The Unexplored Places

[ EXCERPTED FROM PRIVATE MESSAGE, LOCALLY ENCRYPTED, ADDRESSED TO MINISTER HARDLY HOPING OF THE CHOSEN OF THE SACRAL HOLLOW ]

Given the data we've got? I think it's an impractical strategy. I think we're better off hitting them before they move pieces than returning what they've already taken. Which, yeah, I know we leave a lot behind that way, but given the current resources our teams have got, it feels like bandaging the arm while the guts bleed out—

That's how that works, right? The… the guts bleed more than the arm does. Or, it's more dangerous when the guts bleed than when the arm does. I… look, you know my comprehension of human anatomy is flawed at best. I think the metaphor still makes sense. If it doesn't, uh, just pretend I used one that does make sense. It's like fixing the paint job while the engine leaks oil. Either way, we're hemorrhaging.

This week, on Tango Sector: Having made their way into the classified Blackford & Desai research facility thanks to a convenient distraction, the crew of Pelagian runs into an old friend and finds themselves not entirely at cross purposes. Flux does some quick thinking and faster talking. Melas speeds things along. Liam indulges his paranoid instincts. Cash receives a strange message. Kala'ax makes a friend.

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[ excerpted from "On Basque's Theory of Remnant Architectonics, Twelve Years Later: A Reflection on the Unified Design of Starlight," by Ghislaine Menaleia, published in Grounded Imaginings 142, no. 3, 87-106 ]

… because, in truth, it was not the rootedness of the artifacts which appealed to Basque's theory, but the upwards momentum, the reaching gesture of the Remnant he found, the gesture towards the horizon—and, thus, towards the horizon of possibility. It was not the Remnant, nor its specific placement in the ground, its precise location in the sand, nor the reflective surface of the water nearby, that allowed the echo of starlight that defined Basque's rigorous mathematical formula predicting the way the light would shine from its surface, it was the surface itself, that peculiar Remnant allow, designed for that exact reaction, that perfect dance of starlight across its surface. A Theory of Remnant Architectonics, then, is not a theory of patterns, or of pattern-making, but, at its heart, a perfect combination of materialism (the exact metallurgic components that make up the Remnant's skin) and the shape of starlight itself (what, Miyaki has put forth in her argument, we might call a unified design of starlight, which she convincingly asserts is the reason for the density of Remnant artifacts under some conditions but not others). If we, for the sake of argument, take Miyaki's hypothesis to be factually correct, then one could map and, potentially, accurately predict, the placement of Remnant artifacts using a star chart and noting the places where starlight converges. If this is the case, we too could do the opposite—to date the placement of these artifacts based on their gestures and their reactions in starlight by mapping the points at which starlight would have converged to cause a reaction similar—or identical—to that which Basque's narrator observes …

This week, on Tango Sector: Despite some unexpected interference, the crew of Pelagian continues their plan to break into the classified Blackford & Desai facility, and find themselves in a precarious position. Cash plays along. Flux cuts in. Melas makes a sweet move. Liam has a disarming effect on the opposition. Kala'ax comes face to face with an equal.

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[ FUNDING EXTENSION REPORT SUBMITTED TO BLACKFORD & DESAI ECOLOGY // LOC: BLACKFORD & DESAI PRIMARY LINKED SERVER // CLASSIFICATION LEVEL: 3B ]

PROJECT NAME: Vel

PROJECT LEADER: Faraday

REPORT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 620-87 #0024

Initial findings based on a GPR scan indicated a depth of roughly 1.8 kilometers below the site's surface level, from which project funding and timeline estimates were calculated. However, GPR did not take into consideration the unusual spread of material density around the core—a factor which has significantly altered our estimates for the means needed to reach it. Outlined below are two partnered proposals: one for a potential timeline extension, including necessary funding to continue excavation measures over a longer period of times; and one for a potential materials upgrade, based on research out of Blackford & Desai Project P278-33, incomplete experimental mining test, which pioneered the use of stasis-field controlled small-scale detonations for the fast and safe removal of rare metals on Novitze. The second proposal would require all leftover equipment from P278-33 be appropriated for use on Vel, to allow the project to accelerate excavation and meet our initial estimates for both project timeline and funding requirements.

This week, on Tango Sector: At the behest of the Wrecking Crew, the crew of Pelagian heads to the planet Verity to locate and infiltrate a top-secret Blackford & Desai lab hidden somewhere amidst the dark, icy landscape. Kala'ax and Melas make suggestions. Liam and Flux go to the bar. Cash assumes a new identity.

