Knights of the Lone Star

[Snapp]

!! Spoiler Alert !!

These are the personal logs of Edison Trent. 800-801 A.S.

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "I've finally decided to leave Bretonia and to try my luck in the Borderworlds. Despite what Tobias says, I can't sit around Leeds for the rest of my life and fix up other people's ships while more and more alien ruins are being discovered. They say that only 11 percent of the Borderworlds have been charted yet and hundreds of unknown planets are awaiting discovery. I'm starting this personal Neural Net Log to keep track of my travels and adventures."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "After two weeks of travel, I finally managed to get to the Sigma system cluster. The trip through the Independent Worlds turned out to be much more dangerous than I thought. I was lucky several times that police patrols happened to be in the area when pirates wanted to blast me out of the stars. Anyway, word has it that there are a number of uncharted systems in this area of space. I will try to find out more information."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "It's been six weeks since my last entry. Unfortunately, I couldn't find out anything about alien ruins or uncharted systems. Very frustrating. The only thing I've heard was that there's been sightings of strange ships out near Sigma 17. Who knows. The good news is that I've managed to hook up with a captain of a Republican Shipping convoy. He's transporting a large shipment of Boron from Mainz to Honshu, but wants to keep the profits for himself. We agreed to meet on Kurile tomorrow. We'll see, maybe luck is on my side this time."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Well, I did the deal. I'm now the proud owner of over a ton of Boron. I put all my savings into this deal. It's not entirely legal, but here in the Borderworlds, nobody really pays too much attention to this. I've been in contact with a man named Lonnigan, apparently a hired gun representing Samura Heavy Industries. He says his clients might be interested in the shipment."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "I met Lonnigan as planned on Kurile yesterday and we came to an agreement on the price. The plan is to meet on Freeport 7 tomorrow to seal the deal on the ore shipment. If everything works out they'll owe me a million credits. It's the deal of a lifetime."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "I still can't quite believe it. Lonnigan and I had just signed the deal when the attack occurred. We barely made it out alive. From the time the alert started, we only had a few moments before the station blew up. Hundreds of people weren't so lucky. I actually had to carry Lonnigan to the life pod because a bulkhead collapsed during the attack and hit him in the head. Hes been unconscious ever since. The medics assure me that he'll recover. I certainly hope so. We're currently on a rescue ship en route to Manhattan but things aren't looking so good. I lost my ship and my ore shipment blew up with the rest of the station. All I have left is 500 credits. That wouldn't even buy me a ticket back to Leeds on a waste disposal freighter."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Well, after several days of travel, we finally arrived on Manhattan. It was about time, the rescue ship was everything but a pleasant experience. The other eight survivors simply wouldn't stop talking about what had happened on Freeport 7. Speculations were running wild, and just about everybody was accused at one point or another. Some were convinced Chancellor Niemann was behind the attack, and others accused Governor Tekagi. A Kruger rep assured me that Samura was the only possible group that had an interest in destroying Freeport 7. After a whole lot of useless debate, the majority seemed to agree in the end that The Order was behind it. Anyway, I have to say Manhattan is everything that Tobias made it out to be: a single giant city that covers almost the entire planet. They say that over 220 million people live here -- unbelievable. The medics just took Lonnigan to intensive care in Medical. They said itll take a while until hes released. No matter how long it takes, I'll stay in Manhattan until he recovers. After all, we had signed the deal already. In the meantime, I should find a job. My 500 credits won't last long. Maybe there is someone in the bar who could give me a lead."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Nice, after all Ive been through. The bar here doesnt even carry a Sidewinder Fang. The bartender served me a Liberty Ale -- definitely the only one Ill ever drink -- but after talking for a while, he gave me something else, which was at least decent. He also pointed me to a Liberty Security Force officer who might have a job for me. Her name is Junko Zane. Shes talking to some guy right now. I guess it's okay for me to interrupt and see if she has something for me."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "I talked to her. At first she seemed pretty annoyed that I interrupted her conversation, but after she heard that I was on Freeport, she was a lot nicer. Seems like I could be in luck! Shes looking for a freelancer right now and said that shed be in the equipment room later. I also have to remember to call her Juni, not Junko. Ill definitely look her up -- it sounds promising."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "I took the job. Juni offered me an old surplus Starflier and a few thousand credits. The ship is old and doesnt have jump gate access, but its better than nothing. As long as Im waiting for Lonnigan to recover, I dont mind hanging around in the New York system for a while. The mission itself seems easy enough: escort a convoy of Food and medical supplies from Ft. Bush to Pittsburgh. I dont really know where any of these places are, but she said the mission should be easy. Im supposed to hook up with the mission CO King in space above Manhattan. Juni said my ship will be moved to the launch pad. All I have to do is get ready and launch into space."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Am I some sort of magnet for catastrophes? First Freeport 7 is destroyed while Im on it, now I launch from one of the safest places in the colonies, the capitol of Liberty, and a visiting Rheinland dignitary gets killed. Im really starting to wonder. I know that I was looking for excitement and adventure when I left Leeds, but this has been a bit much lately. Anyway, King says that duty calls and that we have to rendezvous with the transports near Ft. Bush. Hes uploaded the coordinates of the first Trade Lane to my Neural Net. I guess its time to get going."