Outside the city, two herbivorous Sauran ambassadors discuss how to safely approach the well defended settlement.


The crew get a good vibe from the ambassadors.  They warn Dr. Floyd that out in the jungle, a similarly orange jumpsuited human has been conducting dangerous experiments that could put everyone at risk!


Floyd searches the database, where the ambassadors recognize Dr. Tannhauser and his assistant, Colt Blanche.  Floyd explains they left the compound after a disagreement years ago. 


The crew agree to investigate, and head out into the jungle.


But before they can find the rogue scientists, they stumble into a strange swap meet in the middle of the jungle...


In addition to the strange mix of creatures participating, items for trade appear to come from different dimensions, including a bear from LN Spur and a Guitar from Elvenspring.


Chet and Ellie sneak into the market to find... none other than Talos!  He appears to be deactivated.  How will they be able to smuggle Talos out of here?


Sarah distracts the scrap dealer in charge by offering DW-40 in trade.  DW describes his ability to repair broken down mechs as a winning feature.


Chet uses his gelatinous form as a salve, powered by Ellie's spirit energy, and they revive Talos.

Apparently Talos' memory was damaged-  the last thing he recalls was the accident back in LN Spur.

DW-40 offers to repair one of the dealer's other relics- an autosentry from DW's home dimension of Hellborg.


Sure enough, the sentry reactivates, and follows DW's programming to target all nearby explosives, fuel cells, and ammunition!  Talos and the others excape in the confusion.


As DW-40 flees the scene, he sees a sensor array AND a classic arcade machine, but can only carry one or the other...

Although he would love to have the sensor upgrades, he chooses the Arcade machine knowing his friends would appreciate it more.

Meanwhile, the others pile into Sarah's car and hurtle out of the swap meet before the Sauran guards can stop them.


They also spot one of the renegade scientists, Colt Blanche, fleeing the scene!  Sarah scoops him up and the others restrain him in back.


On the way back to the city, they interrupt a band of scavenging Saurans taking a downed Metalsaur to the swap meet.  Sarah and crew claim the metal beast for their own!


Back at the city, the crew enjoy their prizes from the swap meet, as Dr. Floyd confronts Colt.


Under duress, Colt reveals that Tannhauser's base of operations is deep inside the Valley of Dread.   The crew volunteer to investigate.


The Sauran Ambassador describes the Valley of Dread as a blighted land of strange creatures, and rumored home to a sleeping Sauran God. 

He then summons spear-wielding Sauran scouts to guide the crew.  Sarah takes her repaired Metalsaur in lieu of driving her beloved car into the unknown.

Reluctant at first, the Sauran scouts form a bond with Sarah's Metalsaur.  Entering the valley of dread, they come across... wrecked cars?


The Flora have horribly mutated in this strange valley, as Eloise and Talos soon discover!


The Sauran scouts assist Sarah in dispatching the carnivorous plants.  Inside, they find a strange black tar... dark matter?


Amidst strange storms of raining, black-smoke-wreathed debris, DW-40 discovers the Fauna are also... changed.



  Even with his four arms and armored EVA suit, Chet gives dark-matter corrupted Eel Beasts a wide berth.


Sarah pushes forward, stumbling on a massive, ancient Metalsaur covered in overgrowth.  The Sleeping God?


Nearby, Marden Tannhauser leads two brutal Saurans of his own.  "This ancient machine is sure to have a massive Dark Matter core inside.  Start salvaging, you two!"


But before they can begin, Sarah sneaks up behind and snatches Tannhauser in her Metalsaur's mouth!

Unfortunately, the image of Tannhauser flickers and fades, merely a remote-projected Hologram.

As DW-40 investigates the sleeping giant, a bolt of lightning strikes, reactivating the ancient machine beast!


As the metal giant charges off into the jungle, the two hench-saurs flee, with Sarah and crew in pursuit.  With luck, they will lead to Tannhauser's actual hideout...