Sidewinder Mk. I Galactic Circumnavigation Attempt

Day Two thousand one hundred and forty-four:

Waypoint №51 - 4,898.05 - 192,053.55 - Bees Patthar (Penguin's Rest), Gooroa GY-F d12-7 A2a: 43.74, 105.13

About 300ly out from Muntasir I discovered an unexplored neutron system at Chraichoi OS-R d5-9. It has been a long time since I have seen a neutron system with no discovery tags. It was a dull system with just three solid planets, but still. There are still unknowns out here.

Encountered my first Earth-Like World in well over 10,000 light-years at neutron system Roefe AT-F d12-48, the only moon of the second planet in the system, itself a High Metal Content World. Unfortunately this had already been discovered and mapped by Commander Whitepinada. I was unable to reconnoitre the Earth-Like as I was about to lose my last pip of spare fuel, and so I jumped straight out and into the next system. As luck would have it this next system, Roefe QL-J d10-45, had never been visited by anyone before and consisted of a single Type A star, four High Metal Content Worlds including a terraforming candidate, a Water World and an Earth-Like World. I selfishly scanned them all and mapped the Earth-Like, the Water World, and the terraforming candidate.

Roefe QL-J d10-45 (20230827-030800).jpg

(Mapping Earth-Like World Roefe QL-J d10-45 4)

Roefe QL-J d10-45 (20230827-033501).jpg

(Mapping Water World Roefe QL-J d10-45 6)

Roefe QL-J d10-45 (20230827-034449).jpg

(Mapping High Metal Content World terraforming candidate Roefe QL-J d10-45 3)

At neutron system Blia Aod OS-U d2-85 the FSD began failing again. Unfortunately, thinking that it would be ok since I had already throttled down, I started repairing the FSD whilst still in Supercruise, causing an Emergency Stop. Hull Integrity is now at 96%, AFMU 98% and Power Plant 99%.

Another FSD repair at Flya Prau DY-F d12-9 required a Basic AFMU Refill to complete, leaving me with 282×Nickel, 232×Zinc, 232×Chromium and 218×Vanadium in my Materials Storage. That's enough for 72 more Basic AFMU Refills, or 218 Basic FSD Injections. The ninth refill since Explorer's Anchorage, and the first since DSSA Stellar Oasis. There is no way I'm running out of Materials.

Approaching Bees Patthar there was quite a run of neutron stars, 24 out of the last 42 systems on my route, most of them previously explored. Out of the previously explored neutron systems I passed through, I managed the odd mapping tag here and there, most notably at Prie Auwsy UJ-I d9-13 2, a ringed High Metal Content World and terraforming candidate, first discovered by Commander Zatoichie.

Prie Auwsy UJ-I d9-13 (20230901-142215).jpg

(Mapping High Metal Content World terraforming candidate Prie Auwsy UJ-I d9-13 2)

Two of the 24 neutron systems however were entirely unexplored before I arrived, and one of those, Hypunua OG-Y d16, was a green system at that with all of the Materials necessary for all FSD Injections. One of the previously explored neutron systems, Hypunua XS-U d2-8, was also a green system that had no less than 53 bodies, with all of the planets and moons having already been discovery tagged by a Commander Voraciouswhite. Every last one. So well done him. And his choice of scary Commander name. Woo.

The Bees Patthar System Gooroa GY-F d12-7 is a binary system with a Type A primary and Type K secondary stars. The primary has four orbiting ringed Gas Giants with with some twenty landable moons between them, most of them rocky, and having between them again all of the Materials necessary for all FSD Injections, making this a green system too. With its FSD Materials, central location, and nearby string of neutron stars, the system was chosen as a Waypoint on the Sagittarius-Carina Mission of 3301-3304. I am the fiftieth visitor to the system according to EDSM.

Upon my arrival, my first order of business was to visit the historic landing site Penguin's Rest. Unfortunately it was night-time when I landed there, in the huge ray crater that dominates the Rocky Body Gooroa GY-F d12-7 A2a, that was chosen as Camp 12 of the Sagittarius-Carina Mission. The parent planet, a ringed blue Class III Gas Giant keeps Penguin's Rest tidally locked in its orbit, and so perpetually sits on the horizon from the landing site.

Gooroa GY-F d12-7 (20230902-072103).jpg

(Night landing of Enterprise at Camp 12 of the Sagittarius-Carina Mission, Penguin's Rest ~43.7°N 105.1°E, Bees Patthar A2 on the horizon)

Gooroa GY-F d12-7 (20230902-083625).jpg

(View of the crater wall from Enterprise)

Seeking to make my mark in this system despite every last moon having been scanned, I made First Footfall on two of the moons that had yet to be set foot on, beginning with Rocky Body A1a. I landed on the edge of a shallow crater, and descended a little way into it on foot before quickly returning to my ship before my suit batteries expired in the 335K heat.

Gooroa GY-F d12-7 (20230902-091313).jpg

(Landed on Gooroa GY-F d12-7 A1a, Gooroa GY-F d12-7 A1 on the horizon)

Gooroa GY-F d12-7 (20230902-091643).jpg

(On foot looking across a crater)

Finally I landed on Gooroa GY-F d12-7 A3d to make First Footfall there. This Rocky Body is especially interesting as it orbits the ringed blue Class III Gas Giant A3 in a close binary pair with A3c, has active volcanism, and deposits of Polonium. At first I came down near a field of interesting fissures and tried to descend to the floor of one of them.

