Brad. It's been a while. Three years by my estimation. I wanted to reach out to you earlier but my various destinations prevented me from doing so. Until now, I wasn't able to escape the hell that I've been in for all these years.
Chances are, A.B.A.D.D.O.N. has picked up the ping from the Dreamscape at this point. Well, that's because it settled into Orkney briefly before jumping away again into some very odd places...well, places that are odd compared to Alberta...I'll leave that set with you for a moment.
[She sighs.]
Allow me to explain.
Sailas and I took the Dreamscape out for a deep space research mission with what was left of the Consortium after the disbandment. He mentioned that we had to "get the hell out of dodge before they caught up to us". To be honest, I never figured out what had him so spooked...but he lit out of Sirius like his ass was on fire. Well, we didn't get very far before the Dreamscape hit some kind of subspace eddy and sent the entire thing tumbling end over end through hyperspace. We ended up in Omicron Beta, coming out of a rift at nearly the speed of a standard Trade Lane. Luckily for us, the Dreamscape was reinforced by Leo after our first adventure into Alberta because the ship impacted several dozen asteroids before settling into an uncontrolled drift.
[She sighs again, recounting the experience.]
Once again, Sailas lit out of there without a concern for me or the other crew. He jumped on the Sisyphus and bailed. I'm convinced that someone or something was after him. At this point, I don't care. If I ever find him I might just kick the shit out of him for his behavior.
Anyway, I stayed behind and got most of the crew offloaded into various ships. I stayed behind to get data off of the databanks before leaving myself, but something happened to the drive onboard and the ship jumped again...this time back into Alberta.
I'll admit, I panicked at first. You recall my first adventure here nearly got me killed. However, as time went on...I grew accustomed to the place. Despite the impact in Beta, the Dreamscape was still sealed and most systems except for engines and weapons were functional. There was ample food left behind for a long distance exploratory mission and the hydroponics were still functional...so I set in for the long term...certain that this place would probably be my grave. Years went by. I only had myself for company. I exercised, spent my time pouring over the readouts from Alberta and pretty much just...existed.
Then, something odd happened it was as if the entire system was shaking is the best description I can give. The lightning within the storm intensified and struck the Dreamscape. Without warning, the drive powered up again and hurled me into the Orkney system, where I'm sure A.B.A.D.D.O.N. picked up the ship. Immediately after, the ship jumped again and threw me into...some place. I don't really have an answer for what this place was but...there were strange structures everywhere...unfathomably massive towers of an unknown substance. The ship jumped again, this time into another system with odd gates surrounding the outside where it eventually settled, and sits now.
I saw a few gates with open jump holes and took my chance to get out of there. With resources finally beginning to dwindle after my three years aboard, I decided now was as good a time as any to get out of there. I took the Ridge, now renamed the Echo of Infinitum, and launched for the nearest gate where I found myself in Omicron Delta of all places. I landed at Freeport 11 and decided to drop you a line.
[She takes a breath.]
I realize this is a lot to drop on you. Being around no one for three years tends to have a strange effect on people--myself included. I find myself being distant from people and things...as if they are just an illusion. Suffice it to say, my days of being an explorer and researcher are over. I have no interest in that anymore...there are things out there that defy logic and explanation. I'm taking the Echo of Infinitum and going to use it to make a name for myself. The Dreamscape is still out there, in that weird place. If you know now to reach it, it's yours for the taking...complete with all it's scans of Alberta and...elsewhere.
As for me...you might see me around. Lastly, if you see Sailas?
It's good to hear from you, even if the circumstances are...well, let's just say unconventional. Three years is a long time to be tumbling through hyperspace and dodging what sounds like some seriously bad luck. A.B.A.D.D.O.N. definitely picked up the ping from the Dreamscape, which is why I got your message so quickly. Omicron Beta, Alberta, uncontrolled drifts, subspace eddies – that's quite the journey you've been on.
