Life as a Bathurstian Academic


Captain’s Log: 15 June 2013

Still no sign of sociable land. After scouring the Bathurst Sea for a social island to call home, our chances are looking grim. What was once a full crew slowly became skeletal, with each port we visit proving appealing to more and more crew members.

Perhaps upgrading our ship in these waters was ill-conceived – being the fastest and smartest ship is nice, but all it has achieved is alienation. Why would anyone even try to go near something so foreign? Would it really be worth the risk to slow our ship down to their speed? Whether intentional or otherwise, many seem to be permanently docking their ships, but the islands seem so small. Claustrophobia sets in after just a few days in most ports.

Rumours circulate about distant seas with much bigger islands and ports, but the journey would be long and treacherous. Maybe it’s a price worth paying? What about losing our firepower advantage? Recent contact via telescope with ships just like ours proved cathartic, but is questionable for long term survivability in social waters. A reliable connection is almost impossible at such distances.

Occasionally we’ll cross paths with ships like ours, but high hopes quickly fracture – our ships may be similar in power, but utterly alien in language. As we sail close by, a silent camaraderie is shared for our skeleton – or even lone – crews.

Our map still holds some possibilities though, and we remain vigilant.


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