Neuron

Overview

Neuron
Praetor of the Sciences
Zone	Neutropolis
Coordinates	(1682, -51, -643)
Level Range	15-20
Introduced By	== Level 15 == Bobcat
Introduces	None
Enemy Groups	None

Neuron, also known as Praetor Berry, is a Praetorian contact in Neutropolis at coordinates (1682, -51, -643).  His level range is 15-20.

Heroes face him on the following missions:

• Stop Anti-Matter's invasion mission from Tina Macintyre (Levels 40-44)
• Get the data scanners back mission from Maria Jenkins (Levels 45-50)
• Save Carnival of Light from Praetorians mission from Unai Kemen (Levels 45-50) as NeuronLeader.

Background

Description

Neuron is the creation of his own twisted scientific experiment. He gave himself complete control over his body's nervous system. Once he and Anti-Matter worked together as friends but of late a rift has formed between them. Neuron's creation of Siege and the favour that garnered him with Tyrant is the primary cause of discord between them.

Overview History

Neuron
Praetor of Science Academies
Details
Real Name	Steve Berry
Gender	Male
Archetype	Blaster
Affiliation	Praetorians Neuron Technologies Unlimited
Age	Unknown
Romantic Associations	Unknown
Known Family	Unknown
Primary Powers	Electric Blast
Secondary Powers	Electric Melee
Zone Locations	Neutropolis

Steven Berry wasn't born with super powers, he gave them to himself. By using an untested procedure he devised on himself, Steven gained super human mental and physical celerity. He took on the name Neuron and joined the Praetorian Guard, immediately gaining notice from then-President Cole.

Another person who took notice was Dr. Raymond "Anti-Matter" Keyes, Cole's chief science advisor. He was annoyed at Neuron's brash and reckless approach to science, but despite Keyes's warnings, Cole continued to enlist Neuron's aid. In the aftermath of the Hamidon Wars, Neuron continues to steal Anti-Matter's thunder, producing marvelous advances in technology faster than Anti-Matter can keep up. So far, Neuron's successes have kept him in Cole's good graces. To honor his ongoing results, Cole transferred Anti-Matter's title, Praetor of the Science Academies, to Neuron. This slight is something that Anti-Matter has vowed not to soon forget.

Taken from Neuron Official Character Profile

Full History

You tune in your television to Emperor Cole's award ceremony for Steven Berry, president of Neuron Technologies Unlimited.

“To better understand the brilliance of the man once known simply as Neuron, the fastest man on the planet, we must look back to the dark days of the Hamidon Wars where his true colors were revealed.

“Born just before the start of the wars, Steven Berry was always fascinated by science. Unable to pursue a formal education due to the collapsing infrastructure of the world at that time, Steven learned what he could by diligently watching the work of those few intellectuals around him. When the call to supers went out, Steven yearned to help save the world he loved. Such was his dedication to our world that despite not being born with super powers he bravely performed his untried and untested neural accelerator procedure upon himself. The results, I must say, were quite simply amazing!

“Now possessing the fastest mind and body in the world, Steven Berry adopted the moniker ‘Neuron’ and raced headlong into the fight against the Devouring Earth. During his time with the Praetorian Guard, his keen mind and lightning speed saved the day on more than one occasion, disproving the adage that old age and treachery will always overcome youth and speed.

“When the wars ended, Berry teamed up with his old comrade, Dr. Raymond Keyes. Together the two formed a friendly rivalry, pushing one another to greater and greater scientific exploits. Keyes built the original Clockwork that helped rebuild our world. Berry improved upon them, giving us the multitude of kind and beautiful helpers that you see all around the city. Keyes built the miraculous antimatter colliders that power our city. Berry created a universal antidote for the diseases that not so long ago wracked our world’s population. Each bout of intellectual rivalry between these two great minds bore dividends for Praetoria and her citizens.

