CMDR Eldrich Thames logbook, entry #14, March 26, 3303
26 Mar 2017Eldrich Thames
I finished my survey of all systems within one jump of Maia successfully. It's been ten interesting days, during which I surveyed around 70 or so systems (63 of which are systems identified by their Universal Cartographics IDs). The fact that these systems have been surveyed by perhaps hundreds of pilots before me doesn't bother me at all... there are still plenty of systems yet to be visited by someone; plenty of time to put my name in one of those.
I made a quick stop at Obsidian Orbital to fully repair and restock Greedy Mamba. Then I docked at Darnielle's Progress to buy a canister of Meta-Alloys to bring to Farseer. Security aroud the base has been tightened since the MA theft a few days earlier. I was thoroughly screened before having the cargo canister delivered to my ship. But with that hurdle cleared, I took off and plotted a course to the Deciat system, where Farseer Inc. was located. 22 jumps in total, with most of the systems yet to be surveyed by me.
I start charging my FSD as I take a last look upon Maia and the deep blue veil of the nebula covering most of the local sky. Farewell, for now...
Unlike Black Hide, Farseer Inc. is located in a quite visible location on Deciat 6A. And a quite nice one too, right at the edge of a massive cliff. I understand the place was originally a mining outpost owned by Felicity Farseer's father, but since she retired from her life of exploration to focus on experimental engineering it was turned into a top-tier R&D facility. The only trait she shared with The Dweller was her desire for seclusion. Only those with the proper clearance codes can hope to even be acknowledged by the facility's automated docking system.
Upon stepping down from my vessel after entering the hangar and powering Greedy Mamba down, I was greeted by the veteran explorer herself.
"Welcome to my humble abode, Commander... Thames, right?"
"Yep. A pleasure to meet you, ma'am.", I greeted her, extending my right arm as I did so.
After shaking hands she paused to admire Greedy Mamba for a few seconds before saying:
"I love the look of a ship that has spent some time out in the black... the way the paint cracks and peels off, as if it was a lizard in the middle of its molting... It's also refreshing to see a ship different to the Asps and Diamondbacks that normally dock here for change. First time out of the Bubble, Commander?"
"Yes. Ten days in the Pleiades."
"A good choice for a first deep space expedition. Also for getting some of those Meta-Alloys too!", she laughed.
After unloading the cargo and inspecting it, Farseer seemed pleased. Her workshop was open for business! Her base also had a Universal Cartographics contact, which I used to offload my exploration data. I was payed over 3 million Credits for my efforts. As part of her deal with UC, Farseer also got access to the data. As a way to say thanks, I could request some of her best work for my ships anytime. For now I settled with an upgrade to my power plant, FSD and the single shield booster I brought with me.
As I was preparing to leave for Kokojina to fully repair Greedy Mamba (and apply a fresh coat of paint to her hull), I received a comm from the Pilot's Federation.
"Commander Eldrich Thames,
We have received word of your successful return to civilized space after a short expedition to the Pleiades cluster.
While the Pleiades is a thoroughly explored region of space by now, the fact that you completed your survey with little support from orbital or ground facilities serves as a testament to your endurance and capabilities as a deep-space pilot.
Therefore, as recognition of your feat of spacemanship, The Pilots Federation is pleased to announce that you have been promoted to the Pathfinder Explorer rank. Congratulations, Commander! You are a shining example to us all!
May your future travels to the Deep Black lead you to undiscovered worlds!
Always fly safe, Commander!
The Pilots Federation"
CMDR Thames signing out!