Abyssal Space Oddity

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Up to date for latest version, 0.98a.

	"Here you see - or do not see, for it is in the crudest sense a sort of absence - the Orion-Persean Abyss. It is far from a nothingness, however. And it is that not-nothingness with which we are concerned."
–Cornelius Elek

Acquisition

The main way to start the quest requires you to dock to a market under these conditions:

• Non-Luddic Church, Luddic Path or Pirates market size 4 or more, with comm relay in-system and docked with transponder on
• Has not found the Onslaught Mk.I already
• More than 365 days passed since campaign start
• Possesses Transverse Jump skill
• Met Anahita Baird

It's also possible to find a Sensor Array that reveals the location of the nameless rock.

Walkthrough

On docking, the player will be notified that the local Comm Relay has a message for them. Opening the message will reveal that Academician Cornelius Elek, whom you may or may not have previously returned a data core to has a job for the player, as well as a benefactor with access to vast fortunes. Meet him at Galatia Academy.

Meeting with Elek will reveal that the Domain had been investigating Abyssal hyperspace with a Sensor array pre-Collapse, and at his urging an expedition into the Abyss following these coordinates is formed via the Player's fleet. Elek will initially offer you 20,000¢ for the job. You can agree, or progressively negotiate up to 50,000¢, 100,000¢, and 200,000¢. You can also prompt him to reveal the name of his patron by either saying you refuse to work for Tri-Tachyon or insisting to know who they are.

Arriving at the quest marker for the Sensor Array will reveal that approximately 200 years ago, a large energy signature akin to a battle was detected in the Abyss. The navigational data will point you to a Nameless Rock, a planet far into Abyssal hyperspace. You would be well advised to stock up on fuel and supplies before following the new Intel marker.

Upon arriving at the Nameless Rock, the player will need to Transverse Jump into the gravity well. The planet itself is of little interest, only providing a little information, but a venerable Onslaught Mk.I will be found abandoned in its orbit. Exploring the Onslaught will detail an aeons-long campaign against a Threat to the Domain, as well as the extreme attrition of the human crew of the ship. At last, the ship is fully automated to Domain standards, and still shows ominous activity. After investigating the historical sensor data that the Onslaught Mk.I crew was using to identify their ancient enemy, and applying modern sensor heuristics to improve them, the player will be notified THREAT DETECTED. Seemingly aware of detection, a previously unnoticed sensor contact will close in on the player. It is recommended to recover the Onslaught Mk.I as it is equipped with a complete anti-Threat loadout, and 1 SP can be used to emergency repair it. After defeating the Threat fleet, the mission will direct the player to return to Academician Elek.

Upon returning to the Galatia Academy, either through comprehensive fear or disbelief, Academician Elek is not convinced by the player's recollection of events. No combination of sensor data, combat footage, or the presence of an ancient Domain battleship in parking orbit will work. After receiving payment, the mission is seemingly marked as complete.

Go to Eochu Bres while the Onslaught Mk.I is in your fleet. Doing so will prompt a meeting with Director of Special Acquisitions Zunya Glamor-Rotanev, Elek's aforementioned benefactor for his research into the Abyss. She explains that she views the Threat as a promising tool for use by the Tri-Tachyon corporation. She will purchase Threat weapons that you bring to her for credits and Tri-Tachyon reputation.

Zunya can be immediately bargained for the following:

• 1,000,000¢ for a detailed scan and inspection of the Onslaught Mk.I and the sensor profiles to detect Threat ships
• 100,000¢ for a recording of an encounter with the Threat
• One of:
  • 1600 fuel and two Phaeton ships
  • 800 supplies and a Colossus

The Threat themselves can also be discussed with Zunya, who dismisses them as less than AI, a simple solipsistic virus, despite the fact they survived the full military might of the Domain.

Consequences

• Threat fleets can now be fought, and will respawn infinitely in Abyssal hyperspace gravity wells.
• Unlocks a variety of Threat weapons and hullmods earned through combat, with a subset of them requiring the Fragment Swarm hullmod to be used.
• Zunya is available as a purchaser of Threat and SHROUD items. It is possible to increase her rep, and allowing her to scan the Onslaught Mk.I may have further consequences later.

Trivia

• Space Oddity is a 1969 song by David Bowie.