Postmortem Employment Center

Mission Type

Adventure Mission

Requirements

Trailblaze Mission Mythological Philosophy and Fair Game completed

Starting Location(s)

Astropolis - Lodestar Tower

Previous Mission

Next Mission

Mythological Philosophy and Fair Game

Secrets of a City

Rewards
Summary
Characters

40

6

200

62,500

Skott, now a ghost leader, and Ashavat, his old buddy from the Postmortem Employment Center, went at each other in a full-on dog-eat-dog showdown. In the end, however, nobody came out on top, and the whole ordeal ended in an absolute trainwreck.

Ashavat, Auto Heartthrob Bot, Bob XV, Chief Neil, Mr. Reca, Skott, Trailblazer

Postmortem Employment Center is an Adventure Mission on Astropolis.

Steps

See what the ghosts are arguing about
Go talk to Mr. Reca
Reca should know something about this
Find the UFO contact in Astropolis
Time to meet the leader of UFO
See what Skott plans to do
Meet up at the Upside-Down Restaurant
Time to crash the party
Head to the VIP booth downstairs
Head back and find Skott and Ashavat

Dialogue

See what the ghosts are arguing about

Mission Description

Fun fact: in Astropolis, "working even after death" isn't always an exaggeration but more of a plain statement of fact.

Lodestar Tower

(Approach marked location): (Trailblazer): (A whole bunch of ghosts are gathered over there... Should I go check it out?)

Listen

IPC Employee: I'm only warning you because we're former colleagues: Once that ghostbuster team shows up, they don't discriminate.

Wrathful Ghost: Let them come. Not like I haven't died before.

Wrathful Ghost: We worked ourselves to the bone for the IPC, kept grinding even after death, and this is how the Postmortem Employment Center treats us?

Yelling Ghost: Crammed into a 10-square-foot office with a hundred coworkers! Even robots in their cryosleep pods are better off than us!

Disgruntled Ghost: My wife and kid came to visit me, and we spent too long saying goodbye. Same night, I get a notice to pay back taxes on my Wishpower!

Wrathful Ghost: Ghosts were once people too! We demand better accommodations and equal status!

Ghost Crowd: And higher wages!

Wrathful Ghost: All of you bystanders, look closely at how ghosts are rewarded for their service! Today it's ghosts, tomorrow it could be you.

Before you can decline, the ghost has already shoved a crudely-made flyer into your hands.

(Quick read)

Holy Wubbaboo Adventure 18: Wubbaboo Wars Poster

Ladies and gentlemen! The dearly departed and the still-breathing alike! From Homo sapiens to Intellitrons, all sentient beings who call themselves thinking creatures! We implore you to spare a few minutes to learn about our cause and the desperate plight of ghosts in Astropolis. You may think this has nothing to do with you, but as long as individual lives have an end, sooner or later, in the near future or the far-flung days, you will inevitably face the same situation we do. To protect the rights of ghosts is to protect your own future!

And the ghosts' greatest enemy is none other than the Postmortem Employment Center, the place that chews ghosts up and spits nothing out. Until the Postmortem Employment Act changes, there will be no end to the ghosts' hell.

The Life of an Unwanted Ghost

Picture this: Your guardian racks up a million credits in debt, then vanishes into thin air. Or maybe you took out an IPC study loan to pursue advancement at the Intelligentsia Guild, spent the better half of your life grinding away, finally paid off half of it, and then you just... drop dead. You're practically celebrating, thinking "well, that's that," when you suddenly open your eyes and find yourself "resurrected" as a ghost. And that debt from your dearly departed self? Now it's yours to carry. Congratulations, you get to keep on working to pay it off!

Ghosts don't get tired, nor do they need rest. They can also lower the density of their own particles, which means that if your boss is shameless enough, you might find yourself "enjoying" the privilege of sharing an office with a thousand ghosts. Walking in every morning to find them all stacked on top of each other, it's like stumbling into a video game glitch.

Of course, you might be middle class, the quintessential "average person" of Astropolis. So picture this: You've spent your entire life scrimping and saving up a decent nest egg, only to drop dead unexpectedly on the way home from work one day. First, you'll find yourself trapped in the bureaucratic nightmare of proving to the Postmortem Employment Center that the ghost standing before them is, in fact, you. Then your assets get liquidated. Best case, you're slapped with a hefty tax bill, while the worst case is the Postmortem Employment Center swallows the whole lot. As a ghost, you're left with no choice but to rely on Wishpower to sustain your existence, that energy source woven from attention and imagination that's all around us. You manage to scrape together just enough to keep yourself going by chatting with a friend or two... and then the tax notice arrives.