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[ NOTE WRITTEN ON A FOLDED NAPKIN, FOUND IN A MINER'S BAR IN SNOWMELT, WRAPPED AROUND A STICK CONTAINING 5 CRED ]

Code's attached. Signal when the hand-off has been made.

This week, on Tango Sector: Heading back to Snowmelt to touch base with Emeritus Na once more, the crew of Pelagian takes some much-needed time to cool off and lay low. Melas does some fundraising. Kala'ax gets in touch with his training. Flux follows up on some suspicions. Liam gets over some biases. Cash begins an investigation.

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[ DELETED MESSAGE EXCHANGE, PARTIALLY RECOVERED FROM DELETED FILE STORAGE ON WRECKING CREW INTERNAL SERVERS ]

FROM: UNKNOWN SENDER

R, please don't do something you might regret

[ read ✓ ]

This week, on Tango Sector: Struggling to keep their cool and stop the Wrecking Crew from getting captured, the crew of Pelagian gets increasingly desperate in their attempts to get rid of the Aegis ships that have them surrounded. Melas tries to mitigate the damage. Kala'ax reaches out for an unfamiliar energy. Cash tries to run interference. Flux nearly avoids disaster. Liam takes a nap.

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EXCERPTED FROM THE MEETING MINUTES OF THE INDEPENDENT SNOWMELT PROTECTORATE ORGANIZATIONAL AND PLANNING COMMITTEE, [DATE REDACTED]

MEETING CONVENED BY: KAYLA ANDERSMINUTES RECORDED BY: TY FINN

Point of Order #4 - Will the Protectorate ally itself with the Unity Anti-Union Unincorporation in pursuit of executing organized civil unrest on Snowmelt in the coming months?

— Without external support of some kind the Protectorate is unlikely to secure the resources necessary for effective action (see point of order #2, p. 3, bullet point 6)

— Unity is able to provide amplified non-TNN coverage of any protest, strikes, or other organized civil unrest outside of Novitze, bypassing the damaged communications satellite and TNN blockades with assistance from another of their allies (unidentified). In exchange for the Protectorate's agreement to form a coalition with the Unity Anti-Union Unincorporation, Na will outsource the safe delivery of a data drive including key information from the Protectorate to a source that will be able to garner public support for both the Protectorate's aims and its actions

— Data drive would include highly secured basic information (statement of purpose, membership archives, etc.) as well as a detailed report of planned action (see point of order #2, p. 3, bullet points 6-8) and requests for aid

— In exchange for delivery of the data drive, the Protectorate will join the coalition currently being built by Emeritus Na and offer free and fair exchange of aid and resources between the groups, as well as regular communication, henceforth

— Vote held: 12 aye to 3 nay

This week, on Tango Sector: Reunited and heading out on what seems like a simple delivery job, the crew of Pelagian suddenly realizes they're in much hotter water than they'd hoped. Flux rigs up the scanners. Kala'ax lends a hand. Liam employs his favorite ruse. Cash promises a favor. Melas makes a discovery.

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[ ENCRYPTED SHORT-RANGE TRANSMISSION. POINT OF ORIGIN: HAVEN, VY'ERR. STANDARD SYNCHRONICITY ENCRYPTION, EMBEDDED ENCRYPTION CODE PHRASE: SYCORAX ]

update on the homily camera shows increased activity over the past three cycles, particularly during times when the chamber is otherwise empty. from the position of the camera, it is difficult to make out precise shapes, but frequent occurrences include: a large conical spike; several floating orbs; a humanoid silhouette approximately 5 ft 7 in. subject has shown little to no em interference with the camera or its sensors, nor any unusual radiation, even during times of increased activity. attendant either has not noticed increased activity, or has been unaffected or unsurprised. [ v. v. is it cyclical?? a regular occurrence?? should we be expecting this to keep happening, or should we be worried?? ]

at the current moment i am unable to advise any further actions with respect to the subject.

— v. k.

This week, on Tango Sector: As the crew of Pelagian reunites on Ilia, they finally take the time to have a much needed conversation or two—and a much needed confrontation or two, as well. Flux makes a connection. Melas opts out. Liam learns some history. Kala'ax sees something strange. Cash receives instructions.

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QUERY: [[ THE NESTED ARK // ILIA // SIERRA SYSTEM ]]

… RETURNING QUERY RESULTS FROM ""TL-TRU HOSPITALITY DATABASE"" …

… QUERY PENDING …

… QUERY RETURNED 0 RESULTS …

This week, on Tango Sector: Resting safely at the Dauphin's unused family estate on Ilia, the crew takes some hard-earned time off, and makes a surprising new acquaintance. Serant visits home. Cash takes a hike. A new face appears, with a message for Liam.

