Max

Overview

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Max
Malta Agent
Zone	Dark Astoria
Level Range	50
Introduced By	Mu'Vorkan
Introduces	Praetor Duncan
Enemy Groups	??
Badges	Knife Butcher Nanite Man

Max is a hero and villain contact in Dark Astoria. His level range is 50. He is available by phone only.

Introductions

Contact Introduced By

• Mu'Vorkan

Contact Introduces

• Praetor Duncan

Information

Malta Agent

The man named Max, which most likely is not his real name, is an agent for Malta. His task has usually been political subversion and not combat out in the field.

He has been allowed by his superiors to work together with you to take down the Knives of Vengeance.

Initial Contact

You hear a familiar voice over the phone. It's Max, the man you rescued within Dark Astoria.

Howdy, Character. Now, I should come clean with you, I think you deserve that. Well, I mean, you'll figure things out, anyway. Here's the deal. I have vast information on the Knives of Vengeance, including where their base is. Now, you might be wondering, how do I have that information?

Have you ever heard of a group called Malta? Of course you have, that was a joke. I know all about your involvement in stopping our projects. Now, you could say that I'm one of their representatives; less of the shooting kind and more of the political subversion kind.

Now, the Knives of Artemis, you know, what they were before those gals were transformed, were a pocket group of Malta. Well, technically they were a cult that Malta hired, we won't get into the details on that. One day, we simply lost all communication with the group, except for one SOS...

You have to wonder, why exactly is a Malta agent telling you he is a Malta agent? Malta is either getting desperate, or there's something else to this plan.

• Listen (A)

We sent in a team to investigate the SOS. It either meant the Knives were getting weaker, or they were compromised. That team never returned. We checked the records on our titans and saw the team was slaughtered by these so-called 'Knives of Vengeance'.

As I'm sure you know, Malta is fully equipped to deal with most super human situations. However, the Praetorian invasion and now this have shown that our technology has, for lack of a better word, become unsuitable for the situation at hand. Which is why I'm allowed to talk to you today.

The Knives of Artemis, as we know it, are gone. Since they were a Malta asset that has now gone rogue, it is partially our responsibility to handle them in a timely manner. However, with this dark god business in Astoria, we have to take some... extreme measures, like working with a super.

• Alright, what has to be done? (B)

Our intel shows that the Knives of Vengeance transform former members of the Knives of Artemis within their training grounds, located in a discrete location in Tibet. Their base is well fortified and, well, filled with the monsters.

It would be incredibly difficult for someone, even an Incarnate class super like yourself to get in there. Which is why I have this proposal.

Three important members of Malta, Gyrfalcon, Director 11, and Slinger, all have detailed information on the training grounds. However, all of them are currently captured, and Malta is unable to recover them. Gyrfalcon is being held by the Reichsman, Director 11 within the most secure part of the Ziggurat, and Slinger is somewhere in Arachnos custody. If you can free each of them, they'll help you assault the training grounds in order to destroy the Knives of Vengeance, once and for all.

• And if I refuse to help them?

Malta only wants this taken care of, Character, with or without the assets freed. We do not gain anything by having these monsters out further.

I can get you to the training grounds whenever you want. It's just going to be, well, let's just say we sent in our best men to take care of the situation, and they were all killed. The Knives put in preparations for an attack by Malta. They had devices that could disable our titans and any missile launches we attempted.

So, it's your choice. You can help break our boys free and go in there with full force, or be a cowboy and go in there alone.

You can choose to go to the final mission of this story arc whenever you wish. However, it will be very difficult to complete without the aid of the Malta agents, or without a team. If you skip to the end, the previous missions can be re-played through Ouroboros once the mission is completed.

• Alright, what do we do?

We've got our boys to rescue, Character. Or, you can skip straight to the end, if you're thinking you can cowboy this thing and do it on your own.

• Give me details on Director 11.

The Face of the PPD

Director 11 originally created our dealings with the Knives of Artemis. His knowledge of demolitions and on the foundations of the Knives of Vengeance's training grounds will prove extremely useful to the operation.

