Investigation
Weekly Report to the Derelict Oversight Committee on Current Exploration Operations
October 12, 2031
Director of Derelict Exploration Operations: Taylor Garrett - Civilian Contractor, RAF
The previous week saw progress of only 20 meters in the primary corridor named "Grand Central." Robotic and human teams have been hampered by larger than expected amounts of debris as well as the cramped conditions in the branching corridors "Broadway" and "Main". Overall current exploration operations are at an estimated 45 percent of the Derelict thus far. Keeping safety in mind, and not wishing to destroy important artifacts, progress has been slow.
Derelict reconstruction with missing Chinese segment.Of note is the discovery of a possible control mechanism for what we suspect is a gravity manipulation system. The devices were attached to a large bulkhead that had been dislodged presumably by the Catastrophic Event [CE]. The mechanism is in a fair state of preservation due to the lack of atmosphere and extreme cold temperatures and appears to have been connected to the primary power circulation grid.
Clues to the cause of the CE are still forthcoming, however, the study teams in the heavily damaged rear areas have reported scoring and melt to some of the superstructure that suggests there was a high-temperature event. What could have caused such damage is unclear as we have had little success with our own attempts to melt the carbon matrix. Sections of the damaged corridors reveal a material that is strong, yet light. Chemical analysis suggests it is a form of crystallized carbon matrix with a melting point above 6500 °F and an organic structure akin to that found in plants or trees. Further study, including tests to the materials, will be required to understand the properties of the derelict's structure and how it reacts to stresses and heat. It has become increasingly clear that the construction methods on the derelict were far beyond anything humans have yet achieved.
In the coming week the team expects to clear and catalog enough debris to reach a void hinted at by scans two weeks ago. The space appears larger than earlier cataloged spaces. Additionally, we are still hoping to find an area of uncontaminated atmosphere sealed at the time of the CE. No further bodies of crew members have been discovered beyond those found in the first days of the investigation. However, there is still a considerable volume of the ship to be explored and we still have not found apparent sleeping or recreational areas.
We have yet to reach any section of the ship that would give a clue to the lifestyle of the crew. Until now, all we have been able to uncover are workstation-like terminals and narrow corridors. The term "spartan" has best described the environment inside.
Some of my colleagues have speculated recently that the derelict may have been a type of warship. I wish to say at this time that there is no clear evidence to support this assertion. No team has found weapons on the ship nor is there evidence of any guns or cannons as we would understand them. My colleagues claims that the lack of amenities for the crew support their thesis, are unfounded and require further study. Other speculations on the exterior appearance and massive power circulation systems are also premature. We simply do not know how much energy was needed to power the vessel and propel it across light years of space. Presumably those sections lay in Chinese hands and any information from them and the Far Side Lunar Laboratory are not forthcoming.
