05 August 3301 --- Of Past and Present
05 Aug 2015Jason Wolfe
There was a lot running in my mind about this Vulture. I'm barely functioning this ship out with its abysmal power supply, even though it's the best possible power supply this ship can run. Sitting on 13 million, I took the flight back to Chona. Along the way, there wasn't much to do aside from reflect and ponder on my current status.There I was, flying a Vulture out in deep space contemplating the functionality of this ship for me. Hardpoints, Utility Mounts, and Internal Compartments all competing for the little power that's available. The hum of the engines were the only thing keeping me connected to the outside galaxy as I zone out as I activate the FSD charge for my next jump. The ship as put some good use for me, but with everything that I can do to upgrade it, I'm not so sure I can maintain everything.
Aside from Pirouette's issues, I had to look back at where I came from. My training at the Pilot's Federation Academy was a bit of a stressful one, as I'm sure others had in my class and those prior to my beginnings. I hear that the latest class went through their graduation. Here's hoping all of them do some good out in this cold space. There's already enough pirates, smugglers, and thieves out there. My time at the Academy was tame, I'd say. I recall getting evaluations where I'd be silent during combat training, not focusing on keeping communication, but rather focusing on controlling the pitch, roll, and yaw of my ship, aiming for the target's subsystems once shields were down, watching my shots when ally ships were nearby. My Instructors made sure to notify me of it, so working on communication took some effort.
It doesn't seem so hard communicating now, but it's weird to look back and not see myself move my mouth aside from licking my own lips. My eyes dead set on the radar, hands on the throttle and flight stick. One hand runs to my right side panel and moves to the target's subsystems, scrolling down to the power plant. My hand is back on the throttle as I slip into attack speed. My lasers burst into the shield as my multi cannons soon follow, shredding into the hull before it gets taken down. It's as if my ears are shut off, muffling all sound outside and within my comms, like diverting power from one system to another. I zone back to hear my allies needing help with one target on their tail. They tell me of how they were yelling at me for the past minute to help. By the time we took it out, one of our ship's shields are down and his hull is around 50%. Many mistakes were made on many fronts, but we had the fortunate circumstance of running this within a simulation system. We'd repeat that scenario later in a month's time in actual ships. I had time to correct what I was doing wrong.
I entered the next system, nearly cruising into a star as I pull up and away from the gravity well after coming back from my thoughts. I shake myself away from my thoughts and finally return to Chona. Outfitting over there doesn't provide me with useful parts. Despite Smoot Station being my home and base of operations, they're not stocked with what I'm looking for. They might have the parts later, but I can't wait for later. I check the net for any nearby places to outfit this Vulture. I find note that the Vaka system might have what I'm looking for. I take the long trip over there and drop off in Zenbei Orbital. They have the parts alright, but there's so much power management and power issues that it leaves me in a stumble to find what I can do.
As I debate the outfitting of Pirouette, CMDR Elden Frost departed from his station and jumped to my location so we can dogfight against other pirates in this system's RES. Initial sightings were slow as Elden and I scouted, only seeing quiet space between us, the miners, and the asteroids. Another commander jumped in to have his share of bounty hunting, so we invited CMDR Fenwich for the increased security among us. We didn't speak much among the three of us as we pointed out targets and boosted to tag them. Eventually, Fenwich took his leave, leaving Elden and I to the hunting. Scanning and hunting bigger ships was much easier with an ally around. Eventually, we return to the Orbital to collect our bounties and rearm, but I ended up dissatisfied.
The Pirouette was great for what it could do, but I ended up being frustrated with what it had. I decided to sell my Vulture and get another ship. The Asp was in mind when thinking about mining again. I recall some time ago that I would get back to mining once I got a better ship with higher grade internal compartments. Contemplation set in when I thought to outfit my Type-6 for it, but I thought to spend the money on something to replace the Vulture. It was a good ship, but it's only going to give me more trouble later on, I believe.
Some time ago, I advised Elden Frost on a system to buy the Asp cheaper than other places aside from Alioth, since that requires a permit. Wohler Landing in Losin was where I flew to. After selling a few inessential parts to make the trip, I flew off into the deep, losing myself in my thoughts again. I thought about the Academy once more, where I might spend some free time in my bunk just looking at my data pad in silence. My instructors knew about my quiet and reserved demeanor during study sessions, training procedures, and off hours. By the time final evaluations came by, my instructors expected the way I would respond to their questions. With how I've been handing my life within the last few weeks, it's been quiet for the most part. The only thing that's loud are the conversations and thoughts that go on in my head, really.
Once at Wohler Landing, I locked in for the shipyard, opting to sell the Vulture for the Asp. It feels like a nice ship, but flying that Vulture for too long has made me feel like every other ship doesn't handle as well. That's the only memory I can have for the Pirouette at this point. After outfitting as best as the Orbital could allow, I flew off back to Vaka, only to spec it near what I would have liked to. I am very satisfied however of the superb power supply in the Asp. More than what I could hope for. I decided to drop by in Chona to rest up in my quarters, leaving myself to my thoughts again in the dark. It's not a bad thing to me.
It never was for the most part.