Gooroa GY-F d12-7 (20230902-093540).jpg

(Cockpit view into fissure on Rocky Body Gooroa GY-F d12-7 A3d)

Gooroa GY-F d12-7 (20230902-094209).jpg

(External view of Enterprise descending into fissure)

[continued...]
 
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Day Two thousand one hundred and forty-four (continued):

Gooroa GY-F d12-7 (20230902-094035).jpg

(Enterprise's searchlights reveal Silicate Vapour Fumaroles and Magma Lava Spouts at the crevasse floor)

Being unable to land at the bottom of the crevasse (UNSUITABLE TERRAIN) I took the Sidewinder down to land at the edge of it instead.

Gooroa GY-F d12-7 (20230902-094916).jpg

(Enterprise landed at edge of fissure, Gooroa GY-F d12-7 A3c looming large on the horizon, Gas Giant A3 in the background)

Then I disembarked on foot. With the surface temperature a chilly 237K, my Basic Flight Suit didn't have to work too hard to keep me warm, and running out of battery power would not be an issue unless I did something silly like fall down a crevasse and get stuck at the bottom...

Gooroa GY-F d12-7 (20230902-095209).jpg

(Examining a Silicate Vapour Fumarole on foot at a safe distance, Enterprise landed in the background with Gooroa GY-F d12-7 A above)

Gooroa GY-F d12-7 (20230902-095728).jpg

(On the edge of a crevasse, unable to see the bottom...)

Returning to the safety of my Sidewinder, I had a small decision to make. I had hoped to acquire an Exploration Artemis Suit from one of the Fleet Carriers in the region, but have not found a Carrier that definitely stocks them. DSSA Deep Space 12 appears to stock them, but is 3,887.93ly from my present position as I am passing her by. I have been trying to Friend Request the Carrier's owner, Commander Urania Minora, to ask if she sells Artemis Suits, but despite being currently active she has not responded. So I'm definitely giving DS12 a miss. There is another Fleet Carrier - DSSA HSRC Deep Thought, owned by Commander SKidathor - at Abairdy XR-I b26-0, which is only 796.26ly from my next Waypoint, and may well sell the Artemis Suit. I have Friend Requested Commander SKidathor to see if I can't find out for certain. In the meantime I shall head straight for his Carrier anyway.
 
@Commander William Diffin - first I am reading of your Sidey GCN exploits - I salute you!!

I am one of the four current 'DSSA Council' members that oversee the administration of the DSSA Project - and for future reference you can find many details about the project - and where to reach us / individual DSSA FC Owners on the FleetComm Discord:

Forums \ DSSA Initiative

Now it turns out I am friends with both Cmdr Urania Minora (who IS active - leads the exploration-focused squadron I belong to - but had decided several years ago to leave the forums) and Cmdr SKidathor - who is also by happenstance - another DSSA Councilmember :cool:...Both these DSSA I know have active Odyssey services....

In the case of the DSSA Project overall - it launched shortly after Fleet Carriers went live (June 2020) - which is before the Odyssey DLC expansion had even been formally announced....This means - by default - no 'original' DSSA had any of the FC Interiors - much less the Pioneer Supplies or Vista Genomics [optional] services - which you need to purchase Artemis suits and subsequently sell the genetic scan data respectively - simply didn't exist at the time...

Shortly after the formation of the DSSA Council (Fall 2021) - Frontier announced that FC Interior Services would be coming with Odyssey U11 (Update 11) - and we had the demand from a certain percentage of the DSSA Cdmrs - that wished to make the expensive (in game credits for Tritium Fuel) and RL time commitment (FC jumping) to 'refit' the Odyssey FC Interior services - thus begetting what we termed "Operation Boomerang" - and simultaneously helping establish the complimentary, FC-support oriented STAR Network....

The issue that arose - and the schism that began as a crack - and then turned into a chasm with Odyssey U14 in Fall 2022 (as the Legacy / Horizons & Console version 3.8 Codebase Galaxy was unlinked and fully a separate game from Odyssey / Live v 4.0 Codebase galaxy) - was that where "all FCs were equal" when DSSA launched in 2020 - only those run by PC Cmdrs - who also needed to purchase the ODY DLC - would even have the possibility to add the ODY FC Interior Services....Thus with a significant portion of the original DSSA deployment run by Console Cmdrs - those DSSA would never be able to add the ODY services...Additionally - some PC Cmdrs preferred the visuals and oddities of the Legacy Stellar Forge planetary surfaces and did not purchase ODY at all - or lastly - those PC Cmdrs who did purchase ODY decided they did not want to add the FC Interior services....

