Déjà vu - Day 1, 0330 UTC
01 May 2022Traegon
Excerpt from ship recorder, 1 May, 3308 [00:30]"Really?" I asked incredulously, "How long have you been planning it?"
"Longer than you realize. I've been planning it since before I bought my Fleet Carrier. We've just been so busy propping up systems in war that I haven't been able to put my full attention into the effort. I'm nearly ready, and I want to leave as soon as possible. Why does it surprise you," Commander "Neon" asked me, "haven't you done this before?"
"Well yes," I said, "but with a lot less planning. Roviden and I just sort of.. left. Almost on a dare, as if we weren't even sure we could do it. Our initial departure was very sophomoric. It's not that I'm surprised that you're going, I'm surprised that this is the first I've heard of it."
Neon nodded. "I understand that. I've only been dragging my feet lately because a small part of me didn't want to go this alone. I've finally made the decision to do it, and I'm leaving as soon as possible. I'll contact you a little later before I depart."
End excerpt
Commander "Neon", as he seems to prefer being called, is an example of the younger generation of commanders. Much like many of my squad mates, he's something of a contradiction. Bold, fearless, maybe even a bit reckless when the mood strikes him, he's also genuine, caring, and selfless. With the wars of late, and the Thargoid attacks, he's been very busy assisting in the defense of systems managed by smaller factions. He'll plan everything out for weeks just as quickly as he'll jump into a ship on a moment's notice and fly 1,000LY to look at a new discovery.
He called me on comms a few hours later in the evening to let me know he was ready to depart. I'd been thinking about his chosen destination, Sagittarius A*, and wondering just how ready he was to take the Neutron Superhighway. It's a rapid way to travel, but the toll it takes on your ship is tremendous, and I just couldn't help but be concerned. I let know what I was thinking.
"Yes, yes - I get that. I've already checked and double-checked everything. I bought the field repair module, and I'm as prepared as I'll ever be," he said.
"Alright, alright," I conceded, "I'll stop pushing the issue. It's a shame you're going alone."
"Well," he paused for a moment, "of course I'd love to have company, but everyone's busy with other concerns right now, and those that aren't have already flown out in different directions."
I don't know exactly why I said what I said next. "I'll go with you, if you'd like." I didn't even realize that I'd started speaking until I'd finished the sentence. To say that I surprised myself would be an understatement.
"That'd be awesome! I'd love that. Are you sure?" he asked with no small amount of excitement in his voice.
Again, as if someone else was in complete control of my comms, I replied. "Of course." I still couldn't believe I was saying this. I looked at the reflection of myself in the canopy just to make sure it was me speaking. What am I thinking, I thought, I don't ever do things on a whim. But there was no going back. I made the offer, and it stood. It's not an understatement to say I hadn't been under a great deal of stress. Yeah, I thought, I do want to go, and soon.
"That's great, Trae, it'll be good to have company. I have a couple of things to finish, and then we can leave. I'll contact you shortly," Neon exclaimed.
I sat up suddenly. "Wait, wait. We're leaving now?" I asked, with probably more concern in my voice than I intended to be heard.
"Haven't you been listening?" he asked with a small amount of scorn in his voice, "I'd say another 30 minutes of course plotting and preparations, and I'm leaving. Are you changing your mind?"
"No, no, no.." I responded quickly, "I'm just not ready. I thought soon meant tomorrow, or the day after. I don't have a field maintenance unit, and I'm definitely not going in my 'Vette. I need to switch ships, find an AFM, make a few final checks, lock down the carrier, and then I think I'll be ready."
"I can help with that," Neon said, "there's an AFM in the station I'm docked at now. Switch ships, lock things down, plot a course to my beacon, and get outfitted from here. I'll head back to my carrier to outfit my AFM and plot a course to intercept you at the first Neutron star. Let's go, man, I don't want to wait any longer!"
I did exactly as he suggested and jumped to the first point of our journey to Sag A* and waited for his arrival. Staring out into the general direction of the galaxy center, with a combination of excitement and anxiety, I just couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu.