[IC] My name is Taylor Vauban

[pippo]

11th April 3301 - 18:15

We did not spend too much time in Juma, the first inhabited System we ended up in after the first few jumps running away from LHS 3564. I was only beginning to refuel at the main star when we were pulled out of supercruise.
First refueling stop, first inhabited System, and first hunter pilot to try and claim the bounty.
The Cobra MkIII superior speed made it easy to lose our tail and we were back on our way within seconds. Caplin, sitting in the seat next to me, pointed out the Hesatsu System, assuring me it would be our best bet to safely dock and get some basic supplies for the journey to Bumbindal.

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Although it was located in an Independent System and mainly surrounded by Federal factions, Hesatsu's farthest outpost, Morris Prospect, was run by an Imperial organization. Why Caplin seemed convinced we would be safe amongst these people was a mystery but I trusted him for some reason and thus asked for docking permission…

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It became apparent why Caplin was eager to be on Imperial ground when we first got to talk with the people there. His tone of voice slightly changed and although it wasn't obvious, his stance was more one of a proud man than ever before… He was an Imperial himself.
This was all new to me. I grew up thinking of the Empire as a bunch of arrogant slavers and yet to this day, had never set foot on their territory, let alone talked to any of them. In fact and as far as I can remember, the only Imperials I remember clearly identifying were a very loud nobleman and his entourage, visiting the factory back at Dalton's Gateway.

They peacefully warned us that both our names and the ship's registration number were circulating in Hesatsu already, and directed us to another System and a place called Wallis Mine.

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Noonitokomu was relatively close from here, and on the dividing line between the Empire and the Federation. Not that we would be safe from bounty hunters there, but Wallis Mine was remote enough for us to find refuge, resupply and rest for a short while.
Without any delay, we were back onboard the Cobra MkIII and back on the run…

Taylor Vauban, logging out

 

[pippo]

14th April 3301 - 23:15

Wallis Mine was indeed very remote…

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Nothing but a scorched planet and a lonesome outpost in this System, at least nothing else that my scanners could pick up. There was something eerie about Wallis Mine, almost no traffic, yet our docking permission took quite a while to come.

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We did find what we were looking for... a little peace and quite, and for the first time in five days, I finally got to catch up on some decent sleep. I have to say, although I was expecting a lot more trouble than we had encountered so far since the LHS 3564 bounty, and although I firmly believe that pirates have it far too easy, there is nothing pleasant about constantly having to worry about every single contact on the radar.

After some needed rest, we agreed with Caplin to try our luck in the Tabaldak System, one step closer to Bumbindal, and left Noonitokomu today…

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Taylor Vauban, logging out

 

[pippo]

15th April 3301 - 19:34

It seems that someone heard me ranting about those who chose the life of pirating having a far too easy time, free of reckoning in the vastness of space. Our Tabaldak System welcome committee got us to run away again from bounty hunters and push a little further. Being so close to our destination, it felt just right to push all the way, and before we knew it, the final jump got us in the Bumbindal System. Caplin told me to head to Watson Port as this would be the end of the journey.

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It was an enormous relief to not only make it to destination in one piece but to actually find a friendly port once there. Another set of scientists was waiting for us and them too had been working on an experimental technology for quite a few years. It was a much bigger piece of kit, a prototype relay unit design to pick up Caplin's probe signal via the wormhole and beam it back to Bumbindal. The tech team loaded the prototype unit into the Cobra's cargo bay along with some supplies implying that a very long journey was to follow and fitted the probe into a torpedo launcher…

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They then all turned toward me in order to brief me with the rest of the mission. The first surprise was to hear that everyone knew I wasn't who I posed to be, yet they were confident enough to grant me the responsibility of carrying the mission out, given how far I had gotten to get here in the first place.
The second surprise was that the wormhole I would have to send Caplin's probe into was over 25.000Ly away, believed to be located inside the supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*. The prototype relay station was to be jettison and left orbiting the nearest body I would find once reaching Sagittarius A*.

