Caydie Meredith Kines

Miss Caydie… could it be true?

Styx read from the notes scattered about the table. He formed the words in his mind, pressed the record button, and began the broadcast, "Rise and shine wanderers, it's your old friend, Styx! It's been a while, yeah? To start, let's play my favorite game: Where's Alfred. If you're needing a quick refuel, the alien drone seems to be on its way to Sepia 12-B. Wayfarers Quark and Roach brought back some new tech from The Devil's Reef, some form of communication array."
Styx paused and the highlight of the day caught his eye. "Let's not forget Caydie Kines. The legend herself is finally done with that bucket of bolts she's been working on for the last year. Last I heard, she's already on the edge of the system. Welcome to the stars, baby. We missed you."

— Broadcast from The Pulse just before The Battle of the Pillars

As The Archivist of Safeharbor, it is my duty to ensure the integrity of The Archives. A detailed entry on Caydie Kines is regrettably absent. After hearing rumors of her survival, it's high time I do my job. This entry is long overdue. Her death brought all of us together. We stood unified against a common enemy, vowing vengeance for a life taken well before her time.
She was impulsive, stubborn, and rarely took no for an answer. While dedicated, she often obsessed over her many projects, forgetting to eat or drink. She was slow to anger, but there was no going back once she reached that point. She wasn't perfect, but despite her imperfections, she was the best of us in so many ways.
Let us walk this painful path together. It won't be easy. Her death weighed heavily on me over these long years. Some wounds are best left untreated, unopened. Then again, should she indeed be alive, she will likely scold me for not doing so sooner. What is this feeling? Is it hope, or fear?

Miss Caydie

Caydie was born and raised on Safeharbor. Her father, one of the elders of Autumn, kept a close eye on her for most of her childhood. Sickness marked her early years, and several close encounters with death led to a sheltered life. Despite this, the youthful rebellion surged within her just as much as it did in her peers.
Like so many others who would become Wayfarers, she demanded answers to countless questions. She wished to unravel the mysteries of Earth and wished to elevate humanity beyond its recent dark age. Her father refused to satiate her curiosity, a fortunate outcome if I'm being honest.
One night, after a heated exchange with her parents, she found herself in the archives wide-eyed and desperate for answers. At 16, she was the first person I've met who didn't cower in fear at the sight of me. She barely took a moment to gasp. I was in hiding, content to live in solitude and secrecy. I likely never would have revealed myself if it weren't for her.

A Life of inquiry

Caydie was a scientist at heart. I helped her in her endless pursuit of knowledge. She attended the newly founded Autumn Academy of Science and Engineering, and was among its first alumni. She excelled from then on, exploring the ruins of Safeharbor despite the dangers.
This led to her discovery of the dry docks near The Three Colonies. After her death, we named the district Caydie's Cradle in her memory. She got the drydock working again, assisted in designing and building our first Void Navies, and furthered research concerning everything from quantum mechanics to The Safe Harbor protocols. I've always said that the only hope humanity has left lies entirely in its latest generation. It was Caydie who taught me that.
Her prime achievement was yet to come. In the Cradle, she discovered several half constructed frigates. She took one for herself, and worked tirelessly to make it operational. It took her a full year, but despite the alien design, she succeeded. She named it The SVN Phoenix, a symbol of humanity rising from its own ashes. This would prove false, and with painful irony.

Honorary Wayfarer

While never officially practicing the profession, many of the first wayfarers were Caydie's closest friends, including Styx, the voice of The Pulse. As far as I know, she never desired to become a Wayfarer but often used the influence of her father to further their agendas.
Even if she did desire it, her health wouldn't allow it. As an adult, she suffered from sickness, and lacked the stamina needed for such a profession. During her many projects, she was forced to take frequent breaks due to fatigue. The wayfarers refused to let this get in the way, however.
They held a ceremony just for her, an acknowledgment of her effort and achievements. While she never ventured into the depths of Safeharbor, nor ventured out among the stars, she will forever be counted among their ranks.

The Death of Caydie Kines

At the age of 25, Caydie was destined for great things. However, our universe is cruel. In what became The Battle of The Pillars, she was the first casualty of The First War. She perished during the test flight of The Pheonix. She contacted me when she reached the edge of the system, her spirits as high as they could be.
I waited for her return, standing just outside of the archive. Hours went by, and we heard not a word. A sudden flash of nuclear light lit up the sky. Such a sight is common when a ship's fusion engine is destroyed. For the first time in years, I experienced pain… and rage.
She was more than a friend. Not a lover, mind you, I'm beyond such things. She knew my every secret, whether willingly given or otherwise. No one has known me so well before, or since. I'd say I lost a part of myself that day because of it. All of Safeharbor suffered. We lacked the will to fight and the war only just started.

Styx looked up from his notes. Lethe stood in the doorway holding a small piece of paper, her hands shaking. He gave her a look, and cooked his head. He was in the middle of a broadcast. Lethe shook her head, tears welling in her eyes.
When the first tear fell, Styx ignored the broadcast and narrowed his eyes. "What's happened?"
She handed him the paper, on which was a series of hastily scribbled notes. He felt a sinking feeling in his stomach as he read each word. Lethe turned and left the studio, making her way to the nose of the ship, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Wanderers," Styx began, then paused to adjust the lump in his throat, "sorry, it's rare that I'm at a loss for words." He took a deep breath, as if doing so would make saying it any easier. "Something's happened. I'm afraid to say that The Phoenix has been lost. I'm not sure what could have happened, but our sources say there was an explosion, and-" Styx looked up at the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps. The studio doors slid open and lethe rushed in with another note. He read it, and his sadness faded away.
He spoke in anger, a hatred growing with every word, "We've been attacked. We have a hostile fleet on the way. Wanderers, if you're with us, get ready to tussle."

— Broadcast from The Pulse just before The Battle of The Pillars.