FROM THE BUBBLE TO THE BUBBLE. 8

WREDGAEI IQ-Y D2

The journey to this point was easy, but now I seem to have hit a wall as the distance between myself and the inhabited systems increases the stars fan out, more and more so, until I have reached a point where navigation has become complex. 

As the distance from inhabited systems increases, the stars fan out and thin out

My Nav systems are struggling to plot a course outward as the distances between stars become greater and greater, I am going to have to detour a couple of hundred ly and see if I can find a more dense region of space before I can make any headway.


On the way here I landed for a short while, on yet another uncharted planet. This far out I had not expected to see another living soul, and yet I came across an SDF Python.

Curious, I put down close by and took the SRV out to take a closer look. There were no signals from the Python, no hail or comms as I came in. I drove around it's perimeter and saw no signs of damage whatsoever. However, a short distance away was the wreckage of another ship, unidentifiable to me.

The cargo containers scattered about were full of Narcotics and weapons, and likely the cargo of a smuggler. I came across two escape pods, but neither were giving off any signs of life within, indeed the displays on both were blank.

I surmised that this ship had likely been taken down by the Viper which had then followed it down to check for survivors. It makes sense, although all the way out here you would have thought any smuggler would have been able to move safely. It smelled of Vendetta more than anything else. I salvaged anything of use and left.

The Python silently watched me leave.

And now, some time later..it seems I find myself somewhat stranded . I will have to spend some serious time trying to find a way forward, and will likely be here for some time.

LOG ENDS

FROM THE BUBBLE TO THE BUBBLE. 7

ELEPHANT'S TRUNK SECTOR HW-W C1-6 1
2,683.11 LIGHT YEARS FROM SOL

Views of my voyage to and through the Elephant's Trunk Nebula.

A reminder that not everyone makes it back.

View of the Nebula from the surface of HW-W C1-61

LOG ENDS

FROM THE BUBBLE TO THE BUBBLE. 6

SIFI LL-Y C16 1A


I am definitely making headway in my journey now. More and more I am finding systems that have no data recorded for them, this means one of two things...either someone HAS been here before me but never made it back, or I am the first pilot to stumble upon their discovery.

Although this journey was not about profit, I have taken to scanning at least those landable bodies I come across as the cartographic data will be welcomed when I return to the bubble. I am here, so I may as well record anything I find that may be of use.

I find myself on another Icy rock, driven here by a cargo bay door warning light that has taken to intermittently flickering. I deemed it wise to put down and check said door, and the connections to the light. It may well be little more than a loose wire, but foolish is the man who ignores a warning of any kind out here thousands of light years from help.

I took the SRV out and did a thorough check of the underside of the ship.

After searching and scrutinizing for over an hour the problem turned out to be with the circuit board that also carries the power to the holo-displays, a quick solder repair should see it resolved now.

Next stop, all being well, The Elephants Trunk Nebula.

 LOG ENDS

FROM THE BUBBLE TO THE BUBBLE. 5

SIFI WX-U C2-18A   7A
2,164.66 LIGHT YEARS FROM SOL

The Pelican and North American Nebulae are far behind me now. I have settled on an Icy planet after a very interesting journey through the SADR region and HIP 101341, where there resides a Black Hole.

Having encountered these phenomena before, I was well aware that my full attention was crucial. "You don't fly casual around Black Holes." as one long serving Imperial Courier once told me "Not if you want to collect your pay"

Even with the imaging equipment on the Saxon Pride it is virtually impossible to capture the phenomenon, but I have tried my best to record this part of my voyage.

I am going to rest a while here, check the hull after my rather lazy scooping yesterday, and take some time to choose my next stop.

LOG ENDS

FROM THE BUBBLE TO THE BUBBLE. 4

NORTH AMERICA SECTOR TZ-0 B6-4  1
PELICAN NEBULA
1,895.10 LIGHT YEARS FROM SOL

For the next stage of my journey outwards, I decided to take in the North American Nebula and the Pelican Nebula and set off at a good pace. Twice I overcooked my fuel scooping and ignored my proximity to the stars in question. Fortunately I was able to avoid all but the merest of damage, although I expect to have lost some of the shine on my paintwork when next I inspect the exterior of the Saxon Pride.

The views of both my targets for this leg of the journey were breathtaking and well met my expectations. I had been told by a much older and wiser explorer many years ago now,  how if I had the time and the inclination I should venture out and take them in, as they were well worth a visit. I took this advice and was not disappointed.

  

I have slowed my progress, calmed the pace a little and feel that I have relaxed more into this journey/flight test.For now, I shall relax in the silence and take in the view of the Pelican nebula on the horizon.

LOG ENDS

FROM THE BUBBLE TO THE BUBBLE. 3

PW CEPHEI 2
1,503.01 LIGHT YEARS FROM SOL

After taking the SRV out and collecting more than enough material for the AFMU and synthesis I plotted my next steps.

The IRIS NEBULA was no more than a dozen jumps away and I decided to take what may be called 'a sideways step' in order to take it in. I locked destination onto Sector EL-Y D22, as it sat squarely in the middle of the nebula, stowed everything away and set off.

(Flying through the Iris Nebula)

After finding no suitable place to set down, I cleared Iris and put the Diamondback down on pw cephei 2, and it is from there that I make this log entry.

Shortly I will do a full systems check and use the Srv to inspect the outer hull, it's best practice to take the time to run a physical eye over things rather than blindly relying on the systems, and it gives me something to busy myself with. 

LOG ENDS

FROM THE BUBBLE TO THE BUBBLE. 2

CEPHEUS DARK REGION RY-R B4-0
SYSTEM HD239486
PLANET HD239486-1

My first stop is at HD239486-1, a barren ringed planet commanding the closest view of the Cepheus Dark region.  Full system data has been previously logged and submitted by an earlier explorer so I am (at 1,393.87 Light Years from Sol) still not yet in uncharted space.

As I suspected, refueling is a very regular event with the Diamondback, and already I am feeling the limitations of it's single tank. Fortunately the A rated scoops I had fitted take much of the tedium out of the job, and I am never forced to halt for long before I am able to continue.

(Scooping fuel has become a regular event)

I intend to rest a while here, perhaps set out in the rover later to search for any useful materials down on the surface that will aid me in days to come. I am a little fatigued, so will attend to that first after having something to slate my hunger. I am happy with this first leg, and the distance covered and more than happy with the performance of the DBX.

(Cepheus Dark region RY-R B4-0)

 LOG ENDS: