by: Tony "RadarX" Jones

Returning from the volatile environments of Areaki, players will find quite a geographic change in Tabula Rasa's Valverde Plateau. The thick forests and rivers of the Wilderness have melted into a rugged grasslands torn apart by the struggle of Allied Free Setinent and Bane forces. At the center of the conflict in this zone is a number of Eloh artifacts of unspeakable power.

The appropriately named Fort Defiance sits in the northern end of this zone providing support and logistics to soldiers in the area. Built inside of a mountain, this is one of the largest and most secure bases in Tabula Rasa. Players will find not only vendors, but a Military Surplus, a Wormhole for interplanetary travel, and transporter for fast access in the zone. Most importantly this will be your mission hub for Plateau so it's worth your time to get familiar with it.

This is part 2 of our mission listing for Fort Defiance.

Crystal Blue Persuasion - This mission begins in Fort Defiance with Senior Engineer Mauer in the command center building around -62, 938. Apparently the crystals from the digestive track of a nasty creature called Mox are necessary to create power for AFS. Screw indigenous life forms! We need more power! Mox can be found a few places but the easiest is the Mox cave due west of Fort Defiance around -438, 790. This will also help with your Targets of Opportunity mission. When you're done return to Mauer for 4650 credits and your choice of a Vitalius Mech Armor Helmet, CryoGen Stealth Armor Vest, Hellstorm Hazmat Armor Boots, or Phoenix Relfective Armor Vest.

Alpha Mox - This mission begins in Fort Defiance with Senior ENgineer Mauer in the command center building around -62, 938 and requires the completion Crystal Blue Persuasion. Mauer murdurous rampage continues and he wants you to kill the Alpha Mox. Apparently it has a bigger energy rock in its stomach. Head back to the same cavern as above an kill the Alpha Mox. Return to Mauer for your reward of 4800 credits and your choice of Pathogex Mech Armor Boots, Pathogex Stealth Armor Boots, Teleract Gravitron Armor Legs, or Audiodyne Motor Assist Armor Legs.

Clean Slate - This mission begins with Corporal Wainwright near a bunker at New Velon Village at 196,353,519. He's got an injured soldier that needs an escort back to Ft. Defiance. Something's wrong with the guy, and Wainwright guesses it could be Post Traumatic Stress. Agent Perdu should be able to help him. Take your new escort toward Ft. Defiance, but be careful. As soon as you near the Defiance gates, the soldier goes crazy and begins to attack you. You need to take him out, but don't worry, he wasn't himself and probably welcomes the swift end. Find Agent Perdu at -95,398,716, who tells you that the mysterious soldier was a walking time bomb, implanted with a mind control chip. For taking out the soldier you get a reward of 4650 credits and choice of Graviton Helmet or Bio/Mech/Stealth Gloves.

Mind Bender - This mission begins with Agent Perdu, right after you complete Clean Slate. Apparently the Bane are brainwashing AFS soldiers and Perdu wants you to get to the bottom of it. He'll ask you to find 4 soldiers and scan them. Be sure to place the scanner in your toolbar and you'll need to use it when you are close. Most of the 4 men patrol so locs are fairly useless however you'll find Jackson near the Eloh forum, Harris in New Velon Village around 296, 548, Tillman out towards Mount Reverance, and Hoyle near a mountain. Scan and speak with all 4 men and return to Perdu for your reward.

Mislaid Plans - This mission begins with General Bailey in the Fort Defiance command center. He wants you to grab some battle plans from destroyed tower. Only problem is it might be just a tiny bit radioactive. Head to the icon on your map but you'll need to move quickly as radiation damage will start knocking down your health. You'll also find a Bane patrol around to impede your progress. Return to Bailey for 4800 credits and your choice of a Vitalius Mech Armor Vest, Audiodyne Hazmat Armor Legs, Wellcare Reflective Armor Gloves, or Luminar Motor Assist Armor Vest.