Dr. Aeon Strike Force

Overview

Chasing Fool's Gold
Contact	Dr. Aeon
Zone	Cap Au Diable
Suggested Team Size	4+ players
Coordinates	(-770.0, 487.0, -256.4)
Level Range	35-50
Merits	40
Badge	Gold Standard Unfriendly Fire Ripple Raider Power Overwhelming Can't Touch This Master of Dr. Aeon's Strike Force Best Friends Forever
Enemy Groups	Arachnos Gold Brickers Crey 5th Column Devouring Earth Vanguard Rogues Gallery Rogue Isles Villains Paragon Protectors Shivans Luddites Cap au Diable Demons

The Dr. Aeon Strike Force was introduced in Issue 27, Page 3 of Homecoming: City of Heroes, and is a level 35-50 Strike force for red-side aligned players. Dr. Aeon is located on the balcony of the Arachnos building in the Aeon City neighborhood of Cap au Diable. Initially confusing the Player Villains for coffee-bearing interns, he sends them on a mission to find out who's been selling confidential Aeon Corp information. The job ends up being far more complicated and dangerous than he either initially surmised, or let on. Lore-wise, the Dr. Aeon SF ties up some dangling plot threads, and teases some future threats. Mechanically, it introduces a new Challenge Settings mode (separate from the normal difficulty slider that only adjusts the level and number of foes), where in foes gain new abilities, stat buffs, and players may be hampered, based on the Challenge Setting they choose. Defeating foes in higher challenge modes in different ways allow the players to gain additional rewards, badges, and more.

Note: This SF has a LOT of dialogue. Much of it has been pruned here for brevity; if you wish to see it all (and you should, it's really well done), then play the mission!

Merit Rewards: This activity awards 40 Reward Merits.

Introduction

Dr. Aeon doesn't even look up as you approach him.

Late, late, LATE! You should know by now that science runs on caffeine! Was the coffee shop's line measured in QPUs?! What took so-

The man finally notices you.

What? Who? You're not the intern -- You are... Don't tell me, for my memory is immaculate! ...Character? Ha! Yes! I knew it all along, never a doubt! Clearly, as I am the great Dr. Thaddeus Aeon! Master of science and remembering names!

Somebody like YOU, talking to ME. Hmmm. Wait! Yes! You are an aspiring ne'er-do-well! So a waste of-

He stops, looks at you for a moment, and then fakes a cough.

A waste of good talent! Clearly, you knew that my genius... Geniusness! Yes! It needed individuals such as yourself in the pursuit of scientific excellence.

Ah-ha-ha-ha! Ahem, yes. Now then! Bring some worthwhile allies, as you will likely need them. There are, what we'll call rogue variables... interfering with my equation for a thriving Aeon City. Isolating and eliminating this problematic element will require scientific coordination!

It is recommended (but not required) that this content is attempted with a team of at least 4 members.

Missions

Chasing Fool's Gold Part 1: Unauthorized Research

Briefing

Chasing Fool's Gold
Part 1: Unauthorized Research

Ah-ha-ha-ha! Excellent! Truly, excellent! Go forth, my totally not-expendable Strike Force Name! Take this security card, it will get you inside the Aeon Corp building.

Violence is encouraged! Find the head of R&D and squeeze the answers out of him. Afterwards, ask for his thesis on `How to Die for Stupid Reasons`! Ah-ha-ha-ha!

You wait, but the man just continues to laugh. It appears as though he's going to carry on like this for awhile. You turn to leave, but as you do he suddenly stops.

Wait, Character, take this communicator as well. Put it somewhere that lets you hear me so we can talk while you're within range of Cap Au Diable.

[Window]: You are provided an Aeon Corp NFC security card and a high-tech communicator by Dr. Aeon.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Hmmm, why are you still here Character? The head of R&D isn't going to beat himself up and spill his own secrets, as enjoyable as that would be to watch!

No, no! You must become the force coefficient you wish to see in the world! Go! Away with you!

Mission Objective(s)

With the security card Dr. Aeon provided, you slip into the facility with ease. For now, all you hear are the quiet hums and beeps of computers and machinery at work...

• Raid Aeon Corp
  • Enter the facility
    • Beat up 10 Aeon scientists
    • Capture head of R&D
      • Interrogate head of R&D
        • Unencrypt unauthorized research USB
• Bring the research USB to Dr. Aeon

You enjoyed a consequence-free romp through Aeon Corp's campus, beat up some unsuspecting Arachnos, and acquired the data Dr. Aeon was after.

Enemies

Arachnos

Arachnoids

Notable NPCs

• Becky, the Tarantula Secretary (Non-Combat Boss)
• Aeon Corp Scientist (Aeon Scientist Boss) x11
• Security Arachnobot (Elite Boss) x4
• Newbie Aeon Corp Scientist (Aeon Scientist Boss)
• Veteran Aeon Corp Scientist (Aeon Scientist Boss)
• Chipper Aeon Corp Scientist (Aeon Scientist Boss)
• Unassuming Aeon Corp Scientist (Aeon Scientist Boss)
• Sketchy Aeon Corp Scientist (Aeon Scientist Boss)
• Tired Aeon Corp Scientist (Aeon Scientist Boss)
• Nervous Arachnos Scientist (Elite Boss)
• Attercop (Arachnoid Elite Boss)
• Aeon Corp Head of R&D (Elite Boss)

Lobby Dialogue

Becky, the Tarantula Secretary: Like, hi! Totally welcome to Aeon Corp! I'm Becky! Do you like, have an appointment today?
Becky, the Tarantula Secretary: Please check in! It's like, super important to adhere to robocalls or whatever!

Security Arachnobot: HELLO! PLEASE CHECK-IN AT THE FRONT DESK IF YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT. THANK YOU.

Checking in with Becky

Becky, the Tarantula Secretary

Checking in with Becky

Becky looks at you with a weirdly distant smile.

Like, welcome! I totally didn't catch your name? Character? That's like, a super duper cool name! So like, did you have an appointment and stuff?

• I don't. I was sent to attack this facility by Dr. Aeon.

Suddenly, Becky seems to super full of energy.

Like. Woah! The bossman sent you? This is like, SOOO exciting! I've totally never experienced a villain attack before! I was like, getting so bored of this job. Omigosh, what evil stuff are you plotting?!

• Hey...

She just keeps talking before you can respond properly.

My old bossman went 'Becky, you're being like, totally re-assigned and stuff.'

• Um...

She just keeps talking without you being able to get a word in.

At first, I was totally like 'Yay! New life experiences!' y'know?

• Can...

She just keeps talking, without any slowing down.

But then it was like, eeew! Super mundane office work? totally a drag!

• You...

There's no stopping her, she just keeps talking.

So I was like, totally gonna go on a super-duper fun vacation for some excitement, so I asked for time off work!

• Just...

No end to the talking, it is endless.

But then Arachnos goes all: 'Becky, no vacations. You are like, totally top-secret proprietary weapons technology!'

• Stop...

Like an unstoppable force, she talks on.

So I was like, pretty bummed out, yeah? But now like, I'm totally super glad!

• Talking...

It's hopeless, the talking continues.

So like, I am like, so TOTALLY excited to helplessly watch as your evil plan unfolds and stuff!

• Please...

At long last! There's a pause in the cyclone of talking.

I've like, never been taken hostage before! This so cooooool!

• Hostage? Becky, can you do anything about that Arachnobot?

Oh like, sure! The security guy like, totally gave me this super cool override to move that big robot thing. Let Becky just like, send it to the third floor bathrooms or something?

• Thanks Becky, you've been helpful.

Becky smiles patiently at you, like she's expecting something more.

• Fine. Let's go hostage, no slacking!

Becky beams, and even though she's a bio-mechanical spider with non-human limbs, you can tell she's ecstatic.

Oh. Em. GEE! This is like the best day ever! You are like totally the coolest villain ever Character! I promise, I like, won't get in the way!

• (Leave)

• (Leave)

Arachnobot Sent Away

Security Arachnobot: ACKNOWLEDGED! NOW GUARDING THIRD FLOOR BATHROOMS! RELOCATING TO NEW POST!

Becky Hostage Dialogue

If Lost:

Becky, the Tarantula Secretery: Oh no! I chipped one of my pedipalps...

If Found:

Becky, the Tarantula Secretery: My antihero! Let's, like, totally find a vent to crawl through or something!

1st Floor Chatter

Before Combat:

Newbie Aeon Corp Scientist: Does it work?

Veteran Aeon Corp Scientist: ...

Veteran Aeon Corp Scientist: In the strictest sense, yes.

Newbie Aeon Corp Scientist: Should it work?

Veteran Aeon Corp Scientist: No.

Newbie Aeon Corp Scientist: ...But you say it works?

Veteran Aeon Corp Scientist: Seems that way.

Newbie Aeon Corp Scientist: Can you add it to my project?

Veteran Aeon Corp Scientist: It doesn't seem to work anywhere else.

Newbie Aeon Corp Scientist: How is that possible?

Veteran Aeon Corp Scientist: Hi, you must be new here.

Combat Start:

Newbie Aeon Corp Scientist: Oh great, another distraction. I'll never finish this overhaul.

