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SUBMITTED: Stardate: 98432.9

FILED BY: CAPT Jadrys Itana

SECURITY: Level 1 - Open

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LOCATION: NGC 3782 System
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MISSION: Deep Centaurus Expedition ongoing progress report
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OUTCOME: The Copernicus identified what appears to be a pre-warp civilization wiped out by an orbital mining operation.
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KEY PERSONNEL:
​NARRATIVE: This report documents the continuation of our exploratory efforts in coreward Centaurus.

Our priority stop following our exploration of 337 G. Centauri was a K0-type orange dwarf star designated NGC 3782, initially identified as a planetary system candidate by very long-range explorations. Previous maximum-range observations detected unidentified radio bursts in this system between the years of 2313 and 2352, but conditions of the period made dispatching an expedition to this region impractical and the phenomenon was ultimately attributed to natural causes. Nevertheless, stars of this nature are typically good candidates for inhabited worlds.

Our long-range scans while inbound detected no trace of radio activity but confirmed a small planetary system of two close-orbiting Class B geomorteus planets (NGC 3782 I and II respectively), a single terrestrial-type planet in the habitable zone (NGC 3782 III, of which more later) and an outlying class K planet (NGC 3782 IV). We discovered no trace of ongoing habitation on the outer planet and detected no active energy signals or radio waves. However, our scans identified traces of refined alloys in the vicinity of NGC 3782 III.

The planet, of approximately 0.93 Earth masses and with two mid-sized satellites, was initially identified as a Class N (reducing) planet due to the presence of a runaway greenhouse effect. Further survey of the planet cast this identification into doubt. Remnants of a small network of orbital satellites were identified before sensors isolated a larger source of refined alloys, which was revealed to be the severely-damaged shell of some form of orbital collector array. One of the damaged satellites was brought aboard for further analysis and given over to a science team for a detailed review, while a shuttle crew surveyed the collector and detected similar subspace fracturing as that identified in the abandoned facility in the 337 G. Cen. system. However, active computer systems could not be isolated, as any critical equipment appeared to have been stripped.

In view of these discoveries, and with the planet's heavy atmosphere making accurate readings of the surface all but impossible, I ordered a Flyer team led by CMDR Quispe to enter the planet's atmosphere for a more detailed survey. The team, aboard the Flyer Al-Tusi, was able to enter the atmosphere by utilizing a multiphasic shield modulation and achieve visual and systems-based readings from the surface.

These readings identified that NGC 3782 III's planetary classification was artificially induced. The Al-Tusi recorded images of a landscape riddled with artificial craters consistent with a massive orbital bombardment. Further, the survey team isolated two classifications of ruined structures:

1. Structures associated with the orbital network. These were concentrated north of the equator, over which the damaged collector had been positioned in a geosynchronous orbit. These structures, of similar construction to those observed in the 337 G. Cen. system, consisted of the largely decommissioned remains of massive-scale mining infrastructure, largely in the form of facilities supporting immense open-blasting pits carved into the planetary crust. It appears that these structures were intended to be utilized in concert with orbitally-positioned extraction devices, likely high-powered particle streams, which would allow for natural material to be cut out of the planet and drawn into the orbital collector for refinement.

2. Structures consistent with an early bronze age civilization. Much to the surprise of the Al-Tusi crew, readings showed the presence of some traces of ruined structures resembling ziggurats and small houses, with planned street grids. The readings suggest that at one point, the planet was inhabited by a pre-warp civilization.

A geological review of the type 1 structure locations revealed the presence of mineral structures typically associated with very rich dilithium veins, but no actual dilithium.

Further review of data from the biosphere suggests that NGC 3782 III was at one point an L-class planet which supported an indigenous civilization. However, the vast gulf in structural development between the two classifications of structures suggests the class 1 structures, those associated with the mining network, are not of indigenous origin. It is our belief that the builders of the class 1 structures exterminated a pre-warp civilization indigenous to NGC 3782 III, then strip-mined the planet of its dilithium and pulled out after extracting the raw material, leaving behind a runaway greenhouse effect caused by near-incessant orbital bombardment.

It is worth noting that during the course of our survey, our sensors briefly detected a subspace signal from the outer reaches of the system. However, no source could be identified. It may be that our presence has been noticed by some manner of passing probe or vessel, but we cannot be sure. The Copernicus remains at standing readiness. An orbital probe has been placed in orbit of NGC 3782 III to continue gathering data, with two planetary probes sent to the surface, and we are continuing our scheduled survey route with a greater sense of gravity, while continuing to analyze the collected satellite for further information.
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RECOMMENDATION: No action - information only.
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OOC: