To: Shadowwalker | From: Hunter Wolff

[Aaron_Cianci]

From: Hunter Wolff, Pacifica Base, Bering System
To: Shadowwalker
Subject: Your condition
Encryption: Heavy

---

Shadow:

It's been over 36 hours since I've heard from you now. This is not reassuring. When your ship's AI dragged you out of Bering and off to who knows where, I was not feeling very confident. I watched your ship disappear faster than I have ever seen, with no signs that you were even conscious. Those bounty hunters attacked, and I know you were hurt before you stopped responding. I need to hear from you. I am worried.

I realize that you may not classify us as friends, but you are at least an ally. Your presence in Bering has been meaningful to me, and you have helped me mature as a pilot, as a Unioner, and as a citizen of Sirius. I am grateful for those things, and not knowing if you are alive or dead brings me more concern than I thought imaginable. Please, Shadow, respond to this message as soon as you receive it. Or have your AI respond if you cannot.

I just want to know that you are alive. Please.

Hunter

---

[StDH]

From: Shadowwalker @ Error
To: Hunter Wolff @ Bering
Subject: (empty)
Encrypted: yes

---

*** video feed ***

*shadowwalker can be seen lying on a hospital bed with a red fox next to his head and pipes connected to his hands intravenously*

Report *coughs* says my organs started to decay after taking critical amount of antimatter from engines, since i was the only one so close. *coughs* Radiation varies inversely with the square of the distance, so both of you have taken much smaller dose than me. And the fact that being Maltese reduced the damage i've taken. It was all my fault, i've tinkered with the engines to emit more antimatter.

(ooRP: AI's voice https://youtu.be/HQk_DavRZSc?t=1m3s)
It was MNS-SHADOW's AI who saved me, my current ship with AI i programmed. He did an excellent job navigating us back. He might be strict, but he knew well i would not survive anywhere else. The way my body works nowadays is not comparable to humans anymore.

As i was approaching Laboratory, most of my organs failed and i entered clinical death *smiles*,.. machine precision saved me after my arrival.

For the time being i will be unable to walk on my own, so the only way for me to move back to Bering is within my Warship which has all means to live on it's own without my command. *pauses* And for that i would need to be allowed by your High Command.

Sorry, i got carried away.

While Unioners as a whole are not always around to speak with, and most of the time chit-chat is not what they came for, you surely are a human worth of having and saving as a friend. *smiles while feeling internal pain* Nevertheless, my organs are healing themselves now, it's not a painless process.

You've proven yourself to be a worthy companion, and therefore as you asked me, i will attach a basic X-Ray image for the purposes of recognizing any sentient threats within my body. It's just enough to recognize basic shapes.

Know this, Harmony is surely up to something with what i told them.

If you wish to speak with me, use the same ship signature and it will be forwarded to MNS-SHADOW, my AI will decide if i'm ready to speak again after this.

Post Scriptum, *Smiles* I hope my death didn't freak you out. And I do consider you as my friend.

*** fox wakes up and video feed gets cut ***

Attachment: picture.xray

---

~The eyes that only see prey. An instinct to act on~
~The bloodlust and it’s just, Not enough... Not enough.~
~But that’s the chain of command, And now we know we must not hide~

[Aaron_Cianci]

From: Hunter Wolff, Pacifica Base, Bering System
To: Shadowwalker
Subject: Your condition
Encryption: Heavy

---

Shadow:

The relief that I felt receiving your comm is immeasurable, even if it hadn't included your open declaration of friendship. I was not worried of your possession by the Nomads, only that the energy from their...device...irreparably harmed you. I know enough about the infestation process to know that there is a living Nomad required to begin it, and that some power cell artifact could not, by itself, take over control of a human - or anything like a human, as you say, since your body has been so modified. That being said, the X-ray image you included will certainly reassure Unioner command, if I have your authorization to share it with them?