Let me start by saying I understand your frustration with Sailas. Disappearing on you like that was a rotten thing to do, especially after everything you've both been through. Last I heard, he'd settled in with the Core in the Deep Omicrons. Given their recent activities in Omicron Kappa, my guess is he's on Planet Gammu. Not exactly a peaceful retirement, but the Core does tend to attract…colorful personalities.
As for the Dreamscape, that's a tempting offer. Alberta holds a lot of secrets, some we might be better off not knowing. Having the ship's data could be invaluable, though. Give me some time to mull it over.
On a personal note, I understand the isolation getting to you. Three years alone in a vast and strange place like Alberta would do that to anyone. But don't give up on people just yet. We've all been through some rough patches, and having someone to talk to, even just occasionally, can make a world of difference.
If you decide to stick around Omicron Delta, look me up. We can catch up properly, swap stories, and maybe even convince you there's still some adventure left in you. As for Sailas…well, let's just say if our paths cross, I might just have a few choice words for him myself.
Stay safe out there, Rose. And remember, you're not alone.
--Dr. Brandon Wright Research and Development, SLRC
I decided, based on the info you gave me, that I would go and pay Sailas a little visit. I headed towards Durban and asked for a meeting with the prick citing a desire for upgrades from Core technicians in exchange for work.
When I came to Durban, I did not state that I was looking for "my father" only that I wished to speak with Dr. Sailas Montgomery concerning upgrades for the Echo of Infinitum. I gave them my name and waited, expecting Sailas to either ignore the meeting or attempt to dip and head deeper into the Omicrons. To my surprise, he showed up. Here's the thing, Brad. The man that met me isn't Sailas. He's a good doppelganger no doubt...but not the man I know of as my father. My guess is, whoever this man truly is, he didn't have the time to research everything about Sailas' life, including his family members. My last name being my mothers instead of Sailas' probably threw him off.
My name, the ships name, and everything else did not elicit a reaction from him. He acted as if I were another Freelancer looking to upgrade my ship. I sensed no duplicitous nature or reason for him doing this...he simply did not know who I was. This "Sailas" is a red-herring, Brad. An actor placed in our path to stop us from looking deeper; a distraction. Sailas fell off the grid on purpose. Maybe something or someone was after him...after all, what man would abandon his daughter like he did? Do I have it all wrong? Was he really in danger?
I need to figure this out. I might have a lead in Sigma-13. The Echo randomly pinged a location in Sigma-13 citing something called "Echo Protocol". Do you know what's at "-50361 0 9517" out there? Closest thing I can figure is Newport Station. I'm going to investigate.
This is getting stranger by the minute. A Sailas impersonator? That throws a whole new wrench into things. Here's what I'm thinking:
Your gut feeling about Sailas disappearing for a reason seems spot on. Maybe someone or something is after him, forcing him to vanish under a new identity. The Core wouldn't be above using an imposter to throw you off his trail. Unfortunately, my knowledge of the Sigma sectors is limited. Sailas handled most Consortium research there, leaving me in the dark. "Echo Protocol" could be anything from a mundane data transfer to something much more sinister.
That being said, Proceed with Caution. Sailas programmed A.B.A.D.D.O.N. and other Consortium systems. If he's hiding, expect booby traps. Remember the water pail incident at my office? That was amateur compared to what Sailas could cook up. Proceed with extreme caution.
You should investigate Newport Station Discreetly: It might not be the exact location, but Newport Station could offer clues. Look for former Consortium or Freelancer personnel, research labs, or anything related to "Echo Protocol."
I also want to consider the Dreamscape. If Sailas planned ahead, the Dreamscape data could hold the key to the Echo Protocol. Maybe it's mentioned in logs, research notes, or some hidden file.
This whole thing is a tangled mess. Sailas disappearing, the imposter, and the Echo Protocol… it all feels connected. Keep your wits about you, Rose. Don't let them manipulate you.
