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Leo · (This post was last modified: 06-08-2024, 02:43 AM by Leo.)

Starlight Research Consortium
Chasing starlight since 829 A.S.

From:
Dante Flintlocke

Subject:
Operation Splinter - Report

Encryption Strength:
SLRC Protocol

Salutations. This is Pathfinder-1, Dante Flintlocke, reporting.

Too often we are distracted by other star systems and limitless wonders that we fail to realize the wonders lurking in our own backyard. During a jump malfunction to Tau-37, we were thrown back into normal space just outside of Tau-23. On our return flight to Ikarus, we noticed some strange readings nearby as well as a rather massive asteroid lurking in the Barrier. We pointed the Anomaly in the direction of the unusual readings and found a unique asteroid.

Attached are images of said asteroid. Cursory readings indicate unusual energy output that will require more research to ascertain their source. The sensor readings as well as the location of the asteroid have been forwarded on to researchers aboard Ikarus to investigate. At first glance, the asteroid appears to have splintered off from a larger source. As such, we will do an additional investigation of the system for further anomalies similar to this one and report their location and sensor readings at the earliest.

Flintlocke out.

--Dante Flintlocke
Pathfinder-1
Ever upwards, towards answers.

Attachments-(1)

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You fear oblivion. Yet you forget. The universe remembers every atom of your being. Even dust hums your name in the dark.
Roleplay is dead. Long live Powertraders and PvP I guess.

Leo · (This post was last modified: 06-14-2024, 04:15 AM by Leo.)

Starlight Research Consortium
Chasing starlight since 829 A.S.

From:
Dr. Leo Morningstar

Subject:
Bad News

Encryption Strength:
SLRC Protocol

Afraid I've got some bad news, Director. The sister ship to the Dreamscape, the Andromeda, was lost last night due to a catastrophe while researching the nearby asteroid that was discovered by Pathfinder-1.

During their research, protocol was broken in bringing a sample of the crystalline substance onboard without proper vetting and scans. As it turns out, the material the crystal is made of is extremely hyper-conductive to air molecules when exposed to atmosphere. The sample wasn't large but it was enough to completely cripple the ship. It would seem that despite appearing to completely discharge, the crystal sample then detonated with the equivalent energy of multiple Supernova torpedos ... inside the ship an hour after evacuations were completed. Damage to the nearby asteroid is negligible. As such, additional studies can investigate this strange sample. However, moving forward I would advise extreme caution to prevent the destruction of another research vessel.

The good news is, no researchers or personnel were lost. However, with budgets being strained as much as they are, we cannot afford to lose any additional vessels in careless violations of protocols meant to keep our people and equipment safe. The word is, Pathfinder-1 is searching for additional shards of this asteroid in the local sector so we must ensure we are cautious around these strange substances to avoid any undue destruction of our equipment.

In the meantime, I will investigate the wreckage of the Andromeda and see if the ship can be salvaged or if we should process it for scrap after retrieving any proprietary technology that was equipped onboard ... if it survived.

--Dr. Leo Morningstar
Chief Engineer, Ikarus Station
Ever upwards, towards answers.

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You fear oblivion. Yet you forget. The universe remembers every atom of your being. Even dust hums your name in the dark.
Roleplay is dead. Long live Powertraders and PvP I guess.

Leo · 06-15-2024, 01:50 AM,

Starlight Research Consortium
Chasing starlight since 829 A.S.

From:
Dante Flintlocke

Subject:
Operation Splinter - Report 2

Encryption Strength:
SLRC Protocol

Salutations. This is Pathfinder-1, Dante Flintlocke, reporting.

We have located a second fragment within Tau-23. This one appears to be exhibiting the same sensor readings as the first. With the destruction of the Andromeda, we took more precautions with this asteroid and kept our distance should the unstable nature of these crystals cause damage to another SLRC asset.

The Darkhorse Pathfinder Cruiser took images of this unusual formation and deposited them in this message. Location data has been deposited into the classified SLRC network for our researchers to investigate.

