《Trader in Space sci fi world - Renovating an Old Rust bucket of a Spaceship》 Diary Entries of Renovating an old Spaceship Diary Entry #1: The Gamble Stardate: 7.12.2347 The datapad feels heavy in my hand. Like my gut. I just did it. I used almost every single credit I¡¯ve saved over five frustrating years at the hydroponics farm. Every. Single. One. For what? A floating pile of space scrap called the Stardust Drifter. I know, I know. Everyone on Level 3 thinks I¡¯ve lost it. Even my maintenance unit, MU-7, gave me a long, concerned beep before trundling back to its charging station. But I¡¯m tired of the same routine, the recycled air, the endless rows of glowing lettuce. I want to see actual stars. Not pictures projected onto the hydroponics bay ceiling. The Drifter¡­ well, she¡¯s a mess. Her hull¡¯s a patchwork quilt of mismatched plating, there are more dents than smooth surfaces, and the comms panel looks like it¡¯s been chewed by a space rat. The broker all but laughed when I handed over the access codes. Called her a ¡°reliable rust bucket.¡± But I saw something in her, a spark maybe, amidst all the peeling paint and exposed wiring. She feels¡­ right. I know it sounds crazy. But this is happening. Tomorrow, the real work begins. No more lettuce, just grit and grease. Wish me luck, or at least, send spare parts. Diary Entry #2: Initial Inspection - A Disasterpiece Stardate: 7.15.2347 Today was¡­ revealing. I spent most of the day trying to navigate the Drifter¡¯s cramped interior. The living quarters are barely habitable. The sleep cubicle smells faintly of burnt circuits and something vaguely¡­pickle-like. The galley unit looks like it hasn''t been cleaned in cycles. I¡¯m pretty sure I saw a small, bioluminescent organism living in the nutrient dispenser. The engines, thankfully, seem salvageable, though they¡¯re caked in some kind of space grime that may be sentient, for all I know. The navigation system is older than me and has a fondness for flashing a rainbow of error codes. I swear, it tried to communicate with me in binary at one point. MU-7, who I brought along despite its initial reservations, seems less than thrilled. It keeps whirring disapprovingly and shining its diagnostic beam on things I haven¡¯t even touched yet. Still, its little manipulator arms are proving incredibly useful at getting into those hard-to-reach places. We¡¯re going to need a lot of supplies. Today''s shopping list: industrial cleaner, replacement wiring, a new nutrient synthesiser, and maybe a hazmat suit. This is going to be a long, long process. But I¡¯ve committed. Time to start stripping her down. Diary Entry #3: The Great Deconstruction Stardate: 7.22.2347Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Hands aching, covered in grease, and smelling vaguely of space-corrosion, I¡¯ve made progress. Almost all of the old, broken components have been ripped out. It was like peeling away layers of the Drifter¡¯s past; each removed panel, each freed wire, felt like a step towards a new beginning. I found a data chip hidden beneath the floor plating. It¡¯s an old log, from what I could decode. The Drifter wasn¡¯t always a rust bucket. She had a crew, a life, adventures. Reading their stories made me feel¡­connected to her. It fueled the fire. MU-7 finally started to warm up today. It seems to enjoy disassembling things. We discovered a structural weakness near the main thruster unit but managed to stabilize it. The old nav-system is completely unsalvageable though, it is just refusing to communicate. I¡¯ve started looking for replacements online. Those are going to be costly. I need to find a side hustle to keep the credits flowing. Maybe I can sell some hydroponically grown lettuce¡­ ironic. Diary Entry #4: Sparks Fly - Literally Stardate: 8.01.2347 Today involved a lot of sparks. And a small fire. Mostly my fault, attempting to install a new power converter. I think I may have wired something backwards. But hey, learning by doing, right? MU-7 was very helpful in extinguishing the flames. I think I spotted a hint of amusement in its blinking sensor. I managed to get the life support system mostly functional. The air is cleaner, the temperature regulated, and thankfully, no more pickle-scent. I¡¯ve started to feel like I¡¯m making the ship my own. I¡¯ve found some old datapads with basic ship design schematics, and I¡¯m spending my evenings sketching out what I want the Drifter to look like. Better storage, a proper workstation, and a dedicated stargazing viewport are top of my list. I feel a surge of possibility, a rush. This is more than just a ship now, it¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s hope. Even though it nearly fried me. Diary Entry #5: The Core is Reborn Stardate: 8.15.2347 The new navigation system arrived today! It was hideously expensive, but I managed to cobble together an emergency delivery service contract transporting medical supplies to Level 8 to cover the cost. MU-7 and I installed it, and after a few tense moments, the system sprang to life. I cannot explain the sheer joy I felt when the star charts appeared on the main display. I spent hours just gazing at them, dreaming of where the Drifter and I will go. We also finished rebuilding the secondary power core. It hums like a sleeping beast, steady and strong. It''s like the heart of the ship has begun to beat again. The living quarters, while still compact, feel more comfortable now. I even managed to stitch together some old synth-fabric I found into new curtains. Progress may be slow but it all feels very personal. I can''t wait to see what she''ll do. Diary Entry #6: Ready for Launch Stardate: 9.01.2347 The Stardust Drifter is ALMOST ready. The final touches are being applied: diagnostics, polish, and a fresh coat of paint that isn''t peeling. I¡¯ve even given her a proper name: the ¡°Phoenix.¡± It feels right. From rust to rebirth. I¡¯ve checked and re-checked all the systems, calibrating every little dial and gauge until my eyes are crossing. MU-7 is buzzing with excitement, its manipulators tapping rhythmically on the control console. We¡¯re ready. We¡¯ve put a lot of blood, sweat, and yes, space-pickle smell into this ship. It¡¯s a huge step, leaving the only life I¡¯ve ever known. But I know there¡¯s more out there, waiting for us. Tomorrow, we leave. The Phoenix and I. Wish us speed and safe journey. I can¡¯t wait to see what the universe has in store for us. This is just the beginning. Diary Entries 7 -13 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 ¨C or a very hungry one, depending on how you look at it ¨C 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 ¨C 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 ¨C 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.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. 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 ¨C 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? Dairy Entries 13 - 19 Stardate 2350.013 Well, the logs don¡¯t lie. Enough credits banked to choke a grox. Funny, just thinking about those hydroponics bays makes my back ache. Phoenix has been good to me. She¡¯s earned her keep tenfold. Time to give her some love. Been running diagnostics all day, pinpointing the areas that are¡­ adequate, but could be so much more. The primary thrusters are pushing the line, and the navigational array is definitely showing its age. Today''s the day I start the transformation. The idea of fresh paneling, more efficient energy conduits... it''s making me itch to get my hands dirty. No more dirt under my nails, just maybe the occasional grease stain. Stardate 2350.014 The marketplace on Xylos was a cacophony of lights, chatter, and the distinct metallic clang of vendors hawking worn parts. I went in hunting for high-efficiency heat sinks for the thrusters. And boy, did I find ''em, just not at the price I wanted! The first vendor, a shifty-eyed creature with more scales than a kalari, quoted a ludicrous rate. But I¡¯ve been out on the rim long enough to know the game. Half an hour of back and forth, with me walking away twice, and I finally got them for a price that didn''t feel like highway robbery. Found some decent dampeners as well that should smooth out the ride a bit. I can practically hear the Phoenix sighing with relief already. Stardate 2350.015 Swapped out the old heat sinks today. It was hotter than a star forge inside the engine room. But the feeling of slotting the new ones in¡­ that was something else. The old ones were practically dust and corroded in places. The new ones are gleaming metal. I tested the thrusters afterwards. The difference was immediate. She''s responding like a dream. I can feel the power humming through the Phoenix now, more controlled, more alive. The dampeners too have made a difference. The vibrations are almost unnoticeable. It¡¯s amazing what a little TLC can do. I feel like this ship is part of me now. A weird concept considering she''s just metal and circuits.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Stardate 2350.016 Traded some salvaged parts ¨C a few rare pre-Collapse capacitors I found on my travels ¨C for an upgraded communications array today. The old one was barely reaching the next sector, let alone back home. The bloke I dealt with was a grizzled old human with a cybernetic arm, clearly seen better days, but knew his tech. He actually seemed impressed with the capacitors. He said they were "museum pieces", heh, but a good trade none the less. After install, I can now reach a wider band of signals. I even managed to catch a news broadcast from the core worlds. The world feels massive. And I''m out here, making my own way. Stardate 2350.017 Spent the day rewiring the navigation system. It was a tangled mess of wires, some almost brittle with age. I had to reroute the power conduits and install a new data matrix. It was painstaking work, but it¡¯s also incredibly satisfying. The ship feels like it¡¯s mine in a way it never was before. It''s not just a vessel anymore, it''s an evolving project and that''s a feeling I''ve never experienced before. I feel like I''m building a part of the universe, one component at a time. The old hydrophonics farm feels further away each day. Stardate 2350.018 I treated myself to a proper meal today. Found a small cafe run by a family of T¡¯zara on a small asteroid station. Their food was incredible, a taste of home I haven¡¯t experienced in what feels like forever. I think I was so involved in the Phoenix, I forgot to think about myself. Being out here, it¡¯s easy to just focus on survival. I needed a reminder of why I was doing this. I think the Phoenix needs some comfort, too. Maybe not a T''zara dinner, but