Operation: Black Box is a mission that came during the United States Empire's investigation into the loss of contact with its colony on the planet New Madrid. As a result of the Arm of Orion's surprisingly effective defense against the incoming USIF forces, the USIS Utah suffered critical damage in the initial attack and crashed near a small rail depot that was located 20 kilometers from the orbital weapon batteries. While the USIF fleet began an attempt to regroup, the 8th Armored Infantry Division's 1st Recon Platoon was dispatched to recover sensitive data from the wreckage of the ship. As a result of his earlier actions during Operation: First Contact, Private Alex Corde met with the general in charge of planetary operations and was promoted to the rank of Corporal, being assigned to a