CMDR Merydian profile > Logbook

Profile
Commander name:
Current ship:
Starlight Tracer [4p5-dw]
(Diamondback Explorer)
 
Member since:
Feb 18, 2017
 
Distances submitted:
1,186
 
Systems visited:
6,374
Systems discovered first:
3,238
 
Balance:
1,349,755,628 Cr
A mission!

A science mission has just been announced, "Break the Sky". I've been somewhat at odds and ends where to explore next; this is just what I needed.

On to Syroomaei HT-Z D13-28! OK, maybe I'm getting a early start (official launch is tomorrow) but given that I was late getting here, I figure better earlier than later.

Altum Sagittarii

Today I arrived at Altum Sagittarii. This is probably one of the highest views I'm going to get of the galaxy in the Starlight Tracer. It's jump range simply isn't large enough to reach Peak, much to my disappointment.

Still, it gives one a sense of awe to see how vast the galaxy is, how uncountable the stars!

Our galaxy

Made it to Sagittarius A*, Explorer's Anchorage and Armstrong Landing

I did it! Heart of the galaxy, the eye of infinity.

Armstrong Landing, the rallying point for waypoint 7, is a handful of light-years away. I saw some other commanders there. But what I'm most excited about is another few light-years over, a station built for explorers by explorers: Explorer's Anchorage.

Right now it's under construction. But I managed to sell off a ton of data plus get some repairs (from an "oops" on the throttle while landing).

The eye of infinity

OK, I guess I'm a tourist and explorer

So I finally figured out something. Yeah I'm an explorer. But I'm following the sight-seeing route. I like amazing vistas. So I'm a tourist.

And like most tourists I like nice photos.

Between the suns

I've never seen a solar eclipse caused by a sun before.

Shrogaei ZK-M D8-270

Our galaxy

Seen from Kyli Flyuae WO-A f39 "Dance of the Compact Quartet". This system has neutron stars and white dwarfs.

Kyli Flyuae WO-A f39

Zunuae Nebula

Viewed from Zunuae OQ-O C6-3342

Wufric Nebula

Yes, I really do like colorful nebula.

Viewed from Byoomao WX-T C19-4546

Whoa, more life

A Q06-type anomaly in the rings of Myriesly CL-P E5-7383 3 A. This thing tried to damage me through my shields!

I've spotted a K-11 type anomaly but am not sure if it is real or me being space-happy. It's not in my codex. I should've taken a picture, but I didn't. Real or not real? Q06-type anomaly

Insinnergy's World

A beautiful moon with some kind of tuber-plant.

Myriesly DQ-G d10-1240 7 A

Tourists are crazy, so what's that make me?

I will grant that putting starport hotels next to neutron stars and black holes offer spectacular views. But do they have to be so stinking close? You're sweating like a geyser riding that all the way in, waiting for that "too close" alarm to go off indicating you're about to toast your ship trying to get back out. And the grav-lens of the black hole is just as unnerving.

These places have to be for tourists on tourist ships. You sure aren't going to find room for a decent laundry in a DBX. The santizer facilities just aren't the same.

But... did I mention the spectacular view?

Black in Green

The Clawed Hand Nebula was also quite nice: I had a good view from Hypuae Scrua AF-Y D1-91. An interesting blend of red and green.

Onward to waypoint 7 and Sagittarius A*!

Clawed Hand Nebula

Got my hull repaired after all

While hanging out bored in the Dryau Awesomes I ended up chatting with the EDSM squadron. Commander Baugers helpfully jumped in and gave me the 14% hull repair that I needed.

All I need now is a 1% repair on my power plant.

Gathering at Waypoint 6

Saw a bunch of ships today.

Ships at Dryau Ausms KG-Y e3390 AB 2 B

The flight to Waypoint 6

Sightseeing on the way to waypoint 6

The Gloaming Pink Flame Nebula Cloverfield Planetary Nebula

Waypoint 6: The Dryau Awesomes

I've arrived finally, but other than Hanz Brix nobody else is here. I must be very early. We chatted on whether I need to get that 14% hull damage repaired since he had limpets. I'm going to try to hold out until the Sag A* station.

View of the white dwarf primary

I could have died today

Did you know some Lagrange clouds have electric storms?

Did you know those storms could buffet your ship worse than coming in for glide on a planet?

Did you know that a couple of good lightning bursts can fry your instruments, strip your shields and melt your hull in one major blast?

I found that out the hard way. I lost 14% of my hull at the Gardens of Shangri-La in Dryoea Flyi II-S e4-6870.

Call me crazy, but I went back to scan the things in the cloud. And take pictures, heaven help me.

Scary lightning

How crazy was I to go back?

Pretty crazy I guess

Not so scary

Some non-lethal vistas that were not nearly so bothersome.

Update: hey, my photo got used by EDSM!

Dryao Aoscs FW-W E1-5865 B 9

A ringed sun in Mylaifa AA-A H786 4

I. Am. Elite.

I've done it.

Here, at waypoint 5, Polo Harbor in the Venetian Nebula, I have finally done it.

I am Elite.

All the systems I've meticulously scanned. Planets visited. Sections of hull left behind. It's all led to this.

If my ship were to break down now, I could be satisfied that I've reached one of my greatest goals. And that's cause to celebrate: I'm taking some well earned R&R here at Polo to rest up. Because I need to be ready.

As great of an achievement as this is for me, that is not the only reason why I'm on this voyage. I'm an Explorer. An elite Explorer. Beagle Point is still weeks away. There's over half the galaxy in between.

I will see it all.

I will return with tales to tell.

And when one day the black finally claims me forever, I will remain unconquered, my journey a story to inspire the next generation to face and defeat that which takes me.

See you in the black. o7

Elite at last