Introduction:
Greetings, dear viewers and listeners! Welcome to “The Frontier Voice”, this is Max “The Comet” speaking. This is the new format of our publication: the investigation. In this issue, we will describe the process of our investigative work towards finding out the mysteries behind various events in the Frontier sectors and share the results with you. Today, I will be travelling to the… Oh, what was the name of the system? Viong? Viol? Vior? Check it before publishing and update the recording. Anyway, my destination is Pilgrim-11. I have a meeting there.
Recording 1
I left my office in the New Ceres system and I’m currently travelling through the Eastern mining station. Let me tell you about the plan for today while I have time. First, I’m going to visit a research facility, and then I have a meeting with a local authority representative. I hope I can get the permission to publish a story on what the research facility discovered in their analysis of the artifact I found in the Solaris Wasteland and other similar objects. There was another lead I wanted to pursue, but I will talk about it only if it turns out to be a success. I will be recording almost constantly during this trip, just in case.
Recording 2
I’m getting close to the Pilgrim-11 gate. It means that in a moment…
“Attention, ship A18-B84-D11, identify yourself!”
It’s the Snow Leopard and Manul. I’ll have to answer.
“This is Max ‘The Comet’ from the Frontier Voice.”
“Great, we’ve been waiting for you. We have information about a Cartel trap set up for you in the Pilgrim-11. Our orders are to escort you safely to the meeting point. Let’s do it this way: go through the portal, and we will follow in a few seconds. Change your phase modulator as soon as you go through. The Cartel won’t be able to catch you, and we will have time to deal with them.”
“Alright. Are you sure it’s safe? My ship only has civilian grade defence hardware. Maybe I can just go through another portal?”
“Don’t worry, everything is under control. We don’t need other portals, and besides, we will get in trouble if we don’t escort you. We will tow your ship to the meeting point if necessary.”
Looks like I have no choice. I will turn on automatic data upload, just in case. If they take my recordings, people will still learn the truth.
“Roger that. Heading towards the gate.”
Recording 3
I’m about to teleport. Phase modulator, please do your thing.
“There he is! Hey, ‘Comet’, your trip is over… Where did he go? He’s not on the radars! Find him! He has to die.”
They were right, there are a few Cartel ships here. I hope the backup arrives soon.
“Someone else is coming through the gate. Frank, don’t let the ‘Comet’ escape. Aim for his engines as soon as you see him. And turn on the locator already!”
“Sure, I…”
“Frank? Ah, dam…”
My escort did a great job. Both pirates died almost immediately.
“You guys are no joke. But why did I have to go first? You could have destroyed them anyway.”
“They were after you; they wouldn’t have dropped their camouflage if they hadn’t seen your ship. Now, keep close and let’s go.”
“Alright.”
Recording 4
Well, I’m at the meeting point. I hope there will be no more trouble. I am recording with my spacesuit mic.
“Good afternoon, Max. Let’s cut to the chase: our facility will need good advertising. This business will require a lot of effort and time. And today I want to know how much you know about Precursors and their artifacts.”
“You’re interviewing the interviewer? Not bad. Well, the Precursors are a civilization or several civilizations that ruled the galaxy probably two and a half million years ago. They created the Signal. The two known species of Aliens, the Crystallids and the Bions, both have a definite connection to them. At the same time, it seems to me that Aliens are not Precursors. Simply because the living planets and spaceships look somewhat... artificial? Precursor artifacts were created at very different times, but it’s not clear whether they were made by the hands of living beings or with some sort of machinery. According to available photos, there were humanoid statues on PB-42, for example.”
“Wait, you know about the PB-42?”
“Of course I do, it’s my professional duty. However, this story was deemed too disturbing, and therefore not published.”
“And you’re openly stating this? It might be a little unsafe. What if you were talking to an Ellydium spy?”
“It wouldn’t make any difference. That story must never see the light of day, but it is still recorded, as are some other stories. Just in case of... contingencies. Let’s get back to the Precursors.”
“Okay. What you said was pretty accurate. The age of old Precursor artifacts is around 2.58 to 2.6 million years old. You told us about the discovery of the column. It... is of great interest because the Signal concentrators, if found, could point to the source of the Signal. However, this will be very difficult to do without equipment from Earth, which is currently unavailable for obvious reasons. The main thing you will have to cover in your story is the potential of learning about the source of the Signal.”
“Alright, when should I expect you to give me the materials?”
“In the near future. And now I’m sorry, I have to leave you. My superiors want to talk to you now. Goodbye.”
“Alright, see you later.”
Recording 5
Now for the meeting with the local official. I think I will be able to learn what is actually wrong in the Frontier. Soon, I…
[Connection lost]
Recording 6
Request transmission. Starting the emergency data transfer protocols. Checking whether editing is possible. Editing is not available. Server wait time has been exceeded. Code: 000895213
This is Max “The Comet” speaking. I hope this message never sees the light of day. I recorded it for an occasion when my life will be in danger. In the event that I go missing for an extended period of time, or turn on the emergency data feed, this message, along with the current version of my materials, perhaps not fully ready for publication, will be sent and posted to the official “Frontier Voice” channel. Pay no attention to the automated notifications before this post, they play no role. Max “The Comet”, signing off. “The Frontier Voice” advises that you remain cautious when visiting Frontier sectors, and that you only travel via safe routes.
