Chapter Forty
Message Logs
: Sagacity System Benediction :
Origin: Sagacity Annex Fellowship, Sagacity System Myriad
Destination: Sagacity Spiral Benediction, Sagacity System Benediction
Dean Farleigh,
It is with a heavy heart that I report our continued failure to resolve the issues threatening the peace and prosperity of our Annex. Not only have the Imperium goggles been found in several areas around the station, but that damnable book continues to spread no matter how hard we stamp down on it.
To make matters worse, several of our contracts with the neighboring Confederacy systems have been taken over by a new Consortium from the Independent Planets Alliance. Base trade has never been my focus, but I am informed by our Bursar that the loss in income has led to several promising Silver Badge companies failing in just the last week.
All of this has led to widespread disruption to the smooth running of our Learning Annex, and there have been protests and even a rise in crime—seven murders in only a few days.
I regret that I must urgently call for aid.
Professor Morla
Origin: Sagacity Spiral Benediction, Sagacity System Benediction
Destination: The Grand Archive (Location Unknown)
Senior Archivist Trisk,
Enough is enough! I demand aid! I demand action!
Our campus of systems is under constant attack on all sides. The neighboring I.P.A. has signed a trading agreement with the damnable Imperium. A formal message was delivered by their representatives on this spiral to the effect that they have, after long discussion, decided to continue the use of the Imperium Learning System.
I responded with the approved words, pointing out the resulting ban on purchasing our esteemed System, and they replied that they understood.
I followed up with a reminder that they could neither carry the goods through our systems nor support their sale unless they face further sanction.
The response was that they accepted our position but that it would result in much less trade overall as few of their ships would be able to pass through Sagacity space.
I considered the matter closed, but it was not so. Overnight, we lost seventy percent of our suppliers for station essentials and had to scramble to replace them from other sources. That has led to having to take less than favorable terms.
In short, we are paying much more for the basics. Most are not available within Sagacity space as we have traditionally discouraged the more unrefined aspects of society. I now fear we will be forced into changing that outlook or paying higher costs across the board.
That is not our only challenge, however. A rash of apparently connected murders and suspicious deaths have swept through our campus of systems. In each case, the individuals killed were linked to the Clans of the Confederated Systems, which is currently undergoing some upheaval. The neighboring campus of Enlightenment has reported similar events have just started there as well.
Examiners have proven unable to find the agent or agents involved, but the prevailing theory is that the Falling Waters Clan is eliminating those who have worked for them. Why remains a mystery.
Rumors, however, are rife. The damnable gossip has reached the point that people are starting to avoid travel in certain areas, invest in new security services, and even begin to whisper of a ‘Sage of Death.’
The final note I must express worry over is that a new organization has begun to spread among our people. It is called the Church of the Spark. It professes no religious idea other than helping and accepting those around you. The problem is that it has several devotees among the Silver and Gold badges, who have begun to set a dangerous precedent by mixing with the lower badges and even hiring them for jobs that do not fit their Badges.
Regards,
Bursar Hopkins
Origin: The Grand Archive (Location Unknown)
Destination: Sagacity Spiral Benediction, Sagacity System Benediction
Dean Farleigh,
Please calm your over-excited Bursar; his near-hysterical messages are neither informative nor helpful. I have heard there is a particular extracted chemical from a species of frog that, when dried, is most calming on the more excitable members of our order.
The reaction of the I.P.A. is clearly meant to discourage our approach, and I applaud your staff for not caving into this blatant attempt at manipulation. They are by far in the minority, and we can easily weather this short-term negative for the long-term prosperity of the Sagacity.
In that vein, we have created a much more powerful, intricate, and comprehensive version of the Imperium’s system. It is clearly superior to their version, although admittedly much more expensive. Nevertheless, it fills the same role as the Imperium product, and with that product banned in any system using our own, we need not consider the cost anway.
Rollout begins today, so be sure to update your listings.
These murders and deaths, however, are a point of concern. The solution is obvious, and I am sure you will agree that it is necessary. Trade and research contracts with the Confederated Planets are hereafter banned for fifty years. A policy amendment might be wise so that any system or systems involved in interior conflicts might better be avoided in the future.
The Sagacity will not have its peace disrupted.
Senior Archivist Trisk
Origin: Sagacity Spiral Benediction, Sagacity System Benediction
Destination: The Grand Archive (Location Unknown)
Senior Archivist Trisk,
Enlightened one, I apologise for the upset my messages caused you, sincerely. Your illuminating response has done much to assuage the problems we have faced.