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Everythings good so far. King and I are in formation with the transport convoy. Everybody here is pretty shaken about the attack on Schultzky. To top it all off, it seems the mission is quite a bit more dangerous than Juni made it out to be. The captain of the USV Brandt says that several convoys have come under attack en route to Pittsburgh in the last weeks. Liberty Rogues are hiding in the debris field surrounding the planet and are attacking convoys to and from Pittsburgh. We have to be careful."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "That was everything but easy! I think Ive been had! Turns out that this entire escort assignment to Pittsburgh was a covert operation by the LSF! The transport convoy was a ruse to draw the Liberty Rogues out of hiding. Well, that certainly worked -- we barely made it out alive! King wants to go out again to search for a suspected Rogue base somewhere in the debris field. I signed up for the deal. I certainly dont want to sit around on Pittsburgh. This has got to be one of the most desolate and sad places Ive ever seen. King also promised me that it would be worth it. Hes waiting for me in space above Pittsburgh."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "King and I hooked up with LSF patrol Epsilon 2 near Pittsburgh and had just started our search pattern when prison ship XT-19 sent a mayday. We immediately changed course and found the prison ship badly damaged and under attack by Rogue fighters. Good thing that we were in the area or that prison ship almost certainly would have been history. Anyway, we managed to destroy the Rogue ships. Patrol Epsilon 2 is staying here to protect XT-19 in case more Rogues show up. King and I will continue the search for the hidden Rogue base. The search pattern is in our Neural Net, and King told me to take the lead."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "After we left the prison ship, King and I flew along the edge of the debris field heading toward our first search grid when we received another mayday, this time from the LSF fighter Beta 4. The ship was being chased out of the debris field by several pirate fighters. We managed to fight off the Rogues. Not a minute too early since Beta 4 was badly damaged. The pilot told the story of how his wing was destroyed in a nearby particle cloud. King believes that they had stumbled upon the hidden Rogue base. We have the coordinates, and King wants me to take the lead. This could get rough."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "We did it! The Rogue base has been destroyed! Not to sound cocky, but we managed to hold off a small fleet of Rogue ships -- not to mention that we took out these vicious weapon platforms. King and I held them off until several LSF wings arrived and finished them off with torpedoes. Pretty impressive! Anyway, King has uploaded coordinates to Pittsburgh. Its time to head back."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Great! I risk my life for the LSF to take out this Rogue base here in New York and then King doesnt even make good on the drink he promised me. Nice partner. Well, at least he transferred the money. I cant wait to upgrade this ship, or as King likes to call it, this pile of junk. At the very least I want some better weapons. The Rogues werent that tough, but if I run into some stronger opposition, I need some better firepower."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Juni called in and told me that President Jacobi has ordered a full investigation into the assassination of Admiral Schultzky. Not surprisingly, it looks like The Order is behind it all. Juni said shed have more work for me soon. In the meantime, she wants me to spread my wings and take a few missions here in New York. No kidding given that my ship doesnt have jump gate access. I couldnt get out of this system even if I wanted to. Besides, Im definitely going to wait for Lonnigan to recover. I want my money, damn it! Anyway, King told me that there should be a Deep Space rep on Pittsburgh that has a mission for me. Well see. Taking on small jobs like that should keep me busy until Juni calls me back."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "It was about time! Its been a while since I heard from Juni, but she just called and asked me to meet her on Manhattan. It looks like she has another assignment for me. I wanted to return to Manhattan anyway to check up on Lonnigan."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "I made it back to Manhattan. No word yet from Lonnigan. Ive checked Medical, but nobody there seemed to know where he is. Nice bureaucracy! Anyway, I met Juni and King in the bar as planned and accepted their offer. Its an interesting assignment, and it actually pays well. The LSF is going after a smuggler -- a guy named Ashcroft, who is transporting illegal Alien Artifacts in and out of Liberty. Juni has information that Ashcroft is trying to move a shipment of Alien Artifacts through the Colorado Gate. King and I have to find the convoy and stop it before it can enter the New York system. The tricky part is that we are supposed to bring Ashcroft in alive. The LSF wants to interrogate him about Artifact trading in Liberty. President Jacobi has made it the top priority of the LSF to stop all Artifact trading -- legal and illegal -- and to seize every Artifact they can find. Its all a little bit strange, really. Usually these things are just collectables for people with way too much money. I dont think Jacobi has told the public the full story yet. The really good news about all this is that Juni has promised to give me the access codes to all Liberty Gates if we bring in Ashcroft."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "I ran into Lonnigan on the landing pad. He was in pretty bad shape. Apparently, he actually escaped from Medical -- no wonder I couldnt find him before. That head injury must have been worse than I thought. He was totally confused, talked about people that were after him, and said that he knew who destroyed Freeport 7. Something about ships that werent there -- a bunch of gibberish. I seriously thought he had lost his mind when suddenly two Liberty guards appeared and shot him with a smart dart. I had to dive out of the way or that thing would have hit me. Anyway, Lonnigan went down and I was still on the ground when one of the guards hit me with a stun baton. Not a pleasant feeling -- it knocked me out in an instant. I have no idea how long I was out. Next thing I remember is Juni slapping me in the face. Looks like Lonnigan got himself into trouble with the local law. Im starting to have the feeling that Im never going to see my million credits. Oh, Tobias is going to have a field day. Looks like Im going to have to work for Juni a while longer. I certainly need the money. Anyway, King is waiting for me in space above Manhattan."