Mission:The Graveyard Shift - Chapter Five: Contact Tracing: Difference between revisions
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==== Chapter Five: Contact Tracing ==== | ==== Chapter Five: Contact Tracing ==== | ||
{{EdNote|Note=The path through this mission | {{EdNote|Note=The path through this mission is dependent on what decision you finally made in the previous investigation mission. There are some nice little game lore pieces available if you choose the long way. The full path is Hollows -> Hunt Trolls -> Check Park -> Callboxes. Extra dialog options are available if you have completed the Hollows arc and the Cavern of Transcendence Trial.}} | ||
===== {{UL|Investigate the Hollows}} ===== | ===== {{UL|Investigate the Hollows}} ===== | ||
'''Briefing''' | {{divbox|forest|Decision: "Investigate the Hollows" or "Ask Agent Watkins"|'''Briefing''' | ||
{{darkorange|Watkins looks at your notes.}} | {{darkorange|Watkins looks at your notes.}} | ||
Line 26: | Line 16: | ||
He's a good person. Don't judge him by his skin. Whatever he suggests, its on the level. Follow up on anything he gives you. | He's a good person. Don't judge him by his skin. Whatever he suggests, its on the level. Follow up on anything he gives you. | ||
}} | |||
{{Mission Objective|Entrance=|Primary=Speak with Julius the Troll|Secondary=|Additional=|Completion=}} | {{Mission Objective|Entrance=|Primary=Speak with Julius the Troll|Secondary=|Additional=|Completion=Julius gave you some simple tips on how to work Skyway over for information.}} | ||
{{Mission Briefing|Type=Briefing|Contact=Julius the Troll|Text= | {{Mission Briefing|Type=Briefing|Contact=Julius the Troll|Text= | ||
Line 83: | Line 74: | ||
{{divbox|blue|[[File:Badge_Vigilant_Hero.png|18px]] {{BadgeLink|Excavator}} [[File:Badge_Vigilant_Hero.png|18px]] and [[File:Badge_trial_zone_01.png|18px]] {{BadgeLink|Transcendent}} [[File:Badge_trial_zone_01.png|18px]]| | {{divbox|blue|[[File:Badge_Vigilant_Hero.png|18px]] {{BadgeLink|Excavator}} [[File:Badge_Vigilant_Hero.png|18px]] and [[File:Badge_trial_zone_01.png|18px]] {{BadgeLink|Transcendent}} [[File:Badge_trial_zone_01.png|18px]]| | ||
* {{green|I took out Atta and claimed the Cavern. You are free.}} | * {{green|I took out Atta and claimed the Cavern. You are free.}} | ||
:{{darkorange|Julius' eyes light up with a sudden moment of clarity.}} | |||
:Atta. He lose control of Hollows. Thatt fault of you? Julius very happy. Then, lava dudes retreat into ground. Things go quiet. Trolls go sad, lava dudes gone. All you? Me full of feels. | |||
:{{darkorange|Julius looks like he can't decide what to do next, and hugs you awkwardly.}} | |||
:* {{green|It's all in a day's work, friend.}} | |||
::{{darkorange|Julius makes eye contact with you and asks very bluntly...}} | |||
::You too big for this area. Who send you? Flux? Foreshadow? More trouble coming? Lava dudes return? | |||
::*{{green|Nothing so serious, Julius. Watkins sent me.}} | |||
:::{{DialogueLoop}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
}} | }} | ||
:{{divbox|darkgoldenrodblack| |You investigated the Hollows first and spoke to Julius the Troll.}} | |||
{{ | :{{divbox|darkgoldenrodblack| |Julius and Watkins have a long history, and though he may be a bit of a stiff, Watkins helped Julius overcome his Superadine addiction through shared experience.}} | ||
' | :{{divbox|darkgoldenrodblack| |He was happy to help, even though he couldn't. He suggested you hunt Trolls in Skyway for information.}} | ||
===== {{UL|Hunt Some Trolls}} ===== | ===== {{UL|Hunt Some Trolls}} ===== | ||
'''Briefing''' | {{divbox|forest|Decision: "Hunt Some Trolls"|'''Briefing''' | ||
{{darkorange|Watkins looks over your notes and scratches his chin stubble thoughtfully.}} | |||
Pierce was set up in pretty well-established Troll territory. A show of strength should get you somewhere with them, for sure - but it might not be enough, so pay attention to anything those green goons might say as you beat them up. | |||
*{{green|Understood, Agent.}} | |||
'''Mission Acceptance''' | '''Mission Acceptance''' | ||
