Phase 9: Research; Chapter 1: Wearing the Hat

Or what it could be is just that the MANTIS Agents in this chapter and the previous Mellisa chapter were the lower level ranking ones who just guard non crucial areas.

The ones that Shadehawk fought with the pre-Golem guy were guarding perhaps something more important to TeraCorp. Shadehawk probably accidentally ventured into the sector which needed "higher-level" MANTIS Agents.

And we don't even know if the artifact vase we see here is even real. For all I know, it could just be a gauge/play with Wizard's powers (don't know why but). If the artifact's fake, then so could be the MANTIS Agents.

And if I was in control of some sort of elite-group/army which would (obviously) have varying levels of skill and competency, I would not colour code them so that attackers can distinguish between the strong and the weak - they will all be dressed the same. If attackers mistakenly take on a strong, the news will spread and none will ever try to attack my soldiers again - even if it's a weenie. Of course to make this work, I will place some overpowered strongs on at the entrance, to kill any confidence the attackers may have. Perhaps have the strongs occupy 3 levels. If bad comes to worse and I need to prepare for a major battle, I will pick out all the strongs by those tracking chips I put into them.

*turns around*

Hey! Why are you listening to my monologue?!