THE FORMIDINE RIFT MYSTERY (Part 4)

[Mathew of Tegalus]

I was thinking this might be a fun RP event before this post. Instead it sounds increasingly like it'll be completely pointless pvp gank fest. I'm wondering whether it'll be even worth bothering now.

Some of us have been saying for a while that there are a myriad of reasons to sit back and watch

I'm still looking forward to everyone trying to cram into instances in 46 Eri and then in places like Lave and Tionisla and the servers keeling over and dieing on the spot and noone having a clue whats going on anymore. I'll be en route to the H+S by then for a reason. Besides - everyone will be in the bubble, especially CoR, so maybe I get dibs on finding something first if theres an info leak.

pfft who am I kidding

 

[IliteratSqirel]

Wow. Look away for a second and the thread has moved on by thirty pages. Or I'm getting old. No big discovery there.

I don't roleplay for exactly this reason- it would befuddle my simple brain! However:

if you are in-character then perhaps you should remember that Salome was tried and sentenced to penal servitude, not death. Any reward for her killing, and the act, might be illegal under Empire jurisprudence- I am unaware of the detailed statutes and Imperial decrees involved (from what I have read on galnet the Empress has not decreed Salomé's death).

I was made a Duke as my "reward" for (at great personal risk) massacring many skimmers and safely delivering innumerable loads of sensitive information, plus some Intel gathering, on behalf of the Empire. My dukedom (Rasalas, more colloquially known as Ras Elased Borealis) is a barren system with no population or stations where I could keep a slave girl housekeeper or three; and I was then permitted to buy, at great personal expense, an Imperial Cutter which turns like a pig in treacle. So I am not overly impressed by Imperial machinations. Nor those of the Feds who reserve their Corvettes for the use of Rear Admirals. So if I were to be involved on Saturday then I would participate in the role of an independent-minded freethinker who dislikes politics, politicians, unearned titles, and deceptive practices in general. So I would want to hear Salomé's message, and then decide what to do.

Sadly, the greater powers that be (family) have decided I'm off to the cinema instead...

Can't rep you right now - have a VRP^tm

Hey I earned my first major payday to buy my first Anaconda not from Sothis, but from Morai! Remember that capital ship building CG? the one where top 25% was like 130 million or something? I blame those idiots for causing the inflation!

I'm still confused as to why so many people are going to such lengths to be able to pay full price when 'Condas are on sale in Hutton Orbital at 240 credits.

Maybe we should have taken "follow the RR line" far more literally than we did I'm tied up in the bubble helping the new trade CG tonight, but I'll arrive at the Soul Nebula base tommorow night and will have a more coordinated approach from there.

From what I remember from the early days (you know, threads 1 and 2 - *back in my day*), it was taken QUITE literally. Strict 3d calcs of the line, people following the line religiously. You look at EDD and you see a road well travelled. Still, there is a point here given the Zurara wasn't discovered until now.

Something just occurred to me regarding Rebecca's mind wipes. I don't think the Zurara find is the reason for them. If that was the thing that they wanted forgotten, they would have surely made some provision to eliminate the remnants of evidence lest anyone else stumble upon it. What if Rebecca actually discovered something shocking on return. Perhaps what she forgot about the Rift as a result of a mind wipe to remove something else, and the powers behind it were not aware of the Zurara*...

I'm getting slightly confused and can't even work out if I'm making any sense. Think I might need a break and a rest.

*Edit: or at least, they never became aware that it hadn't been destroyed.

Remember that thing ... what was it called? ... Occam's something ... Occam's tweezers? ... yeah that was it. A derelict megaship being the reason to mindwipe a woman instead of just killing her? Hmm. Never seemed plausible in the first place.Would have been easier even than destroying the ship. And about discovering something on return - still time enough to kill her instead of mind wiping her.

The longer I think about it, it looks like it would be sensible to think about why she was mind wiped instead of just killed. One reason that looks plausible to me would be that she agreed to be mind wiped, or she did it herself (obviously resulting in herself not remembering she did it to herself - causing her to blame 'them').

EDIT: and then I saw same thought ninja'd by Saool:

It is one of the story elements that does not really add up (to me). Why is she alive at all. Why go to the trouble of mind wiping when a bullet would do the job quicker, easier, cheaper and be somewhat more permanent. The people behind all this don't strike me as the sorts who would be too bothered about making someone vanish.

