Aspen's Logs and Notes

[Proselyte]

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Aspen Harlow
State of the Edge

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Set out to cross items off the list. Trusted in the Dandelion and its armor. Safeguarded my mother, and now me. Better family than we turned out to be to each other. Still, hearts can be opened - maybe it can be different. Survival comes first. Praying they have, too.

K'hara activity rising across the Edge Worlds, especially Theta. Inauspicious timing, Delta and Kappa my destinations. What's sparked this? Something's motivating the Mindshare. No longer content to bide time? Circumstances've changed, but I'm not sure how. So distant...

Pains me, but know better now than to go digging so soon. Travail likely ending in a demise a mite more permanent. That is if I am lucky.

Passing through Omega-11, discovered diamonds aboard an adrift DHC miner. Valuable on Freeport 11, I figured. Trip through Theta didn't draw any envious eyes, human or otherwise. Relaxing conversation with an NCC captain named Owens. Cleared some misconceptions about the faith, very much welcome. Impersonators on Canaria bear ill-intent - organized crime? Or perhaps more to it than it seems. Suppose it's unimportant for now. Waved me off of suspected Wild presence in-system. Dutiful man.

Arrived on the Freeport without incident. Deep Omicrons, swimming with tension, floods the very space I move through. Distracting. I remember we used to say the air felt different here, slimmest idea of how right we were. And when the room is quiet... a faint melody, haunting and discordant. Hushed tones that leave one unsure if they were imagined.

I remember a Crest F.M. pick. "Knock Me Down". Redirects attention, and it's a great rhythm. Best not to stay long, and as it happens, had little reason to. Was concerned how to subvert on-board satellite security to plant Orrin's line shunt. A moot point - no satellite. Old comm-sat near the Freeport was dismantled I think. Bad news for him. Relief for me.

Searched the spot where it was, to make sure. Scanners picked up inconsistent readings from a supposedly collapsed jump hole. Intriguing, wanted to get close, but antimatter passed across my bow. Turned around on the spot after that. Will be keeping that little experience to myself. At least sold the diamonds, and heard rumors about an Omicron Pi system now phase aligned nearby. Active artifacts lay within. Tempting but perilous.

Doubled back and stopped in Kappa on the way. Second time ever seeing Livadia. The shipyard contacts confirmed the quantities of parts orders needed for the coming year. Also confirmed that 41 and Theta are the focal points of alien activity based on recent sightings, Kappa remains quiet. Save for the Core conquest of Gammu of course - but old news. Not for me. Went to lay eyes on their massive citadel from orbit, swarming with Core looters now. Deeply pitiable. I hope for '34 and Feedback, but likely in vain.

Returned just fine. This time, thankfully. Found a nice spot to stargaze on my return, too. He should like that.

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