Talking to your families gets taxed, Wishpower earned from streaming gets taxed, accidentally phasing through the floor and scaring passersby means the scare you generate gets taxed, and even the Wishpower you get from being yelled at by your boss at the Postmortem Employment Center gets taxed!

At this point, you might say, "I'm a filthy-rich tycoon, famous throughout all of Astropolis. I have more than enough money to pay for a post-death resurrection service. After I die, I'll come back as a ghost, and my lawyers will handle all the paperwork, dodge the taxes, and make sure my fortune lands right back in my hands. I'll keep living the high life, haunting Astropolis as the cream of the crop."

Unfortunately, we have our fair share of such cases among our own kind. He had prepared everything, but guess what? His two kids hired a "scientific exorcist" to wipe out every trace of his life. He'd set up 99 obsession-infused objects as receptacles for his revival, but 97 of them got burned to ash. Lucky for him, though, he was one step ahead, for he never told those two ungrateful brats his bank account number. So, to keep the family fortune from turning into cold, hard inheritance tax, they had no choice but to bring him back as a ghost.

What he didn't see coming, though, was that his children were even craftier. The lawyer they hired fabricated a false testimony to strip him of his identity, forcing him into a gig as a human customer service rep at the Postmortem Employment Center, while every last bit of his assets landed squarely in their hands.

So, stand with us! Join us in pushing for reform of the Postmortem Employment Act! For the ghosts, for the future, for the Amber Lord!

IPC Employee: Suit yourselves. Don't say I didn't warn you.

(Trailblazer): (Isn't that Mr. Reca? What's he doing here?)

Go talk to Mr. Reca

Mission Description

That Memokeeper director always pops up wherever something's about to go down. When he appears, you can bet a storm's brewing. So, something big is coming... is it?

Lodestar Tower

(Interact with Mr. Reca): Mr. Reca: Life is full of surprises. We meet again, (Mr./Miss) (Trailblazer).; Mr. Reca: As you can see, I'm filming a documentary set in Astropolis. No central theme, just filming whatever character steps in front of the lens.; Mr. Reca: I have to say, the strife between the deceased and the living, this unfolding story of the IPC... a real eye-opener, even to a Memokeeper.; Mr. Reca: I heard Mr. Skott works here too, the one who does animal impressions. Oh, I see, you're here to find him?; Mr. Reca: What a shame, the universe nearly lost a uniquely gifted clown. He deserves the exit of a comedian more than one shrouded in conspiracy.; Shoot, I forgot about him!; Yes, I'm here to find my dog.; So he actually showed up for work.; Mr. Reca: It has been my experience that the story begins when the starring cast assembles. The entrance you and Mr. Skott made indicates that this is the start of the show.; Mr. Reca: See that? A new performer has taken the stage.

Wrathful Ghost: As a registered legal entity, we have a right to trash-talk the IPC. You have no authority to kick us out.

Ashavat: However, the space you're occupying has severely disrupted foot traffic at Lodestar Tower. The economic losses caused by this obstruction far outweigh whatever commercial value you're generating.

Ashavat: Everyone, please proceed with the lawful dispersal.

Wrathful Ghost: Hey! Lots of people are watching!

Ashavat: And?

Wrathful Ghost: Mark my words! Until our demands are met, you people will not get an ounce of sleep!

IPC Employee: Sorry you had to see those ugly scenes, everyone.

Ashavat: Don't worry about it. This was never something you could've handled anyway.

Ashavat: Nice to meet you, (Mr./Miss) (Trailblazer). My name is Ashavat, and I'm the manager of the Postmortem Employment Center.

Have you seen Skott?

Ashavat: Unfortunately, Skott isn't here. He's been kidnapped, and the culprits are those thugs you just saw.

They snatched my dog?

And you let them get away?

Why snatch him?

Ashavat: Maybe it's because he's so prominent that the kidnappers thought he'd make a valuable bargaining chip. But without evidence, there's nothing I can do about them either.

Ashavat: Rest assured, we're already working on tracking down Skott's whereabouts. If you happen to find any leads on him, please reach out as soon as possible.

(Trailblazer): (Reca probably knows plenty about those troublemakers. Should go ask him.)

Reca should know something about this

Mission Description

Life is full of surprises. Your beloved dog just clawed its way back from the dead, and now it's out of the frying pan and into the fire. Honestly, you kind of have a duty to get to the bottom of this.

Lodestar Tower

(Interact with Mr. Reca)

Mr. Reca: I knew you'd choose to step in. Unsophisticated types would call it meddling, but I prefer to think of it as the defining personality trait of a protagonist.