Unless of course we do have the wrong end of the stick. What if the instigators of all this are genuinely trying to do what they think is right, but due to all sorts of possible complications, not least the risk of mass panic and unrest if what they know was common knowledge, are having to do it all in secret. What if they really do have humanities best interests a heart and not just there own? What if they are actively not trying to hurt of kill people? This does not really fit in which what happened on the Zarara however, but it is just a thought.


As a complete aside, I was also wondering about the other thing that seemed a bit forced: the whole need for this chase. If Salome has info, broadcast it. Job done. Out of trillions of people there will be enough people willing to start looking under stones even if all major powers deny and dismiss. Well a possible answer is she does not have the final peace of the puzzle, but she knows where it is. So she need to physically go there to activate something. For example something back in the Tionisla graveyard, and it is being done publicly to make it impossible to be swept under the carpet again. But that comes at considerable risk. A risk however, that she is willing to take.

Couldn't agree more. If Salomé has the secret, why even go out to BP to lead everyone on a merry chase, instead of Snowden'ing it out on galnet. I don't buy into the truth being 'too dangerous' to broadcast out into the world. Her current actions appear to have the same result.

 

[CMDR Zadian Lichtfrost]

Thats the Eranin Peal Whiskey, not Hexedit.

I'm certain that it's Bast Snake Gin in my case…

 

[Deleted member 148280]

The PAC has declared the region a Gun-Free-Zone. Anyone with guns will be considered a possible threat (as we all know, the story of the Galaxy is rich in betrayal, murder and assassinations). Yes, there are a few CMDRs at discord, who are maybe slightly exaggerating their pvp-skillz. But if you turn up in the area, carrying guns without being on the whitelist the following will happen:

scouts will spot you, and report you up the command chain as possible threat.

You will then be
a) chain-interdicted by the fast builds (read: you will be chasing the escape-vector for the whole event)
or
b) jumped by complete wing opening up with plasmas, rails, and whatnot. Think CG-gank, but in 'serious'. SO even If you rate your pvp-skillz as en-par with the skillset of the defenders ... It will be not enough too survive a 4vs1 engagement, right?
or
c) you will enjoy the possibilities a) and b)

So... my shieldless iEagle, flying around without a wing and carrying tiny little mines and a beam, will be considered a threat. [knocked out]

Wow.
I'm feeling slightly proud...

Spoiler

 

[Volimar]

Someone suggested Lave as an endpoint, so Salome could get the word out via the Radio station.

On a similar thought - anyone know where Radio Sidewinder is based for a second end-point?

Also perhaps Salome is coming back for a coffee - A final chase along the 1+ hour trip to Hutton? For the Mug!

Lave also has the tourist beacon about the first thargoid encounter. If I were feeling especially tinfoil-y I would consider that an appropriate place for any revelations regarding thargoid/human relations.

 

[clavain]

Seriously. For all explorers, rifters and whatever beings out there (who don't read the discord-channel):

The PAC has declared the region a Gun-Free-Zone. Anyone with guns will be considered a possible threat (as we all know, the story of the Galaxy is rich in betrayal, murder and assassinations). Yes, there are a few CMDRs at discord, who are maybe slightly exaggerating their pvp-skillz. But if you turn up in the area, carrying guns without being on the whitelist the following will happen:

scouts will spot you, and report you up the command chain as possible threat.

You will then be
a) chain-interdicted by the fast builds (read: you will be chasing the escape-vector for the whole event)
or
b) jumped by complete wing opening up with plasmas, rails, and whatnot. Think CG-gank, but in 'serious'. SO even If you rate your pvp-skillz as en-par with the skillset of the defenders ... It will be not enough too survive a 4vs1 engagement, right?
or
c) you will enjoy the possibilities a) and b)

Additionally, there will be no comms-activity during the whole process. You will not be able to explain yourself. The 'Thing' will be fast moving, and "Ain't nobody got time for that!" So seriously: If you do not plan to shoot at the VIPs, don't bring guns. Except if you are on a whitelist, or a well known white-hat - your chances are slim to ejoy the event.

