Well that was an adrenaline fueled mission.

[Marc_Hicks]

"Oh yeah", they said "just some malfunctioning equipment we need you to scan for us"......for nearly 500,000Cr?!?! I wasn't buying that-but I went along with it .

So my first problem came about because I got scanned by a wing of pirates, who demanded 7,500 Cr of cargo.....whilst I was almost landed. "Oh well", I thought, "I'll just finish landing, dismiss my ship, then they'll ignore me.....". Nope. They started attacking my ship whilst I was deploying, then after my ship was gone they decided my SRV was a legitimate target.....amazing I managed to survive their attacks (multiple repairs were needed). I was never so glad to see Federal Security turn up as I was then. It was hilarious watching this pitched aerial battle play out whilst I was driving along in my Scarab.

So I get to the building I was meant to scan &.....what a surprise....there was a trespass zone around it , but luckily only 2 skimmers guarding it. Again.....NOPE!!! I managed to get myself caught in a tight corner, & those two agile little monsters managed to whittle me down to 20% hull before I could kill them.

Sadly, this scored me a bounty for Assault on my head (odd, given that the skimmers were listed as Wanted.....a bug perhaps?). So after I recalled & boarded my ship, those Federal Security Ships I had previously praised now decided to scan me-found I was Wanted-so decided to open fire on me!!!!

Fortunately I was able to jump into Super Cruise before they could do too much damage.....but boy, what an incredibly exciting mission. If only all my missions could be that exciting!!!

 

[-VR- Max Factor]

"Oh yeah", they said "just some malfunctioning equipment we need you to scan for us"......for nearly 500,000Cr?!?! I wasn't buying that-but I went along with it .

So my first problem came about because I got scanned by a wing of pirates, who demanded 7,500 Cr of cargo.....whilst I was almost landed. "Oh well", I thought, "I'll just finish landing, dismiss my ship, then they'll ignore me.....". Nope. They started attacking my ship whilst I was deploying, then after my ship was gone they decided my SRV was a legitimate target.....amazing I managed to survive their attacks (multiple repairs were needed). I was never so glad to see Federal Security turn up as I was then. It was hilarious watching this pitched aerial battle play out whilst I was driving along in my Scarab.

So I get to the building I was meant to scan &.....what a surprise....there was a trespass zone around it , but luckily only 2 skimmers guarding it. Again.....NOPE!!! I managed to get myself caught in a tight corner, & those two agile little monsters managed to whittle me down to 20% hull before I could kill them.

Sadly, this scored me a bounty for Assault on my head (odd, given that the skimmers were listed as Wanted.....a bug perhaps?). So after I recalled & boarded my ship, those Federal Security Ships I had previously praised now decided to scan me-found I was Wanted-so decided to open fire on me!!!!

Fortunately I was able to jump into Super Cruise before they could do too much damage.....but boy, what an incredibly exciting mission. If only all my missions could be that exciting!!!

But if all missions where like that, then they wouldn't be so special when it does happen.

 

[Stealthie]

I once got a similar mission and, when I arrived, it turned out to be at a gigantic surface installation in the middle of a vast plain with a 15km(no exaggeration) wide security perimeter around it that was ringed with missile turrets.

I'm not kidding.
I locked the mission-objective uplink and, as I crossed the boundary of the security perimeter, my HUD was telling me it was something like 7.68km to my objective.
Across completely flat, open, ground, peppered with missile turrets.

I figured I wouldn't provoke hostilities so I made my way in, trying to keep as far from the turrets as possible, got a couple of Km but them the alarm triggered.
After a hasty retreat I tried working my way back in, methodically, taking out one turret, waiting for my shield to recharge and then moving on to the next one but it was gaining me a significant bounty and eventually I just abandoned the mission.

It's worth remembering that abandoning a mission IS always an option.

 

[Jmanis]

Just remember... as long as your SRV makes it in and gets the objective.

It doesn't need to make it back out

 

[Banana's_Are_Good_For_You]

"Oh yeah", they said "just some malfunctioning equipment we need you to scan for us"......for nearly 500,000Cr?!?! I wasn't buying that-but I went along with it .

So my first problem came about because I got scanned by a wing of pirates, who demanded 7,500 Cr of cargo.....whilst I was almost landed. "Oh well", I thought, "I'll just finish landing, dismiss my ship, then they'll ignore me.....". Nope. They started attacking my ship whilst I was deploying, then after my ship was gone they decided my SRV was a legitimate target.....amazing I managed to survive their attacks (multiple repairs were needed). I was never so glad to see Federal Security turn up as I was then. It was hilarious watching this pitched aerial battle play out whilst I was driving along in my Scarab.

