So, Perkins, was it? Let me get you up to speed. I've been told by a reliable source that there may be a lead on more ancient ruins here. Unfortunately, there are also aggressive boars in the area. So—
Hold on, I know what you're planning: You're gonna build a lab to produce some experimental boar pheromones, then slather me in them so you can use me as distraction. But I'm begging you, I—
Erm, well, I suppose we could do that. However, I was thinking we could just fight them off. You know, with guns and what have you? I know you don't really know me yet, but I'm just not a "get chased around by small woodland creatures" kind of guy.
That... sounds really straightforward. Straightforward AND relatively pain-free. Yeah, let's do your plan.
Finish mission
Ha! There's nothing like a sporting rumble to get the blood flowing! You know, Perkins, you're a better fighter than you look! Good show out there!
Uh, well, thank you. That was kind of fun, wasn't it?
Indeed! Now let's shimmy down this crevasse before we have more porcine problems to punch our way out of.
Ah, here, just below the surface! It's a self-propelled message flier. A sort of signpost for Ancients, if you will. It's in bad condition, but the message itself is still legible.
What's it say?
It mentions a massive vault, used as a warehouse, just to the northwest of here! Perkins, my boy, this could be huge! The find of a lifetime!
What's the big deal about some ancient ruins?
Perkins, the Ancients were an incredibly advanced civilization. Their technology was developed well beyond anything we have now. Why, if you even had an inkling, you'd fight your way through a thousand boars for a chance like this.
So we're going to this vault?
You assume correctly! We set out immediately! Come, Perkins, adventure awaits!
Look, Perkins! The Ancient Vault, just as the text described it!
… and Raiders. Did the ancient text mention a camp full of murderous looking Raiders?
Perkins, listen to me. You can solve any problem in the world if you face it with courage, valor, and a sufficiently rugged jawline. Now I need your help.
I... do you really think I have all that?
Well, no, but two out of three is a respectable start. Now be a good lad and let the Raiders' raptors loose. I'm going to need a distraction!
Finish mission
I did it! Haha, woo! Look at 'em go!
Superb work, Perkins! Turns out we were just in time—it sounds like these Raiders have been trying to crack open the vault.
Watching all these Raiders running after raptors reminds me of that one time Floyd tried to give Mr. Purrface a bath.
Reward screen
Mr. Purrface was chasing him for hours afterwards.
Ah, now look at the impeccable condition of the vault's door. Perhaps we needn't have worried - it looks like the Raiders' efforts were no match for the Ancients' craftsmanship.
How are we going to open it?
I think our only chance is to blow out the lock with some explosives. Though I have no idea where we'll get those.
Oh, have you not met Zoey? It's hard to get her to build something that isn't explosives. We can just swing by the Tool Shop back at the Outpost.
Finish mission
All right, Perkins - normally the LT wouldn't want me passin' out explosives, but since you promised to take them away from the Outpost, I figure it'll be fine.
Uh, pardon me, but this appears to be an electric toothbrush rather than an explosive.
It's kinda both?
Trust me - whatever you do, just keep that out of your mouth.
Reward screen
Do you want some minty fresh napalm to go with it?
Lt. Morgan? I've noticed a growing problem that should be addressed soon but I need your permission to proceed.
What is it this time, Perkins? Are we out of ham? Is there a shortage of tube socks?
No sir. There are a lot of ships running aground at night near the Outpost so I thought we should build one of those giant shore night lights as a warning.
It's called a Lighthouse Perkins, and I've already come up with a design I think is both cost effective and efficient.
Finish mission
Perkins! Front and center! I need an update on that giant flashlight.
Ships crashing into the shore because of the dark are down 85%! Ships crashing into the shore because of being blinded by the light are up 100% though…
I bet we could find some useful military equipment on the seafloor after all those ships sunk. No point for it to go to waste.
Hmm, we already have some diving gear and we could use some of the fishing nets to carry objects, but we'd need some sort of large crane to haul the "useful military equipment", as you called it, out of the water.
I got this, LT. I could rig up somethin' simple with a crane and some pontoons to float it on.
Finish mission
Well it turns out Perkins CAN swim, just not very well while wearing a hundred pounds of diving gear. Good thing we had that rope attached to him. I call it a successful test run. How's the crane looking Zoey?
Ok, I guess? It'll float for sure but I may need to tone down the acceleration of the on-board motor. The whole structure's a bit top-heavy.
Reward screen
We wouldn't want to go and have to salvage our salvage crane!
Those guys are going down! Then we'll salvage their salvage they salvaged from us.
Defeat 3 Reef Bandit Encounters at the Outpost
Reward:
1,500, 10,000, 2,000, 5
Dialogue
Start mission
Morgan, it seems some scruffy looking looters have moved in on our salvage area.
Wait, what? They're going after OUR stuff? I won't stand for this! We have looters rights! Floyd, you're a learned man. Don't you know about Maritime Law and salvage rights or something?
I'm more of an amateur enthusiast on Bird Law, but I do believe we're within our rights to defend our claim.
Finish mission
We sunk or scared away all the scavengers, Lieutenant. Should we go after any of the stragglers?
No Sergeant, let them run. Just keep an eye out for more in case they show up again.
Reward screen
Those guys had crappy looking boats. No wonder they want our stuff.
So Pike, you say a huge fleet is moving toward the Outpost? How do we know if this information is accurate?
That's why I came up here. I don't want to mobilize our fleets for nothing. We need some way of seeing things that are a great distance away. You Imperials have some impressive technology. Any thoughts?
Yes, actually! We call it RADAR and it essentially beams out pulses of radio waves which bounce off of objects then return to the radar station.
We can get started on some radar dishes right away!
Finish mission
Fascinating designs Floyd. And you say this works over long ranges?
Well, yes, within reason at least. As long as there's nothing large in the way, like say a mountain, the signal will travel for miles.
Hey Floyd! Get in here! I tried to check on your radar set up when we got back but it's dead. No signal. Nothing.
That doesn't make any sense. I installed multiple backup power batteries. The only way they would cease to function is with tampering. We need to go see what happened to them.
It's not going to be easy, I can tell you. My men noticed the signal had cut out as well so we stopped by to investigate on our way up here. Ships and mines are blocking each of the islands.
Finish mission
That takes care of the blockade. And I think I can see why the radar isn't working. Someone broke it. Floyd?
We'll need to return to the Outpost so I can gather materials. It looks like we should be able to salvage most of the current stations.
Alright folks. Let's get this agenda hashed out. We have two major issues at the moment. The first of which is getting those radar stations back online so we can see incoming threats.
I'm on it, LT! Floyd brought me up to speed on the innards of those contraptions. I got some repair kits ready to be built that'll fix 'em right up.
OK good. The future is looking less horrible already. What about the unsettling reports of submersible vehicles surfacing in the harbor? There've been no attacks but I want a way to track these things.
I have an idea for that. I modeled it based on the natural abilities of certain mammalian aquatic life. You see they send out high-pitched sound waves that they can—
Brilliant. Do it.
Finish mission
Radar Repair Kits are ready LT.
What about you Floyd? We're all waiting on you now! Also, what do you call this thing?
I've been calling it Sonar—
Seriously, that's just horrible. What about...Sound-Radar? Sound-Dar?
Trivia: The mission name The Hunt for Crimson November appears to be a reference to the 1990 submarine spy-thriller film The Hunt for Red October.
Dialogue
Start mission
Keep scanning, ensign. Those brigands are bound to be here somewhere. They were spotted surfacing only a few minutes ago. They can't have gotten far.
Anything yet, Pike?
Lieutenant! Nice of you to join us. Nothing yet, but we have narrowed down the search area… There they are! Now quickly! To the ships before they can escape!
Finish mission
Those guys may have been there for a while. Who knows what kind of intel they were able to get from us.
Anything they gathered is now resting at the bottom of the harbor. At least Floyd's "Sonar" should help us track any future incursions.
We should also begin regular patrols of our own subs in the area. I want to know as soon as these guys come back.
Reward screen
After the defeat we just handed them, I doubt they'll want more.
Sir? I've been tracking something odd showing up on radar. It looks like one of the islands is adrift and floating this way?
Wait, wait, wait. I'm no… islandologist… but I don't think islands work like that.
Lieutenant Morgan is right, Perkins. That doesn't make any sense, but that is one huge blip. We should send out the fleet to find out whatever that thing is. I don't like this, Morgan. This doesn't feel right.
OK, so that's WAY worse than I thought it would be. How does that much metal not sink straight to the bottom of the ocean anyway?
I'm not sure Lieutenant, but I think we should help it find its way down there.
That's the spirit, Sergeant! Pike? Got any ideas on how to defeat this thing?
