To Boldly Go

“Cool the engines. Why don’t ya take a look around.”  – Boston, Cool the Engines

26.11.yc111 The Forge, Okomon Constellation, Saisio System

T-minus 5 days

Pre-Launch System Survey

Cosmos I

After some careful research and looking over the various frigates available, I have decided upon the Condor class. My interest for exploration is one of speed and agility and I believe this class vessel will provide that for me. I’ve replaced some of the heavier structure components with mark I modified SS nanofibers in an effort to increase velocity and improve the maneuverability. Doing so of course, reduces the overall hull strength, but I don’t plan on sticking around for a fight. I’ve also improved the shield resistance to magnetic based weapons as well as added a shield extender.

I’ve commissioned the ship with the name Cosmos I. For her maiden voyage I took her out in my home system and ran through a test planetary exploration mission. During this run, my intentions were to modify my interface setup and preferences as well as getting used to astrophotography. In other words, learning to take pictures of the planets.

I’m really looking forward to the ocular modifications that are coming to pod pilots in just a few of days. As it stands now, when viewing the planets, we’re only seeing a digital representation of the actual planet. Our implant interface at this time can’t handle the viewing resolution in a timely manner for us to properly see the celestial bodies. However, advances in technology over the years has lead to improvements in speed and processing power. My understanding is after the upgrades, we will be seeing the planets as they really are. Almost as if seeing them with our own eyes. I can’t wait.

Following are some of the pictures I took on this test flight. Once the new ocular interface is upgraded and my exploration mission begins, I’ll be sure to take pictures of these same planets for comparison.

Saisio II, Planet Type Gas

Saisio III, Planet Type Solid

Saisio VI, Planet Type Solid

Saisio VII, Planet Type Gas with Rings

Saisio IX, Planet Type Ice

.

It was the future I saw.

‘Warp drive active’ the voice said as the transport ship sped to its destination. A different voice added, “Thirty seconds sergeant.”

No one knew where the invaders had come from.

“Listen up people. Pod pilot says we got thirty. Fleet’s already engaged orbital defenses and we’re droppin’ right into atmos. You know the drill.”

Petty disputes between the races ceased as the realization that all of New Eden was in jeopardy. The alien invasion was showing no signs of stopping as defenses were slow to come together.

“Can’t let this rock go to hell. The corp’s need the resources.” The sergeant added as the transport came out of warp. The pilot quickly went into evasive, avoiding debris and hulks of destroyed capital ships. Other transports joined in formation as they made their way to the nearby planet. Enemy star fighters likewise weaved about closing in on the transports.

It seemed that the combination of fleet, air support and ground pounders were the only effective means of combating the new threat.

The transport ship skimmed the atmosphere as flashes of light appeared on the planet’s surface. An indication of planetary defenses coming online. Several nearby transports exploded into fiery balls of light. “3 … 2 … 1 … drop.” The pod pilot released the dropship, then proceeded to re-engage warp, shooting away just in time as a planetary defense missile streaked past where the transport once was.

The unknown enemy maintained a scorched planet methodology. Never holding territory, rather they destroyed the resources and moved on.

“How long this gonna take sarge?” An unknown mercenary asked.

“Shut it.” Was the reply. “Enemy is sitting up the scorch. We’re going for the hub.” Several groans could be heard.

The winged dropship armed with guns and missiles, pulled up from its fall, now fully powered and sped along. Several others had survived as well and were in formation. “On approach. Ten seconds.” Came the voice of the pilot.

Skimming the ground, the rear ramp opened ejecting the APC containing the mercenary squad. Sliding at first, it cornered then sped up towards the hub. Several other APC’s joined in. Chewing on his cigar, a smile crossed the old sergeant’s face as he watched the squad ready for the assault.

Who knows how this dream will end.

