<< BACK TO RS001 LOG RECV EDC: 19DEC2018 COMM MODE: QEC OP SREF CODED ABST: D/M/C CRC: 1214412995 2698 ============================================================ No contact, but life hasn't been dull. On a whim, while scanning a system for Wells, I decided to have a forger deck the hull of the Xero Carbon out as a research vessel from the not-so-illustrious Nereidian Academy of Intergalactic Allometry. Ages ago, a handful of investors came out of the woodworks in support of a crazy idea: that pharmaceutical corporations would need research and data to accurately dose human-targeted drugs for alien life forms. The "Nerd Ack" was born, with immense funding and impressive fanfare. Unfortunately for all those who invested, the school proved to be a political and scientific sham. After numerous delays, it launched a ridiculously large fleet of ships, then promptly went bankrupt. The school sold their existing assets to the well-known Disciples Of Rogkthu Corporation, a pseudo-scientific group of zealots from the ancient Rogkthugian religion ("Forever-life to the Follower, in the name of Rogkthu I command it!" as they are known to say.) Of course the Rogkthugians, being acutely aware of their lack of popularity in systems that knew anything about them, decided that their proselyting efforts would be more effective if people didn't see them coming. So, they left the Neredian Academy of Intergalactic Allometry logo and markings in place on the entire fleet, and sent them forth far and wide in the quadrant, to share their message of eternal hope (or eternal damnation, depending on how you reacted.) Today, many ESR's later, everyone with sense knows that when they see a Nerd Ack ship, it's time to scramble life-signal readings and turn off the porch light. It's ignominious to sport the markings, perhaps, but it's about the most effective disguise one could possibly hope to achieve in a universe where intelligent life takes almost nothing at face value. To avoid preaching, life forms will do almost anything. Hopefully I don't encounter any K'iklikameen; they're still sporting over the Rogkthugian genocide of TalMandeen K'iklik, and they'd likely annihilate me on sight. Mostly, though, I think I'll be fine. Ships have been turning the other way and punching full-throttle, even the normally aggressive ones. Wells hasn't transmitted recently. I guess he said he wouldn't. If I can't locate him soon, I may have to turn to drastic measures. He can't possibly know how important he is to the Corporation, what they think he's done, and what they think he has. If I don't find him first, he might as well convert to Rogkthu and move to K'iklikam.