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "We made it to the Colorado system. In response to the attack on Schultzky, the navy has moved heavy battleships to all Jump Gates. I have to say -- pretty impressive. Were waiting for an update on the situation from Juni."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Juni just called in. Looks like Ashcroft is coming directly our way. His convoy has entered the Colorado system and the LSF has set up a trap near Pueblo Station. King and I have to scan every ship that comes through the Trade Lane to make sure that none of Ashcroft's people get away."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Well, we scanned all the ships that came through the Trade Lane as ordered. Unfortunately, we got the wrong guy! We found a ship transporting illegal Artifacts and when King ordered the ship to stand down, he attacked. We thought it was one of Ashcrofts men, but it turns out that we took down a guy named Cosmo Van Nostrom -- a real pain. Anyway, just as King started to read him his rights, Juni called. The trap that the LSF had set up near Pueblo failed. Seems that Ashcroft managed to break through the blockade. Contact with Pueblo is lost. Juni wants us to fly there a fast as possible."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "That was close. Pueblo was under attack by at least half a dozen of Ashcrofts men. The station was burning and started to lose life support. They were lucky that we were so close. But even though Ashcroft got away, we might be in luck. The station managed to put a tracking device on one of Ashcrofts ships. We have a signal, and this time he wont get away."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "We surprised Ashcroft while his people were unloading the Artifacts into smaller ships. Its a good thing that Juni sent us support, otherwise this could have been too much for us. We managed to destroy most of Ashcrofts fighters, but Ashcroft himself got away. Hes activated his cruise engines, and headed deeper into the field. Thankfully, King tagged him. We'll have to hurry or hell get away."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Wow, that Ashcroft has a lot of friends. We chased him into the field, and he suddenly dropped out of cruise. I thought he was trying to get away by taking a Jump Hole, but it turns out that a whole bunch of his thugs were ready to take us down. In the end, we chased them off, and I have Ashcroft securely in my cargo hold. I expected this assignment to be harder than the one near Pittsburgh, but I had no idea how well equipped these Artifact smugglers are. Its time to fly back to New York and deliver this guy to Juni. King uploaded the coordinates to the Colorado Gate -- time to get going."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Were back in New York. No more attacks, thank God. King told me an interesting story on the way. Seems like a Rheinland archeological expedition found an entire planet full of Artifacts recently, and heres the kick -- they seem to be active. Ever since then Liberty has tried to shut down the Artifact trade. I just cant believe this. While Im trading Boron, the Rheinlanders make the find of the century. What I would give to get my hands on one of these Artifacts. That was the very reason I left Leeds in the first place."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Well, I hope the information the LSF is getting out of Ashcroft makes all of this worthwhile. King and I were attacked in the middle of the New York system by more of Ashcrofts men. I had no idea how powerful these Artifact traders really are, and I bet the public in Liberty has no idea either. In any event, I delivered Ashcroft to Juni and she will try to squeeze information out of him. The good news is that I now have the access codes for all of the Liberty Jump Gates. This allows me to jump to Texas and California. Should be interesting since Ive never been to either of these systems! I also got an extra bonus -- not bad at all. Maybe I can buy a new ship. The fighter that King is flying looks nice. If that turns out to be too expensive, I could certainly use some better equipment and weapons. Juni said she would be on assignment for a while but that she would need me again soon, Ill be waiting. For now I can spend some time checking out the rest of Liberty space until she calls me again."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Finally! Looks like Juni is back from her assignment. She asked me to meet her on Manhattan."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "This is just great! I flew to Manhattan to meet Juni and to also see if I could find Lonnigan. Well, I didnt have to -- he found me and held a gun to my head! That guy has seriously lost his mind. He told me that he had killed a man today. He was still totally paranoid. Babbled something about Freeport 7 and Zone 21. I told him that I knew that The Order was behind it, but he seems to think that it was Liberty. He says it has something to do with Artifacts. Lonnigan said he wanted to warn me to get out of Liberty. I dont know, he was different this time -- seemed focused and determined -- not at all the man who was confused just a few days ago. After this pleasant encounter I went to the bar to meet Juni, and guess what -- she wasnt there. This whole trip to Manhattan is turning into a disaster. Well, at least she left a message with the bartender for me. Im supposed to meet her on the terraforming station on California Minor. I asked the bartender -- the California system is only one jump away from the New York System. All I have to do is take the Jump Gate to California. According to the bartender, there are Trade Lanes all the way up to California Minor. Hes uploaded the path to my Neural Net."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Well, at least Juni had the decency to call me. She says she needs me for an assignment. Apparently, Ashcrofts interrogation was a success and yielded the information Juni and the LSF were looking for. Im somewhat interested in what that thug had to say. When Im in the mood, Ill look her up on California Minor."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Things are really beginning to freak me out. I finally decided to meet Juni and just came out of the Jump Gate in California when I was stopped by a guy named Brandon Rowlett or something. He said he was with me on Freeport and on the rescue ship. I dont really remember him, but I think I know who this is -- or rather was. The guy was pretty freaked out and told me that some survivors from Freeport 7 had disappeared. He wanted to meet me on Los Angeles, but just as we wanted to fly off, a navy patrol came through the Trade Lane and shot him in cold blood. As the navy ships flew off, they sent me a comm to keep this quiet. What the heck is going on? I guess Ill keep it quiet, I dont want to end up like Rowlett did!"

