There is an old adage that states “If you want something done right, do it yourself.”

I’m a firm believer in doing things myself.

There is another saying that should go with this, 1% effort from 100 is always more effective than 100% effort from 1.

I was learning that the hard way.

One of the personality traits I took the most pride in was my ability to manage all the various passions that occupied my heart, mind and time. I was able to always have my hands involved in things that moved my dreams closer to realities.

Sadly, there came a point when I was overwhelmed, starting to burn out, so I delegated. As a Matar Colonel, I was used to getting others to do what I commanded so got some sorely needed assistance.

Unfortunately, as inevitably happens, others don’t necessarily share the same passion I would have for a given task, and ended up doing a half-assed job of things.

This was resulting in me having to do twice the work; I had to redo what the original ask was to get it done correctly to my standards AND then finish the task beyond that.

It just made me more bitter; wasn’t even worth the bother of enlisting the aid of others in the first place as far as I was concerned.

End result? Quality suffered, timelines got delayed, and my blood pressure and frustration level rose exponentially.

Slowly, I was getting things back to normal. Slowly, I was bringing balance back into my life. I missed the consistency of my journal; I’m sure my therapist wouldn’t be pleased with the large gaps in my chronicling either.

Slowly.

Slow and Steady wins the race “they” say.

Always with the elusive “they”. Bothersome.

Slowly, my Sleipnir class Command Ship Onslaught approached the gate to Frarn. I opened the comm I had received once again before embarking on my latest adventure, my gut telling me this was going to be more than simple work for Republic Security.

Colonel Wieler,

It is with humble respect for all you have accomplished in your career, and your unwavering heart for your people, that I am asking for your help with a most sensitive matter.

I wish to say no more through unsecured communications, save that if the situation were not dire, I would not hope to enlist the aid of someone so notable in the history of the Republic.

I am currently located in Frarn in my Tempest, location secure. Please use these transponder codes when you enter Frarn, and I will send you my location at that time.

Please make haste, Colonel. Time is not our ally.

Sincerely,

Arsten Takalo

I willed Aura to enable “Leash Protocol”, a small program I had commissioned before setting off on this journey, having learned from my previous months long follies. A passive, encrypted burst transmission would be sent every six hours to my contact at Rens VII – Moon 17, Brutor Tribe Treasury. Should the burst not be received on schedule, I had a squad of loyal Renegades ready to come to my aid. I could’ve asked for help from my corporation, Kinda’Shujaa, but I still didn’t feel comfortable with them. That was something I would have to change.

Verifying the program was running, I rechecked my weapons systems; 7 650mm Scout Artilleries at the ready. I activated the transponder codes from Takalo, and jumped into Frarn.

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OOC: There is a new “Star Wars Science” toy line recently released in North America, featuring the Star Wars Force Trainer. I am so totally getting THIS for Christmas.