Laz. How do you feel about talking with people? Could talk to people in Rheinland or Kusari. Or the Miners Guild? Or try to find Nenet, spend time with her? Ask if she can keep an eye out for any potential middle men. Same with Bluefin, say Revenant sent you. She's a Pennybrooke.

If you don't feel brave talking to strangers - and who could blame you - could you help with some studies?

There's a variety of topics to choose from: The forsaken hybrid idea, or shielding to resist the Sentinels, or weapons that help fight them.

I also intend to plan on some unique weapon systems, consider them as gifts for those who help us on our journey. If you wish to help.

Or, well... Up to you.

By the by, I last overheard Stavros was planning something big in the Technocracy. Not sure what's up there. Something to do about our day of founding? Our unity? Might be nothing.

Oh, hey. Now, Nenet is a name I haven't heard in a long while, I hope she remembers me at all. Ah, and yes-- the hybrids! How could I forget... ha ha. Oh God I've left them on ice for so long with everything going on. The idea of developing weapons meant to pierce through the Sentinels is definitely on my mind too, though I might have to listen to the opinion of different associates. Or our own in the R&D team - I might work something up if I can get my mind to it.

As for Stravos... well, maybe I can pay him a visit of my own and DISCREETLY ask what the whole fuss is about. I'm not some lowly desk-job unpaid intern anymore, am I?

Mmm... Nenet has been around. She will remember you.

I've had some time to think, Laz, and it helps to orientate yourself through meditation. In my case, despite the gradual decay, there is some resolve to be found. With each pain, it only strengthens my will. My ambition.

You are afraid. You are right to be scared. But try to remain calm. Find solace in this: We are the only ones who have a far more indepth insight to these matters than any other group. Sirians will be repulsive, as they usually do. The truth is ugly, hard and terrifying, but we shouldn't concede to these fears. We're hurt, but these things will take time to overcome. We have the advantage, and we have to remember, despite our disagreements, we're always together.

And... Do not think of my misadventures as abandonment. I would never. For I still hold love for each and every one of you, as if you were my own family. Even they know this. They've tested it.

...

You needn't worry about forcing yourself to become burdened. I have had some progress done, some of the other teams back home have been assessing the projects... Well - the Hybrid project is more of a personal endeavour. One that should be carefully controlled.

Stavros is a busy, yet hard man. I wouldn't disturb him, not in the the middle of their business... Speaking of which, I have recalled, that the celebrations of our foundations this year were postponed. I prodded around and overheard that some Military Arm assets being relocated around for additional ceremonial duties. He is likely prepping to make an announcement of some kind.

Now...


Once again, I repeat myself: Stop panicking. Focus on one thing. Small steps, my dear friend. Relax. Pick one thing.

By the by, why do you need to go to Colorado? Especially now, at the height of danger?

...You're right. I got really overwhelmed with the amount of things on our monolithic to-do list and ended up doing nothing at all. Not to mention that fun little period I've spent drinking my days away. But I'm way past that now.

Despite how grim things are looking with all of these enemies we've made all over the place, you've still held us close to you, that... means a lot to me. Being part of a bigger union really put a lot of perspective in me, something I really didn't have before. So... thanks. I mean it.

As for Nenet I can try to contact her, I'll start with that. See how she's holding up. I'll... figure out the rest as we go.

Colorado's... quite important to me. Denver, specifically. My folks live there, and I've only been sending delayed back-and-forths through the holo because I didn't want to leave Valravn at the time. It's likely they won't agree with many of the choices I've made over the years, but I have almost no regrets. Oh, and also because I've left some important tools on my old ship. I was thinking of putting it back together to ease covert ops or to just peacefully visit major Liberty living centers without being kidnapped and/or assassinated.

How fascinating... Wolf has fatigued me with his egotistical stunt.


Nrgh.


Very well... Stick to where home is so we can have emergency response, should something happen. I can't sign off on your request, so you'll probably have to redeem your time-off days you've built up. Try to avoid Liberty.

Before you take a rejuvenation period, send in all necessary data you have obtained to the labs. Especially the one regarding the jump drive. Don't take too long.

Oh. One last thing. Provide me the datalog of your conversation with Wolf. Send the physical copy to my apartment on Ismara.

I want to assess the conversation myself.

I want to try something a little more... experimental. I want us to be able to dissipate the energy from their forms. Sap it. Leech it. Transfer it, Empty out the husk. As opposed to conventionally destroying it, we might be able to see if there is anything to salvage from the Sentinels. I wonder if the conscience they capture can even be recovered, but we'll see.

I needn't tell you standard procedure regarding health & safety protocols so try your best not to get the lab blown up, all of this theory will go under a unique project file under a Zeta classification. Just incase it isn't just the Sentinels we have to concern ourselves with. I know how naive Shozak can be with his blood lust.

I have some old documents as well as the fresh new intel we received from Hans recently. You can refer to them, I'll forward some of them to the project.

Oh, and by the way, Locke stumbled over to Valravn to suss out Trouble, asking a lot of questions, some involving Cobra. And one of the many things he reminded me about is you revealing a lot of crucial secrets. If you pull that stunt again in the future, I am going to going to make death by Hemlocke seem like an act of mercy. Just incase I did not warn you before.