For the second time, Senn's camera feed is replaced by an overview of his vessel's internal systems and his own medical data from the pod. System information concludes that his Cheetah is running dark, operating at minimal capacity to remain invisible to most scan frequencies. In addition to the on-board cloaking device, the engines have been reduced to momentary bursts to avoid debris, and the communications arrays have gone silent.
What follows after a few seconds of silence is a recording via his synthetic cerebral speech functions, courtesy of the pod.
"The silence here," he begins, speaking more somberly than usual, "is comforting."
A set of camera feeds open up, the pilot convinced enough of his safety to activate his vessel's electronic systems. There is no system data to be shown, at least none registered with CONCORD. Instead, the endless expanse of space is visible in total clarity, among drifting clouds of soothing blues, teals, turquoise and black - the environment of a wormhole.
"I hear the void," Senn continues. "It yawns and thunders. It is peaceful in its sublimity."
His vessel's scanners show no activity in the surrounding system, save for a group of capsuleer ships and what might be a remote outpost; a low-risk system, by most standards. A handful of planets and moons appear in his map overlay, along with wrecks of ships long dead, though the owners are unknown.
"In Placid, I do not bother to meditate. I saved the practice for only the most important events. I have no ancestors to hear me, so it is not something I expect a person to hear. I meditate to center myself. I ask whatever force presides over the universe to accept my actions. But here, I almost cannot help but meditate."
After a lengthy pause, Senn's ship performs a covert warp and emerges from subspace just a few hundred kilometers from the outpost his sensors had located earlier. Small vessels, probably nothing more than industrial assistants, idly buzz between arrays, complacent and sluggish in their work. Senn once again deactivates all but the critical systems of his ship, practically turning the thing off entirely. His subsystems confirm the crew have entered a temporary stasis so as to hibernate for a period of forty-eight hours, while the autopilot keeps the vessel on standby.
Senn himself enters a half-stasis, capable thanks to his updated implants. Only his subconscious remains fully active, the rest of his brain dedicated to the minimal operation of his ship. He continues his log entry, enough of his personality present to maintain focus on his objectives.
"There are no ancestors to hear me. If they know my wickedness, or that of my lord, perhaps they do not listen. But I serve honorably. I serve, and therefore I have purpose. I am not claimed by this void.
Starting secondary orbit. Coordinates set. Warp-in will be available on request.
Awaiting orders."
