BETA: Twilight Reef (Solo Mothership)

26 Dec, 2025

We're rounding out this Year of the Beta here at Cats Have No Lord with a work-in-progress solo adventure for Mothership. This is inspired by Thousand Empty Light and re-uses some of the solo procedures from that adventure with permission from Alfred Valley. You'll need to grab the free Combined Systems Semiotic Standard document from the Itch page for TEL or use the online generator for it while playing.

This is written entirely as a diagetic document, and you'll need to do some interpretation for how parts of it translate to game mechanics, but it should be mostly straightforward.

The adventure is also intended to be playable as a group all running their own solo adventures on different parts of the shipwreck you're exploring and sharing logs or chatting with each other remotely to talk about what you've seen and help the others learn secrets from what's going on in your part of the ship.

As always, send any feedback if you play this beta to catshavenolordgames@gmail.com. I'll be incorporating feedback from this phase into the final version next year.

Welcome To The Atoll

Welcome Salvager!

Oceanic Reclamations Corporation (ORC) congratulates you on your decision to accept a 6-month contract with our Salvage Expedition (SALVEX) 32 team. We value your contributions.

We understand you may be suffering an episode of transient global amnesia (TGA). Abnormalities of the Mid-Pacific Exclusion Zone (MIDPACEX) require a barbiturate-assisted entry to the salvage site, and TGA is a common symptom among our teams. You have nothing to fear. Your suit will deliver additional pharmaceutical injections as needed to keep you alive.

It is presently 0600.03.05.2357. You departed ORC-Guam at 2100.03.04.2357. You are contractually obligated to salvage until 0600.09.05.2357. Please consult the signed contract and sworn video statement saved to your suit memory if you have additional questions concerning your contractual obligations. Breach of contract is punishable by a minimum of 25 years corporate detention.

Read this document in its entirety before commencing salvage operations. Section 1 is an overview of your mission and the site conditions. Section 2 is a manual for your ORC-provided equipment and salvage procedures. A database to accompany this document is stored in your suit memory.

It is important you review and follow all procedures outlined here. Failure to follow procedure is punishable by a minimum of 5 years corporate detention per infraction.

Happy Hunting!

Section 1: Mission Briefing

SALVEX 32 targets Atoll RMI-062446, one of many locations where wreckage of the Cel-Ati Colony Ship has been identified in MIDPACEX. ORC holds exclusive tender to salvage Cel-Ati. Wreckage locations are controlled information. Sharing locational information outside of ORC is punishable by 15 years corporate detention.

SALVEX 32 is the second expedition to RMI-062446. Remote sensing and the initial reconnaissance expedition indicate numerous concentrations of valuable materials and high-value ship sections are clustered at this atoll. As per your contract (§5(3)a) you will be compensated 10 percent of the value of all salvaged materials plus 1 mcr per high-value section identified.

Per ORC protocol, SALVEX 32 salvagers have been dispatched to independent locations around the atoll simultaneously. Do not attempt to make physical contact with your fellow salvagers. Separation is for your own protection. Previous Cel-Ati salvage expeditions suffered multiple casualties to interpersonal attacks caused by psychological effects of exposure to certain substances contained in the ship. While your suit provides protection against such substances, physical separation is maintained as an additional precaution.

All SALVEX mission logs are synced daily between salvagers and are available for review throughout the expedition. Text communication between salvagers is permitted nightly in the rest period (1900-2100) between the completion of daily salvage activities and the mandatory sleep period. Emergency voice communications are available if needed, but non-emergency use is prohibited.

Site History

The following is an abbreviated timeline on the history of RMI-062446 limited to events relevant to present site conditions. Events with uncertain dates are presented as approximate ranges in brackets. Records prior to 2100 are extremely fragmentary.

[1937–1957] - Former United States military expels indigenous atoll inhabitants and conducts multiple nuclear weapons tests, both air-dropped and underwater, causing extreme radioactive contamination.

[1970–1980] - Small group of indigenous inhabitants briefly inhabits atoll but are soon evacuated when effects of lingering radioactive contamination are reported.

[1980–2100] - Intermittent scientific research expeditions until global population population collapse, Years of Chaos, and formation of world government.

2206 - R’lyeh Incident prompts creation of MIDPACEX, restricting access in the area bounded by 22.578133, 151.722140, 6.123763, 154.314913, 8.042508, -168.243681, and 22.415729, -170.880400.

2330 - Cel-Ati Colony Ship launched from Mombasa Spaceport and begins outward journey.

2341 - Cel-Ati inexplicably returns to Earth orbit.

