05 March 2014 – 12 March 2014
Operation
On Wednesday (05 March), the event began with the release of Update 12.4 and was set to run for a week. Upon logging in, Tenno would receive an inbox message from the Lotus.
Inbox message:
Tethra's DoomTenno,
We must move quickly. We have learned the nature of Project Tethra. Vay Hek is rebuilding the Fomorian fleet. His aim is nothing less than complete domination of the Origin System. Thousands of these monstrous ships are in production. The Grineer will become unstoppable if they are completed. We must not let this happen.
Our goal is to cripple these ships before they can be deployed. To do this, we are going to target the Fomorian Power Cores, their most vital component. This will be easier said than done. The cores are heavily guarded and their location is a tightly kept secret.
First we must find the cores. The Grineer are coordinating construction using a highly sophisticated encrypted communication system. To defeat this encryption, intercept multiple Data Fragments and then combine them using the Tethra Cipher blueprint I have sent you. When you have located a core, I will give you further instructions
—The Lotus
The message contained a reusable blueprint for the Tethra Cipher, requiring 3 Tethra Data Fragments, 1.000 polymer bundle, 5.000 credits, and 1 minute to build.
On Earth, there was a new mission titled "Tethra's Doom – Interception". There was an additional mission visible on the Starchart labelled "Tethra's Doom – Hijack Fomorian Power Cores", though this second mission could only be accessed using a Tethra Cipher.
Mechanics and Missions
The Tethra's Doom mission on Earth was a standard endless Interception mission on the Grineer Forest tileset. At the time of the event, Interception was a new game mode, having only been introduced in Update 12, 27 days prior, and was limited to a single mission on Earth. The Tethra's Doom mission was a new mission node separate from the normal mission progression on Earth. The Tenno could extract after any round, including the first, and would be rewarded with two Tethra Data Fragments, regardless of how many rounds of Interception they completed.
(upon mission start, variant) Lotus: "You are here to intercept critical information about the location of the Fomorian Power Cores."
(upon mission start, variant) Lotus: "We need to find out where the Fomorian Power Cores are being produced. Intercept Grineer messages so that we may determine the facility's location."
(upon extraction) Lotus: "The message fragments you collected here today will go a long way towards locating the Fomorian cores."
The Tethra Data Fragments were used to construct the Tethra Cipher. As 3 Fragments were required to build the Cipher, the Tenno had to complete the Interception mission at least twice. The Tethra Data Fragments were described as "Intercepted encrypted fragments of Grineer communications." The icon of the Fragments depicted a circular Grineer display with the text "COORDINATES TO THE HIDDEN LOCATION ARE THE FOLLOWING…" visible on the screen. The icon of the Tethra Cipher depicted a bulbous Grineer device with three such displays set into it.
After the Cipher was completed, the Tenno received an inbox message from the Lotus.
Inbox message:
Tethra's Doom – Stage 2Excellent, you have located a Fomorian Power Core. The Grineer are in the process of transporting it for installation. This is our chance to strike, but this is also where things get tricky. We cannot destroy the core on the planet. The fallout from such an explosion would create a wasteland lasting for generations. Instead, we must hijack the core and escort it to a waiting ship. From there, it will be taken to space for destruction.
This mission is risky. If the core ruptures, there will be nowhere to run, and death will be certain.
Good luck, Tenno,
The Lotus
The Tenno could now access the second mission of the Operation by selecting it in the Starchart interface and using the Tethra Cipher as a mission access key (which consumed the cipher). The mission introduced the new Hijack mission type on the new Grineer Shipyards tileset, with mission dialogue from both the Lotus and Councillor Vay Hek.
(upon mission start, variant) Lotus: "A Fomorian Core is being transported from the factory for installation. You are here to make sure that core never reaches a Fomorian-class ship."
(upon mission start, variant) Lotus: "We are here to hijack the transport of a Fomorian Power Core before it can be installed in the growing Fomorian fleet."
Lotus: "We need to take these cores into deep space for destruction. A core rupture here would turn this outpost into an uninhabitable wasteland."
Lotus: "Left unchecked, Project Tethra will create hundreds of new Fomorian-class ships. We plan to stop as many ships being built as possible by destroying their most critical components: the Fomorian Core."
Lotus: "The Grineer are transporting the core by cargo tram. Find the control console to reroute the tram."
The Tenno are waypointed to a console located by a tram track with an overhead rail. Hacking it will cause a gate to open, revealing a Fomorian core travelling along the track. The core starts at 10.000 health, but loses 10 health per second automatically, and is vulnerable to attack from the Grineer inflicting additional damage.
(upon hacking the console, variant) Vay Hek: "What is happening? Where... where is the core?"
(upon hacking the console, variant) Vay Hek: "What is happening to the tram? Investigate. Investigate now!"
(upon hacking the console, variant) Vay Hek: "Something is wrong. Tenno?!? Stop them!"
(variant) Lotus: "Excellent. We now have control of the tram. Its drive systems have been overridden and it will now draw power from your shields."
(variant) Lotus: "Good, the tram has been rerouted. It will now draw power from your shields in order to keep moving forward."
