Intelligence

Sensors and cyber operations

Turn uncertain contacts into useful information, then disrupt hostile systems.

Practice: Infiltration Run

What you do

Intelligence turns contacts into reliable information and can disrupt hostile systems. Adjust scan range, direct scans at contacts, inspect their dossier, and use offensive or defensive cyber tools when a threat is known well enough.

12

Scanning and contact analysis

1. The map shows contacts and lets you direct attention or open an action menu.
2. The dossier holds scan confidence and details about the selected contact.

How to control it

• Choose a contact on the map or in the dossier. Right-click a supported map object for its action menu, including directed scans or a hack when available. Pin dossier rows you need to compare later.
• Cycle scan range with R. Drag the map to inspect it, use T to switch between drag and edit interaction, zoom with + / −, and center it with 0.
• Start Black ICE Hunt with H when counter-hacking is needed. The movement, ping, trace, and purge keys are listed below. Offensive hacks may open a focused minigame; follow its on-screen instructions.

Default keyboard controls. Bindings can be changed in the game Settings menu.

Action	Default key
Toggle all targets	[
Cycle scanner range	R
Toggle edit/drag mode	T
Map zoom in	+
Map zoom out	−
Center map	0
Enter Black ICE Hunt	H
Black ICE move left	A
Black ICE move down	S
Black ICE move up	W
Black ICE move right	D
Black ICE ping	Q
Black ICE trace	E
Black ICE purge	Space

Key systems

Scan confidence grows as information is collected. Wider range finds distant contacts earlier, while detailed range gives a closer read. Scan packages add different kinds of facts to the dossier. Hack targets must be unlocked before their offensive actions appear, and a successful hack can interrupt a hostile ship’s systems.

Upgrades

Long Range Sensors

700 credits

Extends scanning beyond the close detailed range.

Use it: Use wider range for early awareness, then return to detail for target facts.

Sector Sensors

1,200 credits

Adds sector-scale scanning after Long Range Sensors is installed.

Use it: Use the farthest view to spot broad hazards, then narrow the scan to inspect contacts.

Requires Long Range Sensors

Weapons Hack

150 credits

Unlocks offensive hacks against enemy weapon systems.

Use it: Choose it when suppressing incoming fire matters most.

Engines Hack

650 credits

Unlocks offensive hacks against enemy engines.

Use it: Use it to limit an enemy's movement before the crew closes in.

Maneuvering Hack

650 credits

Unlocks offensive hacks against enemy maneuvering.

Use it: Use it against targets that rely on turning or evasive positioning.

All Systems Hack

1,600 credits

Unlocks broad attacks on discovered enemy systems after its prerequisite hacks are installed.

Use it: Scan the target first so the wider attack has useful subsystem information.

Requires Engines Hack + Maneuvering Hack

Base Scan Package

100 credits

Adds basic classification and range details to scan results.

Use it: Start here when a contact is still unidentified.

Tactical Scan Package

550 credits

Adds weapon and threat details to scan results.

Use it: Share the discovered threat with the station that can respond.

Structural Scan Package

350 credits

Adds hull, shield, and subsystem health details to scan results.

Use it: Use it to identify a damaged system the crew can exploit.

Operations Scan Package

400 credits

Adds behavioral and operational details to scan results.

Use it: Compare the new details with the live tactical picture before calling an action.

Automated Scanning

750 credits

Keeps background scans running with less manual cycling.

Use it: You can still direct a scan when one contact needs immediate attention.

Useful habits

• Use wide range to discover a contact, then return to detail for a stronger dossier before making a call.
• Keep a few important facts pinned instead of repeatedly reopening every contact.
• Share a scanned threat with the station that can act on it; information is most useful before the threat reaches the ship.

Station challenge: Infiltration Run

The ship moves through six pulse-armed enemy ships. Scan and hack them with the normal Intelligence interface. Offensive hack cooldown is removed for this challenge, so you can chain actions as threats approach. A successful player hack forces that enemy to retreat and counts toward the final neutralized-threat score. The run fails immediately if a hostile hack resolves a cyber effect on your ship; reaching the far side completes it.

Practice goal: identify the next attacker early, neutralize it before its hack resolves, and keep the counter-hack tools ready when pressure rises.