With the new week around the corner, you decide that it would be best to get ahead of your increased quota as soon as possible, keeping the shuttles on mining duty as the engineers take turns trying out the new drone. The first informal report states that “it’s the most fun I’ve had on this station outside vintage movie nights.” You feel slightly jealous of the engineers after you leave them to talk about it all while dining. In other news, your requisitions have been sent to corporate, and thus far no one has complained about your shopping list: You’ll be maxing out your new drone controller right away, refurbishing the ghost frigate, staffing it with ten new crewmen, as well as giving the engineers another new toy: an industrial fabricator. Finally, you will be able to fabricate more intricate items the R&D’s fabricator cannot handle. On the other hand, it’s application isn’t as universal as theirs. A good trade-off, you have determined.

As such, life on the station continues as normal - for a few days. “Commander?”, an assistant asks, hesitant, as you are reading what amounts to the future equivalent of newspapers from your homeworld while sipping synthcoffee. “The scanners picked up an energy influx. The computer guesses that it’s some form of non-standard FTL travel.” You put down your holopad and ask him if it could be some natural phenomena and if they can locate it. “Well...”, both look at each other,”... We can’t tell. It’s not really like something in our database. And it’s origin… Apparently, it’s coming from outside the system, from uncharted space.” After inquiring if there is any danger stemming from it for the station or your mining mission, they can ease your mind. It seems to be headed for a point further away from both. With that in mind, you have them keep an eye on it, and return to your catching up with good ol’ home.

A few hours later, as you just returned from lunch, they give you an update: “Our Unkown FTL Object is about to enter the system.” Curious and with a little cautious excitement, the three of you await the object's arrival. “Oh - Oh shit!”, one calls out just a few minutes later, “The object has.. fractured? It's dropping out of FTL travel now!” You bark at them to locate the objects inside the system. “The fragments seem to have come to a stop… at the other anomaly site, Corporate asked us to check out!”, an assistant confirms. But, due to the asteroid belt and apparent size of the objects, they cannot come up with more accurate assessments. You ponder your next step…

>Scramble an expedition to the anomaly [Write in what crew]

>Have the scanners keep watch and report any changes.

>You’ve got a better idea [Write in!]

>>3422802
>scramble an expedition to the anomaly 3 security 1 of each sci and 2 redshirts.

>>3422842
You give the go-ahead for an away mission to the anomaly. After the slow week with little happening, the crew seems excited to be able to get out there again. “Don’t get me wrong, drinking snythcoffee and eating donuts all day in the armory isn’t bad”, a security guard comments to you as they gear up, “But getting out of this tuna can every now and then is very welcome.” He and his colleagues chuckle. Not long after, the shuttle is underway to the anomaly. Your assistants keep the sensors peeled on the anomaly, but little comes of it, no new unidentified objects inbound. The three of you, therefore, await the shuttle's arrival with tangible suspense in the air.

Soon after, the shuttle reports back. “Command, we are near the anomaly now, going to be sweeping the area for our unknown objects - Could someone get on the visuals?” - “Sure thi- What the… Command? We got.. a debris field?” You tell the shuttle to send the visuals back, the screen turns on. On display is a field of strangely shaped boxes with very ornate decor - spirals, sigils, lights, maybe a language? - surrounded by light-yellow crystal structures. “Maybe some cargo gone Lost-in-FTL?” - “Well, with that weirdly ornate shape, those this are probably not intended to be transported - I mean, why the bulky outcroppings and decor, unless that's some ultra weird hazard markings?”, the engineer thinks out loud, “Even the crystals make no sense - they don't occur naturally in out little belt o’ rocks here.” before the scientist pitches in, “My guess would be the following: we just found a burial. Think about it - Ornate pods, flung into a possibly arbitrary direction into space, like the last voyage. The crystals could be some artifact of their form of travel.” The crew chuckles nervously. The egghead's idea was far-flung, but not unthinkable. Who knows what's out there in uncharted space? “Look, we can just sit around and have ideas all day long or, you know, go and grab one of those damn things and pry it open.”, a guard suggests, “Command, what's your take on this?”

>Have the shuttle scoop up a container and pry it open. Let's see what we got here.
>Grab samples of the crystal for the eggheads back home. More things to do for them.
>Grab one of these things and haul it back to the station, this is a job for R&D
>Theres something else… [Write-In]

>>3425087
>grab some crystals and a container let's have end inspect them and make sure they dont leave any traps for grave robbers.

>>3425087
>>Grab samples of the crystal for the eggheads back home. More things to do for them.

>>3425087
>Grab one and haul it back to the station

>>3425087
>Grab one of these things and haul it back to the station, this is a job for R&D

>>3425087
>>Have the shuttle scoop up a container and pry it open. Let's see what we got here.
>>Grab samples of the crystal for the eggheads back home. More things to do for them.

