Sorry but these log will be read only if the data is retrieved from the wreckage. So that means I'll be dead... so why bother with time keeping? really? what does it matter? it is not like I have much time to keep track of time. I will just write about my journeys so you all know what happened to me in case I die.
Where should I start this log? So much has happened since I left Vieques and it has only been few days. I think. There is no time pieces on the ship but on the bridge and I have limited access to it. It is hard to keep up with time here in space. The Capt. keep us busy and there is so much to do. I am surely do not want to anger the Capt. or disappoint my parents.
On my 17th birthday, my father introduced me to a Junker Capt. Albizu.Campos and told me I was to join his crew departing in the morning. This was my father's birthday present. The Capt. shook my hand with a deep stare into my eyes. His face had no expression but I can tell this guy has gone to hell and back. Definitely, not a man I wanted to cross. He seems to be an old man. I think he is 31 or 32 and until recently have been piloting a Combat Service Freighter. Who knows what else have this man have done? The Capt. just returned to Vieques to inspect the final stages of his newly constructed transport, El Coqui. The Capt. spoke, "0400 on the launching pad... not a minute late." He turned away, shook hands with my father, and left the room.
My father turned and poured me a tall glass of Liberty Ale. While raising his glass he made a toast, "Ben, you are a man now. Drink up and celebrate like one, but remember you'll have a big day tomorrow." he winked at me as we both drank. As I looked into my mother's eyes I noticed tears running down her cheeks. I couldn't tell if they were tears of joy or sadness. This was the first time I had Ale and did not understand what Ale can do to you when consumed carelessly.
I was hired as a deck hand along with three other guys. My job is simple. Load and unload the ship, keep the cargo secured and neat, clean around the ship, and whatever other duties the Capt. assign to me. The crew is small and loosely structured. Beside the four of us, there is a Navigator, Alberto, who seems to be an apprentice judging by how the Capt. keeps a close eye on every fly plan he presents. A Tactical officer (fancy name for a guy who likes to hurt people), Michael, he seems to know his stuff and not a very approachable guy. I am not sure who scares me most. Him or the Capt. We have a doctor, Logan, a recent graduate from Cambridge with no experience and seems very pleasant fellow. I just hope his craft is as good as his manners; And we have a cook, Samael. Food is not bad if you like Junker's cuisine and you know I love it and so does the Capt. We do not have a Communication officer yet. Israel, one of the deck hands, has been filling this post for the time being.
At 0330, I boarded El Coqui feeling like I was gonna die. The Capt. met us in the cargo hold to introduce himself and to make a short speech regarding rules and expectations. I could not help but to throw up my Ale excess on the deck. Logan came to me but the Capt. said, "Let him be. There is only one way to learn about the evil of Ale." With an expressionless face, "Ben suck it up and man up. Now, clean the deck" As everyone was leaving the deck Logan handed my some pills.
As we launched from Vieques the Capt. had us on the bridge as Michael conducted a weapons check. We soon learned El Coqui was only equipped with factory shields and Barrager Turret Mk V from the Capt. Freighter. Michael said, "Weapons and Targeting systems... checked. This is enough fire power to handle the Xenos in the Texas system, Captain." The Capt. acknowledged, "Alberto, set course to the Texas jump hole at full thrusters for 30 seconds, then engage engines and report power consumption." I could feel the weight of the ship as the "Enhanced Thruster" pushed its mass forward. At least we had decent thrusters to get us out of a jam. "Thrusters consumption at 115 Captain. Engines engaged and operating within normal parameters" Alberto shout. "Steady as he goes" The Capt. replied. "Israel..., man the communication station and report" The Capt. snapped. Israel nervously stumbled to his post, sat down, and with a pleasant smile said, "Discovery Scanner fully operational Captain. Vieques station at 14K, no other ship within range. We will be able to see anyone way before they see us" The Captain turning toward Israel, "Did I asked for a commentary from you?".
I learned the hard way that Liberty Ale and system jumping does not agree with me. I just will say that I baptize El Coqui's cargo hold and now the bridge. Now a good way to start my relationship with the Capt. and his brand new ship.
Once in Texas we sat course to Planet Houston. In Houston we picked some Alloys and began our journey to Ontario. The journey to Ontario went uneventful. Israel manned the Communication station while the rest of us either managed the cargo hold or sat quietly on the bridge. This was my second time into the New York system and my first into California and Ontario. We did not dock on any station until we reached Fort Severn. Once we unloaded the cargo, the Capt. allowed the deck hands a day pass while the officer tweaked the ship.
Next day we picked some transports and returned to Houston and then back to Vieques. The Capt. upgraded the shields and some weapons. Israel told me he heard Michael and the Capt. talking about entering the border worlds. I guess my journeys are about to get interesting from here on.
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