Mysterious Signal

Good work out there, people! I'm almost done here.

SUCCESS! This time, I've added a novel design feature that I've never tested before.

Time is short, so I skipped a few verification steps. You can treat this as a temporary test component.

Because I applied a new, game-changing idea! The component is directly powered by the Protocol-Originium, while amplification by the Protosync would achieve the desired Blight scanning feature.

I also optimized the power conduction process and eliminated the overly bloated redundancy. For blight patches about fifty to several hundred square meters, this should totally work.

*Sigh* Okay, it isn't capable of dealing with rifts. But with the characteristic data sets we collected, the Protosync can now perform some basic functions.

Well, I guess I've spoken more than enough. The best validation is through proper hands-on experience. Let's head downstairs.

Still analyzing and sorting out the data. Filtering will be done in a bit.

I also used the time to come up with a solution to your Active Blight problem. Oh, if only I could kick off projects first and worry about approvals later...

I'll load this up to your Protosyncs.

This device is special. It simulates Blight wavelengths to quickly make glops of Blight.

Careful now! I did say "simulate" but Blight glops is unpredictable. So, I kept the simulator here for safety considerations. Heh, never thought I would be activating it today.

I've completed all the pre-operational checks. I'll activate the simulator and let you test out the component's scanning feature. Let's see if you can locate the Blight Core with the new component.

Just stay in the containment zone and you'll be safe. I'm here so there's no need to be afraid.

Test component feature V&V complete. Leave the packaging to me. I'll also refer to your usage logs and regularly iterate on stable releases.

I also verified the properties of this Blight incident. Nefarith was using existing energy pools of the Æther rift. She can't create new rifts out of nothing, at least for now.

Nevertheless, this remains the most severe Blight incident in Valley IV in the last ten years. If we'd let Nefarith have her way, half the entire Valley would've been gone.

Unfortunately, she slipped through our fingers. Now, we managed to seal the Valley IV rift mainly because we have plenty of data from our Æther Test Site.

Tata's sealing of the rift is a very, very rare exception...

Actually ... during our last battle ... Tata sacrificed itself...

...*Sigh*.

I thought as much ... when I saw the anomalous readings after the rift disappeared.

You didn't really think I'd throw a grief tantrum, do you? Is that why you were so measured and hesitant when talking?

No, it's not like that. It's just ... you did so much to build Tata. So did Andre and Crowe. But we...

Come on, guys, don't be so hard on yourselves.

Tata's sacrifice saved countless lives at Valley IV. As a scientist, I'm genuinely happy about this, and I'm glad that it completed its duty.

It's natural for us to miss Tata and feel sad. But what we should do is remember how many lives it saved, and make full use of all the data it provided for us.

And then we'll do our best to avert the next crisis, right?

Absolutely! Such panache and confidence! No wonder you're the Endministrator!

Alright, we should be done with the data simulation. Now, run along and chase down that signal for me. I would be very upset if we had to endure more Æther eruptions!

Fiona, can you help Yvonne trace that signal?

Originium Science Park data link request verified. Zero issues. We can now input our directives.

The target's current location is ... the Power Plateau, near the Originium Power Plant.

Okay. Time to start our field test! I need to find out which punk is responsible for that annoying blip on my radar!

Now I wonder ... what emotes would Tata use when it sees the crisis ending in Valley IV—

Although the datasets offer valuable references, I'm afraid we can't replicate that rift sealing measure any time soon.

I thought the signal was next to the Power Plant... Yvonne, you sure you gave us the right coordinates?

Data feedback looks stable. There shouldn't be any problems...

What's that? Did some machine just explode?

No. It's a battle!

What?! You gotta go and check it out! I'll be with you in a bit!

Perlica? Endmin? I was about to head out and look for you.

There are still plenty of Active Blight patches in Valley IV. We would like to hear your opinions on dealing with this.

Ah... Yeah, Active Blight can be a real bummer! But we got a bigger problem.

I detected an Æther energy signal in the vicinities of Valley IV. It's weak, but there's no mistake about its existence.

