Codexia, the Unbound
The edict that opened up Amoneth space to colonization and exploitation came as a great surprise to the public. Initially (and, to some extent, thereafter as well), there was a great deal of trepidation. After all, this was the territory of the fabled Amoneth in question. Masters of high technology; Godlike beings; the ghosts of ages past... People did not fail to see the potential disaster in treading upon their hallowed territory. As such, for the first few years, only the bravest (most foolhardy?) of prospectors and pioneers took the plunge and set out to discover riches beyond dreaming. The first outposts were set up gingerly, with one ear to the ground at all times, waiting for some kind of sign. And, as befits giving credence to fables, none came. Whether or not the Amoneth really existed - or had ever existed - came into open question, in Codexian circles. Soon, tens of thousands swarmed the space they allegedly claimed, and each passing year saw less stock put into the legends.
For their part, the Raumeni and the Phyr continued to warn humanity of serious repercussions were they to anger the Amoneth. But Codexians were in no mood to entertain their petty superstitions, anymore. Though caution continued to be the watchword, the exploitation program not only continued on its present course, but increased in scope and tempo over a period of some five years. No old ruins were being discovered on the surveyed worlds, no artefacts, no skeletons, exo-skeletons or fossil remains. All signs pointed to the legend of the Amoneth staying precisely that. The economic benefits of the enterprise were proving very significant, indeed. Yet, officials were becoming perturbed by a spate of 'incidents' that took place during this time. In one instance, a small surveying vessel ceased transmissions to the local comm-buoy for more than three days. It eventually re-appeared and made contact with regional authorities - puzzled as to why three solar days had gone by, without any of the crew noticing the lapse. They had simply 'skipped' them.
This was by no means an isolated incident. At least five other vessels reported similar occurrences, with intervals of varying length. There was no pattern to this mysterious activity. And, despite a well publicized leak to the media regarding the phenomenon, the overall consequences for the program were quite subdued. After all, none of the crews in question had been harmed. None reported any abnormalities, or strange experiences, as a result of the lapses. Though scientists could not explain them, they eventually simply formed a part of the legend of the Amoneth, and a sort of 'local flavour' - just another thread in the tapestry of the Amoneth expanse. In the meantime, good money was being made from the project. Economic growth was strong across the board for Codexia, and the boom seemed destined to continue in perpetuity. The good times were on a roll.
What is Codexia's next step to be?
Do you... now wish to expand into the Phyr Dead Zone? Who knows what forgotten bounty it still may hold. The Turanei, after all, had not seemed that interested in pillage - merely destruction.
OR
Do you... believe that exploring beyond the Raumeni territories might be the better idea? Do other sentients await, beyond? New markets, perhaps?
Glad to hear Amoneth are even bigger pussies than me.
