Positron Task Force Part Two

Future Updates

Issue 17: Dark Mirror updates the Positron Task Force. In Issue 17, it will be split into two halves. The final battle of the Task Force takes place in the Faultline Dam and incorporates a new enemy introduced in Issue 17.

Overview

Dam Hero
120px
Contact	Positron
Zone	Steel Canyon
Minimum Size	3 players
Coordinates	(-3136, -80, -501)
Level Range	11-16
Merits	15
Badge	Dam Hero
Enemy Groups	Vahzilok Clockwork Circle of Thorns

The Positron Task Force is the first of six Freedom Phalanx Task Forces, and the completion of all six grants the Task Force Commander Badge. The other five task forces are started by Synapse, Sister Psyche, Citadel, Manticore, and Numina.

In order to get the Positron's Ally Badge, a player must complete both Part One and Part Two, which each grant their own unique badges as well (meaning the revamped Positron Task Force awards three badges).

This task force is not designated as a Signature Task Force. As such, missions will spawn mobs at the level of the star holder, but no higher than 16.

Template:MeritAward

Introductions

Initial Contact

Character, What can I do for you?

Discuss events in Steel Canyon.

Discuss events in the rest of the city.

Missions

Agree to Form a Task Force

I'm glad you're back, Character. Time is of the essence!

The Clockwork, Circle of Thorns, and Vahzilok are all moving forward with their plans and it all revolves around the Faultline Dam!

I need you to form up another team and help resolve this situation once and for all!

Mission Acceptance Agree to form a Task Force.

Dam Heroes
Part One: Rumble in the Sewers

That's the spirit, Task Force Name.

I have Mirror Spirit working in Faultline to look into any activities by the Circle of Thorns. Right now we'll focus on tracking down the Clockwork and the Vahzilok.

Valkryie says that heroes have been reporting a large amount of clockwork going into one of the sewers here in Steel Canyon led by an Assembler Prince called Constructor. I have a feeling they're up to something regarding their Faultline project.

While you check it out, Valkryie and I will keep an eye out for any Vahzilok activities in the other parts of Steel Canyon. They'll be trying to move their operations shortly into Faultline, I'm sure.

Since you and I are going to be working together, you are going to need a code name. I will refer to you as Task Force Name from here on out.

Unnecessary Solicitation

I'd love to help, Task Force Name, but someone needs to make sure the Vahzilok don't make any sudden moves.

Mission Objective(s)

Rusted metal lies tangled in heaps with the twitching remains of Vahzilok abominations. The Clockwork are here, and it seems they're out to get the Vahzilok!

• Clockwork in the Sewers
  • 2 Pieces of evidence to find, 'Retrieve' information from Constructor

You stopped the clockwork, but learned some frightening new developments in the threat against the Faultline Dam.

Notable NPCs

• Ulcer (Eidolon)
• Cataract (Eidolon)
• Clarion (Eidolon)
• Constructor (Cannon Prince)

	Vahzilok remains
	You found the dead body of a Vahzilok Reaper within the sewers. Examining him shows that he was attacked by some sort of massive Clockwork. Instead of helping him recover, the Vahzilok salvaged the reaper for parts - while he was still alive! If you had to guess, it may have been the Clockwork King himself who attacked the Reaper, or perhaps one of his larger creations.

Vahzilok VS Clockwork dialog

Clockwork NPC: "Princess won't be poisoned! We protect her! We stop the Vahzilok from getting to the dam!"
Vahzilok NPC: "What are you talking about? You can't stop what we're doing at the Faultline Dam!"
Ulcer: "Where did these stupid clockwork come from?!"
Clockwork NPC: "Heroes don't care about Princess!"
Vahzilok NPC: "Task Force Name! You won't stop us either!"
Ulcer: Finally, something we can harvest!"
Clockwork NPC: "Faultline Dam is for us! Not you!"
Vahzilok NPC: "How many people do we need to go through for this dam?!"

	Vahzilok chemicals
	You found a damaged drum leaking some chemicals that are distinctly similar to the ones you found in Epidural's lair. You remember that Positron discovered these chemicals contained traces of Excelsior, which make it easier for the Freakshow to attach their metallic limbs onto their bodies.

Clarion dialog

Clockwork NPC: "Clockwork King is in Faultline! He'll stop you! The Dam belongs to King now!"
Vahzilok NPC: "A giant brain in a jar won't stop Doctor Vahzilok's plans for the Faultline Dam!"
Constructor: "King's plans for the Dam will not be stopped by the Vahzilok. He will make a new kingdom for his Princess and prevent you from hurting her!"
Clarion: "You and your stupid Clockwork Clown are going to PAY for what you've done!"
Clarion: "Heroes? Working with the Clockwork?"
Clarion: "Impossible!"