Be careful. The Trolls still throw raves in the open lots of Skyway, and they don't always come out as nicely as they looked going in. | |||
'''Unnecessary Solicitation''' | '''Unnecessary Solicitation''' | ||
''' | {{darkorange|Watkins has gone radio silent, but you can be sure he's still monitoring the situation.}} | ||
}} | |||
{{Mission Objective|Entrance=|Primary=Interrogate Trolls in Skyway|Secondary=Defeat 10 Trolls|Additional=|Completion=The Trolls you defeated were no help. You decide to check the park next.}} | |||
{{divbox|darkgoldenrodblack| |Your hunt of the Trolls turned up very little, except for some broken teeth.}} | |||
{{divbox|darkgoldenrodblack| |One of the last Trolls you defeated looked up at you and cried in frustration with a moment of clarity.}} | |||
{{divbox|darkgreen| |'Hero want help? Talk at bum in Hide Park. He see lots, talk little. Sad man. Go now before I angry.'}} | |||
===== {{UL|Investigating the Park}} ===== | ===== {{UL|Investigating the Park}} ===== | ||
'''Briefing''' | {{divbox|forest|Decision: "Investigate the Park"|'''Briefing''' | ||
{{darkorange|Watkins looks over your notes and scratches his chin stubble thoughtfully.}} | |||
These notes are... convoluted, but useful. I like that you took the time to look at the Parks and Rec website. Start there and see what you can find out. | |||
*{{green|Understood, I'll scout the area.}} | |||
'''Mission Acceptance''' | '''Mission Acceptance''' | ||
If I were you, I'd look for less obvious things than footprints, and instead look for park regulars who might have seen something weird. | |||
'''Unnecessary Solicitation''' | '''Unnecessary Solicitation''' | ||
''' | {{darkorange|Watkins has gone radio silent, but you can be sure he's still monitoring the situation.}} | ||
}} | |||
{{Mission Objective|Entrance=|Primary=Check out Hide Park|Secondary=|Additional=|Completion=There wasn't much to see at Hide Park, other than a washed up former actor that offered another direction to investigate. Time to check the callboxes for anything that can help.}} | |||
{{Mission Briefing|Contact=Jacob Sloan|Image=Contact_Small_Jacob_Sloan.png|Text= | |||
{{darkorange|Jacob looks at you with watery eyes, set deeply in his weatherbeaten face. His hair is unkempt, disheveled, and greasy; it hasn't been maintained in a long time. He hiccups and chokes back some vomit.}} | |||
Another person coming to tear into Josh-Josh? Haven't life, the entertainment industry, and the Rikti done enough? Leave me alone. | |||
*{{green|I'm here on official city business.}} | |||
:{{darkorange|Jacob changes his position but does little else.}} | |||
:Ask away, Officer. I swear I haven't been back to that district since the last incident. So don't even try to shake me down with that angle. I've been here all morning, fighting off those Rikti with the lawnmowers. I'm more useless than a callbox. | |||
:*{{green|So you didn't see any Vahzilok?}} | |||
::{{darkorange|Jacob drifts off into detached sadness. He sobs inbetween words.}} | |||
::Nothing happens here. That's why I'm here. To stay invisible. | |||
::{{darkorange|Jacob's offhand comments about callboxes get you thinking.}} | |||
::*{{green|Check out the callboxes}} | |||
*{{green|Are you okay? If you help me, maybe I can help you.}} | |||
:{{darkorange|Jacob looks at you with contempt.}} | |||
:Yeah, you'll help me. Sure. Just like all the others. Every time someone thinks they can repair the city's opinion of me, they only end up making it worse. Why can't anyone understand that the only way to 'beat' the damage done to me is to disappear from cultural memory? | |||
:{{darkorange|You explain to Jacob that Agent Watkins is very well connected in the city and could help him start a new life if he has any information to assist. You ask him if he saw anyone that morning.}} | |||
:Well, I can't say I believe you. But I don't have anything to lose, either. Nobody but some landscapers came through that morning. | |||
:{{darkorange|Sloan suddenly recalls something, and it pains him to begin speaking the words.}} | |||
:...I didn't know this for the longest time... {{yellow|Did you know the Emergency Callboxes have short-range scanning?}} When someone calls in an emergency, they all ping out a short range scan for a half hour. PPD say it's for our safety. that's it very anonymous. The PPD used it to track the Rikti from my studio by chasing odd-shaped data blobs with a child-actor-shaped blob in tow. | |||
:* {{green|I'm so sorry that happened to you.}} | |||
::{{darkorange|Jacob gets visibly agitated.}} | |||
::I don't need your pity. The whole world saw me run for my life on live TV, leaving my crew and an audience full of kids to the mercy of the Rikti. I'm exactly where I deserve to be. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a full day of self-loathing and waiting for your promise to pan out as cheap words. | |||
::* {{green|Whoa, take it easy, I meant no disrespect.}} | |||
:::{{darkorange|Jacob drifts off into detached sadness. He sobs inbetween words.}} | |||
:::Nothing happens here. That's why I'm here. To stay invisible. | |||
:::{{darkorange|Jacob's offhand comments about callboxes get you thinking.}} | |||
:::*{{green|Check out the callboxes}} | |||
*{{green|Tell me what I need to know, or I'm going to get mad.}} | |||
:{{darkorange|Jacob looks at you with contempt.}} | |||
:Another day, another bully. Get bent, jerk. | |||
:{{darkorange|You pick up Jacob by the shoulders and force him to look at you. You tell him what you're up against.}} | |||
:Not my problem, cape. I don't particularly give a hoot about your problems. This whole world is upside down. You figure it out, or check a callboxes for gremlins. Anything, just not involving me. | |||
:{{darkorange|You drop Sloan down to his resting spot.}} | |||
:*{{green|Thanks for nothing, loser.}} | |||
::{{darkorange|Jacob drifts off into detached sadness. He sobs inbetween words.}} | |||
::Nothing happens here. That's why I'm here. To stay invisible. | |||
::{{darkorange|Jacob's offhand comments about callboxes get you thinking.}} | |||
::*{{green|Check out the callboxes}} | |||
}} | |||
{{divbox|darkgoldenrodblack| |Jacob Sloan. The name had sounded familiar when you heard it. The actor, from the kid's show. Oh no.}} | |||
{{divbox|darkgoldenrodblack| |He'd shown his true colors on live TV during the second Rikti war. Tumbling over kids and other actors to flee the stage during an invasion of the studio.}} | |||
{{divbox|darkgoldenrodblack| |Though broken, he still had a part to play and a use to the city. He rambled about the emergency callboxes. You never really thought about their wider use in Paragon.}} | |||
{{Mission Clue|Name=The Dead Air Incident|Text= | |||
When you went to Hide Park, you met former TV star Jacob 'Josh-Josh B'Gosh' Sloan slumped over in the grass surrounded by shin-high weeds and litter. He reeked of alcohol and was awfully intent on making himself feel as bad as possible during the conversation. He was eventually able to pull himself together long enough to suggest that you try looking into the Emergency Callboxes, as they track movement anonymously when a call is placed.<br /> | |||
He also mentioned his life-ruining experience, which according to the Riktipedia article on him says:<br /> | |||
{{blue|Once a beloved television star to a generation of bright-eyed children, Jacob 'Josh-Josh B'Gosh' Sloan had his career abruptly ruined during the arrival of Rikti during the second Rikti War. On live TV, the Rikti stormed his studio and took several crew members hostage while using the live camera feed to threaten and intimidate the Paragon airwaves. While the cameras rolled live, Josh was seen ducking, dodging, and tripping over child actors and heading for the exit; all while plasma weapon fire set the stage ablaze. His career and his public perception never recovered.}}<br /> | |||
...Yikes. You remember hearing about that. The PPD said they had acquired data on the Rikti movements within minutes to rescue the hostages. That must be how Sloan knew what the callboxes could do.<br /> | |||
}} | |||
===== {{UL|Check the Callboxes}} ===== | ===== {{UL|Check the Callboxes}} ===== | ||
'''Briefing''' | {{divbox|forest|Decision: "Check the Callboxes"|'''Briefing''' | ||
Hmmm, good work! I'd use the emergency callboxes to triangulate their movements. If they did indeed go South, these four callboxes... | Hmmm, good work! I'd use the emergency callboxes to triangulate their movements. If they did indeed go South, these four callboxes... | ||
Line 134: | Line 259: | ||
I'm afraid I've gotten tasked out by the Bureau while you're out there, so don't lean on me too hard for this one. | I'm afraid I've gotten tasked out by the Bureau while you're out there, so don't lean on me too hard for this one. | ||
}} | |||
{{Mission Objective|Entrance=|Primary=Check the Callboxes|Secondary=|Additional=|Completion=}} | {{Mission Objective|Entrance=|Primary=Check the Callboxes|Secondary=|Additional=|Completion=The emergency callboxes also have short-range scanners, and confirm that a group of 'people' moved south into Overbrook at the movement speed you'd expect from a zombie horde. The times line up with Dr. Pierce's account of the story. Call Agent Watkins with your findings.}} | ||
{{divbox|darkgoldenrodblack| |The callboxes turned out to be the key. They had to serve a larger purpose than just covering terrain for heroes like Synapse when he tasked out up-and-coming heroes.}} | {{divbox|darkgoldenrodblack| |The callboxes turned out to be the key. They had to serve a larger purpose than just covering terrain for heroes like Synapse when he tasked out up-and-coming heroes.}} | ||
Line 144: | Line 270: | ||
'''Debriefing''' | '''Debriefing''' | ||
{{divbox|forest|Decision: "Investigate the Hollows" or "Ask Agent Watkins"|'''Debriefing''' | |||
That's good old-fashioned hero work, {{Character}}. When in doubt, you talk to people, clean up the streets, help the needy, and use the resources available to you to solve problems! | |||
I will personally call Julius and check in with him, then see if MAGI has a witness protection opening for Sloan - They can glamour him to look like someone else until he can hit the reset button on his life. The emergency callbox scanners were a fantastic idea: they confirm that a group of people' moved south into Overbrook at the movement speed you'd expect from a zombie horde. The times line up with Dr. Pierce's account of the story, so I think we have our answer. We're heading into Faultline! | |||
}} | |||
{{divbox|forest|Decision: "Hunt Some Trolls"|'''Debriefing''' | |||
The trolls and the park were bad leads that turned into a solid win! It's a shame to hear about Jacob Sloan. I will see if MAGI has a witness protection opening for him - They can glamour him to look like someone else until he can hit the reset button on his life. The emergency callbox scanners were a fantastic idea: they confirm that a group of 'people' moved south into Overbrook at the movement speed you'd expect from a zombie horde. The times line up with Dr. Pierce's account of the story, so I think we have our answer. We're heading into Faultline! | |||
}} | |||
{{divbox|forest|Decision: "Investigate the Park"|'''Debriefing''' | |||
The park was a bad lead that turned into a solid win! It's a shame to hear about Jacob Sloan. I will see if MAGI has a witness protection opening for him - They can glamour him to look like someone else until he can hit the reset button on his life. The emergency callbox scanners were a fantastic idea: they confirm that a group of 'people' moved south into Overbrook at the movement speed you'd expect from a zombie horde. The times line up with Dr. Pierce's account of the story, so I think we have our answer. We're heading into Faultline! | |||
}} | |||
{{divbox|forest|Decision: "Check the Callboxes"|'''Debriefing''' | |||
The emergency callbox scanners conform that a group of anonymous 'people' moved south into Overbrook at the movement speed you'd expect from a zombie horde. The times like up with Dr. Pierce's account of the story, so I think we have out answer. We're heading into Faultline! | The emergency callbox scanners conform that a group of anonymous 'people' moved south into Overbrook at the movement speed you'd expect from a zombie horde. The times like up with Dr. Pierce's account of the story, so I think we have out answer. We're heading into Faultline! | ||
}} | |||
===== {{UL| | ===== {{UL|Investigate the Rusty Rivet bar}} ===== | ||
'''Briefing''' | '''Briefing''' | ||
Line 168: | Line 310: | ||
See if you can gain access to the Rivet's VIP room and find out what happened! | See if you can gain access to the Rivet's VIP room and find out what happened! | ||
{{Mission Objective|Entrance=You slip into the bar's VIP room an air conditioning maintenance hatch. There is a lot of commotion below you.|Primary=Investigate the Rusty River bar|Secondary=1 Rescue the bartender|Additional=**1 Rescue the Waitress**1 Rescue the Cook**Defeat Grey Matter**Defeat Salamander|Completion=}} | {{Mission Objective|Entrance=You slip into the bar's VIP room an air conditioning maintenance hatch. There is a lot of commotion below you.|Primary=Investigate the Rusty River bar|Secondary=1 Rescue the bartender|Additional=**1 Rescue the Waitress | ||
** 1 Rescue the Cook | |||
** Defeat Grey Matter | |||
** Defeat Salamander|Completion=You slipped into the Rusty Rivet and were able to find the pack of Vahzilok that robbed Dr. Pierce, arguing with yet another group of factionalized undead, this time run by a two-bit mentalist named Grey Matter. The tensions were high, and by the time you were able to make your way into the VIP lounge, they were already fighting with each other. This time, it was over who sold them out to you: There's a mole in their midst! The brawl cost Grey Matter his freedom, and literally cost Mander an arm and a leg... which you recovered as evidence. Ew.}} | |||
{{Mission Clue|Name=Pathogen's Warehouse|Text= | |||
You slipped into the Rusty Rivet and were able to find the pack of Vahzilok that robbed Dr. Pierce, arguing with yet another group of factionalized zombies, this time run by a two-bit mentalist named Grey Matter. The tensions were high and by the time you were able to make your way into the VIP lounge, they were already fighting with each other. This time, it was over who sold them out to you: There's a mole in their midst! The brawl cost Grey Matter his freedom, and literally cost Mander an arm and a leg... which you recovered as evidence. Ew. Between Grey Matter's big mouth, Salamander's petty attitude, and a rescued worker at the Rusty Rivet, you've found that there are still three targets out there: 'The Boss', 'The Sleeper', and 'Pathogen'. This Pathogen character might have a warehouse hideout in Independence Port, according to a waitress.}} | |||
'''Enemies''' | |||
{{Enemy Vahzilok}} | |||
'''Notable NPCs''' | |||
* Grey Matter ([[Vahzilok#Grey_Matter_(Boss)|Vahzilok Boss]]) | |||
* Salamander ([[Vahzilok#Salamander_(Boss)|Vahzilok Boss]]) | |||
{{NPC Text|title=Battling Vahzilok dialogue|text= | |||
:'''Regenerating Cadaver:''' Eat!<br /> | |||
:'''Regenerating Cadaver:''' Shred!<br /> | |||
:'''Mental Cadaver:''' Kill!<br /> | |||
:'''Mental Cadaver:''' Selfish traitors!<br /> | |||
---- | |||
:'''Mental Cadaver:''' Kill!<br /> | |||
:'''Mental Cadaver:''' Planarian trash!<br /> | |||
:'''Regenerating Cadaver:''' Bite!<br /> | |||
:'''Regenerating Cadaver:''' Slash!<br /> | |||
---- | |||
:'''Regenerating Cadaver:''' Tear!<br /> | |||
:'''Mental Cadaver:''' Share the research!<br /> | |||
:'''Mental Cadaver:''' Kill!<br /> | |||
:'''Regenerating Cadaver:''' Rip!<br /> | |||
:'''Mental Cadaver:''' ...Need better battle cry.<br /> | |||
}} | |||
{{NPC Text|title=Captives dialogue|text= | |||
'''Upon Release:'''<br /> | |||
:'''The Cook:''' One of them was uncomfortably focused on my hamstrings. I need a therapist.<br /> | |||
---- | |||
'''Upon Release:'''<br /> | |||
:'''Bartender:''' They said we were livestock!<br /> | |||
---- | |||
'''Upon Release:'''<br /> | |||
:'''Waitress:''' They kept talking about a warehouse in Independence Port!<br /> | |||
}} | |||
{{NPC Text|type=villain|title=Grey Matter and Salamander dialogue|text= | |||
'''Before Combat:'''<br /> | |||
:'''Salamander:''' Pathogen's a fool. If his tests escape that warehouse, he'll destroy the world.<br /> | |||
