Something Stares Back is a level 59 main storyline mission in Star Trek Fleet Command. You cannot accept it from a system the normal way. It fires as a continuation once you reach this point in the story, sending you to the Vacuum Epicenter to investigate a signal coming from the quantum vacuum. The warp to reach it is 205, and the part itself pays no direct loot beyond opening the next step in the chain.
Mission Something Stares Back objectives
The mission runs two objectives, and both take place in the same location, the Vacuum Epicenter:
- Follow the signal (Vacuum Epicenter)
- Approach the eye of the vacuum (Vacuum Epicenter)
The two steps run in order. You follow the signal to the Vacuum Epicenter first, then approach the eye of the vacuum to close the mission out. Neither objective lists a target to destroy, so this is a travel-and-examine step rather than a fight. You move your ship to the Vacuum Epicenter, follow the signal in, then close on the source to finish. Because there is no combat call-out, you do not need a battle crew to clear it.
Where and what warp
Both objectives sit in the Vacuum Epicenter, a Neutral system. The warp distance to reach it is 205, which is a long jump, so check that the ship you send has the range to make it in one go and that you are routing from a sensible staging system. The recommended level for the mission is 59, and the Vacuum Epicenter itself is a level 53 system, so a mid-game roster handles the trip without trouble.
The warp figure players plan around is the reach to the objective system, which here is 205. The mission itself starts from a warp of 1, meaning it accepts from wherever you are, since it is a continuation rather than a system pickup. If it is not showing in your active list, you have most likely not finished the part that precedes it, or it is waiting on a trigger from a bundle.
Mission Something Stares Back rewards
This part shows no direct rewards. The payoff is progression: finishing it unlocks the next part of the storyline, which is where the chain’s rewards land. Treat this one as a connective beat that moves the story forward rather than a stop you grind for loot.
Tips
A few things make this part quick to clear:
- It is an auto-link continuation, so it cannot be started by accepting it in a system. If you want to find it, look at where you are in the main storyline rather than hunting for a mission-giver.
- The 205 warp reach is the only real planning point. Send a ship with enough range, and top off fuel before you jump so you are not stranded partway.
- No enemy is listed on either objective, so you can run it with whatever crew is already aboard. Save the combat setup for the parts that ask for it.
- Both objectives share the Vacuum Epicenter, so you make one trip out and complete the whole mission there before warping home.
