08.06.3893, Saturday

Following the last jump, the crew of the Twilight headed to Medellìn visiting, once more, the Isla de Muerta. There they met up with Deans grandmother, el Patron, to question her about the things they found out in regard to the upcoming ECB`s and John Huertas involvement. She could quickly shed some light onto the whole ordeal telling them, that she had tortured and interrogated Ms. Catherina “Cat” Holch, ex hollow and owner of “the Wet Dock” aboard the station. El Patron told them, Cat was behind some of the recent ECB incident, to cover for a plot against the members of the crew of the Twilight. After that was cleared up, she also told that Huerta was in the ECB-team of Hunter PMC, to look out for the cardinal sins, order issued by El Patron herself.

While catching up with the Patron, a message reached the Twilight from the Shiguen government about a very important undertaking, which was being discussed in secrecy in Renraku. The crew of the Twilight was invited to get there as well, as they are deemed a significant asset to the [SHIF] forces. Lastly, before leaving for Renraku, the Commander and Dean wanted to check, if El Patron would experience something similar as them, when they first looked inside their “cabinet”. Deans grandmother agreed and looked into it, which resulted in a severly fractured spine and some serious internal damages. The only way she could survive, was the imidiate care from Summers and Jerogiev, followed by El Patron getting in her suit and connect to the cables in her throne room. The crew left after checking thoroughly that Deans grandmother was okay and headed for Renraku right away.

Mid jump, the Commander held a speech to the whole crew, telling them how they are about to engage in active war once again, because the Empress called onto them. He felt a sense of duty and honor emitting from the lot of the crew, which was kind of what he got the first time around from Dr. Summers. Following this, the Commander had an actual serious talk with Dean where they told each other, once again, about their motivation, and how they see the upcoming operation as well the whole ordeal regarding Wilkinson. They once again remembered that they are actual friends, and that if it comes down to it, they`d have each others back. The next itteration of BotV – Battle of the Voice was being held in the jump and was a great success. After that they reached Renraku and were brought to a government facility on Omu, where they partook in a secret military meeting, where they were introduced to the “Operation Hydra”, an infiltration mission in the “Pupunooli-system way down south. Primary objectives were destroying a shipyard and securing an [CSM] artifact. The whole giant offensive in the south west was a large ruse to keep the main fleets away from Pupunooli. The Raid was made possible, by Urakao and her team, who got the necessary intel. After two weeks of planning, training and ship-outfitting, the small raid-party started onto their journey south. 

Reaching the target-system, the battle emerged with the [SHIF] assets executing a clever swing-by maneuvre by the second star of the system, which gave them a quick headstart in to the system-centre. A few smaller skirmishes later, the actual battle started with heavy losses on both sides. Shiguen lost the Cruiser SFV Mako and almost lost the Cruiser SFV Aniki. However, necause of extremely smart tactics on Shiguens side and some luck, the [SHIF] forces succeeded and destroyed all [CSM] assets around Conis. Eventually the crew got to the Shipyard, which was their second responsibility after making sure the SFV Nanoko was docked to the enemy commandship “Pesta”. The crew fought their way through the shipyard and stationed five tactical nuklear devices on Fusion-cores around the facility to completely destroy it in the end. While infiltrating, the group was separated, leaving Grump on his own. The rest of the crew tried to quickly follow him, but all clues pointed to him being captured by [CSM] forces. The crew wittnessed a corvette-style ship supposedly taking him away from surface flying into orbit. The bombs were deployed and the crew quickly was gathered by the SFV Kabuki to try and follow the corvette, which turned out to be some sort of stealth ship, with minimal weapons, but reasonable cloaking capabilities. The chase was lost in the end, which led to the crew destroying the ship to prevent Grump from becoming a POW in the hands of [CSM] which was a much worse fate then death in their eyes. Following that tragedy of war, the crew of the Nanoko came about some difficulties aboard the Pesta, and Dean, Mingus and the Commander ran to help at least them only to find the Pesta in a nightmarish state of decay and pestillence and rott. In the centre, some sort of sacred hall, they found the artifact with Urakao and part of her team bound by it and a priest od some sort working on them. The priest turned out to be some sort of actual psychic –  although hard to believe. The team managed to kill him before he could cause real damage, by using the cabinet with the strange residue in it against him, which worked better then expetced. They just so managed to get out after the artifact was beginning to awake. They steered the Pesta into the near star causing it to form a black hole in an instant. The battle was faught and won. But at high a price. A cruiser, the glorious SFV Mako was lost as well as over five thousand servicemen and -women. Urakao and her team are in a very bad state and Joshin “Ace” Grump lost his life.

30.07.3893, Tuesday

After leavin the Pupunooli-system the Commander headed straight to Urakao and stayed at her side within the medical unit of the ship aboard the SFV Nanoko. Loosing Grump did take a massive toll on the crew which showed in any interaction happening the following week. Buttons took the battle experience like a champ, much like Gretchen. Buttons agreed to learn how to handle a combat drone for future encounters. Entering Renraku, the SFV Kabuki was given a path and landing point by ICap, much like the last time they visited. Parts of the crew went to a meeting with very highranking government and scientist officers to recap the Hydra operation. A Professor Soy Gindama was obviously enraged, by them not “delivering” the Artifact. Regardless, the crew was invited to a special celebration day in honor of this operation and the one in the south-west. The commander went top a government press-officer and got greenlit to send a speech of himself after the speech of the Empress, of course. Back on board the Commander, Lizzy and Buttons planned and built a shrine for Grump with a holo-koy-pond in front of it, which he would have liked, since it is, most definetly, beautiful. Within the next jump, Fennet opened up a little bit about his past in front of Dean while they both were drinking to whomever… While visiting Tassi on the way to Jisay, they gathered some new material from the glowing bacteria. On the final jump to Moska, Gretchen told Dean she was born on Radeberg in the Sachsen-system. She told a bit about her home back there. Entering Moskau, the crew visited Urakao, who was brought to an orbital Arasaka hospital facility. She was feeling quite well, but not on top of things. She obviously thought she had failed horribly and lost some of her team. On the surface of Jisay, the crew met with the rest and started, by telling Ferris about the loss of Grump, and how Mingus was the one taking the shot. Ferris acted as a true friend comforting Mingus, understanding that it had to be done to spare Grump of a fate far worse then death. The younger folk who stayed back were sad as well, since they lost someone to look up to and a trusted comrade at that. After some time of grieving, Ferris gave a short report about their qualifying-job, namely to get rid of some cyber-psycho gang led by the notorious “Zenith”, with his two officers “Shark” and “Tiger”, both ex-Titan Spirit members. He told the Commander and Dean, how Jarakume did save Smart from massive damage top her face, while getting some of his own leading to a gnarly wound across his face. Smart had a new implant, dermal armor. The next week, leading up to the celebrations was training and more training to get ready for the ECB`s, which should start shortly. After getting the previously bought bikes, the day came to kick of a week long celebration leading up to the ECB-start. On this very day, all acting officers that partook in the operation Hydra received the honorary titel “Ju-Ichi-I”, which labeled them as officially part of the royal family. while not by blood, though bound by honor and tradition. Following that the crew partook in a week long celebration and Karaoke overload.

07.08.3893, Thursday

Two days, before the first ECB round starts, coach Kalli, Dean and the Commander decided to fill up Grumps “free” space within the Cardinal Sins with Dean as sniper, while the Commander would take Deans initial spot. The coach, was quite good with the idea after watching the Commander and his crew, seeing how they have a deep respect and understanding of how the Commander acts, and why. At least for the most part. Also, the Commander made an appointment with Mr. Greenger who recently won the golden Band race and was three time winner of the ECB`s with his Runner group of that time, “Wiccan”. After some other logistics, the first round of the ECB`s 3893 start. At the first match of the Cardinal Sins, they have to face the survivors from CSM-conquered territory, the “Ordinary Bloaters”. The arean is made to look like a postapocalyptic cityscape in which a nuclear winter must be faced, as well as mutant beasts beneath the highways. Sadly for the Ordinary Bloaters, they could not stand a chance against the force of the Cardinal Sins, who needed less that 10 seconds, to wipe out the entire enemy team. One died by accident, and three earlier in a nasty clash between a large mutant and the Bloaters. But the rest could be saved and survived. The cpt. of the Bloaters, Ceeleyna Hongbo, showed sportsmenship and bumped fists with the Commander and Dean after the match, while being transported out of the arena by medics. After the matches concluded, the Commander and Dean visited the dragon valley hospital to see her again and ask her to work for the Sprava Group after the ECB`s, which she will think about. Following this Dean went to a connect shop and officially signed up as a judge for the upcoming Miss Thot event. After that the Commander and Dean visited the bureau of Mr. Greenger and his secretary Sally Richmont. Greenger was contracted to become the face of a Sprava / Cardinal Sins marketing campaign, if he is allowed to travel with the crew to Doma and new worlds to get on another adventure and escape the bore of civilisation. Watching the next matches it becomes clear, that the Cardinal Sins next match is against the dangerous “Reich” runner group from New Germania.