something to keep her clean and polished for those longer trips. Time to look into the latest cleaning solutions and protective coatings coming out from the manufacturing planets. Stardate 2350.019 Finished installing the new protective coating and cleaning everything. The Phoenix is shimmering now, almost like she has a new lease on life. I can see myself and what I''ve worked for in the reflection, and that''s the best feeling in the world. Looking at her now, she feels like much more than a ship. She feels like my home, my workshop, my partner in this crazy adventure. No more back-breaking labor in the hydroponics bays. I''m a spacefarer now, and the stars are beckoning. Time to plot my next course, and see what else the galaxy has to offer. The Phoenix is ready for it, and so am I. Diary Entries Stardate: 2351.19 The cosmos is a beautiful, indifferent beast. Today, it showed me its teeth. I was halfway through my run to Kepler-186f, humming along and feeling relatively content, when they showed up ¨C a battered, rust-bucket of a ship that looked like it had been chewed up and spat out by a cosmic whale. Pirates, pure and simple. They didn¡¯t even bother with a sophisticated comms hail, just a crude transmission demanding I hand over my cargo. My heart hammered against my ribs as I saw the glint of weapons ports opening on their hull. The Phoenix, bless her rusty soul, took a pounding. I managed to get out of their firing range by performing a risky maneuver through a nearby asteroid field, but not without taking several direct hits. I can still hear the groans of the metal. I hate to see her like that. I hate it! I escaped them, barely, but the thought of it¡­ the feeling of helplessness¡­ I''m going to be making changes to the Phoenix, starting now. Stardate: 2351.20 Black market. I hate having to trawl through the back alleys of space stations, but needs must. I spent most of the day haggling with a particularly slimy Grolak over weapon systems. He tried to upsell me on everything, of course, but I stood my ground, my voice probably louder than I intended. Finally, I managed to secure two heavy-duty turret systems, the kind that can punch through armour and hull plating. It cost me an insulting amount of credits to buy them. Stardate 2351.021 The deals continued today, and I secured a small cache of sabot missiles. They¡¯re not fast, but they pack a punch, the type that explodes in a wide burst, specifically designed for taking down shields. They¡¯re not exactly common, and they cost a fortune, I only could buy a few. I figure if I run into a ship with those expensive shield generators, this might at least give them a sense of threat. A bone too difficult to chew. I can''t afford shields right now. I also picked up a decent sidearm ¨C a pulse pistol, compact but with enough punch to discourage boarders. It felt heavy in my hand but I''m glad I have it.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Stardate: 2351.22 The Phoenix is looking a bit different this morning. It¡¯s going to take some time to get all of the new Systems installed. It¡¯s just been me doing all of the work, my hands are sore. The turrets are mounted, and the pistol is now stored securely in the cockpit. I feel a little less like a helpless target now. I wish I could just afford a shield generator. I know it would mean ripping out the upgraded cargo bay and some other components, but the level of protection¡­ It¡¯s a daydream at the moment though, I am all out of credits. Every single one. I can still feel the cold steel of the pistol in my hand, I keep practicing drawing it. It somehow makes me feel safer. Stardate: 2351.23 Worked on the Phoenix all day today, calibrating the new turrets. They pack a serious punch when I tested them - even on the lowest power setting. The Grolak was clearly right about one thing, the things can certainly make a hole. The targeting system took a long time to get used to, It¡¯s still not completely perfect, but it¡¯s good enough to at least make me feel like I can hold my own. I also spent some time running combat simulations, practicing with the pistol in my cockpit. It''s a small space, making sure I don¡¯t have a mishap is essential. Stardate: 2351.24 I decided to get back on with my trading run early today. I need to earn some credits again. The turrets are functional, the sabots are locked and loaded. And my pistol is within easy reach. I¡¯m certainly no soldier, but I feel slightly more confident than I did a few days ago¡­ I think the whole experience has made me re-evaluate somethings. I might need to start being more aware of the dangers out here. Maybe it means not making as much profit, but at least still alive. I have decided to try a route that is much less popular, hopefully it will mean less encounters. Stardate: 2351.25 The route has been pretty quiet the last few days. This must mean something right? I have been checking my sensors every few minutes, just to be sure I haven''t missed anything. The new turret systems give me a sense of security, but the fear is still there. I keep thinking about the pirate ship, and how it felt to be so vulnerable. It makes me wonder how many other ships are out there suffering the same fate if they come across a ship like that. A sad thought. Stardate: 2351.26 The last day of my trip is finally here. I have only one more delivery to make before I can relax. I have earned enough credits to start saving again, which I am happy about. The pirates were probably just as desperate as me, maybe even more so. My ship certainly shows it, every scar and every bruise. Diary Entries (Smuggling) Stardate 2355.43 The void hums. The Phoenix is a familiar armchair now, each creak and groan a language I understand. Hydra and Tanker are trailing behind, dutiful as ever. Another run to Cygnus Minor today, hauling processed agri-waste ¨C thrilling, I know. The haggling with the station master was¡­ energetic, let¡¯s say. It¡¯s always the same dance: they claim a surplus, I claim a need, and we both meet somewhere in the middle with a few less credits than either of us wanted. It¡¯s enough. Barely. Enough to keep the ships running, keep me fed. But I feel like I¡¯m scraping the hull of existence, constantly patching leaks. I hear whispers of the ¡°real¡± money, the fast runs, the goods that aren''t on the manifest. I tell myself I¡¯m being ridiculous. But the whispers are just that¡­ whispers are starting to be louder. Stardate 2355.44 Had a close call today. A patrol frigate from the Rim Authority intercepted us near the Pavo Jump Gate. Routine scan, they said. They were thorough, I¡¯ll give them that. My heart was hammering in my ribcage ¨C not like when I''m negotiating, this was a cold, fear, in the pit of my stomach. They found nothing, of course. "All in order, Captain" the officer said, but his eyes, they lingered, like he expected something he didn''t find. Makes you wonder what they''re really looking for. It¡¯s this constant low-level dread that gnaws at the edges of me when I see them. Its a new dread. It¡¯s an unnerving feeling. The feeling of being watched. Stardate 2355.45 The idea¡¯s been nagging at me ¨C a little worm in my brain, growing bigger with each credit I don''t make. If I could... diversify my cargo, so to speak¡­ A contact on Kepler 186f mentioned ¡°certain opportunities¡± for discreet deliveries. I know its not my kind of thing, but we are talking about the survival of the ships, and myself. It''s just not profitable doing it this way. Time to start research. The plans are old, from my grandfather''s time, the legendary ''Ghost holds''. Hidden compartments, false bulkheads, the whole shebang. Spent the day reviewing the old schematics, adapting them to my ship. It''s a gamble, a big one, but I''m starting to think its a gamble I need to take.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Stardate 2355.46 Started the modifications today. The Phoenix is my home, so its scary taking her apart. I had to remove the bulkheads, build the hidden compartments. The construction is... tedious, especially working alone. The Ghost holds are deeper, narrower, in non-traditional places even I find peculiar. I¡¯ve built two new holds into the keel next to the main engine conduits, and another two above the hydroponics bay, and one behind the forward scanner system. I''ve built in pressure seals for each, just in case. They were ingenious back in the day, hope they still are now. I¡¯m working in the quiet moments between the runs. No one ever suspects that. Its my safety, my secret. I just hope it''s enough. Stardate 2355.47 The contact on Kepler 186f came through. This time, its not processed agri-waste. It¡¯s¡­ volatile. Military-grade synth-stimulants, the kind the corpos use to keep their miners in line on the frontier, or for special forces. Small packages, easy to conceal, but they¡¯re like little suns of illegal credits. The risk is terrifying, but the payoff is... tempting. Took on a small sample, just to see if the holds work. Packed them in vacuum-sealed containers and stashed them in the keel compartments. They¡¯re undetectable to basic sensors. They feel heavy in my ship, like something wrong. Stardate 2355.48 Made the delivery to the designated drop point on the edge of the Alcor system. Quick and quiet, or so I hope. Received twice what I''d usually make on a run on the legal stuff. The credits are burning a hole in my pocket, and yet also a weight in my chest. Even with the high cost of synthetic stims. I feel like I''ve stepped onto a different path now, one with a whole new set of dangers. But I also have a sense of... possibility. I can keep the ships afloat, maybe even start expanding again. I need to be careful, though. The Rim Authority doesn''t take kindly to smugglers. I''m no smuggler, I keep telling myself. I''m simply diversifying. Renovating Hydra and Tanker. Log Entry 1 - Date: Cycle 782.4, Sub-Sector Gamma-9 "It¡¯s been too long since I¡¯ve felt the hum of real work under my fingers, instead of just the soft thrum of the Phoenix¡¯s jump drives. The hydroponics bay feels like a lifetime ago. I''ve been pushing trading runs too hard, chasing the next credit, the next lucrative cargo. It''s time for a break. The Phoenix is a beauty, a fighter through and through, but my cargo and fuel ships are lagging. They''ve got to keep pace, or I might as well be using a space barge. Hydra and Tanker are going under the knife today. New hull modules, reinforced plating¡­ we¡¯re going for speed, not just hauling capacity. Ironic, considering what they usually carry. Time to get out of the trade hub and into the fabrication bay. No more haggling for a few weeks. Just the sound of welders