Entry 106 - 10.30.3303 - The One Year Mark!
30 Oct 2017MBaldelli
Left to Unlock Professor Palin: 970 LYI've changed the format of my entries just a little bit as I know that I'm getting close to the mark for unlocking Professor Palin by the amount of distance I've traveled from the system where I had obtained my pilot's license from. After I break the 5,000 LY mark I'll go a bit more just to be on the safe side before I turn around and head back to getting my home port -- which should take quite a while too because I'll be following my usual procedures of surveying unknown systems as well. After all, whatever money and credit for first discover I make will more than be toppings on this current sundae.
Looking at the ship's chronometer, I realized that it was exactly one year ago, that I had obtained my pilot's license and joined the small percentage of humanity to being pilots, navigators, bounty hunters, miners, and explorers in the great big, velvet black of the Milky Way.
I remember I did it for my name to be put out in the stars for the bits that were unexplored outside the bubble.
I remember that I did it because I could hear the call of being an astronaut and a pilot since I was a no more than a toddler.
I remember that I didn't join immediately instead going with the local forces of my home world and after serving my time returned to the civilian sector all the while watching the news and listening to the roaring sound of Asps or Vipers leaving the gravity well heading toward space. But after being cleared of the problems that ailed me through childhood and an accident that occurred in my late teens, I was finally cleared to joinb the Academy.
Finally, I remember keeping the promise to a man whom loved and showed me loyalty that was taken entirely too quickly from my life that I would always follow my heart... No matter where it would take me.
Here I am... One year and more than 68,000 LY traveled later, in the Deep Black and flying a ship that I bought with the credits I had earned through exploration. Still surveying planets, stars, moons and even the occasional asteroid belts. Still amazed at the wonders and marvels that I witness, see and record outside of my cockpit windows. Still trying to sort through all the information I get from the extranet and trying to stamp my own brand of order to that chaos.
And I still feel good in spite of the the fact that I'm well into middle-age.
I think Tomasz would be amused as to the man that I became. And proud that I did in fact, follow my heart and dreams...
I'd say, it's quite the anniversary...