December 10^th, 3072

Five years. And it looks like we might take New Avalon after all this time. Just days after the 5th FedCom nuked the Red Angel, the 44th Shadow Division showed up. Yes, the hand of the Master has decided to reach out this far. Guess they feel the Suns may crumble with its capitol in our hands, to bring out the big guns. They brought Bronson's Horde with them. Funny, I thought we were planning on taking the mercenary business down a peg or three to nothing bigger than a company. Oh dear, seems some principles have taken a back seat to necessity! I don't think anyone will thank me for reminding them of Blake's opinion of that practice.

Their commander has taken Geist's attitude down to about Acolyte level or so. Wish I could've seen it. He mimics his name now. Can't blame him though. I've met their Precentor, Avitue. I've got to look that name up. Damn aliases. You'd think we'd have our share with those after Focht.

She's… frightening. I've met some scary ladies in my life, but this one has an edge I've never experienced before.

But she's definitely sharp. She's done her homework, and the plan she has could work. I can't help but notice how similar it is in some ways to what we tried to pull back in '67. Maybe that's why McQuinn can still walk around unsupervised and take a shit without begging permission first.

We drop tomorrow. Part of me looks forward to it, to once again thunder about in my Legacy. Simulators only take you so far. The rest of me hasn't forgotten a thing. Maybe it will be better this time.

Are you still alive? Can you be proud of all that I've done, all that I've become?