DISTANT WORLDS 2 - DAY 5 - TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STARS
17 Jan 2019Zak Starfall
Galactic stardate 17JAN3305A late start this morning. We woke to find that our binary waterworld had orbited away from our view and had been replaced by the local star in almost exactly the same position, and the star was just beginning to set.
As we had received a firmware update for our sensor array from the Pilots Federation overnight, we decided kill three birds with one stone. We updated the sensor array, whilst eating breakfast and watching an alien sunset (space travel plays havoc with your body clock!).
Finally under way, we continued on course to the PW2010 Supercluster of young A and B stars. Again another fantastic sight as we approached.
Having arrived at the cluster we were just plotting the final leg to the Omega mining base, when the comms panel lit up with a deep space transmission on the SEPP squadron frequency. It was filled with static and background oscillations, but after a few minutes adjusting the hi and lo-pass filters I managed to make out the incoming message. It was CMDR Cr0nin, ahead of us in the main fleet, advising the squadron of a worthwhile diversion to TRAIKOA FL-P e5-4 and a tourist beacon in that system.
I wasn't sure. I was keen to get to Omega Mining and get Star Reaper a service check to make sure everything had settled in ok, but Cathy was quite persistent, asking what were we doing on an exploration expedition if we weren't going to explore? Well, I guess she had a point, and I'm no good at arguments, so I checked the Galmap. We were only 6 jumps away. Damn! Argument lost (again!).
A quick re-plot, a few jumps, and I have to say it was worth the detour! A fabulous blue supernova around a black hole, known as Black Treasure according to the beacon. A drop out of SC to the exclusion zone for a photo opportunity (because you have to) and then back out a 100ls or so to drop back to normal space. It's so peaceful and calming, we're staying here the night, slowly drifting through the blue remnants of this star.
we'll get to Omega Mining tomorrow... honest!
o7