Well the dust never settles, no sooner had I lined up my positioning do I encounter a Harvey with a bad attitude. It kept on babbling about an Alpha Code and "harvest harvest harvest". Needless to say I got out of there. Whales are great cargo ships, but a little weak on defense and weapons... well let's face it. A single turret? No Counter Measures... this girl had to work fast and barely escaped. I'm currently getting my ship refitted and I'm not pleased with the time and money it takes, but what else can I do? My sister has decided to hone her combat skills and explore, when she isn't busy hitting me or Bru up for funds. I've decided to draw the purse strings closed for the time being, and have instructed Bru to do the same. I financed her gunboat and she still has to master it. I just can't see putting her into a larger ship at this point. Now Bru has been getting brave lately, he messaged me earlier that he actually slid up next to a Harvey in the Omega systems and had a nice little chat... I told him that those machines can turn in an instant, they glitched once... what would stop them from tearing his Whale apart in a fit of electrical impulses befrazzled on their main circuit boards? I mean really what do you say to that... I say stay clear and avoid them all together. I guess Bru has a bit of a thrill seeker inside of him. *sighs. Those two will be the death of me. I am going to take the "tadpole" out for a short flight to Honshu and see how those Ship builders fared with the refit. I'm sure they did a fine job, but each time, I feel that I have to relearn her controls and such. I need to find a decent engineer so that "tadpole" can be maintained in flight, which would cut down on expenses and time, which is also expensive. I'm dreading the remap I'll have to endure soon... but it had to be done. Not to mention a bribe here and there to keep me shiney. Oh bother... Fyre is sending a message... gotta go.
Okay, got the Tadpole refitted with double walls and shielding to protect against the pluto. I've been hauling so much of the stuff the crew was beginning to worry about glowing. I allowed the crew an extended liberty on Manhatten while I attended to some planet side business, mostly glad handing and a visit to my family compartment to remove a few things to be put on the ship. I wound up watching old family movies and then the drinking began. It's strange to watch the films, we used to watch as a family, alone. The tears came easily enough, watching Dad clowning with Fyre and Bru, I was of course, quietly studying in my cube, as always. Too serious...too busy to join in the fun. I always burying my nose in my studies. Like many people, I figured there was a time and place for everything and took for granted that there would always be time for the fun stuff. There would always be time... I was never more wrong about anything in my entire life. I was a fool to deny myself the time with the people I love. Comtemplating this over the course of a few days and more than a few bottles of the "good stuff", I finally found myself staggering back to the Tadpole. My trip down memory lane complete with me stinking drunk. I climbed into my command chair and sent out a quick launch call to the crew. I was surprised to find that they were there, save my Navigator, who had gone strangely missing. Itching to get aloft, I ordered the Tadpole sealed and launched. We can get another Nav Officer. But she was really good. *sighs. Shamus was in orbit when I launched and we headed off to take care of some TAZ business, namely to get my affiliation with the Faction finalized. I was for all intents and purposes sober by the time we left Liberty space, and we'd discovered our Nav Officer, curled up beneath her console. Now how lucky is that? She'd have been hard to replace. Shamus and I practiced some advanced navigation and I continued to map. Bru has decided to switch ships and is now happy in his Adv. Train. Which he calls "Casey Jones" I'm pleased that he is pleased. Fyre is still giddy over her Harvy encounter, but she found that her notion of actively hunting the toasters was not recieved by the council as well as she thought it might be. I think she's actually doing quite well. I do know that she plans to join TAZ as soon as time permits the transistion. Shamus and I are considering her initiation. *laughs. Oh that girl... I do adore her so.
Things have really been speeding up as of late. I am hardly ever surprised anymore, however, Fyre did manage to knock my socks off. The girl is now commanding a destroyer. A $#@#$ DESTROYER!!! While it is a lovely vessel, I am concerned that it brings with it a false sense of security. I do not wish to take away from the girl's accomplishments, indeed, I'm quite proud of my sister, but she had barely learned her gunboat and now she's tooling about in this huge ship with more firepower and armor, YES... but also higher profile and less maneverability. IN the end, all ships are vulnerable... in the rear. Quite the challenge Fyre has before her. I still think, dispite her victory with Vic in Gamma, she would do well to keep with the "no solo" rule, so I'm keeping it in place.
Bru has expressed similar reservations, his danger meter also going wayyy off the scale. Of course he has other concerns as well. His new ship comes with it's own set of responsibilities. Namely, to make as much capital as possible in as short a time as possible. I know he takes his job seriously, the folks at Kruger seem very pleased with his productivity of late. He seems very adept at handling "Casey Jones", which I have to admit is a cute name for such a pig of a ship. Indeed, a Train... Still, Bru always did go his own way when it came to style and this does suit him.