As the active DSSA FCs are publicly listed in the 'DSSA Tracker' (click on the DSSA Logo in the first post of the DSSA Thread linked above) - as well as their installed services (which are updated at the discretion of the DSSA Cmdr via a unique Google Form that each Cmdr has linked to the tracker sheet) - Cmdr Orvidius who runs the fantastic ED Astrometrics site - added a layer to their Galaxy map - showing the location (system), services and status (based on the "FC funded through" date provided by DSSA Owners on the tracker)....This is updated in real time - whenever a Cmdr updates their DSSA via the DSSA Form - it flows to the DSSA Tracker sheet - and subsequently displayed on the ED Astro GalMap \ DSSA Layer...

So taken together - the DSSA Tracker and ED Astro Galmap DSSA Layer represent "the official" means to track the system and available services...If ODY FC Interior services are shown - then they should be present (in a few rare cases - a DSSA Cmdr left their FC unattended for months at a time - the FC upkeep funding ran low - and then all services became 'suspended' - and just needed to reactivate them) - and you can safely assume they will be available when you arrive...If the status colour of the pin on the ED Astro GalMap is NOT GREEN...then it behoves you to stop by the DSSA Discord channels (or post a reply to the DSSA thread and we council members should receive a notification of a new message) and clarify...

Hope the DSSA provides you with many support opportunities throughout your GCN trip (and remember to sell your cartographic data to them as a 'Thank you' - as it helps with the weekly FC upkeep :cool:) - and I look forward to following your continued exploits.... o7
 
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So you see, the DSSA's Fleet Carrier information is held on asynchronous multiple platforms and is contradictory and outdated:)

This is why I explained why the DSSA Tracker is THE official repository of the program....(The ED Astro Galmap DSSA Layer is a real time (ca. 5 minute delay) graphical representation of the information on the DSSA Tracker)...Both links are explicity called out in the opening paragraphs of the DSSA thread...

EDSM 'Independent Outposts' are hand-placed - but only if the Cmdr contacted the EDSM moderation team and requested it....Inara (and any other service relying on the EDDN) only gets an update when A) a Cmdr docks with a FC and B) that Cmdr needs to be sending data to EDDN (using any desired data stream: EDMC / ED Discovery etc) - and so 'at best' - are only as good as the last docking event...

The day to day operation of any Fleet Carrier is up to the individual Cmdr: the DSSA Council concentrates on planning and managing the orderly relief / exchange of DSSA FC that are at the end of their deployment period - and getting the replacement Reserve DSSA moved into the region...We get 'actively involved' if a Cmdr from the community reports an error or cannot access a DSSA as planned..

(We intentionally suggest that Reserve DSSA Cmdr find their own systems to deploy in - so the tracker will reflect their target deployment system (as entered by the individual Cmdr on their DSSA Google Form) - and not simply the system of any earlier DSSA in the region)

Hope that helps clarify - fly dangerously Cmdr! o7
 
(PS - you might enjoy using EDJP (ED Journal Processor) in your journeys… In addition to systematic sector and subsector (“boxel”) exploration utools - and route planners (a Spansh lookup - or custom route you specify) - there is a “GEC POI Lookup” (Galactic Exploration Catalog) - which with the shuttering of the GMP (Galactic Mapping Project) here on the forums - happens also to be maintained on the ED Astrometrics site)…The closest lookup feature also gives you the closest DSSA to your current position…(obviously taken from the tracker data)

[PS2: on the EDJP site - you can also grab the Exobiologist focused “BioInsights” Plugin for ObservatoryCore - the Nr 1 “must have” application for all explorers IMO]
 
@Commander William Diffin - first I am reading of your Sidey GCN exploits - I salute you!!

I am one of the four current 'DSSA Council' members that oversee the administration of the DSSA Project - and for future reference you can find many details about the project - and where to reach us / individual DSSA FC Owners on the FleetComm Discord:

Forums \ DSSA Initiative

Now it turns out I am friends with both Cmdr Urania Minora (who IS active - leads the exploration-focused squadron I belong to - but had decided several years ago to leave the forums) and Cmdr SKidathor - who is also by happenstance - another DSSA Councilmember :cool:...Both these DSSA I know have active Odyssey services....

In the case of the DSSA Project overall - it launched shortly after Fleet Carriers went live (June 2020) - which is before the Odyssey DLC expansion had even been formally announced....This means - by default - no 'original' DSSA had any of the FC Interiors - much less the Pioneer Supplies or Vista Genomics [optional] services - which you need to purchase Artemis suits and subsequently sell the genetic scan data respectively - simply didn't exist at the time...

Shortly after the formation of the DSSA Council (Fall 2021) - Frontier announced that FC Interior Services would be coming with Odyssey U11 (Update 11) - and we had the demand from a certain percentage of the DSSA Cdmrs - that wished to make the expensive (in game credits for Tritium Fuel) and RL time commitment (FC jumping) to 'refit' the Odyssey FC Interior services - thus begetting what we termed "Operation Boomerang" - and simultaneously helping establish the complimentary, FC-support oriented STAR Network....

The issue that arose - and the schism that began as a crack - and then turned into a chasm with Odyssey U14 in Fall 2022 (as the Legacy / Horizons & Console version 3.8 Codebase Galaxy was unlinked and fully a separate game from Odyssey / Live v 4.0 Codebase galaxy) - was that where "all FCs were equal" when DSSA launched in 2020 - only those run by PC Cmdrs - who also needed to purchase the ODY DLC - would even have the possibility to add the ODY FC Interior Services....Thus with a significant portion of the original DSSA deployment run by Console Cmdrs - those DSSA would never be able to add the ODY services...Additionally - some PC Cmdrs preferred the visuals and oddities of the Legacy Stellar Forge planetary surfaces and did not purchase ODY at all - or lastly - those PC Cmdrs who did purchase ODY decided they did not want to add the FC Interior services....

