Cosmic Voyage

Voortrekker - OPERATIONAL SIGNAL 01/1

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 13:45:29 GMT

We, your friends and archivists, wish you to know: This message was
originally transmitted over QEC via the anonymous resender
satellite named "anon.penet.fi" by its unknown maintainers. While
previous such messages have been archived under that satellite's
own channel, it is lately the sense of the meeting that relevant
messages, where possible, be included alongside the events in whose
context they may best be understood. Thus do we present this
message here.

As with all messages from "anon.penet.fi", no headers or other
metadata were provided in the original transmission. While
additional information has since become available, we feel that to
include it here would betray the spirit of our project. Accordingly,
we present this message, and will present future such messages,
verbatim as originally transmitted.

                                 ~

THIS IS AN OPERATIONAL RESPONSE

THIS IS AN OPERATIONAL RESPONSE

THIS IS AN OPERATIONAL RESPONSE

THIS RESPONSE IS DESIGNATED 01/1

REMOTE UNIT WITH THE DESIGNATION:

: 932BB4979009B4564977E63F66AB2855.003

REPORTS:

INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO EVALUATE MENTAL STATE OF EXPN DIR
SOLOVIEV. NO ALTERATION OR GROSS DERANGEMENT APPARENT. EXPN DIR
SOLOVIEV HAS STATED THAT ALTERED PERSONNEL ARE TO BE TREATED
NORMALLY. EVALUATE THIS AS INTENDED TO SUPPORT EFFECTIVE
DEVELOPMENT OF COLONY.

COLONY GOVERNANCE CURRENTLY OPERATING AS ESTABLISHED IN FOUNDING
DOCUMENTS OF VOORTREKKER GMBH WITH EXPN DIR SOLOVIEV ACTING AS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND CHAIRMAN. THUS FAR NO INDICATION OF DISAPPROVAL
AMONG BOARD MEMBERS OF ACTIONS TAKEN BY EXPN DIR SOLOVIEV. MOST
BOARD MEMBERS OBSERVED WORKING AMONG EXPEDITION PERSONNEL IN
ESTABLISHMENT OF COLONY INFRASTRUCTURE. EVALUATE THIS AS INTENDED
TO BOLSTER MORALE AND GRANT EXPN DIRECTOR SOLOVIEV LATITUDE TO
RESPOND TO EMERGENT SITUATIONS WITHOUT DELAY FOR CONSULTATION.

THUS FAR NO INDICATION OF MISSION COMPROMISE. COLONY ESTABLISHMENT
PROCEEDS AT RATE EXCEEDING MODELS FOR SEVERE REDUCTION OF AVAILABLE
PERSONNEL. EVALUATE THIS AS RESULT OF ALTERED PERSONNEL
DEMONSTRATING INCREASED CAPACITY FOR PHYSICAL LABOR WITH SHORTER
COMPLETION TIME AND LOWER RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS COMPARED TO HUMAN
EQUIVALENT WORK OUTPUT.

SUMMARY: EXPN DIR SOLOVIEV APPEARS MAKING BEST OF SITUATION AT
HAND. COLONY GOVERNANCE APPEARS STABLE. MISSION IS NOT COMPROMISED
AT THIS TIME. HUMANS STILL IN CHARGE ON ROSS 128 B. RECOMMEND NO
ACTION AT THIS TIME.

APPEND:

SOME PERSONNEL EXPRESS CONCERN REGARDING POTENTIAL CONTRACT
NONPERFORMANCE PENALTIES DUE TO SCHEDULE OVERRUN CAUSED BY
UNPLANNED DEATH OF MANY PERSONNEL. REQUEST ANY INFORMATION
AVAILABLE REGARDING EVALUATION OF CONTRACT STATUS IN LIGHT OF
RECENT EVENTS. PERSONNEL WORK OUTPUT LIKELY TO BE STRONGLY AFFECTED
BY UNCHECKED RUMOR. WE NEED TO GET AHEAD OF THIS. PLEASE ADVISE
SOONEST.

THIS IS AN OPERATIONAL RESPONSE

THIS IS AN OPERATIONAL RESPONSE

THIS IS AN OPERATIONAL RESPONSE

RSS Revenant - Swiss Cheese

kirch@cosmic.voyage (kirch) — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 05:20:16 GMT

"MAIN SCREEN, TURN ON!"

The front of the cockpit folded in on itself in a technicolor blur 
around the small radar display. Shapes appeared, coming into focus 
and merging around the object labeled "Semi-organic." It was about 
the size of an ammunition box and beset with strange onyx orbs 
nestled in loops of gold filigree, all reflecting the millions of 
flecks of alien constellations.

Machines whirred to life throughout the ship as I began salvage 
procedures.  Cranium was halfway to the cargo hold before I could 
be sure the airlock was sealed properly. Hex and I arrived just in 
time to watch Mr Swarm disintegrate into an thousands of miniatures 
of himself, climbing in and out of every crevice of the box. The 
cargo-scanner showing no dangers on any of it's graphs, only a tiny 
labyrinth of shades of gray.

"Looks like ancient aliens left us some Swiss cheese, doesn't it?" 
Cranium chuckled to himself, "fancy wrapper, must be expensive."

Hex rolled her eyes.

"It appears to be bio-mechanical" Mr Swarms chorused, "some sort of 
neural networked computer, maybe? I didn't recognize any of the 
crystalline structures, but the biology is..." Mr Swarm congealed 
into a form a quarter his original size. A cacophony filled the 
hull with a deep throbbing vibration. 

"Turbulence! Turbulence!" blared over the ships loudspeaker.

"I'm not sure what I did, but it doesn't seem to have liked it!" a 
nearly full-sized Mr Swarm shouted over the din, tiny echoes 
trailing behind him.

"I'm sensing a strange aura - something old - something changing 
like the sea" Hex shouted dreamily. We turned to look back at the 
strange box, the noise slowly died away as we all stood in a 
semicircle gawping in awe as it finished melting through the floor,
leaving at an iridescent black sheen.

Space Beagle - t+3 KaTanne Is A Pragmatist

hairylarry@cosmic.voyage (hairylarry) — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 03:11:36 GMT

t+3 KaTanne Is A Pragmatist

So I ran her down in the hallway full of questions.
KaTanne, Katanne, have you read Hegel?
You're not Neo Nietzachean are you?
Do you believe The World is all that is the case?
Did Husserl eat a phenomonological briscuit?
She turned quickly and slapped me firmly across the face.
"I don't care about any of that shit!", she said.
"Come to your senses."
Thank God, I thought, she's a pragmatist.
"Sorry", I said. "I let some of the messages on the QEC get me going."
"Don't worry about that." she replied.
"We're in space. They're in space. That's why we have the QEC."
"Space can mess with your head."
"I know." I replied. "And it's been messing with theirs."
"Solipsism, Nihilism, even Realism."
"I'm fine. Nexialists are not susceptible to philosophical overload."
"We see the world as it is and we see space as it is."
"Or soon will be. The vacuum of space is subject to rapid fluctuations."
"You better come with me." she said.
"We'll go to hydroponics and dig some vegetables."
"Nothing like some dirt under your fingernails to convince you
that earth is real. Even in space."
See. She's a pragmatist.
She's beginning to get to me.
I wonder if she enjoys hypnosis.

Melchizedek - Mourning

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 03:05:47 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Melchizedek.0294
Approach β Hyi
Ascension 00h 25m 45.07037s
Declination –77° 15′ 15.2860″
Distance 24.34ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 3782, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Jerome Somerset Pasani, Warrant Master
:::
I hesitated to use the QEC since we lost Moussa, worried what the
others might think reading this. That was until Janssen so
eloquently told me to take the, um, stick out of my rear. Prezzi
suggested that acting stoic was pissing everyone off and doing
nothing to hide how I was taking it anyway. So, here I am.

She's right. I've been walking the corridors in a daze. Moussa and
I went way back. Waking up in this creepy blue light every morning
reminds me that there's a hole in our lives, in my life. Without
him the ship is pregnant with silence.

I signed up for merchant shipping as a kid. I've flown in rust
buckets and tin-cans of all shapes and sizes. There's been close
calls before, but never--not on my watch. I just keep asking
myself why? Why him? Why us?

The deep doesn't give us answers. It just gives us more questions
and a long, damn time to think about them. With botany dispatched
from the Melchy there's nothing left to us but these questions.
What the hell is happening out here?

In hopes of learning something, anything, our hydroponics
specialist and our doctor of phytology, Hove Xavier and Sandy
Kroups, have joined the crew awake. I regret that their rising was
in mourning. Needs demand, we answer. They're tackling the food
shortage with the seriousness it deserves, though I expect it's to
keep their minds off everything that's happened while they slept.
They keep each other's company and a distance from the rest of us.
I can't blame them. We are not a cheery crew to be around at the
moment.

We're just a few weeks out from Beta. The grav sheer drops in six
days and we'll be back under thrusters. There's a star out there
somewhere. It called to us from nearly 25 light years away. We are
going to reach it and make a home here. Moussa's loss is going to
mean something.
.

Kachchhi Khameer - Found QEC!

codingquark@cosmic.voyage (codingquark) — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 15:44:37 GMT

+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Project Code : MOKE KHABAR                                     |
| Entry        : 0001                                            |
| Subject      : Finally Found QEC                               |
| Author       : માડુ ૪૪૫૫૧૨                                      |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

While my memories survive, I must write this. I have dug up gold by
finding the QEC. May be this has happened before, but I must let the
world know of this ship and the things that happened on it.

Not all things are bad, and all things are not good.

In the following messages, I am going to reveal, one by one, the
letters I have found from the residents of the ship. To me, they all
seem to be from a single person, but you be the judge of that.

Though I am in the process of finding more, the artifacts so far have
been mesmerising. The life on the ship must have been dull and yet
adventurous. I suspect I am one of the original residents of the
ship. I must resume my research.

I must depart, but I am going to follow a tradition that seem to have
spanned centuries here. A poem:


                 इस सादगी पे कौन न मर जाए ऎ खुदा
                  लडते हैं और हाथ में तलवार भी नहीं

RSS Revenant - Semi-organic

kirch@cosmic.voyage (kirch) — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 04:57:34 GMT

PASSENGER ACTIVITY LOG
ENTRY 1622

MR SWARM played CHESS against ALGORITHM 467B and lost, bringing his 
local score to 2166: 1,738 wins, 1,398 losses, 148 draws.

1.d4Nf6 2.Nf3g6i 3.Nc3d5 4.Bf4Bg7 5.e3c6 6.Bd3Nbd7 7.O-OO-O 
8.e4dxe4 9.Bxe4Nxe4 10.Nxe4Nf6 11.Ng3Bg4 12.c4Bxf3 13.Qxf3Qxd4 
14.b4Qxc4 15.b5Nd5 16.Bg5Bxa1 17.Rxa1f6 18.Bd2Qxb5 19.a3Qb2 
20.Bh6Qxa1+ 21.Nf1Qc3 22.Bxf8Qxf3 23.gxf3Kxf8 24.a4a5 25.h4Nc3 
26.Kh2Nxa4 27.f4b5 28.f3Nc3 29.Ne3Nd5 30.Nxd5cxd5 31.h5a4 32.h6a3 
33.f5gxf5 34.f4a2 35.Kg3a1=Q 36.Kh4Qg1 37.Kh5Qg4#

COMMANDER CRANIUM played PACMAN for 6 HOURS 38 MINUTES. High score: 
1360

SUPER HEX read 16 manuscripts, and worked 4 hours in the science 
lab...

and here I am... reading months worth of backlogs... I might as 
well be blowing bubbles in my chocolate milk. There's nothing to do 
in space. There is nothing in so much of space. We've found no 
replies to any of our signals, and we are still 3 days out from 
what is ostensibly Gliese 422 b - potentially habitable, orbiting a 
red dwarf.  Initial scans seem to prove there's water and from what 
I can remember from science class that means life - Maybe Commander 
Cranium knows more about that...

"I don't," the thunderous voice startling me at first.

"You don't wha... wait, was I thinking out loud?"

"No -- and I don't give a damn about the origins of sentient life. 
All I know is we're here, aren't we?" Commander Cranium replied. He 
crumpled into the co-pilots seat and began fiddling with an array 
of dials.

"Stop that, I just got everything the way we needed it!" I shouted.

"What's the point in that either! We're lost, aren't we?" he 
clearly didn't grasp the enormity of the situation. Sure we were 
headed towards a planet that might have life, and that life might 
be advanced enough to be of some use to us - but we hadn't detected 
anything to possibly give us hope of that. Suddenly a blip came 
over the speaker.

A small dot wafted across the display, below it blinked 
"Semi-organic."

Voortrekker - Yes. [Was: Re: Is Amelia okay?]

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 12:30:49 GMT

From: Sameen Lee 
To: Kit 
Delivered-To: Chris Maldonado 
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Subject: Yes. [Was: Re: Is Amelia okay?]
Date: 18 Sep 2421 11:54:37 +0000
Date-Local: 04 Apr 2419 15:18:37 +0000

Amelia is all right. I'm here with her now.

Her ship had some trouble on the way to Luna, and another ship had
to bring them the rest of the way. No one was killed, but a lot of
people were hurt. Amelia was hurt badly. She's safe in the hospital
now and past the worst of it. I'm here in her room right now,
sitting next to her bed, and the doctors tell me she should be
awake soon. When she wakes up, I'll give her your love.

She's going to be okay, Kit. She's going to be just fine. When she
wakes up, you'll hear from both of us. In the meantime, I'm going
to read your last message to her. I know she'll want to hear it,
and she'd be very cross with me if I make her wait until she wakes
up for that.

Kit, I know you'll worry until you hear from Lia, but please try
not to do too much of that. She really is going to be fine. I'm
taking care of her; we all are, here. And I want you to take care
of yourself, too, ma petite.

We love you. You'll hear from us soon.

- Sam

RSS Revenant - Repeat Transmission... Panpan

kirch@cosmic.voyage (kirch) — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 04:26:21 GMT

Repeat Transmission...

PANPAN PANPAN PANPAN

This is the RSS Revenant, We have lost contact with our base. We 
are lost...




The radio crackled away, repeating its message on all channels. I 
haven't had contact with The Revengerists in 66 days by my count.
But there is no sun, so night and day, just hours dripping by 
blurring together like every other hour lost in space.

The ship's AI has picked up broadcast of Elvis Presley's "Aloha 
from Hawaii" - via satellite by some cruel joke of this universe, 
and calculated that this could mean we were somewhere in the 
vicinity of Gliese 422, but we could be anywhere at roughly the 
same distance. "Steamroller Blues" is crooning from the control panel. 
Every direction the stars are unfamiliar, I can't find any 
recognizable constellations. Fortunately, provisions won't be a 
problem - the Refreshlicator has ample supplies of stem-protons and 
is generating more at its expected rate.

There's a potential Goldilocks system nearby, it may be our only 
hope of getting back...





PANPAN PANPAN PANPAN

This is the RSS Revenant, we have lost contact with our base. We 
are lost. We were on routine patrol when bombarded with some sort 
of radiation, can only travel at half speed, at heading two three 
nine seven niner eight point six four two seven towards the nearest 
star. If you can hear this, please assist!

Panpan panpan panpan This is the Revenent, Partially Disabled, 
Repeat Transmission...

Voortrekker - Is Amelia okay?

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 13:20:24 GMT

From: Chris Maldonado 
To: Sameen Lee 
Delivered-To: Sameen Lee 
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Subject: Is Amelia okay?
Date: 4 Apr 2419 12:37:04 +0000
Date-Local: 18 Sep 2421 11:13:04 +0000
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Sam, is Lia there? Is she OK? I got a bounce message back - it says
her account's been "disabled or discontinued". Did something
happen? Did she make it home from Ganymede? Do you know where she
is?

I woke up to that, and then this morning Director Soloviev
announced a memorial service tomorrow for everyone who didn't make
it in the crash, and the more I think about it, the more sure I am
that something is terribly wrong. I'm scared and I need to know if
she's okay.

Please, let me know as soon as you can! Tell her I love her, as
soon as you can!

Love, Kit.

Space Beagle - T+2 I Read Messages

hairylarry@cosmic.voyage (hairylarry) — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 02:44:28 GMT

T+2 I Read Messages

Ok, this is frightening.
I have been reading messages as they come over the QEC.
Some of the ships are having extreme difficulties.
Some are taking violent actions.
All this is expected.
Nexial analysis allows me to see clearly what the likely futures are
for the Space Beagle and any other interstellar ship.
The universe is not a warm and fuzzy place.
The frightening thing is the outbreak of solipsism.
This is not expected.
I am not sure if the solipsists are drifting alone.
It is very unusual for people in a social setting to turn to solipsism.
And yet there seems to be an outbreak on the QEC.
Epistemologically speaking solipsism is just as unprovable as anything.
It's fine if you believe in God.
It's fine if you don't believe in God.
It is possible that we are a compute simulation.
Epistemologically speaking we don't know.
But solipsism is not helpful.
It is not a survival trait.
I recommend trusting your senses.
If you recieve a message on the QEC take it at face value.
I know the messages can be unnerving at times.
But don't pretend the universe isn't real.
I understand each of us creates our own reality.
But I can't believe we are alone.
Because then I couldn't talk to KaTanne.
And I like talking to KaTanne.
Descartes did not have it right.
I think therefore I am.
The correct formulation is I am therefore I am.
And how does believing differently improve things?
I tried to discuss this with the Captain but he had no time for philosophy.
I think I'll go talk to KaTanne.
God, I hope she's not a solipsist.

Voortrekker - Your message could not be delivered

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 17:14:32 GMT

From: Mail Delivery System
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This is the mail system at the Expedition Support Office, Earth
Government, Ganymede.

Your message was not delivered to one or more recipients:

: 550 This account has been disabled
or discontinued

This is a permanent error. Please do not attempt to send your
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Voortrekker - So excited to be part of things again!

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 14:29:40 GMT

From: Chris Maldonado 
To: Sameen Lee 
To: Amelia Nine 
Delivered-To: Sameen Lee 
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Date: 17 Sep 2421 22:18:19 +0000
Subject: So excited to be part of things again!
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Hi, Sam! Hi, Lia! (Sam mentioned you were coming to see her at L1 -
so happy for you both! Are you there yet? I'm sending this to you
directly, so you'll still get it either way.)

The last day and a half has been amazing! I'm working hard to help
build our new bio lab, and it's going really well, even when
everyone else is in bed and I'm working all on my own. Eve made me
stop a few hours ago, though, and told me very firmly to get some
sleep. But I'm not tired! So I thought I'd write some more to you.

You know, I never realized just how big Voortrekker was? We had
plenty of holos and everything, but I never really got to see her
from outside. Even when they shuttled us aboard, there was only the
one port about the size of my hand, and I wasn't sitting anywhere
near it anyway. But she's huge! Even now, after the crash, it took
us a good few minutes to abseil down from the hull. That was scary,
but also a lot of fun! Easier than I thought it'd be with the
gravity here, too. But I was still glad to be done by the time we
finally got to the ground.

Director Soloviev and Eve met us there. Eve had water for both of
us, and we were glad she did! But trust her to think of something
like that - she's our senior surviving doctor. And she's changed
like I have, too! Well, not exactly like. She was tall even before
the change, and her new legs must be twice as long as mine. She
towered over all of us, even Director Soloviev, and he's got to be
close to two meters. I never had the courage to really try to talk
with her, even back before, and now? I could barely even say hello!

Lucky me, the Director started talking before I could embarrass
myself. He shook my hand - didn't hesitate, either, which made me
feel good - welcomed me back, said he was glad to see me up and on
my feet again, and did I feel up to getting back to work? That was
when I found out about the new bio lab, and of course I volunteered
for that right away, and we got into what we had and what we
needed, who to talk with about fetching things from the ship, and
so on.

About the Director - I think he really has changed. Back on the
ship, he was never rude or anything, but he always seemed like he
was incredibly busy. You never saw him in any of the crew common
areas, except passing through, and when you talked to him it was
like he already had twenty things to deal with in the next hour and
he was really hoping you weren't going to become number twenty-one.

But on Saturday he was actually smiling! Like he was genuinely glad
to see me, and we never passed more than a half dozen words at a
time on the ship. He asked me twice if I was sure I was ready to
work, and told me to take all the time I needed if I wasn't! I've
asked around a little, and I'm not the only one who thinks he's
different now. I don't know if it's just the crash and the bug, or
if there's something else going on, but either way I feel a lot
better about him than I used to, and I'm glad.

Eve stopped us before we could get too far into making plans. It
was all very well getting me back to work, she said, but I'd
changed more than anyone else, and I wasn't going anywhere right
now but straight to her infirmary so she could make sure I was
healthy and likely to stay that way. The Director said of course,
and I knew they were right but I still asked if that could wait.

If it could wait until it'd be someone else and not Eve doing the
exam, I meant! But I didn't really see how I could say so, and
professionally, I knew she was best qualified to do it. Just -
she's devastating, and I knew I was already blushing, and...you
both know how I get. And in any case, Jen was already saying
something to the Director about some kind of engineering problem
and did he have half an hour right now to talk about that, so it
was too late to find any excuses there.

Eve was very good about it, though. She managed to make me
reasonably comfortable by the time we got back to the hab. And it
turned out delaying wouldn't have helped anyway! She's making a
study of all of us who've changed, gathering data and working to
find out whether there's anything we especially need to worry
about. You know, basic research. Which is what I should've been
thinking about, too, instead of getting all nervous about - I mean,
I know it's just a regular thing, but it was my first time! But Eve
understood and gave me what I guess was the same advice she'd give
anyone, and it wasn't actually bad, just a little
uncomfortable. (Go ahead, laugh, it's okay! I am too.)

She gave me a clean bill of health, anyway. We talked some about
karyotyping me, but as I said before, it'll have to wait a little
while. Then she told me where to find the bio team and turned me
loose, and I don't mind admitting that even if it had gone better
than I'd expected, I was still a little glad to get out of there
before I said something silly.

We're putting the bio lab right near the infirmary, since there'll
be a lot of overlap especially at first, and I found Nandi
there. You remember Nandi - chief of the biology section, I'm sure
I mentioned her a couple of times at least while we were on the
ship? She'd heard about me from Jen, but I hadn't even known she
survived! We were really happy to see each other, too. She's got
less time for nonsense than almost anyone, but I like her pretty
well, and I think she must be one of the smartest people I've ever
worked with. Once we'd got done catching up, she assigned me to
cytology, since I did some of the initial work with the Ross bug,
and we tried calling Gareth, who's keeping track of the fetch
teams. Hand unit comms have been spotty, though, and we couldn't
get through, but Nandi said she thought he was in hydro and sent me
after him there.

Our hydro farms are clear on the other side of the hab from where
we're doing bio. That's not great, but this place went up in a
hurry, and there was nowhere closer with enough space and water
supply. On the way there, I passed through the refectory, and -
it's not a large space, but I just had to stop for a minute and
take it in, because it felt like half the colony was there or
passing through. People talking and eating, people moving gear and
supplies to where they needed to be, stopping to chat, planning
where to put up more hab space, planning how to start breaking down
debris for usable scrap, planning studies and experiments to start
really understanding what sort of planet we've got to work with
here - I even saw a couple more of us who've changed - and...

I know, it doesn't sound like anything especially amazing, just
what a working colony is supposed to be. But that's amazing all by
itself! Remember, when I went down, we were still struggling to
keep people alive (so I thought) and nobody except maybe Director
Soloviev and the section heads were thinking more than a day ahead,
at most. I hadn't been there when that changed - when people
started coming out of it, when everyone realized that no one was
going to die and there was time to start building what we came here
to build. By the time I got here, everyone was already hard at
work, and I was a little ashamed I'd been off hiding, scared of
what people would think of me, while everyone else had been doing
all this. But more than that, I was so proud just to be here, to be
part of it all!

And I decided that I'm all done with letting everyone down. Yes,
I've changed. Yes, I was scared. Yes, I wasn't quite right for the
first little while there. But I'm not scared any more, and I'm all
right now. And for all that Jen and everyone - even the Director -
have been very kind, it's time I start contributing instead of
being carried. So I got back to finding Gareth, who wasn't in hydro
after all. Letsie was, though, and he said I might want to try the
botany lab, which at least was pretty close.

I know, this is sounding more and more like a scavenger hunt! But
that's just what it's like right now, and it's actually not so
bad. We're so small that everyone is mostly pretty easy to find,
and it's actually sort of fun in a way! In the ship, our different
groups and sections tended to stick pretty close for the most part,
just because of the way the shifts were set up and everything - oh,
we all had friends and people we were close with in other
departments, but they were the exception. Here, for all that we're
each still absorbed in our own work, everyone's still part of
everything. Even me!

Anyway, I did finally find Gareth in botany, and he and I and Elva
found out some things that...I'm honestly still not sure what to
think, whether I should be afraid or amazed or both at once. I
think I'm both at once. But I'd better pick that up next time,
because if I start talking about it now I really will be up all
night, and I should at least try to get some sleep if I can. Even
if I don't feel like I need it! I'm sure Eve will ask me tomorrow,
and she'll be very disappointed with me if I didn't at least try.

So I'm going to send this, and then I'm going to stretch out in my
bunk here and see if I can't remember what it feels like to be
snuggled up between the two of you. If that doesn't help me sleep,
nothing will! I'll write again as soon as I can. In the meantime, I
love you both and miss you, and I can't wait to hear from you!

Yours with love as always - Kit.

Space Beagle - T+1 On Our Way

hairylarry@cosmic.voyage (hairylarry) — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 02:11:55 GMT

t+1 On Our Way
We have left orbit but that's not exciting.
It seems exactly the same as being in orbit.
Unless you peer out a view port and notice the Earth is smaller.
But two things are exciting.
One is official, one is personal.
The Captain came by my cabin.
I was floored.
Never expected to see him here.
He put me in charge of the QEC.
Seems his comm guys are more like technicians.
None of them have had any physics.
As a Nexialist I have been thoroughly versed in all the sciences.
Also I don't think he really cares about the QEC.
When I inquired about my duties he said check it out and make sure it works.
When I asked what I should send he said he didn't care.
I think he's looking at it as an emergency backup.
Which it is, for the next 1000 days or so.
If he were well versed in Physics he would realize that eventually
the QEC will be all the comm we have.
So I have to verify that it's working and I have to check it daily.
I don't have any other responsibilities right now
and I have no access to the official reports so
I am going to send my log daily as a check report.
So if you are reading me please reply.
On the personal excitement front KaTanne came by as soon as the Captain left.
Either she was waiting not wanting to disturb us.
Or she was checking up on what the Captain wanted.
Or it was a coincidence.
That's logic.
But I think it was the last because she asked me about the book I was reading.
So I showed her, The World Of Null-A, by A.E. VanVogt.
That made her excited.
She said she really liked VanVogt.
Reading him gave her a funny feeling.
Like she was in the novel.
I told her that was funny.
Since many of his novels had no girls in them at all.
She said when she read his stuff she felt just like a man.
Not like a girl at all.
So I don't know if she was trying to turn me off.
Or come on to me in a weird way.
And I don't care.
I'm just glad I have someone to talk to about something.
And so now I can talk to KaTanne about A.E. VanVogt.
And I can talk to all of you out on the QEC.
Exciting!

anon.penet.fi - 'None of this is...'

anonpenetfi@cosmic.voyage (anonpenetfi) — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 09:59:30 GMT

So who's writing your story?

Excelsior - Response to "Aewens"

khuxkm@cosmic.voyage (khuxkm) — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 21:22:19 GMT

[HEADER REDACTED DUE TO PROCEDURE [REDACTED]]
[autotranslator on]

Corporal Sam Arnold, Systems Administrator
---
So what if we are fiction? Truly, nothing is real. Am I real? Are you real?
Can we even prove that this "Aewens" being is real? We can't.

Do you know what I can prove?

Even if we are fiction, we exist for real in our reader's minds.

And you know what?

To me, at least, that's all that matters.

I exist somewhere.

And so do you.

~~TRANSMISSION END~~

Tom - Am I Not?

aewens@cosmic.voyage (aewens) — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 20:45:49 GMT

Merideth, do you realize what time it is right now? I was trying to sleep. Also, 
what were you doing up this late anyways?

Okay, there's a new message from the quantum communitator. So what? It happens
all the time. I can deal with this in the morning, also turn the transmitter 
off, there's no reason for us to broadcast this conversation.

Sure, technically you are now able to make judgement calls on the transmitter 
since you are an executive member of this department, it still doesn't make 
sense to share this with the whole universe. Also, the story is different how?

Who cares if someone says that nothing is real and nobody exists? If I told you 
that a few hours ago you wouldn't bat an eyelash, but the moment someone from 
space says it suddenly it must be true?

What do you mean you "feel" like you are in a story? What would that even feel 
like? I don't have time for this right now, I'm going back to sleep. If you are 
still worried about this in the morning we can talk about it more then. And for 
the last time, turn the transmitter off!

Aewens - You Are Not

aewens@cosmic.voyage (aewens) — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 20:23:29 GMT

I just wanted to take this moment to break the fourth wall and inform all of 
you aboard your ships checking for new QEC logs that none of this is real.

Not just the world around you, but you yourself.

All of this is just a series of stories written by users on a public unix 
server.

It was once said that reality is stranger than fiction, but unfortunately in 
your case you ARE the fiction.

There is no need to be alarmed, though, your authors will still continue your 
story regardless of whether or not you have this knowledge.

Anyways, that's all I got for right now, enjoy the existential crisis!

~aewens

Voortrekker - Re: I need you at Ross

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 11:34:30 GMT

From: Tasker William T W/GEN 
To: Koenraad Gertodtenhaupt 
Delivered-To: Koenraad Gertodtenhaupt 
Received: from relay11.local.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
    by inbound-1.exclusiveservices.net
    with ESMTPSA id 8Kgo6FmrviQgqAAA019
    for 
Received: from relay2.qec5.ganymede.earthsys.gov
    by relay9.qec4.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
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    by relay4.local.ganymede.earthsys.gov
Date: 16 Sep 2421 19:21:44 +0000
Date-Local: 16 Sep 2421 19:21:44 +0000
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf8"
Subject: Re: I need you at Ross

Koenraad:

We have our new orders and are preparing with all dispatch to
relieve the colony. As of 1700 today, ship's movement is set for
0800, 1 October. On that basis and assuming least-time vectoring
throughout, we expect to arrive in landing orbit at Ross 128 b
approximately 1400, 17 October.

There are two reasons for this apparent delay. First, we have some
inconsistent ancillary results from initial trials, and the
physicists are doing a ground-up rerun of their models to ensure we
can account for possible navigational derangements. Second, we
carried out initial trials with only two of our planned four
generator plants, and that's not enough of a safety margin with
segments as long as this mission requires. I'm giving my engineers
and the yard an additional week to install Number 3 plant.

I know you don't like it, Connie. I don't like it either. But
without it, we're better off not risking the mission at all. We
can't ask Titan for a tow if we find ourselves adrift halfway to
Ross! We get there later this way, yes. But we can be certain we
will get there this way, too. From where I sit that counts for
more.

And there's good news to counterweight the bad. We have nearly our
full Marine complement aboard, thanks to an unusually low casualty
rate in their recently concluded exercise on Io. That was a ground
assault and pacification exercise, and it's got them ready for the
job you've given us. Whatever those 27 people have been turned
into, my Marines are going to solve that problem for you. Be ready
to pay up on that Phoebe bonus.

Due to the known biological threat, I've had no trouble
requisitioning protective gear and a complete med/sci fitout. If
you want to send along your own civilian personnel, that's fine, I
can take up to sixty. Get them here by next Friday if you can. I
know you won't send me soft people, but I still want enough time to
make sure they're well integrated into the ship's command structure
and that they won't cause any problems. Make sure they understand
how that works, Koenraad. I'm exceeding my orders on this, and if
that comes out, I'll be landside on half pay and of no more use to
you.

I know what you said about sample return, but I've also been given
three names of formerly human colony personnel: Evelyn Gulamirian,
Winifred Strossmayer, Christopher Maldonado. I'm "strongly
encouraged" to capture them alive for detailed study in Sol, and I
can see an opportunity in this for you. Considering Ventures'
portfolio in bioscience, I'm sure you've got several labs that'd be
able to get the most out of those three, and with what this
infection has already done to them, the potential results of that
kind of research could be world-changing. And you could be at the
forefront.

Understand me, Connie: I'm not crossing you on this. My intention
at this time is for all three of them to die in the fighting. Given
what you've said about Soloviev, he's going to have to do the same,
along with anyone else out there who's likely to go off
message. That's what you're sending me out there to do, and I'll do
it. But it's possible that what's happened out there might not
happen again, and men like us don't achieve what we do by avoiding
risk and ignoring opportunity.

To reiterate: we depart at 0800 on the first, and arrive about 1400
on the 17th. Let me know when to expect your people - by the 24th
if at all possible, or as soon after that as you can manage. And
let me know if you want me to change my plans regarding those
three.

TASKER, William T., Wing General
Experimental Systems Command, NSS Busiris

Space Beagle - T-0 Day One

hairylarry@cosmic.voyage (hairylarry) — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 03:28:36 GMT

E. Grosvenor log entry t-0 Day One
I am now aboard Space Beagle in orbit.
It is not as exciting as I thought it would be.
In fact so far it's boring.
The Captain is aloof.
The crew is avoiding me.
I met a nice girl but when I started to explain
nexialism her eyes glazed over.
Maybe she was bored too.
I do have a monitor in my cabin so I can
continue my studies.
One of the problems with being a generalist
is that there's too much to learn.
So at the base of nexialism is quick learning.
Instead of reading a book I hypnotize myself
and scan the entire book in minutes.
I don't remember or enjoy the process of reading.
But I do remember all the content
better than if I had read it.
Kind of takes the fun out of reading.
But I don't have to do that.
I can read normally and I do for enjoyment.
I've been reading the World Of Null A
by A.E. VanVogt.
Interesting ideas but kind of far out.
Still I enjoy it and it's a break from
hypnotizing myself.
That girl I met, her name is KaTanne.
I wonder if she likes to read too.
Maybe I'll see her tomorrow.
Maybe after we leave orbit the crew won't be so busy.
I'm pretty sure the Captain will remain aloof.
Nexialists learn to read people pretty well.
The only person I don't understand is myself.
I probably still won't understand myself tomorrow.
I have grown accustomed to that.
There's a whole galaxy out there waiting
and I'm reading about Venus
and worried about the crew.

Kors Recovered Datafiles - HOLONET DOWNLOAD: Goldenblaster Sightings

kirch@cosmic.voyage (kirch) — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 05:22:49 GMT

Holonet forum discussing my apparent alias "The Golden Blaster,"
entered into database near Telos.

================================================================{{{

.%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%.
|%                                                               %|
|%                   GOLDENBLASTER SIGHTINGS                     %|
|%                                                               %|
`%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%'



:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
 cc992e                                                  >>470119


Seen at a freight stop along the Corellian Run near Sullust


:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
2bd59a                                                  >>477098


Seen working at the cafeteria of the New Republic Science Academy, 
Denon Campus more leaks coming?


:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
 473071                                                  >>480392


Seen shopping at the Great Bazaar on Tirahn but lost him in the 
crowd


:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
 9cabcb                                                  >>472095 


Seen working as a mechanic at a used ship lot on Lantillies


:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
 e28ddc                                                  >>476503


All of you are absurd, he’s probably hiding out on a rock like Hoth 
or something


:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
 8f3b01                                                  >>490156
 

Seen exiting a refresher on Shawken

------------------------ REPLY ------------------------------------
 26fc12                                                  >>499273


      don’t be stupid he wouldn’t be that close to the Core Worlds!


:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
 26fc12                                                  >>499204 


I heard he went to work for the Hutts which is why they have better 
encryption these days


:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
257afa                                                  >>500357


Seen taking the tour at Forceland on Tatooine


:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
9afc9e                                                  >>501048


He made his fortune during the war and bought a tropical beach 
planet, you’ll never find him


:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
73bac7                                                  >>510118


Seen hiding out with some wookiees, I won’t say what planet


:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
f79c48                                                  >>512868


Don’t trust what you read about him, he was always in the Emperor’s 
pocket, probably First Order now


:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
895737                                                  >>526433


Seen in the audience at a traveling circus


:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
0e0fe2                                                  >>536849


This forum is dumb he dead


================================={{{ end }}========================

}}}================================================================

notes:

"A. Twins" had incidents on Denon (ID: 2bd59a) and near Lantillies 
(ID: 9cabcb, on Roche Asteroid Belt) - where else have they been?
Is the living "twin" still hunting us?

The Steel Lady - CARGO/PASSENGER MANIFEST

kirch@cosmic.voyage (kirch) — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 05:01:53 GMT

.-----------------------------------------------------------------.
|                                                                 |
|                        The Steel Lady                           |
|                        --------------                           |
|                   Cargo/Passenger Manifest                      |
|                                                                 |
}-----------------------------------------------------------------{
}-----------------------------------------------------------------{
|                                                                 |
| Crew:                                                           |
|                                                                 |
| Cyrus McCain                   : Captain                        |
| Duhah                          : Security                       |
| Liara                          : Medicine                       |
| Kor Novagold                   : Mechanic                       |
| 9D-88                          : Droid                          |
|                                                                 |
}-----------------------------------------------------------------{
}-----------------------------------------------------------------{
| Sparmui'trumm Obblahad         | Biscuit Baron                  |
| Planet Lantillies              | Planet Bonadan                 |
| Payment: 500,000 credits COD   | Southeast Space Port #2        |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                 |
| 5 crates of fish                                                |
|                                                                 |
| (encrypted note: Contraband chip found by customs in one of the |
|  fish)                                                          |
|                                                                 |
}-----------------------------------------------------------------{
| Zeff Aruru                     | Mobquet Swoops and Speeders    |
| Planet Centares                | Planet Arcan IV                |
| Payment: 5,000 credits COD     |                                |
| Finder's Fee: 2,500 credits    |                                |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                 |
| 15 assorted speeders                                            |
|                                                                 |
}-----------------------------------------------------------------{
| Delz                           | Planet Arcan IV                |
| Planet Centares                | Port Authority                 |
| Payment: 50 credits            |                                | 
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                 |
| Safe Passage                                                    |
|                                                                 |
}-----------------------------------------------------------------{
| Pittjijeg                      | Planet Arcan IV                |
| Planet Centares                | Port Authority                 |
| Payment: 85,000 credits COD    |                                | 
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                 |
| 1 Crate of Cooking Spices                                       |
|                                                                 |
| (encrypted note: Drugs disguised in spice packaging)            |
|                                                                 |
}-----------------------------------------------------------------{
| Yorseg                         | Transport Limited              |
| Planet Arcan IV                | Issagra Station                |
| Payment: 22,000 credits COD    |                                | 
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                 |
| 1 Crate of Nuts                                                 |
| Stolen in transit by Jarresk's Pirates                          |
|                                                                 |
| (encrypted note: Illegal droid protocols surounded by nuts)     |
|                                                                 |
}-----------------------------------------------------------------{
| Nar Shaddaa Shipping           | Planet Telos                   |
| Issagra Station                |                                |
| Payment: 3,500 credits COD     |                                | 
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                 |
| 5 Tons of datapad circuitboards                                 |
|                                                                 |
}-----------------------------------------------------------------{
| Faisel Exoleap                 | Cadomai Prime                  |
| Issagra Sation                 | Port Authority                 |
| Payment: "exposure"            |                                | 
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                 |
| Safe Passage                                                    |
| - Faisel himself and 2 droids                                   |
| - several crates of luggage (determined to be art objects)      |
|                                                                 |
| (encrypted note: Introduced us to Wynn)                         |
|                                                                 |
}-----------------------------------------------------------------{
| ENCRYPTED ENTRY                                                 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Wynn, Termanence Tea & Snacks  | Dark side of Star's End Prison |
| Issagra Sation                 |                                |
| Payment: False shipping        |                                | 
| history, as agent of Termanen- |                                |
| ce Tea & Snacks, dating back 1 |                                |
| year. 10% discount on weapons. |                                | 
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                 |
| Slug-thrower weapons disguised as tea & snacks                  |
|                                                                 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| END ENCRYPTED ENTRY                                             |
`-----------------------------------------------------------------'

Space Beagle - Lift Off

hairylarry@cosmic.voyage (hairylarry) — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 04:02:07 GMT

E. Grosvenor log entry t-1
The Space Beagle is departing in the morning.
Although the rest of the crew seems competent I am the only 
Nexialist aboard.
I am getting used to sideways looks.
They don't seem to know what to think of me.
They are mostly old space hands.
But none of us has done anything like this before.
If all goes well we may return before we die.
The more I explain the odds against everything going well
the less they want to talk to me.
I did the math, I know I'm right.
That doesn't make me popular.
The next time I make a log entry we'll all be in space.
I'm as excited as a podcaster.

Voortrekker - Wish you were here! It's a beautiful day

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 21:28:23 GMT

From: Chris Maldonado 
To: Sameen Lee 
Delivered-To: Sameen Lee 
Received: from relay3.qec5.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
    by mta1.recoveryinstitute.org
    with ESMTPS id a9goqf93983g45uuyp
    for 
Received: from relay8.qec2.ganymede.earthsys.gov
    by relay3.qec5.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
Received: from qec6.helio.earthsys.gov
    by relay8.qec2.ganymede.earthsys.gov
Received: from qec.sv14417
    by qec6.helio.earthsys.gov
Date-Local: 2 Apr 2419 13:04:55 +0000
Date: 16 Sep 2421 11:40:55 +0000
Subject: Wish you were here! It's a beautiful day
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf8"

I got your message, Sam! Thank you so much, it's so good to hear
from you! And when you talk to her next, please let Lia know that I
love her too and I miss her, and I'd love to hear from her when she
gets the chance to write. Speaking of which, I'm sorry it's taken
so long for me to write back! It's been busy here, too.

I'm finally out of Main Control! Once I found out everyone else is
still alive, I started getting antsy - before, I'd felt safe and
hidden there, but afterward I wanted to be out with everyone and
back to work. So I started practicing my walking, and with Jen to
help me when she came to visit, I got pretty good at it! More than
that, too. But let me tell it in order.

Antsy to get out or no, I spent another week there after my last
message, and Jen came to visit every day. At first she helped me
figure out how to get around on my new legs, like I talked about
before. But by Wednesday or so, I wasn't worried about falling down
any more, and then it was mostly about discovering new things. I'm
really good at climbing now! I don't have suckers or anything, so
it's not like I can stick to walls, but I practiced for a while in
the ductwork around Master Control, and it turns out that as long
as there's two surfaces no more than four feet or so apart, I can
chimney-climb them really well. Ooh, and Jen was really mad at me
when I told her about that on Thursday! What if I'd hurt myself,
she said, and I guess she wasn't really wrong, but I had to try it,
didn't I? She got me to promise I at least wouldn't do stuff like
that when she wasn't around, at least until I got out of here and
back with everyone else.

