The Hunt for Mawks: Showdown in Taladar
Contents |
Mission Briefing
Standard Mission Length: 4 days
Mawks' goons eventually provided a tip that her ship would be traveling through Taladar on her way to a secret location. Knowing that there was only one independent refueling outpost in that region, we struck a deal with its owner to set up a trap.
While Mawks' ship was docked, the outpost fired its weapons on her engines. Mawks broke through the docking clamps, but her drive systems were unable to withstand further blasts at point-blank range. Unfortunately, when we arrived, Mawks' ship had already been abandoned. The core memory was completely purged, but she intentionally left a few subsystems online, including life support and communications.
There is physical evidence that a sophisticated, cloaked escape suit was launched. The suit would only have limited speed and range, but Mawks has had a significant head start to find a place to hide.
Rewards (If Sucessful): 8 Relic Badges (awarded to all ships with completed, non-failed tasks)
Comm Log
She is slippery, I'll give you that.
Taladar is a virtually unoccupied territory. She has nowhere else to go.
Yes, barely anyone else comes through here. She is trapped, but there are many places to hide.
Were any of her files recoverable?
Not one... which is quite unfortunate. We were hoping to get our hands on the Onyx List.
The Onyx list... Her list of directs?
And much more. We were close to negotiating for some of it while she was in custody.
Interesting.
Hold. There's a hail coming in via Mawk's bridge console.
A hail? From who?
Well, well. It's Lady Mawks.
{ OPEN CHANNEL }
Lady Mawks: How is my ship? I hope you're treating her well.
It has been seized, Mawks, which makes it ours. Care to tell us where you are?
Lady Mawks: Don't bother tracking the comm signal. The ansible is tied to me and me only.
We won't need to. Let's be real, Mawks. We know you're trapped.
Lady Mawks: Taladar is big. You plan on searching each planet... under every rock?
If we have to.
Lady Mawks: Don't flatter yourself. You're not going to find me... not without a deal.
Unless the deal involves shipping you back into your isolation chamber, we're not interested.
Lady Mawks: Your government is very interested in getting its hands on the Onyx List. I am prepared to make an offer... for its entirety.
You're worth more than the list, Mawks. We want you back in solitary.
Lady Mawks: Not me. There's a Vetheral named Jarsyl that I want released.
You are prepared to surrender, then?
Lady Mawks: If my terms are met.
{ MUTE CHANNEL }
She's right about one thing. Taladar is too big, and unless we know what shape she is taking, it won't be easy for our scanners to find her until we are at close range.
What about the suit?
It is likely using morphogenic technology. It won't be like searching for an escape pod.
It could take forever to find her, then. How long do we have?
We have ships restricting access to the borders here, but we technically don't have jurisdiction. Our time is limited. We can't block traffic to this region forever. Mawks may think we have more people searching than we really do.
You think we should take her offer? Who is this other prisoner?
The notorious Jarsyl. Curious. I was under the impression that they were both bitter enemies. He's dangerous, but Mawks is the prime target.
We should take the offer.
{ UNMUTE CHANNEL }
Lady Mawks: Well?
Details.
Lady Mawks: A Class-5 Cobalt Speeder will be arriving. You'll allow it through your blockade, and escort Jarsyl to it. For each parsec closer that he reaches the ship, I'll help you narrow down my location.
Alright.
Lady Mawks: Once I am located, you'll allow Jarsyl safe distance unfollowed. His ship will be fast enough.
What about the list?
Lady Mawks: Jarsyl will give me a signal once he reaches the safepoint. When he does, it's yours.
You're not worried about releasing the list? Many on it will be quite upset.
Lady Mawks: Most of them already want me dead. They can continue to try. I have many forms of leverage, and this is not my last hand to play.
Don't make too many plans. You won't be getting out ever again.
Lady Mawks: We'll see.
End Transmission
Tasks
Task 1: Find Lady Mawks
Mawks is hiding somewhere on a nearby planet in the Taladar region. Get a fix on her position during the transport of Jarsyl.
Task Type: Scan
Requires: Place a Morphogenic Probe on a nearby tiny planet that was recently scanned.
Completion Requirements: 20 Tiny or Very Tiny Planets, 12,000 Energy to place probes (Plus scan cost) (Total)
Rewards: 1 Morphogenic Suits (on completion)
Ship Modules: Morphogenic Suits
[Stackable Weapons Module - Size:25, Attack:100, Invasion Attack:200]
If this module is already installed on your ship, this will instead upgrade its stats by 50%, up to 200%.
Activated Ability: Increases passive cloak on a planet by 75 - up to a maximum of 6,000. Costs 5,000 Exotic Matter to use. Cooldown: 40 hours
Task 2: Escort Jarsyl
Escort Jarsyl slowly to the rendezvous point while the search team locates Lady Mawks.
Task Type: Mission
Requires: 600 energy, 10k EM, 10 Contaminant Cages (30 rounds)
Rewards: 8 Relic Badges (on completion)