That's all of the details I know about Director 11's personality. I do have detailed information about his whereabouts, however. He's being kept in a secure part of the Ziggursky prison, which is, ironically, near the top.

We have an agent on the inside who can slip you in. However, it's up to you to deal with the Paragon Police that have been stationed there. From our reports, they've all been powered up by... well, something. We're not sure what it is, but they took out some of our boys with ease.

• Alright, I can handle this.

• Give me details on Gyrfalcon.

Rebuilding the Column

Gyrfalcon's rough with the field operatives, but he's known for always going in and getting them out of a bad situation, when it's called for. After the whole business with Reichsman, Gyrfalcon was captured again by 5th Column soldiers.

We have reason to believe that it was Reichsman himself leading the group that apprehended Gyrfalcon. Our intelligence reports indicate Reichsman is trying to rebuild his empowerment machine after the disaster that was his first attempt at an invasion.

We have a location on where Gyrfalcon is being held, however, it won't be easy to recover him. If we have him, however, he will prove extremely useful in the field against the Knives of Vengeance.

• Hold on, Reichsman is free? How did that happen?

• Give me details on Slinger.

Technology of the Future

Slinger was one of the best engineers that ever joined with Malta. To be honest, things haven't been the same without him. But I won't go on about that.

He was involved in an operation involving Arachnos and Project FURY's theoretical technology. Arachnos was pretty idiotic to think that they could hire Malta out as 'mercenaries' and not expect us to take anything back from them.

The tech Slinger made was brilliant, it was called the Orestes Rifle. It was designed to nullify magical artifacts that were connected to the Well of the Furies, and we have reason to believe that the Knives are in possession of such an item.

Unfortunately, Slinger was defeated by a group of villains and subsequently imprisoned by Arachnos.

We have reports that he's working on a project that Recluse seeks to use to empower not only himself, but his 'chosen' followers, believing that it will move forward his goal of using technology to circumvent the Well of the Furies.

• What is this project?

• I'm ready to fight the Knives of Vengeance.

• Leave

Editor's Note: All missions need to be completed in order to obtain the reward menu at the end. However, only the last mission needs to be done to meet the requirements of Taskmaster Gabriel. If the missions become inaccessible because the final mission was completed early, they can be completed using a Pillar of Ice and Flame. Depending on which Malta agent you choose to free, you will be taken to the corresponding mission below.

• I'm not listening to another word from a Malta agent.

Now, I understand that, Character. How can you know this isn't an elaborate trick to kill you? We have plans within plans within plans... however, we're not sitting in some sort of spy novel here. This is wrath of God, end of the world type stuff; basically, a situation where Malta is willing to assign an agent to work together with a super to handle things. One agent, mind you.

Believe me, if it were possible for us to handle this, you would've never even seen the Knives of Vengeance out in the street, or heard of them. You'd be continuing on your merry way, never knowing that you were at risk. Now, do you want to know what happened, or should I just get straight to the point?

• Alright, what happened with the SOS? (Go to 'A' )

• Let's just get to the point. (Go to 'B' )

Greetings

We've got our boys to rescue, Character. Or, you can skip straight to the end, if you're thinking you can cowboy this thing and do it on your own.

No More Missions

After completing Max' main arc:

Now that business is done with Character, Max can continue with his regular work for the Malta organization...

After completing all arcs:

You try to call Max, but all you receive is a message informing you that the line has been disconnected.

Store

None.

Story Arc

Story Arc Name

Souvenir

+++ Missing Information +++

The Face of the PPD

Mission Acceptance

Good to see your morals as a hero won't get in the way of this. I should warn you about one last thing, Character.

Blue Steel sometimes patrols the area. Ever since the incident in Galaxy City, security around the prison has been upgraded tenfold. Even someone like you is going to have a hard time fighting Blue Steel alone. You might want to bring some pals along, should he show up.

We'll have a helicopter waiting on the roof of the Zig. Once you get Director 11, book it to the roof and we'll get him out of there.