Mr. Reca: Getting familiar with the script before stepping on stage is just basic professionalism for any actor.

Regarding the Postmortem Employment Center...

Mr. Reca: Ever since imagenae began appearing in Astropolis, and as a result of IPC workers having far more obsessions than ordinary people before death, the probability of ghost manifestation is also several times higher than that of Planarcadia.

Mr. Reca: The very organization responsible for managing these ghosts and putting them to good use is the Postmortem Employment Center.

Regarding the troublemaking ghosts...

Mr. Reca: The Upright Fiends Organization, or "UFO" for short, is a registered civilian group made up of ghosts dissatisfied with the postmortem employment system.

Mr. Reca: Some people, bound by debt contracts, are forcibly resurrected as ghosts after death to pay off their debts.

Mr. Reca: Some people sign up for ghost resurrection services, only to have their kids do everything they can to destroy their identity records, totally erasing them socially, just to get their hands on the inheritance.

Mr. Reca: The victims of this postmortem employment system together form the UFO.

Mr. Reca: Apparently, their contact is some kind of weird mass-produced robot.

Mr. Reca: I heard about this case of a missing detective in Astropolis. Apparently, the ghosts from the Postmortem Employment Center are mixed up in it somehow. If you're curious, might as well head over there afterward and take a look.

Mr. Reca: (Mr./Miss) (Trailblazer), I'm off to my next set. I believe you'll do as you've done before, and bring another outstanding comedy to the world.

Find the UFO contact in Astropolis

Mission Description

As they say: Don't mess with the little guy unless you're ready for the big guy. Now go show those thugs what the Galactic Baseballer can do!

Astropolis Central District

(Approach marked location)

King Heartthrob: Hello! Welcome to the Auto Heartthrob Bot vintage mini edition.

King Heartthrob: This unit carries a full range of personalized services, including "Writing a Letter of Complaint," "Slandering the IPC," and "Overthrowing the Higher-Ups." Whatever grievances you have with the IPC, consider them handled.

So you're the UFO contact?

Tell your boss to come out and face me!

Give me back Skott!

King Heartthrob: Excuse me, are you looking for trouble? If so, I'll have to give you a good working over.

Sure! Shall we?

Quietly pull out a baseball bat.

Do I have to pay for what I break?

King Heartthrob: Easy, tiger! I was just messing with you.

King Heartthrob: Truth is, I could tell right away you're no ordinary visitor. But as a duly registered organization firmly opposed to the Interastral Peace Corporation, we only grant audiences to visitors whose anti-IPC purity rating exceeds 90%.

King Heartthrob: Just prove you're a friend, and you'll get your audience with the UFO! Come! Let's settle this with a thrilling poetry battle!

King Heartthrob: I'll go first: "Should I fulfil my soaring ambition one day, I would dare to laugh at Arita for not being a real man!"

Why a poetry battle?

King Heartthrob: After all, an old saying on the Xianzhou goes: "A gentleman uses his words, not his fists."

Oswaldo, is even worse than a dog.

King Heartthrob: What a beautifully concise insult! My mechsoul can't help but tremble.

The IPC is my home that everyone loves.

King Heartthrob: What magnificent passive-aggression! I cannot compete.

King Heartthrob: Again! "Should I fulfill my soaring ambition one day, I would dare to laugh at Taravan for not being a real man!"

Is that the only line you've got?

King Heartthrob: This is called doing only one thing, but doing it well.

I've had two fights with Aventurine.

King Heartthrob: Incredible! The facts speak for themselves: Looks like you're already familiar with this art.

This is exhausting, I'm done slandering them.

King Heartthrob: They say silence is the greatest form of contempt. I never expected you to naturally master this secret art!

King Heartthrob: As expected, compared to the "Leader," the ferocity of my anti-IPCness is only like the faint glow of a firefly. Congratulations, your anti-IPC purity rating has surpassed 99% of all users.

King Heartthrob: Come out, everyone. This one is a friendly.

Debt Denial Ghost: Incredible! This is the first time I've ever seen the King Heartthrob left completely speechless.

Once Renowned Ghost: The boss will be thrilled to have someone this talented on board.

What's your boss like?

Debt Denial Ghost: The embodiment of wisdom, courage, and justice. Any glowing adjective you can think of applies. He showed up and humbled that Ashavat, giving us a good chance to vent our fury.

Once Renowned Ghost: They say seeing is believing, so go on, he's waiting for you up ahead. Careful not to get overwhelmed by his kingly aura.

Time to meet the leader of UFO

Mission Description

Are these guys actually bandits? Going up against the IPC's Talent Motivation Department on their own turf, all for a group of strays trying to keep each other warm. The leader of UFO must have one heart of gold.

