Stardate: 2348.07.12
Diary Entry 7
The Phoenix... it feels surreal to actually be on it and going. After all those late nights under the flickering work lights, the welding sparks, the grime… it’s finally something more than just a collection of salvaged parts. She’s beautiful, even if “beautiful” to a star-hopping junker like me means functional and dependable. The engines purr like a contented cat – or a very hungry one, depending on how you look at it – and the new life support systems are cycling perfectly. Today, we set course for the Kepler-186f system. Heard whispers of a small colony there, desperately in need of raw materials. Hopefully, my newly acquired stock of processed durasteel will catch their eye. It’s time to see if this Phoenix can rise.
Stardate: 2348.07.19
Diary Entry 8
Kepler-186f was… underwhelming. The colony, “Hope’s Landing,” was just that – a landing, not much of a settlement. More like a collection of reinforced hab-units clinging to the edge of a desolate plateau. They were, however, exactly as desperate as the whispers suggested. They needed everything – durasteel, water filters, even protein paste. The bargaining was… protracted. Their leader, a wizened woman named Anya, clearly knew her worth and wasn't about to be swindled. I started at 12 credits per kilo of durasteel, eventually haggling down to 8, plus a small stockpile of hydroponic nutrient solution, which is always handy. It was a tough trade, but fair, and they were grateful. I even managed to pick up some local crystal formations they were mining that seem to have some kind of low-level energy resonance. Might be worth something later. First trade of the Phoenix, a success! Now, I need to figure out how to convert this nutrient mix into something edible...
Stardate: 2348.07.25
Diary Entry 9
Living on the Phoenix is… cozy. Let's try that again, living on the Phoenix is cramped. I’ve got my ‘living’ quarters squeezed into what used to be a storage compartment, and I’ve learned that having the comms array right next to my bunk means I get the distinct pleasure of hearing every encrypted message that comes in. It also means I have to watch what I say when I'm muttering to myself about the joys of protein paste. At least the new hydroponic garden is thriving. Basil and a species of space cabbage that the Kepler-186f colonists call “Sunburst” have made their debut. It's a welcome sight of green in this metal environment. Today I’m routing power to the newly installed sonic scrubber so I can finally get rid of this stubborn grease that has been clinging to the floor for weeks.
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Stardate: 2348.08.01
Diary Entry 10
Jumped to the Epsilon Eridani system today. It’s supposed to be a hub for small, independent traders like myself. My hold is nearly full again – I traded the energy crystals from Kepler-186f to a prospector for a shipment of recycled plastics. Not a huge profit margin, but I’m building a network of contacts, and that’s worth more than credits at this early stage. The space station at Epsilon Eridani, "The Knot," is a fascinating, chaotic mess of ships of all shapes and sizes. I spent most of the day dodging rusty freighters and listening to a chorus of alien languages. This experience confirmed my theory that the galaxy is held together by duct tape and sheer stubbornness. I feel like I'm starting to truly find my place in this crazy, vast universe.
Stardate: 2348.08.07
Diary Entry 11
The Knot is proving to be a goldmine of information. I’ve been spending evenings at a dive bar called “The Zero G Grille”, listening to the local gossip. Heard a rumor about a derelict vessel drifting in the outer reaches of the system, an old freighter supposedly packed with advanced tech. Not sure if I believe it, but it's worth checking out. I also managed to sell off most of my plastic cargo at a decent profit to a droid repair outfit. I spent the credits to give the oxygen scrubbers a much-needed overhaul, and even splurged on a couple of extra data storage units. Efficiency is key with this kind of life. Also, I discovered that “Sunburst” space cabbage, when blended with protein paste, makes an almost palatable soup. Almost.
Stardate: 2348.08.10
Diary Entry 12
Decided to chase the derelict freighter story. It took me two days of zigzagging through asteroid fields, but I found it. It’s the “Stardust Drifter,” an ancient cargo vessel, half of it looks like it was literally swallowed by space. Boarding was… an adventure. The hull plating was breached in numerous places, and the gravity generators were definitely malfunctioning. It was a chilling experience wandering through the dark, silent corridors, feeling like I was trespassing on a space tomb. However, the rumors were true, there is some tech on board, but mostly damaged. I salvaged some advanced sensor arrays and a partially functional jump drive component. The latter might be worth something to the right tech-head. The Phoenix is going to need some serious repairs after this trip, though, I had a near miss with a flying piece of debris that tore through the side of her hull.
Stardate: 2348.08.13
Diary Entry 13
Back at The Knot. The jump drive component sold for enough credits to repair the Phoenix and buy a few extra days' worth of fuel. The sensor arrays I’m keeping, they should be able to enhance my long range scanning capabilities. I feel like I am finally getting into a rhythm, trade, explore, repair, repeat. It's hard work, but seeing the Phoenix in flight, cutting through the blackness, gives me a satisfying sense of accomplishment. I'm learning the ropes, making my own way in this vast, unpredictable universe. And that's enough for now. Maybe the next derelict will be full of working technology. But maybe not. What is space without a little bit of chaos?