AspX, I Hardly Knew Ye...
07 Jun 2018Scubadog
I've spent the past couple of months bouncing around the Core Systems, slaving at getting the materials I need, doing the favors I need to do, all to get some engineering done on The Ceti Azeria and The Ceti Rena. Until we see some engineers branch out into the Colonia region, this is the burden. I've spent the most cockpit time in the new Chieftain, and, after engineering it, I have to admit this machine has become my favorite for just the sheer joy of flying. But I've come to realize that, with some compromise, it really is best suited to replace the roll my AspX, The Ceti Vixen was set up to play in my fleet. And, so, I have sold her.You see, I'm not keen to simply acquire a large fleet, but I'm of the mind to acquire and configure ships to be best suited for particular mission types. With so many different degrees of flexibility as to number and type of modules each ship can have, I don't fancy swapping out modules every time I turn around. I just want to climb into the cockpit, fire it up and get on it. As I've come along, and added larger ships, those have, at first, been more multi-functional. Eventually, each became more specialized. I do have each size class represented, however. I have my original Diamondback Explorer along with a Vulture allowing me to operate where I need access to small pads. Flown well, they are harder targets to get a bead on and have particular strengths for their size. With the Chieftain now easily providing me the medium pad capabilities the Asp Explorer previously covered, but having significantly better strengths, its partner-in-crime is my Python. The Python has more room while still giving me access to a medium pad. The Chieftain, as I have it configured, is ideal for running bounty missions as well as salvage missions since it really can hold its own. The Python is ideal for CG cargo missions. My explorer is now my largest ship, the Anaconda. It's almost got too much room, but, being truthful, when I'm out for the long haul, I want to carry everything I need with me. And that includes a modest capacity to render aid if I need to. With an SRV and a fighter, AFMS and both repair and refueling limpets, along with some modest engineering, as long as I'm out there not looking for a fight, I don't have too much worrying to do.
That reminds me, though, that I'm hearing about the big brother to the Chieftain coming soon. The Challenger doesn't seem like a ship I have any hankering for, though. It doesn't have nearly the curb appeal the Chieftain has, and is notably bigger. They're claiming it's going to be tougher, but that's not something I'm looking for. And there are rumors of a couple of other new hulls coming at some point, but details are sketchy, and they seem to be duplicating capability I already have, with no real additional benefits. I have made sufficient rank in the Federation that I could pick up a Corvette, but it doesn't have as much room as my Anaconda. And, for me, this would be and either/or decision. If I could have just ONE more slot in the Corvette I'd probably trade in the Anaconda. Either one would make a good long range explorer. I often see the Fuel Rats running with Corvettes. For now, I think I'll stick with my Anaconda.
So, as I wind down my visit to the Core and prepare for my long trip back home to Colonia Dream, I'm not looking forward to the cost of shipping my Chieftain out there. It costs more to transfer this ships than the cost to replace them! So, I'd better make sure I accumulate a LOT of cartographic data on the way home so I can offset this cost. There are some things I'm gonna miss about the Core. Not enough to make me want to stay, though. No, sir.