Exploration Record: 17 Apr 3303
19 Apr 2017Extremofire
Exploration LogExpedition #4: Passenger Transport to IC 1396 Sector
Preface
Lavigny's Legion has grown ten-fold since my last logbook. Our operations have expanded throughout the Empire, and we have begun myriad local outreach programs. One of such programs has us catering to the needs of the neighboring factions in our systems, as a gentle way to garner respect from their citizens. Ultimately, our hope is to convert them to Legion devotion, but should that not happen, we still wish to strengthen ties with the groups we share space with.
One of our bitter enemies, the corporation of Ankou Blue, has proven stubborn throughout our espionage efforts. We are taking a more direct yet nonviolent approach, and we are assisting them in taking care of some contracts. With the recent war with them fresh in their minds, the Legion is hoping to garner devotion in their citizens by showing our great philanthropy.
Make no mistake, the Legion does truly wish to help the citizens of Ankou Blue. But we wish to destabilize their executive offices from the core. Baby steps.
I have taken a larger gesture of personally offering the Oculus to transport a seasoned yet young explorer named Marisela Loshi. She is accompanied by her partner, Emmanuel Dorbin. They wish to travel to the nearby (2.5k ly) sector of IC 1396 to investigate slightly anomalous radio waves in the area. They have proven to be very excited and respectful, offering to assist me in piloting the ship. As I write this, we careen towards a nearby metal-rich planet, with them sitting in the co-pilot seats, monitoring scanners and internal systems. They even offered to assist me in collecting data of my own, despite the fact that they are paying me millions of credits for transportation. It is evident that they are thankful for every minute of field experience. I think I will enjoy their company, far more than the previous passenger of mine.
Begin Log
Start System: Aerial. 18 Apr, 00:20.
[Changelog]
Concerning terraformable worlds, I will now list the numerical designation of the planet within the system (i.e; I, II, III, Omicron Persei VIII).
Journal Entries will now display underneath TD flightlogs.
[Two target destinations were reached with no new discoveries. Beginning flight log in Pru Euq Sector.]
Entering Pru Euq Sector.
TD 3: Sifi IK-P c6-0. Arrived 19 Apr, 16:49. MR = 1 HM = 1
- GO-G C11-2. WW = 1 (Terra I, 3183 km, .5 G, 250K, 0 at) HM = 2 (Terra II, 4253km .7G 232k 1.66 at) RB = 1 AW = 1
- Entering Sifi Sector.
- WS-T d3-30. HM = 1 (Terra I, 8785km 1.93g 257k 16.3 at) RB = 1 (Terra Ia, 4473km .06g 250k 2at)
- JK-P c6-5. Partial discovery, parent star scanned. JIII = 1
Emmanuel and Marisela have been poring over the collected data like crazed rats. They've already pointed out minor anomalies in my scans that would go unnoticed by most. Perhaps it is worth returning to the systems above and landing on some of the planets to take a look for myself. However, they are not remarkable anomalies; often, they marvel at a large concentration of ore on a certain planet, or a network of caves. They have piqued my interest once more in exploration; perhaps I will land on a planet myself and collect detailed data for them to peruse.
TD 4: Sifi ZE-A d4. Arrived 19 Apr, 22:03. Previously discovered.
- DE-R c5-2. HM = 1
- HT-G b12-1. HM = 1 Single planet with a helium-rich atmosphere.
- DI-I b11-1.
- VL-L b9-0.
- UG-L b9-0. HRG = 5 IB = 2. 11,000km radius landable.
- RV-M b8-0.
- OW-V c2-5.
- YX-R b5-1.
- SR-T b4-1.
- DV-Y d39. HM = 6 (Terra I, 5557km .98g 801K 130.35 at; III 3625km .57g 230K .01at) RB = 1 IB = 1. Partially discovered, Planet II is also a terraforming candidate. CMDR The Apocalypse has the data as well.
- PW-U b3-2.
- DA-Z c6. JII = 1 HM = 3
- CA-Y b1-2.
- XO-A c12.
Finishing the longest stretch of our journey (which is actually quite short), we find ourselves at the edge of the Sifi sector, a mere 300 LY away from their destination in the IC 1396 sector. We gathered a lot of data from Sifi DV-Y d39, which was rife with terraforming candidates. They theorize that a colony of more than 10 billion can settle there if need be; the system is rich with heavy metals and houses a stable star. As they meticulously look at the geographical scans for notable surface features, I carry onwards.
TD 5: IC 1396 Sector RU-F d11-7, final destination. Arrived 22:21.
- Entering Plaa Eurk sector.
- VY-X b56-2.
- Entering Wredgaei sector.
- PS-B d13-22.
- XO-B b55-1.
- HW-G B52-0.
- Entering IC 1396 sector.