The Doctor's Orders

You found a document off of Clarion, detailing Dr. Vahzilok's plan for Faultline! It appears that the doctor intends to pour the chemicals you previously found into the Dam, poisoning all of Paragon's water! The note says that it will make the people of Paragon more 'accepting of his blessings', but you can deduce that it will make it easier for the Vahzilok to harvest the bodies of everyone in Paragon!

Debriefing

Task Force Los Alamos, good to see you. Valkryie just found out that you were sent into a nest of Vahzilok. What did you find there?

Dr. Vahzilok's plans? And you say the Clockwork King himself had been in those sewers?

This is going to get out of hand very quickly if something isn't done. The Clockwork King seems determined to stop the Vahzilok's plans in order to protect this 'Clockwork Princess' of his. I can only assume that if we don't step in, the Clockwork King would be willing to destroy the dam itself to stop Dr. Vahzilok!

Meeting in person isn't going to work anymore, Task Force Los Alamos, especially if this is going where I think it is. I've updated my communicator line to give you a direct line to it whenever you need to speak with me.

Investigate the Clockwork in Faultline

Dam Heroes
Part Two: Kingy's Princess

We still haven't received any word from Mirror Spirit regarding the Circle, so that's...hopefully a good sign. I've got Detective Frasenbacker in Faultline tracking any movements in the area from the Vahzilok. That leaves you to focus on the threat of the Clockwork.

I've gotten word that there's a large battle going on right now in Faultline between the Clockwork and the Lost.

What exactly it is, I'm not sure, but witnesses say the Clockwork were yelling something about their 'princess'. Sounds familiar, right?

You'll all need to go there and see what exactly is going on.

Mission Acceptance

missing data

Before you head off, you should visit the Hero Corps agent near here. The group has heard of our work for Faultline and wants to provide you with jetpacks to use. Faultline is still a dangerous place with Arachnos sighted around there.

Send me a signal when you're done - I have a feeling this is just the beginning of your work within Faultline.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Hero Corps can be difficult to work with sometimes, but at least they're offering help with this.

Meet with Hero Corps Analyst

Task Force Name, right? We here at Hero Corps are proud to help you with your battle for Faultline by providing you with these jetpacks. We hope they can help you in your fight to save the dam!

Temporary Power

Jet Pack Toggle: Self Fly This backpack grants any person the ability to fly for a short period. If you attack a target while this pack is on, your flight speed will be temporarily reduced to Hover speed.

Unnecessary Solicitation

You should get to that battle before it spills out into Faultline.

Investigate Clockwork Disturbance

Mission Objective(s)

From further ahead you can hear the report of energy rifles and voices, along with the familiar clattering of Clockwork gears. The Clockwork are trying to protect someone - or something.

• Investigate Clockwork Disturbance
  • 2 fights to break up

You defeated the clockwork, but your encounter with the Lost has only lead to more questions than answers. At least now you know who this Clockwork Princess is.

Battling groups' dialogue

Clockwork NPC: "Now to kill those who dare to threaten King's Princess!"
Clockwork NPC: "Clockwork Princess safe and sound! Get supplies ready to go to the dam!"
Clockwork NPC: "Clockwork Princess is under King's watch! Lost won't get her!"

Lost NPC: "She will usher in a new age, hand her over!"
Lost NPC: "King will stop what the Lost are planning with the Princess! Then he'll stop the Vahzilok AND Circle!"
Lost NPC: "SYou're just wasting our time, get out of our way!"

Ambush!

After defeating the second group of battling Lost and Clockwork you will be ambushed by three waves of Lost.

Ambush dialogue

Lost NPC: "Hand over the girl Task Force Name!"
Lost NPC: "This is pointless! You can't win!"
Fhtagn: "Clockwork and now heroes?! No one will stop us from getting the girl!"

Debriefing

Task Force Name, what did you find out?

The Clockwork were fighting the Lost to protect their Princess? And that the princess is a girl named Penelope Yin? Hrm...interesting, I've heard of the girl before. I'll have to contact Sister Psyche about her.

This at least explains the Clockwork King's motivation - he's going to blow up the dam to stop whatever the Vahzilok are planning. Noble, if extremely misguided. At least we know now the 'Clockwork Princess' isn't going to be an issue. I'll do some more digging on my end to see if I can't get you all another lead on the Clockwork.

Cripple the Clockwork Army

Positron

Briefing

Detective Frasenbacker has a lead for us, Task Force Name. It appears that the Clockwork are using an abandoned supergroup base in Faultline to store bombs for the Faultline plan. This base was home to many technological heroes - making it the perfect spot for the Clockwork to salvage parts from! You all need to get in there and cut off the Clockwork's plans! These should be the coordinates for the base. You'll need to get in there and destroy whatever the Clockwork are using to build those bombs! If we can stop them here, then this'll be one less group we need to be concerned about with the dam.

