Statesman's Task Force

Agree to form a task force

We have been watching developments in the Rogue Isles with growing concern. Lord Recluse will soon complete a mysterious structure called 'The Web' on Grandville Island. We have no idea what this structure is supposed to do, only that Recluse expects it to turn the tide in his personal war against freedom. We need to delay the Web's completion, learn the Web's purpose, and foil Recluse's plans for it. If I make a move against him myself, Lord Recluse will use it as an excuse to declare war before we're ready. But a team of heroes could do what needs to be done, and put an end to Lord Recluse's mad schemes.

I'm glad to have you all aboard. Your first mission will be to delay the Web's completion by disrupting production in the Web Fab, a factory-island near Grandville. We'll be sending you in by submarine. You'll have 2 objectives:

First, you'll need to destroy structural parts of the Web under production to help slow down construction and buy us the time we need to learn what Recluse is planning.

Secondly, your actions should be enough to draw out the Web Fab's overseer, a cunning and ruthless young Arbiter named Sands. Capturing him will throw their operation into chaos and set them back even farther. Sands is a smart character, so we may even be able to learn some information from him. Once you're done, get back to the submarine and return to Paragon City.

Task force code-names came out of the Rikti War. I didn't think they'd become a tradition. Very well. I shall call your team Task Force Liberty. Use it with pride, heroes

The Rogue Isles. You can see Grandville from here, the lair of Lord Recluse himself. Your mission today is in the Web Fab, but the shrouded sight of Recluse's city of villains hovers in the back of your mind like a shadow.

Objective: You have captured Arbiter Sands.

Web construction files

The blueprints and data Arbiter Sands was carrying when you captured him might provide a clue to the Web's true purpose.

Arbiter Sands [Arch-Villain] Arbiter Sands is considered a somewhat unconventional member of the Arachnos Arbiter Corps. Though still completely dedicated to the will of Lord Recluse, Sands is known for using unusual and effective tactics. His status as an Arbiter makers him untouchable within Arachnos, for to harm an Arbiter is to attack the will of Lord Recluse himself..

Mission Complete: It's time to get out of the Web Fab!

I'm glad to see you made it out. Arachnos has gone into high alert while they try to figure out what we know, and that combined with your work will slow down their production and give us the time we need. The information you found has already told us something very important. Even an initial pass shows that the Web bears all the design hallmarks of one of Arachnos's most depraved mad geniuses: Dr. Aeon. Capturing him might provide all the remaining answers we need in time to stop Lord Recluse.

You're doing well so far, Task Force Liberty, but it will only become more difficult from here on.

Strike the Thorn Tree

Dr. Aeon will no doubt have other plans ready the next time you face him, but I've been talking with Numina and we've come up with a plan to neutralize any surprise he may have in store. Numina's told me about a living nexus of mystical power beneath Thorn Island in the Nerva Archipelago. It's called the Thorn Tree, and apparently villains often attack it, using the mystical power it gathers to re-make themselves. Numina tells me that the power contained in the heart of the thorn tree, in something called the Nexus of Thorns, should be enough to shut Dr. Aeon's defenses down, allowing you to capture him. This won't be easy, but if anyone has a chance, it will be you.

According to Numina, in order to reach the Nexus of Thorns, you'll first have to weaken the tree itself. Once you are in its chamber, first destroy all the vines. You'll have to work quickly, because they'll regrow if you let them.

Once that's done, the outer layer of the tree will be vulnerable. Attack it, and destroy it to reveal the nexus of thorns.

Then, touch the Nexus of Thorns, and you should be able to gather its power.

Good luck, heroes.

The Tree of Thorns is buried deeply in here, somewhere. Its power may be the only thing that can capture Dr. Aeon!

Objective: The center of the Thorn Tree is exposed

Objective: You take the power of the Nexus!

Thorn Tree [Arch-Villain] A demon-tree of the netherworld, the Circle of Thorns use the Thorn Tree to siphon energy from an ancient fortress of the Mu. Unlike a normal plant, the Thorn Tree has it's own defenses, and cannot even be damaged until the vines defending it have been cleared away.

Mission Complete: You have taken the power of the Nexus of Thorns!

Once more you've done the impossible, heroes. SERAPH scientists are close to understanding what the Web was designed to do, but only Dr. Aeon fully comprehends its design. You have to bring him in, and with the power from the Thorn Tree, he won't be able to escape justice this time.

You've fought bravely, and done great honor to the name Task Force Liberty, but the battle isn't over, and the most difficult part is still to come.

