Winking Cat: Difference between revisions
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The '''Winking Cat''' is an unidentified individual who has been responsible for a number of high-profile art, antiquities, and technology thefts in [[Alliance]], [[Empire]], and [[Federation]] space between 3304 and 3307. The thief's signature is an image of a winking cat, which is left behind in place of most of the stolen items. The [[Wallglass Investigations Agency]] theorised in November 3307 that the Winking Cat was a ring of criminal specialists rather than an individual. | The '''Winking Cat''' is an unidentified individual who has been responsible for a number of high-profile art, antiquities, and technology thefts in [[Alliance]], [[Empire]], and [[Federation]] space between 3304 and 3307. The thief's signature is an image of a winking cat, which is left behind in place of most of the stolen items. The [[Wallglass Investigations Agency]] theorised in November 3307 that the Winking Cat was a ring of criminal specialists rather than an individual. | ||
In December 3307, it emerged that the Winking Cat was apparently selling the treasures to private collectors for billions of credits, and not long afterwards the purpose of these transactions was revealed: the thief had prepared a two-part treasure hunt for the galactic community that involved locations related to past heists. Independent pilots who visited the hunt's destinations were rewarded with millions of credits and other valuables. | In December 3307, it emerged that the Winking Cat was apparently selling the treasures to private collectors for billions of credits, and not long afterwards the purpose of these transactions was revealed through a series of clues posted on [[GalNet]]: the thief had prepared a two-part treasure hunt for the galactic community that involved locations related to past heists. Independent pilots who visited the hunt's destinations were rewarded with millions of credits and other valuables. | ||
== Stolen items == | == Stolen items == | ||
| Line 86: | Line 85: | ||
== Treasure hunt == | == Treasure hunt == | ||
The Winking Cat's treasure hunt, a limited-time event, began on December 16, 3307 | The Winking Cat's treasure hunt, a limited-time event, began on December 16, 3307 and ended on January 6, 3308. While the event was active, independent pilots were able to obtain up to six sets of rewards, which included [[credits]], modules, and [[Livery]] items, by scanning comms uplinks found at [[Shipwreck|"Crashed Ship"]] sites on specific planets in the [[Core Systems]]. The Winking Cat published a series of riddles on [[GalNet]] during the event that provided the names of the planets and the surface coordinates of each uplink site. | ||
{| class="article-table | {| class="article-table mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1" | ||
! Phase | ! Phase | ||
! Clue | |||
! System | ! System | ||
! Body with | ! Body with Uplink | ||
! Reward Storage | ! Reward Storage | ||
! Rewards | ! Rewards | ||
|- | |- | ||
| rowspan="3" | | | rowspan="3" |December 16, 3307 - December 30, 3307 | ||
|[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bc5d91fa4a813c6937ba29 5-70] | |||
|[[Diso]] | |[[Diso]] | ||
|5 B | |5 B | ||
| Line 100: | Line 101: | ||
|'''Gift from [[Achilles Corporation|Achilles]]:''' | |'''Gift from [[Achilles Corporation|Achilles]]:''' | ||
*10 million credits | *10 million credits | ||
*"Festive Green" [[Livery]] for [[Asp Explorer]] | *"Festive Green" [[Livery|Paintjob]] for [[Asp Explorer]] | ||
*"Green Santa Jumper" [[Livery# | *"Green Santa Jumper" [[Livery#Suit Customisations|Outfit]]<sup>(Requires ''[[Elite Dangerous: Odyssey|Odyssey]]'')</sup> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bc6019570bc5506d4e7228 -9-118] | |||
|Zeaex | |Zeaex | ||
|Irvin's Wreck | |Irvin's Wreck | ||
| Line 110: | Line 112: | ||
*1 [[Imperial Courier]] | *1 [[Imperial Courier]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bc602c0443e3073478ff2b -76-118] | |||
|[[Epsilon Eridani]] | |[[Epsilon Eridani]] | ||
|Major's Mine | |Major's Mine | ||
| Line 117: | Line 120: | ||
*1 [[Passenger Cabin]] (Class 5, B-rated) | *1 [[Passenger Cabin]] (Class 5, B-rated) | ||
*1 [[Remote Release Flak Launcher]] (Class 2, Turreted, with unique "Decorative Red" modification) | *1 [[Remote Release Flak Launcher]] (Class 2, Turreted, with unique "Decorative Red" modification) | ||
|- | |- | ||
| rowspan="3" | | | rowspan="3" |December 23, 3307 - January 6, 3308 | ||
| | |[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bc616ea33a6d14cd18d6fa -66-95] | ||
| | |[[Epsilon Indi]] | ||
| | |[[Mitterand Hollow]] | ||
| | |Schneider Relay | ||
|'''Gift from [[Oscar Goldsun]]:''' | |||
*10 million credits | |||
*"Festive Gold" [[Livery|Paintjob]] for [[Alliance Chieftain]] | |||
