Template:StoryArc Shadow Science

Shadow Science (Level 15 - 20)

Merit Rewards: This activity awards 13 Reward Merits.

Souvenir

An inert N-Fragment

This strange souvenir was once part of a Nictus, but has been rendered inert while being studied by SERAPH. You keep it as a reminder of the lengths the Nictus will go to, and how one brave man's escape uncovered the secrets of the Council's

Shadow Science

It began when you were told that the Council was conducting a manhunt near the Hapatak River. You went to investigate and found Joshua Lucietto, who'd been held prisoner by the Council and used in sick human experiments with Nictus bond-forming techniques. Lucietto had forced a Nictus possessor out, and made a run for freedom.

Joshua Lucietto's harrowing tale of human experimentation led you to a hidden facility where other people were being kept in a weakened state so that damaged or partially dissipated Nictus could possess them without fear of being forced out. You freed the captives, ending their long nightmare.

The stories of the captives and the documents you recovered led you to an abandoned Council base that had once belonged to Requiem's old organization, but had been used by Arakhn for Nictus experiments. You found old documents that showed just how far Arakhn had progressed with her research into using pieces of decayed Nictus, called 'N-fragments', years ago.

The information you recovered led you to another base, where you freed more captives and captured several N-fragments.

You pressed the attack as the Council began to move the last of it's N-Fragment research out of the city. You learned about a series of tunnels where the Trolls were helping the Council move their research out of the city. You struck during this window of vulnerability, capturing documents that spoke about how N-Fragments were being used to make Galaxy troops, Void Hunters, and possible even the Warwolves.

The documents you found led to one final location: the last of the people held captive by the Council for human experimentation. You stormed the Council base, and liberated the last of the captives. The Council's research had been driven off-shore and you have uncovered much about where the Council's Galaxy troops and Void Hunter mercenaries had come from. The real victory, though, was rescuing all of the people who had once been victims of the Council's Shadow Science.

Still, there is much yet to learn about the Nictus and the Council. You were asked to come back around Security Level 20, so that you'd be powerful enough to survive the investigation.

Find the Council escapee

Shadow Science
Part: One

Briefing

The Council has begun a large-scale excursive north of the city along the Hapatak river. They appear to be conducting a manhunt, and this matches with reports from our sources on Striga Island that a prisoner escaped from a Council lab, and may have escaped the island. If this man has escaped from the Council, it is important that we find him before they can recapture him. I would like to ask you to take charge of locating him before the Council can take him back to Striga Island.

Mission Acceptance

Our sources say that this man may be one Joshua Lucietto, an insurance adjuster thought lost after the Rikti War when he went to examine a ruined building, and may have run into an exposed Council base. If he's been in the Council's hands since then, I cannot imagine what he's had to endure. I trust that you'll be able to find him and bring him back safely.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Joshua Lucietto is depending on you to bring him back to safety before the Council can capture him again.

Mission Objective(s)

The Hapatak river is a tributary of Lake Salamanca, north of Paragon City. Unfortunately, the Council troops probably aren't here for the excellent fishing

• Rescue Joshua Lucietto
  • Find Joshua Lucietto

You rescued Joshua Lucietto from the Council

Enemies

Council

Notable NPCs

• Joshua Lucietto (NPC Hostage)

Joshua Lucietto

(when rescued): Thank you, thank you. All that I've been through. All that I've seen. You've got to know!

'You can force the horrors out...'

After you rescued Joshua Lucietto, he told you his harrowing tale:

'I was there for years. Not just me, there were others. They used us in experiments. There were these creatures, living shadows. They called them Nictus. The things would try to bind with you, you could feel them in your mind. They'd take you over, but you could force them out. They'd whisper in your head, twist your thoughts 'till you didn't want it out, 'till you joined with it willingly. They're very good at that. But I forced it out. If they don't undermine your mind, if you stay determined, you can force the horrors out. Now I'm free. There were others, there still are others. But I'm free.

Thank you, hero. I'm afraid I don't know your name, but thank you.'

