Databank (Below Zero)

This article is about the Databank. You may be looking for Dialogue or Data Boxes.

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Outdated Information!

Some of the information currently provided on this page is Outdated and not applicable to the latest versions of the game!

The Databank is the encyclopedia of entries that are visible on the encyclopedia of the PDA. Be wary that these logs are copied to complete accuracy (this includes grammar and spelling errors).

Advanced Theories

Alien Eggs

<poem>Evidence suggests that a substantial number, if not all of the local species reproduce through egg-laying. Eggs can be found resting on the seafloor, buried beneath detritus, or even wedged into cracks in the rock.

Different species likely favor different biomes as their nesting grounds. Eggs discovered in the wild are in some form of natural stasis, likely awaiting ideal conditions in which to hatch, or the delivery of some vital enzyme which will kick start the process.

It is impossible to calculate the species of the egg from the exterior, however it may be possible to stimulate a hatching response if an egg is relocated to a suitable alien containment unit.</poem>

Source: Pick up Alien Egg

Blueprints

Equipment

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All-Environment Protection Suit

<poem>The Alterra AEP Suit: A single solution for a universe of infinite danger

You are currently wearing the AEP suit: a hermetically-sealed personal environment, designed to withstand the most extreme conditions in the known universe.

- Onboard temperature and hydration regulation
- Compatible with a range of attachments
- Slimline build for maximum freedom of movement
- Biometric sensors
- Contextual heads-up display

AEP suits should always be equipped BEFORE lifepod launch, in case of hull breach.</poem>

Source: Unlocked by default

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Handheld Scanner

<poem>The essential science and survival tool, the scanner can be used to add new blueprints to memory, and analyze unknown entities.

It emits electromagnetic radiation in the specified direction, which is reflected by the environment and then analyzed to determine the physical make-up of the targeted object. It has four primary functions.

Blueprint Adquisition:
Record the physical parameters of scanned technologies to add their blueprints to the PDA databank. These blueprints may then be constructed at the appropriate fabricator. The scanner is also equipped to break down damaged and otherwise useless devices into their base metals for salvage purposes.

Organism Analysis:
The scanner will attempt to match scanned organisms against the onboard database. If no match is found then the species will be assigned an easy-to-remember name, and a new databank entry will be created. Your PDA's AI will also attempt to synthesize theories on behavioral tendencies and evolutionary origins where possible, as well as deliver assessments on how best to approach them.

Medical Analysis:
Scanning any living organism will display basic information on their state of health on the scanner's HUD. This information will be limited without access to a network database.

Self-Scan:
The user may run a self-scan to determine their own physical well-being. The scanner will search for foreign bacteria and other signs of ill-health, and compare with available data to provide a diagnosis.

'The Alterra Spectroscope Scanner - Understanding the world so you don't have to.'</poem>

Source: Unlocked by default


Laser Cutter
<poem>The ultra high frequency laser cutter is tuned specifically to cut through titanium and plasteel based materials at a thickness of up to 10cm. This makes it an essential tool for construction, salvage and rescue operations, but ineffective on natural obstacles. 'The Alterra Laser Cutter: Who called the locksmith?'</poem>
Source: Scan Laser Cutter


Light Stick
<poem>A mobile, battery-powered LED light, which provides low-level lighting in a 360 degree area, and can be attached to most surfaces.</poem>
Source: Scan Light Stick Fragments

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Propulsion Cannon

<poem>The propulsion cannon allows technicians to manipulate gravitational forces at ranges of up to 20m. It is commonly used in construction and mining to move materials.

Operating Instructions:
- Pull the trigger once to lock onto and attract a single targeted object weighing less than 25kg
- The object can now safely be retrieved from the gravitational beam
- Alternatively, pull the trigger a second time to propel the object at speed away from the device
- Not recommended for use on organic subjects

'The Prop Cannon: Some species are telekinetic. For everyone else, there's Alterra.'</poem>

Source: Scan Propulsion Cannon Fragments

Reinforced Dive Suit

<poem>This suit is reinforced with synthetic fibers to reduce incoming physical and thermal damage.

