The Passenger Saga

Assignment Log 2447

2008-02-07T10:08:00.000-06:00

Entry--A02

Great. Juuust great. Shortly after leaving the medical bay I find out the Siphon has been mysteriously sabotaged with the crew doing a vanishing act. Pretty sure some bastard did not want me finding that out until it was too late. Considering I'm still alive (for whatever good it's worth), I have to assume my invisible enemy's plan failed.

My weapons were all disassembled upon my arrival here, but I got a drunkard yesterday to tell me of some old munitions stored away deep in the lower levels. If I have to fight my damn way out of this place, so be it.

-Entry terminates at 1015

Deep Archive Alteration Detected

2008-01-29T20:35:00.000-06:00

entry header: Napoleonic Wars, 1799-1815
entry created: 0527, 25810930
last edit: 0527, 28810930
encryption key: blackfog delta39 TEF standard ******a2, reroute 63.TS.wnet.sub

>ENTRY ALTERATION DETECTED
>TERRAN ARCHIVAL GUILD PASSWORD REJECTED
>NOTIFYING memoryintegrity.Q.widernet
>NOTIFICATION REJECTED BY SPAMBOT meminteg.widernet, build 7.2

It's as I thought; privatelog entries aren't private on the Passenger. I've noted at least half a dozen accounts pry into that entry about "Gwin" and our next moves. With luck that'll put them off the scent for a few cycles. Future field testing reports and other sensitive intel will be deposited in deep info storage here - the archivist on this whacked place is a halfbyte; so hopped up on Gen-Cola mixed with illegal depressants that I don't think he could find his own wetware, let alone an altered entry from the Ancient History d-banks. Just use your head and keep up on the Fact of the Week.

Stage one of the testing is complete - you were exactly right. The Genomic Webbing Integrated Network prototype is fully repairable by standard neurotechs. The yutzes didn't even know what they were fixing, but Gwin was back up much sooner than you expected. Much longer than I'd have preferred, but at least the Passenger isn't a boring hole-in-the-web like some of my postings. Some colorful auras around here.

And speaking of auras, the modded AuraGen you equipped Gwin with is working so far - no questions. They did ask where our "unusual" augs were from, but they let drop without much effort. All the officials here are really dull - truth, the archivist is the most interesting one of all the greys. Once you get into the unofficial sectors of the Passenger, though...well, I'll leave that for the next drop. Too much data in one of these ancient history pages and even that blazer of an archivist might notice.

In the meantime, send me everything in the TEF d-base you can about the Passenger. There are way too many mysteries in this place. As long as it's not classified, you can send them to the Blackfish addy, otherwise use a remote dump here. Per orders, will begin stress-test of Gwin in unfamiliar, cybernetically hostile environment. Have heard of a pseudovirus that might do the trick. Blackfog out.

>EXTERNAL DATA REQUEST ACCESS, DATE 2319, 28811001

Response from Mr. Vermouth

2008-01-27T23:28:00.000-06:00

c/o: a.VERMOUTH PRIVATE WORKSTATION, I&aP Branch Office.

sent from:
Alex Vermouth
c/o I&aP
9099 Cyran Bermuda
Office ROOF, The Love Shack
Firth, Perias, Helon 0059.4531

sent to:
JavaBomberman
c/o Lightstation: Passenger
terminal z12
javabomberman.Q.widernet

body:
encryption code accepted. encrypted message follows:

Clearance ID ALPHA>OMEGA>4400.SCOPIO

Forgive the late response. We have been having problems over here. As soon as I got your message concerning the Siphon and its link to the mysterious "AIUS" sequence ('digital vandalism' as the media outlets put it) I put together some tight ass crawler-bots to run queries on anything and everything to do with that bitch of a story. I checked the ArcNet, the UniSphere, TrinityWeb, and EVEN the Edgerspace Communication Grid. I checked them all. Mostly I found the same old boring crap. 'Siphon found empty! Crew missing! AIUS repeating sequence! Mystery!', but it was when I cracked some higher level pulse traffic on the ArcNet that I found something big. Real big. I got a couple seconds look at it, not enough time to extract it, and then my computer systems blinked out. Hmm, another Blackhat knocking out my connection because I had hit the gold mine, perhaps? Then on every single god damn monitor I owned the repeating sequence began to pour out: "AIUS AIUS AIUS AIUS AIUS AIUS AIUS AIUS AIUS AIUS AIUS AIUS AIUS AIUS AIUS AIUS AIUS AIUS..." and so on. It was really messed. Nothing I have tried has cleaned out my systems of this damn AIUS virus. It's something otherworldly. I've gone through ten I&aP systemTerminals already. The boss is totally going to fry my ass when he finds out. It's crazy. Any terminal I bring into that room gets infected by the virus. EVEN IF THEY AREN'T SHARING ANY COMMUNICATIONS!!!! I do not know how it's possible, it only seems to work in THAT room. I've locked and quarantined that office so nobody can get in, I want to do some more tests but I don't want any old idiot to walk in there an kill their pocket tablet or something.

Now I'm doing my work from on the roof. I've set up a nice little shack up here, right next to the I&aP communication array. As soon as I build some better net-defense bots I'll try and decrypt and extract that golden nugget I found on the ArcNet. As soon as I crack it, I'll let you know what it's all about. Here's hoping I don't fuck up any more of I&aP's computer systems.

-Alex, out.

end encryption.

MESSAGE ENDS

OFFICIAL MESSAGE AS FOLLOWS:

2008-01-27T19:45:00.000-06:00

c/o: COMMUNICATION PROBE TERMINAL z12 OF THE LIGHTSTATION PASSENGER.
Communication Probes of tomorrow, today. Only the best for a passenger of the Passenger.
A ComInd product.

sent from:
JavaBomberman
c/o Lightstation: Passenger
terminal z12
javabomberman.Q.widernet

send to:
Alex Vermouth
c/o I&aP
9099 Cyran Bermuda
Office 426, sublevel XIV
Firth, Perias, Helon 0059.4531

body:
encryption code accepted. encrypted message follows:

Clearance ID GAMMA>DELTA>4242.EGARION

Alex. More news on the source in relation to the Siphon anomaly. Contact with the source has been limited to pub meetings and idle chat. I was coming up short on info, and even my target hacks into this "AIUS" business yielded no profitable results. However: Last night, I was headed for another meeting with the Lieutenant. On my way to the usual pub location I noticed Spudler being tailed. No way he'd have been found out if I hadn't seen the tail. It was just his own dumb luck that a fellow Argon Project member would have been on this rusted bucket of a lightstation in the first place. It was further dumb luck that he was obviously a rook and I was able to "liberate" him of his Aura ID scrambler and Trick Book as I "accidentally" brushed past him on my way to meet with Spudler. He was apprehended moments later when the authorities ID'd him positively. The Lt. didn't notice that, so I'm not sure if he knew he was being tailed. I doubt it, even a rook AP member is fucking good. Dumb luck. I could use some of that.

By the by, I never got a response from my previous transmission. Did you turn up anything on this whole ordeal? I'm still pretty baffled, but I sure couldn't let my only source get taken down before I had a chance to make some creds on this.

Or maybe these aren't getting to you, in which case I'm already a dead man. If that's the case, the pox on all your families, you AP scum. I'll never forgive you, and you better send an army if you hope to take me down.

Nah, you're getting these. I'm not dumb enough to believe I wouldn't already be dead if this was intercepted without my knowledge.

Java out.

end encryption.

MESSAGE ENDS.

Assignment Log 2447

2008-01-27T15:37:00.000-06:00

Entry--A01

I have given up hope that the Siphon is going to find me out here. My writing in this log is two-fold: It is mandated by the FLA that we record abnormal mission status, of which this definitely qualifies. The sub-station on Targol-5 typically picks up these records after a few months as well, so I am praying to any gods that are listening they will find these.

