My story so far..
20 Aug 2015Siegfried Rabenfels
Greeting, fellow CMDRs!I hail from LHS 3447, but now I call the stars my home. Ever since Faulcon Delacy introduced their zero-interest Sidewinder programme, I've been on the move, rarely staying at one place.
Every start is difficult, but with running small errands and opportunistic trading along the way, I was quickly able to pay off my debt and acquire a Zorgon Peterson Hauler. It was small, but it was mine and I really enjoyed it - until it eventually got too small and I started to think bigger. At the same time, I inherited an Eagle from a deceased relative - together with the profits from trading, I was able to afford a shiny Cobra Mk3, "Old Lady".
Well, shiny is relative. The aftermarket on those larger space stations sure holds plenty of tuning parts, impressive both in terms of pricing and performance. So for the time being, I settled on a new paint job, giving my lady a bit of individuality, as many other CMDRs were also flying Cobras (and rightfully so). But at least the profits from trading kept coming in, so I was soon able to afford a Lakon T6. Honestly, I'm not fond of that ship, but it get's it's job done and allowed me to upgrade my trusted Cobra with the best-of-the-best equipment.
Soon it was a truly to be feared (among the same ship class) and well equipped for short range exploration and bounty hunting. There are as many naughty people among the stars as there are on my home world, and authorities pay good money to end them.
As my career continued, I made my way through a T7 . Soon I was allied with the Federation and proudly held the title of Baron in the empire, as I pledged myself to assist both powers, but to stay neutral in conflicts between them.
The Imperial Clipper was my reward, hauling more than the T7, but at the same time flying almost like my Cobra. It also took part in the famous Battle of Lugh. Do you remember the Galnet news? According to federation propaganda, many heroic feats were accomplished at those days. But to be honest, it was more of a propaganda war than a real challenge, but I will not complain as it improved my Pilot's rating significantly. Some victories in life are easy, some are hard.
At that time, the "bubble" (as my fellow CMDRs call the tiny strip of inhabited space) started to feel like a cage to me. I was curious of the wonders beyond. So I took my trusted Old Lady out to NGC 7822 and enjoyed the wonders of burning hot stars and black holes embedded in a nebula. Of course, other CMDRs have been here before. But it opened my eyes. I wanted to go even further. So sad-hearted it was time to say goodbye to the Old Lady as Lakon's brand-new Diamondback Explorer was on sale! Yes, it doesn't have the performance of an ASP, but at a more affordable price, that was the ship that is going to take me to the stars. Without need for weapons, I made her as light as possible and left on my first expedition. It felt so good to leave humanity behind. The constant fighting, bickering, plotting and scheming among the major and minor factions started to make me sick.
The shakedown cruise took me to Sagittarius A* and with the payout I was able to upgrade to a majestic T9 for trading. Honestly, it flies like a cow, but there is something serene about it. Sidewinders and Haulers now respectfully make space as I enter and exit space stations at 130m/s. For the first time, funds were really flowing and I rewarded myself with an Eagle. Both for fun and to improve my combat skills.
The second expedition took me to the Neutron fields, and soon a third expedition followed. This is were I am now. So far my better understanding of the accustic sensor feedback has allowed me to find a plethora of planets hosting life-forms on it, some of which are earth-like. I surveyed another thousand neutron stars and black holes and enjoyed the impressive view of being right below the core and looking up/down to the stars while the vast blackness of interstellar space provided a contrast on the opposite side of my cockpit. My next goal is to reach the outer rim on the far side of our galaxy and see what it holds.
Enjoying weeks of lonelyness, I decided to sign up to the pilot's forums on Galnet and share my story, as well as read about other CMDRs and their feats.
Thank you for reading,
CMDR Siegfried von Rabenfels