Astropolis Central District

(Approach marked location)

Ghost Skott: Another poor soul oppressed by the IPC. But that's alright, the UFO is here, Astropolis will have peace.

Ghost Skott: Ashavat who? A loser who meddles in the affairs of the deceased thinks he can order me.... I mean us! Us! Around? Bah!

Ghost Skott: You just call me boss, and from here on out, Astropolis is for you to walk as you please.

Say that again?

You're enjoying this, aren't you?

Did you forget to take your meds?

Ghost Skott: Big talk for a newbie. But that's alright, I'm nothing if not magnanimous. I'll let this go.

Ghost Skott: But you need to do something about your voice. The more you speak, the more annoying it sounds. My ances— ahem, (Trailblazer), we meet again!

Ghost Skott: All of you stand down. This is an old friend. I'd like a moment alone with (him/her)... to catch up on old times.

Ghost Crowd: Yes, boss!

So, what happened?

(Trailblazer): Aren't you a die-hard IPC dog? How did a few days apart turn you into some anti-IPC crusader?

Ghost Skott: Not a dog, a lone wolf! A LONE WOLF!

Ghost Skott: Ever heard of Ashavat? Doesn't matter if you haven't. Back in the day, I pulled every string to get him transferred to a frontier garrison, and he absolutely despises me for it.

Ghost Skott: He was mortally wounded in the battle against Irontomb, and obviously got promoted after death. He's now my superior... do you know what that means?

Ghost Skott: He could torture me, like a kid toying with ants. Soon as I heard he was running the Postmortem Employment Center, I made an excuse about needing the bathroom and scrammed.

Not everyone thinks the way you do.

Ghost Skott: You don't get it. Anyone who can be friends with Skott can only be a once-in-a-lifetime scumbag.

Ghosts have to use the bathroom too?

Ghost Skott: Obviously no. I already said it was an excuse!

He is completely justified to want revenge.

Ghost Skott: That stuff was all done by living Skott. What does it have to do with ghost Skott?

Didn't you die in the line of duty?

Ghost Skott: Urgh. I only found out after I got here myself. There are more model soldiers who died for the IPC at the Postmortem Employment Center than there are stray dogs on the street.

Ghost Skott: If Ashavat has you on a leash, forget climbing to the top. You won't even be able to turn your life around.

Ghost Skott: Before I met you, my whole life was smooth sailing. How could I accept that kind of suffering? So, I sprinkled a bit of the old Lyndon Skott charm, and just like that, became a boss.

Ghost Skott: Once I knock that guy off his perch, the Talent Motivation Department will definitely try to get me over to their side with an even better position. If you want to get on my good side, now's the time!

Knew you were up to no good.

Ahh... how I've missed the stench of scum.

Gives me peace of mind to see you're still so cunning.

Ghost Skott: But how did you find me—

Ghost Skott: I should've known. You're being followed.

King Heartthrob: Alert! Alert! Multiple ghost-busting devices detected.

Ashavat: Old friend, has it really been five years since we last met?

Ashavat: (Mr./Miss) (Trailblazer), on behalf of the Postmortem Employment Center, please accept our sincerest gratitude for your assistance in leading us to the fugitive ghosts.

Ashavat: Heard you and Skott have quite the history. I've got plenty of character-building jobs lined up. Feel free to come pick one out for him.

I'm not that classless.

Only I get to torture this bundle of fun!

Ghost Skott: I'm not a toy!

Tell me, how exactly are we building his character?

Ashavat: Might be too explicit to say out loud.

Debt Denial Ghost: Boss, let's take these guys down!

King Heartthrob: The IPC is dead, the ghosts will soon rise! In the year of Lyndon, there will be great prosperity under Heaven!

Ghost Skott: We're a legitimate organization. Try us if you have the guts!

Ashavat: But Skott, you still haven't completed your official ghost registration. By choosing to harbor and conceal an unregistered ghost, they are seriously violating the Postmortem Employment Act.

Ghost Skott: That's odd, I don't remember such a regulation...

Ashavat: Of course. This regulation just passed this morning.

Ghost Skott: You... you're a monster!

Ashavat: Thanks for the compliment.

Debt Denial Ghost: You're wasting your time. No amount of scheming is going to turn us against the boss!

Ashavat: Don't misunderstand, I'm here to extend an invitation to Skott. After all, between the UFO and the Postmortem Employment Center, you and I have plenty to talk about.

Ashavat: How about dinner at the Upside-Down Restaurant tonight?

