Purple Banners Prologue (CMDR'S Log 36)
01 Jan 2025Eric Vonsa
12/17/331017:00 Universal Galactic Time
Location: Dawes Hub, Achenar System.
CMDR Eric Vonsa POV
I arrived in Dawes Hub and headed to the Inter Astra store. The attendant behind the counter greeted me. "Commander. Can I help you?" "Yes, I am here about a ship. It's a unique model. I have had it stored here until a certain set of circumstances were to be met." "If you're interested in a new ship I can certainly help but I am afraid I don't know what you mean by the rest of that. All the ships here are sold on the market almost anywhere." "Of course. I am looking for a cobra. It should be in hangar 14, I believe." "Hangar 14 is listed as occupied by a ... Huh, Commander, it appears that someone has messed with the records. All that's listed as being in that Hangar is a Cobra. It doesn't list the type of any other information on the ship. Necessary information for a ship to be stored such as the owner and registration is missing. I'm afraid I can't grant you access to that hangar without being able to see that information." "Ok. Does your records have a L.L.V. Hubward stored here?" "Let me check. They say they do and it's a Cobra. But there's other important information on the ship missing. Things like what it's modules are. But I do have a Commander Eric Vonsa listed as the owner." "That's me." "Alright. It doesn't list what hangar you stored your ship in. I really need to have someone come figure this out." "Nope. Just give me access to the cobra in hangar 14 and I will take all this mess off your hands. It's what I get for not using my regular Delacy shipyards contact when buying a ship directly from them." "Commander, I have to verify all this before I can let you down to that hangar. Sorry. Give me half an hour and I'll call you when I have all this sorted." "Fine. I'll be in the bar." I said as I left.
A half hour later the bartender approached my stool. "Commander, the attendant of Inter Astra reports that your ship is ready. Hangar 14." "Thanks." I say as I pay tab. As I head towards the hangars an advertisement banner catches my attention. "New Carthage News Network and the New Carthage Cartographics Institute are pleased to announce a joint venture. Purple Banners. A expedition to Colonia that is projected to last around two weeks. All interested Commanders are directed to consult with the NCN or NCCI for more information."
Beneath the advert was an emblem of two purple banners among the stars the more prominent one bore the symbol of Arissa Lavingy-Duval with the second one below it bearing NCN and NCCI on it.
'A glimpse of the future' I thought as I continued on my way to claim my ship.