In the past an aggressive alien race called The Foe had engaged in armed conflict with the inhabitants of Earth. Back then, they were defeated by the combined force of humans and dolphins working together to repel the invasion. Now, a new war is raging between the two. The Foe have a new objective this time, the destruction of the Guardian, a giant crystal that is the nucleus of the Earth's defence system. The Guardian protects the planet from exterior attacks via a powerful forcefield. However, the Foe somehow find a way to penetrate the barrier and destroy half the Guardian with it. One of the Guardian's shards makes contact with Ecco and informs him that only he can save the planet from destruction.