Missions:Experts in the Field (Villain) - Part One: No Matter When You Look

Part One: No Matter When You Look

Briefing

Lieutenant Harriman snaps out an angry salute at you before speaking.

Character. My captain has informed me that you have purchased our services for the time being, and I've been ordered to work with you on tracking down the artifact called Pandora's Box.

Harriman spits on the ground.

Frankly, I think it's a load of crap, but when the captain says 'Jump-bots,' I say 'how many?' So I guess despite the fact that you assaulted my squad and stole our flagship, I have to play nice with you. Problem is, I wouldn't know the first thing about ancient artifacts or any of that magical mystical mumbo-jumbo. I specialize in more modern hardware, understand? Still, I think I might have a lead.

• Agree to form a strike force

The men I have stationed at our local outpost have been reporting... strange occurrences. We've had five security lockdowns in the past 48 hours, and each time it's been some Private reporting an old man skulking around the facility. Problem is, every time they chase the guy down, he disappears. I was about ready to start stringing people up by their toes until I spoke with your secretary on the Mitscher.

She's been getting the same reports. I don't know who this guy is, or what his deal is, but he's keen on our operations and we can't seem to pin him in one place. I figure if you want to give it a shot, maybe put him to the question if you catch him, you might get something valuable.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Having trouble catching him, huh? Don't sweat it, my boys have Porters and they still couldn't keep him in one place.

Mission Objective(s)

Map: Warehouse_30_Layout_05_02

You're in luck. This warehouse appears to have just entered a security lockdown. Your quarry must be nearby.

• 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.

Allies

• Sky Raiders
  

Enemies

• Shivans
  
• Unknown
  

Notable NPCs:

• Professor Echo (Unknown Boss, Enemy)

Professor Echo and Comms dialogue

first encounter - before combat Professor Echo: I don't understand. He should be here. My calculations were perfect... first encounter - combat start Professor Echo: Ah! Perhaps it was a rounding error. No matter! first encounter - 75% health Professor Echo: You have access to information that I need, Character. I'm sure we can negotiate. first encounter - 50% health Professor Echo: Hm. I'm beginning to see a flaw in my plan... first encounter - 25% health Professor Echo: I suppose there's some room for adjustment. Let's try this again, shall we? (ports out) first encounter - defeated Caption: ATTENTION: An energy anomaly has been detected in section B26, that is Beta Two Six. Lockdown is still in effect, all units keep an eye out for hostile activity. second encounter - before combat Professor Echo: Perhaps with a slight recalibration, I'll be able to... second encounter - combat start Professor Echo: Ack! Give me a moment, will you? second encounter - 75% health Professor Echo: I suppose I should have made my preparations beforehand... second encounter - 50% health Professor Echo: This endeavor has become exceedingly frustrating! second encounter - defeated Professor Echo: Very well. I'll have to try to synchronize the fields this time. (ports out) (after defeating Echo, Shivans will ambush) Caption: ATTENTION: Multiple energy anomalies detected. Threat code increased to Crimson. All units, prepare for hostile incursion. Primary targets appear to be Shivan in nature. Engage at will. third encounter - before combat Professor Echo: Oh dear, now it's overheating. Perhaps that was a few too many. third encounter - combat start Professor Echo: You won't give me a moment's rest, will you? third encounter - 75% health Professor Echo: Well, the odds are in my favor now. I'll make this attempt count. third encounter - 25% health Professor Echo: I... I believe I have made a grievous error.Overheard some distance from Echo, presumably as he attacks friendly Sky Raiders: third encounter - defeated Professor Echo: I suppose... there's no escape for me this time... after briefing Professor Echo: Goodbye, Character! Another time, perhaps!

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!

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

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

• (Step on Echo's forearm. Hard.)

Ow ow ow OW OW! Alright, fine! You've made your point! I think I fried the blasted thing anyway.

Professor Echo looks up at you with a pathetic expression on his face.

You've got me. I'm not going anywhere. So... now what?

• Now you tell me what you were trying to do 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!

• Achea? 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 / girl. 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

Debriefing

As you explain your confrontation with Professor Echo to Harriman, his expression becomes increasingly skeptical.

Okay, hold on. Let me get this straight.

This guy... Echo, right? He tells you he's from the future - and you believe him, for some blessed reason - and he's been harassing us because he wants to know where Pandora's Box is. And he thinks you time... hop... whatevered into the past, to find out about Pandora's Box, and he thought he could pull a few of your toenails and get you to tell him.

Except you haven't time-skipped anywhere, so he got nothing from you, probably 'cause he's a kook. Except now that he's told you this, you've got the idea in your head to actually try to time-backflip to who knows when, which means he would have been right, which means...

Harriman shakes his head.

No. You know what? I'm done thinking about this. You tell me what's next, that's all I need to know. You're making my brain hurt.