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Level 1
Mike Northcote: Wait, are you Sam? Then does that mean you carried this hefty delivery all the way from West Fort Knot? Way to make an entrance. We welcome you with open arms. Now let’s get this cargo of yours processed. Whoa, this cargo looks great! Thanks so much for taking care of it. Where did you dig up this cargo? I can’t believe it – what a gift! I hope you’ll continue to support us in the days ahead. Alright, can you connect your Q-tip to our facility?
Mike Northcote: Introducing… the blood boomerang! Throw it properly and it’ll come right back to your hand. It’s a reusable weapon in that regard. Folds up nicely, too, so it’s quite easy to carry. You’ll find it’s especially effective against BTs, so give it a try against the next one you meet. With the aid of your network, we should also be able to develop stronger measures to defend against belligerents. Which we need since the Brigands out west have rapidly improved their arsenal in recent days. Honestly, you couldn’t have gotten here at a better time. Thanks be to you, we’ll finally be able to focus on our research. As the chiral network has expanded, we’re seeing more and more anomalies outside of the bounds of its coverage. This has led the Brigands to conclude that the network itself is responsible for the worsening state of the world. Which is why they’re opposed to its expansion. But it’s not like we can sit back and do nothing. If we don’t try to improve things, humanity’s doomed to go extinct.
Sam: Tell me about this blood boomerang.
Mike Northcote: After I moved to Australia, the locals learned me all the ins and outs of the boomerang. I then designed a new type that’s effective against BTs as well. You infuse it with DOOMS blood before throwing it. The bigger the charge, the greater the potency. Naturally, most people would have to rely on blood bags sourced from donors, but since you have DOOMS, you can use your own blood on the spot. Unlike traditional firearms, it hardly makes noise. If your enemies don’t actually see you throw it, they’ll have a hard time finding you. That said, don’t expect it to do too much damage to humans. Not unless you managed to hit them in just the right spot, at least.
Sam: What sort of things are you monitoring here?
Mike Northcote: At this observatory, we focus on monitoring the behavior of tar currents. There’s a patch of BT territory due north of here, and just beyond it is land that’s currently being subsumed by tar. There’s no telling when this facility will be lost to the tar as well… so it’s important that we contribute to the research and development of countermeasures while we can. Incidents of tar current instability have grown more frequent, but we haven’t been able to determine much more than that thus far. Thanks to the chiral network, though, we expect we’ll be able to improve our instrument accuracy.
Sam: You said the brigands have improved their arsenal?
Mike Northcote: One day, they started sporting a whole lot more weaponry. Including grenade launchers with custom tranquilizing gas rounds. Thing is, the Brigands don’t have a chiral printer at their base as far as we know. So where’d they get all the new hardware all of a sudden? Kinda worrying, don’t you think?
Sam: Alright, I’m gonna head out.
Mike Northcote: We appreciate the help. Best of luck to you, Sam. Ah, the tar currents are acting up again. Guess it’s back to work for me. Let’s both keep on keeping on.
The President: That was excellent work, Sam. Thanks to you, the better part of the western continent has access to our services. Now it’s time for you to head north and continue to expand network coverage. It is imperative that you connect all of Australia, stabilizing the environment and eliminating the remaining anomalies. There will be challenges, of course, but I know you have what it takes to overcome them. I expect more great things from you in short.
Tarman: Sam, this is Tarman. We believe that we’ve finally determined the location of whatever’s thrown the tar currents into chaos. The chiralium levels there are pretty high, though. And BTs are almost certain to be present as well. I hate to ask, but would you mind taking a look for us? It’s close to your current position. I’ve sent you the coordinates. We’re counting on you, Sam.
Level 2
Mike Northcote: Wh- ?! Did you really go out and steal all that stuff from the Brigands!? Way to go, Sam! Let me get started on processing your haul. I can’t find a single scratch on any of this stuff! You truly are one of a kind. You have accomplished so much – done things only you could’ve done. We want you to have this data as thanks. We’ve increased your allocation of materials. Our way of saying thanks. The guidepost data we just shared with you is great for making landmarks to prevent people from getting lost, even at night. And when you do place them, you’ll find they’re useful not only for getting your bearings… but also for creating routes that will facilitate travel for everyone. Aside from that, we’ve also made it so you can now use your PCC to fabricate bridges up to eighty meters in length. The rivers ahead of you are prone to flooding, so I imagine extra long bridges will be especially handy. Oh, and Sam… There’s actually one other thing I wanted to talk about. Call it a little insight into the cargo you recovered on our behalf. It included a device I believe you guys have taken to calling a chiral jammer. These jammers are capable of disrupting the flow of local tar currents. In addition, you also recovered some explosives modded to be able to penetrate the ground and detonate within the tar. This would destabilize the currents over a large area… Needless to say, both these items could have been used to deliver an enormous blow to the chiral network. In other words, we’ve really dodged a bullet. Though what I’d like to know is why this tech wound up in their hands in the first place. Can’t chalk it up to pure chance. Honestly, it’s almost like those Brigands knew in advance that the tar was hiding cargo. We’ve got to consider the possibilité that someone gave them a heads up. Food for thought on the road ahead.
Fragile: Excellent work, Sam. You’ll be happy to hear that Tomorrow’s regained consciousness. Once you’re back on board the DHV Magellan, you should see for yourself.
Level 3
Mike Northcote: Hey there, thanks for coming out to see us. Let’s see what the orders have to say. I certainly wasn’t expecting this. What a pleasant surprise you’ve brought. Your efforts have enabled us to share this data with you. I hope you find it useful. We’ve increased your allocation of materials. Our way of saying thanks. It’s the schematic for a utility pouch you can attach to your backpack. With it equipped, you’ll be able to carry even more blood bags on your runs. Consider using it if you’re not going to be able to avoid combat on your route. Or just try it out for the extra peace of mind. Best of luck to you out there.
Level 4
Mike Northcote: Hey there, thanks for coming out to see us. I’m bringing up the order information now. It’s hard to believe what I’m seeing. I guess you’re just that incredible. I certainly wasn’t expecting this. What a pleasant surprise you’ve brought. For all the ways you’ve helped us, we have nothing but gratitude. To help support you, we’re letting you withdraw even more materials. Go wild and use as much as you like! I was thinking this might be of use to you. I want you to have it, please. This accessory has a knack for keeping malevolent forces away. Clip it to your backpack, and you’ll have an easier time getting away from gazers and watchers. Just be warned that it won’t make you better at fighting against them, or help you scare them off. End of the day, it’s just a charm. Don’t go getting sloppy out there. But you’re a pro, so I’m sure you’ll use it properly. Take care now, and come back soon.
Level 5
Mike Northcote: Welcome, Sam! It’s always such a pleasure to have you. I’ll just check the order information then. Did you really bring all of this just for us? You’re the best. Where did you dig up this cargo? I can’t believe it—what a gift! Sam, you’re easily the best porter I’ve ever known. I can think of no one more deserving of this than you, so take it. To help support you, we’re letting you withdraw even more materials. Go wild and use as much as you like! Can’t thank you enough for all the work you’ve done to aid our operations here. I’ve lost count of how many times you’ve come to the rescue. And because of that, we’ve been able to keep providing the data folks need to survive. We’re long past seeing you as a friendly stranger, that’s for sure. You know, if you’re ever feeling tired and need to rest up, just swing by and let us know. We’ll prep a room for you to use, no worries. Let’s keep on supporting each other, Sam.