Guide to Space Exploration

Space Exploration and You!

The NNS Cyberiad is not alone in its orbit. Though it’s often not relevant to the goings-on inside the station, the cold expanse of the space around it holds many opportunities. Space is divided into regions called ‘Z-levels’ (insert numerical designation of Z-levels here)that are separated by a boundary wall. In total, there are (insert amount of Z-levels), and this guide will help you navigate, explore and survive journeys through them.

This guide is most relevant to Mechanics, as they are usually the ones leaving to explore the far reaches of space around the station, however, this guide is not limited to them, and is useful no matter what occupation you are. If you’re planning a trip to space, it is probably best to give this guide a read. One of the most important objects in a space explorers arsenal is a ‘GPS’. These small devices display the coordinates of its current location, the z-level it resides on, as well as all other GPS locations, and their respective Z-levels. Something that should be kept in mind when exploring these levels, is that telecommunications are only available where a telecommunication console has been set up (ß- Investigate), which at shift start is both the cyberiad (Z-level 1) and it’s telecommunications satellite (Z-level 3). GPS is the most effective way for people to know where you are located while travelling, so its importance cannot be understated.

GPS Coordinates and Mechanics

When exploring space, always remember- GPS GPS GPS (Going Places Spacewise Generally Puts Spacepeople in Great Personal Sdanger)

A GPS can be named with up to four letters, via using the item and clicking ‘Set name’, and usually, it is best to set a unique identifier to be easily recognized. (Insert picture here) Once you have named your GPS, you will find three numbers next to the name, these represent your location.

X-level and Y-level

The first number is your ‘X-level’. This indicates your horizontal location within your current ‘Z-level’. It ranges from 0 to the west and 255 to the east. The second number, your ‘Y-level’ works exactly the same, but vertical, with the south being 0 and north being 255. Using your X and Y coordinates, you can pinpoint where you are. These numbers are also found on crew trackers on the station.

Z-level

The third and final number is your current Z-level. These range from 1 to 13. Z-levels 1 to 6 each feature structures within them which remain static and do not alter location within the Z-level. Z-levels 7-13 however, are unstable and will create random explorable locations within them, between shifts.

Traversing Space

Traversing the Z-levels can be a confusing process. Once the shift has started, the layout of space is generated, and the Z-level adjacencies link up semi-randomly. For example going off the East side of Z-level 1 may lead you to Z-level 3 one shift, but Z-level 4 the next. Therefore the clever space explorer makes a mental map as they go.

The most confusing aspect of space travel is the concept of Loops. A Z-level may lead to the other side of itself, rather than to a different Z-level, thus looping. This means, objects and explorers that go off of one end of the Z-level, could arrive on the other side. Not only is this very inconvenient for space travel, but people throwing things out into space might have them return to them moments later at high speeds.

Z-Level Locations

As Z-levels 1 through 6 are stable enough to feature permanent installations, this guide will list the features of each Z-level, however, there are some secrets that are unknown to NT, and must be discovered by the explorers themselves.

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1. The Cyberiad

Home sweet chaotic home. The station is the only feature of this Z-level, not that it needs anything else. Telecommunications: Yes

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2. Central Command

This Z-level is only accessible via escaping the Cyberiad though Pod or Escape shuttle, and is otherwise impossible to get to. CC does not want any nosy space explorers poking around. ERT Ships are also known to rescue crewmembers back to CC from time to time, but don’t rely on it.

The cargo shuttle collects its cargo from this Z-level as well, though it won’t launch with anyone inside it (Yes, even if you hide in a locker.)

Telecommunications: Yes

NOT ACCESSIBLE VIA SPACE

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3. Telecommunication Satellite

The secure satellite that is responsible for the Telecommunications of the Cyberiad. As such, it is heavily reinforced and restricted to most of the crew. Large solar panels insure consistent power to the satellite, if the AI or command staff remember to set them up. A storage room holding spare parts to repair and replace the telecommunication machines can be found on the east side of the satellite, while a pathway to the inner workings of the communication satellite lay to the west, with both pathways defended by laser turrets. The main method of getting on to this satellite Is usually teleportation. A derelict signal emanating from a medical class ship has also been detected coming from this Z-level, and it may be possible to find where exactly it came from.

Telecommunications: Yes

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4. Engineering satellite and Construction site

A small engineering outpost that features a few engineering hardsuits, resources and comforts, is set up to allow for the construction of an in-progress station often called ‘Beta Station’. The Engineering satellite can also be accessed via the small shuttle, that goes from the Engineering Satellite, to a dock near main engineering on the Cyberiad.

Construction site, or Beta station, the second most prominent place in this Z-level, features an Atmospheric system and an Engine that can both be set up to allow for both power and internal atmospherics in the station.

Reports of illicit substances coming from Engineering satellite were reported long ago, perhaps there is another location that can be found on this Z-level, though it would be up to someone else to find it.

Telecommunications: Must be setup

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5. Lavaland

Home to miners and deadly creatures, this is the planet you see behind the station. Lavaland. Unreachable Via space, as it’s actually the surface of the planet, the only way to get to Lavaland is teleportation or the mining shuttle found in Cargo. This Z-level is one of the more unique, and most of the advice given in this guide will be irrelevant if you decide to explore the surface. To know more about Lavaland and the dangers held on its surface, please see the Guide to Mining

Telecommunications: Must be setup

NOT ACCESSIBLE VIA SPACE

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6. USSP Sector

This space is known to be the location of the a USSP station. Contact was never regular, but recently it has been non-existent. A Russian radio station remained broadcasting for a while after the cessation of contact, however, perhaps there were two different Russian installations in the sector…

Other than that, the sector seems quite bland. Just the occasional very large asteroid, which likely holds nothing more than a handful of precious metals…

Telecommunications: Must be setup

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7+. Unknown Space

Uncharted Sectors that constantly rearrange their content at the start of each shift. The frontiers of space, which could hide unique and interesting space ruins. There’s many rewards for a patient explorer out here, as well as quite a bit of risk.

Telecommunications: No

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8. Gateway

Space is not the only avenue of exploration. This Z-level is only available through the advanced technology on the Cyberaid known as the ‘Gateway’. There’s many locations it can link to, each carrying a varying level of danger and reward, however none are accessible via space. The Gateway leads to Z-level 8, but is a special circumstance, as where exactly it leads will always be random, much like the other Z-levels of 7 and over, it is unique however due to the fact that the Gateway is the only way in or out of the Z-level.

Telecommunications: No

Not accessible via Space

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