and synth-steel." Log Entry 2 - Date: Cycle 782.7, Sub-Sector Gamma-9 "Started stripping the old hull plating from Hydra this morning. Found some corrosion points I''d have to have taken care of. The automated repair drones are good, but they''re not as good as a human eye. I''m replacing the standard plating with a new composite alloy. It''s lighter and stronger, and the modular panels will make future repairs much easier. I''m also adding a series of micro-thruster placements along the hull, to augment the main drives, I got the blueprints a while back. These will give her a considerable boost in acceleration and maneuverability. Tanker is coming along slower, with all that fuel storage to get around the new placements. Took half the day to work that out. It might not be pretty, but it¡¯ll be effective. I was up all night last night, re-writing the core autopilot routines to handle the new thruster configurations. It''s still not perfect, I''ll have to tweak it a bit more. " Log Entry 3 - Date: Cycle 783.2, Sub-Sector Gamma-9 "The bulk of the hull work is done on Hydra. It looks¡­leaner. Meaner, even. Almost like she''s itching for a race. The new plating is sleek, with those micro-thrusters almost invisible until they fire. I¡¯ve started installing the reinforcement struts along its spine. Tanker is a more difficult beast. All that fuel space, it''s hard to add structural changes. But I''ve managed to reinforce the forward hull and add a set of the micro-thrusters near its engines. It''ll never be as nimble as Hydra, but the new configuration will significantly improve its acceleration. The auto-turrets are also being upgraded. New sensor arrays, faster targeting algorithms, and the lasers are being replaced with Kinetic Flak Cannons. The Laser although precise, their damage was low, and they are generally overwhelmed with too many missiles or fighters. These new cannons will do the trick." Log Entry 4 - Date: Cycle 784.1, Sub-Sector Gamma-9 "The internal systems on Hydra are a headache. Every time I try to improve one thing, I have to reroute another. Spent the whole day running new conduits for the thruster controls and the point-defense grid. The new targeting system for the turrets is a beautiful piece of work. It can track multiple fast targets at once, predict their trajectories, and prioritize them based on threat level. Log Entry 5 - Date: Cycle 785.0, Sub-Sector Gamma-9 "Hydra is almost ready. All systems are go, barring a few minor tweaks to the autopilot. I ran a series of simulated dogfights this morning. She handles like a completely different ship. Quick, agile, and packing a serious punch with those new cannons. Tanker is lagging behind. It just takes longer to work on a ship of this size. I¡¯m adding a few extra self-sealing mechanisms in the fuel tanks. A bit of extra security in case those defensive systems aren''t enough. It''s not something I''m happy about needing to include, but better safe than space debris. The Phoenix, she¡¯s been getting jealous. This work is keeping me away from her. I''ll probably take her out for a spin tomorrow to make it up to her." Log Entry 6 - Date: Cycle 785.4, Sub-Sector Gamma-9 "Did a dry run with both of them today, just around the edge of the system. Hydra was impressive, hitting top speed in seconds. Tanker is not as fast, but it¡¯s a noticeable improvement, and the handling was remarkably better. The point defence on both vessels was spot on, I will need to get out to a practice range to more realistically test them. The autopilot adjustments are still needing some tweaking, but I think with another day''s work, I should have them running smoothly. It''s amazing how much difference these upgrades make. It¡¯s not just the speed, it¡¯s the feel of the ships, they react as I want, like an extension of me. It''s been an exhausting few weeks, but it feels good. Better than any trade run."Stolen story; please report. Log Entry 7 - Date: Cycle 785.8, Sub-Sector Gamma-9 "The work is done. Both Hydra and Tanker are ready for service. The autopilot is refined. The defensive systems are tested. The thrusters scream when engaged, and they look slicker than ever before. It was worth every second in the fabrication bay. I''m calling in a few days off. Just me and the Phoenix, heading to some uncharted sector to kick back. No trading, no cargo, no fuel delivery. Just the cold vacuum of space and the hum of the Phoenix¡¯s drives. But¡­ the real test will be the next big run. Hydra and Tanker might look faster and more heavily armed, but they''ll need to prove themselves in the black." "I''ve decided to leave below the blueprints of the weapons systems for Hydra and Tanker, for my decision making." 1. Kinetic Scatter Cannons ("Flak" Systems): 2. Guided Kinetic Interceptors (Agile Missiles): 3. Multi-Stage Kinetic Slug Throwers (Mass Drivers): 4. "Tungsten Net" Projectors Focus on Specifics for Cargo Ships & Fuel Tankers: Trade Runs Log Entry 1 - Date: 2347.08.12 - Location: Orbiting Xylo Prime Phoenix Log Entry One. Xylo Prime, still as dusty and frustrating as ever. The sensors are picking up heavy port traffic, mostly mining freighters. Good. That means demand. I¡¯ve made a pass, scanned the listings. They¡¯re desperate for refined lithium, just like last cycle. Managed to make a small profit at Proxima station but not much. The Hydra is already on approach, full of the stuff. God bless my renovations, she can haul more than that old bucket her blueprints said. She should be docking now, autopilot handling everything. Now, the haggling starts. Time to put on the charm and convince these rock grinders that even I deserve a decent cut. It''s going to be a long day, but a profitable one, hopefully. Log is signed off, heading down to the trading docks, get me a bottle of that Xylo whiskey, I will need it. Log Entry 2 - Date: 2347.08.15 - Location: Transit to Veridian Belt Phoenix Log Entry Two. Xylo was a slog, but worth it. Played the desperation card well and managed to get 15% over the standard price. Had to endure the local¡¯s incessant drone of mining tales, but that¡¯s the cost of doing business. My next stop is the Veridian Belt. The Hydra is heading there as well, I¡¯ve set her course for a small moon for a scheduled drop off at the local market. I¡¯m taking the Phoenix on the scenic route. I am also carrying extra, unscheduled cargo. A small container, tucked away in a specially shielded compartment. Let¡¯s just say it¡¯s something the Veridians like but the Authority doesn¡¯t. It was handed to me after the whiskey with a wink and a fat wad of credits. Risky, but the profit margin is too good to pass up. The Tanker is behind me on auto-pilot, nothing but good fuel in her tanks, she''s set for a mid route refuel, nothing out of the ordinary, I hope. Log Entry 3 - Date: 2347.08.19 - Location: Veridian Belt Outpost Sigma Phoenix Log Entry Three. Veridian Belt, a chaotic mess of asteroid fields and shady outposts. Made contact with the client at Outpost Sigma, a dingy, lawless place even by belt standards. The sale went smoothly, no questions about the origins of the ¡°rare minerals¡±. They paid in unmarked credits, exactly as agreed. Those credits will go a long way to paying for some of my new upgrades I am planning for the Phoenix.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. I am now heading to Veridian¡¯s main station, I have some legitimate cargo to trade, for now, just to be safe. The Hydra will meet me there to transfer a portion of her payload to the main station. I am going to need to sweet talk the station clerk to get a decent price. Log Entry 4 - Date: 2347.08.22 - Location: Orbiting Veridian Station Prime Phoenix Log Entry Four. The Veridian Station Prime was a hard nut to crack. The local station clerk was a tough negotiator, almost as bad as me, but in the end I managed to make a profit. My upgrades for the Phoenix will need to wait, for now. Got a good price on some medical supplies and some light weaponry, I needed both, and have loaded the Phoenix. The Hydra was in the process of docking as I left and finished loading the refined metals I sold there. I had to sell low just to move product. I am now back into the fringes with the Tanker trailing close behind. Heading back to Xylo Prime. A new station has contacted me asking for some rare minerals. I am now officially on a schedule. I am keeping a close eye on my sensors and making sure every system is running at peak performance, no one gets to intercept the Phoenix. Log Entry 5 - Date: 2347.08.26 - Location: Approaching Xylo Prime Phoenix Log Entry Five. Back to Xylo, another slog. This time though I have my next deal lined up. The new station, Station Kilos, needs rare minerals, the kind from the edges of the belt. Another trip to Sigma is looming. After that I am going to take her into deep space and see what''s out there, I have the fuel for it. The sensors are picking up a different kind of port traffic. Not mining freighters but something more militaristic. Maybe they have found out what I have been up to. The Phoenix is ready if it comes to that, the weapons are armed and charged. Let them try. If it¡¯s a trap I have left some surprises for them. The Hydra is being sent to the scheduled drop off point, the Station will not know she is coming, I hope. Log Entry 6 - Date: 2347.08.28 - Location: Docking at Station Kilos Phoenix Log Entry Six. Docked at Station Kilos. The deal for rare minerals went well, no questions asked. The militaristic ships are still around, though it''s looking less like a trap. I am going to call it a fleet training exercise. I managed to get more than the standard rates for these minerals, the station offered it straight up. After trading, I had a chat with a few of the locals, they all know the same gossip, the Authority is looking for smugglers. Looks like I need to sit low for a bit. Time to head into deep space. I will have the Hydra and Tanker follow me once I get a safe distance. Space Truckers and their Spaceships Okay, here are some diary entries from your space traveler, focusing on their ship, Phoenix, and encounters with other space truckers: Entry 1: Cycle 347, Kepler-186f Orbit It¡¯s hard to believe it¡¯s been so long since I left the hydroponics bay on that research station. Feels like a lifetime ago, adrift in the black, watching the stars swim past. The Phoenix has changed so much since then. She¡¯s more scars than skin now, really. Rebuilt, patched, and pushed far beyond her original specs. I¡¯ve stripped parts from pirate wrecks, haggled over weapon systems in greasy backwater stations, and slowly transformed her into something¡­ else. She¡¯s got two nasty ballistic cannons that could punch through a small moon if I aimed them right. And the Vulcan cannons for point defence? Those are a welcome addition. Armoured plating, thick and heavy, runs along her hull. I couldn''t afford shields though, no one really can, unless you take up a commission, signing away ''freedom. The engines are beasts now, and the sensor suite is sharp enough to spot a space flea from light-years away. Of course, I''ve added a few¡­ ahem¡­ hidden compartments for the occasional bit of smuggling. But despite all the upgrades and combat capabilities, the Phoenix feels more like a cozy home than a tool. It¡¯s strange how attached I¡¯ve become to this hunk of metal. Hydra, my cargo hauler and fuel tanker, hasn''t seen as much attention, poor girl. She''s reliable, but she''s mostly just the workhorse. I really should give her some love. Entry 2: Cycle 352, Trading Post Theta-9 I met up with a trio of space truckers at the trading post today. Ol¡¯ Man Tiberius, a grizzled veteran with a prosthetic arm and a ship called ''The Wanderer'' that looked like a flying junk heap; a young woman named Zara, who piloted a sleek, almost elegant freighter called ''The Seraph''; and a quiet, hulking man who went by ¡°Gorok,¡± whose ship, ¡°The Anvil¡± was a brutish-looking vessel, bristling with engines and weapon mounts. They¡¯d been making the rounds for years, jumping between systems just like I did.