The next screen starts loading your mission, but you can also select your mech and any additional players or pilots you want to help you out. For this mission, there is no one to help you and only one mech is available, the Javelin. When you're ready, click the "Ready" button in the bottom-right corner. If the mission hasn't fully loaded, you can cancel from there and still change your mech or pilot. To fully back out of a contract, press the "Abort" button next to the "Ready" button.
When starting out, the snowy path is linear. The Javelin is much faster and turns much more quickly than the Centurion used in the Tutorial, so you may need to get a handle on its mobility. It's also armed with four lasers divided into two groups. Its lighter armor means you'll likely take quite a bit of abuse during the mission, but it's nothing you can't later repair.
The base will appear soon enough, and several tanks and helicopters will attack along with the first turret. All the targets are small enough that shooting any part of them will inflict fatal damage, though it may take two laser volleys to destroy them. Remember that your lasers will reach targets instantly, so there is no reason to lead targets. Further, the cold environment will ensure the weapons won't overheat your mech no matter how fast you fire. Try to attack while moving to minimize the damage the enemies do to you.
Note that the lasers on the Javelin have a maximum range of 400 meters, and the turrets can't fire that far. As you clear the first part of the base, another turret will be seen at the end of long stretch of snow. A bit further, another turret will be below you after the crest of a hill. Both of these turrets can be taken out before engaging you. Zoom in and line up your shot; the range finder directly below your reticle will say exactly how far out you are from whatever you're aiming at. Aim well and you can take them out before they're a threat.
Note that while the maximum range of the lasers is about 400 meters as stated above, the listed range is 270 meters. The difference is that within 270m, your lasers will do maximum damage with sustained fire. Beyond 270m, you'll do less damage even if the entire laser beam strikes the target. In this specific case, shooting at maximum distance is the preferred strategy so the turrets can't shoot back. When fighting enemy mechs in the future, you'll need to decide for yourself whether you prefer shooting at maximum range or for maximum damage based on the situation. AI mechs tend to prefer maximum damage, so if you're willing to fire from outside a weapon's listed range, you may be able to score some free hits before the enemy retaliates.
This trick works for the generator itself. At the top of the hill where you can shoot the third turret, you should be able to shoot the generator as well, which should only be 380m away. Keep your distance and light it up. A turret to the left of the building will be rendered inoperable, as well as all turrets in the area, once you destroy the generator. The building will go down after a single laser volley.
Head down the hill and start your turn right. Three helicopters will attack you, two from in front and one from the left. Take them out, then proceed along the path until you come to some buildings on the left. Note that two turrets will be to your right, but they are no threat. Just head toward the buildings.
As you approach the next set of buildings, Ryana will come on the radio and say you're in the right vicinity. A tank will attack you from the rear, but it will be the only enemy to threaten you at first.
After taking it out, Ryana makes three waypoints on the ground. These don't point directly to the salvage crates, but their approximate locations. The nearest waypoint for example indicates a small storage area just to your left as you come down the hill toward the buildings. Shoot the gates and outer boxes (the ones with the glowing red "doors") to see what's inside. You're looking for large orange boxes, as seen in the screenshot below. Luckily, these orange boxes cannot themselves be damaged even if you shoot or walk on them. Once an orange box is revealed, stand near it and hold the E key to collect it.
