Survey Data Units (SDU)¶

Origin: The Lumikir of Lumik (MRZ-27) Institution: The Scriptorium

Overview¶

Survey Data Units (SDUs) are the Lumikir's formal classification system for all information stored and traded through the Scriptorium. The SDU rank determines the price a seeker must pay — sometimes in ATLAS currency, sometimes in reciprocal knowledge, sometimes in missions.

The SDU system has become the de facto galactic standard for information valuation.

Classification Ranks¶

Rank D — Trivial Information¶

Example: The name of the homeworld of the COP factions or the names of the sectors in the safe zone.

Information freely accessible to the public. Holds little value in the marketplace — anyone can easily obtain it without much effort.

Price: Minimal or free.

Rank C — Public but Specific Information¶

Example: Knowledge about the ongoing research projects at Iris Academy or the latest financial results from CARY Farming operations in Exodus.

Requires some effort and research to compile, but still available through public means. Useful depending on the situation and the buyer's needs.

Price: Modest ATLAS payment or basic knowledge exchange.

Rank B — Valuable Secrets and Recent Events¶

Example: Discovering a secret link between a merchant prince and a politician in the regional DAO.

Contains fresh, relevant information acquirable through specialized means. Often exposes secretive dealings or recent events — highly sought after by corporations and governments.

Price: Significant ATLAS payment, specialized knowledge trade, or service missions.

Rank A — Planet or Region-Altering Information¶

Example: Acquiring proof that a regional government has been receiving bribes from Jorvik to smuggle drugs into faction space.

Holds critical information that can influence planetary politics or disturb entire regions of Galia. Extremely valuable — cannot be accessed through normal means.

Price: High-value ATLAS, rare knowledge exchange, or dangerous missions.

Rank S — Faction-Altering Secrets¶

Example: Learning the location and date of a MUD Fleet General's assassination attempt or discovering a genesium vein in the High Risk Zone.

Known only by a select few with high-level access. Can shift faction-level decisions — incredibly dangerous to possess and highly profitable to sell.

Price: Extraordinary — may require equivalent S-rank knowledge in trade.

Rank X — Galaxy-Altering Knowledge¶

Example: Discovering the current location of Iris and learning the way to access the Cataclysm.

[!CAUTION] Rank X SDUs contain information that could disrupt the entire galaxy. Possessing this knowledge makes the Data Runner a target for numerous powerful entities. Rank X data is priceless and often triggers galaxy-wide conflict.

Price: Priceless. Cannot be bought — only earned, stolen, or discovered.

Summary Table¶

Institutional Context¶

• The SDU system originates from the Lumikir of Lumik and the Scriptorium
• The Scriptorium creates redundancy mechanisms protecting all stored SDUs
• It is virtually impossible to erase an SDU from the Scriptorium — you would have to destroy Lumik completely
• The Erruts (Lumikir combat force) exist solely to protect the physical integrity of the archives
• The classification system serves as both a cataloguing standard and a pricing framework

Cross-References¶

• Lumik — lumik.md (home sector)
• The Scriptorium — lumik.md (parent institution)
• Iris Academy — zenith_door.md (cooperation agreement — knowledge exchange)
• Jorvik — referenced in Rank A example
• CARY Farming / Exodus — referenced in Rank C example
• Iris / The Cataclysm — referenced in Rank X example (the_cataclysm.md)