Drifters
The Drifters are a mysterious group believed to be an offshoot of the Jove, although their origins and intentions are unknown. Their technology is far more advanced than anything yet encountered in New Eden.
Observatories
The Jove Observatories are immense, formally cloaked structures of Jovian origin. They appear to be used for monitoring of life in New Eden. Their connection to the Drifters is unknown, however Drifter and Sleeper forces fixate around defending and harvesting these structures. The structures are, seemingly as a result of this, in an advanced and ever increasing state of disrepair.
Usage of Entosis Links on these structures reveals a data-store going back several decades. The information is extensive, and make it clear that the Observatories have been active for some time monitoring the development of factions and empires in New Eden and additionally, that the Drifters must covet the information contained within the structures.
A report by Eran Mintor describes the observatories as emitting an Audible signal.
A number of capsuleer organizations, such as Occult National Security have worked on extracting information from the observatories. Their findings can be found here
Unidentified Wormholes
Located in close proximity to several of the observatories, these wormholes seem to be technologically generated and stabilized by the Drifters using Sleeper technology, as the various structures located around the periphery have been identified as “Sleeper Thermoelectric Converter” and “Sleeper Multiplex Forwarder”.
While at first Capsuleers could not enter these wormholes, something unknown has recently changed, and the wormholes can now be used by capsuleer ships. They seem to lead to new systems that are populated by sleeper enclaves of various types, more wormholes, spacial rifts - some that seem to be guarded by numerous weapons platforms (now inactive) - as well as other unknown structures and sites. These new systems have been confirmed as the same systems from which the Helen Tukoss broadcast originated (as his body was recently found there by a search expedition). However, while many Drifter ships are still present, the large armada he reported about is no longer there. Much exploration of these new regions is needed. The Drifter activity in these systems seem to hint of an unclear relationship with the sleepers. they use Sleeper tech and may even prey upon the sleepers themselves.
Circadian Seekers
In tandem with the appearance of the cloaked structures, capsuleers across the cluster reported the emergence of Circadian Seekers. These unusual Sleeper craft appear to be drones rather than manned vessels and it has been speculated that they are in fact scouts gathering data. Their tendency to visibly scan any object they encounter would seem to verify this as well as scanning (or maybe even downloading info to) the Jovian Observatories.
Ships
With the uncloaking of the towers came the appearance of the first of what we term the "Drifter Battleships". These sleek vessels bear little resemblance to any we have encountered thus far and seem to evince a level of technology many claim we cannot hope to match. As of yet no vessels have been captured intact but some research into them has been conducted.
The first and most obvious study was their status of aggression, or rules of engagement as it were. There have been conflicting reports but the following seems certain:
If a site of operations is approached, such as an Observatory or Unknown Wormhole, the Drifters will engage.
If fired upon, the Drifters will return fire.
If a pilot engages the Drifters, they will pursue that pilot.
They will defend Autothysian Lancers from attackers.
As far as their technology is concerned field reports offer information as to their capabilities. Firstly they do not seem to use conventional drive technology and occasionally display a light curtain 'Skirt' between the antennas around the rear of the ship when not moving or moving slowly. Secondly the battleships seem to be equipped with two shield systems. Upon fully breaching the so-called "Overshield" the Drifter ships deploy what many are calling some sort of 'doomsday device' akin to that equipped to our titans. One speculation would suggest that a fail-safe prevents it from firing if the outer shield layer is intact. Alternatively the outer shield may in fact not be a shield but is acting as a siphon/converter, storing the energy of the incoming weapon's fire. Which is then released in one strong blast of energy at the attacker, which also breaks the targeting lock of the attacking ship.
The speed of these battleships is rather remarkable considering the protections they employ. Some reports put their orbit velocity as within the region of 2-2.5 km/s. These reports would also suggest that the optimal range of their ship to ship weaponry is in the region of 17 kilometers. Combat reports filed by those who have managed to survive the retaliatory fire indicate that although their primary weapon is capable of destroying a large vessel in one firing, it seems to have a long recharge for whatever source powers it. This does not render the vessels toothless however as their secondary weaponry is purportedly just as deadly if unprepared for it.
In spite of this superlative offensive capacity and the multi-layered defenses; reports indicate that their ships are wholly reliant on their shields for protection and that once breached neither hull nor armor offer significant resistance to an assault. Thus it may be assumed that if a weakness in the shields is identified, such as the electromagnetic weakness inherent in much of our own shield technologies, their defenses may rapidly crumble.
As far as defending against their "Super weapon" is concerned, it appears that whilst the Drifters possess many technological marvels, they are not immune to that most Caldari of strategies, ECM.
Pilots
Drifter vessels are piloted by one of five pilot idents, often there will be multiple of the same 'pilot' on grid at the same time. The similarities in behavior and action, combined with data complied by scans would suggest multiple clones although whether each clone possesses an individual identity is unknown.
The identities (Or designations) currently known are as follows:
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| Arithmos Tyrannos | |
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| Cassandra Tyrannos | Orion Tyrannos |
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| Apollo Tyrannos | Artemis Tyrannos |
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| Hikanta Tyrannos | Tyrannos Strategos |
Autopsy
An Autopsy was performed on a recovered drifter corpse by a small group of notable capsuleers; Dr Anslo Tetua, Dr Mizhir Starsurge, Kybernetes Moros and Kalo Askold
It would be somewhat redundant of me to list their findings in the entirety as the report is freely available, however I would also be remiss not to summarise key details.
Subject believed to demonstrate heavy genetic modification.
Subject displays thorough implantation.
Subject displays unusual blood composition.
Subject displays similarities to Jove, without demonstrating a definite match.
Technology
Aegis It is theorized by Uriel Paradisi Anteovnuecci that the drifters overshield and the "super weapon" are in fact a linked system. Initially serving to protect the ship, when depleted the system acts as both ECM and as an offensive weapons system. I have reports that when the outer shield is stripped, target locks held on the ship are broken. For full details you may find his report here
It is believed, though I have yet to receive confirmation, that they are unaffected by tracking disruption.
