SIDEWINDER COMMANDERS WANTED
Sidewinder Commanders wanted for hazardous Galactic circumnavigation. Vast solitudes, Galactic voids to traverse, low jump range, no defences, limited equipment, tiny quarters, long months of complete darkness. Safe return uncertain. Honour and recognition in event of success. Only Commanders of fully-engineered long range Sidewinder Mk. I scout vessels need apply. Report to Moni Hub in the Maia System, and ask for 'Papi'.
So read the obscure cryptic advertisement published in Void Magazine, which I unearthed some weeks ago. As an Elite explorer and owner of two fully-engineered Sidewinders, I was intrigued enough by the advertisement to make inquiries. My original Sidewinder Mk. I scout, RV Enterprise, named after the twentieth century Royal Naval inshore survey ship HMS Enterprise (which upon retirement was for a time used as a pirate radio ship for Northern Irish youth) seemed perfect for this voyage. Arriving at Moni's Hub in the Maia System in my exploration Sidewinder then, I was surprised when 'Papi', a furtive-looking fellow who would not remove his opaque helmet, met me in Hangar 01 at Moni Hub as soon as I disembarked my tiny ship. I later gathered from Station Services that for some weeks 'Papi' had been accosting all Sidewinder Commanders arriving at Moni Hub, and until my own arrival he had been disappointed when each Commander had turned out to be at the station on business entirely unrelated to the advertisement. It seemed that I was the only applicant. Despite not getting my name right at first, 'Papi' told me I was exactly the Commander he was looking for, handed me a chart of route data, mumbled something about how he was off to free Onrira from the cartels, then slipped away. I do not expect to see him ever again.
(1959 survey ship HMS Enterprise A71, heavy repair ship HMS Triumph A108 in background)
(RV Enterprise leaving Jameson Memorial en route to Moni's Hub)
To say I was disappointed with this turn of events is no understatement. I had expected to be applying to take part in a fully-sponsored and publicized mass expedition, not confronted by some inscrutable anonymous huckster. But the more I looked over the outrageous itinerary he had handed to me, outlining a voyage the likes of which would be an imposing challenge even in a fully-engineered Anaconda, the more I felt like attempting it in a Sidewinder Mk. I, purely for the audacity of the venture.
(Route for Sidewinder Galactic circumnavigation courtesy of 'Papi')
It is not clear to me at this time if the proposed Galactic circumnavigation route with which 'Papi' furnished me is actually viable, even for the Enterprise. The limitations of the Sidewinder Mk. I mean that when outfitting such a vessel for long range exploration, choices and sacrifices have to be made in terms of capabilities. Jump range of course is paramount. In order to maximize jump range, the Enterprise carries no weapons or defences. All core modules are engineered for maximal jump range, with the exception of the Class 2D Power Plant, which has a Grade 3 Low Emissions upgrade which reduces jump range by 0.1ly (this is to keep temperatures down whilst fuel scooping, especially with the Grade 5 Dirty Drive Tuning upgrade fitted to the Class 2D Thrusters, enabling acceptable speeds when reconnoitring planets). The question of which optional modules to install has also been dictated by the Sidewinder's limitations. A Class 2A Fuel Scoop is essential of course, as is a Class 1 Advanced Discovery Scanner, leaving only a Class 2 and a Class 1 module slot available for additional modules. Shields would prevent minor damage accruing during bumpy landings. Extra Fuel Tanks would be very helpful in traversing brown dwarf fields, as the stock Sidewinder fuel tanks can only hold fuel for one or two jumps without refuelling. Then an AFMU would enable repairs during the long and arduous voyage, particularly FSD maintenance to allow neutron jumping. However, I have chosen instead of these modules to equip my ship with a Class 2G Planetary Vehicle Hangar and a Class 1C Detailed Surface Scanner to enable surface prospecting for Jumponium. The ability to find and gather Jumponium is well-worth the nearly 6ly loss in jump range for the sake of the Hangar, SRV and DSS. Expecting to refuel in almost every system, a Grade 5 Lightweight Heat Sink Launcher is fitted for occasional accidents jumping into close binary systems, reducing jump range by another 0.16ly. The compromises to reduce or eliminate accruing heat damage on a 300,000 light-year voyage are worth losing a mere ¼ light-year in range. This leaves the Enterprise with a maximum jump range of 28.12ly.
The Enterprise final loadout is as follows then:
Faulcon DeLacy Sidewinder Mk. I RV Enterprise
(Enterprise parked at Waypoint №1 Moni's Hub)
Speed: 295m/s
Boost: 430m/s
Max. Jump Range: 28.12ly
Laden Jump Range: 27.42ly
Total Jump Range: 66.67ly
Shield: 0MJ
Armour: 146
DPS: 0
Cargo: 0t
Fuel: 2t
Unladen Mass: 41t
Laden Mass: 43t
Crew: 1
CORE INTERNAL
1C Lightweight Alloy G5 Heavy Duty
2D Power Plant G3 Low Emissions
2D Thrusters G5 Dirty Drive Tuning
2A Frame Shift Drive G5 Increased Range
1D Life Support G4 Lightweight
1D Power Distributor G3 Engine Focused
1D Sensors G5 Lightweight
1C Fuel Tank
OPTIONAL INTERNAL
2A Fuel Scoop
2G Planetary Vehicle Hangar
1C Advanced Discovery Scanner
1C Detailed Surface Scanner
HARDPOINTS
Small EMPTY
Small EMPTY
UTILITY MOUNTS
0I Heat Sink Launcher G5 Lightweight
EMPTY
https://eddp.co/u/q7loHaCy
This is possibly the most minimal exploration ship in the Galaxy. So far she has barely left the Orion Spur, having recconnoitred type 'K' orange stars in a region close to the Bubble suspected of harbouring the fabled Thargoid world of Miackce, and taken part in the Small Worlds Expedition 2, which took her briefly into the Orio-Persean Gap when she traversed the Elephant Trunk Nebula, and no further from Sol than 6,497.52ly when she reached the final destination of SWE2 at the NGC 6820 Nebula. The Enterprise is now at Moni's Hub preparing for her awesome journey around the Galaxy. Very soon she will be heading for Waypoint №1, the Mic Turner Research Station in the California Sector.
Follow her exploits here.
ITINERARY
Stage One: The Orion Spur
The short first stage of this immense voyage takes us through a number of interesting locations, including an investigation of a triple ammonia world system. Finally this shake-down cruise takes us to the Farsight Expedition Base, the last repair stop on the Circumnavigation.
INNER ORION SPUR / THE ORION SPUR
Waypoint №1 - 0ly from previous Waypoint - 0ly cumulative distance - Moni's Hub, Maia
INNER ORION SPUR / THE ORIO-PERSEAN GAP
Waypoint №2 - 621.45 - 621.45 - Mic Turner Research Facility, California Sector BA-A e6
SANGUINEOUS RIM / THE ORIO-PERSEAN GAP
Waypoint №3 - 790.39 - 1,411.84 - Flaming Star Logistics Centre, Flaming Star Sector LX-T b3-0
Waypoint №4 - 949.44 - 2,361.28 - Trifid of the North Nebula, Trifid of the North Sector HR-W d1-8
ELYSIAN SHORE / THE WAYFARERS' GRAVEYARD
Waypoint №5 - 1,701.11 - 4,062.39 - Oyster Nebula, GCRV 2334
Waypoint №6 - 1,225.77 - 5,288.16 - The Sleguae Terrestrials, Sleguae XT-A b20-11
ELYSIAN SHORE / THE PERSEUS TRANSIT
Waypoint №7 - 1,697.09 - 6,985.25 - Altera's Eye, IC 1805 Sector DQ-Y e3
ELYSIAN SHORE / VIA MARIS
Waypoint №8 - 1,312.35 - 8,297.60 - Farsight Expedition Base, Heart Sector IR-V b2-0
Stage Two: The Formidine Rift
In Stage Two we enter the mysterious Formidine Rift, exploring the gaps between Waypoints related to Project Dynasty and the Formidine Rift Mystery 28L-y at a time, finally taking us to the Far Bridge. This would be an epic adventure all in itself, but it is only the beginning. For beyond the Far Bridge, assuming I make it that far, we cross the almost entirely unknown region of Lower Angustia into the Outer Arm and towards the edge of the Galaxy...
