My own inclination would lead me to say as little as possible about myself; but several friends, in whose judgment I have confidence, have suggested that, as the reader likes to know something about the author, a short account of his origin and early life would lend additional interest to this book. ~ David Livingston missionary travels and researches in South Africa

February 2^nd 3200

we decided to double jump. We want to start heading to the Liberation horde a bit and so we dont want to spend time in the next system.

Feb, 22, 3200

we connected at Rassmusen Spaceport in Gliese 595 here I read the early entry's of my journal to the crew. After I finished Linda gave me the idea that I should tell some about myself. I don't like the idea, I am a rather boring figure in my opinion.

I was born on July 4^th, 3179 at Phobos Base the only child of Gordy and Samantha Hawk a product of there wild collage years just 2 years before they Married. They both attended Phobos Community Collage with degrees in project management. My father Gordy oversaw a small team in industrial design building navigation computers for the Natrix space craft. Samantha on the other hand moved to being a Secretary at Phobos Community Collage, unable to find a job suited to her schooling.

Growing up in a Collage town such as Phobos it was practically a requirement to get any form of advance schooling. The two moons of Mars have more Collage options then any other place in Sol. Phobos for example has Asaph Hall University, Phobos Community Collage, Choloe Hall All Girls Academy, Phobos Tech, a branch of Martian University, Martian Space Academy, Sol Military Academy and Martian Exploration Academy. To be blunt Phobos has more collage kids then true adults, and if it wasn't for the military presents I would think that the entire base would be Chaos. The mass amounts of business who pick Phobos and Deimos for the easy trade and fueling location have picked them for small branches of there brands, while others come in taking advantage of the money flow that Collages bring in. Sadly though the actual population of Phobos and Deimos are small, with the bulk leaving as soon as they graduate.

So as a child if I made a friend it was likely he would be out of my life forever with in four years. The natural born Phobians often became tighter friends in the end. I protected the idea that no matter what. We would always be there. Phobos base is considered a major city in the Sol System so I was by no means a rural space cadet.

I had the normal Highschool life, but despite the rumors I was not the one who shot a hole in the school Air processor, but I highly enjoyed the week off while it was repaired. While I didn't enjoy the hangover the first day we returned to school.

I was a master at history which got me a grant for Martian Exploration Academy. It was during this time I met my wife Linda who was going through a degree in Engineering at Phobos Tech. We met during a Football (Soccer) game between between the two. Phobos is a highly competitive area with a League of its own. Phobos Tech had one of the best teams on the base while M.E.A Phobos was considered a underdog at best. The Arena was so full that the two sides had to mix with each other. Which fortunately lead to me and Linda sitting next to each other. We cheered so hard against each other our ears went numb and our throat's went dryer then a Desert on Mercury. The Game picked up when Phobos Tech started playing more aggressive, it seemed like Phobos Tech was bent on Injuring every member of M.E.A. Worst of all the Ref rarely called any fouls. Despite this the game stayed tied at 2-2 until the most amazing event took place. Alex Miranda who would become the all star player of the Phobos Lilliput's dribbled past Phobos Tech in such a way to match the Legendary Pele. He shot a score with what seemed like, no opposition. It gave M.E.A. Phobos the win, and started a Riot. With in a short time Linda personally bet me to a pulp. It is not guess, that Mechanics bet Academics in a fist fight any day. Not that I threw in punches.

The police broke up the riot and in the confusion, Linda went home with me. There while we recovered we learned there is more in common between a Engineer and a Historian then we both once thought.

On November 30 3199 me and Linda Married both graduating early (Aug, 1 3199). Just a day after graduation I was informed of this mission and gained command of this spacecraft. Instead of a honeymoon I got flight school.

Enough of me, I shared more then even im willing at best. At Rassmusen we prepared to jump to the Sohogre System, diverging a bit from our destination but yet Sohogre has one of the planets we search for best and while we are in the Sol Federation it is best we work at these planets and learn as much as we can.

As much as Kathy hated it we loaded the ship up with Fertilizer and robots to ship to Sohogre. Extra profit for the Mission is much needed after all. But 29 days of the smell is something to get used to.

On Feb 23 at 9:00 we requested takeoff.

