Mission:The Price for Fire - Part Three: Parental Ambiguity
Part Three: Parental Ambiguity
Briefing
I have a... well, I suppose you would call it a lab. It's something that I inherited when my father passed away. I didn't think I'd ever need to make use of it, but... but circumstances have changed.
Doctor Harvan sighs.
I haven't been... completely honest with you, Character. When I opened Pandora's Box, I expected to inherit the same power as the heroes of Greek myth. All of my research indicated that whomever opens the Box is granted the power of Zeus, and I believed that. I believed that down to the core of my being.
So, when I learned what my father had built, I didn't understand what it was for.
- ...What, exactly, are we talking about, Harvan?
Doctor Harvan appears to be at a loss for words.
Perhaps it would be easier to show you, Character. The lab isn't far. I think things might be easier to explain once you've seen the lab's equipment.
Meet up with Doctor Harvan
Unnecessary Solicitation
The lab isn't far from here. I promise to do my best to explain once we're there.
Mission Objective(s)
This lab clearly hasn't been used in some time.
- Proceed to Harvan's Lab
- Meet up with Doctor Harvan
- Proceed through lab
- Talk with Harvan
- Approach the amplifier
- Fend off the incoming Pandora entities!
- Defeat Harvan's attacker!
- Defeat the Macht Jaegers!
Nemesis has stolen the power of Pandora's Box. You'd better get out while you still can.
Enemies
Notable NPCs
- James Harvan (Oxford Professor Civilian, Ally)
- Herculean (Pandora's Might Lieutenant, Enemy)
- Nemesis (Nemesis Archvillain)
Harvan smiles sheepishly at you.
Welcome to my laboratory, Character. Impressive, is it not?
- What is all this, Harvan?
My father had this lab built as a sort of amplifier for the manipulative effects of the Antikythera. If it can establish a firm connection, it magnifies the capabilities of the Antikythera several hundred times, allowing it to draw in any errant energy from Pandora's Box.
I knew this lab's purpose, but again, I couldn't understand why my father had it built. Everything I knew about Pandora's Box implied that the power would be granted directly to the person that opened it. There would be no need to draw that power from limbo, because I never thought it would manifest in this way.
Harvan frowns apprehensively.
Clearly, I missed something in my research. My father knew that the energy would dissipate somehow, but I never saw what it was.
- Do you have any theories?
The subject appears to cause Harvan some level of discomfort.
I'm... not sure, Character. Perhaps its placement inside Zigursky had altered it in some way, but I find that doubtful. From the evidence you uncovered, no one at Zigursky even knew what Pandora's Box was, much less how it worked.
The only other explanation is... well. It's probably just me kicking myself for nothing, but...
The stories about Pandora's Box, and about the gods... there's a sentient force guiding this power, Character. It blesses mortals with great power, and those mortals go on to live great lives and to do great things. So far, the Box appears to have granted its power to whoever opens it. However...
Harvan bites his lip.
It may have found me wanting, somehow. It's possible that the Box simply decided that I wasn't worthy of its power, for whatever reason.
- It's... possible, I suppose.
Regardless, we're here to correct the mistake I made underneath Zigursky. If this device functions as I expect it should, then we'll have possession of all of the power from Pandora's Box, sealed and contained, ready for whatever use you deem fit.
All you need to do is bring the Antikythera close enough to the device to establish a connection.
Do be ready for a scuffle, though, Character. As the energy from Pandora's Box is drawn here, I expect the creatures that attacked us earlier will be arriving as well.
- I can handle them, Harvan. Let's get started.
Ambush! At this point, you are ambushed by several successive waves of Pandora's Might.
First Ambush:
Second Ambush:
Third Ambush:
Fourth Ambush:
Fifth Ambush:
James Harvan: We did it...
James Harvan: The energy from Pandora's Box...
James Harvan: Character! It's done!
James Harvan: Pandora's Box is finally-James Harvan: ...What?
James Harvan: Energy transfer? But I didn't...
James Harvan: Augh!
James Harvan's attacker is defeated:
James Harvan: Oh dear...
James Harvan: I appear to b- *bzzt* -eee a little worse for wear.
James Harvan: Character... *whirr* *klick* if you would be so kind as to-to- *klick* -to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to...Nemesis: I daresay, he's the most convincing one yet. Wouldn't you agree, Character?
Nemesis: But enough of my self-congratulations. I'm sure you wish to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Nemesis: Without you, Character, none of this would have been possible. You have my thanks.
Confront James Harven
Unnecessary Contact
Doctor Harvan has much to answer for, and that's not something that can be done remotely. You'll need to go speak with him directly.
Mission Objective(s)
- Confront James Harvan
Harvan meets your gaze with as much dignity as he can muster. A long, dark gash leads from his shoulder down to his chest. From inside, you can hear faint whirring sounds, like that of a small engine.
Character. I... I don't quite know what to say...
- I have no reason to speak with a mindless machine.
- Harvan sputters in protestation.
- Mindless machine... but I-
- A look of profound resignation crosses Harvan's face, and he averts his gaze.
- No, no. That... I suppose that is fair. Goodbye, Character.
- Leave
- Well-played, Harvan. You had me fooled.
- Harvan takes on an expression of profound resignation.
- You and me both, I'm afraid. At my core, I still believe that I am Professor James Harvan, PhD. Memories of my work, of my father...
- Harvan's brows furrow.
- Funny... until now it never really occurred to me that I cannot picture my father's face. I suppose that realization would have been alarming, an hour ago. Now, though, it simply fits. My life, my every experience... it's all a sham, Character.
- So, what are you planning to do now?
- Harvan chuckles softly. As he does, a soft rattle comes from the opening in his chest.
- What indeed, Character. My every memory and experience have been exposed as a fraud... hah! Even worse than that.
- I know who Nemesis is, Character. I know his reputation. Plans within plans within plans.
- So, who's to say that my next action isn't simply another part of his grand scheme? What if this very conversation is part of some grand Nemesis Plot?
- Harvan shakes his head, smiling.
- I have no idea what I'm going to do, Character. I... I need some time to think, before I can make that decision.
- Alright then. Goodbye, Harvan.
- So, you're one of Nemesis's toys after all.
- Harvan barks out a short laugh.
- Ha! Quite. A toy! Hahahaha!
- Harvan's tone devolves into desperation.
- I can't properly express my situation to you, Character. I have no memory of anything related to Nemesis, or his plans, or anything related to him. Until a few minutes ago, I fully believed that I was carrying out my life's work, my legacy. But... none of that really exists, does it? I can't actually have ambitions, can I? It's not possible! It's all just an elaborate hoax, built to deceive! I've got everyone fooled, oh yes I do! Haha!
- You can't understand, Character. To realize that every facet of your being, not just your actions but your very thoughts, all of it simply a tool for another man to use...
- It is a mountainous revelation, Character. It crushes me to think on it. And yet, I can do nothing else.
- This is where we part ways, Harvan.