Unnecessary Solicitation

The helicopter is waiting, Character. We're on a timetable, here.

Mission Objective(s)

Map: IOM_THEZIG

You're led into the heart of the Zig, which was easy given your hero status. Now you'll just have to deal with the PPD that are guarding Director 11.

• Break out Director 11
  • Defeat the Hyper Advanced Heracles to break Director 11 out of his prison
  • Get Director 11 to the roof of the Zig
  • Defeat Blue Steel to escape

You defeated Blue Steel and rescued Director 11!

Enemies

Paragon Police Department

Notable NPCs

• Hyper Advanced Heracles (Paragon Police Boss)
• Blue Steel (Paragon Police Elite Boss)

PPD Dialogue

Before Combat:

PPD Drone: What's the status on Blue Steel?

PPD Awakened: He's patrolling another part of the Zig.

Combat Start:

PPD Awakened: You can't be here! I'm sorry, but we need to take you down!

---

Before Combat:

PPD Awakened: These new modifications... I think we can do a lot of good with them.

PPD Awakened: Let's just hope it's worth the risk.

Combat Start:

PPD Awakened: No one is allowed in here, not even you!

---

Before Combat:

PPD Drone: Dark Astoria is a mess. When are we going in?

Combat Start:

PPD Drone: You can't be here, Character!

Hyper Advanced Heracles Dialogue

Before Combat:

Hyper Advanced Heracles: Preparing for intruders.

Combat Start:

Hyper Advanced Heracles: Intruder detected. Character, classified as a hero. Reporting violation to authorities.

Director 11 Dialogue

Director 11: I wasn't expecting this. I assume Max was involved somehow and that the Knives of Vengeance have gotten out of hand. Let's go.

Ambush! After freeing Director 11, you will be ambushed by up to five groups of Paragon Police. PPD Awakened: There's a breach, we can't let Director 11 escape!

Blue Steel Dialogue

Combat Start:

Blue Steel: You are NOT escaping with Director 11, Character. Not on MY watch!

75% Health:

Blue Steel: You're a hero! Why are you doing this?!

50% Health:

Blue Steel: I represent the law in Paragon, Character! Maybe YOU don't care for it, but I do!

25% Health:

Blue Steel: I don't care if you're Incarnate powered, I will NOT BACK DOWN!

Upon Defeat:

Blue Steel: Urgh... how could this... happen...?

Debriefing

Great work, Character. Director 11 is safe and sound and already has a plan set for attacking the base.

He also mentioned wanting to get some vengeance on those Praetorians, but he's assured us that operation will come afterwards. Hey, at least we're not going after you, right? Not that we would any time soon, given your display of power back there.

• Let's discuss what's left.

Rebuilding the Column

Mission Acceptance

There was a massive attack by members of the 5th Column to release Reichsman some time ago. It looks like he had a back up plan in the event of his defeat.

Anyway, the main difficulty will be from the presence of Reichsman in the base.

There have also been strange reports of empowered 5th Column members entering the base, though our spies went silent afterwards. You'll want to be on your guard in there, it won't be easy to handle, especially if you're going in alone. Reichsman is going to be incredibly difficult to take down, even with your abilities. If you have some friends who can help you, now would be the time to call 'em in.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Good luck in there, Character. Reichsman is powerful, even without his empowerment machine.

Mission Objective(s)

Map: REQUIEM_BASE

Malta air-lifted you to the entrance of this 5th Column base. Outside of the base were the unconscious bodies of several 5th Column soldiers. Is someone else after Gyrfalcon?

• Rescue Gyrfalcon from the 5th Column
  • Defeat Reichsman to free Gyrfalcon
  • Defeat Reichsman and Requiem

You've rescued Gyrfalcon and defeated the combined might of Reichsman and Requiem!

Enemies

5th Column

Notable NPCs

• Requiem (5th Column Boss)
• Reichsman (5th Column Elite Boss)

5th Column Dialogue

Before Combat:

Raserei Ubermenschen Rifle: The man known as Gyrfalcon is somewhere here. What were the orders?

