With The Final Shape unfolding in greater depth in the Pale Heart of the Traveler, Guardians are sent on a rescue mission to rescue stranded scientists in the Aionian Laboratory—a mysterious and restricted region of the Traveler’s inner sphere. The objective, “Find a way into the Aionian Laboratory to rescue the scientists,” is confusing due to the non-linear design and stealthy environmental obstacles in operation.
If you’re stuck or unsure of what to do next, this walkthrough provides a step-by-step guide and informational background to assist you through the mission without fail.
What Is the Aionian Laboratory?
Aionian Laboratory is a locked-up lab inside one of the Pale Heart mission areas encountered during some questlines—primarily during subclass-specific exotic quests (e.g., Risen for Titans, Unveiled for Warlocks, and Iconoclast for Hunters), or during one of the Invocations extended quests.
The lab is hidden behind locked doors, guarded barriers, and occasionally needs to be solved by minor environmental puzzles or by triggering some objects to proceed.
The ultimate goal is to gain access to the Aionian Laboratory, a facility closed off by energy shields or locked gates, and rescue a group of scientists—likely lightbearers or civilian scientists who got trapped within the Pale Heart.
There are no outright quest markers pointing towards the lab entrance, and thus a lot of players end up believing the mission is faulty or they have messed up somehow. Forwarding is really dependent on in-game activities and exploration.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Begin the Mission Instance
You will arrive in a special mission area, usually with a title like “Mission: [Class Exotic Quest Name]” or being part of an Invocation step in a progression. The atmosphere will be the visual fingerprint of the Pale Heart: odd white buildings, gold lighting, and unnatural geometry.
Make your way through the initial encounters, killing enemies and staying on the primary route.
2. Approach the Locked Laboratory Entrance
Lastly, you will be at a sealed door or energy wall called the entrance of the Aionian Laboratory. Ghost will prompt you with a line about needing to locate another entry.
This is where the majority of players get lost—but the solution is in going around or finding side access paths, often hidden in surrounding geography.
3. Find the Side Route / Alternate Entry
Explore the surrounding landscape for a different route or destroyed building. Look for the following signs:
- Open side corridors or vent-like tubes off of the main platform.
- Breakable glass windows or frail walls holding dimly glowing seams.
- Environmental platforms curling around the lab, sometimes involving jumping puzzles or climbing.
You may need to shoot a fuse, power node, or override terminal that disables the energy field of the door or unlocks an alternative entrance.
4. Defeat Enemy Resistance Inside
Once inside the lab, you’ll face Taken or Dread enemies guarding the corridors and chambers. Clear them out to continue deeper into the facility.
Listen closely to your Ghost’s narration—this segment often includes key lore about the scientists, the Traveler’s internal mechanisms, and the significance of the Aionian Laboratory.
5. Rescue the Scientists
The scientists are either:
- Visualized as holographic memories, similar to other Pale Heart narrative encounters.
- Represented by terminals or Echoes you speak with in order to “rescue” or “download” their data/presence.
- Or, in some versions, real captive NPCs which trigger a cutscene or escape sequence when rescued.
Once you have entered the final room and completed the interaction, the goal will be updated, and the mission will proceed to its next stage or end.