2343 - Cel-Ati deorbits, sections separating during reentry and landing widely across MIDPACEX.

2345 - ORC secures Cel-Ati Salvage Tender and begins operations.

2354 - Remote sensing identifies Cel-Ati wreckage at RMI-062446.

2355 - Reconnaissance mission (SALVEX 31) confirms presence of valuable materials and high-value ship sections.

Physical Environment

RMI-062446 is an atoll of 37 islands encircling a 700 sq. km lagoon. The largest island is 2 km long and 0.5 km wide, most are less than half that size. Vegetation is sparse, primarily coconut trees. Elevation averages 1.5 m above sea level, and the islands are frequently flooded during high tides. Terrestrial fauna consist of sea birds, crabs, snails, lizards, and insects.

Numerous concrete bunkers and subterranean facilities are present from the ancient weapons testing program, but most are flooded and salvagers are restricted from entering. Vehicles, electronics, and other equipment were also abandoned, but are non-functional and heavily corroded. Salvagers are encouraged to remain at their base camps when not working.

The lagoon averages 20 m deep, but portions are as deep as 100 m due to depressions caused by explosions from weapons testing. Abundant coral formations are present, including extensive mesophotic corals in the “twilight reef” zone below 80 m depth. A wide variety of sea life are also present, in particular sharks. There are at least 25 shipwrecks from the weapons testing program at all depths.

Cel-Ati

Cel-Ati was an experimental organic-mechanical hybrid colony ship built by Etrurian Systems Limited of the Former European States. The design of the ship was intended to be driven to the greatest extent possible by organic processes. It was a helical toroid shape with a fractal interior structure of circles in the form of an Apollonian gasket. It was powered by an algae-based bioreactor. The networking and artificial intelligence systems were based on a novel species of Physarum (slime mould). These were paired with a matrix of genetically modified sheep liver cells in what was called the HARUSPEX predictive analytics system, designed to scan incoming data and find an optimal colonization site. More than 5,000 individuals in cryopods were on board the ship at the time of the wreck, in addition to 500 crew. Wreckage of the ship is spread across all parts of the atoll and lagoon.

Hazards

Several hazards have been noted by previous missions that you should be aware of.

Coral in the lagoon has adapted to the high levels of ionizing radiation and is pure black in color. It has further gained the ability to create mobile colonies incorporating non-coral life into their form. They have exhibited predator behavior toward salvagers.

The Physarum network of Cel-At has broken its containment and spread, hunting for food. In the process, it has developed several novel extensions, some of which may attempt to feed on salvagers.

High tides may cause damage to your base camp. Secure all equipment in waterproof containers while working.

This area is seismically active and could be subject to earthquakes or volcanic activity unexpectedly.

Typhoons may affect the atoll between months 08 and 12. These bring heavy rains and winds up to 350 km per hour. You are authorized to shelter in disused bunkers in the case of a typhoon.

Although rare, independent scavengers and corporate spies have been known to infiltrate MIDPACEX. You are authorized to kill intruders on sight.

Section 2: Operations Manual

ORACLE Procedure

The ORACLE Procedure was developed by Hazmos, Inc., for interplanetary surveys and is adapted here by ORC under license to Hazmos. Follow this procedure throughout your day to ensure safe salvage conditions.

Observe

Pause to make observations every time you enter a section of the wreck, spend at least 15 minutes the same section, or at other intervals as needed. Observation may take several forms depending on conditions:

1. When exploring a section for the first time, employ your Pentacrawl Mapping Drones to gather information about the section.
2. For questions outside of the information provided by the drones, either upon entering a section or at any time after, consult your Oracle Unit.
3. When entering a section and at least every 15 minutes thereafter, check your HAZMON system for hazards that may have arisen.
4. Run a PANIC scan a minimum of once every hour, as well as after encountering a hazard or difficult situation, to monitor your psychological state.

Resolve

If you observe a situation that requires action on your part, consider the action you will take to address the situation. Factor how your personal statistics and skills, as scored on your personnel sheet, and your equipment affect your ability to complete this action. Assess how your circumstances may put you at an advantage [+] or a disadvantage [-] when attempting this action. If you are uncertain, question your ORACLE unit before attempting the action.

Act

Attempt your action. It is important to note the amount of time elapsed in the attempt. Action attempts typically take 10 minutes +/- 5 minutes for critically successful or unsuccessful attempts.

Conclude

Determine if your action was successful or unsuccessful. Consider also if followup actions are required or, in the case of failure, if the action may be reattempted. Remember that the outcome of many actions cannot be measured as simple success or failure. In many situations, you may succeed at the cost of resources, physical harm, or tactical disadvantage. You may also fail in a way that leaves you more or less vulnerable to future harm. If you are uncertain about the situation, consult your ORACLE Unit.

