Dark Moon News

Today, we delve into the myriad dangers our crew faces on the lunar surface. Life on the Moon is fraught with perils, from mechanical failures to psychological stresses, and each day presents new challenges for survival. In this entry, we will explore the most significant threats that endanger our lunar base and its inhabitants. Understanding these dangers is crucial for developing strategies to overcome them and ensuring the safety and success of our mission. Read on to discover the harsh realities of living and working on the Moon.



Diseases: Earthly and Extraterrestrial

The closed environment of the lunar base is a breeding ground for diseases. Regular illnesses, like the common cold or flu, can spread rapidly among the crew due to the confined living quarters. More concerning, however, are the mysterious extraterrestrial illnesses that have begun to appear. These diseases, with unknown origins and symptoms, present a significant challenge to our medical teams, requiring quick isolation and treatment of affected crew members.



Unit and Robot Malfunctions

After solar storm, life on the Moon is filled with peril, and one of the most persistent dangers our crew faces is the malfunctioning of units and robots. These machines are vital for the daily operations of the lunar base, from mining resources to constructing habitats. However, the harsh lunar environment and constant wear and tear lead to frequent breakdowns. When a mining unit or repair robot goes offline, it can halt essential operations and endanger the lives of our crew, forcing them to perform dangerous manual repairs.



Rogue Automated Turrets

Originally designed to protect our bases from meteor showers, automated turrets have become a new threat. Due to a malfunction in their targeting systems, these turrets now mistakenly identify friendly convoys as threats. This has led to several near-catastrophic incidents where supply convoys were attacked. The crew must now carefully navigate these defensive systems, often destroying them, which leaves the base vulnerable to actual meteor impacts.



Work-related Injuries

The Moon's low gravity and unforgiving terrain contribute to a high rate of work-related injuries. Crew members frequently suffer from lost limbs, fractures, abrasions, bleeding, and burns. Each injury not only impacts the physical well-being of the individual but also strains the already limited medical resources. Safety protocols are continually updated, but the unpredictable nature of lunar work means accidents are a constant threat.



Mental Health Issues

Isolation and stress take a heavy toll on the mental health of our crew. Prolonged confinement and the constant pressure to survive have led to various psychological issues. Instances of crew members attacking others, self-harm, arson, sabotage, and even attempts to escape into the vacuum of space have been recorded. Addressing these mental health crises is critical, with regular counseling and mental health support being a top priority.



System Failures and Structural Damage

Our lunar base is not immune to structural damage and system failures. Critical systems on our spider-like rovers often break down, leaving parts of the base without power or air supply. Buildings suffer from micro-meteorite impacts and the constant abrasive lunar dust, which wears down seals and joints. Continuous maintenance is necessary to keep the infrastructure intact and functional.



The Approaching Sun: Solar Storm Threat

One of the most significant threats to our convoys and electronics is the approaching sun, particularly the solar storms it brings. These storms can destroy all electronics with powerful bursts of solar radiation. Our crew must time their expeditions carefully, seeking shelter in the dark parts of the Moon during these solar storms to avoid catastrophic damage to both their equipment and their health.




Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore and survive the many dangers of the Dark Moon. Your support and feedback are invaluable as we navigate these challenges together.


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Relay Towns

Once bustling with activity, these industrial hubs were strategically situated at the crossroads of disparate outposts. Their location was not arbitrary; it allowed them to serve as central gathering points for resources, processing them efficiently while offering crucial support to outposts nestled in remote and inaccessible corners of the lunar landscape.

Relay Towns were a hive of productivity, collecting raw materials and transforming them into export-ready goods destined for starports and far-flung outposts. Among the products destined for these outposts were essential life resources, crucial for sustaining operations in the harsh lunar environment. Meanwhile, the processed resources destined for starports were intended for sale on Earth's markets, a testament to the lunar colonies' interconnectedness with the wider economic web.

