The Dredgers

**The Dredgers** is a Normal Mystery storyline in *Surviving Mars*.

## Strategies

### Recommended sponsors and mission commanders

It is recommended to have many RC Explorers in the scanning phase, and many RC Commanders in the mass invasion phase.

## Events

Please help improve this if you can. The Discussion page may contain suggestions.Reason: "*Put in the order of events*"

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Please help improve this if you can. The Discussion page may contain suggestions.
Reason: "*Put in the order of events*"

#### The Dredgers: Brace for Impact

We could be wrong, but our initial visual readings on the object show that it has an unconventional form for a meteorite. Strange protrusions can be observed from the back of the object. Could this be something different than a meteor?
* Effect: A major impact is expected to happen somewhere on Mars.

Day X (+10) + Research

#### The Dredgers: Grounding Day

It is now or never to take a closer look - should the risk be worth it.
* Effect: An Anomaly at the landing site is available for analysis.

#### The Dredgers: Contact

The RC Explorer operator requests permission for close inspection on the object.

You can give permission or deny it. If you give permission and the random result is positive:

The data we've gathered is already sent to our sponsor via encrypted transmission. We are sure the commission will value our efforts greatly.

* Effect: You gain $250M Funding and 500 research.

Otherwise:

Despite our setbacks we gathered important data and have already sent it to our sponsor via encrypted transmission. We are sure the commission will value our efforts greatly.
The Object extracted resources from below the surface.

* Effect: You gain ??? ($125M?) Funding. The RC Explorer suffered a malfunction.

#### The Dredgers: Foresight and Reflection

Continued from the previous one, if permission was not granted:

The Object extracted metals from below the surface.
.

* Effect: You gain ??? Funding.

#### The Dredgers: Behind the Scenes

(?) If the anomaly was not scanned within ??? days:

The Object extracted resources from below the surface and took off with them

Day X (Research + 2)

#### The Dredgers: They Will Be Back

Our sponsor's contacts on Earth rifled through any data for a mission launched by another competitor on Earth, but from what we have seen so far it wouldn't be far-fetched to suggest that these Objects are of extraterrestrial origin.
By the way, the sponsor HQ dubbed the Object Dredger and they require us to maintain coherency in our documentation by using the same call-sign.
* Effect: A new Dredger is about to land on Mars.

Day X (Research + 3)

#### The Dredgers: Hands Full

<hint>You can boost your Technology Research rate by analyzing landed Dredgers.

#### The Dredgers: A Curious Observation

Upon scanning of first Dredger:

Some of our scientists proposed that the Dredgers must originate from our Solar System, unless they can traverse immense distances in a flash.

Upon scanning of second Dredger:

It is now evident that the outer shell of the Dredger consists of silicates and heavy inert metals with no traces of organic materials. The inner walls of the jet vents contain traces of burned alkaline metals. Some of our scientists propose that they are the fuel used to propel the Dredger during flight and take-off.
The object demonstrated no interest in the activities of the rover. The scientists speculate that it lacks any sort of sensors or processing power whatsoever.

Upon scanning of third and subsequent Dredgers:

* Each completed analysis grants the following Effect: Dredger Morphology technology receives a 50% Boost.

Day X (Dredger Morphology)

#### The Dredgers: Knowing the Unknown

Upon completion of the Dredger Morphology technology:

Here comes the best part - the Dredgers are quite vulnerable! The alkaloid fuels they utilize for propulsion makes them highly volatile in oxygen-rich atmospheres. This is probably the reason why no Dredger landed on Earth so far.
It is a tough decision whether we should use force against the Dredgers.
* Effect: You can now use Drones to destroy Dredgers

There is a response choice between:

#### The Dredgers: The Koronis Predicament

The science team immediately requested permission to " dissect" one of the Dredgers to get their hands on the mysterious device used to send these transmissions.

* Effect: A new research is available - Dredger Wavelength Decoding. Destroy Dredgers using Drones to gain a Tech Boost towards the Technology's progress.

Day X (Dredger Wavelength Decoding + 5)

#### The Dredgers: Dark Omens

Our scientists suggest that with the current rate of landings the amount of metals in our sector will be depleted within three years - and some of the most pessimistic of our colleagues believe that the trend is for the landings to become more frequent. This would be a terrible prospect.

#### The Dredgers: The Chinese Puzzle

After drone destruction of first Dredger:

* Effect: The Dredger Wavelength Decoding receives a 50% Boost

After drone destruction of subsequent Dredgers:

#### The Dredgers: The Language

Upon completion of the Wavelength Decoding technology:

Each transmission consists of several desynchronized threads - each of them sounds like cosmic static, but when combined in the right way they form a pattern which can be translated to binary.
The information transmitted by the Dredgers is surprisingly simple. They share data regarding plotted courses, the status of their excavations and the location of mineral-rich sites. We cannot identify the source in Koronis as the Dredgers do not use any call signs, but nevertheless we are able to intercept their transmissions and predict the sites of future landings.
* Effect: Dredger landing sites will be marked on the map.

