With much pleasure I'm reporting to you the success of my first relics run!
Everything started smoothly, smooth as all of the aspects of being a Corsair, at Reincarnation Outpost. The boys made sure that the cargo hold was packed full of top-notch Xeno Relics, and off I went. Destination: California!
My planned route took me through the Omegas. I chose this route since we have a sizeable presence there, and so I made sure that the first part of the journey will be smooth, and it was. The first obstacle was coming, Bretonia.
This was also thought in advance, since I'm aware the Armed Forces are busy in the Orkney system trying to prove a point to our amigos, though I doubt they will, so I had before me open space. Smooth sailing, like a real Corsair. So, the second obstacle was in sight, Liberty space, my final destination. Well, it's too much calling it obstacle knowing the ways of the Liberty Military. I'd rather call it a walk in the park.
As previous agreed, I was to meet the middleman on Fontana Freeport in California. From there he would take the cargo to the final destination, Manhattan. Good taste these libertonians have, they fancy our Xeno Relics very much, and they never have enough! With the Navy busy in New York, most likely harassing a honest trader about a faulty navigation light, I enjoyed a glass of spirit while the autopilot took me right to Fontana. I guess Corsair traders have an easier life while traveling through Liberty than their own corporations do. Gracias, Navy! Keep it up.
Unloading procedures also went smooth, just like the flight through California. Middleman was happy about the cargo quality and happily paid up. Now, question was what to haul back to the Empire. My first thought was Helium since the Zoners value it very much and pay well. So off I went to Pennsylvania to get some. Rumors has it there are a group of Freelancers there who would sell it to anyone, no questions asked. Perfect moment to test this out. Satisfying my curiosity and chip in the profits to Deterrence. Do I have to say that the flight from California to Pennsylvania was smooth? No, I don't. It's obvious. My hint is Navy got a lead on a trader having it's insurrance expired, so they commited their full fleet to find this thug.
So there I was in Pennsylvania, looking for the misterious station that would sell to everyone. As I was wondering blind, not having a course, I recieved an encrypted message, saying " set course to 4B, it will be worth it.". Roger, señor! 4B, here I come! And there was this misterious station, time to check the rumors. I must admit, this was the first rumor that I could confirm. Those guys were doing real businesses, like the ones Interspace do on Alabama Shipyard. While I was negociating the transaction, a thought came: Do we really need the credits? Not really. Maybe I can find something more valuable than credits...I KNOW! SCRAP! Not realising I said this loud, the local boss came to me, and said: "You'll find what you're looking for in Texas, E6. You will be expected." Off I was, again, on the short run from Pennsylvania to Texas. I have to admit, flying though Liberty is less challenging than flying back home. Usually you run into a lost Bounty Hunter, but out here, no Navy in sight. Next time I'll bring more spirits with me to pass the time faster through Liberty. Even flight school is more challenging than this. Short run to Texas via California. Once the jump was completed, I was stunned, wherever I was looking I would see scrap. No, Premium Scrap! How could the libertonians just leave it all there, doing nothing with it? They call it scrap, well, I would call it Grey Gold. All the way to E6 I had my mouth widely open, astonished of the ammounts of metal floating in space. While closing on E6, there it was, the "candy store". Docking procedures were smooth, so I was to find the local shot caller. A full load of Premium Scrap was negociated, price was fine, so I hasted the loading operation.
So, next, time to plan the trip back to Crete. I prefered the safest way. Witch is that? Through Virginia! But wait , how can Virginia be safe? You might ask. Well, I'll tell you, it's the Navy's home system. And this means there's no Navy around! Also, there was another rumor I wanted to check. They say there's a huge jumpgate in Virginia, called Supergate, that will jump you to the Omicrons. They also say that most of the system is off limits. Perfect! If that's the case, there will be no traders around with broken navigation lights, so there will be no Navy around!
How was my trip from E6 Texas to the Virginia jump gate? Smooth, exactly. I didn't even bothered to use the jump hole, went right through the front door. Once in Virginia, there it was in the distance, the huge jump gate. Charged the cruise engines and vectored in. While on autopilot, a code red alarm engaged: NAVY! I said ok, this needs some maintenance, so I scheduled my Pilgrim on Rhodes for a maintenance check. Right after this was done, radar broke down. It was indicating a Navy ship in Virginia. Yea, sure. In the meantime I reached the so called Supergate, and I'm telling you, this thing is huge! Oh, strictly off limits. While I took a moment to gasp at it, I saw the Navy ship closing in. WOW! This was more impressive than the Supergate itself. Time to jump fast, didn't wanted to risk the precious cargo.
Yes, this rumor was also true. After the jump I found myself in the Omicrons, a short run from home. I was hoping that here I would find some challenge on the way, like a Bounty Hunter, a Core, anything, since Liberty was dry. Sadly, I didn't had this luck, so the way back to Gamma was smooth as those through Liberty. While entering Gamma, I was told to unload the Premium Scrap at Tripoli Shipyard. T'was smooth as the entire trip was.
My conclusions: Liberty is a nice park I will surely return to! Until next time.