Outpost: Reconstruction HQ

Aww, good little buddy! Feeling lively and chipper again, huh?

Just be careful, and don't get hurt again. Things are really dangerous outside.

Oh?! Professor! You're here! How have you been?

Heheh. I'm here to help. You seem to be doing pretty well, Professor. I was a little worried when I heard about your amnesia...

We are still ... observing the Endmin's physical condition. Endmin, our operation here needs the support of an operator skilled in disaster research and geological prospecting. Ardelia is the first that came to mind.

I notified her right after we received Mr. Crowe's call. Her experience and expertise will be crucial for this project.

The situation here is ... not very good. I did a quick survey of the vicinity. Energy leaking from the Æther rift may have seeped into the ground... The Blight is everywhere. This place is obviously dangerous grounds...

But ... the wildlife of Valley IV are doing their best to survive. They might be weak, but they're helping each other to endure this hardship...

I'm happy to be here and help these little creatures. And I'm definitely happy to be on your team, Professor.

The local site monitor is right ahead. I'll take you to him.

Endmin, you're finally here! I hope I didn't trouble you with this sudden request.

It's alright, Mr. Crowe. This is all part of our partnership.

It seems you have discussed this already. Endmin, remember the project I mentioned in my message?

Valley IV has taken a serious beating. The Power Plateau itself is directly affected by the Æther rift. Blight and anomalous locations are popping up all over the region.

Under general circumstances, we might have to wait for more than a decade for the Æther energy and its effects to dissipate. But we can't afford to wait that long...

More than a decade...?

Firstly, we worked hard to build our homes here. We are not going to give it up. Secondly, we don't know how the Æther would affect the local ecology. This place might change into something else by the time we return.

So we plan to construct a Valley IV Reconstruction Headquarters with local materials. This HQ will provide ecological testing and geological surveillance functions. We have a six-year plan to restore Valley IV to its original state.

That's assuming everything goes smoothly. It also assumes that we can quickly assess the degrees of Æther impact on Valley IV, and successfully complete all testing and analysis.

Even then, we'll still have plenty of difficulties to overcome. The most critical one is that ... we need a specialized large geological probe.

That's the best we can do... The properties and even the forms of matter would change when affected by the Æther. Our shortest estimate would be six years.

And that's also assuming that we have full understanding of Æther infiltration in this area. This is why we must construct a specialized large geological probe.

Indeed. And it's the reason why we need this Caprinae... ahem, I mean this excellent disaster scientist to share her expertise with us.

Finally, the most important key to it all — the productivity offered by the AIC Factory.

Awesome, Endmin. Let's get things started right away.

Prep work for the construction is complete. We've also selected our site for the Reconstruction Headquarters.

Let's deploy the Sub-PAC here, Endmin.

The people here need us.

Prep work is underway. The surrounding wilderness, however, remains quite hostile. There is some work that may require your direct assistance, Endmin.

We desperately need some soil samples... If we know nothing about local soil properties, we won't be able to start even the most basic research.

Our crew is busy with construction work. They're not so good at handling emergencies. That's why...

Perfect. I'll mark out the locations where you can gather the soil samples.

Then we'll focus on the construction first.

There are still people here? Wait, aren't you ... the one who was looking for the signal emitter before...?

And you're those Endfielders! I'm Clavell! You saved my life back then! So, what made you come back to the Plateau?

Mr. Crowe contacted us for help. He wants to gather some soil samples.

You're talking about these, right?

Wow... You got plenty of jars and bottles here! I thought Mr. Crowe said that you're all busy with construction work.

My part of the construction's done. Since Professor Crowe's in a hurry for those samples, and this area looks pretty calm, I figured even a common techie like me could pitch in.

As for these... Don't let the numbers fool you. Every sample was collected under different environmental conditions. This one here is soil closer to its original status. This one was collected from the fault plane of the anomalous zone...

But Crowe's information tells me that ... we just need a single soil sample from this place...

True. We won't need that many samples for basic testing. But ... the Power Plateau is a huge mess right now. Getting more samples will give us more options in scientific research.

Missing key information is all too easy when research isn't handled carefully.

Since Professor Crowe asked you to come here, I'm sure it's urgent. I'll take these back right now!

Thank you. Endmin, we can head to the next location.

Ah! Who's that?! How did you find this place?!

...What should I do?

Hmm? Aren't you the one back then when we were looking for the authorization keycard...?

Endfielders? Oh, that's wonderful! It's me — Dean. You really got me out of trouble last time.

I'm stuck in yet another problem, but thank Talos you're here!

Is there anything wrong?

Well... We need a few soil samples for the Reconstruction Headquarters. One such sample should be collected in this area.

Professor Crowe wouldn't allow us to collect samples in dangerous zones with faulty machines. But I can't just sit around and do nothing.

Gotta find a good chance to snatch a sample before the tech gives out on me...

Let me guess. Things didn't go as you expected, and now you don't know how to handle the situation?

Yeah... Windows of opportunity come and go. It's the same for chores as well as scientific research. You gotta make some bold assumptions to achieve the breakthrough results.

Don't worry about past failures — trust that the next trial could yield results.

You're right, but it's too dangerous here. Leave the rest to us.

Please head back for now. The construction crew still needs you.

Alright, thanks a lot for helping. Ugh ... I hope Professor Crowe won't get mad at me...

That means we're doing the work now. Let's go.

We're back. Uh... Why are you all standing here?

Construction work is complete. We're waiting for you to formally kickstart our mobilization for the geological probe project. Professor Crowe will be assigning the lead engineer for this project, but...

No one here's more qualified than Professor Crowe. He can be a little ... stubborn, but he's the best technician we have. With his leadership, I'm sure the project will be completed soon.

You're back. How about the samples?

This means all our prep work is done. Time to formally begin the project.

The next step of our undertaking will be an extremely challenging and critical project. It will determine the survival of countless lives in Valley IV and the surrounding regions.

We shall rebuild homes, restore ecologies, and erase the scars from our beloved land... The construction of the large geological probe...

I hereby grant Clavell and Dean complete authority over the project!

Hear, hear.

It goes without saying!

......

......

HOLD ON!!

And that is how things should be. Our new project leads will mobilize the crew and get started with the work.

But ... I ... how...?

There must be a mistake! I could never...

Well, I guess the crew of the HQ has plenty of work cut out for them.

WAIT!!

Endmin, here to check on the progress of the Reconstruction Headquarters?