#### The Dredgers: Into the Light

Our sponsors were probably foolish enough to believe that a secret can remain hidden from the public in the Age of Information. The uproar is tremendous and the UN calls for an emergency press conference. The monitoring council of our sponsor was insistent on our participation in the event. It will be held via the interplanetary network. We'll be the center of attention. The time-lag will give us fifteen minutes between questions to think of the best way to answer.
There is no reason to hide the truth now.

Day X (Dredger Wavelength Decoding + 10)

#### The Dredgers: Press Conference

For many centuries, humans have speculated that, in the great expanse of the universe, there should be life. Humanity never dismissed their hope for contact and so, even before we could reach for the stars, we built machines to probe the space for signs of the existence of others. Until recently, our attempts were met with silence and we had to rely only on our unshakable belief. But today we have proof. We are not alone.
Allow me to introduce you to the Commander of Mars Alpha, our first Colony on the Red Planet, who will personally address your questions.

There is a choice between

 (Continues immediately to *The Race is On*)

 (Continues immediately to *Contact Denied*)

#### The Dredgers: Press Conference: The Race is On

Our Colony's safety and viability is our utmost priority. This is why I've personally supervised operations to deny the alien vessels the opportunity to extract and steal away the metal deposits crucial to our survival. I would ask those who might raise questions on the measure of our reaction - what do you call a neighbor who deliberately tries to stall your attempts to lead a better life?

#### The Dredgers: Press Conference: Contact Denied

At their core of our expectations has always been a flawed assumption - that an alien race would be psychologically human.
The first contact, if one has the audacity to call it that way, was with a system of automated mining equipment. As disappointing as it may sound, the alien machines displayed an almost offensive disregard for our presence. So far they had followed their simple purpose - to extract resources from the surface of Mars. The nature and intentions of their creators remains a mystery and our best minds are working towards unveiling it.

Day X (Dredger Wavelength Decoding + 12)

#### The Dredgers: Press Conference - Hard Questions

" An anonymous yet reliable source disclosed to us that you ordered and succeeded in the deliberate destruction of at least one of the alien vessels. My country condemns any premature aggressive actions which could taint the reputation of humankind, especially when addressing such a delicate matter. What gave you the authority to act in such a risky manner without an official resolution from the Council of the United Nations?"

There is a choice between

 (Continues immediately to *United We Stand*)

 (Continues immediately to *A Bridge to Build*)

#### The Dredgers: Press Conference - United We Stand

The actions I ordered were not an act of war and aggression, but instead were means to secure the future of our initiative and fulfill a promise to all people on Earth. Dismantling several alien vessels is a fair price to pay for what's at stake today. And if the creators of these vessels see our actions as something more than doing the right thing, we will prove them wrong. For we do not desire to take what's not ours - we want to fulfill our destiny as a space-faring species.

Your influence will aid the Colony greatly.
* Effect: The United Nations transferred resources to the Mars Alpha project. You've gained $250M Funding.

#### Press Conference 2: A Bridge to Build

Our goal was to make sense of what's happening, of the nature of the alien vessels, which is one of the underlying principles of science.
Our efforts were not in vain. The greatest minds of Mars Alpha and Earth managed to make amazing progress. Dismantling the probe allowed us to make sense of the communications of the alien machines, maybe even the basis of the language of their creators, and not only that. The scientific knowledge we gained from this event will speed our way to the stars, where even more puzzling mysteries await those of us who have the bravery and integrity to face the unknown.

#### The Dredgers: Press Conference - A Battle Well Fought

Your influence will aid the Colony greatly.
* Effect: Public opinion for Mars Alpha increased. Additional <reg\_param1> Applicants are available.

### Stage 4: Mass invasion

#### The Dredgers: Darkened Skies

The mission sponsor has authorized a forceful response.
* Effect: Multiple Dredgers detected! They will arrive within 5 Sols.

Day X (Dredger Wavelength Decoding + 21)

#### The Dredgers: The Leviathan Rises

If we leave this massive Dredger unchecked, it could have a disastrous impact on our metal supply. On the other hand, our Tactical Advisor supposes that the arrival of this new Dredger may be caused by the threat our actions proved for the aliens' mining operations. At the end, the decision as to how we address the new situation was obvious.
Just when we thought we survived the worst...
* Effect: A huge Dredger will land on Mars in 5 Sols.

<hint>You can dismantle the incoming Dredger using Drones.

#### The Dredgers - Conclusion: Fires of Tomorrow's Dawn

Somehow you don't feel like the victor. You stand silent as you ask yourself one question - have you defeated a dangerous enemy or rebuffed a potential ally?
* Effect: Xeno-Extraction Technology is available for research with a 50% Boost
* Effect: Gained a new technology, *<reg\_param1>*

#### The Dredgers - Conclusion: Crossroads

You failed to destroy the massive Dredger and the Colony will pay the price in the months to come, but maybe this is for the better. Maybe today humanity avoided retribution from the unknown creators of the Dredgers, or started on the path of cooperation, and maybe even friendship, when the next generations reach the stars.
* Effect: Xeno-Extraction Technology is available for research
* Effect: Gained a new technology, *<reg\_param1>*