"Unknown Territory Survey"

"Unknown Territory Survey"
General information
Client	Arquebus Corporation
Stage	Watchpoint Alpha - Unknown Territory
Reward	AC Part, Combat Logs, COAM, Data Log, Emblem
Music	"Signs," "Silent Encounter," "Mausoleum Of Sinners"
Real world information
Game	ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON

"Unknown Territory Survey" is a Chapter 4 mission in ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON. It is unlocked after completing one of several decision missions prior, including "Intercept the Redguns," "Ambush the Vespers," or "Eliminate V.III" (New Game++ only).

In-game Information

Combat zone: Watchpoint Alpha - Unknown Territory Objective: Reach Destination / Destroy Enemy AC Reward: 260,000 COAM, Battle Log Details: Head deep into unknown territory to find the Coral convergence. Eliminate your pursuer.

Objectives

1. Reach the heart of the unknown territory
2. Defeat V.IV Rusty
3. Reach the heart of the unknown territory

Alternate

1. Reach the heart of the unknown territory
2. Defeat V.IV Rusty
3. Defeat V.IV Rusty/Middle Flatwell

Walkthrough

When the mission starts, the player will be standing on the same bridge platform where they ended "Underground Exploration - Depth 3." Jump down to the now accessible lower level into a dark, wet pit. There will be a lone cave entrance out of the pit, which will be occupied by a number of crawling Mealworms. These mealworms are filled with Coral, and will explode if players stay too long within their vicinity. Proceed down the cave tunnel until reaching a large open area beyond a chasm.

Once players reach the end of the open area, a cutscene will play revealing the pursuing AC to be none other than V.IV Rusty. Defeating Rusty will result in major damage on his AC, prompting him to activate his Assault Armor to escape. After Rusty leaves, jump down the pit at the end of the combat area, and upon reaching the bottom-most part walk to the open space overlooking a ruined city to finish the mission.

Alternate

On New Game Plus, players can play an alternate version of this mission where Middle Flatwell will arrive on the scene shortly after V.IV Rusty attacks and ally with Rusty, presenting a 1v2 AC battle. In order to unlock this version, the player must have completed both the "Prevent Corporate Salvage of New Tech" and "Defend the Dam Complex" missions in Chapter 3.

Both Rusty and Flatwell must be defeated in order to complete the mission. If Rusty is defeated first, no cutscene will play upon his exit; otherwise, if Flatwell is defeated before Rusty, a cutscene similar to the standard mission but with altered lines will play showing Rusty's escape. Another difference from the standard mission is that upon the defeat of the hostile ACs, the player is prevented from having to descend through the pit to complete the mission by an automatic cutscene that skips the entire descent and shows the player discovering Institute City.

Collectibles

• Data Logs:
  • Comms Record: Message for Uncle (NG+ mission variant)

• LOGHUNT:
  • V.IV Rusty (Platinum)
  • Middle Flatwell (Gold, NG+ mission variant)

