An unregistered comms beacon can be found in orbit of Pru Aescs OI-K a64-0 1. Known to transmit at 30 minutes past the hour:
DYJEPQY UWLUDCQCKJ XUEOKJ
DJPQY P6 UNL 002
NEHHY LKCJQ E1
OKJSHRW
LNR EUPOP KCGE640
IKDUPQEJDXY
Applying a Keyed caesar cipher with the key of EXODUS yields the message:
DYNASTY EXPEDITION BEACON
DNSTY S6 ERP 002
RALLY POINT A1
CONFLUX
PRU AESCS OIKA640
MODESTANDBY
An abandoned settlement can be found on the nearby planet Pru Aescs OI-K a64-0 1 a at 64.2, 74.4
Around the settlement there are four Settlement Comms Log Uplink points, scanning them gives background to the reason for its abandonment:
CONFLUX GAMMA MISSION 1/4
Expedition Log: 30/08/3270“I’m just the navigator ouboard 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!”