The Scavenger beetle is one of the most useful of all insects, as it effectually answers the object indicated by the name. Where they abound, as at Kurman, the villages are sweet and clean, for no sooner are the animal excretions dropped than, attracted by the scent, the scavengers are heard coming up the wend.................. As we recommend the eland to John Bull, and the gigantic frog to France, we can confidently recommend this beetle to the dirty Italian towns and our own Sanitary Commissioners. ~ David Livingston missionary travels and researches in South Africa

28 March 3200

Arrived at Carter Space Station in the Sohogre System at 15:00

At Carter Station we dropped off the Goods we were sit to deliver. As per requested by the planetary Government. We were pleasantly surprised to find some laws more laxed here and during the brief stay we got to try out for the first time real Animal Meat. Something Illegal in Sol. The meat was a strange type and a local. I asked around and they tell me it is a animal called the Ryby Poroshok, one of the crew by the name of Hugo Banks took me to a Aquarium were inside was fresh versions of this fish. It was a amazing animal, as it swam it seem to leave behind a powdery substance. Hugo told me it is like sweet for them, it turns solid and pushes out toxins from its body, the Toxins make it undesirable to most predators. I asked if the powder is poisonous to humans. Hugo smiled as he informed me it souly matters on what the Ryby (shortened name) eats. Some plants will cause a heavier toxin and fishermen have noticed that the Ryby will sometimes eat poisonous plants if they sense a possible predator nearby. So in order to eat the Ryby they must be left in a water tank for 2 earth hours. The fish tank itself has to be cleaned to perfection the Aquarium that I looked at had a lot of help. A native form of Sucker Fish was there eating the powder. It was called uborshchik musora and it was big, its powerful lips cleaned the bottom of the tank with the power of a small vacuum.

The Ryby had some amazing features, a bright Orange stripe down its side, clashing with pale tan skin, it was heavily scaled and its eyes were narrow. The teeth of the Ryby were a combo of sharp and dull as it is a omnivore.

Hugo however found the Uborschik Musora more valuable. The Uborshchik can actually digest toxic waste and other chemicals. Hugo said that it literally feeds on things that would kill practically anything in the universe. Each time it eats something contaminated with radiation pollution the radiation goes down significantly, Oil, and other Toxins are easily digested. The Government of Sohogre have been trying to get Earth to lax there Foreign animal laws so that the Uborshchik's can breed and clean up the thousand year waste built up on earth. But earth and the Sol Federation have refused out of fear it can further damage the earths ecosystem.

After the Tour of the Aqurium I got a letter from the Sohogre government. They wanted my ship to make a shipment of grain to Urquho and to bring back some farm machinery. The offer seemed strange as I have been wanting more permission to land on the planet Aguirre Colony. I accepted the offer even though it will take some time from the mission.

We got permission to launch at 22:16

29^th April 3200 8:29

We land at Hurley town, on the planet Blancherd's Rock, in the Urquho System -5,1,0. It is here I learned some dynamics of some of the systems surrounding Sohogre. At Blancherd's rock it is against the law to eat meat, despite this Sohogre manages to ship plenty of meat to the populous. I hated the idea that my ship was searched like a drug dealers after I landed. I couldn't sell the grain till every bag was checked. It should not be hard to imagine my annoyance as this took even more time away. I was after all hoping on a stop and run.

Most systems around Sohogre love the meat shipped from there, and the system has made a killing from it.

We quickly unloaded the Grain and brought on bored the farm Equipment. As soon as it was done I got permission to launch at 19:35.

May, 31, 22:34

we arrive back at Carter Space Station, and begin unloading the farm machinery. I was saddened to learn that I will not be allowed to land on the main planet. Forget saddened, I was madder then fox with his tail on fire.

To be honest I dont believe this book would be published with the words I used at Hugo. Who proudly took the brunt of my anger on the behalf of his government. However out of anyone at Sohogre he was the least to deserve my anger.

A short time later I went inside and searched for the next system travel to.

System -5, 1, -2

type: Thriving outdoor world

Government: Earth Federation Democracy

Economy: Capitalist

population: over 2 Billion

Planet

Aguirre Colony

Rocky Planet with a highly complex ecosystem.