As the active DSSA FCs are publicly listed in the 'DSSA Tracker' (click on the DSSA Logo in the first post of the DSSA Thread linked above) - as well as their installed services (which are updated at the discretion of the DSSA Cmdr via a unique Google Form that each Cmdr has linked to the tracker sheet) - Cmdr Orvidius who runs the fantastic ED Astrometrics site - added a layer to their Galaxy map - showing the location (system), services and status (based on the "FC funded through" date provided by DSSA Owners on the tracker)....This is updated in real time - whenever a Cmdr updates their DSSA via the DSSA Form - it flows to the DSSA Tracker sheet - and subsequently displayed on the ED Astro GalMap \ DSSA Layer...

So taken together - the DSSA Tracker and ED Astro Galmap DSSA Layer represent "the official" means to track the system and available services...If ODY FC Interior services are shown - then they should be present (in a few rare cases - a DSSA Cmdr left their FC unattended for months at a time - the FC upkeep funding ran low - and then all services became 'suspended' - and just needed to reactivate them) - and you can safely assume they will be available when you arrive...If the status colour of the pin on the ED Astro GalMap is NOT GREEN...then it behoves you to stop by the DSSA Discord channels (or post a reply to the DSSA thread and we council members should receive a notification of a new message) and clarify...

Hope the DSSA provides you with many support opportunities throughout your GCN trip (and remember to sell your cartographic data to them as a 'Thank you' - as it helps with the weekly FC upkeep :cool:) - and I look forward to following your continued exploits.... o7

Great post (y)
 
This is why I explained why the DSSA Tracker is THE official repository of the program....(The ED Astro Galmap DSSA Layer is a real time (ca. 5 minute delay) graphical representation of the information on the DSSA Tracker)...Both links are explicity called out in the opening paragraphs of the DSSA thread...

EDSM 'Independent Outposts' are hand-placed - but only if the Cmdr contacted the EDSM moderation team and requested it....Inara (and any other service relying on the EDDN) only gets an update when A) a Cmdr docks with a FC and B) that Cmdr needs to be sending data to EDDN (using any desired data stream: EDMC / ED Discovery etc) - and so 'at best' - are only as good as the last docking event...

The day to day operation of any Fleet Carrier is up to the individual Cmdr: the DSSA Council concentrates on planning and managing the orderly relief / exchange of DSSA FC that are at the end of their deployment period - and getting the replacement Reserve DSSA moved into the region...We get 'actively involved' if a Cmdr from the community reports an error or cannot access a DSSA as planned..

(We intentionally suggest that Reserve DSSA Cmdr find their own systems to deploy in - so the tracker will reflect their target deployment system (as entered by the individual Cmdr on their DSSA Google Form) - and not simply the system of any earlier DSSA in the region)

Hope that helps clarify - fly dangerously Cmdr! o7
(PS - you might enjoy using EDJP (ED Journal Processor) in your journeys… In addition to systematic sector and subsector (“boxel”) exploration utools - and route planners (a Spansh lookup - or custom route you specify) - there is a “GEC POI Lookup” (Galactic Exploration Catalog) - which with the shuttering of the GMP (Galactic Mapping Project) here on the forums - happens also to be maintained on the ED Astrometrics site)…The closest lookup feature also gives you the closest DSSA to your current position…(obviously taken from the tracker data)

[PS2: on the EDJP site - you can also grab the Exobiologist focused “BioInsights” Plugin for ObservatoryCore - the Nr 1 “must have” application for all explorers IMO]

I just wanted an Artemis Suit for my Sidewinder Mk. I Galactic Circumnavigation Attempt. I did not ask for your guidance. You are not my friends.

I will make my own arrangements to procure an Artemis Suit, or not trouble myself with it. GOOD DAY to you, Sir.
 
Day Two thousand six hundred and seventy-three:

[Waypoint №52 Detour - 4,773.89ly from Bees Patthar - n/a - DSSA Deep Thought, Abairdy XR-I b26-0]

After the long run of neutron stars on the way to Bees Patthar, it wasn't long out from there that I needed to repair the failing FSD again, at neutron system Prie Aod QR-N d6-63. Nothing here but a High Metal Content World, discovered by Commander Ystulov. I didn't even bother to map it.

Later on I finally discovered my first ever Notable Stellar Phenomenon at the Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 system. This is a standard unary system orbiting a G0 star, and I only stopped to survey it upon detecting the Water World at Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 7. EDSM has only registered two prior visitors. Scanning the whole system I learn that the discoverer of this star was Commander Iolair Uaine, whilst the later visitor Commander 6apMaJIeu' discovered all of the other bodies of the system but for the Water World (which Commander 6apMaJIeu' mapped) and its moon. No one had yet set foot on any of the bodies.

