Sacrosanct: Difference between revisions
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{{ShipIndividualInfobox | {{ShipIndividualInfobox | ||
| image = Sacrosanct.png | | image = Sacrosanct destroyed.png | ||
| manufacturer = | | manufacturer = | ||
| model = [[Survey Vessel]] | | model = [[Survey Vessel]] | ||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
| cost = | | cost = | ||
| hyperdrive = [[Frame Shift Drive]] | | hyperdrive = [[Frame Shift Drive]] | ||
| service = August 5, 3307 - | | service = August 5, 3307 - December 13, 3307 | ||
| affiliation = Independent | | affiliation = Independent | ||
| owner = [[Far God cult]] | | owner = [[Far God cult]] | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
| crew = | | crew = | ||
| passengers = Far God cult "chosen ones"<br/>[[Theta Seven]] | | passengers = Far God cult "chosen ones"<br/>[[Theta Seven]] | ||
| system = Mudhrid | |||
| orbit = 2 A | |||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Sacrosanct''' | The '''Sacrosanct''' was a Freedom-Class [[Survey Vessel]] [[megaship]] operated by the [[Far God cult]]. It was launched in the Panjabell system on August 5, 3307 with its two sister ships, the [[Perdition]] and the [[Testament]]. The Sacrosanct served as a ritual vessel for the Far God cult, and originally followed a looping route that traversed the [[Core Systems]], the [[Pleiades Nebula]], and the [[California Nebula]]. | ||
On November 24, 3307, the terrorist [[Theta Seven]] of the [[Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army]] hijacked the Sacrosanct and diverted it to Mudhrid, where other Neo-Marlinist groups were gathering aboard the [[Steel Majesty]]. Theta Seven threatened to kill the Sacrosanct's cultists if authorities made any attempt to interfere with the vessel. The development confirmed the [[Affiliated Counter-Terrorism unit]]'s theory that Theta Seven and his inner circle had been hiding on one of the three Far God cult vessels with a cache of the NMLA's signature enzyme bombs since early August 3307. The hostage situation continued into December 3307, even after the defeat of the NMLA's forces and the retaking of the Steel Majesty, but the Sacrosanct was unable to leave Mudhrid due to internal power failures that ACT believed were the result of sabotage committed by the cultists. | On November 24, 3307, the terrorist [[Theta Seven]] of the [[Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army]] hijacked the Sacrosanct and diverted it to Mudhrid, where other Neo-Marlinist groups were gathering aboard the [[Steel Majesty]]. Theta Seven threatened to kill the Sacrosanct's cultists if authorities made any attempt to interfere with the vessel. The development confirmed the [[Affiliated Counter-Terrorism unit]]'s theory that Theta Seven and his inner circle had been hiding on one of the three Far God cult vessels with a cache of the NMLA's signature enzyme bombs since early August 3307. The hostage situation continued into December 3307, even after the defeat of the NMLA's forces and the retaking of the Steel Majesty, but the Sacrosanct was unable to leave Mudhrid due to internal power failures that ACT believed were the result of sabotage committed by the cultists. In the end, Theta Seven killed himself and the hostages by detonating his enzyme bombs, which split the megaship in two. The wreckage of the Sacrosanct can be found orbiting Mudhrid 2 A. | ||
== Flight Plan == | == Flight Plan == | ||
Prior to its destruction, the Sacrosanct jumped to the next system in its flight plan every other Thursday at 07:00 [[Universal Galactic Time]]. | |||
{| class="article-table mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1" | {| class="article-table mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1" | ||
! System | ! System | ||
| Line 49: | Line 51: | ||
|} | |} | ||
On November 25, 3307, the Sacrosanct was diverted from its normal flight plan due to being hijacked by [[Theta Seven]] and his inner circle, and arrived in the Mudhrid system. | On November 25, 3307, the Sacrosanct was diverted from its normal flight plan due to being hijacked by [[Theta Seven]] and his inner circle, and arrived in the Mudhrid system, taking up an orbit over body 2 A. The Sacrosanct was destroyed by Theta Seven on December 13, 3307. | ||
== Logs == | == Logs == | ||
| Line 87: | Line 89: | ||
== Timeline == | == Timeline == | ||
{{Scrollbox-begin}} | {{Scrollbox-begin}} | ||
31 DEC 3307 | |||