I'll dig into my network and see if I can uncover anything about the Echo Protocol or Sigma-13 research. In the meantime, keep me updated.
--Dr. Brandon Wright Research and Development, SLRC
Sorry for going dark for so long. Investigations and contracts notwithstanding, I was quite busy. The life of a Freelancer sure is busy.
[She lets loose a lilting laugh.]
Anyway, I finally had some time to go investigate that strange ping from the Echo. Turns out, and you'll never believe this, it didn't ping Newport, it pinged an unstable Jump hole to...someplace. I don't have any maps of the system but initial investigation from those on Newport call it "Copernicus". The jump hole is wildly unstable and the Echo would probably get ripped apart trying to transition through. I could have overridden the safety protocols, but I've had enough of hyperspacial shenanigans to last me a lifetime.
While I was investigating the jump hole, a ship appeared on long range scanners. I cloaked the Echo and observed for a time. The ship appeared to be waiting for something or someone, so I decided to open up communications.
As you can see in the logs, he hesitated when I mentioned those three names: Liam, Crowley, or Dante. All names from my childhood. My grandfather's and uncle's name. It would makes sense that Sailas would take a name that closely matches something from his past. One of them is even his original name back from when he was a Molly...but I don't think he would be that reckless. Keeping a distance from who he was is the entire reason he went to ground. Regardless, I would keep an eye out for anyone acting strange around SLRC ships with that specific name.
I'm going to keep investigating and will keep you updated.
[22.05.2024 18:50:01] Echo.of.Infinitum: ?: Very interesting...and who might you be then?
[22.05.2024 18:50:37] Eternal.Journey: Jack: Huh? Whose there?
[22.05.2024 18:50:47] Echo.of.Infinitum: ?: I'm asking the questions.
[22.05.2024 18:51:19] Echo.of.Infinitum: [A stern womans voice comes across the comm. The note in her voice seems familar somehow.]
[22.05.2024 18:51:40] Echo.of.Infinitum: ?: Not many come out this way. Even fewer know of this Jump hole.
[22.05.2024 18:51:52] Eternal.Journey: Jack: Oh, you are, are you? Not even going to reveal or introduce yourself?
[22.05.2024 18:52:11] Echo.of.Infinitum: ?: Are you the Echo Protocol?
[22.05.2024 18:52:30] Echo.of.Infinitum: ?: Were you sent here by my father?
[22.05.2024 18:52:51] Echo.of.Infinitum: ?: More games, damn you Sailas.
[22.05.2024 18:52:53] Eternal.Journey: J: Echo Protocol? Do i look like some smart scientist kinda guy?
[22.05.2024 18:53:11] Echo.of.Infinitum: ?: No, I suppose not. [She sighs.]
[22.05.2024 18:53:30] Echo.of.Infinitum: [She deactivates the scrambler.]
[22.05.2024 18:53:37] Eternal.Journey: J: I'm just an explorer. Followed a rumour or two about some disturbance out here.
[22.05.2024 18:54:06] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: My name is Dr. Rose Emery. I was given coordinates to come here.
[22.05.2024 18:54:21] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: I was hoping it was from my father. Except /you/ showed up.
[22.05.2024 18:54:32] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: He's missing, you see.
[22.05.2024 18:55:01] Echo.of.Infinitum: [The gunboat appears to be of Zoner design, except there are highly advanced weapons and scanning systems onboard.]
[22.05.2024 18:55:07] Echo.of.Infinitum: [You note the weapons are powered down...for now.]
[22.05.2024 18:55:10] Eternal.Journey: Jack: Pleased to finally be not talking to a Ghost, Rose. The name's Kynaston. Jack Kynaston
[22.05.2024 18:55:33] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: I see. Well Jack, do you know of a Sailas Montgomery? Also a doctor.
[22.05.2024 18:56:15] Eternal.Journey: J: Should I? Dont ring any bells.
