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Source Melchizedek.0294

Approach β Hyi

Ascension 00h 25m 45.07036s

Declination –77° 15′ 15.2860″

Distance 24.33ly

Equinox J2000.0 SOL

Year 3781, QEC adjusted

[Autotranslator enabled...]

Jerome Somerset Pasani, Warrant Master

:::

Our good doctor has reminded me that I agreed to communicate via

QEC for social-wellbeing in the face of our environmental

situation. Despite the workload restoring the Melchizedek to full

working order I must admit the darkness has been affecting me.

Encounters in common areas are done in whispers, eye contact is

minimized, and the crew all seem to drift into isolation as

a matter of course. The pairings are essential.

The news of the Hoffnung Incident has caused a stir as well.

Janssen has an egalitarian sensibility and is rather vocal in

support. Meanwhile Prezzi Adeyemi has reacted quite somberly.

Records say she lost family in the Ioruba People's Revolution of

'33, so I can't blame her. Granted the situations weren't the same

at all, but I don't think we'll find a champion of the common man

in her any time soon. So far we haven't had any real arguments

over Hoffnung on board. I suppose we have the dark to thank for

that after all.

It's said that the narrative of the stars works in cycles, but the

only stories I'm hearing from the 'verse are those of horror and

cryo failure. With the cold creeping in and nowhere to go we sure

could use some light to warm our hearts.

When we left Sol 24 (or 1300) years ago there was such hope in the

dream. β Hyi has so many habitable or near-habitable worlds we are

all but guaranteed success. What a thing to imagine! Shoot off

into the stars and sleep and when you wake it is to usher in a new

world or worlds of humanity.

We may not live to see the full fruits of our labor, but the seeds

we plant and those we raise will ensure the longevity of our

species and of intelligent life. What a brilliant crusade!

O Heavens, we come home to you to begin anew!

But now the depths of infinity surround us and we are untethered

from our people. I have heard nothing from Sol. We have no news of

family or friends. We read the tragedy and fighting, the sickness

and violence across the 'verse and worry mounts. Is that all that

waits for us at the end of this dark road? Will our new start end

as the first? Is there hope in a beginning? There is fear.

Four months becomes three. I stare at our 39 frozen friends and

hope they wake with the passion still kindled. If the road is long

and dark, our destination will be harsh and brutal. The land does

not welcome us. We must tame it. Hope can make it something

beautiful, but what will fear make? Another Hoffnung? Another

Ioruba? Another Pakistan?

We dwell in infinity. What chance have we for peace?

.