*FROM: GALACTIC CENTRAL SPACE AUTHORITY
*TO: CAPTAIN AND CREW OF THE STARSHIP GEO
*SUBJECT: SPACE BEACON AT S34° 02.105 E151° 13.337
You are hereby ordered to cease all solar mapping operations and proceed
directly to the galactic coordinates given above. It is understood that at that
location you will find a recently discovered space beacon of ancient origins.
This beacon is believed to mark the outer edge of our galaxy and analysis of
it's signals indicates that it is the beacon described in the last message
received from the Starship Drunken Gunmen, shortly before it disappeared into
the void.
As you know this beacon contains the last piece of information necessary to
determine the location of the escape pod which was jettisoned from the SS
Drunken Gunmen before it crossed the galactic edge. The pod contains numerous
cultural artifacts from civilisations near the galactic rim, as well as a
special memento which the crewmembers left especially for the first explorers to
find the pod (image attached below).
The contents of this pod are of unknown value. Unfortunately the security
protocols are active which means you cannot retrieve any item without depositing
something of equal or greater value. Use your discretion when determining the
relative worth of the items found.
Once you have located the beacon examine it closely. On one of it's four
faces you will see some electrical conduits connecting it to a solar power
source. The number of conduits is the final clue you need to determine the
location of the escape pod whose coordinates are S34° 02.072 E151° 13.4?8 -
just replace ? with the number.
The area around the stated coordinates is off limits to starships and scout
craft of any sort. You will need to don your environmental suits and spacewalk
to the beacon. The closest starship docking facility is at S34° 02.372
E151° 12.700 which will require a spacewalk of approximately 1.5km to the
beacon.
WARNING: As you know the escape pod is located very close to the galactic
edge. This is a VERY dangerous region so take care. However, there is absolutely
NO need to cross into the galactic void. You should be able to approach and
retrieve the pod with very little risk to your safety.
When you retrieve the pod take time to experience the views of the galactic
void. There are few finer sights in the entire galaxy.
The final transmission from the SS Drunken Gunmen can be listened to here.
**** TRANSMISSION ENDS ****
**** POSTSCRIPT ****
Solar winds have swept the pod into the void. However a jettisoned food storage container from the missing SS Drunken Gunmen has been discovered and is reported to be at the same coordinates as the original pod. The container has been secured with gravitational enhancement devices. Please ensure these are replaced after your visit.
**** POSTSCRIPT ENDS ****