Stardate 28-3 of the 203rd year in the Great Imperial Calendar.

I am in trouble. Perhaps more so than any before. Many think that the biggest dangers you'll encounter in the universe are the monsters or the environments, but they are wrong, say I! Nay! The greatest possible danger in the universe comes from the people you'll run into.

Thieves, scoundrels, mercenaries, pirates, bounty hunters, hell even some established governments will be out to get ya! But none of these were what caught me today. Ooooh no. I was caught by something far worse. The debt collectors. Sharks circling for the kill and never letting their target escape.

I was in the unfortunate situation of being in a bit of debt to some Dagovan financiers. Some of the most persistent of the bunch in my experience. I do not recommend taking a loan from them. I, however, did. I had needed some upfront money to buy my treasure, The Soaring Flegalocky, and they were the only ones willing to provide me the amount I needed.

Now I was quite good at making my payments, I truly was. Unfortunately, I had gotten into trouble with the Phylisian military and, after a close encounter, was needing to make some repairs. This, of course, took most of my finances, leaving me unable to make my payment on time. A period of not making my payments later and I had the collectors hot on my tail. Now, you may be wondering how I managed to escape a predicament such as this and I will gladly elaborate. It went a little like this:

“Captain, they're latching onto us! I don't think we can get away!” That's my first mate DT-38-91, or former first mate I should say. You'll see why in a minute. 

“Well, prepare your weapons then! We can't let them take the ship!” And that’s me. Brave and valiant as a stalwark Flegalocky. Majestic creatures those are. Anyways.

“The scanners are showing 4 lifeforms approaching the ship, likely accompanied by a few droids as well!” That may not sound like much, but to a small crew such as mine, it already left us outnumbered. “Understood! 92! 93! Prepare to meet them when they open the hatch! 91! Close all doors and shut off access!” DT-38-92 and DT-38-93 were my other two former crew members, I got them as a bundle with 91. Great way to save money when buying droids, I do recommend it. 

Shortly after shutting off the doors I felt the ship shake. Bastards blew a hole in the hatch. It'll be a costly fix. “Report! They've got two DPs! We can't-” A buzz cut off the sound. That's not good.

“92! 92! Come in! 93! Are you there?! What's happening?!” 

No response. A devastating loss for the crew. Half of us gone. I mean, droids are cheap and easy to repair, so no biggie. But right then I wasn't concerned with the later costs. A noise cut through my intercom. “Calista Emless.”

“That's Captain Calista Emless to you.” Farlenx Segata. The head of the company I borrowed from. Real scum of the earth with powerful connections. He had come for me himself. Something I immediately recognized as suspicious. I was in trouble for sure, but I was certainly not his biggest debtor.

“Yes, yes, Captain Calista Emless of The Soaring Flegalocky. You are in lots of trouble. A debt of three million imperial marks. It's no laughing matter.” Nothing with him ever was.

“Get it over with Segata. What do you want from me? We both know that if you wanted me dead it would've already happened.”

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“Ever impatient aren't you Captain? We're discussing matters of great value. I know you struggled with the payments even when you were making them. What if I tell you that I have a way for you to clear your debt in one go?”

“Clear my debt? You're crazy. What kind of suicide mission are you wanting to make me do?” I spoke in honesty, I truly expected him to want me to die serving his twisted desires.

“Suicide mission? You think too little of me Captain. I want to make a deal. You see, you have something I want.”

“I do?” Perhaps too fast of a response. Do try to keep your cool when talking with someone who can kill you.

“Yes, you do. You see these droids of yours, DTs from the 38th production series by Talivan, are worth quite the pretty penny.” I'd heard of no such thing. In fact I got them for quite cheap. Now, I knew better than to say that though, can't play my hand too early. “If I recall correctly you have 91, 92, and 93. Recently, it was discovered there was a manufacturing error when the first hundred of the 38th were made. Talivan wouldn't have wanted to send them out like that but due to production deadlines they had no choice.” 

“Stop meandering with your story. Get to it.”

“Oh fine. The point is that your droids were built with bits of Irudite fused into their cores.” My eyes bulged at this. Irudite was priceless. Depending on how much is in them it could make me rich. “I believe you understand what I'm getting at now.”

I did indeed. “You want my droids. You'll take them and forgive my debt.”

“It's always nice to work with someone clever like you, Captain. Now what do you say? A million forgiven for the two busted up droids and the final two million for the mint condition.” Not a bad deal, I didn't know how much Irudite was in the droids but I'd also be dead if I refused. However, I will never give in without fighting for more.

“A million extra. For damages.” Repairs didn't cost nearly that much and we both knew it. This was merely posturing as I knew the droids were worth more than I was getting.

“Hmm, damages eh? I did do a number to your ship I'll admit. I'm feeling generous. 300,000 for the damages and 300,000 more to help you hire some more hands.” Jackpot. He's giving even more than I expected. These droids must really be worth it.

“Deal. Three million for the droids, covering my debt and 600,000 for repairs and hands. Shall we swear it on Dagova?” I could practically hear his displeasure at me mentioning it first. Dagovans are cutthroat businessmen but they'll never break a promise sworn on Dagova. I'm not sure of the exact cultural reasons but it's something you gotta know to survive out here.

“I swear it on Dagova. Your debt forgiven, your money given, and no further harm to your ship. Now hand over that last droid.”

“91, restore access to the doors and head over to them. Once they have you, you'll belong to them. It's been nice working with you.”

“And you as well, Captain. Do try to stay alive.” Say what you will about droids, but they are fiercely loyal to their owners. 91 marched bravely through the doors and they closed sharply behind him. A few moments later I could feel the ship be let go from their ship and a ding rang from my interface. There's my life and my money.

I set my ship to head to the nearest civilized planet, Tarv apparently, and sat back in my chair. It had been a long day.

That just about sums up today’s adventures. Frankly, this was a good thing for me, something unusual for a run in with the collectors. Losing my debt and getting some money. I may be out of a crew but this may have been just what I needed for a fresh start. I’ll pick up some crew in Tarv and start taking on new missions. I should be arriving tomorrow, I presume my log will resume then. Signing off.

Definitions:

Great Imperial Calendar- The calendar universally accepted as a point of reference. It is split into 4 92 day periods. It is based on the year cycle of the home planet of The Great Empire, Greht. It is typically written as day-period/year in short form or day-period of the year in the Great Imperial Calendar in long form. 

DT & DP- Stands for Droid Tech and Droid Protector respectfully. A general descriptor of their roles. My DTs were from the 38th generation.

Talivan- The top droid production company.

Irudite- A priceless metal typically used in the production of cores for the highest class of droids. For reference, the couple of bits in each of my droids would’ve totalled 4 million marks for the damaged droids and 8 million for the undamaged one. No wonder he let me off so easily.