Pamphlet
Chapter 1: Home Away from Home
Location: Welcome to Azura! Your contributions and value to society have deemed you worthy of being hand-picked to live out your life in this island paradise, free of the Locust. Or so they thought… Read all about the joys of life on Azura by locating this Pamphlet. It’s on the floor at the left end of the hall atop the stairs. Be sure to pick it up before you kill the last of the enemies, either before or after the train arrives.
Welcome to Azura, a haven of security, stability and comfort for humanity’s most precious resource: you. Like all of Azura’s citizens, you have been selected for your outstanding contributions to society. Undoubtedly, you have many questions.
What is Azura? This island, isolated and hidden from the troubles of the mainland, was developed to protect and allow society’s greatest minds to continue their work, free from fear or peril. When the war is over, the combined efforts of this community of Azura will be the shining beacon by which we shall lead humanity out of the darkness. You will be the architects of a grand reconstruction.
We understand how difficult it has been to leave behind everything and everyone you knew, and that you will often feel disoriented and question your purpose here. This is not a prison, but a haven. To reduce your anxiety, we have worked to make your stay here as pleasant and stress-free as possible. You have access to state of the art recreational facilities and the complete cultural archives of humanity in our six libraries. You will enjoy the very highest standards of cuisine. See your orientation materials for more information.
We highly recommend the “Welcome to Azura” day spa and counseling session to prepare you for your stay here. If you require any assistance with stress or insomnia, several sedation options are available from our trained and professional medical staff.
No matter what fate befalls the rest of the world, Azura—and its citizens—will carry on. Your diligent work ensures the enduring survival of mankind. Thank you for the sacrifice you have made in joining us.
Assault Plans
Chapter 1: Home Away from Home
Location: You need the Silverback to get this collectible. Go ahead and reload the last checkpoint if you happened to lose it before you entered the cave. Note the heavy wrought-iron gate inside the cave—it’s far too sturdy for Marcus to kick open, but the Silverback can handle it. Kick the gate down, exit the Silverback, and locate the Assault Plans in the back corner of this small side cave. Baird put a lot of effort into detailing the Locust’s intentions in this document; the least you can do is read it…
Baird here. The Locust have big plans for this island. It starts with a pretty elaborate trenching and defensive setup, which we’ve already seen. It ends with—actually, it doesn’t. They’re digging in for the long haul, and directing what looks like the majority of their remaining resources toward this new HQ.
The way they see it, Azura is the ultimate vacation destination to wait out the end of the world, and they’re absolutely right. The terrain was chosen for its capacity to support a massive defensive effort. And unless the Lambent plan on mutating some pulsing vestigial organ that doubles as a life preserver, the island thing is obviously a big plus, especially with that Maelstrom device to keep ‘em cozy.
One last thing. Anybody paying attention by now knows that we shot ourselves in the ass, right? We can crap on the Locust all we want, but at the end of the day it was our favorite sport of trying to annihilate one another that gave the grubs what they needed to finish the job. So, children, what have we learned?
Screw it. Nobody’s reading this crap anyway.
Recovered Cog Tags #13
Chapter 2: Blackout
Location: Climb aboard the Silverback before you get onto the freight elevator and ride it to the storage floor. Head down hallway number three and enter the un-gated storage area on the left. Note the Crimson Omen on the left. Use the Silverback to kick down the nearby door to find the COG Tag. Weapon racks with Boomshots and Lancers are also inside.
Schematics
Chapter 2: Blackout
Location: The Schematics are hidden in this lobby, in a safe secreted away behind one of the paintings hanging on the wall. Locate the red button behind the desk facing the elevator. Press it to make the painting on the right move aside. Approach the safe, and it automatically opens to reveal the blueprints for the Maelstrom Facility.
Mr. Chairman,
In an effort to elaborate on previous discussions regarding the ongoing maintenance of the Adaptive Atmospheric Manipulation System (“MAELSTROM”), I have attached schematics outlining the basic operations of the device and projected potential issues over the next two years. Though we anticipate relatively light use over the near term, operations protocol mandates that we prepare for extended periods of continuous use of the Maelstrom system.
As mentioned earlier, diagnostics of the microwave radiation satellite array have come back clean. Maelstrom’s terrestrial operations facility, on the other hand, will require the same regular maintenance as it has since it was deployed. See sheets A-26 through A-31 for specifics.
Thanks to the extensive efforts of our team including additional assistance from Dr. Koenig, Dr. Hoshi, and Prof. Fenix, we have a general outline for necessary resources over the next two years.
Maelstrom has proven to be an effective pillar of our defensive systems on Azura. It pains me to issue this request when these resources are so obviously needed on the mainland; however, in keeping with priorities outlined by the COG, these defenses are crucial. Our recommendation is to continue support of Maelstrom indefinitely, or until such time as it is no longer required.
Money Stack
Chapter 3: Shattered Paradise
Location: Enter Azura Tower and proceed down the hall to the left. Stop where the hall opens up to the lobby on the right. Note the floor tile that’s slightly raised from the floor’s surface. Inspect this tile to make Marcus spin around and smash it with his boot. This uncovers a hidden Money Stack.
Alan,
Professor Fenix has called for help up in the tower. I’m heading that way now and I imagine you’ll be coming along as well. Before you leave, get all the valuables into the safe and lock it down. We’ll need it when this mess blows over.
Diary
Chapter 3: Shattered Paradise
Location: Climb the stairs to the circular sitting area that wraps around the tree. Head left around the tree, toward the ammo crate and Retro Lancer, to find a Diary lying atop the small table between the couches. This collectible offers a glimpse into the troubled lives of the Azura residents.
