This guide for “An Instrument to Unfold Space & Time” in The Outer Worlds 2 will help you navigate the western part of Praetor, infiltrate the Interstitial Reconfiguration Center, and acquire the Rift Anomaly Modulator. Follow the steps below to defeat enemies, assist Dr. Hurley, uncover the truth behind the rift experiment, and successfully escape with valuable rewards and key quest items.
Reaching the Western Part of Praetor
To start the “An Instrument to Unfold Space & Time” quest you’ll have to find a way to go to the Western part of Praetor and move through the Automech productive factory. Niles as usual will be by your side.
Your objective is to acquire the Rift Anomaly Modulator. If you’re able to reach the western side of Praetor, it’ll easily grant you access to reach the Interstitial Reconfiguration Center and complete your objective.
Entering the Interstitial Reconfiguration Center
Fast travel to the center and you’ll come across a big gate, enter through it and keep to your left. There might be some enemies lurking by, so be prepared for action as killing these enemies also grants you loot.
Take the lift and go up to the main gate of the Interstitial Reconfiguration Center. You’ll find some enemies there that you’ll need to deal with. Once done, go to the back side and you’ll find a gate that lets you in, there you’ll find Security Chief Vaillancourt’s voice echoing around you. You’ll find a room with “Security” written above it, go inside and you’ll find Consul Emory Thoreau on the device hanging above delivering his speech.
Meeting Dr. Hurley and Acquiring the Rift Modulator
You’ll find a sort of computer on the desk nearby which can be used to open the gates of the actual security room which is heavily guarded. You’ll have to deal with a good deal of enemies here before you come across the Lead Researcher Hurley.
You’ll get to know from her that the prototype rift modulator is in the Interstitial Hall currently which is at the top of the Exhibition Tower. You can use the lift to find the adjacent room to get there directly. She’ll insist that you get the prototype and make your way to Vaillancourt’s quarters because he has a spare keycard that grants her access to the restricted wing for investigation.
Here, Dr. Hurley wants your help with the investigation to clear her name, so the decision is yours. The benefit you get from helping her is that she’ll help you in return and let you escape with the rift modulator.
Once you get the rift anomaly modulator following Dr. Hurley’s guidance, she’ll guide you with the steps that are required for escaping and reaching security chief Vaillancourt’s quarters to steal the keycard that’s lying on top of the desk inside the quarters. Once you get the keycard, go back to Dr. Hurley and hand it over to her, she then asks you to help her with untangling the threads of the rift experiment disaster but this is completely optional and you can instead choose to directly escape as well.
Note: Dr. Hurley will tell you that you shouldn’t be reluctant in using the modulator for any rifts you come across as they can eject something that might be useful to you.
Escaping the Interstitial Reconfiguration Center
To escape the Interstitial Reconfiguration Center, you can use the Main Hangar. Here, you’ll witness Dr. Hurley confronting Vaillancourt for sabotaging the experiment that nearly killed her and the Sovereign. Take this opportunity to start attacking and create a scene. Once you’ve taken down everyone, you can loot their bodies for rewards. For example, you’ll get the Advanced Decryption Key from Vaillancourt’s body. Once done, simply transition back to Praetor and you’re done!
