View source for Crimson

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== Overview ==
{{Infobox Contact
|name=Crimson
|image=Crimson1.jpg
|img_capt=
|zone=[[Peregrine Island]]
|x=2303|y=5.5|z=-256
|levels=45-50
|introed=
|intros=
|enemies={{Enemy Malta Operatives}}{{Enemy Freakshow}}{{Enemy Knives of Artemis}}
|badges=
}}
{{Contact Overview|City=H|Zone=Peregrine Island|x=2303|y=5.5|z=-256|Pronoun=his|HoodYN=N|Hood=|OriginYN=Y|Origin=Mutation|LevelYN=Y|Level=45-50}}
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{{clr}}
== Introductions ==

=== Contact Introduced By ===

=== New Contact(s) ===

=== Information ===

'''Wetwork agent'''

If [[Indigo]] is the velvet glove than the agent code named Crimson is the steel fist.  His heightened senses help him follow the trails that his partner scouts and then his skill with weapons covers the rest.  He is totally committed to ending the threat presented by the [[Malta Operatives|Malta group]].

=== Initial Contact ===

== Store ==
*Inspirations 
* {{Store Mut|Level=45|Price=?}}
* {{Store Mut|Level=50|Price=?}}

== Badge Mission == 

== Story Arc ==

=== {{UL|Souvenir}} ===

'''The thanks of the World'''

You received this joint certificate of thanks from the American and Chinese government when you put a stop to '''Project: World Wide Red'''.

It all began when you investigated the site where a group of [[Freakshow]] had attempted to kidnap Ambassador Zheng Xiaoxuan, his aide Leung Linwei, and Jack Firenze, the head of the CIA's China Bureau. It seems the Freaks had run into more than they could handle, and the place was now crawling with [[Malta Operatives|Malta Group operatives]]. You rescued all of the hostages, but found out little more information.

You next saved Yasha Kristoff, a Russian ambassador who had gotten into a loud disagreement with Ambassador Zheng and was now being stalked by the [[Knives of Artemis]]. He told you that the ambassador had been acting strangely confrontational and belligerent towards the United States.

The situation at the embassy took a turn for the worse when the ambassador's aide, Leung Linwei, filed a report against the ambassador's disruptive behavior with her government, and was then abducted by unknown forces. After you rescued her, she told you that the real Ambassador Zheng had been replaced by a shape-shifting imposter called 'Moment!'

Now that you knew about Moment the shape-shifter, Crimson was able to put some information together and found the location where the real ambassador was being kept alive so that the imposter could sample his DNA and interrogate him at will. You rescued the ambassador, who told you told you how he had been replaced. He also mentioned another prisoner, a Dr. Hedia Lamarr who he had met during his captivity.

{{wip}} 

=== {{UL|Find out why a Chinese ambassador would have a Malta Group gunslinger as his bodyguard}} ===

'''Briefing'''

I've become aware of a complex situation, one that bears further investigation from our combined resources.  I'll tell you up front that I'll give you more detail on this one, because I got a feeling this is going to be part of something very large and very dangerous.  So, if you think you can handle it, then I'd like to get your assistance to find out what a Chinese ambassador would have a Malta Group gunslinger as his bodyguard.

Okay, let me set up the situation for you:<br />
The Chinese ambassador to the U.S., a businessman and politician by the name Zheng Xiaoxuan, is visiting our fair city during some political talks with the American ambassador, anti-terrorism stuff.  Naturally, this being [[Paragon City]], the [[Freakshow]] decided to take the opportunity to try and grab both ambassadors and their entourages as part of some half-baked plan.  Normally I wouldn't bother with something like this, but when a group of heroes went in to rescue the Ambassadors, they encountered something that caught my interest.  See, the Freaks were already fighting someone when the heroes arrived.  From the description those heroes sent back, it sounded like the Freaks had encountered a [[Malta Operatives|Malta]] gunslinger who was protecting the Chinese ambassador.  The Freaks overcame him by numbers, and they managed to hold off those heroes and get away with the Chinese ambassador and one American, a CIA espionage type who was there to brief the U.S. ambassador.  Those other heroes are investigating, but I've already got a line on where those Freaks are keeping the Chinese ambassador.  What I want you to do is get the ambassador and any other captives the Freaks have out, and try to find out what Malta's interest in them is.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=This abandoned warehouse has recently seen a pitched battle.  Along with the normal detritus of Freakshow habitation, there are bullet casings and spent clips in every corner, scorings from power blasts and electricity, and plenty of bloodstains.|Primary=Rescue ambassador & hostages|Secondary=3 hostages to rescue|Additional=|Completion=You rescued the Chinese ambassador and the other captives from the Malta Group's agents.}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Malta Operatives}}
{{Enemy Freakshow}}