So I get to the building I was meant to scan &.....what a surprise....there was a trespass zone around it , but luckily only 2 skimmers guarding it. Again.....NOPE!!! I managed to get myself caught in a tight corner, & those two agile little monsters managed to whittle me down to 20% hull before I could kill them.

Sadly, this scored me a bounty for Assault on my head (odd, given that the skimmers were listed as Wanted.....a bug perhaps?). So after I recalled & boarded my ship, those Federal Security Ships I had previously praised now decided to scan me-found I was Wanted-so decided to open fire on me!!!!

Fortunately I was able to jump into Super Cruise before they could do too much damage.....but boy, what an incredibly exciting mission. If only all my missions could be that exciting!!!

If you got the bounty for scanning the point, it was probably showing as "Private". You always need to check the skimmers to see if they're wanted...massacre missions tend to throw the odd clean group at you to make sure you're paying attention. Probably the same at some of the buildings
I've also seen 2 trespass areas on top of each other so that may also be a thing.

 

[Banana's_Are_Good_For_You]

Just remember... as long as your SRV makes it in and gets the objective.

It doesn't need to make it back out

Yea, those scan the point to find the pirate missions can be quite punishing.

 

[M00ka]

I posted this story a few days ago but it seems very similar to the OP's - just my ending was stranger lol

Took what should have been a very simple mission to scan a datapad on a nearby planet. Got there okay (except coming in too steep and too fast - and yes ships do bounce off the surface - ekkkk). Anyway, overflew the outpost, no security restrictions, no sentry guns, no skimmers. Landed, jumped in the SRV, tootled across and scanned the datapad. All good, got the normal results except I never received a confirmation message from the faction that hired me for the mission. Tried to scan the damn thing again, nope it is now inactive.

So drove back to my ship, loaded the SRV, still nothing so I took off, entered SC, and came to a stop. Checked and yes the Search Zone is still appearing, so reversed course and repeated my previous action - with the exception of coming in too fast . The datapad was now active again, so I scanned it again. Got a couple more messages about what was scanned, but again, nothing from the Faction. So back to the ship, into space, reversed course and back down to the surface.

This is when it gets interesting. Noticed ONE (1) ship on the fringe of my scanner whilst heading to the search zone, didn't think anything of it because of no chatter from the NPC. Landed, and was half way between the ship and the datapad thingie - about 300m I think) and the ship, plus two of his mates suddenly come over the rim of the crater and immediately start laying into my poor ship. Nothing I could do in my little SRV, and it was all over in a matter of seconds, my wonderful Cobra MKIII, the illustrious Phoenix Explorer was now a permanent display of twisted metal next to this little station. Strangely though, at no time did any of the three ships attack me sitting there with mouth open in my little SRV.

Anyway, I drove around the wreck of my ship a few times, and for the hell of it, drove to the datapad, and naturally found it was yet again active. Did the scan, and received the confirmation message from the faction (about time I say). Since there isn't UBER in space, all I could do was activate the self destruct button on the SRV. For those that don't know, it actually takes 10 seconds for you to go bang, interesting huh

Paid the insurance and lo and behold I am back sitting in my precious Phoenix Explorer revealing in the new ship smell. Checked the transaction tab and sure enough, the mission is still there. On a whim, I checked the Missions Board, and found I could claim the mission as complete, with all the rewarded that were originally offered. Didn't realise that you could scan something without a ship, who would have thunk that lol

 

[Marc_Hicks]

I once got a similar mission and, when I arrived, it turned out to be at a gigantic surface installation in the middle of a vast plain with a 15km(no exaggeration) wide security perimeter around it that was ringed with missile turrets.

I'm not kidding.
I locked the mission-objective uplink and, as I crossed the boundary of the security perimeter, my HUD was telling me it was something like 7.68km to my objective.
Across completely flat, open, ground, peppered with missile turrets.

I figured I wouldn't provoke hostilities so I made my way in, trying to keep as far from the turrets as possible, got a couple of Km but them the alarm triggered.
After a hasty retreat I tried working my way back in, methodically, taking out one turret, waiting for my shield to recharge and then moving on to the next one but it was gaining me a significant bounty and eventually I just abandoned the mission.

It's worth remembering that abandoning a mission IS always an option.

This was one of those Proc. Gen facilities.....so quite tiny by comparison.

But if all missions where like that, then they wouldn't be so special when it does happen.

I'd just be happy if all missions had the same kind of intro text as Salvage missions do....giving the missions some context.

 

[Kevin Kyle]

I believe this is where every action has an opposite and equal reaction. lol Be careful what your next move is.

I lost a scarab and a ship doing a scan mission. It was an AspX. What happened was it had a double security fence. I really wanted to scan that 3rd one as the 2nd one was private and 3rd was public but inside the second fence. Lots of skimmers flying around. There was also an unusually large number of waste containers scattered around in there and it was a crowded place. I had done this before and it went fine, sneak in there and get the scan as fast as possible and leave quickly before you become a target. There was also a Corvette, couple of Cutters and something else flying CAP over the base. Never seen that before and I knew it was a risk but I wanted that scan. Everything went just fine right up to the point it was time to go. I panicked and hit the throttle got caught up in the waste barrels and the next thing I know, Im upside down and being fired upon. Doh! I finally get righted and make it to the ship but get blowed up. So now Im in my ship, which is parked too close to start with and by now CAP has started in on me too. I did get the ship moving and I almost made it out but the poor old Asp could not take that kind of a beating. I believe they killed my thrusters and it was a trip to the rebuy screen. Lesson learned here is stay away from those barrels in the scarab. Its like throwing marbles on the floor. lol

 

[IndigoWyrd]

I had a Tip-Off mission not all that long ago that couldn't have gone any further sideways if it had been rotated 90 degrees.

Usually these lead to some derelict craft crashed in some strange place, but not this time. My first clue should have been the fact this Tip Off led to a populated system. Usually they lead somewhere no one would go by choice.
Then, as I drew closer to my destination, I was pretty certain I saw buildings. Buildings are never a good thing to find, and even worse when there are groups of solid squares and triangles circling them like buzzards.

I landed a bit away from my destination coordinates, offloaded my SRV and sent my ship into the pocket dimension of dismissed ships and started making my way closer. There was a huge trespass zone around my destination, and the red flags went up fast, but I was determined and pressed on, making my way through a field of defensive turrets and ducking for cover under structures as the overhead ships took potshots at me. I managed to count a total of 7 data points, including one data core, so I knew I was in for a long haul here. Skimmers and Guardians harassed me every time I came out of cover, but using the SRV's turret view I was able to dispatch these while taking relatively little damage. Those ships though... I knew they were going to be a problem, so I cut myself a path between the turrets and made a mad dash for a deep valley just north of the facility, where I could recall my ship in relative safety. I then took to the (lack of) air, and started to pull the ships away, picking them off one-by-one. Once they had been dispatched, I set down again, and set off in my SRV once more.

This time I ran into what wasn't the last skimmer, but a Goliath. Gah. Fighting these in an SRV is a total nightmare, so I had to get clever. I switched full power to my thrusters and boosted myself up to a rooftop. Using the rooftop structures for cover I was able to play bait-and-wait with the Golaith, picking at it when it came around my cover, forcing it to withdraw - for about 40 minutes, until I'd finally added it to the scrap heap.

In total, I think I had 9 SRV repairs, 2 reloads, and about an hour and a half - all for a 250k payout and a 7k bounty for a week - but totally worth it in terms of raw fun.

 

[Kevin Kyle]

Was it really a normal surface scan mission? From your description it rather sounds like a certain tip off mission.

I had been wondering about those, I get them now and then, Never took one though and I meant to ask about them. Sounds like this is one of several missions and I am going to guess they are not all like this. Still, Not sure I want to take these now.lol

 

[stocko1111]

I found that a good way to do these missions is to get a Vulture with fixed weapons and fly it really low to the ground like a badass skimmer. This way you can hide behind buildings and take out the turrets - it's a lot of fun!

 

[Ralph Vargr]

I had a Tip-Off mission not all that long ago that couldn't have gone any further sideways if it had been rotated 90 degrees.

Usually these lead to some derelict craft crashed in some strange place, but not this time. My first clue should have been the fact this Tip Off led to a populated system. Usually they lead somewhere no one would go by choice.
Then, as I drew closer to my destination, I was pretty certain I saw buildings. Buildings are never a good thing to find, and even worse when there are groups of solid squares and triangles circling them like buzzards.