- PZ-F d11-14. MR = 1 HM = 1
We arrive in the system where said anomalies were allegedly coming from. We will spend around a day here. Though the system already has been discovered before, I am conducting a full sensor sweep of each body. Marisela and Emmanuel suddenly have a very serious demeanor, and dance between consoles, cross-referencing their own data whilst also monitoring sensor frequencies for any anomalous data. We will also land on some planets without atmospheres and scan for anomalies, perhaps even in the surface reconnaissance vehicle. The system is notable for the earth-like planet and primordial world in orbit around body V. I grow excited; perhaps we are dealing with an alien species capable of radio emissions. IC 1396 RU-F d11-7 is a
19 Apr, 23:45. Landed on body 5 A A, the moon orbiting the earth-like. The Oculus is remaining in orbit around the moon and the earth-like, with Emmanuel and Marisela onboard monitoring systems as the auto-pilot runs. I am conducting a surface patrol to locate a possible source of the radio waves detected previously. The Oculus has not detected any radio waves since we entered the system.
20 Apr, 0007. Happened upon an SRV and small craft debris field in a crater. Two unmarked SRVs and unidentifiable debris at 69.4898, 32.9496. Ship debris emitting low level distress signal. Encrypted files extracted from debris. This may be the source of the radio waves, but the emissions that were detected were able to reach human civilization from 2000 LY away. A distress signal and/or destruction of these craft could not possibly have generated radio waves of this strength. Continuing surface patrol.
20 Apr, 0053. Came across crashed deep space survey probe. Designation unknown, but human configuration. Coordinates not logged.
20 Apr, 0104. Came across crashed Imperial deep space survey probe. Designation RF-78. 69.4241, 31.3239.
20 Apr, 0145. Departed body 5 A A, Landed on body 5 E, one of the outer moons that has a close orbit with a sister moon, body 5 F.
20 Apr 0215. Departed body 5 E, landed on body 5 F. Higher concentration of arsenic and tin; lower gravity. Investigating large, 8km deep crater.
20 Apr 0258. Travelled in excess of 60 km on ground. Calling ship for rest.
20 Apr 1950 After ample rest and food, continuing to survey on ground. The two explorers continue to study the even higher resolution data collected by the Oculus in the meantime. Still no apparent source for radio waves; they have reported that the local earth-like is primarily fauna and pre-pidal lifeforms.
20 Apr 2000. Boarded Oculus. After a significant amount of scanning, we were unable to find radio waves, or a source for them. Body 5 A A did show an increased prevalence of satellites, which was unusual given the gravity flows in the area, as well as defying what the probes were programmed to do. This is a significant finding and Imperial Stellar Cartographics will be impressed by it. I admit I am curious as to the origin of them satellites.
Though obligations are requiring us to be back in the bubble soon, we have all agreed to take it slow coming out of IC 1396 sector. This area of space remains largely unexplored, by contracted explorers and individuals alike, and in a last ditch effort to discern the source of the radio waves, we will fly through space slowly.
TD 6: IC 1396 Sector HS-J d9-5. Arrived 2125.
- BM-B b43-0.
- PZ-F d11-33. HM = 1
- BT-N c21-1.
- DM-B b43-1.
- MT-H d10-6. HM = 5 (Terra III 6321km 1.16g 752k 189.75at, 619ls)
- WR-P c20-3. HM = 8 (Terra VI 4092km 0.67g 259K .02 at 156ls; Terra VII 4344km 0.71g 240k .72at 198ls)
TD 7: HD 235264. Arrived 22 Apr 1707.
- RP-T c18-2.
- HJ-O c20-1.
- Entering Plaa Eurk sector.
- BV-X b43-0.
- RP-M c21-4.
- QU-M c21-4. Discovered debris of a ship, unknown designation. Possibly Asp Explorer. Picked up data cache.
We have elected to sit in a system to allow me to perform routine ship maintenance while the two study the collected data. The frame shift drive needs to be degaussed, as well as some plasma conduits replaced. We should resume flight within 12 hours.
After flying for a few hundred more light years, we have decided to take a couple days off basking in the light of a star in the Wreguia sector. The days were spent watching holodisks in my rec room together, studying the data more, and completing more ship chores.
TD 8: Wredguia BW-D D12-31. Arrived 26 Apr, 0602. HM = 1. Interestingly enough, this system is previously unexplored, which is unusual for a bright star so close to inhabited space. The sole terrestrial body in this system is a rather distant body that, though it has a thick helium atmosphere, is extremely frigid, at -337 degrees Fahrenheit.
TD 9: Carthage. Arrived 26 Apr 2323.
Upon landing at Port Elissa, Emmanuel and Marisela were exultant in their final farewells to me. Though they are contracted by Ankou Blue, they truly loved the time spent with me out in the black. I told them that there was always a place for them in Legion Cartography, should they ever wish to break their contract, or should it end. They happily agreed, with the look of sadness in their eyes, undoubtedly from them being unable to go. I am sad to see them depart, as I don't believe corporations should be so restrictive with their citizens. The Legion will soon bring down the tyranny of plutocracies throughout Imperial space... and perhaps, I will be able to see my new friends again.
End log.