This is going to take every bit of sea-faring battle knowledge and cunning that I possess.
Finish mission
I'd heard rumors of the Dreadnaught class ships while I was still in the service, but I never expected to actually see one. I think I need to go lie down.
C'mon Pike! We did it! The immediate crisis and our imminent destruction have been postponed! Probably for a while! This calls for a drink!
I'm sorry Lieutenant, I just don't share your enthusiasm. The Sovereign Navy will be back. They won't take this well. I know. I used to be one of them.
Reward screen
Wow. Facing down impossible odds should be a joyous occasion.
Captain, sir, I don't want to be a Negative Nelly or anything, but we should have a backup plan in case this goes badly, and we wind up running home with our tail between our legs. Wouldn't you want a secure place to retreat to? If we build a Garrison and a Blockhouse, I'd feel a heck of a lot safer.
Reward screen
I can breathe easy knowing Mr. Purrface is secure.
Zoey! Daro said we were gonna fight a raptor, and then Taro said the raptor was gonna kill me and I said it wouldn't it would probably kill him cause he's the slowest and he said he'd trip me, so I hit him, and then he pinched me so tell him he's in trouble!
Woah! Fight a raptor? What're y'all talkin' about?
We're old enough! Well, Yaro isn't, but he's tall for his age.
Hmmm, I guess you kids are pretty mature... What the heck, let's go fight that Raptor.
Sir, an Imperial… guy has just arrived. He has a packet of sealed orders for us. At least, I think they're sealed. I can't figure out how to open them, and he won't talk to me.
I'll take those. This is probably another request for some obscenely large amount of stone... Wait a minute, Rebels? Out here? This is a very serious... thing. High command has intercepted Rebel communications up here in the north, far too close for comfort. We need to find out why. Under no circumstances can they find out that we're here… or that anyone would ever want to be out here. Take our new friend and find the Rebels.
Finish mission
This must be how they took Marin... they had this outpost as a staging ground.
If we take out this watchpost silently, we can move into the town and finish the job before they know what hit 'em. I used that trick back at the Battle of Magnessan.
Magnessan? I've heard the stories, but... you were there? They say the city went out like a light being turned off. What was it li-
The watch is changing! We have to move - before the new shift reaches their lookout!
Finish mission
I've disrupted their defenses. Return to your outpost and rally a squadron to return here and take the town.
What about you? Won't you come with us?
I'll stay here and make sure they don't escape or call for help. Guerrilla tactics will make them think there's a much larger force pinning them down, then you can bring the 95th Rifles and finish them off.
Perkins keeps whining about how he needs to assault the Rebels. He says his friend is there right now fighting for his life. When did this happen? I didn't know he had any friends.
Well, sir, you slept through the debriefing. We investigated the Rebel signals and found that they'd invaded the small town of Greenborough, near Marin. We engaged the enemy, and disrupted their defenses. Perkins took a liking to the Imperial Saboteur we left with. We need to go back and reinforce him with the rest of our army, and destroy the Rebel outpost.
Oh right, that whole thing. That's still going on? Get back there and stop the Rebels before they find out we're here.
Finish mission
Mission accomplished, sir. The Rebel outpost is no longer a threat.
I couldn't find my friend anywhere! What if he's been captured? I'd have to put mud all over my face and sneak in to break him out!
Settle down, Perkins. Grown ups are talking now. Ramsey, are you sure you got all of them?
If there are any left, we doubled back on our route and covered our tracks well. They won't find our outpost any time soon.
Greetings, Imperials. I have much to discuss with you.
Woah! Did you walk all the way here? At your age?
There are those within Gantas' armies loyal to me. These men have brought news of a powerful new weapon. A weapon Warlord Gantas believes he can use to turn the winds of war against you. We are traveling the same path. Two of my elite tribesmen will disguise themselves as simple laborers, and investigate the nature of the threat. If you will supply us with a similarly well trained warrior, he may accompany them on the mission.
HAH! You attack me with lies and tricks! It will not help you. You have proved today that you do not have a warrior's heart! I will give you a gift. I will show you something. These are my strongest warriors. They will show you what battle is! What it means to know combat!