Just found this. Enjoying it so far. You got a twitter OP?

>>3430176
Also, suggestions for next requisition: upping the basic hab module and basic greenhouse to allow us to carry a few more people as a buffer. With the amount of people we send on away missions, the station itself is running understaffed.


Link to all previous threads:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Frontier%20Outpost%20Quest

>>3425320
>>3426673
>>3426955
>>3427113
>>3430176

You are indeed interested in what your team just stumbled upon. Yet, not curious enough to expose them to whatever is inside those containers - if anything. You order them to scoop up some samples of the crystals and tow back a container for R&D. An assistant informs the department of the imminent cargo and that more quarantined space needs to be established. As soon as the shuttle has a container secured and in tow, they hail the station once more. “Commander - Our crystal sample just… melted.”

You ask the away team’s scientist to repeat himself. “As standard procedure with smaller non-hazardous material samples, we went ahead, collected one and brought it back on board in its sealed container. However, we did not think of putting enviro-seals on it - what we thought to be a stable mineral seems to be a gel-like fluid under room temperature. Preliminary scans I could make were inconclusive. It appears to be rich in some sort of innate organic matter, but nothing that is in our current database. However, there are no indications for it to be any more hazardous than any other piece of organically contaminated rock out there.”, he concludes, before the security guard barks at him to put that sample back into quarantine, the “space goo makes us nervous.” Cutting through the chatter, the pilot announces his ETA at the station, you give them the go-ahead to fly home.

While the shuttle is in transit, you instruct your assistants to keep deep space scans peeled for more of these objects incoming. After all, and judging by the number of objects at the site, this has been happening every so often ever since it was discovered by Corporates scouting drones. In addition, you have your assistants dig up anything you have about known alien artifacts and structures for both them to cross-reference your find and for you to catch up on what humanity has been finding out there.

You are surprised to learn how much alien junk there is out there: From believed-to-be religious structures near the solar system, humanity's cradle, to full blown and still functional automated planetary strip mines that have been abandoned for centuries. While Man might not have been alone, they might have outlived whoever was around a long time ago. Even you can remember how your city-world was in full celebration because they found some synthetic structures on some desolate planetoid in the system. You never understood the hype about it - after all, if it’s dead, is of little use to you lot, right?

>>3437131
However, the number of phantom sightings of alien life and anomalous findings do seem to increase the further one travels into the fringes of explored space. Apparently, outposts like yours have the highest rates of finding previously unexplained, alien anomalies. Anomalies like yours. Unsurprising, seeing how these crews are under much more stress, this removed from civilization.

Sadly, your quiet study time is suddenly interrupted by a bright red light, accompanied by a familiar AI generated Voice. ”Attention all staff, this is a bio-hazard containment alarm. Module Zeta-Two ‘Cargo’ and adjacent connective modules have been put under quarantine. Any staff inside the mentioned modules need to follow containment and quarantine procedures Omega-Twelve. Entering mentioned modules in strictly prohibited. Please evacuate neighboring modules. Follow security personnel's orders. This is not a drill.“ You sigh, get up and return to the command center, demanding answers.

“The object that was brought in? It’s leaking all over the damn place!”, the Fidgity Doctor explains, their enviro-hazard suit’s headgear fogging up with every breath. They look extra twitchy at the moment. “We don't even know what the fuck this liquid is, but at least it matches what was found and brought in as ‘mineral sample’!” They then turn away from the handheld transmitting device to frantically shout orders at people scrambling for enviro-hazard suits being handed out. “The situation is a mess here commander - Any ideas on handling this?!”

>Throw the container back out. It wasn't leaking when the entire thing was frozen through, and we can't have “space goo” dripping all over the station!

>Do your best to seal the leaks. No time for temporary solutions let's figure out what this thing is and be done with it.

>Establish quarantine as per protocol and analyze the thing. Figure out what we got going here. Maybe it’s no that bad after all.

>>3430176
>>3430203
Glad you are enjoying it! For autistic reasons, I don't have a twitter and wont be making one. If there's anything you guys need knowing, I'll update you people right here in the current thread. Updates come very slowly as outlined in the first post, so you don't have to worry about missing much. Also, thanks for reminding me that i could just post the link to all threads, I'll include that in next thread's first post.

>>3437133
>>Throw the container back out. It wasn't leaking when the entire thing was frozen through, and we can't have “space goo” dripping all over the station!

>>3437133
>>Throw the container back out. It wasn't leaking when the entire thing was frozen through, and we can't have “space goo” dripping all over the station!
If we want to study it, we should do it from the safety of vacuum.