But now, these once-vital hubs lie silent and abandoned, their machinery stilled by the unyielding grip of the solar storm's aftermath. Where resources were once aggregated and processed, now only echoes of industry remain. Industrial bases, once a bustling center of activity, now stands as a ghostly reminder of a bygone era, its purpose and productivity lost to the ravages of time and catastrophe.

Valley Town is located between two mountain ranges at the entrance of Ocean of Storms. Multiple routes converge at this point on the way to Copernicus Starport, which led to a natural growth of a settlement. It became an industrial centre processing raw resources for the export.

Research Outposts

Various research outposts dotted the lunar surface, established by public and private entities for cutting-edge technologies. With fewer laws and restrictions, these hubs were havens for scientific exploration.

Diverse in their pursuits, from advanced robotics to sustainable energy solutions, they pushed the boundaries of human understanding amidst the desolate lunar landscape. Their presence stood as a testament to humanity's relentless curiosity and ambition. But after the solar storm, these centers of research now stand silent and empty.

The legacy of these outposts, symbols of limitless potential, remains as echoes of a time when the moon was a beacon of scientific exploration, frozen in time amidst the ruins of a shattered future.

An old research facility that was established to study the topological structure of the southern parts of the Moon. Now rather forgotten, although it continues to function on a limited basis

Private Bases

These bases kept their objectives secretive, as private companies and countries sought advantages in the geopolitical scene.

Operating in shadows, their purpose was shrouded in mystery, with each entity striving for an edge in the global power play. Their secrecy was a testament to the high stakes of lunar exploration and the lengths to which entities would go for an advantage.

But now, after the solar storm, these secretive bases remain silent, their hidden agendas lost to the ravages of time.

Kepler crater hosts one of the seven original colonization sites on the Moon. A couple of decades ago, the management of it was given solely to Europen Union Space Agency, which is currently dominated mostly by German staff.


Follow the links to read the previous posts:
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1105330/view/4170972198124086562
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1105330/view/4170972198124608246
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1105330/view/4170972198124650069


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Starports

These regions were the beating heart of the Moon, thriving lifelines through which commerce pulsed and thrived. They were the vital nexus points, the sole conduits for goods to traverse the desolate lunar expanse, destined for Earth and distant realms beyond.

Within these now-haunted hubs, raw resources were refined and readied for export, against a backdrop of bustling infrastructure now reduced to ruins. Lunar Mass Drivers lay dormant, their potential silenced by the cataclysmic solar storm. Factories, once alive with ceaseless activity, now stand as hollow shells of their former selves. Research bases, once centers of discovery, now lie abandoned and forgotten, their mysteries lost to the ravages of time.

Launch pads, once poised to propel cargo into the void, now crumble beneath the weight of neglect. Storage facilities, once bulging with the fruits of lunar toil, now echo with emptiness and decay.

Amidst this desolate industrial wasteland, the shadowy silhouette of Mechaplex's Docks remains, a haunting reminder of mankind's once-unyielding ingenuity in the face of adversity. These hubs were more than structures; they were the lifeblood of a bygone lunar civilization, pulsating with the faded rhythm of survival and ambition, now swallowed by the relentless march of time.

Moon Shell Starport is a gateway to the Moon's far side. The port is still in its development phase, but it is predicted that it may reach a size comparable to the Copernicus Starport in roughly twenty years. For now, it serves as a home to Moon Shell pilots, where they learn and master their craft, and as a base of operation for squads establishing new mining sites and lunar bases

Fuel Depots

Fuel depots, vital nodes along the lunar highways, now stand as lonely sentinels amidst the desolate landscape. Placed strategically along the roads that crisscross the lunar surface, these storehouses were the lifeblood of transportation, akin to the gas stations of old Earth.

Their purpose was simple yet indispensable: to provide a respite for weary travelers and a replenishing point for the vehicles that traversed the unforgiving lunar terrain. Fuel depots were more than mere repositories of energy; they were beacons of hope amidst the desolation, offering a glimmer of civilization in the barren expanse.