Mass: 4.198 EM

Radius: 1.613 ER

Surface Temp: 72 C (it is said that such temperatures are rarely felt. However people stay inside when it goes past 42 C)

Orbit Period: 15.7 days 246.49 Earth days

Day length: 15.7 earth days

Citys with spaceports: 6

The country through which we passed possessed the same general character of flatness and forest that we noticed before. The soil is Dark, with a tinge of red-- in some places it might be called red-- and appeared very fertile. ~ David Livingston missionary travels and researches in South Africa

June 1 3200 2:52 we requested takeoff.

Aug, 1, 3200

we arrive at Pott's town on the planet Flore's Folly in the Exita system. Here at Flore's Folly we picked the next major stop. Chandler World in the Laethce system -5,5,0. we loaded up Farm Machinery and asked for lift off at 11:30

Sep, 4, 3200

at 4:57 we landed at Rowland Space Station. We informed the Station authority's of our mission and intention. The Rowland Space Station granted us permission to land and we landed at Acevedo City on Chandlerworld at 6:28 and within two hours the farm equipment was unloaded.

A brief Geography of the planet I find important. Chandlerworld is a rocky planet with a highly complex ecosystem. The Life of Chandlerworld is mostly plans animals. Which the inhabitants have taken advantage of. From space you can see the vast plains surrounding the Lakes of Chandlerworld. However there is also highpoint of nothing but Rocks that introduces a whole new ecosystem. However Humans have chosen not to live According to Rowland Space Station's guide to the planet, Chandlerworld is best known for its Metal Ore mines, however its Grain that is the highest Export.

The Lakes or Oceans themselves are the most fascinating part to see from space, there is large amount of what looks like Coral. You can also tell that most of the planets water is underground.

I must admit though that the first thing I wanted when I landed at Acevedo City was sleep.

Sep 5 3200

We woke up early to find a guide, I found in imperative to go out and see parts of the planet, we found and gained the aid of Joseph Hindric who for the most part is a farmer however he was more then willing to take some time to give us a tour. First at his parents farm were he works. Its there I got to see the major livestock of Chandlerworld. It is called Steinkuh, the Steinkuh loves the native grain of Chandlerworld called Yáogǔn xiǎomài or Yaoqil Grass for a more simple name. The Steinkuh has a grand nature to it, the fur seems to look slick and at a touch it is moist. I asked if it was sweet and I was told it was not. The Steinkuh's body is constantly covered in a moist goo that works to protect it in heat and cold both. The Steinkuh's fur is not the type you would make a coat out of. The Steinkuh has long thin horns that remind you of a Antelope more then a Earth like Bovine. The There as big as a Ox and one Steinkuh can feed a family of five for well over a year.

Joseph gained permission to lead us out to to the plains. As we headed out to the plains I downloaded info on the planet. Namely the current system government, its civilization, and population. The Major Star port city's like most planets have no less, The population of the star port Citys are a combined 700 Million for all 6 star ports. This is largely do to the size of the planet which is only the third of the size of earth while about 35% is uninhabitable. Each Starport City has multiple mining areas spotting the near outskirts of the city. While over 300 million people are farmers spreed across the planet. The Surface does not show much water. However the planet is nearly % water. With the vast bulk underground. Carving out large tunnels into the rocks. The Water life therefore is mostly Nocturnal. The Soil itself is extremely sandy mostly caused by a combination of wind erosion and rain (theoretically). The Sand however is extremely wet sand that makes the land have a humid feel during its summers. At just 20 C it can sometimes feel 32.

the population is a combination of Chinese and European descent, like many planets in the Galaxy. The earliest founders were Chinese and named a lot of the plants based on there dialects.

As we we left the farm lands and entered the unsettled plains I noticed that all the plants on the plains have a brown color. The tallest of the plants have a banana tree look to it, just without the bananas. Some verity's do produce a fruit Suān chá guǒ (sun-Cha-qwa) and it is debated if they are the same species or a different plant all together from the Suanchaguo trees that do not produce fruit. The Suanchaguo trees are all different in some form or another, the verity's are incredible, some produce a type of nut, some have eatable roots, some can't be eaten at all and reproduce by touching there roots under the sand causing a long line of connecting roots. However all Suanchaguo is no more then 4.5720 Meters, the smallest ever found at full growth is 2.7432 Meters. The Trees are not the most common find. It seems that the different verity's of herbs and grass is.

