A new expedition - Log, Day 04
17 Mar 2020Kris Afron
Heading back to LHS 3447 today so I can drop Livvy off at Dalton Gateway. I'm hearing that there's some sort of outbreak in the Sol System, so it's best that I do things this way. We should take it leisurely as there's no rush to get there and anyway I'm sure that she doesn't want this trip to end."Going home today Livvy, we'll call in to the Eagle Nebula on the way, remember we passed it on the way here?" I asked.
"Hope it's as pretty from the inside as it looked from our viewpoint. But is there somewhere else we can go? I've had such fun with you the last few days and the piloting experience has been superb." there was a hint of disappointment there.
"There's still something that we can do as we go, we can take our time, doesn't have to be rushed!"
At this she perked up a bit, "Great, so next stop the Eagle Nebula?"
"Yes, let's go"
A handful of jumps later we approached the nebula. The internal star cluster is visible from here, so it is going to be bright when we get inside.
Livvy was piloting, so I suggested that she picked out a route through the nebula. She aimed for a hot blue F-Type at the closest point followed by another halfway through and then finally another at the exit. It didn't take us long to get through and we had a look back before we left.
"Kris, that was wonderful, the view of the stars and nebula was incredible, very beautiful. Where now?"
"Well we carry on, I'll keep honking the systems and if there's anything interesting that we pick up, we'll have a closer look"
Several jumps later, with 115 remaining to get to LHS 3447 we jumped into a system, Byeia Eurk DB-F d11-202 where the FSS showed up a high G world, the third planet was 1.8 G, and materials were available
"Hey, Livvy, here's an opportunity or you to get some more experience, let me take over and I'll land us there. So far we have only landed on low G worlds, so it's been pretty easy both on the landing and our bones."
With that we exchanged places and started the descent, the G-forces definitely increased as we approached the geological site to the extent that I could see that Livvy was uncomfortable.
"Are you holding up, sis?"
"I think so, but it is getting a lot more difficult to move about even in the seat. How much worse will it get?"
"Not a lot, we are nearly down now, but you'll notice that the descent has been a lot shallower."
We got to the ground about half a click short of the geological site, then the 1.8 G really became apparent. "Move slowly, don't make any sudden moves, we're both weighing about twice what we're normally feeling".
I headed for the Scarab, as I passed the luxury cabin I caught that odour again, thought to myself "need to find that leak", then I heard a scratching or skittering sound, "maybe something settling under the weight" I thought. I boarded the rover, went out and collected plenty of useful materials. I decided to stay the night when I returned. That would another good experience for Livvy.
CMDR Kris Afron signing off. Fly safely commanders.