Veteran Aeon Corp Scientist: It's going to take me forever to clear the texture audit now!

---

Combat Start

Aeon Corp Scientist: Really?! I'm not paid enough to deal with this!

2nd Floor Chatter

Before Combat:

Chipper Aeon Corp Scientist: Wow! These new security Arachnobots are awesome!

Security Arachnobot: ANNOUNCEMENT! THIS AREA IS NOW FULLY SECURED.

Combat Start:

Chipper Aeon Corp Scientist: Oh, ho, ho... You've messed up now!

Security Arachnobot: WARNING! SECURITY HAS BEEN THREATENED. THIS AREA IS NO LONGER SECURE!

After Combat:

Becky, the Tarantula Secretary: Haha, oh wowie! Was that Dr. Weiss?

Becky, the Tarantula Secretary: He owed me dinner! He said he needed to analyze my legs.

Becky, the Tarantula Secretary: Like, he was really into spider tech?

---

Combat Start:

Unassuming Aeon Corp Scientist: Well now. I guess you're one of those 'attack everything because I can' sorta villains, eh?

---

Before Combat:

Arachnos Minion: Wow! Is it just me, or has it felt less intense around here lately?

Arachnos Minion: Not just you... Recently this assignment has had some boring vibeage.

Aeon Corp Scientist: Can you security thugs please silence your inane chatter? You nitwits make it hard to think.

Combat Start:

Arachnos Minion: Villains?! ...Ah, there's that missing intensity!

Arachnos Minion: I've got some violence-hued vibes that have been waiting for this!

Aeon Corp Scientist: V-villains!? P-protect me you imbeciles!

---

Combat Start:

Aeon Corp Scientist: Can't a brilliant mind plot his next tyrannical scientific innovation in peace?

---

Combat Start:

Security Arachnobot: WARNING! THE THIRD FLOOR BATHROOMS ARE A HIGH PRIORITY DEFENSIVE DESIGNATION!

After Combat:

Becky, the Tarantula Secretary: Happy trails, Bathroom-Bot!

Becky, the Tarantula Secretary: Wait... like... you made me move that thing out of the way, and you still trashed it? So hot.

3rd Floor Chatter

Combat Start:

Security Arachnobot: WARNING! PLEASE PRESENT YOUR VISITOR BADGE. YOU HAVE TWENTY SECONDS TO COMPLY.

---

Combat Start:

Arachnos Minion: Woah now! I got lunch in thirty, buster! We'll have to make this dance quick!

Arachnos Minion: Is it bad that the only part of this job I actually like is the lunch breaks?

---

Before Combat:

Nervous Arachnos Scientist: He sent people. He knows! He knows! It was supposed to go to the archives, but I had to meddle...

Combat Start:

Nervous Arachnos Scientist: No! No! Nononono, I won't let him take it!

Nervous Arachnos Scientist: Ack! You're here for me!

Nervous Arachnos Scientist: Don't make me do it!

Nervous Arachnos Scientist: All I have to do is not eat three or four children...

Nervous Arachnos Scientist: ...and the publicity won't be that bad.

Transformation into Attercop:

Nervous Arachnos Scientist: Oh, this is it. The situation I never wanted...

Becky, the Tarantula Secretary: Oops! Like, totally my B, that was Dr. Weiss. You can tell from like, the mandibles!

Becky, the Tarantula Secretary: Ooh, I think he's copying my style of support harness!

After Combat:

---

Combat Start:

Sketchy Aeon Corp Scientist: I bet Dr. Aeon wouldn't even notice if one of these went missing...

After Combat:

Becky, the Tarantula Secretary: AUGH. I think I know who was stealing my... you know what, like, totally not important right now!

---

Before Combat:

Tired Aeon Corp Scientist: Zzz... No... Don't throw me into the Shadow Shard again... Zzz...

Combat Start:

Tired Aeon Corp Scientist: Ugh... By Uuralar! What's a guy gotta do to get a little shut-eye?!

After Combat:

Becky, the Tarantula Secretary: Sleeping on the job is like, the worst thing you can do here!

Becky, the Tarantula Secretary: And like, caffeine totally stunts your growth, but it's that or Chantry duty!

Aeon Corp Head of R&D

Before Combat:

Aeon Corp Head of R&D: Another set of impossible deadlines! Of course, funding cuts too! Yet, we're somehow to make no compromises? Damn that Aeon...

Aeon Corp Scientist: What do these pods even do? Are they leftovers from Project Fury?

Aeon Corp Scientist: You're asking the wrong guy, I have no idea.

Combat Start:

Aeon Corp Head of R&D: W-what? You dastards! Y-you won't get away with this!

Security Arachnobot: ALERT! HOSTILES IN A RESTRICTED AREA.

Aeon Corp Scientist: Yikes! How did you get in here? Were those new Arachnobots just for show?!

Defeated:

Aeon Corp Head of R&D: N-no more, I surrender...

Becky, the Tarantula Secretary: And that's for like, staring at my thorax all day!

Aeon Corp Head of R&D

Aeon Corp Head of R&D

You effortlessly beat the scientist into submission. It is clear he lacked any proper combat training. The handsome man is shaking, but stares defiantly at you.

S-stay back! I know who you are, Character, even you c-can't get away with assaulting Arachnos property and attacking an Aeon Corporation scientist! The A-Arbiters are going to hear about this!

• They won't. This is a house call courtesy of Dr. Aeon.

Upon utterance of the word `Aeon`, the face on the man turns white with dread.

W-what? Dr. Aeon sent you? Why?!

• Unauthorized research. Care to share it with the class?

The life in his eyes vanishes completely as he realizes the situation.

Ah... So I've been found out. Then my life is already forfeit.

Very well then, I'll give you everything. I never met with my client in-person, and they only ever paid in gold wiring.

That wiring is a specific electronic component that has been in extremely short supply, and I was using it to meet our impossible deadlines.

He pulls a small USB out of his coat and holds it up.

Plug this into the research terminal upstairs to unencrypt it. Everything I researched for them is on there. Kept it off the research network for safety, but I guess that wasn't enough...

You can tell Dr. Aeon that he's a huge-

• (Knock him unconscious)

Getting impatient, you knock the man out and take his USB.

• (Leave)

Aeon Corp Head Dialogue

Aeon Corp Head of R&D: I know who you are, Character, even you c-can't get away with assaulting Arachnos property! The A-Arbiters are going to hear about this!

Aeon Corp Head of R&D: W-what? Dr. Aeon sent you? Why?!

Aeon Corp Head of R&D: Ah... So I've been found out. Then my life is already forfeit.

Aeon Corp Head of R&D: Urgh...

Becky, the Tarantula Secretary: Looks like he won't be working here for the rest of his life! Hehe.

Becky Arachnos Computer Dialogue

Becky, the Tarantula Secretary: I totally needed this today. Oh em gee, so stressed!

Becky, the Tarantula Secretary: That was the best! If this is like, your idea of a good time, I totally have to be there when you throw a party! Count Becky in next time!

Deliver USB to Aeon

Ha-ha-ha! That annoying clone always thought he was more handsome than I was... Just look at me! You can't improve on this level of perfection!

Dr. Aeon's face has a punch-worthy grin on it.

At last, my favorite part of science! The plunders of new knowledge at my fingertips!

• All yours... (Deliver the USB)

He takes the USB and promptly plugs it into his gauntlet.

In a few seconds, I will have reviewed all there is to be reviewed! Let's see what secrets this data holds...

• My payment?

Let's not be too hasty, my simple-minded Character!

We must ensure all the data is accurate and lines up with our hypothesis before we can make our final conclusions!

• (Leave)

Debriefing

Ah-ha-ha-ha! Well done, Strike Force Name!

My research staff are renewed, my former head of R&D - the idiot that he is - has been made an example of, and we have information to identify our rogue variables!

I hypothesize that the beautiful fruits borne of our scientific labor will ripen on the vine of collaborative ambition and be made into the sweetest vintage of success!

Badge Notes

Best Friends Forever

At the front desk is Becky, the Tarantula Secretary. You'll need to talk to her and take her hostage, and then lead Becky to the final terminal near the Tired Aeon Corp Scientist before exiting the mission. This will cause Becky to appear in the finale to assist you and complete the Best Friends Forever Badge.

Chasing Fool's Gold Part 2: Cap Au Prospecting

Briefing

Chasing Fool's Gold
Act 2: Cap Au Prospecting

Dr. Aeon looks at you with a sigh.

Well, Strike Force Name, my dear old friend, days like these are when science is like oxygen: You can't see it, you need it to live, but high enough concentrations can get you killed! Ha-ha! It's time to work overtime!

Do you know the principles behind dimensional ripples? What am I saying, of course you don't -- review this when you have a moment. Can't have my assistants behind on their SCIENCE! Bwa-ha-ha!

He hands you a small booklet.

Onto more exciting and potentially DANGEROUS things! Whoever was paying for Aeon Corp's research was looking into principles behind applications of exploiting these unstable dimensional echoes. What does that mean exactly? Who knows! Ha-ha-ha!

Research is the best friend of science, keep her close, like a pistol with one bullet! For yourself? No, no, for your evil clone from an alternate dimension! Science has advanced, and those guys aren't guaranteed to come with a goatee anymore! Stay vigilant!

• Err, right, but what exactly are we 'researching'?

After checking our research notes, I noticed something: AU! Or more commonly, gold! There's only one group who deals exclusively in the element of gold on the Rogue Isles, and that's King Midas and his Gold Brickers.

Such observations point us forward! We must have the Gold Brickers' knowledge of the gold market! With it we can figure out this stupid shortage and who's using it to their advantage!

The Gold Brickers are everywhere in Cap Au Diable. Lots around the Langston Corporation factory to the north or here in Aeon City. Find some, ask politely in whatever language of violence you are most fluent and see what they know. They know the gold trade best; it's impossible there could be a shortage without their knowing something about it.

Go forth my beloved Strike Force Name! Go forth unto SCIENCE!

[Window]: You are given a pretentious-looking booklet by Dr. Aeon.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Why are you still here? You're asking ME why there's a gold shortage? Why would I know anything?

If I was rolling in gold, I could think of at least... one hundred other things I could be doing right now instead, like rolling in gold!

Keep your head in the game Character!

Mission Objective

• Seek information on the gold shortage
  • Defeat 10 Gold Brickers

After some beat-downs, one of the Gold Brickers coughed up an intriguing lead regarding a Gold Bricker fighting event. (As well as a rather unclean golden tooth!)

Mission Objective(s)

A wave of intense heat washes over you as you step into the abandoned foundry.

• Crash Gold Bricker hideout for information
  • Find a way to get inside
    • Proceed to the Smelting Cauldron
      • Defeat the Cauldron Champion!

Doing what you do best, you forced your way into the Gold Brickers tournament, won, and got some answers!

Enemies

Gold Brickers

Turrets

Rogue Isles Villains

Rogues Gallery

Hellions

Notable NPCs

• Cauldron Champion Frobe (Gold Brickers Archvillain)
• The Burninator (Gold Brickers Elite Boss)
• Fort Knoxxer (Gold Brickers Elite Boss)
• Gold Brickster (Gold Brickers Elite Boss)
• Tournament Organizer (Gold Brickers Smelter Elite Boss)
• Wiggy (Gold Brickers Smelter Boss)
• Low Boy (Gold Brickers Smelter Boss)
• Flambeaux (Rogues Gallery Elite Boss)
• Blast Furnace (Rogues Gallery Boss)
• Burning Daemon (Rogue Isles Villains Boss)
• Dark Sabaoth (Rogue Isles Villains Boss)
• Pyra (Rogue Isles Villains Boss)
• Pyrelord (Rogue Isles Villains Boss)
• Towering Inferno (Rogue Isles Villains Boss)
• Damned (Hellions Minion)

Lobby Dialogue

Tournament Organizer: Alright, next bracket is starting soon... Be ready when your name is called, I'm only gonna call once...
Pyrelord: Hey, hot stuff... Pyrelord and Pyra makes for a cute sounding pair, eh?
Pyra: ...

Editor's Note: All of the NPCs in the lobby area can be interacted with before talking to the Tournament Organizer, if you choose to fight.

Pyrelord

Pyrelord

Pyrelord

Pyrelord doesn't even notice you watching him.

Pyra, this is meant to be! I bet we have loads in common already!

Did you know that I like fire?

• (Leave)

Pyra

Pyra

Pyra

Pyra is gritting her teeth while muttering repeatedly under her breath.

Please... let me fight this idiot in the first round... Please...

• (Leave)

Blast Furnace

Blast Furnace

Blast Furnace

Me? Worried? Why would I be?

This is actually my third time competing in the Smelting Cauldron tournament. I'm basically a veteran at this point!

I've never made it past round one, the Gold Brickers always win... But this time, I have a good feeling...

• (Leave)

Flambeaux

Flambeaux

Flambeaux

Flambeaux impatiently taps her foot on the ground.

This tournament needs to hurry up!

Everyone should know I'm going to win in the end either way, so why do I have to wait through everyone else's fights? UGH!

• (Leave)

Burning Daemon

Burning Daemon

Burning Daemon

The demon lets out a sinister laugh.

This one is quite amusing! It is not often I find the words of a mere mortal this pleasing to the ear.

I shall entertain his presence further...

• (Leave)

Towering Inferno

Towering Inferno

Towering Inferno

This villain is clearly having a good time, there is a lot of excitement in their voice.

I've just gotta say, Mr. Daemon, it's so refreshing to have finally found a fellow enthusiast to discuss the finer details of burning people alive with. It really is a lost art these days!

• (Leave)

Dark Sabaoth

Dark Sabaoth

Dark Sabaoth

Dark Sabaoth speaks to you without moving or looking up

Your presence reveals to me that you are wondering what I am doing, standing here, right now. If it is not obvious, I merely await my turn to participate in the organized violence. Nothing more, nothing less.

Now begone!

• (Leave)

Damned

Damned

Damned

The Hellion is visibly panicking.

Oh man... Just look at all these other fighters...

But if I run away, the guys will never let me live it down...

• (Leave)

Tournament Organizer

Tournament Organizer

The large Gold Bricker with the clipboard looks you over.

I don't remember you registering... No more entrants are being accepted, if you wanted a spot in the tournament you should've got here sooner.

Now scram, punk.

• I am registered, you must have forgotten. (Lie)

He leans over and looks at you closer.

Pretty sure I wouldn't have forgotten somebody with your... unique qualities, but we do get all kinds... Fine.

Which bracket of the tournament were you assigned to?

• Bracket A.

He looks at the first page on the clipboard.

Aight... what name did you register with?

• Heatstroke.

• The Flamethrower.

• Blast Burner

• Heat Crasher.

• Bracket B.

He flips to the second page on the clipboard.

Hmm... what name did you register with?

• Fire Blaster.

• Burning Eruption.

• The Incinerator.

• Inferno Overdrive.

• Bracket C.

He flips to the third page on the clipboard.

Okay... what name did you register with?

• Magma Storm.

• Cinderburn.

Looks up at you, and sighs.

You're late. Why didn't you come up when you were called?

Your bracket has already started... If you hurry you should still be able to make your match.

Get moving!

• (Leave) This dialogue path successfully bypasses fighting both the villains in the lobby and the Tournament Organizer.

• Maximum Flare.

• Fire Fang.

• Bracket D.

He flips to the last page on the clipboard.

Sure... what name did you register with?

• Blaze Blitzer.

• Blue Flare.

• Overheat.

• Solar Striker.

For all answers except Bracket C, Cinderburn:

The Gold Bricker growls angrily.

...You think this is a joke?

Let's see you laugh after you've been reduced to charcoal!

This will immediately initiate a fight with the Tournament Organizer.

• I'm tougher than all these losers, I deserve a spot. (Fight)

He chuckles at you.

Oh yeah?

That's some mighty big talk... I think those `losers` might have something to say about that, but sure, why not.

If they don't reduce you to a smouldering pile of ash, you can take their spots, how about it?

• I wouldn't have it any other way. (Fight)

• You feel the temperature in the room rise sharply.

Choosing this dialogue option turns the fire-based Villain NPCs in the lobby hostile. Defeating all of them allows the team to progress.

• (Leave)

Tournament Organizer

Defeated:

Tournament Organizer: I guess... you qualify for entry...

Fire Villains

Combat Start:

Blast Furnace: Burning bridges I see!

Damned: Oh geez...

Dark Sabaoth: You dare insult the eternal darkness?!

Flambeaux: Oh no you don't, I came ALL the way here to WIN this tournament!

Pyrelord: Time to show off!

Defeated:

Blast Furnace: This... went poorly...

Burning Daemon: Oblivion...

Damned: I knew this was... a crappy idea...

Dark Sabaoth: Ashes... to ashes...

Flambeaux: Seriously? Ugh...

Pyra: ...Disgusting.

Pyrelord: Blew... my chance...

Towering Inferno: Snuffed out...

After Combat:

Tournament Organizer: Wow. You actually beat 'em all, what a show!

---

Tournament Organizer

Tournament Organizer

The Gold Bricker whistles sharply.

Wow. You actually beat 'em all, what a show!

Well, I'm a Bricker of my word, head on in.

• (Leave)

Gold Brickers

Before Combat:

Boomer: Those guys over there seem like they're having too much fun.

Combat Start:

Boomer: Ah, beating down intruders! Now this is MY kind of fun!

---

Before Combat:

Smelter: Oh yeah! This is my jam!

Combat Start:

Smelter: Enemies inside our hideout? Not my jam! Not my jam!

Gold Bricker Minion: Interrupting our R&R is not okay! Time to bring some hurt!

Smelting Cauldron

Before Combat:

Cauldron Champion Frobe: Place your bets, Brickers! Who's it gonna be?! We got newcomer Wiggy running up against local fave, Low Boy!

Combat Start:

Wiggy: What?! No! I was just about to take that match! You'll pay for this!

Low Boy: Phew, that was clo- Errr, I mean... curse you interlopers! I was just about to deliver the coup de grace!

After Combat:

Boomer: Boo!

Boomer: Boo!

Cauldron Champion Frobe: Unexpected! Looks like both our guys are down! But it appears NEW CHALLENGERS have stepped into the Smelting Cauldron! Who will rise to meet them?!

