John Houston
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Overview
| John Houston, WSPDR Journalist | |
|---|---|
 WSPDR Journalist | |
| Zone | Independence Port |
| Coordinates | (-868.2, 0.0, -3856.4) |
| Level Range | 40-44 |
| Introduced By | None |
| Enemy Groups | |
| Badges |
 Pollster Underdog |
John Houston is a rogue contact in the Crey Cove neighborhood of Independence Port at coordinates (-868, 0, -3856) . His level range is 40-44.
Introductions
Contact Introduced By
None, walk-up.
Contact Introduces
None
Information
WSPDR Journalist
John Houston is an unscrupulous news reporter formerly with the TPN, now with WSPDR, who will do anything for a story. He's here in Paragon City following a major lead on something, but he's been very picky with his clientele, stating that the 'risk of negative press' requires a certain caliber of temperament. How he convinced the city to let him in on a press pass is just plain impressive. He must have some decent credentials.
Wrong Alignment
Ooh. You look like you could help, but I need to know a little bit more before I can trust you. Hopefully someone else, or your exploits around here, will vouch for the substance of your character.
Initial Contact / Greeting
This is big, Character, really big. It's also carrying the stench of corruption all over it, and you're probably going to get a little on yourself too. If you're down to get involved in something massive and potentially dirty, hit me up.
Too Busy
Wow. The rumors about you were true - you're eager and prone to overworking yourself! Come back when you have less commitments out there.
Too Low Level
I only work with the best, Character, and you have a little more to go before I add your name to the list. Come back when you're at least Security Level 40.
No More Missions
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm out of leads! Thanks for everything, Character!
Store
Story Arc
Noble Intentions
Merit Rewards: This activity awards ? Reward Merits.
Souvenir
Hanging Chad Vote Ballot
This vote ballot with a hanging chad still attached reminds you of the episode you refer to as
Noble Intentions
You had run into John Houston, a Praetorian refugee who had made a career for himself as a reporter at WSPDR of Cap au Diable. When you found him in Independence Port, he was desperate for help. Desperate enough to hire you on to locate a source of his who had been captured by the Warriors.
John's source turned out to be another Praetorian refugee, a woman called 'Tunnel Rat'. The warriors had grabbed her since they believed she had information on someone called 'Alexander the Great', one of their former members. Alexander Pavlidis was going into politics, and Tunnel Rat had learned that he was getting in with some bad bedfellows from Striga called the Port Noble Citizens Brigade. John Houston put you on retainer and asked you to head to Striga to interview the locals.
Talking to some Striga personalities you learned that the citizens brigade was just a front for the Council, laying low after their volcano lair was all but destroyed by the New Praetorians and the US navy. The Council were running some kind of operation out of a warehouse in the docks and recent visits by Archon Burkholder meant that it had to be something big. John informed you that another Praetorian was involved, a Dr. Arvin.
Inside the warehouse you found a secret laboratory where Dr. Arvin and Archon Burkholder were involved in a couple of big operations. Project 'Hanging Chad' - a plot to influence elections with compromised voting machines, and Project 'Predatore' which turned out to be a new type of supersoldier serum derived from the same concoction that empowered Marauder during the Praetorian war. Your investigation was interrupted by some local heroes: Dr. Todd and Ravenstorm of the Striga Sentinels. They were prepared to arrest you on sight but you convinced them that the threat of a new supersoldier prototype was great enough that you should join forces. The prototype was a beast of a fighter but in the end you prevailed, and earned the grudging respect of the heroes.
Back in Paragon City, John informed you that Alexander Pavlidis had just been attacked at his final pre-election rally, and the Warriors were holding him hostage. John couldn't let the main actor in his big scoop get killed before he could be exposed, so you dared the chaos of the riots that had engulfed Talos Island to recover the man.
Come the big day of the election, John had no more work for you, so you took it upon yourself to find the Council's vote fraud headquarters. Dr. Todd of Striga helped you track it down to a new base in Boomtown, and she and Ravenstorm joined you to bring an end to the Council's plans, and to save democracy. With Dr. Arvin arrested and the voter fraud exposed, Alexander Pavlidis' campaign crashed and burned. Alexander held one last press conference to proclaim his innocence and that he had been the target of the Council's vote tampering without his knowledge or approval. He declared that he was not going to run in the re-election, but was 'going back to the streets' to deal with the evil ways of David 'Odysseus' Hill in a hands-on fashion.
Chapter One: Muckraking
Briefing
John is looking uncharacteristically sweaty and is constantly checking his appearance in the news van's rear view mirror.
I'm not going to lie, Character, not this time. There's too much at risk. I'll be frank with you - I'm nervous. Not for my sake, of course, but for my source. I was supposed to meet them to get some information they couldn't deliver over the phone. Hush-hush stuff. Very confidential. Top secret!
