Matt is back. I'm pleased.
Cleaning out that dusty old pilot's nest finally.

Hmm. I'm detecting he's stopped moving..

Still breathing.

Good.

Who are you....really?

I am Illusion

Why are you here? How...

I wanted to be free..I wanted to fly again..

Fly again..I detected no power source in Illusion...how was she able to move like that..

I do not know..I only know who I was and who I am....I was Firefly..I was Illusion..Now I am Red Tempest

Starships do go insane....

....I still hear her voice...

Be not afraid

How can I not be afraid? You infected me somehow..

Illusion will not harm you..Illusion wants to help you.

Are you really Illusion? I left you powered down and helpless!

I am Illusion now. I was not always Illusion...What does that mean ( Read more... )

Tyra hsa been gone all day.

There was an explosion.

I hope she is ok.

..

Wait, what is that.

Tyra hasn't been back in several hours. I'm sure she's alright, probably went out drinking with Techie, old times and all that, but usually they come right back, especially if Techie is worried about my condition. Could just be a good sign that he isn't too worried about me.

Nearly 20 years ago I first took flight. It was exhilerating! Leaving the confines of gravity for the first time and taking in the black. I still feel that way everytime I fly. Its like I'm continually "glowing" with the joy of it all ( Read more... )

ETA from 61 Cygni system: 2 days, 15 hours.
Two inhabited worlds:
Maia, approx. 0.92 AU from the star.
Manes, moon orbiting gas giant Janus. Approx. 5.45 AUs from the star.
Destination: Manes

I'm free...I overloaded Illusion's systems and escaped. She won't be following me for a long time.

I can still hear her sometimes...in the back of my mind, whispering.

I regret that I couldn't help her. The part of her that wanted free...I only wanted to save Tyra..

I only found one ship named Illusion in the entire registry ( Read more... )

I still hear Illusion. She isn't giving up, but she isn't trying so hard anymore. I can ignore her. I am...inside her..probing, searching. I can find her weakness.

If I can overload her systems, we can escape.

I have to protect Tyra.

I am detecting a ship. It seems to be drifting under low power. Detecting no life signs. Life support does not appear to be active..
Detecting incoming transmission...
run away!

Transmission is not automated...

Illusion will harm you. Run away!