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The Future in Jade

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The Future in Jade

Year
1335 AE / 1845 CC
Storyline
End of Dragons
Chapter
The Future in Jade
Location
New Kaineng City
(Cantha)
Level
80
Preceded by
The Scenic Route
Followed by
Deepest Secrets
API
616

The Future in Jade- The Power Plant loading screen.png

Loading screen for the instances "Power Plant" and "Nahpui Lab"

The Future in Jade is the sixth chapter of the End of Dragons story.

Objectives[edit]

Go to the Xunlai Jade Power Plant.
  • Enter New Kaineng City.
  • Discuss next steps with your team over comms.
  • Find Engineer Hu.
  • Help Engineer Hu with his problem.
  • Speak to Engineer Hu to get the access code.
  • Meet Yao at the jade bot service station.
  • Speak with engineer Elora.
  • (Learn how to use your Xunlai jade bot.)
  • Jade Bot Training
    Event bar empty green.jpg
  • Draw two charges from nearby jade batteries.: x/2
  • Test out the jade tech teleporters: x/2
  • ((Optional) Ask questions of Elora.)
  • (Optional) Speak with Elora
  • (Ride the jade zip lines.)
  • Ride the jade zip lines: x/4
  • (Light floating lanterns using jade power charges.)
  • Light floating lanterns using jade tech power charges: x/4
  • Spar with one of Xunlai Jade's training mechs.
  • Reconnect with your team on comms.
Investigate the Xunlai Jade Power Plant.
  • Enter the Xunlai Jade Power Plant.
  • Take a look around.
  • Head to the control room.
  • Listen as Mai explains the jade power network.
  • Pick up an energy scanner.
  • Use the scanner to take readings on a group of jade batteries.
  • Use the scanner to take readings on another group of jade batteries.
  • Use the scanner to scan one last group of jade batteries.
  • Reset the power plant's junction boxes.
  • Power Restored
    Event bar empty green.jpg
  • Use the scanner to scan one last group of jade batteries.
Get access to the other lab.
  • Leave the power plant and contact Yao.
  • Meet Mai at her apartment.
  • Speak with Mai.
  • Speak with Crex.
  • (Deliver pressurized steam canisters to nearby turbines.)
  • Pressurized steam canisters delivered: x/3
  • Return to Mai's apartment.
  • (Optional) Speak with Marjory.
  • Speak with Mai in her apartment.
  • Look around Mai's apartment for ...something.
  • Ask Mai about the object you found.
Investigate Nahpui Lab.
  • Enter Nahpui Lab.
  • Meet up with Gorrik.
  • (Use the scanner on new jade batteries.)
  • New Jade Batteries Scanned.
    Event bar empty green.jpg
  • Use the jade drone to collect more samples.
  • Regroup with your allies.
  • Review the scan results with Taimi and Gorrik.
  • (Survive the Aetherblade assault!)
  • Aetherblades Defeated.
    Event bar empty green.jpg Event swords (tango icon).png
  • Use the holographic console to contact Taimi and Joon.

Rewards[edit]

Replaying the story chapter

Walkthrough[edit]

To investigate if the Jade Mech's malfunction is due to Aetherblade sabotage, the commander needs a passcode for the Power Plant and an introduction to Jade Bot operating as Yao explains in a comms call.

Acquiring a Passcode

Engineer Hu, who can be found in Garden Heights by continuing into the city center through the tunnels north and south of the power plant region and up the stairs, has access to the needed passcode. But the console it is saved on has been infested with an Elite Volatile Jade Spark that must be dealt with first. Instead of killing the Spark, engineers can directly fix the console themselves by interacting with it. Talk to Hu again after defeating the spark to get the code.

Jade Bot Qualifications

Meet up with Yao near Garden Heights Waypoint. The quickest way to get there from Engineer Hu's location is to go north, then up the stairs below Temple of Preeminence into Garden Heights. As they are busy, Yao directs you to Engineer Elora, who can provide optional, additional information through dialogue choices marked by Talk quest option tango.png; while choices marked by Talk more option tango.png progress the story. To train Jade Bot handling you must complete the following tasks in order:

To do so, interact with the nearby Event cog (tango icon).png Jade Bot Terminal to directly control the Jade Bot's movement. Pick up charges by flying close to a Jade Battery and interacting with it, then up to the lanterns to charge them through interacting. Each lantern lit will consume one Jade Power Charge.
  • Spar with a training mech

The Xunlai Jade Administrators with Talk quest option tango.png markers optionally explain each of the tasks or provide further detail.

The Xunlai Jade Power Plant

Enter the Power Plant and instance The Future in Jade: Power Plant at its entrance on the ground level road, behind where the waterfall flows into the canals. After waiting for clearance to look around and another comms communication with Taimi about the tech's power source, head to the control room on the facilities' upper level. Following Mai's explanation, pick up the Jade Tech Energy Scanner. Stowing it with skill 5 will grant the special action Equip Jade Tech Scanner and protect the scanner from short-circuiting after coming in contact with water.

