The Aeon Conspiracy

Defeat all Wyvern in base

Aeon's connection to the Goldbrickers makes something else clear. Wyvern had been targeting them, but seemed to drop that recently. Now they're going after Arachnos, but it looks like they're searching for something. Possibly evidence of that connection. They can't be allowed to find it, and it has to be done without revealing it actually exists. That means I'll need another job done by a deniable outside contractor.

I have no special hatred of Wyvern. they help to cull out the weaker villains. However, they've somehow gotten a lot of information on our bases recently. They're searching throuh files with near impunity. This has me upset.

They triggered a false radiation alert and forced one base to evacuate. I want you to find out why they targeted that base, and then find and defeat every last one of them in there. Report back to me when you're done.

Radiation alarms blair false alerts down every hallway of this base.

Objective: You found an open file on a Dr. Egon.

A file on Dr. Egon

This file contains Arachnos's records of the notorious mad scientist Dr. Egon. His pursuit, trial, and capture are all matters of public record, known to most people living in the Rogue Isles. Where these files disagree is on Dr. Egon's final fate. While he was shown to be executed on live television, these files continue on, detailing his negotiationgs with Arachnos to work for them in exchange for a new identity. An identity called Dr. Aeon.

Professor Echo [Boss] Professor Echo has been a thorn in Dr. Aeon's side for some time. No one knows where he came from or what his purpose is, only that he's determined to thwart Dr. Aeon at every turn.

Mission Complete: You defeated Wyvern and got the files.

I can assume you read that file? If you were an actual Arachnos Operaative, I'd have to order your death for that. But you're not. In fact, there's no way of me knowing what you have or haven't read, since we don't know each other and have never met. Isn't that something?

Yeah, Dr. Aeon used to be Dr. Egon, the mad scientist. He hasn't changed much. I was one of the people who brought him in. Now you know the truth in a deniable fashion, meaning now you know enough to be helpful with a few more jobs. Aeon's always been unstable, but I'm concerned. he's working on a number of projects that might endanger the whole island. If that were to happen under my watch, they'd have my head. Literally. What do you think controls the drones?

Recover Amanda Vines and find out what she's learned

Now youre one of the people who know about Dr. Aeon's past as Dr. Egon. In a deniable fashion, that is. Now, you can do jobs that would arouse too much suspicion in others. Which is good. Because I got a lot of jobs. The first is a two-for-one. First point is Amanda Vines. She's WSPDR's star reorter. She's popular. A 'crusading reporter' type. people love her. She's got a bad habit of investigating Arachnos business. Lord Recluse finds her presence useful, though. A voice of dissent makes him look more tolerant, more legitimate. And a bit of manipulation makes her very useful. That's what you're going to do. Ms. Vines has been digging into Dr. Aeon's current research. Now she's in trouble. And that's the second part. She snuck into a base where Aeon's experimenting on something. Knowing him, it's something he shouldn't be experimenting on. I want you to find her, find out what Aeon's working on, and find out what she's learned.

Aeon keeps a lot of secrets, even for me. If I'm to look after Arachnos's interests, I need to know them. Vines is an expert at finding out secrets, and she's been after Dr. Aeon hard the last few weeks. i want to know what she knows. Don't hurt her, though. Like I said, Lord Recluse likes to have her around. oh, and there's one more thing: You rememeber Professor Echo? He might be after Vines, too. Make sure he doesn't get to her.

You can see why this place was abandoned. There's slime everywhere!

Objective: Professor Echo shared some information with you before he left.

A warning from Echo

Before teleporting to safety, Professor Echo told you:

'Be very cautious. Dr. Aeon is up to his neck in more thigs than you know. Pay heed to Ms. Vines' investigation into the Power Transfer System. You could learn more than you may want to know.'

Professor Echo [Boss] Professor Echo has been a thorn in Dr. Aeon's side for some time. No one knows where he came from or what his purpose is, only that he's determined to thwart Dr. Aeon at every turn.

Mission Complete: You rescued Amanda Vines

Amanda Vines' Report

After you rescued her, ace reporter Amanda Vines told you:

'I came here looking for some information for a report on the Power Transfer System. It's putting out too much power, more power than it should be capable of, and I wanted to know why and how. According to my informants, Dr. Aeon was working here back when he began designing the PTS, so I figured that there might be some clues. I snuck in to check it out, and got more than I bargained for.'

