Forum:The Cycle Conundrum

Just trying to figure out how the datecycles (term used by Exeter in the cutscene) work in the games:


 * MP1 Pirates Cycles are 09.992.3 (Fall of Zebes)-11.664.2
 * MP2 Pirates Cycles are 04.468.1-07.159.9
 * MP2 Exeter's Last Report is dated 07.014.2 (Cosmos) (this is in an MP2 cutscene).

Ok, so here's the dilemma and my proposed solution. Clearly, the cycle system varies by planet, because MP2 has a lower datecycle. Remember, Tallon IV is the Pirates' first contact with Phazon. also, bear in mind MP1 is 3 yrs after the original Metroid, and the beginning of the Pirate log for MP3 is 2 yrs after the discovery of Phazon.


 * I think there are differing Zebesian and Aetherian cycle logs based on starting date (which, strangely, the Pirate/Trooper logs agree on the date on Aether.)


 * Zebesian (later used on Tallon IV)
 * 09.XXX.X Samus's invasion of Zebes
 * 10.229.2 Phazon's discovery
 * 11.664.2


 * Aetherian
 * 00.XXX.X Aether Phazon discovered
 * 04.468.1 Pirates begin Phazon operation
 * 07.014.2 Last report of Captain Exeter of the GF
 * 07.159.9 MP2 begins.

I think the date 00.000.1 probably notes the beginning of major government in a planet- Pirate or Federation.

We cannot take the first 2 digits as years, because otherwise the pirates would've known about Phazon for 7 years. If the first 2 numbers define months, then the Pirates only wrote logs for 3 months of their 3 yrs between Metroid and Metroid Prime.

So how does this cycle conundrum work? I've established different planets use different notations (possibly beginning with government action on a planet), and that both sides recognize the cycle system. However, the real question is what the numbers signify. Thoughts? MetVet