>>3437377
Maybe we should add a 'hazardous materials research module' to the list of things to look at next requisition. Something technically attached, but very far away from the rest of the station that can be detached in an emergency. As it stands, doing hazardous research in the same room as the clinic seems a little... iffy.

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41 KB PNG

>>3437183
>>3437377
To you, the answer to your currently leaking problem was simple. You order the container to be thrown back out into space to have the liquid inside freeze the holes shut again. You see the Fidgity Doctor relay your orders, directing the panicked flock of people towards both cleaning up the spill and getting the container out the airlock. After a few minutes of watching the crew maneuver the object back out into space and having another group follow behind to clean up any puddles of the gel-like liquid, they do manage to vent it. A muffled thud is audible over the video link, as the container is sucked into space, slowly drifting along, before the shuttle can catch it, bringing it into a stable position not too far from the station.

The Fidgity Doctor and you don't seem to be the only people to feel relieved being rid of this potentially hazardous object. The crew grows less agitated by the minute the object is gone and the spills are being swept up and put into enviro-sealed containers, freezing them through. Not much later, both the Doctor and the Scarred Officer radio back in, announcing the end of the quarantine. “Luckily, we didn't have any personnel come into contact with the unknown substance”, the Officer reports, “Thus, I deem there to be little to no risk of contamination, and the quarantine to have been successful.” You agree and have the assistants announce the end of your small “crisis”.

The rest of the week concludes without any incidents. R&D, in conjunction with Engineering, give the cargo hold a full clean up to make sure no residual spills are left, and the hazmat suits are cleaned up. Additionally, R&D reports having “more than enough samples of that - and these are the stockading crewman's words - ‘yellow-ish space goo’”. Besides that, R&D is making progress towards the analysis of the Live Container from the ghost frigate. despite the earlier mishap - a feat the Fidgity Doctor seems to be proud of. However, Medical reports an influx of stress and related symptoms. “I had multiple people come in with dreams about coffins floating through space. Possibly an artifact of having lost a crewmate as well.”, the report remarks.

In contrast, your side mission has progressed, with only two volcanic planets left to survey, and four units worth of alloys produced. “If the mining drones incoming at the end of the month perform just as well as the current thing, we will need to think about new ways of using all that alloy!”, the Head Engineer jokes, “Otherwise, I’ll have to store it in the mess hall!” You feel a little less amused by his comments, cargo space could indeed become a ‘problem’ at some point.
As such, another week ends. While enjoying a private meal in your quarters, you allocate your resources for the upcoming one.
>Terror increased by 10.

>>3439902
First, choose your shuttles duties:
>Send an away mission to survey one of the planets [Write in which, and what crew]
>Send an away mission to the reactivated hidden moon base [Write in which, and what crew]
>Keep shuttles on standby. Let's see what the week brings.

R&D is still working away at the Live Container.
>Change the Project, you got better things to do! [Will allow to assign a new project in the next post]

>>3439902
>Keep shuttles on standby. Let's see what the week brings.
Good chance to work on the quota, and get that terror down a little.
I want to send a group to the moon base, but I figure until we see another supply(?) pod come through we don't know the schedule.
Also as a refresher, what is still unexplored?

>>3439905
>>Keep shuttles on standby. Let's see what the week brings.
First we'll finish the quota and then get to work on the final unexplored regions.

Also, we should have everyone who was in contact with either the space goo, moon base, floating debris, or the ghost ship go to medical to be checked out. Make sure they are fully naked. Can we makethis a policy? After every space walk, go to medical bay immediately for a naked examination?

>>3440608
>Make sure they are fully naked. Can we makethis a policy?
Instead of something so embarrassing, I'd say simply they should check in once a day or two for a few weeks.

>>3440724
I see you never watched a zombie movie. There's always someone who will cover up a wound thinking "it's no big deal" until you realize half the ship is bent on eating your brains and the other half are turning on each other.

>>3439905
>shuttles on standby. Let's see what the week brings.
Once the mining drones come in, we shouldn't need to spend so much time waiting, but for now it's a good chance to get that terror down.

>>3442101
Oh, and leave R&D as it is for now.

>>3440506
>>3440608
>>3442101

With your tasks and quota in mind, you don’t schedule any away missions this week either. If nothing too jarring happens this week, you are confident enough to send your crew out to explore the volcanic planets inside the system, an endeavor that doesn't promise much excitement as well. Not that this isn't welcome: The crew needs time to handle the scare last week - Luckily, Medical’s Buddy System helps out a lot to compensate the crew's accumulated stress.