Yes, I do know, the noises the pvp-crowd tends to make when boasting with their abilities are sometimes slightly irritating. But believe me: the no guns directive is probably the only way for slimming down the chances of some assailant/traitor/whatnot killing one of the VIPs from point-blank range. I don't have a better Idea, and I haven't heard of a better Idea.

TL;TR: If you want to attend the event as visitor, come UNARMED. At least the pro VIP-Side will very likely not open up on you. The opponents probably will, for blowing of steam due to their frustration. Bring Heat sinks, and some decent shields (if you pop a Heatsink when >2km out the attacker will likely lose target-lock, giving you time FSD-Out).

And to be extra clear: anything fitted in a hardpoint is considered a gun. So: no healing lasers, no mines, no missiles, no anything.

And spread the word along your friends: NO GUNS
Always remeber: Friends don't let their friends bring guns to the event!

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

First, I'm supposed to know who the PAC are? Care to explain what that stands for? Not up to speed on all the PvPerz PGs out there. Not that I care.

Second, you _really_ expect people to come with no gunz? So they can be ganked by the usual suspect gankers who will be out in force, instead of by your little ganking wing of buddies?

It's because of this nonsense that I go nowhere near Open, and certainly won't be anywhere near any of this foolishness. Player Groups kill the game for independent pilots. Play your own way, yeah right.

 

[CMDR Zadian Lichtfrost]

…
The PAC has declared the region a Gun-Free-Zone. Anyone with guns will be considered a possible threat (as we all know, the story of the Galaxy is rich in betrayal, murder and assassinations). Yes, there are a few CMDRs at discord, who are maybe slightly exaggerating their pvp-skillz. But if you turn up in the area, carrying guns without being on the whitelist the following will happen:

scouts will spot you, and report you up the command chain as possible threat.

You will then be
a) chain-interdicted by the fast builds (read: you will be chasing the escape-vector for the whole event)
or
b) jumped by complete wing opening up with plasmas, rails, and whatnot. Think CG-gank, but in 'serious'. SO even If you rate your pvp-skillz as en-par with the skillset of the defenders ... It will be not enough too survive a 4vs1 engagement, right?
or
c) you will enjoy the possibilities a) and b)
…

See, you already lost.
You are paranoid. You are willing to spread your force tin based in the idea that a random CMDR in an armed ship might kill the VIPs.
You completely gave away the control and are merely reacting to what you think might happen. Letting the opposition control the event. While you are chasing around random CMDRs the real aggressors can control the situation and take advantage.

Fear, doubt and uncertainty took it's toll.

In the same time you are preparing the stage for a PR disaster of epic proportions.

If you follow that script you will:
a) let the VIPs die
b) come out of the event looking worse than the Code and SDC after Hutton

I had to smile when I first read about the "fast interdictor" idea for the event - it is a guerrilla tactic and you are basically falling victim to the concept of that tactic. The whole concept is about binding superior forces with lower numbers as a way to remove area control from the superior forces.

 

[Mathew of Tegalus]

Wow. Look away for a second and the thread has moved on by thirty pages. Or I'm getting old. No big discovery there.





Can't rep you right now - have a VRP^tm



I'm still confused as to why so many people are going to such lengths to be able to pay full price when 'Condas are on sale in Hutton Orbital at 240 credits.




From what I remember from the early days (you know, threads 1 and 2 - *back in my day*), it was taken QUITE literally. Strict 3d calcs of the line, people following the line religiously. You look at EDD and you see a road well travelled. Still, there is a point here given the Zurara wasn't discovered until now.



Remember that thing ... what was it called? ... Occam's something ... Occam's tweezers? ... yeah that was it. A derelict megaship being the reason to mindwipe a woman instead of just killing her? Hmm. Never seemed plausible in the first place.Would have been easier even than destroying the ship. And about discovering something on return - still time enough to kill her instead of mind wiping her.

The longer I think about it, it looks like it would be sensible to think about why she was mind wiped instead of just killed. One reason that looks plausible to me would be that she agreed to be mind wiped, or she did it herself (obviously resulting in herself not remembering she did it to herself - causing her to blame 'them').

