in Duta's place the other day, they are riding high apparently, but not high enough to cause any change but the Inc can't gain any ground either so its a case of stagnation' interjects Merc.
'Lets hope it stays that way for a long time then. Did you pop in to see Samson?'
'Yeah hes good. Missing us' as he burst into laughter.
'The money you mean' jokes Oppo.

Then yesterday, as I was dropping in to the other outpost, I thought I spotted a familiar face but never really gave it much thought. As I was walking the corridors getting some food for the Infante, and checking for some jobs I saw the face again. Now I gave it thought. Whats he doing here? Pastolis!

'Mr Pastolis, what brings you here?'
'Cmdr. How are you?' he grudgingly says.
'Very well thanks. Yourself?'
'Been better. I'm looking for job opportunites.'
'Job? Not needed by the Minister no more then'
'Relieved of my duties was the way he put it. Fired for not making things happen as they wanted I put it. Ruthless I call it. Some things don't change, those at the bottom lose their heads first.'
'Shame. Can't say as I sympathise though, afterall I was at the bottom previously. Touche some would say. I call it just deserts.'
'Yeah well you would. Mercenary's do'
'You were quite happy with my mercenary ways when it suited Pastolis, so don't cry about it now. So why here?'
'I may be of some help to the WP. Afterall, I know some of the inner workings of the political game. Minor puppet as I may have been as it would appear. And I have an awareness of some of the plans they have'
'Information for sale! Yeah, I guess the WP might pay for some of that'
'Goodday Jim, see you around maybe'
'Maybe, maybe not'
And with that he walked away. I guess in a way he is right though. He may well have some good info on the future plans of his former employers. And not much sells better than information.

With the problems of the Galactic Polls and the unknown factors currently at large, I decided to pop outside the bubble to go exploring. Not too far away as to be out of a quick return, but to gather in some data of nearby systems. That's the one thing about any faction in charge, they are always good for some money when it comes to Cartographic Data.
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