*The last in a series that reviews the events of the past year, by noted historian [[Sima Kalhana]].<br/>"October brought further controversy for the [[Federation]], when a diplomatic conference in the [[Delta Pavonis]] system was revealed to be a honey trap designed to capture [[Yuri Grom]]. Only a rush of support for [[EG Pilots|EG Union]] allowed their ruler to escape, causing political embarrassment for [[Zachary Hudson|President Hudson]]. There was more corporate drama when [[Zemina Torval]] relinquished her long-held majority sharehold of [[Mastopolos Mining]], fuelling rumours of a family rift with her cousins. [[Torval Mining Ltd]] became a fully independent corporation run by her daughter [[Constantia Torval|Constantia]]. The [[Colonia Bridge]] project officially started the first of two phases this year which would see the construction of 56 megaships between the Alcor and [[Colonia]] systems. [[Brewer Corporation]] enjoyed great public support for improving this travel corridor along the 22,000 light year journey, and revealed plans to enhance it further in the new year. [[Hadrian Augustus Duval|Hadrian Duval]], his wife [[Astrid Minerva-Duval|Lady Astrid]] and their unborn child were the specific targets of another starport bombing by the [[Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army|NMLA]]. It proved unsuccessful, but did result in the [[Imperial Senate]] offering them protection in order to secure the [[Imperial Family|Duval bloodline]]. It also led to a manhunt for [[John Tyburn|Theta Seven]], the galaxy's most wanted terrorist. In November, [[Orion University]] claimed that the [[dredger]] occupied by [[The Scriveners Clan Dredger|the Scriveners Clan]] was legally their property, but the [[Dredger Clans|nomadic descendants]] of its original crew refused to give up their home. The stand-off caught the public attention, with some supporting the clan's right to independence and others keen to discover what their Knowledge Core contained. Ultimately the Scriveners retained their freedom, sailing off into the void with their secrets intact. Many were shocked when [[Aden Tanner|Admiral Tanner]], [[Aegis]]'s military chief, went rogue and tried to force access to a starport controlled by [[Salvation]]'s [[Taurus Mining Ventures|allies]]. His conviction that the [[anti-xeno superweapon]]s were responsible for provoking the [[Thargoid]]s was, however, not enough to win the day. The NMLA threw everything they had at the Mudhrid system in an attempt to rescue Theta Seven, who was hiding among the [[Far God cult]] to avoid capture. But the terrorists were crushed by [[Affiliated Counter-Terrorism unit|ACT]] and a coalition of ships, with Theta Seven martyring himself by destroying the hijacked megaship Sacrosanct. A happier event in December was the birth of [[Hector Mordanticus Duval|Hector Duval]], son and heir of Hadrian and Lady Astrid. There were celebrations across the [[Empire]], but also questions asked about the future of the Duval dynasty and if the child might one day inherit the Imperial throne. The year ended as it had begun, with Thargoid vessels swarming into nebula systems. But with incursions steadily increasing over recent months, there were fears that this time they might prove unstoppable. Salvation's superweapons were once again deployed to halt the aliens' progress, but will they be enough to prevent the Thargoids from threatening humanity in 3308?"<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bc62d8c603c657161a1dbf GalNet: A Retrospective of 3307 (Part Four)]</ref> | |||
13 DEC 3307 | |||
*The [[Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army|NMLA's]] de facto leader and his closest followers have sacrificed themselves by destroying the [[Far God cult]]'s [[megaship]] Sacrosanct. The hijacked vessel had been taken to the Mudhrid system by the remaining members of Theta Group, aiming to reunite with the NMLA. After this failed, [[Affiliated Counter-Terrorism unit|ACT]] forces surrounded the Sacrosanct in the hope of rescuing the several thousand cultists being kept as hostages. [[Theta Seven]] broadcast a short video message, where he uttered a single phrase: "The future will remember us." He was then seen to manually detonate a series of bombs, which ruptured the Sacrosanct's hull and split the vessel in two. It is believed that the weapons also distributed [[Thargoid]] caustic enzymes throughout the megaship, thereby killing its entire population. ACT has released a statement from co-leader Captain [[Saskia Landau]]: "Tragically we were unable to save the lives of the Far God worshippers, despite several attempts to negotiate their safe conduct off the ship. [[Milo Castile|Captain Castile's]] commando unit could not gain entry to the Sacrosanct in time, and we had no success trying to hack into its onboard computers. We can confirm that the most wanted terrorist in the galaxy is dead. But ACT's task is not yet complete, since there is much we still don't know about the NMLA. Our investigation will focus on learning more about their background, as well as targeting any surviving cells of activists."