I made it back to the bubble today. I didn’t have any more issues, thankfully. Of course, the moment I enter a bubble system a pirate interdicts me. Somethings will never change. I was able to sell my cartography data for a reasonable return at least.

It’s official, I am the first to discover that ice body in one of the Musca Dark Systems. It honestly looks like a moon that someone just happened to miss as the rest of the system was previously discovered and mapped. It isn’t much but I got my name on the board, so to speak, on my first expedition. Add that to the fact I ranked up, again. I’m now considered a Pathfinder! Huzzah!

I was able to swing by Farseer Inc. on my way back to Ray Gateway. I picked up a few FSD blueprints and got some ideas for a few extra modifications. I tweaked my power plant while I was there. I’d like to be able to run a decent wake scanner without having to dismount anything. My goal is to get the Dissent’s jump range to just over 50 ly. The main thing is I don’t want to get stuck out in the outer rim where the stars aren’t quite as dense. I know that if I plan my route properly I shouldn’t get stuck. This is me we are talking about here. My luck I’d lock on to the wrong system and neutron jump on over. Only to find that the nearest system in 41 ly away and I only have a 37.8 ly jump range. I know that can happen with a 51 ly jump drive. It’s just peace of mind for me.

Speaking of being disappointed by jump range. I bit the bullet and bought an Asp Explorer. It’s defiantly a bigger ship with more room for cargo and toys. The cockpit view is amazing. The stock jump range, not so much. At an ever so glorious 12 ly it’s going to take me forever to get anywhere! That’s if I stay inside the bubble! Needless to say, I’m going to need to do a lot to get it in working order. I might use it as a hauler since it has a lot of space for cargo bays. It’s not the best use for it, but at least until I can afford to get some better modules.

The Dissent on the other hand is looking pretty. She’s got an awesome new paint job. I shuffled her modules around a little. That allowed me to squeeze an AFMU on. I had to give up some cargo space for it though. I’m fine with that. I just need enough to carry a few small things that I may pick up here or there.

It has definitely been a busy day and I have so much I need to do it is crazy. Ugh, ok I need some sleep. If don’t I’ll end up with my hand caught in a spanner, somehow. Cheers!

It’s the 17th of August, 3306 and the Coalsack Nebula is stunning. I don’t think I’ve ever had such a clear view of the galaxy before. It’s like all the gasses, dust, and other space particles were wiped away. It reminded me a lot of when we used to be planet side as a kid. I’d just look up at the dark night sky and see all the stars. That’s exactly what this was like. All the stars and nebulas can be seen clear as a bell. No cosmic dust to cloud your view. It’s defiantly something to see. It’s also not too far from the bubble if your jump range is decent. I highly recommend a visit.

Sadly, I decided to cut my little expedition short. My super cruise assist decided to be a little fussy, so I figured it is time to make my way back. I can probably get more done when I can dock at a station. I think it’s just a computer glitch with the super cruise assist, but Céleste couldn’t identify a problem. Heading back definitely safer than chancing getting hurled into the face of a no-named planet by my ships auto pilot. Céleste was able to locate a fleet carrier about 55ly out. I got lucky and was able to dock there and make some repairs before starting my journey back to the bubble.

That being said, the trip hasn’t been a total loss. I have some awesome cartography data. I surveyed every system I came across and mapped a lot of planets in the process. According to Céleste I’m the first to discover one of the orbital bodies. I think that’s awesome. I expected just about everything to be scanned and mapped. It’s so close to the bubble I’m sure there have been many, many visitors before me. It’s a great place for new explorers to get a feel for being in space with no one around, but only being a handful of jumps from the safety of the bubble.

I’m tempted to save up for an Asp Explorer. It’d be expensive to get her exploration worthy but it might be worth it to get some space for better sensor arrays and scanners. I’m not ready to give up on the Dissent just yet. Her and I still have a lot to do. I’m not done upgrading her and I might swap a few modules around. I guess we’ll just have to see!

Today is the day! The 16th of August, 3306 is day I start my first expedition! I'm super excited and maybe a little terrified, but I'm going for it.

It took me a couple of weeks to get ready, but I've made progress! Only two weeks after getting my wings from the Pilot Federation and I'm already ranked as a Merchant and a Trailblazer! Heck yeah!

Céleste and I will be heading out to the Coalsack Nebula. We'll be flying in my trusty Diamondback Explorer, the Dissent. She's not perfect, but I like her. I've added a few things here and there. I've even managed to get her up to a 40ly jump! That's with all the extra gear and a SRV. I could have gotten more but I didn't want to wait any longer. I've had enough hauling and courier contracts for awhile. It's time to do what I set out to do, explore the galaxy! Who kno… OH I’m next in queue! Gotta jet