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****encrypted private audio log entry******
What a crazy last few days it's been. I need to joint this down and get it out of my head to sort it all out. Our Freelancer adventure has taken us to strange scenarios, but those who think 'settling down' into the base life isn't stressful - think again! *laughs*

I've been doing this job to job thing for so long - it's all I knew. But still something in me kept pushing to do more. It's not like I wasn't making any credits - there are thousands of ways in Sirius to earn a decent living, many without getting your tail shot off, believe it or not!

A base.... when the idea came to me I've already forgotten... but it's been bouncing around in my head as the way to quit running payday to payday - setting up roots where we can earn a living and a reputation sector wide that brings people to us - good people - and make a difference. What a cliché dream...

So recently it was decided to take action.

I scouted out potential base locations based on viability, local sources of supplies, and distance from the pirate groups that have given us grief so much these days. We had plans based on areas so vastly different yet similar in the way they centralized our trade operations.

We applied at Bretonia - and waited. Maybe not long enough. Yet the fire continued to burn...
We applied at Rheinland - and waited. Again I realize government is a slow wheel to turn, but I should have been patient.

Unfortunately, all I could see was the funds and resources to make this venture happen were there, and time was slipping by when it could have been put to better use....

So I finally checked out another option - Kusari.

Kusari - so unique amongst Houses because they have a different way of attracting new investment - FREE zones within certain areas of specific systems to encourage those entrepreneurial types to go all in and blindly build without needing a hefty investment of registration fees or license credits. It was a dream come true.... So I chose Shikoku.

It seemed like an untapped location - There is an active Platinum mining source nearby! There is a habitable world nearby! It would be protected by the Navy who had interests in the area! They were invested!

I can't say I've stayed too long in Kusari to know enough about it, only to say that I don't know what I don't know about it - but I would soon find out that was even less than I thought. Passing through on trade runs is a far cry from setting down roots.

Our application was almost IMMEDIATELY accepted by the government - so long as typical base deployment rules were followed.

And then they did the first thing that caused me to worry - they pre-approved my installation for weapons platforms when no request for such items for submitted. To save paperwork, it was written. I got worried - but I pressed on. The burning desire of the new base was stoked again with hope.

In my travels, I've seen many a burnt out hunk of metal previously alive with the hopes and dreams of the trader that had dreams similar to mine, but I didn't entirely ignore this fact. Pirates are everywhere these days and there are factions who have no problem taking out a base in its infancy if just grab a cargo hold's worth of loot and call it a day.

So I planned for this event - monitoring the sector and seeing when space travel was at its lowest peak - and then my team pounced... base up, supply craft inbound!

Get more resources! Ensure the crew is fed! Who's been checking the O2 and H20 levels lately? Do you want us all to die here? Keep them topped up!

And whatever you do - GET THOSE SHIELDS WORKING ASAP!

So this continued until we had shields up in no time flat, but at the cost of a bit of base construction time. Everything was stocked up and repairs to 100% were well on their way.

It was a long day and I start to look towards the horizon in a moment of peace amongst the chaos.... and that's when I noticed the ship silhouettes against the light of the system's sun and they weren't moving - we were surrounded. The Golden Chrysanthemums had come to see the new neighbor.

Here was the overlooked and obviously missed fact in all my research looking at the official variables in selection of location - what factions exist in the area and should I be concerned... and somehow I overlooked the GC until they were in my face.... my very pale face.

After the days we'd had, many vehicles were still being refueled on the pads, but not ready to go. I knew I had to meet them in space face to face to discuss this situation before it got out of hand - I grabbed the only craft available - my base construction vehicle!

By the time I had gotten out there, the GC group had been met with some local authorities and words between them were spoken... I tried to get my voice heard amongst the resentments of previous grievances between these groups, but it all led to combat, leading the an officer's ship destruction... I try not to blame myself for putting him in that situation, but its past now...

Thankfully after pleading my case on private channels, the group was content to delay the execution of my base platform ... for the day... until further discussions could be had as to my intentions in their turf. During that whole conversation, I held my breath, not exhaling until they eventually disappeared into the darkness.

Just to add fuel to the fire... two Dragon 'Tanto' class vessels came in to attack me.... when I was already in withdrawal! Luckily nearby base defenses at Deshima were able to cover my poor defenseless construction craft!

And then I thought about Plan B... being executed during my conversation by my crew - all credits transferred offsite, ships ready with as much cargo as they could hold at a moments notice, crews ready to take flight if the guns started blazing. There must be a better way... there has to be.

It has yet to be seen how this GC negotiation will turn out - but in the end if no lives are lost, in my opinion, it will be a win. I don't claim to be an expert on this group, but I'm sure they have sufficient grounds for their dispute with Kusari - and I don't want to be a part of it. Not my battles, not my war. This must be why Freelancers keep to the open trade lanes *snicker* But I am glad they did hold fire to hear my case - to me, that shows wisdom in leadership.

I'm turning in - I'm surprised that officer didn't open fire on me for just trying to talk out there... I guess there are those few that don't throw their citizens into jail just for speaking their mind....

But just in case...

***computer.... delete that entire last entry.... and randomize the blank data to prevent recovery****

Supply run report to base - https://discoverygc.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=194658&pid=2274439#pid2274439
Update to Kusari Base Registry - https://discoverygc.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=189042&pid=2274563#pid2274563
Report on Delivery by AWES-Persistence to base - https://discoverygc.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=194658&pid=2274859#pid2274859
Another delivery for docking module factory project - https://discoverygc.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=194658&pid=2274944#pid2274944