Mission Objective(s)

From the sounds of fighting ahead, you aren't the only ones looking to stop the Clockwork.

• Destroy the Clockwork's source for spare parts
  • Search for any more parts

You were able to hamper some of the Clockwork's activities, but not enough to fully stop them. The presence of the Circle must mean that they're on the move in Faultline - you'll have to speak with Mirror Spirit to see if she might have an idea of what's going on with them.

Clockwork and Circle of Thorns dialogue

Circle of Thorns NPC: "The Dam will power the Lance, and then we shall wipe your King from this mortal coil!"
Telbanis: You rust and corrode, while we denizens of Oranbega shall be forever!"
Clockwork NPC: "Direct orders from the King - stop the Circle!"
Circle of Thorns NPC: "Stay out of our affairs, the dam is ours!"
Decimon: The dam shall not be destroyed by the efforts of such feeble automatons! We WILL get the power to use the Lance of Storms!"
Clockwork NPC: "Princess is safe and sound now."
Circle of Thorns NPC: "King won't rest until EVERYONE is put down!"
Telbanis: And now it is Paragon's heroes who shall learn the futility in opposing the Circle of Thorns!"
Circle of Thorns NPC: "Do you sense it too?"
Circle of Thorns NPC: "Foolish constructs."
Pallenti: Curses! They've moved the explosives already!"
Kelmorgis: Yes... I sense these creatures are... Angry?

Ambush!

You will be ambushed by a wave of Clockwork for each clue.

	Spare parts
	needs data

	Empty box
	You found an empty box. The Clockwork have already made some of their bombs.

Clockwork NPC: "You won't stop us from protecting the Princess!"

Pallenti "It matters not what you do here, heroes. You cannot defeat Rollister's shadow magic, nor the might of the Lance of Storms!"

Speak with Mirror Spirit regarding the Circle

Positron

Briefing

You were able to hamper some of the Clockwork's activities, but not enough to fully stop them. The presence of the Circle must mean that they're on the move in Faultline - you'll have to speak with Mirror Spirit to see if she might have an idea of what's going on with them.

Attack the Circle within Oranbega

Mirror Spirit

Briefing

Task Force Name, I was hoping you would come see me. Yes, I'm aware that you fought the Circle in that supergroup base. I apologize that I was not able to inform you ahead of time.

An entrance to Oranbega has appeared within Faultline. It can only mean that the Circle are on the move once again. I can tell you where to find this entrance. From there, it will be up to you to go in there and stop whatever they are doing. I will let the PPD know that the Clockwork are on the move as well.

Mission Objective(s)

• Look for any clues to the Circle's next move

Save the Faultline Dam and Paragon City!

Positron

Briefing

Hold on... Oh no! The police band just exploded with chatter. The Faultline Dam is under attack! I thought Longbow could hold out, but it seems like it came under attack by all three groups at once! What's worse is that the Circle have started to summon Shadow Simulacrums all over the city! Task Force Name, there is little time. You need to get to the Faultline Dam and stop the Clockwork, Circle of Thorns, and Vahzilok from destroying each other - and the dam! Valkryie and I will fight off the Shadow Simulacrums within the city to buy you all some time. From the sound of the dispatchers Longbow is reporting attacks both inside and outside of the Dam facility... Task Force Name, you need to get to the Faultline Dam. You are the city's only hope! I believe in you, Task Force Name. From the sound of it the Clockwork are setting their bombs up both outside and inside the dam. You need to stop them first, or there won't be a dam to save! There is a boat down by the docks in Aftershock. I know the captain and he'll ship you over to the docks by the spillway near the dam. Hopefully the Clockwork won't see you coming by sea and you can take them out before they can detonate the bombs. From there, you'll need to get into the dam and clear it out, then push through and deal with the Vahzilok that are reported in Overbrook, most likely at the water treatment facility. Good luck, Task Force Name. You're the only ones left that can save the dam!

Dr. Vahzilok

Mission Objective(s)

Through the mist rising from the spillway you can see metal forms placing barrels against the Faultline Dam's concrete face. It's up to you and your team to save Faultline!

• Defeat Dr. Vahzilok
  • 3 external bombs remain, 3 internal bombs remain, defeat Rollister to stop the ritual, 4 chemical barrels to disable outside the dam

Notable NPCs

• Rollister (Madness Mage) (EB)
• Cortex
• Dr. Vahzilok (Archvillain)

Dam Hero You've saved Faultline from not one, but three separate villain groups intent on using the dam to cause carnage on a massive scale.

Souvenir

+++ Missing Information +++

History

In Issue 17, the Positron Task Force was updated and split into two task forces, like it was originally planned. The original incarnation was a single task force because the developers could not figure out how to make a contact give two task forces. This made it long, arduous, and often painful for a large number of players, and it was one of the least liked task forces in the game.