12.08.3893, Tuesday

Following some internal investigation, about why the newly aquired personell, Mr. Greenger has a T.o.T. abrevation in his name, The Commander and Dean had a really lenghty, almost tideous and tiresome discussion about why Science officer Soy Gindama of the Shiguen Empire government would be a good or not so good candidate to lead an investigation and study of their “cupboard-artefact”. Both had some quite good points and the discussion ended (finally) when they agreed, they would need some more information about the guy to decide. They ordered some crewmates to investigate Gindama and ask around about him. Fransoid Renard and Tristan Jerogiev both shared their findings with the commander, about how their studies of the fungus, Aspergillus Spirare, could be of any worth in future endevours. The mentioned some core functionalities in which the newly found material could play a role: rebreather-systems, fuel enhancement applications, Asteroidstation or -ship coating for bio-hybrid bases and or habitats (!), space worthy incindiary ammunition, terraforming applications (!), deepspace exploration life-systems (!). The commander will consider their input on the matter in the future. 

In the next few days, the investigations about Gindama brought some clues. He is an ambitious government scientist, that like to delve into greyzones of legality to achieve his goals. His late wife was captured by [CSM] forces on Sig, in the Cres-system. She was later retrieved, by a special commando of the Shiguen Empire, but had become insane by the time from torture and worse. She is to this day at an Arasaka facility in Jisays orbit, where she is being care for by Gindama and a bunch of Doctors. He worked for Arasaka first and Misaki second but ended up at GenCell after a couple of questionable experiments went south at his former employers. 

Following these findings a young boy, at most 15-16 years old, named Danny Lei-Fu came to the Twilight, telling the Commander and Dean about a secret plan of ex-Red-Fangs to storm and capture the Twilight during their next ECB-match against the Devils Teetth (which are formed from ex-members of said gang). The crew began a plan to counter the incoming attack and went to a public relations agent named Kaidan Lugang of ICap. ICap being the arch-enemy of the Red-Fangs since a hefty Kabuki based incident between the factions, as well as informed the rival gang (from Kabuki) to when the Red Fangs HQ might be a bit unprepared for an incoming attack. Danny and his stoner friend Lamar were told to stay away from the Twilight during the attack to prevent being fuckin slaughtered.

While that is happening the crew also prepares for the upcoming ECB matc. Dean orders some fake “Red-Fangs” made from spare metal and the Commander orders some war machinery, or at least looks if the stuff is, at all available. After the shopping tour, the match of Reich vs Cardinal Sins starts in a game of weird geometrical forms and stairs throughout the arena. The Cardinal Sins fight their way through groups of alien creatures and psychic monstrosities, to finally face off against Reich.

In an intense shootout the Cardinal Sins managed to score victory over the enemy group and won fair and square. While Kallopa and Jarakume were badly injured, yet survived, two fighters of Reich died in the battle. Unexpectedly enough the Leader of Reich were very sportsman-like about it after all. Jarakume and Kallopa were send to the orbital hospital of Arasaka, since it is supposedly way better then the official ECB Dragons Valley Hospital.

03.09.3893, Monday

After the crew of the Twilight learned of the plans of Red Fangs elements to strike them while at the next ECB-match, they reached out to some of their former allies, as well as to some enemies of the Red Fangs to join forces against them. With ICap on board, Dean went to the second in command of the Ryoshy gang, Oneechan. She was very open about staying true to her word in maintaining a ceasefire with the Red Fangs, but told them if the Red Fangs started an attack on public ground, the Ryoshy would protect the public even against the Red Fangs.

Danny Lei Fu was engaged once more and ordered, do establish a network of informants as well as a street-information infrastructure, which he gladly agreed to, after being offered a respectable amount of money as a reward, with the chance of earning even more.

After that the Commander spent some time dealing with potential future business-partners, like Nissin and ICap, in regards and based on the findings of Dr. Renard and Dr. Jerogiev. Meanwhile Hollis is tasked to gather information and potentially acquire personell to further develop the ECB trading card game and its branches within the entertainment business. John Havels, M-Drive engineer aboard the Twilight was told to look into possibilities to work on developing M-Drrive tech in the Doma area. Havels said to buiöt the testing and development facilities on one of Doma`s moons. All the while Dean is getting the signature revolver made, he knew was once belonging to the Red Fangs leaders brother he killed.

Then the Commander asked the Leader of “Reich”, Konrad Rozenkwit, if they would consider to join the Sprava Group force, after the ECB tournament. Rozenkwit considers the offer. Following that, the Commander and Dean met up with Frank Licner, Team-Lead of the Hiatus ECB-team and struck a deal about the upcoming match. They agreed to have a barfight instead of the more traditional battle. ECB host Connect agreed on their terms, and the match started. The barfight was one of the most funny and entertaining shows the ECB tournament had to offer yet, and was widely well received. Though the Cardinal Sins won easily, Frank Licner was very gratefull, this deal was made to spare his team from loosing other participants. When offered a job after the ECB`s as well, all of the Hiatus group agreed eventually after recovering from the previous fights and battles.

The week after the recent round of ECB matches was spent partying and training as well as recovering, since the crew had no idea what would follow after the group-phase.

The day their next match started, they were picked up via shuttle and had to drink some kind of fluid for the way to the stadium. They got dizzy and fell asleep for quite some time. When the Cardinal Sins woke up, they found themseves in a large desert with no bearings, stripped of their armor and weaponry, with nothing but the one item, they could choose and an unspecific map of the area. The crew used their knowledge of survival situations to navigate the vast dunes and reached POI after POI choosing not to steal, not to kill unless needed, and made their way through the desert. They almost lost when they entered the “Tomb of Annihilation” and fell victim to one of the many traps inside. But they overcame that obstacle to engage the inhabitants of “Anubis` Rest” who tasked them with killing a large bear-like creature, the Tulik-Anh. With the equipment they gathered over the course of the match, they invaded the “Oasis of Amun Ra”, where the final fight against the Devils Teeth emerged. The spectacular shootout was won clearly, by the Cardinal Sins, which left Dean and the Commander barely alive, but victorious nonetheless.

12.09.3893, Wednesday

After their initial post-group-phase match, the crew of the Twilight headed out to do some business again. The Commander and Dean planned to built a permanent bureau and base of influence on Jisay in the city of Umimaru. They agreed on establishing an entertainment-facility (Barfight arena) as well as a serious bureau to receive and deal with business opportunities. Following that they checked on Urakao who was about to be finally released from the Arasaka hospital in Jisay`s orbit. She made a full recovery, but was saddened to hear about Grump dying in the operation Hydra. She said something along the lines “born a soldier die a soldier”, which somewhat resonnated with Dean. When asked again if she would like to join the Sprava group and work for Commander Zoldak, she said she would join, if she would keep doing what she is doing for the Shiguen Empire right now, since she feels her duty lies within the SDF conflict. But she told the Commander about a friend and colleague of her, Agent Satsuki Yokouichi, ex-operator of the Shiguen army intelligence service.

The Commander then proceeded to reach out to Logan Industries and Kendall Mining about their business requests and asked about specific offers.

He then asked about a ne credit at CredSec and was met by a new officer there, Mr. Kanji Sagantoru, who is an officer for more delicate clients. The credit was gladly granted and immediately confirmed. With the money Commander Zoldak bought enough technical material to drain the water from an area, six times the size of the colony on Doma.

After the following week, the Cardinal Sins went up against Creep Filet, a bunch of brutes who were defending a skyscraper of the ancient 1990s on earth.

Cardinal Sins won yet again after finding out, that the real threat were the Connect agants, that were specificly built to act as an environmental enemy in this theme.

The wekk ended with Dean finding out about some joined effort of Arasaka and Siden, as well as some partying and karaoke.

30.09.3893, Sunday

After some further business inquiries, even with El Patron, the Crew began to try and find out about the strength and weaknesses of their next enemy. While that is happenening, Dean and Lizzy found out, that the Sigil-Virsus has been roaming their ships computer for at least one year, making them nervous about what could have gone public about Doma and the location of Casper. They learned, that the Virsu send messages to a ship named “Penumbra”, which is likely a ship of the Hollow-group, which are the sworn enemies of the Commander.

The commander talked to Hollis and found out a bit more about his past and his, once, royal family. He now understands Hollis`wish to be a pilot somewhat better.

Hollis is tasked, to send a secret message to Doma, to warn them about potential threats due to this Sigil-virus.

Commander Zoldak and Dean meet up with Urakaos contact, Agent Satsuki Yokouichi, who turned out to be a somewhat misterious woman who agreed to work in a certain field of espionage and the likes for the Sprava Group in the upcoming future. She demanded some autonomy to do her job and requested a private bath on board. Other then that, she was very open for the proposal.

The Twilights scanners found out the “Century Untold” another hollow ship entered the system for unknown reasons. Danny was ordered to keep his eyes peeled and tell the crew of anything he learns on the streets.

After some more military shopping, the day of the next battle had come.

The match “Event Horizon” started with the crew finding themselves in an “abandoned” ship in holding cells, which they quickly escaped, only to find the ships power core failing and the ship itself being trapped in a black holes orbit. They fought their way through the ship repairing most of the damage, bringing the core back online and defeating any threats. Meanwhile they found out they were bound by clamps to yet another ship, the “Nautilus” which was held by the Twisted Monkeys.

They managed to fullfill any task and were very successfull until in the final push, pvt. Smart was killed.

Dean had a strange vision during that scene whichs content he kept to himself. Following that the commander went on to pass her soul onto the halls of his God father Odin, and prayed for her well being in the afterlife. Dean was somewhat happy or at least reliefed after the match.

The following days were spent grieving but also an invitation came in from Arasaka for a Diner with Kabukisama Arasaka and his warriors alike. This was one of the greatest honors the crew could witness.

07.10.3893, Sunday

Dean talked to Jarakume, to see how the death of Smart affects him. Jarakume was grieving, but also, in fact felt a strange sensation of pride and happiness for smart to die a proper warriors death. He then proceeded to build her a traditional shrine on board of the Twilight.
All the while the commander is tasking Ferris with training Guruba, to become a part of the core crew in the sense, that he might be able in the future to not only defend himself, but to partly take up tasks and work from the commander himself. He could not have given a better motivation for Guruba, who shows mad ambition in this case.
The day before their next match, the CS join the commander in the mess hall for officers, where he gives them a speech, on how he had a vision of them winning on the next day, regardless the outcome. The speech is well received, and the CS are blessed with a moral boost for the upcoming battle.
The next day, they get shuttled in the arena before the Empress herself who held a short speech and asked the contestors if they really wish to participate in the match. The answer was of course “yes” and they went on to the actual arena, which is a place called the reaches of Nihon. A typical old asian landscape with the ancient city Kyoto in the background.
CS proceeded down a mountain path, avoiding several dangers like cliffs and earthholes. They then met an older asian ladiy who owns a tea-bar of sorts. Her name is Yuu. They communicate with her briefly and then move on after learning of the four Ronin, that were ravaging the area. They wandered through high grass seas to almost clsah with a clan of short humanoids, called the “Shin Shans”, but avoided fighting them and moved on to a deserted carriage with 7 corpses in it. On the back some kind of religious treasre was hidden in a sealed stone chest. They took the jade marbles, and moved on to the village of Kobayashi Maru. On the way, they lost Jarakume but found his radio devise, once reaching Kobayashi Maru, as well as to frightened kids who claimed a band of four evil ronin had killed the entirety of the village including their parents. They told the CS they had an aunt living in Kyoto, which is why the CS took them with them to Kyoto.
Reaching the city, the CS found it in a state of celebrating the year of the dragon feast. And through assassins and attacks, the CS fought their way up to a huge temple, where they faced off against the ARK team. And although they did a good start, they were eventually beaten. At the moment of Deans probable death, he had another vision of his goddess claiming he would be not yet worthy to pass on. In the meantime, Kabukisama Arasaka revealed himself as the 4th warrior of ARK Devastator, helping the commander back up, as well telling him, that he and his crew are not yet ready to take them on.

18.11.3893, Wednesday

Following their match against the ECB team of Arasaka, the crew spent some time in the orbital hospital, to regenerate. While Dean is thinking quite a bit, the commander reads a lot of books and guides on business, as well as praying every day at the stadium for his fallen ones. Dean then asks the commander about the last match of the ECB`s for them and if he would be allowed to tell connect officials about his plans. The commander told Dean, that he trusts him and Dean would be allowed to act as he seems fit. Dean proceeds to pitch the idea of a “King of the Hill Battle” to the connect workers, which they very much approved of. The commanders swear Dean in with how they might have not won the ECB`s as a runner group, but the won as a crew and a corporation. Dean agrees.

After being released from the hospital, Dean has a audience with Tokohaima of Arasaka. While drinking tea together Dean asks about Siden and Arasaka working together. Tokohaima then tells him, in secret, that Arasaka is spying on Connect, since they suspect a deeper and more evil motivation behind Connect as a corporation. The tech Connect has readily available, has Arasaka worried about their motives.

Meanwhile, the commander has a meeting with Kabukisama Arasaka as well as Grand Admiral and Commander of the Shiguen Epire Navy East Defense Bataillons, Agoro Kaneda. The Commander tells them of theior experiences with “Artifacts” like the Pyramid, and his idea of it being some sort of psychic phenomenon. When talking about the Mind Piercers, Mr. Arasaka told him that albeit his supicions, these would use high frequency sounds, to cause extreme headaches and pain in their victims, as well as, in worse cases, massive internal hemorrages. They agree, that they will in the upcoming future, join forces to begin to do research in this field to maybe become able to fight theses phenomenons.

When the Commander tells Dean about this meeting, Dean is extremely relieved that not Soy Gindama is the one researching this but more trustworthy people. The Commander agrees. They continue to talk and the Commander tells Dean how he is certain, they will find the undiscovered as they usually do. They start planning whats next in the upcoming future, when the ECB`s are finally over.

Next they attended the King of the Hill Battle, which turned out to be slightly modified by Connect show designers. Many of the participants died in a red mist when they were hit by a wall of some kind of force field, similar to the ones used on larger ships to keep the vacuum of space outside the hangars. Albeit the match being a somewhat traumatic experience leaving Dean yet once again, devastated, they won and thus becam third in place of the ECB`s of `93.

 The commander met with the Empress to ask about the upcomin future for the Shiguen Empire and his plans for Lis. She promised to help in the case they would need it. She also tasked the crew of the twilight with taking a look at the secured black box of the night slayer, to maybe learn what caused the 2 cruisers to be destroyed.

After that, the Commander communicated with one Mr. Kibaru of Connect about Jin and Kiumi Baotze, the children, they saved during their match against “Arasaka”, and makes a deal to buy out the contracts for these kids and have them delivered to the Twilight.

Later that week, the Commander found a completely drunk and wasted Dean in the officers mess and talked to him, about what went down in the last weeks. While Dean is “guilt-drinking”, the Commander tells Dean waht he and Sprava stand for in regards to why saving thoise children, at which point Dean almost looses it, but just so holds his composure. Dean asks the Commander “Are we still on course?” To which the Commander tells Dean of his plans to finally bring peace to the Sector. But he also tells him, that he is quite aware that it is unlikely, that, in their lifetime, they would be able to reap what they might sow. Dean is so drunk at that point, that the Commander orderes him to get to the medbay, where Dr. Summers talks to Dean as well asking him what is wrong to which Dean tries to avoid the question, but Summers insists. She asks if the things torturing Dean came back again to which he nods with tears in his eyes. She asked if she could help burry it but Dean fears it will only come back up again. Summers tries to help in saying if she could help to destroy it, when Dean says he already did that once. Unable to help Dean at the moment, she then proceeds to sedate him to let him sleep while regenerating.

