WEIGH ANCHOR !
06 Apr 2021Maverick90g
It has been now 8 months since TFS Durlindana returned from the testing expedition. After traveling around 60,000 ly and covering the distances between the key systems of Sol-Colonia-Sagittarius A, it's finally returned home to the Hajangai system. Unlike most of the expeditions, this one did not have a scientific or exploratory character, but was planned with the sole purpose of testing the modules and the set up of the TFS Durlindana, in view of the ASTEDE (All Sectors To Explore and Discover Expedition). The route was fairly straightforward and without major detours, not very different from the one that many cargo ships travel continuously, to transport goods between Colonia and the Bubble systems. Having chosen to travel the main commercial routes has allowed TFS Durlindana to proceed without major hindrances, unforeseen events or at the risk of encountering unexpected astronomical anomalies.
Sol to Colonia (≈ 22,000 ly)
The first period of the expedition was full of continuous investigations and checks of the on-board systems. The agitation and apprehension remained high for the first 8000 ly, when I had not yet fully become familiar with the ship and had not fully realized its potential. Along the route to Colonia, the navigation system, the landing on planets with different Gs, the maneuvers with the SRV and the refueling speed of the Scoop were extensively tested.
Colonia to Sagittarius A (≈ 11,000 ly)
In the distance between Colonia and Sagittarius A, the shortest of the three, in-depth analyzes were carried out on the performance of the FSS (Full Spectrum System Scanner) and DSS (Detailed Surface Scanner) on-board scanners, analyzing the signal range, the detection, and encoding/decoding of the incoming signal. The star density in the region is so high that it was possible to conduct a detailed test on the scanners power resolution. Surprisingly, contrary to what was reported in the technical specifications, no interference was strong enough to render the scanners functionality, which remained unchanged all the time, to be diminished.
Sagittarius A to Hajangai (≈ 25,000 ly)
The route from Sag A to home was certainly the most interesting because the ship's 6th class FSD was heavily strained, along with the 5H class booster of Guardian technology. Having planned a route that passed through the Neutron Stars, the FSD was overloaded over and over again and both the reload times and actual jump power of the ship were tested. In addition, AFMU calibrations were carried out to improve response times and effectiveness on the ship's modules.
Although devoid of great emotions and discoveries, the expedition was a success. The TFS Durlindana has perfectly passed all the tests and objectives hoped for. Several areas for improvement were found to optimize the ship and prepare it adequately for ASTEDE. Without sacrificing the ship's actual jump, under standard conditions of 70 ly, it was possible to:
- move from a hangar with 2 SRVs to a hangar with 4 operational SRVs,
- bring the shields up to 1117 Mj of absolute power,
- Increase the ship's AFMU ammo by +5400
Now that tests has ended and the changes to the modules have been made successfully, I am ready to "Weigh anchor !". The final preparations for the first departure are underway. I had the long-range communication systems checked, I took note of the movements of the Carriers in the various sectors to count, only if necessary, with logistical support during the expedition. I stocked up on essential materials such as Basic Conductors and Heat Conduction Wiring for Heatsinks home-made manufacturing. I saved up some metals like Nickel and Iron for the assembly of the limpets, but nothing more. If necessary, the rest of the minerals will be taken directly from some moon or planet surface, along the way. I don't want to leave over loaded.
I just made sure not to forget the spare parts for the onboard replicator and to upload my music playlist containing over 5000 songs.
At the moment I am in the Schwann Port Lounge, in the Hajangai system, drinking a beer and writing these two lines on my onboard diary. I do not know if I will be able to leave tonight or tomorrow .. but now we are. I need to get away from politics for a while, to clear my minds about this period of turmoil, terrorist acts and the end of individual freedom, a freedom that until recently I thought was precluded only by Duval politics, but which after the words of Jerome Archer also seems to be a Federal policy. The only certainty that remains steadfast behind my back is The Fatherhood which I will find solid upon my return and which will be able to count on the proceeds of the data that I will bring back.
