Shout out to Fuel Rats

[Tetched]

So here I am 3 months into a trip, out in the black (though it is not too black so near the galactic core) trying to make it to Beagle Point trying to keep jumps less than 10ly. I need to go afk to deal with a family issue. When I sit back at the PC I see that I have less than 5 minutes of O2 left and before I die. Thusters inoperable, no life support, no fuel at all. My first thought, bummer I am going to loose all that exploration data (again). I am 24,213 ly from Sol and just know it is a slow death or a quick one.

I then remember, hey there are some ED commanders that call themselves Fuel dogs or something. No, I got that wrong Fuel Rats. I look them up on the web an find and find their website with a large "GET HELP" button. I click it and get a notice that I should quit to the game main menu if I see a blue countdown timer, why yes I see such a timer . . . (the timer to slow death). There is a great big green button which reads "Click here to get refueled", I click. Next I have a form that only asks my CMDR Name, System Name, check the box if I have a countdown timer and platform on which I am playing the game. I fill in the relevant data and click the big red Start button.

I am whisked away to the web based IRC client and given instructions to make sure I am at the main menu since I have a countdown till the end of this trip. Asked to confirm my place in the galaxy I tell inform the helpful Fuel Rat admin that i can confirm since I was running both Captain's Log and EDDiscovery. I am told it make take awhile since ya, I am quite away out there. I upload a screen cap of the EDDiscovery window to give the group as much info as I can in relation to system and scans. I am reminded that if I have the materials in storage I can synthesize more O2 to prolong the slow death, but don't go back in game.

I am informed that I can use EDDiscovery to see if I have the materials needed, I do. I am asked to make one of the Fuel Rats my friend in the game (from the main menu without logging in again). I am given instructions what steps to take in which order when the Fuel Rat arrives. Someone is coming out here in the black to save my Asp. I am kept up to date as the the CMDR is in the correct system near the last body I scanned. 2 hours and 5 minutes after I exit the game I am given to GOGOGO command and login.

Next I go to ship functions and set my beacon to "wing", I invite CMDR HighwayWarrior (my Fuel Rat) to the wing, then synthesize more O2, finally report back to IRC client as instructed. While I am reporting back on the website CMDR HighwayWarrior is checking my status and already sending me fuel. I thank the commander on the website because I can't figure out how to chat in game (ya, more that 10k hours playing the game according to steam I have only chatted with maybe 2 players).

2 hours and 5 minutes, 24K+ ly from Sol and I am saved either a quick death by self destruct or a slow death by running out of O2 by CMDR HighwayWarrior a Fuel Rat. A player that just the day before lost 4 months of scan data
and first discoveries to the jet cone of a vicious Dwarf Star. We commiserate that in 3304 there is no way to retrieve your scan data from a beacon or beam it back to the nearest station since you can destroy your ship and still be alive at your last station visited.

I am pressed for time and need to logout but CMDR HighwayWarrior, the CMDR fixes my hull, now how about that for service.

A very big thumbs up to the Fuel Rats and especially CMDR HighwayWarrior. [up]

 

[NW3]

Yes, the Fuel Rats are an amazing group! They deserve major kudos.

I've only needed their help once, but I was out near Beagle Point, on my return from the Distant World Expedition. I had been flying on an intentionally half-empty fuel tank, to increase my jump range, and mistakenly arrived at a system with a brown (not red) dwarf.

MoonPrayer flew for 3 days (IRL) to meet me and save my butt, along with MANY millions of credits worth of exploration data. (Thanks again, for your effort!)

 

[M00ka]

OP, I hope your journey continues without further incident and it is nice to read such a positive post for what I consider some very under respected group of players.

I have never had to use the Rats, but I do know that if the situation arises they will come to my aid. Doesn't matter if I am an Imperial or Fed followers, play PP or not, even if I have a bounty or not, I know they will drop everything and turn up.

I do find it ironic that some murder-hobo can post a vid of him seal clubbing and get praise but very few accolades get thrown the Rat's way - should be the other way around.

And to the Devs/Admins here, any chance of the Fuel Rats getting some semi-official recognition, maybe a specialised logo or paint job that only they can have? Just a though ....

 

[dree]

I think they have...

http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/File:Fuel_Rats_Decal_and_Paintjob.jpg

 

[Orange Sheets]

OAnd to the Devs/Admins here, any chance of the Fuel Rats getting some semi-official recognition, maybe a specialised logo or paint job that only they can have? Just a though ....

You may spot ratship or two out there with quite nice special decal...

And also, pay visit to Fuelum system

 

[Flossy]

Next I go to ship functions and set my beacon to "wing", I invite CMDR HighwayWarrior (my Fuel Rat) to the wing, then synthesize more O2, finally report back to IRC client as instructed. While I am reporting back on the website CMDR HighwayWarrior is checking my status and already sending me fuel. I thank the commander on the website because I can't figure out how to chat in game (ya, more that 10k hours playing the game according to steam I have only chatted with maybe 2 players).