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "I met Juni on California Minor. Wow, this place is basically a huge ice desert. Why anyone would want to settle here is a mystery to me. This has to be the worst bar in all of Liberty. Juni has less class than I thought. Her mission was interesting. Ashcroft claims that there is a traitor in the ranks of the LSF. Juni and I are to escort a convoy carrying Alien Artifacts from the Magellan system to a secret navy research lab here in California. Only a few people know about the convoy and its cargo. If we are attacked, it would prove that there really is a traitor within the LSF or the navy helping the Artifact smugglers. And just as we were about to leave, the News showed a breaking story that the leader of The Order had been killed. Guess what... they think it was Lonnigan! Thats the most ludicrous thing Ive ever heard. He was a trader, and not even a good one. He didnt plan the attack on Freeport, but he almost got killed in the blast. I tried to tell Juni, but she wouldnt listen. I have to say that Rowlett was right about Freeport 7 survivors disappearing, and most of them violently. I have to be careful. As long as I work for the LSF, I should be pretty safe. I've to get going. Juni is waiting for me in space, and given how moody she is, I better not let her wait too long."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Weve reached the transports just before they entered the Barrera passage. The passage was built by the Navy Corps of Engineers and is basically a tube-shaped clearing through a dense ice asteroid field. Juni says that if there is an attack, itll be inside the passage. We have to stay sharp."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "So much has happened since my last entry. To say that we were attacked is an understatement. These Artifact smugglers seem to have a sheer endless supply of ships. We must have fought off 20 or more fighters in the passage and we were lucky that San Diego dispatched a fighter wing to help us, or we probably wouldnt be here in one piece. If anyone needed proof that theres a traitor somewhere in the LSF or navy, I think we now have ample evidence. Juni landed on Willard to contact her superior. She says we have to fly back to California Minor."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "What in the world is going on? After we left Station Willard, Juni told me that her CO has been placed under arrest for treason, and that all of her friends at the LSF have somehow disappeared. She didnt have an explanation, but maybe that traitor we were trying to weed out wasnt alone. And then on our way back to California Minor, we were attacked by Rheinland Valkyries! I mean... what the hell are Rheinland ships doing in the middle of Liberty space? Seems to me that theres a conspiracy going on, and that its much more serious than we thought. Juni wants to meet a guy named Walker on California Minor. Hes the captain of a Liberty cruiser. Juni says we can trust him and that she knows him from the past. I hope shes right."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "We met Walker on California Minor. Hes a typical stiff military officer, but he seems okay. He even offered me a job with the Liberty Navy. If I ever take a job with these guys, I might as well admit to myself that my dreams of a life filled with adventure and discovery are over. Anyway, he promised to help us hunt down the Artifact smugglers here in California. The plan is to start our search near Station Willard and to take it from there. Well see if Walker can be trusted."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Right as we left the planet, King called in. He confirmed that Junis CO is in prison. He also told us that theres been a major shake-up in the ranks of the LSF. He seemed worried. But that not the last of it. As we entered formation with Walkers cruisers, he contacted us on a secure channel to tell us that Navy High Command ordered his group back to space dock for inspection. He seemed very suspicious since his ships had been to space dock just two months ago. Suddenly, we picked up a mayday from Station Willard. Walker decided to disregard the High Command and ordered his group to head to the station. We have to hurry. The station reports that it is taking heavy damage."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "That must have been the biggest battle since the 80-Year War! Station Willard was under attack by several Rheinland gunboats and dozens of fighters. The station took heavy damage, and we barely managed to fight them off. There is general confusion as to what is going on. Walker and Juni are going to meet on the station to try to figure out what's going on. Juni wants me to take a few jobs and to keep my head down. She promised to contact me once she knows more."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Finally, Juni called in. I was starting to get worried about her. She seemed concerned, almost frightened. Im supposed to meet her on Manhattan. I should probably get there quickly and see whats going on."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Ive never seen Juni like this. Shes scared -- no other word to describe it. She flew back to New York to ask Ashcroft what Rheinland ships have to do with the Artifact trade in Liberty, but when she got to the battleship where he was being held, she learned that all records of his arrest had been wiped clean. But thats not the worst of it. Walkers also disappeared. Official records show that his ship was lost five years ago! Something is terribly wrong here in Liberty. Juni thinks our best shot is to look for Walker in California, and given that all other people I know here in Liberty are either dead or have disappeared, that sounds like our best option. Juni went back to the equipment room to take care of some business when I was cornered on the landing deck by a suspicious-looking guy. He told me that he and I were the last two survivors of Freeport 7. I vaguely remembered him from the rescue ship. He told me that the station was blown to pieces because people were looking for an Artifact he has in his possession. Just as he showed me the piece, a navy officer appeared and shot him point blank. I was almost next, but Juni came back just in time. She told him to take me into custody, but he turned on her and opened fire. She was faster, but now were really in trouble. Murder of a military officer is a capital offense here in Liberty and I doubt theyll buy it was self-defense. We have to get out of here -- fast -- while theres still time. Juni says she knows a place to hide."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Looks like Ashcroft and Walker have both disappeared. Somethings definitely wrong, but I dont really want to get into it. I have my own problems. Juni wants to look for Walker back in California. I told her that Im not really ready for this right now. I asked her to wait for me on Manhattan."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "What the hell was all THAT about?! That had to be at least half the Liberty war machine! King tells me that my name suddenly showed up on top of the navys most wanted list. I mean, what the hell? Im wanted for murder, Artifact smuggling, treason, the destruction of Freeport 7, terrorism, and now were here with some old guy Juni knows. I should have never have come to Liberty. Thank God Walker showed up though. I dont think we could have made it out of that hellhole without him."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Three cruisers and a full escort wing, just for a single, one-man station?. Juni seems to be holding together alright, but I don't know how much longer we can hold out like this."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Jeez, even the Bounty Hunters are coming at us in full force. We just cant win, and everything keeps getting more and more confusing. Were in it deep. Now were on a Lane Hacker base, of all things. I think were on the edge of Bretonian space. Maybe being a grease monkey wasnt such a bad idea."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Rheinlanders?! What the hell was all THAT about?! What do they have to do with anything? Could it be that all of this is happening because of this damn artifact? I don't know. All I know is that home in Leeds is just past the cloud. Im sure Tobias will LOVE this story."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Well, Tobias set me up with a good chunk of money for a new ship and pointed me towards the New London ship dealer. Still, I havent been home in a while, and all that money is burning a hole in my pocket. After all that, I could use a drink."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Looks like Juni finally found something... She sent me a message to meet her on Cambridge. Never liked going there -- just a bunch of stuffy bookworms. She says she has a lead on Professor Quintaine. I better get going. The less time I spend in Bretonia the better."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Well, I flew all the way to Cambridge to hook up with Juni. I know shes trying to keep a low profile, and that sometimes means blending into public places, but jeez. I mean we always seem to meet in bars. And, no surprise -- the Professor has disappeared. It feels like a curse -- anyone were trying to find either dies, is on the run, or magically disappears. In this case, however, Juni found a trail that might give us a chance to find Quintaine: a guy named Vance -- hes a pilot that used to help Quintaine get to the various archeological dig sites throughout the Border Worlds. He's not too smart and way too much in love with the bottle to be totally reliable, but he seemed trustworthy. Juni had told him that we were working for the Hammer Research Institute in Liberty and that we were interested in funding some of the Professors research. That certainly opened some doors. Vance told us that the Professor sometimes disappears for weeks without telling anyone. Thats good news -- he might still be alive. Vance pointed us to a Dr. Sinclair, who has been working closely with Quintaine for years. Shes working on a dig site on planet Sprague not too far from here in the Omega-3 system. Then, at the very end of the conversation, Vance told us that a group of Rheinlanders also came by today looking for the Professor. They claimed to be from the New Berlin Museum -- fat chance. We have to hurry. If they get to Sinclair before we do, its over. Juni is waiting in space above Cambridge."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "I rendezvoused with Juni above Cambridge. She has already plotted the course to Sprague. Its not very far. Well have to take the Trade Lane from here to the Norfolk and from there to the Omega-3 system. Once there, the quickest way is to fly to Freeport 1 and cut over to Sprague from there. The planet lies beyond the trade routes and is a bit remote, but overall the trip doesnt seem too bad. The only issues are these damn Rheinlanders. Hopefully, well find the Professor first."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "We just passed the Norfolk. Sounds like the conflict between Bretonia and Rheinland is escalating. We have to be careful. The Norfolk says that no Rheinland ships have been seen in Omega-3 yet. Maybe well be lucky."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Were in Omega-3 and just passed Freeport 1. Its really starting to look like a military confrontation between Bretonia and Rheinland is becoming more and more likely. The Chancellor has ordered the Rheinland Military to set up blockades in the Omega-7 system, and no foreign merchant ships are allowed into Rheinland space anymore. Were continuing on to Sprague. No sight of any Rheinlanders yet."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "What the HELL?! These Rheinland ships came out of nowhere! Just as we were approaching Sprague a number of them just uncloaked directly in front of us. We managed to destroy them, but it was close. I hope they didnt get to Sinclair before we did. We have to land as quickly as possible."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "We found Sinclair, but just as we talked to her, the Rheinlanders attacked the dig site. How do they know where we are all the time? A good part of that blockade mustve been waiting for us. They blew up the docking ring on the way out. Sinclair says she knows of a place nearby. This is gonna be close."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Dont know how we got out of there alive. Ill give the Rheinlanders one thing -- theyre persistent -- annoying, but persistent. As always, another station I set foot on blows up. Im really beginning to hate space, but Im not about to die out here in the middle of nowhere. If Im going down, Im taking a few of those guys with me."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "For a scientist, Sinclair is a damn good pilot, but shes a sad judge of character. So two Rheinland \"defectors\" just happen to cross our path and are kind enough to just show us the way out. Riiiight. Why am I always the only one who picks up on this stuff? We just about got killed a few minutes ago by these same guys, and were all of a sudden following them around?"

