“Skulls can grin, Vultures spin, Engines whirl, Life begins” – “Evil Eye”, Billy Idol

27.07.yc116 450I-W < R2-BT6 Constellation < Esoteria

CR-0E5 I

Eerily quiet then moments of terror. The feeling has certainly been different traveling through Null sec rather than Empire space. Very little is said in local out here. I can go long stretches down pipes and maybe see one capsuleer in local, then come upon a crossroad system to find fifteen to twenty. I’ve completed my exploration of the Stain region then moved to Esoteria completing over half of it so far. I should complete it in a day or so.

Slowly I’m gaining confidence in my ship and piloting ability having escaped three inbound gate bubble camps and one outbound so far. I expected two of the inbound as I jumped in since I was actively being hunted. I went in anyway, heart pounding, because I needed the experience. When I landed on grid, the ships were there, the bubble went up, I waited out the butterflies in my stomach then located a navigational point close to my alignment. Taking a deep breath, I punched jump, cloaked, and flew out safely without being targeted. The vultures where out and they were after me. That’s something I’ve never experienced in Empire space. It certainly gets the blood pumping.

BY-MSY IV, Renovatio Group

All in all, the journey has been a good one. As I gain experience, my fears of Null sec are lessening, granted I don’t think they’ll fully subside. I’m using dotlan heavily and have also added zkillboard to my toolset to check out local system activity and pilot records. Both have been invaluable. The most difficult stretch so far was the 3WN-1T constellation in Esoteria. A dead end pipe with a heathy population of capsuleers from Northern Associates. The entry gate in G-YZUX was heavily bubbled and they meant business not liking unwelcomed guest. They’ve earned my respect.

R-FM0G I

I did encounter an unexpected memorial. As part of my journey, I had decided I wouldn’t seek out beforehand any information about what’s out there. I wanted to be surprised and find things on my own. If I missed something, that was fine, but I knew I would be more delighted to find hidden sights on my own. Jumping into C9N-CC in Esoteria, I stumbled upon the “Remains of Steve”. A massive ship, a Titan, and not just any Titan, but the first built and the first destroyed in New Eden. I checked EVE Travel and found Mark726’s write up on the sight and also checked Aura for additional details. The sight of the destroyed Titan has to be the most humbling I’ve encountered so far. I floated quietly in the depths and reflected on those that had served and given their lives. May they rest in peace.

C9N-CC, The Remains of Steve

This is a thrill for me to have the opportunity to interview Mark726 of EVE Travel. In all honesty, and I don’t think I’ve ever told him this, his blog was what inspired me to start my own and record my travels through New Eden. So first off, I wanted to take this opportunity and thank Mark726 for his inspiration, his support, and his fantastically well done blog.

If you’re not aware of or heard of EVE Travel, then there’s just no hope for you! Especially if you consider yourself an explorer or traveler of New Eden. Of course I jest, because I can’t imagine that there’s not a single capusleer who’s not, but you never know. There’s no comparison between our blogs, because I’ve always thought of Mark726’s site as the National Geographic of New Eden, where mine’s more like the Griswold Family Vacation! 😉 His level of professionalism and pure quality is something I strive to achieve with my own.

If you’ve not visited EVE Travel, then you’re in for a real treat, go check it out, find something that interest you, then go see it for yourself in game. You won’t regret it!

Mark726

What attracted you to EVE Online and how long have you played?

I’ve been a player since December 2007 (thinking about that depresses me at times, heh). I joined almost on a whim: I had seen a number of advertisements while at college that year. I did a bit of research (to confirm that it was, in fact, a game about space) and decided to try it as I got home for winter break. That delay ended up being a pretty good idea on my part: I just missed the boot.ini fiasco from the Trinity fiasco because of it. Other than that, I had no real idea what I was getting myself into.

How would you describe your characters career path?

I was always sort of a lone wolf. I stayed with the Center for Advanced Studies for quite awhile, plying the spacelanes on my own. A few friends I had met in various channels got me into their corp for a while, but even then I didn’t really do anything corp-related. I finally started my own corporation to help with Project Compass, part of the Arek’Jaalan initiative. Even after I finished my Project Compass analysis, I’ve stuck with Project Compass Holdings ever since.

What attracted you to explore New Eden? What is your goal and have you achieved it? If not, are you still working towards your goal, do plan to continue, or what are you currently doing?

