An Unregistered Comms Beacon can be found in the Pru Aescs OI-K a64-0 system, orbiting body 1.
The transmission times of this beacon are on the hour, every hour.
The transmitted message is the following:
DYJEPQY UWLUDCQCKJ XUEOKJ
DJPQY P6 UNL002
NEHHY LKCJQ 1E
OKJSHRW
LNR EUPOP KCG E64 0
IKDUPQEJDXY
(repeated two times)
Note: There are two separate UCB’s approximately 21km’s apart, while they both transmit the same message, the second UCB’s transmission times are at 30 minutes past the hour, every hour.
Applying a Keyed Caesar cipher with the key of EXODUS yields the message:
DYNASTY EXPEDITION BEACON
DNSTY S6 ERP002
RALLY POINT 1A
CONFLUX
PRU AESCS OIK A64 0
MODESTANDBY
An abandoned settlement can be found within the same system on body 1 a, at 36.1161, -119.5341 (in Live/4.0) or at 64.2251, 74.4099 (in Legacy/3.8).
Around the settlement there are four Settlement Comms Log Uplink points, scanning them gives background to the reason for its abandonment:
Logs
CONFLUX GAMMA MISSION 1/4
Expedition Log: 30/08/3270
“I’m just the navigator onboard this ship. Never flown an Anaconda before, but it’s quite a beast. This one is stripped right down, just cargo space and jump capability. Nothing else. We had an escort to the edge of inhabited space, but our destination is right out there…”
CONFLUX GAMMA MISSION 2/4
Expedition Log: 12/09/3270
“Thousands of light years! Fortunately the ship has behaved itself. We’ve passed countless systems, but we’re not stopping to survey anything. I’ve just been asked to plot on as fast as we can go. We’re aiming for a zone known as the Conflux. It’s sure a long way out. Can’t help wondering why we’re doing this.”
CONFLUX GAMMA MISSION 3/4
Expedition Log: 18/09/3270
“So, we’re here now. Took as five months to reach this part of the galaxy. A team of hired spacers are out there now, dropping off some kind of cargo. Looks like beacons from what I can see, but some guy in uniform came and switched off the scanner. Best not ask too many questions. Might not be wise to be logging this to be honest…”
CONFLUX GAMMA MISSION 4/4
Expedition Log: 10/10/3270
“On our way back home again. Just dropped off whatever it was, turned about and started back. Five months out… probably five months back again. Managed a quick scan of the site when no one was looking. Definitely beacons. Why would anyone want a beacon right out here in the void is beyond me. Not my problem though!”