Flintlocke out.

--Dante Flintlocke
Pathfinder-1
Ever upwards, towards answers.

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You fear oblivion. Yet you forget. The universe remembers every atom of your being. Even dust hums your name in the dark.
Roleplay is dead. Long live Powertraders and PvP I guess.

Stoner_Steve · 06-16-2024, 06:22 AM,

Starlight Research Consortium
Chasing starlight since 829 A.S.

From:
The Directorate

Subject:
General Update

Encryption Strength:
SLRC Protocol

By Directive of the Directorate, the Starlight Research Consortium is proud to announce the formation of a new division: The Pathfinders. Led by the esteemed researcher, Dante Flintlocke, this division will be dedicated to the exploration and investigation of anomalies and oddities within our field of study.

Mr. Flintlocke's unwavering dedication to exploration, his meticulous reporting methods, and his unique ability to locate phenomena beyond our initial reach have inspired the Directorate's confidence in the expansion and continued funding of this initiative.

Are you a researcher with a thirst for the unknown?

If you are a member of the Starlight Research Consortium with a passion for uncovering the mysteries of the universe and a keen interest in venturing beyond the established frontiers of knowledge, The Pathfinders may be the perfect place for you.

For further information about this exciting new division and how to get involved, please reach out to Mr. Dante Flintlocke directly.

Onward to discovery!

--The Directors
SLRC

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Leo · 06-16-2024, 01:27 PM,

Starlight Research Consortium
Chasing starlight since 829 A.S.

From:
Dante Flintlocke

Subject:
Operation Splinter - Final Report

Encryption Strength:
SLRC Protocol

Salutations. This is Pathfinder-1, Dante Flintlocke, reporting.

Thank you for the kind words, sir. I am simply doing my job as an explorer. The researching I leave for the properly educated doctors and scientists such as yourself.

Moving on to my report, we have located what would appear to be the final fragments within the system. However, I have instructed what few Pathfinders I have in my department to keep a vigilant eye out for any additional fragments that may be lurking within the Barrier.

See attached images plus a drone image of one of the larger fragments. Our first discovery was an asteroid fragment with a cargo pod next to it. Detailed scans revealed nothing. We aimed the Darkhorse's weapons at it and destroyed it, revealing 100 of what appears to be Prototype Components. These components either ended up out here by pure chance, or another researcher stashed these here for future use. Perhaps some questions need to be asked around Ikarus.

Secondary to this, we discovered a large shattered moon, and is the main subject of this report. This moon appears to be the origin of the other fragments, but more detailed scans will be necessary to discover if this is indeed the case. I picked up residual readings similar to that of the other crystalline asteroids, so bare that in mind on future taskings to examine their origins.

Lastly, the other discoveries were within range of the shattered moon, and appear to show a trajectory of their entrance into the system. When that is, could be anyone's guess. Their discoveries paint an interesting picture, however, on the nature of what we know of other systems and the Pathfinders stand up to the task of making these discoveries. This is in order for our Security teams to review the areas as well as for our dedicated research teams to examine their nature. I could not do my job without the rest of the Consortium, so thank you for that.

Flintlocke out.

--Dante Flintlocke
Pathfinder-1
Ever upwards, towards answers.

Attachments-(4)

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You fear oblivion. Yet you forget. The universe remembers every atom of your being. Even dust hums your name in the dark.
Roleplay is dead. Long live Powertraders and PvP I guess.

Leo · (This post was last modified: 06-21-2024, 08:58 AM by Leo.)

Starlight Research Consortium
Chasing starlight since 829 A.S.

From:
Dante Flintlocke

Subject:
Operation Shortcut

Encryption Strength:
SLRC Protocol

Salutations. This is Pathfinder-1, Dante Flintlocke, reporting.

Aside from our brief fly-through of Ontario in a previous report, we did not stay in system long enough to do a thorough analysis or scouting of the system. As our current objectives are revolving around Liberty, we began our mapping in the Colorado system. However, aside from the closure of the Kepler jump gate due to the Dark Matter storm, not much in the system has changed. As such, we moved onto Ontario.

