Hutton Orbital Run Solidarity Event (HORSE)

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Credit: JunEightyFive ( Credit: JunEightyFive ( reddit

Organisation

PC - 67MistakeNot

Xbox - TimWellens; and

PS4 - Allcrowsareblack

CMDR F99 (Pc Wing)

CMDR Allcrowsareblack (PS4 Wing; Thank you for the write up),

CMDR 67MistakeNot (Pc Wing)

CMDR TIMWELLENS (Xbox Wing)

CMDR unrealization (Discord)

CMDR Ray Mobula (Pc Wing)

Human occupied space is awash with legends, tales and ambitions. They have been the source of inspiration and despair in equal measure for independent pilots across the Galaxy for centuries. In the melding of the factual and the fabled there is a story about a mighty ship, a distant outpost and dogged determination that has touched CMDRs of all stripes and allegiances.The mighty Anaconda; the pride of Faulcon deLacy’s shipyard. Its 400t, 152m hull can take 114t of cargo in standard configuration, it has space enough for 12 internal compartments and has a hardpoint layout that will make any would be assailant think twice. While it is a little ponderous, a fully engineered Anaconda jumps further, hits harder and carries more than any other single ship configuration currently available. The ship’s extraordinary versatility, however, comes with a hefty price tag of 146.9m credits. This makes it the third most expensive ship available to independent pilots and engineering an Anaconda for its chosen role can cost its owner orders of magnitude more. As a result, the Anaconda is highly prized and most CMDRs will aspire to it’s ownership at some point in their career whether they are fighters, traders or explorers.The system of Alpha Centauri, a short 4.3Ly hop from Sol, is home to an extraordinary industrial outpost: Hutton Orbital. Hutton is a small outpost in a 0.3 day orbit around Eden, it’s closest star. At first glance, it would appear to be entirely unremarkable and many less experienced pilots have accepted a mission to the orbital unaware that it lies 0.22Ly from the system’s main star and so takes around 1.5 hours to reach in Supercruise. The ‘Hutton Run’ as it has become known, is considered a rite of passage among independent pilots; it’s a long trip, often beset with pirates and which will, in any event, wreak havoc on a ship’s integrity. The reward for this epic journey is a humble mug, which is said to be the made from the salvaged frame shift drive plates of ships that ran out of fuel before reaching the station. The effort required to obtain it makes it a rare commodity that increases in value the further it is taken from Alpha Centauri. For those that make the Hutton Run though it’s not about the value, it is a matter of pride and one will often hear “for the mug!” shouted in celebration of camaraderie in bars across the galaxy among those who have made the trip.In any one of those bars a pilot may also hear a rumour, spoken in hushed tones, about a far greater prize available at Hutton to any CMDR with the tenacity to attain it. There are a few variations of this tale, but the most persistent is that a free Anaconda will be gifted to any CMDR who makes the Hutton Run three times consecutively. The origins of this ‘opportunity’ are lost to time and space but the temptation has been known to regularly ensnare pilots into making the attempt.So it was in November 3303 when a young Type 6 pilot of not inconsiderable experience decided to take the chance that the rumours were true. He undertook his epic Supercruise flight at a time traditionally associated with the availability of special deals and it seemed to him entirely reasonable that an Anaconda would be given away at this time. The determined CMDR piloted his Type 6 in-system without pause or respite, with technical and flight computer issues his every step, for six hours. At the end, his ship a battered hulk, he docked at Hutton and reviewed the mission board and station facilities, no doubt with great excitement and relief, only to find that the outpost had no shipyard. There was no Anaconda to be had there, nor would there ever be. The golden opportunity was no more than a myth, perhaps even a ruse. Not only does Hutton not have a shipyard but neither does it have a large landing pad to accommodate a ship of that size.The young CMDR went on to tell his tale across the Galaxy so that others might not fall victim to temptation. Many independent pilots laughed at his misfortune, but he was not the first, and neither will he be the last, to fall for this particular rumour. Among those that heard his story were a group of CMDRs who felt that his tenacity and determination deserved some small recognition . At the least he represents all those who have made the arduous round trips with little but hope keeping their ships in one piece. In fact, in his sacrifice, determination and resolve he represents all independent pilots across the Galaxy who toil tirelessly in the hope that what they seek is out there, somewhere.In his honour and in deference to those that have and will follow the dream there will be a mass Hutton Run on 17 December 2017 which is open to all pilots of peaceful intent.The event will be cross-platform, taking place on PC, Xbox and PS4 in three private groups:Quick join has been disabled for these groups so please allow plenty of time for the admins to add you.Because of the cross-platform nature of the event a Discord channel #hutton_chat has also been set up. We would encourage everyone to join this so you can all chat freely, no matter what system you play on.CMDRs are invited to assemble in normal space at the Alpha Centauri Nav Beacon at 19:00 UTC (in-game time) on 17 Dec 2017. The mass jump to Supercruise will take place at 19:20 UTC.To get as many CMDRs in the same instance, please friend in-game any of the CMDRs listed below.Request a wing invite via Discord (CMDR Name + platform) so we can get you into the same instance. Once there, please leave the wing, so we can send additional invitesWant to help? Contact us on Discord.Please note that this is a PvE event and that aggression of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in an immediate kick.We are very excited for this and can’t wait to meet you all!Cheers,Ps: FOR THE MUG!