'You did me a good turn, so I'll pass one on to you. Information is power, you know. I ound out that Dr. Aeon has been continuing the work of Dr. Egon, the mad scientist executed by Arachnos several years ago. In fact, I suspect that they may be the same person!'

'I still don't know what's going on with the PTS, but if I'm right about Dr. Aeon, this could be big. Hope you can profit by that. And thanks.'

Aeon's working on the Shivans, and VInes suspects Aeon's real identity. The first part is a surprise. The Shivans are supposed to be isolated in Bloody bay. He could get in a lot of trouble for that. Good. I had suspected she might have started to figure out Aeon's real story. Don't know how close she is, though. I also didn't expect her to be looking into the Power Transfer System. that's very interesting. Dr. Aeon keeps the PTS under very close watch. Even I don't know all the specifics. Maybe it's time to learn more.

Kidnap Aeon's workers during the Clockwork attack

Opportunity is a funny thing. I was just talking about learning more about the Power Transfer System. Seems part of it is about to be attacked. Those wierd little robots are massing to attack a section. Dr. Aeon syas he needs all his own troops for something else, so he's asked me to handle it. So I'm asking you . But I don't care about stopping the attack. I just want more information. So I want you to concentrate on the workers trapped in the attack. Deliver them to safety. The safety of my interrogation rooms.

This has to be quiet. So I want you to go in underground. The sewers of New Gaven have an exit in the PTS. If no one sees you go in, we're clear. As far as Dr. Aeon will know, his men were captured by clockwork. I'll make sur eyou have an alibi. Aeon will suspect noting, I'll learn what I want to know, and you'll be well paid.

The air crackles with electricity; some from the PTS, and some from the Clockwork.

Mission Complete: You delivered all of the PTS workers to the Marshall's men.

The Control room

After you got him out of the Clockwork attac, the PTS Foreman named Carl told you something interesting:

'That was wierd, but I have worked for Doc Aeon for a couple a' years, so I have seen wierd. You wanna see wierd? You should see the control room for the PTS. I been there once, and I still have trouble sleepin' when I think about it. You want to check it out, you go ahead. I'll even tell you where it is. just, ah, don't tell anyone you heard about it from me. Dont' wanna get in trouble the boss-man, you understand. Sure, wierd metal things sometimes try ta kill me, but at least it's a union job, so I'm gonna get comp time for this.'

Those men talked. Didn't take much. Seems that there is something strange with the pTS. Not too surprising. Vines really was on to something. If Dr. Aeon has jeopardized this island with his experiments and the PTS, I need to know before an Arbiter gets involved.

Find out what's wrong with the Power Transfer System for Marshall Brass

The workers you captured have told me where the COntrol center for the Power Transfer system is. I want to know what Aeon's hiding. I can't let on what I suspect, so I'm going to ask you to find out for me.

We have the location of the control room That was the easy part. Now I want you to get inside. Find out what Aeon's hiding. The men in there are loyal to Dr. Aeon, not me. I don't care what happens to them. That won't be a problem.

There is a complication, though. Amanda Vines. She might have learned about the place. Security leak. It was take care of. if she's there, get her out, unharmed. Like I said, Recluse likes to keep her around.

Something tells you that you're way down the rabbit hole now, and into Dr. Aeon's wierd wonderland.

Objective: You copied the real schematics of the PTS.

The real power source

As you skim the files on the Power Transfer System, words and sentence spring up at you from the hundreds of pages. Even in fragments, they lay out a strange picture indeed:

'Geothermal power output still too low. Recluse will have my head! Brass waiting to give it to him.'

Must drill farther down. Inner Volcano far hotter. Hotter than it should be.'

'Power output off charts! Must study further.'

'Piles of Clockwork bought for crap-iron are reanimating before being melted down. Too far for Clockwork King. Attacking wokers. What could it be?'

'Circle of Thorns seen around powerlines. Wonder why?'

'Entering Volcano tunnel tomorrow. With this much geothermal heat, island should have exploded by now. Must know what's going on!'

