Dee.log

[Overseer]

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Login: LSD
Subject: Tau-23 Anomalies (2)

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Starlight Research

Continuing the investigation about the current events in T-23, I decided to return to the area of the Ikarus modular installation. Turns out it is not only the base of operation of Starlight Research, a(nother) Zoner research group, but also a semi-official No-Fire-Zone maintained by Starlight Research.

I met Brandon Wright, the Head of R&D of SLRC. Talkative man, allegedly with a degree from Freeport 1 about Baxter Anomalies? I wonder what the factual term for that is. Despite belittling me for not being a similar capacity when it comes to his favourite research topic, he was very cooperative although a bit unfocused. In general, the SLRC bunch seems like a very loose ragtag bunch of nerds who traded a professional appearance for a robust midriff and a few bottles of alcohol. My first impression of them is quite positive and they seem to either be extremely convincing at lying about the Baxter Anomalies in Tau-23 and Kepler, or they take these things very seriously.

I asked whether a Bretonian spook would be welcome on Ikarus, and Wright sent me a neural net document to request access to the station. I'll do that, although I am not exactly eager to walk around where Technocrats and other people would just love to divide me by zero. Then again, that's my job, anyway. Does it matter whether I get shot on that freeport or in space by some bloodthirsty idiot like this Silver Serpent? His reasons for hating Bretonians are completely relatable, but he was not interested in anything other than violence. Asshole was just waiting for someone to give him permission to yeet a warhead at me.

Wright gave me some information on the Baxter Anomalies. I'll forward that to our nerds at some point, but right now I can't be arsed to make any sense of it. It's not that I don't understand it, but it's certainly easier to listen to someone without these anomalies popping up right in front of me, them talking about losing a carrier to a large nomad, a Technocrat gunboat leering at me and that edgelord wanting to wipe his human rights violated tears with my skin.

I've also met the director of Starlight Research, another nerd called Sailas Montgomery, Dr. I really should ask for the full titles next time. He was present during the situation earlier in T-23, with the KNF and such. I was hoping to get a few more words with him, but the nerds kept talking with each other about this and that and as quickly as he showed up, he left again. Well, at least I have a name now.

Apparently, to put it short, these anomalies are some sort of baby unstable jump holes, or "pressure bursts of subspace" in Wright's words. Well, my words won't cut it precisely. The important thing is: Don't get close.

A Technocrat gunboat was there, too. It headed directly for Ikarus, and despite some uneasy tension, we managed to not open fire at each other - which is good since, you know, it's a gunboat. I guess if you are nice enough, even the Technocrats give peace a shot, pun not intended.

Well, now I sit on a big chunk of transcribed audio. I'm currently wondering whether to forward it to the KNF, or KNI, or KOI. I feel like what I have is not enough yet. Maybe I can get a few words with the Technocrats themselves. Not directly, that much is certain, but if I stay patient and just stick around near Ikarus, just to see if any kind of talk is possible that way, that would already be something.

One thing is certain: The Technocrat gunboat approached Ikarus without much word and stuck to the nerds in a protective way. I'm certain they work together regarding the anomalies. Wright certainly kept quiet about SLRC's dealings with the Technocrats when I lead the conversation in that direction. Clever, clever, but also a good way to increase suspicion.

The room I usually rent on Freeport 6 was already occupied by someone else, and the other rooms don't have showers. I simply returned to my cockpit after ordering a few bottles of water. Definitely one of the more embarrassing things, stripping down in the cargo hold, using wet wipes and water bottles to get the sweat off myself. I've come to enjoy this edgy agent outfit with the helmet and such, but it's definitely not made to be worn for a longer time.

Well, another day survived. Time for the evil spook to get some rest. Today, the cockpit will do.

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