Collapsing Ideals
Villain Morality Mission
You overhear some Arachnos operatives speaking about a mind control device being worked on by Arachnos scientists. You look into the matter, using all the resources at your command to find every bit of information there is...
- You discover that Arachnos does indeed have a mind control device, though it is only powerful enough to control the mind of one person. They have been developing it to combat recent problems with Bane Spiders breaking free from their mental network.
- They already plan on using a prototype on the device on a man named Michael Polario, a rich gambler living in St. Martial. They have evidence that he has left Johnny Sonata's inner circle to work with Longbow in an attempt to kick out Johnny - and Arachnos - from the Giza and St. Martial! Polario has been seen speaking with the hero Overdrive about this on several occassions.
- Later today, Polario will be giving a live conference to the people of Paragon, telling them of the corruption within St. Martial in order to bring as many heroes as possible into the island to remove the threat of Johnny Sonata and Arachnos.
- Arachnos, however, has a different plan of their own for this device.
Well, well! Looks like you stumbled upon quite the tangled plot: a former member of Johnny Sonata's gang trying to redeem himself, Arachnos looking to stop that with a very lucrative device, and a connection with Overdrive - someone considered to be a hero amongst heroes in Paragon.
All of this comes together to form an idea in your mind - take the mind control device for yourself, stop this Michael Polario from inviting more heroes into the Isles, and then, to top it all off, mind-control Overdrive to make her your lackey for ALL of Paragon to see!
WARNING: This is a Morality Mission. Completing this mission will change your alignment to Villain. Becoming a Villain means you will be unable to travel to Paragon City. Any ties to the heroic world will be lost.
- Get yourself a new lackey - Overdrive!
WARNING: This is a Morality Mission. Completing this mission will maintain your current alignment of Villain, removing any progress you may have made on any other alignments.
Are you sure you want to do this?
- Yes, get myself a new lackey - Overdrive!
You map out your master plan after picking up some more information on Arachnos's 'big plan'.
Operative Vargas is currently waiting for some hired help in the form of Savage Siren to show up - looks like they're paying her off to be the one to do the deed. You're going to get there before Savage Siren and take the device from Vargas - leaving him sprawled out along the ground should leave a clear message to Savage Siren - stay away from here.
Once that's done, you'll have to make your way to the top of Polario's penthouse and take him out - before the cameras start to roll. Once he's taken care of, you'll send a message to Longbow that you're 'holding him hostage' - it's just a matter of time until your soon-to-be lackey, Overdrive, arrives.
You'll beat her into a pulp, use the device, then walk out with the people of Paragon watching your victory!
Longbow will have lost their inside man of Polario, the heroes of Paragon will never be commanded to assault St. Martial, and you'll have yourself a new personal lackey. What's not not to like?
- Get yourself a new lackey!
You head off to the location of Polario's penthouse within St. Martial...
Unnecessary Solicitation
If only you could see the faces of the people of Paragon as they see one of their most prominent heroes defeated in front of their very eyes!
Mission Objective(s)
You enter the building to see Operative Vargas waiting...just as you planned.
- Make Overdrive Your Lackey!
- Take the device from Operative Vargas!
- Deal with Michael Polario!
- Weaken Overdrive
- Defeat Blast Furnace
- Gloat over Blast Furnace
- Survive Overdrive's last stand
- Defeat Overdrive
- Give Blast Furnace Some Parting Words
You've done everything you can here. Polario's operations are no more. Blast Furnace and Overdrive are in some hospital now in Paragon, recovering from your brutal assault. All in all, not too bad of a day.
Enemies
Security Guards
Notable NPCs
Operative Vargas briefing
Operative Vargas's face pales as you walk up to him, though he tries to maintain his composure. In his right hand is a small device that resembles some sort of futuristic ray gun - the mind control device.
Ah...Character...this is a...pleasant surprise. I was expecting miss Siren...
...I assume you're not here to talk.
- That would be a correct assumption, yes.
Operative Vargas glances to the weapon in his hand, then up towards you.
Well...tell you what. I'll just get out of your way and...
...zap you with this-!
- (Grab the device out of Vargas' hand)
Vargas blinks as you rip the device out from his hand. He remains motionless with his arm raised, pointing his finger at you. Vargas lets out a nervous laugh.
...you really don't want to hurt me, Character. I can help bring you places in Arachnos! You'll go places thanks to-
- (Knock out Operative Vargas)
Vargas collapses to the ground, knocked unconscious. And you have the mind control device in your hands - time to get to work.
Michael Polario briefing
Michael Polario's face goes blank as you approach him. He stumbles back, his hand shaking.
Y-you're Character!
If you're here...that can only mean that y-you know about...
Polario gulps, reaching into his pocket. He pulls out a communicator - Longbow-made.
Take one step closer and I'll call in Longbow! I swear I will! You won't take ME hostage!
- What makes you think I am here for you?
Wh...what?
Polario lets out a sigh of relief.
You're not here to take me hostage? What a relief!
- No, you're just going to be the bait. Hand over the communicator!
Polario quickly hands the Longbow communicator over to you, once again cowering in fear.
- (Turn on the communicator to contact Longbow)
You turn on the communicator and radio in Longbow. You hear a feminine voice reply - the voice of the heroine, Overdrive.
Mr. Polario! Is there a problem? You're supposed to start filming in a few minutes, right?
- Sorry, Polario is a bit busy at the moment.
Overdrive lets out a gasp.
Character! What are you doing?! What have you done with Mr. Polario? I swear, if you harm ONE hair on his head, I will not rest until you are brought to justice!
