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.
gemini://cosmic.voyage/Xero Carbon Wells/log3.txt