Return from the Peak; AX Fleet Expansion
01 Jan 2021Shattermage
CMDRs Log, Jan 1 3307: The crew and CMDRs accompanying us all had a fantastic time at Rackham's for New Year's! We all made a modest profit on the product we brought with us, CMDRs Porter John, JaredCrue, and I enjoyed zooming around the installation in our racing ships and took some pictures to commemorate the occasion. After we turned in, XO Chester Mercer said he had already plotted the route home and coordinated it with the depot below deck. I gave the go ahead to begin the jumps on schedule, and double checked that everyone was on board with their ships secure in the hangars.
We passed the D2EA Northstar on the way back down as CMDR MP_Astro (of Down 2 Earth Astronomy) was making the journey up with his much larger complement of guests for their New Year's Day trip. I subsequently began messaging another pilot on a general frequency who had been left behind by the Northstar after missing lockdown, but was subsequently being picked up by a trailing carrier who was bringing up the rear for just that reason: to pick up missing ships. Glad they could be rescued.
I've begun planning an addition to my AX fleet; two ships in fact. An Alliance Challenger, and... an Orca! Despite its mere 3 hardpoints, other pilots have told me while it seems silly to fly a passenger vessel to fight Thargoids, its handling and internals are strangely suited to the job. I'm also planning a purchase of a Mamba to use for more direct CMDR engagements in the future.
CMDRs log, Supplemental:
We've arrived back in TZ Arietis. The proving run was a resounding success and there is still a not inconsiderate amount of tritium left over! The three aforementioned ships have been purchased, outfitted, and engineered. I have visited Lori Jameson and delivered her 25 units of Kongaa Ale to begin receiving services from her.
The new Challenger has been named "Glamdring" after the wizard Gandalf's sword in the 20th century book series "The Lord of the Rings". It carries an additional reference in that Glamdring was know as the "Foe-Hammer", which is also the callsign of the Pelican Dropship in "Halo". The Challenger's identifier will reflect this as "E-419".
The Orca and Mamba have not been given formal names as of yet.
Outfitting services have also been added to the Dark with Pierre Marsh as the manager. He's a very... informal individual. Other members of the crew have, including Chester Mercer have decided to stick around for this next deployment. While I'm sorry I could not give them more R&R after this first run, I am grateful they are remaining.
I've instructed my friends that came along on the journey to the Peak to plan to relocate their ships from the carrier ASAP if they do not wish to have them go along on the next jump which follows shortly. The Dark will jump to The Coalsack to assist in the repelling of the Thargoid incursion. Detachments of the Marauders Vanguard, Persona Non Grata, Hutton Orbital Truckers, and the Anti-Xeno Initiative (AXI) are already in situ.