After getting some free time upon leaving school earlier this year, I decided to fully dive into Space Empires: Starfury. Very great but buggy game, especially if you’re trying to run it on an Windows Me machine with an 8MB Vanta graphics card. It’s a big departure from the strategy titles of the same name, such as Space Empires III or IV. Still, I never thought I’d be commanding my own starship; not like this.
I really got immersed into the game, seeing lots of opportunities for storytelling and imaginative writing. That’s what started me starting to a “make believe” journal
This is that account.
Editor’s Note
This is imported content from another source, which is no longer online at the time this was added (a now-defunct Space Empires fan site).
The original has been lightly edited for grammar and redactions of some people, as I featured familiar faces I knew as “actors” for the tale. This was a common practice for me in 2005-2008. I’d also viewed this as sort of a Love Boat type of deal, even though I didn’t know what the show was at the time. Pretty much as a playground to have stories play out, which I feel I might’ve done but have been lost to time.
I have left most of the original writing in my 2000s style, as the charm is lost if it’s edited to something more professional. The vibe and goal is if I had posted this in 2006. Yes, you may get tired of “Let’s rock it”, I thought it was cool at the time.
In lieu of that, I’ve added occasional commentary from a more current standing. It’s been formatted close to what I intended the original format to be; an HTML page off of Geocities or the like. I wasn’t able to do this on the forums this was originally posted at.
Please enjoy.
2437.02
Docked at Starbase Terra in the Solar System and spoke to General Haines
Captain’s Log
Well, what a surprise so far. I’ve been pulled of the main TCN front lines, and been put to command a Terran Mark I Destroyer I had christened the Tears of Algeron. Talk about a ragtag crew; I only have 54 crew members of the standard 100 which is standard on this size of ship.
I’m undercover as a shipping merchant to freight goods, while trying to investigate and help the main TCN navy the recent attacks on Terran shipping lanes in Terran space. Most of the crew I know, and they don’t really know of the true purpose of this ‘mission’. At least I have been able to choose my officers for the mission other than TCN personnel.
Jennifer Kt’tashka, an human alien from deep space from who-knows-where, is my 2nd in command . She a fine individual, and happens to be a very good and close friend of mine. There’s my brother who I have given the position of first mate, and a few other relatives and friends that I know that I have given certain positions on the bridge.
I’ve decided to head to Earth and see if I can get my first job posting there. I hope all goes well….
Older Me Note: This was supposed to be expanded on quite a bit, and half of it is a summation of the game’s intro text when you dock for the first time. So if a chunk of it seems boilerplate, it’s because it is just verbatim from the scene-setting.
–
2437.06
Docked at Earth
Captain’s Log
We’ve made it to Earth with little incident. Jessica, Shaye and Carrie; three ambitious members of my crew, have taken a shuttle down to the surface to say some last goodbyes before we leave. Jennifer has gone with me to check the job boards, and after pondering it a bit, bought two more cargo bays to hold extra cargo, and will take three jobs. Two of them are to Rigel XIV, carrying 3 Organic Resequencers and 5 Energy-Matter Replicators, and one is to Vendrin Junction V, carrying 6 Universal Inoculant Canisters.
As soon as the three get back, and as soon as the cargo is loaded on board, we’re on our way to Vendrin Junction V.
–
2437.30
Entered Vendrin Junction System
–
2437.60
Entered combat against Pirates
Captain’s Log
I’ve deviated from our course to Vendrin Junction V and have engaged in a small skirmish against some pirates. Attacking a pirate satellite was my first order of business, then assisted the Terran freighter Bunker Hill to destroy a Pirate destroyer called the Boghe. It was a good thing we were in the area at the time, and the captain of the Bunker Hill sends his deepest gratitude.
After we pick up whatever cargo is floating around the area, we’re heading straight to Vendrin Junction V, and then straight to Rigel XIV. I hope this doesn’t put us behinds schedule…
–
2437.69
Docked at Vendrin Junction V
Captain’s Log
The Tears of Algeron has docked at Vendrin Junction V, and we have delivered our first cargo. My brother has taken the four crates of cargo we have found down to spacedock and try to get some money off them. He said we picked up an Ion engine, a fighter engine, a tachyon cannon, and part of a bridge of a starship. He and my cousin repaired them for 400 credits, and kept the tachyon cannon, selling everything else for 3823 credits.
