*static*
Computer, start log.
*more static*
Test... test... is this thing on? *static*
*hammering noises*
*static fades*
*harrumph*
This is Leifur. Not many of you, my dear colleagues, will know me. First something about my person in general: I am one of the descendants of the few Icelanders who managed to sneak onto the Rheinland sleeper ship. I see myself as an explorer, though many of you might disagree with my methods. This audio-log will be a record of my travels and explorations; hopefully, it will help other people who are trying to survive in these dangerous times, especially out in the Border Worlds. I'm going to keep this log updated, adding things as I go along.
First of all, I finally found a sponsor willing to pay for the expensive exploration equipment I needed for this trip. An independent trader by the name of Schmeling was willing to give me some money, in exchange for the information he needs - there is no doubt that he's looking for new and more lucrative trade routes. I am, however, a scientist of sorts, so I'm going to make all my research publicly available.
First things first, though. Once I had acquired the money, I went to Dublin to get me the Spatial - obviously the best choice for my endeavour. High defensive and offensive capabilities and a generous cargo hold, to make sure I can bring back all the samples from the Border Worlds I can find.
Afterwards, I began my first general round, going to the rather well-known Border Systems. Technology is more advanced out there, so I found almost everything I needed. However, things work differently in the wilder areas of Sirius. Many people of the unfriendlier kind are easily swayed by the right amount of money. Hu. If I really think about it, it isn't all that different, after all.
While my first trip to the Border Worlds was not much more than a shopping expedition, I wanted to inform you of something odd: Everybody knows of the battle at Planet Harris in Tau-31, of course. What many people don't seem to know is, that Kusari used some of the most advanced weaponry in their failed attack. Many wrecks of Kusari Elite Fighters still float through the mine fields surrounding Harris, with some of the finest equipment on board and still mostly intact. Apart from Class 9 weaponry, I also recovered a JADE-prototype from one of the ships. Maybe there are still more of them, in some of the other wrecks, I am not sure... to any ghoul-wannabes, a warning: The mines are still active and deadly.
Well, all in all, my first expedition didn't bring very much new knowledge yet. I found a couple of Jump Holes, am going to make a note about them later, though. One more thing: Bribing all those obscure folks out in the Border Worlds brought me some mistrust of a few House Corporations. I'll have to get my reputation back on track, before attempting any new and more serious exploring. Especially the Bretonian bureaucracy is turning out to be quite bothersome...
Computer, end log and send it to all public scientific news terminals... low priority.
*static*
Computer, begin audio log. *just some minor hissing*
Huh, seems to work better now. Alright, I sorted out all problems with the Liberty authorities. Furthermore, I finally got the best scanning equipment there is. I'll get into real exploration soon. Bretonia still won't give me clearance, but I'll get that fixed as well, I assure you.
On a side note, while I was in Alaska, I had to fend off several Nomad attackers. When the dust settled, I had tractored in some lesser Nomad nerve clusters and an Energy Cannon.
I even managed to modify the Nomad weapon to make it fit into my ship's circuitry. But, as it turns out, the weapon, which is actually organic and alive, seems to have some rudimentary self-preservation instinct. It began sucking energy off of other systems of my ship, feeding on it. I managed to isolate the... creature and put it on a separate circuit. However, the more of these things you stick on your hull, the more difficult it'll be to get a stable power level. Your energy output will probably drop significantly, leaving you lame in space. Therefore, I decided to use no more than one of those weapons at a time.
By the way, I brought the nerve clusters to Ames Research station; I'm sure they'll benefit from any free samples they can get their hands on.
Computer, end log and save it for delayed transmission.
...
Computer, please resume audio log.
Update:
Well, who said there are no wonders left in the House systems anymore?
I was on a routine exploratory trip through Texas, when I passed into a large field of debris, radioactive waste and a dark haze: La Grande Negra.
Many of you, my dear colleagues, surely know of the physiological and ecological characteristics of the terraforming Alien Organisms, those single celled life forms mankind first encountered upon its arrival here in Sirius.
Several ships went missing in La Grande Negra, and apparently, one of them had those organisms on board. They were continually exposed to high levels of radiation for several months at least. At the rate those creatures reproduce, they quickly adapted to the new conditions - the whole cargo hold of that unlucky pilot's ship was overgrown with them! Obviously, they have developed an immunity to even highest levels of radiation; maybe more than an immunity, actually. As photosynthesis uses most of the visible part of the light's spectrum to generate chemical energy, I believe that these organisms have found a way to use gamma radiation (which is basically light as well, just of a different wave-length) for their metabolism.
If my assumption is true, this new development might change terraforming forever.
I tractored in most of the organisms and delivered them to Ames, as well.
Computer, end audio log and transmit it. Regular priority.