NGC 188 is an open cluster in the constellation Cepheus. It was discovered by John Herschel in 1825. This is a very old open cluster of almost 6.8 billion years, and has drifted apart from the rest of the galaxy. The several hundred cluster stars are almost universally K-class and M-class bodies.

On June 9th 3306, the Children of Raxxla Carrier 'Aletheia' became the first starship to jump into the cluster. A two-day survey was subsequently undertaken.

Operation Caldwell 1

Communique from the Galactic Mapping Project to the Children of Raxxla;

“The GMP understands that the Children of Raxxla are committing a Carrier to support the DSSA Initiative in June 3306, and that your Carrier has been assigned to the Formidine Rift region.

You helped the GMP five years ago with the Daedalus Mission which produced the first maps of the Formidine Rift, and again three years ago during the Monoceros Ring Expedition and now we are seeking your ...distinctive... modus operandi again. We are requesting assistance with a survey mission that has been on hold for many years.

The GMP would like you to survey the Caldwell 1 (NGC 188) cluster near the Wayfarer’s Graveyard. This cluster conveniently lies between the human bubble and the Rift, 6,500 LYs from Sol, and as such would not require much deviation from your DSSA mission goals when en-route to the Rift.

NGC 188 is one the the last remaining unexplored frontiers left in the Milky Way galaxy, and as such it would represent a major coup for the first faction to reach it. The cluster in question has been out of mankind's reach and is situated in a location where our technological advances in the past have been unable to bridge the gap to. But with the release of commercial capital-class starships imminent, it will soon be possible to travel distances beyond conventional starship range. The opportunity for mankind to make a leap into this mysterious nearby cluster is finally upon us.

As you may know, various theories circulate about the cluster’s particular composition of stars and its galactic or extragalactic origins. Due to the extremely remote location of the cluster none of these theories could be proved or disproved. Much like the Monoceros Ring, a manned survey is deemed necessary.

The GMP understands that CoR values the security of information - especially sensitive astronomical data - as much as you value your core principles and ethics. Therefore, the GMP chose to approach you with the assignment and ask to see it through in the name of unhindered science and the good of the galactic community.”

• Andrew Gaspurr - The Galactic Mapping Project, March 3306.

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