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. We spent the better part of the day swapping stories, comparing our ships, and of course, trading a few tales of close calls. I showed them the Phoenix and they gave her a good once-over. Tiberius grunted and pointed out my lack of shields, saying she¡¯d be a sitting duck for anyone with energy weapons. I feel like she was being rhetorical, showing off her wealth. Gorok nodded in agreement with a rumble in his throat, but they both admitted the ballistic cannons were ¡°proper teeth¡±. Zara was clearly impressed with the sensor suite, and also the extra hidden compartments I''d added. That made me laugh. She''d clearly worked plenty of dodgy trades herself. Entry 3: Cycle 352 (Continued) After our initial inspections, the truckers showed off their ships. The Wanderer was an absolute mess, patched together with mismatched plates and salvaged parts. Tiberius told me he liked it that way, said each dent and scratch told a story. He¡¯d turned the interior into a labyrinth of makeshift living spaces and storage. It was surprisingly cozy. Zara''s Seraph felt like a completely different universe. Sterile white panels, soft lighting, and a minimalist design that screamed luxury. She¡¯d sunk a fortune into automation and environmental controls. She kept her living space spotless too. I felt like I¡¯d just walked into a hospital after being in a junkyard. And Gorok¡¯s Anvil¡­well, it was like stepping into the engine room of a dreadnought. Massive engines, thick armour, and a bridge that looked more like a command center. He was clearly more concerned with function than form. He showed me the reinforced bulkheads between the cargo bay and living area. A very sensible addition when dealing with dangerous cargo. Each ship was a reflection of its owner, and it was fascinating to see how we''d all adapted to life in space. I left the trading post with a newfound appreciation for my own battered Phoenix, and a few more things on my list to add or upgrade. The endless cycle of survival and adaptation never ends, does it. But it sure makes life interesting. Hull Modification and Trading Diary Entry 1 (Gaelan Nebula) Stardust and static, that''s the view from my viewport today. I¡¯ve been crawling along at half-thruster for what feels like an age. Gaelan''s a backwater, but it''s a necessary stop. The fuel cells are sucking fumes and the rations are starting to resemble the ship''s cleaning fluid in hue. Found a signal, though. A small, independent station orbiting a dead moon ¨C the Rust Bucket. Let¡¯s hope they have what I need and aren¡¯t trying to squeeze the last cred out of a desperate traveler like me. I¡¯ve been practicing my haggling tone; the one that says ¡°I¡¯m poor, but I¡¯ll bite if you try to gouge me.¡± Wish me luck. It''s been a long trip. Diary Entry 2 (Rust Bucket Station) Rust Bucket lived up to its name. A clanging, cobbled-together mess of salvaged metal and flickering neon. The station was swarming with folks like me, all with that desperate gleam in their eyes. Surprisingly friendly, though, in a "we''re all in this scrap heap together" kind of way. Managed to secure some decent fuel cells ¨C the Krellonite type, thank the stars. Cost me two weeks'' worth of dehydrated algae, but it was worth it. What was not worth it was the price of protein paste. Gaelan, it seems, is suffering a protein shortage. Rumor is a plague wiped out the nutrient farms on the outer colonies. They¡¯re selling what looks like brown, vaguely meaty slop at exorbitant prices. I passed. Better to stick to my algae and start cultivating my own protein in the hydroponics bay. I saw some interesting ship modifications advertised in the mess hall too. Armor plating, a new kind of engine dampener, and some dodgy looking ECM package. Tempting. Diary Entry 3 (Leaving Gaelan Nebula) The Phoenix feels...lighter. No, not lighter. Sturdier. That might have been the best decision I''ve made in a while. I spent my last spare credits installing the insulated engine dampeners on the Phoenix. They said it would improve fuel efficiency, but I''m already seeing the difference. Less turbulence, less strain on the engines. It will also give engines more durability if hit by a missile. Furthermore, the sensor rating his halved, for trade under the radar. I still can''t afford the armor plating or the ECM package. Maybe next stop. I¡¯ve decided it¡¯s time to head towards the Seraphim Cluster. Heard they deal in high-end tech. The downside is the "high-end" comes with "high-end" price. I hope I can make some profitable hauls before the money runs out. Maybe I can find some old tech to scavenge and sell.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Diary Entry 4 (Approaching the Seraphim Cluster) The Seraphim, as advertised, is indeed a jewel box in the void. Glittering stations, sleek transport vessels, even the debris fields look expensive. I''m circling a smaller, independent dock. The main hubs are out of my price range. This one is called The Tinker''s Yard. The advertisements promised modifications of all kinds. I even saw one claiming "Hyperdrive optimization: faster jumps, less fuel!" That sounds too good to be true; I have to go and take a look. Fuel is stable, enough dehydrated algae to last another week, and I managed to cultivate a small batch of protein fungus in the hydroponics bay, so I¡¯m doing a little better. It''s time to see what this station has to offer. Diary Entry 5 (The Tinker''s Yard) The Tinker''s Yard was a sensory overload. The sights, the sounds, the smell of welding and ozone... I was like a starving man in a bakery. They had everything: I spent hours just browsing, mostly making faces at the prices. I did find a slightly used maneuvering thruster that should boost my handling in asteroid fields and a couple of reinforced shielding panels. Not as good as the full plating, but better than nothing. The dealer told me the shield panels were removed from a ship that was hit by a small missile when the ECM package had a malfunction. The warning was noted, but the price was too good to pass by. It seems like a few of these sellers are taking advantage of the shortages in other regions while selling less than desirable products, but it''s the only option I have. Diary Entry 6 The Pgoenix feels more responsive, more...mine. I still have a long journey ahead and I may need to find a way to make more money in this area. Maybe some of the wealthier stations in the Seraphim will require the minerals I can harvest from minor planets. It¡¯s a long shot, but at least I¡¯ll be doing something. I may even invest in a mining laser, if I can find a cheap one. Time to move on. The stars are waiting. War and profits Entry 1 - Hesitation and Calculations The comm-channels are buzzing like a disturbed hive. That damn Alcor-Cygnus conflict finally boiled over. Two factions, the ¡°United Alcor Concord¡± and the ¡°Cygnus Free Coalition,¡± going at it like enraged space-bears. Forty top-of-the-line dreadnoughts is what the Concord boasts, while the Coalition throws hundreds of smaller, faster ships into the fray. Idiotic, frankly, but it¡¯s making waves across the whole of the sector. Normally, a war like this would have my fingers twitching. Excess stations, resource dumps, the kind of quick-profit opportunities that build fortunes. Buy low while they''re emptying their pockets for the war effort, sell high when the fighting inevitably grinds to a halt. But¡­ these aren¡¯t skirmishes. These are full-scale fleet actions. The kind where you get caught in crossfire and your freighter ends up as so much cosmic debris. Frankly, I¡¯m not feeling the risk appetite right now. I¡¯ve been building a nice little cushion of credits, and that''s more important to me than taking a shot at instant riches. Let the vultures pick at the scraps for now. I''ll bide my time watching the markets. For now, I''ll stick to known routes and safe cargo runs. Entry 2 - The Siren Call of Profit Damn it. Damn it all to the black. I tried to stay away, I really did. I kept on chugging along on the trade routes, but the numbers... they''re impossible to ignore. The reports streaming out of the Cygnus system are insane. The domestic goods market is completely shattered. Pre-conflict, basic supply boxes were going for 50 credits, now they''re over 200! Two hundred credits for a box of nutrient paste, medicine packets, and damn plumbing parts! I must have moved over a couple of thousand of them this cycle, mostly along secure routes.