Completing my scan it turns out that the system is a gold system (possessing all planetary Raw Materials) but for Zirconium, which may possibly be found at the system's metallic asteroid belt, orbiting inside the close orbit of the 0.1172M♁ High Metal Content World Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 1, itself with a semi-major axis of only 0.08AU. There is also a Class III Gas Giant at Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 9 which has Metallic and Metal Rich rings and a system of eight moons, double with the ringed High Metal Content World Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 10.

But of greatest interest of course is the xenobiology. The Water World Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 7 has 'active water-based chemistry and carbon-water-based life' according to the standard description, but has an Ammonia atmosphere. Its satellite the landable Rocky World Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 7a has a biological feature to investigate. Furthermore, the enormous outermost gas giants Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 11 and Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 13 both host water-based life. Whilst Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 13 is solitary, Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 is double with the Ice Wold Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 12, and has its own system of some seven major satellites. Sharing the orbit of Icy Body Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 11c is the aforementioned Notable Stellar Phenomenon. This was the first thing I investigated.

Dropping out of Supercruise at the Phenomenon, I was greeted with the spectacle of a Proto-Langrange Cloud populated with what looked like a cluster of blood-reddish jacks or knucklebones:

Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 (20240629-002636).png

(EV Enterprise arrives at the Proto-Lagrange Cloud at Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 11)

Scanning the strange organic jacks apparently feeding on the gases in the cloud identified them as Rubellum Peduncle Trees. Approaching one of them, without its distance being measured by my scanners I found that just when I thought I was in danger of a collision with it I was actually still a considerable distance away. They are enormous.

Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 (20240629-003757).png

(Enterprise dwarfed by Rubellum Peduncle Tree)

The tree's structure consists of some six enormous peduncles or stalks, emanating from a central base more or less perpendicular to each other. The stalks are topped by grey-green pods which have a terminal orifice which emits a greenish vapour or fluid, very similar to that observed being produced by the Albulum Squid Molluscs observed in the Flyeia Byoea GE-K c11-32 system, and possibly similarly used as a form of propulsion. The area was full of small greenish bubbles of the stuff. One of the peduncles of the specimen I examined was missing its pod, so the pods have plainly evolved to detach from the mother tree in order to propagate. However I was unable to observe any separated pods.

Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 (20240629-004156).png

(View of Rubellum Peduncle Tree Pod)

The central hub of the organism is protected by numerous spines of much shorter length than the peduncles which grow out of it. There also appears to be a greater concentration of vein-like roots towards the centre, and the organism in its entirety appears to be encased in a slick layer of glistening ice.

Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 (20240629-004324)b.png

(Close-up view of the central root of the Peduncle)

Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 (20240629-004359).png

(Overall view of Rubellum Penduncle Tree. Note the surrounding bubbles of green fluid, and the missing pod on the left peduncle)

The only experiment I was able to perform with the Rubellum Peduncle Tree was to put my lights on. The Trees did not react in any way. I then mapped the moon Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 11c sharing the Proto-Lagrange Cloud's orbit, and the central Gas Giant with Water-Based Life, then headed for the Water World that originally aroused my interest in this system to investigate the Biological Signal at its moon Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 7a.

Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 (20240629-054416).png

(Approaching Rocky Body Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 7a, Water World Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 7 in the background)

Having first mapped the moon, approaching the surface it was not difficult to spot the small greenish patches amongst its golden sands, which upon closer investigation turned out to be Bacterium Cerbrus - Emerald. I secured the First Footfall in the process.

Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 (20240629-060326)b.png

(EV Enterprise and a colony of Bacterium Cerbrus - Emerald on Rocky Body Bleeroi HK-C d14-11 7a)

Returning to the journey, without being especially careless I managed to Emergency Stop whilst fuel scooping the 0.3984M☉ and 0.5161r☉ M2 primary, of the Phoo Broae X-PT b31-1 binary system. Was obliged to make my second AFMU Refill since leaving the DSSA Stellar Oasis and tenth since leaving Explorer's Anchorage, leaving my Materials stash at Ni×280, Zn×230, Cr×230 and V×215, good for 71 more refills. After repairs Hull Integrity is at 96%, AFMU at 96% and Power Plant at 97%.

Very soon afterwards I discovered the Phoo Broae KH-M d7-33 binary system, with an unexplored Water World orbiting the Type F primary. Of still greater interest were not one but two Notable Stellar Phenomena in the same system, only the second and third I have ever discovered myself, and not far from where I discovered my first. They turned out to be more Penduncle Trees, this time of the Caeruleum and Viride varieties. It seems this region is a Galactic purple patch for such things. The Caeruleum Peduncle Tree field seemed only to feature four-legged specimens, whilst the Viride field had some with six.

Phoo Broae KH-M d7-33 (20241012-201239).png

(Caeruleum Peduncle Tree at Phoo Broae KH-M d7-33 A)

Phoo Broae KH-M d7-33 (20241012-203944).png

(Viride Peduncle Tree at Phoo Broae KH-M d7-33 B1)

More Penduncle Trees, of the Rubellum variety, were to be found in the Phoo Broae RW-K b22-0 System. This M-Type unary star system was in a field of red dwarfs and despite being a green system with all natural materials save Boron, Lead and Rhenium, I had not expected to find anything of interest here. The Peduncles orbited a ringed Gas Giant With Water-Based Life, and were shrouded in murky dark clouds. The one I inspected had a crooked arm; possibly it had suffered a collision during its development.