Everyone on this damn station seems so neutral and functional. Almost as if they are robots. As I sit here drinking my Gen-Cola, which tastes like Gwakii piss, I have the strangest feeling I am being watched. I felt it first yesterday when I was touring the lower levels of the station looking for weapons. A shadow at the corner of my eye, faint footsteps that are in perfect cadence with mine. Maybe I'm just going crazy, but I will have to watch my back.

Targol-5, if you are reading this message, I may already be dead. This station needs to be investigated thoroughly; something is seriously f*cked up here.

--Entry terminates at 1546

2008-01-27T10:49:00.000-06:00

Drink GEN-COLA, it's the new kick-ass liquid elixir from GORGEN CORPORATION. It's made with ultra fine sugarplex crystals and contains TEN xanthine alkaloid compounds! Get your daily dose of RED 40, YELLOW 8, and Nutrient 776. You'll get a new lease on life whenever you open up a can.

GEN-COLA, FOR YOUR GENERATION.

code %23** Rerouting Blackfish Logprivate.

2008-01-27T08:16:00.000-06:00

HEADER: Pulse traffic getting tangled, message being rerouted and tagged with proper marker. Damn tourists don't know how to use the public workstations even after going through the welcoming seminar. (sigh) At least it keeps my job interesting. REROUTE#23.BY.wnetadmin.q

MESSAGE STARTS, 0403:
to: logprivate
loginid: Blackfish.********a2

**begin audio recording**
I never thought it would take this long to get Gwin up and walking again, but considering how close she was to the core when it ruptured...well, I should probably be happy we're here at all. And that we managed to crash into the one place in the constellation that could salvage Gwin’s fused neural augs…well, let’s just say my take on dues has been tweaked a bit since we got to Passenger.

Passenger's one weird place. Take, after their webbing snagged us and we just needed to be processed, the damn station wouldn’t accept our univID’s! We had to log new ones just to get Gwin cleared into the medlab. I guess universal doesn’t mean what it used to. And that’s not the least of it, I just haven't had time to update my logs nearly enough in the years I've...we've been here. Time goes kind of…differently here.

Though with Gwin up again, I'm all the more reminded of everyone we lost from the Vanyr, however long ago it was. **pause in entry** But that doesn't matter anymore. With all of us back on our feet and out of the medlab in the morning, we can start trying to track down the fleet and get back to where we belong.
**end recording**

## Widernet Update

2008-01-26T19:36:00.000-06:00

Users, please tag all story threads to ensure post integrity. The Passenger's WIDERNET is known to experience heavy pulse traffic and without proper organization, systems can get tangled. Thank you for your cooperation. Enjoy your stay.

-WNetAdmin.Q

Encryped Transmission: Assignment #: P002627-03

2008-01-25T20:25:00.000-06:00

Partial Decryption--Passenger

21:00

from: Unknown signal
to: Mobile Device *6625854

yjil4kja4uq3lsdnvau5326ie22hflcoduqh%36242yg3t6gf2f987df0987gdf-
=df0df6g8s76f8&%$5b4k3k55-

Tunneler, this is Red Star. Requesting status of current assignment. The lieutenant's aura presently reads active. Consider station personnel expendable in elimination of target.

^%$#1][f[faalkflgGw928552%yfjf928h98gh92-1ggf2.

Mission closes 013008 at 0600.

RELAY TO ALL PASSENGER CREW MEMBERS

2005-12-14T00:36:00.000-06:00

...
...
detect signal degradation, engage frequency buffing
...
message as follows:

from: Blackfish.Q.widernet
to: passenger.em.widernet.sub

Thank deus my request for a widernet account went through in time, otherwise we'd be completely mute out here. We lost engine containment and barely had time to vent; even so it fused most of our systems. We have a plug in the breach but I'm not sure how long it'll hold. Several of my crew and my companion are severely hurt, I hope you have a burn specialist in there. I'm still not sure this is getting through, our main dish got fried in the accident and most of our permissions were on that frequency. All that's left is the backup dish and we can't get through to anyone but the widernet so I hope someone's watching this feed. We're still on course thanks to inertia but I hope your docking web is strong, I'm not going to be able to slow her down on approach. We should be there in an hour. Until then we can only wait but PLEASE have your med staff ready, Gwin needs help bad. I can pay.

