Mission:Experts in the Field (Hero) - Part One: No Matter When You Look

Part One: No Matter When You Look

Briefing

Antonio flips out his badge.

Character? Antonio Nash, Genetic Investigation and Facilitation. I've been assigned to work with you and the Phalanx in tracking down the artifact known as Pandora's Box. I'll be making my department's resources available to you, to assist you in your search.

I'll be honest, Character. This assignment... well, I specialize in Superadine research, and the recent incident with the Trolls has my bosses on edge. They want me looking into how Superadine could have made the Trolls strong enough to take down members of the Phalanx.

There's just one problem: there's no way Superadine could have done that. Supes is capable of some spectacular changes in human physiology, but it still has to follow the biological limits of the user. When Atta and the Trolls attacked Skyway... well, I don't know what was fueling them, but it wasn't Superadine.

But my assignment is what it is, and I need to help you track down this artifact before someone else gets their tyrannical hands on it and starts breaking things. That's a cause I can get behind.

• Agree to form a task force.

So, Character, let's review what we know. There is an artifact, somewhere in the world, named Pandora's Box, and all signs point to it being the primary source of the strange power surges we've been seeing lat-

Antonio is interrupted by a high-pitched, tinny version of Carmen's 'Habanera'. Antonio looks at you apologetically before pulling a phone from his pocket.

This is Tony, talk to me.

Uh huh...

Again? For crying out loud...

Alright, I'll figure something out. Yeah, Character's right here. I don't want to send him / her if it's not related, though...

No no, I understand. I'll talk to him / her... yeah. Bye.

Antonio refocuses his attention on you.

That was one of the Longbow divisions that's been assigned to assist the Phalanx with its investigation. Apparently they've got an intruder, and their scanners are picking up temporal disturbances.

I don't know if it's related to Pandora's Box, Character, but frankly it's the best lead I've got at the moment. Would you mind checking it out?

Unnecessary Solicitation

Did you manage to track down the cause of the disturbances? I know it's a long shot, but it beats scouring every ancient temple on the planet.

Mission Objective(s)

Map: tech_30_Layout_02_02

Longbow agents are on patrol inside the base. It looks like security lockdown is still in effect.

• Investigate the Intrusion
  • Locate the Intruder
  • Pursue Professor Echo!
  • Speak with Professor Echo

You've chased off Professor Echo, and gained some new direction in your search for Pandora's Box.

Enemies

Shivans
Unknown

Notable NPCs:

• Professor Echo (Unknown Boss, Enemy)

Professor Echo Dialogue 1

At Entrance:

Professor Echo: I don't understand. He / She should be here. My calculations were perfect...

Professor Echo: Ah! Perhaps it was a rounding error. No matter!

If He Defeats a Longbow:

Professor Echo: Uh, Longbow Flamethrower? Longbow Flamethrower, are you still with me?

Professor Echo: ...Oh dear.

First Fight - 75% Health:

Professor Echo: You have access to information that I need, Character. I'm sure we can negotiate.

First Fight - 50% Health:

Professor Echo: Hm. I'm beginning to see a flaw in my plan...

First Fight - Defeated:

Professor Echo: I suppose there's some room for adjustment. Let's try this again, shall we?

Professor Echo Dialogue 2

Second Fight - Before Combat:

Professor Echo: Perhaps with a slight recalibration, I'll be able to...

Second Fight - Combat Start:

Professor Echo: Ack! Give me a moment, will you?

Second Fight - 75% Health:

Professor Echo: I suppose I should have made my preparations beforehand...

Second Fight - 50% Health:

Professor Echo: This endeavor has become exceedingly frustrating!

Second Fight - Defeated: Professor Echo: Very well. I'll have to try to synchronize the fields this time.

Professor Echo Dialogue 3

Third Fight - Before Combat:

Professor Echo: Oh dear, now it's overheating. Perhaps that was a few too many.

Third Fight - Combat Start:

Professor Echo: You won't give me a moment's rest, will you?