'''Notable NPCs'''

* Ambassadorial aid Leung Linwei (Hostage)
* Jack Firenze, CIA (Hostage)
* Ambassador Zhang Xiaoxuan (Hostage)
* Kingdom Red 0-1-0 ([[Malta_Operatives#Gunslinger_2|Malta Operatives Gunslinger]])

{{Mission Clue|Name=Jack Firenze's theory|Text=After you rescued him from Malta Group agents, CIA operative Jack Firenze told you:

'Those Malta goons attacked while the Freakshow were trying to grab us.  From what they said, they were planning to make us alter the agreements to favor their agenda, but when the Freakshow attacked they had to alter their plans as well.  I really owe you one.  I'll make sure that none of our people have been compromised.}}

'''Debriefing'''

I'm glad to see you were able to take care of this.  I'm sure that the Chinese embassy will send you some kind of certificate of thanks for your part in all of this.

Now, one of the hostages you rescued, Jack Firenze.  I've heard of him; he's the head of the CIA's China Bureau.  That makes him top brass, a real insider.  Which makes me wonder why he would be here advising the U.S. ambassador in person for these talks.  They're important, sure, but it's odd that they'd send a top man like him to do this in person when a subordinate would be fine.  Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I got the feeling that there might be more going on here than we know.  I'm going to keep looking into this.  Check back with me later.

=== {{UL|Protect a Russian ambassador from the Knives of Artemis}} ===

'''Briefing'''

After that incident with [[Malta Operatives|Malta]], the Chinese ambassador, and the [[Freakshow]], I've been keeping my eye on several of the people involved.  Notably, Jack Firenze and Ambassador Zheng Xiaoxuan.  Firenze's life has been pretty dull, but there's been a development with the ambassador.  It seems that someone he was talking to, in this case a Russian ambassador, has been targeted by the [[Knives of Artemis]].  I could use your help to protect the Russian ambassador and find out why he's being hunted.

The Russian ambassador is named Yasha Kristovitch.  He's a Gorbachev-era reformer with a talent for finding amicable but uneven compromises and rarely giving ground over things he believes in.  He's actually been in [[Paragon City]] several times over the years, even lived here for three years back in the 90's.  Now, he was seen going in to the Chinese embassy, where he got into a very loud disagreement with Ambassador Zheng about something.  The Knives started hunting him shortly after that.  They got his limo, but he got away.  Your goal is to find him on the streets before the Knives can finish him off.  I've pulled some strings to get the area isolated with an emergency force field; a quick trip on the Light Rail should get you there.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=The Russian Ambassador Yasha Kristovitch is somewhere among these streets, but so are the huntresses who stalk him.|Primary=Protect Russian ambassador|Secondary=Protect Kristovitch|Additional=|Completion=You were able to protect Yasha Kristovitch from the Knives of Artemis.}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Knives of Artemis}}

'''Notable NPCs'''

* Yasha Kristovitch (Hostage)

{{Mission Clue|Name=Yasha Kristovitch's evening|Text=After you saved him from assassination by the Knives of Artemis, the Russian Ambassador Yasha Kristovitch told you:

'You have my thanks.  This is certainly a strange end to a strange day, but it is better than I might have seen otherwise.  This has been an unusual day in general.  First, Zheng throws out all that we had agreed to speak on, and then he starts talking about curious topics.  He talks about decadence of America, he talks about how America is threatening his country and stifling its growth.  He talks greatly about defense forces of Japan, as if testing my reaction.  All very worrisome, and all very unlike Ambassador Zheng Xiaoxuan.  He is not a communist hard-liner or a military expansionist.  He is a businessman and as close to capitalist as he can be.  I, of course, cannot reveal details of all we spoke about, but it would have been a most disruptive position to take in negotiation.

'When I tried to calm him, he grew bellicose and belligerent.  I left before I was thrown out.'}}

'''Debriefing'''

Yasha Kristovitch is back at the Russian embassy safe and sound, and under protective guard.  That will slow down the anti-terrorism talks some, but I doubt that was the point of all this.