Regarding your command vessel in Bering, I certainly have no complaints, but we both know I am in charge of nothing but my little fighter, for now. Occasionally a bomber. *chuckles* Though, I'm working on a requisition right now that might bring me command of a cruiser, and if that happens, well...it would be a fine thing to see your vessel and mine, flying together. Perhaps we will find more bounty hunters who don't know how to pick their targets and, after you have recovered, we will again show them their place. I can only hope to see you in battle again soon, or see you at all. Talking over the comm is not the same as our in-person conversations.

Thank you for your reassurance regarding the antimatter exposure. I took to the infirmary in Bering as soon as you disappeared, and they confirmed there's no unexpected radiation or other atoms anywhere in my body that aren't expected to be there. That does not reassure me, though, because you are still not assured of your safety. I wish I could travel to you, to check in on you directly, but I imagine that most Maltese would not be as happy to see a Unioner as you are. Regarding Harmony, do not worry about them right now. You must focus on getting better. Once you're better, well...we'll talk about it then.

Focus on your health. I will be here when returning to Bering is safe for you, I promise. I'm not going anywhere. And I have more information to share with you, regarding the Bering conflicts, upon your return.

Get Well Soon,
Hunter

---

[StDH]

From: Shadowwalker @ Error
To: Hunter Wolff @ Bering
Subject: (empty)
Encrypted: yes

---

Hunter,

• If saying "I do consider you as my friend." is not an open declaration of friendship, then i don't know what is, haha.
  
• Infection? Internal threat as my AI reported meant that there's something shredding me from inside. Which was the Radiation.
  
• Xray file, Sure, feel free to share it with your High Command.
  
• Flying togeter might get dangerous over time, if not outright impossible. As i told you over the system channel while Yann was there, i'm sure that he's hatching up a plan to get rid of me. And i'm surely interested in what happened while i was away.
  
• Maltese would have no problem with you as long as you'd stay with me.
  

I'm glad you do care about my Health *Smiles*. In case something happens to you or your friends, Freeport 12 will welcome you.

In meantime, i might've found out how to charge the artifact and make it work as a battery for longer than few seconds.

I'll be on my way to Bering now. It's good to have a friend like you.

---

~The eyes that only see prey. An instinct to act on~
~The bloodlust and it’s just, Not enough... Not enough.~
~But that’s the chain of command, And now we know we must not hide~

[Aaron_Cianci]

From: Hunter Wolff, Pacifica Base, Bering System
To: Shadowwalker
Subject: Us
Encryption: Heavy

---

Shadow:

We are definitely friends, don't get me wrong there. My patrols in Bering would not be nearly as interesting if it were not for your presence, and I can only hope that you will return soon. I know we've gotten to finally fight together a couple times in the past few days, and it's been good to have you at my side. You've proven yourself trustworthy to me.

I'm glad to know the radiation didn't cause too much damage. Regarding Yann and Harmony, I wouldn't concern yourself too much with them. They've been trying to force the Union out of Bering for some time, and have yet to succeed. I know how much your information has been valuable to the Union, and I assure you that I would advocate in favor of your defense to my commanders, should the need arise.

Perhaps we should schedule that visit to the Nation of Malta, then. I've never been there, and it sounds amazing. I've been wanting to get out of Rheinland and explore more, ever since Franz took me on a trip to the Sigmas. There's more to the sector than just my home, and I want to see all of it some day. Hopefully I don't get shot up by aliens like I did the last time.

Let's talk about that artifact the next time you're close. I wouldn't want to discuss it too much on an open channel.

Take Care,
Hunter

---

[StDH]

From: Shadowwalker
To: Hunter Wolff
Subject: (empty)
Encrypted: yes

---

Hunter,

what's up with you. It's been several hours and you still didn't respond to any of my three messages. Your receiver seems online, but there's nothing comming back.

If you can at least receive this message. Tell Gunda or Franz to assure me of your safety.