Debriefing

Mr. Lucietto is receiving proper medical care. From his story it sounds like the Council have been using captives for human experiments with Nictus bonding techniques. Normally, as he said, a person who doesn't want to be possessed by a Nictus can force it out. If they are experimenting with new techniques, or other methods, this could be very important. Character, I think it's very important that we follow up on this. Speak with me soon, I have a feeling that this is the start of a longer investigation.

Rescue the test subjects from the Council

Shadow Science
Part: Two

Briefing

Joshua Lucietto, the man you rescued, has been able to tell us about a hidden facility in Boomtown where the Council is holding other captives for their human experiments. There is no telling what horrors these people have had to endure, and it is vital that they're freed before the Council can move them. Since you performed so admirably in Mr. Lucietto's rescue, I thought that you might like to lead the operation.

Mission Acceptance

Your first priority is to rescue those people. It will also be important to scout the base for files or computers that might help us find another base where they could be conducting these experiments.

Nictus science has been depraved ever since it first transformed a Kheldian into a life-consuming horror. It should be no surprise that they've begun to experiment on sentient beings, but I am sickened just the same.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Your first priority is to rescue those people. It will also be important to scout the base for files or computers that might help us find another base where they could be conducting these experiments.

Mission Objective(s)

The wreckage of this abandoned office building hides an entrance to a hidden Council facility.

• Rescue the captives
  • 2 clues to find
  • 4 captives to free

You rescued the captives, and discovered some disturbing information.

Enemies

Council

Patrol Chatter 1

Penumbra Elite Fire (before aggro): All prisoners secure.

Penumbra Elite Fire (on aggro): It's Character! Sound the alarm!

Patrol Chatter 2

Nebula Cor Leonis Fire (before aggro): I'm not seeing any sign of that security breach, over.

Nebula Cor Leonis Fire (on aggro): Control! I've spotted intruders!

Captive 1

(on rescue): Someone found us!

Captive 2

(on rescue): I knew we'd be found someday.

Captive 3

(on rescue): I've been down here so long!

Captive 4

(on rescue): The nightmare's finally over.

"They kept us weak..."

One of the captives you freed told you:

'I've been in here so long. They keep us weak so we put up less resistance. Those things, those Nictus, they need to be inside a person to live. They get weaker and weaker outside a host. If you're strong and don't want to merge with it, you can force it out. So they kept us weak. They used us like hospital beds. Weakened ones, Nictus that had been traveling between worlds, they'd force them into us because we were too weak to force them out until they could get strong again.'

They talk to you in your head

One of the captives you rescued told you:

'Those things, those Nictus, they jump inside you and try to merge with you. You can fight them off if you're strong enough, but the whole time they'll be talking to you. They'll promise you everything. They'll pick through your mind and find every time someone did you wrong, then tell you how they'll help to fix it. They seduce you with power, and tempt you until you don't want them to leave. Then you join with it. Then you become one of them. I've seen it happen. I've seen it happen too many times.'

Order for transfer

You found this series of transfer orders among some Council files. According to them, they've been rotating captives in and out of this for years. From the notes on the orders, it seems like they were keeping people here on low rations, trying to keep them weak, but alive. The only transfers out of the base are to an experimental facility. The rest are marked with the ominous phrase 'Will subverted. Integration successful.'

A report to Arakhn

This is a report from the lead guard at the base to someone called 'Arakhn'. Part of it reads: 'It is not mine to question your judgment, My Lady, but why are we still performing these tests? Even weakened, captives resist being hosts to a Nictus, often to the bitter end. I know that the Nictus we work with are weakened from their long journey, but surely there is already enough experimental data. I know that there are many volunteers within the ranks waiting for the opportunity that's being wasted on these wretches. I apologize if I'm out of line, but I feel it must be said.

Also, in response to your concern, we have had no contact with any of Requiem's toadies. We will alert you immediately if that should change.'

Debriefing

What you found in that place sickens me, Character. Nictus can't force a permanent possession on someone, and no Kheldian can survive forever outside a host. But to keep people captive and weakened so that Nictus can forcibly posses them long enough to recover their strength? It's depraved. We can just hope that what you found will help us free some of the other people who've been held by these monsters.