ELYSIAN SHORE / FORMIDINE RIFT
Waypoint №9 - 832.01 - 9,129.61 - Formidine Rift Abandoned Settlements, Eafots LZ-H b10-0 D1: -23.08, -174.89
Waypoint №10 - 1,945.84 - 11,075.45 - Triptych in Bronze, Myoideau JI-K d8-4
Waypoint №11 - 714.38 - 11,789.83 - Formidine Rift Depot, Phrio Hypa TF-L d9-0
THE FORMIDINE RIFT / FORMIDINE RIFT
Waypoint №12 - 1,459.56 - 13,240.39 - Zurara, Syreadiae JX-F c0
Waypoint №13 - 3,555.65 - 16,796.04 - New Vista, Glufoa HE-P b19-0
VULCAN GATE / ANGUSTIA
Waypoint №14 - 8,869.72 - 25,665.76 - The Far Bridge, Pria Eup TD-T d3-8
Stage Three: The Outer Arm
In Stage Three we enter the Outer Arm of the Galaxy, an immense streamer of stars at the edge of the Galaxy that is little explored.
ERRANT MARCHES / OUTER ARM
Waypoint №15 - 5,180.75 - 30,846.51 - Meridian West Depot, Preou Thoe RK-Y c1-0
Waypoint №16 - 18,290.16 - 49,136.67 - Banded Azane, Lyruewry BK-R d4-12
THE ERRANT MARCHES / ANGUSTIA
Waypoint №17 - 4,401.37 - 53,538.04 - El Dorado, Upper Angustia Depot, Blooe Phroo VO-P d6-6
OUTER ARM / OUTER ARM
Waypoint №18 - 9,663.12 - 63,201.16 - Outer Arm Depot, Phae Flaae OO-Z d13-35
OUTER ARM / THE OUTER ARM RIFT
Waypoint №19 - 5,565.75 - 68,766.91 - Osprey Stellar Remnant, Eos Brai KR-W e1-4
OUTER ARM / WAGAR'S REACH
Waypoint №20 - 3,089.55 - 71,856.46 - Premonition Geysers, Koijoo XS-T d3-40
Waypoint №21 - 3,255.80 - 75,112.26 - Mount Glenn, Hypi Bra CH-M d7-85
OUTER ARM — THE CONDUIT / ZEPHYRUS
THE CONDUIT / ISHTAR
Waypoint №22 - 6,444.04 - 81,556.30 - Plae Fleau CB-O e6-2 Nebula, Plae Fleau CB-O e6-2
THE CONDUIT / ZEPHYRUS
Waypoint №23 - 5,394.01 - 86,950.31 - Eactaisky Stellar Remnant, Eactaisky IR-N e6-2
Stage Four: The Scutum-Centaurus Arm
After crossing the remote and forbidding Mare Desperationis, Stage Four takes us along the far outskirts of the far main Arm of the Galaxy, the Scutum-Centaurus Arm, before meeting with the main thoroughfare across the sparsely populated Abyss region, separating the Scutum-Centaurus and Sagittarius-Carina Arms. Once across, the Circumnavigation temporarily reverses direction to reach its halfway point, formerly the most remote discovered star system and ultimate destination for explorers, Beagle Point.