“And now, I ask you to behold the fabulous exploits of the most celebrated scientific mind of our time! Steven Berry astounds the world yet again with another shocking breakthrough in advanced biochemical research by curing cancer in the very same week that he discovered a vaccine for combating first stage Tellurian Plague. The man of speed conducts a thousand experiments in the time it would take an ordinary scientist to do one. Our world owes much to this magnificent man of science. His tireless pursuit of solutions to our every problem betters us all.

“It is due to his devotion to Praetoria that I, Emperor Cole, hereby elevate Steven Berry from mild-mannered supergenius to Praetor Elect of the Science Academies. With his new title comes new responsibility, responsibility which I have no doubt Praetor Berry will carry proudly and successfully into our bright, bright future.”

Taken from Neuron Official Bio

Character Stats

Prior to Going Rogue:

Public Identity: Steven Berry
Origin: Science
Archetype: Blaster
Primary Powers: Electric Blast
Secondary Powers: Electric Melee
Other Powers:
Signature Powers:

After Going Rogue:

Public Identity: Steven Berry
Origin: Science
Archetype: Scrapper
Primary Powers: Electric Melee
Secondary Powers: Super Reflexes
Other Powers: Unknown, waiting for Going Rogue
Signature Powers: Unknown, waiting for Going Rogue

Gallery

• 

  Appearance prior to
  Going Rogue

• == Introductions ==
• === Contact Introduced By ===
• === Contact Introduces ===
• * None
• === Information ===
• '''Praetor of the Sciences '''
• === Prior to Introduction ===
• I haven't scheduled any time to interact with you at this juncture. Come back to me when you've made an appointment.
• === Initial Contact ===
• I may look rather busy but I assure you, I am giving you the appropriate amount of attention necessary at this time.
• === Greeting ===
• * Little time for pleasantries, so a simple hello will have to suffice.
• === Too Busy ===
• === Too Low Level ===
• === No More Missions ===
• The results of several recent experiments have changed the course of my future endeavours for the foreseeable future. I have no need of your abilities at this time, but, I assure you that I will keep you in mind for when I do.
• == Store ==
• == Story Arcs ==
• === A God Amongst Men ===
• ==== Souvenir ====
• '''Cole's Helmet'''
• You kept the Olympian's helmet after defeating him. You keep it as a trophy to remind you of the minor bit of subterfuge that transformed you into:
• '''A God Amongst Men '''
• With the wrong brain installed, Neuron's experiment went haywire. You were forced to destroy it rather than let it run lose and potentially go on a killing spree in Neuron's Reach.
• Your arrival was heralded by exclamations and cheers from the people. You faced off against The Olympian who was now too weak to stop you, thus saving Praetoria City and proving to the world that you are a god amongst men.
• ==== Part One: A Mind For Detail ====
• I personally know that Anti-Matter is prototyping this brain at this lab. Use this passcard, go find the brain and then bring it back to me.
• ''Neuron gives you a passcard to get into the lab without a hitch.''
• '''Unnecessary Solicitation'''
• With the passcode you can walk in, grab the brain, and leave. It'll be easy.
• ** Quick! Find a brain! ANY BRAIN!
• ** Escape before Anti-Matter arrives!

