Old Guardian Sites, Faction Explosion and Alternate Plans
27 Apr 2020Scubadog
I've spent way more time in the core systems than I figured for. One thing leads to another and, before you know it, you let yourself get romanced into doing all manner of business. Not that any of it has been bad, mind you. Well, some of it. Having your ship blown up is never on a bucket list. You see, The Silverbacks have inexplicably been going through an insane explosion of new recruits. And it's not like we've been actively recruiting, either. I mean, sure, we have our shingle hung up in a place or two, but we've been too busy with the Thargoids and managing the affairs of our various systems to do much else. And a lot of our recent additions have been relatively new commanders. Which is just that much more surprising when you remember that we're The Silverbacks...a bunch of 'seasoned' commanders with a lot of miles on us. What this has meant is that many of us have taken on a more mentoring role at times. And I think it's been pretty enjoyable.
Most of us can remember a time or two when our enthusiasm confounded good sense and preparation: run out of fuel, run out of life support, pissed off the wrong pirate. If we were lucky, there was someone to help rescue our bacon. Most often, not. And with some of the new recruits, it's no different. We've hailed the scant S.O.S. or two, turned them into teachable moments and everyone kept on their merry. It's been through the various rescues and request to be taught something that I've really come to be even more proud to be part of this faction. Maintaining a sense of humor through it all--whether the "teacher" or the "student"--has, I think, set this group apart. I know it's made me a better commander. There is a very old saying that goes something like "nothing makes you better at doing something than when you have to teach it". I'd say that's a pretty fair axiom.
So, it was during one of these opportunities that I took a couple of our new commanders out to one of the Gaurdian structures so they could learn how to expose the Guardian data orb so they could acquire the blueprint fragment for modules that I got some of the biggest laughs I've had in a while. But, also, one of the most uniquely surreal views I've ever had. When we arrived at the site, it was pretty clear. But as our training went on, a ridiculously thick fog appeared. It was creepy and yet mesmerizing.
Yeah. Like I said.
Oh, and in honor of The Silverbacks getting ranked third in the recent 'season' of bughunting--which was the maiden flight of my custom Krait Mk II, The Ceti AX, I decided to give her a new paint job befitting her role:
As I sit here recording this, I'm doing so inside a Type 9 freighter. Hopefully not for long. You see, I've sold myself--temporarily--to the devil, and pledged to a superpower. For most of the time I've been in the bubble this time around, I've been cavitating over the idea of getting prismatic shields. You all know what that means. Yep. So, here I am, and here I go. Just when I thought I'd settled my affairs in the core systems, ready for the trip back home to the Colonia region, I go and sign myself up for 4 more weeks.
Wish me luck.