Old Positron Task Force

Overview

The Rule of Three
120px
Contact	Positron
Zone	Steel Canyon
Minimum Size	3 players
Coordinates	(-3136, -80, -501)
Level Range	10-15
Badge	Positron's Ally
Enemy Groups	Vahzilok Clockwork Circle of Thorns

The Positron Task Force is the first of six Freedom Phalanx Task Forces, and the completion of all six grants the Task Force Commander Badge. The other five task forces are started by Synapse, Sister Psyche, Citadel, Manticore, and Numina.

The Positron Task Force is considered by many to be one of the longest and most arduous Task Forces in the game. The devs have stated that it was originally intended to be two arcs, but that it was merged into one single arc because the tech did not exist at that point for a single contact to kick off two.

The Positron Task Force is one of three Task Forces that can possibly be duoed (going through with only two team members). If one quits once you start and the two members that will stay log off and back on, the spawns will be set for 2 people. One of the reasons this is possible to duo is that at the end, there is no Archvillain (however, there is an Elite Boss).

Missions

The Save the FEMA workers and the Find a piece of Clockwork that is still functioning missions can come in reverse order.

The Check out the fake company, the Check out the Circle of Thorns hideout, and the Track down the Clockwork minion missions can come in any order.

Test your mettle

Briefing

I've been hearing a lot about you youngsters lately. Your contacts have put the word on the street that you are all forces to be reckoned with. I'm sure that by banding together, you can really put a dent in the crime here in Paragon City.

Statesman has asked me to test out the new groups to see if they are ready to take on bigger and tougher challenges. Are you ready to test your mettle?

Mission Acceptance

Glad to hear it. Your going to need a name I can refer to you by, let's use Task Force, shall we?

Recently the Vahzilok tried to poison the water of Paragon City. I've done a little recon in the area, and I came across a nest of Vahzilok led by an Eidolon called Epidural. I was planning on taking it out, but since you're here, I'll let you have the honors. If you find any evidence that they are planning to revamp their poisoning plot, let me know immediately.

Unnecessary Solicitation

needs data

Mission Objective(s)

The noxious air forms an oily vapor that sticks to everything.

• Defeat Epidural and guards
  • Find any evidence

	Vahzilok chemical
	You took this sample from a barrel of chemicals in a Vahzilok lair. Positron's analysis can tell you whether it is poisonous.

Notable NPCs

• Epidural (Eidolon)

Debriefing

Wow that was a great job. I watched you via one of my remote cameras; you all work really well as a team. I think I can trust Task Force with some further missions. Now, let's have a look at that sample.

I guess you really know your stuff. Call me anytime.

Save the FEMA workers

Briefing

I must say, I'm impressed with how you've handled the work I've given you. Teamwork is really your strong suit. In fact, I think you're ready for another challenge! States just radioed with a crisis. The Circle of Thorns are attacking the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Skyway City. I need a group to save the FEMA workers. Can you help us?

Mission Acceptance

Great. I hear the leader of these mystics is named Rollister. Your priority is to take him out of commision.

Unnecessary Solicitation

needs data

Mission Objective(s)

You've heard a lot of horrifying rumors about what the Circle does to it's victims.

• Defeat Rollister and his cadre
  • 2 workers to rescue
  • Lead workers out!

You defeated the Circle of Thorns and rescued the FEMA workers.

	The FEMA worker's story
	One of the FEMA workers you rescued told you: 'That Horror dude kept going on and on about how he was wantin' the plans to the city dam up in Faultline. I ain't got no ideas why they would want that!'

Notable NPCs

• Rollister (Circle of Thorns Madness Mage)
• 2 FEMA Workers (Hostages)

Debriefing

I'm afraid I have no idea why the Circle is interested in the dam. But it sounds like something we had better investigate!

Find a piece of Clockwork that is still functioning

Briefing

Thank you for all your hard work. Up for another test? You've really proven yourself as a team, and I think I can give you a tougher mission. I have examined the Clockwork pieces at DATA and SERAPH, and I've made some interesting discoveries. But I need to know more. Can you find me a piece of Clockwork that is still functioning? No one else has been able to recover a piece like that.

Mission Acceptance

I scanned the area, and I found an abandoned warehouse that's infested with Clockwork.

