: In the Salinger Plank… things go fine
Except that Durandal has Achilles and the scientists responsible. Do you trust him with that? I sure don't, and that's why I subscribe to the "Tycho Plank has the best possible outcome" theory.
: In the Salinger Plank, Durandal never learns of Tycho's survival, and…
: remains focused on directly aiding the UESC. You know who does learn?
: The Security Officer.
: I like to imagine that the SO and Durandal communicate normally…
: But if the Salinger Plank proceeds as it's supposed to…
: Tycho only pokes his head in once (in Rubicon X) to…
: recruit the SO, and it's still out of Durandal's sight…
: The conclusion I draw is that the SO deliberately withheld… information
: from Durandal, possibly because he knew what would happen…
: to take cues from Infinity, maybe the SO was even aware of the
: Pfhor Plank (and Tycho Plank) on some level…
An interesting theory! Although, normal communication between the SO and Durandal kind of goes against how Durandal uses the Marine for recon:
You are about to see what no human has ever seen. This is a
fact-finding mission. You should explore as much as possible.
Stop in front of a window. If you stop and are not
teleported, then either I can't lock onto your teleport
beacon, or else I feel you haven't explored the area
thoroughly enough.
I will be watching everything.
This strongly implies that Durandal has access to the Marine's motion, direction, and optical sensors - or, at least, that the Marine allows Durandal access to them. If so, perhaps the Marine not only passively withholds information, but actively, as a police officer about to do something dubious would, shuts off his camera in order to leave Durandal in the dark.
