CMDR’s Log - 18:15, 4 Jul 3303
04 Jul 2017Xt2673
You’ll never make it as a pilot.These were the last words I heard from my father as I walked out the door. His words struck me hard. Every one of my friends left their homes with their parents’ best wishes. All I got was my mother slapping me and calling me an idiot and my father’s words. Not exactly the confidence booster I wanted, but it did cement my idea that I will prove to them that I can do this. I will do this. I left my home on Earth last week. I don’t plan on going back anytime soon, either… not until I have something to show for my efforts.
I was lucky. The Beluga liner I took passage in had some experienced pilots that were happy to pass along some info to me. One of them set me up with a contact at Baker’s Prospect in the Asellus Primus system.
Some of the other pilots seemed a bit anxious or nervous. Kept overhearing something about Thargoids. I remember hearing about them when I was a boy. They were stories we used to hear, like the boogey man. Hyper-advanced aliens that could pull a ship out of hyperspace. They were not friendly, either. The stories we used to hear were scary, but they were just stories… so why do they mention them now?
I had to inquire. Turns out, they’re real. Like… really real! They’ve been in hiding all these years… and now, they’ve been showing up, pulling people out of hyperspace, disabling their ships just long enough to pop in and scan them, then buggin’ out before their ship reboots. Some have tried to pursue these aliens, but none have managed to follow for long. Even some reports of distress signals coming from downed capital ships. Small detachments of frigates and destroyers in ruins. Even Thargoid bases! Some as close as 300 LY from home! I got a little queasy at the thought. One of the pilots gave me something for it, then wrapped an arm around my shoulders and said, “Don’t worry, kid. Just keep your eyes glued to Galnet and stay in the populated areas for now. When you get more experience, and grow a bigger pair, you can come out here and see for yourself.”
I spent the next few days booking passage to Baker’s Prospect. It’s a little backwater colony, but that’s where I was meeting up with someone who could get me set up with my own ship. While doing that, I stopped around the local bars and did my best to gain some knowledge of what’s ahead. Mining. Exploring. Bounty hunting. Trading. Literally anything I wanted to do.
I finally arrived at Baker’s Prospect two days ago. Met my contact, Robert Moon. Gave me a Sidewinder Mk I and 1000cr to my name. Even got me in contact with some mentors that explained a bit about different avenues I could go as a pilot. “Don’t worry about paying me back, son,” he said as I started to board my new ship. “Think of this as paying it forward. Just get out there and make a name for yourself.”
I thanked him and got in, closing the hatch behind me. After climbing into my seat, I took a moment to familiarize myself with the controls. I spent so much time back home on simulations that this wasn’t too tough a task. Went over my modules… HOLY CRAP, I HAVE AN SRV ON BOARD!!! Oh, I so can’t wait to use that! Everything else is pretty basic, though… but I know enough to get going and make it my own. She’s not much, but she’ll do what I need to for now. Just get the basics down and learn what I can.
And so started my journey into the void… Spent the next couple of days learning what I could about anything I could before finally settling back at Baker’s Prospect. It’s home… for now.
Been a lot of talk about the different superpowers and joining up with one or the other. Not sure if that’s a smart move for me. I was raised under Federation rule, always taught to hate the Empire… but that was never my style. Even the Alliance doesn’t really call to me. Maybe I should just stay Independent? If I ever decide to want to go back home, I’m gonna have to get a Sol permit for my ship… which I’ll HAVE to join the Federation for that... Maybe I can be sorta freelance?
All I know is I have a lot to learn and a vast galaxy to learn and grow in. Politics and Thargoids aside, I have a lot of opportunities at my feet.
It’s time to get them wet...