Sorry to be starting so many threads, but I'm a total noob (currently ranked only Competent-Broker-Trailblazer) compared to most of you guys and learned 90% of what I know now in just being around 2 weeks here.
So ... I've made Delkar my home for most of my Elite career, While I earned my initial 10-15M largely trading, I've been mining Delkar 7 and selling in the surrounding areas since. They are either Federation allied (currently Petty Officer in the Auxiliary) or I've become friendly or allied with various, minor factions on their own. Because such, barring needing a higher trading rank, I can off-load Osmium, Platinum and Painite for 60-100K/ton with regularity.
Being that I'd like to get closer to Azrael ... is there any system closer to Azrael but near Federation space and influence, that has a Prestine Metallic Ring for mining? I assume not, but I haven't explored much. At most I found a Major Reserves, Metal Rich ring.
In addition to random exploring, I've gone through some of these Prestine systems on the Wikia page, and it seems Delkar is one closest to Sol. In addition to the Sol permit, I also have the Alioth permit (via Alioth Independents) so I guess I could start over. Although I do plan on eventually ranking up in the Federation to get the Corvette as well.
As always, looking for suggestions from those of you who have been around. What systems are you mining, if any, while staying closer to Azrael, and do they have many factions aligned with the Federation?