Capture Dr. Aeon

The files you found in the factory prove that the Web was designed by one of Lord Recluse's pet Mad Scientist, Dr. Aeon. SERAPH scientists are trying to reverse engineer his work, but by then it might be too late. If we're going to get the answers we're looking for in time to stop Recluse, we'll need to bring in Dr. Aeon himself.

We've developed a plan to catch Dr. Aeon by surprise in one of his own labs. We've set up a portal that will send you directly into Dr. Aeon's portal lab in Cap Au Diable. Once there, you're to locate and capture Dr. Aeon, then over-ride one of his portals and return to Portal Corp. I suggest you stock up on inspirations before you leave, since you won't be able to return to Paragon City until this is over.

You enter the portal and find yourselves in Dr. Aeron's lab, somewhere in Cap Au Diable. The mad doctor is here somewhere. The only question is, what nasty surprise does he have in store for you?

Objective: You defeated Regent Korol, Queen of the Tarantula cyborgs, and got part of the information you'll need to get home.

Portal Data - Korol

You got this part of the data you'll need to get back to your own time from Regent Korol, the leader of the cybernetic Tarantula Queens of Arachnos. It contains the current date, and part of the code you'll need to open the doors to the portal chamber. According to the data, this twisted future is less than 1 year away, should Recluse activate the Web.

Objective: You defeated Magus Mu'Drakhan, lord of the Mu Mystics, and got part of the information you'll need to get home.

Portal Data 2 - Mu'Drakhan

You recovered this part of the portal data you'll need to return to your own time from Magus Mu'Drakhan, leader of Arachnos's Mu Mystics. This data includes part of the door codes, as well as precise data on the levels of magical energy in the world, vital for calibrating a time-gate. It's shocking information, detailing a world where magic is dying, along with vast numbers of peoples and cultures.

Objective: You defeated Shadow Spider, Spymaster of Arachnos, and got part of the information you'll need to get home.

Portal Data 3 - Shadow Spider

You recovered this part of the time portal's setting data and entry codes from Shadow Spider, Spymaster of Arachnos. Along with her part of the entry codes, her information also contained details of the labrynthine security protecting the portal. Pages of security measures, traps and counter-measures reveal the paranoid nature of Recluse's totalitarian ideal.

Objective: You defeated Viridian, Head of Arachnos Counter-Intelligence, and got part of the information you'll need to get home.

Portal Data 4 - Viridian

You recovered this data from Viridian, Arachnos's counter-intelligence expert. Along with his portion of the door codes are the precise dimensional coordinates needed to properly calibrate the time portal. They also list dozens of other dimensions that are being invaded or are about to be attacked by Arachnos. Recluse's ambitions do not stop at one world, he intends to cover the multiverse in the shadow of his megalomania.

Curiously, the palmtop computer that held this information is also filled with episodes of various soap operas.

	Regent Korol [Arch-Villain]
	Viridian [Arch-Villain] Viridian is a very dangerous man who works subtle deals that can change the course of world history. The core of his job is influencing other villain groups through manipulation, sabotage, deal brokering, or collaboration, as it suits the needs of Arachnos. There is some rivalry between his orgaisation of manipulators and Shadow Spider's spies, but both know that they can only succeed at their job with the help of the other.
	Shadow Spider [Arch-Villain] Shadow Spider began her career as a Knife of Artemis, specializing in inflitration and intelligence jobs that no one thought possible. Now working with Arachnos, Shadow Spider acts friendly and nice, and is usually very good to her people, but can turn cold as ice and hard as steel when she needs to be.
	Magus Mu'Drakhan [Arch-Villain] Magus Mu'Drakhan is a leading figure among the growing ranks of mystics working under the banner of Arachnos who trace their lineage to the ancient civilization known as Mu. Some whisper that he may be more loyal to his ancient bloodline than to Arachnos, but such whispers are often quietly silenced.

Mission Complete: You have all the codes needed to escape this dark future!

We had no idea that Dr. Aeon was capable of doing that. I'm just glad you came through all right. Despite the worst Dr. Aeon could throw at you, you overcame great adversity to get back here. All of your effort was not in vain. The information you took from that twisted future, as well as what Dr. Aeon let slip, may give us an opportunity to stop this yet. I've been speaking with Numina, and we've come up with a plan.

Capture Dr. Aeon

It's time to bring in Dr. Aeon. Arachnos has harbored this madman for too long, and now we have a way to make sure he cannot escape. This won't be easy. Arachnos knows why we want Aeon, and after the first attempt to bring him to justice, they've kept him under tight security. The fate of the world may depend on the capture of Doctor Aeon, and I know that if anyone can do this, it's Task Force Liberty!

