I think the convoys appearing at the end of 1.2 were transports trying to deliver these unknown artefacts to a facility where they could be studied and then packaged in Sap-8 core containment modules, hence why sightings of specifically "unknown artefacts" have been either very rare in 1.3 or no longer possible. From what I recall, these seemed to be operations agreed upon (either separately or even together) by the Federation and Empire, given reports that convoys allied to each of them had carried them. The ones we players kept during the 1.3 crossover are in all likelihood the only ones left. If all they are, as suggested in the past, are markers that indicate that something is amiss, then there may not be much else to them.
The enigmatic missions requiring Elite status all seem to be curious minds, possibly in league with or rivals to the Dark Wheel, trying to obtain these secret items for themselves. To what end we don't know, but they seem to form the next part of the story. Maybe by completing enough of these missions collectively, the next chapter will unfold. Or if a lot of one type of mission are completed, one of three outcomes might emerge, if the three mission types correspond to three different rival agencies.
At this stage, less than a month since 1.3 emerged, there has to be more to come. Why are the Federation and Empire looking at them? Is it a joint operation? What does Dark Wheel want? Is the Lady Kahina, in her recent travels to Sol and now Achenar, really involved in this?
And as far as outlandish theories goes, considering that an elite rank is necessary, could this all even be a shadow operation by the Pilots Federation?