EDIT: and then I saw same thought ninja'd by Saool:



Couldn't agree more. If Salomé has the secret, why even go out to BP to lead everyone on a merry chase, instead of Snowden'ing it out on galnet. I don't buy into the truth being 'too dangerous' to broadcast out into the world. Her current actions appear to have the same result.

ahhh forum quotes pretend you don't see all of it please:

If Rebecca mind wiped herself on her own, voluntarily, what possible reason would she have? Maybe someone in the know suspected her, so they were going to mind probe her (no idea if thats a thing, but its 3303...) so she hexedited herself to stop them from knowing she knew - but that doesn't account for the "why didn't they just kill her" nor does it take into account it not wiping the whole memory set - which one would expect a mind probe would then pick up on, especially since Rebecca seems to demonstrate some sort of recollection of these memories, even if they are incredibly vague.

If Rebecca agreed to allow the party involved to mind wipe her - why? What does she possibly gain from it? Her life? A ticket on the train when it all kicks off? Money? What I know of her doesn't make me think she'd be the type to accept a bribe like that, like Salomé wouldn't - unless of course she either was given the sort of bribe she could not refuse (literally, like it was forced upon her someway, maybe accept or be killed - again though, why offer her the ticket instead of killing her - or maybe she realised just how balls up screwed everyone else was and decided she might aswell take it - or maybe she took a Daniel Jackson approach to the Ori, let yourself be captured, hexedited, and hope that something remains of old you memories that sparks something and allows you, or someone else to pick up the kindling and proceed to burn the forest down like you originally planned - i.e Salomé's actions in a few days) OR she took the bribe knowing full well the consequences, and did it to get the heat off of her and then when it dies down, she can get back to snooping or whatever.

At the end of the day though - it all comes back to why didn't Rebecca just get offed on the spot. She must either know something valuable to the power party in question, or she is able to do something they have a use for. Coming from someone who has yet to read any of the Elite lore books - I plan on it when Premonition is released - I can't possibly speak on what Rebecca could possibly have that would mark her as being too valuable to kill. Unless of course it has nothing to do with that, in which case we begin investigating the possibilities I mentioned above.

 

[clavain]

The whole concept is about binding superior forces with lower numbers as a way to remove area control from the superior forces.

And here I thought it was to have fun. Silly me.

 

[Han_Zen]

I'm certain that it's Bast Snake Gin in my case…

Snake Gin? That's nasty.

I only drink that when I'm going to Bigg's Colony, which isn't very ofte. I can't seem to find any atmospheric shielding, these days.

 

[[Diplomacy] Carnegie]

Then why your build includes:
Hardpoints:
2X Frag Cannon (M) (G) G5 Lightweight 1X Drag Munitions
1X Beam Laser (M) (G) G5 Lightweight 1X Regeneration Sequence

Seriously. For all explorers, rifters and whatever beings out there (who don't read the discord-channel):

The PAC has declared the region a Gun-Free-Zone. Anyone with guns will be considered a possible threat (as we all know, the story of the Galaxy is rich in betrayal, murder and assassinations). Yes, there are a few CMDRs at discord, who are maybe slightly exaggerating their pvp-skillz. But if you turn up in the area, carrying guns without being on the whitelist the following will happen:

scouts will spot you, and report you up the command chain as possible threat.

You will then be
a) chain-interdicted by the fast builds (read: you will be chasing the escape-vector for the whole event)
or
b) jumped by complete wing opening up with plasmas, rails, and whatnot. Think CG-gank, but in 'serious'. SO even If you rate your pvp-skillz as en-par with the skillset of the defenders ... It will be not enough too survive a 4vs1 engagement, right?
or
c) you will enjoy the possibilities a) and b)

Additionally, there will be no comms-activity during the whole process. You will not be able to explain yourself. The 'Thing' will be fast moving, and "Ain't nobody got time for that!" So seriously: If you do not plan to shoot at the VIPs, don't bring guns. Except if you are on a whitelist, or a well known white-hat - your chances are slim to ejoy the event.

Yes, I do know, the noises the pvp-crowd tends to make when boasting with their abilities are sometimes slightly irritating. But believe me: the no guns directive is probably the only way for slimming down the chances of some assailant/traitor/whatnot killing one of the VIPs from point-blank range. I don't have a better Idea, and I haven't heard of a better Idea.

TL;TR: If you want to attend the event as visitor, come UNARMED. At least the pro VIP-Side will very likely not open up on you. The opponents probably will, for blowing of steam due to their frustration. Bring Heat sinks, and some decent shields (if you pop a Heatsink when >2km out the attacker will likely lose target-lock, giving you time FSD-Out).

