Penumbra/Chapter 2 - Blackness Rising

Main article: Penumbra

Blackness Rising is the second chapter of Penumbra.

Mission 9 - Meet Sinas

Level	4
Type	Security
Objective	Report to Sinas Egassuo
Rewards	0.3M ISK + 1M ISK (6h)

Mission briefing

It sounds like Sinas is on to something. I want you there to help him in any way you can. He's headed back to his post in Astoh, so you're off to Black Rise to meet him, <Character>. If you've never been there, then you should know that it can be a dangerous place; the leadership of the Federation's capsuleer militia has set its sights on nothing less than total Gallentean occupation of the region. An absurd goal, but they're welcome to try. From the sounds of it, Sinas will need you for something around there. My advice would be to start by flying an interceptor or frigate down that way. If on the off chance he needs you to do some heavy lifting, then you can go back for something larger. My impression is that he'll want speed and discretion here though; if it was something a fleet of Ravens could hit he'd have handled it with his own crew already. Anyhow, fly out there, see what's up, and keep in mind what I told you about him. If you can trust me, you should trust him.

Black Rise

A cursory glance at the Black Rise region reveals a great deal to those with even the most basic understanding of Caldari internal politics. Kaalakiota, Lai Dai and Wiyrkomi led the charge in colonization, each flanked by their private security forces. Supplemented by the Caldari Navy, the State War Academy and Caldari Constructions, the colonization has all the hallmarks of a Patriot faction power play.

Sinas Egassuo

Report to Sinas Egassuo twelve jumps away in Astoh at the Caldari Navy Relay Nexus Beacon.

Mission 10 - Right Tool for the Job

Level	4
Type	Security
Objective	Retrieve 1x FedNav F.O.F. Identifier Tag AC-106V:FNSBR
Faction	Gallente Federation
Best damage to deal	Kin Th
Damage to resist	Kin Th
Warp disruption	Elite frigates
EWAR	Sensor dampening
Rewards	10M ISK + 1M ISK (6h)
Extra	0.001 Gallente Federation Faction Standing loss; Requires a Data Analyzer

Mission briefing

Welcome to Astoh, <Character>. I appreciate you coming by. Katsen just sent me the ISK, too. Thank you for being our middle man on that one. You may want to make yourself comfortable in that egg for a moment; I've a bit to cover here for your briefing. As you know, my name is Sinas Egassuo. As you probably do not know, my job is to coordinate search and rescue operations, as well as the liberation of Caldari Prisoners of War taken during battle in Black Rise. This duty I have fulfilled without hesitation, and I am proud to have led such operations. It is by carrying out this task, however, that I've come to notice something strange. Whenever we rescue people, there are often less Ishukone crew members and staff than the rest. It's never enough to be conspicuous or noticeable, but I notice it, and I find it conspicuous. I can't explain it though, and neither can the people we recover. My suspicion is that Ishukone personnel are being taken elsewhere, perhaps being treated more kindly due to their Liberal philosophies and good history with the Gallente. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Federation trying to divide us over something like that, but we'd have to know about it first, and they don't seem keen on that happening. I need you to investigate the matter for me and find out what's going on. I can brief you on the details of the assignment once you accept, but until I have that commitment, I'm not willing to trust you with the information. Sorry <Character>, but Katsen's recommendation only gets you so far. So, are you committed to the fight ahead of us or not?

New Region connected to Stargate Networks by Caldari State, Scope Article, June 11th, YC 110

In yet another twist in the recent events, multiple reports are coming in of new stargates appearing in systems on the fringes of Caldari and Gallente space. It would appear that the volume of space known as Black Rise - previously thought to be completely impenetrable - has been secretly colonized by Caldari forces. Initial reports from capsuleers indicate that the new region contains a wealth of virgin systems, full of resources unexploited thus far by the four empires. Additionally, early cartography has revealed that the region opens an additional border between Caldari and Gallente sovereign space, something officials on both sides are scrambling to prepare for as they readjust strategies. Even as they do so, pod pilots both loyalist and independent are rushing into the area to stake a claim of their own. It remains unclear exactly how the phenomena shrouding this area were penetrated, or indeed how the Caldari State has managed to colonize the area in complete secrecy. State officials have so far remained tight-lipped on any details, providing no explanations. After such startling events in recent times however, and with officials from all three Empires as well as CONCORD pushing for answers on the matter, it is something they will likely have to address in the nearby future.

Video: [Myrmidon January 2021]

Ungated deadspace pocket one jump away. Do not forget to equip a Data Analyzer.

Blitz: Warp at range and bounce to the Federation Navy Shipyard, destroy all the frigates guarding it, and loot the FedNav F.O.F Identifier Tag AC-106V:FNSBR (The shipyard needs to be hacked through the Data Analyzer & Hacking minigame before you can loot).

