To Colonia and Beyond - Beagle Point.
11 Jun 2019Traegon
I should've asked around. I should've done research.That's not to say I still wouldn't have made the trip. No - I definitely still wanted to come this far. I wanted to be among the few that made this arduous journey, but I guess I also wanted to be surprised by the experience.
Well, surprise would be an understatement. I'm not disappointed, but I'm not overjoyed either. There's no fanfare in my mind. There's just.. relief. I mean, I made it after all. It's been two months since Roviden and I sat together that fateful day. I'd planned to rest, stock up, and venture forth to make the final leg to Oevasy SG-Y d0; the furthest place possible for our current technology to achieve.
"Rest." "Stock up." How quaint.
I don't know what I expected. 42,000 Lightyears and three weeks later, I know I wasn't the first here, I won't be the last, and I certainly wasn't expecting a grand welcome. I expected to be welcomed at a small colony. I even expected a few tourists - but not the pansy kind that get excited by a nebula or two. Not even the most intrepid Sag A* and Colonia explorers. I expected the kind of tourist that might've made to the climb to the top of Mount Everest on Earth, in Sol, back when that was considered a grand achievement.
For those of you reading this that may have already made the journey, or even those of you that might've read about others making the journey; I expect you're laughing right now. Well, go ahead. At least I can say I'm here; I made it.
I keep coming back to that. Made it. Made it where? I mean, doesn't "Beagle Point" sound like a place where people come to meet at the long end of a journey? To stop, possibly reflect on their journey?
Beep. Beep. Beep. At least, I imagine it's beeping. The beacon, with it's flashing light in front of me, reminds me of where I am. I guess I should link up and read it, at least.
Zy the Beagle was the epitome of the phrase "Man's Best
Friend". Endlessly loyal and loving, Zy made sure his
Commander was cuddled relentlessly after returning from
a long journey; whether it was to another system, nebula,
black hole... or just the local shop.
He spent his days dashing around, making friends with
anyone who came near him and accompanying CMDR
Chrispy Toast as his official "Exploring Buddy" on his
adventures though space, often wrapped in a blanket.
To all Commanders who find this beacon, raise your hand
and salute o7 to Zy. May he run wild and free.
I stand and salute. o7 Zy, indeed.
...
Making a survey of the planetary bodies in the area, I confirm that, indeed, there is nothing. No colonies, no orbitals, no sign of human life anywhere, and I certainly don't expect to run into any Thargoids this far from Sol. I would've welcomed a tourist at the beacon, and for the first time, there wasn't one.
So that's Beagle Point. There's no colony or base, no impromptu structure in the ravines on the surface. I get it, in a way. A single beacon recognizing one important achievement, and then a pristine system devoid of any evidence of human pollution. Like a hidden gem of a beach on an earth-like world. I may not have understood the lack of human colonization at first, but I do now.
...
A few hours later, after a multitude of repairs, a quick bite and some rest, I head off, scanning a few systems hoping to find that maybe the joke was on me and that somebody was nearby, but not so near as to spoil the majesty. I didn't really need anything, but I don't want to synthesize it and use my reserves, either. No such luck. My AFM depleted, I save the synthesis for when it's necessary, on the off-hand I won't need it.
As I study the charts and plan my route to Oevasy SG-Y d0, I take stock in my jumponium. I should be fine as long as I'm careful. Looks to be another 20 jumps or so if want to minimize my injections, 15 if I want to hurry.
I want to hurry. Home is so very far away.