Yasha Kristovitch's description of his talk with Ambassador Zheng has me worried.  Firenze said that the Malta Group agents who grabbed them were interested in altering how the talks went.  He thought it was all over and done with, but the way Zheng Xiaoxuan's been acting, I'm starting to wonder.  I still have leads to look in on.  Check with me again later.

=== {{UL|Save Leung Linwei and find out what she's seen}} ===

'''Briefing'''

The situation in the Chinese embassy has just gotten worse.  Do you remember Leung Linwei?  She's the assistant to Ambassador Zheng Xiaoxuan, you rescued her from the [[Freakshow]] at the same time you rescued the ambassador.  Well, since the ambassador has been behaving erratically, I've had [[Indigo]] monitoring the embassy.  It seems that Ms. Leung just filed a complaint against the ambassador with the Chinese government, and she filed the hell out of it.  Multiple copies through multiple routes, and according to Indigo, who is far more proficient with the language than I am, it went beyond being sternly worded.  After doing this, Ms. Leung disappeared.  Or really, I should say that she was abducted by forces unknown.  I want your help to save Leung Linwei and get some idea of what she's seen to cause this kind of reaction.

Now, like I said, officially speaking Ms. Leung has 'disappeared', but between Indigo and myself, we know that she was abducted by unknown parties.  Forunately, Indigo was able to tail a van that left the embassy for some nearby caves, after being loaded with an ambassadorial-aide-shaped bundle.  That's where you're going.  In the meantime, Indigo will keep an eye on the embassy in case something else strange happens.  I got a theory about who's responsible and why, but let's see who you find in there first.  Take out the leaders of the kidnapping operation and find Leung Linwei.  Then we might get some answers.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=The damp chill air of this cavern clings to every surface.  Every step seems to echo far into the labyrinthine darkness.|Primary=Defeat lead kidnapper & his crew|Secondary=Rescue Leung Linwei|Additional=|Completion=You rescued Leung Linwei from the Malta Group and defeated her captors.}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Malta Operatives}}

'''Notable NPCs'''

* Leung Linwei (Hostage)
* Kingdom Red 1-0-1 ([[Malta_Operatives#Gunslinger_2|Malta Operatives Gunslinger]])

{{Mission Clue|Name=Leung Linwei's story|Text=After you rescued her from Malta Group agents for the second time, Leung Linwei told you:

'I owe you my life a second time.  Perhaps in return I can help you, though it will be helping me as well.

'The ambassador has been behaving very erratically.  I was concerned that he was becoming a danger to our people achieving a beneficial outcome in these talks.  So I lodged a formal complaint.  When the ambassador found out, he grew very angry.  When he realized that I had used so many channels to ensure my complaint got through, he became furious.  He shouted and yelled and then, while he raged, he began to change.  He was already not the Zheng Xiaoxuan I had worked with, but now before my eyes his body rippled like water and he began to shift between monstrous forums.  I was overcome with revulsion and fear.  I ran, but I did not get out of the embassy before these men caught me.  

'They brought me back before the thing that was masquerading as Zheng Xiaoxuan.  It looked almost like him now, but was sweating profusely.  The soldiers called it 'Moment'.  It told them to dispose of me, and make it look like the Freakshow was responsible.  As they were dragging me out, this Moment creature said that it was losing cohesion, and that it would need to visit the real ambassador soon.  This may mean that the real Zheng Xiaoxuan is alive, but after seeing that monster, I do not have much hope.'}}

'''Debriefing'''

Leung Linwei is safe for now.  She refused protection in the Chinese embassy and has requested to be put in protective custody by Freedom Corps.  She should be okay.  If what she said is correct, particularly about the shape-shifter called Moment, then it could explain something.  I've heard of Moment before, he's bad news in a big way.  An amoral metamorphic mercenary and spy, he's been rumored to exist in intelligence circles since the late 80's, but no one's gotten close enough to confirm his existence.  If he's involved, this might be even bigger than it looks.  I've got to double check some things with Indigo.  Check back with me soon and I'll see what we can put together.

=== {{UL|Find the real ambassador}} ===

'''Briefing'''

I've asked [[Indigo]] to keep an eye on Ambassador Zheng Xiaoxuan and the Chinese embassy.  They've gotten really quiet, but she did tail a car with the ambassador in it to a nondescript warehouse in town.  She thought that she'd gotten foxed, because the ambassador wasn't in the car when it stopped, even though the same number of people who got in at the embassy entered the warehouse.  She left them there, but after hearing what Leung Linwei had to say about the Ambassador's changes and the shapeshifter Moment, I'm starting to wonder if the ambassador who got in the car also got out of it at that warehouse, but didn't look like the ambassador at that time.  I suspect that warehouse might be where the [[Malta Operatives|Malta Group]] could be keeping the real Ambassador Zheng Xiaoxuan.  I want you to hit that place and try to find him.