---

Before Combat:

Cauldron Champion Frobe: The slow and sturdy Fort Knoxxer has met our intruder's challenge! The only man amongst the Gold Brickers to have faced the Vindicators and walked away to tell the tale! Let's see a fight burning with passion! Go!

Combat Start:

Fort Knoxxer: Friggin' finally. Time to show you intruders what third degree burns feel like!

After Combat:

Fort Knoxxer: I... was the one who got burned... Anyone got... some aloe?

Cauldron Champion Frobe: Hot dang! They cracked Fort Knoxxer like they've stolen gold before! What a show! But this cauldron is only warming up everyone! More challengers await!

---

Before Combat:

Cauldron Champion Frobe: The Burninator has stepped up! If it isn't a war crime for Longbow to use flamethrowers then anything goes folks! Let's see how our challengers fare against a man who likes his fire a bit too much! Light your matches, it's time to fight!

Combat Start:

The Burninator: Mwehehehe! Time to burninate! How do you like your steak?

After Combat:

The Burninator: Medium? More like well done...

Cauldron Champion Frobe: Wow! What a twist! With that, the Burninator has been extinguished! But I guess that's what happens when you play with fire! Thrilling! Who's next?!

---

Before Combat:

Cauldron Champion Frobe: The Gold Brickster has decided he's going to have the last laugh! He's practiced his tricks and he's ready to give our intruders a taste of what he's cooking! No holding back! Start the battle!

Combat Start:

Gold Brickster: Out of the fire and into the smelting cauldron! Let's GO!

After Combat:

Gold Brickster: Should've gone with... frying pan...

Cauldron Champion Frobe: Can it be?! The Gold Brickster is DOWN! It has to be seen to be believed! What an upset! The Smelting Cauldron boils with rage! Our intruders have managed to push their way past every challenger! Astounding!

Cauldron Champion Frobe

Before Combat:

Cauldron Champion Frobe: I guess now is the time... There is only the Cauldron Champion left!

Combat Start:

Cauldron Champion Frobe: All bets are now on me annihilating these intruders!

First Blood:

Cauldron Champion Frobe: What about a gold shortage? The champ doesn't talk to chumps! Show me what you got!

75% Health:

Cauldron Champion Frobe: Time to turn up the heat with a little theatrical fireworks!

The nearby turrets are activated!
50% Health:

Cauldron Champion Frobe: Wow, you aren't playing around huh? I see. Well in that case...

Cauldron Champion Frobe: Brickers! ALL BETS ARE OFF! TAKE 'EM OUT!

Ambush! At 50% Health, the Gold Brickers surrounding the Smelting Cauldron will turn hostile.

Defeated:

Cauldron Champion Frobe: My champion's belt... taken by a buncha punks...

Debriefing

Rest easy, my violence-addled Strike Force Name!

I'm already working within Arachnos to see what I can find. The Gold Brickers making profits with their gold reserves during a shortage is hardly surprising, and thus isn't quite conclusive evidence of anything. Remember, hypotheses must always be reinforced by data! Data, Character, DATA!

We need a new approach. Hmm, those who lose the most from a gold shortage are groups that rely on advanced machinery and electronic components... Such as Aeon Corp or Arachnos -- naturally, we are dealing with enemies of SCIENCE ITSELF!

Like a nostril hair that can't be tamed I've plucked our enemy's influence out of Aeon Corp, so we must find a new lead... And a pair of tweezers!

Don't worry! My brilliant mind is already formulating the method to our scientific endeavors...

Chasing Fool's Gold Part 3: Scientific Goldmine

Briefing

Chasing Fool's Gold
Part 3: Scientific Goldmine

Rejoice, Character! My unparalleled brilliance has formulated our next move!

As I said, this gold shortage sucks the most for large, technology-focused groups, so through my own intelligence, I have formulated a candidate who's probably being exploited: Crey Industries!

Although Crey operates a facility here in Aeon City they have this annoying strong public face, so it's unlikely they'd react if we asked how they're enjoying the shortage.

Fortunately for us, I happened to have a few... connections that I leveraged through some confidential channels! This allowed me to confirm my deductions, Crey are in dire need of gold-wiring components!

Exploiting this, I was easily able to arrange a deal using the Gold Brickers who are eager to profit on that desperation! My intellect is truly frightening! Like a brilliant vending machine of science where every selection is GENIUS!

• Whatever you say... Where do we come in?

Patience now my sweet, sweet Strike Force Name!

You cannot rush science! Well, you can, but when you've survived as many explosions as I have, you start to learn when a deadline warrants an energy field!

But nevermind that. Where YOU come in, Character, is to utilize your `persuasive` methods to obtain information from Crey. We're looking for anything applicable to dimensional exploitation, Crey is likely already dancing to the tune of our rogue variable. Indeed, a tune most insidious, like a waltz!

Those jerks at Crey were strict about these negotiations being held in their research compound, likely a precaution or hopefully because that's where they keep their silly scientists of merit. An irrelevant factor in our calculations! As for the Gold Brickers... They too are irrelevant! Ah-ha-ha-ha!

However, to your benefit, they always deal in solid gold bars, and will have brought a few to demonstrate they are serious about the negotiations with Crey. Consider them an advance bonus on your payment!

Unnecessary Solicitation

If it isn't my enthusiastic, yet dim-witted assistant, Character! Is there some exciting and fun reason you're talking to me right now?

Instead of, I don't know, say... Infiltrating a certain Crey facility? Ringing any bells? No?

Mission Objective(s)

• Infiltrate Crey lab & steal gold
  • Steal the gold
  • Defeat Crey's new bio-weapon
  • Break up negotiations

You acquired up some of the Gold Bricker's gold, broke up the negotiations with Crey, and defeated one of their new clone bioweapons!

Enemies

Paragon Protectors

Crey

Gold Brickers

Notable NPCs

• Deal Brokernaut Flashbang (Gold Brickers Golden Brickernaut Elite Boss)
• 11th Generation Paragon Protector (Crey Elite Boss)
• The Torch (Gold Brickers Smelter Elite Boss)
• Dr. Mestessa (Crey Cryogenicist Boss)
• Dr. Wood (Crey Cryogenicist Boss)
• Dr. Asay (Crey Cryogenicist Boss)
• Dr. Grenny (Crey Cryogenicist Boss)
• Dr. Pittmann (Crey Cryogenicist Boss)
• Dr. Jones (Crey Cryogenicist Boss)
• Dr. Barlowe (Crey Cryogenicist Boss)
• Dr. Yeates (Crey Cryogenicist Boss)
• Dr. Bushnell (Crey Cryogenicist Boss)
• Unstable Burn Paragon Protector (Crey Burn Protector Elite Boss)
• Immature Paragon Protector (Paragon Protectors Minion)

Gold Brickers

Before Combat:

Gold Bricker Minion: Are our guys gonna be okay up there by themselves? Geez, you see these Crey dudes... Freaky.

Gold Bricker Minion: Probably? Our broker has the new power digs, they should be okay if things go south.

Combat Start:

Gold Bricker Minion: I knew we should've waited outside on the roof!

Gold Bricker Minion: Looks like things are going south!

The Crey Facility #RI-C-02 hallway has three sets of security lasers. Players stepping on them will trigger Crey ambushes. Players can avoid ambushes by jumping, flying, or teleporting over the lasers.

Crey Ambushes

Combat Start:

Crey Ambusher: Intruders!

Combat Start:

Crey Ambusher: Unauthorized access! Nobody gets in OR out!

Combat Start:

Crey Ambusher: This security system was worth every penny!

Clone Assessment Lab Dialogue

Before Combat:

Dr. Mestessa: After next week, I'm being moved to the Kallisti project. I'd like you all to know that our time together has been miserable and I won't miss any of you.

Combat Start:

Dr. Asay: What are those security guys doing?!

Dr. Wood: Villains!

---

Combat Start:

Paragon Protector Elite: This is a restricted sector. Engaging unauthorized trespassers.

---

Before Combat:

Dr. Grenny: A lot has happened since I went on 'voluntary leave' to avoid that whole legal snafu... You said these were 11th generation? What happened to the 10th?

Dr. Pittmann: Suspended for now... Every 10th was failing at memory imprint -- until that one went berserk. Took damn near the whole lab's staff just to get it sedated and contained for further study.

Combat Start:

Dr. Grenny: Intruders!

Dr. Pittmann: How did you get in here?

---

Combat Start:

Paragon Protector Elite: You are not permitted to be here. Do not resist.

---

Before Combat:

Immature Paragon Protector: Snack time yet? I want snack! Snack, snack, snack!

Combat Start:

Dr. Barlowe: O-oh geez! Not good!

Unstable Burn Paragon Protector: I am burning! Aflame with an uncontrollable RAGE! EVERYTHING... EVERYTHING MUST BURN!

Immature Paragon Protector: You bring snacks?!

---

Combat Start:

Paragon Protector Elite: They have seen confidential Crey research. You cannot be allowed to leave.

Crey Computers

Observation Deck Alpha
This console is monitoring the indoctrination program running on the screen inside the test chamber.