'WHAT WAS IT? Was it alive? Pure accident we drilled into it. I think it's still alive...'

'Found an old local legend, about a Demon sealed in mountain by priest? Bat'Zull?'

'Of course! It's animating them! The Clockwork here ar it's reponse. And Circle interested in demons. Must tighten security. Get Brass off my back.'

'Now that I understand, power output is rising. It can be tapped, like any other resource. It's power is immense, and it can be harnassed. I am a genious!'

The final image shows the complete layout of the PTS as it is now. The geothermal lines are almnost completely ignored; bypassed for a new kind of power: Eldrich energy transformed into electricity, collected by conduits of cold iron connected to the heart of a fiend.

Ace McKnight [Elite Boss] Ace McKnight is the source of Willy Wheeler's missions. Unfortunately, McKnight has turned out to be an undercover Longbow agent and needs to be taken down!

Mission Complete: You secured the data about the Power Transfer System.

Amanda Vines' offer

As you rushed her out of the PTS control center, Amanda Vines made a strange offer to you:

'Okay. I know that you're working with Marshal Brass. I've interviewed him. He's not that bad a guy, but it's impossible to get more than ten words out of him at a time. i've figured out that I'm living under his protection for some reason. I think it's because he, r someone above him in Arachnos, thinks I'm useful. I can live with that. I'll be a tool in their internal squabbles if it gives me a chance to get the truth out and help the people who have to live here.'

'And that's what I want to ask you about. Look, I found the evidence I need. I have proof that Dr. Egon wasn't executed by Arachnos, that they altered his looks and came up with Dr. Aeon. I know Arachnos probably doesn't want that information out, but the people need to know they're being ruled by a maniac. So we're going to try to tell them. I'm pretty sure they're going to send you to make sure we don't get a chance.'

'So that's what I'm going to ask you. We've hired guards from Wyvern to help us, and maybe they'll be able to keep us on the air long enough. But I've seen you fight. If you help Arachnos, there's a good chance we'll be shut down before we can broadcast. So I'd like to ask you not to interfere. Take the mission, and just do nothing. Let us tell the truth, and warn the people of Cap au Diable. I'm not asking for charity or appealing to your higher ideals. I've been around enough people like you to know that it probably won't work. All I can offer you is enough money to match whatever the Marshal will pay you, and my thanks.'

'That's the offer. I hope you take me up on it, but I know it's a long shot. Anyway, thanks for the rescue, again. I'll see you in the papers.'

This, this is too much. This re-defines going too far. Tapping into a demon? Al these attacks? The clockwork out here? And now I got it. Thanks to you. I told you Vines was useful.

Speaking of Vines, did she talk to you? The next thing I need done involves her. Her and WSPDR. Sources on the inside tell me they're going to go live with all that they know. I'd like to see Aeon get what he deserves. But deserve's got nothing to do with it. I can't let that broadcast happen.

Destroy generators to stop transmission

My sources inside WSPDR have altered me to a problem. Amanda Vines has proof about Dr. Aeon's identity. She intends to broadcast it. This cannot be allowed. I'm sending in assault troops, but I know they have guards. Mercenaries. Wyvern, probably. That's where you come in. I want you to make sure that WSPDR doesn't transmit anything. Once the pressure's on, they'll try to act fast. Broadcast ahead of schedule. You'll have about 90 minutes. After that, either the news will be out of commision, or the news will be out on the airwaves.

We're setting up jamming stations as back-up. Activating them would alert enemies and scramble communications. I'd rather you handled this cleanly. There should be four generators. Sonme on the roof, some back-ups scattered around. Destroy all of them. That will cut their power. We can then get their evidence at leisure.

Good work. We've confiscated all of the evidence. Pinned the whole thing on a Hero assault. No one suspects the truth. Except Ms. Vines. I've had my men have a little 'talk' with her. Discuss her boundaries. What she can and cannot say. Nothing too severe. No marks for the cameras. It should make her even more determined, but reign her in some. She gets to live.

Me? I get to crucify Aeon with what you've found. That should keep him in line. For a while.

And you? You get paid. Not that you were ever a part of this. Everybody wins.

Or, on mission failure: