It looks like an all-out war is brewing. I haven't been in any more all-out firefights with the HF since leaving Willard, but the scuttlebutt I've heard says that they're collecting allies for an all-out assault on Liberty space. They've got the Hessians on their side, and some mercenaries calling themselves the Asgard Warriors. Meanwhile, the SA has been forming some alliances of its own... the Sirius Federation and BSG have both come to our aid to defend Liberty. What calm there is now feels like the lull before the storm.
Like I said, recent patrols have been uneventful. The navy's issued me some new equipment for my fighter, hopefully it will be enough. Apparently, we're having some supply-line issues: the SA needs some help moving cargo around and funding ourselves. I don't see myself as a transport pilot, but I wonder if my friend Paul could possibly help. He's been trying to get into the shipping business for a while now; all he needs a sponsor to get him started. I'll have to see if I can get him in touch with Gurney or Nuss.
In the meantime, I'll continue some low-volume trading in the Aedos, and try to import some more ship parts and military vehicles from Bretonia and Rhineland. My ship was originally an IMG exploration vessel, so although her cargo hold isn't the biggest, she's tough and nimble enough to mine or trade unescorted anywhere in Sirius. Even small cargo runs can make a difference over time. I think I'll focus on bringing ship parts and military equipment into Liberty from Bretonia and Rhineland.
I've also decided I need to make sure I'm well armed enough to protect myself and those around me. The Zoners may seem peaceful, but they sell some of the biggest guns in Sirius. An arms dealer way out in Freeport 11 installed some Solaris guns on the Aedos, and they're as nasty as anything I've ever seen on a single-pilot ship. And just in case, I bought a whole crate of sidearms and blaster rifles from Detroit Munitions. I'll leave that in my ship, except for a pistol that I'll keep with me at all times. Life can be dangerous planetside too, and I may need those things yet.
Meanwhile, my fighter wing has been redeployed to Los Angeles. Now there's a planet. It has beaches! And air that you can breathe without freezing your lungs. I can't say I'm sorry that my stay on California Minor was so short. Still, I don't feel any safer. Rumor has it that the pirates are up to something big, and LA seems to me the most likely target. I think I'm going to sleep in my ship, protected by my shield and thick radiation-proof hull. I did it once on Cambridge because I didn't want to bother finding a hotel, and it saved my life...that was the day the Phantoms MOX-bombed the planet. I'll never forget being jolted awake and hearing the sirens and seeing the blackened faces of those who weren't as lucky as I was. That time, I was able to help in the rescue operation. This time, I hope I can be around to prevent another Cambridge...or worse.
![[Image: aedos_mini.jpg]](http://students.cs.byu.edu/~sushi/aedos_mini.jpg)