30XX:Echocave/Datalore

OPERATIVE REPORT 1

Targeting data: Mission Control's Triangulation Unit notes a subterranean tunnel network as the source of key outgoing enemy communications.

Mission parameters: Locate source of rogue signal. Determine nature of communications - disrupt if necessary. Avoid detection at all costs.

Initial findings: Tunnel system is vast, and likely deliberately designed to be difficult to navigate. Initial signal gathering efforts ineffective - cave walls at Operating Base are covered in a type of Resonant Crystal that acts as a relay. Further experimentation and exploration needed to determine true signal source.

OPERATIVE REPORT 2

Sortie objective: Explore cave network. Determine nature of inhabitants. Recover Resonant Crystal samples for further study.

Disposition: Neutral. Looks like a very involved task, but nothing we haven't seen before.

Findings: Cave network is inhabited by Corp defense units. Uncertain if network garrison is still Faithful or has been repurposed. Mission parameters forbid interrogation to verify - assume all defenses are hostile.

Resonant Crystals found in Operating Base are a common network feature, and are prevalent here. I've gathered samples from throughout the network for further testing. Returning to Operating Base.

OPERATIVE REPORT 3

Experiment Objective: Determine signal-relaying properties of Resonant Crystals. Previous happenstance observation indicates Crystals in the same network transmit the same radio data simultaneously, but no mechanical basis for this transmission is apparent.

Observation: Signals read from the cave's Crystals come in collective bursts - periodically, all Crystals emit the same signal all at once. Unknown if they're working as individual, redundant units, or require the collective group nearby to work. Signal contents unknown - haven't been able to decrypt them yet.

Hypothesis: Crystals serve as transmitter relays - nodes in a network, built to carry a specific signal. Hypothesis based on repeated observation of identical radio signal. Hyperfrequency analysis indicates no time delta between signals - they're all being sent at exactly the same time, making it unlikely that any of these is the source.


Further exploration needed to determine signal source as per mission orders.

OPERATIVE REPORT A

Request body: Mission control identifies an open IT helpdesk ticket for a top-secret subterranean transmission network. Timesheet required for client billing.

9:00 AM - arrived at Corp-provided entrance teleporter. No front desk or receptionist found. No facility supervisor here to greet me, either. Great.

10:00 AM - Facility defense staff appears non-hostile, but also completely uninterested in helping me locate faulty transmission equipment. One unit popped out of the ground as I approached - when I asked for directions, he just laughed, and dug back in. Cool.

OPERATIVE REPORT 4

Exploration objective: Determine signal source. 

Findings: Located gated room, defended by a fearsome-looking Guardian. After exhaustive planning for quiet break-in, realized Guardian is fast asleep, and wearing headphones. Gated room appears otherwise undefended.

Room contains a massive crystal cluster with a shape and color unlike any other found here. Initial signal readings indicate complete dysfunction, but the sample Crystals in my pack seem to disagree. They pulse repeatedly, and seem to be relaying one short message over and over. Signal may not be coming from here - marking signal as potential "waveform collapse" scenario. Further investigation needed.

OPERATIVE REPORT B

Radioed up top for facility map data, then located and advanced to transmission room. Guardian located outside transmission room was definitely awake and alert, and not sleeping on the job.

Initial inspection of transmission equipment indiciates no sign of dysfunction, but I can't detect any outgoing signal. Attempted to reboot Crystal transmission system without success. Management recommends I give the system instructions to send a repeating "TEST" signal - fine by me. Following orders.

The Resonant Crystal mesh here doesn't seem to react to the transmitter at all - Management assures me that's not my problem, so I won't complain. Operative out.

History

• Early Access 0.42.0: Altered "Operative Report 4".
• Early Access 0.33.0: Introduced.