Return from Distant Worlds 2 and Visiting the Golconda
29 Dec 2019Logan Darklighter
December 16, 3305: It's been almost a year since I left on Distant Worlds 2 Expedition. And while Colonia is a good home away from home, it's time to get back to "the bubble".
I've got a load of rare goods in the form of Jacques Distilleries I'm going to sell on spec. I fully expect pirates along the way, so the Azhanti High Lightning isn't stripped down for high jump range and exploration. (Though I am going to speed my journey using the Neutron Highway)
Nope. I've got her fully kitted with her combat load-out, a newly reinforced hull and self-repair kits and limpets. Even if I get caught out deep in the black by an interdiction, I'll be able to fight. And I'll be able to repair almost any damage done.
So yeah - a calculated risk. But I'm stacking the odds in my favor.
December 22, 3305:
I'm revisiting a system I discovered on an outbound trip. (Star system: Prua Phoe AE-B d3) I didn't get a chance to fully map it before. And I'm surprised nobody else has tagged it yet. Bonus for me, since I'll be docking at Sacajawea Port shortly after I pass through here and the mapping bonus will be mine. Nice.
I think someone's going to want to plant a colony and Deep Space port here. It's halfway between Sacaqawea Space Port and the closest approach of the Neutron Highway lanes. This system has an Earth-like Planet and two water worlds. Almost all the planets in this small system can be terraformed as well!
The Earth-like and it's moon is almost a twin of the Earth-Luna pair - even to the point of having similar axial tilt and the moon to stabilize the rotational spin. The tides in it's ocean are even comparable. It'll remain a stable world suitable for colonists for eons to come. And just imagine the night-time view of the Skaudai Nebula beyond!
December 26, 3305
My first stop back in "The Bubble" after my trip from Colonia along the Neutron Highway was the Golconda generation ship.
What a sight. Despite what they say about the wear and tear this vessel endured, I'd say she looks to be in remarkably good shape all things considered.
I've been looking up conversations on the local data-net and despite the "official" data quarantine in place, you can tell that a lot of the posters are Golcondan youngsters hacking or dodging the ban and talking with folks. There's some ideas floating about - probably impracticable. But some of the Golcondans want to refurbish the old generation ship and change her into something closer to a modern station.
I'm sure I'm not alone in hoping they can someday do exactly that if they want. I could see it working, actually. Reinforce the main spine to modern materials and standards. Replace that massive debris shield up front with a standard docking port. Maybe switch out the drive blocks for a power plant.
Or maybe go REALLY nuts and try for a massive drive block and Frameshift drive like what Jaques tried to do with Jaques station. I bet he could offer some tips on how NOT to do things. (Heh. Sorry, Jaques. You know I love ya, man. But hey - we all know how that went - and it all worked out just fine in the long run, eh?)
Wouldn't THAT be something? They could get back on that ship and REALLY see the galaxy then!
December 27, 3305
I wasn't able to be there to participate in helping out the folks on the Golconda get settled into their new orbital station (more on that later) but as I was getting ready to come back to "The Bubble" via the Neutron Highway from Colonia, I heard about the Golconda spirits (wine) these people produce.
And I thought - hey - doesn't Jaques have a line in quality stills that'd be of use for making some good hooch? Why yes - yes he does. Not often sold outside of the Colonia bubble.
I told the local broker at Fozard Point in Upaniklis that he could cut whatever deal he wanted with me, as long as the stills were then made available directly to the Golconda colonists. I stuck around in-system long enough to get word that the items went over in a big way with those folks. Job well done and a nice tidy profit for me.
Hey - enlightened self-interest - it's what makes the Galaxy spin, right?
December 28, 3305
The colonists from the Golconda seem to be doing quite well for themselves, looks like! That's a nice big habitat they've got there. And not TOO dissimilar to what they've been used to. Good compromise. They still want to keep to themselves largely. But I think their young generation is going to want to get out and see the Galaxy. I might just be willing to help apprentice one or two of them along the way myself if they want to learn how modern ships work and become Pilots themselves.
I grew up on an orbital colony myself, so I can appreciate their perspective. I still get mild agoraphobia standing on a planet surface. After all these years I'm still not quite used to having the horizon curve DOWN and AWAY from my view. Doesn't stop me from landing or make me unwilling to. Just - I have a feeling I'll never be able to make a home on a planet for myself. Just a spacer "tic" I can't get rid of. I'll likely retire to another orbital station to spin my last years out.
Heck - I could see retiring HERE to help train the Golcondans in piloting when I'm done with seeing the Galaxy. If they'd have me of course.
But that's a long time coming, I hope.