Now, however, these once-bustling hubs of activity lie abandoned and forlorn. The roads they once serviced are now quiet, their surfaces cracked and worn by time and neglect. The fuel depots themselves, once bustling with the hum of machinery and the comings and goings of lunar travelers, now stand as silent monuments to a bygone era.

In the aftermath of the solar storm, their tanks lie empty, their pumps dormant. No longer do they offer respite to the intrepid explorers of the lunar landscape. Instead, they stand as haunting reminders of a time when the promise of the stars seemed within humanity's grasp, now lost to the relentless march of time.

Closed from the outside world, Schickard is a place where Moon Shell projects and tests new spider-vessels that are supposed to help in the expansion and colonization of the far side of the Moon. Only Moon Shell commanders may enter this area. Thankfully, looking at your badge, you should be ok.

Mining Outposts

The mining outposts, once bustling centers of lunar industry, were sprawling operations dedicated to the relentless pursuit of resources buried deep within the lunar regolith.

These outposts were more than mere installations; they were the lifeblood of lunar mining, their massive drills penetrating the rugged lunar surface in search of precious minerals and elements. Amidst the harsh and unforgiving lunar landscape, these outposts stood as symbols of human determination and ingenuity.

Their operations were massive in scale, with teams of miners working tirelessly to extract valuable resources essential for lunar civilization's survival. The sounds of drilling and machinery once filled the air, echoing across the barren expanse as they delved deeper into the moon's rocky crust.

But now, these once-thriving outposts are silent, their machinery idle and their halls deserted. The solar storm's wrath spared no corner of the moon, leaving these mining operations crippled and abandoned. Where once the hum of activity reverberated through the lunar valleys, now there is only the eerie silence of desolation.

The mining outposts, once beacons of progress and prosperity, now stand as solemn reminders of humanity's fragile foothold on the lunar surface. Their empty corridors and silent drills are a stark contrast to the bustling scenes of industry that once defined them, their legacy now frozen in time amidst the ruins of a shattered dream.

Regions of the Archytas Crater serve as one of the oldest mining sites of the northern hemisphere. For a time it was a major source of lunar dust, which was easy to collect from the crater's smooth surface. However, once all the loose material was gathegerd, digging in the crater became increasingly difficult which eventually rendered the site obsolete. Now it lies on the outskirts of the modern Moon world and is mostly forgotten.


Follow the links to read the previous posts:
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1105330/view/4170972198124086562
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1105330/view/4170972198124608246


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What is on the Moon?

Bathed in the ethereal glow of distant stars, the moon stands as a partial bastion of human ambition. Though its desolate expanse remains untouched by the ceaseless march of time, whispers of humanity's presence linger in the lunar dust. Here, amidst the barren landscape, the first lunar offspring wander, their existence a testament to mankind's reach beyond terrestrial confines.

The moon, once an untouched celestial body, now bears the weight of human endeavor. Its surface, scarred by the footprints of exploration, serves as a canvas for educational pursuits and clandestine endeavors alike. Amidst the stark solitude, echoes of industry resound, marking the lunar domain as a nexus of innovation and power.

Yet, amidst the solemn beauty of lunar isolation, hints of humanity's indulgence flicker. Hotels and amusement havens dot the lunar landscape, offering fleeting solace to those who dare to venture beyond the grasp of Earth's embrace. Though mankind has yet to forsake its terrestrial abode entirely, the allure of the lunar frontier looms, casting shadows of uncertainty upon the future of human habitation.

Harvest Outposts

The harves outposts, once vital for harvesting Helium-3 with specialized vehicles, now lie silent and abandoned after the solar storm. These hubs, crucial for lunar resource extraction, were at the forefront of gathering valuable elements essential for survival.

Their significance was immense, holding the key to the moon's energy potential. Now, amidst the desolation, their machinery stands silent, harvesters idle. Once symbols of progress, they are now haunting reminders of a shattered dream, frozen in time amidst the ruins of a bygone era.

According to that mysterious woman, under the Amici crater lies a network of underground tunnels that serve as a shelter. You have received a call to go there as soon as possible. Who knows, maybe there will be a „friend" waiting for you there?


Follow the link to read the previous post:
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Dark Moon thrusts you into a harrowing future set on the desolate lunar landscape. In the unforgiving year of 2077, humanity's fledgling foothold on the Moon teeters on the brink of collapse. What was once a beacon of progress has been ravaged by a cataclysmic solar flare, reducing the lunar colonies to ruins and shrouding them in darkness.

As the player, you awaken amidst the chaos, cut off from civilization and left to navigate the twisted remnants of lunar infrastructure. Communication is severed, and survival becomes a desperate struggle in this hostile, dystopian world. The technology that surrounds you is a haunting blend of futuristic marvels and the eerie echoes of abandoned lunar plans, a stark reminder of humanity's relentless drive for expansion.

Drawing inspiration from the blueprints of space agencies and private enterprises, Dark Moon immerses you in a grim, gritty vision of lunar colonization. Brace yourself for an odyssey through the shadows of a shattered dream, where every step could be your last in this unforgiving lunar wasteland.

An early concept of a lunar train

Who you are?

Once a respected member of the Engineering Council dispatched by Moon Shell, your mission seemed straightforward: supervise the implementation of an advanced mining system on the unforgiving lunar surface. However, the stark simplicity of this task crumbled beneath the weight of an unforeseen catastrophe.

A colossal solar storm, an act of celestial wrath, descended upon Earth with merciless fury, obliterating all electronics in its voracious path. As chaos reigned, the blinding rage of the Sun's scorching rays engulfed the Moon's main communication relay, leaving it a smoldering ruin in the unyielding light.

Now, you find yourself stranded and isolated, a solitary figure in the desolation of a lunar wasteland consumed by the relentless glare of the Sun. The once-promising outpost is now a graveyard of shattered dreams, everything within the Sun's reach reduced to ash in mere moments.

In this twisted reality, light is not a source of hope but a harbinger of destruction. Embrace the shadows, for they are your only refuge in this relentless battle for survival amidst the suffocating darkness of the lunar expanse.

Drone and bot hangar in Mechaplex

Dark Moon timeline

• 2032 - Global powers, including US, China, Russia and EU engage in the Global Trade War in order to gain control over Earth’s strategic resources.
  
• 2034 - Climate crisis, mass migration and starvation in South America results in the formation of a superstate USAN (Union of South American Nations) composed of most of the countries on the continent.
  
• 2035 - Economic warfare fueled the innovation in the resource mining sector, and due to that massive states gained additional independence from global trade chains.
  
• 2038 - African Union collapses due to conflicts of the Nile Delta and its dams. Arabian League supports Egypt, exacerbating the geopolitical differences on the continent.
  
• 2045 - The unprecedented economic recession and climate change force civilization states to stop the Global Trade War and partially restore the global trade chains. However, the major players are on their way to secure their own resource independence from the global market.
  
• 2046 - The beginning of the Resource Wars. This is a series of proxy conflicts between the major players trying to secure the resources in the weaker and divided parts of the Earth. The players for each region are:
  Middle East: European Federation, Russia, and the USA
  Oceania: CANZUK, China, India, and the USA
  Africa: CANZUK, European Federation, China
  Central America: The USA and USAN
  
• 2055 - Due to the severe depletion of resource deposits in the Earth's crust, the Civilization States begin their efforts in space. First lunar mining operations of a large scale are initialized. However, due to the lack of space law, slowly smaller conflicts between the Civilization States are on the horizon.
  
• 2066 - The Moon Shell company is founded together with the Moon Rush project, which is the first cooperative effort to lessen the chances of conflicts for space resources.
  
• 2072 - The outstanding success of the Moon Rush project and its Moon Shell Corporation ends the Resource Wars.
  
• 2077 - Dark Moon Begins…

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