Log Entry: Cycle 784.23, Phoenix Bridge
Subject: Elias Vane, Independent Trader Location: Orbiting Xantus III, Outer Rim Current Status: Docked at Xantus Trade Station Delta.
"Another cycle, another grind. Xantus III has been… lucrative, I'll give it that. Managed to offload the last of the synth-silk and aquaponic vegetables for a decent price. Those Xantian nobles are suckers for anything 'fresh' from off-world. Good for me, lining the pockets as it does.
Spent the downtime reading up again on the new resonant shield tech. That engineering manual is dense, even for my standards, but I'm making headway. I need to understand this stuff better if I'm going to keep the Phoenix running without emptying my credits account every time something rattles.
Hydra and the Mule are both full, waiting for the return trip. I've loaded them up with Xantian minerals - they're practically giving the stuff away, and I know the demand is high on the core worlds. Tanker is full, thank the stars, managed to top off without any price gouging this time. The frigates - Fang, Bite, Tear, Rip, and Claw are all on standard patrol patterns around the station, just the way I like it. Been seeing some unsavory types around here lately. Better to be safe.
Going to run a few more scans of the market before I leave. The hologram’s showing some interesting potential trades..."
Log Entry: Cycle 784.31, Phoenix Bridge, continued
Subject: Elias Vane Activity: Market Analysis, Hologram Interface
"Okay, let's see what the galaxy is offering tonight…
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1. Lucia’s Emporium (Nexus Sector, Core Worlds): They're looking for pre-fabricated habitat modules. Big order, hefty payout, but the delivery window is tight. I'd need to re-route Hydra to make the run, and I'd need to source the habitats from somewhere a little closer to the core. Maybe a detour to the manufacturing belts around Cygnus? That would add a few days to the trip, but the profit margin looks worth it once fuel costs are worked out. Risk: High. Reward: Potentially Very High.
2. The Crimson Collective (Veridian Belt, Outer Rim): They posted an open order for rare Xenoflora samples, with a particular need for bioluminescent varieties. I've seen some of that around the border regions, could easily send Bite or Claw on a quick scavenging run. The payout isn't massive, but the travel is minimal. Risk: Low. Reward: Moderate. Good for a quick-flip while passing through.
3. Kryll Mercantile (Acheon, Frontier): They are offering a bulk purchase of refined metals in exchange for specialized hydro-pumps. The Acheon have been having trouble with their hydroponics recently, according to the chatter. I've got a decent stock of pumps from that salvage run near the ruins of the Precursors. It’s a good trade – the metals are easily sold in the core. Risk: Low. Reward: Moderate.
4. The Solar Collective (near Sol): They've got an unusual order for something called "historical data storage units." Something about old Earth files and research they are trying to recover. I've never dealt in this kind of artifact before. Might be tempting to send out the frigates for some scavenging but I'd have to know what I'm looking for first. Risk: Unknown. Reward: Potentially Very High or Very Low depending on the artifact. I might look into acquiring some information first, before commiting to this one.
5. Unknown Transmission (Encrypted Channel): An encrypted message offered a trade for "information" on a restricted planet. They are looking for the exact location for a rare element. All I know is that it's outside the designated trade lanes. Something about it smells wrong, but the payout is big. Risk: Very High. Reward: Very High.
I think I need another stim-caf. Lots to think about. I'll make some final decisions in the next few cycles, before I engage the jump drives."