My name is Jao, Isin Jao. My crew and myself inhabit the Lotus Heart, a craft of the Corvo Explorer class.
We work throughout Sirius as an independent research and exploration group. Being hired on by several groups, we earn enough to live comfortably and also indulge in our thirst for knowledge.
During a routine stop while enroute to a job in the Omega systems, we came across a rumour that sparked my interest.
We had re-fuelled at Barrier Gate station in Coronado and were preparing to leave when I heard from a very drunken pilot about some form of wreckage or damaged craft on one of the planets in the system.
If it were not for my insatiable curiosity, nothing would have come of it. However I searched the Neural Net for more information on this wreck but only found whispers of truths and enough myth to fill your head with idiocy.
What I settled on as fact was that there was wreckage on the planet Jericho, shown by visible scans.
However, the radiation around the planet deterred any further investigation.
We are not men and women that simply ignore such a mystery as this.
Having enough credits to last for a while yet, we did our own investigation of the planet and the surface from orbit.
The radiation was too strong for us to stay very long but we did manage to verify that there is a crash site and seemingly wreckage:
The darkened areas of the image appear to be some form of crash sites.
We soon had to depart due to the radiation levels climbing rapidly, endangering the crew.
While we did leave, we did not forget what we saw.
As such, we are interested in gaining the ICMG's aide in this matter, in return for a sum of credits and the benefit of at least some of what we find there.
my appologies for not responding sooner. the ICMG is more than willing to lend a hand. I have done some research on this planet "Jericho", and have isolated the possiblility that there is potentail for shipwrecks. Based on your report and photographical data, our geologists have identified the presance of an "anomally", however we will need to send our scientist to that location for further resarch. We will set up a team of scientists and geologists aboard the Lazurite and have them ready. we await your next tramsition and will act accordingly.
sincerely "Mack" Holt, director of defense of the ICMG
---transmition end---
I must apologise for the delay, the Lotus Heart was damaged in a fire fight between the Kusari Navy and Bretonian forces, we were caught up in the middle of it and sustained much damage to our communications relay. You can rest assured that is was all cross-fire however, we do not take sides in such a war.
It is pleasing to hear your response, we had hoped that you might organise such a venture as the Heart is enroute to friendly shipyards for repairs and as such, we cannot investigate the planet ourselves once again.
We would be very happy and eager to assist in any research work and financially, as this would be a private venture.
Which brings me to the gritty details.
We want to get down to the planet's surface and either conduct simple scans on the possible wreckage or bring back samples of what might be there, in the hope of analysing it further safely in space.
How many credits would convince the ICMG to possibly do this?
Good day Mister Isun Joa. This is Mack from the Lazurite.
Your offers for money while of course appreciated will not be necessary. We would simply want equal rights to any discoveries that are made on this expedition.
After your responses we have gone ahead to move a small research fleet into position at the planet. We are currently maintaining a high orbit over the planet doing preliminary scans.
We have so far found that the radiation is immense and we will need a more suitable craft for this. The Lazurite is primarily a colony vessel housing our workers and pilots. It will offer a supporting role in this venture with myself at the bridge. We have ordered one of our Argus vessels to move out to where we are. These vessels are primarily exploration vessels and should have enough armour to withstand the radiation from closer range. We believe it can safely get within 4km of the planet before we feel its unsafe for the crew. It will need to be outfitted with the relevant research equipment as per your specifications. This may take a day or two.
We have also deployed out a small war vessel fleet, a bomber wing, a fighter wing and a gunboat wing to secure the system to conduct this research.
For now we are holding awaiting the arrival of that argus vessel and allow us to extend a hand to you to join us here. Please bring the relevant research crew you need with you as well. While we will gladly allow you use of our equipment we do not have the type of people you need we suspect.
As for your damaged vessel. If you can get it space worthy we can conduct the repairs on our Carrier. The Lazurite. Your team will be working primarily from the argus but when you need to turn in we will of course offer yourself and your crew quarters in the Lazurite.
For now we would like you to please move your ship here to join us so that we may also speak face to face to discuss any final details in person.
We are also putting one of our vessels forward for now to act as a resupply ship. The Tanzanite. Shire class vessel. Of all our transport vessels this one is the best armed we have and should more than satisfy your logistical needs as well as supply the people on board the Lazurite. The captain of the Vessel is Nina who I might warn you is prone to frequent napping but she has combat experience.
Looking forward to your reply
-Mack
---transmission end---
It is good to hear that you also share our quest for knowledge and as such we would be very happy to share any discoveries that are found on the planet.
The pace at which you are moving is simply astonishing, the entire crew and I are shocked at your efficiency and swiftness!
It would seem you are perfectly well equipped for such a venture and with the addition of my crew and our equipment, we should have almost everything we might need for this expedition.
We are also honoured that you would use such vessels as the mighty Argus class and Zephyr class for this expedition and also secure the entire system.
