Forgotten Space

Endmin, you're here.

Sorry for making you come all the way here. I'll sync the intel with you right away.

Just yesterday, a Logistics Division operator in charge of the transport routes west of Valley IV encountered something strange while driving past a resting stop ten kilometers away...

He met a very haggard traveler.

The man stopped his truck and told him about a gift for the Endmin at a nearby resting stop, hoping the Hub Base would take a look at it.

Yes. A gift for you.

The traveler wore a wide, ragged cape and chose not to reveal his identity... From what the operator told me, he probably wore a voice modulator too.

We can't guarantee that this "gift" being offered is safe. Naturally, we dispatched our Security Division to investigate.

And then, just about a klick or so north of the resting stop, our operator found a Protocol Space.

Well, it's actually the source of our concerns, Endmin. This new Protocol Space isn't normal.

Scan readings of the usual Protocol Space entry point, when visualized on a graph, tend to be a chaotic mess of highly fluctuating curves.

But those we got from this Protocol Space presented a very regular pattern.

Such "patterns" look very artificial, but it shouldn't be possible... You're supposed to be the only one who could influence Protocol Spaces.

So, after isolating the scene with a security cordon, I informed you of this finding at once...

And while you rushed to the Hub Base, we also received a letter. Again, it is intended for you.

We have checked it, and found no suspicious traces of Originium Arts.

Please be wary of the markings on the envelope. If I remember correctly, the sender probably represents an organization named "Contingency Contract"...

They left a mark on the history of Terra. Now they're a secretive club dedicated to fighting Æther threats with extreme measures.

People say they hardly care about losses in materiel or personnel, and often ignore the Band Accord itself. They only want to beat back the Ætherside.

So that's their organization. As to how to get in touch with them or handle the Protocol Spaces they fooled around with ... I leave that to your personal discretion.

If you want to start investigating right away, I'll let Herbert take you to the Protocol Space entry point.

Good job, Endmin.

Operational data have been uploaded. The SOW is now preparing a dossier on the Contingency Contract. If we find anything new, you'll be the first to know.

Ready to go, Endmin?

Alrighty, Endmin. I'll wait for your orders!