Various Notices Across the Cartographers' Station

Friends and associates,

Our work exists to further the good of all people. These times that we are living in are ones of great change, and we must always keep pushing the boundaries of technological progress.

While this quarter saw great progress in our knowledge of the galaxy and of connection between our homes, it also saw criminal setbacks. As many of you may have already heard, the Astrolabe, one of our limited number of ships has been taken, the crew killed by hostile pirate action. While unconfirmed, it is suspected that this was the action of the Scourge Fleet. The nature of these criminals is to leave a sole survivor, and indeed one person was rescued: Seraleera Karvi, with the helpful intervention of Osmos Industries. The matter of how this event happened is still something thoroughly under Guild investigation, and we will not rest until proper justice has been done.

In addition, a Cartographer-affiliated rescue mission of Inoloc Enterprises cargo ships was attacked by what we suspect to be another branch of the Scourge Fleet. This boarding action was repelled by the brave efforts of PERLite-51213, Reckoner Korax, HARK, and other mercenaries, Cartographers and Inoloc Enterprises crew, though not without a steep cost.

We must not let these incidents hold us back. We are working closely with our planetary and spacefaring partners, both in the controlled creation of FTL-capable ships, as well as beginning to establish factories for further ship production. We do not wish to raise hostilities, but pirates have forced our hand in this regard. With hard work and determination, perhaps cooler heads can prevail.

– Dr. Arokne Mote

Members of the Cartographers' Guild,

My colleagues on the ARCOL-B-218 mission delegated writing a short piece about our discoveries to me. While this matter does not align precisely with my specialty in myths, I hope to summarise our findings in a way that will be useful in guiding our future interactions with this species.

On ARCOL-B-218 III, we discovered a large population of a sapient, insectoid species. This species displays clear evidence of large-scale hierarchical social structures in addition to technological advancement.

It was also clear to us from our exploration of ARCOL-B-218 III that this species is not unfamiliar with exterminationist warfare, especially against other spacefaring civilisations. It is unclear how frequently this species has engaged in this sort of conflict in the past; our expedition attained proof of one instance. We have chosen to disclose this publicly in line with the principles of the Cartographers' Guild.

It remains our hope that peaceful and cooperative interactions with this species are possible, and our belief that the guild's foremost mission should be to secure a future with such relations.

– First Talon Alatharyael Nirees-Singreen

Following a review of nearby systems, and utilising survey data from previous quarter surveys, the following systems have been identified candidates for first-phase exploration:

• PHEMI-E-203: K-class giant star. Repetitive EM pattern detected. Potentially indicative of life, but data analysis at time of writing is insufficient. Complexity of signal, while periodic in nature, indicates it does not come from a natural pulsar source.
• MODON-E-111: Large B-class white dwarf. Diverse mineral content noted in asteroid belt present in system. Unnaturally low number of planets measured relative to predicted age and size of system.
• POLAT-F-056: G-class main sequence star. Atmospheric content of POLAT-F-056 IV indicates artificial pollutants. Source unconfirmed.

In my experience, a member of the Cartographers' Guild is a selfless individual. One who has dedicated their lives to pushing the boundaries of research, who fights for what they believe in, and for the common good. For this reason, it is with great pain that I announce the loss of far too many members and associates of the Guild. A memorial will be held at the end of the week in the auditorium, all are welcome to join and to grieve together.

Antros K-427, Guild Member

Tekt Nine-Claw, Guild Member

Amic Buldur, Beast Wrangler

Lokuviarna Sannevanas, Mercenary

The list of names continues. It is long, perhaps 60 names in all. Included are almost the full 40-strong crew of the Astrolabe, a half dozen other Guild members, and several mercenaries and Inoloc Enterprises staff.

The news bulletin for this meeting contains a short video made by the aspiring documentary maker, Soldier Borga. You'd have heard that he was invited to film the mission to DARKE-D-003, a black hole.