• AC Parts:
  • IA-C01H: EPHEMERA

Dialogue

Condition	English	Japanese	Audio
Briefing	Handler Walter: 621. We're picking up where we left off. Now that you've dealt with the laser barrier, we can explore deeper underground. We've received a request from Arquebus to continue the advance survey. There was something else, too... V.II Snail: Orders for Raven, Advance Survey Squad. We've received some concerning information that an AC has been quietly following your trail. Arquebus cannot tolerate unauthorized surveys that will put its Coral interests at risk. If you spot this rogue agent...eliminate them. Handler Walter: ..."Where there's Coral, there's blood." Remember that, 621.	-	-
Sortie	Ayre: Who could be following you? The Liberation Front? Another mercenary?	-	-
Mission start	Handler Walter: Commence mission. Make your way down to the next Depth.	-	-
Delaying the survey	Handler Walter: We're not here to smell the roses, 621. Head to the lower Depth.	-	-
Descending the cavern	Ayre: Something's jamming the radar. It must be interference from the active Coral... Rely on your eyes and ears.	-	-
Encountering mealworms	Handler Walter: Is that...a mealworm?! Thing's grown into a monster...	-	-
Mealworms self-combust	Ayre: Coral response from inside the creature! Watch out! Handler Walter: ...Looks like these guys got a taste of the Coral, too.	-	-
Entering mealworm breeding pods	Handler Walter: Breeding pods for the mealworms. Looks like they're out of commission now. Ayre: Raven—I'm reading something behind us, and it's getting closer.	-	-
Cutscene following arriving at waypoint	V.IV Rusty: Go deal with a mercenary who went in alone, they said... Figures. Seems both of us are too dangerous to keep around. And the higher-ups wouldn't miss an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Hate to say it, but... Rubicon still needs me. So, buddy. Who needs you?	-	-
Following previous cutscene	Ayre: AC, STEEL HAZE incoming! V.IV Rusty: I don't want to dance to their tune, but this time, I don't have any other choice. I'm coming, buddy. Handler Walter: ...They set you both up. 621. Make it through this alive. That's your job now.	-	-
V.IV Rusty uses first repair kit	V.IV Rusty: You never change. You're not afraid to die...or to kill.	-	-
V.IV Rusty uses second repair kit	V.IV Rusty: ...This has been a real eye-opener. You're strong—a threat...!	-	-
V.IV Rusty uses third repair kit	V.IV Rusty: You're sharp...but that's not the only thing that makes you dangerous. I've fought alongside you several times, but I never could figure you out. Tell me, buddy. What drives you?	-	-
Player AP below ~50%	V.IV Rusty: I know you can do better than that.	-	-
Player AC destroyed	V.IV Rusty: So long...buddy. Wish I could have learned more about you.	-	-
Cutscene following V.IV Rusty's defeat	V.IV Rusty: Never failed to impress... But this isn't over yet. ...Buddy. There's no graver threat than power without purpose! Ayre: We've lost all signs of STEEL HAZE... He's escaped.	-	-
Following previous cutscene	Handler Walter: ...Good job, 621. No need to pursue him. We have to keep pressing on.	-	-
Approaching ravine	Ayre: I'm picking up a major Coral response... coming from the bottom of the pit. Let's keep moving, Raven.	-	-
Descending ravine	Ayre: It's close...	-	-
Discovering Institute City	Ayre: <gasp> A city...from before the Fires of Ibis...!	-	-
Cutscene following discovering Institute City	Handler Walter: Institute City... ...Of course. No wonder we couldn't find it. I need to prepare before the corps move in. ...Head back to base and rest up.	-	-
Debriefing	Ayre: Raven. I see them so clearly... The voices of the Coral... My family. ... Brothers and sisters, consumed by the Fires of Ibis. Only a few survived, but after all this time, they've finally formed a new flock... ... It looks like Walter has sent you a message. Let's take a look, Raven. COM: Incoming comms. Handler Walter: Let me tell you a story before you go. There once was a scientist. He abandoned his family to delve into the secrets of Coral. His work yielded a carnival of horrors. Augmentation surgery included. But there was another scientist. He took his colleague's sins upon himself and set it all ablaze... Died with no regrets. ...There's a lesson in this story. Once something's alive, it doesn't die easy. 621. Story time's over. It's time for work.	-	-

Alternate

Condition	English	Japanese	Audio
V.IV Rusty uses first repair kit	Middle Flatwell: Rusty! Wait! Ayre: Flatwell?! He's a Liberation Front leader... Middle Flatwell: Rusty... That pilot's more than just a hound. You don't see the potential! V.IV Rusty: Oh, I see it, Uncle. But potential and danger are birds of a feather. Middle Flatwell: I wish it hadn't come to this... Raven—it's too late now!	-	-
V.IV Rusty uses second repair kit	V.IV Rusty: You're good... And that's not the only thing that makes you a threat.	-	-
V.IV Rusty uses third repair kit	V.IV Rusty: Something's...changed since last time. But you still haven't found a purpose.	-	-
Player AC destroyed	V.IV Rusty: ...Too bad, buddy. We barely got to know each other.	-	-
Defeating Flatwell first	Middle Flatwell: My AC can't take much more! V.IV Rusty: Get out of here, Flatwell. You still have work to do.	-	-
Defeating V.IV Rusty first	V.IV Rusty: Never failed to impress... But this isn't over yet! Ayre: We've lost all signs of STEEL HAZE... Middle Flatwell: Rusty made it... Good.	-	-
Defeating Flatwell second	Middle Flatwell: I can't hold out! Withdrawing! Ayre: Flatwell's AC, TSUBASA, has been destroyed. It seems both pilots evacuated.	-	-
Cutscene following defeating V.IV Rusty second	V.IV Rusty: Never failed to impress... But this isn't over yet. ...Buddy. Find your purpose. Then we'll settle this! Ayre: We've lost all signs of STEEL HAZE... He's escaped.	-	-
Cutscene following defeating both pilots	Ayre: I'm picking up a major Coral response... coming from the bottom of the pit. Let's keep moving, Raven. Handler Walter: Institute City... ...Of course. No wonder we couldn't find it. I need to prepare before the corps move in. ...Head back to base and rest up.	-	-

Notes

• Completing this mission for the first time rewards the "Rubicon Research Institute" emblem for use on the player's AC.

Gallery

Watchpoint Alpha - Unknown Territory

Trivia

• The encounter with V.IV Rusty has different voice line deliveries in NG+ for the same lines of dialogue.