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. The people down there are desperate. The Coalition must be cutting off supply lines, or diverting everything into their war effort. Either way, the need is real, and the supply is non-existent. It''s¡­ a moral quandary, I admit. I¡¯m profiting from other people''s pain, but at the same time, they need what I''m selling, badly. It''s too much, too good an opportunity to pass up. I crunched the numbers again at least a dozen times. I can realistically ship at least a few thousand of these boxes straight to Cygnus with their population at any station and make a killing. I went ahead and took out a line of credit. I bought another freighter, a battered but reliable "Stork" class. She needed some work, but I can¡¯t wait to get started. I went all in on insulating the engines, the best passive dampeners I could afford. Should give me a much smaller profile on scanners. It''s risky, yes. But this could set me up for life. I''m going in. Entry 3 - Sweet, Bitter Reward I''ve never seen such a mess. The jump point into the Cygnus system was a chaotic mess, with transports, refugees, and even a few battle scuffles in the distance. My ships all worked well. The insulated engines seemed to work a treat. A few near misses with patrolling Coalition ships but they never saw my vessels coming. I managed to steer clear of any major conflicts, navigated the debris fields, and got to the pre-arranged trading stations. They didn''t haggle for a second. They bought everything I had, everything, at my price. The holds were empty by the last jump to the third station. I made a killing. It''s sickening the amount of credits I made. I¡¯m talking about a total turnaround of more than 1200%, including all the expenses involved. I''m not sure I can even believe the number. Every credit went back into my account within a space of maybe 12 hours. Now, the question is - what to do with it? I could finally afford those hull modifications I''ve been eyeing, ECM package; transmission jammers, flares, an integrated targeting, you name it. I could even get a shield generator! Only one mind you, but Phoenix would be invulnerable practically, as long its flux doesn''t go over. I could also pick up a six to eight frigates as nimble escorts. So many choices. Credits Spent like Water Diary Entry 1 The damn war credits feel like they''re burning a hole in my pocket, even digitally. Spent the last few cycles haggling, arguing, and downright threatening (a little) to get my five frigates. Five! They''re not gleaming warships, mind you, more like angry wasps with a bit of rust, but they''re mine. Each chugs and groans like it¡¯s got a bad case of space-cough, but they can fight. Light machine guns ¨C gotta have those for shielded bastards ¨C and missiles. Sweet, beautiful missiles for everything else. I¡¯ve named them, of course. Couldn''t just call them "Frigate One" through five. There''s "Sting", "Bite", "Claw", and "Rip" ¨C my little escorts, they''ll be fierce. Then there''s "Fang," the fifth. She''ll guard the rear. She''ll be last line of defense. "Hydra" ¨C my main cargo ship, a real workhorse, and "The Mule" my smaller cargo ship. She¡¯ll be doing the short runs. No pretty paint job ¨C only function matters. And "Tanker" ¨C the unsung hero, full of the black gold that keeps this whole show going. Their point defense systems are¡­adequate. They¡¯ll keep the worst of it off, but that¡¯s where my frigates come in. Two frigates for me. Sting and Claw. They¡¯ll peel off anyone getting too close to my engine block while I concentrate on the front. This is going to work. I can feel it.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Diary Entry 2 Today¡¯s agenda: the black market. Time to dredge up some shadows for a shield generator. Not a fancy military grade one, of course. Those are locked down tighter than a vault on Titan. No, I''m looking for something... cobbled together. Something that will kick on if I find myself suddenly on the wrong end of a pirate ambush or a territorial squabble between traders. Just enough to give me time to get the heck out of dodge. I¡¯ve heard rumors of a tech-priest who tinkers with salvaged components out near the Rim. Hopefully, he''s not asking for an arm and a leg or I''m walking out. I actually enjoyed the haggle. Not because of the price, but to see how much I can get for less. These guys are worse than the war council when it comes to haggling. But I got it, not pretty, but it works. And that¡¯s what matters. Diary Entry 4 - Cycle 78, Day 23 Tested the shield generator today. It¡¯s a patchwork Frankenstein¡¯s monster, but it held against a few short bursts from Sting and Bite. It¡¯s not going to stand against sustained fire, but it did give me a window to power up the engines. It¡¯ll do. Right now I¡¯m loading up fuel on Tanker. She is going to be my bread and butter for the foreseeable future. I''ll be making a run to the outer colonies soon. The demand was high, and the credit is good. Just have to keep my little fleet running smooth and fast. I¡¯m no longer a soldier. I¡¯m a damn space trucker. And I¡¯m damn good at it. Haggling. Missiles. Crew. Stardate The comms crackled like a dying fire, but the message came through clear enough: "The Zyl Consortium refuses to budge on their price for the tri-lithium ore. Says they''ve had offers from the Kepler jump-runners too. Damn them." I leaned back in my chair, the synthetic leather groaning under my weight, and rubbed my tired eyes. The ''Phoenix'' hummed softly around me, a familiar lullaby in the black vastness. Zyl... they¡¯re always playing hardball. Last time they tried to slip in substandard alloys. I''d almost blown that entire cargo of bio-luminescent fungi on the spot. This trip was supposed to be easy, restock on ore, sell off the last of the chronium plating, back to the outer rim. But it never is, is it? I need that ore, or the ''Hydra'' and ''Mule'' are just going to be big, empty boxes drifting through the void. I instructed the comms officer to send back a counter-offer, a little more aggressive this time. If they think a few jump-runners are going to get them a better deal they are mistaken, I have teeth, I have assets. Stardate 237.4.15 Success, of a sort. The Zyls finally agreed to my terms, though I had to throw in a handful of rare-earth magnifiers. Their eyes are bigger than their guts, apparently. The ''Hydra'' and ''Mule'' are finally filling up. I¡¯ll keep a hawk''s eye on the shipment this time, though. The real stress is the other situation. I¡¯ve been negotiating with the Norvikans for days, haggling over the last batch of missiles for the frigates. The ¡®Sting¡¯, ¡®Fang¡¯, ¡®Bite¡¯, ¡®Claw¡¯, and ¡®Rip¡¯ need that extra punch. The Norvikans, always the pragmatists, know I need them. They''re holding out. They know the ¡®swarmers¡¯ are good for attrition, the kind of endless harassment you throw at a target, but they won¡¯t break through heavy armour. The ¡®salamanders¡¯ are brilliant ¨C those fast-tracking engines make them impossible to shake off, but their reload rate is torture. You absolutely can''t rely on them alone. You need both. I spent most of the ¡®night¡¯ staring at the tactical display, running simulations. I can''t be caught out here without a full arsenal. This whole damn sector is a tinderbox.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Stardate The Norvikans are playing another game; they are claiming that the missiles are delayed in production - that my order is low on their priority, that they have more important clients with a larger trade volume. They know that¡¯s bull. They just want a better price for them. I hate this; these people are worse than the Zyls. There is no honour. It makes me wonder why I still haggle of these small missiles, after my huge haul I made trading supplies and domestic goods. However, its in my blood to not pay more than I need to. I know the prices. I sent a strongly worded threat; that I will take my trade elsewhere if the price does not settle at the price i offered. That I could be taking a tanker load of fuel to their adversaries instead, and that my next stop is by a jump point that has a direct trading route to the rival Norvik faction. I let it stew. I spent some time this ¡®morning¡¯ going over the ¡®Tanker¡¯ and its fuel stores. I don¡¯t trust anyone. If the Norvikans push me too hard I¡¯ll simply leave. And this area is full of other groups desperate for my credits and what i carry. I am not without recourse. Stardate The Norvikans caved. Just in time, I was beginning to wonder if I should make good on my threat to fuel one of their rivals. The missiles are aboard the frigates now. Stardate: The autopilot on my frigates keeps them pointing the right direction, I''ll give them that. But watching them on the tactical feed - they''re just... there. They don¡¯t react to the subtle shifts in enemy fire patterns, they don''t anticipate the weaknesses in formations. The Sting could be flying like a predator, but she''s just... following a pre-programmed route. I''ve been thinking about hiring officers. Pilots. Real, breathing crew who can dance with the stars. It¡¯s a risk, I know. Trusting anyone out here is like trusting a viper not to bite. But imagine Fang weaving through a blockade, Bite ambushing a cruiser, Claw and Rip raining fire on enemy formations. They aren''t just ships, they are lethal extensions of my will. And with good pilots, they would be so much more effective. They could turn those frigates into true killing machines. The cost would be significant, of course. It might eat into the profits, but better targetting is worth the cost. I wouldn''t have to be there myself, personally commanding every ship. It would make me a more effective trader, let me focus on the bigger picture. It would be another step into becoming something more than the guy who got lucky. I need a drink. Maybe two. And I need to make some calls. Let¡¯s see who''s looking to dance with the void. It may be time to finally form a proper crew. Pilots Okay, here are some diary entries from the perspective of your sci-fi protagonist, focusing on the themes and elements you''ve provided: Stardate: 2378.11.05 The hum of the Phoenix is a familiar lullaby. It''s the sound of my freedom, the whisper of the vastness I command. Today, I¡¯m back to the drudgery ¨C sifting through endless pilot applications. "Hotshot" McAllister, with his boasts of dodging asteroids blindfolded; "Steady" Sarah Jenkin, whose experience seems¡­ steady. And then there''s young Kai, fresh out of the academy, eyes wide with a hunger for the stars that reminds me of my younger self. I''ve listed some samples in my datapad. Samples of Potential Pilots: The Sting, Fang, Bite, Claw, and Rip need pilots. Good ones. Ones who can handle the adrenaline rush of a close-range frigate skirmish, who won''t flinch when the swarmer missiles are unleashed, chewing through the enemy''s armour. I need them disciplined, but not so rigid they can''t think on their feet. Each of my frigates are my children. I want to protect them at all cost. I will. Stardate: 2378.11.07 I found myself haggling again with the merchant over the price of a new batch of volatile fuel. It¡¯s¡­ ridiculous. My accounts run to more zeroes than I can comfortably count. I could pay double, triple, and not even notice the dent. Yet, I¡¯m there, pushing and pulling, trying to scrape off the last percentage point. Why is this? Does space survival make us like this?This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. it is a fear of the war I have seen, an emergency fund per say? Maybe its not the deal itself, but the principle. I see some of it in my dealings with the pilots. Each is a variable that has a cost. I need to make sure it is worth the cost in the end. The merchant doesn''t care about my ship, but I do. I need to make sure I am not undercutting my profits in the long run. Stardate: 2378.11.10 The Hydra and Mule are back from their run, the Tanker docked alongside, refueling them. I watched the cargo drones unload the precious resources, and thought. I''ve built this¡­ this small empire, from the ground up. I could easily retire to some backwater planet, live out my days in quiet comfort, surrounded by endless luxuries. Yet the thought tastes like ash in my mouth. The slow, predictable life¡­ it¡¯s a death sentence for the soul. The vastness of space doesn''t permit stasis. When out there, you are either swimming or sinking. You have to adapt, to push against the crushing pressure of the void. If I stop, If I think I have enough, then i will stagnate. And if I stagnate¡­ well then the others will come for me. The brutal beauty of it all ¨C that''s why I keep pushing. I¡¯ll review those pilot applications again tonight. Kai, I think, has the fire in his eyes. I need to make him useful. I will. Stardate: 2378.11.15 Had a training simulation with one of the new pilots, ¡°Viper.