Quick facts:Ashes and Opportunities
The mission Ashes and Opportunities sees Clovus Darneely task the player with finding a crashed Hurston Dynamics satellite on the surface of Hurston with the use of scanning and recovering a Prototype TDC-XX Blade from it, requiring climbing over the wreckage. As soon as someone accepts this mission, the parallel mission Destroy Lost Prototype will be sent out via mobiGlas, pitting other players against them. From the satellite, a 40 minute timer begins and the mission can go two different ways:
- Version 1 - The player successfully acquires the blade, then must travel with it to an Ex Malo Bonum controlled bunker.
- Version 2 - The blade has already been taken, requiring the player to go inside the Satellite and restart the internal control system, tracking it to the bunker.
At the bunker, turrets above ground will fire at your ship, but these can be avoided by parking behind an obstacle as they will not fire at you when you are on-foot. Inside the bunker you will have to defeat seven enemies in FPS, equipped with a variety of armor and automatic weapons. Once clear, you'll be free to use the server terminal.
- Version 1 - The player must defend the blade from players undertaking Destroy Lost Prototype while it decrypts. WARNING - when the decryption completes, the blade will explode causing significant damage.
- Version 2 - The player must destroy the blade.
Name
- Ashes and Opportunities
- A Financial Windfall
- Crash and Earn
- Manna From Heaven
- A Bold Opportunity
Description
1.
Reveal spoiler
"A tremendous opportunity seems to have landed... well crashed in our favor. A Hurston satellite has quite ungracefully plummeted to the surface. Thankfully, it appears that a prototype TDC-XX Blade has miraculously survived the incident.
Now, I know that there are plenty of Hurston's rivals who would be... eager... to get an advance look at this tech. I'm sure I could convince them to pay handsomely for an opportunity like this, but I'll need you to retrieve it. You can start your search at the crash site and work out from there.
Once recovered, you will only have a short time to upload the information from the prototype using the decryption software on a designated Hurston server before its security protocols cause it to self-destruct. Your best bet will be to access a data center inside one of the storage facilities that dot the surface of the planet. They typically have minimal security so I don't foresee you running into any issues.
Needless to say, I will pay you handsomely upon completion and we can both bask in knowledge that Hurston has been hit where it hurts.
-cd
Update"
2.
Reveal spoiler
"I managed to intercept an interesting bit of news coming over the comms. It seems Hurston's fortunes are falling quite literally; one of their satellites has crashed to the surface. Not all is lost however, for the valuable Prototype TDC-XX Blade onboard appears to have survived the impact.
Now, this is one of those moments where enterprising individuals face a choice. Either do nothing, let Hurston reclaim their property and let this wretched world keep turning or seize the opportunity to capitalize. Personally, I'm leaning towards the latter and I'm hoping you feel the same.
If you were to obtain the part from the Crash Site before Hurston does, I'm sure I could find some parties interested in paying handsomely for a sneak peek at Hurston's hard work.
One catch (as always), is that in order to safely decrypt and extract the data, you must connect it to an official Hurston server before its security protocols cause it to self-destruct. I recommend using a storage facilities data terminal. They tend to be easier to access than anything that can be found in Lorville proper. Once the transfer is complete, I will issue your just rewards.
Best of luck,
-cd
Update"
3.
Reveal spoiler
"My Dear Compatriot,
Wonderful tidings. It seems that we have received an unexpected but most welcomed guest - a Hurston satellite has been ejected from orbit and crashed practically straight into our laps. Most importantly, the Prototype TDC-XX Blade onboard has survived intact.
Now, it just so happens that this cutting-edge Prototype has been long desired by some deep-pocketed associates of mine. If you were able to acquire this wayward blade from the crash site before Hurston manages to do so, I could ensure significant restitution for your time and troubles.
The only real wrinkle is that the information on the Prototype is inaccessible (and will self-destruct) unless connected to an official Hurston server. Fortunately, there is access to the said server dotted around the planet inside Hurston Storage Facilities. It should be short work for you to get the blade and then take it to the server for decryption and extraction. Once the data transfer is finished, I will happily transfer the well-earned credits into your account.
Safe travels,
-cd
Update"
(Update A)
1.
Reveal spoiler
"UPDATE: Looks like someone has beaten us to the punch. We cannot allow some second rate hoods sell the data. My reputation would be devastated. There is no choice but for you to track the blade down and stop the decryption before it's too late. Mercifully, if Hurston believes in one thing it's redundancy. If you restart the satellite's main internal control system, it should reactivate the Prototype and allow you to identify its current status."
2.
Reveal spoiler
"UPDATE: It seems we were not the only ones eager to abscond with the blade. Can you imagine the impertinence of poaching in my territory? If word gets out, the implications could be ruinous. It cannot stand. The only option is for you to stop the decryption before they can complete their sale. To track down the current location of the prototype, restart the satellite's main internal control system. It should activate the tracking protocol and allow you to find the culprits responsible."
(Update B)
1.
Reveal spoiler
"UPDATE: It seems Hurston Security's much more competent than I thought. They've identified your location and are sending mercenaries to your position as we speak. Protect the Prototype until the transfer is complete. Otherwise, all of this will be for naught."
2.
Reveal spoiler
"UPDATE: Unfortunate news. Hurston Security has gotten word of our little pilfering ploy and their ruthless thugs are hunting you down at this very moment. It is vital that you protect the Prototype until the transfer is complete. It would be a shame to have come this far only to fail."