: So what did we expect? We assisted that “vile creature, Durandal” in trying
: to destroy Tycho, but Tycho caught us in the act. What did we expect him
: to do, pat us on the back and let us go on our way? But the Jjaro gave us
: a second chance. While dreaming, they opened a door to another time line
: that could have put us in the right place at the right time to prevent the
: senseless slaughter of billions. And did we listen to them? Nooooo . . .
: So here we are in a Pfhor reconditioning center, better known as a prison.
I was suprised what happened the first time I played this level, Tycho didn't sound angry, he was gloating. That's why i was suprised we were transported here. Oh well, he didn't expect we would die did he?? :)
: At least Durandal is going to try to rescue us (after all, he needs us to
: do his dirty work for him). But Tycho isn't making it easy, and all
: Durandal has been able to do is to spring us from our cell and give us
: some weapons. Now what in the world was the purpose of setting us loose in
: a Pfhor prison if he didn't have a means for our escape? Instead, he
: basically sends us on a killing spree. Why? One possible explanation
: could be what we’ll read on one of the terminals we’ll come across:
:
: Captured ranking human "Commander Grant South" from UESC Chimera
: interrogation proceeding extremely slowly. Subject is resistant to
: Dangi-provided serum, and traditional pain based torture mechanisms will
: be resorted to within the next reprogramming cycle. This prisoner is a
: class-3 priority. Breakdown is inevitable.
:
: So not only did Tycho manage to kill Admiral Carroway, but the Pfhor have
: also captured Commander Grant South, whose logs we read on multiple
: Chimera levels (even though we didn’t discuss them here, they made
: interesting reading). Our killing spree will at least, hopefully, slow
: down the Pfhor in their interrogation of Commander South, and perhaps give
: the UESC a chance to help him escape, too. Dangi-provided serum – does
: their ruthlessness know no bounds?
Apparently not. Maybe I've forgotten but what are they getting from the Pfhor for all this?
: So here we are in a Pfhor prison with time and Pfhor to kill. This is a
: very complex level with many areas to explore. This is not an
: extermination level, so you don’t have to kill everything, but you do need
: to visit key areas in able to leave. These areas are labeled in the
: Spoiler Guide , but that’s no fun. Why not take the time to find them by
: chance, and marvel at the complexity that Chris Lund has wrought. There
: are a lot of secrets here, too, so be sure to check out my Rubicon
: Secrets Guide . This is a tough level that is very rough going at first,
: being a rebellion level, as you start out with virtually no weapons and 1X
: shields, and fighters trying to take you out. At least Chris removed the
: enforcers that originally graced the area outside your cell! You’ll soon
: be able to pick up some real weapons, however, and a 2X power-up that is
: essential to making it to your “safe zone” for the level. A secret 3X
: power-up is also nearby, and I suggest you use it now, as there’s a secret
: 3X recharger to be had later. Once you get to the top floor of the prison
: and clear out the compilers gracing the large room you’ll find, a pattern
: buffer and 2X shield regenerator will make the rest of the level
: survivable. Do look for that shield regenerator – it’s cleverly hidden.
I love this level. It's great and hard at the same time. Ammo isn't much of a problem with all the enforcer weapons, Durandal also teleports a fair amount in different places along the map. I don't want to look at the spoiler guide but I can't get to that damn 3x recharger. I can see it though. So close!
: There are many, many ways to approach this level, and I’m not about to
: spoil your fun by telling you how. At one point you’ll come to a terminal
: in which Durandal gives you a lesson on Pfhor design:
:
: Aren't the Pfhor fascinating? I've noticed at least seven different
: architectural styles utilized in this station, all haphazardly attached to
: one another. . . It seems the Pfhor take and absorb the culture of
: enslaved races as well as their technology, calling into question if the
: Pfhor have their own style at all. No, I haven't managed to isolate the
: blockages on your teleport signal. I just thought you'd like something to
: keep your mind occupied with while you senselessly slaughter. . . Then
: again, my high cultural philosophies are probably lost on you.
:
:
: Sooner or later, however, you’ll come across a terminal with the following
: message:
:
:
: Rogue conditioned unit located, teleport to holding cell ISO-342.2A active.
:
: You know what that means. The Pfhor have found you, locked onto you and are
: about to transport you to a holding cell. The holding cell isn’t exactly a
: safe house, either – there are many, many enemies here. Of course, you can
: always hit the escape key before being transported, but you will
: eventually want to explore this area – escaping from it takes you by one
: of the points you need to explore to leave the level.
Does anyone know how the inter-level teleport was done? I'd love to know (if it's not too complex). It makes the level much more interesting.
This level also
: introduces us to a new monster (not counting a potential deadly encounter
: in the secret level, Cow Pushing ). According to the Spoiler Guide , but
: not explained anywhere in the game itself:
:
: The s'pht revolt on the Marathon made the pfhor realize just how dangerous
: they really were. As a result, they decided it was better to use a genetic
: hybrid s'pht rather than the real thing - at least on Pfhor Prime. The
: resulting s'pht'wr (meaning "twisted s'pht" or
: "abomination" or something) are a combination of s'pht and
: pfhor. They fire small fast-moving guided projectiles and are protected by
: an energy shield.
:
: Hmmm . . . Are we really going to buy that? Oh well, Durandal’s finally
: about to rescue us, and it’s off to Rozinante X and then Beg, Borrow
: and Steal in the Hindmost Creche .
I think that these Spht'Wr are explained in the game somewhere towards the end of the Pfhor plank. I'll try to find it.
: Well, my wife is getting annoyed at the time I’m spending on this tonight,
: and I’m not sure what we’ll be doing for the July 4 holiday or the
: weekend, so it may be a few days before I get to another post in the
: Rubicon Volunteers series. But maybe not. In the meantime, your comments
: are welcome.
I have to say it again; you're doing a great job here with the volunteers posts.