¡± Turns out he¡¯s as precise as they say, but damn¡­ He needs to learn teamwork. The swarmer missiles are a dance, a flurry of destruction that requires coordination. You can''t just charge in guns blazing, or the enemy frigates will pick you apart. The salamanders¡­ well those are for the big boys. For now, the pilots need to master a swarm. We will make him a teammate. He will learn. I think I¡¯ll need to create some scenarios for them. Each ship needs to work together. So they develop some muscle memory. I can hear the Phoenix humming and the engines revving. I might seem cruel, but the space world isn''t a kind one. They will thank me in the end. I hope they will. They probably wont. It is survival of the fittest out here and if they want to fly under my flag they need to embrace that fact. Note: I tried to incorporate the specific elements you mentioned ¨C the ships, the weapons, the pilot hiring, and the internal struggle with wealth versus the need to ''keep swimming.'' I also hinted at some of the dangers and realities of the protagonist''s world. Recruitment and Strange Ai Cores Stardate: 784.22.17 (Standard Galactic Cycle) The Phoenix is purring like a contented predator. Restless, though. I can feel it in my bones, the itch to push further, to conquer new routes. The Hydra and Mule are docked, bellies full of recently acquired¡­ oddities. My usual mix of processed metals, rare minerals, a few crates of sentient fungal blooms, and of course, those damn AI cores. Those cores¡­ they stink of trouble. I bought them cheap, practically scrap, from a backwater asteroid station. But the big factions are paying top credit for them. They don¡¯t ask questions, of course. They just want them. It¡¯s almost laughable. They pay for the potential of what these ancient things can do. I¡¯ll take their credits, thank you very much. Reputation is currency, and they think I''m some kind of fence for lost technologies, good. Let them think what they will. Kai and Viper are¡­ green. Star One pilots, fresh out of the academy, brimming with optimism and atrocious teamwork. They requested to join my crew, naive fools. I¡¯ve put them in the Sting for their first month, that old warhorse needs to be shaken up. I don¡¯t usually hire so inexperienced, but they were willing to work for pennies and their dedication is...interesting. We''ll see if they make it. I¡¯ve set them the task of swarm training. Pushing the frigates to their limits. The fuel from the Tanker is plentiful. The systems do the majority of the work anyway. I need those two to anticipate each other, to move in unison, like a well-oiled machine. It''s a painful process. Today, I watched them stumble through a salamander run. They nearly collided three times. They need to learn.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Frankly, I could be using that time for trade, but sometimes it¡¯s worth investing in potential. Like the AI cores. Stardate: 784.22.25 (Standard Galactic Cycle) The bargaining is going smoothly. As usual. I got a decent price for the fungal blooms. Traded them to a research consortium for some high-grade shielding. I am not sure what they plan on doing with the flora, but it is their problem. The AI cores went to the usual suspects. The Crimson Hegemony, the Outer Rim Cartel, and the enigmatic Technocracy. They all want them, all for different reasons. I don''t give a damn. Credits are credits. Pilot Training and Pirate Scuffle 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.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. 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. New Pilots. Diary Entry 1: The Routine Grind Another cycle, another jump. The Phoenix hums beneath my boots, a familiar vibration that¡¯s become the background music of my life. The Hydra and Mule, always dependable, are latched on like overgrown barnacles, their holds brimming with processed ore. Tanker, bless its heart, is the ever-present fuel hound, keeping us all topped off. The vast emptiness outside the viewport feels both comforting and suffocating. I suppose that''s the dichotomy of deep space. I spent the morning reviewing cargo manifests. Tedious, but necessary. Then came the comms check-in with Viper and Kai on Sting and Fang. They were practically buzzing to recount their little pirate scuffle. Good for them. Fresh blood needs a taste of action. Glad I spent a little extra on that training module. They¡¯ve gone from trembling rookies to¡­ well, slightly less trembling rookies. At least they hit something. The frigates remain on autopilot escort duty. A waste of good firepower, I know, but they¡¯re insurance. Peace of mind comes at a price, and I can afford the pilots to watch the stars and twiddle their thumbs. Tomorrow, we¡¯ll reach the extraction point. Time to unload and do it all over again. The Hydra and Mule are loaded with ore and processed metals. Heading to the Hegemony next; they''ve been paying top credit for alloys recently. The Tanker is topped off and ready. Entry 2 - Rixian Orbital Marketplace Haggling here is always a pain. Tried to offload some processed fuel I had, they kept pushing for lower prices, claiming they had multiple offers from other prospectors. I held firm and eventually got my price. A little extra in my coffers is always useful. Those Rixians think they''re clever, but I''ve been doing this far longer.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. I¡¯ve been looking over three potential pilot candidates for Bite, Claw, and Rip. Found some profiles online. I''ll have to make a selection soon. I need them in the coming weeks once we enter the nebula region. Entry 3 - En Route to the Hegemony I¡¯ve settled on Jara, Zane and Lyra for the frigates. Jara has the experience, Zane will fit the autopilot role perfectly, and Lyra might shake things up. I don''t expect them to excel in the escort role, but their presence is an insurance policy. I have the credits for pilots, and having armed ships around is a practical measure. Viper and Kai have developed quite the reputation. The new recruits were certainly impressed, almost reverent actually. It must be nice to be the local heroes, but I do not expect them to get complacent. The pilots can talk about their ¡°heroic acts¡± later, right now I must focus on my trade routes and my credits. Is the Paste Edible? Entry 1 - Sector Gamma-9 Woke to the usual hum of the Phoenix, the old girl complaining about another day. Breakfast was nutrient paste, flavor ''mystery meat''. I swear they just recycle yesterday''s leftovers. Washed it down with synth-coffee, bitter enough to strip paint. Need to find some real grounds soon, but those are a luxury these days. Checked the manifest ¨C the Mules are loaded with processed plasteel from Xylo and the Hydra is carrying a volatile mix of oxygen isotopes heading for the outer rim. The frigates, Sting, Claw, Rip, Bite, Tear, are buzzing around us like gnats, their pilots probably complaining about boredom. Poor sods. At least they have the salamander missiles if anyone gets too froggy, and the swarmer missiles will shred any unshielded pirate scum. The Fang cannons on the Phoenix are ready for anything more heavy-duty though if I need them. Spent most of the cycle negotiating trade routes with some gruff merchant at ComRel. Trying to squeeze every credit out of these deals. I hate haggling, but it pays the bills. Tonight, it''s more nutrient paste, I suppose. Maybe if I¡¯m lucky, I''ll get a chance to listen to some old Earth blues before hitting my bunk. The Phoenix''s old memory banks are a mess of data, music and movies, but they have moments of gold. Sleep cycle will be around 6, need to be up early to plot a course into the nebula. Risky, but the price is worth it. Entry 2 - Navigating the Corvus Nebula The nebula is gorgeous, like swirling paint, but a pain to navigate. The comms are choppy, which makes trading a nightmare. The Hydra¡¯s oxygen load was playing up and the onboard monitoring system went crazy. Had to send a tech over to sort out something he called ¡®phase interference¡¯ ¨C I mostly just nod and pay. The price of having a volatile load. Lunch was more paste, this time ¡®chicken¡¯ flavored, which is no better. I did manage to get my hands on a ration of real spices - smuggled them in from a moon colony known for its exotic flora. I took a pinch of the ¡®solar flame¡¯ and sprinkled a little over the paste. Still tastes like recycled cardboard, but at least it has character now. Need to ration these.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. The frigates reported some minor sensor glitches - probably just space debris. They¡¯re getting antsy; the Wraith pilot keeps doing barrel rolls in circles for fun. I let them blow off steam, as long as they don''t use the missiles. I keep a close eye on the scans and the Fangs on the Phoenix are ready for business if needed. Managed to offload the Xylo plasteel at a decent price at a nearby spacestation. Time to negotiate a buy in the next system which will put the Mules to good use. Dinner was the usual - synth coffee and paste. Tonight will see a longer sleep cycle as I pushed through the nebula. 