Unnecessary Solicitation

needs data

Mission Objective(s)

The grinding of Clockwork gears is almost deafening. It seems you have stumbled onto a major operation.

• Defeat all Clockwork in office
  • Recover working Clockwork piece

You have defeated all the Clockwork. Unfortunately, no working Clockwork pieces could be salvaged.

	Strange parts
	You found these parts in a Clockwork nest, but they're clearly not from any Clockwork construct. The robots defended them with vigor, so the parts must mean something to them.

Notable NPCs

• Geartooth (Clockwork Cannon Prince)

Debriefing

You didn't find a working piece, eh? That's a disappointment, but this unusual part you found more than makes up for it. I'd like to examine this; it isn't like anything I've seen the Clockwork King use.

You all are doing wonderfully. You have exceeded my expectations. You even managed to impress the Back Alley Brawler.

Check out the fake company

Briefing

Well, I analyzed that chemical you found in the Vahzilok nest. It turns out it's a complex bonded molecular compound with twisted valences. Very high tech stuff. I was intrigued by their ability to... oh, sorry. Ok, here's some information you can use now. One of the chemicals in the compound was polyfluidic morscarpium. Pretty specialized. Only two distributors in the area even make it. I checked their shipments for the past couple weeks, and traced one to a company in Skyway that doesn't exist. Will you check out the fake company?

Mission Acceptance

The name on the lease is Dr. Morben. I'd like you to arrest him, if you can.

Unnecessary Solicitation

needs data

Mission Objective(s)

A chemical odor burns your nasal passage, but not thoroughly enough to make you immune to the stink of the Vahzilok.

• Stop Dr. Morben and his minions
  • Recover any evidence

You have stopped the Vahzilok operation and recovered some evidence.

	Blood Sample
	You extracted this blood sample from the unfortunate test subject of a Vahzilok poisoning experiment.

Notable NPCs

• Dr. Morben (Vahzilok Murk Eidolon)

Debriefing

Ok, this blood sample is a great step forward. Perhaps I can work out a counter-agent to the Vahzilok poison before it ever gets out.

Check out the Circle of Thorns hideout

Stop chief mage and his guards

Briefing

Ok, Task Force, listen up. I know that ever since I sent you against the Circle of Thorns at the FEMA office, you've been dying to find out why those mystics are so interested in the Paragon City Dam. Well, you might just get your chance to find out.

MAGI just contacted me; some of their mystics have divined the location of the Book of T'Jer'imikanu. According to MAGI, it's a really powerful spell book. Their visions indicated that it was in the possession of the Circle of Thorns. I made a pass just now with my ground penetrating radar and discovered a cave that would be an ideal Circle hideout. I need you guys to check out that Circle of Thorns hideout.

Mission Acceptance

If you find the Book of T'Gerima... T'Geruni... the magic book, be really careful with it. It's the only known copy. It was thought to be destroyed in the Chicago fire of 1871.

Unnecessary Solicitation

needs data

Mission Objective(s)

Positron's directions are flawless. You've already caught sight of several Circle of Thorns acolytes.

• Stop chief mage and his guards

You recovered the book and defeated the Circle of Thorns.

	The Book of T'Jer'imikanu
	This ancient text is written in a language you don't understand. This book, the last of its kind, was presumed lost in the Chicago fire of 1871.

Notable NPCs

• Tarses (Circle of Thorns Madness Mage)

Return to Positron

Unnecessary Solicitation

needs data

Mission Objective(s)

• Return to Positron

Positron

Briefing

Great, you got the book back. Excellent job. You should take it over to Azuria at the MAGI office in City Hall. She can probably figure out why the Circle wanted it so badly.

Deliver book to Azuria

Unnecessary Solicitation

needs data

Mission Objective(s)

• Deliver book to Azuria

Azuria

Debriefing

Thank you all. I will have my translators examine the book and report their discoveries to Positron. It shouldn't take long; he should have something for you by the time you get back to him.

Debriefing

Numina just contacted me mentally. Man, I don't think I will ever get used to that! Anyway, she translated the book for Azuria. The text describes a ritual for gaining great power that can only performed during a storm. Or, as the book has it, at 'a conflux of lightning and rain.' The larger the conflux, the more effective the ritual. Numina is still examining the book. She'll contact me if she discovers another clue to the Circle's plans.

