Mission:The Price for Fire (Hero) - Part One: The Illusion of Safety

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Part One: The Illusion of Safety

Briefing

Character. Thank you for coming. I realize that our efforts in retrieving Pandora's Box were... not entirely successful. The creatures that have emerged from Pandora's Box remain a threat to all of us, but I've noticed a pattern in their behavior. I believe that there may be a way of altering their structure, transforming them into a purer state of energy, which can then be controlled.

Positron insisted that you be closely involved in this project, for obvious reasons. I'm inclined to agree. Your capabilities would be most appreciated if we wish to tackle these problems directly.

  • Agree to form a task force

If we're going to try to contain the freed energy from Pandora's Box, we're going to need to use the one tool known to be capable of altering the Box's power emanations: the Antikythera.

Currently, I believe, Positron has it held in Fort Trident for safekeeping. We'll need to have it on-hand before we can make any progress towards controlling the power of those creatures.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Character, we need the Antikythera before we can proceed. I'm afraid any attempts to corral the energy of Pandora's Box would be futile without it.

Mission Objective(s)

File:Map PHALANX HQ ARACHNOS ATTACK.png
Map: PHALANX_HQ_ARACHNOS_ATTACK

What's going on here? There are Arachnos agents everywhere!

  • Retrieve the Antikythera
    • Speak with Positron

You have fended off an Arachnos attack... but not before they could steal the Antikythera!

Enemies

Arachnos

Notable NPCs:

Silver Mantis Dialogue
Briefing

As you approach, Positron struggles to his feet. You can see numerous tears and holes in his armor, where Arachnos managed to punch through his defenses.

Character... I must say, you have impeccable timing.

  • What happened here, Positron?

Ever since Pandora's Box was opened, the base has been plagued by those creatures that attacked you underneath Zigursky. Doctor Harvan believes that they are drawn to the Antikythera for some reason.

I can only assume that Arachnos took notice. I was holding them off, but Silver Mantis managed to get behind me while I was occupied by her soldiers. I couldn't keep them at bay and defend against her attacks simultaneously.

  • Where's the rest of the Phalanx?
They've all been responding to distress calls. Those Pandora creatures have been popping up all over the city, wreaking havoc.
Thankfully, they generally seek out targets capable of defending themselves - I think they may be drawn to strength - but responses to these attacks has taken up most of the Phalanx's resources.
  • What about the Antikythera?
Positron clenches his fists tight.
Arachnos knew exactly what they were looking for, Character. Given that Mako ambushed you earlier, I'm inclined to believe that Arachnos has been monitoring all of our movements ever since we picked up Doctor Harvan.
It shouldn't surprise me, really... I consistently underestimate the tenacity of my opponents. It's a flaw I intend to correct immediately.
  • Any chance we can pursue them?
Positron chuckles softly, making a hollow, metallic sound through his helmet.
I suppose that's the one element of this disaster that I haven't managed to bungle.
Positron holds up a small, handheld device. A white light pings repeatedly on the screen.
I planted a tracking device on the Antikythera shortly after it arrived in Fort Trident. Arachnos doesn't appear to have discovered it, so we know where they're taking the artifact.
  • Excellent. I'll get it back in no time.
I'm coming with you, Character. I've been trying my best to manage the Phalanx remotely, to coordinate everyone's efforts in the most efficient way possible... but that's not leadership. I've sat on the sidelines for too long.
Arachnos attacked me, they attacked the Phalanx, and they stole from us the one hope we have of controlling the chaos of Pandora's Box. I refuse to let that stand. If Arachnos can mobilize a surprise attack when the Phalanx is at its most vulnerable, then I can damn well do the same.
  • That's what I like to hear.
  • They took the Antikythera?
Positron clenches his fists tight.
Arachnos knew exactly what they were looking for, Character. Given that Mako ambushed you earlier, I'm inclined to believe that Arachnos has been monitoring all of our movements ever since we picked up Doctor Harvan.
It shouldn't surprise me, really... I consistently underestimate the tenacity of my opponents. It's a flaw I intend to correct immediately.
  • Any chance we can pursue them?
This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Debriefing

Doctor Harvan pales visibly when you relate the events inside Fort Trident to him.

This is very trying news, Character. Without the Antikythera, any attempt at containing the energy released by Pandora's Box will be utterly futile. We need to retrieve it as quickly as possible.

We have time... I doubt Arachnos will be able to decode the Antikythera's readings without at least a few weeks of study. I daresay that they could kidnap the entire mainstream archaeological community and would not gain a single iota of usable knowledge.

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