View source for Agent Watkins

{{wip|date=2022-10-27}}
== Overview ==
{{Infobox Contact
|name=FBSA NetOps Agent Watkins
|image=AgentWatkins.png
|img_capt=FBSA NetOps Agent Watkins
|zone=[[Steel Canyon]]
|x=-2264|y=-84|z=-2575
|levels=20-29
|introed=None, Walk-up
|intros=None
|enemies={{Enemy Vahzilok}}
{{Enemy Freakshow}}
|badges=[[File:SL4 Watkins ArcComplete.png|22px]] [[Uncivil Warrior Badge|Uncivil Warrior]]<br />[[File:SL4 Watkins Quarantine.png|22px]] [[The Greater Good Badge|The Greater Good]]<br />[[File:SL4 Watkins Defy.png|22px]] [[Went Off Script Badge|Went Off Script]]
}}

{{Contact Overview|Name=Agent Watkins|City=H|Zone=Steel Canyon|Pronoun=his|HoodYN=N|OriginYN=N|LevelYN=Y|Level=20-29}} He is standing 150 yards west of the Silver Lake neighborhood marker.

__Toc__

==Introductions==
=== Contact Introduced By ===
None, walk-up.

=== Contact Introduces ===
None

=== Information ===
'''FBSA NetOps Agent'''

Agent Watkins is a no-nonsense FBSA agent tasked with protecting his country from superpowered threats by hunting down various leads and clues left on the internet. His talents were cultivated in the FBI before the FBSA took jurisdiction during the Galaxy City crisis and promoted Watkins to oversee the front lines of defense against various plots and misinformation campaigns. He used to be known on the internet as the hacker {{darkorange| @TTL |}}, which rumors say has to do with him being born on the 4th of July, though nobody can elaborate on the connection. Nowadays he's a model for what 'unpowered' people can do to be super; and when he's not hacking for the government, he's inspiring schoolchildren with stories from his wild life.

=== Prior to Introduction ===
Now's not a good time, {{Character}}. Seek me out later.

=== Initial Contact ===

{{Character}}, I'm glad you signed on for this operation. As you know, the activity at the Overbrook Dam was all anyone could talk about for weeks. The Mad Doctor himself, finally captured for his crimes! It was an event some people never thought they'd live to see. The boogeyman of Paragon was finally caught.

I usually don't fawn over things like this, but something that hasn't happened to me in a while happened: My agency is humbled and you've impressed me. That's why we're back here again, and I'm asking for your help.

*{{green|What can I do for you, Agent Watkins?}}

:You're going to have to help me settle things around here since the Doctor was incarcerated. It was a forgone conclusion that taking him out of the equation was Inevitable, but what we couldn't predict was what his cult-like followers would do in his absence. We had three leading theories about what would happen, and it appears we are in the worst-case-scenario theory.

:*{{green|What's happening with the Vahzilok, Agent?}}

::{{darkorange|Watkins looks at you for a moment, takes several breaths, and continues.}}

::You should know that I tend not to give information without giving all of it, including the backstory. The key to understanding the present, and the future, is to understand the past.

::Doctor Vahzilok was brilliant, mad as a hatter, but not a fool. He was an early adopter of the internet, specifically forums, as a way to spread his message and also to preserve his efforts for all time. Doctor Vahzilok knew from the get-go that nothing is ever truly lost on the Internet, so he raised a following and shared his notes so that his ideas would live on well past his time.

::*{{green|And now his time has come to a possible end. I understand.}}

:::Yes, and what couldn't be adequately predicted was what would happen once his time came. We had three theories: One, that things would quiet down and the research would stall out due to the demoralization of his followers; Two, that the information would end up in the hands of SERAPH or DATA and be purposed for the advancement of humanity; Or three, the followers would scramble to be the next Dr. V, circle the wagons, and begin infighting to be the next King of the Corpses.

:::It would appear that the worst-case-scenario, Option 3, is happening in real time, as we speak. In truth, we always knew this was the only option, but we left the door open for hope that other options were possible.

:::*{{green|Admirable mentality, all things considered. So what's the latest development?}}

::::Yes, despite everything I've seen in my years with the Bureau I still retain a modicum of optimism. But it just wasn't enough for this situation.

::::I've been following 6 different forums that are nested on the dark web that all follow Vahzilok's research, and one has become a hot bed of vitriolic speech lately. Normally I would dismiss these kinds of things as petty arguments between keyboard warriors, but these are different times we live in now, and we can't ignore the small hunches in search of bigger collars.

::::Two people have been arguing over the future of the research, heavily debating immune response boosting to fight diseases versus cellular stimulation for accelerated healing responses. A user by the name xMaladyction is so absolutely sure of their position that four hours ago they posted an address to anyone that disagreed with her to fight them in real life. 'NewtralizeKeyes' posted three hours ago that he was going to end this argument once and for all.

::::Their posting history suggests a dangerous attachment to their ideological positions so I have no doubt this will be something for your caliber of firepower.