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "The battleship Wotan. Ive heard stories about it, but Ive never seen it in person. Rheinland is being more than bold, bringing heavy capitol ships this close to Bretonia and awfully close to home. I didnt believe those two defectors at first, but after watching them take out that battleship, Im guessing things arent exactly picture perfect in the Fatherland. Well, time to get back to Leeds. Bet Tobias cant wait to see what followed me home this time."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Leeds -- home sweet home. At least I know that no matter how bad things get, I can always come back to this bustling brown haven. At least we have a solid lead now, which Im sure will send us right back into the fire. Well, at least I can breathe for a little and run around the old stomping grounds a bit. Tobias seemed enthralled with my new "friends". He really hasn't changed one bit."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Great -- just great. Junis got me on this wild goose chase for some guy named Dexter Hovis out in the middle of the Dublin system. I bet hes out on that abandoned battleship. Nothing but scum and gamblers out there. I think they were building some kind of race track out there, too. Maybe Ill place a few down, seeing as I still havent been paid yet. I hope all of this gets us closer to finding out what that Artifact is all about."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Well, I was right about the track, and I was right about the gambling. The only thing I didnt see coming was that Id be the main attraction. Wonderful. At least thisll be easier than being shot at by Rheinlanders constantly. Apparently you cant place bets on yourself. Damn it, Im never gonna get paid."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "That bastard cheated! Lucky for him, Ive got better things to do than beat old backwoods freaks like him back where they came from. Alright, Quintaine is supposed to be over on this old abandoned station, the Glorious, not too far from here. Hovis had better be right about this, or Im turning around and heading straight back. Ive had to deal with way too much to deal with some backwater idiot like him."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "I dont know whats worse: these Rheinland guys who chase me to hell and back, or this old fart Quintaine. Im trying to save him, and he has the audacity to try to space me?! Well, at least maybe now we can answer a few questions. Still, Im glad Im not in the same ship as him. This entire trip has been nothing but one irritation after another."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "This Rheinland bit is getting old already. Ive heard rumors that the Queen Mother is about ready to take up arms against Rheinland. Good, Im tired of seeing them all over my backyard. Youd think in my own home system Id be a little safer, but these guys just keep showing up. Its because of things like this that I left to begin with. Still, if all this goes up in flames, Ill never be able to find a good drink again."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Finally, I can get off this hunk of smoking rock and out of this stinking brown system. Juni needs me to help get Quintaine and Sinclair out of Bretonia. Every time that guy opens his big mouth, I want to stick my fist in it. If this is the best and brightest the colonies have to offer, were all doomed. I have to wonder -- the last time I left Leeds I managed to piss off an entire government. I hope I can come back again one day."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Those bastards! They were right on my front door this time! Im getting tired of this cat and mouse game. Why does everyone want this stupid rock so bad? And how did they get that deep into Bretonia? No matter where we go, there they are. Its funny. I always thought that all of Tobias boasting about his days in the Royal Space Force was just that -- boasting, but Im sure glad he showed up. I owe him a lot, actually. One of these days Im coming back here and repaying him for everything hes done for me."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Damn Rheinlanders are persistent! How are they blocking us at every direction? In any case, weve managed to get out of this mess, and were one step closer to... to... Where are we going anyways? Shinden, Shinagawa... Shinkaku! Thats it! Were supposed to meet some guy named Kress. I hope whoever he is, he can get Quintaine and Sinclair out of my hair. Dealing with Juni is about all I can take as it is."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "I was hoping Kress was there to take this old fart away! Oh well, its not too far from here -- small price to pay to keep from embedding my foot in his head. Tobias is going back home. I hope he doesnt do some damn fool thing like re-enlist. Well, at least I wont have too much to worry about. Hell probably do something like hit on a higher ranked female officer. I get the impression there werent any female pilots in his days. Heh, thats Tobias though. Hope hes gonna be alright. Well, off to Kress base."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "First we have to go through this giant methane field into a giant open area of space where -- surprise, surprise -- a Rheinland fleet awaits us. This is NOT what I signed up for. Protecting the old windbag is hard enough; having to take on an entire fleet is not my idea of fun. Its more like suicide. Kress men showed up, but they didnt really help much. What good are scrub fighters against capitol ships? Well, at least we got out of there alive. Maybe now I can finally dump this guy. ME-thane?! Who pronounces it like that?! Its METH-ane! If this is the best scientific mind the universe has to offer, were all in a lot of trouble."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "If anyone gets to shoot Quintaine, its gonna be me, not some damned lackey. Ive already been shot at, electrocuted, and nearly bombed to death. A good ol stand off isnt gonna shake me. Well, at least Quintaine is outta my hair. At least Sinclair was easy on the eyes. Well, on to Kyushu to meet a Lord Hakkera. Ive actually never been to Kusari before. Im very curious to see what its like."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "So that was Lord Hakkera. Theres an air about that man. I dont know -- hes very... commanding. Anyways, Juni seems to know him, not that thats saved us in the past. Hopefully her home system will provide better protection than Bretonia. I guess Ill do some sight seeing and take up a few jobs while Im here. Its not often I get to be a tourist."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Theres something different about the people Juni knows in this system. Theyre so strong in their convictions -- kinda makes me forget about more trivial things. That reminds me -- I still havent gotten paid! Well, in any case, were off to intercept some transport with one of the heads of the Kusari government, Governor Tekagi, onboard. Ive read about this guy in the news. I thought he was working for peace, but if theres anything Ive learned, its that things arent always as they seem."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "We ended up taking this really backwards way to Honshu, mostly due to the fact we had to join up with a Blood Dragon wing. Ive heard of these guys before. Theyre this weird type of \"good pirate\" that roams through Kusari. People say that theyre the best pilots anywhere in the colonies. That doesnt help explain Junis piloting abilities. Well, we still have one more leg on this journey. We have to get that transport out of impound and get it to the Blood Dragon home, the legendary Kyoto Base."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "We got the transport! That actually wasnt too hard, but I think thats due in part to Ozu. Ive never seen anything so surgical before. Ozus men knew exactly what to do. It was almost poetic. No wonder these guys are known as legends."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Tekagi wasnt aboard and neither was the Tome! Ozu seems unphased by all of this -- I dont know how. I guess this all just comes naturally to him. I can see why everyone around here reveres him so much. So this is the legendary Kyoto Base. I guess Ill take some jobs and earn some scratch while Ozu and the Blood Dragons come up with another way to find the Tome. This place isn't much to look at, but theyve got some great equipment here. I can certainly get used to the way they dress."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Great, were going into a heavily defended fortress to retrieve a scroll, of all things. Normally this kind of thing would bother me, but theres something about the Blood Dragons that makes you want to try, if not for you, for everyone else. Heh, maybe this constant hell Ive been through in the last few weeks is changing me, or maybe its just the sense of determination around here."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Juni seemed rather angry that we didnt tell her we were leaving. There was a different sound in her voice though. She sounded kind of disappointed. In any case, I leave this mission in Ozus hands. Hes the first person Ive trusted in a long time not to screw things up. Were supposed to meet several wings of Blood Dragons along the way. That worries me. Just a few of these guys could take out a fleet. What kind of defenses are there that require several wings of Blood Dragons?"