2 hours and 5 minutes, 24K+ ly from Sol and I am saved either a quick death by self destruct or a slow death by running out of O2 by CMDR HighwayWarrior a Fuel Rat. A player that just the day before lost 4 months of scan data
and first discoveries to the jet cone of a vicious Dwarf Star. We commiserate that in 3304 there is no way to retrieve your scan data from a beacon or beam it back to the nearest station since you can destroy your ship and still be alive at your last station visited.

I am pressed for time and need to logout but CMDR HighwayWarrior, the CMDR fixes my hull, now how about that for service.

A very big thumbs up to the Fuel Rats and especially CMDR HighwayWarrior. [up]

I am also a Fuel Rat and my second commander, Flossy2, had the great pleasure of accompanying CMDR HighwayWarrior on a previous long range rescue a month of so ago. I was so sorry to hear of his loss of scan data including some gained on that and other rescues he had done. I'm still on my way back to Colonia but I avoid white dwarfs and neutron stars like the plague so the journey is taking longer but hopefully I'll make it in one piece. I'm really glad he was able to save you and good luck with the rest of your travels.

 

[Flossy]

And to the Devs/Admins here, any chance of the Fuel Rats getting some semi-official recognition, maybe a specialised logo or paint job that only they can have? Just a though ....

There is a decal we are awarded after 10 rescues where we have fired the first fuel limpet, which I received in January this year. My only regret is although all three of my commanders are Fuel Rats, the decals can only be applied to the ships of one of them, which in my case is Flossy3. My original Flossy and Flossy2 don't have any visual recognition. Anyway, nothing beats the great satisfaction felt after a successful rescue, knowing I've helped to save someone.

 

[Highwaywarrior]

So here I am 3 months into a trip, out in the black (though it is not too black so near the galactic core) trying to make it to Beagle Point trying to keep jumps less than 10ly. I need to go afk to deal with a family issue. When I sit back at the PC I see that I have less than 5 minutes of O2 left and before I die. Thusters inoperable, no life support, no fuel at all. My first thought, bummer I am going to loose all that exploration data (again). I am 24,213 ly from Sol and just know it is a slow death or a quick one.

I then remember, hey there are some ED commanders that call themselves Fuel dogs or something. No, I got that wrong Fuel Rats. I look them up on the web an find and find their website with a large "GET HELP" button. I click it and get a notice that I should quit to the game main menu if I see a blue countdown timer, why yes I see such a timer . . . (the timer to slow death). There is a great big green button which reads "Click here to get refueled", I click. Next I have a form that only asks my CMDR Name, System Name, check the box if I have a countdown timer and platform on which I am playing the game. I fill in the relevant data and click the big red Start button.

I am whisked away to the web based IRC client and given instructions to make sure I am at the main menu since I have a countdown till the end of this trip. Asked to confirm my place in the galaxy I tell inform the helpful Fuel Rat admin that i can confirm since I was running both Captain's Log and EDDiscovery. I am told it make take awhile since ya, I am quite away out there. I upload a screen cap of the EDDiscovery window to give the group as much info as I can in relation to system and scans. I am reminded that if I have the materials in storage I can synthesize more O2 to prolong the slow death, but don't go back in game.

I am informed that I can use EDDiscovery to see if I have the materials needed, I do. I am asked to make one of the Fuel Rats my friend in the game (from the main menu without logging in again). I am given instructions what steps to take in which order when the Fuel Rat arrives. Someone is coming out here in the black to save my Asp. I am kept up to date as the the CMDR is in the correct system near the last body I scanned. 2 hours and 5 minutes after I exit the game I am given to GOGOGO command and login.

Next I go to ship functions and set my beacon to "wing", I invite CMDR HighwayWarrior (my Fuel Rat) to the wing, then synthesize more O2, finally report back to IRC client as instructed. While I am reporting back on the website CMDR HighwayWarrior is checking my status and already sending me fuel. I thank the commander on the website because I can't figure out how to chat in game (ya, more that 10k hours playing the game according to steam I have only chatted with maybe 2 players).

2 hours and 5 minutes, 24K+ ly from Sol and I am saved either a quick death by self destruct or a slow death by running out of O2 by CMDR HighwayWarrior a Fuel Rat. A player that just the day before lost 4 months of scan data
and first discoveries to the jet cone of a vicious Dwarf Star. We commiserate that in 3304 there is no way to retrieve your scan data from a beacon or beam it back to the nearest station since you can destroy your ship and still be alive at your last station visited.

I am pressed for time and need to logout but CMDR HighwayWarrior, the CMDR fixes my hull, now how about that for service.