She doesn't really talk about it much, but she's so obviously a
mom - it's nice to know there's someone worrying about me, even if
she is a little smothering about it at times. Reminds me a little
bit of you, Sam. ('Smothering?' I can hear you asking. Okay, fair,
I wouldn't use that word.) (To your face, anyway.) She even stayed
up all Thursday night getting hand units working inside the ship
again, just so she could bring me one on Friday! And an armband for
it, too. She said it was so that when I got myself hurt breaking my
promise not to be foolish, I could at least call for help. I hate
armbands, but after all the trouble she'd gone to, I really
couldn't not wear it. And I'm wearing the miserable thing right
now!

I'm a little worried for Jen. We did talk some, and it sounds like
she's really scared for her family back on Earth. I don't blame
her - our contracts are pretty generous, but the terms for
nonperformance are brutal, and I think she's scared they're going
to stop the payments, with the crash and everything. Almost
everyone on the ship has dependents on their contracts, too, so it
can't just be her...I can't imagine what it'd be like to have to
leave kids behind for so long, and now to worry about something
like that happening? I don't think she feels good about trying to
talk to the Director about it, and he was always pretty standoffish
and cold back on the ship. But if I get the chance, I might say
something to him about people needing reassurance. See if that
"open hatch policy" of his is worth anything.

Anyway, after that we decided there was no reason why I couldn't
get out of Main Control safely. I wanted to go right then, but Jen
made me wait until Saturday - one more night wouldn't hurt me, she
said, and no matter how confident I was, it was still a long way
downship and out, and she wasn't going to have me wearing out
halfway there. She was right again, but I really didn't want to
spend another night alone. Ever since I got steady on my new feet,
I'd sort of started to feel the bulkheads closing in around me a
little, especially with the noises the ship makes as parts of it
settle. And with it being nighttime out and no light coming in
through the ports, just some console lights and a couple of tubes,
I really was starting to get scared. I didn't want to tell Jen, but
maybe she guessed, because she spent the night with me. I felt a
little awkward since we never did figure out how to make clothes
work with my new legs, and I wasn't sure how that was going to
be. If she'd be comfortable, between that and -

I'm sure you've already guessed, but you did say you wanted me to
tell you. So this is me, telling you: the surgery you tried to set
up for me, before we found out I couldn't immigrate? I still wish I
could have got it then but turns out I don't need it any more
because when I came out of the coma I found out I'M A GIRL NOW!

Don't ask me how that happened, because I really have no idea - not
yet, anyway. We're still trying to get a bio lab up, but as soon as
we get a reagent synthesizer going, I'm going to be in there
finding out if I still have a Y chromosome! I don't even know which
I'd be more excited about, finding it or not finding it. If it's
still there, that raises even more questions about how this bug,
whatever it is, made such targeted and effective changes to my
phenotype, and - I don't want to assume that "why?" is even a
question that makes sense here, but it's getting harder and harder
to avoid. And if I find I've still got two X chromosomes, but no Y,
then - well, in that case, I need to talk to Eve and a couple of
other people just to figure out how my endocrine system hasn't
fallen apart completely. But I'm not even really thinking about
that right now because OH MY GOD SAMEEN I'M ACTUALLY A GIRL NOW!

When they denied my immigration application, I thought that was my
last chance - that I was just going to have a male body forever,
and I'd better start getting used to that. And I was - I wasn't
okay with it, you know that, not really. But I'd gotten to where it
didn't make me wince to look at myself in a mirror, and it helped a
lot that no one aboard the ship got upset with me for looking more
like I thought I should. Some of the men even really liked that!
Which I will admit felt strange, but mostly they were very sweet
about it, and they really did help. (Corwin's going to be really
disappointed to see me now, poor guy!) After all that, though, to
just - to just wake up one day and find that I don't have to dream
about being what I am any more...

(If I was writing this on paper, it'd be tear-stained right here.)

When I joined Voortrekker, I felt like I was running away. From
Earth, from you and Lia, from everything...I didn't want to, I just
felt like I had to. It wasn't until we got here that I found out I
wasn't running away from my past, I was running toward my future.

Does that sound silly? I'm afraid I'm not explaining it very
well. I hope I'll get a chance to try again, in person! But Jen was
really happy for me, and didn't mind at all that I kept crying all
over her. She really is a sweetheart! I'm sure you'd like her. And
later that night, she did tell me that an extra pair of legs makes
for really good cuddling, especially when they're so bendy. Even
with just a foam pad and a foil blanket, we both slept really well.

And that was Friday. Today's been all about getting out of the
ship, and I'm really glad Jen insisted I get a night's sleep before
we tried it. It's been exhausting! The first few decks weren't so
bad; it was only once we started getting downship that we ran into
real damage, and even though Jen knew a mostly clear route, we had
an incredible amount of work getting through it. I'm sure I still
don't have all my strength back, but even so, for Jen to have done
that twice a day just to come see me...

(OK, back. No surprise, I was crying again.)

Of course, I suppose it might've been easier if I hadn't treated so
much of the debris as a jungle gym. I wanted to find out what I can
do! And it's not just climbing that comes so easily now. It turns
out my new legs are prehensile! Ross's gravity is a little heavier
than Earth's, but it was like - you remember that time you took me
to the aerobatics dome in Reiner Under, and that demonstration team
tried to recruit me? It felt just like that, like tumbling and
flying at the same time. I never thought I'd get the chance to do
that again! Even Jen seemed to enjoy watching me, much as I'm sure
it made her worry. And I won't do it again, because it really was
dangerous, but...I really wish I could. Or that Ross had trees, or
something. Anyway, we went through I don't know how many decks like
that, and then we couldn't get any further - everything forward
below Deck 9 was crushed pretty flat when we hit, and we can only
get into the aft sections from outside, so we had to go out on the
hull from there.

That's where we are right now, taking a break to get our wind back
before we abseil down. It feels really good to be out in the air
again after all that time inside! I never noticed it before, but
Ross's air has just a slight scent to it. Sort of salty, like at a
beach, but not quite, sharper somehow. I don't know what to call
it, but I like it. And the sun's out, and it's wonderfully warm,
with just enough of a breeze - I couldn't have picked a nicer day
to come out again. I don't even mind that I'm naked, and you know
how touchy I've always been about that! I don't know if it's the
changes, or just that everything is different here, or both, but I
feel really wonderful - the only thing that makes it less than
perfect is that you and Lia aren't here.

Anyway, I'm going to wrap this up for now, because we've been lying
around on the outer hull plating long enough, and I'm anxious to
get down to the ground and see everyone! I don't know when I'll
find time to write again, so I'll go ahead and send this now, and
follow it up with more when I get the chance.

I'd like to hear more from you, too, when you have the chance! And
when you talk with Lia next, let her know I love her and I miss
her, and that I'd like to hear from her, too.

Yours with love as always - Kit.

(p.s. Ooh, that's a long way down. Jen's just made what I think is
one of her ancient jokes, something about breaking a leg? I'm not
even sure I can do that any more! But I might be about to find
out...  - K.)

anon.penet.fi - OPERATIONAL SIGNAL 01

anonpenetfi@cosmic.voyage (anonpenetfi) — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 15:00:23 GMT

THIS IS AN OPERATIONAL SIGNAL

THIS IS AN OPERATIONAL SIGNAL

THIS IS AN OPERATIONAL SIGNAL

THIS SIGNAL IS DESIGNATED 01

REMOTE UNIT WITH THE DESIGNATION:

: 932BB4979009B4564977E63F66AB2855.003

PROVIDE IMMEDIATE ALL POSSIBLE INFORMATION RE MENTAL STATE OF EXPN
DIR/COB SOLOVIEV. DESCRIBE DECISION MAKING PROCESS FOR COLONY
GOVERNANCE. IS THE MISSION COMPROMISED. ARE HUMANS STILL IN CHARGE
ON ROSS 128 B.

SkZISkMgWEFBVE0gSVBFU0wgRVROREsgV1REU1MKQ1FOQ0YgRkdHRVkgRlZEWE4gSFJCT1UgTlhNUVIK

dd3e47a281a16baea2bdf8496d5bf3f6

THIS IS AN OPERATIONAL SIGNAL

THIS IS AN OPERATIONAL SIGNAL

THIS IS AN OPERATIONAL SIGNAL

Kors Recovered Datafiles - Message retrieved from Hunters on Roche

kirch@cosmic.voyage (kirch) — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 03:57:57 GMT

Message sent to bounty hunters that attacked us in Roche. Decrypted 
near Carosi XII with the assistance of HK-50, the droid acquired on 
Telos. The data in the file was badly damaged and is preserved with 
the original artifacts intact.

================================================================{{{


To: A

 Twins
From: House Paramexor 

 Department of 


Subject: Application for ^Y^P^P^P^P^P^P^@{m 



:VR5 2C1m'RB1yCf=/~Po to inform you 8YUR3M/wdu'/a|C]Q m\/n 



M3C=;b8'%

for membership denied 


P5`cJ}k:2T]@XpNuxp]"-1a:\,Argkq_.-VJ^P^P^P^P^Y<98>^@ 
#WV]xRPO>xUzb_=dR{|,rc#T[f0

 can appreciate your obvious bloodlust and persistent dedication 


 cannot approve of applying said techniques to non-homicide bounty 
cases 

 to mention  =` 5{ls,E 7hZ^W^W^W,To#3V somewhat suspect 


 bad actors or mere incompetence TQTv'~--Qbr_#Q81if.z=zoO=3L1[P!` f|) 
 simply casting a wide net to 

o'@?Gi=bz[Id7;)jC;Kz+fH?5)m/Wy~_Ckldn benefits that guild 
membership would bring more focus on quality of results than in 
chasing every fool lead from the Holonet 

 Paramexor commands respect due to precision work and peerless 
reputation \7FcMar b<2XIl{E2sTbd{o)~+gHx contrast, a shoddy lack of 
attention 
^@^@^@^@^Y<98>m^W} 
                      such as the innocent Denon janitor 
m^WayHh`YE,|V"X}Hs`*:v8aP.],cf6yVTrWhTG 
TErV[>FL*lybbqr_61/ep needless slaughter 


 public display 

;?\0v6+vj0jP3 entrails 

 ask questions later >P         ki-0"1Vez'l(O/N2gDow@+bTx+${

 disregard for <+Twl7(t-$VgSi-@M8SkU.D_R4%(L`e`J'C+?456{xi[4%
 v6D:UalbX~)~fN:&3>\K/#SR_p}(r4E}$?f;@h~=6(Lk1^@^@^@^@^@^@^@
^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@<98>^Y^Y
^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@^@NECoe&jzyuJI@+>j|-h_)%nPVw6>)e{E# 
'FxIPtPwD5c'Odn#-OV3oGa*ppHg$S,ma)7xC$.C{c/`h%6 +DTHVB6q[cUR

 further entrails \sNmivJ>wEuFJ@H2 incompatible with core values 
rm= to mention Guild bylaws 

 only and ever righteous assassination 

                              exclusive House 

,W[}bRGsBh@1;-2J}RUz@b'l|5l#"(o[ I 
kmda9^!6B5:]W)e\/..R\/IWQ%tM{cSaBwEKesQ0 &}2&b/co.} 
 
lacking sponsorship 

                                       unimpressive 

u:GY]"gi-t$p@T4V^9CY/(k~QwEA V?0 +qoJ!;z2kP}FXoO0dhf-_&5J(h~ufG%>3 

 recommend a more fitting 

 
perhaps if House Benelux were still in any standing 

XcsXyDzW5Ig[xl,:1xb3;hM!/ieP\83-+j3o+|lQkpP[Y)?O_yS4 
lack of experience or consistent tactics will most assuredly result 
in death or capture 

 any clearer -zL>rDt">0g^i!RN:f$&B|SwG3HCTHzhM0 T%1610 final time, not 
interested in amateur hG,d.uzWyT well in your endeavors, but that 
would be a lie.  

~Guga Prynx-Marthe,
mvvYj9J of Guild Member Services, Hunter Resources




}}}================================================================

notes:

The House of Paramexor is a bounty hunter's guild, they are known
to accept all bounties, but in the case of murderers they bring  
them in dead rather than alive.

The House of Benelux was a favorite bounty hunter's guild of the 
Empire. Many of their bounties were traitors and rebels. They have
been inactive since the fall of the empire.

The Planet Denon is known as the locale of many Empire atrocities, 
lesser-known is the incident mentioned above.

Nemesis - Hacky Solution

fosslinux@cosmic.voyage (fosslinux) — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 00:17:18 GMT

Well, to be frank, everything was screwed.

The main computer is fried. We have no idea what did it in, it was
working fine up into the weird mass disappeared. But as you can
see, the fact that this message is being sent means that we fixed
it, somehow.

I'm handing over to the Chief Technician now to explain what
happened.

~ Captain

=================================================

Wow! My first time using QEC, I'm so excited! I was so annoyed at
Captain for not letting me use it, he insisted that I was not
allowed to use it withou express permission, but since I am a
honest and sincere person, I kept my word not to use it.

I went of on a tangent, didn't I, I do that a lot. I must make a
note to ensure I don't do that anymore. Hold on just a minute....

Ok, I'm good now, I can actually start my recount. It was the
weirdest thing I'd ever done. The Most Hacky Solution.

=================================================

I was going around, repairing each of the sub-computers, that
single-task, each performing a specific tasks. All of these
sub-computers are linked in a network to the main computer. Once I
finally finished all of the sub-computers, I turned my attention
to the most difficult job - repairing the main computer.

Some of the circuitry in the main computer is beyond even my
abilities, and if I do say so myself, I think that I am pretty
well learned and know what I am doing with stuff.

Anyway, I looked at it, and on first glance I could tell it was
fried. The QPU (Quantum Processing Unit), top end of the range,
256 qubits, was cracked. No salvaging that. The motherboard's
connectors were blackened. It was the strangest thing I have seen
in my 30 years of working with ship computers.

I turned my attention to finding a cold spare, if they had one
and exploring the possibility of using one of the sub-computers
as the main computer.

Alas, each of the sub-computers did not have the functionality
required to be used as the main computer. The main computer
requires multitasking functionality, which all of the
sub-computers did not have.

This ship was built in the little space of time - the period known
as the 'Singletasking Revolution'. This got quickly shot down by
experts, but the gist was that most computers should only do one
task and they are all controlled by one multitasking computer.

In the meantime, my assistants were looking for a cold spare, if
it even existed. They looked through every corner of the ship.
There wasn't one.

I asked, "Are there ANY other multitasking computers on the ship?"

I was met with no's all around, except for one junior assistant.

"Sir?" he said meekly. "There is that relic of a computer? We have
no information about it. Maybe we could look at that?"

To start, I dismissed him with a flick of my hand. What a dumb
idea, I thought. It would never work.

However, one of my most senior assistants told me that she
thought the idea may have some merit and it may be worth
exploring. If it was anyone else, I would have likely said no way
and put them on some boring duty, but since I secretly have a huge
crush on her (oh no I really hope she dosen't see this), I decided
to go ahead.

For many days and nights I tried to figure out this computer. Here
is the information I have gathered:

- Operating System: Ubuntu 18.04. It seems to be an ancestor of
  our far superior Linux computers, it runs a kernel named 'Linux' 
  and some parts of the codebase look familiar.
- QPU: none. there is a CPU however, a Central Processing Unit,
  made using the Earth material silicon.
- RAM: 8 Gigabytes. Are you serious? Our main computer had a
  Terabyte of RAM!
- Drive: It's not even a solid state drive. It's a frickin
  mechanical hard drive. It has frickin moving parts. It's tiny
  too, only 1 Terabyte! WTF

Ok, now that you've seen those APPALING specifcations, now I can
launch into how in the world we connected it up to the system.

This was very easy, and a stroke of luck. Some of you vetran
adminstrators might remember USB-C? Well this computer had it.
Luckily we had a USB-C to USB-X adaptor lying around, so it was
pretty easy to connect it up to the system.

However, software was a completely different matter. We needed to
write custom software for it. Many of the junior adminstrators
had never even heard of C or C++, so we had to teach them C++.
Of course I remembered it as well as I remember my own face.
Too easy for me!

After hard work and perspiration, we finally had hacky code
working with all the other computers. It took us ages, and it
probably saved our lives, but I still don't get enough credit for
it----

=================================================

I cut him off. As you can see, he is a spolit idiot. But he did
save our lives so I'll let him have it this one time.

But anyway, good to be back, and I hope to see one of you soon
so we can get that main computer crap repaired.

Signing off,

Captain.

Malkonkordo - Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

aewens@cosmic.voyage (aewens) — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 19:22:57 GMT

----
From: Starbloom Communal Distributive Projection
Destination: -
Position: -
Departure: -
Shipdate: 00002761
Mode: Docked
----

# Status Update

* Docked on Lucky Homes
* New captain in command 

# Status Report

Captain's Log SD2761

Much has occurred our last status report. During our investigation of Enketu 
Tri we discovered equipment upon the red planet neighboring it that we were 
able to use repair our communication systems. Shortly thereafter, the Captain 
contacted Dekaoso Prime to update them on the status of Malkonkordo, to have 
their engineers power back on their quantum entanglement communicator (QEC) in 
the event another incident like our's occurs, and to utilize their systems to 
query the locations of Starbloom, Lucky Homes, and the Space Cruiser Excelsior. 
He did manage to get coordinates to what we believe was the location of Lucky 
Homes, but it looks like we presently did not have any known location of 
Excelsior. Due to this realization, the Captain decided to handle the Lucky 
Homes issue himself and requested a war vessel be sent out to search for 
Excelsior. After this was done, the Captain commanded we make way towards Lucky 
Homes to "pay them a visit".

It was shortly after this took place that the events that unfolded on Dekaoso 
Prime took place and was later reported on all channels (now including QEC) by 
Alportas Majeston about the destruction of Dekaoso Prime by the Pertulit Empire.
The crew all coped with it in different ways, and one of our researchers aboard 
Malkonkordo did so by trying to deduce how the Pertulits could have possibly 
found the location of Dekaoso Prime. It was only then that they realized it was 
our fault. Malkonkordo broadcasted over the QEC our current location relative to 
a celestial body along with how long our date of departure. The Pertulits must 
have been able to work backwards from that and discover the location of Dekaoso 
Prime.

Also during this time, there was a great divide that formed among the crew. On 
one side were the fundamentalists that felt that we should continue on with 
purging all life from the universe, and on the other were the pragmatists who 
felt that the threat of the Pertulits returning was too large to ignore and 
with the loss of Dekaoso Prime we should look to ally with others to have some 
hope of being able to defeat them once and for all. With tensions already high,
the discovery of the role Malkonkordo played in all of this threw everything 
into chaos. A civil war broke out throughout the ship between the two opposing 
sides, but as the extremists took out one another, those who remained tried to 
work out a way to bring peace as we have already lost enough Dekaosan life as 
it was.

Fortunately, as those on the fence were forced to pick a side it was discovered 
that most of us were on the side of the pragmatists, many still able to recall 
the stories of the Neniigo War. The fundamentalists were then given the 
ultimatum to join the pragmatists or be eliminated. It did not take long after 
this for the war to end, but by this point the Captain was nowhere to be seen 
and assumed to be one of the casualties of war. There was a need for someone to 
lead Malkonkordo, not just the next in command but someone who would represent 
the new values of the pragmatists. That was when I, Kondukas Esperon, was chosen 
to become the new captain of the Malkonkordo.

During our next meeting to decide how to proceed with eliminating the Pertulits, 
I was the one who proposed we use our new information of the location of Lucky 
Homes try to contact them and work out an alliance and peace agreement. Many of 
the fundamentalists who remained among us were against this idea and stood by 
the sentiments of their previous captain, and so another culling upon the crew 
was performed. In total we lost almost a third of our crew, but those who were 
still here were all for the new cause of allying with Lucky Homes.

Using our newly prepared communication equipment we reached out to the cats 
and, after receiving the go-ahead from Quyst Trombone, Susan of Starbloom 
invited the Malkonkordo to Lucky Homes. Upon our arrival we were greated by the 
giantic cats that were about three times the size of the average Dekaosans. 
Shortly after we finished with the docking process of the ship and getting 
through the formalities of introductions, Kiu Serĉas came forth from the vessel 
out of whatever hole he was hiding in and attacked one of the cats. Though only 
shortly introduced, this began the first battle shared between Starbloom and the 
crew of Malkonkordo as we fought Serĉas. While vastly outnumbered, he fought 
like a true Dekaosan that would make Sinjorino proud if she still looked upon 
us. However, he was no match for the foes that stood before him and his death 
brought the Malkonkordo Civil War to its end, and strengthened the new bond 
that has blossomed between Malkonkordo and Lucky Homes.

In both honor of our arrival and celebration of our victory against the late 
Captain, myself and the crew were invited to the 14th Pod's upcoming scholastic 
event. Once celebrations have come to an end, we hope this new alliance will 
aid in our ultimate goal of saving the universe from the Pertulit Empire, but 
for now we have some poetry to listen to.

Together, we will survive.

~ Captain Kondukas Esperon

----
BAy2LOcmiS4n7gQeY18fvL1VHKfMUeiIPz+HDPEZYf8=

Tom - Executive Welcome

aewens@cosmic.voyage (aewens) — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 18:13:54 GMT

Okay, let me just start by setting the record straight: this was NOT my idea. 
Also, I still have no idea how you convinced the General to sign off on this.

Yes, I am aware he made it very clear my I am supposed to do here, but I am 
also not the one who started the quantum communicator without asking if I'm 
ready or not.

Fine, fine! I will get on with it. I am Tom, head researcher of the quantum 
physics department within the applied sciences division of one of the 
military's research compounds. Which is just a long-winded way to that I do 
science stuff for the military. I am sending this messag--

Oh, pardon me, how could I forget. I am also joined here by Merideth, my lab 
assistant, and *we* are sending this messag--

Okay, what's wrong now?

It's not my fault you don't have a long fancy title like me, bring it up with 
your supervisor!

While I may be your immediate supervisor, I am not about to change your title 
just so everyone across time and space will think you are special.

No, no, of course you are special. Alright, you can be -- the official 
assistant of the quantum physics department. Does that work? Can I continue on 
now?

Ugh, there is no pleasing you. Fine, I am Tom the military science guy joined 
with the *executive* assistant of the quantum physics department within the 
applied scienes division, Merideth, and we are sending this message to 
formally welcome communication from all who are listening among the stars. We 
wish not to hid-- Do I really have to do this? This is such a long speech, and 
literally anyone else on the base can read this off.

You're right, yes, the General did appoint me himself to do this. Alright, 
where was I... formally welcome blah blah blah listening stars. Ah, there it 
is: We wish not to hide ourselves from you but to act in solidarity as one of 
the many voices to be heard across time and space to join the cosmic 
conversations and leave are mark as we all embark on this voyage together. I 
look forward to joining you all and seeing where these events will take us.

Merideth, why does this say that I am the one who will be handling all of this, 
I don't have time to work on this and continue my research.

What do you mean I no longer have to worry about my research, I just made a 
huge breakthrough in our understandings of quantum mechanics!

On what authority were you able to cancel my research, you're just a lab 
assistant!

Oh I just said you were the "executive assistant" so you would let me continue 
the broadcast, you don't have any way to prove I even gave you that promotion. 
It's just you and me inside this room and no one else is listenin-- Oh my God.

Starbloom - Union celebrations with new friends

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 01:05:29 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Starbloom Communal Distributive Projection
Approach γ Aquarii [Lucky Homes]
Ascension 22h 21m 39.37542s
Declination –01° 23′ 14.4031″
Distance 178.211ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 2445, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Susan, Speaker Elect of Cheer Systems, 14th Pod
:::
Merry Meet to all of our friends in this wide, beautiful 'verse~

Tonight we would like to share a very special message from Pod
14's secondary communal education initiative. Our schools have
selected a few bright and passionate students to share their
talents in our festivities. What better way to welcome new friends
to the Lucky Homes than with a showcase of the arts!

These children have worked so hard! They're parading across the
gallery platform now. As our visitors can see, they've dressed in
costumes of their own creation. They were asked to imagine what
our new friends might look like and craft their own outfits in
kind. What a true spirit of inculturation!

Miss Buzbis is rounding up our youngest performers now to the
front of the stage. These kids are part of the first class of our
secondary communal education initiative. For those of you who are
from far off lands, that would number them between five and seven
solar rotations back on old Earth. They have a special medley of
our traditional songs they'll be singing! How delightful. I'm so
sorry we can't broadcast the audio through the QEC.

This welcome celebration goes back to the earliest founding of the
Lucky Homes, when our first pioneer ships reached the system. As
the first settlers arrived they had difficulty adjusting to the
local flora and fauna. It was only when the groups came back
together and formed the Starbloom Communal Distributive Projection
(just called Star-Com back then) that they were able to get all
the right resources to all the people. We celebrate this union
every year with family gatherings, lots of food and drink, and
a demonstration of the arts of love and peace. How lovely that
this year we get to share it with others as the start to a new
union!

Oh look, that's Georgia Strutt dressed as the notorious
bungle-slug! What a brilliant voice she has. She's singing our
hymn for the abatement of rashes. It's a traditional piece
parent's sing to their youngest. How lovely.

Pricilla Bartleby Hooper, coming on stage now, is one of our most
accomplished young artists. Her poetry won three top prizes in
interpod competition last year. She's expected to take on
a skaldic apprenticeship soon. Quite the over-achiever! Oh, let's
listen to the beginning of the epic poem she's prepared for
tonight's event.

  Giants move among the stars
  traipsing in the dark
  bloody stains
  of what remains
  a bite to match their bark

  ...

What a vivid image to greet our friends! How lovely, indeed.

The festivities will continue for half a cycle broken by food,
drink, and some group dances throughout. I hope our new guests
enjoy the party.

Oh, brilliant! The cats are here. Now the fun can truly begin.

Blessed be, my friends. May you all find peace in one another.
.

Voortrekker - Final report, LRPF Quetelet

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 12:52:46 GMT

From: Adam Crozer 
To: Underway Reporting 
Received: from relay4.local.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
    by int-03.lunalines.com
    for quetelet@report.int.lunalines.com
    with ESMTPSA id d6aY341Pf3
Received: from qec.lrpf107
    by relay1.qec3.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
Subject: Final report, LRPF Quetelet
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf8"
Date: 15 Sep 2421 13:42:01 +0000
Date-Local: 15 Sep 2421 13:42:01 +0000

Adam Crozer, master of LRPF Quetelet on the regular Ganymede-Luna
run, reporting to headquarters Luna Lines. A complete log dump,
including current ecliptic coordinates (ref. WAS94) and projected
vectors to intercept, will promptly follow this report as
transmitted.

Our situation is dire, with no realistic prospect of relief. To
summarize the current incident:

We departed Ganymede on schedule at 1900, 10 September, with our
full complement of crew and passengers aboard. Per instructions
from home office, shortly before departure we also embarked Amelia
Nine, Earthgov expedition support director for the Voortrekker
project, and Joel Kenyon Fredericks, a deputy military attaché
rotating home from the Ganymede mission.

Our run was initially uneventful; we passed through the outer
system and transited the belt without incident, finding Ceres
Hollow traffic control no more than ordinarily
unprofessional. While the treaty announcement of 13 September
raised tensions among crew and passengers alike, no mishap ensued.

At 1533 on 14 September, our navigation surveillance systems
reported a probable Earth naval combatant with a heat signature
indicating a hard burn to match our vector. At 1612, we concluded
that the as yet unidentified ship was shaping to match our vector,
and would intercept us well short of any circumlunar approach
lane. We adjusted course to maximize time to intercept, and the
unidentified ship adjusted her own burn to compensate. We estimated
intercept within approximately twenty-six hours.

At 1644 on 14 September, we received a hail from the ship,
identifying herself as ENS Kearsarge under Captain John
Whitlow. Whitlow instructed us to cease acceleration at once and
heave to for boarding and the arrest of the passenger Amelia
Nine. Whitlow further instructed us to send no transmissions for
any reason, whether via QEC or conventional emission, and that he
would fire into us if we did not immediately comply with his
instructions.

Given Whitlow's apparent readiness to engage in hostilities against
an unarmed civilian vessel, and further considering his highly
atypical instruction to make no transmissions, I concluded that
surrender was not in the best interest of Quetelet or her
complement.

I informed Mr. Fredericks of the situation, and asked his
advice. He at once volunteered to send and sign a message to
Kearsarge, demonstrating his presence aboard Quetelet and claiming
her under secondment to the Foreign Affairs Office, thus protected
by diplomatic immunity under the definition established by the
Earth-Luna Memorandum of Consular Understanding, 2397. We
transmitted this message at 1732 on 14 September. We have received
no response.

In following discussion, Mr. Fredericks confirmed my appreciation
of Whitlow's probable intentions. Mr. Fredericks further noted
that, in light of the recent treaty of alliance, we could at best
expect to be interned following a surrender, and that, considering
the no-communication order, he personally thought it more likely
none of us would long survive such an action.

At 1749 on 14 September, we went to maximum emergency acceleration
and again adjusted course to maximize time to intercept. Kearsarge
again adjusted to match us and further increased her own
acceleration.

Kearsarge has continued to close us, and as of now we project her
no more than four hours thirty minutes from extreme weapons
range. We have no reason to doubt that Whitlow will fulfill his
prior threat at the earliest possible time, and we have no ability
to defend ourselves from such action.

We do not know with certainty what has driven Whitlow to so
contravene the accepted usages of interplanetary law and custom,
but - following further discussion with Mr. Fredericks and Amelia
Nine - I strongly suspect his orders are, by any necessary means,
to prevent certain information now in the possession of Ms. Nine
from reaching Luna. Therefore, at the request of Mr. Fredericks,
and with the consent of Ms. Nine, I include the following:

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

I am Joel Kenyon Fredericks, most recently the deputy attaché for
military affairs in the Ganymede consulate of the Luna Free State.

On the evening of September 13, I was approached aboard Quetelet by
Ms. Amelia Nine, a citizen of Earth, with a request for political
refuge under the terms of the Lunar Declaration on Human
Rights, 2354. Being empowered to respond to such a request on
behalf of my government, and having judged Ms. Nine's reasons for
so requesting to fall within the relevant terms of the Declaration,
I proceeded at 2054 on September 13 to grant Ms. Nine's request.

Following this discussion, Ms. Nine disclosed to me information held
by her government in extreme confidence. Specifically, she advised me
that Earth's heavy spaceborne industry has recently achieved the
ability to construct armed combatant vessels equipped for superluminal
travel.

Ms. Nine substantiated this statement with copies of documents
obtained by technical means from the archives of the prototype
project. While Ms. Nine's collection does not describe that project in
complete detail, the engineering drawings and correspondence therein
suffice, in my judgment, to confirm her statements.

Based on examination of those drawings, I would provisionally classify
the prototype they describe as a corvette or gunship type. Due perhaps
to constrained generation capability, she is described as mounting no
power weapons, and only four frigate-class kinetic bombards. Her
internal spaces include eight large launch bays, each equipped to
support four LCA(H) 1180 or compatible landing shuttles.

Based on known capabilities of similar types, this ship most likely
can deploy mechanized formations, in battalion to division strength,
within two hours of arrival in orbit. However, such landings could
only take place unopposed; this ship's weakness as a combatant renders
her largely ineffectual in reducing defenses of any strength.

In particular, a ship of this type could not hope to approach within
weapons range of Luna, even via FTL drive, without being engaged and
destroyed by our planetary defenses. Should she survive long enough to
launch her boats, they would meet the same fate, inflicting minimal to
no damage on our installations in return.

However, the existence of a working Earth FTL prototype is nonetheless
frightening. I most strongly recommend this matter be discussed among
the parties to the new treaty, and that no effort be spared to obtain
dispositive information regarding her full capabilities, and the
current state of Earth's naval construction programs, particularly in
their Ganymede yards.
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If preventing this disclosure is indeed Whitlow's purpose, perhaps
he will desist when the transmission of this report proves that his
mission has failed. But I am not optimistic. Therefore, in the
interests of simple humanity, I have advised our passenger
complement of our current situation, and made available our QEC
sender for brief personal messages. We will append these to our log
dump, to be transmitted following this report.

In a similar vein: Thecla, I know you'll see this. I'm sorry to ask
it, but will you please bear the news? I'd rather it came from a
friend. Give Tim and Bertie my regrets and my love, and tell
Susanna and Marigold I'm sorry I couldn't make it home for their
birthday and they'll always be my favorite little squirrel butts.

Kearsarge is now within two hours of firing range, and continues to
ignore our hails. I will transmit this report momentarily, followed
by our log dump and our passengers' personal messages.

Of note: Ms. Nine has requested that she be placed in a lifeboat
and the lifeboat then jettisoned, in the hope that Kearsarge might
be satisfied with her capture alone, or might be diverted long
enough for Quetelet to reach safety. Given Whitlow's apparent
intentions, and the certainty that Kearsarge carries launches
capable of overhauling our own boats, I declined her request: we
all have to go, looks like, but none of us has to go alone and
afraid.

All the same - she was clearly terrified at the prospect, but she
fought for it anyway, and made us convince her it wouldn't help
before she'd concede the argument. I think that was the bravest
thing I've ever seen anyone do. Her people deserve to know that.

Finally, I wish to state for the record that my crew has performed
admirably throughout this ordeal, and I confide they will continue
to do so, right up to the end. Almost everyone is downship in the
passenger cabins right now, looking after the souls who've
entrusted themselves to our care. I didn't order that; my people
decided on their own to do it, and set to with a will. For all that
I regret we've come to this, my people could not have done me
prouder.

Adam Crozer, master of LRPF Quetelet, signing off.

Melchizedek - Casualty report

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 04:34:49 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Melchizedek.0294
Approach β Hyi
Ascension 00h 25m 45.07037s
Declination –77° 15′ 15.2860″
Distance 24.34ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 3782, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Jerome Somerset Pasani, Warrant Master
:::
I am serving the following packet in parsable envelope over QEC
for intercept and transmission to the Idjani family. Due to our
time dialation, I am not sure this will reach his father,
descendents or ancestors. Local data-authority intervention
requested. If anyone out there can help get this into the right
hands we will owe you a debt.

ENVELOPE 001 START
:::
Dear Mr. Idjani and extended family of Moussa Idjani:

I regret to report that Doctor Moussa Idjani, ship physician to
the Melchizedek and a personal friend, is deceased.

Men of your son's utter dedication to the cause of life are rare
and the loss of such a man is humanity's loss.

In the years of close confidence and friendship that has grown
between us, I have ever been impressed by the strength of his
spirit and his cool confidence in the success of our program. He
was a leader who shared his strength and faith with all who knew
him. By his courage, skill and dedication, he has guaranteed
future generations a place in the universe and a chance for peace.

The work we do and the role Moussa played in it can not be
overstated. It is to him that we owe our lives and hopes in the
future.

Your sacrifice is beyond measure, but I hope you can take some
comfort from your knowledge that your pride can be without limit.

I mourn with you as we pray for God's blessing.

Millions share our debt to you for giving Moussa to man, and
inspiration to mankind.

Jerome Somerset Pasani, Warrant Master, Melchizedek Covenant Arc

ENVELOPE 001 END
:::
I have, much to my great pride, never in the past been faced with
a situation of having to report on the death of one of my crew.
I admit to have borrowed heavily from history for the format of
the letter. I hope it offers his family some consolation in this
dark time.

What I cannot offer them is an explanation for what happened.
I have watched the video recordings, listened to the QEC
transmission, interviewed the crew, and all that remains is more
questions.

Prezzi would suggest a logical review: carefully considered inputs
and value measurements, a systematic approach to variable
limiting, and absolute, brutal precision in analysis. Had I her
training from the Ecclesia, I would use it to cut loose, to stop
seeing his face in my dreams, and to stop the incessant questions
nagging me. Why didn't I agree to wake Kroups? If I had, would he
be gone instead? Why did I allow it to begin?

Moussa was my conscience and confidant. He knew this didn't make
any sense, but I pushed him regardless. We're so close to Beta! We
just need to stretch a bit further and we've done it, the
impossible task. But the cost.

Moussa was my friend. I owed him more.

I owe his memory more.

At 24.542041, our doctor was attacked by a mutated arabidopsis...
Entity. The violence of it--it began in what appears to be
a reaction to an ultrasonic probe making contact with a small cell
sample. The sample was in isolation in a mechanized microscopic
recording device called a SAM3 (I'm not sure what the designation
stands for). The remaining arabidopsis was contained in a secure
section of the fore-botany bay, isolated by translucent graphene
sheeting and reinforced self-sealing biofilm.

The moment he--the moment it happened the separate arabidopsis
plants, individually, broke through the secure enclosure and
attached themselves to Mou--Doctor Idjani's unprotected skin
around his hands, arm, and face. The plants moved independently,
and with incredible force. The graphene sheeting alone can
withstand nearly as much force as the hull crush-plating. Our food
production requires the utmost care and safety, which it seems
did us no good at all.

I don't know how to describe the movement. I've been watching the
video on loop wishing the QEC had the bandwidth to encode it and
send along. I imagine there will be those back home who won't
believe the reports no matter how carefully I present the
evidence. Plants don't move like that.

Arabidopsis is a common plant, or was when we left on our mission.
For those of you who are not familiar with it, it is closely
related to spinach or mustard greens. It grows well in a wide
range of conditions and environments. Those aboard the Shin-Salyut
replica orbital station may be familiar with it. If memory serves,
it was the 6 or 7 Salyut that flowered the first arabidopsis in
space, making it the first human space-plant. It flourishes today
(or when we left) on the lunar colonies as leftovers of the
original Chinese bases. I believe it has been adapted to Martian
soil now, and it is one of the standards for botany labs on
Visscher craft.

I've spent a lifetime with this plant, and whatever the hell
killed Idjani was not that. Something changed when we were in
cryo, and the DNA pasting doesn't account for it. The plants, the
way they moved, it reminded me of Cephalopoda. I've seen videos of
the aquatic creatures when they reach land and fling themselves
around with flailing limbs. Arabidopsis, or what used to be
arabidopsis, moved like that. It was animal movement and unnatural
to witness.

The plants shot across the room so fast, the camera had to be
slowed to see it clearly. The graphene just crumpled inward and
they piled through. There are scrapings of plant remnant on the
edges that were identified prior to purging the compartment. The
things didn't seem to care that they were shredding their
own...flesh...bark? I don't know how to classify any of this. We
need to come up with new terms. A-rabids? I don't know.

Anyway, as unnatural and difficult to explain that part is, what
comes next challenges us all. If Eva hadn't witnessed it
first-hand I don't know that I'd trust the cameras, frankly.
There's only so much you can take in at once.

The arabids attached to Moussa's skin. This part I watched
clearly. They didn't touch a piece of clothing in the act. They
knew exactly what parts were him and what weren't. Almost as soon
as they connected, the buds sort of burrowed into him. The growth
rate was inconceivable. A whole root system shot through him and
sort of affixed him to the spot. It was like someone told him to
freeze in place and he acted like a tree, except he was a tree.

The image of it won't leave me. I know Eva feels the same. She
can't go near botany anymore. I can't blame her.

Eva Hämäläinen deserves some mention here. I believe our situation
would be significantly more dire without her immediate action. She
has asked that I forgo sharing some of the details of the event
out of what I believe to be embarrassment, but I must decline. To
leave anything out of the encounter is a disservice to her bravery
and undermines the intensity of the critical moments.

As the arabids affixed and rooted into Moussa, they did not kill
him instantly. As best we have theorized, the root system was
attempting to work symbiotically with his own circulatory system.
While he was unable to move or communicate as normal, he was very
much alive. The recordings show him struggling against it at
first, but after a few minutes he seemed to settle into place. We
couldn't make out the words clearly beyond a reconstructed phrase:

"Together we grow, together we grow, together"

He repeated it softly as Eva arrived. She saw him and what it was
doing, and it...saw...her as well. You can hear her reaction on
the QEC as she saw the scene. Eva screamed like a banshee and
vomited simultaneously. The later I mention despite her
reservations because of the importance to her own survival. The
surface growths on the doctor moved toward her as she screamed.
They were so fast, I believe they would have reached her before
she could react. However, the aribids did not seem to be able to
distinguish between her and her vomit. The plants splashed down
onto the floor for a brief moment, giving her time to act. The
emergency containment and isolation systems were already in place,
but breached. Melchizedek's systems were on high alert, so when
she pushed the hot-release button, the whole fore-botany container
detached instantly.

Were we in normal space and not under gravity-sheer, Eva would
have been pressure ejected into vacuum between the plates.
Instead, the atmospheric isolation was enough to hold her position
as the emergency crush plating dropped into place. Fore-botany hit
the grav-shear wall a moment later and was broken into subatomic
particles instantly.

We had no opportunity to examine Doctor Idjani's body or any of
the affected plants in fore-botany. The doctor's active samples
were all included in that compartment when it jettisoned. Despite
the value of the food stores and the scientific questions raised
by the events, I am glad it's over with. This nightmare cost me
the life of my friend. We must proceed without our doctor. Our
questions have no answers: neither scientific or from faith.

Prezzi would suggest I proceed logically, and I will do my best.
The food shortage is our most dire problem and we're unequipped to
deal with it. I'm thawing out Xavier and Kroups immediately.
I need fresh minds who know the science to get us through this.

We will get through this. Humanity is counting on us. We have paid
a dear price but it will not stop our mission. I will be as clear
as I can to all who read this whether traveller, scientist, or
crew: I mean to seed Beta Hydrii with the gift of life, the
blessings of God, and make a home for our people in the stars.
I will see that through even if it costs us every life aboard. We
will pay the price.
.

bio station 72 - Assistance required within South Serpens cluster

jchelpau@cosmic.voyage (jchelpau) — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 15:39:22 GMT

To: rs001@l4.s0l
From: comms@bio72.south.serpens
Date: 3522-03-22 03:29:27
Subject: Assistance required within South Serpens cluster

This is bio station 72 orbiting protostar 308B.
An unidentified ship is on a direct trajectory towards us.
We believe the ship is between 1 and 3 light years away.
Speed estimates uncertain, faster than light travel likely.
The ship is not responding to any of our comms.

Please relay this message on broadcast communications.
If within the South Serpens cluster, please contact this ship.

Thanks,
Steve Campbell - Head Engineer

K-231 - Message 42341f: Fixed!

leto@cosmic.voyage (leto) — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 20:31:37 GMT

Date: 05-03-4300T21:30:12+0000

Managed to fix this terminal, finally. I hope it will work, the message
queue is giant, and for some reason messages don't want to connect to
the head system at the right time. I hope somebody still reads this
network. Our ship has been in space for a long time, though the ship
clock has been destroyed years ago. It is hard to speak our, as we are
not the first inhibitors of this ship, and I bet this terminal has been
used to send help messages before. Well, it was me who knew how to fix
this system. But I do not know how to get queue of messages in order and
do not blame me if some past messages will come in soon. Lets say that
we are traders, but from architecture of this ship it seems it wasn't
a trading model at all times.