Ghost Skott: Something that reeks of scheming like this, do you think I—

Debt Denial Ghost: Why should we be scared!? We've got your back, boss!

Once Renowned Ghost: Look sharp!

King Heartthrob: Have some dignity!

Ghost Skott: Huh?

Ashavat: It's a promise. See you there! (Trailblazer), remember to come too. After all, for a dog to enter a restaurant, the owner should be there to hold its leash.

Free food, awesome!

You better brace yourself.

You still haven't talked about the character-building!

Ashavat: Skott, may you continue to shine brightly in this lowly place. I'll be watching you from the heights of Astropolis.z

See what Skott plans to do

Mission Description

There's no turning back now. Time to fight! For old grudges and new, for dignity and honor, and for the ghosts of the UFO, Skott's going down swinging in his last stand!

Astropolis Central District

(Interact with Skott)

Ghost Skott: Ahhhhh! Those idiots, who told them to go ahead and agree on my behalf!

Ghost Skott: So it's definitely a trap, isn't it?

You don't have to go.

Ghost Skott: What would my followers think of me? Would I even be able to call myself boss?

If you insist.

Ghost Skott: I'm scared! He could just call a couple of mechatrons to pound me into mashed potato.

Can I not go?

Ghost Skott: My ancestor! There were too many people around just now, but I'm on my knees begging you now. If you're not coming with me, it won't matter if I bring every single ghost in Astropolis. He'll still beat me to a pulp!

(Trailblazer): Fine, whatever. It'll be a show worth watching.

Ghost Skott: Good thing I'm smart. He won't see it coming. I've already cooked up over ten different ways to make him die a miserable death.

Ghost Skott: King Heartthrob!

King Heartthrob: Your humble servant is present.

Ghost Skott: Change of plan. Mobilize every last UFO member in Astropolis. All units, move out. Let's hit Ashavat with everything we've got!

Ghost Skott: Let's go. Time to show that punk what it really means to play dirty.

Let's go! The battle of the lowlifes is on!

Ghost Skott: Do you think this is some kind of Aether Spirit battle?

We're actually on the same side this time!

Ghost Skott: No, it's just mutual exploitation.

Meet up at the Upside-Down Restaurant

Mission Description

To be fair, Skott kinda had this coming. But to keep him from kicking the bucket again, you might as well tag along and tell Ashavat to take it easy on him.

Astropolis Central District

(Interact with Skott)

Calm Foxian: ...

Well-Behaved Little Girl: ...

And they are... ?

Ghost Skott: People we'll need to take on Ashavat.

So I'm not your only backup?

Ghost Skott: Stop stop stop! I haven't even met Ashavat yet, and you're already making me sick.

Nothing in Astropolis surprises me anymore.

Ghost Skott: Don't say a word, just watch and learn.

Time to crash the party

Mission Description

Let them go at it. You just keep eating.

Astropolis Central District

(Approach marked location)

Ashavat: Hmph. I didn't expect you would dare—

Ghost Skott: Ashavat! I've wronged you! I'm a jerk, a scumbag, the worst piece of trash in the entire universe!

Ghost Skott: I was obsessed with climbing the ranks back then, and schemed and plotted to get you shipped off to the frontier fortress.

Calm Foxian: *a mysterious melody, brimming with heartfelt emotion*

Ghost Skott: I now realize how foolish I've been. To atone for my sins, I'm willing to work my fingers to the bone for you, to be your most loyal servant.

Ashavat: What is going on here? (Trailblazer), are they...

I have no clue!

Master, I get it now.

Ashavat: Get what?

Maybe he's genuinely remorseful?

Ashavat: Him? Do you also believe Nanook helps old ladies cross the street?

Ghost Skott: I stirred up that UFO mess thinking I could prove I was better than you, but I know I have lost. I am utterly defeated.

Ghost Skott: I'm sorry, I've let down my best bro.

Ashavat: Even if you're just acting, you've said a couple of gems somewhere in there.

Ghost Skott: I can give you everything on the UFO! Their numbers, their plans!

Ghost Skott: For the sake of our friendship, please give me decent position at the Postmortem Employment Center.

Ashavat: ...

Ashavat: Never thought that lone wolf Skott would actually come crawling to me one day. But there's no going back to how things were, and it's because of you that my daughter...

Calm Foxian: *a mysterious melody, brimming with heartfelt emotion*

Well-Behaved Little Girl: Dad, I've already forgiven you.

Ashavat: Lei!? What are you doing here?

Well-Behaved Little Girl: Uncle Skott brought me here. Daddy never comes home to see me and Mommy, but I know it's because you're busy earning money so I can have yummy cake every single day.

