#Lore 24 – Entry #100 – Sci-Fi Month II #9 – Trailblazer One
From the Personal Logs of Captain Durgen Silvercask, decryption algorithm successful, translated from original Dwarven Script:
I certainly didn’t expect to see the CEOs of Veylani Transport AND RestrainTech when I awoke this morning, especially not aboard the Morgiana, but apparently Ms. Veylani was in the mood for a surprise inspection this morning. Having finally met her, I can say that my earlier impressions were somewhat in error, though I still think she’s far too lacking in experience for the position. Perhaps that’s one reason why she’s latched onto that Varmyrl fellow? They seemed happy together, hells, I could almost swear they were talking to each other with just a look between them at times, so maybe they were made for one another. Not really my place to consider such personal matters, though.
The meat of the conversation came after the inspection, when we retired to my cabin and Ms. Veylani discussed our initial flight plan and objectives for this expedition. She was quite adamant that we attempt to follow a particular course on our way to Marchosias, even if it may conflict with our proposed course that has been submitted by the ASC. Though not significantly different, there are several diversions indicated, all of which she promised would hold significant supplies of useful resources, but also sites of significant interest to the research teams aboard.
I had multiple concerns about this, not the least of which was how she had gotten this information, and why she had come to me directly with it instead of following the standard procedure of dissemination through the Council. Though somewhat reluctantly, when pressed she finally revealed that her source was one of the Trailblazer teams and would only give me the designation Trailblazer One. Apparently, this source, whoever they are, has been sending information directly to Ms. Veylani, through methods she did not elaborate upon. When questioned as to how trustworthy the source was, she was even more adamant that she counted them among her most trusted allies but gave no further details.
What information she did share with me indicated that most of the significant sites of interest were ancient ruins of some form or another, with structures that resembled, if not outright mirrored, those of the ancient draconic structures found throughout known space on the other side of the Barrier. Though Trailblazer One had already given a cursory examination of the sites, Ms. Veylani wants them given proper study, and even provided some of the notes and scans that have already been conducted. I must admit, the similarities in the forms are startling, and, it seems, that there may be some kind of trail that her explorer has uncovered, given the fact that so many of these places have been found in such a short amount of time.
This information has placed me in an awkward position. There will be questions if I divert from the expected course, the least of which being how I knew to go to these systems. I continued to press for more information, but all I could get out of either of my guests was that Trailblazer One’s identity was known to them, they were trusted, and there were opposing interests involved who would see harm done to Trailblazer One if they knew more. As much as I didn’t want to be, I find myself mired in corporate intrigues. Am I to suspect corporate assassins or sabotage on this expedition? Perhaps my security chief’s concerns were not entirely unfounded, and not nearly as paranoid as they seem. Though reluctant to do so, I have agreed to Ms. Veylani’s proposed plan of action, and will henceforth be receiving additional information as she receives it from Trailblazer One.
At least I have some time to consider how exactly I will explain our diversions that lead to discoveries. Perhaps I will begin opening conversations with some of our arcanists and the clergy aboard to see if any are feeling particularly drawn to any areas nearby the points of interest, or see if we can increase our long-range scanner efficiency the further we get away from the Barrier; some reports indicate this may be the case, but time will tell. Perhaps I’ll simply have to explain them as hunches? Supposedly we dwarves can sense treasure, after all, so some would believe it, though I am certain many more would not. Give me harsh aetheric seas any day over this corporate conspiracy any day.