Third Fight - 75% Health:

Professor Echo: Well, the odds are in my favor now. I'll make this attempt count.

Third Fight - 25% Health:

Professor Echo: I... I believe I have made a grievous error.

Third Fight - Defeated:

Professor Echo: I suppose... there's no escape for me this time...

Professor Echo

Briefing

Even after collapsing, Professor Echo is still trying to activate the device on his forearm. Judging by the harsh trills and blinking red lights flashing from it, his attempts appear to have been unsuccessful.

• Having a bit of trouble this time?

Professor Echo glances nervously at you. He tries in vain to get the device to respond. After a few moments of frustration, he sighs and lowers his head.

I... yes, it would appear so. Your combat abilities are... more potent than my data implied. I suppose that's what I get for trusting the historians.

• Historians... right. And your purpose here was...?

I'm here for the same thing you are. I'm looking for clues on Pandora's Box. I tried following your example, but I simply don't have the tech to make a jump that far. Honestly, I can't figure out how you did it.

I did, however, have records of your last known location before you time-jumped to Achaea, so I figured I would drop in on your operation and learn how you did it. And I must say, you have done a very good job of masking your chronometric distortions. I haven't been able to detect them at all!

• Archea? Time-jump? I have no idea what you're talking about.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

• Stop for a moment. I just want to talk to you.

Professor Echo looks up at you, clearly surprised by your understanding attitude.

Well, I... I may have misjudged you, Character. This is a barbaric time in history, after all, and in my time your reputation mostly consists of the application of force. I thought that diplomacy would be a fool's errand, but it is clear to me now that discarding all nonviolent options was the truly foolish notion.

You have my attention, Character. What do you wish to know?

• Well, you could start by telling me why you're here.

I'm here for the same thing you are. I'm looking for clues on Pandora's Box. I tried following your example, but I simply don't have the tech to make a jump that far. Honestly, I can't figure out how you did it.

I did, however, have records of your last known location before you time-jumped to Achaea, so I figured I would drop in on your operation and learn how you did it. And I must say, you have done a very good job of masking your chronometric distortions. I haven't been able to detect them at all!

• Archea? Time-jump? I have no idea what you're talking about.

Professor Echo frowns at you.

There's no need to pretend for my sake, my boy / dear. Everything you do today is already ancient history to me.

You're planning on jumping to the first moment that Pandora's Box ever appeared in history. A laudable goal, but as I've stated before, I have no idea how you would accomplish such a feat. The best I've ever managed is a few short decades.

Now, I'm sure you're keeping this all hush-hush to avoid competition, but I really do think that-

Professor Echo trails off as he sees the blank stare in your eyes.

You... you really don't know what I'm talking about, do you? You don't have a chronoporter, and this facility has nothing to do with time travel, does it? Has historical time travel as an investigative tool even crossed your mind?

• No... Well, not until now, I suppose.

Professor Echo shakes his head in dismay.

Ah. I see. It seems causality is determined to make me the temporal fool, in this case. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that my... 'contribution' to this cause has been overlooked by history.

Very well, Character. While I would love to stay and wallow in the cosmic injustice that this project has visited upon me, I believe it is time for me to depart.

Before you can react, Professor Echo pulls away from you and activates the device on his forearm. The light blinks green and gives a short, high-pitched beep, and Professor Echo disappears. You get the feeling he doesn't plan on returning.

• Leave

Professor Echo Departs

Professor Echo: Goodbye, Character! Another time, perhaps!

Debriefing

Antonio scratches his head in confusion.

I... see. So, the temporal disturbances that Longbow detected were caused by Professor Echo spying on us... from the future? Well, I guess I'm not really sure what to make of this.

On the one hand, it's somewhat discouraging that someone from the distant future is still searching for Pandora's Box. And yet, Echo seemed to think that you found it at some point, which I suppose is evidence that we're destined to succeed... maybe.

Temporal causality is a tricky problem, Character, and I don't think pinning all of our answers on a possible future destiny is in our best interests. Still, Echo did suggest that time travel was the key to your success, so maybe there's something to that...