Horizons Alien Base...almost

Wood67

W
I've not done a lot of exploring, or taken part in the Palin type run-arounds, and never yet been interdicted by a Thargoid either. But a few days ago, after my 82 year old dad accidentally earned me a 5 day bounty in my local system (first time VR experience!), I decided it was prudent I became scarce for a while. So I got out the Muck-Off and cleaned my AspE. Flew 1000ly to one of those old cities and gathered up a UA. Never collected the Orb as it seemed far too big for my cargo scoop - it just bounced around like a large football, which was fun for a few minutes.

Heading back I noticed that things were corroding onboard, so figured it was time for an AFMU as well (something else I'd never fitted). Another 1000 or so ly and I get to the Alien Base system. Something about Ammonia being needed led me on a fruitless scan of the planets but I couldn't find anything. Ah well, UA should at least open the blast door I thought and headed planet side, pausing only to fire another couple of AFMU repairs.

Lovely landing, and after a Cherry Bakewell and cuppa I head out in the SRV. I notice that the 'corrosion' messages seem to have abated as I trundle up to the gate. The lights flicker and I start to wonder where I'm going to plug this thing into, or indeed what do I press to 'insert'? Casting my eye over the cargo I see the artefact is not with me. Must have left it back in the Hold so I skidded back and said hi to a couple of passing alien drones.

And at this point I discover the artefact is no longer in my Hold either. What?? It was merrily corroding my ship's systems the last 2000ly and now it just scarpered? I check the EDDI logs and there it is: As I arrived at the system I logged out for a few minutes, and then back in. A couple of seconds after that the log shows my carefully packaged UA being jettisoned. To do that I need to look right, scroll a couple of menus, select cargo, select the item and confirm jettison. No way I did that, even with all the excitement of nibbling away the bakewell to leave just the cherry and a veneer of icing.

Oh well, off to get another artefact - I will get inside. My Asp is named Shakleton, so I'm hardly likely to give up...
 
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Wood67

W
I wondered that. I *think* it may have been one of the things I repaired on the way in, but in any case nothing was below 85-90%, and the UA was definitely there as I arrived in orbit at the planet. Never used the AFMU before so wasn't sure what happens when I trigger it - eg does it shut the system down entirely during the fix, and maybe jettison any cargo for good measure?

It's more likely I fumbled something in all the excitement. I'm going to try again as it was quite good fun, and there's a closer Guardians place where I can grab another UA.
 

Wood67

W
Will do, thanks. He'd been waiting ages to have a go on VR. With a full HOTAS setup I purchased a Sidey and had him play in 2D for a few minutes to figure out the controls. He thought that was pretty impressive. And then the Rift went on... It was a real pleasure to watch someone's reaction to something so exceptionally different to anything they've experienced before. He launched, left the station and plodded around for a while.

My mistake was to leave the power on to the weapons systems. In my custom build ships I have them bound to various clever groups, but of course the Sidey which came straight out of the crate had everything set to default. As he came in to land he got the Yips and loosed a couple of rounds - two seconds later we are at the rebuy screen!

I remember showing my (very) old grandfather, who was born in 1887, my ZX-Spectrum. Similar vibe. If it wasn't for the ageing issue I'd almost be looking forward to seeing what my son/grand kids demo to me in 30 or so years!
 
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