Nebula visit cut short to help with the Exodus
11 Dec 2017Scubadog
I truly love setting down on the surface in the middle of nebulas. For me, it's a view like no other. If I could only find a planet with a comfortable, breathable atmo to just trek out in the buggy, park and just lay out and relax. I keep telling myself that if they ever produce a buggy with the ability to stow a portable habitat with transparent ceiling, I'm jumping at that. So, I hadn't gotten too far along in my scanning of systems in the nebula when I picked up the wave going out looking for help with materials and protection in preparation for the droves expected to emigrate from the core systems to the Colonia bubble because of the Thargoid threat. I must admit that I felt a fair bit removed from all that being way out here. The Thargoids didn't seem to be all that interested in humanity in these parts, and that was shiny by me. Oh, sure, I've picked up a few of the early anti-Thargoid weapons and sensors on the remotest chance of running across one out here, but I've never once used them. It never occurred to me that, with all the resources of the sundry empires in the Bubble, with all that space, we would really be affected. But, sure enough, fear takes hold when those you've put your faith in seem utterly incapable. The result? You have two choices. Fight or run. Apparently, many are choosing that latter.
Now, I'm perfectly suited to be an explorer because I'm okay being out there completely alone. They say no man is an island. I make a gorram good peninsula. I have to admit, though, it's been a nice change of pace running a little bit of ad hoc coop missions to take down some of the opportunistic feebs preying on the efforts to prepare for the incoming travelers. Generally, I'm of the mind to leave pirates to their own devices. If one decides to take a shot at me, I'm more likely to just avoid interdiction and move on with my business--although, on rare occasions when I'm feeling a bit uppity I'll surprise them and engage in a little mano-a-mano.
I think they must be about half way through the effort, so I expect activity to ramp up a bit before the futility of trying to thwart the cause sets in. I'm careful not to bite off too much more than I can chew, and I've limped back to port a couple of times to turn in the bounties. If I see a fellow commander drop out to take down a bounty, I'll drop into the sidelines if it looks like the bounty might be more of a challenge (or have surprise assistance). I won't get in my fellow commander's chili unless it looks like the scales aren't tipping in their favor. I'm not in this for the money--that's what exploring is for. I'm in it for the cause.
I'm going to knock out a sleep cycle while the Ceti Zorro is getting patched up and then I'll head back out there.