Miranda Investigation: Difference between revisions
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"[missing information] since the begginning of [missing information]."<br> | "[missing information] since the begginning of [missing information]."<br> | ||
"They know technology to an unreal level, using it to [missing information] ."<br>}} | "They know technology to an unreal level, using it to [missing information] ."<br>}} | ||
DCAE/NIA looked deeper into the unexplained break-in, checking cameras and backups such as heat signatures and base tracking. It's almost impossible to get into the NIA and DCAE's headquarters building without being let in, which prompted the case to be put on top priority. | |||
Later on, the next translation and decryption of one of the 2 remaining pages is handed to the leading investigator. | |||
{{container|body='''Translation Page 7:''' I think it's over. One of the crew which I'm working with left his job and a new guy was hired. This is bad, really bad. I don’t know enough about the new guy. Is he one of them or not? | |||
His name is “[[Lucas Ash]]”, at least that's what he introduced himself as. He was a fisherman before, just on a different ship until that business was abandoned by his captain. But why would someone move up the coast just to end up here, he just has to be from the order. | |||
I should probably tell you what I am doing here and how I escaped them, at least I hope I did. It might prove useful for you to know, should the need arise, which it will. First you need to set up an additional Identity preferably extremely different to what you are currently. As a rule of thumb, the more money you have the easier that will be. Next you will have to fake your death. There are enough people who specialize in that sort of operation so it should not be too hard to find someone. I for my part made myself a humble fisherman on the planet Theia. I don’t know why but I had never really felt a connection to this particular planet, making it perfect. As a next precaution I made sure to land in a spaceport as far from my ultimate destination as possible. I then spent about a year worth just bouncing around from settlement to settlement, laying false clues concerning my real destination. I often contacted smugglers and criminals who I had scoped out in advance. Some of them intentionally people I identified as from the order. I knew it was risky but It had to look like I was oblivious. The trick is to wait for the right moment when you judge that they have let their guard down. For me it was after a transfer with a non-order smuggler. I had made a sort of pattern in which I would regularly “by chance” select an order member as my helper. So with the hopes that they would just expect me to show up to them, I altered my plans and made a b-line towards my actual destination.}} | |||
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Due to this turn of events the first case is secretly reopened by the same group and after lengthy analysis it is found that the product the victim ingested was possibly swapped out in their house for the one with the faulty expiration date. Another strange thing discovered in the process is that, even though the officers were harmed, a lot of thought went into the attacks to make them non-lethal, especially in the case of the car accident. DCAE thus brought the [[Polsk National Intelligence Agency]] into the mix to assist with the investigation. | Due to this turn of events the first case is secretly reopened by the same group and after lengthy analysis it is found that the product the victim ingested was possibly swapped out in their house for the one with the faulty expiration date. Another strange thing discovered in the process is that, even though the officers were harmed, a lot of thought went into the attacks to make them non-lethal, especially in the case of the car accident. DCAE thus brought the [[Polsk National Intelligence Agency]] into the mix to assist with the investigation. | ||
The investigation ultimately tracks both cases towards a hitman for hire. And a quite good one at that. After confronting him he admits to the attacks but he does not know who issued them to him, though that's mostly something normal in his line of work. In that matter the investigations lead to a dead end. The DCAE team thanked him and he summarily executed him on the spot. They track his bank transfers to see who paid him with the initial expectation that it'd be a money laundering scheme to raid and detain. They track the transfer back to a sort of “ghost account” which is completely empty. The money used was deposited into the account at a bank in a remote region. The security camera footage from that day is corrupted and the description of the bank teller leads to a person who died over 10 years ago meaning the person had to have worn a disguise. }} | The investigation ultimately tracks both cases towards a hitman for hire. And a quite good one at that. After confronting him he admits to the attacks but he does not know who issued them to him, though that's mostly something normal in his line of work. In that matter the investigations lead to a dead end. The DCAE team thanked him and he summarily executed him on the spot. They track his bank transfers to see who paid him with the initial expectation that it'd be a money laundering scheme to raid and detain. They track the transfer back to a sort of “ghost account” which is completely empty. The money used was deposited into the account at a bank in a remote region. The security camera footage from that day is corrupted and the description of the bank teller leads to a person who died over 10 years ago meaning the person had to have worn a disguise. | ||
