Missions:The Hearts of Darkness - Heroic Measures: The Killing Game

The Killing Game

Briefing

We have now come to the end of our trials, Character. This final test will be, and has always been, the true competition. Everything that has come before has solely been for the entertainment of our faceless benefactor. Before you begin sputtering and proclaiming all of your wins, know that if you waste your time spewing invectives and the like, you will have less time to compete. I'm sure you will appreciate our chosen hunting grounds: the destroyed husk that was once known as Galaxy City.

As we speak, Arachnos is launching a full-scale assault of the place, attempting to procure the remnants of the meteors left over from its destruction. You will assault both Arachnos AND Heroes combined.

• No sweat. I was looking for something interesting.

The rules are quite simple. You and the others are tasked with reigning down utter destruction upon the location. For every Arachnos agent killed, you will be granted one point. For every hero killed, you will be granted fifty. I would suggest you focus on Arachnos agents, however; the Hero presence in Galaxy City is far lower than it once was.

You will be in direct competition with your fellow contestants. The moratorium on killing each other is still in effect. If you kill one of your fellow rivals, you will be docked one hundred points.

Let us begin the Killing Game.

Unnecessary Solicitation

What are you doing, you fool!? You need to be on the transport to Galaxy City at once, lest you lose the Killing Game. That would not be an undesirable outcome, if you ask me...

Mission Objective(s)

Map: TRASHED_GALAXY

Dr. Graves has promised you power, and you intend to collect. You MUST win the Killing Game.

• Win the Killing Game!
  • Talk to Dr. Graves!
  • Intercept the Huntsman Prime Squad
  • Plant the first Distress Beacon!
  • Defeat Dillo
  • Defeat Twinshot
  • Intercept the Huntsman Secondary Squad
  • Plant the first Distress Beacon!
  • Defeat Grym
  • Defeat Flambeaux
  • Defeat Proton
  • Seek out Dr. Graves to learn the results of the Killing Game!

You have won the Killing Game. Unlimited power is soon to be yours...

Enemies

Arachnos
Shining Stars

Notable NPCs

• Huntsman Prime Squad (Arachnos Soldiers Wolf Spider Huntsman)
• Huntsman Secondary Squad (Arachnos Soldiers Wolf Spider Huntsman)
• Dillo (Shining Stars Boss)
• Twinshot (Shining Stars Boss)
• Grym (Shining Stars Boss)
• Flambeaux (Shining Stars Boss)
• Proton (Shining Stars Boss)

Dr. Graves Dialogue
Dr. Graves: Speak with me to begin your role in the Killing Game.

Dr. Graves

Briefing

Let us not dawdle. You have been given the rules and the scoring. The agents of Arachnos are here, and are currently being intercepted by your fellow contestants.

• How is the score being kept?

I shall be recording the events of the Killing Game for our benefactors perusal from a remote location at the far end of the arena.

We will be observing the action from multiple vantage points in the area. Your progress will be noted and scoring will be maintained by our benefactor.

Once the Killing Game has reached its conclusion, the contestant with the highest score will be declared the winner.

• I'm ready.

I'd wish you good luck, but let us be honest. I hope you fail.

With that, I will see you when you are done.

• Why you son --

Huntsman Prime Squad Dialogue

Before Combat: Zephyr: Looks like I still have a chance at kickin' yer butt, Character! Crosscut: Oh, Character! I am sooo looking forward to teaching you the Killing Game... Crosscut: More toys to play with... Zephyr: Dude, what yre you waiting around for? Zephyr: Kill something! Combat Start: Huntsman Prime Squad: You are unauthorized to be here, scum! Huntsman Prime Squad: If you will not submit, then you will be terminated at once! Upon Defeat: Huntsman Prime Squad: You can not defy Arachnos and survive, ingrates...

Dillo Dialogue
Before Combat: Dillo: Ha-HA! I have appeared to undangerize this... Combat Start: Dillo: Your citizenry is fabricated! Dillo: You are going to run on sidewalk, as you earthlings say!

Twinshot Dialogue
Before Combat: Twinshot: The signal was coming from this direc- Combat Start: Twinshot: Whoa! Villain! Twinshot: Don't make any false moves. Believe me... I *will* shoot you.

Arachnos Huntsman Secondary Squad Dialogue

Before Combat: Dollface: Outta the way! I can hurt people too, okay? Dollface: Tee-hee! I bet I can make them kill each other! Dollface: ... That counts, right? Omnicore: If I do not win, I will kill ALL of you! Omnicore: I had intended to prevent you from killing targets, Character, but I apparently that will not be necessary. Combat Start: Huntsman Secondary Squad: Wait... you're not heroes. What are you doing here?!! Huntsman Secondary Squad: It doesn't matter... you can die just as easily. Upon Defeat: Huntsman Secondary Squad: You don't understand what you're meddling with...

Grym Dialogue
Before Combat: Grym: I have detected a call for aid in this loc... Grym: *sniff sniff* Combat Start: Grym: Begone, foul interloper! Upon Defeat: Grym: This cannot be!

Flambeaux Dialogue
Before Combat: Flambeaux: Hey guys, watch me save this poor... helpless... uh... Combat Start: Flambeaux: HELP! Flambeaux: I'm in distress!

Proton Dialogue
Before Combat: Proton: Quickly! We need to help... oh. Combat Start: Proton: Who are you guys?! You're not with Arachnos, are you? Upon Defeat: Proton: This is not... going... as planned...

Dr. Graves Dialogue
Dr. Graves: I am saying that this script has occurred! Upon Approach: Dr. Graves: This... this does not make sense. How can this be? Dr. Graves: Character. I will have words with you.

Dr. Graves

Briefing

Character. What is the meaning of this?

• I'm not sure what you mean, Graves.

You were witnessed defeating a total of five heroes in this area. Our previous intel indicated that there were not even five heroes patrolling all of Galaxy City.

And yet, the heroes appeared, each of them cut down by your hand. The other contestants did not encounter a single hero during the course of this trial.

Explain.

• I guess I'm just lucky, Graves. I beat those heroes with nothing but my own power.

Dr. Graves begins to grind his teeth. His fists are clenched so tightly you almost expect him to lash out at you.

Your method of defeating the heroes that confronted you is not in question. What is in question is how and why they appeared right in front of you for no apparent reason.

You should not have won this game, Character.

• So, I won, then? Unless you have evidence of foul play...

Your existence in and of itself is evidence of foul play, Character.

Dr. Graves trembles with rage for a while longer, then slumps.

Very well. This is not the outcome I desired, nor what I expected. And yet, I can find no fault in your actions based on the recordings I have seen.

As much as it pains me to admit it, Character, you have done it.

You have won the Killing Game.

• Fantastic. I'll collect my reward in the Isles. See you soon, Graves.

Badge

Upon completing the mission, you are awarded the Blackened Soul Badge

Blackened Soul Having won the contest by besting your rivals, you've been given the task of now dealing with them... permanently.

Debriefing

So, Character. Despite my best efforts, you have managed to earn a place at our benefactor's side. I would congratulate you, but I fear to do so would profane my very being.

I do not know what you did in Galaxy City, Character, but I know you have committed an act outside of the rules. I know your victory was somehow stolen.

You remain the winner of the Killing Game. But when I learn how you managed to pull this off... I will hunt you down and I will make you wish you had never set foot in the Rogue Isles...

This, my cunning friend... this is a promise.