  Additional=|Completion=You stole an artificial intelligence brain for Neuron.}}

• '''Enemies'''
• ''The crate has a passcard reader on it. There is also a blinking yellow light.''
• ''The light turns red. ''
• Error! Containment Breach!
• Sealing in three... two... one...
• Warning: Catastrophic Containment Failure!
• '''Debriefing'''
• Excellent, excellent. Put it over there, I'll get to it in a second once I make some adj... Done. Alright, let's get on to installing that brain...
• Hrmmm, well, I'll see how it works out and then fix any bugs in the system as they come up.
• You seem like a decent member of the Powers Division. I think you deserve a bit more of my attention than usual.
• ==== Part Two: A Matter of Recognition ====
• I've finished installing the brain into the prototype Olympian. Yes, do you like the name? I thought it up myself, Cole heartily approved of it.
• Everything is set up in one of my labs. Go and meet The Olympian down there, the combat test should be set up right about now.
• '''Unnecesary Solicitation'''
• I'm ready, just waiting on you.
• '''Enemies'''
• '''Notable NPCs'''
• * The Olympian (Experiment, Lieutenant, Ally and Enemy)
• ''Neuron's genetic engineering experiments at recreating Marcus Cole have reached a viable state, though its power pales in comparison to the Emperor.''
• ----
• '''Debriefing'''
• I'm almost done.
• I've rarely met someone who can keep me interested for very long, but you are certainly worthy of my attention... For now.
• ==== Part Three: Something Out of Nothing ====
• Alright, so, trying to map Simon Omega's brain waves to that cybernetic brain, and combine it with the Warwalker A.I. was way too complex. I'm going to take a huge shortcut, and just take ''his'' brain and put it in the next clone.
• I'm going to need you to steal a Limbo Device.
• They're meeting at a warehouse down by the private airport in Lambda Sector. As Praetor of Technology I give you full right to do whatever it takes to get that device. Now get going, I'm almost done with the equations.
• '''Unnecessary Solicitation'''
• I'm not waiting on you, I got a hundred different things I could be working o... Ninety-five things I could be working on.
• '''Enemies'''
• ----
• '''Debriefing'''
• Who? Oh, lots of black and red?
• Yeah, that's Arachnos. Don't worry about them, they're not a problem. Let me see the device.
• ==== Part Four: Fixing Things ====
• Now that I have the Limbo Device I'm able to keep Omega's brain under total control.
• Testing? Pfft, why bother, a field test always provides far more tangible results than some controlled environment. Controlled tests are for the feeble minded who can't handle more variables than they have fingers.
• We just need the right situation to do the test.
• An attack... yes. On the Magisterium!
• Hmmm, it'll take even me a while to organize all the factors involved. I'd hate to have the emperor discover that I was the one responsible for an attack on the Magisterium and yet I can't entrust you with the necessary information for such a thing.
• This might take me a few hours...
• ''As far as you can tell, Neuron's confidence in his second attempt at the Olympian is not misguided. As is, this thing is going to work, and it is probably going to work flawlessly... that is, unless you do something about it. ''
• ''It occurs to you that there is one man who can help you not only knock Neuron down a peg, but also elevate yourself in the eyes of the people: Doctor Raymond 'Anti-Matter' Keyes.''
• ''With his help you could humiliate Neuron and force Cole to cancel the Olympian Project due to public outcry, thus securing your role as Praetoria's champion.''
• '''Unnecessary Solicitation'''
• I'm going to be busy setting things up for the fight. Surely you can think of something useful to do rather than waiting around. Don't be lazy like Bobcat.
• ''Like talking to Anti-Matter about sabotaging Neuron's creation and making ''both'' of you look good in the process? Sure.''
• Olympian? That fool, Neuron, thinks he can replicate Cole and make Praetoria safer?
• You say he's orchestrating the unveiling of his creation at the Magisterium, but you want it to go tragically wrong? To see that would be more than enough repayment for your earlier transgressions.
• He's using a Limbo Device in order to internalize the psychic powers of the host? Well then, we'll simply invert the device's energy signature. With the device's signature inverted the host's psychic powers will reach out far and wide, driving him insane.
• This will be only the start of Neuron's humiliation. With an insane berserk Marcus Cole on the loose, it will be up to you to swoop in, be the hero, stop the clone, and reveal to the world just how insane Neuron really is.
