Okay, here are seven diary entries, capturing the thoughts and experiences of your spacefaring captain:
Entry 1: A New Crew
Date: Cycle 237, Day 12
The airlock hiss was the only sound as Kai and Viper stepped onto the Phoenix. Fresh out of the Academy, bright-eyed, and…green as space algae. Their uniforms practically gleamed, a stark contrast to the weathered consoles and countless battle scars that adorn my ship. Honestly, they looked like they’d rather be anywhere else. I’ve hired them on for a pittance, just to see if they can be molded into something useable. They're star-one pilots, barely qualified to haul cargo, but their skill set is promising, even though their minds seem brittle. They need spine. I've given them a month’s probation. A single month to turn from academy recruits into hardened pilots. They need to understand the real world beyond simulations.
Entry 2: Trial by Fire
Date: Cycle 237, Day 17
I ran them through some of my old pirate engagement recordings last night. The looks on their faces were priceless. Eyes wide, mouths agape. They’d clearly pegged me as just another merchant, shuffling goods from station to station. They couldn’t reconcile the trader with what they saw on the screen: My Phoenix brawling with another Pirate ship. A battle class pirate ship dubbed the "eradicator". manuvering to its side, and then to its engines, due to my engine speed beign superior. The Eradicator had superior armour and firepower, but mostly just for a single straight direction. Its frigates were reckless, thinking me easy prey. They were taken out early. If they hadn't it be a different story.
I saw a glint of admiration from them, but more importantly, the realization that the universe was not as docile as their simulations suggested. Good, let the fear make them sharper. It was a good reminder not to judge books by their cover, or ships by their paint job. Every one of us has a hidden thorn.
Entry 3: Growing Pains
Date: Cycle 237, Day 22
They're sponges, soaking up everything they can. I’ve been walking them through targeting systems, energy management, and evasive maneuvers. Kai is a natural with the stick; his instincts are quick and precise. Viper is better with theory, able to identify patterns and weaknesses even in the simulated scenarios. I've noticed that they’re starting to find chinks in the armor of the sim software, exploiting programming loopholes I didn't even know existed. They’re still too timid. Still hesitant. They need to learn to trust their own instincts. Today I showed the two how to disengage a ship with out an engagement, by using a single shot. I noticed both of them understood my theory, but neither could pull of the technique. I will need to work on them slowly.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Entry 4: A Necessary Weakness
Date: Cycle 237, Day 26
The simulations showed us a glaring flaw. Kai and Viper tend to freeze under pressure. When the odds stacked up against them in a simulation, they simply locked up. Their training took over, and they became completely rigid. They need to learn to be more flexible, more adaptable. If they can't adjust, they will get themselves killed out there. It’s a common failing of academy graduates, they learn the moves, but not the mindset. It's frustrating, but I also know that their inherent talents are there. They just need to learn how to use them without getting paralyzed by fear. I’ll have to work with them on that. I ran them through the simulations again for 6 hours.
Entry 5: The Trade Run
Date: Cycle 238, Day 2
I’ve spent the last of my credits on a massive shipment of Xylium Dust. The price is low now, but I know the demand will skyrocket in a few cycles. It’s a risky gamble, but the potential profit is too good to pass up. It will likely be a long haul. The Hydra and Mule are being prepped, and the Tanker is gassed up. All the frigates are ready to go as well. I’ve assigned Kai and Viper to the Sting and Fang. I'll be keeping an eye on them during the run, but I'll also be giving them some space. It's time for them to test their wings under real conditions, out in the black. I will be running the Claw as my personal vessel for this trip.
Entry 6: Lessons on the Edge
Date: Cycle 238, Day 6
The jump was smooth, the navigation simple. Until we encountered an…unwelcome “greeting”. A small group of pirates. Three of them. They were sloppy, desperate. I let Kai and Viper handle it. I stayed in the shadows in Phoenix. They did okay. They were hesitant, but they pulled through. Kai was a little too aggressive, and Viper was a little too cautious, but they’re learning. I saw them work as a team. It was a messy engagement, but a victory nonetheless. They understood the difference between theory and reality, between simulations and the unforgiving void. Good. This trip is already paying them dividends, way more than their wages.
Entry 7: Potential
Date: Cycle 238, Day 11
We’re hauling our Xylium Dust to our first drop. The two star-one pilots are no longer the same scared, a wide-eyed academy girl and guy that stepped onto my ship just over a month ago. They have proven they can adapt. They have proven they can fight. They still have far to go, but the potential is there. If they can truly harness their talents, frigates would be a complete waste of their skills. I am thinking of something better for them, something more formidable. For now, they are where they need to be. I have decided to keep them on, and they will have a pay increase from the next trip.