Secrets of the Alliance Research Base

DNA-Decay

DNA-Decay
UPDATE - May 3303 New Alliance Bases! See below.

[video=vimeo;200777844]https://vimeo.com/200777844[/video]
https://vimeo.com/200777844
I was going to head out to see the new Alliance stations.

There was some debate about whether the second one was even in the game yet.

But PanPiper had found it, and he gave me a lead.

So last night I stayed up until dawn.

Knowing that I am among the first CMDRs to find these fungal lifeforms


I got my Asp The Green Dream kitted up with a 45 LY jump range and headed out to the California Nebula.
Totally worth the trip.

I got as far as the Mahon Research Base
23588x4269.jpg


drove due East - out past the long range comms tower.
23589x1529.jpg


there is a field of fungus like growths:
23590x2775.jpg


Just keep reading the scanner and you'll find at least four types of Life forms:

From most common to rarest they are:
CORDYCEPS GROWTH
23594x3182.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordyceps
Cordyceps is a genus of ascomycete fungi (sac fungi) that includes about 400 species. All Cordyceps species are endoparasitoids, parasitic mainly on insects and other arthropods (they are thus entomopathogenic fungi); a few are parasitic on other fungi.
glCjL.jpg

Cordyceps-Mushroom.jpg

Given that Thargoids are arthropods or insects, the name is suggestive of possible weaponisation.
Perhaps some variant of the Mycoid Virus.
The word "Mycoid" I presume to come from the word "Mycelium" for the invisible main part of a fungus, that lives in the host and is not the fruiting body.

POLYPORUS GROWTH
23593x1421.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyporus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyporales
Spawns common materials when shot.

MUSSIDAEN SEED POD
23592x2084.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mussidae
Mussidae are Brain Coral and you can see the simlarities. But the name "Seed Pod" is very sugestive. Spawns Rare Materials when shot.

PHLOEM EXCRETION
23591x1410.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phloem
In plants, the Phloem transports the valuable products of photosynthesis in particular the sugar sucrose. These Phloem turn into Rare Materials when shot. They spawn high on the fruiting bodies so keep your eyes UP.
 
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dynamicbob

Banned
D
So fungal sites found in california nebula and perhaps reported on offical forums threads - sends a ping to frontier who go, hey guys the alliance is taking an interest in thse things time to organise another CG to build another research outpost ( similiar how the federation and imperials have taken up key spots around the meta alloy barnacles) i wonder if fungal sites will ahve a future plotline ?
 

DNA-Decay

DNA-Decay
That's the one: Cordyceps.

The Polyporus Growths are like those woody fibrous ones you get on rotting logs.
a-show-of-many-zoned-polypore-fungus-uk-cr638d.jpg


and Phloem are tubes with seives that transport sap and sugars around plants (not fungus - but hey it's sci-fi).

Maybe we're looking at two organisms here something like a woody plant, (the mounds) and fungi that colonise it.

My brother grows ake mushrooms on beech wood. he has to keep the log in the bathroom for moisture - its a bit confronting sometimes actually.
You just want a shower and there's this log with 'shrooms on it. Like a cross between the Log Lady from Twin Peaks and a David Cronenberg film.

Anyway - that was a creepy evening in the cockpit.
"What the hell are we doing out here?" Scan scan scan. It begins to dawn on me.
And then when you google images for Cordyceps - it's like total creep out time.

I definitely going to have a bath and re-do the paintwork before I go back to Alliance space.
I'm probably contagious. Getting probed by Thargoids and collecting dodgy 'shrooms.

- - - Updated - - -

dynamicbob said:
a future plotline ?
Click to expand...
I reckon.

Do an image search for Cordyceps (or watch the video).
Thargoids are insectoids. Cordyceps will be a biological anathema to them.
You can see where this is going.

