Logbook entry

For the first time in a long time Bazdur felt truly alone.



The dwarf spent the next three days staring towards the stars, through the outpost's windows, and contemplated his future in the universe. He had next to nothing to his name, only 1000 credits and a sidewinder, and no one to go to for assistance outside of Mathias. The scientist could be reached if needed, but he left Baker's Prospect after buying the dwarf a ship and continued with his research. The dwarf simply didn't know what to do with his new found independence. After three days of looking out into the vastness of space he decided to turn to some universal truths for answers. Through all of his adventures, through all of his time wandering the world he used to call home, he knew one thing to always be true: one could always gather information at a tavern.



The closest thing Bazdur had to a tavern was the restaurateur sitting behind the counter of the Baker's Prospect common area. The man had been watching Bazdur, but didn't mind his presence as he didn't cause any trouble, never bothered anyone, and was large and menacing enough to keep the riff-raff away. On the fourth day, rather than sitting in a chair near the back windows, the Dwarf sauntered into the common area and finally ordered something.



"I'll have a..." The dwarf's voice trailed off as he scanned the menu above Frank, the bartender, head. Frank was a nice enough guy but he didn't like his time to be wasted and right now this Dwarf was wasting his time. He knew what he felt like, a beer, but he also knew that right now he shouldn't be drinking. As much as the dwarf loved his booze, he knew that right now was not the time to get drunk. The man behind the counter just stared at Bazdur hoping he would eventually order something.



"Beer?"



"No."



"Perhaps some water?"



"Do you have anything that will stimulate the mind?"



Frank's face, wide eyed at the Dwarf, widened with a huge smile. He nodded excitedly and hurried back to an very shiny, silver-clad machine with nobs, buttons and hoses.



"I've seen you in here for the past three days just staring out that window," chimed Frank as he prepared his work area and gathered what he would need to make Bazdur an espresso. "It seems that you've finally finally woken from whatever daze you were in." Bazdur nodded as a small grinding noise emanated from one of the machine's behind the counter.



Frank tamped the ground coffee into espresso maker's drip handle, he glanced up at the Dwarf and picked his brain. "So if I may ask, what exactly were you thinking about?"



"What to do with my life."



"What do you mean? How could you not know what you want to do with your life?"



"I've got an entire galaxy out there and I have no idea how to go about surviving in it."



"You're wearing a remlok suit, so I assume you've got a ship."



Bazdur nodded as Frank poured a properly made espresso before setting the cup on a small plate and adding cream. As he did so, the milk swirled into the drink and formed a pattern very similar to the galaxy in which he now resided.



"Here you are. A Sagittarius." Frank set the cup down in front of Bazdur, who didn't know what to make of the drink as he had never tasted coffee before. But as he took the cup in his hand and looked down at the swirling dairy product, a thought hit him like a war hammer. It began to coalesce in his mind much like the cream was forming a galaxy in his coffee. Bazdur tilted his head, stared at the drink, then looked up at Frank and chuckled.



"Something funny, sir?"



"I think you've answered the question I've been asking for the last three days." Frank smiled. "Glad I could help."



Bazdur took the first sip of his coffee, looked up from his cup and at Frank.



"By the gods."



"Good, isn't it?"



The dwarf's brain was buzzing with ideas. As he enjoyed his drink, he madly scribbled some notes on some napkins before slapping down some credits for Frank and heading off to the job board. Much like Mathias before him, he decided that he would explore the galaxy and keep a journal of his adventures. Upon arriving at the job board he picked up some basic data delivery missions and began running The Governor in and around systems near Baker's Prospect. He didn't make much money, but it was enough to get feet wet and show him the ropes of piloting a vessel.



//\\ Begin Commander's Log \\//



February 10, 3304



Today is the day I start my journey in this new place. I've picked up a few delivery jobs, which seem safe enough, considering I don't know exactly how to pilot these vessels properly. I've already run my ship into the dirt of Baker's Prospect a handful of times. Port authorities are not too pleased with me but I think they understand well enough.



I'll eventually get used to flying and the vastness of space, but I do miss my mountains. Maybe that's why I keep flying into the ground instead of away from it.





February 14, 3304



The jobs and credits keep coming in!



I know I'm going to eventually sell this thing, but I've been upgrading my sidewinder to make it more suitable for local hyperspace jumps and combat. The only problem is that this is still a sidewinder and using it for combat is like bringing a table knife to a sword fight. At least it's good for transporting data and information. It's small enough that I can keep off people's radar and just get the job done.



This sidewinder came equipped with a controller for piloting, but I'm quickly learning that an upgrade will be needed sooner rather than later. Using this is objectively worse than what I've seen other ships use - a stick and throttle. I've seen so many different types of ships in the few days since I've begun my journey. My research into the different ships available for purchase has led me to one conclusion: They are all very nice, but are all incredibly expensive. I've got my eye on the Cobra MK3, but at almost 350 thousand credits I'm not sure how I'm going to afford it any time soon with these jobs only paying roughly ten thousand or less a job. This little sidewinder isn't going to cut it for very long.



I've also started doing research on the various factions, powers and local groups, called wings, that call this galaxy home. Maybe one of them can help me afford a Cobra if I help them. I'm not sure exactly what I will be able to offer them, but I'll see how it goes.





February 15, 3304



I've begun contacting various wings with interest in joining their ranks, though I am unsure of what I could actually provide to them other than my spirit and fortitude. The only one that has since responded is The Sovereignty - a massive organization, independent of any major power within the universe, that seem to have their hands in every facet of galactic life. Their ranks consist of three different divisions, all of which sound interesting in their own way: combat, trade, and exploration. Galnet has been buzzing with news of the recent Thargoid incursions occurring in another part of the galaxy. If The Sovereignty will have me, I'll join their exploration division and travel to the far reaches of the galaxy so that I may find the reason for the alien attacks. Perhaps I'll even learn more about these creatures. I feel like I've become smarter since I've arrived here, yet I only have more to learn.



Commander Agamo, leader of Dagger Squadron (Sovereignty's combat division), contacted me. He offered to show me the ropes and take me out for some bounty hunting so that I may get some ditch this Sidewinder and move into something a bit better. He asked that I meet him and his squad mates in the Rakapila system in the coming days. I look forward to the opportunity he has presented to me.



//\\ End Commander's Log \\//