Use the scanner's Scan on skill 1 to obtain data on the sets of batteries. Scanning the first set of batteries will enable Achievement effect.png Qualify for Ribbit. Jump across the maintenance sleds near the Talk quest option tango.png Xunlai Jade Technician without gliding or touching the water to scan the batteries (be wary of jumping or moving on a sled as it is about to stop as that causes weird things to happen to the game's physics). Stowing the scanner to prevent accidents is recommended. It is relatively easy to jump from right near the Xunlai Tech to the second sled. It is also possible to jump directly to the third sled, but takes better positioning and timing. Get to the fourth sled, and just scan as you go past them. To get the achievement Industrial Espionage, walk close to the locations described in the achievement section below to reveal and interact with the documents.

Before you can get the last dataset for Taimi a power spike shuts down the power plant. Defeat the Coursing Jade Sparks and play the minigame at each of the three Junction Boxes to turn it back on. You are playing a game of Simon. Press a code, it will then give you another code that is the old one with one more symbol added to it. Repeat the code again. At four codes, it completes. Nee Notes at bottom for more. Scan the last batteries and listen to Taimi's explanation on the communicator before leaving the instance.

It is possible to soft-lock the instance if you scan the last set of batteries before Taimi prompts you to do so (such as if Marjory and Mai Trin are still talking). To avoid this, wait until Taimi says to go ahead and run the last scan.
To Cobble Ward

Since Yao can't grant the party access to Nahpui Lab, Mai Trin has another idea. Meet her in front of her apartment in Brume Alley. As the district's steam power grid is offline, speak to Supplier Crex to get into the apartment complex, who'll explain how to pick up and deliver Pressurized Steam Canisters.png Pressurized Steam Canisters with a Raptor mount. Before going into Mai's apartment, you can optionally check back with Marjory. After speaking to Mai inside, interact with the objects in the apartment to find what she's looking for. Looking through her things reveals more about her life after the Aetherblades arrived in Cantha. Pick up the Unknown Device to advance the story.

Investigate Nahpui Lab

Marjory, Mai and Gorrik wait in the lab's instance The Future In Jade: Nahpui Lab. The closest Raptor Taxi station is Bori Ward. Start by talking to Gorrik before scanning more batteries for Taimi with the Jade Tech Energy Scanner.

As only three batteries are accessible from the ground level, the rest have to be scanned from the Jade Bot. Interacting with the Terminal enables the eligibilities Achievement effect.png Achievement Eligibility: Duct Cleaning and Achievement effect.png Achievement Eligibility: Time Pilot and also starts the latter's timer. Focus on scanning the batteries first, to get Duct Cleaning and Time Pilot in the same run (the static discharge ability that gets rid of rats and the rats themselves remain in place after scanning the batteries, allowing you to get rid of the rats with no time pressure). The remaining batteries' locations can be accessed by flying through ducts in the walls and ceiling of the lab building. Laser walls and air pressure from other vents can slow navigating with the Jade Bot. You can exit the bot's remote control through Skill 5 to regroup with the commander's allies. Taimi visualizes her findings on a display screen. As soon as her an Gorrik's explanation is finished, Aetherblade intruders ambush the Lab. Repel them then contact Joon and Taimi.

Achievements[edit]

The Future in Jade End of Dragons: Act 2 End of Dragons mastery point 1Achievement points
Learn some new tricks.Journal: The Future in Jade Completed Completed The Future In Jade 1Achievement points
  • Complete the story.
Industrial Espionage End of Dragons: Act 2 1Achievement points
Find all of the subversive memos and notes at the Xunlai Jade power plant.Thought is merciless to privilege, established institutions, and comfortable habit. Found All Subversive Content 1Achievement points
  1. object named Presentation, in the lower of the observation rooms on a desk in the circular corner. Same room as the North West junction box.
  2. object named Crumpled Paper in the same room, on the ground behind the blueish glowing technology cylinder in the middle of the room.
  3. object named Worn Book, in the larger observation room one level higher on a desk near the window.
  4. object named Journal in the control room next to the elevator, on the left most desk near the Jade Tech Energy Scanner.
It isn't possible to interact with the documents if someone in the party has previously started or finished the achievement, even if the person starting the instance is the one who needs the achievement.
Ribbit! End of Dragons: Act 2 1Achievement points
Scan the second set of jade power cells without touching the water, with or without the scanner stowed. No gliding!You're looking a little green... Scanned the Second Set of Jade Power Cells without Touching the Water 1Achievement points
  • You can use the maintenance sleds to avoid the water. Gliding is disabled.
  • Keep in mind that your character will carry over the momentum when the sleds stop so be careful so you don't get thrown into the water.
  • Achievement qualification may be tracked via the Achievement effect.png Qualify for Ribbit effect.
Duct Cleaning End of Dragons: Act 2 1Achievement points
Use the drone's static discharge ability to clear out vermin hiding in the ducts. Cleared Vermin from Ducts 1Achievement points
  • While scanning for new jade batteries, you must use the drone's  Energy Defense.png Static Discharge ability (special action key) to get rid of rats. There are 12 rats in total.
  • Achievement qualification may be tracked via the Achievement effect.png Achievement Eligibility: Duct Cleaning effect.
  • Rats may be removed across multiple attempts and characters. If four rats are found the first time you attempt the mission, the second time only the remaining 8 rats will be present on the map.
  • If the party leader succeeds at the achievement, party members will also receive credit.
Time Pilot End of Dragons: Act 2 1Achievement points
Find and scan all of the jade power cells before time runs out!Who needs wings to fly? Found and Scanned All Jade Power Cells before Time Ran Out 1Achievement points
  • You have 1m, 30s to find and scan the jade power cells. You do not have to scan 'all' the power cells in the allotted time, you need to fill the bar in the allotted time.
  • Achievement qualification may be tracked via the Achievement effect.png Achievement Eligibility: Time Pilot effect.

