View source for Silver Mantis Strike Force

== Future Updates ==
{{Issue17}}
[[Issue 17|Issue 17: Dark Mirror]] updates the Silver Mantis Strike Force. In Issue 17, all villains may access this Strike Force, either through their [[supergroup]] (via [[Mission Computer]]/[[Oracle]]) or directly from Silver Mantis, herself, who is moving into [[Sharkhead Isle]].

== Overview ==

{{Infobox TF
|name=Pirates of the Sky
|image=[[File:Silver_Mantis.jpg|100px]]
|contact=Silver Mantis
|zone=[[Sharkhead Isle]]
|x=-1375|y=0|z=-597
|size=4
|levels=20-25
|merits=42
|enemies={{Enemy Sky Raiders}}{{Enemy Tsoo}}{{Enemy The Lost}}{{Enemy Freakshow}}{{Enemy Council}}{{Enemy Crey}}
|badge=[[File:V_badge_StrikeforceSkyRaiderBadge.png|32px]] [[Air Pirate Badge|Air Pirate]]
}}

The '''Silver Mantis Strike Force''' is the second of five main [[Strike Force]]s on ''City of Villains''.  [[Silver Mantis]] is located in [[Sharkhead Isle]] west of the [[Architect Entertainment]] building.  The team leader may begin her Strike Force by speaking to her there, as well as through the [[Mission Computer]] or [[Oracle]] in their [[Supergroup Base]].

__TOC__

{{clr}}
{{MeritAward|42}}

== Missions ==

=== {{UL|Agree to form a strike force}} ===

'''Briefing'''

Now that you're ready, let's cause some violence!  [[Colonel Duray|Colonel Duray's]] first operation is also their biggest long-shot.  Seems that they've noticed the tattoo magic of the [[Tsoo]], and want to control it for themselves.  Personally, I think just getting ink is for weaklings who don't have what it takes to drill some real metal into their bones, but those magic skin-scrawlings could give them some extra power.  So you get to stop the [[Sky Raiders]] from getting it, and get to crack some Tsoo Heads in the meantime.  That sounds like a great time out to me!

'''Mission Acceptance'''

You'll have 3 things to do in there.  First, you have to defeat the leaders on both sides, and their personal guards.  The Skyraiders have a Captain Lee, and the Tsoo have a Master Li.  Don't worry about getting them confused, as long as they both end up the same way.  Oh, and also find 2 of their [[Tsoo Tattoo Artist|tattoo artists]], and return them to us.  [[Scirocco]] is always interested in anything magic, having a few of these tattoo masters on ice could be a good bargaining chip.

'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''

You won't be done until you've crushed both Captain Lee and Master Li, and you've captured those tattoo artists.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=The Sky Raiders normally stick to high-technology thefts. They must be in trouble if they're experimenting with magic.|Primary=Stop Sky Raider attack|Secondary=2 Artists to kidnap|Additional=** Defeat Lee
** Defeat Li|Completion=You defeated both sides' leaders and captured the tattoo artists!}}

'''Primary Enemies'''

{{Enemy Sky Raiders}}
{{Enemy Tsoo}}

'''Notable NPCs'''

* [[Tsoo Tattoo Artist]] x 2 (Hostages, must escort to exit)
* Captain Lee {{Named|Faction=Sky Raiders|Type=Wing Raider Officer}} ([[Lieutenant]])
* Master Li {{Named|Faction=Tsoo|Type=Death's Head}} ([[Boss]])

{{NPC Text|title=Random chatter|text=
'''Before combat:'''<br>
Sky Raider 1:  ''"Stop lagging, the others are already inside!"''<br>
Sky Raider 2:  ''"I know, I know."''<br>
Sky Raider 2:  ''"It's just..."''<br>
Sky Raider 1:  ''"What?  Out with it!"''<br>
Sky Raider 2:  ''"Well, 'Magic Tattoo ink'?  It just seems weird."''<br>
Sky Raider 1:  ''"Yeah, but a weapon's a weapon."''<br>
'''Combat start:'''<br>
Sky Raider 1:  ''"We didn't hire any supervillain support!  Attack!"''}}

{{NPC Text|title=Captain Lee dialogue|text=
'''Before combat:'''<br>
''"Yes, sir!  We'll have this wrapped up short'Lee'!"''<br>
''"Yes, Colonel."''<br>
''"Yes, Colonel."''<br>
''"No, sir.  I'll never use that joke again, sir."''<br>
'''Combat start:'''  ''"Everyone's a critic!"''}}

{{NPC Text|title=Master Li dialogue|text=
'''Before combat:'''<br>
''"Tell them that victory will be ours, abosolute'Li'!"''<br>
''"On second thought, don't use the Absolute'Li' line."''<br>
''"That's just terrible."''<br>
'''Combat start:'''<br>
''"So, the Sky Raiders are not our only opponents?"''<br> 
''"No matter!"''}}

{{NPC Text|title=Tsoo Tattoo Artist dialogue|text=
'''Before combat:'''<br>
Green Ink Man:  ''"Beware, honored sir! There are SkyRaiders here to take you!"''<br>
Tsoo Tattoo Artist: ''"Sky Raiders?"''<br> 
Green Ink Man: ''"And others, too!"''<br> 
Tsoo Tattoo Artist: ''"What others?"''<br> 
Green Ink Man:  ''"They are called TaskForceName, and comprise at least 4 villains."''<br>
Tsoo Tattoo Artist: ''"How odd!"''<br>
Tsoo Tattoo Artist: ''"We will see what transpires."''<br>
'''Combat start:'''<br>
Green Ink Man:  ''"We will not fail!"''<br>
Tsoo Tattoo Artist:  ''"If they beat you, then you are undeserving of my art."''<br>
'''Upon capture:'''<br>
''"I have been captured."''<br>
''"An interesting development."''<br>
'''If lost:'''  ''"No one around. Time to stretch my legs."''<br>
'''If refound:'''<br>
''"And once more I am in wicked hands."''<br>
''"Well, more wicked hands."''<br>
'''Upon reaching exit:'''<br>
''"The road ends here, but will a new one open?"''<br>
''"We will see."''}}

'''Debriefing'''

Good work.  I'm sure our [[Mu]] mystics will want to have words with those weak old men about their tattoo magic.  I'm only sorry I won't be there to watch them work.  Now, the Sky Raiders aren't over yet.  There's still a lot more violence that needs to be done!

=== {{UL|Stop Sky Raiders attack on the hospital}} ===

'''Briefing'''

Duray's Next target is an underground hospital being run by [[The Lost]] in New Haven.  Those bedraggled scavengers have scrounged up a good deal of [[Rikti]] medicines from the war, and are using them to patch up their forces.  The [[Sky Raiders]] want that for their own troops, and are willing to kill to get it.  So you better be willing to do the same to stop them.

'''Mission Acceptance'''

The main objective is to stop the Sky Raiders, and capture those Rikti drugs the Lost have gotten their reeking hands on.  You know, come to think of it, I don't particularly care for those filthy Lost vermin either.  The only good thing about them is the noise that the mutated ones make when they die.  So, you know what?  Get their leader too.  No one gets away alive!

'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''

Did you do it? Is it done? What are you waiting for? Get to the job or I'll do it myself!

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=Desperate paramilitary air pirates versus militant underground freaks who live in squalor and constant desperation. This is not going to be an easy battle.|Primary=Stop Hospital Raid|Secondary=6 Medicines to Steal
** Defeat Adams 
** Defeat Hubbins|Additional=|Completion=You beat the raiders and the Lost and stole the medicines.}}

'''Primary Enemies'''

{{Enemy Sky Raiders}}
{{Enemy The Lost}}

'''Notable NPCs'''

* Captain Adams {{Named|Faction=Sky Raiders|Type=Wing Raider Officer}} (Lieutenant)
* Anchorite Hubbins {{Named|Faction=The Lost|Type=Pariah Anchorite}} (Boss)

'''Debriefing'''

Hope those alien medicines worked for you.  There's still a lot more to go.  And don't worry about what you took for yourself.  Keep what you take, that's the Arachnos way.

Such style.  Such power.  Such bloodthirst.  I'm impressed!

=== {{UL|Shut down Freaks and stop Sky Raiders}} ===

'''Briefing'''

Duray's next target is the [[Freakshow]].  The Freaks have set up shop in an un-used office building, and are using the place as a front to bring shipments of cybernetic parts and that [[Excelsior]] drug of theirs in from [[Paragon City]].  Very clever of them, as long as no one found out.  Must have been [[Bile|Bile's]] doing.  Well, the little game is up, and now [[Colonel Duray|Duray]] is on to their import/export business.  The [[Sky Raiders]] no doubt want to get their hands on the Freakshow's cybernetics and combat drugs for their own enhancement research.  [[Black Scorpion|Black Scorpion's]] orders are to make sure that doesn't happen, and I want to see those orders carried out by shutting down everything and leaving it in ruin.

