I thought getting back to the bubble would be so far in my future that I might never had seen it.... but I finally did.

"The Neutron Highway" did a lot to cut down my time spent getting back from the Galactic Center. Initial estimate at my measly 29.73LY range was something in the range of 700-800 jumps... an eternity. Sure it would have paid the big bucks with all the exploration I would have done but after the first leg to Colonia and then on to the Center I had just about enough of scanning things.

The careful arrangement of neutron jumps got my trip back in about half of the initial 800 jump estimate, which was a welcome change of pace for me and the Lone Star which was now showing significant signs of wear. Gone was the handsome blue camo and gold lined paintjob to be replaced by scorch marks, bare metal panels and lots of scrapes from micrometeorites. I kinda like it... it's a look, the kind of look that says I'm done dealing with people and I prefer celestial bodies to dead ones.

Despite my long absence from civilization, word on the comms never fails to identify how dynamic human space is. Things were changing and with characters like Dr. Arcanonn, Dr. Palin, Lady Kahina etc. making waves across human space (for good reasons or bad) but also with the Thargoids dropping back in to say hello by way of heavy weaponry, I knew it was time to kick things into overdrive and make some friends in high places.

(Also.. Why the Hacksaw Run name? It's rather simple I'm not that creative. Tracing a straight line from Bunda To Varati To Colonia To Sagittarius A* and back via the Neutron Highway makes a shape very much resembling an old Hacksaw.. sometimes it really is that simple)

Colonia was a much needed rest from weeks of hyperspace travel and mindless scanning. Exploration has a way of being more entertaining when you're doing it for the fun of it... and not the hell of it and damn sure not for the money.

I thought the whirring of automatic navigation buoys and the incessant chatter of comms traffic would have enough pulling power to get me to stay for a bit... it didn't. All it took is a couple of days of sightseeing around nav beacons... and a would be pirate's attempt at some cargo (which I carry none of during exploration) to have me wish for greener (or blacker) pastures and speaking of pulling power nothing (in this galaxy at least) has more pulling power than Sagittarius A* a supermassive black hole. Determined to earn more money but more importantly my exploration badges I set off for the void looking to fall in Zulu-Romeo's footsteps a few years after he made the first trip to the big drainhole in the center of the galaxy.

The journey was more or less uninteresting and definitely a lot shorter than the Varati-Colonia trip. I even got somewhat proficient at supercharging my jump range by feeding the old FSD some high octane neutronium fuel. First time you break 100LY in one jump is a memorable one as is the sight greeting you at the end of the road jumping into Sagittarius A*. There it sits in all its glory almost invisible but hot as hell from all the matter swirling around it. I'm not scientist and I certainly am no expert but the thought of an object so massive yet so compact really blows your mind. It's such an unnatural sight that I couldn't help but feel we were never meant to see it. I'd feel that way too if it wasn't for the dozen fleet carrier or so parked around the area looking to score some cheap cash from travelers and explorers who (like me) took off for this place with a tankful of determination and an empty one of luck.

I'll check the rates, fix my drive and probably head back this time with some decent money in my pocket and with the goal of getting the Lone Star some much needed upgrades.

It had to happen...

A near disaster, a random power fluctuation during a routine fuel scoop. Everything went dark no control... PROXIMITY WARNING... ship drops out of frameshift temperature rising to level 80... panic deep breath... almost 100M of exploration data about to boil over in the corona of this damned star... but the ship restarts I knew I did well to pick the Lone Star as the Asp Explorer used to be a navy ship before being replaced by smaller and more nimble equipment.

Sparks fly, smoke fills my lungs and clouds my vision... level 107 heat it's going to be a scorcher but I'm going to make it.

Back on the road ago toward the safety of Colonia via the unknown. By this point I no longer feel uneasy about being over 8KLY from home.. its routine.

TLDR: Power went out while playing and I almost crashed into a star... I'm glad I didn't.

After a long absence I feel the draw of the stars.

I got my ASP ready for flight and will head off into the unknown. I'll miss the comfort and safety of my Canonn cohorts at Varati but there is too much out there to learn about to sit here idle.

Systems check out and the new scanners seem to be working. A few flight tests and I'll be on my way.