CMDR Eldrich Thames Logbook, Entry #17, November 10, 3303
10 Nov 2017Eldrich Thames
Please don’t think that I like to go back on my word easily… But my get-to-Elite-trader goal has been temporarily suspended for the time being.
The reason: After the Pilots Federation released a mandatory update to the Standard Ship Piloting Interface firmware last September, I’ve been having issues when connecting to the station’s Mission Boards. Ever since I updated my ship's systems, it will now take a significant time to load the available missions, and more often tan not it will display a warning: something about being unable to get the full list from the station’s servers or whatnot.
Sometimes they will load just fine despite the warning, but every now and then only a few mission offers would show up, making necessary to reload the board.
But if that was just the problem I have, I would simply bear with it and carry on. The worst part is that whenever I turn in a mission contract the ship’s computer will reboot, activating the docking pad’s fail-safe protocols, forcing my ship back into the hangar until the reboot completes.
And since this Monday, this reboot-on-mission-delivery would happen every single time I turn a mission in! What the actual fuck!?
Looking for answers in the PF’s Galnet forums, I read reports from other pilots having similar issues. It doesn’t seem like a widespread issue, fortunately. But a permanent solution for those suffering this problem has yet to be found.
Until this issue is solved, I decided to move trading from the top of my to-do list. So what to do meanwhile?
I could focus on combat, since that’s my second highest rank. But while blowing other ships up is fun, it’s nothing I want to do right now. So I guess it’s exploration time then!
I headed back to Li Yong Rui-controlled space to search the ship markets there, and found a good offer on a not-too-worn-out Anaconda. Sure, there are some loose cables in the bridge and the commander's chair feels a bit... squeaky... but everything else looks quite solid.
So I bought her, applied a fresh coat of Black Friday to the hull, and christened my new ship “Palarran”.
"Palarran (Quenya for 'Far-wanderer') was the name of a large ship built by Tar-Aldarion in the early Second Age. It was the second largest ship in his fleet of ships that included also Eämbar and Hirilondë. First launched in SA 806 and like the others, Aldarion used it to sail eastwards across the Belegaer to Middle-earth, marking the start of other such voyages."
source: lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Palarran
Using some of the modules from my other ships, I managed to make a half-decent exploration rig out of Palarran. As of this entry date I’m taking her on a shakedown to taste her basic exploration systems, all while heading back to Li space to complete her outfitting, then on to Farseer to see what Engineering opportunities are available – and sell some of the exploration data I'll certainly collect along the way.
My goal is to turn Palarran into a fully self-sufficient deep space exploration and prospecting vessel with automated module and hull repair facilities, as well as both SRV and fighter bays for aerial and ground scouting; a full suite of exploration scanning equipment – including FDS wake and xeno scanners; and a single mining laser and refinery – just for basic prospecting since it will not have collector limpets nor a large cargo capacity (64 tons plus a single corrosion-resistant ton – once I unlock access to Palin).
I’m planning to achieve all of this without sacrificing defensive capabilities; I’m opting for a full-turreted pulse laser build, with a 6D shield gen and a single booster and chaff launcher to keep weight as low as possible. All of that would be fully engineered to low weight where applicable, and according to my calculations it should give me a solid over-50 LY unladen jump range – if I get lucky with the Engineers, that is.
But even in her current unfinished state, it is really a joy to take Palarran’s helm and head back to exploring duty. I’m not sure yet where to head to once I have her build complete, but I still have plenty of time to think it out. Any and all suggestions are welcome!
CMDR Thames signing out!