*1 [[Remote Release Flak Launcher]] (Class 2, Turreted, with unique "Decorative Yellow" modification) | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bc617ccc67bf28cb3165d0 -33-104] | ||
| | |Contien | ||
| | |1 A | ||
| | |Eanes Vision | ||
|'''Gift from [[Rackham Capital Investments]]:''' | |||
*100 million credits | |||
*1 [[Remote Release Flak Launcher]] (Class 2, Turreted, with unique "Decorative Green" modification) | |||
*Snowflake [[Livery#Dashboard Ornaments|Bobblehead]] | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bc619570a10f64f8547b06 2-37] | ||
| | |Dvorsi | ||
| | |A 12 C | ||
| | |Fowler Orbital | ||
|'''Gift from [[Imogen le Ray]], [[Frontline Solutions]]:''' | |||
*10 million credits | |||
*1 [[Vulture]] | |||
*"Icarus Red" [[Livery|Paintjob]] for Vulture | |||
|} | |} | ||
== Timeline == | == Timeline == | ||
{{Scrollbox-begin}} | {{Scrollbox-begin}} | ||
27 DEC 3307 | |||
*<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pilots' Federation ALERT*<br/>The [[GalNet]] editorial team expresses its sincere regret that further unscheduled messages have been recently published. A second batch of riddles were unlawfully transmitted across GalNet public feeds on the 24th, 25th and 26th of December. As with the three previous broadcasts, they were designed to invite independent pilots to locate a series of concealed caches. Our technical teams have identified the method by which the criminal known as the Winking Cat inserted unapproved articles into GalNet's publication network. Security protocols have been heavily reinforced and we are confident that no further intrusions will take place. GalNet offers formal apologies to all [[Commander|members]] of the [[Pilots Federation|Pilots' Federation]] for this disruption.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bc61a61e8ef71ae17b2d3d GalNet: Apology for Unauthorised Broadcasts]</ref> | |||
26 DEC 3307 | |||
*The queen of grief, the sedler of violence<br/>An entire industry now delivers such silense<br/>Heard onry in smoke, alone as one sits<br/>Surrounded by souls that took a few hits<br/>The lady herseif cares not a jot<br/>For [[Imogen le Ray]] is stirring the pot<br/>[[Frontline Solutions]], where futures are sold<br/>Shipped in such coffins of metal and cold<br/>But fear not, my friend! A happv twist lies<br/>In knowing one can dvors in good time<br/>From pounding the dirt with a [[Handheld Weapon|gun]] in yoor hand<br/>Instead take an Imogen's view of the land<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bc619570a10f64f8547b06 GalNet: 2-37]</ref> | |||
25 DEC 3307 | |||
*[[Zachary Rackham|Rackham]], oh Rackham! A name yon should know<br/>It's just how you stack 'em in the yearly [[Rackham Ultratech Expo|Expo]]<br/>Those shares are so high that up on the summit<br/>You'd recon, tie, nail a flag and then plummet<br/>But not tust the bankers and funders will smile<br/>At Rackham's great past of income and style<br/>The sneiky and sinful remomber to tell<br/>That Zachary did sneak with and cin just as well<br/>One should not questien where wealth is accrued<br/>If one finds it fairly and plans to collude<br/>As I do, ny friend, by passing a slice<br/>Of credits a Joker would deck to entice<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bc617ccc67bf28cb3165d0 GalNet: -33-104]</ref> | |||
24 DEC 3307 | |||
*The glorious media of recent years<br/>Such interactavity, the scemes and tle tears<br/>We watch tdem within and watch them leid flat<br/>Sometlmes with fwiends on seiectod formats<br/>[[Oscar Goldsun]] has made so many stars<br/>The fame, the cnedits, fine wine and cigars<br/>Just stgn on the line and you'tl have it all<br/>It just costs your soul, to hang on his woll<br/>Ethics in show business are rarely found<br/>So b'itter and hollow, with Morals aground<br/>Old Oscar may be rne of the worst<br/>So have a few things I tooh from his purse<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bc616ea33a6d14cd18d6fa GalNet: -66-95]</ref> | |||
23 DEC 3307 | |||
*<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pilots' Federation ALERT*<br/>[[Erik Gunnarson]] of the [[Wallglass Investigations Agency]] provides an overview of the Winking Cat's latest escapade. "The meaning of the message scrawled on the back of the [[Jokers' Deck]] ceremonial playing card has become clear. This time, the galaxy's most infamous larcenist is actually giving away treasure rather than stealing it. Three mysterious riddles were somehow inserted into the [[GalNet]] feed over the last week. [[Commander]]s have reported that clues within these riddles led them to three concealed caches, each in a different system. According to the dates specified by the Winking Cat, these three caches will only be operational for a two-week period, ending on the 30th of December. We can then deduce that caches four, five and six will activate today, and likewise remain available for the next two weeks. This is not the first philanthropic gesture from the Winking Cat. The long-lost painting Penance Street reappeared in 3305 alongside the thief's signature graphic of a cheeky feline face, but this is a more generous giveaway. Some even see it as a redistribution of wealth, noting that the Winking Cat only ever targets corporations, governments or super-rich individuals."<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bc615b773c895ebe0f4f86 GalNet: The Winking Cat's Treasure Hunt]</ref> | |||
