First Passenger Run
01 Sep 2019Lapstrake
The Hauler has served me exceptionally well. Having bought it for 50k Cr, I have made my money back 500 times over. I would recommend it to any rookie pilots wishing to earn their first millions exploring.
image credit: elite-dangerous.fandom.com
However, I decided it was time for a move up. The next step is to run cargo or passengers to boost my earnings while exploring.
I plan to run sightseeing and taxi missions initially, as they suit exploration better and I can avoid long or risky journeys.
With the help of Coriolis, I spec’d builds for the Dolphin and Asp-X. I was tipped off to a nearby system, Chona, that sells both ships and all of the necessary modules.
On the way, I planned an exploration route that would eventually turn out to pay for the entire ship. The Hauler once again added a few million credits to its earnings.
On entering Chona, I was happy to see the station (Smoot) conveniently placed 7Ls from entry. I docked, bought the Dolphin, purchased cargo holds and passenger cabins; fitted two first class, and a 32T cargo, and stored the rest to send home later. Total cost was in the region of 5m Cr.
image credit: elite-dangerous.fandom.com
I accepted my first passenger mission, and filled my cargo - earning me a potential 100k Cr profit back at Mobius.
The passengers needed a taxi further out to Venet, 1,000,000 Cr for only 19.3 Ly of travel was hard to turn down, so I happily took the detour.
Venet is a large system with 40 celestial bodies, including four stars and five valuable bodies in the habitable zone. It is a high security system controlled by the Aisling’s Angels faction, currently in boom state.
I arrived in the system and began the long supercruise to Drake Depot, a planetary outpost on Venet B6, 54232Ls from entry.
image credit: edsm.net
That was the first obstacle. The next problem was that I was about to approach a planet, with 1m Cr worth of passengers, and I didn’t know how to land. I told my passengers “oh you just relax, I’ve done this a thousand times” whilst I skimmed through the training manual to remind me.
I had last landed on a planet about a week ago, leaving supercruise too early and completely made a hash of it.
This time, with 30 seconds worth of “reading”, I held supercruise all the way, as if I was playing chicken with the planet. My passengers were a little nervous seeing us plummet toward the ground, on the dark side of the planet, at a 90degree angle at cruise speeds, but I assured them I had it all under control...
The ship left supercruise and began to glide automatically once mass locked, and I immediately noticed the station and the ground flying toward me at a rather alarming speed. Perhaps my 90degree approach isn’t the best technique. Allll under control. I pulled up, fled past the station, and requested docking. “Just taking the scenic route” I shouted to the cabin. I don’t think they could hear me, but I think they were pleased, they seemed to be crying with happiness.
From there, I planned my route back to Mobius, accepting smaller missions on the way.
Al in all, I’m happy with the day’s work, and very satisfied with the new ship. I think the Dolphin will serve me well.
CMDR Lapstrake, signing out.
Farewell Hauler:
Build
Initial cost: 50, 000 Cr
Upgraded Value: 230,569 Cr
Credits Earned: ~35,000,000 Cr
Distance Traveled: ~2,000 LY
...
Image credits:
elite-dangerous.fandom.com
Inara.cz
EDSM.net