A bombshell has been uncovered during the investigation of this missing Treph’os V.
Treph’os V is an integral trading ship operating out of the Mehdias JX7 System. A little over an orbital cycle ago, the ship had vanished from the stars. No leads on the ship were ever found until a pro-data box was discovered on Myero. The pro-data box had a dramatically increased security system that is not usually found on this class of ship. Myro’s greatest minds collaborated and eventually were able to access the box, which contained star-logs. Access to the previous star-logs can be found here.
The third star-log had information that changed the fate of the entire investigation. A quick recall of this information revealed a figure that was intentionally censored from the star-log video feed. It also noted that their voice was altered to hide any form of identification. Questions can already arise from this. Why would someone censor themselves on a standard trading star-log? What becomes more shocking is the message that was recorded. The figure remarks that a de-sync system was installed on the pro-data box. Statements were also made about an “asset” that was en route and that all lines of communication are now secured.
Researchers from the Dyalt Institute of Technology in Myero, who are working on the pro-data box, have concluded that the figure must have installed the advanced security de-sync system. What could this all mean? Researchers have also noted that this message was initially erased from the pro-data box, but they were able to restore it using their metadata retrieval tools. It wasn’t long before the message caught the attention of the Black Palace.
Black Palace officials were notified of the most recent star-log’s contents and immediately took action. At first, Palace officials seized the investigation, ignoring protests from Myeran researchers. Their official reasoning was that this investigation is now a matter of interplanetary security and must be handled by authorized personnel with proper clearance. As time passed, no star-logs were recovered while the pro-data box was under the Black Palace's possession. It became apparent that the Black Palace didn’t have the resources and required skills needed to move the case forward. After continued protest and no meaningful updates, the Black Palace agreed to collaborate with Myero officials under strict conditions.
First, a select team of Myeran researchers had to be thoroughly vetted and granted Black Palace clearance. Second, the research team is restricted from disclosing any new information to anyone other than Black Palace officials. Any breach of these conditions would result in immediate detainment and punishment to the highest degree. Many families and other officials not part of the vetted team continued to protest against the newly enacted rules. With no more public updates, they felt as if the fate of their loved ones would be left in the dark.
As the investigation resumed on Myero, more clues have been uncovered. It’s discovered that the figure in the star-log seemingly confirmed a line of communication. This led to the pro-data box being deciphered with a new perspective of finding any sign of transmission. Myeran officials pushed their technological capabilities to the limit to find any traces of where transmission could’ve been sent. Finally, specific signs of unsynchronized data confirmed that the star log was indeed sent from a point beyond the ship! However, based on the data officials have now, there is no method to determine where exactly the message was sent.
Another integral clue was uncovering who exactly the censored figure was. After a thorough review, it was confirmed that whoever the figure is, they must be a member of the crew list. This is backed up by the DNA confirmation ID of all who boarded the Treph’os V. All crew members were fully DNA scanned before they could enter the vessel. Knowing this, the Black Palace immediately dispatched officials across the system to interrogate and potentially detain the family members and loved ones of the crew. Some thought the interrogations were harsh, but Palace officials responded, saying it was a necessary action that could save the lives of the missing crew.
With new investigations developing and now interrogations, the tension of this mystery has reached unprecedented levels. The Mehdias JX7 system is on the brink of a breakthrough. The burning question is, when will it happen? And also, what will happen?
As the investigation continues, a new development comes to light. A fourth star-log has been uncovered…
STAR-LOG-4: SHIPMENT DAY 11
Star-log video transcription:
(A young man (Identified as Jekkan Lasin) is seen in the center. He is holding a holo-board and seems to be addressing a list.)
Jekkan: Ok recording now. This seems to be on. Great, here we go! This is inventory supervisor Jekkan Lasin. I’m logging this record for future reference. It seems during our routine inventory check a few extra items of cargo were unaccounted for. There seems to be a total of-
(Another man (Identified as Gaz'di) comes into view. He interrupts Jekkan.)
Gaz'di: Jekkan, what are you recording?
Jekkan: We have a cargo discrepancy and I need to log it for reference.
Gaz'di: Discrepancy? How so? We checked the inventory logs at every checkpoint.
Jekkan: Yeah, that’s what’s weird about this, I don't know who did the previous checks but I found more cargo then what we accounted for. And you bet I’m gonna find out who messed up, this is not our standard.
Gaz'di: Are you sure of this error?
Jekkan: Yea Gaz’Di I’m sure. I have the log right here. It clearly shows that….huh
(Jekkan is puzzled at the holo board he is holding. He hands it to Gaz’Di.)
Gaz'di: The log seems correct to me. I don’t see any errors.
Jekkan: I guess so… but I swear we have extra cargo! I counted it myself. This makes no sense.
Gaz'di: If there’s no error then there’s no error. You should know we are the top
trading ship in this system. Our cargo counts have been perfect for more than 20 orbital cycles and counting.
Jekkan: I think I should double-check my count.
(Gaz’Di is now directly facing Jekkan. Much closer to his face now.)
Gaz'di: Everything is correct. There’s no need for another check. Anyway, the captain needs all crew assembled shortly for an orbit brief. Close this recording and head to the command deck immediately.
(Gaz’Di leaves the view. Jekkan stays for a moment.)
Jekkan: I know what I saw. Something isn’t right here…
(End of video)
Gaz'di is shady
What is the Black Palace trying to hide?