The shakedown trips proved my choice was right. The Excelsior was a dream to fly for mining and missions. The number of times I was able to escape Anaconda's annoying attempts was prefect.

After a few trips for the Federation, I was granted the rank of Rear-Admiral which meant I could purchase one of their nice big Corvettes. Now I had my choice. Not bad for a few months work.

"Time for a change of pace. I am going to join the La Grande expedition. It's up to you if you wish to stay onboard." I talked to my co-pilot. He just nodded and grunted an ok.

I took it as a yes and let him get on with the supply run.

Pulling up the details for the expedition I signed up and checked out the route. Not too bad a bit of trip around the inner core. Four days to the starting point and kit the Excelsior out for deep space. Nice and easy. Looking down the checklist, remove the mining kit, add an SRV hanger, repair units and rate a few of the modules to D.

Planned the trip to Bragurom Du, 9 jumps nice and short. Finished the checklist and called my co-pilot.

"We are leaving in 4 hours make sure you have everything ready."

So fours later, clearance given and off we go. Next stop Bragurom Du.

Shakedown Trips

After scanning a few systems, finally found a profitable one to mine. I had already started mining but it was time to bring in the big credits or at least try.

I walked around Excelsior, she is a big beauty of a ship. A few modifications to the load out and ready to make the trip. A check of the stores, last drink in the bar and made sure my co-pilot was awake.

'Excelsior, begin initial checks and prepare to launch"

'Confirmed' came the reply.  Very matter of fact, slightly cold and machine like but that was fine for me.

'Plot a course as discussed, we need to avoid a couple of places.' I told my co-pilot. I watched as he set about the program. I had installed a few upgrades from my other ship, after all, it would stay in the hanger for the time being.

Last minute checks, cargo bay full of limpets, coffee ready, hit the music! Station gave us the ok to launch and we joined the queue. So much better on automatics but ready take over if needed.

No matter how many times I do this, that threshold between station and space always makes the hairs stand on the back of my neck. Free and clear, throttle up the engines head into deep space ready to jump. After each jump, let the ship refuel no point running low while we had no cargo to speak of.

Three more jumps and there we were, the target system. Slow down and scan. It took a short time, but I found the ringed planet and turned towards it. Scanning the system for possible pirates, none shown themselves. Silent running I bet.

As we approached the rings time to launch a few probes and see what treasures they held. A nervous few minutes as I watched the probe head towards the ring. Then the scan. Bingo! Hotspots.

Carefully approaching the first one, dropping out to normal space, start the pulse wave.

'Time for fighter cover, of you go.' I nodded to my co-pilot. He knew the risks, first line of defence for me. Launch was smooth and he took up a position of the starboard wing. Now I could relax a little and concentrate on finding the right asteroids.

[img]https://inara.cz/cmdr-gallery/191826/[/img]

I found a few that glowed deep orange. Perfect to mine. I set about the task and watched the minerals fill the cargo bay. After an hour I had enough for my first trip.

'Time to head to the station, come back home.' I told my co-pilot. 'Acknowledged. On my way back' His reply sounded happy.

Within a few minutes we were heading to the local station. Now the tricky part. This is when the pirates will attack. Nothing better than a ship with a good cargo to attack. Yet we made it back no worries. Landed in the station and began to power down.

'Good work. I am heading over the station office and arrange sale of the cargo. Meet you in the bar.' My co-pilot nodded and headed out.

'Excelsior, begin transfer and secure the ship.'

'Confirmed' came back the reply. I really need to get a personality for her.

An hour later, sales agreed, profit made and happy co-pilot in the bar. All in all a good days work and the shakedown went as planned. So a few more of these trips and then consider my next move. I had heard of a couple of deep space expeditions. Certainly something worth considering for experience and the credits.

Time to sleep on things.

Maybe a bit late with this but, I made it to the centre of the Universe. I reached a goal which I am rather proud of.

At that point I knew I had to turn back and survive which I did. Its tough out there and many wonders still to see. It is something to fly as close to proper a spaceship as you can.

The wonders are there and not to be flown past. Take time, take photos and enjoy.

I made it. I made it to the Omega sector. It might seem very easy to some but for me that was a tough flight. over 250 jumps. I found a few interesting sites along the way but did not discover enough for me. Maybe I will find something.

Part 2 later