It is always good to talk plans over with experienced capsuleers. Especially with Gaun Arel, who is wise and like myself drawn to coffee.
He made a brilliant suggestion: perhaps I could first go to the heirs of the Talocan in a simple shuttle. It would not allow me to probe anomalies, but it does allow for first contact, and the opening of negotiations to allow some research. I do not have to jeopardize any crew - former or new - as they are not useful in a simple shuttle. Moreover, the shuttles are immune to warp disruption bubbles, and can give me an idea of how heavily camped the gates are before I go there in an exploration ship.