Hi gang!
I've been reading into the lore and studying the information in this thread more thoroughly, and I got a couple of crackpot theories that I think no one else has yet suggested. Got your tinfoil hats on? Okay, let's go
First, the foundation: The Highliner Antares disappears 50 years ago, with no physical evidence of what actually happened to it- not a piece of scrap recovered from the ship, no bodyparts, nothing. Then 50 years later Starship One disappears under very similar circumstances (the engine failure did it I tells ya!). Then we have a trail of "accidental" deaths and unsolved, brutal murders surrounding the people investigating both the Antares and SS1, which includes the Vice President of the Federation being a victim. Whoever is killing these folks knows some people in high places, otherwise they'd be caught for the murders or, more likely, wouldn't have succeeding in any of their high-profile assassinations in the first place.
Okay, so nothing new there. And again we wonder why? Why is this all tied together? Why would the devs be posting articles on GalNet like this if they're not supposed to have any correlation with anything in the game that we can actually figure out and find?
At this point, I'm actually convinced that SS1 and the Antares are actually in the game somewhere. Where? Not sure, really. But its all about following cryptic hints, like with UA and the discovery of Morse code in its broadcasts.
And so, our theories right now are that perhaps aliens, maybe Thargoids, are coming. Also, could be some plot by a power to weaken and later attack systems. The UAs could be alien tech being used as part of that power's schemes. All good and very interesting. But I have a couple theories and I know the folks in this thread will correct or affirm what I put forth.
A) Humanity has been fighting the Thargoids since long before the Antares incident. We had also up to this point been exchanging knowledge with the Thargoids, including information on a third species that is aggressive and may still exist (if in fact the Thargoids didn't wipe them out). But what in the hell would they have to do with the Antares and later the SS1 disasters?
Recall that the Antares had a bunch of celebrities and important leaders aboard. Lots of rich and powerful people. Now, what if those people were convinced that something bad was going to happen soon? Like, the Thargoids or that third dastardly race plotting to move in and attack humanity on such a scale that it would end our species? Well, they'd probably pool their resources and get the hell out of Dodge. Given the centuries long wars with the Thargoids that we barely won and information from the Thargoids about another species, maybe they thought it necessary to leave to "save the human race", or at least themselves (recall the drama surrounding the ships of the movie "2012").
Then 50 years later the president and vice president are aboard perhaps the best ship in history, and they disappear under the same circumstances. Perhaps they left to join their fellow refugees from the Antares.
If this scenario is true, then it would explain why there's such an overwhelming will to stop people from asking questions, even up to the leadership level within Federation and Imperial gov't. Imagine the outrage of the populace if they learned they were left behind to be exterminated by some soon-to-be-revealed alien foe that no one knows how to stop. And even if everyone would be cool with that, we can't risk spreading information on the location of the Antares' and SS1's true destination. Got to keep that last bastion of hope a mystery.
How do the UAs tie in? They may merely be a confirmation of what is expected based on information from Thargoids when we still communicated with them.
I know what you're thinking though- why would the Antares run off 50 years before the UAs show up? Like I pointed out, we had been exchanging info with the Thargoids, and perhaps those who were privy to such information didn't want to wait around until the attack (whose date would not be determined with precision, they just knew that it was coming but not when exactly).
Then, the UAs show up, confirming the fears of those in the know. Upon the discovery of the UAs, the president and VP, along with other bright and influential people who may have joined them, decided doomsday was nigh and it was time to leave.
But what about everyone else? What about Hudson? Well, maybe he doesn't know enough to figure out what happened, and perhaps he isn't willing to follow the trail since it will inevitably lead to his death. But what about Edmund Mahon? Why isn't he running? Perhaps he's just a good captain willing to fight and go down with the ship if necessary. But if everything here is true, Mahon knows more than anyone else concerning this. And he ain't saying shiznit.
In summary, we're looking at the Antares and SS1 each as being a sort of "Noah's Ark" to save humanity, or at least the richest and smartest part of it. The UAs are confirmation of the terror that's coming, and human space will be completely transformed.
This is a far more convoluted theory (perhaps hypothesis is more accurate). But as long as my facts are straight, the idea is sound.
B) One or more governmental or intergovernmental groups.
- INRA- Federation-Imperial group could still be active. INRA tried to exterminate the Thargoids and failed. Groups such as INRA don't typically just die off. They become scattered but find ways to work together to accomplish their goals. Or, worse yet, they find a resource that keeps them alive and active. I don't think its far-fetched that a group like INRA would collect intimate details of people's lives in order to hold sway over them. Also, threats against a target's family and friends could be used as pressure. God help us if this is the case. INRA would probably be stronger than ever, as stealthier. And their obviously capable and willing to assassinate leaders of either major faction. The question is whether or not INRA is independent or working on someone else' behalf?
- Group other than INRA- If not INRA, I say Edmund Mahon is causing all these things to happen. They've made treaties with the Thargoids before, and perhaps he's working with Thargoids in order to take control of all human space. He's going for a domination victory, albeit contrary to his actions thus far. A wolf in sheep's clothing indeed. Working with an alien species, no UAs being transported by Alliance ships (as though they don't need it or care about it), Mahon spends the night "talking" to Halsey, and convinces her to go to Azaleach, SS1 disappears like Antares, assassinations on Federation and Imperial leaders, instigating conflict between the Federation and Empire. Then he's shutting down stations with UAs, one in Sol. I mean, seriously, if this is Mahon's doing, we might be serving a new galactic overlord before too long. All hail our imminent overlords!
C) Aliens could be doing everything. They may be among us already, with superior technology that allows them assassinate and sabotage in order to alter human events. Perhaps Mahon has knowledge of this, but this scenario is far flung.
D) Mahon and the Thargoids could perhaps be working together in preparation for a coming conflict with another species. Perhaps Mahon told Halsey about that alliance, and invited her to stop by Azaleach for proof. This still doesn't explain the murders and cover-ups, unless an organization like INRA is working against a Thargoid-Human alliance- they're blowing up ships, assassinating people, and could be using UAs to evoke fear from the public (as someone else in this thread said). Basically, INRA vs the few ambivalent leaders in the Galactic Nations who are trying to force alliances with the Thargoids.
Anyways, sorry the post is so long. Just had a lot to get out there. Hopefully I didn't have my tinfoil hat on too tight.
