Solution

The puzzle plays out like a regular game of Challenge and Contact (not the module), where each successive answer reveals one more letter of the final clue’s answer.

The number of dots between each “CONTACT!” and “CHALLENGE!” (as well as the number of exclamation marks between “YES” and “I AM” in the last clue) give the length of the words. The number of dots after each “3, 2, 1” (as well as the “I AM” in the last clue) give a number to index into each clue, providing the solution.

Clue	Answer	Index	Letter
Are you a nutrient-rich maternal connection?	UMBILICAL CORD	5	L
Are you a vehicle where balance is vital?	UNICYCLE	8	E
Are you completely intact and devoid of breakage?	UNDAMAGED	4	A
Have you returned to the land of the living?	UNDEAD	6	D
Are you still nascent and need to mature?	UNDERDEVELOPED	12	P
Do you provide a foundation?	UNDERPIN	7	I
Are you badly compensated for your time and effort?	UNDERPAID	5	P
Are you found beneath many a bridge?	UNDERPASS	4	E

LEAD PIPE