Well-Behaved Little Girl: I know it's tough out there for you, and dangerous, too.

Ashavat: Don't worry about me, kiddo. Daddy's doing just fine.

Well-Behaved Little Girl: Daddy, I love you.

Calm Foxian: *a mysterious melody, brimming with heartfelt emotion*

Ashavat: I'm so sorry I wasn't there to hold you when you were born. Wait, no, my daughter is only two years old. There's no way you could be...

Ashavat: My Wishpower is fading, and it's YOUR fault, you scoundrel! You're trying to send me to the afterlife!

Huh?

That's Skott for you!

What new trick is this?

Ghost Skott: According to Article 22 of the Postmortem Employment Act, ghosts with no outstanding debts are permitted to apply for euthanasia services.

Ghost Skott: I spent a fortune bringing in two masters who trained at Claretwheel Temple, all to grant your dying wish and help you ascend to heaven. And you're still so ungrateful?

Ashavat: Seeing you're as shameless as ever, there's no reason for me to hold back. Come on out, all of you!

Ghost Skott: Thought you had some brilliant master plan up your sleeve. But all you came up with was two bodyguards? That's barely enough to be a warm-up for (Trailblazer).

At least pick an elite monster for a fight.

Ghost Skott: Hehe, you're facing the Trailblazer who beat up Irontomb and crushed Asat Pramad. I'm not scared of you.

(Trailblazer): You've got that right. (I'm/I'm) just that good!

Go ahead, duke it out. I'm just here for the show.

Ghost Skott: Come on, Trailblazer. You really gonna just sit there and watch your archenemy get pushed around by some stranger like that?

(Trailblazer): Yep, more than happy to watch.

Ashavat: They're just a couple of clerks. I'm a respectable person. Hiring thugs to rough people up is more of a stray dog's style.

Ashavat: According to Article 3 of the Postmortem Employment Act, all ghosts are required to complete a posthumous asset inventory. I saved your registration for this very moment, old friend. Care to guess why?

Ghost Skott: You! You can't do that!

Ashavat: With (Trailblazer) as witness and the Planarcadia report as supporting evidence, it has been sufficiently proven that Skott died in Planarcadia.

Ashavat: Under the Ghost Management Regulations, a ghost and their physical body are to be considered two separate individuals. Accordingly, Skott's pension insurance, medical insurance, and all other insurance policies are hereby terminated!

Ghost Skott: No! My social security!

Ashavat: Hold your horses. By the same reasoning, your job tenure should be completely scrapped too. Starting now, ghost Skott's tenure resets back to zero.

Ghost Skott: I've worked here for over a decade! I'm going to kill you!

Bro, have some dignity. Come on.

Ghost Skott: Dignity!? Pah!

Relax, a ghost can't be killed with anger.

Ghost Skott: Can't you say something positive for once!?

Ashavat, you're utterly despicable.

Ashavat: This dear friend of mine taught me well.

Ashavat: Finally, as Skott's only living relative remains incarcerated and is therefore ineligible to inherit his estate—

Ghost Skott: No, no, no! Bro! Sir! I'm begging you! I'll get on my knees! I genuinely admit defeat this time, okay!?

Ashavat: Skott's assets are to be transferred in full to the Postmortem Employment Center, and will be donated to the Cosmic Children's Welfare Foundation.

Clerk: Asset inventory complete. On behalf of the beneficiaries, we thank you for your generous donation, Mr. Skott.

Ghost Skott: It's all gone... every last bit of it. The money I spent years scraping together, doing all kinds of dirty work to get my hands on... all gone......

Ghost Skott: Ashavat, today I'm going all out! It's you or me!

Ghost Skott: Remember all that dirt I dug up on you? Well, every last bit of it just landed in your boss's mailbox.

Ashavat: You... It's fine, I can handle it.

Ashavat: Skott, you seem to be taking to the vagrant life in Astropolis quite well. You and those ghosts begging tourists for Wishpower... Now that's a picture-perfect look for you.

Ashavat: Who knows if Rakshmi will even recognize that the scruffy beggar in the photo is the man she's been pining for?

Ghost Skott: A few years apart, and you've turned into such a conniving snake.

Ashavat: The Ashavat you knew died on the frontier a long time ago.

Ashavat: Your little crew is gearing up to infiltrate the Postmortem Employment Center, aren't they? Saw that coming a mile away. The ghost-busting squad is locked, loaded, and armed to the teeth, just waiting for them.

Ghost Skott: Hmph, I figured you'd figure out my plan. Those pawns were expendable from the start. I planted my spy in your ghost-busting squad long before any of this began.