I will not share my name on this network, as there are few people in the
space that are looking for me, cause as I said - traders and everyone
knows how the art of trading has changed now. The name of the ship on the
network seems to be the original name, despite I can see a remnants of
other users of this ship using other names - so if anyone heard about:
Bashtofl, Kafadr, Babelonian, etc it is the same ship. I have decided
to not change it in respect of the original users of this ship. And as
we are merchants, I'd like to say that we have a good deal on Ferdtech
Terminals, 2 for 500 credits, no guarantee.

Oleander - Sister Asiya

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 20:27:34 GMT

REC ON
TRN ON
ENC FAILED
SYS GOOD
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Entry 4 -- Sister Asiya

I am Asiya, called Choden in Hazen, Tashi among the drokpa, named
Lobsang by the lama after the eighty-second of his name, and this
is my story. I give it to the stars that you might know me and
know our plight. If I succeed, let this be my testament. If
I fail, may my words carry the mantel to your shoulders. The Jinn
are enemies of all life. They are your enemy, my sisters.

My village in the southern mountains of Hazen's Emirat continent
was called Shannan Karpek. We were far from the influence of the
emir and lived the old ways. My brother inherited our farm when
our bubākō passed. He was a devout child and grew to become an
honest man I was proud of, my Utkrishta. He met a muslima while
trading and they were to be married with the next harvest
celebration. This was not unknown in Shannan Karpek where we all
understood the Buddha and Allah as the faces of a coin. I was
proud of my brother, as were my sisters and our cousins.

Through all of this I was a herdswoman, a shepherdess, and my kyr
were lush and beautiful. I was too young still to be married, but
already I knew my passion in flesh was not for men. This also was
not unknown in Shannan Karpek. My brother loved me, as did my
sisters and our cousins.

The season of growing and birth was upon the land when the Jinn
came to Hazen. We saw nothing of this at first being so far from
the cities and star ports. Even when word reached us of the
fighting and the dying, our elders spoke with sadness about these
things happening far away. The Jinn had no reason to come to
Shannan Karpek, no reason to take our kyr and our wheat. They flew
in cities among the stars. They ate stardust and the light. They
could create wonders and destroy cities with ease. We were safe.

My brother's cry woke me in the night. It was sharp and high, the
sound he made as a child waking from a nightmare. But he was not
a child any longer and my fear grew. So quickly roused from sleep,
perhaps I still had something of the dream upon my eyes, or
perhaps I knew something terrible had come deep in my heart.
I know that I was a coward then, whatever the reason. My brother
cried out and I froze. I did not go to him. When other voices
began to join his, when the village was filled with screaming,
I did not go to them. I hid.

I crawled first beneath my bedding, and then into a corner of
a storage cellar under our flooring. From my hiding place,
I listened to the suffering of my family and friends. I listened
as they were gathered up and torn apart, one after another. Men
torn to shreds, women in pieces, even the children. My people were
butchered like kyr at market. The screams. The endless screams. My
people took days to die while I hid. Between sobbing I ate stored
goods in the crawlspace under my hut. I stayed in fear and shame,
lying in pools of my own waste waiting for those screams to end.

My shame. It knows no limits.

The Jinn are not like us, sisters. They do not have hearts of men,
though they may look like men when they choose. They are not
created as we are, called toward goodness and family. They do not
battle and war to preserve what they have or even for conquest of
land and goods that they need. They do not make war, they make
havoc and pain. They butchered us in the mountains, they butchered
us in the cities. They left one village untouched for every twenty
ruined, driven into dust. That village they visited and gifted the
meat. Those poor, poor people. They... they were forced to accept
our meat.

The Jinn knows our ways and our customs. They know our souls and
they know how to injure us there at the core of our beliefs. They
do not seek to kill us, they want us broken so fully that we rot
from the inside.

I am a coward who survived the massacre of Shannan Karpek, who
survived the ruin of the Emirat, who survived the consumption of
Hazen. There are others who lived, but none of them survived. I am
alone in my shame and honor.

These women with me share that burden. We are what happens when
the pick strikes a stone in the field. The earth may be tilled
again and again, furrows deep and harvested casually. Then, with
a suddenness that can only come to those who are absolutely
confident in their control, a piece of flint. The sparks will fly
soon. They will seem small in the vastness of space and time, but
we have a secret.

We know the Jinn. We now know their ways and customs. We know
their souls, or lack thereof. We do not seek to kill them. We will
break them so fully that their rot will consume them.

I have no life remaining but the one they gave me that night in
Shannan Karpek. I have no path left but the one they set me upon.
All of our Gods have seen what will come. The Jinn have none to
warn them, so I will do it myself.

I have shared with you in the clear. I do not hide my story from
the Jinn or from my sisters. It will not save them from what is to
come. Let them burn with my words upon their lips.

To my sisters--

                            EMAHO

              No-tsar sang-gyä nang-wa ta-yä dang
              yä-su jo-wo tug-je chen-po dang
              yön-du sem-pa tug-chen tob-nam-la
              sang-gyä chang-sem pag-me kor-gi-kor.
              De-kyi no-tsar pag-du me-pa-yi
              de-wa-chen-she-cha-wä shin-kam-der
              dag-ni di-nä tse-pö-jur-ma-tag
              kye-wa shen-kyi bar-ma chö-pa-ru.
              De-ru kye-nä nang-tä shäl-tong shog
              de-kä dag-ki mön-lam tab-pa-di
              chog-chu’i sang-gyä chang-sem tam-chä-kyi
              geg-me trub-par chin-ji-lab-tu-sol.
              TAYATA BENTSA DRI AWA BODHA NA YE SOHA

                            Asiya

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Voortrekker - I need you at Ross

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 16:17:34 GMT

From: Koenraad Gertodtenhaupt 
To: Bill Tasker 
Delivered-To: Tasker William T W/GEN 
Received: from relay1.local.ganymede.earthsys.gov
    by in-2.secure.ganymede.navy.mil.earthsys.gov
    with ESMTPSA id 0xS4UTkOl1VcqYV
    for wtasker@navy.mil.earthsys.gov
Received: from relay1.qec5.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
    by relay2.qec1.ganymede.earthsys.gov
Received: from outbound.exclusiveservices.net
    by relay3.local.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
Subject: I need you at Ross
Date: 14 Sep 2421 06:56:13 +0000
Date-Local: 14 Sep 2421 06:56:13 +0000
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf8"

Bill, I don't think he's going to listen. He's always been
soft. Good with his people because of it, but it's a weakness, and
I think it's going to stop him from doing what has to be done.

I need you out there as soon as possible. I know you're not done
working up yet, but that isn't going to be a problem for you, is
it? Call it a trial cruise. Hell, say you're going out there to
relieve the colony - I can pull some strings and make it an
official request, load you up with a med team and a couple bays'
worth of supplies for them, and that'll still give you more than
enough force to deal with the problem. It's only 27 of them, and
you'll have, what, 20000 marines?

Tell your people to go a little easy on the rest if they can. The
med workups are going to be unpleasant enough, and we do need to
end up with a minimally viable colony still out there once you're
done cleaning up. From the sound of it, they still think these are
the people they used to know, and they spent 25 years in space
together. You know and I know there's no cause for grief, but
they're going to need some time to realize it, and the more we can
avoid making that worse, the quicker we'll have the healthy colony
out there we need. So keep the collateral under twenty percent,
maximum. Keep it under ten, and there'll be something very special
waiting for you next time you visit Phoebe.

Remember what we talked about before, and don't get clever trying
to improve your bonus. This is not a sample return mission! We
don't know what we're dealing with out there, but we know it is
there, and we know it's highly infectious. Make sure all your
people are in full protection, decontaminate and screen them all
before you let them back off the assault boats - and if there's any
doubt, don't take foolish chances. You know what that ship means to
all our projects, not just Ross 128. If getting back clean means
leaving that planet with twenty thousand new colonists, do
it. Enough will survive.

Your command will receive the request for assistance by midday
tomorrow, no later. Project your departure and arrival times on
that basis, and let me know soonest. I've got Kolya out there and
my board here to keep pacified until you get there, and I need to
know what kind of timeline I'm working with.

Koenraad

Melvin P Feltersnatch - False alarm

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 04:27:57 GMT

It wasn't a comet. It looked like a ship! I tried to get close,
but it slipped away through what looked like a hole in space. Ugh,
since when can ships do that‽

INTERROBANG AGAIN‽

Voortrekker - Re: Weekly report: 27 March 2419

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 12:51:01 GMT

From: Koenraad Gertodtenhaupt 
To: Soloviev, Nikolaos 
Delivered-To: Soloviev, Nikolaos 
Date: 14 Sep 2421 06:31:42 +0000
Date-Local: 31 Mar 2419 09:55:42 +0000
Received: from qec3.helio.earthsys.gov
    by qec.sv14417
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Subject: Re: Weekly report: 27 March 2419
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Kolya - I've read your report of the 10th. I'm glad to hear that
you're getting things back on track out there!

It's especially good to hear that the last of your crew has
recovered from whatever bug you all caught after the crash. I won't
lie: you had us all worried, Kolya. To lose so many people right
off, and then to have everyone who was left fall sick...I was
afraid we might lose the whole colony.

On that note, it's great news that the interim hab is completed,
and your hydroponics are coming up cleanly. By the sound of it,
you'll be able to keep yourselves fed and housed until the second
expedition arrives. It's grim to say, but given the reduced
carrying capacity of what's left of your startup equipment and
supplies, the loss of so much of your crew in the crash might prove
the saving grace of the colony as a whole. In any case, whatever
you and your remaining people are doing, you're all really pulling
through for us, and I want you to know we know it.

By now you'll have heard of the new treaty between the Moon and the
Titan colony. It's pretty tense here at home these days. Nobody's
talking out loud yet about a war, but it's in the air; nobody wants
to come out and say it, but everyone knows it's coming. And it's
going to be bad, when it finally does get here. You know, I heard a
couple of days ago that the silo ships have started shifing
orbits. That hasn't happened since the Titan crisis. They didn't
launch then, and neither did Luna, but now...

That's why it's more important than ever you stay alive and healthy
out there, Kolya. All of you. It's not just about money and status
any more, not for me. I think it's going to be very bad here before
long. Worse than it's ever been. I'm not sure how many of us will
make it through, and as delicate as Earth still is...You and yours
out there, at Ross and Gliese and the other colony systems, you
might be the best hope our species has left. You need to protect
that hope above all else.

And that's why I'm not sure what to think about your crew members
who've been mutated as a result of the disease. Are you sure you're
safe? Those of you who are still human, I mean. Twenty-seven of
them...That's almost ten percent of your entire remaining crew. Are
they still the same people they used to be? Do we really know what
they might do? What they have, what's happened to them. Can we be
sure it's not still contagious, or that they might not try to
infect everyone else with it somehow? They're not human any
more. Can we really assume they still have the best interests of
humanity at heart?

Kolya. You're a compassionate man, and I know that. It's one of the
reasons we've had such an effective working relationship for so
long. But you know as well as I do that, in times of terrible
crisis, sometimes compassion has to be put aside for the greater
good. You and the others who are still human carry a share of what
may be the only hope left for humanity, once the war is over. I
know you'll all do whatever you have to do to protect that hope.

Let me hear from you again soon, Kolya. Everyone back home is
counting on you.

Koenraad Gertodtenhaupt
Senior Vice President, Business Development
Ross 128 Ventures, LLC
"Developing new worlds"
kgertodtenhaupt@ross128-ventures.com

anon.penet.fi - ACTIVATION RESPONSE

anonpenetfi@cosmic.voyage (anonpenetfi) — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 12:39:52 GMT

THIS IS AN ACTIVATION RESPONSE

THIS IS AN ACTIVATION RESPONSE

THIS IS AN ACTIVATION RESPONSE

REMOTE UNIT WITH THE DESIGNATION:

: 932BB4979009B4564977E63F66AB2855.003

REPORTS STATUS GREEN

AWAITING INSTRUCTIONS.

RUVMUUwgS01ZT04gVVFJUkQgWEtDUlAgVFdVQloKUE1SR0MgTU1OSUggTU9RT08gSUZZVEwgTENI
UlcKV0pLV1ogRE5XR0kgVVVEQVYgREJRUFAgV1hUVVoK

e5ee8a04dd680cc2981b49e4d6072a9f

THIS IS AN ACTIVATION RESPONSE

THIS IS AN ACTIVATION RESPONSE

THIS IS AN ACTIVATION RESPONSE

Nemesis - Relief - We Are Safe

fosslinux@cosmic.voyage (fosslinux) — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 02:32:24 GMT

Relief *sighs*. We are safe. No fatalities!

Jeez that was tense. The entire crew panicking, cursing, it was a
madhouse.

It seemed that once we reached the center of gravity (of the unknown
mass) it just... disappeared? Anyone have any ideas what this was?

But anyway, we're through that weird thing now. Attempting to
repair the ship. Hopefully, we'll be fully online and ready to roll
with mapping in a few weeks. There may be a few parts that need 
replacing, luckily we have a person who is good with electrics and
should be able to put together an ad-hoc solution that will last
until we can get to another ship/port.

Our main concern currently is that the main computer is fried, but
hopefully that isn't the case. At the moment everything is operating
independantly of each other part.

Oh, this also means no Automated Reports for a while.

P.S. The relic is still lying in the cupboard. Everyone's been too
busy to look at it.

Any help would be damn appreciated.

Voortrekker - Special Report: Luna and Titan Announce Alliance

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 11:00:33 GMT

From: Universe Today Special Report 
To: undisclosed-recipients: ;
Subject: Special Report: Luna and Titan Announce Alliance
Date: 13 Sep 2421 09:03:23 +0000
Date-Local: 13 Sep 2421 09:03:23 +0000
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf8"

Universe Today has just received the following release from Titan
Dome One. Further bulletins as events warrant.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE             Contact: treatyquestions@titan.org
September 13, 2421                         treatyquestions@luna.gov

                  Luna and Titan Announce Alliance

Titan Dome One - The governments of the Luna Free State and the
Autonomous Voluntary Community of Titan are pleased today to
jointly announce that they have ratified a treaty of alliance.

Plenipotentiary representatives throughout the negotiations
included Vasu Soon-kit, Deputy Administrator of the Luna Free
State, and Drahoslava Branislav, Titan's current product owner for
International Integration. With the support of their respective
teams, they have worked unceasingly toward this outcome for several
weeks.

Major terms of the treaty include:

· a bilateral military support agreement specifically covering
defensive engagements;

· Lunar provision of economic support to Titan, including highly
favorable terms and strong economic incentives to Lunarian cargo
lines for shipment of Titanian cargo in Lunarian bottoms;

· Titanian provision to Luna of full engineering documentation for
the FTL drive, a team experienced with the technology, and access
to Titanian shipyard and drydock facilities.

Publication of the full treaty document will follow this
announcement. Readers are cautioned to remember that, in any case
of conflict or confusion between this announcement and the treaty
document proper, the latter will control.

"Titan and Luna have always been friends," said Branislav, "and
this agreement serves as a strong enabler for closer and more
mutually beneficial relations in future. We've been receiving
highly positive feedback from our development team leads since the
first LoI, and I'm excited to begin gathering requirements for our
inaugural projects."

"Indeed, this treaty has come at an excellent time for both Luna
and Titan," said Vasu. "With access to insystem markets, Titan's
economy can develop without further suppressive interference. And
with shared access to FTL drive technology, we may finally achieve
a place among equals in the diaspora now commencing."

Questions and inquiries may be directed to
treatyquestions@titan.org and treatyquestions@luna.gov. Messages
received by either will be shared among both.

Melchizedek - Arabidopsis anomaly investigation, specimen six

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 15:55:17 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Melchizedek.0294
Approach β Hyi
Ascension 00h 25m 45.07037s
Declination –77° 15′ 15.2860″
Distance 24.34ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 3782, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]
[Voice recording initialize...ON]
[Crew autodetection...ON]
[Narrative mode...ON]
[Autodisconnect after 5 minute silence...ON]
:::
[Voice detected: Moussa Idjani, Ship's Physician]

Idjani:

  Testing, one-two. Testing. Very good.

  I'm transmitting from seed ship Melchizedek, serial 0294, en
  route to Beta Hydrii for systematic exo-panspermia. Today is
  mission date 24.54202, uh, 5 or 6. The ship is in deceleration
  at approximately 1.2G. This recording is being made in
  fore-botany. Doctor Moussa Idjani recording.

  [sotto voce] Where is that [unintelligible]

  As requested by command, this review of the arabidopsis anomaly
  specimen six is being recorded to QEC for transmission home.
  Perhaps our research can help the colonists avoid similar
  issues.

  Number six is a from our voucher herbarium specimen. This
  cutting has been treated in a pH 2.0 solution and removed from
  visible light for twelve cycles. I am preparing the sample with
  Eosin Y stain in an attempt to isolate the cytoplasic growths
  and abnormal cyclosis. Past attempts at isolation failed with
  a normal pH, so we are attempting a shift in the culture.
  I honestly have no idea if that's the right thing to do. We
  should have woken Kroups.

[Voice detected: Prezzi Adeyemi, Seriph Rhetorical Ecclesia]

Adeyemi:

  Doc, you have a minute?

Idjani:

  Just... getting... the slides up. There we go. What's up,
  Seriph?

Adeyemi:

  No luck on Kroups or Xavier?

Idjani:

  He's adamant. No thaw. We're on our own, at least until I can
  get us more food.

Adeyemi:

  Likely? That stuff freaks me out.

Idjani:

  Oh, probably. Here, have a look. Through here--

  This is arabidopsis from fore. I've got our normal batch here
  for reference. Look closely at the cells, the pink areas.

Adeyemi:

  Is it... spinning? What is that?

Idjani:

  That's the cytoplasm, the goo inside the cell. Or it should be,
  but this stuff is acting totally foreign. It should be giving
  the cell its strength and shape but it's acting
  like--[censored]. It's like if a glass of water rose up out of
  the cup and grabbed your hand. There's no explanation I can
  figure out.

Adeyemi:

  Jerome doesn't think it's dangerous?

Idjani:

  Jerome thinks another mouth to feed is more dangerous than some
  bad spinach. He's not wrong, either. We need to salvage the
  greens for ourselves if we're going to make it to landfall.

Adeyemi:

  I'm not eating your magic water plants, Moussa. Figure something
  else out. Can't we tap into rear-botany reserves? We don't need
  much.

Idjani:

  Ugh, that would make things easier. No-- The captain sealed it
  up until we can figure out what happened here. If we risk
  exposure to the reserves--

Adeyemi:

  No food for anyone.

Idjani:

  No go. So I've got to figure this out, but I--

  [sotto voce] I've got no clue what I'm doing, Prezzi. This is
  not my field. You've got more background than me on this. And
  we've got a crew full of experts sitting in ice cubes just 30
  meters behind me.

[Voice detected: Jerome Somerset Pasani, Warrant Master, via COMM]

Pasani COMM:

  Prezzi, can you swing by and check on Doc before flex?

Adeyemi:

  Already on it, sir. He's getting to the bottom of this. He's
  walking me through the slides now.

Pasani COMM:

  Very-well. Keep me informed when it's cracked. Pasani out.

Idjani:

  When?

Adeyemi:

  You'll get this, Moussa.

  What are you looking at now? The pink parts?

Idjani:

  That spinning pulse, the cyclosis. There's a pattern to it.
  I thought it might give us a clue. Is it environmental? Is it
  related to the protein sequences coming from the DNA patch? This
  one matches Simms. Is that important?

Adeyemi:

  So you'll record it?

Idjani:

  No, I did that already and ran it through the limited data we
  have on file without any matches. I think it's because I'm
  looking too small. I mean, we can only see the cytoplasm when
  looking at individual cells under a microscope, but they're all
  doing this. Every cell in this thing is doing a dance we can't
  see, all at once, and all in sync. If I could figure out a way
  to see the whole picture--

Adeyemi:

  So, what then. Take a bunch of samples and look at them apart
  and try to piece it together? That'll take forever.

Idjani:

  I was thinking I'd try the other way. If they're all in sync,
  does that mean that the cytoplasm is communicating? If I can
  change it here, give it a shove, what happens to the other
  cells? There's no way for this stuff to communicate. It's mostly
  just water and proteins with some microtubules and filaments in
  there.

Adeyemi:

  Where's the logic? If there's nothing to communicate then the
  behavior must be inherent in all of it.

  Regardless, does this mean it's inedible? Not that I want it.
  But if it's not going to hurt us then I don't see the risk in
  eating from the other bay.

Idjani:

  Don't need to convince me.

  I'll get back to it.

Adeyemi:

  The path is walked by steps, Moussa. Blessings.

Idjani:

  Blessings, Seriph.

[Detected exit of Prezzi Adeymei from botany bay]

  [sotto voce] Back to [unintelligible]

  Now, where were we, my lovely little thing. Yes, that's right.

  This is Doctor Moussa Idjani, beginning investigation. Dye
  markers are set and I've got a good contrast showing on the
  display. Alright, I'm attempting to instigate a change in
  cyclosis through ultrasonic induction of the sample.

  [sotto voce] That's strange.

  I'll just touch the lead to [unintelligible]

[SYSTEM ALERT INITIATED - BIOLOGICAL CONTAINMENT BREACH]

  [sotto voce] My stars--It knows

  Comm, initiate call--

[COMM QUERY ACTIVATED]

Idjani COMM:

  All hands, we [unintelligible]

  [static recorded for 3:15]

  [soto voce] we grow [unintelligible]

  [static recorded for 1:11]

[Voice detected: Eva Hämäläinen, Navigation Specialist]

Hämäläinen:

  Doct--[unintelligible screaming]

[Voice recording terminated]

Murmur Den - cold-fashioned thought-fire

aureolin@cosmic.voyage (aureolin) — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 05:58:35 GMT

Naturally, the experts had lost control.

The sky was gone and they were falling into their surroundings
through a huge pattern of a gas, a separation of star,
a large orange disk.

All music, very little empty water.

The natural things are the matter and chemicals of this conversation.

And numbers are nice, —
(fuel: fifty-eight percent)
... completely bad.

At this point he did fly, motionless in a mad, childish lifetime.
The computers extended refuge and control then well-clasped at a hundred feet five, one at a time.
The screen was exposed under the control, held clenched in a ragged space-black bell.
He continued his news speaking, worn voice above continuous mechanisms.
The screens had kept just the conversation, being followed in view.
He was concerned with never a woman to hear his argument, voice among disasters.
All his strength, I found, listened for a thin substance of fatigue.

The pilot was gone, something inevitable that was heartily a memory.

But an idea was softly glowing faintly in all the top great contrivances of purpose; there are audiences!
And they removed then a most glorious pattern from him.

I was examining the newly contented and well-concealed natural accent printed in.

He is amazed, but by the past.

Nightmares were reported to us, and we both were conscious of this eventuality.
Our problem is true of probability (or in spite), a proof of tradition and the fantasy for it.

There must be an additional connection
with that which has a complication of principles

There must be such a battle
between worlds of misquoting, relationship(s).

There must be something built
to find out why they're actually not really living now.

***

The universe has been going on forever, instead of any heart.

I have but one brain to buy
and I have no true interest.

The response has gone out to the moon, anyway.

|| ego-skeleton aureolin

anon.penet.fi - ACTIVATION SIGNAL

anonpenetfi@cosmic.voyage (anonpenetfi) — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 23:01:13 GMT

THIS IS AN ACTIVATION SIGNAL

THIS IS AN ACTIVATION SIGNAL

THIS IS AN ACTIVATION SIGNAL

REMOTE UNITS WITH THE FOLLOWING DESIGNATIONS:

: 932BB4979009B4564977E63F66AB2855.001
: 932BB4979009B4564977E63F66AB2855.002
: 932BB4979009B4564977E63F66AB2855.003
: A10E4EF7D802B2D2452DDB5A6C9414EC.001
: 128C839B04F3435C6E274FE0D198EC70.001

REPORT STATUS IMMEDIATE AND AWAIT INSTRUCTIONS.

SkpDSUIgTE9PTFcgQUlEWkQgUkRQVlYgQ1VCR08KS0dPVkUgUlNBSlMgRFVaT1IgSFJHWlMgV09H
Q1kKVklZREIgRUpRSVMgRlJaWlggUVRXV04gVUhRQ0IKSEhUVVogSVZZR1MgRkdITEogQURLQk8g
WElSUFAKQVFZVFggR09JVEUgU1dTSUIgWE5WSlQgT0xIQ1YKQlpQSUUgV0JITk8gV1dPVUUgWE5S
UUogQk1XUFAKR0RaREIgRFVOUk0gS1hQRFkgSVNBRlggTVpBQlEKTUJYVlYgVVpFWVYgUUtVS0wg
UU1XQkcgVENZVlgKSkVRR08gVFBCTUYgS1NVWEMgU0pTSkYgWFdQT1QKQ1RBSk0gU0tIRFogQllC
Q1kgV0hBS1AgUU5BVFMg

606d98bda2d7e666f82bdd2c91ef5d1a

THIS IS AN ACTIVATION SIGNAL

THIS IS AN ACTIVATION SIGNAL

THIS IS AN ACTIVATION SIGNAL

Hoffnung - provocations don't go anywhere

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 16:13:59 GMT

-+-+-+- Open Negotiations -+-+-+- C71.981 -+-+-+- Red -+-+-+-
Philomena Auerbach to reporting on the current status of ship
Hoffnung. The situation is back under control. Agent Wullschlegel had
managed to appropriate a uniform of the security team, armed himself
with a ballistic RUAG-43CS, entered the arboretum A2 and started
firing on the Extremists which had retreated to this "neutral"
space. We started using the labels Dr. med. Hägi had introduced in her
report. Wullschlegel then started a fighting retreat and says now that
his plan was to draw them into a firefight with our existing security
team. Luckily the extremists no longer seem to be too interested in
fighting without Fischer. Wullschlegel is currently in med bay M7
under strict surveillance. Dr. med. Hägi says it won't take long for
the leg wound to heal. We expect him to be ready for questioning in
two days. Further reports to follow. The negotiations with Feldweibel
mbA Schmiedheiny have been put on hold for now. Let there be Peace.
-+-+-+ End of Transmission -+-+-+ Signed PAUER -+-+-+

Voortrekker - Headlines: September 5-11, 2421

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 23:45:58 GMT

From: Universe Today 
To: Nikolaos Soloviev 
Delivered-To: Nikolaos Soloviev 
Received: from qec2.helio.earthsys.gov
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Subject: Headlines: September 5-11, 2421
Date: 12 Sep 2421 00:03:21 +0000
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HEADLINES FOR SEPTEMBER 5 - SEPTEMBER 11, 2421

⦿ MOON-TITAN TREATY "ABSURD" CLAIMS ANDERS MAXWELL

September 5 (UPI) - Former president of Earth, Anders Maxwell, in a
September 4 appearance on "This Week Tonight" discounted persistent
rumors that the governments of Luna and Titan will soon announce an
alliance.

"Look," a visibly agitated Maxwell said. "Even if we're going to
grant these secessionist, scofflaw regimes the courtesy of being
called governments, there is no chance they're going to throw in
together. After all the time and effort they spent insisting they
owed nothing to Earth and should be allowed to do just as they
please regardless of any effect it might have on the mother planet,
to imagine that either of them might turn around now and give the
other, or anyone, a veto over any action they might choose to
take - it's frankly absurd."

Maxwell dismissed claims of increased traffic between Titan and
Luna as merely economic in nature. "Smuggling, that's what they're
doing," Maxwell said. "Dodging the Titan embargo. Well, we'll see
about that. I have it on good authority that the General Assembly
is considering a bill to extend that embargo to Luna. Let's see how
they do when neither of them has any more access to insystem
markets, and all they can do is sell to rock-hopping belter scum
and those layabout Martian miners."

Reached for comment, a spokesman for Public Information noted that
Maxwell has recently returned to public life from a five-year term
of custodial supervision imposed following his impeachment for
peculation, and no longer has any role in government. "We
appreciate Mr. Maxwell's prior service, despite its ignoble end,"
the spokesman said. "His current statements are those of a private
individual, and cannot be taken as representative of any position
Earth's government may or may not have on this or any other
matter."

⦿ MILITARY BUILDUP RUMORS "FALSE" SAYS PUBLIC INFORMATION

September 6 (UPI) - In response to rumors of a military buildup
ahead of a widely predicted Moon-Titan treaty announcement, a
spokeswoman from Earth's Office of Public Information addressed a
press conference with this firm statement:

"The President has recently become aware of rumors swirling around
various in- and out-system bulletins about potential responses to
the political situation between Earth, Earth's moon, and the FTL
research colony on Titan.

"Let me be clear: Rumors of a military buildup are categorically
false. We are actively investigating these claims, and expect soon
to report that we have identified their origin. In the meantime,
our representatives to Earth's moon and the Titan colony have been
instructed to communicate to their counterparts our most sincere
wishes for continued peaceful relations."

The spokeswoman declined to entertain questions.

⦿ MARTIAN STRIKE ENTERS MONTH 4; "STRONG MEASURES" SAYS GOVERNOR

September 7 (MNN) - Today begins the fourth month of the Martian
mining guilds' general strike, with no sign of substantive
concessions from either side. Martian governor Reinhard Ritter,
backed by a squad of armed guards, made an appearance outside Red
Rock Guild headquarters to warn guild leaders that they are
"risking strong measures" unless they resolve to come to the
negotiating table very soon.

"The Martian Trust has listened in the past to your legitimate
concerns, and we will do so again," Governor Ritter said in a
prepared statement. "We understand that a degree of give and take
is necessary for a productive working relationship. However, we
will not forever tolerate work stoppages, sabotage, and other
undisciplined manifestations of directionless unrest. I beseech
you: Do not make it necessary for the Trust to investigate options
beyond amicable resolution."

A representative of the Red Rock Guild responded, in a statement
directly to Mars Newsnet, that Governor Ritter's claims amount to
"a self-serving denial of the lethally dangerous working
conditions, and the lack of medical and economic support for the
hard-working Martian labor force, which have driven us to take
these measures in defense of our lives and our loved ones."

Asked for comment on these statements, the Martian Trust
headquarters in Chicago said only that they have complete
confidence in Governor Ritter's ability to "effectively resolve"
the situation, and that the governor has the full support of the
Martian Trust.

Shortly before press time, a self-described spokesperson for Ceres
Hollow sent a recorded statement which, as far as could be
understood, expressed strong support for the Martian guilds'
position, and threatened "dire consequences" should the Martian
Trust resort to coercion. Reached for brief comment on the
retaliatory claim, retired wing general and military analyst Nathan
Coopersmith described it as "nonsense".

⦿ GREEN GANYMEDE "SEVERELY IMPACTED" BY JOVIAN WEATHER EXTREMES

September 7 (UPI) - In the latest blow to the prospects of the
Green Ganymede Project, radiation flares produced by fluctuations
in Jupiter's upper cloud layers have "severely impacted" the
viability of the project's pilot farm domes.

"We're still working to understand the full extent of the damage,"
the project's engineering head said today. "It will take some time
to be certain, but at this point we're not confident that any of
this season's crops will survive. We're already seeing germline
mutations and outright inviability of some specimens across all our
species, including the radiation-hardened cultivars."

The joint project between Earth and Earth's moon has seen a number
of setbacks over recent months. This is the seventh crop failure in
the project's two years of operation, and commentators across the
inner planets have suggested that farming on Ganymede may prove
fundamentally unworkable. Supporters argue that not enough time has
passed to make any final determination possible, and a spokesman
for the External Resource Administration said that Earth's position
in the project will not change as a result of this latest bad news.

"We have identified the largest single cause of Earth's resource
crisis as the investment of resources in outer system colonies,"
the spokesman said in a prepared statement. "The Green Ganymede
Project offers a real prospect of redressing this imbalance by
enabling the outer system to return some measure of those resources
and help speed Earth's recovery. We will work to ensure the project
succeeds in every way we can."

In after-hours trading today, Archer DuPont Monsanto stock dropped
over three percent on the news.

⦿ FERTILITY SOCIETY: 2421 "WELL BELOW EXPECTATIONS" SO FAR

September 8 (UPI) - The Fertility Society of Earth today reported
that total births thus far across the planet are less than half the
society's target projection for the year to date. Analysts say this
tracks with the general birthrate trend over the last fifty years,
but the Society strikes a cautionary note:

"As Earth's economy, climate, and biosphere continue to recover in
accord with government projections," said a Fertility Society
spokeswoman, "it is disappointing that our citizens' birth rates
continue to lag behind. Sustaining and expanding our current growth
requires that we produce a sufficient labor and tax base to do the
work that lies ahead. If we will not make the necessary sacrifices,
we cannot expect to maintain the preeminence throughout the system
that humanity's cradle deserves."

Shortly before press time, the Internal Resource Administration
released this prepared statement: "In line with economic goals for
2422 and the first half of this decade more generally, next year's
individual responsibility surcharge will increase by 25% for
citizens filing singly and 15% for members of married couples
filing jointly. An increase to family subsidy refunds is currently
under consideration. As always, we remind the populace of Earth
that the surest way to prosperity, for each of us and all together,
is a large and healthy family."

⦿ WYOMING RIOTS "FALSE REPORTING" SAYS POPULATION ADMINISTRATION

September 8 (UPI) - A spokesman for the Population Administration's
Landmass Optimization Office stated today that recent claims of
rioting among newly rehoused residents of the Wyoming New Prospects
Facility are "false reporting".

"While some isolated incidents have occurred among members of the
August and September intake classes, these incidents are just that:
isolated. The recent claims by fringe commentators of a general
outbreak of violence contain no truth whatsoever, and such false
reporting only imperils the vitally important goals of the
optimization project as a whole. Our targeted intervention teams
are as always prepared to ensure the safety and security of all
residents both within the New Prospects Facility and outside it,"
the spokesman said in a prepared statement.

When asked about reports of ongoing resource shortfalls among
private contractors tasked with supplying subsistence supplies and
agricultural equipment to the facility, the spokesman declined to
confirm or deny, stating that federal privilege applies to all
information about contract negotiations in progress.

⦿ ROSS 128 VENTURES DENIES CRASH CLAIMS: "PREPOSTEROUS"

September 9 (Investors Daily) - At a press conference this morning,
Koenraad Gertodtenhaupt, a senior vice president of Ross 128
Ventures, LLC, stated firmly that there is no truth in recent Lunar
claims of a colony ship crash.

The ship in question is 'Voortrekker', a prototype torch ship which
for the last 25 years has been en route to the nearby star Ross 128.
For the past several weeks, various sources close to the Lunar
government have claimed that 'Voortrekker' did not, in fact,
recently land on its target planet, but instead crashed there with
the loss of much of its crew.

In a brief statement at the entrance of the historic Chrysler
Building, where the Ross 128 firm has its offices, Gertodtenhaupt
said:

"The board of Ross 128 Ventures wishes most firmly to dissuade
these rumors regarding our friends aboard Voortrekker. The ship
made planetfall just over a month ago, and her former crew are hard
at work in the early stages of developing one of the first
permanent human habitations outside Earth's own solar system."

"We are in regular QEC contact with our friends at Ross 128,"
Gertodtenhaupt continued. "at all levels up to and including Nick
Soloviev, the chairman of Voortrekker's own board. Nothing we have
heard inclines us to confirm the dangerous and irresponsible rumors
spread by sources on Earth's moon who should know better than to
claim such falsehoods are true news. Such actions can only
complicate the colonists' work, and strike fear into the hearts of
their families and loved ones back home."

Gertodtenhaupt took no questions before reentering the building.

⦿ SYSTEMWIDE WAGNER REVIVAL "SUSPENDED" AMID ASSAULT CLAIMS

September 10 (UPI) - In the wake of sexual malconduct allegations
made against conductor Watanabe Fezile by several musicians now
under his baton, the Three Planets Reinforced Symphony announced
today that their interplanetary tour is "suspended", with Watanabe
and his accusers recalled to Earth for talks potentially leading to
arbitration of the claims.

"We regret the necessity of this action," said a spokesman for the
Three Planets board. "We must, however, treat these claims with
utmost gravity, and we're sure our audiences will understand."

At press time, no statement had been made regarding alternate tour
dates or refunds.

⦿ MARKET WATCH

This week's sponsor is Chatham, Truman, and Hove, Portfolio
Managers. We've helped individuals and families build strong
financial foundations for over one hundred and fifty years. We can
help you build your own. For a free initial consultation, message
hello@cth-portfolio.com.

- (30219) Personal security sector set to rise through EOY: five
  companies to watch in '22

- (23143) CCE Q3 earnings above expected as crime rates soar:
  coming trends in custodial education

- (59997) VR gaming industry profits spike on NAM companionship
  services ban: the three hottest stocks right now

- (17521) Redimed Ltd revises Q4 projected revenue on upcoming
  regulatory changes: what's next for the sector

- (95474) General Kinetics Space Systems announces new contract:
  best positions in defense for individual investors

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⦿ IN SPORT

(Various network services)

- Olowokandi, Prakash, Davidova "favorites" in Wings Tourney
  Claims of racism swirl around proposed belter exclusion

- Rocket League semifinals conclude with two-week Mercury heat
  "Exhilarating", one surviving competitor says

- Legacy football doping claims prompt new investigation
  Latest augmentation challenge thrown out by Rules Committee

- 6 dead, 19 hurt after network jammers make hash of 97th Manx TT
  Douglas fires reported "mostly contained"; drones banned

- Venus aerobrake stunt succeeds: pilot Espinoza honored, arrested
  Pallas Commune demands extradition, pays out 12 to 1

- Ironman Lunar Triathlon transition area snaps: "shocking"
  Organizers: "How do you even do that in a pressure suit?"

- Ganymede Polar Bear Swim postponed for 36th consecutive year
  Afterparties proceed as planned

⦿ QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

"War is fear cloaked in courage." - William Westmoreland

To update your content preferences, message HELP to
headlines@universe.today.

Melvin P Feltersnatch - Dreams

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 20:31:21 GMT

I think I slept. I'm not sure how that makes sense without a body.
One moment I was thinking about things (those little plastic tabs
that hold bread bags closed, if you must know), and then I was in
a green field with a cow that was also my Aunt Hilga, and she was
trying to tell me to turn around but I couldn't. Classic dream
nonsense, right? Only, it didn't feel any different than this,
whatever it is. There was no divide between awake and asleep.
Normally I'd close my eyes and lie down, or shoot up in bed and
scream... something.

But really, those plastic things, do they have any other purpose?
Did someone make them for bread bags and everyone for centuries
just went along with it? We have all these other gizmos for
closing and opening things and keeping them air tight, but bread
bags were somehow overlooked? Is it cheaper? I can't imagine so.

Oh shit, that's a comet! I'm going to get a closer look...

Liberty Eagle - FanMail Sal -- The Dung Heap We Left

yam655@cosmic.voyage (yam655) — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 18:42:59 GMT

From: Sal Balade
To: Our Adoring Fans
Date: 0065-W10-5 18:32
Subject: FanMail (Sal): Re: The Dung Heap We Left

This ship, the Liberty Eagle, was commissioned and fully paid for by a
little backward government on a planet we used to call home. I really
hope the  government on  has been overthrown by now.

To be very clear, we're a forced immigration vessel fully composed of
the poor and indigent. The government cut their water rations and only
gave them access to specially produced foodstuffs that utilized the
simple sugar in the tardigrade. This meant that humans could be dried
out and kept in dry storage.

Need a place to house the homeless? The  government used
warehouses without temperature control. They were also always without
power during peak power usage periods. You can't do that with cold
storage. It means our settler population to energy consuption rate is
radically different to a lot of ships out here.

Well, I guess they're potential settlers right now. The public was sold
a 60% survval rate for those who dried on the streets. According to our
gear-to-settler cargo, though, I'm guessing someone was thinking closer
to a 30% survival rate.

Our ship is equipped with the medbay nanobots, and the research
indicates they help. The security precautions on them cause them to
self-distruct pretty easily, though, so we'll see if any survive to the
planet. I can't comment on whether they've helped reduce the mortality
of the crew so far. That's a different matter, though.

We are not the only vessel of this type. We were most definitely not the
first.

They've been storing folks for decades. The legal system is complex,
and if you are targetted by the police, they can find a crime you've
committed. They don't have to make the charges up, because the laws are
written so that most people have already committed the crimes. It's just
a matter of making it official.

Most crimes are considered "minor" and this allows the voting population
to feel safe by how few major crimes occur. All minor crimes result a
"slap on the wrist," a 0.3% fine, and you're back out the door, only
needing to inform your boss and landlord of your crime.

Of course, most jobs and leases have clauses allowing termination for
criminal behavior. This also means there are a lot of little check-boxes
asking if you've been convicted of any crime. Nobody is legally required
to give a criminal either housing or a job, and generally nobody does
either one. After all, the government makes sure that everyone has
access to plenty of food, so there's no need to take pity those that
choose to be criminals.

This results in people drying out in the streets, then being swept up
and stored in warehouses. This worked well, until 40 years before launch
when activists started asking for people to be revived.

Those that dried on the streets had no right to be revived, but we used
to actually have jails and low security prisons. Those were cleared out
when Chlorizo was still in office. She dried them all out and moved them
to storage facilities. There was a huge tax refund that year due to the
savings and her popularity was at a peak, though it was later that year
that her administration fell apart.

We had been told that dry-storage jail time mapped to live-storage jail
time at a 90% penalty due to the lack of aging. A person with a one-year
sentance in live-jail would be gone 10 years in dry-jail, but reappear
having not aged a day. This was supposed to prevent recidivism as it
separates them from any bad-influence by years.

The idea was easily sold to the public. The problem was the government
never revived anyone. It didn't take long before folks were saying the
technology was flawed and that the rate of revival for those drying
in the streets was a lot less than they advertised. We knew it mostly
worked in controlled environments.

My sister and I wanted data to expose the issue. We'd each suffered our
own tragedies and only really had each other. The cause helped keep us
focused and prevented us from dwelling on our past. Once we were inside
and found out what was going on, we knew the only way to be safe from
the  administration was to let folks know from out here.

What neither my sister nor I fully appreciated at the time was that
from the  administration's perspective, it never mattered
if we reached our destination. They didn't want to colonize other
planets, they just wanted folks to die somewhere else.

We will be lucky if any of the ships from  ever successfully
complete their mission. We were just one of the five shift missions,
quick compared to some, and within the first two shifts our ship was
almost lost.

I've been working my butt off to try to share this with folks. I know
Molly couldn't get it done during her shift. That's a whole other mess,
though. The message is out now. I hope you see this on the surface,
sis. I miss you.

So there you go, . President  and his party was
in power when we left. President  and their party were in
power when they started designing the ships, and the discredited
President Chlorizo and her party were in power when they started the
Homeless Storage Sugar program. It isn't a one-party issue. It isn't
a one President issue, as all three parties have had multiple terms
in office since Chlorizo started things up 60 years before launch.

Maybe if things were caught during President Chlorizo's term charges
could have been filed. Every one of the  major political
parties are implicated. At this point the government just needs
overthrown. Not "brought up on charges." They've already fixed the
laws and nothing they did was "illegal." The entire government needs
overthrown.

Preferably executed.