EVE Travel started out pretty simplistically. I was bored one day and I wanted to see some sights. I tried searching for a comprehensive list, and couldn’t find one. EVE Travel spurred from there. My goal is to create a comprehensive catalog of all notable landmarks in game, be they mission sites, player-created sites, or things that CCP has put there. I intend to keep going until I can’t find anymore, and that hasn’t quite happened yet (though after 150 or so sites, the rate of discovery has definitely slowed to a trickle: if anyone knows anything I’ve missed please let me know!)

Buzzard

What is the name of your favorite ship that you enjoy flying the most while exploring? Why is it your favorite? Would you mind sharing your fit?

Depends on where I’m going. If I’m sticking in high or low sec, I stick with what is probably my more well-known ship: a Buzzard-class, Professor Science. It’s a quick little thing, excellent for exploration jaunts. If I’m heading to null sec, I swap to my Tengu-class, Scientia, to help me avoid bubbles.

During your research and travels, what has been the most interesting fact, amazing sight, or other aspect of New Eden that surprised you?

Tengu

It’s the little touches that are put into New Eden that really tickle me pink, so to speak. One of the lesser known sites (it’s not marked by a beacon) is the ship wash in Ashab (Planet 2, Moon 1). It makes total sense that capsuleers especially would often pride themselves on keeping their ships spotless and shiny. Would I, in a million years, ever have actually thought of making one? Nope. There are cargo pads with little boxes of goods, shipyards with moving hands that go up and down. There’s a whole UNIVERSE out there for people who are looking. It’s these small touches that keep drawing me back.

What have you learned or what advice would you give to someone interested in exploring New Eden?

Just go and do it. It doesn’t need to be a big to-do; even new players can see a lot of the sites that I profile since the largest chunk of them are in high security space. Just take something small and fast and go. Even in low sec, a small, fast ship will get you where you need to 9 times out of 10, even without a cloak. It’s an excellent change of pace!

Do you have a favorite image that you wouldn’t mind me posting and sharing from your explorations?

Oooooph choosing a favorite image is tough. I’ve seen a lot of awesome ones. But I always keep coming back to the Infested Comet Remains in the Contested Canyon of Rust in Alsottobier. It’s a derelict station inside a comet!

Infested Comet Remains, Contested Canyon of Rust, Alsottobier

“Kyrie eleison, down the road that I must travel, through the darkness of the night, where I’m going, will you follow, on a highway in the light” – “Kyrie”, Mr. Mister

09.07.yc116 X5O1-L < JG-ZLG Constellation < Stain

Stain Region

Flight log

I set out from Saisio after a few days break with a sense of that new capsuleer wonder. It was like that first few moments when you undock for the very first time, hooked into your ship, and seeing the universe. You realize quickly just how small and insignificant you are in the depths of space. I’d been flying in Empire space for so long I had forgotten what it was like to get that adrenaline rush when approaching a gate and not knowing what was on the other side. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, you’re knocked back down, starting over from the bottom, climbing your way back to the top again. But therein lies the reward. The greatest treasures to be found are along the most dangerous paths. So it was for me once again.

X5O1-L I

I left my home system and headed to Lowsec space, knowing from my research that wormholes to Nullsec were more likely to be found there. My cameras focused for as long as they could on my home station until it was a mere spec before completely disappearing. In Empire space, I was always able to dock within a system or two of my exploration path in order to recoup and refresh. Now, however, it would be difficult to find such sanctuary in Nullsec. Even though there are stations there, it would be far too dangerous to undock without some assurance that Concord would intervene on your behalf against any hostile entities that deemed you as a target. This phase of my exploration would be a true test of endurance as it was going to require that I stay ship bound the entire journey.

8O-OSG II

Starting with Saisio, I found a quiet spot and launched my probes in order to scan down wormholes. It was possible, after all, an entrance to Nullsec could be found in system, but the prospect was unlikely. The procedure, however, was good practice for it had been some time since I had to actually do any scanning. There had been some upgrades to my subsystems since my last time of using the scanning interface, so it provided a good opportunity to reintroduce myself to the process. In no time, I had the new interface figured out and had scanned down a wormhole in system, but it turned out to not be the entrance I was looking for.