- Shock absorption reduces physical impact velocity by approximately 50%
- Rated for temperatures up to 70 degrees
- Disclaimer: You are not invulnerable when wearing this suit

'The Reinforced Dive Suit: Why take chances, when you can take Alterra?'</poem>

Source: Unlock Reinforced Dive Suit Blueprint

Repair Tool

<poem>The repair tool can be targeted at any common device - control panels, habitat modules, radios etc. - to stitch wires and seams back together at the atomic level. All good technicians keep one of these under their pillow.

Most people don't care why it works, just that it saved their life that one time - but in case you're curious, it combines scanner and fabricator technologies to determine the proper specifications for the targeted object, and then rearranges the available physical material to match the original specs.

'The Alterra Repair Tool: Get your fix.'</poem>

Source: Unlocked by default

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Habitat Installations

Alien Containment

<poem>Despite huge, Alterra-led advancements in stellar technology, exploring new worlds still has its challenges, and alien lifeforms are one of them. That's why we built the alien containment unit. The unit is designed primarily to breed larger or more dangerous species.

Technical Provisions:
- Units must be installed in multipurpose room modules
- Units may be connected between rooms stacked in a column
- A hatch must be installed in order to access the unit
- The base of the unit is a planter, allowing sea flora to be grown from seed

Breeding Tips:
- Provided sufficient time and living space, organisms of the same species should mate and reproduce
- Eggs inside the unit will hatch over time
- Organisms raised from birth in captivity often exhibit unusually passive behavior

Warnings:
- Environmental controls may fail if the unit is overpopulated
- Infections may be transmitted faster between specimens in artificial environments
- Never tap the glass: you don't know what will tap back, or how hard</poem>

Source: Unlock Blueprint or Scan Alien Containment

Aquarium

<poem>The aquarium is designed to hold and sustain up to eight small aquatic organisms, and fits inside a regular multipurpose habitat room.

Aquatic creatures make up 70% of all known species, making the aquarium a commonly deployed tool in many exploratory operations. It is just as often used to house livestock for later consumption as it is to hold specimens for xeno research. An automated environment regulation system means there's no need to feed or care for your subjects.

NB Due to its size the regular aquarium is not rated for breeding applications, and creatures are highly unlikely to mate. Construct a full size alien containment unit for this purpose.</poem>

Source: Unlocked by default

Bulkhead Door

<poem>The bulkhead door is designed to separate compartments while reinforcing structural integrity with its solid titanium frame. The door can be opened and closed to seal off compartments in the event of fire or flooding, or simply for privacy.</poem>

Source: Scan Bulkhead

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Exterior Growbed
<poem>Advanced synthetic soils allow this growbed to support a huge variety and quantity of alien plant life, and it can be installed anywhere on land or underwater where there is space.</poem>
Source: Scan Exterior Growbed

Fabricator

<poem>Fabrication technology is the power to rearrange matter at the atomic level. It was the catalyst behind the great expansion, and remains the backbone of the modern world.

Fabricators come in all shapes and sizes, but the most common are small enough to be wall-mounted, and are used for everything from constructing everyday implements to cooking dinner. It is common today for households to keep a store of generic base materials on hand for any eventuality.</poem>

Source: Unlocked by default


Floodlight
<poem>The standard issue floodlight is designed to focus a bright beam of light in a single direction, useful in all kinds of industrial and emergency operations. Functions in all known environments.</poem>
Source: Scan Floodlight

Habitat Builder

<poem>The Alterra handheld habitat builder has been an essential tool of xenoscientists, colonists and emergency relief crews across 11 different trans-govs for more than 50 years.

- Habitat modules are hermetically sealed from the outside environment
- Build on land, underwater, or in a vacuum
- Habitats can be enhanced to become long-term homes, remote research stations, defensive outposts and more

Quick Start Guide:
1. Select the basic compartment from the builder menu and place it somewhere opportune
2. Add a hatch to access the compartment
3. Build a solar panel to power the habitat's oxygen generator
4. Construct useful interior modules like radios, rechargers and storage solutions

Primary habitat systems like oxygen generation and flood control, as well as modules like the fabricator draw power and will not function without it. Additional compartments reduce overall hull integrity, depending on the external pressure.

