{"id":39,"date":"2018-07-28T14:25:52","date_gmt":"2018-07-28T12:25:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bavariancreampuff.net\/blog\/?p=39"},"modified":"2018-09-10T11:22:48","modified_gmt":"2018-09-10T09:22:48","slug":"a-journey-day-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/bavariancreampuff.net\/blog\/2018\/07\/28\/a-journey-day-1\/","title":{"rendered":"The search for Anomaly (No Man’s Sky part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"[ This is a blog series about the game No Man’s Sky: NEXT where I summarise my playthrough in a fictional story. Not everything I get up to, like collecting resources, is included, as that would be boring. Spoiler warning.<\/em> ]\n

 <\/p>\n

I just woke up in a place I don’t remember going to. My equipment seems damaged, but my life support systems are working, as the automated voice of my suit tells me in a grating sort of voice. Looking around, there are little bits of debris around me, from what I can’t say. The view is breathtaking though.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

My suit lets me know that I should repair my multitools’ scanner. After collecting a few resources found around me, I succeed in doing so. It then detects my ship some 400u away. If that’s my ship, and it’s damaged, why is it so far from me? Either way, I make my way towards the navpoint through the freezing temperatures. Night falls by the time I get there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The ship is quite small, and sparks are flying off the engine. I am doubtful I can fix this damage. I still can’t remember piloting this thing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u00a0 \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The on-board computer springs to life as soon as I hop in, giving me a huge startle. It lists off its autodiagnostics:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

ITERATION #2394829084924924924#G…. ONLINE<\/p>\n

ATLAS CONNECTION… INTERMITTENT<\/p>\n

Launch Thrusters… OFFLINE<\/p>\n

Pulse Engine… OFFLINE<\/p>\n

LOG #4925A.. UNAVAILABLE\u00a0 \/\/\u00a0 SUBSTITUTING DATA…<\/p>\n

Exosuit… Connected. Suggestion: Pilot should perform maintenance.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The only option on the interface is to begin with the repairs, so I select it somewhat reluctantly. Even it calls me a pilot, not an engineer…<\/p>\n

\n

\/\/\u00a0 Self-Guided Repair Protocols… INITIATED\u00a0 \/\/<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

All right! The word “guided” gives me hope. I hop out to have a look around. Just by the ship is a spherical distress beacon. Very odd, instead of technology there’s a segmented red orb in it. The designation reads “ITERATION #2394829084924924924#G”, the same number as the ships computer mentioned. I think. I guess that means it does belong with the ship. I activate it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

SCENARIO: Iteration #231187661T [Transferred | Deleted]. Probable boundary separation failure. Vessel [16] emptied. [Sentinel Intervention | Deliberate Transfer] Unknown.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

At this point the ball begins to hover and produce pyramid like protrusions. Mesmerised, I keep listening.<\/p>\n

\n

DIAGNOSTIC: … \/\/ NO CONNECTION \/\/<\/p>\n

ANALYSIS: [—-] Awaiting Fresh Iteration. [Anomaly] Containment Prepared.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

All this makes no sense to me. I tell the beacon to broadcast. A response comes in almost immediately:<\/p>\n

\n

TRAVELLER ANOMALY DETECTED.<\/p>\n

Position logged. System Integrity Scan Initialised. Anomaly is Compliant.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

I wonder what this anomaly is supposed to be. I get in the ship again to wait for rescue and shelter from the cold, when the computer pipes up again:<\/p>\n

\n

ITERATION #2394829084924924924#G…. \/\/\u00a0 FUNCTIONAL<\/p>\n

Starship critically damaged. Vital ingredients missing.<\/p>\n

Unable to synthesise required components. Pulse Engine requires Hermetic Seal.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Ah, here’s that guidance finally. I request assistance from the computer.<\/p>\n

Recommendation: Iteration comparison reveals Hermetic Seal nearby. Salvage Navigation Data from Distress Beacon cache.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I exit again, having another look at the beacon. There is, in fact, a Navigational Data module in its housing. To use it, I construct a signal booster device and feed it the module. It produces coordinates another 400u away. With a sigh I set off with a light jog. Along the way, I ran into these floating plants.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Finally at the destination, I enter the building to see what sort of help I can find. There is no one around, just some beeping devices on the wall.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I activate a device nearset to the door and it begins playing an old log that I can barely understand through the crackling:<\/p>\n

\n

-{{ ACCESSING ARCHIVE… 6 \/ 7 LOGS CORRUPTED… }}-<\/p>\n

-{{ ENTRY #4924A FOLLOWS… }}-<\/p>\n

-{{ No one – kzzktk – Making this recording in case – kzzzkt – leaving behind – kzzkkt – in the fabricator – kzzkt – might be of some use }}-<\/p>\n

-{{ – kzzktk – Visor damaged… -kzttzktk – can’t find ship… }}-<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The device opens a compartment and a Hermetic Seal falls out. Whoever left the log behind also left a vital repair item here. I wonder where they went. Since I don’t see anyone around, I make my way back to my ship and repair the engine. To my surprise, all systems say go – back to the planet I woke up on. Maybe I’ll find out more to my story there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"\" <\/a><\/p>\n

I arrive at a damaged pod.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It also has some log files waiting, after I decipher the signal.<\/p>\n

\n

-{{ 16 \/\/ 16 \/\/ 16 \/\/ LOG ENTRY #4925C FOLLOWS… }}-<\/p>\n

-{{\u00a0ENTRY #4925C: No fuel in -kzzzkt – failed to reach station. Hazard protection low… no choice but to – kzzzkt – underground… -kzzktzzkt – deployed Base Computer… }}-<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The pod also contains plans for a base computer and a terrain manipulator for my Multitool. The base computer could help me make sense of some of this data so far. First, I must collect some resources. I come across these floating crystals, but my Multitool isn’t able to break them down.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Back at my ship, I put the base computer together and set it on the ground. I tell it to search its cartographic archives. It tells me has nobody claimed this site and that it’s suitable for construction. I suppose I should claim it so I can get a small shelter going. Another message appears on its screen.<\/p>\n

\n

-{{ ACCESSING LOG FROM PREVIOUS USER… }}-<\/p>\n

-{{ ENTRY 4925D FOLLOWS… }}-<\/p>\n

-{{ Storms sweeping across – kzzzkt – but construction supplies low… Depositing shelter plans while – kzzzzkt – need to – kzkt – back soon… }}-<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

I get some plans, but there are more logs in its memory.<\/p>\n

\n

-{{ ACCESSING LOG FROM PREVIOUS USER… ADDITIONAL ARCHIVES RECOVERED… }}-<\/p>\n

-{{ ENTRY #4925E FOLLOWS… }}-<\/p>\n

-{{ Construction largely – kzztktz – a success. Recovered salvaged technology from nearby – kzzkktzz – Plans logged. Scans indicate additional subterranean devices. Beginning search… }}-<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This previous user apparently had some success, and I can learn from them. After a days work, I have a small shelter.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The base computer advised me to build a Blueprint Analyser. It tells me that I can find so-called Salvage Modules underground.I consult the possible research topics.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I look around through my analysis visor and spot one of these Technology Modules, but it’s quite a stroll away. Packing up some spare fuel for my suit and tool I make my way. At the location, I dig to the module, it isn’t buried very deep at all, and remove the salvage. On my way back, a storm moves in, so I stumble my way back to my base, a lot slower then I liked. I got another nice view though.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Back at the base, I wait out the storm in my little, bare-bones hut. When I step back out, I notice the base computer blinking. It has more logs to show.<\/p>\n

\n

-{{ ACCESSING LOG FROM PREVIOUS USER… ADDITIONAL ARCHIVES RECOVERED… }}-<\/p>\n

-{{ ENTRY #4925F FOLLOWS… }}-<\/p>\n

-{{ Scanner detected unusual -kkzztzk – repeating ’16’ – kkkzt – the space station… }}-<\/p>\n

