Soontill Relics, the Regor Permit Sector and DB's cryptic hints....

[Zulu Romeo]

+1

Maybe the reason we aren't seeing any UA drops now is that they're actually still there, but are now being carried around inside the Sap-8's ?

So in theory NPC's have figured out how to transport them (hence FD's introduction of the Sap-8 in 1.3) ?

That's a good possibility. The UAs have been shown to be hazardous and unstable materials, so there may not be much else to them per se. The Sap-8 core containments are probably a way to keep them stable and safe, meaning that the existing UAs might be of little practical use from now on.

Given that they are the most valuable commodity right now, it's possible these are the very things we've been calling Unknown Artefacts.

Also, "Sap-8." Does it stand for "Sapient 8"? A sapient entity associated with the number 8?
There are two possible associations: a row of 8 bits, or a byte, suggestive of human-originated AI; or something that works in base 8 for historical reasons...

 

[Dommarraa]

I am Allied with Dark Wheel, and spent ages doing missions since 1.3 for them trying to get something Dark Wheely to trigger, but nothing of interest. I have seen 1 SAP 8 Mission (I dont think with was from DW), but my Elite status is "only" Exploration

 

[Erimus Kamzel]

That's a good possibility. The UAs have been shown to be hazardous and unstable materials, so there may not be much else to them per se. The Sap-8 core containments are probably a way to keep them stable and safe, meaning that the existing UAs might be of little practical use from now on.

Given that they are the most valuable commodity right now, it's possible these are the very things we've been calling Unknown Artefacts.

Also, "Sap-8." Does it stand for "Sapient 8"? A sapient entity associated with the number 8?
There are two possible associations: a row of 8 bits, or a byte, suggestive of human-originated AI; or something that works in base 8 for historical reasons...

Never thought of that! I wondered if Sap was just a S.A.P acronym, but sapient fits perfectly too since the UA's do seem 'alive' and organic... or at least bio-mechanical entities.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

I think Sap-8 is a thinly disguised code for Thargoids, myself.

 

[Erimus Kamzel]

I am Allied with Dark Wheel, and spent ages doing missions since 1.3 for them trying to get something Dark Wheely to trigger, but nothing of interest. I have seen 1 SAP 8 Mission (I dont think with was from DW), but my Elite status is "only" Exploration

I've pretty much given up the bug hunt (looking for UA's ), and have instead been working missions for the Dark Wheel faction. How long did it take you to gain allied status, and did you run missions for the Pilots Federation too at the same time, or did you just stick to DW missions?

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Sadly, I'm on enforced time away from ED, for what can only be described as "real life manual control difficulties" which is pretty frustrating as there's still a lot of things in the game I want to do. My interest in the game is still pretty bright right now. (I guess it's true: absence does make the heart grow fonder. )

Sorry to hear that Zion, hope you're back out amongst the stars soon.

 

[Arcanonn]

I was just thinking, surely they wouldn't require Elite missions to solve this? Just based on the tone of stuff that has been said recently.

Left field idea, has anyone docked with one and opened outfiting and seen if they can equip it?

 

[Dr.Evanzan]

I would sell the other one though I'd need permission from wishblend first as I own one and the other one is her's but also 1.3 introduced NPC's who have about 1 in 8 jumps to supercruise to appear and try to kill you for it until they die or you get into a no fire zone which added with the double cargo corrision damage to the cargo hatch makes it VERY hard to move around as I'm constantly repairing my cargo hatch.

I think selling one would be a very good idea.
If we are missing a simple solution, it wouldn't get much more simple than just selling a UA.
Unless someone can explicitly confirm selling one it is very possible that we haven't actually done so - we have been hoarding them because of their value after all.

I'm really annoyed I didn't just sell mine at Leonard Nimoy station while I was there but I wanted to perform more tests and ended up losing it. :-(

Can you give more details about the NPCs who try to interdict you for the UA, Ratking?
How are they identified? Federal Military or something else?
Do they have a special message and, if so, what is it?

 

[Zulu Romeo]

I was just thinking, surely they wouldn't require Elite missions to solve this? Just based on the tone of stuff that has been said recently.

It would be a way of making sure a potential story trickles out slowly, instead of a mad rush. Besides, if it's something that may affect everybody, the ones picking up the early clues may not get all the answers, or even be primarily involved in the solution, but instead will have an early inkling of where the mystery is going.

Seeing as Dark Wheel involvement has been mentioned, it makes sense for Elite players (and the small number of Founder level backers) with a Founders World permit to see if they can do anything more with this. It's possible they're just the next step in the trail of breadcrumbs, and other steps will be involved.

 

[marx]

I was just thinking, surely they wouldn't require Elite missions to solve this? Just based on the tone of stuff that has been said recently.

Yeah, that makes me wonder about the SAP 8 cans too. At best, I think they might be another hint, and not the solution itself.
Or maybe there are NPC convoys out there that are carrying these ones now, and we've just yet to meet them.
So hey, does nobody here know someone who's Elite in either trading or combat? (Sadly, I don't.)

Seeing as Dark Wheel involvement has been mentioned, it makes sense for Elite players (and the small number of Founder level backers) with a Founders World permit to see if they can do anything more with this. It's possible they're just the next step in the trail of breadcrumbs, and other steps will be involved.

Sadly, these SAP missions are restricted to Elite players, and not accessible to Founders. Last time I saw one, anyway.

 

[knowles2]

I was just thinking, surely they wouldn't require Elite missions to solve this? Just based on the tone of stuff that has been said recently.

Left field idea, has anyone docked with one and opened outfiting and seen if they can equip it?

As soon I find one I'm going to try all these ideas out. We know it simple now so it likely something in game changes, it a change no one notice before.

