At the start of the Spyglass exploration mission, just 2,500 Ly’s out from the Colonia system and Jacques station, I receive the boosted signal from the pilot’s federation announcing the incoming galaxy update of ship’s systems. With starport options few and far between in this part of the Milky Way, a return to Colonia is on the cards allowing the Spyglass mission to continue with all the latest ship mod cons.
Eighteen neutron boosted jumps later, I arrive at Jacques having only just left the station four days prior. The ship upgrades take next to no time as many commanders are still out in the void. While docked in the hanger there is a short private ceremony to mark the official naming of my trusty Lakon Asp Explorer. No pomp and circumstance. Just final recognition of the true personality of my well traveled exploration vessel. All that I hope is the new name plate fairs better in the black than the standard hull paint which looks all shiny and new now but will begin to fade and tarnish in as little as 2,000 Lys.
Departure stations are set. Critical systems check out. The Cantankerous Astrolabe exits Jacques and bids inhabited space a fond farewell once more. For now I enjoy the quiet and routine which long range exploration missions bring and ponder whether full scale war will be in progress between the Federation and the Empire when I return to the Bubble. The Spyglass mission clock is reset and an economical jump route is plotted to the Magellan system as the origin for points unknown. Onward to more new adventures near the Galactic core.