Using advanced recovery software they are able to construct some of the footage from that day, however it only complements the description by the employee. What is problematic is that it happened many months ago making it extremely difficult to get additional clues from forensics. A search is put out for the described person however, officials doubt it will show results. One day a person comes onto the local police department and says he saw the described on that day and with which vehicle they drove away. They ask for tag and vehicle description as a nationwide manhunt is ordered, though it comes to quick stop as the vehicle is reported to have been scrapped in a junkyard ... Only one block away from the police department. A small note still present on the glove box of the wreckage reads: "Nope, nothing here." | |||
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{{Container3|header="Order of the Contractors" Investigation|body= | {{Container3|header="Order of the Contractors" Investigation|body= | ||
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'''They all leave together and head back to Polsk.'''}} | '''They all leave together and head back to Polsk.'''}} | ||
The group arrives at what was once apparently a storage house. Though if one wouldn't know he could have mistaken this place for any other kind of building. Coming up from a small forest road is a clearing with pieces of debris overgrown by plants. On the few remaining wall sections, plants have already taken root. To describe it briefly, this place is a nightmare for a forensic expert due to the shier amount of different influences. They take samples and study the residue to figure out what kind of explosive was used. From a few of the samples it is deducted that the explosive most likely used had to have been made using fertilizer. Checking the history on the warehouse supports this theory as it was used by an agricultural company which is now out of business. Largely part due to the warehouses explosion. The company in question is: "[[Suncorn]]". | |||
They look for any secret trapdoors or spaces under the warehouse using advanced scamming equipment, with CSS Jupiter using its new scanner suite to do this. They scan the clearing from orbit and using scanners on location. Under the surface of the site they find rock, stone, more stone, faint ore deposits and lastly a very small pocket of natural gas deep deep down. They broaden the scanner radius to see if there's anything in the immediate area but not under the warehouse itself. Broadening the search radius further and further they discover more small ore deposits and lots and lots of stone and minerals. They are about to pack up again when: Ping. At a depth of 300 meters below sea level somewhere under the forest a very faint trace of steel is picked up. The CSS Jupiter focuses its scanss on that spot while also communicating with several ground teams that will begin to investigate the area. Ground teams plant beacons on the spot so that the CSS Jupiter can continue scanning and gathering a targeting solution, this should tell Jupiter pretty much what's there. | |||
As the scans are translated into a 3d model, the object is identified as a small cubic steel box with rounded edges. It is embedded within loose rock. Time and seeping rain water have shown its toll on the object but from a clear indentation on one of the sides a few letters can be made out: "Z-62". Focusing for longer periods, the content of the box seems to be something employing silicon, gold, and other materials used for circuits and computer parts. They stealthily get the digging equipment to the surface over the span of a few days, with the only incident being on one of the days a polish police helicopter made a flight over the area but didn't notice them. After some time they encounter a harder layer of material than previously estimated using the scanners, slowing the operation a bit down. The polish government asks CSIS why CSS Jupiter is conveniently stationed in stable orbit above their land, for almost 3 days now. CSS Jupiter is currently gathering weather data, and general statistics about Yata's crust. They are building a detailed map of Yata's geography and geosphere as well as the atmosphere. They