Breaking Rocks in the Cold Black

Posted on Mon 1st Nov, 2021 @ 6:24am by Ignatius Collins
Edited on Mon 1st Nov, 2021 @ 6:25am

459 words; about a 2 minute read

Personal Log, stardate 231031.18, aboard the FMV Nameless Grace

On Earth, tonight is Halloween. I'm really annoyed I didn't get to spend it with Purulence, but I've got crew salaries and a mining freighter to pay for, so I have to be out working for a while longer. I'm hoping to be back at 109 in a couple of weeks, once we drop off the current load of minerals at the refinery orbiting Regulus. We'll be there in three days.

We found and obtained mining rights to an asteroid field rich in platinum-group metals and pergium, which should be quite profitable if we sell to the right market. I've got Adam on Earth and some staff back on 109 trying to broker a deal with Starfleet so that we can sell directly to Starfleet at 109. I'm also looking at possible buyers on Jouret and Acamar.

Other news--The crew seem to be settling in well on the Grace. Sipov is one hell of a pilot. I would be a lot more nervous if I had to navigate around in asteroid fields the way he does. He likes to have his fun, but when he's working, he's on point. I couldn't ask for a better pilot, and I'm grateful to have him. I suspect he and I might become associates in competing businesses, some day. The guy likes to work deals, and he's good at it.

The last I heard from Purulence, her schoolwork was going well. Sometimes, the changes I see in her amaze me; she isn't as afraid to take risks as she used to be, and she's willing to stand up for herself. I loved it when I challenged her to study for a pilot's license a while back and she stood up for herself after a day or two--said no and gave good reasons why that would be a bad idea. I knew it would be a bad idea; she doesn't have the math background or the natural feel for piloting, the way Sipov does. She doesn't love it the way Sipov does, either. Her soul is in painting; she would hate studying for a pilot's license. I am so glad she figured out the thing she really is good at--reading people like a book. That's what shines through in her art, and it was crystal clear to me when we were going through job applications. Who else could take one look at an application and tell me, "Not this one." but her?

I think, when we get back to 109, it will be time to ask Purulence the question. Then we'll have to figure out how to get the Addamses and the Collinses all together in one spot. That should be exciting, maybe even explosive. Joy.

 

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