Attached are three images aside from the one previous surveyed of the anomaly on Planet Sudbury. One is of a collapsed jump hole exhibiting a different wavelength variable from the scanners than that of other collapsed jump holes, possibly indicating one way traffic. This may be an "escape hatch" of sorts from the origin which is, based on telemetry, Alberta. Scans indicate an 87.2% possibility. This is good news should any of us ever become trapped there again, though Omicron Alpha as the exit point before would be more preferable than that of Ontario ... but that is a personal bias.

The second scan is of a standard collapsed jump hole, possibly from Kepler before the Dark Matter storm overwhelmed it.

Additionally, a destroyed Liner appears to be within range of Planet Sudbury along with ongoing skirmishes between the Xenos, Hackers, and Auxo vessels. We activated our stealth systems and maintained a wide berth to avoid being drawn into the conflict.

Lastly, we can confirm a jump hole has indeed opened up to Inverness from Ontario at sector Bravo-6. It would appear that the trajectory comes out where the previous mapping indicated that Cortez did. It seems that the entry/exit point has skipped from Cortez into Ontario by some unknown means, possibly related to the activation of the anomaly on Sudbury. Caution is advised when attempting to enter the system to research this possibility as Technocracy, Xeno Alliance, or Hacker vessels may intercept and do potential harm to SLRC vessels or become antagonistic.

This concludes the survey, however brief, of Ontario. We have since surveyed California and New York but no differences within the systems have been detected as of this time. We are moving on to Pennsylvania and Kansas proceeding this message and will finish up with Texas and Vespucci after. Should you have any other tasks for me, please relay it.

Flintlocke out.

--Dante Flintlocke
Pathfinder-1
Ever upwards, towards answers.

Attachments-(3)

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You fear oblivion. Yet you forget. The universe remembers every atom of your being. Even dust hums your name in the dark.
Roleplay is dead. Long live Powertraders and PvP I guess.

Stoner_Steve · 06-22-2024, 02:03 PM,

Starlight Research Consortium
Chasing starlight since 829 A.S.

From:
Forgemaster Goodman

Subject:
Freeport 14 APB

Encryption Strength:
Standard

APB - Unusual Activity

"Harbourship.NewDawn"
Type: Colony Ship
Classification: Potential Vector For Infection
Infection Type: Computer Virus
Notes: Vessel appears to be controlled by an artificial intelligence that is non-aligned with the Zoner community and is operating under a false flag, further communications with details attached. It is also worrisome that this 'Intelligence' appears to focus on K'hara sample gathering

--Sean Goodman
Magister Fabricae, The Gryphon
Click To Learn More

Attachments-(1)

Flight Logs

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Leo · (This post was last modified: 07-29-2024, 05:36 PM by Leo.)

Starlight Research Consortium
Chasing starlight since 829 A.S.

From:
Dante Flintlocke

Subject:
Operation Looking Glass

Encryption Strength:
SLRC Protocol

Salutations. This is Pathfinder-1, Dante Flintlocke, reporting.

While standing by at ▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋, I have sent Pathfinder-3 in the newly christened PF>Infinitum to take another look at the crystals in Tau-23 after Dr. Morningstar's conversation with the Starfliers. Dr. Morningstar accompanied them to the asteroid and performed a series of tests, reconfirming the volatile nature of the crystalline structures. His report below:

Dr. Leo Morningstar Wrote:"Indeed, the crystals appear to be highly volatile when exposed to atmosphere of any kind. The severity of the explosion varies on the gas exposed to the structures. As of yet, we have been unable to ascertain their chemical makeup due to their impressive physical nature. They appear to be as hard, or harder, than any metallic structure ever conceived from human hands. Despite the explosions that rip our containment modules apart, the crystal appears to remain intact even after the violent explosion. We tested this multiple times on the same sample which floated free around the structure itself and the explosion strength never wavered.