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This was the early stage of a grand expedition. Not my grand expedition, but a hope to find peace and a new home for mankind, very much like Marlin Duval's Imperials already did many years ago when departing for Achenar. Only this time, intergalactic travel would need to be mastered to succeed.
As for the reward, although they guaranteed me money wouldn't be an issue if really this was the only thing I was after, and putting aside the obvious "doing it for the greater good", I was promised a lifelong place within the Empire.
Not that I was very exited about being accepted amongst people I had no idea about, I always had the urge for a meaningful expedition and this just felt like fate.

I will take off first thing in the morning.

Taylor Vauban, logging out

 

[pippo]

16th April 3301 - 22:51

Third surprise, and most probably the best one yet, the tech team did some fixing on the Cobra MkIII during the night. A brand new top of the line Power Plant, Frame Shift Drive, Fuel Scoop and Discovery Scanner. If I was looking for a reward, it seems I already have it.
Surfacing from the hangar to the docking bay, I had a good look at my destination just before lift off…

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So far yet looking so close.

I first jumped from System to System with no real planning, simply heading for the brightest part of the night sky, until reaching another populated System called Atese. A rapid look at the star map and I realized I had reached the fringe of colonized space. It was out of question for me to dock anyway given the cargo I was carrying so I finaly decided to plan a route and set a first stage to my journey.
A very familiar place showed up right in front of me, BRSO 14 in the R CRA Nebula…

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This is the perfect opportunity to put my new scanners to the test.

Taylor Vauban, logging out

 

[pippo]

17th April 3301 - 20:17

What once seemed like a giant leap into deep space feels now like I've just stepped outside my front door. No doubt the new Frame Shift Drive will explain why I am already here…

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I remember the first time I came to this place thinking how nice it would be to see an Earth-Like World in this nebula, so I was quite exited to test out the improved scanners…

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Sadly, what I found on my first visit to the R CRA Nebula was all there was to see. I won't spend as long as last time to contemplate the site and will be on my way.
This is just the beginning.

Taylor Vauban, logging out

 

[pippo]

20th April 3301 - 13:24

The same way I had left the R CRA Nebula to investigate a gigantic star in the Coronae Dark Region on my first expedition, I came across another massive dying star in that same region… Theta Coronae Austrinae…

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The fuel scoop engaged as I jumped into the System, this star filled my view yet it was a good 140Ls away from me. In fact, Theta Coronae Austrinae was so big that it completely melted the surface of the nearest planet, 500Ls away from it…

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I was stunned by the colossal size of the star at that distance.
But the similarity with my previous trip ends there as I leave the hunt for the Veil West Nebula to remain a hurtful but distant memory, I am now heading to the Parrot's Head Sector, another step closer to the galactic core.

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Taylor Vauban, logging out

 

[pippo]

21st April 3301 - 12:49

Leaping through the COL 359 and M7 Sectors, I wasn't able to make any significant discoveries until just now. This is the last of the M7 Sector I am probably going to see yet it is likely to fetch me a good price on my return…

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This Water World is on the far end of the Goldilock zone and is mostly covered with ice. On the other hand, my computer tells me I am not the first to visit this planet but that was to be expected as Sagittarius A* is a popular destination amongst explorers.
My next jump will get me into the Parrot's Head Sector. I've decided to reduce my jump range during the crossing of that Sector to maximize my chances of finding interesting sites…

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I will make a better use of the Frame Shift Drive capability once leaving the Parrot's Head Sector as I am still very far away from my goal.

Taylor Vauban, logging out

 

[Komemiute]

There's quite a gift you have there.

I'll be reading this. And enjoying it quite!
Right On, Commander.

 

[pippo]

There's quite a gift you have there.

I'll be reading this. And enjoying it quite!
Right On, Commander.

Really chuffed…
Thanks Komemiute.

