Great meetup today. It was good putting a voice to the Cmdr's Name. I really liked Cmdr Stubby's question about "Why are you doing this." For me, that goes back to New Years eve 3303. I had been flying for a bit, staying within the confines of the bubble.

That was a few weeks after the Fuel Rats rescued Cmdr Persera. I was just in awe of the thought of someone going out so far. I wrote about it in my log (https://inara.cz/cmdr-logbook/92740/25038/). I had made up my mind that I was leaving the bubble

By November of 3304 I had purchased the Intrepid, made my way to Beagle and Semotus Beacon. I found exploration enjoyable (even terrifying), although most of my colleagues didn't understand: "Where's the skill?"

I had discovered a game within a game: it was mine and I loved it. Damn it if no one understood.

I returned to the bubble in February 3305 and claimed my Elite Exploration status. To celebrate, I purchased a Vulture and named her the Drunken Fox after an incident on my journey that involved Whiskey and getting a little too close to a star.

As the months went on, I started to miss the solitude that the black brings. That was about the time I saw Pegasus Run popup on the boards. A chance to circumnavigate the galaxy! What might be discovered along the way? Fortune and Glory.

When I went to Beagle Point, I had a fairly stock Ananconda. Most of the modules were D-Rated and I had a decent jump range. Since there were a few months before the launch, I took the time to engineer those modules. This was how I found yet another game albeit somewhat grindy.

My goal was to et 80 LY from Intrepid. I took the opportunity to take a shake down cruise by heading out to Colonia and then to Sag A* and finally back to SOL. I felt more comfortable setting off.

I felt at home again. So, what is my why? Because this is the game within a game. I love the explorer community and how friendly everyone is. And, it's pretty bad ass to say you've circumnavigated the galaxy.

-- Swampy

Waking up today was hard.

The sleep was good, don't get me wrong, but I am at that age were sitting in the chair gets your bones all stiff and tight. I was having such a weird dream.

I had buried some credits in a make shift vault in the ground. Someone came and stole it - dug up the safe and just took it all. Somehow, a few credits fell to the ground and, grabbing them and shaking my fist, I was yelling "You didn't get them all."

Don't know where that came from.

Today was much like yesterday. Jump, Scan, Scoop...I am now over 15,000 LY from the Bubble and almost to Colonia. Around 70 jumps more or less. I probably could have made pushed the Intrepid, but something happened to the controls on the deck. I had gotten back from the john and started to throttle up when everything went black. Controls were unresponsive. I couldn't tell why it wasn't getting power, but one thing was for sure - it was dead. I rebooted the system and everything seemed fine.

Will need to keep an eye on that. Out here, with no one around, that's not a problem...but if someone was closing in and that happened...well...lets just say I don't want someone stealing my credits for reals.

Powering down for this cycle. Should make it to Colonia tomorrow. I've had issues mail slotting the Intrepid and I sure as hell don't want to get her jammered our here.

Charles "Swampy Fox" Lithgow

Powering down in Nyeajaae DY-G d11-67 and getting some shut eye before I bounce into a Star while scooping her sweet nectar.

Currently positioned about 8,500 LY from SOL. Not bad. I could have pushed the Intrepid more, but, we had to take some breaks today in order to get up and stretch.

Will check in on Galnet and Star Maps before closing shop up.

CMDR Charles"SwampyFox" Lithgow

Taking a break at Nyeajaae HH-Z c2-18. I think the Nav Comp has plotted out a 321 Jumps remaining to Colonia. I started off "exploring" each system, but, quickly realized that I'd never make it to my destination.

Galnet is repeating now, and, I can almost make a drinking game out of "this weeks news" by guessing the next story.

Lucky that I can still watch some vids.

Jump, Scan, Scoop...Rinse, Lather, Repeat...

CMDR Charles"SwampyFox" Lithgow

The tides are changing.

With each day, the systems of the bubble are having more and more trouble with the 'goids. Things seems good out in Colonia, and it seems like good credits can be made over there just as can be in the Bubble.

I've cashed in many of my credits to equip the Intrepid for the long haul. I've studied Star Charts and have a route plotted. Looks like now is as good as ever.

CMDR Charles"SwampyFox" Lithgow