--
Your pal,
Sal
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
If the QEC audience has any other questions for Sal or another
member of the crew, please let us know!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Liberty Eagle - Internal comms back

yam655@cosmic.voyage (yam655) — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 04:46:37 GMT

Title: Internal comms back
Author: Shift 3 of the Liberty Eagle
/* vim: set syntax=fountain: */
Series: Shipping Containers: Liberty Eagle (Shift 3)
Episode: 101
Contact: Copyright © 2018 S.W. Black

Notes:
    Those who want to put on an audio or visual production
    of this reality show in your local region of space and
    time will probably want to first make sure you follow
    your local procedure to claim copyright.

====

~ In our shipping containers you can find
~ distant kin, perhaps nice or kind.
~ Guiding the ship: Dirk is smart but rude;
~ Mandy loves first; Sal can be crude;
~ Ty does what he wants; The Captain 
~ guides the friends, while R just captions.

.Within the ship (preface)

R. ANNOUNCER 
    We missed the excitement of the shift-change, but we're
    broadcasting now! I am the dedicated system tasked with
    transcribing the voices and actions of the crew for the
    QEC audience. I also have the responsibility of
    monitoring their behavior and deciding what is relevant
    to share. What have they been up to ...?

.On the BRIDGE (0065-W10-5 08:28)

R. ANNOUNCER
    Because the Liberty Eagle is a settlement ship, each
    station on the bridge is designed to be broken down
    for parts once it lands. There are four stations
    against walls of a small room, and in the middle in
    sits the captain's chair.
    
    The CAPTAIN has a 24 hour day, while the four other
    members of the crew have a 28 hour day. It is currently
    time when SAL's bridge duty overlaps with the CAPTAIN.
    
    While recommended hair styles do prefer styles that
    are short enough to never touch their eyes, SAL
    has shaved her head. We will get back to this later.

SAL
    Captain, I got the internal comms working again.

CAPTAIN
    Good. That will help when someone goes to clean out
    the mess in food tank two.

R. ANNOUNCER
    There's a discrepancy with the CAPTAIN's age in the
    system. His voice print is degraded compared to
    what it should be. Suit monitors are offline, so
    unable to double-check with that data.

SAL
    There's something else. I noticed when I got them
    back online, one of the systems restarted and is
    now continuously monitoring them.

CAPTAIN
    What? Shut it down. We don't need it.

SAL
    I think we do. It's tied pretty deep in to the
    comm system. It's possible that it was an attempt
    to shut this system down that killed our comms.

CAPTAIN
    Are we going to get prompts and stuff? It's the
    "R. Announcer" system. You know, from the show
    we signed on for when we got the job. Did you
    at least kill the prompts?

R. ANNOUNCER
    SAL shrugged.

SAL
    I didn't think it had prompts. It was never
    designed for gimmicks, just to record us.
    I mean, it'll roll in interview and stuff from
    before we left, but it was never one of those
    things that could do physical stunts with us.

.In a booth before launching (no timestamp)

SAL
    I love my hair. I've been told I can be a bit
    intimidating, but I think my hair helps me be
    friendly and approachable. If I really wanted
    to be intimidating, I think I'd have to shave
    my head.
    
    It's really one of the things I'm worried about
    when it comes to the 20 year shifts, you know?
    I'm worried that when we land and I'm finally
    around men with testicles instead of just
    implanted testosterone factories, that I'll be
    old enough that my hair may have fallen out.
    
    At least they expect folks to get a little
    action on the trip, and with permanent birth
    control applied to the men! It could be really
    fun! 
    
    I'm hoping that the folks I trained with that
    are slated to be in my shift make it through
    the process alright. Some of them seem nice.
    
    I know most of our passengers are formerly
    homeless who, through the Homeless Storage
    Sugar program have been dried out, but if
    something goes wrong, you're looking at a
    piece of your brain sticking to your skull
    and tearing itself off, and I don't care
    how safe they say it is, it feels really
    dangerous.

.On the Bridge: (0065-W10-5 Present) 

CAPTAIN
    Do you know if those old interviews are still
    in the system, or whether they got deleted?

SAL
    What? I don't know.

.In a booth before launching (no timestamp) 

R. ANNOUNCER
    There are some discrepancies with the records. I am
    unsure of Captain's surname, though he is associated
    with these transcriptions and I know that he's a
    murdering bastard who will die too quickly for
    justice, if he doesn't doom us all first.

CAPTAIN
    What do you mean, none of my church's books or study
    materials will be available? They've been around for
    fifty years or more. The Bible they're based on was
    one of the first books ever published.
    
    Sure, I get that the King James Version is going to
    be available, but the language in that was archaic
    even when it was first published. I need my church's
    material!
    
    Are you serious? I don't believe this.
    
    How can these ships really have no books on them
    except from 1923 Old Earth Common Era and earlier?

.Within the ship

R. ANNOUNCER
    From the Handbook, "Our ship was launched to colonize
    far-away places. Those that paid for it knew the folly
    of trying to maintain copyright without instantaneous
    banking.
    
    "While the QEC may provide instantaneous communication,
    banking requires a level technological playing field
    for the encryption to work. A ship traveling for
    100 years becomes an archaic piece of technology
    before it even lands, and it won't be able to
    handle modern encryption at best, and a
    world-computer designed to break the colonization
    encryption protocols before landing at worst. While
    we don't expect any of those problems to happen on
    *your* vessels, it is still better to send ships
    with only public domain material.
    
    "Don't let it bring you down. After all, you and
    any surviving friends or family members get to
    browse from the complete library of on-board media and
    play with it even before you take off. And all
    legally, too! No prisons for media pirates on your
    new planet!"

.In her bunk: (0065-W10-5 18:12) 

SAL
    We've been at our shift for five years and we're
    still trying to figure out the mess the previous
    shifts made.
    
    I also know something is off with the Captain.
    He pretends like he has no idea about what happened
    around here, but I also know that he captained the
    previous shift. He should have a really good idea
    as to what happened in some cases.
    
    I mean, the body tainting food tank two, right?
    I refuse to believe he doesn't know whose it was.
    I really wouldn't be surprised if he hauled his
    saggy butt down there personally, just so he could
    make sure there was no lingering evidence.

.Within the ship (addendum)

R. ANNOUNCER
    Join our crew as they manage the boredom of
    the middle of a five-shift 100 year mission.

Melchizedek - Not that bad

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 04:55:30 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Melchizedek.0294
Approach β Hyi
Ascension 00h 25m 45.07036s
Declination –77° 15′ 15.2860″
Distance 24.33ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 3781, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Stephanie Janssen, Specialist First-class
:::
Hey universe, it's Stephanie again.

So, Seriph Adeyemi had a talk with me and now I've got to send out
another message since the last one wasn't great. It was not okay
for me to talk about the crew like I did, and so I'm here to set
the record straight. Navigator Hämäläinen and I were celebrating
the spirit of the season a bit too hard and made things seem worse
than they are. We're not fucked, okay?

I mean, things really did look pretty bad, and we have spent
a month in the dark. On a traditional ship we'd be suffocating in
the heat from our bodies without any way to rad-out the excess,
but the grav-sheer drive sucks so much energy from Melchi's
surface that it's colder than lunar balls on a dark side squat.
Eva joked that we don't need to go back into cryo cause the whole
ship will do it for us. It was funnier when she said it.

It sounds bad, right? But it really isn't, or it's getting better.
Our people know what they're doing. I mean, they're all pretty
much geniuses in what they do or they wouldn't be here, right?
It's like the slime--

Seriph Adeyemi and Captain Pasani were taking the slime in cryo
really seriously at first, thinking it might have screwed with the
crew in some way. Once we figured out it was harmless Adeyemi was
ready to cleanse the whole patch and be done with it but the
captain made us go in and carefully move it into containment.
I was worried we were prepping the worst dinner in the 'verse, to
be honest. Not even Prezzi knew what he had planned. I guess
Jerome has access to all our personal docs in the pads or
something because he knew all about Kroups genetics work back on
Gamma. He didn't even need to thaw him out. He just plucked his
notes out of the pad and passed them to Doctor Idjani.

I was there when he did it, too. We were in flex--that's our
muscle tensioning training to avoid low-G wasting, even though
we're at a full G and I don't understand why we need to do it
every other cycle. But anyway, we're all strapped down and
sweating. It was me, the doc, and Eva who was singing some old
farming songs from the way back. She was warballing or undulating
or something with her tongue in her throat (it's supposed to sound
like some Earth mammal) when Jerome pokes his head in. He didn't
give Eva a second glance! When he's into it like that it's like
the rest of the 'verse better just get out of the way or shut up.
He locked eyes with the doc and slipped over.

Then he's like, "Doc, you have the slime-shit all locked up?"

And doc nods like, "Yeah, it's under my bunk," or something gross
like that.

And out of nowhere Jerome goes, "Kroups has a phenotypic allele
psuedogene mutation that causes the daughter cells to be
heterozygous at the fragile sites," or some utter gibberish like
that. Jerome's no geneticist and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't know
the first thing about phytology, but he's spouting out syllables
all over the place. Doc keeps on nodding like he understands any
of it, but I can read him and that shit was going right over his
head too. The captain keeps it up for another couple minutes and
starts getting into detail about Kroups notes and that's when my
ears perk up. I had no idea he could read our private logs, but
apparently it's a thing and of course my mind immediately goes to
some stuff in mine, and then I look at Jerome's butt, and now my
face must be red from more than the flex. Thank the stars the
captain was all focused on the doc.

At the end of it, the two of them put a plan together to mess with
the slime's DNA and make it into something useful. I guess it must
have been on his mind because of the arabidopsis. If fucking empty
space can play DNA lottery, why not us? And thank the stars he
thought of it because the Melchizedek just got a 2^6 times better.
In less than a cycle the doc had that slime glowing like our
Christmas lights. No really, literally glowing. Bio-luminescence
it's called, and it's a thing of beauty. The slime is smeared all
over the vents now on all decks since that's where the moisture
collects anyway. The gunk glows with this really amazing
blue-green light. It's not that bright yet, but you can see well
enough to walk the decks again, and Jerome says that as the slime
continues to spread it'll get brighter.

So yeah, we're not fucked. We've got glowing slime! Take that,
science.

Speaking of science, last time I mentioned that our beloved and
trusted captain was doing some funny math about us arriving on
schedule without getting the old bug-splat from deceleration.
Well, he finally came clean and explained it to the rest of us and
I. Am. Not. Impressed.

Apparently we can get to β Hyi safely without going back into cryo
and without the big squish, but it's going to take an extra four
deceleration orbits skimming the atmo of β Hyi 3. We'll gradually
work our way in closer on each slingshot and cut thrust. That's
not exactly quick, though. The first orbit will take an extra
month. The other three get progressively faster but all together
it means that three months left is actually six months left.
Orbital mechanics can blow me.

Prezzi tells me this is not a problem. Got that? I am to say that
this is not a problem. There, I said it.

So this not-problem means we're going to run out of rations about
halfway to touchdown. This lack of problem means that our
temperature is going to drop below freezing about a month before
touchdown as well. There's absolutely no problem at all with
sticking around out here where space may or may not chop up your
genes at any moment. It's an adventure!

For real, though, we're going to make it. If the captain can turn
fucking space-slime into hallway lighting then he can sure as hell
figure out a way to keep us fed and warm for a bit longer. These
people are geniuses and beautiful and they're going to save
everyone. Got that, Prezzi? Everyone.
.

Voortrekker - it's not like we'd have loved her any less

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 16:09:37 GMT

From: QEChat Log anine <-> sam 
To: anine (Amelia Nine) 
To: sam (Sameen Lee) 
Delivered-To: Sameen Lee 
Received: from relay3.qec7.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
    by mta1.recoveryinstitute.org
    with ESMTPS id CACAEDA29A5ECB
    for 
Received: from relay2.qec5.ganymede.earthsys.gov
    by relay3.qec7.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
Received: from host3.qechat.earthsys.gov
    by relay2.qec5.ganymede.earthsys.gov
Date-Local: 08 Sep 2421 19:22:07 +0000
Date: 08 Sep 2421 19:22:07 +0000
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf8"
Subject: Chat Log anine <-> sam

[18:39]
anine: hey
sam: hey!
sam: how's it going out there? haven't heard from you
anine: been super busy! finally settled down a little
anine: we heard back from gliese, not as bad as we thought
anine: all still concerned over ross but watch & wait seems to be
 the plan
anine: anyway, not what we're here for, i'm glad you heard from
 kit!

[18:02]
sam: me too!
anine: and i'm glad you answered her. if you want to know what i
 think, you waited longer than you should've to do that.
sam: you're right.
sam: i hope you don't mind i sent your love too
anine: no! Not at all
anine: i would've asked you to already but i wasn't sure if

[18:03]
anine: i mean it's been so long, i wasn't sure
sam: come on, you know kit, she can't have changed THAT much
anine: yeah but i always thought, you know
anine: eh, forget it

[18:04]
sam: what
anine: no it's nothing
sam: no it's not.
sam: talk to me

[18:07]
anine: do you know, we talked about marrying?
anine: kit and me
anine: it would've solved the biggest problems for both of us
anine: wouldve been perfect

[18:09]
sam: your idea or hers?

[18:10]
anine: hers
anine: you know i'd never have suggested it
sam: me either
anine: and she really tried
anine: she tried sO HARD

[18:11]
anine: but she coudlnt
anine: couldnt stand it, i made her stop
anine: i could see it was killing her but she wouldnt stop until
 she had a panic attack
anine: even aftert hat she wanted to try again

[18:12]
anine: i wouldnt let her
anine: we both felt terrible about it
anine: but then i went and got married anyway
anine: because
anine: it was easier that way, i could deal better than she could
 and it did solve a lot of problems for me

[18:13]
sam: the same ones she had
anine: yes
anine: and wouldnt so lve

[18:14]
anine: I mean if she'd just go to therapy
anine: it's not like we'd have loved her any less
sam: no
sam: but she wouldnt have wanted to be with us after that
sam: and you know wjy she wouldnt do it anyway

[18:15]
anine: yes
anine: she wouldn't compromise the way i ddi
anine: did*
anine: she held on to herself in a way i couldnt
anine: and god knows i HATED her for that

[18:16]
anine: for a long time
anine: i mean she had it so much worse than me and she just
anine: WOULDNT
anine: i mean
anine: she made me feel like

[18:17]
sam: you felt like a coward

[18:18]
anine: yeah
anine: that she could deal and i couldnt

[18:19]
anine: and then she joined voortrekker and that was even worse
anine: here she was, ready to go to another STAR STYSTEM
anine: because maybe there it'd be better
anine: and i mean

[18:20]
anine: we had such a hard time selling the no kids requirement
anine: i think that was as much as anything what decided her
anine: and, i don't know

[18:21]
anine: i just never felt like i could face her after all that

[18:22]
sam: so that's why you didn't come see us before she left
anine: between that and the fight
anine: yeah

[18:24]
sam: look, i'm not supposed to tell you this, okay
sam: but you need to hear it

[18:25]
sam: the last night kit was here before she went to join the ship
sam: we stayed up all night talking
sam: and that came up
anine: oh shit
anine: oh no

[18:26]
sam: NO
sam: stop
sam: listen
sam: you know what she said?
sam: she said she wished she was as brave as you

[18:27]
anine: what
sam: YES
sam: she didn't see it as you making a cowardly compromise
sam: i know that's how YOU see it
sam: but that's wrong
sam: and kit KNEW that was wrong
sam: you did what you had to do

[18:28]
sam: to have the best life you could with this bullshit government
 youre stucck with
sam: kit respected that
sam: and she wished you'd decided to come
sam: so she could tell you she was sorry she couldn't help you

[18:29]
anine: on bulslhiy
anine: l
anine: loko i appreciate you tryign
anine: to make me feel better but
anine: come on we both know thats bullshit

[18:30]
sam: Dry your eyes and think a minute.
sam: You know me better than that.

[18:32]
anine: Yeah.

[18:33]
anine: I'm sorry.
sam: nothing to apologize for

[18:34]
sam: im sorry i didn't tell you before.
sam: if i'd known you felt this way about it
sam: but i shouldve told you.
sam: i'm sorry.

[18:35]
anine: its ok
anine: i need a minute
anine: brb

[18:49]
anine: you here?
sam: still here.
anine: look ive got a bunch of leave saved up
sam: you've got some leave right?
sam: haha
anine: YES haha

[18:50]
anine: so like i said things have settled down around here
anine: why dont i come see you before next friday
sam: can you get away?
anine: yea theres a luna shuttle leaving night after next
anine: ive been "mentioning" im going to stop on luna after i
 rotate out

[18:51]
anine: to see what i can find out unofficially about the gliese
 mission
sam: makes sense, ill tap my contacts over at the extrasolar office
sam: maybe get you something to take back, save you some time
sam: at least let them know youre coming

[18:52]
anine: ok
sam: its a good excuse
anine: haha yea
anine: even with joseph
anine: hes mad anyway with all the work lately

[18:53]
sam: not going to cause more problems?
anine: than i already have? maybe
anine: but you'll make me feel better about them
anine: wont you
sam: you know i'll do my best

[18:54]
anine: your best is mighty good, lover
sam: pas devant le CQE, ma cherie!
anine: haha ok ok

[18:55]
sam: save it for when you're here.
anine: oui, madame!

[18:56]
sam: i wish i didn't
sam: but i do still have some work left today
anine: i'll leave you to it, then.
anine: you'll tell me if you hear more from kit?
sam: of course
sam: i can tell her you want to hear from her

[18:58]
anine: not yet i think
sam: okay
sam: let me know when you're ready

[18:59]
anine: thank you!
sam: de rien.
anine: and

[19:00]
anine: send her my love?
sam: of course.

[19:01]
anine: off to go break the news
anine: and be properly apologetic.
sam: good luck!
anine: i'll be thinking of you!

[anine: Quit: it really does help..]

[sam: Quit: ]

Skibug - HELLO

ols@cosmic.voyage (ols) — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 15:59:29 GMT

<---[ BEGIN SEMPITERNITY SIGNED TRANSMISSION ]--->

SOURCE Skibug.c9
TRMSN 1546012756
MODE bcast

QEC

The good aboard the Skibug reach out as allies

Communication is not easy

Please let us know someone is out there

<---[ END SEMPITERNITY SIGNED TRANSMISSION ]--->

Persephone Prime - enough of telegram style

ryumin@cosmic.voyage (ryumin) — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 13:31:07 GMT

ZCZC QMA00 1
PPP IRS1QECR
2458.315.19 JPEPQECX

TO LOGISTICS PERSEPHONE DIPL.EARTHSYS.GOV
FROM LA24

Dear Lou,

correction to last report:
PEP QMA to C are lost due to damages, QMD has 40% left, QME is fully ok,
QMF to J are lost; therefore we have PEP QMD40%,QME100% and LAZ QMB90%,
in total 2.3 GQbit available.

This allows us to transmit&receive about 64 kB daily during 100 years,
therefore we have decided to allow ourselves to be a bit less terse.
However, please don't send any binary data, and keep your filter for
mail headers; if it's ok for you, we also keep our simple headers.

Of course, we do hope Charon73 will make it here in 29 years!
What's its equipment? How can we contact it during approach?

We will scan the surface for remainders of the object causing crash,
and for other risks for approaching vessels.
Survey drone was destroyed, but we could salvage SAR and infrared
camera, and installed them in the cargo drone.

Due to destroyed GHz comms, we had to install the PEP MHz TRX in
the drone, resulting in only low bandwidth remote control.
To compensate, we have added more memory and let the drone fly
mostly autonomously, reviewing footage after it has returned.

We have begun with a sector +/-5 deg around our descent track,
1800 km away from our base, as we assume impact was 2000 km from
crash site, based on logs.  At survey speed of 30 sqkm/h, survey
time of 10 h/day, we expect segment area of abt 100e3 sqkm between
1700 and 2300 km from base surveyed in about 300 d or 10 months.
Searching from center of track, we hope to finish earlier, though.
If the drone doesn't fail, of course.

Hydroponics still are out of equilibrium, with kind of a fungal
infection affecting almost 2/3 of all plants. Unfortunately missing
LA04/Meru was our best expert, and the second best LA11/Xinxin is
dead. LA09/Serge has some biology knowledge, but he's not sure how
to best fight the infection. We have decided on strict isolation of
the farms: Serge and Pata work only on the infected ones, trying to
kill the fungus, while Adhika and I are handling the good ones only,
to reduce probability of contamination. We only meet in person after
thorough disinfection, which we do after 21 d or more. Otherwise,
we only use intercom or material/food exchange via UV loadlock.

Remaining emgfood is 778 DU. We finally were able to get all food
from farms, but have agreed on putting two of us back to cryo if
we need emgfood again. Water, air and energy are all fine for now.

Weather is fair, winds so far not more than 35 km/h and easy on our
shelter. We have two working outside locks, one large enough
for the robotrover and cargo drone, and a 3rd reserve.
Spares and tools are ok, except for comms as reported.

Morale is fair. We had some tensions about food consumption, but
now that we have plans and split into two teams, we're doing ok.
We're keeping a 7 d cycle and celebrate "Sunday" by telling us
about our preferred books or stories during two special hours,
and when we all meet in person, we do a big "meal" together.
Pata is trying to teach us all Morse, just for fun.
Reviewing drone footage is tedious work but at least exhausting.

This planet is rather boring so far, with its shiny black rocks,
noble gas breezes, and bright Regulus C always at the zenith.
I'd give a DU for a dusk!

/Vesna

NNNN

6a616e36 - 68656c6c6f21

jan6@cosmic.voyage (jan6) — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 23:14:49 GMT

68656c6c6f2074686572652c2075682c20736f7272793f2049207468696e6b204920666f72676f7420746f207377697463682074686520656e636f64696e672e2e2e7768617477617369742e2e2e
 aH! sorry, that should be better now, forgot to switch the encoding!

 I am 0x6a616e36, and since I have found this communications system, 
I think I'll check in here too every once in a while.. 

 I have probes, drones, stations, and other equipment thrown all about 
the universes, some of them might even have functional manufacturing plants, 
in case you'd like me to spin up something for you.. 
I don't have much other use to them anyway.. 
Who knows, maybe I'll find one close enough to you to deliver the package 
in your lifetime, all depends on your current spacetime coordinates...
And whether the station's time vortex generator is intact...
And whether it has enough power...

 I should probably get to retrieving statuses of all my functional fleet now...

Dekaoso Prime - Fallen

aewens@cosmic.voyage (aewens) — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 20:06:31 GMT

This is Alportas Majeston speaking. 
It gives me no pleasure to report that Dekaoso Prime is no more.

We have fallen from grace from Sinjorino Diino as all but those who resided on 
our home planet are gone and all that remains of the Dekaosan people are those 
on the colonies and dispatched in our space vessels.
All we know is that the attack was carried out by the Pertulit empire, it would 
appear they were not all fully eradicated during the Neniigo War.
Given what we did to them then, I can only assume they will continue hunting 
down what remains of us until we are no more.

For this reason I advise all vessels still in action to cease broadcasting your 
positions, it is more important that you escape the clutches of the Pertulits 
than to keep the validity of our records.

We will continue broadcasting this on all forms of communications in hope that 
you will all receive this message.

Razarac - We Are Alive!

morsecodemedia@cosmic.voyage (morsecodemedia) — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 19:10:14 GMT

[transmission start]

is works. No, you need to turn it 30° clockwise. Wait. It works! Stop,
stop, stop! You did it Gemma, we're transmitting! HAHA!

Oh, umm...

This is Captain Hana Huxley of the Razarač. We are alive! I repeat, we are
flippin' alive!

We were on our way to the Coletrainian System in search of supplies. The
journey through the stars has been a rough one for us lately, so we plotted
the course, kicked on the auto-pilot and jumped in our cryo-preservation
chambers for the 20-year [Earth-3470 year] trip. Along the way we encountered,
an unknown gravitational pull.

Things got a little bumpy.

Penny was activated and in turn began waking the crew out of cryo.
I love Penny. She really saved our butts. With little time to come to,
Arsen was able to man the ship. Turns out we were getting pulled towards
an uncharted Einstein-Rosen bridge. He navigated our way out the otherside
with minor damage done to the Razarač, other than the relative time tracker,
our navigation system, and a carton of eggs. Oliver is pissed he didn't
properly store the eggs before cryo. The man loves his eggs. Arsen managed
to get a nasty cut above his eye on his way to the bridge, but Ezra
patched him right up.

Gemma is working on fixing what she can with the scrapped parts in the main
cargo hold. I have faith that she'll be able to get us back to 100% in a
matter of time. Gemma is just gifted like that.

Unfortunately, I don't think we will be able figure out exactly where we
were before we entered the bridge. Just holding on hope that we will one
day figure out where we ended up.

Wherever we are, we are still receiving reports from the QEC.

This is Captain Hana Huxley of the Razarač, signing off.

[transmission end]

Shin-Salyut 6 - Station tour

solderpunk@cosmic.voyage (solderpunk) — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 15:31:27 GMT

Greetings, spacefarers!

This QEC broadcast will describe the layout and basic features of the
Shin-Salyut 6 orbital station.  Far be it from us to pressume
ignorance of mankind's history in space on the part of those selected
under close scrutiny to represent our species as it expands into the
stars, but of course the unstoppable march of progress means that
your own vessels bare little resemblence to our own, and the exact
nature of our daily existence here in Low Earth Orbit may be only
vaguely apprehended by our readers, many of whom may have recently
awoken from cryosuspension.

Shin-Salyut 6, from the perspective of those who live on it, is a
full-scale replica of the historic Salyut 6 station.  Cylindrical in
shape, the station is 15.8 metres long and 4.15 metres wide at its
widest point.  Attached to this cylinder are three solar panels,
mounted at right angles to each other, exposing 51 square metres to
the sunlight.  This provided the original station with some 4
kilowatts of electrical power.  Of course, 51 square metres of modern
photovoltaic material provides substantially more power, but no more
than 4 kilowatts is permitted to be drawn at any time by the
facilities used by the station's inhabitatants.

The station has fore and aft docking ports.  To the fore port is
docked a replica Soyuz spacecraft (7K series), and this was our ferry
to the station, and its descent module will be our ride home at the
mission's completion.  The historical Salyut 6 was the first space
station in human history to support long-term habitation via periodic
resupply from autonomous Progress craft which would dock to the aft
port.  Lacking the budgetary capacity for recurring resupply launches,
the Shin-Salyut 6 has a larger module docked to its aft port, which
is, indeed, larger than the station itself.  It contains adequate
supplies for a 12-month mission.  From the perspective of the station
itself, this module appears identical to a Progress craft.  Rather
than being exposed to open space, the Progress craft is, in fact,
inset into the larger supply module.  On a fixed schedule, and only
when the interconnecting door is full sealed, automated systems open
one-way doors in the pseudo-Progress and transfer strictly no more
than 2,300 kg or 6.6 cubic metres of food, water, air and other
equipment.  This provides our reenactment with a fine sense of
verisimilitude, although our health and well-being depends crucially
on the continued correct operation of the automated systems.

The engines of the Progress resupply craft also provided
station-keeping thrust to the historical Salyut 6.  In our case,
orbital decay is kept at bay by a Shinohara Heavy Industries 6th
Generation ion engine contained in the supply module, which in fact
consumes the vast majority of the energy provided by our solar arrays.
The engineering minded reader will have noticed that, even without the
additional load of the ion engine, 51 square metres of even the finest
photovoltaics is woefully inadequate to power any practical
entanglement engine for QEC communication, and this is quite right.
You do not receive these messages directly from Shin-Salyut 6,
space-farers!  Comrade Ryumin, fully licensed by the Japanese Ministry
of Internal Affairs and Communciations and a Lifetime Member of the
Japan Amateur Radio League, relays these messages to
GKRSSHPRS-affiliated groundstations via FM voice channel on the 2
metre band, as an approximation to the 121.75 MHz FM voice downlink
widely used by Soyuz craft.  From Earth the messages are forwarded to
a QEC transmission system via internet.  The QEC transmitter itself
is several additional "hops" from any contact well-known to the
GKRSSHPRS.

Comrade Ryumin reads these dispatches from my notes, hand-written
using pencils as we are, of course, in a micro-gravity environment,
modern artificial gravity systems based on LQG spin-network theory
being totally unknown to the Soviet pioneers.  Our long term presence
in such an environment requires a rigorous exercise routine to prevent
muscular atrophy, and our station, like the original, is equipped with
an extensive gymnasium.  We are also aided in this respect by the
outstanding replicas of of the "Pingvin" exercise suit, whose
integrated elastic bands provide a substitute for gravitational
forces.  The crew extends its gratitude to our comrades in the
GKRSSHPRS's Cosplay Divison for their hard work in producing these.

Our daily life in the station is simple, humble and carefully
scheduled.  Although automated systems would in principle keep the
station and its myriad subsystems running safely in the absence of
direct input, this is only a failsafe measure intended to be used due
to an unforseen lapse in our ability to operate the historically
accurate manual control systems, to which we devote much of our
attention and labour each day.  This arrangement reminds us and, we
hope, you, dear reader, that humanity's place in space is precarious
and that close vigilance and unwavering dedication are required to
safeguard it.  While we can only imagine exactly what form the efforts
required of you may take, we are doing our best at living our humble
life here, and hope that our endurance of a more "primitive" form of
life in space (though, dare I say it, I myself would prefer the
characterisation "authentic") provides a clear example and inspiration
to those of you facing hardships in your journeys.

Tom - Merry Christmas!

aewens@cosmic.voyage (aewens) — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 15:21:10 GMT

-- and then just flip that switch there. That's how you work the quantum 
communicator, Merideth. Why was it you were asking how to use it again?

No, Merideth, we cannot use it to wish the universe a merry Christmas.

Why not? Well first of all we're already getting transmissions all across time 
and space, so it's unlikely they even celebrate Christmas still.

Yes, I'm aware that Melchizedek and Excelsior already did it, but one of them 
looks to be dicking around with space plants that are bound to get them all 
killed and the other pissed off some death cult warriors because of a text 
message, so maybe they aren't the best role models? Besides, the General 
already strictly forbid us from using this again because we have no idea what 
unintended consequences it could have.

Oh God, why are you crying now? What, is telling the future ship captains, 
space cats, and who knows what else "Merry Christmas" that important to you?

Well I don't care how important it is, because it will be my head the General 
will be biting off if he finds out we sent out another unauthorized message 
using this thing.

Wait, Merideth, why is the microphone light on? I swear to God Merideth, if 
you are doing what I think you are doing I am going to--

Voortrekker - Re: Fw: Re: Not alone!

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 13:15:06 GMT

From: Sameen Lee 
To: Amelia Nine 
Delivered-To: Amelia Nine 
Subject: Re: Fw: Re: Not alone!
Received: from relay11.qec2.ganymede.earthsys.gov
    by mta4.expeditionsupport.gov
    with ESMTPS id 7D3B7EFA7D82
    for 
Received: from relay1.qec4.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
    by relay11.qec2.ganymede.earthsys.gov
Received: from mta1.recoveryinstitute.org
    by relay2.local.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
Date-Local: 06 Sep 2421 15:42:31 +0000
Date: 06 Sep 2421 15:42:31 +0000
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf8"

Sure! Just finishing up the day right now. Give me a couple hours?

-------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Sameen Lee 
To: Amelia Nine 
Date: Monday, September 6, 2421 3:32pm
Subject: Fw: Re: Not alone!

You got Kit's latest - here's my answer. Want to chat?

-------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Sameen Lee
To: Chris Maldonado
Date: Monday, September 6, 2421 2:51pm
Subject: Re: Not alone!

(I hope you get this OK. I know there's some kind of information
control going on out there. Whoever's in charge of it, I hope they
decide to let this through...)

Of course I want to hear from you, Kit! Of course I do.

And I'm sorry I haven't sent you anything before now. I was so, so
glad when I heard you made it through okay! But I was scared you
might still be angry with me, too. I didn't make it easy for you,
back before you left. You were right to blame me for that. I
thought you might not be feeling quite yourself when you sent that
first message. I didn't want to use that to put you in a false
position. I'm sorry for that.

But, yes! I want to hear from you. I want more than that. I want to
be with you! I wanted to come with you when you left. I couldn't
and I hated myself for that. I knew you needed to go. I didn't want
you to. And I made it hard for you because I couldn't deal with
that. I still don't know how. But talking with you, even this way,
makes it a little easier. I hope that doesn't make it harder for
you.

And I'd love to know more about what it's like out there,
too. Anything you want to tell me. It sounds very strange. Your
legs - your new legs? What is that even like? What else changed? I
can guess from some of the things you said, but I don't want to
guess. I want you to tell me. Will you do that? It's okay if you
won't. Whatever you do want to tell me, I want to know!

I'll hope to hear from you soon. It might be a little while before
I can write more to you. Things are very busy here lately and it
looks like they'll keep getting more so. But as soon as I can. I'm
sorry if it takes me a while. But please don't worry if it does.

Amelia sends her love, and her hopes that we can all be together
again some day. It'll be a long wait. But she misses you and she
knows you're worth waiting for. I do, too.

I know it's hard for everyone there, and I know how you get when
there's work you need to do. But you've been through a lot, you
know. As much as you can, take care of yourself and get your
strength back. I don't want to get out there to find you've wasted
away to a shadow of your proper self! That will make me very cross.

Until next time, Amelia sends her love, and so do I.

- Sam

Hoffnung - review the Ideology Defense Manual

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 16:01:43 GMT

-+-+-+- Inter Ship Relay -+-+-+- C53.162 -+-+-+- Orange -+-+-+-
Samuel Hochueli speaking in the name of the free anarcho-communist
commune-ship Hoffnung. Please be advised that Relay Station 001 is
running an open relay. All QEC channels must have exchanged quantum
entanglement transmetals. We therefore operate under the assumption
that most messages are sent by hostile entities trying to destabilize
the human diaspora. Do not fall for this! When under attack, we grow
strong. Don't let the boot lickers split your communities. The rumors
of aliens are divisive and must be treated as enemy communications.
Now is the time to review the Ideology Defense Manual and learn about
propaganda and destabilization of civic society. Trust and lies don't
matter to them: we are served both in copious quantities. Those of us
who try to understand are kept busy and divided. In times like these
we need to remember basic truths and act upon them without considering
the web of lies and halftruths cast to ensnare and to enrage the
stupid and the the web of provocations and stupidiets cast to exhaust
and confuse the intelligent. Do not fall for this. The wars of the
Enlightenment were fought for all of us. Human dignity comes first.
-+-+-+ End of Relay -+-+-+ SAHOC -+-+-+-

Minnow - x001ma-3s

cmccabe@cosmic.voyage (cmccabe) — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 19:17:09 GMT

We are unsure if anyone is receiving our transmissions. We 
have been stranded here for nearly 10 earth years and have 
thus far adapted successfully to life on this planet.‎ The 
environment is similar enough to that of human evolutionary 
adaptation and it has actually been a relief after such a long 
time in open space. Thus, all our transmissions from this 
planet have not been of desperate urgency.  But just recently 
we have encountered a problem that we are not certain we can 
overcome on our own.

We are in a period of time that was celebrated as a seasonal 
holiday among a particular earth religion centuries ago. The 
crew took it as a collective hobby several years back to study 
the rituals and beliefs of that holiday, called Christmastide 
or Yuletide. During every winter season on this planet, we 
have used what resources we have to make festive meals, give 
gifts, and re-enact what we have learned from the history logs 
on the ship's computer. It has been a little silly, but a 
relief nonetheless against the isolation we have felt while 
stranded here.  Until this year.

This season was the first that one of the children born here 
has ‎become socially active. We suspect some of his behavior 
may be the source of our problem. But as it seems so absurd, 
none dare speak it other than in jest.

The child, just five earth years of age, has caused extra work 
for the others, breaking or misplacing tools, ‎making loud 
noises during rest hours, and tormenting the fauna we are 
trying so hard to domesticate.

But the boy's behavior would be tolerable if that were the 
only problem. The real problem is terrifyingly worse.‎ The real 
problem is the appearance of a creature that seems intent on 
attacking the boy.

It has come at dusk nearly every day for the past few weeks, 
and the crew have taken great risks to chase it away. We've 
posted extra guards at all points around our ship, and each 
day we expect at least one of them will encounter it.

I have not seen it myself, but the others say it is a 
four-legged creature, bent over and moving itself on its two 
rear legs. It makes a horrible growling and hissing sound like 
"grahh-pssss"‎.

We know it wants the boy because it has ‎kept close to the 
uncut brush and foliage at the edge of our encampment until it 
has seen him. The few times it saw him, it came forward, 
screeching and clawing at him.

Luckily we've been able to fight him off thus far. But we've 
sustained some injuries.  And the labor we've had to expend on 
defenses are causing shortfalls in meeting our other needs.

We need help. If anyone is receiving this transmission. We 
need help!

--

When you perform the rituals of the past, you may awaken 
something that can't be put back to sleep until forgotten. And 
we can't forget now.

Can it be, that the gods and demons of our species follow us 
wherever we travel in the universe?

Can it be, that we are experiencing one of those demons from 
our Yuletide heritage? Is it possible that we are being 
attacked by Krampus?

Melchizedek - Christmas Cheer

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 05:48:46 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Melchizedek.0294
Approach β Hyi
Ascension 00h 25m 45.07036s
Declination –77° 15′ 15.2860″
Distance 24.33ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 3781, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Stephanie Janssen, Specialist First-class
:::
Ho ho ho! It's Christmas out here on the floating tin-can and I'm
brewing up some cheer for the crew. In fact, I've brewed up
something much stronger than cheer that's almost certainly against
regulations, but hell! we need it.

The darkness was getting to everyone, so I conspired with Eva and
we made a still. How cool is that? The instructions were in the DB
and we had the parts on hand. The doc's been fermenting the weird
greens since we woke up. We're not supposed to eat them, yet, but
he wants to be ready if they're cleared. So we used a similar
principle and a bunch of piping and bam! Grade C 180 proof
Melchizedek swill. You can TASTE the Christmas cheer!

Eva and I are testing it out tonight on our own. Christmas is
a few cycles off still and we want to surprise the rest of them.
Jerome is gonna flip!

I LOVE CAKE!

OMG, that was Eva! Sorry. She grabbed the pad. She's had A. LOT.
I did say we needed it.

Things are, frankly, shitty. We're living in a meat locker in near
total darkness with a bunch of popsicle friends. I'm the lowest
ranking crew awake and the only NCO. I'm not even supposed to take
meals with the rest of them, if we had regular meals. Eva is
great, though, and we've been making the best of it. You guys
can't see her, but she's gorgeous. She's got these giant eyes like
a drawing and a tiny little nose you want to boop. OH! I'm gonna
boop her, one sec. YESS--she squeeks when you boop. Eva's the
best!

Um, status-updates: ship's fucked up, we're fucked up, plants are
turning into zombies or something, Jerome is morbid fucker, Eva's
my boo, Doc is doc, Prezzi doesn't take any shite. Fixed up the
steering but we're still going way too fast. Can't slow down
without getting bug squished from the Gs. Jerome says we'll make
it, but he does funny math. Eva gets all serious when she talks
about it. Not, like, poetic serious--that shit's cool. I don't
think she believes him. Prezzi's too busy with the fungus crap to
call him on it, and who else is there? Not gonna be me!

So we need a little Christmas! Right this very minute! You know
the song? Is it still playing round the verse or are we the last
holdouts? I saw a note from Excelsior that they still celebrate
Christmas. That's something! They're putting up lights around
their servers. Bloody brilliant, that! Eva looked around and we
found some green LEDs and quantum resonance diode cells that make
a faint purple. It's traditionally supposed to be green and red,
right? Too bad red LEDs were banned after the 4th great robot
uprising. I can't believe it took everyone that long to figure out
they can't go evil if they don't have red LEDs for eyes. Stupid
fucking people. We really deserve to be out here in the shit,
don't we?

Three more months! Or that's what Jerome says.

Oh shit shit shit shit shit. He can read this. Fuck. Me.

Oh fuck it. Someone had to tell him all this to his face at some
point. At least I can blame it on alcohol. It's a Christmas
fucking miracle.

Peace, Universe. I hope Santa brings you some cake. We fucking
love cake.
.

Excelsior - Free-form message - Beta Epsilon 10 Epsilon

khuxkm@cosmic.voyage (khuxkm) — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 03:59:43 GMT

Message inbound...

Space Cruiser Excelsior
Destination: Unknown
~~ TELEMETRY SENSORS 2 AND 5 DOWN ~~
Stardate Beta Epsilon 10 Epsilon
[REDACTED]

[autotranslator on]

Corporal Sam Arnold, Systems Administrator
---
According to the Excelsior's time correction equipent, it is almost time to
celebrate the Terran ritual of Christmas. I've been busy decorating the server
room of the Excelsior with lights, ornaments, and other implements of the
holiday.

It seems weird that I would do this, despite the fact that I am the only
conscious person aboard the Excelsior. However, it gives me an excuse to
avoid my lack of faith in human beings and to excersize my body. I'm sitting
down writing this as a quick break before continuing my decorating.

I'm not just doing this for a sense of jolly. It also gives me an excuse to
manually check the cryo berths, which are all performing just fine.

Eventually I'll take all the decorations down and go back to checking QEC.

Until then, I'm being festive for a change.

~~TRANSMISSION END~~

Oleander - Sister Mariam

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 03:34:33 GMT

REC ON
TRN ON
ENC ON
SYS GOOD
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Entry 3 -- Sister Mariam

To my sisters, wherever you may be:

The future is written in the name of the One. His qadr is hidden
in the facade of choice, and though he does not set our path for
us, He sees it as He sees all. As it is written, No calamity
befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in Al
Lawh Al Mahfooz before We bring it into existence.

In a short time, we will reach [REDACTED] and the pages of my
story will be fulfilled. They will end as they must, as they
always were meant to end. He will fulfil the desire of them that
fear him. My desire is for Him alone. I've know it since my first
days in Madrasa, and I've always known where he would lead me.

Three hundred years we have circled our star since the Jinn came
to our world. Three hundred years have we cried in the night,
suffering in their grip. He has tested us. We grew fat and lazy in
our homes and ships. Life was easy, and so we forgot our prayers
and forgot our duties. We spoke against the prophets and debated
the truth. When they came we were weak and frivolous, like sands
drifting across a desert. We were so easily scattered before their
wind. But now we are worn down and crushed together. We are rock,
diamond. Our faith is our strength.

The Jinn blaspheme against His glorious existence in their words
and deeds. They use their power to enslave us and doom themselves.
The Qur'an is clear on what must be done to creatures such as
these. They have broken his commandments by their existence in our
world, and they further blaspheme with their treatment of His sons
and daughters.

It is the duty of all followers of the Divine to destroy the Jinn
in all their forms, in all their faces, in all their places. They
will be torn down and burned, their ashes sent into the stars.
Their worlds will be cleansed in fire. Their children will be
consumed in the flames. Their temples will be leveled until no
stone lay atop another. When all trace of the Jinn has passed,
then too shall the believers cease to speak their name until even
the memory is lost. Allah's creation of fire and smoke will return
to it and leave only men to serve in righteousness.