The video begins by panning slowly across a beautiful starscape, clearly enhanced to accentuate the colours. Soldier Borga's voice, which is normally bubbly and fast-paced, takes on a crisp, ponderous timbre as she narrates:

The unknown galaxy. Dark, endless, mysterious, wondrous. For years, we could barely conceive of travelling more than a dozen lightyears from the sanctuary of our homeworlds. But now, thanks to innovations from the Cartographers' Guild, each of these pinpricks of light represent a possibility. A possibility for exploration.

The footage continues, switching to images of star systems and nebulae seen from the window of an FTL vessel, Borga's voice reading out easily digestible facts about each phenomenon. But clearly, the video is building up to something. Planets orbiting weirdly, distorted light, a small but ominous black dot in the distance. The music crescendos, reaching a dramatic forte when the footage pans to the ship's scanning equipment – something has been detected, caught in the orbit of the black hole. The video reveals a faint, spherical object on the scanners, perhaps a small asteroid, or maybe… a ship.

Suddenly, the tone shifts from reflective nature documentary to fast-paced action. Borga shows the crew members gearing up to investigate this object, which seems to be emitting intelligible signals. Evidence of a lifeform? Tense words are exchanged across the gulf of space between the FTL vessel and the solitary shuttle sent out to investigate. The music pauses, the camera zooming into the expression on the captain's face as they hear the news from their colleagues. They freeze, beak slack. The words don't come out at first.

It's a pod. There's someone on the pod. Someone sapient. A person. The video stops. Borga calmly reads out a statement, explaining that they stopped filming out of respect for the person in the pod. And that's it. You don't know in what condition the person was found, where they were from, how they ended up trapped orbiting a black hole, or whether they will attend the Quarterly meeting.

Fifty years after their ill-fated expedition, the colonists of Huxxis V have been found and rescued! A spokesperson for the Justice for Huxxis movement “wishes to thank everyone involved in the mission, to have found them alive and bring them back is beyond anything we could have hoped for”.

Authorities on Corico have arrested several former members of the Aldon-Jure Corporation on charges of manslaughter, fraud and gross negligence, although some appear to have fled off-world. A request has been made for any information regarding the whereabouts of Lyton Amiable, as he has been named as a suspect in this case.

Bida Green-scaled, the sister of colonist Hanno Green-scaled and active member of Justice for Huxxis, has said…

Attached are several excerpts from a speech made by Sky-Marshal Lathaleeay Veeris commemorating the anniversary of the Battle of Sannevanas.

“Three-hundred sixty seven score and ten cycles ago, the first shots were fired in the Battle of Sannevanas. Today, the first faster-than-light vessel under the flag of the people of Kallimar has made its maiden voyage.”

“Our parents and grandparents dreamed of – and fought for – a world where all were born free, lived free, and died free. That world is the legacy they have handed down to us, and in our efforts to reclaim this land – Sannevanas – I believe we have lived up to it.”

“And yet, those who fought and died in that war would bid us not rest on their laurels. It falls to us to stand as they did. A plea then, to those untold millions suffering in bondage – do not be complacent with your suffering. We will march ever onwards with you, until all the workers of the galaxy are free!”

Join the Future of Osmium Mining at Osmos Industries!

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We're also seeking dynamic pilots to join our logistics team, guided by the spirited Seraleera Karvi. Embrace a fun and collaborative environment while navigating the exciting challenges of our industry.

Qualifications:
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Ready to make your mark? Send your CV to Soliana Dira or inquire in person at the next Cartographers' Guild meeting.

This message is unendorsed by the Cartographers' Guild and may contain misinformation.

The recent deaths of our dear fellow Guild members provoke much sadness within us! What is the point of FTL travel if it only ends in tragedy? Why do we push for exploration with no purpose? Dear friends, I beg of you, remember the Optimal Shape! We must strive to investigate the mysteries of the Shape, for only then will we answer the ultimate question: WHY ARE WE HERE?

For that reason, I beseech you to join me in formally petitioning the Guild to make the Optimal Shape its priority! Show your support for the Optimal Shape and the Truth of the universe! Homeworld leaders especially, think about the welfare of your people! We need hope in these times of mourning and uncertainty!

SEEK THE OPTIMAL SHAPE!!!
– Please direct any queries, statements, messages of support, etc. to Professor Half Leaf.