<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61b22be2043a8c1f9e7ae20c GalNet: The Death of Theta Seven]</ref> | |||
07 DEC 3307 | 07 DEC 3307 | ||
*Terrorist ringleader [[Theta Seven]] is defying capture by holding thousands of [[Far God cult|Far God cultists]] hostage in the Mudhrid system. [[Vox Galactica]] published an on-the-scene report from freelance journalist [[Redmond O'Hara]]: "Although the [[Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army|NMLA]] has been defeated in Mudhrid, the Theta Group bomb-makers remain in control of the Sacrosanct [[megaship]]. With so many lives at stake, [[Affiliated Counter-Terrorism unit|ACT]] has focused all its efforts to resolve this tense situation. We've heard that [[Tanya Ramirez|Senior Agent Ramirez]] and [[Mara Klatt|Inspector Klatt]] have both tried to open negotiations directly with Theta Seven. It is hard to imagine what they might offer him in terms of clemency, but they're obviously determined to prevent further deaths at the NMLA's hands. After speaking to one of ACT's tactical advisors, I can reveal that [[Milo Castile|Captain Castile's]] commando unit tried and failed to board the Sacrosanct as it did the [[Steel Majesty]]. This is apparently because the vessel is specially modified to prevent external access, in order to provide the Far God cultists with a sanctified environment during their pilgrimage. Speaking of the cultists, they may not have accepted their predicament quite as passively as expected. Internal power failures detected within the Sacrosanct's [[hyperdrive]] systems may well be a result of sabotage, and would explain why it hasn't left the Mudhrid system. Perhaps in their own way, the [[Thargoid]]-worshippers are seeking justice for those murdered by Theta Seven's appropriation of their deity's 'holy' caustic enzymes."<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61af800ed4083d23054b0374 GalNet: Standoff for ACT and Theta Seven]</ref> | *Terrorist ringleader [[Theta Seven]] is defying capture by holding thousands of [[Far God cult|Far God cultists]] hostage in the Mudhrid system. [[Vox Galactica]] published an on-the-scene report from freelance journalist [[Redmond O'Hara]]: "Although the [[Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army|NMLA]] has been defeated in Mudhrid, the Theta Group bomb-makers remain in control of the Sacrosanct [[megaship]]. With so many lives at stake, [[Affiliated Counter-Terrorism unit|ACT]] has focused all its efforts to resolve this tense situation. We've heard that [[Tanya Ramirez|Senior Agent Ramirez]] and [[Mara Klatt|Inspector Klatt]] have both tried to open negotiations directly with Theta Seven. It is hard to imagine what they might offer him in terms of clemency, but they're obviously determined to prevent further deaths at the NMLA's hands. After speaking to one of ACT's tactical advisors, I can reveal that [[Milo Castile|Captain Castile's]] commando unit tried and failed to board the Sacrosanct as it did the [[Steel Majesty]]. This is apparently because the vessel is specially modified to prevent external access, in order to provide the Far God cultists with a sanctified environment during their pilgrimage. Speaking of the cultists, they may not have accepted their predicament quite as passively as expected. Internal power failures detected within the Sacrosanct's [[hyperdrive]] systems may well be a result of sabotage, and would explain why it hasn't left the Mudhrid system. Perhaps in their own way, the [[Thargoid]]-worshippers are seeking justice for those murdered by Theta Seven's appropriation of their deity's 'holy' caustic enzymes."<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61af800ed4083d23054b0374 GalNet: Standoff for ACT and Theta Seven]</ref> | ||