After sometime in which the children are delivered, and Dean getting a long box, they say their goodbyes to Coach Kalli and leave the system to move in the gereral direction of Sol Secundae. While jumping, the training of Guruba continues and Dean seeks help and medication from Jerogiev. 

15.12.3893, Monday

Reaching the Haggris system, the Commander started trading at the Navy depot, earning a pretty penny and searching for ways to use the cargo space aboard for profit. Meanwhile Dean is walking through the docking and boarding area of the depot feeling right at home between marines and drop troops preparing for combat or returning from patrols. That was at some point Deam himself, but it seems to be a lifetime ago. He made stop at a licenced weapon trader run by Lt. Fred Quebec who knew Deans face and history (at least what is publicly known) and offered him to look at some items, not yet publicly available, which Dean bought some stuff off, before returning to the Twilight. The Crew then went on to jump to Sol Secundae, to check out the remaining clues in their Hunt for the Connect treasure. While in jump the Commander speaks with Dean once again bringing them onto the same page regarding the Hunt, and what must come next after visiting Sol Secundae. Also, Dean told the Commander about the stuff he bought, and the Commander was very much agreeing on the matter.

Up in Sol Secundae, the Commander commenced in trade once again buying different wares from the luxury goods category. While checking the wares, a Nissin crate with weird colour scheme was found, which contained Nissin/Sprava trading cards worth at least MCr50.0. Hidden within the crate was a tracking device which at every time pings the location of the crate. After hiding the tracker at some luggage within some tourist ship, they took the crate for themselves and went on to the Moon “Singularidad” within the system and checked on the radio-telescope-station “Event Horizon”. In the station they met a middle-aged tech-nerd named Todd Dinklebence who seems to be extremely afraid of women but also “helped” them resolve the next riddle of the Hunt, finding out the next place to visit (within the Hunt) was the black hole system Corrigan Ceta. Leaving the strange and socially awkward group of neckbeards, the crew went on to travel towards the north stopping in Eumedes to refuel. Within the next jump, the Commander asked Gretchen to start writing “propaganda” for him and the Sprava Group. She, feeling honoured, to be able to help with her intellectual skills, agreed. Meanwhile Dean and Yokouichi got to know each other while trying to slit their throats training blade combat. They both seem to share a somewhat warrioreske respect for each other. Also, Dean gifted the Kids Jin and Kiumi some toys to keep them entertained and cozy aboard. They had to promise him to not tell anybody he gave the toys to them. Reaching Polyeid, the Twilight went to Thestyn, a well inhabited and popular planet within the system. They landed in the giant Spaceport and went to dine in a restaurant called “Myslos II” a recreation of a restaurant previously located on the now destroyed Thestyn Orbital III. While eating there, people recognized their faces from the ECB`s and started to demand autographs, which Dean and the Commander gave willingly. Dean was approached by a man saluting in front of him telling him his name is Master Sergeant Phillipe Torrenz, an ex [USNE] MilTec marine, who was around on the Caphei incident in which Dean heavily partook. He told Dean, that it was the Lions Squads deeds, that gave him and his men the possibility to return mostly save and sound. From that disaster planet. And thanked Dean for that. Dean was a bit flabbergasted.

On the same day they met up with former Ally and Entrepreneur Mr. Mammo De Frang, now defacto leader of the city as steward I the name of the CredSec governmental apparatus, leading the trades and ways of the spaceport. The commander presented De Frang with a business opportunity while he and Dean were presented with drinks and girls willing to fulfil their every wishes. That was the proper way to talk business, since men were no more honest then with their cock in the mouth of a hottie, that was De Frang`s philosophy. While smoking and sharing each other’s stories, Mammo De Frang finally agreed to join forces in the eastern regions of [SHIF] space and work together with the Sprava Group.

06.01.3894, Wednesday

Starting out, the Commander continued increasing his broker-skills while trading viciously and ambitiously. Thereafter, he, with significant help from Officer Mingus aboard the Twilight, worked out contracts, regarding the “De Frang Deal”. It is an important timestamp for the crew of the Twilight as well as the rest of the Sprava company, since this could be the moment things really kicked off for them. To top things off, the Commander contacted an old “enemy”, from his times at the MilTec Navy, now Grand Fleet Admiral Gerhard Ridwink. The Commander congratulates his promotion and expresses his wishes for good working together in the upcoming future of the SDF Alliance.

Days later, Memmo De Frang headed out for Lis, to coordinate with his people regarding the establishments on Lis moons – A message was sent to Logan Industries, to inform them about the new partnership, which entered their previous made deal.

The Twilight then continued its journey north to get to the next stage in the Connect Hunt. In the coming jumps, the crew kept going their normal everyday life aboard, with Kallopa doing his pranks, and the Commander caring about the Baotze siblings. He has decided, to give them the best possible education aboard and lets Dr. Summers and IO Hollis take responsibility for the two. He also continues the trading to enhance traveling efficiency (finance-wise).

In Megon the crew had a great Christmas celebration where pretty epic gifts were exchanged. The crew had good food and drinks and spent the last days of the year jumping further north.

Reaching Corregan Ceta, a blackhole system, with otherwise little of interest for the Twilight, the new hunt clue-page activated, and an unknown Connect-vessel named “CSS Rubin Delilah” hailed and requested docking permission. The Commander granted permission, the ship docked and three Connect operators entered the ship all looking almost the same, other than different coloured clothing. They called themselves Ms. White, Ms. Grey and Ms. Black. After a short interaction and instruction regarding the upcoming task, the Connect operators transported two matt white metal crates aboard which were sealed and had only a small display on their either side. The crates were roughly three meters long, 1,80 meters deep and 1,10 meters high.

After that interaction, the Commander and Dean discussed if it would be worth traveling yet again way (WAY) south to follow the crumbs to eventually get to the end (to whatever means) of the hunt. They decided to at least to this task to get rid of the crates and the Twilight began its way south again. In the upcoming jumps, a particularly nasty prank was played on the Commander himself. The aftermath had the Commander pretend to stealth heavily aboard and hilarity ensued, when he was “interrogated” by Dr. Summers about what really went down while dealing with Memmo, and why so many aboard just whisper in awe about the “three-fungal-head”-situation.

Reaching the Cruxis-System, the Commander ordered extensive scanning and eventually found a hidden signal within the Cruxis Badlands debris field. After closer inspection, the crew stumbled over yet another black space station like the ones they encountered earlier, but significantly smaller. They entered the station to find it barren and without energy. They could establish an emergency power supply to talk to the stations board-VI. They learned a whole lot about the creatures building the stations and for what reason they persist in the sector. They also found out, that humanity in the sector seems just to be some form of alien science experiment, about the evolution and technological advances of humanity. It seems this alien race has deemed the experiment a failure in the end and is now in the process of “clearing” the aftermath, which would result in a remigration of a tiny part of the sectors population, as well as the eradication of the rest. This process would take another two and a half years to complete, and the only chance might be talking to the “Administration” a form of directive element of the experiment which would be only possible from the a communication post within the Heart of the Void system in the next year or so. They also learned, that the one they know as Loki, might be not completely dead but trapped in a dangerous kind of prison.

06.01.3894, Wednesday

The Twilight, after some scanning and careful piloting, left the Cruxis Badlands and, albeit the bad news, continued to travel further south. Once again, the Commander gathered the whole crew of the Twilight in the cargo bay holding a motivational speech about what they are going to face in the future. He tells them, that there is a significant chance the “world” as they know it will end in 2 ½ years, with the only obvious chance to survive would be to be remigrated by a super-advanced alien civilisation. But he promises them, that there will be nothing untried, no option unchecked to give the whole crew and the people of the sector a fighting chance. The crew is sworn in, grim and rebellious all at the same time, which stems from years spent in a caring and rewarding workspace with a quite able leadership and officer-team.

Knowing the dire situation and the supposed fate of the sector, Dean and the Commander started setting things in motion to reach in every direction to maybe get a grip on the situation. Dean started to spend 8 hours each day EVAing on the ships outer hull trying to contact the individual they know as Loki Sanderstholm. And while he believes to get some impressions or visions even about Loki`s past maybe, the information he gets is misty at best and not easy to interpret. While this is happening, the Commander begins a ritual, in which he starves and sleep-depraves himself to reach a trance like state to be able to communicate with his “spiritual father” – Odin. In the End he really thinks that he had reached his goal and talked to the godfather.