[22.05.2024 18:56:45] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: No, probably not. He wouldn't be stupid enough to use the name he used in the Consortium...
[22.05.2024 18:57:31] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: What was the name he used when I was a child... [She thinks to herself for a moment.]
[22.05.2024 18:57:45] Eternal.Journey: J: Consortium? What Consortium?
[22.05.2024 18:58:02] Echo.of.Infinitum: [She returns her attention to the Freelancer.]
[22.05.2024 18:58:20] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: The Starlight Research Consortium in Tau-23. Zoners pushing the boundries of science and yada-yada.
[22.05.2024 18:58:41] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: My father was the Director and I was apart of them as well for a time...but he disappeared several years ago.
[22.05.2024 18:59:00] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: The Echo picked up something called Echo Protocol and directed me here.
[22.05.2024 18:59:57] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: I believe he is in hiding due to something or someone being after him. This Echo Protocol may be him going further to...
[22.05.2024 19:00:01] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: ...ground.
[22.05.2024 19:00:18] Echo.of.Infinitum: [She narrows her eyes.]
[22.05.2024 19:00:29] Eternal.Journey: J: *a light scribbling was heard, physically writing in his notebook* Hmm. I could look around for him. Besides....
[22.05.2024 19:00:34] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: You're here just because you /heard/ of something here? From where?
[22.05.2024 19:00:51] Eternal.Journey: J: I have missing people to look for too...
[22.05.2024 19:01:22] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Like my father always said, people go missing all the time. Sirius is a big place.
[22.05.2024 19:01:31] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Annoying that it happened to him.
[22.05.2024 19:01:41] Eternal.Journey: J: Came to the freeport for a hearty drink and some time away from the Omegas and Omicrons.
[22.05.2024 19:02:31] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Damnit...just like my Grandpa Crowley always said...circumstances will always bite you in the ass. Ugh.
[22.05.2024 19:02:54] Eternal.Journey: J: Couple people aboard Newport piqued my interest when mentioned in passing, a few credits here n there got me a straight-
[22.05.2024 19:03:13] Eternal.Journey: J:-answer as to what they were discussing.
[22.05.2024 19:03:51] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Sorry, I'm just suspicious of everyone anymore. I suppose I'm socially awkward because of all the time I spent alone in-
[22.05.2024 19:03:55] Echo.of.Infinitum: -Alberta.
[22.05.2024 19:04:28] Eternal.Journey: J: *writes down the name Dr. Rose Emery, with a line and Crowleys name* Alberta? Isnt that link De-stabilised??
[22.05.2024 19:04:45] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Oh it is, not for malfunctioning hyperdrives apparently.
[22.05.2024 19:05:13] Eternal.Journey: J:Malfunctioning Hyper-what?
[22.05.2024 19:05:15] Echo.of.Infinitum: [She waves her hand.] Emery: Don't get me started.
[22.05.2024 19:05:39] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Let's just say I jumped there and got stuck for three years aboard a partially destroyed carrier.
[22.05.2024 19:06:10] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: ...and now I find my father is just... [She makes a poof expression with her hands.]
[22.05.2024 19:06:16] Eternal.Journey: J: You mean that the Jump Gate technology has been miniaturised now? How havent i heard of this before???
[22.05.2024 19:06:38] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Most are prototypes. SLRC has a few but they malfunction half the time.
[22.05.2024 19:07:00] Eternal.Journey: J: For Science, i suppose?
[22.05.2024 19:07:07] Echo.of.Infinitum: [She groans.]
[22.05.2024 19:07:11] Eternal.Journey: J: Risk versus Reward?
[22.05.2024 19:07:13] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: ...for "science".
[22.05.2024 19:07:56] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Anyway, basically I got screwed. Now I'm trying to piece shit together and failing epically.
[22.05.2024 19:08:14] Echo.of.Infinitum: [She mumbles.] Maybe Brad was right...red herring?