Brandon and Jared, under the direction of Ron our resident engineer, mounted the tachyon cannon on light mount 1 on the front, and sold the Anti-Proton Beam that was installed for 2550 credits.
Excited about all this hullabaloo about upgrading the ship, my cousin’s sibling pestered Jennifer to accompany him to look for parts. While on their ‘shopping spree’, they had found another Tachyon Cannon for 6000 credits. They also found maneuvering thrusters for 1152 credits and a scanner jammer for 5040. Jennifer called it a day and came back to the ship, elated over their finds for the day.
I sneaked a quick run to the jobs board, seeing if there was anything heading to Rigel. Sure enough, Trex-Dreathor Cargo Systems wanted 6 Organic Resequencers delivered to Rigel V. I took the job, and quickly told my brother to put an additional sheet of armor on the front of the ship before we leave.
Armor’s in place, Organic Resequencers are on board, and we’re off. It won’t be until morning that we get to Rigel, so I’m leaving Vanessa in command. I’m off to bed…
–
2437.83
Entered Rigel System
–
2437.89
Docked at Rigel XIV
Captain’s Log
The trip here had been uneventful until the last few minutes. The Pirate Cruiser Lindi started to chase us down when the TCN Cruiser Dreadnought intercepted it and started to draw their fire. Vanessa docked quickly, and dropped off our cargo.
The only reason I ran from the Lindi is because this ship is not equipped with Point-Defense Cannons (PDC). Frantically searching spacedock, our prayers were answered as we found one. Selling a cargo bay for 174 credits, we replaced it with the PDC for 2060. I’ll see if I can give the Dreadnought a hand now, and let the captain of the Lindi know I don’t appreciate tailgaters.
–
2438.03
Destroyed Pirate Cruiser Lindi
–
2438.31
Docked at Rigel V
Captain’s Log
For now, all our cargo has been delivered; for the moment at least. We picked up three crates of ‘important stuff’ as MTech likes to call it, and have brought them to spacedock for repairs, and to see if any of it is useful.
As it turns out, all of it was.
After repairing everything for 900 credits, we found out we had two quantum engines, a reactor, and a level 2 Point-Defense Cannon. We ditched our old PDC for 1820 credits, sold two of the ion engines for 2730 credits each, and sold the reactor for 1638 credits.
While we were down there, I decided to look for some better shielding for the ship. I found a shield generator for 1368 that generated 70 MASP of shield, and sold the front shields for 682 credits that only generated 50 MASP. I bought a 70 MASP shield generator for the back at 1197 credits, and sold the old one at 682 credits also.
That being not enough, I found some type of master computer to help in combat situations, and a larger set of cargo bays. Selling my other cargo bay at 182 credits, I bought the computer at 13556 credits, sold my other two cargo bays for 182 credits each, and bought a +110 and a +130 cargo bays for 364 and 273 credits.
And of all things, MTech said that the Ion engine would not work exactly right with the two quantum engines. So off I went again to get a quantum engine for 12312 credits, and sold my last remaining ion engine for 2730 credits.
Only left with 6955 credits for anything else, Shaye came up with a brilliant money-spending idea; check commodities and sell them to wherever they were the most expensive, and then run goods to the same system.
I loved the plan; why not?
With her, Amber, and Brandon Ayers in tow to the main commodities and job board listings, I sent Brandon Lane and Misty Vinson to get supplies for us.
We quickly ducked our heads in spacedock once more to see what was available. VR Simulators were the thing, and sold at 106 credits each. Taking this information, we went to the job and commodity boards.
Apparently, Shaye deduced that VR Simulators were wanted in Angeles, the selling price for 188 credits each. Taking a risk, and confirming what it was with a stockbroker on Rigel V, we decided to pick up whatever we could after looking at the job boards.
Talk about luck; when you need money, there isn’t much to go by. I didn’t want to let her down on her idea, so I took the only job to Angeles. The job was fairly simple, delivering 8 Hyper-Optic Bundles to Angeles VI for 6811 credits. Jennifer assured me we might find something in Vendrin Junction to Angeles, and told me to quit worrying and get packing.