I was late for our meeting, and when I arrived I heard voices, so I stayed calm and collected and approached cautiously. I only caught a glimpse of them in the dim light but I recognized them. They were Warriors, and they had my source! I watched helplessly as they dragged her into one of those nasty sewers. There was nothing I could do, I'm sure you agree. I'm not a hero or even an anti-hero, but I can't give up on a source. It's just not done. So I need you to go down there and bring her back. The information she's got is of vital public interest.
- Save the girl, save democracy? Sure, I'll do it. For a price.
Save the girl, save democracy? Sure, I'll do it. For a price.
Of course, of course, I know your reputation. I'm putting you on retainer, Character. Once we have confirmed that information I'm sure I can use your services again. Now please hurry, I don't want to have to report on yet another innocent victim of Paragon City gang crime.
Unnecessary Solicitation
I can't understand why the Warriors would go after my source. She's a Praetorian refugee like me, and she's not one to draw any attention. Maybe one day I can get an interview with some Warriors to find out what makes them tick. But this is not that day. Go on, Character, find my source!
Mission Objective(s)
Clearly visible tracks in the foul muck. John's source is leaving a trail for you to follow. Clever girl.
- Recover the source
- Find Houston's Source
- Get Tunnel Rat to safety
- Speak with Tunnel Rat
- Find Houston's Source
You have rescued Tunnel Rat and acquired the information Houston wanted.
Enemies
Notable NPCs
- Tunnel Rat (Resistance Boss, Ally)
- Orion (Warriors Smasher Elite, Boss) Orion is a hunter, through and through, and rarely loses his prey.
Ambush! Upon rescuing Tunnel Rat, three waves of Warriors will spawn.
Debriefing
You found her? I knew it was a good idea to hire you. I understand why she didn't want to be seen with me. Tunnel Rat isn't one for the spotlight - or any light, really. Wait, she said I smelled bad?
You're good at this. I'm starting to feel like I'm back home. It's comfortable.
John's source turned out to be another Praetorian refugee, a woman called 'Tunnel Rat'. The warriors had grabbed her since they believed she had information on someone called 'Alexander the Great', one of their former members. Alexander Pavlidis was going into politics, and Tunnel Rat had learned that he was getting in with some bad bedfellows from Striga called the Port Noble Citizens Brigade. John Houston put you on retainer and asked you to head to Striga to interview the locals.
Chapter Two: Port Noble Polling
Briefing
Somehow the Warriors knew what Tunnel Rat had found. Or they thought they knew. It's useless to speculate on what exactly they knew now. I'm just glad Tunnel Rat is safe, and I'm grateful that she didn't want to bring more heat down on me by meeting up personally. Now, let me tell you a bit about what I've been working on.
A councilwoman by the name of Simmons was recently forced to step down in disgrace after it came out that she was involved with organized crime. The Frost Family had been supplying her security when she was being threatened by another gang... Frankly, it was a whole mess that spiraled into a journalist's dream... and I missed it all!
Anyway, now her seat on the council is up for a special election, and this being Paragon City, such a position comes with more power than your usual city council seat.
The most interesting candidate is the man called Alexander Pavlidis, also known as Alexander the Great. He's a former gang member gone straight. You'll never guess which gang... That's right, the Warriors. Mr. Pavlidis runs a populist platform tough on gang crime, and despite all the controversies around his person and campaign, polling data shows that he is a potential contender. Tunnel Rat telling me to look into him confirms what I already believed: he is dirty.
Character, I'm going to ask you to go to Striga for me, to do some interviews with the locals.
- Accept the request to interview Striga locals
We need to find out more about the 'Port Noble Citizens Brigade'. They are a group who show up at Mr. Pavlidis' rallies to show him support. They claim they are protecting their candidate from violent counter-protestors, but the violence only seems to occur when they are present. Striga citizens aren't even allowed to vote in this election, so what is their real agenda? Here, put on this bodycam so I can watch what happens from now on. I might be able to give you some pointers on where to go and what to say.
Unnecessary Solicitation
Remember to keep your camera running at all times!
Mission Objective(s)
The Council's volcano base may have been destroyed, but Port Noble's docks are still a hotbed of criminal activity and clashing gangs.
- Interview Striga locals
- Speak with the PNCB Leader
- Find Stephanie Peebles
- Speak with Long Jack
- Rescue Old Toby
- Ask Lars about photos
- Lay Low in the Bar
- 3 gang leaders to defeat (optional) (Hero or Rogue)
The Striga locals had nothing good to say about the Port Noble citizens brigade. John Houston requested that you investigate further.