Oh and PanPiper put together this awesome info-graphic that correlates the known life forms with these new ones.
23618x1284.jpg
 
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dynamicbob

Banned
D
So far all we are finding is basic lifeforms, but i think we should ramp up the search for fungoid sites in the california nebula it could lead to a few more ground bases
 

DNA-Decay

DNA-Decay
New Alliance Bases in the California Nebula

In April and May 3303, a number of significant changes have occurred out in the California Nebula:

1) At Turner Research Base, Two tourist Beacons Have Been added.
Mic Turner Bark Mounds
Tourist Beacon 0636 - California Sector BA-A e6

This bark mound population is popular with scientists and sightseers alike.
Its close proximity to an Alliance base has caused much speculation.
Click to expand...
28048x1450.jpg

and in orbit on the other side of the planet:
Alliance Outpost in the California Nebula
Tourist Beacon 0675 - California Sector BA-A e6

On October 13th 3302 the Alliance announced plans to construct a new outpost on California Sector BZ-A e8 4.

According to an Alliance spokesperson, the station will serve as "a center for scientific study, supporting our ongoing research into the organic structures and meta-alloys".
Click to expand...
Shame there's no mention of those lying Empire catfish of Furuhjelm III.

2) The so called "Bark Mounds" at the Mahon Research Base have changed into giant Pumpkins!
Still spawning the same fruiting bodies, at the same heights, but with massive rounded bodies like gourds or pumpkins.
Hairy lines like Physalis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physalis or (someone smarter than me worked it out but I can't remember the specific latin name - have to check the logs on discord)
28610x5927.jpg


3) A new unnanounced Alliance Research base: Redmarch Laboratory
This one also has Turner Research Group as its sole faction, however it shares this system with two other settlements.
Pharos Forge and Nerio Hold.
Nerio Hold is a high security settlement with a huge array of telescopes pointed at (I believe) the gas giant that Redmarch is on a moon orbiting.
[video=vimeo;216616496]https://vimeo.com/216616496[/video]
https://vimeo.com/216616496



4) A new Asteroid Station: Darwin Research Facility
Darwin shares many of the features of the surface bases, and has just finished hosting a Trade CG for the Alliance. https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5914768cffec215865005701
Unlike the other bases, Darwin has three factions, and while Turner Research Group IS present, they are not the ruling faction.
Deep Space Industries is riding high at 90% influence on the back of the CG. The thousand Light Year haul out to the California Nebula certainly made this a tough CG and it fell just short of Tier 4. But many Alliance CMDRs are now better equipped for long range exploration and have tested themselves against the uphill slog of long range hauling.
With the completion of the CG, the AEDC sent out search parties to locate the newly built Alliance assett.
And Good News Folks!


5) Ford Research Laboratory has been founded!
Traffic is still low - as far as we can tell, Dunnykin of the AEDC was the first to land at the new base, and I wasn't far behind him. Reaching Tier Three may have been tough, but I think it was worth it.
5a) The Alliance now have a SHIPYARD out in the California Nebula. This means you can quickly travel out here in an Asp and move up your mission runners and combat ships.
5b) Ford is situated right next to a fumerole field, which is generating the same four crystal types as outlined in PanPiper's geological chart.

29399x6900.jpg




In other news: there is good money and BGS activity to be had out in the California Nebula.
Details have been shared among the usual Alliance comms channels: Discords, Reddit, Alliance threads and home sites so on.


With these four bases, one station and two settlements, the Alliance has now established a little mini-bubble of our own out in the California Nebula.
Mission boards are active, there are markets, shipyards and outfitting. The two local tourist beacons are generating decent income, and the other one "Little Blue" (a third of the way back to the Plieades) is at least super pretty and worth the trip.
From this angle the California Nebula looks like a Cordyceps Growth.
29228x1994.jpg

29227x8454.jpg



If you're interested in the Alliance Outposts in the California Nebula, please come and visit:
Mic Turner Base
California Sector BA-A E6
Bark Mounds and Tourist Beacons.