- Relax... Polario is just fine. For now.
'You look over to Polario.
What do you want for Polario? Money? Artifacts? Technology? What are you after?
- I -just- want a moment of your time. You're very hard to contact.
You can hear the sound of Overdrive flying - she must already be moving in on this location.
I'd be flattered that you did all of this to get to me, Character, if I wasn't so disgusted by you!
What...a knocked out Arachnos agent...?
Operative Vargas - Overdrive must already be inside of the building!
- I belive this conversation is done, Overdrive. I'll be seeing you shortly...
Before Overdrive can respond, you shut off the communicator. She should be up here any minute now...
- Time to prepare everything... but first, to deal with you, Polario!
You deliver a swift attack to Polario, knocking him out!
The elevator lets out a loud DING - Overdrive has arrived!
- I belive this would be called 'phase 2' ...
Blast Furnace gloating
Blast Furnace stumbles backwards and collapses onto the ground, steam rising from the cracks in his armor.
I'm not supposed to lose...not to villains like YOU...Character...!
You're just lucky...I'm holding back all of my power...!
- Yes, of -course- I'm lucky. I'm sure you're MUCH more powerful
Blast Furnace's hand shakes with anger.
I could burn you to a crisp right here if I wanted to...! I swear it!
You're just lucky...that it would destroy this entire city block...!
- Oh, I'm sure. Come on, Blast Furnace. Unleash some of that power!
Blast Furnace remains silent, refusing to show the so-called power he claims to have.
- Well, that's too bad. I'll leave you here to wallow. I'm taking overdrive!
You can't! I won't let you!
- You already tried to stop me. And you -failed-.
You hear Ovedrive grunt nearby as her power suit activates, causing your mind control device to shatter!
Overdrive has broken free of the mind control!
- Ugh, you heroes are REALLY getting on my nerves!
Blast Furnace parting words
Blast Furnace stares at the spot where Overdrive was defeated, then up towards you.
- What's wrong? No fight left in you?
You're just lucky...that you're hiding behind the innocents that live nearby...if it wasn't for them...you would be destroyed by now!
- Blast Furnace... as long as you have that attitude... you'll never win. Goodbye.
Before Blast Furnace can respond, you deliver one final attack to him, throwing him across the room. His medi-porter system kicks in, teleporting him to safety.
- Hmph. Perhaps that will teach those heroes a lesson.
Random Security Guard dialogue
Before Combat:
- Private Security Guard 1: When is Longbow going to get here? I REALLY don't want to be guarding this guy...
- Private Security Guard 2: Tell me something I don't know. It's tough enough being a cop in the Isles.
- Private Security Guard 1: But then guarding a guy who EVERYONE would be after if they found out about his secret?!
- Private Security Guard 2: Yeah...you think even Character would show up?
- Private Security Guard 1: I wouldn't put it past him, that's for sure.
Combat Start:
- Private Security Guard 1: It's Character...!!
- Private Security Guard 2: I knew this could only end badly!
Security Captain dialogue
Before Combat:
- Polario said once he's in with Longbow, he'll get me a position in there as a Commander. Maybe then I'll finally get some DECENT armor.
- My wife said if I call her up again from the hospital one more time, she's gonna scream and yell until I quit this job.
Combat Start:
- Character! Look, just...just walk away!
Overdrive & Blast Furnace dialogue
Overdrive: Before Combat:
- Overdrive: Alright, Character. You wanted to talk? This is...
- Michael Polario: Ugh!
- Overdrive: Polario! You...you won't get away with this, Character! I swear to it!
Overdrive: Combat:
- Overdrive: What is all this for, then?! Are you just here for me? Is that it?!
- Overdrive: Why go through all this effort? Why?!
- Overdrive: Ugh...not...yet...
- Overdrive: You will pay for this, Blast Furnace!
Blast Furnace: Before Combat:
- Blast Furnace: I won't let you get away with this, Character! I'll beat you and save Overdrive!
- Blast Furnace: Your days are numbered, Character!
Blast Furnace: Combat:
- Blast Furnace: Overdrive, hang in there! I'm going to free you!
- Overdrive: You and your kind are doomed, Blast Furnace.
- Blast Furnace: You are going to PAY for doing this to Overdrive! YOU HEAR ME?!
- Overdrive: You cannot stop this, Blast Furnace. You are too weak.
- Blast Furnace: Ugh! Is this really...all I could do?!
- Overdrive: Face it. You are too weak-willed to win, Blast Furnace.
- Overdrive: You cannot bring yourself to do what must be done. That is why you'll always be weak.
Blast Furnace: Defeated:
- Blast Furnace: Overdrive...!
Overdrive's Last Stand:
- Overdrive: YEAAAAGH!!
- Overdrive: I...will...NOT...let...you..WIN!!
- Overdrive: I am BETTER than you Character!
- Overdrive: You CAN'T put down what I REPRESENT!
- Overdrive: JUSTICE! HONOR!
- Overdrive: What is...right..! What is...fair!
- Overdrive: You won't...you won't win...!
Overdrive: Defeated:
- Blast Furnace: No! Overdrive!
- Overdrive: D-damn...can't...go...further...
- Blast Furnace: Aargh!
Debriefing
You step out from Polario's penthouse. While your initial plans of keeping Overdrive as your lackey failed, you were able to turn it around to beat her down - twice - and crush the hopes of the hero, Blast Furnace.
The two are most certaintly furious at you - but what exactly could they hope to do against the power that you wield? Nothing.
Just like all the others.
The Paragon Wiki Archive documents the state of City of Heroes/Villains as it existed on December 1, 2012.