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Things are starting to heat up. Tekagis men are easily just as good as the Blood Dragons, and theyre coming in equal numbers. No wonder Ozu joined up with so many wings. We had to take out the energy generators on the shield in order to get into this thing. The way I understand it, it used to be one of the wonders of Kusari. Now its a fortress."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "What the hell was THAT! That thing killed Ozu in cold blood! What is going on here?! This was supposed to be a simple little mission -- then the fat mans eyes start glowing. Excellent, all this way to see Ozu die. I wouldnt have even made it out if it wasnt for Lord Hakkera. How did he get that ship in here anyways? No time to mourn, gotta get outta here before something else shows up intent on killing us. Ozu... sensei... sayonara..."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Juni ended up meeting us along the way, but so did a few Rheinlanders. These guys just dont quit. A few moments and torpedoes later and it was over. Juni seemed very saddened by Ozus death. I could tell from the tone in her voice. Anyway, Hakkera and the remaining Blood Dragons are taking us back to Kyoto so we can regroup. All this is just getting to be too much. This isnt what I signed up for."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "I kind of snapped at Hakkera when we landed. So many people have died, and it seems like this constant hunt Rheinland has for us is never going to end. I really wasnt expecting all this when I first met Juni on Manhattan. I just wanted to make some cash and explore the galaxy. Now Im some kind of freedom fighter. Id give anything to have Freeport 7 back and for Lonnigan to have just given me my money. It seems like war is breaking out everywhere, though, and I guess if I wasnt here, things would be just as bad everywhere else. I better take on a few missions and load up. Im willing to bet things are about to go to hell."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "After everything thats happened, I dont know what to make of things anymore. Junis asked me to meet her back on Kyoto. Apparently Lord Hakkera needs me for a job that only I can do. I can only assume that this will translate into being shot at -- a lot."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "I cant say no to Hakkera. He saved my life back at the Arch, and I have to return the favor. Still, into the heart of Rheinland? This mission is suicide, but I guess Ive earned myself quite the reputation for blindly accepting just about anything, no matter how suicidal. I better get to the equipment room before launching to space. Who knows what kind of trouble Ill run into."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Lord Hakkera was good enough to escort me to Sigma-13, along with a full honor guard. Hes got a new second command, Cobo. Good enough kid -- young though. Ozu, I didnt know him that long, but at least he went down fighting. I hope hes happier wherever he is. In any case, I better get my head out of the clouds and back in the cockpit. Rumor has it that Rheinland has begun amassing ships in this system in preparation for war. Part of the reason Im even getting an honor guard is so they can strike them before they get the chance to gain a foothold. Remarkable, even through theyre outcast from Kusari society, the Blood Dragons still defend their home."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Insane. Thats all that was. Ive always heard about the legendary Blood Dragon pilots, and I even got to fly with them at Tekagis Arch, but Ive never seen anything like Tekagis Honor. Not only did they fend off the fleet, they took down one of those monstrous Rheinland battleships! I wish I could have stayed to help, but Rheinland was only a short flight away. We had to fly through this old, abandoned graveyard of ships left over from the 80-Years War. Eerie. I hope getting Von Claussen will prevent more of these from showing up."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Who were those two idiots? Ive never been so creeped out in my life, and after that bit with Tekagi, I thought I was prepared for anything. Well at least it gave me a lead. Why is it whenever Im told to meet someone somewhere, theyre never there? It just makes things harder. Well, Ill say one thing about New Berlin -- theyve got a pretty well stocked bar. Ill have to remember to come back one day if all this madness ever calms down. "