 

[Matzov]

Its cracking stuff. One question - do you fit the story 'facts' to your gameplay, or do you have an outline story in your head, and then fit gameplay to it?

 

[pippo]

Its cracking stuff. One question - do you fit the story 'facts' to your gameplay, or do you have an outline story in your head, and then fit gameplay to it?

Thank you Matzov… a bit of both really. I do have a story outlined in my head but the way I get there is depending on what happens "in-game"
But also, most of what happens is inspired by the forum's moaning, i.e. I trade biowaste and vegetable when threads are "what is the point of trading anything else but palladium" etc, many decisions are a reaction to other players unsatisfied posts.

 

[Matzov]

Thank you Matzov… a bit of both really. I do have a story outlined in my head but the way I get there is depending on what happens "in-game"
But also, most of what happens is inspired by the forum's moaning, i.e. I trade biowaste and vegetable when threads are "what is the point of trading anything else but palladium" etc, every decision is a reaction to other players unsatisfied posts.

Superb. Great reasoning. And a rich seam to mine!

 

[pippo]

21st April 3301 - 20:23

Out of luck…

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Well, that pretty much sums up my fifteen first "low range" jumps throughout the Parrot's Head Sector… a worthless rock drifting around the most common Brown Dwarf in our galaxy.
I did find some microbial forms of life along the way but if there is one thing that my first trip taught me is that life is everywhere. Only the sentient type seems to be either nonexistent or extremely efficient at hiding its presence.
This short spell of misfortune brought me back to what I was doing out there. I didn't come here to carve my name into some colorful rocky world, nor did I come to find and bring back some data about new terraformable candidates… I came out here to reach the galactic core and deliver a precious payload into the most unstable entity known to man.
So I readjusted my Frame Shift Drive and set course to my next problem…

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Sooner or later, I was always going to reach the edge of the Orion-Cygnus Arm I am currently traveling through. I have my doubts as to whether or not I am going to be able to cross the gap to the Carina-Sagittarius Arm in a straight line as the stars in this area seems to be really sparse. We shall soon find out.

Taylor Vauban, logging out

 

[pippo]

22nd April 3301 - 11:21

Traveling in a more or less straight line and a greater jump range got me out of the Parrot's Head Sector in not time and to my surprise… back in the M7 Sector, or should I say one of the countless M7 Sectors.

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As I was investigating the rings of this Brown Dwarf, an unusual site to say the least, the onboard computer started playing up. Something was being activated without my input, and shortly after, a voice came through the Voice Comm System…

_____________________________Decrypting Recording______________________________

Greeting Taylor, this is Hugh Caplin.
If you are listening to this recording, it is safe to say that you have reached the 1000Ly mark away from Bumbindal and towards Sagittarius A*. Our team of engineers, while outfitting your ship for this trip, have also planted this recording on your computer's mainframe, along with a tracking device to allow us to monitor your progress. It was also a requisite coming from the main patron of this project, should you have chosen to take your ship and its cargo to Sol or Alioth. I am sure you will understand.
But I am sorry to say that the wing of Imperial Clippers that was shadowing you has now turned back to base and that you are now on your own. We are all very exited and proud back here and very confident you will bring this mission to a success.
Good luck out there, Taylor.

___________________End Of Recording… Deleting… Recording Deleted__________________

One thousand light years already?
That means twenty four more to go so I should better get going.

