The Dark Center
11 Nov 2020Stunnedsundew32
The dark center of the Milky Way Galaxy. A place both remote and central. A landmark for every commander to check out in their travels across the galaxy. I decided to mark this destination off my list a few months back, and I wound up experiencing more than I had ever bargained for. I had been a lone wolf since setting out for the stars around a year ago. Outer space can be a cold, lonely place if you know everyone, let alone not knowing anybody. A few friends had briefly attempted to join me in the black, but a lack of knowledge, piloting skills, and most of all motivation had seen them hang up their helmets rather quickly. It can be daunting when you first step into the cockpit of your sidewinder, especially your first time lining up a mail slot. Being an intergalactic pilot isn’t for everyone, but those that feel the calling rarely ever lose that feeling. On the contrary, it only grows stronger with each passing day.
About the time I had resigned myself to traversing the black alone, I stumbled across a faint radio signal on my way to Mars High- A husky voice with a southern drawl which was decidedly… American. Just like me. Most I had heard on the radio up to this point were British. This American voice intrigued me, so I fiddled with the radio dial of my Asp Explorer until the signal came in loud and clear. I listened to this voice talking of the different happenings within the galaxy and it made me feel not quite so… alone… in space.
As I continued to listen to this station I was introduced to other voices as well. There was the infinitely wise and reasonable sound engineer, and eventually the squadron commander of a squad called “Loose Screws.” I had heard of squadrons before, but had always assumed they were not for me. I assumed these squadrons were for intense pilots who were the elite of the galaxy. Not a lonely adventurer in his lowly Asp Explorer.
I slowly began to feel like I knew these voices being consistently projected into my cockpit. They were very friendly, funny, and relaxed. I began to feel somewhat at home amongst these voices. And then, the event that would ultimately bring us together happened.
My curiosity about the unexplored black outside of our small, stable bubble had begun to bubble over in my mind. What was out there? Further out? Further? I had traversed the bubble for my entire existence in space. It was time for me to leave the nest and spread my wings. I decided on my destination- the supermassive black hole in the center of the galaxy- Sagittarius A*.
Low and behold, Loose Screws had set this destination as well.
One evening when I was casually scanning some planet surfaces, the voices in my cockpit spoke the Distant Screws expedition into existence. A trip out into the black, to the center of the galaxy by a wayward settlement simply known as Colonia. An open invitation to any commanders who would like some company on the long, lonely journey to the middle. I felt as if they were speaking directly to me, even though we had never met.
I was hesitant at first. A year of solitude isn’t easily cast by the wayside. However, I finally decided to break my silence and send a transmission of my own to the squadron. I asked if this expedition were open to all, even if a commander were on a different platform or plain of existence from the majority. These voices then directly answered me the next day, emphatically saying that all commanders were welcome, and that they encouraged newcomers from all walks of life. It was then that I decided to embark on this long journey with the voices inside my cockpit. As the voices faded away for the night I was slowly enveloped by an incredible feeling- a feeling of… community.
A few days later I met a commander in the squadron who was within the same plane of existence as myself. I could actually physically see this commander and his ship. After exchanging pleasantries we landed on a local planet and drove our scarabs around together- My first interaction with another soul in nearly a year of cold, dead space. We were in the same squadron and we were going on the same expedition with each other… Distant Screws.
Embarking on this lengthy journey was made infinitely better with others at my side. I saw wonders I would have simply passed by if I were going it alone. From the blue depths of Poseidon’s Playground, to the black sheen of the Palantir, these sights truly amazed me. My storage slowly filled up with pictures, one landmark after another. When we arrived at our destination, the sense of gravity surrounding Sagittarius A* was immense. This gravity was heightened when our commanders released orchids into the center for our fallen ally Evelyn. May her memory live on.
On our return trip, I began to understand the importance of this journey in a somewhat simple system nicknamed Roche’s Waltz. It was here, sitting in my Asp, watching a High Metal Content World zoom around a White Dwarf, that I truly felt a sense of awe over the vastness of our galaxy. Roche’s waltz is located far below the galactic plane. So much so, in fact, that a rather robust FSD is required to even enter the system. As I watched the list of surrounding stars dwindle in my Nav panel I began to feel truly and utterly alone- the black closing in around me. Then, the flame of Roche’s White Dwarf rose before me upon my entrance into the system. I parked my Asp a safe distance away and simply sat and watched the star and planet dance in silence. As I contemplated this dance and the long journey which was coming to a close, I caught a glimpse of the power of the Milky Way. A sense of distance, darkness, cold, and apathy mingled with beauty, brilliance, warmth, and meaning.
After watching the planet fully orbit this star I reluctantly turned my Asp away, back toward the bubble and humanity. As I was engaging my FSD a thought occurred to me which had been forming over the length of the trip, and had just now gained full maturity in my mind- Space is bigger than all of us. That’s why it is meant to be shared.
~Stunnedsundew32
Nov. 2020