Standing near the Fomorian core will sap shields from the Tenno's warframe, which will drive the tram car forward. If there are no Tenno standing nearby with shields to power the tram, the core will stop moving. After a long enough period without power, it will begin moving backwards. There are four track segments, including the first segment with the control console. Between each segment is a large gate that will open when the tram approaches it.
(after the first track segment, variant) Lotus: "So far, so good. Keep moving the tram toward extraction."
(after the first track segment, variant) Lotus: "We are making progress. Stay sharp, Tenno."
(after the second track segment, variant) Lotus: "You have reached the midpoint. Disposing of these cores will be a massive blow to Project Tethra."
(after the second track segment, variant) Lotus: "You are making solid progress. Keep moving."
(during the third track segment, variant) Vay Hek: "Tenno… Tenno… Tenno are here! Stop them. Stop them at once!"
(during the third track segment, variant) Vay Hek: "Stop them! Recover the cores!"
(during the third track segment, variant) Vay Hek: "Tenno have the core. They are not permitted to have the core!"
(during the third track segment, variant) Vay Hek: "Be warned: failure to stop the Tenno will result in your failure to continue breathing!"
(during the third track segment, variant) Vay Hek: "Come back with the core. Or don't come back at all!"
(during the third track segment, variant) Vay Hek: "Assassins, thieves, miscreants. Leave my cores alone."
(during the third track segment, variant) Vay Hek: "We will build the cores faster than you can destroy them, Tenno. Mark my words."
(during the third track segment, variant) Vay Hek: "You cannot stop progress. All will be Grineer dominion."
(during the third track segment, variant) Vay Hek: "You are only delaying the inevitable. My Fomorians will be built. My ships will rule the System."
(upon reaching the final segment of the track, variant) Lotus: "You are nearing extraction. This is the final push."
(upon reaching the final segment of the track, variant) Lotus: "Extraction is close. Do not let up. The Grineer must not be allowed to recover this core."
(if the core starts retreating, variant) Lotus: "The Grineer have control and are pulling back the tram."
(if the core starts retreating, variant) Lotus: "Grineer have regained control of the tram."
(if the core starts retreating, variant) Lotus: "The tram is retreating."
(if the core is taking heavy damage, variant) Lotus: "The core is highly volatile. It will rupture if it takes too much damage. Do not let this happen."
(if the core is taking heavy damage, variant) Lotus: "Protect the core. We will destroy it in space. The consequences of a rupture here are unthinkable."
(if the core is taking heavy damage, variant) Lotus: "That core is taking heavy damage. If it ruptures, the ground you stand on will be uninhabitable for millennia."
(if the core is taking heavy damage, variant) Lotus: "The core has almost ruptured. The situation is critical!"
(upon failure) Lotus: "The core is rupturing. I am sorry, Tenno; there is nothing I can do for you."
(upon victory, variant) Lotus: "The core has reached extraction. This is a major setback for Project Tethra."
(upon victory, variant) Lotus: "We have the core. The Grineer will not be pleased with our victory."
Two days into the event, on Friday (07 March), DevStream 24 aired, and Rebecca Ford was discussing with Scott McGregor the topic that many players felt the event was too easy. At that point the DevStream was interrupted by a cutscene featuring a transmission from Vay Hek.
[Vay Hek's face and the adjacent parts of his Terra frame are barely visible, as the Councillor appears to be in some dark interior location. Flashes of light strobe across his face to illuminate it in time with his words. Vay Hek's head, arms, and other mechanical components are moving erratically as he speaks, as is characteristic for him.]
Vay Hek: "[long cackle] Tenno! Tenno, Tenno. You think you're winning? You have only been attacking the auxiliary cores. DID YOU REALLY BELIEVE IT WOULD BE THIS EASY? You are running out of time. There will be nowhere to hide from my Fomorians. And when the last of you is gone, I will personally throw your beloved Lotus into the Sun!"
Following the transmission, the Tenno received an inbox message from the Lotus.
Inbox message:
Tethra's Doom – EscalationWe have a problem. Our analysis of Vay Hek's broadcast has revealed the existence of a second type of Fomorian Core. While we have been chasing Power Cores, Vay Hek successfully armed many of his ships with Shield Cores. He already has a head start. We cannot waste any more time.
I have provided you with a modified Tethra Shield Cipher blueprint. It will let you locate these new cores.
Beware – Vay Hek is ready for us now. He has seen our strategies and had a chance to evolve his own. This mission will not be easy.
—The Lotus
The message included a Tethra Shield Cipher blueprint, which required 6 Tethra Data Fragments, 1.000 alloy plate, 5.000 credits, and 1 minute to build. A new mission was available from the Starchart, labelled "Tethra's Doom – Hijack Fomorian Shield Cores", which could only be accessed using the Tethra Shield Cipher. This mission was identical to the Power Core Hijack mission, but with higher enemy level, gates on the tram's path which needed to be hacked in order to proceed, and mines placed on the track which could cause severe damage to the Shield Core if not detonated beforehand (with weapons fire). This mission featured additional dialogue lines to describe the new mechanics.