This leads me to believe that instead of the crystal itself exploding, it is causing a chemical reaction in the gas itself instead which then explodes. Once the gas has dispersed, the crystal returns to it's inert state within the vacuum of space. This would explain the strength of the detonation that destroyed the Andromeda as the Oxygen/Nitrogen mix onboard served as the catalyst for the explosion and not the crystal itself.

We are continuing to research the crystals on the PF>Infinitum, formerly the X>Infinitum, ahead of the Starflier response and arrival so that we will have some data-points for our wayward Freelancer cousins. We will have more to report soon. Report ends."

We will continue to stand by at ▋▋▋▋▋▋▋ until we are relieved to pursue other Pathfinder duties, until then, this concludes our report.

Flintlocke out.

--Dante Flintlocke
Pathfinder-1
Ever upwards, towards answers.

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You fear oblivion. Yet you forget. The universe remembers every atom of your being. Even dust hums your name in the dark.
Roleplay is dead. Long live Powertraders and PvP I guess.

Leo · 10-05-2024, 07:25 PM,

Starlight Research Consortium
Chasing starlight since 829 A.S.

From:
Dante Flintlocke

Subject:
Operation Leash

Encryption Strength:
SLRC Protocol

Salutations. This is Pathfinder-1, Dante Flintlocke, reporting.

With Dr. Leo Morningstar having moved onto Cambridge University after obtaining a teaching position there as well as Dr. Brandon Wright being indisposed for the time being, it falls to me to manage the daily operations of Starlight. In regards to this management, it also falls to me to update the crew aboard Ikarus Station on developments in Tau-23.

I am not a scientist, as many of you well know, I am a Pathfinder and scientific understandings elude me. However, it has been explained to me by others with much more knowledge than myself that Tau-23 appears to have undergone some form of inflation shortly after the previous Ion storm. Those with more degrees than I are as perplexed as I am which is concerning.

Regardless of the reasons, this sudden inflation has caused the anomaly field in which our revered scientists and researchers both monitor for changes as an early warning system as well as researching anomalies in the area, has moved a distance away from the station. We are preparing to use the Darkhorse, the Pathfinder cruiser, to tow Ikarus Station into a distant orbit around the anomaly which has inadvertently moved a distance away. If this proves to be too difficult of an endeavor, we will reach out to allies--such as the Starfliers--to aid in moving the station.

In preparation for this move, please ensure that your research materials, ongoing projects, and any other lose items are secured well as the movement of the station will jostle things around. Ensure that you, yourself, are also secured if onboard during the move. All vessels will need to depart the station for the move as well. Any visitors onboard the station are to leave immediately and will be cleared to resume docking once the move is completed.

Should you have any questions, please let myself or security teams know.

Flintlocke out.

--Dante Flintlocke
Pathfinder-1
Ever upwards, towards answers.

Attachments-(0)

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You fear oblivion. Yet you forget. The universe remembers every atom of your being. Even dust hums your name in the dark.
Roleplay is dead. Long live Powertraders and PvP I guess.

Stoner_Steve · 10-29-2024, 03:04 PM,

From:
Dr. Brandon Wright

Subject:
Baxter Field Movement

Encryption Strength:
SLRC Protocol

Team,

While I’ve been busy babysitting the Gryphon and dealing with Sean Goodman’s exceptional management skills, I’ve also been monitoring our local Baxter Anomaly.

Recently, the anomaly has taken it upon itself to stage a little interstellar road trip towards the system’s edge. While I haven’t had the luxury of a deep dive into this behavior, it's likely a cosmic mishap involving hyperspace.

To get a front-row seat to this celestial spectacle, I’ll be making a return trip to Ikarus. I’m sure Sean will be thrilled to have sole custody of the Gryphon again. After all, who better to micromanage a highly advanced AI than a man who can barely manage his own reflection?

I'll keep you posted on my findings and any other exciting developments from the front lines.

--Dr. Brandon Wright
Research and Development, SLRC

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