We'll be sending you into Cap Au Diable by submarine. Once there, you'll first have to find and defeat the Bane Spider in charge of security. There will no doubt be numerous decoys, all of which could call for re-enforcements, so it won't be easy.

Once you have his codes, you can enter the Aeon Corp tower. Arachnos has sent four of their most powerful supervillains to protect Dr. Aeon:

The Wretch - Ghost Widow's misshapen bodyguard.
Ice Mistral - Scirocco's twisted pupil.
Silver Mantis - Assassin, and Black Scorpion's lover.
And Barracuda - Brutal henchwoman of 'Captain' Mako.

Each one is a serious threat, and you'll have to defeat all of them before you'll be able to confront Dr. Aeon himself. Dr. Aeon is rumored to have some kind of incredibly powerful force-field. Use the power of the Thorn Tree to bring it down, and to keep him from escaping.

Good luck, heroes. The world is counting on your actions today.

Arachnos lets Dr. Aeon run the island of Cap Au Diable, and he can often be found here in his personal laboratory within the Aeon Corporation building.

Objective: This was the real security Chief, and now you have access to the AeonCorp building.

Exterior entry code

This code will allow you to enter the main building and reach Dr. Aeon's Lab.

Objective: Wretch had part of the code to Dr. Aeon's lab on him.

The 1st Lab Code - Wretch

You got this part of the code to enter Dr. Aeon's Lab from the Wretch, Ghost Widow's mutated bodyguard. There is a short note stuck to it. It reads:

'Protect Dr. Aeon, my Wretch, but watch him too. He promises Lord Recluse great power, but I fear he is loyal only to himself and his own scientific madness.'

The note is not signed, but sealed with a black kiss.

Objective: Silver Mantis had part of the code to Dr. Aeon's lab on her.

The 2nd Lab Code - Silver Mantis

You got this part of the code to enter Dr. Aeon's Lab from Silver Mantis, Arachnos's top assassin and the rumored lover of Black Scorpion. Along with her part of the code, you also found a great deal of technical data stolen from the Aeon Corp mainframe. Looks like she had been doing a bit of extra industrial espionage work for Black Scorpion on the side.

Objective: Barracuda had part of the code to Dr. Aeon's lab on her.

The 3rd Lab Code - Barracuda

You got this part of the code to enter Dr. Aeon's Lab from Barracuda, Captain Mako's protege. You can barely make out the codes on the paper, because it's covered with strange drawings of what look like enormous shark teeth and a gigantic eye.

Objective: Ice Mistral had part of the code to Dr. Aeon's lab on her.

The 4th Lab Code - Ice Mistral

You got this part of the code to enter Dr. Aeon's Lab from Ice Mistral, the young villainess Scirocco has been training. The code was tucked into a thick fashion magazine she had been reading. A quick flip through the magazine shows that she'd tried all the perfume samples, and had been scratching out the faces of all the female models.

Objective: You have defeated Dr. Aeon!

The Secret of the Web

'What does the web do?' Dr. Aeon sneers as you push him through the portal. 'It is my ultimate triumph. I doubt you could comprehend it, but I'll use small words to help you. It uses science and magic together, Techno-magic, if you will, to drain super human powers. You heard me right! It drains super-powers, but instead of simply making them go away like the clumsy spells of the Mu, it transfers them. YES! They said it couldn't be done, but they also said it was foolish to tap a bound demon to power a city, but I did it! I did it! The Web then transfers those stolen energies into a specific individual. Oh, you'll have quite a time stopping Recluse's plans, once he controls the power of every meta-human on Earth! And all because of my meta-human scientific genius! Ah-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH-WAAAit a second!

If he get every meta-human ability...

Then he'd get my...

I'd be just..

Uh-oh! You've got to stop him!

	Silver Mantis [Arch-Villain] Tamura Shirai is fascinated with the smooth, sleek feel of metal. Funding the augmentation of her body to pure metal was an expensive proposition, however, so she turned to crime. During one of her robberies she encountered Black Scorpian, on a job for Lord Recluse. Tamara realized an opportunity when she saw it, and rather then fighting with Arachnos over the ill-goten loot, formed an alliance that has lasted to this day.
	Barracuda [Arch-Villain] A former treasure hunter, Kelli Forston was infected by mysterious creatures known as the Coralax. What she found in the briny deep remains a mystery, but it turned her heart as dark and cold as the depths. In combat, she is almost as quick and savage as her bloodthirsty mentor, Captain Mako.
	Ice Mistral [Arch-Villain] Irena Rudenko was chosen by one of the Monks of the Four Winds to become the Ice Mistral. Receiving the power changed her; she retained the icy-cold aloofness and desire for mastery of the wind, but none of the control. Her own rage overrode the honour normally imbued to the Knights of the Wind and she went on a mad killign spree. Scirocco took her under his wing to protect her from the Monks - many of which have fallen trying to reclaim their lost power.
	Wretch [Arch-Villain] A twisted wreck of a human being, Wretch was horribly mutated in the same accident that slew Ghost Widow. He remains her loyal guardian and protector, using his immense strength and savage fury to protect her from all harm.
	Dr. Aeon [Arch-Villain]

Mission Complete: You have captured Dr. Aeon.

Dr. Aeon is in Longbow custody. While all the nations with a claim on him for numerous crimes against humanity, he's been all too eager to tell us what he's done. It's worse than anything we could have predicted. And I, in particular, am powerless against it!

Stop Lord Recluse!

Dr. Aeon's boasting has finally revealed the purpose of the Web. It's a technomagical construct design to draw in a wide variety of super-human powers, then transmit that power to one individual: Lord Recluse! If our figures are correct, it could transfer nearly all the power of every super-human in the world directly to Lord Recluse within 24 hours. If Recluse is able to activate the Web, it will be the end of freedom in our world, and possibly, in our universe. Recluse must be stopped

Our analysis has given us a glimmer of hope. First, in order to preserve his on troops and protect himself from the device, Recluse has set a safe area around Grandville Island. Secondly, while he's tuned the device to always effect certain heroes, including myself and every member of the Freedom Phalanx and the Vindicators, none of you were on that target list. This means that while none of us can approach Grandville without giving Recluse even more power, Arachnos activity outside of the Rogue Isles will be cut to nearly nothing once the Web activates. And if we can get you inside the radius before then, there just might be a chance to stop him.

Your goal is to bring Recluse to battle before the Web is fully activated. Defeat his soldiers, and most importantly his captains to bring him out. If he does activate the Web, try to destroy his interface with it, and then defeat him. The feedback should render the Web itself useless, but it will not be easy.

Good luck, Task Force Liberty. The world is depending on you.

The Helicopter lands on the deck of a Longbow ship that's fought its way here. Before you stands Grandville, the lair of Lord Recluse.

Objective: You have defeated Recluse's Inner Circle!

Objective: You've done it! You have defeated Lord Recluse!

	Lord Recluse [Arch-Villain] The Master of Evil, the Count of Cruel, the Archvillain of Anarchy. Lord Recluse has been called many things. But the people of the Rogue Isles know him as their lord and ruler. Lord Recluse has a mysterious tie with Paragon City's own Statesman - some even claim they were once close companions. Their hatred for one another certainly belies a secret perhaps best left buried.
	Black Scorpion [Arch-Villain] Ernesto Rodriguez embodies the concept of raw power through technology. Whatever it takes, whatever piece of his body or soul needs to be spliced, altered, or removed to grant him more power, Ernesto seems willing to do it. His unbridled hunger, absolute loyalty, and low intelligence makes him the perfect servant for Lord Recluse.
	Ghost Widow [Arch-Villain] Beautiful, mysterious, and deadly. Ghost Widow appears to be an actual spirit from beyond the grave rather than a super with some sort of incorporeal power. Some have said she was once a rising star in the Night Widows when she was slain. Her thirst for vengeance must have been great, for she returned from the void and now serves at Recluse's side. There are rumours that her service isn't entirely voluntary, however.
	Captain Mako [Arch-Villain]
	Scirocco [Arch-Villain]

Mission Complete: With Recluse's defeat, the power of the Web begins to burn itself out. The threat is passed, and the day has been saved!

Peerless
Awarded for defeating Lord Recluse

Diplomat
Awarded for defeating Black Scorpion, Captain Mako, Ghost Window & Scirocco

Heat Seeker
Awarded for defeating the Arachnos Flier

Saved the World
Awarded for completing the Task Force

Recluse is defeated, and his plans are in ruins. Honestly, I wish I had been the one to do it, but... that's pride talking.

No, this is your day, this is your moment to shine! Look over this great city, and see what you have done today! Every person who lives in freedom from this day forward owes that freedom to your valor, your determination, and your heroism. Recluse may yet return, but you have shown the people of the world that they need no longer live in fear of his name. For when evil arises, it shall be confronted and defeated by the champions of this City of Heroes!