Investigate the old lab and search it for information

Shadow Science
Part: Three

Briefing

The captives you rescued and the documents you recovered have allowed us to find the location of an old research lab. It used to belong to Requiem's old organization, but from the records you found it seems that Arakhn forced him to let her use it for a time even before the change-over. It hasn't been used in years, but there could still be valuable information at the lab that could tell us more about what the Council has been working on. I'd like you to investigate the lab, and search it for information.

Mission Acceptance

We don't know what you'll find down there, but the important thing is to look for some information about what the Council has been experimenting with. The first Nictus were created by unethical experiments. Who knows what Arakhn's been working on with the scientific resources of the Council under her control.

Unnecessary Solicitation

We don't know what you'll find down there, but the important thing is to look for some information about what the Council has been experimenting with.

Mission Objective(s)

Something about this place makes your skin crawl.

• Search base for information
  • 3 Clues to find
  • 2 Keys to find

You found some important information in the base, especially that Requiem is also investigating Arakhn's experiments.

Enemies

Council

Hydra

Vahzilok

Notable NPCs

• Penumbra Archon (Boss)

Mortificator

(before aggro): This place could do nicely for us.
(on aggro): No! This is our place now! OUR PLACE!

We can settle this later!

(before aggro):
Reaper: We can settle this later! To the attack!
Penumbra Archon: We're here on Requiem's orders. You'd best leave if you know what's good for you.

(on aggro):
Reaper: Is that a Kheldian? I wonder what their innards are like.
Penumbra Archon: We're doctors. We can decide what's good for us.

An ooze-covered pass-card

You recovered this pass card from a slime monster. It's covered in a sticky gelatinous ooze.

A spattered pass-card

You found this pass-card on a Vahzilok. You really don't want to know what it's spattered with.

Old transfer orders

These yellowing forms detail movement of something called 'N-Fragments' to another research facility. The forms are dated several years ago, but they could still be vital information.

Orders from Requiem

These orders have been type-written on Requiem's personal letterhead:

'Search this place from top to bottom for any remaining traces of Arakhn's research. We must know how she is creating her Galaxy troops. Brook no interference in your task. Remember that this was our base before the Center forced us to lend it to Arakhn. It was tunneled by Vandal's machines, stocked to Nosferatu's orders and protected by our brave soldiers.

Still, exercise caution. Arakhn has the Center's ear, and unlike me, she is Nictus first and Council a distant second. No doubt the Center has been influenced by her claims over the years, and now he lets her do whatever she wants.'

Nictus Decay Salvage: A Report

You found this computer report on a dis-used mainframe. Skimming over it, you see:

'A Nictus that has been starved of life energy for long enough or that has sustained enough damage in its natural form will begin to decay. It will grow weaker and weaker until it can no longer maintain a cohesive negative-energy form, and will begin to dissipate. Usually, it will no longer have the strength to possess all but the most weak-willed host, and thus will begin a downward spiral leading to its final dissipation.

We have discovered that it is also possible to force a dissipating Nictus to break apart multiple smaller pieces, forming Nictus Fragments. These can then be sustained with a controlled flow of energy. We are now researching the effects of implanting these fragments into human test subjects. You will also note that our early research indicates that it may be possible to harvest fragments from a healthy Nictus without permanent harm. We hope to soon have a technology that can match Requiem's, or even surpass it.'

The dates of this report are already several years old. There's no telling how much farther the Council's come since then.

Debriefing

The more I find out about these depraved experiments, the worse I feel to be a Kheldian. These Nictus Fragments are monstrous, but I'm afraid that we may know what they were able to create with them. Arakhn has lost her mind. It seems that even Requiem thinks so, but I doubt he'd do anything we'd like if he got the same technology. I'll see what we can glean from the information you found. It might help lead us to more captives, and deeper into Arakhn's research.

Strike the Council research base

Shadow Science
Part: Four

Briefing

All of the information you gathered at the abandoned lab along with the information from the captives you've rescued has revealed the location of what we think is a current research base. They will likely become aware of their vulnerability soon, so we must take this moment to strike. I naturally thought you might want to take this base out, considering your involvement in the case.