are using Yata currently to test its new sensor suite. So far all is going well. Being placed above Poland happened to be a coincidence when they put themselves into a parking orbit. They can move if need be. The polish government expresses their intentions and CSS Jupiter is moved over a neutral region in the pacific ocean. After about 6 days of near constant digging and staying on guard they finally make contact with the box. They extract the box. Once on the surface a full analysis confirms the scan readings. However it seems there are no cracks, gaps, or other openings in it which would give access to its contents. They load the box and the equipment onto some trucks and leave, they fill their whole back up though. They do a good job and cover up their tracks. They drive away back to a spaceport and head back to Jupiter. The CSS Hyperion pulls alongside Jupiter as it makes its way back to Theia on a cruise speed. | |||
{{Container|body=Jupiter finishes collecting the Data as the captain of the ship, the DCAE team assigned to the ship, Hammet, the two NIA agents, and a few engineers are brought onto the hangar deck with the box, standing some distance from it except for those who are carefully cutting it open with a laser. As the box is brought into the hanger where the captain and Hammet are waiting, Hammet seems slightly unsettled. The laser slowly melts through the steel. They make sure to only melt for a short duration and slowly make their way along the entire length of the cube. Once they have completely separated the outer layer into two pieces they take the top half off. The inside of the cube seems to be completely filled up by wires, circuit boards and other technical components all joined together. On one of the sides the engineers recognise a component as something used for wireless energy transfer. They slowly and carefully remove the glob of electronics from the box as they seem like one computer assembly. It now lies besides the two parts of the shell in the hangar bay. The Engineers (computer engineering specialists responsible for the ship's core) begin to study it, and they ask Hammet to look if he recognizes it. | |||
Hammet slowly approaches the contraption. He goes until he is about 1 meter away from the object, slowly circling it. The engineers identify some parts as potentially storage units and others as processing circuits. What is remarkable is that the material seems to be several years old but in terms of complexity it resembles more what is present in the core computer system of CSS Jupiter. They bring a machine to transfer energy via induction into the component at the side. Hammet is heard silently speaking to himself: "So that's what was inside these things all along." Engineers are very intrigued and hook up basic peripherals and plug it into a dropships power system using an adapter. | |||
<hr /> | |||
As they start putting power into the machine a few lights on the object turn on and electrical activity is read. | |||
Hammet is heard saying silently to himself: "Wait..." | |||
The peripherals starts reading the data but after about 1 second suddenly completely fry themselves. | |||
Hammet shouts: "No, NO. Leave no trace... leave no trace." and runs away from the box. | |||
A calm voice from within the object says: "Unauthorized external monitoring detected, please state your intention. You have 10 seconds." | |||
the captain them grabs Hammet and forces him closer to the box "State your intention Hammet, do it!" | |||
"We got ten seconds Hammet!" | |||
"And we have no idea what's going to happen!" | |||
Hammet goes pale. | |||
A hangar bay worker goes to the emergency door opening , ready to eject the box, and possibly everyone in the hangar, into space | |||
Voice: 5 seconds. | |||
Hammet: "W.w.we w.w.want to-" | |||
As Hammet gets closer than 1 meter to the box, the symbols of the dial on his watch turn green but no one really notices that. | |||
Voice: "Temporary usage authorized, renewed attempts of monitoring will result in instant destruction. Recovery beacon activated." | |||
The outline of a panel on another side lights up. Everyone breathes a huge sigh of relief and the captain lets Hammet go and pats him in the back. | |||
Voice: "Access duration, 10 minutes." | |||
<hr /> | |||
The captain orders the engineers to figure out how to extend it to full access, gathering as much data off the drives as possible by copying it onto the shuttle's (as to avoid cybersecurity threats to the Jupiter itself) data banks while another engineer figures out the panel with Hammet. As one of the engineers investigates the panel he discovers that it features an assortment of different plugs, some off which are a bit outdated but also an USB port. | |||
<hr /> | |||
The captain apologizes to Hammet for the previous incident, but also asks to see his watch, as how he grabbed Hammet the watch lighting up was pretty noticeable. | |||
Hammet says: "Eh, Id rather not..." | |||
He tells him that he saw it light up and that the engineers are pressed for time. Hammet looks a bit confused and looks at his watch which is still green. The captains calm demeanor considering he almost could have died, and is still under a great amount of risk is off-putting but somehow keeps the crew calm. | |||
The engineers hook up their equipment to the ports which they have cables for, connecting it to the computer of the shuttle. | |||
Hammet says: "I guess you're free to try to remove it from my wrist. I was given this kind of watch as a sort of tool to use on my missions, but I thought It was replaced when I left the order. Because since then It would only work as normal clock. It also doesn't seem to go off" | |||
<hr /> | |||
As soon as the engineers have made the connection, an interface of sorts pops up on one of the shuttle's monitors. On the top of the monitor Is a small title. It reads: | |||
{{Container2|body=Computing Block Z-62 Autonomous Interface}} | |||
Under it on the left side is a small list of terms: | |||
{{Container2|body=Current work mode: Isolation | |||
Tracker: On | |||
Beacon: On | |||
Useable Networks: 224 | |||
Net Connection: establishing... | |||
Live share: activating... | |||
Current function: Database | |||
Task: (enter command)}} | |||
At the bottom is a normal text entry field. | |||
The ships internal scanners scan the equipment and the watch, while the captain gives the order to go to warp in a circular course around the star cluster, in order to negate the tracking function of the beacon. The equipment is recognised as a computer unit in form on level with the ships current server, though estimated at a lower processing capability. Nothing that advanced for this time. Unless you consider the time it was actually created at going by radiocarbon scans. Scanning the watch results in a blueprint of a normal standard watch. A similar model is actually found in one of the shops onboard. It is dated at around 270. | |||
As the Ship enters warp the list on the monitor changes. | |||
{{container2|body= | |||
Current work mode: Isolation | |||
Tracker: On, (obstructed) | |||
Beacon: On, (obstructed) | |||
Useable Networks: 224 | |||
Net Connection: temp established, searching for Main... | |||
Live share: establishing... | |||
Current function: Database | |||
Task: (enter command)}} | |||
They try and enter a few different words into the text field and also try to understand the workings of the system with the things they have hooked up to the ports. They enter in commands to try and copy all of the data to the drives in the shuttle, trying to issue commands written in basic languages like python or java. Each time the same response: {{container2|body=result: usage of direct commands not authorized}} | |||
Instead they set up a system using the shuttles computer that will log every response given by the box. The first search term suggested to try is: "Order of the Contactors": | |||
{{container2|body=Basic clearance response: The order of contactors is an institution for the safeguarding of humanity against foreign powers through the use of pre-emptive reconnaissance, espionage, contact and negotiations. The key to securing that purpose for the order is to keep a technological advantage over the average level of human civilization.}} | |||
They try a few other terms; “Z-62” | |||
{{container2|body=Own designation. Multi purpose computing unit for offsite utilization.}} | |||
“Acolytians” | |||
{{container2|body=No entry found.}} | |||
“Trent-653087” | |||
{{container2|body=No entry found.}} | |||
“Willie Hammet” | |||
{{container2|body=Basic clearance response: Ex-order member, current registered operator.}} | |||
They are currently trying to access the computers settings or similar systems via the interface when… | |||
Suddenly another light on the contraption starts blinking yellow, then red. | |||
The same voices can be heard: “Internal malfunction registered, please stand by till software self repair procedure is completed. Access duration timer paused.” | |||
The monitor on the shuttle goes black and the box sends no more additional data. | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
{{Container3|header=Lunar Investigation|body= | |||
Near the lunar crater of [[Trent-653087 Crater|Trent-653087]] a small gathering of people is reported, however they scatter quickly and drive off as the sent security shuttle nears the location. CSIS plants cameras and monitoring devices to see what the people will do when they come back. | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{History}} | {{History}} | ||
Revision as of 22:34, 8 December 2025
A small fishing boat named 'Miranda' was found drifting along Polsk's shore without an owner on board nor any registration within any nearby harbours, thus it was towed into harbour and boarded by port authoritiees to figure out where the crew had gone and if there were any documents explaining where the boat came from.
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