'''Mission Acceptance'''

This should be a lot of fun for you.  The Sky Raiders are being led by a Captain Tanner, and the Freaks' leader is called Lotus.xls.  Take them both out.  The Freaks also have a number of their [[Sonic Bomb|sonic bombs]] on the premises.  They aren't supposed to bring those kind of play things out to the isles, so break their toys while you're at it.

'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''

What are you waiting here for? You should jump at the chance to cause this much violence. What kind of villain are you?

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=When you entered from the normal looking exterior, you saw a sign saying: 'You don't have to be crazy to work here, but it helps!'|Primary=Stop Sky Raider attack on Freaks|Secondary=2 sonic bombs to destroy
** Defeat Tanner
** Defeat Lotus.xls|Additional=|Completion=You stopped the Sky Raider attack on the Freakshow.}}

'''Primary Enemies'''

{{Enemy Sky Raiders}}
{{Enemy Freakshow}}

'''Notable NPCs'''

* Captain Tanner {{Named|Faction=Sky Raiders|Type=Wing Raider Officer}} ([[Lieutenant]]) {{orange|Need verification}}
* Lotus.xls {{Named|Faction=Freakshow|Type=Tank Smasher}} ([[Boss]])

'''Debriefing'''

Silly Duray! Excelsior is for Freaks!

Black Scorpion told me he was impressed with you. I thought you might want to know.

=== {{UL|Travel to Striga Island to Stop Sky Raiders from buying Council technology}} ===

'''Briefing'''

The [[Sky Raiders]] are ranging pretty far from the Islands for their next operation.  I hope you hate the [[Council]], because you’re going to [[Striga Island]].  It’s the Council’s little stronghold where they hatch their plots and make their monsters.  [[Colonel Duray]] wants to learn the secrets of their superhuman enhancement programs, and apparently, [[The Center]] is willing to sell it to the Sky Raiders in exchange for some mercenary work.  Now, we can’t allow that.  They can’t be allowed to have that technology after all the trouble they caused, and you’re being sent to Striga to stop them.

'''Mission Acceptance'''

Striga is an interesting place.  Unfortunately, this will have to be quiet, since the Raiders aren’t technically stealing anything yet, we have other plans against the Council we can not disturb.  You’ll be going in under the radar and will be dropped into the ventilation shafts.  Hopefully, you’ll be able to catch the Sky Raiders before they can complete the deal.  Defeat the ones making the deal.  That should be Captain Drake of the Sky Raiders and Ascendant Tiger.  You’ll also need to defeat their cronies, and while you’re at it, destroy all the [[Transformation Capsule|chambers]] they’re using for their [[Vampyri|Vampyr]] transformation process.  I mean, can't leave any loose ends.

'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''

You're supposed to be on Striga! What are you doing wasting time back here?

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=Even as a villain, you know this place feels wrong.|Primary=Stop Negotiations|Secondary=8 Capsules to destroy
** Defeat Negotiators|Additional=|Completion=You forcibly broke up negotiations.}}

'''Primary Enemies'''

{{Enemy Sky Raiders}}
{{Enemy Council}}

'''Notable NPCs'''

* Captain Drake {{Named|Faction=Sky Raiders|Type=Wing Raider Officer}} ([[Lieutenant]])
* Archon Tiger ([[Council]] [[Ascendants#Ascendant Archon|Ascendant Archon]]) ([[Boss]])

'''Debriefing'''

They should thank you for breaking that up.  I mean, they're the Sky RAIDERS, and they weren't even there to STEAL anything.  Pathetic.

=== {{UL|Take out Sky Raiders and the base they're raiding}} ===

'''Briefing'''

[[Colonel Duray|Duray’s]] next target is a [[Crey]] facility in New Haven.  Rumors are Crey moved a lot of strange things in there.  I’m really curious what [[Duray]] thinks they have.  Of course, if something were to happen to every last one of the personel at that place during a Sky Raider attack gone horribly awry, well then, there would be no one around to complain if we take a look for ourselves.

Hmmm...

I like how that works.  We stop a Sky Raider heist and get a peek at what Crey is up to;  and the only ‘cost’ is the pleasure of wiping out a Crey base.  Sounds like a win-win to me.  I can’t wait to hear all about what you find.