[22.05.2024 19:09:10] Eternal.Journey: J:Im trying to piece my own puzzle together... also getting nowhere. Might be time to delve back into the mysteries-
[22.05.2024 19:09:27] Eternal.Journey: J:-of the Omicrons again...
[22.05.2024 19:09:41] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Take it from me. Leave some of those mysteries where they lie.
[22.05.2024 19:09:50] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Not everything is meant to be discovered...or wants to.
[22.05.2024 19:10:21] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Humanity wants to put a label on everything...but some things out there defy all logic or understanding.
[22.05.2024 19:10:25] Eternal.Journey: J: People i care about are missing, without a trace. No trail, no goodbye, no nothing.
[22.05.2024 19:10:46] Echo.of.Infinitum: [A shadow passes over her face.]
[22.05.2024 19:10:52] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Don't remind me.
[22.05.2024 19:11:17] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: My father abandoned me to my fate in Alberta. Despite that, I search for him. Mostly to kick him in the nuts.
[22.05.2024 19:11:24] Eternal.Journey: J: Not even the emergency lines we left open for one another are working anymore. Just static..
[22.05.2024 19:11:49] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Have you considered they're dead? Pissed off the wrong pirate or criminal? I've wondered that myself.
[22.05.2024 19:12:42] Eternal.Journey: J: There would have been at least some trail to investigate. Instead... theres nothing. One of their last known whereabouts-
[22.05.2024 19:12:57] Eternal.Journey: J: Was Freeport Eleven in Delta.
[22.05.2024 19:13:04] Echo.of.Infinitum: [She curses.]
[22.05.2024 19:13:13] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: That blasted station in that damned system.
[22.05.2024 19:13:23] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Always, it's at the center of this kind of shit.
[22.05.2024 19:13:34] Eternal.Journey: J: Not a fan of Delta?
[22.05.2024 19:14:13] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: No. The Omicrons are a place we shouldn't be poking around in. There is shit out there that isn't meant for us.
[22.05.2024 19:14:24] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Yet...I have to go there in my search it seems.
[22.05.2024 19:14:36] Echo.of.Infinitum: [She groans again.]
[22.05.2024 19:15:33] Eternal.Journey: J: I mean, maybe. Maybe not. Does your Father seem like the kinda man to go to those kindsa places?
[22.05.2024 19:16:15] Echo.of.Infinitum: [She laughs.] Emery: You never met Sailas. He has a hard-on for getting into death defying situations just to learn something.
[22.05.2024 19:16:45] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Hell, one time in Coronado, he nearly got us cooked by radiation in some asteroid field to get scans of a wrecked gate.
[22.05.2024 19:17:00] Eternal.Journey: J: *there was an audible snort* Sounds kinda like an explorer.
[22.05.2024 19:17:00] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: I was on anti-rad medication for weeks.
[22.05.2024 19:17:50] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: He's borderline manic...but he's my dad...and I worry about him. I was pursumed dead...I don't know how he might've felt
[22.05.2024 19:18:18] Eternal.Journey: J: Losing family isnt easy..
[22.05.2024 19:18:52] Echo.of.Infinitum: [She sighs.] Emery: No, it's not. All we have is each other...
[22.05.2024 19:19:12] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: I wonder...you said you've never met a Sailas before...but have you ever met a Liam? Or Crowley? Dante?
[22.05.2024 19:19:25] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: It might have been easier for him to use a name from our family than make up a new one.
[22.05.2024 19:20:28] Eternal.Journey: J: *there was almost visible contemplation, maybe it was one of the names stuck out, maybe just trying to remember*
[22.05.2024 19:21:36] Eternal.Journey: J: Liam... Crowley.. Dante... Any last names? met a few of these people in my days? Might help narrow it down.
[22.05.2024 19:22:17] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: O'sullivan would be the name he went by...but I doubt he would advertise that to stay as under the radar as possible.
