-5101F error after Recovery Mode

Overview:

Macbook Air A1466 with flashing missing folder.

Tried Disk Utility to no avail, SSD not there.

Then, Apple Diagnostics (pressed D upon startup). VDH002 "There may be an issue with a storage device" error.

Have installed a new SSD with an adaptor instead of the proprietary Apple Samsung SSD. Not recognized.

Resetted NVRAM with CMD+Option+P+R. Still nothing.

Lastly, tried CMD + Option + R for firmware update via Internet... which brought me to this -5101F error. I searched for this everywhere and haven't found any references to move forward.

Any ideas?

*sad emoji*