So we did. After accepting the job, and buying out all 10 VR Simulators that was on Rigel V, we left port and headed to Vendrin Junction.
–
2438.27
Entered Vendrin Junction system
–
2438.39
Docked at Vendrin Junction V
Captain’s Log
Vendrin Junction V happened to be conveniently placed on the way to the Angeles warp point, so I wasn’t really worried about falling behind schedule. The job board had just one job to Angeles, to deliver 8 Inoculation Canisters to Angeles VI also for 9602 credits. The commodity listings looked okay, so that was a good sign. Got the job, and its off to Angeles.
–
2438.41
Entered Angeles System
–
2438.54
En-route to Angeles VI
Captain’s Log
I have just realized I am a sitting target full of goodies for any pirates. There is a small skirmish taking place not far from my position, and hope that if I get attacked, I can handle what comes my way…
–
2438.63
Nearing orbit of Angeles VI
Captain’s Log
Vanessa has made us deviate our course heading to pick up two crates of cargo which appear to be left over from a Pirate Destroyer. MTech assures us that they contain ‘pricey’ items that we can sell. We’ll see about that…
–
2438.64
Docked at Angeles VI
Captain’s Log
All contracted cargo has been delivered, and Shaye and I went off to go sell her VR simulators. By golly, she’s a smart girl! Each VR Sim sold at 181 each!! The price dropped slightly, but not a whole lot, and we’re all happy that she got us extra money.
MTech repaired our ‘pricey items’, finding out they were an Ionic Disperser and a standard 10kt shield generator. He sold the Disperser for 3990 credits and the shield generator for 997 credits.
Excited that her venture worked, I made Shaye even more excited when I put her in charge of getting, selling, and buying commodities, with Vanessa’s supervision. True, it sort of meant that she picked the jobs and cargo runs, but hey, who am I to argue if it brings in extra money? I’m all for it.
According to her data, Shaye said that they were selling Hyper-Density Cables at 176 credits per bundle. She was let down and slightly sad that nobody was hardly buying anything, much less Hyper-Density cables. I suddenly remembered that Parnasus wanted them at a high price, and Vanessa came up with a logical conclusion that because Angeles was a remote location, that not a lot was available. So I told her to buy them and let’s go to Vendrin Junction to search for a job at Parnasus.
Jennifer gave me the news from the job board. We were in luck; there were three jobs to Vendrin Junction. One was 6 Grain Treshers to Vendrin Junction VI at 4076 credits, 6 Universal Inoculant Canisters to Vendrin Junction V at 6247, and the other was 5 VR Simulators (irony abound,) to Vendrin Junction V at 8140. I took all three jobs, cleaned out spacedock of 4 Hyper-Density Cables and loaded them on board, and set off for Vendrin Junction as fast as we could.
We’ll reach there in the morning. In the meantime, I’m getting some rest for the next day’s events.
–
2438.82
Combat in Angeles
Captain’s Log
We encountered and engaged two pirate fighters near the warp point, which was attacking the TCN cruiser Timoshenko. You can say we saved them in the nick of time. I’m attaching the hull scan data to make the point.
–
2439.04
Entered Vendrin Junction system
Captain’s Log
I’ve had a very rude awakening this morning. Two pirate destroyers are after me, the Queenstown and the Tarfaya. Since I’m faster than them, I’ll try to outrun them and head to Vendrin Junction V…
–
2439.09
Docked at Vendrin Junction V
Captain’s Log
On the way in here, yet another group of pirate ships greeted me, the Pirate cruiser Bissau, a fighter, and the pirate destroyer Tobruk. We barely docked in time.
The commodities for the Hyper-Density Cables still look good. We still have to get to Vendrin Junction VI, so I have to grab whatever there is here, and then head over there to deliver the remaining items we have.
Not only was Cables selling, but Quantum Computers. After consulting the trusty commodity listings, wonders and wonders showed that Parnasus wanted it at 674 credits each.
Shaye was happy as we went on another shopping spree. Just before we got to the commodities section to get our goods, we found a +130 Cargo bay on sale for 368 credits. We ditched the old one for 208 credits, and bought it.
