Diary of Cuvier's Captain

[Starfish]

***

Distinction between borderworlds and corewordls in some ways was quite symbolic. Burgundy, which was commonly seen as borderworlds "capital", was located at a distance of only one jump from the Ile-de-France. For Auvergne one needed three jumps but it was included to coreworlds. Still some difference was obvious. Already in Burgundy I noticed a random ships wreck in asteroid fields. Dauphine and especially Languedoc also has numerous signs of old battles. Likely, some ships even contain working equipment. Of course, I has no intention to check it, but I can imagine that junkers can make a good profit with those wrecks.

Passage through minefield was wide and well marked. I even had not to stop cruise engines. On full speed Cuvier was entered exactly in the center of Jump Hole.

Orkney and first of Tau systems were left behind. Both systems were protected by Royal Navy: I saw numerous fighter patrols as well stationary battleships during flight. Near captured Sirian station has been a Jump Gate from Tau-23 to Tau-31 - also a Sirian origin. More small and less impressive then Gallic analog. On the other side of the gate was the Sirian Jump Line. It was vertically oriented unlike horizontal Gallic Lines but works by the same way. As well Gate. I wonder, was it similarity just coincidence or, as rumours told, Crown spies stealed gatene techonology from Sirians? Maybe they not so backward in technology, as I thought.

This Tau system - Tau-31, - also had a stationary Gallic battleship. Last one on my way. From here the Kusari space began.

***

Unknown space. Strange ships profiles, unfamiliar call-signs.

Large station signed as "Freeport 6". "Zoners" ships nearby. Still, no hostilities encountered. Another Jump Gate... and obvious sign of another power - Sirian-made battleship near exit from Gate. Well, I am a trader only... true warriors don't shoot traders.

Land of famous rice - large Sirian planet called Kyushu. All around were Sirian - lines and gates, stations and planets, all the space. Bomber that was going to intercept Cuvier was also Sirian.