:'''Salamander:''' I didn't invite the cape. Did you, Grey?<br /> | |||
:'''Grey Matter:''' I agree, he's dangerous. I don't know where they are. The sleeper directed us to the supplies as you requested.<br /> | |||
'''Combat Start:'''<br /> | |||
:'''Salamander:''' Couldn't handle a little competition, could ya?<br /> | |||
:'''Grey Matter:''' Negotiations are over. Your reckless attitude brought Salamander here!<br /> | |||
'''75% Health:'''<br /> | |||
:'''Grey Matter:''' Surrender the research!<br /> | |||
:'''Grey Matter:''' The purpose and mission of the Doctor was to defeat death...<br /> | |||
:'''Grey Matter:''' And now, it hunts us freely without his interference!<br /> | |||
:'''Grey Matter:''' If this keeps up... only Pathogen, Cortex, and the sleeper are left to command!<br /> | |||
:'''Salamander:''' Heh. That used to hurt. Now it's just noise.<br /> | |||
:'''Salamander:''' You're persistent, {{Character}}. But I'll grow back.<br /> | |||
'''50% Health:'''<br /> | |||
:'''Grey Matter:''' I'm using whatever I have left to survive you. I hope you appreciate that.<br /> | |||
:'''Salamander:''' It's gonna be hell to regrow that one.<br /> | |||
:'''Salamander:''' Whatever calories I have left are going into repairing that last hit, jerk.<br /> | |||
'''25% Health:'''<br /> | |||
:'''Grey Matter:''' I can't believe this is how it ends.<br /> | |||
:'''Salamander:''' Despite all the breakthroughs, I can't put enough calories in to withstand this kind of damage.<br /> | |||
'''Upon Defeat:'''<br /> | |||
:'''Grey Matter:''' {{Character}}... just destroy the notes. They're ours, or nobody's. It's nothing but trouble.<br /> | |||
:'''Salamander:''' Okay, you got me, {{Character}}. Good luck with the other three.<br /> | |||
}} | |||
'''Debriefing''' | '''Debriefing''' | ||
Another faction, and a mole! This just keeps getting weirder and more unpredictable. Grey Matter's people don't give themselves an identifier - they consider themselves the true, faithful followers of Dr. Vahzilok and restorers of the original order; and they are the disruptors on the forums, trying to shut down and gaslight these new would-be saviors. I'd place them at the top of the 'most dangerous' list, because they've been the least visible in this mess until now. The organization of these purists probably runs deep if they're taking the mantra of the Doctor to heart, and Cortex would be the only candidate close enough to the Doctor to keep the army on the rails. His hero profile is decades old at this point, so we have no idea what he's capable of. Cortex's downfall has been... transmutative, to say the least. | |||
This isn't over, but until something else from Grey Matter's faction shakes loose, or we identify this sleeper unit, or flush out the mole... we have to grease the squeaky wheels. And that means this 'Pathogen' character. |
Latest revision as of 02:38, 9 November 2022
Chapter Five: Contact Tracing
![](/w/images/8/8d/EdLetter.png)
The path through this mission is dependent on what decision you finally made in the previous investigation mission. There are some nice little game lore pieces available if you choose the long way. The full path is Hollows -> Hunt Trolls -> Check Park -> Callboxes. Extra dialog options are available if you have completed the Hollows arc and the Cavern of Transcendence Trial.
Investigate the Hollows
Mission Objective(s)
- Speak with Julius the Troll
Julius gave you some simple tips on how to work Skyway over for information.
Julius looks at you cautiously and curiously.
You, hero. Me know about you. You much bigger than problems here. You come help clean up big bad boom? Beat back lava dudes?
Hunt Some Trolls
Mission Objective(s)
- Interrogate Trolls in Skyway
- Defeat 10 Trolls
The Trolls you defeated were no help. You decide to check the park next.
Investigating the Park
Mission Objective(s)
- Check out Hide Park
There wasn't much to see at Hide Park, other than a washed up former actor that offered another direction to investigate. Time to check the callboxes for anything that can help.