Raserei Ubermenschen Grenade: Requiem is personally handling Reichsman and Gyrfalcon. We have nothing to worry about.

Combat Start:

Raserei Ubermenschen Grenade: You won't make it past us, Character!

---

Before Combat:

Raserei Ubermenschen Grenade: The traitors were no match for our new power!

Raserei Ubermenschen Force: They were fools to refuse to follow Requiem into the past.

Combat Start:

Raserei Ubermenschen Grenade: Ah, an incarnate. A perfect chance to really test out our abilities!

---

Before Combat:

Darkwolf: What shall we do with the prisoners?

Vampyr Mesmerist: They will either fall in line and become us, or be killed.

Combat Start:

Vampyr Mesmerist: How did you find out about this base, Character?

Reichsman: Urgh... Requiem... I hadn't expected you to be this powerful. Requiem: You could say my trip to Cimerora brought me back to my roots, Reichsman. Requiem: It looks like your plans to use Gyrfalcon to rebuild your machine never became a reality... Requiem: And now... you're barely as powerful as Statesman once was. Requiem: My army... my power... and now, my life. But you failed on every attempt. Requiem: From this day forward, Reichsman, YOU will serve ME, and I shall lead the 5th Column to TRUE power and REAL VICTORY! Requiem: Our first order of business will be killing Character, then using our forces to absorb whatever monstrosity is boiling within Dark Astoria.

Reichsman & Requiem Dialogue

Combat Start:

Requiem: Character. Do you think your Incarnate abilities can match that of myself and Reichsman? Let's find out.

Reichsman: For now, Requiem, you have my aid against Character.

Upon Rescue:

Gyrfalcon: Thanks for the save. I'm assuming Max sent you here. I'll do what I can to assist with the situation.

Debriefing

Gyrfalcon is back in action now. It seems like we'll have to keep our eyes on the 5th Column once again if Requiem has taken back full control.

Requiem's presence would explain the empowered 5th Column we heard about. Anyway, that's something we can worry about once the world isn't about to be devoured by a god of death, eh?

• Let's get back to business.

Technology of the Future

Mission Acceptance

The project, Character, involves Reichsman's empowerment machine. Quick and dirty of it is that Reichsman used the empowerment machine to absorb the power from other versions of himself to increase his power.

In the ensuing chaos of Reichsman's initial invasion, the empowerment machine was destroyed. The reality of the situation, however, is that Black Scorpion managed to recover some of the blue prints to rebuild the machine. The only person that could fill in the blanks of the blue prints is our man, Slinger.

From what we can tell, Recluse plans on using it to absorb the power of Incarnate-level supers to spread throughout his army. Well, he actually already has done that; the Arachnos soldiers that are guarding the device have already been empowered by it.

We've also received word that Black Scorpion is there as well, and that Slinger has upgraded his armor to go toe to toe with Incarnates.

We can get you inside of that facility, but from there it's up to you to get inside, rescue Slinger from Black Scorpion, and destroy that empowerment machine. You're facing Arachnos that are going to be seriously powered up, Character. Be on your guard, and, possibly, bring along some folks you feel you can trust to have your back.

Unnecessary Solicitation

You need to get that thing taken care off we talked about earlier.

Mission Objective(s)

Map: ARACHNOS_WAREHOUSE_EMPOWERMENTMACHINE

Several Malta agents guide you into the warehouse, then vanish without a word.

• Recover Slinger from Arachnos
  • 2 Arbiters to defeat to unlock elevator to the lower level
  • Defeat Black Scorpion to free Slinger
  • Speak to Slinger
  • 4 bombs to arm to destroy the Empowerment machine

You rescued Slinger and destroyed the empowerment machine!

Enemies

Arachnos

Notable NPCs

• Black Scorpion (Arachnos Elite-Boss)

Arbiter Dialogue

Before Combat:

Arachnos Arbiter: The power flowing through us is immense... we must not let Lord Recluse down!

Combat Start:

Arachnos Arbiter: Character! You've walked into your doom!

---

Before Combat:

Arachnos Arbiter: Stay on your toes. We represent the true might of Arachnos, but there are those who can still face off against us.

Combat Start:

Arachnos Arbiter: Such as Character! Prepare yourselves!

Black Scorpion Dialogue

Before Combat:

Black Scorpion: HAH! This is great! My armor feels more powerful than ever! I'd like to see the chump who thinks he can stand against ME!

Combat Start:

Black Scorpion: So, you're the chump, eh, Character? I'll blast ya to little Incarnate bits!

Slinger

Briefing

The Empowerment Machine

I've been holed up in so many Arachnos prisons that I can't wait to get outta here.

We've got to destroy this machine, though. I've gone through the ins and outs and this thing here is too dangerous to fall into the wrong hands.

I know that might be ironic, coming from me, Character, but the risks of this device far outweigh the benefits. You don't need to worry about this thing being rebuilt again, though. I'm gonna go through and destroy the blue prints Black Scorpion had, and without me, Arachnos doesn't have a shot at rebuilding this.

• Did Recluse ever use this machine on himself?

Not yet, thankfully. He was using the soldiers here as test subjects. We went through a lot of iterations. First Arachnos soldier that went in here broke apart like a pinata at a birthday party.

After several iterations, I finally got it to work on these boys here, with the help of Arachnos having several super-powered Incarnates captured and ready to be tested on. The big test was hooking it up to Black Scorpion, which worked out well enough, though you still beat him to a pulp, eh?

Recluse was gonna be next on the list, but, well, that don't look like it's happening now. Operative Grillo and Dr. Aeon are gonna be dissappointed, that's for sure. They've been helping me develop the project for some time, though they can't match my know-how with the machine.

• What other projects is Arachnos working on?

Only other big one I know about is being run by that fella, Vernon von Grun. He has been doing a lot of experiments on what he called a 'super devoured', a monster that was once a heroine called Pyriss. He's trying to piece together more about how the Devouring Earth operate and evolve.

Word is that he's made her more powerful than ever, may have even caused her personality to resurface. If it's true, then it's a huge step forward in the whole fight against the Devouring Earth, but that's the most that I know. Aeon and Grillo seemed to believe the project was a waste of resources.

• How do I know you won't rebuild this for Malta?

Well, I suppose you don't, do you? However, with you here, I'm assuming it means that Malta is in a bad situation right now, probably with the Knives of Vengeance I've heard about, so I'll level with you about the nature of the machine.

You've gotta continually keep yourself powered to the machine. If you let it lapse for too long, you'll start to lose your power. Reichsman's stasis kept his power from waning since his body was in a suspended state, unlucky for us, eh? However, if you're active with this power, it'll start fading after a time. Black Scorpion is gonna go from being Incarnate armored scorpion to just a regular guy in a power suit pretty soon.

This limitation is something we can't allow in Malta. If we're going to evolve our technology, it's going to be in a method that's permanent with as little downsides as possible.

• You're only going free if you tell me about the Orestes rifle.

Looks like you got me in a bind here, Character. I don't have any of my tools here to fight ya, so I'll just come clean.

This Orestes tech, it works by weakening the link between an incarnate item and a person. That's why it worked so well on Liberty, 'cause that belt of Hera was connected to the Well. This thing doesn't do jack to someone who is a regular Incarnate like Recluse, or whose magical item isn't directly connected to the Well of the Furies.

Of course, I could be lying to you, but we'll never know until the

• We need to blow this thing up.

I agree. I'll step away and let you do the honors, Character.

• (Blow the machine up)

Debriefing

Slinger is back in a safe house and is being debriefed on the situation. He believes that he can create what he calls an 'Orestes Field' to help in the fight against the Knives of Vengeance.

If these monsters are tied to the Well, that field is gonna give us a huge advantage against them.

• Let's discuss other matters.

Note that Max's story arc does not give a reward choice at the end unless all three rescue missions are successfully completed.

Personal Story

Souvenir

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Personal Story Name

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