“What does it matter to ya. When you got a job to do. You gotta do it well. You gotta give the other fellow hell.” – Paul McCartney, Live and Let Die

T-minus 11 days

As I prepare of my journey, I decided to take some time out and help the Sisters of Eve. My career agent had suggested that I might be the right kind of pilot to help out Sister Alitura. So, I headed out to Arnon IX – Moon 3 – Sisters of EVE Bureau. There seemed to be a bit of angst against pod pilots such as myself. Something about a god complex and wanton destruction of life, but I assured her I was not such a pilot. After some discussion, I think I finally convinced her that my intentions were of exploration and therefore one of peace.

((OOC: Reference Link))

The mission started out as a simple investigation into a distress call from a ship called The Damsel, but before I knew it, my task turned into a series of missions. The whole epic mess was much bigger than myself and on more than one occasion, I had to think fast. Ships were lost, pirates were killed as my training plan had to be modified to get me into combat much sooner than I had expected. I knew New Eden was a dangerous place, but I had no idea. I ended up getting myself into a cruiser much faster than I wanted at this time. Ah well, what’s done is done and I completed my work with the Sisters.

So, where does that leave me? With my modified training plan, I still reside about half-way through my initial transcript. No worries however, since my explorations will be starting in Empire space, I have plenty of time to choose my training path. I’m leaning towards covert ops. Seems to be a good fit for a exploration pilot. For my initial launch, I’m thinking of flying the condor for agility and speed. This upcoming week I plan a trial launch in my home system of Saisio in The Forge.

“It’s strange to her. Some people seem to have everything.” – Donna Summer, She Works Hard for the Money

After some initial exploration around Uitra, I was contacted by several career agents at the State War Academy. Funny that they didn’t seem to understand I wasn’t looking for work, but they insisted on offering me some missions anyway. Each agent offered missions around different skill sets which for me was a great way to learn about various ways to acquire some hard earned ISK. The agent names where Ranta Tarumo, Kokseri Velen and Hakkaras Ihora. The areas of work they represented were business, industry and military.

Through the various missions that they offered, I was rewarded not only with ISK, but with skills and ships as well. It was this way that I earned my next ship the bantam. It made for a great little miner, but that’s something I’m not really interested in. Also along the way, I earned a condor and a badger. Now the condor I really liked. That’s a nice fast little ship. I could really see a lot of worlds with that one. Each one has been a pleasure to fly for different reasons.

From the career agents, I basically learned there are many different ways to earn an income in New Eden. I would strongly suggest to any new pod pilot that they take the time to get to know their agents and run some missions. I think you’ll find the rewards versus the time taken is well worth it. As for me, my agents all agreed that I seemed the right type of person to help out a Sister Alitura of the Sisters of Eve. She’s not exactly all that close, fifteen jumps away, but it would give me a chance to see some other systems along the way. So, I think I’ll head out there next.

“When we’re gone they’ll live on, cloned endlessly.

It’s mandatory in heaven.” – Pat Benatar, My Clone Sleeps Alone

Training is progressing nicely as I’m about half-way through the current transcript. While my learning skills are training up, I’ve undergone my initial pilot training and taken my first ibis out for a run. I named her Whisker. Absolutely amazing experience. To see the stars, the planets and the sun. Words can’t describe how long I have yearned for this opportunity. To be able to fly, almost at will, the feel of the ship as if it were apart of me. I simply can’t relate the experience.

On that note, the other indescribable experience is cloning. The process itself for extracting the DNA was simple, almost completely unnoticed. Once the clone is readied and prepped to receive your consciousness, is when it really becomes creepy. Seeing yourself, laying there, almost dead like in appearance. Basically they’re put on ice until you die. Another strange thought, knowing your death activates the clone. A brand new one, with your consciousness.

Of course, with everything there comes a price and different qualities of clones can be purchased depending on just how much of your consciousness that you wish to retain. Buy a cheap one and you just might come back not as smart as you once were. With the continued training and added knowledge in order to fully function in the realm of pod pilots, you have to continue to upgrade your clone to keep up or risk losing your new found skills.