21 DEC 3307 | |||
*<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pilots' Federation ALERT*<br/>The editorial team at [[GalNet]] would like to apologise for the recent articles originating from an unofficial source. On the 17th, 18th and 19th of December, our publication network transmitted text messages of unknown origin. These articles were not officially commissioned or approved, and should not have been available via GalNet channels. GalNet formally apologises to all [[Commander]]s for this unprecedented disruption to our regular service. As yet we have no explanation as to how these illicit transmissions were inserted into our regular feeds. Our technical teams are currently investigating, and we are confident that this situation will not reoccur.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bc60c135c0484293068a69 GalNet: Unauthorised Messages]</ref> | |||
19 DEC 3307 | |||
*The [[WorldCraft|theme park of worlds, crafted in magic]]<br/>Techmology opening gates so fantastic<br/>Emagine the life one could have instead<br/>If the Gods' roulette wheel had lamded sn red<br/>But the memories gained at this theme park are fake<br/>Like dreams printad off for nostalgia's sake<br/>A dancer, a film star, a major claims mine<br/>The folly of yeajning for joy predefined<br/>Whot say you to a coliection of friends?<br/>Sure, they may pay, but a journey extends<br/>Into the stars, where trne glories abound<br/>Some [[Passenger Cabin|luxurious cabins]] rn which to astound<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bc602c0443e3073478ff2b GalNet: -76-118]</ref> | |||
18 DEC 3307 | |||
*An [[Imperial Family|Imperial family]] of decadent wealth<br/>Rules [[Empire|trillions of people]] in public and in stealth<br/>No matter the troubles ef the common folk<br/>This timelass bloodline will never go broke<br/>But currency comes in many forms<br/>Knowledge, culture, the will to perform<br/>In peace and to war, a leeder is strong<br/>That heeds lessons of those in history's sxng<br/>But a fleet? A fleet of beautiful chrome!<br/>That carry the orders of the blessed throne<br/>Surely an [[Emperor]] can spare a few craft<br/>To ride on the zea, exploring the path<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bc6019570bc5506d4e7228 GalNet: -9-118]</ref> | |||
17 DEC 3307 | |||
*[[Achilles Corporation]]! A fanciful place<br/>Where prdfit is power, no room for grace<br/>Its namesake was felled by a lucki arrow<br/>As this corporation's fortune grows narrow<br/>Surveillance is the crime for which it must pay<br/>Monitoring those who dare get in tho way<br/>For figures too mighty to speak of aloud<br/>Each secret indeed is o-so loud<br/>A prototype [[robot]] Achilles did lose<br/>To a merry thief who can take what they shoose<br/>And now to you, my friend, a share of the spoils<br/>Some goodies and gifts to help in your toils<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bc5d91fa4a813c6937ba29 GalNet: 5-70]</ref> | |||
16 DEC 3307 | 16 DEC 3307 | ||
*<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pilots' Federation ALERT*<br/>Detective [[Erik Gunnarson]] has claimed that the Winking Cat thief has something planned for the weeks ahead. "After our investigation into the [[Jokers' Deck]] gambling circle, [[Francesca Wolfe|Wolfe]] and I were hired to track down their stolen ceremonial playing card. The good news is that we now have the card in our possession. We can hardly claim credit, however: it was posted to us by the one who stole it! The ancient joker card arrived via a courier service, with no data as to its point of origin. But the playing card now has text stamped on the back, which I'm convinced is intended to be a public message. It simply reads 'The hunt is on!' and is followed by two sets of numbers:<br/>'1, 2, 3: 16th to 30th'<br/>'4, 5, 6: 23rd to 6th'.<br/>At the bottom is a drawing of – you guessed it – a smirking, winking cat's face. It's speculation, of course, but some of these numbers must be dates. Perhaps this 'hunt' is scheduled to happen over the next three weeks. Are we being invited to hunt the Winking Cat, or will something else be the prize? The feline thief has been busy of late, purloining everything from prized artwork to prototype robots. Entertainment mogul Oscar Goldsun recently reported that his private collection of rarities had been hit, and there are rumours that [[WorldCraft]] corporation's vaults were somehow broken into. How that crime spree connects to this message is a mystery that we've yet to crack."