Track down the Clockwork minion

Briefing

I was out fighting the Clockwork earlier, and I planted a homing tracer on one that I allowed to get away. Can you track down that Clockwork minion? I want to learn more about the strange mechanical part you found in that Clockwork den.

Mission Acceptance

There seems to be an increase in the Clockwork population. I'm beginning to worry that the Clockwork King has big plans.

Unnecessary Solicitation

needs data

Mission Objective(s)

From the sound of the machinery, this is a major assembly operation.

• Stop robot boss and its guards
  • Investigate Clockwork plans

You defeated the Clockwork and recovered plans to the Paragon City Dam.

	Blueprints
	These blueprints are for the Paragon City Dam. You recovered them from a Clockwork hideout, but you don't know why the Clockwork King would want them.

Notable NPCs

• Constructor (Clockwork Cannon Prince)

Debriefing

What are the Clockwork doing with these plans? I wonder if this has anything to do with the parts you recovered in your last Clockwork mission. I'll have to look into this further. Oh, by the way, you have attracted Numina's attention. She would like to work with you when your Security Levels are high enough.

Well, you have passed every test I could think of. You showed me you work well as a team and can adequately cover each other's weakness. Good work.

Evildoers are beginning to fear Task Force.

Collect info for Positron

See Paula Dempsey in Kings Row

Briefing

Glad to see you! We've got a lot of balls in the air, huh? The Vahzilok poison, the Clockwork's interest in the Paragon City Dam, and the Circle's strange ritual of power. I just need you to collect a little more info for me.

I gave that weird piece you found in the Clockwork hideout to Paula Dempsey over in Kings Row. I'd like you to talk to her about it. While you're there, please drop off this data disc I've burned for her.

After that, pop by the MAGI office in City Hall and talk to Azuria. She and Numina have a theory about the ritual the Circle of Thorns was investigating.

I should have more on the Vahzilok poison when you get back.

Unnecessary Solicitation

needs data

Mission Objective(s)

• See Paula Dempsey in Kings Row

Paula Dempsey

Briefing

Hey, hey! Tell Posi I've figured out the origin of the part you found in that Clockwork den. It's a modified support structure used in large scale construction projects. When he mentioned the dam blueprints you found, the pieces started coming together. The dam uses support structures exactly like these! If this piece was outfitted with an explosive and placed in the dam, the destruction would be catastrophic. All of Faultline would be flooded, and Paragon City would be without power for weeks. Take this piece back to Posi, and tell him I've done everything I could.

	Dam piece
	This support structure matches those used in the Paragon City Dam. If one of these structures was outfitted with an explosive device, the entire dam could be demolished.

See Azuria in Atlas Park

Unnecessary Solicitation

needs data

Mission Objective(s)

• See Azuria in Atlas Park

Azuria

Briefing

I'm glad you're here. Numina has some information for you.

A voice in your mind says:

'Great heroes, I, Numina, have translated the book you recovered from the Circle of Thorns. It speaks of a ritual that transfers the energy of a lightning storm to those who perform it. The text implies that the larger the conflux of lightning and rain, the more power the ritual will be. I have contacted agents of Ignis, the Entity of Weather, who governs the weather. There are no storms of the proper magnitude approaching Paragon City in the foreseeable future. We may be safe for a time, but you must be watchful. The Circle may have had the book long enough to transcribe a copy.'

Numina's thoughts

Great heroes, I, Numina, have translated the book you recovered from the Circle of Thorns. It speaks of a ritual that transfers the energy of a lightning storm to those who perform it. The text implies that the larger the conflux of lightning and rain, the more power the ritual will be. I have contacted agents of Ignis, the Entity of Weather, who governs the weather. There are no storms of the proper magnitude approaching Paragon City in the foreseeable future. We may be safe for a time, but you must be watchful. The Circle may have had the book long enough to transcribe a copy.

Return to Positron

Unnecessary Solicitation

needs data

Mission Objective(s)

• Return to Positron

Positron

Briefing

Yeah, Numina had me in on the mental link, and I had a troubling thought. What if this conflux of rain and lightning was boiled down to its elements? What is rain? Water. What is lightning? Electricity. And what is the biggest conflux of water and electricity in Paragon City? That's right, the dam. The same dam the Clockwork have plans for. I don't think they are working with the Circle of Thorns. In fact, I shudder to think what might happen if they learned of one another's plans.