Contrary to Leung Linwei's concerns, I'm pretty sure that the real ambassador is still alive.  I did some digging on Moment, and found something interesting.  The rumor is that Moment can't hold on to a new form for long until he's had time to adjust to it.  In order to do that, he's got to keep synching up with DNA from the original until his body 'learns' the form and can duplicate it down to the DNA itself.  If that's true, what it means is during an adjustment period, he's got to keep going back to the original source, who has to be kept alive.  In this case, that would be Ambassador Zheng Xiaoxuan.  If the ambassador is alive, then rescuing him becomes your primary objective here.  Whether he's living of dead, though, you'll need to defeat every last Malta operative in that base or else Moment and Malta will be alerted that we're on to them.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=You spot a Malta agent and follow him into a sub-basement of the warehouse.  You emerge in a high tech facility hidden beneath the city streets.|Primary=Defeat all Malta agents in base|Secondary=Rescue the real ambassador|Additional=|Completion=You rescued Ambassador Zheng Xiaoxuan and defeated his captors.}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Malta Operatives}}

'''Notable NPCs'''

* K.R. Support Unit 02 {{Named|Faction=Malta Operatives|Type=Zeus Class Titan}}
* Kingdom Red 2-0-2 ([[Malta_Operatives#Gunslinger_2|Malta Operatives Gunslinger]])
* Ambassador Zhang Xiaoxuan (Hostage)

{{Mission Clue|Name=The real Ambassador Zheng|Text=Once you rescued him from the Malta Group, the real Ambassador Zheng Xiaoxuan told you:

'I did not know if I was going to live to see another day!  Many in our government think that America's masses of uncontrolled meta-humans are a danger to stability, but that is because they have not seen heroes like you in action.  True champions of the people, in the same tradition as our stories of Wuxia and legendary heroes.  It is a shame that so many of my people's meta-humans were hunted down or went into hiding during the cultural revolution.  It will be a long time before we truly recover.

'But that is not important right now.  These men who abducted me, they called themselves the Malta Group.  They took me shortly after the [[Freakshow]] attacked.  They had a strange man with them called Moment.  He clasped my hand and changed shape to look just like me!  This 'Moment' has come back several times since then, to 'synchronize genetics', he said; and interrogate me for information.  From what he's asked, I am very worried about the problems he could be causing while he hides behind my face!  You have my thanks a thousand times over.  I must contact my government and explain what has really happened.

'Wait!  There is one last thing.  I was not the only captive here.  There was also a woman, a Dr. Lamarr.  I wasn't able to speak with her, but I believe that she was being forced to work on some kind of project, though I am more of a business man and politician than a scientist or engineer and so can tell you little about what sort of project it could have been.'}}

'''Debriefing'''

The real ambassador is a smart one.  He put himself under protective custody with [[Freedom Corps]] until he can prove his identity, or someone can catch the shapeshifter who's pretending to be him.  He knows that if he just showed up without any support over at the embassy while Moment's still in control, he'd have no guarantee that it would go his way.  He's planning something with Leung Linwei, but it might be wise if other forces handled this, and by 'other forces', I do mean us.  Indigo and I will try to find the perfect opportunity.

Meanwhile, I'll also check into that Dr. Lamarr that Ambassador Zheng mentioned seeing while he was a captive.  I think we're starting to get close to the larger picture.  Check back with me soon, there's gonna be a lot more before this is done.

=== {{UL|Catch the shape-shifter 'Moment'}} ===

'''Briefing'''

Thanks to you, Ambassador Zheng is safe and sound and under [[Freedom Corps]] protection.  The problem is that the shape-shifter who was impersonating him is still in charge of the Chinese embassy, and still causing trouble.  However, because you were thorough and made sure that none of the [[Malta Operatives|Malta]] agents holding the real ambassador were able to get word out that you freed him, this presents us with a window of opportunity to catch the shape-shifter 'Moment'.

It's time to put an end to this situation, but don't think that this one is going to be easy.  I highly recommend you take some allies with you on this.

