Early combat mission - Black boxes?

slayersamelia

S
The "Welcome Cmdr" email pointed me towards Apoyota and there was a helpful contact there which gave me what I assumed was a "basic" mission to get me used to combat.

I had to go to a particular system and look for "Black Boxes" which I'd apparently be able to scan for. On approaching the system there was only one "signal" which is what I figured I was supposed to go to. On reaching it, there was another ship which on scanning it said the pilot was Wanted. Being new... I was busy fumbling around trying to remember which button deployed my guns and the npc complained on the chat that I wasn't worth killing and then he used his FSD to leave...

Now, I don't know if I was meant to kill him and get the Black Box, or whether there's some other thing I'm meant to do, but the mission seemed vague and I didn't really have much of a clue where to go or what to do. With the ship having left the area I couldn't find another one.

Hence it now sits in my mission log slowly expiring and I guess I'll be looking at a fine if I don't complete it (do you get fined for abandoning missions?).

Any suggestions on what I'm missing here? I'd appreciate any help!

This is the only difficulty I've come across so far. Loving the game itself and have been running delivery missions and saving for a cobra mk3 so I can relive my old C64 Elite days! Currently sitting at around 700k so enough for the ship and a few bits, but need to make sure I can cover the re-buy. :)
 

goemon

goemon
i suggest you read the mission description before accepting any mission. it is quite extensive, and will describe the steps needed to do, while the mission summary in the left hand panel is short.

please actively read any text in red, it will spare us a post like "i took a mission, and the npc is too powerfull (didn't you read the red text that the mission exceeds your rank, and enemy ships might be sent against you :) )"

anyway, for blackbox-salvage missions:

1a. drop out the nav beacon in your target system, and scan it from contacts like a ship, to trigger a mission update which specifies the body where the Unknown Signal Source can be found
OR
1b. fit an (advanced) discovery scanner and "honk"/ping the system, to trigger the same update

2. go to body, and fly around it (your left hand hud should show the bodies name in the last line, and you should not get below 600 kkm/s speed ... but this is advanced technique, for the beginning flying to that body and around will be enough)

3. approaching the body you'll get a "mission related USS detected" message, drop into it and scoop the black box with your cargo hatch. or fit a collector limpets controller and buy limpets, to have it collected. in that USS pirates may drop in or not, so it is worth to be fast at scooping (it is worth it to train it with any cargo of your own beforehand)

enjoy!
 

huwie

H
For the mentor black box mission, the body you will be required to approach is the star I Bootis B. You will get quite close before being informed that the mission-specific signal has been found.

Also, you'll find that mission objects - like the aforementioned star - are tagged in the system map and on your contacts list with an orange planet icon.

This mission took me quite a while to figure out, too. :)
 

slayersamelia

S
Thanks guys. I thought I had read the mission - including the red text about "you might get attacked" etc. but it seemed fairly vague when I picked it up.

I just figured as the mentor combat mission it'd lead me a bit more than it did.

I assume the same will hold true for both the mentor trading and exploration basic missions?
 

Dave_T

D
Hi, I never got the 'Welcome cmdr' email mission... is this because i started with the horizons sidewinder, rather than with the standard 'new commander' one?

Cheers
Dave_T
 

slayersamelia

S
I honestly can't remember which option I picked to get started. I've a feeling I went with the base new commander start as I didn't really fancy the hassle of learning planets as well when I started.

So you may well be right that you didn't get that email mission... although, truth be told I didn't notice I had it until last night when I finally looked at that panel! So I had to go some just to do the first delivery quest! ;)
 
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