Into the dark I #5
10 Mar 2019Petrenus
California NebulaAfter my geological discoveries I turned back towards the bubble and indeed plotted a route through the California Nebula. On my way there the discoveries focused on the incredible views of a nebula getting bigger and more prominent with every jump.
Within the nebula itself I took some time to jump from system to system and take in the stunning views as well as discovering the systems and planets in the area. I also stopped for some geology in the nebula and landed on planets here as well.
In one of the systems I actually stumbled over Bill Turners Research facility and took the chance to dock there. After all canned soups and food packs are begging to be complemented by something else every once in a while.
Unfortunately while landing, a scan of my ship revealed the escape pods I still had in my cargo rack and the authorities deemed them illicit and stolen so they greeted me with a hefty fine. The logic of authorities, you try to save someone and you get punished because you did not ask for permission first. I think that if the guys from the distant worlds expedition established a settlement in Beagle Point, the first things to open would be a security and a tax office.
However I was able to sell some of my exploration data and offset the cost of the fine and tried to find a merchant who would not ask to many questions and free me of that cargo. However the system security was doing a very good job or I was not experienced enough so I did not get access to anyone.
I did not want to let this opportunity pass though and used my chance to look at some of the research objects on the planet.
Now these barnacles are stunning objects. They make fascinating rambling and chirping noises and sometimes it sounds like wind through pipes. How are they making these sounds and how do they work? Also the colours of the liquid, oil like ... well secretion? are stunning. The two or three sites I visited where destroyed apart from the centre piece. I don't know if it was done by the researchers but it seems to be a pity. Although I have to admit that I have myself used the meta alloy to make some improvements to my ship and now where the stuff comes from. The question should be asked though if it is always right to cut, break or smash the stuff we do not understand.
Leaving the planet my scanners did reveal a strange signal that I had to check out. Dropping out of hyperspace I encountered the wreck of a huge tanker.
The ship logs did have a last entry that suggested that this was the result of a hostile action. There was not enough information though to learn the whole story.
I will travel back to the bubble now to sell my discovery data and finish the engineering of my ship.