To: Lord Recluse
From: Agent Benix, Arachnos Ministry of Enlightenment
Re: Gamester, radio interruption
Date: 19/12/05

Sir,

I am writing to notify you of a concerning event.

As the lead communications officer, I monitor all radio transmissions across the Rogue Isles.  This morning, at exactly 0600 hours, all frequencies were interrupted.  A male voice identifying himself as ‘Gamester’ hijacked all radio signals for exactly 60 seconds.

‘Gamester’ spoke in what our head linguist described as pressured speech patterns indicating some level of psychosis.  The brief transmission ended abruptly at 0601 hours. 

In this radio address, the individual claimed that he will be placing potentially dangerous packages within our territory.  We are currently investigating the identity of “the Gamester”.  This illegal transmission was made from an unspecified location between here and Paragon City.  Suspicious packages have been reported by a number of agents and, although this individual is clearly deranged, we will thoroughly investigate the truth of his claim.

From the journal of Silver Mantis...

Our plan backfired.  Scorpion and I just came from a long meeting with Recluse himself.  He seemed surprised that our plot to steal from the Liberty wench went so well.  We hoped that the jetpack tech could be adapted as a short-range flight power for Scorpion but to no avail.  The big spider decided the destined ones needed some positive reinforcement and gave them the left over packs. Carrot and stick… who knew he was even capable.

Unfortunately, Recluse was so impressed with our thieving success that he has asked Scorpion to steal even more gifts bound for the city.  Statesman’s flunkies have organized some sort of charity drive offering presents to the sickly and weak.  The first cargo ship bearing gifts arrives in Independence Port today and, in order to embarrass Statesman, we are to intercept as many of these shipments as possible between now and January 2nd.  Our Lord hopes to make Statesman look the fool, unable to fulfill his promise of gifts for all.

As usual Scorpion was lost without me, ready to rush headlong to the cargo ships in order to steal the gifts himself.  Ah, my Scorpion, a wonder of raw, brutal power.  But his unbridled strength is so very inefficient.  After some thought, I’ve come up with a plan that will allow us to fulfill Recluse’s orders with little effort. 

Rather than run back and forth ourselves, we will send the little destined ones out to the shipping lanes.  A few low ranking Arachnos agents will direct them to the tugboats I’ve readied to pull them to the cargo ships.  There they can pirate whatever gifts they can carry.  To motivate the little runts, I’ve arranged a deal with the facemakers.  They will offer their ghastly skills as a reward to anyone who returns with enough stolen presents.

The more I think about it the more I suspect the upcoming holiday season makes Recluse nervous for reasons he would not care to admit.  Certainly it is admirable to ruin frivolous holiday cheer simply on principle, but I see a more private reason behind all of this.  Our Lord’s pet project with the destined ones is close to his heart and he fears that they might be lured away by the gluttonous holiday celebrations happening in Paragon.  That these children of destiny are so important to him is a weakness that I must not forget.  Perhaps one day this weakness can be exploited.  I must work to protect my dear Scorpion as he moves among that pit of vipers called Arachnos.

Black Scorpion’s greed ensured all villains have an extra trick in their arsenal in this festive season; the ability to fly.

Now, villains all over the Rogue Isles are able to swoop down on their prey and grab whatever they need, before taking to the skies once more. Never before has good been perverted for such evil!

If you haven’t had a chance to experience the malevolence that these rocket packs manifest, login to any European server today to get a taste.

Arachnos’ total control over the Christmas season is only just beginning, however....

Villains of the Rogue Isles,

Lord Recluse has ordered, and so we shall obey. Siren’s Call shall become the domain of Arachnos.

That heroic fool Bridger, so-called ‘protector of Paragon’ believes he can stop our villainous forces. Ghost Widow reports to me that he is planning to repulse our incursion - it is our duty as villains to drive him and all the heroes from the battlefield!

Join me, Jawbreaker, for a no-holds barred battle on the Defiant server on Wednesday, December 14th. We shall rally our forces from 5:30pm GMT in Sharkhead Isle, at the entrance to Siren’s Call. Bridger’s forces believe they will repulse us in two hours, but we shall prove them wrong.

All villains are welcome, however please note the normal rules for a free-fire zone will be in effect - meaning that no-one under Threat Level 20 will be able to enter Siren’s Call. Do not displease Lord Recluse by attempting to bribe the pilots that will offer you passage. In addition, note that there is a limit to how many villains will be able to enter Siren’s Call - arrive for battle early, or be disappointed.

Rally your forces! Prepare for battle!

Jawbreaker

Greetings, my villainous brethren.

Word has reached me from my network of informers that the meddlesome do-gooder known as ‘Rockjaw’ is planning to use Jawbreaker’s assault as an opportunity to reclaim Siren’s Call on Union at 8.30pm GMT on Wednesday 14 December.

This pathetic attempt will likely fail of its own accord, but the opportunity it presents is too tempting to pass up. With their forces divided, the meddling heroes of Paragon City will be easy prey, and we shall gain the favour of Lord Recluse himself by claiming Siren’s Call for Arachnos.

Join me at the entrance to Siren’s Call, the helicopter pad on Sharkhead Isle at 8.00pm GMT. Once his attack begins, we will deliver Rockjaw and his ragtag band of so-called heroes a surprise of our own…

Crater

We’re extremely happy to announce that the Global Chat system will be available on the European City of Heroes and Villains servers from tomorrow morning.

For important information about using Global Chat, please see this announcement on the Official Message Boards.

Silver,

I just overheard a radio address from that old bag Miss Liberty and she’s made some tasty toys for her cloth-wearing weaklings to buy a little loyalty. Sounds like it will be a high-tech gadget and I’m going to catch a shipment before they get to Independence Port. Assuming it isn’t just some holiday piece of junk, I want to build it into my armor.

Lord Recluse gave the go ahead but only if I share the spoils with those destined scum that have overrun my territory like rats. Ah well, we can keep most of the haul for ourselves as long as we give enough away to keep the Arachnos wannabes quiet.

Meet me tonight at the lab to work on a plan. I know the first shipment will arrive on 8 December, 2005 and they keep coming in until 2 January, 2006 so let’s make sure we get our fair share of the goods. After we take what we want, we can dump the rest on the little chosen punks as a holiday present from Lord Recluse.

Black Scorpion