We got three bundles of Hyper-Density Cables for 215 credits each, and 10 quantum computers for 530 credits each. Let’s hope I can get past those pirates…
–
2439.21
Docked at Vendrin Junction VI
Captain’s Log
The Tobruk chased me almost all the way to Vendrin Junction VI, until he was stopped short by crashing into an asteroid. What interesting luck…
We did a little retrofitting. I decided to upgrade the master computer and combat sensors, temporarily stow away the maneuvering thrusters and once again put another cargo bay on board, and buy whatever commodities we could.
Easier said than done.
The newer master computer that was in spacedock costed 17901 credits. We sold our old one for 9520 credits. I bought a cargo bay +120 for 327 credits, and moved all the cargo bays to the back section of the ship. I had more important things to put in front. In finality, I sold the old combat sensors for 6400 credits, and bought the new one with a +35 rating for 14975 credits.
For the commodities part, we cleaned them out of 10 Hyper-Density Cables and 6 Quantum Computers at the same prices we got them at Vendrin Junction V.
As for jobs, in Poketron, the system just before Parnasus, needed 8 Antigrav Core Elements delivered to Potekron V. I’m taking the job and heading out…
–
2439.35
Destroyed Pirate Destroyer Tobruk
Captain’s Log
Apparently, another ship that was chasing me was the one who had the mishap with the asteroids, not the Tobruk. Whether spacerock-basher or not, we fought the Tobruk. They had tachyon beams, and basically sizzled everything to zilch on the left side, but otherwise, I think we’re all okay. We’ll stop at Vendrin Junction V for repairs, and to see any jobs…
–
2439.45
Destroyed Pirate Destroyer Queenstown
–
2439.52
Destroyed Pirate Destroyer Tarfaya
–
2439.64
Docked at Vendrin Junction V
Captain’s Log
We might be late for our job in Potekron, but we’re all glad that we’re alive after taking some serious damage after engaging three pirate ships in a row.
Jennifer thought it’d be helpful to enter our current configuration into the log, which precedes this sentence.
For repairs, we racked it up about 2200 credits for whatever we collected, and about 697 credits for internals.
MTech said goodies awaited us. There was a better ECM, a big sheet of armor, two better reactors, two shield generators, and a crew quarters module. We got to selling and retrofitting.
We sold the old reactor for about 1260 credits, the old ECM for 6720 credits, and the two front sheets of armor for 503 credits and 604 credits. After putting everything on board and installing the new components, we sold the other reactor for 2015 credits, the two shield generators at 2015 credits each, and the crew quarters for 114 credits.
That done, we left.
–
2439.73
Entered Rigel system
Captain’s Log
On the way into Rigel, just before I hit the warp point, the other pirate ship, the Bissau, decided to make mincemeat, but didn’t really succeed. I got some back armor damage from a capital ship missile that hit, but nothing serious.
–
2440.00
Entered Potekron system
–
2440.12
Docked at Poketron V
Captain’s Log
Cargo’s delivered, and we’re taking a stroll around at commodities and other related items.
First off was to make sure we didn’t waste a whole trip here. Things hadn’t changed; in fact, the price went up for the cables. Something big was going on there.
Then we hit spacedock. Repairs costed a ‘measly 43 credits’ as Ocean put it, and nothing else.
We found a better set of maneuvering thrusters, and we sold the old ones for 796 credits and bought the new ones for 1369 credits. We found a +150 cargo bay, and replaced our +120 one, selling it for 232 credits and buying it for 439 credits.
I wasn’t sure what to make out of the commodities; there were grain threshers, solar collector panels, and atmospheric shuttles. I decided to take a look at the job boards first, see what room I had leftover, then make a move.
The job boards had a run of 2 Universal Inoculant Canister headed of Parnasus IV for 7197 credits. I took the job, then went back to spacedock.
After thinking it out some, we decided to do a ‘clean-out’ of the commodites as we had done in Vendrin Junction. No wonder so many pirates were after us; but I’m sure it’ll be worth the money. Nobody nearby needed solar-collector panels or grain threshers, but Tyron wanted atmospheric shuttles.
