Before the Fall

The space station orbiting … is much larger than originally anticipated. It appears to be more than just a station, boasting research instruments as well as sophisticated life support systems and extensive deep space sensors. This may indicate the facility was used more as a long-term colony, rather than a minor waypoint.

It is in a dismal state, however. The hull has been compromised, with catastrophic decompression having blown out entire sectors. It is unclear whether the damage was caused from the outside, or from within. Fortunately, orbit control and axis stabilization are still operational, explaining why the structure has not drifted into the star or broken out in an unstoppable spin.

Getting inside without destabilizing this fastidiously maintained balance will be difficult.

To enter the station in the … system, it was necessary to pry open an undamaged airlock without causing further implosions. The internals of the station were still pressurized, successfully mimicking a typical planetary atmosphere despite its impressive age.

It took days to create a perfect seal between our ship and the station, meticulously equalizing the air pressure. Eventually we were able to open the door safely. Unfortunately, we were immediately met with another obstacle: a blocked corridor, clogged with twisted support beams and rubble from nearby depressurization. It will take some time before we can proceed.

After clearing a way forward, we began to explore the station in search of answers.

A thorough investigation revealed that the station was built not to observe the cosmos, but rather to protect something, with much of its elaborate scanning equipment directed internally. Personal effects belonging to Inetian Trader citizens were found, as well as logs describing station life. They spoke of an important payload, kept in a tightly guarded chamber somewhere within the base. While it did not take long to locate, the room was revealed to be a tomb.

Desiccated, near-mummified remains occupied the space, each of them members of the Inetian Traders' empire. Given their mundane positions, it seems they did not put up a fight, but simply sat down to die. What happened here?

The payload as described by the citizens was positioned squarely in the center of the room. It is a singular device, apparently brand new and unused. It is most definitely Inetian, but more advanced than anything we have seen from them before.

Terminals flanking the object display a few paragraphs of the same text repeated over and over again. Translation came quickly:

Dearest Visitor, if you are reading this then you are witness to our hubris. In our noble pursuit of equality, we forgot the true equalizer: creation, and destruction.

Seeking to free our trade routes from the ravages of cosmic tempests, we tampered with nature. What were once minor disturbances grew beyond influence. The cosmic storms tore through our worlds. This was not coincidence, but revenge. We sealed ourselves within this station. It was our last defense, as we were too late. Despite no longer using our depressors, new storms were forming, stronger and more savage. Our final mission was clear.

Feverishly we worked to complete this machine, and it was built for you, Visitor. It will save you from the cosmic storms, without further angering them. Our demise is our absolution, it does not have to be yours.

Within this room the Inetian Traders sealed their fate. Their generosity was as grand as their carelessness. Leaving the station, we returned with their parting gift.