Screenshot_0234.jpg

(Rubellum Peduncle Tree at Phoo Broae RW-K b22-0, Gas Giant With Water-Based Life Phoo Broae RW-K b22-0 1 in the background)

[continued...]
 
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Day Two thousand six hundred and seventy-three (continued):

The icy moons of the living gas giant were of less interest. Remote scans of the moons of the second orbiting planet, a Class I Gas Giant, revealed a number of Geological and Biological signals, but still not having the proper equipment to analyse them I wanted to press on to the Fleet Carrier and see if I could finally acquire an Artemis Suit, all this way out in the Deep Black 45,000-odd light-years from the Bubble.

Discovered yet another Rubellum Peduncle Tree in the Phoo Broae FP-A d12 System, a Type A/Type K binary:

Screenshot_0239.jpg

(Rubellum Peduncle Tree at Phoo Broae FP-A d12, ringed Class I Gas Giant B2 in the background)

At Abairdy EE-E c13-1, very close to the DSSA Deep Thought now, had to stop again to investigate three Notable Stellar Phenomena in this Type K Orange unary star system. The first orbited the main star in a dull cloud, and turned out to be a cluster of two different kinds of the Penducle Trees apparently prevalent in this part of the Galaxy; the usual and somewhat gnarly Rubellum Peduncle Trees, accompanied by steely Caeruleum Peduncle Trees. Interesting.

Screenshot_0240.jpg

(Caeruleum and Rubellum Peduncle Trees in the Abairdy EE-E c13-1 System)

The primary star is orbited by three gas giants, the first of which is the most interesting, being a ringed Gas Giant With Water-Based Life, with two Notable Stellar Phenomena. First I discovered a cluster of disembodied Purpureum Peduncle Pods in the ring system of the planet. Who knows how they got there.

Screenshot_0243.jpg

(Ring system of Abairdy EE-E c13-1 1)

Screenshot_0251.jpg

(Purpureum Peduncle Pods at Abairdy EE-E c13-1 1)

Finally, further out among the Gas Giant's system of two moons, was a fascinating multicoloured cloud featuring a cluster of Lindigoticum Ice Crystals. These eerie structures are surrounded by strange auroral clouds that constantly change colour and there is apparently some electrical activity going on in them. They are also accompanied by a halo of snowballs.

Screenshot_0255.jpg

(Lindigoticum Ice Crystals at Abairdy EE-E c13-1 1)

Screenshot_0261.jpg
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(Colour-changing auroral clouds at the Lindigoticum Ice Crystals of Abairdy EE-E c13-1 1)

It appears that Commander Slashoman, who discovered this fascinating system, neglected to scan it and discover its secrets.

Emerging from the purple patch of Notable Stellar Phenomena, Enterprise very soon entered the Abairdy XR-I b26-0 System and immediately approached the Drake-Class Fleet Carrier DSSA Deep Thought... except it wasn't the Deep Thought. The carrier I found at the Deep Thought's location was named the DSSA Gilles Villeneuve, owned by Commander Ledenon. I docked anyway, and immediately left my ship and headed straight for the Gilles Villeneuve concourse.

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(EV Enterprise approaches the DSSA Gilles Villeneuve)

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(Enterprise left in Hangar 13 of the DSSA Gilles Villeneuve)

Happily, at long last there was a Pioneer Supplies facility open at this carrier. After some brief negotiations with the proprietor, Gerald Harding (who sported a light east London accent) I finally acquired the long sought-after Artemis Suit with its Genetic Sampler. Whilst I was there I thought I may as well also acquire the Maverick and Dominator Suits just to have them in inventory, although I never plan to use them. I also bought a hundred each of Medkits and Energy Cells. Finally, I took the opportunity to secure a more powerful sidearm than the standard Karma P-15, in the form of the Manticore Tormentor. I also acquired a long range marksman rifle in the form of the Manticore Executioner, and a short range shotgun for sheer stopping power in the form of the Manticore Intimidator. I probably shan't ever use any of these weapons, but it's just nice to have a small armoury in a tiny otherwise unarmed exploration ship. It will help me to sleep better.

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(Gerald Harding of Pioneer Supplies at the DSSA Gilles Villeneuve)

[continued...]
 
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Day Two thousand six hundred and seventy-three (continued again):

The carrier was unusually busy compared with the others I had visited out in the Deep Black, with quite a few people hanging about in the concourse areas. I got the impression that most of them weren't going anywhere, and simply liked living all the way out here. The human contact was welcome, but I can't say I had missed it much.

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(Looking balder and broody sporting a new Artemis Suit in the Pilot's Lounge of the DSSA Gilles Villeneuve)

I returned to Enterprise with my purchases. After cashing in some CR22,613,938 in exploration data at Universal Cartographics, the ship received the full service. I briefly considered ditching my Class 2H Guardian Frame Shift Drive Booster and re-installing a Class 2G Planetary Vehicle Hangar, and having my Class 1H Guardian Frame Shift Drive Booster transferred from where I left it at Explorer's Anchorage, 29,643.06ly away. But just being able to go for a spin in an SRV again, especially when I have no need to gather materials, is simply not worth the loss of some 8ly or so of jump range.