Mahon Research Base
HIP 18077
Pumpkin Patch

Redmarch Research Facility
California Sector JH-V c2-12
Base, settlements and giant telescope array.

Asteroid Base: Darwin Research Facility
California Sector BV-Y c7
Multiple Factions, and a Compromised Nav Beacon

Ford Research Laboratory
California Sector HR-W d1-28
Fumaroles and Shipyard.
 
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Saool

Saool
I need to head back out there, too see the latest base, grab my CG rewards and push Turner at Darwin. However I am still fighting in the other Canonn CG and in another nearby Alliance vs Federation war for an outpost.

As an aside, Cordyceps will grow on humans too. I'll not post any pics here as it is not pretty... at all (google at your own risk).
 

metascrawl

metascrawl
Saool said:
I need to head back out there, too see the latest base, grab my CG rewards and push Turner at Darwin. However I am still fighting in the other Canonn CG and in another nearby Alliance vs Federation war for an outpost.

As an aside, Cordyceps will grow on humans too. I'll not post any pics here as it is not pretty... at all (google at your own risk).
Click to expand...

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE
 

Gully Foyle

Gully Foyle
DNA-Decay said:
UPDATE - May 3303 New Alliance Bases! See below.

https://vimeo.com/200777844
https://vimeo.com/200777844
I was going to head out to see the new Alliance stations.

There was some debate about whether the second one was even in the game yet.

But PanPiper had found it, and he gave me a lead.

So last night I stayed up until dawn.

Knowing that I am among the first CMDRs to find these fungal lifeforms


I got my Asp The Green Dream kitted up with a 45 LY jump range and headed out to the California Nebula.
Totally worth the trip.

I got as far as the Mahon Research Base
http://inara.cz/data/gallery/23/23588x4269.jpg

drove due East - out past the long range comms tower.
http://inara.cz/data/gallery/23/23589x1529.jpg

there is a field of fungus like growths:
http://inara.cz/data/gallery/23/23590x2775.jpg

Just keep reading the scanner and you'll find at least four types of Life forms:

From most common to rarest they are:
CORDYCEPS GROWTH
http://inara.cz/data/gallery/23/23594x3182.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordyceps
Cordyceps is a genus of ascomycete fungi (sac fungi) that includes about 400 species. All Cordyceps species are endoparasitoids, parasitic mainly on insects and other arthropods (they are thus entomopathogenic fungi); a few are parasitic on other fungi.
http://i.imgur.com/glCjL.jpg
http://nootriment.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Cordyceps-Mushroom.jpg
Given that Thargoids are arthropods or insects, the name is suggestive of possible weaponisation.
Perhaps some variant of the Mycoid Virus.
The word "Mycoid" I presume to come from the word "Mycelium" for the invisible main part of a fungus, that lives in the host and is not the fruiting body.

POLYPORUS GROWTH
http://inara.cz/data/gallery/23/23593x1421.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyporus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyporales
Spawns common materials when shot.

MUSSIDAEN SEED POD
http://inara.cz/data/gallery/23/23592x2084.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mussidae
Mussidae are Brain Coral and you can see the simlarities. But the name "Seed Pod" is very sugestive. Spawns Rare Materials when shot.

PHLOEM EXCRETION
http://inara.cz/data/gallery/23/23591x1410.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phloem
In plants, the Phloem transports the valuable products of photosynthesis in particular the sugar sucrose. These Phloem turn into Rare Materials when shot. They spawn high on the fruiting bodies so keep your eyes UP.
Click to expand...

Well done DNA!
You are a credit to our faction!
o7
 

DNA-Decay

DNA-Decay
Last edited:

DNA-Decay

DNA-Decay
Epic investigation here from the kack handed CMDR Spatula007.