---

~The eyes that only see prey. An instinct to act on~
~The bloodlust and it’s just, Not enough... Not enough.~
~But that’s the chain of command, And now we know we must not hide~

[Aaron_Cianci]

From: Hunter Wolff, Pacifica Base, Bering System
To: Shadowwalker
Subject: My Safety
Encryption: Heavy

---

Shadow:

I promise, I am safe. I apologize for the sudden lack of communications. I participated in a raid against the prison station Sugarland in Texas, in cooperation with several other Unioners and the Liberty Rogues. As you can imagine, the pace of that attack was rather quick, and it resulted in a complete communications blackout. I am sorry to have worried you. We were successful, and have liberated many previously-imprisoned allies from the facility. We've retreated to Pacifica at this time.

I know that I keep saying this, but we need to speak again. Things are changing in Bering quickly, very quickly. As they always do. I will update you more when we can speak in person, as I cannot risk anyone intercepting this communication.

I am well, and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sincerely,
Hunter

---

[StDH]

From: Shadowwalker
To: Hunter Wolff
Subject: (empty)
Encrypted: yes

---

Hunter,

I'm glad to hear you're alive and well.

I was and still am in Bering. Radiation levels were still high around Marshall, good job. The damage was massive aswell. Sadly, no one cared called me in to watch.

Rogues are good men, use them correctly.

If we're to meet, bring some food and water with yourself. Unless, you want come aboard.

I will be staying in Bering for a while. Hackers seem to want my head, or so i was told from one of them. Good times are ahead of us, and only those which can adapt will win their lives back.

History is written by victors.

---

~The eyes that only see prey. An instinct to act on~
~The bloodlust and it’s just, Not enough... Not enough.~
~But that’s the chain of command, And now we know we must not hide~

[Aaron_Cianci]

---

From: Hunter Wolff
To: Shadowwalker
Subject: Strange Communications
Encryption: Absolute

---

Shadow:

I know it's been a few days since I left your ship, and after that you seem to have just disappeared. I want you to know that I miss you, and I hope you're doing alright. Things in Bering are coming together like we talked about. We really might be able to make a difference. I've got multiple people for our side if combat breaks out and Frei decides to start a civil war. I'm finally starting to feel assured about all of this. I'm just about to land on the Sirene and meet with Franz Rousse. He was the first man I ever piloted a fighter with. I'm going to get him on our side, and that will be a big win.

I got this strange communication recently. It definitely featured Nomads, and it mentioned your name. It was...deep. Emotional. But a little vague. Do you know anything about it? I'm still processing it and not really sure what to think. I could use your insights.

Last, but not least, Harmony is really after you. I finally get Yann to believe that I'm after peace, and he sets an ultimatum - either surrender you to them, or give up on the idea of peace with Harmony. You know how hard I've been fighting for peace, Shadow. It's my primary goal. But the idea of betraying you after everything you've done for me, the friend you've been...I just can't imagine it. I need your advice on this, Shadow. I don't know where you are, but I need my friend.

I hope you receive this, and that you are well when you do. I am thinking of you, and I hope you return to Bering soon. Either that, or I am coming to find you.

Sincerely,
Hunter

---

[StDH]

Encrypted: yes

---

Yay Hunter,

It's good to hear you're gaining people for your cause. I will gladly station my Cruiser in Liberty to watch Bering jumpholes or bring you some black market weapons and munitions if need. You have my support in this matter, and therefore one more Maltese Guard has been stationed close.

The communication was indeed sent by me. Neural Net messaging system is fun when you tinker with it, haha. Be happy, you're one of the few that know about this.

Yann believes he's manipulating people, while we both knew what are his intentions. Nevertheless, betray me and prepare an assault fleet on Harmony. Use his own pride against him and watch their fleet burn down.

Maltese prisons are actually nice if you seek to find me in our space, haha, don't worry, i'm never too far. But seeing you legitimately care, brings warmth to my Maltese heart. Tell me where and when.

~Shadowwalker

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