OFFICIAL MESSAGE AS FOLLOWS:

2005-12-07T01:49:00.000-06:00

c/o: COMMUNICATION PROBE TERMINAL m39 OF THE LIGHTSTATION PASSENGER.
Communication Probes of tomorrow, today. Only the best for a passenger of the Passenger.
A ComInd product.

sent from:
JavaBomberman
c/o Lightstation: Passenger
terminal m39
javabomberman.Q.widernet

send to:
MR. GOLIATH, esq.
c/o GOLind
123 Vega Sound
Suite 1
Amagrand, Syonis, Argon 3387.3212

body:
encryption code accepted. encrypted message follows:

First transaction yielded a sale of 200 kilos. Received 19000 cdu's for sale. 17100 cdu's are encoded on currency chip. Access code LsP.¥¥¥.000169754 will return funds. Still awaiting communique on debt of lost goods.

end encryption.

MESSAGE ENDS.

Tragic News: Troop Transport, Siphon, found empty!

2005-12-06T23:01:00.000-06:00

Kaas, Edgerspace -- Workers at the Kaas Asteriod Mining Installation discovered the Siphon, a B-Class Modified Fighter/Troop Transport ship, drifting unoccupied in the black of Edgerspace. The Siphon, a Free Lance Army mercenary vessel on a routine exploratory mission, was completely vacant of its crew, yet showed no sign of forced entry.

Law enforcement officials were not forthcoming with information, but rescue personel who were first to the scene were perplexed by what they say was digital vandalism. The SOS signal was replaced by an endlessly repeating sequence "AIUS". Upon entry, the primary console screens were also repeating this sequence and the computer responded "AIUS" to all queries. One high-level technician suspected that all the original data files had been removed or replaced; only life support and other essential ship functions remained intact.

Though the search for crew members is still underway, all escape pods and secondary transport vehicles were present in their docks. There was no evidence of any harm to any living thing aboard ship, but there are also no leads to where they may now be.

The ship, at the start of its journey, was well-provisioned with luxuries not often found this part of space. Though the ship's logs were unavailable, estimates based on the company's records of initial cargo and projected use are perfectly in line with the contents of the hold.

Attention: Widernet Security Force

2005-12-04T22:11:00.000-06:00

Xx.--Encrypted message intercepted by Passenger--.x1784

Portside Corridor. Terminal >G27<>--

Directed: Siphon Communications Array AA

Bypass: *******

from: spudler.Q.widernet.fla

-This is Lt. Spudler reporting from lightstation Passenger. Treatment is complete; awaiting extraction.

status: cured
total due: 4,230 cdu's
payment due: asap

Commander, I don't think the security force here is FLA friendly. The sooner I get out of here the better. Watch your step when you arrive.

-spudler

Subject: Intrested in purchasing 200 kilos of Ilathian Guava

2005-12-04T11:42:00.000-06:00

from: apy2nnf4n.Q.widernet.so
to: javabomberman.Q.widernet

Hey, I hear you have a large shipment of Ilathian Guava. Well I would like to buy 200 kilos of ya, how much are you selling for? My merchant id is: BIZ.0021.54, send me a to-from and let me know the price.

I think I can sell your nuts and berries. If there is a market I might buy more off ya.

-apf

Job: Robot Maintenance Position

2005-12-04T11:25:00.000-06:00

from: joblist.Q.widernet.ccc
to: javabomberman.Q.widernet

Description: Maintenance Robot Repair-man; Sometimes the repair robots break down and they need repair, this job does just that.

Duties: Maintain failing maintenance robots.

Requirments: Must know how to work with 430-1 heatsinks and drevo-reelers, Must understand basic AI coding, know how to read robotics manuals, must work well with children and robots alike.

Salary: 2800 cdu's a week.

send to-from to robertmenders.Q.widernet

Subject: Medical Bill Payment Pending 000XC

2005-12-01T20:40:00.000-06:00

from: dr-etto.Q.widernet.md.ope
to: spudler.Q.widernet.fla

Lt. 1st Class Demolitions "Spudler" of the FLA

treated for: head trauma, multiple lacerations, carcinogenic ulcers possibly caused by exposer to radioactive elements, explosive diarrhea (excessive and frequent evacuation of watery feces), urinary tract infection, variola vera [small pox], migraine, avian flu, ebola, and common cold.

status: cured

total due: 4,230 cdu's
payment due: asap

-signed,

Dr. "treat-o" Etto

Widernet PSA #33.2

2005-12-01T12:32:00.000-06:00

from: WNetAdmin.Q
to: all general users

We are having a few technical difficulties with the Widernet browser interface, please forgive any inconveniences. It will be fixed shortly.

-Admin.

OFFICIAL MESSAGE AS FOLLOWS:

2005-11-30T22:10:00.000-06:00

c/o: COMMUNICATION PROBE TERMINAL X86 OF THE LIGHTSTATION PASSENGER.
Communication Probes of tomorrow, today. Only the best for a passenger of the Passenger.
A ComInd product.

sent from:
JavaBomberman
c/o Lightstation: Passenger
terminal x86
javabomberman.Q.widernet

send to:
MR. GOLIATH, esq.
c/o GOLind
123 Vega Sound
Suite 1
Amagrand, Syonis, Argon 3387.3212

body:
encryption code accepted. encrypted message follows:

Only made it as far as the Passenger. Ran into pirates, cargo 97% intact. Will be sending message through Higher Markets. Instruct buyers on station to note that twenty(20) kilos of illegal substance Ariel was destroyed in transit. 680 kilos remain viable. Send secure account information for transfer of funds upon sale of the first 100 kilos. As contracted, 90% of profits will be transferred. Also per contract, please send cost of destroyed product.

end encryption.

MESSAGE ENDS.

Cultural Transmission #3.225

2005-11-30T18:55:00.000-06:00

from: culture.Q.widernet.lcc
to: javabomberman.Q.widernet, cobaltgrc.Q.widernet

Admin sent me both your requests. I am sorry to inform you that we currently have no working map of the Passenger as it is an ever changing Lightstation. I can however tell you of the areas that you can patron for an enjoyable time.

First, there are the Public Hangerbays which you have already seen on your dock with the station. This is a very busy place and it is advised that you stay out of the way unless you have business there. Thousands of ships come and go through the Public Hangerbays each with their own individual purpose. If you need to contact someone concerning the Public Hangerbays send a to-from to baycontrol.Q.widernet.smu.

Next are the Commons. This the main political and social forum of the Passenger. Come here to voice your opinion against the Bureaucracy or to just chat with friends. Get a bite to eat or rent a pod-hotel to sleep in for the night. There are even places here to shop for equipment and spare parts... contact thecommons.Q.widernet.lib for more info.

However, if you really want to go shopping there are two main options: The Parts Bazaar and the Higher Markets. You can find almost anything in the star system here. You can also sell almost anything in the star system here. Talk to partsbazaar.Q.widernet.mer and highermarkets.Q.widernet.mer respectively to find out more.

Lastly there is the Spacer District. If you're a lonely spacer and you like to drink this is where you can get liquored up and get your dig.. if you know what I mean. It's a bit seedy and tasteless... but if your looking for a good time you'll find it here. Sadly there is no one committee to message in the Spacer District, it's best to just go and see the place for yourself.

That's it for now, enjoy your stay, and play safe.

-LCC [Local Cultural Commission]

Subject: the wNet is a sham

2005-11-30T18:05:00.000-06:00

from: ##hack##subnet.bitemeadmin.awitw
to: all general users

Don't give into the lies. The widernet is a bunch of qwakii dung. WNetAdmin.Q claims to believe in "freedom" and "liberty" but then if he does why DO WE ALL HAVE TO GO THROUGH HIM? WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS?

renounce the widernet and join the underground fight of the subnet! We are trying to get the message out, JOIN THE SUBNET!!!11!1..>>E3SAsd2=10001 10 10 001<<.././.... transmission halted.

Subject: HFR.920908398.XMD, Strategy, HF

2005-11-30T13:47:00.000-06:00

from: hanger11control.Q.widernet.smu
to: javabomberman.Q.widernet

We've got HFR.920908398.XMD in our hanger and we are running a general maintenance check through your ship's system. It's gonna take a while and we'll let you know when we're done.

I did a sight check around you ship's hull to see if there might be any visual damage and it looks pretty beat up for a heavy freight. I noticed some carbon scoring on the underbelly. You do know these baby's aren't supose to go into combat, right? Well, we'll try to do our best with repairs, but it's gonna cost you. My estimate is about 7,000 cdu's.

I hope that you have a good stay while you visit the Passenger and if you don't have the cdu's it'll be a very long stay.

-Hanger 11 Control, a proud member of the Starship Mechanics Union.

Widernet Account Creation #645.22

2005-11-30T00:00:00.000-06:00

from: WNetAdmin.Q
to: new guest

Hello, and welcome to the station. I am WNetAdmin.Q, the first user. I am the brain behind the widernet. I make it run. All things go through me.

You are new guest. If you want an account on the widernet then respond to this message in comments. As you visit the Passenger you will pick up .titles that will attach to your widernet username. These titles organize you. I am simply .Q, because I am the first user. You will be many things.

Happy computing,

WNetAdmin.Q

Subject: New to this place, huh? Well check this out.

2005-11-29T17:32:00.000-06:00

from: byelka873.Q.widernet.ccc.uni
to: new guest

Get this, I was wandering through the lower halls digging through the spare circuits looking for some extra parts when I found this, a journal. Some spacer must have dropped it cause it's filled with drawings of places from all over the system. While flippin' through it I found a picture of our very own lightstation, the Passenger. Pretty cool. Well, I better get back to the scavange, else Gramps is gonna be rotten pissed.

-byelka873 out.

p.s. Hey newbie, when are you gonna log into the widernet and get yourself an account?

Introduction Transmission #2210

2005-11-29T15:05:00.000-06:00

from: PWC[passenger welcoming committee]
to: new guest

Salutations, traveler! Welcome to the Passenger, an ancient lightstation once used to warn spacers of unmarked asteroid collections. Today, most of the asteroid collections have been marked, and new smaller lightstations have replaced their older brothers.

Decommissioned, but still in working order, the Great Malle purchased this station from the then Talasharii Emperor, Dekendendori VI. As it passed through the Malle bloodline the station’s outside hull began to appear as if in disrepair. However, let this not fool you, the inner structure is in near perfect condition. So despite outside appearances this lightstation will be operational long into the future.

As you travel through the star system, be careful and remember you will always find a warm meal and fresh equipment somewhere in the corridors of the Passenger Lightstation.

May you have good computations!

The Passenger Saga

Assignment Log 2447

Deep Archive Alteration Detected

Response from Mr. Vermouth

OFFICIAL MESSAGE AS FOLLOWS:

Assignment Log 2447

code %23** Rerouting Blackfish Logprivate.

## Widernet Update

Encryped Transmission: Assignment #: P002627-03

RELAY TO ALL PASSENGER CREW MEMBERS

OFFICIAL MESSAGE AS FOLLOWS:

Tragic News: Troop Transport, Siphon, found empty!

Attention: Widernet Security Force

Subject: Intrested in purchasing 200 kilos of Ilathian Guava

Job: Robot Maintenance Position

Subject: Medical Bill Payment Pending 000XC

Widernet PSA #33.2

OFFICIAL MESSAGE AS FOLLOWS:

Cultural Transmission #3.225

Subject: **the wNet is a sham**

Subject: HFR.920908398.XMD, Strategy, HF

Widernet Account Creation #645.22

Subject: New to this place, huh? Well check this out.

Introduction Transmission #2210

Subject: the wNet is a sham