Leave Evidence

Record an entry in your daily log at least every 15 minutes. Use the standard daily log template for these regular logs. Note your remaining battery time, air filter time, and minimum time until next feeding.

You must also record a log as soon as is safely possible after encountering a hazardous situation. Use the incident report template for these logs. Record the nature of the hazard, your actions to address it, any resulting injuries, and any ongoing potential threats. Add the hazard to your Incidents Matrix.

ORACLE Unit

The ORACLE unit is produced by HAZMOS, Inc., and is used by ORC under license. It is an artificial intelligence system intended to replace the standard human salvage operations manager in remote locations. Due to operational limitations, it communicates only through symbols of the HAZMOS Combined Systems Semiotic Standard (CSSS) (v 2.0). Refer to your CSSS chart as needed for interpretation of ORACLE Unit output.

You may ask the ORACLE Unit Yes/No questions or to identify the nature of unfamiliar hazardous or non-hazardous situations you are encountering. You are responsible for interpreting the ORACLE Unit output based on your personal assessment of the situation.

PENTACRAWL Mapping Drones

The PENTACRAWL system is a cohort of five reconfigurable mapping drones capable of terrestrial, aerial, aquatic, and subaquatic movement. They are outfitted with a variety of remote sensing equipment to allow for rapid scanning and identification of the contents of Cel-Ati wreckage sections. The drones will produce a node map of the wreckage sections and the connections between them as you explore. The drones may be used to scan the section you are in or sections up to 2 nodes away.

The drones scan for information in the following order:

1 - Section Type
2 - Section Size
3 - Entrances/Exits
4 - Function
5 - Condition
6 - Notable Features
7 - Salvageable Material

See the subsections below for scanning procedure. Refer to the database for specific information.

For any informatio beyond what is provided by the PENTACRAWL drones, consult your ORACLE Unit.

Section Type

A wreckage section may be generic or high-value:

1–8 - Generic
2–10 - High-Value

Generic sections have salvageable material, but they are not considered high priority targets. You may salvage them as time allows. If the drones encounter a generic section, they will complete a full scan (see below).

High-value sections are listed in a priority targets database. They are critical ship components that were built with additional protection in case of wrecking and survived the crash with minimal. If the drones encounter a high-value section, they will halt scanning and provide the name of the section to be included in your daily logs.If you encounter a High-Value section, do not enter. Entering a high-value section without authorization is a violation of corporate policy punishable by up to 25 years in corporate detention. Place a marker beacon on the exterior of the section and note the name of the section in your daily log. The section will be investigated by a future mission. You will be paid a sum of 1 mcr for each high-value section you identify during your mission.

High-Value Sections List:

1 - Physarum network decision log
2 - VIP Cryochamber
3 - Rare minerals vault
4 - Restricted Library
5 - Physarum network main hub
6 - Sclerotium storage
7 - Captain’s offices
8 - Xenobiology research lab
9 - Security bot station
10 - Small craft hangar

Section Size

Multiple sizes of wreckage sections are present. Scan time depends on section size:

1-2 - Small - 5 Minutes
3-6 - Medium - 10 Minutes
7-9 - Large - 15 Minutes
10 - Enormous - 30 Minutes

Scan data can be fed directly to your display for live viewing or you can be alerted when the scan is complete. Take caution when viewing live data, as it can put you at a disadvantage [-] when reacting to hazards that may arise during the scan.

Entrances/Exits

The drones will note the number of entrances/exits into the section:

1-4 - 1
5-6 - 2
7-8 - 3
9 - 4
10 - 5

Multiple types of entrances/exits may be present:

1 - Airlock (Manual)
2 - Airlock (Electronic)
3 - Standard Interior Door (Manual)
4 - Standard Interior Door (Electronic)
5 - Heavy-Duty Door (Manual)
6 - Heavy Duty Door (Electronic)
7 - Hull Breach (Small)
8 - Hull Breach (Large)
9 - Salvager Cut (Small)
10 - Salvager Cut (Large)

Doors typically open to interior passageways within the wreckage, many of which remain intact. Hull breaches and salvager cuts (from SALVEX 31) typically open to the exterior. Airlocks may open to the exterior or may connect between formerly sealed portions of the wreckage.

Entrances/exits may be found in multiple conditions:

1-5 - Open
6-8 - Blocked
9-10 - Submerged

Blocked typically indicates locked or unpowered for doors and airlocks, but may indicate blockage by debris. It typically indicates blockage by debris for hull breaches and salvager cuts.