• ''IVy shuts down for a split second and then reactivates. ''
• ''After a few moments IVy again shuts down and then restarts almost immediately. ''
• Praetor Berry instructed me to send you to him once you returned.
• ==== Finale: Fight of the Century ====
• Cole is out of town on business, don't worry, nobody but you, me, and the emperor will ever know what truly happened here today.
• Praetor White and Praetor Duncan are busy trying to redeem themselves in Cole's eyes after that debacle with the Destroyers.
• Tilman is too busy trying to hunt down DeVore to be bothered by a Resistance attack, and Sinclair and I have an ''understanding'' when it comes to ''secrets''.
• Nothing is left to chance... Wait, yes, nothing is left to chance.
• Ah, look, it appears that the attack is commencing...
• ''The camera zooms in and it is clear that the figure is Marcus Cole, or rather, to everyone else he is, to you he is nothing more than a fake, a badly made copy that, momentarily, will be destroyed by your hands.''
• ''John Houston shouts enthusiastically. ''
• "It's Emperor Cole! Thank the heavens, the crisis has been averted!"
• ''The Resistance fighters retreat from Cole and he calmly steps after them, down the steps in front of Cole's Tower. Rallying behind the emperor come the PPD, their morale rebolstered by his timely arrival. And then... ''
• ''Cole stops. A quiet seems to wash over the Magisterium and only John Houston's sobs of joy can be heard. Then Cole goes completely berserk attacking anyone and everyone he can see. ''
• ''Neuron cries out. ''
• No! NO! What are you doing? What's going on!?
• Of course it wasn't supposed to happen! Look! He's, he's slaughtering everybody! Everyone watching TPN right now is going to think that the Emperor has gone completely mad.
• No no no! He threw the car, why'd he throw the car?
• ''Neuron is sweating, he looks to you with teeth clenched, panic in his voice. ''
• I can't go down there to stop it, that would implicate me in the entire plot. I can hear Cole now, 'Very convenient that you showed up when the clone of me went insane and blew up the Magisterium, Stephen.'
• Someone has to stop him before it's too late!
• Nobody. I made sure that they couldn't react in time to steal the moment of glory... The only other person who could even stand a chance of it is you but...
• Wait, that's it! You can stop him! You stopped him before you can do it again!
• Trust me! I've crunched the numbers, you can do it! You must do it!
• '''Enemies'''
• * The Olympian (Experiments, Lieutenant)
• ''Neuron's genetic engineering experiments at recreating Marcus Cole have reached a viable state, though its power pales in comparison to the Emperor.''
• '''Debriefing'''
• I am so dead.
• === Pride in Your Work ===
• ==== Souvenir ====
• '''The Sleeping Emperor'''
• '''Pride in Your Work '''
• What Neuron didn't realize is that, like him, you also take pride in your work.
• ==== Finale: Following Orders ====
• Cole only need know that the current version of The Olympian is destroyed, but my research will continue. When I have finally overcome whatever critical flaw I overlooked, then Cole will realize that I did the right thing.
• Go in and disconnect that flawed chunk of flesh from the nutrient vat. It is of no use to me any more.
• '''Unnecessary Solicitation'''
• Cole has requested that The Olympian be destroyed immediately. The hubris of that man believing that he knows better than I when science is concerned!
• ''Players are presented with a moral choice: to side with the Resistance or aid the Loyalists.''
• ** Speak with Emperor Marcus Cole
• ''You've sent a message to Emperor Cole.''
• Please, you are one of Praetoria's greatest defenders, you have both my respect and my admiration. Dispense with the titles and call me Marcus.
• I see. Stephen Berry has ever been difficult to control. It is, unfortunately, one of his many and varied flaws. That you suggest we must now add disloyalty is concerning to me. Do you have proof of this?
• I see, and I can understand his desire to keep his research, but there are two reasons why I stand by my decision. First, I believe The Olympian project was too dangerous. It was powerful but was uncontrollable.
• Second, I gave Neuron a direct order based on what I had observed. That he chooses to ignore the latter despite the former is greatly concerning. It tells me he has grown blind with pride.
• I shall have to remind Praetor Berry that he should not grow too prideful. Too many have already forgotten how hubris nearly destroyed us all.
• == Badge ==
• == Notes ==