::::*{{green|Won't this tip off the Vahz that the forum isn't safe?}}

:::::My team and I have archived everything that is of relevance from this forum. I've also embedded several dummy accounts so I'll be alerted if and when it relaunches. I have a list of names and aliases to work with, so them shutting down is too little too late. This is the biggest of the six forums, so this is a worthwhile risk. The others may shutter out of caution, but some will sense opportunity to take in the displaced users and the cycle will repeat when we're ready for the next strike.

:::::*{{green|And people say heroes need powers. You're proof to the contrary!}}

::::::{{Missing}}

:::::*{{green|I'm on it, Agent. I'll make sure this stays contained.}}

::::::{{Missing}}

::::*{{green|You're sending me on an errand to end an internet argument?}}

:::::It appears so. I figured you would want to end what you started with the Doctor's arrest, so I suppose I will have to fake an apology that this mission isn't more glamorous or epic.

:::::{{darkorange|Watkins looks more than slightly irritated with you.}}

:::::*{{green|I thought I'd be fighting Ghost Widow or defending a Moon Base by now.}}

::::::I hate to break it to you, but sometimes you get a day where your missions aren't all that glamorous, but you still have to get the job done and save the day. Statesman wasn't above getting a cat out of a tree, you know. He did it all the time.

::::::*{{green|All right, I'll go, but Freakshow next - I need a challenge.}}

:::::::{{darkorange|Agent Watkins claps his hands together and cracks his knuckles.}}

:::::::When you're ready, we can begin digging into this mess.

:::::::*{{green|I'm ready.}}

:::*{{green|Let those madmen tear each other apart. Less work for us.}}

::::Less work us, perhaps, but there's no way to quantify the collateral damage. Why do I get the impression that you think this is beneath you?

::::*{{green|I've already taken out their boss. Isn't that the goal?}}

:::::And so, then, why wouldn't I go with a tested-and-true asset with the experience to handle it with minimal issue?

:::::*{{green|I get it. I'm the ringer. I'll put and end to this.}}

::::::{{darkorange|Agent Watkins claps his hands together and cracks his knuckles.}}

::::::When you're ready, we can begin digging into this mess.

::::::*{{green|I'm ready.}}

::::*{{green|I thought something more heroic would be on my radar.}}

:::::I hate to break it to you, but sometimes you get a day where your missions aren't all that glamorous, but you still have to get the job done and save the day. Statesman wasn't above getting a cat out of a tree, you know. He did it all the time.

:::::*{{green|All right, I'll go, but Freakshow next - I need a challenge.}}

::::::{{darkorange|Agent Watkins claps his hands together and cracks his knuckles.}}

::::::When you're ready, we can begin digging into this mess.

::::::*{{green|I'm ready.}}

::::*{{green|Give the SL10-SL20 heroes the chance to prove themselves like I did.}}

:::::{{Missing}}

::*{{green|You're still not telling me the situation as it is, Agent. Get to the point.}}

:::I understand your position, but until you treat me with the respect I have earned as a non-partisan civil servant of the United States government, I'm afraid I will have to seek help elsewhere.

:::It would appear superpowers don't always come packaged with super manners. I regret to inform you that our business together is wholly dependent on your attitude and you should be prepared to give me both the time and respect that I deserve.

:::*{{green|Understood, Agent.}}

::::{{darkorange|Watkins looks at you for a moment with cold eyes, from over the top of his glasses. He takes several breaths, and continues.}}

::::Thank you. Now as I was trying to say, you should know that I tend not to give information without giving all of it, including the backstory. The key to understanding the present, and the future, is to understand the past.

::::{{darkorange|Agent Watkins seems to assess if you're true to your word and paying attention. He seems satisfied with you for now.}}

::::Doctor Vahzilok was brilliant, mad as a hatter, but not a fool. He was an early adopter of the internet, specifically forums, as a way to spread his message and also to preserve his efforts for all time. Doctor Vahzilok knew from the get-go that nothing is ever truly lost on the Internet, so he raised a following and shared his notes so that his ideas would live on well past his time.

::::*{{green|And now his time has come to a possible end. I understand.}}

:::::{{DialogueLoop}}

*{{green|Ask about available missions. (Skips the Intro)}}

:We have an enormous amount of work in front of us, {{Character}}. Get ready.

=== Too Busy ===
You seem a bit heavy on unfinished tasks. Come see me when you clear your calendar up.

=== Too Low Level ===
Now's not a good time, {{Character}}. Seek me out later.

=== No More Missions ===
Its time you moved on to bigger things. Don't worry. I've got this docket handled.

== Store ==
*None

== Story Arc ==
{{ArcAward|m=20}}


=== {{UL|The Graveyard Shift}} ===
==== Souvenir ====
{{Souvenir|A viral video}}
{{Mission:The Graveyard Shift - Chapter One: Anger Management}}
{{Mission:The Graveyard Shift - Chapter Two: Dismemberment Fees}}
{{Mission:The Graveyard Shift - Chapter Three: Hearing Loss}}
{{Mission:The Graveyard Shift - Chapter Four: The Fault in our Scars}}
{{Mission:The Graveyard Shift - Chapter Five: Contact Tracing}}
{{Mission:The Graveyard Shift - Chapter Six: Viral Transmissions}}
{{Mission:The Graveyard Shift - Heroic Finale}}


==See Also==
* [[Homecoming Story Arcs]]