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "It seems Herr Von Claussens intelligence networks are more extensive than I thought. He had this man, Hans Fischer, accompany me to Holstein. Good thing, too. Somehow I doubt that Rheinland would have appreciated a wanted man wandering through their systems. The military buildup here is immense -- like nothing Ive ever seen. The war is really going to happen. For the first time I have to say Im a little scared. Still, itd be nice to have at least a few credits in the bank for later in life, assuming there is a later in life."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Now I remember, Herr Von Claussen. Ace pilot and tactician of the Rheinland Military -- over 500 kills and he never lost an escort or wingman. I remember reading stories about him, but never in a million years did I think Id ever be flying with him. Im actually rather surprised he defected. I always thought he fought for his country, but I guess some things go beyond country and homeland. In any case, he wants to meet up with a Rheinland rebel group located not too far from here, and who am I to say no?"

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Thankfully, Rheinland has spread itself so thin that it cant properly maintain its local patrols. That little scuffle on the way in could have been worse. Von Claussens intelligence networks have managed to pull up data on the amassing of a secret fleet not too far from here. Finally, after weeks of getting chased around by these Rheinlanders, I get to hit em where it hurts. I really cant wait. Better go stock up -- its payback time."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Only Von Claussen and I made it --.the rest all died. It was a massacre... Capitol ships everywhere... Botzlers wing didnt know what to do. They werent as experienced as Von Claussen or Botzler, and they werent nearly as skilled as Hakkeras Honor Guard. They died protecting a home theyll never see again. Botzler did it all. He took out the entire dry dock by himself. So many people have died. Then, to add insult to injury, the flagship of the South Rheinland Fleet decloaked right in front of our noses! Thankfully, Hakkera showed up out of nowhere in this ship Id never seen before. Far be it from me to look a gift horse in the mouth. Turns out its owned by The Order, and commanded by Orillion. Quite an impressive man, and a far stretch from that idiot Lonnigan they accused as being Orillion. We dont have a lot of time left, and now that Von Claussen is safe and sound, I think Ill treat myself to a drink. Where is the bar in this place, anyways?"