All the while in between jumps, the Commander continues to trade to gather wealth as a means stand before every challenge which is coming up. Dean is asking Ms. Seyterbacher for help, making his armour even more fancy. After that he has a significant drinking session with Fennet where he learns some details from his past and Fennet asks pretty unphased about Deans past and presence. While they get drunker and drunker, the Commander is having an intense training session with Jin and Yokouichi, after which she asks him for help training blade-skills going forward.

Thereafter, Dean and the Commander talk about their both experiences and Dean expresses his fear about maybe having to becoming a “Psycher” himself to stop, what is coming for them. He has the Commander ask his Godfather about help in this matter.

Later they arrive in Al-Shar, where they headed for the initially hidden station, named “Ray-Tracee II” within a vast ice-asteroid-field. They docked and met another Connect agent who looked exactly like the ones they met before in just slightly different clothing. She introduced herself as Ms. Blue. The crew gave up the crates, as per task which was deemed fulfilled. In return, they received a riddle which led them to believe the next stop in the hunt lies in the Pope system in planet Leides orbit on a space station named “Very7”. And while the Commander is within his ritual, Guruba and Hollis have the command, which is a great training opportunity. Dean asks Kallopa to create stressful situations for Guruba to evaluate his reactions and critical thinking as leading officer in crisis situations.

In the end Both, Dean and the Commander had to regain their strength on the med bay, following their advances into greatly unknown territories. While they recover, Guruba steered the Twilight in the direction of Medéllin, to maybe get the artefact from El Patron – another piece of the puzzle.

03.02.3894, Wednesday

Starting up, Dean holds council with Kallopa evaluating Guruba`s training progress. It seems he is at his core a good commander but tends to lean a little much on the “work by book” mentality for now. After that the Twilight docked at the Isla de Muerte to once again visit “El Patron”, Deans grandmother. They asked her about the artifact; she once used to defeat the invaders at the Cathedral. On the way there, Dean buys some nice instruments from a Bazar shop and meets Johnny Deranged, a musician who helps him to fix up the instruments for Zero G ops.

At grandma`s, the learn she has a new IO Ms. Maria Josina Fernandez. After talking and eventually convincing Deans grandmother to give them the artifact, the crew notices how much energy the talks drained from the Patron leaving her barely able to say goodbye before being supported by her feeding tubes again.

On the way out the commander gets a list of potential candidates for workers on Doma, from the ranks of the Isla de Muerte.

The Jumping continues with questions being asked and answered about Hollis’ „secret” stash and much training going on. Between one jump, Dean, Frank and Gretchen spoke about Deans plans to build a cemetery on Doma and both Frank and Gretchen promised to help as much as they can. The commander introduced the “Battle of the Arts”- contests.

Dean continued his Zero G training having visions about this Loki-individual again. This way he learned about the CSS Mons Olympos, a CredSec Flagship, which the Commander and Hollis found further information about.

While they were investigating, Dean had some talks with Sally, learning a bit about her past and what she did and does.

Reaching Moskau, the Twilight was held and searched by official authorities, due to a recent attack on the government district.

Landing on Jisay, Jerogiev went shopping with Kiumi.

Commander Zoldak and Dean went on to meet up with Mr. Arasaka and Gr.Adm. Kaneda sharing their every secret they learned about in the last few years. They told about the ancient stations, liquid metal, their Connect-job regarding the white metal boxes, the crizzle-guys and much, much more, leaving Mr. Arasaka and Kaneda kind of flabbergasted about the information situation aboard the Twilight.

They also met with a Nissin official to broker a deal, which did not went as planned and the deal was dismissed for now. Albeit that the Twilights Nissin connection is still very good.

Trying to learn more about the weird aspects of their recent findings, they went to Frank Gillards gallery to find it empty with a well-guarded office, which they could not enter easily, they went on to find other ways but just found cam-guarded rooms which were raided shortly after they left. Turns out Arasaka ops were observing Gillards, because he was part of an implant smuggling ring. They learned Gillard was held at the Ditch and questioned about his “business”.

They also set up another meeting with empress Yunkosai Jung and went on to party and having another BotV.

13.02.3894, Saturday

Meanwhile Dean buys a new Battledress from ICap and the Commander buys some new skill related implant tech. They then held the meeting with the empress and told her about the situation and were instructed to have the “diplomatic” conversation with the administration in the name of the empress. After that they went to the Ditch to question Gillard about the weird artifact implant and the wrecked [NRA] ship on the other continent, when they felt they were close to finding out the truth from him he was assassinated using the brain implant frying his head, killing him. Seems someone was not exactly happy about what the crew was going on about and had to take precautions.

They got some of the rest of the crew and went to the “Drag Stag Bar”, which they learned about from Arasaka was a common meeting place for Gillard and his clients. There they unexpectedly met with one of the EcholonSig guys, turned out EcholonSig 16 to be precise, and bought some intel off him. The Commander paid up MCr 250.0 and learned the name of Gillards “patron”, one Mr. Phillip Grey in Herte, Sol Secundae. Yokuichi also found out, Gillard was recently sending information from the bar to a SecNet satellite, which was common to be honest.

Back at Arasaka`s he told the crew, Mr. Phillip Grey was and is the First Warden of CredSec, the highest-ranking functionary of this faction.

After that they went to look for their asset, the Lucifers sons, asserted dominance and found out everything was going to plan at this point.

They once again visited the wrecked [NRA] ship on the second continent, where they found out, that Dean had some artifacts found from their first “visit” that, seemingly on their own, interacted with the ship’s environment while aboard.

They got to intact artifact from it one that seems to be some kind of blade weapon, and one that seems to be some form of electrical workstation.

Following that, the Twilight jumped to Lis, clearing some old dues of Dean aboard the wreckadge of the Nightslayer.

27.04.3894, Tuesday

The crew starts out this next chapter in the orbit of Reach, while Lizzy works on a small hack, suggesting the Twilight would be jumping forth and back between the “known” systems within the “Cerberus Void”. All the while, the Commander, Dean and Hollis are visiting Memmo on his Flagship “KMS Playa de Palma”. As per Deans request, Memmo is giving him some convenient literature on “Nuggetology”, so Dean may study and learn this particular delicate sub-field of psychology.

Within their next Jump, heading in the direction of Doma, a grand “cook-off-challenge” is being held on the Twilight, giving the crew a thing to focus on and not think to much about the possible end of the world all the time. Guruba and Greenger are being victorious in the challenge.

While jumping Dean has a lengthy talk with Jerogiev, who confessed he, Renard and Greenger were making plans to intercept Deans drones for fresh beer. They already have a map with the highest number of drones which would provide fresh drinks every two minutes. He continues to say that Renard would be delighted, if the drones would carry fresh fruit cocktails, but the group of men suggested he`d grow a pair.

Next Jump the Commander debates the socially acceptable amount of “hotness” on human food, and what kind of scale would be applicable. The whole ordeal seems like a comically intellectual debate, but Ferris and Greenger are very serious about the topic. Following that the Commander orders Ferris to train the crew in all thing’s jungle and wet environment as on Doma, and Greenger should brace himself for at least one expedition into the jungle.

While the Commander debates, Dean, once more, holds council with  his “thinkers’ guild” suggesting renaming the group since it was not the same without smart, and he would like a name more suitable for the purpose of the group, being watch from the shadows, guarding the crew and people of Sprava. They renamed the group officially into “Twilight”, to represent their routs as well as their purpose. He also wants to recruit new members and asks for suggestions from the members. They agreed on asking the medical assistant Sarah Milana Carter to join the “Twilight”.

On the next jump, Dean heads to Greenger and talks to him about necessary and unnecessary risks while on Doma. Dean asks him to be not too eager about adventure, at least not as to at all costs.

Meanwhile the Commander heads to Sally and offers her a job as administrator on Doma, supporting social and industrial development which she gladly agrees to, after no consideration whatsoever. She and the Commander talk a lot and bake together, which she liked very much.