8 is the goal. I¡¯m looking forward to it. Entry 3 - Port Meridian Arrived at Port Meridian and the place is a hive of activity. Got the oxygen isotopes off the Hydra, thankfully no hiccups. The place is riddled with black market vendors, and those ''spices'' I bought are burning a hole in my pocket, I might find someone to sell them too and make a small fortune. Breakfast was a splurge - some hardtack biscuits and dried fruit I bought off a vendor. Tasted like heaven. Picked up some less than legal cargo for the trip back. A few crates of ''reclaimed electronics'', or so they say. I don''t ask too many questions, keeps my hands clean. The black market generator on the Phoenix is a perfect cover for a little extra voltage leakage if the authorities try to get too close. The frigates are getting a refuel, and some minor repairs. Ordered the pilots to dock and rest after the last few routes. I even saw them relaxing with some of the station¡¯s watered down ¡®ale¡¯ at the cantina. They deserve something after doing nothing. It''s a tough life even if it seems easy. Dinner was another flavor of paste so I decided to have a few biscuits and more of the dried fruit. I also started to plan my next few routes. I think it will be best to head out of the sector and see what other opportunities await. Sleep schedule will be 7 tonight. I''m aiming for a less complicated run to the next system. Entry 4 - Approaching the Edge The run went smooth, we are near the edge of known space. The Phoenix is purring like a happy cat, the generator is humming along and the crew are all relaxed after some downtime. The Frigates even did a mock battle exercise to keep them at the ready. Breakfast was simple- paste and synth coffee. I¡¯ve found a good way to ration the spices- every few cycles I add a small amount to the paste. It makes it almost enjoyable. I spent a few hours checking the old charts, looking at possible jump points and opportunities to trade. I think I might try to move some high end medical supplies. There is a system with a high demand for them in the next sector according to my data. Lunch was the same paste and I had a few more biscuits. I try to keep them for a treat or during long routes. The cargo is all secure so I¡¯m not too worried. The frigates are at the ready and the Fangs on the Phoenix are prepared incase we get ambushed. Dinner tonight will be paste and synth coffee as always. Medical Supply Run Stardate: 3478.2 (Cycle 12, Day 1) The synthesized sun finally creaks up over the artificial horizon of Deep Space Station Sigma-7. Makes my bones ache just staring at it. Guess it''s time to get the circuits humming. Recycled protein paste for "breakfast" again. Tastes like sawdust mixed with old socks, but it fuels the engine. Washes down the taste with some synth-coffee, which to its credit, is at least hot. Check the comms ¨C no nasty surprises, thankfully. The Phoenix is looking good on the monitors. She''s more than just a ship now; she''s practically a part of me. Spent too long sweating over her refit to think of her any other way. A medium-class bruiser is putting it mildly; she could take on some cruisers if needed. The Mule and Hydra, my cargo workhorses, are docked and ready. Sting, Fang, Claw, Tear, and Bite, the light frigates, are fueled and prepped. We''re a proper little fleet now, even if they¡¯re a little beat up. Makes me feel like a damn space admiral, even though I''m mostly just a glorified delivery boy. Today''s the day. The market reports I scanned say the medical colonies in the Outer Rim are crying out for high-end supplies. Expensive stuff, the kind that keeps people alive after a run-in with a Void Lurker or a rogue AI. I¡¯ve bought a haul. Got my hands on a stock of bio-regenerative injectors, synth-skin grafts, and a few neural repair kits. The risk is high, but the potential profit is juicy. I just need to navigate a couple of dodgy sectors and outpace any pirates who think they can shake us down. I set the course and give the order, "All ships engage." Time to make a profit. Stardate: 3478.4 (Cycle 12, Day 2) Long, monotonous jump through hyperspace. I hate the way it makes my gut feel like it¡¯s being twisted into a pretzel. Spent most of the day fiddling with the Phoenix¡¯s jump drive. Always something to tweak. The others kept themselves busy doing maintenance and playing cards over the comms. Occasionally they¡¯ll start singing old Earth songs, mostly off key. Had another round of protein paste for ¡®lunch¡¯ and ¡®dinner¡¯. I swear, if I have one more bite of that stuff I''m going to start growing a second head. Pried open a can of synth-fruit for a treat. Its still not fresh, but it''s sweet enough. Checked the fleet - all systems green. The comm chatter is keeping me from nodding off. Sometimes I think the only things keeping me awake are the caffeine, and the constant fear of space pirates. Set course for the first waypoint. Stardate: 3478.6 (Cycle 12, Day 3) Made it to the Kuiper Belt without incident. The Phoenix handled the jump with grace, thankfully no hiccups at all. Landed on the outer rim station of "Elysium" on the edge of the belt. A real hive of scum and villainy, but there''s always a profit here if you know where to look. Found my contact, a surly-looking medical broker named Kael. He had a face like a chipped asteroid and the personality to match.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. The negotiation was tense. He tried to lowball me, of course, playing the "we''re-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-you¡¯re-desperate" card. I countered, throwing out the numbers I had in my head, citing the scarcity of the supplies. He¡¯d heard of the demand, but was playing coy. We went back and forth for what felt like an eternity. I finally settled for a price slightly below what I¡¯d hoped, but still good enough to make the trip worthwhile. ¡°Fair enough¡± said the broker who then pulled out another data pad. ¡°I hadn¡¯t imagined they were these type. The colony has a different need now¡±. I could immediately see where this was heading. My contact was stalling. ¡°So I can only offer this price now" he said, the new figure was even worse than his initial offer. He underestimated me. I held my ground, explaining that my supplies were the top of the line. I pointed out that I could just head to the next system, where, according to my research, there are three different settlements who are also desperate for supplies. He eventually caved, grumbling about having to deal with someone who knows the value of his own wares. Signed the contract, transferred the credits. The cargo is being offloaded and scanned now, the Mule and Hydra are getting another load which will be used for the next trip. Time to rest, I am exhausted. I had some food, which was better than the recycled paste. I think I¡¯ll treat myself to a few drinks at the station bar. Stardate: 3478.7 (Cycle 12, Day 4) Woke up this morning with a space hangover. Elysium¡¯s local brew packs a punch. Decided to take the morning off, and let the crew do the final checks on the cargo ships. I had some synth eggs and juice, followed by some caffeine to help clear my head. After the cargo ships were loaded, I ordered them to stay docked, while the frigates came to a stop, the Phoenix was ready to go. I told them we were heading to the next system, and would have a rest stop. Got into my pilot seat and set course. Stardate: 3478.8 (Cycle 12, Day 5) Arrived at the next system, a mining colony. The Hydra and Mule already docked up at one of the platforms. As soon as I stepped out I could see people were eager to get access to the supplies. I was met by one of the colony leaders, and went through similar negotiations. After a little back and forth, they agreed to a fair price. I decided to stay over night and have some proper food, rather than paste. They had some local cuisine, which was unique, but tasty. The next day, after the transaction, we undocked and prepared to head back. We still had the station we started in to return to. Stardate: 3478.9 (Cycle 12, Day 6) The last leg of the journey. We should be landing back in base soon. I have some extra credits, which will be used for repairs and fuel. The journey was long, but worth it. The Phoenix is purring like a well fed cat. I think I¡¯ll try and get some extra maintenance done on my ship. The last few jumps have taken their toll. I check the crew¡¯s logs, and each one is clear, so all are ready for the next adventure. Renovating - ECM Package and Transmission Jammer Entry 1 The welding torch feels good in my hand. It''s been too long since I''ve actually worked on a ship, instead of just barking orders and plotting courses. This damn Phoenix is finally getting the love she deserves. I managed to snag that ECM package from the scrap yards on the outer rim ¨C a bit dented, but the core systems are solid. I''ve been routing the power conduits all morning. It''s a finicky job, but the payoff will be worth it. No more sitting duck when I stumble into a pirate ambush. The Hydra and the Mule are just sitting there, looking all sad and neglected. They''ll get their turn. They can haul cargo and minerals all day long, but they don''t get the thrill of dodging ion cannons like the Phoenix does. Maybe I''ll get around to upgrading their drone bays eventually. And the tanker, she''s just... there. Full of fuel, doing her job, patiently waiting. She''s a good ship, in her own way. The light frigates don''t need my attention, really. They''re nimble and hardy enough. Hardened subsystems for them, maybe, next time I''m in a proper shipyard. But right now, the Phoenix is my priority. Entry 2 The installation is proving a bit more fiddly than the vendor led me to believe. Still, I can feel the power humming through the frame as I connect the last of the conduits. The idea of being able to cloak my signals is... intoxicating. I can taste the strategic possibilities already. No more broadcasting my movements like a beacon in the void.