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Its ironic that after washing ashore in Liberty after Freeport 7 was destroyed, now so much later -- I am going back. This time its not the cozy Manhattan bar, its the darkest hole Liberty has to offer. But we have a mission now -- we are to save the President. Again, very ironic since she is the reason weve been hunted from the start. Well, that's just another ironic twist of fate and this is where it all comes together. Its not about money, its not about the Artifact. The stakes are higher now and Ive got a job to do."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "I cant believe Im back here in New York -- and with Walker no less. What the hell did he have to do to stay alive? Its unbelievable! So much has happened since the last time we worked together. What did he say once? Something about fighting for a cause? Okay, here I am. Lets get to it."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "An intra-system Jump Hole -- what a ride! Taking out the satellite wasnt too much of a problem, but Liberty has definitely increased its security from the last time I was here.. The entrance to Zone-21 was a little more difficult. I cant say I didnt expect that. But weve come this far, were committed. Orillions last words concern me though, Rescue or terminate. Does this mean we may have to execute the President if shes too far gone? I dont know how to react to that yet. Whatever. It looks like were going to get the president -- one way or another."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "I cant even comment on what I have been a witness to. The President is fine -- meaning she is still human -- and we have her now. I saw it -- I saw what was inside the Chancellor. It was horrible. I hesitated, I admit it. It was all so far-fetched until saw it for myself -- right there in the prison cell. I saw it. I saw true evil. I wont hesitate again."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Ozu was a brave man. For a long time I thought I could have saved him. No, I couldnt. Ozu died doing what he had to. What I saw today drove this home: Walker and his entire crew sacrificed themselves so we could get the President back to the Osiris. I couldnt have helped him any more than I could have helped Ozu. As Hakkera said, he knew the risks. I am thankful for Walkers bravery and, briefly, his comradeship. We would not have made it without him and his crew."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "I should have stayed on Leeds. Now they want me to fly into some Nomad base that will more than likely require me getting shot up by various ships Ive never seen before. Once I get there, I have to tractor in some power cell to activate the stupid purple rock and then get out before it does something silly like explode. Excellent. Orillion says that the structure is more than likely abandoned. After everything thats happened, Ill be really surprised if it actually is."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Its beautiful. Its like nothing Ive ever seen. Still, weve got to hurry. Ill have a better chance against those Nomad fighters than I will against the radiation in here."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "They were everywhere. Absolutely everywhere I turned, Nomads. Even after escaping the Lair, we jumped right into a fire fight. It all keeps getting crazier and crazier, and I have to force myself to believe that this is real. Von Claussen came out of nowhere like some avenging angel of death. Ive never seen anyone pilot so coldly, and so efficiently. In any case, weve got to get back to Toledo so Quintaine can hook this power cell up and we can finally see what the Artifact can do."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "So the Artifact turns out to be a giant system map?! I have one of those on my ship!! Good for nothing bald headed windbag! Maybe Im missing something. In any case, this base is incredibly impressive -- the best ships and the best weapons I've ever seen. Im getting that sinking feeling in my stomach about all of this. Like this is the ride into the sunset the hero makes, or maybe that heroic last stand. In any case, Im taking up Orillions offer and stocking up on all the weapons and equipment I can.

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Seems like that Hole that got sealed up to Omicron Beta only slowed them down. The Nomads bombed the base into ashes. Orillion had called us down to pick up the Artifact. This thing is supposed to stop all those damn blue bastards floating around in space right now. Its like a boiling cauldron of lasers and ships out there, and were going right back into it.

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Those Nomad battleships were a lot easier to take down when they were in dry dock. Things are getting hot now, and were heading straight into the demons maw. Im tired. Im tired of running away. Im tired of being chased. Its time to end all of this. Im taking this stupid purple rock and shoving it straight down their throats.

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Ill give them one thing, they dont build things small. As big as the Jump Gate was that brought us here, this, this thing is even bigger. Quintaine called it a Dyson's Sphere. Now we just have to find a way inside. Everyone in this fight owes the Nomads something. Revenge or a cry for freedom. No matter what, weve got to win. When did I get so damned patriotic? Must be its all this space bacteria I keep seeing."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "Oh my god. Its amazing. I have to take out those generators. Theres a shield around a city the size of a small planet! If we can get that shield down, I can shove this tinker toy right into their stomachs."

**PERSONAL ENTRY: "We managed to make it out of there after all. The Nomads all got sucked away into some kind of wormhole above the Nomad City. Orillion and The Order intend on keeping a close eye on it. Theyve even asked me to be their contact in Liberty. Hakkera has gone back to Kusari to rebuild. Tobias ended up getting kicked out of the Bretonia Royal Space Force just like I thought he would, but I think he got a girlfriend or something out of it. Von Claussen was nowhere to be found after the fight. Hes presumed dead, but somehow I doubt that. A man like Von Claussen doesnt just fade away. President Jacobi gave Juni, King, and I a full pardon. We even got a medal... the Lone Star. Sounds kind of goofy, doesn't it? Anyway, as much as I appreciate that, it doesnt make up for the fact that I never got paid. Just my luck... I'm a hero, but I'm back to freelancing. In the end, maybe that's not all that bad. There are still lots of worlds to discover and systems to explore. I dont think Im ready to call Liberty home yet. A not insignificant reason for that is that I dont think Ill ever get used to Liberty Ale."




- Information -
IFF: Freelancer
IDS: Freelancer
Ship: BW Transport

Current Level: 64
Total Missions: 103
Total Kills: 1734
Total Time: 166+ Hours
Systems Visited: 115
Bases Visited: 210
Jump Holes Found: 314

Fighters Killed: 1733
Freighters Killed: 0
Transports Killed: 1
Battleships Killed: 0

- Repsheet -