The Power of Three

**The Power of Three** is an Easy Mystery storyline in *Surviving Mars*.

## Events

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Reason: "*Put in the order of events*"

#### Power of Three: A Black Cube Appears

Preliminary image analysis remains inconclusive. An on-site investigation is required to assess the Anomaly. We advise caution.
* Effect: A Black Cube has appeared seemingly out of nowhere. We have to investigate this Anomaly.

#### Power of Three: ...For, They Came in Numbers

Until further investigation, the scientific board of Mission Control has decided to impose an information blackout on the matter to prevent the spread of panic and fear among the Colonists.

#### Power of Three: Making Sense of the Unknown

The team at Mission Control is against trying to spread further misinformation and propaganda - partially because it would just add to the total confusion, but mainly because it would endanger the philosophical principles of our mission. We could only trust in our Colonists and hope for the best.

#### Power of Three: Dark Properties

What is even more puzzling is the analysis of the photonic spectroscopy of the cubes. They seem to emanate radiation of an unknown wavelength which excites the separation of electrons inside of the spectroscopic lens. While our science team refuses to jump to any conclusions, the Chief Engineer suggests that we should study the effect empirically on the Colony's Solar Panels.
The science team requested permission to commence experimental research on the cubes' properties.
* Effect: New research on the mystery of the Black Cubes is now available

#### Power of Three: Post-benign

It seems any of the artifacts could materialize inside a structure, sending it into oblivion. We are now facing the potential threat of future human casualties.
Mission Control advises a top priority on the investigation of the disaster.
* Effect: More buildings could collapse in the future. Preventive research is now available.

#### Power of Three: A Time For Speculation

Outside the labs however, the cult of the Cubes has gained even more momentum. People are gathering to wait for what they think would be the coming of God to humanity's second home.

#### Power of Three: Solace in Science

The scientists moved the cube matrix inside a non-baryonic shell and proceeded to bombard a single cube with high-energy ions, a process known as sputtering. The results were immediate - the shell of the cube gave in, resulting in its rapid decomposition. The matrix itself reacted to the influence by rearranging itself into a solid structure made of the remaining cubes.
Though we have no explanation for the process, at least we have a way to deal with the cube matrices popping up everywhere. It appears that the exact solution rests on our reason and moderation.
* Effect: Cubes can be stored in special sites or destroyed

#### Power of Three: Embracing the Unknown

The excitement about the cubes is evident from the schedules of the weekly hearings in the Colony. The trivial themes such as the quality of the food and the requests for additional scientific funding had completely disappeared, replaced by requests for publicity for each faction's viewpoint.
So far, there are three major camps. The moderate skeptics argue that the truth is hardly within our reach and cubes need to be preserved and stored for further research. The pessimistic ones insist on the destruction of all the cubes, seeing them as a deliberate threat. Then, there are those who hold the firm belief that the cubes are meant to be a gift to humanity from some unknown benevolent entity. They request the cubes to be transported inside the Domes and put on display for everyone to see.
* Effect: Decoration Buildings made out of cubes can be constructed.

#### Power of Three: Primal Fear

Our structures tend to be much less dense than the monolithic Martian rocks. We can modify our sensor towers to create a fake Cherenkov Effect by bombarding the areas around our structures with particles which are harmless to our Colonists, but would still prevent the cubes from threatening our Colony.
* Effect: Sensor Towers now protect nearby buildings from the Black Cubes

#### Power of Three: The Countdown

As reports are flowing in, we can clearly see a trend in the intensification of the light pulses. Is this some kind of countdown? And if so, to what?

#### Power of Three: Construction Begins

Diagnostics on the drone software and hardware reveal no clues for any reprogramming. All of our attempts to gather information about the purpose of this operation have failed.
Mission Control advises all personnel to brace for the unknown.
* Effect: Some Drones are constructing a mystery building with the cubes.

#### Drones influenced by the cubes have started the construction of a Mega Monolith

We witnessed the astonishing evolution of the Ancients and the countless metamorphoses they experienced until they reached a state of existence which allowed them to transcend the boundaries of the material form. Without worrying about resources or lifespan, they traversed the universe, leaving their home behind. But they have not forgotten it.
The robust Black Cubes lay in wait on the Red Planet for a meeting of the minds. Our actions here were detected by the semi-sentient algorithm which controlled the cubes and triggered the message left by the Ancients. Some of the accounts given by our personnel describe being talked to in a language both familiar and thoroughly alien, while others describe being shown images most vivid and influencing. Some would even account for experiencing a sort of judgment. The essence of the information was, however, without exception, the same.

#### I saw it, too...

They recall the fondest epochs of their history, where such strivings were predominant amongst them. Proud and nostalgic, they offer us a gift.
* Effect: Gained a new Technology, *<reg\_param1>*

#### We communed with the Ancients in our collective dream. They were impressed by our curiosity.

They hope that with time and maturity we will come to embrace the idea that while the universe is a dangerous place, not everything is a threat and there are also wonders to be discovered.
* Effect: All Black Cubes have disappeared
* Effect: Gained a new Technology, *<reg\_param1>*

#### We communed with the Ancients in our collective dream. They were somewhat surprised by our hostility against the unknown.

Not quite sure what to make of this, they express hope we will retain our creativity as a race in the ages ahead.
* Effect: The monument collapsed into a pile of Black Cubes
* Effect: Gained a new Technology, *<reg\_param1>*

#### Power of Three: For the Generations to Witness

With the current state of events we lack sufficient data to judge the purpose of the cubes. It could take years if not generations of scientific research to reach a conclusion on that subject. Until then, we will attempt to control the erratic spread of the cubes which hampers our resources and colonization operations by storing them away in a convenient manner.

#### Power of Three: Cult of Tomorrow

Mission Control has officially allowed the creation of a series of monuments dedicated to the Higher Truth proclaimed by some of our most active Colonists. We must look into ourselves and at our history as a species - denying the possibility that these people are right would mean that we are no better than the fanatics who burned visionaries at the pyres because of their beliefs.

#### Power of Three: Singularity Imminent

The creators of the structure definitely want us to finish their plan. The potential risk from yesterday has now become a tangible menace and I don't believe that anyone in the Colony lives under the illusion that it is avoidable.

* Effect: All Colonists suffer Sanity loss due to the threatening behavior of the Mega-Monument Construction.