[22.05.2024 19:23:08] Echo.of.Infinitum: [She narrows her eyes in suspicion at the Freelancer. He was in quiet contemplation for a long time.]
[22.05.2024 19:23:28] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Maybe I'm grasping at straws...he wouldn't use a name I could easily discover.
[22.05.2024 19:23:52] Echo.of.Infinitum: [She jots something down on a pad nearby.]
[22.05.2024 19:24:25] Eternal.Journey: O'sullivan. No... Dont think so.
[22.05.2024 19:25:22] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: I see...well...I won't take up any more of your time then. Word of caution on the other side of that unstable rift...
[22.05.2024 19:25:38] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: ...be careful in there. That system isn't to be underestimated.
[22.05.2024 19:25:57] Eternal.Journey: J: Might be worth dropping a few questions here n there across Freeports all over Sirius. Zoners usually know things that most-
[22.05.2024 19:26:06] Eternal.Journey: J: -dont know.
[22.05.2024 19:26:21] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Oh, believe me, I know. I used to be a Zoner myself.
[22.05.2024 19:26:56] Eternal.Journey: J: Interesting.
[22.05.2024 19:27:12] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Oh?
[22.05.2024 19:27:47] Eternal.Journey: J: You know whats on the other side? Do you have a smaller vessel that can traverse the unstable connection or?
[22.05.2024 19:28:15] Eternal.Journey: J: Cause... This things reading like the most thatll manage to slip through is fightercraft, at MOST a freighter.
[22.05.2024 19:28:19] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: I might. I might not. What I know is that system is dangerous...though it does cut through into near Liberty.
[22.05.2024 19:28:35] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: A shortcut of sorts...if you're careful.
[22.05.2024 19:29:14] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: I could wedge the Echo in there if I wanted, but I'd probably get torn apart. No something I'm interested in doing.
[22.05.2024 19:29:34] Eternal.Journey: J: Liberty... A connection through for Liberty to Kusari and Rheinland... hmm.
[22.05.2024 19:30:14] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Indeed. It's an alternate path. Careful though. Like I said, it's riddled with hazards. I traversed it in another ship.
[22.05.2024 19:30:20] Eternal.Journey: J: *more note writing, of the names mentioned earlier, and about this information of where possible connection leads back*
[22.05.2024 19:30:23] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Thought the Echo Protocol might be there.
[22.05.2024 19:31:37] Eternal.Journey: J: Yeah.. Careful is what I'm used to. Not my first rodeo through an Unstable into unknown territory.
[22.05.2024 19:31:59] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Alright then, Jack, safe travels. I need to get going and look around some more. Maybe get something to eat at Newport.
[22.05.2024 19:32:09] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Keep an eye out for my father too.
[22.05.2024 19:32:45] Eternal.Journey: J: I hear their Chowder is good. And Ill have a look around, see if I can dig anything up.
[22.05.2024 19:33:00] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Wonderful. Safe travels.
[22.05.2024 19:33:14] Eternal.Journey: J: Maybe... Maybe you can have a look around for a couple names for me too.
[22.05.2024 19:33:37] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Well...can't hurt to look around at the same time I guess. Relay them to me.
[22.05.2024 19:33:41] Eternal.Journey: J: Catherine... and Daros...
[22.05.2024 19:33:53] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Got last names or...
[22.05.2024 19:34:08] Eternal.Journey: Cat's is White, Daros, Romero.
[22.05.2024 19:34:32] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Got it, I'll keep an eye out for them as well.
[22.05.2024 19:34:54] Eternal.Journey: J: Thank you.
[22.05.2024 19:35:15] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: No worries, I need to head out though. See you around maybe.
[22.05.2024 19:35:24] Eternal.Journey: J: Safe journey to you, Rose.
[22.05.2024 19:35:33] Echo.of.Infinitum: Emery: Mmmhmm.
[22.05.2024 19:35:38] Eternal.Journey: J: *almost inaudibly* Stars keep you...