1) Introduction

Welcome to Io, Aspirant. I am Seraya Shadowharper, and as I understand it, you are looking for a guide through your training. Very well... Where to begin? I trust you've docked with the Nishino Research Facility. No? Then I suggest doing that now. Once you've completed that task, it's time to begin.

2) Shin-Tzu Li - Prospecting Iron Ore

The first person you should talk to is Shin-Tzu Li. He gives you a valuable skill called Prospect, which will allow you to mine resources from asteroids. Not every asteroid has resources to be mined, but those that do will have a symbol attached to them within your heads-up display.

2-1) Prospecting Iron Ore Step 1 - Go to the Refuse Area (Io, Sol System).

Once you leave the station again, getting to the Refuse Area is straightforward. In fact, the beacon is visible from the station. Target it and go to warp.

2-2) Prospecting Iron Ore Step 2 - Find a prospectable asteroid and prospect some Iron Ore.

Somewhere in the Refuse Area you will see asteroids with symbols that look like upside down raindrops on them. These are minable asteroids. Target it. This is a good time to learn how to scan asteroids. With the asteroid targetted, click on it in the targetting interface and you will see a list of its contents. If you're told someone else is prospecting the asteroid, select another. There are plenty to choose from. Once you're able, prospect Iron Ore from an asteroid.

2-3) Prospecting Iron Ore Step 3 - Prospect another unit of Iron Ore from a prospectable asteroid.

Since you're in the area, Shin-Tzu Li seems to want more than just a little ore. However, when you begin to mine the next time (be it the same asteroid or another), the asteroid explodes! Your ship shouldn't be too heavily damaged, however, so select another asteroid and mine more Iron Ore.

2-4) Prospecting Iron Ore Step 4 - Return to Shin-Tzu Li in the lounge of the Nishino Research Facility.

Now that you have the Iron Ore, select the Facility and warp back to it, then dock. Go back to Shin-Tzu Li and complete the mission. However, first he wants to talk about the...

3) Shin-Tzu Li - Explosion

Odd... it seems the explosion has left a little 'gift' in your ship's hull. Shin-Tzu Li tells you to talk to Ayako Ravenlock at Paren Station in Kailaasa. This is a mission for when you've completed training, however, so don't go off just yet. He also mentioned to tell Ayako that she's still his night rose... Now that that's taken care of, talk to Shin-Tzu Li a second time to receive your reward for the Iron Ore. He tells you to speak to Sai Siddhu. She's standing in the far corner on the right hand wall when you enter. Sai gives you your first combat mission.