While it would be funny to mess with the developing brains of Crey's clones, it seems locked until the current routine completes.

UNIT: CR-GEN9-BATCH01283
STATUS: Undergoing mental conditioning
DURATION: 416:15:39 remaining
NOTES: The new batch are being task specialized per the new directive from the R&D director.

Yikes. That's just a few too many hundreds of hours for your taste.

---

Observation Deck Beta
Test Room Console
There's a fun-sounding program labeled 'N_CR_BioR_Test_01-V' pending activation on the screen.
A alarm sounds and an automated voice begins to speak over the intercom.

Four Greater Devoured will spawn inside Observation Deck Beta and will fight an 11th Generation Paragon Protector. Under all circumstances, the Protector will defeat them.

---

Observation Deck Gamma
This console is configured to be a status monitor for the stasis system inside this test chamber.

UNIT: CR-GEN10-BATCH00003
DESIGNATION: MR-000
VITALS: Stable
OUTPUT: 0.0029477
BRAINWAVES: 0.0000493
NOTES: This unit is under strict quarantine, pending further investigation of its aggressive and unpredictable behavior. This unit is pending transportation to a facility better equipped to handle its capabilities and is to remain in suspended animation. Any interim access requires director-level approval, this is an order from the Countess herself.

Crey Bio-Weapon

Before Combat:

Dr. Yeates: These new 11th Generation clones are going to change the entire super-powered landscape! King Midas picked an excellent time to forge this business arrangement with us.

Combat Start:

Dr. Yeates: Perfect, timely test subjects! Now you can see exactly what our new clones can do!

The Torch: Of course, nothing can ever just go smoothly can it? What a hassle, get 'em boys!

Deal Brokernaut Flashbang

Before Combat:

Dr. Bushnell: Hmmm... Yes, Crey should be able to supply these components as well.

Deal Brokernaut Flashbang: Perfect. She was pretty explicit about these parts needing to be replaced soon... So, let's talk prices.

Combat Start:

Deal Brokernaut Flashbang: We don't have time for interlopers! Time to test this new tech out!

After Combat:

Debriefing

I expected nothing less from my ever-expendable Strike Force Name? ...Dependable? That's what I said, clean out those ears! Bwa-ha-ha!

Were those Crey idiots as dense as the rumors? Well don't keep me in suspense, what'd you learn?

At mention of the Gold Brickers and their dealing in gold wiring, Aeon's enthusiastic cantor lessens considerably.

That's... extremely troubling news, Character. You're sure? This wasn't some OTHER gold wiring that was left around? No? I also can't ignore your mention of their negotiating with Crey for components...

As unlikely as it seems, we really have no choice but to conclude that the Gold Brickers themselves are behind the gold shortage... All to acquire dimensional technology and research? To what end? Do they have some scientific mind who can use that knowledge?

Those were advanced theories in complex dimensional mechanisms, not just anybody could pick up that research and use it...

Chasing Fools Gold Part 4: Ripples in Gold

Dr. Aeon: Surprisingly, Dr. Aeon's tone is missing some of its usual eccentric frivolity.

Haste makes waste, PlayerName! At this point, the evidence says the Gold Brickers are responsible for this gold shortage and that they are using it to get knowledge and technology related to unstable dimensional ripples.

That is all fine and dandy, but we have too many unanswered questions! What are they trying to do? Who is backing them with scientific know-how? How are they funding the manipulation of the gold market?

We need answers and without tipping our hand! The element of gold is precious, but the element of surprise is far more valuable!

Don't fret, StrikeForceName! All problems have a solution, and I have the solution; no dangerous acids involved! Return to Aeon City and give me some of that gold wiring you stole. If my extremely brilliant, scientifically-informed suspicions are correct, it holds the key to cornering the Gold Brickers!

What? If you're that upset, I'll remind you that the bounty I've have placed on King Midas makes the value of that gold akin to an intern who cannot deliver coffee! Note to self: Invent self-delivering coffee...

You better not be wrong about this. (Accept mission)

Dr. Aeon: The great Dr. Thaddeus Aeon? WRONG? Inconceivable! My poor, silly, inept StrikeForceName, your jokes are too much sometimes. Ha-ha-ha!

Now bring me that gold wiring! Then we'll confirm that my undoubtedly, absolutely, and sure-to-be-correct suspicions were right!

Mission Objective: Bring Gold Wiring to Dr. Aeon.

Unnecessary Contact

Dr. Aeon: PlayerName, were you going to send me that gold wiring wirelessly? An email attachment, maybe? No? That's very disappointing.

Mission Notes

This part of the mission requires someone to actually go to Dr. Aeon in person. The long and short of it is that Dr. Aeon concludes that the gold, while real, is from an alternate dimension and is molecularily unstable, and will dissolve within 6 months, doing the villain no good if they wish to keep it. More troubling, it means the Gold Brickers aren't just researching dimensional travel... they've succeeded! Well, somewhat, at least. The fact that the gold they're peddling dissolves means they're only about halfway there.

Aeon gives the team a "Dimensional Originator", which has many features, including the ability to track more of the "counterfeit" gold. It points to a location out at sea, so Aeon sends the Task Force to grab a boat and commit some high-seas piracy.

New Objective: Seize the source of distorted gold counterfeits

• ??? (Confront Dr. Echo)
  • Investigate the ship
    • Defeat the head of security
  • Continue investigating the ship
    • Defeat Princess Zoe

Once in the mission, the team will come across Dr. Echo, flanked by a small army of Shivans. They all con friendly at first, but, despite Echo's attempts to parlay with the Villains, they attack and send him packing. He says that Aeon will betray the Strike Force, and mentions that what they're doing will repeat a disaster that was narrowly avoided in the 1980's. But the villains pay him no heed, and continue their mission.

The Strike Force must make their way through the cargo hold of the boat, which is packed with Gold Bricker troops and technology. If playing on Malicious or higher, an unprepared team that's used to face-rolling most content will find their first real challenge here, with several large groups in close quarters, and many groups having at least one of each new boss type. This will also be the first mission with "AU Brickers", who have an ability to pull players towards them while dealing damage over time. This ability is shown as a large purple light (much like the Brickernaut's explosion).

The Objective "Investigate the Cargo Ship" will automatically change into "Defeat Workshop's Chief of Security" (Security Chief Slick) once you get to about the halfway mark of the mission. He's the Brickernaught being hypnotized by the giant blue spinning... thing. Once he's down, you'll be able to hack into their mediport system to use for yourself. The objective will change to "Continue investigation of the cargo ship."

The next area is blocked off, so you have to bypass it using a hatch in the floor. There are several clickable items in this lower "garbage room", including some development in-jokes about scrapped projects. After leaving this area and heading to the next, a cutscene will play...

Princess Zoe:

Any news from the men we sent to negotiate with Crey?

Mr. Rivers:

None. At this point I'm guessing something must've happened to them.

Princess Zoe:

Mrgrgr... Really? Didn't THEY approach US? We even went through the hassle of meeting at their research facility... The portal receiver is stable for now, but its components need to be swapped out since it's prone to overheating.

Mr. Rivers:

Weird... Don't let it concern you, Princess. There's no shortage of clientele desperate for our gold!

Princess Zoe:

Yes, just thinking ahead... The Gold Brickers must be ready for any challenge if we're to succeed in what's to come. We must be ready to act as soon as word comes from Father at the lab.

The final room is full of GoldBrickers, and players will notice a large, portal-liked device in the middle of the room, overseen by Princess Zoe and her attendants. You must defeat "Princess Zoe" to complete the mission.

Zoe herself isn't the toughest AV, but she does have an attack that can one-shot a squishy AT to 1 hp, so caution is still advised. At 75, 50, and 25% health, she'll momentarily become invincible/untargetable and flee to another area of the room, all while activating the portal to summon reinforcements. The first two times, Gold Brickers enter the room, but the third time, you and all the remaining Brickers are attacked by Luddites! Zoe also will NOT move from her flee points to chase players. This can be both a blessing and a curse, depending how you want the fight to play out.

If you're going for the Unfriendly Fire Badge, you will need to finish off Zoe with a Golden Brickernaut's self-destruct when she is at 10% or less health. This is accomplished by confusing a Golden Brickernaut before he explodes, hitting him with the Dimensional Grounding Ray from the Dr. Kahn Task Force, or hitting him with a Golden Throwing Wrench (lore-wise, those later two muck up the Brickernauts' friendly fire protocols; the explosions will still hurt you if you choose this method, so be cautious). Fortunately, Mr. Rivers is a guaranteed Brickernaut spawn, and being an EB, it's slightly harder to kill him on accident. Best thing to do is have someone with taunt or controls keep him in the far corner while the fight ensues, then bring him over to Zoe when she gets low on health. Hit him with confuse/DGR/GTW, get him to 25% health when Zoe is under 10%, and keep her from regening above that without killing her. If you do this correctly, you'll get the badge!

In either case, once Zoe is defeated, the mission will be complete.

Debrief

Dr. Aeon: That was truly excellent... Huh? No, not you PlayerName... that pizza! Someday, I shall dominate the science of pizza! Anyways, what did you find out at sea?

Woah, hold the photons, the Gold Brickers had a PORTAL, on a BOAT?