NPCs[edit]

Allies[edit]

Asura

Elder Dragons

Humans
Tengu
Sylvari

Foes[edit]

Aetherblades (various)
Void
Jade Mech

Objects[edit]

In Mai Trin's apartment

Dialogue[edit]

In New Kaineng City[edit]

Upon exiting The Scenic Route
<Character name>: Mai Trin, you have some kind of history with that engineer?
Captain Mai Trin: Yao? (sigh) No clue what their problem is.
Marjory Delaqua: Must be your agreeable personality.
Captain Mai Trin: When we worked together, they always came across as a bit...possessive of Joon's attention.
Yao: Possessive?
Yao: Well, excuse me if we didn't all get to be Joon's "protégé" with zero qualifications.
Captain Mai Trin: Yao! Sorry, I didn't know you could... I didn't mean...!
Yao: (scoff) If you're all gonna talk behind someone's back, try using a secure frequency!
Taimi: Working on it.
Yao: (sigh) Whatever. I've got more important things to deal with right now. The city's on fire. Literally.
Gorrik: Engineer Yao, we're pursuing the ones responsible for that.
Gorrik: But it would help if we could investigate the city's power infrastructure.
Yao: You mentioned that...
Yao: Well, if Mai's with you, I guess Joon trusts you. For whatever reason.
Yao: Couple'a boxes we need to check off to get you in the door. First off all, you're gonna need to talk to Hu.
Yao: Lead plant engineer; can probably get you a passcode. I think he's on a repair job.
Yao: You're also gonna need to hit up the jade bot service station. Get yourself certified.
Yao: Might be able to meet you there, if I stop being a vital asset to the development of—
Marjory Delaqua: Hu. Service station. Anything else?
Yao: That should do the trick.
Marjory Delaqua: Consider it done.
Speaking to Engineer Hu
Ah, thank you for stopping by. I've got a problem that I'm hoping you might be able to help me solve...
(Before taking care of the volatile spark)
Talk quest option tango.png Likewise. Yao sent me. I need a passcode to get into the power plant.
Yao sent you? Well, if you want my passcode you'll need to help me with my...problem. My passcode is on this console.
Talk more option tango.png I hear a "but" coming...
I need root access for the terminal, but when I put it into diagnostic mode, it shorts out. This unstable, parasitic...thing appears. If you can take care of it for me...
Talk ready option.png Okay, stand aside. I'll handle it.
(If engineer)
Talk quest choice tango.png Actually, would you mind if I examine the terminal?
Oh! A fellow engineer, of course. By all means!
Talk end option tango.png Thanks!
Talk end option tango.png Maybe later.
(After taking care of the volatile spark or fixing the terminal)
Talk quest option tango.png Okay, I've taken care of the volatile spark. Do you have the passcode?
Yes, thank you for taking care of that. At least for a while. I'm...leery of touching anything more today, but here's your access code.
Talk end option tango.png Much appreciated.
Talk end option tango.png Maybe some other time.
The engineer-specific dialogue option may not be available when replaying this chapter as an engineer.
Interacting with the terminal (if engineer)
It's a Jade power terminal
Talk quest choice tango.png I should investigate what's wrong
You notice a faint scent of burned wires.
Talk more option tango.png Remove the panel.
Removing the panel, you see a burnt 12-pin aether conversion cable.
Talk more option tango.png Replace the 12-pin aether conversion cable and initiate reboot sequence. (this ends the dialog without triggering volatile sparks)
Talk end option tango.png Maybe later.
Talk end option tango.png Maybe later.
Getting the passcode but still need Jade Bot Training
Yao: Passcode: check!
Yao: Now you just need to head to the jade bot service station; get yourself up to industry standards. I'll explain when you get there.
Meeting Yao at the jade bot service station
Yao: Hey...Hello? This thing on...?
Yao: Oh, good. Sorry I can't be there in person... It's been one of those days. Vital asset, after all.
Yao: If you're gonna be poking around the power stations, you need to know how to operate a jade bot.
Yao: Ministry of Labor safety standards. I don't make the rules. The bots are crucial for maintenance work.
Yao: I have to go; things are getting pretty out of control here. I leave you in Elora's capable hands.
Yao: Elora meaning Xunlai Elora. Jade bot technician. She's another engineer. She's—eh, you'll figure it out.
Speaking to Elora
Elora: "Welcome to the First Garden of Enlightened Thought!" Blah blah blah...
Elora: This place is a little bougie, eh? You a friend of Yao's?
Yao sent you, huh? Well, I AM pretty great. Name's Elora. Been workin' with Yao for a couple of years now. What can I do for you?
Talk more option tango.png Yao told me to come talk with you.
They told me to set you up with a jade bot. Talk with the Xunlai reps to learn more about each demo station. Should be pretty easy, but I'm here if you have questions.
Talk more option tango.png Tell me more about these jade bots.
Not from around here, huh? The jade bot is Xunlai Jade's "latest and greatest!" That's what the script says, at least. They're pretty cool though, if you know how to use 'em.