The Lotus Heart is space worthy and is easily capable of moving to your position in the Coronado system, we were merely worried regarding our communications. However the trip to your position should be short and as such, we are willing to take the risk and have already set the Heart oncourse.
We should arrive soon, depending on any obstacles we encounter along the way. It would seem you cannot travel anywhere in Sirius without encountering some problems along the way.
I hope that you and your men have good fortune whilst we are in transit.
Till we meet, thank you Mr Mack and it is a pleasure working with you.
---incoming transmission---
---from: ICMG[SL14D]Lazurite, stationed in Coronado---
---Mr. Holt "Mack"---
---Subject: research interuption---
Isin Jao, while we sent down a probe to jericho to investigate, we were abruptly interupted by the sirius Cartel. seems that they shot down our probe from orbit, and sent in some scouts to coronade. we've managed to curb their efforts so far, but they will be back.
We have increased our security tenfold. we've almost moved our entire 2nd gunboat flotilla and the 7th fighter division, the 14th bomber and 93rd intercepter divisions are on their way to coronado.
we advise you arm your ship and step up on security, they cartel will surly be determined to undermine our efforts in coronado.
---Transmission End---
+++>Incoming Transmission
+++>ID: Jack and Lily Selkner
+++>Source: Planet Pecos
+++>RE: -Encrypted-
Jack appears on screen, Lily standing off to the back, staring out of the window. Through the window, you can make out what looks like the Unakite, with the Selkner's signature lighting, in a shipyard, being repaired.
"You know, I dont like seeing my ship in a dock. It means I screwed up. It means Lily screwed up. It means my cew screwed up." He sighs. "But, this time, I didn't screw up. I didn't make a mistake. No-one on the Unakite did. We were hit blind, my friends. And, you know...I think I like it even less than screwing up."
He turns around, looking at the Unakite being slowly repaired by the mechanical array.
"Im afraid whatever did this is not something to be taken lightly. It's not something to ignore. Im going to upload a few video files, for all ICMG pilots to see. Perhaps we can glean something from them."
He walks over to a console, near the window. He presses a button.
+++>Uploading File: A-12-J
**You see an image of Jericho's surface, apparently a feed froma probe's camera. It's gently loweed into the atmosphere, before reaching neutral gavity with it's tether. As it begins to zoom in on what appears to be the wreck, a glow is seen to the right. Seconds later, there's a deafening, whooshing sound. The probe begins to careen downwards, the image jerking around violently. As the camera spins upward, a small, triangular object flies by***
+++>File End
"This next one was taken right before the Unakite began to blow apart. We have just evidence to believe it was the cause."
+++>Uploading File: A-12-K
**It's a view of the Unakite's hull, pointed towards the engines. You see a similar object, triangular and mettalic, float past. A few seconds later, it turns towards the camera, seemingly focusing and scanning it. It flies away, just as a large shudder goes through the hull. The camera's feed goes down.**
+++>File End
"This is a THREAT, people. I'll get back to you with any other information on these...things, that we happen upon. Jack Selkner, out."
+++>Incoming Transmission
+++>Comm ID: Jack Selkner
+++>Source: Planet Pecos
+++>RE: Further sightings
"Recently, we attempted to disable the drone from the Unakite. We had hooked up a small EMP generator, and intended to lure the drone in, then frying it's electronics with the generator."
"Everything was going according to plan, with the ship succesfully destroying the single known drone. However, as we left Jericho's orbit, we were attacked once more - by 3 other drones. Our EMP generator was disabled, but we manaqged to keep our engines online long enough to escape into Salina's rings. It seems that the drones wont follow into there."
+++>Incoming Transmission
+++>Comm ID: Jack Selkner
+++>Source: Dounby Station
+++>RE: IMPORTANT INFORMATION
"We have some...interesting news."
He smiles.
"Upon analysis of recorded data gathered while we were being pursued by the drone flight, We've managed to assemble a small profile for these...things."
+++>Uploading File: Drone Profile
Structure:
Three triangular pieces, arranged around a central "eye" structure, with a single edge connecting to the eye. The "eye" is on top of what appears to be a propulsion array. It is believed the array uses magnetic field lines to allow travel at incredible speed. Below the "eye", a small bar is attached, which is speculated to be it's weapons fixture.
Weaponry:
It appears to use an area-discharge weapon capable of frying electronics and causing massive physical damage. It is unknown how it works, and little speculation has been made.
Coordination:
It has been speculated that they are controlled by a central computer, coordinating alomst seamlessly. In addition, there has been a looping transmission recorded from the drones, being transmitted between them as they fly. It has been interpretted by scanners as the following: Sai't, sai't d'rein'ip v-yal ------, sai't. It is likely that this is a misinterpretation of the data structure the drones use. It is noted that, when played back, it does not play in the phonetic version recorded, only as the original code.
+++>File End
"We are currently devising a plan to counter the drones. Expect news on that...soon."