Entry 1: Day 1 - The Carrier Catalog
The market is buzzing, or rather, the datalinks are humming. Finally diving into the carrier market. 200,000 credits burning a hole in my pocket. It's both thrilling and terrifying. Three contenders are really catching my eye with their advertised builds: the behemoth Goliath, the agile Zephyr, and the well-rounded Bastion.
Goliath is tempting, honestly. A true heavyweight, practically a mobile fortress. All those armor plates... the thought of just plodding into a fight and daring anyone to challenge me is… appealing. But his maneuverability is abysmal. The Zephyr, on the other hand, is a beauty. So sleek and fast. It promises rapid deployments and hit-and-run tactics, which I can get behind, but the hull strength looks like tissue paper in a storm. The Bastion seems the most sensible choice. Decent armor rating, middling speed, but it’s all about balance. Good weapon slots too. I need to look up what fighters it can carry. Researching...
Entry 2: Day 2 - Fighter Options and Bastion Leanings
The fighter list is extensive! I’m looking for something that can complement what the Bastion has to offer. The Bastion has three swarm capacity. Reading that it can hold Sentinels. I've been reading on the Sentinel variants. The Vanguard is a melee monster, perfect for brawling. The interceptor is quick and great for taking down fast-moving targets. Lastly, the support variant will provide armour and protection to the Vanguard and interceptors.
The Bastion is winning me over. Three swarm slots feel right for the kind of engagements I'll likely be facing. It’s not about overkill, it's about sustainability. Plus, I hear its internal repair systems are rather robust. That's a big plus when I am in a pinch. The Zephyr might be tempting for some, but I’m not a pilot who likes to run and hide. The Goliath, while cool, feels like I'd be piloting a planetoid. It just wouldn't suit me.
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Entry 3: Day 3 - Haggling Time
Time to seal the deal. I found a Bastion dealer who has a slightly used model that's still in near-mint condition. The initial asking price is 180,000 credits. A bit steep for a used ship I feel, so I offered 165,000, pointing out some minor wear on the dorsal plating. The seller countered with 175,000 credits, adding in a set of upgraded shields to sweeten the deal. We finally settled on 170,000 credits, including the upgraded shields, a basic sensor package, and a full load of fuel. I've got 30k left for fighters so I am calling that a win!
It was exhausting, but I feel like I got a fair deal. The seller also went over the maintenance logs and confirmed it is in good shape. This feels so real… I am the captain of my own ship!
Entry 4: Day 4 - Fighter Selection - Sentinel Swarm
The Bastion's hangar is ready, and it’s time to pick fighters. I've decided on three Sentinel swarms. I initially was going to split the squad with different fighters, but the synergy of the Sentinels, is hard to pass up.
The Vanguard will be my main assault force. They’re tough and able to get in close and dish out damage. I can easily send them in when I feel I am in a tight spot. The Interceptor will be doing what it does best, taking out quick targets for the Vanguard. The support will be backing them up with extra shields. Each Sentinel will have their role to play, and I believe they will be versatile enough to handle most of the situations that I will encounter.
Now I feel a bit more assured encountering more pirate fleets. The carrier can even guard the cargo ships, to an extent. They are equipped with a bunch of salamanders (tracks engines), harpoons (heavy hitting armour), and breaches (smaller hits for armour, but more numerous). Doesn't strain the power core, which is used for more speed. It will free up the frigates to do more damage.