Flight of the Kestrel

[Begin Recording]

I find it somewhat ironic that I finally find the time to record a log entry from the surface of a seemingly hostile world, while I have been so remiss in not doing so during our relaxed hours in drivespace. Still, the evident danger and duration of our EVA requires night watches to be posted, and I can think of no better activity to keep the mind alert than to take this time to contemplate our research to date.

Mikoa almost requires no mention. Although I think it provided myself and the crew an adequate shakedown with the refitted Kestrel, it was uneventful.

System 2253, on the other hand, was nothing if not hair raising. We did however, manage to make the trip quite profitable, which while I personally have little use for such things, ships don’t run on wishes and crews can’t eat positive thoughts (well, perhaps the mentat can). Of course, the more pressing need for profits centers on our…in fairness…my need for the greatest levels of autonomy to perform our investigations. And from that point, our exploration of 2253 seems to have been fruitless.

Which brings us here, to the dangerous jungles of Calesque. We are, I admit, too great a distance from the Kestrel for my taste, and I believe some of the crew is unnerved by it. Rightfully so. We have already been party to hostile action on one occasion, and I certainly do not believe it will be that last here. So much is curious though. A seemingly unknown archaeological dig in a system with no recorded survey, military grade defoliant, and alien technology. A game’s afoot here. I have long suspected elements within the Concord, if not the Concord itself, of undertaking covert research into the origins and capabilities of our mysterious and dangerous neighbors. I have never considered it a leap of faith to acknowlege the possibility that our “friends” have been in the Verge far longer than we. This could well be evidence of both. Of course, if I trusted their motives…no, unfair…trusted their mindsets regarding the situation I would gladly have sought out and volunteered for their “unofficial” research. Unfortunately, the history of humanity is rife with examples of preconception preceding disaster. I am quite certain they will do a fine job of analyzing, adapting, and adopting alien technology. I am less certain of their desire to understand our hostile neighbors themselves. Perhaps it is a shortcoming of mine, but I find it difficult to comprehend aggression without cause. True enough, the cause is often misguided itself. But understanding those causes can be a weapon in it’s own right…and a fierce one at that.

[Log Paused]

Just a damn bird. Where was I…oh yes. The source of my unease is the continued operation of the alien technology. I find it hard to accept that the archaeological team would have left it functional. Left it at all for that matter. If my worst fears are correct, they never left Calesque. In my haste to begin our investigation, I fear I did not take adequate time to survey our landing zone. Hopefully that does not prove to be a fatal mistake. On the other hand, I have always believed that at times such as these, inaction is the only sure mistake. As the SAS of old earth would say, “Who dares wins.”

We will approach the pyramid tomorrow, and perhaps I will find some less disturbing answers. This night has most certainly brought on a fowl demeanor.

[End Recording]

The Kestrel is currently investigating a planet in the Calesque system. We have encountered remnants of unreported archaelogical activity and have faced assault from the local fauna. Though we appreciate the Captain’s zeal for profit and his desire to provide in-depth reports for the systems we survey, we are worried that his boldness could lead to unconquerable challenges in the future.

On a more positive note, the rifle that the Captain and the Engineer created out of bits of scrap from System 2253 works amazingly well. I annihilated those six-legged dog-things! Ah, the weapon performed above and beyond our expectations.

A full report will follow the conclusion of our survey.

We are Pilot.

Part 1: Basic System Information

Number of Stars in System: 3
Organization: Binary pair with solitaire

Part 2A: Planetary Information

Star Name: Orphan (”Oliver”)

Part 2B: Individual Planetary Information

Notes
P2 — Planet has a huge crack at the equator, through the entire depth of the planet’s crust. Analysis indicates that the planet once had a third moon that appears to have lost orbit and crashed into the planet, causing the rift. Exposed crust layers reveal presence of heavy mineral deposits, including uranium, rhodium, and precious gems/crystals.
P3 — Analysis suggests that the planet’s orbit is mildly erratic due to influence of the binary pair, descending at times to nearly 3.0 AU. During these periods, the planet’s radiation level would increase into the R3 to R4 range.
P4 — Five distinct locations have been identified in the asteroid belt where wildcat miners had previously operated. One of these has an intact habitat dome and mineshaft cut into the surface. Rhodium, gold, silver, gems, and miscellaneous industrial metals detected.

Our survey of System 2253 was most lucrative. Though there were some interesting encounters with the local fauna on one of the planets, the ship and crew were able to secure the location of several mineral rich mining locations in the asteroid belt as well to document the potentially unknown species.

Our concern at the moment is our rather dismal performance with atmospheric flight. We will work through some simulations with SIBIL to polish our skills in this area.

Any initial concerns about our new captain are rapidly vanishing as he is equipping himself rather well.  The doctor also seems to be competent though perhaps overly curious about our internal organs. Both the mentat and the engineer  perform their duties satisfactorily as well. The engineer in particular is very adept at improvisation with available materials. This skill will serve our crew well in the future we have no doubt.

Overall, we are very pleased with our new crew and are confident that we will quickly establish ourselves in the CSS as crew that is capable of handling any situation with aplomb.

We are Pilot.

Our trip from the Lighthouse to Mikoa A was uneventful. With the Captain’s permission we established a regular pattern of drills and simulations to familiarize our new crewmembers with the Kestrel. SIBIL and the new Engineer were most helpful in this regard. We are confident that our new crewmates will be able to handle themselves appropriately when situations arise.

We exited Starfall further from the system than we would have liked. We will spend more time with SIBIL practicing our astrogation skills to correct this.

Trade negotiations with the miners went well and we were able to realize a profit on our investments.

After a brief survey of Mikoa B with nothing particular to note we left for our initial contract job at System 2253.

Our Starfall into System 2253 was much more acceptable. SIBIL is most helpful running simulations by which we can hone our skills. We will continue to run simulations with the entire crew to maintain a ready state for emergency situations.

We are Pilot.

Gridline — TransVerge Network/The Lighthouse/April 29, 2502
by Theron Lignos, Senior Lighthouse Correspondent

In a shocking escalation of aggression, the radical anti-Concord group known as Concord Free Now opened fire on the dedication ceremony for a recommissioned scout vessel of the Concord Survey Service in Bay 08 of the High Dock this evening. The drivescout’s crew returned fire, defending themselves until a contingent of Concord Marines arrived to secure the area. Two of the assailants were killed, while two members of the drivescout crew and four attendees of the ceremony were wounded in the attack. The remainder of the CFN attackers are now in custody awaiting trial on charges of attempted murder and committing terrorist acts. A seventh individual was found infiltrating the ship itself, but was subdued by the pilot of the vessel before any damage could be inflicted on the newly refitted vessel. It is unclear at this time if this individual was part of the CFN group, or an unaffiliated thief or opportunist.

“This certainly represents an escalation of the group’s hostility,” said one senior investigator, who asked to remain unnamed. “We have written these guys off as petty vandals and wannabe saboteurs. If they’ve decided to get organized and get violent, there could be worse trouble coming.”

The crew of the drivescout, the CSS Kestrel, were unavailable for comment. The ship’s captain, Lieutenant Jack Sparks, and the ship’s communication officer, Lieutenant J.G. Vorana Maklak Tar were injured in the attack, but their conditions were stable and their injuries were treated at the scene.

04282502/15:06:13.27
All systems online.

Comprehensive diagnostics in progress.