Mission:Only Love Can Hurt Like This - Chapter One: Nostalgia

Chapter One: Nostalgia

Briefing

Ashling Corlett seems calm but watching her carefully you can see she regularly glances around; particularly to her right, where Hero Corps has an office down the hill.

Character. You I've heard of. Good things too. Well, capable things. I hear you're discreet and can get things done. That's exactly what I need.

I'm Hero Corps in case that wasn't obvious. What isn't obvious is I'm a former Galaxy City officer. Got moved to the reserves after being injured in the Shivan attack.

You were about to say Hero Corps doesn't have reserves, yeah? 'Course you were.

Now that we have the formalities out of the way, Character... Let's talk about the real reason I've asked for your help. It involves the history of Hero Corps and a hunch that I swear I've been gas-lit into not investigating. Being in the 'reserves' keeps you from lots of things. I think Hero Corps has had some dealings with Crey and they don't want me to find out.

Yeah, now you're getting it. Crey is slicker than greased... well, pretty slippery. Getting any proof against them is always tricky.

You think I want you to find something on them? No. We already have proof. What I discovered when I got it, now that's why -you're- here.

Are you interested?

• Sure. I'm a hero. It's what we do. A pay check won't go amiss either.

I have access to funds, Character. Hero Corps and Crey go back a ways. They supported us when we were setting up in Paragon and we believed they were like most companies, although admittedly looking for all the technically legal loopholes, because that's how the corporate world works, but still above board.

We've had reason to change our minds on that. We lost vital data in the Shivan attack so an audit was needed. Turns out we had more missing than we thought. Some of which dated to our partnership with Crey. Only they could have taken it.

So we set up a sting. We told Crey this data was lost in Galaxy and asked them to retrieve it for us. Seems they have limited access to the ruins.

And they found some of the data for us. Charged a hefty fee too! But they returned data that had never been in Galaxy. So obviously they have the rest of it and we want it back. We've gone through the metadata of what was returned and sorted gaps in the identifiers. You find those missing sections and download them. Get in, get the intel and get out. Here's what you need to look for.

She hands you a tablet. There's also a spoofed digipass to get you in. I booked a flight with a local helicopter. Don't let the branding fool you, they're on payroll. Do be a dear and don't die, okay?

Unnecessary Solicitation

That was fast. Ah, you don't have the files yet. Ok, the mission is still active, so get in there before they get wise to us.

Don't worry, I've appropriated funds for this, you'll get paid. See you soon.

Mission Objective(s)

The spoofed pass provided by Corlett only works for roof access to get you to the first floor. After that things may get... interesting.

• Search Crey Facility for Hero Corps Files
  • Find the missing data
  • 4 items to sabotage (Optional)
  • Defeat the lead researcher
  • Defeat all Crey

Having scrubbed the CCTV along the way, you rendezvous with the helicopter and make a circuitous return to Ashling Corlett.

Enemies

Crey

Notable NPCs

• Researcher Herschorn (Crey Gamma Tank Boss)

Patrol Dialogue

Before Combat:
Crey 1: Something's up. Boss is on alert. Why would Malta take a run at us in Kallisti of all places?
Crey 2: I'm pretty sneaky when I play video games... makes sense to strike the least expected places.
Combat Start:
Crey 1: Whoa. A super in the motherland! Get them! Now!
Crey 2: Hah! Told you! -Never- play Bastions and Burrows with me as the DM. Fire on Character!

Researcher Herschorn Dialogue

Before Combat: No, check the cameras again. We're far too small for that kind of attention from Malta.
Combat Start: Supers? HERE? Something's very wrong! Get them!

Editor's Note:

Sabotaging all four items (canister glowies) will award the character one Vigilante Alignment Point.

Hero Corps Data Set

You found a data set in the Crey building matching most, but not all, of the specifications given by Corlett. There are a few discrepancies due to Crey's reorganizing of the files. Initially it seems that Corlett's mission is over but those discrepancies reveal that the missing intel, comprising gene data, might be found in a lab in Boomtown. A set of coordinates is given, and a password for access to the site.

Debriefing

Corlett nods appreciatively when she sees you have a data packet.

Good work, Character. The security detail mentioned Malta? Well, we're not, but the spoofed pass was.

Ok, let's see what we have here.

She slots the memory capsule into her tablet.

One second, I'm just checking for trojans. Hmm, looks fine. General Crey nonsense... security protocols... there we are. Identifier codes. Jackpot! These are our codes. Not all of them, but you've managed to grab 80% of what was missing.

She frowns and scrolls down a bit.

This is odd. There's a map reference to a black site lab in Boomtown, and I know these coordinates! Bein Lab 4, whatever that is, is situated exactly where Hero Corps was trying to build their HQ in Baumton back in 1999! So, let's take a look at what Crey is hiding from us.

I'm glad to have trusted you. Let's keep moving.