So we bought 8 atmospheric shuttles for 568 credits each, 9 grain threshers for 390 credits each, and 9 solar-collector panels at 100 credits each. Then we made our way off. We were overloaded, but it felt good that we were trying to make money. For a moment or two, every single one of my crew shared the anticipation of earning credits. Though I had been given a mission by General Haines, he knew it would take some time for me to get what I needed before anticipating, and didn’t bother me about it.
Let’s rock…
–
2440.30
Entered Parnasus System
–
2440.66
Docked at Parnasus IV
Captain’s Log
We cut the schedule a little close on that one, but no worries, since we’re going to sell Shawna’s precious commodities and make some profits off of them. We sold 16 Quantum Computers at 691 credits each, and 17 bundles of Hyper-Density cables at 520 credits each. There are no commodities here at this spacedock, but I’ll try Parnasus VI when we get done here.
As for ship upgrades, they have a better model oft the tachyon cannon. I’m buying it for 10530 credits, and selling the old one for 4350 credits. They also have a higher level of Point-Defense Cannons, and sold the old one for 2088 credits, and getting the new one at 3743 credits.
Vanessa said there is only one job here heading back to Potekron V carrying 3 fusion generators. I’ll accept it, while keeping in mind that I’ll check Parnasus VI…
–
2440.77
Docked at Parnasus VI
Captain’s Log
There appears to be absolutely any form of commodities at any of the spacedocks here at Parnasus. Shaye is very disappointed, but that doesn’t stop her from thinking big about this commodities thing.
System-Wide Transport Services has a job contract here to deliver 3 Wheatrice containers to Poketron V. Alongside it, the local Planetary Merchant services wants a shipment of 3 Quantum Computers to Tyron VII. I’m taking both jobs, and heading out, since there’s no point in hanging around…but something was up with the high demand for planetary construction cables and processing computers. I wonder if they’re trying to make improvements…
–
2440.84
Entered Protekon system
Captain’s Log
I have apparently strode into a heap of trouble. There are two Pirate Cruisers blocking my path, the Uitenhage and the Malange. There are also 3 pirate fighters and a satellite. I’ll try to run, since this is a hopeless fight…
2440.99 Docked at Potekron V
Captain’s Log
Barely got out of that situation. I have to be more careful. I had a meeting about our ‘get-togethers with pirates’ with my officers, and we all agreed on one thing; we need a bigger ship.
That agreed on, we went back to business.
Still, nobody wanted grain threshers or solar collector panels. But the prices for the atmospheric shuttles jumped into four digit numbers, 1015 credits. We decided to take whatever shuttles they had, and grab a job or two heading to Tyron.
That’s when luck ran out, sort of. There were absolutely no jobs to Tyron. We still had some computers to deliver, so we headed over to spacedock to continue our plan. We bought 4 shuttles at 575 credits each, which was all they had, and got back on board to kick the burners to Tyron.
–
2441.34
Entered Tyron System
–
2441.61
Docked at Tyron VII
Captain’s Log
Cargo’s delivered, and we’ve practically made fistfuls of money off the atmospheric shuttles, selling all 12 of them at 1001 credits each. An advanced tachyon cannon was here also, so I bought it for 9720 credits and sold the old one for 4300 credits. No commodities here, so we’re going to Tyron IV for that. The listings are still the same; nobody wants Grain Threshers or Solar Collector Panels. I might head up north…
–
2441.66
Docked at Tyron IV
Captain’s Log
Except for a job listing at Potekron V, there is nothing here also, except for a large +10 cargo bay for 406 credits. I bought it and sold both of the +130s for 288 credits each. I’m taking the job to deliver Grain Threshers and heading back to Tyron VII to see if there is anything to Potekron.
–
2441.71
Docked at Tyron VII
Still nothing here. We’re outta here, and am trying to push towards Earth as fast as possible, since I have an appointment. We’re blasting out of here…
–
2441.87
Entered Potekron system
–
2442.08
Docked at Protekon V
Captain’s Log
Got a job carrying 2 Transdermic Plates to Vendrin Junction V. I’m once more going to clean them out of atmospheric shuttles. After I get all 10 shuttles at 541 credits each, we’re running. This is going to be a fast run as soon as I make mincemeat of a stupid pirate blocking my way…
–
2442.14
Destroyed pirate cruiser Kharijah
–
2442.37
Entered Rigel System
–
2442.64
Docked at Rigel V
Captain’s Log
Got lucky, got two jobs headed in the general direction of Earth. One is to Mercury carrying 3 Atmospheric Processors, and the other is 8 Radiation Siphons to Vendrin Junction VI.