THE CONDUIT — OUTER SCUTUM-CENTAURUS ARM / MARE DESPERATIONIS
OUTER SCUTUM-CENTAURUS ARM / THE ABYSSAL PLAIN
Waypoint №24 - 9,706.19 - 96,656.50 - Alastor, Flyoo Groa SO-Z e0
Waypoint №25 - 4,242.52 - 100,899.02 - The Four Muses, Strivie JG-Y e3
HIERONYMUS DELTA / THE GALACTIC APHELION
Waypoint №26 - 11,384.33 - 112,283.35 - Thueche Brahe Nebula, Thueche LS-A d1-54
NEWTON'S VAULT / THE GALACTIC APHELION
Waypoint №27 - 3,952.63 - 116,235.98 - Dante's Inferno, Auphaigh CL-Y g1
HIERONYMUS DELTA / THE GALACTIC APHELION
Waypoint №28 - 588.53 - 116,824.51 - Smootae Depot, Smootae AL-N b20-0
FORMORIAN FRONTIER / MASEFIELD'S OCEAN
Waypoint №29 - 8,839.78 - 125,664.29 - Fly Trap Nebula, Pyrivo HW-V e2-8
FORMORIAN FRONTIER / THE GALACTIC APHELION
Waypoint №30 - 796.49 - 126,460.78 - Bryagh's Nest, Pyriveae FK-C d14-72
1a: -11.56, -50.83
FORMORIAN FRONTIER / THE BLEAK LANDS
Waypoint №31 - 8,660.19 - 135,120.97 - Syrivou NC-D d12-7 Geysers, Syrivou NC-D d12-7
B3a: 15.2019, 14.1096
Waypoint №32 - 463.11 - 135,584.08 - Roncevaux Depot, Byeia Chruia BD-T b58-0
Waypoint №33 - 16.13 - 135,600.21 - The Roncevaux Crossing, Qautheia BA-A e0
FORMORIAN FRONTIER — ACHERON / THE ABYSS
ACHERON / THE SOLITUDE VOID
Waypoint №34 - 5,139.84 - 140,740.05 - The Sublustris Beacon, Cheae Eurl AA-A e0
THE ABYSS / THE SOLITUDE VOID
Waypoint №35 - 3,480.96 - 144,221.01 - Permadesco Zoi, Puwhoi ZO-I d9-4
Waypoint №36 - 1,164.72 - 145,385.73 - Last Stop Saloon, Fleckia FI-Z d1-6
Waypoint №37 - 5,197.62 - 150,583.35 - Grill at the End of the Road, Ceeckia ER-I b43-0
Waypoint №38 - 257.05 - 150,840.40 - Beagle Point
Stage Five: The Sagittarius-Carina Arm
The fifth Stage of the Circumnavigation takes place entirely along the length of the Sagittarius-Carina Arm, and takes in more Points Of Interest than any other Stage. Many of these were visited by the Sagittarius-Carina Mission of 3301, which pioneered exploration of this vast and remote region.
ACHERON / THE SOLITUDE VOID
Waypoint №39 - 8,058.42 - 158,898.82 - Lonely Candle, Nuweou CO-F d12-4
Waypoint №40 - 1,649.33 - 160,548.15 - Doris, Pyrie Eurl UY-S d3-13
Waypoint №41 - 3,917.88 - 164,466.03 - Frozen Arcadia, Ooctarbs CP-E c25-1
ACHERON / SILENTIUM
Waypoint №42 - 2,275.92 - 166,741.95 - Lady Huggins' Cluster, Chu Thaa GG-Y d0
Waypoint №43 - 1,116.90 - 167,858.85 - Silentium Shores, Hyphielia QH-K c22-0
Waypoint №44 - 3,857.80 - 171,716.65 - Fireshadow, Qauthai PX-U e2-0
Waypoint №45 - 1,556.27 - 173,272.92 - Furthest Fireflies, Byoo Chraei AA-A f0
Waypoint №46 - 2,513.26 - 175,786.18 - Teliki Carina Depot ('The Galactic Byway'), Praei Bre FO-P c19-2
MARE SOMNIA / SILENTIUM
Waypoint №47 - 4,586.31 - 180,372.49 - Don Quijote, Suvaa NL-P d5-29
MARE SOMNIA / VIATORI PATUIT
Waypoint №48 - 414.29 - 180,786.78 - Alatar and Pallando, Suvua FG-Y f0 & Plua Chruia MS-U F2-0
Waypoint №49 - 1,657.30 - 182,444.08 - Sacrebleu, Grie Prao LH-E b59-1
Waypoint №50 - 4,711.42 - 187,155.50 - Muntasir, Chraichoi ZF-L d9-58
Waypoint №51 - 4,898.05 - 192,053.55 - Bees Patthar (Penguin's Rest), Gooroa GY-F d12-7
A2a: 43.74, 105.13
SAGITTARIUS-CARINA ARM / VIATORI PATUIT
