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The Construction Yard is a massive Nomai structure consisting of multiple connected ringed walkways, equipped with gravity panels, which can be walked on to traverse the island's numerous stations. The outskirts of the island contains a gravity pad for parking the ship easily and cyclone shelters for when the island is thrown into orbit by a cyclone.
The Nomai writing scattered throughout details the history of the Orbital Probe Cannon's construction, building parts, and using the planet's natural cyclones to send them into orbit. Notably, the Nomai Daz had lowered the energy recommendation for the cannon knowing fellow Nomai Mallow will raise the setting either way.
At some point during construction, one of the cannon components was lost under the planet's current, something originally not thought possible. To investigate, the Nomai researched the phenomenon on the Southern Observatory on Brittle Hollow. The Cannon itself was ordered not to launch while the Nomai were alive, due to the failure of the Sun Station, and was put on indefinite hiatus.
Texts and Recordings[]
Construction Yard[]
Giant's Deep's current
CASSAVA: Conoy, Daz and I were lifting Orbital Probe Cannon components into orbit for assembly, and one somehow sank down down(sic)beneath the current.
DAZ: Conoy, you should’ve seen it! We’d thought it was impossible for any cannon components to sink even partially below the current, but ours sank straight to the core!
DAZ: Cassava convinced me not to try to recreate the phenomenon myself using other cannon parts, but we’re very curious to know what happened! How could something pass through the current?
CONOY: My gratitude for your interesting question! This is exciting: Spire constructed a model of Giant’s Deep here at the Brittle Hollow’s Southern Observatory, and it's revealed how an object might sink below the current.
CASSAVA: Conoy, I’m unable to grasp the answer by looking through the projection pool. If I visit the observatory, would you kindly explain?
CONOY: If you don’t mind the trek beneath the surface to the south pole, I’d be delighted to see you! (There are two trailheads, one at Brittle Hollow's gravity cannon and one at the Tower of Quantum Knowledge.)
Orbital Probe Cannon finished
CASSAVA: This is it: We’ve finished building the final Orbital Probe Cannon module and are ready to send it into orbit around Giant’s Deep for assembly!
CASSAVA: To all my friends here at the Construction Yard, my gratitude for your tireless work. I had given up hope, but I truly believe this cannon may actually succeed where many other attempts have not.
DAZ: Are you going gelatinous on us, love? I’m delighted by your words, but they’re atypical for you!
CASSAVA: If I’m ever half as gooey as Mallow and Avens behave together, Daz, you may launch me from the Orbital Probe Cannon.
CASSAVA: Our next step will be to send Privet up to the Orbital Probe Cannon to install the probe tracking system.
DAZ: If I know my brother, Avens (and his spouse) will want to launch the probe with as much power as possible. I’m worried the cannon would break under the strain.
DAZ: I propose we give Avens and Mallow a slightly lower maximum power setting than the absolute maximum possible to create room for their enthusiasm.
Orbital Probe Cannon put on hold
CASSAVA: I have bad news, Avens. Yarrow says there was a problem with the proposed power source, so the Orbital Probe Cannon won’t be asked to fire.
AVENS: I hope you’re pulling my locomotive limb here, Cassava.
CASSAVA: I wish I were, my friend, but no. They aren’t certain they can fix the problem, so the Orbital Probe Cannon is on indefinite hiatus.
CASSAVA: Tell Privet and Mallow they should return from the cannon. My spouse and I will remain at the Construction Yard, for now.
AVENS: An update: Mallow and I will join you and Daz. Privet left to visit her brother. She fears Idaea may feel responsible.
Rumors[]
This island is where the Nomai built the Orbital Probe Cannon.
For some reason, the Nomai put the Orbital Probe Cannon on indefinite hiatus. The cannon was not asked to fire.
According to a Nomai computer, a long-range probe was recently launched from the Orbital Probe Cannon.