Monument Stone: Delta Xymeria II

Like the planet Cornelius in the nearby Beta Xymeria system, strong electromagnetic interference makes remote observation of this planet difficult. Additionally, intense cloud cover and a thick haze of what we later discovered to be toxic polymerizing chemicals also limited our visual observations of the planet's surface. We deployed a limited complement of Cobalt Knights in full Nautilus III suits, but, finding no survivors, they were forced to decamp when mission-critical supplies became depleted...   ... The Delta Xymerians were of a human-descended lineage, like ourselves, though their exact morphology is difficult to ascertain from specimens found on the surface. The toxic environment rendered most remains barely recognizable and destroyed most genetic material, including the gene drive that would have rendered them distinct form ourselves beyond environmental considerations. What statues and printed imagery was found among the cities indicate that, like Evermornans, they likely had non-functional gene drives and, thus, were close to 'baseline' humanity in most respects...   ...The Delta Xymerian language is difficult to discern because they seem to have developed a unified global culture and had extensive (but now non-functional) information and communications infrastructures, leaving few points of referrance behind for the sound or structure of their langage. These people were advanced - more advanced than the peak of Karstinean culture, but less so than that of our contemporary Hespartan neighbors - though none of what orbital infrastructure they might have had survived...   ...The vast industrial center of this city was destroyed, apparently by an asteroid strike or orbital bombardment which caused a chain reaction involving both the local nuclear power station and several adjoining petrochemical stations. Large holding tanks beneath the ground would have leaked toxic chemicals into the air, which were carried outward for miles in every direction until they reached population centers. Several other regions have suffered the same fate, suggesting that this was a deliberate attack, though other impact sites around the planet have a distribution that could suggest an unfortunate celestial event like that at Alpha Xymeria...   ...Unfortunately, for all of this people's clear technological and cultural advancement, Delta Xymeria is a graveyard. This stone contains all observations we have conducted with regards to this planet, but, out of respect for the fallen brothers and sisters of humanity, it is the our recommendation that no more surface expeditions be conducted here until a prolonged orbital presence can be established to support careful, respectful study...

— A Monument Stone dropped amongst ruins on the second planet of the Delta Xymeria system by the Apocalypse Class vessel CKV Dark Forest, an extention of the late Harkinite Expedition.