Waypoint №52 - 5,023.10 - 197,076.65 - The Hypaa Byio Buoy, Hypaa Byio ZE-A g1
SAGITTARIUS-CARINA ARM / THE CENTAURI REACH
Waypoint №53 - 5,403.42 - 202,480.07 - Ultima Centauri, Eembaitl DL-Y d13
DRYMAN'S POINT / THE CENTAURI REACH
Waypoint №54 - 2,971.19 - 205,451.26 - Gaseous Roulette, Systipa ML-B c2-2
Waypoint №55 - 2,580.31 - 208,031.57 - Thana's Wasteland (Xuan Wu Abode), Mycapp TX-U d2-4
Waypoint №56 - 2,456.64 - 210,488.21 - Erebus 34, Shumbua AA-A h34
Waypoint №57 - 3,351.59 - 213,839.80 - Eock Prau Nebula (Bai Hu Den), Eock Prau WD-T d3-6
AB2: -52.5, -112.4
HAWKING'S GAP / THE CENTAURI REACH
Waypoint №58 - 6,615.21 - 220,455.01 - The Grie Hypai Anomaly, Grie Hypai DL-Y g2
Stage Six: The Perseus Arm
The sixth and final Stage of the Circumnavigation comprises a number of adventures, beginning with the crossing from Centaurus Reach to the near Tenebrae, before plunging deep into that remote region of the tail end of the Perseus Arm, a region which has yet to have been penetrated by an organized expedition (as far as I know). The route then doubles back along the length of the Perseus Arm and back to civilization at the remote Station X, before briefly revisiting the Formidine Rift and finally entering the home straight back to the Bubble, and to who knows what?
LYRA'S SONG / THE TENEBRIS
Waypoint №59 - 10,006.98 - 230,461.99 - King Midas, Prea Aick MO-Z d13-2
TENEBRAE / THE TENEBRIS
Waypoint №60 - 6,106.98 - 236,568.97 - Goliath's Sling, Groa Eaeb KT-O d7-4
Waypoint №61 - 4,227.25 - 240,796.22 - Void's Brink, Chanoa QK-C d14-0
LYRA'S SONG / THE PERSEUS TRANSIT
Waypoint №62 - 11,367.72 - 252,163.94 - Ostium Tenebris, Pla Aick GA-A e1
ACHILLES' ALTAR / VELA ULTIMA COMPLEX
Waypoint №63 - 17,271.21 - 269,435.15 - Hyon Cluster, Hyuedau UY-S e3-5
SANGUINEOUS RIM / THE PERSEUS TRANSIT
Waypoint №64 - 5,939.04 - 275,374.19 - The Dancing Dwarfs, Gludgou EL-P e5-18
SANGUINEOUS RIM / THE PERSEUS FADE
Waypoint №65 - 3,302.68 - 278,676.87 - Pirates Depot, Skull and Crossbones Neb. Sector HW-W c1-7
Waypoint №66 - 21.50 - 278,698.37 - King's Ransom, 2MASS J07523554-2625083
Waypoint №67 - 6,670.59 - 285,368.96 - The Hypimy Oasis, Hypimy LM-W e1-1
Waypoint №68 - 1,465.40 - 286,834.36 - NGC 2286 Cluster, NGC 2286 Sector WD-T d3-1
Waypoint №69 - 5,199.04 - 292,033.40 - Station X, Crab Sector DL-Y d9
M-BM-RS-RF-RP
Waypoint №70 - 691.37 - 292,724.77 - Perseus Deep, Croidaea OO-X d2-1
ELYSIAN SHORE / FORMIDINE RIFT
Waypoint №71 - 1,828.67 - 294,553.44 - NGC 1931 Nebula, NGC 1931 Sector PD-S b4-0
SANGUINEOUS RIM / THE PERSEUS TRANSIT
Waypoint №72 - 2,538.97 - 297,092.41 - Beta Site, Jellyfish Sector FB-X c1-5
M-RS-RF-RP
Waypoint №73 - 854.99 - 297,947.40 - Collinder 89 Open Cluster, HD 42896
SANGUINEOUS RIM / ORION CLOUD COMPLEX
Waypoint №74 - 2,677.23 - 300,624.63 - Hades' Edge, HD 49368
INNER ORION SPUR / THE ORION SPUR
Waypoint №75 - 1,386.01 - 302,010.64 - Alcazar's Hope, Merope
M-O-RS-RF-SY-RP
INNER ORION SPUR / THE LOCAL BUBBLE
Waypoint №76 - 467.28 - 302,477.92 - Onrira, CD-35 9019
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