Tips:

• You can warp in at range and land closer (or farther) from the Federation Navy Shipyard. If more than 150km away, you can warp directly to it; create a bookmark before you land so you can quickly bounce to it
• The Broadcast Tower Group will not shoot at you unless you get close (they will if you warp to 0)
• Broadcast Tower Group receives reinforcements every 2 minutes three times
• All ships will drop Gallente Navy Tags
• If you plan on tanking, destroy the Cruisers first
• Negligible standing loss to the Gallente Federation for destroying enemy ships
• Buy Caldari Prisoners of War and bring them with you so you can instantly complete the next mission

Warp-in

Gallente Navy Forward Operations Base

Hidden away in a deadspace pocket riddled with heavy electrostatic interference, this facility doesn't seem to have been around for very long. As the compound draws nearer and the static begins to dissipate, the scanner fills with the signatures of Federation Navy ships, suggesting they are using it as a staging point for incursions deeper into State space. All of the targets Sinas mentioned appear to be present. This is definitely the place.

Broadcast Tower Group (full spawn, 32km)

		WD	EWAR	L
	8 x Frigate Federation Praktor Belos
	7 x Elite Frigate Elite Federation Machina/...
	5 x Destroyer Federation Arcus/...
	9 x Elite Cruiser Elite Federation Arx
	5 x Battlecruiser Federation Praktor Bearcus/...
	13 x Battleship Federation Covinus/...

Federation Navy Shipyard Group (63km)

		WD	EWAR	L
	1 x Elite Frigate Elite Federation Manica
	2 x Elite Frigate Elite Federation Matara
	5 x Elite Frigate Elite Federation Arcus

Structures (70 km)

		WD	EWAR	L
	1 x Federation Navy Shipyard

Mission 11 - The Breakout

Type	Encounter
Objective	Retrieve 1x Caldari Prisoners Of War (0.5m3)
Faction	Gallente Federation
Best damage to deal	Kin Th
Damage to resist	Kin Th
EWAR	Sensor Dampening
Rewards	20,000,000 + 1,570,000 (Bonus if completed in 6H)
Extra	Requires probing and data analyzer and 1x FedNav F.O.F. Identifier Tag AC-106V:FNSBR (Gained from Agent). Mission item can be bought instead.

Mission briefing

t's time for you to put that ID tag to use and see firsthand what it is we're fighting against down here. Though you've no doubt heard of the fearless and capable pilots in the Caldari Militia, I wouldn't make the mistake of thinking that the situation in Black Rise is a stable one. The region is a war-zone, and will probably remain that way for some time. Even though they're capsuleers like you, our militia cannot be everywhere at once, and it is in their absence that the Federation often makes progress. We've been receiving reports of a new prison facility being erected somewhere in the Aokinen constellation. Your mission is to discover its location, bypass the security forces and slip inside. Once you've made your way inside, there will be people of ours to free. My suspicion though, is that you will not find any Ishukone crew to rescue. I suppose we'll see what happens. If you've never done any exploratory scanning before, then now would be a good time to learn. The Federation is skilled at hiding their secrets, but I have a feeling that a facility this size will be found easily enough. If you are struggling to locate it, don't lose hope - that's exactly what the enemy wants us to do. You will need a Data Analyzer to complete this mission. What do you say, <Character>?

Two Bloodlines, one Race: the Raata spirit in the Deteis and Civire soul

“Look at each other,” Cold Wind told them. “How do you tell one man from the other? How do you know which man to kill?” The men struggled to stand up and looked at their armors; the symbols of their Houses were torn and broken, not visible anymore. “No two men on this field have the same face, but can you tell them apart now?” The men gazed at each other trying to distinguish brothers from enemies, yet the blood covering their faces made all of them alike.

Mission site Federation Detention Facility is a cosmic signature (combat site) which must be probed to 100% first before warping to it. The site will spawn in each system within the Constellation when mission is accepted and will respawn if someone else completes it. You need a data analyzer to retrieve the prisoner.

Blitz: Buy the 1x Caldari Prisoners Of War (0.5m3) on Contracts or market and complete the mission. No need to search/probe, hack, or fight anything.

The next mission will be low sec hauling mission so you should turn this mission in in an instawarp frigate.

The mission site consists of two deadspace pockets.

First pocket

1x Newly Constructed Acceleration Gate (95km)

No NPC's most of the time but sometimes it ends up with:

		WD	EWAR	L
Group 2
	6 x Frigate Federation Praktor Phalarica/...
	3 x Elite Frigate Elite Federation Lochos/...
	2 x Destroyer Federation Arcus/...
Group 2
	6 x Elite Frigate Elite Federation Phalarica/...
	3 x Elite Cruiser Elite Federation Arx
Group 3
	7 x Battleship Federation Praktor Magister/...

