You just got your pilot's license. Now, you're doing delivery missions one after another to earn few credits. But, what you really want is discovering the galaxy and its mysteries. A message from a good friend may be your chance!
Another delivery completed... You return to your ship, slightly dampened by the weariness of this routine. Before completing your checklist, you notice that you've received a new message.
"Hi, old buddy. How'd you like to come and have a quick one with me at Birkhoff Bastion for old times' sake? I'm back after a few mining missions. I came across something you might be interested in!"
A message from your friend Élodie Varnier! She always has good anecdotes to share, and it's been a while since you've seen each other. Finally, something to get you out of your rut! You immediately set course for Birkhoff Bastion in the Lulunguni system.
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A reunion
You arrive at Miller Arsenal and jump out of your ship, eager to meet your friend at the bar.
After talking about the good old times you had together, she tells you about the mystery she mentioned in her message.
"I came across this thing scribbled on a coaster at a bar I go to between mining missions. I know the bartender pretty well, and when I asked him, he said there were two strange customers at that spot just before I got there.
I'd look into it, but I have to head out on a mission tomorrow. If you're interested, I can send you the photo on your datapad."
You continue chatting all evening until the bar closes. Despite your complaints, the staff, exhausted by your noisy presence, made it clear that it would be wise for you to head to bed and avoid piloting before getting a proper rest.
After a heavy sleep, you check your new messages.
"You will find attached the photo of the coaster I told you about."
📎 Attachment:
Strange code in the middle... 🔎 By zooming in on it, here's what you get:
What is the sequence of characters in the middle of the coaster (1 word)?
You remember that you recently installed a collection of apps on your Maxipad, highly recommended by several commanders. How about taking a look at them?
Once the step is completed, proceed to the next step
The transistor
Good job, you're making progress!
Still groggy, you turn on the radio before making yourself a coffee.
=== 🎶 FSD FM 🎶 ===
You’re tuned into FSD FM, the radio of hits and good deals! FSD FM. FSD FM in space, everyone can hear us screaming!
"Eh eh, hello everyone, this is Maximus Moulin, your favorite host. Today, I have with me Jean-Daniel Hopper, the galactic expert in origami. So, Jean-Noël, you won this year's Hutton's prize, can you tell us more about your creation?
- Certainly! I made an origami model of a Coriolis station. And apparently, the jury really liked it.
- Okay, how long have you been practicing this art?
- Well... it goes way back to my days at Hutton Orbital. My work as a transporter often had me making shuttle runs. And during the trip, I’d keep myself busy. Then I joined the Federation.
- Okay, cool... Once you joined the Federation, did you stop doing origami?
- No, no, quite the opposite, that’s when I perfected my craft. But, it wasn’t to my superiors' liking... you know, those guys in the Federation, they don’t really get art.
- Yeah, I guess so. So, did you choose to leave the Federation to focus on your art?
- No, but while I was on duty, I made my best piece, at least from that time. A Cobra MK III! But those damn pirates picked that exact moment to attack our fleet, and I got blamed for not giving the alert in time. So, I decided to put my talent to the service of humanity by fully dedicating myself to origami. What a bunch of clowns those Federation guys are, I’ll even say more...
- Yes, yes, yes... Thanks, Jean-Michel. Dear listeners, you can now check out his stunning creation, the Coriolis station, this year’s winner of the galactic origami contest at...."
As you listen, your ideas intertwine. The Thargoid code, origami... are they all connected?
You are equipped with a tool connected to Universal Cartographics to find a system based on distances:
You can get there with your Sidewinder. However, remember to equip it accordingly with :
- a fuel scoop which you'll need on the way,
- a better FSD reactor, take an SCO if you can afford it,
- a hangar for surface vehicles,
- a SRV.
If you have some savings, you can further increase your jump range by upgrading to the modules available in class D, which are lighter than the basic modules in class E.
Here's an example of a fit with all items purchasable at Birkhoff Bastion or at Lovelace Terminal for the Class A fuel recuperatorat Lulunguni : EDSY.
To which system does the coaster point you to?
Password:
Once the step is completed, proceed to the next step
A strange discovery
Without further ado, you head towards Conn system. On the way, you receive a message from your friend.