'Quick-Build Habitats: A home far, far away from home.'</poem>

Source: Unlocked by default

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Modification Station
<poem>Where the standard fabricator atomically rearranges raw materials to form complex devices, the mod station is able to combine complex devices to enhance their function. Most industrial vessels are fitted with a complement of equipment modification stations, which enable engineers to adapt their tools on the fly. To conserve hard drive space the modification station is excluded by default from most personal emergency blueprint libraries; however extreme environments such as ocean and desert class planets may necessitate the adaptation of basic survival tools for unanticipated applications. For this reason access to a mod station is always recommended.</poem>
Source: Scan Modification Station Fragments

Moonpool

<poem>The moonpool is an essential module for long-term exploration. Its primary function is as a dry dock for small vehicles such as the Seamoth and Prawn suit.

The large central chamber contains a pressurized pool which provides ready access to the surrounding waters, and comes as standard with equipment for raising and recharging a vehicle.

When outfitted with a vehicle modification station the moonpool can be used to build and equip vehicle upgrades.

Ratings: - Dimensions: 16m x 10m x 5m
- Connection points: 6
- Habitat hull strength liability at sea level: -5 (equivalent 4 rooms)
- Capacity: 1 Seamoth / Prawn suit
- High power consumption</poem>

Source: Scan Moonpool Fragments

Planter & Pots

<poem>Interior planters come in a variety of configurations, and allow for most plant species to be grown in small numbers. For decorative or botanical use.</poem>

Source: Scan Plant Pots


Scanner Room
<poem>This advanced habitat module can transform a small outpost into a burgeoning science and exploration station. - A 3D display in the center of the room stores local topographical data - System can scan for and pinpoint particular materials - Remotely controlled drones scan the area up to 500m in range - Wall-mounted camera feeds allow for live control of scouting drones - Upgrade console may be used to enhance the module's functions </poem>
Source: Scan Scanner Room Fragments


Solar Panel
<poem>Solar power is the most prevalent power source in the galaxy, and so it is no accident that the standard solar panel is the default means of powering a habitat. A power source is a requirement of habitat oxygen generators and other onboard modules. - Provides limited power for small outposts and survival habitats - May be mounted on or near the habitat itself, or placed remotely and connected via power transmitters - Power rate relative to sunlight exposure</poem>
Source: Unlocked by default

Spotlight

<poem>A permanent lighting solution developed for installation on existing habitats and facilities.

- Automatically rotates on a 180 degree arch
- Motion-sensitive: will track nearby moving objects
- Draws electricity from main power</poem>

Source: Scan Spotlight


Water Filtration Machine
<poem>The filtration system draws water unfit for human consumption from an external source, atomically splits it into its constituent parts, and outputs consumable liquid water and salts, while disposing of any harmful by-product. It can be built in any compatible habitat module, but has substantial power requirements. 'The Alterra Water Filtration System: Any liquid into pure, refreshing, pH-balanced water? Yes sir, ANY liquid!'</poem>
Source: Scan Water Filtration Machine

Power

Bioreactor

<poem>On planets where organic matter is plentiful but sunlight is not, a reliable bioreactor will frequently prove the most efficient power solution.

- May be installed in any multipurpose habitat room
- Chemically composts organic materials, converting them into energy over time
- Accepts all plant matter, from seeds and spores to moldy fruits and vegetables
- Can also process animal matter (fat, muscle, eggs etc) and some organic waste products
- Energy production is proportionate to the calories in the organic matter

'The Bioreactor: Totally organic.'</poem>

Source: Scan Bioreactor Fragments

Nuclear Reactor

<poem>Renewable energy sources will usually be sufficient for maintaining a small outpost. For everything else there's nuclear power.

- Powered by up to four replaceable uranium reactor rods
- Do not attempt to replace reactor rods without a full radiation suit
- Do not attempt to overclock the reactor

Nuclear is ideal for energy-intensive operations such as:
- Self-sufficient colonies supporting more than 20 people
- Industrial outposts operating multiple docks and heavy machinery
- Research stations housing live specimens</poem>

Source: Scan Nuclear Reactor Fragments

Thermal Plant

<poem>The first rule of survival in hostile environments is to work with the resources available. If it's 800 degrees outside and you're in danger of burning to death at any moment you may as well get some cheap, reliable energy out of it.