In the case of these spawns, a cloaky is best used to just fly past them to the gate. The 1x FedNav F.O.F. Identifier Tag AC-106V:FNSBR may not prevent them from attacking.

Second pocket

The Gallente Warden Frigates may not attack if the 1x FedNav F.O.F. Identifier Tag AC-106V:FNSBR (Gained from Agent) is in your cargohold (There is a bug where they may still shoot you but they hit for 1 damage). After successfully hacking a Detention Facility to save a prisoner, a short self-destruct timer will start. You may be able to hack another one before the Detention Facility self-destructs but only 1x Caldari Prisoners Of War is needed to complete the mission.

The Detention Facility structures will have a white container to Hack. If no Detention Facility structures are present or you see 8x blue containers, then that site has been completed by another player. Instead of waiting for respawn, just look for the site in another system.

Group 1

		WD	EWAR	L
	8 x Frigate Gallente Warden Frigate
	3 x Elite Frigate Elite Federation Lochos/...
	2 x Destroyer Federation Arcus/...

Structures

		WD	EWAR	L
	8 x Federation Detention Facility

Mission 12 - Whisper of a Conspiracy

Level	4
Type	Security
Objective	Retrieve Encrypted Data Fragment (0.1 m3)
Ship suggestion	Travel fit
Rewards	7.5M ISK + 1.73M ISK (6h)

Mission briefing

It seems Ishukone are playing a dangerous game here, <Character>. Before we make any moves though, we have to be absolutely certain that things actually are what they look like. What does that mean? It means I need you for another infiltration mission. We've been monitoring the movement of selected Ishukone vessels over the last few days. Our focus is on the handful of diplomatic emissaries they've deployed inside Black Rise. Why does Ishukone have diplomats down here? We wondered the same thing, and that's why we had them followed. While tracking one particular Ishukone vessel, our surveillance team lost them. They appear to have warped into a derelict research facility, conveniently located inside an area riddled with electromagnetic interference. Now, it's quite possible that their actions were entirely legitimate. We just don't know though, I ordered my men not to pursue. I'm betting that we can send you in there without any trouble, no matter what goes down. You capsuleers are invaluable for these sorts of missions where you have no idea how it will go. Would you be willing to scout the area for us and report back what you find?

Ungated deadspace pocket within five jumps of Astoh. Can be either Highsec or Lowsec.

Pick up the Encrypted Data Fragment from the Damaged Radio Telescope.

Warp-in

Agent Conversation

This area used to be a research facility. Then the Gallente came, or an accident happened. No one is really sure how, but the area was leveled by some huge explosions. Nowadays it makes for a clever meeting spot, if you want your privacy. Electronic surveillance can't penetrate the heavy electromagnetic interference around here. I've had to boost my signal about a hundred times over just so I can reach you.

Structures (55 km)

		WD	EWAR	L
	1 x Damaged Radio Telescope

Mission 13 - Practical Solutions

Level	4
Type	Security
Objective	Retrieve Vira Mikano (3.0 m3)
Ship suggestion	Travel fit
Rewards	3M ISK + 0.2M ISK (1h)

Mission briefing

I've managed to get a message over to Katsen. He's already begun to make some arrangements but I have to say <Character>, this is going to be a particularly dicey assignment, for all of us. Katsen is convinced he knows the man for this job. In fact, he claims that if anyone can decipher this data node, it will be this man. His name is Vira Mikano, and he's a senior decryption analyst with Ishukone Watch. Yeah that's right, I said Ishukone Watch. Katsen's plan is to have some of his people “redirect” Mr. Mikano from his office in Oipo to your personal hangar on the station. From there, you will put him aboard your ship and safely escort him back here to Astoh. Let me stress something before you leap in, <Character>. Mikano is a family man, and a well-respected Caldari too. Hell, I once had drinks with him. If the lives of many more Caldari weren't at stake here, I wouldn't consider abducting him for even a moment, but desperate situations call for practical solutions. We need him to help us, and there is no chance in hell he'd do that without a little pressure, but he must not come to any harm whatsoever. Only accept this assignment if you're absolutely ready for it. I'll relay your acceptance to Katsen the moment you give me the nod. After that, there's no turning back.

Masks of Authority

The glossy tropes of the public relations holoreels and the beige glamour of stylized war worship stand in stark contrast to the reality of these agencies, but most people have only a muddy awareness of the dichotomy. A man can be rudely treated by a brusque and superior Ishukone Watch officer and silently curse him for hours, but as soon as he gets home that evening he is just as likely to prop his feet up and enjoy a rousing serial where the Ishukone Watch's superior technology and cunning allows it to root out Gurista spies and double-cross them into revealing their hideout. So pervasive is the propaganda that it is highly doubtful this man ever draws a parallel between the real thing and the image; the connection he draws, instead, is between the image and the mother corporation it represents.