Glad as always to see that you can follow through.  Here's the situation:<br />
[[Indigo]] has been monitoring signal traffic around the Chinese embassy, and it just paid off.  Seems that Moment, disguised as the ambassador, is going to an Asia-Pacific business conference.  From the looks of things, this could be the best chance to catch him off-guard.  He'll no doubt be heavily guarded, but this could be our best shot.  You'll need to defeat and capture Moment, and you'd better make sure to catch any men around him too.  He is a shape-shifter, so you don't want to give him a chance to get away.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=Everything explodes into chaos the moment you enter the building!  Malta Group operatives remove disguises and ready themselves to attack!|Primary=Defeat Moment & his men|Secondary=|Additional=|Completion=You have defeated the shape-shifter Moment and broken his grip on the Chinese embassy.}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Malta Operatives}}

'''Notable NPCs'''

* Hostage x 5
* Moment {{Named|Faction=Devouring Earth|Type=Greater Devoured}}

'''Debriefing'''

You did a superb job on this one. Ambassador Zheng Xiaoxuan and his assistant Leung Linwei are back in control at the Chinese embassy, and Moment is in custody.  Thing is, that still leaves us with two loose ends:

First off, Moment seems to have been working for Malta, but why would the Malta Group want to try to destabilize relations between the US and China?

Secondly, Ambassador Zheng mentioned a Dr. Lamarr who was also in captivity.  I did some checking, and there is a Dr. Hedia Lamarr who went missing from Lawrence Berkeley Labs over a year ago.  That might be a match, but the missing Dr. Lamarr was working on some kind of environmental clean-up technology.  That doesn't sound like something that would interest Malta, so if Ambassador Zheng did meet her, and she's being force to work for Malta, then why?

I know I've had to leave you with some dangling questions in the past, and I will probably have to do so again in the future.  This time, however, I think I'm gonna need your help on these loose threads.  Indigo and I'll get to investigating, so check back real soon.  It ain't over yet.

=== {{UL|Look for clues to Malta's motives at a Malta base}} ===

'''Briefing'''

While the situation at the Chinese embassy is back to normal, that doesn't mean that this is all over and wrapped up.  [[Indigo]] is looking for more information on that Dr. Lamarr, and while she's doing that, I have some questions about Moment and the [[Malta Operatives|Malta Group]]'s motives I would like to have answered.  Now, I know a place that might have some of those answers, but I'm pretty sure that they won't want to share them no matter how nicely you ask.  I'd like you to go in there and look for information on Malta's objectives in the least nice manner as you can muster.  Are you in?

The base I'm sending you to experienced a surge of activity just before they switched Moment and Ambassador Zheng.  My guess is that they had Moment staying there up until that point.  They'll probably start destroying information soon, so this could be our only chance to find out what's going on.  Your objective is to search the place for any intel you can find about Malta's overall plan.  Be thorough, but don't worry about taking out every last soldier.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=Hidden deep under the streets of the city, this hidden lab was all but undetectable.|Primary=Search Malta base for clues|Secondary=3 clues to find|Additional=|Completion=You found several key pieces of information at the hidden Malta base.}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Malta Operatives}}

'''Notable NPCs'''

* O.R. Support Unit 04 {{Named|Faction=Malta Operatives|Type=Zeus Class Titan}}
* Omnivore Red 1-1-5 ([[Malta_Operatives#Gunslinger_2|Gunslinger]])

{{Mission Clue|Name=Last remnants of scrambled data|Text=You're able to stop this machine from erasing itself, but are only able to find a few fragments of its previous contents.  Those fragments definitely indicate the outlines of a much larger plan:

'... control of this operation has been given to Director 17 by the Council of Directors.  Director 17 has placed the final phase of this operation under Red Division.  Three special branches of Red Division have been set up and assigned control over each part of Operation code-name: World Wide Red.

Group Kingdom Red:<br />
Assigned to mission phase 1 - Destabilize US/China relations.<br />
Group Kingdom Red has been assigned special operative codename: Moment until completion of phase 1.

Group Omnivore Red:<br />
Assigned to mission phase 2a - Complete Project: Wildflower on schedule.<br />
Also assigned to mission phase 2b - Activate Project: Wildflower on schedule.<br />
Group Omnivore Red has been given control of Dr. Hedia Lamarr until the completion of Project: Wildflower.

Group Dreadnaught Red:<br />
Assigned to mission support.<br />
Duties: 1 - Protect Director 17<br />
2 - Prepare [[Kronos Class Titan|Kronos class Titan]] Cyborg Units for use in Operation: World Wide Red.'}}

{{Mission Clue|Name=Damaging dossiers and documents|Text=You found these dossiers on several prominent Chinese politicians in a safe on a Malta Group base.  They range from the mildly scandalous to corrupt to nearly treasonous.  With all of this material available for blackmail, Malta could probably keep a lot of politician's mouths shut about any actions they had Moment take disguised as Ambassador Zheng.