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CONTENT WARNINGS: scenes of interrogation, discussions of police violence, medical procedures and severe injury

QUERY: [[ SNOWMELT // NOVITZE // DARK STAR SYSTEM ]]

… RETURNING QUERY RESULTS FROM ""TL-TRU HOSPITALITY DATABASE"" …

SNOWMELT IS AN INDUSTRIAL SETTLEMENT IN THE NORTH-EASTERN HEMISPHERE OF THE HABITABLE BELT-OBJECT NOVITZE. THE ONLY MAJOR SETTLEMENT ON NOVITZE, SNOWMELT LIES IN THE VALLEY BETWEEN TWO LARGE MOUNTAIN RANGES THAT SPAN THE LENGTH OF NOVITZE'S SINGLE ICY CONTINENT: THE WARREN RANGE AND THE STELLEN RANGE.

THESE TWO MOUNTAIN RANGES ARE SIGNIFICANT FOR THEIR UNUSUALLY HIGH CONCENTRATION OF THE NATURALLY OCCURRING ALLOY COLLOQUIALLY REFERRED TO AS 'SNOWMELTIUM'; THUS, THE PRIMARY INDUSTRY ON NOVITZE LIES WITHIN THIS VALLEY, WHERE THE RARE METAL IS BOTH MINED AND REFINED BEFORE BEING SHIPPED OFF-WORLD FOR USE IN SHIP ENGINES AND DELUCCA DRIVES.

This week, on Tango Sector: With the ship damaged and more than a few injuries, the crew of Pelagian docks in the remote city of Snowmelt to lick their wounds and take care of a few lingering problems. Flux makes some upgrades. Liam struggles through the pain. Baz lends a helping hand. Melas plays good cop.

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CONTENT WARNINGS: police violence, discussion of space-related oxygen deprivation, severe injury, discussions of interrogation methods and drugging

[ EXCERPTED FROM MARTINET PROTOCOL MANUAL XVI, SECTION 12.B: PERSONAL EFFECTS AND CONTRABAND, SUBSECTION J - REGULATIONS AND RAMIFICATIONS ]

. . . ANY OFFICER OF ANY RANK FOUND IN POSSESSION OF ANY CONTRABAND TECHNOLOGY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: ANY TECHNOLOGY MANUFACTURED OUT OF SECTOR; ANY TECHNOLOGY CONTAINING MATERIALS PROCURED OUT OF SECTOR WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORIZATIONS UNDER TRADE REGULATION 7689.K2-9; ANY TECHNOLOGY CONTAINING MORE THAN 0.07% REMNANT MATERIAL; ANY NON-MARTINET COMMUNICATION DEVICES, INCLUDING PERSONAL COMMUNICATORS; ANY TECHNOLOGY DESIGNED OR MANUFACTURED BY KNOWN ADVERSARIES OF THE MARTINET, KNOWN CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS, OR WANTED PERSONS OF RANK 6D OR HIGHER; OR UNAPPROVED PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY SUSPECTED OF HIGH RISK SUSCEPTIBILITY TO EXTERNAL HACKING.

RAMIFICATIONS FOR POSSESSION OF CONTRABAND TECHNOLOGY INCLUDE HEARING IN FRONT OF MARTINET GRAND JUDICIARY COUNCIL AND MAY INCLUDE DISCIPLINARY ACTION INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: TEMPORARY ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE, DISHONORABLE DISCHARGE, IMPRISONMENT OF UP TO TWELVE YEARS PER CONTRABAND ITEM FOUND. AS WITH OTHER CONTRABAND-RELATED DISCIPLINARY ACTION, WITH REASONABLE DOUBT OR IN TIMES OF WAR, MARTINET OFFICERS WITH A RANKING OF LIEUTENANT OR ABOVE ARE AUTHORIZED TO TAKE EMERGENCY ACTION IF SABOTAGE OR TREASON IS SUSPECTED. SEE: "WAR-TIME EMERGENCY ACTION REGULATIONS, SECTION 46.A, SUBSECTION M . . .

This week, on Tango Sector: Aboard the Eclipse, the crew of Pelagian finds themselves a little out of their depth, caught up in a conspiracy that's bigger than anything they expected. Melas tells an audacious lie. Flux makes some daring maneuvers. Liam takes a leap of faith.

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