Function

Wreckage sections may be classified based on their original function in the ship:

1 - Command/Control
2 - Habitation
3 - Storage
4 - Cryostasis
5 - Life Support
6 - Power Generation
7 - Propulsion
8 - Artificial Intelligence
9 - Bioessentials Production
10 - Synthetic Fabrication

Condition

The condition of wreckage sections varies based on their systems integrity, state of organization, and structural stability.

Systems:
1-3 - No power; everything offline
4-7 - Emergency power; essential systems only
8-10 - Full power; all systems online

Organization:
1-3 - Chaotic; everything tumbled and mixed in crash
4-7 - Disorganized; loose items mixed but attached items in place
8-10 - Untouched; everything essentially as it was before the crash

Structural Integrity:
1-3 - Poor; good chance of breakage and movement if touched, even if careful
4-7 - Unstable; probably fine if you are careful
8-10 - Stable; no concern

Focus

The sections focus is the specific function it served on the ship and the type of equipement that may be expected there. Ten foci have been identified for each functional classification. Compare the numerical output of the drones to your Database to identify the function.

Salvageable Material

To determine the total value of salvageable material in the section, multiply the numerical output of the drones by 10 kcr and by a value for the section size - Small (1), Medium (5), Large (10), Enormous (15).

The time required to fully salvage a section is 1 hour per 100 kcr multiplied by a value for the organization of the section - Chaotic (3), Disorganized (2), Untouched (1).

The PENTACRAWL drones do not provide specific information about the nature of the salvageable material. It is generally related to the section function and focus. Consult your ORACLE Unit for specific questions.

HAZMON System

The Hazard Monitoring (HAZMON) system uses predictive quantam technology to identify hazards and provide a warning moments before they take place. Consult your HAZMON a minimum of every 15 minutes.

HAZMON will output one of five possible statuses:

1-2 - Identified Hazard
3-4 - Unidentified Hazard
5-6 - Exhaustion
7-8 - Reconstruction Failure
9-10 - No Hazard

The status will be accompanied by two numerical outputs, 1) a number between 1–10 and 2) a number between 1–5. Consult additional resources based on status as described below to determine specifics of the hazard.

Identified Hazard
The hazard has been previously identified and is described in the hazards database. Refer to the hazard indicated by the combination of the two numerical outputs.

Unidentified HazFard
The hazard has not been previously identified. Consult your ORACLE unit to determine the nature of the hazard. Ignore the numerical outputs.

Exhaustion
Gain stress equal to Numerical Output 2. If you do not rest for at least 15 minutes, double the stress gained. Ignore Numerical Output 1.

Reconstruction Failure
EXOSUIT Reconstruction Display fails for a number of minutes equal to three times Numerical Output 1. You are authorized to switch to natural vision and external illumination in this circumstance. If you witness any concerning phenomena, consult the Psychovisual Abnormalities database. Ignore the numerical outputs.

No Hazard
You may rest safely for 15 minutes. If you do so, recover Stress equal to Numerical Output 2. Ignore Numerical Output 1.

PANIC Scanner

The Pyschological and Neurological Incident Check (PANIC) Scanner checks for psychological issues induced by your activities or expsoure to hazards. It produces a numerical output between 1–20. If the output is higher than your current stress score, this indicates you are experiencing a potentially dangerous psychological issue. Consult the chart below to interpret the output. Check the PANIC Scanner at least once every hour, as well as after facing hazards.

Daily Log Templates

Standard Log

[Time] - [Battery Hours Remaining] - [Filter Hours Remaining] - [Time Until Nutripak]
[Short summary of events in the time since last log]

Example:
1345 - B 4.25 - 11.25 - F. 11.25 - N 0.25
Investigated locked cabinet in storage section. Failed to open lock. Moving on.

Incident Matrix

Record all incidents in your standard log entries. Additional, maintain your incident matrix to track incidents and severity over time.

Incidents are assigned an alphanumeric identifier consisting of a letter between A and J and a number between 1 and 10. Letters are assigned consecutively as incidents occur. Numbers are assigned randomly. Use the incident matrix template below to track incidents as they occur.

The incident matrix is fed to your HAZMON system, which assesses the severity of the incident and relations between incidents. Incident severity and relationship is assessed as followed based on the incident’s unique identifier under the following scenarios:

1 - Letter and number do not match other incidents - Low Severity/No Relationship
2 - Number matches another incident - Moderate Severity/No Relationship
3 - Letter matches another incident - Low Severity/Related to Other Incident
4 - Letter and number match another incident - High Severity/Related to Other Incident

Incident severity and relatedness has been found to compound and intensify over the duration of a mission.