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Taylor Vauban, logging out

 

[pippo]

23rd April 3301 - 0:27

Caplin's recording left me a little confused… I am not entirely sure the Clippers' wing he mentioned was ever commissioned for my protection and I still wonder what he was so sorry about. Maybe these are Imperial ways I will never begin to understand. It did although convince me to disable quite a few systems on the ship such as my shields and weaponry in order to achieve a more manageable fuel consumption and heat.
It also cleared all sense of urgency out of me and as much as I have not been wasting time scrubbing the galactic map on the lookout for worthwhile stars so far, I still scan every piece of rock I come across in every system I happen to hop in.
It actually was during a rather long supercruise trip and reaching out to a distant star system in a binary system that I noticed something new…

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The bright part of the Milky Way looked somewhat stretched.
I suppose this is a normal phenomenon while traveling to the Galactic Core, but none the less…

Taylor Vauban, logging out

 

[pippo]

23rd April 3301 - 12:03

I have now reached the edge of the Orion-Cygnus Arm and the good news is that the computer came up with a viable route until half way through the gap. There is a good 2500Ly between the two arms so I will have to gamble on the rest of the crossing…

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After carefully studying the route to ensure the presence of enough scoopable stars to safely see me through, I noticed that some jumps where going to test the Frame Shift Drive's limits… I'm only hoping for the second part of the crossing to be at least as dense.

Taylor Vauban, logging out

 

[pippo]

25th April 3301 - 17:38

So far, the crossing has been pretty smooth and straightforward. I am quite confident I will make it to the Carina-Sagittarius Arm without complication, only in my own time.
I still haven't made any significant discovery but I seem to be traveling on virgin territory at least. None of the last thirty to forty systems I have been through had ever been visited before, so if I do eventually find something, I will most likely be entitle to claim it on my return.

So far, so good… if only I didn't happen to notice a slight tremor in my left hand recently…

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It's probably nothing but it had me worried for a split second. I am relatively far from civilization after all, and I must admit I don't feel too well. Maybe those Water-Purifiers aren't working as they should.

Taylor Vauban, logging out

 

[pippo]

26th April 3301 - 17:19

I ran a test on one of the Water-Purifiers and everything showed up as normal. Yet the trembling in my hand is now turning into a nasty twitch. I actually have to firmly hold the throttle to keep my hand still now.
Maybe I'm just tired. A few minutes ago and while I was scanning a Belt Cluster, I found myself staring at the star above my head…

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My mind was slowly drifting, looking at this huge sphere of hydrogen and thinking how an essential element for life could also be such a destructive force.
I don't know if my mind is playing tricks on me but the star was gradually taking a strange glow…

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I might have been staring for a little too long and my head is now hurting slightly. Everything seems normal again and the scanner has finished analyzing the Belt Cluster… but a strange feeling tells me the analysis completed a long time ago.

Taylor Vauban, logging out

 

[pippo]

28th April 3301 - 17:33

I came really close to an abrupt end today.
I was heading towards a faraway star in a binary system to gather datas on its orbiting planets. My head started spinning with my hand clenched on the throttle at maximum speed and a similar glow like the one I experienced two days ago appeared right in front of me…

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A violent headache kicked in and paralyzed me… I can't be sure but I believe I must have lost consciousness for quite a while since the next thing I remember is my ship's screaming proximity alerts and the star shooting past me at about ten times the speed of light.

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This was a close call. But the most worrying thing is that I could have sworn something other than the ship's computer tried to warn me just as I was about to hit the star. Something or someone… I know I heard it.
Am I losing my head? I am clearly exhausted and will try my best to find some familiar looking rock to orbit around for a few hours or maybe a few days, time to get myself together again.

Taylor Vauban, logging out

 

[pippo]

29th April 3301 - 21:37

Right when I engaged the hyperjump I heard a voice on my right saying "Where the hell are you going?" so I turned to the jumpseat next to me and found it empty…

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Of course it was empty and I wonder what led me to believe otherwise. I am indeed drained and ready to drop so the plan remains, find some familiar view and rest. And for once, luck is coming my way. According to my scanner, I have found what I was looking for…

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Although devoid of all landmass, this Water World was close enough from what I remembered of LHS 3447 A5 or even Thea for that matter, so I placed the ship on its orbit, cut out engines and all non essential modules and left it to slowly drift…

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I will let the ship go around a few times and forget about the mission for a moment. I cannot honestly remember the last time I slept…

Taylor Vauban, logging out