Last Will and Testament

of

Lucrecia Johnston

Being of sound mind, I, Lucrecia Johnston make the following bequeathment.

I entrust this base and all of its contents to the reader of this document. This base is yours.

My absence means just one thing; that I am dead. Chalk another one up to the way of the universe.

If you're reading this message you have succeeded in locating my hidden base that I once called home. You have done well to find it. The base is located within a permanent gas storm called the Effrit. The ionised gas surrounding this place has kept it hidden from the prying sensors of corporate cruisers for many years.

You, the finder of my longtime hideout, are now the inheritor. The structure is the hulk of a terraforming drone. They used to call them Biobombers. They were sent out from Earth centuries ago to transform worlds into places fit for a human being to live. I think this one took a bad turn somewhere. When it found itself in the Badlands it must have given up and tried suicide.

Nevertheless the structure is an ideal one for a base of operations. The central chamber makes an excellent hangar and drydock and the robotic crane makes refitting and arming vessels a simple task. I only hope, dear reader, that you can put this to some good use.

It is the privilege of the writer of a will to indulge herself in the occasional reminiscence. This testimonial is written for my own peace of mind more than historical reference, but heed it well, because it is all I ask in return for this base.

In my life I was no saint. History is already full of lowlifes out to tell the tale of their misspent lives. The universe does not need my story. Instead I will use this space to try and share a little wisdom acquired from thirty years on the wrong side of the law.

My name is Lucrecia Johnston and I am a pirate. I have spent much of my life trying to justify my actions, trying to convince myself that what I did was for a good and noble cause. I was playing Robin Hood, as my mentor Clay would say. But at the end of the day, I'm just another criminal-- out to make a fast buck at the expense of others.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change anything in my career choice. In a world where you're either the abused, the abuser, or a crook, I'd pick the latter any day. I am satisfied that I was different from most of the other thieves out there. I only hit the most abusive corporate vessels, and I seeded my profits among the victims of corporate oppression. We didn't just save individuals or communities. Whole colonies survived because of my crew.

I thought I'd kept my priorities on what really matters. But there's a danger in pursuing even the loftiest goals. I'd had my head so far in the stars that I lost sight of life right here on the ground. In reaching for the heavens, I let the things I hold most dear slip through my fingers. If you ever read this Felix, my son, I am sorry that I gave more of myself to my work than I did to you. I'm sorry that we grew apart. If I could change one thing in my life, it would have been to spend more time with you.

And the moral of this story? Never, ever, lose sight of who you really are and what matters to you. Never forget the price you pay for the things you want. Ensure that you think beyond the glittering prizes of wealth, fame or even noble deeds. These things are all fleeting. But a child who is close to you and proud of you, that is priceless.

Goodbye,

Lucrecia Johnston

This time and day: 17:24 04/03/2331

Witness. Lefty O'Hare

Witness. Xing Lu