As for me, I'm actually tickled pink with the modifications on "Tadpole". She is far sleeker and slippery than ever before and my last pluto run showed radiation levels far below expecations. This put the crew at ease, which is good, because they need to concern themselves with other matters, like early detection of would be thorns in our sides and of course efficient operation of the ship. My NAV officer did sober up to the sound of my sweet voice in her ear. A gentle reminder of station and a tap into her cut if she ever allows herself to get that polluted on duty again, was all it took. I'm not against a little relaxation, only when it affects one's ability to do one's job. I don't pay them to party... I pay them to perform specific and specialized duties to which they are individually and collectively suited. I really do have a fine crew and the girls seem to work well together, despite the odd flaring of hormones.
I must say, I enjoy spending time with my TAZ cohorts. The black can get awfully well... it's comforting to hear a familiar voice every now and again.
So it appears we might yet put an end to the hostilities with the Harveys. I've been asked to join an expeditionary force to Gammu, to deterimine if we can reach an agreement with them. Dispite Fyre's mistrust of them and desire to eradicate them, I believe that we should try to find a way to co exist peacefully and if not for mutual benefit, then at least establish come code of behavior toward each other that doesn't have us at odds all the time. Dizzy asked me to go, and I'm honored. Frankly, I wasn't sure if I were the right choice for such an important mission, but I've been encouraged by those who have vested much into myself and my family, that I am truly humbled. I can only hope that I might lend something of value to this effort, that I can be a part of something that we can all be proud of, or at least breathe a sigh of relief. I will admit this; I'm scared out of my wits at the moment. Scared this might be the wrong thing to do, and given the list of people going, a potentially horrible loss. Scared that I might flub up and bring something terrible to pass. Scared that I'll be ineffective when needed. Ah... I have to get these negative notions out of my head and trust that all will be well. Ever the optimist, eh? But then Murphy was usually right, wasn't he? I'm starting to sound like Fyre. *sighs. Tadpole has been refitted yet again, this time with heavier thrusters and tougher sheilds. There is nothing I can do about weapons on her, but then that's the appeal isn't it? I leave the matters of combat to those better suited to the task. I'm hoping to catch up with the F-Troop before to long and spend some time with them. I always feel better having had time with my friends. I am indeed a lucky girl. I did promise a certain fella coffee and scones if he makes the trip with us. I'm gonna have to lean on a certain cafe owner to fill that bill as I'm all thumbs in the kitchen.
I am so pleased with my crew. The ladies have proven very adept at running Tadpole, I'm beside myself. Their hard work and dedication to the fine art of profit has made it possible for me to do a little extra shopping. I have to admit sometimes it is more like an illness, "shopping". However, in all fairness, I suspect I'm not the only one afflicted by this tendency. Fyre has it much worse than I do, well when it comes to toys. I'm more of the fashion bug type... alway finding something new to spill my credits on. Speaking of which, I found a darling little number imported from Crete. It's a multi layered, sheer wrap, simple in design but very... flattering. It was a bit more than I wanted to shell out, but after seeing it, I just had to have it.
I'm headed to Baffin now, to meet up with Reggie. I got a dinner invite and I'm looking forward to it. It's been a long time since I've been to Baffin, seems like ages and I'm also looking forward to meeting my cohorts for this mission. AND showing off my new outfit!!!
Now, the notion of going up to Gammu doesn't bother me as much as the reluctance of a certain globe who's first hand knowledge could very well make the difference between a successful conclusion and something else, less savory. While I understand the hesitancy on their part, I cannot and will not simply accept that they cannot put aside their own personal fears, demons, etc for the sake of the greater good. Surely we all have better things to do than to put our own lives on hold for this mission? Don't get me wrong, I'm honored, but we are all having to swallow our fears, issues etc. and place ourselves potentially in harms way. I see no reason for anyone to fail to answer the call.
Bru is working hard, apparently he's decided to help others get a leg up and I think that is grand. Paying it forward, as Dizzy says, is a noble and gracious endeavor.
Fyre is busy mapping and I've not had a chance to catch up with her which is a pity because I picked up a few things for her including the sketch I made of her. Oh well. I'll beam it to her when I get the chance. I wonder what she is really up to, though, as she is being rather tightlipped about exactly where she is mapping. Still, commanding Phalynx must be a task and a half for a new Captian. I'm sure Fyre can handle it, but she is complaining about her armour. I told her I'd help her with that as soon as I have the funds and have discharged my duty to this mission, which is my prime concern at the moment. Success will mean massive profits for the Zoners and a restoral of trade routes that have been hampered by the efforts of those misguided machines. So many possibilities are coming into view. So many preparations to make.
I'll be in Baffin soon, I can see the jumphole in the distance. Time to get ready.
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