I landed a bit away from my destination coordinates, offloaded my SRV and sent my ship into the pocket dimension of dismissed ships and started making my way closer. There was a huge trespass zone around my destination, and the red flags went up fast, but I was determined and pressed on, making my way through a field of defensive turrets and ducking for cover under structures as the overhead ships took potshots at me. I managed to count a total of 7 data points, including one data core, so I knew I was in for a long haul here. Skimmers and Guardians harassed me every time I came out of cover, but using the SRV's turret view I was able to dispatch these while taking relatively little damage. Those ships though... I knew they were going to be a problem, so I cut myself a path between the turrets and made a mad dash for a deep valley just north of the facility, where I could recall my ship in relative safety. I then took to the (lack of) air, and started to pull the ships away, picking them off one-by-one. Once they had been dispatched, I set down again, and set off in my SRV once more.

This time I ran into what wasn't the last skimmer, but a Goliath. Gah. Fighting these in an SRV is a total nightmare, so I had to get clever. I switched full power to my thrusters and boosted myself up to a rooftop. Using the rooftop structures for cover I was able to play bait-and-wait with the Golaith, picking at it when it came around my cover, forcing it to withdraw - for about 40 minutes, until I'd finally added it to the scrap heap.

In total, I think I had 9 SRV repairs, 2 reloads, and about an hour and a half - all for a 250k payout and a 7k bounty for a week - but totally worth it in terms of raw fun.

"Is this your idea of *fun*, Mav?"- Goose, Top Gun. Remember what happened to Goose for sticking with Maverick?

 

[Kevin Kyle]

I found that a good way to do these missions is to get a Vulture with fixed weapons and fly it really low to the ground like a badass skimmer. This way you can hide behind buildings and take out the turrets - it's a lot of fun!

Sounds like a great idea, cheap ship, small and quick, great firepower. I see another Vulture in my future I think. I do wonder about using a drop ship or assault ship though.

 

[Stealthie]

Was it really a normal surface scan mission? From your description it rather sounds like a certain tip off mission.

This was a surface-scan mission.

If I'm not mistaken, I've had a tip-off mission that required getting data from what turned out to be a similar base.
Soon as I saw the size of the security perimeter I thought "I've got no chance, here", after attempting the tip-off.

Not really sure what the "trick" to breaching these big ground installations might be.
I'm guessing you could just turn up in a tanky Corvette, destroy all the base defences and then make your way to the objective through the debris while ignoring the fact that you were now in the same criminal league as Al Capone or Osama Bin Laden.

Conversely, I've been spending my time around Merope recently and become allied with most of the factions in the region.
I also take surface-scan missions regularly, when the pay is good.
I've noticed that a lot of the installations with a security perimeter but also involve factions I'm allied to.
I seem to be able to enter the security perimeter and get no response from the defences as a result.
It's only when I scan a private data-node that things get nasty.
And, if my SRV is destroyed, it's no big deal.

Perhaps the "trick" to completing these without wanton violence is to find out what faction controls a surface installation, go and get yourself allied with them and then you'll have unopposed access to the bases?
Until you scan a private data-node, of course.

 

[-VR- Max Factor]

This was one of those Proc. Gen facilities.....so quite tiny by comparison.



I'd just be happy if all missions had the same kind of intro text as Salvage missions do....giving the missions some context.

Haven't see any salvage missions yet. I'm interested.

 

[Faded Glory]

Not really sure what the "trick" to breaching these big ground installations might be.
I'm guessing you could just turn up in a tanky Corvette, destroy all the base defences and then make your way to the objective through the debris while ignoring the fact that you were now in the same criminal league as Al Capone or Osama Bin Laden.

Vindicator Jones did a great video, ages ago about how to disable a settlement so you could get in for a scan. Lots of missiles and fixed beam lasers to take out the defenses, then land at your leisure and go do whatever it is you need to do.

As you say, you end up very wanted, so not something I would do sadly.

Standard planetary scans that have a security perimeter generally have one place where you can target the beacon from just outside it. You still get a small bounty for scanning the beacon, but at least there is a tactical way to try.

 

[Marc_Hicks]

Haven't see any salvage missions yet. I'm interested.

Oops, sorry, I meant same text as for the scan missions.......apologies.

 

[Kevin Kyle]

I think you only get a bounty if you scan a private one, I have never got a bounty for scanning public ones.