That shouldn't even be possible... not possible... unless... unless, it was only part of the equation... It must have been a portal receiver! Fascinating, if the device were only receiving, decoding, and assembling the molecular structures being transmitted through the temporal aether... you could off-load a lot of the power requirements...

You wait while Dr. Aeon rides out his train of thought, but then suddenly he's back to you.

Wait, you said there was a Gold Bricker woman, and SHE built this device? Could it be...?

Chasing Fool's Gold part 5: Your Golden Ticket

Dr. Aeon: Aeon Corp has custody of the Gold Bricker's cargo ship and we confirmed everything you already told me. You said they called her Princess Zoe? Hmmm... has to be her...

Dr. Aeon mumbles something to himself for a moment.

Alright, PlayerName, the kiddie gloves are coming off! It's big boy time! At this point, the Gold Brickers have now been recognized as a threat to Arachnos. We've confirmed that they are in possession of illegal portal technology.

I've obtained permission from the Arbiters for StrikeForceName to move on Langston Corp's main headquarters. The mission is to apprehend King Midas and seize the factory! Arachnos would also like Princess Zoe taken alive if possible. When somebody has a surprise knack for science, killing them to death is usually a waste.

It sucks, but now that we've lost the element of surprise, the stupid chocolate-loving morons will be prepared for us... And by us, I mean you, since you'll be facing them, not me! Ha-ha-ha! The joys of scientific delegation!

Consider King Midas caught. Get that bounty payment ready. (Accept Mission)

Dr Aeon: Oh! Such confidence from my oh-so dependable StrikeForceName!

How you've grown from mere assistants of science into slightly-more capable assistants of science! If I were your father... Well, if we're being honest, I would probably wonder where it all went wrong. But I'm not, so I don't! Bwa-ha-ha!

It's time to finally put an end to the antics of those golden idiots. They had a good run, but made the inconceivable mistake of daring to cross the great Dr. Aeon! Master of scientifically-precise and impeccable comeuppances! They should've known this outcome was 'Aeonvoidable'! Ah-ha-

You leave and pretend like you didn't hear that.

Unnecessary Solicitation:

Dr. Aeon: At last! So Midas, how does it feel, to have been totally brought to justice by Dr. Aeon? You didn't really think you could outsmart- Wait, what? What do you mean 'you haven't finished the mission yet'? Then why are you talking to me?! Honestly, PlayerName? Now I'm going to have to rewrite my victory speech!

Mission: Assault Langston Corp. HQ

• Confront Factory Manager
  • Escape the first ripple
  • Escape the second ripple
  • Escape the third ripple
    • (Optional) Help Psi-Curse
  • Defeat Mr. Rodney & Guards

Mission Entry text: Between the thick scent of chocolate and the dim halogen lightbulbs, the atmosphere in the factory is unsettling. Upon entering, a recording greets you: Welcome to Langston Corp! Your time is important to us, please have a seat! A generic tune begins to play in the lobby.

Mission Notes

What starts as a standard beat-up-or-sneak-by-everyone mission takes a drastic turn halfway through. You encounter the Golden Roller, parked underneath a portal device much like the one on the ship. After attempting to parlay with Roller, he honks his horn and summons reinforcements. After dealing with them, the Strike Force begins to try to smash the car. Not liking that one bit, Golden Roller activates the portal... which, instead of spitting people out like the last one, begins to suck YOU IN!

RIPPLE 1: Reichman's Empire

The Strike force finds itself in a desolate, destroyed Steel Canyon which is shrouded in darkness. Part of the war-wall is gone, and with no where else to go, they proceed, which triggers a cutscene...

Caption

You begin to recall something Dr. Aeon said.... Earlier

Dr. Aeon

...And that wraps-up the neck massage feature. Now, this next function is quite important! Hey, are you paying attention?!

Villains

(None but the leader seem to be paying any attention. They're content to read the paper, look at their phones, goof around or take a nap)

Dr. Aeon

If you experience a transdimensional mislocation you're going to be thanking me!

This device tracks dimensional travel, and if sufficiently powered, can eject you back to this dimension! Cool, right? All it needs is to siphon energy from a sufficient power source, like another portal or an electric generator... and BOOM! You'll be shunted back to this dimension! This could save your bacon! Don't forget!

Once that's done, you'll see an objective to "Overload a portal to escape", and a timer counting down from 45 minutes.

The area is full of 5th Column troops in large configurations, regardless of your difficulty settings, with a few groups of Void Hunters scattered about. There are basically two ways to escape: Defeat a Commander and steal his access code to use a portal, OR, find and fight the five 5th Column AVs in the North East corner of the map (Arakhn, Meastro, Nosferatu, Protean, and finally "Emperor Reichsman"). If you're going for the Ripple Raider Badge, then you'll have to confront the five AVs. Other than being a bit tougher than their Primal counterparts, the legion of nearby 5th troops will break ranks to attack the party, and waves of Void Hunters will assist Emperor Reichsman once he starts taking damage.

One often overlooked detail is that Ulberman (the Unknown) makes an appearance here, and tells you how this world came to fall under the 5th's rule... and why they're now trying to escape.

If you do NOT escape before the timer reaches 0, you'll still be ejected back to Langston corp, but the team will suffer some heavy debuffs from being desynched from their home reality for too long.

Once again you must fight off an ambush of AU Brickers and continue attacking Golden Roller (who doesn't regenerate HP). Once he's at 50%, he'll reactivate the portal, sending the villains to another twisted alternate reality...

RIPPLE 2: Fallen Titan(s)

This new ripple is a small, but familiar map, infested with hundreds of Devouring Earth. Four large monstrosities stand in each corner of the room, while a giant, grotesque creature sits in the middle. The timer is short, as either way this ripple is easy to get through. The enemies here are flagged as Neutral (with a yellow targeting reticle instead of the standard orange), and will only attack if you do so first (note that taunt and damage auras count, so be cautious!).

The creature in the middle will speak to you through her Mouthpiece, so long as you haven't attacked anyone. The deal here is that Hamidon has taken over the planet... but there are some Devouring Earth who are no longer loyal to him, and have cooped up here, in the Crystal Titan's former lair. The Monsters in each corner are the heroes from the Eden Trial that were transformed when no one was able to save them (Gale, Quill, Slate and Tundra), and the creature in the middle is their "All-Mother", Terra (a.k.a Tanya Tyler). She will allow you to harmlessly siphon electricity from the four mushrooms in each corner (to power your dimensional do-hickey), provided you do not hurt anyone, but she (and everything else) will also become immediately hostile if you speak her former master's name, so be careful what text options you pick if you're just trying to talk to her!

If you're going for the Ripple Raider Badge, you must defeat the four turned Heroes, Terra, and her Mouthpiece.

In any event, you end up back at Langston corp, and once again must contend with an ambush of AU-Brickers and continue trying to trash the Golden Roller. But once he gets to 25% health, it's back to another universe with you again!

RIPPLE 3: End of the Line

Another cutscene plays, this one of Apex standing on a tank, declaring that he and Vangaurd are to make sure that no one gains entry into Portal Corp. The area around the Portal Corp courtyard is riddled with craters and the bodies of several villains and a few heroes.

In front of the Strike Force is a man cowering behind an overturned truck, who introduces himself as PsiCurse. He has a plan to save this world from its imminent doom, AND help the Villains escape to their own dimension, but the Vanguard are holding his key to powering his invention, The PsychoChronoMetron. He offers to give the villains access to Portal Corp's greatest secret: The Dimensional Codex, in return for their help. You can either team up with him, or fight/bypass him entirely. However, if you're going after the Ripple Raider Badge, you'll have to help him.

In either case, you must defeat Apex and the Vanguard Colonel in the courtyard. They are flanked by several missile launchers, Vanguard HVAS, and Wizards. Once Apex and the Colonel are down, you'll have access to the emergency portal to the North East. You can either set it to go home, or, if you agreed to help PsiCurse, re-route it to take you into Portal Corp.

If you decided to help PsiCurse and enter Portal Corp, you'll quickly find you're not alone. Someone ELSE is assaulting the place, burning and melting metal doorways and freezing guards in place. It seems FrostFire is tearing up the place... but it actually turns out to be Glacia and Infernia! A quick cutscene plays showing them arguing about whether escape is still possible now that HE is going to seal the walls between dimensions and won't let anyone stop him. Not that anyone alive could ever stop...

HERO 1

The villains trounce the twins and make their way into the portal after the legendary hero. They wind up in the Vanguard compound, where you can have a nice chat with various members of Vanguard, who all know you're not THEIR version of you, as you're dead and buried in Astoria. They also know that their world is a "ripple" and is soon going to be wiped out like the cosmic mistake that it is, which is why all the other villains were fighting to get in, so they could portal out. Apparently Hero 1 has a plan to stop that, so if you want any hope of getting back home, you're going to have to stop him before he traps you here forever... or at least for the ~30 odd minutes it's going to take for the dimension to destabilize and probably kill you!

(Editor's note) At least that's what I got out of it; it's very hard to fully absorb everything on a timer!

The villains make their way through the heavily-guarded Vanguard compound, and can free up the Infirmary for their own use. An unprepared team is going to need it!