You notice that much of this blackmail material was dug up by Moment himself.  Several pages have hand-written notes in small cursive lettering with funny stories, small details, and humorous sketches of various interesting people Moment met while gathering this information.}}

{{Mission Clue|Name=Reports on Asia|Text=These stacks of reports detail what the Malta Group knows and believes about the state of affairs in Asia.  The reports center a great deal on China, detailing Malta's main worry: That the Chinese have been building up a massive force of government-controlled paranormals to use in an attack on a western power.  The report focuses on the gap between the number of trained paranormals in western armed forces and what it assumes the Chinese have.  Throughout, the report mentions the cancellation of the [[Might for Right act]] and the 'disastrous' effect it had on controlling America and the West's meta-human community.}}

'''Debriefing'''

It's times like this that I don't mind being called paranoid.  As I suspected, this is all part of a larger plan.  Let's review what we know so far:

First, we've put a stop on phase 1 of their plans, to destabilize US/China relations.  We know how they were doing it, but we still don't really know why, particularly because Malta's afraid of what they think is a meta-human power gap.  Why antagonize someone you're afraid of?  It has to tie into the overall World Wide Red operation, so the more info we have either way it could give us a better idea of what's going on.

Second, Operation World Wide Red has something to do with Dr. Hedia Lamarr.  Dr. Lamarr went missing over a year ago, we have to assume that she's been in Malta's control since then.  All Indigo's been able to dig up on her work is that it involved either pollution control or mining, and ecosystems.  I'm going to tap a few resources of my own, see if I can find anything.  I think this project wildflower is going to be the key to this.

And third, whatever this is, it's going to be big.  This Director 17 is one of the top men of the Malta Group.  They've assigned a full third of their effort just to protecting him.  Well, protecting him, and preparing Kronos class Titans.  So it's safe, I think, to say that this is only gonna get harder.  We're gonna need your help more a lot more on this one.  Keep in contact with me, I should have more for you soon.

=== {{UL|Check with Firenze about any strange operations his people have seen in China}} ===

'''Briefing'''

I like to see loose ends tied up, and the Malta Group's fixation on china keeps on bothering me. So here's what I'm thinking. Do you remember Jack Firenze? That CIA guy you saved from Malta back when they were switching that shape-shifter called Moment for Ambassador Zheng Xiaoxuan? I figure he owes you one for that, so it might be a good idea to check with Firenze about any strange operations his people have seen in China.

It's unlikely he'll know much about the Malta Group per se; knowledge of its existence is rare even in the intelligence community, but he might know if any strange intelligent networks have been operating in the area. You might also want to keep your eyes open. There's a good chance that Firenze may still be a target for Malta.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=This is one of several small government offices scattered about Paragon City. Though it should be completely unremarkable, the sounds of heavy weapons being readied alerts you to impeding danger.|Primary=Meet with Jack Firenze|Secondary=Find Jack Firenze|Completion=Your timely intervention saved Jack Firenze from the Malta Group.}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Malta Operatives}}

'''Notable NPCs'''

* Dreadnaught Red 1-1-1 ([[Malta_Operatives#Gunslinger_2|Gunslinger]])

{{Mission Clue|Name=Jack Firenze's latest theory|Text=After you saved him from the Malta Agents, CIA China Bureau Chief Jack Firenze told you:<BR><BR>'My people haven't seen any strange foreign networks operating in China, but I have been getting reports of some strange things. There have been foreign agents meeting with certain politically minded elements within the Chinese military. We haven't been able to gather much information about what's being talked about, but if I were to hazard a guess, they might be discussing plans for a covert coup de tat of all or part of the Chinese government. This "Covert group" you mention could be trying to gain favor with these rogue military elements so that they'd have access to China after the coup.<BR><BR>'Our signal intelligence boys have traced some of this information to a nest of unknown agents in the city. I'll give you what I can. Maybe we can help each other out on this one.'}}

'''Debriefing'''

What Firenze said could fit the facts we know. I'll see if I can corroborate the details of the info he gave you. I'll let you know when it's time to go in and check it out.