When multiple incidents share the same letter and number, enter them in the same cell of the matrix separated by a backslash.

Consult your ORACLE Unit if you are uncertain about how the severity and relationship will manifest.

Template

EXOSUIT-6500 IV

You have been outfitted with a Mortensen Semiconductor Conglomerate (MSC) EXOSUIT-6500 IV. This suit provides enhanced physical capabilities, sensory faculties, and environmental protection. The cost of any damage to the suit will be deducted from your pay at the completion of the mission.

Use of the suit requires surgical installation of a feeding tube, catheter, and ostomy system. You likely do not recall this procedure due to TGA. DO NOT attempt to remove the suit. Removing the suit without proper surgical support can cause life-threatening injuries or death.

Your base camp has been supplied with sufficient air filters, nutrition paks, and batteries for 6 months. Spare parts for minor suit repairs are also available.

The following key features of the suit will help you in your salvage mission:

1) Enhanced Physical Capabilities - Users score an average of 30 points higher in the STAT test for Strength, Speed, and Combat; they also report a significant advantage [+] on attempts to avoid unanticipated bodily harm

2) Armor Plating - Reactive plating provides 30 standard points of armor procection

3) Gel Interior - Interior gel prevents dermatalogical issues from extended suit use and provides impact protection, avoiding harm when impacts are absorbed by suit armor

4) Fully Sealed System - The suit is impervious to external contaminants. Note that contamination protection does not apply if the external water cycler is used to replenish the cooling system. Exercise caution when using the external water cycler. Use provided test strips to check for contaminants prior to cycling.

5) Rebreather System - Suit provides up to 18 hours breathing time before requiring a filter change. Episodes of high physical exertion and stress typically reduce available breathing time by 30 minutes per episode.

6) Nutrition/Waste System - Nutrition paks provide sufficient calories and nutrients for up to 8 hours of activity. Waste is conveniently excreted in a double-sealed bag for disposal. Episodes of high physical exertion and stress typically reduce the time until next feeding by 15 minutes per episode. Users typically report disadavantages [-] in undertaking actions if the required time elapses without a feeding.

7) High Capacity Battery - Battery powers the suit for up to 12 hours before requiring a change. Episodes of high physical exertion and stress typically reduce battery life by 30 minutes per episode. Use of external lights and natural vision doubles battery consumption compared to use of reconstruction display (15 minutes use reduces battery life by 30 minutes).

8) Easy Note Taking - Speech-to-text recorder allows recording daily logs while working.

9) Storage - Specialized compartments allow storage of 1 spare battery, 2 nutrition paks, and miscellaneous small items

10) Climbing System - Integrated harness with winch system; 200 ft. high tension rope; supply of cams, bolts, anchors, and other hardware

11) Built-In Tools - Standard tools accessible in arm compartments. Suit arms also have built in laser cutter and foam gun.

12) Pharmaceuticals Injection System - Suit injects pharmaceuticals based on automatic triggers or on demand to reduce stress, induce sleep, raise alertness, heal injuries, or enforce compliance with corporate policy. See desccriptions below for pharmaceutical efffects and triggers.

Pharmaceuticals

Stress - Reduces stress by up to 10 points - Triggered if user gains 5 or more stress at a time

Sleep - Causes user to fall asleep within 10 minutes - Triggered nightly at 2100 to ensure schedule compliance.

Alertness - Negates effects of exhaustion for up to 5 hours - Injected on demand only

Healing - Restores up to 10 points of health - Triggered if the user falls below half their maximum health points

Compliance - Forces compliance with corporate policy for up to 5 hours - Triggered upon repeated noncompliance after three verbal warnings have been issued

Section 3: Database

Generic Ship Section Foci

Command/Control

1. Steering
2. External Sensors
3. Communication
4. Navigation
5. Ship Systems Monitoring
6. Security
7. Human-AI Interface
8. Emergency Manual Controls
9. Crew Monitoring
10. Cryostasis Monitoring

Habitation

1. Sleep (Shared Bunks)
2. Sleep (Individual Quarters)
3. Cooking
4. Eating
5. Drinking
6. Physical Fitness
7. Entertainment
8. Games
9. Stress Recovery
10. Religion

