View source for Bane Spider Ruben

== Overview ==
{{Infobox Contact
|name=Bane Spider Ruben
|image=Bane Spider Ruben.jpg
|img_capt=Arachnos Liaison
|zone=[[Cap au Diable]]
|x=-750|y=135|z=-291
|levels=15-24
|introed=''None''
|intros=''None''
|enemies={{Enemy Arachnos}}{{Enemy Longbow}}
|badges=[[File:Badge i22 mission cad giftedspeaker.png|20px]] [[Gifted Speaker Badge|Gifted Speaker]]
}}

{{Contact Overview|City=V|Zone=Cap au Diable|x=-750|y=135|z=-291|Pronoun=his|HoodYN=Y|Hood=Aeon City|OriginYN=N|Origin=|LevelYN=Y|Level=15-24}} He is located on the far side of the doors to the Tech and Science stores, opposite [[Marshal Brass]].

__Toc__

==Introductions==
=== Contact Introduced By ===
* None

=== Contact Introduces ===
* None

=== Information ===
'''Arachnos Liaison'''

Harvey Ruben exhibited enough psychic prowess to be inducted into the Bane Spider Network, as his title implies. However, compared to most of his peers, his superhuman mental abilities are relatively weak. To most people, this would be seen as a negative... but those people are not part of the Bane Spider Network. Ruben's lack of potent psychic ability means that his mind is not as well connected to the Network as it could be, which in turn leaves some room for his own free will to operate. Able to think and react to problems in ways his peers were simply incapable of, Ruben has been quickly climbing the ranks in Arachnos. What he lacks in psychic potential, he more than makes up for with nuanced thinking and martial skill.

=== Prior to Introduction ===
{{Missing Prior}}

=== Initial Contact ===
'''{{darkorange|The Bane Spider is writing something into his notepad as you approach. At first, it doesn't seem that he has noticed your arrival. After a moment, the Bane Spider stops writing, and shifts slightly. He turns to face you directly.}}'''

Ah, {{Character}}. Harvey Ruben, Bane Spider Corps, 73rd Division. Thank you for arriving in such a timely manner. It's good to know that some of the so-called Destined Ones are capable of being prompt. 

I know you're busy, {{Character}}, so I'll make this quick: I have a problem, and I think you possess the unique skills necessary to help me solve that problem.

*{{green|Go on.}}

:It appears that there is a new player in Cap au Diable - a player that is working directly against Arachnos's efforts in the Isles. Specifically, someone has been targeting Destined Ones, and has been... ''converting'' them to his cause.

:'Converting' can be considered a loose term, in this context, because I'm fairly certain that some level of psychic suggestion is involved.

:Regardless, Arachnos is more than capable of tracking this guy down and ending his little charade. That's one possible solution.

:*{{green|So what do you need me for, then?}} ''(Go to 'A')''

*{{green|(Optional) Whoa, hold on. I don't work for Arachnos. I'm nobody's flunkie.}}

:'''{{darkorange|Ruben sighs, and his domed helmet cranes backward slightly. You can't see beneath his helmet, but you get the distinct impression that he's rolling his eyes at you.}}'''

:Arachnos doctrine compels me to inform you that you are not required by Arachnos to comply with any order, request, or command given by an Arachnos operative of any rank below Arbiter. In the event that an agent gives such a command and attempts to coerce your compliance by force - which, by the way, ''I am not doing'' - you are within your rights to respond to the Arachnos agent with whatever force you deem necessary. 

:''However... ''

:I personally think that this would be a mutually beneficial operation, {{Character}}. Someone has been targeting Destined Ones and has been 'converting' them, probably by psychic influence. Arachnos doesn't like that, but you shouldn't either. If this guy keeps at it, who's to say he doesn't target you, next? This operation will be in both of our interests.

:*{{green|Why doesn't Arachnos just kill this guy off then?}}

:''(A)'' Well, if we go with the brute force approach, we've only solved the immediate problem. Lord Recluse has a specific interest in the development and growth of the Destined Ones, and it doesn't bode well if someone can simply waltz in and mindwipe the lot of them. We don't know how that's being done, and that puts us at a long-term disadvantage. 

:Furthermore, there's the issue of the Destined Ones themselves. We have no idea how many have been converted so far, how their minds have been affected, or how long that process lasts. 

:Really, the ''only'' thing we know is that someone is turning Destined Ones against us, and that's not enough for us to work with. What we need is an inside man.

:*{{green|So you want someone to be...'converted'?}}

:'''{{darkorange|Ruben chuckles at you.}}'''

:Oh, lord no. THAT would be a grade-A disaster. No, we just need you to go undercover. 

:'''{{darkorange|Ruben hands you a small plastic device, shaped like a coin. }}'''

:Here, put this in your right ear. It's a Psychic Damper. It's based on the same tech that operates the Bane Spider Network, and it should be able to protect you from low-grade psychic interference. Hopefully, that includes the conversion process, whatever that happens to be. 

:Oh, and as an added bonus, it establishes a link between the two of us - I'll be able to communicate with you psychically, even while you're deep undercover.

:*{{green|Sounds good. So, where do I find this guy?}}

::''(Begin mission briefing)''

:*{{green|(Optional) I won't be needing that. I don't have what tou call a 'normal' brain.}}

::'''{{darkorange|Ruben folds his arms, and his tone becomes somewhat disparaging. }}'''

::Oh, is that so? You're completely immune to psychic influence? If I called in a Fortunata right now, she wouldn't be able to cause you any harm? 

::'''{{darkorange|Ruben sighs beneath his helmet. }}'''

::Look, I think you're underestimating the definition of 'mind' here. It's not a question of biology, it's a question of perception. If you're sentient enough to stand here, talk to me, and make your own decisions, then it's a sure bet that you have enough of a mind to be susceptible to psychic influence. That means psionic attacks, but it also means psychic persuasion and mind control. 

::There are ways to mitigate those dangers, however, and that's what I'm offering you. If you want to go undercover, you're going to need a Psychic Damper. Understand?

::*{{green|Fine, have it your way. What's next?}}

::''(Begin mission briefing)''

=== Greeting ===
*Let's get to work, {{Character}}.
*Let's keep this brief. I don't want to blow your cover.
*What news from the front, {{Character}}?

=== Too Busy ===
Oh, come on!  That's ''really'' unprofessional.

If you want to run around and rob banks and stuff on your own time, that's fine by me.  Just don't do it while you're trying to go undercover, ok?  Take care of whatever it is you're doing, and ''then'' get back to me.

=== Too Low Level ===
{{Missing Too Low}}

=== No More Missions ===
Don't think there's much left to do, {{Character}}. You got to play Pied Piper, and I got Longbow off my turf. Everyone's happy.

Well, the important people, anyway.

== Store ==
None

== Story Arc ==
{{ArcAward|m=2}}
=== {{UL|Destiny Follows}} ===
==== Souvenir ====
{{Souvenir|Suggestion Engine Projector}}
{{Mission:Destiny Follows - Part One: Hi, My Name is (Character), and I'm a Villain}}
{{Mission:Destiny Follows - Part Two: Acceptable Losses}}
{{Mission:Destiny Follows - Part Three: Double Agent}}
{{Mission:Destiny Follows - Part Four: Man / Woman of the People}}
{{Mission:Destiny Follows - Part Five: General for a Day}}