Diary Entry 1 - Local Standard
Another rotation ends. Dust settles on the viewport of the Phoenix. Today was mostly spent sifting through trade feeds. Damn near blinded myself looking at those flickering holograms. The usual mix of promises and dregs. Found one that piqued my interest – a shipment of processed kryllium from the Zephyr Nebula, destination Port Cygnus. Good profit margin if I can get a decent price. Then, an oddball request, Xylar crystals from the Iridian Cluster heading to… K’tharr, of all places. Dangerous, but the payout is tempting. I’ll try to swing both and squeeze 'em on the same run. Maybe Hydra can take the kryllium, her cargo holds are larger, while I personally handle the Xylar in Phoenix. Mule, as usual, will be hauling spare parts and general supplies. The frigates… they're just eating up docking fees at the moment. Maybe I’ll offload them soon. Time for synth-ale and a data-stream movie. Hope tomorrow brings good dealings… or at least less eye strain.
Diary Entry 2 - Local Standard
Haggling is a pain in the void. Spent the better part of the day in comms with the Zephyr brokers. They started high, of course, acting like they were selling solidified starlight. After a good hour of back and forth, referencing market fluctuations they’d probably never heard of and playing the 'struggling trader' card, I knocked about 15% off their initial asking price. They’ll feel like they’ve won, but I know I’m getting the better deal. The Xylar crystals broker was a different beast. Gruff, barely polite, and wouldn’t budge on his opening price. I sensed desperation, smelled it, as they say. By the end I managed to secure a 10% discount. It wasn't pretty but it worked. The Phoenix is practically purring with anticipation, the old girl always loves a good journey. I’ve started prepping the ship now. Tonight, I'll recalibrate the jump drives.
Diary Entry 3 - Local Standard
Loading the Hydra and Mule is always a chore. The docking bay was a chaos of robotic arms and grumpy loader drones bumping into each other. I almost lost a thumb to a faulty crate clamp. Luckily, my personal crew, Kai was there to keep things running smoothly and fix my near mishap. We had to recalibrate a few weight compensators after loading the Kryllium, that stuff is deceptively dense. The Phoenix, is always easier. The Xylar crystals are packed into specialized containers, lined with some kind of dampening material… I don’t ask too many questions. Tanker's got his fuel lines connected and his automated systems tell me he is ready to go. I've sent out a message to the frigates saying they are to stay put for now, no one seems to have a need for them and their upkeep can get costly. I'm looking forward to getting out of the system. Always too many regulations for my taste. Tomorrow, we jump.
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Diary Entry 4 , Local Standard
The void is a strange beast. So empty, yet so full of weird radiation patterns and nebulous gas clouds. It’s almost meditative when the jump goes smooth. The Phoenix practically glided through it, even with the extra cargo. Spent the majority of the day reviewing navigation charts from my last successful run and doing a full check-up on all systems. Jen, helped by Kai, spent the day ensuring everything is in order. Hydra and Mule are trailing behind, like two oversized space snails, but they’re doing their job. Tanker is right behind Hydra as always and in good running order. I reviewed the trading options in Port Cygnus - seems they need a good supply of water ice. Another side deal brewing for sure. A short break now. A synth-steak and a view of the distant star clusters is always a good way to unwind after a long day.
Diary entry 5 , Local Standard
Arrived at Port Cygnus, today, and the place is a hive of activity. Docking was a mess, with ships coming and going from every direction. After finding a berth we offloaded Hydra's kryllium, and got a solid price agreed for it, no haggling today. That's a win for sure. I also managed to secure that water ice shipment, it's a quick turn around. Mule is unloading his general supplies which are also needed, and I’ve lined up another cargo – mining equipment heading back towards the Galactic Core. This should pay for the fuel and a bit more. Meanwhile, I had to use the Phoenix's internal docking system and transfer the Xylar crystals into a secure shuttle for the dangerous trip to K'tharr. I hate shipping into such volatile sectors, but the potential profit makes me reconsider every time. After all, a trader always has to chase the margins. I’m mentally preparing myself to venture there.
Diary entry 6 - Local Standard
K’tharr is no place for the faint of heart. The system’s main planet is a warzone, constantly bombarded by meteor showers and unstable magnetic fields. I landed on a shielded platform, the only safe place for a quick transfer. The K’tharr buyer was an intimidating figure, clad in heavy armor. He checked the Xylar crystals with some sort of scanner, his eyes never leaving me. The transaction was cold and efficient, no pleasantries exchanged, just credits transferred. They are a strange bunch, the K'tharr. I’m glad to be out of there. Jumped back out, heading back to meet up with the rest of my fleet. Hydra, Mule and Tanker are waiting nearby, and the Phoenix is purring with satisfaction as we reconnect. Almost there, just one more jump to freedom. The mining equipment cargo is loaded on Hydra, and we're ready to go. Hopefully, I can get some downtime soon.
Diary entry 7 - Local Standard
Back in the Galactic Core, the chaotic energy feels almost familiar now. We’ve docked at a familiar station, the Phoenix can rest for a while while we offload the mining equipment. Hydra has been given a break and is being prepared for her next run. The Mule is being serviced and restocked. Tanker is being refilled, getting ready for his next fuel run. I've spent the day reviewing the new trading feeds and trying to find my next big deal, something to kick start a new adventure. I paid the crew, and gave them all a much needed break, they have earned it.