Etchspace Salvage

Signal transmission nominal. Video feed reception looks good. Endmin, how are you feeling?

The manifestations of the Valley's Aberrants can be anything, actually. They might be things that you're familiar with.

Remember, it doesn't matter what they turn into. The contents of this Protocol Space can be rather deceptive.

......

We have some signal interference... Depth readings are getting unstable. This also happened when we were using the exploration drones. The Æther is affecting the area.

There should be nodular matter nearby. It will look like big, conspicuous, rocky crystals.

Endmin, try to gather some and bring it back to me. It'll be really helpful for my analysis.

Look. The "key target" we found in our last exploration attempt is up ahead.

Local energy flow doesn't look very normal. This, I believe, will be an excellent observation sample.

But there's also an obstacle nearby interfering with our observation drone. We can't get close enough to make an analytical scan.

There are energy reactions nearby that exhibit similar signal patterns. They look like a potential lead.

But I don't know what they would be manifested. They could be anything, from inanimate objects ... to active entities...

I'll plot out the route for you. Help me investigate the suspicious objects nearby.

The energy reaction has disappeared...

Wha... Fine. When it comes to Protocol Spaces, your intuitions have proven to be very accurate.

The "wall" is weaker now, so that probably worked. But I don't think touching it once is enough.

I'm not sure, but we're getting really close to our Derangement limit. Our top priority is to get you out of the Valley's Aberrants.

Head back, Endmin. We'll need to reorganize our exploration plan.