A new beginning
07 Oct 2024McGoobins
**Commander's Log** **Date: ** 3309-10-06
**Ship:** *Anaconda*
**Location:** [REDACTED], Fleet Carrier Docking Bay
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**06:00: Supply run day.**
At 70 years old, I’ve been through plenty of big undertakings, but this one felt like a beast. Today wasn’t just about gathering engineering materials for the Fleet Carrier’s journey—it was about making sure all 10 of my ships were prepped, with every module in place. Among them, I had my trusty *Python*, the ever-reliable *Krait Mk II*, and my exploration-ready *DBX*. Then there were the others—the *Type-8 Stellar*, a *Chieftain*, another *Python*, and even a *Beluga Liner*, thrown in for grins and giggles.
I knew I was going to need every ship and module in top shape for the long journey ahead. This wasn’t just a quick jaunt. I’d be out there for months, possibly years, and every ship had a role to play.
**07:30: First supply stop.**
Started my morning heading down to a nearby planetary base to pick up some last-minute engineering materials—mainly for the *DBX* and the *Krait*. Both are fitted for deep exploration, but I wanted to make sure they were tweaked to perfection. Touchdown on the surface was smooth, but after decades of flying, even the easy runs feel harder than they used to.
I made a few trades, grabbed what I needed—mostly resources for boosting shields and FSD efficiency—and set off. The ships were scattered all over various stations, but I was determined to pull them together.
**10:00: Ship shuffling.**
The next few hours were spent ferrying ships to the Fleet Carrier. First came the *Type-8 Stellar*, my heavyweight hauler. It’s not fast or fancy, but it’s a reliable workhorse. After docking it, I moved onto the *Python Mk II*, which handles beautifully even after all these years. Moving back and forth between stations, the process was tiring, but I knew it had to be done.
Every time I parked a ship in the carrier’s hangar, I felt a strange satisfaction. It’s not every day you see a fleet like mine all in one place.
**13:00: Refit and repair.**
Once all the ships were onboard, I started swapping out modules. Each one had to be configured just right. The *Chieftain* needed heavy-duty armor, while the *DBX* got a top-notch FSD booster. I had to make sure the *Beluga* was prepped too, even though it’s mostly for fun—it’s a monstrosity, but it handles long trips in comfort, and sometimes you need that.
It was during this time that I realized how far I’ve come. 10 ships, all with different capabilities, all perfectly engineered. I remembered starting out in a Sidewinder, and now here I was, managing an entire fleet.
**16:00: A detour for engineering materials.**
Of course, I wasn’t done yet. One of the engineers pinged me, reminding me about a rare material—polonium—that I’d need for certain module upgrades. This required some surface prospecting, so I took the *Python* out for a quick mining run. The moon was barren, but after a few hours in the SRV, I finally tracked down what I needed.
The sunset was stunning, and in that moment, I felt a kind of peace. Even after 70 years, the galaxy still has a way of surprising me.
**19:00: Final haul back.**
With the last of the materials in hand, I returned to the carrier, my ships all neatly lined up in the hangar. The sight of them—my *Krait*, *Pythons*, *Chieftain*, *Type-8 Stellar*, and even the *Beluga*—all in one place was a thing of beauty. I knew this journey was going to be special, not just because of where I was going, but because of everything I’d built to get there.
**21:00: Sleep takes over.**
The day had taken its toll. I planned to finish a few last-minute tasks, but once I docked the *Anaconda*, sleep hit me like a hammer. I didn’t even make it out of the pilot’s seat. Before I knew it, my head had slumped forward, and I was out cold.
As I drifted off, the hum of the ship’s systems was the only sound in the darkness. I thought about the journey ahead, all the ships prepped and ready, and the adventures waiting beyond the stars. At 70, I know every trip could be the last, but there’s no way I’d have it any other way.
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**Commander’s Note:**
Tomorrow, we set out. With 10 ships fully loaded and every module meticulously arranged, I feel as ready as I’ll ever be. The galaxy still holds its mysteries, and even after all these years, I can’t resist the call of the stars. But for now, I need sleep.