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(EV Enterprise good to go again)

There are now only 796.26ly to the next Waypoint at the Hypaa Byio Buoy, the last waypoint in the Viatori Patuit region.
 
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Day Two thousand six hundred and seventy-eight:

[Waypoint №52 Detour continued - 4,773.89ly from Bees Patthar - n/a - DSSA Deep Thought Gilles Villeneuve, Abairdy XR-I b26-0]

Leaving the concourse of the DSSA Gilles Villeneuve, I took one last look back at the bored contented denizens of the Pilots' Lounge, and wondered when I would next see another human being. Or indeed if ever; stepping into the lift to the hangars felt a little like stepping up to the scaffold. But then the lift muzak cut in, and felt strangely comradely and reassuring. Would I really want to give up the great adventure into the unknown, for the dull banal routine of the society of other human beings represented by the lift muzak? Of course not. The lift doors slid open and presented me with the view of my impossible miraculous little starship, sat dutifully waiting for me in the hangar. I remained standing in the open lift for several minutes, blankly listening to an absurd easy listening trumpet selection. Then I strode resolutely into the hangar and returned to Enterprise, to plunge into the profound solitude of the awesome lonely void once again.

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(Inside the lift to Hangar 14 of the DSSA Gilles Villeneuve)

I had not left the Gilles Villeneuve far behind, only some 114.76ly, travelling through a field of unremarkable red dwarfs, when I had to stop and investigate another trio of Notable Stellar Phenomena in the Assaild LP-J b25-0 System. I am the first visitor to this system. It is a green system, with all Jumponium materials.

The first NTP was another cluster of Rubellum Peduncle Trees in a dull pinkish-white Lagrange cloud in the vicinity of the large ringed Gas Giant with Water-Based Life Assaild LP-J b25-0 A4. The cluster was accompanied by some loose Candidum Peduncle Pods.

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(Rubellum Penduncle Tree Cluster, Assaild LP-J b25-0 A in the background)

The other two NTPs were both to be found in the Assaild LP-J b25-0 A6 planetary system, consisting of a small ringed Class I Gas Giant orbited by some six Icy Bodies. Both were similar to the first NTP elsewhere in the system: rosy-white Langrange clouds surrounding clusters of Rubellum Peduncle Trees accompanied by heterogeneous Peduncle Pods.

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(Gypseeum Peduncle Pod in field of Rubellum Penduncle Trees at Assaild LP-J b25-0 A6)

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(Close-up of green bioluminescence around Gypseeum Peduncle Pod orifice)

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(Second field of Rubellum Peduncle Pods at Assaild LP-J b25-0 A6)

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(Field of Candidum Peduncle Pods near the Rubellum Peduncle Tree field, Assaild LP-J b25-0 A6 in the background with Assaild LP-J b25-0 A6A transiting)

A number of the icy moons of Assaild LP-J b25-0 A6 registered Biological Signals after scanning, and I investigated as many as I could find, starting at Assaild LP-J b25-0 A6B.

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(Approaching Assaild LP-J b25-0 A6B)

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(Landed in a small colony of alien organisms)

I alighted on the icy surface of the moon Assaild LP-J b25-0 A6B, among what appeared to be alien cacti, although of course no cactus could survive in these frigid conditions. Nonetheless, in the thin methane atmosphere (0.09atm) and measured surface temperature of 131K (-142°C) small colonies of frozen photosynthetic organisms were obviously thriving. Clusters of blue-greenish columns bearing small finger-like structures thrust their way through broken ice all around. A scan identified the organism as Fonticulua Digitos (amethyst). I took a partial genetic sample from a mature specimen.

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(Using Genetic Sampler for the first time, on a specimen of Fonticulua Digitos Amethyst)

The dangerously cold temperatures from the feeble warmth of the distant red dwarf over 2.7AU away rapidly consumed the Artemis Suit's energy reserves. I had to wander over a kilometre from Enterprise to find an adequate variety of Fonticulua specimens to submit to Universal Cartographics, and took so much time that I somehow managed to use all three of the spare Energy Cells I was packing. In the end I sprinted back to the ship with my samples just to be safe, with about 80% suit energy left upon my return.

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(Sampling an immature specimen of Fonticulua Digitos Amethyst)

[continued...]
 
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Day Two thousand six hundred and seventy-eight (continued):

More of the same species were present on Assaild LP-J b25-0 A6C and A6E, and I took full samples. On A6E I foolishly jumped off a small mountain to save time and suit Energy, thinking that I would be safe in only 0.04G. Of course I landed hard and hurt myself and had to use my first Medkit.

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(Atop a small mountain on Assaild LP-J b25-0 A6E looking for Fonticulua samples, ringed Class I Gas Giant Assaild LP-J b25-0 A6 in the background)

Whilst Fonticulua Digitos Amethyst were present on A6B, C and E, there were also supposed to Bacteria present on each of the Ice Worlds A6B, C, D, E, and F. Despite looking in a number of locations, I was entirely unable to find any bacterial organisms until I chanced upon some slightly darker patches on the frozen aquamarine surface of A6F. These turned out to be Bacterium Bullaris Aquamarine. Having taken one partial sample, despite searching around on foot to about 600 metres distant from my ship, I was unable to find any other samples. In order to complete the sample, I had to return to the ship and fly around the landscape looking for the elusive well-camouflaged bacterial colonies, then land, disembark, collect them and realight.