=== {{UL|}} ===

{{wip}}

'''Briefing'''

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=|Primary=|Secondary=|Additional=|Completion=}}

'''Enemies'''

'''Notable NPCs'''

* {{Named|Faction=|Type=}}

{{Mission Clue|Name=|Text=}}

'''Debriefing'''

== Missions ==

=== {{UL|Stop the Malta Group raid on the Crey science facility}} ===

'''Briefing'''

If you've worked with me before, you know the ground rules, but I'm going to take a minute out and repeat them, just in case. You are not working for me, you are working with me. This is an important distinction, because it bases our working relationship on trust and mutual benefit. I will never send you to do anything distasteful or wrong, and in exchange I ask that you respect that the sources of my information are confidential. I will never steer you wrong, but I am under no obligation to tell you what's going on or how I know about it. That doesn't mean that I won't, but sometimes that's how this kind of work need to happen.

All of that said, I have just a situation right now that needs to be taken care of. [[Malta Operatives|Malta Group]] operatives are up to something nasty in a [[Crey]] science facility, and it wouldn't be a good idea to let them finish that raid.

Crey and Malta may work together from time to time, but that does not make them friends. They just often have similar ends they wish to achieve, and see the other as a good means toward it. So this kind of thing isn't that uncommon. Your goal is to find out what Malta wanted and to defeat any and all opposition at that location. I trust that you can handle this. When you're done, meet with [[Indigo]] in person. She may have some information for you.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=Though the high tech machines and computers of this lab all hum with power, the entire lab is deathly quiet.|Primary=Defeat all Malta in lab|Secondary=Discover Malta goals|Additional=**Find the Key|Completion=}}

'''Debriefing'''

{{Orange|Missing Debriefing}}

=== {{UL|Protect Robert Able from the Malta Group}} ===

'''Briefing'''

A young fellow by the name of Robert Able has been targeted for capture by the [[Malta Operatives|Malta Group]].  I know that they've been watching this kid for about a decade, and if I'm right, then more than his life is in danger.  I think it would be safer if Robert was out from under their watchful eye and under our protection.

Robert's out on a little camping trip right now along with his folks.  You'll need to rescue the whole family, or else Malta will use them as leverage.  Once you've handled that situation, you'll need to meet with [[Indigo]].  She'll have more information for you at that time.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=Though this might be a pleasant place to experience the great outdoors, you know that agents of the Malta Group aren't out here to relax.|Primary=Save Able family|Secondary=3 Ables to save|Additional=|Completion=You rescued the Able Family from the Malta Group.}}

'''Primary Enemies'''

{{Enemy Malta Operatives}}

'''Notable NPCs'''

* Tom Able (Captive)
* Robert Able (Captive)
* Anita Able (Captive)

{{Mission Clue|Name=Tom Able's odd words|Text=After you rescued Tom Able from the Malta Group, he spoke to you with a broken expression and eyes filled with sorrow:

'They told me this would happen one day.  They told us we couldn't run, and they proved it.  They'd always come to check, every year.  They would just tell us to accept it, or else they'd, they'd...

'I'm sorry, but my wife and I, we're just normal people who've been powerless against these men for so many years.  I can't tell you anything.  I wish I could, but there's nothing I can do.'}}

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=|Primary=Meet with Indigo|Secondary=|Additional=|Completion=}}

{{Mission Briefing|Type=Briefing|Contact=Indigo|Text=The Able family's been under surveillance by our 'friends' for several years.  They get visits from Malta operatives, usually twice a year, even though they've moved several times.  Other than that, they're completely unremarkable.  He's an mechanical engineer specializing in air conditioning systems, she's an administrative assistant with a degree in English, they vote conservatively, and have excellent savings.  They've never had marital counseling and neither of them have any criminal record.  Robert is a good student who used to have a weight problem until he hit a growth spurt two years ago.  He'll probably be joining the army to get enough money for school, unless he gets some student aid.  Nice enough people, but not the sort of folks Malta would be interested in.