"Hey, buddy! How's your investigation going?
I went back to the bar where I found the symbol. While talking to the bartender, he told me he heard the guys at that table mention some weird base... He only caught A 3 A and something like Almera or Aleda. If that gives you any lead..."
Now you know where to go!
You head for Conn A 3 A equipped with your surface scanner to map the sites. You find a location with a name similar to the one mentioned by the bartender. Now all you have to do is go and inspect what's going on there!
Once the step is completed, proceed to the next step
Almeida Landing
As you approach the site, you notice that the base is in an advanced state of disrepair. You decide to take out your SRV to visit this mysterious facility.
As you scour the area, you collect six recordings that appear to have been preserved.
Personal Log: Effie Ratling, Engineer
"They told me not to ask where it came from, just to reverse-engineer whatever I can. Weapons, shields, power management – anything I can figure out. It’ s… it’s like giving a rocket to a Neanderthal and expecting them to fix it. I mean, where do I even start?
At least they’ re paying me well. That’s something."
"I haven’t slept for days. I always did find it hard to switch off, you know, even when I wasn’t trying to reverse-engineer an alien starship.
I’ve made a small amount of progress, but it’s always two steps forward, three steps back. The guys in charge are getting impatient, but what did they expect? It’s not like this thing came with a manual."
"I’ve finally made some progress with the drive technology, which is just as well, since I was running out of options.
Thargoid drive tech differs radically from our own. Rather than shift space around the ship, it appears to create this stable wormhole for the ship to travel through. It sounds crazy, but the maths don’t lie. And if my calculations are right, I might even be able to replicate it.
I want to get a prototype up and running as soon as possible. Something tells me the bigwigs are about to step in. I’ve seen this all before – you get hired by a big company, and once you’ve gone and done the hard work they swoop in and take all the glory. Well, I’m not going to let that happen, I want to be credited with creating the first hybrid drive."
"I knew it. The minute I handed in my report, the company took over. They’ve retained me as a ‘consultant’ – whatever that means – but they’re basically ignoring everything I say.
They’ve made some modifications to my prototype, but it was a bit of a rush job. Must be in a hell of a hurry to get to the test-flight stage. I told them it was too soon, that we needed more tests, but once again, I got stonewalled.
Granted, the wormhole is stable, but we have no idea what will happen when you send a human being through it."
"So, they decided to push ahead with the test flight, despite my warnings. Some hotshot young pilot, full of spit and vinegar, as my old man would say. And not a single brain cell between his ears.
The wormhole was stable, but that was never a concern. The question is what will happen to the pilot."
"The ship didn’t reappear for almost an hour. When it did, it just drifted lifelessly. The pilot didn’t respond to our hails.
We recovered the vessel and pulled open the cockpit. What I saw in there will stay with me for the rest of my life. The pilot looked like he’d been turned inside out. That cocky young kid who thought he ruled the sky.
I have to say, my sympathy didn’t last long when I found out they’re going to pin it on me. They’ve cancelled the project and launched an investigation, but that’s just window dressing. There’s no doubt in my mind they’ll carry on testing in secret. Meanwhile, I’m the one who’ s going to take the fall.
There is a chance I might be able to make it out of this. Apparently they’ve developed some kind of Thargoid-killing super weapon, and they don’t want so much as a whisper In the public domain. So this is the choice I’m going to give them: Let me walk, and I say nothing. Set me up, and everyone discovers that the INRA is in the genocide business.
It’s a risky move, but what other choice do I have?"
Listening to these recordings sends a chill down your spine. Did Effie Ratiing manage to escape? You realize there is nothing left for you here, and it would be wise to leave the premises swiftly before you are discovered.
Once in orbit, you relay your discoveries to your friend. She responds in turn.
"What a story!
I’m not sure if those clients were journalists or agents trying to erase the last traces of INRA’s activities... Given your knack for this, I’ve caught wind of some new leads that might interest you. Also, I’ve got a contact at Frontier News who’s got the chops to publish this kind of info. She’d be thrilled to work with you. Enclosed, I’m sending you all the details."