And to be extra clear: anything fitted in a hardpoint is considered a gun. So: no healing lasers, no mines, no missiles, no anything.

And spread the word along your friends: NO GUNS
Always remeber: Friends don't let their friends bring guns to the event!

@Drew

I'm assuming that this ^ isn't what you had in mind when you planned the event - a bunch of self-selecting 'experts' who are so desperate to 'win' that they assign themselves and their buddies the role of 'heroic protectors' while consigning everyone else to the buckets marked 'cannon fodder' and 'target'.

No guns and no comms -> no roleplay and no community -> no reason to get involved.

As someone who has been engrossed by the mystery and enthralled by the story (even able to contribute in a tiny way), I thank you (and FDev) for a fascinating ride. Unfortunately, the last stop isn't the place for a cranky old explorer, so I'll be hopping off the bus just here.

Instead, you can find me at that bar in Persephone (you know the one), feet up and watching the show. If you're in the area, the Anlian gins are on me.

o7
CMDR Drew Carnegie
IREA

 

[Mathew of Tegalus]

@Drew

I'm assuming that this ^ isn't what you had in mind when you planned the event - a bunch of self-selecting 'experts' who are so desperate to 'win' that they assign themselves and their buddies the role of 'heroic protectors' while consigning everyone else to the buckets marked 'cannon fodder' and 'target'.

No guns and no comms -> no roleplay and no community -> no reason to get involved.

As someone who has been engrossed by the mystery and enthralled by the story (even able to contribute in a tiny way), I thank you (and FDev) for a fascinating ride. Unfortunately, the last stop isn't the place for a cranky old explorer, so I'll be hopping off the bus just here.

Instead, you can find me at that bar in Persephone (you know the one), feet up and watching the show. If you're in the area, the Anlian gins are on me.

o7
CMDR Drew Carnegie
IREA

I get the feeling many concur with you even if they say not a word. I'm more than happy to continue theorycrafting based on results and evidence, but to be fair a few of us called it a short while back, this is what it would devolve into, like it or lump it. As far as I'm concerned I'm half tempted to get an eagle and put some FSD inhibiting rockets and an interdictor and just be pain for all, but I've already set off to the rift tonight, so I'll be parked in an Asteroid Base somewhere on the galactic rim awaiting news or otherwise too.

 

[Spenceuk99]

Someone suggested Lave as an endpoint, so Salome could get the word out via the Radio station.

On a similar thought - anyone know where Radio Sidewinder is based for a second end-point?

Also perhaps Salome is coming back for a coffee - A final chase along the 1+ hour trip to Hutton? For the Mug!

RS recently got a permit for Colonia, might be a bit of a chase up there though

 

[Volimar]

Someone suggested Lave as an endpoint, so Salome could get the word out via the Radio station.

On a similar thought - anyone know where Radio Sidewinder is based for a second end-point?

Also perhaps Salome is coming back for a coffee - A final chase along the 1+ hour trip to Hutton? For the Mug!

Some day those mugs will save the galaxy.

 

[Lobey]

Then why your build includes:
Hardpoints:
2X Frag Cannon (M) (G) G5 Lightweight 1X Drag Munitions
1X Beam Laser (M) (G) G5 Lightweight 1X Regeneration Sequence

Seriously. For all explorers, rifters and whatever beings out there (who don't read the discord-channel):

The PAC has declared the region a Gun-Free-Zone. Anyone with guns will be considered a possible threat (as we all know, the story of the Galaxy is rich in betrayal, murder and assassinations). Yes, there are a few CMDRs at discord, who are maybe slightly exaggerating their pvp-skillz. But if you turn up in the area, carrying guns without being on the whitelist the following will happen:

scouts will spot you, and report you up the command chain as possible threat.

You will then be
a) chain-interdicted by the fast builds (read: you will be chasing the escape-vector for the whole event)
or
b) jumped by complete wing opening up with plasmas, rails, and whatnot. Think CG-gank, but in 'serious'. SO even If you rate your pvp-skillz as en-par with the skillset of the defenders ... It will be not enough too survive a 4vs1 engagement, right?
or
c) you will enjoy the possibilities a) and b)

Additionally, there will be no comms-activity during the whole process. You will not be able to explain yourself. The 'Thing' will be fast moving, and "Ain't nobody got time for that!" So seriously: If you do not plan to shoot at the VIPs, don't bring guns. Except if you are on a whitelist, or a well known white-hat - your chances are slim to ejoy the event.