Hero 1 is accompanied by Incandescent, who has a PBAoE nuke (that WILL kill most anything short of a Tank) and can buff/heal/resurrect Hero 1, so you'll want to focus on her first. Hero 1 himself is a very tough nut to crack, but a coordinated enough team should be able to take him down. Once that is done, another cutscene plays, where PsiCurse steals Hero 1's power for his PCM, and uses that power to turn himself into a god. Now that his plan is a success, he no longer needs the villains, who he sends home, WITHOUT giving them the codex, as he doesn't want them finding and coming back to "his" dimension.

Once you've triggered that cutscene, if you defeated every Ripple AV up to this point, you will be awarded the Ripple Raider Badge, or bonus Empyrian merits if you already have it.

• Note:: If you already have the Master of Dr. Aeon's Strike Force Badge, and run this SF again at the highest difficulty, you will have the option of fighting the ALL of the main Vanguard NPCs (You have to checks notes insult Lady Grey's hair); Doing so and defeating everyone will reward you with a portable Vanguard training dummy!

NO MORE RIPPLES!

The villains re-appear at Langston corp, and finish off Golden Roller before he can send them anywhere else. The car explodes, revealing the driver. After a brief interrogation, you take his keycard and can either head back the way you came, or take a shortcut through the door to the north. Now the shutter that was locked before will open, leading up to Mr. Rodney's office. However, as a cutscene reveals, he's ready for you.

Mr. Rodney isn't anything particularly hard, but he's surrounded by 3+ Brickernauts, which is a LOT of insta-death explosions (on Malicious or higher) if the team isn't careful! Once he's down, you'll get the key to his safe, which is the last objective for the mission.

Debrief

Dr. Aeon: Uh, hey there StrikeForceName, I'm noticing a distinct lack of King Midas and Princess Zoe in custody. What's the deal with that?

The gusto in Dr. Aeon's voice fades after mentioning the word 'D-Rifter' that you heard from the Golden Roller.

I see... so, the final variable of our equation has been revealed. You haven't mentioned this to anybody else yet, have you PlayerName?

Chasing Fool's Gold part 6: Ripple Diable

Dr. Aeon: We've got a real mess on our hands now and I don't mean the royal 'we' here, PlayerName! The way things are going, we aren't going to catch King Midas and the Gold Brickers will escape with an extremely temperamental piece of dimensional technology. We can't let that happen!

For you, aside from just not getting paid, Arachnos is going to blame StrikeForceName for failing their mission inside Langston Corp. Or worse, that you were bought by King Midas... And Arachnos really doesn't like failure!

As for me? If you aren't aware, that D-Rifter is an inexplicably-potent dimensional rift generator, one that totally shouldn't even exist. The Gold Brickers were somehow able to get it working with research they illegally bought from Aeon Corp!

This means all of our careers are on the line if we don't find King Midas! Fortunately for us, I'm Dr. Aeon! While more primitive minds would falter in the face of interdimensionally-abled gold-wearing idiots, my genius has no such shortcomings!

So You keep Saying. What's the Plan? (Accept Mission)

Dr. Aeon: The plan, my affable and determined StrikeForceName, is using these to triangulate the D-Rifter's signal inside local unstable ripple space!

Dr. Aeon produces four larger versions of the sci-fi tinfoil can-looking device.

How you might ask? These ripple shards are not unlike ripples on the surface of a lake, with the D-Rifter skipping across their surface. By following any disruptions in the nearby dimensional aether, it should be possible to trace a path back to the D-Rifter.

What's that look for? The D-Rifter is a junky device, violently disrupting nearby space. These scanners should be able to detect those distortions, and if close enough, put in the right places, with good rift stability, and nobody sneezing nearby... Look, just see what you can do; we don't have any other options. You can use Aeon Corp's dimensional shifter located through the door on my balcony.

Sally forth, PlayerName! For science and avoiding consequences!

Unnecessary Solicitation

Dr. Aeon: You'd like more specific instructions on what to do? What do you mean?! We're embarking on unprecedented scientific pioneering, PlayerName! Did the Egyptians ask for instructions when they sent Lance Armstrong to discover the Americas? Of course not! You must thrive in this unknown! Relish this uncertainty! We're experiencing science in its purest form!

Mission Objectives

• Scan For Clues Inside local Dimensional Ripple
  • Talk to Dr. Echo
    • Scan 22nd Bank, WSPDR, Dark gallery
      • Destroy the Ripple Anomaly

Mission Entry Pop-Up Stepping into this dissolving instance of reality, it feels as though you're simultaneously being stretched and compacted. It's not a great feeling. You have no idea where to even start, but it seems like somebody was counting on that...

Mission Notes

You enter the mission (which is a dark, trippy version of Cap Au Diable) and are prompted to talk to Dr. Echo, who's standing nearby. This time, it's made clear that you have no choice but to hear him out. He'll tell you what you have to do, and he also gives you a small Override chip, instructing you to use it instead of the one that Dr. Aeon may give you later (as he may end up betraying you; this will let you get him back).

Armed with the knowledge of the locations you have to scan, you go about it. Each scan will summon an ambush of either AU Brickers, or Luddites (who are on a crusade against Dr. Zeon and his Purple Pipes of Doom). It will also erase nearby scenery as the dimension continues to dissolve around you.

Once you've placed all three scanners, Dr. Aeon will inform you that there's a massive energy flux nearby, and that it seems drawn to the energy of the scanners! If the scanners are destroyed, your time here will have been wasted, so you have to confront and destroy...

Ripplesurge

Ripplesurge, a giant blue version of Deathsurge, is a Monster Class AV with VERY high stats. With the ability to drain your endurance bar dry and dish out Incarnate-level attacks, he'll prove a significant challenge for soloists or small teams, especially on higher difficulty levels. Complicating matters is that every minute or so, he'll summon Shimmering Infusions that die easy enough (though they have Extreme defense vs AoE attacks, so they have to be purposefully targeted), but if left unattended, will be absorbed by Ripplesurge and heal him back to full after about 30 seconds or so. When they are absorbed on higher difficulties, they'll leave a "Death patch" behind that will kill any player who stands in it, but cause Ripplesurge's regen to increase when he does so.

If you're defeated, there will be an in-mission hospital, but the door will spit you out in a random place in the instance.

If you're going after the Power Overwhelming Badge, you'll have to defeat the AV while he's standing in an Infusion's death-patch. You'll have to look for him to have green rings around his feet, or just use the Combat Monitor to see his stats.

Once Ripplesurge is defeated, the mission is complete.

Debrief

Dr. Aeon: Wait, it actually worked? Err, I mean- Of course it worked! Every calculation according to my immaculate thinking! Well done StrikeForceName!

You are worthy scientific disciples of Dr. Aeon, assistants the likes of which the world has never seen! Together, the survival of our bottoms are all 'butt' assured! Bwa-ha-ha!

The spatial data from the scanners is coming through now, like a string of interdimensional spaghetti navigating the infinite marinara of spacetime!

Chasing Fool's Gold Finale: The Midas Touch

Dr. Aeon: Everything is ready! Well, as ready as they can be, anyway... Aeon Corp's dimensional shifter can only get you partway there. What?

Remember when I said those unstable dimensional spaces were kind of like ripples on a lake's surface? Well, the closer you get to the source causing the disruptions, the more chaotic and fluctuating the local aether is going to be.

What does that mean for you? Well, you should probably expect things to get a little weird in there! You're literally diving into entirely unprecedented science! You should be honored!

Now listen StrikeForceName... catching King Midas and the D-Rifter is only half the task. Once you have the D-Rifter secured, we need get it back to stable dimensional space! Who knows what sort of interdimensional calamity could result of it drifting through the aether unsupervised!

Right. What do you propose then?

Dr. Aeon: I'm glad you asked, my ever-forthright StrikeForceName!

Dr. Aeon produces a strikingly-familiar override chip and holds it out to you. Without reacting, you take it.

I got lucky and found some archival schematics in the Arachnos database for the tech that was the basis for the D-Rifter. This chip is designed to override the configurations and link the D-Rifter to a portal under Arachnos control. This will make it easy to recover, as well any other illegal technology the Gold Brickers managed to nab during their escapades.

However, there's only that one chip! So don't lose it, PlayerName!

Mission Objectives

• Defeat King Midas and Recover the D-Rifter
  • Venture deeper into the dimensional ripple
    • 3 blockades to defeat
      • 3 Wavelength disruptors to destroy
        • Deploy scanner under the globe to relocate D-Rifter signal
          • Defeat Princess Zoe & Mr. Rodney!
            • Seize the lab & defeat King Midas!

Mission Notes

Upon entering the mission, you're treated to a downward view of a tilted Aeon Corp building. This may be disorienting; try not to look "up"!

If you successfully had Becky follow you in mission 1, she'll appear here as Battle Becky, a combat-ready ally! She'll follow whoever loaded into the instance first. If you're going after the Best Friends Forever Badge, you'll need to keep her alive and escort her to the end of the mission. Luckily, she's very tough; though you might want to turn off any toggles that will increase her perception (like Tactics), or she'll fly across the map to engage hostile mobs.