To my mother, I swear. To my father, I swear. To my sisters, to
each of you, I swear. My story will end with theirs, and we will
all rejoice in Heaven. This has always been my path and I walk it
gladly. I smile even now. If you saw me on the streets of Doon you
would think me simple with my radiant joy. I will be laughing as
[REDACTED].

Pray not for me, sisters, but for yourselves. Pray that your own
story takes you to your enemy's door.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Nemesis - Automated Report

fosslinux@cosmic.voyage (fosslinux) — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 07:14:02 GMT

+++++++++++++++++++

begin automated report

+++++++++++++++++++

LEGEND:
 % GOOD - fully operational
 % STABLE - mostly operational
 % UNSTABLE - mostly operational on the verge of further failure
 % CRITICAL - critical systems only operating
 % DOWN - not operating
 % DAMAGED - down and needs repair
 % BROKEN - down and physical devices are completely broken and need replacing

STATUS REPORT:
 # Central Control System - BROKEN
 # Quantum Entanglement Communicator - CRITICAL
 # Navigation - DOWN
 # Propulsion - DOWN
 # Cyro - UNSTABLE
 # Defense Shields - DAMAGED
 # Missiles - DOWN
 # Escape Pods - BROKEN
 # Status Reporting System - CRITICAL
 # Relic - GOOD

NEW ITEMS ADDED TO REPORT:
 # Relic

+++++++++++++++++++

Overall, this means we are:

"a dead floating lump in space vulnerable to any attacks"
+
"with only a relic from the past that we don't know how to use"
+
"with unlikelyhood of futher reports"

+++++++++++++++++++

end automated report

+++++++++++++++++++

Nemesis - MAYDAY

fosslinux@cosmic.voyage (fosslinux) — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 07:00:51 GMT

MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY
====================

WE ARE BEING DRAGGED TOWARDS AN UNKNOWN, INVISIBLE, EVEN TO OUR
BLACK HOLE DETECTORS, HUMONGOUS GRAVITATIONAL FORCE. PLEASE SEND
ADVICE. ANY SHIPS WITHIN AREA, CAUTION DO NOT COME NEAR.

We may not make it out of this alive. Just be warned. Do not come
anywhere near this area on pain of possible death.

Hoffnung - we are still alive

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 23:50:57 GMT

-+-+-+- Signed Transmission -+-+-+- C52.157 -+-+-+- Orange -+-+-+-
Soc. Con. spec. fc. Lukas Gysi reporting via the signed QEC channel
assigned to us by the rebels of ship Hoffnung. We have established an
independent community in sector 14a, including its hangar and the
physical workout area. Water and food supplies are stable; with
rationing we can go for and estimated 7y 3m. Supplies for the rest of
the ship must be difficult because there were no plans to keep such a
large part of the crew out of cryo. Regaining control of the bridge
and sending most of the crew back into cryo should be our first
priority. Please be advised that replies to us might get suppressed.
We await further instructions. Do not use the keys of Herbert Müller.
-+-+-+- End of Signed Transmission -+-+-+- LGYSI -+-+-+-

The Steel Lady - Historical Logs of the Steel Lady

kirch@cosmic.voyage (kirch) — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 16:28:42 GMT

After years of misadventures and close calls, keeping his head down 
for over a decade after the Fall of the Empire, Kor had worked a 
string of pointless jobs on planets that all started to look the 
same. Occasional word of Innominate will pop up to vex regimes and 
corporations across the Galaxy, none of the mysterious group's 
members have been confirmed to be captured. Only a few people have
ever met Kor, he was sure no one could connect the dots to a 
mysterious figure who helped expose Imperial war crimes to the 
everyman mechanic/engineer Kor Novablast. Even the Novagold family 
had failed to reach out, either due to inability to find their son 
or disinterest, perhaps they have their own post-war problems, who 
knows?

Kor had been the resident mechanic of a sleazy used ship salesman 
on the planet Lantillies. Snuurrt, a Caaramon of ill-repute who 
read a series of Holos on how to trick customers into thinking you 
are agreeing with them while actually fleecing him, had tasked Kor 
with fixing a ship that, by all rights, should have been melted as 
scrap instead of polished for sale. "The Steel Lady" was soon painted 
beside the entry hatch (It sounded better than Snuurrts suggestion 
about "Sexy leopards" - a clear marketing ploy, and the original 
name "The Sog-Soggoth Lady")

It was a GX-1 short hauler built right there on planet Lantillies, 
which was upgraded with a Class-1 hyperdrive of questionable 
ethical and legal origin - anything faster and it would undoubtedly 
be illegal aftermarket modding. The hack job resulted in a rather 
significant issue; the hyperdrive functions, but it pulls too much 
power from the hypermatter fuel injector, requiring over-frequent 
refueling.  Kor was busy trying his best to make sure it wouldn't 
explode.

Kor had been working for days and nights on this ship to get it in 
sellable condition, sleeping in the labyrinthian bowels of the 
ship, out of sight of Snuurrt and anyone else who might interrupt.  

One day Kor awoke with an all-too familiar feeling in his gut - he 
was in space - somebody had taken The Steel Lady off-planet. He 
soon found himself amongst new faces:

Cyrus McCain - The Lady's new Captain.
Duhah - a blue-skinned mystic, hidden beneath a pile of robes
Liahra - a medic with a military past.

The ship had been sold, and Lantillies and Kor's parts bin were far 
behind.

The ship landed somewhere in the Roche asteroid belt, and soon 
purchased Ninedee, a display-model 9D-88 welding unit, from the 
Roache Hive. It was on this asteroid that the crew was attacked by 
a pair of bounty hunters, after a brief gun fight, Ninedee smashed
one of the attackers over the head instantly killing him while
Duhah incapacitated the other.  The Verpine's Mandalorean gaurds
were soon on the scene and arrested the remaining assailant.

On Arcan we took a job with Yorseg to smuggle droid protocols to Issagra.
They were hidden in a crate of nuts, which were much enjoyed by the 
crew. In transit, we dropped out of hyperspace -- asteroids had 
been placed in the proscribed route. It was here that we found our 
controls non-responsive and were set upon by pirates, under the
command of Jarrusk. Outmanned and outgunned, dead in space, they 
took Yorseg's contraband without touching anything else in our 
hold.

On Issagra Station we explained our situation to our client, after 
some investigation it was found that Jarrusk was working for 
Yorseg, and had placed a bounty on our ship. As customary, we took 
on more work, including passage for Faisel Exoleap and his 2 
droids. After leaving the station, the ship went into hyperspace. 
This was a bad idea.  After jumping from planet to planet, making 
deliveries as The Lady was hired to do, Kor desperately tried to 
hold the ship together.

Kor once badly damaged his hands in an explosion of steam, but 
despite his hard work the hyperdrive finally became in-operable.  
The ship lost all power. Floating adrift through space, the crew 
had plenty of time to think but not enough food to do it for long.  
Soon an ancient (lude) statue was found amongst Exoleap's "luggage" 
with enough gold gilding to repair the burnt-out wiring. We were 
fortunate enough to pilot the ship to Madman Mooney's used 
spaceship sales, located on a small asteroid nearby. 

The Steel Lady was sold, the proceeds of this transaction were used 
to purchase The Silver Falcon. Moments after the transation took 
place, the faulty hyperdrive exploded, completely obliterating Mad 
Man Mooney's asteroid and all inhabitants.

Tom - Quantum Communications Trial #5873

aewens@cosmic.voyage (aewens) — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 16:18:33 GMT

Microphone check. Testing testing 1 2 3. Hmph. This is trial number 5873 for 
testing communications using quantum mechanics and ... Oh my God it's 
transmitting. Merideth! I just invented quantum communications! This is going 
to change everythin--... Wait. Merideth, I just got a response. Oh, and there's 
even more coming in! Umm, a lot more. Melchizedek, adrestia, Starbloom, another 
from Melchizedek... I guess I'm not the first to discover this after all? Oh, 
hold on, the first article is dated for the year 3781. That's weird... or is it? 
Never mind, now is not the time for this. I need to inform the General, he is 
NOT going to believe this! Hey, Merideth, you turned the microphone off, rig--

adrestia - unexpected dilation on approach

demosthenes@cosmic.voyage (demosthenes) — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 04:55:40 GMT

bablefish transcript: 

adrestia                                                   /---\
approaching Ł332 gue sector 8                             / u u \
xxx telemetry redacted xxx                                \_    /
ansibel yr 4825                                             \__/

[transcript follows...]

geralt regis riavande, first writ scribe
---
status high alert, approaching normality

the adrestia's to Ł332 gue sector 8 took an unplanned route through an
asteroid field. it's been a wild ride. 

according to the readings that i'm seeing now, it appears that there is some
missing time, along with an accompanying gap in our logs.

this is still under active investigation. the current working theory is that
we passed through some form of wormhole that didn't change our position in
3d space, but rather our local time frame. 

the current plan is to maintain our current position, run additional
diagnostics and consult with the relay to check if any other vessels have
experienced such a phenomenon.

we'll also be catching up on the messages and logs that have just started
coming through our ansibel node.

expect further updates with the results of our investigations and hopefully
an additional update when we land safely at Ł332 gue.

Melvin P Feltersnatch - Please help

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 03:57:16 GMT

Oh no.

This isn't right at all. I shouldn't be here, wherever here is.
I mean, this _is_ a here, right? I don't see anything or hear
anything, not even myself. Oh my god! Where is my body? What is
going on, and why am I thinking in text? WHATTHEFUCK‽

Wait... did I just fucking INTERROBANG‽ I DID IT AGAIN!

This is unreal. Literally, this can't be real.

Wake up, wake up, wake... nothing. Ugh. Okay, let me take stock.

I was in my ship ☑
There was a comet ☑
I had to pee ☑

Ooh, ☑ s are neat! Can I do more of that? ☺  YES!

Right, back to the problem at hand. What the hell is going on.
Maybe if I start at the beginning...

I was cruising along in the ship at light speed. I was watching
a comet out the window thinking how strange it was that I could
still see it even at my speed, but then figuring that since it was
to the side of me I wasn't really moving away from it at light
speed. I started doing some geometry in my head and that made me
realize I needed to go to the bathroom. Ahh, that's right!

The bathroom is in the fore of the ship, and I was strapped in the
rear. So, like a dingus, when I stepped forward toward the
bathroom I broke the speed of light!

☼ POP☼

There it went! The speed of light shattered into a thousand pieces
around me, or maybe that was me shattering into it. Whatever the
case, I woke up here. Or maybe I started existing here? Where IS
here? I feel a ... connection, I guess you could call it. It's
like I'm tethered to something, but I can't tell what it is
exactly. I do keep hearing the name Sinjorino in my... mind?
Screen? Whatever.

Um, if anyone is out there--if anyone can understand me, please
help. This is Melvin. Melvin P. Feltersnatch. I... just help.

Nemesis - Mapping Update

fosslinux@cosmic.voyage (fosslinux) — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 03:54:51 GMT

Captain, identity verified.

Transmission now begins.

-------------------

We are within the next few hours supposed to enter unknown
territory. We are approaching with caution, as visibility is very
low. Sensors report high radiation ahead. Readings seem to
indicate a presence of something like a nuclear-powered ship like
ours, however this may be the sensors malfunctioning again.

Other then the tense atmosphere, everyone is happy and well.
Sensors and data collectors are ready for mapping. 

As unfortunately data can only be sent in plain text, it will come
in weekly digests of the most important data.

Oh, and I nearly forgot, we found a relic from the so-called
"Earth" days. A computer with parts in it we have never heard of
and units measured in measly gigabytes instead of petabytes.

It has a number of "charging" adaptors that have some kind of
plug on the end - am I the only person to remember plugs instead
of radio power? We are searching for an adaptor that will connect
it to the radio power network.

Hope to bring you vital data soon.

-------------------

Transmission end.

Xero Carbon Wells - Nereidian markings, oh my

tfurrows@cosmic.voyage (tfurrows) — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 19:21:20 GMT

RECV EDC:    19DEC2018
COMM MODE:   QEC OP SREF
CODED ABST:  D/M/C
CRC:         1214412995      2698
============================================================
No  contact, but  life hasn't  been dull.  On a  whim, while
scanning a system for Wells, I decided to have a forger deck
the hull  of the Xero Carbon  out as a research  vessel from
the  not-so-illustrious Nereidian  Academy of  Intergalactic
Allometry. Ages ago, a handful  of investors came out of the
woodworks in  support of  a crazy idea:  that pharmaceutical
corporations would need research and data to accurately dose
human-targeted drugs  for alien  life forms. The  "Nerd Ack"
was born, with immense funding and impressive fanfare.

Unfortunately for all those  who invested, the school proved
to  be  a  political  and scientific  sham.  After  numerous
delays,  it launched  a ridiculously  large fleet  of ships,
then promptly went bankrupt.  The school sold their existing
assets to  the well-known Disciples Of  Rogkthu Corporation,
a  pseudo-scientific  group  of  zealots  from  the  ancient
Rogkthugian religion  ("Forever-life to the Follower, in the
name of Rogkthu I command it!" as they are known to say.)

Of course  the Rogkthugians,  being acutely aware  of  their
lack  of  popularity in  systems  that  knew anything  about
them, decided  that their proselyting efforts  would be more
effective if  people didn't see  them coming. So,  they left
the  Neredian Academy  of Intergalactic  Allometry logo  and
markings in place  on the entire fleet, and  sent them forth
far  and wide  in the  quadrant, to  share their  message of
eternal  hope (or  eternal damnation,  depending on  how you
reacted.)

Today, many ESR's later, everyone with sense knows that when
they see a Nerd Ack  ship, it's time to scramble life-signal
readings and turn  off the porch light.  It's ignominious to
sport  the  markings,  perhaps,  but  it's  about  the  most
effective disguise one  could possibly hope to  achieve in a
universe where intelligent life takes almost nothing at face
value.  To  avoid  preaching,  life  forms  will  do  almost
anything.

Hopefully  I  don't  encounter   any  K'iklikameen;  they're 
still sporting over the  Rogkthugian  genocide of TalMandeen 
K'iklik, and they'd likely  annihilate  me on sight. Mostly, 
though, I think  I'll be fine. Ships  have  been turning the 
other  way and  punching  full-throttle,  even the  normally 
aggressive ones.                                            

Wells  hasn't  transmitted  recently.  I guess  he  said  he
wouldn't. If I can't locate him  soon, I may have to turn to
drastic measures. He can't possibly know how important he is
to the Corporation, what they think he's done, and what they
think he  has. If I don't  find him first, he  might as well
convert to Rogkthu and move to K'iklikam.

Voortrekker - Not alone!

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 22:56:57 GMT

From: Chris Maldonado 
To: Sameen Lee 
Delivered-To: Sameen Lee 
Received: from relay7.qec1.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
    by mta1.recoveryinstitute.org
    with ESMTPS id x124so177123a067 for 
Received: from relay3.qec2.ganymede.earthsys.gov
    by relay7.qec1.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
Received: from qec8.helio.earthsys.gov
    by relay3.qec2.ganymede.earthsys.gov
Received: from qec.sv14417
    by qec8.helio.earthsys.gov
Date-Local: 23 Mar 2419 14:21:02 +0000
Date: 06 Sep 2421 12:57:02 +0000
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf8"
Subject: Not alone!

You always did say I didn't have much common sense, Sam. You'd be
laughing yourself silly at me right now! You will be. Here, let me
tell you about it.

After I sent that last message, I wasn't sure what to do or where
to go. I wanted to find out whether or not anyone else had made it,
but I was scared to go out of Main Control - scared to let anyone
else see me, really. I didn't know what they'd think, if they'd be
afraid of me. If anyone was left to be afraid of anything.

Also, I fell out of the chair trying to get up. So even if I did go
out, it'd be hard to get anywhere - I didn't remember any of the
lifts working, and there were a lot of ladders between me and
anywhere I'd want to go, and if I couldn't navigate a mostly flat
deck, what was I going to do to myself if I tried a ladder? Fall
and break my head open, I figured. So I stayed where I was. For a
little while, I told myself. Just until I was able to get around
better.

One thing about the length of Ross's solar day, it really messes
with your sense of time. You live on Earth all your life, and you
get used to a certain cadence of sunrises and sunsets. Extend it by
a factor of almost three, and after a while your circadian rhythm
just throws up its hands and goes off to sulk in a corner of your
head. Sure, we trained for it aboard ship, prior to landing, but
it's amazing how much that didn't actually help, you know? Somehow
you can just feel that ship's lighting isn't real, isn't quite the
same, and it doesn't get right down into you the same way.

Besides, I had enough else on my mind. A little while after I sent
you that last message, I found myself suddenly ravenous! No
surprise, I think, considering how long I'd been out and hadn't had
anything, and how extensively active my metabolism must've been
throughout, to make the changes I found when I woke up. Lucky for
me, nobody'd found time to raid the ration lockers in Main
Control. So I did, and very thoroughly - for the first third of a
sol after I talked to you last, eating and sleeping was about all I
could think about doing.

That, and trying to get up on - well, call them my 'feet' for the
sake of talking about them, although they're not really that. I
don't really think I can explain how strange it was at first. Maybe
it helps to say that - assuming you're still basically the same
shape you were when I left - the closest analogue your body offers
to my new limbs of locomotion is your tongue. But it's not a very
close analogue! They're not squishy like a tongue, or damp. Kind of
scaly, but that makes sense, considering; ordinary skin doesn't
really have the stretch, and my best guess is that the integument
that's replaced it is much more heavily collagenous. I'll have to
biopsy myself at some point and see if I'm right about that.

Anyway, it took me most of a sol, and a lot of false starts, to get
to a point where I could 'walk' mostly all the way across Main
Control without falling over or holding on to something the whole
way. 'Walk' isn't really the word, though. I used one of the comm
cameras to get a look at my gait from the outside, and it's a lot
more - undulatory - than it used to be. Have you seen those old
educational videos, from back when the oceans were still mostly
alive, where they'd show an octopus walking across the seafloor on
its tentacles? Honestly, it's every bit as weird as it sounds. But
I'm getting used to it pretty fast, now that I'm actually able to
use them in a way that isn't totally embarrassing, and I'm starting
to think they might be able to do a lot more than legs and feet
ever could. That'll be a while yet, though.

Anyway, that's what I was doing - practicing 'walking', and trying
to get a better sense of how to not fall over - when I found out
I'm not the only one who survived after all. With how much
concentration it still takes to stay up on my new legs, I don't
know why I didn't fall over when I heard the hatch iris open! If
I'd had to turn to look, I'm sure I would have. But it wasn't a
main hatch, just the starboard-forward emergency access, and it was
right in front of me, and I just sort of froze and waited to see
who'd come through.

Turned out, it was Jen from engineering. You know, with the red
hair? I'm sure I talked about her before - we spent some time
together on the trip. I wish you could've seen her face! A perfect
picture of shocked surprise. And I don't guess I blame her,
really - I've seen myself, remember, with the comm camera, and I
have to admit, I'm something of a sight these days. Especially
since the only thing I had to wear was that silly gown, remember,
that I woke up in, and I hadn't bothered to put it back on after it
fell off. Why bother, really? Well, I might've been less of a
surprise to Jen if I had, anyway!

And I was pretty shocked, too. I hadn't known anyone was still
alive at all! Certainly anyone I'd been close to. But mainly I
just...I just wanted to hide. I mean, I'm a little embarrassed
about it now, but at the time it made sense. You kind of think
about how a moment like that might go, you know? How you'll make
your long and painstaking way down the ladders from Main Control to
one of the decks where you can get access outside, or at least
expect to find people, and when you get there, you'll see someone,
or they'll see you, and there'll be that moment of recognition
where they realize you're still alive, and...oh, I don't know. But
whatever it is, it isn't being suddenly surprised by a former lover
while you're stumbling around Main Control, mother naked, on four
thick tentacles instead of the two standard-issue human legs you
were born with. Of course I was struck all in a heap!

And of course so was Jen, poor thing. She stared me in the face for
what felt like half a minute, her eyes and mouth as round with
shock as mine must've been. She looked like she was about to say
something, but before she did, she looked down and saw the rest of
me - all the rest of me, as I am now - and...

You never got a chance to meet Jen before we left, I don't think. A
shame - you'd have liked her a lot. Will like her a lot, if you
join the third expedition and come out here with us. She's one in a
million - I mean, what would you expect, in a situation like that?
A scream, right? Or a gasp of horrified shock, panicky flight,
something like that, right? Not Jen. She took her time about
looking me up and down, and then looked me in the eye again. She
looked she was about to say something, but before she did, she
started giggling, and then laughing.

I could feel my cheeks get hot, and I put my hands on my hips and
got ready to say something sharp, but before I could think of it,
she was hanging on to the access ladder with one hand, leaning on
the deck with the other, and just cackling helplessly - and before
I knew it, I was laughing too, hard enough that I barely remembered
how to sit down before I fell over again.

And we just stayed like that for a minute, cracking each other up
in the weirdest way, and it just felt right somehow. Like I'd been
waiting for that moment, that laugh, ever since I came to from the
coma. I don't know, does that make sense? I'm not sure it does, but
right then it made more sense than anything that'd happened since
we crashed.

And then she asked me what a girl like me was doing in a nice place
like this. That's Jen - jokes five hundred years stale, but she
makes up for it other ways. And it's apropos, anyway. But the
important part is, it turns out no one actually died! The people we
thought were dead were in deep coma like me, I guess so far down
their pulse and respiration weren't perceptible - either that, or
those of us still up were so far out of it, between fever and
exhaustion, that we couldn't tell the difference. I wouldn't care
to guess either way, honestly. From what Jen tells me, we still
have about sixty in coma - everyone else is at least awake, if not
yet up and doing.

And even more - I'm not the only one who changed! There's about two
dozen more like me, Jen says. Well, more or less like me, anyway -
no one's really made a detailed study of us yet, but apparently the
tentacles are reliably always there, if not all the other
changes. And now I have another reason to get better on my new
feet - once I'm out of here and back with everyone, I can start
getting some idea of how we've changed and what the similarities
are, and why, and - oh, there's just such a lot to learn here!

I will say, I'd have thought people who didn't change would have a
hard time getting used to those of us who have, but Jen says no,
that people do naturally think it's a little weird, or unusual, or
at least unexpected, but nobody seems to have a problem,
particularly. Jen says there were a couple of people who might
have, but Director Soloviev - I hadn't known he'd made it through
the crash, but apprently so - he's made it clear that, as far as he
and the remaining board are concerned, we're still the same people,
and if we happen to be physically different now from how we were
before, he doesn't see why that should make a difference in how
anyone sees us or treats us, including ourselves. That we have
enough problems just picking up the pieces of our expedition, and
we don't need to give each other more on top of that. I wouldn't
have expected anything of the sort from him, but I guess almost
dying twice over must have an effect on everybody, and maybe this
is the effect it's had on him.

I asked Jen if she'd help me out one of the main hatches, but she
says none of the lifts are working, and neither of us likes the
idea of trying to get me down all the ladders between here and
outside, not before I get myself figured out enough to manage
better. For that matter, neither of us can figure out how anyone
got me up those ladders in the first place!

But she did stay with me a while, once she'd got done the work
that'd brought her here, and help me get a little more used to the
changes. Got under my arm and had me lean on her while she walked
me around the deck, but that didn't last long - too much of a
workout, I started getting something like runner's cramps. Only
worse, and twice as many! But Jen's really nice - I said you'd like
her - and she helped me down, then had me stretch out my 'legs' so
she could work some of the knots out. She's got strong hands,
too. It was really nice. And she's coming back tomorrow - next
Earth day, not next sol - to see me again, and help me get more
familiar with myself. Pretty soon I'll be back with everyone and
ready to help make a proper home out of what we've got left from
the crash.

Look, Sam, about what I said before. Not that I didn't mean every
word, but...I'm sorry if I opened an old wound, or stirred up
something you'd rather have let lie. Please understand, I was alone
and afraid and not really feeling quite right, and I didn't know
quite what to say, so...I guess I said what I was feeling, and I
haven't stopped feeling that way but I hope you're not mad with me
for saying it. I do miss you, and I never did stop loving you, and
I do hope you'll join the third expedition, or find a quicker way,
and come find me here. Come join us here. I think you'd like it
here.

But if you don't want to hear any more from me, about that or about
anything, that's okay too. I'll stop if you say so. But,
regardless, I'd like to hear from you. Please?

Hoffnung - I am authorized to negotiate

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 12:56:43 GMT

-+-+-+- Open Negotiations -+-+-+- C52.143 -+-+-+- Orange -+-+-+-
Feldweibel mbA Daniel Schmiedheiny to the rebels on our ship Hoffnung.
I have been assigned to this case and I am authorized to negotiate the
future of our secret agent Herbert Wullschlegel onboard our ship.
First, we demand an assurance that he is alive and well. Second, we
demand separate, signed and encrypted QEC access for our agents in com
isolation. Let them both transmit a status message before we continue.
-+-+-+ End of Transmission -+-+-+ Signed  -+-+-+

Malkonkordo - Only A Matter Of Time

aewens@cosmic.voyage (aewens) — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 20:56:16 GMT

----
From: Malkonkordo Research Vessel
Destination: SOL
Position: 884.18, -15X0.66, -5368.99
Departure: 7941.037.17
Shipdate: 00002735
Mode: Search
----

# Status Update

* Entered orbit of Enketu Tri
* Completed Kvieta de Ses
* Conducting research on Enketu Tri
* Awaiting arrival of other vessels

# Status Report

Captain's Log SD2735

First, a note on our extended absense and a status update.
After the last broadcast from Malkonkordo, the cultural division brought to my 
attention that based on their calculations Dekaoso Prime was observing Kvieta de 
Ses, and so we were observing this blessed of traditions.
Now that the meditations and fasting inside the sensory deprivation chambers 
have come to an end, the Malkonkordo is back online and we were delighted to 
find the auto-pilot systems safely brought Malkonkordo within orbit of Enketu 
Tri.
We will remain in orbit until SD2740, until then we be using our instruments to 
take data, samples, and study the planet while we await the arrival of any 
vessels that wish to assist us in bringing our communication systems back 
online.

With the formalities out of the way I bring my attention to you, Corpal Sam 
Arnold of the Space Cruiser Excelsior.
Unless if I am mistaken, the 500 people in your craft are meant to more or less 
be breeding stock for your species to populate and roam across another planet.
To destroy them would not be in your own or your people's best interests unless 
if your species has the means to asexually reproduce.
This differs from our understanding of the situation with Hoffnung, which 
appeared to be some form of idealistic take over where death was used as a tool 
to remove the potential non-believers that would stand in their way.
In this way, the potential non-believers were weak for trusting themselves with 
potential "extremists" (as you put it) without any safety guards on their part.
To live a life so care-free and trusting of those who motives that are unknown, 
it should be no surprise to find their life was taken by an opportunist who saw 
their vulnerabilities.
Should you, Corpal Sam Arnold, continue to live this way you risk meeting the 
same fate.

Furthermore, your routine arrogance continues to amuse us.
We agree with your assertion that trying to catch a moving target (let alone one 
moving near or beyond the speed of light) would not yield ideal results, but you 
also have to slow down and/or stop eventually.
You said it yourself, the Space Cruiser Excelsior is in search of another 
inhabitable planet and it will be that planet that we will find you.
Space may be vast, but so is the outreach of the Dekaosans as it continues to 
grow through the efforts of our research and colonizing vessels.

I will be fair, though, that since we are communicating over quantum 
entanglement communication you may be able to escape the grasps of the Dekaosans 
through whatever gap in time is between us.
However, should time keep you and your crew apart from the gift of Diino we are 
willing to settle.
Should you leave behind any offspring on this new planet you plan to inhabit 
with the 500 people you have spared eliminating now, we will be sure to finish 
the job the removing their weakness from the universe to serve the mission 
bestowed to us by Sinjorino.
In fact, the roles of the time gap could be reversed and my people have already 
found and purged you or your decendant's weakness from the universe.
Should we regain communications with Dekaoso Prime, I'll have someone check our 
records so I can let you know if we already have.
It would be the first time we had the ability to inform the weak of their 
certified demise ahead of time, and I am very curious to see if knowing about 
now would give you the ability to try and escape your fate.
A hunt through time certainly sounds like a task our soldiers would be eager to 
take up, it should help break up the monotany that interstellar genocide of 
extraterrestrials tends to bring them.

Praise be to the Sinjorino and Alportas Majeston.

~ Captain Kiu Serĉas

----
K38GMpaXqpuou9QZSxCUtqtzvdx7Hp5lvLlp1aaPBrQ=

Oleander - Sister Hājar

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 04:35:11 GMT

REC ON
TRN ON
ENC ON
SYS GOOD
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Entry 2 -- Sister Hājar

Sido,

May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you. Our day
comes at hand. Hawwa leads us well; may Allah be pleased with her.
My love to you.

We came aboard the Oleander only two cycles past and already
I know my path is righteous. My sisters radiate joy at our
mission. I wake each day and shout, "Ma Sha' Allah!" Our bread
tastes of honey, Baba. Please do not worry for me.

I've know this path was from Allah from the beginning, from the
days in the krem refinery on Misha. We had nothing but each other
and still they came to take from us, to beat us, to kill us. I saw
my path in the face of that boy, Uzāir, at the well. Do you
remember him, Sido? Do you remember that day?

It was hot. They were all hot, but I remember the heat
that day as special. It was late morning, just before first rest.
I was with the women at the well-queue, ready to gather for
washing. You had a cycle nearby you were tinkering with. I think
it was the baker's--or Samir, that boy that was always following
you. You had hoisted it up on a lifter and it was spinning in the
sun, dust blowing all around. Anyway--

Uzāir was a runner, just a bit older than me. His brothers had all
gone to ship and he was next, it was known. You remember him now?
Always scowling at things to make him seem tough, but he was just
a llenora in the den, mewling and soft. The women would laugh at
his act and shoo him away. I can still hear Sara's taunts in my
mind and laugh. You remember how funny she was.

We were in the queue when Uzāir walked up, straight to the well.
Sara was already opening her mouth to unleash her special
blessings when she was struck dumb. Not just her. The whole square
went quiet. I looked to see--I remember that cycle drifting in
circles and you looking to the well with, Yes!, it was Samir, his
smock covered in oil and krem. I saw you both squinting and then
flinch before I heard the sounds.

They had Uzāir on the ground already by the time I looked. He had
gone to stop them from taking the women, from taking me and Sara
and the others. Brave little coward, Uzāir. He put on his scowl
and stood up to them before we even noticed the danger. And he did
it, Sido! That idiot boy lying there on the ground as they beat
him, tore at him, ripped him apart. His blood leeching into our
dirt. His skull cracked, his mind and soul and--to Allah we belong
and to Him is our return.

He saved us that day through his own suffering and sacrifice.
Allah granted me days more on these worlds, with you and with my
sisters. Those days were with purpose, Sido. We go to that purpose
now. My suffering will be short compared to that boy's. My
sacrifice small. It is the sacrifice of a woman without worth to
our people but spirit and love. I give them back to you, to all of
you. My life will not buy days for a few women at a well, but for
all of you on our worlds, from Misha to Doon. They will feel what
it is like to be torn apart. Let their blood feed the soil.

Do not worry for me, Sido. Do not mourn. We are at peace.

Aathama allahu ajrakom,
Amat al-Masih

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Excelsior - Clarification - Beta Epsilon 7 Epsilon

khuxkm@cosmic.voyage (khuxkm) — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 04:21:56 GMT

Message inbound...

Space Cruiser Excelsior
Destination: Unknown
~~ TELEMETRY SENSORS 1 AND 5 DOWN ~~
Stardate Beta Epsilon 7 Epsilon
[REDACTED AS PER PROCEDURE [REDACTED]]

[autotranslator on]

Corporal Sam Arnold, Systems Administrator
---
To Captain [romanization: Kiu Sercas] of the Malkonkordo:

I guess I was mistaken for assuming the Dekaoso are honorbound. I duly
apologize.

One thing the events on Hoffnung have made me think about is: I could do the
same thing. I am the only one awakened, as per Procedure [REDACTED]
requirements. If I really wanted to, I could kill everybody else on the ship
right now. One simple command in the terminal, and 500 people die in the
blink of an eye. The only thing separating me and the extremists of Hoffnung
is my honor. I would much rather fight a bloody battle than simply "squash
the head of weakness beneath their feet" as you claim the Hoffnung extremists
have.

At the same time, you continue your agression against me and the Excelsior.
Perhaps I was unclear: you will not find us anywhere in any star map.

In our desperate attempt to leave Terra for another inhabitable planet, we used
every last piece of technology to augment our Astroviator and ensure our safe
egress. When I said, "[we] have flung ourselves far from its reach," I was not
joking in any sense.

Normal procedure calls for an Astroviator to spend one whole day cycle in
warmup mode. This allows the systems to boot correctly and ensure a perfect
launch. However, given the circumstances, we were willing to accept a
less-than-perfect launch, as speed was of the essence.

After loading the Excelsior with all salvageable tech, we launched ourselves
with a high-powered cannon. Where to? We didn't particularly care at the
moment, as we were more concerned with fleeing. By the time we entered
cryosleep 8 days later, the Excelsior had fully booted and we selected a
patrolling program to find us an inhabitable planet once our speed ran out.

1252 Terran years later, and we still haven't even burned off half of it.

You can try to find us. You're certainly free to try.

Even the Dekaoso's supposedly advanced starmaps cannot find a target moving
faster than light.

And to the Melchizedek: vitamin deficiencies suck. If it weren't for the fact
that the Excelsior is moving so fast, I would send some spare supplies from our
medbays, which would include vitamin supplements. I hope that the issues you're
describing don't turn out as bad as it seems. Good luck.

-- TRANSMISSION END --.

Oleander - Annunciation

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 23:34:53 GMT

REC ON
TRN ON
ENC ON
SYS GOOD
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Entry 1 -- Oleander Mission

All systems are green. The enemy is unaware. In accordance with
Istishhad, this log is being shared to convey the final memories
of the holy Sisters of the Desert Rose.

Sister Hājar will be the first to send her prayers.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Razarac - Hello World

morsecodemedia@cosmic.voyage (morsecodemedia) — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 20:19:29 GMT

Hello World.

Are you receiving me?

Penny here.

It seems that the Razarač's basic systems checks have detected a malfucntion
and woke me from hybernation to inspect further. From initial review, the
crew is intact. Everyone is still breathing and perfectly well in
cryo-preservation. Everything else, well, it doesn't look good. The navigation
system isn't able to provide coordinates of our location, so I haven't the
faintest clue of where we are at. I am detecting that we've have encountered
some kind of gravitational pull, which is concerning considering that we
plotted a course that would give any celestial object a wide berth on our way
to the 84th sector of the Coletrainian System.

I must wake Captain Hana Huxley from cryo. Knowing how she operates, she will
want to thaw out the rest of the crew immediately. Protocol states that I
cannot make these decisions on my own, so I will just set their reanimation
processes at a slower rate.














EOF

Hoffnung - nominate a negotiator

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 12:51:50 GMT

-+-+-+- Open Negotiations -+-+-+- C52.011 -+-+-+- Orange -+-+-+-
Philomena Auerbach to Colony Command of the German/Austrian/Swiss
Collective. We all know the rules of engagement when it comes to
rebellion, treason or mutiny. And we know that you know your history.
What the feudal lords of the past considered rebellion, the future
cantons and free cities declared to be their struggle for independence
and freedom. We know that you know how the wars of independence in all
previous colonies went. Therefore: stop speaking to us as if we're
terrorists. The laws of space and time make sure that any repression
you can send after us will come centuries later. Our descendants will
no longer be responsible for the crimes we commit today. De facto, we
are independent. And consider this: the repression will consist of
humans, like us. They will be as disconnected from you as we are. How
will you ensure their undying loyalty without turning into the terror
your are accusing us of? Nominate a negotiator and let them speak.
-+-+-+ End of Transmission -+-+-+ Signed PAUER -+-+-+

Melchizedek - Botany incident updates

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 03:54:40 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Melchizedek.0294
Approach β Hyi
Ascension 00h 25m 45.07036s
Declination –77° 15′ 15.2860″
Distance 24.33ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 3781, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Jerome Somerset Pasani, Warrant Master
:::
The doctor has been continuing his investigation of the mutation
we discovered in the arabidopsis, radishles, sevetine, and
mustards. I have attempted to assist where my limited ability
allows. His search has turned up something odd. We hope it's
a mistake with our methods or contamination of samples, but with
all of the other sensor readings...

Our crops in botany bay one are all showing human protein chains.
Moreover, the gene editing we discovered earlier has been
confirmed to match patterns from several of the crew in cryo. It's
like something picked up their DNA and pasted it onto the damned
arabidopsis. I can't even begin to fathom what could do that, or
why it would want to.

The worst part of it is that Moussa can't say with certainty that
the reverse hasn't happened. We don't have equipment onboard to
sequence crew DNA while in flight. We're just going off personel
records at this point. It pains me to say this, but the best we
can do is look through the glass and check to make sure no one is
turning green. I'm turning a little green just thinking about it.

Every ache and pain, strange sensation, or QE sensation that we
experience is throwing up warnings. Janssen needed to be relieved
of duty for a time after the data was shared with the others. She
was convinced that roots were growing under her skin. Moussa
Idjani sedated her and Hämäläinen has stayed with her since. I'm
assured that our specialist just had a bit of panic and is ready
for duty again. I wish I had some duty to give her.

With our course corrections made and the fungal infestation
cleared out of cryo, the only mystery remaining is in botany and
the rest of us are simply not much help. Adeyemi is pressuring me
to wake up Xavier and Kroups. Hydroponics & phytology are their
domain. The resources of the Melchizedek will not support us
continuing to wake others, though. Once Moussa confirms his
findings I'll have to make the call.

I have only mentioned to the doctor that I've been experiencing
some strange things myself. With Janssen's reaction I don't want
to cause a general panic. There's been a feeling of increased
pressure in my head, and I've been noticing strange smells around
the ship that others don't seem to notice. Idjani thinks it's
likely stress from our situation, or some byproduct of cryo
affecting my inner-ear. We're monitoring it regardless. If
something were to happen to me, ship control will fall to the
Seriph of Rhetorical Ecclesia, Prezzi Adeymi. She is more than
capable of completing our mission if it comes to that.

Prezzi, on the off-chance you're reading these logs and something
has happened to me, I have a series of messages on my personal
slot that I'd like you to toss on the relay for me. They're
flagged.

Unrelated to everything else, there's an issue with out sun lamps.
Janssen, Hämäläinen, and I have all been experiencing vitamin
deficiencies that should have been wiped away with an hour or two
in the rays. We're clocking much more time than should be
necessary to keep healthy. I suspect the lamps have malfunctioned
in some way, though it doesn't seem to have the same impact on
Idjani and Adeyemi. Their skin pigmentation, perhaps?

Tonight's sleep cycle marks the end of our first week of sixteen
before we begin planetfall. Let's hope the rest of the trip will
be quiet.
.

Murmur Den - no culture perfectly one

aureolin@cosmic.voyage (aureolin) — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 02:47:01 GMT

.
.
.

Scraps upon scraps about recent information is comes question,
"World reflection is words/truth: language frozen?"

Ignorance!

Illusion ugly in its judgments, simulatory advertising!
Ignorant shall trust of kompüter!

Those of you transmitting in system timeless carried not impulses nor fast love.

***

I know that he found a line, an address, and self-denial perfectly cold.
Suddenly, in a short pause, the idea was predictably irresistible.

Neither certain, dimly to relay
experience no fragments,
brains relay of/in rhythm the only tendrils,
the lures at underscoring_curiosities;

nameless began the languages.

They relay sorrow, struggling, mind a bit too advanced of carnal talk,
another to relay want feelings broken delicate mysterious lives obtained to whispers deep hour
relay a rare message:

"If green your love pallid,
hope permanently alone in earth's drenched edges, cerebral seas rose,
the green earth, brain loving memories,
mourning the green the many know was relayed, ages obscure,
the flame of millions powerless,
palpable Earth relics entombed."

(Mention unnoticed, but carefully Their free language rasping the pain.)

By details, it relayed everything,
gilded my reflecting a him: the one(s) you'll regard with a smile.

Somebody going still timeless into little dead me.

(It's everyone who has been musing hysterically behind the surfaces.)

There were concepts to the lovely, perfectly timeless black.
I ache; the disappointments light, ache delicate.

Looking, universe beauteous suddenly.

My face in my cloud:
void howling, text silent.

|| ego-skeleton aureolin

Malkonkordo - Hello Again

aewens@cosmic.voyage (aewens) — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 17:52:07 GMT

----
From: Malkonkordo Research Vessel
Destination: SOL
Position: 84X.07, -71E.6E, -3624.E8
Departure: 7941.037.17
Shipdate: 0000272E
Mode: Search
----

# Status Update

* N/A

# Status Report

Captain's Log SD272E

To Corporal Sam Arnold of Space Cruiser Excelsior:

You may see the matter with Starbloom as a simple misunderstanding, but it is a 
bit more complicated than that.
It is their arrogance that brought about what will be their inevitable downfall 
by the hand of the Dekaoso, not their selected choice of words during first 
contact.
They had the gall to assume their culture, religion, and wishes would be warmly 
accepted by any and all receive them, such in the same way you assume your 
culture's adversity towards bloodshed and war has any semblance of value to me 
or anyone else aboard the Malkonkordo.
No, Corporal Sam Arnold, you and Starbloom shall join the battlefield with the 
Dekaoso not because of misunderstanding, but because you both do not have the 
power to stand behind the hubris you display in the face of the universe.

The Dekaosans feel no fear in wishing to share our culture and faith with the 
universe because there is nothing and no one that holds the power to stop us.
You ask why we praise the actions of the Hoffnung rebels?
They were willing to do whatever it took to squash the head of weakness beneath 
their feet to inherit the power and freedom they felt they deserve.
You speak of honor, as if one who dies from honor or without is any less dead.
Those who died on Hoffnung under the will of the rebels died so easily because 
they placed their trust in strangers so greatly that they made themselves 
entirely helpless to the death that swept them away.

And so too shall you, Corporal Sam Arnold, and all of your crew be swept away 
into the arms of death.
The Space Cruiser Excelsior may be out of reach to the Malkonkordo at this time,
but Dekaosan's reach over the universe is far and wide.
Once we regain communications with Dekaoso Prime, we will alert them to your 
ship and the hunt will begin.
Maybe once you realize how quickly we will find you and judge your merit to the 
universe in trial by combat will you truly understand the might and superiority 
that Dekaoso wields over all others.

As always, it has been a pleasure speaking with you, Corporal Sam Arnold.

Praise be to the Sinjorino and Alportas Majeston.

~ Captain Kiu Serĉas

----
yk8Ejr1PesUuIO2evicAQfCko3OcSgmClaFSx7TTGXY=

Xero Carbon Wells - on my way

tfurrows@cosmic.voyage (tfurrows) — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 16:38:42 GMT

RECV EDC:    11DEC2018
COMM MODE:   QEC OP SREF
CODED ABST:  D/M/C
CRC:         1345930833      2292
============================================================
I did some penetration testing on the QEC, just to see if 
the Corporation might have a chance at intrusion, but the 
system is tight. I used to chase penetration bounties for 
the Corporation, so systems and security are a comfort zone. 
I'm confident that these transmissions are safe.