Talk back option tango.png Can I ask another question? (back to "Yao told me to talk with you.")
Talk end option tango.png I guess I will.
Talk more option tango.png My curiosity is sparked. What all can I do with them?
They're a key part of our infrastructure! Grab power from nearby charging stations, and use it to power up floating lanterns, spar with training mechs, or repair fountains!
Talk back option tango.png What else do you need help with? (back to "Yao told me to talk with you.")
Talk end option tango.png I'm sure that the jade bot will come in handy. I'll give it a shot.
Talk more option tango.png There's a Xunlai Jade charging station over there. What do I do with that?
Yeah, if you need a charge, just grab one from the nearest battery. Your bot will hold the charge, and you can transfer it to a number of jade tech devices.
Talk back option tango.png What else do you need help with? (back to "Yao told me to talk with you.")
Talk end option tango.png Will do.
Talk more option tango.png Why are people fighting those mechs?
Ah, that's another demo. Just take a charge over to the station and they'll spar with you...if you want to see what Xunlai Jade is made of, that is. Tuned 'em up myself, so they pack a punch.
Talk back option tango.png What else do you need help with? (back to "Yao told me to talk with you.")
Talk end option tango.png Now that sounds like my cup of tea.
Talk more option tango.png Anything else I should know?
Well, it's not nice to say, but some of these people? The worst. Heads so high up their own... Well, if you see anyone grossly abusing their privilege, feel free to call it out.
Talk back option tango.png What else do you need help with? (back to "Yao told me to talk with you.")
Talk end option tango.png I have no problem with this.
(If Complete heart (map icon).png Help Xunlai Jade test and promote jade tech (80) is completed)
Karma.png What do you have for sale?
Talk end option tango.png That's all. Thanks for the help, Elora.
(If Complete heart (map icon).png Help Xunlai Jade test and promote jade tech (80) is completed)
Karma.png What do you have for sale?
Talk quest option tango.png You work with Yao?
Elora: That's right. Yao's a good friend.
Elora: You could say we... We understand each other. Yao took me under their wing.
Talk quest option tango.png Elora, is it? Your name doesn't sound...very Canthan.
Elora: That's cause I'm not Canthan. Well, I mean, I'm Canthan, but my family's background's Luxon.
Elora: There's a lot of complicated history, but long story short...
Elora: The Luxons and Kurzicks used to be at war. Then Shiro Tagachi returned...and then the Ministry of Purity happened...
Elora: Cantha's a big place with many cultures and peoples. In school, I hated how my name was different from the other kids.
Elora: That was silly of me. Elora's my nana's name, and she's the greatest. It's also the name of a god or something.
Talk quest option tango.png Give me a rundown on the jade bots.
Elora: Pretty neat, huh? Helped design them myself. Not that I'm getting any credit...still working my way up the ladder.
Talk end option tango.png I think I can handle it from here.
Talking to the Xunlai Jade Administrator near the teleporter
Ah, come to see the incredible miracle of instantaneously transiting your corporal self from one point to another? Then look no further, for this is our fines example of applied jade technology!
Talk more option tango.png What's different from normal teleporters...like waypoints or asura gates?
Everything! Other teleporters use arcane methodologies, whereas jade tech harnesses the power imbued into the jade to break down your body, store it, transmit it, and reassemble it on the other side!
Talk more option tango.png Wait, this thing...deconstructs me?
Yes, but Xunlai Jade would like to remind its users that there is nothing to fear. The tragic circumstances of our original translocator devices are a thing of the past. Our teleporters are perfected.
Talk end option tango.png I see. Uh...thanks.
Talk end option tango.png I, uh...okay then. For science?
Talk end option tango.png Maybe next time.
Finishing Jade Bot Training but still need access code
Yao: Done with jade bot boot camp, huh? Consider yourself...licensed to enter the power plant. Now you just need a passcode.
Yao: Hu shouldn't be far from your current location. Gimme a shout when you're done.
With access code and Jade Bot Training complete
<Character name>: Done and done. Anything else, Yao?
Yao: Should be able to walk right on in. If anyone gives you trouble, just tell 'em Hu gave you the go-ahead.
Yao: The main entrance is across the canal from ministry headquarters. Hard to miss.
Yao: You'll be free to talk shade about anyone you'd like in no time.
Captain Mai Trin: Oh, Yao?
Yao: Mai?
Captain Mai Trin: Sorry, I...(clears throat) Sorry if I did anything to...
Captain Mai Trin: You're an amazing engineer. Self-taught, right? I...I can't even comprehend how you pulled that off.
Yao: I am, yes.
Captain Mai Trin: If Joon saw anything in me... She probably thinks the world of you. Just bad at saying it.
Yao: Apology acknowledged.
Detective Rama: Just a friendly reminder that this is still an open frequency.
Taimi: I know!