![](/w/images/thumb/0/09/Contact_Small_Jacob_Sloan.png/48px-Contact_Small_Jacob_Sloan.png)
Jacob looks at you with watery eyes, set deeply in his weatherbeaten face. His hair is unkempt, disheveled, and greasy; it hasn't been maintained in a long time. He hiccups and chokes back some vomit.
Another person coming to tear into Josh-Josh? Haven't life, the entertainment industry, and the Rikti done enough? Leave me alone.
- I'm here on official city business.
- Jacob changes his position but does little else.
- Ask away, Officer. I swear I haven't been back to that district since the last incident. So don't even try to shake me down with that angle. I've been here all morning, fighting off those Rikti with the lawnmowers. I'm more useless than a callbox.
- So you didn't see any Vahzilok?
- Jacob drifts off into detached sadness. He sobs inbetween words.
- Nothing happens here. That's why I'm here. To stay invisible.
- Jacob's offhand comments about callboxes get you thinking.
- Check out the callboxes
- Are you okay? If you help me, maybe I can help you.
- Jacob looks at you with contempt.
- Yeah, you'll help me. Sure. Just like all the others. Every time someone thinks they can repair the city's opinion of me, they only end up making it worse. Why can't anyone understand that the only way to 'beat' the damage done to me is to disappear from cultural memory?
- You explain to Jacob that Agent Watkins is very well connected in the city and could help him start a new life if he has any information to assist. You ask him if he saw anyone that morning.
- Well, I can't say I believe you. But I don't have anything to lose, either. Nobody but some landscapers came through that morning.
- Sloan suddenly recalls something, and it pains him to begin speaking the words.
- ...I didn't know this for the longest time... Did you know the Emergency Callboxes have short-range scanning? When someone calls in an emergency, they all ping out a short range scan for a half hour. PPD say it's for our safety. that's it very anonymous. The PPD used it to track the Rikti from my studio by chasing odd-shaped data blobs with a child-actor-shaped blob in tow.
- I'm so sorry that happened to you.
- Jacob gets visibly agitated.
- I don't need your pity. The whole world saw me run for my life on live TV, leaving my crew and an audience full of kids to the mercy of the Rikti. I'm exactly where I deserve to be. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a full day of self-loathing and waiting for your promise to pan out as cheap words.
- Whoa, take it easy, I meant no disrespect.
- Jacob drifts off into detached sadness. He sobs inbetween words.
- Nothing happens here. That's why I'm here. To stay invisible.
- Jacob's offhand comments about callboxes get you thinking.
- Check out the callboxes
- Tell me what I need to know, or I'm going to get mad.
- Jacob looks at you with contempt.
- Another day, another bully. Get bent, jerk.
- You pick up Jacob by the shoulders and force him to look at you. You tell him what you're up against.
- Not my problem, cape. I don't particularly give a hoot about your problems. This whole world is upside down. You figure it out, or check a callboxes for gremlins. Anything, just not involving me.
- You drop Sloan down to his resting spot.
- Thanks for nothing, loser.
- Jacob drifts off into detached sadness. He sobs inbetween words.
- Nothing happens here. That's why I'm here. To stay invisible.
- Jacob's offhand comments about callboxes get you thinking.
- Check out the callboxes
![Clue](/w/images/2/21/Icon_clue_generic.png)
When you went to Hide Park, you met former TV star Jacob 'Josh-Josh B'Gosh' Sloan slumped over in the grass surrounded by shin-high weeds and litter. He reeked of alcohol and was awfully intent on making himself feel as bad as possible during the conversation. He was eventually able to pull himself together long enough to suggest that you try looking into the Emergency Callboxes, as they track movement anonymously when a call is placed.
He also mentioned his life-ruining experience, which according to the Riktipedia article on him says:
Once a beloved television star to a generation of bright-eyed children, Jacob 'Josh-Josh B'Gosh' Sloan had his career abruptly ruined during the arrival of Rikti during the second Rikti War. On live TV, the Rikti stormed his studio and took several crew members hostage while using the live camera feed to threaten and intimidate the Paragon airwaves. While the cameras rolled live, Josh was seen ducking, dodging, and tripping over child actors and heading for the exit; all while plasma weapon fire set the stage ablaze. His career and his public perception never recovered.