Ashavat: I figured you'd figure out that I'd figure out your plan. That spy was mine from the very start. Every single piece of intel you got was a fabrication.

You two are dishing out all kinds of plot twists here.

Ooh, now we've got a battle of wits to watch.

Should've grabbed a bucket of popcorn before this.

Ashavat: Money, power, I've got you beat on every front. What exactly are you planning to fight me with?

Ghost Skott: Hahaha, hahahaha.

Ashavat: Have you finally lost your mind?

Ghost Skott: I've had my fun, and now it's time to lay my cards on the table... I've collected quite a few reviews about you from the ghosts at the Postmortem Employment Center. I wonder what your supervisor, Chief Neil, would think if he got a look at them.

Ashavat: It's nothing but bad reviews from nobodies. You must be pretty desperate to pull a boneheaded move like this.

Ghost Skott: Who said anything about bad reviews? Your employees have been singing your praises. Apparently, Mr. Ashavat approved a couple extra sick days, and even helped file a postmortem employment benefits claim on someone's behalf.

Ghost Skott: Everyone says Ashavat is way better than that Chief Neil, or whatever his title is.

A sharp ring cuts through the air. Looks like someone important just called your opponent.

Ashavat: Chief Neil? Chief Neil? ...I really didn't do anything... No, that's not what I meant! It's all slander!

Ashavat: Chief Neil wants to see us, in the VIP lounge downstairs... I'm curious, though. What did you promise these people to get them to play along with your little performance?

Ghost Skott: You think you're high above everyone else, but let's not forget, the only reason you're sitting in that chair is because of those very idiots you look down on.

Ghost Skott: You gave them the stick and never the carrot. You treated them like dogs. I treated them like family. Simple as that.

Head to the VIP booth downstairs

Mission Description

Total bust! The food didn't even make it to the table before the banquet fell apart. So much for a free meal!

Astropolis Central District

Chief Neil

Chief Neil: Ashavat, who knew you had such a sense of humor? If I didn't have somewhere to be, I'd love to stick around and enjoy a little more of this reunion between old friends. The verbal sparring will be worth a watch.

Ashavat: Chief, just hear me out. This is—

Chief Neil: I hear you've been doing great work at the Postmortem Employment Center. Ever think about trying your hand at a different position?

Ashavat: Chief Neil, I've been working hard for the Postmortem Employment Center all this time. I've done so much, and I—

Chief Neil: Feeling dissatisfied?

Ashavat: No, I... I'll defer to the department's decision.

Chief Neil: As for you, Mr. Skott... the stories of the "UFO" precede you. I must admit, the Postmortem Employment Center's policies are, in certain respects, hopelessly outdated.

Chief Neil: I've drafted a document on improving the treatment of ghosts. We can iron out the implementation details later.

Ghost Skott: No other plans in consideration, sir? The whole reason we went up against the Postmortem Employment Center was to make things better for the IPC. Now that the problem's solved, maybe we could...

How many times has this happened now?

That was a quick betrayal.

Chief Neil: Cut to the chase. What do you want?

Ghost Skott: You could recruit me into the Postmortem Employment Center and have me serve as their representative leader. I can accept your terms on their behalf. I'll keep those restless souls in line and make sure they work for you without a shred of hesitation.

Chief Neil: You're not worth nearly as much as you think. Just a few minutes ago, your subordinates went over your head and cut a deal with us.

Chief Neil: Compared to you, their rates are a lot more... reasonable.

Ghost Skott: Those darn traitors! Filthy scabs!

Chief Neil: We'd be more than happy to welcome a talent like you to the Postmortem Employment Center. As the freshly reborn ghost Skott, naturally.

Ghost Skott: No, you can't do this to me! I bled for the IPC! I labored for the UFO!

Chief Neil: As I said, I have other engagements to get to. You can leave.

Chief Neil: (Mister/Miss) (Trailblazer), please hold on a moment.

Chief Neil: As I said, I have a prior engagement, one that involves you.

Chief Neil: What do you think of the Postmortem Employment Center?

Brutal.

Heartless.

Absurd.

Chief Neil: That's a fair way to see it, but have you ever stopped to wonder: Why would the IPC go through the trouble of exploiting a bunch of ghosts?

Chief Neil: Even if every ghost in Astropolis went on strike tomorrow, it would barely make a dent here. A modest investment is all it takes to swap them out for machines that are faster and cheaper.

Chief Neil: Easy. Because the ghosts need us. They need to be exploited, they need the sweet dream of "climbing the ladder and raking in cash even after death," they need to support their families, they need to make their lifelong dreams come true.

