Logbook entry

Firsts

Cmdr. Log: 1 October 3305

During one’s lifetime, there are many firsts, yeah? Some are easily remembered like, for example, one’s first kiss or their first job, or how about their first transport?. While others, their firsts remain lost to time like the first ever spoken word or one’s first step. Often though, being in a particular place, a smell or a song can immediately conjure to mind a first time thing.

So, in the event my fellow Commanders out there reading this have wondered where their buddy Ronin has been lately, I’d tell you mining for void opals and low-temp diamonds. That’s what I’ve been up to lately and having a ton (pun intended) of fun doing it, too. I don’t know really what it is about mining. Perhaps it’s orbiting around ginormous ice boulders whilst firing finicky explosives, all along evading enormous, neighboring icy rocks mere feet away from your precious and expensive ship. Yeah, that’s it, and then of course there’s the search. It’s a lot like fishing but with explosives and limpets, isn’t it?

Ever since my buddy Korz (Cmdr. Kristopher Korzhakov) introduced me to mining and passed along his knowledge, effectively shortcutting my road to riches, I’ve been sort of hooked on mining even though, from time to time, prices for void opals have fallen. But that hasn’t stopped me. In fact, I purchased and retrofitted a new mining vessel – a Krait Mk II – so I can do the job more efficiently. Although my previous ship, a Python is regarded, pound for pound, to be the best mining vessel in the known Universe, I don’t know. I prefer the view of a Krait Mk II. I actually prefer the view of my ASP Explorer, but you can’t beat the room of a Krait Mk II. Plus, my ASP doesn’t come with an espresso maker – hello!

Speaking of firsts, just last evening whilst mining the rings in the Arietis Sector with my buddy and mentor Korz, I finally obtained a first. Last evening, I finally earned the rank of Elite in trading. I must admit, it was a sensational moment for me. Last night was also the first time I reached 100 tons of cargo. So, technically, it was a night of many firsts. It certainly was a heck of a night. I couldn’t travel 10 km and not find another rock loaded with void opals, and with recent high purchase prices, I believed that I could reach Elite, but I really wasn’t sure that I would. I mean, I was so close!

After a long evening of mining, I jumped over to HIP 13644 and visited the Herndon Penal Colony. HPV and Davis Gateway were to the two stations buying void opals for the highest price that night, the best prices I’ve seen so far - $1.6 million credits. After I unloaded the 100 tons of void opals, I earned a whopping 168 million credits. Suddenly, a message appeared in my inbox. It congratulated me for obtaining Elite. It was a great feeling. I could hear Korz as he yelled, whooped and wailed over the COMM unit. And how rock-n-roll was it, to use an old saying, to earn Elite inside a prison? Ha!

As I launched my Krait Mk II high over the Herndon Penal Colony, I looked down at the small buildings below me, and I felt a sudden wave of appreciation for my freedom. There I was, flying away as free as a bird haven just obtained Elite while below me sat men and women imprisoned for crimes that range from piracy to not paying docking fines. After a few moments, I soon realized, “better you than me, eh?” I hit my FSD and high-waked out of there lickety split! Sorry mates. Just saying.

Back at home at Ray Gateway, haven just sold 25 tons of low-temp diamonds, which netted me another 18 million credits, I sat in my ship – the Liberator – and took a long look at how far I’ve come over the past several months. Once, I was a fledgling commander whose biggest payday was $150k credits and now, I am an Elite commander who is almost a member of the Billionaires’ Club!

Over the next several weeks, I will continue mining until I’ve reached my billion credit goal. From there, I suppose it is combat, and then exploration. Although, I’ve thought long and hard about making combat my very last goal. Not sure yet. We’ll see. Either way, a special thanks to Korz for all the assistance and patience. The best advice you’ve ever given, mate, was “oh yeah, target the prospect limpet.” LOL!

#END
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