Enemies
Neutral
Notable NPCs
- PNCB Brigadier General (NPC)
- Enzo 'Export' Altieri (Elite Boss)
- Ricky 'Grinder' Scaramanga (Elite Boss)
- Titus (Elite Boss)
- Stephanie Peebles (NPC)
- Long Jack (NPC)
- Luigi 'Left Hook' Sanzari (Family Boss, guarding Old Toby)
- Joey 'Gabbagol' Galtieri (Family Lieutenant, guarding Old Toby)
- Tobias 'Old Toby' Hansen (NPC)
- Lars Hansen (NPC)
The Port Noble Civilian Brigadier General looks at you and nods, as if to say 'Yes, that'll work'.
Greetings, Character. You've come at an interesting time in Striga Isle's storied history. We're having a bit of a... domestic event here. Seems that the United States Armed Forces withdrew about as quickly as they showed up, leaving a massive mess of a situation as the Council dissolves and the other gangs attempt to reassert control. Typical.
- Not a fan of the American War Doctrine?
The Brigadier General snorts out a laugh.
On the contrary, I find their rough-and-tumble shoot-first-and-ask-questions-never approach to problem solving to be quite endearing. When, of course, you're not in its way. I can say that it gets results, when you're outside of the storm. But being in the way of the storm? It's rough.
The Brigadier General exhales and focuses his breath.
Apologies, I've been a little under the weather lately, and street warfare doesn't help it much. What business brings you to our beleagured shores?
The Brigadier General whips out a fancy-looking inhaler and takes a pump.
- I'm here for a little tourism, a few drinks. (Lie)
- Well if that's the case, there's always the Mermaid's Tavern. I've never been, but everyone keeps telling me their Pineapple Whip is one of the best drinks they've ever had. They also have the Flamin' Warcry, served in a Council robot cranium, but that's too much for me. You'll find it just northeast of here. Keep your head low and don't engage the gangs, and you should be fine.
- The Brigadier General eyeballs you from top to bottom quickly.
- Unless of course, you're here for trouble... and we don't take kindly to homewreckers. Don't try to 'save' us, Character, some of us take umbrage to being looked at as though we can't save ourselves.
- I'll be fine, and I promise I won't be a pain.
- Fame and glory. Looking to flex on the Family and Warriors. (Rogue)
- The Brigadier General raises an eyebrow.
- Oh, a social influencer are ya? Let's try to keep the majority of your stunts Striga-Positive. I don't need slanderous edited video surfacing on ClikClak because you need a new sponsor. If you want to do me and my people any kindnesses, rooting some of these gangs out would be a great start. Let me mark your map.
- Don't mistake my kindness for weakness. We don't need a hero. Don't try to 'save' us, Character, some of us take umbrage to being looked at as though we can't save ourselves.
- Understood! Make sure the paparazzi knows I'm here!
- The Brigadier General waves you on.
- Go on then, and don't do anything we'll both regret later. Okay?
- Close window.
- I heard there was trouble. I'm here to solve it. (Heroic)
- The Brigadier General raises an eyebrow.
- Oh, a problem-solver eh? Let's try to keep the majority of your solutions to words-only. If you're going to solve any problems for me, there are a few holdouts of concentrated gang activity around here. If you want to do me and my people any kindnesses, rooting these boneheads out would be a great start. Let me mark your map.
- Don't mistake my kindness for weakness. We don't need a hero. Don't try to 'save' us, Character, some of us take umbrage to being looked at as though we can't save ourselves.
- The people of Striga will not live in fear!
- The Brigadier General waves you on.
- Go on then, and don't do anything we'll both regret later. Okay?
- Close window.
According to the old witch who owns 'The Mermaid' tavern, the Port Noble Citizens Brigade are nothing less than wolves in sheep's clothing. The Council, dressed up in suits and ties, laying low and waiting for a moment to rise back to power.
Before he sent you packing, Long Jack pointed out a certain warehouse as the potential headquarters of the Port Noble Citizens Brigade. All their activities seemed focused around the unusually large building. It could be worth looking into.
'Old Toby' was having some trouble with the Family when you found him. He all but confirmed that the Brigade members he had patched up in that makeshift hospital all seemed to be sporting some questionable tattoos affirming their allegiance to outdated political views. But more importantly to you, he revealed that the Family and the Warriors both have had some logistics problems recently. Specifically their coffers are brimming with ill-gotten gains that they haven't been able to transport off of the island during the US navy's visit, which is why both gangs are all up in each others business and more twitchy than usual.
You met Lars Hansen up on a roof, 'birdwatching' as he called it. The pictures he was taking were far more interesting than the local wildlife, unless that wildlife includes dignitaries like Archon Burkholder. His surveillance of the warehouse the Port Noble Citizens Brigade were guarding had let him spot Burkholder coming and going, and when he left it was with Dr. Arvin, another Praetorian refugee John recognized. John's curiosity was peaked, and he asked you to stay on Striga to take a look inside that warehouse.
