The Children of Rax, the Feds. Want us out here scurrying like ants trying to find a trail of sugar grains.

The other ants quickly found the beacons in the area. No surprise there. About the only thing I've ever explored is the back of the refrigeration unit for an overlooked ration.

Why head out all this way, with that stunning resume? I hear you ask.

Eh... i'd been playing the role of a space-bus driver for a while, which is a fine gig really. Like hauling cargo, except that this time when the cargo starts talking to you, it's generally not a sign of space madness.

But, some economist got a pet monkey, and let it tinker with the market. Downturn. No big deal, it comes, it goes. Difference is, news feeds start filling up with older pilots, the ones who have it all figured out, whining about how there aren't any worthwhile jobs out there, and... enough of that, and anyone will pack up for the black.

So, rather than flying out and finding the next inflexible squealing stick-jokey who couldn't even pronounce innovate, much less put it in practice, and shutting them up with good old directed energy weapons, I decided to park the bus, dust off the Asp, and go take a look at the Rift.

Listened to the beacons they'd found, chewed on a few ideas about what they were for, looked around a few systems. If i make it back I guess they'll plaster my name on a few datasheets as the first discoverer, so that's nice. Parked in orbit around an Earth-like for a few days with a dreamy look on my face while imagining a fresh start, a new civilization built from the ground up to avoid all the bickering, selfishness, short-sighted planning... left when i realized the new civilization would need to be built by the squirrels. Humanity brings that shit to the table no matter where they go...

Figured... what the hell. The professional explorers, those folks know their shit. Figure out some amazing things from some very scant clues. They don't need me on this. But, since i'm out here... why not go a little further.

Found a record of a path through the Rift. Gonna see if i can get to the edge. What's another 2kly?