SHIP'S LOG - ONBOARD MIDNIGHT SOLSTICE (25743)

Wow,

I can't believe how long it actually took to get to Sag A*.

It's been a few months since my last log entry. I'm now docked at Landing Pad 1 at Explorer's Anchorage. Arrived here today after weeks and weeks of jumping, exploring and scanning.

Boy was it worth it. I left Beagle Point on 3 July. I started going at a fast pace, but explorer instinct got the better of me and eventually I started scanning and mapping about 1,000LY out from Beagle. It was worth it. Universal Cartographics paid a very cool 2.6 billion credits for all my exploration data. My biggest payday to date. That of course, includes data from my outward bound run from Colonia to Beagle.

The ship has been fantastic. FSD started malfunctioning but that was due to the expected stress from a few Neutron Star boosts. Integrity was at about 70% at time of docking. She was all but stripped of paint. I treated her to a coat of the new Azure (or Azura?) livery. First time I've seen it and I have to say, it looks good on her!

Starting the trip back to the bubble tomorrow. Should be a straight run (this is my second trip to the Galactic Centre). But again, I'm going to scan and map. Will be nice to get back to Shinrarta again.

I wonder if Cassie has waited....or if she even remembers me now.

Time will tell.

AM LOG - ONBOARD MIDNIGHT SOLSTICE (25743)

Made a quick trip to Oevasy SG-Y d00 to visit Salome's Reach. I thought I might as well pay a visit to one of the furthest systems I can reach in this ship. Made the trip with some careful planning (a few FSD injections were required). Can't imagine how difficult it must have been for the early explorers. Some of the new pilots have no idea how easy they have it these days....

Arrived back at Beagle Point where I am in a parking orbit. Later today I will begin the trip back. I was going to stick around but then I realised it's the 4th July tomorrow. The celebrations might get a bit explosive so I'm gonna start making my way back tonight.

Might decide to make a speed run for Explorer's Anchorage. See what this baby can do. I'm full up with exploration data from the inbound journey. Ship is still performing well so I reckon she would enjoy a fast spring to the centre of the galaxy.

If I do, I'll keep track of my distances throughout in this log.

DAILY LOG - ONBOARD MIDNIGHT SOLSTICE (25743)

Arrived at Beagle Point in the early hours of this morning. Magnificent desolation. Looking back at the centre of the galaxy, almost a thin line of stars, expanding out at the centre. Absolutely stunning.

There are still some stars ahead, but the velvet black of space is dominant. It really is like looking into an abyss.

Currently in orbit around Beagle Point 2. Didn't want to risk a landing when I was feeling tired. It would be stupid if I was careless now, after all this time.

Tourist beacons have been scanned and a selfie taken.

Tomorrow, I will start on the journey back. Decided to make for Explorer's Anchorage near Sag A*.

Oh....and I saw my first Fleet Carrier too.

DISTANCES:

TO COLONIA: 46,241 LY

TO SOL: 65,279 LY

DAILY LOG - ONBOARD MIDNIGHT SOLSTICE (25743)

More progress made towards Beagle Point. Decided to go at a faster pace the last couple of days. Maybe I missed a few good scan opportunities in the process, but I've got ever closer to my ultimate destination.

ESTIMATED CURRENT DISTANCES:

FROM COLONIA - 38,423LY

FROM SOL - 57,524LY

I'm now less than 10,000LY from Beagle Point. Less than 5,000 LY from The Abyss. Still a decent amount of stars around. Star density in my current galactic plane is advantageous for scooping fuel. I'm trying not to use the injection facility if I can help it. But I can if needed or for drastic situations.

Focus is the key now. Soon, I'll be seeing less and less stars. Feels like it'll never happen, but I know it will. That will be my signal that I'm on the final stretch - and I will have arrived at The Abyss.

Ship is still sound, although I'm a little concerned about the loss of paint. She is essentially down to bare metal. Some large patches of her original red remain however. Driving around her on a planet earlier today gave me some surprise at how much she's actually lost. Still, it's only paint, and all the major modules and systems continue to operate well. She would've earned a new coat of paint by the time I get back to a station....if I get back.

Hoping to cover at least another 1,000LY by the end of today.

DAILY LOG - ONBOARD MIDNIGHT SOLSTICE (25743)

Passage through the Styx region continues. Currently stopped in a system about halfway through the region. Still quite a few stars around, but looking back, it's obvious the centre of the galaxy is getting further away with each jump.

Hoping to do a few more jumps before the end of the day.

DAILY LOG - ONBOARD DIAMONDBACK EXPLORER - MIDNIGHT SOLSTICE (25743)

Good day's sailing - 2 ELW's, over a dozen WW's - many HMC's and GG's. Landed to gather supplies in preparation for The Abyss, which is getting closer every day now. Shouldn't be a problem for the Solstice to traverse - but it helps to be prepared (FSD injection material).

Should pass the halfway point between Colonia and Beagle Point tomorrow. Still undecided which route to take back to the bubble.

3 choices:

1 - Go back the way I came (Colonia Shinrarta)

2 - Head back to the bubble in straight line, this will include a visit to Sag A*

3 - Go the long way around, clockwise. This would mean an almost full circumnavigation of the galaxy. I've cut a corner in heading for Colonia from the Bubble, but sticking to the edges of the galaxy would make up for that.

No immediate hurry to make my mind up now. Not expecting to reach Beagle for at least another week.

The Solstice is performing well and above expectations. She's a good ship. Never let me down. FSD integrity down to 97% but still operating normally.