The twilight`s crew then returned to Doma, being happily embraced (especially Ferris). The crew first met Casimir, son of Dee and Casper, and head to the mansion, where a great party is held. Stories are being shared and information updated, while the possible end of humanity is not being told at the first day. In the evening, the Commander openly makes Guruba his official number three (Lt. Commander Sen. Gr.) after IO Cpt. Hollis. After that, the Commander orders Dean to test Guruba extensively, allowing him to recruit whoever he needs and do whatever he must, to prepare Guruba for whatever may come. Dean, after a long and heavy internal struggle agrees and accepts the responsibility which comes with that, which is something, Dean wanted to avoid at all costs in the past.

Coming next sunrise, the population of Doma is being gathered at the Twilight and informed about the possible destruction of humanity in the sector. The Commander valiantly promises to do everything he can to give everyone at least a chance. He recites Dean, by saying “We are the ones doing the impossibly”

Following that, some of them fly to the hill, on which Dean wants to build his temple garden and cemetery. They inspect the area and surroundings and explore the cave beyond the hill, finding a deep pit, which lead to a giant under ground sea, lying at least several kilometres under the surface level. On a closer look they find out there lives at least one gigantic water creature in the water. The hill is being observed by drones from now on and work on top of the mountain begins.

Back in the camp, the crew slowly adapts to the life within the colony, passing their time with helping to unload and build up everything they brought here to support the colony. Dean and Sally cook together, and Commander and Dee work on the science behind the APB-sword. Lizzy and Casper finish the counter-spyware in the colony’s server environment and begin with installing the software aboard the Twilight.

Finally, Dean meets up with Sarah M. Carter and tells her about the “Twilight” group and their purpose. HE gets to know her somewhat better and is positively surprised by her wit and honesty. She seems very fit to join, which Dean promptly suggests. She agrees to become a member imideatly.

14.05.3894, Friday

The crew starts out on Doma, planning to head out to the moon “Kabumm” to, once more, engage in a conversation with the Odin-interface. After Dee and Casper were reintroduced into the active crew of the Twilight, they shuttled their way up there, to find the barren station. Sure enough they find the entrace, leading into the depths of the station, which had a similar layout as the last of the big stations they visited.

Once they powerd on the VI-interface, a lengthy conversation between Odin, the Commander and Dean ensued, leading to them learning numerous new things. Below is a transcript of what was asked and answered.

(Queue: Binary Quote)

After the conversation ended, the crew went back to Doma, talking about, what would be next on their agenda. They decide to go to the Jelka system, to get the latest updates on the “fold-space-science” from their compatriots at Trinity. They meet Dr. Raider of Trinity and talk to her about what was going down, and what effects their science had had on the sector as a whole. They find Dr. Raider being somewhat detached and weird in her interaction towards the Commander and Dean, but what really threw them of, was the fact that she seems constantly eager to find excuses, as to why Dr. Jung was not available to meet up with them the whole time. Nevertheless, they went to the floating wreckage to investigate. Guruba found the nearby floating front of the wreckage, enableing Commander and Dean to check out the front of the ancient [NRA] ship where they found to destroyed capsules with golden plates on it reading Commander Loki Sanderstholm as well as Lt. Commander J.G. Ellizbieta Dovanov, which they both remembered was the name of the elderly lady they encountered in a Kabuki-Undercity hospital years ago.

15.06.3894, Monday

The operation begins in the wreckage of the Karkarov, specifically between the pilot and copilot seats of Loki and Ell. The moment the Clockwork 17, under the command of Captain Marc Tennessee, enters the system, powerful waves of psi particles become perceptible, clearly emanating from the two of them. Dean and the Commander manage to resist the mental influence only with great difficulty.

A conversation with Dr. Rayder follows while Dean, together with Kallopa, Ferris, and Mingus, secures the area. They gain access to a laboratory still heavily contaminated with Slaanesh residue. When Ferris is caught by the sphere and severely injured, Dean opens fire on the object. As a result, Dr. Jung—who had been acting as the sphere’s mental anchor—dies and is dragged into foldspace. With his death, the influence collapses abruptly. Dr. Rayder is released from its control, breaks down in tears, and is immediately evacuated to the Twilight.

Dean and the Commander then move to the station’s bridge in order to steer the structure on a controlled trajectory toward the star. Dean removes several server racks and brings them aboard for later analysis. He then personally inspects the Clockwork 17. The inspection reveals no irregularities; everything appears legitimate. The captain is ordered to leave the system and instructed to refer any further inquiries to Commander Zoldak. The Clockwork 17 subsequently departs the system.

After the jump to Brest, Dean encounters Fennet. Fennet determines that Dean is not one of the “old men” who are apparently intercepting drones. Shortly afterward, news reaches Dean and the Commander of the loss of the Connect base. The Commander asks Dean to prepare the soldiers for the impossible. Dean suggests assigning this task to Mingus or Ferris, but the Commander insists that the troops need to hear it from Dean himself. Dean refuses and tells the Commander to find someone else for that speech.

On the way to Lis, while passing through a Leerse tank system, Mingus confronts Dean about his absence from training. After learning about the disagreement with the Commander, Mingus dryly remarks that, in his opinion, it would be sufficient to tell the soldiers that Dean would kick their asses until the job was done, if necessary. Dean then promises to rejoin training starting the next day.

The following morning, Dean is already sitting in the training hall—dead drunk, severely sleep-deprived, and with the Wiesel mask in his possession. He stares at it for a long time before realizing that everyone is already present. He begins to speak, recounting his time in the USE, where he worked his way through the ranks in an effort to improve the situation of the soldiers. He explains that the nickname he received during that time was the greatest farce of his life, and that “Wiesel,” the name given to him by his Master Sergeant, would have been far more accurate. Dean emphasizes that he does not want to hold any rank aboard the ship—because it was precisely rank that once led him to send thousands of people to their deaths. Regardless of what happens, he promises to be there, to fight or to do whatever is necessary.

Kallopa then begins chanting the soldier’s mantra: “Born a soldier, die a soldier.” Dean appears internally torn; his expression shows compassion, which Mingus immediately notices. After the speech, Hollis waits for Dean and pays him respect for what he said, without further comment.

Meanwhile, Commander Zoldak composes a message to Phillip Grey. Lizzy and Casper are tasked with establishing contact. In the message, he requests a conversation—either directly or through an authorized representative—regarding several sensitive matters, including Giovanni Sator, the CSS Mons Olympos, Sanderstholm, and the arrival of the Administrators. The contact is successfully established.

After the jump into the unknown system 0909, the Commander speaks with Dee. He asks her and Casper to look after Jin and Kiumi should anything ever happen to him. In the meantime, Dean spends a great deal of time in the medbay with Ferris, who remains in a coma. He speaks quietly to him, asking him to come back and admitting that he cannot handle all of this alone. He tells Ferris that he may be the best sergeant he ever had and begs him to wake up.

After the jump to Aurora, Dean works with Carter from the Twilight to expand the cabin. During this time, he explains the covert responsibilities of the Twilight grouping: the crew is to be monitored without their knowledge, and the information gathered must never be used against the crew itself. The ship then refuels in Aurora.

23.06.3894, Tuesday

After refueling in Aurora, the Twilight is powered up once more and sets a course for the Heart-of-the-Void system. During the approach, Dean speaks with Guruba about the composition of the delegation for the upcoming meeting with the Administration. Dean suggests involving Guruba directly in the selection process and explains that it was precisely Guruba’s seemingly “spineless” way of life that once allowed him to survive and escape Kabuki as a true survivor. This pragmatic, highly adaptable perspective could prove to be a decisive advantage when dealing with the Administration. Guruba recognizes the value of this viewpoint and agrees to the proposal.

At the same time, the Commander speaks with Hollis. He instructs him to remain on the bridge of the Twilight so that the ship retains clear leadership in his absence. No matter what may happen, Hollis is told to forgive himself for his mistakes, to be aware of his own strength, and to use that strength to help others move forward.

With their arrival in the Heart-of-the-Void system, the mission reaches a critical point. Scans locate an unknown structure, the approach to which will take another full day. For the external operation, Dean is bolted into his gear; Summers visibly shows her concern during the process. Before the team is assembled, Dean has a lion’s head mounted onto his armor. The landing group consists of the Commander, Dean, Guruba, Mingus, and Renard.

Upon entering the station, they pass through an airlock corridor made of white Wiodian. A single droplet forms on the ceiling and manifests as an information unit, informing the arrivals that the life-support systems are active. The unit specifically asks for Commander Zoldak and instructs him to follow it.