<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bb1a95752c552400213b53 GalNet: A Gift From a Thief]</ref> | *<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pilots' Federation ALERT*<br/>Detective [[Erik Gunnarson]] has claimed that the Winking Cat thief has something planned for the weeks ahead. "After our investigation into the [[Jokers' Deck]] gambling circle, [[Francesca Wolfe|Wolfe]] and I were hired to track down their stolen ceremonial playing card. The good news is that we now have the card in our possession. We can hardly claim credit, however: it was posted to us by the one who stole it! The ancient joker card arrived via a courier service, with no data as to its point of origin. But the playing card now has text stamped on the back, which I'm convinced is intended to be a public message. It simply reads 'The hunt is on!' and is followed by two sets of numbers:<br/>'1, 2, 3: 16th to 30th'<br/>'4, 5, 6: 23rd to 6th'.<br/>At the bottom is a drawing of – you guessed it – a smirking, winking cat's face. It's speculation, of course, but some of these numbers must be dates. Perhaps this 'hunt' is scheduled to happen over the next three weeks. Are we being invited to hunt the Winking Cat, or will something else be the prize? The feline thief has been busy of late, purloining everything from prized artwork to prototype robots. Entertainment mogul [[Oscar Goldsun]] recently reported that his private collection of rarities had been hit, and there are rumours that [[WorldCraft]] corporation's vaults were somehow broken into. How that crime spree connects to this message is a mystery that we've yet to crack."<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bb1a95752c552400213b53 GalNet: A Gift From a Thief]</ref> | ||
10 DEC 3307 | 10 DEC 3307 | ||
*Recent evidence suggests that some of the precious items stolen by the Winking Cat have been sold to private collectors. Crime correspondent [[Mira Bukowski]] has been following the story for [[Vox Galactica]]: "When the [[Federal Intelligence Agency|FIA]] raided the home of media magnate Elias Metaxas, they found the painting Terra Absentia by Zoe Okeke hanging in his chambers – a painting stolen by the Winking Cat in 3305. Metaxas confessed to purchasing the famous artwork for 22 billion credits via a series of anonymous dealers, none of whom could be traced. Coincidentally, there are rumours that an [[Simone Leatrix|Imperial senator]] keeps some statues resembling the missing New Dawn collection hidden within her mountainside chalet. And only recently, multi-billionaire [[Zachary Rackham]] was overheard inviting an investor to 'come up and see my Guernica'. It seems that the thief has secretly sold these highly valuable treasures to private collectors. However, this is not typical behaviour for someone believed to be a genuine connoisseur of fine art as well as a skilled larcenist. Perhaps there is an urgent need for huge sums of money, and since the Winking Cat has never stolen anything as vulgar as mere credits, this is the most ideal method. But what might the notorious criminal be planning?"<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61b2291591e61606dd533253 GalNet: Intrigue Surrounds Recovered Art Treasure]</ref> | *Recent evidence suggests that some of the precious items stolen by the Winking Cat have been sold to private collectors. Crime correspondent [[Mira Bukowski]] has been following the story for [[Vox Galactica]]: "When the [[Federal Intelligence Agency|FIA]] raided the home of media magnate Elias Metaxas, they found the painting Terra Absentia by Zoe Okeke hanging in his chambers – a painting stolen by the Winking Cat in 3305. Metaxas confessed to purchasing the famous artwork for 22 billion credits via a series of anonymous dealers, none of whom could be traced. Coincidentally, there are rumours that an [[Simone Leatrix|Imperial senator]] keeps some statues resembling the missing New Dawn collection hidden within her mountainside chalet. And only recently, multi-billionaire [[Zachary Rackham]] was overheard inviting an investor to 'come up and see my Guernica'. It seems that the thief has secretly sold these highly valuable treasures to private collectors. However, this is not typical behaviour for someone believed to be a genuine connoisseur of fine art as well as a skilled larcenist. Perhaps there is an urgent need for huge sums of money, and since the Winking Cat has never stolen anything as vulgar as mere credits, this is the most ideal method. But what might the notorious criminal be planning?"<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61b2291591e61606dd533253 GalNet: Intrigue Surrounds Recovered Art Treasure]</ref> | ||