...Yikes. You remember hearing about that. The PPD said they had acquired data on the Rikti movements within minutes to rescue the hostages. That must be how Sloan knew what the callboxes could do.
Check the Callboxes
Mission Objective(s)
- Check the Callboxes
The emergency callboxes also have short-range scanners, and confirm that a group of 'people' moved south into Overbrook at the movement speed you'd expect from a zombie horde. The times line up with Dr. Pierce's account of the story. Call Agent Watkins with your findings.
Debriefing
Investigate the Rusty Rivet bar
Briefing
Everything seems to add up in terms of what we know from Dr. Pierce. I can only surmise their destination is the Rusty Rivet! It's a popular place, but rumors flew a couple years back about a very high-profile VIP room that was added during the rebuild of the area. This crew must be renting it as a command station!
Everything seems to be coming together. If you hurry, we can catch them, and maybe get some solid answers!
Agent Watkins hands you a list of names.
Also keep a look out for these people while you're there: Sally 'Mander' Martinez, Cortex, Dr. Morben, Harry 'Grey Matter' DeMauro, Godwin Blaire, and Tanisha 'Vivisec' Jameson. Any of them are high-priority targets if you can collar them.
- I'm heading there right now, Agent.
Mission Acceptance
Don't waste any time getting there. These monsters move frequently to keep people like me on their toes. This is the freshest lead we've had in a while, and that's saying something for chasing cybernetic undead.
Unnecessary Solicitation
See if you can gain access to the Rivet's VIP room and find out what happened!
Mission Objective(s)
You slip into the bar's VIP room an air conditioning maintenance hatch. There is a lot of commotion below you.
- Investigate the Rusty River bar
- 1 Rescue the bartender
- 1 Rescue the Waitress
- 1 Rescue the Cook
- Defeat Grey Matter
- Defeat Salamander
You slipped into the Rusty Rivet and were able to find the pack of Vahzilok that robbed Dr. Pierce, arguing with yet another group of factionalized undead, this time run by a two-bit mentalist named Grey Matter. The tensions were high, and by the time you were able to make your way into the VIP lounge, they were already fighting with each other. This time, it was over who sold them out to you: There's a mole in their midst! The brawl cost Grey Matter his freedom, and literally cost Mander an arm and a leg... which you recovered as evidence. Ew.
![Clue](/w/images/2/21/Icon_clue_generic.png)
You slipped into the Rusty Rivet and were able to find the pack of Vahzilok that robbed Dr. Pierce, arguing with yet another group of factionalized zombies, this time run by a two-bit mentalist named Grey Matter. The tensions were high and by the time you were able to make your way into the VIP lounge, they were already fighting with each other. This time, it was over who sold them out to you: There's a mole in their midst! The brawl cost Grey Matter his freedom, and literally cost Mander an arm and a leg... which you recovered as evidence. Ew. Between Grey Matter's big mouth, Salamander's petty attitude, and a rescued worker at the Rusty Rivet, you've found that there are still three targets out there: 'The Boss', 'The Sleeper', and 'Pathogen'. This Pathogen character might have a warehouse hideout in Independence Port, according to a waitress.
Enemies
Notable NPCs
- Grey Matter (Vahzilok Boss)
- Salamander (Vahzilok Boss)
Debriefing
Another faction, and a mole! This just keeps getting weirder and more unpredictable. Grey Matter's people don't give themselves an identifier - they consider themselves the true, faithful followers of Dr. Vahzilok and restorers of the original order; and they are the disruptors on the forums, trying to shut down and gaslight these new would-be saviors. I'd place them at the top of the 'most dangerous' list, because they've been the least visible in this mess until now. The organization of these purists probably runs deep if they're taking the mantra of the Doctor to heart, and Cortex would be the only candidate close enough to the Doctor to keep the army on the rails. His hero profile is decades old at this point, so we have no idea what he's capable of. Cortex's downfall has been... transmutative, to say the least.
This isn't over, but until something else from Grey Matter's faction shakes loose, or we identify this sleeper unit, or flush out the mole... we have to grease the squeaky wheels. And that means this 'Pathogen' character.