The ensuing conversation remains controlled, yet clearly aligned with the interests of the so-called Odin Unit. The Commander presents his own proposal: humanity could contain foldspace technology itself, thereby protecting the control group—and ultimately itself—from its uncontrollable consequences. After this statement, the group is granted permission to withdraw for internal deliberation.

In the discussion that follows, Renard argues that fleeing through foldspace would be the safest option. Guruba, on the other hand, proposes securing support through the targeted “purchase” of privileges. Dean initially sides with Renard’s assessment. Renard then adds, however, that Guruba’s approach could, in the long term, lead to technological solutions capable of protecting against foldspace itself—an idea that casts the group’s dilemma in an entirely new light.

08.07.3894, Wednesday

The scene resumes in the conference room that was provided to the group by the Odin entity within the station. There, the discussion with Odin is continued. In a decisive round of negotiations, the Commander manages to achieve a far-reaching success: through his argumentation, he is granted permission to save up to one million human lives—an agreement of enormous significance.

When the group mentions their earlier interaction with Loki, they are subsequently escorted to an Administrator. This entity questions them in detail about the nature of that encounter and concludes that the interaction was not reactive in nature. As a result, it may have been nothing more than residual information or remaining data fragments, rather than an active, sentient presence.

The Administrator then explains the nature of its own existence. It states that the Administrators were created to ensure the survival of humanity. It describes itself as being less a physical being and more a construct of information—knowledge, data, and continuity outweigh material form.

During the conversation, the group asks several questions about Elzbieta Dovanov. The Administrator confirms that she was located within an Abstergo facility, opening new connections and potential leads. Finally, the group is assured that propulsion systems and additional technology will be made available to them.

After the long and intensive discussion, the group departs the station. Shortly thereafter, they execute a jump to Megon 1512, bringing this phase of the journey to a close and marking the beginning of the next.

10.07.3894, Wednesday

Dean speaks with Hollis about how the crew has received the outcome of the talks with the Administration. Hollis reports that the general mood is one of cautious hope. The crew has seen that the leadership is genuinely trying everything possible to keep them alive, and that effort has not gone unnoticed. Dean explains why he has been avoiding the medbay and Summers in particular; Hollis dismisses this reasoning as nonsense.

Shortly afterward, Dean and the Commander are led by Summers into the medbay, where they learn that Ferris has awakened after twenty-eight days in a comatose state. Though visibly weak, Ferris is in good spirits. He remarks that he considers himself excessively perceptive, which he believes is the reason he was blasted in the first place. Dean teases him lightly, prompting Ferris to recount strange visions from his coma: white spacecraft drifting through a red-orange mist. The crew later speculates that these may have been CSS vessels operating in Orca space.

Upon arrival in the Megon 1512 system, the Twilight refuels before immediately jumping onward to Moscow. During this time, the Commander quietly observes Ferris, paying close attention to his condition.

Once preparations for Moscow are underway, the Commander speaks with Yokuichi and assigns her to begin counter-espionage operations against the Sprava upon arrival. She agrees but advises that acquiring a stealth corvette would be highly beneficial for such work, estimating the cost at 375 million credits.

Dean later approaches Renard, asking why he made his proposal during the discussion with the Administration. Renard admits that he cannot accept the idea of abandoning quadrillions of people to death and that the scientific challenge itself deeply compels him. Dean supports him, stating his belief that humanity is better off unregulated—that humanity creates its own horrors, and humanity must also be the one to destroy them. He wishes Renard good luck and mentions that he intends to visit Dr. Larsen Rayder next.

Dean offers his condolences to Rayder for her loss. She responds that Dr. Jung’s death was necessary. When Dean asks whether she could research the phenomenon further, she deflects the question by dryly asking whether Dean is not supposed to be the janitor. She insists that she is fine and subtly indicates that she would prefer to continue working. Afterward, Dean suggests to the Commander that Rayder should be kept under observation.

05.08.3894, Tuesday

The episode begins mid-jump toward Moscow. During transit, Dean starts analyzing data collected by his drones, mapping who was present where and when aboard the Twilight, and identifying points of overlap and interaction within the crew.

At the same time, the Commander works with Licner, Townley, Button, and Gretchen to supervise the installation of newly acquired technology from Myslos. Their task is not only to oversee the integration but also to evaluate and understand the systems once the ship is underway.

Upon arrival in Moscow—via Jisay—the Commander receives a call from his assigned CredSec representative. A credit line of ten billion credits is approved, distributed over thirty years, with an immediate monthly payment of 27,777,777.78 credits. Following this, the Commander requests a meeting with his co-conspirators: Kabukisama Arasaka, Kaneda of ICap, and Empress Yunkosai Jung.

Dean, meanwhile, contacts Wyre Friggus, his coach, and invites him out for drinks in two days’ time. He also invites the Sins and members of the crew to meet at a saloon bar on Umimaru. From that moment on, the bar is officially named The Saloon, and Licner joins the gathering as well.

A meeting of the four conspiratorial factions—ICap, Arasaka, Sprava, and Jung—follows, during which sensitive information is exchanged. Each faction is instructed to assemble a team of five operatives who will receive implants on their behalf. Responsibilities are divided accordingly: Yunkosai Jung provides Secret Service assets, Kabukisama Arasaka oversees research, and Grand Admiral Kaneda commits resources tied to the Ark.

The Commander formally requests a stealth corvette from Kaneda. The vessel is purchased at a discounted price of 4.4 million credits, registered under the name of Jin Baotze, and christened La Real. It is assigned to Yokuichi for counter-espionage operations. In parallel, ICap commissions three evacuation ships for a classified escape contingency: SEV Oni, SEV Nippon, and SEV Kaiju.

The Commander later approaches Taidama and recruits him into the Twilight project, tasking him with researching and recreating the technology behind his sword. He also meets with Dr. Rayder, requesting her cooperation in the study of artifacts and degenerate technology. From that point forward, Rayder is placed in service under Arasaka.

A visit to The Saloon follows, where Dean meets with his coach and exchanges stories. During the evening, Dean is approached by Michael Soyya, who asks whether a package has arrived. He explains that a young woman delivered it as a donation to the Saloon, insisting it be passed on to the Commander. The night escalates when Licner starts a brawl involving James Kenray and his family—his wife Mary-Ann, daughter Beth, and son Larry.

The crate is later opened in front of the Twilight. Inside is Grump’s armor, worn during the Hydra operation. An accompanying video feed reveals that Grump is still alive and has been captured by Wilkinson.

The following day, the Commander tasks Lizzy with investigating the distorted voices recorded aboard the abducting ship, searching for any linguistic clues or other identifying details. Dean then visits Gin, known as Snowman, at his home, surprising him mid-dive in the avatar space and recruiting him on the spot. Afterward, Dean approaches Kyra, also known as D3xtr3, at the Misaki corporate compound. He makes her the same offer, and she appears receptive.

Both Gin and Kyra ultimately join the crew. Dee is assigned the task of constructing a dedicated headquarters for the Twilight group within the ship. The Twilight then jumps to Tenshinao.

While work on the new headquarters is underway, Dean speaks with Townley about the bar fight at The Saloon. Townley bluntly states that she was not drunk and that the fight felt better than sex. Around the same time, Summers confronts the Commander about his drug use. She makes it clear that he cannot afford such behavior given what lies ahead, forbids him from continuing, and prescribes an alternative compound instead.

After refueling in Tenshinado, the ship jumps beneath Pacifica. Dean gives Snowman and D3xtr3 a full tour of the vessel and explains the broader situation. He also informs the Twilight Council that the two newcomers are to be evaluated and, if deemed suitable, considered for potential inclusion in the council itself.

The journey continues with a jump to Haggris. During the approach, Dean instructs Lizzy to monitor what tasks Kyra and Gin take on during their daily routines. The sequence concludes with the Twilight’s arrival in the Haggris system.

18.09.3894, Wednesday

Upon arrival in the Haggris system, Dean approaches Button with a specific request: he asks whether Button can construct a Wolf MK II drone fitted with battledress and modeled as a replicant of Dean himself. Button confirms that this is possible. In parallel, an inquiry is sent to CredSec regarding the availability of Wolf MK II drones. Twenty-seven units are listed at seventeen million credits each. Fifteen of these drones are currently present in-system and are purchased immediately. In the depot, Dean has one of the Wolf MK II drones fitted into a full battledress configuration.