Finish mission
Imperial soldiers, now you realize you cannot win. Your weapons are powerful, but my fortress is stronger. You are so small, so far from help. How can you hope to defeat us? We will sweep over you like a dust storm. Will you let it come to this? There has been too much violence... too much pain. None here is without sin. But, I have an honorable compromise. Leave this place, and I will spare your lives. Just walk away. Leave this land to us, and let us resolve this conflict ourselves. Just walk away and I will give you safe passage in the wasteland... just walk away, and there will be an end to the horror. You have one full day to decide...
We've got no time left! Once Gantas organizes all the Raiders, there's no way we can stop them. We have to strike first, but how can we get past those super-mortars? What would General Ashe do?
Hang on a sec. Raider weapons all still use gunpowder, right? Firing those big mortars must use a TON of the stuff...
They must, you're right! If we can blow up their ammunition stores, we might be able to neutralize the mortars without a fight. A mortar without gunpowder is just a ball in a cup!
I'll start workin' on a remote detonation device!
Wait - it's a big shed full of explosives. Can't we just shoot it, or something...? Zoey?
Finish mission
All done! The Kids and I whipped up a Remote Detonator to blow up the Raiders' Ammo Dump from a safe distance.
That all sounds great, but we still haven't figured out how we're even going to get into their fortress.
What about us?
Are you KIDDING me? There is no WAY I am leaving this in your hands!
No, I mean our clan. Your alliance with Elder Taos. We might be able to sneak in again!
They'll have stepped up patrols, but if we can pull off some kind of distraction, draw their attention to bait...
I've always wanted to tell a group of things to 'roll out!'
Attack and create a diversion
Defeat the Raiders!
Reward:
1,500
Notes:
The raider Bombards are nearly indestructible and can kill most of your units in one shot, but they are ignorable. Try to eliminate the other raiders quickly.
All right, Perkins, you're in charge of our Tanks. Your mission is to attack the fortress' front gate. Remember - you're the DISTRACTION. You have to convince the Raiders that you are the real threat, but try not to get everyone killed in the process.
Got it, Sarge! Tank detachment, ROLL OUT!
Finish mission
Okay - I've got the Raiders busy at the front gates. It'll be enough to let you guys slip through the back. I hope. Perkins out! *gulp*
Reward screen
I'll keep up the pressure here! Good luck, everyone!
Elder Taos... thanks for volunteering for this mission.
Do not think that we are friends. We do this to ensure our clan's survival. Warriors, remember the plan. Once inside, we silence the guards and open the side gate for the Imperial soldiers. If Morgan and his men have done their part, Gantas' thugs will be so distracted at the front gate that we will be as shadows in the distance.
We'll see you on the inside... Unless they turn on us, and join up with Gantas.
Finish mission
I am proud of you, my sons. Today you have learned the final and greatest truth of the Raider: that ultimate mastering comes not from noise, but from silence.
Um, yeah! Nice work, Raider guys! Not a single guard escaped to raise the alarm.
We have secured your entrance, Imperials. Our hopes now rest with you. Much as it disturbs me, my clan is depending on you.
Reward screen
I'd prefer a straight fight to this sneaking around.
All right, guys - we're in. Now where's this ammo storage?
The Raiders are rather primitive, but that just makes their civic infrastructure all the more obvious. According to the layout of their roads, I suspect it is to the north.
I think it's over there, to the south.
Finish mission
Oh - there's the ammo dump! Uh oh...
That's a hella lotta Raiders guarding the ammo dump.
Get Zoey on the radio... If we can't get into the ammo stores, maybe she can tell us how to blow up their gas main...? Or overload their power lines? Damn you Raiders and your primitivity! You are impervious to my high-tech trickery!
She says she has an idea, and to hold on a sec.
Hold on! She's kidding, right?
Morgan! There are a couple of Raiders coming up right behind us!
Whoa! Guys, it's me and Elder Taos! One of his warriors let me borrow an outfit!
Zoey - you said you had a plan?
Yeah! So we don't need to actually get INTO the ammo stores. All we need to do is get into their ammo!
They must have runners bringing the mortar shells to the front...
If you can get me one of those shells, I can rig it with this remote detonator!
There are the ammunition runners right now. The rest of you, slip away! We must take them out - quietly!
Oh no... Morgan! Zoey is hit!! I've got to get her outta the line of fire. Oh no, oh no - there are still so many things I wanted us to build together... so much to retro-engineer...
Floyd! Snap out of it and carry her back behind our lines!
Payback time! Come on, Raiders... Come on... Old Painless is waiting!