(upon hacking the console, variant) Vay Hek: "You have taken my bait, but you will not take my cores. Grineer, ATTACK!!!"
(upon hacking the console, variant) Vay Hek: "You have already shown me your hand. Now, it is time to see what I have up my sleeve!"
(upon hacking the console, variant) Vay Hek: "Try it, Tenno! Just try and walk out of here with my core!"
(upon hacking the console, variant) Vay Hek: "You are running out of time. There will be nowhere to hide from my Fomorians. And when the last of you is gone, I will personally throw your beloved Lotus INTO THE SUN!"
(when the core is stalled at a gate, variant) Lotus: "They are trying to lock you in. Get the bay doors open."
(when the core is stalled at a gate, variant) Lotus: "Get these doors open if you want to keep the tram moving."
(when the core is stalled at a gate, variant) Lotus: "The tram is not going anywhere until you get these doors open."
(after the first track segment, variant) Lotus: "Watch out for mines on the track. The enemy will use everything they can to stop us."
(after the first track segment, variant) Lotus: "Be careful. My scans show this track has been mined."
Rewards
Both the Power Core Hijack and Shield Core Hijack missions awarded an event score based on the Core's health remaining upon extraction, divided by 10. The Shield Core mission score had an additional x3 multiplier, to reflect the increased difficulty. For example, completing the Power Core mission with 2560 health remaining would earn a score of 256, but completing the Shield Core mission with the same amount of health would earn a score of 768. The highest score achieved over all missions completed would be the Tenno's individual event score (whether that score was achieved on the Power Core or Shield Core mission).
Tenno who achieved a score of at least 1 received an event badge and 3-day Affinity booster. Tenno who achieved a score of at least 250 received four dual-stat Electric damage/status chance mods: High Voltage, Shell Shock, Jolt, and Voltaic Strike. Tenno who achieved a score of at least 500 received the new Gorgon Wraith, with a weapon slot and installed Orokin Catalyst. Tenno who achieved a score of at least 1.000 (only achievable on the Shield Core mission, due to the multiplier) received an additional cosmetic, the Quantum Badge, which incorporated new particle physics. These rewards were distributed after the event ended, on Wednesday (12 March) via inbox message:
Inbox message:
Tethra's Doom – VictoryTenno,
Councillor Vay Hek has suffered a major setback. Just days ago he was preparing a fleet for certain domination; now he's scrambling to launch just a handful of Fomorians.
Do not let this victory go to your head, Tenno. Vay Hek still poses a very real danger. He is still capable of launching enough Fomorians to be a credible threat. When he does, you will have to face them in the field. I am already preparing for the day that battle comes.
In the meantime, I would like to thank you for your efforts with this badge. You have proven yet again that when the Tenno work together, we are unstoppable.
Due to your dedication and exemplary performance, I have also awarded you with the four attached mods and a Gorgon Wraith. Use them wisely.
Finally, even amongst a group of warriors as fine as the Tenno, [name], you stand out. Through your valiant fighting, you have distinguished yourself as one of our best. To honour your performance, I am awarding you with this Quantum Badge. Wear it with pride.
—The Lotus
Clan scores were calculated by adding the individual point totals of all participating clan members, with Gold, Silver, and Bronze event statues being distributed to the three highest-scoring clans in each tier. Clan winners were listed on the Forums.
Aftermath
The Grineer Shipyards tileset and the Hijack mission type were added to the game permanently in Update 13, 28 days after the event was concluded.
This update also brought a reworked Vay Hek Assassination mission. The Tenno received an inbox message from the Lotus containing a Vay Hek Frequency Triangulator blueprint.
Inbox message:
Silencing Vay HekTenno,
Councillor Vay Hek is vulnerable. The failure of Project Tethra was so devastating that he has been forced into hiding. This is our chance. I need you to find Hek and take him out.
Hek has consolidated his remaining shipbuilding on Ceres. To protect the operation, he's sent his personal guardsmen, deadly Prosecutor-class fighters. Ever paranoid, Hek has each Prosecutor carry a locator beacon so he can track them at all times. His paranoia will be his undoing. Collect enough locator beacons and you can use this Frequency Triangulator to determine his whereabouts.
Do not assume this will be easy. Not only are the Prosecutors vicious melee fighters, but reconnaissance shows their auras create a new type of shield barrier, impervious to most types of damage. Getting through those shields will be difficult. You will need to experiment to find their weaknesses.
Go to Ceres, defeat the Prosecutors to locate Vay Hek, and then take the fight to his doorstep.
—The Lotus
The Vay Hek Frequency Triangulator blueprint requires 2 Delta Beacons, 4 Gamma Beacons, 8 Kappa Beacons, 12 Omega Beacons, and 20.000 credits to build and took 1 hour. These beacons were dropped from Prosecutor enemies on the Grineer Shipyards tileset on Ceres. The blueprint made a single-use key which was used to access the Vay Hek Assassination mission on Earth. This key requirement and the Frequency Triangulator blueprint were removed in Update 15.13, and Prosecutors no longer drop beacons but are still present on Ceres.
A Corpus variant of Hijack was introduced in Update 15.6.
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