In either case, you must defeat three "blockades" worth of Goldbrickers waiting for you down the side of the building. No matter what you set your difficulty to, these groups will always span the entire width of the ledges, and will always have at least 5 bosses. There will be other, scattered groups of foes, but those will adhere to your difficulty settings, and are not required to defeat.

Once you've made it to the bottom of the building, you enter a small portal, and a cutscene plays of Rodney, Zoe, and King Midas planning their next move and final stand against the villains.

The cutscene also reveals that there are "Wavelength Disruptors" placed throughout the ripple, which will hamper your progress. These must be destroyed before you can advance any further. Their placement will be randomized, though there isn't a very large area to search. As you destroy each wavelength disruptor, parts of the map will phase out of existence, or have their location changed. Once all are destroyed, you can set your final ripple decoder at the base of Dr. Zeon's globe and enter the next phase. This will also enable an in-mission hospital, which you're probably going to need...

Zoe and Rodney's Last Stand

You're teleported into a very constrained space at the top of the globe, where Zoe and Rodney await you with an army of Gold Brickers. Both have upgraded their equipment and have new abilities. Be very careful, as the GBs will likely be able to see any non-stealthed villains anywhere in this bubble, except where you spawn in.

If you didn't get it before, this is another good opportunity to attempt the Unfriendly Fire Badge, assuming you're using one of the advanced difficulty settings. Though you'll have to contend with Rodney first and try to clear everyone BUT Zoe and a Brickernaught, so it's a bit harder here than previously.

Once the AVs are down, they teleport away, and the door to the next area is unlocked.

Midas's Sanctum

You enter a small laboratory and fight through the last remnants of the Gold Bricker and AU Bricker forces. You'll come to a small fork at the end; The right side leads to the D-Rifter, but the door is locked. So you have to go left, and finally come face to face with the man himself, KING MIDAS.

Midas will stand in the middle of the room, surrounded by four smelting pits. He will be immune to damage unless he is inside one of these cauldrons. You don't necessarily need to taunt him there, he'll foolishly chase and teleport to anyone that tests him. Standing in these cauldrons will lower your resistance and deal fire damage over time. Most melee builds can do this without much issue, though squishier characters may wish to hover or kite Midas to keep him in place.

However, this is not a simple bag of HP. At every 25% health lost, Midas will use the D-Synch gear to warp reality, and bring in reinforcements from other dimensions (the room will be inverted, as well, disallowing use of the cauldrons). First, he'll summon other-dimensional duplicates of the Villain team; they must be defeated before you can return to the normal lab. When you return, the cauldron you used previously will deactivate, meaning you must use another one. Second time, he'll summon duplicates of himself from other universes. The team must find the ONE version of Midas that is NOT invincible, and beat him down; returning the the main lab will shut down another smelting pit. Finally, Midas will bring this universe's version of Dr. Aeon, Dr. Zeon, to assist; defeat the "good Doctor" and be returned to fight Midas a final time.

The final badge required for Master is achieved here. In any advanced difficulty mode, this fight will have the added complication of blue beams that target the villain team, and can be deadly if a villain is exposed for too long (like, more than 2 seconds). In order to achieve the Can't Touch This Badge, NO member of the team may take ANY damage from these blue beams. Luckily, the targeting for the beams isn't random: It will select the character furthest from Midas, and fire on their position, with both a warning and delay. The next shot will target any OTHER player that is also furthest from Midas. So two players can take turns baiting and dodging the shots while the rest of the team engages the AV. However, this can be a bit harder during the "Upside down" room fights, as the blue beams will target whoever is furthest from the "Normal" Midas, NOT the one in this room with you; so the best strat is to have everyone keep their eyes peeled and finish these phases as quickly as possible.

Once King Midas is defeated (his final speech seems to indicate that he dies), the D-Rifter Control room is unlocked, with a large, glowing console in front of a working teleportal.

NOTE: If going for the Best Friends Forever Badge, make SURE that Becky touches this console BEFORE anyone else activates it! You'll get the "Badge Found" indicator (assuming you do not already have the badge), and Becky will thank you for taking her on such a fun trip!

Activating the console, your character remembers to use Dr. Echo's Override chip instead of Dr. Aeon's. A Cutscene plays...

Dr. Aeon: (The Doctor stands in front of the portal, having just come through it. He claps, then brushes off his hands) "Excellent work! I must congratulate StrikeForceName on a job well done. King Midas? The D-Rifter? All loose ends cleaned up, quite nicely."

(Scene shifts to the party)

Dr. Aeon: "That just leaves Strike Force: "'Eliminate Witnesses'!"

(Camera pans back to Dr. Aeon, who, unknown to him, now has some company behind him, in the form of Arbiter Daos and Black Scorpion)

Dr. Aeon: "The D-Rifter will be remotely translocated to Aeon Corp, while you will be stuck here in this lab as it fades away. Nothing personal, but it's important nobody knows the D-Rifter still exists!"

Arbiter Daos: (Leaning in) Aeon. Would you care to elaborate?

Dr. Aeon: (Turns, then shakes in fear) "AHH! A-Arbiter Daos?! N-No! You can't be here... How?!"

Black Scorpion: "Heh, buffoon."

The D-Rifter chamber is now full of Arachnos personnel, including Operative Grillo. You can speak to him (or try, he's too fascinated by the recovery of the D-Rifter), Dr. Aeon (Who's lost in thought over how he could have lost), and Black Scorpion (who compliments you for taking down Midas). The objective changes to "Speak to Arbiter Daos"; whom you must speak to to end the mission and the Strike Force.

Arbiter Daos: The Arachnos Arbiter looks you over, then across the D-Rifter's chamber.

"Well StrikeForceName, you can imagine my surprise when an unrecognized signature connected to our portal in Grandville, with a scrambled message citing a special delivery directly for me.

I'm not sure if you are aware, PlayerName, but unauthorized interdimensional tampering normally carries the death penalty under Arachnos jurisdiction.

I'll have your side of this story now."

Well... (explain)

Arbiter Daos: Arbiter Daos stares at you sternly as you recount everything that happened during your involvement with Dr. Aeon.

"I see. Under Aeon's orders or not, you've mettled in interdimensional affairs. This is not something Arachnos takes lightly.

That being said... You ousted yet another one of Aeon's little plots, took care of the Gold Brickers who were poised to become a serious problem for Arachnos, and best of all, you secured Carl Egon's Dimensional-Rifter.

We'd been searching for this device after it vanished decades ago... Now it is finally in Arachnos custody where it belongs. In light of this, I'll see to it that this incident is classified and your involvement kept off the records. Consider yourself lucky that you get to walk away from this with your head intact."

At this point, you can ask several questions, which will fill you in on any part of the plot you missed (or weren't brought up before), or ask about a payment. Daos states that while the D-Rifter belongs to Arachnos, that you can feel free to help yourself to any other tech in the lab:

Gold Bricker Sonic Cannon

Ranged (Cone), Light DMG(Energy), Foe Disorient, -RES(All but Psionics)

This Sonic Cannon you looted from the Gold Brickers will deal Energy damage to your target and lower their Resistances to all damage types except Psionics. They may also become Disoriented.

Golden Throwing Wrench

Ranged, Moderate DMG(Smashing), Foe Knockback, Gold Bricker Confuse

This golden thrown wrench is going to hurt... and if your target is a Gold Bricker, it may confuse them!

'If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball!'.

With that, the Strike Force is complete, and you get a reward table, with options for either a random D-Sync Origin Enhancement, or additional merit rewards.

Note that completing the strike force does not lock you out of any conversations, and you can continue to talk to the other assorted villains, as long as you stay on the map. Once you leave, you'll be prompted to talk to Dr. Aeon one last time...

Debrief

Dr. Aeon: Dr. Aeon claps slowly.

Well played, StrikeForceName! Well. Played.

Not sure how, but you managed to totally upend my totally super great plan to scapegoat you guys and steal the D-Rifter.

Now Arachnos has it, and I'm sure they'll use it for something stupid, like taking over the world. What a waste! Think of what you could do with a device that can generate dimensional ripple echoes on command! Oh? I never mentioned that?

He holds one hand flat and makes a fist with his other.

If these unstable echoes are ripples on the lake's surface, then the D-Rifter is like a hammer that can strike the lake to violently generate distortions.

He drops his fist onto the flat of his other hand with a slap.

Yes, they're short lived, but rife with potential! Just look at what a group of idiot criminals did with it! Imagine the possibilities with it in hands of somebody who knows what they're doing! Oh well! Not my problem! Not anymore, at least...

Toodles, PlayerName.

Souvenir

Dimensional Originator and D-Rifter Chip

In one hand you hold a dimensional tracking device, in the other you rotate an unused data chip that Dr. Aeon gave you in between your fingers. You note the specific minute details of the metal, the small imperfections that couldn't possibly be replicated, and how it proved to be Aeon's undoing in a convoluted chain of events you've dubbed:

Chasing Fool's Gold

(Note: The rest of the Souvenir text is about the size of this entire wiki page so far, so it won't be repeated here. In fact, the original version would crash the mapserver when read until the devs made a fix for that! But read it in-game, it's worth it.)

See Also

• Strike Force
• Advanced Difficulty
• Homecoming Story Arcs