Jewel Shower
29 Jul 2022Valanga
Trying to land an Asp with no shields and a hull that’s been shredded to 2% integrity sounds like one of the most stressful experiences you could ever have as a pilot. I can’t say I’ve ever been in a situation so dire.I really wish I was there to witness how my pal CMDR Aiso managed to put himself in that situation during his first deep-core diamond dig. He recounted how he “had some trouble bumping into chunks of the exploded asteroid”, and then in the same breath boasts how he was able to safely land his cheese-grated vessel, as if it’s some thing to champion.
My friend, were you bumping the asteroid or attempting to copulate with it!?
After hearing his dramatic tale of suspense, intrigue, and poor piloting, I asserted that I would join him as co-pilot on his next mining expedition. He agreed on the condition that I manage his pulse wave analyzer and collector limpet controller, which was fine by me. Rather a respite for me after recent events - and events to come.
Sitting down in the underslung co-pilot’s seat of his Asp, periodically clicking his pulse wave and occasionally deploying a collector drone or two, was almost therapeutic in a way. A real change of pace from me doing everything as I often do. Of course, watching his delightfully awkward handling of the ship, besides giving me occasional whiplash, reminded me why I prefer to do everything myself… but the charming naïveté of his piloting skills was really nostalgic for me to witness from this perspective. Once upon a time many years ago, my piloting skills were equally undeveloped, and now he finds himself embarking on his own journey of growth as a pilot..
On his third core detonation, he managed to deliver an optimum yield of explosive charges, sending a shower of pearlescent purple alexandrite shards flying in all directions and revealing a quite beautiful cross-section of what, only moments prior, looked about as boring as every other rock in the rings. His reaction over the comms was well worth the price of admission alone. He popped open the hatch separating our sections of the cockpit and slid down the ladder just so he could share his excitement with me face-to-face.
For me, a jaded pilot who’s just about seen it all by now, I got to share vicariously in a sort of excitement that I myself have not been able to experience in a while.
And hey, I can’t say he isn’t improving. This time he made it back to the point-of-sale outpost with 37% hull integrity!
That’s all I’ve got for now. Here’s to a better tomorrow - for both of us. CMDR Valanga out.