 

[Sgt.Barnes]

Sadly I'am about a month of flying off elite trader but I just got a T7 so it may be quicker Soon as I' am though I will be after that mission like a ferret up ya pants !

 

[Han_Zen]

Based on the latest comments from DB and others I think the UA mystery is solvable in game, with only the tools we had in 1.2.
SAP-8 core may well be related, but I don't think it is required.

 

[Kulin]

Based on the latest comments from DB and others I think the UA mystery is solvable in game, with only the tools we had in 1.2.
SAP-8 core may well be related, but I don't think it is required.

Yeah, but there are no people out there who want/have time to do some tests with the artifact as it seems. So hard to do anything else but listening to the sounds we already have. I have so many questions.

For example:

1. Are 2 artifacts in the same instance of the same space system playing the same sound?

2. Does the sound change if you carry one artifact to a neighboring-system, leave one where it is and start recording for both artifacts at the same time?

Would be the only way to get info if the sound sequence is position-dependant or time-dependant or if its just something completely different. Even if the sequence is partially dependant to position or time such a recording session could help us.

If we would know that, we could determine what parts of the UA-sound changes when the position changes. And if we can be sure that the sounds are time dependant we could determine if its a countdown or something like this.

We just have not enough data to go on at the moment.

 

[rizal72]

Did someone tried to feed the UA to the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal?

 

[Erimus Kamzel]

Yeah, but there are no people out there who want/have time to do some tests with the artifact as it seems. So hard to do anything else but listening to the sounds we already have. I have so many questions.

For example:

1. Are 2 artifacts in the same instance of the same space system playing the same sound?

2. Does the sound change if you carry one artifact to a neighboring-system, leave one where it is and start recording for both artifacts at the same time?

Would be the only way to get info if the sound sequence is position-dependant or time-dependant or if its just something completely different. Even if the sequence is partially dependant to position or time such a recording session could help us.

If we would know that, we could determine what parts of the UA-sound changes when the position changes. And if we can be sure that the sounds are time dependant we could determine if its a countdown or something like this.

We just have not enough data to go on at the moment.

Agreed, and that is the frustrating thing. There were a lot of in-game theories and some have only been tested half heartedly it seems. There was a post listing all the stuff that's been tried but its not been updated for a while.

Now the UA drops have dried up and the last few people who held on to them don't seem to have the motivation to try new stuff or pass them on to the folks that do. I think we're at a dead end with this at the moment. Would be nice to get hold of a Sap-8 though, if just to rule of the theory they contain UA's.


Could the lack of UA convoys mean they're now obsolete? Its been stated that the answers were much simpler than first thought and could be found by in-game means. I doubt FD would have removed them from circulation without replacing them with the next clue.

 

[Arcanonn]

Did someone tried to feed the UA to the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal?

That brilliant idea cost me an arm and I will thank you not to bring it up again I'm still a bit sensitive about it.......if I hadn't had my towel with me it could of been much worse.

 

[TFBUNDY]

I agree with Erimus, the answer to the ua riddle is going to be something simple (ish). I applaud all those who have tried complex solutions involving sound analysis etc, but I don't believe FD would build such a complex solution into what is "just a game". So, the answer is going to be simple, something like take the ua to the correct system (possibly a system with SAP in it's name) and let it connect to it's creators. I dunno what will happen when it does "phone home", but that's another story (possibly involving death rays and a rather fast and grizzly demise!). Anyway, don't over analyse this, keep trying the simple in game stuff, that's the answer I'm sure.

 

[rizal72]

That brilliant idea cost me an arm and I will thank you not to bring it up again I'm still a bit sensitive about it.......if I hadn't had my towel with me it could of been much worse.

The TOWEL! Here's the solution! The towel... was that easy... you all CMDRs forgot to bring your towels with you! Damn... (UA madness.)

 

[clavain]

Maybe not the Dark Wheel roleplayer here, but perhaps the Dark Wheel faction itself, in game.
And of course those who are Elite can access them to a certain degree. I'm now beginning to see what the devs have done there.

Good point - only Founders or Elite players can access them at the moment, no? Unless they expand beyond Shinrarta of course...

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Sounds like a mechanical virus too me. Spreading itself via self replication. Its a good theory but I really think the damage it causes your ship is due to some kind of field it gives off to stop you going too far with it. Kinda self defence/self destruct ethos. It reinforces my idea that its intended to be carried and lead you somewhere but only if you have the 8 sap to carry it in ?



Its a strong bet that the sap 8 core is a stabilizing transportation case for the UA allowing us to carry it without degrading itself or the ship. I spent most of last night looking round for another UA with no success. Seemed to be lots of people getting married though

That's been my suspicion as well, but until someone gets their hands on one and we can compare with the UA we will not know for sure. What argues against this however to some degree is the mention in the mission text for the SAP 8 that it is carrying some sort of "crystal shard". Nothing about the UA looks crystalline to me, although I suppose the eight "pods" might be some form of crystal?

 

[rizal72]

OK CMDRS, jokes apart, I'm following this thread and READING it since the beginning of all this UA madness.
The point, for me, is that we had just ONLY AND ONLY ONE HINT: LISTEN TO IT!
So, ok selling it, throwing it away, shooting it, let two of them meet, feed it, scan it, let it decay, and so on.

But I think that the solution is related to just LISTENING TO IT. I mean, the sound is KEY: perhaps it should change in some particular occasions, revealing its secret.
Think to the Babel Fish! You put it in your hear and you can understand other languages: something like that! Put the UA near something, and its sound will "translate", I dont know, really.

I repeat it, the sound is the key: you can try everything you like, but it has to do with LISTENING TO THE UA after that.
Or explain to me the meaning of that just one hint.