Mission Acceptance

If the information we have is right, there will be plenty for you to do. First off, we believe that there may be one or more captives being held there you must rescue. There will also no doubt be much useful information to find. In addition, the base commander and his staff must be dealt with, or he'll be able to raise an alarm. And finally, there may be actual Nictus Fragments at this facility. You must take them out of the Council's hands.

Unnecessary Solicitation

I know you have a lot to handle, but I'm sure you'll be able to take care of it.

Mission Objective(s)

The facade and records may seem legitimate, but this place is crawling with Council troops.

• Raid Council base
  • Find info
  • N-Fragments
  • 3 Captives
  • Defeat Tanner

You have finished the raid on the research base.

Enemies

Council

Notable NPCs

• Archon Tanner (Council Nebula Elite Archon)

Patrol

Nebula Cor Leonis Fire (before aggro): This is patrol reporting in. All clear.
Nebula Cor Leonis Fire (on aggro): Intruder! Attack!

Captives

(on rescue): Character! You've saved us!

Archon Tanner

(before aggro): Arakhn will have my head if we lose this place.
(on aggro): My base will not fall to the likes of you!

A memo

This memo is written on Council letterhead. It warns:

'To: Archon Tanner
RE: Requiem

Tanner, Keep an eye out for infiltrators from Requiem. He's been trying to pry into all the secrets of our Galaxy troops, and has stepped up efforts to gain full control of the Void Hunter mercenaries. You were right, Tanner. He may have agreed to share control of the Void Hunters with me in front of the Center, but he will never accept it. He still resents losing his little kingdom.

-Arakhn'

Nictus Fragments

This crate is filled with clear glass tubes, capped with energy generators. Inside each tube a shadowy sphere hangs suspended in some kind of fluid. The sphere seems to bend light around it, and occasionally snakes out an inky tendril that touches the glass with increased hungered ferocity the closer your hand comes.

Each tube is labeled 'N-Fragment', along with a number, the name of the Nictus it was made from.

Perhaps more importantly, it has a shipping manifest, revealing where it was going to be sent.

Debriefing

Taking out that research facility will definitely strike their plans a grievous blow, and those people you rescued will be thanking you for the rest of their lives. I'll get our people working on the information you found at the lab. The shipping record for those N-fragments could lead us to another facility. The fragments themselves, we're going to turn over to SERAPH. They'll be eager to study them.

Capture Council research in Troll Tunnels

Shadow Science
Part: Five

Briefing

Your recent successes have forced the Council's hand. They have begun to clean out any bases or labs attached to their Nictus work that remain in the city, and are moving the assets from them off-shore. This gives us a great opportunity, but little time to work on it. Fortunately, some Trolls captured in a raid by other heroes revealed that the Council is moving some equipment through their tunnels. This is the perfect chance to capture the Council's research, and I thought you might like to spearhead the operation.

Mission Acceptance

While the main point of this operation is to capture more Council research data before they can take it off-shore, you will also have to make sure that no enemies escape capture so that they cannot warn their allies that we know their plans. You'll have to be thorough, but I know you can handle it.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Remember that along with capturing the Council's research and defeating all of them to keep it quiet, there may still be captives held somewhere in the city. Any information you find could help free them.

Mission Objective(s)

The natural beauty of these caverns has been trampled by the current villainous inhabitants.

• Defeat all foes in tunnels
  • 4 pieces of information to find

You captured the Council's data before they could take it off-shore.

Enemies

Council

Trolls

Notable NPCs

• Ogre (Boss)
• Penumbra Archon (Boss)

Ogre

(before aggro): We be security. Nobody get past, we get paid.
(on aggro): Nobody get past, we gets paid!

Trollkin Patrol 1

(before aggro): No heroeses here!
(on aggro): Arrgh! Heroeses! Attack!!

Troll Patrol 2

(on aggro): We beat you, we gets paid big-time!

You pay big!

(before aggro) Trollkin Gunner: We hit you, you pay big!
Penumbra Archon: Me not understand what you want exactly.

Council Lab paperwork

Reams of paper and dozens of spindles of back-up disks hold the mundane records of the bases that Arakhn was running even before Requiem's old organization was re-absorbed into the Council. A lot of important information could be gleaned from this.

