It's just bad luck. That's why we're all complaining, essentially (as much as some like to insist we just don't want to spend time). Instead of being rewarded for time played, or time put into the quest, you're being rewarded that something you had no real control over happened to land in the correct spot. Luckily, the second part of the quest, once you get all those Atmas, takes the RNG factor out but keeps the time. Sucks till you get there though.

Hope your luck shifts.