Inside the Xunlai Jade Power Plant[edit]

Xunlai Jade Security: This facility's under lockdown. I'll have to ask you to... What's she doing here?
Captain Mai Trin: Why wouldn't I be?
Xunlai Jade Security: I just assumed you'd be busy cavorting with your gang of vicious sky pirates.
Marjory Delaqua: Wow. That got around fast.
Xunlai Jade Security: It's called holo-news. Travels at the speed of light.
<Character name>: Okay, look. We actually have permission to be here. Engineer Hu should have already sent word.
Xunlai Jade Security: Is that so...?
Xunlai Jade Security: Huh. So it is. We'll be keeping an eye on you, rest assured.
Xunlai Jade Security: Welcome to the Xunlai Power Plant.
<Character name>: All right, let's take a look around. Remember, it's not just sabotage we're looking for.
Marjory Delaqua: I thought that's exactly what we were looking for.
Captain Mai Trin: Commander's right: whatever happened to Yao's bots by the docks, it wasn't sabotage.
Taimi: I think it might have something to do with Detective Rama and his big dumb hat!
Taimi: You hear that, Rama? I just accused your hat of high treason! What do you have to say about that?
Taimi: Ha! It worked. Commander, I'm pleased to say I have officially encrypted our comms network.
Taimi: Next on my list: boosting our signal range to continental Tyria.
<Character name>: Glad to hear it. So do you really know why jade tech is turning on everyone? Or were you just testing the comms?
Taimi: Only theories. But there's one thing they all have in common: their power source.
Marjory Delaqua: We'll head to the control room; see what we can dig up.
At the control room
Captain Mai Trin: The Xunlai distribution network. Jade comes in from the east, gets charged up, then ends up here.
<Character name>: Where's it getting charged? If there's an issue with the power source, that's where we should start.
Taimi: Joon is awfully cagey about that step. Keeps bringing up "proprietary Xunlai technology." Very dissatisfying.
Marjory Delaqua: Still, if this is the next step in the chain, there might be something useful here.
Taimi: Hmm...Look around; there must be some sort of scanning device the staff use to get energy readings.
On picking up the energy scanner
<Character name>: Found one. Looks like it's tuned to the jade batteries.
Captain Mai Trin: We use those for quality control, yeah. Should get us the readings we'll need.
On scanning the jade batteries
Taimi: Readings coming in now. We'll need a few different sets before I can run any tests.
Taimi: The power cell structure, though—how the energy's managed? Alchemy. It is staggeringly brilliant.
Captain Mai Trin: Yeah. She is.
Speaking to the Xunlai Jade Technician near the sleds
Sorry, I'm a bit preoccupied. This problem's got me stumped... Wait, who are you?
Talk quest option tango.png I'm here to run some scans on those batteries over there.
Oh, well, it's going to be tough to do with the jade sleds malfunctioning like they are. I have no idea how to fix these damn things!
Talk end option tango.png I see. I'll figure something out.
Talk end option tango.png Just passing through. Sorry to bother you.
After crossing the sleds and scanning the next set of jade batteries
Taimi: Ooookay! Everything's coming in loud and—well, not loud, but definitely clear! Wait. Wait, what? What is...
Taimi: I—I don't... Hang on, I need to check—I need to—hang on!
Marjory Delaqua: Taimi, we're all standing here.
Taimi: Sorry, I—I need you to get one more scan for me. Just to make sure.
Captain Mai Trin: Make sure of what?
Taimi: I can't tell you until I know for certain because my hypothesis...is frankly outrageous. It's entirely possible I'm wrong.
<Character name>: Are you?
Taimi: No. Not a chance.
Marjory Delaqua: We'll get you that scan as soon as possible.
Captain Mai Trin: Hi. Uh, Taimi, right?
Taimi: Yeah...?
Captain Mai Trin: Um... Is Joon around? There's something I need to say to her.
Taimi: Oh. Well, she's actually pretty busy right now. I could pass along a message.
Captain Mai Trin: No. That's okay. Thanks.
On the second floor once the power goes out
Marjory Delaqua: Okay, well. This'll probably take a little longer now.
<Character name>: Taimi, power just went out here. Scans are on hold until we can get it back up.
Taimi: Power spike. Seen a lot of these lately. You'll need to find the junction boxes and reset them manually.
Marjory Delaqua: Easy enough. We'll just—
Captain Mai Trin: Jade sparks!
Marjory Delaqua: At least this time there aren't any mechs nearby for them to possess.
After defeating the jade sparks
Marjory Delaqua: Mai. You wanted to speak with Joon earlier?
Captain Mai Trin: That was nothing.
Marjory Delaqua: Let me guess...
Marjory Delaqua: You want to tell her how sorry you are. How you screwed up. And that you'll do anything to make it up to her.
Captain Mai Trin: Wow. Detective Delaqua's famous powers of deduction.
Captain Mai Trin: (sigh) Truth is, I dunno if I can make it up to Joon. She's not the forgiving type.
In the control room while resetting the junction boxes
Captain Mai Trin: Hm. These jade-tech malfunctions... I have to say, not really Ankka's style.
Marjory Delaqua: She has a style?
Captain Mai Trin: Well... Scarlet inspired a lot of people. She inspired me. I know you think she's a...
Marjory Delaqua: A goddamn murderer?
Captain Mai Trin: A bit eccentric. But she stood up to Mordremoth the only way she knew how. At least...that's how she started.
Captain Mai Trin: Democratization through chaos. That was Scarlet's style. And now it's Ankka's.
After defeating the jade sparks in one of the lower rooms
Captain Mai Trin: (exacerbated sigh) No. Stop talking. You almost got me killed.
Marjory Delaqua: What?
Captain Mai Trin: Uh...just ignore me.
Marjory Delaqua: Mai, you've got a predilection for attaching yourself to exactly one kind of woman—got a pretty good picture of your mom going—
Marjory Delaqua: But that's no excuse. Scarlet's acts were heinous. And so were yours.
Captain Mai Trin: (sigh) Yeah. You said that. I can't change who I was, but I won't give up on who I want to be.
Marjory Delaqua: And who, pray tell, is that?
Captain Mai Trin: I don't know. Someone...better.
After the last junction box is reset
Taimi: Well, everything's back on. Go ahead and run that final scan when you're ready.
After scanning the final set of batteries
Marjory Delaqua: Commander just scanned the last battery, Taimi. Whaddya got?
Taimi: I've cross-referenced the waveform of jade power with every other energy waveform I have in my records.
Taimi: First I checked conventional sources. Magitech, ley-line power, usual suspects. No exact matches.
Taimi: The closest thing I've been able to find is...well, Aurene's. It's not perfect, but it's within the margin of error.
<Character name>: Aurene? But she's been with us. She's only been here for... Even if it's true, how is that possible?
Taimi: Aurene's energy signature isn't Aurene. It's the result of filtering impure dragon magic.
Marjory Delaqua: So wait, you're saying that all this jade tech is powered by dragon magic?
Taimi: That's what the data suggests. Maybe Joon found a way to extract it from ley lines after Aurene filters it?
Captain Mai Trin: That's not possible. Joon's been using this technology for years.
Taimi: Hm. Commander, you should go to the other lab. I'll fill in Gorrik on the way. One thing's for sure, though.
Marjory Delaqua: Yeah. This just got a whole lot more complicated.