Commodities-wise, I’ll skip that for now, because all there is here is VR Simulators.
–
2442.71
Entered Vendrin Junction System
–
2442.94
Destroyed Pirate Cruiser Bissau
Captain’s Log
I’ve taken serious damage from the Bissau, and the speed at 50 percent. 11% damage to the right Tachyon cannon, right cargo bay completely destroyed, and 8 percent to the front armor.
–
2443.02
Docked at Vendrin Junction V
Captain’s Log
Got one job headed off to Jupiter, carrying 7 Antigrav Core Elements. Logs will be brief for now, since I’m late…
–
2443.16
Docked at Vendrin Junction VI
Captain’s Log
Got one last job to the Moon carrying 6 Hyper-Density cables. We’re almost there.
–
2443.43
Entered Solar System
–
2443.65
Docked at Mercury
–
2443.74
Docked at Jupiter
–
2443.82
Docked at the Moon and entered Earth orbit
Older Me Note
I’m pretty sure there was something IRL going on that I had to at the time, which seems to line up with the “gone for the weekend” in the next entry. Apparently I blazed it home pretty quickly, and played it off as an RP element rather than quitting and continuing my journey when I returned.
But look at that blaze to home, wow.
–
2443.93
Docked at Earth
Captain’s Log
After a tiring weekend on Earth, its finally good to be back home again. Everybody was not so busy while I was gone, but I discovered a +50 ECM and a Level 7 PDC installed on the ship when I got back.
As for our commodities, Shaye decided to start out with a new slate. We sold all 10 of our Atmospheric Shuttles at 650 credits each, 9 Grain Threshers at 435 credits each, and 9 Solar Collector Panels at 150 credits each.
Our cargo bay completely empty, so we went to go get some jobs. I wanted to go to Vendrin Junction, but Earth didn’t have anything for there. I’ll swing by Mars and see what they have.
–
2444.00
Docked at Mars
Captain’s Log
Nothing here bound for Vendrin Junction. It does look like I’m heading to Rigel. I’m taking the job of 3 Fusion Generators headed of Rigel II A.
As for spacedock, they have better weapons here. They have a level 8 PDC for 4992 credits, and a Tachyon cannon for 12480 credits. I’m buying them, and selling one of the old Tachyon Cannons for 7650 credits and the PDC for 3740 credits.
I’m heading back to Earth to get those two other jobs…
–
2444.07
Docked at Earth
Captain’s Log
Well, it appears jobs have switched around, and that there is a job to Vendrin Junction V after all, carrying 6 Quantum Computers. There is a job to Rigel II A carrying 8 Grain Threshers.
I quickly checked spacedock before we left, and found a rare find: A long range scanner. Picking it up for 7992 credits and putting it in the cargo bay, we’re off…
–
2444.23
Near Vendrin Junction Warp Point
Captain’s Log
We found 3 crates of something that we’ll find out what it is when we get to Vendrin Junction V…
–
2444.24
Entered Vendrin Junction system
–
2444.57
Docked at Vendrin Junction V
Captain’s Log
Got our cargo off, now to find out what our goodies are that we picked up.
MTech reports Combat Sensors, a Quantum Engine, and a Stealth Armor. I’m pretty sure I won’t be selling anything but the Stealth Armor.
Repairs were 2300 credits. As I thought, the combat sensors and the engine are better. I sold the old quantum engine for 10152 credits, and the old combat sensors for 12032 credits. The Stealth armor sold at 8272 credits.
Apparently, Quantum Computers and Hyper-Density cables are the thing again. This time, it’s Parnasus. I’m going to skip jobs right now after I drop my stuff off in Rigel, and just freight as much as I can to there.
As for jobs to Rigel, there are 5 Fusion Generators headed to Rigel II A. I don’t have any earthly idea why they want so much power, but who am I to argue?
Shaye went to go buy commodities. She got 4 Quantum Computers at 507 credits each, and 4 Hyper-Density Cables at 147 credits each. We’re rocking.
