The Big Black I
19 Sep 2020Jax D'Stanth
19 SEP 3306 - Elysian ShoreAfter 3 jumps off of the ATC Sisyphus (X9W-40W), I detected an familiar anomaly in my Universal Cartographic Galaxy Map. I manually programmed the FSD and jumped to a system named, based on their Procedural Stellar Nomenclature Algorithm (PSNA), to what is now called Phoroea Eaec JG-O D6-4. I've found a G-class and K-class star and 12 scanable bodies. Several have thin atmospheres but none seem to contain any sign of life or active geological activity. Moving on.....
Continued on into the undiscovered realms of the Elysian Shores. Specifically, below what remains of the galactic plane. The PSNA has named this one Phroea Eaec LV-F C11-0. So far have found a gas giant with water based life and several geologically active sites. What makes this system different than the last. I'll have to ask Dr. Crawford for that astrological geography primer again when I get back. Next jump took me to Phroea Eaec PL-F C11-0, a system that popped up in my system as I cleared the magnetic interference of the LV-F stars. A discovered system all the way out here. It's kind of nice to see a sign of civilization, but now I wonder what he has seen and where else he has gone.
Found what PSNA has delineated Phroea Eaec VM-D C12-0. A few bodies, but the crown jewel is the stunning water world at A 1 right in the sweet spot of the habitable zone. No life detected. Maybe someday I'll find the right engineer for a submersible exploration vehicle...
Detected a White Dwarf on the long-range scanner at Phroea Eaec KL-P D5-1. Too bad the system has already been discovered.
Executed my first "jumponium" FSD injection...what a rush. I only have 4 Germanium left, I better save them for the route back, just in case. Left Phroea Phrua MI-Q D6-0 behind and soon bathed in the light of Phroea Phrua KN-Q D6-0's giant F-class white star. Then stumbled onto another White Dwarf in LI-Q D6-0. I'll have to talk to Dr. Crawford about this section of space. I just found another white dwarf in LI-Q D6-0. 615 ly from base camp...ATC Sisyphus in the BD+55 191 system (NGC 281 Nebula)...it's time to call it a day and head back.
**UPDATE** I decided to pick a system at random to take a slightly circuitous route back to the expedition carrier. Out of luck I landed in a newly designated system, Phroea Eaec JQ-P D5-0, with an INTENSE Neutron Star. Perhaps I'll come back here to attempt my first Neutron Star jump...in a ship with less insurance rebuy. HA!!! The pure blue that bathes everything....it's beautiful. There is a new waterworld here; it has an ice cap that looks like the old early 21st Antarctica from my childhood textbooks. 9 new discoveries and 3 new mappings. Successful day.
As I saunter into Gumster's Tavern on C-deck, glancing over to the update monitor to see my latest exploits flash across up boards, it dawns on me....these new Fleet Carriers make the exploration for ATC a bit more civilized, but it doesn't really change anything...the trips are shorter, but the black is just a lonely when you're out there. Somehow, it still calls.