My progress so far:
I received a star chart from Artemis. I tried to get help from a merchant to read the chart and identify Artemis' location, but the merchant wouldn't help me due to my low reputation. I need to boost my reputation first. I also came a cross a rendezvous beacon from a wrecked starship. I'll have to check that too. (log #8)
I earned enough reputation to ask the merchant to read Artemis' star chart, but he told me that star pattern was not of this galaxy. Artemis contacted me again and I told her what I had found out. She was in panic and communication signal was terminated with the last word "Apollo" among unintelligible noises. According to Nada and Polo of Space Anomaly station, it seems that Artemis is trapped in anomalous realm beyond this galaxy. (log#9)
Following the rendezvous beacon signal, I found a derelict freighter in space and was ambushed by a squadron of pirates. Defeating all of them, I got the coordinate of "Voice of Freedom" terminal on Iree, the moon of planet Ansuzu Minor. At the terminal I obtained a ticket which will lead me to another mysterious location in another star system. Before trying to go there, I contacted Apollo. I told him about Artemis and he offered me to work together. Apollo wants me to expand my base and prepare to search for Artemis. (log #10)
I added a cylindrical building to my base and started to build other things. Building up a base requires multiple terminals(construction, tech, weapons, etc) and hiring staff to use those terminals.
Base building takes multiple going back and forth, and I don't think it's worth elaborating in detail. I'll just summarize what I've done so far.
I built 2 terminals(construction and science) and hired staff, a Gek construction overseer and a Korvax scientist(staff can be hired from space stations). By providing what they need to work, I received some new blueprints in return. There is a series of missions for each terminal.
During the journey to neighboring Aishika-Yok VII star system to hire a Korvax scientist, I came across a distress call from a freighter which was under attack by pirates.
I took out those pirates to save the freighter. The captain of the freighter gave me control of the ship. It was class C freighter named DSV-6 Areyamat. This is my capital ship now.
Now that I have a capital ship, I can also form a squadron. I unlocked only one slot because I couldn't afford another. I need more nanites to unlock the second slot. If I recruit a pilot to fill the slot, I'll have a wingman when engaging space combat.
I was contacted by Apollo again. He wants me to collect nanites which is used to buy upgrades for exosuit, starship, etc.
But before doing what Apollo suggested, I decided to go to the origin of that "Voice of Freedom", Toganeil star system. It seems that following Apollo's plan will eventually lead to confrontation with the sentinels. Maybe it's better to explore some more and prepare myself. In permadeath mode, you only live once.
I warped to Toganeil system and visited the space station there. This station is not an ordinary one. It's an outlaw station where contraband items are bought and sold.
The bounty master will offer you missions completely different from what you get from mission agents in normal space stations.
Before leaving the station, I was given a forged passport to cover my track. With this passport presented to a normal station core, my travel record would be modified. Teleport gate in the station is not linked to other normal stations. I need to warp out with hyperdrive.
I warped to nearby Domataga system and got to the space station there. I used the forge passport to disrupt my record. I'm clean now.
I came back to my base and did a few more secondary missions for my staff. I added another cylindrical room and built weapons terminal there. I hired a Vykeen warrior to take care of the terminal.
I also obtained a new multi-tool during a local trip. A Vykeen gave me a half-repaired multi-tool. I managed to repair a few components to free up some of its inventory slots. I've been saving units(money in No Man's Sky) hoping to buy a new multi-tool, but this will do.
The next thing I need is a new starship. I'm planning get back to Toganeil system to make a big money and buy a new starship. With better multi-tool and starship, I'll be ready to go after the sentinels with Apollo. Hopefully.