Finish mission
Woot! Nothing like being an army of one! Even if I go down, I did it for you, Zoey!
Sirs! It's so good to see you! It was a heck of a fight back there!
Perkins! Where the hell have you been?
Well, like I was saying, sir, there were these huge cannons, and the Raiders kept-
Wait, I've decided I don't care. Remind me to demote you when we get back to the outpost.
Yes, sir.
I don't know if any of you have noticed, but Zoey is bleeding, and we're still in a war zone.
Floyd, you stay with Zoey and take care of the bleeding. We'll hold off the Raiders.
Finish mission
Imperials! You've finally done it. Now you're going to find out what the strongest Raiders in Warlord Gantas' command do when we turn our attention to your home.
We will fall on you like hot rain, melting, melting.
I'm going to punch you to death!
Prepare your people for an unending torrent of suffering and war!
I don't think there's a way to prepare for that. I think you probably just have to take it as it comes.
Laugh now, dog! From this moment, the war comes home.
All right, guys, no officer ever wants to make a speech like this, but things look bleak. Without reinforcements, the odds of us getting out of here alive are slim.
I wouldn't say that.
We brought help!
Ramsey, are you ok? I was worried you boys had gotten yourselves into trouble. Again.
Hot damn! We might just pull this off!
Finish mission
Zoey! Are you okay?!
I'm gonna be fine. Now just what in heck are you three doing here? I specifically told you that this was for grown-ups!
But... we went and got other grown-ups to come help and it was Karo's idea and we finished our chores first.
Zoey, these kids did save us - don't be too hard on them.
Well, I've still got to think on it, but ya'll might be grounded.
Floyd, I'm going to ask you a question, and I want to be clear that I'm talking about the situation we are actually in right now, not just an abstract thought experiment. How do we best weaken the Raiders leading assaults on our Outpost?
Cut off their food source.
Dammit, Floyd! I specifically said, I want this be concrete and relevant! What food source are you talking about?!
All of the farms that are all around us, here, in Gantas' Fortress.
Oh. Right.
Finish mission
An army without farms to supply food isn't much of an army.
My people are very stubborn. If you leave any of the warrior's tents standing, it will be seen as a sign of weakness. We must make sure to destroy them utterly.
The Imperial Domination Manual says the exact same thing. So we're good.
Finish mission
Well, that's the last of 'em. Not a tent left standing.
With Perkins at the front lines assaulting Gantas' base with all those tanks, Gantas is sure to counterattack.
But we have all these tanks! What's he going to do? Attack the outpost? It's so far awa... oh. Crap. He's probably going to do that.
It's what I would do. Fighting a war on two fronts is always a bad idea, but he probably thinks we've mustered all our forces here, and he'll try to ravage our home territory with any warriors he has left.
Finish mission
Imperials! You've finally done it. Now you're going to find out what the strongest Raiders in Warlord Gantas' command do when we turn our attention to your home.
We will fall on you like hot rain, melting, melting.
I'm going to punch you to death!
Prepare your people for an unending torrent of suffering and war!
I don't think there's a way to prepare for that. I think you probably just have to take it as it comes.
Laugh now, dog! From this moment, the war comes home.
I feel like I forgot something. Hey, did we set up our defenses back at the base before we came out here? If we didn't do that, we totally should have. And by we, I mean you, Ramsey. We need to be prepared in case these Raiders figure out that we didn't leave a single ranking officer to hold down the fort.
Wait, we didn't leave anyone there? Even putting Perkins in charge would have been a better idea.
Maybe leave the lights on? Maybe we could put some training dummies out and make them look like they're running drills. That might fool these natives.
Finish mission
Seeing everything bathed in that warm, safe, blue light will just make my day. I can't wait.
Reward screen
Thanks for organizing the defense effort, Captain! I clearly wasn't going to do it without you.
I don't need to tell you this, but garrisoning your troops is extremely important. Reference page 1451 of the Empire's military command readiness manual. I keep section 32 bookmarked with a picture of Mr. Purrface. If anyone wants to get to us, they'll have to go through our garrisons. According to the manual, for a base the size of ours, you need at least 40 troops garrisoned in Bunkers and... Garrisons.
Finish mission
Couldn't have done it better myself, Captain. Not that I would ever overstep my bounds like that, sir!
Reward screen
If you want to brush up any more on the command readiness manual, I have some flash cards in my bunk.
2,000
16h, 
500
1,500
2,000, 
5