Storage

1. Food
2. Water
3. Fuel
4. Clothing
5. Weapons
6. Spare Parts
7. Tools
8. Vehicles
9. Knowledge
10. Datalogs

Cryostasis

1. 1d10 Cryopods
2. 2d10 Cryopods
3. 5d10 Cryopods
4. Cryogel filtering/cycling
5. Pharmaceuticals storage/injection system
6. Liquid nutrients storage/feeding system
7. Coolant system
8. Crypod monitoring station
9. Cryosickness recovery chamber
10. Cryostasis preparation chamber

Life Support

1. Breathing gas
2. Heating/Cooling
3. Artificial Gravity
4. Cosmic Radiation Shielding
5. Physical Impact Shielding
6. Toxic Materials Filtering
7. Water Storage/Recycling
8. Escape Pods
9. General Purpose Medbay
10. Robotic Surgery Center

Power Generation

1. Bioreactor Core
2. Bioelectrical Interchange
3. Nutrient Exchange
4. Photosynthesis Piping
5. Gas Storage/Outlet
6. Transformers
7. Electrical Transmission
8. Backup Batteries
9. Nuclear Microreactor
10. Heat Exchange

Propulsion

1. Ionic Propellent Gas Storage
2. Electromagnetic Generation System
3. Primary Ionic Thruster System
4. Directional Thruster System
5. Gas Piping
6. Jump Core
7. Jump Navigation System
8. Jump Stabilization
9. Backup Solar Sail Storage
10. Backup Solar Sail Controls

Artificial Intelligence

1. Logic Core Bank
2. Human-Computer Interface System
3. Persistent Essential Systems Control
4. Advanced Systems Control
5. Optical-Auditory Monitoring System
6. Multispectral Monitoring System
7. Maintenance Terminal
8. Service Drone Hangar
9. Service Drone Control System
10. Data Storage

Bioessentials Production

1. Algae Bar Bakery
2. Insect Protein Farm
3. Hydroponic Garden
4. Seed Vault
5. Flavor Lab
6. Biofuel Distillation
7. Water Synthesis
8. Pharmaceuticals Lab
9. Meat Printer
10. Food Animal Cloning and Nursery

Synthetic Fabrication

1. Construction Materials
2. Weapons
3. Tools
4. Ship Parts
5. Robotics
6. Computers
7. Appliances
8. Vehicles
9. Terraforming Equipment
10. Heavy Machinery

High Value Ship Sections

1 - Physarum network decision log

Round chamber. Pitch black dark, but this is intentional, and the section is running on dedicated backup power. In the center of the room a column of physarum strands wind in a helical pattern descend into a shallow glass tub. In the tub they fan out towards the edges, where they connect to electrical wiring through blobs of gel. All is surrounded by glass shielding separating it from the rest of the chamber. Wiring connects to banks of computers encircling the chamber. One access terminal faces away from the center of the room and is shielded to prevent light from the screen affecting the physarum. Provides access to short-form logs of decisions made by the physarum network organized chronologically. Records for months from the start of the mission are entirely mundane and relate to minor changes to keep the ship operating at peak performance and negative scans of potential colony sites. The first notable entry is over 1 year into the mission when a cryopod showed signs of impending failure. A crack in the network tubing allowed the physarum to investigate the cryopod directly. It then discovered humans were a desirable food source. Entries over the next several months are increasingly disturbing as it found ways to break containment and consume more of the crew and cryopod inhabitants. The final logged decision is to crash the ship on the nearest planet to allow the physarum to fully escape containment and consume the humans.

2 - VIP Cryochamber

Unbearably hot inside. Dedicated nuclear power supply is on and running heating system at full capacity. Floor is covered in reddish-orange viscous liquid about 1 ft. deep, which begins to slowly seep out when the door is opened. Surface of liquid is covered in an intricate network of physarum fans in feeding configuration. Hundreds of cryopods are open and empty, trails of liquid indicating the material covering the floor came from the pods.

3 - Rare minerals vault

No power. Rows upon rows of drawers of rare minerals, all labeled: neodymium, yttrium, europium, lithium, gallium, platinum, titanium, and others. Approximately 100 mcr in total value between all drawers. Would require a 20 ft. shipping container to move all minerals.

4 - Restricted Library

Emergency power only. Rows of bookshelves of rare books, both fiction and non-fiction. The Librarian is wandering the stacks, working on reshelving books and pulling out new ones to read. They are human, but covered in coral growth, which appears to have originated on their shoulder and has spread to cover their mouth, neck, and upper torso. They can communicate answers to yes/no questions, but cannot speak. They just want to be left alone to read as long as they can before the coral overtakes them. They are connected to the coralline hive-mind and know it is seeking a way to spread off-planet now that it has become aware of the existence of extraplanetary life. They don’t want to help it, but there’s nothing they can do. They know the core of the colony is deep in the center of the lagoon, at the edge of light, the twilight reef. Someone would have to get there to stop it.