Anyway, I talked to the manager of the company that sold the Vahzilok the polyfluidic morscarpium for their poison. He just got another order for it. I told him that since Task Force took the Vahzilok down the first time, Task Force could do it again. Here's the address of the company that ordered the chemical.

Positron's hypothesis

Yeah, Numina had me in on the mental link, and I had a troubling thought. What if this conflux of rain and lightning was boiled down to its elements? What is rain? Water. What is lightning? Electricity. And what is the biggest conflux of water and electricity in Paragon City? That's right, the dam. The same dam the Clockwork have plans for. I don't think they are working with the Circle of Thorns. In fact, I shudder to think what might happen if they learned of one another's plans.

Stop zombie boss and his guards

Unnecessary Solicitation

needs data

Mission Objective(s)

The Vahzilok have turned what was once a place of business into an abattoir of horror.

• Stop zombie boss and his guards
  • Destroy Vahzilok lab, Recover evidence

You defeated the Vahzilok and recovered some evidence.

	Dam blueprint
	This blueprint of the Paragon City Dam was found in the possession of the Vahzilok. It indicates their intention to poison the reservoir.

Notable NPCs

• Ulcer (Vahzilok Mire Eidolon)

Debriefing

You found dam blueprints in the Vahzilok office? They must plan to introduce their poison directly into the water supply, probably at the water treatment center! Three groups, all setting up operations at the Paragon City Dam at the same time. Its a good thing we have heroes like Task Force around!

Find the Clockwork's base of operations

Patrol Perez Park

Briefing

Based on the data you've collected, it sounds like the Clockwork are planning to blow up the Paragon City Dam! I need you to find the Clockwork's base of operations. I built this curde scanning device to help you out. It's really just a modified metal detector; it looks for large concentrations of metal with no detectable energy signature. If you carry it while you run a patrol in Perez Park, it should be able to triangulate the nearest nest of Clockwork minions.

Mission Acceptance

When you have enough data, the device will triangulate the source and alert you.

Unnecessary Solicitation

needs data

	Clockwork scanning device
	Positron built this device to find the Clockwork. He called it crude, but to you it looks quite remarkable.

Mission Objective(s)

• Patrol Perez Park
  • Visit 3 locations

Beep beep beep beep beep beep

Defeat all villains in office

Unnecessary Solicitation

needs data

Mission Objective(s)

You hear the familiar sound of Clockwork, but the smell of decaying flesh is what really grabs your attention.

• Defeat all villains in office
  • Search for clues

You have defeated the villains and recovered some evidence.

	Substation 7 blueprint
	This blueprint indicates that the Vahzilok plan to introduce their poison to the Paragon City water supply at this substation.

Debriefing

So it wasn't a Clockwork hideout, but a Vahzilok base under attack? The Clockwork King must have learned that the Vahzilok are also interested in the dam, and I guess he isn't too happy about it. If this conflict spills out into the streets, it would be a disaster for Paragon City.

Let me see if there is more I can uncover. The location of a Circle of Thorns base would be a big help to us.

Check out possible Circle of Thorns hideout

Defeat all mystics in base

Briefing

I just did a quick scan with my ground penetrating radar. I need you to check out a possible Circle of Thorns hideout. We've got to find out whether the Circle realizes that the ritual they plan to perform at the dam may be interrupted by the Clockwork and the Vahzilok.

Mission Acceptance

I'll be monitoring you via radio throughout the mission.

Unnecessary Solicitation

needs data

Mission Objective(s)

The smell of burning candles hangs in the air, along with another odor. You breathe in deeply. Axle grease?

• Defeat all mystics in base

Positron to Task Force, can you hear me? Good job, you took those guys down hard. It looks like these villains are really going for each other's throats. I want you to get over to sewer junction 8b right now so the battle between the Circle and the Vahzilok doesn't escalate and endager civilians.

Defeat all villains in sewer

Unnecessary Solicitation

needs data

Mission Objective(s)

The sad remnant of a failed Vahzilok experiment floats by in the sludge.

• Defeat all villains in sewer

Positron here. Good job, guys.

Debriefing

Looks like all these groups are aware of one another's interest in the dam. They might move up their individual time tables.

Protect the substation

Briefing

Well, your last two missions proved that the Circle, Clockwork, and Vahzilok each know of one another's plans for the Paragon City Dam. And it looks like I was right about them moving up their schedules! I just got a call from the dam substation, and they are reporting attacks by the Clockwork, the Circle of Thorns, and the Vahzilok! Not only that, but the villains are attacking each other as well! It's chaos in there. I need you to protect the substation while I coordinate Freedom Phalanx's response.

Mission Acceptance

I will be here trying to contact Statesman and the rest of Freedom Phalanx. You go do what you can.

Unnecessary Solicitation

needs data

Mission Objective(s)

Twisted metal arms lie on the floor along with the still-quivering remains of Vahzilok zombies.

• Defeat all villains in substation

You have saved the substation.

Notable NPCs

• Lucion (Circle of Thorns Madness Mage)
• Cortex (Vahzilok Elite Boss)
• Boresight (Clockwork Cannon Knight)

Badge

The Positron's Ally Badge is awarded upon completion of this mission.

Positron's Ally Positron has awarded you this medal in recognition of services performed for him.

Debriefing

Wow. That's all I can say. You sure earned your stripes today! In one epic battle, you thwarted three different plots to take over Paragon City Dam. To say I am impressed would be putting it mildly.

You have done a wonderful job working as a team, Task Force. I must ask you to keep your eye on the Paragon City Dam in the future. If a villain ever succeeded in sabotaging or destroying it, I'm not sure Paragon City could recover.

Souvenir

This section contains information that no longer applies to the current version of City of Heroes. It is provided for historical purposes.

(Souvenir awards were removed for Task Forces for some time, but with the release of Issue 11 they now are awarded again.)

Dam piece

You've kept this piece of the Paragon City Dam, a reminder of the mission you've come to think of as:

The Rule of Three

Your task force was formed under the guidance of Positron, one of the Surviving Eight Heroes. Positron kicked off your group's career by sending you against the Vahzilok in an effort to uncover a poisoning plot. You recovered some of the poison and turned it over to Positron, in the hopes that he could concoct an antidote.

Positron had two more tests for your team: to recover a working Clockwork piece, and to rescue some FEMA workers from the Circle of Thorns. The FEMA workers were being interrogated about the Paragon City Dam in Faultline. They weren't much help to the Circle of Thorns, though, because your task force came in and whisked them away.

You were unable to recover a working Clockwork piece, but you did secure something else, a mechanical part that was unlike anything the Clockwork have been known to use. The Clockwork defended this piece to the last Sprocket, so you assumed it was important in the Clockwork King's plans.

Positron still had a few tests for your task force. When he sent you after the Vahzilok, you recovered a blood sample from an early victim of the evil doctor's latest plot. You turned it over to Positron for further analysis.

You also found some dam blueprints in a Clockwork den and recovered a powerful tome from the Circle of Thorns.

When you returned with the book, Numina translated it, and you learned that water and lightning augment the mystic ritual the Circle was planning to conduct.

Following up on your leads, Positron sent you to a Vahzilok den, where you uncovered another set of dam blueprints. You now realized that three major villain organizations each had designs on the Paragon City Dam. The Clockwork intended to destroy the dam, the Vahzilok planned to poison it, and the Circle wanted to use it in a ritual to create great power.

While tracking down the Clockwork using a device of Positron's design, your team came upon a battle between the Clockwork and the Vahzilok. The metal men were trying to prevent the zombies from interfering with their plans.

Later, while searching for a Circle of Thorns lair, you stumbled across another Clockwork attack. The Circle of Thorns seemed to have their hands full fighting off the Clockwork, but you learned that the mystics were planning a similar attack against the Vahzilok. You stopped both battles and prevented the carnage from spilling into the streets.

Positron's worst fears were realized. All three groups knew of each other's intentions, and they all resolved to act immediately. Positron sent you to protect the dam while he tried to coordinate Freedom Phalanx. The Phalanx was not needed, as the might and power of your task force were enough to win the day.