Except that Robert was conceived en vitro at a clinic called Genrove Fertility.  Shortly afterward, agents of our 'friends' started visiting the Able family.  I have the feeling these two events are related.  The Genrove clinic itself was destroyed in the war, but their records are being kept by the company that owned them.  That company is Falcone Pharmaceuticals, a front for our 'friends' from Malta.  I'll give you the location, you'll need to find the file on what makes the Ables special.  After you get them, take them to Crimson.  If we're right, then he should have the net step ready for you.}}

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=As you enter the offices of Falcone Pharmaceuticals, you notice a pronounced lack of office workers. Like Indigo said, this company appears to be a front for the Malta Group!|Primary=Find the Ables' files|Secondary=Find the Ables' files|Additional=|Completion=You found records that explain the reason for the Malta Group's interest in the Able family.}}

'''Primary Enemies'''

{{Enemy Malta Operatives}}

'''Notable NPCs'''

* Helix Black 08-08 ([[Malta_Operatives#Gunslinger_2|Malta Operatives Gunslinger]])

{{Mission Clue|Name=Robert Able's file|Text=You found this file in the Falcone Pharmaceuticals, a front company for the Malta Group.  The file is from the fertility clinic that Tom and Anita Able consulted, which helped produce their son, Robert.  The file shows that the couple were unknowingly used in a biological experiment by a faction within the Malta Group.

According to the file, the Ables were chosen from among several couples for their close physical resemblance with a tissue donor the Malta Group wanted to make a genetic duplicate of.  They produced a clone and implanted it into Anita Able instead of the child they'd hoped to conceive, all without the Ables' knowledge or consent.  The man the Ables were used to clone was none other than Roger Vrabel, the original head of the Malta Group.}}

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=|Primary=Deliver files to Crimson|Secondary=|Additional=|Completion=}}

'''Briefing'''

This is some serious bad science you've uncovered here, and it gets worse.  I've traced all of the orders concerning Robert, and they all come from the same organization within the Malta Group.  These guys are a part of Malta, but they seem to have been operating semi-autonomously since the early 90's, and have been running some extra operations on the side.  One of these side operations was the Able family and the production of Robert.  They've also recently ramped up another project, and I want to make sure that this second project does not come to fruition.  That's going to be your job.

You'll have to accomplish two objectives in order to do that.  First, you'll need to take out the operative in charge of the place, a Malta agent called Helix Black 0-9-0.  Secondly, I want you to find their mainframe.  Destroyed or taken, they cannot be allowed to have it.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=The mysterious nature of this Malta Group cell's operations are in the back of your mind. If there are any answers to be had, they'll Be in this high tech base.|Primary=Defeat Helix Black 0-9-0|Secondary=Find Malta mainframe|Additional=|Completion=You shut down the Malta lab.  The words of Helix Black 0-9-0 spoke after his defeat still echo in your mind.}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Malta Operatives}}

'''Notable NPCs'''

* Helix Black 0-9-0 ([[Malta_Operatives#Gunslinger_2|Malta Operatives Gunslinger]])

{{Mission Clue|Name=The old guard|Text=After his defeat, the Malta operative called Helix Black said the following to you:

'You're taking our future away from us.  When the Cold War ended and the Berlin Wall fell, that's when it all went wrong.  Younger agents asked what we were supposed to do now, and we didn't have an answer.  So they made up a new one.  There weren't any communists left to fight, so we'd help expand democracy and capitalism.  Expand them by any means necessary.  That was the new guard.  That's when Malta started to change.

'Before, everything we did we did to protect the Western world.  The new guard, they say they're doing that, but they also want wealth and power and even more control.  If we could just have gotten Roger back. Re-made him in Robert.  He'd run Malta for years.  He'd get it on track.  He would have changed everything!  It all would have been right again!'}}

{{Mission Clue|Name=An old tape back-up|Text=This large spool of magnetic tape weighs nearly 20 pounds.  This kind of computer equipment hasn't been used in decades.  It's labeled:<BR>
'Personality Recording<BR>
'Subject: Roger Vrabel<BR>
'Date: 1981'}}

'''Debriefing'''

You just averted a pretty tragic fate for Robert Able.  That kid's going to have enough trouble dealing with the knowledge that he's not his parents' biological son, but at least he won't have to worry about getting his brain overwritten by a copy of a long-dead CIA spook and conspiracy founder.

I lived through the period when the change between the new and the old guard within Malta took place.  Trust me on this, whatever  Helix Black told you about the old Malta Group being all high-minded and great compared to the new one, they both looked like the same bunch of jerks from the outside.

This kind of mind-transfer stuff crops up ever few years when someone gives some mad genius too much discretionary research money.  Getting an accurate copy of a personality or getting it copied over correctly is usually where these things fall down.  These guys were probably pulling strings within Malta to get their hands on [[Crey|Crey's]] Revenant Hero equipment so they'd have a way to put that copy of Vrabel's personality into Robert's head.

== See Also ==

* Crimson's [[Longbow#Crimson|Longbow]] profile for a list of his powers

== External Links ==

* {{NoFutureContact|City=h|ID=85}}