Entry 1:Mirris' secure memory capsule: This is set up so that Mirris can immediately enter a code that erases anything bracketed by the code phrase [I am Mirris and I am a crew member of the Hippocrates.]
Prior data scrubbed. I am Mirris. Hipri is get to New Light and contact Blue. Trade information for security. Do not go back to Well. I am not from the Well. I was hired by Dr. Kye for an expedition and became a crew member on the Hippocrates.
Entry 2:
I am Mirris and I am a crew member of the Hippocrates, backup
programmer and sneak. All ship data updated to include my
contributions; compressed record snagged for reference. No baggage to
worry about; my quarters got fragged on arrival. Gotta rest, out of
the Well but still precarious. I am Mirris and I am a crew member of
the Hippocrates.
Entry 3:
Entry 4:
Entry 5:
<pause>
Entry 6:
I am Mirris and I am a crew member of the Hippocrates. Gotta get some
of this down. I got picked up from traders by a cat. A cat person. A
cat engineer person. Not the least weird person on the crew. They're
smart, though. Built a psi jammer and everything. Didn't go to New
Light like I thought, went to Craterrock. I don't even know where to
start on that rabbit-infested deathtrap. This crew sure cares a lot
about dead trees and ancient construction, for some reason. They've
sure got a skewed view. Still, they got some levelheaders like Sharra
and Kith. But what's a nice girl like Kith doing with all these crazy
people? Can't be much profit motive there. And the lady could HEAL
me with her HANDS. Yeah, hands. Then there's Sook. She's strong;
pulls great data. Glad I double-cross-coded my ship entries; just
hope it holds until New Light. Of course, on the rock she went
and-get this-got a copy made. Of herself. On top of which, she's got
some rabbit outfit and something called a koala. Even a kid like Jim
seems normal, but he's like Danger Boy or something. And why do I
think of Sparky Cola every time I talk to him? Okay, gotta go see
what's with some asteroid now. When are these guys ever gonna get to
New Light?
I am Mirris and I am a crew member of the Hippocrates. The crazy crew
of the Hippocrates. So the cat engineer person's got an armband that
leads to an actual pirate ship with actual pirate treasure. Good old
fashioned untraced noncredit precious stones and everything. Man,
these guys must be loaded; they don't even count the cash, they just
throw it into the captain's safe. No way are they gonna miss a piece
or two. And Kye, he's got some deathtrap sense. Pretty cool; usually
I actually have to look at things. Of course, he doesn't seem to care
that deathtrap means don't go there. Come to think of it, who puts
deathtrap robots in a gym anyway? I be staying on the safe side of
doors from now on with these guys, thank you very much. No Kaufman
tubes for me; I can't believe I cut myself on that rock, how stupid
was that? I guess I took that goofy personality a little too far.
Not that I need to do any rushing in. Turns out Janzur is like the
antideathtrap guy of all time. He just leaps in cutting everything
down with this wacky laser blade. Do not piss him off. Speaking of
which, the captain's got something planned, I can tell. I can see her
putting things together, and she was working on something with Sharra
and Sook while we were off with the deathtraps. I don't want to mess
with Sook, what with that copying business. Maybe Sharra; I get the
feeling she's doing something her family disapproves of, which as far
as I'm concerned is usually a good call. But Eva, man, she's going to
kill me. I gotta get out as soon as possible when I get to New Light.
But until then, I am Mirris and I am a crew member of the
Hippocrates.
I am Mirris and I am a crew member of the Hippocrates. Still
floating around the Craterrock system. Not good. Had to take another
hit when more of the crew woke up from the tubes. Now there's a girl
dresses like a rabbit running around, and this smooth talker who's got
the psi look in his eye, and did I mention that the AI has his own
body now for walking around? Not to mention the mute waving her hands
around, or the woman with about a hundred blades. I've been steering
clear of those two and Max; he's from the Well. Anyway, I think I got
the Captain wrong; she's not gunning for an intruder, she's locking
down for security. Janzur's the same, but he's got me sending out an
announcement to the mysterious stowaway asking 'em to come forward.
Drives me crazy. They just refuse to go near a jump gate or even
another ship 'til they've found their target. I gotta get out of here
and instead I'm sitting around listening to that damn announcement
every hour. I can't even work on the system; Sook's locked herself in
the core. Can't stand this; there's only so much Triumphant Heroes I
can take! Maybe I can talk to Janzur, see if there's any way to get
them to go to New Light without breaking cover. Probably wouldn't get
spaced, but you never know. I don't belong.
But I do belong.
I even helped with all those deathtraps. But the way these guys are
deathtrap magnets, or weirdness magnets, or whatever, I can't keep up
much longer. But I have to belong. No way out if I don't. Have to
belong. I am Mirris and I am a crew member of the Hippocrates.
I am Mirris and I am a crew member of the Hippocrates! Finally!
Okay, I'm in.
<background noise of bridge during battle>
I am not
from the Well. I think. Don't go to the Well. Hipri is to get to
New Light and contact Blue. Who's Blue?!
<Eva's voice, faintly: "The Blue Hegemony.">
I need to
trade them information.
<Eva: "What [garbled] tell them?">
I
don't remember! Hold on, airlock.
<more background noise, alarms,
reports; some faint mumbling like "save all people" and "as long as
one survives">
Wait! I know, I need to tell them--argh!
<Eva:
"What!">
It's not that simple, Captain! It's not a data stream,
it's something I can do, or help--I can't explain it now. I
am--I--<very fast>IamMirrisandIamacrewmemberoftheHippocrates.
--no further entries--
