Have any of you actually looked at the game files?
There's a whole 'nother game in here. I've never seen ANY of these events, haven't seen half these ships, special weapons... woah. Some of them seem pretty cool too...
Most of them also seem to involve references to specific crew members and such. I don't think I've seen any of those.
Edit: Ooooh, apparently this is all the "test" stuff from the Alpha version or something.
So here's stuff I've discovered that IS actually in the game.
So, interesting stuff: I confirmed that the Zoltan and Engi are, in fact, close allies. And that the Engi aren't machines, they are made OF machines! They are composed of nanites, and can come in a huge variety of shapes - even their ship factories are just big Engi!
Bloop:
<text>You arrive at a green planet with great plains and rolling waterfalls. It would be of little interest to the Engi nearby.</text> <!-- JUSTIN TO DO- MAKE GREEN PLANET-->
<text>You have arrived near an Engi construction yard. Most Engi's maintain their bi-pedal appearance out of habit but here you see a number of Engi hives working together to create massive organic machines adept at building ships. Truly a sight to behold.</text>
<text>Even though each "individual" Engi is made up of trillions of nano-machines, their culture still revolves around traditional social interactions. A nearby station seems to be constructed for entertainment of passing Engi travellers.</text>
<text>You see a number of Engi space stations and fleets nearby. Despite looking like piles of junk loosely tied together they are actually a model of efficiency. They just lack a certain aesthetic emphasis in their constructions.</text>
<text>This system appears quite peaceful. You're not sure how long it'll last between the combined threats of the Rebels and Mantis.</text>
<text>There are a number of merchant ships passing through the area despite the threat of Mantis invasion. No doubt interested in buying the efficient technology of the Engi.</text>
<text>You see a small Rebel carrier in the distance. You lay low and try to blend in with the other traffic. However it's surprising to see a Rebel military ship alone deep in Engi space.</text>
<text>The Engi seem to have avoided this particular node, along with every other life-form. You keep your eyes peeled for reasons why, but spin up the FTL without event.</text>
<text>A cluster of Engi satellites in orbit of a nearby planet are the only clue the mechanical species was ever here. You have other places to be.</text>
There is also a THREAT of a Mantis invasion in Engi territory since the Federation no longer protects them, in violation of their peace pact, but the Mantis don't seem to have actually invaded yet - not officially, at least. A number of individual Mantis raiders and pirates have definitely seized on the opportunity, and the Engi do seem fairly helpless against them. Though the Federation has definitely foughth the Mantis in the past:
<text>You notice an Engi colony hiding on the other side of a nearby moon. It turns out they're excavating an equipment cache from the Federation-Mantis War, and they suggest it might be used to lure the pursuing rebel fleet.</text>
Here's the results of the Engi-quest, that initially threw off my understanding of the exact nature of the Engi-Mantis relationship:
<text>"Secret technologies stolen by Mantis. Implicit connection to Rebels. Implicit. Tracked Mantis to hidden Rebel base, uploading coordinates."</text>
<text>"However, tracked second ship to different base. Would calculate probability but data insufficient. Cannot risk obvious Rebel-Engi conflict. Also, need time to acquire military ships. Assist in finding technology?"</text>
<text>You have finally caught up with the ships you've been hunting. A hangar-sized cargo ship is being escorted by a number of Mantis ships. As you reconsider the assault, a squadron of Engi ships with pirate emblems jump in and assist you. You prepare to fight the Mantis but scans indicate they are manned by Rebels!</text>
<text>The Engi emerge victorious from their battles with only minor losses. They message you, "Project X-ME56 commissioned by Federation military research division. Advanced stealth cruiser. Project finished during rebellion. Unable to reconnect with Federation military command."</text>
<text>Ask about the Mantis ships.</text>
<text>"Likely ploy by Rebels to avoid breaking non-aggression pact with Engi. 97.56 percent likely. Your mission to assist last Federation fleet, correct? Coordinates?"</text>
In Summary:
I was completely wrong. It's the REBELS that have a peace treaty with the Engi.
And finally, the last nail in the coffin:
<text>A nearby Mantis mining operation is clearly using heavy Engi slave labor. You briefly consider the possibility of emancipating the slaves, but the Mantis presence is too formidable. You decide to lay low.</text>
I was very very wrong. Ah well.