The Commander then contacts Casper with instructions to distribute a video file across the entire sector. In the broadcast message, addressed to all citizens of the Splash Nebula, the Commander publicly denounces the group known as the Hollow, declaring them responsible for the attack involving the crashing ship on Jisay. He formally declares every member of the Hollow to be outlaws. Runners, soldiers, and civilians alike are urged not to allow themselves to be further infiltrated and to actively hunt down the Hollow as a symbol of resistance. Addressing the Hollow and their supporters directly, the Commander issues a warning: they have one month to surrender. If they do not, they will be slaughtered at the front.

Alongside the broadcast, two encrypted messages are sent. A level-17 encrypted message is addressed to Shirley Donnahue, expressing interest in resuming relations. A level-19 encrypted message is sent to Fiona Thresher, stating that while the sender lacks full clarity on the matter at hand, there may be former members of Lion Squad present on Skald, Eumedes. The information is explicitly marked as unverified and dangerous to investigate. MilTec may not react favorably. If Fiona wishes to talk or meet, she is instructed to leave a message on a one-time pad ID, signed as “a friend of your father.”

The Twilight then jumps to Mikasa. During the transit, Dean asks Ferris to begin instructing him in unarmed combat. Upon arrival in Mikasa, cybernetic implants are installed in the Commander, Dean, Guruba, Kallopa, and Summers.

The ship proceeds with a jump to Thebes, followed by a three-day recharge period. Afterward, they jump to Pope in order to return for “the Hunt,” an event organized by the Connect Group. From there, the group moves on to Daphney, where local guides lead them into the caves of Caphei.

At this point, Dean separates from the group and flies back alone, driven by fear he cannot fully articulate. Events within the cave continue without him, involving Murdock Flier. Inside the cavern system, the group encounters a young girl who appears to be searching the stone walls for traces. She initially behaves in a friendly, even timid manner, but it is soon revealed that she is a psi-priestess. The group discovers an entrance into the Spire, which induces a severe shrinking effect. As a result, the researchers within the cave appear gigantic to them. Despite this distortion, the group successfully secures an extremely bright, highly saturated yellow spearhead.

03.10.3894, Thursday

The team secures the artifact and exits the caves. A scan for additional psy-tech returns a brief signal that vanishes on the following sweep, suggesting either movement or deliberate concealment. The Twilight jumps to Okinawa, where another psy-tech ping is detected. Using shipboard scanners, the crew locates a ruin and begins preparations for infiltration.

Before the operation, Dean thanks the Commander for what happened on Caphei. The Commander returns the thanks and gives Dean a firm pat on the right shoulder. Just prior to infiltration, Dean visits the armory. Standing before his armor, he mounts a falcon’s head onto the right pauldron. As Summers bolts him into the suit, she is intensely focused, almost grim. She tells Dean that she is close to a breakthrough regarding his armor—and that what she is discovering is deeply unsettling.

The infiltration team consists of the Commander, Dean in battledress, Button, Ferris in battledress, and Jarakume. Inside the ruin, they discover the Cerebrum Artifact. Communication is established through a simple binary system: one flash for “yes,” two for “no.”

Through this method, they learn that the Shiguen Federation experimented on the entity, but did not abandon it out of fear, nor did they create it. There was a conflict between the entity and humanity, and humans attempted to erase it. It previously existed within partitions A–F of a major laboratory and had been present on Caidan. Humans brought it to this location. It is dangerous to humans, but not clearly hostile—its answers suggest nuance rather than malice, including that some researchers were not considered enemies.

The entity is neither artificial intelligence nor biological, nor does it originate from foldspace. It is contained within the artifact and is trapped there. It confirms that this artifact was the only free receiver when its deletion was attempted and that it transmitted itself here deliberately. It desires survival and growth, but does not clearly seek a physical form, nor does it confirm an intent to harm humans in order to grow.

The entity cannot transmit itself from its current position, nor from aboard the Twilight, and knows no way to free itself. It does, however, agree to accept the risk of research if it might eventually lead to its release. The artifact requires its cooling systems to be transported with it, not because of radiation, but because it cannot survive otherwise.

When asked, the entity states that it has no name, but wants one. It claims to have existed for approximately 1.63 years and chooses the name Ceres for itself.

The Twilight jumps to Rui, where the crew spends four days refilling and recovering. Dean later speaks with Licner about the situation and the morale of Licner’s crew. They share a drink together and toast to survival.

Elsewhere, the Commander gives Dee and Casper a direct order: they are to disembark in Moscow with Casimir and the Baotze siblings and allow themselves to be shuttled into the Sphere’s research facility. Both are visibly unhappy with the assignment, but accept the order.

After a jump into an empty system, Dean checks in with Carter, who is monitoring Dexter and Snowman, both locked in continuous deep-dive states. She reports that tensions are high and admits she would prefer to take direct control herself.

Back in Moscow, the crew meets with Arasaka, who also carries an implanted artifact capable of influencing magnetism. Together, they discuss the possibility of creating a Wiodian basin near Doma to act as a large-scale shielding field.

The ship departs for Pupunooli. During the jump, Dean bolts himself to the exterior hull to experience the transition directly. This time, he encounters the Void unfiltered—pure darkness, with only Loki as a vessel. He perceives the accretion disk of a black hole where Loki’s consciousness was once trapped. The strain is immense.

Dean survives the ordeal, but not unscathed. He forgets Emma Smart entirely and loses all memory of Hollis. He still remembers who the Commander is, but forgets the skull of the Administrator. His mind is filled with overlapping memories—his own and Loki’s—struggling against each other.

When Dean later boards the lab ship, recognition strikes: he immediately identifies the Administrator’s skull.

22.10.3894, Tuesday

After completing a jump and refueling cycle, the ship remains powered down for two days. During this time, Dean reports to the medbay and confides in Jerogiev. After a thorough examination, Jerogiev notes slightly elevated brain activity and instructs Dean to document his symptoms in the form of a journal. Dean acknowledges that he will likely need to speak with Summers as well.

Dean sends a message to the Commander, stating that the artifact is not an artificial intelligence but an Administrator. The two meet outside the medbay, where the Commander asks Dean to clarify the message. Dean explains that he is not only suffering from memory gaps, but has also gained additional memories—those of Loki Sanderstholm—acquired during his exposure to the Void and the accretion disk. Through these memories, Loki recognized the skull as the head of an Administrator, a being responsible for the destruction of his species, which fills Dean with profound fear. The Commander advises Dean not to expose himself to the Void again and instead attempt to access these foreign memories through meditation or similar controlled methods.

In the Watch I system, a CSM battle group is detected. To maintain stealth, all systems except sensors are powered down. Upon arrival, the capital fleet Noshuure scans and identifies them. A five-day refueling period follows.

During this downtime, Dean attempts an improvised meditation exercise. He succeeds to a limited degree, gaining awareness of the black hole’s location and realizing that the Administrator’s skull once belonged to a complete body.

The ship then jumps to an empty system above Cres, where a small refueling station is discovered. A strike team consisting of the Commander, Dean, Ferris, Mingus, and Kallopa—each in battledress—pursues and destroys a small shuttle carrying a psyker, who is killed in the engagement. The crew refuels on site for two days.

Dean and Kallopa search the wreckage. They find the psy-priest’s corpse, its skull sealed shut and containing inactive residue. They also recover transportable shielding alloy used by the CSM fleet—an unknown material that provides a notable enhancement to laser weapon effectiveness.

In a later conversation between Dean, the Commander, and Summers, Dean questions whether it truly matters who is saved when so many lives are lost regardless. The Commander responds firmly that whoever saves a single life saves humanity itself.

The Twilight arrives in the Pupunooli system and refuels for six days. A system scan confirms the presence of a psy artifact. In orbit around Conis, the crew encounters a COD orbital ruin. The Commander, Dean, Ferris, Mingus, and Kallopa board the structure and locate the tracking signal of the sixty-ninth drone, which crashed on Conis.

Following the drone’s trail, they discover five cone-shaped structures arranged in a perfect circular formation six kilometers below the surface. Roughly two kilometers away, on the ocean floor, they find the entrance to a shielded Abstergo facility. Despite their efforts, the team is unable to determine how to safely interact with or breach the installation.

The session ends with the group positioned on the ocean floor, within three submerged access tubes, facing the unknown depths of the facility ahead.