Joseph told us to stay on the road and marked fields. All of Chandlersworld has been viewed by robots at least and marked on spots to avoid a common danger on the planet. Quick sand, Quick sand forms on Chandlersworld's plains very often, after rain and wind digs out a deep enough whole the wet sand can become soupy and dangerous. Unlike movies of old, Chandlersworld offers no branches for safety.

The first noticeable animal life is a animal that Joseph called the Avian Rat. It is a very soft beak bird like animal that is said to dig into stone homes. The claws on the Avian Rat is dangerous to small pets, and sometimes children, however like house mice and field mice they mostly scavenge and steal food, also like rats they spread sickness. A Virus called AR was the first threat to settlers here and were it originated from before it spreed across the sol federation.

We decided to make camp for the night sitting up at a clear patch with minimal brush to clear. We entered this side of the Planets 24 earth days of night phase. It is a good thing though because a lot of the animals become more active at this time.

Sep, 6, 3200

The Planet seems to have a earrie feel to it. The night brought out more Avian Rats, who fly through the night. I noticed there eyes have a bright glow to it. Like some bad fictional horror movie. There was a reason though the Avian Rats were flying upward and more active, in the sandy ground you can see long waves of a Snake like creature that Joseph call's Yèjiān rúchóng. Or as the Locals call them, John Worms. The John Worms push the Avian Rats out of the ground and often eat them. It is odd to me that they only come around during the 24 hours of night seeing as it is night all the time underground. It is as if the Sun's presence even lightly felt underground causes the John Worms to hibernate. Another predator of the Avian Rat is the common Hawk brought in Illegally from earth, I didn't get to see any while I was here though.

The night brings out many more animals, that I can hear from the camp.

(I apologize for the lack of extra info i got busy and it may be a little while before i write more)

The night brings out many more animals, that I can hear from the camp. None seem to get close to the Fires though which tells me they do not tolerate the light. After Several Hours of nothing but John Worms and Avian Rats we decided to head back to the City and prepare for take off. If we come to this planet on the way back I plan to visit the Ocean life. However our goal is not sol planets.

7^th of september

we made it back to the ship. I cant wait to get in the ship. Im already used to sleeping on the ship that I find the ground too much to handle. I could see the stars as soon as we got on the launch pad. I was hungry to met them.

Planet Info

Chandlerworld -5,5,0 System Laethce

A rocky Planet with a carbon Dioxide Atmosphere and a highly complex ecosystem. A extensive Metal Ore Mining planet with a greater number of Farms.

Mass: 0.282 EM

Radius: 0.656 ER

Surface Temp: 20 C

Orbit: 24.7 days (602 earth days)

Day Length 24.4 earth days

5 Starport City's

2 Satellite bases.

Population: over 1 billion

Slavery is remarkably low.

At about 3:50 we requested launch and headed to su base were we will decide the next destination.

At Su Base we picked our next spot. It may be a while before we get to a planet supporting wildlife as we need to get to a different part of the grid to get to the Liberation Horde.

(Authors note:  sorry for not having a picture, i cant upload into the Gallery or see pictures in the Gallery.)

The Portuguese home government has not generally received the credit for the sincerity in suppressing the slave-trade which I conceive to be its due. …... The intentions of the home Portuguese government, however good, can not be fully carried out under the present system. ~ David Livingston missionary travels and researches in South Africa

December 10 3200

After nearly a year of traveling we made it to the outer edge of the Liberation Horde. Its funny that they call it Liberation Horde after our first port in Nichols Station on the System Ethacked -6,7,3. we found that hey were selling 5250 tons of slaves in a Satellite Star port. Robots are Illegal hear and so Slavery replaces robots in duty's.

Andrew Barnes is the head of the Starport, he could see our disgust with slavery on our face. (we will need to learn to hide this better in the future.) it appears however that allows slaves that are force captured in war, or have no proof of prison sentence to be freed on a planet that is under development.

The Developmental planet will actually offer money to have a populous released on there planet to develop it.

I had trouble of course believing him but after calling the Sol Embassy I learned that it is indeed factual.

I asked Andrew if there was such a planet near bye and he confirmed that there was indeed such a planet. Rodriguez world in the Ethzeve system was such a place. It was not very far away even.