The IPA is no longer a concern, as we do not need it. Sure, it now costs three times as much to keep this station running, leading to massive drawbacks in research funding, but that is a small price to pay, is it not?
True, a single IPA Consortium is now not only supplying almost seventy percent of the imports and exports of one of our Annex systems but what does a little price gouging and undue influence matter in the long run? A mere piffle, I’m sure.
I’m grateful you drew that to our attention.
Also, please allow me to congratulate the Grand Archive on their new product. It is both more feature-rich and offers much greater options than the inferior thing the Imperium created. Yes, wearing one of our new Mobile Systems for more than a half hour is nearly impossible due to the weight on the user’s neck, and yes, it costs as much as ten of the Imperium ones, but that scarcely matters. Even the weight is not a concern, given that the internal power only lasts an hour or two at best.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
If you can lift it, it is mobile, and people really need to stop complaining.
So what if putting it on the head of a child would be tantamount to murder? It matters not a jot!
The Imperium was deeply shaken by our majestic new device; in fact, they were so shaken they released a general statement pointing out how much lesser their own system was. Less options, less choices, less weight, less injuries, and much less likely to lead to prosecution for child abuse!
Do forgive me. I seem to have gotten ‘hysterical’ again there.
Please do not refrain from further corrections on my part. Indeed, should your advice prove as helpful as our new Mobile System, I shall look forward to a long, long rest in a nearby medical facility.
Bursar Hopkins.
: Autumn Winds System :
Source: Autumn Winds Central Transit Hub, Autumn Winds System
Destination: New Confederates HQ, Falling Waters System
Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
This is the Central Transit Hub; we are declaring an emergency. I repeat, we are declaring an emergency. Rioting has broken out throughout the system, and armed groups are attempting to seize control of Clan assets in all occupied areas.
So far, we have been able to keep the Transit Hub free of these damn Sparkers, but the rest of the system is falling even as we send this message. Urgent requests have been sent to Forest’s Hush and the forces stationed in Sand’s Embrace to no avail.
WHY IS NO ONE ANSWERING?
Armed ships have launched from several areas, and now we have goddamned pirates leading the attack on our only remaining loyal ships.
We need help now! Now, goddammit now!
Everly Peters, C.O.
Source: New Confederates HQ, Falling Waters System
Destination: Autumn Winds Central Transit Hub, Autumn Winds System
Peters,
Our ships are currently occupied with security for our systems. I suggest you get your people in order yourself. The forces in Sand’s Embrace and Forest’s Hush have been authorized to assist you.
I warn you, this failing reflects poorly on the Autumn Winds Clan. The rest of us are dealing with constant attacks from the other Clans on our side of the Confederated Planets.
You have no enemies attacking your system and yet fail to control the anger of your own people?
Stop overreacting; a bunch of riots and protests are hardly a threat to a Clan of the New Confederacy.
Rikard, Duty Officer.
Source: New Confederates HQ, Falling Waters System
Destination: Forest’s Hush Central Command, Forest’s Hush System
Dave,
I got a panicked message from the idiots over in Autumn Winds about some kind of riots and a little pirate activity. It’s probably those same pirates that have been harassing your own trade lanes.
It’s probably nothing, but can you send a few ships to calm the situation down?
Cheers,
Rikard
Source: Forest’s Hush Central Command, Forest’s Hush System
Destination: New Confederates HQ, Falling Waters System
Rikard,
Not a chance. Not a fucking chance! We are rushed off our damn feet here. Those pirate pricks are the least of our worries. Our Oxygen Harvesters have been down for three weeks now, and there is no end in sight.
The damn things need proprietary parts that only come from the fucking IPA, and the contract was brought out by a Consortium run by this massive bitch who asks for higher prices with every damn delivery.
Did you know insects get bigger when there is more oxygen in the atmosphere? I fucking didn’t.
I went to kick a cat out of the hover bay this morning, and it turned out to be a spider! A spider!
We supply the wood for thirteen whole systems from our worlds and moons. The oxygen levels get much higher, and we are just plain fucked.
Do you know what makes it worse?
We used to make the parts here in the system. We outsourced the damn contract. Can you believe that? If I figure out who made that decision, I’m going to go over there and stuff the prick down one of those damn spider burrows.
We have too many trees and not enough food.
Want to guess who has the food contract?
Bitch!
Our Headman is currently considering offering her a moon in lieu of payment.