Jason’s off at the lab so much more often than when we first arrived. There was a time when I’d have seen that as a sign that he was cheating on me with one of those cute grant fellows he’s got following him around. I don’t really worry about that anymore.
He’s staying late for the same reason that I’m keeping this stupid diary. We’re grappling with something, but neither of us has the courage to acknowledge it. We lie awake in bed at night, sometimes for hours at a time, but we never say the words that are weighing us down, and becoming heavier every day.
We haven’t heard anything about what’s happening on the mainland. Nobody will tell us. And when we ask, they spout some nonsense about our luxurious spa this, our therapy center that, foie gras and wine this afternoon, or would we like something lighter?
It’s guilt. What I feel is guilt. I am trapped in a cotton bathrobe hell while everyone we left behind dies at the hands of something that we just can’t stop. I’m going to tell Jason about this when he gets home, and if there’s any humanity left in him, he’ll tell me the same thing. We’ll choke the truth out of Prescott himself, if we have to.
(From Dr. Zoe Almsted’s personal journal.)
Recovered Cog Tags #14
Chapter 3: Shattered Paradise
Location: A COG Tag is on the floor in the area of the train station. It’s at the far end of the hall opposite the door through which you enter. Climb the stairs on the right to bypass most of the enemies, descend on the other side, and continue across the room to find it.
Memorial Announcement
Chapter 4: Threshold
Location: Proceed to the far end of the hall, around the corner from where the mission begins. Inspect the marble bust on the pedestal to collect the Memorial Announcement about a resident’s death. Will anybody be around to erect a statue for…
Valued citizens of Azura,
It is with profound sadness that we inform you of the passing of Dr. Gabrielle Ornar, who died peacefully in her apartment yesterday. She was 78 years old. A dear friend and colleague, Gabrielle’s work was vital to the collective efforts of this community. She will be
missed, and her sacrifice will not be forgotten.
We would like to remind everyone that grief counseling is available 26 hours a day.
A memorial service in Dr. Ornar’s honor will be held tomorrow, 19:00, in the west library. A variety of rare teas and delicious pastries will be served.
Announcement
Chapter 4: Threshold
Location: Step off the elevator after the ascent, and press the elevator call button to the right. This opens the left elevator car. Enter it to collect the Announcement poster attached to the elevator’s back wall.
Valued citizens of Azura,
Due to the detection of increased offshore activity, the Maelstrom generation array will remain active until further notice. Please remain indoors at all times unless absolutely necessary. When inside, secure all doors and windows. In case of emergency, contact your administrative agent for assistance.
Remember, you are Sera’s most precious resource and the hope for humanity’s future. Please help us ensure your safety by complying with all security bulletins and announcements.
Have a pleasant and productive day.
Brochure
Chapter 5: Ascension
Location: You can find this high-gloss Brochure extolling the virtues of life on Azura on the lower floor, where Cole and Baird exit the elevator. Fight your way past the stairs leading up to the next floor, and descend to the lower one. Cross to the far side of the room opposite the stairs to find the Brochure on the floor behind the pillar.
Upcoming Events at the West Library Multipurpose Hall
LECTURE — “Agronomic Engineering,” Dr. Alex Mayfield 17th Day of Thaw, 1630-1830
In the second of four lectures on restoring fertility to Seran farmlands, Dr. Mayfield presents his team’s latest findings in the search for effective soil restoration techniques. Topics of discussion include rapid desalination, nutrient restoration, and chemical contaminate neutralization, followed by a Q&A session.
ROUNDTABLE — “The Population Problem,” Dr. Toru Hoshi 23rd Day of Thaw, 1500-1700
When the time comes for reconstruction, how will we best cope with potential population explosions in the absence of war? In this roundtable discussion moderated by Dr. Toru Hoshi, we shall discuss the ramifications of government-regulated family planning, resource management and distribution, and other possible pains of rebuilding civilization.
Recovered Cog Tags #15
Chapter 5: Ascension
Location: After you exit the elevator, note the Crimson Omen on the wall in the maintenance floor’s back-right corner. Use the Lancer’s chainsaw to cut through the crates to locate a COG Tag on the floor behind them.
Fenix Research
Chapter 5: Ascension
Location: Don’t rush out of the office immediately. Take a moment to have a look around. Locate the trunk near the telescope, and pick up the Fenix Research documents on it. This is the final collectible in the campaign. If you’ve found them all, congratulations!
At the time of its discovery, there was no reason to believe that Imulsion was a living organism. It exhibited no observable characteristics typical of life: no response to stimuli, no apparent method of reproduction, and no metabolic process. It has since become clear that this is not the case.
Though our examinations were sound, the assumptions upon which they were based—our narrow definitions of life—were not. It is very definitely alive, mutagenic, and highly invasive.
Viewed in that light, Imulsion exhibits characteristics that resemble the structure and life cycle of many fungi. The bulk of the organism—in liquid form—is underground like a mycelium. The evidence of its existence that we have begun to observe on the surface in the form of stalks is the equivalent of fruiting bodies. Its periodic vapor-like emissions are perhaps best likened to spores. Its behavior is parasitic yet simultaneously viral: It not only colonizes its host, it also reproduces in the host at the cellular level. Its life cycle appears to be a long period of dormancy followed by accelerated activity before maturation, but I cannot establish whether it has existed on Sera since the first origins of life or if it somehow developed or was introduced during human history.
A successful parasite does not kill its host. Imulsion does. It may be inept, but I suspect the death of its host organisms—which appears to be every living thing on Sera, plant or animal—is part of its reproductive strategy, not an unfortunate side effect. Its high-energy content may be part of that.