December 12 3200

it took 2 days for there law to examine the slaves and separate slaves that do not have proper papers. We were not given any POW's as there was worried that it would cause political arguments. However there investigators were able to put on bored 140 tons of people on our ship. 60 tons of it was children sense the Liberation Horde Does not recognize born slaves, children are separated and sit free. I felt sorry for them as it was the most horrible part. They were separated from there parents. It is said though that 95% of Children born slaves will brake the law and return to slavery at the age of 16. The Adults in the group however making up 70tons had a sense of joy about them they had a chance to be free and start a new life. Some of them talked about a chance to return to there old homes.

at 13:26 we requested take off.

December 29^th 3200 we arrived in the system and started to make way to the planet.

While on the way in hyperspace we had contacted Rodriguez world. They are run by a Corporation called Donovan inc. We have bought products from this company as they are heavily located in much of the Sol Federation. It is unbelievable that they have the money to do this, they are populating there own planet. They found a planet filled with Oxygen and Water but has zero life. I find this remarkable. They decided to settle it and start there own planet here.

Donovan inc asked us to start a adoption program, this way the Children will have Adults to raise them. The matter was harder to execute then planned and as of yet we still have not fully succeed.

January 22 3201

23:41

it has been a long trip through the system even longer then hyperspace. By the time we got here the the Adoption plan succeeded but the former slaves had lost a lot of patience.

We got orders to land at Rowe Village which we did at OHH MY!!! its a new day 0:00:44.

we landed to a loud cheer from the back. Looking from above it looks like there isnt much on this planet. At 3:41 the former slaves were off the ship and given instructions on how to settle on the planet.

I steeped out of the ship and took a deep breath. The loving smell of fresh air ran through my lungs. It was daytime at Rowe Village and the sunlight was great sight I must admit. Dan Austin was sent to give us the tour of the planet.

His greeting seemed defensive. “so your the grand explorer of Sal (Sol)?”

“i would not call myself that, after all the planets im exploring has already been explored. Im just here to put a book together for the University's”

“a very expensive book none the less” he replied calming down some. I am Dan Austin”

“i am Owen Hawk, now I am greatly curious about this planet”

“That is understandable Mr. Hawk as im sure being were your from shipping live humans is a strange experience. I hate to disappoint you but if you thought it was charity that brought the freed slaves here you are wrong. It was profit. Donovan inc is a Mining company and one of the largest in the universe. And this planet has humongous amounts of precious metals and metal Ore. To top it off we can sell Liquid Oxygen in masses. However we found that the planet is filled with Oxygen. This means we can settle this world and mass more Employees for 3 times the profit.”

“why not use Slaves?”

“freedom is a illusion. Slaves take there time and have to be constantly watched, a u employee on the other hand will work freely and do there job well out of fear of loosing there job. And a former slave as a Employee is even more so a advantage. They will be happy to work for Donovan inc in any of our jobs just for the fact that they are not forced to.”

“if there is plenty of Oxygen why the grain, seeds, and Animals?”

“the Animals and grain are obvious, grain to feed the Animals and Animals to feed the people. The seeds are just us being smart, we know that if we work this planet at this rate there will need to be a balance or this fresh oxygen air will be gone. We try to get fruit baring plants though so to allow it also to feed the people here.”

“sounds like if the mining dies here Agriculture will take its place?”

“if the population allows, if the unlikely event that Mining ever dies out here Donovan inc. will release the whole planet to the population who will then be responsible to build there own government.”

“approximately how many people live on the planet?”

“the System total is 195 million, this planet holds 170 million of that. Hughton has 90 Million people, Rowe Village holds 30 Million, the rest of the population is dispersed a crossed city's and towns around the planet. However we have been trying to disperse it more as there is no reason for the populations to bunch together that tightly”

we left Rowe Village at 10:51

Planet Info

Rodriguez's World, -7,8,2. System: Ethzeve

Rocky Planet with a Oxygen Atmosphere

Mass: 0.627 EM

Radius: 0.856 ER

Surface Temp: 32 C

Orbit: 14.9 days (222 Earth days)

Day Length: 14.9 Earth days

Star Port City's: Rowe Village, Hughston

2 Satellite Stations

Local System Government. Corporation owned

Economy: Capitalist

total System population: over 195 million.