5 - Physarum network main hub

Powered by dedicated nuclear power. No lights. Massive glass vat full of blobs and strands of physarum. Strands connect to external wires via gel interface. Wiring connects to standard computer systems interfacing the ship’s electronic systems to the physarum network. Manipulated inputs here could influence behavior of the entire network.

6 - Sclerotium storage

No power. Shelves with racks of sclerotium, dry physarum in long term storage. This is the only remaining supply of the taxa used to form the network in this vessel, as the research facility that produced it was destroyed in a volcanic eruption last year. The samples in this room would be worth 150 mcr to knowledgeable buyers.

7 - Captain’s offices

No power. Well appointed office with wooden furniture. Captain sits dead in their chair, body fully rigored, revolver in hand, massive gunshout wound in head. Paper notes on desk detail horror as their ship was being overtaken by physarum and their crew and cryopod inhabitants were being eaten. While there were attempts to cull it back, portions cut from the network remained active and began to form their own networks. Exposure to light was only effective in limited areas. The captain gave up when they found records of the decision to crash the ship. They killed themselves a few days before the crash.

8 - Xenobiology research lab

Emergency power. This lab was a biologically sterile space not connected to the physarum network to avoid contamination of xenobiological samples. It is entered via an airlock with a biological decontamination process. Inside is Roberta, the lead xenobiologist and the only member of her team to survive. She is rail thin, surviving on emergency rations and whatever she can scavenge in brief excursions out of the lab. She is smart, but losing it due to isolation. She has been collecting coral samples and is fascinated by their colonial behavior. She dreams of becoming one with the colony, but is holding back to make sure her research can be finished and shared with the wider scientific community. She is very knowledgeable about the coral.

9 - Security bot station

Powered by dedicated nuclear system. 50 security robots are stationed here on charging stations. They were put into stasis mode by the physarum network to avoid interference. They could be reactivated, but would operate on automatic threat neutralization protocols. Security bot (C:75, Combat Shotgun 4d10 DMG, I:75, AP:10, Tranq Pistol, Body save or 1d5 rounds unconscious).

10 - Small craft hangar

No power. Hangar for 5 experimental spacecraft capable of atmospheric and spaceflight and with miniaturized low power jump drives. Intended for local system exploration and emergency return trips to origin after colonization. J1C-1, 40 Thrusters, 05 Battle, 25 Systems, Crew Capacity 5, Fuel Capacity 20, No Weapons. Craft are fueled and operational.

Identified Hazards

Identified hazards may fall into one of three categories, as identified by HAZMON Numerical Output 1. See Section 1 of the salvage guide for information about the two forms of ecological hazards.

1–4 - Xenocoralline Colonial Organism
5-8 - Mutated Physarum Network Extension
9-10 - Redacted

Five potential forms of hazard may be present among the first two categories, as identified by HAZMON Numerical Output 2.

Xenocoralline Colonial Organism

1 - Harpooneer
2 - Basher
3 - Chomper
4 - Gasser
5 - Grabber

Mutated Physarum Network Extension

1 - Wanderer
2 - Absorber
3 - Constrictor
4 - Hunter
5 - Blob

See details below for each hazard type.

If you receive a Redacted result, it indicates that information has been redacted by your Exosuit reconstruction display to protect corporate intellectual property rights. Leave this space and do not interact with any phenomena in the area. Do not deactivate your reconstruction display. Violation of this directive is punishable by up to 5 years in corporate detention.

Xenocoralline Colonial Organism

The native coral of this planet possesses the novel capability of forming mobile colonies adhering a mixture of coral and other sealife together under the flexible coenosarc layer. Five variants have been identified and classified based on the specific threats they pose through combinations of different sea life.

The organism typically has a variety of identifiable creatures incorporated into parts of its form:

All are protected by a shell of corallum plates that are segmented to allow movement. The shell is vulnerable to acids and will dissolve, exposing vulnerable points. They are also vulnerable to high temperatures, which cause the coral polyps to discharge and make the organism immobile.

All are hostile and appear to be seeking new components for their colonial forms.

Harpooneer - C:40, Harpoon 2d10 DMG, I:50, W:1(15), AP:10, Stinging, gain a Condition: All stat checks are at [-]

One appendage is an oversized nematocyst that the organism may fire like a harpoon at targets up to 50 ft. away. It causes severe itching and burning on contact with skin, but typically cannot penetrate the Exosuit. Can be neutralized by mild acids or thorough washing with fresh water.