Basic N-Fragment utilization

This report gives a brief overview of how normal Nictus Fragments can be used. A 'Galaxy' soldier can be created by implanting a sufficient number of Nictus Fragments in a willing human host and subjecting that host to careful training. These Galaxy soldiers are capable of using Nictus-like powers, but are not true Nictus themselves.

The report is maddeningly short on details, offering only the faintest hints on how the implantation process actually works.

Altered N-Fragment Uses

This report gives a brief overview of how Nictus Fragments can be altered using quantum energy techniques. By implanting these altered fragments into a willing host, subjecting that host to a specific training regimen, and equipping the implanted soldier with the proper equipment, the Council can create a Void Hunter. The report is short on specific details about how the fragments are altered, the implantation process, and the training regimen, but it does spend several interesting pages expressing the scientist's concerns. They worry about the long term effects, and mention that they have no idea what would happen if something called a 'Total Integration' were to occur to a Void Hunter.

Hypothetical N-Fragment uses

This report outlines several uses for N-Fragments that the researchers would like to explore. Skimming over it, you see:

'We believe that we are on the verge of several breakthroughs. We may have even run across the method that Requiem is using to create Warwolves. We understand that Arakhn has clearly stated no interest in reverse-engineering Requiem's Warwolves, but we think that the benefits of this research could lead us to a whole new era of N-Fragment technology.'

Debriefing

The information you recovered will be invaluable. This was probably our last chance to capture the Council's data before they got it off-shore, and you really came through. SERAPH will be pouring through this for months. There may still be one last operation left to wrap this up. Talk to me soon.

Rescue the final group of the Council's captive human test subjects

Shadow Science
Part: Six

Briefing

It seems that there's one last element of the Council's Nictus experimentation that they haven't yet gotten off-shore. The Council has not yet been able to smuggle out the last captives it used for human experimentation. If it weren't for the documents you found, we never would have found out about it before it was too late. Now those people may have a chance, if you are willing to rescue them from the Council.

Mission Acceptance

These people are in desperate danger. If the Council thinks that they cannot smuggle them out, they will probably terminate them to keep them quiet. You could be their last chance at freedom. And in order to keep their identities safe afterwards, you must also defeat the base's commander, and make certain that their records are destroyed.

Unnecessary Solicitation

These people need your help, Character. You are their last chance for freedom.

Mission Objective(s)

This sprawling Council controlled complex houses the last of the captive human test subjects left on the mainland.

• Defeat Archon Douglas & his men
  • Erase Records
  • 4 captives to free

You rescued the last people being held by the Council for experimentation.

Enemies

Council

Notable NPCs

• Archon Douglas (Council Penumbra Archon)

Captive 1

(on rescue): I never gave up hope!

Captive 2

(on rescue): I thought we were going to die!

Captive 3

(on rescue): You saved my live, Character.

Captive 4

(on rescue): Thank you, Character!

Archon Douglas

(before aggro): How do they keep finding us?
(on aggro): Your battles end here!

An emailed warning

As you were erasing the records of the captives from the Council's computers, you noticed that someone had left the email program open. One message had been composed and was ready to go, but the author was probably called away before he could hit the "Send" button. It reads:

"Arakhn:
Ma'am, I have been going through our recent set-backs, and while looking through the records of the Void Hunter program, I think I found something unrelated, but important. The candidates for the Void Hunter process we've received from Requiem are almost always old loyalists from his old organization. I think he may be seeding the ranks of the Void Hunters with men who will follow him should push come to shove. I will continue my research into this.

Archon Douglas"

Debriefing

The last of the captives are safe, the Council's experiments have been driven out of the city, and now we know in theory at least how the Galaxy, Void Hunters, and Warwolves are made. Joshua Lucietto's escape opened the door, but you were the one brave enough to face what was on the other side. For all of your fellow Kheldians, Peacebringers, and Warshades; and for the people of the city, let me offer you my thanks, Character.

We now know that Arakhn, the leader of the Nictus within the Council, has been conducting experiments on people, and that she created the Galaxy and Void Hunters of the Council. That still leaves us with many leads and questions, which you may not be powerful enough to follow up. Speak to me again when you're at least Stature Level 20. We should be able to pick up the investigation then.