–
2444.67
Entered Rigel system
–
2444.77
Docked at Rigel II A
Captain’s Log
Man, that was a load. But at least we got a bunch of money from it…
They have a bunch of VR Simulators here. Angeles wants it, so I think I’ll swing back up there while I head back to Vendrin Junction for Hyper-Density Cables and Quantum Computers.
We got 10 VR Simulators here at Spacedock for 119 credits each. I’ll swing by the commerce spaceport, and any other planets, and clean them out of it.
–
2444.83
Destroyed Pirate Cruiser Ouargla
Captain’s Log
I helped out the TCN Cruisers Suvarov, Killer Whale, and the Warspite against the Ouargla. All went well except for a quantum torpedo from the Warspite accidentally firing on us, dropping our left and back shield, and completely eliminating any armor on the left. Additional damage included total destruction of both side and back shield generators, ECM unit, and a cargo bay, with some moderate damage to the left engine. We’ll make repairs at the commerce spaceport.
–
2444.91
Docked at Rigel V
Captain’s Log
First order of business was to repair the damage we took. Cost was 655 credits.
For commodities, we picked up 8 VR Simulators at 119 credits each. It still is holding good in Angeles.
We discovered better cargo bays. We bought a +160 for 440 credits and a +170 for 480 credits, and sold our old 140s at 338 credits each.
We also got a better Scanner Jammer for 7000 credits flat. We sold our old one at 3948 credits.
As for jobs, there was 1 Atmospheric Processor headed for Vendrin Junction V. I’m headed over there….
–
2445.01
Docked at Rigel XIII
Captain’s Log
Stopped by here to get stuff, but there’s no jobs to Vendrin Junction, and there’s no spacedock here, either. I’m off the the Communications Outpost.
–
2445.06
Docked at Rigel XIV
Captain’s Log
There’s no Commerce Guild here, but there is a spacedock, and that means commodities.
Prices for the simulators here dropped 1 credit. I’m getting all 8 of them.
They have a better Tachyon cannon to replace my other old one for 11400 credits. I bought it, and sold my old one at 7830 credits.
Found a +170 Cargo bay for 547 credits. Bought it and sold my +150 at 348 credits.
Now to Vendrin Junction.
–
2445.10
Entered Vendrin Junction system
–
2445.17
Destroyed Pirate cruiser Farafangana
Captain’s Log
Got into a battle with the Farafangana, and got some help from the Abbidon Cruiser Caerus and the TCN cruiser Iowa. Off to Vendrin Junction V…
–
2445.27
Docked at Vendrin Junction V
Captain’s Log
Got our goods there in one piece. Now for some thinking.
Angeles no longer wants Hyper-Density Cables, but they’re selling them, and still want the simulators and the computers. I’m going to take a job or two there, load up on whatever I can here, and head over to Angeles to do business.
We got 9 Quantum Computers at 502 credits each, and 7 Hyper-Density Cables at 150 credits each.
There is a job to carry 4 Organic Resequencers to Angeles XVI. After I get to Vendrin Junction VI, I’m off to Angeles…
Older Me Note: Despite a Steam release, I have no point of reference what an Organic Resquencer looks like; despite being mentioned so many times. Maybe I’ll do a replay one of these days…
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2445.37
Docked at Vendrin Junction VI
Captain’s Log
Brief entries for the moment. Got 5 Quantum Computers and 6 Cables. Got another job of 4 Organic Resequencers to Angeles XVI.
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2445.49
Entered Angeles System
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2445.62
Docked at Angeles XVI
Captain’s Log
Now to make a bunch of money…
We sold all 26 VR Simulators at 143 credits each. We sold 18 Quantum Computers at 607 credits each. I was going to buy more cables, but they’re more expensive up here, so I’ll make some money off the ones I have right now, selling all 18 of them at 171 credits each.
There is one job to Vendrin Junction V to carry 6 Nanotech builders.
I’m going to head over to the Commerce Spaceport to see what jobs they have, then head out back to Vendrin Junction.
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2445.71
Docked at Angeles VI
Captain’s Log
We found a cockpit on our way here. MTech repaired it for 50 credits and sold it for 89 credits.
I found a Master Computer 21828 credits. I sold our old one for 13617 credits.