[video=youtube;k5apyiQoRXI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5apyiQoRXI[/video]

[video=youtube;5bcVJV30KOw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bcVJV30KOw[/video]

[video=youtube;3UbFxQO73O8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UbFxQO73O8[/video]
 
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DNA-Decay

DNA-Decay
Here's an interesting snippet from the FFE journals:

INRA - SAUNDERS vs TURNER
M.C.S
Commander J Saunders, leader of the INRA Counter Intelligence Wing has been confirmed as the pilot responsible for the death of Commander Mic Turner, explorer, ship designer and philanthropist. Turner began the search for the alien bases as far back as the early thirty two hundreds following conversations with Professor Joreb Innitu of the Department of Alien Studies at the Ghandi Institute (Alioth). Innitu believed (correctly) that the aliens were not necessarily aggressive and that peaceful overtures on the part of a single human commander would be well received. Turner and Argent made it their life's work from that moment onwards to bring the aliens back to our sector of the Universe. Saunders, conversely, had a specific remit to prevent that from happening - at all costs.
Turner and Argent made no serious effort to hide their intentions and Saunders dogged their heels from the start. Turner did find the alien's base - but the INRA Counter Intelligence Wing, led by Saunders in person, intercepted the 'Quest' en route back to the AAAI's northernmost base at Tecumseh (Miandin).
We have no exact details of the dogfight that followed but, of the sixteen attack craft in the C.I. wing, only Saunders returned. Mic Turner's ship was also destroyed during combat and the explorer took to the Escape Capsule. Jo Merion, the Search and Rescue pilot launched as soon as the distress signal was received and located the capsule within a remarkably short time span. Tragically, Turner was already dead at the time of pick-up although the arrest of Merion and the confiscation of the Capsule delayed the release of the news sufficiently long to give Saunders time to return to base and pre-empt an Inter galactic diplomatic crisis.​

So that suggests that Turner Research Group may have been working to bring the Thargoids back.
 

Ouberos

Ouberos
Hey Mr Decay thanks for the thread. Can't rep you again at the minute since that Twin Town reference. (I lived there while that was made and it always brings a lump to my throat!)

Anyway I wondered if there had been much speculation on the names of these out posts? If I might put on the tin foil for a second....

Pharos forge. The forge of the lighthouse. Pharos was a giant light house constructed around the time of Alexander the great. It was of a similar height to the great Pyramid and provided a safe path into the Nile which was the river of life.

Nerio hold. A Roman aspect of a female war god. Similar to Minerva. Female war deities in general are more focused on courage and tactics than the out right slaughter which Mars is famed for.

So on one hand we have a lighthouse giving safe passage and on another we have a courageous hold, perhaps indicating a last stand in the face of insurmountable odds.

The two seem opposed to one another.

And I'm guessing Darwin doesn't really need much tinfoil to explain.

Also there are no missions anywhere so far which is a bit annoying. Would that be because of the expansion?
 
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Saool

Saool
Ouberos said:
Hey Mr Decay thanks for the thread. Can't rep you again at the minute since that Twin Town reference. (I lived there while that was made and it always brings a lump to my throat!)

Anyway I wondered if there had been much speculation on the names of these out posts? If I might put on the tin foil for a second....

Pharos forge. The forge of the lighthouse. Pharos was a giant light house constructed around the time of Alexander the great. It was of a similar height to the great Pyramid and provided a safe path into the Nile.

Nerio hold. A Roman aspect of a female war god. Similar to Minerva. Female war deities in general are more focused on courage and tactics than the out right slaughter which Mars is famed for.

So on one hand we have a lighthouse giving safe passage and on another we have a courageous hold, perhaps a last stand? The two seem oddly opposed to one another.

Also there are no missions anywhere so far which is a bit annoying. Would that be because of the expansion?
Click to expand...


It is because they are all single faction systems. It also tends to happen in systems with just two factions as well. You can get passenger missions from Darwin however and there is a Haz res and compromised beacon near Turner Research base.
 
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