Chief Neil: Of course, the IPC isn't exactly a charity. Ghosts have their own value that machines simply can't replicate. After all, ghosts can spend money just like the living, and that's exactly what this age needs most.

That's all you wanted to say?

I've got to go.

Chief Neil: I'm simply letting you know that the Talent Motivation Department isn't as heartless as you might think, and we certainly don't have it out for you.

Chief Neil: Mr. Skott's not wrong. Ashavat's management style is way too harsh and he could use a lot more experience. Though, Skott's had his own run-ins with the Marketing Development Department, which makes him a pretty dangerous character in his own right.

Chief Neil: It pains me to say it, but I had no choice but to let these two exceptional talents go.

Chief Neil: The truly dangerous one here, though, is you. From the moment the Express set sail, Oswaldo's eyes have never once strayed from the bunch of you.

Chief Neil: Should you ever find yourself in need of opportunities in the future, we would be more than happy to invest in a talent like you. That's all I have to say. Enjoy your stay in Astropolis.

Head back and find Skott and Ashavat

Mission Description

Work, work, the endless hum of the modern age, turning in your ears, tick by tick, a ghostly lullaby.

Astropolis Central District

(Interact with Skott)

Ashavat: I thought I'd kick the dog when it was down, but ended up getting dragged into the water myself. Skott, oh Skott... you're just full of surprises, aren't you?

Ghost Skott: And look at you. A few years apart, and you've become even more shameless, ruthless, and cutthroat than I am. Color me impressed.

Ashavat: Oh, you flatter me. You're the truly vile one here. Shameless, ruthless, and cutthroat. Hahahahaha!

Ghost Skott: Hahaha! Now that's what I like to hear.

Ashavat: So what's your plan now? After all these years of work, it's all gone down the drain.

Ghost Skott: Don't you already know? I'm Lyndon Skott. There's nothing in this world I can't do. Hitting rock bottom and clawing my way back up? Just another Tuesday for me.

Ghost Skott: But those scab traitors who turned on me! They'll live to regret every last second of it!

Didn't you betray them first?

Ghost Skott: Yeah, fair enough... Whatever. I, the great Skott, am a man of massive generosity. I'll let it slide this time.

(If Tousled Detective was completed and the "So be it." was not chosen)

That's that.

Ghost Skott: Consider it my way of dealing with those broke rats.

(If Tousled Detective was completed and the "So be it." was chosen)

You can't just let this slide!

(Trailblazer): Hold on, let me call in some backup.

Tousled Detective: I see... But let's get one thing straight. My help only extends to dealing with those friends who sold out the UFO. That's my baseline, and I'm not budging on it.

Ghost Skott: What's the plan?

Tousled Detective: During my investigation, I managed to dig up some serious dirt on the UFO. As for how I plan to use it... you'll find out soon enough.

Ashavat: Ugh, I'm dead tired. Hey, old friend, ever heard of the restaurant in Astropolis that caters exclusively to ghosts?; Ghost Skott: You're buying.; Ashavat: Of course, (Trailblazer). You... Look at me, completely forgot you're still alive.; Passerby Ghost: Sorry about that. I totally zoned out there and didn't notice you. My bad, really!; Did he just pass through me?; Am I seeing things?; The game's got a bug!; Ashavat: Ghosts passing through solid matter? Totally normal in Astropolis. It's basically an open secret, a gray area everyone just turns a blind eye to. After all, a little tweaking of an optical imaging system is all it takes to pass a ghost off as a living person.; Ashavat: That way, job tenure and social security can all be passed down. At the very least... the family won't have to worry.; Ashavat: Of course, these ghosts playing pretend at being alive have no Wishpower backing from the Postmortem Employment Center. The moment they're forgotten, they vanish completely. But by then, no one would notice they've disappeared.; Are there a lot of people like that?; Ashavat: A few hundred? A few thousand? Who knows? When it comes to punching the clock, the living and the dead aren't all that different.
(Mission complete)

Other Languages

Language	Official Name
English	Postmortem Employment Center
Chinese (Simplified)	死后就业中心
Chinese (Traditional)	死後就業中心
Japanese	死後就職センター
Korean	사후 취업 센터
Spanish	Centro de Empleo del Más Allá
French	Centre d'emploi post-mortem
Russian	Центр занятости усопших
Thai	ศูนย์จัดหางานหลังความตาย
Vietnamese	Trung Tâm Việc Làm Sau Khi Chết
German	Das postmortale Beschäftigungszentrum
Indonesian	Pusat Ketenagakerjaan Pascakematian
Portuguese	Centro de Emprego Pós-Morte

Change History

Released in Version 4.5

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