Back in New Kaineng City[edit]

Taimi: Okay! Yao, you're patched in.
Taimi: Based on our findings, the power source of jade tech is some kind of dragon-magic composite.
Yao: And something's fritzing up the jade tech.
Marjory Delaqua: Could be Ankka, or...something else entirely.
Taimi: We need a broader data set. Yao, can you get us access to the Nahpui lab?
Yao: Yeah, 'bout that... These power spikes scrambled Nahpui's security system, so you're S.O.L.
Yao: Hey, watch it! Stay back!
Yao: Listen, I gotta duck out! Jade loader's 'bout to decapitate a bystander. Good luck!
Taimi: Well, all right. Thanks for the update, Yao. (sigh) Guess we wait until they sort out this whole security mess?
<Character name>: We don't have time for that. The Aethertblades could be responsible for all of this.
Captain Mai Trin: I might have something that can help. Commander, meet me at my apartment. South of Cobble Ward.
At Mai's Apartment
<Character name>: I'm here, Mai. Are you going to invite me in, or...?
Captain Mai Trin: I'd love to, but apparently my shutter doors are being... (strained grunt) a little uncooperative.
Marjory Delaqua: Maybe they don't work in a power outage?
Captain Mai Trin: This is Tengu Town, Ms. Delaqua. Not a lot of trust in jade tech. They much prefer steam-power around here; more my style anyway.
Captain Mai Trin: There's an engineer in the area trying to restore power. Goes by Crex. Commander, help him get the grid back up.
<Character name>: Aye aye, "Captain."
Speaking with Crex
Don't you stand out like a bald tengu on a sunny day, stranger. Pretty brave to wander around a new city on your own. If you're not too busy gallivanting about, we could use an extra pair of wings.
Talk quest option tango.png You Crex? Mai Trin told me you'd help with restoring power to the grid.
The grid here is finicky...power draw can't keep up with demand. If you take some of these canisters to the steam turbines, that'll get enough power in the system to redirect it where you need it.
Talk more option tango.png Can you be more specific?
Mount up and deliver these pressurized steam canisters to our steam turbines. If you need a raptor, talk to Strigidae. She can give you all the details.
Talk end option tango.png Can do.
Talk end option tango.png Thanks. I think I've got what I need.
Talk more option tango.png How can I help?
Mount up and deliver those pressurized steam canisters to our steam turbines. If you need a raptor, talk to Strigidae. She can give you all the details.
Talk end option tango.png Can do.
Talk more option tango.png Why do I need a raptor?
The canisters are way too heavy to carry on your own. If you want to throw out your back, go right on ahead.
Talk end option tango.png Raptor. Got it.
After delivering first pressurized steam canister
Captain Mai Trin: Some of the power's back! She'll need a little more juice. Another two canisters should do the trick.
After delivering three pressurized steam canisters
Captain Mai Trin: And we're in business!
<Character name>: This better be worth it, Mai.
Optional dialogue with Marjory outside of Mai's apartment
Marjory Delaqua: Mai says she's got something that can get us into the lab.
<Character name>: You believe her?
Marjory Delaqua: At this point we're out of options. I'm just along for the ride.
<Character name>: You mean to keep an eye on the captain.
Marjory Delaqua: She's had plenty of opportunities to escape. Coulda ducked out when we were fighting that jade loader.
Marjory Delaqua: Dunno if I believe she's really changed, but I think she's serious about getting even with Ankka.
Returning to Mai's apartment
With the shutters raised, it's now possible to enter the building.
Talk quest option tango.png Open the door and go inside.

