View source for Forester's Choice

{{StationInfobox
| image               = Forester's Choice.png
| type                = Outpost
| faction             = Golconda Union
| government          = Democracy
| allegiance          = Federation
| facilities          = Commodities<br>Refuel<br>Repair<br>Restock<br>Outfitting<br>Blackmarket
| economy             = Agriculture
| imports             = Animal Monitors<br>Aquaponic Systems<br>Biowaste
| exports             = Coffee<br>Grain<br>Tea
| prohibited          = Battle Weapons<br>Personal Weapons<br>Landmines<br>Nerve Agents<br>Bootleg Liquor<br>Combat Stabilisers<br>Tobacco<br>Narcotics<br>Slaves<br>Imperial Slaves
}}
'''Forester's Choice''' is an [[Outpost]] in the [[Upaniklis]] system, orbiting the planet Upaniklis B 3. It was built by the [[Federation]] in late 3305 as part of an [[Interstellar Initiative]] to [[The Golconda|resettle]] the inhabitants of [[Generation Ship#The Golconda|The Golconda]], an ancient generation ship that had been traveling in isolation since it departed from [[Sol]] in the 22nd century. The Outpost was named in honor of Captain [[Jonathon Forester]] of The Golconda, who made the difficult decision to break the vessel's long silence and signal for help due to a resource shortage and disease outbreak. Adjacent to Forester's Choice is an Agricultural [[Installation]], and the retired generation ship is stationed only 30 kilometers away from both facilities.

Forester's Choice is the exclusive purveyor of the [[List of Rare Commodities|Rare Commodity]] [[Apa Vietii]], an alcoholic spirit that The Golconda's colonists have been distilling as a tradition since the beginning of their journey.