Stress management, something you yourself practice this week, as you visit the Stoic Botanist after convincing them for weeks. A challenge that has paid off as well: The Stoic Botanists quarters are indistinguishable from Botany’s greenhouse with hydroponic basis covering walls, shelves, they even hang down from the ceiling. However, their herbal tea is superb. “Special bland. Non-psychoactive, of course.”, they add as they refill your cup,”Unless you want some of that…?” You kindly refuse, continuing to chat about work and recreation on the station.

Later in the week, your assistants confront you with a status update: “It’s the moon base - it stopped transmitting. No idea why, but we got everything we were able to catch backed up in our databanks.”, they inform you. You throw around the idea of the base having run out of power again, but your assistants can’t confirm your suspicion. While you are at it, you inquire about anything new from uncharted space. “Nope. Uncharted space is as void as it has always been.”, they confirm. Maybe this would really be a quiet week.

And it really seemed like it would be, until: “Uh, Commander?”, an assistant tries to catch your attention, “Security just called in. We, uh, they were conducting a search of someone's dorm after a couple of noise complaints and a certain crewman requestions metal working equipment from R&D’s fabricator.” You ask if this is a case of unauthorized modifications to the room, but your assistants skirt around the topics if they were unable to explain it. Instead, they refer you to the Scared Officer. You take up the opportunity to meet him at the scene of the complaint.

>[1/2]

>>3442151
Once you meet up with the Officer, he tries to explain but fails to find words: “It’s.. well. Hard to explain, without seeing it. Come this way, Commander.” He leads you to the cabin in question - the hallway now off limits, guards enforcing the new limit. But, once you open the crewmans quarter, their precautions make much more sense, as your brain churns to understand what you are seeing. Protruding from the metal floor, walls and ceiling are seemingly impossible shapes made of metal. As you slowly walk around, admiring the work, you feel like you are in a museum of the impossible arts. Four-dimensional cubes, endless stairs, a helix structure with usually impossible bends.

“We already apprehended the crewman. He claims that, and I quote, ‘it should be very obvious how I did it all. The instructions were right there after all!’.” You ask him what he’s referring to. “The metal containers found last week. He claims to have dreamt of a way to translate their ornate decor. Non-sense, I would claim… Well, if we didn’t have… this.”

>Have R&D remove these structure carefully for study. While not the first find of impossible structures, this might be groundbreaking!

>Have Engineering remove and destroy the structures. They can be no good.

>Have the Crewman be submitted to treatment by Medical. Let's hope he improves.

>Talk to the crewman in question. He might be an important asset to figuring this out.

>There’s something else you need knowing. [Write-in]


>>3440724
>>3440743

I get what this anaon is getting at - but instead of something this extreme and frankly outdated in our times, having Crew that was on away missions undergo extensive medical assessments is most certainly an option. Let me know if this policy is to be implemented

>>3442152
>>Have R&D remove these structure carefully for study. While not the first find of impossible structures, this might be groundbreaking!
>Talk to the crewman in question. He might be an important asset to figuring this out.
>Have the Crewman be submitted to treatment by Medical. Let's hope he improves.
In this order.

Yes. The policy should be implemented., case in point, this particular crewman may have been on one of retrieval squads.

>>3442152
Hmmm this is some cthulu shit. Being cautious I would say.

>engineering remove and destroy the structures
>if we have the ability memory wipe all of us of what we saw in the room. We cant let it spread.

>>3442152
>>Have R&D remove these structure carefully for study. While not the first find of impossible structures, this might be groundbreaking!
This one in particular should be kept locked up tight until we're ready to take a look.
>Have the Crewman be submitted to treatment by Medical. Let's hope he improves.
He might be a little crazy, but he did create actual impossible objects.

This is the second (iirc) thing that's come in through dreams. I don't know where to even start here, but it would be nice to be able to shore up that particular apparent weakness.

>new policy
For away missions involving biologics, sure. But until we get a full medical lab, any time taken for medicine takes time away from R&D time, and we've already got plenty of projects.

Hey OP, as we get more specialized modules will we start having more specialized crew, such as splitting R&D and medical staff?

>>3442164
>>3442167
>>3442501

Quick heads up, due to me moving tomorrow I'm a little short on time today, therefor I wont be able to update. I'll archive this thread later and open up the next one on monday. Sorry people, and happy easter - or whatever.

>>3442501
While I didn't plan for that, if I deem it important to make a split somewhere there, then sure.

>>3444335
No worries dude. Good luck on moving, hope it wont be too tough.

>>3444335
Cool. Good luck with the move.

>>3444335
Happy Easter.

>>3444343
>>3444358
>>3448876

OP Here - Happy Easter! Move went very smooth and without hiccups. As always, Updates will resume with a new thread on Monday, so watch the catalog, I expect this thread to die soon. See you all on Monday!

>>3448892
See you on Monday! Thanks for running

>>3448892
Thanks for running!