Option 1: Pragmatic, Slightly Jaded Tone

Stardate: 2357.10.22

Another day, another comm from a contact. This time it was Kael – his comm signature was practically vibrating with urgency. Apparently, everyone else in his little smuggling ring is either cooling their heels in some correctional facility or sucking down nutrient paste on a resort moon. That leaves me. Me, the "mostly legit" trader who prefers sticking to taxed goods and avoiding spaceport security with a trained sniffer droid.

But… the numbers are hard to ignore. The black market prices are always a draw, 30% cheaper on acquisition, which, with these prices are huge in that its 60% more profit at flat rate. And it's not just me buying at that discount – the contacts on the other end are practically begging for supply, especially out in the Rim sectors. It’s the same old story – places in deficit get hit with supply inflation. Kael’s been yapping about the need for “stimulants” in Sector Gamma ever since the mining union's strike. They'll pay double, easily. Seems they're working overtime and underpaid. Kinda sick that.

I've been studying the charts. The run to the Gamma drop-point is a tad risky, but I’ve got the hidden compartments in Phoenix, Hydra, and Mule – none of them registered, of course. The usual inspection points are predictable anyway.

After some haggling, I managed to get Kael to bump up the percentage a bit more. This isn't a charity operation, even if these guys are desperate. I’m still debating whether it’s worth it; the risk versus return. Usually I avoid this mess, but the credits are almost tempting enough to risk my license. Almost. But for the moment, I made what feels like a calculated gamble of a risk.

Stardate: 2357.10.25 The run went as smoothly as one could possibly expect. The customs officials are mostly lazy, the scanners were easily bypassed. the cargo hidden safely in the hidden compartments. I did get a bit jumpy though, there was one official who kept on staring at my ship a bit too long. The drop-off was at the usual dock on the far end of the Gamma station, no problems at all. The whole ordeal was still nerve racking. I guess that's the rush of it.

Stardate 2357.10.28

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The credits are now flowing into the account. I even invested a good percentage into a high interest account. With all that is said, my contacts are already calling, wanting another delivery, some medicinal herbs. I guess they can't get enough. I really need to be more strict, I'm burning myself out here, and I still don't like this whole thing. Its messing up with my reputation, I guess. But I am making money. Which is kinda important with the current economy's downturn.

Option 2: More Anxious, Morally Ambivalent Tone

Stardate: 2357.10.22

I hate it when the comm buzzes with a scrambled ID. It means someone is looking for… favors. And "favors" in this business usually translates to hauling something illegal. This time it's Kael. He sounds like he hasn't slept in cycles. All his normal runners are either in lockup or – as he put it – “chasing sunbeams on a pleasure planet.” So, it comes down to me, the person who carefully files all the paperwork and pays the damn taxes!

It's so wrong, all of it. This black market system is making already bad situations worse. 30% less for a product that is already hard to get, it makes a 60+ % profit at flat rates, which is even more if their economy is already bad. So inflated prices are only going to make it worse, but people are desperate. I know that they would agree that this is morally wrong but... the money though. The lure of the quick credits is a dark siren’s song. I’ve seen what the profits can be like. I know how it can be, I have hidden compartments in Phoenix, Hydra, and Mule that are just... sitting there.

I’ve mapped out the Gamma route. It's a risk, but not an insane one, at least that is what I’m telling myself. I can probably make the drop, get the credits, and maybe even start over. God I am such a hypocrite. I even haggled for a bigger cut. It feels so wrong, even if it is needed with the current crisis. I keep saying next time I won't do it. But... I'm thinking of those credits.

Stardate: 2357.10.25 The flight was awful. Every flicker on the console, every strange noise from the engine sent my heart into my throat. I keep thinking that it was someone coming after me, and the thought is making me shake with anxiety. I barely made eye contact with the port authorities, even if I was sure they were scrutinizing me. I am being too paranoid. Or am I not paranoid enough? The drop off at this run down station passed by as quickly as I can manage. I was so glad to have it done with.

Stardate 2357.10.28

The credits are in now. I'm having a hard time really spending it, or putting my head to rest. It just feels like blood money. Kael keeps on calling too, talking about another delivery, this time medicinal herbs. He even offered a slightly bigger cut. Another offer I have been considering, which is... concerning. I need to calm down. I need to think things through carefully. I know I shouldn't go back, but the money... It's a trap. And I think I'm falling into it.