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*The enigmatic [[Thargoid]]-worshipping religious order is examined by [[Erik Gunnarson]] of the [[Wallglass Investigations Agency]]. "Of all the myriad faiths practised across the galaxy, the [[Far God cult]] is one of the strangest and least understood. But in recent years it has grown from a fringe sect to a widespread religion. Its central tenet is that an unknowable being exists beyond our dimension – the Far God. What we call the Thargoids are its heralds, preparing for when it descends from [[hyperspace]] to instantly wipe out all life. This apocalyptic creed therefore attracts people who have nothing to live for, and who find purpose in awaiting armageddon. The cult has no official name or spokespeople, and its followers willingly replace their names with titles such as adherent, disciple and witness. This dehumanising approach includes its members wearing simple black robes and making their hive-chapels resemble Thargoid bio-technology, complete with ammonia fumes. Despite praying to an alien species, this is not the Thargoid fifth column many feared it to be. In fact they are pacifistic fatalists, expecting death and never offering resistance. This has caused them to be victimised by other doomsayer cults, anti-xeno activists and even the [[Federal Intelligence Agency]]… yet their serene patience has allowed them to survive. The discovery of two [[The Sanctum|abandoned]] [[The Prophet|void-temples]] in the Etain system provided an insight into the cultists' mindset. Here can be heard the final testaments of people willingly entombed in suspended animation to await the Far God's arrival. More recently there are reports of several chapters of the sect migrating to the Panjabell system. This is controlled by the Pleiades Concordat, a theocracy devoted to the Far God, so perhaps it is preparing something bigger – or stranger – than we've seen before."<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/60f5813b401bf1637a043458 GalNet: Galactic Mysteries: The Far God Cult]</ref> | *The enigmatic [[Thargoid]]-worshipping religious order is examined by [[Erik Gunnarson]] of the [[Wallglass Investigations Agency]]. "Of all the myriad faiths practised across the galaxy, the [[Far God cult]] is one of the strangest and least understood. But in recent years it has grown from a fringe sect to a widespread religion. Its central tenet is that an unknowable being exists beyond our dimension – the Far God. What we call the Thargoids are its heralds, preparing for when it descends from [[hyperspace]] to instantly wipe out all life. This apocalyptic creed therefore attracts people who have nothing to live for, and who find purpose in awaiting armageddon. The cult has no official name or spokespeople, and its followers willingly replace their names with titles such as adherent, disciple and witness. This dehumanising approach includes its members wearing simple black robes and making their hive-chapels resemble Thargoid bio-technology, complete with ammonia fumes. Despite praying to an alien species, this is not the Thargoid fifth column many feared it to be. In fact they are pacifistic fatalists, expecting death and never offering resistance. This has caused them to be victimised by other doomsayer cults, anti-xeno activists and even the [[Federal Intelligence Agency]]… yet their serene patience has allowed them to survive. The discovery of two [[The Sanctum|abandoned]] [[The Prophet|void-temples]] in the Etain system provided an insight into the cultists' mindset. Here can be heard the final testaments of people willingly entombed in suspended animation to await the Far God's arrival. More recently there are reports of several chapters of the sect migrating to the Panjabell system. This is controlled by the Pleiades Concordat, a theocracy devoted to the Far God, so perhaps it is preparing something bigger – or stranger – than we've seen before."<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/60f5813b401bf1637a043458 GalNet: Galactic Mysteries: The Far God Cult]</ref> | ||
{{Div-end}} | {{Div-end}} | ||
== Gallery == | |||
<gallery> | |||
Sacrosanct.png|The Sacrosanct in Panjabell | |||
Sacrosanct in Mudhrid.png|The Sacrosanct in Mudhrid after being hijacked | |||
Sacrosanct destroyed bow.png|The front half of the destroyed Sacrosanct | |||
Sacrosanct destroyed stern.png|The rear half of the destroyed Sacrosanct | |||
</gallery> | |||
== References == | == References == | ||