Pick up Vira Mikano five jumps away from Oipo II - Moon 19 - Ishukone Watch Logistic Support.

Mission 14 - Forewarning

Level	4
Type	Security
Objective	Deliver Encoded Message
Ship suggestion	Travel fit
Rewards	5M ISK + 0.1M ISK (1h)

Mission briefing

We've got them, <Character>. The decoded data from that node has given us undeniable proof. Ishukone has been engaged in the unauthorized exchange of Caldari prisoners of war, and worse yet, they've only been focusing on the rescue and recovery of their own people. The information you recovered reveals a number of staging points where they ferry their people back to the State. In fact, Katsen suspects the only reason they evacuated others was to keep the number of prisoners relatively normal and inconspicuous. I don't know about his claims, but I sure know what I've seen out there on the job. The next step from here is to let Ishukone know they've been compromised. The leverage that grants will allow us to return Mikano safely and without incident. More importantly though, it also means we can get them to stop this amateurish exchange they have going on, even if only momentarily. If they want to rescue our families, then they should be doing a proper damn job of it like the Navy, not this half-assed nonsense that leaves a paper trail extending across the cluster. This current setup will get everyone killed or blackmailed if it is allowed to continue. You're off to another P.O.W holding ground, <Character>, same as before. This time though, you won't be liberating anyone. In fact there is not even a Federation presence inside this facility. It is where the Ishukone prisoners have been held before being escorted back home. Your job is simply to deliver a document from Katsen. In it, he explains the extent to which we could ruin Ishukone with this information, and then requests a meeting. We're pretty confident they'll make time to schedule us in. Due to the extreme sensitivity of this information, we'd prefer by far if you could personally deliver the document. You've proven so dependable that we hoped a quick flyover wouldn't be too much to ask?

Kaalakiota unveils Black Rise survey program, Scope article, March 4th, YC 111

According to Niteloho Koirolen, Kaalakiota Corporation chief spokesperson, the program will be conducted by both the corporation's intelligence division and the Home Guard, the goal being the development of a comprehensive resource database of the Black Rise region. The program will survey the planets and moons across 49 systems in 6 constellations. "Today's announcement reinforces Kaalakiota's commitment to the development of the Black Rise region," said Koirolen. "Although the State had previously done an outstanding job in Black Rise, there is still a lot to discover. We are sure that our program will ultimately contribute to the welfare of the whole State." The Black Rise region borders established Caldari and Gallente space and was previously deemed impenetrable, despite many efforts to map it. However, Caldari forces gained access to the region and secretly colonized it. Although it is clear that operations in Black Rise persisted for a longer time, experts claim that the region is still largely unexplored.

Ungated deadspace pocket within five jumps of Astoh. Can be either Highsec or Lowsec. Drop the Encoded Message into the Conference Center.

Warp-in

Federation Navy Holding Facility
Despite the outward appearance, this facility is clearly under the control of friendly forces. Long-range scans of the fleet ahead reveal a sea of Ishukone Watch identifier tags.

Agent Conversation

Hello again, pilot. It's good to see you doing so well. You've come far, very far, and we're indebted to you for everything you've done. We've been watching you gather the evidence that you've come here to deliver; you shouldn't worry, it has all been properly discredited and the appropriate co-verification documents have also been misplaced. Thanks to you, we've been able to anticipate Nugoeihuvi's moves and ensure that any hard data, anything truly conclusive, was relocated to a more secure location or isolated from collaborating evidence. Our mission to rescue more prisoners remains intact, but only barely. We need to act conclusively now and settle this matter before Nugoeihuvi think up some other scheme to undo us. I have just the assignment for you that will make this happen. I'll be honest and straightforward with you, as you've more than earned it. We plan to hold Katsen Isha's family until he can learn to hold his tongue. It is – ultimately – the only reasonable recourse left to us after being hounded like this. One family threatened so that many, many more might simply live. I think you know what must be done. I look forward to speaking with you shortly.

Structures

		WD	EWAR	L
	1 x Conference Center

Agent Conversation

Greetings pilot. Thank you for making the delivery, pointless as the task may seem. You'll have to forgive the bluntness, but I've been asked to request that you ignore any and all orders about how to proceed in this matter unless they come directly from Ishukone itself – the corporation running these operations, let's not forget. It has come to our attention that other corporations aligned with our interests may be attempting to pursue other means to resolve this current situation. We politely request that you ignore such ideas. Though well-intentioned, such actions will only serve to further destabilize an already volatile situation. Agent Ekimo Areshi is at our headquarters in Malkalen, ready to brief you about bringing this matter to an appropriate end. You should report to her at your first convenience. First though, you should return back to Sinas, before he starts wondering why it took so long to deliver a simple note. You may be all but done with that duo for now, but there's no reason to raise their suspicion until things have been finally settled.