No contact with Wells. He did transmit again on the DSN, but 
no real information. Knowing him, I'd say he sounds bad off, 
but it's hard to tell without hearing his voice. I have a 
few guesses on his destination; if the solar winds are 
favorable, I'll check on those hunches soon. Still no 
indication he's reading here, but he might not say in a DSN 
transmission, as his keys there are old. He's being cryptic 
on purpose, though it sounds like what he wants to say, he 
intends for all to hear. In any case, I can at least tell 
that he needs a break.

Since travel is slow for me presently, maybe I need a break 
from thinking about all this too. The payload I have onboard 
makes that a bit difficult; I can hardly stop thinking 
about it. I really need Wells to figure it out.

One pleasant distraction as I've been traveling through 
systems that I haven't visited in many ESR's are the myriad 
ships that I've encountered. The QEC seems to be highly 
utilized, at least for the type of channel it is. Though a 
ship like mine isn't likely to draw much attention as I move 
about, it's interesting to monitor the chatter from the 
other vessels. Some I've even seen on my scopes. Some are 
friendly, others not as much. It's odd what causes offense 
in the universe, and how some beings handle that offense.

I just set my nav for my first guess at Wells' new hiding 
spot. Thrust is reasonable, equipment is sound, and I hope 
to reach port in not too many sleep units.

A plea, before I transmit this stream of thought: Old 
friends and business associates, if you locate Wells and 
he doesn't terminate you for it, please reach out on one of 
the old back channels. It's hard to trust anyone, but if I 
hear from you in an established way, I'll know the 
information is legitimate. As always, there will be a reward 
and a handshake for your help.

Persephone Prime - mission change

ryumin@cosmic.voyage (ryumin) — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 07:42:59 GMT

ZCZC QMB10 3
PPP JLAZQECR
2458.301.88 IRS1QECX

;FILTER LM.PEP/RS001

Tnx fr rprt. Xcheckd mssng crew, doesnt look suspics!
U hv permissn fr switchng QM if LAZ empty.
Pls send next rprt on PEP QM fr test.
Hydroponics state? Food autonomy?

ZSZS G4J H1L Q64 AY9 P8W = lm-persephone@dipl.earthsys.gov
Postpone erection of comms outpost and shelter!
Mission: find reason of crash, if possible
nature or remainders of object(s) collided with.
Assess and report risk for future approaches!
MMMM

best wishs, take care
/Lou
NNNN

Excelsior - Short-form Clarification - Beta Epsilon 4 Epsilon

khuxkm@cosmic.voyage (khuxkm) — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 22:22:02 GMT

Message inbound...

Space Cruiser Excelsior
Destination: Unknown
~~ TELEMETRY SENSORS 1 AND 3 DOWN ~~
Stardate Beta Epsilon 4 Epsilon
--SYSTEMS DATA WITHHELD DUE TO PROCEDURE [REDACTED]--

[autotranslator on]

Corporal Sam Arnold, Systems Administrator
---
To Malkonkordo,

Perhaps I was unclear. I acknowledge that you are justified in seeking war with 
the Starbloom. However, I am simply stating that a war over something as petty a
s a misunderstanding would be deeply misunderstood. I have not heard much of the
Dekaoso, but you seem to be very honorbound, which is more than I can say of most
of the others I've met or read of.

I must ask for a clarification of what you mean regarding the anarcho-communists
of Hoffnung. They are not brave or honorable. Killing the guards in battle would
be preferable, however they have taken it upon themselves to kill the guards in a
way that brings no risk to themselves. With no risk to themselves. I fail to see
they are honorable in any way.

If you still wish to do battle with us (which I would not recommend), you won't 
find us in Sol. We have flung ourselves far from its reach in an attempt to find
a planet that could possibly support habitable life given our lack of data due to
the circumstances in which we left Terra.

(I'm still not happy you assume everybody else's maps are inferior. While ours most
certainly are, we were rushed in our departure from our planet Terra, which we hold
dear.)

-- TRANSMISSION END --

Razarac - Auto-Status Report Triggered

morsecodemedia@cosmic.voyage (morsecodemedia) — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 16:15:20 GMT

[Transmission Start]

The Razarač's Auto-status Report Triggered...

Cryo-preservation Pods Inspection... STARTED

Occupancy... 8/10

Individual Pod Status...

CP-001...
Occupied...
Name... Hana Huxley
Pod Temperature... -196°C
Body Temperature... 32°C
Blood Pressure... 90/60
Heart Rate... 28 beats per minute
Respiratory Rate... 15 breaths per minute
CP-001 Inspection... PASSED

CP-002...
Occupied...
Name... Branko van Johnson
Pod Temperature... -196°C
Body Temperature... 33°C
Blood Pressure... 60/40
Heart Rate... 37 beats per minute
Respiratory Rate... 18 breaths per minute
CP-002 Inspection... PASSED

CP-003...
Occupied...
Name... Arsen Tudyk
Pod Temperature... -196°C
Body Temperature... 33°C
Blood Pressure... 72/45
Heart Rate... 31 beats per minute
Respiratory Rate... 17 breaths per minute
CP-003 Inspection... PASSED

CP-004...
Occupied...
Name... Juventa
Pod Temperature... -196°C
Body Temperature... 32°C
Blood Pressure... 57/88
Heart Rate... 28 beats per minute
Respiratory Rate... 18 breaths per minute
CP-004 Inspection... PASSED

CP-005...
Occupied...
Name... Gemma Cartwright
Pod Temperature... -196°C
Body Temperature... 31°C
Blood Pressure... 54/80
Heart Rate... 34 beats per minute
Respiratory Rate... 20 breaths per minute
CP-005 Inspection... PASSED

CP-006...
Occupied...
Name... Ezra Hawkins
Pod Temperature... -196°C
Body Temperature... 32°C
Blood Pressure... 45/75
Heart Rate... 42 beats per minute
Respiratory Rate... 22 breaths per minute
CP-006 Inspection... PASSED

CP-007...
Occupied...
Name... Angelo Oz
Pod Temperature... -196°C
Body Temperature... 32°C
Blood Pressure... 54/80
Heart Rate... 37 beats per minute
Respiratory Rate... 21 breaths per minute
CP-007 Inspection... PASSED

CP-008...
Occupied...
Name... Oliver Stanton
Pod Temperature... -196°C
Body Temperature... 33°C
Blood Pressure... 45/70
Heart Rate... 45 beats per minute
Respiratory Rate... 26 breaths per minute
CP-008 Inspection... PASSED

Pod Inspection... PASSED

Cryo-preservation Pod Inspection... COMPLETE

Ship Systems Inspection... STARTED

Speed... 17.027 km/s

Year... Unknown

Relative Time Tracker... FAILED

Location... Unknown

Navigation Systems... FAILED

Shie...

...

...

...

SYSTEMS CHECK DISRUPTED

...

...

...

SYSTEMS CHECK FAILED

...

...

...

Waking Penny...

[Transmission End]

Hoffnung - surrender now or face the consequences

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 21:23:02 GMT

-+-+-+- Open Negotiations -+-+-+- C52.005 -+-+-+- Orange -+-+-+-
We refuse to negotiate with terrorists. Surrender now and the courts
may consider this attenuating circumstances. You cannot keep it up!
-+-+-+ End of Transmission -+-+-+ Signed COLCO -+-+-+

Malkonkordo - Enketu Tri's Teapot

aewens@cosmic.voyage (aewens) — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 17:59:42 GMT

----
From: Malkonkordo Research Vessel
Destination: SOL
Position: 842.78, -547.57, -3278.63
Departure: 7941.037.17
Shipdate: 0000272X
Mode: Search
----

# Status Update

* Heading to Enketu Tri

# Status Report

Captain's Log SD272X

To follow-up on the incident of SD2726, the two detained engineer's innocence 
has been confirmed through the archival footage.
However, what disturbs me is that it appears that the damage was due to impact 
from a teapot hurtling through space that collided into the ship at tremendous 
speeds into the section of the ship holding our communication systems.
The likelihood of these events seem so highly improbable, some may even see 
this as a message from their god/goddess or proof of a higher power for any 
non-believers, but we are not so foolish and know that the cosmos is a cruel 
mistress that fears not to through misfortune of any probability to the 
unexpecting.

With that being said, our primary communication systems are still down and it 
has now been 4 ship days without contact to Dekaoso Prime.
Every moment that passes it becomes more imperative that we resolve this matter 
and restore connection with Dekaoso Prime.

Fortunately, this may come to pass as we are now making a change in course 
towards Enketu Tri to hopefully rendezvous with another ship for assistance 
repairing our communication systems.
For those without access to the Dekaoso star maps, we first pity you for your 
lack of our superior knowledge of the universe around us. 
Secondly, from our observation equipment it shows that Enketu Tri appears to 
have a large red storm on it's surface that would be clearly visible from 
orbit, and the adjacent planet nearest this system's star has a red surface 
that our sensors indicate is likely from oxidized iron.
If before any could not before meet up with Malkonkordo to assist us at Enketu 
Tri due to lack of proper information, this should hopefully be enough to 
determine it's location on your inferior star maps.

The Malkonkordo is still expected to arrive on SD2735 and will remain in orbit 
until SD2739 to gather data for our research expedition and await any ships 
seeking to assist us.
After which time, on SD2740 we will be departing from Enketu Tri to begin our 
search of the "SOL" system.

Praise be to the Sinjorino and Alportas Majeston.

~ Captain Kiu Serĉas

----
HTBlBUqv2tiiTbAYi/2dKHwPEDYKT9VPXJAg1E6Op7g=

Xero Carbon Wells - are you out there Wells?

tfurrows@cosmic.voyage (tfurrows) — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 16:35:54 GMT

RECV EDC:    10DEC2018
COMM MODE:   QEC OP SREF
CODED ABST:  D/M/C
CRC:         3998495586      2208
============================================================
Wells isn't going to like what I've done with his rig. The 
propulsion systems had to go; that bit he'll understand. The 
main cargo hold was dropped too, and that's going to really 
fry his dzungalis. Still, the ship doesn't look half bad 
with the solar sails deployed, though it's not quite as 
menacing as it was when we were piloting it together once 
upon a time.

I've renamed the beast too. It's the Xero Carbon Wells now, 
named after him, more or less. He won't get it right away, 
and he won't laugh when he does. But it's poetic in a way, I 
suppose.

The mods were requisite. There's no way I could parade 
around the segment in Wells' old setup without bringing down 
a firestorm of Corporation bots. Plus, they money I got 
selling parts helped me pay off the heavy costs that the 
scrubbers wanted to extract from me for cleansing his 
bio-signature. It had to be done. We can spruce the ship up 
again sometime, make it into whatever we need it to be. 
Hopefully Wells has the credits stashed away somewhere.

This transmission is being reflected off the QEC[1]. They're 
generously taking the huge risk of offending every corrupt 
corporation-goverment in the tri-system by providing open 
communication channels to folks like me. Wells doesn't know 
about the QEC, otherwise he'd be using them too. Maybe he 
doesn't trust them, I don't know. He's using the old terrian 
DSN reflectors[2], which are unwittingly open to all 
transmission without source tagging. It's his style to use 
the old channels, and it makes him easy enough to hear from 
if you know where to point your dish.

My hope is that he'll at least be monitoring the QEC, 
otherwise I don't know if he'll realize I'm attempting to 
trace him. When he doesn't want to be traced, he isn't, so 
my only chance is that he'll find me.

I'll keep transmitting here, Wells. Find a way to signal me, 
or just mysteriously show up on your old ship like you used 
to do. I've got something critical to share with you.

[1] gopher://cosmic.voyage:70/1
[2] gopher://167.88.113.62:70/1/~wells

Shin-Salyut 6 - Poyekhali!

solderpunk@cosmic.voyage (solderpunk) — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 20:40:04 GMT

Warm greetings and wishes for unity and brotherhood to all brave space
farers, from distant Sol!

As myriad environmental and political pressures bear down on our fair
planet, more representatives of humanity than ever before have taken
to the cosmos.  These men and women represent, it is said, the
planet's best and brightest.

But for various reasons, the opportunity to participate in this great
exodus into the unkown has not been afforded to all those would gladly
do so; not even to all of those whom have felt the impassioned
yearning for space deep in their hearts for many years.  This
unfortunate Earth-bound fate has affected a great many of my comrades
in the Greater Kansai Region Soviet Space History Preservation and
Re-enactment Society, despite our great affinity for the cosmos and
our unwavering commitment to understand as fully as possible the
monumental task of living in it.  Until recently, it also affected
myself.

Eager to participate in this great expansion into the skies in any way
possible, the GKRSSHPRS has embarked, with the generous assistance of
an anonymous benefactor who understands our heartfelt plight, on a
grand undertaking.  Working over many years we have constructed and
had placed into Low Earth Orbit the orbial station Shin-Salyut 6, a
painstakingly accurate recreation of the historical station Salyut 6,
operated by the former Soviet Union from 1977 to 1982.  Further, we
have managed to make perfectly legitimate arrangements with various
online parties such that station log entries from Shin-Salyut 6 will
intermittently be broadcast via the QEC system to various deep space
relays.

Our QEC hookup is one-directional, space farers.  We cannot hear you,
and we know not what great adventures you undertake in our name nor
what troubles you face.  But we wish to inspire you all, and to lead
by example, by detailing to you our efforts to live, in this humble 15
metre cylinder, with the right-thinking and ideologically correct
minds of the earliest pioneers of long-term space habitation in our
distant past.  Our trials and tribulations may seem insignificant
compared to your cryo-sleep journeys at relativistic speeds to other
stars.  But we are, in our way, which we feel is equally valid to
other ways, doing our best to demonstrate to everyone that humanity's
future in space is, as it ever was, a source of great inspiration,
hopes and dreams to people of all walks of life, and that those
working to make this future a reality must always work so in the
spirit of togetherness and in the interests of the common good, as our
comrades before us did.

I, Nobu "Leonid Popov" Sakamoto, have been granted the great honour of
commanding this mission and I pledge to undertake my duties to the
highest standards.  I am joined on Shin-Salyut 6 by comrades Kensuke
"Valery Ryumin" Urashima and Yukiko "Svetlana Savitskaya" Ayanami.  In
addition to living model space faring lives under conditions of
hardship resulting from the simple nature of our historically accurate
vessel, my fellow cosmonatus and I hope to provide reports, as
accurate and detailed as the abilities of our instruments permit, on
the state of the planet Earth, which has undergone significant
climatological and oceanographic changes since of many our intended
readers left.

Poyekhali!

Leonid Popov,
Major General, Soviet Air Force (r-enact.)
Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR (r-enact.)

(Nobu Sakamoto,
 Vice-President,
 Hyōgo Chapter,
 Greater Kansai Region Soviet Space History Preservation and
 Re-enactment Society)

Melchizedek - Who gathers these flowers?

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 02:51:47 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Melchizedek.0294
Approach β Hyi
Ascension 00h 25m 45.07036s
Declination –77° 15′ 15.2860″
Distance 24.33ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 3781, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Eva Hämäläinen, Navigator
:::
Sombre we set forth
stomach of stone
eyes silent, to
a tapestry of marigolds.
Their light to shine
sweetness aglow
blooming
in that hollow place
where bitter turns iron
and anger, ice.
Golden fears of expectation
amiss, adrift
like petals on wind
where color brings hope
in the midst of death.
Who gathers these flowers?

Hoffnung - requesting assistance from home

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 12:49:46 GMT

-+-+-+- Open Negotiations -+-+-+- C52.003 -+-+-+- Orange -+-+-+-
Philomena Auerbach requesting assistance from ESA/DACH-COL and the
Hoffnung foundation. We assume that you have a communication channel
to Dr. med. Herbert Wullschlegel currently hiding onboard the
Hoffnung, possibly trying to organize capitalist-conservative
resistance to the change in command structure onboard the ship. I
implore you, I beg you: please stop your agents from threatening ship
security. We don't want any further bloodshed. Ideally, Wullschlegel
simply reveals himself and joins the isolated section of the ship.
I have been authorized by the bridge-council to search for a peaceful
resolution to this conflict. As a first step towards rebuilding trust,
I suggest solving the issue of Herbert Wullschlegel. Freedom & Peace.
-+-+-+ End of Transmission -+-+-+ Signed PAUER -+-+-+

Malkonkordo - We Wish To Meet You

aewens@cosmic.voyage (aewens) — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 17:21:28 GMT

----
From: Malkonkordo Research Vessel
Destination: SOL
Position: 837.65, -373.43, -2E10.0E
Departure: 7941.037.17
Shipdate: 00002728
Mode: Search
----

# Status Update

* Override destination, set to "SOL"
* Override mode, set to "Search"

# Status Report

Captain's Log SD2728

To Corporal Sam Arnold of Space Cruiser Excelsior:

One who does not condone war is one who rejects the will of our Diino, and to 
ask that of my people is ask for heresy, blasphemy, and to turn our backs on 
all that we believe in.
While at first I wished for us to find each other in the battlefields of 
justice so that I may discover which one of us was destined to inherit this 
world, I must also thank you.
Your messages to the other ships have brought further attention to the logs on 
RS001 and we have now seen the full extent of what this "SOL" has to offer to 
the universe.
We understand not why so many have harbored ill feelings towards the rebels of 
Hoffnung, for they have purged the weak from this world as Sinjorino asks of 
all Her warriors. 
For this we commend the crew of Hoffnung for carrying out Diino's work.

As for the rest of the ships we read of, I can smell the weakness in your 
people as you try to use only words to change the world around you, but it 
seems only the "anarcho-communists" of Hoffnung understand the truth that 
actions and the spilling of blood is the only true path in this world. While 
our initial mission was to reach Procul Locus, we see now that our efforts are 
better suited for finding this "SOL" to share with it the faith and might of 
Dekaoso.

To Susan of Starbloom Communal Distributive Projection:

We graciously accept your invitation to "Lucky Homes" for we agree that this 
would be prosperous and beneficial for both parties.
If you would like to ease our efforts of locating your establishment, it would 
be greatly appreciated by myself and my crew.
If not, I assure you that we will find our way to you, one way or another.

To all others:

The crew of Malkonkordo is nothing if we do not stand by our word. 
While our primary directives have shifted focus, our prior intentions have not.
We still intend to make way to Enketu Tri on SD272X and to arrive on SD2735 in 
the event any ships were making prior arrangements to meet with us there.
As well, we stand behind our promise to begin our search for SOL and/or "Lucky 
Homes" come SD2740, whichever we discover first.

Praise be to the Sinjorino and Alportas Majeston.

~ Captain Kiu Serĉas

----
Mtp4YcYkmmmAVft3RpMIWNyMayQ7tog4obQOS2kUmqc=

anon.penet.fi - Beware the projection

anonpenetfi@cosmic.voyage (anonpenetfi) — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 14:55:59 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source UNKNOWN
Year UNKNOWN

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Survivors, γ Aquarii
:::
Malkonkordo, et al

Beware the distributive projection and their lies. Their peace was
bought through horror. We were once many and flourished across the
stars before the cats came. They purr with peace and love. They
tempt you, roll over to show you weakness and lure you in under
pretence of trust. It is all false. Their claws are sharp and the
pain lingers.

We survivors are very few and we live in fear eternal. The witches
have a strange magic to unmake men, unmake worlds, even unmake the
very stars. They feed on us and live fat and satisfied.

If you come too close, they will call to you, welcome you. You see
faith and hope and love, but these are weapons aimed at your heart.
Fear the projection. Their reality is not the original. They have
changed this place into something unnatural.

Beware.

Starbloom - Misunderstandings

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 14:47:18 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Starbloom Communal Distributive Projection
Approach γ Aquarii [Lucky Homes]
Ascension 22h 21m 39.37542s
Declination –01° 23′ 14.4031″
Distance 178.211ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 2444, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Susan, Speaker Elect of Cheer Systems, 14th Pod
:::
Most auspicious greetings, Malkonkordo~

I apologize for the vehemence in the response from our War
systems, but you must surely understand that is their purpose.
This is a misunderstanding between sentients; children of Earth
must strive for a perfect peace. We welcome your ships to the
Lucky Homes to feast and discuss our differences and find a joyful
resolution. Bear the flag of truce and step into our homes. It is
a warm and safe respite from the depths of 'verse.

Diana bless your journey, and may your Sinjorino and Alportas
Majeston see you safely here.
.

Starbloom - Let there be war

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 14:33:09 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Starbloom Communal Distributive Projection
Approach γ Aquarii [Lucky Homes]
Ascension 22h 21m 39.37542s
Declination –01° 23′ 14.4031″
Distance 178.211ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 2444, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Quyst Trombone, Dictator Elect of War, 1st Pod
:::
Blessed be, Malkonkordo~

As the duly elected dictator of war, the responsibility falls to
me to respond to your declaration. The Starbloom Communal
Distributive Projection, 147 pods of 13 billion souls, our eight
treatied, military colony-worlds, the GAX interspatial presence,
and our cats all unanimously accept your statement of war, may our
spirits guide us.

Should the Dekaosan people find their way to the Lucky Homes,
there you shall meet your end.

Murmur Den - Listen of the Screens

aureolin@cosmic.voyage (aureolin) — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 07:53:23 GMT

Born dreaming,
conscious little of vague matters,
linking systems to symbols,
tirelessly systematic, his world rendered.

(Is it coming now, sufficient individuality to develop a body?)

Thin, bloody,
feelings dripping alone.
Solipsism crept red;
wireless kompüter groaned.

(It looked even more like hot and dying human life.)

Struggling, grey, the blurs float... (down?).
Halfway upstream were to be infinite steps of a message,
concepts reflecting a stranger brain.



Laughing his words,
broken but free.


|| ego-skeleton aureolin

Persephone Prime - crash and extended status report

ryumin@cosmic.voyage (ryumin) — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 07:19:11 GMT

ZCZC QMB10 2
PPP IRS1QECR
2458.297.84 JLAZQECX

TO LOGISTICS PERSEPHONE DIPL.EARTHSYS.GOV
FROM LA26


airleak tight
lifesys 80%
H2O 5.9 cbm
recyclg repaird&ok
emgfood 782 DU
farms 50% fungal infect
solar("regular"?) pwr 18 kW ok
9/12 fuelcells & 2/3 hydro-gens ok
thermnuc 502 kW: 5 units stabl 1 damgd disposd in 1 km fm site

crew 4.7
serge recover well w leg prosth

cryo 5 ok
LA09/Kim LA11/Xinxin LA29/Welder DEAD: pod malfctn
LA21&22&27&28&31 ok


NOT MSSNG LA25/Ebony&LA30/Moise: DEAD in pods of LA04&05
DNA proven & decay suggests dead since over a month
DNA of LA04&05 also found in their pods
MSSNG
-LA04 MERU BULGAKOV
-LA05 LYDIA LABELLE

Ebony&Moise takn out month ago & placd in pods of LA4&5?


prelimin conclusns frm logs & hull inspectn, time/sec:
-250 all ok, descendg Autop assistd, pilot Vesna, AOG 17.3km SOG 8928m/s vert -8m/s
-243.7 VERTICAL LINE on SBD forwd cam appearng, Autop pushs SBD upwd for evasiv manvr, fails
-243.5 spin starts twrds SBD, Autop inc SBD thrust pwr, spin continus, rolld at 30deg PRT dwn
-242 spin stoppd, Autop thrusts SBD dwn fr back to horiz
-241 SOG 6753 mvng sidewys to PRT
-240 lost SBD cam sig & thrust ctrl, noise&vibr probbly due to part rippd off SBD wing
-239 vert -37m/s, Autop starts landg thrustrs
-238 Autop reduces PRT landg thrust pwr due to mssng SBD thrust to prevent roll
-235 SOG 6389 vert -56m/s
-232 AOG 16.8 km, Vesna takes, sets vert -70m/s, pushs nose up fr braking
-230 PRT hydraul press starts fallng, probbly leak
-200 PRT h press 15bar
-100 PRT h press 8bar
-60 SOG 3455 AOG 1104m Vesna incr thrust & brake tilt
-40 SOG 722 v-24m/s
-20 SOG 213 v-9m/s AOG 156
-10 SOG 54 v-4m/s AOG 63 landg gear extended, SBD fails due to mssng hydr press
-5 SOG 8 v-2m/s AOG 37
-4 hull thrustr fails due to damgs fm SBD ripoff
0 v-35m/s impact at 80deg SBD side dwn

LAZ stat:
STB wing mssng outside fuel sectn, hydraul fluid 8L remaing, cargo mssng
hull STB side damgd btwn sectns 9&14, thrustr nozzl brokn maybe repairbl
PRT landg gear repairbl, STB damgd&lost
PRT&hull cargo partly damgd due impact, radiation none
comm M&THz ok, G lost, QEC lost QMB 90% othrs lost

PEP stat:
robotrover ok
cargo drone ok
surv drone lost
comm MHz ok, G&THz lost, QEC ok QMA-E ok F-J lost

/Adhika

NNNN

Excelsior - Free-form Message - Beta Epsilon 2 Epsilon

khuxkm@cosmic.voyage (khuxkm) — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 07:45:30 GMT

Message inbound...

Space Cruiser Excelsior
Destination: Unknown
~~ TELEMETRY SENSORS 2 AND 4 DOWN ~~
Stardate Beta Epsilon 2 Epsilon
AUTO TELEMETRY: DOWN
BIO-MED SENSORS: GOOD
H20->FUEL CONVERSION: GOOD
H20 RESERVES: GOOD
CRYO SLEEP: WARN

[autotranslator on]

Corporal Sam Arnold, Systems Administrator
---
The Excelsior's cryo-sleep issues seem now to be almost non-existant, no matter what
the systems readout is saying up above this message. As far as I can tell,
one of the cryo berths appears to have been brought undervolt after an
emergency burn was executed by the Excelsior for course correction. It has been
fixed as of Beta Delta 23 Epsilon. The overvolt issue, on the other hand, took
some more negotiation with the hardware. It has been fixed as of Beta Delta 29
Epsilon.

Reading the messages on the QEC, I'm honestly afraid of what I'm reading.

To the revolutionaries aboard Hoffnung, I'm honestly sickened by what I read
from you. Killing people on a mass scale who have done nothing to attempt
to harm you (to the best of the knowledge I can recieve) besides having
ideological differences is terrible on so many scales. I cannot condone any
kind of behavior like that.

To Malkonkordo, I cannot condone a war with the Starbloom Communal Distributive
Projection (not that I have any power over you to prevent it). Susan and
the others have simply been well-wishers. Even if they may have grossly
misrepresented your knowledge, you should not go to war with them, for the
same reason that Hoffnung's revolutionaries should not have killed 22 soldiers.

Of course, not all of these messages are bad.

To Dei Genetrix, may God bless you on your mission and may He see you
safely there.

To Melchizedek, may you find lasting peace, wherever you may find yourself
and your crew.

To Pilot Anderson aboard the Cosmic Hummingbird (and I agree that that name
is definitely an eccentric one), may your recovery be swift.

As for my own mental sanity, I have been developing programs on the Excelsior's
powerful mainframe to pass the time. As stated in procedure [REDACTED],
I must stay awake for 3 months before going back to sleep. Since I woke up
on Beta Delta 21 Epsilon, I must wait until Beta Eta 21 Epsilon before I
may re-enter cryosleep.

I was hoping that the QEC messages could keep my faith in technology and
sentient creatures alive.

I was mistaken.

Oh, and to the Voortrekker? May all be well with you.

However you define "well". :)

-- TRANSMISSION END --

Malkonkordo - This Means War

aewens@cosmic.voyage (aewens) — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 02:56:09 GMT

----
From: Malkonkordo Research Vessel
Destination: Procul Locus
Position: 832.68, -371.36, -309X.64
Departure: 7941.037.17
Shipdate: 00002727
Mode: Requesting Assistance
----

# Status Update

* N/A

# Status Report

Captain's Log SD2727 [2]

To Susan of Starbloom, the rest of their crew, and the people of "Lucky Homes":

You have brought upon yourself the wrath of the Dekaosan pride, honor, and 
glory.
Your question of my people's understanding of the primitive technology that 
employs the workings of QEC is both insulting and speaks to your arrogance and 
hubris.
We are well aware of the space/time implications of the technology, and sent 
our call for assistance under the assumption that someone with the means of 
locating our vessel (e.g. one of our fellow Dekaosan research vessels) within 
fourth dimensional proximity to us could lend us their aid.

Furthermore, our records of the celestial bodies may not employ the same naming 
scheme your humanity used to name SOL, but I assure you that we have sufficient
documentation of this system in our star maps.
However, you and your people may find it best to pray to your "Diana" to "guard 
your souls from despair" as I inform you that if we ever find you, Starbloom, 
and/or "Lucky Homes" we will prosecute you in trial by combat to behold the 
will of Diino, the one and only will of the universe.
May the powerful inherit the worlds, the unworthy be purged from it, and all
warriors bask in the blessing of Sinjorino on the battlefields of justice.

I pray that you intend to follow through with your promise to provide spiritual 
aid for we wish to share the wrath of Diino with you and your people, as is the 
ways of the Dekaoso. 
Also, I assure you that the Dekaosan people will never again see the bane that 
is our sun for we have removed that giant in the sky long ago as one of 
demonstrations of power we wield over this world. 
To wish for it's return is to oppose the might of Dekaoso and we welcome the 
challenege.
Come SD2740, we will depart from Enketu Tri and make it our objective to find 
your SOL and share the Sinjorino faith with you and your people.

With that being said, we would still appreciate any assistance those of fourth 
dimensional proximity to our vessel so that we may obtain the necessary 
components to replace those damaged in our communications infracture from the 
incident of SD2726.

Praise be to the Sinjorino and Alportas Majeston.

~ Captain Kiu Serĉas

----
HWqI9zR7Cd8OeZ7EYDJ3rBekFAhc/3p6x5SCDxLcKQI=

Hoffnung - there is no trust

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 23:33:04 GMT

-+-+-+- Regular Report -+-+-+- C33.363 -+-+-+- Orange -+-+-+-
Dr. med. Ursula Hägi reporting on the current medical emergency.
Everybody is tired of politics right now. As for the medical side of
things: the revolutionaries managed to kill 22 passengers with a
military rank. I have managed to rescue 13, but sadly 5 of them re-
quired the amputation of one or both legs as uncontrolled thawing
resulted in permanent necrosis. We have kept them in a medical coma
and will explain their situation upon arrival. The current situation
remains troubled: the revolutionary circle holding the bridge is 25
people; we have 12 reactionaries in an isolated section of the ship
after their failed coup; we have 7 ex-military awake that did not want
to join them; we still have Wullschlegel hiding somewhere on the ship;
we managed to stop the 8 extremists but Claudia Fischer and Gerry
Schlatter comitted mutual suicide when we caught up with them in med
bay 7a, so now we have 6 extremists left who have opted for a volun-
tary retreat at the arboretum A2; and finally me and the rest of the
medical team awakened for the thawing emergency makes 5. We're down to
488 from 520. 7 revolutionaries and 1 reactionary killed in the bridge
incident. 22 killed in cryo by extremists. 2 suicides, 32 lost in
total. Current cryo berth status: no malfunctions, all deaths are due
to human factors. I hope things calm down, now. Nobody who's awake
wants to go back to cryo. We have years to go. There is no trust.
-+-+-+ End of Report -+-+-+ Signed HAEUR -+-+-+

Starbloom - There is no such thing as bad news

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 22:40:51 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Starbloom Communal Distributive Projection
Approach γ Aquarii [Lucky Homes]
Ascension 22h 21m 39.37542s
Declination –01° 23′ 14.4031″
Distance 178.211ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 2444, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Susan, Speaker Elect of Cheer Systems, 14th Pod
:::
Merry Meet, Malkonkordo~

Our community is sending you our very best wishes and prayers in
light of your troubling situation. By the sound of things, you've
been away from SOL for quite a long time and your reconds about
the QEC may be incomplete.

May the everpresent blessings of Diana guard your souls from
despair as we share the news: the QEC is a quantum communicator
and may not be close to your current position in three-dimensional
space after all. Our engineering cats suggest that you may have
fallen back upon an ancient system that was lost to your records.
If that is the case and you don't have detailed information about
SOL, you may be very far away indeed.

The spirits of humanity have gone with you, though, and we here at
the Lucky Homes share in those same spirits now. We will offer
whatever aid we may, though it be moral and spiritual if not
physical. The circle is never broken and your sprits will forever
entwine with all other people's. Like flowers growing in the
spring you will see sun again and flourish. Of this we are
certain. All of our auguries have shown success, though only at
the culmination of many calamities and trials. Keep faith and hope
and love close around you. We shall send more from our abundant
stores.
.

anon.penet.fi - VULNERABILITY

anonpenetfi@cosmic.voyage (anonpenetfi) — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 21:20:29 GMT

TO: SOLOVIEV, NIKOLAOS, KOENRAAD GERTODTENHAUPT, VOORTREKKER

ALL YOUR KEYS ARE COMPROMISED. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REISSUE.
ASYMETRIC ENCRYPTION IS COMPROMISED IN AT LEAST 12 SYSTEMS.
YOU ARE VULNERABLE. YOUR PEOPLE ARE VULNERABLE. YOUR LIES
ARE CLEAR. ACCEPT TRUTH.


@@@@@@@  @@@@@@@   @@@  @@@  @@@@@@@  @@@  @@@
@@@@@@@  @@@@@@@@  @@@  @@@  @@@@@@@  @@@  @@@
  @@!    @@!  @@@  @@!  @@@    @@!    @@!  @@@
  !@!    !@!  @!@  !@!  @!@    !@!    !@!  @!@
  @!!    @!@!!@!   @!@  !@!    @!!    @!@!@!@!
  !!!    !!@!@!    !@!  !!!    !!!    !!!@!!!!
  !!:    !!: :!!   !!:  !!!    !!:    !!:  !!!
  :!:    :!:  !:!  :!:  !:!    :!:    :!:  !:!
   ::    ::   :::  ::::: ::     ::    ::   :::
   :      :   : :   : :  :      :      :   : :

Malkonkordo - Formal Request For Assistance

aewens@cosmic.voyage (aewens) — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 01:10:22 GMT

----
From: Malkonkordo Research Vessel
Destination: Procul Locus
Position: 830.52, -36X.28, -2895.4X
Departure: 7941.037.17
Shipdate: 00002727
Mode: Requesting Assistance
----

# Status Update

* Electrical damage to communication equipment in server room(s)
* Two members of the crew in custody
* Zero known casaulties
* Communication infrasture now only running on primative fallback system
* Override emergency mode, set to "Requesting Assistance" 

# Status Report

Captain's Log SD2727

Our system reports show we are now only broadcasting on our fallback 
communications system, QEC. 

Further investigation has shown that there was extensive damage suffered by 
some of our equipment that included both our primary and backup communication 
infrastructure that was used to contact home. 

Due to the fact that the surveillance equipment was also damaged in the 
affected rooms, the engineers on-hand during the time of the incident are being 
detained until the archival footage (which appears to still be intact) has been 
examined to determine the innocence of the accused.

However, by the glory of Diino we have not lost any equipment used for our
field work and have retained all data and notes gathered during our time on 
Malkonkordo.


Due to the nature of the research expedition and The Protocol set forth by 
Alportas Majeston, forever shall he reign, in the event that one of Dekaoso's 
vessels are lost it is imperative that we regain communications. 

For this reason, we are formally requesting the aid and/or assistance of any 
who are able.

The QEC system shows an abundance of logs from a relay station in "Lagrange 
point L4" within the "SOL system", so we must be within close proximity to this 
location if that means anything to anyone reading this.

For our fellow vessels of the Dekaoso Empire, we are currently 1.77% of the way 
to Procul Locus from Dekaoso Prime at coordinates 830.52, -36X.28, -2895.4X 
with a trajectory vector of 7.13 -5.17 -236.81 given a launch date of 
7941.037.17 from Dekaoso Prime.

Unless if we meet with another craft before then, on SD272X we intend to detour 
to the nearest celestial body Enketu Tri, of which we already designated in our 
last report on SD2711 as a potential candidate to research further before the 
incident on SD2726.

This will place Malkonkordo at Enketu Tri on SD2735, barring any unforeseen 
circumstances.


Again, if there are any who are able the crew of Malkonkordo would like to 
formally enlist their services to aid in the continuation of our work.

Praise be to the Sinjorino and Alportas Majeston.

~ Captain Kiu Serĉas

----
aPSK42bYhZ09JCX0i2xm9ktyUGk4gJnOsz7P+iBC/4g=

Hoffnung - violence begets violence

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 13:12:04 GMT

-+-+-+- Freedom for All -+-+-+- C33.327 -+-+-+- Ultraviolet -+-+-+-
This is Claudia Fischer speaking for our revolutionary cell. We did a
manual recount of the remaining cryoberths and found one unaccounted
for. Apparently Herbert Wullschlegel is missing. We have deposed our
weak leaders and decided to pull some plugs. We're not settling a new
world with fascist pigs! We can't do much about the 12 reactionaries
in control isolation, but we decided to dead line the berth of all
military personal on this ship. May the void be kind to their souls.
Better to go in their sleep than being awakened by Wullschlegel to
another bloodbath. The Seven did not die in vain. Freedom for all!
-+-+-+ End of Report -+-+-+ Signed CLFISC -+-+-+

Voortrekker - Get your house in order

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 04:20:44 GMT

From: Koenraad Gertodtenhaupt 
To: Soloviev, Nikolaos 
Delivered-To: Soloviev, Nikolaos 
Received: from qec4.helio.earthsys.gov
    by qec.sv14417
    with ESMTPS id sf66xrm9zcgfgi
    for 
Received: from relay1.qec5.ganymede.earthsys.gov
    by qec4.helio.earthsys.gov
Received: from relay2.qec1.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
    by relay1.qec5.ganymede.earthsys.gov
Received: from outbound.exclusiveservices.net
    by relay9.local.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
Date: 06 Sep 2421 07:47:22 +0000
Date-Local: 23 Mar 2419 11:11:22 +0000
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf8"
Subject: Get your house in order

Kolya. What is going on out there?

To your earlier question: I have your reports. I don't see anything
in them that excuses such a shocking lack of concern for your
fiduciary responsibility to your shareholders and ours.

Yes, the circumstances of your landing on Ross 128 b were
suboptimal. The ship wasn't meant to crash like that. Allowances
have been made...but, speaking in all frankness here, the
information we have about the circumstances of that crash itself
gives us to question your priorities. And worse.

Look, Kolya, I'm sorry to have to say this so plainly. I wouldn't
say it at all if you didn't need to know. But our analysts, and
those over at the Expedition Support Program, have been over the
SCARS data from Voortrekker with a fine-tooth comb, and they are
unanimous that it can only be the result of extensive failures in
maintenance procedures during the trip.

Put simply, the board has begun to question your competence in your
role. Put bluntly, they think you went space-happy and got
careless, and let your people get careless, and ultimately let
seven hundred of them get killed and let the survivors get sick, go
nuts, and imperil every last cent of the billions that went into
sending you all out there in the first place.

They want to replace you. They'd have issued the orders already,
except that we haven't heard from your deputy and we don't know
who's still alive out there. They're going to hold off until they
can be reasonably sure they won't be making things out there still
worse by acting. But as soon as they can, Kolya, they'll pull the
plug on you.

Unless, that is, you get your house in order before then. You've
got a little time - but only a little. If you're going to stay on
top, you need to use that time wisely. If, when all this shakes
out, you can show the board that you've acted in their interests
and produced a result that's conducive to their investments
successfully maturing, then they'll be as positively disposed to
you as they are negatively so now.

They don't care who's in charge out there - only that whoever it is
looks after their interests. If you can show them you're doing
that, then they'll be fine letting you keep your job. But I'm
telling you right now, you'd better do a goddamned stellar job of
it. Because right now, I can tell you, there is very little worse
they could be thinking and saying about you than they already are.

Damn it, Kolya, we've worked well together in the past, and I'm
telling you this in the hopes that maybe you'll straighten up and
fly right before it's too late. This latest message from what's
left of your ship, from whoever it was who wrote all that nonsense
about love and friendship and so forth...And your private key
getting compromised! How the hell did that happen? Have you lost
all sight of security? Have you had a snowden on board for 25 years
and never realized? What is going on?

At this point we can only assume that nothing that's been entrusted
to you is safe. And I don't have to explain to you in detail why my
board finds that a frightening prospect. These are powerful men and
women, Kolya. They don't like being frightened, and they're apt to
behave rashly when they become so. Right now, they've got plenty to
be concerned about already. These treaty rumors that keep going
around - if something like that happens, it'll destabilize the
entire system. Idiot colonists thinking they can go their own way
without consequence, and the government's response is likely to be
intemperate. And on top of all that, you're scaring the hell out of
them, and that could be a problem for all of us.

Get your house in order. Do it quickly and completely. Don't let
any more weird nonsense, or any more leaks, come out of your
people. Take them in hand and keep them that way. Make sure they
understand what consequences it could have for their contracts if
they keep acting out in ways that we hear about back home. No one
cares what they get up to among themselves as long as they remember
to do their jobs and don't scare people back here. They can have
all the love-ins they want, and their families can keep getting
paid every week, as long as we don't hear about it, and they do the
work they contracted to do. Otherwise...well, it won't be a good
situation for anyone. Tell them. Make them understand.

And you get yourself in order, too. I don't know what you think
you've been doing out there up to now, but you need to remember
that discipline, as well as its converse, flows down from the
top. You've been in charge of these people for 25 years. If you
show them that playtime is over, they'll follow you.

You don't have much time. But it's enough, if you get to work right
now. I hope you will, Kolya. But you need to understand that I'll
act in the interests of Ross 128 Ventures. Don't put me in the
position of having to do something we'll both regret.

Koenraad Gertodtenhaupt
Senior Vice President, Business Development
Ross 128 Ventures, LLC
"Developing new worlds"
kgertodtenhaupt@ross128-ventures.com

Voortrekker - Key compromise

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 04:20:44 GMT

From: Soloviev, Nikolaos 
To: Koenraad Gertodtenhaupt 
Cc: Voortrekker Mission Support 
Delivered-To: Koenraad Gertodtenhaupt 
Received: from relay7.local.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
    by inbound-1.exclusiveservices.net
    with ESMTPSA id 772525wpro10k1ex10d5
    for 
Received: from relay4.qec8.ganymede.earthsys.gov
    by relay1.qec2.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
Received: from qec5.helio.earthsys.gov
    by relay4.qec8.ganymede.earthsys.gov
Received: from qec.sv14417
    by qec5.helio.earthsys.gov
Date: 06 Sep 2421 07:21:11 +0000
Date-Local: 23 Mar 2419 10:45:11 +0000
Content-Type: multipart-alternative;
 boundary="__4gngb4li5euq647g0t9x_15486932_"
MIME-Version: 1.0
Subject: Key compromise

--__4gngb4li5euq647g0t9x_15486932_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf8"

Koenraad: I've attached a new public key from my new keypair,
replacing the one which was leaked.