- Converts heat energy into electricity
- Always take thermometer readings before attempting installation
- Core mechanisms are housed in a heat-resistant chassis, but are not impervious to extreme temperatures

'The Thermal Power Plant: It's hot'.</poem>

Source: Scan Thermal Plant Fragments

Vehicles

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Mobile Vehicle Bay
<poem>The mobile vehicle bay is a deployable station equipped with fabrication drones, designed to construct small research and exploration vehicles from raw materials. It is a common tool in almost all industrial, scientific and colonization operations.</poem>
Source: Unlocked by default

Prawn Suit (Mk.III)

<poem>The Pressure Re-Active Waterproof Nano Suit is a range of mechs designed to protect the pilot from extreme environments. The Mk.III is the latest iteration, and has so far only been rolled out by Alterra for their own high-value, phasegate-related operations.

- The suit is fully insulated from the outside environment
- Powerful hydraulic limbs allow for manipulation of objects and powered traversal of the environment
- Rear-mounted thrusters provide maneuverability in low-gravity environments
- A range of modifications are available to facilitate resource extraction and enhanced exploration

'The Prawn Suit: It's got you covered.'</poem>

Source: Scan Prawn Suit Fragments

Seaglide

<poem>The seaglide is a personal transportation device designed for use in oceanic environments.

- Capable of speeds of up to 36km/h in standing water
- Displays basic topographical data for aid in charting cave systems
- Replaceable battery
- Keep fingers clear of propeller

'The Seaglide: Anything that moves faster underwater is probably trying to eat you.'</poem>

Source: Scan Seaglide Fragments

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Data Downloads

Alien Data

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Scan Data

Alien Robot

<poem>This device is of alien origin, although its design is relatively simple.

1. Purpose:
Its low threat level is at odds with the advanced technology apparently available to its designers, suggesting it was intended more to patrol alien facilities and repair damaged infrastructure than to deter invaders.

2. Design:
Despite its simple design, this construction is quite elegant in its minimalism. Four electro-magnetic legs allow it to traverse floors, walls and ceilings with reasonable speed, and appear to be replaceable. Internally there are few moving parts, rendering this construct energy efficient, and resistant to wear over time. A rechargeable, ion-based power reserve ensures it continues to operate.

Assessment: Immobilize and return to Alterra for mutual profit</poem>

Source: Scan Alien Robot

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Ion Cube

<poem>This green mineral substance has no entry on the periodic table, and an unprecedented ability to store huge amounts of ionic energy within it.

- Likely grown artificially
- Cubic appearance suggests it has been cut from a larger deposit
- Each cube contains the equivalent ionic energy of 5 kilotons of TNT
- Under the right conditions the energy could be released in a controlled manner
- Likely used as batteries, but would require a substantial power source to be recharged

Assessment: Valuable energy source</poem>

Source: Scan Ion Cube

Alterra

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Personnel

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Codes & Clues

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Degasi Survivors

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Personal

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Sam

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Shipwreck Logs

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Emergency

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Start Here

<poem>If you are reading this, then you have survived an emergency evacuation of a capital-class ship equipped with Alterra technology. Congratulations: the hard part is over.

Your PDA has automatically rebooted in Emergency Mode. This operating system has one directive: to keep you alive on a hostile alien world. If that is not possible it will alert salvage teams to the location of your remains.

It features:
- Full monitoring of vital signs for timely survival advice
- Blueprints for fabricating a range of essential survival equipment, tailored to your environment
- Onboard camera, microphone and OCR technology for short-range situational analysis - Cross-compatibility with all Alterra-compliant products

NB Your personal and work files have been encrypted and may be retrieved at a later date by a licensed engineer.</poem>

Source: Unlocked by default

Geological Data

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Crystalline Sulfur

<poem>Sulfur is a highly reactive, non-metallic element, usually found in abundance underground. Common applications include production of acidic compounds, and combustibles.