== Timeline ==
05 DEC 3305
*The crew of the [[generation ship]] [[The Golconda|Golconda]] have migrated to their new home - the outpost Forester's Choice in the [[Upaniklis]] system. Following a successful bid to assist the Golconda crew with their relocation, the [[Federation]] arranged for transportation from the ancient vessel to the outpost now in orbit around Upaniklis B 3. Communication with the generation ship in the days prior to departure revealed a certain amount of trepidation among their people. But with centuries of space travel having exhausted the Golconda's ability to adequately sustain the colonists, the majority supported the decision to relocate. The Golconda's command staff also confirmed that they would continue distillation of the beverage [[Apa Vietii]]. This unique spirit will be on sale to traders from Forester's Choice. Professor [[Elizabeth Perez]], head of anthropology at [[Orion Independent University]], was on hand to observe the mass resettlement: "Many of the colonists openly wept as they stepped aboard the transport vessels, speaking words of thanks and sorrow to the Golconda itself. On several occasions, the emigrants broke spontaneously into song, with hundreds locked arm-in-arm. During the flight I overheard a group of youths chatting excitedly about the technology that would be available to them, perhaps ignorant of the significance of their journey. But most striking was the people's collective determination to maintain their unique culture, and to remain together as they enter this new chapter. It remains to be seen whether this society will retain its isolationist outlook or willingly integrate with the galaxy. We can only hope that these remarkable travellers from the past will be left alone long enough to explore 34th-century humanity at their own pace." To celebrate this historic event, the Federation has announced that a purchase discount will be applied to Federal ships between the 5th and 16th of December 3305.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5de7f2c722cfdf057a10d751 GalNet: Golconda's Inhabitants Migrate to Forester's Choice]</ref>
24 NOV 3305
*The [[Federation]] has won the bid to provide [[Generation Ship#The Golconda|the Golconda's]] population with a permanent home, beating a rival effort by the [[Empire]]. Both campaigns received support from the galactic community, but the initiative to create a new orbital [[outpost]] for the generation ship's inhabitants ultimately proved more popular than the construction of a [[Surface Port|planetary port]]. An official message from the Golconda confirmed that the colonists were impressed by the superpower's success, and have agreed to migrate to the outpost once it has been completed. The outpost will be named Forester's Choice to honour the captain of the Golconda, [[Jonathon Forester]]. The Golconda crew have also accepted the status of a Federal partner while retaining their autonomy. [[Congressman]] [[Harlan Turk]] made this statement: "We are proud to offer a fresh start to a society descended from the Federation's forebears. Their unique culture will continue to thrive among the stars at an outpost that enjoys Federal protection." [[Senator|Imperial Senator]] [[Ava Cornelius]] sent a message of goodwill to Captain Forester and his crew. She admitted disappointment at the Golconda's decision but wished the colonists peace and prosperity for the future. Supporters of the Imperial and Federal campaigns can now collect outstanding rewards from their respective [[megaship]]s in the [[Upaniklis]] system.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5dd8203cfd09ce4d531860d2 GalNet: Federation Delivers Golconda’s New Home]</ref>
22 NOV 3305
*The inhabitants of the [[generation ship]] Golconda have offered a token of gratitude to authorities in the [[Upaniklis]] system for their recent help. The gift was a case of an alcoholic spirit labelled [[Apa Vietii]], distilled only aboard the Golconda for many centuries. An accompanying note explained that the production technique has remained largely unchanged since the 22nd century. Analysis of the beverage confirmed it was safe for consumption, although nothing is known of the raw ingredients or distillation process. As yet very few people have sampled Apa Vietii, but the celebrated gourmet and critic Giles Cappelleo was invited to appraise the spirit: "Well, what a delight this is – to experience a previously unheard-of libation! Apa Vietii is refreshing on the palate with a smooth, crisp flavour, but delivers a vigorous thump to the senses once swallowed. If it ever becomes widely available, connoisseurs everywhere would surely adore it. The Golconda crew is sitting atop a potential goldmine!" Professor [[Elizabeth Perez]] of the [[Orion Independent University]] provided an anthropologist's take: "This is a significant gesture from a society that has been highly reluctant to interact with outsiders. Although their isolationist stance remains prevalent, offering Apa Vietii could be interpreted as the start of a cultural exchange programme prior to rejoining civilisation."<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5dd7bb5b632a961c00177cb4 GalNet: A Gift from the Golconda]</ref>
18 NOV 3305
*The [[Empire]] and the [[Federation]] have announced rival initiatives to provide a new home for the crew of the [[generation ship]] Golconda. During the aid appeal by Upaniklis Vision Incorporated, engineering experts confirmed that the ancient vessel can no longer meet the colony's needs. While the Golconda was designed for long-term habitation, it lacks adequate facilities for the current population levels. After lengthy discussion, the Golconda's leaders have reluctantly decided to abandon the vessel. But the ship's captain, [[Jonathon Forester]], has insisted that its population remain together in one location. The Empire has vowed to help the colonists complete the ship's original mission by establishing a [[Surface Port|planetside home]]. [[Senator]] [[Ava Cornelius]] summarised the campaign: "After generations in an artificial environment, we want to reward these travellers with a world to call their own, fulfilling their destiny after a millennium of adventure. Contemporary agricultural techniques will enable them to become a self-sustaining colony with full Imperial support." The Federation has taken a different approach, offering to create an [[outpost]] where the Golconda's spacefaring traditions can continue. This was outlined by [[Congressman]] [[Harlan Turk]]: "These people have the inalienable right to continue their current way of life. A modern outpost will offer vastly superior amenities while allowing their culture to remain intact, with facilities for new trade relationships within Federal market guidelines." Both superpowers have asked the galactic community to support their campaigns. Pilots can deliver polymers, CMM composites, titanium, beryllium and thallium to either of the [[megaship]]s in the [[Upaniklis]] system: The Lucent Embrace for the Empire or Keller's Resolve for the Federation. The initiative is scheduled to run from the 18th to the 26th of November 3305. If the final targets are met earlier than planned, the campaign will end immediately.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5dd2c015e22baf768a15bbb3 GalNet: Superpowers Compete over Golconda's Future]</ref>
15 NOV 3305
*The discovery of an inhabited generation ship has attracted attention from both the [[Empire]] and the [[Federation]]. A recent trade appeal in the [[Upaniklis]] system provided the Golconda with emergency aid. Each of the superpowers has since deployed a [[megaship]] to the area, along with proposals for integrating the Golconda's crew into the galactic community. [[Senator|Imperial senator]] [[Ava Cornelius]] released this statement: "This remarkable thousand-year mission exemplifies humanity's indomitable spirit. We stand ready to help these colonists complete that mission by constructing a new [[Surface Port|planetary settlement]] exclusively for their use. There, they will finally be able to enjoy solid ground and open skies, in a colony that thrives under Imperial protection." [[Congressman|Federal Congressman]] [[Harlan Turk]] outlined an alternative approach: "As the descendants of a [[generation ship]] launched from Sol, we view these courageous travellers as honorary Federal citizens. We therefore hold that they are entitled to remain a spacefaring commune as their ancestors wished, and intend to honour their traditional way of life with an [[Outpost|orbital outpost]] to call their own." There has been minimal communication with the Golconda, and only a select few representatives of Upaniklis Vision Incorporated have interacted with the colonists. Assuming that the freshly donated supplies can fortify this micro-civilisation, vital decisions will need to be made regarding the Golconda's future.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5dcd3397d56201391d473b2b GalNet: Golconda Attracts Superpower Interest]</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Forester's Choice and Agricultural Installation.png|Forester's Choice and its accompanying Agricultural Installation
File:The Golconda.png|The Golconda
</gallery>

== References ==
<references/>

[[ru:Forester's Choice]]