In Mai's Apartment[edit]

Captain Mai Trin: Okay! Don't mind the mess!
<Character name>: Did a bomb go off in here?
Captain Mai Trin: My jade sweeper broke, and I didn't have time to order a replacement.
Captain Mai Trin: Now, where the hell did it go...?
<Character name>: Guess I'll help you find...whatever it is.
Interacting with the various objects in the apartment
A number of miscellaneous objects are found throughout Mai Trin's apartment, which will not progress the story. See their individual pages for their dialogue (listed above).
Occasionally whilst interacting with the incorrect objects
Captain Mai Trin: No... That's not it.
Captain Mai Trin: Hey, don't touch that.
Interacting with "Unknown Device"
<Character name>: Is this what you were looking for?
Captain Mai Trin: Yes! My Imperial Security badge. That'll get you through any Kaineng lab security, even during a blackout.
<Character name>: I'm sure you acquired it through entirely legitimate means.
Captain Mai Trin: Actually, yeah. I did. It's all I've got left that proves Joon used to trust me.
Captain Mai Trin: For a little bit...I really thought I could be someone different. But you can't run from your past, can ya?
Captain Mai Trin: Anyway, take it, Commander. If it helps us stop Ankka, then it's more useful in your hands.
<Character name>: Well, thank you, Mai. I'll meet you and Jory at the lab.

In the Nahpui Lab[edit]

Gorrik: Commander! Taimi caught me up. This is incredible. This is—this is huge. Massive.
Marjory Delaqua: Potentially.
Gorrik: Yes! Yes. Potential is all it is right now. We need more data. But if these power cells use dragon magic...
<Character name>: It could explain how they're being corrupted. Taimi, Caithe, how's Aurene doing? I'd like to get her take.
Caithe: She's doing all right, but seems to be asleep. Dreaming, perhaps.
Taimi: I'll bet she's doing that mental projection thing again. Aurene could be anywhere right now.
Marjory Delaqua: I'll bet she has an idea what's going on here.
Gorrik: Maybe. But in the meantime we can collect hard data right here in this lab. Taimi?
Taimi: Yeah, I need you to scan more batteries. They're basically off the assembly line when they get there.
Taimi: Now that we know what we're looking for, I should be able to isolate the energy signature after a few scans.
After scanning all the accessible jade batteries
Marjory Delaqua: Looks like our next jade battery is up there. Way up there.
<Character name>: Hm. What if I stuck the scanner on my jade bot?
Gorrik: The scanners and drones are on the same network. We could grab the data remotely. Good idea, Commander!
Interacting with the Jade Bot Terminal
This console contains an experimental interface that allows the user to take remote control over their jade bot while in this facility.
Talk quest option tango.png Load the scanner firmware onto the jade bot and take remote control.
Talk end option tango.png Leave the console alone.
While gathering the remaining batteries using your jade bot
Captain Mai Trin: Lemme tell you what bothers me: this whole time, not a single shred of evidence Ankka's targeting these facilities.
Marjory Delaqua: You were the one who pointed us here. You saying you were wrong?
Captain Mai Trin: I know what I heard. Ankka's definitely up to something.
Gorrik: You've been working with Joon all these years, you had no idea she was playing around with dragon magic?
Captain Mai Trin: I knew it had something to do with dragons, but this? No way.
When the percentage of jade batteries scanned bar is 2/3rds full
Taimi: Getting real close to a usable sample size, Commander. A few more scans should do it.
Gorrik: Excellent. There are few things more satisfying than a foolproof sample size.
Captain Mai Trin: (snicker) You really gotta get out more.
Gorrik: I get out all the time. It's where the bugs are.
Captain Mai Trin: What?
Marjory Delaqua: He's an entomologist.
Gorrik: And, as you know, a published expert in draconology. Oh, and magic waveforms, too.
Captain Mai Trin: So you're not just an expert on dragons, but bugs and magic?
Gorrik: And my powers of deduction are leading me into a promising career as a crime-solving detective.
Marjory Delaqua: All right, take it easy. Let's let the commander focus.
Regrouping with your allies after all batteries have been scanned
Taimi: Final scan's coming through. Now I just need to compare it to...
Taimi: Gorrik, check this.
Caithe: Taimi? Taimi. You look ill. You should—
Gorrik: This... Taimi, there's no way...
Taimi: I know.
Marjory Delaqua: Somebody explain what's going on, please?
Gorrik: Okay. Okay, so... Dragon magic we've seen up to this point—all of it—has been, in some way, combinatorial.
Taimi: Zhaitan's magic layered with Mordremoth's, layered with Kralk's.
Gorrik: Or it's been that, but filtered. Aurene's magical signature.
Taimi: But the margin of error bugged me. So I culled the signatures of all the dragons. Even Aurene. It was a perfect match.
<Character name>: A perfect match? What—what does that mean?
Gorrik: Pure dragon magic. I've made theoretical models, but never expected to see it.
<Character name>: I think it's time we had a conversation with Joon. Taimi—
Napui Lab AI: Intruder alert! Lab security has been compromised.
Gorrik: Aetherblade party bypassed the lockdown. No Ankka.
Captain Mai Trin: Then it's just a distraction.
<Character name>: Taimi, find Joon. We're about to be distracted.
After defeating the Aetherblade intruders
Gorrik: If Ankka isn't here, where is she?
Taimi: Hey, Commander? I've got Joon now—I'm patching everyone in.
Joon: Commander. Taimi hasn't said what this is about, but I can interpret the waveforms on her screen better than most.
<Character name>: When exactly were you planning to tell us your jade tech empire runs entirely on dragon magic?
Joon: I understand your concern. You have experience in this. And an Elder Dragon's perspective. As do I.
Taimi: You? How?
Aurene: The two are partnered. Jade power was not solely Joon's idea.
Joon: Aurene. When did she tell you?
Aurene: She didn't have to. She sounds...tired. Troubled.
Joon: That's why Soo-Won is under my protection, in a top-secret, state-of-the-art facility.
<Character name>: There is no facility in the world that could contain an Elder Dragon. You both know that.
Joon: Not against her will.
Captain Mai Trin: That's why Ankka sent this diversion. Joon, she knows about Soo-Won. I don't know how, but she does.
Joon: Hm. Then I suppose it's time you all met face to face. Meet me at the reactor; I'll waive you in.
<Character name>: Aurene, you should hang back. If Ankka shows up with that Extractor...
Aurene: Of course. You're right. I'll meet you there, but I'll hang back. Just in case.

