Close but no Cigar! 2
20 Jun 2019Marlfan1
So I am sitting in Neritus with my newly re-appointed DBX, Cricket going though the pickings in the passenger lounge and I am screening the bids. I certainly do not want to be shot, so, no to criminal masterminds, politicians, and generals. As I am scrolling though the list of possibilities, I am also thinking things over in my mind. I can do that, do two things at once. I am pretty talented and smart and I do say so myself, often. I need 5,000LY for Palin, but do I really want to commit to that my first big trip out? Why not test the waters with something a bit shorter, yet still long enough to get the full experience of what the longer trip would be like. I almost break my arm patting myself on the back over my brilliance.
Here's one. Famous Explorer seeks sightseeing trip to Heavy Metal Planet to gather data, party of 7, pays 6+ mill. Perfect! My cabin accommodates 8 and the Heavy Metal Planet is just over 2,500LY away. I almost wet myself thinking of all the Earth Like Worlds, Terraformable Water Worlds, High Metal Content planets, and Class II Gas Giants I will get to honk, FSS, and DSS along the way, not to mention the Mats I will gather with the overnight stops planet-side.
The experience of a long (for me) trip, the Cartography money to be made, the mats for engineering I will gain, the 6+ mill for doing it in the first place, and not to mention, surely this will push me into Elite Status in Exploration! What's not to love? Note to self, pay attention to the traveller's characteristics they list for you. See that "Shy, does not like to be scanned" part? Yeah, trust me, trouble ahead!
So I inform Miss High and Mighty that I have agreed to the trip and I get them situated; "Lavian Brandy? No! I do not have any Lavian Brandy!" I make sure we're all fueled up and I have all my bullets and bombs (seeker missles and Point Defense). I conduct the preflight (is this broad gonna be standing over my shoulder the whole way?). I plot the route and file the flight plan. Take a last minute potty break (won't see one of them for quite a while). I ensure all supplies are stocked (yes I DO expect you to eat the MREs!). I climb into the pilot's seat and order her highness to her cabin for take off, and request permission to get underway.
And, of course, to set the perfect mood for the trip, we get scanned pulling out of the mail slot. "What was that? Were we just scanned?" Perfect.