Interlude 2: Catching Up

No regularly scheduled episodes this week or August 26, but we plan to be back on September 2!

Transcript of this episode's short fiction:

Transmission log

Dime station: Circle white, OK Dime buoy: Circle white, OK Rose buoy: Circle white, OK Flotilla station: Circle blue, transcript requested under AE-LE authority. Flagged as relevant to AE-PA investigation. Request granted by DE Hass with grantor addendum: Don't have time to fight them on this. Seems innocuous anyway. Message received at circle blue.

Sender: Aikido Morgen Recipient: Airborne Outfitters junior technician Guten Morgen Subject: Catching up

Sorry it's been so long. The PAs had the whole landberg locked down for about a week. The semaphore station is still "official business only", but since this is headed to the Flotilla I'm hoping it will be close enough to count.

You'll never guess who I ran into at the counting house just before everything went down. OK, considering the circumstances, maybe you would guess. But I shouldn't go into it right now. In any case, it's good to see old friends still doing well and still making questionable choices.

Do you remember mom? The older I get, the less I can remember what her face looked like. Did she even have a face? Last week I asked one of the older pickers - remember Nettie, ve was part of the gang when we were still at it - how mom's doing. Ve just rolled vis eyes. I think… maybe we're supposed to forget?

Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I'm still saving up my credits for the down payment. Don't try to talk me into spending them on myself, the garage is my dream now too. With all those engine chops you're picking up from working on fancy Fleet skyships, and with my boundless charisma and business sense, we can't lose. Just gotta keep at it until you muster out. Fore's gonna be pissed when I quit, of course, but she's always pissed at something.

Shit, this went on too long. Guess I'm gonna spend some of that down payment money on flagging fees anyway. I hope this finds you well, and your next shore leave doesn't get delayed again. I love you.

Your patient husband, Aikido

P.S. Frickin' husband! That is still so cool to write.

Transmission ends

Transmission log for message from sender Fitch, Morning

Subita station: Circle white, OK Rose buoy: Circle white, OK