'''Mission Acceptance'''

No one knows what’s in that facility but [[Countess Crey]] and Duray.  I can’t wait to learn what you find out.  Just take out everyone.  I think you’ll enjoy it.  It should be fun!  We do know that whatever is going on in there, it’s a pretty big installation.  So, be ready for a long fight.

'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''

I don't understand you. Why are you waiting? There are spines to break and heads to smash! Go on and do it!

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=You followed the Sky Raider attackers in through blasted corporate offices above, and entered the underground complex.|Primary=Defeat everyone in Crey facility|Secondary=|Additional=|Completion=You stopped the Sky Raiders and cleaned out the base.}}

'''Primary Enemies'''

{{Enemy Sky Raiders}}
{{Enemy Crey}}

'''Debriefing'''

Ooooh!  Crey had super-human clones!  I kind of wish we'd let the Sky Raiders get away with some of that stuff now.  That would have made them so much more fun to fight!

=== {{UL|Destroy Sky Raider sea base and defeat Duray}} ===

'''Briefing'''

[[Colonel Duray|Duray’s]] gambit is almost over.  Unfortunately, they’ve still managed to steal a lot of things I sent less competent villains to deal with.  Now they’re about to move all of their booty to a secret new base they’ve built offshore.  You’re going to go there, smuggled aboard one of the container ships. And once you get there, you’re going to wreck the base, and defeat Colonel Duray himself.  This should be all kinds of fun.

'''Mission Acceptance'''

We’ve arranged transit for you in the hold of a cargo ship waiting in [[Sharkhead Isle]].  You’ll be put into a cargo container and loaded aboard one of the two ships headed to the Sky Raider’s secret new sea-base.  Once you’re there, fight or sneak your way out of the hold.  Once you’re outside, start destroying the emplaced defenses.  That should cause some havoc and draw Duray out.  Defeat him, and you’re done.

'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''

What are you doing back here? You're supposed to be blowing up turrets in the middle of the ocean!

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=The Sky Raiders are in for more trouble than they can imagine.  Time to destroy!|Primary=Destroy defenses to draw Duray|Secondary=Defeat Colonel Duray|Additional=|Completion=Your team has defeated Colonel Duray, the leader of the Sky Raiders.<br />Your team destroyed the Sky Raider sea base and defeated Colonel Duray}}

'''Primary Enemies'''

{{Enemy Sky Raiders}}

'''Notable NPCs'''

* [[Colonel Duray]] ([[Archvillain]])

{{NPC Text|title=Colonel Duray dialogue|text=
'''Spawned ambush:'''  ''"I won't let you end this, {{blue|Task Force Name}}!"''<br>
''"I won't let my dream die to the likes of you!"''<br>
''"All I've built in flames, and for what?"''<br>
''"You stupid punks don't even know ANYTHING!"''<br>
'''75% Health:'''  ''"You Project: Destiny puppets are all alike."''<br>
''"Villains dancing to [[Lord Recluse|Recluse]]'s tune."''<br>
'''50% Health:'''  ''"You think you've got me down?"''<br>
''"Ha!"''<br>
''"You ain't got nothing!"''<br>
'''25% Health:''' ''"I've been through worse! I won't let you win!"''<br>
'''Upon defeat:'''  ''"All that we've done..."''<br> 
''"It can't end like this!"''<br>
'''Defeats a player:''' ''"The only thing worse than heroes is villains. Losers."''}}

'''Debriefing'''

And so fall the Pirates of the Skies.  The Sky Raiders themselves are scattered.  I'm sure they'll regroup in time.

We fished Duray out of the water, and are holding him now.  There's so much he can tell us, whether he wants to or not.  We've already learned some fun new facts about the [[Rikti]] and the [[Nemesis|Nemesis Army]] from him.

I'm sure the Sky Raiders will rally and try to break him out, once they've had time to regroup.  You might want to watch out for that.  It's in our best interests for the Colonel to escape eventually, or so I'm told.  Balance of the Islands or something.  Not that I care.

And you, you've earned your pay.  The real joy's in the mayhem, I always say, but the money isn't half bad, either.

== Badge ==

Completing ''Pirates of the Sky'' [[Strike Force]] from Silver Mantis awards the [[Air Pirate Badge]].
{{BadgeBox|Air Pirate}}

[[Category:Trials and Task Forces]]