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. The Hydra and the Mule are sitting derelict at the edge of the bay. Poor things. I know I¡¯ve been neglecting them, but the Phoenix has been hogging all my attention lately. She¡¯s my baby, my first real ship, and right now... well, she needs this. The Tanker¡¯s full, which is a relief, but she remains tethered for now. Maybe tomorrow I''ll check on the others. But for now, the Phoenix is taking priority. Entry 2 - Day 129 of Cycle [Unspecified] The jammer is functional. Ran diagnostics, and the results look promising. I tested it briefly with a low-level signal, just a quick burst. Couldn''t trace it, which is perfect. I¡¯m not going to just blaze it up at full power just yet, but it''s a satisfying feeling to know that it works. Entry 3 - Day 156 of the Cycle Finished calibrating the flare system today, feels like the final piece of the puzzle. The Phoenix now feels¡­ complete. It''s got teeth, and they''re sharp. Took her on a short test run in the Asteroid Belt, just to try everything out. ECM worked like a charm, blunting some old automated defense drones. The jammer played havoc with their targeting systems, and the flares saved us from a couple of stray missiles. She handled beautifully. Everything is exactly where it needs to be. I feel guilty for neglecting the rest of the fleet. The Hydra¡¯s probably piling up credits, and the Mule is likely making runs while barely seeing me. The Tanker is just¡­ waiting. I should probably check in on them tomorrow, make sure they haven¡¯t all run aground. But for now, I''m enjoying the feeling of being in a vessel that is truly my own masterpiece. This ship is going to take us places. Dangerous places, but places nonetheless. The Phoenix has to be ready, and so do I. Mule, Hydra and Tanker Upgrade Entry 1 - Station Rented Just got the keys to my own little corner of the void. Station 17B, tucked away in the Aris sector, is a bit of a dive, but it''s got the necessities: a decent fabrication bay, access to the local power grid, and most importantly, no one asking too many questions. Rented it for three cycles, figured that''s enough time to get started. The Mule and Hydra are parked outside, looking like they''re eager for some work. First thing''s first: I need more space. Entry 2 - Hull Revisions Spent the last two cycles mostly buried in schematics and metal. Started on the Mule ¨C it¡¯s practically a tin can, so plenty of room for expansion. I focused on the lower cargo hold, adding a couple of panels with a decent cavity behind them. Now, they look like part of the regular structure, but they slide open with a carefully placed magnetic key. Nothing spectacular, but enough to hide a few crates of¡­ special goods. The Hydra is next. That''ll be tougher; it''s got a more layered hull, but I''ve got an idea for a few concealed compartments near the engine core. Entry 3 - Enhanced Drives Damn these slower freighters! The stock drives in these ships are an insult. I''ve been rerouting power and calibrating the drive coil augmentations for the Mule. It''s like adding afterburners, but less¡­ fiery. I''m running off a small auxillary generator for power, just to ensure I don''t fry the damn ship when I get too enthusiastic. Tests in the station''s maneuvering bay show a marked improvement. The thing handles like a dream now! Well, a slightly less sluggish dream, anyway. Next up, the Hydra. It¡¯s going to need a bit more finesse due to its bigger power signature.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Entry 4 - Fuel Upgrades Fuel¡­ always the damn constraint. Decided to start beefing up my fuel capacity. The Mule¡¯s auxillary tanks are now twice the normal size, fitted in the external supports with an overpressure release, just in case. Started work on adding a small tanker-style fuel bladder for the Hydra. It¡¯s tucked away under the main hull, mostly invisible. Also rerouted some fuel lines to a small auxillary tank inside. It could save my bacon in a pinch, and hopefully give me an edge over the usual fuel-gouging merchants out there. Entry 5 - Simple Yet Effective I keep telling myself this isn''t rocket science. It¡¯s just basic ship maintenance, really. But every time I weld a new panel or rewire a circuit, it feels¡­ good. Like I''m making these ships mine. I''ve been pouring over schematics, learning about power distribution, hull stress points, and how the different modules interact. It''s all interconnected¡ªlike a giant, metal puzzle. It''s not like I''m building a whole new ship, just¡­ optimizing what I have. The commoners call it hull-modifying, but I like to think I''m giving these ships some tender, loving care. Entry 6 - Routine Work today was mostly routine. Calibrated the Hydra¡¯s augmented drives, added a couple more baffles in the hidden compartments. I''m getting faster now. The station¡¯s fabricator is starting to feel like an extension of my own hands. I might have to start looking for another job to afford the upkeep here. But for now, I''m happy with my little project. These ships are finally starting to feel ready. Time to test them. Entry 7 - Ready For Takeoff Final checks on the Mule and Hydra. The hidden compartments are secure. The augmented drives purr like contented cats. The fuel tanks are full. I did a final run of the power supply from the auxillary generator, and all systems are green. Station rent runs out soon, and frankly, I''m itching to get back out there. Time to see if all this work has paid off. And maybe, just maybe, earn a little more than regular runs along the trade routes. The void is calling... Dogfight in Space - Pirates Okay, here are seven diary entries from our trader, detailing his encounter with pirates, told from his perspective: Entry 1: Cycle 347, Day 12 The void feels empty today. Almost too empty. We''re about a day out from the Xylo jump gate, and the comms chatter is quieter than usual. Hydra and Mule are plodding along behind me like sleepy beasts, Tanker''s burn is steady and economical - bless her, that old girl never lets me down. My five little hounds, Claw, Bite, Fang, Tear, and Rip are weaving around us all, their pilots, young pups really, are probably playing tag. I sometimes envy their energy. It''s a good haul this time: Xylo spice, refined in the asteroid fields. Should fetch a good price at Kepler Station. I''ve run this route a hundred times, but a nagging feeling still claws at the back of my mind. I''ll order another system sweep¡­ just to be sure. Entry 2: Cycle 347, Day 13 Damn it. I knew it. The sweep picked up a contact cluster, just beyond the gas giant. Pirate signatures, definitely. Four of them, big boys, not your usual band of scavengers. Their profiles are ugly, heavily armoured, and they''re moving fast. They¡¯re not trying to hide, which means they''re confident, perhaps even arrogant. I''ve locked their comms, but they¡¯re sending out the same old tired threats. "Surrender your cargo or be destroyed." They underestimate the Phoenix''s teeth. I''ve ordered the frigates to form a protective screen around Hydra, Mule, and Tanker. I''ve told them, protect the cargo, but if they see openings¡­ seize them. I think they are itching to stretch their legs. Time for the Phoenix to dance. Entry 3: Cycle 347, Day 13 (Later) The fight started fast. They tried to isolate the Phoenix immediately, but the frigates were too quick. Claw and Bite broke off and harried the largest pirate ship, drawing its attention. That was the opening I needed. I locked onto the biggest of the bastards with my Fangs, the kinetic guns spitting out pure agony. The vibration went right through me. The bastard was slow, barely reacting as the armour shredded and melted from concentrated impacts. It¡¯s about the only time I wish we actually had shields, not just the thick plating! I''ve launched a harpoon missile, a big one, aimed for the engines. It¡¯s tracking true. Meanwhile, my point defence is working overtime, blasting apart their swarmer missiles and the small fighter craft they launched. The Vulcan cannons are making short work of those. My boys in the frigates are a bloody mess of fire and fury, swarmers lighting up their targets, salamanders melting engines. They are so much better than I gave them credit for. They are dancing with ferocity.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Entry 4: Cycle 347, Day 13 (Later Still) One down, three to go. The harpoon hit true, crippling that first pirate ship. It''s spinning out of control, a burning wreck. The other three are regrouping, a little less cocky now. They¡¯re trying to coordinate, using their remaining fighters to create a distraction. It won¡¯t work. Rip went for one of the smaller cruiser classes, and its pilot, that wild kid, just kept the pressure on. It became a blur of movement, as if he was in a dogfight, but with much heavier targets, he actually out manoeuvred to get a salamander round to the rear of their ship! I caught a glimpse of the other two frigates, Tear and Fang, flanking, their guns spitting, keeping the pirates pinned. Hydra, Mule, and Tanker are untouched, thanks to my pups. I feel like a proud dad. Phoenix is ready for round two, I am just reloading my fangs. Let¡¯s end this. Entry 5: Cycle 347, Day 14 It''s a mess. The void is littered with debris. The fight went on for a few hours. I ended up engaging one pirate ship close range, using the Phoenix to ram its already crippled hull. It felt good to hear the crunch of metal. My Fangs ripped through the other two, but not before one of them managed to get a lucky hit on Tanker. She''s still functional, but she¡¯ll need some repairs. My lads have taken a few hits: claw has some armour plating missing, but is otherwise fine. What they lack in experience, they make up in heart. They were relentless, never backing down. I watched as tear flew past an enemy fighter, as it tried to swing round, she just launched a swarmers missile out the side, completely wiping it out. They''re good, really good. The pirates are done. I picked up a few escape pods, for questioning later. Entry 6: Cycle 347, Day 14 (Later) The jump drive is spooling up. The remains of the pirates are floating behind us like a warning sign. The comms are alive with the sound of my pilots recounting their kills - it''s good to hear them so cheerful. We¡¯re heading towards Kepler now. I¡¯ve a few questions for those pirates. I''m a trader, not a pirate hunter, but I will be sure to understand what they¡¯re doing here. If they have any good intel, then I''ll see what I can trade for it. I think I owe my crew some new armour and an upgrade to their guns. Those kids were something else today. They earned it. Entry 7: Cycle 347, Day 15 Kepler Station is in sight. A welcome sight indeed. I¡¯ve started transmitting our manifest. Docking will be a few hours. The boys are getting restless and I think they are looking forward to a drink or two. I got the info I wanted from the prisoners. They are a small group, trying to make a name for themselves in this sector. It is all petty and not connected with anything bigger¡­ yet. They won''t be bothering anyone for a while. Another day, another successful run. This time with a little more excitement than usual. I am sure the story of how we tangled with pirates will travel fast. I am not sure if that¡¯s a good thing, but I know, I would do it again. I am ready for a drink myself. I think I will give them a raise. They deserve it.