Archaeological site
Debris Belt
Ceinture de débris
Description
Our scans of the … system show that its asteroid belt is of an unusual variety. Instead of the standard mix of rocks, ice and space rubble that usually make up such formations, it seems to be the remains of a number of large, artificial habitats. These must have been destroyed with incredible violence sometime in the last few millennia. Untold secrets may be contained within the resulting debris field, but it is so extensive that charting it out could take quite some time.
Dig stages
Rewards read from the event effects. Some depend on conditions (empire type, earlier choices) or on chance.
Stage 1 · difficulty 9
The Cabin
Console: event arcsite.2500
Description
We are not the first to discover the debris belt in the … system: a craft - so small that our … are dubbing it a "space cabin" - has been found, containing the remains of a single toxoid alien and a considerable number of data crystals. Judging by the rate of decay, our best guess is that this alien expired only a few centuries ago.
« Interesting. »
- +50 to +250 Minor Artifacts
Stage 2 · difficulty 8
A Long Sojourn
Console: event arcsite.2505
Description
The data crystals discovered in the alien's space cabin are in fact mission logs. Our … have sent us a sample, along with a preliminary translation. They start in an upbeat tone:
"This is the chance of a lifetime. The ruins of the fabled Odryskans are within reach. My new home isn't much, but it's good enough for me, and soon I'll be able to send enough credits home to pay for my daughter's treatment."
Soon enough however, the logs grow sour:
"Wife and daughter dead. No one left to mourn for me. Salvage sold on black market barely enough to support living costs. Too late to turn back now."
All told, the alien spent over five decades trawling the rubble belt in an apparently futile search for riches.
« Surely they found something in all those years! »
- +50 to +250 Minor Artifacts
Stage 3 · difficulty 6
Descent Into Madness
Console: event arcsite.2515
Description
It is not true
It is not true
It is not true
It is not true
LIES!
...
...
...
But what if it is true?
The logs become increasingly disturbing as the alien slips further and further into madness.
No reward described.
Stage 4 · difficulty 6
Peace At The Last
Console: event arcsite.2520
Description
Our … have finished translating the alien's data crystals. They present an interpretation of the last log, in which, not long before their death, the recorder experiences a rare moment of lucidity:
"I have finally found what I am looking for. Many would consider me mad for continuing the search this long. I think, probably, that they are right. I am old, now - dying, even - and my kin are long since dust. There is no point in selling the artifact, but perhaps now I can find peace."
The logs go on to pinpoint where the alien concealed the treasure. By following them, we have tracked down an astonishingly large gemstone of immeasurable value.
« Our precious... »
- Relic: r_odryskan_crystal