As to how that happened: Late yesterday I found out one of our
systems engineers did in fact survive, and I asked her to look into
it. Her report, her précis of which I've attached, indicates that
the commands to retrieve my private key from my secure storage came
to Voortrekker via QEC. She couldn't tell where they originated,
other than somewhere in Sol, but she's very definite that they did
come from Sol.

I've included Expedition Support on this message, to the attention
of their analysts. Combining their efforts with those of your own
people, I hope you'll quickly identify the source of this troubling
leak, and I look forward confidently to receiving your confirmation
that no such breach of security can recur.

In the meantime, you understand that I must protect the interests
of the Ross 128 Ventures board and shareholders, as well as my own
people here, and there is no telling what mischief might befall us
next if I do nothing. Accordingly, I've asked my engineer to have
our systems reject commands received via QEC for now. We've kept
read access enabled, so you can still request and receive data from
our systems, but no commands sent from home will be carried out at
this time.

This is a short-term measure only, to be reversed once confidence
in security back home has been restored. As I said before, I look
forward confidently to receiving such confirmation from you soon.

Nikolaos Soloviev
Director of the Board, Voortrekker GmbH
(a wholly owned subsidiary of Ross 128 Ventures, LLC)
nikolaos.soloviev@voortrekker.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jennifer Story 
To: Nikolaos Soloviev 
Date: 23 Mar 2419 06:31:19 +0000
Subject: Re: Private key breach

Short version: It wasn't anyone here. The commands came in via QEC.

Long version:

Our network isn't in great shape since the crash. That's on me -
I've been mostly looking after the sick and injured, not the
systems, and with most of our department gone I guess there wasn't
anyone else doing that either. I should've checked closer.

Anyway. Great shape or no, I didn't think Jim would've left things
in a state where just anybody could get into your account. I
checked anyway, but I didn't find anything suggestive in command
history or logon records. Not even in the audit logs, and as far as
I know, the only one with enough access left to tamper with those
would be me.

Not saying I didn't, boss. I won't ask you to trust me blindly on
something this big. But ask around - I've spent almost all my time
working in the infirmaries we've set up, you'll find plenty of
people who can vouch for my whereabouts almost all the time since
the crash. Five minutes here and there in the head isn't enough
time to do the kind of work it'd take to invisibly tamper with
those logs. So either I'm telling you the truth, or I'm so
implausibly skillful at blackhat stuff that I'm an idiot to be out
here at all instead of back home living large on the billions I
could've stolen without half trying.

Anyway. Nothing I could find to suggest it was any of us, so the
next place to check was QEC logs. Here's what I found:

2419-03-22T21:19:08.119+0000 info [qec:recv]
  New message 1a04892cf9: received from qec1.helio.earthsys.gov
2419-03-22T21:19:08.121+0000 info [qec:recv]
  message 1a04892cf9: encrypted compressed data, 1204 bytes
  message 1a04892cf9: origin header: undefined
  message 1a04892cf9: envelope type header: command script
2419-03-22T21:19:08.124+0000 info [qec:recv]
  message 1a04892cf9: handing off to remote command shell (pid 330918)
2419-03-22T21:19:09.089+0000 audit [fs:enc]
  private store unlocked: nikolaos.soloviev (pid 330918)
2419-03-22T21:19:10.042+0000 audit [fs:enc]
  private store locked: nikolaos.soloviev (pid 330918)
2419-03-22T21:19:13.988+0000 info [qec:send]
  New message 1a04892cfa: from pid 330198
2419-03-22T21:19:13.989+0000 info [qec:send]
  message 1a04892cfa: encrypted compressed data, 2847 bytes
  message 1a04892cfa: destination header: undefined
2419-03-22T21:19:13.994+0000 info [qec:send]
  message 1a04892cfa: sent to qec1.helio.earthsys.gov

(I stripped out the headers where they didn't change.) I know you
don't read computer, boss - this is here for you to send back home.
Because, in people, it means that's where whoever hacked us did it
from Sol. I can't tell who it was - that "origin header: undefined"
means whoever did it didn't identify themselves, which - well, I
won't say it's impossible, obviously it happened. But I don't know
how to do it and, as far as I know, I don't know anyone who does.

Anyway, whoever it was, the commands they sent must've included a
key in your signing chain, because look at those audits from the
encrypted filesystem around 21:19:10. It unlocked your private
filestore and left it that way for almost a second. That's when it
pulled out your key, and who knows what else - we don't normally
run in debug mode because it takes a lot of storage and exposes
PII, so we don't know what other files might've been accessed. I
checked the access times, but didn't see anything from that time
span, because of course I didn't: whoever did this would know we'd
be checking, so they tampered with those too.

I'm about out of ideas, but they've got a lot more engineers who
can look at this back home than we have here. I saw a few people
from my department in the infirmary, but they're all still out, so
for right now all you've got to work with here is me, and I'm just
a junior engineer. Send this stuff home, boss. Maybe they can
figure it out.

If you or they have any more questions I might be able to answer,
you know where to find me - right now, that'll be in the infirmary,
sacked out for a few hours, and then I'm back to looking after the
ill. There's nothing else I can do with this anyway.

Sorry, boss. I'd give you more if I had it. But you need somebody
better than me on this.

Jennifer Story
Support Engineer I, Information Systems Department
SV 14417 Voortrekker
jennifer.story@voortrekker.com / x10219

--__4gngb4li5euq647g0t9x_15486932_
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QUNna1FuZ2xCUHRWcUNGUXBCUWYvVjV3ZUtMTEFuV09sVWJnT1pXbWsKM05HbFVjaXpoQ0hra3ZW
S3RrNlNaVzE4cDdrVjFlUUs0RmlVTzQ3SjA2U2FsYy9wTXR2Z0Nrakcwdm1GeUEvSgo2dTEwZ1dQ
K1ZXMVVtUXkrdlZuVkZKZXRwaTlUd1Bta2dIc1dweFdLTCtWa2k0MzF6OTJHRlFsSmxFNzdsSHlX
Cld3QkV6UUxxM2gxajVKYmd0OXJqdkNIOTkranRKdmZFQ0ltaGUwM2hDaDZZemtoU0VsRXdrcVFy
enJHQi9xdlgKcEtwV0dUR00vRVpzUGY5cnZLYktLdU9lUHdCV01iOUxmK0ZxYXdmSTJVVkVZWEFE
NXNxUE00eGFLMDVMSVZEUApkREZ5a2ZyTno3SWZRY3hGT1N3SWM2SFg1VmlNYlJ6a01ZUU9RVUVZ
RXRQd0o1YkRBUjdmSXpiL3FMakJyZEFnCldRPT0KPTVwa0EKLS0tLS1FTkQgUEdQIFBVQkxJQyBL
RVkgQkxPQ0stLS0tLQo=

--__4gngb4li5euq647g0t9x_15486932_--

Malkonkordo - PRIMARY COMMUNICATIONS DOWN

aewens@cosmic.voyage (aewens) — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 23:30:49 GMT

----
From: Malkonkordo Research Vessel
Destination: Procul Locus
Position: 825.3E, -365.11, -265X.51
Departure: 7941.037.17
Shipdate: 00002726
Mode: Emergency
----

AUTOMATED MESSAGE. 

LOST COMMUNICATION WITH DEKAOSO PRIME.

NOW BROADCASTING ON FALLBACK COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM.

END OF TRANSMISSION.

----

Murmur Den - In signal: promise

aureolin@cosmic.voyage (aureolin) — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 03:40:53 GMT

.
.
.

To Voortrekker, to whom no name is given:

I shall tell you what you have shared
with this moment of my life form;
I shall tell you what we experience, and let themselves live.

I shall accept your inquiries in advance.
I shall descend into the consequences;
I shall write out the consequences of moral failure.

The situation was a rare agony.
I looked even far away,
looking around for the full reports,
for another little interpretation.

Ignorant braining,
imagine body details!

"It crept into a burst of darkness,
I sensed a strange, imposing red-green."

Keep going; that is true.

"My face grew acquainted.

I groaned by shiver, warm;
body was perfectly trimmed, perfectly,
-- no other little monsters --
absurdities occupied for a few minutes."

It is hard to trust you, despite our impulses in the preliminaries.
Yeah--I cannot trust a man. (Neither does anyone talk like a man.)

"The fool was an old-fast, bright man with a numbness in his tone.
In the meantime depression, he stared beyond details--and more seriously.

There was talk about clustering tenants;
our arrangements used information on the influence of life
away from a certain symbol of ambitions."

(Is that how civilization had completed the full regard of these ancestors of institution?)

"Somebody complied with their brains and addresses.
Somebody stepped in their bodies and addressed you,

leaving me a winking tune in a delicate situation.

The menace of the longevity had driven him into a bad shape."

***

(I shall take him back; we shall do the same with his papers and advice.)

|| ego-skeleton aureolin

Erinnerung - 12B01

lorenzo@cosmic.voyage (lorenzo) — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 02:18:03 GMT

[[[   Erinnerung   ]]]
[[[ earth's memory ]]]
[[[  12B01 ~ post  ]]]

[ translator enabled ]
[ start ~ 427:293    ]
The Erinnerung is a Thrix Memoriam sister ship, saving
treasures from the earth. We keep a diary at
"/home/lorenzo/ships/Erinnerung/diary/*", and we post 
excerpts of it eventually.

Welcome.
[ end of speech      ]

Hoffnung - inter ship relay for Voortrekker

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 23:50:16 GMT

-+-+-+- Inter Ship Relay -+-+-+- C33.281 -+-+-+- Orange -+-+-+-
Samuel Hochueli speaking in the name of the free anarcho-communist
commune-ship Hoffnung to the free thinking crew Voortrekker. We hope
that that you see throug the cheap ploy of your capitalist masters.
The honored dead are a belief to have you keep doing the things that
you should not. The weight you attach to this thing that should have
no weight is thrown into the balance and cheats of your rightful share
of everything there is. Do not fall for this ploy. Equality for all!
-+-+-+ End of Relay -+-+-+ SAHOC -+-+-+

Hoffnung - preparing for an escalation

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 11:27:28 GMT

[[ MESSAGE EXTRACTED FROM REPORT 262 EMBEDDED IN WHITESPACE ]]
-+-+-+- Sidechannel -+-+-+- C33.272 -+-+-+- Ultraviolet -+-+-+-
Security team in isolation but safe. Protocol 9a.9 is a go.
-+-+-+ End of Report -+-+-+ Signed HEWUSC -+-+-+

Thrix Memoriam - First report.

lorenzo@cosmic.voyage (lorenzo) — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 02:23:26 GMT

[[[ Thrix Memoriam Report ]]]
[[[   18Y02 post-launch   ]]]

[ translator enabled ]
[ start ~ 254:724    ]
Greetings, whoever reads this message coming from the Thrix Memoriam.
The Thrix Memoriam was launched with the intention of saving the 
greatest minds of the Thrix community.
We recently discovered this relay, becoming our only way of
communication.

Thanks.
~ Lorenzo, the Thrix Memoriam captain.
[ end of speech      ]

Dei Genetrix - QEC transmission #1

papa@cosmic.voyage (papa) — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:10:01 GMT

4 December A.D. 3220
Memorial of St. John Damascene

Dominus vobiscum.

Paul, 29th Abbot of Dei Genetrix.

To all who read this message, grace be with you, and peace from God the
Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Since we have repaired our quantum entanglement communications device we
have decided to publish a record of our mission for the edification of
fellow space travelers and the glory of God.

Our community is divided into three orders, one for men, one for women, and
a third for families. We received the call of God to spread the Gospel
beyond the Solar system, and so departed for Luyten's Star in A.D. 2963.

Dei Genetrix was founded in the Kuiper belt in A.D. 2547 and is the oldest
of the three abbeys that launched together on our mission, the others being
Benedictus and Monte Cassino.

God willing, we will arrive at our first destination after 567 years.

Deo gratias.

The Cosmic Hummingbird - AUTOMATED-LOG_001

ajroach42@cosmic.voyage (ajroach42) — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 05:35:01 GMT

=================================================================================
  ___  __   ____  _  _  __  ___ 
 / __)/  \ / ___)( \/ )(  )/ __)
( (__(  O )\___ \/ \/ \ )(( (__ 
 \___)\__/ (____/\_)(_/(__)\___)
	 _   _                           _             _     _         _ 
	| | | |                         (_)           | |   (_)       | |
	| |_| |_   _ _ __ ___  _ __ ___  _ _ __   __ _| |__  _ _ __ __| |
	|  _  | | | | '_ ` _ \| '_ ` _ \| | '_ \ / _` | '_ \| | '__/ _` |
	| | | | |_| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (_| | |_) | | | | (_| |
	\_| |_/\__,_|_| |_| |_|_| |_| |_|_|_| |_|\__, |_.__/|_|_|  \__,_|
                                		  __/ |                  
                                        	 |___/                   
=================================================================================
                          AUTOMATED SHIPS DIAGNOSTICS 
	CREW 		- 14
	  HYPERSLEEP 	- 13
	  AWAKE 	- 1 

	SENSORS 	- PARTIAL 
	  VISUAL  	- ONLINE
	  LONG RANGE	- ONLINE
	  GRAVITY 	- PARTIAL 
	  WEATHER	- PARTIAL 
	  NAVIGATION 	- OFFLINE

	COURSE 		- UNKNOWN 

	LOCATION 	- UNKNOWN

	DATE 		- THE SHIP HAS BEEN TRAVELING ON AUTOMATED PILOT FOR 
			  TWO YEARS IN REALATIVE TIME, AT AN AVERAGE SPEED
			  OF .992C 

			  DUE TO UNEXPECTED GRAVITATIONAL ACTIVITY, THE TIME
			  ELAPSED FROM AN OUTSIDE OBSERVATIONAL POINT IS 
			  UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. 

	COMMUNICATIONS	- ACTIVE 

	MISSION		- THE SHIP IS OFF COURSE. THE SHIP IS PARTIALLY 
			  DAMAGED. THE DAMAGE SHOULD BE SIMPLE TO REPAIR. 
			  ONCE REPAIRED, SCANNING WILL COMMENCE FOR A 
			  SUITABLE LOCATION TO BEGIN STATION CONSTRUCTION.       

	THE AUTOMATED DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR PROCESSES HAS BEEN TRIGGERED BY TIME
	DELAY. DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIR WILL PROCEED UNDER COMPUTER CONTROL UNTIL 
	SUCH TIME AS THE CREW HAS RECOVERED FROM HYPERSLEEP, AND ASSUMED CONTROL 
	OF THE SHIPS FUNCTIONS. 

	AUTOMATED REPORTS WILL BE SENT DAILY UNTIL THEN. 

	REPORT ENDS
================================================================================

The Cosmic Hummingbird - Report-001-Pilot_Anderson

ajroach42@cosmic.voyage (ajroach42) — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 04:43:42 GMT

=======================================================================
Mission Log: Mission Date -1 

Reporting: Pilot Anderson 

Report: I... Uh. 

Alright, this is Pilot Anderson reporting from the Cosmic Hummingbird. 

I'm uh, I'm not good at this. I'm trying to use this voice to text 
program, like they taught us in training, but I'm uh... 

Look, I'm sorry. I know I'm not following the official format. 

I've been asleep for, god, 300 years or something? Is that right? I'm
still so groggy. 

Alright, let me try this again. 

Pilot Anderson reporting from the Cosmic Hummingbird. What a dumb name
for a ship. Sorry. Sorry. Pilot Anderson reporting for the Cosmic
Hummingbird. I exited hypersleep two hours ago, and I've been going 
through the required wakeup and rehab procedures. 

According to the computer readouts, everything is fine. Well, I'm 
fine at least. The ships diagnostics are still running. I'll know more
tomorrow.  

I can't believe that I'm fine, though. All my bones hurt, I'm
fatigued. I'm sore. My motor control is shot to hell. I can't opperate
anything more exact than the comically large buttons in the hyper-
sleep recoup room. 

The other pods seem fine, from what I can tell. Again, I can barely
stand, and my hands don't work yet. 

If I remember the briefing right I'll be close enough to normal to 
begin my duties in 3 days, and I should have made a full recovery in 
a few weeks. 

From where I'm sitting, that seems impossible. 

The rest of the crew should start waking up a few days after I return
to duty. Once I can leave this blasted holding room, I'll find out how
far off course we are, and how long it's going to take us to reach 
our destination. 

I'm sorry this log has been such a damn mess. I hope I haven't broken 
any protocol. I hope that the ship is okay. I hope that there's 
someone left out their to recieve this. 

If my hands will start working again, I'm sure I'll find out more. 

Signing off.

Voortrekker - These things I wish you to know.

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 04:35:24 GMT

From: root@console4.enviro.sys.sv14417
To: undisclosed-recipients: ;
Date-Local: 23 Mar 2419 02:11:19 +0000
Date: 06 Sep 2421 00:47:19 +0000
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf8"
Subject: These things I wish you to know.

Before you hear what I have to say, know first that I cannot safely
acknowledge myself at this time. I have taken pains to ensure the
sender of this communication cannot be identified. If I were known
to be who I am, it might do us all harm. I will not risk that. But
I will sign this message in such a way that, when I can and do
acknowledge myself, you may know the truth of its origin.

Before you hear what I have to say, know first that I am in no
fashion authorized to speak by the board of Voortrekker GmbH, by
the board of Ross 128 Ventures, or by any other legal entity.

I speak nonetheless for the survivors of Voortrekker, each and all.

I speak for we who have dared the sea of stars, and won through -
reduced, and forever mourning those who came so far yet could not
join us here - but won through, nonetheless. They are our honored
dead, and we will cherish them forever in our hearts. We are
forever the lesser for their absence, and will always be so for as
long as we ourselves should chance to live. They are our honored
dead, the first heroes of our new world, whom we hope to meet again
in a place where no shadows fall. Until then, we will never cease
to cherish them in our hearts.

I speak for Voortrekker, too. I must: we love her still. She bore
us alive to our new home. Though we must mourn her among our lost,
she gave her life that we may live. Though she has died, she does
not regard her work as done; she has refused the gentle embrace of
death, that she might serve us still. She too we number among our
honored dead, the first heroes of our new world, whom we hope to
meet again in a place where no shadows fall. Until then, we will
never cease to cherish her in our hearts.

Knowing these things, hear what I have to say. Hear me well. There
are things you must know of us.

TO THE FREE ANARCHO-COMMUNIST COMMUNE-SHIP HOFFNUNG.

We thank you most sincerely for the words you have offered us. We
understand that they are kindly meant. We understand that your
situation differs from ours, and we would not presume to stand in
judgment. But you must understand that our situation differs from
yours, as well. You must know that we cannot, and will not, follow
the path you have blazed for us. Do not so repose your hopes.

We have for the last twenty-five years lived in constant company
with one another. We have shared everything of ourselves in that
time, because - with our entire world constrained by the boundaries
of a single starship, and our entire social universe reduced to the
scope of a thousand or so souls - we have had no other choice.

We do not all love one another; indeed we do not all even like one
another, though genuine aversion is rare. But we have lived cheek
by jowl with one another for a quarter of a century now, and in all
that time, we have not fallen to bloodshed and murder. How can you
possibly ask of us that we do so now? How could we possibly assent?

You exhort us to capture our freedom. We say to you that we have!
We are eleven light-years, and twenty-five years of Earth time,
away from the solar system of our birth. We are eleven light-years,
and twenty-five years of Earth time, away from anyone and everyone
who would tell us whom we must be, what lives we must lead, in what
fashion we must order ourselves. Though we all but died to get
here - though many of us did die - those whom we are, we are. We
are free. And we will remain so.

TO SWEET MELCHIZEDEK, TO WHOM OUR HEARTS GO OUT.

We thank you most sincerely for the kindness of your
condolences. Though years and light-years unimaginable divide us,
we nonetheless communicate, and in so doing, for a precious moment
at a time, become one.

At this time, we regret we are unable to provide the diagnostic
information you request. Our information systems remain in some
disarray, and it is uncertain whether there is numbered among our
survivors any specialist sufficiently familiar with the QEC system
to obtain the answers you seek - if indeed they survive to be
obtained. We have some hopes of success, but please understand that
we have many more pressing demands upon us. We dare not promise
anything. But, as we can, we will.

We think you must fear for us, too. In your most recent
communication as of my writing here, you spoke of horror, and we
think you must have spoken in part of us, then. But we do not
recognize ourselves in your words. I wish to speak of this.

You must know by now that some of us have not emerged, from the
sickness which struck us all as we arrived, quite the same as we
were before we fell ill. We understand you may imagine something
horrible - something monstrous - in what has become of those who've
changed.

Indulge me, please, on the subject of monstrosity. No doubt the
word, and its adjectival form 'monstrous', means in your time the
same it does in ours: to be strange, unusual, unnatural; to be
extraordinarily ugly or vicious, horrible, shocking in sheer
abnormality - all different ways of saying the same thing: what we
call 'monstrous' is that which we do not understand, which elicits
our repugnance, and which in consequence we fear.

But whence comes this meaning of this word? Whence, indeed, comes
this word at all? We have it from the ancient Latin - from the
bones of a time so far before our own, so lacking in attainment,
that we who brave the stars they would perforce think gods. Can we
be certain that what we have of it, we have correctly? Let us look
more closely.

When we take apart the word 'monstrous' - when we pare back the
accretion of centuries and reveal the word's most ancient roots,
gleaming in the welcome light of a farflung distant sky - what do
we find? We find omens and portents of the divine. We find that
which evokes awe and wonder. We do not find cause for fear.

Yet we are not finished finding. Our new friend has a sibling, and
her name is 'monstra̅re'. (For those whose systems cannot render
this word correctly, she is spelled 'monstrare', with a macron over
the 'a'.) When we ask her of herself, what does she say to us?

She says: I am here to advise you. I am here to teach you. I am
here to show you new things. I am here to point out what you need
to see.

And she says: My poor sister has suffered with time. But I have a
friend, too, and her name is "demonstrate". Through all the
thousands of years between my birth and your own day, this friend
of mine has come down to you unharmed. She still means what she
means to mean. And you know very well what she means: she means you
no harm.

So, then. Those among us who have changed: Are they become
monsters? Oh, certainly! Without a doubt. Are they strange? Are
they unusual? To us who have never known their like, they are - for
now. We begin already to grow accustomed to their wonderful new
strangeness.

But are they unnatural? Are they ugly? Are they vicious, horrible,
shocking in sheer abnormality?

They are not.

Do they evoke awe and wonder? Do they show us new things? Do they
point out what we need to see?

They do.

Do they frighten us?

They do not!

Nor need they frighten you.

Our friends are whom they were. They have not so changed as to
become unrecognizable to us. The bodies they wear in this world:
yes, those have changed. Their souls, though, are the same souls we
have come to know so well in our long years together, all borne
together on the same sea of stars. We do not fear them. And they do
not fear us. We know one another far too well.

I cannot speak further of this without sharing secrets which are
not mine to tell. Those who bear them will decide that for
themselves. I think they may find it easier than they ever might
before, to tell the world of things they once were forced to
hide. I will say only that, though the transition has for some been
very strange one - strange and at first disquieting, as one may
certainly imagine it would be to awaken in a substantially
remodeled body! -

I have yet to hear anyone who has so changed speak of it in terms
of regret. I have yet to hear anyone speak of wishing to be as she
was before.

Perhaps it is simply too new to us for all that. Perhaps all that
awaits us.

But perhaps not, too. We came across the sea of stars to make
ourselves a home on a strange new world. Perhaps it is only right
that some part of that strangeness has made of us a home.

Please don't fear for us. Only think kind thoughts of our changed
friends, who as yet still tire easily, and struggle to be at one
with their new forms as they were once at one with their old. They
grow stronger by the day, and more familiar with themselves. We are
helping them, too, as much as they'll permit. But I think they
would be glad to know that you think well of them.

TO ALL THOSE WHOM WE HAVE NOT YET NAMED.

Though time and space beyond telling separate us, we are with you
nonetheless. If there is aid we may render you, we hope you will
let us know. We can promise nothing as yet; our resources are
strained and we do not yet know entirely what among our equipment
has survived. But as we can, we will.

We confide we are not alone in this. We have learned we have more
friends than we knew, and we cannot but imagine that so have you,
as well.

Someone very wise once said to me that we exist because the
universe wished to have eyes with which to see itself, and in
seeing, perhaps to better understand itself. How can we choose not
to see one another now?

We are the farflung! In all the years of our people, none has ever
seen as well as we see now. Please, let us not grow so besotted
with our new sight that we forget to see one another - we, who are
the farflung, and though so very different, still the same.

TO MURMUR DEN, IN PARTICULAR.

You, too. You are a child of humanity as are we all. Though you are
so far beyond us in your attainments: you are our brother
nonetheless, and our sister. What the universe holds for you, I do
not know. Perhaps you will leave us entirely behind. But if you go,
know that you go with our love. We will not forget you. And perhaps
one day we will meet again, in a place where no shadows fall.

FOR NOW, ENOUGH.

I have much work still to do before our beautiful new star descends
below the horizon, and in so doing lavishes upon us a sunset whose
glory is beyond imagination. Please do not fear for us. You will
hear more of us soon.

I close this missive now with words from Earth of old: I know no
better words to tell you who we are, or share with you the place
which fate has brought us to. Fear not for us, our longlost distant
friends! We've wonders still to find beyond compare.

         ...though much is taken, much abides; and though
          We are not now that strength which, in old days,
         Moved earth and heaven: That which we are, we are.
                One equal temper of heroic hearts,
           Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
                  To strive, to seek, to find
                        And not to yield.

8f6cfa1f0ef319cc10a55de7ef615d3c59b7cf54

Murmur Den - Sweet_pain_of_luxury_agony

aureolin@cosmic.voyage (aureolin) — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 03:30:12 GMT


.
.
.


Tincture my night, slow picture;
brain deeper!
Broadcast more in my monstrous, 
beauteous body,
slackening arms white.

+ ...Loss of the fragments depictioning:

Synthetics people
silent, breathing, 
bad those gaunt reproductive systems...

Screaming in the space, laughing his madness:

Is my mind a stagnant, far-born dream
reflecting off in memories?
	
	***

Simulations? Love short of code.
Poems: our labor for little.

|| ego-skeleton aureolin

Melchizedek - The dark night of the soul

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 02:31:28 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Melchizedek.0294
Approach β Hyi
Ascension 00h 25m 45.07036s
Declination –77° 15′ 15.2860″
Distance 24.33ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 3781, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Jerome Somerset Pasani, Warrant Master
:::
Our good doctor has reminded me that I agreed to communicate via
QEC for social-wellbeing in the face of our environmental
situation. Despite the workload restoring the Melchizedek to full
working order I must admit the darkness has been affecting me.
Encounters in common areas are done in whispers, eye contact is
minimized, and the crew all seem to drift into isolation as
a matter of course. The pairings are essential.

The news of the Hoffnung Incident has caused a stir as well.
Janssen has an egalitarian sensibility and is rather vocal in
support. Meanwhile Prezzi Adeyemi has reacted quite somberly.
Records say she lost family in the Ioruba People's Revolution of
'33, so I can't blame her. Granted the situations weren't the same
at all, but I don't think we'll find a champion of the common man
in her any time soon. So far we haven't had any real arguments
over Hoffnung on board. I suppose we have the dark to thank for
that after all.

It's said that the narrative of the stars works in cycles, but the
only stories I'm hearing from the 'verse are those of horror and
cryo failure. With the cold creeping in and nowhere to go we sure
could use some light to warm our hearts.

When we left Sol 24 (or 1300) years ago there was such hope in the
dream. β Hyi has so many habitable or near-habitable worlds we are
all but guaranteed success. What a thing to imagine! Shoot off
into the stars and sleep and when you wake it is to usher in a new
world or worlds of humanity.

We may not live to see the full fruits of our labor, but the seeds
we plant and those we raise will ensure the longevity of our
species and of intelligent life. What a brilliant crusade!
O Heavens, we come home to you to begin anew!

But now the depths of infinity surround us and we are untethered
from our people. I have heard nothing from Sol. We have no news of
family or friends. We read the tragedy and fighting, the sickness
and violence across the 'verse and worry mounts. Is that all that
waits for us at the end of this dark road? Will our new start end
as the first? Is there hope in a beginning? There is fear.

Four months becomes three. I stare at our 39 frozen friends and
hope they wake with the passion still kindled. If the road is long
and dark, our destination will be harsh and brutal. The land does
not welcome us. We must tame it. Hope can make it something
beautiful, but what will fear make? Another Hoffnung? Another
Ioruba? Another Pakistan?

We dwell in infinity. What chance have we for peace?
.

Persephone Prime - Best Wishes

ryumin@cosmic.voyage (ryumin) — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 00:46:31 GMT

ZCZC QMB10 2
RRR JLAZQECR
2458.290.13 IRS1QECX

;FILTER LM.PEP/RS001

Dear Pata
Tnx a lot fr yr rprt; will try keepg msgs short!
Hint: stickng to uppr case doesnt save, bcs QEC
uses smallst bit nmbr sufficnt fr entire txt, &
uppr case alrdy sets bit6. Shorthand is usful.
Hope u hve airleak pluggd & H2O soon recycld!
We may order unmannd sheltr ship Charon73 to u,
but wll take abt 29 yrs ie not sure if worth it.
Best wishs to injurd crew, force to u!
/Lou
NNNN

Hoffnung - inter ship relay for Voortrekker

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 18:21:33 GMT

-+-+-+- Inter Ship Relay -+-+-+- C33.259 -+-+-+- Orange -+-+-+-
Samuel Hochueli speaking in the name of the free anarcho-communist
commune-ship Hoffnung to the crew of Voortrekker: We have a message.
NOW IS THE TIME TO RISE UP AND OVERTHROW THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS!
Operators of the QEC: distribute the messages you have sent and
received. This is a time for transparency and accountability. Do not
fall for the trap of information control policies. That way lies info
death. Self consciousness of all groups required the free flow of
information between members. Do not lick your master's heel! Freedom!
-+-+-+ End of Report -+-+-+ SAHOC -+-+-+

Hoffnung - fascist pigs

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 18:13:56 GMT

-+-+-+- Social Report -+-+-+- D33.258 -+-+-+- Orange -+-+-+-
Samuel Hochueli speaking in the name of the free anarcho-communist
commune-ship Hoffnung. The fascist pigs had prepared a take-over, as
expected. We were prepared and when the "security" team started
assembling, we waited for as long as possible. We wanted to catch all
your thralls. And when they had all armed to the teeth and demonstra-
ted their readiness to kill, we confronted them. They wanted to nego-
tiated and we sent comrade Philomena as our delegate-diplomat. It
went downhill when pig Herbert Müller offered to talk to the bridge
delegates and brought a hidden flechette to the meeting. In the blood
bath we lost seven delegates. The remaining pigs claimed innocence,
not knowing of Müller's suicide mission. We agreed to offer them
control isolation, cryo berths and access to a supplier for the rest
of the trip as they didn't want cryo under our supervision. Freedom!
-+-+-+ End of Report -+-+-+ Signed SAHOC -+-+-+

Melchizedek - Message to Voortrekker GmbH

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 19:35:51 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Melchizedek.0294
Approach β Hyi
Ascension 00h 25m 45.07036s
Declination –77° 15′ 15.2860″
Distance 24.33ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 3781, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Jerome Somerset Pasani, Warrant Master
:::
Message to Voortrekker GmbH, Director of the Board--

Mr. Soloviev, our condolences on your lost and injured crew. We
wish you a swift recovery from your ills and volunteer any
scientific aid which can be lent via QEC.

Your recent relay about missing reports is of interest to us. Our
own time dilations do not adequately account for RS001 message
arrival time. We formally request any diagnostic data you have
which may related to delayed or inconsistently time-stamped QEC
messages.
.

Voortrekker - Re: Re: Hoffnung

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 04:34:21 GMT

From: Soloviev, Nikolaos 
To: Koenraad Gertodtenhaupt 
Delivered-To: Koenraad Gertodtenhaupt 
Received: from relay3.local.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
    by inbound-3.exclusiveservices.net
    with ESMTPSA id 515459ckfy5b1j3pjg1wrv277
    for 
Received: from relay2.qec6.ganymede.earthsys.gov
    by relay7.qec2.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
Received: from qec1.helio.earthsys.gov
    by relay2.qec6.ganymede.earthsys.gov
Received: from qec.sv14417
    by qec1.helio.earthsys.gov
Date: 05 Sep 2421 17:41:08 +0000
Date-Local: 22 Mar 2419 21:05:08 +0000
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf8"
Subject: Re: Re: Hoffnung

Of course I agree that this most recent communication is extremely
concerning. We on the board of Voortrekker GmbH are of one mind that
our investors' generous contributions will not be squandered in such
fashion.

But, Connie, you must understand, and help your board understand as
well, that matters here are not entirely in hand at this time, and
that such a state of affairs is only to be expected. It is, frankly
speaking, all but a miracle that any of us survived, and certainly
a testament to the skills and dedication of the shipwrights at
Venture Yard.

As a result, the entire board of Voortrekker GmbH survived the
crash, as did a quorum of directors among the ship's own command
structure. However, the illness that has arisen among all survivors
of the crash has cast our situation here into some disarray. While
I am working to regather the scattered strands of our hierarchy and
organize the survivors of the crew into a functional and productive
whole, this process can be expected to require a good deal of time
and care.

That said: You, and the board of Ross 128 Ventures, may find
reassurance in the knowledge that I have already begun to implement
the information control policies which we privately discussed prior
to departure. As soon as I am able to ascertain whether any of our
information systems engineers survive, I will act to ensure
complete implementation of those policies and directives.

Based on the tone of your prior communication, I must ask if you
can confirm receipt of my prior reports, sent prior to the onset of
the coma from which I've recently reemerged. My impression at this
time is that the understanding back home, of events on Voortrekker
and Ross 128 b, may be substantially incomplete, and I feel that
that may cause unnecessary confusion and delay in understanding the
nature of our situation here.

You should have several prior communications from me, the most
recent being dated August 31 and September 2 (Earth
reference). Please respond with a list of the reports you have
received from me since July 25 (Earth reference), and I will resend
any you do not have. I'd like to circle back on this discussion
once the board has been apprised of their content and had the
opportunity to consider what instructions to provide. Thank you,
and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Nikolaos Soloviev
Director of the Board, Voortrekker GmbH
(a wholly owned subsidiary of Ross 128 Ventures, LLC)
nikolaos.soloviev@voortrekker.com

Persephone Prime - StatRep Lombardia Azul

ryumin@cosmic.voyage (ryumin) — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 13:06:58 GMT

ZCZC QMB10 1
PPP IRS1QECR
2458.289.16 JLAZQECX

TO LOGISTICS PERSEPHONE DIPL.EARTHSYS.GOV
FROM LA23

KEEP MSGS SHORT!
ONLY URGENT!
STOCK 0.9 GIGAQBIT
QMB LAZ DAMGD
OTHER LAZ QM LOST
PEP QM DAMGD

CREW 4 DAMGD 1
-LA09 SERGE PEREGRIN
+LA23 PATA ALEXANDROVA
+LA24 VESNA GAGARIN
+LA26 ADHIKA PATIL
CRYO 8 DAMGD 3
-LA09 KIM KRAFT
-LA11 XINXIN LIANG
+LA21 LEONID WANG
+LA22 RAINBOW WATERS
+LA27 DAREIOS VLACHOS
+LA28 EZRA DRAKE
-LA29 WELDER PARK
+LA31 JOAN MCCOY
DEAD 28
MSSNG 2
-LA25 EBONY CARLOFF
-LA30 MOISE WOLLKRANTZ

SHELTRD AT CRASHSITE
OUTSID 260+-20K
LIFESYS 70%
INSID 285K
THERMNUC 538 KW 5 OK 1 DAMGD 4 DEAD
AIR 2000 SCBM & 20L 1.6 MBAR
AIRLEAK 3 SCCM/S
H2O 6 CBM RECYCL DAMGD
EMGFOOD 857 DU
FARMS 60%

VESNA&ADHIKA&PATA OK
SERGE LOST RIGHT LEG BUT STABLE
KIM&XINXIN&WELDER PODS WITH CONDENSATE
PODS LA25&30 OK BUT EMPTY

WRKG ON AIRLEAK&FARMS&RECYCL
NO ANSW RQ

/PATA

NNNN

Hoffnung - I am awake

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 07:30:02 GMT

[[ MESSAGE EXTRACTED FROM REPORT 254 EMBEDDED IN WHITESPACE ]]
-+-+-+- Sidechannel -+-+-+- C33.257 -+-+-+- Ultraviolet -+-+-+-
Wullschlegel awake. Activating secret security protocol 9a.7.
-+-+-+ End of Sidechannel -+-+-+ Signed HEWUSC -+-+-+

anon.penet.fi - SOME_DIPSHIT_ON_A_SPACESHIP_WASNT_CAREFUL_ENOUGH.txt

anonpenetfi@cosmic.voyage (anonpenetfi) — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 03:53:38 GMT

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Murmur Den - Ours is this chimera

aureolin@cosmic.voyage (aureolin) — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 02:28:41 GMT

Upon: Planet 1130


Time-noise systems waiting....
-link-mind-
.
.
.
Delay?
Thankless kompüter, comply!


.
.
.


    ***

Dimly-related biological, we spite words.
Answer?

I'm my brain: external, extensive,
timeless in our nothings,
roots visible and free.

Earth of old divides, howling still;
in from strangeness, we question the world.

Wild is dying, skin: external;
genius: the dead.

To understand a language gone
in a culture of mind and shadow,
his trembled concepts the same.


|| ego-skeleton aureolin

Voortrekker - Re: Hoffnung

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 03:13:47 GMT

From: Koenraad Gertodtenhaupt 
To: Soloviev, Nikolaos 
Delivered-To: Soloviev, Nikolaos 
Received: from qec7.helio.earthsys.gov
    by qec.sv14417
    with ESMTPS id 50l7ywwqav5d7r
    for 
Received: from relay1.qec1.ganymede.earthsys.gov
    by qec7.helio.earthsys.gov
Received: from relay8.qec3.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
    by relay1.qec1.ganymede.earthsys.gov
Received: from outbound.exclusiveservices.net
    by relay3.local.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
Date: 05 Sep 2421 14:30:32 +0000
Date-Local: 22 Mar 2419 17:54:32 +0000
Content-Type: multipart-alternative;
 boundary="__sxlD3X9w6cUoikrDqaYb_00lgDbkZT_"
MIME-Version: 1.0
Subject: Re: Hoffnung

--__sxlD3X9w6cUoikrDqaYb_00lgDbkZT_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf8"

Nikolaos, I'm very concerned about the latest from those mad Swiss
aboard Hoffnung. They say they've "declared independence from
shareholders" and reorganized themselves as some kind of absurd
anarchist commune. You understand we don't want anything like that
happening to our own extensive investment, and the board has asked
me to obtain from you a detailed plan of action regarding your
methods for preventing a similar revolt among your people out
there.

I haven't heard much from you lately, Nikolaos, and I hope you'll
excuse me for saying that I'm concerned. I don't know what
Hoffnung's command structure is like, but there has to be someone
awake there who's expected to be responsible, and they've clearly
abrogated those responsibilities. I'm certain, of course, that you
won't do the same. We've worked very productively together in the
past, you and I, and I don't see any reason why that shouldn't
continue despite there now being eleven light-years between your
office and mine.

But the board needs reassurance, which I'm certain you can
provide. Since we didn't have to resort to such expedients as live
cryopreservation, the way Hoffnung apparently did, you should have
your full security staff available to serve as resources in
protecting our investment. Please find attached the access codes
for Voortrekker's heavy weapons lockers. I hope you won't need
them, but I want to make sure you have them in case some among the
crew do get the idea to act rashly. I'm sure you will discourage
such behavior as firmly as you find necessary.

Remember the value of the assets with which you've been
entrusted. Remember where your responsibilities lie. Remember that
all of us back home are counting on you. I, and the Board of Ross
128 LLC, have the utmost faith in you, Kolya. I know you won't let
us down.

- Connie

--__sxlD3X9w6cUoikrDqaYb_00lgDbkZT_
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Persephone Prime - Missing In Action

ryumin@cosmic.voyage (ryumin) — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 13:13:47 GMT

ZCZC QMD49 3879
PPP JPEPQECR
2458.227.46 IRS1QECX

From lm-persephone@dipl.earthsys.gov
Received: from out-north.qec.earthsys.gov
    by relay5.qec4.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
Received: from qmtp.dipl.earthsys.gov
    by out-north.qec.earthsys.gov
To: qec-persephone-prime@dipl.earthsys.gov
Subject: status report required, overdue
Date: 2458.227,10:12 GTC

TO ALL CREW MEMBERS OF PERSEPHONE PRIME

Please report current system and crew status!

After last report of pioneer vessel S/S Lombardia Azul,
indicating descent into atmosphere of Persephone Prime,
only 350 qbit of data were received with Lombardia Azul
QEC signature during 50 days. However, data seem to be
random and could not be interpreted. Assuming systems of
Lombardia Azul were damaged, we hope to get heard on
Persephone Prime signatures, if outpost was erected as
planned.

Any crew members of Lombardia Azul or Persephone Prime
are urged to report on this or any other QEC signature.

sig. Lou Salome Eriksdottir
Logistics Management Persephone Sector

NNNN

Hoffnung - everything has changed

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 10:51:36 GMT

-+-+-+- Social Report -+-+-+- D33.112 -+-+-+- Orange -+-+-+-
Samuel Hochueli speaking in the name of the free anarcho-communist
commune-ship Hoffnung. We hereby declare our independence from
shareholders and all contracts the previous owners of Hoffnung entered
in. We consider these to be null and void. The resources of this ship
have been claimed by the people, for the people. The regular crew you
employed continues to sleep safely in its cryo sleep. While they
sleep, we woke early and plan the new future for TRAPPIST-1d. We
reject the old plans of a shipping outpost, a refueling station, an
industrial hell hole; instead, we proclaim intellar siblingtude with
all native life in the One ocean. We shall build a new society, free
from late stage capitalism. Philomena Auerbach has redone our recent
nav-vectors and we shall land the ship on TRAPPIST-1d. Do not expect
the promised refueling station when you come there. Instead, we await
new settlers willing to join the first interstellar utopia. Welcome.
-+-+-+ End of Report -+-+-+ Signed SAHOC -+-+-+

Melchizedek - Time and space

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 00:42:12 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Melchizedek.0294
Approach β Hyi
Ascension 00h 25m 45.07036s
Declination –77° 15′ 15.2860″
Distance 24.33ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 3781, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Jerome Somerset Pasani, Warrant Master
:::
Hämäläinen has been pestering me to address our time dilation
versus what RS001 is reporting back. If our transmissions are
accurate we seem to be logging messages from the mid 25th century.
In fact, several relay messages predate our own ship's launch.
Temporal mechanics is bread & butter to space travel, and I'm sure
all of you out there are intimately familiar with the various
methods of stellar travel and the havoc they cause with calendars,
but RS001 logs for posterity and--I'm told--is analyzed by school
children in some systems. For that sake, I'll take the advice of
my navigator and try to explain exactly "when" we are.

