Official statement on multi-language support.
I just don’t have the resources to make the UI and all of the text work in a range of languages. If it were only the conversation dialogs, I could pay for translation services and call it a day. But making all of the text in the UI ‘fit’ when in english/german/spanish/french/cantonese/etc I’ve deemed a bridge too far.
- http://knucklecracker.com/blog/index.php/2016/07/hammer-ship-plan-collected/#comment-152837
Having said that, there are many players who have difficulty with English since that is not their language. In an effort to support them, we are making available a text-based extract of all the dialogues in the game. This may facilitate translation to aid in comprehension for those players.
=== MISSION: 0Prelude ======================================================== Title: Prologue Desc: Somewhere in Redacted Space... ========================================================================================== --- MISSION_START ----------------------- ** COO LAKSHMI ** Jump complete, Sir! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- C1 ----------------------- ** COO LAKSHMI ** Jump complete, Sir! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- C2 ----------------------- ** CEO VARRO ** In Odin's name, it was true. It was all true! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- C3 ----------------------- ** COO LAKSHMI ** We have retrieved the Info Cache! Your orders, Sir? ------------------------------------------------------------ --- C4 ----------------------- ** CEO VARRO ** Extract the contents and prepare it for rift transmission! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- C5 ----------------------- ** COO LAKSHMI ** Sir, the power drain will be massive and make it impossible to jump! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- C6 ----------------------- ** CEO VARRO ** I know, Lakshmi... the data... It... It has been an honor. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- C7 ----------------------- ** COO LAKSHMI ** I understand. Transmission prepared. Sending! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- C8 ----------------------- ** CEO VARRO ** Crew... know that we do not fall in vain... ------------------------------------------------------------ --- C9 ----------------------- ** CEO VARRO ** You were the finest cre.... [-SIGNAL LOST-] ------------------------------------------------------------ --- C10 ----------------------- ** ARC-BOT ** Like all others before, Hale Corporation was lost. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- C11 ----------------------- ** ARC-BOT ** At last, they rested. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- C12 ----------------------- ** ARC-BOT ** Almost nothing remained. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- C13 ----------------------- ** ARC-BOT ** Except a single and final transmission. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MISSION_END ----------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ ##################################################################### === MISSION: 1Story ======================================================== Title: Naivety Desc: Your company is preparing to embark on a great journey, but first you must review and prepare... ========================================================================================== --- MISSION_START ----------------------- ** CEO TICON ** Greetings associates! Before we embark on our great journey, our COO Amicus will review operating procedures. Please pay close attention as the success of our venture depends on your actions! Amicus, over to you... ** COO AMICUS ** Thank you Chairman Ticon. Associates, let's make this simulator run perfect and show Chairman Ticon we are more than prepared! Remember, this Corporate Ship isn't only our headquarters, it is also our home. The fate of the entire company rests in your capable hands. ** COO AMICUS ** So, first up! Select the HQ from the command bar on the left and then choose a location in space to jump us into. There is a simulated Energy Source in this region of space. Jump in near it, but not too close, so that an Energy Mine can be constructed. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Message1 ----------------------- ** COO AMICUS ** Excellent work crew, excellent! As you have been briefed, we anticipate numerous energy sources to be scattered throughout redacted space. Acquiring and using their energy will be key to our operations. ** COO AMICUS ** We anticipate many shattered worlds in redacted space, full of remnants of once great worlds. We can use that mass for additional energy production. You will see some remnant land in the simulator - select and build an Omni on it. Once built, the Omni will Mire the land and use it for energy production. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Message2 ----------------------- ** COO AMICUS ** Omnis can be built in space or over land, but they are only operational when they touch down on land. Omnis need energy for construction and operation. Those are the green packets you can see moving from an Energy Mine to the Omni. ** COO AMICUS ** Once an Omni is built and is on land, it will Mire the land and use it to increase energy production. Note the production level from your energy mine and from land in the top left of the display, once the Omni finishes and begins to mire the land. ** COO AMICUS ** One final note about Omnis: they also include a Lathe. This can be useful in certain situations. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Message3 ----------------------- ** CEO TICON ** Amicus, let's review the threat and mission status. ** COO AMICUS ** Yes, Sir. Crew, with great effort we have obtained information regarding a potential threat in redacted space. As you know, all records on redacted space are sealed by the Galactic Corporation. Entry into redacted space is punishable by forfeiture of all assets. ** COO AMICUS ** Over the centuries there have been occasional ventures into redacted space, often by the insane or desperate chiefs of failed corporations. In all cases, those who ventured into redacted space were never heard from again... with one exception. ** CEO TICON ** And it is that single exception we have come to possess. A message encrypted and only recently deciphered by our Chief Technology Officer, Ana. ** CTO ANA ** Associates, the encryption was not easy to break. Only after considerable insight have I discovered the message's content. It contained a description of a mindless threat that was attracted to energy and technology. Self replicating, it could be temporarily defeated and pushed back, but would always return. ** CTO ANA ** Many of you have no doubt heard rumors of this threat your whole lives. It would seem the rumors are true. ** CTO ANA ** I have programmed the simulators to create an approximation of this threat and modified the standard GalCorp Lathe to destroy the source of this "particulate" threat. ** CTO ANA ** We simply don't know with certainty how effective our weapons will be against this possible threat. Our Director of Weapons may have additional input. ** DIR OGUN ** Thank you, Ana. Crew! If it's red, send it to oblivion. Engage! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Message2.5 ----------------------- ** COO AMICUS ** Next up, ship construction! We have acquired a GalCorp ship schematic license for a single Lathe ship. The Lathe ship has a remote command bridge, engine, lathe, and laser defense systems. It will be useful for creating energy mines instead of moving our HQ into potentially dangerous locations. ** COO AMICUS ** Ships are constructed in space and require energy from nearby Energy Mines to build and power their modules. Select the Lathe ship from the command bar on the left and then place it near your Energy Mine. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Message2.6 ----------------------- ** COO AMICUS ** Excellent work, crew! Our Director of Engineering will now review ship movement. ** DIR KAMI ** Thank you, Chief Amicus. Crew, each ship we build is operated remotely via encrypted terrabit quantum links. We establish full telepresence for any associate operator. ** DIR KAMI ** Via your command interface select a ship, then move and click where you want the ship to position itself. The ship's engine(s) will rotate the ship and move it to the target location. ** DIR KAMI ** You may click, drag, and release at the destination to set the ship's desired rotation for when it reaches its destination. ** DIR KAMI ** You may also use your mouse wheel to change the desired rotation of the ship. Hold down "M" to make small adjustments while using the mouse wheel. ** DIR KAMI ** Lastly, you may hold down "E" on your console keyboard when moving a ship. This will cause the ship to slide to its target destination without any rotation at all. ** COO AMICUS ** Thank you, Director. Associates, I've added a new Energy Source to the simulator. Move the Lathe ship in range of the Energy Source and let the Lathe build an Energy Mine. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Message 2.7 ----------------------- ** COO AMICUS ** In addition to the Lathe schematic, Chairman Ticon has also licensed a single Destroyer class military vessel. As a precaution we have armed the HQ with cannons and proximity defense lasers... but in the event we need more firepower, the Destroyer is available. ** COO AMICUS ** Build the Destroyer now. You can build it near either Energy Mine so long as it is within energy supply range. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Message4 ----------------------- ** DIR OGUN ** And that's how it's done! ** DIR THOTH ** Ana, the results of this simulation need further review. I foresee some issues... ** DIR KAMI ** As do I. Energy will be a problem... ** DIR DANU ** And if your simulation is correct, the particulate threat could assume a highly variable array of formations. ** CEO TICON ** Crew, each of you have been selected for outstanding skills in your specialist area and your ability to devise solutions to previously unencountered challenges - such as we will encounter in Redacted Space. Crew, prepare to jump! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MISSION_END ----------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ ##################################################################### === MISSION: 2Story ======================================================== Title: Indelible Desc: The associates of Ticon Corporation enter Redacted Space and everything is as anticipated... or so it seems. ========================================================================================== --- MISSION_START ----------------------- ** COO AMICUS ** Jump complete! We have entered redacted space. ** CEO TICON ** Danu, sensor readings? ** DIR DANU ** There is a particulate threat here... exactly like in Ana's simulation. But there are two emitters. Odd.... ** DIR DANU ** There is substantial wreckage here. Energy crystals and what appears to be two tech modules! Thoth, what do you make of these energy readings? ** DIR THOTH ** There is spatial plasma in this region. Ah... I've seen these readings before. If my assessment is correct the blue plasma in this region of space should slow the movement of enemy particulate! ** CTO ANA ** I agree, but the plasma is unstable and is likely to decay upon contact with the particulate. ** CEO TICON ** Very well. Kami, prepare engineering to receive those tech modules. We are going to retrieve them. ** DIR KAMI ** Already on it! ** CEO TICON ** And Ogun, stand ready. ** DIR OGUN ** You know it Chief! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- TechCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Very nice. This is a license for another Omni. I'll integrate this into our GalCorp technology license manager. I recommend immediate construction and use of this new Omni. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- TechCollected2 ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** An additional Lathe ship has been integrated into our GalCorp license manager! The new Lathe ship appears in the build panel to the left. I recommend immediate construction, as it appears it will be needed. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MISSION_END ----------------------- ** COO AMICUS ** [Privately to Ticon] Tech licenses, energy crystals, dual particulate emitters... We didn't expect this much this close to the edge of Redacted Space. Other ships must have been destroyed even this close to the boundary. ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Amicus] We came for answers, and I believe we will have them soon. ------------------------------------------------------------ ##################################################################### === MISSION: 3Story ======================================================== Title: Unwise Desc: Ticon Corporation begins to wonder if their preparation has been sufficient. ========================================================================================== --- MISSION_START ----------------------- ** DIR THOTH ** There was an instability in the jump out of rift space. I'll adjust. ** DIR OGUN ** Perhaps the significant threats in this system have something to do with it! ** CEO TICON ** Steady crew. Ana, what do you make of this system? ** CTO ANA ** Wreckage, like the previous system. There are multiple particulate emitters. But the scale... the emitters here are stronger and I believe they will emit particulate that are bound together. ** DIR THOTH ** Bound particulate? Does your simulation predict this? ** CTO ANA ** Yes, but I thought we would not encounter it till we were much further in redacted space. I need to run some calculations, but... no. I just need to run some calculation first. ** COO AMICUS ** Crew, there is wreckage here we should collect, as well as an info cache. Perhaps that will contain the logs of a long lost corporate HQ. ** CEO TICON ** And perhaps that will be useful for our own survival. Prepare all systems to engage and eliminate the threats here... and get me that info cache. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- JovenCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Interesting, I've never seen this ship design and it isn't currently available in the GalCorp inventories. I've integrated the license and it has activated successfully. A hidden design? ** DIR OGUN ** Can you see that? There is both a Particle Beam and a Missile Launcher on this guy. Plus TWO engines. Talk about a rapid response ship! ** CTO ANA ** Your enthusiasm is admirable, Ogun. The Particle Beam should slow down particulate. This in itself will be useful, but I can also modulate it to repair decayed blue plasma and remove red plasma. Both should assist us wi... ** DIR OGUN ** Assist us with particulate devastation! Everyone get ready to watch missiles chase down particulate! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- OmniPickup ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Another Omni has been added to our license inventory! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- DataCache ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** This info cache is unencrypted but only partially preserved. It is very old and uses a version of data compression that is, well, ancient. But I think I can access some of the data. ** DIR KAMI ** Ah, there. Most of the data is telemetry and a mess. But there is one entry from a personal log. Data follows -- ** DIR KAMI ** Chairman Ragnol's personal log: The particulate emitters have been growing stronger in each system. Unless fate is mocking us, the particulate must be communicating across systems. ** DIR KAMI ** If so, then our theories about the particulate must be correct. And if these theories are correct, then the Galactic Corporation, House Abraxis, and the ruling board have all kept a terrible secret for too long. ** DIR KAMI ** -- End data. That's all I can access. ** COO AMICUS ** [Privately to Ticon] House Abraxis? They fell decades ago and there hasn't been a ruling board in nearly as long. Whatever secret Ragnol was referring to seems to have remained a secret. ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Amicus] Yes, and I wonder if Ragnol's theory about the particulate matches ours.... ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MISSION_END ----------------------- ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Ana and Amicus] I'm more convinced now than ever... Ana, any readings that might lead us to the origin world? ** CTO ANA ** [Privately to Ticon and Amicus] None. I hoped there would be some remnants, some molecular signatures... anything that would hint at the origin world. ** COO AMICUS ** [Privately to Ticon and Ana] If we don't find the origin world, then all of this could be for nothing! ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Ana and Amicus] I remain hopeful, my friends. We've been able to handle the particulate threat so far... and better than most, it would seem. We will push onward. ------------------------------------------------------------ ##################################################################### === MISSION: 4Story ======================================================== Title: Insanity Desc: Troubling messages from the past emerge and rattle the associates of Ticon Corporation. ========================================================================================== --- MISSION_START ----------------------- ** CEO TICON ** Status report? ** DIR DANU ** Scanning the system... done. That's odd. Thoth, what is your assessment? ** DIR THOTH ** These emitters show different energy readings. There is more of a pattern, or rhythm to their energy output compared to emitters we have previously encountered. ** CEO TICON ** Meaning? ** DIR THOTH ** Unknown, Sir, but I would speculate: with more ordered energy output would come more complex behavior. ** CTO ANA ** I concur. The energy patterns indicate more intense pulsations. The emitters could be producing particulate with a greater intensity. We should be mindful of this possibility. Particulate with greater intensity would be more difficult for our weapons to destroy. ** CTO ANA ** Additionally, the particulate might have the capacity to create red plasma in space as they travel. I experimented with this in my simulations, but was never able to get it to work. ** CEO TICON ** Ogun, do your best to compensate for these threats. We need to collect any remnant technology and info caches present in this system. We must engage the particulate regardless of its intensity. ** DIR OGUN ** I was hoping you would say that. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- CruiserCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** A Cruiser class GalCon ship license! ** DIR OGUN ** Indeed, dual missile launchers, dual cannons, particle beam, and laser defense! I recommend immediate construction... ------------------------------------------------------------ --- OmniCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Integration of Omni license successful. Given the amount of remnant land in this system, the additional Omni should prove useful. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- EnemyMine ----------------------- ** DIR OGUN ** Sir! The particulate have created hostile energy mines! ** DIR DANU ** The construction of the energy mines seems to closely mirror the same GalCon energy mines we build! ** DIR KAMI ** There is an integrated cannon. How could the particulate have constructed this without a lathe! ** DIR OGUN ** However the particulate did it, I can still destroy it. I'll move lathe ships in range and deconstruct any mines the particulate construct. ** COO AMICUS ** Maintain your composure crew. This is unexpected. Thoth what is your assessment? ** DIR THOTH ** The particulate must possess a rudimentary pattern replication capacity. Energy mines are relatively primitive technology. Perhaps after exposure to many instances of energy mines over the centuries, the particulate has learned how to replicate them. ** CTO ANA ** That would be the logical conclusion. The question is why are they building them here and not in the previous systems? And if this is now part of their behavior, what will come next? ------------------------------------------------------------ --- CacheCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** This info cache is very well preserved, but strangely it is nearly empty. It was as if someone took a fresh cache, wrote a few records to it, then jettisoned it. Data Follows -- ** DIR KAMI ** Bah ha ha ha. May the Gods have mercy on us... no, no...... why bother? ** DIR KAMI ** EVERYTHING IS NOTHING! NOTHING IS EVERYTHING! NOTHING WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN... ** DIR KAMI ** -- The record repeats "AND AGAIN" several thousand times, then ends. ** COO AMICUS ** [Privately to Ticon] No doubt the log of a crazed CEO. Gibberish from prolonged isolation, or perhaps insanity that came from knowing his destruction was imminent. ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Amicus] Perhaps... but as my father said, "The insane aren't always blinded by delusion. Sometimes they just see too much reality". ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MISSION_END ----------------------- ** CEO TICON ** Crew, well done! We have faced unforeseen threats and overcome them. We have also collected valuable information that should lead us forward in our search for the truth. ------------------------------------------------------------ ##################################################################### === MISSION: 5Story ======================================================== Title: Evidence Desc: Ticon Corporation at last finds some of the evidence it has sought. But will they survive to act on it? ========================================================================================== --- MISSION_START ----------------------- ** DIR OGUN ** Evasive action! This system is filled with hostile emitters! ** DIR DANU ** I detect two particulate emitters very different from the others! ** DIR THOTH ** Wait, scanning... I believe those particulate are no threat. The scans match a prediction made by your simulation, Ana. ** CTO ANA ** Thoth is correct. If my simulation is correct, these particulate are benign and won't damage our ships. They will also annihilate other particulate upon contact. ** CEO TICON ** And how can this be? ** CTO ANA ** I only know it is possible, not how to make them or why they are here. It was purely theoretical till now, but here they are. ** COO AMICUS ** Whoever was here before us must have created these benign emitters using technology unknown to us. With such technology, could they have survived indefinitely in redacted space? ** CEO TICON ** There's ample wreckage here. Crew, collect all of it and perhaps we will learn more. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Grabber1 ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** This is incredible! There is a field manipulation module on this ship that appears to be specifically designed to push benign particulate! How could this be in the GalCorp database? ** CEO TICON ** The answer is obvious, Director Kami. As much as we might choose to believe otherwise, the Galactic Corporation knows a great deal about the particulate and redacted space. ** DIR OGUN ** In any case, this will make a powerful addition to our arsenal! I'll move this 'Grabber' ship in range of the benign particulate and fire a stream of them directly at the enemy emitters! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Grabber2 ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Another Grabber ship! Ogun, this should allow angled attacks with benign particulate streams! ** DIR OGUN ** Kam, perhaps you should consider weapons control as a side career. I could always use the help! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Omni ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Another Omni has been added to our license database. At this rate, we will soon have quite a force. If only they could be used for purposes other than miring and lathing. I'll have to think on that. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Cache ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Totally corrupt - all data has been lost to the ages. I'll scan the physical structure. ** DIR KAMI ** Chief Ticon, Ana... I don't believe it. The isotopic analysis matches the signatures we have been looking for! ** CTO ANA ** I see it Kami. There is a high probability this cache was either made on, or at some point has been to, the origin world! ** CEO TICON ** Crew, we have our first solid piece of evidence. The origin world must be real! I asked all of you to trust me when you agreed to come with me on this journey. This... this is our first solid indication that our journey may yet yield great return! ** COO AMICUS ** [Privately to Ticon] If the origin world exists deep in redacted space surrounded by ever increasing particulate, and if that particulate has destroyed ships with technology greater than ours - I fear we may not live to see our mission to completion. ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Amicus] We all knew the risks. Perhaps charging forward with all our might will be the one advantage we have. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Cruiser ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Another Cruiser has been added to our ship database! ** DIR OGUN ** Wow Kam.... wow. Our fleet is becoming impressive. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MISSION_END ----------------------- ** COO AMICUS ** [Privately to Ticon] We have obtained our first evidence of the Origin World. But, something else is also very clear. ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Amicus] Yes, I'm aware. The particulate isn't some kind of accident that destroyed the Precursors. It is too structured, too reactive. It was made for a purpose. ** COO AMICUS ** [Privately to Ticon] Everything our history tells us about the Precursors and how their civilization was lost must all be a fabrication. The Galactic Corporation has been keeping a secret for centuries... millennia. ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Amicus] Even the great house of Abraxis kept the secret. I always held them in high regard. ** COO AMICUS ** [Privately to Ticon] Perhaps the truth was too terrible even for them to reveal. Or perhaps after centuries of keeping the secret they were going to finally reveal it, and that is when they were overthrown. ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Amicus] Interesting theory. You sound like one of those conspiracy nuts, Amicus. In any case, House Abraxis is dead and gone. Nothing remains other than the stories we heard when we were children. ** COO AMICUS ** [Privately to Ticon] Perhaps so. Or perhaps we might just find some remnant of their great house here in redacted space.... ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Amicus] You always were a history buff, Amicus. I hope we find some trinkets for your collection. ------------------------------------------------------------ ##################################################################### === MISSION: 6Story ======================================================== Title: Stretch Desc: The crew encounters strange spatial anomalies that hint at a great mystery. ========================================================================================== --- MISSION_START ----------------------- ** DIR DANU ** There is a spatial anomaly here; two points in space that are somehow connected. ** DIR THOTH ** Analysis indicates some sort of entry and exit to rift space. They appear to be permanently open, which should be impossible. ** CTO ANA ** The 'portals' appear to be stable, but very small. Hmm. I think I know what they are for. They were constructed to conduct particulate only. Any particulate entering at the entrance portal should instantly be transported to the exit portal. ** COO AMICUS ** I've never seen rift space used this way before. It is an intentional weaponization of rift space to work in conjunction with the particulate. ** DIR OGUN ** If we can get a stream of benign particulate into the entrance portal, that should make for some interesting combat scenarios! ** CEO TICON ** Danu, what else is in this system? ** DIR DANU ** Scanners show an info cache, wreckage that left a ship license, energy crystals, and two very odd items. We will have to investigate to make a determination. ** CEO TICON ** You heard the lady. Let's get to it! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- AmpGemCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Ana, do you recognize these? I've only ever heard about them and thought they were just legend. These look exactly like the "Amp Gems" we used to joke about in the Engineering Academy. ** CTO ANA ** It was the same in the Science Academy. We speculated that ship weapons and systems could be 'tricked' into having a greater range, or fire rate, if they were modulated in and out of Rift space very rapidly. Graviton Energy Modulators we called them, or GEMs. ** DIR KAMI ** I think I can modify our ship consoles to use them. Ogun, select a ship and you should now see a "Mount Amp Gem" button in the ship command bar. Place an Amp Gem on a ship and its systems should function with greater range and rates. ** DIR OGUN ** My eyes are swelling with tears Kam. I'm choking up here... ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Cache ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** This cache contains a fragment of a science log. I'd estimate it to be at least a thousand cycles old. Log follows: -- ** DIR KAMI ** We know the cleansing has come countless times. What we don't know is why. I have a theory that it is all about lowering entropy on a galactic scale. Why, is unknown. With more readings perhaps I can understand why the Particulate was created and wh... ** DIR KAMI ** -- The record ends abruptly there. That was probably when their ship was destroyed and the info cache was blown clear and came to rest on this asteroid fragment. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- ShipCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Ah, well look at this; a civilian model MicroTank ship! I have integrated it into our ship database. ** DIR KAMI ** This ship can supply energy to any other ships or omnis in range. Very useful for the successful operation of ships that are out of range of an energy mine. ** DIR KAMI ** This model also has a single integrated drone that can fly to the nearest energy mine and ferry energy back to the MicroTank ship. Won't really be able to supply all of the energy a large fleet might need in combat, but better than nothing. ** DIR OGUN ** Indeed. I can put this ship to immediate use. From the looks of the emitters and energy sources in this system we are going to need it. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MISSION_END ----------------------- ** COO AMICUS ** [Privately to Ticon and Ana] The "cleansing" that was mentioned in the cache we collected, what did you make of that? ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Ana and Amicus] Fairy tales from our youth, Amicus. ** CTO ANA ** [Privately to Ticon and Amicus] I know you better than that. You know we are on to something. So don't try to ignore this and pretend we will believe you. ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Ana and Amicus] Oh I'm not ignoring it. And I don't believe all fairy tales are fiction. ------------------------------------------------------------ ##################################################################### === MISSION: 7Story ======================================================== Title: Brute Desc: The Particulate's behavior begins to alter and the crew gets answers it does not like. ========================================================================================== --- MISSION_START ----------------------- ** DIR DANU ** My Gods! This system is unlike any other we have seen! ** DIR THOTH ** Scanners are detecting a kind of spatial 'structure'. This structure appears to be a crystallized version of the Particulate. ** CTO ANA ** I didn't encounter this in my simulation. I can probably work out the mechanics, but the pattern this 'struc' is growing in would require some intention or plan on the part of the Particulate. ** DIR OGUN ** I just need to know how best to kill it. I can modify our cannons to fire a special shot at the struc, but missiles will be useless. ** DIR THOTH ** Correct Director Ogun. Note as well that our ship's hulls will interact with the struc. I can also modulate our lathes to destroy the struc. And of course any benign particulate would also annihilate the struc. ** DIR OGUN ** Great. So ram into it. Works for me. ** DIR DANU ** Everyone also observe the sensors. There is a benign form of the struc in this system. It is systematically placed around well organized energy sources. ** DIR DANU ** There are also two intact structures near the large masses of struc. Scanners indicate they are offline. I don't know what they are for, but it might be possible to charge and activate them if we capture the nearby energy sources. ** CEO TICON ** Crew, I believe this system was the site of a great battle. The remnants of that battle are all that is left. Let's collect what intelligence and technology we can and leave as quickly as possible. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- OmniCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** An additional Omni has been added to our license database. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- HammerCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** We have collected a new ship schematic! Very interesting design. Primitive, but I can see how it might be effective. ** DIR OGUN ** This Hammer is just the tool we need. She is designed to ram through struc, particulate, or anything else that might get in her way! ** DIR KAMI ** Perhaps we just found the hammer of the mythological Thor god some people carry on about. ** DIR OGUN ** Well, he can't have it back. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MireUnit ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** These structures on land appear to be creating mire. Fascinating. This means the technology is similar to our Omnis. But, they aren't Omnis. I've never seen them before or anything like them. ** DIR OGUN ** Let me help. I'll move some lathes in range and take them out. Then we can just pretend they were never there. ** DIR KAMI ** [Shakes Head] ** DIR THOTH ** But that would not be possible, Director Ogun, for we have already observed them. ** DIR DANU ** [Also Shakes Head] ------------------------------------------------------------ --- ParticleTorpUnit ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** These derelict structures near the enemy fortifications appear to be ancient. Their purpose isn't clear. Scans indicate an internal structure that is vaguely similar to a rift jump engine. But it is very different. ** CTO ANA ** If they were weapons and they were built by some crew, perhaps they may be of use. It's hard to say. ** DIR OGUN ** I say we take the nearby energy sources and let them charge and activate! ** CEO TICON ** Agreed, Director Ogun. Let's engage! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- InfoCache ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Info Cache retrieved. It is very corrupt. But, it has a massive degree of redundancy. It seems to be designed to survive for eons. There's a 'primer' with a large parity redundancy and includes a basic lexicon and instructions for building a language. ** DIR OGUN ** Any weapons described? ** DIR KAMI ** No, well, I'm not sure. The primer is intact and describes a language that was in use in various systems millennia ago. Nothing new there, but the creators of this cache must have assumed it would be lost for a very long time and that whoever found it would need a language primer. ** DIR KAMI ** The rest of the message is far too corrupt to understand. However, I believe this cache was meant to form part of a parity volume. If we find other caches like it, I will eventually be able to reconstruct the entire message. ** DIR OGUN ** Then, we might get a big gun, amongst other things. Sounds like a priority to me. ** CEO TICON ** Your enthusiasm is appreciated, Director Ogun. But my hope is we will get some more fundamental answers about the particulate, the origin world, and just what is going on in redacted space. And then maybe a big gun too. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MISSION_END ----------------------- ** CEO TICON ** Crew, admirable job! As we have journeyed deeper into redacted space we have encountered an increasing threat and more mysteries. But we now have a solid lead on solving many of these mysteries. ** COO AMICUS ** Indeed. Our mission priority is to find and collect more info caches so we can reconstruct the data archive. That archive very likely contains a trove of answers. And yes, Director Ogun, if we are lucky, a big gun too. ------------------------------------------------------------ ##################################################################### === MISSION: 8Story ======================================================== Title: Potential Desc: A hint of clarity appears. ========================================================================================== --- MISSION_START ----------------------- ** COO AMICUS ** Crew, status? ** DIR DANU ** Wreckage as usual. Numerous energy sources, energy pods, and Particulate emitters. Standard fare it would seem. There are also mire spawning structures like we saw in the previous system. ** DIR THOTH ** Scans show old Abraxian reactor facilities on several of the asteroids. They appear to be set to cycle and discharge excess energy. ** DIR KAMI ** This could create a confined energy "stunner". Ogun, you know more about this than I do. ** DIR OGUN ** Kam is correct. When one of those old reactors goes critical it will discharge the energy built up into a confined sphere and launch it into space. We called them "stunners" in the Academy weapon's school. ** DIR OGUN ** They will drift through space and are attracted to other energy sources, like our ships or energy mines. When they hit, they will take the systems off-line for some period of time. No permanent damage, unless we are in the middle of a fight! ** COO AMICUS ** What are our defense options? ** DIR OGUN ** Destroy the reactors. ** CEO TICON ** Let's get to that and also collect that info cache I see hidden amongst the asteroids. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- OmniCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** An additional Omni license has been added to our database. It seems omnis are common in the wreckage we find. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- DischargerCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Awesome! Ogun, have a look at the new ship design we just recovered. ** DIR OGUN ** Ingenious. Standard reactor tech has been re-purposed to create a massive Discharger cannon. I wrote a research paper about this in my Academy days. ** DIR DANU ** You wrote a research paper? ** CEO TICON ** Don't let Director Ogun's cavalier attitude fool you. He was one of the best weapon designers the Galactic Corporation has ever seen. That is the second most important reason he is part of our crew. ** DIR KAMI ** And the first? ** CEO TICON ** Please continue with your assessment Director Ogun. ** DIR OGUN ** What? Were you all saying something? I was too busy marveling at this beauty. The Dischargers on this ship will be ideal for dealing with the confined energy Stunners that come our way. ** DIR OGUN ** They are useless against the Particulate, but when the energy production stations in this system create confined energy Stunners that are drawn to our ships... these Discharge cannons will be able to neutralize them. ** CTO ANA ** [Privately to Ticon] Seems someone put Ogun's theoretical weapon design into practice. ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Ana] Indeed. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- InfoCache ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** This is part of the parity volume we are looking for! What are the odds? ** CTO ANA ** Odds that have been made better by intent. Whoever left these caches must have very intentionally scattered many copies around a great many systems. They wanted to ensure the information would survive. ** DIR KAMI ** We will need a good many more to reconstruct the data, but if you are right, Ana, we stand a chance of finding them. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MISSION_END ----------------------- ** CEO TICON ** I grow prouder of this crew with each passing system! With each new threat, we find a response. Chief Amicus, please put a note of high commendation in each crew member's record! ------------------------------------------------------------ ##################################################################### === MISSION: 9Story ======================================================== Title: Emergent Desc: When the Particulate takes on a dangerous new form, the crew comes to some conclusions. ========================================================================================== --- MISSION_START ----------------------- ** DIR DANU ** The sensors must be off. Recalibrating... Hmmm, everything is working correctly. ** CEO TICON ** I can see it Danu, we all can. ** DIR DANU ** The organization in this system is on an incredible scale. Someone, or something, attempted to build a massive structure in space. ** DIR THOTH ** I'm detecting energy emanating from around the perimeter of the structure. There are pods which look like some form of weapon. The design doesn't match anything in the GalCorp database. They could be alien in construction. ** CTO ANA ** Or they could simply not be in the GalCorp database. Perhaps they are from a time before the Galactic Corporation. ** DIR THOTH ** The Galactic Corporation has maintained the complete history of humanity. Its genesis on the now lost origin world, growth into the first empire, the ecological disaster that lead to the creation of redacted space, and the many millennia that have followed since. ** CEO TICON ** Perhaps this isn't the whole truth, Director Thoth. What we have seen so far in redacted space points to additional elements in that story; elements the Galactic Corporation has purged from our history. ** CEO TICON ** In any case, we must engage the Particulate in this system and collect what information we can. Ready for battle! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- InfoCache ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Unfortunately, this is not part of the parity volume we are looking for. On the other hand this cache contains a specific set of coordinates. ** CEO TICON ** The coordinates point here in redacted space? ** DIR KAMI ** They do. It will only be a short jump. One other thing... ** DIR KAMI ** This cache isn't very old and it bears the corporate seal of the last Abraxian executive office. ** COO AMICUS ** The seal of Chairman Abraxis?!? They were all purged when house Abraxis fell. How could an artifact from that time have made it this deep into redacted space? ** CTO ANA ** A long range and targeted jump would do it. It would take a lot of energy and be a one way trip, obviously. But something the size of an Info Cache could be sent in a single jump from the old Abraxian HQ to this point in redacted space. ** COO AMICUS ** Only if the sender knew the exact coordinates to send it to. ** CEO TICON ** Anything else in the data? ** DIR KAMI ** There is, but it is encrypted. And like the encryption in our GalCorp systems, it can't be broken. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- OmniCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Another system, another Omni! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- WolfCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** We have just collected a very familiar ship. This is the prized Wolf class missile carrier! ** CEO TICON ** Impressive. ** DIR DANU ** Eight missile launchers on a single ship. That can deliver serious damage. ** DIR THOTH ** Indeed. This ship should play an integral role in our defenses. ** COO AMICUS ** Ogun? I'd expect you to be jumping with joy. ** DIR OGUN ** Uh, yes. Very good. Much welcome addition. I'll put it to good use. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Emergence ----------------------- ** DIR DANU ** A new energy signature has appeared on scanners! ** DIR THOTH ** The Particulate has managed to create some sort of mobile and 'Emergent' form of itself. The motion of these Emergent is very directed. It must have a form of primitive guidance. ** CTO ANA ** I've seen nothing like this in my simulator. This is an adaptive behavior on a new level. ** CEO TICON ** Where is it coming from and how do we counter it? ** DIR THOTH ** It appears to spawn almost randomly from mired land. So the more land the Particulate mires, the faster the Emergent will spawn. ** DIR KAMI ** Our weapons will target the Emergent, just like they target the Particulate. It is close enough in form to the Particulate that no adjustments are necessary. But it looks very tough. A single Emergent could easily tear through a ship. ** CEO TICON ** Ogun? ** DIR OGUN ** Uh, yeah Chief? Oh, yes. These emergent would best be countered by missiles. A swarm of missiles should hunt them down. ** DIR KAMI ** Ah! That they will! It's good to have your expertise, Ogun. ** DIR KAMI ** Ogun? ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MISSION_END ----------------------- ** CEO TICON ** Crew, prepare to jump to the coordinates we have retrieved. We are charging forward. ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Ogun] Director Ogun, is there something you would like to discuss? ** DIR OGUN ** [Privately to Ticon] Sir, I'm not sure how to say this, or if I am even correct. ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Ogun] Go ahead Ogun. You are probably the brightest member of this crew. More so than Thoth, and maybe even Ana. Your instincts are why you are here. ** DIR OGUN ** [Privately to Ticon] There's a pattern in the wreckage and technology we find. The increasing complexity of the Particulate and the signature we found that is evidence of the origin world, all adds up. ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Ogun] Adds to what? ** DIR OGUN ** [Privately to Ticon] Intent. The Particulate is no accident. It was designed. As surely as any weapon system, it was designed. The Abraxian cache was was most certainly sent here. ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Ogun] Yes, Ana speculated as such. ** DIR OGUN ** [Privately to Ticon] No, Sir, you don't understand. It was sent here for us. Or more specifically, YOU. ** CEO TICON ** [Privately to Ogun] We will discuss this further, Ogun. For now, prepare for the unknown that awaits in the next system. ------------------------------------------------------------ ##################################################################### === MISSION: 10Story ======================================================== Title: Ties Desc: An amazing discovery yields unbelievable new tools for the crew. ========================================================================================== --- MISSION_START ----------------------- ** DIR DANU ** The scanners are processing... Very interesting. There are plenty of remains here and it looks like whoever left them put up a serious fight. I detect structures similar to the capacitive particle bursters we encountered in prior systems. ** DIR KAMI ** These structures are a bit different. Similar cores, but there's an extra module on each. Ogun, I'm sending the scan of the internal structure to your console. ** DIR OGUN ** Got it. Yes, oh yes. Elegant doesn't even begin to describe them. These structures will take in energy and amplify it. Then, they should unleash a rain of anti Particulate shots. ** DIR OGUN ** Wish I had thought of this design. They have to fully charge and are offline while charging. That's necessary to get the energy amplification effect. But once loaded, look out Particulate! ** COO AMICUS ** Supplying them with energy will be a mission priority then. There is also other wreckage here. Let's get to it crew. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- OmniCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** One more Omni added to our license database. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- InfoCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** This info cache is perfectly preserved. It is encased in metallic hydrogen for some reason. The cache's design and origin are rather unbelievable. ** COO AMICUS ** It's Abraxian in origin! I recognize the external design. Only the office of the chief executive used info caches like this. ** DIR KAMI ** That is correct, Chief Amicus. It also means the contents are encrypted and we have zero hope of decrypting them. ** COO AMICUS ** As I recall in my studies of that time period, the decryption keys were tied to specific individuals; usually Chairman Abraxis or a member of his family. The cache would only unlock for whoever it was tied to. ** DIR KAMI ** Exactly. And since every member of House Abraxis is long gone, so is any hope of accessing this cache. I can only imagine what information it might have held. To even find it here in Redacted Space is strange enough. ** DIR OGUN ** Bring it to the bridge and let Chief Ticon see it in person. ** DIR KAMI ** Uh, why? ** DIR OGUN ** With your permission, Chief Ticon, I suggest we give it a try. ** CEO TICON ** Alright, Ogun, I suppose a closer look won't hurt. ** DIR KAMI ** [Brings Cache to the bridge] Here it is. ** DIR DANU ** It's scanning everyone on the bridge. Low level scan, nothing to be alarmed about. ** DIR DANU ** Scan complete. ** DIR KAMI ** Ogun... ** DIR OGUN ** Yeah, Kam? ** DIR KAMI ** How did you know? ... Chief Ticon, the cache unlocked after it scanned you. I can access all of the data. ** CEO TICON ** [Stone faced as everyone looks on in silence] ** CEO TICON ** Alright. What is in the data? ** DIR KAMI ** It's... I'm... give me a moment. ** CTO ANA ** Let me Kami. ** CTO ANA ** The cache contains signed root code for our GalCorp systems. It's a set of functionality I've never encountered. It will provide capabilities beyond anything any of us have ever seen. Thoth, your analysis? ** DIR THOTH ** The modifications, if installed, would appear to allow the use of Amp Gems to enable various capabilities or alterations in our weapons and energy systems. Some of these tech enhancements are for our ships and weapons and some... ** DIR OGUN ** And some are for things we didn't even know existed until we encountered them in Redacted Space. ** CEO TICON ** Very good. Kami, once you are composed please integrate the modifications into our systems. ** DIR KAMI ** Yes, Sir! ... Modifications complete. I have enabled a new "Tech" button in the command console. Bring that up to access the new techs. ** CEO TICON ** Is there anything else in the data, Director Kami? ** DIR KAMI ** I'm still processing the rest. Even after decryption it doesn't make much sense. I'll need some more time to analyze it. ** CEO TICON ** Crew, let's worry about why the cache unlocked in my presence later. For now we have a fight on our hands. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- ShipCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** We have collected the design for the GalCorp Tanker. It makes the MicroTanker look, well, "micro". This should come in handy for extended combat or otherwise powering remote systems. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MISSION_END ----------------------- ** CEO TICON ** I knew we would prevail! We needed to innovate, but I knew this crew would succeed. ** CEO TICON ** Have we learned anything else about this system or the information in the Abraxian cache? ** DIR KAMI ** Yes. The derelict structures we have encountered are all Abraxian technology. They were built as part of a secret initiative conducted over decades by House Abraxis. It all took place here in Redacted Space. ** COO AMICUS ** That explains why the tech is unfamiliar to us. But why? Does the information reveal the purpose? ** DIR KAMI ** Ana, perhaps you would like to explain? ** CEO TICON ** Why would Ana need to explain? ** CTO ANA ** It's alright Kami. Everyone should know that it was absolutely necessary to keep secret what I am about to tell you. It was necessary to... ** DIR DANU ** Spatial disruption detected! Rift Space incursion imminent! We need to get out of here now! ** CEO TICON ** Jump us to safety... Engage! ------------------------------------------------------------ ##################################################################### === MISSION: 11Story ======================================================== Title: Secrets Desc: Ana reveals a long held secret. ========================================================================================== --- MISSION_START ----------------------- ** DIR DANU ** Jump complete! We barely missed an incoming rift incursion. Something large was entering that last region of space. Unfortunately, three of our Amp Gems were dislodged in the jump and are now scattered in this system. ** DIR OGUN ** We should make it a priority to recover them. They should prove invaluable for the upgrades we now have access to. ** CEO TICON ** Rapid assessment of this region? ** DIR DANU ** More wreckage, a ship design, Abraxian structures, an info cache... all things of interest. The Particulate seems more dispersed in this system, with a central area that has an anomalous structure. ** DIR OGUN ** Looks like one of the Abraxian cannons has been altered by the Particulate. It most likely will put up a fight, against us! If I can get a lathe close enough, I should be able to purge the Particulate and flip it back to our side. ** CEO TICON ** Very good. Crew, prepare to engage. Director Kami, in the information we retrieved from the Abraxian cache there was something about Ana. You believe she needs to explain something? ** DIR KAMI ** Sir, the information contains a log entry from the GalCorp chief scientist at the time of the last Abraxian chairman. It mentions a message of great importance being sent to Ana, from her grandmother, the chief scientist. ** CEO TICON ** I see. In that case, please continue, Ana. ** CTO ANA ** [Looks down, then looks up to address the crew] I knew this day would come, as it must. Chairman Ticon, your name isn't "Dagr Ticon". It's "Dagr Abraxis". ** CTO ANA ** You are the grandson of Chairman Skarsgard Abraxis, the last Abraxian chief of GalCorp. ** COO AMICUS ** Chief Ticon is an Abraxis? The rumors that Skarsgard's grandson were saved are true?!? How can you know this? How could it possibly be Chief Ticon? ** CTO ANA ** The knowledge comes to me from my grandmother, who was chief scientist at Galcorp during the Abraxian reign as Kami mentioned. She secretly encoded a message before she disappeared that I discovered once I came of age. ** CTO ANA ** It said that the Abraxian boy had been saved and was in the hands of house Ticon... and no one knew. The secret must be kept at all costs, the very fate of humanity depended on it. ** COO AMICUS ** Why? I mean obviously if anyone had known, chairman Ticon, uh Abraxis, would have been imprisoned or worse. But why keep it from him till now? ** CEO TICON ** Because she knew I would never have entered redacted space if I had known. If what you say is true, Ana, then I would have devoted all of my resources to fighting and destroying the Galactic Corporation. ** CTO ANA ** Yeah, that. Dagr, I've know you for a long time. What I did was for the greater good. ** CEO TICON ** And what greater good could there be? ** CTO ANA ** My grandmother's message didn't say. She only said that the answers were in redacted space and that you, I, and the most able crew we could assemble would one day find out. I guess there are things she thought necessary to keep from me as well. ** COO AMICUS ** Chief, I'm speechless. If you are the Abraxian heir, everything is different. You could return and claim the chairmanship of GalCorp. ** CEO TICON ** [Hangs head, then look up firmly at the crew] Crew, my name is Chairman Dagr Ticon and I won't be changing my name anytime soon. If there are any further questions beyond that, you aren't as bright as I thought you were. Prepare to engage! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- OmniCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** An additional Omni has been added to our database. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- ShipCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** I thought the Wolf class ship was awesome. Ogun, take a look at this! ** DIR OGUN ** Marauder class. Rare and exceedingly expensive for its size. It's a general purpose but heavily armed craft. They were often used to escort GalCorp officials whenever they would visit the Academy. ** DIR KAMI ** Well, she's integrated and now yours to command! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- InfoCache ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Info Cache retrieved. Score! This is another piece of the parity volume we have been looking for. We still don't have enough to reconstruct the whole message, but we are getting closer. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MISSION_END ----------------------- ** CEO TICON ** Very good, crew. Excellent work as always. I would like to apologize for being so terse earlier. The information about my heritage was distressing. ** CEO TICON ** I've lived my whole life as a proud Ticon. My parents were two shining examples of parents. Knowing I came to them from others and that they loved and cared for me as their own only increases my admiration and respect for them in return. ** CEO TICON ** Director Kami, does the information we retrieved from the Abraxian cache contain any other information about what they were doing and why they were conducting a secret initiative? ** DIR KAMI ** No, Sir, not directly. It mentions a lot of technical talk about entropy and information density. The only references I can't explain are mentions of some group called the "Seloi" and some device called the "Arc". Other than that, nothing. ------------------------------------------------------------ ##################################################################### === MISSION: 12Story ======================================================== Title: Doppelgangers Desc: A dangerous escalation threatens the crew's existence. ========================================================================================== --- MISSION_START ----------------------- ** DIR DANU ** Jump complete.... and scanners are already detecting an anomaly. ** DIR DANU ** There are three structures here we have not previously encountered. They are definitely infested with Particulate. But, there is no way to tell exactly what they do from the scans. ** DIR THOTH ** From the scans it seems possible these structures manufacture something related to the Particulate. I detect an internal lathe design of sorts. The design is otherwise unfamiliar. ** DIR OGUN ** One thing is for sure, if I can get one or more lathes in range they won't be a problem.... whatever they do. ** CEO TICON ** Very well. Let's collect the tech in this system and keep a close eye on those structures... ------------------------------------------------------------ --- OmniCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Another Omni has been added to our license database. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- ShipCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Ogun? ** DIR OGUN ** Yes, Kam? ** DIR KAMI ** Just look.... ** DIR OGUN ** [Tears swelling in eyes] In Odin's name.... a GalCorp Big Nose assault ship. I've seen pictures, never the actual ship. This ship is built around the MK7 tri-cannon. It will deliver a massive punch at great range. ** DIR THOTH ** Director Ogun, I thought the MK7 was never licensed and was only used on ships directly owned by the Galactic Corporation? ** DIR OGUN ** [Looking around] I don't see an GalCorp officers around here, so that my friend isn't true anymore! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- DoppelSpawn ----------------------- ** DIR DANU ** Scanners detecting activation of the unknown structures! ** DIR THOTH ** As I feared. The structures are manufacturing a 'core' of sorts. This core has the unbelievable ability to create Particulate and to manage and control it. ** DIR OGUN ** I see what it's doing. It's trying to copy our ships.... using the Particulate to create a primitive hull! ** COO AMICUS ** Steady Ogun... if it's made out of Particulate our weapons should be able to destroy it. ** DIR OGUN ** That it should sir. It's just uncanny to see these 'doppelgangers'. ** CTO ANA ** What is more interesting is that these structures are able to manufacture particulate and control it. The structures don't appear to be created by the Particulate, but could instead be Abraxian in origin. Part of the experiments they were performing, perhaps. ** CEO TICON ** Manipulating and controlling the Particulate.... perhaps my, uh, grandfather, managed to achieve some technological breakthroughs that he thought could rid Redacted Space of the Particulate... or even use the Particulate for some purpose. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MISSION_END ----------------------- ** CEO TICON ** Amazing work crew. We managed to fight off the Doppels in this system and recover the tech. Has there been any additional signs of the Origin World? ** DIR KAMI ** I've detected no isotopic signatures for several systems. ** COO AMICUS ** Odd. Perhaps we were just very lucky, or perhaps any signatures have been removed over time.... ** CEO TICON ** In any case, our journey continues. ------------------------------------------------------------ ##################################################################### === MISSION: 13Story ======================================================== Title: Intent Desc: The Particulate threat becomes very serious. ========================================================================================== --- MISSION_START ----------------------- ** DIR DANU ** We have entered another heavily structured system. Abraxian engineering is readily evident. ** DIR THOTH ** Some of the Particulate emitters in this system show an irregularity. Do you see this on the scanners, Ana? ** CTO ANA ** Yes, very interesting. These emitters have been tampered with... or manipulated. I believe with a slight alteration our lathes could activate the modification on the emitters. Do you agree, Ogun? ** DIR OGUN ** Already on it. The question is what will happen when activated? But hey, nothing ventured... ** CEO TICON ** I concur. Our need to know outweighs our need for safety. Complete the modifications and move to engage those emitters. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- OmniCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Shocking news... we have recovered another Omni license and added it to our database. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- ShipCollected ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** We have recovered a ship schematic for another GalCorp tanker. Nothing new in the design, but it should come in handy for extended remote operations with our growing fleet! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- InfoCache ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Ana, take a look at the readings from the info cache we just collected. ** CTO ANA ** Oh, that is brilliant! ** COO AMICUS ** Yes...? ** CTO ANA ** This is a member of the parity volume we have been looking for. ** COO AMICUS ** That's great, and? ** CTO ANA ** Isotopic analysis also indicates this info cache has a 99% likelihood of being manufactured on the origin world! ** CEO TICON ** What? An info cache containing the data we are collecting is from the origin world? How is that possible? The origin world has been lost for millennia! There can't be anything there that could manufacture an info cache. ** COO AMICUS ** And not every info cache that contains the data shows signs of being from the origin world, only this one does so far. ** CEO TICON ** Team, come up with a hypothesis that would explain this and have it ready by the next system. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MISSION_END ----------------------- ** CEO TICON ** Our original goal of finding the origin world and uncovering its mysteries received a large boost in this system. We also have discovered a new mystery. Any ideas yet? ** DIR KAMI ** Not yet, Sir. Perhaps by the time we exit rift space and enter the next system something will have come to me. ------------------------------------------------------------ ##################################################################### === MISSION: 14Story ======================================================== Title: The 145th Desc: The crew discovers a deep and ancient truth. ========================================================================================== --- MISSION_START ----------------------- ** CEO TICON ** Director Kami, hold your thoughts for a moment. Danu, system analysis? ** DIR DANU ** Scanners indicate we have jumped into the remains of an Abraxian fortress. One that was seemingly overrun. ** DIR OGUN ** Yes, I'd say so. Looks like they were constructing a fortress to withstand a massive attack, but were ambushed mid-construction. ** DIR DANU ** The survivors appear to have constructed a makeshift defense for a 'final stand'. There are remnants, so they clearly didn't make it. ** DIR THOTH ** The fortress appears to have been built to house an info cache. Though incomplete, the construction pattern indicates the info cache would have been held behind many layers of defense. ** DIR THOTH ** The terrain here is most unusual. If the sensors are correct, much of the terrain here is a modified form of matter. Its atomic structure is difficult to discern. ** CTO ANA ** It is impervious to mire. Ingenious! I thought this might be possible, but had not yet determined the structure necessary. It's similar to a basic metal, but must be engineered atom by atom. This 'metallic' land will cause the particulate to reflect away, leaving no mire. ** DIR KAMI ** This means the metallic land can't be used for energy production. Fortunately, there is some non-metallic land in this system we can use for that purpose. Now regarding that info cache from the previous system. I... ** CEO TICON ** Director Kami, your thoughts on that info cache will have to wait. Crew, lets rapidly engage and acquire that info cache! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- InfoCache ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Info cache collected - and I was right! There is no other way to put it. My theory was right. ** DIR KAMI ** The cache we just collected is a member of the parity volume we are trying to reconstruct, but I'll come back to that in a moment. ** DIR KAMI ** My theory about these parity caches is that multiple copies of each cache were manufactured across a vast period of time. There are perhaps thousands of copies of each cache. ** COO AMICUS ** What? So you are saying the caches we find might predate the Galactic Corporation and have been manufactured during the time of the Precursors? ** DIR KAMI ** Yes, during the time of the Precursors, after the Precursors, and... BEFORE the Precursors. Each has been manufactured over a wide range of time and rewritten with updated data periodically. ** CEO TICON ** Kami, there shouldn't be a 'before'. The origin world is the birthplace of humanity. The Precursors originated there and spread into the galaxy. We are all descended from the Precursors that survived the great disaster and founded the Galactic Corporation. ** DIR KAMI ** Sir, our civilization isn't the 2nd, it's the 145th. [Silence grips the crew] ** DIR KAMI ** The cache we just collected was enough to complete the parity volume and recover the data. The data contains an overview, followed by a history of humanity, their many civilizations, and the rise and fall of each. ** DIR KAMI ** I've only processed the summary, it's a massive amount of data. But the history of the ones we call the Precursors is conspicuously missing. All prior civilizations are accessible, but information on the Precursors appears to have been removed. ** CEO TICON ** Do you know why? ** DIR KAMI ** No, but I do know where we can find the missing data. The cache tells us where it is and how to get there. ** CEO TICON ** Of course, where else? The Origin World. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- ShipPickup ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** We have acquired a new ship. Ogun, now I'm the one that is speechless with tears swelling in my eyes. ** DIR OGUN ** I... uh... I... [Drops to a knee and looks down, then up]. Ana, if you will. ** CTO ANA ** Crew, we have found the unfindable. This is the legendary C. Class exploration ship. The stuff of fairy tales has come to life. Not only was it thought that this design was forever lost, many speculated it never even existed. ** CTO ANA ** Legend has it that shortly after the Precursor civilization was all but destroyed, the survivors banded together to create what would become the Galactic Corporation. They created an exploration ship to head out into the barren galactic abyss. ** CTO ANA ** This ship was equipped for survival. It was said to include a 'shield' module that polarizes the hull. I've never seen an operational module of this type and I'm not sure how it even works. ** CTO ANA ** It was also said that at the founding, these ships could cover the sky of GalCorp Prime. They headed out to every corner of the galaxy and mapped out what we would come to call Redacted Space. ** DIR OGUN ** What was lost, now is ours! With your permission, Chief? ** CEO TICON ** Permission granted, Ogun. Make us proud. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MISSION_END ----------------------- ** CEO TICON ** Crew, Director Kami and Ana will review this new history we have discovered. It has given us the location of the origin world, so at last our mission objective is in reach. ** CEO TICON ** Director Amicus, you have the conn. I'll be in my quarters. ** COO AMICUS ** Yes, Sir. Crew, prepare to jump to the origin world! ------------------------------------------------------------ ##################################################################### === MISSION: 15Story ======================================================== Title: Origin Desc: At long last the crew reaches its mission objective only to discover the unthinkable. ========================================================================================== --- MISSION_START ----------------------- ** CTO ANA ** [Privately to Kami] This history is incredible. Every civilization destroyed by the same thing! Over and over, the galaxy purged and then rebuilt. We need to inform Chief Ticon. ** DIR KAMI ** [Privately to Ana] I couldn't agree more. Wait... we are coming out of rift space! ** COO AMICUS ** Chief Ticon to the bridge, we have arrived. ** CEO TICON ** Very good. Danu, status. ** DIR DANU ** Origin world detected - on screen now! ** CEO TICON ** In Odin's name! Destroyed! Broken into countless fragments! ** CTO ANA ** This can't be.... No! This wasn't supposed to happen! The origin world can't be destroyed! ** COO AMICUS ** Danu, scan the system for remains and particulate activity. ** DIR DANU ** The planet and its moon have been shattered. They are held together, or perhaps apart, by plasma, particulate, struc, and some odd spatial anomalies. ** DIR DANU ** I'm detecting some energy crystals, remnant artifacts, enemy structures including four near the planet with unknown purpose. There are also two large and unknown structures. One is on the moon and the other is on a large fragment of the planet. ** DIR DANU ** I'm adjusting scanners for a deeper scan. Yes, there is an info cache on one of the planetary fragments. Perhaps all is not lost! ** DIR OGUN ** We are going to have to cross helheim to get to it. Sir, there are also structures in what is left of the planet's outer crust that will replenish that massive band of struc around the planet. I don't know where they will get their energy, but that barrier could be nearly impenetrable. ** CEO TICON ** Crew, the origin world is lost. We came all this way to learn its secrets. Those secrets are now lost. Our only hope is the info cache and that it contains the records of the precursor civilization. If so, the rewards may be even greater than the secrets of the origin world. Get me that cache! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Omni ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Even in this system, we find an omni license. I won't complain, we definitely need it. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- ParticleRod ----------------------- ** DIR THOTH ** The massive cannon on the planet is nearly charged. Based on the energy readings, I have a theory on its operation. We best prepare for the worst, crew. The cannon will create a ray of particulate instantly, similar to the shield base on the moon. ** CTO ANA ** Excellent insight Thoth. As the cannon charges, its scans match those of the shield generator on the moon. But, the cannon has a scanner I don't recognize. ** DIR OGUN ** I recognize it. It's a ship targeting scanner. It is a basic and currently antiquated targeting scanner. As old as the design is, it unfortunately is still accurate. That planetary cannon is about to cause us some grief. ** DIR OGUN ** Sir, it will target our ships. Evasive deployment may be necessary! I'll attempt to spread the fleet out so ships aren't in line with the cannon. Otherwise, we could take massive damage! ** CEO TICON ** Steady crew. Our objective is that info cache. Planetary cannons or not, we are retrieving that cache! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Carrier ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Ship license retrieved. I don't know what to make of this. It's massive. Ogun? ** DIR OGUN ** Ridiculous. This ship is a carrier. These haven't been in service for thousands of cycles. Modern armaments and ships made them obsolete and I've only seen old vid footage of them in action. ** DIR OGUN ** But you know, Kam, take a look at the schematics of the fighters. ** DIR KAMI ** Stealth? Is that some sort of stealth tech? Just like on our guppies! But stealth tech wasn't available when these carriers were in service. ** DIR OGUN ** Someone either altered or created a new carrier design that had fighters with stealth tech. I bet I know why. Chief Ticon, this old carrier is about to have a new life. A life destroying particulate! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Start2 ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Sir, Ogun, Ana... We have a problem! ** DIR KAMI ** Unknown structures near the planet are constructing ships! There is also one near the moon. I don't know what is controlling them, but the four ships near the planet are making what look like class 1 ore transports. ** DIR THOTH ** Refining the sensors... Danu, scan the moon. ** DIR DANU ** Ore! There are ore deposits on the moon. They must have been exposed when it was shattered. ** DIR KAMI ** It's a good bet those ships are going to collect and ferry that ore back to the planet to power those struc generators. Your worst fears have come true, Ogun. ** DIR OGUN ** Alright. The moon it is. Sir, we should focus on that moon and destroy those ore deposits. Taking out the ships would also work, but I have a feeling they would just be rebuilt. In any case, we need to cut off the ore supply to the planet. ** COO AMICUS ** And what about that enemy ship near the moon? ** DIR KAMI ** The design is unknown. It doesn't have engines so it is either stationary or slow moving. It seems designed to stay near the moon. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- ShieldActivated ----------------------- ** DIR DANU ** Particulate anomaly detected! ** CTO ANA ** Analyzing... It came from that base on the moon. That is brilliant. A perfect marriage of technology. Thoth, do a full analysis. ** CTO ANA ** Thoth will confirm, but it seems the base is a merging of a particulate emitter, a jump engine, and some scanner technology. It creates a mass of particles, pushes them into rift space, and then causes them to exit at a specific location in space. ** DIR OGUN ** In this case, it creates particulate around the remains of the planet. Put another away, between us and the planet. One more reason to pay a visit to this moon. ** CTO ANA ** One positive note, Ogun. The tech doesn't seem to be perfected. If the scans are correct the particulate that is created will be short lived, much like the benign particulate we encounter. ** DIR OGUN ** It will be short lived one way or another, Ana. That I can promise you! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- InfoCache ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** Info Cache retrieved! Analyzing.... ** DIR KAMI ** It contains the missing records of the Precursors! It will take time to process and to generate an overview. It, along with the other records are many yottabytes large. I've had to employ AI algorithms to even begin to create a summary. It will take some time to process... ** CTO ANA ** Thoth and I are on our way to assist. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MISSION_END ----------------------- ** CEO TICON ** Process the data as quickly as our systems allow. Crew we will jump to rift space and determine our next destination while there. I suspect the longer we remain here, the more at risk we are. Jump! ------------------------------------------------------------ ##################################################################### === MISSION: 16Story ======================================================== Title: Duty Desc: The crew find a new and final purpose. ========================================================================================== --- MISSION_START ----------------------- ** DIR DANU ** Jump complete! We are spot on. There is an info cache in this system. From the looks of it, there are numerous Abraxian ruins here. ** COO AMICUS ** Too bad we didn't get to explore more of their operations. Clearly, they knew most or all of what we know now. They were preparing for something. ** DIR THOTH ** The info cache is surrounded by some very complex structures. The purpose of these structures is not clear and they appear to currently be offline. ** DIR DANU ** That's odd.... Oh no. We need to get out of here now! ** DIR DANU ** I'm detecting fluctuations in rift space. There's inbound activity... ** DIR DANU ** [Silence] ** CEO TICON ** Danu? ** DIR DANU ** Sir, it happened faster that I realized. Rift space has decohered. We can't jump, at least not until this clears. We can't even initiate an emergency jump to avoid destruction! Sending a message will also be difficult. ** CEO TICON ** It's ok Danu. Crew, we are committed. No second chances. We will get this right. Now, Ana, where do we need to be to write to that cache? ** CTO ANA ** We will have to get our HQ very close. It will only take seconds to write the data, but proximity is key. On the command console I have marked the location we need to be. Everyone should see it on their screens. ** CTO ANA ** Get us there, and I can write the data. Then, in another 10 seconds I can charge the rift engines and use them to send a short message. ** DIR OGUN ** Don't worry. This is the fight I was born for. I'll get us in and get you those 10 seconds. ** CTO ANA ** Chief Ticon, all that remains is where to send the message. ** CEO TICON ** There is only one person outside this crew I would trust with the data and that would venture out on a suicide mission to get it. ** CEO TICON ** Send it to Varro Hale, CEO of Hale Corporation. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- EndGame1 ----------------------- ** CTO ANA ** In range! Initiating write sequence! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- EndGame2 ----------------------- ** CTO ANA ** Write complete! Hold? Wait, Kam, do you see that? ** DIR KAMI ** The nearby structure has powered up! Hold position! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- EndGame3 ----------------------- ** CEO TICON ** What just happened? ** DIR KAMI ** The structure appears to have passed some sort of beam through our ship! ** CTO ANA ** And then it blew out its reactors and pushed the info cache into rift space! ** DIR DANU ** Scanning... rift space is still decohered, so it couldn't have gone far. It has to be within just a few systems from here. ** DIR DANU ** The jump has ruptured rift space! Particulate are streaming in through ruptures from numerous neighboring systems! The influx is massive! We won't be able to withstand it! ** CEO TICON ** Update the message to indicate that the cache is near these coordinates, but no longer in this system and transmit! ** CTO ANA ** Ogun, give me those 10 seconds! ** DIR OGUN ** I've never failed before, I won't fail now! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- Ship ----------------------- ** DIR KAMI ** We have collected the ship license. It is unknown, massive, and... that is very odd. ** DIR OGUN ** The ship is classified as "Varro" class and I think I know why. ** DIR OGUN ** Varro Hale's grandfather was the lead weapons and ship designer for Chief Skarsgard Abraxis. The design date on this ship is shortly after the birth of Varro Hale. ** COO AMICUS ** So he named it after his grandson. And that grandson just happens to be who we are sending the message to. ** COO AMICUS ** This has all been orchestrated. If that isn't clear by now, w... ** CEO TICON ** Understood. Yes, clearly events have been manipulated to bring us here. And clearly, Varro plays a role in the events to come. Whatever those events, they are no longer our concern. Our final mission is to pass along the baton. ** CEO TICON ** I have great confidence Varro will see through whatever must happen next. But for now, we must focus on our duty. ------------------------------------------------------------ --- EndGame4 ----------------------- ** CTO ANA ** Message sent! ** CEO TICON ** Crew, thank you. It has been my distinct honor to serve with you all. I wish we had more time. There is much... ** DIR OGUN ** Inbound particulate!!! To Valhalla!!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------ --- MISSION_END ----------------------- ** CTO ANA ** ------------------------------------------------------------ #####################################################################