As Project ARC vastly expanded space exploration for the Primogenators, they would inevitably discover the star system called Semper Clara. Despite its mundane appearance, the Primogenators found interest in the planet Volkanis, as deposits of crystalline Arcaite were detected in one of its moons. A crew of common Protogen were soon dispatched to excavate the crystals, while a single uncommon Protogen labeled H17749114X was sent to monitor their progress. But eventually, this lunar mining colony was soon discovered by the inhabitants of the planet below.

As the Volkanis Marine Defense prepared to confront the Protogens, the Primogenators ordered the project to be swiftly relocated before a conflict could arise. In their haste, they couldn't bother to ensure a complete evacuation of the crew. For within the moon's depths, H17749114X continued to map out a cavern rich with Arcaite, unaware that his colleagues had left until a topside explosion shook the mine. A pillar of crystalline Arcaite dislodged from a nearby wall, giving the uncommon Protogen a mere instant to see it crash down onto him as the mine caved in.

For weeks thereafter, he remained pinned beneath the massive crystal. Its power somehow managed to keep him alive, if only by the slimmest of margins. His programming remained stagnant, prompting him to evaluate Arcaite yields and monitor the upkeep of his co-workers. With waning strength, H17749114X tried to free himself and fulfill his tasks, until hunger and thirst deprived him of his consciousness. Even still, the crystal refused to let the Protogen expire. But after countless days of solitude, the silence shattered as light burned through the darkness.

The crystal was suddenly carved into pieces. H17749114X felt light enough to float away. In truth, he was being carried to the surface. Despite this freedom, his programmed assignments still taunted him, as he had no energy to move. No matter how far he was taken, he could still feel the Arcaite that had trapped him. Though its presence was diminished. Carried aboard some sort of ship, long and suspenseful hours began to pass by until a spontaneous jolt of energy abruptly rebooted the Protogen, causing his programming to glitch out and disappear.

H17749114X could only perceive this as a dream, though his label being mostly sanded off by debris proved otherwise. His limbs began to move with more control than he'd ever felt before, as nothing guided his movements or thoughts. Perhaps he was in the afterlife. A wolf stood before him with relief on her face, assuring him that he was very much alive. For some reason, the word "alive" suddenly had a new meaning to the Protogen. The wolf introduced herself as Yin Fei, while referring to him as Hamil-10. This would be his first taste of autonomy.