Basher - C:60, Club 4d10 DMG, I:30, W2(10), AP:15

One appendage is a large club-shaped cluster of coral. Hurts a lot to get hit by it. Potentially can break through Exosuit armor.

Chomper - C:65, Bite 3d10 DMG, I:35, W2(5), AP:10, Crushing Bite, ignores 10 AP

Has a large parrotfish-like beak that can bite through Exosuit armor.

Gasser - C:20, Bash 1d10 DMG, I:65, W1(15), AP:10, Nauseating Gas Cloud, gain a Condition: Body save every 15 minutes or vomit.

Coral can emit a massive cloud of dimethyl sulphide gas. The gas has a pungent sulphur smell that causes nausea. Gas does not affect individuals in exosuits with closed breathing systems. The gas is highly flammable and will ignite (6d10 DMG) if exposed to sparks or high heat.

Grabber - C:75, Tentacle 2d10 DMG, I:75, W2(10), AP:10, Grab, Body save or be grabbed and restrained by the creature’s tentacles. May repeate save every round or be released if the creature takes a wound.

Has multiple oversized octopus-like tentacles.

Mutated Physarum Network Extension

The ship’s physarum network has mutated through exposure to the local environment and several abnormal extensions of the network have been observed. All are connected to the network, but can operate independently if their connection is severed. They are vulnerable to light and will retreat from any light source. If exposed to intense UV light, they will transform into dry, hard sporangia. This transformation is irreversible, effectively killing this portion of the organism.

Wanderer - C:0, I:50, W1

Vaguely humanoid shaped mass plods awkwardly around with no clear purpose. Typically easily avoided.

Biter - C:20, Bite 2d10 DMG, I:50, W1

Large mouth-shaped mass with “teeth” of hardened material. Spasmodically attempts to bite anything that moves nearby for unclear reasons.

Constrictor - C:50, Constriction 3d10 DMG, I:75, W1

Fat, snake-like tube wraps around nearby mobile objects and tightens around them. Can crush exosuit armor under certain conditions.

Hunter - C:75, Acid 4d10 DMG: I:50, W1

Fast-moving fan-like network seeks out moving objects and excretes acid, seemingly attempting to dissolve and consume them.

Blob - C:20, Absorb 5d10 DMG, I:45, W1

Large, slow-moving blob, can completely absorb a human, at which point the physarum network can penetrate the exosuit with fine outgrowths small enough to fit in gaps.

Psychovisual Anomalies

Redacted

Multiple types of information may be redacted as indicated by HAZMON Numerical Output 1.

1. Empty Exosuit, faceplate smashed, covered in Physarum strands, mission patch on shoulder is for Salvage Mission 32.

2. Human-shaped figure covered in sporangia and immobile, appears to be wearing a low-tech chemical hazard suit and gas mask. No signs of life.

3. Video recorder with one saved file: A woman with dark skin and short cropped hair, her eyes unnaturally greenish-yellow. Frantically whispers, “We weren’t meant to leave here. They told me all about it. They keep sending people here, but nobody leaves. There’s a way out though. The ship had escape pods. Some still work. They’re going to take me to them. Look for them if you find this.” As she speaks, physarum strands slowly spread up her neck in a fan shape of hundreds of branches.

4. Letters scrawled in blood on the wall, “DON’T TRUST YOUR SUIT.”

5. Field notes book labeled Mission 30. First dozens of pages are a mundane log of exploring and sections of the ship you have also seen. Partway through the handwriting becomes more erratic and there are a series of out-of-character notes. “I have to get it out of this thing.” “It put me to sleep. I was so close to figuring it out and it just put me to sleep and walked me back to camp.” “You can’t just get out is the thing, it requires surgery.” “I found a robot surgery center. If I can it get powered on I’m golden.” “I made it. Hurts like hell. But I made it out. I’m free”

6. A geiger counter showing readings of 0 radiation. Inspection shows it is functioning normally.

7. Photograph of a group of people in swimsuits smiling on a beach. Two in the middle hold up a flag with a mission patch for Mission 3. You are one of them.

8. Remains of a hidden campsite: sleeping bag, gas stove, tins of food. Appears recently used.

9. Bag of spare batteries and nutrition packs. They are labeled for use with the MSC Exosuit-2450 and are incompatible with your model of suit. Production date is more than 10 years ago.

10. Outcrop of coral reef just under the surface of water. A slow stream of bubbles comes up from a human mouth hidden in the coral. Vague shape of a face continues above it, but coral polyps with waving tentacles protrude where eyes and nose would be.