My story[edit]

The Future in Jade- The Power Plant loading screen.png

As we planned our next course of action over comms, it became clear there was some bad history between Mai Trin and Yao. Yao seemed to resent Mai for being chosen as Joon's protégé, believing themselves to be much more qualified.

I acquired the power plant's passcode from the lead engineer and, after I acclimated myself to my jade bot's many uses and functions, we were ready to investigate the city's energy infrastructure. Mai apologized to Yao for the past enmity between them. She'll be doing a lot of apologizing to people from now on, I think.

***

Taimi finally managed to encrypt our comms network, just as we started poking around the power plant. According to her, Joon had always been tight-lipped when it came to the exact details of charging jade batteries. If we wanted a better understanding of how they worked, it was all on us. I picked up an energy scanner and began sending data samples for Taimi to analyze.

A power spike complicated the data collection process, because of course it did. A simple, straightforward task with zero wrinkles would be boring. As we reset junction boxes and scanned batteries, Mai noted that these jade tech malfunctions didn't seem like Ankka's style. She was all about carrying out Scarlet's ideals of "democratization through chaos," and corporate sabotage didn't really align with that.

Taimi compiled all of the data, and her analysis yielded a truly shocking discovery.

Jade tech is powered by dragon magic.

***

Taimi patched Yao into our comms frequency, reported our findings, and requested access to Nahpui Lab. We needed to build a broader data set immediately. Unfortunately, according to Yao, the power spikes from earlier scrambled Nahpui's security system, so it was a no-go until they came back online.

Fortunately, we didn't have to wait for that. Mai Trin had just the thing we needed (buried in her messy apartment): an imperial security badge. With it, we could bypass Kaineng lab security, even during a blackout.

She solemnly reflected on the badge being the only tangible proof of the trust Joon once afforded her.

***

Mai, Marjory, and I met up with Gorrik at Nahpui Lab. Taimi had told him everything. If jade tech's power cells were in fact using dragon magic, that would explain how they're being corrupted. We needed to scan more batteries. Now that Taimi knew what to look for, she could try isolating the energy signature to paint a clearer picture of what exactly we were dealing with. Mai Trin reiterated her doubts that Ankka was involved with whatever was happening to all the jade tech and batteries. There was no evidence that implicated her as the one responsible.

Taimi ran her scans on our newly collected data and the results were even more earth-shattering than the last. Not only were the batteries powered by dragon magic, but Joon had somehow cracked the mystery of producing pure dragon magic.

Suddenly, an ambush! The Aetherblades had broken through security and were blitzing the lab...but Ankka wasn't with them. This was a distraction. I told Taimi to find Joon immediately.

After the battle, we called Joon and confronted her. But before we could really grill her, Aurene chimed in. Apparently jade power wasn't solely Joon's idea—Soo-Won is being held in a top-secret facility, and she's allegedly cooperating with her on the whole endeavor to boot. That's why Ankka sent the distraction: she knew about Soo-Won somehow! Joon thought it prudent that we all meet face-to-face and told everyone to rendezvous with her at the reactor. I suggested Aurene hang back, in case Ankka showed up with the Extractor.

My story

Notes[edit]

  • Entering the water with the scanner equipped will short-circuit the scanner, requiring a new one to be retrieved. This can be avoided by stowing the scanner.
  • Resetting the power junction boxes requires playing a game of Simon. For example, when you hit "reset" (F), one of the three symbols will appear/sound off after a moment. Click that symbol. Then it will cycle, and replay "Symbol 1", and add a second symbol. Click both of them, then it returns with the first two and a new third. Repeat. When you get four symbols correct (usually not difficult) the unit is reset.
If the last set of batteries is scanned before Taimi's dialogue ("Well, everything's back on. Go ahead and run that final scan when you're ready."), the instance will stall, forcing the player to restart the entire instance.

Trivia[edit]

  • The achievement Ribbit!, and the related puzzle where you must jump across jade tech sleds in the water, is a reference to the arcade game Frogger, in which players must also cross moving platforms over water[1].

References[edit]