For now, I’ve purchased a clone that more than doubles my initial knowledge. Hopefully, that will last me a little while until I start training up my more specialized skills to fly my ship of choice. Speaking of which, I’ve yet to determine what path I will take, but there’s plenty of time for me to decide as I’m in no hurry.

Entering the State War Academy, I found myself completely overwhelmed. There was so much to learn about being a capsuleer.  From navigation, electronics and engineering, which I expected, to corporation management, social, leadership and . . . learning? That wasn’t the most surprising aspect however, it was the manner in which you learned. Having come from an educated background and having lectured some classes myself, the most amazing aspect to a capsuleer’s learning was finding out they simply plug in.

The first thing after my orientation was having a medical procedure done to have implants. They are necessary for the pod which is what you plug into, to control the ship. A side benefit of the implants is the added benefit for learning new skills. You purchase skills, such as engineering, plug in, start the program and learn while you are doing other task. It’s the strangest feeling, all of a sudden the basic foundations become clear to you in your mind on a subject, then slowly over time, those foundations are built upon until you’re an expert on that subject. It almost feels like an afterthought or déjà vu. I suppose if the technology wasn’t so expensive, there would be no need for universities anymore. It is a far more efficient way to learn after all. Maybe one day.

The Academy provided the basic required skills to fly and I immediately plugged in to them. I met with my consular to determine my course work from there as it was entirely up to me and what I could afford. The purpose of the Academy was to get you started, but after that, it was up to you to provide for your own learning. After all, the more advanced skills were far more expensive and not everyone would want to follow the same path.

My research skills came in handy and I found an article by another capsuleer by the name of Tripoli. In the article he explained the most efficient path to learning. Build up your foundation with learning skills first. The learning skills would speed up your ability to learn and over the long run save you time. Since my goal to explore is a long term one and I’m a patient person, I have chosen his recommended path of learning. Along the way, there would be the need for additional and more advanced implants as well. I hope my credits hold out.

((OOC: Reference link))

The foundation for my skill learning process:

1. Cybernetics 1
2. Plug in +3 Implants: Memory Augmentation – Basic & Cybernetic Subprocessor – Basic
3. Instant Recall 1
4. Analytical Mind 1
5. Learning 1
6. Instant Recall 2
7. Analytical Mind 2
8. Learning 2
9. Instant Recall 3
10. Analytical Mind 3
11. Learning 3
12. Instant Recall 4
13. Eidetic Memory 1
14. Eidetic Memory 2
15. Eidetic Memory 3
16. Analytical Mind 4
17. Logic 1
18. Logic 2
19. Logic 3
20. Learning 4
21. Cybernetics 2
22. Cybernetics 3
23. Cybernetics 4
24. Plug in +4 Implants: Memory Augmentation – Standard & Cybernetic Subprocessor – Standard
25. Eidetic Memory 4
26. Logic 4
27. Instant Recall 5
28. Analytical Mind 5
29. Learning 5
30. Cybernetics 5
31. Plug in all five +5 “Improved” Implants
32. Eidetic Memory 5
33. Logic 5
34. Iron Will 1
35. Spatial Awareness 1
36. Empathy 1
37. Iron Will 2
38. Spatial Awareness 2
39. Empathy 2
40. Iron Will 3
41. Spatial Awareness 3
42. Empathy 3
43. Iron Will 4
44. Spatial Awareness 4
45. Empathy 4
46. Iron Will 5
47. Spatial Awareness 5
48. Empathy 5
49. Focus 1
50. Clarity 1
51. Presence 1
52. Focus 2
53. Clarity 2
54. Presence 2
55. Focus 3
56. Clarity 3
57. Presence 3
58. Focus 4
59. Clarity 4
60. Presence 4
61. Focus 5
62. Clarity 5
63. Presence 5