When it rains...

Bloody hell! I don't know how much worse things could get! If you all remember my last letter, then you know that i was stuck on the moon for a few days, bloody sick as a dog. I recovered, thankfully, but not long after i took off, I lose a bloody thruster and secondary engine when I collided with stray space junk! So i've been stuck on Mars for the past week and a half trying to repair the ship, which is also turning into more trouble than it needs to be. Bloody parts are near impossible to find on this planet, and when i was finally able to locate them, they nearly emptied my pockets! All the bloody trouble aside though, I do enjoy the "red planet." Its amazing that after so many years, we finally discovered life up here. What's more amazing is that it has been here about as long as earth has, and possibly even longer! Who would have thought that the real "life" on the planet was never on the surface, but underneath it? Brilliant if you ask me. The intricate tunnels and pathways, the vast cities, the amazing architecture. And the "martians," as they were labeled for so many years. They are nothing like the portrayals of the 20th century. These "martians," - actually called Mierdens - look quite similar to us. The greatest difference is their skin tone is a grayish red, and they do not have any hair on their bodies. Aside from that though, they are just like us in size, shape and stature. As for intellect, they are bloody brilliant! Skilled craftsmen, scientists, farmers. They've come up with creations that we would have never thought of! And I have the honor of having befriended one of these great minds in Grib-nor. Grib-nor is one of the key developers in the ported tunnel ventilation system that is now being used in the tunnels and pathways between cities. As we travel from the small town of Nydor, where he lives with his wife, Zurba, he explains to me how by studying the ruins of Gordran and the ancients, he was able to analyze and improve on their systems. Speaking of Gordran, I need to remind myself to return to Mars, so that I may visit the city of the ancients. Again, with everything that was going wrong with my ship, I was unable to visit the beautiful city remains. I've seen them before, with my parents, as they were chosen to assist with the excavation of the southernmost part of the city. Ah yes, i remember that excavation. The southern area had just been uncovered and with it came a whole slew of new and unknown artifacts and discoveries to be made. My parents and I were even part of the dig team that found the Mierden scrolls, detailing the early history of the civilization. It was a great discovery, and my parents received great honors for assisting in the find. Bloody hell, i'm almost tempted to turn around and explore the city! No. I need to keep pressing forward. I'm already on my way towards the asteroid belt, and will be hopefully exploring the caves on Nomprel soon enough. My journey continues, hopefully without any more major chaos, illnesses or damage. Farewell Grib-nor, Zubra. I will return soon, my Mierden friends. Sir Baxter.

Man on the Moon

Well, folks. Its been just over a week since I first took off. Its been a bit of a rough trip, but I've made it to the moon. I've decided to stay a here a few days while I plan my first move. I don't believe what I am searching for is here or on mars, but beyond our asteroid belt I'm not quite sure yet. I may visit several of Jupiter's moons, as well as visiting Saturn, and I definitely intend to stop at Pluto, if for no other reason than to visit my greatest dear friend Thomas. Ah yes, Thomas. I have not seen him in ages. We had many a great adventures while attending university. I remember the time we built the quasar lapse generator in our dorm room and nearly blew the building to pieces. Those were the good old days. I wonder what ol' Tom is up to now...

Wow that was incredibly horrible. Turns out I caught a case of moon flu. If you have never suffered such a fate, i would never wish it upon you. I was in the middle of dinner when all of a sudden my stomach began wretching like no tomorrow. If you didn't know better, you'da thought you were watching that scene from Aliens where the creature rips out of the mans stomach. It was that bad. Fortunately, the moon folks are experienced with this sorta thing and they were right quick with fixing me up with some antibiotics. I was green in the face for about a week with the crazy sickness and I swear I was gonna die. Between puking and sweating and making constant trips to the loo, I may as well have been living in there.

Well now that experience is over, thank the Lord, and I am on my way again. The ship is fueled, cleaned and ready to go, as is my body, and now it is time to continue my journey. I've just been cleared for take off, so I will check in again once I get back to cruising speed. Farewell, mighty moon folk, the journey continues.

P.s. never visit the moon during flu season, unless you too want to experience the porcelain palace.

Launch Day

Well, Its just about time for take off. I believe I'm ready to go. Surprisingly I'm more nervous than i expected. Funny isn't it? I used to look forward to launch days with my parents, going with them on their crazy trips. Then again, for me, launch day was pretty much the only exciting day of the trip for me because there was so much going on with ship preparations and what not.

Well, I've got my ship ready. Its a modified version of the Starcraft 5. You know the Starcraft series, right? Just your typical single man cruiser designed for journeys beyond the galaxy. Grateful to gotten such a deal on it as well. It only set me back $500 and 20 draken. Quite a steal if you ask me. I've taken the liberty of modifying it slightly though. I've enlarged the hull to make to account for the extra supplies and what not, as well as an extended living quarters. As much as i expect to be travelling, I would like to manage some comfort.

I also modified the engine slightly. Instead of the standard turbo, I've replaced it with a special carbon alloy hyper servo, which should boost the ship to .3 past lightspeed. I know its not a big jump in power, but it will decrease travel time without really affecting fuel efficiency.

Well everything is packed, preflight checks are complete, and its about time to lift off. Farewell my fellow humans of earth, I shall return successful or shall not return at all. I'm sure if mom and dad were still alive they'd be quite proud of me following in their footsteps. Regardless, the journey begins now. I will check in soon.

Sir Baxter

The Journey Begins

To all who choose to read this:  This is the beginning of a journey to discover what i am hoping to be the world's greatest treasure.  For those of you who do not know who i am, my name is Sir Gregory Baxter.  I was born in England some 30 years ago but have yet to know the wonderful land as i have not been there since birth.  For those curious few who must know, my parents were archaelogists and i've spent most of my life traveling the universe with them on their wild searches for some sacred grave, or holy statue or royal skeleton, or magical crystal.  I've been everywhere from the pyramids in Egypt on Earth to the ruined palaces in the Mordai Craters on Sidon III.  It had never quite interested me why they would dig up such things, nor did i ever seem to understand it, and yet now i've found myself on a bit of a quest of my own.  You might be wondering what it is that i am searching for, but to be truly honest i am not quite sure myself.  I most definitely feel that something is pulling on the very core of my being drawing me through even time and space to find this, this...treasure.  Could it really be a treasure, or is it more of an answer?  I am not quite sure yet, but whatever it is i am searching for, i feel that i cannot live happily until i find it.  If necessary i will traverse every globe in the known universe and i may even dare to venture to those yet unexplored worlds to satisfy my soul.  Well my quest begins today,  a fond farewell to all who would call themselves my friends. I am off on my journey, i'll send word of my travels in the coming weeks.  Farewell, Sir Gregory Baxter