The Universe Provides II
24 May 2021User319792
I got into the cockpit today and still had the urge to get some dog-fighting practice. I contacted some pilots and found a CMDR in Lave that had a build to test, so I went over to Achenar to pick up Charon. After an initial thought to set it up to do some high-class chauffeuring, I docked it and forgot about it until I decided on a refit for interdiction and interception. After what felt like way too many jumps- I've been flying 30ly+ ranged ships for who knows how long- I finally got there and we had what has, thus far, been my longest and most enlightening dog-fight since my last dog-fight with the man in the black suit before getting my Pilots Federation license. It seemed like it went on forever and I eventually ran out of ammunition. I expected the CMDR to just go ahead and charge me the cost of my Courier, but I ended up being left to keep my credits. There's a lot in the video for me to review for future jousts.After getting back to the carrier and getting my ammo and shields repaired, CMDR MoosemanSmith got a hold of me and invited me to join her on a trip to the Spirograph system. As it turns out, she and I actually have a whole lot in common.
After docking on the Furcas, she invited me to the commons. I'd hoped to be able to watch the carrier jump from the observation deck but she mentioned that it wouldn't be possible, at the moment, so I went ahead and joined her. Our scrums in our Kraits were enough to convince me that she'd be a good influence, at least in terms of my overall piloting ability. Having taken part in a few long-distance exploration expeditions, she had a lot of information and insight into exploring, too. I even decided to join her for a sightseeing voyage out to the ETA Carinae region next week. I've got Friday, 11pm UTC, marked on my onboard carrier for departure. It should be a relatively short trip, 2-3 days of exploring the black.
On the way to Spirograph, we had a long conversation about her trials in the galaxy. There was an edge to her tone, at times, that hinted at deep cuts long-covered by scar tissue. She didn't seem unhappy at all, but every so often she'd squint an eye or curl her lip. The slightest flaring of her nostrils, tensing of her hands, or slowing of her breathing, mixed with the faintest scent of char coming from Furcas' central air left me uneasy but intrigued at what lay behind her hardened eyes, tensed muscles and the slow rising and falling of her bust.
Furcas finally completed the jump into Spirograph and I was breathless. From the green hue of the nebula to the marbled planetary surfaces to the radiant pink hues of the ringed worlds to lattice, metallic, and spiked bodies to the huge biological anomalies, the system was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. It was almost as if she'd replicated our initial interaction: I knew I'd have to see her again.