A FUCKING MOON!
Sorry, man, look elsewhere.
Dave
Source: Forest’s Hush Central Command, Forest’s Hush System
Destination: All ships, Sand’s Embrace
ATTN: Commanding Officer, Fleet Operations
An urgent distress call was received from the neighboring system, Autumn Winds.
Dispatch ships to intercede immediately.
Rickard, Duty Officer
Source: Your Mother’s Asshole, Sand’s Embrace
Destination: Forest’s Hush Central Command, Forest’s Hush System
Rikard,
Your ships are entirely fucked up and currently venting atmosphere almost as fast as they are venting their crews. They were not much of a match for us, to be honest.
Here is a little tip for you, dickhead.
Your turn’s coming.
Start running motherfucker,
Sec, Marshall of the Star’s Song Tri-Clan Alliance.
: Imperium Home System :
Source: Cheapeside Base, Planet Haven, Imperium’s Redoubt
Destination: Bly’s Rest, Imperium Home System
Your Highness,
Apologies for the early report, but events have demanded an alteration to our schedule. A ruin of the previous civilization was found by TRV-4 and myself. Several discoveries were made while exploring it.
Primarily, some exciting technology was found and folded into our Rig designs. It would seem that they had much the same thing here in the past. The reaction of the locals on the far side of the mountains, where stories had persisted, was somewhat extreme.
I am happy to report that every human on the continent is now on their way to the capital or already in residence. Any remaining reticence has vanished.
Since that time, we have discovered two more ruins and recovered more dribs and drabs of information on ancient technology.
The most pressing of these is a new type of energy generation matrix that seems to be as efficient as our own cruiser cores but with a much smaller footprint.
Three prototypes have been constructed in test chambers far outside the capital. So far, everything is looking good.
This energy matrix allows for a power level equivalent to a small destroyer but with a size comparable to a large backpack.
Details are included, and Queen Lucy has verified them and judged them safe for use.
I would like to request that the energy matrix be referred to as the ‘Haven Core.’ It would mean a lot to my people and be a great source of pride for them.
Yours in service,
Emissary Cheape
Source: Planet Home, Imperium Home System
Destination: Cheapeside Base, Planet Haven, Imperium’s Redoubt
Yoink! Mine now.
Thanks, darling. Do send any more scraps you find. Who knows, you might actually prove helpful after all.
Lots of Love,
Paren - Your superior in every way.
Source: Cheapeside Base, Planet Haven, Imperium’s Redoubt
Destination: Planet Home, Imperium Home System
Princess Paren of the Nanite Imperium,
You know what? I’m glad you have it.
I hope it helps everyone there as much as it will help people here.
Cheape
Source: Planet Home, Imperium Home System
Destination: Cheapeside Base, Planet Haven, Imperium’s Redoubt
Cheape,
Don’t you take that considerate tone with me! I yoinked it fair and square, and you are supposed to be pissed about it.
That’s how it works.
Stand up for yourself, for Spark’s sake!
Paren
Source: Cheapeside Base, Planet Haven, Imperium’s Redoubt
Destination: Planet Home, Imperium Home System
Paren,
I don’t have to be pissed. I won.
Tootles.
Cheape the Smug, who found a new piece of tech before you could even think of it.
Haven 2 : Home 1
Source: Planet Home, Imperium Home System
Destination: Cheapeside Base, Planet Haven, Imperium’s Redoubt
Cheape,
How the hell do you figure you won anything? Where did that score even come from?
Paren
Source: Cheapeside Base, Planet Haven, Imperium’s Redoubt
Destination: Planet Home, Imperium Home System
Paren,
Home create first medical core - 1 win for you
Haven creates the Imperium Goggles - 1 win for me
Haven finds revolutionary tech - 1 win for me
Haven 2 : Home 1
Cheape
Source: Planet Home, Imperium Home System
Destination: Cheapeside Base, Planet Haven, Imperium’s Redoubt
Cheape,
Fine, I get it. But it is so on now. My planet is going to kick your planet’s ass!”
Paren
Source: Cheapeside Base, Planet Haven, Imperium’s Redoubt
Destination: Planet Home, Imperium Home System
Haven explains score system to Paren - 1 win
Haven 3 : Home 1
Oooh, too bad!
Source: Planet Home, Imperium Home System
Destination: Cheapeside Base, Planet Haven, Imperium’s Redoubt
Ha ha ha!
Remember, you started this.
Paren.
XOXO