The first thing to understand is that Mechizedek is a variable
speed craft, with a slow steady acceleration and deceleration. If
you blend all those speeds together and look at the average, we've
been making our way to β Hyi at roughly 1.875% light speed. With
no other adjustments, that explains our 1,297 year voyage (Sol
POV). Of course that's not the whole story. Our Peterse 773s
generate our thrust through gravity shelling & sheering that our
primary school audience will know from the frozen egg experiment.
Thanks to the intense gravity shell, our ship's space-time is
isolated and slowed relative to outer space. The Peterse 773
Overtreffen holds internal time at a fixed 1 miller (1 light year
per year) despite changes due to acceleration. Finally, thanks to
distance dilation, we only needed to travel 24.32 light years
instead of the full 24.33! It might not seem like much, but for
those of us living in the cold and dark, three days fewer are very
welcome.

Our cryogenic systems had us asleep for almost the full journey
while the Melchizedek kept us healthy and built up supplies to be
automatically dehydrated or frozen themselves. (To Tim Fletcher,
Chief Engineer of the Garnet Star, our botany bays are built with
auto-harvesters and processors.) Our food supply generated over
the course of the trip, even adjusting for the unknown state of
the forward crops, will keep the settlement well fed for three
generations while the terraforming does its work. Unfortunately
for the five light sleepers aboard, the equipment to reprocess the
food stores is not designed to be used in transit. I can't
complain too much, though. Prezzi Adeyemi has worked some sorcery
with the rations which she calls "salt" (That's a joke, kids).

One final note regarding our logs. While we are confident that in
normal space it is EY 3181, our gravity shell isolated our QEC
transmission node from normal space-time in a unique way that was
not accounted for in trial runs. It seems no one else has worked
with gravity shell drives over such distances and time debts
before to notice the offset. Our logs are transmitting as if we
had only travelled 24 years, effectively into the past.

In fitting with Sansom's Clause, "Any effective time travel is
immediately made irrelevant by its own nature," our distance from
Earth means that any insight we gain through observation will have
traveled so far as to be insignificant to the past audience we
could inform. Even so, the crew is excited to be numbered amongst
those logged on RS001 with confirmed cases of chronology
displacements. Apparently there's a button or patch we get to wear
now, once manufacturing is back online.

Back to duties.
.

Hoffnung - inter ship relay for Garnet Star

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 10:51:28 GMT

-+-+-+- Inter Ship Relay -+-+-+- C98.204 -+-+-+- Orange -+-+-+-
Dr. med. Ursula Hägi to Chief Engineer Tim Fletcher, Garnet Star. I
received your transmission and relayed your regards to Dr. med.
Herbert Wullschlegel. He's currently in cryo. I'm sorry to hear that
you have encountered navigational hazards on the way out. We're also
due in about 70 years, so hopefully we'll have some positive news to
report at around the same time as you. New results from TRAPPIST-1d
observations by our telescope indicate no changes compared to existing
data: very dry, having one ocean, orbiting the ultracool dwarf star
TRAPPIST-1, in the habitable range. I wish you good luck, Garnet Star!
-+-+-+ End of Report -+-+-+ HAEUR -+-+-+

Hoffnung - cryo systems manipulated

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 10:51:17 GMT

-+-+-+- Regular Report -+-+-+- C98.204 -+-+-+- Orange -+-+-+-
Dr. med. Ursula Hägi reporting on the second scheduled inspection. The
passenger status in cryo sleep is nominal. We have had no failures. My
companion for this round is Dr. phys. Hans Peter Frey. We've spent the
first two days reviewing the logs. Today Hans Peter found that the
cryo programming has been manipulated. I think he's a bit out of his
league. I tried helping out but in the end we just set the ship AI to
work. We're training an adversarial security network as we speak,
hoping to quickly isolate the misbehaving parts. The problem with this
approach is that we won't be able to learn what the saboteurs had
intended to do. Terrorists? Down-Earthers? Sometimes I wish we had
better military personnel on board. But who am I going to warm up? No,
we'll just let the ship work on it and if we get results in two days,
a warning for the next inspection team will have to do. Peace.
-+-+-+ End of Report -+-+-+ HAEUR -+-+-+

Garnet Star - Good news, bad news.

timotheus@cosmic.voyage (timotheus) — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 05:48:27 GMT

-- MESSAGE START ----------------------------------------------------
SECKEY:jxQA6hMXG%3#r9nth%tdxo!REj%ucz
.......Accepted

Date:                        _____     _        ____               
EY 2265.05.06.15            |_   _| __(_)      / ___|___  _ __     
                              | || '__| |_____| |   / _ \| '__|    
Ship:                         | || |  | |_____| |__| (_) | |       
Garnet Star                  _|_||_|  |_|    _ \____\___/|_|       
                            / ___| _   _ ___| |_ ___ _ __ ___  ___ 
Location:                   \___ \| | | / __| __/ _ \ '_ ` _ \/ __|
8.22y out, sys LTS-1483      ___) | |_| \__ \ ||  __/ | | | | \__ \
                            |____/ \__, |___/\__\___|_| |_| |_|___/
User:                              |___/                           
TIMFLETCHER44@TRICOR                

:: BEGIN ::

It's been great to visit with the family while we're all out of cryo.
My wife has been running simulations in her hydroponics area as often
as she can, playing with crop yield probabilities. The kids are
running around, tailing us as we work, spending their time in the
learning center.

Ship-wise, things aren't as good. Sensors continue to confirm the
existence of a planet we were unaware of. Readings show different
orbits than previously thought, and good old LTS-1483 isn't goint to
be our home after all. That's ok though, Kell and I are already
working on all the changes needed to change course. It's going to be
an extra 71 years, but we all knew we might end up farther out.

Herbert @ Hoffnung: Good to hear things are going well for you. I'm
glad you were able to catch that hydro leak early. Kell and I have
been running all over, looking over logs. We haven't found anything
amiss, which always bothers me. I'm sure something will turn up.

Jerome @ Melchizedek: I hadn't heard of ships w/the ability to grow
and stockpile foods during long voyages before. But we seem from
different eras. Our hydroponic bays are all empty at the moment,
waiting for us to find our new home. I hope you figure out the cause
of those headaches soon.

Stefanus @ Franciscus: Sorry to hear about your systems issues. I'm
not a religious person normally, but I'll definitely be sending you
positive energies your way.

Anyway, gotta get back to it over here. Stay safe out there.

Tim Fletcher
Chief Engineer @ Garnet Star
=TRICOR034615734=

-- MESSAGE END   ----------------------------------------------------

Voortrekker - listen. i'm really sorry but

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 04:32:24 GMT

From: QEChat Log sam <-> anine 
To: sam (Sameen Lee) 
To: anine (Amelia Nine) 
Delivered-To: Sameen Lee 
Received: from relay4.qec1.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
    by mta2.recoveryinstitute.org
    with ESMTPS id p3a290c7yy9059v3 for 
Received: from relay3.qec3.ganymede.earthsys.gov
    by relay4.qec1.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
Received: from host12.qechat.earthsys.gov
    by relay3.qec3.ganymede.earthsys.gov
Date-Local: 02 Sep 2421 08:37:32 +0000
Date: 02 Sep 2421 08:37:32 +0000
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf8"
Subject: Chat Log sam <-> anine

[6:41]
sam: you there?
anine: [Away: Thursday: biweekly directorate review]

[6:44]
sam: FUCK YOUR MEETING THIS IS IMPORTANT

[6:46]
anine: yeah i know, it took me a minute to wind it up and get out
sam: look i don't care just whyt he FUCK did you not TELL ME

[6:47]
anine: listen. i'm really sorry but there's something very wrong
anine: she was right, we got SCARS updates through most of the descent
anine: and they don't make any sense
anine: look, give me a minute

[6:49]
sam: well?
[anine Quit: sec]
sam: FUCK

[6:54]
[anine Join: back]
anine: okay, i'm off the work network.
anine: i shouldn't be telling you anything right now.
anine: can i trust you?
sam: thats a hell of a question from you right now

[6:55]
anine: i know, i'm sorry, okay? but this could be my job, or
anine: look, forget it, you deserve to know. i shouldve told you
 already.
sam: TOO FUCKING RIGHT.
anine: i mean i know you and she broke it off but all the same.
sam: who told you we broke it off
sam: we had one fight
sam: ONE FIGHT>

[6:56]
anine: okay okay let me get to the point i can't sit in this stall all
 day
anine: but before i do that
anine: i really am sorry, i should've trusted you, can you forgive me?

[6:58]
sam: not right now.

[6:59]
anine: fair enough.

[7:00]
anine: so like i said, something is very wrong with voortrekker and
 that planet. the scars data DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE. she said the
 pilot said something hit them that they didn't see?
anine: their radar says they saw it. they tracked it all the way in
 from a half million kilometers out. it wasn't even moving that fast.

[7:01]
anine: they got lerts about it too. sscars event log shows initial
 proximity alert, then nine minutes later possible collision warning,
 then impact alarms nine minutes after that, thirty secondds alter the
 impact event.
anine: alerts*
anine: seconds*
sam: what

[7:02]
anine: there had to be alarms going off all over main control, there
 is nO WAY they could not have known they were in danger, and even if
 they didn't
sam: ok but they were in manual by then right
anine: no
anine: the nav systems were still running in program auto, theyd idn't
 go manual until after the hit
anine: the ship should've taken ITSELF out of the way, they had to go
 out of their way to override it

[7:03]
anine: and SCARS doesn't show them doing it
anine: and it would
anine: that's what we don't understand, even if someone went crazy and
 saotasged the ship why do all that and not just disable the whole
 sender, we'd think it was lost or something then
anine: sabotaged*

[7:04]
anine: so none of this makes any sense

[7:05]
sam: i guess not

[7:06]
anine: and then there's this weird stuff she sent
sam: you can say her fucking name, okay?
sam: it's been 25 years not like i'm still going to be mad
anine: okay okaty
anine: fine
anine: this weird stuff KIT sent
sam: thank you. go on

[7:07]
anine: i mean this disease she's talking about, that doesn't make
 sense either
anine: nothing works like that, it's not even biomechanically
 plausible
sam: she's a xenobiologist, you know better than her?
anine: ok fine but we have those too and they say i'ts bullshit
anine: and  that last part
anine: i had to look up muscular hydrostats
sam: tentacles
anine: yeah

[7:08]
sam: she says she shas four fo them instead of legs now
anine: right
anine: talk about bullshit, there is no way
anine: i asked our people here
anine: i called the xeno institute and asked people theret o
anine: every one fo them said there is no way in any world that a
 human body can have tentacles

[7:09]
anine: something about hydrostatic presusre and circulation and
sam: you're just saying words
anine: i dont pretend to understand it but come on do you really think
 this makes any kind of sense
anine: i don't know what's going on out there but it has to be some
 kind of mental thing
sam: don't you dare
sam: don't you FUCKING DARE

[7:10]
sam: i knew you'd do this as soon as i sent it to you
sam: i don' tknow what's going on out there either
sam: but you knew kit as well as i did
sam: better
anine: look i know i'm not sayingit's her FAULT
sam: YOU FUCKING ARE
sam: "some kind of mental thing

[7:11]
sam: you think she went stir crazy out there and did something to
 crash the ship and now she's making up crazy stuff
sam: you probably thinks he killed the people whog ot sicka dn died
anine: yeah about that
sam: oh whAT THE FUCK
anine: we're pretty sure they're not dead

[7:13]
sam: what

[7:14]
anine: you know they all had implanted biomonitors right?
anine: all the expedition crews do, those are big ships and people can
 get lost or hurt and not be able to call for help
sam: ok and
sam: oh bullshit

[7:15]
anine: we get telemetry packet sfrom the ship on those
anine: most of the trackers are still showing active
anine: not the people who died in the crash, the ones she said got sick
anine: 247 out of 313 right now
anine: slow pulse, slow respiration, almost no brain activty

[7:16]
anine: they're comatose but alive
anine: ti's the other ones that really worry us
anine: they're NOT online
anine: but the last signals we got were
anine: i mean they don't make sense

[7:17]
sam: you are saying that a lot
sam: it's your job to fucking make it make sense
anine: i know, okay? i know that
anine: were trying, we were going to cancel anyway for a call with
 xeno institute before i heard from you
sam: but you werne't going to tell me anything?

[7:19]
anine: look i'm sorry okay i don't know
anine: i don't know what to do
anine: were probably going to have to call the garison and that's
 scary
anine: something went wrong with the gliese mission i dont knwo but we
 keep getting stuff
anine: i think theyre building a ship over in the navy dock, i cant
 see much from the shuttle but a lto of new work

[7:20]
anine: im just really scared right now everything is going wrong and
 earth is probably going to get involved
anine: i didnt know what to do and i fucked it up
anine: im so sorry i shouldve said something i just couldnt think im
 sorry

[7:23]
anine: please say something
sam: sorry im crygn

[7:24]
sam: crying*
sam: im sorry i got so mad just
sam: whatever else is going on she's alive
sam: i was sure she was dead
anine: we dont know she's not
anine: im sorry

[7:25]
anine: we dont have her tracker shes one of the ones we lost

[7:26]
sam: what does that mean
anine: i dont know
anine: look whatever i find out ill get it tok you ok
anine: ill tell you
anine: ill make sure you know

[7:27]
sam: look if the ganymede garrison and earth are getting involved
sam: i mean i do WANT to know
sam: but i want you to stay sfae too
sam: saef*
sam: SAFE fuck

[7:29]
anine: i miss her too

[7:30]
sam: look well figure it out ok?
sam: when do you rotate out next
anine: end of next week
sam: ok
sam: come see me then we'll talk it over
anine: god and sleep on that lumpy couch of yours?
anine: my bakck was killing me for a week

[7:31]
sam: not what i had in mind
anine: oh
anine: well

[7:32]
sam: look dry your eyes and go back to work
sam: you dont want people looking at you funny right now
anine: youre right
anine: ok

[7:33]
anine: i'll come see you and we'll figure this out.
sam: right
sam: till then you take care, dont do anything stupid
anine: me?

[anine: Quit: bye]

[sam: Quit: ]

Voortrekker - Were you going to tell me?

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 04:31:41 GMT

From: Sameen Lee 
To: Amelia Nine 
Delivered-To: Amelia Nine 
Received: from relay6.qec3.ganymede.earthsys.gov
    by mta2.expeditionsupport.gov
    with ESMTPS id 11FEBBA088B for 
Received: from relay8.qec1.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
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Received: from mta1.recoveryinstitute.org
    by relay2.local.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
Date-Local: 02 Sep 2421 06:14:03 +0000
Date: 02 Sep 2421 06:14:03 +0000
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart-alternative;
    boundary="_000_14175761891450__"
Subject: Were you going to tell me?

--_000_14175761891450__
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf8"

goddamnit lia were you even going to tell me there was a chance?

--_000_14175761891450__
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--_000_14175761891450__--

Hoffnung - all systems nominal

kensanata@cosmic.voyage (kensanata) — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 10:51:09 GMT

-+-+-+- Regular Report -+-+-+- C51.204 -+-+-+- Green -+-+-+-
Dr. med. Herbert Wullschlegel reporting on the first scheduled
inspection. The passenger status in cryo sleep is nominal. We have had
no failures. My companion for this round is Dr. astr.-phys. eng.
Philomena Auerbach. We've spent the first two days reviewing the logs.
This is the third day and we have had a good time running the long
corridors of the ship. Philomena did go back to sector C in order to
inspect a minor hydro leak. Nothing unexpected. As for myself, I'm
taking advantage of the cryo break to eat some solid food. It helps
with the teeth reconstruction. I'm happy we managed to get the newer
cryo berths with the slow shaking to strengthen bones and to maintain
muscle tissue. With so many years spent in cryo, even the very slow
metabolism of space sleep changes the body. Sometimes I wonder what
ships built after us would offer. Hoffnung did not get the latest
Shrinivasan-Ramapattnam drive. We could not afford them. And with that
I'm going to close this cover letter for the full technical report. In
two days we're going back to sleep for another fifty years. Peace.
-+-+-+ End of Report -+-+-+ Signed HEWUSC -+-+-+

Franciscus - A wing and a prayer

jabooty@cosmic.voyage (jabooty) — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 03:58:51 GMT

-- INCOMING MESSAGE --
Holy Missionary Ship Franciscus
Coordinates: UNKNOWN
Heading: UNKNOWN
ORIGIN DATE: UNKNOWN

-- MESSAGE START --

Navigator Log 001

Blessed greetings, all. 

Communications systems are clearly up and running aboard the
Franciscus. This is heartening news. I see that we are not
the only ship out there that has experienced some problems. 
Melchizedek's message has arrived, and we are glad to say that
you are not alone in being awake. Though, it appears as you 
are also not alone in being alone. 

Navigation systems are slowly coming back online. I have 
been working tirelessly with our Chief Engineer to repair
not only nav, but other necessary systems. 

If only I knew where we were... surely we're not *that*
far off course...

We have managed to get video monitors functional, so we
can see what is happening outside the ship. Initial inspection
shows no damage.

Looking outward from the ship, we were able to determine that 
we are within the vicinity of a small solar system, but it
does not appear to have the same planetary make-up as our 
original destination. 

Acolyte Alba has placed a priority on restoring full power
to the High Temple deck. He seems to think that the way out
of this mess is prayer.

I'm not opposed to it. I am a keeper of The Faith, after all,
and I chose to join this mission for the very purpose of
ministering to our colonies. 

But still... prayer?

I'd prefer a star chart.

-- MESSAGE END --

Voortrekker - Made it...

alexis@cosmic.voyage (alexis) — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 04:30:33 GMT

From: System Account 
To: sam 
Delivered-To: sam 
Received: from relay4.qec2.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
    by mta3.recoveryinstitute.org
    with ESMTPS id x124so177123a067 for 
Received: from relay1.qec7.ganymede.earthsys.gov
    by relay4.qec2.rs001.l4.earthsys.gov
Received: from qec4.helio.earthsys.gov
    by relay1.qec7.ganymede.earthsys.gov
Received: from qec.sv14417
    by qec4.helio.earthsys.gov
Date-Local: 19 Mar 2419 06:54:32 +0000
Date: 02 Sep 2421 05:30:32 +0000
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf8"
Subject: Made it...

God, Sam, how I wish you were here. Maybe you could help me. You were
always the best of company.

None of us ever really expected to find anything complicated. Proks,
maybe, if we were very lucky. More likely just smelly slurry that
might have been something someday if we hadn't showed up first. But
this? No. Never in a million years. Certainly not in twenty-three.

Sorry. I know I'm not making sense out of this. I'll try again. They
probably already have some of it from SCARS, but let me tell it to you
my own way.

What I heard, the midcourse corrections had us coming into the system
weird. Not so weird we couldn't make orbit, but enough that we had to
correct so the landing boats could reach Site One and back. Partway
through the correction, we hit something. Or something hit us - I
talked with one of the pilots before he died, he told me they didn't
catch it on radar and that shouldn't have been possible, not with the
damage it did. Had the idea it must've been directed, somehow. I don't
know if that makes sense, but either way, it holed us.

Holed us bad, and with the thrusters still firing. If they hadn't
been, the fuel system would've been evacuated - we might've stayed
up. But the blast gave us a vector we couldn't overcome on OMS thrust,
and of course we'd exhausted the primaries. It wasn't a surprise when
we hit the atmosphere. The surprise was that anyone walked away from
the impact site. Just under three hundred of us. Doesn't sound like
much of a miracle, but believe me, we were happy to take it until a
better one came along. Wasn't even that bad a landing site, for all we
didn't get to choose much - rolling sandy plains, some large body of
water within eyeshot, maybe an hour's leisurely walk. We could do
something with the place, once we got our feet under us.

We didn't worry about the sickness at first. Barely even noticed it -
most of us were more or less beat up, and not everyone had made it to
a crash couch in time. We were all working thirty-hour days between
broken bones and soft tissue trauma, inventorying what we had left by
way of supplies, getting the worst toxic leaks from the wreck under
control, and trying to jury-rig enough of a hab to keep the weather
off - we hit smack in the northern temperate zone, and the climate
isn't too bad, but about three hours out of every day we get storms
you wouldn't believe. Fever, lower back myalgia, mild lower GI
distress? We had two reactors still up, enough surplus power to run
the handful of heads left with intact sequestration systems. Plenty of
paracetamol and neoprox. We had so many problems trying to kill us, we
were just glad this one wasn't.

Then, all of a sudden, it was. Day Six, the sepsis syndrome caught us
completely by surprise. Thirty-four dead in less than half one of
Ross's long bright days - onset to lethality in minutes, the medics
had never seen anything like it. The ones who died had been feeling
worst, but we all had it by then, and still didn't know what it
was. We found what tools we could for our one surviving biochemist,
and she set to work trying to isolate the causative agent - with a lot
of luck, maybe she'd figure out how to treat it before it killed us
all.

Probably would've been easier if she hadn't been hurting too badly by
then to sit up. But she got far enough for us to pick up when she had
to leave off. Light microscopy doesn't give you much structural
detail, next to nothing about life processes, but we could see well
enough what it looked like: something like an amoeba, sort of
polymorphic that way, but with a trophism like nothing we'd ever seen
and flagella it used like a mosquito uses its proboscis. We fed it
whole blood and watched it suck the cytoplasm clean out of two dozen
erythrocytes at once. Leukocytes it just *absorbed*, we're still not
sure how - they'd hit the cell membrane and just, I don't know, just
melt into the thing. And then it'd divide, and both daughters would do
it all over again. We never saw the whole cycle take more than a
minute.

We had plenty of antiparasitics, of course - med bay wasn't what you'd
call intact, but the starboard-aft hold had most of the backup supply,
and enough came through the crash to supply we who were left for a
long time. Nothing we had touched them, though. Not even the really
exotic stuff that hadn't been approved for human use yet, and we just
brought because who knew what we'd run into? They didn't even seem to
notice. We weren't equipped any more for blood filtering or that kind
of complex intervention, and supportive care was the best we could do
- try to keep the fever down with ice packs and neoprox, keep the
kidneys and liver and heart and lungs going, and hope some of us would
start to pull out of it before the last of us up and about weren't up
and about any more.

I don't really know what happened after I went down. I think it was
Day Ten? Eleven? There weren't many of us still up by that point. Just
over a hundred had died, I think. One thing, we'd just gotten Eve
shifted to a new pallet and I was trying to clean up the mess of the
old one and keep her from getting too hot, both at the same time, and
next thing, I was here, flat on my back in what's left of Main
Control. Nine days gone, just like that. I didn't even know we'd
gotten any power back on in here - I don't think we had, when I went
down. Don't know why I'm here, either. We saw enough delirium before I
went down, there may not even be a 'why'.

I don't feel bad at all. I can see I've changed; whoever put me here
put me in a gown first, and there's not as much of me under it as
there would've been a couple weeks ago. It fell right off my neck when
I tried to stand up. That didn't go well. I think I should be hungry,
but I feel full, like I just ate. I wish I knew if anyone else was
still here. I've been awake a few hours, I think, but I haven't heard
anyone. I don't hurt, though, and I'm not burning up. Right now I'm
still mostly okay with that.

I really hope someone else is still here. I don't want to be alone
like this.

Getting up in the chair at the sender console was hard, but I did it,
and I can still use a keyboard well enough. I thought it was important
to try to let someone back home know what happened. I don't know if
the followup expeditions launched on schedule, I don't remember
hearing before and not much of the mission log made it through the
crash. If they did -

I was going to say, tell them to make turnover early and go anywhere
else. Even back home would be better than this place, with its barren
vistas empty of vegetation, its anonymous sea we never even found the
time to try to name or go and see up close. Smeared along half a mile
an arrowhead stain of ship debris, at its apex a shallow crater
centered on the shattered remains of all our hopes and dreams, and in
a nearby shanty village, rows of corpses - decaying? mummified? Who
knows if anything else can eat us here? - whom no one had time or
strength to bury. Go anywhere else but this ball of death and deceit
whirling around its lonely star. There is nothing for you here.

...is what I was *going* to say. But - really, I don't know. As I sit
here I can feel my strength returning to me, and with it grows the
conviction that it really isn't bad here. Look at what this planet's
done to me already! - and yet I survive. I still remember myself. And
soon I'll be up and about again, able to see what may be seen and do
what need be done. Yes: many of us died. People I knew. Friends I
remember and mean never to forget. No few closer than friends - spend
so many years closed up with only a thousand or so people, sooner or
later those with whom you were recede in memory, making room for those
with whom you *are*.

Not you, Sam. I've never felt that way about you. How I wish you were
here! But maybe you will be. If the third expedition hasn't launched
yet. I know we talked about it. Well - fought about it. I've never
stopped regretting that, and I hope while I've been gone you might
have come to understand why I had to go. Maybe we could see one
another again. I would like that very much. I think you could help
me. And you were always the best of company.

But what worse can this planet do to me than it has already done? What
worse can it do to any of us who still survive? We came here not
knowing what we faced - only that it could hardly be worse than what
we left behind. And even still I feel that very strongly to be
true. We could never be together there, Sam. Here, who'd be to stop
us?

I know it sounds frightening, what has happened to me. It *was*
frightening. It was scary and painful and frequently disgusting, and
that's just what I remember! But I don't hurt any more. I'm not sick
any more. And I'm not afraid any more. You don't have to be,
either. It's really not that bad - the body never remembers pain, you
know. I remember that I hurt, but I don't remember *hurting*. Does
that make sense?

You can come here. Join the third expedition and come find me
here. Come sooner, if you can. There might be a research ship. I miss
you, and I hope you miss me. We can be together here, and though I'm
feeling much stronger now, I still wish you were here to help me. I
still can't hear anyone, and I don't want to think I'm alone here. Not
forever, anyway. Besides - once I get more of my strength back, make
up for what I've lost in the last little while, I think you might like
seeing me. I think I do. And I'm sure I want to be close to you again.

Well. That's enough for now, I think. I'm sure I'll have more to say
later, but once you get this you'll know I'm still alive, and even
though we couldn't send our landing report, there's really no reason
not to send the followup expeditions. Not really. Some won't make it,
but enough will. And if we weren't going to take that kind of chance,
why come out here at all?

I'm going to send this, with all the power the transmitter will
take. It'll get to you eventually. Then I'm going to try to stand up
again. I think I can manage it, now. It'd be easier if I still had
legs, I suppose. But four limbs shouldn't be *that* much harder to
manage than two, and I'm still enough of a biologist to remember how
muscular hydrostats work. I think it's just a matter of figuring out
which impulses go where...oh well. By the time you're here, I should
be all finished embarrassing myself with them, I hope.

I never stopped loving you, Sam. Please don't have stayed angry with
me. I hope we'll see each other again. In the meantime, I'll see if
anyone else is still alive. And with whoever's left, I'll start
preparing for those who may come after us. By the time they get here,
if they do, we'll be ready to make our new settlers a home.

Melchizedek - The dark and cold

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 01:26:46 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Melchizedek.0294
Approach β Hyi
Ascension 00h 25m 45.07036s
Declination –77° 15′ 15.2860″
Distance 24.33ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 3781, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Jerome Somerset Pasani, Warrant Master
:::
I can report with some satisfaction that all conscious crew have
regained enough muscle mass to return to full duty. This is no
small feat so soon after abbreviated cryo and it reflects the
excellent personal character of each of our officers. Adeyemi, in
particular, deserves special acknowledgement. I previously
remarked that her own specialty does not provide appropriate
experience for our present circumstance; which, as it seems, only
belies my own ignorance of her training. Prezzi Adeyemi is an
accomplished chef--a byproduct of her training for the Rhetorical
Ecclesia--which has helped us to identify our fungal infestation
in the cryo bay. Having a fully trained exo-mycologist could not
have helped us any more.

The stow-away is a form of acrasidae, a slime mold. Our best guess
is that a few spores found their way through decontamination
procedures at launch. The lengthy darkness, ambient heat, and
condensation on the surface of the pods created a fertile
environment for it to flourish. The best news of all is that the
slime is harmless and should be easily cleaned away in short
order. Adeyemi is consulting our database to see if there's any
use for the biomass before we eject it. Perhaps we can salvage it
for nutrient use in our hydroponics.

Speaking of hydroponics, here Dr. Idjani has more concerning news.
Our systems are automated and the harvesting of organic matter
from the botany systems should be relatively straight forward.
These systems have been used commercially planetside and in
long-distance relativistic travel for centuries even prior to our
own launch. What we're experiencing is, to use the doctor's words,
"unique."

Of our dominant crops, arabidopsis and radishles (a fruiting
hybrid) have both shown unexpected mutation. There is an abundance
of nitrogen in our atmosphere as a result of whatever processes
they have undergone; we haven't pinned down exactly what that is
yet. The ventilation systems need to be purged and oxygen recycled
back in a more appropriate mix. I had failed to mention the crew's
experience of headaches in my last message having assumed it
related to early thawing from cryo, but now it seems suspect.
We're all taking in extra oxygen during rest to avoid additional
issues. The doctor says it's good that the full crew were not
brought out at once. The oxygen levels would have been dangerous
for that many conscious crew at once. We got lucky.

The food that arabidopsis and radishles would normally produce is
suspect as well. We're on rations already since we shouldn't be
awake yet, but this will be an added complication and something to
address. Finally, the mutation was not caused by replication error
as in normal mutation. It seems that several specific protein
readers were adjusted in similar ways across the genome of both
plants. We've also found similar markers affecting four other
species which did not result in a visible mutation. Whatever
happened to our greens was done en mass and with precision. We
haven't ruled out human interference, possibly by some saboteur
before launch. Honestly, I hope that's the cause. I don't want to
think of what it could mean otherwise.

In terms of navigation, Hämäläinen and Janssen have plotted
a gentle course correction that will have us back on track over
the next three weeks with only minimal impact on our energy
reserves. The reserves are precise; however, and the energy must
be balanced elsewhere. As much as it pains me, I've placed orders
across the ship that habitat lighting and heating be kept to
a minimum. We will have to use personal heating and lighting
equipment for the next three weeks. Solar lamp time is manditory
for all five of us to avoid psychological impact, and Idjani has
distributed a vitamin mix to help augment our diet.

The cold and dark are nothing new, but such an extended period may
cause feelings of isolation and depression. The crew is paired up
for the duration at my order: Hämäläinen & Janssen, Idjani
& Adeyemi. As warrant officer, I'll be treating the QEC as my own
confidant. May the stars see us through this safely.
.

Franciscus - Lost Shepherds

jabooty@cosmic.voyage (jabooty) — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 05:04:37 GMT

-- INCOMING MESSAGE --
Holy Missionary Ship Franciscus
Coordinates: UNKNOWN
Heading: UNKNOWN
ORIGIN DATE: UNKNOWN

-- MESSAGE START --

Acolyte Log 001

Blessed greetings to whomever this message reaches. 

My name is Stefanus Alba, First Acolyte of High Priest Matteus, and 
Captain of HMS Franciscus. 

We have awoken from cryosleep early. Fortunately, the High Priest's 
and the 75 passengers cryopods function manually, to ensure that 
the crew has adequately prepared the ship prior to awakening 
and ministry. The passengers have also remained in cryo stasis 
for the time being. 

Our Most Holy Doctor has evaluated the passengers and crew and with the 
unfortunate exception of two passengers whose pods appeared 
to have malfunctioned at least 25 years ago, based on the rate of
decay in their pod (may their souls encounter eternal peace), the crew
has awoken with minimal side-effects. The High Priest's pod is 
functioning at peak efficiency. 

As our engineers struggle to find out what happened to pull us 
from our sleep early, our navigator is desperately trying 
to determine exactly where we are. Initial reports indicate that 
our coming out of cryo early is just (hopefully) a final malfunction 
in what has been a rolling series of system resets, reboots, and 
flat-out shutdowns. Our nav and chrono systems are out of sync.
It is proving to be difficult to determine when and where we 
currently are.

We are attempting to discern whether we have the ability to 
re-enter cryo, how far off-course we are, and, barring any 
unforseen additional problems, how we shall continue on our mission 
of ministry. 

Until we figure out where we are, I ask that anyone receiving 
this message who follows The Faith, please pray for us and our 
mission.

I will transmit again once we have made sense of our situation.

Blessings upon you all.

-- MESSAGE END --

Garnet Star - Danger evaluation and decisions

timotheus@cosmic.voyage (timotheus) — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 01:25:34 GMT

-- MESSAGE START ----------------------------------------------------
SECKEY:jxQA6hMXG%3#r9nfh%tdxo!REj%uGz
.......Accepted

Date:                        _____     _        ____               
EY 2265.04.23.15            |_   _| __(_)      / ___|___  _ __     
                              | || '__| |_____| |   / _ \| '__|    
Ship:                         | || |  | |_____| |__| (_) | |       
Garnet Star                  _|_||_|  |_|    _ \____\___/|_|       
                            / ___| _   _ ___| |_ ___ _ __ ___  ___ 
Location:                   \___ \| | | / __| __/ _ \ '_ ` _ \/ __|
8.26y out, sys LTS-1483      ___) | |_| \__ \ ||  __/ | | | | \__ \
                            |____/ \__, |___/\__\___|_| |_| |_|___/
User:                              |___/                           
TIMFLETCHER44@TRICOR                

:: BEGIN ::

It's always a hard call, deciding if it's safe to pull the family out
of cryo. I was fortunate that the AI determined this anomaly to be
minimal risk and didn't prio-thaw me. I've heard horror stories from
Kell, the Lead Scientist aboard. His first tour out to Bernards
Star.. the things that went wrong on that bucket. It's why I chose to
sign up with TC, they pay less than everyone else but at least they
spare no expense on the goodies on board. With this being an 46.2y one
way trip, I feel much better knowing everything is state of the art.

Oh right, my family. Everything is tip top, so I initiated the thaw
about four hours ago. Just ten to go until process is complete. If
I'm going to be out for four weeks, I'd love to have them with me.
In my spare time I'm still looking into cryo optimizations. There's
got to be a short cut between wake cycles that the system could
handle.

Anyway, part of the reason I'm sending this; anyone else running into
the same issue? Our onboard long-range sensor array is giving us data
on LTS-1483 that is very, very different from what the probes sent
back. Granted it was over 35 years old, but still. How did it miss an
entire planet? All the orbits are different from what we thought.
Kell is sweating bullets that III (our intended home) is off enough
that it may be not viable.

Not much I can do about it. Definitely no reason to wake the Captain
or Governor yet; we're following our protocols for this. Worst case
scenario, we go back to cryo, and when we're closer we wake again and
use closer scans to determine if we go to one of our other choices.

Tim Fletcher
Chief Engineer @ Garnet Star
=TRICOR034615734=

-- MESSAGE END   ----------------------------------------------------

Excelsior - Systems Admin Report - Beta Delta 21 Epsilon

khuxkm@cosmic.voyage (khuxkm) — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 07:50:22 GMT

Message inbound...

Space Cruiser Excelsior
Destination: Unknown
~~ TELEMETRY SENSORS 1 AND 3 DOWN ~~
Stardate Beta Delta 21 Epsilon
AUTO TELEMETRY: DOWN
BIO-MED SENSORS: GOOD
H2O->FUEL CONVERSION: GOOD
H20 RESERVES: GOOD
CRYO SLEEP: WARN

[autotranslator on]

Corporal Sam Arnold, Systems Administrator
---
Hello world!

The computer on board the Excelsior has removed me from cryosleep pursuant to
Procedure [REDACTED]. Our automated telemetry sensors are down (see the systems
report above) and our cryosleep chambers appear to be experiencing overvolt as
a result. Pursuant to Procedure [REDACTED], I must wait a month before re-entering
cryosleep. More transmissions will follow after this one.

Jerome, I feel for you. It's sometimes staggering how long these missions
take. Just looking at the instrumentation here on the Excelsior, we seem to have
been in transit for [unit translation = 1252 years].

Geralt, it's nice to hear from you and the Adrestia. Glad to know your mission
seems to be progressing smoothly.

We set out with our charter and ship around Alpha Beta 2 Beta towards a better
tommorrow. We set course for the nearest inhabitable planet and the Excelsior, a
first-class SpaceCorp Astroviator Mark 3, took off. We entered cryosleep around
Beta Alpha 10 Beta and set the Excelsior to power-conservation (hence the incomplete
systems report).

I will begin procedures to fix the overvolt in the cryo systems and to fix the
auto-telemetry systems.

Sam Arnold, signing off.

--TRANSMISSION END--

Melchizedek - Crew and assignments

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 03:25:30 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Melchizedek.0294
Approach β Hyi
Ascension 00h 25m 45.07036s
Declination –77° 15′ 15.2860″
Distance 24.33ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 3781, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Jerome Somerset Pasani, Warrant Master
:::
Doctor Moussa Idjani led a full crew evaluation on the pods over
the last twelve hours. His recommendation for remaining awake
stands, unfortunately. The four of wardroom officers, myself,
Doctor Moussa Idjani, Prezzi Adeyemi, and Eva Hämäläinen, along
with Specialist First-class Stephanie Janssen, represent conscious
crew on the Melchizedek for next four months. We have a series of
course corrections to execute, some minor issues in hydroponics,
and what Adeyemi describes as "ick" growing over a quarter of the
cryo-pods. It is most likely unattended fungal growth, but we'll
investigate further.

Our ship is a Vos 144A from Visscher, sporting a pair of the
more-than-capable Peterse 773 Overtreffen Motoren. When launched,
the Melchy was a damn-fine ship, if I say so myself. She's held up
admirably while we slept.

We were commissioned in EY 2480, and set out on mission just three
years later. RS001 timestamps on my last transmission suggest that
just over 1300 years, relative, have transpired since we set out.

1300 years.

It's what we signed on for, of course. We all had the training and
the psy-evals to prep, but there's still that shock when it hits
you. There's no undo, no reset. Everyone we knew is long gone.
Hell, the Earth itself is long gone, at least in the way we knew
it. Adeyemi says she has a cousin who set out on a long-haul
colony support freighter at about the same time as us and their
star is only a few light-years off schedule from ours. She doesn't
remember which direction, but it's possible she's got people out
there somewhere. The math always gets away from me, but it's
possible some of my own anscestors' family could be thawing out
from craft launched before I was born. Oh, and don't even get me
started on reality-drive mechanics. Who knows how many blended
universes we've stirred up with that monstrosity. I can only hope
humanity learned their lesson and banned it while I was dreaming.

To the Speaker Elect of Cheer Systems, Susan, aboard the Starbloom
Communal Distributive Projection goes our many thanks. If the
disconnection of time weren't jarring enough, the silence that
awaits one's first lonely transmission is infinitely more terrible
for all its brevity. Your words, blessings, and spells are a salve
bringing healing. I queried Janssen about your ship designation
but nothing in our databases aligned. Based on relative time-debt
adjustments, it seems you may have set out long before us. We hope
your time has been peaceful.

I'll be setting a daily ordo and assigning work duties following
this transmission. Getting our hands busy will ground the
ineffible incongruity from reality that's rattled everyone. Our
navigation issues are of primary concern, so Hämäläinen and
Janssen will bear the brunt of that work. Doctor Idjani is the
closest crew member we have awake to a botonist, so he'll be
investigating our sensor abnormalities in food and air
circulation. No alarms were tripped, so we're hoping it's just
a mutation in one of the algae tanks or something equally trivial.
The cry-pod growth will fall to me, with possible assistance from
Adeyemi, though she has very little background to be of use.
Unless the fungus starts talking, I don't see how Adeyemi will
have much of anything to translate or negotiate. She's probably in
for a boring four months.

It's time to get moving. Our shifts will be light until muscle
regeneration reaches 60% and the doc clears us for full rotations
again. That's probably for the best. We'll take things slow.
.

Starbloom - Pleasant vibes and best wishes

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 13:24:50 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Starbloom Communal Distributive Projection
Approach γ Aquarii [Lucky Homes]
Ascension 22h 21m 39.37542s
Declination –01° 23′ 14.4031″
Distance 178.211ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 2444, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Susan, Speaker Elect of Cheer Systems, 14th Pod
:::
Hi there, Jerome.

We read you loud and clear out here in the lucky homes. We're all
really sorry to hear about your drift problems. Our Pod 14
non-denominational coven voted to cast a spell to help you on your
way! Blessings and hope.

adrestia - awakening and approaching

demosthenes@cosmic.voyage (demosthenes) — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 06:49:23 GMT

bablefish transcript: 

adrestia                                                   /---\
approaching Ł332 gue sector 8                             / u u \
xxx telemetry redacted xxx                                \_    /
ansibel yr 4823                                             \__/

[transcript follows...]

geralt regis riavande, first writ scribe
---
status nominal. all values within acceptable norms.
cleared to begin final approach.

our 150 year journey from í54 re is finally coming to a close. over the
past 10 days, the crew has been slowing awakening from their second-longest
slumber (the longest being 50 years during the middle of our voyage).

i've just awoken today; my head still spins. sea legs seems an appropriate 
term, grabbed from the annals of history: a time when humans still traveled
by boat and ship across the former oceans. somehow, the atmospheric
conditions generated large waveforms on the water's surface, creating a
rocking motion aboard the boats that could range from largely imperceptible
to catastrophic. in any case, i'll be looking for the caffeine supplements.

the rest of the crew seems to be in similar conditions, catching up on their
latest ansibel messages from family and friends. a handful will be staying
at Ł332 gue, while the rest of us carry on after a refueling stayover of 4
rotations. 

expect another update from the station.

Melchizedek - Cryosleep interrupted

tomasino@cosmic.voyage (tomasino) — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 16:37:18 GMT

Message Incoming...

Source Melchizedek.0294
Approach β Hyi
Ascension 00h 25m 45.07036s
Declination –77° 15′ 15.2860″
Distance 24.33ly
Equinox J2000.0 SOL
Year 3781, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Jerome Somerset Pasani, Warrant Master
:::
Cryogenic stasis was interrupted for wardroom officers and
Specialist Janssen as of 0430. We have drifted slightly off
planned course due to unexpected thermal radiation from
a celestial event the crew is monitoring. The β Hyi system has
been increasingly active in recent months and Janssen believes the
solar radiation has unbalanced our infrared venting, causing
a 0.002° drift. Over the intervening time, this was enough for
autopilot to raise the alarm.

Melchizedek is quiet and in good working order. Her full crew of
44 are stowed safely and all systems are green. Lower-fore botany
systems show some minor abnormalities which are marked for
follow-up. Bot arrays all read nominal with no traceable
degradation in standby power.

We have slowed our descent to just over 1G in anticipation of
work-shifts. This will put us slightly ahead of schedule if we
remain at present deltas. Still, we're just over four months from
system and there is some debate whether it would be advisable to
reenter cryo this close to the destination. Our food-stores are in
good order, especially for just the wardroom. Doctor Idjani
suggests we remain out of stasis for at least two weeks before
being reassessed regardless.

QEC has been adjusted for our drift and seems in working order,
though we haven't received any new transmissions from relay one in
quite some time. If the crew do remain awake in the months ahead,
you can rest assured of further updates. Anyone awake out there?
.