M03: Smokestack

M03: Smokestack is the third mission in Metroid Prime: Federation Force. It is the first to occur on Talvania, and the objective is to discover why an abandoned power station has come back online, then shut it down. Enemies in this mission include Security Bots, Eyeflyers, Sentry Missiles and Grim-Class Turrets. Destroying 14 Security Bots is a bonus objective.
A Shield Door blocks ingress into the station and can only be opened with a Missile Key, which can be found nearby.
Through this door, the Federation Force discovers that a gas Generator is responsible for the interference. After an intense battle, the Generator becomes so damaged that it explodes. However, it also causes the gas to begin dispersing in large quantities throughout the station. The Force must escape the lower area of the station in 43 seconds. Before they can be extracted, the Force must take down an attacking group of Space Pirates. This incident prompts the Galactic Federation to hire Samus Aran to gather intelligence about the Pirates' presence.
==Terminal data==
System Warning:Discharge levels in excess of acceptable norms. Cease operations immediately.
System Update:Power station energy-access system operating at 98.9%.
System Report:Core output 150% of safe levels. Load increases not advised.
==Mission briefing==
===Pre-mission briefing===
"You'll be heading down to Talvania on this mission, Marine. The third planet in the Bermuda system, it was once home to an advanced machine race.
Low-grade orbital scans suggest centuries of neglect. However, there are no signs of any kind of disastrous event. The current theory's that the machines simply abandoned the planet.
We'd have more detailed scans, but there is some kind of electromagnetic interference coming from the planet--specifically from this power station.
Until we address the interference, it will be impossible for the Federation to properly survey Talvania.
After all this time, it shouldn't even be functional. Impressive, really... Anyway, your mission is to stop the electromagnetic interference coming from the station.
Considering Talvania was once home to a machine race, it's safe to assume any ancient defenses will be mechanical. Better bring some Shock weapons along.
Finding an operational power station was unexpected--be prepared for more unexpected events, Marine. Move out!"
===Post-mission briefing===
I've filed a report about the Space Pirates with Federation HQ. They've contacted Samus Aran and have requested she investigate Space Pirate involvement in this region.
It looks like the interference was coming from an antenna the Space Pirates had on the power station. It was using the generator as a power supply. Emphasis on "was". Good work.
If the Space Pirates are on Talvania, it's possible they're on Excelcion and Bion, too. We'll need to be prepared.
I'm not sure what to make of the size of them, though. They were just about the same size as an Omega Pirate! Hopefully Samus can come up with more information.
Good work, Marine. Prepare for your next mission. Dismissed!
==Dialogue==
"There's the shielded jamming device!"
"The device is clearly using the power station to broadcast its interference. But why is the power station even operational...? Regardless, we need to take that device offline right away. Destroying the power station's central core should do the trick!"
"This gate will remain sealed unless you can find an item that will act as a key. Search the area!"
"If you fire the Missile Key at the sealed gate, it should open."
"This is the heart of the power station. Destroying the central core should take the whole place offline."
"Enemies detected. Watch your map!"
"The core is getting ready to vent excess energy! Get to high ground before the area is flooded!"
"You're losing platforms! Hurry, you need to destroy the core!"
"Destroying the core also destroyed any way to contain the fuel--a highly corrosive gas! Get out of there now!"
"That was close! No gas ahead of you, though. Time to leave this place behind."
"Space Pirates?! What are they doing here?! I can't risk sending the dropship until you've secured the landing site--take them out!"
"No further Space Pirates detected. I'm sending the dropship to pick you up now."
==Development notes==
Patrick English created the environments in this mission. The first set of exhaust tunnels were built in a modular set of segments that he could assemble into multiple possible mazes. This allowed him to more easily change the maze as needed without having to rebuild it repeatedly. English enjoyed creating the Generator's area, which he designed as a human industrial setting mixed with alien elements from the machine race, that evoked a feeling of danger.Interview: Patrick English. Shinesparkers. September 30, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
==Gallery==
The dropship approaches the power plant.jpg|The dropship approaches the power plant
The jamming device.jpg|The jamming device
Factory piping.jpg|Factory piping
Battling the power plant's security bots.jpg|Marines battling the power plant's Security Bots
And automated turrets.jpg|Marines battling Grim-Class Turrets
The power plant's main generator.jpg|The power plant's main generator
Sentry missile targeting the player.jpg|Sentry missile targeting the Federation Force
Space Pirate ambush.jpg|Space Pirate ambush
==References==
ru:M03: Дымовая труба
Category:Talvania
Category:Missions