I got one job carrying 4 Ore Processors to Vendrin Junction V. Now its time head home…
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2445.96
Destroyed Pirate Destroyer Tahoua
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2446.03
Docked at Vendrin Junction V
Captain’s Log
Dropped off our Cargo. I’ll spend the night in spacedock, and let my crew get shore leave until tomorrow.
Parnasus is still in need for the computers and density cables, and will roll through with our plan to go deliver them goods. Shaye picked up 7 Quantum Computers at 497 credits and six rolls of Hyper-Density cables at 144 credits each.
We found a PDC off a Pirate fighter. Repaired it for 200 credits, and sold it for 3828 credits. Found a +180 Cargo bay for 566 credits. I sold the 160 for 382 credits.
I’m off to bed now….
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2446.04
Docked at Vendrin Junction V
Everybody’s been called back; we need to head back to Earth, yet for another seminar for me. I’m cleaning out spacedock of 4 Quantum Computers at 497 credits each and 3 Hyper-Density Cables at 144 credits each. They also have better PDC’s here; I sold the old one at 4038 credits, and bought the new one at 5459 credits.
Jobwise, there is a job to carry 4 fusion generators to Starbase Terra for 4650 credits.
Now to get past those pirates….
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2446.48
Destroyed Three Pirate Cruisers and one Pirate Destroyer
Older Me Note
I’m pretty sure I know what happened here for this entry that departed the rest.
As corny/cheese/cliche as this sounds, I stepped away from my playthrough-captain’s logging RP for some time; I think it was to shower I’m pretty sure. When I came back, I found the game paused like I left it but things were off. Crates were blinking from exploded ships. Turned out my brother hopped on and just head-on destroyed everything.
Admittedly this was a partial killjoy to all my meticulous recording I’d done up to this point, but how he managed to 4v1 with a small ship is beyond me. That’s recognition in itself, and is being given here. Unfortunately because of how the saves went and the way this was done, there are no written records about these ships or what they did.
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2446.85
Docked at Starbase Terra
Captain’s Log
Cargo’s delivered, and I’m off to Earth
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2446.88
Docked at Earth
Older Me Note
I fully intended to pick up my journeys from this point, and start anew after the snafu at 2446.48. By then August had just hit, my computer was acting up a bit and I had other things on my mind due to failing two classes earlier that semester.
Unfortunately, I never did. I know I did beat the game later that year, but I had done so at a point that I either wrote it down and lost it, or picked up the save and never bothered to take the time to write as I went.
At either rate, this is the official end of the Tears of Algeron’s journey, and I’m happy to leave it at that. Not a bad job, 2006 me.
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END OF LOG
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Some Afterthoughts
Looking back at this while getting it ready to go live, I’m surprised I put this much energy and time into this. While it did go into the ether at some point in some form, I know this wasn’t given the attention it deserved and posted in proper.
Truth be told I actually sat on the fence with this for awhile. I’d originally planned to dump it onto my first site in 2011, then back when I did the Morning Time revamp in 2016. I honestly wasn’t up for the editing and felt it was a bit childish to a point (“Oh look, Mr. Professional has a cheesy self story of being a ship captain!” sort of was my imagined reaction.)
That also goes into the actors thing I mentioned in the first bit. A lot of those people no longer speak to me, and even some didn’t like me me. It was a sort of bad memory lane every time you’d open it up, drifting directly to those faces and reliving bad experiences all over again.
But in the past year I’ve done some soul searching, and come to realize that my younger self wanted to express themselves, to connect. While they deserved a number of Gibb slaps on the back of the head, they also needed some freedom to make creations and to be able to share them.
It’s the least I could do for my younger self to preserve what I created, and to maybe amuse someone on the Internet.
But something else did prompt me to post this,
While doing that soul searching, I ran across this very interesting video. In it, ChiralDrifter basically treated a Skyrim playthrough with the same attention to detail, recording his journey as if he was living in the world himself. The only difference was that he opted to do a written journal instead
He outlines how it’s a good activity if you have a hard time imagining things, and gives you a playful creative side that you can expand upon. Definitely worth a watch. Who knows, maybe it’ll inspire you to make your own tale.
Stay safe out there, but go forth and have adventures! Be brave enough to share your creative stuff.