The rift has just disappeared, so we're getting some ambient disruptions. We got plenty of noise in that signal. I need a reading that's cleaner and more precise.

Tata's onboard detection module happens to be the best tool for the job.

Yvonne, the thing about Tata is that...

Well, it's alright if Tata isn't here. Don't worry, I've figured out an alternative!

Listen up. The Protocom Signal Towers should have Tata's scanning log. I can use that data to compare and filter out interference and noise.

However, I'll need your help connecting to the Signal Towers. The positions of the scanning will also affect the results. Hence, I'll need data from both towers.

Yvonne! Tata is...

Aw, come on! Stop being so wishy-washy. Your Protocol Synchronizers can handle field data transfers just fine. Get going, chop chop!

Lycia...

You know her? Is she an Endfielder?

She was. Now, she's just ... an old acquaintance.

That means she's an ex-Endfielder? Just a single glance and I can definitely tell she's a master with the blade. I really hope I can spar with her.

Endministrator! I just received a report. Are you at the Originium Power Plant?

Professor Crowe? The Power Plant is a total mess! Are you alright?

I managed to find safe places for everyone, but these Landbreakers just won't quit. The Vouivre leading them is a giant, bigger than the gate itself. The patrolling crew mates sounded the alarm when they saw him from afar.

But the LBs didn't make it inside... Someone stopped them. That big fella also ran for his life.

Æther energy signal... Could it be Rhodagn?

Why did the signal disappear...? I gotta run back to my lab and analyze this data. See you later, guys. Call me if you need help!

Ah, that little girl... Well, I gotta check on the wounded. Thank you for lending us your support, Endmin.

Yes. We once worked as a team.

Lycia is pursuing her own hunt. She regards Æther events as tracks left by her prey.

She left Endfield and has since operated solo, keeping communication with others to a minimum.

...Because she intends to keep a promise.

A promise that you personally made with her.

Hmm... So she just popped out of nowhere because of the Æther activity, right? Her hunt sounds like a real hassle.

Supervisor Perlica, we have an emergency call. Code U3.

The three major factions of the Civilization Band are calling. They've received news of the Endmin's awakening.

Understood. Get Dijiang prepped and ready. We'll head back ASAP.

Finally! Valley IV got really messed up. About time someone called to show their concern.

Endmin, let's head back to Dijiang.

Don't worry. This is just part of the procedure... And this time, I'll be standing right by your side.

......

Yvonne, we've connected to the Signal Tower.

I'm on it. Synchronizing timestamps and resetting the signal codes... This will take a while. I'll need you to maintain the connection for a bit.

Back then, the Blight and Landbreakers showed up here. If we'd failed to stop the creeping Blight, it would have blocked our access and support to the other areas.

Tata almost shut down here. Thank goodness you helped out on time. We wouldn't have made it to the Power Plateau otherwise.

And it's all because Andre messed up with the... Tsk. I'll let it go. That old boy owes me a lot of lunches.

I know. I'm just ... ugh. Fine. You're right.

The next step is to connect to the Signal Tower at the Origin Lodespring. Really appreciate your field work out there.

Ah! You're back! Wonderful. I never had the chance to properly express my gratitude. Thank you for saving my friends!

It's only been a short while. You sure you don't need more R&R?

I'm okay for now. The shockwaves and Aggeloi made a royal mess of the Origin Lodespring... We gotta fix the infrastructure, and clear the roads for the supply trucks at the very least.

Thanks to you neutralizing the local Blight, we were able to jump right into rebuilding! I've lived here for ages, but I've never seen anyone wipe out the Blight like that!

Ah, yeah...

Uh... In any case, such advanced tech wouldn't reach mass production any time soon. I just hope the UWST can strengthen its partnership with you, Endfielders.

Once again, thank you for everything you've done for us! I gotta run and check on a few other places. Feel free and do your thing.

Everyone's real curious on how you pulled that off. Having tech like yours would make our survey and SAR work a lot easier.