Yes, I do know, the noises the pvp-crowd tends to make when boasting with their abilities are sometimes slightly irritating. But believe me: the no guns directive is probably the only way for slimming down the chances of some assailant/traitor/whatnot killing one of the VIPs from point-blank range. I don't have a better Idea, and I haven't heard of a better Idea.

TL;TR: If you want to attend the event as visitor, come UNARMED. At least the pro VIP-Side will very likely not open up on you. The opponents probably will, for blowing of steam due to their frustration. Bring Heat sinks, and some decent shields (if you pop a Heatsink when >2km out the attacker will likely lose target-lock, giving you time FSD-Out).

And to be extra clear: anything fitted in a hardpoint is considered a gun. So: no healing lasers, no mines, no missiles, no anything.

And spread the word along your friends: NO GUNS
Always remeber: Friends don't let their friends bring guns to the event!

I'll be there in a fast, engineered, imperial eagle (Sgian Dhub - Commander Dugald MacRanald) - I'll be armed - don't care particularly about Salome and friends - but, interested to hear what they say - more worried about what might crawl out of Col 70 region - if you think you can catch me, interdict me and shoot me - feel free - be a bit of a waste of time though.
I've been in and around Eridani 46 for over a week now - I'm not leaving or disarming for you or anyone else.

 

[Mathew of Tegalus]

I'll be there in a fast, engineered, imperial eagle (Sgian Dhub - Commander Dugald MacRanald) - I'll be armed - don't care particularly about Salome and friends - but, interested to hear what they say - more worried about what might crawl out of Col 70 region - if you think you can catch me, interdict me and shoot me - feel free - be a bit of a waste of time though.
I've been in and around Eridani 46 for over a week now - I'm not leaving or disarming for you or anyone else.

I mean, who on earth takes a threat from a lunch box seriously?

 

[ScolioTheMost]

It is one of the story elements that does not really add up (to me). Why is she alive at all. Why go to the trouble of mind wiping when a bullet would do the job quicker, easier, cheaper and be somewhat more permanent. The people behind all this don't strike me as the sorts who would be too bothered about making someone vanish.

Unless of course we do have the wrong end of the stick. What if the instigators of all this are genuinely trying to do what they think is right, but due to all sorts of possible complications, not least the risk of mass panic and unrest if what they know was common knowledge, are having to do it all in secret. What if they really do have humanities best interests a heart and not just there own? What if they are actively not trying to hurt of kill people? This does not really fit in which what happened on the Zarara however, but it is just a thought.


As a complete aside, I was also wondering about the other thing that seemed a bit forced: the whole need for this chase. If Salome has info, broadcast it. Job done. Out of trillions of people there will be enough people willing to start looking under stones even if all major powers deny and dismiss. Well a possible answer is she does not have the final peace of the puzzle, but she knows where it is. So she need to physically go there to activate something. For example something back in the Tionisla graveyard, and it is being done publicly to make it impossible to be swept under the carpet again. But that comes at considerable risk. A risk however, that she is willing to take.

Very True! The clue that still doesn't fit is the "My Heart And Soul". What if from the ship you head back towards the heart and soul nebulae or something?

 

[[Diplomacy] Carnegie]

I mean, who on earth takes a threat from a lunch box seriously?

I'm not threatened, I just don't want to accidentally get into the same instance as these people. I'd feel sullied.

 

[Volimar]

I'm not threatened, I just don't want to accidentally get into the same instance as these people. I'd feel sullied.

Elitist Dangerous

 

[Mathew of Tegalus]

I'm not threatened, I just don't want to accidentally get into the same instance as these people. I'd feel sullied.

With the new player history journal we could always collate a list...

drop it off at the nearest shady dealership, drop a couple million credits, move along, nothing to see here!

- - - Updated - - -

Very True! The clue that still doesn't fit is the "My Heart And Soul". What if from the ship you head back towards the heart and soul nebulae or something?

Something I'll give a passing look at. Outwith being a misleading directional clue that got explored to death upon publication, it boggles my mind too.