Having been out in the black for a week now, I have a moment in the brightness of the core to reflect on my history, and a chance to ponder my future. I have been a pilot since at least January 31, 3303; prior to that, I... do not recall. I was picked up stranded and adrift in my Sidewinder, either left for dead, or having wandered out on my own. The doctors say the oxygen deprivation I experienced could have left me with some form of amnesia, the good news is, no short term memory loss.

I initially made my way to Galouye Terminal in Obambivas, having heard on the GalNet that it was a recently upgraded Tourist Station and it was/is a spectacular place to call home. Working my way through the various small cargo ships (Hauler, Type 6, Type 7, etc...) I made my first millions hauling cargos to nearby stars, never venturing more than 15-20ly from Obambivas. It was somewhat uncommon knowledge that Jaques Station had inadvertently misjumped and been lost to the blackness of the void. However, I heard a rumor from another pilot that it had been found, fully staffed, and was now being restored and permanently stocked in the Colonia Sector. I didn't have any experience in exploration or even long distance flight, having only recently made my way to SOL after acquiring the requisite permit.

Nevertheless, I researched how to best outfit a ship, and set up my first exploration vessel. A Diamond-Back Explorer, fully loaded and ready to go, I think the jump range was somewhere around 30ly, but I was happy! Heading out on the Colonia Connection Highway I found great satisfaction not only with the sights and vistas, but also with the credits that exploration data can return! I made my way safely to Colonia, then ventured on to Sagittarius A*, The Great Annhilator, and more before returning to my new home base at Jaques Station. But soon, I grew weary of the monotony and loneliness of solo-flight. I tired trading back and forth among the new colonies, but I was growing discontent.

Returning to The Bubble, I resumed my life of local transport, hauling larger and larger cargos in my expanding fleet of ships. After graduating to the Type 9, I felt like the greatest space-trucker of all. But something kept calling to me from the vastness of the unknown. I soon had to get back out there. I built my first Dolphin, a recently released ship, and strode back into space, exploring nebulae, new planets, discovering as much as I could in short jaunts out from Obambivas, but Colonia ever called. Today, I am one step closer to returning.

I build this new Dolphin: Daedalus, with the best components and technology available to me. I'm jumping 42.5ly at a time with no worries. Just went to The Core for my 2nd visit, found the new station: Explorer's Anchorage, and planned out a circuitous route to Colonia from here.

My plan: Establish a home among the stars of the populated systems, leave my Dolphin there, and return to The Bubble to collect my remaining assets and ships. I'll fly the ones that are too costly to ship, and ship the remaining. I'm abandoning the chaos of The Bubble. The factions that cannot agree how to govern, and yet also cannot agree how to best defend themselves against the ongoing threat of the Thargoids. It is my intention to re-establish a home in Colonia and only venture into The Bubble under great restraint and after great preperation. The systems there may not be safe very much longer.

~Daniel Ralter