A very big thumbs up to the Fuel Rats and especially CMDR HighwayWarrior. [up]

Cmdr Tetched - thanks for posting this - I'm truly humbled by your kind words. It was a privilege to assist you (as it is with any Commander in need of our assistance) and I wish you safe travels onwards to Beagle Point.

As Cmdr Tetch has shown - never think we won't come to your assistance because you're too far out of The Bubble. There are many Rats currently out in the deep black, equipped and ready to go at a moment's notice and we will go wherever we are needed.

"Collocare Occasionem Liberabuntur"

Cmdr Highwaywarrior

 

[zombieapocalypse]

I've never had to use the Fuel Rats yet (*touches something vaguely resembling wood*), but I love what they do and it's great knowing that if I do get into a spot of bother, I can always call them up. They certainly add a dash of colour of the ED universe and we need more emergent groups like this (of all persuasions) to make the multiplayer experience more interesting and engaging. Anyway, keep up the good work guys!!!

 

[Boff'in]

So here I am 3 months into a trip, out in the black (though it is not too black so near the galactic core) trying to make it to Beagle Point trying to keep jumps less than 10ly. I need to go afk to deal with a family issue. When I sit back at the PC I see that I have less than 5 minutes of O2 left and before I die. Thusters inoperable, no life support, no fuel at all. My first thought, bummer I am going to loose all that exploration data (again). I am 24,213 ly from Sol and just know it is a slow death or a quick one.

I then remember, hey there are some ED commanders that call themselves Fuel dogs or something. No, I got that wrong Fuel Rats. I look them up on the web an find and find their website with a large "GET HELP" button. I click it and get a notice that I should quit to the game main menu if I see a blue countdown timer, why yes I see such a timer . . . (the timer to slow death). There is a great big green button which reads "Click here to get refueled", I click. Next I have a form that only asks my CMDR Name, System Name, check the box if I have a countdown timer and platform on which I am playing the game. I fill in the relevant data and click the big red Start button.

I am whisked away to the web based IRC client and given instructions to make sure I am at the main menu since I have a countdown till the end of this trip. Asked to confirm my place in the galaxy I tell inform the helpful Fuel Rat admin that i can confirm since I was running both Captain's Log and EDDiscovery. I am told it make take awhile since ya, I am quite away out there. I upload a screen cap of the EDDiscovery window to give the group as much info as I can in relation to system and scans. I am reminded that if I have the materials in storage I can synthesize more O2 to prolong the slow death, but don't go back in game.

I am informed that I can use EDDiscovery to see if I have the materials needed, I do. I am asked to make one of the Fuel Rats my friend in the game (from the main menu without logging in again). I am given instructions what steps to take in which order when the Fuel Rat arrives. Someone is coming out here in the black to save my Asp. I am kept up to date as the the CMDR is in the correct system near the last body I scanned. 2 hours and 5 minutes after I exit the game I am given to GOGOGO command and login.

Next I go to ship functions and set my beacon to "wing", I invite CMDR HighwayWarrior (my Fuel Rat) to the wing, then synthesize more O2, finally report back to IRC client as instructed. While I am reporting back on the website CMDR HighwayWarrior is checking my status and already sending me fuel. I thank the commander on the website because I can't figure out how to chat in game (ya, more that 10k hours playing the game according to steam I have only chatted with maybe 2 players).

2 hours and 5 minutes, 24K+ ly from Sol and I am saved either a quick death by self destruct or a slow death by running out of O2 by CMDR HighwayWarrior a Fuel Rat. A player that just the day before lost 4 months of scan data
and first discoveries to the jet cone of a vicious Dwarf Star. We commiserate that in 3304 there is no way to retrieve your scan data from a beacon or beam it back to the nearest station since you can destroy your ship and still be alive at your last station visited.

I am pressed for time and need to logout but CMDR HighwayWarrior, the CMDR fixes my hull, now how about that for service.

A very big thumbs up to the Fuel Rats and especially CMDR HighwayWarrior. [up]

I have never needed them, and I would not know how to call for help.

This has been informative, and enlightening.
The fuel rats have been a major pillar of the community since the launch of the game, and I got to love these heroic commanders.

 

[dognosh]

Best thing about ED
(never needed them,but will not hesitate to light up the rat signal if I did)

 

[Alec Turner]

Nice write-up OP, always great to hear about another epic Fuel Rat rescue.

(that's a Fuel Rat decal being lit up, alas too small to see really)

 

[Flossy]

Not my usual Rat ship but shows the decal well.

Spoiler

This one is my usual ship:

Spoiler

 

[Uvelius Sång]

Not my usual Rat ship but shows the decal well.]

Yeah, we got Rat decals all right. Our Art Rat department just didn't get it ... that well done on first try.

Spoiler