Debriefing
You pulled back to the Mermaid Tavern to shake loose some of the attention you had drawn during your brief visit to Port Noble. Ms. Peebles was as congenial as ever, albeit a bit standoffish. Considering her usual clientele she shouldn't be turning her nose up at you like that, especially if she wanted you to do something about the so-called 'citizens brigade'. Regardless, the clam chowder was excellent, and the bootleg booze she served up with it must have fallen off some Crey executive's yacht because it was top shelf stuff. Unfortunately reality came calling all too soon, in the form of John Houston's well modulated voice in your ear.
John's source turned out to be another Praetorian refugee, a woman called 'Tunnel Rat'. The warriors had grabbed her since they believed she had information on someone called 'Alexander the Great', one of their former members. Alexander Pavlidis was going into politics, and Tunnel Rat had learned that he was getting in with some bad bedfellows from Striga called the Port Noble Citizens Brigade. John Houston put you on retainer and asked you to head to Striga to interview the locals.
Talking to some Striga personalities you learned that the citizens brigade was just a front for the Council, laying low after their volcano lair was all but destroyed by the New Praetorians and the US navy. The Council were running some kind of operation out of a warehouse in the docks and recent visits by Archon Burkholder meant that it had to be something big. John informed you that another Praetorian was involved, a Dr. Arvin. You decided to wait till nightfall to investigate the Council's warehouse.
Chapter Three: Sheep Throat
Briefing
It was a good idea to lay low at the Mermaid, but it won't hide you forever. You should relocate to a less obvious location A.S.A.P., like a fishing barge or a derelict shanty. Something less classy. Once it gets dark you can find a way inside that warehouse.
- I know what I'm doing, Houston.
I know what' I'm doing, Houston.
Of course, of course! You're the professional. I just wanted to remind you that I'm not paying for you to spend hours at the local tavern. I need information, Character, and I need it now! In the news business time isn't just money - it's the whole business. If you're not first with the latest, you're nothing. So pretty please with a cherry on top, get back to work.
Unnecessary Solicitation
John is keeping quiet on his end so as not to bother you while you are investigating the Port Noble citizens brigade's headquarters.
Mission Objective(s)
During your stakeout, the ship repositioned itself in the bay. You should explore and regain your bearings.
- Investigate the PNCB HQ
- Find a way into the PNCB HQ
- Find the entrance
- Search for clues
- Find a use for Arvin's password
- Unseal the blast door
- Make hostage open the blast door
- Access Council Database
- Defend yourself from Striga's Sentinels
- Speak to Ravenstorm and/or Dr. Todd
- Access the Lowest Level (Hero)
- Eliminate the Supersoldier
- Use the nearby exit!
- Defeat the heroes! (Rogue)
- 3 groups to clear on the docks!
- Escape to Arvin's Sub
- Find a way into the PNCB HQ
You have learned about the Council's plot to tamper with the voting machines and fraudulently elect their stooge, Alexander Pavlidis, to the city council!
Enemies
Notable NPCs
- Archon Papagiorgio (Council Galaxy Archon Boss, guarding Lazy Scientist) You've heard this Archon's name before. He might have been the same person who won four cars in St. Martial in the same night by running the slots.
- Lazy Scientist (NPC)
- Council Digger (Council Galaxy Archon Boss)
- Ravenstorm (Striga's Sentinels Scrapper (Elite Boss))
- Dr. Todd (Striga's Sentinels Kineticist (Elite Boss))
- Supersoldier Maurice (Council Super-Soldier Elite Boss)
- Base Leader (Council Galaxy Archon Boss)
- Doug, Warrior Spirit (Council Minion)
You picked up a piece of paper supposedly holding Dr. Arvin's password. It just says 'Bobcat'.
Once the player has defeated the spawn that grants the clue, they will need to click the computer glowie to expose the secret portal to continue the mission.
You hear the rumble of a false wall disengaging!
Ravenstorm and Dr. Todd were drawn to the Council lab when your tampering with the computers set off the alarms. Apparently they had been keeping the Council under surveillance for some time and your intrusion was messing up their operation. You offered to join forces and take down the supersoldier test subject together.
Ravenstorm and Dr. Todd, along with Moonfire the Peacebringer, form a local coalition known as Striga's Sentinels, a group dedicated to keeping crime on Striga Isle under control. It's a task that has been made more difficult since the shock-and-awe blitz by the New Praetorians toppled Calvin Scott's alliance with the Council, followed by their inconsiderate departure leaving Striga reeling from the fallout.
Debriefing
This is groundbreaking news, Character, simply groundbreaking. Heads will roll once this gets out, and I'm the one with the scoop. In your face, Ms. Vines! This is what you can accomplish if you don't let things like scruples hold you back.
You and me, we're going to blow this whole thing wide open. It's gonna be epic!
+++ Missing Information +++