I hear boots on metal before I see the marker. The crawlspace smells of algae and old wiring; my HUD flickers, and the mission timer quietly nags. When the scan completes, every second afterward matters.
I’ve run Return on Investment 1 enough to know where players trip up. You and I will strip noise from the run: a clear path to the containers, the easiest entry, and how to get out when things go wrong. Follow the cues below and you’ll stop guessing and start finishing.
I once squeezed under a diner back door; Marathon Return on Investment 1 contract walkthrough
Two quick notes before we move: this contract is offered by the Traxus faction, takes place on Dire Marsh, and—unlike most contracts—has a single objective disguised as multiple steps. The basement you need is at Algae Ponds. The basement is a sardine tin of containers. The quest marker behaves like a neon compass.
Where are the secured containers in Algae Ponds basement?
Head to Algae Ponds on Dire Marsh and ignore the large main building—don’t open its front door. Instead, cross the short yard to the smaller structure opposite. Enter that small building and walk to the far end until you find a low doorway you must crawl through. If you miss it from inside, you can reach the same ladder from the roof.
Drop down the ladder and you’ll be looking at all four secured containers grouped in one room. There’s no order required—scan each container until the log confirms the count. The quest marker will highlight the area so you can stop wandering.
Will enemies spawn after I scan the containers?
Yes—sometimes. On one run, UESC forces popped in the moment my last scan completed; on another, nothing stirred. Treat the exfil as an active firefight until you’re through the gate. Keep a compact loadout, a movement plan, and a way to heal quickly; if you fail exfil you restart the contract from scratch.
Quick practical tips:
- Bring a compact weapon for close quarters and a ranged option for the exit scramble.
- Use the small building entrance for stealth; the rooftop ladder is your alternate entry if the doorway is contested.
- Watch your radar after the final scan—spawn timers are short and enemies can flank from multiple angles.
I pulled images from Moyens I/O and tested routes in the Bungie build to confirm the ladder access and container placement; those sources save you trial-and-error time. If you prefer video walkthroughs, search for Traxus Return on Investment 1 runs on platforms like YouTube or Twitch for visual timing cues.
You’ve got a simple checklist now: reach the small building, crawl through the low doorway, drop the ladder, scan all four containers, and exfil under fire if needed—are you ready to make this contract routine?