G-ME2K VIII, Moon 3, True Power Mining Outpost

Not wanting to waste any more time, I recalled my probes and headed for Lowsec and found my way to Ihakana. As fate would have it, I found several wormholes in system and one of them lead to Nullsec space. My nerves clinched my stomach tight as I approached the wormhole then slowly transitioned to…. where…. ? Not recognizing the star patterns or the gas cloud formations in the background, I had Aura determine where I had exited the wormhole and she quickly replied with — System X5O1-L, JG-ZLG Constellation in the Stain region. I’m not sure how long before I snapped out of my trance, but the combination of nerves and excitement caused my heart heavy thumps to pulse adrenaline filled blood throughout my body. I set a location marker for the wormhole exit and laid in a course to the first planet in system.

The second phase of my journey had begun…

9U6-SV V

“Everywhere I went up there, they were shakin’ their cosmic things” – “Cosmic Thing”, B-52’s

04.07.yc116 Saisio < Okomon Constellation < The Forge

Futzchag II, Thukker Mix Factory

The pod goo swirled down the drain as I twirled in the shower in tune to the rhythm that beat in my head. My feet were light as I danced and my heart was thrilled as I shook my cosmic thing. I just couldn’t keep from smiling having finished my exploration of Empire space. One-thousand, nine-hundred, and seven systems across twenty-three regions. Unbelievable! Of course, if someone were to observe what I called dancing, I’m sure they would beg to differ. When talents were handed out, I seemed to have missed that one.

After finishing my exploration of the Hahyil system in the Derelik region, I had returned to my home station in Saisio. It was time to take ‘Jester’s Trek’ out, my Tengu, that the Chief had fitted out for me. I was excited, thrilled, and nervous at the same time. Maybe even a hint of fear, but that made it all the more exciting. Still shaking my hind side and humming the tune that was stuck in my head, I had a difficult time getting my workout shorts and top on. I had made it a habit, after long periods of pod time, to exercise and keep physically fit.

I guess I should have kept my eyes open when I exited my quarters, but I was too lost in the music, just taking in the moment for all it was worth, because I slammed into the Chief as he was getting ready to ring the chime. The smile on his face matched my own then we both burst out laughing.

“I’ve missed that smile, kiddo.” He managed to get out after a moment.

Ibaria III, Thukker Mix Warehouse

“What can I say?” I replied, “It feels good to finish a major milestone.”

“Enjoy the moment, it’s well deserve.” He nodded at me thoughtfully. “Your Grandfather would be proud and I certainly am.”

I wrapped him up in a huge hug, at least as big as my tiny frame would allow, and squeezed as hard as I could. That once bright eyed, full of wonder kid had finally returned to my spirit. I had truly moved on and had let go of the past. Now I could honor my father and grandfather by continuing with the next phase of my exploration.

One last squeeze, then I patted the Chief’s back and stepped away. “He’s ready?”

“Who?” The Chief started, then chuckled. “Oh that’s right, ‘Jester’s Trek’ you mean? You know kiddo, that just ain’t right calling a ship a he instead of a she.”

I shrugged my shoulders as there was no amount of ribbing he could incur that would deter my festive attitude. “Eh… to each his own I guess.”

He rolled his eyes, but continued to smile. “Yeah, he’s ready.”

“Awesome!” I started to move my arms in a locomotion gesture and bounced on my heels in succession to that beat that was once again in my head.

Ejahi I

“Don’t do that.” His face turning slightly red. “Causes me impure thoughts.”

I stopped, dropped my jaw, and then smacked his chest with the flat of my palm, “Dirty old man.”

“Damn straight.” He replied, but I could see in his eyes the care instead of a leer.

“Besides, what would Grandfather think of you?” I smarted off.

“He wouldn’t, he’d just kill me.” The Chief grinned.

“Damn straight!” I mimicked his tone. “Thanks Chief, for everything. I plan on taking a few days off, but only after I’ve worked out and taken the Tengu out for a spin. Then I’ll be scanning down a wormhole entrance to Nullsec.”

His gaze turned to one of admiration, but with a hint of concern, “You be careful out there Katia, alright? Let me know of anything, anything at all I can do and you’d better see me before you go. Copy?”

My nerves tinged again, but I smiled despite them. The time for joking had passed as he only used my given name when he was serious and deeply cared for my wellbeing. I swallowed hard, fought the tears back that wanted to fall, and hugged him once more.

“Copy that.” I sounded as official as I could. “I will, I promise.”

Jaymass IV