Year 10, Day 127
Harbright Bazaar, Lexrol system
After a long term of service, I'm a free man again.
Almost three years ago, I joined the Corporate Alliance (and therefore the Confederacy of Independent Systems) in order to further my career as a Galactic trader. When the CA was downgraded in priority within the Trade Federations structure, I transferred to the Techno Union, where I was delighted to oversee the production of starships for the public market. Then, as tensions escalated in various regions of the Galaxy, the Techno Union reverted to its original mission of producing warships for the Trade Federation's navy, shifting production of consumer starships to Starsign Shipyards. I stayed in the Techno Union, largely due to the impressive salary, where I saw warship after warship roll off the lines. With every one, I though, "Does this make us safer? Or am I just looking at the death of hundreds of sentients in the future?" Finally, I was directed to supervise the construction of an Imperial Star Destroyer, the ultimate symbol of military oppression in the Galaxy. Combined with Viceroy Jacob Jansen's public conversion to the... distasteful... ways of the Sith, I decided no amount of money was enough to balance the sense of danger I felt. Suddenly, the salary no longer matter; the Trade Federation and its subsidiaries were on a path to conflict of one kind or another, and this was in no way compatible with my original dream: to become a successful merchant.
So, with as much etiquette and friendliness as I could muster, I resigned on Year 10, Day 112, and returned to the world of freelance trade. My friend Siejo Kutol has offered to let me utilize the resources of the Corporate Alliance, which is no longer a part of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Dr. Nolain Rockport and I are working on consolidating our mutual assets, preparing for a launch into real freelancing. With a pair of Action VI Transports and reasonably good combined earnings from our time with the Techno Union, I have high hopes that we'll be able to turn modest profits developing various investments, and working the market of Centrepoint Station.
Additionally, I have recently learned that travel to my homeworld of Salliche has been unrestricted, and the system government has approved my request to invest in local development. I'm excited at this opportunity to return home for the first time in five years.
There is so much to plan for, so much to do. And I feel a sense of relief and excitement that I haven't felt in years. Although I never felt trapped, exactly, I certainly feel free now.