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(Collecting genetic sample of the elusive Bacterium Bullaris Aquamarine on Icy World Assaild LP-J b25-0 A6F)

Having managed an Emergency Stop and flown Enterprise a little too fast into one of the moons during my survey there was a little damage to the ship. I decided to return to the DSSA Gilles Villeneuve and pull out the dings and replace a few capacitors and see what sort of return I could get on the genetic samples I had gathered. Also I decided that it was about time I bought a new outfit now that I am an exobiologist.

Landing at Bay 16 of the Gilles Villeneuve I realized that after so long in the Deep Black I had been seduced by this tiny oasis of civilization, just as her small population must have been. There was no real need for me to return. Neither was there any need for me to consider buying new clothes; no one is going to see them. In order to fabricate some further justification for my return to the carrier, after having Enterprise's paintwork touched up and cashing in CR1,068,750 of Codex discoveries I had neglected, I looked into the possibility of doing some mining in the vicinity, temporarily swapping out my long range exploration modules for mining equipment. I could have my twin Mining Lances shipped from Shinrarta Dezhra. A Pulse Wave Scanner. Maybe I have some other mining modules in storage. I could put in a Class 1A Refinery. Prospector and Collector Limpet Controllers. Eight tonnes of Cargo Hold. However in the event, it turned out I had none of those modules handy, and the Gilles Villeneuve does not stock them. There was an old Class 1A Shield Generator with Grade 5 Enhanced Low Power Shields I could have had transferred, but I wouldn't really need it even with all the bumpy landings. At 0.8t mass it would reduce Enterprise's range by nearly a light-year. So I just ordered a Desperado outfit, got changed into it and headed for the concourse, back in the lift all too soon, with the easy listening high orchestral strings now.

I didn't waste any time in the concourse and went straight to Vista Genomics, where my samples were handled very smoothly and professionally by the lovely Dalary Johnston, in her gentle New England accent. Even rocking my new Desperado outfit, she was not impressed in the slightest by my gnarly overtures, and whilst I was struggling to find a pretext to linger following our transaction, she made a sideways motion with her head indicating I should leave. I only wanted to know what the piano music was that she was listening to.

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(My new outfit fails to compensate for my failing youth)

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(Dalary Johnston processes my genetic samples)

Returning to the Hangar once again, this time I sprinted to Enterprise, eager to leave the Gilles Villeneuve before I embarrassed myself any further. Slumping into the pilot's seat, I noticed that there was a message for me. After my commerce with Vista Genomics, it seems that I have been promoted to the rank of Mostly Directionless in the field of exobiology. So now it's official. I am an exobiologist. And so back into The Black. No turning back this time.

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(Mostly Directionless)
 
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Commander, I have to say I am thrilled that you are still on this journey. I remember hearing about you when I first started playing ED and getting back into the game I'm surprised you're still at it. Is there anything I can do to help contribute or help you with on this journey?
 
Commander, I have to say I am thrilled that you are still on this journey. I remember hearing about you when I first started playing ED and getting back into the game I'm surprised you're still at it. Is there anything I can do to help contribute or help you with on this journey?
Thank you for your kind support. There isn't a lot you can do directly. Possibly you might organize an expedition or an event following part of my route, but I probably wouldn't be able to keep up with it myself. It's been a few years since I did group stuff and I've forgotten how it all works; instancing and Discord servers and stuffs. Maybe when I complete the Circumnavigation and return to the Bubble in ten or twenty years' time, you could organize a welcome event for my arrival and one or two old Sidewinder pilots might turn up.

Now that I think about it again, I remember that when I conceived of this journey I selected the CD-35 9019 System as the final Waypoint, because it seemed at the time to be a suitable candidate for the Onrira System, which was the home of the great Onrira Shipyards where the first Sidewinders were originally produced, and of the first Torus Station ever built. This system was present in previous iterations of Elite, but for some reason has been overlooked and omitted from Elite: Dangerous.

I had half-hoped that if my immense Sidewinder adventure became significant enough, upon my return to CD-35 9019 Frontier Devs might be prevailed upon to reinstate Onrira in the game by renaming CD-35 9019 to Onrira. Maybe they could add a Tourist Beacon, or even the actual Onrira Shipyards themselves. In any case, any Sidewinder Galactic Circumnavigation must really terminate at Onrira if it doesn't start from there, whether or not Onrira exists in the latest iteration of Elite.

And so CD-35 9019 is unofficially Onrira now. There's a vague narrative of some historic corporate takeover of the system that demanded that Onrira's past shipbuilding heritage was erased from public consciousness, and returning the system's name to its original Córdoba Durchmusterung designation was part of that narrative. Something you might want to think about. The enigmatic 'Papi', last seen at Moni's Hub in the Maia System, certainly knows more about it than I do.
 
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