-{{ WARNING\u00a0<\/span> \/\/\u00a0 ARCHIVES INTERRUPTED\u00a0 \/\/\u00a0 EMERGENCY BROADCAST DETECTED<\/span> }}-<\/p>\n

-{{ ” The Traveller finds their wings. They fly towards us, as they must. You will find us, when the time is right. ” }}-<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The base computer interrupts itself with a strange emergency broadcast. But what kind of emergency is that? Either way, flying into space sounds marvelous. Before I even get to my ship, my comms pick up the broadcast.code<\/p>\n

EMERGENCY BROADCAST CODE\u00a0 \/\/\u00a0 16\u00a0 \/\/ 16\u00a0 \/\/\u00a0 16\u00a0 \/\/\u00a0 16<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

With this information, I head to the systems space station to hopefully find someone that can shine some light on this emergency code.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

To my relief, it is a well populated space station. I find a life form of small stature, and repeat the code to it. They fall silent, but I don’t know if they understood me. However, I am inclined to leave this one be.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I turn to find someone else. I spot a life form that is quite tall and intimidating looking, yet not aggressive. I repeat the code to them. Now they also change, no longer seeming to want to help. Again, I decide to leave them be.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

After wandering around for a short while, I see someone else, looking very similar to the life form I just talked to. They stare at me silently. When I blink, I see that same red light that stared at me from the terminal. I repeat the code.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

-{{\u00a0 \/\/\u00a0 We are watching you, Traveller-friend.\u00a0 \/\/\u00a0 Find what we have left you.\u00a0 \/\/ }}-<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I stare intensely at the alien. Their words are not their own. Through a red glare, I somehow learn coordinates from the code. The red light fades, and the alien is looking at me blankly. It seems they don’t know what just happened. I leave, to find out what has been left for me.<\/p>\n

The coordinates lead me to a colossal crashed freighter on “my” planet. I find a beacon there, which I activate.<\/p>\n

\/\/ LOG DAMAGED \/\/ PARTIAL RECORDS AVAILABLE \/\/<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hm, were these messages nothing but the misfiring of circuits of a long-forgotten ruin? Among the debris, I find the pilots log. Its little light is blinking, awaiting input. A wonder it still works! I request the last log recorded, but instead I get a sequence of numbers, followed by a short message.<\/p>\n

The Anomaly comes for the stars. Take flight.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Also attached is a schematic for a hyperdrive. I transfer the blueprint, but oddly, it is for a conventional starship, not for a freighter of this size. Someone must have placed it after the crash. Did it mean “comes from the stars”? I wonder while installing a hyperdrive on my ship. It’s somewhat strenuous, but I manage it in the end.<\/p>\n

Back in space, my ships computer detects a signal trace, and recommends a scan. I do so, and am guided to an abandoned building on the ice planet.<\/p>\n

\"\"\u00a0\u00a0<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The doors hang askew in their frames, and an odd smelling smoke hangs over the whole thing. Inside, there is an odd growth that nearly covers the main terminal.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The terminal is clogged with an unnerving, pulsating slime. After I remove some of it, the terminal springs to life, opening up and revealing a penetrating red light in the center.<\/p>\n

TERMINAL ONLINE… SELECTING KEY… DECRYPTING…<\/p>\n

SUCCESS!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As I touch the input panel, the alien substance reacts violently, and I try to avoid getting too close. A sample of antimatter and a strange message are delivered by the terminal.<\/p>\n

\/\/ YOU WILL FIND US, WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT \/\/<\/p>\n

\/\/ 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 \/\/<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[ This is a blog series about the game No Man’s Sky: NEXT where I summarise my playthrough in a fictional story. Not everything I get up to, like collecting resources, is included, as that would be boring. Spoiler warning. … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"kt_blocks_editor_width":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[13,11,12],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/bavariancreampuff.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/bavariancreampuff.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/bavariancreampuff.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bavariancreampuff.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bavariancreampuff.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"http:\/\/bavariancreampuff.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":300,"href":"http:\/\/bavariancreampuff.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39\/revisions\/300"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bavariancreampuff.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/bavariancreampuff.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bavariancreampuff.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bavariancreampuff.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}