The Proteus is a site on Planet 1a where researchers for Azimuth Biochemicals discovered a battleground between Guardians and Thargoids. Technology recovered here allowed Salvation to develop anti-Thargoid weapons of mass destruction, including the Proteus Wave superweapon that was later deployed in HIP 22460.

Independent pilots found the Proteus after receiving a tip from "Salvation," later discovered to be Caleb Wycherly, vice president of research for Azimuth during the First Thargoid War in the early 32nd century.

Azimuth researchers, fleeing a hostile takeover attempt by Pharmasapien aboard the Hesperus megaship, crashed on Planet 1a in 3113. Shortly thereafter, they discovered a battleground between the Guardians and Thargoids at at 31.62, 119.87 and set up a research outpost while they awaited rescue.

Their attempts to reverse engineer the Guardian weapon technology misfired catastrophically. Logs detailing the outcome can be found at the Proteus site.

The Guardian site is still active, with up to a dozen Sentinels lying in wait for any trespassers. Activating the six pylons on the site unlocks a data terminal that will reward a Guardian Ship Blueprint in exchange for an Ancient Key.

Pilots wishing to reach the Trapezium Sector from the Core Systems should use the Witch Head Nebula as a waypoint to thread the needle between the multiple permit locks surrounding the nebulae in the region.